The Nation October 19, 2011

News Sport News

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Alaafin dispels death rumour, says I’m hale, hearty P7 Mikel targets more Champions League points P24 Violence in Lafia as Doma is arraigned by EFCC P8 www.thenationonlineng.net

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

VOL. 7, NO. 1918 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

Salami’s suit gets December 6 date

Sovereign Fund takes off •Budget 2012 oil benchmark now $70

G

OVERNORS have dropped their opposition to the establishment of the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said yesterday.

The governors had opposed the establishment of

From Nduka Chiejina, Abuja

the Fund on the grounds that it was illegal and unconstitutional. They also argued that it was out of place for the federal government to dictate to them how to spend their resources.

Yesterday, Dr. Okonjo-

A

Iweala announced the commencement of the operation of the fund after the governors reversed their position.

She said already, $1billion has been taken out of the $6 billion in the excess crude account, for the take off of the Fund.

Continued on page 4

N150.00

•Dr. Okonjo-Iweala

FEDERAL High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed December 6 to hear the consolidated preliminary objection to the suit filed by the suspended President of Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Isa Ayo Salami against the National Judicial Council (NJC) and others.

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

Co-defendants in the suit include the immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu, the CJN and Chairman of NJC, Justice Dahiru Musdapher; members of the NJC’s FactContinued on page 4

FOR REGIONAL PEACE

•President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria (centre) flanked by (from left) Ghanaian Vice President John Mahama; Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe; Guinean President Alpha Conde; Benin President Boni Yayi; Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf; Sierra Leonean President Ernest Koroma; and Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou, during the extra ordinary ECOWAS summit in Abuja ... yesterday. Story on page 10.

States walk out on panel over N250b subsidy T

HERE was no cash to share among the three tiers of government yesterday. The meeting of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) was stalemated.

Commissioners of Finance stormed out of the meeting in Abuja protesting Federal Government’s deduction of N250 billion from the Federation Account to fund oil subsidy.

The FAAC meets monthly to work modalities for the sharing of the cash in the Federation Account.

FAAC meeting fails President may sideline National Assembly to share Sept cash From Nduka Chiejine and John Ofikhenua, Abuja

Yesterday’s meeting was for the sharing of the September allocation which was put at about N1 trillion.

Sources at the meeting said a row broke out as soon as the commissioners were informed of the “unilateral deduction” of N250 billion to

fund oil subsidy.

Section 162 (3) of the 1999 Constitution states: “Any amount standing to the credit of the Federation Account shall be distributed among the Federal and State governments and the local government councils in each state in such terms and in such manners as may be pre-

scribed by the National Assembly”.

Acting Chairman of the Committee of Finance Commissioners Mr Eze Echesi told reporters after the aborted meeting that Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)’s deduction of N100 billion and Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory

Agency (PPPRA)’s deduction of N150 billion were in total violation of the law.

Echesi, who is the Anambra State Commissioner for Finance, said the deduction was responsible for the stalemate at the meeting. He confirmed that there was no disbursement of the September allocation to the three tiers of

government.

Invitation to the meeting had been sent to media houses. It was slated for the usual venue at Sheraton Hotel, Abuja.

At about 1pm, the commissioners staged a walkout. States’ Accountants General had earlier been sent out.

Indication of what was happening behind closed doors started filtering out when some state Accountant Generals said their govContinued on page 4

•MONEY P17 •SPORT P24 •LIFE P29 •POLITICS P43 •INVESTORS P49

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

2

NEWS DELE GIWA ... 25 YEARS AFTER

‘Then it was parcel bomb, PROLOGUE

T

WENTY-five years ago, Jimoh Ibrahim was in his teens . So was Billy Giwa, son of the founding editor-in-chief of Newswatch. Both of them, in their 40s today, are men in every sense of the word. Ibrahim, who was probably tucked in a dingy corner of Igbotako in Ondo State, when Giwa and three friends, Ray Ekpu, Dan Agbese and Yakubu Mohammed started Nigeria’s version of Time in 1984, could not have dreamt of taking over the ownership of Newswatch 25 years later.

Since he took over Newswatch, with Ekpu and co retained on the board, Ibrahim has made changes in the design. It is now more colourful and glossy, preparing to add a daily newspaper version anytime soon.

Time sure changes things. When on that scary morning 25 years ago, death, wrapped in an envelope, visited House 25, Talabi Crescent, off Talabi Street on Adeniyi Jones Avenue, and sneaked away with Giwa, Nigerians were shocked.

Reason: Giwa, who would have been 64 on March 16, was the first Nigerian to have been killed by a parcel bomb.

He was at home having a late breakfast with a colleague, Kayode Soyinka, who later became publisher of now rested Londonbased Africa Today and former governorship aspirant in Ogun State, when death came. Giwa did not die immediately. He was rushed to the hospital where he later died.

Amid the rubbles of the television set, louvres, chairs, a table and other domestic appliances, Giwa was quoted as saying, “they‘ve got me!”

Until then, many did not know such a device existed. Then it was parcel bomb, but today it has gone haywire. Nigerians are hardly shocked when bomb blasts, which are now a daily thing, occur. No thanks to the Boko Haram Islamic sect, which seems to derive joy from shedding innocent blood.

The sect went berserk recently when it targeted the UN House in Abuja. Before then, it had attacked the Police headquaters in Abuja.

The Eagle Square had also felt its ‘fangs.’ News about bomb blasts hardly make the lead pages these days; they are mostly tucked inside. Reason: the frequency of recurrence has rendered them redundant on these pages.

Despite all their troubles, Nigerians have not forgotten that depressing morning of October 19, 1986. Twenty-five years on, they still remember the death of this man, who was born into a poor family working in the palace of the late Oba Adesoji Aderemi, the then Ooni of Ife. The late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Giwa’s lawyer, tried to unravel the mystery. But all those accused, such as the then Deputy Director of the SSS, Colonel Kunle Togun, then Director of Military Intelligence, Colonel Halilu Akilu, and former military President Ibrahim Babangida have continued to deny any involement in Giwa’s death.

Giwa lives on, and many remember the lines of that song, which was composed after he died: “In Nigeria, West Africa; there was once a journalist; On the 19 of October, when they killed our journalist. Dele Giwa, Dele Giwa, Dele Giwa you are gone, Dele Giwa, our journalist; We shall never forget you.”

‘His death was like a closure of a bright chapter in my life’ How well do you know Dele Giwa? You probably know him as a leading journalist with the popular Newswatch , or one who was sent to an early grave 25 years ago through a parcel bomb? In this report, by Assistant Editor DADA ALADELOKUN, his official driver tells us more about this leading light

J

OHNSON Adenigba, a professional driver, harbours in his fairly sturdy frame, a heavy heart. Of course, as many would, he is still proud that he personally drove the slain Chief Executive/Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch, Dele Giwa, whose bright life was terminated 25 years ago today through a “mysterious” parcel bomb.

The Oko, Kwara State-born Adenigba said Giwa’s murder gave him bitter sensations, both “physiologically and psychologically.”

With regular thoughtful nods of his head while the chat lasted, he would always cut in thunderously at intervals: “Ah, Oga mi Dele Giwa!”

All that, as the reporter observed, spoke volumes for the quake in his burdened heart. Even a most careful person would lose count of the number of times he heaved touching sighs of agony.

“This is my employment letter,” he said with a troubled voice as he showed the reporter, the pale document that looked good for a place on the shelf of the national museum.

The letter, dated January 4, 1985, was on the letterhead of Newswatch Communications Limited, Oregun, Ikeja. By the letter, he was placed on N2, 760 per year.

He left the company in 1993 as chief driver. Except the last heart-rending journey the frontline writer made to the great beyond, Adenigba drove him virtually everywhere.

Speaking on the black day - October 19 - when the messenger of death came to wreak havoc on the pen-

•Adenigba

pusher, Adenigba said: “He (Giwa) was preparing to travel to America for an assignment. It was like a closure of a bright chapter in my life.

I could not sleep. In fact, an estranged wife of mine who knew what my Oga meant to me had to pluck up the courage to watch over me all through the night. It was a deadly blow to my person.”

Opening up further on why he would not hesitate to devote a chapter of his memoirs to his unforgettable relationship with the late journalist, Adenigba said: “He was many things to me, especially, a role model. At that time, all the drivers

in the company called me ‘daddy.’

We were so close. I believe that if he had not been killed, I won’t be where I am today. Whenever I was hard up for money, he would always give me money. In fact, he was always my saviour every weekend; he would always give me money.

“He was generous to a fault. To him, life should be simply lived with utmost consideration for others, especially the less-privileged. If he had anything doing at his residence off Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja, whoever attended it, no matter the people’s age or status, would eat before my Oga sat down to have his food.”

He added: “Ah, my Oga appreciated hard work in anyone that was close to him. The Dele Giwa I was lucky to work with loved hard working staff to the extent that if you were diligent, he would not hesitate to promote you every passing day or month. The only thing anyone could do to hurt him was to indulge in laziness. Once he saw the stuff of hard work in you, even if there was no vacancy at the moment, he would put your documents in a ‘pending file,’ and immediately the dispensation cropped up, he would readily fix you. He was such a man.

He also hated dishonesty,” Adenigba said.

Though he hates to recall the painful circumstances in which he left Newswatch in 1993, Adenigba who now works elsewhere, said the trauma of the death of Giwa was yet to leave him. He said: “How can one forget so easily, somebody who would always talk and act to encour-

age you; someone who would behave to you like a father and brother? It is simply unbelievable that the good man could be killed just like that.”

Though his benefactor boss, with whom he worked at least, for 12 hours each day, is no more, his relationship with his family, especially Giwa’s wife, Funmilayo, is still alive. Even beyond that, Funmilayo, like her husband, has brought her gold-heartedness to bear on Adenigba.

“I make bold to say it that my Oga found a good wife in Mrs. Funmilayo Dele-Giwa. They have a lot in common in terms of disposition to life as regards their attitude to their fellow men. In words and deed, she is very nice. I remember that sometime ago, she called me and gave me N5,000 which I used to buy a television set when I got tired of the one I was using.

“In 2006, she called and gave me a note to somebody whom she felt, could give me a job. Anytime I needed anything, she has always been there for me. She is a very wonderful woman who behaves as if her overriding mission on earth is to create joy in the hearts of whoever comes across her. She is just like Dele Giwa’s soul in another body. We still talk at times,” he said.

When asked if he would be ready to work with Giwa should he have another opportunity, his reply was an emphatic yes: “Let him come into this world a million times over, I won’t think twice about grabbing any offer to work with him again!”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

3

NEWS DELE GIWA ... 25 YEARS AFTER

b,

now it’s gone haywire’ From left: The late Fawehinmi and some activists in one of his efforts to call for the prosecution of Giwa’s killers; Babangida, who has refuted allegation he had a hand in the death; Ita-Giwa, the slain journalist’s first wife; and a picture taken yesterday by DAVID ADEJOH of House 25, Talabi Crescent, off Talabi Street on Adeniyi Jones Avenue,Ikeja, where Giwa was bombed exactly 25 years ago.

From Giwa’s residence, the house has gone from beinga clinic to being a warehouse. It now bears a warning that it is not up for sale.

TIMELINE OF BOMB EXPLOSIONS

From parcel bombing to suicide blasts M

AY 27, 2011: A group of about 70 suspected Boko Haram gunmen killed eight people, including four policemen in simultaneous gun and bomb attacks on a police station, a police barracks and a bank in Damboa, Borno State, near the border with Chad.

May 29, 2011: Three bombs rip through a beer garden in a military barracks in the northern city of Bauchi, killing 13 and injuring 33. BH claims responsibility.

June 16, 2011: Boko Haram targets national police headquarters in Abuja, killing two.

June 27, 2011: Boko Haram’s gun and bomb attack on a beer garden in Maiduguri left at least 25 dead and dozens injured.

20 June 2011: Seven people, in-

‘His death sent shockwaves across’

T

HE Campaign for Democracy (CD) yesterday urged the Federal Government to fish out the killers of Dele Giwa.

The group, in a statement by its President, Dr. Joei Okei-Odumakin, said: “October 19, 2011 marks, 25th years that one of the brightest pen pushers in the history of Nigeria, Mr. Dele Giwa was killed via a parcel bomb in an envelope with the seal of Nigerian Presidency.

“The brutal murder of Giwa at 39 sent shockwaves around the country with the late legal icon, Gani Fawehinmi leading the charge to find his killers whom he believed were in the Babangida government.

“Twenty five years down the line, the question “who killed Dele Giwa remains unanswered and many more journalists have joined Dele Giwa in the grave through assassins bullets without their murderers being brought to book.

“The fear of the assassin is the beginning of wisdom for a journalist in Nigeria and this makes a mockery of the freedom of Information Act.” cluding five policemen killed in gun and bomb attacks on a police station and a bank in Kankara, Kat-

sina State.

August 26, 2011: Boko Haram claimed responsibility for a suicide

bomb blast on the UN compound in Abuja, killing 23 people.

August 25, 2011: Gun and bomb attacks by Boko Haram on two police stations and two banks in Gombi, Adamawa State. Sixteen people, including seven policemen , died.

September 4, 2011: Muslim cleric Malam Dala shot dead by two BH members outside his home in the Zinnari area of Maiduguri.

September 12, 2011: Seven men, including four policemen, were killed by Boko Haram gunmen in bomb and shooting attacks on a police station and a bank in Misau, Bauchi State. The attackers robbed the bank.

September 17, 2011: Babakura Fugu, brother-in-law to slain Boko Haram leader Mohammed

PDP NWC meets today on Bayelsa, others

T

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee will meet in Abuja today.

One of the agenda is the fate of its executive in Bayelsa State, which Chief Darius Obiene, heads as acting chairman. Omene is believed to be Governor Timipre Sylva’s Man Friday.

Obiene replaced Chief Rufus Abadi, who left PDP for Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to contest the last senatorial election.

Anti-Obiene forces argue that he should be removed because he is from Bayelsa East senatorial district, like Jonathan and Sylva. They argue that the position of state chairman should move to Bayelsa Central in line with the PDP zoning formula in the state.

A source said: “The zoning does not hold water, as Obiene is hold-

•Sylva, Alaibe may battle for party ticket ing the position in acting capacity.

Former PDP National Chairman, Chief Vincent Ogbulafor was replaced by fellow Southeasterner, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo. But when Nwodo was removed, the position went to Dr. Haliru Bello, the current Defence Minister, from the North, who acted as National Chairman, and when Bello moved to the ministerial post, Abubakar Baraje took over as acting National Chairman, pending the party’s national convention when a substantive chairman will be elected. The case of Bayelsa should not be different.”

The meeting is coming at a time when barring any last minute political calculation, the former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Develop-

‘Alaibe has nursed governorship ambition since 2003 when he fought against the re-election of Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, for a second term. Alaibe also fought Jonathan, who replaced Alamieyeseigha’ ment Commission (NDDC) Mr Timi Alaibe may return to the PDP to contest the governorship ticket of the

party with Governor Timipre Sylva.

Alaibe left the PDP for the Labour Party (LP) in the run-up to the last general elections.

The governorship election is slated for February 11, 2012.

Alaibe has nursed governorship ambition since 2003 when he fought against the re-election of Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, for a second term. Alaibe also fought Jonathan, who replaced Alamieyeseigha as governor, for the governorship position.

Alaibe’s ambition was then aborted by the then President Olusegun Obasanjo.

A source yesterday said Alaibe is favoured by the Presidency to re-

Yusuf, was shot dead outside his home in Maiduguri by two members of the sect, two days after attending a peace meeting with Nigeria’s ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo in the city.

October 1, 2011: A butcher and his assistant were killed by Boko Haram gunmen at Baga market in Maiduguri. In a separate incident, three people were killed in a shootout following BH bomb and shooting attacks on a military patrol vehicle delivering food to soldiers at a checkpoint in Maiduguri. The three victims were civilians.

October 3, 2011: Three killed in Boko Haram attacks on Baga market in Maiduguri, Borno State. The victims included a tea-seller, a drug store owner and a passer-by.

place Sylva.

But Sylva has insisted he has no problem with President Goodluck Jonathan.

Minister of Petroluem Resources Dieziani Allison-Madueke and a member of the House of Representatives Hon. Henry Seriake-Dickson were initially touted as the presidency’s joker against Sylva. But AllisonMadueke denied any such ambition.

Said a source: “Dickson, a serving member of the Federal House of Representatives is perceived to be lacking the war chest to face Governor Timipre Sylva at both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary and the governorship election. As part of the plot against Sylva, Alaibe, who left PDP before the April general elections to contest the governorship under the Labour Party, is set to return to PDP any moment from now, where he will be granted a waiver to enable him contest the PDP governorship primary.”

4

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

NEWS Sovereign Fund takes off Continued from page 1

•From left: Governors Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) President Prof. Francis Ojaide; Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi; Chairman of the occasion, Prince Joseph Adebayo at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria 41st Annual Accountants Conference in Abuja ... yesterday.

PHOTO AKIN OLADOKUN

Salami’s suit gets December 6 date Continued from page 1

Finding Committee- Hon. Justice Umaru Abdullahi; Hon. Justice Emmanuel Ayoola; Hon. Justice Dominic Edozie; Hon. Justice Michael Akpiroroh and Mrs. Rakia Sarki Ibrahim.

The rest are members of the NJC Review Committee: Justice Ibrahim Ndahi Auta; Justice Kate Abiri; and Justice Peter Umeadi.

Justice Donatus Okorowo gave the date yesterday after upholding the argument of Salami’s counsel, Chief Akin Olujinmi (SAN) that issues bordering on jurisdiction must be determined before any other motion.

Olujinmi had, at the last sitting urged the court to defer other motions filed by parties in the suit until the issue of jurisdiction raised by the defendants had been determined.

“We should not stand the law on its head. Jurisdiction takes precedence over all proceedings”, he said.

The matter, however, could not proceed yesterday after

the court discovered that parties were yet to fully exchange briefs.

Stressing the importance of time in the suit, Justice Okorowo said: “It is important that we make progress in this case, it is very important.

Please, gentlemen, let’s make progress”.

He appealed to all parties to exchange all necessary briefs before the next adjourned date, adding: “It is necessary to allow parties to respond to the various applications”.

In a motion brought under Order 56 Rule 1 of the Federal High Court (civil procedure) Rules, 2009 and the inherent jurisdiction of the court, Justice Salami is asking the court to nullify his suspension and subsequent appointment of Justice Dalhatu Adamu in acting capacity.

The plaintiff wants the court to nullify or set aside any action or steps taken or being taken in the implementation or further implementation of the said decision.

Besides, he wants the court to restore the status quo ante as at the date the said decision was

taken by the NJC. Justice Salami is asking for 15 reliefs, including a perpetual injunction restraining the NJC from acting on the reports of the Justice Umaru Abdullahi FactFinding Committee and the Justice Ibrahim Auta Review Panel.

The two panels, according to him, have no right to determine whether he was guilty of perjury as they had imputed in their reports.

He contends that Abdullahi and Auta committees are administrative panels that could not assume the status of a court, and demanded that the Auta panel never gave him a right to fair hearing before making a pronouncement of guilt on him.

While the case was pending in the court, the NJC at its 7th emergency meeting attended by eight of the 24-members suspended Salami following his refusal to tender an apology in writing to it and the CJN. Acting on the recommendation, Jonathan approved an Acting President for the court “pending when all issues relating to the recent suspension of Justice Isa Ayo Salami are re-

solved”.

Justice Salami is seeking for a declaration that the: •Setting up of the National Judicial Council’s (hereinafter referred to as “NJC”) Investigation Committee by the 1st defendant and its composition are in gross violation of the principles of natural justice, and the plaintiff’s constitutionally guaranteed right to fair hearing under Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and is, therefore, unconstitutional, null and void; •NJC Investigation Committee chaired by the 4th defendant lacked the competence to investigate the petitions against the plaintiff having regard to its composition.

•proceedings of the NJC Investigation Committee were conducted in substantial breach of the principles of natural justice and fair hearing as guaranteed under Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and the proceedings are therefore unconstitutional, null and void.

Okonjo-Iweala, who is the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, spoke in Abuja. He said governors engaged the federal government in “constructive dialogue” and gave their support to the Fund on the condition that only the initially agreed $1 billion should be deducted from the Excess Crude Account to finance the Fund.

She said the federal government and the governors would discuss how to spend the remaining $5 billion cash in the Excess Crude Account.

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala said: “What we have done can be compared to opening an account for the Sovereign Wealth Fund and commencing with other necessary procedures in preparation for full implementation.”

She listed the core objectives of the fund as: “saving for the future; investment in strategic infrastructure and the building of a buffer shock such as the current global financial crisis which has damaged many economies across the world, including those of the Western nations.”

She said accounting firm KPMG has been appointed by government to commence the process for the appointment of the management team of the SWF in “a transparent and credible manner”.

The firm will be expected to seek applications from interested Nigerians from within and outside the country and pick suitable candidates as chief executive officer and two Executive Directors.

These positions are to be

advertised in local and international media particularly The Economist and the Financial Times by the KPMG. After short-listing the candidates, KPMG is expected to forward the list to the Executive Nomination Committee comprising “highly respected Nigerians who shall support the interviewing and sourcing process of all board members.”

The vetting of applications and short listing of candidates will be rounded off by mid-next month while the final appointment will be made by December, she said.

The minister said while the operating manual of the Fund is still being worked out, the management team to be appointed will be part of the governing council.

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala said the President, some members of the Economic Management Team particularly the minister of finance, members of academia and youth representatives, will make up the governing council.

The finance minister said in the 2012 budget oil price benchmark has been slashed from $75 to $70, “because of the increased volatilities and uncertainties and the need to protect the country from these volatilities and uncertainties.”

She said government has taken to experts’ advice that there might not be an immediate end in sight to the persistent volatilities and uncertainties in the price of crude oil, hence the decision to err on the side of caution by being more prudent.

“Saving for the future; investment in strategic infrastructure and the building of a buffer shock such as the current global financial crisis which has damaged many economies across the world, including those of the Western nations.”

Subsidy: States walk out over N250b deduction Continued from page 1

ernors had instructed the commissioners to reject the deductions. It led to the stalemate.

Minister of State for Finance Alhaji Lawan Yerima Ngama, who chairs the FAAC meeting, tried to cover up the matter.

But Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala came to his rescue. She said unresolved technical discussions and debates might have led to the stalemate.

The date for the next FAAC meeting has not been fixed.

Also yesterday, Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole challenged the Federal Government to name the beneficiaries of the oil subsidy and punish them.

He spoke at the on-going 41st Accountants’ Conference in Abuja organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN).

The governor said government should demonstrate sincerity of purpose by disclosing the beneficiaries.

He said government should put its sincerity of purpose to test by inviting reputable international audi-

President may sideline National Assembly over subsidy

T

HE Presidency may not table plans to withdraw fuel subsidy before the National Assembly to avoid the shooting down of the proposals, it was learnt yesterday.

Sources said the Presidency was considering withdrawal of subsidy as within the statutory responsibilities of the Executive arm of government.

The government may reflect the gains of the withdrawal of subsidy only in the 2012 Budget and allow market forces to be at play.

Investigation by our correspondent indicated that the Presidency is worried about the growing resentment to the withdrawal of fuel subsidy contrary to economic indices available to it.

It was gathered that the Presidency has realized that it could withdraw subsidy in line with Section 16 1 and 2 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

Section 16 (1) (b)(c) reads in part: “The state shall, within the context of the idetors to conduct a reconciliation on the subsidy transaction.

Doing this, he said, would have cleared government of the oil subsidy scam.

Oshiomhole noted that the manner government shrouds its activities in the oil subsidy

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation, Abuja

als and objectives for which provisions are made in this Constitution –control the national economy in such manner as to secure the maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of every citizen on the basis of social justice equality of status and opportunity; Section 16(2)( c) says: “The state shall direct its policy towards ensuring that the economic system is not operated in such a manner as to permit the concentration of wealth or the means of production and exchange in the hands of few individuals or of a group.

A highly-placed source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Given the public outcry against withdrawal of fuel subsidy, the Presidency is weighing options on how to effect the policy without emotional shocks for Nigerians.

“One of the options is not to table the withdrawal of fuel subsidy before the

transaction in secrecy has compounded the matter.

The former Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) leader said: “As far as we know, diesel for long is deregulated. In the same strength, the so-called black oil is also deregulated and kerosene as far we are concerned is

National Assembly. Withdrawals of fuel subsidy by past governments were never presented to the National Assembly.

“The legal opinion is that the withdrawal of fuel subsidy falls within the purview of decisions or functions statutorily required of the executive arm.

“President Goodluck Jonathan has already consulted with the leaders of the National Assembly on his plans to withdraw fuel subsidy in line with his respect for the principle of separation of powers.

“I think the withdrawal may be built into the 2012 budget with Nigerians left to market forces. Or else, if the issue is left to be thrown open to the National Assembly, the withdrawal of fuel subsidy may get stuck.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “The National Assembly will now be at liberty to raise issues when considering the 2012 Budget.”

also deregulated because the N50 they fixed, nobody can get it at that rate. So, on Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS), what is your consumption per capital.

We need to know who is taking what. Let them publish the companies benefitting because some companies exist only to

cash cheque on subsidies. There is need to invite the international auditors to audit this claim on subsidy because our local auditors appear compromised. Let them establish who is taking what and how”.

He condemned both the NNPC and the PPPRA for de-

ducting billions of naira at source, monthly under the guise of offsetting subsidy from the Federation Accounts. He said the move negates the principle of Appropriation Act. “No one has the right to take anything that is not appropriated. Once the foundation of transparency is compromised, the system is flawed “, said the governor.

According to him, the noise about transformation will amount to nothing if government failed to get its priority right on power.

“Power is key to transforming the Nigeria economy and the power is at the heart of it all” he said, lamenting that former President Olusegun Obasanjo spent eight years proclaiming evolution in power sector and left the nation worse off .

Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amechi urged the federal government to be sincere in its implementation of the transformation agenda.

He said: “The moment the economy is transformed and it is productive, a lot of people that are engaged in criminal activities will have no choice but to get engaged in something productive.”

ADVERT HOTLINES: 01-280668, 08070591302, 08052592524 NEWSROOM: LAGOS – 01-8962807, ABUJA – 07028105302 COMPLAINTS: 01-8930678

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

5

NEWS The Nation: Reps, AGF, IG in closed-door session From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

THE House of Representatives’ Committees on Justice, Police Affairs, Media, Public Affairs and Human Rights, yesterday met with the Attorney-General of the Federation, Bello Adoke and the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Hafiz Ringim over last week’s invasion of the Lagos and Abuja premises of Vintage Press Limited, publishers of The Nation newspapers, and the arrest of some editors and staff of the company.

The House last Thursday summoned Adoke to appear before it yesterday.

They were to explain what informed the invasion.

At 4:20 pm, the joint committee and the AGF who was represented by Mr. Abdulrahaman Eshikhena and Ringim and the Committee chairmen went into a closeddoor session.

The Nation was represented by its Deputy Editor, Mr. Lawal Ogienagbon and Head of the Judicial Desk, John Austin-Unachukwu.

Reporters were shut out of the event.

The meeting ended at 6:30 pm.

However, the Chairman of the Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Mohammed Zakari, who spoke at the end of the closed-door session, said reporters will not be briefed on what transpired at the meeting as the investigation on the issue continues.

Man jailed 20 months for importing fake drugs

By Eric Ikhilae

A businessman, Paul Ejiofor, who imported fake Lonart DS brand of anti-malarial drugs, is to spend the next four months in prison.

He was sentenced to 20 months imprisonment by Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Lagos after he pleaded guilty to five of the seven counts in a charge brought against him.

Ejiofor, an indigene of Igboeze Local Government Area, Enugu State, was arrested on January 16 last year at the Nigerian end of Seme border, Lagos State with several packets of fake Lonart DS tablets.

The convict, who was arrested by operatives of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) was consequently arraigned on a seven-count charge.

Ejiofor initially pleaded not guilty to the charges, but midway into his trial, he changed his mind and pleaded guilty to five of the seven counts.

NAFDAC’s lawyer, Charles Umweni later applied that counts six and seven be deleted from the charge.

Upon his conviction, Ejiofor’s lawyer, Bimbo Obaseki pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.

•People wading through the flood at Jakande Gate enroute Isheri-Osun to Ijegun road in Lagos •Sympathisers pushing a car through the flood at Ijegun after a rainfall…yesterday …yesterday PHOTOS: NAN

T

PDP dead in Epe, say ACN leaders

HE campaign train of the Lagos State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) rolled into Epe Division yesterday where the Chairman, Otunba Oladele Ajomale, presented flags to chairmanship and councillorship candidates across the five councils constituting the zone.

The chairmanship candidates presented at the rally are Omolaja Adelaja (Eredo), Segun Adetola (Ikosi/ Ejinrin), Segun Agbaje (Epe), Femi Surakat (IbejuLekki) and Olaitan Ogidan (Lekki). Urging the people to endorse them at the polls, Ajomale assured the people that they would fulfill their campaign promises, if elected.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lateef Ibirogba, enjoined Lagosians to vote peacefully on Saturday, assuring that life and property would be adequately protected during the exercise across the 20 local governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

He said: “As we prepare for the grassroots elections on Saturday, I urge Lagosians to come out en masse to exercise the right to freely choose their chairmen and councillors. Lagos State government is ready to guarantee the safety and security of Lagosians during the exercise. There will be restriction of movement between 7 am and 3 pm.

“We urge Lagosians to shun thuggery and violence, maintain decorum at polling booths and avoid a situation that could lead to apathy. The council election is a joint responsibility requiring the active involvement of Lagosians and it is the affirmation of democracy and representative government at the local levels.

This is why we urge people to vote without breaching the electoral laws and regulations”.

As from 8 am, ACN followers from Ejinrin, Ibeju, Itoikin, Ketu, Ota-Ikosi, Agb owa, Odoragushin, and other Epe towns and villages thronged the Epe Open Field for the rally, which was addressed by former

Party urges residents to vote for continuity in Saturday’s poll

F

OR continuity, Lagosians have been advised to vote overwhelmingly for the candidates of the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Saturday’s local government election.

Spokesman of the party, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, urged Lagosians not to be swayed by the campaign of calumny by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying relevant agencies have been mobilised to begin massive repair of road networks in the grassroots after the rains.

Pleading with Lagosians to troop out en masse and renew their contract with the ACN with their votes, Igbokwe warned of the consequences of changing a performing team.

In a statement made available to reporters in Lagos, Igbokwe said: “The ACN-controlled government and the party are committed to pursue the total development of all parts of the state.

“We urge Lagosians to come out en masse and vote our great party, which has shown a great commitment to take Lagos to the next level as the nation’s mega city and a prized commercial nerve center. We want to assure Lagosians that the Lagos State government will reach all nooks and crannies of Lagos with its

developmental programmes.”

He urged residents to be patient with the government that has done tremendously enough to lift Lagos from a seedy city to a modern and working mega city that will drive the nation’s economic revival.

The statement reads: “As the local government election approaches, we have noted an upsurge in the negative campaign of hitherto moribund political parties and their candidates who profess no commitment to the development of Lagos.

“We have noted the erroneous campaign being mounted by desperate parties and their candidates that Lagos inner roads are irreparably bad. We want to inform Lagosians that no state or even the Federal Government faces the same challenge as Lagos on roads.

“We want to let them know that the state and local governments are gradually attending to the bad inner roads that face tremendous pressure and other challenges that are peculiar to Lagos sprawling population pressure. We want to assure them that one after the other, these roads will be attended to and that this government will not rest until the entire state achieves its desired status as the state of choice.

By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Political Editor

Commissioner for Transport, Lanre Rasak, former Health and Education Commissioner Dr Leke Pitan, former House of Assembly Speaker Joko Pelumi, former Housing Commissioner, Dele Onabokun, former Health Commissioner Dr Tola Kasali, ACN Director of Organisation Kola Perru-Grino, and Epe ACN leader Akanni SerikiBamu.

Also at the rally were Kosofe ACN leader Alhaji Abiodun Sunmola, former All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) chairman, Abiodun Oyebolu, chairman of the campaign organisation and Secretary Primate Charles Odugbesi, Publicity Secretary Chief Funso Ologunde, Alhaji Morufu Kake, state legislator Hon. Segun Olulade, House of Representatives member Lanre Odubote, former federal legislator Tunde Salau and Isiaka Adekunle-Ibrahim.

Kasali, who was the first speaker, thanked the people for voting ACN during the last general elections, urging them to double their

‘I have given my words to ACN leaders, Ajomale and Fashola, that no opposition party would get up to 10 votes and they would not have any councillorship seat’ support for the party on Saturday. He said: “Epe Division is behind ACN. We have a commitment to deliver our five councils to ACN. But I must say this to the chairmen, when you get to office, don’t forget the voters. You should work for the people”.

Rasak, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) shortly before the April elections, predicted doom for his former party, which he said is dead in

Epe. He urged the party faithful to affirm the predominance of ACN in the division on Saturday by voting for the ACN chairmanship and councillorship candidates.

Rasak said: “I have given my words to ACN leaders, Ajomale and Fashola, that no opposition party would get up to 10 votes and they would not have any councillorship seat. Let the party members team up with the candidates for total victory on Saturday”.

Onabokun said: “We should come out on Saturday to vote for our candidates”.

Former Speaker Pelumi, who addressed supporters in English, Yoruba and Ijebu dialect, said that PDP is contesting this election, advising ACN members to prepare for fireworks. He also called for unity and harmony among the rank and file, predicting that ACN would clear the votes.

Pitan urged party followers to gird their loins, saying: “Between now and Saturday, you should see yourselves as party workers. By the grace of God, success is ours. We must reconfirm

the April victory of ACN in Epe Division. We don’t want low turn out. You should mobilise people to vote for ACN.” Seriki-Bamu pacified aggrieved aspirants, noting that “not all of us can be chairmen and councillors at the same time”. Turning to the chairmanship flag bearers, he added: “You chairmen should be careful.

When you get there, you should behave well”.

Ajomale assured the people that the party would fulfill its campaign promises at the grassroots as Governor Babatunde Fashola has done at the state level.

He enjoined party leaders and followers never to relent in their mobilisation, until victory is achieved on Saturday.

Also yesterday in MushinOjuwoye LCDA, chairmanship aspirant Deji Jakande, son of former Governor Lateef Jakande, led a houseto-house campaign in support of the candidature of Hon. Yemi Ali, who was endorsed for a second term.

He told reporters that he took the step as a loyal and disciplined party member, stressing that the party is supreme. Jakande implored the people to troop out to vote for Ali, who he described as a good material and pride of ACN. He added: “I contested for the chairmanship and party leaders and elders asked me to hold on. I have no choice than to toe the party line.

Coming from a political background, I believe in the party ethos, methods and approach. The party is supreme. We must forget individual interest and work for the promotion of the collective interest of the party so that ACN can succeed in Ojuwoye council. This is what I am doing”.

Jakande said ACN would not relent in the work of development in the LCDA, urging the people to retain the party at the helm of affairs. He added: “The best party for us is ACN and we must spread the message that PDP has no place in Mushin. I urge our people to vote for ACN for continuty of development and progress in our LCDA”.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

6

NEWS

Consensus fails as Sylva gets opponent

NYSC may stop corps members from elections

•Elders Council obtains form for Dickson •Jonathan remains neutral FTER one month of horse-trading, moves by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to have a consensus governorship candidate in Bayelsa State collapsed yesterday.

This followed the emergence of an opponent aspiring to contest with incumbent Governor Timpre Sylva.

Some PDP elders in the state yesterday obtained governorship nomination form for a member of the House of Representatives, Seriake Dickson.

Both Sylva and Dickson will be screened next week ahead of the primary for the governorship poll scheduled for February 11 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

With this development, the battle line is drawn between supporters and opponents of the governor.

President Goodluck Jonathan, insisting on fairness, refused to take sides although aspirants have been dropping his name.

Investigation by The Nation showed that plans by some PDP leaders to build a consensus around Sylva have failed.

According to sources, the state chapter was split with some clamouring for a

A

More aspirants join race

T

HE race to the Government House, Yenagoa, has begun as forces within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are said to be plotting Governor Timipre Sylva’s ouster ahead of the November 19 governorship primary election.

Boloubo Orufa stormed the party’s national secretariat in Abuja yesterday and obtained the nomination form.

Orufa said his decision was informed by widespread consultation.

He said: “Let me therefore make it clear that I have not come to fight the governor. I am only interested in fighting poverty, creating From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

change, while others favoured Sylva.

But yesterday, the race took a new twist when the Bayelsa Elders Council(BEC), led by Blessing Izagara and Abel Ebeifemowei, obtained nomination form for Dickson.

A leader of the party said: “We have a big challenge at hand in the state. We have not been able to reconcile those for and against Sylva in the last few weeks.

“We have no choice than to allow Sylva and Dickson face a primary election to determine who should be the can-

From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

wealth and opportunities for all to share and manage our resources efficiently.

“I live among the people and their problems have become mine and that is why I am not looking back in this noble march to chart a development path for the good people of Bayelsa .”

Orufa decried what he described as politics of name-dropping by some aspirants whom he accused of bandying the names of prominent party members, including President Goodluck Jonathan, as their backers.

didate of the party.

“All I can assure you is that the PDP will provide a level-playing field for all aspirants.”

Another source said: “Well, so far, the President is yet to intervene; he is also insisting on fairness to all aspirants.

“The position of the President is that democracy must be seen as functioning well at his doorsteps.”

Ebifemowei described Dickson as a progressive to the core, expressing optimism that the lawmaker would clinch the PDP ticket and win the election next

year.

He said: ‘‘Dickson is a thorough-bred professional who has paid his dues and has the capacity to unite the people and develop the state.

“The current administration in the state is retrogressive and we want to breathe a fresh air and Dickson symbolises this.

“The best thing that would happen to Bayelsa is for all the like minded politicians in the state to team up with Dickson to empower the people of the state by making sure that he emerges as the governorship flag bearer of the party in the state.”

From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

C

ORPS members may not be allowed to serve as adhoc workers in governorship and local government elections if there is no guarantee for their safety and wel-

fare.

The Director-General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig-Gen Nnamdi Okore Affia, spoke when the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega, visited him in Abuja.

He said: “We cannot continue to jeopardise the investment parents make on their wards on the altar of insecurity.

“We cannot continue risking their lives; killing of corps members is not part of the agenda of the scheme.”

Jega said he visited the NYSC headquarters to secure the use of the corps members as ad hoc staff during the governorship and local government polls.

He said since national integration is one of the motives of the scheme, the corps members should be involved in the election process.

Brig-Gen Affia said unless grey areas in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the scheme before the commencement of the April elections is revisited and adjusted, the NYSC may be forced to prevent the corps members from participating in the exercise.

The NYSC DG said the death of some corps members during the last elections left some indelible marks on the scheme that may not be easily erased.

Jega, however, promised to seek the support of security agencies to provide adequate security for the corps members.

He said the insurance scheme put in place for ad hoc workers during the April polls will continue to be serviced.

“We still have about six governorship elections to be held between now and next year and we will try as much as possible to provide additional motivation and security for the corps members,” the INEC chief said.

‘Make youths self-reliant’

D

EPUTY Chairman, House Committee on Housing, Babajide Akinloye, yesterday said the pursuit of industrial advancement rests solely on vocational and technical education.

Akinloye called on the government to empower unemployed youths for selfreliance.

He spoke at the graduation of over 200 indigent people, including graduates, from a skill acquisition and vocational training scheme he sponsored in Eti-Osa Local Government of Lagos State.

Beneficiaries participated in the nine-month intensive training in Catering and Hotel Management, Textile

By Sunday Oguntola

Technology, Fashion Designing, Computer Technology, Hair Dressing, Building Technology and Agriculture.

Akinloye, who has been sponsoring the training since 2001, said vocational training holds the key to self-reliance and youth empowerment in the nation.

“Preparing today’s youths for future challenges entails adequate support of Nigerians.

“As today’s leaders, we must not lose sight of the fact that we bear a principal task to youths not only to give them a brighter future but also to prepare them well to thrive and prosper in a competitive, globalised world.”

Board to partner anti-graft agencies From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

•Chancellor, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Dr David Oyedepo (second right); former Vice Chancellor, University of Benin, Prof Grace Alele-Williams (second left); Director, Monitoring and Research Division, United Nations (UN) Habitat, Prof Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka (right) and Vice Chancellor, Covenant University, Prof Aize Obayan at the launching of the UNGlobal Report on Human Settlements, Cities and Climate Change in Ota. PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN

Court dismisses el-Rufai, others’ application

A

N Abuja High Court yesterday dismissed an application filed by former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nasir elRufai, asking it to quash the criminal charges preferred against him and two others by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Charged with el-Rufai are a former Director-General of the Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS), Mrs. Altine Jibrin and former General Manager of AGIS Ismail Iro. They were charged by the EFCC on April 17 on eight counts, which included conspiracy and corruption.

The trio were accused of allocating land to themselves and their associates in disre-

•Says they’ve case to answer gard of the law guiding land allocation.

The accused had filed a motion before Justice Abubakar Umar, urging the court to dismiss the case on the grounds that the EFCC had not established any offence against them.

They also urged the court to quash the charges against them because they did not engage in any unlawful acts.

The accused further argued that they acted in accordance with the powers vested in them by the constitution and not for any personal interest.

They also argued that the charges lacked competence because the EFCC had not

shown in its proof of evidence deposed to by its witnesses that there were no grounds for the case to continue.

In a counter-motion, EFCC’s counsel Adebayo Adelodun (SAN) urged the court not to quash the case as requested by the accused.

He argued that the court should hear the suit on its merit and discountenance the applications of the accused.

Adelodun also urged the judge to take note of an earlier ruling he made in April, in which he granted the EFCC leave to arraign the trio in connection with the charges.

Justice Umar held that the EFCC had, through its witnesses’ statements tendered as exhibits, been able to prove a prima facie case against the accused.

The judge also held that the charges against the accused had a legal basis, having been filed under relevant laws.

“The accused should put it at the back of their minds that at the stage we are in, these charges are mere allegations and that the court has not found them guilty yet.

“You still have the opportunity when trial commences to prove your innocence. I dismiss this application to quash the charges and order an accelerated hearing.”

The judge adjourned the matter till November 15 and November 16 for continuation of trial.

T

HE Quantity Surveyors Registration Board in Nigeria (QSRBN) is set to partner anti-corruption agencies and civil society organisations (CSOs) in curbing inflation of road contracts, its Registrar, Godson Moneke, has said.

Moneke alleged that “there is so much corruption in the award of road contracts in Nigeria.

“People put in positions of trust in the country use road contracts for money laundering as there is no standard in terms of ascertaining the cost of such projects.”

The registrar spoke at a-three day workshop organised by the Kwara State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS).

He said: “We intend to partner anti-corruption agencies, particularly the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), to make them proactive rather than reactive.”

The theme of the workshop is “The roles of stakeholders in the implementation of Procurement Act 2007.”

Policeman arraigned for alleged murder POLICE corporal, Paul

A

Ogbeh (30), was arraigned yesterday at the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, for allegedly killing two people.

The police said he shot and killed Abiodun Ahmed and Nelson Obetoh at about 2.30 am in Ori-Okuta, Ikorodu, on January 18, last year.

Ogbeh, charged with two counts of murder, is attached to the anti-robbery squad.

The victims were said to be

By Joseph Jibueze

defenceless innocent persons.

The alleged offences contravene Section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code Cap C Vol.2, Laws of Lagos State 2003.

Ogbe pleaded not guilty.

Justice Olabisi ordered that he be remanded in Kirikiri Maximum Security Prisons and adjourned the case till November 22 for trial.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

7

NEWS 471 Lagos retirees to get N2.2b bond certificates

By Miriam Ndikanwu

T

HE Lagos State Government will, on Friday, present Retirement Bond Certificates worth N2, 287, 787, 241 to 471 retired public servants in the Contributory Pension Scheme.

The event will take place at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium in Alausa, Ikeja.

Director-General of the Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) Mr. Rotimi Hussain spoke with reporters yesterday.

Hussain said the government is determined to implement the provisions of the State Pension Reforms Act 2007.

P

•Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi (second left); Commissioner for Labour, Employment and Human Capital Development Mrs. Bunmi Adelugba (left); and Director General, Ekiti Job Creation Agency, Mr. Funsho Aluko(middle); with some volunteers during activities marking the passing-out parade of the1st Batch of the State’s Youth Volunteer Scheme in Ise-Ekiti... yesterday.

Fed Govt to revert education system to 1-6-3-3-4 F OLLOWING the recommendation of the Presidential Task Force on Education, the Federal Government yesterday unfolded plans to revert the existing 6-3-3-4 education system to the 1-6-3-3-4 system.

Under the proposed 1-6-33-4 system, there will be one compulsory year of Early Childhood Education (ECE) for five-year old pupils; six years of primary education, three years of junior secondary, three years of senior secondary and four years of higher education.

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

The Minister of Education, Professor Ruqayyatu Rufa’i spoke during the inauguration of the Education High-level Committee set up to implement the report of the Presidential task team on education .

Prof. Rufa’i said President Goodluck Jonathan has ap-

proved the recommendations of the report, including “reverting the 6-3-3-4 to the original plan by adjusting its structure to include one year ECE for 5-year olds.

Other recommendations for implementation, according to the minister, are: “Development of a synergy mechanism to utilise intervention funds from TETFUND, UBEC, MDGs,

NITDA, PTDF, NCC, CBN, etc; conclusion of the bureaucratic process for the approval and actualisation of the National Teacher Education Policy; resolution of political & financial issues impeding the implementation of the Teachers’ Salary Scale; addressing the challenge of the Federal Unity Colleges (FUCs) by realocating them under the management of UBEC, after its act has been amended to include the Secondary Education component.”

Court to hear appeal against Tinubu today

T

HE Court of Appeal in Lagos will, today, hear an appeal by the Labour Party (LP) challenging the ruling of the state’s Legislative Election Petition Tribunal, which upheld the election of Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) as the Senator representing Lagos Central Senatorial District.

The tribunal, headed by Justice Maurice Eneji, had, on September 5, dismissed

By Eric Ikhilae

the petition of the LP and its candidate, Oladapo Durosinmi-Etti.

It held that the petitioners failed to comply with paragraph 18 (1), (2) and (4) of the Electoral Act, which states that application for pre-hearing notice shall be by motion and not through a letter to the tribunal.

LP is, by its appeal, praying the appellate court to set aside the tribunal’s ruling

and constitute another panel to hear the petition afresh.

It argued that the tribunal erred in law, when it held that the petitioner’s application for issuance of pre-hearing notices must be by a motion and not through a letter.

The appellant submitted that there are recent Court of Appeal decisions on the interpretation of paragraph 18(1) of the First Schedule to the Electoral Act 2010 (as

amended) relating to what form applications for prehearing notices should take.

The appellant argued that recent decisions showed that it no longer matters, if the petitioner’s application for pre-hearing notices was done by a motion on notice, ex parte motion or a simple letter.

It further argued that the tribunal’s alleged failure to abide by the recent decisions of the Court of Appeal has occasioned a miscarriage of justice.

Ajimobi begins second phase of road repairs •Commissioner warns against child abuse

O

YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has approved the repair of 24 roads across the state.

This marks the beginning of the second phase of his administration’s road rehabilitation programme.

Sixteen roads were rehabilitated across the state in the first phase of the programme.

In a statement yesterday in Ibadan, the state capital, the governor’s media aide, Dr. Festus Adedayo, said the projects would ease transportation and improve the state’s economy.

Adedayo said the projects would be handled by both the state and local governments.

He said those to be executed by the state government would be handled by the State Road Maintenance

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

Agency (OYSROMA) and some contractors.

Adedayo said OYSROMA has already mobilised equipment to site.

He said the Ministry of Works has been directed to call for bidding from contractors for roads that are too massive for OSTROMA to handle.

The roads to be repaired include Idi-Odo/Felele Straight Junction; Bere/ Mapo/Idi Arere/Bode/ Molete road; Amunigun/ Lebanon Avenue; Bere/ Oranyan/Olomi Phase I; Bere/Isale Alfa/ Beiyerunka/Adeoti; Gate/ Oke Adu/Ode Aje/Aremo/ Orita Aperin Junction; and Eleiyele/Ijokodo Junction/ Poly Junction/Sango, Adelabu Shopping Complex Junction/Odo Ona Elewe

Junction/Apata/ChallengeExpress, all in Ibadan.

Others are Owode/Afin road; Bode Ogbomoso (School of Survey)/AdikutaPalace road; Iseyin/Ibadan/ Oyo road to Okeho Road Junction (Oyo zone); Town Hall/Isale Taba/Oke Taba/ Shaki West Local Government Junction (Saki zone); Apake/Agbonyin road; Isale Afon/Ebenezer road; Take/ Sabo road (Ogbomoso zone); Idere/Ayete/Tapa road; Ibarapa Central Secretariat (Igboora)/Idere road (Ibarapa zone).

Also yesterday, the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Adetokunbo Fayokun, warned against the abuse of children.

She was reacting to the alleged rape of an SSS IIIpupil in Ibadan.

Condemning the act, Mrs.

Policeman arraigned for OLICE constable alleged murder Igodih Gbefamoghan

was yesterday arraigned before a Magistrate’s Court in Akure, Ondo State.

Gbefamoghan (26) was accused of killing a commercial motorcyclist in Okitipupa last Thursday.

The suspect, who was on security duty at a bank, allegedly shot and killed

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

Chirstopher Okawon at about 11.30pm.

Magistrate Johnson Adelegan remanded the suspect in prison custody and adjourned the case till December 16.

I’m hale, hearty, says Alaafin

T

HE Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, yesterday said he is hale and hearty.

He was reacting to rumours that he was critically ill.

There were also speculations that he was dead.

Speaking to our reporter on the phone, the Alaafin said the rumour was the handiwork of his detractors.

The monarch turned 75 last Saturday and celebrated it low-key. This raised suspicion in some quarters.

On Saturday, some persons

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

posted the news on the social network site, Facebook, that the Alaafin had joined his ancestors.

In his usual cheerful voice, the monarch said: “Nothing bad has happened to me and it will not happen in Allah’s name. That is their wish, but I remain hale and hearty. I’m in my palace as I am talking to you. I was in Ibadan yesterday (Monday). So, thank you for your concern.”

Ogun PPN members to return to PDP

F

ORMER members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ado/Odo Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, who defected to the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) before the April elections, are to return to the PDP. This was the highpoint of a stakeholders’ meeting held yesterday at the Ota home of the party’s Grand Patron in Ogun West Senatorial District, Senator Ayo Otegbola.

It was resolved that all PPN structures in the local government should be dissolved into the PDP “with immediate effect.”

According to the meeting, all PPN secretariats should

be rebranded in PDP colours and formers members of PPN should start attending PDP meetings and participate in its activities.

Those at the meeting include Chief Saubana Abatan; former Commissioner for Works and Agriculture Waliu Taiwo; his successor, Tunji Akinosi; Chairman, Ogun West PDP, Leye Odunjo; Kazeem Salako and Michael Fasinu.

Others are State PDP Women Leader Mrs. Nike Oduntan; PDP Chairman, Ado/Odo Ota Local Government, Chief K.A Amusa; Engr. Segun Obiseye; Evang. Olusegun Omojoye; Alhaji Aremu Dada; Waliat Olukotun and Alhaji Adeniran Ekuro, among others.

FDI tops Nigeria’s agenda at meeting From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

A

•Ajimobi

Fayokun said the state’s Child Rights Law would be applied in prosecuting offenders.

She urged heads of schools to ensure the safety of pupils and advised parents take special care of their girl-child to prevent sexual abuse.

HEAD of the 2011 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Australia, Nigeria has concluded plans to fully utilise the opportunity to attract more Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) into the country.

The Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, spoke with reporters yesterday in Abuja.

Aganga said his ministry had held preliminary discussions with the Australian authorities and business leaders ahead of the meeting, which is scheduled to take place between October 25 to 30.

He said: “The Ministry of Trade and Investment would lead a delegation comprising major players in key sectors of the Nigerian economy to high-level investment meetings with Australian business leaders at CHOGM, as the meetings would translate into FDI for Nigeria.

“The ministry would leverage the untapped opportunities in sectors of the economy, where the country currently has comparative and competitive advantages to attract more FDIs. These areas include mining, agri-business, petrochemicals, among others. “

8

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

NEWS

T

Violence in Lafia as Doma is arraigned

ACN blames Suswam for Benue violence

HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday blamed the violence that occurred in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State, in which six persons died on Monday, on Governor Gabriel Suswam.

The party noted that the intolerance exhibited by the governor and his henchmen led to the violence that rocked the council, leaving many dead and several houses burnt.

In a statement in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, the party also accused Suswam of lacking the capability to maintain peace in Benue State, adding that this led to the killing of two ACN chieftains and the reprisal attacks that followed.

It said contrary to the concocted story by the governor, the violence followed the killing of two prominent members of the community, who had been seen as sympathetic to the ACN by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

The statement reads: “In fact, the Chairman of the local government has reportedly threatened to deal with one of the men, who was later killed, apparently because he was perceived as a thorn in the flesh of the PDP in the area.

Shortly after the threat, on October 13, arsonists burnt down the trucks belonging to the man. Three days later, the man himself was shot dead, with his brother.

“The governor tried to explain away the dastardly killing of these men by saying one of them was a money lender who was attacked by

•Ex-commissioner loses ear

•Three killed in monarch’s home •Party chair petitions police, SSS

By Olamilekan Andu and Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

those who are not happy with him. How can a governor, who is the Chief Security Officer of his state, try to justify such extra-judicial killings?” ACN queried.

The party said the violence that broke out after the killings were inevitable, though condemnable, because people are bound to react when they see what looks and smells like state-sponsored killings.

ACN said: “Suswam needs to undertake a crash course on how democracy functions.

That will open his eyes to the fact that opposition is part and parcel of this chequered system of government, and make him realise that seeking to decimate the opposition can only breed anarchy, the type of which Benue has been embroiled in since the PDP stole the ACN’s mandate at the polls.”

The party said while its members and supporters are peace-loving people, they would not submit to anyone’s intimidation...”

Three people were reportedly killed in the compound belonging to Tyoor Mbayam, the traditional ruler in the area, Chief Terngu Iorhuna, on Monday.

They were the monarch’s

brother, his wife and a relation.

It was gathered that they were killed in the reprisal attack that followed the killing of the ACN chieftain, Celestine Agber, and his brother.

Residents of the town have begun to move out in droves, for fear of reprisal attacks.

When our correspondent visited the town yesterday, many residents were seen conveying their children, women and belongings in vehicles.

A housewife, Mrs Depuun Amo, told The Nation that the residents decided to leave the town because of the rumours that there would be reprisal attacks by those who have lost their property to the violence.

Benue State Police Command spokesman Ejike Alaribe, an Assistant Superintendent of police (ASP), said investigations have begun on the violence.

The state ACN Chairman, Comrade Abba Yaro, yesterday petitioned the Commissioner of Police and the state Director of the State Security Service (SSS) over the killing of Agber and his brother.

Yaro said the late Agber operated a money lending scheme where some PDP stalwarts borrowed money.

The petition reads: “We were reliably informed that the women’s leader of the PDP in

From Johnny Danjuma,

A •Suswam

Logo Local Government Area collected N300,000 from the deceased on loan, which she is yet to pay.

“The PDP Women’s Leader, Mrs. Kwaghkohol Dubu, had deliberately refused to pay and together with other PDP chieftains, the District Head of Mbaya, Tyoor Terngu Iorhuna, and the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Logo Local Government Area, Donald Iorzer had, on many occasions, particularly on October 7, threatened the late Agber that since he was not an indigene of Logo Local Government Area by birth, and because he was a financier and chieftain of the ACN, they would make sure his business crumbled and send him back to his place of birth in a coffin.”

He listed 11 suspects, who allegedly killed Agber on the instruction of the PDP chieftains.

Yaro urged the security agencies to probe the killings and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Goje gets bail A FEDERAL High Court sitting in Gombe State on Tuesday granted bail to the former governor of the state, Alhaji Danjuma Goje, and three others standing trial for alleged corruption.

The accused persons were on Monday arraigned before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on a 18-count charge of laundering more than N25 billion public funds between May 2003 and May 2011, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

The former governor was arraigned with Alhaji Aliyu El-Nafaty, former Executive Chairman of Gombe State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and two contractors, S.M. Dokoro and Alhaji Sabo Tumu.

5,000 policemen for Jonathan’s visit to Niger From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

OVER 5,000 policemen have been deployed in Minna, the Niger State capital, for the one-day working visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to the state tomorrow.

Spokesman for the police command, Richard Adamu Oguche, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), told reporters in Minna that the police men would comprise officers and men from the Bomb Disposal Unit.

He said men of the Special Investigation Bureau (SIB), Abuja, were brought to the state from the Force Headquarters, Abuja, to sweep the township and its environs ahead of the President’s visit.

RMED youths yesterday attacked the convoy of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as it was leaving the premises of the Federal High Court in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, where former Governor Aliyu Akwe Doma and others are facing trial over financial crimes.

The youths, reportedly comprising those of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had besieged the major raod leading to the court premises on Shendam Road.

While those of the CPC were holding Governor Tanko alMakura’s posters, those of the PDP wore T-shirts bearing Doma’s images and carried his posters.

As EFCC was conveying Doma to detention after the day’s sitting, the youths began to throw missiles at the anti-graft’s convoy.

The former Commissioner for Information, Mamman Alakayi, who was in the convoy, narrowly escaped when a spear, said to have been thrown at a car belonging to the state PDP Chairman, missed its target and slashed Alakayi’s ear.

Also attacked were the National Vice-Chairman of the PDP, North Central Zone, Alhaji Yususf Ayitogo; former Deputy Governor John Michael Abdul; and some former commissioners in the Doma administration.

Alakayi and other injured persons were treated at M and D Hospital on Jos Road in Lafia.

The violence caused confusion among residents of Shendam Road who scampered for safety while the mayhem lasted.

A secondary school pupil collapsed on Shendam Road after inhaling tear gas thrown byn the police to disperse the rioters.

The boy was taken to Dalhatu Araf Hospital by our correspondent for immediate treatment.

Doma was arraigned on a 16-count charge.

He is being prosecuted by the EFCC for allegedly inflating or duplicating contracts in addition to mismanaging N18 billion from the Local Government Joint Account.

The former governor, who arrived at the court at 9am in a Coaster bus, wore a blue babanriga and a cap to match.

He headed straight to the court room in company of EFCC officials and three other persons.

Doma is on trial with former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Timothy Anjide; and former Accountant-General, Dauda Egwa.

Doma, who was unable to secure bail yesterday due to lack of harmonisation of papers by counsel to the EFCC and that of the defence, was returned to EFCC custody on the orders of the Chief Judge, Justice Marcel Awokelehin.

The accused are: Aliyu Akwe Doma, Timothy Anthony Anjide, Dauda Egwa, Aigbakhode John, Abdumumin Jibrin, Senator John Dangoyi, Suleiman Ibrahim, Incapint Nigeria Limited, Broworks Limited,and Green Forest Investment Limited.

Doma, Anjide, Egwa, John Danboyi, Suleiman Jibrin and Abdumumin Jibrin were in court yesterday.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the 16 charges.

ACN’s case against Suswam struck out

T

HE Court of Appeal in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, yesterday struck out the appeal by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate, Prof.

Steve Ugbah, challenging the election of Governor Gabriel Suswam.

Ugbah had filed a suit to contest the declaration of Suswam as winner of the April 26 election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

One of his reasons for the petition was the issue of certificate forgery by the respondent.

Ugbah urged the tribunal to determine whether the respondent was qualified to have contested the election.

In its ruling on August 15, the tribunal dismissed the petition on that ground, noting that the issue of qualification was a pre-election matter and that the tribunal lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

Ugba appealed the lower court’s ruling.

Counsel to Ugbah, Mr Simon Orkuma, argued that the appellate court had ruled that the issue of qualification was not a pre-election matter and could not be heard

at the tribunal.

Orkuma urged the court to extend the same judgment to them as they were the same kind of appeal though in different cases.

But counsel to Suswam, led by Donald Denwigwe (SAN), challenged the competence of the appeal, noting that the main petition had been struck out at the election tribunal.

The defence counsel argued that it would be fruitless to give any judgment on a dismissed petition.

Counsel to INEC, Mr Jubrin Okutekpa (SAN), averred that since the main petition, which gave rise to the appeal no longer existed, any pronouncement made on the appeal would be a mere academic exercise.

The respondents’ counsel, adopted Okutekpa’s argument and urged the court to strike out the appeal as it amounted to wasting the court’s time.

Reading the judgment, Justice U. Onyemenam noted that since there was no pending petition at the tribunal to be decided upon, entertaining the appeal would be an exercise in futility.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

9

NEWS

Boko Haram: US issues travel warning to citizens F OLLOWING the spate of bombings by Boko Haram, the United States Department of State has issued a warning to its citizens, who intend to travel to Nigeria..

The latest warning replaces a similar one released on October 19, last year.

The warning, which was dated October 13, is contained in Travel.State.Gov, a service of the Bureau of Consular Affairs of the Department, which was accessed yesterday.

It listed states which its citizens should avoid as

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Abia, Edo, Imo, Jos in Plateau State , Bauchi and Borno.

It claimed that since January 2009, over 140 foreign nationals have been kidnapped in Nigeria , including five U.S. citizens.

The warning reads: “The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Nigeria,

and continues to recommend that U.S. citizens avoid all but essential travel to the Niger Delta states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers; the Southeastern states of Abia, Edo, Imo; the city of Jos in Plateau State, Bauchi and Borno States in the northeast; and the Gulf of Guinea because of the risks of kidnapping, robbery, and other armed attacks in these areas.

“Violent crime committed by individuals and gangs, as

well as by persons wearing police and military uniforms, remains a problem throughout the country.

“This notice replaces the Travel Warning for Nigeria dated October 19, last year, to update information on recent violent activity and crime in Nigeria .

“On August 26, 2011, a suicide bombing at the UN Headquarters in Abuja killed 23 people and injured more than 80 other individuals. This attack was the first against an international organisation and the fourth bombing in Abuja during the past year.”

Abduction scare grips oil workers

F

EAR has gripped workers at Qua Iboe Oil Fields in Eket, Akwa Ibom, following Monday’s attack on an oil services vessel, MV Wilbert. The oil field is operated by Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN).

The vessel’s captain and 20 others were abducted. The attack came 17 days after an earlier one.

Speaking to reporters yesterday, the workers called for an overhaul of the security in all oil installations.

They said the frequency of the attacks has exposed oil workers to danger and increased the operational cost in the oil industry.

Mr. Joseph Dickson said: “The implication of this is that it now costs more to bring in expatriates to work in our fields, as they request heavy insurance to guarantee their safety.

“And for the Nigerian workforce, whenever something happens to you, the oil company operating the field will remind you that you are a contractor and they have no obligation to you.

“We have discussed this with management and government officials and we got assurances that the security would be enhanced before this one happened yesterday (Monday), less than three weeks after the last one.”

Mike Aniekan said: “In the past, it was usual for workers to lobby for offshore postings, because of the allowances attached, but most of them now prefer to stay away from the oil fields.

“The situation is getting out of hand and we urge the naval authorities to step up patrols to ward off the hoodlums, who have no business at oil facilities.”

MPN’s Communications Manager Mr. Nigel CookeyGam confirmed the incident. He said: “We do not know the identity of the attackers, nor the reason for their action, but the incident has been reported to security and relevant government agencies.

“MPN continues to place high priority on the safety and security of our personnel as well as facilities.”

Last week, members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) embarked on a three-day warning strike to protest insecurity in the oil fields.

Delta Speaker sacks clerk PEAKER of the Delta State House of Assembly Victor Ochei yesterday announced the appointment of the Deputy Clerk, Mrs. Lina Ochulor, as Acting Clerk.

The former Clerk, Mr. Raymond Yabvieri, and the Speaker had been involved

S

•Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) presenting copies of The Lagos lndicator Magazine and documentaries on Lagos State to his host, the Warden of Rhodes House and Secretary to the Rhodes Trust, Dr Donald Markwell after the governor delivered a special Oxford Research Network on Government in Africa (ORENGA) lecture on Managing a Mega City at the Rhodes House, Oxford University, United Kingdom ...on Monday

Audit accounts, EFCC tells AGF

T

HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday asked the Auditor-General of the Federation, Mr. Samuel Orkura, to withdraw his statement that the commission’s accounts have never been audited.

The commission said it has been submitting its audited accounts to relevant government agencies since its inception in 2003.

The EFCC, which made the clarifications in a statement by its Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Babafemi, said the AGF’s claim was misplaced.

The statement said: “The attention of the EFCChas been drawn to a news item, published in some national newspapers, on Monday, October 17, 2011, quoting the Auditor-General of the Federation, Mr. Samuel Orkura, to the effect that the Commission has never submitted its audited accounts to his office in accordance with the provisions of the constitution.

“Following the failure of the Auditor-General to withdraw the statement 24 hours after it was credited to him, the Commission is left with no option but to issue this

•Agency insists on clean records From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

public statement denying the allegation and putting the records straight.

“The Commission wishes to state un-equivocally that since its inception in 2003, it has never failed to submit its audited accounts to the appropriate government agencies, as stipulated in its Establishment Act, 2004.

“Based on the provisions

of these sections of the EFCC Establishment Act, the Commission has been diligently keeping faith with these requirements.

“The Act only requires that the Commission’s accounts should be submitted to external auditors recommended by the AGF for auditing, so as to make them ready for submission to the National Assembly, and this has been the standard practice since the inception of the

PUBLIC NOTICE THE CHURCH OF GOD (SEVENTH DAY) The general public is hereby informed that the above named church have applied fro change of trustees to corporate affairs commission, Abuja a follows OLD TRUSTEES ARE: 1.

Robinson Dibia Orukwowu 2.

Thompson nwagbraho Egbekwu 3.

Bethuel Ahiagbako Ogbuku 4.

Noah Digbu Okese 5.

Nelson Okwo THE NEW TRUSTEES ARE: 1.

Elder Joseph Okolie Aboh 2.

Elder Nkereuwem Adaise Ndom 3.

Elder Jackson Egbo Ogaluzor 4.

Elder Sunday Nwanna Okwuikpo 5.

Elder Chinonye Dugger Orukwowu Any objective to the above should be forwarded to Register General, Corporate Affairs commission maitama, Abuja within 28days of this publication

Signed: Alexander Agilebu (Assistance General Secretary

Commission.

“Specifically, the EFCC has been submitting its audited accounts to the Senate President; the Senate Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes; as well as the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the House Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes. “

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

in a faceoff following the April 26 governorship and House of Assembly elections.

The Head of Service, Sir Okey Ofili, withdrew Yabieri to his office last week without reassignment.

Edo tribunal to rule today From Osagie Otabor, Benin

T

HE Edo State National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Benin City, the state capital, will today deliver judgment on the petition of Mr. Charity Amayaenvbo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Amayaenvbo is challenging the election of Mr. Isaac Osahon of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) as the representative of Ovia Constituency in the House of Representatives.

He accused Osahon of electoral malpractices.

Counsel to both parties closed their cases after adopting their written addresses on September 21.

Also yesterday, the three-man election panel, headed by Justice Paul Elechi, reserved judgment on three different petitions, whose written addresses were adopted by their counsel.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

10

NEWS

A

‘Abia: sack of non-indigenes ‘ll enhance independence’

BIA State Government has said its decision to disengage nonindigenes would aid the quest for independence by the nation’s federating states.

It urged states, whose indigenes were caught in its staff rationalisation exercise, to evolve ways of absorbing them rather than criticising its well intentioned policy.

The state said its decision to sack non-indigenes was supported by all interest groups, political camps and stakeholders in the state, who appreciate the importance of the policy.

Special Adviser to Governor Theodore Orji on Public Communications, Ben Onyechere , wondered why the affected states have not responded to the plight of their indigenes.

Onyechere said the state would not reverse its decision which, he said, has received support from the people.

“Rather than cry wolf, this is the time affected states should stand up and provide leadership and protection for

Workers seek govt intervention From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

A

NAMBRA indigenes who were recently sacked by Abia state government yesterday called for the intervention of the state government.

The workers, who stormed the Government House in Awka, were received by the Secretary to the State Government, Paul Odenigbo.

Leader of the sacked workers, Dom Eze, who was a Chief Education Officer at the Secondary Education Management Board (SEMB)in Abia State, said about 2,000 indigenes of the state were sacked in Abia.

They carried placards with inscriptions: ‘Anambra home for all, here we are,’we must frustrate you’, ‘no gratuity for you’, ‘we don’t want you non indigenes’ among others.

Eze urged the state government to absolve them.

The SSG described the development as unhealthy and urged them to remain calm.

He said: “We are talking of being Ndigbo and we are allowing the issue of minimum wage to divide us. It is unfortunate but I know that Governor Mr. Peter Obi had visited Abia State.But that visit did not go down well with the Governor of Abia State.

By Eric Ikhilae

their indigenes.

“This policy decision is a major eye opener, which will

benefit other states since it will eventually lead to confederation of resources, stronger economic power for the

states and a weaker and less attractive centre.

“This is because the Federal Government, which originated the bill for minimum wage, will now see reason to take necessary steps to ameliorate its exigencies to avoid unpleasant circumstances.

“It will be a disservice for any state government to hide under the euphoria of threat and self pity instead of seeking quicker measures to resettle and reabsorb offloaded staff since it is almost impossible for any state to determine or question what happens in another state of equal status, particularly in a matter that already has a legislative backing such as we have in our hands.

“The decision to rationalise staff of Abia civil service has not only been legitimised by legislation but has received an overwhelming support that can be regarded as a major boost by the generality of Abia people” he said.

Two years after, Fayose visits PDP secretariat

T

WO years after he parted ways with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former Ekiti State governor Ayodele Fayose returned to the party secretariat on the Ado/Ikere road yesterday.

After meeting with leaders of the party, the former governor preached party discipline.

Fayose dumped the PDP in

2009 following unresolved differences but returned to the party recently. He re-obtained his membership card at his Afao-Araromi Ward in Irepodun-Ifelodun Local Government. The former governor was to be received officially into the PDP on Monday, but the programme had to be postponed due to what organisers called certain technical hitches.

Former lawmakers, including speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Femi Bamisile, ex-council chairmen as well as numerous supporters of the ex-governor were at the secretariat for the carnival-like event.

Also at the office were former Deputy whip, Senator Clement Awoyelu, Chief Dayo Okondo, Dr Tope Aluko, former deputy Speaker,

Taiwo Olatunbosun among others. In his address to members, Fayose expressed his preparedness to work with all the leaders and members of the State Working Committee (SWC). He said obedience to party’s guidelines is the only way the party could be strengthened to face electoral challenge under any circumstance.

His words: “This is the time for peace and reconciliation and not the time for crisis.

There is no more division in our party. The party must have considered some issues before postponing this event and I have to abide by it because the party is supreme.

“Our leaders have decided to make the rally more inclusive and this I think is right because due process have to be followed in all our dealings to make our party more peaceful.

The former governor said the ceremony could have marked his final re-absorption into the party, but have to be postponed due to technical issues that must be resolved within the party.

The state Chairman of the Party, Chief Bola Olu-Ojo, had earlier announced the postponement of Fayose’s visit to the party’s Secretariat due to technical hitches while briefing reporters on Sunday of issues that affects the party and the State in general.

NDLEA holds on to Baba Suwe POPULAR Yoruba actor, Babatunde Omidina known as Baba Suwe will remain in the agency’s custody, at least for now, it was learnt last night.

He was arrested last Thursday at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos while trying to board an aircraft to France.

Omidina allegedly tested positive to drug ingestion, which made NDLEA officials to place him on observation.

The agency told The Nation last night that it was still holding on to the actor.

“We are still observing him.

We will keep him for as long as necessary”, a source said.

Senate summons Okonjo-Iweala From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

•Okonjo-Iweala

T

HE Senate yesterday summoned the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, following the alleged sale of an equipment meant for the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

The Minister of Power, Dr. Barth Nnaji, told the Senate

Committee on Power during an interactive forum in Abuja that some of the equipment imported for the NIPP were found in the open market.

Nnaji said: “Some of the NIPP equipment imported into the country were found in the market and they were allegedly auctioned by the Customs.”

He added that when the equipment were discovered in the market, the police were asked to arrest the marketers, but it was found that the equipment had been auctioned to the public by NCS. The committee summoned the Minister of Finance, who oversees the Customs Service, to appear before it on Tuesday to explain the sale of the equipment.

Reps to probe N17b hospitals’ contract From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

T

HE House of Representatives is to investigate the alleged contract for the supply of medical equipment to eight teaching hospitals.

The contract for the supply of the N17 billion equipment was allegedly awarded in 2005 during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. But it was executed in 2011.

The resolution was sequel to the adoption of the prayers of a motion brought before the House under matters of urgent national importance by the Chairman of the House Committee on Power, Patrick Ikhariale.

The lawmaker had, in the motion, told members that failure of the contractor to supply the equipment on time had made them obsolete, naming the University Teaching Hospital, Ibadan, as one where some of the equiment were lying waste.

APGA passes vote of confidence on Umeh From Adimike George, Onitsha

N

ATIONAL Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Victor Umeh yesterday received support from members of the party in Anambra State.

Some aggrieved members of the party had urged him to resign his leadership of the party.

Acting Chairman of the party in the state, Ifeanyi Udokwu spoke shortly after a stakeholders meeting of Onitsha North and South local governments at St.Andrews Youth Hall,Onitsha.

The meeting was attended by Caretaker Committee Chairman of the two local governments, Eddy Okosi and Ugochukwu Ezeani and chairmen of the party in the local governments.

The members resolved, “that a vote of confidence is hereby passed on the National Working Committee (NWC) of our great party under the leadership of Chief Victor Umeh”.

Viju chocolate makers hail study

V

IJU Industries, makers of Viju Chocolate drink, have hailed a study by a Swedish scientist that eating chocolate or having its drink reduces the chances of stroke by 25 per cent.

Its Marketing Manager, Mr Suleiman Aliu, said consum-

ers of Viju Chocolate Milk drink can derive the same benefit, adding that chocolate drinks must be taken in moderation.

He said a plus for those who are in love with Viju Chocolate drink is that it was produced with dark cocoa seed powder, mixed with essential vitamins.

ECOWAS can’t pick new president

T

HE meeting of the Heads of States of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission yesterday failed to agree on who becomes the regional body’s president.

The two countries shortlisted for the position – Bourkina Fasso and Benin – could not resolve the matter at the meeting.

Following their inability to resolve the matter, the Heads of States set up an ad hoc committee, under the chairmanship of the President of Sierra Leone, to look into ways of resolving the logjam.

Outgoing President of the commission, Ambassador James Victor Gheho of Ghana, addressed reporters at the Presidential Wing of the

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on the outcome of the meeting.

He said: “The meeting today received the reports of the ad hoc committee and deliberated on them based on the principles enunciated in that report in determining positions in the commission on equitable, transparent and predictable basis.

“In that respect, we accepted the principles as well as the recommendations.

We agreed on all except the position of the President of the ECOWAS Commission because there was no censuses on whether to give it to Benin Republic or Bourkina Fasso.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

MTN bids for Vodafone’s Congo wireless venture

M

TN Group Limited (MTN), Africa’s largest mobile phone company, is seeking to buy Vodafone Group Plc (VOD)’s wireless venture in the Democratic Republic of Congo, sources have said.

MTN, according to Bloomberg news, is part of a bidding for Vodacom Congo SPRL, the company that is 51 per cent owned by Vodacom Group (VOD), which in turn is controlled by Vodafone, the sources said, declining to be identified because the matter is confidential.

Johannesburg-based MTN made a presentation to Vodacom last week, they said.

Vodacom has been in a dispute with the venture’s local partner Congolese Wireless Network SPRL over funding andoperational structure since at least early 2010, following a $484 million capital injection into the business by Vodacom.

Vodacom may sell its stake to end the dispute, Chief Executive Officer Pieter Uys, said on May 16. Vodacom Congo had 4.2 million subscribers at the end of March.

“MTN may be well-suited to deal with that kind of issue due to its long exposure in Africa,” said Khulekani Dlamini, head of research at the Cape Town-based Afena Capital. “An acquisition in the DRC would be very good for MTN as it would fill a gaping hole in its operations in a market that is very big.”

While we are not opposed to the maintenance work on gas facilities or PHCN generating and transmission stations, the commision will not allow the flagrant violation of due process and procedures, especially as if relates to desruption of power supply to Nigerians.

- Dr Sam Amadi, Chairman of NERC

Nigeria’s GDP may overtake S’Africa, says StanChart T A

Fed Govt releases 12,000 mining titles From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

NALYST at Standard Chartered said yes terday that Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) would overtake South Africa’s by 2015.

Regional Head of Research, Africa Global Research, Standard Chartered Bank, Razia Khan, who made this known in Lagos, also forecast that by 2015, Nigeria would be the fourth most populous country in the world.

South Africa, which is the largest economy in Africa, is eager for elevation to the coveted BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) status of emerging markets, but investors say Nigeria is a more probable African contender, even if promotion for either is some way off.

Khan, however, maintained that for these projections to be attained, Nigeria needs a lot of structural growth.

Nigeria had recorded a GDP growth of 10.3 per cent, 10.6 per cent, 5.4 per cent, 6.2

By Ayodele Aminu, Group Business Editor

per cent, 7 per cent, 6 per cent, 7 per cent, 7.4 per cent and 7.72 per cent in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and second quarter of 2011 respectively.

She also said the planned removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government would help correct a lot of distortions in the economy.

Speaking in an interview with reporters at the sideline of StanChat’s “Africa Summit,” she described the move by the government as “overwhelmingly positive” step, stressing that fuel subsidy was also contributing to the pressure that had been on the nations forex reserves.

There had been arguments by various groups in the country over recent plans by the Federal Government to remove fuel subsidy in the country.

But Khan said: “Although there have been a lot of debates about this (fuel subsidy) in Nigeria and some

Nigerians believe that this is the only thing that the government has been able to deliver to them. If you look at this (fuel subsidy) in terms of the total cost to the economy and the total benefits of having the subsidy in place, there is no strong rationale for the continuation of fuel subsidy.

“First of all, it distorts prices. We do know that fuel is not always available everywhere, even at the subsided price, so the overall benefit of subsidy still in place is already a question.

What we have typically seen in Nigeria in the past, was that when oil prices are higher, the amount that fuel importers are compensated for the subsidy would increase in line with the high oil prices.

“We see deterioration in the external profile of the country and the country’s import bill keeps going up.

The demand for forex increases. The demand for fuel importation has continued to

weigh on the demand for forex. There is not any strong economic argument for the benefit of having that subsidy in place.”

Khan also said the aggressive restrictive monetary policy and other measures that were adopted by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) last week, clearly showed the commitment of the banking sector regulator to price stability. She insisted that the call for the devaluation of the naira was unnecessary.

“If Nigeria has not been able to accumulate greater forex reserves, even when oil was over a $100, given the policies announced by the CBN last week, for example, the clarification on who is eligible to get forex at the Wholesale Dutch Auction System (WDAS), we do expect demand at the official auction to fall. So, it is not necessarily clear that the CBN has to allow for a devaluation of the naira,” Khan added.

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

-N6.747 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion

RATES Inflation -9.3% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending-22.42% Prime lending -15.82% Savings rate -2% 91-day NTB -10.23% Time Deposit -7% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $30.8b

CFA EUR £ $ ¥ SDR RIYAL

FOREX -

0.281 213.2 245.00 156.91 1.5652 245.8 40.57

• From left: Director, Wema Bank Plc, Mr Ramesh Hathiramani; Managing Director/CEO, Mr Segun Oloketuyi; Chairman,Chief Samuel Bolarinde and Vice-President Namadi Sambo, during a visit by the bank executives to the Vice-President.

Reps want NAFDAC, NDLEA, SON back at ports

T

HE House of Represen tatives yesterday said the withdrawal of personnel of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) from the nation’s ports by the Federal Government is detrimental to the health care delivery system of the country.

The lawmakers have, subsequently, mandated its committees on Health, Industry and Drugs and Narcotics to summon the Minister of Finance and explain the reasons for the order.

They also mandated the Executive arm to rescind its withdrawal of the personnel of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) from the ports and the border posts.

The Finance Minister Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala had directed that the agencies vacate the ports to fast-track the clearance of goods.

The decision of the House was sequel to a motion

•Declare tax collection on federal roads illegal From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

raised under matter of urgent public importance by Hon. Uzo Azubuike, who observed that the ports and borders are the main sources of entry of illicit and substandard food and drugs into the country.

Azubuike, who explained NAFDAC’s activities since inception was to checkmate the importation of illicit, fake or counterfeit food and drugs into the country, regretted that their withdrawal without a cause would expose the country to the influx of substandard food and drugs.

He noted that even when these agencies were at the nation’s ports and borders, the country was still grappling with the menace of fake and illicit drugs and foods, warning it would be worse if the withdrawal of the agencies was not re-

canted by the Executive arm.

“I would rather suggest that Nigeria needs to tighten her security measures at the ports and borders rather than relax them and allow all manner of unhealthy products to enter the country,” he said.

In his contribution, Femi Gbajabiamila noted that NAFDAC and SON are the two most important agencies empowered to check the entry of illicit food and drugs into the country.

Ibrahim Olaifa said: “Once these ports and borders are exposed, we are all exposed. We will do ourselves a lot of harm if we allow the dictates of the Executive to go unchallenged.

Therefore, we have to support this motion and stop the Executive from withdrawing these agencies.”

The motion was favoured by the majority when put to voice vote by the Speaker,

Aminu Tambuwal.

Meanwhile,the House of Representatives has also declared collection of taxes and levies on federal roads by local government revenue collectors illegal.

Subsequently, the lawmakers have asked the Inspector- General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, to rid federal roads of such illegal tax collectors.

The House has also mandated its committees on Finance, Works as well as States and Local Governments to investigate the illegal collection of taxes by the local government officials who mount road blocks on the federal roads.

The lawmakers expressed their concerns over the effect of double taxation on Nigerians by the act of council officials.

The decision of the House was sequel to a motion by Ezenwa Onyewuchi entitled: Illegal collection of taxes and levies on Federal roads by some Local Governments in the Federation.

HE Mining Cadastre Office has issued out a total of 12,000 mining titles leases, it was learnt yesterday.

The Minister, Musa Sada disclosed this in Abuja during the Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geologists (COMEG) stakeholders’ forum on Compliance and Enforcement in the Extractive industries .

He said in the next 10 years, the plan of the government in the sector would have been realised.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, noted that Vision 20:20 cannot be attained without qualified skilled miners.

She urged the council to tackle professionalism in mining.

Besides, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources Minister, Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke, who was represented by the Acting Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Emmanuel Izuegbo, said without a virile regulatory council in place, the extractive industry will be shaky.

He called on Sada to reposition the council for the accomplishment of the nation’s plan for in sector.

Eralier, the President of Nigeria Society of Mining and Geoscientists (NSMG) Akin George, called on the experts to stop quacks from sinking boreholes with reckless abandon in the country.

He also pledged that the council will ensure that the local content in the oil and gas industry is applicable to the mining sector.

Gunmen attack oil vessel

G

UNMEN have at tacked a ship supply ing an Exxon Mobil oil platform off the Nigerian coast, the company said yesterday, less than three weeks after someone was kidnapped from a vessel at one of its facilities in the same waters.

Kidnappings, according to Reuters, are relatively common in the onshore oil-producing Niger Delta, but since an amnesty was agreed with militants in 2009 and the military have cracked down on gangs in the creeks, more attacks have spread offshore.

“Mobil Producing Nigeria, operator of the joint venture with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), confirms that in the early hours of Monday, October 17, 2011, some armed men attacked a third party vessel near our facilities, offshore Akwa Ibom State,” a company statement said yesterday.

“At this time, we do not know the identity of the attackers, nor reason for their action. The incident has been reported to security and relevant government agencies.”

12

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

13

ISSUES

•CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

• CBN Deputy Governor, Economic Policy, Mrs Sarah Alade

• CBN Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, Dr Kingsley Moghalu

Tightening the monetary noose The increase in the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is aimed at achieving price stability through curbing inflation. But manufacturers will have to contend with the attendant high cost of production due to increased lending rates, which will then be passed on to consumers by raising prices, COLLINS NWEZE writes.

I

N recent months, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has taken some policy decisions aimed at tightening liquidity and achieving price stability. Over a week ago, the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR), rate at which banks borrow from the CBN was raised by 275 basis points (bps) to 12 per cent at extraordinary Monetary Policy Committee meeting. The increase, was sixth in a series by the apex bank this year.

The Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR), a proportion of banks’ deposit liabilities with the CBN, was doubled from four per cent.

Also, reserve averaging method for computing CRR was suspended in favour of daily maintenance even as banks’ net open positions was reduced to one per cent of shareholder funds, from five per cent.

The apex bank, however, kept its 200 basis point corridor around the benchmark rate; its recommended deposit rate is 10 per cent and lending rate, 14 per cent.

Currently, average lending rate for prime customers, which is expected to go up is 17.79 per cent per annum, while that of those who are not prime customer is 20.40 per cent. But when other costs are added, the average lending rates for prime customers will hover between 25 and 27 per cent, while those who are not prime customers will be over 30 per cent. Also, interest rate on savings account, which is currently 2.27 per cent per annum is expected to rise to about 3.5 per cent. Interbank rates – rates at which banks borrow from one another to cover their positions

has since risen. Commenting on the monetary tightening, Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, described it as “a big pill to swallow”.

Noting that the development has very wide implications, he said it would have been easier for the MPC to adjust the exchange rate. “This will tighten liquidity so much and make banks to liquefy their Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) bonds. The cost would be passed on to corporate borrowers, who will also pass it on to consumers by raising the prices of their jobs.

“These measures can also be of benefit to the naira, but it could be distruptive to corporate borrowers. “I am not sure that the naira can be protected, but let’s see what happens to the forex market in the future,” he said.

The CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi said the actions were informed by the decision to control excess liquidity in the system and sustain inflation at single digit.

While some market participants had expected the apex bank to announce a devaluation of the naira at the special meeting, the decisiveness of the policy moves, and the dramatic tightening they represent, leaves little doubt about the apex bank’s overall policy intent.

Experts’ perspectives Head, Market Risk, Greenwich Trust Limited Babatunde Obaniyi, said by raising the

MPR, the CBN may be able to curb inflation.

He said there was high demand pressure on the naira, which can only be controlled by mopping liquidity in the system.

Obaniyi said payment of the minimum wage would add to excess liquidity in the system, adding that the best option is to raise the MPR. He said the apex bank has moved decisively to underscore its price stability credentials.

According to the firm, in response to increased global uncertainty, capital outflows, and speculation over waning official commitment to foreign exchange stability, the CBN tightened policy much more than expected at an extraordinary MPC meeting, which was called in response to new all-time lows in the naira.

An analyst at Standard Bank, Razia Khan, explained the implication of these adjustments. He said it is the increased cost of funds that deters borrowing for reckless purposes, but which also shortchanges the real sector that engages on productive activities. By raising the base rate at which banks borrow from the CBN, the banks have no choice but to raise interest rates, thereby increasing the cost of loans. It also implies that funds available for lending by banks would reduce since a larger cash proportion is expected to be held with the CBN. Analysts at Renaissance Capital insist that the rate, which was raised last month from 8.50 to 9.25 per cent, has failed to reduce the volume of money in circulation, thereby putting pressure on the naira against other global currencies, especially, the dollar.

A financial analyst, also predicted a hike in MPR. He said the exchange rate is bad as oil price is going down at a time the United States and Europe are economically challenged. “We are in a box and need a bit of brainwave. The Federal Government has to step in as cost is likely to go up. I think labour will oppose removal of subsidy because government is not cutting its costs,” he said.

He said the reduction in the price of oil means that Nigeria will earn less dollars, adding that the banking watchdog may not be able to meet the dollar demand meant for the importation of petrol and other consumables.

“The Monetary Policy Committee is about liquidity and price stability. It is difficult to have price stability when three months to the end of the year, removal of oil subsidy looms, knowing that it will have a negative impact on inflation,” he said, arguing that such an act will affect prices of products, goods and services.

He said where the naira is facing a challenge; the best thing to do is to increase the cost of money. “If you increase what it costs to buy foreign exchange (forex), then the naira will firm up. The CBN has to look at the cost of money again.” He said when there is too much money in circulation; the CBN may do well to obstruct it a little.

Managing Director, Financial Nigeria International, Jide Akintunde, said the policy • Continued on page 14

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

14

ISSUES • Continued from page 13

is an attempt to consolidate on the gains of the past monetary policy which had helped to bring inflation to single digit from around 23 per cent in 2004. He said the increase was normal for the economy and would help to control inflations but admitted that high rates of this nature affect productive activities needed for the growth of domestic market economy. Others insist the CBN is only carrying out its constitutional duties by upwardly adjusting the rates, but needs to be cautious about it.

Tightening the monetary noose

Budget 2012 assumptions

CBN’s measures to stabilise Naira The CBN has said it will restrict the sale of dollars at its auctions to foreign companies taking the currency offshore, in a further measure to limit local foreign exchange demand and support the weakening naira. The regulator said foreign investors were guaranteed to repatriate their earnings and proceeds of investments offshore but they could only seek dollars for such purposes from the open market, limiting forex demand at its auction. “All remittances in respect of dividends, capital and proceeds of investments shall be through the use of autonomous funds (interbank),” CBN Director, Trade and Exchange, Batari Musa said in a circular to banks.

“For the avoidance of doubts, foreign investors are guaranteed repatriation of their earnings and or proceeds of investments through the use of autonomous funds,” he said. The CBN has in its continued effort to consolidate on the policy measures taken on foreign exchange utilisation, coupled with the need to streamline petroleum products importers, authorised dealers are to forward copies of the Form ‘M’ proceeds and other relevant documents to the CBN for consideration. Also, request for purchase of foreign exchange shall be made within 48 hours to the bidding or auction day, failing which the bid shall be considered for the next auction session.

The apex bank said that after negotiation of the transaction, and within 30 days of arrival of the cargo, authorised dealers shall provide the final shipping documents including product certification report issued by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) among other measures.

In the face of the spectre of declining oil prices, declining foreign reserves, increased demand for foreign exchange, fiscal dominance and capital flow reversals, monetary policy must bear a larger burden of economic adjustment. The MPC has, therefore, to make difficult choices, each of which has clear costs and benefits.

Presure on Naira The pressure on the local currency intensified after the CBN, on September 26, sold naira outside the weakest edge of its target.

Inflation rises to 10.3 per cent Nigeria’s headline inflation rose to 10.3 per cent in September, beating the CBN singledigit target. The rise in inflation came to many as a surprise because of six official interest rate rises by the apex bank this year.

The inflation was 9.3 per cent in August, snapping three straight months of declines, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said.

Food prices, the largest contributor to the consumer index, rose by 9.5 per cent yearon-year in September after 8.7 per cent the previous month. “The biggest contributors to the consumer inflation were the high prices of electricity and food items even as the rise in food prices was mainly due to the increasing costs of yam, cooking oil and fish,” the NBS document said.

The CBN has been raising interest rates for more than a year to help curb high inflation and support the naira, which plunged to an all-time low this week. CBN hiked its benchmark interest rate by a much bigger-than-expected 275 basis points to 12 per cent and implemented several other tightening measures at an emergency meeting on October 10.

Same day, the naira recovered from the record low of 167.8 to the dollar, after the CBN sold around $1 billion into the market in the space of a week, traders said. But trading on the local currency remains volatile and further weakness would add to inflation pressures.

Implications to private sector, others The President, National Association of

The increasingly uncertain global economic outlook, doubts about the sustainability of current oil prices despite a tight market, and Nigeria’s significant overdependence on oil for its foreign exchange earnings have also weighed on sentiment. These factors have added to fears that the authorities would be forced to take a more flexible approach to currency management in the event of a more severe global economic slowdown.

• Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

• CBN Deputy Governor, Operations, Tunde Lemo

Budget 2012 assumptions show little evidence of fiscal consolidation. The MPC said the 2012 budget is more expansionary than that of this year. The 2012 budget assumes a budget deficit of 2.69 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is marginally smaller than the target for the 2011 budget, of 2.97 per cent. Moreover, the government plans to increase fiscal spending to N4.8 trillion in 2012, from the N4.4 trillion planned for 2011. This explains Sanusi’s view that the proposed 2012 budget suggests a loose fiscal policy. The proposed increase in fiscal expenditure presents an inflationary risk for 2012.

It is expected that private sector credit growth in Nigeria is unlikely to increase beyond the mid-teens, given the higher-interest-rate environment. Moreover, the appeal of local-currency debt for banks and investors is likely to increase, as real yields rise.

Way out

• GMD Zenith Bank, Godwin Emefiele

Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI) said the result of these moves has raised the cost of getting loans from banks for commercial and manufacturing purposes. For the MPR, it means that if banks were before now, lending at N25 per cent per annum, then their lending rate will go up by at least two per cent. It also means that interest on saving will rise, making it more attractive for people to keep more money in the banks.

It is expected that interest on savings, which many banks used to pay about one per cent per annum, may move to between 1.5 per cent and two per cent. For Primary Mortgage Institutions (PMIs), the interest may move to between three and four per cent, depending on individuals bargain power, said Chukwumah Chukwu, Treasury Manager, UniTrust Savings & Loans Limited.

He explained that the cost of foodstuffs and other goods and services, which had gone up by at least 13 per cent in recent months, will climb even higher in the months ahead due to increase cost of funds to borrowers. The poverty level in the country will ascend within or above similar trajectory.

According to him, the effects of the latest tightening on the real economy are likely to be fairly limited, raising the risk of further rate hikes if they are deemed necessary. The transmission effect of monetary policy is still problematic. For structural reasons, very little bank lending in the economy is channelled to the real sector.

• GMD Sterling Bank, Yemi Adeola

“Weighing up the policy costs and benefits, the authorities will feel vindicated by their decisions, ultimately, price stability results in greater benefits to more Nigerians than lower interest rates and a more volatile foreign exchange rate,” he said.

Global implications While the CBN has long supported the exchange rate through regular dollar sales at its official Wholesale Dutch Auction System (WDAS) auctions, market nervousness over the sustainability of foreign exchange stability is rooted in several key factors. First, despite rising oil output, higher oil prices, and a comfortable current account surplus, Nigeria’s reserves have been under pressure, falling to a recent low of $30 billion from a peak of over $60 billion before the global crisis.

According to Khan, this was partly due to expansionary fiscal policy and excessive liquidity growth, which raised demand for forex, much of which had been largely met by the CBN until recently. In the last three trading sessions, the authorities have not fully met demand at the WDAS auctions.

Dollar to naira has traded outside of its theoretical +/-3 per cent trading band around 150, prompting speculation of a policy shift.

The authorities had already stated that they would “not defend the naira at all costs, if fundamentals deteriorated as in 2008, fuelling higher demand for forex on the interbank market.

‘Unlike in previous instances of CBN tightening earlier this year, the return on naira deposits, and the opportunity cost of holding foreign exchange, should finally respond to policy action. Even if earlier tightening had little impact on demand for forex, this will not necessarily hold true in the future’

Faced with these developments, the authorities could have made one of two policy choices. According to the MPC statement, they might have succumbed to market pressure and announced a one-off devaluation of the naira. However, in their view, this would not have ended pressure on the currency and would have achieved little. The demand for foreign exchange would have increased further had they given the market a reason to doubt their future commitment to currency stability, risking an even greater drawdown of reserves. “Moreover, there is little evidence that Nigeria’s import demand is sensitive to the exchange rate. Price stability would have been compromised, with little to show for it. In economic terms, this would not have represented a stable equilibrium, and the benefits of such action would have been questionable,” Khan said.

She said instead, the preferred approach was to tighten significantly, underscoring the authorities’ commitment to price stability and dealing with the causes of excessive demand for foreign exchange in the official, interbank and parallel markets at their source. However, the expected payment of debt owed by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to the Federation Account this quarter is likely to add further to near-term liquidity pressures.

In the near term, the knee-jerk market reaction to unexpectedly aggressive tightening is expected to drive a significant downward retracement in the dollar to naira foreign exchange rate.

Each one per cent increase in the CRR is estimated to remove at least N100 billion from the economy. The higher CRR of eight per cent should result in the immediate withdrawal of N400 billion from the banking system.

With banks paying a higher rate to borrow via the CBN’s standing lending facility, overall tightening is significant. Until recently, there was little competition for funds in the banking system. The availability of official guarantees on interbank deposits in the aftermath of the banking-sector crisis shielded banks, especially weaker institutions, from competing for liability growth. In fact, low deposit rates, largely unresponsive to the resumption of CBN tightening in September 2010, had caused larger cash balances to remain outside the banking system. Apparently, this may change now, with more aggressive competition for liabilities raising banking-sector deposit rates far more than in the past.

Unlike in previous instances of CBN tightening earlier this year, the return on naira deposits, and the opportunity cost of holding foreign exchange, should finally respond to policy action. Even if earlier tightening had little impact on demand for forex, this will not necessarily hold true in the future. Should the authorities be dissatisfied with the results, more tightening, either through policy measures on higher MPR or more frequent Open Market Operations (OMOs) cannot be ruled out.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

15

16

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

17

MONEY

Cashless Lagos needs collective effort, says CBN T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said achieving an effective and successful cashless Lagos requires collective effort from stakeholders. The banks, payment companies and regulators have to partner in all indexes, to make the project work, said CBN Head, Shared Services, Eyitope Matthew Daniel.

Speaking during the Bank Directors’ Association Forum tagged: The Future of Banking in Nigeria: Stakeholders expectations, Daniel said unless the move by the apex bank to reduce the dominance of cash in the system is embraced, the cost of managing cash in the economy may increase to N192 billion by 2012.

According to her, the cost of managing cash by the apex bank and commercial banks stood at N114.5 billion as at 2009. He insisted that the cost of cash to Nigeria’s financial system was high and increasing. In fact, while he put the total cost spent on cash-in-transit as at 2009 at N27.3 billion, he said the amount for cash processing stood

Stories by Collins Nweze

at N69 billion.

The CBN, in conjunction with the Bankers Committee, had announced that the cashless policy which is expected to take-off in some states by June next year, would begin in Lagos this December. The regulator had disclosed its intention to limit the amount of cash withdrawal and deposit to N150,000 for individual account and N1 million for corporate entities.

She emphasised that the policy does not mean cash would no longer be in existence in the country, but that it was aimed at moderating the volume of cash in the system According to him, the disadvantages of transacting businesses with cash, outweighs its advantages.

“Something drastic needs to be done, otherwise the cost of doing business by banks would continue to rise and it would continue to be passed on to customers. CBN, in conjunction with the Banker’s Committee embarked on a Shared

Services programme with three key objectives, including a drastic cost reduction of 30 per cent.

“Only 10 per cent of banks’ cash transactions are above N150,000, but they make up 71 per cent of the value of cash transactions. About 90 per cent of Nigerians carry out transactions below N150,000,” she added. He cited robbery, high cost of processing cash, revenue leakages, inefficient treasury management, among others, as some of the reasons for the dominance of cash in the system .

“If there is reduced cash in the system, banks would be able to compete favourably. There are so many alternative payment systems in Nigeria which are even more convenient and safe, but people are

not using them. With the improvement in communication, there have been a lot of improvements in the payment system.

“Cashless Lagos does not mean there would not be cash in Lagos again, but it is an industry collaborative effort aimed at executing the payment transformation plan of the state. We are going to significantly increase the amount of Point of Sale (PoS) terminals in the state.

We chose to start from Lagos because over 50 per cent of the money supply in the country ends up in this state. If it works here, then it can work in any other part of the country,” Daniel said.

The CBN official listed Internet banking, mobile money system, direct debit system, as some of the

other payment systems.

Lagos State, with a population of about 17 million, is arguably the economic capital of Nigeria.

The Nation’s findings show that banks have started deploying ATMs and PoS terminals to strategic points such as shopping malls, airports, higher institutions of learning, and busy markets to make cash readily available to customers.

Daniel said the apex bank would continue to sensitise the people about the policy and be flexible about the limit. The apex bank has also assured that there would be regular public discussions that will lead to appropriate measures being taken to ensure a seamless implementation time.

Nigeria’s debt too low for economic development, says Rewane

M

ANAGING Director and Chief Executive Officer, Financial Derivatives Company (FDC), Mr. Bismarck Rewane, has said Nigeria’s debt level is too low for its economic expansion.

Rewane said the country’s 17 per cent debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), ‘is a disaster.” He said other countries including the United States has a 100 per cent debt to GDP ratio. The loans, he explained come from multilateral, international and domestic borrowings.

Rewane said: “I think Nigeria now has a phobia for borrowing, both in their personal life, corporate life, public life and even in their speculative life like going to the stock market. No country has been able to develop without debt. We have to understand that we cannot develop without borrowing.”

Rewane told The Nation that the government needs to discontinue seeing corporate governance as a private sector issue, saying corporate governance should start from the public sector so as to help grow the economy.

He, however, stressed that with the consolidation in various sectors of the economy such as banking, brewery, communications, among others, the country was on a path to growth.

“You cannot develop without saving, that is why we must allow the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) to stay. The economy is on the threshold of growth, but we need hard work,” he added.

He said the World Bank projections for 2012 GDP growth is 6.6 per cent and inflation at nine per cent adding that companies have adopted stronger governance cultures which has led to increased profitability.

“Companies have shown increased revenues with sustainable strategic options. Improved banks’ third quarter report is likely to pull investors from the sidelines given current attractive valuations. Also investors’ sentiment is likely to improve based on the outcome of the extra ordinary general meetings (EGMs) of the rescued banks,” he added in the October edition of the FDC monthly report.

Firm nets 59% profit after tax

H

AGGAI Savings and Loans Limited has posted 59 per cent profit after tax for the year 2010 ending. Former chairman of the bank, Simeon Olakunri, disclosed this on Monday while presenting his report at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos.

Olakunri, who praised the impressive and improved performance reco ` rded in the year under review, said this has earned it a profit before tax increase of N142.9 million in 2009 to N225.9 million in 2010 representing an increase of 58 per cent.

He said there was also a decrease in the deposits from N2.3 billion in 2009 to N1.9 million in 2010, while adding that shareholders funds increased from N544.6 million in 2009 to N628.7 million in 2010. Olakunri stated that it was with this performance that prompted the Board to recommend a dividend of 20 kobo per share from the bank’s retained earnings.

Speaking further, the chairman said while the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is yet to finalise re-

By Miriam Ndikanwu vised guidelines for the operations of specialised institutions, the bank has started putting strategies in place to ensure that it increases its capital base in line with the expectations of the CBN. “Already we have applied to the CBN for the conversion of deposit for shares of N1.0045billion into share capital. We have also started exploring other available opportunities of raising additional capital to meet up with the regulatory authority’s requirement whenever there is an official pronouncement and deadline to that effect,” he said.

He called for the support of the shareholders in the area of deposit, saying that decreases in the dividend was because the growth rate of shares capital have not matched the growth rate of profit.

He said the bank has done quite well in the area of infrastructure investment, adding that while pursuing its objective of bringing smiles to the faces of the people, it equally has to bring profitable results.

From right: Commissioner for Finance, Ogun State, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun; Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and an economist/tax expert, Dr. Biodun Adedipe, during a media briefing on tax payment by employees living in Ogun State.

Banks celebrate low-key customer service week

N

IGERIAN banks have taken steps to demonstrate their commitment to excellent customer services by embracing the 2011 International Customer Service Week held from October 3 to 7.

However, the excitement and ceremonies that usually follow the first week in October, termed Customer Service Week was almost absent except for few banks that marked the event. The week-long celebration is traditionally devoted to recognising the significance of customer service and to honouring the people who serve and support customers with the highest degree of care and professionalism.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, reiterated the need for quality customer services when he insisted that at the Annual Banking

and Finance Conference in Abuja to remain relevant as financial intermediaries, banks would need to be sensitive to customer needs for greater efficiency and convenience.

“Financial services no longer involve providing only standard products to customers. The need for financial products to be personalised and customised to the individual needs of corporate and retail clients is the order of the day.

Banks would, therefore, need to be more proactive and innovative in packaging and marketing their products,” he advised.

In GT Bank, Guest Tellering, an exercise in which top executives of the bank serve as tellers in various branches was in practice. Skye Bank has equally inaugurated a publicfriendly customer care centre, the ‘Yes Centre’, to enhance customer satisfaction and experience. Other banks have also found their unique

way of communicating to customers at such times.

Experts said that customers’ perception of quality services varies from person to person.

Analysts insist that service-oriented banks should be able to boost staff morale through motivation, reward frontline representatives, promote teamwork among their workforce, raise companywide awareness of the importance of customer service and remind customers of their commitment to their satisfaction.

Experts say customer services transcend the way phone calls are answered or promises are kept. It is even beyond listening effectively, dealing with customers’ complaints or improving on turnaround time. Good customer services means to personally know the customers and recognise their individual needs.

Debit card compromise rises

B

ANK of America, the biggest United States lender by as sets, sent some customers new debit cards last week, after it discovered that some accounts may have been compromised at a merchant.

Customers are given new account numbers as a precaution if fraud monitoring detects potential security breaches, said Betty Riess, a spokeswoman for the Charlotte, North Caro-

lina-based company. Bank of America’s actions were in response to an “isolated” incident, said Riess, who declined to comment on how many accounts were affected.

Banks’ costs tied to debit and credit-card fraud are rising as electronic forms of payment replace cash and cheques. Financial firms are spending “tens of billions of dollars in data protection,” Leigh Williams, the president of BITS, the

technology policy division of the Washington-based Financial Services Roundtable said.

“This would’ve been a compromise at a third-party merchant location; it had nothing to do with a security breach of Bank of America’s system. If we believe that a customer’s card may have been compromised, we’ll notify the customer and block and re-issue the card,” Riess said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

18

MONEY

KYC: Banks move to update Industrialist seeks accounts of more customers improved SMEs funding B T

ANKS are working out modalities of updating the accounts of depositors, who did not meet up the deadline for the Know Your Customer (KYC) scheme. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had handed March 2011 as the deadline for banks to update the accounts of their customers, and further get to know vital information about them.

The development is in line with CBN’s decision to curtail the rate at which people perpetrate criminal activities such as money laundering, forging of accounts, among others.

The Nation learnt that many banks are withholding customers, whose signatures and pictures are not properly captured from withdrawing money outside their branches.

The sources said banks have ordered their cashiers not to pay such customers, until they update their accounts as and when due.

A staff member of Sterling Bank, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the bank is not taking such issues lightly. The source said it is wrong for a customer to blame the bank for inability to withdraw

By Akinola Ajibade money from other branches, when he is still having problems with his signature or picture.

“When the computer shows that your signatures and pictures are not well captured, there is no way you can withdraw money from other branches of the bank. By so doing, the bank is guiding against operational risks. When we have all the vital information about customers in our system, it is good for the bank. It is also a means of complementing CBN’s efforts on Know Your Customer’ initiative,” the source added.

Also, a staff member of First Bank corroborated the issue. According to the source, there is a standing order from the head office that customers with wrong signatures, addresses, among other information should not be allowed to withdraw money until they effect necessary corrections.

“Cases abound, where we have refused payment to customers that have irregular signatures. We have to follow the directives of the bank to ensure growth. The issue of Know Your Customer is para-

mount to the bank, because it wants to avoid cases relating to fraud.

Speaking on the issue, The Head, Product Management Department, Access Bank Plc, Mr Ejikeme Victor Ohalete, said the initiative is of great importance to the banks.

Ohalete said banks are making efforts to have detailed information about their customers to ensure good transactions. He said the bank has been making moves to get the new addresses, among other data of its customers to avoid risks.

“Know Your Customer scheme is what CBN has supported. This is the reason for getting the new addresses of our customers who have had lifecycle changes. When we are talking about lifecycle changes, we are talking about issues such as wedding, and relocation to other areas.

Though the development has helped the bank to reward its customers who have experienced life cycle changes monthly, the issue has complimented the CBN’s efforts in making banks to know more about their customers,” he said.

• L-R: Executive Director, Domestic Bank, Ecobank Nigeria, Kingsley Aigbokhaevbo; Country Manager, Google Nigeria, Juliet Ehimuan; and General Manager, Enterprise Sales, MTN Nigeria, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, at the launch of the Getting Nigerian Businesses Online (GNBO) initiative by Google in partnership with Ecobank and MTN in Lagos.

‘AMCON playing stabilising role in economy’

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has played stabilising role in the economy.

The apex bank said unlike other ‘bad banks’ in other jurisdictions, AMCON is a comprehensive banking sector stabilisation vehicle combining the mandate of nonperforming loans, recapitalised distressed banks and become a temporary shareholders in the banks.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ forum of bank executives in Lagos, CBN Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, Kingsley Moghalu, said AMCON is also credited with carrying out major restructuring of debts in some banks where it has stakes.

According to him, following the expiration of the September 30 deadline for rescued banks to recapitalise, it is appropriate for regulators to look at future of banking in the country with the intention of ensuring the sector’s stability. ”Indeed, considering the huge

By Collins Nweze consequences of banking crises such as we have witnessed, the future of banking cannot be left for the banks alone to decide. It is a task that requires the individual and collective contribution of stakeholders, with each playing its role effectively,” he said.

Moghalu, who was represented by the CBN Director, Financial Policy and Regulation, Chris Chukwu, said the apex bank has begun the implementation of riskbased supervision of banks.

The apex bank also set up AMCON last year to buy non-performing loans from the banks. The AMCON took over and injected N679 billion into Afribank Plc, Bank PHB Plc and Spring Bank Plc on August 6 after the CBN revoked their licences. The apex bank said the affected banks were unlikely to meet a September 30 deadline to recapitalise.

As a complementary effort, the apex bank is in the process of adopting and implementing the international Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and Basel Two and

Three capital records beginning January and December 2012, respectively.

He said the adoption and implementation of these initiatives will foster better risk management and corporate governance in banks, as well as improved regulatory supervision and industry transparency.

To ensure smooth take-off of IFRS by 2012, stakeholders have started training their staff aimed at building capacities of the operators in both public and private organisations on the subject.

“There is urgency to boost the capacity of clients and those concerned with the operation. The world has become a global village and IFRS is the bedrock of reporting standards. Adoption by Nigeria would be of great advantage.

Apart from foreign direct investments, the adoption would also align our financial reporting standards with that of other countries of the world,” said Senior Partner, Baker Tilly International, Mr. Titus Soetan during a workshop for its staff in Lagos.

HE President, National Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Chuku Wachukwu has called for increased funding for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). He said improved funding for the sector will lead to growth in the economy and job creation.

Wachukwu, who spoke during a media briefing on activities of the association, said it is also important for the government to create linkages in the economy. The NASSI boss said Nigeria can achieve a lot through partnership and cooperation between various sectors of the economy, especially the Small and Medium Scale Industries (SMEs).

He said it is only when there is healthy competition and favourable economic environment that foreign direct investment (FDI) come in. He said there is need to stimulate the local economy. He said there is need for divestment in the economy, instead of depending solely on oil revenue.

“There should be emphasis on transformation, deepening with the economy. I would want to suggest that developing healthy small scale industries, encouraging the informal sector among other things to create wealth in the economy,” he said.

Wachukwu said there is so much leakage of wealth within the informal sector, which needs to be pieced together.

SMEs with fewer than 10 employees are referred as “micro”, those with fewer than 50 employees as “small”, and those with fewer than 250 as “medium”.

In most economies, smaller enterprises are much greater in number and are also responsible for driving innovation and competition in the economy. He said the major advantage of the sector is its employment potential at low capital cost which helps to create rapid wealth within the economy.

He said NASSI is committed to ensuring that the government creates enabling environment and infrastructure that would make it easier for SMEs to access loans from financial institutions without ease.

According to him, since it has

• Wachukwu

By Collins Nweze become difficult for several members of his group who do not have the right collateral to obtain loans, the association will guarantee the credits for its members.

He said the problem of the real sector has been on policy implementation, insisting that whatever policies he set for his members to secure loans will be implemented.

The NASSI boss said accessing loans is crucial for the survival of entrepreneurs and regretted that only one per cent credit goes to the SMEs in the country. “I want to make sure the government understands that the engine of growth of any economy rests on SMEs,” he said.

Wachukwu also said that getting the desired foreign direct investment will depend on how the government is able to cerate the enabling environment for businesses to thrive. He said it is SMEs that drive economies of nations, and by promoting the sector, would be more room for export potentials.

Fed Govt urged to harmonise taxes for foreign investors

T

HE Federal Government has been advised to harmonise various taxes to prevent foreign investors from leaving the country. This was part of the submissions of tax experts at the 8th Africa Tax Conference in Accra, Ghana.

The conference was organised by Ernst & Young, a leading financial advisory services firm with offices in major parts of the world, including Nigeria.

According to them, Nigeria and other African countries can only become destinations for foreign investors when they harmonise their tax regimes.

Speaking on the issue, a director in the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and a delegate at the conference, Mr Julius Bamidele, said the issue of providing flexible tax regimes is necessary to attract foreign investors.

Bamidele said there are ambiguities inherent in tax laws that need to be sorted out to encourage growth.

“With reference to Nigeria, the tax law was not absolutely clear

By Akinola Ajibade and, therefore, required regulations as a way forward”, he said.

Also, the Head of Tax, Ernst &Young, Ghana Branch, Mr Wilfred Okine, said foreign investors are shying away from Africa because of enormous problems attached to tax regimes.

Okine said the harmonisation of tax regimes would help attract foreign investors into the continent.

“How to manage tax risks is a major problem that investors have to contend with on the African continent,” he said.

He said Ghana has been able to grow its economy because it has given tax administration, among other issues a priority.

Similarly, the Commissioner for Ghana Revenue Authority, Mr Anthony Minlah, said a relaxed tax regime would foster growth of businesses across the country.

He called on African countries to expedite action on the issue of harmonising tax regimes, adding that the development would help in improving its economy.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

19

EDITORIAL/OPINION EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

COMMENT

The pan-Yoruba confab •Attendance did not reflect the true leaders of the race

T

HE Pan-Yoruba Conference convoked at the instance of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, and Chief (Mrs) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, the matriarch of the Awolowo family has come and gone. The meeting could easily be mistaken as one of the best to have happened to the south-west, even as its communiqué masked the publicly perceived baleful motive behind it.

The rhetoric from speakers was outstanding. For instance, the communiqué reads: “…it has been observed that it now appears that there is a definite move to isolate the Yoruba nation from national leadership ... The Yoruba people can no longer continue to watch events in Nigeria with careless attitude, particularly when an insult to the integrity of the Yoruba nation is being systematically carried out…”

‘Without equivocation, those present at the conference, apart from a handful of notable professionals and a few credible elders, were principally politicians who lost out in the April general elections and their mentors.

The meeting was not an assemblage of majority of credible Yoruba sons and daughters that ought to be at such an otherwise important congregation’

The communiqué further went on to approve what those at the gathering called a top delegation of notable Yoruba that would meet with President Goodluck Jonathan to draw his ‘attention to these problems and urge him to use his good offices to put a stop to the injustice to which the Yoruba people have been exposed in the distribution of political offices in Nigeria.’

We ask: Why is it now that the organisers just realised that the Yoruba are being marginalised at the centre? Why didn’t they come out against the electoral rape committed in the south-west in 2003 and 2007, with the connivance of the Federal Government? Why is it now that those who masterminded the electoral rape are out of government that the south-west is shouting marginalisation against the region?

Without equivocation, those present at the conference, apart from a handful of notable professionals and a few credible elders, were principally politicians who lost out in the April general elections and their mentors. The meeting was not an assemblage of majority of credible Yoruba sons and daughters that ought to be at such an otherwise important congregation. Yet, the conference was alleged to be apolitical as Yoruba were enjoined to freely join any political party of their choice.

We consider this a mere decoy since largely those who were rejected at the polls during the last general elections and their supporters initiated the conference. Moreover, the main concern of the conference erroneously seems to be the alleged marginalisation of the Yoruba ethnic group in the distribution of political largesse. The scanty mention of the Boko Haram and Jos problems was just to give

its coiled intent national spread. The conference refused to commend the last elections in the south-west, with outcomes that truly reflected the wishes of the electorate. The covert appeal by the conference to mainstream politics that has so far retarded progress in the south-west is also unacceptable.

No doubt the rating of the conference was deflated by the conspicuous absence of revered traditional rulers, including Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Michael Gbadebo, Alake of Egbaland, Oba Kayode Adetona, Awujale of Ijebuland, and Oba Michael Sonariwo, Akarigbo of Remoland, among others. Also striking to the image of the conference was the absence of governors Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) and Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun). Current south-west senators except one, House of Representatives members and other elected government functionaries were absent too.

The presence of former south-west People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governors, including Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun State), Segun Oni (Ekiti State), Otunba Gbenga Daniel (Ogun State) and Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo State) who was represented by his deputy confirmed our position. Also, Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State was represented by his deputy.

No doubt the Yoruba need to speak with one voice. But that can only happen when the genuine leaders of the race meet to take decisions on issues affecting them.

The last pan-Yoruba conference fell far short of the standard needed to take such vital decisions. It is akin to an attempt to shave one’s hair in one’s absence.

Who killed Dele Giwa?

•It’s 25 years today and we ask still, whodunit? Who packaged the letter bomb that killed this great journalist?

I

T was exactly 25 years ago today that the unthinkable happened. The only difference is that it was a glorious Sunday midmorning until a parcel bomb shattered it, injuring Dele Giwa fatally.

That lethal pyrotechnic in the living room of Giwa on October 19, 1986, had since become a major turning point in the life of the Nigerian journalist. It marked a new beginning for the Nigerian media and opened a fresh narrative in the dynamics of Nigeria’s political power.

Giwa was only 39 years old when he died so spectacularly, but he was already the founding Managing Director and Editor-inChief of Newswatch Magazine. He had founded the journal along with other great journalists like Ray Ekpu, Dan Agbese and Yakubu Mohammed.

In the ‘80s, the weekly newsmagazine, founded on long investigative reports and garnished with free-flowing prose style still held some novelty even as the quartet raised the bar. Newswatch was at the height of its glory in 1986, selling in tens of thousand copies and winning awards across the globe.

Giwa was an American-trained journalist of the post-Watergate tradition. No place was off the limits. Indeed, he loved to break the bounds of news stories. He believed in the exclusive, the fresh and the earth-shaking. He was charged, zesty, if not a bit aggressive in his approach to news. He was also a master of the art of prose writing; indeed, it was his forte. He was so good many readers would dance to his writing; that was the extent of the power of his pen.

Giwa was discovered and lured back home from the U.S. where he was practising by Mr Parick Dele Cole, the then Managing Director of Daily Times, Nigeria’s oldest surviving title then. Giwa joined the

Sunday Times as features writer and soon made his mark, boosting sales astronomically and building a large fan base. It was from Daily Times that he joined National Concord before moving with his friends to start Newswatch.

Giwa loved journalism. He loved life just as much. It needs be noted that he was also gorgeous, dashing and debonair. Those days, it was as if wretchedness was an essential requirement for being a good journalist but he debunked that erroneous notion. He was always well turned out like a playboy-rich and good looking. Not for him threadbare suits or old rickety cars. As if he knew he had a short time to live, he would have the very best that life could offer.

Giwa’s way opened a new vista to many journalists of his time who discovered that they could live well as well as practise their trade right.

Giwa was also outgoing. He was the quintessential networker, and social animal. He made friends with the people of power; the high and mighty, and he cavorted with them to no end. This was another Giwa paradigm about cultivating sources and keeping them in order to get the big stories. Though the old, puritan school of thought maintains that you do not have to live the news to get, insisting on a modicum of aloofness, another school thinks you will never be first with the news if you don’t get deep into the mix.

Giwa was deep in the thick of it all.

On that fateful day, therefore, when he received the deathly parcel in his well-appointed lounge, seated with him at brunch was his London correspondent. “This must be from the president”, Giwa was reported to have announced with glee as he opened the dire dispatch. The parcel was reportedly marked: “From the C-in-C”.

If “C-in-C” meant Commander-in-Chief,

there could only be one at a time in any country. The C-in-C then was President Ibrahim Babangida. He was number one suspect. Several other circumstantial evidence were thrown up, especially by the now late Chief Gani Fawehinmi: who was in court for many years in pursuit of the killers of Dele Giwa. He never found them.

The courts were no help, neither were the security agencies nor the military government of the day. Nobody was arrested, none was charged. The seeming cover-up was total. Subsequent civilian governments did not muster the courage or gumption to revisit this sad saga that shook Nigeria.

Dele Giwa’s assassination was to be the first of the numerous seemingly State-sponsored killings that have remained unraveled. Perhaps, by way of making atonement and reclaiming the soul of the country, we urge the Federal Government to initiate a commission of enquiry into all high-profile killings in the country in the last quarter of the century, if only to rest the ghosts of these people.

‘Dele Giwa’s assassination was to be the first of the numerous seemingly State-sponsored killings that have remained unraveled. Perhaps, by way of making atonement and reclaiming the soul of the country, we urge the Federal Government to initiate a commission of enquiry into all high-profile killings in the country in the last quarter of the century, if only to rest the ghosts of these people’

A new army is not what Haiti needs

H

AITI’S CATALOGUE of critical needs seems endless, all the more so since the crippling earthquake in January last year. But one item nowhere near the top of Haiti’s list of priorities, nor even remotely advisable, is reconstituting a national army. Unfortunately, President Michel Martelly wants to do just that.Haiti’s army was disbanded in 1995 by President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, and with good reason. Four years earlier, Mr. Aristide was just the latest of many Haitian leaders whose tenures were violently cut short by army officers or enlisted men; he abolished the army after being restored to power by the United States.Whatever Mr. Aristide’s other merits or flaws, getting rid of the army counts as a signal achievement. For years, the army, in the absence of real external threats, had been primarily an instrument of repression and blood-curdling human rights abuses.

Mr. Martelly, a political novice who took office this year, has argued that a new Haitian army would bear no resemblance to the bad old one. He says a reconstituted force would be used mainly to respond to natural disasters and emergencies or to interdict contraband and drug transshipments.It would be nice to believe that; it would also be naive. Mr. Martelly has extensive ties with right-wing groups, including allies of former dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier, whose regime carried out atrocious abuses. With little support in parliament or from any organized political party, he finds himself perched perilously atop a political system that he has been unable to bend to his will. The temptation must be strong to follow the example of so many former Haitian leaders who found it convenient to fashion a band of loyalists into an armed force beholden to the president and hostile to his rivals — a far cry from what Haiti needs.

The start-up costs of establishing an army are estimated at $95 million — a huge sum in a country whose annual budget barely exceeds $1 billion. It’s not clear where the funds would come from; under no circumstances should the United States or other donor countries contribute.

That money could be put to much better use: fighting a cholera epidemic that has killed or sickened hundreds of thousands; removing rubble that still clogs entire neighborhoods; resettling thousands who remain without permanent homes; and rebuilding government ministries in the capital, Port-au-Prince.

Haiti does have a crime problem; its 8,400man police force is inadequate in a country of 9 million. It makes more sense for Mr. Martelly to beef up and professionalize the police than to revive an institution so closely identified with the violence, terror and repression that have plagued Haiti for years.

– Washington Post

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye

• Executive Director (Finance & Administration) Ade Odunewu

•General Editor Kunle Fagbemi

• Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde

•Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon

•Chief Internal Auditor Toke Folorunsho

•Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli

•Senior Manager (sales) Akeem Shoge

•Managing Editor Waheed Odusile •Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina •Group Political Editor Bolade Omonijo

•Advert Manager Robinson Osirike •IT Manager Bolarinwa Meekness

•Group Business Editor Ayodele Aminu

•Press Manager Udensi Chikaodi

•Abuja Bureau Chief Yomi Odunuga

•Manager, Corporate Marketing Hameed Odejayi

•Sport Editor Ade Ojeikere •Editorial Page Editor Sanya Oni

• Manager (Admin) Folake Adeoye

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

20

EDITORIAL/OPINION

S

IR: Nigeria is a nation of nations; a mosaic of diverse ethnic nationalities. In 2014, Nigeria will turn 100 years, and it is certain that our leaders will organize an elaborate celebration for our centenary anniversary as one country. It was in 1914 that Fredrick Lord Lugard united the northern and southern protectorates of Nigeria, and his mistress, Christine Shaw, named the whole amalgamated geographical space Nigeria.

But, is Nigeria destined to fail as a country right from its inception? Is the forced union of the disparate entities that make up the country an insoluble solution? Sir Ahmadu Bello, called the amalgamation of Nigeria the mistake of 1914; the political philosopher, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, referred to Nigeria as a mere geographical expression. Some other eminent Nigerians doubted that there was basis for our continued existence as one indivisible and united country.

Since Nigeria came into existence, political crises have continued to threaten its existence. Like a cat with nine lives, it has miraculously escaped being dismembered. In 1953, there was the Kano riot, and the northerners threatened secession.

Between 1967 and 1970, the Ibo ethnic nation fought a secessionist war but, the civil war did not lead to the disintegration of Nigeria.

Chief M.K.O Abiola’s political mandate was annulled by the Rtd General Babangida’s military junta, and the indignant Yorubas used the platform of NADECO to fight for the revalidation of the stolen mandate. That political impasse didn’t cause our splitting up into many nations, as we feared then.

The judicial killing of the environmental activist and writer, Ken Saro Wiwa, and the militancy carried out by the Niger Delta militants threatened the fragile peace of Nigeria but, we overcame those

EDITOR’S MAIL BAG SEND TYPEWRITTEN, DOUBLE SPACED AND SIGNED CONTRIBUTIONS, LETTERS AND REJOINDERS OF NOT MORE THAN 1000 WORDS TO THE EDITOR, THE NATION, 27B, FATAI ATERE ROAD, MATORI, LAGOS. E-mail: views@thenationonlineng.com

Why Nigeria should remain united troubles. Nigeria is marching on now. Much as these violent uprisings ravaged Nigeria, the country has continued to exist as one.

Many Nigerians are apprehensive that the country may disintegrate owing to the U.S. projection that Nigeria will cease to exist by 2015.

And, the incessant and random bombings being carried out by the Boko Haram group has reinforced our fear that Nigeria is treading on the path of disintegration. But, will Nigeria’s disintegration accelerate the economic and technological advancement of nations that will come

out of Nigeria?

We are better off as one country than as many different nations. The greatness of Nigeria lies in its cultural diversities and vastness and huge population. U.S, a federal state, is the melting pot and super-power of the world. It’s the technological hub center of the world. It has harnessed its diversities to accelerate its economic and technological development. Why can’t we Many different natural resources are deposited randomly in our soil across the country. These natural resources can be harnessed by our educated and

skilled manpower to take Nigeria to great economic height. And, our huge population is a plus to us.

The size of Nigeria and its huge population instill fear into our neighbours with expansionist proclivities and interests. A uSo, we should reinforce and emphasize our strengths and the things that unite us and down –play our weaknesses and the things that disunite us.

Sadly, even educated Nigerians are slave to ethnic and religious sentiments, which have pitched us against one another. People from one ethnic group view others as

S

• Chiedu Uche Okoye Uruowulu –Obosi, Anambra State

The Senate and post-UME

S

IR: It appears the Senate is becoming alive to its responsibility to the poor Nigerian youth who have long been traumatised by the government’s elitist projects. That some senators deemed it fit to suggest outright cancellation of the universities’ money making machine fraudulently dubbed post-UME is a welcome idea which should be passed into law with immediate effect. No doubt, the hearts and minds of Nigerian youth will be with the Senate as it delivers them from this drain pipe which some university administrators have exploited for too long.

The introduction of post-UME was premised on the incompetence of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to conduct leakagefree examinations. There were seri-

ous allegations that candidates could buy JAMB scores to gain admission thereby making the process of admitting genuine and qualified candidates into the universities treacherous. There were rampant cases of impersonation, insubordination as well as financial inducement and molestation of examination officers.

Some parents were alleged to have aided their wards in sourcing questions (popularly called origo) before the exams. Those allegations raised the fears and subsequently the need for a complimentary procedure to screen the prospective undergraduates with a view to determining their suitability for university education.

While the reasons were germane to a large extent, they were not enough to allow the post-UME in the first instance. The Federal Ministry of

Education should have reinvigorated JAMB by blocking the loopholes and injecting people with fresh ideas to strengthen the body and raise its approval rate for effective service delivery.

The post-UME failed in its objectives right from outset and should be discarded henceforth. The Senate should conduct a public hearing among the stake holders especially the parents and students. Having worked in the university system for over a decade, I can categorically state that post-UME is just an avenue to oil the pocket of some individuals within the university community.

The many dreaded factors that led to its introduction are still very much in vogue. There are cases of leakages of the so-called post-UME. There have been cases of admitting candi-

Removal of fuel subsidy may be the last straw IR: The imposition of clueless and incompetent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration on Nigerians has now come in a full circle. The Goodluck Jonathan presidency is overwhelmed by the complexities of problems confronting the nation.

Instead of the President to deploy

barbaric and atavistic and provincial. These ethnocentric sentiments breed animosity amongst the peoples of Nigeria. So, we kill and destroy one another. Where is our humanity? Are the doctrines of the major religions in Nigeria not based on love?

The peoples of Nigeria belong to one human family in spite of our diverse languages, religious beliefs and customs. The blight of ignorance is the reason why a Hausa man or an Ibo lady views people from other cultural groups contemptuously.

Let the people of Nigeria unite.

Our common colonial and historical experience and long years of interaction are reasons why we should continue to remain as one country.

critical intellect to address the problems, he is fiddling with the destiny of Nigeria through the persecution of media organizations that are critical of his unimaginative and lack-lustre leadership.

His proposed removal of the phantom and dubious fuel subsidy will precipitate the political

hurricane that will not only sweep away this corrupt, insensitive and highly irresponsible governing elite, it would reshape the Nigerian political architecture that is impervious to the hardships of Nigerians. This fuel subsidy palaver could just be the catalyst needed for the sub-Saharan African version of

the Afro-Arab Spring starting from the highly pauperized, abused and dehumanized Nigerians.

• Akinrolabu Babatunde Omonitan, lkeji-lle ljesa, Osun State.

dates who did not sit for post-UME while many of those who sat the examinations and scored high marks were excluded from the admission process despite satisfying all necessary requirements. The basic traditional requirements for university admission have been deliberately ignored in some cases while prominence was given to post-UME. The cases of impersonation are more rampant with post-UME than in JAMB examinations.

Beyond its technical failure, postUME has inflicted many families with irreparable loses. Take the example of a young lady. She lived in Abeokuta and sought admission into a university in the north. She was required to travel down to the north to write the exam. Having written the exam, she returned home and was later required to travel down again to check the results because the university would neither mail the result by post nor post it online.

Some parents had lost their children to road accidents while commuting to and from the various campuses where post-UME was written. Apart from the physical loses, the mental trauma some candidates went through is unimaginable.

• Tola Osunnuga, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State.

21

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

EDITORIAL/OPINION

NASS: Kill Post-JAMB UMEs = Kill University morale, morals and grow mediocrity and cultism

I

N praise of PostJAMB University Matriculation Examinations, P-JUME; one wonders why the Senate seems so outraged even at the cost to the students Tony and their wards. ObviMarinho ously senators have been approached by constituents seeking support for ‘P-JUME exams fees, transport and accommodation. So the shoe is pinching senators, rich with our money, too? Sorry O! Each P-JUME costs less to administer on one student than one politician’s breakfast snack or the tea break for one delegate at Ladi Kwali Hall or the contents of one brown envelope circulating in the corridors of power even at LGA level!.

So the outrage is questionable in motive!

The Senate members should remember P-JUMEs fought JAMB’s institutionalised fraud where a corrupted JAMB forced paradoxically high-scoring but dim students on powerless but sceptical universities. This resulted in mass entry of nitwits, caused mass failure in morale, morals and mental ability within the university system with the explosion of mediocrity and cultism. The unseen side effect was that JAMB frauds maliciously ‘cut-off’ genuine students who, disenfranchised

by JAMB corruption, were ‘failed or ‘cut-off’ and denied tertiary education or became academic refugees in Ghana and Europe - brain and foreign exchange drains –costing Nigeria billions in foreign exchange and feeding foreign institutions.

JAMB jammed the system contributing, along with vicious under-funding, to Nigerian universities still struggling today on the international university ranking lists. Garbage ingarbage out!

Compulsory reliance on JAMB allowed JAMB to mutate into a monster, ruining the admissions system which was previously managed by each university independently. We all know that JAMB was set up politically to centralise admissions federally and guarantee university places to academically weak students by ‘cut-offs’ and ‘quotas’ and ignoring the plight and lifelong damage to the good but ‘cut off’ students.

JAMB failed itself and Nigeria. It fell into incompetence and

T

ODAY, Wednesday, October 19, marks the 25th anniversary of the death of that quintessential journalist, Dele Giwa. He was the founding Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch magazine, the first serious weekly magazine in Nigeria that became an instant success.

It might be necessary to refresh our memories. Someone or some people lurking somewhere took a satanic decision to kill Giwa at his breakfast table through the instrumentality of a parcel bomb on October 19, 1986. The devilish plot was executed on a holy day – Sunday. The bomb was very efficient.

It blew his thighs and lower abdomen into shreds. The gory photograph was displayed in a corner of Newswatch magazine for some time with the caption “Who killed Dele Giwa”? The photograph was later removed as one of the conditions for the lifting of the proscription order slammed on the magazine a few months after Giwa’s death. The magazine was proscribed for five months for publishing a document which arguably posed no threat to the well-being of the country.

Talking about Dele Giwa’s death reminds all of us that death, no matter when, how and where it comes, is an inevitable end to the journey of life. As the saying goes, it is not life that really matters, but the courage one brings to it. Giwa had everything packed into his eventful life – panache, candour, courage, professionalism, bluntness, name it. These are rare virtues, especially among journalists, nowadays.

Dele Giwa lived and died for the truth. He was passionate about

corruption.

JAMB may have reformed with a 24 hour exam-to-result format, but it must never again become the final arbiter for admission. University autonomy on admissions is essential.

Once admitted the criminally admitted student has no allegiance to the university which he destroys from within. The only way to stop another avalanche of JAMB-approved cheating students using proxies getting fraudulent JAMB results is the P-JUME. P-JUMEs should receive a merit award for truncating fraudulent entry into universities. It is the one anticorruption measure that works.

Yet Senate members ask why P-JUME exams are necessary.

Where were they when P-JUME saved the university admission policy from absolute JAMB fraud and collapse? Many of us are proud of the fact that we helped in the fight for P-JUME which have since protected the universities’ hallowed enclaves from the onslaught of riffraff and sons and daughters with no brain but their parents’ money to bribe their way through JAMB. Remember ‘Hallowed’ was invented long before the Senate misappropriated it to itself. We fought for P-JUME exams to bring sanity to admissions when JAMB became intractably corruption ridden. We have won. The P-JUME Exams have stopped thousands of fraudulent students from bothering to sit JAMB. The fear of P-JUME is the beginning of hard academic work, a better university system and reduces bribery in JAMB to a minimum.

The nation should tell senate not to take the side of future JAMB fraudsters. Thousands of corrupt students and parents are lining up mercenaries and praying for senate to destroy P-JUMEs. The JAMB lobbyists and fraudsters will certainly campaign in the corridors of NASS to kill P-JUMEs. The Senate should ask ‘has JAMB changed in corruption level, results and perception? What was the role of P-JUMEs in stimulating that change if any? Have P-JUME Exams significantly a)increased, b) reduced, c)prevented or d) dad no effect the admission of unqualified and crooked students?

Can JAMB ever again for purely academic and non-political reasons be trusted to conduct an admission exercise on its own? Why should universities not have ‘the final say’ in who enters their hallowed portals? Is JAMB more of a political or an academic body? Are P-UMEs more of academic or politi-

cal?’

The Senate can negotiate the cost of P-JUMEs with universities. But all Nigeria complains about the Senate’s cost as Nigeria’s highest paid employees who have refused to cut their salaries and allowances by the 80% recommended by the citizenry. So who is the Senate to pontificate on costs of PJUMEs? The Senate shows zero fiscal leadership. What is good is good and must be preserved. JAMB and post UME Exams can be investigated, modified but the P-JUME Exams must not be dumped to please lawmakers seeking popularity or financial relief. Our already crippled educational standards are the first casualties of examination fraud.

Unfortunately democracy is about majority and not quality education. We must move forward to academic excellence, not backward to playing to the political gallery. A university cannot be run like a primary school. All universities, good and bad must reserve the right to vet students by examination, interview and first semester results to separate the cranial from the cheats. Kill P-JUMEs, kill kniversity morale and standards. The Senate should fight for a libraries and books in every single school in 2011, not cancelling P-JUMEs. P-JUMEs protect the universities, raise credibility and standards and protect the good students from the fraudsters-and they are cheaper than a senator’s snack.

NASS: Kill Post JAMB-UMEs, kill university morale, morals and enthrone mediocrity.

‘The nation should tell the Senate not to take the side of future JAMB fraudsters. Thousands of corrupt students and parents are lining up mercenaries and praying for the Senate to destroy P-JUMEs. The JAMB lobbyists and fraudsters will certainly campaign in the corridors of NASS to kill P-JUMEs’

Dele Giwa: 25 years ago everything he did. His lifestyle was unique. So also was his writing skill. His style is obviously missing in Nigerian journalism of today because it was uniquely his. Other people can only imitate his style, but they can never be Dele Giwa. Through his famous column, “Parallax Snaps”, he confronted evil and fought it with his pen. Having trained in America, he knew that as a journalist, he had a role to play in shaping up his environment. But he never knew that his Nigerian environment was not ripe enough for his own genre of journalism.

No doubt that in trying to stand out, he made many enemies out of sheer jealousy and/or envy.

Those who terminated his life could have also pretended to be his friends all along. Giwa was a friend true and through. If ever there was one person who knew the meaning of friendship, he was that person. He was absolutely loyal to his friends and would stop at nothing to demonstrate his friendship. He was there for everybody.

Giwa fought against oppression, injustice and all that. He wanted a country ruled on the path of good governance, equity and accountability. Twenty-five years on, the country is still groping in the dark. Injustice is daily let loose on the citizenry by those who ordinarily should protect them. As a journalist, he had a running battle with security agents – State Security Service, the police and the military. A few days

“Today, I mourn for Dele Giwa and many others who have died in the hands of the assassins. I mourn for our dear country. She is the one that suffers”

to his gruesome murder, he was invited to the Directorate of Military Intelligence, DMI, where some spurious allegations, including gun running, were planted on him. Two days after, he was blown up in the comfort of his home.

The search for Giwa’s killers has not yielded any appreciable result. The police, the organ of government which is constitutionally empowered to do so, gave up the search too early. Even when there was daunting evidence that his assassination could have been ordered from higher quarters in government, the police claimed, albeit prematurely, that they had reached a dead end.

Until his health started failing him and he breathed his last two years ago, the late Gani Fawehinmi was at the forefront of unmasking his killers. Initially, he asked the government to prosecute and later sought for permission to prosecute the two senior security officers who had dealings with Giwa in the last two days of his life. From all accounts of his death, the dealings he had with the two security agents raised so many unanswered questions about their actions and motives.

However, several efforts were made to put spanners in the works of the investigation of Giwa’s death. The federal government, under which the two security agents served, bluntly refused to do anything. The security officers too sought legal protection from prosecution through numerous counter-suits they instituted. So for 25 years, the riddle of Giwa’s murder remained unresolved. And the killers are still walking free on the streets.

Twenty-five years on, everywhere one turns to in Nigeria, the

threat of bomb blast and actual bomb blast is real. Many more lives have been wasted through the same mechanism. The seed of this culture of impunity was planted 25 years ago when nobody, except for a few committed friends of Giwa, was determined to get to the root of his assassination. It is not impossible that some of those who knew the truth then may have directly or indirectly fallen victim to the current orgy of bomb blasts in the country.

Without being immodest or attempting to despise the dead, remember Zakari Biu. Biu was the Assistant Commissioner of Police who was in charge of late General Sani Abacha’s anti-terrorist group. The group was set up in the wake of several bomb blasts under the Abacha’s tyranny to ‘check’ the incidence of bomb blasts in the country. Ironically, the same group was fingered in the orchestrated bomb blasts believed to have been carried out by Abacha’s goons.

As a journalist, Giwa suffered in the hands of security agents, especially the police. Sadly enough, journalists are still being haunted and hounded in the country even under civilian governance. Just last week, some overzealous police officers simultaneously invaded the offices of The Nation newspaper in Abuja and Lagos. At the end of the siege, no fewer than six editors and a senior security officer were put behind bars. In any sane clime, Hafiz Ringim, the Inspector General of Police, the man who was humbled and humiliated by the Boko Haram bandits not long ago, would have dropped his uniform.

Democracy has no room for bullies. Ringim should know that what the police dabbled into last week was a civil matter. The best thing that would have happened

Dele Agekameh in that circumstance was for the complainant to go to court.

At any rate, I have always been surprised at people who often say that Dele Giwa loved life so much and did not want to die. I thought he was braver than that.

How else could he have achieved the much he did in the short lifespan of 39 years and left so many enduring legacies? He was very frank and courageous. Although I knew he would not want to live as a human vegetable because he was so full of life, he did not die at once. He died fighting death. He did not go gently into the good night. Even death knew he was up against a formidable man.

Some other people say he was not humble, that he was proud.

Why will he not be proud? He banished poverty out of his life and he won. The lesson of his life is that while you live, live well.

And when the time comes to die, die well. Today, I mourn for Dele Giwa and many others who have died in the hands of the assassins. I mourn for our dear country. She is the one that suffers.

Send reactions to: 08058354382 (SMS only)

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

22

EDITORIAL/OPINION FROM THE CELL PHONE Uncle Segun! No doubt the invasion and illegal arrest of this voice of the voiceless is barbarick, tyranic, and despotic in act and indeed! Such action amounts to addressing tissues and not issues, please let Jonathan tell Nigerians whether the said letter was trully written or not, may I also use this moment to commend the maturity of this pen wizards despite the anarchy induced action of the police.

For peace to reighn, justice must be done. From Babaeko.O. OAU.

•Jonathan

Segun Gbadegesin I just read your piece on the illegal invasion of your newspaper by the police! But it is not enough to just complain. Are you ready to take up this matter in the court of law for false imprisonment and many other torts committed? I commend the Nigerian citizens who took LASTMA to court and got a landmark judgement! Anonymous.

I read ur write-up concerning police invasion of The Nation. I don’t only want to send sms, your write-up has also spurred me to join in the struggle against oppresion and injustice. Anonymous Sir, I just read your piece titled “Old barbarism alive”. It was beautiful as expected.

But all of you who have found reasons to support or justify the support of a PDP presidential candidate, whether in 2003 or 2011, are part of the problem. It only shows that even the so-called experienced and seemingly talented among us do not understand the enormity of the problem called PDP. That, more than any thing else, is my worry!

From Sam Ezem.

It was believed that when there is to be a trial of the case the nation will have a tangible evidence to backup their stand. So, it is beter to stop them before then, that is why such an action is taken agains reporters and editors. From Ishowo Yakub Re: “Old barbarism alive”. Thanks for taking us down memorable lane sir. I have the following suggestions to make to serve as deterrent: The Nation staffers should press for infringement of their human rights individually and corporately in the law court, IGP Ringim and AGF Adoke be forced to resign from their exalted offices by National Assembly, OBJ should be blacked out by the press at least for one year, court fines from litigation be defrayed from severance allowances of IGP and AGF. From Dare, Ikorodu It started with Justice Salami and then Asiwaju. Now, it is the media as premiered in the stone-age invasion of my favourite newspaper, The Nation. What more negative surprise(s) does the Otuoke-born man without shoes and enemies have for Nigerians in his ‘transformation agenda’? Let us pray! From Kayode A., Abeokuta.

Uncle Segun, your piece on the return of ‘old barbarism’ is apt. However, Nigerians have not forgotten that things done by Obasanjo are usualy ‘Barbarism Personified’.

Keep it up. From L. P. Wuyep, Abattoir, Jos Uncle Sege, in your last paragragh of the article ‘Old barbarism alive’, you jumped into the conclusion that because the journalists were released, it suggested they had been found innocent. Legally, that conclusion is wrong. Release from detention does not imply acquittal. Again, you mentioned Anenih’s statement without confirming if the decree was actually promulgated by OBJ.Thanks, great one. From Dr. Silvanus Eyede Obasanjo, whom were you afraid of that made you deny a letter you sent to Mr. President? A letter you regarded as a figment of the imagination of the writer? Haba baba.

Repent. Anonymous Sir, is it not ironical that Aneni and OBJ a dictating how Nigeria should go? OBJ is an ingrate because he owes his living today to journalists but like Nebuchadnezar he & Ringim will meet thier waterloo. Frm Barr.

Aghaobodo, Asaba Re: ‘Old Barbarism Alive’. It is a great

shame on the part of the snail action president and the overzelous IG to have acted the way they detained those journalists when the issue of Boko Haram and series of armed rubries have taken over which has made the duo vacate the eagle square. We all know that Jonathan is from a sleeping clan, we don’t expect a serious perfomance from him. From Pete Alabi There are many economic challenges facing the common man that government must urgently address.This monster of human right abuse/state terrorism must be nipped in the bud. Anonymous God forbid that we should be dragged back to the years of barbarians and zombies. I love the hot chase the media gave this case. Who knows which media house would be next.

Nigerians should team up to fight any form of assault no matter how minute. From Chinyere lheyinwa, Imo state.

We need to know the arcticle that brought about the arrest of the editors of The Nation Newspaper which is undemocratic in nature and inhuman so, I strongly condemned it.

Anonymous On subsidy removal, we have to call the President, the National Assembly, and the executive to order because this will cause untold hardship to the people of this nation.

The subsidy money is our money so why should the few people in power, not up to one tenth of Nigerian population determine the fate of over two hundred million Nigerians? If this nation is not being ruled by the cabals, we should be talking of impeachment by now. Anonymous A country that has no constitution, far from ‘rule of law’ and practice ‘bureaucracy rather than democracy’ what then do we expect? We should all pray for a divine revolution for this country. From Bishop E. A. Adomu (SAJ).

Your story ‘Old barbarism’ speaks volume for both local and advanced intelligentia. But to uninformed minds, the invasion of The Nation like the invasion of zaki Biam through OBJ directives which led to the blood shed is unjustifiable. God forbid! For heaven sake, OBJ should be told to respect his old age and stop distracting Jonathan’s administration.

From Ahemba Gdwin, Makurdi Greatest problem of Nigeria is the police; the robbers in government uniform. Anonymous Uncle Segun! No doubt the invasion and illegal arrest of this voice of the voiceless is barbarick, tyranic, and despotic in act and indeed! Such action amounts to addressing tissues and not issues, please let Jonathan tell Nigerians whether the said letter was trully written or not, may I also use this moment to commend the maturity of this pen wizards despite the anarchy induced action of the police. For peace to reighn, justice must be done. From Babaeko.O. OAU. In fact, the arrest and detention of some of the editors of The Nation Newspaper by the order of the IG of Police, Hafiz Ringim, sadly reminds us the dark days of Abacha’s regime, when journalists and opposition groups were like endangered species. It is very glaring to everybody that the IGP has no solution to many security challenges facing the nation, hence his uncivilised and undemocratic way he hurriedly clamped these editors into detention just to appear busy and hard working, which is committedly doing the opposite.Therefore, it will serve the interest and save the image of the Jonathan’s regime if Hafiz Ringim is shown the exit door. A stitch in time saves nine. From Prince Peter Onwe, Abakaliki.

Mr. Segun, nemesis will catch up with the master minds of the barbaric acts. Wonderfully, Jonathan is hurriedly biting the finger that fed him. The seed Jonathan is sowing today will start to germinate in late 2015, so the press should wait to see the law of karma in action then. From Fola Afolalu.

Your write-up is absolutely correct, believe you me Obasanjo is a torn in the flesh of this nation (Nigeria) and for President, leave him to God. From Oluwaseun Samuel, Ore “Old barbarism alive!” Yes, it is alive. When the people who perpetrate this barbarism are still with us alive and kicking. Only God can save us. You see, we are not ready to develope as a nation at all. We like to remain in our conservative ideas. If our society had been an open place and tolerant, this kind of barbarism would not have occurred. Article 1 of the UN Charter proclaims that one of the purposes of the UN is to achieve international co-operation in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinctions as to race, sex, language or religion. Also, in articles 3 to 21, there are freedom from torture or cruel, human or degrading treatment or purnishment. The right to recognition are a person before the law, the right to judicial remedy, freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention. As a government and a member of the UN, we subscribed to all these rights, yet we flagrantly abused them. We just behaved as we like. Reppression and oppression are what we choose to promote our own democracy. This is not too good. If what happened to The Nation Newspaper had not happened, Nigerians will not know that, we do not have a good government. A government that cannot guarantee security of life and property but can subject the citizens to inhuman treatment and arbitrary arrest cannot take us to the promise land. From Prince Adewumi Agunloye.

For Dare Olatunji Mr. Dare, thank you. phantom subsidy, that is what it is! Anonymous President Jonathan is no Lion neither Goliath nor Pharaoh. That much he has said about his now foreign-designer-shoe-wearing person. So, only a lion-hearted David after God heart and not Jonathan (son of Saul) his friend, can move swiftly against the men and women behind this on-going monumental racket in our God-given oil wealth and make them pay reparations, with compound interest. Oh God! Give us a King David.

Amen. From TER AKAA, Abuja.

It is surprising that GEJ would be foolish enough to pursue a course that will make petroleum given free by God to his people unreachable to them by playing the old farce of subsidy removal. He has betrayed us and we don’t want him anymore . From Dr Edobor Can anything good come out of israel of pdp? A lot of writers has writen so many things about the policy of jonathan government. To me Jonathan has been swallowed into the belly of PDP and it is going to be politics as usual, whoever is planning and or expecting to see anything different from former PDP government should look for a good doctor who can take care of high blood pressure. One straight fact is that Jonathan is not that Messiah that will take Nigeria out of wildernes, he does’nt have what it takes. From Gabriel Olanrewaju, Agbede Ikorodu Phantom Subsidy. Our leadership is bankrupt of courage and sincererity. The first quality of a politician in our clime is deceit. Your write-up is a piece of true advice to leaders with conscience but unfurtunately it does not meet with blackman’s selfish aim of being in power. They know the truth but hate it with passion. From Emmanuel You are right. Before removing the roof off a building, make sure the roof has been working. If the rot in the petroleum industry can be cleaned up, a lot of money can be saved even with the fuel subsidy still in place. It is just true but as well even more annoying...Nigerian Politics and corruption!

Anonymous Your piece “Again, the phantom ‘subsidy” does not require any addition or subtraction.

•Obasanjo

Our ‘leaders’ are convinced that Nigerians are not blessed with the liver to contemplate what is going on in Libya, Yemen, Syria and others. God help them . From Joe, Warri.

Mr. Dare, I thank you for your write-up ‘Again the phantom ‘’Subsidy’’. Though a politician of PDP, but the level of insincerity, wickedness and curruption in the system is astronomical to say but the least. We shall resist it all even if we have to go the way of the Arabs now. Jonathan has to be careful or causes God’s anger over this intended wickedness on his people. God bless you and saints of truth. Anonymous For me, they just want to rake in more than enough money in the name of fuel subsidy removal so as to steal and prosecute future elections not minding the colateral damage.

You were really at home with your analysis.

From Gracias Kayode A., Abeokuta.

With your expository article on oil subsidy I feel there is no need fighting a battle we can not win against the government, all we need to do is demand for a roadmap of how whatever amount is being recovered as windfal will be spent on infrastructural development.

Anonymous It is just for all the criminals in Jonathan’s government to have much to steal. That is why the government wants to remove fuel subsidy. Please Nigerians, rise up now and chase this senseless government away. It is time for revolution. From Tayo Tola Agbaje, Garki, Abuja.

Sir, it is begar’s belief and I am personally scandalized how anyone can live or seem to tolerate the conditions that we live under.

We really must be some special creation of God. It is as unbeliable as its stupid! From Dokun Adedeji.

Re: Removal of the so-called fuel subsidy.

To be honest, there is nothing like oil subsidy. The government and indeed PDP are fooling Nigerians that the government or NNPC is embarking on new refinery while the old ones are abandoned is a wasteful exercise and inhuman. The old refineries must be put to maximum production to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians. All labour unions must fuse together to make governance impossible should the government fail to stop the inconvenience on the removal of nonexistence subsidy. Stop fooling us, there is no subsidy from the past. From Odunmbaku, Ikere.

In a state of chaotic fustration, and long period of placid prosperity, removing subsidy on petroleum products would futher inflame the nation’s fragile peace. Those insisting on its removal are only doing so for selfish reasons. Wealth without wisdom increases bondage. The president should ignore the proponents with ignominy. Giving the country a truely federal constitution now will make more sense than the removal of an nonexisting subsidy, which is a mere distraction.

From Adegoke O O, Ikhin, Owan East L/G Edo State.

The goverment seemed bereft of ideas. The much talk on subsidy is as old as the Industry itself. How did we come about PTF. We have yet been experiencing windfalls all these years with nothing to show for that than recklessness, could that be because subsidy hangs? The President should stop intimidating Nigerians. Anonymous

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

23

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

24

41

NATION SPORT GOVERNOR'S CUP 1ST LEG

Babalola berths in second round

By Stella Bamawo IGERIAN Abdulmumini Babalola defied all odds to get himself into the second round of the first leg of the ongoing Governor's Cup Lagos Tennis Championship at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan on Tuesday.

Wild card Babalola beat Ivorian star, Nugent Terence in a tension soak game that ended 6-2, 7-6. The game was full of excitement on the part of tennis fans who from the first set of the match cheered Babalola to victory in the championship sponsored by Etisalat and FCMB. But Bala Habu Musa of Nigeria was no so lucky in his match against the 3rd seed Indian Vishnu Vardhan who bowed down in straight sets of 6-0, 6-1. Also Rose Ojonimi was beating by Conny Perrin of Switzerland in 6-0, 6-0.

In other matches decided yesterday, top seed in the women's singles, Nina Bratchikova of Russia beat Italian Stephanie Scimone 6-2,6-1. 2nd seed Karan Rastogi of Indian defeated Russian Alexei Filenkov 6-4,6-1. Croatian Donna Vekic sent out Aussie Melanie Klaffner in 6-4,6-1 game. Karolina Nowak of Germany was not lucky to scale the hurdle of Tadeja Majeric of Slovakia in 46,6-0,6-0 game.

Number 3 seed, Tamaryn Hendler of Belgium could not survive Dalla Jakupovic of Slovakia as she retired in the second of their match which ended 75, 1-0. Serbian Tamara Curovic beat Nour Azzouz of Egypt in 6-2,6-0 game.

N

NATION SPORT

Osaze eyes another victory against Villa

N

IGERIA striker Osaze Odemwingie is aiming for another dose of derby glory when West Brom visit Aston Villa on Saturday.

The Baggies travel to their nearest geographical rivals hoping for their first league success on Villa territory since May 1979.

Odemwingie is still on a high following his excellent display against Wolves, when he came off the bench to score Albion’s second goal.

The Nigerian said: “It would be great to make it a double. Every situation is

a chance to do something that will be remembered.

“We have a very tough game but we need points and we’re at the moment where we have two big derbies in a row, then Arsenal and Liverpool. It’s a very hard period but it’s a period where three points feels like six, so I think that will help motivate us.”

Odemwingie was benched in favour of Somen Tchoyi for Sunday’s 2-0 win against Wolves.

He was not unduly surprised.

“He (Roy Hodgson) spoke to me

S/Africa plans four-nation tourney with Nigeria, Egypt, Cameroon

S

OUTH AFRICAN Football Association (SAFA) officials are apparently hard at work trying to arrange a four-nation friendly tournament, to ensure South Africa do not stay idle for the next eight months.

Bafana, who failed to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, seem set to play Ivory Coast on November 12 in the Nelson Mandela Challenge, but after that they face eight months without playing a match with their next official match penciled for June in a 2014 World Cup qualifier.

The targeted countries who could battle it out with Bafana early next year, which would coincide with the 2012 Africa Nations Cup, are Nigeria,

Egypt and Cameroon, who all also failed to qualify for the AFCON. SAFA have declined to comment on this, citing their recent pledge not "to engage the media further" on issues pertaining the Afcon after their protest to Caf over qualification rules.

It is expected, however, that Safa may announce plans for the friendly tournament sometime in November.

before and said he had been preparing a team for the last week or two now with Somen Tchoyi up front,” he continued.

“He is a quality player who can deliver for us as well. The manager said he wasn’t sure from Monday that I would play in this game because I only trained on Friday with the team because I came back with a little bit of a cough and cold and didn’t train for five days. He gave me his reasons and said he was sure I would come in.

“I was disappointed because this is a game you want to play in because if you do well for the club and for the fans you are ‘the man’. So I hoped to start but after that conversation I saw the reasons for what he said and he encouraged me.

“He said I should remove all the doubts about myself and all I should know is that I am one of the players that counts, I was good and I shouldn’t doubt anything. After my goal all of my team-mates came running to me saying ‘you deserve this’. That really lifted me up so it was a memorable victory.”

Odemwingie has had a stop-start season so far this season.

Eguavoen wants Musa, Obi

N

IGERIA Under-23 head coach, Austin Eguavoen, is keen on adding two Super Eagles' players, Ahmed Musa and Joel Obi to his team.

SuperSport.com has been informed that the coach discussed his plans to include the duo to the Under-23 Eagles with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) ahead of the 2012 Olympic men's football qualification scheduled to hold in Morocco.

Eguavoen is now expected to embark on a European trip from October 19 to 25.

Today, the Under-23 men's coach will pay Sheffield Wednesday FC striker, Daniel Chima Uchechi a visit.

Eguavoen will meet VVV-Venlo trio of Musa, Alex Nkume and Okechukwu Michael Uchebo on Thursday.

And Eguavoen is expected to talk to Rabiu Ibrahim of PSV Eindhoven on October 21 while Mainz striker, Anthony Ujah will meet with the coach three days later.

On October 24, Spain-based duo of Odion Ighalo and Raheem Lawal Adewole will talk to Eguavoen.

Obiora Nwankwo, Nnamdi Oduamadi and Daniel Adejo will have the chance to speak to the Nigerian Under-23 coach on October 25.

SuperSport.com has learnt that Eguavoen will meet Inter Milan midfielder, Obi on an undisclosed date.

Nigeria's Under-23s have been drawn against Morocco, Algeria and Senegal for the CAF Under-23 Championship, which also serves as Olympic qualifiers.

C

Obudu Ranch Resort in Obudu,Cross River State this year.

Towards this, he has urged the LOC for the race to surpass the already high standard set for the competition.

Gov Imoke made this plea last week after an on-the-spot assessment of facilities for the two-in-one race which has been adjudged as the best organised and highest paying mountain race in the world.

The seventh edition of the race in the world comes up on Monday,November 28 at the Obudu Ranch Resort in Obudu.

The resort which is located on the Obudu Plateau at an altitude of 1,576 metres above Sea level is equipped with modern facilities like an International Hotel, and airstrip, a Golf Course, nature reserve, Waterpark as well as a Cable Car and a Canopy Walkway (both first in this part of the World).

The Obudu mountain resort is about 40 minutes away by air from both Calabar and Abuja while the road journey from Calabar is approximately 4-hours 30 minutes. The road journey from Abuja is about 5-hours.

The Race is the highest paying Mountain Race in the world, with star prize of $50,000 for both men and women. The star prize for the African Nations Mountain Running Championship is $15,000 for both men and women teams.

N

IGERIA international Mikel Obi will aim for another more points with Chelsea as they face Genk of Belgium in Group E of the UEFA Champions League at the Stamford Bridge tonight.

Chelsea can improve their already dominant position in Champions League Group E when they host lowly Genk in London on Wednesday.

The Blues have not lost a European group stage clash at Stamford Bridge in eight years, and the Belgian First Division champions would need a miracle to take all three points in their first fixture against English opposition in the tournament.

Chelsea manager Andre VillasBoas has a positive recent history with Genk, having led former team Porto to a 7-2 aggregate defeat of the Belgian outfit in the Europa League playoff round last season.

The Londoners are also fresh off a drought-breaking 3-1 win in the Premier League over Everton - a side they had not conquered since the FA Cup final in 2009.

Genk, meanwhile, have lost their past three in all competitions,

including a 2-0 defeat by Bayer Leverkusen in the group.

They managed to hold Valencia to a scoreless draw at home on matchday one, and manager Mario Been will be hoping for more of the same defensive stubbornness out of his XI.

Okoronkwo apologises to Nigerians S UPER EAGLES’ forward Solomon Ndubuisi Okoronkwo has apologised to Nigerians on the inability of the senior national team to qualify for 2012 African Cup of Nation holding in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

Speaking to NationSport from his Norway base on Tuesday, the former Gabros International striker said "I know how Nigerians feel about this loss. I know that my country men are very passionate about the game, that is why they always expect us to do well, and they always give us the needed support at every game, so that is also why we strive to do well.

But what happened in that qualifiers is very unfortunate. We are very sorry for it, and am sure none of the players is happy about it, everyone want to be at a major championship like the Nations Cup. It is a very big competition, and highly rated in the world, so missing it is a big blow to us".

He said that his missing the game against Guinea does make him exonerate himself from the debacle, saying all the players share in whatever fate that befell the team "I was an integral part of the team, I took part in some of the matches, so I cannot say because I was not in the match against Guinea, then, I will deny them. Those who played on that day made their impact, but what happened was actually how the game of football always turns out to be". The Olympic silver medalist

From Patrick Ngwaogu, Abuja remain optimistic that the Super Eagles would surely rise again "remember that the downfall of a man is not the end of his life. We would surely rise again. Many football world powers have gone through this type of situation in past, and ours will not be an exception. Whatever the Super Eagles is going through today, is a matter of time, the Eagles will surely fly again"he concluded.

Born on 2 March 1987, Solomon Okoronkwo started his club football with Gabros International of Nnewi in 2004. before been discovered by a FIFA agent Marcelo Houseman, who got his guardianship and took him to Hertha Berlin FC. In October 2004, his agent recommended Solomon to Coach Samson Siasia and he was fundamental for Nigeria's U-20 qualifying for the African Youth Championship in Benin Republic 2005.

He was also on the Nigerian Under 23 team that won silver at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Okoronkwo was called up to his first senior camp in October 2008

by Nigeria coach Shaibu Amodu.

On 28 January 2011, Okoronkwo moved to Aalesund in the Norwegian Premier League. Rot-Weiss Essen (loan) in 2007, Saturn Moscow Obslat (2008-2011).

Egbedi to sign for Aarhus GF

F

LYING Eagles' striker to the last FIFA Under-20 World Cup, Edafe Egbedi is set to complete his switch to Danish side, Aarhus GF. SuperSport.com has been informed that Egbedi, 18, will sign a three-year contract with the Danish outfit this week.

Contrary to reports that Egbedi was at Aarhus on trial, it has been learnt that the striker is expected seal straight a deal, as his representative are looking at the contract paper.

Egbedi is also expected to undergo a medical examination before he pens a three-year deal with the Danish club.

"We have details on the contract to agree on the signing of Edafe in the next days with the Denmark team. He is not going for a trial, as he will get a medical

NSF: C/Rivers set up LOC for 2014, reassures on Obudu ROSS RIVER State governor, Liyel Imoke has charged the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 2014 National Sports Festival to ensure it organises the best ever festival in terms of its technical organisation.

The committee was inaugurated recently in Calabar and it is headed by the deputy governor Efiok Cobham with the State Commissioners for Youth and Sports (Raymond Obeten), Information (Patrick Ugbe), Education (Prof Offiong) and Health (Dr Ikpi) as well as Dr Bruce Ijirigho, a consultant to the state on sports among others as members.

"His Excellency, Governor Imoke has given us a marching order to organise the best Sports Festival ever in Nigeria and the Deputy Governor who heads the committee has equally charged us to take the assignment seriously to ensure we actualise the governor's wish and dream,'' reveals Information Commissioner,Ugbe in Calabar yesterday.

Ugbe disclosed that the terms of reference given to the LOC for the Festival includes that of ensuring that the infrastructure is put in place for the event.

Meanwhile, Senator Imoke has reaffirmed his commitment towards hosting another successful Obudu International Mountain Race at the

I’ll expose Blatter Glo backs Falcons –Warner T Mikel targets more points J

•Egbedi

WOMEN OLYMPIC QUALIFIER

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

check and after the medical check we are signing the contract for him there. He will sign a three-year contract at the end of this week," SuperSport.com was informed.

Egbedi was one of the Flying Eagles' key men at 2011 FIFA Under-20 World Championship in Colombia, where the Nigerian finished as one of the final eight sides.

Aarhus GF had earlier handed Kayode Thompson Abiodun of Sunshine Stars a test.

The Sunshine Stars' man impressed officials of Aarhus GF but he has been kept in view by the club.

Abiodun has since returned to Nigeria with Aarhus GF promising to keep tabs on his development.

Mbachu demands victory from Falcons R ECUPERATING Super Falcons' forward, Stella Mbachu has charged her teammates to win for her the ticket of London 2012 Olympic Games.

Mbachu who spare headed her team, Rivers Angels to win the 2011 Challenge Cup was among the 27 players coach Eucharia Uche called for the weekend decisive Olympics clash against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon in Yaounde.

The veteran goal poacher was diagnosed with typhoid problems shortly after the Challenge Cup rigour and hospitalised in a private hospital in Owerri, Imo state.

Coach Uche waved off deadline for her to enable her recover fully but she never made it among the 20-man team to face the Lionesses on Saturday.

Mbachu told SuperSport.com that she is not match fit to withstand the rigour the

top flight match requires.

"I am okay at the moment but not fully recovered to play the match. The time is too short for me to break into the team.

"That match is crucial and demands the best healthy legs. The ticket is important, we can't afford not to be at the Olympics.

"I won't play the match but my heart is with the team. In fact, I am in constant touch with my colleagues to please beat the Cameroonians for me.

"I know the Cameroonians will come out tough but I trust my teammates to beat Cameroon at their backyard," she enthused.

The reigning African champions will take her August 28 first leg 2-1 victory to Cameroon and must avoid defeat to be able to feature at the quadrennial global sports fiesta.

ACK WARNER has hit out at FIFA president Sepp Blatter, promising to reveal details of secret discussions between himself and the 75-year-old.

Jack Warner has hit out at FIFA president Sepp Blatter, promising to reveal details of secret discussions between himself and the 75-year-old.

Warner resigned from his posts as CONCACAF president and FIFA vice-president in June following allegations of bribery, and has since been engaged in a war of words with his old colleagues.

He has now vowed to lift the lift the lid on the circumstances of Sepp Blatter's rise to power in an interview with the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian.

"I will talk about the bitter elections for the FIFA presidency in 1998," Warner said. "Sepp Blatter faced his most telling rival in Lennart Johansson and the detailed reason for the support, which was offered to him by both Mohamed Bin Hammam and me."

"We took him on a worldwide crusade begging for support for him and he won. I will tell the world what gift Bin Hammam gave to him [Petrus Damaseb, then Namibian FA president]."

"With Bin Hammam's private plane, we did the same for Blatter in 2002 in a most brutal election, and he won - a second time."

"I will reveal the circumstances under which I told Blatter that blackness in football must not be only on the field of play, but also in the field of FIFA administration."

Warner also revealed that during his

•Warner

time at FIFA, he never found out Blatter's salary.

"In spite of serving on the finance committee for over eight years, I was never able to determine the quantum of money given to him for the office of FIFA president," he said.

"FIFA tried to muzzle me with threats of suspension. They have said that they will close down the FIFA development office in Trinidad by the year end."

Warner also implied that there is a sense of institutional racism within FIFA, pointing out the ethnicity of the presidents to date, with only one president, Dr Joao Havelange, not originating in Europe.

ELECOMMUNICATIONS giant, Globacom, have declared support for the Super Falcons ahead of the crucial second leg Olympics 2012 qualifier with the Lionesses of Cameroun at Yaoundé on October 22.

According to Globacom, the Falcons deserve maximum support from Nigerians in their quest to win the Women Olympic ticket.

“It was unfortunate that the Falcons conceded an own goal in their 2-1 victory during the first leg in Abuja but we believe they need all the support to beat Cameroun at home to qualify for the female football event of 2012 Olympics in London,” Globacom said.

The company added, “We appeal to Nigerians to join the Nigerian Football Supporters Club in storming Yaoundé to cheer the falcons to victory” Globacom urged the technical crew of the team to feature players who are fit and can give hundred percent performances and can withstand the pressure associated with away matches of this magnitude.

The Falcons have remained a force in African football, winning six of the seven African Women Championship (AWC) titles.

Meanwhile, the team has intensified preparation for the second leg match with the Head Coach, Eucharia Uche, assuring Nigerians of victory in the encounter.

“We are only awaiting the arrival of the foreign-based players and everything will be set for the game,” Uche said.

Globacom is the major partner of the Nigeria Football Federation and official sponsor of Nigerian national teams. The company recently launched Glo-branded kits for the National teams.

Siasia planned Mikel clearout S OME of Nigeria's Super Eagles top stars like Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi would have been left out had the team qualified for next year’s Nations Cup. The Eagles handlers had planned to sensationally replace Mikel and other established players with younger and more committed players for the Nations Cup in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, a top team source exclusively told MTNFootball.com “Siasia was finally convinced by his assistants that Mikel and some other top stars will not be part of the squad had Nigeria qualified for the Nations Cup,” revealed a source in the team.

“It was discovered these top pros were making elementary tactical mistakes unaccepted for players of their standing and experience. For instance, they did not know what to do when they do not have the ball.

“But far more serious was that these players have shown they are not committed to the team.

“It was therefore unanimously agreed that these players will not be picked for the Nations Cup, rather younger and hungrier players would make the squad.”

Siasia first rowed with Mikel leading up to the 2008 Olympics and would eventually leave him out of the tournament.

Mikel, along with Vincent Enyeama and Victor Anichebe, was also one of

•Siasia

the players who kicked against the Eagles travel plans to Madagascar last month.

The Chelsea star was fined $5,000 for reporting late to training camp for the ill-fated qualifier against Guinea in Abuja earlier this month.

But he later told reporters that he was unaware of this sanction and

would not pay the fine because he had genuine reasons for his lateness.

Last week, Siasia admitted before the NFF technical committee that he ought not to have started Mikel and Osaze Odemwingie for the Guinea game, which ended 2-2 when Nigeria needed a win to qualify for the 2012 Nations Cup.

•Chief Ifeanyi Patrick Ubah (l) MD Capital oil and Gas and Samson Adamu

Capital Oil and Gas partners Copa Lagos Beach Soccer

O

RGANISERS of the Copa Lagos Beach Soccer Tournament have officially announced Capital Oil and Gas not only as the new Copa Lagos Official Sponsor on the Energy Category but also as it's lead sponsor.

Capital Oil and Gas, is the third Official Sponsor of the Competition slated for December 2011.

According to Mr Samson Adamu, C.E.O OF kinetic sports,Organisers of Copa Lagos Beach Soccer:“Capital Oil and Gas was established in 2001 by Mr. Ifeanyi Patrick and, like Copa Lagos, is a dynamic and innovative company, and it is rapidly becoming the leader in the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria.”

“As part of the agreement, Capital Oil and Gas will be Copa Lagos’ Official main Sponsor, benefiting from a wide range of rights, including tournament hospitality, VIP entrance

to all Copa Lagos venues and events, exposure on 21 international TV Channels reaching an audience of 250 million households in Sub-Saharan and worldwide, among many other advantages”.

Samson Adamu added that:“Copa Lagos is a global sports product and its customized sponsorship programs will increase its sponsors brand exposure and showcase their products to a targeted premium audience in Nigeria, Africa and worldwide.”

“The Copa Lagos Beach Soccer team is proud to add a premium brand like Capital Oil and Gas to the list of the tournament Official Sponsors; FCMB, Red bull and other major partners.”

The tournament will take place on 9, 10 and 11 December 2011 at Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island lagos off Bar beach.

The participating teams are Nigeria, Brazil, England and South Africa.

POLL

INCENTIVE

CALL

Council leader transfers baton

Amosun boosts vigilance group

Sultan urges social justice

Lagos

26

Ogun

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

27

Sokoto

37

Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

Page 25

T

HE gesture is a huge relief to the motherless home. Its food stock has been boosted. The children now have more clothing. There is even more cash to get other things needed to run the facility better. All of that is courtesy of the Ekiti State Deputy Speaker Hon. Adetunji Orisalade. He donated items worth thousands of naira to Erelu Adebayo Orphanage at Iyin Ekiti.

But, perhaps, the best thing about the lawmaker’s gesture was not merely what was given away but the attitude and compassion behind the gift.

Orisalade gave more than the items. He gave his heart and a shoulder to lean on. He did not talk down on the recipients. He saw the children of the motherless home not as young people in need, but as victims of circumstance in the society. The Deputy Speaker referred to them as special gifts from God. Orisalade urged public-spirited and affluent individual members of the society to do more for the underprivileged, saying there is a reward on earth and in the hereafter for those who remember the needy.

Hon. Orisalade said he made the donations out of love, compassion and the biblical message that “children are a heritage of the Lord.”

Making the donation which included clothing materials, food items, and an undisclosed amount of money, the lawmaker who is also a lawyer, noted that not all children who end up in motherless or foster homes are those of unwilling mothers; he said the children are also victims of other societal circumstances.

He said the rich have an obligation to make life easy for the children, adding that the value of what is offered in gifts is not the physical, monetary worth of

•Hon. Orisalade hands out a gift item during the visit to the motherless babies home

New deal for the motherless Lawmaker donates food, cash to needy children From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

an item but the spirit of love. He noted that kindhearted people should visit the home to give a sense of belonging to the children.

Speaking on the occasion, the Lord Bishop of Ekiti Oke Anglican Diocese, Rt. Rev. Olatunde Olubowale urged political office holders in the state and beyond

to emulate the Ekiti Deputy Speaker and invest in ennobling ventures such as giving to motherless babies. Olubowale, while commending the lawmaker for the gesture, added that life would be more meaningful today if more individuals were committed to sincere giving and if political office holders genuinely gave their best to the led.

In her response, Matron of the

Erelu Adebayo Children’s Home, Mrs. Modupe Aluko, thanked the Deputy Speaker for the generous donation, calling on others to emulate the lawmaker who she described as a genuine leader.

Mrs. Aluko, who drew comparisons between the gesture of the lawmaker and the admirable footprints of the State Governor in the administration of the state, said the task of caring for the ba-

NGO supports farmers GROUP of farmers in Zarazon village, Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau State has received various incentives to boost their business.

A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Centre for Gospel Health and Development (CeGHaD), provided 30 bags of chicken litter, 25 bags of synthetic fertilisers and four water pumping machines to the farmers.

The farmers were also advised to key into the state government’s agric agenda by attending workshops and participating in the programmes of the state-owned Agricultural Services and Training Cen-

A

•Governor Jang

From Marie-Therese Peter, Jos

tres (ASTC). Doing so, they were told, will help them acquire more skills needed to boost their business and improve their proficiency.

Such knowledge will also ensure food security and improve the standard of living in the rural communities, they were further told.

Also, 13 other groups from communities across the State who had earlier benefitted from such gesture from CeGHaD exhibited their farm produce which the members said has been able to fight hunger and reduce the rate of starvation in their households.

Speaking at the event, the Director of CeGHaD, Ven. Noel Bewarang appreciated the farm groups for being consistent in their profession by utilising their lands instead of selling them. He said his organisation will continue to collaborate with agricultural institutions to support the farm groups in order to ensure food security.

Ven. Bewarang who further spoke on the theme of the World Food Sunday tagged: “Family Farming, Panacea to Hunger” said, “The problem is that many families in the communities have come to accept poverty and lack as normal parts of their lives hence, families go to bed without food.

bies in the orphanage would be a lot easier if more people show commitment to the welfare of the children.

Prayers and more good wishes followed the donation which also featured dancing and general merrymaking.

The donation was made as part of activities marking the lawmaker’s birthday anniversary.

“We have fertile land and if families are farming, mountain of hunger and poverty can be moved but if we continue to despise farming, hunger and poverty will increase”.

He berated those who stigmatize farming as work for unsuccessful and old people saying “if we can all engage in this noble profession, hunger will have no place in our communities”.

However, he called on more communities to join the Abundant life Saving and Loan Association of CeGHaD as this ensures a food security programme which seeks to improve the quality of life of rural people by increasing family income and making available, adequate and nutritious food to families all year round.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

26

When council witnessed change of baton PPOSITION parties that were already dreaming of victory at Saturday's council polls in Ifako Ijaiye Local Government Area, following the failure of the incumbent chairman, Mr Demola Doherty, to win a return ticket from the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), may have to go back to the drawing board.

Rather than begrudge party leaders for dropping him, and undercut the chances of the winner of the party primaries at the poll, Doherty shocked all when he decided last Tuesday to turn his defeat around and presented the party's choice, Dr Oloruntoba Oke, to party chieftains as the man to work for.

The event, which was held at the Events Centre, Ifako Ijaiye Local Government annex, pulled party leaders together, and hundreds of party faithful, who expressed their happiness.

Among other party leaders at the occasion was the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who was represented by Alhaji

O

By Yinka Aderibigbe

Ajibade, the state chairman of the party, Chief Henry Oladele Ajomale, who was represented by Mr Sola Abayomi, ACN Apex Chairman for Ifako and Ojokoro, Chief Ayokunnu Akande, the party chairman for the council, Alhaji Akintunde Fadayomi, former member of the House of Representatives, Mr Morufudeen Adefolabi, Vice chairman of Ifako Ijaiye, Mr Kayode Aremo, and his Ojokoro LCDA colleague, Mrs Fausat Olajokun, among other prominent party leaders .

Doherty, who described the occasion as novel in the annals of the state, said the idea to have the change of baton, came from the charge he got from Tinubu. He also praised all other party leaders , who had been at the vanguard of promoting peace and understanding, adding that the event was the culmination of their efforts.

He said: "When the party pub-

He told me that I should work with the party's choice. He asked me to build a team round Oloruntoba Oke, he said I should take him round and campaign with him

lished the list of the flag bearers at the forthcoming poll, I got a call from our Asiwaju and he told me that I should work with the party's choice. He asked me to build a team round Oloruntoba Oke. He said I should take him round and campaign with him, that he expected the two of us to work on taking Ifako Ijaiye higher; that assignment is what we are kicking off here today, we are all members of the ACN, the party is supreme.”

Doherty further said: “I am presenting to you, the man we should all work for. I am publicly handing over to him the council before you all; let your loyalty be towards the party.

“Let us all work for Oke. I charge you all to extend to him the same work which gave us 24,000 votes in the last general election. This time around, let us try to record 40,000 votes for Oke." Responding, Oke praised Doherty and assured that he would continue where he stopped in the interest of bringing the dividends of democracy to "the youths, the women, the unemployed, the elderly and the party.

He added: "Just as our chairman was called by our leader, that was the same way Asiwaju called me three years ago and told me to work with him, (Doherty), who was the party's choice. He told me that we should work together to ensure that the party wins the poll, and to ensure that peace reigns. Let me assure you that everyone working for

•Doherty (right) presenting Oke to party members

Doherty are henceforth Oke's men. We are one and this council would witness growth and development."

Also speaking, Adeola Adefolabi praised Doherty for the gallantry displayed in accepting the decision of the party in good faith.

He said: "We all should take a cue from his action. We have a bigger enemy out there. Let us all go out and rout them out of our council. Come October 22, let our votes speak so loudly about our

Society holds conference

•Prof Fajana at the event

T

HE Biotechnology Society of Nigeria has held its annual conference. The event took place at the Oba Oladele Olasore auditorium of Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU) Ikeji-Arakeji. The occasion attracted science scholars, vicechancellors and other dignitaries.

The Director-General of National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) Professor B.O. Solomon disclosed that the agency was established by the federal government on April 23, 2001 to ensure profitable application of biotechnology in health services, food security, industrial growth, environmental safety and protection, among others.

The DG added that biotechnology has the strong potential to contribute immensely to the eradication of hunger by ensuring food security, provide affordable health care delivery services, create employment, enhance overall national development, and create

wealth in the country.

The Pro-Chancellor and chairman of the governing council, Professor Anthony Inevbore said that Joseph Ayo Babalola University was the first institution in Nigeria that offered entrepreneurship at degree level which the National Universities Commission NUC used as a benchmark for the programmes in other universities proposing it. He added that biotechnology could be used to alleviate poverty and that the society could use it to harness national environment and turn it into a well of money as well as facilitate publicity and awareness.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Sola Fajana noted that deforestation and the loss of biodiversity had greatly impacted nations around the world especially the third world

countries. He added that deforestation which resulted in biodiversity also led to drying of streams, receding of water table and species which were gradually getting lost. He said that solutions to these problems must be found in the developing of species, plants and animals that would adapt to the new condition while ensuring that the world

can still be fed.

The society ended the conference with the following resolutions: •Government should commit more resources to full and holistic exploitation of the vast potentials of biotechnology •Researchers, Government and other stakeholders should forge functional linkages and harness

Biotechnology has the strong potential to contribute immensely to the eradication of hunger by ensuring food security, provide affordable health care delivery services, create employment, enhance overall national development, and create wealth in the country

Church decries violence

T

HE Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion has condemned the prevailing atmosphere of violence in the country.

The Church at its second Synod in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, also expressed concern over the fact that the reports of panels set up to investigate major crisis in the country have not been released to the public.

This may have also contributed to the reuption of more violence.

Delivering the Bishop’s Charge at the Synod, the Bishop of the Diocese of Egba West, Anglican Communion, Rev. Samuel Ogundeji, deplored the spate of violence and other forms insecurity in the land. He named Boko

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

Haram, post election killings, bloodletting in Jos, the beleaguered Plateau State State capital and other parts of the city, as well as other forms of insecurity rocking parts of the country.

He said their occurrence followed government’s failure over the years to bring culprits to book.

“After each uprising, judicial panels are set up to investigate the causes of the riot and the mayhem and reports are submitted.

After that, the reports are never implemented by the Government for fear of hurting powerful interest groups,” he said.

He advised Nigerians to have a change of attitude, warning

that great nations have risen in history and later fell because of violence, destruction, godlessness, low morality, greed and injustice of the people inhabiting them.

According to him, the National Assembly and the Presidency which should have bailed the nation out of the moral quagmire and charted the path of rapid progress are not helping the situation.

The cleric also challenged the Federal Government on the appalling condition of the nation’s roads, health care system and the energy sector, saying the President and his cabinet should address them if Nigeria ever hopes to attain the much talked about Millennium Development Goals.

collective resolve."

Apex Chairman, Chief Akande spoke in the same vein. He said with the torch of unity handed over to Oke by Doherty, the council has no other place to head to but up."

Fadayomi praised Doherty and assured that though some people might have issues with his politics, the party would continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to the grassroots. He called on the people to eschew bitterness in their political pursuit. the benefits of biotechnology •There is an urgent need for improved and sustainable funding of biotechnological research in Nigeria •Government, non-governmental organisations and individuals should help in the commercialisation of biotechnological research findings.

•The bill to regulate biotechnology activities in Nigeria should be passed into law.

New executive members of the society were elected at the end of the conference.

The student arm of the conference also elected a new executive to run its affairs for another one year.

The conference will facilitate a memorandum of understanding between the university and NABDA. The conference was opened to all scientists in the academics, research, medicine, industry, environment and allied disciplines across and outside the nation.

After each uprising, judicial panels are set up to investigate the causes of the riot and the mayhem and reports are submitted. After that, the reports are never implemented by the Government for fear of hurting powerful interest groups

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

27

Idoma youths urge unity

Y

OUTHS in Idoma area of Benue State have urged their kin to unite. They also asked political opponents of Senate President David Mark to rally round him in order to move the ethnic group and the nation forward.

They particularly pleaded with General Lawrence Onoja who ran against the Senate President in the last general election to support his political rival.

The group, Idoma Youth Fraternal Coalition, in a statement issued in Abuja and signed by its

Stories from Bukola Amusan, Abuja

National President, Comrade James Oche, advised Onoja to “embrace the path of progress, congratulate and join hands with David Mark in opening the window of opportunity to steer Nigeria towards peace and harmony.

Onoja had dragged the Senate President to the Court of Appeal after losing his case at the tribunal sitting in Makurdi.

The group said the achievement of David Mark in the current dis-

We the Idoma youths urge the Senate President to remain steadfast in the pursuit of truth, transparency, constitutional amendment and good governance in the running of the Senate

pensation and the appointment of two Ministers from Benue State is a credit to his name.

“It is on record that Idoma people massively voted for David Mark in the last election due to his monumental achievements and purposeful leadership over the years,” it said.

On the issue of state creation, the group said “Senator David Mark is doing well and he is well positioned to facilitate the realisation of our desire of having a state of our own.”

Despite the current severe security difficulties in the country, the group said it is counting on the wisdom of persons like Senator David Mark to bring innovative ideas that will usher in peace and harmony in Nigeria.

“We the Idoma youths urge the Senate President to remain steadfast in the pursuit of truth, transparency, constitutional amendment and good governance in the running of the Senate”

T

HE Secretary, Federal Capital Territory, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Mrs. Olvadi Madayi has bagged an award from the Adamawa State government.

The award which was bestowed on six female indigenes of the state is in recognition of their contribution to the development of the state and the nation.

Adamawa State Governor

Governor Nyako challenged the award recipients to do more for the interest of the state and the nation, in any capacity of service they find themselves

Agric scribe bags award Murtala Nyako who presented the award, promised that his administration would continue to support and empower the awardees in their loyalty, dedication and commitment to the development of the state.

He challenged them to do more for the interest of the state and the nation, in any capacity of service they find themselves.

Madayi, a native of Adamawa State, is a recipient of several other awards, among them, merit award for relentless service to the people of Vulpi State Development Area, Greater Northern Nigeria Achievers Award, Most Improved State Development Area Administrator in Adamawa State, among others.

She has also held several positions in the public and private sector, including treasury/investment officer, Unity Bank Plc, sole administrator of Vulpi State Development Area, Adamawa Atate, amongst others.

M

AKING good his commitment to ensuring adequate security of lives and properties in Ogun State, Governor, Ibikunle Amosun has donated 15 motorcycles and six pickup vans valued at N20m to members of the Vigilance Group of Nigeria (VGN), Ogun State chapter.

The gesture will boost security in the state and reassure investors who once kept their distance.

Aside equipping them, Amosun equally approved other local and community–based security apparati to enhance the performance of the vigilance group and ward off crime and criminality across the state, especially in Abeokuta, the capital.

The governor expressed concern that the security situation in the country has become worrisome as men of the underworld have kept terrorising innocent citizens without let.

“The security situation in the country has become a source of worry and concern to all Nigerians,” he said. “Day and night undesirable elements, and men of the underworld, terrorise innocent citizens with reckless abandon, thereby making life unbearable for all. It is also a common knowledge that without adequate security, no meaningful development can take place in any society.”

The governor, who was represented at the occasion by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Muyiwa Oladipo, said it was in recognition of this challenge that his administration decided to take steps to tackle the menace. Such measures include the establishment a Security Trust Fund (STF) to check criminal elements and ensure that “adequate security is guaranteed and also beefed up across the state.”

“The state government procured six pick-up vans and fifteen units of motorcycles as well as uniforms for members of the group in order to assist the vigilance group of Nigeria (VGN) in monitoring and combating crime and criminality in the state. The vehicles and motorcycles are to be distributed between the three senatorial district of the state. ”We are determined to complement the efforts of the law enforcement agencies by encouraging all avenues that will enhance security in the state. This gesture is a prelude to the soon to be inaugurated Security Trust Fund which is principally being set up to combat crime in the state,” he said.

According to the governor’s rep-

•Local Government and Chieftainship Affairs, Hon. Muyiwa Oladipo (middle) and Commissioner of Police, Ogun State, Mr Nicholas Daaru Nkemdeme (right) at the handover of the security equipment

Amosun boosts vigilance group with equipment From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

resentative, the state government would continue to take measures that will ensure the safety of lives and properties of residents as well as that of visitors to the state, while making Ogun uncomfortable for criminals.

He advised the group to cooperate with the police and follow due process in the manner they go about fighting crimes and criminal activities in communities.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Nicholas Daaru Nkemdeme, who witnessed the ceremony, said the initiative is a bold one from the state government towards encouraging the vigilante and enhancing their security performance.

Nkemdeme noted that security agents alone could not combat crime and criminality in the country which he said was on the increase across the country, and charged members of the vigilance group not to take the law into their hands.

The Police Commissioner ex-

pressed the hope that with due process and discipline, the group would succeed in combating crime in conjunction with the police.

Earlier while parading 23 crimes suspects including robbery suspects, rapist, a jail breaker and vandals at the Police Command, Eleweran, Nkemdeme acknowledged that “fighting the agents of criminality is not an easy job” and said it is a battle that can only be won by a “combination of members of the public and the security agencies.”

He bemoaned a situation where robbery suspects are indiscriminately granted bails by the judiciary, saying experiences have shown that soon as they were granted bail, the suspects only quickly regrouped and returned to the streets to resume robbery operations to the hurt of the society several times over.

According to the state police boss,” crime has regrettably become a profession. Instead of people looking for jobs, they now become apprentices to crime and soon graduate as crimi-

nals.”

Also, the commander of the vigilance group of Nigeria (VGN) Abeokuta Command, Major Femi Bisiriyu (Rtd) pledged to put his men to work to complement the efforts of the police in crime fighting and prevention.

“This administration has shown that it is sensitive to the people. To whom much is given, much is equally expected,” he said.

Bisiriyu said the group would help

scale down the rate of criminality in Abeokuta and border communities by adapting in Egbaland similar strategy that rid Remo land off criminals.

He noted that the VGN is quite familiar with the Egba terrain as well as the people living in the communities and called on the police to accord them the back up in various security assignments.

He said the group is disciplined and will always abide the law.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

28

Bauchi reiterates commitment to quality health

B

• Governor Yuguda

AUCHI State government has reiterated its commitment to providing qualitative and affordable health care to the people.

The state Commissioner of Health, Dr.Sani Abubakar Malami, disclosed this when he spoke to stakeholders in Bauchi,on the Bauchi State Insurance Scheme( BASIS), at a meeting held at the ministry’s headquarters in Bauchi.

Malami said the meeting was to chart a new course for the scheme despite its challenges, adding’’since the inception of the programme in 2008, the state government has been responsible for payment of capitation for about 69,000 enrolls.

The commissioner said that government

Agency to begin demolition of illegal structures T HE Kebbi Urban Development Authority (KUDA) would soon begin the demolition of illegal structures in the state capital.

The General Manager of the agency, Alhaji Babangida Gwandu, told reporters in Birnin Kebbi that the exercise became imperative because of disregard for laws on acquisition and land development.

He said land developers needed to obtain permission from the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development as well as KUDA to develop their land.

The demolition exercise, he added, was to ensure conformity with the master plan of the metropolis, adding that residents must

Kebbi

support government’s plan to provide a befitting capital city.

He also said that violators of the law, erecting storey buildings on land originally meant for bungalows, would have their structures pulled down .

Gwandu further vowed that government would ensure that no cases of collapsed buildings were recorded in the state by ensuring compliance with the relevant laws.

Group declares support for council chair

A

group called Amuwo-Odofin Movement and Residents, led Mr Kola Awe, has declared its support for the incumbent chairman of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government,Comrade Ayodele Adewale who is seeking re-election in the forthcoming local government polls.

Awe said the movement was behind the chairman because of his laudable achievements in the council. He noted that

a faceless group had protested against his second term bid which he described as undemocratic.

He said: “The leader of the faceless group has been known to have benefited immensely from the local government over the years at the expense of others, but because the council decided it would not be business as usual, they are complaining”.

‘Be an intrument of change’

Y

ouths in Lagos State have been called upon to be an instrument of positive change by coming out on Saturday to vote for chairmen and councillors of their choice instead of engaging in thuggery or any anti-social behaviours.

The call was made by the Chairman of Ifako Ijaiye local youth council, Olaibi Emmanuel during an interactive meeting with the Action Congress of Nigeria chairmanship candidate, Hon. Oloruntoba Oke in Ifako Ijaiye.

The meeting, which was the first of its kind between the youths and a chairmanship candidate, was attended by more than 17 youth associations.

Olaibi enjoined the youths to desist from thuggery and ensure they vote.

“They should vote for the eligible challenge them if the office holders go wrong in the future,” he said.

The youth leader noted that in the past, the youths have been forgotten, that was the reason they called a meeting with the

By Risikat Ramoni

chairmanship candidate in the council before the election, so that the youth would not be left by his administration if he is elected.

He stressed that the youth would not hesitate to take actions against the chairman and his team if they fail to fulfill their promises when elected.

During the interaction, Oke promised to make youth empowerment and skill acquisition programme a priority.

Oke hinted that he would build an ultra modern library as well as offices for the Ifako Ijaiye local youth council, an auspices under the National Youth Council of Nigeria.

He promised to turn the council into an enviable one with the support of the youth by improving the infrastructure and providing employment.

He told them to always be at the meeting which would be held once in every six months to monitor his activities in office.

• Chief Sikiru Olatunde Atobatele, the Balogun of Egbaland(left) presenting Certificate of Office to Chief Olukayode Adeyemi Lisoyi as the fourth Baale General of Igben Land at Ofada Grammar School, Ogun State PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAM

Sultan urges social justice

T

HE Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saád Abubakar III, has identified social justice and the fear of God as essential ingredients for peace and progress in the country.

Abubakar spoke in Sokoto when he received members of an internet-based NGO, Dandalin Siyasa On line Forum.

Bauchi From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

attached much importance to the scheme and urged civil servants to reciprocate the gesture by rededicating themselves to their responsibilities.

Earlier the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Hajiya Amina Abubakar praised the practitioners for their understanding while their capitation fee was being processed.

She also described the relationship between health providers and the ministry as cordial and hoped it will continue.

In a vote of thanks, the proprietor of Phalycon Medical Clinic, who is also Bauchi State chair , Nigeria Guild of Doctors, Dr. Hassan Alhassan, praised the state government for being the first to introduce the scheme in the country and promised NGD’s cooperation for the success of the scheme.

Church holds programme

T

•From left: Secretary, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Mr Tunde Kasali; RMAFC Chairman, Mr Elias Nbam, and the Acting Governor of Plateau State, Mr Ignatius Longjan at a presentation of Special Funds Request by Plateau State in Abuja

Zamfara House orders probe of N2.3b project

T

HE Zamfara House of Assembly has ordered a probe of the N2.3 billion solar powered street light network in Gusau metropolis.

The Speaker of the House, Alhaji Sanusi Rikiji, told reporters that the entire procedure leading to the award and execution of the project fell short of due process.

Rikiji, who spoke shortly after a special session of the House, said due process was circumvimmediate part last administration in the state. `` The House had deliberated on the projects and unanimously resolved that it was illegally awarded and requires its quick intervention to stop the new administration in the state from any further action on it,’’ he said.

He alleged that the past administration connived with the contractors and awarded the street lights contracts in order to allegedly

37

Zamfara defraud the state of N2.3 billion, Rikiji also said a substantial part of the contract sum had been paid.

Following a motion by the lawmaker representing Talata Mafara South Constituency, Alhaji Aliyu Kagara, the House resolved that its Committee on Finance and Appropriation as well as that of Housing and Town Planning should probe the contract.

The Speaker said further that the House resolved to direct the state government to stop all dealings in respect of the contract pending the outcome of the investigation.

The state government, he added, was mandated to cancel all variation and valuation of all certificates and payments in respect of the contract pending further resolution by the House.

The reporter recalls that the Gusau street light project was awarded in late 2009 and completed this year.

HE annual 21-day vigil of the Divine Power Bible Church (a.ka. place of solution and praise) has begun. It is tagged: Divine Authority and it is being held at the church auditorium, 22 Omotola Avenue, Off Oladogba Street, Ikosi-Ketu Lagos. The programme will end on October 30.

Speaking on the event, the host Pastor, Prophet Lanre Arogundade said: “It is an authority right from God for deliverance, revisiting what transpired at the beginning when darkness occupied the surface of the earth and authority came from heaven saying let there be light and there was light.”

He added that the programme came as a revelation and annual event that should be conducted with fasting and prayer, noting that “every participant who steps into this venue will receive salvation, divine healing, deliverance, breakthrough, fruit of the womb, prosperity among others.”

BRIEFS

Church begins crusade GOD’s Sanctify Healing Ministry (aka Solution Ground) has concluded arrangements for a four-day power-packed crusade tagged: “God’s Promise to His People.”

A statement jointly signed by Pastor Victory and Prophetess Deborah AbiiAkpaka, host and hostess respectively, indicates that the event which begins tomorrow will end on Sunday, October 23 at the church auditorium, No. 7, Adenowo Idowu Close, Ijegun Road, Ile-Ibadan bus stop, Ikotun, Lagos.There will also be a showcase for the first anniversary/ thanksgiving service with Egnr Emma Ekezie as chairman.

The statement further stated that the crusade will feature “Deliverance Hour” on Thursday between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. while Friday will feature “Restoration Hour” between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

“Saturday (9:00 a.m. to noon) and Sunday (10:00 a.m.) will feature “Renewal of Covenant” and “Thanksgiving Service” respectively.”

According to the statement , Rev. Ethelbert Nwokocha, Evangelist Mike Okoli, Evangelist Smart Onyeahalam, Pastor Awom Ndubuisi and other anointed men of God will minister at the event which promises to unleash God’s limitless blessings on the participants.

months to complete all jobs. `` I want to assure you that we are making sure that road users are not subjected to hardship not just for a period but as a sign of change and development in the country,’’ he added.

The minister gave an assurance that his ministry would ensure that roads were put in proper shape to ensure safety of lives and property He also said Edo, with its major entry points from the South-West, was witnessing various construction and rehabilitation efforts.

Onolememen also rejected the demand by the Lagos Government for the revocation of the concession contract on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway saying it would send a wrong signal to investors.

“Contracts are guided by certain articles. It is an agreement entered into and it is only the Federal Government that can make adjustments and specifications. ``The Public-Private Partnership model will deliver and we don’t have to start with revoking projects; adjustments while supervising should be encouraged rather,’’ he said. A reception was later held for Onolememen and Mr Mike Oghiadomhe, the Chief of Staff to the President.

Taraba donates lecture theatre to ABU

T

HE Taraba State government has donated a N300 million twin lecture theatre to the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.

Governor Danbaba Suntai, who inaugurated the 500-seater theatre, said the gesture was aimed at uplifting academic standards at the university.

Suntai, an ABU alumnus, expressed his readiness toward further supporting the university.

The building was named after Prof. Gabriel Osuide, the first dean of the faculty.

Suntai charged all ABU alumni to support the institution in sustaining its integrity.

He said Osuide had played a vital role in the development of the faculty in particular and ABU at large.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of ABU, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, described the gesture as the first of its kind in the history of the institution.

Mustapha also noted that Osuide was central to the general growth of the faculty.

`` We should ensure these virtues in whatever we do in Nigeria and this is the only way we can develop,'' Abubakar said.

He said religious, political and ethnic affiliations should not constitute barriers among Nigerians in their interaction.

The traditional ruler said interaction among Nigerians must be based on mutual respect rather than suspicion.

Abubakar also said that all reputable organisations operating in the country should be guided by lofty ideals capable of promoting development.

Earlier, the National Chairman of the Forum, Alhaji Hashimu Ubale, had told the Sultan that the members were in Sokoto for their third annual anniversary. `` We are at the palace to seek your fatherly counsel and blessings. The forum is a voluntary,

• Sultan Abubakar III non-political and non-economic one. `` It is a gathering of people of like minds aimed at improving the political landscape in the country.

We have membership drawn from Nigeria and abroad,’’ he said.

Anti-Polio immunisation costs N2b

W

ITH the engagement of over 200,000 health workers for a national round of polio immunisation, the Acting Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Emmanuel Abanida, has disclosed that over N2 billion has been spent as operational cost including stipends of the workers.

He made the remark in Abuja while speaking with journalists at the venue of the 22nd meeting of the Expert Review Committee (ERC) on Polio and Routine Immunisation in Nigeria.

Even as he agreed that the cost is on the high side, he said that the agency is willing to incur additional cost if necessary to save the lives of Nigerian children from polio and meet up with the declaration of President Goodluck Jonathan for full eradication by next year.

He said: “The issue of stipend for the health workers has always come on board and we have continued to revise it. Giving somebody a total of N2,400 or N3,500 and ask the person

Abuja From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

to go out for four days under the sun is not an easy thing. But if you look at the volume and the frequency of our activities, the polio eradication activity up till today is still one of the most highly paid.

“When we have a full national round, we engage over 200,000 people and we spent over N2 billion in terms of operational costs. By the time you increase the stipend by N100, you are increasing the budget by almost N120 million.

These are the realities on ground. We go to the high risk areas at least six times a year. So that is one of our challenges.

“Right now we are going to consult our partners and everybody. If this is going to be the limiting factor to the success of the polio eradication, we have to look for money and increase the stipend for the health workers.”

Council inaugurates community development committee

Fed Govt begins rehabilitation of federal roads T

HE Federal Government is to begin the rehabilitation of federal roads across the country this week, the Minister of Works, Mr Mike Onolememen, has said.

The minister, who announced this in Benin , said the initiative to be known as `` Operation Patch all Federal Roads’’ would address the challenge of deplorable roads in the country.

Onolememen spoke at a PDP stakeholders meeting on the state of federal roads in the state.

He said FERMA, which would be the ministry’s consultant, had been given two

Sokoto

T • Ndorda Cultural Troupe of Bauchi State performing at the opening of the 2011 National Agricultural Show in Tudun-wada, Nasarawa State PHOTO: NAN

‘’Our covenant with Apapa residents sacred’

“O

UR goal from inception is to improve and sustain a better community. This, we have been keeping as a covenant with our people. However, I have come to realise the fact that the people, as the owners of our mandate, have a role to play in true governance. So, they must not leave everything to us.”

The above were the words of the chairman of Apapa Local Government Area in Lagos State, Hon. Ayodeji Joseph last week when Newsextra sighted him on a motorbike on Point Road, while monitoring the environment. It was about 7. 10 pm.

“You can’t sit in your office and be a good administrator. That is why at times, I hide my identity to either inspect projects or assess the environment to know where either we or the people could contribute to the development of the society. And of course, people know that passionate service is our tradition in Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN),” he hinted on his choice of bike ride.

It was an opportunity for Newsextra to know why the council was yet to rehabilitate the Burma Road that hosts its secretariat. His response: “I make bold to say today that we have reconstructed 34 roads among various projects in our domain. We would have done that road (Burma) save for the fact that the state government pledged to do it alongside a few others. And I’m sure that work is almost begun on them.

Our community remains our passion, both at the local and state government levels.”

But residents of Apapa Government

By Dada Aladelokun

Reservation Area (GRA) recently raised the alarm that the area was fast becoming a slum. Joseph laughed and said: “Can you describe as poorer, somebody who now takes two good meals daily as opposed to the miserable one he was previously taking? Go to the area; it is wearing improved looks. Visit Bristol, North Avenue, Emotan, Ogedengbe, Rycroft, Crowder and Takoradi Roads; you will see what we are doing to roads and drains there.

“If you visited Wharf/Point Road Junction a few months ago, you would not want to come near there again; today, we have changed the story. Danfodio Road now sings the same song among others in the area. If there is any area we have not touched, it is attributable to prioritisation because with the available funds, we cannot do all in a fell swoop. This is where patience and understanding come in on the part of our people.

Interestingly, he enthused: “the GRA is one community that has been giving our administration e n o u g h cooperation; that is why I just l a u g h whenever I hear that a complaint is coming from there,”the council chief •Joseph said

HE Chairman,Mushin Local Government Area, Hon. Olatunde Adepitan, has urged the newly inaugurated executive members of the Community Development Committee to mobilise the general public for grassroot governance.

According to Adepitan, community development associations have become a veritable instrument to galvanise all segments of the society to participate actively in the activities of governments at all levels.

Adepitan said the former chairman of community development committee, Chief Adisa Adeogun, supported his government in all ramifications.

He said local government as the third tier of government, remains the closest to the people at the grassroots,and therefore urged the committee members to use their position to convey the needs of the people to government.

“You know the needs of the residents, you are the link between the local government and the people. If you are well informed about the activities of this administration, you will help us to disseminate correct information to the general public, and rumours will be eliminated. I urge you all to use your Godgiven talents and experience to assist this government to take Mushin Local Government to higher heights.

Replying, the chairman of the committee, Chief R. A. Abolade, said the council chairman has demonstrated high intellect and administrative acumen. He pointed out that when the local government is performing, it will be easy for the C.D.C to convince the people to support government activities.

The committee members promised to support the activities of both the local and the state government towards giving the best for council residents.

•From left: The Vice-Chairman, Mushin Local Government Area, Hon Emmanuel bamigboye; the CDC Social Secretary, mrs Yemisi Oguntala, Chief Abolade; Hon Adepitan and the council manager, Mr Sunday Oduwole at the inauguration

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

Life Artists petition Education Minister

29

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

Text only: 08023058761

Journalist-poet takes fans to Wonderland – Page 36

– Page 30

‘Why I want to be king’ Edward

UK-based former BBC producer, Prince Edward Okwuchukwu Ofulue, is exploring culture as tool for peace • SEE PAGE 33

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

30

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

•Untitled

Artists petition Education Minister •Demand review of art curriculum content in schools

T

HE Pan African Circle of Artists has written to the Minister of Education Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufai over the effacement of arts of some Nigerians.

The petition entitled: The Dangerous effacement of art from our individual and collective lives, signed by a Senior Lecturer at the University of Nigeria, and International Secretary, the Pan-African Circle of Artists, Mr C. Krydz Ikwuemesi, called on the Minister of Education to review schools’curriculum for the needed rebirth of the nation through art. The group insisted that: •art be taught in every primary and post primary school in Nigeria; •every school has enough art teachers to cover the number of pupils or students by a maximum ration of 40:1; •every employed art teacher be motivated to teach art by making available all the necessary tools and materials needed for proper dissemination of knowledge; •the ministry should encourage and sustain art competitions, which used to be incorporated in the Children’s Day celebrations and the National Day celebrations as well as other celebrations; •encourage the art councils to organise art-oriented activities alongside other cultural activities.

The group noted that over the years, the concept of development and nation building in Nigeria have mostly been driven by overdependence on science and technology and through the arrogance of politics. “We seem to be ignorant of the fact that technological development cannot be sustained without recourse to art as a veritable partner. A sound knowledge of art is vital to Nigeria’s technological aspirations. And for a balanced and in-depth technological education, there must be a combination of science and art as equal partners. This is in line with the UNICEF’s standards which prescribe that a sound education should be based on a tripod of letters, figures and images,” the group said.

It added that beyond its concern with aesthetics, art has left its mark in the history of mankind, aiding the realisation of many great inventions in the evolution of our world.

According to the group, the invention of the airplane, was influenced by the detailed anticipatory drawings of Leonardo da Vinci, one of the world’s most renowned artists.

Leonardo’s drawings of dissected animals and human beings, it said, became useful pioneering illustrations in the practice of medicine.

It also said: “It seems that the divorce of art from the centralising myth of the Nigerian society has been part of the country’s misfortune. Yet, as the Romans said: “Ars cum natura ad salutem conspirat” (art combined with nature leads to human health). When the products of science and the arrogance of politics and politicians upset the social equilibrium and put society on the precipice, art helps to resynthesise the divided consciousness. Technology without art is like a magnificent edifice without foundation. It is particularly sad to note that foreign missions, such as the British Council, the Goethe Institut, the Norwegian Embassy, the French Cultural Centre, are in the vanguard of art propagation and dissemination in Nigeria with little or no contribution from indigenous stakeholders who take delight

By Ozolua Uhakheme Assistant Editor (Arts)

in the downgrading of art in Nigeria’s educational system.”

The group lamented the downward trend of art activities in schools in the past four decades, noting that in the 1960s when ‘handwork’ was introduced along side art in primary and post-primary schools, there was no cause for alarm, because it fetched schools the much-needed materials for their smooth running.

“Since the 1980s, it appears that art is no longer necessary in most primary and post-primary schools. Although it is still in the curriculum, art teachers are diverted to teach other courses in the prejudiced belief that art is of no relevance to the development of the pupils/students or indeed the society.

“In reality, this practice has not only succeeded in destroying a vital aspect of education for young people, but has also truncated the vision and aspiration of generations of Nigerians, who have passed through the educational system in the past 30 years without art as effective part of the curriculum,” the group recalled.

The resulting situation, according to the group, is akin to that of Ireland in her 1929 censorship act, which lasted for 60 years. It said in restricting the artistic activities of the Irish people, the Irish authorities did not know what harm they were doing to the nation until when in 1961 a Scandinavian report on design, described the Irish school-child as the most under-educated in Europe. “In 1970, the Art Council of Ireland warned that Ireland may be faced with a future public that will be largely unaware of the humanising opportunities available in art and design to the average person and

‘In reality, this practice has not only succeeded in destroying a vital aspect of education for young people, but it has also truncated the vision and aspiration of generations of Nigerians who have passed through the educational system in the past 30 years without art as effective part of the curriculum’

•Ikwuemesi

may be victims of mediocrity if not vulgarity in taste with a vision mired in crass commercialism,” PACA said.

It observed that the sad occurrence has begun to be felt in virtually all the spheres of activities in the country, saying the vulgarisation of taste that attends the social and political milieus in Nigeria is the child of the sustained divorce of art from society. It added that, unfortunately, the artist in Nigeria might be an endangered species in light of the highly obnoxious policy on art education, but that the society itself is more endangered since the purpose and functions of art are, ultimately, for the amelioration and perpetuation of society.

“But are we going to fold our hands and wait for the situation to degenerate into a social cancer before we start to look for solutions? We hope that beyond the urgent steps needed to be taken by the Federal Ministry of Education to redress this dangerous situation, national institutions charged with the promotion and dissemination of art will speak out against this trend, since they are actually the ones on trial in this situation. We say so because if in the future art is erased from the education curriculum in Nigeria, there will be paucity of artists and institutions, such as the National Gallery of Art, National Museum, National Council for Arts and Culture will have no basis to continue to exist in this country, since they are there to carter to art and artists.

“This is the right time to change this terrible situation for the better. With the Universal Basic Education (UBE) in place, it is the time to restore art education in our school curriculum, from the primary school level up to the secondary school level,” PACA insisted.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

31

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

Most communities’ day celebrations are often characterised by street carnival, cultural performances, novelty football matches and dance drama. But, the focus was different this year in Sobe, Edo State. The repositioning of the community’s 37 year-old college, Sobe High School, was the primary concern of organisers of the 20th anniversary celebration held on Independence Day at the college premises, OZOLUA UHAKHEME, Assistant Editor Arts, who was at the event, reports.

Edo community repositions college

F

OR the first time in 20 years, the yearly Sobe Day celebration was held for one purpose and at one venue. Apart from the light drama performances by the students of the college midway into the event, all pledges and donations were to savage the school, which is in a deplorable situation. And leading the ‘rescue mission’ was the Sobe Development Association (SDA) Abuja branch.

Driven by strong passion for education as bedrock of empowerment of the society, SDA Abuja branch handed over a renovated block of four classrooms to the management of Sobe High School, Sobe in Owan West local government area of Edo State. The project was executed at a cost of N2 million.

National President of SDA, Dr. Taiwo Avbayeru, said the reason for shifting the event from its traditional venue was informed by the need to challenge everyone to contribute to the upliftment of the college and restore it to its past glory. He noted that infrastructure alone does not build a system, but only a part of it. He disclosed that to strengthen the capacity of teaching staff, some patriotic sons and daughters of Sobe have pledged to pay some money yearly as incentives to some particular NYSC teachers posted to the school.

“Dr. Cletus Owuze set the ball rolling by pledging N54, 000 to two NYSC teachers posted the school per session. I, Dr. Taiwo Avbayeru, pledge the same amount of money for two NYSC teachers (English and Biology). Similarly, the Rev. Sylvester Alele also pledged for two teachers (Physics and Chemistry). Finally, SDA Benin branch pledged to take on one NYSC teacher for Integrated Science,” he said.

Avbayeru, who was until recently the chairman of SDA (Abuja branch) urged indigenes of the community to feel challenged to contribute their quota to the growth of the institution in particular and the community in general. .

Unlike past editions, this year’s Sobe Day celebration was hinged on self-help development, especially in area of infrastructural development in education sector. Beyond the self help, the 37-year-old community college has been penciled down for renovation by the Edo State government.

According to Avbayeru, the State Ministry of Education has earmarked Sobe High School and St. Thomas School for renovation by the state government.

He noted that the community is being challenged in other fronts, such as the traditional headship roles it plays in its various communities over the years. He assured that the association is working hard to ensure that Sobe maintains its control over all Sobe land, adding that the association would support Chief Clement Ugbiyobo to remain the traditional head of Owan village. “We will extend the same support to retain Ugboke 1 and 11, and Uhiere within the clanship and traditional rulership of Sobe…We are in court with Sabongida Ora to determine the true boundary between Sobe and Avbiosi. This is an effort to reclaim our land in Ugbubezi, which is being gradually taken over by Sabongida Ora,” Avbayeru added, noting that this was why ‘we have invited our kit and kin from all the communities to join us in our celebration.’

On the integration of Sobe indigenes in Diaspora into the

•From left: Mr Odiodio, Mrs Garuba, Dr Avbayeru, Uwaifo and Ilegoma unveiling the block of classrooms

•Cultural performance by pupils of the college.

community’s developmental programmes, he said Mr Ajinde Agbede is co-ordinating the London wing of SDA, which could be extended to Canada and US. He, however, assured that the crisis of traditional leadership in the community following the disappearance of the Odibiado of Sobe, HRH Ebozeghe Ozogula (111), would soon be settled. In pursuance of this goal, AVM Ben Obadan (rtd) brokered peace between some aggrieved chiefs and leaders of the community.

The Principal, Sobe High School (Junior), Mrs S. Garuba listed science laboratory, electricity supply, library assem-

CBAAC honours 13 culture promoters

T

HE Centre for Black and Africa Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) at the Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, Ondo State has honoured 13 prominent Nigerians for their roles in promoting Africa cultures.

They include the popular Yoruba movie artist, Bolaji Amusan (a.k.a Baba Latin), the Olowo of Owo, Oba Folagbade Olateru Olagbegi III; the Provost of the institution, Prof. Adeyemi Idowu, Prof. Tunde Babawale, Prof. Wole Ogundele, Dr. Nathaniel Danjibo, Dr. Gboyega Ajayi, and Mufu Onifade; among others.

In his speech, the Adeyemi Young CBAAC Club Co-ordinator, Mr Peter Oyelola, commended the honourees for their crucial roles in ensuring that African culture remains relevant in the society.

Oyetola said CBAAC was established to restore the cultural heritage of Black Africans to project them for enhanced understanding.

He said CBAAC is also promoting the teach-

From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

ing of African culture in schools - in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.

His words: “CBAAC is working toward resurrecting the decaying African culture, such as our mode of dressing, communication, moral values. The group id also embarking on meaningful research that deals with culture history in African through reading and writing”. The co-ordinator, however, urged parents to continue to allow their children to learn the Africa culture, stressing that was another way of tackling the menace in the society.

“Our parents should note that foreign culture has destabilised our society, hardly have you seen young people nowadays who could greet the elders with respect. It is really sad that that our youths in the present generation that some of them cannot speak their dialects,” he added.

PHOTO: OZOLUA UHAKHEME

bly hall and computer education facilities as part of urgent needs of the school.

Present at the ceremony were Bishop Pandit Oburekin, Air-Vice Marshal Ben Obadan (rtd), Prof. Smart Uhakheme, the Rev. Sylvester Alele, the Rev. Tony Omogbare, Mr. Francis Sikpojie, Mr Francis Uwaifo, Mr Victor Oviosun, Chief M. J. Aleburu, Chief Palmer Uhakheme, Chief Cletus Owuze, Chief Ayo Aleburu and Mr P. Odidio.

Others were Mr Augustine Alele, Mrs. Violet Oburekin, Mr Martins Ilegoma, Mr Dele Avbayeru and Mr Pius Ohikhueme.

National Troupe in Israel for drama feast

A

TEAM from the National Troupe has left Nigeria for Israel to be part of a one week-long theatre festival.

The team comprises the Artistic Director Mr. Martin Adaji, the Guest Director, Prof Segun Ojewuyi, three actors sourced from the theatre community and three crew members including a stage manager and technical director.

While in Israel, the troupe will stage Femi Osofisan’s short play, The Engagement.

Perhaps one of Prof Osofisan’s least performed plays, The Engagement, is an adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s short play titled The Marriage Proposal.

Directed for the National Troupe by Prof Segun

Ojewuyi, The Engagement explores the intricate nature of human relationship. It humourously explores the many conflict surrounding the idea of ownership and the tendency of man to engage in some competition.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

32

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Museum chief harps on youths’ creativity

By Charity Williams

T

HE Director-General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Alhaji Yusuf Abdallah Usman, said the future of Nigeria lies in the development of children and youths.

He also said creativity and skills are vital for building sustainable and prosperous communities.

He spoke at the final of the national painting competition for physicallychallenged children, with the theme, Culture and tradition, a unifying factor in Nigeria, organised by National Museum, Lagos with Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO).

The competition is aimed providing a mechanism, to regularly assist in identifying and developing the creative talent inherent in special children to encourage and motivate them to take their rightful place in mainstream of society.

“When a child’s creativity is suppressed it may be lost forever and the child may be denied of skills required for impacting his/ her society,” he noted. According to him, arts have the capacity to nurture innate curiosity, spark and sustain a child‘s interest in the world and act as catalyst for development and leadership.

He therefore urged all children to test and nurture their artistic skills and develop their creative potential and show appreciation to the management of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production for demonstrating its love and commitment to the special children by the continued sponsorship of the programme.

The Acting Curator, National Museum, Lagos Vickie Agili, said this year’s theme sought to highlight what the participants considered culture. The event seeks to challenge the children to bring out the cultural similarities that unite Nigerians in spite of the seeming differences in language, dress and food.

She encouraged Nigerians to try their hands on art, which she described as a lucrative activity that awakens the senses to daily living and to our environment.

Participants at the competition were drawn from six geopolitical zones of the country and provided with materials for drawing and painting. They are physically challenged between ages 10 and 17, who are fully registered in primary and secondary schools.

They were given prizes for their efforts and participation.

Dairo Samson from the southwest zone emerged first winner, taking home an undisclosed amount of money and scholarship. Hadi Haladu from northcentral zone and Chukwudi Kido from southsouth zone won second and third prizes.

•From left: Mrs Oluwadamilola, Mr Okunnubi, Mrs Efeturi Abayomi (Head, Junior School), Mrs Igun, Mrs Toki Mabogunje (Book Reviewer), her mother Mrs Laja, Alhaji Funso (friend of the school) and Mrs Adefisayo, at the event.

Corona unveils poetry book

C

ORONA Secondary School Agbara, Ogun State has explored the creativity of some of its students.

The school unveiled a collection of poems, The Risen Sun, written by the students, who spiced the event with poetry performances.

The dramas were meant to bring to enliven some of the issues addressed in the poems, such as war, slavery, environment, future, friendship, death, life, teachers, sports, fun and teenage times.

The unveiling was attended by the school’s Vice-Principal (Pastoral), Mr Adeshina Okunnubi; his counterpart in Academics, Mrs Chinedum Oluwadamilare; CSS Director, Mrs Folashade Adefisayo; book reviewer, Mrs Toki Mabogunje, and Executive Director, Corona Schools Trust Council, Mrs Funto Igun, among other dignitaries.

In her review, Mrs Mabogunje described the 196-page book as an expression of the children’s creativity, saying children in their innocence, are known for saying it as it is than some adults, who often refrain from telling truth.

“When we read this book, we are left with the feeling of innocence, speaking truth about life to which, as adults, we should pay attention,” she said.

By Adegunle Olugbamila

Her interest in the poems, Mabogunje stressed, is more on the style of writing than their critiques. She commended the young poets, who wrote about the importance of family members in every child’s development, particularly those who dedicate 48 of the poems to mothers alone.

“These children all speak of the unconditional love of their mothers, her sacrifice, wise counsels and tender loving care. They expressed fear of her passing from this world to the next and the concern that they should have the opportunity to care for her in the same way that they were cared for when growing up,” she added.

Specifically, she lauded a poem by 12-yearold Etinosa, who praised fathers who spend quality time with their children.

Referring to poems dedicated to teachers, she said the pupils describe teachers as ‘treasures of knowledge, humble, obedient and respectful and one who prepares us for the future.’

She was impressed that though still very young, the children could write poems about life and sharing their daily experiences with readers. She advised the CSS to continue to place emphasis on arts and creativity.

‘I wish to encourage the school to continue to promote literary and creative arts,” she

said.

Director, Corona Secondary School, Mrs Folashade Adefisayo, described the poems as ‘very imaginative and creative.’ The poets, who were drawn from all arms of the school, commenced the project over a year ago. She said: “We do this to celebrate the children.

Children are great assets and out of their mouths come lots of wisdom. We are showcasing them and telling the world that they are not too young to do great things.

Aside this, I don’t believe children are leaders of tomorrow, but today’s leaders who must start taking leadership responsibilities.”

Mrs. Efeturi Abayomi said about 150 pupils drawn from different arms of the school contributed to the book.

“The book is an outstanding outing for us. We have these children write poems in other m a g a z i n e s a n d b o o k s , p a r t i c u larly a set of books published by the Young Writers in the UK. So, we decided to replicate same here in form of a book, but most importantly, to showcase that poems by these children are worth national and international standards.”

Head of Junior School, Mrs Abayomi, said plans are underway to publish other volumes of the books as well as make the one launch available online.

Forbes CSR Blogger Aman Singh, others to train journalists

F

ORBES CSR Blogger Aman Singh will be leading a team of facilitators for a media workshop on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sustainability reporting

in Africa.

With the theme Effective CSR reporting for media professionals, the organisers, ThistlePraxis Consulting said the initiative is aimed at building and strengthening human capacity for the Nigerian and African media industry on Corporate Social Responsibility and sustainability reporting in Africa. The CSR Strategy and Assessments firm added that they are committed to identifying and fostering these series of trainings with other willing partners and corporate sponsors as well as other regional bodies.

“The training is aimed at providing background information for accurate and effective media reporting of CSR activities, policies and strategies of businesses, operating within the African continent. This enables the media professionals to gain exposure to different dimensions and aspects of the practice that are beyond the scope of their communities or countries. It also seeks to enrich the educational and local experiences of reporting on CSR and other business issues through robust trainings and practical case studies in the field drawn from local and international organizations in Africa and finally, to make available to Africa

•Singh

•Onuk

By Evelyn Osagie

(in the long term) well-rounded and seasoned media professionals with a better and clearer understanding of Corporate Social Responsibility and sustainability as well as the motivation and ability to be advocates of the continent, acting as watchdogs for corporate institutions whilst contributing meaningfully to the growth and development of the profession within Africa.”

Although the organisers have not announced the date yet, the event, meant for journalists across the continent, will be a threeday affair that will hold in Lagos.

Hence, they are calling for applications interested media professionals. According to the organisers, applicants, who must be fluent in English Language, are requested to send in their applications via e-mails to trainings@thistlepraxisconsulting.com on or

before October 21, 2011. According to the organisers, organisations may nominate not more than two employees in each category: Print, Electronic and Digital. And this, they said, must be accompanied by written evidence of eligibility, which should include upto-date curriculum vitae; letter of confirmation from the Editor or Editor–in-Chief or Chief Executive Officer.

Other requirements include a proof of educational qualifications and a 150-word essay outlining the applicant’s motivation for participating in the training.

The organisers added that applicants must be able to pay airfares as well as foot transport arrangements to Lagos, Nigeria. Only selected candidates will be contacted.

Participants would be expected to commit three work days to attending after successful selection through a rigorous process. In addition, they are expected to work in close contact with the organisers for six weeks after the training in order to have their work and articles reviewed for content and technical compliance.

Aside Singh, other facilitators are Ken Egbas, Managing Partner, TruContact PR (organisers of SERAs/Nigeria CSR Awards); Ini Onuk, Lead Consultant/Chief Executive Officer, ThistlePraxis Consulting, Nigeria, and Executive Director, Ufhadili Trust in Kenya, MumoKivuitu.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

33

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

‘Why I want to be king’

D

ESPITE pockets of skirmishes that trailed this year’s Iwu (New yam) festival at Obulu Uku, in Delta State, a former British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) producer, Prince Edward Okwuchukwu Ofulue, 55, has expressed confidence in the sanctity of the community’s cultural norms and values, which are capable of fostering peaceful co-existence among the people.

Edward, who came from the United Kingdom for the festival described the event as an exciting and rewarding experience, noting that given the people’s level of participation, Iwu festival was hopeful. Iwu festival, which was held on September 30, was last held six years ago.

Earlier this year, 25 years after he was initiated by his late father as heir-apparent, Edward was in Ubulu-Uku to conclude some rites. He disclosed that while he was in Ubulu-Uku, he paid courtesy calls to some leading Obis in the area during which goodwill messages were exchanged. They included the Asagba of Asaba, Obi of Owa, Obi of Ubulu-Unor, Obi of Ubulu-Okiti, and Obi of Umunede.

He said as heir apparent to the throne, once occupied by his late father, Obi Edward Ofulue II, of Ubulu-Uku, who died three years ago, he went round the community visiting lots of the people during the Iwu festival that witnessed lots of cultural performances, dances, musical shows and merrymaking in the community. “It was a hopeful festival…My attendance was a symbolic gesture and I am happy that the festival has been restored after six years of inaction,” he said.

But, the event, according to him, took the turn for the worse as some angry people went loose to disrupt the peaceful celebration. “Hell let loose. We found ourselves besieged by some angry people. One of my cousins was beaten up in the process. The violence demonstrated, confirmed the stories of intimidation the people are going through in the community. And I am wondering who is behind all of this,” he said.

Notwithstanding all this, Edward remains resolute to pursue peaceful resolution of the crisis that is seemingly tearing the community apart. He assured that reconciliation is paramount in his mind because he never

•Edward, (Centre) and other participants at the festival

•Edward

By Ozolua Uhakheme Assistant Editor (Arts) wished to rule over a divided kingdom.

“Reconciliation will be paramount in

my mind. People must come together and live peacefully as brothers and sisters. And I have no wish to divide the land,” he declared.

On the lingering struggle to ascend the throne, the Umugwu of Ubulu-Uku said as

‘It was a hopeful festival…My attendance was a symbolic gesture and I am happy that the festival has been restored after six years of inaction...We got lots to do before the rituals leading to my coronation because of the present circumstances. It is not the question of my returning home but for the people to come to the realisation that the true process must be followed. Then we can later talk of the rituals.

There will be processes in place that will lead to my final return to ascend to the throne’ a cultured son of Ubulu-Uku, he believed that the people must first come to the realisation that true processes must be accepted and followed as only way out of the crisis between him and his younger brother, Akaeze, who is currently the sitting Obi of Ubulu-Uku. “We got lots to do before the rituals leading to my coronation because of the present circumstances. It is not the question of my returning home but for the people to come to the realisation that the true process must be followed. Then we can later talk of the rituals. There will be processes in place that will lead to my final return to ascend to the throne. Relocation to Nigeria is a preferable option, but for now, I still have to earn a living to support myself,” he said, in response to how he plans to relocate to his home town.

He stressed that his people must above all look at issue of birth right, rightful processes and the facts on ground concerning the ascension to the throne of Obi of Ubulu-Uku. The former BBC producer is not unmindful of the role of the Delta State government in the realisation of his struggle, saying “I am considering the government side which is key and critical to my struggle. The government was misled to giving staff of office to Akaeze. I don’t blame them for that. It simply shows that such process should not be repeated in the future.’

Mystery allergy causes woman to age by a decade

A

26-YEAR-OLD Vietnamese woman has left doctors baffled as she lost her once youthful appearance. Nguyen Thi Phuong believes that an allergic reaction to seafood she ate in 2008, caused the skin over her face and body to sag and wrinkle. It has come to light now, as she has shown her face in public for the first time since it happened.

Her story has led health experts to question what could have triggered her rapid aging as pictures show Phuong looking like two different people. Mrs Nguyen had been treating herself with various types of medication, from a local pharmacy as she and her husband could not afford to have her examined at a hospital.

She said: “I was really itchy all over my body. I had to scratch even while sleeping.

After one month of taking the drugs, I became less itchy but hives remained on my skin.

“Then I switched to traditional medicine and all the hives disappeared, together with my itching. However, my skin began to sag and fold.” The couple does not remember what the traditional medication was called, or which pharmacy they had bought it from. In 2009 they decided to stop using the remedy; from then on Phuong wore a face mask whenever she was in public.

From Bianca Ffolkes

She said: “The skin on my face, chest and belly has folds like an old woman who has given birth several times although I have never had a child. “But the rapid-aging syndrome hasn’t affected my menstrual cycle, hair, teeth, eyes and mind.”

Phuong’s husband, Thanh Tuyen, insists her story is true and continues to stand by his wife despite the loss of her youthful appearance. Tuyen said: “I married Phuong

‘The skin on my face, chest and belly has folds like an old woman who has given birth several times although I have never had a child. “But the rapid-aging syndrome hasn’t affected my menstrual cycle, hair, teeth, eyes and mind’

•Left: Nguyen Thi Phuong aged 21. Right: Now aged 26.

when she was a beautiful woman. I have followed her through her disease and have never been shocked at all.

“It’s not easy to talk about one’s own marital affairs. Just simply understand that I still love her very much.”Mrs Nguyen has not had much luck treating her condition but there still may be a happy ending.

Phuong was able to have a free consulta-

PHOTO: HOTSPOT MEDIA

tion at the Ho Chi Minh City Medicine and Pharmacy University Hospital, in Vietnam, with doctors who believed she may have been badly affected with the skin disease, mastocytosis. From this diagnosis, doctors hope that with medical treatment they will be able to restore between 50 and 70 per centr of her skin.

•Culled from Yahoo.com

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

34

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

•Members of DSFN on a visit to the Deputy Governor of Lagos, Mrs Orelope-Adefulire

•Members on a charity walk last Saturday

DSFN rolls out the drums at 10

T

HE Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria (DSFN) is 10. Since inception, it has been impacting the lives of persons with the medical defect known as Down Syndrome (DS) and their families, according to DSFN National President, Mrs Rose Mordi.

Going down memory lane, she said: “It has been a decade of advocacy, making an effort to make Nigerians understand that a person with Down syndrome is like you and me with potential and talents. We have tried to make them live independent lives by training them to make a living through skilled crafts, catering, bead making and production of flower vases and so on. We have counselled families on the importance of early intervention methods in the education of a child with Down syndrome.”

She added: “I am amazed that a small step has gone so many miles today in not only reaching out to people with Down syndrome, but has inspired into numerous individuals a desire to help persons with this learning challenge live better lives. In trying to make

By Evelyn Osagie

a difference, I met people who had the same vision and courage to join in this crusade to raise the awareness about Down Syndrome in Nigeria and beyond.

The group is marking its anniversary celebrations alongside its 2011 Awareness Week, tagged: Down Syndrome: 10 Years of advocacy, determination and achievements with series of activities, such as the ‘Charity Walk’. According Mrs Mordi, “the celebration promises to be exciting, eventful, informative and entertaining.”

The walk, held last Saturday Surulere,

kick-started the awareness week, which is a two-week event. The eightKilometre walk to-keep-fit was a fun filled event that started from the foundation’s Resource Centre at Adegoke Street through Lawanson, Itire Road, Western Avenue and terminated at the Union Bank Sports Complex compound. The adopted slogan for the celebration and awareness drive: One Extra Chromosome, One Extra Reason to Love.

She said the week is part of a global event supported by all DS groups worldwide. “We, at DSFN, use this period to focus our efforts in advocacy, awareness and fundraising, but the foundation is rolling out the drums to

‘I am amazed that a small step has gone so many miles today in not only reaching out to people with Down syndrome, but has inspired into numerous individuals a desire to help persons with this learning challenge live better lives. In trying to make a difference, I met people who had the same vision and courage to join in this crusade to raise the awareness about Down Syndrome in Nigeria and beyond’

Fighting child abuse

T

HE book, Child Sexual Abuse- a handbook for children eight plus, is a timeless script. It is apt for the subject matter as it demystifies erroneous beliefs based on either ignorance; fear or negligence on the parts of child, parent or guardian.

The book has nine chapters. Right from the prologue, the tone was outlined. The book is written for children from age eight to know and ask questions on child sexual abuse. The more interesting part is an evaluation page, called Activity Section, at the end of each chapter, which attempts to test the young readers’ absorption of facts as laid out on the pages in simple language.

It makes reading more interesting by employing graphics, bold prints and short life experiences in straightforward language.

Creating a reading culture, bonding between child and parent, as the latter is enlisted to read along with the former, and provide answers to boggling questions.

The author, Mrs Christianah Akindolire, did a good job as she was frank in calling spade a spade, not a farm implement. She identifies what constitutes sexual abuse of child, naming different parts of the body, encouraging children undergoing sexual abuse to tell or share experiences with adults, who may first not believe but with constant telling, there will be a turning point that will halt the activities of the abuser. She equally calls care givers to action, especially, parents.

The author devotes Chapter Six to empower readers, of the common tool readily employed by sexual abusers- building a culture of keeping secrets laden with threat to injure, kill or withdraw perceived good deeds

BOOK REVIEW Title: Child sexual abuse- a handbook for children eight+

Author: Mrs Christianah Akindolire Reviewer: Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha Publisher: Book- Connect Ventures Pages: 57 done to victims. The author left a last minute Pledge page to also keep the readers on their toes by encouraging them to sign up the page, keep and refer to same constantly.

It also attempts a gentle reminder of acceptable norm of when, where and how a young reader can undress. And who can touch certain parts of the body, and the circumstance, for example a doctor examining for medical reason, and a parent being there.

A parent can hug a child. The author did a good job by differentiating good touches from bad or suggestive/abusive touches.

The high point of the book, as a proactive/ preparatory work is highlighting sexual safety tips, including encouraging the young readers not to sit on adults’ laps-male or female. Stating that fact-there is nothing to fear either by being bold, or sharing with parents, bad experiences.

The book dwells more on female sexual abuse than males. Though the book was all gloss, but since the book is meant for young readers, it should have come in hard paper back. In its subsequent editions, the author

should endeavour to proof read very well, as young readers may be taught bad English, example is ‘seat’ on page 53, instead of ‘sit’.

The author should also give more details of the punishments melted to sexual abusers.

That should encourage more readers to open up than stilling and stifling their emotion.

As sexual abuses can come from anybody, anywhere, anytime, especially if a child does not know what will be done to sexual abusers.

The book is recommended to parents, guardians, teachers and other care givers who are set to empower their children with adequate information on child sexual abuse, especially in preventing such.

celebrate a decade of being in existence as an organisation that started with an primary objective of advocating persons with DS in Nigeria as well as raising required awareness, education and enlightenment about the condition across the country.”

She noted that this year’s week is special “because for 10 years, the foundation has been able to effectively function as an advocacy centre determined to create adequate and requisite awareness about DS generally and in the Nigerian society in particular”.

Prior to the walk, as part of its awareness campaign, DSFN paid a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire last Friday.

DSFN praised the support of the Lagos State government for people with DS and the foundation’s activities over the years.

Mrs Orelope-Adefulire commended the foundation for its efforts towards giving the lives of persons with DS a meaning.

Other activities lined-up include an international seminar to discuss educational, medical and socio-economic issues of DS in Nigeria, which will hold on October 25 and 26 at the Grange School, Ikeja. It will feature speakers from across the world, who specialise in DS education and management of persons with learning disabilities. They include Executive Director, Down Syndrome, South Africa (DSSA), Mrs Vanessa Dos Santos; Mrs Penelope Green, Director, Down’s Heart (UK); Prof. Paul Ajuwon, Department. of Counselling and Special Education, Missouri State University US; Executive Director, Paceworking Events and Consultancy (UK), Mrs Seye Aina; Mrs Delphine Misan-Arenyeka, Executive Director, Startrite Mayton Ltd (Nig), and Dr Janet N. Ajuluchukwu, Associate Professor, Cardiology, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

The 10th anniversary gala night tagged: Unplugged, will hold on Thursday, October27 at the Lagoon Restaurant, Victoria Island, Lagos. The event will offer the foundation an opportunity to hold its fundraiser for the construction of the Down Syndrome Foundation National Resource Centre at Ikorodu, Lagos.

“Our aim this year is to raise as much funds as we can towards the target of N100 Million which would commence the development of this targeted properly equipped educational resource centre. Also, at the Gala night, a documentary entitled: The Journey So Far, will be showcased along with an official unveiling of the Down 2 Earth magazine coupled with an exhibition of craft works made by children of DSFN,” Mrs Mordi said.

The awareness week will end with a thanksgiving service and Family Funfair on Sunday, October 30 at the Union Bank Sport Complex, Lagos.On the day,there will involve a novelty football tournament featuring five-aside team-Children, Female and Men- will be played on a league basis.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

35

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

The dance of life, death

A

S famished vultures stared at us with unconcealed morbid fixation, I wore a devilish grin as I excavated the hand grenade, still unexploded, from the warweary soil of Abagana. Gingerly, I picked bits and pieces of dirt and rust from its metallic solidity. Biodun, my friend who stooped next to me as I unearthed the deadly contraption, was visibly impressed.

“You son-of-a-gun!” Biodun muttered, as I brandished my prize. “What on earth are you going to do with it now?”

“I’ll keep it on my war altar at home and sketch it. I’ll make painting from it,” I said without hesitation.

“Idiot! It’s illegal to keep such things at home,” Biodun yelled. “We must take it to the police station.” With a shrug, I agreed.

Carefully, I wrapped the grenade with a large cocoyam leaf that I plucked from a plant thriving by the roadside.

“I better come with you before you do something even more stupid,” Biodun added.

“Besides, I know where the police station is located in Abagana. And I don’t trust you not to take it home and blow yourself up while tinkering with it.”

We went to the nearest bus stop and caught the first bus to the police station, a ride of about fifteen minutes through several winding and bumpy dirt streets. I clutched the grenade wrapped in the cocoyam leaf, as the bus lurched from side to side, trying to avoid the potholes on the streets. Inside the overcrowded bus, passengers chatted among themselves, exchanging Chrismas greetings and smiles. Biodun and I could not find a vacant seat in the packed bus, so we stood in the crowded aisle at the back. I clutched the handrail at the roof of the bus with my free hand. A pregnant woman pressed her distended belly against me. I shifted my body to minimize the contact between us. I wondered how she would she react if she knew that her belly was pressing against a live grenade.

Eventually we arrived at a bus station next to a small building with patterns of patched bullet holes on the walls. A faded signboard nailed to the top of the building read “Nigeria Police Force, Abagana,” Biodun and I got off the bus, matched to the building, and entered the main open door. Only one officer was in the police station, which clearly was a converted family house. He had his head on the table, and appeared to be sleeping. “Probably drunk from pre-Christmas partying,” Bidodun muttered. I added, “And mad as hell he has to be on duty on Christmas Eve.” I tapped on his table, and he woke up with a bored expression, wiped his mouth with the back of his wrist, and said something like, “Oginni kwenu? What’s the problem, youth corpers?” He had immediately noticed the NYSC cap rammed over Biodun’s shaved head.

“None,” I replied. “I found this thing buried in the middle of the street.” I placed the cocoyam package on his table, and carefully unwrapped it.

“What is it?” he snapped, impatient, as I gingerly went through the unveiling.

“A hand grenade,” I said calmly.

He shot up from his seat, and shouted, “A what?”

“Grenade,” I repeated. “Apparently some relics of Biafra war. It did not explode. Safety pin is still intact.”

“Safety what?” he yelled. Before I could reply, he darted out through the door, and stood outside the building, his jaws agape. He move briskly to a motorcycle packed next to the wall, and sat on it, as if about to take off.

We made to join him outside, and I began to wrap the grenade with the cocoyam leaf.

“Leave it there on the table,” he screamed at me. “Idiot! Are you trying to kill me on Christmas day?” He was actually sweating.

“Hand grenade inside cocoyam leaf! And you brought it wrapped like a Christmas present to my office. If you wan’ commit suicide, what of me? I get wife and pickins, and my mama still dey!”

Biodun and I stared at him speechless.

“Both of you are idiots!” he snarled at us.

•Dance of life From Moyo Okediji

He looked at Biodun’s NYSC cap, and added, “Mad youth corpers!”

“So what shall we do now?’ I asked him.

“Wait here make I go call sergeant at home.

Dis one big pass me.”

He leaned forward on his motorcycle, kicked the starter, and disappeared into an alley.

“What are we waiting for?” I asked Biodun after a moment of silence. “Let’s get out of here.” We returned to the main street and took different buses home. He departed to his place in Abagana, and I boarded a bus to Awka where I lived.

Unable to sleep that night, I took a walk through the campus of the College of Education, Awka, where I taught. It was about two in the morning. Occasionally, faint reports of firecrackers came from the direction of the town. They had been banned since the beginning of the civil war, but some people broke the law and celebrated Christmas with these firecrackers. The full moon was out and the night was almost as bright as noon. Flat and well groomed by the gardeners, the college campus was large. I lived in a colonial-type building constructed with stone, hardly blighted by civil war scars that marked most building.

Before the war, the school was known as St. Paul’s College, a grade-two teacher training institution. The stone building housed the principal of the school. During the war, the campus became a military barrack, and the stone house quartered the Biafran brigade commander and his family, before the town fell. The Awka Trade Center across the street from the campus served as a research center for Biafran military technology. After the

war, the campus of St. Paul’s College became the College of Education, Awka, an NCE awarding institution. The stone building had been vacant since it was abandoned during the war. The current provost of the college asked janitors to clean a section of the old building to house me, when I arrived to teach art as a new NYSC posting to the college. I occupied only a tiny two-room section of the large elegant stone building. Another NYSC member occupied another tiny section. A huge section of the building was left vacant.

Everybody knew the mansion as The Castle.

That Christmas Eve, troubled by insomnia, I returned to The Castle, but not to my apartment in it. I decided to explore the old building, and went to the vacant central apartment. I tried the lock, and it was locked, just as I expected. A giant arched window was next to the door. Reaching through the broken windowpanes, I undid the window latch, opened the window and climbed in. I expected to be hit by a thick wad of cobwebs. But the room felt and smelt clean. I fidgeted against the wall for the light switch, miraculously found it, and the light went on to my surprise.

Although a little dusty, the apartment looked recently cleaned.

I wandered into what probably served as the officer’s kitchen during the war. The main furniture was a huge dining table pulled next to the wall. On another table, with candle wax marks and burns all over its top, sat a rosary with a broken crucifix. The table had a large drawer in the center. I pulled the knob and opened the

drawer. In it I found a single brown notebook with the back was dirty and torn. In fading pencil marks, someone wrote on the back of the notebook, in careful calligraphic scripts, Dairy of Biafra Solder. Land of Risen Son. I eagerly turned the cover to begin reading, but was disappointed.

The pages were mostly stuck together and the faded writing faint and illegible. But I could make out a few words. My recollection of the content, replete with bad spellings and grammatical errors, is as follows: “My name is Inosent Okafo—— fifteene years of age…. I afred but redi to dye for contry….” The notebook numbered about thirty leaves, with back and front writing. Only a few of the first couple of lines were still legible because the writing in pencil was smudged and faded.

Water or some other liquid had glued the leaves into a solid block. I tried to separate the frail pages, but they ripped and shredded as I attempted to pry them open.

• Okediji is of University of Texas in Austin, US

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

36

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

Journalist-poet takes fans to Wonderland

H

E stands with his eyes looking straight ahead. The eyes not looking at anything in particular… lost in his stance, his lip is chanting lyrical lines in Yoruba and then, in English. The lyrical lines rush out in torrents soothing the air and minds. The mastery with which he flows from Yoruba Ijala chant into English has never failed to steal the hearts of his audience.

Sometimes, wearing a wide but mysterious smile, he speaks as one lost in a trance of the god of poetry. Perhaps his dreamy eyes are in a reverie of Wonderland. Only the poet could tell. But this is no ordinary poet. You are likely to find his type walking on the street called creativity. He is an award-winning poet and an enchanting poet performer, Akeem Lasisi.

Encountering him on stage is always a refreshing experience. His skills in the art of weaving together poetic lines in English and Yoruba, his mother tongue, have endeared many to his art. He toes the lines of his forebears – the Yoruba oral poets. The poetic forms such as Ijala, Esa Egungun, Iremoje, Ekun Iyawo and Ege Egba have greatly inspired Lasisi, popularly known as Iremoje, a poem that has become his fan’s favourite. He brings such experience to bear into the modern form of the art.

Described as a journalist by day and poet by night, Lasisi is a two-time winner of the ANA/Cadbury Prize for Poetry. IREMOJE: Ritual Poetry for Ken Saro-Wiwa, a moving tribute to the late Ogoni activist and writer, earned him the prize in 2000 and his Night of my Flight in 2005. His work, Ekun Iyawo: The Bride’s Chant, also makes an interesting read.

Some of his works have also attracted critical attention. Anthony Oha has appraised his ritual poetry in his critical work, A LexicoSemantic Explication of Akeem Lasisi’s Iremoje .

Yomi Olusegun-Joseph of the Lagos State University (LASU) takes a critical deep into the poet’s ‘bridal poetry’ in a journal article entitled: The Unfortunate generation writes back: The signifying tears of Akeem Lasisi’s night of my flight.

Lasisi has graced many stage and events with his poetic lyrics such as those by the Ford Foundation, British Council, French Cultural Centre, the USIS and Goethe Institut. He performed at Globacom’s A Night with Wole Soyinka; MTN’s Marathon Race Party; and GTBank’s Social Evening. He was part of the performers at POETRY Africa, held in Durban, South Africa in 2003; and Africultures, Berlin, Germany in 2009.

Explaining what inspires his rich and enthralling poetry, Lasisi said: “I am inspired to write by the need to express myself creatively. The need to express some of the poetic heritage I share as a Yoruba man, the need to communicate my mind, express my

which followed five years later. Unlike Post Mortem that centres on the tensions generated by the annulment of the June 12 presidential election and Ori Agbe that celebrates Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, Wonderland subtitled; Eleleture highlights a number of socio-cultural issues in Lasisi’s trademark fusion of rich Yoruba and English.

The album’s first track, Eleleture (Not a Small World) reflects on love in its verse and chorus. The title track, Wonderland, is about the many contradictions in the country.

Listeners will find the track, Asabi Alakara very hilarious. It is a satire about a streetwise lady alert to the designs of men trying to take advantage of her. Deregulation and the attendant issue of current pricing of petroleum products engage the poet in Pareke.

Omo a Bo praises ‘poet of the market place’, Niyi Osundare, for his sterling qualities as a writer. In it, the United States-based poet, a mentor of Lasisi, is loudly celebrated with stirring Ekiti choruses and poems.

The last track, Erin Karele, is a soulful dirge for slain Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige, whose killers have not been apprehended 10 years after. Ige, who once prayed for Lasisi after an impressive performance at his 70th birthday in Ibadan, described him as a “young wizard of Yoruba and English Poetry.” The track is a fitting tribute to Ige who is himself an accomplished wordsmith.

Poets, others on stage for Lasisi

•Lasisi

By Evelyn Osagie

convictions on various issues and to entertain people, have continued to inspire me to write.”

For those who have encountered him and wished for more, the launch of his poetry album entitled: Wonderland, will come as a

thrilling innovation. He brings his years of experience to bear his latest album which, like others, is a blend of music and poetry.

The six-track album featuring actor and singer Ropo Ewenla and dreadlocks-wearing performer, Edaoto Agbetuyi, is Lasisi’s third. Post Mortem, released in 1999, is the poet’s first effort; his second is Ori Agbe,

Seasoned performance poets will join Lasisi, an eminent member of their clan, on Saturday, October 29. His album launch at the Hotel 1960 (behind Jabita Hotel), Ikeja, Lagos, by noon. On stage musician and poet, Beautiful Nubia; poetesses Iquo Eke, Funmi Aluko; Jumoke Verrisimo; Evelyn Osagie, and Segun Adefila’s Crown Troupe of Africa, among others, will perform.

Founder of Juli Pharmacy and former chair, O’dua Conglomerate, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, is expected to chair the event while foremost art collector and founder of the Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art Foundation (OYASAF), Prince Yemisi Shyllon, the chief presenter.

Lasisi wrote, Right Option English: Lexis and Structure for Secondary School Students and Goodness and Messi: A Collection of Jokes.

Born in Ibadan, Oyo State in 1967, Lasisi attended Ibadan District Council School, Solalu; Iroko Community Grammar School, Iroko; Oyo (now Osun) State College of Education, Ila Orangun; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife; and the University of Lagos, where he studied for his Masters and is at present a doctoral student.

Baby wins in milk promo

F

EW weeks after Oghenetega Onaraka, a three-year-old boy won N250,000 for his family, a new record has been set as 19 -m o n t h - o l d b a b y , l i t t l e Chukwudimelu Ezeanya, emerged as the youngest winner in the ongoing Win Cash with Loya Milk promo.

Master Ezeanya won in the second prize category of N150, 000. According to his mother, Mrs. Adaobi Ezeanya, his entry was submitted alongside others from the family.

Mrs. Ezeanya, who initially thought the call made through to inform her about the win was from fraudulent people, said: “We have been taking Loya Milk for a long time because of its high calcium. We use at least one tin in a week and since the draw began, we have been following it.

When the call came through that Chukwudimelu had won N150, 000 I initially thought they were fraudsters only for them to call me again” Mrs. Ezeanya said.

When asked how the money would be spent, Mrs. Ezeanya said: “The money is for the family. We will go home and decide on what and how we

will spend it”.

Also, Mr. David Okeregbe who works with Lagos based Non-Governmental Organisation, Global Ace Hope Foundation emerged winner of the 3rd prize category of N100, 000 in the promotion. According to him, he got involved in the promo after reading an article about the promo in the papers and decided to participate. ”I didn’t really know about the promotion. It was when I read a story on it in the Punch newspaper that I decided to enter for the promotion because I always buy Loya Milk.

Since then I have been submitting entries and five of my entries were accepted.

Mr. Okeregbe who expressed confidence in the promo because of the companies involved said he would give out some of his prize money up for charity. “Immediately I received the call, I knew it was genuine because Promasidor is a very credible company and also KPMG. I will give out most of the money for charity as well as other items.

For this Lagos-based secretary, who won the first prize category of N250,

•From left: Mr. Stephen Opayemi, GM, Logistics, Promasidor Nigeria Limited; Mrs. Adaobi Ezeanya and her baby, Chukwudimelu, winner of N150, 000 (second prize) and Mr. Olusegun Koleoso, Business Development Manager, Promasidor, at the presentation of the Win Cash with Loya milk promo in Lagos.

000, Ms. Oladeji Janet Abiola, the money will be used for her ongoing personal project after paying her tithe.

“After paying my tithe, I will use the remaining money for my personal project. When Teju called me I didn’t believe him. Later I looked at my phone to be sure I wasn’t

dreaming until I got the second call to come pick up my prize,” Ms. Oladeji added.

Promasidor, the leading food company, launched the N50 million “Win Cash with Loya” milk promotion to reward its teeming consumers.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

38

ABUJA REVIEW Senate seeks revenue board for FCT

T

•Muhammed

H

IS pedigree speaks eloquently for him. If it had been in the civil service, Senator Effiong Dickson Bob would have been described as one who grew through the ranks. In politics, Bob also grew through the ranks to prepare himself for local and national services.

Before his election as a Senator in 2003, Bob served as a councilor and a council chairman of his local government. He also served as Deputy Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly before being appointed Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the state.

But against the prediction of book makers, he was, it was alleged, deliberately schemed out of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary election in April by the powers that be in his home state.

Being a man who is not deterred by man-made temporary setback, Senator Bob is soldiering on to the admiration of his teeming supporters.

On Tuesday, October 11, Bob, who used to hold his colleagues in the Sixth Senate spell bound by his unassailable contributions added another feather in his cap.

He donated 585 copies of the book Independence of the Legislature in Nigeria: Matters Arising to the National Universities Commission (NUC) for onward distribution to 117 federal, state and private universities.

To many who witnessed the event, the donation was exemplary. But more commendable, they said, was the fact that Bob found time to share his experience as a councilor, a member of House of Assembly and a Senator in a book.

Executive Secretary of NUC, Professor Julius Okojie, who received the books on behalf of the struggling Nigerian universities and Senator Uche Chukwumerije Chairman, Senate Committee on Education, , who presented the books, were amazed.

Simplicity-personified as ever, Bob said the book donation was his humble contribution towards the growth of education in the country.

He said: “I’m happy at the opportunity accorded me by the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Professor Julius Okojie, to make this contribution. I waited until I left the Senate, after serving for two terms, before making this donation so that people

HE Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory has advised the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to expedite action on the setting up of a revenue board.

The board will aid in collection of taxes and tenement rates to increase its internally-generated revenue (IGR).

The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Smart Adeyemi, who led other members of the committee to the Minister of the FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed said with the slash in the 2011 statutory budget of the FCT, there was the need to seek alternative ways of generating revenue in order to finance

From Bukola Amusan

and develop some of the ongoing projects in the city.

He promised that FCT bills such as the Property bill, the resettlement and compensation bills, as well as the Abuja Geographic Information System Acts among others pending before the National Assembly will be passed to give legislative backing to them.

With the legislative backing, Adeyemi said, residents will be able to pay taxes on property in the city to agencies in charge without impediments.

“The agencies have been operat-

ing illegally without proper legislation. They have been collecting revenues illegally since they have not been backed by the law. There is the need to strengthen them,” he said.

He suggested that more funds should be appropriated to the Department of Development Control to function effectively in its bid to restore the Abuja Master Plan.

“Beggars and miscreants are increasing in the city daily, our BRT scheme is not functional yet, we don’t have licensed taxis yet, and our educational facilities have been jam-packed. There is need to generate more funds to put some of these things in place through the

revenue board.

“Lagos is working because most of these things are in place. Anybody that erects property in Lagos is made to pay tax. Nobody is above the law.

I wish Fashola can decamp to our party to also make some things work,” he said.

Responding, the FCT Minister directed the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Nathaniel Olorunfemi to work out the modalities for the establishment of the revenue board within one week.

Mohammed said since Abuja is a no man’s land with about 1, 000 people entering the city on a daily basis, there is need to inject fresh ideas to move the city forward.

Lawmaker donates books to varsities From Onyedi Ojiabor

will not read undue political meanings and suggest that I want to gain political capital through this act. This is purely a humanitarian gesture.”

He explained that the idea of writing a book on the independence of the legislature in Nigeria occurred to him shortly after he was elected to the Senate in 2003.

“Before then, I had served as a councilor and later council chairman of my local government; Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly before being appointed Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice. While serving in these offices, it became clear to me that the doctrine of Separation of Powers as captured in our constitution has been hardly implemented.

“At the National Assembly, the story was, and is not quite different.

There are always attempts by the Executive to hijack and or, at least manipulate the functions and decisions of the legislature.

“Across the country, in the State Houses of Assembly, there were, and still are, obvious cases of executive interference in the sacred functions of the legislature. ”Most State Houses of Assembly are under the firm grips of state governors up to the point of deciding who serves as a principal officer or committee chairman. Bills passed by the legislature are often rejected by the executive.

“Where they are signed into law, they are hardly implemented. This is the focus of this book. It explores the relationship between the two arms of government; and even the judiciary. All the issues discussed and cited in this book are slightly historical but mostly current.”

Apart from lifting the standard of education in the country, Bob is also convinced that students of political science, law, history and the academic community will find the book useful.

What is more, he charged others who have participated in governance in the country to help expand the discourse and enrich the lives of students in tertiary institutions.

“We cannot stand aside and complain that the standards of education have fallen. If this is true, then all of us are guilty of negligence. We must step in now and rescue the system,” he added.

As a man who wants the best for his country, he also had a word of caution for the government on the contentious issue of new universities.

“It is my belief that government must exercise control in opening of new federal universities. Emphasis should rather be laid on proper funding and furnishing of the existing ones.

“And in approving establishment of new private universities, government must ensure that the highest standards are maintained so as to bridge the gap between graduates of private universities and public universities.

“We cannot afford to produce graduates that cannot compete in international labour markets. I also

want to appeal to students to make the best for themselves out of the existing system.

“Most of us standing here are products of Nigerian universities. If we could make it, then you cannot be an exception if you study hard and avoid distractions. Students must be focused and committed to academic work,” he said.

Senator Bob also appealed to the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to do everything possible to avoid another round of strike in the universities.

For him, “this is not the time to grandstand but rather the time to negotiate,” especially when the problems of Nigerian universities are not beyond solution.

“It requires political will and a deep sense of patriotism. If this country must produce competent leaders of tomorrow, we must today rise up and do whatever is possible to ensure

This is not the time to grandstand but rather the time to negotiate, especially when the problems of Nigerian universities are not beyond solution…It requires political will and a deep sense of patriotism

smooth academic activities in Nigerian universities,” he advised.

He did not end his speech without saying that 585 copies of the book Independence of the Legislature in Nigeria: Matters Arising were meant for 117 federal, state and private universities and donation made to the glory of God Almighty and for the enrichment of our intellectual community.

Okojie described the book as a must read for everybody in the country and beyond. The NUC Executive Secretary promised that sometime in the near future, the electronic copy of the book will be available for Nigerians to benefit from the book.

But for Chukwumerije, the efforts made by Bob should be emulated by all lovers of the country’s future.

“He has made history today. He is telling Nigerians that everybody can contribute to the revival of education.

He is also blazing a trail to the answer to the collapse of education sector. It is a very precious contribution to the university system. I share the joy of all lovers of Nigeria future and lovers of education,” Chukwumerije said.

The lawmaker, who hardly praises people also had this to say about Bob: “For the eight years he was in the Senate, he created an image for himself. He raised the quality of debate in the Senate. Throughout his stay in the Senate, he never gave up an inch on issue of principle. No wonder he was respected.”

•From left: Secretary, Itire-Ikate LCDA, Olugbenga Oyebode; Party Chairman, Mr Musiliu Balogun; Hon Hammed Oyelaja; Hon Fatai Ashogbon and Hon Bola Lawal during the Fidau of the late Alhaja Sidikat Apatira in Lagos

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

39

ABUJA REVIEW Motorists bemoan lack of parking space

M

OTORISTS have lamented the lack of parking space in the Federal Capital Territory, a condition which is worsening the traffic situation in the city.

The traffic wardens, Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) and men of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) are finding it difficult to control the situation.

As a result of lack of parking space, motorists now park indiscriminately on the road thereby narrowing the space for easy passage of oncoming vehicles.

More often than not, the FRSC and police officers help clear; impound or tow vehicles that are parked at undesignated locations within the capital city. But the motorists are complaining that there are no parking spaces where they could park their cars.

Narrating his experience, John Ugo, a motorist said: “My three years of staying in Abuja has been like living in hell. Several times I had to use commercial buses because of this problem of parking space.”

To avoid arrest by FRSC, he said he had resorted to the use of commercial buses or taxis, adding that it would also make him get to his destination on time.

George Ugba, who works with a non-governmental organisation, recalled how he lost his Honda car at Banex Plaza area, a year ago.

He said: “It was a painful experience because I bought that car the same year it was stolen. I entered one of the shops to purchase a gift for my friend’s wedding. It was a problem before I even got a space to park. I was not satisfied with that space but I used it, not knowing it was going to cost me my car. I will advice that space should be created as car parks and security for life and property should be looked into to ensure that there is safety in this city,” he added.

Francis Adams, an inspector commander with the FRSC, said in the past two years, there has been increase in the number of cars entering Abuja daily due to relocation of people to neighbouring satellite towns where accommodation is fairly affordable.

“At the Central Business District, there is a commercial parking lot where you can park your car and pay, then after office hours, you come and get your car.

It will be better to open a parking space where people can come and park their cars.

“If we get to see your vehicle on the street, we tow it to our office and you pay a certain amount of money before we release it to you. We have gone on air several times telling people not to park their cars at spots marked ‘no parking.’

I urge the government to look into this matter so that there will be space for parking in Abuja.

The accidents on the roads have not been frequent because we pack them whenever we see them on the street,” he explained.

The FRSC official said the issue of parking recklessly is an attitudinal problem because when Nigerians travel outside this country, they obey the rules and regulations of those countries they travelled to.

From Bukola Amusan and Anne Udeze

“Meanwhile, in our country, we are the defaulters. We should stop parking carelessly so that we can avoid accidents and road blocks,” he added.

To address the problem, the FCTA said it had mandated the Development Control Department to ensure that it embarks on policies geared towards creating parking spaces within and outside the city.

The Development Control said that residential buildings that were turned into commercial buildings have also compounded the problem. ”It will be better to obey the planning standard of the development control so that this problem will be avoided,” the unit Director Yahaya Yusuff said.

To ease the problem of parking lots, the unit, during the week, embarked on the demolition of illegal structures within the city.

In the Gana Street of Maitama, illegal attachments that were constructed on spaces earmarked for parking lots in various shopping malls within the area were demolished.

Some banks in the area also have their own bitter share of the experience as additional structures that were not in their building plans were demolished to create parking space for customers who usually park on the road.

Also, in the Gimbiya District of the city which houses various recreational facilities, schools, churches and even hotels, the unit said it cannot afford to spare the area as it has become a notorious area for traffic snarl in the city.

Commercial motorists dread going to the area on weekdays because of gridlock.

The popular Prinz Garden that

•Abuja

At present, any building we are going to approve of must meet the parking requirement, but the improvement brought by the enforcement of parking lots in new developments can only be seen in years ahead when those developments are completed houses the Sugarland Entertainment, the Ibiza Foods and a few others felt the impact of the bulldozers of the development control unit.

The Coordinator of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, Reuben Okoya, an Architect, alongside the Development Control boss, Yusuf la-

mented the situation.

“At present, any building we are going to approve of must meet the parking requirement, but the improvement brought by the enforcement of parking lots in new developments can only be seen in years ahead when those developments are completed,” Okoya said.

According to him, some agencies had shown interest in the development of some multi-national car parks like the one in Area 10, but they have been dragging their feet because they do not know the economic viability.

He said that the Abuja Investment Company was already looking into that issue, adding that if these multi-level car parks were there, it would surely solve the problem of parking spaces.

“The standard requirement for a parking lot in residential buildings is two parking lots per family while in commercial buildings the full spaces differ in sizes, standard and the plot requirement is 75square perimeter to determine the parking lots. I believe if these standards are obeyed, it will be easy for us to have a complete building without having a parking space,” he added.

Secretariat seals off illegal health centre

T

HE Health and Human Services Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) at the weekend sealed off Medicaid Radiology at Wuse 2 for rendering clinical services which it was not registered for.

A team led by the Secretary, Dr. Demola Onakomaiya, stormed the private health centre, placing a ban on its operations pending when the proprietor meets the required standard as stipulated by the secretariat.

Dr Onakomaiya told journalists that the exercise is a routine one embarked upon in a bid to further sensitise the activities of both government and private health establishments.

From Bukola Amusan

He said that the Private Health Establishment Registration and Monitoring Committee saddled with this responsibility has embarked on closure of several similar unregistered health facilities in the FCT. The Secretary explained that the health centre was found to be rendering services for which it was not certified, hence the closure.

“The Medicaid Radiology is registered with FCT health to render radiologic diagnostic services, but was found to have a clinic in the premises where patients were treated by personnel whose qualifications have not been ascertained by the

The Medicaid Radiology is registered with FCT health to render radiologic diagnostic services, but was found to have a clinic in the premises where patients were treated by personnel whose qualifications have not been ascertained by the health authority

health authority,” he said.

Onakomaiya, who emphasised that the facilities for such services being rendered were noted to be inadequate, said the secretariat is geared to step up the standard of healthcare in the FCT. He advised all owners of private health centres to ensure that they strictly render services they are registered to provide, and to visit the registrar’s office in order to update their records when necessary.

In another development, the Secretariat has donated drugs worth N1m to Alheri Leprosy Clinic at Yangoji in Kwali Area Council.

This is part of efforts towards ensuring the welfare of the less privileged in the territory.

Onakomaiya, who made the donation, expressed the determination of the FCTA towards providing quality healthcare services to Abuja residents, irrespective of their location.

He stressed that the administration is making effort in ensuring that the less privileged members of the society have a feel of the dividends of democracy.

Onakomaiya said that the

Health Secretariat, through its Department of Public Health, had procured equipment and essential drugs, and had also deployed trained health personnel to the clinic.

The secretary explained that the services rendered in the hospital are subsidised by 90 per cent.

According to him, plans have been concluded to commence maternal, neonatal and child health services that include antenatal care delivery and free treatment of children under the age of five at the hospital.

In order to impact on the lives of the people, he appealed to philanthropists, corporate organisations and all Nigerians to collaborate with the FCTA through their various outreach programmes targeted at alleviating poverty.

The Director Public Health Department Dr. Folashade Momoh said by establishing the Alheri Special Clinic in Yangoji in May 2006, the Secretariat was mandated to provide medical care services for the persons affected by leprosy (PALS) and their families, who were relocated from Durumi to Yangoji.

40

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

The lawmaker pointed out that the gesture will also alleviate the burden of the parents in buying necessary textbooks and notebooks for their children

Lawmakers empower constituents

S

OME lawmakers in Ondo State House of Assembly have rewarded the people who elected them into office.

One of them representing Irele constituency Hon. Afolabi Iwalewa empowered his constituents with the distribution of education materials to school pupils in Junior Secondary School (JSS) I across the local government.

Iwalewa said the gesture was to reduce the burden of parents in providing educational materials to their wards.

The items included several bundles of notebooks and assorted textbooks worth over N2million.

While distributing the books, the lawmaker, Hon. Iwalewa said he decided to reciprocate the gesture of his constituents in electing him to represent them at the state Assembly.

Besides, the legislator pointed out that he was contributing to the intellectual development of young children in the constituency.

He urged people to develop more interest in the educational development of the students who are leaders of tomorrow.

His words: “I noticed with serious concern that Irele Local Government is not rated low, but the exigencies of our political environment and representation have brought our social political and educational development very low.

“We have recorded mass failure across our post-primary institutions in both West African Examination Council and Joint

•Hon. Iwalewa presenting a packet of notebooks to one of the school principals while the speaker’s representative, Hon. Gbenga Edema looks on From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination in the recent past.

He said the solution is to provide all public secondary school, and libraries in Irele council with the latest set of books.

The lawmaker pointed out that the gesture will also alleviate the burden of the parents in buying necessary textbooks and note-

books for their children.

He said the idea was a concept he evolved out of his own personal interest for education.

Speaking during the event, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly Hon. Samuel Adesina represented by Hon. Gbenga Edema urged students to cultivate the habit of extensive reading in order to salvage the falling standard of education in the country.

Also, the lawmaker representing Owo constituency I at the state Assembly, Hon. Ayodele Arowele distributed over 45,000 note books to all primary school in the constituency.

According to him, “I am motivated to assist my people for their support in electing me as their representative at the state Assembly”.

Arowele said the gesture would be on regular basis as much as he remains a legislator at the Assembly.

He said education remains a good legacy that could be bestowed on children, while pointing out that primary school education is vital because of being the foundation for all academic institutions.

Arowele urged the people in the area to support Mimiko’s administration in its bid to bring unprecedented development to the state.

The representative of Ose constituency at the state Assembly,

Mrs. Fola Olasehinde went on a thank-you tour of her constituency.

Olasehinde said he has procured employment forms at the federal level meant for 50 youths from the council.

The lawmaker said immediately after the recruitment exercise commences, she would throw her weight behind it The legislator donated a substantial amount of money to widows in the constituency and held meetings with chairmen and supervisors in various wards in Ire-Akari community on how to move the local government forward.

At the forum, the Vice Chairman, ward I, Afo Mr. Emmauel Egunjobi appealed to the people not to allow themselves to be deceived by politicians.

On behalf of the beneficiaries, he appreciated the lawmaker for her gesture and promised to support the Mimiko administration.

LCDA chairman commends Okada riders over security

C

•Members of Ni’ima Women Farmers’ Association standing by their farm at Konkeji Area of Yola South Local Government Area of Adamawa State to commemorate this year’s Farmers’ Field Day celebration PHOTO: NAN

HAIRMAN of Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Hakeem Omoyele Sulaimon has commended the Motorcycle Operators Association of Lagos State, Bariga Chapter for their contribution towards ensuring high level of security in Bariga and environs.

The chairman made the commendation at a rally staged in Bariga over the weekend by the okada riders in the area to drum support for his re-election in the October 22, 2011 local government poll.

Hon. Sulaimon noted that the okada riders who had been ben-

eficiaries of the LCDA poverty alleviation programme through donation of motorcycles and tricycles to their members, have contributed immensely in the area of security through proper monitoring of their members not to allow infiltration of criminals who pretend to be okada riders to perpetrate crime.

The LCDA chairman recalled that over the years the motorcycle operators had always displayed high level of discipline by ensuring that their members are not involved in any acts of violence or criminality that could disturb the relative peace being enjoyed in the area.

42

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

43

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Kaduna tribunal: End of the road for CPC? In accordance with legal requirement that tribunals decide all election petitions within six months, the Kaduna State Executive Petitions Tribunal has decided the case filed by the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) against Governor Patrick Yakowa’s election. Correspondent TONY AKOWE recounts how the tribunal affirmed Yakowa’s election last week.

T

HE town appeared tense with security men patrolling the metropolis to ensure that there was no breakdown of law and order as the town awaited the judgment of the governorship election petition tribunal into the April 28 governorship election in the state. All roads leading to and out of the Kaduna High Court premises were cordoned off by heavily armed security personnel led by the Commissioner of Police, Bala Nasarawa. The gates to the court were to be opened at 8.00am for the judgment which was expected to begin at 9.00am. But as early as 6.30 a.m. people were already there waiting for the court officials to open the doors.

Unlike before, when security become brutal and aggressive with the people, they were civil, appealing to the people to be calm and cooperate with them in the interest of all. One of them even told the people that “please, you have to cooperate with us and be orderly as we screen people into the court for the safety of all of us. We are not here because of any party, but for everybody. If you cooperate with us, everything will be fine”. To make things more orderly, the court room was divided into two equal parts for the two parties, apparently to avoid a mixture that might produce unfavourable consequences. But it worked perfectly well with both the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) joking about the impending judgment. The governorship candidate of the CPC, Haruna Sa’eed Kajuru came into the court room at about 9.00am beaming with smile and waving anxiously at his supporters in anticipation of a favourable judgment which turned out to be the opposite of his expectations about three and half hours later when the judgement was concluded.

Staff of the High court and other adjourning offices such as the National Library, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Access Bank, Wema Bank, Kaduna state Library, the News Agency of Nigeria, among others, were subjected to body search by the security operatives and men of the bomb disposal unit before being allowed to pass through the security cordon to their offices. Senior government officials and lawyers who were in court for the judgment were not spared as they were also subjected to serious body search by security agents and anti bomb squad deployed to the court.

There were also Armoured personnel carriers, Truck of operation Yaki, police horses and police dogs mounted at strategic places around the court, while a police helicopter patrol and security patrol in the town to forestall any break down of law and order. Business premises within 300 metres away from the court premises were also locked until after the judgment.

However, the eventual outcome of the entire proceedings which began on May 19, 2011 when the petition was filed by Adebayo Adeniyi (SAN) on behalf of Kajuru may not have come to many, especially those who followed the trial right from inception, as a surprise. Many believe that the ground for the dismissal of the petition was laid from the onset when the PDP which sponsored Patrick Yakowa for the election was not

‘The petitioners wanted the tribunal to declare that the results declared were not valid votes because of irregularities and corrupt practices during the election, an assertion that the tribunal said was not proved.

According to the judges, he who asserts must prove before shifting the burden to the other party. Unfortunately, the petitioners were unable to prove the allegations of corrupt practices’ • Yakowa joined in the petition, even though the tribunal ruled that there was nothing in the law that makes it mandatory for the sponsor party to be joined. Despite that, the tribunal agreed that since the PDP was not a party to the petition, every allegation and or evidence against the party or anybody not made party to the petition will not be considered in determining the success or otherwise of the petition. The argument of the tribunal was that since they were not party to the case, they cannot be called to defend themselves and it will therefore be unwise to consider any allegation against them without giving them the opportunity to defend themselves. So, in determining the merit of the petition, the tribunal struck out all allegations and references to the PDP by 19 of the 33 witnesses called by the petitioners.

Delivering the three and half hour judgment, Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Garba Kwajafa went on a long journey to review the petition and submitted that there were three issues for consideration in the petition.

These are; whether the election was marred by violence, ballot snatching, ballot stuffing and corrupt practices in the 10 local government areas complained about; whether there were malpractices in the areas complained about, and whether Yakowa scored majority of lawful votes and, duly returned as winner of the election.

Kajuru complained of irregularities in the ten local government areas where Yakowa scored majority votes which incidentally include Kajuru, where the CPC candidate hails from.

The local government areas include Zango Kataf, Kachia, Kauru, Kaura, Jaba, Sanga, Jama’a, Kagarko, Kajuru and Chikun. His argument, according to the tribunal include the fact that Yakowa should not have been returned as elected because he did not score majority of lawful votes; that the election was characterised by sub-

stantial non compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act 2010. He also wanted the tribunal to declare him winner of the election and order INEC to present him with the certificate of return. Incidentally, the PDP has always been in total control of all the local government areas.

The petitioners wanted the tribunal to declare that the results declared were not valid votes because of irregularities and corrupt practices during the election, an assertion the tribunal said was not proved. According to the judges, he who asserts must prove before shifting the burden to the other party. Unfortunately, the petitioners were unable to prove the allegations of corrupt practices coupled with the fact that the PDP were not joined in the case and thus had all complaints against them struck out.

The evidence of the expert witnesses presented to the tribunal did more damage to the CPC case than helped it. Under cross examination, the three witnesses which the tribunal recorded as PW 31, PW32 and PW33 admitted that they were trained forensic or handwriting experts and that they were hired and paid by the petitioner and his counsel to analyse the documents and make a report to the tribunal. They also agreed to the fact that they had no formal training on forensic issues and therefore, their evidence cannot be regarded as expert opinion. One of them, Mohammed Sodangi, a lecturer with the Department of Accountancy, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria admitted not signing his statement and the document he tendered before the court.

The tribunal dwelt extensively on this issue, saying that people do not become expert witnessed because they say so or because their counsel say so. Justice Kwajafa held that what the supposed experts brought by the petitioners did was mere vote counting which anybody could have done, pointing out that only the tribunal has

the right to order the recount of votes which has been declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission. The tribunal said that experts must by qualification, training and experience state the reason for his opinion, adding that none of the three expert witness played any role in the conduct of the elections, describing their evidence along with their report as documentary hearsay and ordered them expunged from the records.

In expunging the documents tendered by the expert witnesses, the tribunal agreed with the submission of Emmanuel Toro (SAN), counsel to the second respondent (INEC) that the petitioners never pleaded to tender such documents both in their application and the list of documents filed before the tribunal. Toro argued that what the petitioners pleaded was to subject the ballot papers to forensic analysis and present to the court the analysis and a forensic chart. The tribunal therefore ruled that counsel are bound by their pleadings and will not be allowed what was not pleaded as it will amount to over burdening the opponent. Having pleaded forensic and handwriting analysis, the tribunal said, they cannot plead another document and so, the documents tendered by the experts are to be discarded as they lack evidential value.

Another issue that worked against the CPC petition was the large volume of documents which they tendered through the Bar, but led no evidence on them. Both counsel to Governor Yakowa and INEC, JB Daudu and Emmanuel Toro respectively, told the tribunal that the petitioners cannot dump documents on them without leading any evidence to either adopt them or tell the tribunal what they were meant for. The tribunal agreed with this assertion also. They ruled that documents tendered through the Bar by the petitioner’s Counsel, Adebayo Adeniyi

(SAN) were merely dumped on it as he failed to call any witness to substantiate the document or explain what they were meant for. Citing several decided cases, the tribunal said that it was not the responsibility of the tribunal to analyse the document that were not supported by oral evidence which should have explained what they were. The tribunal noted that neither the Independent INEC, polling agents, returning officers nor others who are the makers of the documents were called to testify or adopt the document and therefore cannot form part of the documents before the tribunal. They also noted that there was evidence before the tribunal on why they were excluded from testifying and therefore concluded that the documents tendered from the Bar by counsel to the petitioner has no evidential value as their purpose was not established. Backing up their submission with decided cases, Justice Kwajafa said that any document admitted and to be considered must be such that have value by virtue of analysis, adding that the court cannot proceed to examine the document and therefore should be expunged from the records.

Even though one could ascertain how the expunged document would have helped the case of the petitioners, the tribunal disagreed with the petitioners, counsel that, since the third respondents (INEC) did not call any witness, it should be assumed that they agree with them and therefore the case should be decided in their favour. In the opinion of the tribunal, the allegations made by the petitioners were general in nature and therefore responded to in general terms.

But the judgment of the tribunal did not go down well with Haruna Sa’eed Kajuru and his team of lawyers. Mohammed Ibrahim who held the brief for Adebayo Adeniyi told tribunal that, “we are dissatisfied with the judgment of the tribunal and we are going to appeal against it.”

Kajuru on his part described the judgment as “a miscarriage of justice which anybody present in court today can attest to. Everything about the judgment was done in error and we are going on appeal immediately.

We are not wasting time on this”. The Chairman of PDP in the state, Alhaji Yau Usman, said by the judgment, the tribunal has affirmed the decision of the people of the state in electing the party and Patrick Yakowa as governor and called on the opposition to “come and join hands with us for the development of the state.”

Yakowa told newsmen that Haruna Sa’eed was his friend and brother and called on him to come and join hands with him to develop a Kaduna State of everyone’s dream. While thanking the people of the state for their support, the governor called on them to continue to pray for the success of the administration and the transformation of Kaduna State as well as the peaceful coexistence and development of the state.

Addressing the parties after the judgment, Justice Kwajafa commended the parties to the case for their cooperation in making the performance of their job easier, saying “we have really enjoyed ourselves and we have learnt a lot from the Senior Counsel in this case.

44

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

POLITICS Now that Senate President David Mark has inaugurated the 56 Standing Committees of the Senate, the stage is set for the Upper Chamber to either make its marks or give the doubting Thomases opportunity to laugh. Assistant Editor ONYEDI OJIABOR examines the situation.

Council poll: ‘Why Lagosians must vote wisely’

By Dada Aladelokun, Assistant Editor

Senate commitees berth I with renewed hope N

O doubt, the official inauguration by Senate President David Mark, of the 56 standing committees of the chamber, except the Selection Committee, which Mark heads with other principal officers as members, cannot be described as a mere routine.

Like a leader on a redemptive mission, Mark took charge unlike in the Sixth Senate when he delegated other principal officers to conduct the inauguration.

The event attracted a large audience including ministers, permanent secretaries and other highlyplaced Nigerians who were held spell-bound as Mark recapitulated the mammoth problems facing the country as he inaugurated each committee. In fact, his inauguration speech touched on every facet of the country’s life and its problems.

Mark used the opportunity to mention burning national issues that needed urgent attention. It was equally an occasion for the Senate’s helmsman to arouse the interest of committees’ chairmen and members to brace up to the task of arresting the decline in virtually all aspects of the country’s national life.

The Benue-born ebullient lawmaker, with the outing, seemed to have recognised the huge expectations Nigerians placed on his shoulder.

Fresh from a six-week recess on September 13, Mark rolled out a four-year legislative agenda variously described as a road-map and an action plan by other senators and keen watchers of developments. The agenda, which covers 2011 to 2015, seems likely to midwife the fruits of purposeful leadership.

Mark’s disclosure of the National Assembly’s resolve to continue with the amendment of the 1999 Constitution was received with applause while his affirmation of the determination of the lawmakers to delve into some issues hitherto considered ‘no go’ areas attracted standing ovation.

He specifically said that the national parliament would tinker with the existing revenue formula which is currently skewed in favour of the Presidency to the detriment of states and local governments.

He also hinted that the Senate would consider state creation; work to abrogate joint state and local government accounts system to ensure autonomy of local governments; consider agitation for state police especially with emerging security challenges in the country as well as look into the question of devolution of power.

It is obvious that the Senator Kabiru Gaya-led State and Local Government Committee would be saddled with driving some of the proposed constitutional amendments.

The Senate President noted: “On the issue of local governments’ creation, if a state decides to create 100 local governments on its own, that is its problem, but it has to bring the matter up for public hearing for everyone to contribute.”

Not a man to run away from national assignments, Senator Gaya specifically requested in his inaugural speech that his committee be made ad-hoc member of the Constitution Review Committee (CRC) “to effectively drive the agenda enunciated in the road map outlined for the legislature by the Senate

• Mark

President.”

But observers fear that the Gayaled committee may face stiff opposition from state governors and local council chiefs who may not want their activities scrutinised.

Gaya’s committee, no doubt, will serve as a link between the federal parliament and state governments on one hand, and the Houses of Assembly and local government authorities on the other hand.

On his plan of action, Gaya re-echoed Mark, saying: “This committee shall strive to ensure independence of local governments, creation of more states and local governments, review of revenue formula to ensure more funding to the states, consider boundary issues, development of communities at international borders as well as make states to be responsible for the welfare of prison inmates.”

But he described as an anathema to the 1999 Constitution, the appointment by some state governors of caretaker council chairmen rather than conducting elections. For him, the practice is unconstitutional especially “when caretaker chairmen are unknown to the Constitution.”

“The system of local government administration as provided in section 7 of the constitution is the democratically elected type. There should be provisions in the consti-

tution for the independence of local government authorities to give them the enabling power to perform as the third tier of government,” Gaya said.

Gaya added: “We must objectively consider the crises they have before them, specially the problem of paying the N18,000 minimum wage and other issues. The committee may consider conducting a public hearing on the revenue sharing formula.”

He believes that giving more money to local governments would likely accelerate development especially at the grassroots. Hear him: “In 1992, we were paying local governments their allocations directly.

We even gave them loans directly.

I remember that the Kano International Market was built with a loan of N6 million. We even had auditors who audited accounts of local governments annually, all to make sure that they executed their budgets as promised. I am an advocate of local government independence, allow them to be independent and give them money directly. If you do that and at the end of the day they don’t perform, then remove them.”

Gaya described as a welcome development, the announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to commence delineation of constituencies.

“We are not unaware of the ethnic and tribal differences and tensions created as a result of boundary disagreements and tussles. The re-constituted CRC of the Seventh National Assembly, we believe, will help in solving some of these contentious issues. The plight of Nigerian communities at the country’s borders has become an issue of serious concern. The desire of this committee is to ensure that there is adequate budgetary allocation for the provision of social amenities to these communities extending to about 15 kilometres to the border,” he said.

The Senate and the House of Representatives have already constituted a separate 47-member CRC headed by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha.

Only time will tell how far the committee can go in addressing the issues because already, the CRC cannot commence work because of what observers called dearth of funds.

NDEED, not many appreciate the importance of grassroots governance in their lives, especially as commoners. To many of them, therefore, once a president and governors are voted in, it is no point participating in local government elections. Some would even carelessly throw their votes at a dunderhead to become either a council boss or councilor.

It is perhaps the realisation of this worrisome fact that Lagos residents have been admonished to take the local government election slated for Saturday seriously. It is reasoned that it will afford them the opportunity to choose worthy leaders who will care for their yearnings at the grassroots level of governance.

The advice came jointly from Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon of Lagos West Senatorial District and Senator Muniru Adekunle Muse who represented Lagos Central in the Sixth Senate, while speaking on Tuesday with The Nation on the coming poll.

Describing the election as “fundamental and vital,” they urged the people to vote en masse for Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidates who, according to them, would replicate the meritorious performance of the state governor, Babatunde Fashola in the local government areas.

Hear Solomon: “Apart from being a grassroots person and politician who lives with the people, I have at various times, served as chairman of Mushin Local Government. I’m well acquainted with the demands of the level of governance and especially, how vital the leadership of the level is in the lives of the people. It is therefore important that our people ‘shine their eyes’ and use their votes to install responsible and responsive men and women as chairmen and councilors if the truly desire improved governance at the important level.”

The senator, however, expressed confidence the performance of ACN leadership so far in the state and others especially in the Southwest, would work well in favour of the party in the coming council election, stating: “It is going to be an easy win for ACN and its candidates in the state.”

His view was echoed by Muse who was also two-term chairman of Apapa Local Government before he was elected into the Senate in 2007. His words: “By now, our people should realise how important grassroots governance is in terms of feeling the pulse of good or bad governance at the level. This is why they need to be reminded that they must get it right on Saturday if they are truly desirous of the direct benefits of governance at the level.”

He expressed optimism that ACN will sweep the polls on Saturday because according to him, apart from the fact that people have realised that the party has progressive agenda for the people, Fashola has succeeded in further selling it to the people with his sterling performance.

“Home and away, Fashola is being celebrated as a rare breed of politician, administrator and public servant because of what he has been doing with the mandate that Lagos residents gave him over four years ago. Thus, he has given a good account of himself and the party to the extent that people now see the party as synonymous with people-oriented governance. Therefore, defeating the party in any election whatsoever is now a splitting headache for any other party in the state.”

Both Solomon and Muse, therefore, urged the electorate to brace the odds, stand the inherent rigours, go out and cast their votes on that day and make sure that their votes count at the end of the exercise.

•

• Solomon

• Muse

Imoke seeks partnership on development

G

OVERNOR Liyel Imoke of Cross River State has said thar there is need for Nigerians in the Diaspora to make available their acquired professional expertise and experience for the development of the country.

Speaking while receiving the Diaspora Medical Mission led by Dr. Felicia Bassey-Akamune during a courtesy call in Calabar, Imoke said that they should keep tap on the level of development in the state and as such look for opportunities where they can collaborate with government, adding that their contributions will greatly be appreciated in rural areas as every body wants to work in urban areas.

The governor disclosed that the state had made tremendous effort especially in the area of primary health

care with a view to understanding the needs of the vulnerable in the society which is a diversion from the past. He disclosed that the state had initiated a free healthcare programme for pregnant women and children under five years which is supported with a social welfare scheme for the benefits of the poor while there had been other programmes concerning provision of potable water across the state.

He attributed the low performance recorded in the health programme to the challenges of management and said efforts are at hand to address with the introduction of courses in health management to ensure the successful implementation of primary and secondary healthcare schemes, stating that efforts had been completed to es-

tablish a model hospital in the state to be managed and run by trained professionals According to him, the administration of the hospital would be restricted for those professionally trained to do so as government is committed to running it “in not a typical Nigerian story but in a cleaner, better and more efficient environment.”

Imoke said he would want both the Diaspora Medical Mission and Nigerians in Diaspora to participate in the expected Diaspora Conference to enable them make enormous contributions as well as provide them with opportunity to see how they could be brought home to contribute their quota to the development of the state.

Earlier, Bassey-Akamune had said

that they were in the state in liaison of the State Ministry of Health to undertake some free health services especially in the rural areas, adding that they were committed and excited to work the state government.

A member of the team, Dr. Tony Henshaw, who is also an indigene of the state was visiting the state after 30 years. Excitedly, he noted that a collaboration between the two parties would hasten the impact of professionalism in the health sector.

He thanked the state government for giving them the opportunity to serve the people even as he commended it for embarking on infrastructural development, thereby making Cross River the most beautiful and most preferred state in the country.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

45

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

46

IN THE HIGH COURT OF LAGOS STATE OF NIGERIA PROBATE REGISTRY, IKEJA DIVISION WHEREAS the person whose names are set-out in the first Column under died intestate on the date and place stated in the said Column. AND WHEREAS the person or persons whose names and addresses and relationship (if any) to the deceased are set out in the second Column here have applied to the High Court of Lagos State for a Grant of Letter of Administration of the Real and Personal Properties of the deceased. NOTICE IS HEREBY given that Letters of Administration will be granted to such persons unless a NOTICE TO PROHIBIT THE GRANT is filed in the registry within (14) days from the date hereof.

S/N 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

31.

32.

33.

34.

35.

36.

37.

38.

39.

40.

41.

42.

43.

44.

45.

46.

47.

48.

49.

50.

51.

52.

53.

54.

55.

56.

57.

58.

59.

60.

61.

62.

63.

64.

65.

66.

67.

68.

69.

70.

71.

72.

73.

74.

75.

76.

77.

78.

S/N

NAMES OF THE DECEASED PERSON:

Igbe Ali Adah (Otherwise known as Igbe Ada) late of 4, Bello Compound Isheri Olofin Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 17th day of November, 2009 at Otukpo Odekeye Ajiboye Augustine (Otherwise known as Ajiboye A.Odukeye ) late of Block 2, Flat 5, Low Cost Housing estate, Oke Afa, Isolo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 6th day of November, 2010 at Lagos state University Teaching Hospital Ikeja.

Okechukwu Charity, late of 5th Avenue, V Close House 4, Festac Town, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 3rd day of June, 2010 at General Hospital Mainland.

Victoria Egbedi (Mrs) late of Plot 34, Block 65, Flat Iba Estate, deceased who died intestate on the 27th day of March, 2001 at Olaniba Memorial Specialist Hospital.

Adunola Adebanke Sanni (Otherwise known as Adunola Sanni Adebanke ) late of 21, Fabukade Street, Shogunle, Lagos,deceased who died intestate on the 14th day of October, 2009 at Lagos.

Mrs Oyediran Folake Lydia (Otherwise known as Mrs Oyediran Folake) late of 1, Adeye Street, Ketu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 26th day of October, 2006 at Lagos.

Mr Bolaji Aloysious Pereira (Otherwise known as Aloysius Bolaji Pereira) late of 7, Adedapo off Tejuoso Road, Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 6th day of March, 2010 at Lagos.

Mr Bashiru Balogun late of Block 50, Flat 2, Iponri Housing Estate, Lagos, decased who died intestate on the 12th day of January, 2011 at Lagos.

Mr George A.Williams (Otherwise known as Mr George Abayomi Williams) late of 199, Ojokoro Road, Ikorodu, Lagos,deceased who died intestate on the 8th day of April, 2008 at Lagos.

Dr Olugbenga Bantale Kuteyi late of 30, Sariu Olusesi Street, Agodo Egbe, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 16th day of March, 2010 at Calabar.

Mr Akpan Umanah (Otherwise known as Mr Umana Akpan) late of 6, Ejire Street, Ikate Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of December, 2009.

Mrs Tina Osuji (Otherwise known as Tina Osoji ) late of 14, Macullum Street, Ebute metta East, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of November, 2004 at Abuja.

Shedu Rotimi Ganiyu (Otherwise known as Shedu Rotimi) late of 1, Kola Busari Close, Agege, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of February, 2008 at Crystal Hospital, Akowonjo.

Mr Godwin Okon Akpan (Otherwise known as Mr Akpan Godwin) late of 1, Erinle Street, Iju Ishaga Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 6th day of November, 2009 at Lagos.

Mr Phillip Allen Ukwuani (Otherwise known as Camillus Osondu Onovo) late of 7, Ipodo Road, Ikeja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 19th day of October, 2009 at Newham University Hospital Plaistow.

Olusegun Taiwo Asesanya of 34, Pipe Line Street, idimu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 31st day of August, 2006 at Sagamu, Ogun State.

Inspector Daniel Ebri Ubi (Otherwise known as Ebri Daniel Ubi) late of No. 1, Mathew Close, Akowonjo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 2nd day of September, 2010 at Lafia.

Inspector Charles John Otuke (Otherwise known as Charles John Otuke) late of 10, Ewusu Otaiku Street, Araromi Quarters Mile 12, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of April, 2010 at Lagos.

Samson Sodimu, late of 185, Railway Line, Mushin, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 26th day of May, 2009 at Lagos.

Yusuf Abeni Adeola late of 2, Olubanke Lane Oke Koto Agege, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of July, 2009 at Ondo State.

Mrs Osakwe Patricia Nkoli (Otherwise known as Mrs Osakwe Patricia) late of Block 18, Flat 2, F.A.A. N. Staff Quarters Strabag Ikeja Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 3rd day of January, 2011 at F.A.A. N Staff Clinic Ikeja.

Michael Akpama (Otherwise known as Michael Akpana Ibori ) late of Block 4 Pedro Police Barracks , deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of July, 2009 at Lagos Raymond Iyere Ikhatalor, late of 2, Gbadamosi Bakare Street, Ejigbo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of March, 2011 at Lagos.

Inyang Sunday (Otherwise known as Mr Inyang Sunday) late of 110, Shasha Road, Abati Bus Stop Alimosho, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 14th day of September, 2009 at General Hospital (Ikeja).

Idowu Mathew Ashamu (Otherwise known as Mr Idowu Ashamu) late of 30B, Lawal Street, Abule Oki Iyana Ipaja Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 19th day of March, 2011 at General Hospital, Lagos.

Mr Akeem Badmus late of 12, Ganiyu Street, Ejigbo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 30th day of July, 2010 at Lagos.

Aregbesola Semiu Olugbenga, (Otherwise known as Semiu Olugbenga Aregbesola) late of Plot II, Gbenga Aregbesola Street, Eruwen Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 16th day of May, 2011 at Lagos.

Akinyede Anthony Olude, (Otherwise known as Mr Akinyede Anthony O.) late of 5th Avenue R. Close, House 8, Festac Town, deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of September, 2009 at Lagos.

Billy Bright Anokwuru, late of 1, Paddy Chuka Street, Okota, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of July, 2010 at Okota Lagos State.

Eunice Ijoma Onyeka late of 19, Olatilewa Street, Surulere, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 5th day of December, 2009 at London.

Mrs Umeadi, Helen Ifeanyi late of 16, Bisi Ogabi Street, Ikeja, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 27th day of September, 2010 at Lagos.

Ibitoye Johnson Folorunsho late of 51, Daniel Street, Orisunbare Ejigbo Bus Stop , Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 23rd day of December, 2010 at General Hospital Ogun State.

Odulate Suraju Olujimi late of 8, Alabukun Street, Abule Oshun Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 9th day of January, 1996 at General Hospital, Lagos.

Sikirat Ashake Olusi, late of 9, Sanusi Olusi Road, Oke Arin, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 31st day of July, 2009 at Lagos.

Andrew Odion Akali late of 7, Rabiatu Idowu Street, Mushin Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 2nd day of July, 2009 at Lagos.

Mr Charles Chinedu Ejiofor, late of 2, Sholaja Street, Iba Ojo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 6th day of January, 2011 at Iba Ojo, Lagos.

Mrs Arogbonlo Joan, late of 29, Ayodele Ajibulu Street, Mafoluku Oshodi, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of July, 2010 at Lasuth Ikeja Lagos.

Deacon Alao Omidare Olurebi late of 26, Ajao Road, Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 282th day of June, 1993 at Lagos.

Nduka Christian Onuoha (Otherwise known as Onuoha Nduka ) late of 16, Adebayo Rufai, Itire , Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of May, 2009 at Lagos.

Mr Sanni Raimi Akanbi late of 25, Aiyepe Street, Itire Surulere, lagos, deceased who died ihntestate on the 3rd day of November, 1999 at Lagos.

Kurodo Samson (Prince) late of 22, Moses Adebayo Street, Ojodu Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 18th day of April, 2011 at Lagos.

Iyang Morgan Johnson late of 12, Kudaisi Street, Olodi Apapa, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of November, 2010 at Lagoon Hospital, Apapa, Lagos.

Ewunmi Omolaja (Otherwise known as Ewunmi Omolaja Kamoru) late of 8, Lemo Lane Off Ireshe Road, Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 2nd day of September, 2007 at Ikorodu, Lagos.

Amos Oluwatosin Gabriel (Dr) late of Ita Oluwo Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 5th day of December, 2010 at Lagos.

John Agboola Oladele (Otherwise known as Oladele Agboola) late of 2, Orobiyi Street, Ladipo Estate, Shogunle, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of April, 2011 at Lagos.

Adetoun Idowu Azeez late of 3, Asogbon Goloba Street, Ejigbo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 23rd day of June, 2010 at Lagos.

Abina Yakub Olatunde (Otherwise known as Abina Yakubu) late of 12, Muyiwa Alder Street, Magodo, G.R.A., Isheri, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of November, 2007 at General Hospital Gbagada, Lagos.

Agada S.Enefor (Otherwise known as Agada Enefor ) late of 8, Alh. Oladipupo Street, Oko Oba, Agege, Lagos, deceased who intestate on the 5th day of July, 2011 at Lagos.

Chief Adekoya Abdultalib Balogun late of 17, Oguntifa Street, Ketu Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of September, 2010 at Lagos.

Taiwo Idowu (Otherwise known as Idowu Taiwo) late of 10, Jide Street, Odunsi Bariga, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 27th day of July, 2010 at Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.

Asuquo Udoetuk (Otherwise known as Mr Udoetuk Asuquo) late of 693, Agege Motor Road, PWD Bus Stop, Shogunle, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 27th day of November, 2010 at Lagos.

Etok Ishmael John late of 30, Raimi Street, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 18th day of January, 2011 at Akwa Ibom Oshineye Owoduni (Otherwise known as Oshineye Owodunni) late of Flat 1, Blk 411, Amuwo Odofin Low Cost Housing Scheme Amuwo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 3rd day of September, 2002 at Ijebu Ode. Ms Nurat Ajoke Moronfolu (Otherwise known as Nurat Ajoke Morounfolu ) late of 22, Moronfolu Street, Ogba, Agege, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 12th day of May, 2011 at Lagos.

Mr Paul Ologunde (Otherwise known as Pa Paul Adigun Ologunde) late of 4, Oladipo Bode Street, Off Kayode Street, Onipanu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 29th day of April, 2011 at Lagos.

Kosebinu Oladipupo Alamu (Otherwise known as Kosebinu Oladipupo) late of 30, Oduroye Street, Oke Odo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 5th day of February, 2011.

Samson Ewemoje Adebayo late of 3, Ogunmokun Street, Mushin, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of July, 1994 at Mushin, Lagos State.

Fadhilulai Alao (Otherwise known as Fadhululai Oladimeji Alao and Alao Fadililahi) late of 7, Shodipe Street, Abule Ijesha, Yaba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of May, 2004 at Lagos.

Akanle Afolabi Olajide (Otherwise known as Akanle Afolabi) late of 13, Shodipo Street, Idimu, Egbeda, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 6th day of January, 2011 at Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

Mr Sunday Ezeokeke (Otherwise known as Ezeokeke Sunday and Polycap Ubanese ) late of Zone C, Block 13, Shop 43, Aspamda Trade Fair Complex Badagry, deceased who died intestate on the 19th day of April, 2010 at Anambra.

Familola Micheal Oloruntoba (Otherwise known as Familola Micheal T.) late of 8, Dotun Oladogba Close, Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 17th day of July, 2010 at Lagos.

Maduadichie Theo Arinze (Otherwise known as Mmaduadichie Arinze Theo) late of No. 4, Henry Adigwe Close, Palm Groove deceased who died intestate on the 27th day of December, 2009 at Lagos Mrs Selinah Iyabo Banjo (Nee Okeowo) late of 17, Buraimoh Street, Obanikoro Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 3rd day of October, 2004 at Lagos.

Ajiboye Micheal Olakunle (Otherwise known as Mr Olakunle Ajiboye) late of 47, Zion Street, Ajegunle, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 27th day of August, 2010 at Igbobi Orthopaedic Hospital.

Mr Falowo Adekunle late of 19, Bello Oyebanji Street, Alagbado Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 30th day of December, 2010 at Ipe Akoko, Ondo State.

Mr Oseni Alao Sulaimon (Otherwise known as Mr Oseni Sulaimon) late of No. 10, Shonibare Street, Isolo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of May, 2011 at Lagos.

Adeleke Johnson (Otherwise known as Adeleke John) late of 5, Abeni Bakare Street, Oshodi, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of November, 2008 at Ikeja General Hospital.

Uzoigwe Chineme Gabriel (Otherwise known as Uzigwe Chineme Gabriel) late of 24, Islamic Street, Ikotun, lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of May, 2009 at Lagos.

Mr Taiwo Adesanya late of Block 3, Flat 1, Dolphin Estate, Alimosho Road, Ijeh Obalende Deceased who died intestate on the 31st day of July, 2009 at Lagos.

Atimoe Tina Faith of 16, Ifelodun Street, Dopemu Agege, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of July, 2010 at Lagos Teaching Hospital.

Andrew Jimo Sule late of 105, Isa Mohammed Street, Idi Araba Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of December, 2010.

Dada Bolanle Kuburatu late of 9, Christ Ezeagwu Close, Irawo Ajegunle Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 8th day of January, 2011.

Fullbertus Babatunde Coker (Otherwise known as Pulbertus Babatunde Coker) late of 5, Owhin Street, Mushin, Lagos , Lagos State deceased who died intestate on the 16th day of July, 1982.

Helen Nwakaego Izuora (Otherwise known as Aguguan Helen Ufele and Helen Aguguam) late of 3, Lawanson Street, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 5th day of July, 2009 at Onitsha.

Bassey Ngozilate of No. 8, Oremeji Street, off Ilaje Road, Bariga, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 9th day of July, 2010 at Lagos.

Ayodele Oluyinka (Mrs) late of No. 9, Lasisi Ladega Street, Idimu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 30th day of April, 2009 at Lagos.

Ferdinard Nwankwo (Otherwise known as Ferdinand Ekemezie Nwankwo and Nwankwo F.E.) late of Nigerian Airforce Base Ikeja Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of February, 2008 at Ikeja.

Okoronkwo Chima (Otherwise known as Chima Okonkwo) late of 56, Ojokoro/Eyita Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 30th day of December, 2010 at Lagos.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

31.

32.

33.

34.

35.

36.

37.

38.

39.

40.

41.

42.

43.

44.

45.

46.

47.

48.

49.

50.

51.

52.

53.

54.

55.

56.

57.

58.

59.

60.

61.

62.

63.

64.

65.

66.

67.

68.

69.

70.

71.

72.

73.

74.

75.

76.

77.

78.

NAMES OF APPLICANT APPLYING FOR THE GRANT Ibrahim Ali and Gift Adah both of 4, Bello Compound Isheri Olofin ,Lagos, widower and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Odukeye Sunday and Mr Odukeye Olusola both of Block 2, Flat 5, Low Cost Housing Estate, Isolo, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Esther Oforkaja and Ngozi Okechukwu both of 5th Avenue V Close House 4, Festac Town, Lagos, mother and sister respectively of the said deceaed.

Victor Egbedi and Igho Egbedi both of Plot 34, Block 6, Flat Iba Estate, Lagos two children of the said deceased.

Victoria O. Kehinde Sanni, Aliu Lukman Adebanke and Adeola Oluwafemi Sanni all of 21, Fabukade Street, Shogunle, Lagos, mother, one of the children and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Abidemi Oluwakemisola Oyediran and Oyedapo Babawale Oyediran both of 3, Ogundipe Street, Igbogbo, Ikorodu, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Chrstiana Pereira Omonike and Miss Ronke Abiodun Pereira both of 7, Adedapo Street, Surulere, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Remi Ahmed Bukar and Basirat Balogun both of Block 50, Flat 2, Iponri Housing Estate, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Bosede Funlola Williams and Mrs Olubunmi Williams both of 199, Ojokoro Road, Ikorodu, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Iyabode O. Kuteyi of 25, Alara Street, Yaba Lagos, and Mr Omolewa D. Kuteyi of 3, Toyin Iju Isaga, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased Mrs Gloria Umanah and Miss Happiness Umanah both of No. 6, Ejire Street, Itire Ikate, Surulere, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Chima Osuji of No. 14, Macullum Street, Ebute Metta, East, Lagos, the only child of the said deceased.

Tola Shedu and Olusegun Shedu both of 1, Kola Busari Close, Agege, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Glory Godwin Akpan and Miss Vivian Godwin Akpan both of 1, Erinle Street, Iju Ishaga, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Vitus Onovo of 7, Ipodo Road, Ikeja, Lagos and Mr Camillus Udeh of 26, Ipodo Road, Ikeja , Lagos, two brothers of the said deceased.

Mrs Adedayo A.Asesanya and Michael Olamilekan Asesanya both of 34, Pipeline Street, Idimu, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

John Ubi Ebri and Martina Ubi Ebri both of 1, Mathew Close, Akowonjo, Lagos, brother and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Margaret Charles Otuke, Miss Blessing Charles Otuke and Master Lucky Charles Otuke all of 10, Ewusu Otaiku Street, Araromi Quarters, Mile 12, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Funmilayo Sodimu and Olusegun Sodimu both of of 185, Railway Line, Mushin, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Olufunmlayo Margret of No. 19, Owhoso Street, Ikotun Lagos, and Mrs Ayuba Eunice of No. 2, Adebowale Johnson, Baruwa, Ipaja, Lagos, two children of the said deceased.

Osakwe John Afamefuna, Osakwe Anthony Uchenna and Osakwe Francis Chinedu all of F.A.A.N. Staff Quarters Block 18, Flat 2, Ikeja, Lagos, three children of the said deceased.

Mrs Grace Akpan and Saviour Michael both of Block 4, Room 5, Pedro Police Barracks Shomolu, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Martins Ikhatalor and Benjamin Ihatahor both of 2, Gbadamosi Bakare Street, Ejigbo, Lagos, two children of the said deceased.

Mary Sunday Inyang and Joy Sunday Inyang both of 110, Shasha Road, Abati Bus Stop, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Ashamu Oluwaremilekun and Ashamu Oluwatobi both of 30B, Lawal Street, Abule Oki Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Rafiu Badmus and Iyabo Badmus both of 5, Bawala Street, Bariga Lagos, brother and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Aregbesola Sodik D. and Aregbesola Felicia O. both of Plot II Gbenga Aregbesola Street, Ikorodu, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Damilola Oyadongha of 2nd Ave, 22nd Road, B Close, Block 3, Flats Festac Town, Lagos and Mr Kolade Akinyede of 5th Avenue, R Close, House 8, Festac Town, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Celine Chika Anukwuru and Victor Obinna Anokwuru both of 1, Paddy Chuka Street, Okota, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Edwin Onyeka of 8/10, Broad Street, lagos and Roselyn Onyeka of 19, Olatilewa Street, Surulere, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Mr Mattias Chukwudi Umeadi and Miss Anne Isioma Umeadi both of 16, Bisi Ogabi Street, Ikeja, widower and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Ibitoye Victoria and Ibitoye Moses both of 51, Daniel Street, Orisunbare Ejigbo Bus Stop, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased .

Comfort F. Odulate, Olukayode Odulate, and Bolanle Ogunnubi all of 8, alabukun Street, Abule Oshun Lagos, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Kudirat Olajumoke Jones, Mutiu Adegbola Olusi and Bashiru Adegboyega Olusi all of 9, Sanusi Olusi Road, Oke Arin Lagos, three of the children of the said deceased.

Andrew Akali (Junior) and Kennedy Akali both of 7, Rabiatu Idowu Street, Mushin, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Nelly Nkiruka Ejiofor and Mr Charles Chukwudi Paul Benson both fo 2, Sholaja Street, Iba Ojo Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Anuoluwapo Victoria Arogbonlo of 22, Bello Ladipo Oshodi, Lagos the only surviving child of the said deceased.

Mrs O.Ajoke Arabambi and Mrs Olufunke Faleye both fo 26, Ajao Road, Surulere, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Margaret Onuoha and Adaku Onuoha both of 16, Adebayo Rufai, Itire, Lagos, widow and the only child respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Sanni Rasheed Kolawole and Mrs Egbinade Ramota Motolani both of 25, Aiyepe Street, Itire, Lagos, two children of the said deceased.

Mr Solomon Kudoro and Miss Maria Kudoro both of 22, Moses Adebayo Street, Ojodu Lagos two of the children of the said deceased.

Mrs Eno Inyang Morgan and Mr Solomon Etuk both of 5, Karimu Street, Isolo Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Rafat Awosanya and Mariam Mustapha both of 8, Lemo Lane Off Ireshe Road, Ikorodu, Lagos, two sisters of the said deceased.

Mrs Elizabeth O. Amos and Mr Samuel Oluwaniyi Amos both of 32A, Ajegunle Road, Ita Oluwo, Ikorodu, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs OLuwakemi Oladele and Miss Tolulope Oladele both fo No. 2, Onabiyi Street, Ladipo Estate, Shogunle, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Miss Omolara Risikat Azeez and Miss Taiwo Sikirat Azeez both of 3, Asogbon Goloba Street, Ejigbo, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Abina Lateef, Abina Bimbo, Olakunle Abina and Fatimo Abina all of No. 12, Muyiwa Alder Street, Magodo, G.R.A. Isheri, Lagos, four of the children of the said deceased.

Agada O. Godwin of 8, Alhaji Oladipupo Street, Oko Oba, Agege, Lagos and Jerome Agada of 5, Alakuko Road, Alagbado, Lagos, two brothers of the said deceased.

Ameed Balogun, Tunrayo Balogun both of 17, Oguntifa Street, Ketu, Lagos and Olayinka Darley Balogun of 16, Allan Balogun Street, Agungi, Lekki, Lagos, two of the children and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Jimoh Idowu and Omotunde Idowu both of 4, Abeokuta Street, Ilaje Bariga, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

James Asuquo and Comfort Asuquo both of 693, Agege Motor Road, PWD Bus Stop, Shogunle, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Affiong Ishmael John (Mrs) and John Stephen Iniobong both of 30, Raimi Street, Sari Iganmu Apapa, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Segun Owoduni , Olamilekan Owoduni and Adekunle Owoduni all of 13, Ganiyu Street, Igbo Omolu Via Ishiwo, Agric Ikorodu, Lagos, three of the children of the said deceased.

Mr Olatunde Adebayo of 1, Olutola Adebayo Street, Idimu, Lagos, Ms Afusat Modupe Moronfolu of 6, Eleja Lodeje Oke Ilewo, Abeokuta Ogun State and Ms Mariam Adetoun Moronfolu, of 22, Moronfolu Street, ogba, Agege, Lagos, cousin and two sisters respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Serah A. Ologunde and Mrs Victoria O. Amoje both of 4, Oladipo Bode Street, off Kayode Street, Onipanu, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Kosebinu Korede, Kosebinu Babalola and Adebari Bosede all of 30, Oduroye Street, Oke Odo Alimosho Lagos, three of the children of the said deceased.

Abayomi Adebayo and Adegboyega Adebayo both of 3, Ogunmokun Street, Mushin, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Alao Adenike Risikat and Abayomi Hasbiyallah Alao both of 78, Shodipe Street, Abule Ijesha, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Prof. Grace Tola Olutunla of Oba Ile Estate, Akure and Mrs Taiwo Akanle of 13, Shodipo Street, Idimu, Egbeda, lagos, widow and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Ezeokeke Amechi Augustus and Tochukwu Ezeokeke both of C8, 117/127 Dei-Dei Abuja, two brothers of the said deceased.

Familola Felicia A. Familola Afolake A. both of 24, Unity Road, Togedejoye Owutu, Ikorodu, Lagos, and Familola Kayode S. of 3, Fesogbade Majindun, Ikorodu, lagos, mother ,sister and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Peter Maduadichie and Jude Maduadichie both of 4, Henry Adigwe Close, palmgroove Lagos, two brothers of the said deceased.

Mr Olufemi A.Banjo, Mrs R.A.Akalla and Mr S.B. Banjo all of 17, Buraimotu Street, Obanikoro, Lagos, three of the children of the said deceased.

Ajiboye Ganiat of 47, Zion Street, Ajegunle Lagos and Adekunle Olawale of 17, Etunrne Street, Ikorodu, lagos, widow and cousin respectively of the said deceased.

Mr Tajudeen Hamzat of 5, Oshobu Street, Agege, Lagos and Mr Yinusa Hamzat of 45, Olafimihan Street, Dopemu Agege, Lagos two brothers of the said deceased.

Muritala Oseni and Yusuff Oseni both of 10, Shonibare Street, Isolo, lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Funmilola Adeleke and Emmanuel Adeleke both fo 5, Abeni Bakare Street, Oshodi, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Mrs Josephine Ada Chineme and Mr Raphael Nkemdi Chineme both of Islamic Street, Ikotun Lagos State widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Iyabo Ajoke Omotayo of 15, Jamiyu Raji Street, Ikotun Egbe, Kayode Babatunde Adesanya of 17, Jamiyu Raji Street, Ikotun Egbe, Olugbenga Bayo Olukoga and Abayomi Oyenuga Olukoga both fo Block 3, Flat 1, Dolphine Estate, Alimosho Road, Ijeh Obalende, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Kelubia Johnpaul Honest and Osaze Isibor both of 16, Ifelodun Street, Dopemu, Lagos, two children of the said deceased.

Samuel Yusuf Andrew of 105, Isa Mohammed Street, Idi Araba Surulere, Lagos, and Gloria Andrew Okonkwo of 5, Adebayo Adisa Close, Igbe Ikorodu, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Bankole Azeez Dada and Mukaila Oyewunmi Dada both of 9, Christ Ezeagwu Close, Irawo Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

Oluwakemi I. Akinyemi and Georgiana Funso Bankole both of 5, Owhin Street, Mushin, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

Aguguam Cyriacus Ukachukwu and ifeanyichukwu G. Aguguam both of 3, Lawanson Street, Lagos widower and the only child respectively of the said deceased.

Anya Uchechi Hope and Ugochi Joseph both of 8, Oremeji Street, Ilaje Bariga, two of the children of the said deceased.

Ayodele Francis and Kolawole Adewunmi both of 3, Joseph Close, Egbe, Lagos widower and brother respectively of the said deceased.

Obioha Nwankwo and Zinat Belondi Salako both fo No. 2, Room 20 Air force Base Ikeja, Lagos brother and sister respectively of the said deceased.

Jane Okoronkwo Chima, Chima Okoronkwo Olua and Kalu Okoronkwo Olua all of 56, Ojokoro Eyita Ikorodu Lagos, widow and two children respectively of the said deceased.

G.A SAFARI (MR.) PROBATE REGISTRAR

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

47

IN THE HIGH COURT OF LAGOS STATE OF NIGERIA PROBATE REGISTRY, IKEJA DIVISION WHEREAS the person whose names are set-out in the first Column under died intestate on the date and place stated in the said Column. AND WHEREAS the person or persons whose names and addresses and relationship (if any) to the deceased are set out in the second Column here have applied to the High Court of Lagos State for a Grant of Letter of Administration of the Real and Personal Properties of the deceased. NOTICE IS HEREBY given that Letters of Administration will be granted to such persons unless a NOTICE TO PROHIBIT THE GRANT is filed in the registry within (14) days from the date hereof.

S/N

S/N

NAMES OF THE DECEASED PERSON:

1. Mrs Victoria Olawuyi late of 60, Oduduwa Street, Mushin, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 5th day of March, 2006.

2. Adeshina Bernice Adeyinka late of 32, FMW/H Abesan Estate, Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 8th day of January, 2011 at Ogun State.

3. Mr Fidelis J. Akwunwa (Otherwise known as Mr Fidel Akwunwa) late of BT. 76 Flat 2. 411 Road Gowon Estate, Egbeda, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 12th day of February, 2009 at Benin.

4. Olumide Olumuyiwa Adegbenro (Otherwise known as Adegbenro Olumide Olumuyiwa) late of 3, Tinubu Close, University of Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 17th day of May, 2010 at Lagos.

5. Adigun Kehinde late of Arigbanle Estate, Iyana Ipaja, deceased who died intestate on the 8th day of December, 2008 at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital Ikeja.

6. Aderibigbe Folasahde Mofetoluwa (Otherwise known as Mrs Otuniga Folashade and Aderibigbe Folashade) late of 50, Oremeji Street, Ilasamaja Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 5th day of March, 2011 at Lagos.

7. Rev. Okon Bassey Esangetok late of 18, Dele Salawu Abule Era Ijanikin Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 17th day of July, 2008 at Akwa Ibom State.

8. Cuthbert Oluremi Dawodu (Otherwise known as Dawodu Oluremi Cuthbert) late of 1, Fagbemi Dawodu Crescent, Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of April, 2006 at Surulere, Lagos.

9. Abade Onosiakpo Joseph (otherwise known as Abade Joseph) late of 2, Oyero Street, Off Adeniyi Jones Ikeja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 25th day of April, 2011 at Lagos.

10. Godwin Chukwudunoga Oyi (Otherwise known as Oyi Godwin Chukwudumogu Oyi) late of 25, Salswu Street, Olodi Apapa, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 30th day of August, 2009 at Lagos.

11. Alhaji Mudi Baba (Otherwise known as Dan Malam Baba) late of 31, Palm Church Street, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 30th day of October, 2007 at Home.

12. Pastor Benjamin Adewale Emiola (Otherwise known as Benjamin Adewale Emiola) late of 9, Glorious Hope Avenue, Ori Okuta Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 21st day of May, 2011 at Lagos.

13. Mr Akaeze Mazwell late of 7, Oni Street, Akowonjo Egbeda, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 23rd day of April, 2011 at Luth Lagos.

14. Mohammed Attah Sule (Otherwise known as Iyodo Mohammed Attah Sule and Iyodo S. Attah Mohammed ) late of 46, Fakoya Street, Egbeda, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 29th day of September, 2010 at Abuja.

15. Adolphus Allison Capt. Rtd (Otherwise known as Adolphus Allison) late of 12, Nathan Street, Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 12th day of January, 2010 at River State.

16. Raphael Onotu late of 23, Bello Street, Ladipo Shogunle Oshodi Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of July, 2009 at Lagos.

17. Mr Daodu Adewale Thomas late of 8, Ibrahim Shokunbi Street, Sango, Ogun State deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of April, 2008 at Lagos.

18. Mr Olawale Olusegun Agboola late of 5, Prince Abiodun Adebambo Street, Egbeda, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 2nd day of November, 2007 at Lagos.

19. Mr Okpe Emmanuel (Otherwise known as Emmanuel Okpe) late of 18, Ladipo Street, Oko Oba Agege, deceased who died intestate on the 3rd day of July, 2011 at Lagos.

20. Mrs Lucia Adebisi Ogunowo late of 7, Uraka Street, Epe Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 31st day of March, 2006 at Lagos.

21. Mr Simeon Olanipekun Ogunremi (Otherwise known as Ogunremi Simeon Olanipekun and Simeon Ogunremi) late of 8, Ogbunka Street, Egan Igando Lagos State, deceased who died intestate on the 31st day of January, 2010 at U.K. 22. Olumide Francisco Pereira (Otherwise known as Pereira Olumide Francisco) late of 52, Olonode Street, Alagomeji Yaba Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of August, 2006 at Luth.

23. Yemisi Olufunmilayo Ibeh (Otherwise known as Ibeh Yemisi Funmilayo and Mrs Oluyemisi O. Ibeh) late of 22, Godwin Omonna Street, Isolo Lagos State, deceased who died intestate on the 12th day of April, 2008 at Lagos.

24. Ms Ariyo Elizabeth Olawunmi (otherwise known as Miss Ariyo Elizabeth Olawunmi) late of 2, Church Street, Agege Area, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 5th day of January, 2010 at Ekiti.

25. Adeyemo Kehinde Williams late of 5, Ayo Omope Ave. Alausa Akute Lagos, decased who died intestate on the 21st day of January, 2009 at Lagos.

26. Jonathan Onayiga Onasoga late of 17, Adenuga Taiwo Street, Obanikoro Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 15th day of December, 2000 at Ilisan Remo Ogun State.

27. Sanusi Abdulwaheed Edatomola (Otherwise known as Sanusi Abdul Waheed Edatomola) late of 9, Olokodana Street Papa Epe , Lagos State deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of May, 2011 at Epe, Lagos State.

28. Alhaja Mujidat Aweni Agoro (Otherwise known as Agoro Muyidat) late of 18, Molade Okoye Thomas Crescent, Ikeja, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 21st day of January, 2009 at Lasuth.

29. Mr Riliwan Abiodun Akinyemi (Otherwise known as Akinyemi Ridwan Abiodun) late of 51, Palm Avenue Mushin, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of December, 2010 at Lagos.

30. Micheal madu Onyelomu late of 11, Adeshina Street, Ijeshatedo Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 25th day of December, 2009 at Mbieri Imo State.

31. Kelvin Ejiro Daniel (Otherwise known as Daniel Ejiro) late of 64, Alimosho Road, Off Iyana Ipaja, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of May, 2011 at Lagos.

32. Balogun Jimoh Ayinla (Otherwise known as Balogun Jimoh) late of 15, Baba Sala Street, Amukoko, Lago,s deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of February, 2008 at Ile Ife Osun State.

33. Chinedu Uzoigwe Godwin (Otherwise known as Uzoigwe Chinedu) late of 14, Akinriola Street, Ajangbadi Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 14th dayof November, 2010 at Lagos.

34. Okakpu Pius late of 8, Alivide Crescent, Torikoh Badagry, Lagos , deceased who died intestate on the 17th day of May, 2009 at Anambra State.

35. Jimoh Ganiyu Sekoni late of 8, Iloti Street, Agric Bus Stop, Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 14th day of April, 2008 at Lagos.

36. Akor Samuel late of 14, Bello Street, Ladipo Oshodi, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of August, 2008 at Lagos.

37. Obire Blessing (Otherwise known as Blessing Solomon) late of 7, Ogungbenro Street, Ogba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 21st day of January, 2011 at Lagos.

38. Mr Okeke Daniel Ahamufula (Otherwise known as Mr Okeke Daniel) late of 2, Awolowo Street, Orile Amukoko, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 17th day of November, 2009 at Lagos.

39. Mr Humphrey Aiworo (Otherwise known as Aiworo Humphrey) late of 13, Alhaji Lateef Shofowa Street, Gbagada, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 29th day of January, 2001 at Edo State.

40. Madam Sudatu Ashake Disu (Otherwise known as Sunday Asake Alade (Mrs) late of 50, Oshodi Street, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of September, 1990 at Lagos.

41. Alhaji Jimoh Raji late of 40, Yaqubu Street Ikosi Ketu deceased who died intestate on the 21st day of May, 2010 at Ogun State.

42. Mrs Adegoke Asanatu Kehinde (Otherwise known as Mrs Kehinde Adegoke) late of 10, Adebayo Street, Pero Agege, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 26th day of January, 2004 at Lasuth Ikeja.

43. Mrs Luba Ogundipe late of 31 Road, G Close, H 32 Gowon Estate, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 16th day of October, 2005 at Lagos.

44. Uwasomba Micheal Ikechukwu (Otherwise known as Uwansoba Mike) late of 28, Atinuke Street, Ilasa Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of August, 2009 at Lagos.

45. Bayo Ohu late of 9, Oyeniyi Street, Egbeda, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of September,2009 at Lagos.

46. Mr Ewetuga Adedeji A. (Otherwise known as Adetayo Ewetuga) late of 55/57, College Road, Ifako Ogba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 31st day of December, 2010 at Lagos.

47. Alhaji Ganiyu Adewale Ogunwale (Otherwise known as Ogunwale Adewale Ganiyu ) late of 3, Unity Close, Coker Estate, Shasha, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of October, 2010 at Lagos.

48. Balogun Alfred, late of 22, Lasisi Ige Street, Igando Ikotun Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of February, 2009 at Lasuth Ikeja.

49. Obatayo Enoch Sanya (Otherwise known as Elder Sanya Obatayo Enoch) late of 25, Karonwi Street, Itire, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of April, 2010 at Lagos.

50. Akinnawonu Bolawa Akinlayo (Otherwise kown as Mr Bolawa Akinlayo Akinnawo) late of 1, Anifowoshe Street, Ewu Elepe, Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of July, 2003 at Lagos.

51. Mrs Asaba Mustafa Balami (Otherwise known as Balami Asabe) late of 403, Road A close, House 7, Festac Town, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of June, 2011 at NAF Medical Services, Lagos.

52. Mr Akpan Felix Udoh (Otherwise known as Mr Felix Udohakpan ) late of Euro 65, Yard Quarters, Julius berger Nigeria Plc deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of March, 2011 at Lagos.

53. Alhaja Shakirat Iyabode Lawal (Otherwise known as Hadja Shakirat Iyabode Lawal) late of 33, Raufu Williams Crescent, Adelabu deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of August, 2005.

54. Mr Gabriel Ndirika Obi (Otherwise known as Gabriel N. Obi) late of 11, Otubu Estate, Satellite, Lagos State, deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of September, 2010 at Lagos.

55. Boniface Chukwuka Okoha late of 27, Akinrinmola Street, Bariga, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 16th day of June, 2010 at Lagos.

56. Nwabuchi Anthonia (Otherwise known as Wilson Anthonia) late of No. 2/3 Ehiator Enoma Street, By Powerline Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 12th day of June, 2011 at Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

57. Mr Ajekigbe Mathew late of 26, Olosugbo Agbede Street, Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 8th day of December, 2010 at Luth, Lagos.

58. Mr Babatunde Josephus Ladipo (Otherwise known as Ladipo Babatunde) late of 1, Baba Ladipo Street, Oko Oba Abule Egba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 18th day of July, 2009 at Lagos.

59. Cyprian Okechukwu Nwaolisa late of 6, Coker Compound Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 19th day of July, 2009.

60. Mr Osuigbovo Lawrence late of 1, Church Street, Ajara Dokor Badagry, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 29th day of January, 2008 at Lagos.

61. Mr Alaba Moses late of 11A, Mosalasi Street, Off Okoya Ajegunle Lagos, deceased who intestate on the 16th day of July, 2011 at Lagos.

62. Oyeleye Temitayo Ireti late of 48, Bello Street, Papa Ajao Mushin, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 4th day of January, 2011 at Lagos.

63. Mr Ademola A. Ibironke (Otherwise known as Dr Ibironke Ademola) late of Blk 30, Flat 2, Alapere Estate, Ketu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 2nd day of October, 2010 at Osogbo.

64. Agbenla Afolabi (Otherwise known as Mr Afolabi Oladejobi) late of 5, Agbenla Street, Itire Ikate Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 23rd day of November, 2009 at Lagos.

65. Mrs Akeredolu Titilayo Latifat (Otherwise known as Mrs Akeredolu Titilayo ) late of 10, Surulere Street, Abule Egba deceased who died intestate on the 2nd day of April, 2009 at Lagos.

66. Emmanuel Adekunle George late of 11, Aileru Street, Mushin Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of April, 2009 at Lagos.

67. Otunba Monsuru Akinyemi late of 3, Mala Audu Street, Molaikila Venture, Filling Station, Okunola deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of May, 2009 at Agege, Lagos.

68. Mathew Okunlola (Otherwise known as Okunola Mathew) late of 14, Odunlami Street, Shomolu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 9th day of April, 2011 at Lagos.

69. Adeleimu Joseph Ajayi late of 18, Alhaja Oguntemi Close, Iloyi Community Dalemo Ota deceased who died in the 1st day of August,2009 at Ota. 70. Ishola Dauda Agboluaje (Otherwise known as Chief Ishola Agboluaje, Agboluaje Ishola Dauda, Alhaja Chief Dauda Ishola Agboluaje) late of 37, Ikosi Road, Ketu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of April, 2010 at Lagos.

71. Nnamihi Kingsley Anosikee late of 9, Aforkoire Street, Ago Isolo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of February, 2006 at Lagos.

72. Alhaji Sobowale Ishau (Otherwise known as Alhaji Ishau Akani Shobowale) late of No. 1, Alhaja Makinde Close, Ifako Agege, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 8th day of December, 2009 at Ifako Lagos.

73. Robinson Abigail (Otherwise known as Abigail Robinson) late of 14, Remi Sonaike Close, deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of November, 2010 at Lagos.

74. Balogun Sabitu (Otherwise known as Sabitu Balogun) late of 16, Shadare Street, Mushin, Olorunsogo Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of September, 2002 at Lagos.

75. Mr Bernard O. Akinsowon (Otherwise known as Bernard Osemuyiwa Akinsowon ) late of 226, Bale Street, Agboroko Iba deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of January, 2011 at Lagos.

76. Victor Uno Obi (Otherwise known as Uno Obi Victor ) late of 15, Mokuolu Street, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 21st day of March, 2011 at Lagos.

77. Madam Modinatu Arogundade late of 8, Bankole Street, Lagos Island deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of April, 1979 at Abidjan Ivory Coast.

78. Mr isreal Olushola Babawale (Otherwise known as Olusola Babawale) late of 120, Akowonjo Road, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 5th day of July, 2006 at Lagos.

NAMES OF APPLICANT APPLYING FOR THE GRANT

1. Omowunmi Ijale Olawuyi and Olushola Olawuyi both of 5, Gbologe Street, Ikotun Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

2. Adeshina Isiah Oludare of 17, Celestal Street, Abesan Estate, and Adeshina David Olurotimi of 7, Koya Akinwale Street, Oluwaga Ipaja, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

3. Mrs Akwunwa Olukemi and Mr Innocent Akwunwa both of BT 76, Flat 2, 411 Road Gowon Estate Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

4. Mr Abayomi Adegbenro of 53, Igbehinadun Street, Oshodi, Lagos, the uncle of the said deceased.

5. Mrs Sariyu Adigun, Mr Taiwo Adigun and Mr Kazeem Abiola Adigun all of Arigbanla Estate, Iyana Ipaja, mother and two brothers respectively of the said deceased.

6. Otuniga Adebola Samuel Odutan of 50, Oremeji Street, Ilasamaja, Lagos, and Mrs Oluwakemi Tella of 10, Ayeni Close, Ishasi Lagos, widower and sister respectively of the said deceased.

7. Akon Okon Bassey and Bassey Dickson Isong both of 18, Dele Salawu Street, Abule Era Ijanikin Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

8. Damilola Dawodu of 11, Ojo Oniyun Street, Ebute Metta, Gbemisola O. Dawodu , Ibitola Dawodu and Folarin Dawodu all of 1, Fagbemi Dawodu Crescent, Ikate, Surulere, Lagos, four of the children of the said deceased.

9. Mrs Abade Queen of 2, Oyero Street Adeniyi Jones Ikeja and Ikuvbogie Allordson M. of 26, Adekunle Olatunji Street, Agric Ikorodu, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

10. Mercy Uchechukwu Oyi, Mr Arinze Sabinus Oyi, Mrs Ezeli Rita Tobe Chukwu all of 24, Havana Street, Okota and Dr Anthonia Ogechukwu Oyi of 195, Kirikiri Road, Apapa, Lagos, widow and three of the children respectively of the said deceased.

11. Usman Mudi Baba, Mukhtar Mudi Baba and Nasiru Mudi Baba all of 236, Yalwa Quarters Kano, three of the children of the said deceased.

12. Racheal Omotoke Emiola of 9, Glorious Hope Avenue Ikorodu, Lagos and Rotimi Ajani of 53, Alh. Amoo Street, Ojota widow and cousin respectively of the said deceased.

13. Mrs Rita Akaeze of 7, Oni Street, Akowonjo Egbeda, Lagos, and Mr Maurice Akaeze of 30, Jimoh Akinremi Street, Akowonjo, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

14. Mrs Fatima Attah of 46, Fakoya Street, Egbeda, Lagos, and Adejo Attah of NAF Base Ikeja Blk 4, Flat 29, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

15. Mrs Comfort Ibimina Allison and Miss Alice Allison both of 12, Nathan Street, Surulere, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

16. Prisca O. Onotu of 4, Olufeso Street, Dopemu Lagos, and Elijah Onotu of 11, Ezekiel Street, Ikeja, Lagos widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

17. Ayodele Daodu and Bose Daodu both of 18, Fred Williams Street, Lolo B/Stop Ikeja, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

18. Mrs Sherifat Agboola , Mr Olushola Agboola and Olatubosun Agboola all of Prince Abiodun Adebambo Street, Egbeda, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

19. Mrs Okpe Elizabebth Aye and Miss Okpe Esther Susan both fo 18, Ladipo Street, Oko Oba Agege, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

20. Adejuwon Ogunnowo and Adedunke Ogunnowo both fo 3, Ademiga Street, Epe, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

21. Mrs Adepeju Bolanle Ogunremi of 8, Ogbunka Street, Egan Igando, Lagos State and Mr Olakunle Ogunremi of 68, Tejuosho Street, Surulere, Lagos State, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

22. Mrs Jumoke Abiodun, Mr Sobowale Pereira and Miss Abiola Pereira all of 52, Olonode Street, Alagomeji Yaba, Lagos, two of the children and sister respectively of the said deceased.

23. Alloysious Ibeh and Biodun Sonowo both of 22, Godwin Omonna Street, Isolo, Lagos, widower and brother respectively of the said deceased.

24. Mrs Dolapo Shitta of Bm 12 Shagari Estate, Lagos and Mr Sunday Ariyo of 4, Akapo Street, Oke Koto Agege, Lagos, sister and brother respectively of the said deceased.

25. Mrs Agnes Dada Adeyemo and Mr Babatunde Edward Adeyemo both of 5, Ayo Amope Avenue Alausa Akute, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

26. Prince Adeleke Onasoga, Prince Awodola Onasoga , Prince Oladosu Onasoga and Prince Abiodun Oyesanwo all of 17, Adenuga Taiwo Street, Obanikoro Lagos, four children of the said deceased.

27. Sanusi Muslim Omoku and Sanusi Abdulwasiu both of 9, Olokodana Street, Papa Epe Lagos State, one of the children and brother respectively of the said deceased.

28. Tokunbo Taiye Agoro of 24, Idowu Taylor V/Island Lagos, and Ronke Ojo of 18, Molade Okoya Thomas Crescent, Ikeja, Lagos , two of the children of the said deceased.

29. Mrs Akinyemi Omolara , Miss Akinyemi Rafiat M. both of 51, Palm Avenue Mushin, Lagos, and Mr Akinyemi Akeem of 21, Omowunmii Street, Mushin, widow, one of the children and brother respectively of the said deceased.

30. Isaac Onyelonu of 11, Adeshana Street, Ijeshatedo Lagos, the only surviving child of the said deceased.

31. Mrs Rebecca Daniel and Mr Daniel Christopher both of 64, Alimosho Road, Off Iyana Ipaja Lagos, mother and brother respectively of the said deceased.

32. Mrs Bola Balogun and Mr Kabiru O. Balogun both fo 15, Babasala Street, Amukoko, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

33. Mrs Amarachi Uzoigwe of 14, Akinriola Street, Ajangbadi , Lagos, Mrs Juliana Okoro and Miss Chinwe Uzoigwe all of 6, Selina Kasi Idimu, ALG, Lagos, widow and two of the sister respectively of the said deceased.

34. Okakpu Chinwe and Okakpu Patrick A. both of 8, Alivide Crescent, Torikoh Badagry , widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

35. Mrs Balikis Jimoh , Bakare Rukayat B., Bakare Aminat F. and Bakare Wasiu L. all of 8, Iloti Street, Agric B/Stop, Ikorodu, Lagos, widow and three of the children respectively of the said deceased.

36. Mrs Rabi Akor and Mr Akuba Mathew both of 14, Bello Street, Ladipo Oshodi, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

37. Doris Blessing and Omorigho Obire both fo 7, Ogungbenro Street, Ogba, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

38. Blessing Okeke and Miss Patience Okeke both of 2, Awolowo Street, orile Amukoko, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

39. Joy Aiworo, and Josephine Aiworo both fo 13, Alhaji Lateef Shofowa Street, Gbagada, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

40. Rev. Micheal B. Disu of 6, Oremeji Street, Ejigbo, Lagos, and Mr Lateef Jimoh of 6, Omolanke Street, Onigbongbon Lagos, two children of the said deceased.

41. Mrs Samson Raji, Mulikat Raji, Evangelist Moses Raji and Mr Fariu Raji all of 40, Yaqubu Street, Ikosi Ketu, Lagos, two of the children and two brothers respectively of the said deceased.

42. Adejoke Sikiru Ayoola, Adegoke Hakeem Babatunde , Adegoke Balikis Aderonke and Adegoke Sikirat Aderayo all of 10, Adebayo Street, Pero Agege, Lagos, widower and three of the children respectively of the said deceased.

43. Misha Ogundipe of 52, Road F Close, Block 3 Flat 5, Gowon Estate, Ipaja, Lagos, the only surviving child of the said deceased.

44. Mrs Christiana Chioma Uwasomba and Mrs Angela Chinagenwa Uwansoba both fo 28, Atinuke Street, Ilasa , Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

45. Olu Blessing Ochuko of 9, Olaniyi Street, Egbeda Lagos and Adeleke A.Leke of Daily Trust Newspaper Otako Abuja widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

46. Mrs Ewetuga Oluwafunmilayo, and Mrs Ewetuga Olubukola both of 55/57 College Road, Ifako Ogba, Lagos, widow and mother respectively of the said deceased.

47. Idris Olalekan Ogunwale and Qasim Babatunde Ogunwale both of 3, Unity Close, Coker Estate, Shasha, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

48. Balogun Felicia Olusola and Babatope Olatunde both of 22, Lasisi ige Street, Igando Ikotun, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

49. Rhoda Bosede Sanya and Olu Abayomi Sanya both of 25, Karonwi Street, Itire Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

50. Fehintola Akinnawo ,Ebenezer Akinnawo Olufemi Akinnawo and Olanrewaju Akinnawo all of 1, Anifowoshe Street, Ewu Elepe, Ikorodu, Lagos, widow and three brothers respectively of the said deceased.

51. Mustafa Balami, Charles Balami and Musa Balami all of 403 Road, A Close, House 9, Festac Lagos, widower and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

52. Mrs Felicia Felix and Mr Godwin Udohakpan both of Euro 65, Yard Quarters, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc Apapa Oshodi Expressway, Lagos, one of the widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

53. Onikoyi Hakeem Olakunle of 1, Oladipo Soyebo Close, Omole Estate Phase 1, and Lawal Rahman Abiodun of 33, Raufu Williams Crescent, Adelabu Surulere, two of the children of the said deceased.

54. Mrs Augustina Obi and Mr Henry Obi both of 11, Otubu Estate, Satellite, Lagos widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

55. Okoha Patrick Azubike and Okoha Stella Chinonye both of 27, Akinrinmola Street, Bariga, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

56. Eruemohor Wilson of 2/3 Ehitor Street, Off Powerline Ikorodu, Lagos, and Anthony Nwabuchi of 5, Basil Chibueze Street, Water side Abule Osun Lagos, widower and brother respectively of the said deceased.

57. Mrs B.R.Ajekigbe and Miss Sayo Ajekigbe both of 26, Olosugbo Agbede Ikorodu, Lagos , widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

58. Mrs Risikat Ajoke Ladipo, Taiwo Abiola Ladipo, Kehinde Olajide Ladipo and Morenikeji Ladipo all of No. 1, Baba Ladipo Street, new Oko Oba Abule Egba, Lagos, widow and three of the children respectively of the said deceased.

59. Mrs Ngozi Nwaolisa and Mrs Oluchi Nwaolisa both of 6, Coker Comp. Lagos widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

60. Mrs Helen Musili Osaigbevo and Mr Osaigbovo Efosa both of No. 1, Church Street, Ajara Dokor Badagry , widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

61. Mrs Alaba Esther, Alaba Hannah Oluwakemi both of 11A, Mosalasi Street, Off Okoya Ajegunle, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

62. Lawrence Olawunmi Oyeleye and Babatunde Oyeleye both of 1, Wumi Oyeleye Street, Gasline Ojokoro, Lagos father and brother respectively of the said deceased.

63. Mrs R.A.Ibironke and Adeyemi Ibironke both of Block 30, Flat 2, Alapere Estate Ketu, Lagos, mother and brother respectively of the said deceased.

64. Bisayo Agbenla and Babatunde Agbenla both of 5, Agbenla Street, Itire, Ikate, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

65. Mr Akeredolu Joseph B. and Mr Akeredolu Gabriel O. both of 10, Surulere Street, Abule Egba, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

66. Mr Adegboyega George, Mrs Adetutu Adebimpe (Nee George) Mr Adebanjo George and Miss Adepeju George all of 21, Idimagbo Street, Mushin, Lagos, four children of the said deceased.

67. Mrs Grace Bukola Akinyemi, Mrs Jemilatu Mopelola Akinyemi, Alhaja Haulat Akinyemi and Mrs Abisoye Bukola Akinyemi all of 3, Mala Audu Street, Off Ilaro Road, owode Yewa, Ogun State, wives of the said deceased.

68. Amudat Okunlola, John Okunlola Kolawole Agunbiade all of 34, Igangan Street, Ilo Aweda Ogun State , widow ,one of the children and cousin respectively of the said deceased.

69. Mr Bamidele Ajayi, Omolayo Adekunle (Mrs) (Nee Ajayi) Omoniyi Adebayo Ajayi (Mr) and Olubukola Omoyemi Ajayi Miss all of 18, Alhaja Ogunremi Close, Iloyi Community Dalemo Ota, four children of the said deceased.

70. Mr Adebola Azeez Agboluaje, Mr Babajide Gafar Agboluaje and Mr Adewale Morufu Agboluaje all of 37, Ikosi Road, Ketu, two of the children of the said deceased.

71. Mrs Nkendi F. Ihesie of 9, Aforkoire Street, Ago Isolo and Mr Azzubuike Chidi K. of Aliu Ibiwunwi Street, Ago Okota, Lagos, sister and brother respectively of the said deceased.

72. Mrs Yemisi Shobowale , Miss Sherifat Sanusi and Mr Afeez Shobowale all of 1, Alhaja Makinde Close, Ifako Agege, Lagos, two widows and two of the children respectively of the said deceased.

73. Ruth Oluwemimo Adio and Joseph Oluseye Bankole both of 3, Obasanjo Farm Road, Otta, sister and brother respectively of the said deceased.

74. Tajudeen Balogun and Fatimat Balogun both of 89, Fagbeiyiro Street, Alakuko Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

75. Mrs Esther Oladimeji Akinsowon and Mrs Omowunmi Festus both fo 226, Bale Street, Agboroko Iba Lagos, widow and sister respectively of the said deceased.

76. Elijah Uno Obi of 15, Makuolu Street, Lagos, the only surviving brother of the said deceased.

77. Alhaji Ibrahim Durosimi, Mrs Taibat Balogun both of House 27, E Close 21 Road, Festac and Julius Adewale Oshinyemi of 79, Dele Orisabiyi Street, Okota one of the children and two grand children respectively of the said deceased.

78. Mrs Ruth Omoladun Babawale and Mr paul Oluwadamilola Babawale both of 28, Tiamiyu Olaniyi Street, Ayetoro , widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased.

G.A SAFARI (MR.) PROBATE REGISTRAR

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

48

INSURANCE

‘Low income hinders insurance policy’ P

OOR remuneration and infra-structural challenges discourage most Nigerians from buying insurance, the President, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Dr Wole Adetimehin has said.

Adetimehin told The Nation that many people who love to have one policy or the other, cannot do so due to financial constraints. He said the CIIN is working with others to impress it on the government to develop infrastructure to enable people engage in productive ventures to boost their income.

He said: “We are joining forces with all stakeholders in the economy to get government to build infrastructure that would propel the growth of our economy. When the economy is growing, all other sectors would grow simultaneously.

“This probably has accounted for the slow pace of growth in insurance. This is because the economy is not growing. It is the function of the growth in the economy that would determine what should be the living wage, how people are being paid, their level of disposable income, from which they buy insurance. So, we are joining stakeholders, such as Manufacturers Association Nigeria (MAN), financial services sector, real sector and others to impress it on the government that it is high time something drastic was done in the development of infrastructure that would propel the growth of our economy.””

He said the task of reforming the industry has already been set rolling, adding that current de-

Stories by Chuks Udo Okonta

velopments in the country call for collaborative effort to reposition the profession and the industry.

He noted that the institute has initiated the Insurance and Government Relations Programme (IGRP), which will help promote insurance awareness among the three tiers of government, while a formidable industry team charged with developing input yearly into the national budget is being workout.

Adetimehin said there will also be an annual forum to discuss and analyse the budget, to bring to the front burner the opportunities for economic growth and in particular, the expectations from the insurance sector, noting that this will be the insurance voice on the fiscal and economic policies of the government which has not been heard for a very long time.

“The Insurance Industry Forum (IIF) will be solely charged to promote industry unified goals, inter the government regulatory understanding and development. The forum will be under the chairmanship of the Commissioner for Insurance, while membership will encompass all the various arms of the industry.

Meetings will be quarterly to discuss and resolve industry issues while also initiating agenda that will proper future growth of the industry,” he said.

He said the forum will be similar to the Bankers’ Committee of the banking sector will check the current situation where the various arms of the industry tackle the challenges differently.

•From left: Deputy President, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Mrs Laide Osijo; President, Dr Teslim Sanusi; and Chairman, Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Mr Sola Ladipo-Ajayi, during a courtesy visit by the delegation of the NIA to NCRIB in Lagos.

Insurers decry loss of businesses

T

HE insurance industry is yet to recover from its loss of the pensions account, the Chairman Royal Exchange Plc Mr Kenneth Odogwu, has said.

Odogwu, speaking in Lagos, said the loss is impacting on insurance business negatively as it had reduced premium generation by the industry.

He said: “The industry is still suffering from the loss of pension accounts to Pension Fund Administrators (PFA) and custodians, a loss which has become exacerbated by the ceding of Workmen Compensation policy to the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), thereby reducing premium generation even further.”

An insurance broker, who does not want to be named, said the government is not giving adequate attention to insurance operation taking soft risks off the industry, and leaving it with volatile businesses.

He said: “The pension business is a soft risk and the employees’ compensation is another soft risk.

They are not as volatile as motor, marine, oil and gas, aviation and others. What we have seen is that the government is trying to look for funds here and there. And they are empowering their agencies.

“The fact that employees’ compensation was taken way from the industry is a way of killing the industry, because insurance is a pool of risks. You have soft risks

and hard risks and you cannot keep taking the soft ones away and tell us to deal with the hard risks.

Before now, government never imposed any penalty for noncompliance, but now there is penalty in the Act; it is even compulsory for you once you are an employer with more that five people.

The government was never there when the business was handled by the underwriters.

“Now there are penalties, which compel people to comply. Automatically, they do not have to market, the law is there to compel people to do it, it is now a statutory policy and it is a cash cow that the industry has lost. It is a serious loss to the insurance industry.”

Explore micro, takaful insurance, NAICOM tells brokers

T

•From left: Corporate Affairs Manager, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) Mr Tope Adaramola; President, African Insurance Brokers Association (AIBA) Mr Feyisayo Soyewo and General Manager, Prestige Insurance Brokers Limited Mr Lawrence Ojo, at a press conference in Lagos.

Shareholder wants statutory deposit released

T

HE release of insurance companies’ statutory deposit will help the industry enhance its operations, the President, Independent Shareholders’ Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Mr Sunny Nwosu, has said.

Nwosu told The Nation that the decision to leave the money with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at an insignificant interest is inimical to the growth of the insurance industry.

He asked insurers to align with the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and seek a review of the situation.

Commissioner for Insurance Mr Fola Daniel, said the Insurance Act has stipulated how insurance firms should operate and there is no way the fund can be released to the operators.

“Why would they call for the release of their statutory deposit?

Are they liquidating? Statutory de-

posit is required in the event that an insurance company fails and is unable to meet its liabilities. The regulator would use the deposit to upset its liabilities. It is a deposit against possible failure or distress by insurance company.

“When a company is to be floated, a specific amount is deposited and once a certificate is issued to the company, half of the deposit is given to back to the company,” he said.

HE Commissioner for Insurance and Chief Executive Officer of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Mr Fola Daniel, has urged insurance brokers to explore opportunities in micro and takaful insurances to expand the insurance market.

Daniel, who said this in Lagos, noted that this has become important, especially in the face of renewed efforts by world governments towards financial inclusiveness.

He called on brokers to take urgent and decisive steps towards tapping into the vast insurance opportunities that currently abound in the country.

Daniel noted that in the past two years, “the Commission has been under the burden of developing and expanding the insurance market and by extension, increasing the insurance sector’s contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).”

He said part of the commission’s

efforts at growing the insurance market is the introduction of the Market Development and Restructuring Initiative (MDRI) in 2009. He, however, expressed disappointment that the brokers have not brought sufficient energy into the initiative.

Daniel urged brokers to look beyond the major commercial cities and go to the grassroots as a way of expanding their businesses.

He added that the Commission will be ready to support the Brokers in this regard.

According to him, the commission is at the moment collaborating with GIZ, a German Agency for sustainable development to conduct a diagnostic study on micro and takaful insurances in Nigeria, “the aim is to among others, evolve products that are environmentally friendly and affordable, and develop appropriate regulatory capacity, to enable the adoption of insurance at the grassroots as a means of managing risks,” he added

‘The aim is to, among others, evolve products that are environmentally friendly and affordable, and develop appropriate regulatory capacity, to enable the adoption of insurance at the grassroots as a means of managing risks’

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

49

THE NATION

INVESTORS Market recession threatens new issues

By Taofik Salako

O

PPORTUNITIES abound in the secondary market. This is because with continuing decline in share prices in the market, huge discounts exist therein.

However, this may affect new issues as, experts say, this is not the best time to buy them.

The two companies that had launched rights issues are trading below their offer price, providing attractive opportunities for investors to buy from the secondary market.

The rule at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) allows price movement on a company undertaking new issue on the principle that a free market must be allowed to discover the current price through interplay of demand and supply.

For example, Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals is raising funds from shareholders through a rights issue at N1.50 per share. But with the opening price of N1.35 at the stock market yesterday, investors would get a discount of 10 per cent buying from the secondary market.

Also, Flour Mills of Nigeria is seeking to raise N28.2 billion from existing shareholders through a rights issue of 455.56 million ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N62 per share. The company would be allotting eight new shares for every 33 ordinary shares held by shareholders as at October 7, 2011.

Flour Mills, however, opened yesterday at the secondary market at N58.25 per share, N3.75 or 6.05 per cent discount on the rights issue price.

This implies that shareholders, who may wish to renounce their rights, would not be able to trade the renounced shares at the NSE. Given the usual appreciable discount on rights, shareholders are

I

allowed to trade their renounced rights at the secondary market to take the premium.

The availability of the shares of the two companies at the secondary market might dissuade investors who might have sought to take advantage of pre-allotted shares to increase their shareholdings.

Both Neimeth and Flour Mills

were actively traded as the market opened this week. Neimeth was the second most active stock in the health care sector with 16 deals for 142,416 shares valued at N583,908.

Flour Mills was the fourth most active stock in the food and beverages sector with a turnover of 359,143 shares worth N21.34 million in 84 deals.

Market analysts said the T+3 clearing schedule, which delivers transaction by the third day after the transaction day, also makes secondary market attractive to investors given that new issues would still have to undergo allotment process, which takes at least four weeks.

Market analysts said with the

market, the success of the new issues might depend on the commitments of major shareholders, especially core investors, who might take advantage of the new issues to increase their shareholdings.

Most analysts agreed that the recession has significantly undervalued several stocks, which may tend to portray fundamental valuation as costly.

•Caption for the four pictures: L-R: Second Vice President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Mr. Emmanuel Ohanwusi; President/Chairman of Council, CIS, Mr..Mike Itegboje; and Chairman, 2011 Stockbrokers' Annual Conference Committee, Dr. Joseph Ologun, during a press briefing on the forthcoming 15th Stockbrokers' Annual Conference and Induction of New Members in Lagos on Monday.

Investors lose N473b on Dangote stocks

NVESTORS in the four quoted companies in the Dangote Group have lost N473 billion in capital gains, nearly one-third of the total loss recorded by the 217-company stock market by the third quarter of this year.

The losses by Dangote stocks highlighted the underlying stocks driving the recession at the stock market and also pin-pointed possible growth areas that might spur the recovery of the market.

Year-to-date return analysis of major non-financial stocks showed concentrated losses within the Dangote Group with average loss per stock with more than double the average loss within the entire stock market.

Market capitalisation of the four companies making the Dangote CHAIRMAN, Seven-UP Bottling Company Plc, Faysal El-Khalil, has bemoaned the adverse effect of high operating costs and lack of adequate access to capital.

Speaking at the Annual General Meeting of the company in Abuja, ElKhalil said access to affordable trade credit facilities has remained a challenge for its customers, suppliers and service providers, noting that banks have continued to tighten their lending criteria following the banking sector reforms.

He added that trading costs, especially cost of sugar remained high dur-

Group- Dangote Cement, Dangote Flour Mills, Dangote Sugar Refinery and National Salt Company of Nigeria (NASCON), dropped from the opening value of N2.152 trillion to close third quarter of the year at N1.679 trillion, a loss of N472.94 billion.

The performance of the Dangote stocks had weighed heavily on the overall performance of the stock market as the Dangote Group controls more than one-quarter of the total market capitalisation. Two of the stocks- Dangote Cement and Dangote Sugar Refinery rank within the 20 most capitalised stocks, which account for more than three-quarter of market capitalisation.

Aggregate market capitalisation of all quoted companies had dropped from this year's opening

value of N7.914 trillion to close third quarter at N6.496 trillion, representing a loss of N1.42 trillion or 17.91 per cent. The All Share

Index (ASI), the benchmark index which measures prices changes in the entire stock market and also doubles as country index for Ni-

7-Up berates high costs, targets N60b sales From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

ing the year, which compounded the soaring cost of energy and pushed the production cost to higher level. "We were unable to fully pass increases in input cost through selling prices to customers, resulting in decreased operating margins," El-Khalil said.

He, however, noted that despite the many challenges the company faced, it has been able to achieve good results, which reflected of the investments in capacity over the years as well

as the operating efficiencies and the cost saving strategies implemented by the management.

Managing Director of 7-Up, Mr. Sunil Sawhney, said the company would ride on the back of its expansive structure built over five decades to achieve a turnover of N60 billion for the 2011 business year.

According to him, the company at present has bottling plants in nine states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

He said the setting up of additional machines in its outstations will increase the production of the company thereby generating more employment.

Shareholders of the company, meanwhile, have urged the board of directors to seek ways of growing the business in Nigeria and also extending it to other West African countries through funding from the local financial markets. Shareholders also approved gross dividend of N1.28 billion, representing N2 per share.

geria, closed third quarter at 20,373 points, a decline of 4,397.522 points or 17.75 per cent on the year's opening index of 24,770.52 points. These indicate negative average return of about 18 per cent for the stock market.

However, average return within the Dangote stocks stood at -40.5 per cent with average losses ranging from 17 per cent to 60 per cent.

Market report indicated that market value of Dangote Cement has dropped from N1.859 trillion to N1.549 trillion while NASCON had dwindled from N16.93 billion to N11.92 billion. Market values of Dangote Flour and Dangote Sugar halved from N84 billion and N192 billion to N34.05 billion and N84 billion respectively.

These indicate losses of N310 bil•Continued on page 49

Forecasts Q3 & Q4 AFROMEDIA Plc Turnover N900.21m PAT N90.56m HONEYWELL FLOUR MILLS Plc Turnover N27.640b PAT N2.147b NIGER INSURANCE Plc Turnover N2.097b PAT N74.73 m INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES Plc Turnover N10.206b PAT N748.91m SEVEN-UP BOTTLING COMPANY Plc Turnover N16.545b PAT N661.16m

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

50

THE NATION INVESTORS SEC to launch new dispute resolution mechanism

Investors lose N473b on Dangote stocks •Continued from page 49 lion, N49.95 billion, N108 billion and N4.99 billion for Dangote Cement, Dangote Flour, Dangote Sugar and NASCON. Further analysis showed Dangote Flour within the top decliners' bracket with negative return of 59.5 per cent. Dangote Sugar trailed with -56.25 per cent while NASCON and Dangote Cement returned -29.5 per cent and 16.7 per cent. These indicate average percentage return of -40.5 per cent for the group.

With inflation rate at 9.3 per cent, the real return on investment for the Dangote group stood at -49.8 per cent compared with -27.05 recorded by the entire stock market.

Besides, there were also significant capital depreciations within

the petroleum-marketing sector due mainly to losses by Oando Plc and Forte Oil, formerly African Petroleum. Market value of Oando dropped from N119.47 billion to N52.28 billion, representing a loss of N67.2 billion or 56.2 per cent within the period. Forte Oil lost N12.38 billion or 52.3 per cent as investors' value dwindled from N23.66 billion to N11.28 billion.

Other non-financial stocks with significant losses included Ashaka Cement, -N21.75 billion or -36.6 per cent; Cadbury Nigeria, N36.64 billion or 45.7 per cent and Honeywell Flour Mills, which market value dropped by 39.22 per cent; about N16 billion.

On the upside, several stocks showed appreciable increase in investors' value in spite of the nega-

tive overall market situation. Nestle Nigeria added N74.4 billion to increase its market worth from N243.44 billion to N317.86 billion.

The two leading breweries- Nigerian Breweries (NB) and Guinness Nigeria - rallied to higher levels with Guinness Nigeria adding N40.4 billion to close at N321.46 billion as against its opening value of N281.06 billion. Nigerian Breweries consolidated its position as the second most capitalised company with addition of about N22 billion to close at N604.85 billion compared with opening value of N583.07 billion.

Other large manufacturers with gains include PZ Cussons Nigeria, Unilever Nigeria, Seven-Up Bottling Company and GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria.

FACTS

T

HE printing and publishing industry is one of the oldest in Nigeria. With the early companies incorporated in the early 20's, the industry is close to its centenary.

However, the vicissitudes of the printing and publishing industry have seen several companies fallen by the way side, leaving a handful of notable publishers.

In spite of this, the printing and publishing sector at the stock market has endured with the two flagship companies being University Press (UP) Plc and Longman Nigeria Plc. Longman Nigeria is older and relatively bigger than UP, although the operating figures of the two companies fall within the same broad range.

Longman Nigeria also has a dominant foreign core investor, which controls 51 per cent equity stake and also substantial influence on board and management. UP, on the other hand, is mainly owned and managed by Nigerians with only a sprinkle of 8.47 per cent foreign shareholding by the Oxford University Press, UK. No doubt, the printing and publishing industry has in recent period struggled under adverse impacts of the economic recession and the compounded effects of industry peculiarities. With piracy, dumping, and sub-standard products forming a hydra-headed tripod against publishers, poor and low education budget, credit squeeze and general slowdown in the economy among other macroeconomic challenges have watered down performances across the printing and publishing sector.

But amidst these challenges, UP has shown to be more nimble and resilient than competitors. While twp-year average indices of Longman Nigeria largely showed negative performances, UP's performance indices remained positive and reassuring.

Sales Generation Industry-wide decline in sales reflected on the performances of the two companies, but Longman Nigeria lost more ground than its competitor. Longman Nigeria has suffered two consecutive declines in sales with turnover dropping by 16.3 per cent and 8.6 per cent in 2009 and 2010 respectively. This indicate average decline of 12.45 per cent in recent years.

UP has managed to sustain turnover growth within the comparative period with a two-year average sales growth of 8.15 per cent. Although sales dropped by 2.9 per cent during the year ended March 31, 2011, 19.2 per cent sales growth in the previous year had cushioned the overall impact on the top-line.

TO

By Tonia Osundolire

S

ECURITIES and Exchange Commission (SEC) will soon launch a new dispute resolution channel as part of efforts to enhance the adjudicatory framework of the capital market.

Speaking at a consumer stakeholder forum, tagged: "Consumers for Fair Financial Services", Director-General SEC, Ms. Arunma Oteh, said the commission was reviewing the structure and process of complaints handling in the capital market to make it more efficient and investor friendly.

According to her, the commission has set up a committee to develop a uniformed complaints management frame-

FACTS

University Press vs Longman: Different prints of the publishers Profitability The contagious decline in sales amidst rising costs encumbered profitability of printing and publishing companies. UP however remain more profitable and maintain a positive profit outlook in spite of the contraction in the immediate past year. UP's average gross profit margin in recent years stood at 55.4 per cent while pre-tax profit margin was 19.4 per cent compared with 47 per cent and 19 per cent recorded by Longman Nigeria.

UP gross profit margin had dropped by a point from about 56 per cent in 2010 to 55 per cent in 2011 while pre-tax profit margin slipped from 21 per cent to about 18 per cent. Longman Nigeria had seen its gross profit margin down from 53 per cent in 2009 to about 41 per cent in 2010. Pre-tax profit margin nosed down from 29 per cent to 9.3 per cent.

In actual figures, Longman Nigeria's gross profit dropped by 30.3 per cent in the immediate past year, which ballooned into 70 per cent decline in pre-tax profit. Pre-tax

FACTS TO FACTS Turnover growth Gross profit growth Pre-tax profit growth Gross margin Pre-tax profit margin Net profit growth Return on Assets Return on Equity

work for the capital market. The report of the committee, having been accepted, is now a consultation document with the stakeholders.

The details of the complaints management framework would entail a systematic and well articulated education of the investing public on 'where to go, what to do and what to expect' in lodging and following up on complaints related to capital market transactions.

She stressed that handling investors' complaints was extremely important, adding that complaints serve as a source of market intelligence and sometimes, provide direct evidence of market misconduct and may provide a lead to a larger problem in the market.

growths of 30 per cent and 31 per cent over a two-year period.

UP's gross profit slipped by 4.9 per cent in 2011 as against an increase of 20 per cent in previous year. Pre and post tax profits declined by 20 per cent and 24 per cent compared with growths of 22 per cent and 15 per cent in previous year. However, substantial growths in previous year overshadowed the decline in the immediate past year. Two-year average gross profit growth was positive at 7.45 per cent while pre-tax profit inched up by one point. Net profit recorded -4.5 per cent.

•MD, UP, Mr Samuel kolawole

profit had grown by about 10 per cent in 2009.Net profit dropped by 68.5 per cent in 2010 compared with marginal growth of 6.0 per cent in previous year. These indicate negative average pre and post tax profit

Actual Returns UP's actual returns remain substantially higher than Longman's, though both companies have seen declines in underlying returns.

UP's average returns on total assets and equity were 14.55 per cent and 17 per cent respectively compared with Longman's 8.9 per cent and 13.3 per cent within the twoyear period. UP returned 8.8 per cent on total assets and 11.9 per cent on shareholders' funds in the immediate past year while Longman

Longman

Nigeria returned 4.3 per cent and 6.6 per cent respectively. In the previous year, UP had returned 20.3 per cent on total assets and 22 per cent on equity funds as against 13.5 per cent and 20 per cent returned respectively by Longman Nigeria.

The Bottom-line There is no gainsaying the challenges facing the printing and publishing industry. Unlike many other products, books and other printed materials are susceptible to high operating costs as consumers can make do with makeshifts. Infringement on copyright is probably the biggest challenge of the creative and literary world.

Navigating the turbulence for decades, UP appeared to have mustered enough intrinsic strength to cope with the operating environment. Continued investments in production assets, stable board and management and nationwide network of sales have placed the company in good stead to sustain profitability. With unbroken record of cash dividend payment for more than two decades and regular bonus issue, UP is a cash cow for investors. Nigerian-owned and managed, UP has a competitive edge against the possible dislocation that the divestment of foreign shareholding might bring for Longman Nigeria.

UPL

2010 %

2009 %

Average %

-8.6 -30.3 -70.4 40.7 9.3 -68.5 4.3 6.6

-16.3

-12.45 -15.15 -30.3 47.05 19 -31.25 8.9 13.3

9.8 53.4 28.7 6.0 13.5 20.0

Pre-tax profit margin (Longman)

Turnover growth Gross profit growth Pre-tax profit growth Gross margin Pre-tax profit margin Net profit growth Return on Assets Return on Equity

2011 %

2010 %

Average %

-2.9 -4.9 -20.4 54.8 17.5 -23.6 8.8 11.9

19.2 19.8 22 55.9 21.3 14.7 20.3 22

8.15 7.45 0.8 55.35 19.4 -4.45 14.55 16.95

Pre-tax profit margin (UPL)

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

51

THE NATION INVESTORS CORPORATE SCORE BOARD

P

Z Cussons Nigeria Plc rode on the back of aggressive cost reduction and improved employee productivity to minimise the adverse impact of a sluggish top-line amidst rising costs of operations.

Audited report and accounts of PZ Cussons Nigeria the year ended May 31, 2011 showed marginal increase in sales which thinned down to slight decrease in net distributable earnings. Underlying profit indices of the conglomerate also indicated marginal declines in average profit per unit of sales and average return on asset.

Although the absence of loanbased financial leverage continued to steady the balance sheet position, key financing and liquidity ratios showed a mixed grill with better working capital position counteracting decline in current ratio.

With 2.4 decline in net earnings per share, the retention of the same cash payout rate pressured the sustainable dividend outlook downward. The conglomerate's net asset per share however grew by 6.4 per cent.

Financing structure PZ Cussons Nigeria's group paid up share capital remained unchanged at N1.588 billion. Shareholders' funds meanwhile rode on the back of retained earnings to N41.19 billion in 2011 as against N38.71 billion in 2010, representing an increase of 6.4 per cent. Total balance sheet size expanded by about 17 per cent from N58.97 billion to N68.93 billion.

Current assets had grown by 28 per cent to N43.89 billion as against N34.23 billion while permanent assets had remained almost flat at N25.04 billion compared with N24.74 billion. However, total liabilities rose by about 37 per cent from N20.26 billion to N27.73 billion. The increase was driven by current liabilities which had grown by 45 per cent from N15.3 billion to N22.1 billion.

Beside the impressive zero finan-

PZ Cussons Nigeria: Braving the odds

By Taofik Salako

cial leverage, other key financing ratios weakened during the period.

The proportion of equity funds to total assets dropped from 66 per cent in 2010 to 60 per cent in 2011.

Current liabilities made up 32 per cent of total assets as against 26 per cent. Long-term liabilities/total assets ratio meanwhile improved from 34 per cent to 40 per cent.

Efficiency PZ Cussons Nigeria maintained a stable cost management and productivity outlooks as it balanced increase in operating expenses with higher employee productivity. Average number of employees dwindled by about 10 per cent or 311 persons from 3,232 persons in 2010 to 2,921 persons in 2011. Total staff cost however rose by 13 per cent from N5.93 billion to N6.71 billion, indicating average cost per head of N2.30 million compared with N1.83 million in previous year.

Average profit per employee correspondingly increased from N2.46 million to N2.75 million. Total cost of business, excluding interest expense, in relation to total sales inched up from 87.6 per cent to 88.3 per cent.

Profitability PZ Cussons Nigeria grew sales across market segments but the overall sales growth rate of 5.1 per cent could not provide the needed mass to grow net earnings. Turnover in the main business segment of branded consumer goods rose by 5.3 per cent from N42.6 billion to N44.8 billion while the durable electrical appliances business line improved sales from N20.1 billion to N21 billion. Group turnover thus increased by 5.1 per cent from N62.67 billion to N65.88 billion.

Cost of sales also grew marginally to N47.43 billion as against N45.38 billion. Gross profit increased by 6.7 per cent from N17.3 billion to N18.45 billion. Total op-

•MD, PZ Cussons Nig., Mr Christos Giannopoulos

erating expenses however rose by 13 per cent to N10.7 billion as against N9.5 billion. Selling and distribution expenses had increased from N6.02 billion to N7.02 billion while administrative expenses rose from N3.48 billion to N3.72 billion. A 42 per cent increase in non-core business incomes from N309 million to N440 million nudged the operating profit to N8.15 billion compared with N8.09 billion. Interest expenses also dropped by 12 per cent from N143 million to N126 million.

The combined impact of the increase in non-core incomes and the decrease in interest expenses slightly nudged pre-tax profit by a point from N7.95 billion to N8.03 billion. Segmental analysis of pretax profit showed that the flat performance of the pre-tax profit was due mainly to contraction suffered by the branded consumer goods segment. Pre-tax profit from the branded consumer goods dropped from N6.29 billion to N5.21 billion as against significant improvement in pre-tax profit from the durable

Fiscal Year Ended May 31 Nmillion

2011 12 months

% change

2010 12 months

Profit and Loss Statement Main Business Segment Total turnover Cost of sales Gross profit Operating expenses Interest and other incomes Finance expenses Pre-tax profit(loss) Post-tax profit (loss) Basic earnings per share(kobo) Gross dividend Cash dividend per share (kobo) Net Assets per share (kobo)

44,833 65,878 47,425 18,453 10,741 440 126 8,025 5,218 164 2,732 86 1,297

5.3 5.1 4.5 6.7 13.0 42.1 -11.8 0.9 -1.6 -2.4 0.0 0.0 6.4

42,590 62,668 45,381 17,287 9,502 309 143 7,951 5,301 168 2,732 86 1,219

Balance Sheet Assets: Fixed assets Total long term assets Trade debtors Current assets Total assets Liabilities: Trade creditors Bank loans Current liabilities Long-term liabilities Total liabilities Equity Funds Share capital Total Equity Funds

25,035 25,035 8,059 43,892 68,927

1.2 1.2 19.7 28.2 16.9

24,738 24,738 6,732 34,231 58,969

2,172 0 22,087 5,646 27,733

42.7 0.0 44.7 13.1 36.9

1,522 0 15,268 4,992 20,260

1,588 41,193

0.0 6.4

1,588 38,708

electrical appliances, which profit before tax rose from N1.7 billion to N2.81 billion. Profit after tax before non controlling interest stood at N5.70 billion in contrast with N5.58 billion.

However, with 69 per cent increase in non-controlling interest from N282.9 million to N479.5 million, net earning distributable to shareholders inched downward from N5.30 billion to N5.22 billion.

Per share analysis of net earnings showed that earnings per share reduced from 168 kobo to 164 kobo.

The company retained its cash payout at 86 kobo, which reduced dividend cover from 1.95 times in 2010 to 1.91 times in 2011.

Gross dividend had remained unchanged at N2.73 billion. Net assets per share improved from N12.19 to N12.97. The company meanwhile complemented cash payout with bonus issue of one for four shares, which automatically increased the number of outstanding shares by 25 per cent. This may pose a major challenge to cash payout in the immediate future unless the company breaks the sluggishness at the top-line and exerts more pressure on costs to create headroom for profit growth.

Further analysis showed marginal increase in gross profit margin from 27.6 per cent to 28 per cent but pre-tax profit margin slipped from 12.7 per cent to 12.2 per cent.

Return on total assets dropped from 13.5 per cent to 11.6 per cent while return on equity dwindled to 12.7 per cent as against 13.7 per cent.

Liquidity The liquidity position of the conglomerate showed a mixed outlook. Current ratio, which relates current assets to relative liabilities, dropped from 2.24 times to 1.99 times. The proportion of working capital to turnover however improved from 30 per cent to 33 per

Fiscal Year Ended December 31

cent. Debtors/creditors ratio stood at 371 per cent as against 442 per cent in previous period.

Governance and structures PZ Cussons Nigeria is a subsidiary of PZ Cussons (Holdings) Limited, United Kingdom, which holds 66.81 per cent equity stake in the Nigerian company. However, more than 77,000 Nigerian individual and institutional investors hold equity stakes in the conglomerate. One of the earliest companies in Nigeria, PZ Cussons Nigeria has maintained stable board and management over the years with requisite corporate governance structures to support its expanding business.

There were no major changes in corporate governance structure during the period. Professor Emmanuel Edozien still chairs the board while Mr. Christos Giannopoulos leads the executive management team as managing director. The company broadly complies with the Nigerian code of corporate governance as well as the PZ Cussons international best practices.

Analyst's opinion The performance of PZ Cussons Nigeria reflected the general slowdown in the macro economy.

The twin problem of economic recession and illiquidity in the financial system has not only limited disposable incomes but also limited access to funds, which have significantly altered the demand pattern against several consumer goods.

Against the background of the general economic outlook, the performance of PZ Cussons Nigeria is commendable. Recent investments in upgrade and expansion of production facilities and introduction of new products are expected to form the linchpin for future growth.

2010 %

2009 %

Financing structure Equity funds/Total assets Long-term liabilities/Total assets Current liabilities/Total assets Debt/Equity ratio

59.8 40.2 32.0 0.0

65.6 34.4 25.9 0.0

Profitability Gross profit margin Pre-tax profit margin Return on total assets Return on equity Dividend cover (times)

28.0 12.2 11.6 12.7 1.91

27.6 12.7 13.5 13.7 1.95

Efficiency Pre-tax profit per employee (Nm) Staff cost per employee (Nm) Cost of sales, operating exp/Turnover

2.75 2.30 88.3

2.46 1.83 87.6

Liquidity Current ratio Working capital/Turnover Debtors/Creditors

1.99 33.1 371.0

2.24 30.3 442.3

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

52

SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

‘Windshield repair is good business’

TIPS

Investing in auto repairs, spare parts sales

By Edwin Agbaike

T

•Broken car glass

W

HEN a car wind shield cracks, it is pain for the owner, but for the likes of Wasiu Oyebiyi, it is an opportunity to make money.

Oyeniyi and his friends are in the business of fixing cracked vehicle glasses and related items. The repairs could cost as much as N5,000 for a chip or minor crack.

It's cheaper to repair a wind shield than to replace it.

Oyebiyi, who operates on Oregun Road, Lagos, said repairing cracked wind shield is highly profitable. He has repaired many windshields since starting the business. He heard about windshield repairs and learned the trade for few years. He started with a box of tools. Now it has better equipment.

With experience, Oyebiyi fixes chips, dents and cracks using a drill, steel probe, suction cup, resin and curing tape. The flaw is made smaller, but it's still visible. Cracks that are older are a problem. They tend to get dirty. The windshield wipers tend to push dirt into the crack over time. And when it rains, dirt is carried into the crack. A good repair in time accomplishes three things: stops the crack from spreading, restores much of the strength of the glass and makes the

By Daniel Essiet

crack much less visible. Oyebiyi and his colleagues are in demand because car owners realise that there are problems associated with windshield replacement, such as leaking, rust, and paint damage. That can happen from improperly installed windshields.

According to him, windshield repair is such an attractive start-up business, easy to learn and inexpensive to get start.

New entrants, he explained, can learn the business in one week.

On the whole, the duration depends on the system and the techniques used. After his training, one can complete professional quality windshield repairs with just a few hours of practice. He arranges for the start up package, which includes all the tools a new windshield repair technician needs. It’s not uncommon for experienced technicians to repair several vehicles at the same time, especially when they’re servicing fleet accounts.

Oyebiyi said a new entrant will need N100,000. The amount covers the cost of training and starter system. He explained that there are options for anyone, depending on if they’re just starting out

and just want to do it part time or just want to use it for their own vehicles, or they want to add it on to an existing business, or that they want to start a full blown business.

How much one can make after investing so much in training and equipment? The technician said one can make N100,000 monthly.

This depends on the area,where there are few technicians, who are offering a windshield repairs services. How much net profit from a repair depends on the cost of consumables. A lot of new entrants set up businesses in filling stations, parking lots, car washes etc. Oyebiyi and other operators reach out to transport companies, rental car agencies and individual car owners. The challenge is that there are technicians who are not properly trained. Techniques are very specific to the type of system used and so technicians should receive hands-on training by the company that sold them the repair system or equipment.

For him, one can operate fulltime or part-time or as an adjunct to value add to an existing business.Operatorscanspecialiseinwindscreenandglass repairs.Thetargetmarketsarecarsaleyards,hirecarfirms, bus,truckandtaxicompanies,fleetowners,Insurance companies,carcleanersandserviceworkshops.

The big world of ‘small chops’

S

MALL chops are light food that one takes between meals.

They are a mixture of drinks made to achieve a particular taste and cocktail.

The small chops and cocktail industry is huge. Just as the market is big, so is the opportunity to make money.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive , Awesome Bezalel Event, Mr Akinkugbe Akinyemi, whose company serves cocktail and small chops at events, said there are opportunities for Nigerians to take advantage of. He is riding on the crest of small chops becoming common place in cocktails. His market includes weddings, engagement, birthdays, funeral services, etc. Akinyemi,promoter of Awesome Bezalel Academy, said initial start up capital is N20,000 .

The success of small chops as a food option at parties is growing into a flourishing business enterprise for small business investors in the country.

Depending on the events, Akinyemi could charge a client N50,000 and hire waiters to do the serving. His success is hinged

HE economic growth of the last several years has resulted in increased disposable income. Many people have chosen to spend part of their increased income on their automobile. As a result, the need for reliable and convenient auto services has substantially risen as well. Increase in consumer credit products offered by banks and availability of cheaper car models, is encouraging the acquisition of new cars by more people, especially in Nigeria.

The number of new cars registered in Nigeria has been on the increase in the last five years. In addition, many individuals also directly import their cars from abroad to reduce the cost of acquisition as well get better specifications. The influx of new cars has, expectedly increased the need for high quality auto spare parts and service centres, especially in Lagos and other major cities where there are heavy traffic flow.

This project entails the setting up of a modern ‘Auto repair services and sale of spare parts’ centre. It offers high-quality, quick and convenient auto repair services; along side, a full range of auto parts inventory with rapid shipping capability of major auto parts, for the Nigerian market on commercial basis.

The product lines include a full complement of inventory at a typical super centre of an average that is approximately 25,000 items. Prominent amongst which are: tyres; batteries. new and remanufactured parts for domestic and imported cars, including: suspension parts; ignition parts; exhaust systems; engines and engine parts; oil and air filters, belts, hoses, and air conditioning parts; lighting; wiper blades; brake parts; etc. Chemicals: including oil, antifreeze, polishes, additives, cleansers and paints. Mobile electronics: including sound systems, alarms, and remote vehicle starters. Car accessories: including seat covers, floor mats, and exterior accessories. Hand tools: including sockets, wrenches, ratchets, paint and body tools, jacks and lift equipment, automotive specialty tools and test gauges.

Repair service to be rendered ranges from routine maintenance and refurbishments to major repairs of automobiles. Specifically, it will include the followings: oil change: scheduled and unscheduled walk-in oil change service for all vehicles. Filter replacement: for all vehicle.

Preventive maintenance: Regular maintenance on all vehicles with diagnostics to detect impending repairs. Tyre installation, balancing and alignment: Replacement of tyres for all vehicle, electronic wheel balancing and alignment. Brake service: General service and repair of brakes. This will include replacement of brake pads, drums and lining. air conditioning system installation & repair: complete and partial installation of car air conditioning system. Repair of entire cooling mechanism. Belts and hoses: Replacement of belts (fan belt, engine belt, A/C belt) and hoses. Engine diagnostics: Complete engine diagnostic for all vehicles. Diagnosis is capable of detecting all major and minor defects in the engine of the car. Tune-ups: Engine tune-ups and overhauling.

Fuel system maintenance and repairs: Cleaning and maintenance of fuel systems to ensure smooth functioning of engine. Transmission fluid exchange: Replacement of automobile transmission fluids with authentic fluids. Shocks and struts: Replacement of automobile shocks and struts with original spare parts. Car wash: automated and manual car wash and detailing service. Body works: - panel-beating. painting and repainting using state of the art automotive baking ovens. Sale of spare & service parts: This will include parts of vehicles that will be used for in-house repair and/or refurbishment jobs as well as in sale to other garages and vehicle owners. Sale of car accessories: This will include general and specialised accessories for various vehicle brands.

Investment cost for execution of this service project may range from N10 million. This amount can be scaled down or increased, depending on the financial position of the promoter. The project has great economic potential if properly planned and implemented. The returns in terms of turnover and profits are very high; sometimes running over 50 per cent. It is, therefore, recommended that interested investors contact the consultant for help and a detailed Feasibility Report.

This project stands a good chance of attracting both local and offshore finance, which can be obtained from any of the commercial Banks or foreign banks/investment outfits. A well-packaged feasibility report is a pre-requisite to securing finance for the project. This can be provided by the consultant on request. For details on how to implement this project or any other, please contact us. We are willing to assist potential investors on any aspect of the project. Prospective investors may get in touch with us at the address stated hereunder.

KRIS-ED BRILLIANT LIMITED (Brilliant Consulting), No. 34, Little Road, Yaba –Lagos. Tel. Nos. 08023381900; 08098525122.

E-mail: krisedbrilliant@yahoo.com.

•Cocktails on the fact that people for long want something different from the usual dishes that they are used to and whoever does that will win their patronage. The challenge is that there are many new entrants, who have brought a lot of cookery art, ingredient and attention into preparation of the least of small chops. This has created some

kind of competition, among existing small chop outfits. Most of them are making new recipes for variety, thereby enlarging their market scope. His training exposes new entrants to recipes with limp cucumber, sweaty cheese and white-bread sandwiches, washed down with weak juice.

‘Investment cost for execution of this service project may range from N10 million. This amount can be scaled down or increased, depending on the financial position of the promoter. The project has great economic potential if properly planned and implemented. The returns in terms of turnover and profits are very high; sometimes running over 50 per cent. It is, therefore, recommended that interested investors contact the consultant for help and a detailed Feasibility Report’

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

53

54

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

55

56

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

57

58

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

59

60

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

61

FOREIGN NEWS

Liberia’s runoff: Johnson backs Sirleaf

F

ORMER rebel leader Prince Johnson, who came third in Liberia’s election, says he will back Nobel Peace Prize-winner President Ellen JohnsonSirleaf in the second round.

“She is the lesser of two evils,” he told the BBC. Forces loyal to Mr Johnson infamously filmed the torture and murder of dictator Samuel Doe. Mrs Sirleaf’s opponent will be former United Nations diplomat Winston Tubman This is Liberia’s second election since the end of a 14-year civil war in 2003.

With almost all the ballots counted, Mrs Sirleaf has 44% against 32% for Mr Tubman, with Mr Johnson on 12%.

A candidate needs more than 50% for outright victory.

Malaria deaths fall over 20% worldwide THERE has been a fall of just over 20% in the number of deaths from malaria worldwide in the past decade, the World Health Organization says.

A new report said that onethird of the 108 countries where malaria was endemic were on course to eradicate the disease within 10 years.

Experts said if targets continued to be met, a further three million lives could be saved by 2015.

Malaria is one of the deadliest global diseases, particularly in Africa.

In 2009, 781,000 people died from malaria. The mosquitoborne disease is most prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, where 85% of deaths occurred, most of them children under five.

An earlier report here incorrectly referred to a 40% drop in deaths.

It has been eradicated from three countries since 2007 Morocco, Turkmenistan and Armenia.

Over the weekend, opposition parties - including those of Mr Tubman and Mr Johnson - said they were pulling out of the election, accusing the National Elections Commission (NEC) of rigging it in favour of the incumbent.

But Mr Tubman has since confirmed that he will take part in the run-off, provisionally set for 8 November.

Mrs Sirleaf, who was earlier this month awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, won the 2005 election to become Africa’s first female elected head of state.

Prince Johnson openly takes responsibility for the 1990 killing of Samuel Doe. However, he denies being a war criminal and describes himself as a “liberator”.

That’s how he was seen in

Zuma releases report on oil deals

P

RESIDENT Jacob Zuma will soon release a 2006 report about dubious oil deals, his office said yesterday, with critics saying he may be using findings from five years ago to settle current political scores.

Zuma is facing a major policy setting meeting of his ruling African National Congress next year when it elects its leaders, with analysts saying he has been trying to secure reelection for its top spot by undermining his foes.

Zuma’s office said it will release by Dec. 7 findings from the Donen Commission that

•Prince Johnson

his native Nimba County, when he first took up arms against Doe’s regime. People there largely vote along ethnic lines and gave Prince Johnson a first go at democracy when he returned from exile in Nigeria and overwhelmingly won a Senate seat in 2005.

Somali rebels fortify defence •Blast kills six in capital

S

OMALI militants linked to al Qaeda prepared to defend a town in southern Somalia yesterday from advancing Kenyan and government troops, while a suicide car bomb killed six people in the capital during a visit by a Kenyan minister.

Facing muddy terrain and heavy rains, residents tried to flee Afmadow as the town braced for the next phase of an offensive launched on Sunday by Kenya, along with Somali forces, in a risky bid to secure the border with its anarchic neighbour.

The operation is a major escalation that risks dragging Kenya deeper into Somalia's two-decade-old civil war. But a spate of kidnappings in Kenya by gunmen thought to be linked to al Shabaab led Nairobi to conclude that with its multi-billion dollar tourism industry at stake it had no option but to strike back.

Highlighting the level of anarchy and conflict gripping Somalia, a suicide car bomb exploded near two government ministries in Mogadishu on Tuesday, killing six people, an ambulance worker said, in the second such attack in the capital this month.

A high-level Kenyan delegation was in the city at the time of the blast. In a joint statement Kenya and Somalia agreed they would carry out preemptive strikes on militants that threatened the security of either country.

Meanwhile al Shabaab has assembled columns of fighters and dozens of battle-wagons mounted with heavy machine guns and dug trenches around the town.

Kenyan officials have remained tight-lipped on the details of the operation but a military spokesman said Kenyan troops were 100 km (60 miles) inside Somalia in Qoqani, which is about 30 km (20 miles) to the west of Afmadow.

looked into several South African companies linked to the UN’s oil for food programme for Iraq, which was suspended amid allegations of corruption.

“The President has decided to release the report, after careful consideration, in recognition of the public interest in the subject matter,” his office said in a statement.

Zuma’s government has resisted releasing the report since it took office about two years ago, with media groups filing freedom of information applications to see its findings.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

62

MONEY LINK

Fed Govt to partner banks on fertiliser T

sectors.

The minister reiterated that the government must regulate quality of fertilisers, adding that efforts are being made through legislation to sanction producers of adulterated fertiliser.

Adesina mentioned that the recently launched Electronic Wallet system for the distribution of Agro input would provide

HE Federal Government has unveiled plans to partner nine commercial banks on finance for agriculture.

The aim is to support seeds and fertiliser companies through a deal with the banks some of which are Zenith Bank, Union Bank, Standbic IBTC and Standard Chartered Bank.

Bank representatives at the stakeholders’ meeting were Fidelity Bank, Keystone BAnk, Agricultural Business bank, Firstbank and Diamond Bank.

Speaking at a consultative forum yesterday in Abuja, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, said spending N1.3 trillion on food iportation was unacceptable, adding that such transaction is a disaster to the economy.

He said there was the need to work with input partners to make fertilisers and seeds accessible to farmers.

His words: “We face a serious challenge when Nigeria is a main importer of food by spending N1.3 trillion per year buying food. Physically it’s not sustainable at all. Economically and politically it’s a disaster because what happens is that we are spending all of our money on food imports.”

The minister bemoaned the lack of transparency in the distribution of fertiliser to rural farmers, stressing that only 11 per cent of farmers gained access to the distribution. He however, disclosed that distributions of fertiliser would only be executed through the private

farmers access to farm input via their cell phones, disclosing that the platform would be ready by November and would be piloted in December In his remark, the President of Seeds Dealers Association of Nigeria, Dr. Mattew Omidiji, decried government’s failure to support seed companies, stressing that seed business is

“time bound” and non-lucrative.

Omodiji advised the government to acquire seeds in large quantity and make them available for purchase to seed companies rather than fostering financial supports from commercial banks.

He said interest rates and lending conditions from commercial banks often discourage farmers

ETI posts $115m profit in nine months

E

COBANK Transnational In corporated posted a 61 per cent rise in net profit in the nine months to September.

The result indicates that its operations showing broad growth, while striving to contain costs, the bank said, yesterday.

ETI, which operates funds transfer, commercial and investment

on the back of a strong balance sheet and healthy levels of liquidity,” it said, adding that growth in international and regional trade also boosted its results.

ETI said revenues rose 37 per cent to 1.21 billion cedis from 888.97 million cedis, while net interest income rose 23 per cent to 602.36 million cedis, from 490.21 million a

By Simeon Ebulu, with agency report

banking in over 30 African countries with nearly 600 branches, said net profit rose to 186.58 million cedis ($115.17 million) from 116.15 million cedis for the same period last year.

“We contained costs and improved efficiency during the period

I

N line with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s drive towards making Nigeria a cashless society, Diamond Bank, said it has signed a formal partnership agreement with Paga, a CBN licensed company, to offer branchless financial services to consumers. Both institutions have been working together on this initiative for nearly two years, a statement from the bank said.

It said the partnership will make it possible for the bank’s customers to link their bank accounts to their Paga accounts, permitting them to perform transactions on Paga directly from their bank account.

their mobile phones and make use of the large number of Paga agents situated around the country,” the bank said.

Group Managing Director of Diamond Bank, Dr Alex Otti, said Diamond Bank is committed to delivering excellent banking services to its customers as well as devising new ways of reaching new ones.

Expanding the reach of formal banking is vital to our long-term strategy and in due course, Paga will allow us to reach a new segment of the population,” he said.

Also commenting on the partnership, Chief Executive Officer,

With this development, customers will be able to perform a variety of transactions, including money transfers and bill payments, the bank explained in the statement.

It is expected that over time, the bank will leverage Paga’s agent network to offer its banking products to the un-banked.

“By linking their bank account to the Paga electronic wallet, customers will be able to move their money between the two systems freely and easily through their mobile phones.

“This will enable them to send payments around the country, pay their bills, buy airtime for

Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

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

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2011 “ 14-04-2011

GAINERS AS AT 18-14-11 SYMBOL GTASSURE NEIMETH JAPAULOIL PZ AIICO ZENITHBANK TRANSCORP IHS IBTC UNITYBNK

O/PRICE 1.21 1.35 0.75 29.51 0.57 11.80 0.72 2.66 9.33 0.68

C/PRICE 1.27 1.41 0.78 30.65 0.59 12.20 0.74 2.73 9.50 0.69

CHANGE 0.06 0.06 0.03 1.14 0.02 0.40 0.02 0.07 0.17 0.01

LOSER AS AT 18-10-11 SYMBOL CCNN ETERNAOIL NSLTECH IKEJAHOTEL DANGSUGAR DANGFLOUR PAINTCOM FIDELITYBK VITAFOAM ECOBANK

O/PRICE 5.90 4.57 0.84 2.37 6.18 6.49 0.71 1.79 5.95 2.17

C/PRICE 5.61 4.35 0.80 2.26 5.90 6.21 0.68 1.72 5.75 2.10

Amount

Offered ($) Demanded ($)

MANAGED FUNDS

Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Paga, Mr Tayo Oviosu, the firm is committed to bringing affordable financial services to the unbanked. “This partnership and others we will forge will help us achieve our goals and bring banking to the door step of every Nigerian,” he said.

Mr. Garry Marsh, Senior Advisor Retail & Private Banking of Diamond Bank remarked “We have been on this journey with Paga for well over a year now.

The selection of Paga is a result of the company consistently executing on its plans and proving to our team that not only do they have a robust platform but they are able to deliver,” he said.

DATA BANK

Tenor

OBB Rate Call Rate

year earlier.

Basic earnings per share rose 60 per cent to 0.0162 cedis from 0.0108 cedis, saying it plans to complete the acquisition of Nigeria’s rescued lender, Oceanic Bank by yearend after the companies agreed a deal in August. “The outlook for the final quarter of 2011 is promising,” the statement added.

Diamond, Paga partner on branchless banking

FGN BONDS

NIDF NESF

from accessing loans to increase their productivity.

The seed dealers’ president however, urged government to regulate interest rates of banks and issuance of collaterals with guarantees in order to make procurement of seeds feasible and to help realize the agricultural transformation agenda.

Amount

Exchange

Sold ($)

Rate (N)

Date

450m

452.7m

450m

150.8

08-8-11

250m

313.5m

250m

150.8

03-8-11

400m

443m

400m

150.7

01-8-11

EXHANGE RATE 26-08-11 CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Currency

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD

147.6000

149.7100

150.7100

-2.11

NGN GBP

239.4810

244.0123

245.6422

-2.57

NGN EUR

212.4997

207.9023

209.2910

-1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

Bureau de Change 152.0000 (S/N)

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

Parallel Market

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

NSE CAP Index

NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N)

13-09-11 N6.7026tr 21,018.52

14-09-11 N6.760tr 21,199.16

% Change -0.87% -0.86%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

(S/N)

153.0000

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

Aug ’11

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

8.75%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 9.4%

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 118.15 100.28 0.77 1.02 0.91 1,639.36 8.24 1.39 1.87 7,118,33 193.00

9.08 1.00 117.96 99.71 0.74 1.02 0.90 1,634.12 7.84 1.33 1.80 6,917.31 191.08

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

CHANGE 0.29 0.22 0.04 0.11 0.28 0.28 0.03 1.07 0.20 0.07

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

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

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

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

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK Previous

Current

04 July, 2011

07, Aug, 2011

Bank

8.5000

8.5000

P/Court

8.0833

8.0833

Movement

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

63

SPORT EXTRA

Doumbia seals CSKA win C

SKA Moscow breathed new life into their Champions League hopes courtesy of a classy double by Seydou Doumbia in a 3-0 home win over Trabzonspor at the Luzhniki Stadium.

Doumbia pounced to slot the opening goal on 29 minutes when he scored from Vagner Love's back-heeled pass before killing off the Turkish side when he bounded clear to clip the ball over visiting keeper Tolga Zengin to seal the three points on 86th minute.

Substitute Aleksandrs Cauna scored CSKA's second goal on 76th minute after Doumbia had played in Love to throw over a delightful cross for his team-mate to net with a clinical volley on the break.

CSKA's first win of Group B sees them join Trabzonspor on four points at the top of the

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

RESULTS

CSKA Moskva 3 - 0 Trabzonspor Napoli 1 - 1 Bayern München Man City 2 - 1 Villarreal Lille 0 - 1 Inter Otelul Galati 0 - 2 Man United Basel 0 - 2 Benfica Real Madrid 4 - 0 Lyon Dinamo Zagreb 0 - 2 Ajax

section before they meet in Turkey in a fortnight in the second of a double-header that could go a long way to deciding where they end up in the group.

Internazionale will lead the group on six points if they win at Lille later on Tuesday night, but the French side also know a victory will take them clear in the fight for the first two spots in the section and a place in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Trabzonspor - buoyed by their shock 1-0 win over Inter Milan at the San Siro in their Group B opener last month made a vibrant start to the night in a freezing Moscow.

Adrian Mierzejewski threw over a corner on eight minutes that was headed narrowly wide by Giray Kacar before Mierzejewski saw an effort fly wide of goal on 16 minutes.

CSKA captain Sergei Ignashevich was forced to dash back to hack a shot by Halil Altintop off his line on 17 minutes as Trabzonspor pushed for the crucial opening goal.

CSKA's first threat of the evening came on 21 minutes when the crafty Alan Dzagoev pulled a free-kick wide of the target four minutes later.

Doumbia then gave a glimpse of the skills that have helped him to four goals in three Champions League games by thumping a shot wide from the edge of the area on 24 minutes.

•Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema (L) vies with Ajax Amsterdam’s Dutch forward Derk Boerrigter during the UEFA Champions league

Enyeama shines, Pazzini's goal sends Inter top of Group B

O

UT of favour Super Eagles goalkeeper vincent Enyeama was in superb form last night for Lille Metropole as he kept the rampaging Italians at bay culminating in 0-1 home loss for the French side at Stadium Lille Metropole.

Internazionale put their domestic woes behind them to go top of the Champions League Group B with a 1-0 win over Lille in a turgid match at Stadium Lille Metropole.

Inter - 17th in Serie A with only four points after successive defeats to Napoli and Catania in the past fortnight - claimed victory in France courtesy of Giampaolo Pazzini's opportunist winner

GOVERNOR'S CUP

Rain disrupts tournament •As organisers order for mops A CTIVITIES came to a standstill at about 5pm on Tuesday at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Cup, Lagos as matches being played at the ongoing Governor's Cup came to an abrupt end due to heavy downpour.

In an earlier interview, the NationSport had spoken with the tournament's Director, Wale Oladunjooye who stated that the only challenge being experienced at the tournament was the unpredictable weather condition which had forced them to shift some of the

By Stella Bamawo matches. However, he maintained that the scheduled closing date for the tournament October 30 remains.

However, Olagunsoye revealed that the organisers had ordered for mops to clean the court in the case of light rainfall:"We have ordered for more mops, we can't afford to be shifting the dates all the time."

Meanwhile, the Local

Organising Committee, LOC, of the Governor's Cup Lagos Tennis Championship, has called on Nigerians to come out and watch exciting tennis action in the ongoing ITF tournament at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.

The competition is sponsored by Etisalat, FCMB and other co sponsors like Julius Berger, Naston Eng. Ltd, CCECC Nig Ltd, Seg-Mahsen Nig Ltd, HFP Eng. Ltd and a lot of individuals.

on 21 minutes.

Inter top Group B on six points after CSKA Moscow had joined Trabzonspor on four points with a 3-0 victory in Moscow earlier in the evening.

Litte are bottom of the standings on two points with this defeat coming on the back of a couple of draws. Lille had kept five clean sheets in six matches against Italian opponents in Europe.

The first period made for pretty grim viewing as Lille huffed and puffed without ever threatening to break down the visiting side.

Inter scored with their only memorable attack of the first, and it was quite a strike by Giampaolo Pazzini that broke the deadlock.

Wesley Sneijder showed considerable vision to send Mauro Zarate scampering clear down a wing and his cross was met by Pazzini, who thumped the ball beyoned the helpless home goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama from eight yards out.

Julio Cesar managed to claw out a couple of balls flying in his general direction while he raced from his line to smuggle the ball away from Moussa Sow after Cole dinked a nice ball down the line.

Zarate enjoyed another probing run on 35 minutes, but his shot was blocked by the long leg of Marko Basa, who was forced to race back with some urgency.

www.thenationonlineng.net

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.7 NO.1918

Tomorrow in THE NATION ‘The debate from its moral tone and pretence to some high ideals, clearly set aside the sixth assembly from Dimeji Bankole‘s unruly House of devious intrigues over contracts, freely fought over, sometimes in the presence of visiting school children’ JIDE OLUWAJUYITAN

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

L

AST week, I took the reader through how the simple exercise of producing a national identity card for the nation’s citizens since 1967 has been cynically converted by a relay of cabals of private/public partners into a long running and highly profitable mega-scam – profitable, that is, for the PPPs. We saw in my article how an exercise which was to cost the country N10 million in 1979 has gulped over N 70 billion so far, still with virtually no result.

Then came last month’s announcement by the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, that another N 30 billion will soon be poured down this black hole. Coming at a time the authorities have said the country could illafford a minimum wage of N 18,000, never mind their decision to remove the so-called fuel subsidy at one fell swoop, come rain, come high water, I, personally, thought this was really stretching the patience of Nigerians to breaking point.

However, bad as the 34-year national identity card scam has been, it can only play second fiddle to the terrible mess that the tenyear privatisation of Nitel, Nigeria’s erstwhile public telecommunication monopoly, has degenerated into.

And like the national ID card scam, there seems to be no end in sight to its sad and tragic story. Sad and tragic for its 4,500 workers that are owned billions of Naira in wages, sad and tragic for its 10,000 or so pensioners whose five-year buy-out pension plan has been in limbo, and sad and tragic for Nigerians to whom no transparent account of the sale of many of its assets, including the controversial one to former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole, has been rendered.

Two months ago, a Senate ad hoc committee held a public hearing on the performance to date of the Bureau for Public Enterprise (BPE), the agency in charge of privatising government owned companies. Not surprisingly, the star witness was its pioneer and most visible director general, Malam Nasir el-Rufa’i.

He was DG between 1999 and 2003.

By no means a stranger to hostility from federal legislators as BPE’s boss and subsequently as minister of Federal Capital Territory, el-Rufa’i rejected the committee’s stance that the country’s privatisation exercise has been a failure.

The mandate of BPE, he said, was not to create jobs. Its mandate was to end the massive drain pipes government owned companies had become for the public treasury, and “to make them more efficient (and) open up the market for competition so that other operators can come in.” To that extent, he said, privatisation has been a success.

Certainly most of the 23 public companies he privatised out of a total of 122 that were eventually sold, he said, were doing well and a few of them have even gone international,

People and Politics By MOHAMMED HARUNA ndajika@yahoo.com

Nitel’s privatisation saga

‘

President Goodluck Jonathan’s challenge today is to make sure that the sad and tragic story of Nitel ends on a happy note before the end of his current term •el-Rufai

quoted as they are on the South African Stock Exchange. Before privatisation, he said, government had invested about $100 billion (N 1.6 trillion) in those companies between 1970 and 1999 but had received a miserable return of only 0.5%. Government, he also said, had spent N 265 billion to maintain them.

In contrast, he said, most of the companies he privatised not only went on to become successes. BPE under him, he claimed, earned a revenue of N 57 billion from the sales.

His secret, he said in not so many words, was that he resisted every attempt by his principals – Olusegun Obasanjo as president and Atiku Abubakar as vice-president and his immediate boss as the chairman of the privatisation council – to interfere with his work.

“All I can say is that during my tenure in BPE we tried to do everything by the law.

We tried to resist every attempt at political interference... Privatisation was a mechanical process and there was never a time that we deviated from that process...In the 33 transactions that we did we followed the book.”

El-Rufa’i’s record at the BPE was impres-

RIPPLES Nations Cup ouster: WE DESERVE THE INSULTS–Siasia

...and some SLAPS too!

‘

sive no doubt. Even then it was stretching credulity beyond breaking point for him to have claimed that he sold every one of the 23 enterprises he privatised strictly by the book and in total defiance of his bosses. If, as he told the Senate hearing, he and the president “were always quarrelling over privatisation,” it is incredulous that he prevailed over his boss in most, never mind each and every one, of those quarrels.

As he himself admitted, he did not prevail over his boss in the privatisation of the dead but unlamented Nigeria Airways. Instead, he said, the president took sides with the Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Kema Chikwe, with whom el-Rufa’i was constantly at loggerheads over the sale of the airline whose monicker was an oxymoronic Flying Elephant (who ever heard of an elephant flying?).

And as we all know the Flying Elephant was not el-Rufa’i’s only transaction that failed to fly. Another, and a far more disastrous failure, was Nitel.

Three years ago, the former BPE told a Senate committee hearing on the privatisation of the company that he had no regrets over the apparent failure of its privatisation. Indeed, he

HARDBALL

E

ARLY in the week, the Minister of Power, Professor Barth Nnaji, said the ministry was contending with what he described as stranded power (electricity) in some parts of the country that could not be wheeled out for generation due to inadequate infrastructure. The value of that installed capacity, he explained, was about 8,000mw. We suppose we must accept his statistics, for, of late, it has become our lot to meekly accept any statistics from the Federal Government, whether it concerns electricity or fuel subsidy. Assuming we accept his account of installed capacity, we are invariably required to differentiate it from generation. Does the public care what installed capacity means, especially when the electricity company, PHCN, cannot generate what it claimed to have installed?

The President Goodluck Jonathan government, it will be recalled, promised to generate about 6,000mw by December, 2011. Now, contrary to what we were told, the government’s problem is actually how to bridge the gap between installation and generation. We had thought the problem was how to bridge the gap between generation and distribution.

So, before we have our industries powered and our homes lit, we must cross two bridges,

Redefining electricity generation neither, of course, an easy task.

So far, said the minister, we were generating 4,000mw. Since we have no way of refuting his statistics other than to try and match his figure with the electricity available in our homes and industries, we concede the ‘power authority’ is probably generating as much electricity as he said. That figure, he exulted, was a rousing improvement over the meagre 2,800mw we were used to generating and probably distributing many years back.

By the government’s projection, the minister further explained, we would need a lot of money to generate at least 30,000mw by 2020, probably an indication of what Vision 20,2020 required.

That is some nine years to come. If past records are anything to go by, we would have very interesting tales to tell about electricity generation nine years down the road, considering how it has taken over 15 years to gyrate around 3,000 and 4,000mw, with no idea how to cut the Gordian knot.

Having added the conundrum of installed ca-

did not believe it was a failure. What was important, he said, was that his boss saw his tenure at BPE as a great success, which was why the boss promoted him to the job of a minister of the Federal Republic.

Three years on the man has turned round to accuse his boss of interfering with his job and blame him for the failures of the exercise while claiming credit for himself for its successes.

This sounds to me rather disingenuous.

No doubt el-Rufa’i did well against the dismal record of the public sector companies before their privatisation. But his yardstick ought to have been the world’s best practices like the privatisation of British Telecom, which was done in phases over a period of 11 years and which has since resulted into a more efficient and more profitable company.

Five times since 2001 BPE has attempted to sell Nitel and five times it has failed. In between the first and the last attempt this year, BPE under him had given it to the Danish Pentascope to manage. That management deal proved worse than the failed attempts to sell it.

Today, with huge arrears in wages and pensions and stripped of many of its assets, Nitel is hardly any investor’s idea of a potentially profitable company.

Even then it still has the potential given the huge opportunities of the telecommunication industry. There are speculations that the Chinese are willing to pay a premium for the company in spite of its seemingly dismal state.

On the other hand, there are also speculations about domestic telecommunication companies wanting to exploit its dismal state to pick it up practically for peanuts. Some of these companies are said to have the support of some powerful politicians in the country.

President Goodluck Jonathan’s challenge today is to make sure that the sad and tragic story of Nitel ends on a happy note before the end of his current term. And all it would take is a will to put an end to the opacity that has been at the root of what most people believe is the dismal record of this country’s privatisation exercise.

The Nitel saga may not have been as long drawn and as brazen in its fraudulence as that of the national ID card. But the stakes in it are higher as a telecommunication company. And even with only 11 years behind it its story has dragged on for too long.

NPN not NPP

I

T must be the printer’s devil when you referred to the ruling party during Shagari as the National Peoples Party in place of National Party of Nigeria (NPN).

YZ +2348056180208.

The reader is right but he should have blamed it on my poor proof reading rather than on the poor devil.

•For comments, send SMS to 08054502909

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above pacity versus generation capacity, against the preferred dichotomous relationship between generation and distribution, we should expect that by 2020, and after spending heavily, one latter-day minister would exuberantly get up and gloat about how we had moved installed capacity from 8,000mw in 2011 to 50,000mw in 2020. And before we could catch our breath, the minister would redefine terms for us to compel us to take cognisance of and even rejoice in installed capacity as part of the normative economics of ‘power.’

But what of the bridge that would then exist over the gap between installed capacity and generation capacity in that mythical 2020? Why, we could take refuge behind an historical account of a series of World War II battles in Netherlands and Germany, which were appropriately nicknamed Operation Market Garden, or, according to a popular film, ‘A Bridge Too Far.’ The way our governments are constructing bridges over the electricity chasm, we may eventually not need to see any bridge, let alone cross them. Would we achieve the 6,000mw target by December as promised by the government? It hardly matters. Our ingenious, definition-obsessed government is too preoccupied with installed capacity to be discomfited by generation or distribution.

Published and printed by Vintage Press Limited. Corporate Office: 27B Fatai Atere Way, Matori, Lagos. P.M.B. 1025,Oshodi, Lagos.

Telephone: Switch Board: 01-8168361. Editor Daily:01-8962807, Marketing: 01-8155547 . Abuja Office: Plot 5, Nanka Close AMAC Commercial Complex, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. Tel: 07028105302.

E-mail: info@thenationonlineng.net Editor: GBENGA OMOTOSO