The Nation October 21, 2014

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30 killed in troops, News Boko Haram clash Sports NEWS Page 4

•Jonathan, aides review ceasefire

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2015: Jonathan’s stance deepens crises in PDP 2015 succession crises get worse

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The whole incident is not a pleasant one; it is traumatic. We were highly stigmatised due to rumours and side talks...

From Yusuf Alli and Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

A

PRESIDENTIAL intervention to stem the crises of succession in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) states has failed to do the magic.

President Goodluck Jonathan at a meeting at the Villa in Abuja warned the governors elected on the party’s platform against fielding unpopular candidates.

He said such a development could affect the party’s fortune in 2015 as PDP may lose in some states.

But, the governors left the meeting, insisting on having a say on who their successors should be.

The President and the governors also agreed to wait till former Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari emerges the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) before coming up with “appropriate response” to issues the aspirant raised last week.

Gen. Buhari lashed the ruling party for “destroying the economy and failing to unite and secure the country”.

The President, the governors and PDP leadership are to meet soon on how to tackle the challenges associated with the governors aspiring to be senators.

According to a source, who spoke in confidence, although the President said there was nothing bad in the governors having interest in their successors, they should put the party’s interest and survival above personal issues.

The source quoted the President as being very blunt, telling the governors that since most of them are completing their two terms in office, he would be the one to work with

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Continued on page 4

WHEN WILL THE CHIBOK GIRLS KIDNAPPED ON APRIL 15 BE FREED?

’ •MY ST OR Y: Ebola survivor Chinyere Enemuo speaking in Abuja...yesterday.

STOR ORY

PHOTO: AFP

WHO declares Nigeria Ebola-free

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday pleaded against lowering of guards as the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared Nigeria Ebola-free.

This is after 42 days — or two incubation periods — without any new confirmed cases of the deadly virus.

“The virus is gone for now. The outbreak in Nigeria has been defeated,” WHO Country Representative Rui Gama Vaz said in Abuja.

“This is a spectacular success story that shows to the world that Ebola can be contained.”

•Survivor relives ordeal

From Vincent Ikuomola and Augustine Ehikioya and Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

“The war will only end when West Africa is also declared free. Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to use this opportunity, on behalf of the WHO Director General, Dr. Margaret Chan and WHO Regional Director for Africa, to congratulate the government of Federal Republic of Nigeria through His Excellency, President Goodluck

Jonathan, the people of Nigeria and all stakeholders that made it possible to contain the Ebola virus in Nigeria.”

The arrival of Ebola in Africa’s most populous nation, leading economy and top oil producer sparked fears of its rapid spread throughout the country of 170 million people.

But the doomsday scenario did not happen and health experts involved in tackling the outbreak praised the authorities for their rapid response and

comprehensive contact tracing.

In all, eight people died, of the 20 confirmed cases in Nigeria’s biggest city, Lagos, and the oil hub of Port Harcourt. Nearly 900 people were monitored for signs of the disease.

Nigeria’s official Ebola-free status comes after Senegal was given the allclear on Friday.

Both countries are coming under close scrutiny from public health specialists looking to contain the spread of the disease around the world.

More than 4,500 people have died Continued on page 4

•CITYBEAT P10 •ENERGY P12 •SPORTS P24 •POLITICS P43 •HEALTH P45 •FOREIGN P60

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

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NEWS

Tight security as S

•Prof. Smith Jaja of the University of Lagos (left); Prof. Ibiyemi Tunji-Bello of the Lagos State University; Dr. Arifi Siddiqui; Riphah International University, Pakistan, Prof. Olusoga Sofola of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Provost, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Prof. Folasade Olusola and Dr. Bolanle Iranloje, at a workshop

by Physiological Society of Nigeria in collaboration with the International Union of Physiological Society at the Sheraton PHOTO NIYI ADENIRAN Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos... yesterday

•From left: Executive Director, Personal and Business Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr. Obinnia Abajue; Founder & CEO, Konga Online Shopping Limited, Mr. Sim Shagaya; Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr. Yinka Sanni; International speaker, Mr. Vusi Thembekwayo and Executive Director, Corporate and Investment Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr. Victor Williams at the 1st Stanbic IBTC Business Leadership forum in Lagos, Nigeria,

•From left: Nollywood actress Rachael Oniga, wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Ms. Nonny Ugboma and Nollywood actress Mrs. Gloria Young at the MTNF Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign in Lagos.

ECURITY operatives, with sophisticated weapons, are patrolling Chibok, Borno State, the town that is eagerly awaiting the return of its over 200 girls kidnapped by Boko Haram months back.

Major roads that link the town with other neighbouring towns and villages are heavily manned by security operatives. This has allowed markets, worship places, farmers and motor parks to conduct their activities smoothly.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that normal activities have returned to Chibok as people were seen busy with their daily businesses.

The District Head of Chibok, Modu Zanna, praised the courage of President Goodluck Jonathan for the ceasefire agreement between government and the Boko Haram.

Zanna, in an interview with NAN in Chibok, the Headquarters’ of Chibok Local Government Area of Borno on Sunday, expressed satisfaction with the development and hoped that the ceasefire would bring lasting solution to insurgency in the area, state and the country as a whole.

Zanna was represented by Alhaji Muhammadu Usman, the Village Head of Garu.

He called on the Federal Government to include the release of the abducted girls in the ceasefire agreement.

“I received the news of the ceasefire agreement between government and Boko Haram with infinite joy. We are praying that the agreement will include the release of our abducted girls.” Zanna said.

Also speaking, the Chibok Local Government Council Vice Chairman, Mr. Alimodu Amuda, also praised Jonathan for the agreement.

Amuda said the ceasefire agreement announced by the government was a milestone in solving the insecurity challenges affecting the area and the state.

He disclosed that the issue of abducted girls was the major concern of people in the area.

He prayed that government would intervene very soon for the release of the girls.

On the daily activities in the area since the abduction of the girls in April, he said that normal activities had been restored.

According to him, people have returned to their houses and normal businesses are being smoothly and successfully carried out.

He, however, complained of lack of potable water, good roads and hospital in Chibok town as well as post primary schools.

“We have only one functioning water borehole in Chibok town, no single secondary school in the area and all the roads that linked to Chibok town are sandy.”

The Vice Principal, Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok,

•Members of Civilian Joint Task Force speaking to a reporter in Chibok...on Sunday.

where over 200 girl students were abducted, Mr. Bulamodu Lawan, told NAN that 80 per cent of the school was destroyed during the April insurgent attack.

Lawan said that out of 29 classroom blocks, only four blocks remained.

He said the school’s administrative, ICT and laboratory blocks, Library and the school central store were all razed down completely by the insurgents’ attack.

He disclosed that some parts of the students’ hostels, staff quarters as well as kitchen and dining hall were destroyed.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Chibok Village Heads, Malam Lawan Amdan, said the ceasefire agreement was a welcome development, but expressed doubt over the authenticity of the agreement.

“The ceasefire agreement is a welcome development,” he said.

He said the Chibok communities were ready to accept any agreement that would bring peace and development in the area.

Alhaji Amadu Mai Atampa, a wrapper dealer at Chibok Central Market, told NAN that they were happy with the ceasefire agreement.

He said a peaceful atmosphere was being enjoyed in Chibok town and that there was increase in the presence of security operatives in the area.

Mrs Mary Nkeki, an Internally Displaced Person camped in Chibok, thanked Jonathan for the agreement.

Nkeki said that she, her husband and three kids were in Chibok for the past five months following an attack on their village near Damboa.

The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has said farmers in the conflict-torn Northeast would return to their farms following the truce

America’s commitment to a secure Nigeria

R •From left: Assistant General Secretary, the Association of Corporate Trustees, Fatah Kadiri; President, Funmilayo Ekundayo; Vice-President, Tokunbo Ajayi; Treasurer, Frederick Obodozie; and Financial Secretary, Bolanle Oyelade at the inauguration of the new executive of the association at its 11th Annual General Meeting in Lagos.

ECENT media reports on U.S.Nigeria security cooperation may have led some to question the United States’ willingness to support Nigeria’s war on terrorism. Our support is unwavering and comes from the highest levels of the U.S. government. When I presented credentials to President Goodluck Jonathan almost one year ago, I told him the United States stands with Nigeria in its efforts to defeat Boko Haram. That commitment is as true today as it was then.

By Ambassador James F. Entwistle

Our support to Nigeria’s war against terror takes many forms and has been consistent from the beginning. Itinvolvesmilitary trainingas well as information sharing. Security cooperation between the United States and Nigeria promotes the professionalization of Nigeria’s security forces and strengthens their contributions to international peacekeeping missions. Our cooperation emphasizes a whole-of government ap-

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

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NEWS

ty as Chibok awaits its girls return

• Vice- Principal, Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Mr Bulama-Modu Lawan (left) briefing team leader, Federal Government consultants for re- construction of the school, Mr Bashir Muhammed during a survey visit to Chibok.

reached between the Federal Government and the Boko Haram Sect.

The Borno chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Monday advised the Federal Government to continue with the ceasefire agreement with the Boko Haram.

Rev. Titus Pona, Chairman of CAN in Borno, stated this in a communique at the end of a three day fasting and prayer for Christians in Maiduguri.

According to him government should continue with the agreement in spite of the recent attacks in some communities in the state.

Pona said that since the insurgents had expressed the desire for peace, government must take advantage of the offer by playing along.

“We the Christian faithful in Borno commend the efforts of the Federal Government for agreeing with the Jama’atul Ahalis Sunna Lida’awati, popularly called the Boko Haram, for a ceasefire,” he said.

Pona said there were indications that a faction of the sect might not be interested in the cease- fire agreement.

“We are happy with the ceasefire, although, we heard some reports suggesting attacks by some suspected insurgents lately. We believe it is only a faction that is not interested in the peace process,” he said.

Pona added: “ we believe that those interested in peace are in the majority.

“Government should also be sincere in dealing with the insurgents to ensure lasting peace.”

He said the ceasefire would hopefully lead to the release of the students of the Government Secondary Schools (GSS) Chibok and others in captivity of the insurgents.

“We assume that the Chibok girls and other people in their captivity are alive and well,” Pona said. “ We pray that the offer for ceasefire will be adhered to in order to have the abducted ones released and for an end to the insurgency ravaging Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and other parts of the country,” he said.

AFAN National President Kabir Ibrahim said this while reacting to the announcement of the ceasefire agreement by the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, in Abuja.

Ibrahim said it was a commendable move which would spur farmers’ return to the area.

He, however, stressed that if the truce was genuine, then the Federal Government should work towards sustaining the agreement to ensure lasting peace in the area.

He stressed that farmers in the area would require assistance to be able to return to thie profession.

“We have to look at what the farmers had gone through and see what areas to help them in terms of seedlings, markets and processing outlets.

“Also, inputs like fertilisers should be given more than what others have received; if these are implemented, dealing directly with the farmers, they will come out of the wood work.”

He stressed the need for full engagement of the youths in agriculture, taking into cognizance the turmoil they had been through during the insurgency.

Echoing similar views, Dr Tunde Arosayin, AFAN’s National Technical Adviser, said farmers needed to be compensated with shelter, food, clothing and farm inputs.

He urged the state government and

proach that underlines the importance of human rights, civilian protection, and adherence to rule of law at all levels as key tools in the fight against terror.

Over the years, the United States has always been willing to share appropriate military equipment with Nigeria. That remains the case today but must be understood in the context of our global policy on arms transfers. The U.S. government undertakes a rigorous evaluation process before proceeding with the sale of military equipment to any country, including Nigeria. The U.S. Departments of State and Defense reviewall potential arms transfers for their consistency with U.S. policy and interests, as detailed in the U.S. Conventional Arms Transfer Policy. This

includes any requests from a country that we have sold or donated weapons to resell or donate those same weapons to another country, such as Nigeria. We examine whether an arms transfer makes sense for the needs of the prospective country. Part of our review considers whether equipment may be used in a way that could adversely affect human rights.The United States believes that we beara certain level of responsibility for how the equipment is ultimately used. We take this responsibility very seriously and our laws require strict accountability for all sales.

Contrary to what some commentators have claimed, the fact that we carry out a careful review of equipment sales to Nigeria does not mean that we are not providing equipment

PHOTOS: NAN

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We pray that the offer for ceasefire will be adhered to in order to have the abducted ones released and for an end to the insurgency ravaging Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and other parts of the country

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• NEMA coordinator, Northeast, Mr Muhammed Kanar (left), presenting rice to Malam Bulama Yaga, an internally displaced person from Damboa during the second commencement of distribution of relief materials to internal displaced PHOTO: NAN persons in Chibok town in Borno...at the weekend.

local government authorities to partner with the Federal Government and international organisations to rehabilitate displaced farmers through makeshift accommodations.

“We have to rebuild and reconstitute; so, soft landing is what the people displaced over a year need; most have lost everything, including lands, homes and even capital.

“I can tell you that over 80 per cent of those populations are willing to go back because as displaced people, they cannot access sizable lands for farming activities.

Arosayin maintained that the news of the ceasefire was indeed pleasing to all farming communities in the country.

“It is very pleasant to us as a farm-

– sometimes transfers are approved, and sometimes they are not. We look at each Nigerian case very carefully, just as we do in the case of transfers to any other country.

I would also like to emphasize that the provision of new equipment aloneis not a cure-all that will quickly resolve the current security situation.Military equipment may be part of the equation to end the Boko Haram insurgency, but successfully ending the struggle against Boko Haram requires much more. For example, meeting the basic needs of soldiers – making sure they have the proper attire, are well-trained, and are properly fed – in the field is equally critical.In addition, providing economic opportunities to alleviate poverty is essential in order to offer

potential extremist recruits a viable alternative to a life of crime and violence.To foster the stability, security, and prosperity of its citizens, Nigeria must effectively address all aspectsof the terrorism equation, and we stand with the Nigerian government in its efforts to do just that.

The United States and Nigeria enjoy a long and healthy relationship.

We recognize that security is a critical dimension of our partnership. We want to help Nigeria create a secure and stable environment for its citizens. I look forward to continuing to work with the Nigerian government, civil society, the private sector, and all Nigerian citizens to achieve thatgoal.

•Entwistle is American Ambassador to Nigeria

ing family; it is a good development because the farming population was seriously affected; virtually everything was disrupted including food supply.

“We believe with this ceasefire, it will go beyond this level to ensure that peace fully returns to the areas for farmers to go back to continue their activities.

•Entwistle

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

30 killed in troops, Boko Haram clash in Borno

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•Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun addressing a crowd in Ilaro,Yewa South Local Government Area in continuation of his Assessment Tour of the 20 Local Government Areas in the state yesterday.

‘Why Tambuwal attended APC stakeholders’ meeting’

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OKOTO, the seat of the Caliphate, was a beehive of political activities yesterday.

The two major political parties - the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were neck deep in the selection of candidates to field for the governorship election.

However, the presence of House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal at the APC stakeholders’ meeting

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

attracted a huge attention. Tambuwal has not resigned his membership of the PDP. PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman Chief Tony Anenih, led some party stalwarts to a meeting with governorship hopefuls.

Governor Aliyu Wamakko said Tambuwal had been a sympathiser of the APC. He said at the Sokoto Presidential Lodge venue of the APC meeting: “I appreciate all of you

for standing by me against the wish of the opposition. Now, let me state that all eyes are on Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal. Therefore, I want to inform the gathering that the Speaker has been a member of the APC since inception. I only asked him to remain in the PDP until the nomination of the party flag bearer”.

The governor said the meeting discussed the APC and its future.

Tambuwal declined to speak

after the meeting.

But a statement by Tambuwal’s spokesman, Mallam Imam Imam, said: “Due to various media inquiries about the purported defection of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, we wish to state the following: “ That today, Monday, 20/ 10/2014, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party Continued on page 59

Atiku, Saraki, doctors applaud WHO

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OME stakeholders in the health sector on Monday described the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s declaration of Nigeria as Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) free country as commendable.

Speaking in separate interviews Dr Tope Ojo, the chairman, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Lagos State chapter, said: “The declaration by WHO is highly commendable.

“Our response to EVD outbreak was quite laudable, taking into consideration the fact

From Tony Akowe and Sani Onogu, Abuja

that it took collaborative efforts on the part of the state and federal governments, partner agencies, and the public.

“In spite of the strike we had then, we had many volunteers who worked to contain the disease. All of them are members of NMA.” Also speaking, Mr Avoseh Hodewu, the chairman, Lagos State House Committee on Health Services, said: “It is delightful to hear such positive and

encouraging declaration from WHO. “For the WHO to declare Nigeria free of EVD is commendable. The past few months have been very turbulent because we were caught unawares.

“Thank God for the Lagos State Government, Federal Government and other collaborations from agencies like WHO, UNICEF and Ebola Centre.

Dr Sam Awolola, a medical researcher with the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research Continued on page 59

•Atiku

O fewer than 25 suspected Boko Haram insurgents were killed yesterday in clashes between troops and the Islamist militants in Borno.

Five civilians were also killed in fighting elsewhere in the area, a military source and residents said.

A ceasefire between Boko Haram and the Federal Government, expected to lead to the liberation of more than 200 Chibok school girls kidnapped by the militants on April 15, was announced at the weekend. Talks were due to continue in northern neigbour Chad yesterday.

Boko Haram had not confirmed the truce as at yesterday and there have been at least six attacks over the weekend — blamed by security sources on the insurgents - that have killed several dozen people since the announcement of the ceasefire.

A government spokesman had said the fighting on Sunday Continued on page 59

2015: Jonathan’s stance deepens crises in PDP Continued from page 1

their successors.

“Jonathan said: ‘I cannot take chances; the PDP cannot take chances. We are interested in those who will be governors in 2015. You should not field unpopular candidates or else the party will lose.’

“The President said if the

PDP were circumspect in 2011, the ruling party would not have experienced the defection of five governors to the opposition party.”

The source quoted Jonathan as saying: ‘The five governors

embarrassed me because I had Continued on page 59

Jonathan, top aides review ceasefire

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan and some of his top aides reviewed yesterday the ceasefire with Boko Haram.

It was learnt that there was optimism in the Presidency that the ceasefire will work.

But the military was still cautious, as it stuck to its decision to toe the line adapted by the political class on counter-insurgency in the Northeast.

It was gathered that the weekend’s clashes were attributed to “self defence” by the military.

A top source, who spoke with our correspondent said:

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

“The President and some of his top aides met to review the ceasefire deal and how to see it through to a logical conclusion.

“There were some doubts but the government is trying to tidy up to make a success of the deal.

“I think a team will leave either Monday night or early Tuesday for Chad in continuation of the ongoing negotiation.

“The list is still being kept under wraps to avoid undue pressure on members of the delegation.”

Nigeria a spectacular story on Ebola containment, says WHO Continued from page 1

and nearly 10,000 have been infected with the haemorrhagic fever, most of them in West Africa, since the start of the year.

But a number of cases outside the region, particularly in Spain and the United States, have raised fears about its wider transmission and the urgency for a more effective response.

As well as rigorous contact tracing, Nigeria introduced stringent health screening checks at all airports and sea ports for arrivals and departures.

Health Minister Prof. Onyecbuchi Chukwu paid tributes to those who contributed to the success. They include Mrs. Justina Egelohun, Mrs. Evelyn Uku, the late Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh, Dr. Adaorah, Dr. Fadipe Akiniyi, Dr. Maurice Ibauchi and the management of First Consultants Hospital.

Others are Governor of Lagos Babatunde Fashola and his Enugu counterpart Sullivan Chime as well as Rivers Governor Chi-

How disease frustrated my wedding plan, by survivor

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IGERIA got yesterday the World Health Organisaton’s (WHO’s) allclear for Ebola, but for many, the experience will not go away so soon.

Chinyere Enemuo, a sister to Dr Ike Enemuo, the Port Harcourt , Rivers State capital doctor killed by the virus, spoke of how the EVD frustrated her wedding plan and virtually destroyed her family.

She urged the Federal Government to assist her family overcome the negative effect of the EVD and restart her wedding plan.

She said: “The whole incident is not a pleasant one; it is traumatic. We were

buike Amaechi.

Others are the Commissioners for Health. Permanent Secretaries, Ministry of Health, Lagos, Dr. Olukayode Oguntimeyin, among others.

Minister of State for Health Dr. Haliru Alhassan attributed the success to strong partnership with development partners.

He called for more proactive measures to control infections.

He insisted that personal hygiene should be a thing of interest, adding that the Nigerian

highly stigmatised due to rumours and side talks - those that are true and the ones that are not true.

“It affected me negatively as an individual, members of my family, the family name as a whole because once you bear that name, everyone tends to be scared of you. Some of my family members were sacked from work, some were suspended. My younger brother was given a warning not to leave school to Port Harcourt at anytime or they will stop him from the school. It really affected our family.

“I was supposed to get married on September 27. The whole thing was disorga-

Custom Service (NCS) should intensify its efforts at protecting Nigerians borders.

Information Minister Labaran Maku attributed the success to divine intervention and what he called Jonathan’s political commitment.

He lauded the strong collective efforts from the medical officials.

He lauded the media for their strong public awareness and sensitisation.

At the ceremony were Direc-

nised. The money for the things we booked could not be refunded to us. All that we invested in the wedding plan was gone. We have to start all over again in another venue because I am very sure, assuming the wedding held as planned, nobody would have attended just because of the kind of information that was passed on.

“If there is anything the government can do to also help us out, they should do, especially to remove the stigma and to augment the situation of the family. Ebola destroyed many things in our family, including our businesses, our studies.”

tor General (DG), National Agency for Food and Drugs Development Agency (NAFDAC), Chief Medical Director, Centre for Disease Control (CDC), representatives from Enugu and Rivers states, among others.

President Jonathan said all the measures taken after the entry of the Ebola Virus Disease into Nigeria should remain intact.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President also asked health officials

to continue to actively screen persons entering the country through its air, land and sea borders for any sign of the virus.

He said: “As the nation applauds the success of its collective effort to stop the transmission of the Ebola Virus within Nigeria however, the President warns that the entire country must remain fully alert and vigilant against the re-entry of the virus.”

“President Jonathan fully shares the view expressed by

WHO in its congratulatory message to Nigeria that while we have won a battle against Ebola, the war will only truly end when West Africa, Africa and the world are declared free of Ebola.”

“The President consequently directs that all the anti-Ebola measures taken after the entry of the virus into the country should remain in place and that health officials should continue to actively screen persons entering the country through its air, land and sea borders for any sign of the virus.”

The President also urged all Nigerians to continue to follow the anti-Ebola advisories on sanitation and personal hygiene issued by Federal and State Health authorities.

Jonathan dedicated the W.H.O. certification to the many patriotic health workers, volunteers and ordinary Nigerians who worked tirelessly, some of them paying the ultimate price, to stop the deadly virus in its track after it entered the country in July this year.

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THE NATION OCTOBER, TUESDAY 21, 2014

5

NEWS INEC gets knock on de-registration

N10b probe: ‘Alison-Madueke, J NNPC can’t alter suit’

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ETROLEUM Minister Mrs Diezani AlisonMadueke and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday lost the bid to alter the case they filed challenging their invitation by the House of Representatives to probe the N10 billion jet hire.

The minister and NNPC sought a prayer that the National Assembly’s power in Section 88 did not extend to petitions against ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) or oversight visits by its relevant committees to investigate the activities of MDAs among others.

In a ruling yesterday, Justice Ahmed Mohammed held that the prayer, if granted, would change the character of claims in the original suit before the court.

The judge granted their

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

prayer to challenge the legality of a move by the House of Representatives to hold a public hearing on the minister’s alleged spending of N10 billion on a chartered jet.

Justice Mohammed said he granted the request because it was innocuous and did not change the character of the claims in the original originating summons filed by the plaintiffs.

The judge held that since the plaintiffs’ request to amend was the first in the case, such amendment could not amount to an abuse of court process, as argued by the House of Representatives.

Justice Mohammed said it was left for the court to rule on whether or not the proposed public hearing was not

illegal in failing to comply with Section 88 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which requires that the resolutions of such hearings be published in the prescribed manner.

Mrs Alison-Madueke and NNPC, in their originating summons, sought among others a “declaration that having regard to sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and Section 8 of the Legislatives Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, Cap. L12, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2010, the respondents or any of their committees are precluded from summoning the applicants to appear before them for the purpose of giving evidence and or producing any papers, books, records or other documents which relate to the unpublished official

records of the applicants without the consent of the President ...first and obtained by the respondents or their committees.

“A declaration that having regard to the 1999 Constitution as altered, especially sections 88 and 89 thereof, the respondents acted ultra vires their powers and functions by sending out invitations to the applicants and agencies under their control when such invitations are not for the purpose of enabling the Respondents make laws or correct any defect in existing laws.”

They urged the court to quash the invitation and declare that the House of Representatives lacked the powers to invite them when such invitations were not for the purpose of enabling the respondents make laws or correct any defect in existing laws.

Why OFN, ‘Green Revolution’ failed, by Jonathan

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday gave reasons that might have led to the failure of the farming programmes, such as the Operation Feed the Nation (OFN) and the “Green Revolution”.

The OFN was established by the military under General Olusegun Obasanjo and the “Green Revolution” in the Second Republic by the Shehu Shagari government.

Jonathan spoke yesterday at the beginning of the National Schools’ Agriculture Programme (NSAP) at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Abuja.

According to him, the “Green Revolution” and OFN might have failed because they were not properly articulated.

He said: “This is not just one of those programmes that we have been having. As a nation, we have had the ‘Green Revolution’ programme; we participated in that. We also had the ‘Operation Feed the Nation’. But at the end of the

T

Abuja

day, probably, it was not properly articulated; it just followed the political class and disappeared.”

Jonathan said the NSAP was aimed at developing a new generation of young agriculture enthusiasts, adding: “This programme is actually to make sure that our students will no longer take agriculture as a form of punishment in schools but see it as a business and a way of making money.”

The President said his administration was intent on making agriculture a profitable business, not only to make the nation food sufficient but to also tackle youth unemployment.

He said the NSAP was expected to build a crop of Under-20 Nigerians who would be adequately motivated and trained to live as great agriculture industrialists and entrepreneurs.

Jonathan gave examples of Nigeria’s business and indus-

trial moguls like Aliko Dangote and Tony Elumelu who are venturing into agriculture business.

He said: “We need the Under-20s to link up with the Dangotes, Elumelus and other big Nigerian entrepreneurs. This is part of our strategy to tackle youth unemployment. We are developing agriculture Super Eagles”.

He promised to meet once a year at an agriculture stakeholders’ conference with participants of the NSAP programmes who will be drawn from several schools across the country.

According to him, some former heads of state will be incorporated as ambassadors and role models of the NSAP to further encourage and inspire the students.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on NSAP, Baraka Sani, described the programme as Nigeria’s first non-curriculum agricultural programme designed for Nigerian students to change

NIS tragedy: ‘Sack minister’

HE Federal High Court in Abuja was urged yesterday to declare Interior Minister Abba Moro unfit to occupy a public office following the death of 19 applicants at the last recruitment by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) earlier this year.

In a suit filed by four participants in the botched exercise, they urged the court to order the minister’s sack because he supervises the agency responsible for the exercise and because of “his callous statement that Nigerians, who died and those injured “were careless”.

They also prayed the court to order the minister, the NIS and other defendants in the

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From Augustine Ehikioya,

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

suit to account for what the applicants paid and make refunds to them “as such payment is illegal, unconstitutional and contrary to public policy and good conscience”.

The plaintiffs - Parience Omezie, Kasim Suleiman, Okojie Arabamen and Godwin Morka - named the Federal Government, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), NIS and its Comptroller-General, David Parradang, as defendants.

In their statement of claims, the plaintiffs averred that the defendants were negligent in the way they con-

ducted the recruitment.

The plaintiffs said the defendants, having conducted such a similar exercise in the past, were aware that the number of applicants at each venue would be in excess of 20,000 and should have arranged that the aptitude tests be conducted at stadia in the various capital cities.

They added that despite being aware of the large turnout of applicants, the defendants made no adequate arrangement to ensure the orderly accreditation of candidates and so delayed admission into examination venues between three and seven hours, resulting in the frustration of the plaintiffs waiting to be tested.

Jonathan, Sheriff meet at Aso Rock

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan met behind closed doors yesterday with former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff at the Presidential Villa in Abuja Sheriff, who has been fingered as one of the sponsors

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

of the Boko Haram sect, declined to speak with State House correspondents at the end of the over one hour meeting.

Dressed in a cream-

coloured babanriga, Sheriff told reporters: “No time today. I’m going to see the Chief of Staff.”

Discussions at the meeting were believed not to be unconnected with the activities of Boko Haram in the Northeast.

their negative perception of agriculture, equip them for life, and eventually help tackle youth unemployment.

The goal of NSAP, she said: “is to build technical and entrepreneurial skills in students to run agriculture as a business, to leave school leavers with practical skills to create jobs for themselves, and to enable the youth develop a positive attitude towards agriculture.”

USTICE Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court in Abuja has faulted the decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to de-register a political party, Hope Democratic Party (HDP).

Justice Ademola, in a judgment yesterday, held that INEC lacked the power to deregister political parties without giving them a fair hearing.

He declared as “null, void, unlawful, unconstitutional and of no effect” the de-registration of HDP through a letter dated December 6, 2013 and a statement by INEC on December 8, 2012.

The judge ordered INEC to relist the party, which it deregistered in December 2012.

The judgment was in a suit by HDP. Justice Ademola held that INEC’s failure to give notice to the party before an-

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From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

nouncing its de-registration through a letter on December 6, 2012 (and delivered December 12) and a statement on December 8, 2012, amounted to a breach of the party’s right to fair hearing.

He said INEC breached the party’s right to a fair hearing as enshrined in Section 36 of the constitution.

The judge set aside INEC’s purported statement of December 8, 2012 and letters on December 6, 2012, suggesting and purporting the deregistration of the plaintiff.

He granted a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants and their agents from further acts, publication or pronouncements, obstructions, deregistering, delisting and or interfering with the operations and activities of the plaintiff as duly registered political parties in Nigeria as provided by the constitution.

NBA worried about Wali

HE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) expressed concern yesterday about the safety and well-being of its former President Okey Wali (SAN), who was abducted 11 days ago.

The association said it was saddened by the fact its 26th president, kidnapped on October 11, had not been released.

The association, through its President Augustine Alegeh (SAN), urged the abductors to release him immediately.

“The NBA is in contact with the Wali family and the various security agencies who are constitutionally charged with

By Joseph Jibueze

providing security for Nigerians.

“NBA appreciates that efforts at securing his release are currently in progress and advises members to remain calm and patient and not to take any step that may jeopardise the efforts at securing his safe release from captivity,” Alegeh said.

The NBA president, who cancelled his trip to the International Bar Association (IBA) conference in Japan, said Wali worked hard for the enthronement of the rule of law and protection of human rights.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

NEWS

Court nullifies sale of Newswatch to Jimoh Ibrahim

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USTICE Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday nullified the sale of Newswatch magazine to businessman, Jimoh Ibrahim.

The judge awarded N15.7 million damages against him and ordered the stoppage of further publication of Daily Newswatch.

The court quashed a Share Purchase Agreement (SPA), which transferred ownership of Newswatch Communications Limited to Ibrahim.

Justice Buba upheld all the prayers of the minority shareholders, saying Ibrahim and others could not prove that they paid for the shares.

He said: “They have not shown how and when they paid for the shares, and nothing in paragraphs 11 and 18A of the respondents’ statement of defence showed how they paid for the shares.

“There is no evidence in Paragraph 3.0 that the respondents paid on or before May 5, 2011, as stated, as they have only given their interpretation to that paragraph.

“Whatever money they spent was on Daily Mirror and this was confirmed by DW2 (second defence witness) during cross-examination.

The N510 million was supposed to have been paid for shares and not for any other purpose; there is no evidence to show that the shares have been paid for.

“Besides, it was a company called Global Fleet that paid the N14 million, not any of the respondents who contracted with the first respondent.”

The judge granted the plaintiffs’ reliefs, namely: “An order setting aside the contract entered into between the first and second respondent companies by virtue of a document, titled: Share Purchase Agree-

Publisher appeals judgment

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HE management of Newswatch Communications has filed a Notice of Appeal against the judgment of the Federal High Court in favour of the minority shareholders delivered yesterday in Lagos by Justice Ibrahim Buba.

Justice Buba had quashed the sale of the company and awarded N15.7 million damages against its publisher Jimoh Ibrahim.

But in his swift appeal, Jimoh Ibrahim said yesterday’s verdict contradicted an earlier judgment delivered by Justice O. E. Abang.

In his judgment delivered on July 1, 2013 on the same matter, Justice Abang held as follows: “I have evidence before me that the second and third plaintiffs paid the purchase price of N510,000,000.00, if indeed they did not pay this amount before the completion date, which was May 5, 2011, I wonder why the agreement was even executed and I also wonder why he was admitted into the board of the first plaintiff and elected chairman.”

It was in the case of Newswatch Communication & Others Vs Ray Ekpu & Others.

In a statement last night, Ibrahim said the Federal High Court was not a final court in Nigeria, adding that it would be appropriate to file an appeal against the ruling.

He said another Federal High Court, last year, ruled in

By Joseph Jibueze

ment between the first and second respondents executed in May, 2011.

“A consequential order setting aside the Form CAC2 (Statement of Share Capital and Return of Allotment of Shares) of the first respondent company dated August 27, 2012 and presented for filing by Gloria A. Ukeje.

“An order directing the second and third respondents, jointly and severally, to pay special damages amounting to N15.7 million to the first respondent company, being the loss of business profits since August 2012 till October 2012, when its operations were unilaterally shut down.”

Physiologists decry poor tools

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YSIOLOGISTS have decried lack of adequate equipment to carry out researches.

They said this was a major problem facing their profession.

A College of Medicine at the University of Lagos (CMUL) don, Prof Olusoga Sofola, who spoke on physiologists’ constraints, noted that research equipment were necessary to build the capacity of young physiologists and students to ensure hands-on training.

Sofola spoke at the International Union of Physiological Sciences (IUPS) regional teaching and research workshop and 34th Physiological Society of Nigeria’s (PSN’s) scientific conference with the theme: Paradigms in Physiology, Teaching and Research.

He said getting funds to buy some of the equipment was a big problem, adding that there were inadequate tools for teaching and research.

The professor of Physiology said Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) had given some grants for research equipment.

According to him, this would enable Nigeria to develop its capacity to international standard.

The Chairman of IUPS Educational Committee, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina, United States, Prof Robert Carroll said another challenge physiological education faced was in modern educational techniques.

He said: “Too often, we think about teaching and we

favour of the majority shareholders. According to him, Justice Abang declared the sale of Newswatch Communications Limited to the new investor valid and invalidated the purported decision of the board for appointing Ray Ekpu to the board of the company.

Justice Abang held that N510 million was paid for the 51 per cent shares of the company, adding that the money was transferred to Newswatch’s account where the payment to Ray Ekpu and other directors were made.

Justice Abang’s judgment was admitted into evidence in the proceeding before Justice Buba.

In the new case brought by minority shareholders of the company, who together own less than (one per cent) shares, Justice Buba declared the sales of the majority shareholding invalid.

Although the judgment of his learned brother, Justice Abang, was before him, Justice Buba said he could not find any evidence of receipt of payment.

Reacting to the judgment, Ibrahim directed the management not to contribute to the problem of the Judiciary.

He said the matter should be laid before the Court of Appeal, where he was convinced justice would be done.

Ibrahim said yesterday’s judgment lacked legal foundation and moral reasoning, adding that he was sure the Court of Appeal would re-establish justice and the integrity of the Judiciary.

The court also held that the petitioners discharged the burden placed on them by proving their case, while the first to fourth respondents failed to do so.

The minority shareholders - Mr Nuhu Aruwa and Prof. Jubril Aminu - urged the court to quash the Share Purchase Agreement, which transferred the company’s ownership to Ibrahim.

They sought an order restraining the respondents from publishing and selling to the public Newswatch Daily, Newswatch magazine, Saturday Newswatch and Sunday Newswatch.

Newswatch Communications Limited, Global Media Mirror Limited, Ibrahim, Newswatch

Newspapers and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) are the defendants.

The plaintiffs averred that Global Media and Ibrahim purportedly came into majority ownership of the Newswatch Communications by virtue of a Share Purchase Agreement entered into in May 2011.

They claimed that by virtue of Clause 3.0 of the agreement, Global Media Mirror purportedly acquired 51 per cent of the company, on the condition that they would pay N510 million as the price of its shares.

They added that by Clause 4.0 of the agreement, the money was to be paid on or before May 5, 2011,

adding that the second respondent was obligated to pay additional N500 million within 90 days after the take-over, which was supposed to serve as the working capital for the company.

The petitioners also averred that without complying fully with the conditions of agreement, the second respondent took over full control and management of the company.

In a supporting affidavit, Aruwa said: “To our utter shock and detriment, the second and third respondents simply shut down the operations of the first respondent company, particularly the publication of Newswatch magazine, which is the flagship and major source of business and source of income of the first respondent company and from which we got returns from our investment in first respondent company. The magazine had been in publication for about 28 years before it was stopped.”

According to him, unless the first to fourth respondents are stopped from carrying out their intentions, they would have succeeded in killing the business of the first defendant, where the plaintiffs have shares and from which they expect dividends for their investment.

Aruwa added that the first to fourth respondents would have also succeeded in appropriating the entire business to themselves by rendering it redundant and operating the company to the detriment of the petitioners.

He said: “It is in the interest of justice that the respondents are called upon to explain and show why they cannot wait for the substantive issues herein to be determined before rushing to float the new newspaper, despite the fact that it is a live issue in the substantive suit.”

By Wale Adepoju

find a room to lecture but a good educational research has shown that students do not retain the information as effective as it should be.”

The battle, the expert said, is training the trainers so that physiologists can be exposed to various approaches of teaching and research to impart positively on the students.

Besides, there is need to ensure that tools for teaching are appropriate for Nigeria and West Africa, he said.

“We have to make ensure that the right education is applied so that research can be done appropriately,” Carroll added.

A member of PSN Prof Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello said the society discovered that the method of teaching among physiologists was “far behind internationally acceptable standards”.

She said there was need to replicate what others were doing in the country.

The expert said this was why PSN ensured that the IUPS workshop was brought to the country to build the capacity of lecturers.

Prof Olatunji-Bello said the workshop would bring development to the country in the short run because there would be knowledge transfer to physiologists to contribute to learning.

She added: “There will be novel methods that we are going to introduce to enhance teaching so that learning can be better. The learning sessions of the students will be greatly impacted.

This will in turn have a positive impact on the society.”

•From left: Mr. Tunde Olowude (brother); Miss Bukky Olowude (daughter); Mrs. Bunmi Olowude (widow) and Leye Gbadamosi PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA (in-law), during a special service of songs for the late Remi Olowude in Lagos…yesterday.

Mark insists on full implementation of 2014 budget

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HEAD of the presentation of the 2015 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly, Senate President David Mark has reiterated the need for the full implementation of the national budget.

Mark, who spoke yesterday at a roundtable of civil society organisations (CSOs)/non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on the monitoring of the 2013 budget at the National Assembly, noted that the full implementation of the budget was imperative to national development.

Represented by his Special Assistant on NGOs, Nehi Okunmendia, the Senate President said he had never

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sani Onogu, Abuja

deviated from his stance on the need for the full implementation of the budget after its passage by the National Assembly.

The result of the CSOs/ NGOs independent monitoring and tracking of budget in their zones, he said, would contribute to the debate on what amounts to an acceptable implementation rate of the budget from an independent and objective point of view.

Mark said the objective of budget monitoring was to map out a mechanism to ensure total budget compli-

ance.

The Interim Administrator National Assembly Budget and Research Office (NABRO), E. B. Jarumi, noted that the implementation of the budget would affect everybody if it was poorly executed.

Jarumi, who chaired the event, said the 2014 budget was christened Budget of Job Creation “but I still have more than 15 jobless persons in my house”.

He urged the CSOs to expose those responsible for poor budget implementation.

Jarumi added: “There is no gainsaying the fact that the government budget, apart from being a key policy docu-

ment, is also the vehicle for the mobilisation, allocation and management of resources geared towards the achievement of development plans, programmes and projects.

“However, in Nigeria, especially in recent years, the implementation of the capital component of the budget has elicited deep concerns on account of poor implementation, leading to abysmal performance and inability to achieve well spelt-out development goals.”

He said it was for the development that NABRO decided the annual production: “Mapping of Capital Projects” report since its inception in 2012.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

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NEWS

Herdsmen pose security threat to UNILORIN, says VC

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Bauchi SSG, seven others resign

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IGHT members of the Bauchi State Executive Council have resigned to contest various positions in the 2015 general elections.

They are Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Aminu Hamayo; Chief of Staff, Government House, Abdulkadir Mohammed; Commissioner for Local Government Affairs Abubakar Fago; Commissioner for Agriculture Isa Wabu and Commissioner for Water Resources Bappah Azare.

Others are Commissioner for Environment Tasiu Mo-

•UNILORIN ranked 1,842nd in the world

HE Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Prof.

AbdulGaniyu Ambali, has said encroachment by Fulani herdsmen and their cattle is posing “serious security threat” to the institution.

He urged the Federal Government to fence the university.

The professor of veterinary medicine spoke with reporters in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on the institution’s 30th convocation lecture.

He said for the first time in history, a Nigerian university was ranked 20th in Africa and 1,842nd in the world.

The vice chancellor said: “I am happy to restate that a remarkable thing happened to the Nigerian university system this year, courtesy of UNILORIN. For the first time since ranking began, a

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

Nigerian university was ranked among the best 2,000 universities in the world.

The latest ranking of international colleges and universities places the university first in Nigeria, 20th in Africa and the 1,842nd in the world.

“Though we are not satisfied to occupy the position we are on the global stage until we are ranked within the best 200, the achievement of the university will be underscored when it is realised that 11,307 colleges and universities are sampled in the ranking in 200 countries. The United States alone, let alone other advanced countries, has more than 3,000 universities.

“The modest work being done at the university has made it the darling of applicants in Nigeria; the univer-

sity was the eighth most preferred in 2011 and fifth most preferred in 2012. Last year, we became the 2nd most preferred university in Nigeria and this year we became the number one choice of applicants with over 105,000 applicants, the second most preferred university having 74,000 applicants.”

On his administration’s achievements, Ambali said: “We have embarked on 10,000 hectares of oil palm plantation. We all know that the Malaysian economy relies much on oil palm and there is a report that they took the seed from Nigeria a few decades ago.

“However, our country imports about 500,000 metric tonnes of palm oil annually while Malaysia exported about 24 trillion metric tonnes of palm oil in 2012 to the United States, the European Union, China and India.

•Ambali

The export earned the country some 20 billion pound sterling (about N5.314 trillion).”

The VC put the number of graduating students at 6,328, with 5,438 first degree and 890 higher degree/diploma holders.

He said: “In the first degree category, 48 made first class; 1,290 second class upper; 2,814 second class lower; 1,067 third class; 84 pass; 18 diplomas and 217 MBBS.”

Ahmed: law review’ll protect stakeholders

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•Ahmed

WARA State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed yesterday said the proposed amendment to the state’s Education Law, 2006, would rectify perceived ambiguities and protect the interest of all stakeholders.

Ahmed spoke while hosting members of the NASFAT Society at the Government House in Ilorin, the

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

state capital.

He said the government would review requests to relinquish or retain ownership of grant-aided schools when the law is passed.

The governor urged residents not to give the proposed amendment “any religious colouration”, saying a review of the Education

Kano employs 402 women security personnel

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ANO State has employed 402 female corporate security personnel, who graduated from the State Corporate Security Training Institute.

The appointees are posted to ministries, parastatals, schools and other government agencies.

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Corporate Security, Dr. Kabiru Kura, presented the appointment letters to the personnel yesterday at the end of a two-day drilling and re-

training parade.

He said the drilling was to keep them in shape and would be continuous.

Kura said much was expected from them in view of the current security challenges, urging them to live above board.

More aid for displaced Chibok residents

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HE Federal Government yesterday gave more relief items to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in Chibok, Borno State.

The Northeast Zonal Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Muhammed Kanar, said the items were given in compliance with a directive from the Presidency.

Speaking in Yola, Adamawa State, Kanar said the agency was taking care of 10,376 registered IDPs in

Chibok and its environs.

He said experts from the Safe School Initiative (SSI) accompanied a NEMA team to assess schools destroyed by the Boko Haram insurgents.

The coordinator said the agency would provide boreholes in the affected communities to ease water shortage, adding: “President Goodluck Jonathan has directed the agency to supply additional intervention items to Chibok. They include 1,200 bags of 10kg rice, 1,000 blankets, 500 mosqui-

to nets and 500 mats, cooking oil and 500 bags of maize.”

Receiving the items on behalf of the community, the District Head of Chibok, Mr Modu Zanna, who was represented by Alhaji Lawan Yerima-Amdan, thanked the president, urging him to expedite the release of their abducted girls.

“We thank President Goodluck Jonathan for identifying with us; we hope he will intervene on the issue of our girls,” Zanna said.

Kogi PDP deputy chairman, secretary resign •Aspirants condemn zoning

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OGI State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy Chairman Idris Jimoh and Secretary Emma Egwu yesterday resigned to contest elective offices in the 2015 general elections.

Announcing their resignation at the party’s secretariat in Lokoja, PDP Chairman Hassan Salau said their resignation had been accepted.

He said both could not speak on their aspirations yet because the party was still mourning its Woman Leader, Hajia Zubada Mayaki, who died last Saturday.

Also yesterday, some PDP aspirants kicked against the party’s zoning policy, describing it as “undemocratic”.

They said they would aspire for office, whether or not it is zoned to their area.

Suleiman Babadoko, who represents

From James Azania, Lokoja

Lokoja I in the House of Assembly, condemned zoning after obtaining his nomination form to seek re-election.

Another aspirant, Lawal Idris, however insisted that zoning should be respected.

He said it was the turn of Ajaokuta to produce the next representative of Lokoja I. Idris said: “The incumbent Council Chairman, Aloysius Okino, who is also contesting the position, has abused the gentleman agreement and the zoning arrangement put in place by PDP stakeholders and leaders in the constituency.”

Ajaokuta Local Government PDP leader Moses Okino urged aspirants to comply with the party’s guideline. He promised to set up a committee to handle the negotiation for a consensus candidate where possible.

Law was necessary in view of current realities.

He hailed NASFAT for presenting its position through dialogue, advising residents to continue to live together in peace.

NASFAT State Chairman Bashir Lawal alleged that the controversy over the return of schools to their original owners was political.

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hammed; Commissioner for Works and Transport Sani Bura and Commissioner for Tourism and Culture Mohammed Lassi.

Governor Isa Yuguda has appointed Alhaji Mahmood Maijama’a as acting SSG and Malam Tanko Dutse as chief of staff.

Maijama’a is the commissioner for Finance and Dutse a former commissioner for Agriculture.

The outgoing commissioners are to handover to their permanent secretaries.

Kogi, CBN sign N2b MoU

OGI State has signed a N2 billion Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for agriculture.

Governor Idris Wada said this at the opening of a fourday-training for cashew farmers in Anyigba, Dekina Local Government Area.

He said the government had provided the will for farmers to succeed, adding that the N2 billion would be spread across agricultural ar-

From James Azania, Lokoja

eas where the state had comparative advantage.

Wada, who was represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Zacchaeus Atte, said N300 million would be earmarked for cashew farmers.

The President of the National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN), Mr. Tola Fasheru, urged governments to provide incentives for cashew farmers across the country.

Kwara North monarchs back governor

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RADITIONAL rulers in Kwara North Senatorial Zone have endorsed Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for a second term.

The traditional rulers, led by the Etsu Patigi and Vice-Chairman of the State Traditional Council, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar, gave the endorsement at a congratulatory visit to the governor on his awards, both at home and in France.

Umar said the governor had touched the lives of the people of Kwara North Ahmed in numerous ways, especially health care delivery, education and youth empowerment.

He thanked the governor for appointing an appreciable number of people from the senatorial district into his administration. The monarchs prayed for the governor’s success in the 2015 elections.

Ahmed thanked them for their support, pledging to fix the Kishi-Kaiama and Ilesha Baruba-Gwanara roads.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

NEWS 5,300 Oyo workers get offer letters

Ekiti Assembly suspends recess

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YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has presented appointment letters to 5,300 teaching and non-teaching workers in the 33 local government areas.

At the ceremony in Ibadan yesterday, letters were distributed to the workers employed from the 11 local governments in Ibadanland.

The remaining letters are scheduled for distribution in Oyo, Ogbomoso, Oke-Ogun and Ibarapa at later dates.

Ajimobi said the recruitment was unprecedented in the state’s history.

He said the exercise was part of government’s efforts to improve the standard of education and provide jobs.

The governor added that over 31,000 teachers had been sent on various trainings and 24,000 have been promoted.

He said: “Let me congratulate our teachers. I can say it authoritatively that our teachers have never had it so good.

They have continued to enjoy salary increase and their appointments have been gazetted.

“So many schools had been rehabilitated; six models schools are being built.”

Ajimobi hailed the cordial relationship between his administration and the teachers, saying that the civil service has not had any cause to go on strike since the inception of his administration.

The Chairmen of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and TESCOM, Busari Adebisi and Abu Gbadamosi, said the recruitment would contribute significantly to the development of education.

Two of the beneficiariesTirimisiyu Damilare and Akorede Balkit-said they would contribute their quota towards attaining the educational standard in the state.

Fake PDP cards flood Ondo From Damisi Ojo, Akure

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HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has raised the alarm over “illegal” membership registration being carried out by some people parading themselves as chairmen and secretaries across the 203 wards.

A statement by its Chairman, Ebenezer Alabi, said: “We are aware that these elements with the support of Governor Olusegun Mimiko, who joined the party lately, are bent on obstructing the wheel of progress of the PDP in Ondo State.

“The cards and registers distributed to all the wards did not come from the national or the state secretariat. The items are fake.

“The ruling of an Abuja Federal Capital Territory High Court that the status quo should be maintained refrains anyone from taking any step that could lead to a breach of peace.

“But Mimiko and his supporters have chosen to dare the law by illegally setting up a parallel secretariat at Bishop Fagun Road, Alagbaka, Akure.”

The statement urged party members to distance themselves from the illegal registration.

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

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HE Ekiti State House of Assembly suspended yesterday its planned 30-day recess announced by the Speaker, Adewale Omirin, last week.

The House will resume sitting today in preparation for the screening of special advisers and commissioners.

In a statement signed by Special Adviser, Media to the Speaker, Wole Olujobi, the Speaker said the step was “in the overriding public interest”.

APC governors to meet tomorrow From Tony Akowe, Abuja

A •Ajimobi presenting a letter to a beneficiary...yesterday. With them is Secretary to the State Government Ismail Olalekan Alli

Lagos objects to N1b suit by 66 ‘deported’ Igbos

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HE Lagos State government has filed a preliminary objection to a suit by 76 persons, who were allegedly deported to the Southeast.

The plaintiffs sued the state at the Federal High Court in Lagos, demanding N1billion.

Yesterday, their lawyer, Leo Nbu, who held the brief of Ugo Ugwunnadi, said his clients had filed a counter affidavit.

The government’s lawyer, Olubola Akinsete, confirmed that he received the plaintiffs’ processes.

The applicants sought an order mandating the state to apologise to them.

The apology will be published in three national newspapers continuously for 30 days.

They sought an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the respondents or their agents from further deporting or refusing them free entry to-and-fro Lagos.

Seven of the applicants sued for themselves and “on behalf of the 76 persons deported from Lagos and dumped/abandoned at Onitsha, Anambra State, on July 24, last year”.

They are Joseph Aniebonam, Osondu Mbuto, Osondu Agwu, Nnenna Ogbonna, Emily Okoroariri, Friday Ndukwu and Onyeka Ugwa.

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By Joseph Jibueze

They joined the AttorneyGeneral, Ade Ipaye and the commissioner of police as respondents.

But the respondents, in their counter-affidavit, said the applicants were neither dumped nor abandoned at Oshodi Rehabilitation Centre or any prison.

Deputy Director in the Office of the Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth and Social Development Olabode Ajao said the respondents did not deport the applicants as alleged.

He said it was Lagos’ policy to cater for its residents, irrespective of their state of origin.

Ajao said the state do not own any rehabilitation centre in Oshodi or control any prison facility.

The respondents said the applicants were rescued from different parts of Lagos while they were begging, living under bridges and by roadsides and engaging in other social vices.

The affected individualswere taken to the stateowned Rehabilitation and Training Centre at Majidun, where they underwent a health screening.

“The applicants were fed proper and nutritious meals and given adequate treatment by the medical corps

at the centre,” the state said.

The government said after the applicants completed skill acquisition programmes, it informed their states of the need to reunite them with their families.

“After three months without any response from the Anambra State government, the respondents decided to assist in getting them back to their state.

“During my interaction with the applicants, they decided that they would find their way to their families from Onitsha, and this necessitated their transportation to ABC Motor Park, Onitsha.”

The state said the applicants have filed similar suits in the Awka Division of the Federal High Court, seeking N10millon each; at the Lagos High Court, Ikeja, seeking N10million damages, and two other suits in the Federal High Court in Lagos.

The applicants said their alleged arrest and detention amount to a breach of their rights.

They sought an order mandating Lagos to reabsorb and accommodate them.

A plaintiff, Onyeka Ugwa, who hails from Orlu in Imo State, said he lived in Lagos for five years and sold books in Okokomaiko.

He claimed he was arrested by policemen and officers of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) in January last year and taken to a rehabilitation centre in Oshodi, where he was “dumped and abandoned.”

Ugwa said he was transferred to a ‘detention camp’, where he met other Igbo.

“We were treated like animals; people were dying around me daily.”

He said on July 23 last year, Igbo were ‘bundled’ into buses without being told their destination.

The plaintiff said: “The bus kept moving through the night until we were ‘offloaded like log of woods’ at Upper Iweka in Onitsha, Anambra State on July 24, last year.

“The buses drove off towards Lagos. At daybreak, we found ourselves stranded .”

Ugwa said the Red Cross took care of them in Onitsha, adding that all they worked for and achieved in Lagos were taken from them.

He said while some of them admitted to being beggars, most of them had jobs in Lagos.

“I am not a destitute and I fend for myself,” he said,.

Justice Rita Ajumogobia adjourned till February 10.

Be fair, monarch tells Amosun, APC

HE Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, has advised Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ensure fairness and internal democracy.

Olugbenle, who spoke in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government, when the governor toured the area, urged him and the party to shun imposition of candidates.

The monarch said internal democracy promotes peace, tranquility and loyalty in politics.

Olugbenle threatened the wrath of God on whoever spills blood in his domain.

•Governor: light rail coming

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

He said: “Let me use this opportunity to appeal to all politicians to shun violence as we approach the election year. They should shun politics of bitterness and character assassination.

“Party leaders are advised to avoid imposition of candidates. Let us please see ourselves as brothers and sisters because in a race, there will always be a winner and a loser.

“Whoever spills blood in Yewaland has the gods of the

land and our ancestors to contend with, above all, the Almighty God. Politics is not a do-or-die affair but an avenue to offer to serve the people, a word is enough for the wise.”

Amosun said: “Let me say that the support of the people would not be taken for granted, stressing that the government would look into the issues raised.

“We’ve listened to your requests but it is not humanly possible for us to address all the requests at once, we will be taking them one after an-

other.

“Don’t forget we have 20 local governments and 236 wards and that is why we will be taking those requests one after another.

“One thing I want to talk about is our railway, during those days, without those rails coming from Idogo, they cannot eat in Lagos, what is wrong with us?

“We are doing that and that is why we said one of the things we are doing is light rail which will start in Ota, from Ota, we will get to Winners Chapel and will come like that to Owode and Ilaro.”

LL Progressives Congress (APC) governors, under the aegis of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) are to meet In Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, tomorrow.

A source told The Nation that the governors would discuss the forthcoming extraordinary convention of the party and take a position on the way forward.

The source said the governors would also hold a valedictory session for former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi.

At the end of its NEC meeting last Friday, the party leadership resolved to hold an extraordinary convention to amend the party constitution ahead of its presidential primary.

Reps approve N4,000 NYSC registration From Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja

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HE House of Representatives Committee on Youth Development has backed the policy requiring prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to pay N4,000 to access their call-up letters online.

Addressing reporters, Committee Chairman Kamil Akinlabi said there were inherent benefits in the policy.

The lawmaker said the fund would be utilised to instal equipment at NYSC offices across the country.

He said the fund would enable the contractor handling the project to recoup his investment.

The House, a month ago, mandated its committees on Youth Development and Justice to investigate the appropriateness or otherwise of what it called “money for callup letter policy” and report back to the House “within one month”.

Hassan Saleh, who sponsored the motion, expressed dissatisfaction with the imposition of N4,000 on thousands of graduates. He urged the House to stop the “extortion”.

Defending the policy, Akinlabi said: “From the outset, when the matter was brought to our attention, the first thing we felt was the way you are feeling. But after constructive engagement, we discovered that it was an innovation that we can’t run away from.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

NEWS Lagos to support First Consultants with N50m

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HE Lagos State government has said it would support First Consultant Hospital, Obalende, Lagos, with N50million.

The hospital was the first to treat the Ebola Virus Disease case in Nigeria.

Commissioner for Health Jide Idris, who spoke in Alausa yesterday, said it would extend similar gestures to the 20 victims either dead or alive.

Idris added that the gesture should not be mistaken for compensation but should been seen as a goodwill gesture.

“Having addressed the human angle in containing the outbreak, there is now the need to address the economic consequences.

“Under consideration are support for the victims (dead or alive) and N50million business support to First Consultants Medical Centre.

“This is to help people/ businesses back on their feet.

“It needs to be stated clearly that this is not an attempt at compensation but a gesture of goodwill on the

‘It needs to be stated clearly that this is not an attempt at compensation but a gesture of goodwill on the government’s part’

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

government’s part.”

He said the government would inaugurate a 24-hour Ebola surveillance team to deal with any emergency.

“Ebola Virus Disease Team on 24/7 standby is to be created with an ambulance as well as an EVD clinician team leader and a driver. Five of such teams will be available. Decontamination team consisting of at least a driver, two environmental health officers and a supervisor will also be created. Two of such teams will be available,” he added.

Osun to release water from dams

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HE Osun State government has said it will release water from its dams to avoid collapse of the structures.

In a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Sunday Akere, the government called on residents not to panic, particularly when they witness flood in communities hosting the dams.

Akere said: “Weather experts have predicted heavy rainfall as the rainy season gradually ends.

“And if the government refuses to allow the excess water to be released gradu-

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

ally, the heavy volume of water flow from the dams may lead to dangerous flood.”

The commissioner said the heavy rainfall witnessed in the past weeks have led to excess water lodging inside the dams, warning that if the water is not released it may lead to terrible flooding.

He added that residents of Ede, Iwo, Ejigbo, Okinni and many communities around where there are dams should be aware that little floods may occur when the water would be released.

Embrace unity, says Awolowo’s wife

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HE wife of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Mrs H.I.D. Awolowo, has urged Yoruba elite to embrace unity.

Mrs. Awolowo, who chairs the Yoruba Unity Forum, spoke at the forum’s general meeting held at Efunyela Hall, Ikenne, Ogun State.

She decried the relegation of the Yoruba, attributing same to unhealthy ri-

By Precious Igbonwelundu

valry.

Mrs. Awolowo reiterated the need for the elite to bury the hatchet for a more virile and respected ethnic group.

At the event were the group’s deputy leader, Bishop Emmanuel Gbonigi; Senator Femi Okuronmu; Senator Anthony Adefuye and Moshood Salvador, among others.

‘Be disciplined behind wheels’

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The Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) has urged road users to shun indiscipline.

The Zone II Commanding Officer, Kunle Ajibade, gave the advice while controlling traffic on the Idiroko/Ota Road.

He said 80 per cent of road users contravene traffic rules and regulations. Ajibade said: “TRACE would not condone flagrant flouting of traffic rules and regulations on Ogun State roads.

“We’ll work with other road management agencies in obliterating the ‘mortuary state’ tag for which Ogun State has been known.

“I appeal to pedestrians to always cross the roads at points where there are Zebra crossings, traffic signals, subway and pedestrian bridges. Where such facilities do not exist, look for a safe point where you will cross the roads.

“Walk on the left side of the road facing oncoming vehicles, where footpaths are not provided.

“While crossing wide roads that have central islands, always cross in two stages. Cross to the central island then stop and cross when the next section is clear. “Where there are no pedestrian crossings, watch the traffic on both sides and cross when it is safe to do so; look to your left and right and left again then cross if the road is clear.”

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KITI State Governor Ayo Fayose has criticised ex-Governor Kayode Fayemi for spending N3.3 billion on a “luxury governor’s lodge”.

Speaking yesterday at the swearing-in of the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Modupe Alade and special assistants in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, he said the money should have been used to improve the lives of the people.

His words: “My heart nearly failed me when I got to the new Government Lodge on Thursday. The mansion cost N3.3 billion. It was initially awarded for N2.3 billion and later increased to N2.7 billion. N640 million was used to procure fittings and furniture.

“And N150million will be used for maintenance annually. Ekiti cannot sustain this and we have to do something about it.

“How can a governor live

Fayose condemns ‘luxury’ Govt Lodge •Says Ekiti can’t afford to keep 39 perm secs •’Women deserve more appointments’•’It’s a non-issue’ From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

in such a house when the masses are living in poverty?”

He pledged to honour the 35 per cent affirmative action for women in respect of political appointments in his administration.

“Let me tell the men here that some of them will be asked to step down for women in next year’s elections.

“I want to assure you that those who will step down have nothing to lose, we are going to reward you accordingly.

“But if you disobey us, we will still go ahead and do it so far what we are doing is in the interest of Ekiti

people.”

The governor said Mrs. Alade’s appointment was a proof of the regard he accords women.

Fayose said his administration would reward loyalty and hard work to promote what he called the “culture of brotherliness and fellow feeling”.

Hinting at the desirability of fewer appointments, he said he would compress his government to a sizeable form, particularly the civil service, to reduce cost.

Fayose said: “There is no point having 39 permanent secretaries whose running grants we won’t be able to pay. I want to maintain a sizeable number of appointments. But what-

ever we are going to do will be done in a fair manner.

“I urge those seeking appointments to show restraint. Some have started disturbing me with text messages telling me to appoint them. You have to stop this. When the time comes, your appointment will come.

“You don’t need to tell me the kind of appointment I will give you. I may even give you something better than what you are requesting for or you may not get appointment at all.”

Fayemi’s aide said: “That is a non-issue and does not deserve a reaction. He is entitled to his opinion.”

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 08023247888

‘Spread fruits of democracy to grassroots’

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•Senator Tinubu inaugurates school

HE senator representing Lagos Central Senatorial District, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu yesterday challenged politicians to spread the dividends of democracy and good governance, especially at the grassroots.

She spoke when she led other chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and residents of Ebute-Ero, Lagos Island, to open the twin three-storey Holy Trinity Primary School, Ebute-Ero, which was refurbished by the Chairman, Lagos Island Local Government, Mr. Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni.

The senator, who praised Eshinlokun-Sanni for championing the party’s grassroots objectives of educational development and good governance, urged him not to rest on his oars but to continue to march forward in the task of evolving a new society.

She said: “Of all the gifts a nation or parent can give, education is the greatest. It empowers, it builds self confidence and restores dignity.

Above all, it equips to face challenges. In spite of the existing challenges, we must all help the Nigerian children and youths to find, pursue and achieve their purpose in life through education.”

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By Adeyinka Aderibigbe

Though the council, she said, had upgraded no fewer than six dilapidated public primary schools, she observed that much still needed to be done at the grassroots and other levels before the nation could enjoy the full benefits of democracy.

She said the council chief was not only opening the new school, but was also presenting/distributing school kits (writing materials, notebooks, mathematical sets, school bags and uniforms) to pupils of the 11 primary schools and students of the five secondary schools within the council area.

The council also delivered Church and Oba Esinlokun roads, which it recently completed, to the people.

Eshinlokun-Sanni, a former head boy of the school, said the renovation was part of his commitment to bequeathing a good learning environment to the coming generation of pupils of all primary schools in the council.

He said that apart from refurbishing the physical structures of the primary schools, the council constructed new classroom structures equipped with

•Senator Tinubu unveiling the reconstructed Oba Eshinlokun-Sanni Road. With her are: Eshinlokun-Sanni (1st left), Vice Chairman Toyese Olusi (2nd right) and Oluwo Ibikunle Jakande ... yesterday.

PHOTO: ADEYINKA ADERIBIGBE

modern learning aids.

Eshinlokun-Sanni described the Holy Trinity School as one of the Legacy Schools on Lagos Island, and one which had produced eminent Nigerians who had continued to do the state and indeed Nigeria proud.

Handing the projects over to the Lagos Island people, the council chief described them as “a great improvement on what they used to be.”

He said the council had rehabilitated about 70 roads across all the wards in the area. He said Imaro, Church, Oba Eshinlokun, Iga Iduganran and Orisan streets were rehabilitated to under-

score the impact that the council under his leadership had masw on his people.

In his goodwill message, a former Minister for the Interior, Ademola Seriki, praised Eshinlokun-Sanni for wonderfully delivering “not only educational hardware, but also software to the people of the council.”

Seriki, a former student, recalled the period he sat for his West African School Certificate Examinations (WASCE) in the school, adding that the council chief was leaving a legacy that the whole people of Lagos Island would be proud of.

Another chieftain, Hon. R.F. Balogun described the

My husband is a beast, alleges wife

36-year-old woman, Yemisi Kudaisi, has prayed the Customary Court, Alakuko, a Lagos suburb, to dissolve her sixyear-old marriage to Shakiru, accusing him of being bestial and irresponsible.

Mrs. Kudaisi, an actress and trader, told the court: “For a long time after we got married, everything was almost perfect probably because we both had good jobs.

However, the harsh reality of life began to dawn on us after my husband was involved in an accident that claimed his car. Consequently, there was a drastic reduction in everything we had, so we were forced to borrow money from different sources to make ends meet.

“I was idle for six months.

During the period, he kept telling me to sell all my jewellery, assuring me that things would get better. But as I speak, my husband has not refunded my money.

Surprisingly, has now formed the habit of leaving home over any little argument. He even prefers to spend the money he borrows lavishly at parties. It got so bad that my mother gave me some money because she wasn’t happy about my status.

“If you meet my husband

‘If you meet my husband for the first time, you will think he can’t hurt a fly because of his innocent looks.

But he is worst than a beast’

By Basirat Braimah

for the first time, you will think he can’t hurt a fly because of his innocent looks.

But he is worst than a beast.

From the outset, my husband has always treated me with utmost disrespect; he

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beats me at the slightest provocation. But I have always endured all his vicious attacks, hoping that he would turn over a new leaf.”

Yemisi further said:”My husband came home one day and accused my mother of embarrassing him at a party. When I asked him why he insulted my mother, he beat me black and blue.

Since I brought our case to court, my husband has stopped giving me money.

Our children have also been sent out of school. So, I don’t want to remain in this marriage anymore.”

However, 40-year-old Kudaisi, who deals in kerosine, denied the allegation.

He said: “When I met her, she had no job. Each time there was a lull in my busi-

ness, she misbehaves at home. At times, she goes to locations and returns home at odd hours. I had to sell my vehicles because things weren’t going well. I don’t owe her any more. In fact, I once gave her N300, 000 to start a business. The day I advised my wife to quit acting so as to have more time for our children, she slapped me. Though I don’t have any good means of livelihood, I still care for my children and attend to their needs when I have money.

The court’s President, Chief Awos Awosola, advised the couple not to invade each other’s privacy and ordered Kudaisi to locate a school for the children.

He adjourned till October 28 for judgment.

Group lifts widows’ children

NON-governmental organisation, Human Development Initiative (HDI) has donated educational materials to children of widows in Lagos State.

The donation was made during the group’s launch of its Empowerment Trust Fund for Education of Orphans/ Widows’ children in the state.

The materials included: two sets of school uniforms,

By Awele Okwudarue

pairs socks, pairs of school sandals, 15 exercise books, ties, berets, mathematical sets, core subjects’ textbooks and government-approved associated costs or fees.

Chairman of HDI-ETF, Prof Bolaji Owasanoye said the trust fund gives N50,000 soft loans at 10 per cent interest to beneficiaries through widow support groups/coopera-

tives.

He also said “Happy and Sad” boxes were placed in partner schools to have an insight into what makes students happy or sad. The information collected, he said, is analysed for response and intervention programmes.

A beneficiary, Christiana Omaseye, who used to hawk water sachet, thanked the organisers for the gesture.

event as a confirmation of the confidence of party leaders who had opted for Eshinlokun-Sanni as their candidate six years ago.

A former Secretary to the Lagos State Government (SLG) and leader of the APC in Lagos Central, Hon. Omotilewa Aro-Lambo, urged other council chairmen to emulate the good works of the council chief, adding that Esinlokun-Sanni had always shamed detractors who were eagerly looking for the failure of the party.

He equally charged the pupils to take good care of the materials presented to them, saying: “Don’t spoil these materials you are be-

ing presented here today because this is not done everywhere.”

The chairman of the Parents Teachers Association (PTA), Alhaji Abdulsaheed Lawal, praised the council chief for upgrading the school like other schools in the council. He said the parents and the entire pupils of the school were grateful for the gesture, adding that it would be treasured and maintained.

The school’s head-teacher, Mrs. Grace Oguntoye, said the pupils would make judicious use of the desktops provided by the council, adding that the council’s gesture was beyond imagination.

Student arraigned ‘for burgling provost’s office’

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23-year-old student, Micah William, yesterday appeared before a Yaba Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, for allegedly burgling the office of the provost of his school.

William, a 200-level student who resides at 16, Karimu Kaka Street, Egbeda, Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of burglary and stealing.

The prosecutor, Godwin Anyanwu, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), told the court that the accused on October 4 at 2.00 am, burgled the office of the provost of the Lagos State College of Health and Technology at 81, Harvey Road, Yaba.

He said the defendant broke into the office and stole projectors, laptops, phones and printers valued at N381,000, property of the college.

“The defendant and his accomplices, who are still at large, broke into the provost’s office, disconnected the equipment and carted them away. The equipment stolen include four projectors, two HP laptops, one Compaq laptop, two HP printers and

two Blackberry phones valued at N381,000. He was arrested following a formal complaint at the police station,’’ Anyanwu said.

The prosecutor said that some students who witnessed the break in identified William as one of the culprits.

He also said the print of the defendant’s pair of slippers was also discovered at the scene of the alleged crime.

The prosecutor said that when William was interrogated on how the print of his slippers got to the scene, he could not give a satisfactory explanation.

Anyanwu said the offences contravened Sections 285 and 305 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report that Section 305 prescribes a seven-year imprisonment for anyone found liable of burglary.

Michael pleaded not guilty; hence, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs Yewande Aje-Afunwa, granted him bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum. She adjourned the case till November 21 for mention.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Sovereign Wealth Funds are managed conservatively.

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

AfDB votes $231m for food security

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HE African Develop ment Bank (AfDB) says it has approved $231 million to support the fight against food insecurity in the Sahel region.

In a statemen, the bank said the grant was for funding of a programme tagged: “Building Resilience to Food and Nutrition Insecurity in the Sahel (P2RS)’’.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme involves member-countries of the InterState Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILLS).

The CILIS countries include Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Togo.

“This grant will help the critical emergency operators in the Sahel to tackle the high level of food insecurity and malnutrition in the region.

“The programme focuses on nutrition and the use of second generation ICTs, such as mobile phones, to facilitate better access to markets and prediction of crises and disasters,’’ the statement said.

According to the statement, the P2RS specifically seeks to sustainably increase agro-pastoral and fishery productivity and production in the Sahel.

“It will be implemented under four five-year project-segments in three components including rural infrastructure development, value chains and regional markets development as well as project management,’’ it said.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$117.4/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,396.9/troy Sugar -$163/lb

• From left: Executive Director, Personal and Business Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr. Obinnia Abajue; Founder & CEO, Konga Online Shopping Limited, Mr. Sim Shagaya; Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr. Yinka Sanni; International speaker, Mr. Vusi Thembekwayo and Executive Director, Corporate and Investment Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr. Victor Williams; at the 1st Stanbic IBTC Business Leadership forum held in Lagos, Nigeria, Thursday October 16, 2014

Benue earns N9.6b from sale of Dangote Cement shares

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HE government of Benue State has sold about 43 million Dangote Cement shares warehoused by the Benue Investment Property Company (BIPC), earning N9.6billion, The Nation has learnt.

Notwithstanding Governor Gabriel Suswam’s refutal that the state’s holding in Dangote Cement was never put on the market, there are indications that that a fund management and advisory firm, Elixir Investment Partners, facilitated the transactions, going by documents obtained from Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS).

Suswam said the shares had not been sold to anyone and refuted claims that they were valued at N20billion at the stock market.

He said the shares were warehoused with the BIPC and blamed his detractors

• 43m units sold

By Simeon Ebulu

for peddling falsehood.

But the shares are being gradually offloaded.

Offloading of the shares actually started on August 1, and gathered momentum through September.

Specifically, on September 2, Elixir Investment Partners, working on the instructions of the state government, offloaded a significant amount of the shares in 16 transactions which involved the sale of 6.152million units, realising N1.35 billion in that single transaction.

The firm returned to the market about two weeks later, on September 17, and concluded 11 transactions, The following day, 29 transactions were concluded.

Similar transactions were conducted on Sep-

tember 19, 22 and 23. The biggest single transaction was concluded on September 24 when in one transaction, over nine million units of shares were sold for N2.19 billion.

Further investigation revealed that 29.192 million units of shares were sold, with the last recorded sale happening on September 26.

Reacting to the development, the Benue State Chapter, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), last week staged a protest against the divestment of the over 43 million shares, saying the action amounted to a major blow to the state’s socio-economic life.

Its Chairman in Gboko, Rev. Sam Gar, who led the protest, lamented the “shady” deals and called on all to join the associa-

tion in rejecting the transactions.

Gar said CAN would be compelled to invoke the wrath of God against those behind the deal, and appealed to political parties, as well as their aspirants to reverse the action or be rejected at the polls.

In 2010, Dangote Cement Plc, owned by business giant Aliko Dangote, bought majority shares in Benue Cement Company (BCC).

With production capacity totaling 20.3 million tonnes across three Nigerian plants, the company is already in 14 African countries, bringing total capacity to more than 60 million tonnes by 2016.

Dangote Cement share price closed at N212 on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) as at close of trading last Friday, while market capitalisation was put at N3.61 trillion.

Akwa Ibom to access CBN’s N2b MSMEDF Fund

RATES Inflation -8.2% Treasury Bills -10.58%(91d) Maximum lending -30% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate 91-day NTB

-3% -15%

Time Deposit MPR

-5.49% -12%

Foreign Reserve $38.4b FOREX CFA EUR

-0.2958 -206.9

£ $

-242.1 -156

¥ SDR

-1.9179 -238

RIYAL

-40.472

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KWA Ibom State will be one of the first states in the federation to benefit from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) N220 billion Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund (MSMEDF) following a resolution by the state legislature giving the state the nod to participate in the scheme.

The CBN launched the MSMEDF in August last year with a take- off seed capital of N220 billion where all state governments including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, are expected to access a maximum of N2 billion.

However, a state government can only access the fund by presenting to the CBN a resolution by the State House

By Uyoatta Eshiet, Uyo

of Assembly empowering the state to do so..

The expected benefits of participating in the scheme include N2 billion longterm, low interest fund through creating access for Akwa Ibom SMEs to help the growth of indigenous microenterprises, especially for women who are to benefit from 60 per cent of the fund.

Access to the fund is also expected to boost MSME in the state, improve their operation, grow their enterprises and better household welfare and economic development of the state.

The funds shall improve financial inclusion in the state; create jobs and integrate micro enterprises in the state

into a formal financial system and stimulate innovation and boast entrepreneurship as well as increase internally generated revenue through payment by MSME taxes and statutory charges.

Speaking shortly before the resolution was passed, the member representing Itu State Constituency, Hon Ekaete Ebong Okon while commending the CBN for coming up with the scheme noted that the economies of some countries of the world thrive on the MSME and added that the economy of the state rests on the activities MSME. Also speaking Hon (Barr) Onofiok Luke commended the President for stimulating the economy through the MSME and noted that one challenge the people face was access to

capital which has been taken care of by the scheme.

He also appreciated the fact that the money will not come into the treasury of the state government but through the micro finance institutions while beneficiaries will be chosen through their representatives.

Hon Aboh Uduyok Johnson representing Ikot Abasi/ Eastern Obolo state constituency said the fifth assembly has been found to do the needful for the good of people.

He expressed satisfaction with the fact that the state will not be involved in the disbursement of the funds saying his constituents are in support of the resolution as the loan is long term at a single digit interest rate.

Huawei unveils 4.5G ahead commercialisation

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UAWEI unveiled plan to evolve the 4G network technology to what it considers 4.5G vision at the GSMA Mobile 360 series.

Expected to be launched in two years time, Huawei’s plans for 4.5G would lead mobile communications into the gigabit era for the first time, and would spearhead the next phase of the revolution for the communications industry to enable people enjoy an increasingly intelligent lives.

According to a statement, Huawei’s 4.5G technology will aim to provide users with ultra-high definition, 3D and possibly holographic videos. It opens the era of Internet of everything as well as service-oriented network architecture prior to 5G being commercialized.

President, Huawei Wireless Network Research and Development, Mr. Ying Weimin, said: “4G enables users to freely connect with each other, enjoy superior mobile broadband experiences and download at highspeeds, anytime, anywhere.

Over the next couple of years 4.5G technology will be deployed that will offer faster speeds, lower latency and better functionality than the best 4G technologies currently available. It will also open up new revenue streams for operators resulting in a healthier and more profitable mobile broadband business” Expected to be commercialised in 2016, Huawei’s 4.5G research starts by looking at the ongoing 3G Partnership Project (3GPP) releases for LTE and LTE-Advanced. 4.5G standardisation forms a part of this and is expected to be completed in 3GPP releases 13/14.

Key features of 4.5G technology include the ability to have lower latency at 10ms, a peak download rate of around 6 Gbps and the support of 100,000 connections within a one kilometer square.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

12

THE NATION

BUSINESS ENERGY

E-mail:- energy@thenationonlineng.net

Lagos loses 4.4m kwh of energy annually

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BOUT 4.358million kilowatt hour (kwh) of energy is lost annually to poor management of power in homes and offices in Lagos, a report by the Lagos State Electricity Board (LSEB) has said.

The report, which followed a research conducted by the Board to ascertain residents’ electricity consumption, said lack of energy conservation at homes, business premises and markets, among others, is common in the Lagos metropolis.

Individuals and organisations, according to the report, were said to be generating far more than their energy needs through power generators, with the excess wasted on daily basis.

It said electricity consumers are leaving their appliances and electricity bulbs on, even when not

By Akinola Ajibade

needed, adding that the development is having a far-reaching effects on their well-being. It said the cost of wasting energy is enormous because it affects various aspects of human endeavours. The report said that inability of people to manage electricity well has caused them financial and health losses.

This, the report said, is evident by emission of carbon dioxide (Co2) by those, who expose themselves to generator fumes daily, stressing that, many spend a lot of money to recharge their meters because they cannot manage electricity well.

About N38 billion, the report said, could be saved annually if energy conservation is practised in the state.

“Energy conservation is paramount to the government, which

has put in place measures to manage electricity consumption.

Switching to energy saving bulbs at the Lagos State Government secretariat, Alausa, has resulted in energy savings of 978,906 kwh and reduces carbon-dioxide emission by 1,278,444 (pounds) lbs annually.

This was achieved through the various power projects embarked upon by the government in recent times,” the reported stated.

The state Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Taofiq Tijani, said the implementation of the Independent Power Plants (IPPs) has helped to improve the energy needs of the state. ‘’With the state getting less than 1,000 megawatts (Mw) of electricity from the national grid due to gas supply problem inhibiting the operation of the power generation companies (GENCOs), among oth-

ers, the government is left with the option of providing other means of complementing whatever it gets from the national grid. Besides, the development has helped in reducing carbon dioxide emission.

“Through the plants, we are providing power to water projects, hospitals and schools, among other institutions that require energy mass.

Also, we are leveraging on the plants to reduce carbon dioxide emission for growth,” he said.

Tijani, said Akute power plant, is targeting an annual reduction of carbon dioxide emission of 218,906,496 (pounds) lbs, while that of Alausa Secretariat Energy Saving Retrofit project, targets an annual reduction of Co2 emission of 1,278,444 (pounds) lbs.

He said annual reduction of carbon dioxide emission of 348,670,656 (pounds) lbs is expected from

Alausa Independent Power Plant, while Lagos Island Independent Power Project Expansion (IPP2) targets Co2 reduction of 185,054,976 (pounds) lbs.

Tijani said about N600 million is being saved monthly through the Alausa IPP, which was commissioned in 2013 to serve the power needs of the state secretariat, Ikeja as well as streetlights within the Alausa precinct. The commissioner added that following the switch-on of the Alausa IPP, over 120 generators hitherto used by the various offices within the state secretariat were decommissioned.

The state started energy conservation campaign recently. The campaign, which has entered its second edition, aimed at educating residents on how to stop wasting energy, by switching off their appliances and others when not used.

IKEDC eyes installation of 500,000 meters in three years •Invests over N1b in network reinforcement

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•From left: General Manager, Policy, Government & Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr. Deji Haastrup; receiving the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria's (CIPM) Human Resource Best Practice Award on behalf of the company from the President/Chairman of CIPM Council, Mr. Victor Famuyibo during the institute's 46th conference at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. With them is Mrs Edith Azinge, Manager, HR Policy, Planning & Programmes, Chevron Nigeria.

Oriental Energy refutes Afren’s allegations

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RIENTAL Energy Resources Limited, the 60 per cent equity owner of the Ebok and Okwok assets, located offshore Southeast Nigeria, has refuted some contents of a press release issued by Afren recently, which contained the results of the independent review by Wilkie Farr & Gallagher (WFG) UK into certain transactions undertaken by Afren, and whether such transactions should have been announced at the time they were entered into in accordance with requirements of the listing rules.

The Executive Chairman of Oriental, Dr. Muhammadu Indimi, stated that “Afren’s press release, including their summary of WFG’s findings, was little more than a collection of suppositions, unsupported innuendoes and a series of false and defamatory statements,” adding that it is necessary for Oriental to set the record straight. Indimi stated that he regrets that the agreed protocol with Afren that required them to provide Oriental with an advance draft of any proposed press release for comment was blatantly ignored by Afren.

The rebuttals made by Indimi include Afren’s first agreement with Oriental Energy in July 2012. Oriental categorically denies that the forward sale of crude oil transaction of $100 million in July 2012 was a “loan” as contained in Afren press release.

Indimi stated that Oriental and Afren

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

entered into the Oriental Ebok forward sale of crude oil agreement in July 2012 noting that forward sales of crude oil among partners is a common practice in the international upstream petroleum industry. He explained that forward sale agreement was an agreement for the prepayment of oil and Oriental agreed to sell approximately one million barrels of its future oil production to Afren thereby permitting Afren to book those reserves in 2012. The reason the $100 million payment to Oriental was included in Afren’s balance sheet for 31 December 2012 under the line “Prepayment and Advances to Partners” is because it was, indeed, a prepayment for Oriental’s future oil production, he added.

In reference to the $100 million forward sale, which Afren erroneously referred to as a loan, Afren properly deducted $100 million in oil equivalent barrels from Oriental’s 2014 profit oil. This was provisioned under an amendment to the original forward sale agreement by the amended and restated Ebok Joint Operating Agreement (JOA) of August 2013. This was agreed so as to conform with the terms of the original Forward Sale Agreement in allowing Afren to recover $100 million in profit oil from Oriental’s post-payout share of profit oil barrels, he stated.

On the second agreement with Oriental Energy on 23rd August 2013, Indimi said Afren and Oriental signed the JOA, which had been under negotiation since the summer of 2012. At no time was there ever any conjoining of the JOA with the $300 million payment as a quid pro quo to Oriental, as misrepresented by Afren. The two payments of $180 million and $120 million are explained below.

He said: “The Afren press release includes misrepresentations that “the agreement was conditional on pioneer status being confirmed for Ebok, which occurred in October 2013.” The Pioneer status was officially confirmed by letter dated May 15, 2013 and by an official certificate dated 5 September 2013, both dates well in advance of the October 2013 date misstated by Afren: the official written confirmation date of May 15 occurred months before the Ebok JOA was signed by both parties on August 23, 2013 and therefore it could not have been a condition for signing the amended Ebok JOA. Furthermore, there is no such thing as an “Amendment Agreement” erroneously referred to twice in the first paragraph of Afren’s press release under this heading, and a total of eight additional times in the subsequent paragraphs. An “Amendment Agreement” would have been an agreement to agree and there was and is no such document.”

HE Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) will roll out about 500,000 prepaid meters to customers who do not have meters and are presently being billed through estimation, the Managing Director of IKEDC, Mr. Abiodun Ajifowobaje, has said.

Ajifowobajeat, who spoke at a customers’ forum held in the 15 business units of the utility firm, told customers that the 500,000 meters would be installed within the next three years. The installation is part of the company’s strategic steps to ensure accurate and effective billings of consumption by customers.

He said two main challenges confronting the company, are effective metering of customers and the inadequate quantum of energy received from the national grid, noting that finding lasting solution to them paramount.

Plans, he said, have been concluded on the metering project, adding that the official roll out and installation of the meters will start before December this year.

Ajifowobaje said the company’s daily power need is about 1,250 megawatts (MW), but what it actually receives from the national grid is an average of 350MW to 450MW. He said: “I am, however, happy to report that IKEDC is involved in talks with several partners to explore supply from embedded power generation, Independent Power Projects and other sources to improve supply. We are equally working on a robust metering model that will promote transparency in billing and eradicate energy theft, which poses serious challenge to us but before December this year, we will come out with policy on ways to improve power supply to customers.

“We have carefully studied the challenges facing metering of customers and we have come out with comprehensive approach on how to effectively tackle these challenges. Even now that we have not officially rolled out the planned metering scheme, the company had been able to install over 5,000 prepaid meters for customers at no cost since we took over the company on November last year.”

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

Ajifowabaje said many customers within the company’s network have had prepaid meters installed in their premises, while we have also caught many customers bypassing meters. This development poses serious challenge to the company,” he added.

He said customers with obsolete and malfunctioning meters would also have such meters replaced, adding that the company has made significant progress in its quest to ensure a robust metering system that would enhance accuracy in billing. The IKEDC boss said the management has come out with a robust plan that would address all challenges facing meter bypass by customers.

He noted that additional security features will be built into the new prepaid meter planned to be installed and would be deployed to areas notorious for tampering with meters.

On the planned 500,000 meters, he said: “Our first phase plan is to ensure that about 300,000 prepaid meters are rolled out by December while about 500,000 to 600,000 meters are being targeted for fresh installation and replacement of faulty ones in the said three years.

Speaking on challenges facing the company on vandalism, Ajifowobaje stated that over N1 billion released by the board to drive quick wins had been spent to date on rehabilitation of vandalised transformers, replacement of undersized overhead conductors, completion of abandoned distribution projects and reduction in estimated billing issues.

“IKEDC has also centralised its billing system to drive accuracy and introduced the Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) system, which drives remote access to meters for efficiency and effective monitoring. We have injected about N1 billion to improve electricity supply through the completion of the ongoing network expansion and rehabilitation projects. About 40 vandalised transformers have been repaired and installed to boost electricity supply, while about 115 abandoned transformer projects are almost completed in various sites.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

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THE NATION

BUSINESS AVIATION

How to improve efficiency at airports, by experts Experts and players from about 53 countries in Africa, last week gathered in Durban, South Africa to examine the vexed issue of service delivery at airports on the continent at the 23rd Airports Council International Africa Regional Conference. KELVIN OSA-OKUNBOR, who attended, reports.

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F air transport in Africa must live up to expectations, as the vital catalyst to drive economic development, governments and African leaders must devote more funds to airport projects, experts have said.

Inadequate funding, they said, remained a stumbling block to unlocking the huge potentials of airport development, and the strategic role air transport infrastructure could play in turning around the economies of countries in the continent.

The experts spoke at the just concluded Airports Council International Africa Conference in Durban , South Africa.

Other than more priority being given to funding, operators and managers of airports, as the first point of contact into countries, must step up measures to improve the quality of service, a key strategy to enhance revenue generation.

They expressed worry that the levels of investments in airports in Africa are inadequate, saying that governments must do enough in this respect if African countries hope to leverage on aviation as a contributor to the continent’s economy .

In his presentation, the Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN), Dunoma Saleh, said there is improved security process across the 22 airports owned by the authority, through the installation of safety and security equipment.

According to him, FAAN provided an effective platform that led to the successful fight against Ebola in Nigeria by coordinating screening processes.

The team, led by FAAN Director of Airport Operations, Capt Henry Omeogu, showcased the transformational strides in airport operations with the simultaneous remodelling of 22 airports across Nigeria.

The two-day conference, with theme : service excellence, attracted 59member in Africa operating in 251 airports.

Angela Gittens, the Director-General, ACI worldwide, said airports should build brand loyalty and provide a service that differentiated from others to attract air travellers.

She said passengers can forget almost anything at an airport as long as they feel safe and it is clean. According to her, they would also like the ambiance, the feel they get when they walk into a terminal, a sense of order and security.

Earlier, while welcoming delegates, Pascal Komla, President of ACI Africa said with the theme “Service Excellence” the event provided a unique opportunity for airport and aviation executives, experts and exhibitors from across the globe to network, share information and forge a common vision for the future of the African airport business.

Ali Tounsi, the Secretary General of ACI Africa, said there are large discrepancies across the continent with some very high and low levels of services and standards, partly attributed to different cultures, languages and geographical dimensions.

“A big challenge is the issue of safety with the African continent having the worst safety ranking in the world” he said. He added that “With so much happening economically in Africa, in the next few years, airports would play a hugely important role and had to have priority attention” In his presentation , the ACI World Director in charge of Economics and Programme Development, Dr Rafael Echevarne said the way forward for African airports is to embrace the culture of excellence .

•Oliver Tambo International Airport Johanesburg, South Africa

He urged managers of airports in Africa to create a sharp focus to enhance passenger experience , citing the model utilised by South Africa, which airlines about 10 years ago, have altered the strategy of competition to collaboration to develop their airports into string regional hubs.

He said: ”We look forward to the development of a hub in West Africa . This could be possible if the respective countries and operators of their airports put in place quality management system that considers security, and its impact on service excellence.

A performance appraisal system could be put in place that examines steps so far taken and how such steps have improved the system.

The questions airport operators in Africa should consider are how well airport services are delivered. Are there quality control measures?

Are there collaborations among internal stakeholders? In which areas, whether human or material resources ?

In the a very competitive airport environment , the quality of service is key.

There should not be over design of security network that could impede passengers facilitation.

Passenger satisfaction is the key ingredient to sell an airport. Any passengers who experiences a good terminal satisfaction would spend more money and would want to use that airport many times .

If we must develop airports for the future the questions that cone to mind are legion . Is there a wifi network? Are there flight trackers ? This is important because airlines have the tendency of not telling passengers the truth.”

He canvassed partnership with local players , such that there are key performance indicators at the airports that would drive service delivery.

He said one way of resolving the myriad of challenges confronting excellence in service delivery at airports is for government agencies and others to embrace collaboration.

He said: ” One way of doing this is to get government agencies and others to buy into the system. Smaller airports we insist should have higher quality services.”

In his presentation, former FAAN managing director, Mr George Uriesi, said if African airports should be used as drivers of economic development, operators and managers should realise that there is no alternative to the quality of services.

Uriesi queried why many African airports have not enrolled for the airports

service quality programme offered by ACI. He said: “Why are many African airports no ten rolling for the airports service quality programme. Are we designing our airport infrastructure to meet up with quality services.

We need to re- apply the success models.”

Also speaking at the conference, Ms Joanne Paternoster, president of Butterfly Consulting, said the importance of airports service excellence is becoming more felt in a dynamic and competitive business environment.

She said: ”The consequence of poor services at the airports is so costly that the operator would lose the opportunity to be called upon to manage other airport terminals..

A continuum of experiences are expected to be delivered safely, securely, efficiently, professionally, courteously, seamlessly in a quality manner.

The strategic and holistic approach is to stay ahead of competition for airports which must take the passenger experience to the next level.

Airports in Africa must build good brands , which are driven by reliable customer feedback system as well as a terminal by terminal plan . This could be achieved through standards and performance management “ Another expert, Mr Frederic Thenevin, director of airport development, ADPI, an airports design and consulting firm, urged operators to partner other players including airlines to enhance greater market share.

He said a look at the airport operations in Paris, indicates that it shares same experience with airports in Africa, which ought to pursue service delivery to ensure customer satisfaction.

He said :” Airports in Africa need market share, in an environment where competition is intensifying. Customer satisfaction therefore remains a key lever in winning marker share.

Operational performance with management through compliance and participation is key.

An airport should be utilised as a meeting point for different partners.

If common values must be shared, airport operators should set up service improvement committees to enhance growth, The whole concept must be seen as meeting passengers expectation.”

Speaking on service quality in smaller airports, Mr Michael Miller, head of content and industry relations in Routes, an airport consulting firm said the use of data is key in attracting airlines and other partners to the development of an air-

port service experience.

He said satisfying and meeting the needs of passengers and other airport users remains the key to unlock the potentials of service excellence in African airports.

He said: “Airport operators could use data and information to attract airlines and other partners to see the big picture . Satisfying and meeting the needs of people is very important. There should be no excuse for inefficiencies at the airports as a gateway. Getting the basics right, through the appropriate ambience and infrastructure remains key drivers.

The airport is about people and their attitude towards travel. We must improve on safety management systems.

One key way to achieve service delivery at the airport is to ensure that there is reduction in turn around time at the terminal for passengers.”

Meanwhile,the President Airport Council International ( ACI), for Africa , Mr Pascal Komla has urged airport authorities in the continent to consider significant reduction in airport tariff describing excessive taxes paid by airlines and other airport users as a huge disincentive that could hamper the growth of air transport in the continent.

Komla apart from reduction in taxes , African governments must relax restrictive visa policies , which he said is fast affecting intra - African connections and the air transport sector growth, expected to contribute significantly to the growth of aviation in Africa.

He also called for improved funding for airport projects in Africa, which he said could turn around the fortunes of

the continent , if managers and leaders in the sector embrace global partnership to bring it to fruition.

He said there is an avenue for sustainable air transport network in Africa owing largely to improved flight connectivity , which he said is a byproduct of the liberalisation of air transport in the continent otherwise known as Yamoussoukro Decision.

The decision was reached at continental confab on air transport among African leaders in 2000.

He said there were series of challenges confronting the implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision.

Komla said the adoption of the decision by Kenya and Ethiopia assisted the countries to create employment in the aviation sector.

He affirmed that studies conducted by experts reveal that the benefits of adopting a liberalised air transport sector in Africa fats outweighs any possible disadvantage.

He said: ”We are working hard on our sector to earn protectionism , which impairs economic growth and restriction on travelling.

We need to devote more resources on airport development , cut down high tariffs on airlines . This will increase air traffic in Africa and facilitates tourism. It will bring in investments and stimulate international trade.

We are taking measures to solve the problem of high taxes , the problem of visa restriction, which demotivated passenger movement.

Although, there have been so openness on visa policies , which is an improvement in some parts of Africa.

But, there are still restrictions. Some countries in eastern and west Africa have improved their visa processes, because many airports have their uniques features , in terms of geography, security and services.”

He further said: “Let us open our airports , because there are differences in geography, infrastructure and other operational elements.

How does an airport answer to these problems , which have to do with lack of infrastructure , security and the element of service.

Security is key to growth, and the way to achieve this is to have a well established safety system, which requires global efforts and administrative expertise.

There is no one approach to solving the problems of air transport in Africa , other than governments pursuing the implementation of liberalisation policies, that would help airports improve capacity .

Ethiopian Airlines connects flight between Dublin, Los Angeles

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THIOPIAN Airlines said it has concluded plans to start flights to Dublin and Los Angeles starting from June 2015.

Ethiopian flights to Dublin and Los Angeles will be operated three times a week with the ultra- modern Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which offers unparalleled on-board comfort to passengers. The flights will be the only direct service connecting Africa with Ireland and the West Coast of the United States.

Travelers from Los Angeles and Ireland will be able to enjoy seamless and convenient connectivity options thanks to Ethiopian extensive network in Africa covering 49 destinations. Similarly, as the flights will be the only direct service between

Dublin and Los Angeles, the Irish and U.S. travelling public between the two cities will greatly benefit from the opening of the routes.

“Our new flights connecting Addis Ababa, Dublin and Los Angeles will play a critical role in the expansion of trade, tourism investment between the fast growing continent of Africa, and the United States and Ireland. As the these flights will be the first and only direct air route linking Africa with Ireland and the West Coat of the U.S., they will bring these two seemingly far away cities much closer to Africa and will facilitate mobility and connectivity for businesses and the large African Diaspora community living in the West Coast of the United States.

THE NATION TUESDAY,OCTOBER 21, 2014

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COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

LETTER

The Lagos Horn-free Day

Wake-up call •Lassa fever, another hemorrhagic disease, threatens Nigeria

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N the justifiably triumphant mood after overcoming the influx of Ebola Virus Disease into Nigeria about three months ago, the country runs the risk of becoming complacent in the face of similar public health challenges. Lassa Hemorrhagic Fever (LHF) is one of the more significant of these challenges.

Like EVD, its better-known counterpart, Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic fever. It is transmitted through the urine and faeces of rodents, and thrives in situations of poor environmental sanitation and personal hygiene. Discovered in Nigeria in 1969, LHF has witnessed several outbreaks in the country, as well as in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Within Nigeria, Edo, Nasarawa, Plateau,

‘The lessons learnt from the successful campaign against EVD must now be deployed in the fight against LHF. Sustained and comprehensive public enlightenment campaigns must be at the heart of any anti-Lassa fever effort, especially given the fact that it is transmitted by rodents.

Environmental sanitation and personal hygiene drives which were ramped up during the Ebola scare must not be allowed to die down’

Ebonyi, Oyo, Taraba, Ondo, Lagos, and Benue states have had cases of Lassa fever in the past. However, the disease has begun to spread and now threatens some 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). In 2012, a total of 1,944 cases were diagnosed in those states, out of which there were 207 deaths, many of them being medical personnel.

The clear and present danger posed by LHF is a sobering reminder that Nigeria is yet to really come to grips with the health issues that confront it, even though its defeat of the Ebola threat is a magnificent achievement. The Federal Government has itself acknowledged as much, with the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Khaliru Alhassan, admitting that Lassa fever had not been given the attention that it deserved. The minister stated that as many as 29 million Nigerians are threatened by the disease, and warned that medical personnel needed to be better-protected from the disease if any campaign against it was to thrive.

It is surprising that successive administrations have done so little to effectively counter a disease that has been a matter of public knowledge since 1969. Unlike EVD, Lassa fever is not exotic; it was named after the town in Borno State where it was discovered. The ways in which it is contracted, the ease of its spread, and its relatively high fatality rate should have all compelled greater interest in combatting it over the years, but this has not been the case.

The lessons learnt from the successful campaign against EVD must now be deployed in the fight against LHF. Sus-

tained and comprehensive public enlightenment campaigns must be at the heart of any anti-Lassa fever effort, especially given the fact that it is transmitted by rodents. Environmental sanitation and personal hygiene drives which were ramped up during the Ebola scare must not be allowed to die down.

Vaccines are being developed outside the country; several of them are currently at the animal-testing stage. Nigerian universities and research institutes should be given grants to develop local vaccines and methods of treatment. Given the role of rodents as primary transmitters of Lassa fever to humans, better methods of storing agricultural products must be developed. The safer such storage facilities are, the lesser the likelihood that infected rats will be able to get into them.

The country would also do well to develop better strategies for coordinating the efforts of state and federal governments in the campaign against the disease.

Clearly-outlined reporting systems and procedures would make it much easier for state ministries of health to liaise with their federal counterpart and ensure that human and material resources are effectively deployed against the disease.

Lassa fever’s continuing threat is a reminder that the post-Ebola era in Nigeria cannot be one in which the country rests on its oars. Rather than retreat from the high levels of public awareness and bureaucratic efficiency that characterised the EVD emergency, the government and the citizenry must realise that the battle against disease is a never-ending struggle.

Kirikiri Prisons riot •Another sad reminder of the deplorable condition of our prisons

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IOTS can be a legitimate protest on matters affecting the rioters, especially if it concerns their welfare, health care and survival. It is in this light that we view the riot by some inmates at the Kirikiri Prisons in Lagos on October 10, over the alleged seizure of a ceiling fan belonging to one of them.

An eye witness said that “someone brought in a ceiling fan for an inmate referred to as the ‘general overseer’ of the prisoners’ Christian denomination. But the fan was seized by the officer incharge of the prisons who also allegedly ordered the inmate detained”. It was after the explanation by the inmate, that he was the owner of the fan which he only sent out of the prison for repairs, that he was later released. But by that time, the other prisoners had become violent and started throwing stones at doors and windows. It was at this time that soldiers stationed at the prison reportedly began shooting sporadically at the inmates as they ran into their cells. Many of them were allegedly hit by bullets.

Although there was no confirmation of the actual number of prisoners killed, a source claimed to have seen bodies of a number of inmates and some injured prisoners with bullet wounds as they were being transported to the hospital within the prisons. In the character of the police, army and the security agents who always play down the casualties in incidents, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Prisons Service, Mr. Ope Fatinikun, confirmed that the riot took place but denied that

any prisoner died. To him, “no inmate was shot at, but 12 of them who sustained minor injuries have been given treatment”. The prisons however later admitted that one person died.

The Kirikiri riot is a sad reminder of what has become common in our prisons. Successive governments have always made pious promises to reform the prisons, to no avail. It is sad that our leaders who have travelled far and wide, and are familiar with the relatively comfortable atmosphere under which prisoners are kept, are the ones treating our own prisoners so cruelly for the simple misfortune that they are prisoners.

In most civilised parts of the world, the only thing denied prisoners is their liberty. But in Nigeria, to be in prison is to be in hell on earth! If not for the reason of discomfort in the prison, why should a prisoner provide for himself a ceiling fan which is the responsibility of the government to provide? The inmates might well have been expected to provide themselves other things like potable water, beddings, etc. that they need in the prisons!

Although there are different accounts of what led to the riots this time, the prisoners said it was due to the inhuman conditions in which they live. While the prison authorities said that only one prisoner died, the inmates alleged that it was more than that. But the fact is that nobody should have died.

The prison is supposed to be a corrective place and not a place for punishment.

With many of the inmates awaiting trial for decades now, there is need to reform our judicial system to prevent inmates from remaining in prisons for so long without trial. In the same manner, the Federal Government must pay more than lip service to prison reform. It should realise that those there deserve at least minimum comfort and make adequate provision for them.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Prison Service owes Nigerians a comprehensive account of what transpired tat the Kirikiri Prisons on October 10, especially in view of the conflicting reports about the number of casualties.

‘The prison is supposed to be a corrective place and not a place for punishment.

With many of the inmates awaiting trial for decades now, there is need to reform our judicial system to prevent inmates from remaining in prisons for so long without trial. In the same manner, the Federal Government must pay more than lip service to prison reform’

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IR: One thing that Lagos State citizens can always be proud of is that they are blessed with a government that always tackles problems and finds solutions to them.

This is more than can be said for several governments in Nigeria where governance is about routine and mundane issues, rather more important matters that affect the life and living of their citizens. This is evident in several areas of governance in Lagos Statefor example the reforms in court matters, land registration, traffic control, sanitation, markets, taxation etc. I wish other governments will try and copy Lagos State by finding solutions to problems confronting their citizens.

That brings me to the latest ingenuity by the government of Lagos State to commemorate a horn-free day. A lot of people would probably think that this was impossible but the truth is that a lot of things are possible in Nigeria if we address our minds to them. Nigerians give up too easily; they see an unpleasant situation and just shrug their shoulders and go on.

The current initiative reminds me of an episode in 1977 when I came from abroad on holiday, having left the country seven years earlier. The combined effect of the pollution from exhaust pipes of vehicles held up in traffic, noise of vehicle horn blaring and the absolute filth from the environment was so nauseating and unbearable. I told my cousinchauffeur that the horn blaring was totally unnecessary; but he believed that without the use of the horn several accidents would occur.

It was then that I decided to challenge him by betting that I would drive throughout the twoweek duration I was in Lagos without using the horn. He thought that I was crazy.

Needless to say, that I won my bet by driving accident-free for two weeks throughout Lagos without using my horn.

However, a couple of episodes I would always remember was when I had to make a right turn: I stopped and waited calmly and patiently for the pedestrians to cross the road, however when one of them suddenly noticed my car behind them, even though I had stopped for them, she shouted at me in a hostile manner and said “Can’t you horn?” I was flabbergasted and could not believe her outrage.

The other episode occurred after returning and living in Nigeria for several years. While holidaying and driving abroad, I got stopped at a red traffic light. When the light changed to green for me to proceed, my car stalled and could not move, my immediate reaction was to panic from the expectation of the hooting and horn blaring that would follow from motorists behind me, little realizing that I was not in Nigeria. To my utmost dismay, nobody blared their horn at me, rather, the car behind me simply veered right to continue his journey while others followed until I was able to manoeuver my car out of the traffic.

• Tokunbo Ajasin Agodi, Ibadan

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

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•Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: No one needs to be perplexed at the controversy that has continued to dog the fluid subject known in the political circle as Imo Charter of Equity. Indeed, the unwritten charter has become a bible of sorts as politicians interpret its contents in the light of their various whims.

Precisely, the charter is an arrangement that is meant to bring about a rotation of power among the three zones constituting Imo, viz Okigwe, Orlu and Owerri, with regard to the governorship seat.

The charter presupposes that the exalted position of governor and indeed all political offices are mainly an invitation to dinner.

To a large extent, enormous abuse of political power has characterized the nation’s political landscape such that it has become a tradition for one in power to deny those who do not fall into his zone of affinity the much needed amenities. Unfortunately, this attitude is the origin of cries of marginalization and allegations of high handedness against

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Imo ‘guber’ and charter of equity incumbents. Viewed from this side of the spectrum, the charter appears justifiable even though hard to respect.

Our politicians cannot deny the existence of the charter as it produced Governor Achike Udenwa in 1999. Humphrey Anumudu, who was said to have emerged first in the primaries conducted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) then was prevailed upon, even by his Owerri zone brothers, to step down for Udenwa who hails from Orlu zone, so that Orlu would take its turn in Douglas House.

They had considered that Okigwe did its term through the late Chief Sam Mbakwe while the late Chief

Evan Enwerem did that of Owerri with his less than two years reign.

By passing up a golden opportunity to become the state’s number one citizen in 1999, Anumudu went into record as the first hero (if not a martyr) of the charter. Udenwa ended up doing two terms, opening another vista in the debate as to whether the equity lies in consideration of the number of years spent in the Government House or whose turn it was.

However, the pendulum was to swing to Okigwe in 2007 when Ikedi Ohakim, emerged as governor to the chagrin of Imo electorate. Ohakim could not do much during his first and only term, per-

Abia govt and workers’ welfare IR: I refer to an article on page 20 of The Nation, Friday October 17, authored by one Ibe A Uche titled Abia government and workers’ salaries. In the article, the author maliciously tried to portray the Abia government in bad light in the area of workers’ welfare. Even though, he acknowledged the decline in the monthly federation allocation to the states in recent times which is affecting governance one way or other, he turned the logic upside down on the true situation in Abia State.

Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State before joining partisan politics was a renowned public servant who spent greater part of his youthful life in the civil service of Old Imo State and Abia State. On assumption office in 2007, his administration inherited N29billion debt from his predecessor which included 10 months salary owed local government workers and others.

His administration liquidated the unpaid salaries.

The government moved quickly to promote workers whose promotions have been stunted over the years following the politicization of the service by the previous administration.

For the workers, it was a dream come

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true as some of them got triple promotions with their entitlements and other perks paid without delay.

Those who were due for retirement, but decided to sit tight were retired and settled. The government commenced the construction of workers’ secretariat, first of its kind in the whole of South-east zone. Today the secretariat has been completed and occupied by the workers just as the Old secretariat has been renovated to international standard and is operational now.

It is pertinent to know that since the present government assumed office, workers have not embarked on strike because the government has been living up to its expectations.

That is why the workers on two different fora conferred award on governor Orji as workers’ friendly governor. While other state governors foot-dragged and are still foot-dragging on the payment of N18,000 minimum, Governor Orji’s government was the first to pay. Instead of the N18,000 approved minimum wage, Governor Orji’s government is paying workers N21,000.

For the tertiary institutions in the state namely Abia State Polytechnic Aba, Abia State University Uturu and

others, the present administration increased their subventions astronomically from N29 million to N95 million monthly.

Towards the end of last year, government released the sum of N5.4 billion to the management of the state university, ABSU to tackle infrastructure projects in the school. The government also restored peace and harmony between the University and its host community, complete liquidation of the arrears of six month salaries of staff, which gulped a whopping sum of N960 million. The government had also redeemed her promise to implement the 2009 FGN/ University Staff union’s package in the University from January 2011 which cost the Government an additional N528 million. This is apart from their monthly subvention and Internally Generated Revenue from tuition fees and others.

As it is today workers in the State are not at loggerhead with the state governor neither are they on strike.

If they have grudges against the government, they know the appropriate channels to take, not pages of newspaper.

• Dr. Romanus Uwa, Aba Abia State.

haps relying on the charter to sail through to second term, but oblivious that his performance and arrogance was going to shatter the charter.

As Ohakim’s ouster became obvious, elders of the state scampered to save the charter, with Chief Bob Njemanze coming up with a formula that proposed for Senator Ifeanyi Araraume to be allowed to complete the Okigwe slot to make way for Owerri in 2015.

It was, however, too late as strident voices, bitter with Ohakim, damned the charter to bring in another Orlu man in the person of the present governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha.

As 2015 races to meet us at the polling booths, where would equity lie in the entire arrangement?

On the side of Okigwe, Orlu or Owerri?

Whichever way the arrangement goes, one thing is certain: Imo State cannot afford to pass through more years of despotic ruler-ship and profligacy. Any zone who presents a candidate that promises to ensure even development of the state should be ready to embrace equity, as Imo voters are poised to thumbprint for such a candidate in 2015.

• Richard Dirim Odu, Owerri, Imo State

Re: Fayose grieves the heart

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IR: I find Idowu Akinlotan’s above captioned write-up in The Nation of Sunday October 19, quite interesting. I wonder how Akinlotan came away with the impression that Ekiti people hate Dr Fayemi and that what he described as his insufferable urbaneness alienated him from the people.

Akinlotan obviously accepted all the banal and jejune analysis that blamed Fayemi’s ‘defeat’ on this self-same aloofness and disconnect from the populace and attributed Fayose’s victory to his providing ‘stomach infrastructure’ – that insult to the Ekiti people!

Akinlotan made so much of the fact that the stadium erupted each time Fayose spoke. For Akinlotan’s information, that crowd was not the ordinary Ekiti people as he made, but was made up largely of PDP supporters mobilized from all over the country, who were doing the job for which they were paid!

Every discerning person knows that Fayose’s ‘victory’ was orchestrated from Abuja and that he also owes his swearing in to the same federal might which ensured Ekiti courts were locked up for a whole week, thus denying several innocent litigants, access to justice, just to ensure the case regarding his ineligibility was not heard. That, after he led thugs to assault judges in the court premises!

The only redemption left for Ekiti

would be if the APC legislators would be resolute enough to resist the lure of lucre and refuse to defect to the PDP so they can keep Fayose in check. But I am not so naive as not to know that is a tall order indeed!

Incidentally, there are already talks of impeaching the Speaker, even though there are only six PDP members.

But then the Jonathan Presidency has its own mathematical interpretations as we saw in the governors forum election where 16 won a majority over 19. Also in Rivers and Edo states where a handful of House Of Assembly members, with the backing of the Police have been threatening to impeach both the speakers and the governors!

One can only appeal to the President to please back off from the road to anarchy that he is treading all over the place. As he himself declared in the past, no position is worth the bloodshed that may ensue.

As for the Ekiti APC legislators, they have a chance of writing their names in gold if they remain steadfast and refuse to fall for the lure of lucre. A good name is better than silver and gold. They should strive to make Ekiti remain the land of honour.

• Abiodun Sopitan Oregun, Lagos

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

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COMMENTS formance doesn’t count. Yet, LUMO Wars, the war of attrition performance is SIA’s strongest for the soul of Ogun State, ahead weapon. of the 2015 elections, clearly showWorse: like President cases the destructive intra-progressive Obasanjo in 2003, President tension, particularly in Western Nigeria.

Jonathan, given the abject corAt one end of the battle, horses neighruption of state coercive organs ing, cavalry charging, and a fearsome and for partisan benefits in Ekiti and fearless infantry darting, is Ogun GoverOsun elections, is even more nor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (SIA), desperate to have his way in GCIR [Grand Commander of InfrastrucOlakunle 2015. ture Renewal] — at least according to lordbeek1@gmail.com, 08054504169 (Sms only, please) Abimbola That is why SIA and Osoba Segun Ayobolu, The Nation columnist, must beware of the OGD nemgreatly impressed by the governor’s giesis — self vote-splitting. With ant leaps in infrastructure and urban renewal. the Ogun PDP and OGD’s TroAt the other end, with a no less formidable army, is Aremo jan horse, People’s Party of NiOlusegun Osoba, former governor and Akinrogun Egba. geria (PPN) splitting their votes, Akinrogun, Chief Osoba’s traditional title, connotes an intrepid a second term, to gift him the South West vote for the presiACN ran away with victory in 2011. With Osoba-SIA Ogun and war-tested brave that has savoured many glories. A tradidency, in exchange for all six AD governors romping in for APC civil war, that possibility is real. That is why both should tional title never served a political battle so well! So, both second term. But the foxy old soldier double-crossed them, and snap out of this war of attrition and seek mutual accommodacamps appear sworn to a fight-to-finish. the rest, as they say, is history. tion.

The political progressives’ fight-to-finish would appear conOn the victorious side was SIA, who swept out AD Senator That, however, is easier said and done, with a political unitemporary Nigeria’s political equivalent of the curse of Aole.

Femi Okurounmu. But SIA soon fell out with victorious Goververse founded on recurrent injustices. The genesis of the crisis is Alaafin Aole (1789-1796), petulant, baleful and vengeful, cursed nor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD). clearly the penchant for intra-party blocs to completely domihis rebellious principal chiefs for triggering traditional protocols To pull off this electoral coup, however, even with its runate other tendencies, in a zero-sum-game. to force the Alaafin to commit suicide; thus, ending his insuffermoured electoral abracadabra, OGD had to brand himself an Latter-day progressive, SIA, despite being governor, must have able reign. For his forced suicide, he doomed his cabinet with Awoist (which indeed he was, before the progressives meltdown felt justifiable paranoia that the ACN old guard would squelch perennial chaos. en route to 2003); and a PDP progressive (which he was not, his ANPP new comers; just as the Osoba side could justifiably On the contrary, the political progressives, from the glory from his disastrous second term). accuse the SIA gang of coming to reap on a platform to which days of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, are mostly glorious in govHowever, as OGD serenaded and flattered the living they were new. ernance. But each time they turn upon themselves, like a band Awolowos, who returned the favour with their virtual endorseIt was also aggravated by the schism created by the politics of cursed by the sheer magnitude of their own successes, it is chaos ment of OGD as some Awo reincarnate, SIA had to endure hard the new Ogun APC executives — again, based on the foul, rather without end, the Aole way. ideological (more appropriately, political) reorientation, movthan fair, determination of each bloc to completely dominate Each time that happens, however, the people stiffly pay — ing from PDP to ANPP, and finally to the Action Congress of the other. and the reason is simple.

Nigeria (ACN), one of the legacy parties, with ANPP, that formed Still, how APC or the PDP play their internal politics is strictly The dynamics of Nigerian politics pitches a conservative centhe present All Progressives Congress (APC). He won the Ogun their business, except that intra-party injustices have a way of tral government (almost reactionary in its stubbornness to governorship on the ACN platform. coming to plague the polity; and derailing much-needed develmaintain its neo-feudalistic status quo) against a Western NiIn his ideological wilderness, SIA felt the full brunt of an aposopment. geria, which dominant progressive ideology is equally bent on tate fallen out with the federal ruling party; aside from the full The important thing, however, is that in the Ogun case, the opening the good life for as many additional citizens as it could might of OGD, who was not only in government but was fully SIA government that has done so well risks self-destruction, possibly manage, by its welfarist policies. So, each time the in power. Chief Osoba, on the other hand, was serving a dignisimply because its party hierarchs are feuding. That would be progressives stutter, the people, at least in Nigeria’s South West, fied political sabbatical in Lagos — victims both! unfortunate. stagnate With this brief recap, both Osoba and SIA ought to be temThat is why Chief Osoba and SIA must come to mutual, just Ironically, back in 2003, both SIA and Chief Osoba were part pered by the emerging déjà vu. Whereas, back in 2003, OGD led and fair accommodation. Imagine if Kayode Fayemi had won of the last undoing of the progressives in Ogun State. Though the rebranded face of the PDP crafty opposition as “political another term in Ekiti, and continued with his infrastructural both were on opposite sides, both ended up victims. progressives”; the PDP opposition, trying to steal in right now, achievements and futuristic programmes?

Then Governor Osoba and his Alliance for Democracy (AD) led by Buruji Kashamu, of no known political provenance, owe Each time the Yoruba nation tries to vault over pan-Nigeria South West gubernatorial class of 1999-2003 were adjudged long no allegiance to Ikenne, or anyone. paralysis, reactionary Yoruba politicians team up with others, on Awoist rhetoric; but short on delivery. Besides, they struck Whereas from his Sagamu, Remo, launch base, OGD was buildfrom other parts of the country, to scuttle the effort. It happened an accord with President Olusegun Obasanjo, desperate to land ing an altar on Awo’s progressive ideas; Kashamu, from his in 1962/63 (1st Republic Action Group schism), 1982/83 (2nd Ijebu Igbo base, is building a temple in the name of Goodluck Unity Party of Nigeria crisis), 2002/2003 (present re“Olumo Wars must be fought with the Jonathan, despite that the president boasts no cutting-edge ideas, Republic public’s AD infiltration and destruction, by the Obasanjo presiany groundbreaking achievement from a six-year presidency. dency). hindsight of history; and a foresight into orBut of course, the strategy is clear: from the Ayo Fayose vicThat is also the strategic tragedy of the Fayemi defeat in Ekiti. the future. Osoba and SIA owe them- tory in Ekiti despite articulating no clear programme and PresiThat is why the Ogun Olumo Wars must be fought — if at all — dent Jonathan’s rather flat score card, Jonathan’s Ogun men are with the hindsight of history and a foresight into the future. selves that historic burden” contriving an election regime where issues are taboo and perOsoba and SIA owe themselves that historic burden.

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epublican ipples

HE mantra of change is not new. Some believe it passionately while others hate it. Some even hate me for just the thought of it. The truth is, like it or hate it, the idea that there is a likelihood of change in the Cross River State political environment is given.ý The funny thing about it is that the issues and events shaping this change are self-inflicted by those that are opposed to it. Simply put: Political change here is driven by sheer arrogance of power and the misread political environment that suggest that those holding temporary power hold a permanent franchise on how we think and behave politically.

Take the scenario that the powers that be are attempting to foist unpopular aspirants as PDP flagbearers on the electorates in this age and end time of an almost eclipsed influence of a dying hegemony, then you get the full picture.

I cannot speak for the Southern Senatorial District of Cross Rivers, but from interactions it is clear that the regime’s preference for a senatorial candidate is symptomatic of a system bent on destroying itself. I cannot think of a worst indifference to public opinion and a crass arrogance on how not to attempt to foist an unpopular candidate on a people.

The scenario at Central is however a bit tricky, yet not entirely different. The challenger to Senator Ndoma Egba may be populist in outlook but people are beginning to think again about the reasons they are fed for on why a prominent and capable representative like the Senator should be replaced because someone said he offended his sensibilities!

It is not helpful that this candidature is offending the sensibilities of the party at the centre which sees the senator’s challenger as at best a marginal PDP member who joined the rebellion against the party to form a cabal that has served their selfish interests in the House of Representatives.

The Governor’s continued accommodation of this rebellious group in the state remains suspicious as his cozy relationship with the leadership of the rebellion has not gone unnoticed at the highest level despite his pretense at loyalty. It is remarkable that the Speaker of the House has never missed an occasion in Cross River State, even if it is a football match or an innocuous declaration or empowerment programme especially if organised by one of the members of his rebellious group who he has sufficiently empowered with juicy committee chairmanship in the House.

It makes sense to recall with hindsight that Honourable John Owan-Enoh was the first minority Leader of the Cross River State House of Assembly at inception as an elected member of APP as it then was. He only cross-carpeted to the PDP to save his career which has blossomed unbelievably under the leadership of Governor Imoke.

The questions that easily arise are: Is the governor one of the patrons of the rebellion or a mutual friend and

Olumo wars

Redrawing Cross River political map

By Venatius A. Ikem sympathiser of it? How loyal is a friend whose friends are your “enemies”? When we as innocent citizens keep asking why our Governor, Chairman of the South South Governors’ forum from where the President comes, acclaimed bosom friend of the President and member of his kitchen cabinet, cannot influence anything to our state in four years, not even a symbolic solidarity visit, in the absence of any project for the President to come and commission, then there is a critical problem of doubtful loyalty.

The only citizens of our state who are loyal and playing at the centre of the President’s attention are not just “enemies” of our governor, they are haunted and if need be removed from office. That is the calamity of the vilification of Senator Victor Ndoma - Egba, Leader of the Senate, a very loyal member of the Senate and one of the most cerebral members of Nigeria ‘s legislature who must be stopped by force to please Governor Imoke and of Goddy Jedy Agba, who he haunted out of office as Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing of NNPC, before his eventual voluntary retirement.

As our dear governor prepares to bow out of office, it is clear that he does not want to leave behind any capable representative of the state at the federal level except those he has adjudged as owing personal loyalty to him and him alone. The interest of the state is secondary. One would have imagined that a state deprived of oil revenue as Cross River State will leverage on its human resources capacity to add value to its citizens by making maximum use of the experience and contacts of her citizens at the federal level.

But alas! They are chased and fought to oblivion by the very people who swore to protect them in the name of politics ! ý

Thus, Senator Otu is to vacate his seat for the governor’s buddy, Gershom Bassey; Hon. Daniel Asuquo for the Governor’s cousin Dr. Emil Inyang; Hon. Essien Ayi for Dominic Oqua Edem; Hon. Nkoyo Toyo for Hon. Ita Mbora.

By this calculation Hon. Frank Adah and Hon. Bassey Ewa will remain as a mark of their “meritorious” service while Senator Ayade vacates for Hon. Rose Oko. In Governor Imoke’s calculation there should be no ranking senator from Cross River State by 2015 at the National Assembly so that he can rule Cross River State by proxy if his still-born effort at single-handedly nominating a puppet for the governorship of the state were to succeed. But for the first time, Cross Riverians are saying loudly : Enough Is Enough! And Governor Imoke is not coming to terms with this new Cross River anymore, not knowing that his conduct has radicalised an otherwise docile and peaceful people. ýWe must make the point that it is high time we made loyalty count in PDP Cross River State! Ninety percent of the foundation members of the party have become onlookers unless you share a cult like following with the governor!

That is why a retired Clerk of the House of Assembly will be foisted on the party as chairman barely two months after retirement! Meaning there was no other party member to be so trusted! ý Ninety percent of cabinet members who today, to the governor’s embarrassment, are angling to take over from him were brought in from banks, classrooms or any menial private engagement as members of the executive council and know nothing about how to even become delegates let alone contest for governorship !

What a glorious Legacy of service and loyalty our governor wants to leave as a parting gift to us all!

For those who still think the struggle is not about them, when it gets to you there will be no one else left to fight for you.

Cross Riverians think twice and shine your eyes! We need a neutral member of the party to reunite us and usher in a new direction in the approach to managing us as a people without promoting hate, discord and mediocrity in the name of “loyalty “!

The “loyalists” amongst you are the opponents of yesterday and potential opponents of tomorrow!

• Ikem, Esq, is former National Publicity Secretary of PDP.

‘In Governor Imoke’s calculation there should be no ranking senator from Cross River State by 2015 at the National Assembly so that he can rule Cross River State by proxy if his still-born effort at single-handedly nominating a puppet for the governorship of the state were to succeed.

But for the first time, Cross Riverians are saying loudly : Enough Is Enough!’

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

COMMENTS

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OVERNOR Ayodele Fayose assumed office Thursday last week as the new chief executive of Ekiti state and the self acclaimed state of Fountain of Knowledge, Ile Uyi, Ile Eye has been buzzing ever since. His inaugural was true to type.

In his usual swashbuckling style, Fayose berated his predecessor, Dr Kayode Fayemi for plunging the state into a huge debt, an accusation quickly rejected by the immediate past governor as lacking in common sense since records handed over to him did show the true state of Ekiti finances as opposed to Fayose’s wild allegation.

Fayose did nothing to disappoint his thousands of admirers on the day as he descended to his ‘Paraga’ level assuring the large crowd that he remains one of them as they go to their joints to drink local herbs, Agbo Jedi and Opa Eyin. He promised to take care of their stomach, saying of what use are good roads, hospitals and other social infrastructure if the stomach infrastructure was neglected.

And to demonstrate his seriousness, the governor appointed a personal assistant on stomach infrastructure to take care of his people. And in the days that followed, he promised also to appoint Liaison Officers for stom-

‘I think it is in the best interest of Ekiti for Governor Fayose to leave the House of Assembly and its leadership as presently constituted and forge ahead with his government’s programme. If at any time the opposition controlled legislature decides to constitute itself into a clog in the wheel of ‘progress’ of his administration the whole world would see and then Ekiti people can call them to order’

Ekiti has done it again ach infrastructure in each of the state’s local government areas. What a peoples’ man.

In fairness to the man, he also promised to fund education, health and other social programmes for the benefit of the people of Ekiti state. And lest I forget, he also opened the doors of the newly commissioned government house, built by his predecessor to the people of Ekiti to have a feel of the residence of their governor. And the people had a field day.

But what Governor Fayose did or did not do on that day is not my concern here. Suffice to say that he didn’t do anything unexpected.

He was true to type. He even rode to the venue; Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in a vintage old Mercedes Benz car which someone described on the social media as a sign that the new leadership in Ekiti now think in the past. What an ‘uncomplimentary’ remark.

One even said his half Agbada attire looked like the one you’ll find on one of those Oshodi boys. I am only reporting please.

The surprise of the day was the defection of six members of the then ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State House of Assembly to Fayose’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The surprise was not their defection but the speed at which they accomplished it. I understand many more are planning to also defect from APC to PDP in the assembly just to be part of the new dispensation in the state. And that is exactly my worry. Just to be where the action is and not because it would enhance their ability to serve Ekiti people better.

I see this as part of the stomach infrastructure programme of the Fayose administra-

I

T is my delight and honour to greet General Yakubu Gowon on his 80th birthday. It is an honour because I never knew I would have the privilege of knowing him a little closely, an outstanding statesman and an eminent Christian.

During my restless days as a Students Union activist in the University of Ibadan in the early 60s, I saw this man, by chance, when I made a detour to the Congo (Kinshasha and Brazzaville), from Dares-Salam in Tanzania where I had gone to attend an International Students Conference, piqued by the civil war there, which created worldwide concern. My host, without prior notice, for my one week stay, was the Nigerian Ambassador to the Congo (I cannot remember his name now). He took me one day to the Officers Mess to meet members of the Nigerian contingent to the United Nations Forces then in the Congo.

I do not know why the picture of this dashing young man, Gowon, and of Mobolaji Johnson got stuck in my memory since then.

Here is the man who believed that it is not the business of the army to get involved in politics, at least not in the political turmoil then going on as a result of some disagreement between the two factions of the then Action Group, between Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the Leader of the Party, and Chief S.I.A. Akintola, the Premier of the Western Region, bellowing in Operation Wetie. The scars of those heady days of wetie are still reminiscent in today’s name-calling in Yoruba politics – Progressives and Conservatives.

But the coup took place behind Gowon’s back on January 15, 1966. When the pattern of killings in the coup became known, it raised many questions, and everyone knew that sooner than later, northern soldiers would

‘Here is the man who is about the only former Head of State who, true to his pedigree from Wusasa, has not been involved in the murky Nigeria politics. He has chosen instead to pursue his pet project. Nigeria prays, as a believer in the efficacy of prayers, right from youth, which has kept him busy and active in national and international social and inter-religious, human development and humanitarian activities’

tion; and this is dangerous for our democracy. If I may ask; is there anything wrong in being in the opposition party? If one party controls the executive arm of government and another controls the legislature, wouldn’t that serve our democracy and the people better?

I understand the reason behind the defection was to get a sizeable number of PDP legislators in the assembly so as to topple the APC leadership to pave way for a PDP control legislature and give Fayose an easy reign. And I ask; can’t the opposition controlled legislature work with the executive controlled by another party and vice versa if both are sincere and genuinely interested in serving their people? Can’t Governor Fayose of PDP work with an APC controlled House of Assembly harmoniously in Ekiti for the benefit of Ekiti people without APC legislators cross carpeting or defecting to the ruling party? We make a mockery of our democracy if everybody keeps jumping to the ruling party at the slightest opportunity. What are those APC legislators looking for in PDP, money?

Fayose while in opposition had caucused with ACN/APC in the past, so if like Mimiko in Ondo he decides to return ‘home’ tomorrow, will those six lawmakers and others like them waiting to defect go back ‘home’ with him? These people are shameless. I am not saying politicians in elective office should not defect any time they want to but they should be made to immediately go back to their people to seek a fresh mandate under their new party.

I am not saying this because of what had

For General Gowon at 80

By Abidoye Babalola avenge the killing of their political and military leaders, even if the Yorubas would not raise a finger to defend or revenge the killings of their own in the coup. As expected, a counter – coup by northern soldiers brought in this young, dashing military soldier, Yakubu Gowon into power. His priority was to prevent a civil war. To achieve this, Gowon wisely released all political prisoners, including Chief Obafemi Awolowo from jail and made him, fresh from prison, as Minister of Finance and ViceChairman of the Armed Forces Council. When on May 27, 1967, Gowon created 12 new states to replace the former intimidating three regions; Gowon won the heart and soul of the nation and virtually won the anticipated civil war. It is upon those initial 12 states that subsequent military leaders, as “Head or Tail”, Heads of State or Military Presidents, have been building to make it 36 states today, plus the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Who says the military has not done well to solidify this country?

The civil war came ultimately and Gowon prosecuted it with passion with one sole aim in mind: to prevent the fragmentation of the country or the secession of any part of the country. His war-cry was “To keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done”. Nigerians gave him absolute support from across all political divides, telling him in jingles on the radio: Go on with one Nigeria (GOWON).

At the cessation of hostilities, Gowon’s sincerity was evident in the diligence and passion with which his Three Rs was prosecuted: Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction.

Nigeria quickly settled down. Nigeria breathed a sigh of relief. They soon forgot about the sufferings of the war, and started to abuse the execution of the Three Rs as avenues of corruption. Gowon’s public outcry against the then just emerging corruption in the public service in Nigeria was mischievously interpreted as a public acknowledgement of the imagined ineptitude of his government when he said, in parable, that Nigeria had money but did not know how to spend it. But have we learnt how to spend the fast dwindling which we still

just happened in Ekiti, but this issue of defection to seek greener pastures is becoming too rampant that if not checked, it could defeat the whole purpose of multi party democracy.

If truly the people are the custodians of the mandate then they should be consulted by their representatives before transferring that mandate to another party.

I am sure with the current mood in Ekiti, the PDP are likely to win any election called in the state today, but I doubt whether those six lawmakers would get the PDP ticket for such election. So who is fooling who?

I think it is in the best interest of Ekiti for Governor Fayose to leave the House of Assembly and its leadership as presently constituted and forge ahead with his government’s programme. If at any time the opposition controlled legislature decides to constitute itself into a clog in the wheel of ‘progress’ of his administration the whole world would see and then Ekiti people can call them to order. He should just ignore those hungry six and others like them waiting to cross over, they are just looking for money. They are a shame to Ekiti.

Another word of advice for Fayose. He should lessen tension in the state and avoid picking unnecessary quarrel. The one he picked with the judiciary on his way to office is still there and nobody knows where and how that one would end. Engineering commotion in the Assembly would be too much even for his most loyal supporters to understand. He should not take the current ‘Hosanna’ that the people are singing today too serious, it could turn to ‘crucify him’ tomorrow at the slightest change of heart. Such is the treacherous and ephemeral nature of politics that I think Fayose, being one of the luckiest Ekiti man should understand and appreciate. But I doubt if he has learnt his lessons.

The place of Ekiti in the history of Nigerian politics especially this democracy/republic would be determined by events of the next four years and Governor Fayose should be mindful of what that history would say about him, not just in his own interest, but also that of his children. We’ve had some political juggernauts in Yoruba land in the past whose children and grandchildren today, cannot come out and be counted because of the ‘sins’ of their parents. Fayose should choose where he wants to belong.

have, 40 or 50 years after, with the virus of corruption looting the public treasury in all spheres of our national life, in politics, in the universities and the civil service – a virus worse than Ebola?

Here is the man who refused to be intimidated by the indulgence of university teachers, even in those days.

When in 1972, the Association of University Teachers AUT, as today’s ASUU was known, refused to call off their nation-wide strike. (I cannot remember for what reasons) after several governor negotiations with them, Gowon, as Visitor to the universities, and as Head of State, ordered them all to vacate the university quarters. The consequence was to awaken the mentality of university staff. Then the egg-heads realized the futility of living in government quarters (the so-called Government Reservation Areas - G.R.A.), rather than thinking of building their own houses. Of course, the strike collapsed with immediate effect, and members of the university staff started to plan the building of their own houses outside of the university campus – in Bodija, where you now have the University Crescent, in the surrounding villages of Agbowo and Orogun. Thank you, General Gowon.

Here is the man who is about the only former Head of State who, true to his pedigree from Wusasa, has not been involved in the murky Nigeria politics. He has chosen instead to pursue his pet project. Nigeria prays, as a believer in the efficacy of prayers, right from youth, which has kept him busy and active in national and international social and inter-religious, human development and humanitarian activities. A Rare Honourable Military Gentleman indeed. Ever smiling, and easily approachable, you can see humility, truth and love exuding from his personality. History will tell the rest.

My family join me in wishing General Yakubu Gowon a happy, boisterous 80th birthday and continued grace of God. • Chief Babalola is the Alatunse of Ipetumodu

‘Gowon’s public outcry against the then just emerging corruption in the public service in Nigeria was mischievously interpreted as a public acknowledgement of the imagined ineptitude of his government when he said, in parable, that Nigeria had money but did not know how to spend it’

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

23

25

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

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These informants and/or agents are in the Army, schools, Police, markets, government institutions and above all, there are the politicians who sponsor them.

’

See page 37

E-mail:- law@thenationonlineng.net

The kidnap of the immediate past Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Mr. Okey Wali (SAN), has, again, drawn the nation’s attention to a major failure of government in its responsibility of protecting the citizenry. It is now a case of ‘who’s next?’ What is the way out? ERIC IKHILAE sought lawyers’ views.

Ex-NBA chief Wali’s abduction spurs search for answers •Lawyers offer tips stopping kidnapping

K

IDNAPPING for ransom used to be a distant occurrence in the past until the Niger Delta militants deployed it as an instrument of struggle.

Today, individuals are routinely kidnapped and their families compelled to part with huge sums of money before they are released. In some cases, the victims are not returned alive, even where ransoms are paid.

Incidentally, lawyers, who defend suspected kidnappers and abductors in court, are themselves not immune to this criminal act, fuelled primarily by the prevailing culture of heightening impunity and criminality in the land.

The recent abduction of the immediate past President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Okey Wali (SAN), in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has brought to five the number of prominent lawyers so far kidnapped.

The past cases involved Mrs. Doyin Rhodes-Vivour (wife of Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour of the Supreme Court) and her daughter (who were kidnapped on the Benin-Ore Road); rights activist Mike Ozekhome (SAN), kidnapped on the Benin-Auchi Road, in Edo State and Kayode Ajulo (who was abducted in Abuja). There was also the case of Ilochi Okafor (SAN).

Unfortunately, the police and other security agencies appear helpless in the face of this major challenge to citizens’ liberty and national security, despite that some states and the Federal Government have made kidnapping a capital offence, particularly where life is lost. Imo, Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Edo, Ebonyi and Rivers states have enacted laws prescribing the death penalty for kidnapping.

How deterrent is the law?

INSIDE:

On October 18, 2013, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State signed a law that amended the previous Kidnapping Provision Law 2009. Among its many provisions, the law states that: “Any premises where victims of kidnapping were held would be demolished.”

The new enactments are in addition to existing provisions in the Terrorism Prevention Act, the Criminal Code and Penal Code.

Section 364 of the Criminal Code provides that: Any person who unlawfully imprisons any person, and takes him out of Nigeria, without his consent; or unlawfully imprisons any person within Nigeria in such a manner as to prevent him from applying to a court for his release or from disclosing to any other person the place where he is imprisoned,

‘Obedience to Court orders can unify, sustain our democracy’ -Page 28

or in such a manner as to prevent any person entitled to have access to him from discovering the place where he is imprisoned; is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for ten years.

Section 271 of the Penal Code provides that: Whoever takes or entices any person, under 14 years of age (if a male) or under 16 years of age (if a female), or any person of unsound mind out of the keeping of the lawful guardian of such person without the consent of such guardian or conveys any such person beyond the limits of Northern Nigeria without the consent of someone legally authorised to consent to such removal, is said to kidnap such person.”

It equally provides in Section 273 that: Whoever kidnaps or abducts any person shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which extend to ten years and shall also be liable to fine.”

The law also provides in Section 274 that: Whoever kidnaps or abducts any person in order that such person may be killed or may be so disposed of as to be put in danger of being killed, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years and shall also be liable to fine.”

Why kidnapping is on the rise Despite the legislations and measures purportedly put in place by relevant security agencies, the rate of kidnapping appears to be on the increase in the country, with kidnappers going about their trade with ease.

In most cases of kidnaping, the culprits are hardly apprehended, prosecuted and convicted in accordance with the law. The only known pending trial of individuals linked with major kidnap cases is that involving Kelvin Onorah Eziegbe, Frank Auekor and Michael Omonigho.

They are accused of masterminding the kidnap of Ozekhome and some other prominent Nigerians, and are being tried on a 14-count charge before Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The preponderance of opinions is to the effect that the blame is attributable to three major sources. First, is the overwhelming failure of government at all levels to preserve core societal values of integrity and respect for law and order, and preserve the people’s goals and interests. Second, is the creation and sustenance of a faulty unitary security architecture in a federal democracy, and third, a faulty criminal justice system with emphasis on punishment as a sole deterrent measure.

Observers argued that where the majority of the citizenry is denied access to the basic needs of life; law enforcement mechanisms are weak, compromised and easily amenable to manipulation by the wealthy few, and the criminal justice system emphasises punishment as against rehabilitation and reformation with the aim of socialising the citizenry away from criminal-

Security is everybody’s business -Page 38

•Wali

ity, impunity and criminality become a common feature of daily existence.

They argued that the body language and conduct of incumbent administrations at all strata of governance in the country have equally served not as deterrence, but help to nurture the culture of impunity and criminality.

Critics contend that the prevailing massive youth unemployment, the growing disregard for societal values and disdain for the supremacy of the law have not only helped to promote the increasing resort to self-help, they have greatly aided the nation’s progressive regression to the Hobbesian state of nature.

They noted that in the country, today, might is right, arbitrariness and misnomer are becoming the norm, with scant regard for law and order, and the supreme doctrine of the

rule of law. The fulcrum of every democracy has effectively been shoved to the back seat of societal relevance.

To reverse this, they suggested that the government must first evolve socio-economic policies targeted at halting the progressive decrease in state capacity to guarantee the people’s socio-economic rights and generally improve their well-being.

Such policies, they argued, should be fuelled solely by the need to promote general prosperity and employment, and the creation of an enabling social economic environment to serve as a catalyst for the generation of wealth for all citizens in the private sector.

Observers also suggested a holistic review of the nation’s security architecture •Continued on page 26

Oligarchy versus democracy -Page 39

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

26

LAW COVER CONT’D •Continued from page 25

to de-emphasise the centralised control and management inherited from the military.

They argued that since most crimes, kidnapping inclusive, are localised problems, there is the need for a localised response by state and local governments, which could only be complemented by federal interventions where necessary.

There is also the argument that the resort by most states to the ancient Hebrew law of kidnapping as provided in Exodus chapter 21 verse 16 that: “Anyone who kidnaps another and either sells him or still has him when he is caught must be put to death,” is a cruel and unusual punishment for a crime that is a reflection of the society, where the elite and those in government do not reward hard work, but pay lip service to corruption, abuse of office and other acts of impunity.

They contended that rather than emphasise harsh punishment, the state and managers of its criminal justice system should devise ways to mitigate the people’s propensity for crimes and ethical violations.

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•IGP, Suleiman Abba

We should see it as a societal vice, which is fuelled by the failure of the leadership to effectively police the society and provide the people with the basic needs of life. I do not think the laws are inadequate. In fact, we have too many laws on this crime

•Alegeh

Lawyers’ views Lawyers, who spoke were equally of the view that the problem did not stem from the paucity or inadequacy of extant laws, but the inherent challenges in the society, which include the failure of security measures.

The NBA President, Augustine Alegeh (SAN), while reacting to his predecessor’s kidnap, reminded the Federal Government that it has failed to effectively discharge its major role of adequately safeguarding the people’s lives and property.

He urged the government “to step up efforts to fulfil its primary constitutional role of providing for the welfare and security of all Nigerians.”

Joseph Nwobike (SAN) observed that the failure of the government to adequately protect the people and secure their rights to personal liberty is “a sad one and despicable. It is bad for this country and ominous for democracy. It is even challenging to the legal profession.”

Rights activist Femi Falana (SAN), who also put the blame on the failure of the government to secure the people, urged the NBA to sue with a view to compelling the Federal Government to refund any ransom paid for the release of any abducted persons.

“More importantly, the NBA should embark on urgent measures designed to compel the Federal Government to actualise Section 14 (2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which stipulates that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”

Dr Abdullahi Utman observed that kidnapping and other vices result from the failure of the Nigerian state to provide for the people as is the case in every sane society.

“The Nigerian State lost the moral authority to socialise the people away from criminality and deviant behaviour through law enforcement.

“The only means by which the citizenry can be socialised away from criminality to having greater stake in conformity is for the state to give effect to those rights as contained in our core values and which relate to the citizenry.

“Those core values, which include the promotion of prosperity and employment, protection of socio-economic rights, the rule of law, good governance, human liberty and democracy, must form the core of our national security policy,” Utman said.

Fredrick Chukwuma argued that the prevalence of kidnapping in the country should not be treated within the context of the abduction of some prominent lawyers alone.

“We should see it as a societal vice, which is fuelled by the failure of the leadership to effectively police the society and provide the people with the basic needs of life. I do not think the laws are inadequate. In fact, we have too many laws on this crime. The problem is, as most of your respondents have said, a reflection of the failure of law and order in the larger society.

“We just need a few reasonable leaders, who are able to lead by example and uphold the core societal values of integrity, respect for law and order and the supremacy of the law. With that, majority of the nation’s problem would have been solved,” Chukwuma said.

The NBA Ikeja Branch urged security agencies to do all within their power to secure Wali’s release.

Its chairman, Yinka Farounbi said they were highly disturbed and worried by the sad news of the kidnap Wali.

“This is one kidnap too many and we call on all peace-loving Nigerians to rise and con-

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•Ozekhome

•Gadzama

Ex-NBA chief Wali’s abduction spurs search answers demn it in very strong terms,” it said, adding: “Wali is a peaceful gentleman to the core.

“We therefore call on his captors to please immediately release him unconditionally and unharmed,” he said.

Farounbi urged all the security agencies, particularly in Rivers State and its environs, to step up their security systems with the view of getting the former NBA President released without any further delay.

He said this latest kidnap has cast another doubt on the constitutional provision of the fundamental duty and responsibility of the government to protect the lives and property of it citizens.

“We cannot afford the luxury of seeing our citizens kidnapped on a daily basis and the government will pretend that all is well.

“We do not want to believe that the government has surrendered to the kidnappers and other criminals. There is no doubt that our nation is facing enormous security challenges and our police in particular seem to be overwhelmed.

“We, therefore, join other patriotic Nigerians in calling for the creation of state police now. Recent security lapses all over the country makes the need for state police to be urgent and desirable more than ever before,” it stated Former legal adviser of the NBA Mr. Victor Nwaugo said: “This is the time for his friends and well wishers to rally round to make sure that he is released unharmed; his

‘

kidnappers arrested, arraigned and prosecuted. After all, he has contributed his quota to national development.”

Former Financial Secretary of the NBA Mr. Marc Enamhe said: “ It is highly condemnable for any Nigerian to be kidnapped in his state, a man’s home is his safe haven, where he knows how to move and how not to move. For this to happen to our former President in Port Harcourt shows that people have not learnt from experience. Since the kidnappers have not established contact with the Wali family, we cannot actually identify their purpose now. We only pray that they release him in good health and sound mind.”

Abuja-based lawyer and chairman of the Abuja chapter of Labour Party Mr. Felix Ashimole said: “ I join NBA President Augustine Alegeh (SAN) to condemn the kidnap of our former President, Okey Wali (SAN). Let us continue to pray for his safe release.”

Who will be next?

Society activist and constitutional lawyer Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) said: “ It is most shocking and heart rending to hear that Okey Wali, the immediate past President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has been kidnapped by unknown hoodlums. This is certainly the last proverbial straw that has broken the carmel’s back. To kidnap Okey Wali has introduced a new dimension, a novelty to this dastardly merchantilistic trade in

We do not want to believe that the government has surrendered to the kidnappers and other criminals. There is no doubt that our nation is facing enormous security challenges and our police in particular seem to be overwhelmed

‘

people’s blood, lives, destiny and liberty, by societal misfits. News have it that it was done about 200 metres from his residential gate at about 9:00pm on Saturday. That means the kidnappers must have laid ambush for him. Where were the security agents, such as policemen and members of the Civil Defence Corps, who ought to patrol streets?”

“The Nigerian nation is clearly under great, multi-dimensional siege – siege from ritualists, siege from Boko Haram, siege from political buccaneers, siege from legislative rascality, siege from executive lawlessness, siege from judicial tyranny, siege from leadership inertia, siege from civil society compromise, siege from all of us, who see nothing, say nothing and do nothing! Okey Wali’s kidnap is totally condemnable in the strongest words possible, for the simple reason that he is a peace-loving, very humble and God-fearing Nigerian, who led the NBA, the biggest civil society umbrella organisation in Nigeria, for two good years, without any blemish, charge of corruption, or embezzlement of public funds against him. To Kidnap Okey tantamounts, therefore, to kidnapping the entire collective quintessence and conscience of all Nigerian lawyers, and. therefore, of the totality of the civil society.

“As one who went through a most horrific and spine-chilling experience in kidnappers’ dungeon for three harrowing weeks of near death, I can feel it, see it, smell it, taste it and empathise with it. The irony is that it was Okey as NBA President, who broke the news of my August 23, 2013 kidnap to the NBA AGM in Calabar, with the entire body of lawyers led by him, calling for my immediate and unconditional release.

“Last year, it was me. Today, it is Okey’s turn. Who will be next? No one knows. No one can conjecture. The Federal Government, Rivers State and neighbouring state governments, the IGP, DG, SSS and the entire security aparatus in this country should immediately rise up and deliver OkeyWali, safe, hale and hearty, to his family and Nigeria. There must be no excuses, no foot dragging and no dilly-dallying.

“I appeal to Okey’s kidnappers to, please, release, unhurt and unharmed, this great patriot, this unassuming Nigerian, who means well for all, including the poor peasants of this country. He has contributed immensely to the development of law, human rights and to the Nigerian nation. Let not your insatiable thirst for money and earthly things push you to hurt him. I beg you all, in the name of Almighty God. Former Chairman, NBA Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL), Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama (SAN), said: “We condemn in very strong terms the abduction of Okey Wali (SAN), the 26th president of the NBA. Mr Okey Wali stood firmly for the enthronement of the rule of law, democracy, equity, justice and fair play in our body polity. He never failed to speak out whenever the rights of the common man were in jeopardy.

“We urge his abductors to release him unconditionally to reunite with his family and community. Time has come when the government and all other stakeholders must do more to secure the lives & liberty of citizens of this country; otherwise, a time will come when nobody will walk on the streets of this nation. May such a day never come.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

27

FROM THE COURT

‘Why court awarded Bi-Courtney N132b’ F

OLLOWING the failed at tempt, on September 22, by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) to take over the assets of billionaire businessman, Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN) through a court order obtained by its lawyer, Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) over a controversial N50 billion debt, there have been several claims and counter-claims by both parties.

The dismissed order had empower Agbakoba as the receiver to take over the assets of Babalakin, including the domestic Murtala Mohammed Airport terminal II (MMA2) and the old Federal Secretariat, Ikoyi.

On September 29, Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court in Lagos, in response to Bi-Courtney’s contention, described steps taken

by AMCON to obtain the order as an abuse of court process and subsequently set it aside.

The dispute began shortly after the Murtala Mohammed Airport terminal two (MMA2), operated by Bi-Courtney, started operations in May 2007. The concession agreement between the Federal Government and Bi-Courtney for the construction and operation of the terminal provided for a coordinating committee with three representatives from the Federal Government and three from the concessionaire in the event of any dispute.

Based on allegations that there were a series of breaches on the part of the Federal Government, the concessionaire approached the arbitration body, stating that it had been denied the exclusivity clause and

By Joseph Jibueze and Precious Igbonwelundu

several revenue sources in the concession agreement.

According to reports, BiCourtney is expected to make its revenue from passenger traffic, cargo handling, parking space, advertisements, space rental, and fuel surcharge on every litter of petrol sold, among others, as these were the revenue streams on which a consortium of banks had based their financial projections and assumptions before they granted the firm a loan to build the terminal.

The firm submitted to the arbitration body that the Federal Government was maliciously blocking these revenue streams by providing another terminal for the biggest airline operators. When BiCourtney started operating MMA2, only Chanchangi Airline was said to be flying from the terminal.

Arik, and Virgin Atlantic, which later turned to Air Nigeria, were controlling between 60 to 70 per cent of the market; they were initially allowed to operate from the International Airport terminal.

Aero was flying from its own station.

Even, when Air Nigeria eventually moved to MMA2, the Federal Government allowed Arik and some other airlines to move their operations to the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), which is next door to MMA2, and should have been part of the concessionaire’s terminal under the agreement.

The firm also submitted that the spaces being let out at the GAT

should have been part of its revenue, and that the government has also been denying it of revenue from advertisement space, fuel surcharge, and several other sources.

Although Bi-Courtney claimed that it never made up to 50 per cent revenue from the terminal, it had paid over N11billion of its debts to the banks before the outstanding debt was transferred to AMCON. AMCON had bought the debt from the banks at N19billion, which Bi-Courtney felt was wrong.

Babalakin contended that most of the debts of AMCON were bought at discounted value, but that of MMA2 was bought at 100 per cent, with no discount.

When the MMA2 dispute was resolved in favour of Bi-Courtney by the coordinating committee, the unanimous decision was that the Federal Government was in breach of the agreement; that it should hand over the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) to Bi-Courtney, and ensure that all domestic flights originate from the concessionaire’s terminal.

Although the Federal Government was represented at the arbitration panel, its agencies allegedly refused to comply with the resolution. This development made BiCourtney to seek redress at the court. After a review of the case, the court found that all the decisions of the coordinating committee were correct, and it reaffirmed the decision in a 2011 judgment.

The court also asked the government to forward an account of all the revenues it has made, and BiCourtney was asked to present an

•From left: Mr. Fabian Ajogwu (SAN), former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN) and former NBA Ikeja Branch Chairman Mr. Monday Ubani at a dinner organised by NBA President Mr. Augustin Alegeh (SAN) in Abuja.

•Agbakoba

•Babalakin

account of all the revenue it has lost as a direct result of the breaches.

Bi-Courtney complied, and the Federal Government did not. The court thereafter awarded N132billion to Bi-Courtney to compensate for the breaches.

Six appeals were filed against this judgment – two by the unions, one

by Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), one by Ojemaie Holdings, the handlers of Arik, one

by Arik, and one by the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation. All the appeals were dismissed within four years.

Despite the court judgment and the submissions of the arbitration panel, the government allegedly

went ahead to develop the GAT in further breach of the agreement.

Bi-Courtney believes the actions of the Federal Government and AMCON have grave implications for a nation that is dreaming of a private sector-led resuscitation of public infrastructure and the nation’s economy. It has also described the government’s action as a deliberate attempt to frustrate investments, commercial development and job creation in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, AMCON has since filed a notice of appeal of Justice Buba’s ruling and formulated four grounds before the appellate court. Some analysts see Babalakin’s travails as capable of discouraging investors.

Man freed from death row

A

30-year-old man, Monday Ilade Prosper, has been re leased from the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison 11 years after he was sentenced to death. He spent eight years on death row.

He was barely 18 in 2003 when he was charged with armed robbery in Benin City for forcefully collecting his salary from his employer. He was a private driver to an industrialist who allegedly refused to pay him for three months.

As his employer withdrew money from a bank, Prosper threw sand on his face, took the bag of money, counted out his salary and returned the balance, as was reported.

He was arrested and charged with armed robbery, convicted and sentenced to death in 2006 by the Edo State High Court.

Prosper waited for the hangman for eight years in great trauma, especially

with the resumed executions last year.

But the Court of Appeal in Benin allowed his appeal and overturned his conviction and sentence. The court held that the evidence was ‘spurious’ and the prosecution’s case was too weak for a conviction for armed robbery.

A group, the Legal Defence & Assistance Project (LEDAP), which has in the last decade litigated over 210 cases of persons charged with capital offences or convicted and sentenced to death, called for capital punishment abolition.

Its National Coordinator, Chino Obiagwu, in a statement, quoted Prosper as saying: “It is time to abolish the death penalty. Many of my friends on CC (condemned cell) in Kirikiri are innocent. I know that as a fact. It is true.”

•Ogunji

•Ogu

rupt. But the politicians we have now, most of them don’t have vision and they are viciously corrupt.

I can give you example. When Mbakwe was the governor of the Old Imo State in 1979-83 the number of industries, the quality and number of roads he built cannot be compared with what we have now.

“If you look at 1979-83 when Jakande Lateef was the governor of Lagos State, he was proposing a metro line as at that time, but where are we today? They had vision and were less corrupt. But most of the guys we have here now with the

exception of a few, are viciously corrupt and they don’t have vision.”

On insecurity, he urged the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to sensitise the people more on the need for peaceful coexistence, adding that opposition parties have a role to play in making people “politically aware.”

Ogunji and Ogu urged the civil society, lawyers, the media and all citizens to join the campaign against corrupt leadership, saying all must demand accountability from political office holders.

By Precious Igbonwelundu

Nigeria has a long way to go, say lawyers

S

OME lawyers have expressed disappointment with Nigeria’s slow development, 54 years after it attained independence.

Speaking on the state of affairs, they said the government still has a lot to do for its citizens, adding that strengthening the judiciary would help.

Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Aba Branch, Chidozie Ogunji, said not much has been done by the leaders to justify the founding fathers’ efforts.

“To be very frank, I am not too happy with where we are. The judiciary and police are the two places where government ought to have put more time and if they had done so, the country would be better.

They should pay the police well, give them better working environment, better living environment,” he said.

Accessing the judiciary’s performance in 54 years, Ogunji decried executive interference, stressing that the judiciary would do well if it is granted autonomy as provided in the Constitution.

“From the time we gained independence till now, we have not improved at all. It is still the same

From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

thing. Things are now getting worst, different state government are muscling the judiciary. Take for example; the Rivers State judiciary has been under lock and key for several months. The other day in Ekiti, judges were attacked, the record books thorn, they shredded the clothes of the judge. It was not that bad in the military rule.

“The judiciary should be made autonomous – judges appointed without government interference.

Their money should be deposited in their account and allow them do their budgeting and their expenses.

For me, we have not done much.

To me, it’s a far cry from what is expected,” Ogunji said.

Secretary, NBA, Aba Branch, Bob Ogu, said despite challenges, there is reason to cheer. The former governorship aspirant in 2010 under the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), said: “We are not where we ought to be, but that does not mean that we have not made progress. At least, staying together for 54 years after independence is an achievement. Having democracy for the past 16 years is an achievement.

“The caveat is that where we are now is not where we ought to be if

we have the proper person at the right places. In terms of education, we have made progress. I can’t say that the standard has fallen down that much, but it’s just that we have proliferation of institutions. But strictly speaking, the standard has not fallen too much and we have made progress.

“In terms of policing, we have made progress, but it is just that the level of corruption in the police is also scaring. It makes things look as if we take one step forward and two steps backwards because of corruption.”

On where the country got it wrong, Ogu said: “It borders on leadership and corruption. From a 1967 World Bank Report that I read, the Southeast had the highest number of tarred roads and industries in the whole of Africa except South Africa.

“So, imagine what it was in 1967 and try to equate it with what we have now, you will see that if we had continued with that rate of development, Nigeria would have gone far ahead of where we are today. That is why I am saying yes, we are celebrating but with a caveat.

“The founding fathers of Nigeria had vision and they were less cor-

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

28

LAW & SOCEITY

‘No rule of law without obedience to court orders’

T

HE RULE of law will be absent where court orders are not obeyed by the gov ernment, Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji has said.

Speaking with reporters in Umuahia during the presentation of the Abia Governorship Law Reports (AGLR) written in his honour, he urged politicians to be just and equitable in their pursuit of power.

He said the best way to enthrone rule of law is to exhaust the appellate options available in courts rather than taking laws into one’s hands.

This, he said, could lead to anarchy.

He said: “My recommendation to other politicians is that they should not disobey court orders because that is what unifies and sustains our democracy. They should not disobey court orders because there are avenues for them to seek redress. “ If not from the lower court, they can go to the Appeal Court. After Appeal Court and you do not succeed, go to the Supreme Court and once the Supreme Court decides, that is final.

“I will not recommend that any person disobeys court orders. I will not recommend that if our democracy must be sustained. It is the judiciary that will help to sustain it. Citing the Adamawa example, Orji said the obedience to court order save the state from crisis. “What happened recently in Adamawa State, assuming that the people said no, we will not obey the court order to swear in the former deputy governor James Ngilari as governor, there will be crisis there. There will be killing and burning of property there, but because they obeyed court order, you see there is at least, relative peace there now.

“So in our own interest for peace and sustenance of our democracy and separation of power, I will recommend that every government, every Nigerian should obey court orders. If you are not satisfied, go through the process of seeking redress.”

On the Law Report, Orji said the idea did not emanate from him. “The writing of the book was not my initiative. Dr. Livy Uzoukwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who represented me at the tribunal, initiated it. He told me that my cases were exemplary in election petitions and that it will be good to document them for posterity.

“He came and asked me some questions, because honestly, I underwent a lot of troubles during those elections. I was one of the governors that had the greatest litigations. It caught my fancy because it will be good and it would add value to our justice system and electoral jurisprudence.

“I said okay go ahead and use me as a

By John Austin Unachukwu

sample and I will like to be used as an example. Eventually he went ahead and did that, I am happy for it.”

Speaking on the aspect of the Law Report that interests him most, the governor said: “There are several interesting cases that will serve as reference points for any tribunal case that is similar to my own, but the one that interested me most is the one that said that I belonged to a secret society and that the secret society is Okija shrine “But I know that I never belonged to any secret society and for sure Okija shrine is not a secret society. What you have there is a Shrine, people go there to perform their rituals. Eventually the thing was sorted out that I did not belong to any secret society and now like I said, it is now a reference point for any person, who contests election and they said he belonged to a secret society. They have to prove that society is secret. They have constitutions, they have modus operandi, but I have never heard anything about Okija secret society.”

He advised politicians who may have a similar experience to consider them as “political trials.”

“As we come to struggle for power, everything goes, there are people, who want that power by all means, through blackmail, through propaganda, through false accusations; that was exactly what I experienced “A very innocent and humble man, coming into politics, jumping into the murky waters of politics, then the accusations came from every right, left and centre. At a time, they even said I did not resign at the appropriate time, but I know that I resigned.

“My advice to politicians, who want to pass through this, is, first, you have to stand on the truth. If there are areas, you can reconcile and negotiate with your opponents, please do that, but if you are going through this process, you have to be determined. It is not something you can do half way and run away.

“You have to be determined to fight, once you know that you are in the right course and with good lawyer, you will win, but if on the other hand you know that what you are fighting for is not just, there is no need damaging your image or damaging the relationship that you had with the man, who is on the right track. Just discuss with him, parley with him, politics is all about negotiations and interest.”

•From left: Hon. Chinenye Ike, former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara and Justice Amaobi Agbara.

•From left: Chief Henry Ikoh; Abia Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Umeh Kalu; Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN); Dr. Livy Ezeukwu (SAN) and Minister of Labour, Emeka Wogu

•From left: Chairman NBA Ukwa Branch, Dr. C. U Nwankwo; Magistrate Odinachi Uka; Chairman NBA Ohafia Branch, Ume Maduka and Magistrate Emma Esiaba.

•From left: Prof. Joe Irukwu (SAN), Gov. Orji and his wife Mercy.

•From left: Awa Kalu (SAN), Justice I. N. Akomas and Jude Nnodum (SAN).

•From left: Deputy Governor Emeka Anaba; his wife, Nene and Sir Chris Nkwonta.

From left: Eze Nnamdi, Eze I. O. Kanu , Eze Samuel A. Okorie and Eze Chinenye.

Newspaper of the Year

AN 8-PAGE PULLOUT ON NORTHERN STATES

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

PAGE 29

•Part of the market

Gone... Kaduna’s fruits market T

HE Railway Station Market in Kaduna used to be very popular for fruits and assorted food items. It was a beehive of activities where customers purchased fruits and foodstuff brought in from the southern part of the country. Owned by the Nigeria Railway Corporation, it was adjacent to the Kaduna Junction as the railway terminal in Kaduna was called.

Residents and visitors took pleasure in buying their goods there because the prices were relatively cheap. That was in the yesteryears. Currently, what used to be a hub for business activities is now a den for reptiles and drug addicts. The once-busy market is now very bushy as the

Cholera kills 70 displaced persons •PAGE 31

From Tony Akowe, Abuja and Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

shops were demolished seven years ago. The traders were given notice to quit before the market was demolished.

The intention of the authorities of the Nigeria Railway Property Development Company (NRPDC) in demolishing the market then was to build a modern market that will accommodate more traders. A temporary site had to be provided for some of the traders, while others were left to their fate.

Our correspondents gathered that several meetings were held with the traders before they agreed to vacate the place, with a

promise that they would be the first beneficiaries of the stalls when the market is built.

Nowadays, there is concern over the safety of the traders and their goods, especially when it rains. Many of the traders who could not find space in the temporary place provided for traders beside the roundabout are forced to display their goods, including perishable ones such as garri, in the open and beside the road.

The traders are at the mercy of men of the Kaduna Environmental Protection Agency (KEPA), even as they stand the risk of being involved in accidents. Interestingly, the Kaduna Railway Station Market was not only the most popular market in Kaduna

Fresh initiative in public school management •PAGE 33

State; it was a major foodstuff market in Northern Nigeria. Apparently, because of its strategic location near the railway station, the market was always the first stopping point for foodstuff, particularly yam and fruits from the southern part of the country.

Even though trading activities are still carried out around the area, the market is currently a shadow of itself. Visitors to the market would weep for the state of abandonment of a once-viable market and the fact that prices of commodities are no longer different from what obtains in other markets after its demolition.

Many of the traders who once made brisk businesses in the market now depend on the patron-

age of motorists as they had to display their wares by the roadside. Some of them who spoke to our correspondents said they were not surprised that the market was demolished, even as they said they didn’t expect that they will stay more than a year selling by the roadside.

A fruit seller, Mrs. Helen Idoko, claimed that her mother was selling foodstuffs inside the market when she (Helen) was in secondary school, adding that there were threats to demolish the market while they were there.

“I have been selling food items in the market with my •Continued on page 30

‘Kwankwaso is qualified to run for president’ •PAGE 31

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

30

THE NORTH REPORT •Continued from page 29

mother for several years. Every year, those who are in charge of the market would tell us that they wanted to demolish the market. At first, the buildings were made of zinc. After some years, they said everybody should build with block. Later, they demolished the market and told us that they would build it and share the stalls to everybody. But, up till now, nothing has happened. “ “First, they said Aliko Dangote bought the place. After some weeks, Dangote denied buying the place. Then they said a former governor of the state bought it. But we are not sure of who the buyer is. Since then, however, we have been prevented from entering the market.

We don’t have anything to do with the Railway Corporation Market again.”

She lamented that they had lost customers since the market was demolished. Before the demolition, people came from all parts of Kaduna to patronise traders at the Railway Station Market.

Tuesdays and Fridays are Station Market days. People bring goods from Niger, Kafanchan and Lafia. Yams and other food items are very cheap in the market. But now only trains bring food items from Niger on Thursday, Sundays and Mondays.”

Madam Anthonia Monday, who also sells by the roadside corroborated Mrs. Helen’s statement.

She said: “I have been selling in the market for many years and in 2007. They demolished it.

They told us then that they had sold the market. Some people said Dangote bought it. But, he denied it. It was later we heard that a former governor bought the land.”

On the challenges of trading by the roadside, Mrs. Monday said: “We face many challenges on the road. For example, the men of the Kaduna Environmental Protection Agency prevent us from selling at the roadside.

There is no attempt to rebuild the market, and nobody has come to tell us anything about the land.

“Also, when it rains, we use umbrella to cover ourselves since we don’t have a shop to run to. If the rain is very heavy, we use

•Some sellers and buyers at the market

•Mrs. Helen Idoko

Extinct of Kaduna’s fruits market

leather to cover ourselves and leave our wares in the open. We have not experienced any form of accident.

On the sale of the piece of land, investigations revealed that the management of the NRPDC might have sold it, but the identity of the buyer has remained unknown.

There are three versions on the ownership of the piece of land.

One is that a former governor bought the land from the management of the Nigeria Railway Corporation. Another is that Dangote bought it to build warehouses for his companies, which he denied.

The third is that the market was to be upgraded to a modern one. Those who hold this opinion said the management had sent a delegation to study the Jos Modern Market and the Oba Market in Benin with a view to modeling the market after one of them.

When contacted, the management of NRPDC declined to comment on the matter. They neither

‘Even though trading activities are still carried out around the area, the market is currently a shadow of itself. Visitors to the market would weep for the state of abandonment of a once-viable market and the fact that prices of commodities are no longer different from what obtains in other markets after its demolition. Many of the traders who once made brisk businesses inside the market now depend on the patronage of motorists as they had to display their wares by the roadside’ confirmed nor denied the outright sale of the market and to whom.

For now, and perhaps, several years to come, the once-busy Kaduna Railway Market may

continue to be a fallow vast land breeding reptiles in the heart of Kaduna metropolis and probably serving as a hideout for criminals and drug addicts.

•Mrs. Anthony Monday

Cholera kills 70 displaced persons

M

ORE than 70 Tiv victims of Fulani attacks are said to have died in the internally displaced persons (IDPs) camp in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State from measles and cholera epidemic.

The camp spokesman, Emmanuel Kegh, told reporters that the outbreak resulted from the unkempt condition of the camp. He also expressed fears of possible outbreak of the Ebola virus disease if the camp’s sanitary state deteriorated further.

Some eyewitnesses revealed that most of the deceased died because of unbearable suffering.

Of the dead, 50 are children.

The lives of 13 women who were delivered of their babies, including their children, are said to be in danger.

Many of the children appear malnourished. They were hungry and needed food and medical care. The mothers equally needed not just food but balanced diet in order to regain strength and breastfeed their children.

But where is the food? The displaced persons are really starving.

So, besides the killer diseases, the camp spokesman said, the people could “easily die” due to lack of food, medicare and shelter. A cursory look at the

‘Many of the children appear malnourished. They were hungry and needed food and medical care. The mothers equally needed not just food but balanced diet in order to regain strength and breastfeed their children. But where is the food? The displaced persons are really starving…So, besides the killer diseases, the people could “easily die” due to lack of food, Medicare and shelter’ From Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

people revealed that most of them are physically and psychologically traumatised.

Fate has been cruel to the Tiv people of Taraba State. They have been killed in thousands and injured in hundreds of thousands in Ibi, Wukari, Gassol, Gashaka and Bali local government areas by their Fulani neighbours.

Their farmers are the worst hit by

persistent attacks by the Fulani marauders. The Tiv people, in their hundreds of thousands, have been chased out of their homes and their homes and farmlands destroyed by their attackers.

In the camp, the victims cut the picture of people emotionally wrecked and dehumanised.

“But it was not their fault that they were quartered in parts of Taraba State.

Like every other people, they came from somewhere to settle there,” an

•Some of the children at the camp

observer said.

The traditional ruler of the Tiv community in Bali, Chief David Gbaar, told reporters at the camp that the death toll may increase if nothing is done ur-

gently. He said: “Our people have continued to die in the camp because the state government has not come to our aid. Life here has been painful and horrible.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

31

THE NORTH REPORT

‘Kwankwaso is qualified to run for president’

S

UBSEQUENT to a possible failure in efforts to broker consensus among the contending presidential aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is set to declare his intention to contest the election on the platform of the party on Thursday.

Our correspondent gathered that the delay in the declaration of the presidential ambition by General Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Kwankwaso may possibly not be unconnected with efforts to get one of them to step down for the other.

Both aspirants hail from the North West zone of the country which is believed to have the largest number of registered voters in the country.

A chieftain of the APC and one of the campaign coordinators of Governor Kwankwaso, Chief Olisaemeka Akamukali, said baring any change in plan and any unforeseen circumstances, Governor Kwankwaso had concluded plans to publicly declare his presidential ambition on October 23.

He revealed that after a nationwide consultation with party leaders and other political stakeholders regarding the presidential election, Kwankwaso has decided to throw his cap into the ring.

Akamukali, hinted that the governor might have delayed the kickoff of his campaign due to pressures to yield ground to General Buhari, stressing that rather than ask the governor to step down, it is the former Head of State that should make way for a younger and more vibrant candidate in line with the need for generational shift.

To Akamukali, it is wrong for anybody to regard the governor as a dark-horse in the contest, adding that Governor Kwankwaso has had long years of experience in politics; beginning from 1991 when he emerged as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

He said: “Kwankwaso has long

•Kwankwaso

‘The governor is a grassroots politician and one who carries his followers along in his undertakings...One other factor that is considered additional strength to the Kano State Governor is that whereas he has solid home-base support, his cocontestants such as Atiku and Buhari could not boast of being in control of the structures of the party in their home states’ From Tony Akowe

years of experience in politics. He has been a parliamentarian, a governor and two-time minister. When he contested the governorship election in Kano State and lost, he congratulated the winner and waited for eight years before staging a come-back.

“The governor is a grassroots politician and one who carries his followers along in his undertakings. Today, many people describe him as a dark-horse in the presidential contest. This notion is wrong because many politicians, especially in the PDP, do not like what is happening in their party.

“Remember he was once a member of the group of seven governors

who protested the goings-on in his former party. I will not be surprised if many of them still in the PDP will want to support his aspiration to become President.”

Akamukali dismissed claims that the former Nigerian leader, General Buhari was in control of Kano State, even as he pointed out that Kwankwaso as governor, is in total control of the party structures and commands the loyalty of most party men there.

He said if a politician’s pedigree is to be used as a yardstick, the governor stands out tall having transformed Kano State beyond all expectations, saying, “yes the governor might be a dark-horse because of the fact that he has never contested for

the position of president before.

“But if as President Jonathan was regarded as the dark-horse before the 2011 general elections among other aspirants like Atiku, General Ibrahim Babangida and Ibrahim Gusau and he later triumphed, then being a dark-horse can be to Kwankwaso’s advantage.

“We want a change in this country. We want a president who is not a man that was hand-picked by a group of people and who will be held in bondage as it is happening today.

“The issue of anointing candidates for elections has been rejected by the APC and that is why the party insisted that there shall be primaries that must be seen to be transparent.

The fears of some of the aspirants may be due to their previous experiences where they never faced competitive primaries to emerge as party candidates.

“That is why such people are pushing for consensus. Most party members want things done differently from what the PDP is doing. We must have a transparent primary.

“I can tell you that Kwankwaso has built a lot of bridges across the political divide. Remember, he came into the House of Representatives as a member of the then Social Democratic Party (SDP) in 1991 and became Deputy Speaker.”

He maintained that both the National Leader of the party, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, party’s National Chairman, Chief John OyegunOdigie and former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar were together in the SDP with Governor Kwankwaso, adding that he is still retaining the affinity he had with the political network.

Akamukali disclosed that one factor that favours Kwankwaso is that he always carries his followers along in whatever he does. He said: “One other factor that is considered additional strength to the Kano State Governor is that whereas he has solid home-base support, his co-contestants such as Atiku and Buhari could not boast of being in control of the structures of the party in their home states.

“From the angle of qualification, the constitution is very clear on this.

A man who has a doctorate degree in Engineering, academically is qualified, a man who has not been convicted by any competent court, a man whom the EFCC and other Federal Government anti-graft agencies have investigated and nothing was found against him is eminently qualified to contest for the president of the country,” Akamukali said.

‘Niger’s business climate, among Nigeria’s best’ Niger State Government has held an Investment Summit aimed at transforming the state into an investment giant. Danladi Ndayebo, the state’s Commissioner for Information, speaks with JIDE ORINTUNSIN on the outcome of the summit, among other issues. Excerpts

T

From all indications, peace is still elusive in Bali and other parts of Taraba State where members of Tiv communities are found.

Our correspondent gathered that de•Continued on page 32

he first Niger State Investment Climate Summit has just ended. How would you assess the summit?

The summit was a huge success.

First, it recorded the kind of attendance that was unprecedented in the history of economic summits in this part of the country.

Secondly, we were able to excite investors with business potential in the state and valuable tips on how they can take advantage of these opportunities.

Specifically, we emphasised our competitive advantage in terms of land mass and the huge employment opportunities embedded in agriculture.

So, it was on the strength of what we presented to the investors that they tabled actionable plans that would accelerate economic development in the state in the areas of agriculture/agro-allied businesses, infrastructure, roads, housing, manufacturing, employment

‘Big-time businessmen who come to Niger State would enjoy tax incentives which may sometimes include outright waivers, depending on the volume of the investment.

Contract enforcement and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) centres have also been established so that good investments are not frustrated by unnecessary litigations’ generation and wealth creation.

For instance, investors who have their eyes on agriculture were happy to know that the state has about 10 per cent of Nigeria’s entire land mass, of which appreciable percentage is arable. They are also aware that we have people who are

friendly, hospitable and welcoming. The peaceful nature of our state also makes it an attractive investment destination.

Why did the summit come at the twilight of your administration?

Many have asked this question, but my answer is: Why not now?

In the last seven years, we have worked tirelessly to create a favourable climate for doing business. We have repositioned land administration in a way that has fast-tracked the processes leading to the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy. We have also improved on the way we administer taxes as they concern investors.

What this means is that big-time businessmen who come to Niger State would enjoy tax incentives which may sometimes include outright waivers, depending on the volume of the investment. Contract enforcement and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) centres have also been established so that good investments are not frustrated by unnecessary litigations.

So, these are some of the deliberate steps that we took in order to increase the flow of investments into the state. Without the kind of foundation that we have laid down, all our competitive advantages that •Continued on page 32

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

THE NORTH REPORT

‘Niger’s business climate, among Nigeria’s best’ •Continued from page 31

we have such as intimidating land mass will amount to nothing.

What major policy reforms has the state embarked upon in order to build the kind of business environment that would attract the multi-billion Naira investments you have talked about?

I have just listed some of the incentives to include the repositioning of land administration which has made issuance of C of O very easy. I have also mentioned another area which has to do with tax administration. Apart from those, the state has a comprehensive package which has made Niger State one of the best investment destinations in the country.

Currently, we have all the laws that encourage private sector participation in the development of the state’s economy. We now have the Fiscal Responsibility Law and the Public Procurement Law which are a set of rules which ensures sound financial management, greater transparency and accountability in public finance.

Also, we have the Small and Medium Enterprises/Micro-finance Agency Law which has ensured a smooth beginning of micro-finance banks and small businesses in the state.

Our Commodity and Export Promotion Agency, which we created through an Act of the Niger State House of Assembly, is also doing excellently well. But the Niger State One Stop Investment Centre is the icing on the cake. We have been able to use the agency to put forward our investment potential in our priority areas of agriculture, solid minerals, tourism, transportation and energy.

Before now, various agencies of government had made efforts to attract businesses to the state. How would you assess those investment drives?

Recall that Niger State is among the five states where Nigeria’s foremost industrialist Aliko Dangote has acquired farmlands for commercial production of rice. I am sure you have not forgotten that part of the agreement requires that Dangote Group would establish two modern rice mills in Niger State, each with a capacity to mill 120,000 metric tons of rice. One of the implications of this is that thousands of jobs will be provided for our young people.

‘We have all the laws that encourage private sector participation in the development of the state’s economy. We now have the Fiscal Responsibility Law and the Public Procurement Law which are a set of rules which ensures sound financial management, greater transparency and accountability in public finance.

Also, we have the Small and Medium Enterprises/Microfinance Agency Law which has ensured a smooth beginning of micro-finance banks and small businesses in the state’ Only recently, a private company indicated interest in investing over N1.6 billion in the establishment of shear butter factory in Mokwa Local Government Area. We have since met our own part of the bargain, which is the provision of 20 hectares of land for the firm.

On completion, the factory would engage about 10,000 people and would generate an average of N10 million monthly. So, no one needs to be told that these and other businesses that would soon take off in the state will be of immense benefit to the people of Niger State.

Does that indicate that the state

•Ndayebo

is giving impetus to agriculture only where it has competitive advantage?

Agriculture is being given priority attention because it is our competitive advantage. But we have other priority sectors where the state government has made huge investments in order to attract the right kind of businesses.

In the area of tourism for instance, the state has 65 tourist sites which if properly harnessed, will spin a lot of money for the state.

Popular among our tourist sites are Zuma Rock, Kainji Lake National Park, Gurara Waterfalls, Baro Empire Hills, Mungo Park Cenotaph and the Zungeru Colonial Ruins.

In the area of energy, it is common knowledge that Niger State houses the three hydro-electric power stations in the country, with the fourth under construction in Zungeru. We have several other opportunities in the areas of mini-hydro power projects, municipal waste-to-power projects and rural electrification/ distribution projects.

Niger State also has huge investment potential in the area of solid minerals. We have gold, beryl (light blue honey), am-

ethyst, tourmalines, quartz and other minerals in commercial quantities.

How do you intend to consolidate on these achievements in order to further move the state forward?

The Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu administration has done a lot to better the lot of its people and this cut across all the critical sectors of the state’s economy. We shall continue to do all the things that have made Niger State a home for all. We shall continue to stamp our seal of excellence in all spheres of human endeavour so that whoever comes to the state would want to live here forever.

For instance, we will consolidate on our landmark achievements in the area of agriculture. From 2007 to date, we procured 400 units of tractors which we distributed to the Tractor Hiring Units Implementation Programme in the 25 local government areas to boost agricultural production and revitalised agricultural extension infrastructure by renovating nine centres across the state. We have also distributed 100 motorcycles to extension workers in order to facilitate their movements. This has given meaning to the lives of our rural farmers and

would be sustained.

We also established the Niger Rice Investment Consortium (NSRIC) Project to boost rice production and position Niger State as the major producer of high quality rice in the country. To get the project started, we established and equipped five Agricultural Equipment Hiring Centres of the NSRIC Project in the rice producing communities of Doko, Jima, Mambe, Ndaloke and Gaba.

Irrigation programme has also enjoyed a boost with the reactivation of 16 schemes across the state to boost all-year-farming. We have also registered over 270,000 farmers under the Growth Enhancement Support (GES).

It is because of our modest efforts that the state was selected as one of four additional phase II states for the implementation of the Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP II) in collaboration with the World Bank and French Development Agency.

Our healthcare delivery services are also among the best. In the past seven-and-a-half years, we have made tremendous progress in the area of healthcare delivery. We have been providing free medical services for children under five, pregnant women (up to 40 days post-delivery) and the aged over 70 years of age.

We have constructed and equipped three modern, hi-tech general hospitals in the three senatorial zones located at Gulu, Sabon Wuse and Nasko. Government has also embarked on the construction of 134-bed neo-natal and maternity wings as part of the expansion of Minna General Hospital (with funding support from SURE-P Special Projects Directorate).

Between 2007 and now, we have constructed over 200 primary health care centres in partnership with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) office, aside the renovation of all existing general hospitals and primary health care centres.

Some rural health centres were also upgraded to the status of general hospitals. They are General Hospital Kutigi, General Hospital Agaie and Lemu General Hospital.

The current administration has also introduced Ward Development Project. It is a novel initiative which has since become iconic and a model to other states.

Under the project, funds are allocated to the 274 wards on a monthly basis and a committee of selected persons superintend over a forum where the entire community agreed on projects of their choice. This has given a huge sense of belonging to the people at the grassroots.

Cholera outbreak kills 70 displaced persons •Continued from page 31 spite government’s pleas for peace, Fulani herdsmen were still killing and maiming Tiv people in the rural areas.

Security operatives are seen patrolling the troubled towns in Hilux pick-up vans provided by the Acting Governor, Garba Umar, even as Fulani hostilities against Tiv communities have continued unchecked in the remote settlements.

One of the elderly displaced persons in the camp, Mr. Samson Augustine said they want to return to their homes but their houses had either been burnt or occupied by Fulani herdsmen, adding that their attackers were still on the prowl to launch further attacks on them. It was pathetic listening to his story as he sounded emotionally and physically ruined.

In an emotion-laden voice, Augustine said: “The police are not doing what is expected of them. Apart from killing our people, the Fulani have taken over our houses and our farmlands. Their cows are now grazing on our farm crops and the government is not able to stop them.”

Chief Gbaar said in Bali alone, 126,000 Tiv people have been displaced. He added that those in the camp were still there because they do not know or have anywhere to go.

The Chairman of Bali Local Government Area, Andy Yerima, confirmed reports of the outbreak of diseases in the camp and the loss of “several lives.”

He said his efforts in procuring drugs for the displaced people have saved the lives of many Tiv in the camp.

Yerima noted that the state government alone cannot shoulder the responsibilities of providing for the people in the camp. He urged the Federal Government to complement the efforts of the state government by making available adequate relief materials for the persons in the IDPs camp.

•From left: Her Royal Majesty, Queen Juliana Ameh-Oboni, the Vice-President, Arik Air, Mr. Rob Thomas, wife of Kogi State Governor, Hajia Halima Ladi Wada and the Vice-President, Igala Association in the Diaspora USA/ Canada, Mr. Jonathan Adejor, during the annual Igala Convention held in Washington, USA.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

Page 33

Website: http://www.thenationonlineng.com

•Participants at the presentation of the ESS to principals of junior secondary schools in Abuja

Fresh initiative in public school management T

HE difficulties experienced in accessing and authenticating principals, teachers, students, school records and activities in online admissions may soon be over as the Federal Capital Territory Universal Basic Education Board (FCT-UBEB) has begun integrating junior secondary schools in the Federal Capital Territory into its newly-developed Central Portal System called the Electronic School System (ESS).

The initial data collection of students has been completed in the first phase of the initiative in the public school system.

To kick-start this project, FCTUBEB is running the admission process for the 2014/2015 academic year on its newly developed portal on http://www.fctubeb.gov.ng The ESS by the board will engender effective and efficient management and supervision of about 150 junior secondary schools in the Federal Capital Territory with a student population of over 100,000.

The ESS is a revolutionary, webbased school management platform that was developed by Plovtech Solutions, a major player in electronic school management system, with offices in Nigeria, Ireland and the United Kingdom.

According to the Managing Director of Plovtech Solution, Mr. Jones Ajayi, ESS will assist the school board to “securely” manage, query, report, archive all student records and all general schools’ activities for effective and efficient operations and service provision.

ESS will enable schools to, among other benefits, electronically store and manage records and documents, including students’ ad-

By Wale Ajetunmobi

mission records, all internal examination results and grades, teachers’ remarks and any other relevant information at present and in the future. In the process, it will provide secure access for document owners and management team.

The system comes with an international standard web platform for each school on the project with their own personalised domain name which enables the school to publish all its information online, such as its history, school activities, sporting achievements, students’ projects, videos and photographs.

It also provides the school with an online document authentication system that allows for storage of examination records, certificates, testimonials and other security documents online, verification on the school website or FCT-UBEB. The portal will enable the school authorities to efficiently administer the school as well as teach and stimulate interests of students in computer and information technology.

A critical value of ESS is the le-

ESS will assist the school board to ‘securely’ manage, query, report, archive all student records and all general schools’ activities for effective and efficient operations and service provision…ESS will enable schools to, among other benefits, electronically store and manage records and documents, including students’ admission records, all internal examination results and grades, teachers’ remarks and any other relevant information verage it gives the school to regularly interface with old students who will be able to register on the school portal and thus have a platform to interact and provide direct assistance when the school is in need of such assistance.

The FCT-UBEB considers the ESS a very important tool to manage

schools in the Federal Capital Territory in the current globalised environment of the 21st Africa, if the schools are not to be left behind. The FCT-UBEB, which controls about 150 junior secondary schools with over 100,000 students, is fully committed to the project.

Plovtech Solutions, as the service

provider, is well equipped with manpower and technical resources to provide training and technical support for the systems.

After the conclusion of the project, FCT-UBEB will have under its control, a central Web Portal Platform and 150 unique web domains for each public school.

The solution and the platform were presented to all the principals of junior secondary schools on September 23, this year at Abuja.

The principals praised the effort of the school board which aimed at reducing the work load and burden involved in manually managing schools’ records.

The Chairman of the Board, Alhaji Umaru Barau Ningi, was represented by Mr Benjamin S. Ogbara, Board Member 1 of FCTUBEB, who urged all the principals to join the IT revolution, even as he urged them to make good use of the tool in order to run their schools effectively. He also advised them to use the internal integrated messaging system in the solution for direct communication with the board.

Court remands driver for alleged murder

T

HE police in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have arraigned a 35-year-old truck driver in the employ of Dangote Group, Zaradeen Idris, at a Kuje Area Council Magistrate’s Court, for allegedly knocking down two pedestrians. He was accused of driving dangerously.

Idris, a driver with Dangote Cement Company Obajana in Kogi State, was arraigned before Senior Magistrate Azubike Okeagwu.

The prosecutor, Corporal Ocheche Samuel,

From Gbenga Omokhunu

told the court that the accused committed the offence in August.

Samuel said the matter was reported at the Kuje Police Station, Abuja on September 29, by parents of the deceased who live at Gosa Airport Road.

The prosecutor further said the accused drove dangerously along Gosa Airport Road and caused the death of Bello Habib and Olumakinde

Kazeem.

He said the accused also caused damage to a Peugeot 406 car with registration number Lagos AAA 437 BZ, an offence which he said contravened the provisions of sections 27 cap 548 of Road Traffic Violation (RTV).

Idris pleaded not guilty after the charges were read to him.

Magistrate Okeagwu adjourned the case to today for further hearing.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

34

ABUJA REVIEW

FCTA spends N4.4b on mass transit

Minister pledges commitment to Abuja Master Plan

M

M

INISTER of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed has said that the FCT Administration has spent N4.4 billion as intervention fund for the Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company (AUMTCO) in five years.

Mohammed spoke during the FCT Executive Committee meeting.

The minister recalled that the Abuja Investment Company Limited has spent N1.6 billion on similar intervention from 2007 to date, adding that a total of N6 billion has so far been spent on the transport company through the years.

According to the statement issued by the Assistant Director/ Chief Press Secretary to the FCT Minister, Muhammad Sule, Senator Mohammed reiterated that with the total expenditure of N4.4 billion as intervention on the AUMTCO during his administration, the organisation should live up to the expectations of the government, particularly the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Meanwhile, the FCT Executive Council has approved, in principle, new package of subsidy for the Abuja Mass Transit Corridors (Operations and Maintenance), even as it has set up a committee to streamline, formalise and structure the package for its final passage.

The FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr. John Obinna Chukwu, heads the 8-member committee. Other members of the committee include the Group Managing Director of Abuja Investment Company, FCT Transport Secretary, Coordinator, AIIC, the FCT Directors of Trea-

From Gbenga Omokhunu

•Some of the Abuja mass transit buses From Gbenga Omokhunu

sury, Monitoring and Inspection, Satellite Towns Development as well as Economic Planning, Research and Statistics who serves as secretary.

The minister said no modern city in the developed and developing world runs a successful, seamless and efficient mass transit system without subsidising it.

According to him, the FCT Administration will provide yearly budgetary allocations to fund provision of gas, direct fixing, subventions, subsidy on tickets; purchase of high capacity mass transit vehicles and maintenance of the operating fleet.

He directed that all transportrelated plots illegally encroached upon should be immediately re-

‘No modern city in the developed and developing world runs a successful, seamless and efficient mass transit system without subsidising it…The FCT Administration will provide yearly budgetary allocations to fund provision of gas, direct fixing, subventions, subsidy on tickets; purchase of high capacity mass transit vehicles and maintenance of the operating fleet’ covered, deed and titled in the name of the FCT Transportation Secretariat.

“The FCT Administration will

set up necessary machinery to separate the subsidy policy options for legal declaration and administrative processes,” he said.

’Over 1.6m Nigerians are displaced’

W

ORRIED by the activities of insurgents in the North-eastern part of the country which have resulted in the displacement of over 1.5 million Nigerians, a group, Social Welfare Network Initiative, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has suggested that government should introduce air bombardment to dislodge the insurgents.

This was revealed in Abuja by the National Coordinator of the NGO, Emmanuel Osemeka.

Osemeka also disclosed that internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps don’t have the capacity to cater for the needs of displaced persons.

Lamenting the living condition of IDPs, the group said displaced persons lack water, clothing, light, hospital and education.

Osemeka said: “Our organisation has just concluded an assessment tour of internally displaced persons’ camps and internally displaced persons’ settlements in the states and we can say conservatively that we have over 1.6 million internally displaced persons scattered across four states.

“We have about 40,000 in Adamawa and Borno. As a whole, we have an estimated 670,000 and 75 per cent of them are women and children. In Yobe State, it is about 80,000. We don’t have the exact figure yet but you know government figures are reduced.

“In Gombe State where majority of the people who live within the fringes of the states have relocated to, especially in Akko Local Government Area, the figure is over 120,000 which makes the figure more than a million.

•Internally-displaced persons

‘We have about 40,000 in Adamawa and Borno. As a whole, we have an estimated 670,000 and 75 per cent of them are women and children. In Yobe State, it is about 80,000. We don’t have the exact figure yet but you know government figures are reduced…In Gombe State where majority of the people who live within the fringes of the states have relocated to, especially in Akko Local Government Area, the figure is over 120,000 which makes the figure more than a million’ From Faith Yahaya

The coordinator, who described the condition of the IDPs as pathetic said: “The truth is that people are angry and they feel they are not part of this society. That is why they can try to fight the society and create their own enclave.

He, however, called on relevant authorities to provide relief materials for them. “It is time we mobilised relief materials for these people and show

them love before another charlatan will come and tell them that they are hated. So, it is time we began to help them and show some level of kindness to them so that whatever it is that is going on in their head will be corrected.

“Our indecision is inadvertently recreating another monster. It is time everybody got out of their comfort zone to help the people. We have neglected them enough. We have to

look for solution. I recommend that citizen intervention begins now,” he said.

On how to end insurgency, he said the military should use air bombardment.

“There should have been consistent air bombardment before now. Even if it lasted for one week, the insurgents would have been dislodged so that people can go back to their homes.

“We have the issue of human rights and also the issue of protecting the territorial integrity and of course ensuring that we don’t have colossal damage. But the truth is that we will surely have colossal damage because we cannot identify the members of insurgency group except for the ones that are carrying guns and facing our military which are of insignificant number.

“So, the military has no choice than to deploy every arsenal to end the activities of the insurgents. We cannot continue like this. We are only postponing the evil day. We have more innocent people dying and more that will die. So, it is better for us to take care of the situation now.”

INISTER of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed has vowed to implement Abuja original Master Plan even if it results in stepping on toes.

Senator Mohammed said the FCT Administration is committed to correcting all distortions on the Abuja Master Plan.

He warned that all encroachments into lands originally mapped out in the Master Plan must be reversed, adding that Abuja will not be allowed to go the way of other cities in the country.

Senator Mohammed stated this after the FCT Executive Committee meeting.

In a statement issued by the Assistant Director/Chief Press Secretary to the FCT Minister, Muhammad Sule, he said when identified and recovered, all plots encroached into will be deed in the names of respective secretariats, departments and agencies (SDAs).

The FCT Executive Committee also approved the immediate set up of a committee to identify all violations on the Abuja Master Plan in order to reverse such violations.

The committee is headed by the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Mr. Adamu Ismaila.

Other members of the committee are the FCT Directors of Land Administration, Development Control, Abuja Geographic Information System, Urban and Regional Planning, Mapping and Survey, Parks and Recreation as well as representatives of the FCT Transportation Secretariat and Social Development Secretariat.

The minister noted that President Goodluck Jonathan had expressed concern over the unwarranted violations of Abuja Master Plan and directed that such encroachments should be reversed as they affect the Abuja Master Plan.

He instructed the committee to identify all the violations and extent of the violations in order to urgently remedy them because, he said, no part of the Abuja Master Plan would be compromised.

He emphasised that the committee’s job is key to restoring the Abuja Master Plan, even as he urged members of the committee to take the assignment seriously by giving it the attention it deserves.

•Senator Mohammed

35

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

ABUJA REVIEW

•From right: President Goodluck Jonathan, the visiting Ghanaian President, John Dramani Mahama, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador, Aminu Wali and Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson during the Ghanaian President’s one-day official visit to the Presidential Villa Abuja.

PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN.

•From left: Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Agency, Alhaji Mukhtar Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Aviation, Captain Shehu Iyal and the General Manager Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Nnanna Ugbanga at a conference on Aviation Sector in Abuja.

PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

•Special Adviser to the FCT Minister on Media and Publicity, Nosike Ogbuenyi (left), Minister of State for Power, Mohammed Wakil, Representative of Julius Berger Plc, Grace Ayoola, Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, Public Relation and Marketing Manager, Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Shola Adeyemo and Chairman, Photo Journalists’ Association of Nigeria (PJAN) Abuja chapter, Mr. Abayomi Fayese, jointly cutting the tape to declare open a two-day First Photo Exhibition held at Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja

•Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha (left), collecting his nomination form for the Imo State PDP Governorship primary from the party’s National Organising Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapher at the party’s headquarters, Abuja

•From left: Sunday Sylva Togo, Aminu Aliyu Bisalla and Istifanus Musa Fuktur during the administering of Oath of Office on them as Permanent Secretaries at the Presidential Villa Abuja.

PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

•Kogi State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Chief Ali Ajuh (left); Technical Adviser, Infrastructure Concession Regulation Commission, Mr. Ndubuisi Chiedu and Minister/Deputy Chairman, National Planning Commission (NPC), Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, during NPC’s meeting with Commissioners of Economic Planning on States Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan in Abuja PHOTOS: ABAYOMI FAYESE

‘We are committed to improving people’s welfare’

T

HE Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Micah Jiba has urged residents of the council to be patient and support his administration to enable him to deliver dividends of democracy to them.

Hon. Jiba, who made the appeal while speaking with newsmen, said his administration has not completed projects that would improve the lives of people, saying that there are more projects to be put in place which would enhance the living standards of the residents.

According to Jiba, government that means well for the people does not stop delivering dividends of democracy to its people until the last day of its administration, adding that his desire was to improve on the living standard of the people the best way possible.

“There are many people that we are yet to reach in the council, mostly at the rural areas. I believe that with the remaining period before the administration’s tenure elapses, we will be able to reach out to them. We will ensure that nobody is left out as government works hard to improve the

From Gbenga Omokhunu

standard of living of the people.

“My desire is to reduce poverty among the people at the rural areas to the minimum. They are part of this administration and they need us to improve their living standard.

“That is why we always go back to our people to find out what they need. If they tell us their immediate needs, we will ensure that we provide them for them. That is what we are still doing because; we have to satisfy our people. We cannot afford to disappoint them,” he said.

In a related development, Hon. Jiba has vowed to make local government areas in Nigeria autonomous, if given the mandate to become the next National President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).

Hon. Jiba, who spoke during a press briefing in Abuja, said he did not see the reason for local government, which is part of the three tiers of government, cannot be autonomous, since over 70 per cent of Nigerians are from the grassroots and the local government.

•Chairman, House Committee on Youth Development, Hon. Kamil Akinabi with the Vice-Chairman, House of Representatives Press Corps, Ms. Kauta Khalil during the press briefing on the N4,000 NYSC online call-up letters and other issues at the National Assembly Abuja

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

36

ABUJA REVIEW

From ‘certainty’ to ‘uncertainty’

D

URING Wednesday last week’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, seven ministers indicated their intention to quit the cabinet in order to vie for governorship positions in their states during the 2015 general elections.

Their intentions, as at Wednesday last week, were not expressed in writing as none of them was yet to submit a formal letter announcing his resignation from the cabinet.

They, however, had until yesterday to formally resign from the cabinet if they have not changed their minds.

The seven ministers are Minister of Information, Labaran Maku (Nasarawa), Minister of Health, Prof. Onyeabuchi Chukwu (Ebonyi), Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Samuel Ortum (Benue), Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro (Lagos), Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Dairus Ishiaku (Taraba) and Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu (Abia).

While some of the ministers will slug it out with the incumbents in their states who will seek second term in office, others will contend with other powerful and influential aspirants.

The Prof. Chukwu, who was busy fighting Ebola and managing Nigeria’s health system, could be said to have the brightest chance among the lot as the Ebonyi people and the incumbent outgoing governor, Martin Elechi had called on him to vie for the number one job in the state in 2015.

Chukwu, who was said to have shown no interest in the Ebonyi governorship election before the endorsement, could be likened to David, the shepherd boy in the Holy Bible, who was chosen from the house of Jesse and anointed as the next King of Israel while he was busy tending his sheep in the bush. He was never one of those considered to succeed King Saul.

The case of those resigning, who have enjoyed juicy portfolios as ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the past few years, could be likened to somebody leaving an atmosphere of certainty to a situation surrounded by uncertainties.

If they continue as ministers, their salaries, allowances and other benefits from their exalted offices

states were not among the seven names announced by President Jonathan during the FEC meeting.

This write-up is not to say that it is wrong to be adventurous or to confront uncontrollable risks head

From the Villa

Jonathan and the barrage of awards

By Augustine Ehikioya

will be guaranteed while this is not so if they resign to run for governorship elections in their states.

It is not even certain whether they will get the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) ticket to run for the elections in their states, let alone winning the governorship elections in 2015.

The former Minister of Police Af-

fairs, Caleb Olubolade, who resigned from the cabinet earlier for governorship election in Ekiti State, lost the ticket to Ayo Fayose.

This, among other factors, might have made some ministers shelve their governorship ambitions as many of them who had earlier nursed the idea of resigning their ministerial jobs to contest in their

O

N Wednesday last week, President Goodluck Jonathan received three awards in quick succession before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council meeting.

OR being the first Nigerian President to declare to run for election and campaign on his Facebook Account, President Goodluck Jonathan was declared the first digital President of Nigeria and bestowed with the award of Grand Commander of

Maku’s last special FEC briefing

T

on, since taking risks is said to be the spice of life.

On this note, I wish all those ministers who have resigned and are ready to face the uncertainties ahead, the best of luck.

HE Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, who normally led ministers to brief journalists at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meetings on the decisions taken by the government, had his last forum with journalists on Wednesday last week.

Maku is among the seven ministers who had indicated interest in contesting for the governorship election in his state and therefore will not attend FEC meetings from tomorrow.

The briefing, last week, was held in a special way different from previous ones.

The briefing, which started few minutes after 2:00 p.m. at the normal venue with the ministers and journalists seated in the hall, was abruptly stopped midway.

The Chief of Staff (COS), Brig.-General Jones

Arogbofa (rtd) had informed Maku and his team before the briefing begun that the President was scheduled to hold a meeting with his Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants and other key aides at the venue by 2:00 p.m.

Noticing that the briefing was taking too long, the COS who stood behind the television cameramen gestured to Maku more than three times to round off the briefing.

But Maku, who was busy highlighting the major outcomes of the FEC meeting, appeared not to have seen the COS’s gestures.

To prevent a situation where Mr. President is ushered into the hall when it was not ready for him, the COS had to jump in front of the cameras and stopped the briefing, saying, “Hon. Ministers, we have to stop this now. Mr. President will soon be here.”

Maku, his team and the journalists had no option than to stay at the corridor outside the hall to continue the briefing.

ICT Promoters in Nigeria.

The award, which was received on his behalf on October 7 by the Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, was also given due to Jonathan’s recognition of the import of ICT to the Nigerian economy and the creation of the Ministry of Communication Technology.

The award, which came from ITT Media Centre for Awards, also praised Jonathan for establishing the first national broadband on ICT roadmap and putting in place good policies that have enhanced the development of the country’s ICT sector.

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Steve Oru, also presented the award he received on behalf of President Jonathan from Niger Delta youths who were trained on ICT, handsets, smart phones assembly, repairs and maintenance in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

The award was followed by the Lifetime African Leadership Achievement Prize Award received on behalf of Mr. President

by Vice-President, Namadi Sambo in Uyo Akwa-Ibom State.

Light Rail project gets 2015 completion date

T

HE ongoing Lots 1A and 3 of the Abuja Light Rail project, traversing the Central Business District-Idu Industrial ZoneNnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and Kubwa, will be completed in October, next year.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Senator Bala Mohammed said this while signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CCECC on the Addendum II of the Abuja Light Rail project.

Senator Mohammed said the Addendum II consists of final design and construction of Lot 1B of the Abuja Light Rail project, which is expected to cover Garki I District, Wuse I and II Districts, Utako and some districts in Phases II and III of the Federal Capital City.

The minister further said the on-

From Gbenga Omokhunu

going Lots IA and three will cover a distance of 45.245 kilometers, while Lot 1B is about 31 kilometers, crisscrossing the city of Abuja.

According to him, the Lot 1B is expected to cost 792 million US Dollars, even though the process has not been completed as it has not been vetted by the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP) and the Federal Executive Council.

He stated that the ongoing Lots 1A and three has reached 60 per cent completion, which informed the October 2015 completion date as being feasible.

The minister reiterated that the achievements are recorded as a result of the foresight and pragmatism of the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan, which seems to have truly acceler-

ated the physical development of the Federal Capital Territory.

Speaking earlier, the FCT Transportation Secretary, Mr. Jonathan Ivoke Achara praised the FCT minister for being able to push all the projects despite scarcity of funds.

He said the project was very significant to the overall development of the Federal Capital Territory because every modern city needs an effective transportation network.

Responding, the Vice-President of CCECC, Mr. Cao Bao Gang, said he has been in Nigeria for over 10 years and in Abuja for over eight years; noting that the pace of development of Abuja under Senator Bala Mohammed is unprecedented.

Gang assured that his company will not fail in delivering the Lots 1A and three of the ongoing Abuja Light Rail by October 2015, adding

•Abuja light rail project

that the remaining phases would be treated with all the seriousness they deserve.

He emphasised that his company cherished the existing partnership

and collaboration with the FCT Administration, saying it is committed and determined to take the city to greater heights.

37

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

LAW PERSONALITY Mr. Sabastine Ubua Anyia is the chairman, Nigerian Bar Association ( NBA) Aguata Branch. He is a graduate of the University of Maiduguri and holds a Masters of Law from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. In this interview with the Legal Editor, JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU, he speaks on his plans for his branch and insecurity.

‘Security is everybody’s business’

G

IVE us an insight into your activities at the Bar. How would you appraise the current leadership of the Bar? I have been an active Bar man from the day I was called to the Bar. I have attended all National Conferences of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) from day one till date. I have been a NEC member. I am also a strong member of the Eastern Bar Forum (EBF). I am a committed member of the NBA, Aguata Branch. I have worked assiduously for the growth and achievement of the Bar goals and objectives all this time. I am by nature a goal-getter and in recognition of my contributions to the branch, the branch honoured me with an award of “The foot Soldier of Aguata Bar”.

So, how do you feel about the award?

I am humbled by this award. I have watched closely leaders of the NBA from the days of Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) till date. They have all contributed their quotas to the growth of this great Association.

Do not forget that being a leader of the NBA is like a wise man leading millions of wise men. It is always not easy because every person you are leading knows what you know, if not even more than you. So my brother, it is not always easy to please wise people.

The NBA President has taken a few actions since his inauguration, what are your expectations from the current leadership of the Bar? Having said the above, the current leadership of the NBA, by Augustine Alegeh (SAN) from the very first foot he placed forward, I have no doubt that he is going to be the Messiah of the NBA. If you listened to his inaugural speech on August 29, you will agree with me that it was a bombshell. He left no one in doubt that he is an agent of change; the one members of the Bar had yearned for years now.

In which areas are you expecting the changes?

His administration will encourage members, who have before now, refused to pay their practicing fees because of the style and manner the previous leadership of NBA have piloted the affairs of the Association to start paying because of the benefits attached to the payment of the fees. For instance, if you pay your practicing fees (which he promised to reduce) as at when due, you are entitled to NBA Welfare Scheme without any further payment or additional fees. You will be issued with free Identification Card. The card, he disclosed, would also function as a payment card for ATM, PoS and other online transactions. The card also entitles the bearer to a menu of discounts and other packages negotiated by the association. He has also opened the gate for observers to attend NEC meetings unlike his predecessor. What is more, Augustine Alegeh has reduced drastically conference fees.

So, back to your question, the present leadership led by Alegeh will lead the NBA to the Promised Land.

How do you feel about your election as the Chairman of NBA, Aguata Branch?

I thank God for making it possible for me to emerge winner of the election. Indeed, I am exceedingly grateful to God and good people of NBA, Aguata Branch.

The people have spoken through their votes and I assure them that I will not disappoint them. I believe in the concept of servant-leadership and this has been my guiding principle. Do not forget that though I practice my profession in Anambra State, I am from Cross

River State, while my opponent, Sir Izu Nwankwo is an indigene of the state, the son of the soil and also a very senior member of the Bar. Therefore, for members to choose me shows the confidence and trust they have in me. I give them my solemn undertaken that I will not disappoint them. I told the members of this great Bar in my acceptance speech that: “Words of mouth are grossly inadequate to say thank you. God Almighty will reward you all and your families. Nobody won and nobody lost. We all won, NBA, Aguata Branch is the winner.

Unity is strength ... When there is team work and collaboration wonderful things can be achieved. We shall work like one united happy family. Once again, thank you all for your support. I shall not disappoint you”. This is my bound with the good people of Aguata Bar. Let me also use this opportunity to thank the leadership and members of other branches of NBA in Anambra State for their support and encouragement. To them I say Imela ooo! Chukwu gozie unu ooo!

What examples did this set for other branches?

During my campaign, I discovered that in Anambra State, the people are not interested in where you come from, but in your track record and your ability to deliver.

The support I have received from members of the NBA, Aguata Branch and the encouragement from lawyers of the other six (6) branches of NBA in Anambra State has been amazingly wonderful.

The issue of none indigene was never a factor in my campaign. My acceptability cut across senior and junior members of the Bar. What is your track record of activities at the branch?

I have been a member of the NBA, Aguata Branch since 2004. I came to Anambra State as a Youth Corper and I remain thereafter. Since then, I have served the branch assiduously that Chairmen of other NBA braches in Nigeria call me Aguata.

I have been the Public Relation Officer (PRO) of the branch, I have been voted as the Financial Secretary of the branch. I have also contested and won the Secretary of the branch. I have been the Secretary of Committee of Chairmen and Secretaries of NBA, Anambra Chapter. I have served as the Secretary of NBA, Aguata Law Week Planning Committee in 2012, Chairman Law Week Contact Committee 2014, Chairman Bar Dinner 2010 to 2012, Member Aguata Bar Center Project. Chairman Aguata Branch Conference Committee for lodging and/or accommodation from 2010 to 2014, Chairman Young Lawyers Forum. In all these offices I have performed to the satisfaction of my branch members. This explains why they are full of praises for me.

Apart from my branch, my relationship with other branches of the NBA in Anambra State has been simply fantastic.

Why do you think you are the man for the job?

I think that I am the man for the job because of my upbringing and training from my family, the church, school and the training in this bar. During my secondary school days I was the youngest student in the class and the smallest, yet, when the senior class handed over power to us; the school authority made me the senior prefect in spite of my age and size. My success story as the youngest senior prefect of the school is there for everyone to see. In my university days, I was the Secretary of National Federation of Catholic Students, Secretary of Rotary Club,

Secretary of University of Maiduguri Sport, Secretary of Cross River Students and President of Wula Students Worldwide.

In NBA, Aguata Branch, I received training and tutelage from Chief C.O. Ezeanowai-Obiezi (now late), worked so closely with him that I knew the problems of the branch and the best way to solve them.

During the tenure of Sir Emeka Umejiaku, I was the Financial Secretary of the branch and his strong anchor man. Also, during the tenure of Hon. M.C.Z Aniazoka, I was the Public Relation Officer (PRO) of the branch, I worked so closely with him that the branch members called him my mentor. Again, during the period of D.U. Umeobika, a man known by every person as a perfect gentleman, I was the Secretary of NBA, Aguata Branch. I learned from him the real teaching of life and how to manage people. I am the only member of the branch, who knows all branch members by name and their houses and offices.

I also have members’ phone lines. I know the problems of members and the problems of the branch in general. I have received training, tutelage and blessings from past chairmen that have equipped me for the job. I have the magic touch to solve the problems and take the branch to the next level.

What are your plans for the branch, how do you hope to actualise them?

My administration shall introduce loan scheme for members, who are in financial difficulties, especially for young lawyers. My plan is to change the mind set of lawyers in Aguata Branch to be achievers, to encourage them to take up the ranks of Senior Advocates, to look beyond the locality where they live and practice. To attract businessmen and incorporate bodies to identify with the branch, to complete the branch Bar centre and to reduce or remove unnecessary levies placed on members.

I shall make members see NBA meetings as a place to confide in; a place to solve your legal problems and a place for protection of members. I shall resolve all branch problems, especially the land problem. My administration shall focus on human development and each member shall be his brother’s keeper.

What are your expectations from the current leadership of NBA? Good governance and/or leadership. I have no doubt that Augustine Alegeh will lead the bar to the Promised Land. He has started the fight to free NBA from the iron grip of the powerful few, who have hijacked it. I pray God to stand by him.

What roles do you expect of the Bar in a pre-election year and how do you think the Bar can make significant contributions to the forthcoming general elections?

I expect the bar to focus primarily on the welfare of her members, the legal profession – the state of our judiciary, the conditions under which our judges are working, their productivity, the conditions under which lawyers are working, the conditions under which they are being trained.

I also expect the bar to focus on the Bar and Bench relationship, where one will not see himself or herself as the king and the others as slaves. The Bar should take a clear and firm position on the politics of the nation without necessarily taken side with any of the political parties. I also expect the Bar to preach peace and tolerance in the forthcoming general elec-

•Anyia

tions. This is because peace is also a form of justice How would you appraise the speed of justice delivery in the country, how can we improve on this?

Our Judges have been doing their best in justice delivery taken into consideration their conditions of work. However, they have to improve as their best is not good enough. With the signing into law the judicial autonomy by some states of the Federations and to my mind before the end of this year all the states will sign it. Once that is done, our court shall have better electronic gazettes to help them in speedy dispensation of justice. The bar can also play a role by imposing sanctions on her members who are frustrating the court from speedy trail of cases.

It is widely believed that the standard of legal education on the decline, how do you think this can be improved?

There is no gain emphasising it.

But who do we blame for the decline? Is it the students or the lecturers? Until the NBA and NEC members take a serious position on this, the saying will only be a recurring decimal. Compare the number of universities offering medicine and the one offering law, you will know the cause. Today 80 per cent of the students in the Open Universities are studying law; at the end what do you expect? Until we stamp out these programmes and reduce schools offering law to a manageable level, we will not see any change.

For the lawyers, I encourage a more committed and serious continuous legal education.

Insecurity of lives is one of the greatest challenges facing the country, how do you think this can be resolved within the internationally accepted best practices?

The issue of insecurity as a matter of fact is worrisome. Whenever the issue of insecurity is discussed I always advise people to look back and by their sides and

be sure if the next person is not one of them or their agent. For me, insecurity is not caused by the terrorists in the forest, who occasionally come to the town and villages to attack and kidnap innocent citizens. Rather, their agents, who live with us, give them information on how and when to attack. These informants and/or agents are in the Army, schools, Police, markets, government institutions and above all, there are the politicians who sponsor them.

The truth is that these sponsors and/or agents of these cowards called Boko Haram are known by people, who out of fear or other primordial interest, will not want to report them to the government.

The insecurity will come to an end when we all sincerely decide to become informants to government. There is so much betrayal in the military that the junior officers do not trust their commanders and their GOCs. They complained of not having modern equipment to confront the insurgents, yet, the Federal Government spends millions on the military as shown in the nation’s budget every year. Why has the insurgent not be able to penetrate Cameroon? It is simply because they are committed and sincere to themselves. They look at it as war against the enemy of their state.

We must forget about tribe and religion and see the terrorists as the enemy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

That is the only way we can win this war. I read in Vanguard of September 26, that Shekau has become a brand name for the terrorist leader. What that means is that Shekau has been killed since.

The recent person acting Shekau is Mohammed Bashir, who was recently killed. I expect the military to scrutinise and interview the 135 terrorists that have surrendered to get information on how to end this insurgency once and for all in conformity with the dictates of standard best practices.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

38

LAW & SOCIETY

Bayelsa tackles sexual assault against women

•Wodu

D

EFILEMENT of girls and sexual assault against women in Bayelsa State will soon be a thing of the past. The state has constituted committee to tackle the problems.

The Attorney-General and Com-

By John Austin Unachukwu

missioner for Justice, Mr Kemasuode Wodu said said sexual abuse and assault leave leaves lasting emotional scar on the victims.

He said some victims even com-

mit suicide, as was the case in Yenagoa recently. “The government takes this issue very seriously,” he said.

“The state government has consequently constituted a committee to deal with this issue. The committee which works under the office of the Attorney–General and Commissioner for Justice, is also involved in the prosecution of such cases through the office of the Government Special Prosecutor, A. S. Arthur.”

Speaking on the new legal year, he said: “The judges, magistrates and judiciary workers have done exceedingly well. Succeeding Chief Judges have built on the very solid foundation laid by Justice David Koripamo Ngbuku of blessed memory, who was the pioneer Chief Judge of the state. He was an apostle of an incorruptible judiciary.

“Discipline was his watchword, he always sat at 9am. He was known for swiftly moving against any worker in the judiciary, be it a judge or magistrate or any other staff, that was found wanting, especially with respect to issues of corruption and indiscipline.

“The state Chief Judge, Justice Kate Abiri, has kept the flag flying. Not only is there discipline in the Judiciary, justice delivery in the state is commendable both in terms of quality and speed.”

The state government, he said, is aware of the need to increase the number of judges in the state High Court to enhance justice delivery.

Wodu praised the governor and the President of National Industrial Court (NIC) on their efforts in establishing a branch of the court in the state.

Wodu said: “Upon my assumption of office, the governor graciously supported our quest for the establishment of a Division of the National Industrial Court in Yenagoa.

This became necessary as all labour and industrial relations matters now go to the National Industrial Court and the nearest functional Division of the Court to us is in Calabar, Cross River State. This means that for labour or industrial relations matters, we must go to Calabar to seek justice.

“It is gratifying to report that following efforts of the governor, the President of the National Industrial Court has approved the establishment of a Division of the Court in Yenagoa. The state government has, in conjunction with the state Judiciary, provided the necessary facilities for the take off of the court such as furnished Court Hall and accommodation for the judge and other staff.”

Wodu also called for the establishment of a Division of the Court of the Court of Appeal in the state.

He said: “The state is blessed with a beautiful riverine and coastal environment. We, therefore, have very many communities located far away in the creeks. Though the government has commenced concerted efforts towards constructing motorable roads to most of those communities, due to the nature of

the terrain and the enormity of the funds required, this may take quite some time to achieve.

“Thus, to be able to access Yenagoa from some of those communities, one would travel for about two to three hours by boat to Delta State before proceeding to Yenagoa by road for about four hours.

“For these people to proceed again to Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt for the determination of their Appeals is too burdensome to bear. Oftentimes, because of such constraints, people abandon their appeals. The end result is that such persons would have been denied access to justice for no fault of theirs.

“This situation is unfair and not in tandem with the provisions of Section 6(6) of the Constitution, which guarantee access to the court for the determination of one’s civil rights and obligations.

“There is the need to establish a Division of the Court of Appeal in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State in order to address this pitiable plight of the people of the state.”

The Governor, he said, is willing to partner with the Court of Appeal in the provision of facilities for the take off of the court.

“We must also commend the Chief Judge for playing a lead role in this issue and for also being ready to support the establishment of a Division of the Court of Appeal in the state also in the area of the provision of initial take off facilities,” he said.

The Crime Victims Foundation Nigeria (CRIVIFON) has btrained 218 officers within the rank of Constable and Chief Supretendent on human rights, reports ADEBISI ONANUGA.

‘Why rights abuse by police has reduced in Lagos’

T

HE Police, in the eyes of many, are human rights violators rather than protectors. But in a bid to change that perception, officers are undergoing courses on human rights, courtesy of a non-governmental organisation (NGO), the Crime Victims Foundation Nigeria (CRIVIFON).

Last week, 218 officers from the rank of Constables to Chief Supretendent of Police graduated from the court.

They bring to 14,000 the number of officers so far trained within the last eight years.

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2 Command, Onikan was represented at the ceremony by CSP Banji Lawal.

The Executive Director, CRIVIFON, Gloria Egbuji said the police officers were trained on Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution, Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials, Interpersonal Skills and Humanitarian Laws, Police Powers, among others.

Egbuji said those trained were drawn from the various commands including Railways, Airport and Zone 2.

“Our vision for the programme had been to develop and implement positive result oriented capacity building and human rights culture in Nigerian Police and to use that programme to eradicate the human rights abuses and corrupt practices among police officers and the public.”

She added that through the programme, “the abuse of rights has dropped to minimal level in Lagos State. Lagos Police formations now

have much higher standard in human rights observance than other states due to the benefits of the training and awareness created by the programme.”.

According to Egbuji, virtually all the divisions in the state is now manned by trained human rights desk officers whoensure a better climate for crime control and peoplefriendly policing.

She advised the public to take advantage of the programme and report all cases of human rights abuses.

Egbuji disclosed that the police authority is working on making the human rights course compulsory at Police Colleges and other training institutions.

The Senior Public Information Officer, United Nations Information Center (UNIC), Envera Selimovic urged the police to always respect the rights of the people in the course of discharging their duties.

She said the police has a duty to protect the rights of the Nigerians and not to abuse it, adding that the United Nations (UN) has set aside a day to mark human rights day across the globe and would expect the police to be part of it.

The Commissioner of Police, Kayode Aderanti said that the command has established functional human rights desks in all formations manned by trained officers.

He said this has led to reduced cases of alleged human rights abuses and helped to improve police’ image.

The command, he said, is determined to eradicate all forms of rights abuses, adding that despite challenges, the force has continued to fashion out proactive measures to deliver on its

•From left: Lawal, Aderanti and Mrs. Egbuji

• From left: CRIVIFON Programme Officer, Mrs. Unobe Ene; Selimovic and Executive Director, ICI-GWODEF, Mrs. Helen Ibeji

constitutional mandate of safeguarding lives and property.

Aderanti added that the training received by the officers over the years has resulted in the command’s improved human rights record.

The national coordinator, Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN), Okechukwu Nwanguama, in a keynote address observed that the duties of the Police are a direct consequence of the powers conferred on it by laws which regulate its performance of duties relating to arrest, detention

and the use of force among others.

Nwanguama, represented by Prince Apata Akinsemoy, said any exercise of power by the police which does not strictly conform to the prescriptions of the laws can have unpleasant consequences.

Such laws, he said, include the Constitution, the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, among others.

The governor of the 20th batch of trainees, CSP Oluwole Paul, on be-

half of his colleagues, pledged that they would propagate the ethics of human rights in all they do at their various duty posts.

“Anything contrary to this will be tantamount to stirring up a hornet’s nest especially now that the public is getting more and more enlightened about their fundamental rights”.

According to Oluwole, the consequences of several human rights abuses unconsciously committed against the public has made the police look like an anti-people organization.

39

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

LEGAL OPINION LAW AND PUBLIC POWER

with gabriel AMALU email:gabrielamalu1@yahoo.com For comments: 08033054939 (sms only)

•From left: Vice-Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Business Law (SBL) Mr. Olu Akpata; Chairman National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Prof. Chidi Odinkalu and Mr. Mena Ajakpovi at a dinner organised by NBA President Augustin Alegeh (SAN) in Abuja.

Impunity a threat, says Oyebode

A

PROFESSOR of Interna tional law, Akin Oyebode, has warned that massive corruption and impunity constitute grave threats to freedom.

Oyebode, who in a keynote address he delivered at the Annual National Management Conference of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) in Effurun, Warri, said these maladies also threaten national survival unless countered by adequate measures.

Speaking on “Building institutional capacities as a pathway to good governance: The importance of a legal and regulatory framework,” the law professor, who was conferred with the fellowship of the Nigerian Institute of Management at the occasion, warned that the destiny of the nation “must never be abandoned to the whims and caprices of enemies of the open society and fi-

By Adebisi Onanuga

delity to law and due process.”

“We all should recognise the necessity to subject all activities and actions under the superintendence of law, or else, we open the floodgates to chaos and disintegration,” he said.

“In a situation of threatened state failure, massive corruption, impunity and rising incidence of self-help, enlightened self-interest warrant recognition by all concerned of veritable threats to individual freedom and national survival, which need to be met by the adoption of requisite, well-considered measures to salvage the situation,” Oyebode said.

According to the University of Lagos (UNILAG) professor of law, who interrogated the critical role of law in institutional capacity-build-

Prof. Oyebode

ing towards good governance, the time has come to re-dedicate “ourselves to the tested approach of subjecting human conduct to the governance of rules” as originally advocated by Lon Fuller, his onetime teacher.

NDIC appeals bank’s sale of ‘Fortune Towers’

T

HE Nigeria Deposit Insur ance Corporation (NDIC) has urged the Court of Appeal in Lagos to nullify the sale of “Fortune Towers” by Union Bank Plc. It said the building on 27/29 Adeyemo Alakija Street in Victoria Island forms part of the assets of defunct Fortune International Bank Plc. NDIC, which is Fortune Bank’s liquidator, appealed against a ruling by the Federal High Court in Lagos which dismissed its suit which sought to invalidate the sale.

It had urged the lower court to nullify the sale because it was done while winding up proceeding was pending.

The appellant said Union Bank sold the building to Cowrie Business Solutions Ltd on July 27, 2007.

However, Justice Okechukwu Okeke (now retired) dismissed NDIC’s suit, holding that it was an abuse of court process.

The judge said the suit “is a clever attempt to circumvent the import of the decisions of courts of co-ordinate jurisdiction.”

According to the judge, the plaintiff’s suit sought the same reliefs as contained in two other re-

Stories by Joseph Jibueze

lated cases.

Dissatisfied, NDIC, represented

by Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN) appealed on three grounds.

Ngige said the reliefs sought in the suit before Justice Okeke were not the same as those in two other cases.

Besides, the appellant’s counsel said it is not the law that once a party files another suit before another court on the same subject matter, it amounts to an abuse of court process.

“An act can give rise to different suits. A subject matter may activate different rights of action.

“Different suits can originate from the same subject matter, but with different right, reliefs and parties,” NDIC said.

Ngige argued that there is abuse of court process when there is a multiplicity of suits between the same opponents on the same subject-matter and on the same issues.

In the suit numbered, FHC/L/ CS/1321/2005, the parties were Fortune International Bank vs Union Bank; the second suit, with

no. ID/1098/2007, had Fortune International Bank vs UBN Property Company Limited, Union Bank and Cowrie Business; while in the suit before Justice Okeke, the parties were NDIC vs Union Bank and Cowrie Business.

Besides, the appellant said the judge erred in law in failing to consider documentary evidence before him.

NDIC is urging the appeal court to set aside Justice Okeke’s order dismissing its suit; an order restoring the appellant’s suit to the cause list, and an order directing that the suit be heard on merit by another judge.

However, Union Bank is urging the appeal court to dismiss NDIC’s appeal.

It said NDIC’s appeal is in bad faith “as the intended outcome is to undermine existing orders of competent courts.”

Cowrie Business is also urging the appeal court to dismiss the appeal because NDIC failed to disclose valid ground for setting Justice Okeke’s ruling aside.

Justice Amina Augie reserved ruling, saying parties would be informed when a date is fixed.

Ekiti: Our judiciary is endangered, says group

A

HUMAN rights group, the Access to Justice (AJ) has said the recent closure of courts in Ekiti State amounted to one arm of government (executive) shutting down another (judiciary) and showed that the judiciary is under threat.

It said the situation may have been seen as “fair politics to a lawless government”, but it was “crude politics” capable of wrecking incalculable damage to democracy.

“By doing this in Ekiti, the Goodluck Jonathan administration has gradually ingratiated a virulent and pestilent form of executive lawlessness into our political and governance culture, the effect of which

will endure for a long time to come,” the group’s statement signed by Chinelo Chinweze, said.

It continued: “The forced closure of courts by security forces under the control of the President is a blatant, troubling trampling on the judicial branch of government. Closing courts under any circumstances has huge and severe consequences for governance, and the rights and obligations of a lot of other people.

“What has happened is that a branch of government effectively shut down the operations of another branch of government. One arm of government is now deciding when, and under what conditions another branch of govern-

ment can operate.

“This is an existential threat to the judicial function and is clearly a tyrannical use (or abuse) of state power. In capriciously blocking physical access to courts with force, the Jonathan government has corruptly conscripted state power for illicit ends and has done incalculable damage to the rule of law.

“Blocking access to courts of law will gradually become an attractive option to governments who fear adverse decisions from courts, and the replication of this practice will practically render courts redundant and powerless to effectively adjudicate disputes or exercise judicial functions.”

Oligarchy versus democracy

W

ITH the 2015 elections in sight, the underbelly of our democ racy has been exposed to the long knives of the Oligarchy in power. The inimitable Fela Anikulapo-Kuti characteristically referred to the political elite as Vagabonds in Power (VIP), but because I lack Fela’s courage, I will rather refer to them as Oligarchs pretending to be Democrats. Again, that instructive political philosopher, the indefatigable Abami eda after seeing through all the mago-mago, the shenanigans called democratic process in the run up to the 1979 presidential election, which Alhaji Shehu Shagari predictably worn, cynically referred to it, as an Army arrangement. In the same manner, in the run up to 2015, a bizarre type of arrangement is taking place The name of the game is settlement. What you are settled with depends on how high up you are. What you settle with depends on how depraved and desperate you are. Those who refuse to settle will be betrayed. The custodians of the power ladders are the godfathers; and the power centers are varied and scattered. The loci of power exist in the military, politics, judiciary, religions, traditions, intelligences, insurgency, tugs among others. Of course there are fake power centers and fake ladders, owned by impotent godfathers. Welcome to the magic world of Nigerian politics. If you are naïve like most of us, you will be waiting for the natural birth pangs, not knowing that what will take place is an induced labour process.

The biggest prize is the presidency, and President Goodluck Jonathan, being an incumbent, is naturally the most desperate. The presidency also has the largest constituency and also the greatest amalgam of godfathers, waiting to be settled. To his goodluck, he has so many resources at his disposal to settle the godfathers. He has the banking licenses, oil blocks, contracts, appointments, promotions, awards, recognitions, huge financial cache for bribes and corrupt inducements, potent threats and force, arranged insurgency and so much more, to choose from to settle the godfathers. His major contenders have mostly their personal resources, and long forgotten favours to match the president’s arsenal. The only saving grace will be if the godfathers reject the enticements, considering that out of desperation, no price will be too much to offer. But can they?

To show how influential the road to the presidency can be, the armed bandits ravaging the north-eastern part of Nigeria, the Boko Haram, has reportedly indicated their interest to make peace, just in time for President Goodluck Jonathan to declare his interest to run again in 2015. The theorists who have been claiming that the insurgency was arranged, either by the government or the political opponents of the government, now have every reason to push their theory.

But how can we ever know those who were settled and what they were settled with, to agree to the timely seize fire, in other to give the presidential declaration, some modicum of honour. After all, many had hoped that without an agreement on what to do with the abducted Chibok girls, President Jonathan will not have the moral high ground to declare for a re-election. Now that the release of the Chibok girls has been arranged, with a seize fire as jara, the President can earnestly kick off his campaign.

Such is the potency of the settlement business that many of the presidential hopefuls have ‘willingly’ given up their presidential ambitions. In appears that all the gragra was merely to raise their settlement price. Looking across the country, one can clearly second guess those that already ‘sold in cash’, as their business empires are booming. One group that has been accused of having sold by wholesale is the Igbo political elite. One of the major accusers is Joe Igbokwe, the All Progressive Congress (APC) spokesman in Lagos state. His frustrations are well documented, especially his queries over the settlement price paid by President Jonathan for the unprecedented wholesale support, and a near total abdication from contesting the presidency, by the entire Igbo power mongers.

Mr. Igbokwe however has not written about his personal efforts, or that of his party, the APC, to make a strong pitch for followership in the South-East. His party appears contended with seeking for support from outside that geo-political zone, as even Governor Rochas Okorocha dose not rank high in the pecking order for the party’s Vice Presidency, since the party have officially seeded the presidency to the North. Strangely the South-West intelligentsias despite the acclaimed political sophistication of the zone are arguing that the APC can only make a strong showing in the zone, if the Party fields a Vice President from the South-west. That argument may further reinforce the argument against the sympathizers of APC in the other zones in the South, except the South-West; people like Joe Igbokwe.

In my view, if the APC wants to lay claim to being a truly national party and counter the menace posed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which it should for our common gain, then it has to appreciate that Nigeria is made up of six geo-political zones. The implication is that with the South-West having produced President Olusegun Obasanjo who served for eight years, it will be a hard sale for it to again be angling for the Presidency, eight years after. What the APC should do is to seek for a quality Vice Presidential candidate from the South-East or South-South, to further reinforce the argument that the party is a national party. One major reason why the PDP has survived strongly over the last sixteen years may be because the party has no strong regional coloration. The other major reason of course, is their well oiled settlement culture; the oligarchy arrangement.

40

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

LAW REPORT

Authority to terminate employent can be delegated IN THE COURT OF APPEAL IN THE BENIN JUDICIAL DIVISION HOLDEN AT BENIN CITY ON WEDNESDAY, THE 9TH DAY OF JULY, 2014 BEFORE THEIR LORDSHIPS HELEN MORONKEJI OGUNWUMIJU, J.C.A. PHILOMENA MBUA EKPE, J.C.A. UGOCHUKWU ANTHONY OGAKWU, J.C.A. CA/B/103/2006 (2014) LPELR-23320(CA) BETWEEN PAUL UHUNMWANGHO SIMEON ..……………………………………..….… Appellant And COLLEGE OF EDUCATION EKIADOLOR BENIN ….……….……....

Repondent

LEAD JUDGMENT DELIVERED BY UGOCHUKWU ANTHONY OGAKWU, J.C.A.

T

HE Appellant as Plaintiff sued the Re spondent as Defendant at the High Court of Edo State at the Iguobazuwa Judicial Division challenging the termination of his appointment. The brief facts of the matter, which precipitated the action, shows that the Appellant was offered a temporary appointment by the Respondent by a letter dated 10th September, 1996. Subsequently by another letter dated 20th November, 1996, the Respondent appointed the Appellant as a Part-Time Lecturer. This appointment as a Part-Time Lecturer was later converted to Temporary Appointment by the Respondent’s letter dated 19th January, 1998.

The Appellant’s case is that the Temporary Appointment which was expressed to be on a month-to-month basis was never renewed and therefore the Respondent treated him, no more as a temporary staff, but as a permanent staff and that he indeed acted as the Assistant Head of Department of his Department, a position that was not open to a staff on temporary appointment. It is the Appellant’s case that the parties agreed or were deemed to have agreed that he was a full staff of the Respondent and the Respondent was obliged to formalize his appointment after his successful interview for that purpose but that the letter in that regard was never released.

The Appellant, therefore, made the case that his appointment was wrongfully terminated.

In the Writ of Summons, the Appellant claimed reliefs for a declaration that the purported termination of his employment with the Defendant was unlawful, wrongful, unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect whatever in that the termination was done by the Provost who has no power under the law to do so; an order setting aside the purported termination of his employment; a declaration that the he is still in the service of the Defendant and is therefore entitled to be re-instated to the position he held in the service; an order re-instating the Plaintiff to the position occupied by him in the Defendant’s employment; an order of payment of arrears of salary and other emoluments from 21/10/99 till re-instatement, including payment of money in lieu of annual leave due from 1999 till re-instatement.

The Plaintiff claimed alternatively from the Defendant the sum of Three Million, Sixty Eight Thousand, Three Hundred and Twelve Naira (N3,068,312.00) being special and general damages for breach of contract. The adduction of evidence having been concluded, the trial Court delivered the judgment, subject of this appeal. The Appellant, being dissatisfied with the judgment appealed against the same.

The Appellant argued that the letter terminating his appointment was issued by the Provost through the Registrar and that none

of them had such powers under Section 18(2) of the College of Education Ekiadolor Edict.

Relying on the maxim delegatus non potest delegare it was submitted that signing the letter without any mention of the Governing Council was unlawful and that the Chairman of the Governing Council should have personally signed the letter. Replicando, the Respondent submitted that the Respondent’s witnesses attested that the decision to terminate the Appellant’s appointment was that of the Respondent’s Governing Council and that by Section 8(1)(d) of the College of Education Ekiadolor Edict, it was the responsibility of the Provost, who can use any officer he duly assigns, to implement the decisions of the Council; and that being agents of a disclosed principal, their action will bind the principal.

The Court stated that it cannot be disputed that the letter terminating the Appellant’s appointment was signed by the Registrar for the Provost. In the pleadings filed, the parties joined issues on whether it was the Provost or the Governing Council that terminated the Appellant’s appointment. The Court held that Section 18(2) of the College of Education Ekiadolor Edict gives the Governing Council the power to terminate the appointment of any member of staff if in the opinion of the Council his services are no longer required and by the letter of termination, the Appellant’s appointment was terminated because his services were no longer required. The Appellant however argued that neither the Provost nor the Registrar who signed the letter has the power to terminate his appointment. The Court held further that exhibits 12, 13, 14 and 15 which are proceedings of the Governing Council and Committees set up by the Council conclusively show that the decision to terminate the Appellant’s appointment was taken by the Governing Council of the Respondent. Nevertheless, the Court asked the question whether the fact that the termination letter was signed by the Registrar, for the Provost, make the letter communicating the termination ineffectual. On this the Court held that it is instructive that the termination letter opened with the words, “I am directed” thus showing that the writer of the letter was merely implementing the directives that he was given. In this instance, the writer being the Provost, as the Registrar merely signed the letter on behalf of the Provost.

The Appellant contended, relying on the maxim delegatus non potest delegare, that to be effective the letter of termination should be signed by the Chairman of the Governing Council. The Court stated that it had already established and accepted in the judgment that the decision to terminate the Appellant’s appointment was a decision of

Mrs. Mfon Usoro presenting 2014 Lawyers table tennis trophy to the male Champion, Taufik Maya.

PHOTOS: ADEJO DAVID.

the Governing Council. The Court cited Section 8(2) of the College of Education Ekiadolor Edict, that the Provost shall execute the decisions of the Council. So under the law there was an obligation on the Provost to execute the decision of the Council to terminate the appointment of the Appellant.

The Court further stated that the Office of the Registrar of the Respondent College is established by Section 11 of the College of Education Ekiadolor Edict and by Section 11(2) and (3) of the Edict, the Registrar is the Secretary of the Council and shall perform such other functions as may be assigned to him by the Provost. The Court held that it would be within the provisions of the law if in executing the decision of the Council under Section 8(2), the Provost assigns to the Registrar, who is the Secretary of the Council, the responsibility under Section 11(3) of the law to write the letter conveying the decision of the Council to terminate the appointment of the Appellant.

The Court stated that it has been held that a government functionary may normally act through departmental officials without infringing the maxim. Thus, where functions entrusted or delegated to a functionary are performed by an official employed in the department headed by that government.

There is in law no functionary delegation or sub-delegation because constitutionally, the act or decision of the official is that of the functionary. The Court stated that this is known as the Carltona Principle enunciated in the case of CARLTONA LIMITED vs.

WORKS COMMISSIONERS (1943) 2 ALL ER 560. See also Halsbury’s Laws of England (4th Edition) Vol. 8(2) page 242, paragraph 365 and Bowstead & Reynolds on Agency (17th Edition) page 139, paragraph 5-006.

Nearer home, the Court cited the Supreme Court (per Nnaemeka-Agu, JSC of blessed memory) in the case of NWOSU v. IMO STATE ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION AUTHORITY (1990) 2 NWLR (PT 135) 688 at 718 - 719 H-B (quoting from Administrative Law by Wade, 3rd Edition, page 67) stated as follows: Although the Courts are strict in requiring that statutory power shall be exercised by persons on whom it is conferred and by no one else, they make liberal allowance for the

working of the official hierarchy at least so far as it operates within the sphere of responsibility....... This is embodied in the Latin maxim: qui facit per alium facit per se i.e. he who does an act through another is deemed in law to do it himself.

The Court held that in the light of the provisions of the College of Education Ekiadolor Edict, it is of no moment that the letter of termination was signed by the Registrar on behalf of the Provost. That it did not in any way affect the efficacy of the said letter which was to convey the decision of the Governing Council that the services of the Appellant were no longer required. Furthermore, the Court stated the position of the law in NNPC vs. TRINITY MILLS INS. BROKERS (2002) LPELR (7142) 1 at 14, where per Aderemi, JCA (as he then was) stated: “Generally, a delegated power cannot be delegated. The Latin maxim is DELEGATA POTESTAS NON POTEST DELEGARE. This principle or rule applies wherever the authority involves a trust or discretion in the agent for the exercise of which he is selected.

But it does not apply where it involves no matter of exercise of discretion; and it is immaterial whether the act is to be done by one person or the other.”

The Court held that in the instant case there was absolutely no matter of exercise of discretion involved in the person who conveyed the decision of the Governing Council of the Respondent to terminate the Appellant’s appointment. The person that signed the letter is immaterial since from the documentary and testimonial evidence it was the Governing Council that took the decision to terminate the Appellant’s appointment. The Court arrived at the conclusion that the evidence on Record establishes that the Appellant’s appointment, as conveyed to him by virtue of the provisions of the College of Education Ekiadolor Edict, was terminated by the Governing Council of the College. Accordingly the issue was resolved against the Appellant.

In a summation, the Court held that the appeal is devoid of merit, same failed and it was dismissed.

•LawPavilion Citation: (2014) LPELR23320(CA) Compiled by: LawPavilion

Banks’ shareholders seek compensation

S

HAREHOLDERS of defunct Afribank Plc, Bank PHB Plc and Springbank Plc have urged the Court of Appeal in Lagos to order their compensation following the revocation of the banks’ licences by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 1999.

They are praying the court to overrule a Federal High Court judgment by Justice Charles Archibong (as he then was) which dismissed their originating summons.

According to them, the defunct banks’ assets can not be transferred free of charge to another entity without compensation to the shareholders.

CBN, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) are the respondents.

Also joined in the appeal are Mainstreet Bank (formerly Afribank), Keystone Bank Limited (formerly Bank PHB) and Enterprise Bank Limited (formerly Spring Bank).

The appellants, represented by Boniface Okezie, Adeyemi Kehinde and Adebowale Bolanle, said Justice Archibong was misconceived when he validated the respondents’ action.

They said the respondents revoked the banks’ licences, transfered their assets free of charge to Mainstreet, Keystone and Enterprise banks, and de-listed their shares from the exchange.

These acts, the shareholders said, were in breach of the law, motivated by malice and were based on inconsistent reasons not based on law.

They are seeking damages, while urging the appeal court to uphold their appeal.

“The court is respectfully urged to allow the appeal and grant the reliefs sought on the originating summons.

“Damages should be assessed at the rate of the difference between the value of shares of the 9th (Afribank), 10th (PHB) and 11th (Spring) respondents on the stock exchange at the time of the intervention of the CBN governor in the banks in 2009 and their nominal value of N1 per share which is all that the

By Joseph Jibueze

respondents would have left to their shareholders by their unlawful and malicious action should the appeal succeed,” the appellants said.

The shareholders said no compensation of any sort was paid to them following the banks’ takeover.

According to them, SEC and the Exchange, which ought to protect their investments, succumbed to the CBN governor’s will and publicly approved the actions, going ahead to de-list the banks’ shares from the stock exchange without pursuing any form of compensation for their shareholders.

However, CBN and SEC are urging the appellate court to dismiss the appeal as lacking in merit and with substantial cost.

They said the Appeal court cannot hear the originating summons because it was not heard at the lower court.

Besides, Justice Archibong, they added, had dismissed the originating summons because it is “unsustainable” after the respondents filed preliminary objections against it.

“We submit that, having regard to the fact of the case and in all the circumstances of this case, the Court of Appeal has no jurisdiction in the circumstances to consider the appeallants’ originating summons which has not been argued at all at the lower court as urged by the appellants and there being no appealable decision thereon,” CBN and SEC said.

The appellants’ lawyer, Deacon Paul C. Ananaba (SAN), who led Mr Chuks Nwachukwu, said two of the banks are about to be sold while the appeal is pending. “They’re proceeding to sell two of those banks,” he said.

The presiding justice, Amina Augie, said, referring to AMCON: “Don’t sell anything.”

AMCON is expected to respond to the amended notice of appeal.

Justice Augie adjourned till January 21 next year for mention because other parties indicated that they would file cross-appeals.

42

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

43

THE NATION TUESDAY OCTOBER 21, 2014

POLITICS Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN) (Cross River Central) spoke with reporters on his re-election bid, governorship contest, zoning and other partisan issues. EMMANUEL OLADESU was there.

Ndoma-Egba: Imoke not against my re-election bid W

HAT is the position of Governor Liyel Imoke on your re-election bid in Cross River Central District?

I can only tell you what I know from my discussions with my governor. I had gone to him on March 29 in his house in Abuja. I told him of the proposed return of Senate President David Mark and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, to the Senate in 2015 and he confirmed to me that he knew about it. I now told him of my intention to return to the Senate as we are all part of the same leadership and he said, ‘it makes sense so that we consolidate what we have.’

That was what he told me. He has not told me anything different. On October 7, I was with him in his house and I mentioned this. He never told me he was against it; that he was more interested in the processes and that the process should be open and that there should be a level-playing ground. I’m not aware of any public comments against my return. I’m not aware of anybody quoting him in public that he’s opposed to my return to the Senate. I’ve also drawn his attention to the fact that Hon. Enoh moves around in a convoy of government vehicles and government officials.

Has there been any zoning arrangement or agreement, whether written or unwritten, concerning the Central senatorial seat?

There has been zoning. We have this understanding; the Central Senatorial District is made up of two old local governments: Ikom and Obubra.

Those two local governments are now six local governments-Old Ikom is now Ikom, Etung and Boki. Senator Mathew Mbu that I took over from is from Boki. Hon Enoh is from Etung.

So, we are all old Ikom people. Now, old Obubra has Obubra, Abi and Yakurr. Now, the governor comes from Abi. Why was the Senate seat in old Ikom? It’s because in 1999, old Obubra produced the deputy governor. So, they gave the Senate seat to old Ikom. The Senate remained in old

Ikom because old Obubra produced the minister, who is the present governor. The Senate also remained in old Ikom because old Obubra again, produced a governor in the present arrangement.

So, old Ikom takes one, old Obubra takes another. Now, they have come up with a new purported zoning arrangement; that they want to zone a Senate seat on the basis of federal constituencies. And what is their argument? Ikom and Boki are a federal constituency and they say Ikom has had, Boki has had. They say the governor was in the Senate from Abi and he’s governor today and so, Abi is out; from their own argument. They also say that Yakurr, which is in old Obubra has produced a governor in Clement Ebri. So, Yakurr is out. In their argument only two, local governments have not produced-Etung and Obubra, which is a federal constituency. You can now see where the thing is going to; it’s like moving from an answer to the question. Now, Etung is the smaller local government in that federal constituency, but from 1999 till date, Etung has produced the House of Representatives member. The deputy governor, who is from Obubra, was impeached in 2001, the late John Okpa. So, Obubra has been fallow from that time till date. So, if you are going to zone on the basis of equity, between these two local governments, Obubra is the one that has had nothing from 2001 till date. Why are you now zoning it to the local government that has something from 1999 till date? So, if you zone it to Obubra, you would have satisfied two things: you would have maintained the old sharing arrangement and you would still have satisfied the federal constituency argument, if you want to make that argument. But, I’m the Senator representing River Central.

Which meeting was that decision taken that I was not there? Where was the decision taken? I think it’s just a gim-

‘In the legislature, the constitution only provides for an entry age; it has no term limits, it has no retirement age and if you take presidential constitutions all over the world, it is the same pattern.

Now, why is it so? It is because of the peculiarity of parliament’

• Ndoma-Egba

mick. It means nothing. In any way, zoning or no zoning, I’m picking my form on Tuesday.

There’s an allegation that you began to have problems with the governor when you introduced Goddy Jedy-Agba to President Jonathan as a governorship aspirant in your state.

No such thing happened and I have said it before the President and the national chairman of our party. The President has even confirmed that nothing like that happened. That is one. Two, let us even assume that I did. Is the governorship of Cross River State an appointment? So, I took him there for the President to issue him a letter of appointment? Governorship is a process. It’s all part of the desperation. You must concoct stories to justify something you want to do.

Why do you want to re-contest for the Senate?

First of all, I did not write the Nigerian constitution. The Nigerian constitution provides for term limits for the executive; it even puts an age qualification. You must be of a certain age

and it also provides that for some offices. In the judiciary, you must have spent a certain number of years as a lawyer to be eligible for appointment and there’s a retirement age as well.

In the legislature, the constitution only provides for an entry age; it has no term limits, it has no retirement age and if you take presidential constitutions all over the world, it is the same pattern. Now, why is it so? It is because of the peculiarity of parliament. In the executive, there’s an elaborate bureaucracy to service it. So, when you have a President today, there’s an elaborate bureaucracy in place and in a democracy, there’s always a formal handing over and a formal taking over, including handingover notes and taking-over notes. In the judiciary, you have what we call the hierarchy of courts and you also have judicial precedence so that when the highest court has pronounced on a legal issue, every other court under it is bound by that pronouncement; by that principle. The judiciary has a very elaborate archival system. If you are looking for a judgment given by a

Customary Court in 1891, you are likely to find it. Now, in parliament, you have a bureaucracy that serves the institution but you know, for lack of or want on an appropriate term, parliament is made up of members and those members, again, for want of an appropriate word, ‘sovereign.’ The day the parliamentarian leaves, he goes with his/her contacts, the network, records, knowledge garnered, experience, or the lack of it, and is not obliged to say a word to the person taking over.

It has been alleged that you instigate youths to bar your opponent from participating in the New Yam ceremony in your village...

Well, I was not there. But,I remember getting a call on that morning from the clan head to the effect that there was an issue that some youths blocked the road because the honourable member representing Etung/Obubra Federal Constituency wanted to go for New Yam in my village and I told them: ‘why should that be an issue’? It shouldn’t be an issue because, one, it is his right, he has freedom of movement; it’s his right to go anywhere he wishes. I asked that the youths be persuaded that the peace was not breached; that every Nigerian has a right of movement and it was his constitutional right. I’m a lawyer and I respect our laws. But having said so, in this our business, being stopped on the way is normal. I remember that I was going to a community in Southern Etung and to stop me, the youths removed the bridge. Yes, to stop me from reaching there, they ripped off the bridge; just to stop me from going. In another community, there was a bonfire across the road. I’ve been stopped three times: one in Abi Local Government and twice in Etung. It’s part of the game. They are seeking your attention and so, you give them that attention and on each occasion, I negotiated with them and they let me through. It’s normal in politics.

Hon. Demola Doherty is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a House of Representatives aspirant in Ifako/Ijaiye Constituency, Lagos State. In this interview with MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE, he speaks on his ambition, preparations for primaries and his party’s chances at the polls.

Doherty: My people want me in House of Reps

• Doherty

W

HY do you want to represent Ifako/Ijaiye/Ojokoro Constituency in the House of Representatives?

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has become a bigger party than what it was when it was the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Under the new dispensation Ifako/Ijaiye Local Government Area and Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA) need a representation that has ideas.

They need a representation that has followership. They need a representation that will go to Abuja and bring back the dividend of democracy. They need a representation that is very close to the grassroots.

What is your agenda for your constituency?

When I was the chairman of the Ifako/Ijaiye Local Government between November 2008 and October 2011, the legacy I left behind speaks for itself. During my tenure, I made sure our children in primary schools no longer sit on the floor. I built 36 classrooms to augment what I met on

ground. I constructed more benches to make sure pupils no longer sit on a desk in schools. I also constructed more tables and chairs for their teachers. I can say that I added over 1000 chairs and desks to the development of the schools in the council. When I was chairman, I added one maternity and two public health centres to the council. Between 2008 and 2011, I constructed a new model primary school at Ajuwon. There was a school that was initially owned by the Ogun State on land that falls within Lagos State. Through collaboration with some elders in the council, I transferred the school to Lagos State. Today, Lagos State government has reconstructed the school. It is now functioning as an institution in the local government. During my time as the council chairman, nothing less than 16 major road networks in Ifako Jaiye were done. There are so many things I did under infrastructure, education, healthcare when I was there.

Are these achievements the basis for seeking their support for your ambition?

It is in view of these and many more that I have done that the people are now saying I should represent them. Having done so much for the council, they have the confidence that I can add value to their lives at the law-making level.

To actually do more for my people, I need to go to Abuja, to ensure that all the activities and infrastructures that are being distributed all over the federation will come to Ifako/Ijaiye/Ojokoro constituency. The people in the constituency do not have access to these facili-

ties at present. All we hear is that the constituency gets constituency projects which are never actually done. This time around we are going to ensure that what is due for our people are brought to them. Again, there is what we call quality representation, which is contributing to the affairs of the nation. Everybody is talking about corruption in the nation; everybody is talking about lack of infrastructure.

These and many more need to be addressed. Lagos State for instance is contributing to the development of the country in several areas, taking up responsibilities that belong to the Federal Government. The Federal Government must give Lagos State what it deserves.

I believe I can add my own voice to it and push for what we deserve in the state and my constituency. The voice of Ifako/Ijaiye and Ojokoro must be heard.

I believe it is the person who wears the shoes that know it pinches. I am an indigene of Lagos; I believe that whatever Lagos is entitled to should be brought to Lagos. I believe my representation will provide this position and fight for the constituency and Lagos State at large.

We have lots of widows, elders and youths who are not properly taken care of. I believe that is an area where the representative of Ifako/Ijaiye and Ojokoro can impact on the lives of the people. So, my intention is to take care of women by ensuring that I add value to whatever they are doing. I believe we can do that because we have done it in the past for our people. I believe we can continue in that manner. Our youths

are wandering all about for lack of proper engagement. There is the need to take them off the streets.

We must make sure they renounce thuggery and acts of lawlessness. We need to create avenues for them to move off the streets. I intend to set up job centres, where the youths who are graduates without jobs can also go and engage in some vocation. For instance, I intend to set up business centres, where you have photocopiers, desktop publishing machines and other equipment.

Certain numbers of youth will be attached to each centre. These are going to be established in the wards that make up the entire constituency. A minimum of 10 youths will be engaged for the purpose. We also have people who desire to pursue their education beyond secondary school, but are not able to do so because of lack of fund. I will support their education through my constituency projects.

The constituency will maintain an office where the people can go and make their complaints which will in turn make representation in Abuja.

What is the assurance that the forces that aborted your second term bid as council chairman will not stop you again?

It is something we had talked about and I can say lots of them have recognised that what they did was wrong. If there is another word more remorseful than regret, that is the word I will like to use. They have now seen that Demola Doherty is better. A lot of them have realised that Demola Doherty is the best

chairman of Ifako/Ijaiye council has ever had since it was establishment in 1992.

This is because I devoted all my time to the local government. I took care of everything in terms of empowerment, wealth creation, infrastructure and health to the extent that in the current dispensation they can count whatever has been done. Everything I did is still there; they are verifiable. People regretted what happened and are now clamouring for Demola Doherty to come and represent them at the House of Representatives. I just came out from a meeting with the elders of Ifako/Ijaiye, who were at the forefront at that time, but are now pushing for my representation.

Are you prepared for the primaries?

We are fully prepared for the primaries. It will be conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the party. Everybody is clamouring for Demola Doherty because they have seen me. They are judging me by my past records. They are confident that I will do it again. That is what is giving me the courage that there is hope for me. I am really happy about it. A lot of them have come to beg me, they told me they are sorry about what happened in the past. They said I should just tell them whatever I wanted them to do for me and they will do it.

What is the assurance that you will beat aspirants like Hon. Ogunnusi and Mr. Abiola Folayan at the primaries?

I don’t like to go into personalities. It is not my style, but I believe that all things being equal, if fairness is adopted, I see no reason why the voice of the people will not be heard. They are supporting me.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

HEALTH

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

45

THE NATION

E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

Cancer is no respecter of persons. To survive it, knowledge is central, said the three survivors NNEKA NWANERI met at the “Go Pink benefit concert and fund raising dinner” in Lagos, organised by the Optimal Cancer Care Foundation.

How we beat cancer, by survivors M

RS Olayinka Adeyemo, a cancer survivor, fainted when she was initially diagnosed of breast cancer at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba, in May, last year.

She is alive today, telling her story, ‘in order to encourage other patients that cancer is not the end of life.’

Mrs Adeyemo, a 54-year-old security consultant, said she noticed a lump in her right breast and visited LUTH, where oncologists, specialists in cancer treatment, said it was cancerous.

She said: “I fainted when I got the report.”

The mother of four said: “I visited LUTH again. The doctors said my breast will be removed. I was so scared. It was not easy hearing that one’s breast will be severed.

But, I was told it was the only option available and I was terrified.”

She said she could have died if she had gone for a surgery immediately without proper counselling.

Then, one Thursday, while watching television, she heard the Managing Director of Optical Cancer Care, Dr. Femi Olaleye, saying cancer is not a death sentence, that people can live through it.

This information gave her hope.

She said: “I went to his outreach centre the following Friday. He counselled me that I should have the surgery.”

Describing the situation, Mrs Adeyemo said: “It was like hell was let loose. When I got home. I told my husband and children. They all re-echoed what Dr Olaleye told me and even re-affirmed that I would not die. I held on to what they said and began the treatment. But, it was not easy. It is better imagined than experienced. I cannot even describe the three months treatment.

It took some time for me to agree to have a surgery, let alone chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment.

Chemotherapy was monthly. I have had the therapy for eight months since the surgery. Radiotherapy lasted six weeks. But I was determined to survive it.”

Last August, she had her breast removed to stop the cancer from spreading. “I am presently undergoing chemotherapy. Everything has gone as normal but the only challenge I have is that the process is very expensive,” she stated.

Mrs Adeyemo, who also runs Calvary Centre and Eye Centre, which is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Offa, Kwara State, decried the mindset of most women who have not been going for checkups as terrible.

She said: “Cancer is unique and differs from one person to the other. Some people find it in different parts of the breast. For me, I did not find any lump. I just noticed that during my ovulation, I experienced pains under my breasts. It took me time to know because I thought cancer was painless.”

Though she was diagnosed in May last year, she feels on top of the world ‘having undergone surgery and declared cancer free. She ad-

vised women to always go for screening instead of sitting at home thinking it is juju that has turned to sickness. “That culture here is bad. I encourage women above 40 to go for breast and cervical cancer screenings. I have finished my treatment. I’m so strong and great and I am optimistic about the future,” Mrs Adeyemo said.

For Abigail Simon-Hart, a health consultant, it was a different story.

She was diagnosed of breast cancer in 1980 and had a double mastectomy.

She said: “Mastectomy is the surgery to remove all tissue from the breast to stop the cancer. For those with early-stage breast cancer, mastectomy may be a treatment option. Breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy), in which only the tumor is removed from the breast, may be another option. Deciding between mastectomy and lumpectomy can be difficult. Both procedures are equally effective.

But lumpectomy is not an option for everyone with breast cancer; some prefer to undergo a mastectomy.”

“I am very breast cancer aware. I began yearly mammograms from the age of 28 and had yearly breast ultrasounds in addition to the mammograms from the age of 40, as my breast was very dense. I first had a cancer scare in 1993 when I had a lump in my right breast. A lumpectomy revealed a benign (non cancerous) mass. But I was properly diagnosed with breast cancer in April.

“The cancer was at stage 1, in the right breast and DCIS in the left.

DCIS is considered the earliest form of breast cancer. DCIS is noninvasive; meaning it hasn’t spread out of the milk duct to invade other parts of the breast. It was also the kind of cancer not in a defined lump. I decided to have a double mastectomy. Two weeks earlier, I had a premonition about having breast cancer and I made the decision then that if I came

T

•From left: Abigail, Dr Olaleye, Mrs Adeyemo and Amaka.

down with breast cancer I would remove both breasts.”

When asked about her husband’s reaction on removal of her two breasts, she said: “I think there is too much emphasis on what spouses or partners think. It’s my conviction that if your marriage or relationship is held together by your breasts, then you need to reevaluate your relationships. My family has been really supportive.”

Explaining how she was able to go through the treatment, she said it was God. She described the period as “a difficult time”.

“My strength comes from God. I don’t know what I would have done without my faith. In the hospital, I saw many cancer patients who felt life was pointless and were hopeless. God made me realise that I have a purpose. Now I am able to comfort others who have the same problem. I share the the comfort that God gave me with them. The strength God blessed me with during that period was amazing. I still have a long road ahead.

But my two sons - Jonathan and Daniel - remain my reason to keep fighting.”

Mrs Simon-Hart said further: “Once a person is diagnosed with cancer, I think regrets are futile.

I’m thankful for the second chance

PH O TO: NNEKA NWANERI

at life God has given. I’m only looking forward now. I will advise women to know that breast cancer is real and can be beaten.

“The reason I’m standing here with hope for a long life is due to regular screening and the expertise of the radiologist, who caught the cancer in time. I will suggest that women should examine their breasts regularly and if they have a family history of breast cancer like I do, they should tell their doctor and get a mammogram to get a baseline which can be compared for changes in the future.”

In the same vein, a teacher, Amaka Chinweze, said it is one thing to have cancer and another to have the money to treat it. She was forced into early retirement because of the ailment.

Her first surgery cost N500,000.

For the chemotherapy, which involves only one of the drugs, she spent N50,000.

Mrs Chinweze said: “I have been able to cope with the help of my relations; my elder sister has been trying for me. It has been very tough and I don’t know how I will do the next chemotherapy because I have no penny on me because chemotherapy is not what you start and stop. It has to be constant and it must be on a monthly basis.

“Cancer is real but unimaginable; people don’t want to hear of it. It is very expensive. The cost implication is not what to talk about. Every day, I thank God. I feel a lot better since I had the operation but I’ve been restless trying to keep up with the chemotherapy. It is driving me into depression. I pray God sees me through.”

She said: “I will advise women to go for screening which is the most vital. If the ailment is discovered in time, it will save a lot. If it is diagnosed as cancer, God will make a way financially. But never give up or attempt ending your life.

There is life after cancer.”

Amaka’s sister, Mrs Omoregini called on the government to assist with finance, especially for those undergoing the treatment. There are also fake drugs about. It’s not everyone that can afford more than N100,000 monthly. Market women and traders can’t keep up.

She said: “I bought drugs at Alpha Pharmacy, Ikeja, but a doctor at LUTH said it was a fake. I took it back to the pharmacy and they refused to take it back. The government should do for cancer what it did for AIDS, Polio and Ebola. It should also come to the aid of citizens and help them instead of leaving them to their fate.”

Lagos, has organised a sensitisation programme for the people of Alimosho community on the need for them to take care of their health, especially managing hepatitis and the Ebola virus disease.

According to the FOMWAN Amira, Alhaja Sherifat Ajagbe, and the Secretary of the Oshodi Noble Heritage, Mr Rasheed Olawale, the sensitisation is to educate the women to know their health status and carry out regular medical check-ups to keep themselves healthy.

Alhaja Ajagbe said the health enlightenment was to help the women maintain their health and go for regular checkups.

“We set out to enlighten our women on how they can live a healthy life that will keep them going in life, it is also to enlighten them on the need for them to always remain hygienic so as to prevent the deadly Ebola virus,” she

said.

The guest speaker on the occasion, Dr Abdul Lateef Akegbeyale, took the women through the dangers of hepatitis B and advised them on how to tackle it.

“Hepatitis is deadly. As women you need to go for medical checkups to know your status, if you give birth, the hepatitis injection will be given free of charge at general hospitals, so, take your children there for prevention of this disease,” he said.

Giving reason for the public health enlightenment, Secretary to the Oshodi Noble Heritage Mr Rasheed Olawale said it was meant to guide the women on how to protect themselves against hepatitis which, he said, is deadlier than HIV. “We have come to hold a sensitisation for the women of Alimosho on their health in ensuring that they get to know more

NGOs sensitise traders on hepatitis, Ebola

O prevent another outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), a non-governmental organisation, Geno Hope Alive Foundation, has sensitised traders on the symptoms, prevention and mode of contracting the virus. It also distributed hand sanitisers to the traders at Census market, Surulere in Lagos State.

According to the coordinator of the foundation, Mrs Eno Abasi, the gesture was part of the foundation’s effort to reach out to its community, the market people, and sensitise them on the dangers of the virus; what it is all about and how they can protect themselves and the society from its spread.

She said personal hygiene and disinfecting one’s environment are essential in preventing the disease.

“Wash your hands with soap regularly under a running tap, fumigate your house, keep your en-

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha Olatunde Odebiyi and Amidu Arije

vironment void of smells, dirt, cockroach, insects, rat and avoid handshakes and touching of dead bodies. Ebola can spread fast if precaution is not taken and it can be contracted from anyone, even those that are close to you, your family members, co-workers and most especially those working in the Hospitals “ she said.

She urged the traders to be more cautious in their business, saying that the market is an open place.

“Do not allow customers to touch your goods anyhow; they should only touch what they want to buy so that they will not spread Ebola on your goods. “ In the same vein, the Oshodi Noble Heritage (ONH) in conjunction with Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), Alimosho branch

•Continued on Page 46

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

HEALTH

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‘Ignorance, herbs worsened my cancer’

HE world of a 46-year-old, mother of two, Mrs Joke Adeolu (not real name), was beautiful until 1983. Before then, she was full of life. Her marriage too was blissful until she delivered her second child that year.

Recounting how her plight began, she said: “When I was breastfeeding my second baby, I felt something in my breast. When I touched it, it was hard like a lump.

I was asking myself what it was.”

So, Mrs Adeolu went to the General Hospital, Marina, Lagos, where she was delivered of her baby.

The doctor gave her some antibiotics and asked her to come back the following week. When she got home, she told one of her friends who encouraged her to go to a herbs seller (Elewe Omo) at Oyingbo, a suburb of Lagos for cure.

Her aunt, a trained midwife, also advised her not to go back to the hospital, fearing that the doctors

•More awareness needed on breast cancer

By Wale Adepoju

might ‘severe’ her breast to stop the lump from growing.

Mrs Adeolu said she sought advice from another friend who also encouraged her to get herbs at Oyingbo than see a medical doctor.

“I obliged and I went to Oyingbo Market. The woman I met at Ori eru, gave me some herbs to boil and soap to wash my breasts the next day. I did.

“But rather than my condition improving, the skin on my breast started to peel off and mucus began to come out. It became very painful. My dress could not touch the breast skin without me feeling a terrible pain,” she stated.

Mrs Adeolu said she decided to see the doctor again when she started having uncontrollable pain in her left breast.

“So, on the third day, I went back

to the hospital, the doctor asked me why I didn’t follow his prescriptions, that it was to ameliorate the pain. He further examined me, that there was nothing he could do about it, except removal; that it was obvious it was cancer. That it is beyond drug. Then I started crying.

When a senior nurse who was working in the hospital came and saw me crying, she asked what the matter was and I showed her my breast. She was very sad and left me to prepare the theatre for surgery. Then, I went in and the lump was removed,” she said.

She didn’t ask further questions about her condition after that. “I don’t know anything about cancer either. So, I went back home, but on the third day, I returned to the hospital for the dressing of the wound.

“After that, I travelled to where I was based.”

All for cancer

She said the problem reocurred in August 2008.

Said Mrs Adeola: “I felt something in my left breast, again. So, I went to the General Hospital, Marina. But the going and coming was more than I could bear. However, in January 2009, the doctors agreed to remove the lump. And it was eventually removed.”

She said some tests were carried out on the lump which revealed it was cancerous.

“After three weeks, I went back to see the doctor and he told me the lump was cancerous,” Mrs. Adeolu said.

She said the oncologist told her he would to remove the whole breast, adding: “Any time I come to the hospital, my blood pressure will rise up. I will be afraid to go back home. This made the doctor to talk to me in May, 2009, that I should take things easy so that the blood pressure (BP) can reduce be-

fore surgery.

“After that I did the surgery. And then did chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Now, I am better but it was a harrowing experience.”

The Coordinator of Bristow Uplift, an arm of Bristow Airways, Mayowa Babatunde, said his organisation was partnering with SCC to reduce breast cancer and other cancers, especially in women.

The company, he said, collaborated with Sebeccly Cancer Care (SCC) to give succour to women.

The partnership, he said, is an intervention of some sort to help women. It involves free breast and cervical cancer screening, among others.

“This is because breast cancer is still considered a death sentence in Nigeria. This should not be. We want to help save more lives. So, it is Bristow’s charitable giving programme through which it intervene in the society,” Babatunde said.

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HE rising cases of breast cancer, the high death rate, the urgency to support breast cancer patients and the need to improve on strategies to control breast cancer have motivated a clinician and radiation oncologist, Dr. Lola Salako, to found a multi-purpose cancer group, Sebeccly Cancer Care (SCC).

According to Dr Salako, through collaboration of cancer stakeholders and coordination and promotion of cancer services, a lot can be done for the benefit of patients.

To realise a seamless synergy, the organisation held its maiden, Light Lagos Pink campaign. It was also to create awareness, access and encourage women to take action against breast cancer.

It was held at Muri Okunola Park, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Present at the event were Chairman, National Cancer Consultative Forum, Prof Durosinmi Etti; Country Manager, Roche, Hemman Addae; Permanent Secretary, Ministry Of Environment, Engr Hakeem Ogunbambi; Dr Salako; Special Advisor to Governor on Public Health, Dr Yewande Adesina; representative of the First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs Azeezat Tijani; Patron, Sebeccly Cancer Care, Prof J.T.K Duncan and Board member, Sebeccly Cancer Care Mrs A.C Omojole at the event.

According to Dr. Salako, the Light Lagos Pink campaign will hold annually, to ensure proper information is being circulated in Lagos state on breast cancer, nay throughout the country.

She said: “In the light of this, the campaign has an active social media platform and breast help lines to attend to breast health enquiries.

With the collaborative effort of Lagos state Ministries of Health, Environment, Laspark and LASAA,

•Continued from Page 45

•From left:Prof Etti; Addae, Ogunbambi, Dr Salako, Dr Adesina, Mrs Tijani, Prof Duncan and Mrs Omojole at the event.

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustaph a

Sebeccly Cancer Care has decorated four public parks- Muri Okunola Park, Ojota Park, Outer Marina and M.K.O Abiola park and mounted breast awareness billboards.

“A significant part of the campaign is fund raising; to support cancer patients who cannot afford the cost of treatment therefore a fundraising drive is in place. It is tagged Light Lagos Pink Fridays. We want people, groups and organisations o pick any Friday in October, wear Pink, organise a fundraising event and donate to the campaign: ‘Turn Lagos Pink’, in this breast cancer awareness month and support thousands of women waking up to the harsh reality of breast cancer every day.

Whether you raise N 1,000 or N 500,000; every kobo counts and you will help someone through one of the most difficult challenges they’ll ever face. Every year our access to cancer care schemes, support group and educational material help thou-

sands of women facing breast cancer”.

She said willing participants can connect and share breast cancer awareness messages via www.facebook.com/sebeccly; purchase ‘Light Lagos Pink™’ merchandise at www.dealdey.com/ cancer+awareness; champion a ‘Light Lagos Pink™’ Friday at work, home or school; wear pink on any Friday in October; hold an event, raise funds and donate to Sebeccly cancer care and support centre; upload your pink pictures to facebook and other social media and like our facebook page.”

Dr Salako said people can also, “Join us at a ‘Light Lagos Pink™’ event https://www.facebook.com/ sebeccly/events; donate online https:// 234give.com/cause/light-lagos-pink or bank transfer GTB, Sebeccly Cancer Care and Support Centre, 0010849209; book a discounted taxi from Easy Taxi quoting the unique code “Light Lagos Pink”; pick a dis-

counted mammogram voucher from a Sebeccly Light Lagos Pink stand or request via email at lightlagospink@sebecclycancercare.org and also invite us to a female gathering to educate and screen women for breast cancer.”

She assured that donations received will help in these ways: “N1, 000 per month can offer five survivors access to inspirational survivor stories through telephone support. N 2,000 monthly can provide a free copy of ‘The informed breast cancer patient’ book, that helps a newly diagnosed patient navigate cancer care in Nigeria. Top of FormBottom of Form N5,000/ month pays to provide a survivor visit and counseling session to three newly diagnosed patients at home. Top of FormBottom of Form N 8,000/month can improve the capacity of the Sebeccly cancer research team. N10,000/month can provide 12 cancer patients with a tool to keep important

documents organised and information to help guide their cancer experience. N15,000/month can match five women to free mammogram services at a Light Lagos Pink partner hospital. N35,000/ month can help one patient receive one course of chemotherapy through the Sebeccly chemo access at Luth; N55, 000/month can help one patient have breast cancer surgery through the Sebeccly Mastectomy initiative at the General Hospital, Lagos. N100,000/month can provide 10 breast prosthesis to 10 women, to help regain their femininity.”

The Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Yewande Adesina, said the efforts of the Lagos State Government in combating breast cancer, a pilot model cancer screening centre will be launched in a Primary Health Centre (PHC) shortly and will be replicated across 57 PHCs to encourage women to access cancer screening and guide treatment process.

NGOs sensitise traders on hepatitis, Ebola

about the deadly diseases; Ebola and Hepatitis because it was said by the UN that in every eight person one person is infected by hepatitis, but it is unfortunate that people don’t know this disease is deadlier than HIV, so that is why we took it a duty because public health enlightenment is one of our cardinal programmes,” he said.

Medical checkups were carried out during the programme.

The Association of Community Pharmacists (ACPN) has also stressed the need for regular hand washing with soap and water.

Its chairman, Mr Olufemi Adebayo said hand washing is the most effective way of preventing diseases, such as Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and diarrhoea.

He said a good hygiene should include clean hands, adding that this would prevent EVD and other infectious diseases.

Adebayo said regular hand washing will help Nigeria attain Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5.Also, the Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria has advised the Federal Government on the need to sustain the partnership with World Health

Organisation, (WHO), in the containment of Ebola Virus and other diseases in Nigeria and the West African sub-region.

In a communiqué issued at the end of its 37/38 Annual Conference and General Business Meeting, held at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, the society said there are other infectious diseases that need adequate attention as well.

The communiqué signed by the society Editor-In-Chief, Sam Wobo, stated: “Nigerians are afflicted by a number of parastic/infectious diseases which do not attract head-

lines like the dreaded Ebola virus, adding that the diseases are often neglected because they afflict the poor and their signs and symptoms are not as severe as Ebola. The society appeals to you all the participants to educate their communities on safety precautions in particular, the importance of hygiene to contain Ebola and other infectious diseases.”

It said further: “Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and other development agencies should not be left out in the containment of the diseases, the critical roles of African research and development in-

stitutions are important in the control of neglected tropical diseases (NTD), through advocacy, partnership/collaborations, capacity building and adequate funding.

“The society believes in the sustenance of operational research with community participation as a major tool/strategy in the control/elimination of parasitic and other infectious diseases based on the inspiring example of river blindness control in Africa, the urgent need for qualitative studies on the impacts of human migration on the prevalence and persistence of parasitic and other infectious diseases in Africa.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

47

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

48

LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT PUBLIC NOTICE THE LAGOS STATE ELECTRONIC CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY PROJECT 1.

•

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR COLLECTION OF THE E-C OF O Further to our previous publications on the collection of Electronic Certificates of Occupancy, we hereby announce that the following Electronic Certificates of Occupancy listed in Paragraph 2 below are now ready for collection. There shall be no collection by proxy. The allotees listed below are requested to come to the Lands Bureau, Directorate of Land Regularisation, The Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos as from Monday the 18th of August 2014 between 10am and 2pm (and every working day thereafter between 10am and 2pm) with any of the following means of identification to collect their respective E-C of O’s: Photocopy of The Lagos State Residency Card (original to be brought along for sighting).

Photocopy of data page of a valid Nigerian International Passport (original to be brought along for sighting).

Photocopy of Valid National Identity Card (original to be brought along for sighting).

Photocopy of valid Drivers License (original to be brought along for sighting). In the case of a company or other body corporate, the following means of identification are required; Certified True Copy of Certificate of Incorporation / Registration, and Letter on company letter-head paper authorizing a named individual to collect the E-C of O. The said letter must be signed by a director and the company secretary, with the company seal embossed on the letter, and Means of identification of the named person (Nigerian International Passport or National Identity Card or Drivers License).

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NAMES OF GOVERNMENT ALLOTESS WHOMS ELECTRONIC CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY ARE READY FOR COLLECTION

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NAME ADEFASHE HAMMED ABIOLA OGUNMOLA FAOSAT ATINUKE BINJO ONASANYA KOLAWOLE OLASEINDE GABRIEL IDOWU OYELEKE CECILIAABOSEDE AJAYI OLUSEYI VICTORIA OMOJOLA OBAJI GABRIEL OKPA KOYINSOLA JOMILOJU BARTHOLOMEW ORANAGWA OLAKUNLE OGUNFEITIMI ODUMOSU CECILIA OLABISI TITILAYO OLUSHOAL SOLANKE LOUIS EBIELIMOHSA OTOH MICHAEL OLAOLU TOSIN-ONI NJEZE ANIAMALU FRANCIS AKOSILE AFOLABI OLUFEMI FADIPE OLALEYE ODUOLA CAROLINE ADAEZE BELLO-AROMIRE FOLASHADE AYOOLA FAMUYIWA LAWRENCE OJO OYEBAMIJI BOLA KEHINDE AKINTOLU CHRISTOPHER IKECHUKWU OKEKE CHRISTIANA EYITEMI UWEJA LEKAN SOFOLAHAN CAROLINE ADEPEJU ADERIN OBAZEE SUNNY OSA LATIFAT ABIOLA FOLAMI ALEXANDER OLUYINKA DANIEL OLUSEGUN OLAYINKA KESHINRO CHIDOZIE AMAECHI KEHINDE ADEDEJI WAMAYOWA TOLUWALOPE BAKARE WALE AUGUSTINE OLAOTAN OLADELE ADEBUNMI ADEOLA OLABIMPE AINA GIWA ONABOLU FOLASHADE FOLAKE TUNDE MOBAYE OLAITAN RICHARD OLUROTIME ABAYOMI OLAYINKA MUTIU ABIODUN BANJO

SCHEME ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH

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BENEDICT KILADEJO AND MORENIKE KILADEJO ABIBAT ADELAYO ADEGBOLA OLUYINKAOLANRELE FAKEYE ADESOKAN GBOYEGA LEKAN AJARAT KAREEM JUMOKE DAWODU OLUSINA OLAOGUN MORENIKE OYEKAN NURUDEEN OLASUNKANMI SHIFATU CROWN RISE FINANCE & INVESTMENT PLC OLUWATOYIN OLATUNBOSUN LABIRAN BABAJIDE FOLORUNSHO ADEKUSIBE TAWAKALITU ADENIKE BASHORUN YAHAYAADETAYO RABIU KOLEOSHO OLABODE JAMES JULIUS OLADELE OKEDAIRO HAMMED OLANIKE ADIO WALE MOBAYO EBODA TAYO KAZEEM AWIYE SAAD SHOLA SULLYMAN LEWIS CHUKWUDI OKECHUKWU OLUREMI SUSAN YAHAYA MAKANJUOLA OLATUNDE & DIANE OLATUNDE ALEXANDER AWOYEMI AND OLUFUNKE AWOYEMI MABAYOJE AJELABI AND KOFOWOROLAAJELABI DAYO AJAKAIYE AND YEJIDE AJAKAIYE OYEDEJI JOHNSON AND OYEDEJI CAROLINE BENEDICT AKINFEMI AKINBODE ADEREMI ADEFARAKAN OLUFUNKE DADA JUMOKE LAWAL COSMAS IKECHUKWU OKPALA BELLO ABDULLAHI MOHAMMED GRACE TITILOLA WILLIAMS-SERIKI FOLASHADE ADEBIMPE ODUNAIYA FEYISOLA OLAMIDE FAMUTIMI KOLAWOLE OMOLAJA BELLO MODILE AGBOOLA ARE SUWEBAT IYABO ADEBISI OMOLARA KAYODE-OGUNMEKAN FOLASHADE OMOBOLA OWOWA IDOWU YETUNDE OMOLARA

ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

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GABRIEL OJO AND MARY OJO MARY OLUWAKEMI AGAGU AZEEZ OLAIDE KAFAYAT GANI ADETORO OJAGBOHUNMI OMOBOLANLE OLUBUKUNOLA ZAKA ABIODUN OLADIPO AKHIGBE MARTINS ADERENI AWOFISAYO FESTUS ABASILI ADEREMI AINA FALEYE ADEBAYO OLUWOLE WILLIAMS KING OLADEINDE OLUSOLA ADEDOJA OLAYINKAAYOOLA KAREEM AJANI MEHMOOD KIUMI AKINGBEHIN GIWAARIYIKE OLUREMI OGUNGBE OLAMIDE OJUOLAPE OSARETIN JULIET OSUNBOR OLATUNBOSUN IYIOLAADE-OJO ABIBAT ABIOLA ALABIDUN LAURETTAATINUKE KOYI GBENGAABASS ADENIKE SUBARU OKEKE IFEYINWAAMOGE EMMANUEL TUNJI OLADELE JOSEPH OLUGBENGA OGUNMOLA HELEN OLADAYO SOBODU FEMI AJIBOLA CHRISTIAN OKOYE AYODEJI ONAKUNLE EMMANUEL OGHENEYOVBE EMEDO LEGUNSEN GBEMISOLA KHADIJAH FATAI IDOWU AROBIEKE OJO-OSAGIE ABIOLA OLUGBENGA DICKMAN AJELE OLUWAGBEMISOLA OLUFUNKE AJIBADE MAUPATIN OLATUNDUN GBADURA LAWRENCE SUNDAY ADEMOLAALABI LOYINMI MOSES OGUNLANA GBOLAHAN OLALEKAN OKOYA ADENIYI NURENI OSHODI MAKINDE OGUNLEYE ABIOLAAGBE-DAVIES ADETUTU TAIBAT OWODUNNI JOSHUA OSUOLALE AGBENIGA ADIJAT KUBURA OREAGBA KOLAWOLE SAHEED OWODUNNI ESTHER IYABO JAIYEOLA KEHINDE NASIR OLATUNJI CATHERINE IBIENE MARIAM SOGBANMU KEHINDE OLABANJI AYENI MODUPE ELIZABETH AJELE IGBEKELE OMOGOROYE AKIN TIJANI OLUBUNMI OLAJUMOKE OGUNDARE EBUNOLUWAYETUNDE ONIYIDE EMMANUELADEDOYIN ADEGBESAN KOLAWOLE TAIWO MUSIBAU LANRE MUSTAPHA MARTINS OLAMIDE SAHEED MOSURO BEECROFT YEWANDE OMOLARA FISHER EMMANUEL BABATUNDE ABIODUN ABAYOMI OGBOMOLA DIPO FOLUSO ADEBAYO JOSHUA & MOJISOLA AMINU OLUBUNMI LADIPO & ADIJAT LADIPO KAYODE DELE OGUNJE OLUDARE AYORINDE LAOYE OLANREWAJU ARESTUS KUYE FAROUK ADEGBOYEGA OSHODI IMAFIDON EMMANUEL MIKE AWOYINFA FATIMAT OLUBUSOLA OPEIFA FASIPE MARGARET OLUFUNMILAYO

ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH

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OLUFUNKE GBEMISOLA SARUMI ADETUNJI MORADEYO & FOLUKE MORADEYO EVELYNAZUKAEGO OBI OMOWUNMI PATRICIAL OLAYINKA OLUGBOLAHAN OLUGBENGA OLUTOMIWA OLAJUMOKE SHYLLON BOLEKS ENTERPRISES OLABISI AKINOLA EBENEZER FALOLA OLANIYI SHOLANKE FOLUSHO OLAIDE ODEGBAIKE OLALEYE AGBOOLA SAMUEL EMILY CHINYERE NKEMAKONAM IKE-OKPARA DANZO RICHARD OLUBIYE KAFAYAT ABIDEMI RUFAI OLUFUNMILOLA OWOLABI DUROTOLUWAARAMIDE SAVAGE MUSA ALASA VIVIAN PASEDA EMMANUEL OYEDOTUN OYEFODUNRIN OLATUNJI ABIODUN ODUBONA EMMANUEL OLUMIDE ARAYOMI JOVITA ILOBEKEMEN OJEAGA OBUM OLUGBENGA OJUKWU HAKEEM ADEDOLAPO OSINAIKE OGUNNOIKI SAMUEL ADEBOWALE BABATUNDE ADELANA OYEKOYA SULAIMON ALABI YUSUF AJAKPO PAMELA KEHINDE EGBEYEMI RAHMAT BOLANLE FEMI OBAYOMI DAVIES ADEBOMI ADEYEMI ADEBOYE OYEYEMI OSIKOYA GANI ADEMOLA LAWAL DAVKAN PROPERTIES LIMITED ADEYINKA SALAMI FATAI ADEGOKE KOLAWOLE SAMUEL AKINYEMI OLAITAN JOSEPH AFOLABI WASIU AJALA NKECHI PRISCILIA NWACHUKWU ADEMOLA OSIFESO & OLAIDE OSIFESO BABAJIDE AGBAJE & OLUFOLAKE AGBAJE EMMANUELLAABOLANLE AJAYI OMOBOLANLE MABELARE-OGUNMOLA NICANOR NEFEJO OGUNAIYE DEBORAH OLUBIMPE KESHINRO FELIX OLUBAYO ODEJIMI GANIAT OMOLABAKE BELLO ADEBOWALE JOHN SEIDU OLADIMEJI DAWODU EZEKIEL OLAKUNLE AJAYI BABATUNDE AGBI FIRSTMANKIND INVESTMENT LTD MICHAELAYODELE ATAYI FESTUS OLUSEGUN OTELE ADEWUNMI ADEBAYO NDUKWE MADU CHINAKA ADEDAYO AUGUSTINE OLOWOOKERE GRACE ADEPEJU AKANDE MATTHEW AYOOLA DEBORAH TAIWO OGUNFUYE

ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH ISHERI NORTH

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OLANREWAJU AJIBIOWU THE REGISTERED TRUSTEES OF THE LAGOS CONGREGATION OF JEHOVAH WITNESSES MUTIU OLALEKAN LATEEF KAREEM OLAOGUN DICKSON LARI ABBA BUKAR LILIAN AGWUYE ADIGBA BAYWATCH INVESTMENT NIGERIA LIMITED FELIX OLATUNBOSUN ASHENUGA

LEKKI PHASE 1

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LEKKI PHASE1 LEKKI PHASE 1 LEKKI PHASE 1 LEKKI PHASE 1 LEKKI PHASE 1 LEKKI PHASE 1 LEKKI PHASE 1

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

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ADEMOLA ARAOYE TITILOLA OLUFUNMILAYO OGUNNIYA OGIDU JOHN KENNA OLUWAFEMI ODUMABO BANKOLE ANIMASHAUN GREGORYADEBIYI SALAKO ADEKOYA OGUNBAYO OTUNSANYA FEMI BAKMA ASSOCIATES OLUFUNMILAYO EUNICE OLUMIDE-COKER BALOGUN OLUSHOLA MEDESE TIMOTHY OLAWALE JIBOWO LAWAL OLANREWAJU MICHAEL OYEWOLE OKEDOKUN MOHAMMED ABDULLAHI YAHAYA FAGADE OMONIYI ELIZABETH MARGARET OYEBOLA SHONEKAN FRANKLYN EWANSIHA ORONSAYE AJAYI BLUE BLOOD CONNECTIONS LTD OLANREWAJU DAUDA AKANNI OLUFEMI OYETUNJI AMOS OLANIYI SALAKO OLASUNKANMI TAOFEEK AND ESTHER OLURONKE TINUBU OLOLADE PAISAL RAMON OYEKANMI WASIL OYEGUNLE FATAI AND MODUPE ADEITAN-BURAIMO ARINOLA SHODIPO OSITA SOLOMON MBAMALU EBENEZER ADEBAYO OREFUNJA OLAJUMOKE ADEDOYIN FUNMI-ADESHINA OLABISI AJIBIKE BOCO OSARETIN JULIET OGUNBOR OLUMUYIWA BENARD ALIU SALAKO AFUSAT MOJISOLA UDOBONG KOKOETE NITIA ADEOLAAMPELLAAKINNIFESI BERNARD EGUANGIE ORONSAYE-AJAYI BOLATITO OYEBODE OLAWALE RASHEED ANIMASHAUN ABIODUN ISIAKA SHITTU ANGELICA MOBOLAJI WILLOUGHBY EMMANUEL OBINNA NKWOJI ARTHUR EZIKA FRANSCECAADEBISI ATOTILETO MUSE TUNWASHE AFINOWI SIDIKAT AJIBIKE ALUKO OLAGOKE ABIGAIL IBIYEMI OLUKOYA EKE JOHN OKECHUKWU FUNMILAYO OYETUNJI FASHINAAJIBADE TAOFEEK OKOLIE CECILIA CHINYERE OLUFUNKE MODUPE OGBOJA FOLUSADE ADETUTU BAJOMO REGENT PROPERTIES LIMITED ADENIYI AKANNI MARTHA KOME ODIJIE CHUBA OGBUE THEOPHILUS CAIAFAS GABRIEL OGHENETEGA DJEBAH OJORAADEJIYAN NURUDEEN ADEYINKA AYOBADE BAIYESELU OBAJIMI OLANREWAJU OLUWATOYIN OMOTADE AYO OPADOKUN FRIDAY AGWU BUSARI KAMAR OLUBIYIABOSEDE FAMUYIWA OLUFEMI AKANNI JOHN OLUSOLA OSHONIYI TOLUWALASE RONKE AKPOMEDAYE NWANGUMA EUGENE CHIAZO TITUS OLORUNSOLA NAIYEJU MICHAEL ABIODUN OLADEJI

LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2` LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 LEKKI PHASE 2 ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A. ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A. ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A

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OKECHUKWU EZEANOLUE OMOROVBIYE FLORENCE EHIGIE MUMINI ADENRELE ALAO OLUGBENGA SHODUNKE AND ABIOLA SHODUNKE OJO FUNMILOLAABIODUN IBIKUNLE AND ATINUKE SHAKIRAT JIMO KEMI OGUNBANJO MAGAJI MENSAH AJUA AYO SAAD ABDULSALAM ADE ODUNUGA OGHOMWEN AIMIE EHIGIE NWIGWE GEORGE CHIDINMA FREDSON CHIJIOKE ALEXANDER OKOLI KOLA EDUN OLAIYA PHILLIPS OLANIRAN OLAYINKA SOLOMON OLUFUNKE OMOWUMI IJOSE GBAJABIAMILA RIDWAN ADEWALE OLAOYE JONATHAN BAYODE ONAYEMI OLABISI OYEWOLE OYELAMI OKON-OTOYO VICTOR ITA CHRISTIAN DURU TITILAYO SOLAPE ANIBABA OYENIKE ABIMBOLAABIMBOLA EMMANUEL OGUNLEYE BAMIDELE OLAYINKA OLOGUNDUDU OYETAYO DIPO & OYETAYO YESIDE AJIBOLA IWADOLA OGUNDIPE FOLASHADE SIDIKATU ADESOYE OSIBODU OWOLABI OLUGBENGA OYEFUNBI EGHOSA EFOSA EHIGIE MOJIROLA FOLAKE BOLA-SADIPE OLUSHOLA GIWA OGUNBIYI DAMILOLA ANN NNEKA OKONKWO JAMIU TOLANI ADEDEJI ALLI-BALOGUN EDOSA OGIUGO & PATIENCE EDOSA OLAYINKAGEORGE BOLAJOKO FASHOLA ADEYEMI OLUKOYA ODUSINA IDAYAT TITILOLA OLUSEYE OLUREMILEKUN AKADE KAMOURDEEN ABIODUN ROLE LAWAL OMOLARA MOJISOLA JULIUS JUBRIL BALA AGWU UKIWE OKALI CHRISTIANA IYABODE KOLARU MOSES OLUGBENGA BABATUNDE GEORGE BABASEGUN SADIKU OMOZOGHOGHO OMOSEFE EHIGIE CHINYERE PATIENCE MOWOE FREDERICK ADEMOLA ODUJOKO OLADIPO OLUWAKEMI SHAKIRAT

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OLUFUNKE COMFORT MOWOBI OMOERA VICTORIA ONOWOSEMEAME EZEGWU ESTHER AKANJI AYOOLA AFUSAT MODUPE ADEOLAADEBO KAMILU GBOLAHAN ADEYINKA KAREEM SAKIRU OLADEJI MAMUDU AINAKUAGBO SHIELU TAWARE OMOVBERHA EYAREYA OKUNNU SHEHU TOLULOPE MARYAM PEARCE CHIMA CYPRIACUS NWEKE MOJEED ADEKUNLE JOSEPH KAYODE TIMOTHY SOYOMBO FAMUYIWA ADEBAMBO SADIAT MUJIBAT ASHABI OLAWALE BUARI EJARUNE LOLA ADEMOLA OMOTAYO AINA

ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO ABIJO G.R.A. ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.RA ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A. ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A. ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A ABIJO G.R.A. ABIJO G.R.A

MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

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ARIOCHI PAULINA UDEMBA CRESCENT MADUABUCHI ANI AROWOSAYE OGUNDIJI OLUYEMI JOSHUA EMILIUS OLABODE ADEWUYI SEVITON OLUKAYODE SUTTON OMOWUNMI QUBRAT BAKARE KESSINGTON OLATUBOSUN ADETOUN MABODE TELLA OLUBUKOLA OLUYEMISI OGUNYEMI OLUWAFUNMILOLA OYEDELE ESTHER YETUNDE AJOSE KAZEEM AJILEYE BELLO AKINBODE MATTHEW OLUWOLE AMECHI EZEASOR JABITA BABATUNDE LAWAL AJETUNMOBI TOSIN OLAKUNLE VALENTINE NGOZI OREFO CHUKWUDI BASIL CHINATU CHUKWUEZI KAYODE SOYOMBO GIASAT ADUNNI IBAT SALAKO HABIBAT PEARCE EZEUGWU FIDELIS UGOCHUKWU CYRIACUS NWEKE AKA FATIMO FOLAKE AYODELE KOLARU ARAMOLARAN LATEEF ADEKUNLE FOLAKEMI TOLULOPE OGUNSOLA

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AUGUSTINE KWESI & OLUSOLA OKEKE BOLAAKINGBADE AND BADERINWAAKINGBADE OLUGBENGAAND MRS. OMOTAYO OKUNSANYA EMMANUEL NWAKANMA EMMANUEL AYOTUNDE ODUNTAN EKULO INTERNATIONAL LTD OLADELE AKINNEMI GODALMING INVESTMENT LTD DEW DROPS ESTATE LIMITED ADETOLAADEYEMI DEVINE ROSEWOOD NIGERIA LTD M/S INTERNATIONAL CAPITAL RESOURCES LTD IBRAHIM MOHAMMED MERA BANKHOE SERVICES NIG. LTD MATESH TECHNOLOGIES LTD

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SYLE LIMITED HARDS INDUSTRIAL COMPANY LTD INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR NON VIOLENCE AND PEACE DEVELOPMENT ASHLEY CONSORT

BANANA ISLAND BANANA ISLAND

OLAWEPO KUNLE SAMUEL JELILI AKANNI DUROJAIYE OLANREWAJU JOHNSON OLAOLUWA GABRIELAKINLUYI OLAOLUWA GABRIELAKINLUYI OLANREWAJU JOHNSON MADUKA STANISLAUS IROEFE ADEYINKAABOSEDE IJAGBEMI ALUKO OLAYINKA LINDA ASCON OIL COMPANY LTD INCORPORATED TRUSTEES OF AL-FATAH QUAREEB ISLAMIC SOCIETY OF NIGERIA

FORTUNE GARDEN FORTUNE GARDEN FORTUNE GARDEN FORTUNE GARDEN FORTUNE GARDEN FORTUNE GARDEN FORTUNE GARDEN FORTUNE GARDEN FORTUNE GARDEN FORTUNE GARDEN

ELEGBEDE MOJISOLAADUFE RASHIDAT ABIDEMI AMODU MARY ODUNAYO AYENI DAVIES MANUELLA ABIMBOLA IDOWU OGUNKELU OMODUDU TITILAYO ABIKE RITA CHIGBO ADENIYI ADEBOLA OMONIKE ADEBANJO OLUWATOYIN

GREEN GATE GREEN GATE GREEN GATE GREEN GATE GREEN GATE GREEN GATE GREEN GATE GREEN GATE GREEN GATE

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MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN MOSAFEJO ARADAGUN IKOYI IKOYI IKOYI IKOYI IKOYI IKOYI IKOYI IKOYI IKOYI IKOYI IKOYI IKOYI IKOYI IKOYI IKOYI

BANANA ISLAND BANANA ISLAND

FORTUNE GARDEN

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ARIMORO ADEROGBA OLUWASEUN OLANIKE IDOWU OLUSANYA OLUMIDE IBIKUNLE OGUNKELU

GREEN GATE GREEN GATE GREEN GATE ISIWU

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ADEBOLA EMMANUEL OWOKADE BABAJIDE MAKANJUOLA ADEDOTUN JOHN ADEKUNLE AJAYI OLUYEMISI COLE OLAWALE OLASUNKANMI OLANIHUN FOLAKEMI GBAJOBI LANDER FOLARIN ANIMASHAUN BIMPE YETUNDE ADERINTO OLATUNBOSUN ODUMOSU BABAJIDE MUSIBAU FASHOLA MARGARET EGWEDE CLEMENT ONORIODE AKPOMEDAYE OYAKHIRE DESMOND ITOBEH OGUNSOLU OLUKAYODE ABIODUN GIDADO OYEYESI OLAYINKA FOLARIN FOLASHADE OLATUNDE OLALEKAN & TAIWO OMONIYI AJILO OLANIKE MODUPE ADULOJU LAYIWOLA OLUSOGA NURAT KEHINDE ADEGBITE MAHAMOOD OLAWOLE CHIJOKE UGOCHUKWU OMOBOLANLE STELLA OJO FAOSAT AJOBI AROLE

IKORODU II IKORODU II IKORODU II IKORODU G.R.A. II IKORODU G.R.A PHASE II IKORODU G.R.A. PHASE 2 IKORODU III IKORODU III IKORODU III IKORODU III IKORODU III EXT. IKORODU G.R.A III EXT. IKORODU G.R.A III IKORODU G.R.A III IKORODU G.R.A III IKORODU G.R.A III IKORODU G.R.A III IKORODU G.R.A III IKORODU G.R.A III IKORODU G.R.A III IKORODU G.R.A III IKORODU G.R.A III IKORODU G.R.A III IKORODU G.R.A III

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JUBREELAYODEJI ABDUL KAREEM CHRISTINE ADERONKE ADEYANJU OLUSEGUN OSIYOYE BADMUS GBENGA LATEEF FOLORUNSHO & OLUWAKEMI ORIMOLOYE FALORE MOBOLANLE OLAWUNMI AKANGBE VICTOR AYOOLA

FORTUNE GARDEN FORTUNE GARDEN FORTUNE GARDEN FORTUNE GARDEN FORTUNE GARDEN FORTUNE GARDEN FORTUNE GARDEN

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AYANLEKE GABRIELAYANSIJI BIDEMI APATA AYANLEKE GABRIELAYANSIJI MONICA OLUKEMI ALABI AMAEBI PETER KELLY BABATUNDE OLUMUYIWA SUBAIR

IPAJA IPAJA IPAJA IPAJA IPAJA IPAJA

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MISTYKAY OIL & GAS NIG. LTD AGBOMA PHILOMENA OGENEKEVBE

AMUW O ODOFIN AMUWO ODOFIN

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TOBSEY PROPERTIES LIMITED

IKEJA

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ENQUIRIES All enquiries should be directed to BODE AGORO, Director of Land Regularisation, Directorate of Land Regularisation, Lands Bureau, The Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

Telephone: 01-7769102.

Email:bagoro@lagosstate.gov.ng or bodeagoro@hotmail.com

SIGNED HAKEEM MURI OKUNOLA PERMANENT SECRETARY (LANDS BUREAU)

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

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USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS ON ANY EMERGENCY Council endorsed the useful phone numbers submitted by the security agents in case of any emergency on the metropolitan Roads. Accordingly, the public may easily contact KAROTA for: Breakdown of Vehicle(s), Traffic Congestion, Accidents, and Illegal/Wrong Parking on – 08091626747. Similarly, the State Police Command could be contacted on – 08032419754, 08123821575. In addition, the State Fire Service can also be contacted on – 07051246833, 08191778888.

171ST KANO STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING

PREPARED BY COUNCIL AFFAIRS DIRECTORATE, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT, GOVERNMENT HOUSE, KANO.

A

ccomplishments are the precise preserve of the accomplished. Such is the copious case in Kano State currently under the able leadership of His Excellency Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE. This time around, the tenure is premised on the specific resolve to positively transform the

lives of the citizenry in Kano State for the better through the provision of impeccable services by the Government via its organs, system and structure marshaled/guided by the steadfast Engineer - cum polished politician.

The resolve is generally achieved through the commendable performances by all sectors in the execution of projects, programmes and policies which were allowed to stagnate in Kano State prior to the return of Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE whose current second spanned three (3) and a half eventful years in which all sectors were reinvigorated. Multitude Of tangible projects, programmes and policies aimed at positive transformation of the social, economic, spiritual, etc. wellbeing of the good people of Kano State were and are still being executed across all sectors prominent among which include Education, Infrastructural Development/Maintenance, Health, Agriculture, Empowerment, etc. Consolidating and completing the initiated efforts in all aspects are at hand and attainable.

Continuing with the laudable trend, the Kano State Executive Council held its one hundred and seventy first (171st) sitting on Wednesday 15th October, 2014 (21st Dhul Hijjah, 1435 AH) where thirteen (13) MDAs submitted forty eight (48) memoranda cutting across seven (7) Sectors for deliberation of which Council approved thirty three (33) for execution with an expenditure of One Billion, Three Hundred and Fifty Six Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty Four Thousand, Eight Hundred and Seventy Nine Naira, Eighty Nine Kobo (N1,356,834,879.89) covering thirty one (31) projects while the remaining two (2) are on policy issues. Thus; 1. THE INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT/MAINTENANCE SECTOR The administration of Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso continually declared to transform the State by the provision and maintenance of qualitative infrastructure among his promise throughout the campaign for Office prior to the election. All the premises and resolutions were reiterated and emphasized in the inaugural speech delivered on 29th May, 2014.

Impressively, each promise was fulfilled and the performances transcend common expectations and imaginations. Various mega tangible physical developmental projects were and are continuing to be executed and maintained. The list and impact are beyond this medium. Only few examples can be cited as follows; o General Construction of all categories of roads and related structures that enhance and ensure ease for movement for people from homes to places of works, market, recreation, visit to relations and friends, etc. and improve their socio - economic wellbeing.

Mega examples comprise the construction of flyovers at three (3) prominent congested locations in Urban Kano (i.e. Silver Jubilee Roundabout to Kofar Nassarawa; Ibrahim Taiwo Road by Gidan Bello Dandago; Triumph Publishing Company to Tafawa Balewa Road); construction of new major and link roads; expansion of many prominent existing major roads and continued maintenance of others. Construction of 5KM roads in each of the 44 LGCAs in Kano State, etc. o Facilitation of vitally required transportation of potable water to Greater/Urban Kano and Rural Areas from various Water Treatment Plants (WTPs) to areas of demand via provision of water supply pipelines for impressive distances Using 1000 mm and 600mm Ductile iron pipes. In fact the total investment so far in the water sector exceeds 19 Billion Naira in the last three years.

Examples are as follows; i. Watari Water Treatment Plant to Gwaron Dutse. ii. Watari Water Treatment Plant to Tsanyawa. iii. Gezawa Joda to Yankaba, Dakata, etc. iv. Tamburawa to Yankaba. v. Kafinchiri to Sumaila, etc. o Provision of Street Lighting and Interlock Tiling of pedestrian walkways of numerous major roads in Kano Metropolis. o Establishment of Tiga and Challawa Gorge Dams Independent Hydro Electricity Power Stations. o General renovation of Government owned buildings/facilities for effective utilization, etc.

The laudable trend was maintained as Council approved for the execution of the following five (5) projects in line with the Infrastructural Development/Maintenance policy of the present administration as follows; a) Request for Funds to Enable Construction of Three (3) Blocks of 3 - Seater and Completion of One (1) Block of 6 - Seater (i.e. 16 - Seaters) Public Conveniences at the High Court of Justice Complex, Miller Road, Kano:Under the current second tenure of His Excellency Gov Kwankwaso a number of projects were executed in the judicial sector. 28 New Magistrate and 27 Shari'a courts were constructed and fully furnished at a total cost of over 1.12 billion Naira. Equally the High courts that were in state of dilapidation for many years were given complete renovation. In continuation with this laudable policies of providing conducive working environment that will ultimately engender quick dispensation of justice, a request was submitted to Council for consideration from the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport at the estimated cost of N9,449,037.80. to provide Toilet facilities.

In line with the present administration policy to ensure sanity and hygienic working environment, Council considered and approved for the release of the stated sum as per the breakdown below; i. Construction of three (3) blocks of 3 - Seater Public Conveniences = N5,816,460.42. ii. Completion of one (1) block of 16 - Seaters Public Conveniences = N3,632,577.38. b) Request for the Release of Additional Funds for the Provision of Five (5) Security Plazas Located at Various Locations in Kano State:In fulfillment of his campaign promises the Government of Eng Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has massively invested in the provision of infrastructural facilities especially in road construction, expansion and modernizing existing road network to ease transportation within the state and the city. This include the construction of flyovers and underpasses.

In continuation with this, The Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport recalled Council of its approval granted for the execution of the projects based on a master plan presented by a Consultant.

The contractors mobilized to site but faced problems with the initial BEME for the projects which culminated to the request for an upward review of the original BEME from the sum of N533,722,560.88 to the revised sum of N663,926,552.13 with a variation of N130,203,991.26 upon utilization of the contingencies in the Contracts.

Accordingly, Council considered and approved the revised initial contract of the five (5) Security Plaza from N533,722,560.80 to N633,926,552.13 within a variation of N130,203,991.26. c) Request for Funds to Enable Replacement of 500KVA. 33/415V Electricity Transformer at Daburau and Installation of 300KVA.11/0.415KV Electricity Relief Transformer at Shekar Maidaki Bangaren Gabas, Madobi and Kumbotso LGCAs Respectively:Cognizance of the resolve by the present administration to provide qualitative infrastructure for the benefit of the citizenry in the State. The Ministry of Rural and Community Development submitted the request in the sum of N9,039,363.00.

Council acknowledged the presentation of the request and approved the release of the stated sum for execution of the project.

d) Presentation on the Need to Close the Road Leading to Bagauda Bridge and Request for Funds to Effect Reinstatement of the Affected Sections of the Road:Heavy downpour of rainfall caused excessive erosion problems along the approaches to Bagauda Bridge. Details were presented along with the request for the release of the provisional sum of N11,224,148.37 to effect necessary repairs required so as to enable easy passage for the users of the Bridge and Road.

Council appraised the details presented in pictures and approved the release of the provisional sum of N11,224,148.37 to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to enable execution of the repair project. e) Presentation on Request for Instructions and Release of Funds to Undertake Emergency Works at VariRabi’u Musa Kwankawaso ous Locations in Kano State:The Project Monitoring and Evaluation recalled Council of its earlier directive to study and advise Government on a request for Funds from the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport in respect of the cited issue involving six (6) projects. Details were presented along with the following two (2) notations; i. That physical assessment of the six (6) projects revealed that four (4) of them were executed to 100% level of completion while the remaining two (2) are at 70% and 85% completion stages respectively. ii. That the contingency sums totaling N3,628,186.78 for the six (6) projects was deducted from the total contract sum of N65,451,722.85 due to its non utilization on unforeseen works, thus leaving a balance of N61,823,536.07 to pay for the completed works and the remaining two (2) projects at 70% and 85% level of completion.

Accordingly, Council considered and approved for the release of N61,823,536.07 to enable the completion of the six projects.

2. THE EDUCATION SECTOR An educated nation/community is a successful one. This made the Education Sector to be celebrated as the highest beneficiary of the positive transformation efforts extended to all sectors. The Education Sector is completely transformed for the better and at all levels and ramifications. Many new Basic Education Schools, Senior Secondary Schools and Tertiary Institutions were constructed while expansion and renovation of existing ones are continually being carried out.

Many Governments owned unused buildings/facilities were converted for use as Schools.

In fact evidences are ubiquitous across the State and the impact is impressive to the point whereby provision of Education is free of charge at all levels.

Two (2) memoranda that directly relate to the Education Sector were approved for execution as follows; a) Presentation on the Review of the Running Cost of Seven (7) Kano State Owned Tertiary Institutions in Consideration of the Free Education Policy of the Present Administration:The Ministry for Higher Education submitted the presentation on behalf of the three (3) Member Committee enacted to consult with Principal Officers of the State owned tertiary institutions in order to arrive at a realistic figure to enable them successfully run the institutions to the end of the current financial year.

The Committee did its work judiciously and submitted the report based on which four (4) prayers were presented to Council for consideration of which only one (1) was approved for execution as it relates to the recommended sum of N437,462,149.70 seven (7) Kano State owned tertiary institutions.

Council acknowledged the presentation and approved for the release of fifty percent (50%) of the requested sum of (i.e. N218,731,074.85) to be disbursed among the seven (7) institutions. b) Presentation on the Need and Request for Funds to Enable Provision of School Furniture to Junior and Senior Secondary Schools in Kano State:Cognizant of the resolve by the present administration to positively transform the education sector in all ramifications, the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Education submitted the cited request for consideration by Council.

Details were presented and summarized as follows; o Senior Secondary Schools (50%) i. Furniture requirement = 40,000 plastic furniture. ii. Cost = N540,977,000.00. o Junior Secondary Schools (100%) i. Furniture requirement = 24,868 wooden/iron furniture. ii. Cost = N646,568,000.00.

Total = 64,868 Plastic and wooden/iron furniture at N1,187,545,000.00 which was requested for release by Council for the stated purpose.

Council acknowledged the presentation and approved for the release of 50% of the request in the sum of N593,727,500.00 as per details below; i. Release of N323,284,000.00 for the procurement of 12,434 wooden/iron furniture for Junior Secondary Schools. ii. Release of N270,488,500.00 for the procurement of 20,000 plastic furniture for Senior Secondary Schools.

3. THE INFORMATION/COMMUNICATION SECTOR Dissemination of information to sensitize and make the general public aware on current issues are among the cardinal resolutions of the present administration in Kano State under the leadership of the second (2nd) incumbency of Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE. Transparency in the operations of Government and its general activities is the guiding principle of this administration. Currently, all Government operations are digitalized and institutionalized along best practices. Information Communication Technology (ICT) is adopted while all Government operations are digitalized.

Progressively, the information sector is improved in State and Government does not hesitate to approve the execution of relevant projects related to the information sector. Examples abound, especially the series of approvals granted to improve the operations/performance of Radio Kano, ARTV, etc.

In this vein, four (4) memoranda related to the information sector were approved for execution as follows; a) Request for Funds to Enable the Publication of Kano State Today and Its Hausa Language Version "Jihar Kano A Yau" Magazines:Sustaining the publication of the cited magazines needed no emphasis from the Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youth, Sports and Culture. So far, twenty one (21) editions each of the two (2) magazines were published and released monthly from January, 2012 todate. The magazines present highlights of Government programmes, policies and activities and are circulated within and outside the State.

Council was requested to approve for the release of the sum of N7,680,000.00 to enable publication of six (6) editions each of the two (2) magazine for the months of October, 2014 to March, 2015. Details were presented for consideration.

Council noted, considered and approved as requested. b) Request for Funds to Enable Restructuring of the Film Library into a E _ Library for the Censorship Board:The Film Industry plays a significant role in the entertainment sub - sector at which the Censorship Board plays an important role in the regulation of the products from the Industry for employment, promoting cultural norms and the consumption of the public.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 Details on the eight (8) items required for the purpose were presented along with the request for the release of the sum of N669,900.00.

Accordingly, Council considered and approved for the stated sum to enable the re - structuring of the Library to E _ Library. c) Request for Funds for the Production of 2015/1436 AH Official Multiple Pages Calendar and Diary:The annual routine nature of the request from the Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youth, Sports and Culture was considered as Council approved for the release of the requested sum of N33,465,000.00 to enable the following productions; i. Production of 50,000 Copies of Multiple Pages Calendar = N20,915,000.00. ii. Production of 1,000 Copies each of Desk and Pocket Diaries = N12,550,000.00. d) Presentation of Special Invitation and Request for Funds to Enable Participation of Kano State Contingent at the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) Scheduled from Saturday 19th to Sunday 26th October, 2014 at Abakaliki, Ebonyi State:NAFEST was introduced to Council, through contents of this memorandum, as a wholesome annual affair that draws participants from all States of the Federation and the FCT; Non - Governmental Organizations (NGOs); Private Artists, Creativity Associations, Tertiary Institutions and other Stakeholders in the Art and Culture Industry. NAFEST 2014 is premised on the theme "Celebrating Nigeria at 100".

Council was notified that the State participated in the event since its inception and won trophies as best performing State in many activities at the event.

Accordingly, Council approved for the release of the sum of N5,000,000.00 to enable the State Contingent participate at the event.

4. THE HEALTH SECTOR "Health is Wealth". So the saying goes. The present administration of Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE acknowledges this and never relent on its resolve to accord priority to the general positive transformation of the Health Sector in the State. An unparalleled number of approvals were granted for the execution of projects to do with the transformation of the Health Sector/Facilities/System.

Examples are; o General renovation of the Kano Dental Center. o General renovation of Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital. o General renovation of Hasiya Bayero Pediatric Hospital. o Renovation of General Hospitals at Rano, Gwarzo and Bichi o Establishment of Primary Health Care Board, etc.

Continuing with the trend, two (2) memoranda directly related to the Health Sector were approved for execution as follows; a) Presentation on the Need and Request for Funds to Enable Purchase of Hospital Mattresses, Pillows and Bedding Materials for Thirty Five (35) Kano State Government Owned Hospitals and Repairs of Beds, Lockers, Overhead Tables and Drip Stands for some Selected Hospitals:The request was summarized and presented in nine (9) items estimated to cost the sum of N41,262,402.55 which was requested for the purpose.

Approval was granted by Council considering relevance of the request and the details presented. b) Request for Funds to Procure Hospital Beds, Mattresses and Beddings for the VVF Center in Dambatta LGCA:The Foundation for Women's Health Research and Development (FORWARD) was introduced to Council, through contents of this memorandum, as a Non - Government Organization (NGO) that owns and runs the VVF Center in Dambatta LGCA. The Ministry of Health submitted the request on behalf of the Organization which was endorsed by the Secretary to the State Government and presented to Council for consideration.

Essentially, Council was notified that the Organization requested for Kano State Government's assistance by the release of N2,021,244.75 to enable procurement of six (6) items for use by clients/patients at the Center.

Council considered and approved as requested.

Further to above, the Council approved the release of funds for the promotion/enhancing the educational development of the students/officials of Health Sector as follows:a) Request for Funds to Enable Conduct of Final Qualifying Examination for Medical Laboratory Technicians and Assistant Students of the School of Health Technology. Council approved the release of the sum of N469,000.00 for the examination. b) Request for Funds to Convey Dental Health Technicians and Dental Surgery Assistant Students to Offa, Kwara State for Final Qualifying Examination (20th - 24th October, 2014).Council approved the release of the sum of N3,018,000.00 for the examination. c) Request for Funds to Conduct Final Qualifying Examinations and Indexing for Pharmacy Technician Students of the School of Health Technology, Kano. Council approved as requested the release of the sum of N625,000.00 for the conduct of the final qualifying examinations and indexing for the students.

5. THE TRADE AND INVESTMENT SECTOR Kano State is covertly referred to as the "Center of Commerce" in Nigeria and the present administration in Kano State upholds and heralds the name by according adequate attention to the trade and investment sector. Activities related to commerce, industrial production and manufacturing at all levels are recognized and the State Government participates through the activities of Kano Investment and Properties (KSIP) Company, KACCIMA, etc.

As such, two (2) memoranda directly related to the Trade and Investment Sector were approved for execution as follows; a) Presentation and Request for Funds to Enable Participation of Kano State Contingent/Co - Hosting the Nigerian Raw Materials Exposition (NIRAM EXPO 2014):This memorandum was a more comprehensive presentation of an earlier submitted one which was directed to be re - submitted.

Seven (7) precise notations were submitted for consideration by Council along with the following two (2) prayers; i. Council to consider and approve participation of Kano State and co - hosting the NIRAM 2014 exposition. ii. Approve the release of the sum of N8,500,000.00 for the purpose.

Council noted, considered and approved as requested. b) Presentation of Performance Report/Retirement of Expenditure for the Third (3rd) Quarter (July September, 2014) and Request for the Release of Operational Funds for the Fourth (4th) Quarter (October - December, 2014) in Respect of the Kano State Consumer Protection Council:The Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Cooperatives and Tourism submitted the cited presentation and request on behalf of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) to Council for consideration.

Details on the retired expenditure for the third (3rd) quarter 2014 were presented along with achievements of the Consumer Protection Council in the quarter in addition to the request for the release of the recommended sum of N4,800,000.00 to cover for thirteen (13) items earmarked for the increment of expenditure in the fourth (4th) quarter.

Accordingly, Council considered and approved the requested sum as operational funds for the fourth (4th) quarter.

6. THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION/SANITATION SECTOR The Environmental Protection/Sanitation Sector enjoys priority consideration by the present administration. Several approvals were granted to reinvigorate the sector heralded by the following; i. Reintroduction of the month - end Saturday environmental sanitation exercise at homes and surroundings. ii. Introduction of the month - end Friday sanitation exercise at Government offices/workplaces. iii. Procurement of modern heavy duty equipment for use by REMASAB in the evacuation of heaps of refuse in Kano metropolis. iv. Procurement of uniforms for street sweepers engaged by REMASAB. v. Procurement of working tools for the road cleaners engaged by REMASAB. vi. Establishment of shelter-belts for impressive distances against desert encroachment, etc.

Continuing with the laudable trend, the Ministry of Environment submitted one (1) memorandum for deliberation to Council for consideration. Thus; Request for Funds for the Fencing of the Newly Established 22KM Shelter-belt in Makoda and Gabasawa LGCAs under the Great Green Wall Project:The stated 22KM shelter-belt was established in the year 2013 courtesy of the release of N14,451,455.00 by the present administration for the purpose.

Relatedly, the Federal Ministry of Environment recommends that all newly established shelter-belts be fenced so as to protect the planted saplings/investment from destruction by both human beings and animals.

In this vein, the Ministry of Environment requested for the release of the sum of N14,760,828.76 to

53 enable provision of the four (4) items required for the fencing project.

Council considered the details presented and approved as requested.

7. THE EMPOWERMENT SECTOR This sector is among the most prominent in consideration of the priority attention it enjoys from inception of the current administration. All segments of the society are considered and empowerment programmes cut across all Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). Sponsorship for education at all levels locally and abroad, establishment of skills acquisition institutes/granting of take - off capital, provision of training on crafts and petty trading, provision of entrepreneurship training for small and medium scale entrepreneurship/provision of take - off capital, etc.

In a nutshell, the most prominent empowerment schemes executed under the present administration include the following; i. Sponsorship for over 2,500post graduate Kano State Indigenous students for studies at institutions/ universities abroad. ii. Establishment of twenty Four (24) skills acquisition institutes and granting of take - off capital for the beneficiaries to be self reliant. iii. Skills acquisition training programme and the granting of take - off capital to women executed by the State Community Reorientation Council (CRC) across the 44 LGCAs. Over 300,000 women benefited under this scheme. iv. Lafiya Jari (Health is wealth) program where over 1,500 youth benefitted with training on patent medicine store business and take-off grant of N150,000 each. v. Rehabilitation/reorientation/skills acquisition training executed at the Kiru Reformatory Institute, etc.

The effort to empower the unemployed youth and underprivileged women, etc. continued as Council approved for the execution of fifteen (15) memoranda related to empowerment where approved as follows; i. Request for Funds for the Full Take - Off of the Hospitality and Tourism Institute at Former Daula Hotel:To tackle the pervasive unemployment among our teeming young men and women the Government established 24 skills acquisition institutes to train the youth in various trades and skills to enable them establish their businesses and hence become self reliant. Among these institutes, is the Hospitality and Tourism institute which has already taken off at its temporary site. About 1,500 have so far graduated in various skills. It has so far trained travel Agents, House Keepers, Bakers, Event Managers, Women and Men Photographers, Video coverage etc. The permanent site of the institute has now been completed at a total cost of over N350 million. For the full take off of the institute the Ministry of works submitted a request of N66,238,652.03 which was subsequently approved for release by the council. i. Request for Financial Assistance to Kano Sky Academy Football Club. Government since inception and in line with the campaign promises of His Excellency's vision paid a great deal of attention to Sports development in the state. To achieve this Sports Academy Karfi was established, Sports college and Mahaha Sports Complex. Spots equipment and gears were procured and distributed to 88 football clubs across all the 44 Local Governments worth over N1.2 Billion. This is in addition to assistance rendered to all clubs in all the divisions. This informed the Council To approve the release of the sum of N1,000,000.00 as financial assistance to the above club. ii. Request for Funds to Enable Kano State Para Soccer Team to Participate at the International Polio Day in Abuja (18th - 25th October, 2014). Council approved the release of the sum of N801,000.00 as requested for the participation of State Para Soccer Team in the competition. iii. Request for Funds to Enable Reimbursement of Expenditure Incurred by the National Hockey League (22nd - 30th August, 2014). iv. Council approved the release of the sum of N906,700.00 as requested. v. v. Request for Funds in Respect of 181 Second (2nd) Batch of Students for One (1) Year Top - Up Degree Programme and 197 Spill Over Cases from the First (1st) Batch at the International University of East Africa, Kampala, Uganda:TheInformatics institute was the first to be established among the 24 institutes with initial students takeoff of 218. At the end of their Diploma course 197 were secured admission at International University of East Africa, Kampala in Uganda to top-up and be awarded Degree in their chosen carrier. The institute reported the student's performance was extremely good with over 40 students making first class and about 111 with second class upper. The character of all the students was very impressive as attested by the authorities. Many of the students express their happiness at the opportunities given, as attested by Mustapha Uba, Falalu Abubakar, Lynda Mazi Anayo, Nabila Umar Faruk, Garba Tijjani and Halima Suleiman on behalf of other students.

Another batch of 181 that just completed their training have also been secured admission and hence a request of N366,573,390.00 was presented by Ministry of Science and Technology to cover for their Tuition fees, Accommodation, feeding Etc, which the council subsequently Approved for release. In another related development the Ministry submitted requests for:ii. Release of Funds for the Sponsorship of Kano State Indigenous Youth to Participate in the 2014 Science and Technology and Innovation EXPO, Abuja (19th - 24th October, 2014) at the sum ofN2,836,750.00. iii. Release of Funds for Organizing a Two - Weeks in - House Training of Newly Employed 100 Computer Assistant at the sum ofN217,000.00.

Consideringthe importance of these request council graciously approved for execution of the programs. xi. Request for Financial Assistance from Trade Union Congress of Nigeria Kano State Chapter to Enable them Attend a 3 - Day International Workshop in Lome, Togo (4th - 6th November, 2014):Kano state Government was the first State in Nigerian Federation to fully implement N18,000 Minimum wage in January 2012 to all state civil servants. The Government of Gov Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso continues to pay salaries on 25th of every month to all the civil servants to date since assuming power in 2011.

Before the Second coming of His Excellency, pensioners use to receive N135 per month. The Governor in his magnanimity raise the minimum amount to be received by every pensioner to N5,000.00 per month. In a related development Government continues to train and re-train civil servants both within and outside the country. Most of the Ministries, parastatals and Agencies have been Renovated to provide conducive working environment for the civil servants. This consideration and Indeed many other gestures, have engendered cordial working relationship between the Government and State Civil Service. This informed the council decision to consider this request and approve sum of N500,000.00each for release to the Following unions:xi. Trade Union Congress of Nigeria Kano State Chapter xii. Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Services, Technical and Recreational Services Employees xiii. Nigeria Civil Service Union to Enable them Attend a Seminar in Kaduna (26th October - 1st November, 2014):UPDATE ON ACTIVITIES OF THE 171ST KANO STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL SITTING 1. SWEARING - IN OF THREE (3) NEWLY APPOINTED PERMANENT SECRETARIES AND ONE (1) STATISTICIAN GENERAL. Council witnessed the swearing - in of three (3) newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and the Statistician General who were deployed to the Following Agencies; S/N NAME POST STATION POSTED 1. Sagir Wali Abdullahi Permanent Secretary Council Affairs Directorate 2. Aminu Shuaibu Rabo Permanent Secretary Special Duties; Secretary to the State Government Office 3. Ibrahim Garba Kabara Permanent Secretary Project and Monitoring 4. Babbale Ammani Fagge Statistician General Bureau For Statistic 2. 2014/2015 SCHOOLS CALENDER Council noted and acknowledged the re-opening of Schools on Monday13th October, 2014 with full attendance in all Schools and appreciates the Ministry of Education's efforts on the provision of Facilities in all Schools for effective Measure on the control Ebola virus.

3. PRESENTATION OF AWARD TO GOVERNOR ENGR. RABI'U MUSA KWANKWASO, FNSE

BY KWANKWASIYYA PORTHARCOURT Council Witnessed the Presentation of award to GovernorEngr.Rabi'uMusaKwankwasoFSNE by Kano Indigenes residing in Port Harcourt in appreciation of the developmental Projects so far being initiated by the current administration.

Signed: Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youth, Sports andCulture www.kn.gov.ng/new

54

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

25-07-14 DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 21-10-14

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 21-10-14

Nigerian equities break downtrend with N153b gain

A

FTER a grueling week of successive declines, Nigerian equities opened yesterday with a strong rally, with nearly two stocks advancing against every decliner. Equities chalked up N153 billion in bargainhunting as investors turned round to scout for opportunities in depreciated stocks.

Average gain at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday stood at 1.22 per cent, a major breakaway from the downtrend that saw the market losing an average of 5.55 per cent last week.

The main composite index at the NSE, the All Share Index (ASI), rallied to 38,662.65 points from its opening index of 38,197.73 points. Aggregate market capitalisation of all quoted equities rose from N12.613 trillion to N12.766 trillion. However, the average year-to-date return at the stock market remained negative at -6.45 per cent.

Market analysts said investors were responding to at-

By Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

tractive buys created by the recent spate of declines and the prospects of interim dividends from some stocks.

Major companies in the oil and gas, manufacturing and banking sectors led the market rally. Seplat Petroleum Development Company topped the 35-stock gainers’ list with a gain of N25.69 to close at N574. Lafarge Africa followed with a gain of N5.94 to close at N117. UAC of Nigeria placed third with addition of N2.56 to close at N53.79. Oando added N1.70 to close at N23.10. Nigerian Breweries rose by 92 kobo to close at N166.37. FBN Holdings gathered 78 kobo to close at N12.58. Zenith Bank chalked up 60 kobo to close at N22. Guaranty Trust Bank and National Salt Company of Nigeria added 54 kobo each to close at N27.14 and N8.69 respectively while United Bank for Africa (UBA) rose by

48 kobo to close at N5.77.

Turnover was above recent average with the exchange of 353.80 million shares valued at N4.15 billion in 5,223 deals.

Banking subsector was the most active with a turnover of 129.24 million shares worth N2.08 billion in 1,985 deals.

On stock by stock basis, Guaranty Trust Bank was the most active stock with the exchange of 49.1 million shares valued at N1.35 billion in 392 deals. Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) followed with a turnover of 35.66 million shares worth N179.22 million in 283 deals while UBA placed third with a turnover of 32.52 million shares worth N187.32 million in 313 deals.

On the downside, Nestle Nigeria led 18 other stocks on the losers’ list with a drop of N5 to close at N975. Forte Oil followed with a loss of N4.40 to close at N211.50 while PZ Cussons Nigeria dropped by N1.51 to close at N28.82 per share.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

55

MONEYLINK

AMCON: CBN reverses policy on loan defaulters

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday reviewed its earlier directive asking banks not to lend to companies owing the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

In a circular to banks, signed by CBN Director, Banking Supervision, Mrs Tokunbo Martins, the CBN said previous directive titled, ‘Prohibition of Loan Defaulters from Further Access to Credit Facilities in the Nigerian Banking System’, has been reviewed.

She said the review became exigent, after the CBN received several requests from commercial banks seeking approval to extend further credit facilities to the customers indebted to AMCON. Mrs.Martins said lending to such customers would require that an institution, having done a credit appraisal on the delinquent obligor, and is desirous of extending a new facility to the obligor; should approach AMCON and obtain the the value of the obligor’s EBA purchased

by AMCON; the terms of settlement reached between the obligor and AMCON, including a copy of the offer letter issued by AMCON upon restructuring of the facility.

The bank is to obtain the current performance status of the obligors’ facility (ies) with AMCON and details of repayments so far made with dates. Also, a letter from AMCON expressing no objection (not guarantee) for the grant of the new/additional facility by the DMB. After obtaining AMCON’s expression of no objection, the financial Institution should write to the CBN seeking an exception for the obligor.

Martins said that overall, there should be a sign-off of the bank’s Chief Risk Officer (CRO) while the Institutions’ request to the CBN

should contain the following information: a. Details on the proposed additional facility and the purpose of the facility.

The institution’s request should include reasons advanced by the obligor for non-repayment of initial facility(ies) availed; details on how the new facility would positively impact on the obligor’s outstanding indebtedness to any other financial institution; details of the collateral/ credit risk mitigants proposed for the new facility and the level of perfection of title. This should also include valuation reports, from two independent valuers, indicating the open market value and forced sale value of the proposed collateral.

Also, in addition to the requirements for AMCON obligors and other delinquent obligors above, the lending Institutions must meet the following prudential requirements the institutions must have met the minimum

• CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele regulatory and internal economic capital adequacy ratio and liquidity ratio requirements for 6 months prior to the request.

“The bank would be required to make a provision of 50 per cent on the loan from the onset of the loan irrespective of performance status and 150 per cent if for any reason the loan later turns out to be non-performing,” she said.

FirstBank supports the blind

F

IRST BANK of Nigeria Limited has demonstrated its commitment to providing inclusion, advocacy and public enlightenment for blind and visually impaired persons in the country through support for the Nigeria Association of the Blind (NAB) White Cane and Safety Day. The bank has supported the White Cane and Safety Day since 2011 and actively participated in its Charity Walk through the Bank’s Employee Volunteering Scheme (EVS) in addition to other donations made to the institution.

The annual White Cane and Safety Day which took place on Wednesday witnessed a large turnout of

Offer Price

AFRINVEST W. A. EQUITY FUND ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH BGL NUBIAN FUND BGL SAPPHIRE FUND CANARY GROWTH FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CORAL INCOME FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND FBN HERITAGE FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND

168.45 9.17 1.12 1.19 0.69 1.39 1,676.09 1,118.84 121.30 121.16 1,117.51 1.2195 1.2842 0.8302 1.0889

NAB members, friends, FirstBank staff who walked from Agege Stadium to Excellence Hotel Ogba.

In a statement by the Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, FirstBank, Mrs. Folake AniMumuney, the bank’s partnership with NAB is implemented on the platform of the lender’s “Hope Rising” initiatives aimed at providing health and welfare support for indigent persons and persons living with disabilities. Through the years, the bank has been committed to supporting persons living with disabilities and it is worthy of mention that the President of the Nigeria Association of the Blind, David Okon, is a staff of FirstBank.

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Inflation: September

8.3%

Monetary Policy Rate

12.0%

CHANGE

Foreign Reserves Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

2.89

3.18

0.29

UBA

5.29

5.77

0.48

TRANSCORP

4.69

5.08

0.39

21.40

23.10

1.70

Credit to private Sector (CPS) Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

8.15

8.69

0.54

11.80

12.58

0.78

111.06

117.00

5.94

51.23

53.79

2.56

UBA

8.60

9.03

0.43

DIAMONDBNK

5.84

6.13

0.29

WAPCO UACN

LOSERS AS AT 21-10-14

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

CHANGE

CUTIX

1.88

1.68

-0.20

MAYBAKER

1.80

1.71

-0.09

30.33

28.82

-1.51

8.50

8.08

-0.42

PZ BERGER ETERNA

T

HE International Monetary Fund reduced its growth forecast in sub-Saharan Africa because of the outbreak of the Ebola virus in West Africa and violence in at least five other countries.

Africa’s economy will expand five per cent this year, about the same as in 2013, driven by infrastructure investment, a buoyant services sector and strong agriculture production, the IMF said today in an e-mailed statement. In April, the Washington-based fund forecast a 5.5 percent growth rate this year.

While low-income countries will spur expansion with growth of as much as seven per cent in 20142015, Antoinette Sayeh, director of the IMF’s Africa Department, said in a statement.

Transaction Dates 15/10/2014 13/10/2014 08/10/2014

IKEJAHOTEL

FBNH

IMF cuts Africa growth forecast

Money Supply (M2)

Buying (N)

Selling (N)

$39.4b

US Dollar

155.70

155.72

$97.9

Pounds Sterling

250.7724

252.3929

Euro

200.3394

201.634

Swiss Franc

165.7385

166.8095

Yen

1.445

1.4544

CFA

0.286

0.306

231.3531

232.8481

25.1773

25.3409

N16.42 trillion.

N17.2 trillion 16.5%

15-10-14 Rate (%) Rate (%) 17-10-14

Yuan/Renminbi

11.00

10.917

Riyal

41.259

41.5256

1M

12.464

12.393

SDR

232.156

233.6562

3M

13.281

13.201

6M

14.205

14.110

FOREX RATES

3.57

-0.18

13.82

-0.68

R-DAS ($/N)

157.29

157.29

LEARNAFRCA

1.31

1.26

-0.05

Interbank ($/N)

162.75

162.75

CAVERTON

4.18

4.03

-0.15

45.85

44.50

-1.35

Parallel ($/N)

167.50

167.50

215.90

211.50

-4.40

FO

WAUA

Overnight (O/N)

3.75

UNILEVER

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

Currency

NIGERIAN INTER-BANK OFFERED RATES (NIBOR)

Tenor

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

CBN EXCHANGE RATES October 20, 2014

14.50

UAC-PROP

Ebola has killed more than 4,500 people in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone since the outbreak of the virus in December.

“The Ebola outbreak could have much larger regional spillovers, especially if it is more protracted or spreads to other countries, with trade, tourism, and investment confidence severely affected,” according to the IMF. “In Ebola-affected countries, fiscal accounts are likely to deteriorate, and, where public debt is manageable, fiscal deficits should be allowed to widen temporarily.”

Worsening insecurity stemming from civil wars and Islamist militant attacks could also curb Africa’s economic growth, according to the IMF.

RETAIL DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM (RDAS)

C/PRICE

NASCON

them cope with the challenges of their day to day life as well as build and strengthen the foundation for their holistic development.’

In a statement, Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Mr. Jibril Aku, said the bank’s support to the SOS Villages is part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitment.

He explained that the bank has consistently supported the organization annually because ‘we share a common vision of assisting the under-privileged in the society’, adding that all children need long term family-based care.

In his words: ‘This donation is in line with our commitment to help the SOS Villages to continue in their mission of providing a loving home for every child that has been orphaned or abandoned. We share that common vision and as a responsible bank, we will continue to play an active role in this regard”.

DATA BANK

O/PRICE

OANDO

HE National Director, SOS Children’s Villages in Nigeria has commended Ecobank Nigeria’s continued support and commitment to the welfare of less privileged children in the SOS homes across Nigeria. Mr. Erhumwunse Eghosa said Ecobank has consistently demonstrated strong financial support to SOS orphanages in the country thereby making life meaningful for the children.

Mr Eghosa enjoined other corporate organizations and public spirited individuals to emulate the bank.

In his words “We are grateful for your humanitarian support. This most importantly reminds the children that you believe in their right to a happy, healthy childhood and a bright future.”

He assured that the children will continue to receive the needed physical and emotional bonding that every child deserves, ‘so as to help

Bid Price 167.01 9.08 1.12 1.19 0.69 1.33 1,676.09 1,118.03 120.45 120.30 1,116.70 1.2117 1.2842 0.8148 1.0889

GAINERS AS AT 21-10-14

SYMBOL

T

Stories by Collins Nweze

Name

• UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

CSR: SOS Village commends Ecobank’s support

GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

Tenor

Oct. 20, 2014

Rates

T-bills - 91

10.10

T-bills - 182

10.22

T-bills - 364

10.30

Bond - 3yrs

11.52

Bond - 5yrs

11.55

Bond - 7yrs

12.13

56

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

57

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

NEWS

2015: Tension grips Abia PDP over adoption of candidate

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HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State appears to be gripped by tension over a plot by powerful forces to ease out state party and local government officials ahead of next month's governorship primaries.

The plot, which started last week, has polarised the leadership and created anxiety among members.

Sources close to the chapter said this might be a showdown between officials and Governor Theodore Orji, whose son, Chinedu, is said to have been fingered in the

•Party torn between old PPA, PDP members

By Emmanuel Oladesu

2015 moves.

They said: "There are fears of an imminent implosion in the party unless the national leadership intervenes. Top officers complain that members are divided down the line, as they have relapsed into the cleavage of the old members of the party and those from the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA)."

It was alleged that the forces seeking to impose a particular governorship aspirant on

the party comprise former members of the PPA, which originally produced the governor and that the forces have set up a congress and a primary election committee headed by a cousin of the governor, Mr. Charles Ogbonna.

Although the committee was announced by the former chairman, Senator Emma Nwaka, the founding members claimed that the list was forced down on Nwaka.

Sources said the original PPA members are rooting for

the endorsement of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu as the governorship candidate of PDP. A source, however, said the silence of the PDP leaders, who facilitated the entry of Orji into the party, is an ominous signal, as the national secretariat is yet to communicate its stand on the developments in Abia.

It was also learnt that the PPA caucus in the Abia PDP has drawn up a list of Abia politicians, who will not be elected as governor, deputy

governor, senators, House of Representatives and House of Assembly members, while a list of possible members of the Assembly is also said to have been compiled.

The move is said to have been perfected to pave the way for the emergence of a preferred candidate, possibly the governor's son, as the next Speaker, a source said.

"It is confirmed that those behind the plot will ensure that no old member of the House is returned in 2015 to pave the way for the possible emergence of a man called Ikuku as the Speaker of the

House," a source noted.

Another party official said: "Members are worried about the silence of the party stakeholders, especially people like the former chairman of PDP, Vincent Ogbulafor, Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, among others.

"Their silence portends danger and nobody is comfortable with the development. Nobody knows the position of the national leadership. We are inundated with test messages attacking not only Ikuku and the governor's family, but also mobilising the indigenes against our great party."

Kidnap: DSS parades two suspects

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HE Anambra State Command of the Department of Security Service (DSS) has arrested two suspects, who specialise in threatening personalities with kidnap, using cloned Nokia 103 mobile phone.

Some of their victims include former female governor, Dame Virgy Etiaba, Anglican Bishop of Awka Diocese, Rt. Rev. Alex Ibezim, exsecretary to the state government (SSG), Paul Odenigbo.

Others are former Commissioner for Women’s Affairs, Dr. Ego Uzoezie, monarch of Umuoba-Anam, Igwe George Ekwealor, a member of the House of Assembly, Ikem Uzoezie, Commissioner for Special Duties, Norbert Obi, two local government chairmen, among others.

The suspects, who hail from Abia State, Obinna Iheanacho and Akobundu Nwogu, were arrested by the DSS on October 16 at Isuofia in Aguata Local Government.

Parading the suspects yesterday, the Director, DSS, Mr. Alex Okeiyi, said they threatened to kidnap more than 30 victims.

Okeiyi said some of the victims succumbed to their

T

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

threats and paid ransom, while some sent recharge cards worth thousands of naira to regain freedom.

He said: “This case has become rampant in Anambra in recent times. It is a matter of time, all of them will be apprehended.

“The suspects used SIM cards, including 08188425528, 0817663253, 08184553465 and 08184249740 to threaten victims.

“They confessed to have obtained the GSM numbers of their victims from programmes of events, year books, documents of political parties and other documents.”

Okeiyi warned people using text messages and phone calls to threaten law-abiding citizens with kidnap to extort money from them, to desist or be apprehended.

The suspects told The Nation that they would not indulge in such act again if they were freed.

The DSS boss said the suspects would be handed over to the police at the end of investigation.

Three-day crusade

HE One Night With the King Crusade Ministry, an interdenominational ministry for soul winning, will hold a three-day crusade, tagged: “ Outpouring”, from Thursday to Saturday at the Indoor Sports Hall, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, from 6pm to 9pm.

The event is expected to feature Dr. Panan Percy Paul and prominent artistes like Lady Evangelist Dupe Olulana, Dr. Broda Martyns, among others.

It will be attended by eminent clerics.

There will be healing, miracles and deliverance. The crusade will be presided over by a world acclaimed minister and his wife, Pastor and Evangelist Adegboyega and Mabel Talabi, U.S.-based crusade specialists.

Okorocha greets monarch

I

MO State Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha has congratulated the monarch of Umuokeh in Obowo Local Government, Eze Ifeanyichukwu John Okafor, on his coronation as the Okeh 1 of Umuokeh.

Okorocha, who was represented by his wife, Nneona Nkechi, described Okafor as a man of impeccable character, whose leadership qualities would bring positive transformation to his community and the state.

The governor hailed the crowned Prince of Umuokeh, Deacon Chike Okafor, for toeing the footsteps of his father, especially when he served in the Executive Council as the Commissioner for Finance.

He promised to give representation to the Okigwe Federal Constituency.

Okorocha congratulated those conferred with chieftaincy titles by the traditional ruler and urged them to see

•From left: Imo State governorship aspirant, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Director of Organisation, Mr. Adewale Fatona and National Organisation Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha, at the purchase of Expression of Interest Form in Abuja... yesterday.

Anyanwu accuses Okorocha of mismanaging N357b allocation T HE lawmaker representing Imo East, Senator Chris Anyanwu, accused yesterday Governor Rochas Okorocha of allegedly embezzling N357 billion from the state’s share of the Federation Account between May 2011 and July 2014.

But in a swift reaction, the state government described Senator Anyanwu’s allegation as “fictitious and without a proof.”

Anyanwu, a two-time senator, spoke in Owerri, the Imo State capital, at the declaration of her interest to contest the governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

She also alleged that the money the governor collected during the period was 50 per cent more than what the previous administration of

F •Okorocha

the honour as an opportunity to contribute to the welfare of the people.

The Chief of Staff, Government House, Sir Jude Ejiogu, received on behalf of the governor, a gift of leopard skin presented by Eze John Okafor in appreciation of the positive transformation the Rescue Mission has brought to the state and pledged the support of the community to the present administration.

states put together,” adding that the local debts, although very difficult to quantify, were estimated to be about N50 billion, which she said the governor borrowed from local banks.

“The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The Commissioner for Finance and Accountant-General were invited and are on bail.”

Senator Anyanwu said it was regrettable that the governor had not stopped borrowing from local banks, adding: “He’s not letting Imo people know what he is doing

with the loans he is taking.”

Anyanwu, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Navy, said Imo’s rising domestic debts, high rate of unemployment, falling standard of education, and widespread poverty combine to create an atmosphere of bleakness and threaten to change the character of the people.

She said she would offer the people quality leadership, which would bring the state back to track, adding that the state “needs a sober person, who will govern and preside over its affairs and ensure that the people benefit from governance.

The person should also make sure that Imo money is kept in Imo to develop Imo for the good of Imo people.”

pectations of Imo indigenes if elected.

Odom, who also served as the minister of state for Works and Housing, reiterated his call on the elders and the stakeholders to consider Owerri zone for the governorship slot, based on equity and fairness.

He said: “The basic issue is the consensus of opinion that the Charter of Equity should prevail so that the next governor will come from the Owerri zone where I hail from. I don’t want to bother myself about the capability of aspirants from the Owerri zone because we have capable hands. We will present ourselves to the people.

“Once the Charter of Equity

is respected, then we zero in on who among us in Owerri zone has the cognate experience to move the state forward. This is why people like us present ourselves and I believe the discerning people of Imo State will make the proper choice.”

Odom not only has 20 years cognate experience in the private sector, his involvement in the public sector has seen him serving first as the former deputy chief of staff, Government House, Umuahia, in the administration of former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu, and was subsequently appointed as the commissioner for Lands, Survey and Urban Planning, from where he was moved to Special Duties.

•Govt: it’s an allegation From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

Governor Ikedi Ohakim got in four years.

“This state has never had it so good in terms of funding, yet its development is stunted, superficial, unsustainable and unaligned to the core needs of Imo people,” Senator Anyanwu said.

According to her, the increased income has not impacted on the lives of the people. “Instead life has become harder today for the average Imo person than it was between 1999 and 2007.”

She said: “The state’s external debts alone are equal to those of Anambra and Abia

Ex-minister Odom picks governorship form

ORMER Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chief Chuka Odom has joined the governorship race in Imo State.

Odom, who first served as the minister of state for Environment, Housing and Urban Development, under the late President Umar Yar’Adua, before he was redeployed to the FCT Ministry, last week picked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nomination form.

He became the first of the 11 aspirants on the platform of the party to pick the form.

The Ikeduru-born politician is coming into the race with a rich pedigree and will compete with top politicians like the Deputy Speaker of the

By Adeyinka Aderibigbe

House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha and Mr. Bethel Amadi, president of the Pan-African Parliamentary Union (PAPU).

Also in the race are the former governor, Mr. Ikedi Ohakim, Senators Chris Anyanwu and Ifeanyi Araraume, who made an unsuccessful bid for the seat in 2007.

Odom, who picked the form at the PDP secretariat in Abuja, hoped he would enjoy the support of stakeholders at the November 29 primaries.

At the event, witnessed by the national organising secretary and his supporters and wellwishers, he said he had the capacity to unseat Okorocha and would live up to the ex-

THE NATION TUESDAY OCTOBER 21, 2014

58

NEWS Assembly approves N19b for Amaechi

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IVERS State House of Assembly has empowered Governor Chibuike Amaechi to withdraw N19 billion from the state’s reserve account.

This followed a letter sent by the governor to the Assembly, requesting that he be allowed to access the fund to enable his administration complete projects.

When the letter was read on the floor of the Assembly yesterday, 23 lawmakers, who were present at the 93rd legislative day, including the Speaker, Otelemaba DanAmachree, unanimously granted the request.

The Leader of the House, Chidi Lloyd, while speaking on behalf of his colleagues, said the request did not need to be debated because the government needed the funds to complete projects and pay bills.

The Speaker noted that the government had incurred unpaid bills due to financial difficulties, adding that since the state had huge amount of money in the reserve funds, it

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

was proper to approve the request.

The Chairman, Committee on Finance, Josiah Olu, said the money would be accessed from the over N50 billion saved by the government.

He explained that what led to the request was because the Federal Government had not released funds to the states through the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC).

Olu said: “It is important for us to tell Rivers people that this was necessary because we are all aware that it has dried up; the money we get from FAAC. The commissioner for Finance and accountant-general of Rivers State just returned from Abuja, telling us that there was no money to share to the states.

“So, you know the number of projects we have that the government has embarked on.

It is important we access this fund, so that we can be able to pay our contractors and so that government can function.”

Ndoma-Egba may get PDP ticket From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

T

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may concede the senatorial slot for the Cross River Central to the Senate Leader, Mr. Victor NdomaEgba, as part of its pledge to secure automatic ticket for President Goodluck Jonathan.

But it was learnt yesterday that the party was trying to appease Governor Liyel Imoke to accept the gentleman’s agreement with “critical stakeholders.”

There were indications that the PDP might also pacify the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations, John Owan Enoh, as a way of resolving the crisis on the slot.

Some party leaders were said to have suggested a ministerial appointment for Enoh in 2015.

According to findings, the PDP leadership is insisting on the agreement it reached with some stakeholders two months ago “to ensure continuity in the National Assembly by returning some senators and leaders to the House of Representatives.”

Some of those affected are the Senate President David Mark; his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu; Ndoma-Egba (SAN), Senate Whip Bello Hayatou Gwarzo (Kano) and his deputy, Hosea Agboola (Oyo), and House Leader, Mulikat AdeolaAkande, who have all indicated interest to return to their chambers next year.

It was gathered that only Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam had complied with the party’s directive with his declaration of support for the return of the Senate president on September 16.

A reliable source, who spoke

in confidence, said: “The PDP is standing by the decision of its National Caucus to concede automatic tickets to all principal officers of the National Assembly, who want to return to the two chambers. The party will respect the principle of right of first refusal.

“The directive is, however, not going down well with Cross River and Enugu State governments. In the case of Enugu State, Governor Chime has been endorsed severally to take the seat from Ekweremadu as they are kinsmen while Governor Imoke is alleged to be behind the bid of the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations, John Owan Enoh to replace Ndoma-Egba.

“But the party will have nothing of such. It has asked the two governors to respect its position. The PDP is also under pressure from the National Assembly’s leadership to honour its commitment to its principal officers, which led to the consensus on President Goodluck Jonathan.”

Another source also gave insight into how Mu’azu had told stakeholders in Cross River on the need for Ndoma-Egba to be retained.

E

Rivers APC: Jonathan’ll lose if he runs

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan would lose should he seek re-election next year, the Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) said yesterday.

The party, in a statement in Port Harcourt by its Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, advised the president not to bow to the pressure being mounted on him by selfish groups and individuals to run.

The APC claimed that the handwriting was already on the wall for Jonathan, following the calibre of leaders and unprecedented masses that attended the declaration of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to contest next year’s presidential election.

It said it has become vital for the president “to start writing his handover notes as his game is up”.

“It is now clear why President Jonathan is scared and reluctant in accepting the call to contest the 2015 general election as evident in his statement that: ‘In deciding on an appropriate response to such calls, I will place the greater interests of national harmony, cohesion, unity, security, political stability, progress, equity, justice and fairness above any personal ambition or sectional agenda.’

“We must commend him for this wise stand as he knows that his contesting will not be in the greatest interest of national harmony. He must, therefore, perish the thought if he really loves Nigeria and wishes to promote the greatest interest of national harmony,” the statement said.

The APC warned that “if Dr. Jonathan, however, succumbs

A •Ndoma-Egba

‘Vote in credible council leaders’

THIOPE East Forum, a socio-political group in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, has called on the people to vote credible leaders at the state’s local government elections.

This, according to the forum’s Interim Chairman, Elder Sonny Emekeme, would set the tone for the installation of a robust and purposeful leadership in the councils and in Ethiope East.

At a meeting in Okpara, the group regretted that the electorate in Ethiope East had not

•All Progressives Congress (APC) Lagos-West Vice Chairman, Chief Funsho Ologunde (left) presenting nomination form to the aspirant for House of Representatives, Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency, Segun Akinyelure, at the party’s secretariat,Acme Road, Ikeja, Lagos...yesterday.

With them from left are the Chairman, Segun Akinyelure Campaign Organisation (SACO), Prince Buraimoh Ojora and Special Adviser to Chief (Mrs.) Kemi Nelson, Mrs. Yemi Akintola.

shown enough interest in the electoral process, leading to the emergence of inept persons and party stooges as chairman and councillors.

The forum urged the people to take the council elections serious and ensure that they vote in credible candidates for all positions on offer.

It appealed to the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) to be independent in the conduct of the elections and shun tendencies , which would seem to favour candidates of certain parties.

•Party insists ambition against national interest

A

Ijaw group roots for Buhari

SOUTHSOUTH group, Ijaw Global Policy Network (IGPN), has expressed support for former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to emerge as the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

Its spokesperson, Ayubalayefa Olu Dennis, in a statement in Benin City, Edo State capital, said IGPN resolved to throw its weight behind Buhari because of his strong commitment to rescuing the nation from total collapse.

Dennis also named the alleged long years of misrule and corruption by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led government as another reason for supporting Buhari.

The group hailed the decision of the Edo to the pressure of haters of Nigeria to contest the 2015 general election, he should prepare to be the first sitting President to lose a general election since there is no basis whatsoever for him to win any election again as his record card shows that he is a failure.

“Today, Nigeria has never had it so bad as the present leadership under Jonathan has inflicted unimaginable suffering on Nigerians.”

Ikanya noted that besides the imminent failure awaiting him at the polls, Jonathan knew that his participation in the 2015 election would be totally immoral since he was not qualified to run, since he was enjoying a second term in office. “The Constitution of our country makes it clear that no one can enjoy three consecutive tenures as president and

From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

State Governor Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to jettison his presidential ambition, describing his action as a mark of respect for the party’s leadership.

The statement added: “After studying all the APC aspirants, who we are convinced are all qualified to be president, we are asking Nigerians to allow Buhari, whose disdain for corruption stand him out. He is ready to fight corruption to a standstill.

“We are appealing to the leadership of the party to adopt Buhari as the party’s sole candidate to contest the 2015 general election, owing to his doggedness and desire to bring change to the country.”

Jonathan is bound by the constitution,” Ikanya said.

He expressed happiness over the high quality of tested and trusted leaders who have indicated interest to fly the flag of APC in its rescue mission.

“PDP’s reign these past 15 years has brought shame and hardship to our nation and we must unite to salvage this nation from the hands of the present confused leaders of PDP,” he said.

The party chairman aligned with the position of its leader, Governor Chibuike Amaechi, who queried where Jonathan would get the votes that would get him elected in 2015, knowing that he had lost Lagos, Kano and Rivers states before the election.

Rigging, he warned, would not be considered for the 2015 general election.

Further echoing Amaechi’s position, the statement added: “For us as APC, we will line up behind the party. Go back home now and get your voter cards.

We will punish these people.

Rivers State is not in their hands.

Lagos State is not in their hands.

Kano State is not in their hands.

So, tell me where we are going?

They are banking on using security against us. We shall teach them a lesson. We will fight with our body, with our lives because there must be change this time.

“And I have said it again and again, there is no aspirant in APC that is not better than the aspirants in PDP. What we must do is not only to vote for the aspirants in support; we must also take the voter card so that when we finish nominating our candidate here, we will line behind that candidate and ensure that we will vote out Jonathan.”

Robbers get 56 years for car theft in Asaba

HIGH Court in Asaba, Delta State, has sentenced a carpenter, James Emmanuel, and a bus driver, Isioma Egwu, to 56 years in jail for robbing a female civil servant of her Honda Accord.

Justice Cletus Emifoniye found the two accused guilty on a two-count charge of conspiracy to commit robbery and offence of robbery, punishable under Sections 516 and 402 of the Criminal Code Laws Cap C21, Volume I Laws of Delta State, 2006.

They were sentenced to seven years each on count one and 21 years each on count two.

The court, however, held that the sentences are to run concurrently.

A prosecutor from the Ministry of Justice, Champion

•Court remands man in prison for impersonation From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri and Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

Umukoro, an assistant chief counsel, told the court that Emmanuel (30) and Egwu (27) on or about September 26, 2012, at Asaba robbed one Mrs. Obi Sally of her car.

The victim had gone to drop her friend on Anwai Road when the incident happened.

A three-man gang accosted her while reversing her car after dropping off her friend, forcefully opened the car door and pushed her out before driving off.

After two days, the car was recovered from where it was parked in Lagos by the police.

The two accused persons, in

their confessional statements to the police, admitted to have committed the offence, but denied same during trial.

Also, a Magistrate’s Court in Warri has ordered that Prince Toritseju, a 42-year-old man, be remanded in prisons custody for alleged impersonation and swindling.

The suspect allegedly claimed that he was a member of the Ugborodo Export Processing Zone (EPZ) Interface Committee, under which guise he had duped several persons of thousands of naira, promising to secure employment for them.

Chief Magistrate (Grade 1) Mrs. T. R Ewerido, while giving the order in the case filed by the Commissioner of Po-

lice, said the accused person would have to be remanded in prisons’ custody while the court sought legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) on the competence of the court to entertain the matter.

Counsel to the accused S.J. Aremu argued that the magistrate’s court lacked jurisdiction to entertain cases of offence connected to Section 1(3) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and other fraud related offences Act Cap A6 Law of the Federation 2006.

He demanded that the nature of the offence brought against his client be re-presented by the police based on state laws to enable the court adjudicate on the matter.

59

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

NEWS

30 killed in troops, Boko Haram clash in Borno the town that is just picking up from its ruins,” the officer said.

He said an armoured vehicle and some arms were recovered from the insurgents.

Damboa, a garrison town near the border with Cameroon, has been the site of fierce fighting between the militants and Nigerian forces for months. The insurgents sacked the town in July but were driven out by an army counter-offensive.

A member of pro-government Civilian Joint Task (JTF)

vigilantes, Mohammed Haruna, said of clashes on Sunday: “Two of our members came to (the town of) Biu this morning from Damboa and said the soldiers engaged Boko Haram yesterday and the battle lasted till about midnight.”

Maiduguri resident Andrew Tada said the insurgents killed five people in Gava, a hilly town in Gwoza Local Government Area not far from Damboa.

Tada said his brother in Gava

was lucky to have escaped to the top of a mountain.

“My brother is still there now with other relatives, women and children,” he told Reuters after speaking with his brother on the phone.

“They (the militants) came yesterday (Sunday) while people were scouting for food at the foot of the mountain. When the insurgents sighted our people, they pursued them and slaughtered five,” Tada said.

(PDP), Chief Tony Anenih, led other members of the party on a reconciliation meeting in Sokoto but the Speaker of the House of Representatives and a member of the NEC of the PDP, Rt. Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal CFR, was not invited to the meeting.

“That Rt. Hon Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal was later invited by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, to attend

the meeting of their political family to discuss the political future of Sokoto State.

“That the Speaker, Rt. Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, duly obliged and attended the meeting.

“That the meeting had in attendance prominent Sokoto citizens many of who have no known political affiliation. The most notable being the Sardauna of Sokoto and former Minister of Finance, Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji.

“That consultations on the Speaker’s political future continues and the outcome will be made public at the appropriate time.”

The Sokoto State chapter of the PDP, after four hours meeting, failed to agree on a consensus candidate.

The meeting, which was held at the Gyginya Hotels, had Chief Jim Nwobodo, former Niger State Governor Abdullahi Kure and other party stalwarts from Abuja, former Gov-

ernor Attahiru Bafarawa, Deputy Governor Mukhtar Shagari, former Minister of Youths Senator Abdulahi Gada, Ambassador Abdallah Wali, Senator Ahmed Mohammed Maccido, Hon. Umaru Bature and state PDP chairman Alhaji Ibrahim Milgoma.

After the meeting, Anenih said: “Its a PDP issue. The meeting was very successful”.

Bafarawa said, “We are just trying to make sure that we put our house in order.”

Continued from page 4

office in Nigeria have now been full of zeros for 42 days.

“This is a spectacular success story that shows that Ebola can be contained.

“The story of how Nigeria ended what many believed to be potentially the most explosive Ebola outbreak imaginable is worth telling in detail.

“Such a story can help the many other developing countries that are deeply worried by the prospect of an imported Ebola case and eager to improve their preparedness plans.

“Many wealthy countries, with outstanding health systems, may have something to learn as well.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said despite Nigeria being declared an Ebola free nation, the country should not go to sleep yet until the last vestiges of the Ebola virus are destroyed.

In a statement from his me-

dia office in Abuja, the former Vice President commended the successful eradication of The virus from the country, a feat he said, would change the negative perception of the country by the outside world.

He said the Federal Government as well as the Lagos and Rivers States’ governments should be commended for this remarkable achievement in the face of the grimmest medical crisis that the country found itself.

Atiku explained that the success is a clear indication that when leaders work together for the common good of the society, there was always a ray of hope for the nation and praised the medical personnel who participated in the battle to control the spread of the disease.

Chairman Senate Committee on the Environment and Ecology, Senator Bukola Saraki in a statement in Abuja entitled :Proud to be a Nigerian. Togeth-

er we defeated Ebola” said: “I join Nigerians all over the world to celebrate the World Health Organisation declaring our country ‘Ebola free’.

“This is a significant achievement that must be celebrated by every Nigerian, regardless of what aisle of our numerous political divides that we stand on.

“The way that we all came together to combat this disease makes me believe that together Nigeria stands as an unconquerable and indivisible nation.

“We must all commend everyone that played a role in this victory, especially our healthcare workers that stood on the frontlines to halt the Ebola virus from spreading.

“And as we do so, we must also remember the heroes - our dear and departed countrymen and women - who gave their lives in service of their nation, by maintaining the integrity of the medical profession.”

Continued from page 4

may be the work of criminal gangs hiding under the cloak of Boko Haram to operate.

An army officer, who requested anonymity, said the militants tried to enter the town of Damboa late on Sunday through Alagarno, a Boko Haram hideout, but soldiers fought them off.

“Our men gunned down 25 of the insurgents because they would have entered Damboa and unleashed more terror on

‘Why Tambuwal attended APC stakeholders’ meeting’

Atiku, Saraki, doctors applaud WHO

(NIMR), Lagos, said Nigerians should maintain the achievements recorded in containing EVD. “EVD and other related diseases are big concern to public health. So, in the area of hygiene, Nigerians should continue with the level of hygiene imbibed so far.

“This hygiene practice will keep diseases away from our environments.

“The Isolation Centres should be used for more research works on other related infections and contagious diseases,’’ he said.

“We cannot say final ‘hurray’ now because we still need to keep monitoring and improving on all health standards to ensure that we do not have cause to deal with EVD again,’’ he said.

In declaring the country EVDfree, WHO stated “The lines on the tabular situation reports, sent to WHO each day by its country

Jonathan’s stance deepens crises Continued from page 4

no say on how they emerged in 2011.’

“At a point, the President recalled how the five governors walked out on him during the National Convention in Abuja which led to the crisis in the PDP. He said the party does not want to produce such rebellious governors in 2015.

“He said you can never rule out the capacity of a sitting governor.”

Another source said the President spoke on the need to be on guard to check the opposition from benefiting from any nomination crisis in PDP. The second source said: “The President said the party must field candidates who can win elections. He said: ‘I want results; the party wants numbers to deny APC of winning 25 per cent of the votes anywhere with the right candidates.’

The meeting was said to have considered the consequences of the declaration of former Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to vie for the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

A governor, who tried to underplay the fears of PDP on Gen. Buhari, said: “We looked at Buhari’s declaration jokingly because he has not emerged as a candidate.

“The outcome of APC primaries will determine the appropriate response or strategy to Buhari’s candidature.”

The President, the governors andthe PDP will still “meet on the senatorial aspirations of the governors at another session”.

But after the meeting Abia State Governor Theodore Orji said: “We discussed our party and the primaries that will soon come.

We looked at how to fortify our party to avoid rancour or in fighting to enable us do very well both in the primaries and general elections in 2015.”

Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema said the meeting evaluated strategies for a successful conduct of the party’s forthcoming primaries.

Adamawa State Governor Bala Ngilari spoke on the situation in

his state.

He said: “The political situation in Adamawa is very stable, I can assure you. The people are very happy. You know, the common man appreciates when justice is done at all times. They are very happy; you can do your independent verification.”

“All the reported noise in some quarters that heavens will fall because of my swearing in, nothing like that has happened. I thank the people of Adamawa for their massive support and we promise to keep faith with them,’’ he said Governors at the meeting were Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo), Isa Yuguda (Bauchi), Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe) and Martin Elechi (Ebonyi).

Others are Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Saidu Dakingari (Kebbi), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Ibrahim Shema (Katsina), and Umar Garba (Acting Governor of Taraba), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Jonah Jang (Plateau) and the deputy governors of Kogi and Nasarawa states.

Many governors are faced with stiff opposition in their states over their choice of successors.

In Akwa ibom State, Governor Godswill Akpabio is believed to be backing former Secretary to the State Government Udom Emmanuel but another former SSG, Umana Okon Umana, and others are opposed to him.

Delta State Governor Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan is believed to be supporting Anthony Obuh.

Contenders like Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, House of Representatives member Ndudi Elumelu, Chief Obaisi Omo-Agege and former minister Godsday Orubebe won’t agree.

The plot by some leaders of the PDP in Rivers State to put forward former Minister of State Nyesom Wike is creating ripples in the party.

In Ebonyi, Governor Martin Elechi is pushing for former Health Minister Onyebuchi Chukwu, but some aspirants are unhappy.

Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime has pitched his tent with House of Representatives member Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi but Senator Ayogo Eze is kicking.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

FOREIGN NEWS Australia lifts parliament ban on face coverings

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HE Australian government has reversed a decision which would have restricted access to parliament in Canberra for women wearing full-face Islamic veils.

Earlier this month, parliament said anyone visiting the building with their face covered would have to sit in a separate area of the public gallery.

The move was widely seen as being aimed at Muslim women in burkas or niqabs, prompting discrimination accusations.

Officials said visitors would now have to show their face briefly to security.

“Once this process has taken place, visitors are free to move about the public spaces of the building, including all chamber galleries, with facial coverings in place,” the Department of Parliamentary Services said in a statement.

The plans would have affected Muslim women wearing niqabs, full-length garments where only the eyes are visible, and burkas, where no part of the face can be seen.

The policy reversal apparently came after Tony Abbott suggested “common sense should prevail”. The

fact that everyone who enters Parliament House has to pass through a body scanner anyway might be one element of common sense he was referring to.”

Stephen Parry, president of the Senate, said the initial ruling had been made because of rumours that a group of people were planning to attend prime minister’s questions on 2 October wearing veils and stage a protest in the public gallery.

He said the measure was intended to be temporary and, as it had come on the last day of the parliamentary session, had never been enforced.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott - who has previously described burkas as a “confronting” item of clothing which he wished people would not wear - had asked Speaker Bronwyn Bishop to “rethink that decision”.

The rule came as Australia tightened parliamentary security because of fears of a terror attack The rule had come amid growing concern about the threat of terror attacks in Australia and the involvement of Australian jihadists in the Islamic State (IS) militant group fighting in Iraq and Syria.

Joko Widodo sworn in as Indonesian president

J

OKO Widodo, the charismatic outsider who won Indonesia’s presidency, made a call for national reconciliation and unity as he was sworn in.

Popularly known as Jokowi, the 53-year-old took the oath of office at a ceremony held at parliament in Jakarta.

He was then cheered through the streets as he made his way on a horse-drawn carriage to the state palace.

The former Jakarta governor is the first president not to have come from the military or political elite.

Elected in July, the former furniture exporter and son of a carpenter now leads the world’s third-largest democracy, with a population of about 250 million people.

US Secretary of State John Kerry and Australia’s Prime Minister Tony Abbott were

•Mr Widodo flashed his trademark peace sign to thousands during a street parade following his inauguration .Yesterday PHOTO: AP

among those who attended the inauguration.

After reading the oath of office, he told Indonesians that “unity and working hand in hand are prerequisites for us to be a great nation. We will never become a great nation if we are stuck with division”.

American Secretary of State Jon Kerry and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott was among the for-

eign dignitaries at the ceremony Jokowi - who has promised to focus on healthcare and education - has been catapulted to power by his “man of the people” image, our correspondent says.

But that will not be easy with an antagonistic parliament in power and he will be sorely tested in this first term in office, she adds.

Mr Widodo’s defeated ri-

val in the presidential election, Prabowo Subianto, gave the new leader his conditional support last week, in a move seen by observers as a positive sign.

One of the first, and biggest, challenges Mr Widodo faces is Indonesia’s at least $20bn (£12bn) fuel subsidy bill. He has said he plans to reduce subsidies, but the move has been met with opposition.

African solar energy could power UK homes

I

NVESTORS are seeking funding from the UK government for an ambitious plan to import solar energy generated in North Africa.

Under the scheme, up to 2.5 million UK homes could be powered by Tunisian sunshine by 2018.

The company involved says they have already spent 10 million euros developing the site.

A number of overseas energy producers are competing to bring green energy to the UK from 2017.

The TuNur project aims to bring two gigawatts of solar power to the UK from Tunisia if the company wins a contract for difference (CFD) from the British government.

Under new rules published by the Department for Energy and Climate Change (Decc) in the Summer, the government will allow developers of renewable energy projects that are not based in the UK to bid for contracts that guarantee subsidies to supply power.

The plan involves focussing the rays of the Sun on a central tower

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TuNur, which is a partnership between British renewables investor Low Carbon, developer Nur Energy, and Tunisian investors, says it has already spent 10 million euros developing the site in the southern area of the country.

The company has gathered three years of solar data from the location, which it says has been independently verified.

Legislation has also been

Arab Spring.

Their plans involve using concentrated solar power (CSP) technology.

This allows the developers to store some of the energy generated so that the supply is “dispatchable”. It can be switched on or off on demand.

The company involved says its electricity supplies will be secure and 20% cheaper than home-grown sources, such as offshore wind.

Obama makes rare campaign for Md dem

P

RESIDENT Barack Obama made a rare appearance on the campaign trail on Sunday with a rally to support the Democratic candidate for governor in Maryland, though the event was marred somewhat by early departures of crowd members and a yelling heckler.

With approval levels hovering around record lows, Obama has spent most of his campaign-related efforts this year raising money for struggling Democrats, who risk losing control of the U.S. Senate in the Nov. 4 midterm election.

Many candidates from his party have been wary of appearing with him during their election races because of his sagging popularity.

Not so Lieutenant Gov-

ernor Anthony Brown of Maryland, who is running for governor, and Governor Pat Quinn of Illinois, who is running for re-election.

“You’ve got to vote,” Obama repeated over and over at a rally for Brown in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, near Washington.

Democrats have a history of not turning up to vote in midterm elections.

“There are no excuses.

The future is up to us,” Obama said.

Some 8,000 people turned out for the event, held in a noisy school gymnasium. But a steady stream of people walked out while he spoke, and a heckler interrupted his remarks.

Obama’s help, or lack thereof, may not matter much to Brown, who is 11

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passed in the Tunisian parliament to facilitate the export of the energy, and an agreement has been reached with the Italian network operator to connect a dedicated undersea cable to a substation near Rome.

The company argues that existing gas pipelines from Algeria that run through Tunisia have operated without a glitch through the turbulence that has followed on from the

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points ahead of Republican opponent Larry Hogan, according to an average of polls by RealClearPolitics.

Quinn’s race is tighter.

He is ahead of Republican Bruce Rauner by 1.8 points, according to the RealClearPolitics average.

The governor, echoing the president at other Democratic events, encouraged the crowd at Chicago State University to get to the polls.

Obama picked out people from the crowd whom he knew, and seemed to relish being back in Illinois.

Nazis who left U.S. still paid benefits

T

HE US government has paid dozens of suspected Nazi war criminals millions of dollars in social security after forcing them to leave the US. The payments were paid through a legal loophole, an Associated Press investigation uncovered.

The suspects were reportedly told by the US justice department they could keep benefits if they left the US. Among them were troops said to have guarded Nazi camps and a rocket scientist who used slave labourers.

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

61

SHOWBIZ

•Mr. Cobham, Ita Giwa, Mrs Imoke and others at the ceremony

Imoke opens 10th Carnival Calabar in style

G

OVERNOR Liyel Imoke of Cross River State has declared open this year’s edition of the annual Carnival Calabar.

With a mock event tagged ‘Celebration Time’, the event touted as Africa’s biggest street party, began on a high note, thereby evoking memories of the December fanfare, which enters its 10th edition this year.

“Ten years is no mean feat.

For us, Carnival Calabar has grown bigger as we promised Cross Riverians and Nigerians when we came on board in 2007. With our vision of institutionalising the event, by allowing the private sector to be the main drivers while government regulates, there is greater hope that this Carnival will grow in lips and bound,” said Imoke.

By Victor Akande The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Mr. Efiok Cobham, noted that this year’s event is significant to the life of the administration, adding that it will serve as a hallmark celebration to coming administrations.

Institutionalising the annual festival, he said, is still worked out run, following the formation of the Carnival Calabar Band Associations, which are now the main drivers of the event.

“Last year, you said it was the biggest, but this year is going to be extra ordinary,” he said.

While thanking the private organisations for investing in the brand, the governor urged others to join the

train.”

The chairman, Carnival Calabar Commission, Mr. Gabe Onah, said the private sector had taken full ownership of the celebration with the band enjoying enormous sponsorship.

Also speaking on the occasion, the chairman, Carnival Calabar Bands Association, Sen. Florence Ita Giwa, who was excited about the level of sponsorships, also expressed delight at the level of commitment given to the event by the state government.”

Ita- Giwa also stated that about N15 million had been invested so far through the private sector participation, including the Nigerian Port Authority and SCOA (Nig.) Ltd. that donated a brand new Hilux vehicle.

Dele Abiodun thrills at Island Club’s party

A

CE Juju musician, Admiral Dele Abiodun, put up a superlative performance, last Friday, when he thrilled members of the Island Club of Lagos, who had gathered to mark the 71st anniversary of the club, Nigeria’s Independence Day as well as the Ileya festival.

There was a large turnout of guests from both the public and the private sectors at the colourful event that held within the premises of the club.

Welcoming guests to the ceremony, the chairman, Demola Dada, said that it had become a tradition for the club to hold a joint celebration whenever one or more events fall within the same period.

“The founders of the Island Club were in the forefront in the fight for democracy and the present members still need to key into the campaign for the sustenance of democratic rule in the coun-

By Ovwe Medeme

try. It is the bedrock of the club and because we believe religiously in these principles, we will go to any length to preserve them. We will continue to support the present administration as well as the government and private sectors. It is a legacy handed over to us by our forefathers and we shall also hand it down to the coming generation,” he said.

Dada also drew the attention of guests to the uncompleted seven-storey parking space embarked upon by the club.

Also, the Chairman of the Day, retired Brig.-Gen. Raji Rasaki( rtd.), thanked God for making it possible for members to gather for what he termed an august occasion.

“At the same time, we thank God for being alive to witness this important event. I am very glad to be associated with the Island Club. There

•Abiodun

is only one Island Club and that is why it is unique; that is also why I will continue to honour your invitation,” he said.

The highpoint of the occasion was the conferment of membership of the club on Brig Raji Rasaki as well as Vice Admiral Ganiu Adekeye.

Dignatories present at the event include the Royal Father of the day, HRH Abdulrazak Adebayo Adeoye and his entourage, Alhaji Yahaya Quadri(Trustee for Island Club), former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ganiu Adekeye, the Osolo of Isolo and Oba Kabiru Adelaja.

MEGA 2014: Nominees’ unveil holds today

By Babatunde Sulaiman

•Okposo

A

S a prelude to this year’s edition of the Music and Entertainment Gospel Awards, aka MEGA Awards, the inaugural nominee’s unveil ceremony holds today at The Combo-

Hall, LTV Broadcasting Complex, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos.

The event, according to a release by the Central Working Committee (CWC), is to “warmly recognise and celebrate all the final nominees for the main awards show.

The MEGA, which is Nigeria’s premier gospel music awards, aims to “honour and celebrate the best Nigerian talents in the service of humanity and exaltation of the Almighty”.

Organised by Footprints

Publication & Media Limited, an event management outfit in collaboration with the 2014 Main Organising Committee (MOC), MEGA is designed to recognise and celebrate outstanding performances and exemplary talents in the Nigerian gospel music community.

According to the organisers, the ceremony will bring together the nation’s most influential entertainers, musicians and other individuals in different sectors of the Nigerian society to share in a rewarding gathering of networking and celebration.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

63

THE NATION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014

SPORT EXTRA

T

HE coaches of the Super Falcons are not leaving anything to chance as the Nigerian side continue preparations for the crucial African Women Championship semi final tie against the Bayana Bayana of South Africa on Wednesday.

The Nigerian side shifted its training session to the Sam Nujoma stadium in Windhoek yesterday but it was not as strenuous as that of Sunday which was held at the Namibia Football Association technical study pitch.

After taking the players through their paces,the coaches then went on to continue drilling them on how to make accurate pull outs from the wings,an indication that the demolition

News

AWC Semi Final:

Falcons practise spotkicks Nda-Isaiah seeks From Onyewuchi Nwachukwu, in Windhoek of the South Africans may be orchestrated from the wings.

To round off yesterday's training session,the players practiced penalty shoot outs for the first time since they landed in Windhoek for the AWC. The penalty kicks of the quar-

tet of Perpetua Nkwocha,Francisca Ordega,Desire Oparanozie and second choice goalkeeper,Ibubeleye Whyte were unarguably the best out of the kicks.

Coach Godwin Okon who was confident that his girls would wrap up the game in 90 minutes, however, admitted that he does not want his players to be

caught unprepared in case the game drags into penaties shoot out.

"In football,anything can happen what matters most for me is for my team to qualify and that's why we are not taking chances at all.The penalty practice we have done is to prepare the players mentally for the task if it comes to that in the game against the South Africans"

NYSC’s reform

L

EADERSHIP publisher and All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant, Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah, has said the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) should be reformed to achieve better results.

The publisher also said former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, is a blessing to Nigeria.

Gen. Gowon, who celebrated his 80th birthday at the weekend, established the NYSC. Nda-Isaiah noted that Gen. Gowon’s efforts at ensuring that the nation healed after the civil war was the reason the nation was able to embark on a gradual recovery and prevent a reoccurrence of the war.

The politician said the NYSC had served its purpose and needed to be reformed

to meet the nation’s challenges.

The Kakaaki Nupe said unemployment and insecurity in the land were among the biggest issues on the front burner.

He said the NYSC should be used to find solutions to those problems.

Nda-Isaiah suggested that the NYSC should incorporate a two-year compulsory military service into its programme for graduates to enable the nation fortify its national security and increase its defence and readiness for war.

The presidential aspirant noted that figures from the security situation had put the numerical strength of military personnel at a little over 300,000.

He said this was inadequate to protect a large country like Nigeria.

NAMA, NAF to partner on airspace safety

African Nations Cup:

Ikhuoria laments dearth of boxing

NTF shops for sponsors

T

O ensure that Nigeria takes part in the forthcoming African Tennis Nations Cup Championship holding in Congo Brazzaville, the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) has commenced search for sponsors to prosecute the tournament next month.

According to the NTF President, Sani Ndanusa, efforts are on to secure sponsors for the national team.

“We are still searching for sponsors because funds have been major challenges for us in recent time. But we are hopeful that we will be part of the tournament,” he said.

Just like what befell the team during the build-up to the Davis Cup championship when the team could not assemble a full team for the competition held in Cairo, Egypt.

It would be recalled that the Secretary General of NTF, Gloria Ekwempu-Chinwuko, said the federation has written to the

C

HELSEA will take on Maribor in the Round three of the Champions League Group G tie at the Stamford Bridge tonight with Super Eagles’ John Obi Mikel missing the tie due to foot injury.

According to Soccerlens, the Blues, having drawn their last UCL tie against Schalke at home, would be looking for nothing less than full three points.

Like Mikel, Ramires and Chelsea goal machine, Diego Costa have also been ruled out of the encounter. “Diego Costa hasn’t trained because he’s not in condition to do so. Tomorrow (today) he can’t play,” Mourinho said.

Ramires returned to training yesterday but Mourinho has confirmed that the Brazilian won’t be fit enough to play.

Willian may retain his place after Mourinho has ruled out Andre Schurrle for this tie as well. In the attacking department, Chelsea will continue to miss star striker Diego Costa through injury.

By Olalekan Okusan National Sports Commission (NSC) to fund the trip and they are still awaiting their response in order to commence preparation.

“We cannot confirm whether we are taking part in part in the competition as we are still waiting on NSC to fund the trip and we are hopeful that they will support the team in its quest to be part of the tournament,” she said.

Nigeria finished fifth at the last edition held in Dakar, Senegal.

The tournament is organized biennially by the Confederation of African Tennis (CAT) is an individual and team events competition for men and women with prize money of $22,500.

Tennis Club de Brazzaville nine clay courts will host the championship that has most times being dominated by the North Africans.

F

ORMER Olympian, Isaac Ikhuoria has lamented the poor state of amateur boxing in the country, blaming the administratorsfor the sad development.

Ikhuoria told NationSports in Benin over the weekend that it was disheartening that the sports that brought lots of medal for the country is gradually slipping into oblivion. He noted that the inability of administrators to organise competitions has contributed to the problem.

He said that it was disheartening that boxing could only win two bronze medals at the last Commonwealth Games in Scotland. “Nigeria was a strong force in boxing and it is sad we struggle to win medals at international competitions. The last Commonwealth Games was a big flop and I hope that the administrators are taking note of this in a view to

By Adeyinka Adedipe correct the anomaly.”

The boxing icon questioned the guideline for electing members into the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF), as none of the present members have been unable to organise competition in their zones. He said those who have the ability of lift boxing do not get the opportunity to serve on the board.

He said: “I did well for this country and I wonder what is happening to the sport that brought me fame. It is clear that the administrators need to do a lot to revive boxing so that it can attract sponsor instaed of waiting for government subvention, which has become inadequate in recent times.”

The former coach also called the government to give financial backing to other sports, saying that football is doing well because it enjoys a lot of support from government.

Injury knocks out Mikel against Maribor The task, however, won’t be easy, as Maribor are a compact side who are unbeaten in their last eight matches in the Champions League (including the qualifiers).

“Maribor’s results tell you a lot. Their results away from home have been very impressive. We have full respect for them,” Mourinho said.

Chelsea may give rest to some of their key players, especially with the crucial Premier League clash with Manchester United coming up this weekend.

•Mikel

Ebola, kidnapping fears stop Gullit for Eagles

A

FRICAN Football.com can again exclusively report today that former Dutch super star Ruud Gullit has rejected a chance to coach Nigeria because of the Ebola disease and fears he could be kidnapped in the country.

Several top sources have confirmed this to AfricanFootball.com since we first broke the news that

the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have mandated a contact in Holland to sound out the former Chelsea coach.

Nigeria plan to hire a foreign coach immediately after the country’s two 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Congo and South Africa next month, which will be handled by caretaker coach Shuaibu Amodu after

Stephen Keshi was not given a new contract.

But one of Gullit’s representatives first told an AfricanFootball.com source he will not be interested in taking up the job because it is “high risk”, while listing out the outbreak of Ebola and security fears in Nigeria particularly as the country is gearinguptoconductageneralelection next year.

T

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

HE Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has promised to strengthen the harmonious relationship with the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) for the safety and security of the nation’s airspace.

NAF’s Air Officer Commanding, Logistics Command, Air Vice Marshal Olutayo Oguntoyinbo, spoke on the relationship when he led a high-powered delegation on a visit to the NAMA headquarters in Lagos.

The naval officer noted that as a dependable ally, NAMA had always collaborated with the NAF in the area of strategic airspace management, training of Air Force personnel on air traffic control and airspace surveillance.

Oguntoyinbo noted that “the professional and technical expertise provided by NAMA in Air Force training and operations have been outstanding and invaluable”.

According to him, the visit was “to build on this existing synergy between the two organisations in view of the numerous benefits accruing to the nation in terms of safety and security of the airspace”.

NAMA Managing Director Ibrahim Abdulsalam noted that “The relationship between NAF and NAMA needs to be continually improved upon since both organisations play complimentary roles in ensuring a safe, secure, effective airspace” for Nigeria.

He added: “NAMA will always provide the needed capacity and expertise to the Nigerian Air Force whenever the need arises.”

NLNG donates generator to HE Nigeria Liquefied autism school Natural Gas (NLNG)

T

Limited has donated a 15 KVA generator to the Autistic Children’s Healing School in Abuja.

The gesture, the company said, would aid the institute’s educational programme for autistic children.

The company, Nigeria’s arrowhead for monetising its abundant gas resources, is an active enabler of social development, executed via a robust platform of interventions, particularly in the educational sector.

A statement by its General Manager, External Relations, Mr Kudo Eresia-Eke, said: “At Nigeria LNG, we place a premium on education as a game changer, and we are happy to support the Autistic Children’s Healing School in its noble effort to channel the energies of children in its care.

As in other areas where we have provided assistance, our aim is to encourage Nigeria’s progress through the empow-

erment of our people.”

Autism, a complex development disability, results from a neurological disorder, affecting the brain’s normal functioning and leading to marked deficiencies in communication and social interaction of those who suffer from the disability.

Medical experts hold the view that autism presents itself in the early, developmental stages of a person’s life, usually the first three years.

Some of NLNG’s more recent social investment interventions include its $12 million funding towards the development of world-class engineering faculties in six Nigerian universities — University of Ilorin (UNILORIN); University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN); University of Ibadan (UI); Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria; University of Maidugri (UNIMAID) and University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT).

Vehicle owners get ultimatum

T

HE Lagos State Police Command has warned owners of abandoned vehicles at Area ‘M’ Idimu Police Station to remove them or lose them to the public through an auction two weeks after this publication.

The vehicles are: BMW SF car (unregistered); Toyota Camry 651BF; Mercedes Benz 200 NE552AAA; Honda CRV TG 208 KJA; one Ford Explorer Jeep unregistered; one scrap expedition Ford Jeep, AS 356 KWL; one scrap Toyota Camry, DE 621 SMK

TODAY IN THE NATION

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.9

NO. 3,008

‘I think it is in the best interest of Ekiti for Governor Fayose to leave the House of Assembly and its leadership as presently constituted and forge ahead with his government’s programme.’

WAHEED ODUSILE

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

A

YO Fayose’s second coming as Governor of Ekiti State is the stuff of fairy tales.

His first coming, marked by ceaseless tumult and high scandal, ended in impeachment and disgrace half-way into a fouryear term. It seemed then, for all practical purposes, that he was finished politically, his future behind him.

When he ran for Senate and was decisively rejected by the voters, nobody but Fayose himself could have wagered that, some three years down the line, he would secure the PDP’s ticket, despite an EFCC indictment for sleaze on a scale almost beyond belief, and two murder raps, on the way to a grand political resurrection that would take him back to the Governor’s Lodge in Ado-Ekiti.

Such instances of redemption are rare in public life. A new, improved Fayose was widely expected to embrace it as an opportunity to chart a new trajectory, and to make up for the huge deficits in character and achievement and elementary decency that had vitiated his first coming.

But Fayose, being Fayose, is throwing the opportunity away with both hands.

Well before it was time for him to take charge, he had already started stirring things up. He sought at every opportunity to denigrate the person and office of the incumbent, Dr Kayode Fayemi, and his impressive portfolio of achievements with an incendiary brew of falsehoods, halftruths and innuendo.

He countermanded Dr Fayemi, urging the public to disobey a curfew that had been imposed in the interest of public safety. He led his band of supporters to abort hearings in a petition challenging his eligibility to run for governor. In the process, they beat up officers of the court and shredded a judge’s robes, as well as court documents.

His inaugural address has, if anything, confirmed the worst fears of those who set a great store by due process and decorum in public life.

The occasion called for reaching out to all the people of Ekiti, supporters and opponents — especially opponents, assuring them that the race was over and that it was time to come together. It was certainly the moment to deploy language and ceremony and symbol to summon the polity to common purpose.

Instead, Fayose launched into triumphalism of the coarsest kind, baiting and berating his political opponents and vowing to run them not just out of Ekiti but out of the entire Yoruba land. He reminded his audience that he was the first son of Ekiti to serve as state governor twice, and the first Nigerian to defeat two incum-

OLATUNJI DARE

AT HOME ABROAD olatunji.dare@thenationonlineng.net

Fayose 2.0: A troubling start ‘

Where Fayose’s inaugural address was not divisive, it read like a passage from the diary of a megalomaniac. All in all, it was a disastrous beginning •Fayemi

•Fayose

bents.

Remarkable feats, to be sure. But to what purpose?

Instead of asking the public he had so grievously wronged during his first coming to forgive him his transgressions, he said he had “forgiven” the public for his impeachment and disgrace. But was it not his blazing lawless conduct and lack of probity that led to his downfall?

Of what use, he said, were good roads to people who had no cars and no food? He was going to cater to the infrastructure of the stomach. To the vehement cheering of the crowd, he announced that he was already breeding their Christmas chicken, and that there would be plenty of rice to go with it.

His predecessor and his team could take their urbaneness and all that came with it to “their master” in Lagos. He would con-

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tinue, as of old, to eat in the roadside and makeshift stalls that his favourite people patronise, and would continue to “put something down” at the end of his visits (translation: tips large enough to pay for the entire stuff on offer). And he would continue to partake of their medicinal concoctions.

Fayose had conveniently forgotten that, in his first coming, he had shunned motor cars even where there were passable roads and had chosen instead to criss-cross Ekiti’s compact land mass in a helicopter. He had forgotten also the “integrated poultry project” on which he wasted a colossal amount of public money without producing a single egg.

Why is he so obsessed with poultry anyway? Is that the limit of his imagination?

In the manner of a conjurer or a Pentecostal preacher with an eye on the bottom line, he decreed prosperity and peace and happiness and jobs and every good thing

HARDBALL

I

N Doyin Okupe, the presidential bulldog roars! And its object of irritation is the BBOG coalition, which keeps on telling the Jonathan presidency the “satanic verses” it would rather not hear; showing it the hateful self-image it would rather not see!

But as a dog barks out of fear and not out of might, the presidential bulldog roars to cover its fear and panic.

Bring Back Our Girls has sent Doyin Okupe into a tizzy. On Chibok and its ill-fated girls, Goodluck has murdered sleep, so Jonathan will sleep no more — to parody Shakespeare in his play, Macbeth.

But that presidential plight is driving the presidential bulldog irritable and excitable.

But alas! Chibok would just not go away!

For Okupe, the Chibok saga would appear especially haunting, even on the personal front. The other day, this medic-turnedpresidential bluffer was the reported author of the president’s own satanic verse, to cancel out the satanic verse it would rather not see.

In an infamous parody of the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls, font-for-font, syllablefor-syllable, Dr. Okupe came up with the thoughtless #BringBackGoodluck2015. But the

imaginable unto the state, as if governance were a matter of just willing things into existence.

The opposition APC, he said, bore full responsibility for the fracas in the precincts of the Ado-Ekiti High Court in the run-up to the inauguration. Desperate to block his taking office, it had bribed some judges to pervert the course of justice. The appropriate authorities were looking into the matter, and those judges who had compromised their oath of office — one of them was appropriately on hand to swear him in — would face appropriate sanctions.

In the meantime, he was going to build a judiciary in Ekiti that was second to none.

And, yes, he was going to see to it that a “military formation” was set up in Ekiti. It was not clear whether he was going to pursue the project on his own, or invite the federal government, the agent of the ruling PDP, to establish a garrison in Ekiti.

Not an industrial venture, not an undertaking that would pivot on the superior educational accomplishments of the residents, but a military formation.

Like a person possessed, he has been issuing diktats abolishing, dissolving, rescinding, or suspending one thing or another, all in a bid to drive it home that a new sheriff was in town.

As speeches go, in all my adult life, I have never heard anything more divisive even in Nigeria. About the only portion of Fayose’s peroration that almost sounded conciliatory and statesman-like was where he called for a moment of silence in remembrance of those killed in election violence.

But before you could accuse him of highmindedness, he made it clear that the gesture extended only to his supporters.

In practically every respect, he was serving notice that he had come, not to be governor for all of Ekiti but governor to his supporters and a scourge to his opponents, real or perceived. He seems not to realise that his opponents are also bona fide residents of Ekiti and citizens of Nigeria, and that the Constitution enjoins him to accord them equal treatment.

Where Fayose’s inaugural address was not divisive, it read like a passage from the diary of a megalomaniac.

All in all, it was a disastrous beginning. His first coming was decidedly a farce, riddled with sophomoric stunts, like renting hens to showcase an integrated poultry project that never got off the drawing board.

His second coming has already taken on the contours of a tragedy.

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•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

#Bring Back Our Bulldog (BBOB) hare-brained idea drew so much odium, and its mass flak hinted at #ThrowOutJonathan2015, that even the president ordered its immediate scrapping!

So, each time Okupe tries to show his loyalty to the chief, in his own peculiarly eerie way, he ends up in shame. Yet, he appears unable or unwilling — or both — to learn from his own exclusive debacles.

The latest offensive of the presidential battler against the Chibok girls and their parents is his panic twittering. He called for the disbandment of the Bring Back Our Girls coalition — but who will do that: Police AIG Mbu Joseph Mbu, who for being reported as controversial (well, is he not?), bundled the reporter into gaol? Or the president himself, claiming imperial powers?

Mbu may misguide himself that he can, with fiat, abolish citizens’ rights; and even flatterers may kid Jonathan that, with the famed humongous powers of the Nigerian president, he has powers to change a man into a woman or vice-versa! But as long as Nigeria’s democracy lives, and everyone plays by the rule,

Okupe’s wish remains a pipe dream and rude nightmare.

Still, in the interim, the bulldog is entitled to its barking rights (woof! woof!), even if it is all petulance, bad grace and wilful wishful thinking.

The Doyin Okupe tweets, according to a report in The Punch of October 16: BBOG group are a “sordid affair”; they “exploit the national tragedy for selfish gains” and seek cheap attention; they “abuse and harass” Mr. President, “roaming the streets” of Abuja; they must change their tactics: “The present style is neither working nor producing the desired results” — says who? And if that were so, why is the bull dog in such excitable tizzy?

And the bulldog-ic sour grape: “Their outing with 48 people (so Okupe was busy counting!) on Thursday was a no-show.” And the clincher: “With the poor and shameful outing by Dr. Oby Ezekwesili and her team, they should be disbanded and asked to go home ...”

Mr. President, please #BringBackOurBulldog (BBOB) before it inflicts on itself irreparable harm!

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