The Nation October 24, 2011

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VOL. 7, NO. 1923 MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

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MUAMMAR GADDAFI •Autopsy conducted on remains•His last Will •SEE PAGE 4 •NTC declares Libya free•Fear of civil strife hits country

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Should I be killed, I would like to be buried, according to Muslim rituals, in the clothes I was wearing at the time of my death and my body unwashed, in the cemetery of Sirte, next to my family and relatives. I call on my supporters to continue the resistance and fight ...

’

NLC reviews battle plan over subsidy removal Woos churches, mosques, markets, schools, transporters

THE TURKISH EARTHQUAKE

By Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu and Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

By Nduka Chiejina,

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ABOUR has again bared its fangs over the planned fuel subsidy removal.

It vowed not to back down on its opposition to the removal billed to take effect from January.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) now plans to embark on mass mobilisation of Nigerians against the withdrawal.

It said, at the weekend, that it would take the campaign against the government’s plan to “churches, mosques, schools, transporters and all living beings in Nigeria”.

The government has said it is removing subsidy because it is being enjoyed by a few influential individuals to the detriment of the generality of Nigerians.

According to the government, N1.2 trillion will be saved in one year. The cash, it said, would be deployed in the provision of infrastructure and as a “safety net for the poor”.

But the NLC is not persuaded, arguing that government previously promised to use the money saved to assist the people but failed to do so.

NLC Deputy Treasurer Boniface Isok said in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, that those advising President Goodluck Jonathan to remove subsidy are looking for the downfall of his administration.

Continued on page 4

Inland Revenue makes N1.7tr Assistant Editor

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•Rescue work at a collapsed building after an earthquake in the Ercis province of Van, eastern Turkey ... yesterday.

More than 1,000 people were believed to have been killed. Story on page 61 PHOTO: AFP

HE Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) generated N1.7 trillion in non-oil taxes between January and last month, the agency said yesterday.

It expressed confidence that it would surpass its N3.7 trillion revenue target by end of the year.

Giving a breakdown of its nine months revenue profile, it said there was hope for a brighter future.

Its statement on the revenue profile reads: “A collection of N30.52 billion in Gas Income (GI), N505.88 billion of Company Income Tax (CIT), N9.19 billion of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and Stamp Duty (SD) recorded N4.51 billion.

“Also, the Value Added Tax (VAT) collection which is part of the non-oil receipt recorded N377. 86 Continued on page 4

•JOBS P15 •SPORT P23 •POLITICS P25 •CITYBEATS P31 •LABOUR P47

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

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NEWS

When will Nigeria find a For over a decade, the process of securing a core investor for the national carrier, NITEL, has dragged on. A recent deal, thought to be the saving grace, also failed. Many wonder today if the company would ever wake up from its slumber, considering that more than two months after the government said it was restarting the process, nothing has been heard, writes OLUKOREDE YISHAU

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OT long ago, an enraged Senate President David Mark called for the prosecution of those responsible for crippling the national carrier, NITEL. Mark, who spoke at the inauguration of the Senate Committee on Communications, said: “People cannot just afford to run down a government organisation and walk away as if they have done nothing. Those who are responsible for the sorry state of NITEL and NIPOST must be brought to book and made to account for their actions or inactions.”

He added: “NITEL has just simply died and nobody is saying anything about it. I remember when GSM licences were given to operators like MTN and Glo. In fact, when MTN got its licence, M-TEL also got a licence and it just died down. That is tax payers’ money that has gone down the drain and nobody is doing anything and we will just fold our arms and people will still talk nonsense.

“Those who buried NITEL and MTEL are walking free as if they have not done anything and if anything else, they expect that we should be clapping for them and paying them that they buried an organisation that should be yielding billions into the economy.”

The Senate President’s position had been canvassed two years ago by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). The labour umbrella body, in a statement, said: “Given the fact that NITEL in 2002 with 553,471 functional lines and an income of N53.41 billion was a viable company, the NLC demanded that all those who directly or indirectly contributed to running it aground should be investigated and charged to court. Those to be investigated should include the men and women who mortgaged NITEL to the PENTASCOPE team in 2003.”

For former Executive ViceChairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Ernest Ndukwe, the failure of NITEL has been costly to the country. Ndukwe recently recalled the Commission’s effort at ensuring that NITEL remains the national carrier of choice. He said the failure of NITEL and the collapse of M-Tel heralded network congestion, which telecommunications users in Nigeria face today.

In a paper entitled, “A decade of telecoms revolution”, Ndukwe said the migration of subscribers of NITEL and its mobile arm, MTel, to the newly licensed operators in 2001, put a burden on their networks, and congestion began its journey.

He said the Commission delayed licensing any long distant carrier for over three years to enable NITEL recover and be the forerunner in the business.

However, he noted that when NITEL was not forthcoming, the commission had to put out the licences for auction. He said: “We refrained from licensing long distance operators for almost three

years just to see if NITEL could take the challenge, which could have actually made it a strong company today. But when we saw that it could delay the revolution and economic transformation that telecoms was poised to bring to the nation, we had no option than to go ahead with licensing long distance operators.”

Ndukwe and Mark’s frustration, obviously, also had to do with the failed attempts to privatise the company. The last attempt was thought to be a closed deal. The offer price was good. With over $1 billion above what the second bidder offered, New Generation Telecommunications, a consortium of Dubai’s Minerva Group, China Unicom, and Nigeria’s GiCell Wireless Ltd, appeared good to go.

It offered to buy NITEL for $2.5 billion. After a process, which started eight months earlier, the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) gave its nod to New Generation Telecommunications.

Some heaved a sigh of relief. The Dubai-based investment house and its partners were to, within 10 days, THE LAST OFFERS FOR NITEL First Gen. Consortium Omen International Brymedia Consortium AFZI/Spectrum MTN Nigeria

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$2.5b $956m $551m $375.5m $25m

pay an initial $750 million, followed by the remaining $1.75 billion within 60 days. The government was also supposed to sell a bond to pay outstanding salaries owed NITEL’s workers.

Under the terms of the sale, Minerva Group and its partners were to acquire NITEL’s mobile arm, M-Tel and South Atlantic Terminal SAT-3 submarine cable.

Before the announcement of the consortium as the preferred bidder, there was confusion about China Unicom’s involvement in the deal. The consortium was seen as faceless.

Another grey area was the fact that the consortium offered $1.5 billion more than the second biggest bid. he consortium, however, could not pay up the money on time. Even when it was granted an extension, it still could not meet up. Abubakar Gumi, a member of the consortium, said the inability of the consortium to meet up was not unconnected with the government’s inability to make up its mind on time. He said: “Since the bid was won in February 2010, it took government almost eight months to give the final approval. Over this period, our financial partners developed cold feet and we need to assure them of the investment security.’’

The second bidder, Omen International, was contacted to take up the bid. In a letter to BPE, Omen said: “We and our offshore partners are very willing to proceed with the transactions but the recent riots in some parts of the country, following the outcome of

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the recent presidential election, which has been subject of international media reports, have once again brought to the fore the need for you to consider our plea/ request (for time extension).”

Omen added: “Foreign investors will, at this critical point in our national life and social political development, want to satisfy themselves that the social political situation of our country is not in any way compromised before committing themselves to the investment of nearly $2 billion in acquisition, funding and rehabilitation of existing facilities/ network rollout.”

By August, it was clear to government that the latest attempt to privatise the beleaguered national carrier has failed.

BPE’s Director-General Bolanle Onagoruwa said in June that should the reserve bidder, Omen International, failed to pay up, the agency would explore other options, including setting a minimum price for NITEL and offering it on a willing buyerwilling seller basis, or liquidate the firm.

“The government has granted BPE approval for a negotiated sale, which is now the sales strategy for NITEL,” a spokesman for the privatisation body said.

Owing to the inability to privatise the company, its fixed lines have fallen to 100,000, from five times that number in 2001.

Subscribers to its M-Tel mobile unit have also dropped from over one million.

From the initial International Investors London Limited (IILL) attempt in the early 2000s till now, the sale has been beset by problems. Interested ‘suitors’ were never able to pay the agreed price and take up possession, except Transnational Corporation Plc. (TransCorp), a Nigerian-owned company, which took control of it, but lost it when it could not fulfil its contractual obligations.

TransCorp, in August 2006, paid N63 billion ($500 million) to the BPE to acquire majority shareholding in NITEL, having emerged the core investor on July 3, 2006.

Group Managing Director of TransCorp then, Mr. Bernard Longe, said: “The successful acquisition of NITEL demonstrates TransCorp’s dynamic ability to attract investment funding as well as our inherent strategy of focusing on long term business objectives.

Along with our earlier acquisition of the Hilton Hotel and two deep water oil blocs, NITEL will help TransCorp to meet our short term business goals of rapid growth and expansion. In addition, these acquisitions demonstrate our commitment to contribute towards achievement of Nigeria’s economic goals by injecting fresh capital into acquired assets to turn them around and promote free market ideals of competition and efficiency.

“Over the next two years, TransCorp will inject about $1

N500m debt: M-tel creditors give BPE 7-day ultimatum

By Nduka Chiejina Assistant Editor

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REDITORS of the mobile telecommunication arm of NITEL, M-tel, have given the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) a seven-day ultimatum to pay N500 million owed them between 2004 and 2006.

The creditors numbering over 300 maintained that the ultimatum became necessary after the BPE had reneged on repeated promises to pay the creditors in the last three months, stating that the ultimatum will expire on Friday, October 28.

Mallam Kabiru Musa and Mr. Sylvanus Onwuna, who spoke on behalf of the creditors, said the group will stage sustained protests at strategic locations in the capital city.

Describing the bureau’s actions as cruel and insensitive, the creditors said the management of “the BPE should be held accountable in the event of undesirable elements hiding under the protests to unleash terror on innocent members of the public.”

Musa said: “We wish to put the Presidency and security agencies on notice that the protests will commence at the expiration of the ultimatum. In the event of any eventuality, the Director General of the BPE, Ms. Bolanle Onagoruwa and her management team should be held accountable.”

According to him, after subjecting the creditors to series of delay tactics, it took the intervention of the Presidency for the BPE to eventually agree to pay the debts in the first week of August 2011.

“After conducting verification exercise on our claims for more than four times, the BPE agreed to pay us the money for contracts some of which our members executed for M-tel between five and seven years ago.”

“When they were not forthcoming, we mobilised our members for protests early in October but we were advised by our consultants to shelve the protests so as not to aggravate the tense security situation in the country.”

“But from the look of things, it appears the PBE is not ready to honour the agreement and we are left with no other choice than to go ahead with the planned protest at the expiration of the ultimatum.”

When contacted, spokesman for the BPE, Mr. Chukwuma Nwokoh, said the Bureau never promised to pay any contractor and asked where the bureau was going to get the money to pay the contractors when M-tel has not been sold.

Nwokoh said the contractors should also bear in mind the ramifications of their threat, which he described as a threat to public peace.

The BPE, he said, is in the process of verifying the details of the contractors pending when NITEL and M-Tel are privatised.

The BPE, he explained, can only pay contractors and labour liabilities from the profits realised from the sale of public enterprises.

billion toward rehabilitation and acquisition of new equipment and technology into NITEL with the aim of creating a world class telecommunications network.

“With the acquisition of NITEL, TransCorp is now poised to commence the development and training of a new generation of Nigerian telecommunications professionals, thus realising Nigeria’s objective of technology transfer.” ome analysts believe that government itself is a stumbling block to NITEL’s privatisation. They cited the fact that it took almost eight months to sanction New Generation consortium’s acquisition of the moribund national carrier as evidence of government’s insincerity.

A telecoms expert, Omo Ettu, offers a way out. In an article in his online magazine, cyberschuulnews, Ettu said “the First National Operator’s (FNO’s) licence that

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NITEL was (still ‘is’) holding should be auctioned while NITEL as a business concern is wound up to save the country the embarrassment of a consistently failing process.

What I see as the retained value in NITEL all along had been the worth of the FNO licence whose estimation is actually a rigorous evaluation process but which we did and found to be $2.2 billion.

“If NITEL does not have a very viable Right-of-Way all across the country, the worth may be significantly lower than that figure.

Something tells me that those who are in charge of our privatisation are not conscious of the real assets of NITEL, especially the Right-ofWay and they might just have been working as if it is the equipment, buildings and its human resources that constitute the assets. It is therefore easy to write off all these as haven perished.”

When will the decade-long drama on the attempts to privatise NITEL end? The answer appears to be blowing in the wind.

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

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NEWS

suitable ‘suitor’ for NITEL?

CLOCKWISE from left: NITEL building , Marina, Lagos, which was one of the telecoms giant’s assets, identified as noncore and sold separately but under contentious circumstances; its headquarters in Abuja; Ndukwe, who believes NITEL’s failure is a disservice to Nigerians; BPE chief Onagoruwa, who is recommending a new approach to the privatisation of the company; and Mark, who wants all those who castrated the company prosecuted.

Five failed attempts to wake up a sleeping giant In the last 10 years, there have been five failed attempts at privatising NITEL. Will the sixth be the last?

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T all started in 2001. Investors International London Limited (ILLL) made an attempt to acquire NITEL. The company appeared to have what it takes to turn around the fortunes of the sleeping giant. Besides its international clout, it also had local backing.

But it did not take long before those who invested hope in the deal gnashed their teeth when it failed to sail through because ILL defaulted in paying up the bid price of $1.317 billion.

Thereafter, Pentascope of Netherlands was appointed the core investor to revamp the moribund telecoms firm. The attempt also failed. A management contract was signed with Pentascope, which cost the nation to lose money. Between

Other failed privatisation drives •Daily Times of Nigeria (DTN) •Ajaokuta Steel Rolling Mill • Peugeot Automobile Nigeria •Anambra Motor Man. Company •Osogbo Steel Rolling Mill •Delta Steel Company, Aladja •Osogbo Machine Tool Limited •Volkswagen of Nigeria Limited •Jos Steel Rolling Mill •Steyr Nigeria Limited •National Truck Limited April 2003 and March 2004, Pentascope had squandered a gain of N15 billion, which it inherited, to

record a loss of N19.15 billion.

Turnover also dropped to N41 billion from N53 billion.

Later, revelations showed that Pentascope, in the first instance, should not have been given such an assignment. The tender for the contract clearly stated that a telecoms firm, with international standard, was needed. It turned out that Pentascope was just a consultancy firm, which had not been in business for long. The sad part of the deal was that a reputable auditing firm was said to be among those that chose Pentascope for the job. Whatever led to the shoddy job in picking the incompetent firm may never be known.

What is clear is that rather than move the company forward, it took NITEL several steps backward. A

House of Representatives probe into the deal unravelled grisly details, which pointed out to the fact that due diligence was not followed in arriving at the decision to saddle Pentascope with such a big challenge.

Another attempt pitched Orascom, which offered $256.5 million against TransCorp’s.

TransCorp eventually acquired NITEL for $500 million in 2006. It acquired a 75 per cent stake in NITEL/M-Tel, which was later reduced to 51per cent, following some financial issues. The TransCorp acquisition did not revive NITEL and was revoked by the Federal Government.

The Federal Government later constituted a Technical Board of Management for the distressed telecoms giant. The board was

responsible for the administration of NITEL and its subsidiary, M-Tel, pending the completion of the core investor sales process. Members of the board were drawn from the Federal Ministry of Information and Communications, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Ministry of Finance, National Council on Privatisation and the Managing Director, NIGCOMSAT Ltd. New Generation consortium emerged the preferred bidder with an offer price of $2.5 billion on February 16, last year in Abuja. It was expected to pay $750 million, being the 30 per cent bid bond. The company failed to pay up after the BPE granted it several extensions.

Then it was offered to Omen, with an offer price of $956,996,091. But again, this attempt failed.

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THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

NEWS Continued from page 1

•The celebrator, Iyaloja General of Nigeria, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji (right) National Leader of Action Congress of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, during the special prayers to mark her 95th birthday at Alausa, Ikeja Lagos ... yesterday.

billion in Non-Import VAT and Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Import VAT of N125.08 billion. Education Tax (EDT) accounted for N74.

91 billion, while National Information Technology Development Fund (NITDF) recorded N7.8 billion collections.

“Personal Income Tax (PIT) recorded N39.92 billion and Pre-Operational Levy (POL) yielded N0.34 billion.

“However, the total tax yield with the inclusion of Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) from January to September, 2011 stood at N3.37 trillion, a ratio of 64 to 36 of oil and non-oil revenue collections.

“The PPT accounted for N2.19 trillion of the total fig-

FIRS makes N1.7tr ures. From the PPT amount, the month of August recorded the highest take of N315. 78 billion followed by N307. 05 billion collected in June.

“The Service collected N306.78 billion in July, N265.66 billion in September, N254.78 billion in February, N236.75 billion in January, N184.19 billion in April, N165.89 billion in March and N156.94 billion in May.” In Kano, FIRS Executive Chairman Mrs Ifueko Omoigui Okauru said taxation should be the pivot of the nation’s sustainable development.

She warned that the inter-

NLC reviews battle plan over subsidy removal He said labour, civil society groups, market men and women, schools, churches, mosques, transporters and all living beings in Nigeria will join the strike, if the price of petrol is increased. We have paid enough for diesel and kerosene and what is our own benefit,” he added.

He spoke at the opening of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the National Union of Chemical, Footwear, Rubber, Leather and Non Metallic Products Employees (NUCFRLANMPE).

Isok, who is the National President of the union, said: “NLC is, therefore, going to address churches, mosques, markets, schools and transporters from November, for people to join the struggle.

“By January, if the Federal Government does not change its position on fuel subsidy,

it will see what the power of the people can do. People must join the struggle; we must pay the price.

“Most importantly, the socalled subsidy being benefited by Nigerians, which the government is about to remove will only inflict more hardships on the populace.

“If petrol subsidy is the only benefit Nigerians enjoy, so be it, because Nigerians would not fold their arms and allow International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to misdirect our government on petroleum products. These bodies should rather, advise on good governance, reject transfer of illegal money, illgotten money and expose all corrupt people that transfer our money to foreign accounts.”

Isok also lamented government’s inability to cre-

ate more employment opportunities by repairing the moribund refineries or by building new ones.

He expressed concern about the deplorable state of Federal Government’s infrastructure across the country, mostly roads in the Southsouth, Southeast and Southwest.

Isok said: “The Federal Government should empower the states to rehabilitate the roads in their domains and the costs refunded. It is important to state that if drastic actions are not taken as regards the roads, the masses will continue to suffer and the cost of transporting foodstuff from rural to the urban areas will be unbearable.”

Attempts by Minister of Labour Emeka Wogu to meet with NLC affiliates in Abuja, at the weekend, to persuade them to support the plan, failed.

The government has, however, promised not to remove

subsidy on kerosene which the masses use, adding that diesel is already deregulated.

Wogu said he was not under any obligation to take permission from the leaderships of NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) before meeting with labour unions.

Only three unions’ representatives of the invited 15 leaders were believed to have turned up for the meeting. Leaders of the NLC and TUC were said to have been behind the boycott of the parley, which they see as an attempt to break their ranks.

But Wogu maintained that the meeting was not boycotted.

According to him, the labour unions registered with the Ministry of Labour were invited for discussion over some issues relating to government policies, adding that of the seven registered unions invited, five were represented.

He explained that the meet-

ing was in line with the International Labour Organisation’s convention that recognises dialogue.

“The TUC and the NLC are unions and other unions do not need to take permission from them before attending a meeting with me. I also do not need permission from them before meeting other unions. We have earlier held similar meetings with other unions. We have met with the Academic Staff Union Universities (ASUU).

We did not take permission from the NLC or TUC before we held that meeting,” he said.

According to him, members of the union that were represented at the parley are now better informed on government policies.

But he declined to say whether they were persuaded by government’s argument over the planned subsidy removal.

national financial crisis which has hit Greece, Portugal, Belgium and other European Union (EU) countries could cause a crush on the economy since this will mean a reduction in Nigeria’s oil receipts.

Omoigui-Okauru spoke at the Regional Enlarged Management Meeting (REMM) of the Northwest zone and Large Tax Office (LTO) in Kano.

She said: “The global economy this year has not been looking nice. We are witnesses to what is happening in Greece, Belgium, Portugal, other countries of the EU and the United States.

With weak demands coming from these countries, it will affect our oil receipts. This places a challenge on the FIRS, to look at non-oil sources of raising revenue from non-oil sector and nonoil based taxes to improve the quality of life of our people.

“We must expand our tax base. Beyond that though, we must improve the efficiency of our operations, plug loopholes and strengthen our enforcement operations. What that means also is that we cannot afford to differentiate between government agencies and private institutions on how we relate to them on enforcement. We should not just write letters and get promises. You need to educate and sensitise quite alright. But enforcement must go hand in hand.

“We need to recognise the fact that revenue has become a priority. It’s important that we realise that we play an important role.”

Gaddafi: Autopsy reveals gunshots to head, abdomen

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IBYA declared itself liberated after 42 years of Muammar Gaddafi’s rule ended with his capture and death last Thursday. The development has set the North African state on the path to democracy.

Thousands, who knew nothing but Gaddafi’s allpowerful police state filled a square in the city of Benghazi to hear the interim National Transitional Council (NTC) proclaim the country had freed itself completely from his rule.

Some feared that NTC chief Mustafa Abdel Jalil will struggle to impose his will on his well-armed but fragmenting revolutionary alliance, pointing to his insistence on displaying Gaddafi’s body in Misrata, three days after his death, in apparent breach of Islamic tenets.

There is international disquiet about the increasingly graphic and disturbing images on the Internet of the abuse of a body that appears to be Gaddafi’s following his capture and the fall of his hometown of Sirte on Thursday.

But the immediate reaction to yesterday’s announcement was jubilation.

“We declare to the whole world that we have liberated our beloved country, with its cities, villages, hilltops, mountains, deserts and skies,” said an official, who opened the ceremony in Benghazi, where the uprising erupted in February and which has been

Gaddafi’s last Will

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UAMMAR Gaddafi’s website, Seven Days News, yesterday claimed to have published the last Will of the late former leader.

The document was reportedly handed to three of his relatives, one of whom was killed, the second, arrested and the third, managed to escape the fighting in Sirte.

Here is the English translation as reproduced by the BBC: “This is my Will. I, Muammar bin Mohammad bin Abdussalam bi Humayd bin Abu Manyar bin Humayd bin Nayil al Fuhsi Gaddafi, do swear that there is no other God but Allah and that Mohammad is God’s Prophet, NTC’s headquarters.

Crowds listening to Libyan music and waving the tricolour flag cheered. Another NTC official, Salah elGhazal, paid tributes to all those who died, and referred to the “humiliating” death of Gaddafi.

Gaddafi, who vowed to fight to the end, was found hiding in a drainpipe after fleeing Sirte, the last bastion of his loyalists. He died in chaotic circumstances after video footage showed him bloodied and struggling at the hands of his captors.

With big oil and gas resources and a relatively small population of six million, Libya has the potential to become prosperous, but regional rivalries fostered by Gaddafi could erupt into yet more violence that would un-

peace be upon him. I pledge that I will die as Muslim.

“Should I be killed, I would like to be buried, according to Muslim rituals, in the clothes I was wearing at the time of my death and my body unwashed, in the cemetery of Sirte, next to my family and relatives.

“I would like that my family, especially women and children, be treated well after my death. The Libyan people should protect its identity, achievements, history and the honourable image of its ancestors and heroes. The Libyan people should not relinquish the sacrifices of the free and best people.

“I call on my supporters to continue

dermine the authority of Jalil’s NTC. “There is a yawning security and political vacuum in which brewing political disputes, factionalism and security problems pose a serious risk of derailing or prolonging transition,” said Henry Wilkinson of Janusian security consultants in London.

In Misrata, people queueing for a chance to see Gaddafi’s body saw no reason for a rapid burial, apparently showing no concern about how the NTC is perceived overseas.

“This guy is not a Muslim.

If he was a Muslim, we would have treated him in an Islamic way,” a man who gave his name as Suleiman told Reuters.

“We brought our children to see his remains today because

the resistance, and fight any foreign aggressor against Libya, today, tomorrow and always.

“Let the free people of the world know that we could have bargained over and sold out our cause in return for a personal, secure and stable life.

We received many offers to this effect but we chose to be at the vanguard of the confrontation as a badge of duty and honour.

“Even if we do not win immediately, we will give a lesson to future generations that choosing to protect the nation is an honour and selling it out is the greatest betrayal that history will remember forever despite the attempts of the others to tell you otherwise.”

this is a chance to see history,” another visitor, Mohammed, said.

“We want to see this arrogant person as a lifeless body.

Let all the people see him.”

Jalil’s speech set the clock ticking on a process to set up a multiparty democracy, a system Gaddafi railed against for most of his 42 years in power.

In 2007, Gaddafi, whose “state of the masses” was seen by many Libyans as despotism, described democracy as a sham in which people were “ridden like donkeys” by powerful interests.

But some analysts fear that without strong leadership, the revolution could collapse into armed infighting, preventing the country from ever attempting the novelty of the ballot box.

The lack of a clear plan for Gaddafi’s burial suggests to some analysts that there is justification for fears of a descent into leaderless turmoil.

But an autopsy has been performed, and a medical source told Reuters that Gaddafi’s body had a bullet in the head and a bullet in the abdomen.

“There are multiple injuries.

There is a bullet in the abdomen and in the brain,” the medical source said.

The autopsy was carried out at a morgue in Misrata, about 200 km east of Tripoli. Local officials said Gaddafi’s body would now be brought back to the cold store at an old market in Misrata where it has been on public display.

Libya’s new leaders have a “very limited opportunity” to set aside differences, said in-

terim Prime Minister Mahmoud Jibril as he announced he was stepping down on Saturday.

Jibril said progress for Libya would need great resolution, both by interim leaders on the NTC and by six million warweary people.

But a field commander in Misrata worried that trouble was brewing.

“The fear now is what is going to happen next,” he said, speaking to Reuters privately, as ordinary Libyans, some taking pictures for family albums, filed in under armed guard to see for themselves that the man they feared was truly dead.

“There is going to be regional in-fighting. You have Zintan and Misrata on one side and then Benghazi and the east,” the guerrilla said.

“There is in-fighting even inside the army.”

There is unease abroad over what many believe was Gaddafi’s “summary execution”. United Nations Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay has called for an investigation into the killing, but few Libyans share those concerns.

Gaddafi’s surviving family, in exile, wants his body and that of his son, Mo’tassim to be handed over to tribal kinsmen from Sirte. NTC officials said they were trying to arrange a secret resting place to avoid loyalist supporters making it a shrine. Misrata does not want his body on its soil.

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

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24 2011

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Flood submerges houses in Lagos communities For residents of coastal communities in Lagos, flooding is a perennial problem. But despite repeated warnings from the state government urging them to vacate the water path, they have stuck to their homes. They are once again at the mercy of the rampaging flood, writes TOLUWANI ENIOLA

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HE torrential downpour in the Southwest is taking its toll on Lagos communities, especially the coastal ones. Already many residents have been sacked from their homes. Houses have been submerged in Owode-Elede, Owode-Onirin, Ajegunle, Omologede, Agiliti and other flood-prone communities on the Ikorodu Road, Lagos.

The flood reached an alarming level yesterday, which was barely a week after the Lagos State Government warned residents of the areas to relocate for safety, following the rise of the water level.

The government had warned residents of Mile 12, Agiliti, Isheri North, OwodeOnirin, Ikorodu, Majidun, Ajegunle and Agiliti, all within the water path, face imminent disaster, if they fail to relocate. The communities were flooded last year.

Despite repeated warnings, some residents, especially those at the bank of the Ogun River, scampered for safety yesterday as the flood has washed away the roads leading into the communities.

Many artisans, especially the furniture makers that display their wares beside the roads , have been forced to relocate as the flood has also taken over the roads. At the Odo-Ogun bus stop, both sides of the road have been overtaken by flood.

The residents built makeshift wooden bridges to access their homes. The flood caused traffic gridlock on the Ikorodu Road. Motorists, trapped in the traffic for hours, hissed

in anger as their vehicles waded through the flood.The traffic gridlock stretched as far as the eyes can see. Some passengers thrust their head out of the vehicles to get fresh air.

Men of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) had hectic time maintaining order.

The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Mr Tunji Bello, his Ministry of Special Duties counterpart, Dr Wale Ahmed, General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services and Muyideen Akinsanya visited the affected communities. Their visit caused a mild drama as residents of the area pleaded for help. The team visited the Owode-Elede Carnal and the Ogun River.

“Please help us. This is getting unbearable,” an old woman was heard pleading from the vehicle. A resident of the area, who identified himself as Kanu Emeka, said the residents have been witnessing occasional rise in the Ogun River since Friday.

Emeka said the flood has affected his business as he could no longer display his wares.

Addressing reporters during the tour, Bello said the inspection was part of monitoring exercise following the report from the gauging station that the Ogun River had risen by four metres due to the recent heavy rainfall.

He said contrary to claims that the flood was caused by the release of water from the Oyan Dam, it was not so as the Lagos State Government

•RA GE OF W ATER •RAGE TER: Different flood scenes in Ajegunle, Ikorodu Road, Lagos... yesterday. On the right is a team led by Bello, which inspected the affected areas PHOTOS: MOSES OMOSEHIN

has been in constant touch with the Ogun Osun River Basin Development Authority. Bello also said the N700 million released by the Federal Government for the flood victims last years is being used to provide alternative accommodation for residents.

According to the commissioner, the implication of the rise in the water level is that residents of Mile 12, Ajegunle, Agiliti, Ikorodu, Majidun, owode, Isheri North and others are likely to witness more flooding due to the frequent rains.

Restating government’s committment to flood control, he said : “The people affected now are those on the low line. Ordinarily, they should not be there. We have appealed to them that there is

no basis for living there.

There is no amount of drainage that can stop flood in these areas. Ordinarily here should be a wetland that should be preserved for the future of Lagos State. This is why we are building resettlement centres, using the money from the ecological fund to build new houses for them in Agbowa.

“We have been working endlessly to mitigate the effects of flooding.In the last one week, we have been on air trying to alert Lagosians that those who live along the flood plains of Ogun River, such as Isheri North, up to Ajegunle and Owode area face imminent disaster if they fail to relocate.

“We have been monitoring this area daily. As it is now, everything now depends on

the intensity of rains in the next few days. If the rain stops, there is no cause for alarm.

But if we should have continuous rain for the next two or three days, there is likelihood of a total wipe out.

“We have been working with the Ogun/ Osun River Basin Development Authority in the last seven months.

You can see that the water from the dam has not been released. This is just the effects of the rain. You can see that the rain has also increased in Ogun State in the past week.”

Speaking at Owode-Elede canal, a viper built to control the flow of water in Ogun River, Akinsanya, said the level of water has risen .He said the carnal was dredged four years ago to relieve the Ogun River.

He said : “It is continuously being monitored. It is from here you will be able to predict the level of water in Ogun River .As you can see, this water is now very high. It is high enough to affect the communities.”

In his contribution, Ahmed also reiterated that arrangements are in place to ensure that the residents are safe.He said a list of flood victims has been compiled. “But as it is, they should also help us and help themselves, by keeping off flood plains. People should not wait till it gets out of hand.

Osanyintolu said plans are on to build more relief camps in the state, adding that construction has started on another relief camp at Igando to accommodate more internally displace persons.

10 dead as boat capsizes in Oyo community

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EN persons died at the weekend when a boat they boarded capsized at Olori village, in Oyo–-East local government area of Oyo State.

They drowned in Oba river, which passes through the village and has been a threat to the villagers, especially during the rainy season.

The accident was said to ahve occurred when the paddle used in controlling the canoe suddenly got broken.

As a result, the canoe lost control and headed towards a thick tree inside the river, after which it capsized.

All the passengers on board, including the local pilot got drowned.

From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

A rescue team, comprising young men, immediately dived into the river to save the drowning passengers.

Five of the victims were said to have been rescued and rushed to a private hospital.

Meanwhile, the community has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged embezzlement of N157million earmarked for the construction of a bridge across the river by the Adebayo Alao-Akala administration. The money was said to have been released by the Alao-Akala administration for the construction of a

‘

Movement to and from the village is difficult due to non-availability of a bridge across the deep river. A canoe made of wooden is temporarily being used as alternative means of crossing

‘

bridge on the river which passes through the community.

Speaking with The Nation , the community head, Chief Teslim Adekunle, said for some time now, there had been disputes between Oyo and Osun state governments over the ownership of the village.

He said: “The development attracted Federal Government’s attention, through the National Boundary Commission in Abuja , which summoned a peace meeting with the then two state governments. The peace meeting resulted in boundary demarcation by the commission, which was in favour of the Oyo State government”.

He added: “Among the promises made by the Alao-

Akala administration were provision of infrastructure, such as schools, water and primary health care services.

None of these were accomplished by the administration before it left office.

“Today, the community is left with no good school for pupils to attend, potable water to drink, and effective healthcare service.

“The sources of drinking water for the villagers are from the stream, and the river, called Oba, that passes through the village. The only school with about 200 pupils have no teachers to teach them. Movement to and from the village is difficult due to non-availabili-

ty of a bridge across the deep river, a canoe made of wood is temporarily being used as alternative means of crossing the river by the villagers. But visitors are afraid to board for fear of being capsized. Consequently, communication with other neighbouring communities like Ajagbe, Oniwasu, Kiyeseni, are restricted.”

Also speaking, another community leader, Alhaji Salaudeen Abduraheem, said: ‘’This is a project that has to do with well being of all the villagers, so why are all those concerned treating us in this manner. We want EFCC to probe the failed project and bring culprits to justice.”

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

6

NEWS Why governors made u-turn on SWF, by Uduaghan

ACN condemns Boko Haram over reporter’s death THE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has described as condemnable the alleged killing of a reporter with Nigerian Television Authority(NTA) Maiduguri, Zakaria Isa by suspected members of Boko Haram’s sect.

Isa was killed at about 8:20pm on Saturday night as he was about to enter his house at Gomari, near airport in Maiduguri.

He was shot in the head and chest. His remains were deposited at University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. ‘’If it is true, as it had been widely reported, that Boko Haram killed Isa, then it is a clear indication that things are really getting out of hand as far as this Boko Haram crisis is concerned,’’ the party said in a statement yesterday in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

It added: ‘’Again, we call on the Federal Government to shake off its lethargy and act fast to find a solution to the crisis. With the government seemingly clueless as to how to tackle the crisis, we will like to reiterate our earlier call for the convening of a stakeholders’ conference to help find a solution ‘’We are particularly concerned because a spokesman for Boko Haram, Abu Kaka, was quoted in a newspaper as warning last month that the sect would attack journalists if they continue to ‘misrepresent’.

We wonder what the sect considers a ‘misrepresentation’, and hope Isa’s killing is not a manifestation of the sect’s threat.’’

Nigerians held for cocaine in India INDIAN police in Hyderabad yesterday arrested two Nigerians for supplying cocaine to a customer in the city.

Sakiru Oladotun Akinsola, 53, and Okechnkwu Ohazurike, 30, were arrested in upscale Jubliee Hills neighbourhood. Four grammes of cocaine and two cell phones were seized from them, police said.

Akinsola, a businessman settled in Hyderabad, supplies machine spare parts to Nigeria. He is reported to be a regular consumer of cocaine and buys cocaine from Jackson of Uganda, police said.

During his stay in Hyderabad, he came into contact with Okechukwu, who was doing wholesale garments business in Mumbai and is also allegedly a drug peddler.

The duo were supplying drugs to some customers in Hyderabad, police said.

The two Nigerians were arrested a day after four Nigerians were arrested in Mumbai for allegedly duping online a person from Guntur district of Rs.8.82 lakh.

Police officials said the four accused were being brought to Hyderabad on transit remand.

In a similar case of online fraud, Hyderabad police last month arrested four Nigerians in Delhi.

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

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•Mr Oluwole Makinde, District Rotaract representative (DRR) Lagos & Ogun (left), Dr. Joe Okei- Odumakin, President, Campaign for Democracy (CD) and Women Arise and Otunba Bola Onabadejo, Chairman at the presentation and installation of Mr Adekunle Adeniran as President, Rotaract Club of Egbeda, Lagos

ELTA State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan at the weekend explained that discussions with the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Minister of Trade and Investment Olusegun Aganga made the governors change their initial opposition to the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF).

Speaking with State House Correspondents in Abuja, Uduaghan maintained that the SWF is about saving for the rainy day and that the only difference is that the saving is external.

According to him, the new understanding of the governors is that the interest that the money invested would yield would be spent on developmental projects across the country.

Uduaghan said the NGF’s initial opposition to the SWF was based on two grounds: the legal aspect of the fund and financial pressure on state governments that may make saving a difficult task.

He said: “We considered whether the states have enough to meet the various needs of their people, especially with the increase in salary. A lot of discussions have gone into it.

As at today, governors are working with the Federal Government on this.”

Australia bans importation of arms by Presidents’ security agents T HE Commonwealth meeting begins today with a Youth Forum Summit amid tight security for 53 Heads of Government and delegates by the Australian Government.

But the Australian Government has refused to grant security and travel waivers to the Heads of Government unlike the situation during some past CHOGM meetings.

Instead, it asked Heads of Government not to allow their security guards to bring arms and security gadgets into Australia.

It also advised Heads of Government and their wives to comply with its aviation screening process, including hiring of Ground Handling Agent, to maintain and refuel their aircraft.

These security measures caught many African leaders unawares, are contained in an advisory by CHOGM Task Force.

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the Australian Government has restricted movement to in and

•Refuses travel waivers for visiting 53 Presidents, wives, ministers

around the 2,500-seat tiered Riverside Theatre at Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Some roads have been closed to traffic and camera surveillance installed to safeguard lives and property.

The security measures are applicable to the Heads of Government and the lowlyplaced delegates to CHOGM. The guidelines are said to be in line with the tight fiscal policy of Australia which does not allow a waste of public funds.

The fiscal policy also ac-

counted for why Australian dollar is stronger than the US dollars.

No foreign currency is acceptable as legal tender, not even the US dollars.

In what appeared a list of dos and dont’s, the Task Force said: “Australia is highly-experienced in coordinating and managing all aspects of major special events, including comprehensive security arrangement.

“As with all guest of government visits to Australia, the Australian Government is responsible for the provision of appropriate security measures

for visiting dignitaries.

“Foreign security officers are not permitted to import or carry fireams or security-related equipment in Australia.

“Each Head of Government will be provided with an appropriate security package.”

It also asked Heads of Government, their wives and ministers to comply with its rules and regulations.

The Australian Government added: “Delegations arriving on state aircraft will be required to appoint a Local Handling Agent to arrange air clearances, unloading of hold baggage, parking, cleaning, refuelling etc for their aircraft.

“One delegation accompanying Head of Government will be asked to assist the CHOGM Task Force representatives with the movement of baggage from the airport to the hotel on arrival and from the hotel to the airport upon departure.

“To comply with Australian Government regulations, any liquids, aerosols, or gels, such as drinks, creams, perfumes or toothpaste, which passengers

have in their carry-on luggage must be in containers of 100millilitres and all containers should fit comfortably in a transparent, resellable plastic bag with a volume of one litre or less.

“All delegation members, including Heads of Government, their spouses and ministers are expected to comply with the carry-on restrictions for liquids, aerosols and gels.”

A source said: “Some sittight African leaders, who used to attend international summits with large retinue of security aides are the worst hit by the strict rules.

“Australians are conservative, they believe in strict fiscal policy and they consume what they produce. No matter who you are, you must comply with their rules. Even if President Barrack Obama comes here, he can only buy anything with Australian dollar. He has to exchange his US dollar with that of Australia.

“I think they have a unique patriotism and national development focus.”

Jonathan, seven Prime Ministers to speak on economy

A

PALL of anxiety has overwhelmed delegates at the ongoing Commonwealth meeting as Prof. Nouriel Roubin,the expert who predicted 2008 global economic crisis, addresses leaders and businessmen.

Roubin, who will present the keynote address, is expected to rub minds with more than 1,000 business leaders and investors alongside 2004 Nobel Prize Winner in Economics, Prof. Edward Prescott tomorrow.

Also, President Goodluck Jonathan, seven Prime Ministers and 16 other investors are among top speakers at the session tomorrow.

Most delegates are eager to hear from Roubin whether the global economic situation will improve or not.

The Commonwealth Business Forum said the “troubled state of the world’s economy is expected to be a major focus of discussion.”

Roubin had in September claimed that the current economic situation the world finds itself is ‘worse’ than 2008.

•Anxiety as expert who predicted 2008 crisis addresses summit Ajimobi off to Australia

O

YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday left for Perth, Australia to attend the Commonwealth Business Forum.

According to a statement by the governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo, Ajimobi is expected to participate alongside other governors in Nigeria, at the Forum in conjunction with Commonwealth Heads of Government who are meeting on the theme: ‘Partnering for Global Growth: The Commonwealth, Indian Ocean and the Pacific Rim.” The Oyo State government is to benefit from this match-making of investors and investments where participants meet and discuss trade, investments and partnership opportunities, learn about new businesses and investment prospects.

Those who accompanied the governor are his Chief of Staff, Dr Adeolu Akande, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Bimbo Kolade, Special Adviser, Trade and Investment, Mrs Princess Oworu; Special Adviser, Solid Minerals, Mathew Oyedokun and Special Assistant in the Governor’s Office, Mr Dayo Iyaniwura.

“He said: “Unless there is economic growth, there will be this problem again. Fiscal austerity is negative for growth. Governments should work on denominated GDP not just on austerity.”

Investigation revealed that most delegates, especially in-

vestors, are eager to hear from Roubin, who is also a Senior Economist, White House Council of Economic Advisors and a Professor of Economics.

A participant from Canada, Peters Daniel, said: “I came around with some of my friends to learn from experts

like Roubin on where the world’s economy is heading to. Many of us came to hear from Roubin.“ Also setting the tone for the session yesterday, the Prime Minister of Australia, Hon. Julia Gillard, in a note to delegates said: “CHOGM 2011 will provide a unique opportunity for Commonwealth leaders to “gather and discuss the challenges of our times.”

She said: “I am particulalrly eager to welcome business leaders from within as well as outside The Commonwealth to particip[ate in the Council Business Forum.

“CHOGM will be the largest gathering of world leaders in Australia and the biggest international event to be held in Perth for almost 50 years.

Besides Roubin and Nobel Prize Winner, others who will speak at the session are President Goodluck Jonathan, eight Prime Ministers and 16 business leaders.

Other selected Heads of Government are

Gillard(Australia); Paul Kagame(Rwanda) Mahinda Rajajiaka(Sri Lanka); Jakaya Kiwete(Tanzania); Navinchandra Ramgoolam (Mauritius); Armando Guebuza (Mozambique); Hifikepunye Pohamba(Namibia) and Kamla PersadBissessar(Trinidad and Tobago).

As at press time, a 70-man trade delegation from Nigeria is expected to be part of the global economic session.

A government official said: “Most of the business leaders and investors came on their own as part of the Organised Private Sector’s contributions to our investment drive. They did not come at government expense at all.

“In fact, some Nigerian companies are co-sponsoring the business talks involving these leaders and other global core investors.

“Nigeria is going to have bilateral business talks with Australia on how to develop its iron and steel sector.”

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

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NEWS Fed Govt backs retention of post-UTME test by varsities

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HE Federal Government will support the retention of post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (post-UTME) test for entrenching the admission of best candidates, Education Minister Prof Ruquyyat Ahmed Rufa’i has said.

She addressed reporters, at the weekend in Ilorin, the Kwara State, after commissioning some projects executed by the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN).

The Senate, at plenary, penultimate week described the post-UTME test as illegal and threatened to outlaw it.

Reacting to the Senate’s position, vice-chancellors, under the aegis of Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVNU), reportedly wrote a letter to the National Assem-

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

bly on the legality of the post-UTME test.

Prof Rufa’I said: “My view has always been known. I am a university person, and at this time of Nigeria’s history, we are particularly interested in quality. Quality is what everybody is emphasising now. We know that we are emphasising an aspect too because we have to ensure equity.

“But definitely, our mission is to ensure quality to cut across the entire sector.

So, that is why we say the post-UTME, at least for now, is something that we should continue. We are pleading with the senators. I am happy that there will be a stakeholders’ forum and the outcome will determine the future of post-UTME.

* Minister of Education, Prof Ruqayyat Rufai, cutting the tape to inaugurate the Faculty of Communication and Information Service of the University of Ilorin. With her is Vice-Chancellor, Prof Is-Haq Oloyede (left) and Dein of Agbor, Benjamin Ikechukwu...yesterday

Jonathan worried by youths’ involvement in crimes

Bomb hits military patrol in Borno

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

A

ROADSIDE bomb yesterday hit a military patrol vehicle in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, where attacks by suspected members of Boko Haram sect have killed dozens.

The blast occurred at 6pm in Zinnari area of the city, which has been routinely targeted by the radical Boko Haram sect, the residents said.

“The military patrol van was passing along the street when it drove over a bomb

which exploded with a thunderous blast and badly damaged the vehicle,” a trader Salisu Abubakar told AFP. He said the blast was followed by gunshots from the attackers, causing panic as people ran for cover.

Abubakar did not say if anyone was hurt in the explosion.

Another resident, Babagana Dan-Damasak, said the vehicle “was mangled” by the explosion.

He said: “It was evident that the bomb was planted on

its path. Soldiers, who came in trucks and vans, surrounded the area and started a house-to-house search for the attackers.”

The military could not immediately confirm the incident.

Bomb and gun attacks blamed on Boko Haram, an extremist sect that sprung up in 2004, have been regular in some parts of the North, particularly Maiduguri in recent months.

In 2009, Boko Haram

launched a short-lived armed uprising in a doomed bid to establish an Islamic state.

Although the rebellion was crushed in a military assault that killed hundreds, mostly sect members, it failed to deter further attacks.

In recent months, the attacks have escalated with the sect claiming responsibility for the August 26 bomb blast at UN House headquarters in Abuja.

At least 24 people were killed in the blast.

Governors to get federal assistance on budgeting

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HE National Planning Commission (NPC) has promised to liaise with Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) to establish a planning commission/agency in each state.

The NLC said it has collating names of states with difficulties in establishing such agency to assist the governors in effective planning systems.

Twenty-five of the 36 states have established planning commissions.

This was part of the recommendations of a meeting of the Joint Planning Board (JPB) held in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital.

A statement yesterday by NPC spokesman, Salisu Badamasi, said the JPB meeting is organised annually by

T

•‘Political changes major challenge’ From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

the NPC under the chairmanship of the Secretary of the National Planning Commission.

The theme for this year’s meeting is: Transformation Agenda and States Plans as Vehicles for the Implementation of Nigeria’s Vision 20:2020.

Membership of the JPB includes Secretary to the NPC, who is the presiding officer; permanent secretaries and directors of Policy Research and Statistics (PRS) in the state planning commissions.

The objective of the meeting is to enable members brainstorm on optimal approach for the effective im-

plementation of states’ plans and the Federal Government’s Strategic Development Agenda.

The meeting is also to serve as a platform for officials of federal and state governments as well as representatives of the private sector to appraise their strategic roles in the implementation of the Strategic Development Agenda at all levels of government.

The report of the JPB meeting will have major inputs in the meeting of the larger body, National Council on Development Planning (NCDP), which consists of the Minister/Deputy Chairman, National Planning

Commission as Chairman and Commissioners of Budget and Planning and permanent secretaries responsible for planning.

The meeting noted that political changes formed the major challenges that hinder the establishment of planning commission.

The statement said some states were forced to revert to ministries of Budget and Planning or Finance and Economic Planning.

It added thaty there is emphasis on the need for political will by governors and political office holders and the need to make the planning commissions legal entities; to empower them to function effectively and take charge of planning functions in the states.

‘Governors privy to Act establishing SWF’

HE House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, has said governors and other stakeholders were privy to the Act establishing the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF).

He faulted the governors for kicking against SWF, saying the Act that established the fund was duly passed into law.

Ihedioha addressed reporters at the Ilorin International Airport, Kwara State, at the weekend on the position of the federal lawmakers on the controversial fund.

He said until those against it bring up a bill for its amend-

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

ment, the Act would remain binding on all.

Some governors have reportedly kicked against the implementation of the fund, which prescribes the setting aside of certain percentage of the nation’s revenue from the excess crude oil sales as buffer for the future.

The Nigerian Governors’ Forum is expected to meet this week to take a position on the matter after an earlier meeting could not resolve their positions.

But last week, Edo State

Governor Adams Oshiomhole told participants at the 15th annual stakeholders’ conference and induction of new members, in Benin, the state capital, that some governors were privy to the launch of the fund by the Presidency with $1 billion.

Ihedioha said: “Our take is very clear. The position of the law is very clear. The sixth Assembly, which I was also a prominent player in, took a position. We passed the Sovereign Wealth Fund Act, which today is a law, having been signed into law by the President. Inputs were made

by the governors of that era and quite a number of those governors are still governors today. Even those that succeeded some past governors are running a continuous administration.

“Nothing has deviated from the law that is in existence. If anything will deviate, perhaps, it means that an amendment will have to be brought to the National Assembly for us to review it.

But till now, the National Assembly is not in receipt of any document suggesting contrary position from the position which we signed into law.”

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has expressed worry over the involvement of youths in kidnappings, robbery and sundry crimes.

The President urged youths to avoid being lured into war against their fatherland, adding that the Federal Government, in conjunction with the security agencies, would improve the security of life and property.

Dr Jonathan noted that no meaningful development can take place in the country without guaranteed security.

The President spoke, at the weekend, at the combined 17th and 18th convocation of University of Uyo in Akwa Ibom State.

Represented by the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufai, the President said he was saddened by the spate of examination malpractices and cultism in the nation’s higher institutions.

Dr Jonathan, who was a visitor to the university, hailed Governor Godswill Akpabio for supporting the federal university.

He urged the graduates to be worthy ambassadors of their alma mater and to think of creating opportunities for themselves since the government cannot employ everybody.

ASUU shelves planned strike

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HE Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has shelved its planned nationwide indefinite strike, ending the outcome of its talks with the Federal Government.

In a statement by Niger Delta University (NDU) chapter of ASUU Chairman, Dr. Beke Sese, the union said lecturers wanted to give the government benefit of the doubt with the hope that it would implement the agreements reached during the renewed talks.

The statement reads: “As a noble and patriotic union, ASUU decided at the emergency meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) on October 15, at the University of Abuja, to reconsider its resolve to declare a nationwide indefinite strike and give the government benefit of the doubt, believing that the government would abide by our

From Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

signed memorandum of understanding.

“It is hoped that this would not be another failed promise.

“All well-meaning Nigerians, students, parents and the public should be aware of our efforts and also join in the struggle to keep university education not only affordable but also comparable to the best anywhere in the world.”

The statement said the Federal Government was aware that its Implementation Monitoring Committee ought to be expanded to include Federal Ministry of Finance, Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, and the Budget Office.

“The implementation of the above-listed issues in the 2009 agreement would be fast-tracked before November 22,” the statement added.

Leaders urged to emulate Gowon

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ORMER Minister of State for Commerce, Mrs Josephine

Tapgun, has urged Nigerian leaders to emulate the exemplary leadership virtues of former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon.

She said the former Head of State, despite the laudable achievements of his administration , stood up for the

From Marie-Therese Peter, Jos

country when it mattered most and sought the nation’s cooperation to build Nigeria.

The former minister noted that Gowon’s role at keeping Nigerians together makes him a symbol of unity and a reference point for good leadership.

8

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

NEWS Oyo AG slams Alao-Akala over LAUTECH’s ownership

Ogun PDP petitions CJN, NJC over alleged N250m bribery

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

O

YO State Attorney-General (AG) and Commissioner for Justice Adebayo Ojo has described the law conferring sole ownership of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, on the state as “retrogressive and illegal.”

Ojo spoke with reporters in Ibadan, the state capital, at the 10th anniversary of the “01 Gent International Club of Nigeria.”

He said former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala goofed by proposing the law in the first place, saying it did not follow due process.

On May 13, The Oyo House of Assembly, during the administration of Alao-Akala, enacted a law conferring sole ownership of the institution on the state.

Ojo said the law establishing and guiding the running of LAUTECH is concurrent and cannot be altered without the consent of the two owner-states.

He said: “LAUTECH is an inheritance of the Old Oyo. It belongs to two children of the same parent. It was illegal for the then government of Oyo State to pass such a law.

Things are never done that way. It cannot confer sole ownership of LAUTECH on Oyo. “If you look at the law of LAUTECH, it has a concurrent application in both Oyo and Osun states. While the university is situated in Oyo, the teaching hospital is in Osun. The government of Osun cannot claim sole ownership of the teaching hospital, so also Oyo cannot claim sole ownership of the university.”

He said both states have agreed to renew the accreditation for the Osogbo Teaching Hospital and process a fresh one for the one in Ogbomoso.

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HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State has appealed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC) to disqualify the three members of the National and House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abeokuta, the state capital, from determining the petitions before them.

The PDP said seven of its petitions were dismissed by the panel in favour of candidates of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

•ACN: it’s a ruse From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

It alleged that the panel members received a N250million-bribe from the beneficiaries (ACN candidates) of the judgment.

PDP said its remaining petitions might suffer similar fate if the panel is not disbanded.

It said: “It appears that this will be the trend in the remaining petitions before the panel. We resolved to write

this petition, rather than wait until the damage is done.”

The ACN members, whose elections were upheld, dismissed the allegation. They described it as “unfounded, a ruse and hallucinations of the PDP.” Speaking through Senator Gbenga Kaka, who represents Ogun East at the National Assembly, they said: “Since the PDP has petitioned the NJC, we should allow the NJC to carry out its investigation

into the alleged bribery.

“Everybody knows I’m not a rich man. I hold on to God for justice. The mandate was freely given to me by my people and the tribunal affirmed the mandate.

“At no time did I get near the judges or contributed money for them. The allegation is unfounded. It is a mere imagination and hallucination. May be they are yet to recover from the hangover of shock and failure resulting from the outcome of the last April elections.”

Three Ondo PDP chieftains, HREE chieftains of others join ACN

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the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akoko Southwest Local Government Area of Ondo State and their supporters have defected to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

They are former Majority Leader of the House of Assembly Foluso Babadele; former Assembly member Jerome Abiodun; and a former Vice-Chairman of Akoko South Local Government, Dapo Fasesin.

They were received by ACN Chairman Mrs. Jumoke Anifowose and other officials of the party at a rally sponsored by Adegboyega, the son of the late former Governor Adebayo Adefarati.

Babadele said: “We are joining ACN because we believe it is the only party that can transform the state and fulfil its promises to the poor masses.

From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

“To those who have seen the light and have chosen it today, go and tell others, who are still speculating, to join the right boat in moving this state forward.

“Ondo State people are known for knowledge, straightforwardness, sincerity and integrity. But these attributes seem to have been jettisoned by elements that have made deceit and corner cutting the order of the day in governing our state. And that is why there is hunger, bad roads, unemployment and endless strikes.”

Mrs. Anifowose urged the new members to work for the party’s success in next year’s governorship election.

Adefarati donated a well furnished building to the party in Akoko Southwest.

Ogun Assembly summons Daniel’s aides

By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Political Editor

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HE Ogun State House of Assembly has directed three former commissioners, permanent secretaries and other top political appointees, who served in former Governor Gbenga Daniel’s administration, to appear before its Land and Housing Committee today.

They include former Commissioners Jokotade Odebunmi, Isiak Salako (Housing), Kehinde Sogunle (Finance), Gbenga Ogunnoiki (Director-General, Land Bureau), former governorship candidate of the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) Gboyega Isiaka , former Permanent Secretary Ayo Vaughan and a Director of Finance and Administration at the Ministry of Finance.

The committee, chaired by Remi Hassan, is looking into land allocation, acquisition, revocation, revenue and sale of government property during Daniel’s administration.

•Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi (right) consoling Mr. Felix Abe, the father of Miss. Sefunmi Abe, who was killed by a policeman in Ido Osi...at the weekend.

NBA recomends psychiatric test for policemen

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HE Ibadan branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) has recommended psychiatric test for policemen, before they are allowed to carry weapons.

NBA said it would help reduce cases of extra-judicial killings by the police.

In a statement by its Chairman, Mr. Luqman Laoye, at the weekend, the association urged the Senate and House of R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s Committees on Police and Human Rights to organise an open forum and seek public opinion on how to prevent extra-judicial killings.

It also urged human rights organisations to closely monitor cases of extra judicial killings and ensure the prosecution of perpetrators.

The statement reads: “We join other well meaning Nigerians and organisations in condemning the spate of kill-

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From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

University, Ibadan, in July.

A graduate of the faculty, Rev. Segun Alli, had sued the commission for declaring the faculty illegal. He urged the court to determine whether the university was not qualified to run the programme, going by an earlier accreditation granted by the commission.

A

MALE student of the Osun State College of Education, Ilesa, was killed by the police, at the weekend.

It was learnt that the victim and 14 others were drinking at a bar behind a new generation bank, when a police team arrived and tried to arrest them.

The deceased was shot and killed while trying to escape.

It was gathered that the bank’s security guards called the police when they heard movement behind the bank.

They must have assumed that the students were robbers trying to break into the bank.

Police Commissioner Solomon Olusegun From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

ings by policemen in recent times.

“As an interim step to curb the rampant cases of extrajudicial killings by policemen, we suggest that psychiatric tests should be con-

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

said those found behind the bank were hoodlums and were armed.

Olusegun said they attacked his men, who responded and killed one of them.

He said: “The bank officers raised the alarm about the presence of some boys around the bank. Their presence was suspicious and when the police got there, the boys attacked them.

One of the hoodlums was killed while some of them were injured. We are investigating the case.”

There have been incessant bank robberies in Ilesa.

ducted on policemen, especially the rank and file, to determine those that are fit to be entrusted with weapons. Those found to be unworthy should either be weeded out or transferred to positions where they would not constitute threats to the

public.

“We also call on the Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Police and Human Rights to urgently convene a public/ stakeholders’ forum to come up with other suggestions on how to curb this menace.”

Tax compulsory for workers, says Fayemi

Court summons NUC Secretary HE Federal High Court in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, has ordered Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) Prof.

Julius Okojie, to appear before it on November 3.

Okojie was summoned for not complying with the court’s judgment on the Law Programme of Lead City

Police kill student in Ilesa

E

KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi has said he has no power to determine the tax payable by workers.

He said tax is a function of the statutory “Pay As You Earn” system and would increase as salary increases.

Fayemi spoke at a thanksgiving service for the Speaker of the Ekiti House of Assembly, Dr. Adewale

Omirin, at the weekend in Aisegba-Ekiti.

He was responding to pleas by the officiating minister for tax reduction, implementation of the minimum wage and repair of the Ado-Ekiti/Ijan/ Aisegba road.

Fayemi said the government has concluded arrangements to pay junior workers, but is still

negotiating with senior workers.

He said the Ado-Ekiti/ Ijan/Aisegba road is a Federal Government road, but the state government, through the World Bank’s assistance, has awarded it to contractors. The governor said work will begin after the raining season.

Omirin urged the people to support the government

by paying their taxes promptly, so that the state can develop.

Also at the service were the wife of the governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Secretary to the State Government Dr. Ganiyu Owolabi; Head of Service Mr. Bunmi Famosaya; members of the House of Assembly and other government officials.

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

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NEWS Group to electorate: don’t vote for selfish politicians

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•Santurakin Dutse, Alhaji Mustapha Lamido (right); business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote (second left); Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Nurudeen Mohammed (left); House of Representatives member Farouk Lawan (backing camera); Dr Farouk Umar of Independent Shareholders’ Association (middle); Mr. Sa’adu Birnin-Kudu; Jigawa State former Governor Bamanga Tukur (fifth right); Katsina businessman, Alhaji Dahiru Mangal; Speaker Aminu Tambuwal (third right); Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido (second right) and Sheikh Isa Waziri at Mustapha Lamido’s wedding at Isyaku Rabiu Mosque, Kano...at the weekend

Senate probes N81.9b Abuja road project

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HE Senate has queried the approval of N81.9 billion for the construction of a 20.5-kilometre road in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).

It resolved to invite the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Muhammed, top officials of FCDA and contractors handling the project to answer questions on alleged inflation of the contract cost.

Members of the Senate Committee on FCT, who inspected the project and others, at the weekend, said they were shocked that the road, which is a part of the Abuja-KubwaZuba Expressway, was awarded in 2009 to a Chinese company, CGC Limited, for N81.914billion.

The committee said it discovered that 19.6 kilometres of the same road was awarded to an indigenous company, Dantata and Sawoe, for N66.6billion.

FCDA officials and CGC project engineers could not explain the discrepancy in the cost of the two contracts.

The Smart Adeyemi-led Senate committee sought explanation on the N16billion discrepancy on the road with approximately 800 metres’ difference.

The Chinese firm could not convince the committee on why it was importing materials for the project, including

•Summons FCT minister for explanation From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

the street light poles, which the lawmakers said could easily be manufactured locally.

The lawmakers rejected the explanation that the cost difference was as a result of “additional” work, which the company said included the construction of U-turns and pedestrian bridges.

The Senate Committee insisted that the N16 billion difference could not be justified and directed the FCDA and the CGC to produce details of the contract costs for scrutiny.

Adeyemi, who presented the position of the committee at the project site, noted that the N16 billion added to the Chinese firm’s contract cost

could not be justified since the projects have similar terrains, topography and features.

The committee chairman warned that the Senate would not allow the nation to be ripped off.

Adeyemi said it was wrong for the company to refuse to appear before the Senate when it had earlier been summoned on the matter.

The company, he said, would be made to refund the balance to the country if it was established that the cost of the project was truly inflated.

He said: “You cannot justify the N16billion difference. It is unjustifiable; it is not acceptable to the Senate. We are not just novices on construction.

“We have looked at the project and there is not much

difference. One is 20.5 kilometres and the other is 19.6 kilometres leaving a difference of 800 metres. That cannot justify the cost difference of N16billion. The topography and the terrain are the same so you cannot justify cost difference.

“We will take it up. We will get difference consultants to review the project. We are going to summon you with the minister and if we come to the conclusion that it was inflated then you will refund the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The CGC Project Engineer, Yian Kang, said he was aware of local content laws as well as the fact that the poles could be sourced locally.

He added that his company got approval from relevant authority to import the poles.

Police Inspector, two others killed in Kaduna attack T HREE persons, including a police Inspector, were reportedly killed yesterday when unknown gunmen attacked a police station and two commercial banks in Saminaka, Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The attack on the police station was said to have occurred at 3.30am.

The gunmen reportedly shot indiscriminately as they invaded the police station, killing the policeman instantly.

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

The gunmen, suspected to be armed robbers, were said to have shot a security guard at a commercial bank and injured some residents.

Details of the attack were still sketchy.

Police spokesman Aminu Lawan, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed the incident but said he could not give the casualty figure

immediately.

Lawan said: “It is true (there was an attack). It happened, but I cannot tell you the exact number of those killed in the incident. We are on top of the situation; investigation is ongoing.”

He urged the public to be security-conscious and report any suspicious movement in their area to security agencies for prompt actions.

Dabo calls for peace in Benue

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CHIEFTAIN of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Godwin Dabo’Adzuana, has urged politicians in Benue State to embrace dialogue in resolving their differences.

Addressing reporters in Abuja yesterday, Dabo’Adzuana condemned the recent political violence and killings in the state.

He said: “I want to say here categorically that those perpetrating violence to make the state ungovernable should have at the back of their minds that leadership is ordained by God. I urge all aggrieved opposition parties, including the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the Alla Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) currently challeng-

ing the re-election of Governor Gabriel Suswam, to be peaceful in in their poursuit of justice and not engage in acts of violence that have no development impact on the people of the state.

“Benue people need good governance and development now, not orchestrations of violence and trading of accusations by their leaders. Enough

is enough. My fellow politicians must allow peace to reign in the state and let the people of Benue State enjoy the dividends of democracy.”

Dabo’Adzuana, who is the chairman of Benue Elders’ Forum, noted that since politicians work in the interest of the people, they should resolve their differences amicably instead of resorting to vi-

olence and threats.

He said: “I do not wish to enter into judgement for or against any one, but as a person interested in the verdict of history, I have watched the goings-on in the state with great sadness. For the sake of our children, let us forgive one another and resolve all issues amicably to move the state forward.

Aliyu denies campaigning for 2015 Presidency

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IGER State Governor Babangida Aliyu has denied allegations that he is campaigning to become the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2015 election.

The governor said the report was ludicrous and untrue.

He was referring to a report in a daily, which listed Aliyu with a group of top PDP chieftains,

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

including Vice-President Namadi Sambo and Senate President David Mark, among those who have started campaigning for the nation’s top job.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Danladi Ndayebo, the governor said the speculations were a façade, which was meant to divert the attention of the public.

GROUP, the Kogi Transformation Initiative Group (KTG), has urged the electorate not to vote for “selfish politicians” in the December 3 governorship election.

In a statement by its leader, Idris Sumonu, the group noted that Kogi is one of the most backward states in Nigeria, which needs an honest governor to urgently develop.

Addressing reporters in Ayingba, Dekina Local Government Area of Benue State, the group urged governorship candidates to present their programmes for the state.

“We will no longer be used.

Kogi State has suffered backwardness and we are ready this time to vote for a good manifesto, not individual,” Sumonu said.

From Mohammed Bashir, Lokoja

He stressed that no Kogi resident, no matter his or her level of poverty, would again vote for any candidate that is not ready to transform the state.

Sumonu said KTG does not have any governorship candidate in mind in its campaign against bad politicians.

He said: “We will only work for a candidate that is ready to transform Kogi State.”

Sumonu noted that Kogi, which was carved out from old Kwara and Benue states 20 years ago, is underdeveloped, despite having abundant natural resources that could be tapped for its development.

The non-political group urged eligible voters without voters’ cards to do so in the ongoing voter registration.

Three Benue revenue workers held

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HE Benue State Police Command has arrested six touts and three workers of the Benue State Inland Revenue Service (BIRS) over alleged vehicle registration racketeering.

The arrests followed complaints by the management of the revenue service that some touts were issuing vehicle papers, contrary to the Benue State Internal Revenue Service Law 2010.

Detectives from the police command arrested the touts, who were reportedly operating at the premises of the Makurdi sub-treasury of the revenue service.

The detectives reportedly found official documents, including vehicle licences, proof of ownership certificates, as well as number plates with the touts.

The police said their investigations revealed that the three BIRS workers

signed and collected the items from the revenue agency’s stores and invited them for questioning. The suspects were arrested for allegedly giving out government documents to unauthorised persons.

Police spokesman Alaribe Ejike confirmed the arrests, saying the suspects have been charged to court while disciplinary action was being taken against the workers, according to civil service regulations.

Addressing reporters, BIRS Chairman, Andrew Ayabam, urged the workers to stop colluding with touts to defraud the service.

He warned that anyone caught would be punished according to the law.

Ayabam said five BIRS workers have been suspended while eight others were facing a disciplinary committee for alleged malpractices.

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

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NEWS Tributes as Imoke, colleagues bid The Nation man Johnson farewell

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ORRENTS of tributes poured in at the weekend for The Nation correspondent in Cross River State, the late Mr. Christopher Adekunle Johnson.

It was at a commendation service organised for him at the Dapo Aderogba Millennium Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, where members of his family, friends and colleagues bade him final bye.

The service was organised for the deceased, who died on October 1, after a brief illness.

He was 60.

Old friends and colleagues at the Federal Radio Corporation (FRCN/Radio Nigeria) where he started his journalism career in 1978 gathered at the hall located in the premises of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) headquarters to pay their last respects.

The deceased’s boss and friend at Radio Nigeria, Elder Bode Oyewole, said Johnson remained a true friend till his last breadth. “I don’t think I can say this of many of us that our paths crossed. I met him in 1978 when he was working with the Nigerian Postal Service (then known as Post and Telecommunication). I met him with a friend that day. We interacted and he indicated interest in journalism. That led to how he got into Radio Nigeria. I am particularly impressed about him. KJ, as he was fondly called, was a vibrant journalist; he was a man without malice. He would say things as they were. Kunle’s life has impacted positively on our lives. It is now left to us to choose which path to toe.”

From Bisi Oladele and Osheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

Another colleague at the FRCN, Mr Lere Afolabi, said Johnson worked meritoriously before leaving Radio Nigeria.

He said Johnson was among the first set of correspondents sent to out-stations by FRCN. While Johnson was posted to Calabar, he was posted to Minna, Niger State.

“As a Correspondent, he proved himself. He didn’t disappoint his bosses. This man we are celebrating today was a distinguished reporter. He never haboured bitterness. He spoke out his mind to people.

Anybody that wants to excel must be dedicated and committed as KJ had shown. Even as a non-indigene, he won elections in Calabar,” Afolabi said.

The Chairman, Cross River State Council of the NUJ, Mr Enlang Ndem, who led a delegation of reporters from the state to Ibadan, also praised Johnson. Having lived and worked in Calabar for three decades, Ndem said Johnson had become a brother to his colleagues.

He said: “We are here to honour our friend whom we are going to miss so dearly. We are proud to say that he was a good ambassador of his family, his state and the NUJ.” Representative of The Nation newspaper, Mr Bunmi Ogunmodede, lauded Johnson for his humility, competence and integrity. He said he was never summoned to the Head Office for any wrongdoing throughout his service.

Cross River State Governor

Liyel Imoke, described Johnson’s death as painful, saying that he received the news with shock.

He said:“His transition is all the more painful when one looks at his track record of achievements and the many energies, intellect and passion signified for the future….

“He was so down-to earth in his activities, that it was not difficult to see that his working experience in The Nation newspaper where he rose to the position of Bureau Chief before his demise, became a great asset to him.

His wife, Obioma, also paid tributes to the deceased journalist.

Taking his Bible text from 1 Corinthians chapter 2, officiating minister – Venerable Tayo Adebayo explained that death is a necessary end of every human being after which they will face judgment. He said man needs the spirit of God to empower and strengthen him to live a life of righteousness.

Johnson’s remains were buried at Sango cemetery.

Born on January 27, 1951, Johnson, who hailed from Ilesa, Osun State, started his journalism career at the FRCN in 1978. He worked for the Third Eye newspaper from 1994 to 97 and the Monitor newspaper in 1998. Thereafter, he moved to defunct The Comet where he worked till 2006 and joined The Nation at inception.

He served at various levels in the Correspondents’ Chapel and the Council of the NUJ in Cross River State until 1998.

He is survived by an aged mother and siblings.

ACN leads as Lagos council poll results trickle in •Exercise peaceful, say observers

By Emmanuel Oladesu.

Deputy Political Editor and Tajudeen Adebanjo

•Abacha...yesterday

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HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) is in a comfortable lead in the elections held across the 20 local governments and 37 local council development areas on Saturday.

According to the results submitted to LASIEC, ACN beat the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) in Alimoso Local Government, polling 7,277 in the chairmanship election as against PDP’s 3,495.

In Iba LCDA, ACN also won the chairmanship, scoring 8,510 to beat PDP, which got 2,709. In Ojo council, ACN had 9,847 and PDP got 3,856. Also, ACN won the chairmanship in Apapa Local Government and Obalende-Ikoyi LCDA. In Badagry West council, ACN scored 4,085 at the chairmanship poll. PDP had 3,629.

However, PDP won two councillorship seats.

ACN Chairman Otunba Oladele Ajomale, said the party would wait patiently till

the official announcement by LASIEC. He chided some PDP chairmanship candidates for declaring themselves winners in their local governments.

Ajomale said it was wrong for any candidate to assume the roles of the electoral commission, adding that it was barbaric. He added:”We are in a civilised society. We should not be barbaric. The only authority empowered to announce elections is LASIEC. We are bound by what LASIEC says. It is unlawful for anybody to declare himself winner.

“Any aggrieved candidate should go to court. That is why tribunals have been set up. ACN is a lawful party. We will obey the law. They should learn to respect the law too”.

Domestic observers who monitored the elections said it was free and fair, urging the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) to build on the feat in future grassroots elections.

However, ACN member of House of Representatives, Dr Samuel Adejare (Agege Constituency) decried the low turn out of voters. He said “since voting underscores the beauty of democracy, apathy is wrong because those who emerge

through tiny votes would still preside over grassroots administration.”

The Northern Union of Election Observers, led by Dr I.E. Eduma and Comrade Ali Abacha however, pointed out certain lapses in the election, particularly the late commencement of voting in some polling units, insufficient voting knowledge by voters and pockets of disturbances in some wards.

The observers contended that “there were neither major irregularities nor incidents of ballot box snatching and violence. Therefore, the elections were generally peaceful and were conducted under acceptable conditions of transparent and credible elections”.

Groups comprising the Northern Union of Election Observers include Northern Patriotic Front, Centre for Strategic Conflict Management, Northern Socio-Cultural Initiative and Association for Peace and Progress.

The observers lauded the Lagos State government and LASIEC for their commitment to the success of the elections, pointing out that there was no political tension before and during the exercise.

The group said there were adequacy of polling materials, maintenance of law and order by security agents on electoral duty and smooth counting and collation of results.

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

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BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

The PIB ought to be published in national dailies or posted on the internet so that stakeholders could see what had become of the draft bill and be able to make recommendations on the final document before it is passed.

-Babatunde Ogun, President PENGASSAN

Firms to invest $1b in tin

‘It’s wrong to float revenue board’

•To create 4,000 jobs

From Nduka Chiejina,

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

Assistant Editor (Abuja)

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United Kingdom firm, Savannah Mining Limited and two South African companies - Equator Minis and VML Resources Limited – are to inject about $1billion into a Nigerian firm, Equator Mines Limited.

The investment is for the production of tin in Bauchi, Plateau and Kaduna State, it was learnt at the weekend.

According to the pact between the institutions, about 100,000 ounces of gold are also expected to be exploited from in Kebbi State.

Managing Director, Equator Mines Limited, Gallio E. Dagu, who disclosed these to reporters in Abuja, said the company is to produce 50,000 tons of tin in the short-term and scale it up to 100,000 tons in the longterm.

“On gold, we intend to produce 50,000 ounces every month in the short-term. Then, in the long term, when we increase the reserve, we intend to produce about produce 100,000 ounces of smelted ounces every month,” he said.

On value addition to the minerals, Dagbu said Equator Mines Limited has plans to process the concentrate to 72 per cent before export in accordance international standard.

In the long run, however, he said the company would smelt its concentrate to attain full value of $25 per metric ton right from Nigeria.

His words: “But in the long term, we have plans for smelting our concentrate so that instead of exporting the concentrate that will cost just about $18,000, we will smelt and get the full value of the London metal exchange, right here in Nigeria, which now cost about $24 to $25 per metric ton. We have done the analysis and that is the best bet.”

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

-N6.747 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -9.3% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending-22.42% Prime lending -15.82% Savings rate -2% 91-day NTB -10.23% Time Deposit -7% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $30.8b FOREX CFA EUR £ $ ¥ SDR RIYAL

-

0.281 213.2 245.00 156.91 1.5652 245.8 40.57

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• MD/CEO, Mainstreet Bank, Mrs Faith Tuedor-Matthews flanked by Executive Director, Shared Services, Anogwi Anyanwu (left) and Chief Financial Officer, Yahaya Abdulsalam, during an interactive session with reporters in Lagos ... at the weekend.

Why we are reviewing concession pacts, by Aviation Minister

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VIATION Minister, Mrs Stella OduahOgiemwonyi, has explained why her ministry is reviewing the concession and lease agreements with some firms.

She said at the weekend that once ‘such agreements’ fail to meet the expected dividends, there is no reason they should be kept.

The minister, who spoke during an interactive session with the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, said she “inherited horrible concession agreements” which no development-oriented administration can sustain.

She said: “More than 70 per cent of concessions and leases in the sector, are not performing and have not given us a premium on the terms of the contracts.”

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

On the concerns expressed by members of the committee and other Nigerians on the need to have a national carrier, the minister said she shares some aspirations, but noted that dream can only be actualised when a proper framework has been put in place.

“We must have a national carrier, but we need to have the appropriate framework to drive and actualise this dream. We cannot actualise this dream without the necessary framework,”she said. The minster added that the issues of legal framework, ownership structure and funding are very critical and need to be sorted out before embarking on the project to revive the national carrier.

Mrs Ogiemwonyi stressed that concession agreements are entered into by agencies of the government as a result of lack of capacity to deliver on their mandates, adding that such pacts are aimed at not only redressing this defici, but to enable the government to make returns on her investments.

On concessions in the aviation sector, Ogiemwonyi said the agreements have failed to yield the expected dividends through enhancing the capacity of the sector, hence the government is left with no other option than to review them.

She, however, assured that the exercise would be carried properly to ensure equity and justice to all parties.

“We will review and can-

cel those agreements and leases that are not yielding the expected dividends,”she declared.

On the security concerns at the nation’s airports, Ogiemwonyi said her ministry was working with the National Security Adviser (NSA), and all the other security agencies to make the airports safe for users. She said the security and safety of persons passing through the airports remain a priority.

Earlier, in her opening remarks, chairperson of the Committee, Hon. Nkeiruka C Onyejeocha, said the purpose of the parley was to rub minds with those who at the ministry on the best way to move the sector forward in line with Mr President’s Transformation Agenda.

Insurers in secret merger, acquisition talks

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O harness opportuni ties in oil and gas and other businesses, some insurers are holding merger talks, The Nation has learnt.

The President of Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Dr Wole Adetimehin, who confirmed the development, said the move is to build mega insurance companies.

He said insurers have realised that they cannot get more of the opportunities in the industry individually, adding that reforms initiated by the government and the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) opened up more businesses for the industry.

He said: “At present, there are some silent moves where some people are planning to merge to become mega companies. Now many insurers are underwriting oil and gas. In the short run, the portfolio of most operators may not be large, but over time as they build reserves, they would increase their stakes.”

Director-General Nigerian

By Chuks Udo Okonta

Insurers Association (NIA), Mr Sunday Thomas, said insurers have embarked on how to shore-up the capital through mergers while others are doing so to align with NAICOM’s risk based recapitalisation.

He said NAICOM has put in place structures to enable insurance companies to have the required capital that can underwrite the kind of risk they cover, adding that some companies have begun consultations on how to raise their capital to enable them to key into the opportunities provided by the Local Content Act, especially in the oil and gas insurance business. ”The capital base may not be adequate, but I am aware that companies that want to operate within the Local Content are making efforts to shore-up their capital.

Also, NAICOM is working very hard to put in place riskbased supervision. And one of the fundamentals of riskbased supervision is risk-

based recapitalisation. “ R i s k - b a s e d recapitalisation measures the type of business in relation to the capital to back-up the business. Some companies may not be there now, but they would not be allowed to operate beyond their capacity. I think NAICOM is doing a good job in that direction. For the industry, efforts are being made to shore-up capital and of course, there have been discussions about mergers and how companies can be bigger, because companies have realised that there is beauty in being big. If they are big, they will be able to increase their capacity to retain more businesses and that will impact the economy through job creation,” he added.

He said the industry will not toe the line of banks in operating in regional, national or international, adding that insurance operations are different from the banks. He said risks will be the bases for deter-

mining capital for insurers while scope is used by the banks.

“Insurance is quite different from the banks. What happened in the banks cannot happen in insurance.

What will happen is what NAICOM is at present doing, which is risk-based recapitalisation. The parameter for judging insurance and banks differs. While the risk is the fundamental for insurance, the scope is what the banks are using. For insurance, if you want to write a low level line of business, you have to get the capital base and nobody would trouble you, but the moment you want to go to high level risk area, you will have to acquire more capital and that is what NAICOM is doing,” he said.

Corporate Affairs Manager, NIA, Mr Davis Iyasere, said the decision to form mega companies would raise the confidence of the public and position insurers for better service delivery.

HE Federal Inland Rev enue Service (FIRS) has warned the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) not to set up a revenue board.

In a statement, it noted that the provision of the Act creating service empowers it to collect taxes in FCT and that until these laws are repealed, it will continue to collect taxes.

“The FIRS is the constituted revenue board for the FCT and any other bodies set up for the same or a similar purpose will be in contravention of the existing laws,” the statement said.

The FIRS said its attention was drawn to recent publication in the dailies that the Minister of the FCT has either been advised to set up a Revenue Board for the FCT or has, indeed, set up such a Board to facilitate increased revenue generation in the FCT. The FIRS said it “does not intend to join issues on this, the onus is on us to state the position of the law with regards to the collection of taxes and levies by the Service on behalf of the Federal Government.”

The FIRS is relying on the Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Act, Cap T2, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN), 2007 which states that the taxes to be collected by the Federal Government are: Companies Income Tax, Withholding Tax on Companies, residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and non – resident individuals, Petroleum Profit Tax, Value Added Tax, and Education Tax.

Consumer council warns From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

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HE Consumer Protec tion Council (CPC) has warned smokers to be wary of a substandard cigarette called pine classic, in the market.

In a statement, the council stated that the imported cigarette has been found to have fallen short of labelling requirements expected of cigarettes.

It stated: “The cigarette has no production and expiry dates, neither does it have manufacturer’s address, conditions that are all mandatory for all cigarette products meant for Nigerian markets.

“The Nigeria Industrial Standards (NIS) mark could not be found anywhere on the pack of the cigarette, making it to be suspect for consumption by consumers.

“The product is not registered in the country and hence does not comply with any known standard, thereby exposing consumers to un-imaginable risks and dangers.

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

12

BUSINESS NEWS

CBN cuts banks’ dollar reserve to stabilise Naira

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HE Central Bank of Ni geria (CBN) will sell United States (US) dollars both directly into the market and at auctions, the bank said, at the weekend.

The CBN has also lifted the amount of dollars banks can hold in reserve, in a continued effort to stabilise the naira currency.

The regulator, according to Reuters news, said it would raise the foreign exchange (forex) net open position limit banks can hold to three per cent from one per cent of

By Collins Nweze with Agency report

shareholders’funds from today, less than two weeks after slashing limits to help protect the naira.

Net open position is the amount of dollars banks can hold relative to shareholders’ funds. The CBN lowered it to one per cent from five per cent on October 10 to free up dollar supply to the interbank market, but traders complained the market was almost brought to a halt by the decision.

The move curbed lenders ability to hold dollar reserves to meet customer needs, leading to volatile trading at the forex market. Some analysts said position limits at one per cent could have negatively weighed on banks’ revenues.

The apex bank also said it will sell dollars directly into the interbank market and continue providing greenback at its official twice weekly auctions. It provides dollar liquidity to meet high demand and help support the naira.

“In the continuing effort to

sustain stability in the foreign exchange market, the Central Bank of Nigeria shall from time to time intervene in the interbank market. This is in addition to (auctions),” it said in a letter to banks.

The naira hit an all-time low against the dollar prior to an emergency CBN meeting two weeks ago as worsening global economic conditions curbed risk appetite and dollar demand from importers and speculators increased.

The naira has been volatile in thin trade this week. The lo-

cal currency was trading at N159.30 to the dollar in the interbank market last Friday, weaker than N154.60 last Thursday, but firmer than the record low of N167.80.

The banking watchdog raised interest rates by 2.75 per cent to 12 per cent and implemented several other tightening measures to help protect the local currency at its emergency meeting on October 10.

It has also been selling dollars at auction and directly into the market. It offered to

sell $200 million to some lenders in a special forex intervention last week Tuesday but later retracted the sale.

Dealers said the regulator sold $103.28 million at a cutoff rate of N150 to the dollar at an intervention last Thursday, helping to provide some liquidity in the market, which helped the naira to recover.

Traders said the CBN’s latest interventions could help narrow the wide margin between official and interbank trading rates and reduce the volatility in the market.

Mainstreet Bank strong, stable, says MD

M

AINSTREET Bank Limited has promised its customers of better services, saying it is strong and ready to compete with other banks.

Its Managing Director, Mrs. Faith Tuedor-Mathews, said at the weekend, that the task of turning the bank into a model financial institution is achievable.

“I must confess that Maintreet Bank is getting bigger with customer base.

Currently, we are getting new businesses. The whole idea is to run a model office with the right technology.

We (the new management) have worked in banks that have been very successful.

We know Nigeria and the business and we are sure to deliver.We have strong equity, we are fully capitalised and have most of the major corporate,” she told reporters during an

By Ayodele Aminu, Group Business Editor

interactive session.”

She listed the bank’s key strategic focus to include customer service, operational efficiency and product leadership.

Mrs. Tuedor-Mathews, who said the bank, is devoid of perceived drawbacks associated with its predecessor, Afribank, explained that the involvement of the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) and the subsequent nationalisation of the bank provided it a refreshing ground, enabled it to present formidable strength in the market.

Operating with a branch network of 206, a workforce of about 4,000 and N319 billion fresh funds injected into it by AMCON, Mainstreet Bank runs with

shareholders’fund of N45 billion.

“We are running Mainstreet Bank as a commercial enterprise which has to pay dividends to its shareholders and bring in credible investors to buy the bank. Mainstreet Bank is a strong bank with good customer base and institutional memories. We think that with good technology, we can reposition the bank”, she had explained.

Already, the bank, she said, is seeking to engage two technology firms, which will help in deploying what she described as a more functional technology platform to drive its new vision.

Mrs. Tuedor-Mathews praised the efforts of the financial regulators in the handling of the on-going

reforms in a manner that prevented a run on the deposits of the nationalised banks.

“I believe the CBN reform agenda is good for the industry because, they are basically instilling proper corporate governance, improved risk management, discipline and transparency.

This will also enhance confidence of the banking public. Those are some of the critical requirements for a

thriving local banking industry”, she further noted.

The bank, she also said, is conducting an audit, which is expected to throw up issues which may not have been identified hitherto.

The Mainstreet Bank chief noted that her experience of the banking industry spanning over 25 years has convinced her that the staff inherited from Afribank, who have confirmed their resolve to work for the new

institution could be deployed to more productive areas without the risk of declaring some of them redundant.

With an enviable corporate base of 1.5million customers, 206 nationwide branch network run seasoned and tested management team with over 100 years of accumulated banking experience, she said customers should expect better days ahead.

‘Inefficiency stunts Nigeria’s growth’ N IGERIA’s economic blueprint is still crawling at about seven per cent due to inefficient allocation and management of resources the Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr Olusegun Aganga, has said.

Speaking, at the weekend, at the University of Uyo in Akwa Ibom State during the insitution’s convocation lecture entitled: Resource management of the nation’s abundant human and natural resources, Aganga said by now, it is expected that the Gross Domestic Product shoule be higher than what it is.

Aganga said: “ It is expected that based on the implementation of the Vision 20:2020 Economic Blueprint, which again goes to the root of resource management, the nation’s GDP should be growing at about 14 per cent per annum, from 2010 to 2020, to realise this vision.

“The unfortunate truth of the matter is that almost three years after the formulation of that plan, the economy is still growing at about seven per cent largely because of persistent inefficiency in resource allocation and management.

“It is lamentable that despite Nigeria’s vast natural human and natural resources, the country is yet to achieve

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

the desired economic growth and development.

“That Nigeria is blessed with the right mix of human and natural resources needed to earn it a place among the top 20 economies in the world in less than nine years cannot be over-emphasised.

With a population of over 150 million people, 80 million hectares of arable land, about 33 solid minerals in commercial quantities in 450 locations in the country, eight largest gas oil producing nation, Nigeria definitely has all it takes to achieve sustainable growth and development.

“It is common knowledge that the highest aim of government activities is to seek the best welfare of its people.

Ironically, despite its vast resources, significant oil wealth in over 50 years and various activities geared towards development, it may not be appropriate to refer to the modest growth recorded in the economy over the years as development.

“Despite the fact that every national and regional development plan since independence has centred on translating this resource advantage into sustainable growth and

enhanced living standards, the nation has not been able to realise this important dream.”

Furthermore, the minister stated that with the implementation of the Transformation Agenda of the administration, Nigeria was on the right path to economic growth and development.

Without good resource management, and commitment to the continuity of economic reforms, a developing economy, such as Nigeria may only be moving in circles, he said. “Countries that have managed their economies, such as Singapore to China, clearly have three things in common. They have visionary and pragmatic leaders, share some common core values and ensure the continuity of sound economic policies.

“While economic growth can be measured nominally by an increase in a country’s GDP, the most accurate index for measuring development is the Human Development Index, which in turn, is a comparative measure of life expectancy, literacy, education and standards of living for countries. These are the areas that we need to focus as a country to translate what some people have termed statistical growth into sustained economic development,”he added.

Interbank rates rise on low cash

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HE interbank lending rates climbed last Fri day to an average of 14.50 per cent from 13.50 per cent penultimate week as system liquidity thins out with outflows to bonds and foreign exchange purchases by lenders.

The cost of borrowing among bank, according to Reuters news, eased two weeks ago after it initially surged to an average of 17.16 per cent following the central bank benchmark interest rate hike.

Interbank rates fell at the close of last week, when some formerly rescued lenders sold a portion of their bond holdings to get cash for

their operations.

The secured Open Buy Back (OBB) rose to 14 per cent from 12 per cent last week, 200 basis points above the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) 12 per cent benchmark rate and 400 basis points above the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) rate.

The overnight placement climbed to 14.50 per cent from 14 per cent, while call money rose to 15 per cent from 14.50 per cent the previous week.

Traders said the market opened last Friday with a cash balance of N172.72 billion as bonds and foreign exchange purchases eat deep into market liquidity last week.

About N55.67 billion in three-,five- and 10-year bonds was sold last week, while the CBN sold around $700 million to lenders at the bi-weekly forex auction and its special intervention.

“We expect rates to remain at the same level next week (this week) until budget allocations start coming in to provide more liquidity and help push rates down,”one dealer said.

Nigeria distributes funds from centrally held accounts monthly to its three tiers of government — federal, states and local — and this always help provide liquidity for banks to finance their operations.

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

13

ISSUES The Federal Government is making efforts to break the jinx of poor power supply. However, does that justify raising electricity tariff two times within six months? Will the increase translate into stable power supply? EMEKA UGWUANYI Assistant Editor (Energy) examines the development.

Will tariff increase translate to stable power supply?

Background

U

NDOUBTEDLY, the power sector has suffered neglect in the last 40 years, which has been attributed to long years of neglect by the military governments, and inherent corruption that besieged the monopoly utility company - Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) over the years. The situation led to an accumulation of aged and obsolete facilities and a near collapse of the sector. In view of these developments, the revitalisation of the power sector requires drastic measures and without delay.

Until recently, the Ministry of Power and PHCN have been feeding Nigerians with misleading information on the actual state of the sector particularly the generation and supply levels. Between 2000 and 2001, Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, headed a technical board which in collaboration with the former National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) now PHCN, were mandated to push up generation to 4,000 megawatts (mw). By the end of 2001, the board announced it had achieved the target and the country celebrated the generation of its first ever 4,000mw. A few months after the celebration, generation was said to have dropped again to below 3,000mw. The decline continued to between 1,900mw and 2,000mw.

It was as a result of the inefficiency of the sector that the late President Umaru Yar'Adua declared emergency on the power sector and set a 6,000mw generation target by end of 2009, which unfortunately couldn't be attained.

Although the former Minister of Power, Dr. Lanre Babalola said the country had the capacity to generate over 5,600mw at the expiration of the target, he noted that the transmission network couldn't take up to 4,000mw. Babalola implemented some measures that drastically reduced unwarranted bureaucracy that previously delayed activities and operations in the PHCN, giving more powers to chief executive officers (CEOs) of the successor companies in a bid to improve service delivery. The effort didn't achieve much improvement as generation and supply still remained unimpressive.

Plans for change When President Goodluck Jonathan came on board last year, he launched the roadmap on power sector reform. The launch was held in Lagos in August last year. The roadmap set some milestones to be achieved, which include increasing generation to 40,000MW by 2020, shifting full responsibility for the operational effectiveness of the distribution companies from the government to the private sector by 2011, increase the monthly revenue collection of the industry to about N17.6 billion from the average monthly revenue collection of N10 billion.

Targets unattainable The government also set targets such as increasing the average number of hours of electricity supplied to consumers by at least 10 per cent by April 2011, increase daily generation from 4,612mw to 7,033mw by April and 9,767MW by December this year, which will

•????

• Omotosho powerplant phase II under construction

come from PHCN and NIPP assets. These targets where unattainable given the reality on ground.

Dramatically, early this year, Vice President Namadi Sambo announced that the country had for the first time, achieved 4,000mw of electricity generation but on the contrary, mid last month, the Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji said at a forum in Lagos that the country had achieved power generation of 3,800mw, the first time in the country's power industry. He noted that Nigeria has installed capacity of close to 6,000mw apart from the new power plants but a chunk of that capacity had remained unused over the years as a result of lack of maintenance and human associated errors and promised to increase generation to 5,000mw by the end of this year through recovery of the abandoned capacity. He also embarked on sanitisation of the PHCN, resulting in sack and redeployment of top officials of the utility company.

Current development Nnaji, however, sounds believable because since he took over as the helmsman of the power ministry, the electricity supply level has improved substantially in some areas of the country and marginally in others but the improvement seems sustainable. Even with a recent shut down of five power plants including Geregu, Sapele, Ughelli, Omotosho and Olorunsogo which it was expected would result in loss of 1,400 megawatts of electricity from the national grid, power supply didn't show remarkable response to the shutdown. The shut down of the five power plants was a result of repair of Shell's Trans Forcados Pipeline alleged to have been sabotaged by unknown persons.

The Trans Forcados Pipeline transports gas from Shell's Utorogu and Ughelli East gas plants, Oben, Sapele and Ogharefe gas plants of SEPLAT and Pan Ocean to the shut power plants. The repair, according to Shell, may last till the end of this month. Previously, when such shut down occurs, it results in blackout in some parts of the country.

Although, efforts from the power ministry, PHCN and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), among other affiliates of the power industry, are said to be geared toward achieving government's drive to enthrone stable electricity supply, create conducive ground

for privatisation of PHCN and attract private investors into the power sector. The NERC has always harped on the poor and discouraging tariff regime, which the commission noted repels private sector investment. In an effort to create room for entry of private sector into the power sector and at the same time not hurt consumers, the commission introduced a tariff system which increases tariff marginally every year, called Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO). MYTO, which is a tariff pack designed as a five-year tariff order that enables the NERC carry out a minor review of electricity tariff every year and determined by the level of inflation and exchange rate, was raised marginally in July.

But to quickly accomplish government's objectives, fast track privatisation and take over of the PHCN by private sector operators next year, the commission has announced that Nigerians should be prepared for a major tariff increase by January next year. The new tariff would be cost-reflective to keep the prospective private sector investors in business, NERC said. The announcement received reactions from consumers who condemned the move. Their stand was that Nigerians just started seeing improvement in service delivery from the utility company and to increase tariff twice within six months, is more than enough burden on consumers. Electricity consumers at various power consumer parliaments organised by NERC were of the view that the commission could have watched supply and ensure that it would not relapse as was obtainable in the past before considering increase in tariff.

The Chairman of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission Dr. Sam Amadi, announced that the commission has increased tariff by between 30 per cent and 50 per cent and the new tariff would take effect from January next year.

Tariff increase Amadi said that whether the level of power supply to consumers improves or not, the new tariff must be implemented in January 2012. Consumers said Amadi's assertion didn't sound like a businessman canvassing for pa• Continued on page 14

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

14

ISSUES • Continued from page 13

tronage, which they said lend credence to the disgusting monopoly of the PHCN and public-owned business concerns. They said the power sector regulator would have waited and monitor to know whether the little improvement seen in the level of power supply would be sustainable.

They are of the view that if power supply degenerates again instead of improving and the commission goes ahead and implements the new tariff, it might cause chaos because it would be very improper for customers to pay such high tariff with little or no power supply.

The new tariff regime stipulates that Residential Two (R2) category, that is, (residential customers with single-phase meters), which is where most customers belong, will pay between N10.85 andN14.60 per kilowatt/hour (kw/h) as against N7.30 per Kw/h while the Residential three (R3) category customers, who are paying N11 per Kw/h, was reviewed to between N16.50 and N22 per kw/h.

For Residential One (R1) customers category (comprising the lowest-paying customers), who pay N2.20 per Kw/h, would be paying between N3.30 and N4.40 while the highest-paying customers -the Maximum Demand (MD) customers who pay N15.60 per Kw/h, are to pay between N23.40 and N31.20 per kw/h. Justifying the new tariff implementation by beginning of next year, Amadi said that given the intervention of the Federal Government through the ministry of power, electricity supply looks set for improved efficiency in the coming months. To buttress his claim, the commission, just last week, queried managements of power generating companies for not being able to generate expected quantity of electricity, which resulted in load-shedding .

Expectations of government Nnaji, asserted that he would improve and sustain supply. He said: "As at May this year, the quantum of power was between 2,800 and 3,000 megawatts, which is unimaginable for a country of 150million people. This quantum of power was quite poor, he said. Worse, the transmission and distribution networks were in a shambles. In August, 2010, for instance, Nigeria achieved for the first time ever 3,800MW, but the system collapsed immediately because the transmission infrastructure was too weak and dilapidated to wheel this quantum of power, he noted.

Amadi said: "In contrast, South Africa, a medium size economy with some 47million people which has the world's biggest 20th economy, generates 40,000mw. Even so, the available electricity has in recent years proved inadequate, as South Africa now grapples with load shedding or power rationing. To reach South Africa's current level of power generation, which is the irreducible level our country has to attain by the year 2020, we need to invest $10billion in the power sector annually for the next 10 years. This $100billion is needed urgently, with generation alone accounting for 35 per cent. This huge capital outlay is not available to the Federal Government, which has other competing needs.

Nor can this amount be obtained within the country for the sole purpose of developing the power sector. This kind of money is available in the international money markets. Nigeria's power sector can attract it.

Full privatisation "In line with the 2005 Electric Power Sector Reform Act (ESPSRA), which makes the private sector the main driver of electricity development the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) called for Expressions of Interest (EoIs) in 17 out of the 18 Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) successor companies. The 17 companies slated for privatisation comprise 11 distribution companies and six generation firms, as the 18th, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), will remain government-owned but managed by a company with an established record of performance so as to ensure efficiency and effectiveness. As many as 331 companies across the globe participated in the EoIs. They included a number of indigenous firms and world class companies such as Tata of India, which recently bought over Rolls Royce of the United Kingdom, the Israeli Electricity Corporation, the Manitoba Electricity Company of Canada and Essar of India which has expressed its

•Nnaji

•Amadi

•Akamnonu

Will tariff increase translate to stable power supply? willingness to invest up to $2billion in Nigeria's electricity if we continue with the power sector reform. The call for EoIs was preceded by the Road Map for the Power Sector Reform, which the president launched on August 26, 2010 followed by a two-day Presidential Retreat for power sector investors held at State House, Abuja, on September 13 and 14, 2010.

The National Council on Privatisation (NCP) has also approved and shortlisted potential bidders after receiving the 331 EoIs. 105 bidders have made 171 payments of $20,000 each. 40 firms have been shortlisted to bid for the concessioning of the hydro stations, 87 shortlisted for the thermal stations and 80 for the electricity distribution companies, bringing the total to 207. It is interesting that, in spite of the global economic crisis and the reported decline in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), there has been a remarkable growth in international investor confidence in Nigeria's power sector in the last one year.

A Brazilian company, for instance, has offered to buy the Federal Government's stake in the 17 PHCN successor companies for $100 billion. And with the inauguration of the Electricity Bulk Trading Company board on August 22, 2011, the investor confidence has been bolstered further. The bulk trader, which enjoys the World Bank Partial Risk Guarantee (PRG,) exists to give comfort and confidence to generation companies, that is, it guarantees power generating companies payment for their products, and will cease to exist when the distribution companies are mature enough by being credit worthy.

Govt’s assurance Anadi said the government is not resting on its laurels, or waiting for the private sector to do everything in the power sector. He assured that though president Jonathan has been in office for just a year, his administration has added over 1000MW to the national grid, through

plant recovery. We are confident of generating 5,000mw by December, this year, and grow the quantum to 6,000mw next year.

He said: We shall raise it to 10,000MW by 2013, to 13,000mw by 2014 and to 15,000mw by 2015. The president has already approved the building of the Super Grid transmission infrastructure, which will make Nigeria one of the few countries to have this state-of-the-art facility. The Super Grid has the capacity to transmit through 726Kv lines, that is, more than a double of the present 320KV lines. We are already clearing a lot of faults in the transmission network across the nation, upgrading and modernising many aspects.

This is why the transmission infrastructure now wheels over 4,000mw comfortably.

There used to be an average of four system failures a month, but this year we have recorded only eight.

"There are credible reports of improved power supply in many parts of the country, despite the fact that the 760mw Kanji hydro station, which ordinarily produces 400mw is now generating a mere 50mw in this rainy season.

"We shall sustain and, in fact, deepen electricity supply. The Service Level Agreements (SLAs) signed with CEOs of successor companies will determine their stay in office, not politics or lobbying.

"The future of electricity in Nigeria is very bright. I have already pointed out the unprecedented interest, which the international community has shown in our country since President Jonathan resumed the implementation of the 2005 Electric Power Sector Reform Act. This is the way it should be. International businesses, for one, do not want to repeat what is now called the Vodafone mistake. Vodafone of the United Kingdom, the world's largest mobile company, was one of the companies approached to invest in Nigeria's telecoms market in 2000 and 2001 following the deregulation of the sector. But it refused bluntly. Smaller companies such Econet

‘The president has already approved the building of the Super Grid transmission infrastructure, which will make Nigeria one of the few countries to have this state-of-theart facility. The Super Grid has the capacity to transmit through 726Kv lines, that is, more than a double of the present 320KV lines’

and MTN accepted the challenge, and within a few weeks generated unexpected revenues. They could not believe their luck. So, it is not surprising that when Sir Christopher Gent was in 2003 retiring as the Vodafone CEO, he said his greatest regret was not investing in Nigerian telecoms business. No wonder, Bharti Airtel of India invested $10.7b last year to acquire Zain in Africa, with Nigeria as the biggest operations.

"If the liberalisation of telecoms could unleash a revolution in Nigeria, power, which is a much bigger sector, will definitely cause a bigger revolution. All aspects of our national existence will feel the impact in a most dramatic way. The legendary creative and productive potential of the Nigerian people will be unleashed, and the world will feel it," Nnaji said.

To further achieve government's aspiration and full privatisation of the power sector by next year, the NERC is addressing some customers' complaints. The commission established a special fund for procurement of meters for the 11 electricity distribution companies to discourage billing customers on estimation. Estimated billing of customers attracts their anger as they complain of over billing or "crazy billing."

NERC's Commissioner, Legal, Licensing and Enforcement, Mr Steven Adzinge, our said that over N900 million has been drawn from the fund and has been distributed to 11 electricity distribution companies to procure meters. He noted that by the time the imported meters arrive and are installed, the problem of metering would be drastically reduced. “As much as possible, we want to discourage estimated billing,” he said.

The CEOs of Ikeja and Eko Electricity Distribution Companies, Messrs Chris Okaa Akamnonu and Oladele Amodu confirmed it. While Ikeja is rolling out about 5,000 units of meters a month, it hopes to achieve more than 6,000 units by the end of October and probably hit 10,000 by the end of December, Eko rolls out 3,000 units and assures to substantially improve in subsequent months.

On improved power supply, the Ikeja and Eko chiefs also confirmed that they receive more power now. Ikeja was getting between 340mw and 350mw per day in August but gets at least 600mw.

The management of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, which oversees activities of the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP), is making efforts to wheel more power into the grid from Alaoji, Sapele and Olorunsogo power plants this month.

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THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

15

• Ongoing construction at a site in Edo State

40,000 more jobs coming in Edo After more than a decade of an embargo on employment in Edo State, over 40,000 jobs are being created for the indigenes. DUPE OLAOYE-OSINKOLU writes on the employment and training of female bus drivers, the state’s partnership with Vietnamese farmers, creation of Adams Farmers, new transport management agency and Dangote’s 15,000 workers’ fertiliser company in the state.

A

RE you an unemployed indigene of Edo State? Then heave a sigh of relief, for your job search may soon end following the planned creation of about 40,000 jobs by the state goverment in partnership with the private sector.

With the giant Dangote Fertiliser Company being sited in the state and the Vietnamese-Edo partnership in rice farming going on, unemployment rate in the state is being addressed.

The state government, in addition to 20,000 employment already created through the Youth Empowerment

Scheme and Transport Management Agency, is expecting 40,000 direct jobs from the Vietnamese-Edo rice farming partnership and Dangote’s proposed fertiliser company.

The government introduced the Comrade buses through which drivers and other workers were employed. The bus company recently employed 20 female bus drivers and 14 of their male counterparts. They graduated from the training school last week.

Annette Oghenerhaboke, commenting on how jobs are being created in the state, said the introduction of the buses by the Oshiomhole administration has created jobs.

He said the buses have reduced commuters’

hardship because of their low fares.

“The government has just concluded the Female Trainee Drivers’ Scheme of the ‘Comrade Bus’ under the Edo City Transport Service. The training was organised for 20 female and 14 male drivers. The routes being plied are Ring road, Ring road through Oluku, Ring road Ekenwan Barracks, through Ikpoba hill, Uppr Mission, Upper Sakponoba and New Benin through Oluku.

Some also go to neighbouring towns such as Ekpoma, Auchi, Afuze among others. They go for N40 per trip as against N100.“ Joy Edeghere is another Edo indigene who has appreciated the state for giving her a

job. She said she had searched for job, for about four years, armed with her degree in Mathematics Education.Her efforts were just in vain. The Nation met her at Akpapava Street in Benin. She now teaches in one of the state government schools.

Edo State Commissioner for Information, Mr Louis Odion, said there had been an embargo on employment before the advent of Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s administration.

“The embargo had been on for over a • Continued on page 16

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THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

JOBS

40,000 more jobs coming in Edo •Continued from page 15

decade. When Comrade Oshiomhole came in, being a labour person, he believes it is one of the responsibilities of the government to create employment and relieve people of poverty. Immediately he came in, the embargo on employment was lifted. In the last two years and eleven months, we have created more than 15,000 direct jobs. More than 7,000 were employed through the Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES).”

He, however, said the government had to put on hold a particular employment scheme that required registration of youths at their various local government areas, as the government discovered multiple registration.

The desperate job seekers instead of registering in one local government, engaged in multiple registration.

“Sometimes this year, some of the youth, in response to the government’s directive for them to register with their various local government for employment, registered in more than one local government. At the end of the day, we had to streamline it.

“When we found that we had multiple applications, that process had to be put on hold.

Later, we streamlined it; we now adopt the 192 wards in the state as the parameter. It employed 1,120 from each ward. Besides that, Edo has also employed thousands of teachers into the schools system. Before now, the public school system had virtually collapsed, so that everybody was just taking his or her ward to private school. Embargo was also on employment of teachers, more than 3,000 teachers have been employed now,” he said.

Odion also spoke about the employment generation, through various constructions going on in the state.

“At the moment, we have 190 construction projects going on in the state, such that people now refer to Edo as a fast construction site.

“The employment strategy will also have a local content, in the sense that if we mobilise to site, a certain percentage of the labour must be people from Edo State.

“The transport management scheme has also provided hundreds of jobs for Edo people.

“Also, Vietnamese farmers are partnering with the state government to grow rice. That would create about 25,000 jobs. They are already in the state,” he said.

Said Odion: “Dangote Group of Companies signed an MoU with SAIPEM to site the biggest fertiliser factory in Africa in Edo State.

When that is completed, it is going to provide 10,000 direct jobs. Such company will affect hotel business positively, because the company’s associates will also patronise the local economy.”

Mr Abdul Oroh, the Edo State Commissioner for Agriculture, also said job creation through agriculture and agro-business is one of the strategies by the governor to fight poverty in the state.

He recalled that in March this year, the governor released N1 billion as loan to 750 farmers co-operatives and also paid the state’s counterpart funding to various schemes initiated by the Federal Government and other development partners.

Oroh also spoke about Adams Farmers.

• Gov. Oshiomhole

• Odion

These are young job seekers trained by the state government as farmers.

“Governor Oshiomhole has just released N46 million to Adam farmers. We have also designed a scheme to train young farmers in various areas of modern Agriculture. This scheme is called Edo Young Farmers Agrobusiness initiative. We have also been working with some Vietnamese partners in rice farming. Cumulatively we are looking at creating over 25,000 jobs.”

On the expected beneficiaries of the scheme, Oroh listed university, polytechnic,

and other tertiary institution graduates, as well as secondary school certificate holders.

“We are going to train some of them on how to operate and repair agriculture machinery. We are also working with existing and fresh investors in agriculture machinery to create quality jobs. On whether nonindigines, resident in Edo, would benefit from the Edo jobs, he answered in the affirmative.

“We encourage all who live in Edo State without discrimination. We treat all citizens equally in Edo State,” he said.

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

G

UARANTY Trust Bank Plc has appointed a new Deputy Managing Director and three Executive Directors to its board.

Mrs. Cathy Echeozo, formerly an Executive Director and Head of the bank’s Institutional Banking Division, was appointed Deputy Managing Director at a board meeting.

She joined the bank in 1993 and has worked in the bank’s Treasury Management, Credit Management, Systems & Control and Institutional Banking Divisions. She

GTBank appoints five directors has a first degree in Accounting from the University of Nigeria and a Masters from the University of Maryland, United States.

A certified Information Systems Auditor and Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, she was Chairperson Emerging Issues Sub-Committee, on the Committee of Chief Inspectors of all Banks in Nigeria from

1999 to 2000 and pioneered the bank’s entry into the Retail Market.

In addition to Mrs. Echeozo’s appointment, Mr Wale Oyedeji, former Managing Director of GTBank (United Kingdom) Limited, Mr Demola Odeyemi, Chief Financial Officer and Head of Strategy and Mrs Tola Omotola, Company Secretary and Legal Ad-

viser of the bank, were also confirmed as Executive Directors of the bank.

The new executives will replace three former Directors - Mr Jide Ogundare, Mrs Titi Osuntoki and Mr Akin George-Taylor, who voluntarily resigned from the bank recently, after having put in between 18 and 21 years of service each.

According to a statement by Mr Segun Agbaje, Managing Director of the bank, the exiting trio have contributed immensely to the success of the bank. However, this provides an opportunity to engender rejuvenation and provide ample opportunities for the younger generation to rise up and harness their full potential.

Mr Agbaje stated that the new appointments were subjected to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

CAREER MANAGEMENT

Optimising multiple job opportunities K

AYODE has a poser: I cast a wide net in my job search and interview with some companies that I am not that interested in just to practise and get out there. Well, I am far along in the process with some of these and just beginning with my first choice companies. I am afraid that an offer will come along that I don’t really want. At the same time, in this market I am afraid to turn down a sure thing with just the hope of something better. What can I do to buy time?

In this market, more candidates are casting a very wide net with their job search with good reasons. Hiring targets change constantly as budgets get slashed, companies get acquired or restructured, or circumstances change the needs over time as firms take longer and longer to decide. The reality of applying to a lot of places is that it is almost impossible to control the pace of the search. Some companies move through the process

By Olu Oyeniran

faster than others. You may find that you are in the final rounds at one company and just starting the first round elsewhere. If you prefer the slower company, how do you slow down the faster search without seeming disinterested?

Just as you negotiate salary and other conditions of service, here you need to negotiate for time.

The same general rules of negotiation apply: know who you are negotiating with - their wants, their constraints - and frame your requests accordingly. Prospective employers want their company to be your first choice.

They want to know that you’re excited and genuinely interested in the position. They also have very real time and budget constraints.

Maybe you are filling a spot for someone who is leaving in two weeks and they need to have the replacement there next week to

transition. Maybe their fiscal year ends in two weeks so if they don’t hire for this spot before then they lose that space in the budget. When a company pushes a process through quickly or pushes for a decision quickly, they may have good reasons and not just giving you a hard time.

Therefore, ask about timing for all employers as you go through the process. How quickly do you expect to make a decision? When do you need this person to start?

How many rounds/ how many people will be involved in the decision? Once you know that a firm is interested in you, these are all fair questions and will help you know how quickly the process may move for all companies in your pipeline so you can effectively juggle your schedule and negotiate for time.

Negotiate a wide range. You might say, “Officially, I am to give two months notice, but I can make it one. Really, it all depends on the projects at hand”

You can get the information to your first-choice company about what is happening with the other company. Don’t be pushy but let them know that you have another company who is interested and close to a decision. Get a commitment or at least a good estimate from your first choice as to when you will hear from them. Then you know how much time you need to negotiate for.

You also remind the first choice company that you are desirable on the market!

At the same time, ask your second choice for the time you need. Reiterate your interest, but let them know that you have committed to certain projects/ assignments and don’t/can’t/ shouldn’t want to cut these short.

It is not recommend continuing to interview with companies that you are not genuinely interested in because it wastes everyone’s time.

But if you would potentially

accept an offer at a firm but it is just a lower priority, it is worth negotiating for more time so you can make an informed decision.

Your second choice may become more desirable as you learn more about it (or about your first choice). In this way, negotiating for time means a more informed job search.

This article is an adaptation of a presentation by Caroline Ceniza-Levine. She helps people find fulfilling jobs and careers, and co-author (along with Donald Trump, Jack Canfield and others) of the best-selling How the Fierce Handle Fear: Secrets to Succeeding in Challenging Times 2010; Two Harbors Press.

Olu Oyeniran is the Lead Consultant, EkiniConsult & Assoiciates.

Website: www.jobsearchhow.com E-mail: oluoyeniran@yahoo.com Tel 08083843230 (SMS Only).

17

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

THE CEO

• Bello

PHOTO: TOBA AGBOOLA

Public-private partnership vital for economic recovery Chairman, Trade Promotion Board and Vice-President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Alhaji Remi Bello, has argued that without investor confidence, it will be difficult for Nigeria to survive the ongoing global economic meltdown. In this interview with TOBA AGBOOLA, Bello who doubles as the Chief Executive Officer, Crittal Hope Aluminium Limited speaks on the chambers’ preparation for this year’s International Trade Fair, among other issues. Excerpts:

H

OW prepared is LCCI for the Lagos International Trade Fair?

As the premier Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria, the LCCI will, through the Lagos International Trade Fair, continue to give indigenous investors and entrepre-

neurs the required and desired opportunity, while similar windows of opportunity shall be extended to the foreign investors.

The Chamber is fully prepared for a hitchfree Trade Fair. Aside from the encouraging responses from indigenous companies, the

level of interest already shown by foreign exhibitors has been very impressive.

We already have assurances of participation from various organisations from Ghana, Malaysia, Jamaica, South Africa, China and Republic of Benin. Many more are still mak-

ing enquiries to participate.

The Chamber has authorised, mobilised and supervised the renovations and repair work of the halls, which were in various state • Continued on page 18

18

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

THE CEO • Continued from page 17

of disrepair. The halls are at various stages of completion and ready to host the trade fair, come November.

The Chamber has also concluded arrangements to provide uninterrupted power supply through the public power supply, supported by five 650 KVA power generating sets, as well as good security to cover all visitors and exhibitors alike.

We have engaged a reputable security firm, which shall work in with the Nigeria Police.

Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras shall also be deployed to cover all locations in the fair arena.

As we move to ensure that the exhibition is mainly indoor, we are providing meeting rooms, conference halls, conveniences and restaurants in all exhibition halls for use of both exhibitors and visitors. At least, 80 per cent of exhibition stands will be indoor.

We are also tackling the twin challenge of transportation and traffic control, by collaborating with various federal and state government agencies.

How many foreign companies are being expected at the fair?

So far, we have got about 14 countries that have made bookings .We have the United Kingdom, through the Nigeria-British Chamber, Pakistan, Egypt, China, Ghana, Cameroon and a host of others. And when it comes to exhibitors, about 1,500 exhibitors will participate.

What are the value advantages of the fair?

There are not many platforms that can provide opportunities for the Nigerian economy, like the Lagos International Trade Fair. The fair presents the most impact marketing platform for all businesses.

It is an opportunity to expose the inherent potential of Nigeria and Nigerians, encourage global partnerships in businesses and unveil new benchmarks.

This year, we have taken the bull by the horn and worked to overcome last year’s challenges. This year’s fair will hold in many exhibition halls and adjourning outdoor spaces.

The various changes and innovations brought to bear in the organisation of the annual trade fair, the Chamber has continued to give indigenous investors and entrepreneurs the required and desired opportunity. Similar windows of opportunity shall be extended to foreign investors with the government brought in contact with the players in the industry.

We have worked with the Federal Government Concessionaire of the International Trade Fair complex to carry out renovation and I can say confidently that the halls are ready for the exhibition.

We are creating value in terms of employment generation and creating business opportunities. Again, it is a platform whereby would-be-investors can meet other business colleagues.

What benefits do you envisage for madein-Nigeria products?

Yes, we are intensifying campaigns for the patronage of made-in-Nigeria products through this year’s fair.

The fair which has as themed: Increasing Competitiveness of Nigerian Products in the Global Market, would be declared open by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The theme is an indication of the Chamber’s readiness to motivate publicprivate sector collaboration for the provision of an enabling business environment that will promote and encourage the Nigerian industrial sector to improve quality in order to meet the challenges of standards and competitiveness in the global market.

It will focus on public-private sector collaboration in the drive to improve quality and standards of Nigeria products to meet international standards.

We intend to address the imperative of deliberate and concerted efforts by key players in our nation’s economy to tackle the inhibiting factors against indigenous industrialists, such as steady supply of electricity and finding solutions that will be mutually beneficial to both sectors.

The world is becoming smaller by the day, with countries all over the world agreeing on globally accepted standards in all aspects of businesses, whether in production or service delivery. It will be unwise for any economy to remain a recluse in this global crusade for quality at the right price.

It was reported that last year’s fair generated N1.5 billion. Is it true?

There was no point in time I ever gave anybody any figure, or that we gener-

Public-private partnership vital for economic recovery

• Bello

‘The world is becoming smaller by the day, with countries all over the world agreeing on globally accepted standards in all aspects of businesses, whether in production or service delivery. It will be unwise for any economy to remain a recluse in this global crusade for quality at the right price’

• Bello ated N1.5 billion. The truth is that we can’t get accurate figures. It’s just a guess.

So, I never said that. But as I said, we have created value.

It seems the states are not participating like before. What is the reason?

Although some states still participate, we realise that the participation of others is not

PHOTOS: TOBA AGBOOLA

as we expected. But we are trying to do something in that regards.

Some of them are been misinformed. Some take the Chamber as a parastatal of Lagos State Government and you know Lagos State belongs to Action Congress Parth of Nigeria (ACN) while other states belong to other parties. They have politicised it. But we are

trying to correct this impression.

The Lagos Chamber is independent of the Lagos State Government. We are only residing in Lagos. We are not a political group.

What are the challenges in planning for the fair?

The greatest challenge we are facing has to do with the decaying infrastructure at the trade fair complex. We have spent a lot of money to bring it to a level you are seeing.

What are the expected innovations at this year’s fair?

You see, there is one thing I want to point out, because I’ve heard people criticising in the past that our trade fairs are usually dominated by the Chinese. I stand to be corrected by any body that China is the cooking pot of the world today.

The statement by some people that the fair should be christened only as Nigeria-Chinese fair, since past fairs only had Chinese products, is unfair and baseless. Other countries have never failed to participate in the fairs, Furthermore, we are making frantic efforts to bring Western nations to take part in the next ones.

We can also boast of the largest fair organiser in the country because of the numerous companies and countries that have been taking part.

How will the country achieve economic recovery?

Building confidence among the major players in the economy is the surest way for the nation to achieve economic recovery.

Unless Nigeria builds the confidence of investors, it may not achieve its aim of being among the top 20 economies in the world by 2020.

As the nation is striving to attract both Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and indigenous investment in her ailing economy, it must approach and do business in the most ethical manner that will engender mutual confidence in its intentions, policies and actions.

For our nation to be in the mainstream of the world economy, our economy must be driven by mutually acceptable level of confidence both in the public and private sectors.

The world is reeling from the effects of the global economic crisis, saying that Nigeria is by no means exempted, and advised that the country must, therefore, demonstrate some level of confidence in the ability of its economy to withstand the challenges of recovery from the crisis.

We must show the world the uniqueness and resilience of the Nigerian economy, showcase the unique selling points of our products and sharpen our competitive edge to attract the type of investments that will move our economy out of the woods.

Less than three months for this year to end, what is your view on the economy?

We can really access the economy because this the better part of year was taken by the politics. Starting from January till around August/ September. So, as a result of that, it is too early to judge or access this present administration.

However, we noted that the implementation performance of previous budgets has created perception and credibility problems for the annual federal budgets.

Most times, there were no visible connection between budget pronouncements and the outcomes. This is a big issue that needs to be redressed so that the annual budgets are not seen as a mere ritual. At the root of the high and increasing recurrent spending, however, is the huge cost of governance at all levels of government, covering the overheads and personnel costs. The figures in the recent years have become mind-boggling. It has led to serious distortions in our national priorities.

In a country where there is huge infrastructure deficit, spending huge sums on recurrent items is unpatriotic.

Priorities should be determined by the value added to the national economy and the welfare of the people with focus on the following areas: Economic Infrastructures to enhance the productivity of the private sector, especially power supply, the railways and the roads; social infrastructure to develop human capital education and health services and Security of lives and property-proper funding for the police force.

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

19

EDITORIAL/OPINION EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

COMMENT

Unilateral decision •Why would the FG establish the Sovereign Wealth Fund without states’ consent?

N a military fashion, the Federal Government has unilaterally deducted a sum of N150 billion from the Federation Account, with which it established the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) account without recourse to due process or democratic ethos. The idea and prospect of an SWF account was first mooted and eloquently defended by the former Minister of Finance, Olusegun Aganga. Mr. Aganga, at every forum expatiated on the functional relevance, urgency, and the fiscal imperatives that necessitate the establishment of the fund.

It is therefore belated to begin to argue for the desirability or otherwise of the SWF account for the country, especially at this critical moment. Indeed, the debate in other civilised climes where the fund has taken root has moved on to begin to consider issues that border on adherence to best investment practices, identifying business profiles with most satisfying returns, and most efficient way(s) of deploying the fund for developmental projects.

However, the fund could not be established during Aganga’s tenure for various reasons. These included inconsistency and or lack of appropriate constitutional provisions for the establishment of the fund. We may have tolerated the Excess Crude Account in spite of its aberration, but the creation of SWF without appropriate legislation is inexcusable. Secondly, the proposed modalities for the management of the fund also threw up intense argument between the federal

I

and state governments; so far, none of the inhibiting issues raised then has been resolved.

So, the point at issue is not that the SWF was created; it is how the Federal Government arbitrarily did it. Unfortunately, this arbitrary move has portrayed the country’s leadership, for the umpteenth time, as weak, cowardly, lawless, and easily distracted. What is strikingly impudent about President Goodluck Jonathan’s action is his penchant for apparently disagreeable, extra-legal frivolity in public administration.

For instance, if the creation of the Excess Crude Account by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration was considered a breach of constitutional provisions on revenue accruals and sharing formula, President Jonathan’s unilateral creation of the SWF (which smacks of impunity) should be seen as a deliberate assault on the rights, intelligence and sensibilities of Nigerians.

The Minister for Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s lame-footed claim that Nigerians want SWF is annoyingly patronising. Yes, granted that Nigerians want SWF; must it be procured illegally or arbitrarily? It is instructive to note that the same specious argument was offered when the Excess Crude Account was created without the requisite consent of the federating states. It was suggested then that it was the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) input to the solution of Nigeria’s economic problems.

The establishment of the SWF by the Federal Government without recourse to due process is no doubt a needless distraction, especially at a time the government is almost overwhelmed with diverse but crucial issues of underperformance.

The recurring problem of running a skewed federal system is here again. As things stand, the federating states should be courageous enough to challenge the Federal Government in court. However, if the governors will not push the fight for obvious reasons, the National Assembly must step up the fight; a deliberate disregard for constitutional provisions by the executive arm of government can only be a recipe for political chaos. It is the starting point for dictatorial tendencies.

‘If the creation of the Excess Crude Account by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration was considered a breach of constitutional provisions on revenue accruals and sharing formula, President Jonathan’s unilateral creation of the SWF (which smacks of impunity) should be seen as a deliberate assault on the rights, intelligence and sensibilities of Nigerians’

The VCs are right •Senate, let UTME stay IGERIA’s upper legislative chamber, the Senate, would do well to hear out university vice-chancellors before taking a decision on the controversial post-Universal Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME). The vice-chancellors, under the aegis of the Association of Vice-chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVNU) have written to the Senate alleging that the UTME was illegal, as universities have the statutory responsibility of admitting their students.

This is sequel to the Senate’s description of the post-UTME tests conducted by individual universities before admitting their students as illegal, and the senators’ threat to outlaw the tests.

AVNU’s chairman and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof Ish-aq Oloyede said the vice-chancellors had requested the Senate to hear their side of the story before taking a decision on the matter.

This, in our view is the appropriate thing to do. The Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) which conducts UTME for prospective undergraduates in the country, and the universities have been having a running battle over whether the board’s examinations are enough proof of the abilities of the prospective undergraduates and others seeking admission into tertiary institutions in the country.

JAMB is itself a baby of circumstances.

Before its establishment in 1978, there were seven federal universities in the country, with each of them conducting its own concessional examination and admitting its students. However, this system of admission revealed serious limitations, one of which was that of waste of

N

resources in the process of administering the concessional examination, especially on the part of the candidates. The general untidiness in the uncoordinated system of admissions into universities and the attendant problems were sufficient cause for concern to the committee of vice-chancellors. JAMB thus came into being to harmonise the admission process in a way that a candidate would not have multiple admission at the expense of others, thus depriving many candidates admission into institutions of their choice.

However, it was later clear that the board was biting more than it could chew. Its grading system was attacked in 2009 when the overall performance was one of the poorest. Indeed, it was later revealed, much to JAMB’s embarrassment, that the machines which optically graded the papers had erroneous answers and the JAMB changed some students’ scores by as much as 15 per cent. There was also the problem of leakage of many of the question papers of the qualifying examinations conducted by the board.

This manifested in many ways, especially in the wide discrepancies between the scores of many of the brightest candidates (going by JAMB’s results) and the results of the post-UTME conducted by the universities. There are proofs that people help JAMB candidates to sit for the examinations and the result of such malpractice are the many half-baked graduates that most of the universities churn out these days, many of whom are unemployable.

Universities as citadels of learning are not just to produce brilliant graduates. As

a matter of fact, that is why the certificates they award attest not only to the academic brilliance of the graduates but also to their moral standing. That is, they must have been found worthy in character and in learning before they can be awarded the certificates.

If JAMB was established for a particular purpose, it can only remain relevant if it continues to discharge its responsibilities creditably. The way things stand, it has outlived its usefulness. A situation where the board dumps all manner of students on the universities does not provide enough room for the universities to properly assess the students that they admit. Let the post-UTME stay if JAMB cannot be scrapped for whatever reason.

It is important that the universities interface with the candidates they intend to admit before offering them admission.

‘A situation where the board dumps all manner of students on the universities does not provide enough room for the universities to properly assess the students that they admit.

Let the post-UTME stay if JAMB cannot be scrapped for whatever reason. It is important that the universities interface with the candidates they intend to admit before offering them admission’

The GOP’s disappointing disdain for foreign aid

“

W

HY DO WE continue to send foreign aid to other countries when we need all the help we can get for ourselves?”

The question, posed to the Republican presidential candidates during their Las Vegas debate Tuesday, is understandable, if familiar.

Americans are suffering, as the questioner noted. Why not just help them?

There are answers to that question that many Americans will accept, if leaders have the guts to offer them. Counting defense and diplomacy, the United States spends a lot keeping the peace and promoting freedom and prosperity around the world, but pure foreign aid is a minuscule part of the budget — a little more than 1 percent. That money, leveraging donations from other nations, helps keep alive millions of people, many of them parents of children who would otherwise be orphaned. It helps prevent some nations from becoming failed states that would spawn security threats to the United States. It creates goodwill for America that benefits U.S. exports. It’s the right thing to do.

So there are answers. But you wouldn’t have known that Tuesday night. Rep. Ron Paul (Tex.) suggested that foreign aid is unconstitutional. Texas Gov. Rick Perry, cementing his claim on dangerous know-nothingness, endorsed the question and then doubled the stakes, proposing “a very serious discussion about defunding the United Nations.”

Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, though, won the prize for he-ought-toknow-better nonsense. Mr. Romney endorsed defense-related foreign aid, but then seemed to suggest that the United States outsource to China its humanitarian assistance. “I happen to think it doesn’t make a lot of sense for us to borrow money from the Chinese to go give to another country for humanitarian aid,” Mr. Romney said. “We ought to get the Chinese to take care of the people.” Is he so in sync with the goals and values of China’s foreign policy? The fumble was particularly remarkable in that it came just 11 days after Mr. Romney promised, in a major foreign policy address, to “apply the full spectrum of hard and soft power to influence events before they erupt into conflict” and to ensure an “American Century” of leadership. It turned out to be a short century.

It’s sad that, only three years after the George W. Bush presidency, no candidate defended foreign aid as a marker of American generosity and a transmitter of American values. Mr. Bush ramped up U.S. help for AIDS victims in Africa. He created the innovative Millennium Challenge Corp., which aims to increase the effectiveness of foreign aid by giving only to governments that serve their people decently. He understood, as any sensible politician does, that foreign aid will always be a hard sell, but he was willing to make the case. That’s a level of statesmanship missing from this year’s Republican field.

– Washington Post

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

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THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

20

EDITORIAL/OPINION

S

IR: These days, as I struggle to balance the increasingly complex challenges of family, finance and future, I sometimes wonder how those who have taken on much greater responsibilities are getting by. Do their minds, like mine, sometimes refuse to shut down from the many unresolved issues of the day?

After reading President Goodluck Jonathan’s recent “I’m not a lion” speech, I could not but quip – the rich also cry.

The speech, which must go down as passionate and profound, is a psychoanalyst’s delight. It comes straight from the heart of a deeply troubled man trying to come to terms with two of life’s greatest paradoxes.

Hear the president: “Some Nigerians want the President… to be a lion or a tiger; somebody that has the kind of strength, force and agility to make things happen the way they think. I don’t need to be a lion.

I don’t need to be a Nebuchadnezzar. I don’t need to operate like the Pharaoh of Egypt, and I don’t need to be an army general. I can change this country without these traits…”

Jonathan was reacting to growing criticism of his government by those who say he is too slow, too soft and too indecisive in handling the threat of the Boko Haram sect as well as the rising incidence of insecurity in the country. The occasion was the inter-denominational service to mark the nation’s 51st independence anniversary.

The President went on to say that everywhere he went to around the globe, from the US to UN, he got accolades - apparently for the way he has steered Nigeria’s ship. But when he came home, all he got was criticism and condemnation.

Far from earning him the reprieve or understanding he must have hoped for, the president has since come under a fresh barrage of criticisms since he uttered those words. Some have said that he should have known before seeking (re)election that the challenge of leading Nigeria through a time like this is war itself. Others have pointed out that for a man who rode to power with a Transformation Agenda, the President’s words betray a lack of touch with what it truly takes to “transform” a deeply troubled nation.

It’s hard to fault the logic of those

EDITOR’S MAIL BAG SEND TYPEWRITTEN, DOUBLE SPACED AND SIGNED CONTRIBUTIONS, LETTERS AND REJOINDERS OF NOT MORE THAN 800 WORDS TO THE EDITOR, THE NATION, 27B, FATAI ATERE ROAD, MATORI, LAGOS. E-mail: views@thenationonlineng.net

Trials of Brother Jonathan urging the president to step on the gas pedal and “do something.” Nigeria is slipping from an outpatient to a medical emergency. No one works in a hospital emergency unit and insists on taking his sweet time to arrive at work, attend to patients or eat his lunch. Certainly, not the head of the unit!

But there is a salient aspect of the President’s speech which critics may be overlooking. Everyone has a style or unique personality attributes. They have the best chances of success when working within their comfort zones or in compatible territories. To depart dramatically from such safe heavens usually entails significant mishaps, steep learning curves and major adjustments.

That is why psychologists and other behavioral experts fre-

quently advise us to, “Be yourself”, “Learn to get comfortable in your own skin” and “Don’t try to be who you are not.”

Whereas these nuggets of wisdom may be more commonly associated with guiding young people making their way through life, they are just as relevant to adults and leaders.

Leadership has two essential components – style and substance.

We may argue until we are blue about style, but the substance of leadership is more tangible, measurable and incontrovertible. In Nigeria’s case, it must include electricity, transportation, food production, working refineries, jobs, etc. President Jonathan will do well to focus on the substance of power to either silence his critics or drown their dissent.

By his words, he has clearly articulated his preferred style. Whatever choice he makes – lion or lamb – the Nigerian state is in dire need of substantive leadership - a clear unambiguous direction, exemplary conduct, milestones and signposts, symbolisms and inspiration.

To deliver these, he only needs to be himself and in touch with the pulse of the people. He will do well to read between the lines of his critics’ message: A leader must not just act but must be seen to act promptly and decisively on critical issues affecting the lives of the led. Sometimes, it is better to act and err than to do nothing. The desire to make perfect decisions must not be allowed to freeze us into inaction.

• Victor Anazonwu, Magodo GRA, Lagos.

Re: Apology IR: Is it possible that the Gestapo like operation at The Nation newspaper didn’t have the imprimatur of the President? If that be case, he’ll have to take the blame for the actions of his subordinates because the buck falls on his table. Then he needs not be condemned and vilified.

Furthermore, the President may not possess as much serpentine tendencies as you would have us believe. I am not standing brief for the man because I am not proud of his record as my President for he is either not fully in charge of affairs or he has chosen to feed us with he impression that he is not in charge. Is he the messiah we need? Methinks no for his body language does not give any modicum of impression of him being in charge. He should have sacked Inspector General of Police Hafiz Ringim for the international opprobrium his actions have brought to Nigeria. President Jonathan is not what we need at the moment. The guy can’t and will never step on toes.

• Austine Port-Harcourt, Rivers-State.

S

Ekiti’s one year of reign of truth

S

IR: Truth, by dictionary definition, is the quality of being true; it also denotes the natural, divine order of events in the spiritual sense.

It was in this natural, divine sequence of events that we were supposed to expect the popular choice to emerge from the 2007 Governorship Election in Ekiti State but for the fact that divine order is not supposed to be so cheaply understood.

The helpless Ekiti voters and nonvoters were compelled to wait and watch for the purpose of God, after their understanding of practical truth had proved to be inadequate.

The situation with the 2007 governorship election in Ekiti State was certainly not peculiar; rather, it was more of a reflection of the state of hopelessness in which the nation’s electoral process had been thrown.

The electorate had been reduced to mere on-lookers, in the day-light vote-robbery in most parts of the country. The police were hijacked by users of crude power to snatch ballot boxes, to provide security cover for multiple thumb-printing,

for stuffing ballot-boxes and for out-right falsification of election results.

The truth of the political situation in Ekiti State in 2007 was that the then ruling party, PDP, was in a very, very bad shape, coming from the 2006 dislodgment of their governor, Ayodele Fayose and the subsequent trauma of a state of emergency which brought in a non-Ekiti as Administrator for six months of inertia.

The party was in such shambles that it had to cancel its House of Assembly primary election results all over the state only to end up giving the party tickets to runner-ups; the subsequent intra-party wrangling saw the toppled winners invariably working for the opposition party, the ACN. That was the shape of the politics of Ekiti State in 2007, and that shape, for PDP, was very unfavourable for victory. Yet the PDP “won” the governorship poll as well as 14 out of 28 Assembly seats thus subverting the fundamental truth that majority carries the day in democracy.

Because truth prevails and it was going to play out in Ekiti State , a human-rights activist, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, was pitched against the PDP candidate, Engr. Segun Oni, who emerged as governor from the muddle.

Fayemi wasn’t going to allow blatant rigging to go unchallenged.

He wasn’t cut to fight shy of such.

He won a re-run election in 2009 during which the aggrieved ousted PDP governor, Ayo Fayose, then came out boldly to support him against the PDP candidate, but the PDP still re-enacted its earlier feat, with more glaring manipulations that are now part of the history of electoral counterfeiting in Nigeria.

With the PDP’s repeat victory, the dogged fighter had had to go back into the trenches, so to say. Like in the first round of litigation, he had to lose at the tribunal level again and had to take his case to the Appeal Court which had to again see the glaring truth of the Ekiti State politics through the facts before it, not to order another re-run this time, but to give an out-right vic-

tory to the petitioner, the incumbent governor, on October 15, 2010!

The PDP, with intoxicating federal influence, had since found the petitioner’s victory unbelievable and had been fighting really rough to return their former governors in Ekiti and Osun State back to power, in spite of the verdict of the final appellate court! They had flown Engr. Oni’s petition against alleged call logs of the president of the Appeal Court as kite, failure of which had now led the whole of the judiciary towards the Golgotha ! ”Power”, you shout? Well, the truth of the Court of Appeal judgment has endured for one year in Ekiti State and will continue to endure as long as ACN meets the condition for re-election in Ekiti State which is giood governance in it’s various ramifications, the ultimate in democracy.

That first anniversary celebration should have gone for that truth, the gospel truth, that majority carries the day in politics.

• Jide Oguntoye Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

21

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

EDITORIAL/OPINION

Never take the people for granted

T

O the wise, rapidly unfolding events across the nations ought to be pointer to the reality of the time. Arrogance, stubbornness and self-centeredness are giving way to the supremacy of the people’s desire.

Last week’s disgraceful final demolition of the self-styled Libyan ‘king of kings’ Muammer Ghadaffi calls for clearheaded reflections on the transiency of power. For failing to surrender to the will of the people, not only was his speciallybuilt town Sirte destroyed, he lost another son along with his own life. Pride blocked his application of common sense in a survival battle. He could not fathom the fact that whatever has a beginning must surely have an end.

If only the many other rulers and despots still littering Africa and the third world, including those hiding under the guise of democracy would pick the imperative lessons from the unveiling occurrences in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya, none would ever contemplate satisfying self interest at the expense of the people and refuse leaving the stage when quitting has honour and nobility.

There is typically a price to be paid for all seeds sown - good or bad; a time for reckoning, especially for those who have taken to politics, lives by it and feed from it. Wisdom would admonish those who delight in errantly turning good governance into an anathema, with counsel that no one could be bigger than his country.

In a fledging democratic setting like ours, after caressing the people to release their mandate - the only power they posses, the tendency has been for occupants of political seats to spurn and deride the populace and impose on them things that further denigrate their subsisting existence.

As things are, an issue that might become the watershed in the harrowing journey of Nigeria is the removal of fuel subsidy as being arrogantly pushed by the present administration. After the sentimental mandate given to President Goodluck Jonathan, the expectation was that he would put every other interest aside and strive to fulfil his pledge of transforming the nation and the life of the people.

But notwithstanding the public chorus of disapproval against the Federal Government’s plan, the president himself has been insisting on the withdrawal of the so-called fuel subsidy.

According to him, funds saved from the removal will stimulate private sector investment to bridge infrastructure gap and create incentives for investment in refineries and the petroleum industry. This of course sounds logical.

Still echoing rational advocacy, the president also argues that the resources hitherto used as subsidy on the importation of petroleum products would be invested in tangible infrastructure and provision of social safety nets to cushion the impact of the reform. Yet, this is where the problem lies: successive governments in the country, be it military or

M

UCH has been said about the Nigerian telecommunications industry in the last decade. From January 2001 when the digital mobile licence auction was conducted by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, through August of the same year when the GSM operators rolled out services, the industry has been abuzz with activities in a manner that beguiles the mind. The 10-year journey has been captured in two succinct words: telecom revolution.

Not many will dispute this superlative description of the activities in a sector that was once the reserved turf of a poorly-run state monopoly. There are several reasons to concur that the once staid industry steeped in the maggoty stupor of corruption and red tape has undergone mind-blowing transformation. In 10 years, it grew from a little over 400,000 lines industry to one bursting with over 90 million lines; from a miserly job giver to one that now offers good jobs in tens of thousands and ancillary jobs in hundreds of thousands and from a $50 million industry in investment to over $18 billion.

This is what makes it a revolution. In Nigeria, when prices of goods and services go up, they stay up, but telecoms simply buck the trend. In the beginning, price of telephony services were high with SIM card selling for N20,000 and subscribers having to pay N50 for every minute or in some cases for less than a minute. Today, SIM cards sell for a penny and for as low as 17k or less per second you can make the call. This is another pleasant part of the revolution.

Yet, there is an even bigger revolution waiting to happen. It is called number portability. This is a technical jargon in telecoms. It simply means a situation in which a subscriber can stop using a particular network and migrate to another network without having to acquire another number. It means an MTN subscriber with an MTN line can ditch MTN network and start using the Glo network but still retaining his/her old MTN number. In the same vein, a Glo subscriber with Glo line can decide to dump Glo for MTN. It is one of the many special features of modern telecom technology.

Number portability is not a new-fangled marvel in the global telecom bourse. It is part of the services menu in other telecom jurisdiction across the world. In the US, all over Europe, South America and Asia including some parts of Africa, porting from one network to another is part of the service offerings of telecommunications com-

civilian, have consistently demonstrated lack of faithfulness to keeping their promises. The few months of the Jonathan administration have not proved any remarkable departure from the harrowing experience of the people in the last 12 years of return to civil rule, just like in the past. What is on the ground can hardly build the needed trust in the sapped and traumatised people who have been made to suffer lack amidst Divinely-provided abundance.

While the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said it would under no circumstances accept the removal of the fuel subsidy, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) insist that organised labour would accept FG’s proposal only if certain conditions were met. One of such conditions the TUC president reportedly mentioned was that the government should justify how it intended to spend the proceeds from the subsidy removal.

For NLC, the move by the government would lead to anarchy as it is a provocative act and a declaration of war against Nigerians.

And this is the source of my fear: with the prevailing revolutionary global atmosphere, no wise government can afford to take its citizens for granted. The move to increase the fuel price was indicative of the unawareness of the government about the agonising state of poverty in the country and the magnitude of the suffering to which the common man is already being subjected to. I concur with the labour that the claim by the promoters of deregulation that the FG would save some money from the subsidy for poverty alleviation and developmental purposes was not different from the Maradonic deceit that manifested the Gen. Ibrahim Babangida junta in the 1990 with the devastating Structural Adjustment Programme that eliminated the middle class and dumped the nation into swarming penury.

The assumption that removal of subsidy will bring more development into the country is not taking cognisance of our inability to manage great opportunities. What is happening to the monthly allocations to both the federal and states? How are the bulk internally generated revenues utilised? What about security votes?

Like NLC’s Owei Lakemfa said, what the government termed as subsidy was charges incurred because of government’s inability to ensure effective utilisation of the nation’s resources to the benefit of the citizenry. According to him, ‘’the issue of subsidy is a result of the importation of finished products. The Federal Government sells 100 percent of its crude oil without refining any for local consumption and without adding value to the commodity. Then the same government goes to the international market to buy petroleum products at a very high price.”

Indeed, what the government describes as subsidy includes freight, insurance, evacuation of the finished product from large vessels to small ones for transportation to the Atlas cove in Lagos, port charges demurrage and others. “If we refine our products, we will not need these charges which the Federal Government calls subsidy. It is very clear that by attempting to increase the fuel pump price, government is visiting its inefficiency on Nigerians.”

We are where we are today because the government has consistently failed to ensure effective utilisation of the resources of the country to address the developmental needs of the people. In spite of the huge amount of money spent by previous administrations, they failed to fulfil their promises

to provide electricity, water, roads and other essential infrastructure. Rewind the trillions of naira the Obasanjo administration purportedly pumped into the power sector only for the nation to be sentenced into darker darkness.

The reality is that a government which had been unable to provide for the basic needs of the people had no right to impose further hardship on the people. The right position of NLC is that such a move by the government would lead to anarchy in the land.

The excuse that the government could no longer bear the subsidy burden at the expense of failing infrastructure should not become a yoke on the people who are deprived from enjoying the good of the land. Rather, the privileged few who are in power benefitting immensely from the largesse of office should be sincere in their commitment to solving the society’s man-made challenges.

If the refineries are not working, it is because some people are frustrating it so that they can continue to import petroleum products and make money at the expense of the nation. And the government knows who these beneficiaries are.

One thing common among our politicians is that they are ill-prepared for public office. Instead of focussing on what could be offered, the motive is more of what would accrue to their pockets. Good governance transcends mere podium talk of provision of goodness. Rather, it is more about impactful service and accountability that would positively change the life of the people.

Our leaders take people for granted. This is why they would be talking of tenure elongation and fuel subsidy when a meagre increase in workers’ salaries is not being actualised.

By the time the subsidy is removed, what is called the minimum wage would have all gone for transportation.

Working hard to build a strong economy and a fair society that provides every Nigerian with the prospect to prosper and succeed in life is what would bring development and progress.

Imagine what would have happened to Nigeria if the gratis oil money was not available. Today, every wings of government depend on it for survival. This is why the removal of the presumed subsidy is bound to be counter-productive.

There will be inflated prices on all goods and services across board. More significantly, Nigeria being a net importer might have to adjust the currency value to continue to meet import cost - meaning currency devaluation. Therefore, let any subsidy removal be delayed until there is stable power, all refineries working at the highest level and the country’s declining manufacturing sector re-awakened. These factors will reduce import and conserve hard currencies.

Our government should not act like a devil that gives a gift with the left hand, only to collect more than what he gave with his right hand. Instead of inflicting harsher economic pain on hapless Nigerians, Jonathan’s transformation government should begin to show genuine interest in the plight of the people.

Allowing importation of petroleum products from Europe by greedy importers at overpriced costs when refineries owned by neighbouring countries could offer such services at lesser costs is insincere.

If the government insists on bringing obnoxious policies that would further push the people to the wall, the response might just be as devastating as the on-going Maghreb revolutions.

Number portability as next telecom revolution

The direct implication of number portability is that it will motivate service providers to improve their network infrastructure and keep their tariff very competitive.

Telecoms business thrives on volume. The more the subscriber base, the more the profit. Thus, every service provider is mindful of the possibility of losing its subscribers to a rival network. This keeps the operators on their toes. For far too long, it appears some service providers have taken their consumers for granted. They bill them for poor services and in some cases for services not rendered. To make matters worse, the operators show no remorse; rather they point to poor national infrastructure, insecurity, poor power supply among others as reasons why they cannot offer services superior to what they dish out. Yet, year after year, the same operators declare obscene profits that are clearly do not connect to the realities of the economy. Such operators are up against the wall, as number portability will rein them in.

NCC says it has licensed a consortium for the implementation of the porting scheme which will commence soon after the back-office integration of the SIM card registration exercise. This is logical. However, the regulator would do well to educate Nigerians on the whys and wherefores of number portability to enable them make informed decisions and choices when it takes off. It is obvious that many consumers in the country do not fully grasp the essence and sense in number portability. This category of consumers needs to be educated and the enlightenment should begin now. I have had the privilege of porting from one network to another in the US and UK. It works and it gives the consumer a sense of superiority in the consumer-service provider relationship. In Nigeria, it holds the magic to kick-start another round of telecoms revolution, this time, price revolution and the biggest beneficiary would be the consumers.

Ray Umukoro panies.

Executive Vice Chairman, EVC, of NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah was quoted recently as saying that the commission would introduce number portability next year. At a recent event to mark a decade of telecoms revolution and the eighth anniversary of the Telecom Consumer Parliament, a consumer rights advocacy and protection forum organised by the Consumer Affairs Bureau of the commission, Juwah allayed the fears of subscribers. He said the introduction of number portability will not occasion a spurt in the prices of telecom services. Rather, he told the audience, it would engender another type of revolution, this time price revolution.

Here is how: Once it is introduced, it means that the power to choose is automatically transferred into the hands of telecom consumers. In the real sense, this will make the consumer truly king as he/she can determine which network to port to.

There are reasons a subscriber could decide to ditch one network for another. They include if the network is unfairly charging high tariff, if it is offering poor quality of service, or extorting money through dubious billings.

It might be any reason from the logical to the ludicrous.

The bottom-line is that the right to choose and the power to make a choice lie with the subscriber. It means a subscriber can use the same number but different networks to communicate. It has the great advantage of making the subscriber not to worry about acquiring new number or carrying multiple handsets, each handset for each service provider. With number portability, it is one number for multiple networks. In most cases, people get used to their phone numbers. They get emotionally attached to it or that of their spouses and friends. Number portability helps the subscriber to retain his or her treasured number even when such person has left his or her original service provider. It gives the subscriber the power to negotiate and to dictate the market price for telephony services.

• Umukoro, ICT blogger, writes from Lagos

‘The direct implication of number portability is that it will motivate service providers to improve their network infrastructure and keep their tariff very competitive’

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

22

EDITORIAL/OPINION

M

EMORIES of the last civil war in Nigeria came alive last week when a new book on the 30 months civil crisis was presented to the public in Abuja. Titled: Nigeria/ Biafra civil war- My Experience, the book was written by former governor of Imo state Chief Achike Udenwa who fought on the Biafran side as an army captain during that war.

The heavily attended event drew very quality personages from a broad spectrum of the Nigerian society. There were attendees from the military both serving and retired with the latter taking the lead, members of the political class, traditional rulers and the civil society among others.

The tone for the discussions appeared to have been set by the author himself when in his opening speech he raised questions regarding the propriety in launching such a book now. According to him, the book’s title will at “first raise several questions including why now? Over 40 years after the end of the civil war and more so at a time Nigeria is going through a period of political tension and insecurity. Questions could also be asked as to why remind Nigerians of a forgotten ugly

‘It is no longer news that some of the negative dysfunctions that precipitated that war are still very much with us today. Instead of these abating, they are being so ferociously reinforced that many Nigerians are no longer very certain as to whether we can still survive as a country’

Emeka OMEIHE 08121971199 email: EmekaOmeihe@yahoo.com

Echoes of Biafra war

past?

Though the author raised these searing and very fundamental questions, he did not attempt directly to answer them but only went ahead to lead his audience to what motivated him to write the book. He said he had discovered that many of those aged 50 years and below do not know much about the civil war. Apart from taking care of the interests of this category of people, the book is also a contribution from the lower command on what actually happened in the war front- call it “writing from the trenches” It aims at recounting the sufferings of the youths and the innocent civilian population who were not part of the cause of the war but who in actual fact bore the full brunt of it.

As the reviewer of the book Prof. J. Isawa Elaigwu was to admit, Udenwa set out to highlight the role played by the lower command -platoon companies, battalions and brigades where non-Sandhurst trained young officers exhibited a high sense of dexterity, maturity and leadership.

Elaigwu wrote among others “This book contributes immensely to the literature on the war from both sides. It has the added advantage of actual experience by a field officer. It is there-

fore a useful contribution to the literature on the civil war and Nigeria’s political development”.

But the posers regarding the propriety in launching the book at this trying period of our contemporary politics seemed to have been answered by Elaigwu when he asked: ‘have we learned from the civil war? One is afraid to conclude –not much’ The same line was toed by Senate President David Mark who said in his speech that the book is apt at this time when some radical elements are bent on destabilizing the country.

It would seem to me that the launching is not only apposite but very timely. At a time the country is passing through very grilling systemic stress, the book no doubt serves as a reminder to the mistakes of the past for corrective steps to be taken to stave off a repeat performance. It is no longer news that some of the negative dysfunctions that precipitated that war are still very much with us today. Instead of these abating, they are being so ferociously reinforced that many Nigerians are no longer very certain as to whether we can still survive as a country. Today, manifestations that were alien to our political culture such as suicide bombings and

all manner of guerilla tactics that leave in their trail deaths and the maiming of innocent people have struck fear in the psyche of our people. All these point to the inevitable conclusion that not much has been learned from the ugly experiences of that civil war. The book thus offers us a golden moment for soul searching on the numerous challenges confronting the country. It reminds us of the sufferings and deprivations the youth undergo at war and suggests dialogue as a way out.

Ironically also, these negative tendencies that come with drums of war, emanate from sections of the country that had in the past, shown zealotry in the task to keep Nigeria one. Why such posturing is waning more that 40 years after that war should be a matter of serious worry to all. It is a clarion call for our leaders to identify and evolve urgent solutions to these fears, feelings and grouses that propel constituents to attack and sabotage the country and find acceptable solutions to them. Only then, shall the task of nation building commence.

‘Though the author raised these searing and very fundamental questions, he did not attempt directly to answer them but only went ahead to lead his audience to what motivated him to write the book. He said he had discovered that many of those aged 50 years and below do not know much about the civil war’

VIEW FROM THE FOREIGN PRESS

A

FTER spending last week talking with Hong Kong entrepreneurs about a bill, just passed by the U.S. Senate, to clear the way for tariffs on Chinese exports to America if China doesn’t revalue its currency, there are three things I have to say. One, I really hope the people pushing this bill do not give up. Two, I really hope the people pushing this bill do not succeed. And, three, I really hope no one thinks this legislation will make any sustainable dent in our unemployment problem, which requires much more radical rethinking.

I support this legislation in theory because China needs a wake-up call. I know, China never responds to inyour-face pressure — not immediately.

But it began revaluing its currency upward in 2005, the last time the Senate brandished a big stick. The fact is, China’s strategy of using low wages and a cheap currency to build up an enormous export-led growth engine — while using its huge market to lure and compel companies to transfer their nextgeneration technology to China as well — is now hurting both sides.

China is spending tons of money manipulating its currency downward and,

‘We need to focus on multiplying more people at the high-value ideation and orchestration end of the supply chain, and in the manufacturing processes where one person can be highly productive, and well paid, by operating multiple machines’

Imagined in America

By Thomas L. Friedman in the process, creating domestic inflation and a real estate bubble, which is weakening its competiveness. Meanwhile, it is hair-raising to hear stories in Hong Kong about the number of American companies feeling the need to transfer advanced technology to China under pressure from Beijing officials — and being afraid to complain to Washington about unfair trade practices. Yes, China’s leaders, fearing unemployment, will revalue their currency at their own pace. But if pushing this bill even marginally slows the pace of American firms shifting operations here, and gives others more time to adapt, it will be worth it.

But, Lord in heaven, do not let the House pass this bill. That would trigger a trade war in the middle of our Great Recession. We tried that in 1930.

It didn’t end well. Worse, today it would distract us from thinking about the real issue: How do we adjust our labor market to the simultaneous intensification of globalization and the I.T. revolution, the biggest thing happening in the world today? The intensification of globalization means more parts of any product or service can be produced anywhere, and the intensification of the I.T. revolution means more parts of any product or service can be created by machines and software.

I am typing this column on a Dell laptop that says “Made in China” on the bottom. In fact, it was assembled in China — but the design, memory board, screen, casing and dozens of

other parts were all made in other countries. And while the machine says “Made in China,” the lion’s share of its value and profit goes to the firm that conceived the idea and orchestrated that supply chain — Dell Inc. in Texas.

We are never going to get those labor-intensive assembly jobs back from China — the wage differentials are far too great, no matter how much China revalues its currency. We need to focus on multiplying more people at the high-value ideation and orchestration end of the supply chain, and in the manufacturing processes where one person can be highly productive, and well paid, by operating multiple machines. We need to focus on “Imagined in America” and “Orchestrated From America” and “Made in America by a smart worker using a phalanx of smarter robots.” In total value terms, America still manufactures almost as much as China. We just do it with far fewer people, which is why we need more start-ups.

But we also need to stop thinking that a middle class can be sustained only by factory jobs. Thirty years ago, Hong Kong was a manufacturing center. Now its economy is 97 percent services. It has adjusted so well that this year the Hong Kong government is giving a bonus of $775 to each of its residents.

One reason is that Hong Kong has transformed itself into a huge tourist center that last year received 36 million visitors — 23 million from China. Their hotel stays, dining and jewelry purchases are driving prosperity here. The U.S. Commerce Department says 801,000 Mainland Chinese visited the

U.S. last year, adding $5 billion to the U.S. economy. More Chinese want to come, but, for security reasons, visas are hard to obtain. If we let in as many Chinese tourists as Hong Kong, it would inject more than $115 billion into what is a highly unionized U.S. hotel, restaurant, gaming and tourism industry.

Another idea officials here offer is that the United States invites Chinese firms to invest in toll bridges, toll roads, and rail systems across the United States, in partnership with American companies. They could build them, and operate them for a set number of years, until their investment pays out, and then transfer them to full U.S. ownership. It may be the only way we can rebuild our infrastructure.

Yes, China manipulates its currency and market access. But the reason we are so vulnerable is that we have no leverage. We don’t save; we overconsume; we don’t plan; and we have not invested enough in infrastructure and education. Dealing with a superpower like China without leverage? Let me know how that works out for you.

–New York Times

‘China is spending tons of money manipulating its currency downward and, in the process, creating domestic inflation and a real estate bubble, which is weakening its competiveness’

Uche Eucharia has no Etuhu missing in contract —NFF official Fulham’s loss Pg. 24

Pg. 41

Nation Monday, October 24, 2011

PAGE 23

•Sunday Oliseh

Pg. 24

Oliseh: I’m ready for Eagles’ job Yakubu fails to lift Blackburn

Pg. 24

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

24

41

NATION SPORT

Utaka leads Nigerian Euro scorers

F

ORMER Super Eagles star John Utaka and Uche Nwofor were among the goals scorers for their respective European clubs Saturday.

Utaka netted his second goal of the season to propel Montpellier to a 3-1 win in the French Ligue 1 away at Caen.

The former Portsmouth star has been a regular at the high-riding club as he has so far started nine games.

Utaka’s club are now temporarily behind PSG at the summit of the table with 23 points from 11 matches.

Former U-20 international Uche Nwofor was also on target as his Dutch club VVV Venlo trounced visiting RKC Waalwijk 4-1.

Nwofor made an instant impact five minutes after he replaced fellow Nigerian Michael Uchebo to give VVV a 3-1 lead.

It was his second goal of the season since his switch in the off-season from Nigeria Premier League outfit Enugu Rangers.

However, his club remain rooted at the basement of the 18-team table with six points from 10 matches. They are 17th.

Eucharia has no contract –NFF official C OACH Eucharia Uche’s last game in charge of the Super Falcons was Saturday in Cameroon following stunning revelations she has no contract with the Nigeria Football Federation.

Top officials informed MTNFootball.com that unlike the case of Eagles coach Samson Siasia, there will be no debate as regards the fate of Uche after she failed to qualify the women to next year’s Olympics in London.

“She does not have a contract with the federation,” simply informed a disappointed top NFF official.

Former international striker Uche was to have been eased out of her job immediately after she failed to qualify the team for the recent All Africa Games in Mozambique, but officials decided to give her a second chance.

That allowed her to lead the team to the World Cup in Germany, where the Falcons failed to go past the first round in a group that included hosts

Germany and France.

On Saturday in Yaounde, the team she led to win a sixth African Women’s Championship title in November in South Africa lost out 4-3 on penalties after aggregate scores stood at 3-3 with Cameroon.

Nigeria will therefore not be represented in the women’s football event of the London Olympics for the first time since 2000.

Recent speculations now point in the direction of US-based Sam Okpodu to return to his former post as Falcons coach.

However, another former Falcons coach, Ismaila Mabo, said Uche was unfairly treated by the NFF as several assistants were imposed on her and she was constantly reminded she has to qualify for the Olympics or she is out of work.

“Uche has not been treated well by the NFF,” defended Mabo.

S

F

ORMER Super Eagles’ skipper Sunday Oliseh has offered to take over the country’s team and so heed clamour of teeming Nigerians for his expertise and experience “I’m making it very clear that I now wish to coach the Eagles. I’m prepared

Yakubu fails to lift Blackburn

O

UT-OF-FAVOUR Super Eagles’ striker, Yakubu Ayegbeni fired blank for Blackburn Rovers in their 2-1 home loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Sunday.

The Nigerian international, who came in as a 70th minute substitute replacing Mauro Formica, could do little as Rafael van der Vaart bagged a double at Ewood Park to pile further pressure on Rovers boss Steve Kean.

The home side made a decent start but Spurs took the lead in the 15th minute when Kyle Walker made a barnstorming run down the right before pulling the ball back for van der Vaart to sweep home.

Gareth Bale and Emmanuel Adebayor were then both denied by home keeper Paul Robinson - but Blackburn equalised against the run of play on 28 when Mauro Formica rifled home Christopher Samba’s nod-down.

The goal gave the hosts a lift and Tottenham keeper Brad Friedel was forced into action by Simon Vukcevic and Junior Hoilett before the break.

But the visitors were back in front on 53 as van der Vaart curled home a precise second from 20 yards following a break by Benoit Assou-

Ekotto down the left.

Blackburn hit back strongly again, with Friedel tipping Samba’s backheader over and Gareth Bale making a crucial block to deny sub Yakubu.

Robinson did well to keep out Luka Modric’s effort at the other end, while Hoilett and Jason Roberts both went close for Rovers before Yakubu directed a side-foot volley wide as Tottenham held firm to leapfrog Liverpool into fifth place in the table.

penalty spot in the 30th minute, and he made no mistake.

However, it was a controversial penalty decision with Corvia appearing to dive over the arm of Abbiati, who had fumbled a corner.

Milan appeared to be committing as many mistakes in defence in the first half as they would normally commit in an entire season, and they were punished by a third goal in the 37th minute.

Luca Antonini blocked Giacomazzi’s route to goal, but he let the ball slip to Grossmuller, who placed it in past Abbiati.

Boateng made his entrance at the start of the second half and it was immediately clear that he meant business.

A dipping volley from the Ghanaian after only 17 seconds was tipped over the crossbar by Massimiliano Benassi, with Boateng going close again minutes later, earning a corner from a shot which did not appear to take a deflection.

And from that corner, Boateng rifled a shot into the top corner to start Milan’s comeback.

Six minutes later, Boateng scored another stunning goal with the outside of his right boot, directing the ball into the top left corner from 20 yards.

Boateng then scored his third goal,

•Oliseh

for the job and I wish to heed the clamour from Nigerians who have asked me variously to come back and help the country,” Belgium-based Oliseh told MTNFootball.com “Since 2002, we have struggled with our tactical setup and have had to win most games by luck. And this is getting worse and worse.

“I believe with the help of other positive people we can stop this rut and get the Eagles back on their feet and winning again.

“I have worked as a coach for two years and have a UEFA A licence, which makes me as qualified as any foreign coach Nigeria would want to hire.

“And besides this education, I know the mentality of the players because I’m still one of them.”

Oliseh, who was first interviewed for the Eagles top job in 2008 along with the likes of Shuaibu Amodu and Stephen Keshi, has also posted his desire on his Twitter handle Saturday.

An international spanning over 10 years since 1992, Oliseh also said he is

willing to work under a more experienced coach as technical adviser.

“As long as such a person (technical adviser) is a positive person like me, I will be ready to work under him,” he said.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is yet to decide on the future of Eagles’ coach Samson Siasia, who earlier this month failed to qualify the country for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations.

“The decision of who will be the Eagles coach rests with the NFF, it’s up to them to do what they have to do,” said Oliseh.

“But I now want to make it very clear that I’m ready to take up this challenge and I no longer wish to be seen as someone who refused to put himself forward for the good of his country.”

Oliseh represented Nigeria at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World cup .He a 1994 African cup of nations and the 1996 Olympics with Nigeria before captaining Nigeria at the 2000 and 2002 Africa cup of Nations. He was sensationally dropped from the 2002 World cup

Joel Obi plays for 1 min in Inter’s win S

UPER EAGLES’ midfilder, Joel Obi only got a minute of action as Inter got its Serie A season back on track with a 1-0 victory at

•Joel Obi

Taiwo missing in Milan’s comeback UPER EAGLES’ left back, Taye Taiwo was conspicuously missing as substitute KevinPrince Boateng inspired AC Milan to a thrilling comeback victory in Lecce with a second-half hat-trick for the visitors.

Guillermo Giacomazzi, Massimo Oddo and Carlos Grossmuller established a 3-0 lead for the home side by half-time, but Boateng sprang from the bench to score three goals in 14 minutes to bring Milan level.

Mario Yepes clinched the winner in the 83rd minute as Massimiliano Allegri’s side managed to move up to fifth in the table when they were facing the prospect of dropping as low as 16th at the interval.

Guillermo Giacomazzi gave Lecce the lead in the fourth minute, with a deft headed flick from Carlos Grossmuller’s inswinging free-kick taking the ball past Christian Abbiati.

Another good attacking move by Lecce in the 11th minute led to Chris Obodo’s angled shot being tipped over the crossbar by Abbiati.

A minute later, Daniele Corvia volleyed over the crossbar from close range, but the linesman’s flag was raised anyway.

Oddo was given the chance to score against his former club from the

Oliseh: I’m ready for Eagles’ job

threading a shot just inside Benassi’s near post with the Lecce goalkeeper trying but failing to prevent it from crossing the line.

All that was left was for Milan to add a fourth, which they did in the 83rd minute.

Antonio Cassano lifted a volleyed cross to the far post where Yepes raced in unmarked to head in the winner.

•Taiwo

San Siro over Chievo, thanks to a lone goal from Thiago Motta.

Obi was only introduced into the game in the 90 minute replacing Mauro Zarate.

Motta’s header midway through the first half was enough to separate the two sides in what was largely a scrappy affair, though further goals could have been added by either team in a rather open second half.

A plethora of half-chances finally cumulated in a goal in the 34th minute when Motta headed in from Wesley Sniejder’s superb corner delivery. Goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino was left hopeless as the Brazilian-born Italian towered over Michael Bradley to knock the ball into the back of the net.

The only blights on an initially controlling display for Inter were bookings, as the goalscorer received the first yellow of the match when he took down Sergio Pellissier on a Chievo counter midway through the half, and Maicon joined him shortly before half-time. Bojan Jokic was also cautioned for a poor challenge on Javier Zanetti in the midfield as the Flying Donkeys tried to contain the home side as they gained the ascendancy.

The away side did its best to fight back and looked equal to the home team during the scrappy opening of the second half. Kamil Vacek was booked in the 55th for a poor tackle on Cristian Chivu, minutes before Maicon rifled a long range shot wide of the top right corner of Sorrentino’s net.

A thunderous Maicon shot smashed off the crossbar after the full-back given an enormous amount of space on the right, but still Inter couldn’t add to their lead. Giampaolo Pazzini came off immediately after for Luc Castaignos as Ranieri looked to maintain his side’s advantage. Both teams had decent chances to score as the match drew to a close, but Inter held on for the win.

The win puts Inter in 14th place in the table on seven points, whereas Chievo remain 11th with nine points heading into the midweek round of action.

•Etuhu

Etuhu missing in Fulham’s loss

N

IGERIA international, Dickson Etuhu was on bench for 90 minutes for Fulham as both Louis Saha and Jack Rodwell scored in the dying minutes as Everton secured a much needed 3-1 win at Craven Cottage onSunday.

Royston Drenthe had given the Toffees the lead after just three minutes of the game, only to see Fulham substitute Bryan Ruiz grab an equaliser.

It looked like the sides would cancel each other out until the late intervention of Saha, with Rodwell capping off the win with a volley from the edge of the box.

Drenthe provided Everton with the perfect start - picking up the ball and drilling an effort past Mark Schwarzer from the edge of the box.

The Dutchman looked dangerous

every time he got the ball, while John Arne Riise threatened for Fulham, but chances were at a premium in a low quality match until a sensational equaliser from the much vaunted Ruiz.

The Costa Rican got the ball at the edge of the Everton box and, when they backed off, he dinked the ball wonderfully over Tim Howard.

Everton’s intentions were signalled when Schwarzer brilliantly saved from Saha in the 73rd minute, while Zamora blazed over with an open goal in the 88th minute.

Just one minute later they paid the ultimate price when Saha dinked the ball over Schwarzer, and Rodwell sealed the win with his late strike.

GOVERNOR'S CUP

Seven Nigerians got Wild Cards –Ndanusa P RESIDENT of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), Snni Ndanusa has cleared the air on reports making the rounds that top Nigerian players participating in the ongoing Governor's Cup Lagos Tennis Championship were not given the Wild Card, saying that a total of seven Wild Cards out of the available eight was issued to Nigerian players to feature in the competition.

Ndanusa, who also doubles as the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee(NOC) told Journalists at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club venue of the

•Lauds Tinubu,sponsors for continuity

By Stella Bamawo

competition, that it was the resolve of the Federation to reserve one of the cards for any player that will emerge from a West African country.

He said: "Three Nigeria players male,and four players in the female category were given Wild Cards. it is only one that we reserved for the zone in Africa In fact any player that comes from West Africa. unfortunaly only a player came from senegal and he got the wild Card for the first and second week.And this is a policy that has been in place for the past six years, because it is to encourage other African players to get Association of Tennis Professional (ATP) points.

"I want to commend the immediate past governor, Ahmed Tinubu for laying the foundation to develop tennis across the world because this is a global tournament where people all over the world can compete and most importantly pick ATP Points. It is an opportunity not only for Nigerians but indeed all Africans to come over and pick ATP points.I must thank all the other sponsors especially Eticsalat, FCMB and friends of the Governor who are the brain behind this tournament we in the Nigeria Tennis Federation are proud of them."

Asked why the Nigerian players are not making headways in the moneyspinning competition he said: "We are placing them against some of the best in the world. What we are trying to do here is produce a world beater. Through intermintant training or tournaments.

These players you see here attend othe tournamnets after this. But the Nigerian players have what we call individual sponsorship.That is what we are working on. Any player that gets to the quarter final of this tournament, desrve continuation to the next tournament, otherwise he or she will start losing the points that they got from here. For you to keep up in the ATF ranking, you must go on and on.

"We at the Federation are looking at a Nigerian to getting to 500 in their ranking. the only way we can do this is to keep exposing them.We have been talking to the private sector, it is a law which is already on ground any company that comes to support players will get tax rebate.continous playing of tournament cannot be done without funding,"he declared. on the absence of the Technical Committee members of the International Tennis Federation (ITF)in this year's edition of the competition, Ndanusa said: "We have coaches that have been watching. they just came back from the Davis cup and the All Africa Games. We have two other coaches that th. And I assure you they are going to submit their report, and even the results will determine who to hold on to. we will market these particular players that have qualified in this tournamnet. to the level we can and they we go to other tournamnets within africa and even europe."

NATION SPORT Abuja hosts reception for Maputo Taekwondo Team OR their heroic feat at the last All Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique, the Uche Perez Chukwumerije-captained taekwondo team will be hosted to a reception in Abuja on Wednesday.

The reception is part of the fulfillment of the pledge made by Senator Uche Chukwumerije when the team was in Maputo for the games.

According to a statement signed by the senator, taekwondo being the premier martial arts sports has been growing by leaps and bounds in Nigeria, while its contribution of 10 medals to Nigeria’s medal haul in Maputo has reaffirmed the enormous potential in the sport.

To honour the team, government functionaries, captains of industry, diplomats and key national leaders have been invited for dinner holding in Abuja to celebrate the improved medal count of the young team and

F

By Innocent Amomoh to encourage their build up for the London 2012 Olympics qualifiers in Egypt.

The legislator added that the event was meant to encourage individuals, corporate bodies and government to support taekwondo in its growth and development within Nigeria.

He said that the event would also help to appraise the value and prospects of the sport in Nigeria.

16 athletes represented Nigeria in various weight categories in Maputo with the team 10 of them winning medals for the country.

Among the 18 sports that Nigeria took part in Maputo, taekwondo contributed two gold, one silver and seven bronze medals to become fourth place event behind athletics, table tennis and badminton which contributed 18, three and three gold medals respectively.

PORTUGUESE T/TENNIS LEAGUE

Quadri leads team to rout Sporting

N

IGERIA’s Aruna Quadri matched his pre-match boasting with action when the All Africa Games bronze medalist led his team 4-1 routing of Sporting Club in the Portuguese table tennis Super League.

The Nigeria Civil Defense Corps officer who plies his trade with GDSR Os Toledos started the onslaught against Porto-based team with a convincing 3-1 win over Chinese-born Zheng Shun.

But what would have been a 2-0 lead for Quadri team was narrowly lost by Sas Lasan when he fell to Andrea Silva 32.

Quadri’s teammate. Diogo Silva restored the lead when he overpowered Ricardo Oliveira 3-1 to put the encounter at 2-1 in favour of Quadri’s team.

Quadri paired Silva in the doubles against the duo of Shun and Silva. The tension-soaked doubles nearly put the encounter at 2-2 but the never-say-die Nigeria spirit in Quadri aided his team, as the Union Bank former star turned the tide in favour of his team to end the doubles at 3-2 to give his team a 3-1 overall lead.

Being the arrow head of the team, the responsibility of stopping the visitors fell on Quadri and it turned out to be the toughest for the 23-year-old Nigerian against Silva.

Despite the spirited efforts of Silva to stretch the encounter for the day, Quadri put the match beyond the visitors as he won the game 3-2 to give his team a 4-1 win over Sporting Club.

With this victory, Quadri’s team maintained its lead on the Portuguese elite league table with nine points from three matches while Quadri’s unbeaten records continue with five match winning streak.

A confident Quadri told journalists from his base in Portugal yesterday that he was happy leading his team revenge against Sporting.

He said: “We defeated Sporting Club

By Innocent Amomoh by 4- 1 though it was not an easy win on home soil but we made sure that we gave them no chance to breath at all in the encounter. My involvement in the All Africa Games in Mozambique prevented me from playing in the Portuguese Super Cup and Sporting accounted for my team 3-0 loss to lift the trophy but my presence in the team over the weekend really made an impact as i won two singles match and a double for my team to avenge against Sporting Club.”

“Despite this win, I must admit that we still have a lot of work to do if we must win the league title again. Though I gave Sporting lots of problem again like I did to them last season when I also won two singles matches against them and a double during my first season when I was with Associacao Recreaviva Novelense. I repeated the same victory this season over them. Also in the league, I had played five matches and won all to continue with the way I did last season to be named the best player in the league. I think I am also working towards achieving such feat again this season.”

•Quadri

GOVERNOR'S CUP

Bhambri, Svitolina win 1st Leg

Y

UKI Bhambri of India and Elina Svitolina of Ukraine yesterday won the first leg of the the Men and Women's Singles respectively of the 11th Governor's Cup Lagos Tennis Championship.

The finals which were played at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan, were delight to watch with the two players justifying their places in the finals of the singles event of the Etisalat/FCMB sponsored tournament.

The Indian boy defeated South African Ruan Roelofse in straight sets of 7-5, 7-5, while Svitolina beat Donna Vekic of Croatia in another straight sets of 6-4,6-3.

The women''s doubles was won by the duo of Nina Bratchikova of Russia and Melanie Klaffener of Austria after they defeated Tadeja Majeric of Slovakia and

By Stella Bamawo Aleksandrina Naydenova of Bulgaria in a game that ended 7-5, 5-7, 10-6.

Meanwhile, the main draws of the second leg of the ITF approved competition gets underway today after the qualifiers were decided at the weekend.

Some of Nigerian players who scaled the hurdles of the qualifying matches are Kingsley Enosoregbe, Abdulmumini Babalola, Sunday Emmanuel, Pekun Akingbade, Sunday Maku and Sanni Adamu in the men's categories, while Blessing Anuna and Abiola Akewula made it in the women's categories.

Meanwhile, in the Men's Doubles winners,Indians Yuki Bhambri and Ranjeet Virali-Muguresan beat Karan Rastogi Vishnu Vardhan in 6-2, 7-5 game.

25

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime last week met with media executives and correspondents in Enugu State where he reacted to controversial issues that have beclouded running his administration. He explained reasons behind the conflict between the workers and the state government. Correspondent CHRIS OJI who was there, reports.

Why I will not pay striking workers, by Chime

W

ELL, I believe your first question was more of a suggestion; whether the state and federal governments should meet on oil subsidy. I’m sure you know the stand of governors on subsidy.

It’s not quite the spirit with which the subsidy was agreed upon that it’s been implemented. The states are complaining that the federal government or the NNPC is actually taking more than what is allowed by law, and is well beyond what a country can afford. In fact this month alone, I understand they took N100billion, NNPC; and then the PPPR something took about N131billion. Just this month we hear they have controversy over that. So as against the legally allowed amount, I think about N9billion, so it’s a statutory issue. So the federal government or the NNPC is actually going well beyond the arrangement made.

Now like you rightly said, it’s quite sad that after all these years, we’re still talking of importing petroleum. All the monies withdrawn under subsidy...if the federal government had invested it on rebuilding our refineries, I’m sure we would have had all our refineries working today. Be that as it may, is still a good suggestion and we’re still talking except that either governments or tiers of governments... I believe we’ve all agreed now, the states and the federal governments.. we’ve all agreed that subsidy should be removed. So maybe they are working out the details.

On volunteer teachers in enugu Well, it’s quite unfortunate. You notice that since we came in we’ve been employing teachers. We’ve employed young teachers.

Once we advertise, everybody that is jobless will claim to be a teacher and will go for the interview. And we employ them, send them to the villages and the following day, they are back to town. So we’ve been employing and at the end of the day, we will not see these people we employed. So it became a problem and because of that we decided to look inward; we observed that we have a lot of our retired teachers who are still strong and who are still willing to render services. And most of them are in the villages now; on their own, they are no longer interested in coming to town for any other greener pasture or whatever, so we decided to engage them; at least to ensure that they remain in the villages where they can render their services. If not there are communities...let me mention one...the communities in Udi Local Government, they call Akama- Oghe; if you don’t employ people from that community, nobody will go there.

So that is the only sure way of at least making sure that our schools have teachers. It has not stopped us... of course the recruitment of the regular ones; that one is still on. I don’t know if they’ve published the final list. We’re also employing the regular teachers at least to have a mixture of both to make sure the students get the benefit of the teachers we have.

On coal in Enugu Well, since I came in as Governor and also with my colleagues in the southeast zone, we’ve been talking about coal. Any opportunity we have with the federal government we also talk about coal and

recently, I’m sure you’re aware, the minister of power, who incidentally is from this state, has also told us that soon a 1,000 mega watts coal-powered plant would be established in Enugu. So we’re looking forward to that. The issue of mining is not within the powers of the state government; it’s a federal government matter. So we’ve been on it and because we’ve been able to encourage the investors to come and explore coal; all we do is to encourage and also help to talk to the federal authorities on the behalf of the people. But we ‘ve not given up hope. Coal certainly will be a major, major source of power at least in this part of the country.

On insecurity Then your question on insecurity; in fact, I came out a bit let for this meeting. We are taking the issue of security very seriously.

This is the ‘ember’ period. People want to make quick money to enjoy their Christ Mass, so they are intensifying their criminal activities. But I can assure you that no stone is being left unturned to take on the insecurity issue. We are doing everything possible and I’m sure, God willing, in no time we should be able to restore that peace which Enugu has been known for in recent times. We are praying now, and we are assuring you that we will have a very quiet and peaceful Christmass. That is our assurance and we are working very hard towards it.

On alleged handpicking chairmanship candidates

of

You have asked a question on my being accused of handpicking the chairmanship candidates for the local government election fixed in December. I always have problem with you my brothers and sisters in the media. When allegations are made, you take them hook, line and sinker; even when allegations are made about the house you are living in; that it has been burnt down.

Meanwhile you are in the house, and they tell you where you are staying has been burnt down, and you go and publish it. It’s quite regrettable. The process that produced our chairmanship candidates was so transparent; it was so openly done and so for anybody to allege anything, you ought to have answered him before coming here. It was done so openly and I personally went to vote for my own candidate. It happened in all the local government areas. The few local government areas we received complaints from, pledged to be obedient. It was done so openly and I cannot see what is more transparent than that. It’s not about me sitting here in Government House and

• Chime

telling you it was transparent or I did not handpick anybody. Anybody can say anything, but the process was so transparent.

We held consultations. We met ourselves.

Some people on their own withdrew from the race, others fought till the end until the lost and this is democracy and it happens everywhere in the world. No single candidate was handpicked and if any was handpicked, I would like to know who handpicked the person.

Why striking workers will not be paid There was an observation that some workers have not been fully paid for the month of September; did these workers also work fully for September? No responsible government anywhere in the world will pay you for work not done. So if you choose to go on a, especially for no reason, you are on your own. In Enugu State, the Labour leaders took the workers out on strike for no reason; they were alleging nonpayment of the minimum wage. And not minding that they were even on strike, we used the skeletal services that we had at the time and made sure we paid on the 26th as usual despite all these things. It is on record that throughout the southeast, and I made bold to say it, apart from the few who have been paying that before, may be throughout the country, Enugu State was the only state that paid minimum wage as agreed in August. We did not just stop there; we also made sure, we

‘No responsible government anywhere in the world will pay you for work not done. So if you choose to go on, especially for no reason, you are on your own. In Enugu State, the Labour leaders took the workers out on strike for no reason; they were alleging nonpayment of the minimum wage. And not minding that they were even on strike, we used the skeletal services that we had at the time and made sure we paid on the 26th as usual despite all these things’

had agreed with labour that we will have up to this month, October, to pay the arrears.

But because of what we may call windfall because of all these wars and all that; at the end of the day, we felt we still had enough money to pay the arrears. And of course, we felt there was no sense in waiting for October; we paid all the arrears in August. But what we got in return was that the national leadership of NLC, TUC and whatever names they answer; they came here and took our workers out on strike. Meanwhile these people came from states that have not paid their own minimum wage, and they all came here and you (journalists) were hailing them, workers were hailing them. So the workers went on strike for no reason. Thank God they have seen reason to go back to work. So they wasted September. The earnings we ought to have made in September; we did not get.

So we had no money to pay them. You work and you get paid. So there’s no sentiment about it, and we made it clear before they embarked on the strike. So it did not come to them as a shock. We‘ve had precedent before; they are not the first people. We begged them not to go on strike, warned them on the likely consequences but they just decided to go on strike. So if tomorrow the labour leaders ask workers to go on strike, I expect the workers to ask questions.

Why are we going on strike? It is the press that caused it. Once they do something, you people (the press) will hail them. When they came here, we tried to prevent them from holding a rally because it was quite illegal I’m the Chief Security Officer of the state and I think I have the right to stop rallies or even any gathering that will not be in the interest of the state; gathering that will cause any kind of breach of the peace. So they chose to do that and unfortunately they see themselves as heroes. So they had their way and went and addressed whoever they chose to address and the workers went on strike.

When they sneaked out of town we did not know, after causing the trouble. So it’s very unfortunate. You and I must come together to make this country what it should be; what we desire it to be.

26

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

POLITICS

Governor leads rescue mission in Yobe The Gaidam administration in Yobe State appears hell-bent on laying a solid foundation for sound governance of Yobe State. DUKU JOEL reports the daunting task before the government, especially in revamping the public service machinery. Ibrahim Gaidam on the onerous task through civil service reform.

T

HIS appears not the best of times for sycophants and and courtiers who always hand around Yobe Government House. It seems those rooting for personal gains against the collective agenda are in for hard times.

The state governor, Ibrahim Gaidam, seems to be already rising to the occasion with a vow to put a stop to the endemic vices, especially fraud in the public service arena. It was gathered however that the governor is determined to shame cynics who think that he won’t find the fight easy.

Gaidam understands the civil service in the state and he is not a stranger to the antics of public servants in terms of perpetuating fraud, minor or monumental, in public service.

From his records, he has seen it all in his public career as an accountant, director and a permanent secretary , spanning about 30 years before coming on board as the Chief Executive and invariably, the Chief Accounting Officer of the state.

He has therefore sounded a note of warning, saying: Enough is enough!

“Yobe must not only be developed on all fronts in the interests of our expectant people; it must be free from the culture of brazen corruption of the past, no matter whose ox is gored,” he insisted.

To those who are conversant with past happenings in the state, little efforts have been made by the past administrations to arrest the monster of corruption. Rather, as has been found out, alleged laxity in government financial dealings has helped a few government officials to divert the resources meant for the development of the state for private use.

In fact, observers believe governance in Yobe has been business as usual - a jamboree-like affair. Public funds have always been allegedly milked to service the materials needs of negligible members of the populace, while the greater number of people has remained regrettably poor with inadequate or worsened infrastructure.

“From 1991 to 2007 there was nothing on ground as development in the state and this is why we had to start afresh when we came in 2007; if not, we would have been talking about other developmental projects like airport and the rest,” Gaidam declared during the swearing in of 12 Special Advisers and 17 chairmen of local government caretaker committees recently.

When the governor took over as governor in January 2009, very few people gave him a chance but today, by general reckoning, he has continued to prove critics wrong. They had earlier written him off as a greenhorn and inexperienced public office holder whose tenure may be fraught with inadequacies. However, with the passage of time, Gaidam, to

many, has continued to exhibit exemplary administrative acumen and commitment to liberating the “disadvantaged” state. Gaidam has never hidden his pains over the high level of corruption that has reportedly bedeviled the state in the past years.

Shortly after his inauguration as the Executive Governor of the state in 2007, his boss, the late Gov Mamman Ali, had questioned the wage bill of the state. He was particularly piqued by the fact that the state wage bill was higher than those of some of the neighbouring states.

With dispatch, Ali embarked on a biometric assessment of all civil servants in the state, an exercise that helped the state save N200 million monthly. The amount was believed to be money that had been going into individual pockets every month. It was gathered that there were cases where unborn children of government officials and traditional title holders in the local government areas were on the payroll of the state government. Some teenagers were also alleged to have been getting whopping sums from taxpayers’ money as salaries per month.

Not a few civil servants who were found culpable in that regard. Some that had reached the retirement age, but still collecting pay from government coffers were shown the way out. But with the coming Gaidam, most of the sacked civil servants christened “missed calls” returned through the back door and expectedly, the state’s wage bill again shot up. Most of the perpetrators had mistaken the governor’s unassuming disposition for inactivity and as such, the tradition of stealing of public funds continued with reckless abandon.

However, today, the story has begun to change. Perhaps the introduction of the new minimum wage has further opened the eyes of the governor to the stark reality of the endemic graft going on under his nose.

The governor had an interview session with reporters recently in Damaturu, the state capital. It was during the labour impasse in the state.

Then, he was quoted as saying that if labour wanted full implementation of the new minimum wage, the state government would have to reduce its workforce, especially at the local government level.

From all indications, his resolve to in sanitise the state civil service from ghosts seems to be steadily gathering momentum especially after the governor re-emphasised his position over the same matter.

“Yobe state with only 17 local governments has the highest population of workforce of 46,200 at the local government level in the whole of the northern Nigeria. I think it is only in Yobe that you have a situa-

‘From 1991 to 2007 there was nothing on ground as development in the state and this is why we had to start afresh when we came in 2007; if not, we would have been talking about other developmental projects like airport and the rest’ • Gaidam

tion where even infants receive salaries. We must overhaul our local government service and I believe God will protect me in my duties of ensuring a better Yobe,” the governor maintained.

Also of serious worry to the governor was the alleged lackadaisical attitude of workers to work. But Gaidam enthused that his administration had brought value and pride to governance, which is why the state seems completely wearing a new look.

He accused top government officials of being responsible for the unlawful recruitment of people in the state, warning that those found to be involved

would be forced to refund government money and face the full wrath of the law.

Speaking with our correspondent, the state’s Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alh. Bukar Dauda, said that government had already put in place a committee to flush out all the redundant and ghost workers at the local government level.

He hinted that the Auditor General of Local Government is heading the committee with three-week ultimatum to complete all the verifications.

The commissioners also debunked the allegation that traditional rulers and emirs were responsible for the existence of ghost workers at the local gov-

ernment areas, saying that it is the politicians that are involved in such acts.

“I disagree with the rumour that it is traditional rulers and emirs that are putting ghost workers in the local governments. The problem is from our politicians and some of our big people, but very soon, we shall get to the bottom of it and our system will be completely sanitised,” Bukar Dauda informed.

The late Ali had set up a local government verification committee headed by Alh. Idi Yakubu Karasuwa, the state’s Commissioner for Water Resources, but the report of the committee never saw the light of the day according to Dauda, which is the why a new verification committee has been set up.

The Special Adviser to Gaidam on Information and Press Affairs, Abdullahi Bego, in his view, said that Gaidam is solely focused on the singular task of developing the state, saying: “The reason Gaidam is able to achieve what he has achieved so far is because he has focused attention to the onerous tasks before him, which is the business of transforming Yobe State and he is not ready to accept or tolerate distractions. He won’t accept to expend resources that belong to the people for things that are not for them.”

The opposition disagrees.

Gaidam’s opponents, especially in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) say he is merely paying lip serivce todevelopment.

At the last election, he succeeded in proving his mettle. But, now is the time to look ahead.

Would his achievements bear him out in 2015? Those whose business is opposition politics will do everything todefeat him.

But, a lot depends on what he makes of this mandate.

•Chairman of Northern governors, Alhaji Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu receiving the torch from the Ag. Executive Director of National Primary Healthcare Development Agency Dr Emmanuel Abanida, during the launch of the polio free torch campaign in the North at the Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre, Minna.

JOBS

Landslide cuts off communities

Council trains 250 youths Lagos

HONOUR

DISASTER

30

Enugu

MONDAY OCTOBER 24, 2011

Another award for Oshiomhole

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Edo

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OY is spreading across Oyo State. In each of its 33 local council areas, there is a clinic solely dedicated to the wellbeing of widows and the aged. The clinics are equipped with the appropriate medication and manned by qualified personnel. And its services are free.

In Ido, headquarters of Ido Local Government Area, the wife of the state governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi has inaugurated one such clinic. Afterwards, she moved on to other councils. In fact, Mrs Ajimobi has been touring the 33 local government areas in the state. Everywhere she went, a jubilant crowd greeted her.

On May 29, 2011 when the administration of Senator Abiola Ajimobi was inaugurated , the people were assured of many good things to come by the new government under the leadership of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Free health care was on the list of the promises.

At Ido and as early as 8am, a mammoth crowd was out to receive the visiting wife of the governor. Traditional rulers, staff of the local government, market women, politicians, social groups, craftsmen, and school children were all present.

The Caretaker Chairman of the local government, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela and his wife, Wuraola, were also there, accompanied by a large number of women gaily dressed in aso ebi, topped off with their gele headgear.

It was indeed a memorable occasion.

That the entire community came out to witness the programme attested to its relief after a long wait for a facility like the one Mrs Ajimobi came to inaugurate.

The people had long endured poverty, bad governance and poor infrastructure that characterised the past administrations. They are beginning to see the commitment and determination of the present administration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi to address the most pressing needs of the people. Such needs include health, food, and water.

But as the chairman of the local government Prof Olowofel said in his address, “the bad old days are gone for good”.

The Widows and Aged Support Programme, which is the pet project of the governor’s wife, is expected to cater for

•Mrs Florence Ajimobi cutting the tape at the inauguration of a mini-clinic for widows and the aged at Oorelope Local Government Area, Oyo State. With her are the wife of the state Deputy Governor, Mrs Janet Alake Adeyemo (middle), and Mrs Florence Odenibi, wife of Oorelope caretaker chairman.

New deal for widows, senior citizens Ajimobi’s wife inaugurates free clinic From Oseheye Okwuofu and Tayo Johson, Ibadan

both the health and financial needs of widows in all the 33 Local Government areas of the state.

In her speech, the wife of the local government boss, Mrs. Wuraola Olowofela expressed gratitude to Mrs. Ajimobi for her commitment to the welfare of the elderly

and widows.

Speaking on the clinic, Olowofela said the clinic will certainly bring relief to the people across the 10 communities that make up Ido local government. She also praised the wife of the governor for her passion to the old and widows, and assured her of the support of the people of the council.

“All we need to do always as a people is

to support the government in the campaign to make us a better people, and patiently await the dividends of democracy which we all yearn for. The state government’s effort to make things better should not be left to one or a few people alone, but should be supported and prosecuted by all and sundry,” she said.

Speaking on the occasion, Mrs Ajimobi said the essence of the visit was •Continued on Page 28

Fayemi pays compensation on acquired land

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•Governor Fayemi

KITI State government has released the sum of N14.5m to be paid to owners of land acquired by the state since 1998 for the establishment of a medium density estate. The land is situated along Ikere Road, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

Distributing cheques to owners of the acquired land, the Commissioner for Physical, Urban and Regional Planning, Hon. Kayode Olaosebikan, said Governor Kayode Fayemi is committed to making life easy for the citizenry, noting that compensation for those affected in the land acquisition was an opportunity to prove that.

By Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

The Commissioner said that compensation in respect of other acquired parcels of land would be paid as government got more funds. He added that the land along Ikere road was acquired to meet physical development of the state and the housing needs of the people.

The commissioner said further that the action was to enable low-income earners to own land and build houses of their own.

Olaosebikan equally admonished beneficiaries of the compensation to make judi-

cious use of the money.

Responding, one of the beneficiaries, Mr. Biodun Fagbuaro, thanked the government for the payment of the compensation which previous administrations failed to pay in the last 15 years.

Fagbuaro said: “I want to thank the state government for considering us deserving of attention. We have been on it for the last 15 years but we availed nothing. Some among us had started losing hope about compensation. They said if those who actually sent us away would not pay the money, it will be difficult for the government now to pay. Thank God, they were wrong,” he said.

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

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New deal for widows, senior citizens •Continued from Page 27

to appreciate the people for their unwavering support before, during and after the elections that saw her husband becoming governor, thus restoring a mandate that had been wrongfully taken away a few years before.

“As you have all played your part in entrenching true democracy in the state, I have the mandate of the governor, my loving husband to reassure you all that he still stands solidly on his agenda of restoration, transformation, and repositioning so that we can have an Oyo State that will be the pacesetter state once again, the pride and envy of all,” she said.

The wife of the governor who was elated by the support from the people of the local government beamed with a smile as she told the people that “it is indeed a new dawn because you now have an advocate who is truly consumed with passion for you.”

She recalled the unwavering commitment shown by the people during the election, adding that such dedication and firm commitment to the cause of truth, equity, and justice will be duly rewarded.

“The reward I speak about is not intended for a select few, it is for everyone,” she said. “No hand that has worked for the success of this government will go un-compensated.”

The women folk, she noted have been neglected for so long, “but now the wind of positive change has blown to our direction, and I enjoin us all to bask in this new sun of glory that has risen over our state”.

She also gave another reason for the visit which included the need to have an on-the-spot assessment of what the real needs of the people are in each area, so that she will not work on assumptions, and perhaps do the right thing at the wrong time. She also welcomed suggestions to make things work better.

Mrs Ajimobi said that wives of the council caretaker chairmen are to act as the chairpersons and oversee the day-to-day affairs of

•Mrs Florence Ajimobi presenting cash gifts to widows at Irepo Local Government Area

the clinics.

Each of the mini clinics consists of a minimum of five beds for widow patients and free medical treatments for the aged.

As the chairperson of the Oyo State Agency for the Control of Aids, she has also made provision for the treatment of the widows and aged that are affected with HIV/AIDS. Commissioning the clinic at Ibadan Southwest Local Government, Mrs Ajimobi said: “Widowhood is seen as a curse and burden and the death of their breadwinner usually translates into the death of his family. The plight of widows is thus very pitiful. Many widows and their children are kicked out of their homes, forced to live in abject poverty on the fringes of society, and are prey to abuse, violence and sexual exploitation.

“The moral, financial and mental deprivation that accompa-

nies widowhood begs for urgent attention. We should all rise to support and empower the widows in our midst. They must be given the opportunity to live again and that is why I am commissioning the clinics in all the 33 local Government areas of the state for free medical services for the widows and the aged which is to be supervised by all the wives of the council chairmen and funded by the state government.

“As the chairperson of the Oyo State Agency for the control of AIDS, I have also made provision to support those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS especially the widows and orphans as well as doing all I can to reduce drastically the spread of the disease in the state.”

The project includes provision of free medical services to all widows and aged in the council areas irrespective of their tribes

UNN students relive robbery ordeal

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OME off-campus students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka have relived their experience at the hands of robbers.

One of the attackers has, however, been caught, Newsextra learnt.

The thieves struck at the students’ Brown House quarters in the Odenigwe area of the university town.

The area mostly inhabited by students has been under robbery seige for quite a while, giving residents much concern.

Chibuzo Anukam, an occupant of one of the blocks, told Newsextra that the latest attack occurred about 12:30am last Thursday.

He said the operation began with the stealing of a neighbour’s pot of rice, and then dovetailed into a fullscale armed robbery. He said the thieves, numbering two, grew bolder after the successful rice theft and attacked a room. Anukam said one of the robbers was inside, while the second stood guard out-

By Mary Okon

side.

“The one inside ordered the room occupants to lie down and to hand over their mobile phones,” said Anukam.

“Tosin whose room was attacked, quickly grabbed his bedspread and threw it at the thief’s face. Lanre, his roommate, took him by the hand and collected his gun. When the accomplice saw this he ran away, leaving the caught thief to his devices.”

The residents were shocked to discover that the suspect was also a resident of the area, and in fact a student of the university. He was terribly beaten up before the university security personnel were alerted.

“By 5:30 am the same day the security officers who arrested him returned to inspect the suspect’s room where they reportedly recov-

ered some other items said to have been stolen from their past victims.

Among them was a pot of rice.

Another resident who confirmed the incident, said: “I wasn’t aware of the robbery until I heard some noise outside, and when I came out I found out that the culprit whom I know very well was destabilised.

It was only Tosin and Lanre that did all the beating, no other person had the courage to beat the culprit, because he is a well known person in the lodge”.

The area, Odenigwe, is known to be a dreaded area and a no-go area for females.

Residents always said they always found SIM cards littering the neighbourhood. They believe those SIM cards were removed from stolen phones.

The university security outfit is said to have paraded the arrested suspect.

and culture.

Mrs Ajimobi also donated the sum of N50,000 to each of the 330 widows selected from the 33 local government councils in the state in order for them to set up a small petty trading or investment of their own.

The beneficiaries of the financial assistance commended the governor’s wife for her kind gesture towards them and promised to make judicious use of the money.

One of the beneficiaries in Ibarapa Central Local Government, Mrs Adijatu Aliu, appreciated Mrs Ajimobi for the pet project and promised to use the money wisely to promote her trade and also send her children to school.

Mrs Aliu said: ”I am very happy today for what the First Lady is doing for us and I want this kind of program to continue so that more widows can also benefit from it. I will spend this N50,000 wisely to promote my business and send my children to school” Another widow who also benefited from the financial assistance in Iseyin Local Government, Mrs Omonigba Ezekiel was full of tears because she could not believe that any help could come from the state government for the widows.

She commended the initiator of the project for putting the wid-

ows into consideration and therefore appealed to Mrs Ajimobi to make the project a continuous exercise.

She said:” I don’t believe any help can come from the state government for the widows not to talk of collecting this high sum of money. I want to express my appreciation for Her Excellency for her unflinching support for the widows and also appeal to her to make it a continuous exercise.”

Chairpersons of the councils that benefited from the project lamented the hardship and stress being encountered by widows in the country. They, therefore, expressed their unflinching support for Mrs Ajimobi on her pet project.

The Chairperson, Ibadan North Local Government, Mrs Adenike Olatunbosun, commended the governor’s wife on the initiative to set up a clinic to provide free medical services to all widows and aged in each council, bearing in mind that the majority of them cannot afford the cost of patronising private hospitals over their ailment.

She said: “I am very happy with Her Excellency for this pet project which is to provide free medical services to all widows and aged in the 33 councils in the state as most of the widows cannot afford the cost of treatment in private hospitals.”

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MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

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ENSION pervades the riverside area of Ondo State as youths from the oil-producing Ilaje Local Government Area gave a seven-day ultimatum to Chevron Nigeria Limited, one of the oil companies operating in the state.

Their grouse was hinged on the alleged wrong allocation of oil fields to communities in the area.

The youth, under the aegis of Ilaje Coastal Oil and Gas Producing Communities Youth Congress at a news conference in Akure said some communities had been negatively affected over the allocation of oil fields in the area.

The chairman of the group, Erejuwa Jasper, said the communities operating under the Obe Confederation and AICECUM had lost at least seven oil fields.

He said the affected oil fields located in the west flank of the area are Oplo one and two, Malu, Parabey, West Isan, Rutta and Gbadudu.

Youths tackle Chevron over oil blocs From Damisi Ojo, Akure

According to him, the allocation of the oil fields to another group had made the communities to lose the royalty that should have been accruing to them.

He explained that the leadership of the two groups had met with the management of the oil company in Warri but no solution had been found to the problem.

Jasper, however, said the group

decided to issue the ultimatum in order to give the oil company enough time to effect change in the allocation of the oil fields.

He said: “The oil fields in question have not been credited to us and we are compelled to issue the 14-day ultimatum to Chevron to correct the situation. We want to take our destiny in our own hands without looking back. We have employed all peaceful means and we don’t want the situation to de-

The oil fields in question have not been credited to us and we are compelled to issue the 14-day ultimatum to Chevron to correct the situation. We want to take our destiny in our own hands without looking back

generate.”

The secretary of the group, Bright Ojubuyi also said the communities had written several letters to the organisation to improve its relationship with the communities and establish an office in the area.

He regretted that despite being

Minister wants more funds for social workers

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OR social workers to perform effectively in the country, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Zainab Maina has advocated more funds for the sector in the national budget.

Maina, who spoke in Abuja while declaring open the 12th conference

Groups call for reconstitution of new NDDC board

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HREE different groups in the coastal area of Ondo state have urged President Goodluck Jonathan to act fast in the reconstitution of new Board for Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The groups, Ese-Odo Stakeholders (ESF) Ilaje Youth

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

Vanguard (IYV) and Ilaje Justice Forum (IJF) in their separate statements said the delay in having new NDDC board members calls for serious concern.

ESF noted with displeasure the latest development whereby

We had thought that they would show remorse and appreciate the favour done by allowing them to move freely, but they had stretched their privilege too far by writing the National Assembly that their tenure is yet to lapse

some sacked board members still had the boldness to petition the senate on the right of the President to dissolve the Board.

This, it said was done without minding the gravity of indictment against them by the Presidential panel.

The statement said there was no law in Nigeria including NDDC act that violate the dissolution of the board that had already been alleged of corrupt practices.

The group through its President, Funpere Ilajufi and Public Relations Officer (PRO) called on President Jonathan to order their arrest and subsequent prosecution.

Both IYF and IJF also called for the prosecution of indicted

Rotary marks golden anniversary

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OTARY International, District 9110 Nigeria has assured of its continued humanitarian services to the society.

According to the District Governor, Mr Kennedy Ejakpomwhe, the club has turned 50 in the service to humanity in the country.

He spoke at a walk to mark the 50 years anniversary of the club in Nigeria. It was tagged Humanitarian walk.

Ejakpomwhe, represented by the District Secretary, Mr Kola Sodipo said it was necessary to publicise the activities of the club and what it would do in the nearest future to alleviate suffering of the needy in the society.

He said the club has been involved in poverty alleviation, conflict resolution, peace and eradication of poliomyelitis among other diseases.

Ejakpomwhe said it was regrettable that the country was still being threatened by polio, adding that incidences of the disease were reported in some states.

“Despite what the club and the government have done, the country is still listed among the PAIN countries – Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and Nigeria,” he added.

Past District Governor, Yomi Adewunmi said ridding the country and indeed the world of polio since 1985 was the most ambitious project the club ever undertook.

He said over two billion children were immunized against the disease, adding that the club has contributed in no small measure to charity. “IT also embarked on

•Rotarians walk to commemorate 50th anniversary in Nigeria

By Wale Adepoju

guinea worm eradication in the country as it built 300 bore holes to reduce the incidences of the disease. In 50 years, the club has facilitated the surgery of over 100 patients of hole in the heart children,” he added.

Adewunmi said the club started the Gigi Bola to provide 500 catarract patient surgery, 100 orthopaedic children with deformities artificial limbs and glaucoma patients’ surgery.

“The club was also involved in literacy programmes. It distributed exercise books to universities in the state to promote literacy and advocacy. “Over 600 beggar children had been taken to school. This was commenced by Rotary Club of Falomo, Ikoyi.

He called on corporate organization, well-meaning individuals and Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) to support the government to provide amenities because it cannot do it alone.

the fifth oil producing state in the country, Ondo State remained the only state where the organisation had no office.

He therefore advised the oil company to improve its relationship with the people and correct the allocation of the oil fields before the situation gets out of hand.

NDDC board members.

According to IYF, “this call becomes imperative when we observe that some of them are already lobbying their respective state governments for new appointments, the development that is embarrassing”.

IJF urged the president to put in place a new vibrant board without delay, stressing that the indicted members should be penalised to serve as deterrent to the in-coming board members.

“We had thought that they would show remorse and appreciate the favour done by allowing them to move freely, but they had stretched their privilege too far by writing the National Assembly that their tenure is yet to lapse” the statement stressed.

From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

of Directors of social welfare workers in the country, said the poor funding of the sector has made it difficult for the target groups of the social welfare workers to cope with.

She said the first objective of the Millennium Development Goals, which focuses on poverty eradication, can only be achieved when the Federal Government considers the plights of the older persons, destitute and the distressed families in the society.

The minister said there is a need for the review of social welfare programmes, services and evolve new strategies that would impact more directly and meaningfully on the lives of the vulnerable groups.

“It is in view of the Federal Government’s concern for the timely attainment of the MDG that the ministry has embarked on various interventionist programmes to mitigate the sufferings of the vulnerable groups in the society,” she added.

While urging welfare officers to continue to evolve sustainable strategies; implement policies and establish services in the sector, she said the ministry will evolve policies and programmes that would build and strengthen the national framework for collaboration.

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

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Amosun seeks support for education programme

O •Amosun

GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has called for support from good-spirited individuals toward the achievement of his administration’s free education programme.

Amosun solicited the support during the official opening of Olajide Awosedo Computer Centre at Molusi College, IjebuIgbo.

He said the education sector should not be left to government alone, adding that the contributions of all would ensure the delivery of qualitative and free education to

Governor scores rural programme high

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SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, has said his rural transformation agenda cannot be compared with the moribund Directorate of Foods Roads and Rural Infrastructure set up during the military administration of General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd.)

At a meeting with officials of the World Bank and representatives of the National Planning Commission at the Government House, Aregbesola cautioned the officials never to use DFFRI as a basis to examine his administration’s development plan for the rural communities.

Reacting to comparison of DFFRI with his administration’s rural development programmes, the governor said that DFFRI at inception and execution was a scam that had no interest of the people at heart.

The governor told the Joint World Bank French Development Agency Mission on Rural Access and Mobility Project that because his administration is poised to use agriculture as a catalyst for rapid transformation of the state’s economy, DFRRI cannot be a yardstick.

Osogbo From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

He said: “Don’t use DFFRI as a standard for my rural development plan. DFFRI was ill-conceived and badly implemented. It was an avenue to rip off our people. It was a scam; a disaster which left people poorer than it met them. You cannot then use such a scam to measure our own rural development plan in Osun.”

The governor also explained that it was for this determination that his government had embarked on opening up of roads that lead to vast areas of farmlands in the state, adding that with such projects, farmers would be able to transport their farm produce to ready markets in urban areas of the state.

He listed some of the farm settlements where his administration had acquired about 30,000 hectares of land for agricultural purposes as Mokore, Patara, OyereAborisade, Oke Osun, Esa –Oke and Iwo farm settlements.

Lagos seeks more funds for councils

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AGOS State government has called for more funds for its 20 local government and 37 local council development areas to enable them provide better and efficient service to the people at the grassroots.

The state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Ademorin Kuye, made the call while briefing journalists, noting that there is urgent need to reposition local governments in the country for grassroots development.

Kuye blamed the abysmal performance of the various local government councils in the country on paucity of funds, saying there is need for a defined financial formula that would guarantee their performance.

The commissioner said after so many decades of local government administration in the country , the objective of the initiative has failed to pay off because of the irregularities inherent in the system. “ Permit me to advocate for empowerment of the third tier of government to function in full capacity as contained in the abiding laws. This is because, they are the closest to the people, they know the needs of the people, and are in best position to proffer solutions to these needs,” he added.

Lagos

By Miriam Ndikanwu

He said the state government’s decision to create more local councils in the state had brought about rapid development in the state by taking development to areas that were neglected before their creation.

According to him,” Governance is about managing people’s resources to provide enabling and sustainable environment where all and sundry could attain their aspirations and aspire to self fulfillment in an atmosphere of peace and security”.

He said the perception about local government in the country has not been encouraging due to the way the councils are been funded by other higher arm of government.

“Just as it is true, that the state government performed excellently well in the provision of social amenities, the performance of the LGs / LCDAs have been shrouded , and sometimes enveloped in the public relations, coverage and publicity of programmes and events,” he added.

• From Left: Mrs. Uzoamaka Okpala, Mr. Chike Sibeudu representing Anambra State Deputy Governor, Engr. Chris Okwudili Okpala, the newly installed President Amuwo Rotary Club and immediate past president of the club, Mr. Ikechukwo Onodi during the installation ceremony at Golden Tulip Hotel, Festac, Lagos

NDO State Governor Olusegun Mimiko has said that his administration would continue to maintain a polio-free society in the state.

The governor disclosed this while flagging off this year’s immunisation campaign at the state specialist hospital in Akure.

He noted that the essence of the programme was to ensure that children between the ages of 0 and 5 are not exposed

Ogun all in the state.

The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Mr John Odubela, said that the support would also assist in the execution of the programme.

“We are looking forward to seeing more people like Awosedo in this state; it is a kind of partnership we really want.

“We are spending billions to provide instructional and educational materials for our free-education. So, this kind of gesture will always be welcome, it takes some burden away from the government.“ He, thereafter, restated the desire of his administration to make education affordable at all levels.

Also speaking, the donor of the centre, Awosedo, said that he was motivated to sponsor the project because of the unacceptable infrastructure decay of his Alma Mater, (Molusi College).

“It is a shame that infrastructure of this school is so dilapidated that what used to be our pride has gone to the worst. I must say that the education sector in the state and indeed the country has taken a run for the worst.“ He advised government at all levels to work assiduously to achieve free and qualitative education, describing it as the remedy to the menace of kidnapping and other social vices.

Oyo to rehabilitate roads Oyo

O •From left: Acting Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Ayodeji Daramola; Wife of the governor of the state, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; and Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Dayo Akinlaja, during the inauguration of a creche for the state chapter of Judiciary Staff Unin of Nigeria, in Ado-Ekiti

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Council trains 250 youths

HE CHAIRMAN, Oto-Awori Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon Kayode Robert, has disclosed that the council recently trained 250 youths in various vocational skills.

This, Robert said, was aimed at combating poverty in the area.

Aside this, the council chief said appreciable amount was expended on bursary to indigenes in higher institutions as well as develop sports

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

Lagos

towards turning the youths away from social vices.

“Maybe if I were not from here, I may not have that zeal to deliver but I know that if I don’t do it, nobody will do it,” he said.

He decried poor attitude of some politicians and career civil servants for slowing down his administration’s pace.

He said his administration has done well to improve on infrastructural development of the area, but most of the roads in the area could not be tackled by the LCDA alone.

“When we came, we were hiring graders and other equipment, but when we realised that we were spending too much, we bought the equipment and have through them been able to grade roads and make them motorable,” he stated.

He expressed satisfaction over the completion of the new secretariat.

“Many staff and executive members do not trust my ability to deliver on my promises; when I started the foundation of this office complex that has shot me ahead of my contemporaries, even political officers here in the council declared it as a white elephant project; they thought that I would abandon it mid-way but look at it today, it has made us the darling of all and sundry.”

He stated that he was moved into embarking on the project because, “Many staff and political office holders did not have offices; you know the LCDA is a new one, so I thought wise to start a foundation that would serve as a motivator for •Robert (with microphone) presenting computer sets, drums set, and school uniforms to the other indigenes unborn”.

Headmaster of Ilemba-Awori Nursery and Primary School while the Vice Chairman, Hon Olufemi Musa (middle) watches with interest

Briefly

Believe in Nigeria,group urges youths

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HE Nigerian youths have the potentials to take over the leadership of the nation given the right environment and mentorship, a group of professionals called Shape2Lead, has said.

Speaking in Lagos recently, the Coordinator of the group, Mr. Abiodun Oshinibosi, said: “It is disappointing that young people have been failed by the older generation but for a handful of role models. The older generation who have been placed in exalted leadership positions have been beclouded by selfishness through flagrant expropriation. The youths have watched Nigeria degenerate over time. They have been deprived of mentorship; those they look up to are either in jail or on there way there and oftentimes they are compelled to look beyond our shores for role models. It may seem unpatriotic, but that seems to be the solution they can proffer” Expatiating further, he said: “We are no longer dependent on government for inspiration; neither are we relying on moneybags with shady history. Those of us privileged to have seen the big picture as evangelists of the new Nigeria are

35

By Kunle Akinrinade

buoyed to refocus the sight of other youths whose vision are blurred and distorted by vainglory, immorality and corruption.”

He emphasised that the aspiration of group is to mentor the youths to be better leaders, adding that the saying that youths are leaders of tomorrow should be dropped. It has been realised that tomorrow is no longer tomorrow but today. There are youths in their 20’s and 30’s taking up key positions and with marvellous results . Most of them have been instrumental to the monumental successes of notable firms, conglomerates and even government establishments.

He said:”At Shape2Lead, we are proactive to be investing in the potentials of these youngsters now, so that Nigeria will be a major beneficiary.Nigeria is a depository of youths with capacity to be world class leaders if well tuned.

We are set to go through Nigerian institutions and challenge the sleeping giants in them. We will help them rediscover themselves and be charged to take on the reins of leadership that is set to drop on their laps. We will give them reason to believe in Nigeria. Shape2Lead will make them see that they are the leaders that Nigeria needs to realise its full potential”.

Institute hosts expert LEADMODE Resource Centre, a distance learning outfit will be playing host to a Nigerian lecturer in Accounting and Finance at the University of Leicester, Dr. Sina Yekini from October 24.

Yekini, who will be in Nigeria for a week, will be in both Lagos and Abuja office of the centre for faculty visit. The faculty visit takes place twice in a year (March and October) and it is organised by the University of Leicester alongside Leadmode Resource Centre for students in West Africa. The event provides the student the opportunity to meet with academic staff and discuss issues relating to their programme and areas of research.

Speaking on behalf of Leadmode, Miss Victoria Daudu said the objective of the programme was to promote a participatory approach to learning and to enhance the unique support system of the university, adding, “ The objective of all the sessions is to promote participatory approach to learning.”

Yekini will be in Abuja between Monday October 24 through Wednesday October 26. He is expected to arrive Lagos on Friday, October 26 through Sunday October 30, 2011.

Speaking on the importance of distance learning, Daudu said the programme allows students to be in full-time employment and still study. “Distance learning is a much more cost effective means of study than living and studying overseas, the same status and certification is obtained as if the studies were undertaken full time at overseas campus,”

YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has approved the second phase of the state’s massive road rehabilitation programme.

A statement issued in Ibadan by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo, said that 24 roads would be covered in the second phase of road rehabilitation.

It would be recalled that a total of 16 roads had earlier been rehabilitated across the state in the first phase of the programme.

Adedayo, who noted that the roads in the state before the emergence of the Ajimobi administration were horrible, said that the massive road rehabilitation was aimed at changing the face of the state and improve its economy.

He said that the projects, which would cover Ibadan, Oyo, Ogbomoso, Saki and Ibarapa zones, would be handled by both the state and local governments simultaneously.

According to Adedayo, the roads to be executed by the state government would be handled by the state Road Maintenance Agency (OYSROMA) and some contractors.

The OSTROMA, he said, had already mobilised equipment to site and had begun the initial exercise of road rehabilitation.

Consequently, he said that the Ministry of Works had been directed to call for bidding from contractors for the roads that fall in the category of those that were too massive for OSTROMA, so as to facilitate prompt execution of the projects.

The governor’s spokesman mentioned some of the roads to include Idi-Odo-Felele Straight Junction, Bere-Mapo-Idi Arere-BodeMolete Road,Amunigun-Lebanon Avenue, Bere-Oranyan-Olomi Phase I, Bere-Isale Alfa—Beiyerunka-Adeoti, Gate-Oke AduOde Aje-Aremo-Orita Aperin Junction and Eleiyele-Ijokodo Junction-Poly Junctionsango, Adelabu Shopping Complex JunctionOdo Ona Elewe Junction-Apata-ChallengeExpress, all within Ibadan metropolis.

Ondo govt tackles polio Ondo From Olorunleke Akeredolu

to killer diseases.

Mimiko, who was accompanied by his wife Olukemi and the Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adesida to immunise the children, said his administration was committed to ensuring that children under five were given the best of health facilities.

He explained that his administration would always release fund regularly to ensure that a polio-free society is maintained.

He urged nursing mothers to ensure that they immunise their children to prevent them from being attacked by killer diseases.

The wife of the state Governor, Olukemi Mimiko also appealed to mothers to ensure that

T

they spread the gospel of immunisation to their colleagues.

‘There’s hope for the mentally ill’

“W

HO is that helpless man or woman that cannot be rescued from the claws of witches and wizards? Or how big is that problem or affliction that won’t crash before the word of God and prayers?

None! The word is my weapon.”

The above was the response of activist pastor and zonal chairman, Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Odi-Ajaye, Ogba, Lagos, Dr. Olushola Ojo, when Newsextra asked him: “What power do you use to cure people of psychiatric disorders and all other evil afflictions?”

The Ilare-Ilesha, Osun State-born explained further at his residence situated near his church that is located opposite the Area ‘G’ Police Station, Ogba: “I don’t mix anything with my unalloyed faith in God. I do my prayers every three hours and God’s word has remained my power. And it is a power that will never fail anyone. God’s word is the ultimate drug; the most potent balm.”

He recalled that a time it was when was a time some branded his church, Ogba Were (home of lunatics). And others simply named it, Ijo Olomowewe because the story of barren often changes there through the power of God. “There were many who got children here after 17-year childlessness,” he said.

When asked how much he charged his ‘clients,’ Pastor Ojo replied emphatically: “I did not pay Jesus Christ a kobo; so, I don’t collect anything from them. We have been able to show people that the power of the old is still intact. We do get patients with tough mental cases from the Psychiatric Hospital, Aro in Abeokuta and they get well here.”

To reinforce the actualisation of his calling to

Firm rewards brilliant students

ENS of undergraduates from both state and federal universities in the country will remain grateful to Etisalat for rewarding hardwork.

The company, as part of its Social Corporate Responsibility (SCR), rewarded 10 students with Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA 4.55) and above from selected five universities recently . Their institutions also received the sum of N100.000.00.

The scheme was designed to award scholarships to meritorious students cutting across Electrical Electronics, Engineering, Computer Science and Business Management courses, in their second and third years of study. The criteria for selecting the awardees were academic excellence in the aforementioned courses.

The Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat, Mr Steve Evans said education is a powerful tool for economy transformation.

He said : "Education is a powerful tool for change; change that validates economic advancement of any nation. Dynamic economies that have emerged in the last thirty years have done so on the back of heavy investment in education. This has driven us to support the government in improving the education sector of this country."

Evans said students in tertiary institutions who stayed focused will bring positive impact on the community.

"Statistics have shown that students that go on to tertiary institutions and stay the course have higher productivity and better lifetime employment chance. This positively impacts on the economy as productivity and increased employment drive economic growth.

• Mimiko

By Seun Olalude

“Over 400 students have benefited from this initiative. We have received positive feedbacks from a good number of them," he said.

A prominent motivational speaker, Mr Fela Durotoye, who addressed the awardees, said the education sector of the country is sick and therefore takes people like them to heal it.

"The education system of this country needs transformation and the only people who could make it happen is you," he said.

He urged the awardees to continue to hold

Lagos

By Dada Aladelokun, Assistant Editor

give hope to the mentally deranged in the society, the Divine Healing Centre for mentally afflicted people which he started about five years ago at Ijoko, Ogun State, is being plastered through the contributions of some Good Samaritans who had seen God’s face through him.

When asked to recall how many afflicted people he had given fresh breath to, the pastor replied: “How many will I count? Are they the ones that God used me to heal here or in America, London or elsewhere where I often travel to? We would change the stories of many and even give them money. Just three weeks ago, somebody read about us in the United States and brought to me, her relation who had been tormented for long.

There is no amount they had not spent for herbalists.

The woman is getting better now, thanks to the power of prayer.

•Pastor Olusola their heads high, saying nothing is impossible if they are determined.

One of the awardees who spoke with Newsextra , Master Kolawole Ogungbeni, a 300-Level student of the Department of Project Management Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, promised to use the money to get materials beneficial to learning.

He said : "I will make sure I invest the money into my academics, especially in research. I had some personal projects that I had wanted to do but I was financially handicapped but with this money, it will help me to embark on them. I commend the effort of this company for rewarding burning of candles and stress."

• Mr Evans presenting the certificate to Master Idowu

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

CITYBEATS THE NATION

E-mail:- ynotcitybeats@gmail.com

31

How smugglers smugglers operate •A journalist’s encounter with an agent in Seme

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HE army of youths that swarm on any vehicle as they made a stop at the rusty bus stop in the town could give a first time visitor goose pimples.

They run after buses looking inside the boots to see what luggage the travellers had for them to carry for a fee. Welcome to life at the Seme border, one of the nation’s gateway and a notorious smuggling route.

This reporter, a first time visitor to the rusty town, had thought the boys are out to snatch her bag when her bus came to a stop. She had to run to a customs official on duty in one of the road-blocks who assured her of her safety.

"They are not after your bag or your money. They just want business,” he assured her. He went further: “They thought you are here to clear goods, so they want to strike a deal with you."

The official, who refused to have his name in print, added: "This place is their world, all they do is smuggling..."

After the reporter introduced herself as a research student on a visit to the area, the officer went on: "Let me tell you why smuggling as a means of livelihood cannot stop here.

“None of the youth here goes to school neither were they involved in learning any vocational skill. All they do is to help smugglers ferry their goods across the borders either on their motor bikes or one funny tricycles called Vespa. In fact to the youths and their parents, nothing comes easier than the money that flows from smuggling.

He also said: “Their parents push them out to go and make money.

That is why you see them in groups.

At the end of the day, they share the proceeds made from moving goods from one country to the entrance of the other."

Unknown to the Customs official, he has fired the curiosity of the reporter, who could hardly hide the urge to find out how these boys operate, but first, the ‘business.’

Though much activity seem to go on during the day, night time appears to be the busiest for smugglers at Seme. From about 6.00pm on Thursday till the early hours of the next day, the town was a beehive with smugglers sealing assorted transactions.

On the night watch, the reporter walked around the Seme border to discover that much more than meets the eyes goes on at the expanse of land close to the main gate of the border, where there are two building on the right and left

By Joke Kujenya

tagged ECOWAS buildings, which serves as the offices to the Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) and other security agencies.

On both sides of the buildings were expansive space where countless numbers of trucks are being loaded to the brim with various contraband goods. Youths swam around the spaces in the large numbers.

That was when the reporter hit her luck. Welcome to the world of Kenu, a dark, slim, soft-speaking young man, who make a living smuggling goods for countless patrons with his motorbike.

When he saw the reporter walking around some trucks, he called out and asked if the she needed help. The following conversation then ensued.

Kenu: Madam, wetin you want?

Reporter: I need someone to put me through. I wan begin to dey do business here.

•SEE PAGE 32

• A loaded truck at the ECOWAS area of Seme border

• Another side of the busy Seme border

NIJ students donate to Charity STUDENTS of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Ogba, Lagos , has donated food and other consumables to an IfakoIjaiye-based motherless and abandoned babies at the Tunji Adebayo Foundation.

According to Ola-Abraham Emmanuel, Co-ordinator of the event, the money for buying the items was sourced from the rag day programme, organised as one of the events marking the students’ week.

He said: “As student-journalists, we want to ensure that what we made from the rag day is spent on charity and that is why we decided to present this home with the gifts.”

The Students Affair Officer of the institution, Mrs Patricia Kalesanwo , commended the students and urged them to continue to do more for the society. “As students and the bedrock of the nation, you must always strive to improve the society,” she said.

NB Plc kicks off career counselling TO stem unemployment and reduce incidence of poor career choices, the Nigerian Breweries (NB) Plc has introduced a career counselling initiative that will kick off tomorrow, at Oregun Senior High School, Oregun. Resource persons from various fields of will address the pupils on how to make career choices that would suit their abilities and flairs, and urge them to read and take the subjects relevant to those areas seriously.

Corporate Affairs Adviser for NB Plc, Mr Yusuf Ageni, said at a briefing that the pupils would also be provided with fliers and brochures packed with useful information on their careers. He said theinitiative is tagged: “Beyond the School.”

Magazine to sensitise public on health launched Nigerians have been urged to protect their health from preventable diseases.

The Publisher of HealthMax, Mr Okunola Olabanji, gave the advice during the launch of the magazine in Lagos.

Olabanji said there is a need to create awareness on preventable diseases, adding that many people are still ignorant of their health status, even as many are unaware of prevailing ailments,” he said.

He said the magazine would provide necessary information on how people should take responsibility for their health. “We are aiming to educate and sensitise the public on what their body needs to stay healthy at all times,” he said.

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

32

CITYBEATS How smugglers operate

•Continued from page 31 Kenu: Which type, straight or clear Reporter: I don't understand. Which one be straight, which one be clear.

"It is simple, Madam," said Kenu, who calls himself the Chairman, of all 'Clear boys' at the Seme border. He communicates in poor, but slightly easily to be understood, English mixed with Pidgin English. I am a guide and I dey 'clear' the roads, with those (pointing) of my boys sitting all over the place, we dey do 'clearing' for business people.

He sat atop his motor bike as he put the reporter through tutelage on how she could become a smuggler.

He continued: "When you carry any goods and you want to enter Bene,( Republic of Benin) whether you have paid on it , there is a way to carry it across the Customs place. When you don't want it to pass the Customs, then you need somebody that knows this place well who will carry it for you. It is that person that will do everything for you from the point you bring in the goods to sell or even to buy from another country.

He will be the one to buy and sell for you while you

Group holds youth empowerment programme

By Mary Okon

will stay somewhere.

Kenu: First, what is your name? Kenu asked the reporter. He got a 'name'.

Kenu: Okay, what business do you want to start with?

Reporter: I don't know the businesses that move well, that is why I have come to find out first.

Kenu: The markets that move are ladies' jewellery, attachment, wrapper (fabrics), and others. When you buy two or three of such, no one will talk. But when you buy plenty, it becomes a problem. That is when you need people like me. Them go think say you want sell.

So, which one you want -to dey do 'duty' or carry am 'direct'.

The one wey you pay 'duty' is straight, and it takes plenty money to the customs and other officials. But 'clearance' is not as plenty as 'duty'.

Reporter: I think I want 'direct' because I don't have plenty of money. So, like how much do I need to start?

Kenu: I can ask you to start small, with about N500, 000 so you can make your profit quickly. But before we go on, take my number (exchange of numbers). Me, I am the chairman of the 'Clear boys' in this Seme

A

1. Fire and Safety Services Control Room Phone Nos: 01-7944929; 080-33235892; 080-33235890; 08023321770; 080-56374036.

know I have your number now, just give me some time to get money and think about it...

Kenu: Do you still want me to take you go 'duty' or direct?

Reporter: I beg, take me to 'direct'...

Kenu: But let me tell you first, when you bring the goods, you will handle police and customs on the Ni-

• A park in Benin

test how them go sell fast.

So, n aim be that. When then make I expect you...?"

Kenu then took the reporter on his bike to two other areas of Seme border, a little dark place where loads of bags of can't-beseen contraband goods were just about being zipped and thereafter tucked in the middle of already loaded trucks.

He spoke familiarly with some of the men at work, pointing to the reporter and they smiling knowingly.

PHOTOS: JOKE KUJENYA

Lagos begins construction of new relief camp

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NON - G o v e r n m e n t a l Organisation (NGO), Self Discovery Club International (SDCI), has organised a youth empowerment programme for Senior Secondary School students in Surulere and Mainland Local Government council Areas in Lagos. The event tagged: ‘A responsible Nigerian Youth,’ was held at the natioanl Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp Hall, Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos.

The event, which was aimed at making the students discover and maximise their potential, saw them taken through training on character, terrorism and leadership.

A speaker, Miss Titilayo Williams, spoke on the need to be responsible.She told the pupils to always allow their character to speak for them. She added that comportment is a necessary element on the road to success.

Another speaker Mr Obaba Bamidele, emphasised the need for youths to eschew terrorism.

He said: “Most youths are involved in terrorism and this only tends to destroy their career and future. Using the travails of Farouk Abdul Mutallab as an example, Bamidele urged youths to always guard against moving with bad gangs that might lead them astray in life and end up messing up their lives.

Another speaker Mr, Sunday Olugbenga, from IBM West Africa, who spoke on leadership, said youths should play important roles in the society.

border. I want you to know that whatever goods you bring, give to me, forget everything about Customs, Immigration or Police. I will handle all that. But you have to know the market that is in season... cuts in...

Reporter: Please, enlighten me properly and tell me the business in season now.

Kenu: Okay, see this side and that side, everywhere, in fact, smuggling, you Nigeria call it, 'Fayawe' (laughs).

Reporter: It is called 'fayawo', he was corrected.

Kenu: So, when you want to start, go to Balogun, buy plenty ladies' attachment, gold, wrapper and many, many; use a vehicle to bring to me, get an hotel around and stay, then, wait for me for about 24hours. I will go and sell the goods at Togo, Cotonou and Cameroun and bring your profits to you. But on each market, you must add money for the officers on the roads. And trust me, I don't dupe people. I will give you your full money. So, when do you want to start?

Reporter: Now before I go and come back another day, please take me to the places where I will be bring my business when I start. You

gerian side. When you enter Bene, to settle police and the rest, no be your business again. I take over once you enter Seme. Police no dey catch goods for Bene. Them go just say 'find me something' and you go. But the custom na im be wahala for Bene. So, you go settle them. That is why the customs dey burn turkey wey dem dey carry go enter Nigeria. But some turkey dey get 'duty' clearance. Then, when you bring some goods come, I go first

ORK has started on the construction of a new relief/opera-

tional camp in Igando, Alimosho Local Government Area of the state.

The General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Dr. Olufemi OkeOsanyintolu, disclosed this at a press conference to herald the World Disaster Reduction Day. Oke-Osanyintolu said when completed, the capacity would have the facility to accommodate over 1,500 Internal Displaced People (IDP) with facilities, which include helipad, simulation centre as well as staff quarters.

According to him, "this is in realising the early warning system, prevention/ management of disaster as well as bringing succour to the plight of victims of various disasters in the state".

He said the agency has incorporated HIV/AIDS sensitisation into its Emergency Management Plan in the state as well as Postdisaster Behavioural of victims of various disaster which will help in integrating them properly back to the society.

He said the agency has lined up several activities that would involved the participation of the grassroots to mark the world disaster reduction day.

By Miriam Ndikanwu

He explained that the recent demolition carried out at Odejobi street in IfakoIjaye Local Council Development Area and other properties sitting on drainages and canals in the State has helped to reduce the effect of incessant flooding across the state.

He added that the inauguration of the Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC) at the local government level and the School Emergency Management Committee (SEMC) has helped in disaster advocacy and emergency management in the state.

The Disaster Reduction Day, (which is the second Wednesday in October) , he said is a day set aside by the United Nations General Assembly, to celebrate the reduction of disaster across the globe. He further said the event is being celebrated in the 20 Local Governments and the 37 Council Development Areas across the state to sensitise people on various issues relating to emergency and disaster management .

He sued for the co-operation of the public in the reduction of disaster in Lagos State, urging them to always make use of the state emergency hotline 767/112 which is toll free.

2. Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Lagos Zonal Command Phone No: 080-77690200; 01-7742771 Sector Commander Phone No: 080-776909201; 01-2881304 FRSC Emergency No: 070-022553772

•A market in Benin

• A commercial motorcyclist alleged to be ferrying a trader across the border

EMERGENCY LINES 3. LASTMA Emergency Numbers: 080-75005411; 080-60152462 080-23111742; 080-29728371 080-23909364; 080-77551000 01-7904983

4. KAI Brigade Phone Nos: 080-23036632; 0805-5284914 Head office Phone Nos: 01-4703325; 01-7743026 5. Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Phone Nos: 070-55350249; 070-35068242 080-79279349; 080-63299264 070-55462708; 080-65154338

767 or email: rapidresponsesquad@yahoo.com 6. Health Services – LASAMBUS Ambulance Services Phone Nos: 01-4979844; 01-4979866; 01-4979899; 01-4979888; 01-2637853-4; 080-33057916; 080-33051918-9; 080-29000003-5.

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

33

CITYBEATS

P

FROM THE GRASSROOTS

• From right: Council Manager Mrs Olufunke Longe, Oba Shakirudeen Kuti, Hon Ipesa Balogun and his wife

Community bids farewell to council chair

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T was a day of emotional outpourings last Tuesday when staff of the Oshodi -Isolo Local Government bid farewell to council chairman, Hon Hafeez IpesaBalogun .

At the event funds were also raised for the public library built by the administration and named after the late Dr Beko Ramsome Kuti.

The occasion also afforded IpesaBalogun the opportunity to give account of his stewardship. ''I am particularly delighted because this is an avenue for me to reflect on the past and give a score card of my achievements. It is often said a journey of a thousand miles ends in a day,” he said.

Ipesa-Balogun said his administration had delivered the dividends of democracy to the council.

He said : ''We have delivered the dividends of democracy by constructing, rehabilitating and upgrading facilities in the health, education, agriculture, water resources,

By Amidu Arije

trade and industry sectors with emphasis on social infrastructures such as shopping plazas and markets, road networks, sports and youth development centres including security to name but few,'' he said.

A lecture was delivered by Prof Yemi Osinbajo, who was represented by Mrs Folusho Idunu. The lecture was entitled: Know the Local Government: Ties for sustainable development.

Osinbajo said the development of local government is a joint effort that all must engage in.

He traced the genesis of problems in local governments in Nigeria to the arbitrariness of military rule in the country.

He,therefore, called for the autonomy of the local government for efficient performance. ''We are urging the policy makers to look into the autonomy of the

local government. We are proposing a more detail functions of the local government functions.There should be a clear demarcation of roles among elected officials, a better security of tenure to protect the executives and the allocation of accounts must be examined,'' he said.

In his contribution, Hon IpesaBalogun said all hands must be on deck if the local governments must achieve the goal of being agent s of sustainable development. ''It is our hope that together our ties are stronger; together our bond is indivisible, and together our strength is composite. It is on that strength that we can build a stronger Oshodi -Isolo community, where our connecting ties are geared towards achieving a sustainable development for the welfare of our people,'' he Ipesa-Balogun said.

ANDEMONIUM broke out at Agbado Park when two commercial motorcyclists’ associations clashed over the imposition of new fines on members.

Sources disclosed that the executive members of the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACCOMORAN) clashed with those of the Motor cycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria over the hike in the price of tickets issued to riders in the area.

The Treasurer of Accredited Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria, the umbrella body for ANACOWA, Comrade Salaudeen Amoo, said trouble started when tickets that were issued to ANACOWA members by executives of ACCOMORAN which was N230 per leaflet suddenly jumped to N260 without notice. He said the hike was influenced by the state Chairman, Samson Apelogun ,popularly called All Rounder.

He said : "This development is outrageous, because we were not officially informed.”

This misunderstanding led to a hot argument between the riders who insisted that they would not pay the new price.

He said the chairmen of branches two and four of ACCOMORAN in the park, Kola and Bondu , were infuriated by the disobedience to the state chairman's directives and went to report the matter to their boss. “Hoodlums were mobilised to unleash mayhem on our members", he said.

He said three persons, Messrs Ogundare Jide, Wale Adetosoye and Afisu, who are members of ANACOWA, were battered with clubs and machetes.

The matter, according to him, was reported to Agbado Police station and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Mr Tunde Abayomi who gave a written note to take the injured members to the hospital ,ordered his men to arrest the suspects.

Commercial cyclists clash in Agbado

•Wale Stories by Oziegbe Okoeki

"However, to our surprise, the two arrested suspects, Kola and Bondu were released on bail and are roaming the park freely, and we don't know why,” Amoo said.

When the DPO was contacted, he said investigation was on to know the actual cause of the crisis ,adding that the suspects would be rearrested if they are found culpable.

However, Comrade Ade Ikuesan,the National Chairman of ANACOWA, said one of the victims has been confirmed blind by doctors. This, he said, was as a result of the deep cut on his neck which has affected the inner vein.

Ikuesan has, therefore, appealed to the state government to intervene in the matter to avert further bloodshed. He said : "We want justice to be done on this matter. We are ready to resist any attempt by anyone who wants to sweep the matter under the carpet. We want the suspects to be charged to court," he said.

Assembly commends Fashola EMBERS of the Lagos over estates State House of Assembly

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have commended Governor Babatunde Fashola for his decision to rename Igbogbo Housing Estate and Ojokoro Housing Estate Scheme II, after two of their late colleagues.

Fashola in a letter last week , read by the Acting Clerk of the House, Ganiu Abiru, disclosed the plan by the executive arm to rename the estates after Rotimi Shotomiwa who died during the sixth Assembly and Olaitan Mustapha of the fifth Assembly.

Fashola said the Igbogbo Housing Estate will be renamed after Shotomiwa, who represented Ikorodu Constituency, while

OjokoroHousing Estate Scheme II, will be renamed after Mustapha who represented Ifako-Ijaiye.

Members noted that Fashola's decision was a welcome development, adding that the gesture would further strengthen the relationship between the legislative and executive arms.

In his contribution, Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji, said: "With this kind gesture, we will continue to perform our oversight function. We commend our governor for his magnanimity and sensitivity over the plight of the people.”

•Yishawu (middle) with some of the graduates

Lawmaker empowers constituents

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O fewer than 100 indigenes of Eti-Osa have benefitted from the vocational skills training scheme sponsored by their representative at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu. This is the second of such training by the lawmaker.

Yishawu also presented tools and equipment to the best three graduates in the various vocations. The graduands were trained in computer studies, hairdressing, tailoring, catering and bead making at Obalende.

Items given to the best three in

each vocation include sewing machines, dryers, cookers, computer sets, cash gifts etc.

According to Yishawu, the programme is to empower people to make them self-employed and to complement the efforts of the state government in equipping youths with skills. He thanked all philanthropists who supported him in executing the programme.

Yishawu, who is a first timer at the Assembly, said his motivation for the project comes from his party, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), which has as one of its three major core values "promo-

tion of private enterprise for people to empower themselves and be self sustaining.

He said: “If you want to empower people give them knowledge, train them, then empower them to stand on their own and from there they can grow and the bank can come in to assist them. And if you train one person you are training a whole If you family, because he want to can employ two or three people,” empower people, Gbolahan said.

He advised the give them graduates to make knowledge

good use of what they have learnt and see how they can make ends meet through it.

The lawmaker also commissioned a borehole he constructed for CVU compound in Obalende, now being used by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

While commending him for the gesture, Chairman of Ikoyi / Obalende Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Adewale Razaq Adeniji, encouraged the graduates to make use of the materials given to them to better their lives.

He promised that the programme, which started about three years ago, will continue to run as long as ACN remains the party in Lagos State.

Speaking on behalf of her fellow graduates, Rafiat Doherty, who studied Computer Studies, thanked Yishawu for sponsoring and equipping them with the skills. She also promised to open up a business centre and start a printing business with the knowledge she has acquired.

Also thanking Gbolahan for the borehole, a resident at CVU, Madam Felicia Udoeshiet, said for many years they had no water in the area and that the borehole was a big relief to all of them.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

34

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “I believe that the main reason for Nigeria’s underdevelopment is that our political leadership over the years has failed to find ways to give the country the country the full benefit of its indisputable rich human resources.”

CITYBEATS

Chief Emeka Anyaoku ,speaking at the launch of a book, Profiles in Leadership: Spotlighting Nigeria’s outstanding People and Professions since 1900, in Lagos.

• A cracked portion of the Otto bridge

•The No Road sign on the bridge

PHOTOS: TOLUWANI ENIOLA

71-year-old bridge faces imminent collapse

I

T was built for the convenience of commuters, but it has turned to be a death trap following cracks on its joints.

The Otto pedestrian bridge in Ebutte-Meta, Lagos begs for immediate attention as commuters have expressed fear that the facility may collapse due to its bad state. The bridge is located beside the rail line, some few metrs from Iddo Bus stop.

Some pedestrians, who spoke with CityBeats appealed to the Lagos State Government to demolish the foot bridge and replace it with a modern one to avert the impending disaster.

When CityBeats visited the area, although the bridge has been barricaded with woods to prevent people from using it, some still make

By Toluwani Eniola

use of its steps to cross the rail line to the main road.

Right beside the barricade with the inscription, 'NO ROAD', a beggar sat pleading for alms. Some traders also displayed their wares under the bridge.

Road users had blamed the cracks on the bridge on structural failure as some of the expansion joints had started caving in. They said the crack on its surface has expanded because of the frequent movement of train on the rail line beside the bridge.

A resident of the area, Akinlade Taofeek said whenever the train passes through the area, the bridge used to shake as if it would fall off any moment. Taofeek said efforts to notify the government has yielded

no result.

He said: "The Otto bridge serves passers-by in Iddo and those close to the Police Barracks, Lagos. It has been built since 1940.You can imagine how old it is.It can collapse any time. It is a very imminent danger.

It should be rebuilt. The government

‘

should not wait for this bridge to collapse before it intervenes. I have sent an e-mail to the state government, Lagos State Emergency Management Authority and even the Commissioner for Works , using the address which they published but we haven't got any response.

The Otto bridge is a dilemma.

We have complained to the local government, Ministry of the Environment and Works. The bridge is weak as it was built over 71 years ago. As you can see, it can collapse anytime from now

Nigerians urged on family, moral values

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IGERIANS have been urged to imbibe family and moral values to have peaceful homes.

According to former Chief Judge, Federal High Court, Justice Rose Ukeje, the core family values are still there to check excesses of man so that he can do the right thing.

Justice Ukeje said this in a paper she delivered at the Rotary International, District 9110, Nigeria Vocational Service Seminar. It was entitled: Putting your house and business in order, and by extension, keeping your business in order.

She said it is only a giving man that can keep his house in order because he has a responsibility to the family, society and the country.

"Men who intend to keep their house should be caring, loving and transparent. They should also be honest, devoted, tolerant and peaceful , among other qualities,” she said.

Justice Ukeje said those who want to keep their house in order should give their all, adding that the orderly house exhibits life, peace, harmony, love and understanding.

Others are positive thinking, hope and faith, knowledge and commit-

’

A community leader in Otto, Comrade Musbau Agbodemu, said the bridge was barricaded following meetings the community leaders had three years ago to save lives due to the failure of the government to intervene.

He said: "The Otto bridge is a dilemma. We have complained to the local government, Ministry of the Environment and Works. The bridge is weak as it was built over 71 years ago. As you can see, it can collapse anytime from now. It is an accident waiting to happen. The government should live up to its responsibility. If it can't build another one, it should demolish it to allay the fears of people."

By Wale Adepoju

ment.

She said: "It is a pity that men often believe that they have more experience which may be false. One can always learn from other people's experience."

A former Deputy ViceChancellor,University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof Isaac Adalemo berated the government for its largerthan-life attributes, adding that this is wrong.

"The government should be responsive to its duties. They are there to defend the interest of the masses. They need to understand their responsibilities," he said.

Adalemo , who delivered a paper entitled Good governance and accountability as imperatives, quoted Eccelasiastes Chapter 8, Verse 9 decrying man’s inhumanity to man.

He said: "If those in government become too powerful and domineering, the court of law is there to ensure that the masses seek redress.

The civil society organisations are doing that already and they should be supported."

The Dean, College of Arts, Social and Management Sciences, Caleb University, Imota, Lagos, Prof

•From left Adalemo, Justice Ukeje and Adegbite at the event.

Olukunle Iyanda, represented by Mr Adesina Adegbite, said the event provided participants the platform to know about professional ethics and the need to respect the ideals of service.

He said people's service should be to humanity, saying that they

should use their good office for the good of humanity.

"Most of our leaders use their position to siphon from the state treasury but they are supposed to offer selfless service to the community, which put them in government.

There is nothing that a leader does

that doesn't have impact on the society whether good or bad," he said.

He urged the leaders to be true servants of the people because they were put in government to serve them well. They should do what is just for the development of the people, Iyanda added.

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THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

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Landslide cuts off 20 communities

N

O fewer than 20 communities in Awgu and Oji-River Local Government areas of Enugu State have been cut-off from its neighbours following a major landslide which sank a good portion of the Awgu/Achi/Oji-River federal road.

The landslide which collapsed the road at Egu-Agbo Ifitte Mmaku end reportedly happened last Friday after a heavy rainfall.

As a result of the disaster the road which is under rehabilitation after it was awarded last year as a constituency project of Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, has been rendered impassable, crippling movement and economic activities in the area.

Mrs. Nwamaka Ekwe a farmer from the area likened what happened to an earthquake; “the thing is just like an earthquake and it is very risky for anyone to attempt passing there. We have not been going to market because the road has been cut into two.”

She called for urgent government intervention expressing fears that the situation may worsen if nothing is done fast.

Also reacting to the disaster, Mr. Sunday Chukwuobasi, a commercial motorcycle (Okada) rider from Mmaku said; “we are not happy about what happened to our road.

For long the people in government have been promising to construct a new road for us but nothing has happened all

P

LATEAU State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr Yiljap Abraham, has assured that Jos, the capital, would regain its lost peace, transquility and glory, urging residents to cooperate with Jang Administration in its bid to forge harmony among the people.

However, a social critic, Bashir Mohammed, pointed out that, only justice, equity and fair play could guarantee peace and security in the crisis-ridden city. He said the commissioner only premised his expectation on hope and optimism.

Addressing reporters shortly after a Security Council meeting in Jos, Abraham explained that

From Chris Oji, Enugu

these years until the recent intervention by the deputy senate president.”

He called on the government to come to the aide of the people and alleviate their suffering as a result of the disaster.

Ogbu Sunday a civil servant said the disaster is affecting the people seriously; “since the day this thing happened nobody could pass through here. Movement has been hampered and the rural women are suffering because they cannot go to the market.

“Last Oye market, which was a day after this happened, so many people cried at the market because there was no way to transfer goods to the market.

He appealed for urgent government intervention to save the people from further agony and frustration; “government should come and assist the people here because we are suffering; can you imagine that someone who wants to go to Onitsha or Oji-River has to go all the way through Enugu while this is the shortest route.”

Mr. Ferdinand Ebo a driver from Achi, Oji-River Local government area’ said; “this road is not good and the contractors working on it started from the Oji-River end and have not done much especially in this area.

“With what has happened we have no alternative route now go-

•Scene of the landslide along Awgu-Oji River Local Government Areas in Enugu State ing to Achi from Awgu. What happens is that when we get here I drop my passengers and they look for a way to cross because this is now the end of the road.

“That is what we have been doing since Friday last week and we are waiting for government to come and save us this untold hardship.”

Hon. Ifeji Emmanuel from Mgbidi town noted that more than 20 communities and three local government areas are affected by the disaster.

He named some of the communities to include, Obeagu, Nenwenta, Nkwe, Awgu-nta, Achi, Mgbidi, Oji, Ezere, Awgu Nta, Mmaku, Oji-River; even people

going to Onitsha are cut off because there is no way a vehicle can pass through that road now.

“So we are begging government they should come as a matter of urgency; what has happened here is a big disaster and it requires immediate response from government.”

How peace can return to Jos, says social critic

By Emmanuel Oladesu

the peace recorded in the state recently followed a purposeful dialogue with the various stakeholders in the state. He further attributed the peaceful atmosphere to the new understanding between the security agencies and non-governmental organisations to which dialogue had been opened.

Abraham said: “Winning peace requires sustenance of dialogue at all levels by community, religious, youth and women leaders as well as non-govern-

mental organisations.”

But Mohammed told reporters in Lagos that the only condition for peace is justice, urging Governor Jonah Jang to promote an atmosphere that encourages justice in the city. He said: “If what Plateau desires is peace and not just a crisis-free society, which itself is a composite of justice, then, what the stakeholders- government inclusive must strive towards achieving is justice.

“Since it is also commonsense that what has evidently manifest in the Jos crisis is the absence of justice for a peaceful co-existence

•From left: Mr. Fola Amure, Ondo State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) chairman, his daughter Omobolanle, his wife Mrs. Taiwo Amure (first, from right) and Omobolanle’s sibling during her Call to the Nigerian Bar

of the people, any attempt to sweep the crux of the crisis underfoot and aim straight at offering any face-saving solution would boomerang- the result of which would be dastardly”.

Mohammed recalled that violence broke out in Jos in 1994 when indigenes protested the appointment of a settler as chairman for Jos North local government, noting that the protest led to the death of many indigenes and settlers.

He added: “In 1997, there was another crisis over a disputed farmland in Gero, near Bukuru, that also claimed its casualties.

In 2001, September 7 to be precise, there was another round of mayhem and wanton killings of innocent people who only went about their daily lives before they got caught in the crossfire.

“Three years ago, November 2008, came a sophisticated but frightening twist to the crisis on the Plateau. That year experienced the introduction of bombs and explosives, resulting in the massacres in Dogon na Huwa and Kuru Karama. Today, Angwan Rogo is a no-go-area for Christians even as Jenta Mangoro is for the Muslim Hausa/Fulani living in the state.

“However, the killing, on September 3, 2011 of a family of eight including the husband, wife and six children by unknown assailants was the height of it. As if that was not enough, the following weekend, no fewer than 14 persons, including a pregnant woman, were killed in another planned attack on innocent people.

“Given this orgy of violence, Jos and indeed, the entire state of Plateau, had changed identity from a tranquil city- a cosmopolitan town where everyone, both Nigerians and non-Nigerians alike usually visited for different

reasons to a ghost town, now avoided like a plague because of the killing spree by a mindless few”.

The social commentator lamented that, instead of fostering justice in the state, the federal government created a state of emergence, which failed to make the city a sagfe haven.

He said: It is disappointing that both the federal and the state governments have at different times established judicial commissions and administrative panels of enquiry to investigate the many crises and yet, nothing has come out from them.

“Much as we have heard of reports indicting some people, these reports have also be treated as classified- sort of, thereby complicating the Plateau situation and further emboldening the perpetrators of these heinous crimes. Thus, Nigerians desire to know: what are the findings of these panels as well as their recommendations and what government intends to do with the reports?

“Otherwise, the simplest interpretation of such silence may mean a complicit act from those whose job it is to protect the lives and property of the people or a clear case of indifference on the part of the authorities or at the very least, an outright ignorance of what the job entails.

“That people die nearly every day and every other person moves on undisturbed is fast becoming a way of life in this part of the country and which of course, puts the nation in the category of those primitive countries that do not place premium on the lives of their citizenry. The common implication of this, however, is that those who kill for pleasure would be encouraged to do more of such and the country would be worse for it”.

THE NATION

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MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

•Participants at the event T was a gathering of engineers and a re-union of a sort for most of the alumni of Lagos State University (LASU) as the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) organised a re-union event. The programme was conceived to bring Muslim alumni together to practise Islam in their post-university lives.

The event, LASUMEGA Day marked the maiden edition of the Lagos State University Muslim Engineering Graduates’ Association.

LASUMEGA is an Islamic organisation made up of all Muslim holders of official Certificate in Engineering of the Lagos State University. It is an offspring of Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN). Just as MSSN serves to guide students in the way of Allah while they are on campus, the engineering students came up with LASUMEGA which will serve as a re-uniting point for all Muslim graduates of engineering, even as it aims at contributing to personal, religious and community development among members in particular and the populace in general.

The chairman of the occasion, Mr. Fadhlullah Agbaje, Manager MTN focused his opening speech on the theme of the day “Unity: Virtues and Values.”

He said unity is one of the greatest factors for unity, even as he enjoined all to imbibe the virtue of unity.

“Unity is an obligatory act that must be fulfilled among Muslims. I

I

LASU Muslim alumni re-unite

By Osas Robert

thank members of MSSN for taking the pains to unite the hearts of all Muslim alumni even when they

have gone far in their post-university lives. I urge you all to adhere to the adage which says you can break a broom stick but you can not break a bunch of broom sticks and get united,” he said.

Muslims should no longer live on past glory as world’s astrologists and philosophers. This group should be moved with innovation and creativity. Engineers and Scientists make the world go round. You should use your engineering knowledge to make Islam proud

One of the guests, Alhaji Mumuni Alao, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Complete Communications Limited advised the members on how to make LASUMEGA succeed.

“Muslims should no longer live on past glory as world’s astrologists and philosophers. This group should be moved with innovation and creativity. Engineers and Scientists make the world go round. You should use your engineering knowledge to make Islam proud,” he said.

A Senior Lecturer at the Lagos State University Dr. Isiak Ogunwande, in a keynote address, emphasised the essence of unity. “With all the wars in the world, the first and second world wars and now, the America war, Muslims must rally round and

embrace unity. Electrovalence bond which is the strongest bond in chemistry should be the bond binding all Muslim Alumnus”. He urged all not to let the essence of the association die but to be helpers to all in their various fields.

The general secretary/chairman, planning committee, Ibrahim Bakare said LASUMEGA is a mega event for mega people of the Faculty of Engineering graduates, Epe campus. He further said the association is a bridge the Muslim students can use to improve themselves academically.

“The alumnus is to serve as a source of motivation to Muslim students as books can be borrowed from the alumnus,” he said.

The event was aimed at bringing together old members of the Engineering Muslim alumni and to promote mutual understanding and brotherhood.

Monarch calls for mutual understanding

I

N order to sustain peaceful co-existence among the various ethnic nationalities in the country, His Royal Highness (HRH), Eze Samuel Ohiri has called for mutual undersstanding among the ethnic groups as a panacea to enduring peace and stability.

From Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

Eze Ohiri, who is the Chairman, Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers said this when Alhaji Shehu Hashimi II, the Emir of Damaturu in Yobe State

•Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Mrs Idiat Adebule (middle) joined by former Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande; his wife, Abimbola; Akran of Badagry, Aholu Menu Toyi I (right); Alara of Ilara, Oba Akeem Adesanya (second right) and Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Olutoyin Ayinde (left) cutting the tape to declare open workshop during the World Habitat Day at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja.

PHOTO: TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

paid him a courtesy/solidarity visit with senior officers of his Emirate Council in his palace at Obi Orodo Autonomous Community in Mbaitoli Local Government Area.

The royal father who expressed his gratitude to Ahaji Hashimi 11for the visit and solidarity noted that the state has a lot in common with Yobe State as well as the Emirate Council and prayed for the need of sustenance in the overall interest of the country.

The Emir, who is the great grandson of Alamin El-kanemi of the ancient Bornu Kingdom expressed gratitude for the warm reception and hospitality accorded to him and his entourage.

Emir Hashimi II disclosed that he has been an age-long friend of Governor Okorocha who he described as a visionary, patriotic and philanthropic leader.

The first-class traditional ruler said that he was motivated into visiting the state by the urge to ensure the sustainability of the brotherly love despite the distinct ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

He pointed out the need in sustaining the respect and dignity being accorded traditional institutions.

The special guest and his entourage were later received by the Governor and some members of his Executive at the Government House.

Some eminent traditional rulers who graced the occasion were HRH, Eze Chidume Okoro, HRH, Eze Emmanuel Okeke and HRH, Eze Matthew Onweni, the State Deputy Chairmen of the Traditional Rulers Council representing Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe Senatorial Zones respectively.

In a related development, Eze Ohiri has charged the Area Information Officers to live up to expectations as they have vital roles to play in the forthcoming Ozuruimo Cultural Festival.

Eze Ohiri, who is the Chairman of the 2011 Ozuruimo Cultural Fiesta Central Planning Committee made the call at a crucial meeting with the 27 Information Officers drawn from the 27 local government areas of the state at the Conference Room of the State Traditional Rulers Secretariat.

The royal father re-emphasised that the cultural extravaganza is a serious unifying factor, even as he stressed that culture and tradition are historical heritage and identity which are tailored towards exalting God’s work and protection.

He pointed out the need for this year Ozuruimo Cultural Festival to be unique and therefore deserves publicity hype, insisting that the Area Information Officers are veritable tools in reaching the various rural communities.

The Chairman also reminded them of the need to liaise with their Council Chairmen and Community Speakers to ensure that they organised a competitive but successful MiniOzuruimo cultural festival in their council areas before the end of October. He noted that the best will be selected for the state fiesta scheduled for next month.

Eze Ohiri urged them to prepare their work plans for the MiniOzuruimo and passionately advised on the need for the Council Chairmen to set up committees for their various council areas’ Mini-Ozuruimo Cultural Carnival.

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

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The masses do not expect a national dinner table where everybody will be invited to come and eat. But they at least expect that government will provide some basic welfare of life

Another award for Oshiomhole

“G

OVERNANCE is about impacting on the welafare of the people”.

Those were the words with which Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole received his latest award in Lagos.

Oshiomhole was given the Nigeria Social Enterprise Report and Award (The SERAsNigeria CSR 2011 Awards) for his achievements in education, healthcare and infrastructure development, which are the priority areas of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The governor spoke further: “I’m humbled that our modest contribution in Edo is being appreciated. We need to understand that governance is about the people’s welfare.

“The masses do not expect a national dinner table where everybody will be invited to come and eat. But they at least expect that government will provide some basic welfare of life.”

The SERAs-Nigeria CSR Award is Oshiomhole’s fourth in about three months, making him one of the most frequently honoured governors in the country. He had earlier bagged the Leadership Newspaper’s ‘Governor of the Year’ award.

The newspaper singled him out for honour based on his leadership style and impact as governor.

Also, the Nigerian Union of Teachers’ (NUT) gave him the Best Governor’s Award for his outstanding contributions to the development of education and commitment to teachers’ welfare.

He has also won the Etsako Club 81 award of excellence, presented to him at its 30th anniversary which also held in Lagos.

Within the space of two years and 11 months in office, the Comrade Governor has proved to the world that Edo state can work, and that even at home, a prophet is not without honour.

At the Etsako Club 81 event, he said, “this honour has shown that a prophet can be honoured by his own people. In 2003, I was given an award obviously for causing so much trouble for the government of the day and I told my wife (the late Clara) that should I overdo it and get arrested, tell them the people encouraged me to do so and I’m being awarded by that.

“I am humbled at our modest contributions to development of Edo State including Etsako land. That prophets are not appreciated at home is no longer true. I like to dedi-

•Governor Adams Oshiomhole receiving the SERA award from Director General, Nigeria Standards Organisation, Dr Joseph Odumodu during the presentation in Lagos

By Toluwani Eniola

cate this award to my late wife whose support is unquantifiable. I like to remember her on this occasion for her commitment and encouragement.

“I also want to dedicate this award to the very ordinary people, men and women across the three senatorial districts because they voted for me not on the account of my place of birth but because of my antecedents at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

“Many people emphasise the infrastructural developments in the state by this administration but for me, the most achievement is the restoration of the peoples’ confidence that only them alone can entrench genuine democracy; One Man, One Vote.

And that the son of a cassava farmer can rise to become anything that God has destined

him to be.

“My story in government is that only God can determine the life and success of a man, not any godfather. When a society runs a system where only one man decides if vacancy exists or not, that society cannot grow.

“Development cannot occur by miracle but in the realm of entrenching One man, One Vote. Without the fear of the electorate, good governance is impossible”.

The Leadership Newspapaer Award ceremony which took place at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja also witnessed the presentation of an award to former Head of State, General Muhammed Buhari as the Politician of the Year 2010.

Ambassador Shehu Mallami presented the Governor of the year 2010 Award to Oshiomhole on behalf of the Leadership Newspaper Group.

Presenting a paper entitled “2011 Elections; A post mortem”, the governor took the audience through the nation’s democratic journey since 1999, insisted that only

credible polls can guarantee the future of the country.

While acknowledging that the 2011 elections were not perfect, Comrade Oshiomhole submitted that the exercise recorded a substantial improvement over that of 2007. To sustain democracy, he posited that key players must be mindful of their utterances, while there is need for overhauling of the Independent National Electoral Commission to make it a truly unbiased umpire.

At the NUT awards, Oshiomhole had two other governors for company. While he bagged the Best Governor’s award for his outstanding contributions to the development of education and his commitment to teachers’ welfare, Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State and Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State got the NUT honour for their contributions to the welfare of teachers.

Reeling out the gains of his administration on school transformation, which has now led to an exodus from private to public schools, now over-subscribed, Oshiomhole said, “We are restoring confidence in public schools, providing water, healthcare and rural electrification as part of the process of uplifting the welfare of our people”.

Delta to establish 10 factories

T

•From left: Semoore Badejo, CEO, Concrete Communitaion Ltd, Franchise owners of Vending Foot Massager for the African Market, Christian Bedzra Okumo; Bernard Riis Tano; Development Officers for the Ghanaian market and Yemi Ogunseye, Managing Director of Ariel Diversified Services after a sales briefing at Continental Plaza Hotel, Accra, Ghana

HE Delta State Government says it will establish 10 processing industries next year.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan who made this announcement in Asaba said the industries will include a tomato processing plant in Igbodo, Ika North East L.G.A. and a fish processing plant at Epkan, Uvwie L.G.A. He stated that while the three point agenda of his administration has the overall objective of enhancing economic development, the processing industries are to encourage mechanized farming and make farming attractive to youths.

He urged citizens to farm in every available land in their compounds, adding that “if you feed

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

yourself, you feed the nation and you reduce hunger. To reduce hunger and violence, let us farm”.

Uduaghan pointed out that Delta State cannot rely on revenue from oil, stressing that agricultural sector will continue to receive attention from government.

Uduaghan said government was partnering with large commercial private farms to boost food production in the State.

He praised the impact of the world bank assisted FADAMA 111 project in the State, urging farmers to form cooperative bodies to in order to access funds from the agency.

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

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THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

SLIDING TACKLE

Monday, October 24, 2011

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Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson describing the 1-6 defeat to Manchester City as the worst result ever, in the history of the English club.

Fergie fumes: It’s the worst result in my history

•Mario Balotelli celebrates with teammates after scoring against Man Utd

•Ramos

OTHER SPORT...OTHER SPORT...OTHER SPORT...OTHER SPORT...OTHER SPORT...

Simoncelli dies after horrific crash • Iniesta • Gebrselassie

• Simoncelli

New Zealand wins rugby World Cup

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

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THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

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THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

DISCOURSE

Education and the post-colonial subject: towards the epistemology of transformation A keynote address at the 29th Annual Conference of Philosophy of Education Association of Nigeria (PEAN) at the Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos State, on October 12, 2011.

•Continued from last Friday

‘The crisis of Africa is not just political, economic or spiritual, it is also an epistemological crisis. An epistemological crisis is a foundational crisis because every other crisis flows from it.

It is a crisis of cognition and perception. An epistemological crisis is a crisis of diagnostic inexactitude. You cannot diagnose or cure what you don’t know.’

I

F the 20th century was short, the 21st century promises to be even shorter. It took about 14 years and the murder of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo for a major armed conflict to rear its head in the last century. On the other hand, the 21st century opened almost literally with a bang in what has come to be known as the 9/11 debacle.

The fearsome onslaught, moreso because it took place on American soil and targeted the symbols of its military and economic supremacy, was a particularly traumatic experience for a country long accustomed to having its way and will prevail. A decade after, America appears to be still in shock, its confidence severely shaken and its optimism jolted.

In the aftermath, America went after its perceived enemies with fury and vengeance. First, the Talibans were dislodged from their Kabul redoubt. Next, Saddam Hussein was toppled in Baghdad after a brisk and truly ferocious military operation, which showcased and highlighted American might for all to see. The deposed tyrant was hunted down, captured and eventually executed. In the same vein, after a decade-long man hunt, Osama Bin Laden, the mastermind of the 9/11 tragedy, was trailed to a compound in Pakistan and summarily dispatched in the ensuing firefight.

Elsewhere in the world events have been moving at a similarly breakneck speed. In July, 2005, Britain experienced its own version of 9/11 as Islamic militants struck at the heart of Metropolitan London with dire consequences. After over 300 years of existence, America also elected its first black president. This year alone, in what has come to be known as the Arab spring , a major political earthquake has seen off decades old military cum civilian autocracies in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya with many Arab tyrants on the brink. Finally, in what must rank as one of the most momentous scientific breakthroughs of all time, man first made man.

These momentous developments point in the direction in which the world is moving and at a galloping pace too. But whether it is the short 20th century or the shorter 21st, the cruel fact remains that Africa has been excluded from the world historical process except as a passive victim of history. Beginning with the internationalisation of slavery when Africans were first sold into slavery and herded to plantations abroad to toil in the most inhuman of conditions, the past 600 years have been a consuming tragedy for the continent. Never in the history of humanity has a race been so politically, economically, spiritually and intellectually subjugated.

With its destiny aborted, its culture distorted and its memory suborned, the African has been rendered technically an un-person or a non-entity if you like. This is why despite flag independence and the formal decoupling from our colonial masters, the situation in many African countries remains one of extreme desperation and hopelessness. The crisis of Africa is not just political, economic or spiritual, it is also an epistemological crisis. An epistemological crisis is a foundational crisis because every other crisis flows from it. It is a crisis of cognition and perception. An

•Prof. Williams

By Adebayo Williams epistemological crisis is a crisis of diagnostic inexactitude. You cannot diagnose or cure what you don’t know. Let us use just one example which points at the immensity and magnitude of the crisis.

If we say that most of Africa is a collection of failed states, we are actually using a term or concept borrowed from elsewhere and imposed on the African condition through the global imperialism of knowledge. This is an attempt by the west to salve its conscience and to absolve it of its historic complicity in the consuming tragedy that is postcolonial Africa.

This crisis of altered reality and altered perception which is a function of post-empire colonisation has continued with the mis-education of a substantial portion of African intellectual elite in the academic sanctuaries of western knowledge production. Intellectual slavery is often worse than physical enslavement. It is to the origins of this that we must now turn.

Origins of the epistemological crisis When the Portuguese adventurers first reached the shores of the old African Kongo kingdom around present day Angola in the middle of the 15th century, they met a traditional society far superior in its intricate social network to the one they had left at home. They loitered around a bit hoping to encounter the mighty army that provided the necessary military muscle for this mighty empire.

Alas, the African emperor had no clothes on. There was no army as such to speak about. Within a few

years, the invaders had smashed the empire and in the next 150 years, the inhabitants were captured and herded into slavery in the new colony of Brazil through the slave port of Luanda. As colonisation unfolded in all its manic fury, the old empire eventually succumbed to three different types of colonial rationalisation with the Portuguese in Angola, the French on one bank of the Congo River and the Belgians on the other.

The greatest problem facing the Black race collectively and as people sequestered within strange and alienating nation-states is how to reconstitute and reconstruct the colonial subject. When Basil Davidson, the great historian, suggested in his path-breaking book, The Blackman’s Burden, that the problem of the black person stems from the imposition of the alien paradigm of nation-state on the old institutions and durable political structures, many people accused him of undue glorification of a lamentable past and of intellectual exaggeration.

Davidson might have overstated a good case. But there can be no doubt that colonisation represents a radical rupture and a violent severance of the African from his past.

It is a profound irony that many leading European radical thinkers endorsed the depredations of colonisation on the ground that it was a painful but necessary working out of historical contradictions.

Marx was particularly withering and devastating. As far as he was concerned, because these ancient societies were shot through with idle superstitions and “rural idiocies”, they would not be missed. As for Georg Lukacs, the great Hungarian aesthetician, these ancient societies were akin to a colony of ants headed in the wrong

direction and had to be dragged back to mainstream civilisation.

The psychical damage of colonialism may even be greater than the political damage. Slavery and enslavement have always been part of the human condition. Some rudimentary forms of colonisation have existed in history. But western colonisation represents the first intellectual and systematic attempt in history to subject a whole race to the project of inferiorisation in the guise of the so called civilising mission. Several generations of Africans have had to unlearn the fact that they are not ignoble savages and that their ancestors did not first hear of culture with the coming of the white man— as Chinua Achebe so memorably put things.

When people talk about the achievements of the Chinese, the Japanese and some of the Asian tigers, they have forgotten that even when briefly colonised or politically decapitated, they never surrendered their cultural sovereignty to the invaders. After the siege was lifted, they simply reverted to the truncated paths, particularly to the potency of their indigenous languages and their powerful philosophies. India which was also subjugated and colonised retained its indigenous worldview. When Pandit Nehru famously insisted that if Indians could not clothe themselves, let them go naked, he was appealing to the subliminal pride of his people. India originally taught the west how to clad itself decently.

It is particularly heartrending to note that Africans who made it to the new world as slaves and offspring of slaves were met with further systematic denigration and dehumanisation. Even where they proved their mettle and triumphed over immense adversity, they were

still rejected out of hand. A brief excursion would suffice. In 1809, more than half a century before the outbreak of the American civil war, the Abbe Henri-Baptiste Gregoire, sent a manuscript of a new work to Thomas Jefferson, a founding father and the third president of the United States.

The book was a celebration and commemoration of essayists, writers and scientists of African extraction who had found their way to the west. It was entitled: De La Litterature des Negress. Despite his principled opposition to slavery, Jefferson’s view of the intellectual capacities of black people was notoriously truculent and characterised by savage dismissals. In an infamous passage from his Notes on the State of Virginia, Jefferson noted thus of the African American: “It appears to me that in memory they are equal to whites: in reason much inferior, as I think one could scarcely be found capable of tracing and comprehending the investigations of Euclid; and that in imagination they are dull, tasteless, and anomalous”.

This remarkable diatribe was coming on the heels of the literary exploits of the trio Equaino, Cuguano and Sancho, former slaves of African descent, who seized late 18th century literary London by the scruff of the neck and were feted in all the leading saloons of England’s capital for their astounding feats of imagination. Being very well-connected to the metropolitan circuits of the old world, Jefferson could not have been unaware of the literary triumphs of these exemplars. Perhaps it was a case of prejudice compounded by deliberate ignorance.

Gregoire’s treatise could have been a well-aimed and profoundly clandestine attempt to help Jefferson modify or moderate his unhelpful worldview. It was to no avail. It was to take further centuries of unremitting struggle and the radical activism of Civil Rights movements before the African American could secure some grudging accommodation in the American academy.

It should be clear from the above that the African intellectual elite whether in the new world or the old world suffer from induced inferiority complex which colours their perception of the world and the place of Africa in it. Knowledge producers in Africa and from Africa face extreme odds and have their back against a forbidding wall.

What then is to be done?

Towards the Philosophy of Transformative Knowledge From the foregoing, it can be seen that the crisis of the contemporary African elite and of the post-colonial nation-state in Africa is a crisis of knowledge. Although there were no formal schools in pre-colonial Africa in the sense that we have come to know them, traditional African societies had their own informal system of education which produced the requisite elite to man the institutions. It was a capillary network of politicians, diplomats, historians, judges, spies, shamans, votaries, savants, psychiatrists, native healers, astrologers, information gurus among other traditional professions.

•To be continued

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THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

47

LABOUR

NUJ vows to re-open Dele Giwa’s case T

WENTY-FIVE years after the murder of pioneer Editor-InChief of Newswatch Magazine, Dele Giwa, eminent Nigerians have called for the reopening of investigation into his murder.

Senior journalists, lawyers and other eminent personalities gathered in Lagos last week in memory of the late Giwa, whose killers are yet to be brought to book.

They insisted on re-opening of investigation into his assassination 25 years ago.

It was at the symposium with the theme “Hazards of journalism profession and challenges of FoI Law”, organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Lagos State Council to mark the 25th anniversary of his death.

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana said it was not enough to mourn Dele Giwa, that journalists should ensure that the government re-open investigation into his death, as “it is never too late to find the killers” He commended the NUJ for celebrating Giwa’s courage and commitment to journalism. He, however, charged journalists to make use of the Freedom of Information law, as they have not been using it since it became a law.

Falana suggested an annual remembrance of all slain journalists on October 19, Dele Giwa’s death anniversary.

NUJ National President, Mohammed Garba, said the union is in support of the date for the remembrance of those who were killed in the course of discharging their official responsibilities.

He said the authorities should try as much as possible, especially the security agencies, to bring to book the killers of journalists in the country.

“The recent high level of insecurity in Nigeria is worrisome.

Unfortunately, the way in which the

Sun Newspaper, Mr Femi Adesina, called for the amendment of the FoI Law, saying it does not protect the rights of journalists and it is too protective of public office holders.

He also called for special court for trial of Freedom of Information law cases.

Mr Lanre Arogundade enjoined journalists to be confiding in their editors or colleagues if they receive threat messages in the course of investigating a story.

Director, Media Rights Agenda, Mr Edetaen Ojo, said the people should hold the state accountable for every

journalist that has been killed in the country.

In his welcome address, Lagos NUJ Chairman, Mr Deji Elumoye said journalists, on the 25th anniversary of Giwa’s assassination, are not only celebrating what he stood for, but that the event was one in a series of sustained efforts to immortalise him.

He lamented the government’s inability to bring his killers to book till date.

He recalled: “The late fiery lawyer and activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN), spent a considerable part of his lifetime pursuing the prosecution of persons he believed were implicated in the murder of Giwa. Twenty-five years after, the nation is still as horrified about the murder of Dele Giwa, as it was when it happened. Till date, not one arrest has been made, and relevant government institutions have made no effort beyond the perfunctory to bring his murderers to book.

Elumoye, however, urged journalists not to allow himself to be intimidated.

“While we accept the reality of the hazard of our profession, we make bold to say that one of the hallmarks of a civilised society is its commitment to the ideals of truth, justice and fair-play which offer the basis for prosecution and sentencing of the criminal elements in our midst.“ He, therefore, endorsed the recent effort by the Chief Justice of the Federation to restore the waning confidence of the public in the judiciary by setting up the Uwais-led Committee, aimed at sanitising the judiciary.

“Today, as always, we join all those who are committed to the course of justice, to call on the authorities of the Nigerian Police to re-open investigations into the murder of Dele Giwa with a view to bringing his murderers to book. We will not relent on this call until justice is seen to have been done,” he added.

•Comrade Akanbi

•Comrade Atanda

•A cross-section of participants at the Dele Giwa symposium Stories by Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu

Police is discharging their duties is not good enough. There is the need for them to be more pro-active and address necessary issues instead of embarrassing those who are carrying out their lawful duties.

Citing the example of the arrest of journalists at The Nation Newspaper, he said: “We are not arguing whether or not the letter in question was forged or not, our primary concern is the way and manner the arrests were made. At this material time, in 2011, where we are having

democracy that is gradually consolidating, for Police to have behaved like we were in the era of the military is quite unfortunate.

“The Police has to be more civil.

Of course they have a responsibility to investigate, but we believe that cases of professional misconduct, war against privileges on the side of the media should not be criminalised. As far as I am concern, this issue is not a criminal issue, though the issue of forgery is criminal but it has not been established. he said.

Deputy Managing Director, The

Tanker drivers float magazine •Seek palliative measures for planned subsidy removal

T

HE Petroleum Tanker Drivers(PTD) arm of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), is set to float a magazine.

The idea behind the PTD Magazine, according to the General Secretary of the Association, Comrade Adebayo Atanda, is to keep tanker drivers nationwide abreast of happenings in the petroleum sector, in particular, and the nation in general.

In an interview with The Nation, he said the magazine is aimed at informing and educating tanker drivers on issues affecting their profession. These include security, road safety and health . The magazine will also take care of members social lives

through the social diary pages.

On the planned fuel subsidy removal, Atanda called for palliative measures to cushion the effect of fuel price increase should the Federal Government insist on removing the subsidy.

He listed the palliative measures to include building of new refineries and Turn Around Maintainance of the existing ones.

He said if the government has any other way of cushioning the effect of hardship that removal of fuel subsidy might bring, it should do it.

Atanda said it is a shame for an oil producing nation to be wallowing in poverty like Nigeria is doing.

He lamented the state of living of the average Nigerian, wondering

how people would cope with any fuel price increase with the ripple effect on food, education and health care services.

Besides, Chairman of the union, Alhaji Rasak Akanbi, said fuel subsidy removal may cost tanker drivers their jobs, because if the prices of petroleum products are increased, some of the marketers may restructure their businesses and lay off their drivers.

The chairman also appealed to the Federal Government to prioritise repairs of major roads across the country, to reduce road accidents involving PTD members and others.

He added that lives should be accorded the necessary values by protection against auto accidents.

Industrial crisis looms in Abia Poly over unpaid salaries

T

•Abia State Governor Theo Orji

HE Abia State Polytechnic is being threatened by a fresh industrial crisis over nonpayment of workers’ salaries by the management in the last three months.

A senior lecturer in the school who spoke under anonymity said the workers were planning a show down with the management if the situation persists.

He said the workers received their last salaries in July, blaming their predicament on inadequate subvention from the state government.

“The truth is that the subvention from government is not enough to even pay workers salary,” he said.

The lecturer explained that prior to the last elections, the state gov-

ernment promised to increase the institution’s subvention to N100 million monthly, whereas its monthly wages was N145 million.

He regretted that the institution had not received more than one quarter of N100 million since the promise was made.

He further said: “We are in a quandary as to how to source for money to pay staff salaries since the internally generated revenue comes mainly from students’ school fees and others.

“The government wants us to rely on the internally generated revenue, which is not even enough to pay salaries, not to talk of other things.”

He explained that it was to meet

up its financial obligations that the authority of the institution recently increased school fees from N20,000 to N47,000, but noted that the situation still remained precarious.

“We are not there yet and it will not be in the interest of anybody to contemplate any increment in school fees again,” he said.

The source further said that the school authorities last month borrowed N100 million from a new generation bank to pay workers salaries for July.

“I don’t know how we are going to repay the loan. Months back, we used to borrow N50 million from the same bank to augment what we had to pay salaries.

“Our fate is hanging in the balance, because if we don’t repay

the loan, the bank may not be favourably disposed to advancing any loan to us again,” he said.

In her reaction, the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Mrs Ifenyinwa Chika, said the workers were owed August and September salaries.

Debunking any strike threats by the workers, she said she was in touch with the Chairman of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) who had assured her that there was no iota of truth in the report.

“I am not aware of any intending strike by the workers,” he added.

She urged the workers to bear with the school authorities, promising that efforts were being made to address the challenge.

48

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

PERSONAL FINANCE

Email: taofad2000@yahoo.co.uk

Investor’s Worth

A police officer’s exemplary portfolio

A

POLICE officer is ideally the quintessential image of a good society - smart, intelligent, courageous, courteous, orderly, protective, forward-looking, altruistic, forceful, if need be, and above all, always willing to take calculated risk.

These attributes of an ideal police officer are also essential qualities that any returnminded investor must have.

Investment requires the strength of character to factor in risks inherent in the deal and weigh these against the upsides, to create a good return.

But a unlike police officer, who is always expected to act in the best interest of the society even at the risk of his interest, an investor must be selfish to some extent, taking care of his interest first before the announcement.

Intelligent investors neither wait for the bulls nor the bears. Rather, they anticipate the cycles and break in or jump out ahead of the bandwagon.

That’s why even though a disastrous market cycle, like the ongoing recession at the stock market, may dampen portfolio performance. They never fall flat; similar to an intelligent police officer.

It takes courage, foresight, intelligence, discipline and force of conviction to buy into a falling market when everyone is dumping and also to jump out of the market in the thick of the bullish rally when everyone is rushing in. That’s why even though the fundamentals are mostly at their most attrac-

tive, few people are interested. But then in 2007 and 2008, many were piling up and building all hopes on a market that had witnessed yearly growth for almost a decade and was at the peak of the bullish cycle.

Alhaji Musiliu Smith, former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and chairman of the high-profile Lagos State Security Council, is an intelligent officer.

One of the most educated officers of his period, he had joined the Nigerian Police in 1972, two years after he graduated from the University of Lagos, where he studied Sociology.

Later in 1997, he got a Masters in Strategic Studies from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria’s premier university.

Prior to becoming the IGP, Smith had served as an instructor at the Police College, Ikeja, Divisional Police Officer, Commissioner of Police, Assistant Inspector-General of Police and a member of the Provisional Ruling Council. So, Smith’s education and profession had prepared him for investment decision-making.

On his retirement in 2002, it was clear he knew where to build his nest eggs. As the winds of banking consolidation of 2004 to 2005 blew, Smith knew as an intelligence officer the banks that would scale through to build up steady returns. He staked his funds on the Prudent BankEko International Bank merger group.

The five-member merger group went on to become

C

•Smith

Skye Bank Plc. By 2006, Smith had shown enough commitment and was appointed the chairman of the bank. This strategic investment has paid off for Smith, who retired late last year.

Audited report of the bank showed that Smith held, directly and indirectly, some 6.14 per cent equity stake in Skye Bank, worth about N3.8 billion. Many analysts believe this value could double in future the stock market recovers.

Although his direct shareholding was a sevendigit stake, a nine-digit indirect shareholding made Smith the largest shareholder.

Skye bank’s shares are spread in more than 441,000 shareholders with only one shareholder holding the highest stake of 6.23 per cent.

In the immediate past year, Smith netted N324 million as cash dividends on total shareholdings under him, a handsome 6.1 per cent of the princely N5.3 billion gross dividends paid by Skye Bank.

With returns flowing in from his investments, Smith has shown how to live an exemplary retirement life after an equally exemplary public career. Who says a policeman can’t save?

Ask a Broker

C

LEARING House Number (CHN) is a unique number assigned to each shareholder by the Central Securities and Clearing System (CSCS) Limited, the clearing and settlement depository at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

The CHN usually starts with the alphabet ‘C’ and ends with two alphabets derived from the surname of the share-

What is Clearing House Number? holder.

The CHN is similar to account number usually issued by banks. Just as all deposits and withdrawals go into the bank account number, all shareholdings by an investor are entered into his CHN, provided that those shares have been dematerialised- that is, converted from physical cer-

tificate to electronic form. As a central depository for his investments, a shareholder needs only to have a single CHN while maintaining investment relationships with several stockbrokers.

This enables one to efficiently manage one’s portfolio irrespective of the multiplicity of the transaction channels.

Ways and Means

Mobile phones and on-the-go financial transactions

M

OBILE telephony has permeated the lifestyles of Nigerians. The benefits of the telecommunications revolution are evident in financial transactions.

From instant, transaction alerts to statement of accounts and updates, mobile telephony has improved customer-bank relationship.

As the culture of mobile telephony becomes more entrenched and Nigerians become increasingly reliant on their mobile phones, banks are scaling up their phone-based product offerings.

The recent launch of U-Mo

by United Bank for Africa (UBA) marked another turn in the competitive phone-based banking products and services. U-Mo, a sort of mobile

money- a phone-only financial service without formal banking account, provides opportunity for customers and non-customers of UBA to do a whole lot of financial transactions on their phones without entering the banking hall.

Typical of the low customer registration requirements of mobile money, U-Mo only requires names, mobile number, address, occupation and signature of the customer to be activated.

With U-Mo, a subscriber can deposit or withdraw money, move money from bank account to U-Mo, transfer money, pay utility bills such as electricity and cable channels bills, buy recharge cards, pay for goods and services among many other possibilities. Besides, customers on U-

Effecting changes in shareholder’s details (3)

Mo would need not maintain any minimum balance or pay maintenance and transaction fees.

Other benefits include free short message notification for every transaction, free online access to account and higher interest rates on account balance compared to other savings. U-Mo also holds prospects of solving the problem of rural banking as customers can use any of the three Nigerian languages-Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo, in addition to English to conduct their transactions.

There is, no doubt, that UMo perfectly fits into the lifestyle of most Nigerians who are mobile phone users and will further enable them to optimise the use of their phones.

HANGE of details of a deceased that died intestate: The process of changing the shareholder’s details of a deceased that died intestate requires a much more windy process, although in many steps similar it for a deceased with a will.

The overall objective of share registration and registrarship, it must be emphasised, is the protection of ownership and to ensure that the rights and mandates (or desires) of the shareholder are protected including right to transfer whatsoever volume to identified beneficiary.

Without a written will, it becomes quite complicated to realise this objective. In dealing with death intestate, there are broadly three issues to resolve: the family, legal and registrar.

The family issue is by far the most onerous and conflicting issue and goes a long way to determine the easiness of the two other issues, which are quite distinctive and have industrywide best practices.

There are many reasons that make the resolution of the family often-conflicting in nature. The type of ‘nuclear’ family, monogamy or polygamy, relationship with extended family, the role and status of the deceased, religion, social influences among others usually create a labyrinth that requires utmost wisdom, tolerance and God’s guidance to successfully pass through. It is always very important that the family speaks with one voice.

The objective of the two other parties, the law court and registrar, is to find a common ground within the family and where such exists before commencing the share transfer process; it hastens and makes the process less cumbersome.

In this regard, there is no single approach to resolve the family issue. However, a working advice is that the family members meet, deliberate on the assets and liabilities of the deceased, the responsibilities left behind and in the spirit of oneness and fairness arrive at an equitable way for the administration or sharing of the net assets.

Where dialogue, fairness, tolerance and godliness are brought to bear, the family members should be able to achieve a middle-point that all parties will concede to without the agony of a rancorous legal battle, the only option left if the family fails to decide on its

By Taofik Salako

own.

Assuming the family decided on its own, the best practice is to detail the resolutions of the meeting in a communiqué-like format and request all parties to sign the proofread and final copy. To confirm the signatures, a banker’s confirmation of each signature should be attached to the resolution.

Otherwise, the family can engage a public notary to notarise the document or where they can afford such service, engage the notary to draft the agreement reached by family members.

With these documents, the family can approach the court for letters of administration. Where the family fails to arrive at a common ground, then the court will decide for parties. The court judgement thereon will form the basis for letters of administration.

Letters of administration is an official court document appointing administrator(s) for the personal estate of a deceased that died without a will.

The letters of administration can also form the basis for distribution of the estate by specifying the number of assets to be registered in the name of each beneficiary.

Although there are six different types of letters of administration, the common form of letters of administration in Nigeria is the general grant of administration, which is a more inclusive type.

With the letters of administration, the transfer process becomes much easier.

Section 148 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (Cama) 1990 states that: the production to a company of any document which is by law sufficient of probate of the will, or letters of administration of the estate, or confirmation as executors, of a deceased person having been granted to some person, shall be accepted by the company as sufficient evidence of the grant, notwithstanding anything in its articles to the contrary.

The two major differences between the requirements for change of shareholder’s details of a deceased with a will and that without a will are that in the case of the latter, letters of administration replaces probate and the submission of the original copy of the newspaper advertisement

placed by the court in respect of the application for letters of administration to the registrar.

The importance of the newspaper advertisement is to ensure that adequate publicity and opportunity was given to all parties to make their claim(s), if any.

Alongside the photocopy of the letters of administration and original copy of newspaper advertisement, other documents to be forwarded to the registrar include: photocopy of death certificate, banker confirmation of specimen signature(s), which usually includes passport photos, CSCS statement of account and or all original share certificates, photocopy of newspaper obituary when available, and a covering letter stating the request and confirming all documents attached and the current address of the administrator(s).

The main function of the registrar in this case, like in the case of a probate, is to subject all documents to exacting test of veracity. The registrar may request for the originals of all documents for sighting and it is also legally advisable to formally confirm the letters of administration from the court of origination.

A registrar may charge cost for the confirmation of the letters of administration. This varies from institution to institution as well as locations. The registrar may also request the physical presence of the administrator(s).

It should be reiterated that the in-house confirmation process of the registrar in the case of letters of administration is similar to that of probate, as much as any verification.

The verification starts from checking that the letters of administration bears necessary details including the name and particulars of the court of origination, the full name of the deceased, the date of death, names of the administrator(s), the date on the letters of administration, list of the shares related to the letters of administration, and more importantly, the seal of the court and the signature of the Registrar.

Where the correctness and authenticity of all details and documents have been proven beyond reasonable doubt, the shares are there and then transferred to administrator(s), who thereof can exercise authority on them.

‘Assuming the family decided on its own, the best practice is to detail the resolutions of the meeting in a communiqué-like format and request all parties to sign the proofread and final copy. To confirm the signatures, a banker’s confirmation of each signature should be attached to the resolution’

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

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EQUITIES

Sterling Bank grows profit by 91%

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 21-10-11 2ND-TIER SECURITIES Company Name PRESCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 12 12

Quotation(N) 7.69

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 187,501 1,393,922.31 187,501 1,393,922.31

Quotation(N) 5.81

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 32,319 191,141.34 32,319 191,141.34

Quotation(N) 0.50 1.70

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 400 200.00 129,900 212,413.00 130,300 212,613.00

Quotation(N) 5.21 3.06 2.31 4.00 1.74 9.57 13.15 9.36 4.66 1.39 3.28 0.65 0.67 12.45

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,305,103 6,735,209.11 13,314,482 40,744,096.92 1,428,163 3,048,835.77 1,410,730 5,642,850.00 4,418,150 7,699,990.95 4,844,619 46,363,866.07 6,125,080 80,298,847.28 375,270 3,515,139.45 4,747,664 21,699,860.46 1,322,183 1,849,142.32 58,093,515 184,912,378.17 1,126,051 718,846.01 153,898 103,236.58 5,039,291 61,098,615.93 103,704,199 464,430,915.02

Quotation(N) 202.00 6.00 89.10

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,568,751 317,353,945.90 7,000 39,900.00 932,115 82,924,066.55 2,507,866 400,317,912.45

Quotation(N) 13.99 5.06 100.00 38.95

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 222,439 3,056,508.78 160,945 818,308.29 316,631 31,503,687.00 21,713 821,662.84 721,728 36,200,166.91

Quotation(N) 9.34 18.91 1.09 0.65 5.11

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 151,630 1,345,559.80 72,227 1,368,268.10 500 570.00 1,273,000 827,450.00 250 1,215.00 1,497,607 3,543,062.90

AIR SERVICES Company Name NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 13 13

AUTOMOBILE & TYRE Company Name DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC R. T. BRISCOE (NIGERIA) PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 15 16 BANKING

Company Name ACCESS BANK PLC DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK NIGERIA PLC FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC FIDELITY BANK PLC FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC GTBANK PLC STANBIC IBTC BANK PLC SKYE BANK PLC. STERLING BANK PLC UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC. UNITYBANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC ZENITH BANK PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 97 41 30 27 78 418 363 18 58 22 257 22 11 233 1,675 BREWERIES

Company Name GUINNESS NIGERIA PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC NIGERIAN BREWERIES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 68 4 112 184 BUILDING MATERIALS

Company Name ASHAKA CEMENT PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTHERN NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 21 19 24 14 78 CHEMICAL & PAINTS

Company Name BERGER PAINTS NIGERIA PLC CHEMICAL AND ALLIED PRODUCTS PLC DN MEYER PLC PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 11 23 1 6 1 42

COMMERCIAL/SERVICES Company Name COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 12 13

Quotation(N) 0.50 2.20

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,500 750.00 222,420 489,383.45 223,920 490,133.45

COMPUTER & OFFICE EQUIPMENT Company Name NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. OMATEK VENTURES PLC TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1 21 23

Quotation(N) 5.75 0.50 3.09

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 50,000 287,500.00 1,000 500.00 200,000 618,000.00 251,000 906,000.00

Quotation(N) 6.19 30.45 0.70 28.92 27.10

Quantity Traded Value 100 299,889 5,193,974 988,313 399,991 6,882,267

Quotation(N) 38.43

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 104,276 4,023,026.68 104,276 4,023,026.68

CONGLOMERATES Company Name JOHN HOLT PLC PZ CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC UAC OF NIGERIA PLC UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 33 56 40 45 175

of Shares (N) 589.00 9,197,150.40 3,612,740.04 28,759,964.10 10,795,954.82 52,366,398.36

CONSTRUCTION Company Name JULIUS BERGER NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 9 9

S

TERLING Bank Plc achieved impressive growths in profitability in the third quarter as aggressive business development initiatives and better credit risks management improved the balance sheet position of the bank.

Third quarter report for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011 released at the weekend showed that profit from ordinary activities grew by 91 per cent from to N2.9 billion as against N1.5 billion recorded in comparable period of 2010.

The report indicated that gross earnings rose by 21 per cent while the proportion of non-performing loans to gross loans improved to 3.9 per cent as against 11.5 per cent in December 2010, reflecting the efficiency of the bank’s credit risk management framework, which significantly reduced non-performing assets in spite of 28 per cent growth in loans during the period.

At 3.9 per cent, Sterling Bank’s non-performing loan/ gross loans ratio has surpassed the industry target of 5.0 per cent, a trend that the bank’s management said it would sustain.

The nine-month report also showed gross earnings of N28.04 billion while pre and post-tax profits stood at N3.94 billion and N3.68 billion respectively.

With earnings per share at 29 kobo, the nine-month earnings outlook indicated earnings yield of about 21 per cent; a strong indication of high dividend yield by the end of the year.

The report also indicated 14 per cent increase in total balance sheet size to N314.01 billion as against N277.11 billion in December 2010 while total

No of Deals 4 4

Quotation(N) 1.70

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 21-10-11 Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 117,537 200,237.90 117,537 200,237.90

FOOD/BEVERAGES & TOBACCO Company Name 7-UP BOTTLING CO. PLC CADBURY NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIGERIA PLC HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC MULTI-TREX INTEGRATED FOODS PLC NATIONAL SALT COMPANY NIGERIA PLC NESTLE NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 19 40 102 66 18 7 1 24 37 314

Quotation(N) 48.00 14.00 6.05 6.50 60.00 2.75 1.47 4.00 401.56

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 294,193 14,117,002.85 546,852 7,628,904.37 552,803 3,324,309.34 10,864,140 70,490,057.67 3,436,094 206,159,075.75 46,100 127,012.00 14,000 19,600.00 769,306 3,080,984.27 139,511 55,860,533.59 16,662,999 360,807,479.84

HEALTHCARE Company Name EVANS MEDICALPLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXOSMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC PHARMA-DEKO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 5 6 9 14 30 2 66

capital rose from N26.12 billion to N37.31 billion.

Commenting on the third quarter report, Group Managing Director/CEO, Sterling Bank, Mr Yemi Adeola, said the performance of the bank showed its underlying , assuring that directors of the bank were confident they would sustain the performance.

He noted that in a challenging operating environment marked by difficult global and local macro-economic conditions, the improvement in profitability of the bank further demonstrated the underlying strength of its core business.

The Sterling Bank boss said that the growth in loans and reduction in non-performing assets were in alignment with the bank’s objective to grow risk assets as the economy rebounds while focusing on quality growth.

He pointed out that the acquisition of Equitorial Trust Bank would complement Sterling Bank’s business and allow the institution to increase its foot print in the retail segment given a combined branch network of 189 and 64 additional branches at various stages of completion.

“Looking to the final quarter of 2011, the Board of Sterling Bank is optimistic that our performance in preceding quarters will be sustained and surpassed,” Adeola assured.

Meanwhile, impressive third quarter reports and fourth quarter forecasts appeared to be impacting positively on the Nigerian stock market. It recorded its first week-on-week growth in recent period last week as the

Quotation(N) 0.91 1.09 27.00 2.58 1.52 3.68

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 24,919 23,485.05 65,610 71,838.90 65,034 1,686,586.50 645,899 1,666,469.42 1,152,710 1,691,256.37 13,283 46,490.50 1,967,455 5,186,126.74

Quotation(N) 2.16

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 2,679,201 5,480,736.16 2,679,201 5,480,736.16

Company Name C&I LEASING PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 5 5

No of Deals 37 37

No of Deals 1 2 4 1 8

Quotation(N) 11.15 6.95 5.75 2.88

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,000 10,600.00 1,000 7,000.00 13,200 74,918.00 1 2.88 15,201 92,520.88

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY Company Name IHS NIGERIA PLC STARCOMMS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 2 4

Quotation(N) 2.73 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 5,300 14,469.00 64,020 32,010.00 69,320 46,479.00

INSURANCE Company Name AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE CO. PLC. CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INSURANCE PLC GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC GUARANTY TRUST ASSURANCE PLC CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. LAW UNION AND ROCK INSURANCE PLC. MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC N.E.M. INSURANCE CO. (NIG.) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC UNIC INSURANCE PLC. UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 24 3 1 4 5 10 1 1 7 3 2 1 1 1 4 68 LEASING

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 52,000 44,720.00 52,000 44,720.00

No of Deals 71 71

Quotation(N) 0.80

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 2,986,195 2,387,291.96 2,986,195 2,387,291.96

Company Name AFROMEDIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

Quotation(N) 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 10,000 5,000.00 10,000 5,000.00

MEDIA

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS Company Name NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 3 3

Quotation(N) 0.87

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 300 261.00 300 261.00

Quotation(N) 1.84

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 553,855 1,014,588.75 553,855 1,014,588.75

PACKAGING Company Name NIGERIAN BAG MANUFACTURING COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 33 33

PETROLEUM(MARKETING)

INDUSTRIAL/DOMESTIC PRODUCTS Company Name ALUMINIUM EXTRUSION INDUSTRIES PLC B. O. C. GASES NIGERIA PLC VITAFOAM NIGERIA PLC VONO PRODUCTS PLC Sector Totals

Quotation(N) 0.90

MARITIME Company Name JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Sector Totals

HOTEL & TOURISM Company Name IKEJA HOTEL PLC Sector Totals

All Share Index (ASI), the benchmark index at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), appreciated by 1.9 per cent to close last week at 20,257.47 points.

All other key indices at the NSE closed on the upside, reflecting a near market-wide bullish rally. The NSE-30 Index appreciated by 2.2 per cent to close at 900.36 points.

The NSE Food and Beverage Index gained 0.1 per cent to close at 632.65 points. The NSE Banking Index rose by 2.5 per cent to close at 287.92 points. The NSE Insurance Index moved up by 3.9 per cent to close at 149.57 points while the NSE Oil and Gas Index surged by 4.6 per cent to close at 245.47 points.

With 33 advancers against 30 decliners, the upside was due to both the preponderance of gainers as well as the inclusion of several high-cap stocks within the gainers’ list.

Dangote Cement led the gainers with a gain of N4 to close at N100. Oando Plc followed with a gain of N3.95 to close at N28.95 per share.

On the downside, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc led the price losers with a loss of N4.14 to close at N38.43 per share. Guinness Nigeria Plc trailed with a loss of N3 to close at N202 per share.

Turnover stood at 1.4 billion shares worth N9.9 billion in 16,934 deals as against 1.3 billion shares valued at N11.48 billion traded in 18,940 deals in previous week. Banking sector remained the most active sector with 556.2 million shares worth N3.96 billion in 9,276 deals.

Insurance sector followed on the week’s activity chart with a turnover of 500.5 million shares valued at N780.9 million in 483 deals.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY Company Name CUTIX PLC Sector Totals

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

Quotation(N) 0.62 1.10 0.50 2.34 0.53 1.30 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.52 0.50 0.50 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 2,435,338 1,510,007.56 144,456 155,841.60 500 250.00 19,750 48,167.50 2,007,500 1,063,975.00 940,500 1,206,775.00 500 250.00 500 250.00 3,163,000 1,581,560.00 5,870 2,935.00 3,000 1,500.00 9,116 4,558.00 10,000 5,000.00 500 250.00 124,500 62,250.00 8,865,030 5,643,569.66

Company Name MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC CONOIL PLC ETERNA OIL & GAS PLC. FORTE OIL PLC MOBIL OIL NIGERIA PLC. OANDO PLC TOTAL NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 13 22 3 12 14 183 13 260

Quotation(N) 63.86 35.00 4.59 9.12 141.00 28.95 200.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 34,348 2,083,893.16 30,520 1,017,965.00 13,110.00 3,000 44,627 427,080.39 116,367 16,372,814.50 22,781,756 634,925,343.32 39,813 7,581,523.00 23,050,431 662,421,729.37

PRINTING & PUBLISHING Company Name ACADEMY PRESS PLC. UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 4 3 7

Quotation(N) 2.47 3.80

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 23,134 54,364.90 146,704 542,141.44 169,838 596,506.34

Quotation(N) 12.35

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 155,118 1,916,954.80 155,118 1,916,954.80

REAL ESTATE Company Name UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 10 10

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST Company Name SKYE SHELTER FUND Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

Quotation(N) 100.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,500 150,000.00 1,500 150,000.00

Quotation(N) 0.97

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,391 1,349.27 1,391 1,349.27

TEXTILES Company Name UNITED NIGERIAN TEXTILES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

THE FOREIGN LISTINGS Company Name ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED Sector Totals Overall Totals

No of Deals 19 19

Quotation(N) 11.69

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 2,717,491 31,271,125.59 2,717,491 31,271,125.59

3,152

176,317,845

2,041,341,969.68

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

53

MONEY LINK

Okonjo-Iweala happy with Nigeria’s rating upgrade

T

HE Coordinating Minister for the Economy/Minister of Fi nance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has described the upgrade of Nigeria’s economic outlook by Fitch Ratings as “great news for the country and a strong foundation for the country to keep building the ongoing economic reforms.” She who is currently out of the country on also described the upgrade as “concrete evidence that the President’s economic transformation agenda is being appreciated.”

A statement from Paul Nwabuikwu

By Nduka Chiejina (Assistant Editor)

Senior Special Assistant, Communication and Media to the Coordinating Minister for the Economy/Minister of Finance, quoted Okonjo-Iweala as saying that the government wants “to keep working hard to realise the key priorities of the transformation agenda through – job creation and building key infrastructure. But this positive development gives us a strong foundation to build on. Fitch did this because of the

because Fitch Ratings had lowered Nigeria’s sovereign credit outlook to negative last October from stable, citing the depletion of its windfall oil savings and heightened political uncertainty ahead of elections at the time. The ratings agency had also indicated that it would further lower its assessment of Nigeria’s economic prospects if the country did not follow through with post-election reforms to put the economy on a sustainable path.

The latest review demonstrates that the agency believes that the country is

medium term budget of fiscal consolidation proposed by the Ministry of Finance in line with the transformation agenda.”

Okonjo-Iweala was said to have commended the hard work of the federal ministry of finance and the Economic Team on the new economic blueprint which contributed to the upgrade.

Many analysts consider the development a clear signal that international confidence in Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms is growing.

The upgrade is especially significant

Bankers advocate diversified, prudent banking sector IGERIAN banks have been ad

N

By Collins Nweze

vised to diversify and allow each bank to spread its risks so as to absorb shocks during downturn.

The banks were also encouraged to be prudent, and imbibe sound risk management principles that would guarantee depositors’ funds at all times.

Senior Banker Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) Wealth Management, Richard Gorab handed down the advice during the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) Annual Lecture held in Lagos at the weekend. He explained that Canadian banks have weathered the storm during the peak of the global financial crises in 2009 because of the soundness of its regulation and strict adherence to sound risk management practices.

In a survey by the Strategic Counsel, 81 per cent of respondents believe that prudent lending is a key reason Canadian banks have performed bet-

ter than their international peers and such can be replicated in developing economies like Nigeria.

Gorab added that banks in Canada are among the best capitalised in the world, exceeding Bank for International Settlements’ norms by significant margins. This allows banks to continue lending and provides a cushion against loan losses, which tend to increase during economic downturns.

Gorab said banks contribute to economic growth by moving funds from areas of excess deposits to regions where growth is creating demand for new credit. They also make lending decisions on a case-by-case basis, extending credit to those who have the capacity to repay their loans. This prudent approach is a key reason why banks in Canada have largely avoided the problems that have plagued banks elsewhere, he added.

“Our banks are well-capitalised, hav-

Enterprise Bank, MoneyGram partner

ing more cash on-hand than most similar institutions in the developed world. They are well-regulated. Canadian banks are forced to adhere to stricter rules than those that govern most other banking systems, including those in the United States,” he said.

According to him, the banks are well-managed and the managers are less prone to risk-taking than their counterparts in the United States and Europe, taking a very conservative approach with their investor’s funds.

Also, Group Head, RBC Wealth Management, George Lewis, said that to maintain consumers’ access to credit in an environment of stalled global credit markets, the Canadian government acted to increase liquidity by buying more than $69 billion of safe, insured mortgages from the banks through the Insured Mortgage Purchase Programme, which has now ended.

E

NTERPRISE Bank Limited (EBL) has collaborated with MoneyGram International Money Transfer under to distribute 1000 exercise books to pupils of Payne Primary School in Benin, the Edo State capital.

Making the presentation on behalf of MoneyGram and EBL, Godswill Esangbedo, the bank’s Branch Manager, who represented Ahmed Kuru, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the bank, said the gesture was a way of giving back to members of the society subscribing to its services.

He said that many people are choosing EBL as the bank of choice for receiving money from their loved ones and business associates from across the globe.

“The 1000 books we have shared today in Benin City is a sign of many more good things that our customers will continue to benefit as long as they

Budget: Fed Govt to help states float planning commission

T

HE National Planning Commis sion (NPC) would hold further consultations and effectively liaise with Governors’ Forum to assist States facing challenges in the establishment of their planning commission/agency.

In this regard, NPC has already com-

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

menced collation of names of states that are having the challenges of establishing one in order to make necessary contact with the forum of the Nigerian Governors to achieve that.

So far 25 out of 36 States have established their State Planning Commis-

sion.

This was part of the recommendations of the meeting of the Joint Planning Board (JPB) held in Dutse, Jigawa State Capital in the north western Nigeria.

According to a statement yesterday

by NPC Spokesman, Salisu Haiba

Badamasi, the JPB meeting is being organised annually by the NPC under the Chairmanship of the Secretary of the National Planning Commission.

The theme for this year’s meeting is: “Transformation Agenda and States’ Plans as Vehicles for the implementation of Nigeria ‘s Vision 20:2020.”

FGN BONDS Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2011 “ 14-04-2011

GAINERS AS AT 21-14-11 SYMBOL DANGCEM FLOURMILL MOBIL ASHAKACEM NB BERGER PRESCO OANDO NCR ETI

O/PRICE 97.00 58.25 140.00 13.39 88.53 8.90 7.33 28.66 5.48 11.50

C/PRICE 100.00 60.00 141.00 13.99 89.10 9.34 7.69 28.95 5.75 11.69

CHANGE 3.00 1.75 1.00 0.60 0.57 0.44 0.36 0.29 0.27 0.19

LOSER AS AT 21-10-11 SYMBOL JBERGER PZ UAC-PROP CCNN DIAMONDBNK TRIPPLEG MAYBAKER FIRSTBANK CUTIX FIDELITYBK

O/PRICE 40.45 32.05 12.99 29.50 5.32 3.22 3.25 2.71 9.70 1.78

C/PRICE 38.43 30.45 12.35 28.92 5.06 3.06 3.09 2.58 9.57 1.70

Amount

Offered ($) Demanded ($)

MANAGED FUNDS

OBB Rate Call Rate

continue to make use of the services of ManeyGram services at Enterprise Bank.

The choice of exercise books is also a pointer to the emphasis of the bank towards the development of education in the country, which we believe is the bedrock for any meaningful socio-political and economic growth,” he said.

Esangbedo according to a statement added that the bank has been fully capitalised, adding that the current financial capacity of the bank will ensure rapid growth and eventual emergence as one of the most profitable banks within the shortest possible time.

Consequently, the banker said, it is for this reason that the MoneyGram/ Enterprise Bank alliance is determined to offer the best in terms of value-added services in the money transfer market in Edo State.

Earlier, the MoneyGram International representative, Kofi Akyea, said the donation was to encourage the pupils to study hard and become the leaders they want to be tomorrow.

In her response after the presentation, Mrs R.I. Ojo, Head Teacher of Payne Primary School thanked MoneyGram and Enterprise Bank for making her school a beneficiary of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts.

DATA BANK

Tenor

NIDF NESF

on the right path. Explaining the reasons behind the upward review, Victoria Kalema, a Director in the rating agency’s Sovereign Group stated that: “The revision of the Outlook on Nigeria’s ratings to Stable from Negative reflects an improved outlook for reforms following elections in April and the appointment of a strong economic team.

In addition, tighter monetary policy and slightly better fiscal discipline have arrested the rapid pace of reserves decline seen in the first three quarters of 2010, which had prompted the Negative Outlook in October last year.”

Amount

Exchange

Sold ($)

Rate (N)

Date

450m

452.7m

450m

150.8

08-8-11

250m

313.5m

250m

150.8

03-8-11

400m

443m

400m

150.7

01-8-11

EXHANGE RATE 26-08-11 CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Currency

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD

147.6000

149.7100

150.7100

-2.11

NGN GBP

239.4810

244.0123

245.6422

-2.57

NGN EUR

212.4997

207.9023

209.2910

-1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

Bureau de Change 152.0000 (S/N)

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

Parallel Market

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

NSE CAP Index

NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N)

13-09-11 N6.7026tr 21,018.52

14-09-11 N6.760tr 21,199.16

% Change -0.87% -0.86%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

(S/N)

153.0000

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

Aug ’11

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

8.75%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 9.4%

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 118.31 100.28 0.77 1.02 0.91 1,639.36 8.24 1.39 1.87 7,028.67 193.00

9.08 1.00 117.70 99.71 0.74 1.02 0.90 1,634.12 7.84 1.33 1.80 7,880.94 191.08

ARM AGGRESSIVE KAKAWA GUARANTEED STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND THE LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL BGL SAPPHIRE FUND BGL NUBIAN FUND NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY THE DISCOVERY FUND • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED

CHANGE 2.02 1.60 0.64 0.58 0.26 0.16 0.16 0.13 0.13 0.08

• STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

Rate (Previous) 24 Aug, 2011 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 26, Aug, 2011 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK Previous

Current

04 July, 2011

07, Aug, 2011

Bank

8.5000

8.5000

P/Court

8.0833

8.0833

Movement

54

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

55

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

56

NEWS Okorocha challenges NEMA

Court strikes out petition against Elechi

•Signs N20,000 minimum wage From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakaliki

G

OVERNOR Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to create more offices in the country and acquire helicopters for rescue operations.

The governor promised to provide facilities in Owerri, the state capital, to host NEMA office and maintain its helicopter.

He also pledged to assist NEMA in tackling disaster management.

The governor spoke during a visit by NEMA Director General Mohammed Sidi to Imo and Enugu states, where he donated relief materials to disaster victims.

“The issue of emergency and disaster management continues to take centre stage in the country and requires adequate collaboration among stakeholders. There is need for them to pay serious attention to this issue. NEMA needs to cover the 36 states and Abuja, “he said.

He urged the two states to key into the policies of the Agency,like the establishment of Local Government Emergency Management Committees and Grassroots Emergency Volunteer Corps.

In Enugu State, Deputy Governor Sunday Onyebuchi, who represented the governor, commended NEMA for its prompt support to fire victims. He assured that the Enugu State Emergency Management Agency would be strengthened to enhance its disaster management.

Okorocha will today sign a new minimum wage of N20, 000 with the Organised Labour .

His Special Assistant on Media Ebere Uzoukwa spoke yesterday.

According to him, the event is scheduled to hold at the state secretariat on Portharcourt Road, Owerri, by 9am .

‘Nigeria not serious with anti-graft war’

N

IGERIA is not serious with the fight against corruption, Senator Francis Nzeribe has said.

Nzeribe, who spoke with The Nation in Abuja, said the levity with which government treat probe panel reports was a clear indication that the fight against graft was yet to begin.

He called on Nigerians to be alive to the fight against corruption, adding that the country is sliding into anarchy.

He said: “The billions of tax payers money already spent in providing security in Nigeria could have gone into projects that would have provided employment for the youths.

“Yet, nobody is willing to confront the real cause of unemployment in Nigeria. We all know that the current spate of bombing in Nigeria is a direct fall out of endemic corruption in the system.”

He urged Nigerians to be

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor, Abuja

proactive in the battle against corruption.

According to him, corruption is the cause of insecurity, kidnapping, assassination, bombing, unemployment and other social vices.

Nzeribe, who said the setting up of probe panels has become a ritual in the country, said probe panels are only useful on the papers.

He said: “It is only in Nigeria that decisive actions are not taken on conclusive probes. We have had about four high level probes since 2007, some are still ongoing.

“Eventually, the reports from probes will be consigned to the trash can. The question now is how can government create employment opportunities for Nigerian youths when the money meant for employment generation will end up in the pockets of the untouchables?”

•Elechi

T

HE Appeal Court sitting in Enugu at the weekend struck out the petition brought before it by the governorship candidate of All Nigeria Peoples Party

(ANPP) Senator Julius Ali Ucha in last April election in Ebonyi State.

Ucha is challenging the election of Governor Martin Elechi.

Justice Nuhu Galadanchi of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abakaliki had last month, rejected the result of the forensic analysis presented before it by Ucha.

Ucha had prayed the court to allow him call additional witnesses, and to tender as evidence his ‘unpleaded’ foren-

sic analysis and expert report of electoral materials at the tribunal.

But Justice Abdul-kadir Okoro dismissed the appeal, saying it lacked judicial competence.

PDP Chairman in the state Ugorji Ama Oti hailed the ruling, saying it was in line with the provisions of the Constitution.

He said: ‘I am very excited by the ruling of the Appeal Court and I believe that this judgment has opened doors for a bigger victory forthe party. ‘‘We in PDP cannot be intimidated by the activities of

any party in the state because we are on ground, well rooted and committed to our party business at every point time. The last election in the state was free and fair and there is no doubt that the party won.

“I want to assure you that we are going to defeat the opposition partyat the tribunal by God’s grace. We will not rest on our oars until we eliminate the minutest form of opposition in the state.

Governor Martin Elechi has done well and he should be given the required support to continue to do more for the people”.

Nigeria loses N500m to substandard bulbs

T

HE Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has attributed the country’s backwardness to substandard products.

He said Nigeria loses about N500 million from substandard electric bulbs annually.

SON’s Director- General Joseph Odumodu spoke at the 18th convocation ceremony of the Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra State. He decried the rate of substandard products in the country.

Odumodu, who said the de-

From Adimike George, Onitsha

velopment has subjected Nigerians to hardship, was honoured with the Fellowship award of the institution.

He attributed 40 per cent of unemployment in the country to substandard materials.

“Substandard products have been a major challenge in the country. At times, one would wonder if Nigerians are substandard human beings. Nigeria loses over N500 million an-

nually on electric bulbs alone” he said.

He advised Nigerians to help solve the problem by reporting sub standard products to the organisation.

Senate Committee Chairman on Independent National Electoral Commission, Andy Uba, Dennis Okafor, among others,was honoured with the institution’s Fellowship award.

Uba decried the rate of unemployment in the country and donated N5 million to the institution. He canvassed for the

repositioning of the education sector.

Minister for Education Prof Ruqayyatu Rufai, who was represented by a Director in the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Aaron Rankwar, enjoined Nigerians to help salvage the education sector.

The minister advised the graduates to justify the confidence reposed in them.

Rector of the institution Prof.Godwin Onu called for the upgrading of the institution to a university.

Lawyer berates group for criticising Oshiomhole

A

N Abuja lawyer, Shola Iyogun, yesterday said the criticisms of a group, Edo Collectives, against Governor Adams Oshiomhole, is suspect”.

Iyogun said: “Apart from the fact that it is an emergency political group loyal to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State crying more

than the bereaved, I want to remind them that the man they are busy disparaging has earned four awards in three weeks and not just teachers’ award.

“Civil society organisations working on transparency and accountability in the NigerDelta have praised the O s h i o m h o l e - l e d administration in Edo State for

its giant strides in enhancing service delivery channels in governance, social accountability and institutions buildings.

“They also highlighted the fact that the governor has boldly declared, through billboards, that public fund is no longer used to service godfathers and politically entrenched interests in the

Nigerians urged to promote peace

T

HE General Co-ordinator, Deliverance and Healing Ministry, an arm of the Church of Nigeria, (Anglican Communion), St. Jude Military Church, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Deacon Okechukwu Peter Nwachukwu has urged Nigerians to promote peace.

Nwachukwu addressed reporters on the church’s fourth National Ministers’ Conference, The four-day programme which begins today.

It is tagged: “Deliverance and Healing in the end time Ministry”.

According to Nwachukwu, the four-day conference is expected to expose participants

to the teachings of Jesus Christ which would heal the sick, deliver the bound and to preach good news to the poor.

Nwachukwu said: “The idea is that everybody in the Anglican Communion becomes true disciple of Jesus Christ.”

state. The conference was conveyed by Revenue Watch International and the World Bank to review the progress made by the six states in the Niger Delta in the development and promotion of education and health, human capital , youth employment, and gender equality.

“It was also noted that the periodic town hall meetings, live television programmes of Governor Oshiomhole and engagement of the civil society groups in Public Expenditure Management Financial Accountability Review (PENFAR) and financial action reform plan are key performance indicators used in ranking Edo State high in good governance and accountability...”

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

57

NEWS Jonathan petitioned over NDDC nominees From Damisi Ojo, Akure

T

WO local governments in Ondo State are quarrelling over who should represent them on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Governor Olusegun Mimiko recommended Dele Omogbemi as the state’s nominee.

Mimiko also sent the names of Benson Amuwa and Johnson Ogunyemi to the Presidency as supplementary.

The people in Ilaje Constituency II, comprising Mahin, Aheri and Etikan Kingdoms, in a petition sent to the National Assembly through their lawyer, Ekerete Udofot, said it was the turn of their constituency to produce the state representative.

The petition said the constituency produces 60 per cent of the oil in the state with 250 oil fields.

They said since the creation of NDDC in 2000, nobody from the constituency has been appointed as the state representative on the Board except Adebanjo Edema, who was appointed as the state representative in the defunct OMPADEC between 1992 and 1995.

They lamented that the appointment of the state representative in the commission has been politicised and manipulated by some cabals in Ilaje constituency I. They said Mimiko’s nomination was against the principle of Federal Character as the three nominees he recommended are all from Constituency I. They called on President Goodluck Jonathan and the Senate Committee on NDDC to wade into the matter in the interest of peace and justice.

46 arrested with stolen petroleum products

F

ORTY-six suspected oil thieves have been arrested with a vessel carrying refined petroleum products in Bayelsa State, the Joint Task Force (JTF) said.

They were apprehended at River Akassa while trying to load the vessel with the stolen products.

JTF spokesman Timothy Antigha said: “These suspects, who were nabbed by our patrol teams at River

Akassa were in the process of loading this vessel with illegally refined petroleum products.

“Presently, the oil vessel is detained at the government jetty in Yenagoa.”

Antigha said 14 boats ready to offload the stolen petroleum products from the vessel were also impounded by the JTF during the operation at the weekend.

The seizure was the lat-

est by the task force in recent weeks in the restive oil-rich region.

Last week, the JTF said it had arrested 50 suspected oil thieves in the past three months and destroyed some 2,000 illicit refineries this year in the region.

Some public officials and members of the Armed Forces have been accused of involvement in the lucrative illegal oil industry, which can include a rela-

tively sophisticated level of theft and refining.

The army has denied involvement.

Stolen crude and illegally refined petroleum products have been exported and sold in the black market.

Oil firms blame theft and sabotage for the majority of oil spills in the Niger Delta, a claim strongly disputed.

I’ll complete all projects before 2015, says Amaechi R

IVERS State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has assured the people that he would complete the projects he started before handing over in 2015.

Amaechi gave the assurance yesterday in Port Harcourt when he spoke at the thanksgiving service marking the fourth anniversary of the October 25, 2007 Supreme Court judgment that made him governor.

The governor said if not for anything, he would finish well for the sake of his children “because I want them to stand tall in public and say that their father built

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

these projects when he was governor.”

He also said he had made a vow to God that he would help the poor and the way to help them is by not stealing public fund but using it to provide social amenities.

The governor also cleared the impression that he was tribalistic, saying “I will not govern this state with tribalism at the back of my mind” pointing out that he

has built more roads and other projects in Okrika, Ogoni and Etche than he has done in his Ikwerre-speaking localities.

He recalled that his ambition to contest the governorship seat was fired by the visions seen at separate times by some Catholic priests which were later reconfirmed by some pentecostal pastors.

“But despite these visions, I still passed through a lot of travails before I was sworn in as governor, a similar fate I suffered before I

T

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

that the documents he submitted in the 2003 election were at variance with the ones submitted for the April election.

Justice Paul Elechi said the majority leader was not only qualified to contest the election but he also scored majority of lawful votes cast in the election.

The tribunal held that evidence before the court showed that Shuaibu possessed the required academic qualification to contest the election.

Stating that it would not approach the merit of the petition on technical grounds, the tribunal held that the era of technicalities was over .

Justice Elechi said: “I hold that the respondent was qualified to contest the April 26 House of Assembly election into Etsako West Constituency 11 seat as he possessed the requisite academic qualification during the election.

“The 18, 043 votes cast in his favour were valid and not wasted as alleged by the petitioner.

•Amaechi

was made Speaker of the House of Assembly,” Amaechi said.

The governor thanked the clergy, which kept praying for him and all the people who stood by him

“We are satisfied with the evidence before us that the respondent not only qualified but won the majority of lawful votes cast.

“The petition is hereby dismissed for lack of merit and we therefore uphold the election of the respondent”, he added.

Oshiomah’s lawyer Martin Ighekpe said his client would appeal the judgment.

Shuaibu described the judgment as a victory for rule of law, adding that he would institute a legal suit against his opponent for defamation of his character.

From Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa and Onyedi Ojiabor, Abuja

“We have mobilised our people; we are in agreement with our people that Sylva is our man. He has bought his form and so we will support him all the way.

“ALGON has resolved that come 2012 it is Sylva or nobody.”

The Special Adviser to Bayelsa State Governor on Mobilisation and Niger Delta Integration Matters, Jude Tabai, yesterday said a bunch of ‘do-or-die’ politicians are behind the plot to scheme Governor Timipre Sylva out of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary on November 19.

He said the people were busy scheming, plotting and dropping names to prevent the governor from participating in the primary.

Tabai, who spoke in Abuja, said those behind the plot have failed because Bayelsans know how Sylva has improved their living conditions in the past four years.

He said: “Whatever oppo-

A CONSTRUCTION worker has been killed by a heavy duty concrete mixing machine in Bomadi Local Government of Delta State.

Saidu Suleiman (25), an indigene of Okpella in Edo State, was killed while trying to operate the machine.

A source said the deceased, who was operating the machine, discovered it was no longer working.

He said: “After Suleiman had fixed the machine, he tried testing it to see if it was working.

“As he stretched his face to see the opening of the machine, he was strangled to death by the mixing machine.

“He has been complaining to the management about the malfunctioning of the machine but the management hasn’t given it a thought.

Now, look at what has happened.”

The company’s management could not be reached for comments.

The reporter was directed to the Bomadi Divisional Police Station.

A police source said investigations had started.

The body of the deceased, which was earlier deposited at the General Hospital Bomadi, has been moved to Okpila for funeral rites.

Tension over suspension of AAU officials

•‘Do-or-die politicians after him’

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TWO robbery suspects were, at the weekend, set ablaze in Uvwie Local Government of Delta State.

They were said to have snatched a woman’s handbag and tried to escape on a motor cycle.

They ran out of luck when the victim raised the alarm which attracted sympathisers and motorcycle riders.

A source said they were lynched while trying to escape.

From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Ughelli

ALGON backs Sylva for PDP ticket HE Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) in Bayelsa State has pledged to support the reelection bid of Governor Timipre Sylva next year.

The association held a welcome party for Sylva, who was in Abuja to submit his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) expression of interest form.

ALGON Chairman Tiwe Orumiegha said ALGON organised the event to tell Sylva’s opponents that there was no vacancy in Creek Haven.

“We are not ignorant of the devices of our detractors. So we have decided, come next year, we are telling our great party that, ALGON as custodians of the grass roots will vote for Sylva.”

Orumiegha, who is also the Chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government, said: “It is either our party gives us our choice or PDP will be destroyed.

“The party is not human.

It is humans who will vote for the person they want.

From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Ughelli

Crane kills worker

Edo Majority Leader wins at tribunal HE National and State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Benin has dismissed the petition filed by Philip Isede Oshiomah of the Labour Party (LP) challenging the election of the Majority Leader of Edo State House of Assembly, Phillip Shuiabu.

It said the petition lacked merit.

Oshiomah had, in the petition, said Shuaibu was not academically qualified at the time he contested the April 26 election for Etsako West Constituency 11 and

Robbery suspects lynched

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

•Sylva submitting his expression of interest form to PDP Organising Secretary Uche Secondus in Abuja

sition against the governor you are hearing today is not opposition by Bayelsans. It is simply opposition by people who want to be governor at all cost. It is opposition by the ‘do-or-die’ pol-

iticians in the state.”

Tabai said that Sylva has thrown a challenge to those opposed to him for a debate for them to show Bayelsans what they have for them.

“Unfortunately, none of

them accepted the challenge.

Bayelsans and Nigerians in general should be happy that our state now enjoys peace.

Those opposed to the governor should allow the people of the state to judge,” he said.

THERE is tension at the Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma in Edo State over the suspension of the institution’s Bursar, Pius Ufua, and Registrar, Mrs. Josephine Omole, by the House of Assembly.

The lawmakers, last week, passed a resolution, suspending the bursar and registrar to enable them probe the financial activities of the institution since 2008.

But industrial unions are kicking against the suspension, saying it was an infringement on the autonomy of the university.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) last week threatened to embark on an indefinite strike if the lawmakers continue to interfere in matters already handled by the Governing Council of the institution.

Also, the institution Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) urged the lawmakers to rescind on its decision or face legal action.

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FOREIGN NEWS Agency raises alarm over unauthorised use of name

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Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Misrata: Libyan women wave their new national flag as they celebrate following the official declaration of liberation of the entire country in the city of Misrata on October 23, 2011.

PHOTO: AFP

I,000 dead in Turkish earthquake

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P to 1,000 people are feared dead in a powerful earthquake in eastern Turkey, according to initial estimates.

Turkey’s Kandilli Observatory said the death toll could be between 500 and 1,000. At least 35 buildings are reported to have collapsed.

The earthquake, with a preliminary magnitude of 7.2, struck in the Van province near the Iranian border on Sunday. The epicentre was below the village of Tabanli, near the city of Van. “The quake was strongly felt in Van and neighbouring towns and caused damage and deaths, based on in-

itial assessments,” the Turkish prime minister’s office said.

Ten buildings collapsed in Van and 25-30 in neighbouring Ercis, officials said.

Several strong aftershocks were reported.

“There are so many dead.

Several buildings have collapsed. There is too much destruction,” Zulfikar Arapoglu, the mayor of Ercis, told NTV television. “We need urgent aid. We need medics.”

Serious damage and casualties were reported in the district of Celebibag. The mayor, Veysel Keser, told NTV: “There are many people under the rubble. Peo-

ple are in agony, we can hear their screams for help. We need urgent help.

“It’s a great disaster. Many buildings have collapsed, student dormitories, hotels and gas stations have collapsed.”

Some houses collapsed in the province of Bitlis, and in nearby Mus the quake toppled the minarets of two mosques. NTV said Van’s airport was damaged and planes were diverted to neighbouring cities.

Rescue workers and residents using their bare hands and shovels struggled to free people believed to be trapped under collapsed buildings, television footage

Massive turnout at Tunisia’s landmark poll

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UNISIANS turned out in force for their country’s first truly

free elections yesterday, voting that is expected to favor a long-banned Islamist party and seen as a bellwether for pro-democracy movements across the Arab world.

With soldiers keeping order, no violence was reported near the end of the voting, though authorities noted minor scattered violations. Thousands of observers monitored Tunisia’s first elections since an uprising overthrew the long-

time leader and set off antigovernment revolts around the Middle East.

Tunisians began voting yesterday in their first truly free elections, the culmination of a popular uprising that ended decades of authoritarian rule and set off similar rebellions across the Middle East. .Voters — women with headscarves and without, former political prisoners, young people whose Facebook posts helped fuel the revolution in the North African country — are electing a 217-seat assembly that will appoint a new govern-

ment and then write a new constitution.

Kamel Jendoubi, head of the electoral commission, said turnout was “over 60 percent and close to 70 percent” by 4 p.m. (1500 GMT; 11 a.m. EDT) Sunday, three hours before the polls close.

That was above expectations.

He told reporters there was no violence, but some “soft” intimidation of voters, such as street demonstrations and people continuing to campaign on voting day, which is against the rules. Some parties had received warnings, but he did not name them.

EU discusses changes to treaty, says UK PM

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K Prime Minister David Cameron has discussed changes to the European Union’s treaty as part of a package to resolve the eurozone debt crisis.

Speaking after European leaders held emergency talks, Mr Cameron said that any change would not be against UK interests.

He gave no details of any changes being considered at the Brussels summit, attended by all 27 heads of EU states.

Another meeting of all the EU countries will be held on Wednesday.

Initially only the 17 countries that use the euro were to meet on Wednesday.

The EU leaders held a summit on Sunday morning amid fears that problems in Greece threaten to spread throughout Europe.

This was followed in the afternoon by a meeting of the 17 eurozone countries.

Mr Cameron told a news conference he believed talks on how to strengthen Europe’s

banks and to promote economic growth were making progress.

He said that proposals on possible treaty changes could be put forward in December, but that he has “secured a commitment that would protect the interests of the UK”.

The prime minister said that Wednesday’s meeting, which he would attend, “will give us time to finalise banking recapitalisation and agree a comprehensive policy to put the euro on a more secure footing”.

Before the morning meeting, Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou urged Europe to “act decisively and effectively” to contain the troubles.

“It’s been proven now that the crisis is not a Greek crisis,” he told reporters. “The crisis is a European crisis. So now is the time that we as Europeans need to act decisively and effectively.”

showed.

At least 50 people were treated for injuries in the courtyard of the state hospital in Van, said the state-run Anatolia news agency.

Earthquakes are frequent in Turkey. In 1999, about 18,000 people were killed by two powerful earthquakes that struck north-west Turkey. Authorities blamed shoddy construction for many of the deaths.

HE Mobile Advert Agency Nigeria Limited, otherwise known as MOAN, has raised the alarm over the unauthorised use of its name by some individuals and groups.

A statement issued at the weekend said for the avoidance of doubt, the agency, registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), is the owner of the MOAN trade mark, adding that some individuals and groups have formed the habit of using MOAN to dupe members of the public.

The statement, signed by the Chairman of the agency, Otunba Mike Osimen Eboziegbe, said, “the management of the wishes to state categorically that any unauthorised usage of our trade mark without our consent would be met with appropriate sanctions.

“The security agencies, law courts and the appropriate authorities have been duly notified of this development.

“MOAN is the property of Mobile Advert Agency Nigeria Limited, with its Head Office at Commercial Road, Apapa.”

Meanwhile, the agency will hold a one-day seminar on the theme: “The Adoption of Acceptable Clearance Certificate on Mobile Advert and Other Related Taxes/Harmonisation of Taxes and Levies Collectible By States/Local Government Administration”, on October 28, 2011, at Golden Destiny Hotel, Ajao Estate,

Lagos.

A statement by MOAN said while Eboziegbe would deliver the keynote address on the occasion, Bukola Oguntola would deliver the welcome address.

It listed the resource persons and their topics at the seminar as Pat Okoeka, who will speak on “Human Capital Development”; Dickson Gbolahan, Head, Mobile Advert Unit of the Lagos State Signage and Advert Agency (LASAA), to speak on “What is Mobile Advert Tax and Those Eligible to Pay?”; Dr. Festus Adedayo, Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity) to Oyo State Governor, “Internally Generated Revenue and Its Importance to the Government”; and Yinka Adeyosoye, Chairman, Ondo State Signage and advert Agency/SA to Governor, “Tax Evasion as an Act of Economic Sabotage and Its Effect on the Government.”

Others who will address the gathering, according to the statement, are: the Grand Patron of the agency, Chief Sunday Offorkwequetta, the National Treasurer, Emmanuel Asuquo, the Assistant Secretary General, Arthur Obiora, the Director of Public Affairs, Bonaventure Agwu, the Northern Coordinator, Alhaji Gambo and Robert Odiba.

Besides, the adoption of the 2012 National Clearance Certificate will be introduced at the seminar by the Executive Director of the agency, Chief Richard Obeto.

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

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SPORT EXTRA

F

ORMER Super Falcons ‘ chief coach, Ismaila Mabo has blamed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for the country’s missed opportunity to play at next year’s Olympic Games Women’s Football Event.

Mabo in a no-holds barred interview with NationSport on Sunday opined that the Falcons lost the decisive leg in Cameroun as soon as the NFF drafted Ex Super Eagles’ coach, Christian Chukwu and German strategist, Thomas Obiler to beef up the technical crew as technical assistants to coach Uche Eucharia.

He queried the brain behind the consideration of Chukwu for the Falcons’ assignment when he had no prior knowledge of Women football, while adding that the addition of Obiler, the German might have psychologically unsettled Coach Uche believing that the Football House does not have confidence in her coaching capabilities.

LONDON 2012 OLYMPICS SOCCER EVENT

Mabo blames NFF for Falcons’ exit T

• Now tied with Jude Aneke

• Faults imposition of Chukwu, Obiler From Tunde Liadi, Owerri “It is a surprise that the Super Falcons lost to Cameroun in spite of their parade of tested players both home and abroad I heard they could not qualify for the Olympics.

Apart from that they paraded some so called very good coaches like the white man, the German coach (Thomas Obiler) and Christian Chukwu.

“It is my believe that their (coaches Obiler and Chukwu’s) presence was a

distraction to the Falcons’ chief coach, Uche Eucharia because whether anybody likes it or not, the NFF lost it when they lost confidence in Uche’s technical ability and this contributed to the team’s inability to qualify at Cameroon’s expense.” Mabo said.

He expressed further,”First they brought in a German coach and attached him to the team and later they also added coach Christian Chukwu and they said he was in the team’s camp on advisory capacity. I

• Falcons’ Desire Oparanozie (9) in action against Cameroun

think it was because the NFF lost confidence in Coach Uche’s technical ability and nobody can dispute that fact.

Instead of restructuring the team, it has ended up creating confusion in the squad. I was told they were trailing 0-2 at some time before they pulled a goal back but they were knocked out 4-3 on penalties.

“It is unfortunate that the Super Falcons will not be at 2012 London Olympics and I think it is will be the first time that Nigeria will fail to qualify. I describe the loss as unfortunate but I think I will lay the blame on the NFF for deploying Chukwu and the German coach to the Falcons.

Chukwu in the first place had never been with the team and he does not know anything about Women Football. For the fact that he is member of the Technical Committee and he has been a former captain of the national team and he is also a coach does not make him qualify to be with the Falcons. His current club, Heartland FC of Owerri has brought in an expatriate to handle the team. Why did they do that to a coach Chukwu’s caliber.

A whiteman was brought in and he was placed over him.

If NFF wanted Chukwu to serve in an advisory capacity he was not supposed to be deployed to Falcons but to Super Eagles because he is older than Siasia and he is more experienced than him.

It is very unfortunate and the truth must be told.”

Enyimba, Rangers, Sunshine record crucial wins

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NYIMBA international of Aba relied on two late goals to peg already relegated Crown FC of Ogbomosho to another defeat at the Enyimba International Stadium,Aba. Gabriel Agu gave the Ajilete Boys a glimmer of hope in the 38th minute when he capitalized on the Aba Millionaires frailties in defence to score the curtain raiser but Philiph Auta made it three goals in two matches when he equalised in the 76th minute before Ifeanyi Ede got the back breaking second goal in the 83rd minute. It was his second goal in second outing for his club.

It was Enyimba second consecutive victory after their elimination from the CAF Champions League two Sunday’s ago.

At the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu the Flying Antelopes, Rangers International added to the misery of Kaduna United after the club was humiliated 3-0 yet again by another Eastern team as a follow up to the 4-1 bashing at Aba last Thursday.

Ifeanyi Egwin raised Rangers to an early lead in the 14th minute. Kabiru Umar scored the second goal in the 43rdwhile Hakeem Yakub netted the third in the 52nd minute.

Sunshine Stars of Akure

Akpabio, Ajani net 17th goal of the season

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri consolidated their stronghold on the league table when the Mimiko Boys handed a 3-2 defeat to second placed Dolphins of Port Harcourt to open a three point lead at the top.

Cletus Itodo got a brace while Ajani Ibrahim accounted for the third. Ghanaian import, Owusu Addae and Emma Nwachi claimed Dolphins goals.

In the other matches decided Plateau United recorded a

magnificent 7-0 win over Kwara United with George Akpabio with a hat trick among the scorers. 3SC kept the hope of remaining in the elite division alive with a slim 1-0 win at home to Heartland of Owerri.

Villas-Boas blames ref for loss

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HELSEA manager Andre Villas-Boas lashed out at referee Chris Foy after seeing two of his players sent off in a 10 defeat to West London

rivals QPR. Jose Bosingwa and Didier Drogba were both dismissed as Chelsea pressed the self-destruct button three times in the first half. David Luiz also conceded a needless penalty to gift the home side a first victory over their arch-rivals for more than 16 years and their first Premier League home win of the season.

Heidar Helguson dispatched the spot-kick before Foy controversially dismissed Bosingwa, who was judged to be last man when he hauled down Shaun WrightPhillips. Drogba then gave Foy no choice but to brandish the red card for a second time with a twofooted challenge on Adel Taarabt.

Villas-Boas believes his players deserved credit for

their spirit after playing for so long with nine men, but was furious with the referee’s display.

“I have to praise the players because they were amazing,” he told Sky Sports. “For 45 minutes we played with nine men and that takes courage - it shows the strength and commitment of squad.

“It’s the third time in row where a referee has directly influenced the result for us and we’re not happy with this. In three games there have been blatant refereeing mistakes.

I’m very disappointed with Chris’ performance. With nine players we kept our emotions very well. Chris and his team managed to play an emotional game and they conceded to the crowd and committed tremendous mistakes.”

QPR manager Neil Warnock was delighted with the result.

“It was fantastic for the fans,” he said.

HE race for the highest goal scorer of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) this season is becoming more interesting even with barely three matches to its end with Plateau United George Akpabio and Ajani Ibrahim of Sunshine Stars getting to the 17th goal mark just like Jude Aneke of Kaduna United did last Thursday at Aba. Akpabio who was surplus to requirements at the Nigeria

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri Under-23 camp, got a sensational three goals to add to his previous haul of 14 and now tied with the duo of Ibrahim and Aneke on 17 goals.

The Akwa Ibom player got three of his club’s 7-0 win over Kwara United.

Ajani on his part was on the score sheet in his club’s decisive 3-2 home win over Dolphins.

Mbachu shocked by Falcons’ defeat

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TELLA Mbachu has lamented Super Falcons’ loss of the London 2012 Olympic Games’ ticket to the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon.

The Cameroonians ended Nigeria’s hope of appearing at the Olympics with a shocking 4-3 win on penalties.

Both sides were tied on 3-3 aggregate after regulation and extra time.

Shocked to her marrow, the diminutive goal poacher, who was sidelined from the Yaounde battle by typhoid fever, told SuperSport.com that she least expected her teammates to lose the Olympics ticket to the Lionesses.

“I was expecting them to qualify not minding the result.

“It never crossed my mind for a second that Cameroon will stop us from participating at the Olympics.

“I am definitely short of words, I am deeply shocked. I don’t know where we will go from here. It’s another sad moment of our football,” Mbachu said.

On whether her presence would have altered the outcome, the veteran Rivers Angels’ forward said football is not an individual but team sport.

“I don’t know any more, the ticket is lost, it does not matter any longer.

“I was not strong for the match, I don’t know, football is a team sport,” she lamented.

Cameroon and South Africa will now represent the continent at the Olympics.

Wenger: Arsenal not a one-man team

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RSENE Wenger has played down suggestions that Arsenal is a one man team after Robin van Persie played a Yeoman’s job, scoring twice late on to give Arsenal a 3-1 win over arch-cunnies Stoke.

“I don’t have that feeling at all”, he said in his post-match press conference. “When you want to be a team with quality you always have a player who stands out and who gets on the end of things. We had Thierry Henry before. Robin has exceptional quality and so you get these questions”.

The boss surprisingly rested

• Wenger

van Persie but revealed the Dutchman wasn’t even sure to take any part in the game.

“He had muscular tightness and I took 19 players yesterday because I was not sure whether to involve him on the teamsheet. He made a check this morning and he was medically alright to be on the bench. Before you leave him out you always think 15 times ‘should I really do it or not?’ but if you look at the number of games he plays and the history he has, you are a bit cautious”.

Ensuring the fitness of the only striker at the club who can score goals is probably prudent but after another ineffectual performance from his replacement, Wenger defended Marouane Chamakh.

“I think he worked very hard. He is running after a goal at the moment. I felt there were two or three occasions in the first half where he was nearly there on crosses and just didn’t get in front of Shawcross. I am pleased with his effort. I think he knows in his mind that at the moment Van Persie is untouchable.

“He will get confidence by playing games and scoring goals like all strikers”.

Yet with only one goal in the Premier League since he scored against Aston Villa on November 27th last year, you have to ask whether or not Chamakh is the man to deputise for the captain. And with Park seemingly decorative, we have to hope Robin remains uninjured.

THE NATION MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

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SPORT EXTRA

NUGA approves hockey for Games T

HE Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) as approved the game of Hockey as parts of efforts to revitalise sporting activities across universities in the country.

The maiden edition of Hotlink/NUGA Hockey Championship kicks-off on Monday October 24th- 27th, 2011 at the sports complex, Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State.

The Championship is proudly powered by Hotlink Sports Shop in conjunction with OAU Sports Council and supported by Industrial General Insurance (IGI).

Thirteen universities across the country have been slated to participate at the four days event; they are University of Ibadan (UI), University of Benin (UNIBEN), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Federal University of Technology (FUT Minna).

Others are University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAAB), University of Agriculture, Makurdi (UNAM), University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), University of Nigeria (UNN), Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, (LAUTECH), Adekunle Ajasin University,

RESULTS NPL Week 35 Gombe 1 - 0 Tornadoes Pillars 2 - 0 Ocean boys Rangers 3 - 0 Kaduna Utd Enyimba 2 - 1 Crown Plateau 7 - 0 Kwara Utd 3sc 1 - 0 Heartland Bukola 1 – 0 Juth Sharks 2 – 0 wolves Zamfara 2 - 1 Lobi Stars Sunshine 3 - 2 Dolphins England - Premier League Wolves 2 - 2 Swansea C. Aston Villa 1 - 2 West Brom Bolton W. 0 - 2 Sunderland Newcastle 1 - 0 Wigan Liverpool 1 - 1 Norwich Arsenal 3 - 1 Stoke Fulham 1 - 3 Everton ManUtd 1 - 6 Man City Blackburn 1 - 2 Tottenham Queens.P 1 - 0 Chelsea Italy - Serie A Fiorentina 2 - 2 Catania Juventus 2 - 2 Genoa Lecce 3 - 4 AC Milan AS Roma 1 - 0 Palermo Cagliari 0 - 0 Napoli Inter Milan1 - 0 Chievo Parma 1 - 2 Atalanta Siena 2 - 0 Cesena Udinese 3 - 0 Novara Germany - Bundesliga I. Augsburg 1 - 1Bremen Dortmund 5 - 0FC Cologne Hertha BSC 0 - 0 Mainz Hoffenheim 1 - 0 M’gladbach K’lautern 1 - 0 Freiburg Nurnberg 2 - 2Stuttgart Hamburger1 - 1Wolfsburg Leverkusen0 - 1 Schalke Hannover 2 - 1 Bayern France - Ligue 1 Bordeaux1 - 1 Brest Caen 1 - 3 Montpellier Marseille2 - 0 Ajaccio Nancy 1 - 0 Nice Etienne 1 - 0 Valenciennes Sochaux 1 - 1 Gaillar Lorient 0 - 0 Toulouse Auxerre 0 - 1 Rennes Paris S.G.2 - 0 Dijon

By Stella Bamawo Akungba (AAUA), and OAU. According to the sponsor organisation the championship is aimed at to develop the game of hockey across the country, and to sensitize the Obafemi Awolowo University community that is hosting the 24th edition of NUGA Games in 2012 about their readiness for the event.

The teams are to be divided into groups in which the top two will engage one another to the final of the event on Thursday. The winner and runners-up will go home with trophies and plaques for individual performances in various categories such as the most valuable player (MVP), the highest goal

scorer award, crystal plaque for the fair play award for best behave team, “The Nigerian University Games Association executive has approved the championship for all hockey playing universities in Nigeria and we are using this medium to showcase our love and passion for the development of the game in our universities in Nigeria”, “Various measures have been put in place to make this championship an historic event being one of its very kinds in the anal of NUGA calendar in the country, lots of fabulous prizes have been outlined for the event as the winner and runners-up will be awarded gold, silver and bronze medals as well as trophies”.

NOC to impart Olympic values O impart the Olympic on 20 schools values on young

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people, the Nigeria Olympic Committe (NOC) will today commence a fourday training in Lagos for over 50 students from 20 schools across the state.

The exercise tagged Olympic Value Education Programme (OVERP), will hold at Greensprings School in Lekki, with the participants drawn from public schools of the six education districts in

2011 Nigeria Independence Corporate Run picks Nov.7 date

By Stella Bamawo

P

REPARATIONS for the second edition of the Independence Corporate run has begun with the event fixed for November 7.The starting point for the 10km race will be from Tafawa Balewa Square(TBS) to the finish point at Eko Atlantic City, Bar Beach Victoria Island.

The theme for the race: ‘let’s run for a healthier Nigeria and a brighter Rewarding future’, according to the organisers, was chosen to foster good relationships among staff which will help in the attainment of company goals and encourage team work.

It would be recalled that the inaugural edition last year continues to linger in the mind of participants and sponsors.

The onus of the event organisation rests with the Lagos State Sports Endowment Fund, while it witnessed active participation of public and private sector concerns.

Meanwhile, personnel of corporate organisations interested in participating in this year’s event can do so by visiting the website of the Lagos State Sports Endowment Fund to fill their forms online at www.lssef.com, while those who wish to collect forms should go to the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

•Targets 50 students

By Innocent Amomoh Lagos.

According to the coordinator of the project, Kemi Obidahunsi, the event is meant to help the students imbibe the spirit of the Olympic.

Having hosted the ‘train the trainers’ course earlier in the year, Greensprings School is supporting the programme to ensure that the students have a conducive environment for the training.

Obidahunsi said: “Our world today is in need of peace, tolerance and progress, Nigeria as a country needs peace too, which we believe that Olympic values can deliver it. NOC with support of Greensprings School, is encouraging and promoting Olympic values and we intend to introduce the values of respect for self and others, fair play, joy of effort, excellence, friendship balance between body and mind to young people all over Nigeria.”

She added: “This is because Nigeria of tomorrow is in the hands of the young people of today. So we are starting with Lagos as 20 schools from the six education districts will be participating and we are expecting 50 students. The programme is scheduled to take place from Monday 24 to Thursday 27 of this month at Greensprings School in Lekki.”

Six resource persons will be in attendance with the objective being exposing the pupils to Olympic values and leadership skills.

“At the end they (students) will be able to establish OLYMPIC CLUBS’’ in their various schools thereby spreading these values to their friends and school mates, which will be monitored by NOC under the culture and education commission. We want corporate bodies and schools to partner with us because we believe that if these values are transferred early to youths of today then Nigeria of tomorrow will be better,” Obidahunsi explained.

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TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

W

HEN stiff-necked dictators like Muammar Gaddafi die the way he did, the world gets a sense of moral relief, a catharsis of righteous triumph. To many, the quiet resentment had grown to indignation on the streets. The indignation became vindication as the tyrant fell like a swallow.

Like his fellow despot, Saddam Hussein, Gaddafi did not die in a posh bedroom, with a parting family oration. No halo of a goodbye kiss. No last gasp of joys.

Rather he died like a common criminal, like a thief many years ago in Lagos burnt to death after serial beating from a crowd of angry youths. When Gaddafi died, his maker Allah was mentioned, but not to thank him for a life well spent. Those who shouted Allah thanked him because they eventually had the tyrant in their hands. His face, strewn with blood, was confused. Was this Gaddafi?

He probably asked himself, is this I, the potentate of this land, being turned around like a worm, derided, slapped, punched, dragged on the ground, my blood tainted with the desert sand?

They dragged him out of a sewage pit, in a trouser and T-shirt, his contorted face almost seemed he wanted to cry. He might have.

Bullets had pockmarked his body, and one shot into his head probably finished him.

Muammar Gaddafi, the dictator and onetime hero of Libya, the author of the Green Book, the leader with female guards, who presided over mammoth oil wealth and acted like a cowboy in an Arab land, died like a rat he called his enemies.

Deaths like this embolden us to believe that the wicked get their punishment before they die. Some can wax Biblical and quote the proverbs: “though hands join in hands, the wicked shall not go unpunished…”

So we saw that with Saddam Hussein, and we said yes, any evil man who rules the people in cowardly tyranny ends like this. But I am not too sure. Herod was believed to have died in misery, and the Bible account said he was eaten by worms. In his masterful novel, I, Claudius, Robert Graves tells the story of the diseases Herod contracted before his death, some in his “private member.”

Saddam Hussein was caught in a rat hole, and dragged out, shorn of all the majesty of his peacock years.

Sani Abacha’s story through his last days confirmed the belief in the eyes of some, what with his often lack of awareness of his environment, his inability to leave the Aso Rock villa, his weak body and the decadent tale of the whores.

Some others said same of the men in Ghana when J.J. Rawlings first incarnated. He got rid of all the vermin of state, many thought.

We thought so too of Liberia, when Sergeant Doe arrived, and a list of past tyrants fell on

In fact, it’s an act of KIDNAPPING.... and TERRORISM too

torture?

It is hard for me to see that these men actually suffered enough. I often feel that they went away with murder. A good number of the Nazi men escaped and lived happily till death, only a few were caught and punished, mostly by jail term. Hitler, who committed the holocaust, with Himmler, Wilhelm Keitel, Goebbels, died. Hitler organised his own exit. He fomented evil and arguably ended it on his own terms. Hitler had fun with the Jews, a horrendously evil sort of entertainment. He wanted to get rid of all of them, the same way Nero wanted to get rid of all the Christians. Neither of them succeeded, but they did a lot of damage. Nero thought he was a great entertainer, and played music while his flattering court pretended he was a genius. He fiddled, as they say, while Rome burned. He lived the delusion of grandeur before he was slain.

HARDBALL

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

IN TOUCH

intouchsam@yahoo.com 08054501081(sms only) •Winner, Informed Commentary 2009 (D.A.M.E) •Columnist of the Year 2009 (NMMA)

Death is not enough

‘

Could the death of Gaddafi after an hour or so of torment compare with the decades of torment he inflicted on those families who died, groveled in jail, suffered perpetual torture?

•The late Gaddafi

his sword. Then he too had to go for his evil. Charles Taylor reigned supreme, and no thanks to his murderous style, two Nigerian journalists died. Now the man is homeless and, under the beautiful spell of the justice of the world, he suffers daily.

We saw same of men like Idi Amin, the butcher of Kampala, who was believed to also be a cannibal. He died an exile, and could not see home after he was pursued out of town by rebels. Mobutu Sese Seko, who was richer than his country, Zaire, and had to lend her money, died also in exile.

Though some of them may not have been in power when they died, they had shelter, food, healthcare, access to entertainment.

Did they really always die in misery? Could the death of Gaddafi after an hour or so of torment compare with the decades of torment he inflicted on those families who died, groveled in jail, suffered perpetual

M

UCH MORE than the valiant and even honourable death suffered by Julius Caesar in 44BC in the hands of assassins, some of them his friends, perhaps no other death is comparable in quiet dignity, regality and matchless elegance to the one suffered by Louis XVI in 1793 at the hands of the French National Convention whose leading voice at the time was the truculent and insufferable Bertrand Barere. From all the accounts read by Hardball, some of them written by eyewitnesses, Caesar was taken by surprise but defended himself as best as he could, though he was surrounded and outnumbered.

He went down fighting, stabbed 35 times, with all his enemies eager to get in one stab wound at the least. That of Louis XVI, a king unlucky to have come on the wrong side of history, was spectacularly honourable. Not only did he receive the death penalty calmly, he endured the two-hour trip to the execution site mindful he was still king who could not afford to demean the French throne he had ascended in 1774.

According to the priest who escorted him to the execution ground, Louis XVI’s courage did not fail him throughout the two-hour journey, nor did he lose his presence of mind, which a death sentence often robs a condemned criminal, nor did he accept any indignity from either his military guards or the

ROTIMI AMAECHI

Another man who loved music was the Cambodian despot, Pol Pot. He played the violin. But historians have described him as one of the top butchers of the 20th century.

He was a teacher who became a follower of Mao Tse Tung, and killed about two million people, a third of his country folks in the name of agrarian revolution. He even killed babies by crashing their heads against trees. Yet, Pol Pot was reported by some to die in peace. When interviewed before his death, he said: “I am not a savage person.”

Josef Stalin was left to die after he had a major heart attack. His lieutenants who feared they might be in line to be executed by him, never called a doctor as the man lay on the floor in a pool of his own urine. Some have argued that up to 20 million people died on account of the Russian dictator.

How many of such deaths of tyrants can equate those of the families they torture, make miserable and murder. There is a lot of public catharsis when they die suddenly.

When King Charles was decapitated in 1603, when Robespierre and Danton undertook the Guillotines during the French revolution, when ruler after ruler fell in the mid19th century in what some historians called the turning point that did not turn. In ancient times, in Greece, Rome and Persia, kings sometimes fell after intrigues and rotted like common animals. Not many mourned Caligula’s exit or Caesar’s.

What we don’t consider though is that these men live in a different world, a deluded cosmos crafted by them and for them.

So when Pol Pot said he was not savage, he did believe it. He was righteous in his eyes.

They see the world not in moral terms but in terms of allies and foes in pursuit of material interests.

Gaddafi was once a hero. He transformed the desert country into a prosperous island on a poor continent. But he was there too long, and mistook himself for his country, a megalomaniac. This self-delusion is the reason it is hard for us to actually punish them swiftly. In the Bible account, God hardened the heart of Pharaoh so he could carry his evil to the end and bear the consequence. In the New Testament, Paul asserts that God sends them “strong delusion” so that they can “believe a lie.”

They have to suffer long, and labour hard and humbled out of their self-importance.

The people, who are the voice of God, can do this. They can organise, like the Egyptians, and ensure that the leaders exit on their own terms and punish them on their own terms. Their ousted leader Hosni Mubarak is losing everything, falling sick, awaiting trial on his sick bed. Justice still looms over him. That may be the model to make sure that tyrants suffer the consequences of their actions before death.

SAM OMATSEYE

RIPPLES

ARREST OF JOURNALISTS, AN ACT OF RECKLESSNESS AND IRRESPONSIBLITY– ABU ASUU

VOL.7, NO. 1,923

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MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

WHO SAID WHAT

‘I want to finish well for the sake of my children because I want them to stand tall in public and say that their father built these projects when he was governor’

A death unworthy of 42 years reputation populace that thronged the route to his execution. More endearingly, shortly before he was guillotined, he made a speech that should shame Alafin Awole of the Oyo Empire who was said to have cursed his kingdom in 1796 when his army mutinied. Said Louis XVI to his executioners and the frenzied crowd urging his quick decapitation: “I die innocent of all the crimes laid to my charge; I Pardon those who have occasioned my death; and I pray to God that the blood you are going to shed may never be visited on France.”

There are ways a leader should die, whether the agency of his translation is illness, war or even civil disorder. First, he must be mindful of his nobility, whether inherited or acquired.

Second, he must never betray fear, for he embodies the entire courage of his people and symbolises the manifest destiny of his country.

Third, he must display pure contempt for death by looking it in the face, sneering at it, and proudly defying it. Louis XVI knew all that, and he was mindful that a curse by a father on his child was an ominous decree that could not be annulled, in the same way that a king could not curse the country or empire he ruled without expecting nature to give effect to it.

But on October 20, Col Muammar Gaddafi, who had ruled Libya for 42 memorable years,

and put up a brave display against his enemies and ideological opponents in the West, faced death and yielded ingloriously to it.

Instead of meeting his fate with courage, first he cringed, then, like Saddam Hussein, he fled contrary to his word, and finally, at the most important moment of his life, when deification beckoned through the barrel of an enemy’s gun, he spurned noble deed. It did not matter whether his Western and Libyan enemies were wrong and he was right.

Gaddafi will for a long time be remembered for the way he faced death without the nobility his 42-year reign presupposed. The story of how he hid in a storm drain will be told, perhaps with some embellishments, even though that could still be put down to an act of sensible evasion in a war situation.

But the mere fact that he tremulously appealed to the sense of propriety and even greed of his captors in his final moments undid all the brave acts his friends and admirers all over the world ascribed to him.

Leaders are not permitted to die anyhow, not even during illness. They are compelled to give us something to remember them by, something noble and glorious.

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