October 24, 2014 by The Nation

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First Lady resigns as Bayelsa Perm Sec From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

HE First Lady has waved a final bye to her controversial appointment as a “Super” Permanent Secretary in the Bayelsa State Civil Service. Mrs Patience Jonathan was said to have resigned following the collapse of her relationship with Governor Seriake Dickson. Mrs. Jonathan is said to be displeased with the governor’s “leadership style”. She resigned to have the moral ground to confront Dickson ahead of the 2015 and 2016 elections, it was learnt. In July 2012, five months after his inContinued on page 4

Jonathan: I’ll seek re-election •President raises panel From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday lifted the veil off his unannounced but widely known interest to run in February’s presidential election. He told leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the Villa yesterday that he had accepted his adoption by all the organs of the party to be presidential candidate. The meeting was held at House 7 in the Presidential Villa. At the meeting were Senate President David Mark, PDP Board of Trustees Chairman Tony Anenih, National Chairman Adamu Muazu and Deputy National Chairman Uche Secondus. Continued on page 4

•THE R OAD TO 2015: All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters at the party secretariat in Yemetu, Ibadan when Oyo State Governor Abiola RO Ajimobi went to collect his expression of interest form for re-election…yesterday. SEE ALSO PAGE 7

Boko Haram: Abductions, bomb kill ceasefire hopes

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

Five die in motor park explosion No word on Chibok girls, others

HATEVER is left of the hopes of the “ceasefire” between the Federal Government and Boko Haram insurgents have been shattered. More women are being abducted, men killed and homes burnt in Borno and Adamawa states. Besides, a bomb went off Wednesday night in Azare, Bauchi State. Five people were killed and 12 injured, according to the police. This followed the abduction of about 45 women in Magadali in Adamawa State on Tuesday.

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We are confused that hours after the so called ceasefire agreement has been entered between the Federal Government and Boko Haram insurgents, our girls were abducted by the insurgents From Barnabas Manyam, Yola

Some of those who were freed after the abduction told reporters in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, yesterday that many of the younger women

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among those abducted were forcibly taken straight into matrimony. In spite of this, the government delegation and supposed representatives of the sect were in talks in N’Djamena,

the Chadian capital. The talks are being moderated by Chadian President Idris Derby. Details are, however, unavailable. Residents of the town of Wagga told AFP that 40 females were kidnapped by suspected Islamist gunmen who went door-to-door, specifically looking for young women and girls. “They left N1500 and some kola nuts in each home where they seized a woman, apparently as a bride price,” said Lazarus Baushe, an elder of the Wagga community. Continued on page 4

•AMERICAN-NIGERIAN SCALES WHITE HOUSE FENCE P12 LAGOS HAILS HIJAB VERDICT P60

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014

NEWS

Rains of Tributes for Dame Oyo •From left: Special Adviser to Ministry of Power, Mr. Olajuwon Olaleye, Presient/CEO, World Stage Limited, Mr. Segun Adeleye, Special Advisor on Engery to Kano State Governor, Hamisu Abubakar and President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Alhaji Aderemi Bello during 4th World Stage Natioal Electricity Power Conference in Lagos... yesterday. PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

•From left: Wiko Mobile Channel Marketing Manager, Adebayo Adams; Key Account Manager, Abiola Anifowose; Director of Marketing, Gareth Abel; Director of International Business, Marcel Van De Pas and Country Sales Manager, John Peters displaying the brand's flagship device, Wiko Highway, during Wiko’s unveiling in Lagos.

•From left: Head, Public Affairs and Communications, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited, Mr. Uzo Odenigbo; Director of Education, Zonal Office, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs. Abiola Abiodun Omole; Director, Human Resources, NBC, Mrs. Grace Omo-Lamai; and Education Secretary, Ajeromi Ifelodun, Local Government Area, Hon. Adewale Adeogun at the presentation of Back to School Kits to 1,200 students of Christ Assembly Nursery/Primary School, Ajegunle, Olodi Apapa, Lagos.

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HEN beggars die, there are no comets seen, the heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes, says William Shakespeare, the world's pre-eminent English poet in one of his books--Julius Caesar. The expression is apt to describe the passing on of Dame Felicia Oluremi Oyo, the immediate former Managing Director (MD) of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Following her death on October 1, the media world convened on Oct. 21 in Lagos, to pay the last respect to their own, who unarguably is the best female journalist the country had had so far. As an accomplished journalist and extraordinary public relations expert, the media world organised a ``Media Afternoon of Songs and Tributes'' to honour her at the NAN Media Centre, Iganmu, Lagos. Mrs Oyo, as the MD of NAN, built the centre to increase the internally generated revenue base of the agency. In a unique manner, Oyo died on Nigeria's 54th Independence Day in a London hospital, barely two weeks to her 62nd birthday on October 12. She was the first female presidential spokesperson, the first female President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and the first female MD of NAN. The Usi-Ekiti born daughter of a carpenter and petty trader mother, Mrs Oyo attended Universities of Lagos and that of Kent at Canterbury on scholarship due to her brilliance. She was awarded the National Honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) by the Nigerian government and was made a Papal Dame by Pope Benedict XVI for her contributions to the preservation of her Catholic faith. Mrs Oyo was also recognised and appointed a member of the Constitution Drafting Committee in 1998.

NIMASA… Trainees’ two years of waiting in vain Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency’s Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) is a subject of controversy following allegations that qualified beneficiaries have been waiting for two years without going overseas for studies, reports SINA FADARE

N •From left: President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr Amaju Pinnick; Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr Seni Adetu; Vice President, NFF, Mr Seyi Akinwunmi and Corporate Relations Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr Sesan Sobowale during a courtesy visit by the NFF team to Guinness in Lagos. PHOTO NIYI ADENIRAN

By Peter Dada and Dele Bodunde

Paying tribute to her, the President of the NGE, Mr Femi Adeshina, said: `Òyo broke through the glass ceiling. `Ìn a profession where the glass ceiling for women is bullet proof, she simply shattered it. Today, Dame Oluremi Oyo is known for many firsts, the first woman to lead NGE for two terms with panache and decorum,'' he said. Adesina recalled Mrs Oyo's efforts at transforming NAN into a household name within the Nigerian media industry and the world. ``What do we say of her work in NAN as MD? Another glass she shattered in style. Her foot prints are indelible in the agency in terms of professional, human capital and infrastructure developments. These works will follow our dear Dame and be a testimony that an Amazon was here,'' he said. The NGE, in a tribute signed by Mr Isaac Ighure, the Secretary-General of the Guild, stated that Oyo would be remembered by the Guild for her exemplary leadership qualities. ``These brought the Guild out of near comatose state, with about 200 members, and transformed it into a vibrant association of senior editors with more than 400 members. ``Her tenure as the NGE president marked a new beginning for the Guild as she laid a solid foundation for its transformation into a force to be reckoned with in the country,'' Ighure said. Sharing similar view, Mr Gbenga Adefaye, former President of the NGE, said that Oyo showed the light for others to follow in the leadership of the Guild. ``The greater impression for me came from her performance in office as spokesperson for former President Olusegun Obasanjo and later as the Managing Director of NAN. `Ìn office as Obasanjo's spokesper-

IGERIAN Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Director-General Mr. Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi was in an upbeat mood in May when he told President Goodluck Jonathan that the agency was sponsoring about 2000 Ratings in various overseas schools. Akpobolokemi was speaking at the inauguration of the first Nigeria Maritime University at Okorenkoko, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.

He said: “NIMASA’s Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) has graduated 51 cadets, while about 2,505 officers and ratings are undergoing various maritime academic programmes in reputable institutions in Philippines, Egypt, India, Romania and the United Kingdom.” The NIMASA chief, however, did not tell the president that there are students it screened in 2012 for its ratings’ courses abroad who are still stranded at home. They were to benefit from its NSDP. But two years

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014

NEWS

•From left: Son-in-law to the late Mrs Oyo, Mr Tolu Abudiore with his son Tobiloba; widower, Mr Vincent Oyo and his daughter, Mrs Okiemuote Abudiore PHOTO: NAN at the requiem mass for the former NAN MD at SS.Joachim/Anne Catholic Church, Ijegun in Lagos... on Wednesday.

son, it was a job she did diligently and to the applause of many; for me, it was a new definition of loyalty, faithfulness and sense of responsibility. ``It was no surprise that Mrs Oyo made me to feature more in the public interrogation of the president, even when she was not expecting friendly questions,'' he said. Another former President of NGE, Baba Dantiye said: ``Oyo's death is painful to me, members of my family and indeed all my friends who knew of our relationship. ``She impacted so much on my life by taking me and treating me as her younger brother,'' he said. In the same vein, Mr Jide Adebayo, the Executive Director, Marketing and Head of Lagos Operations of NAN, lauded the achievements of Oyo while she was the MD of the agency between 2007 and 2013. "To NAN, Mrs Oyo was everything and knew everything about the agency,'' Adebayo, who said he worked with her cumulatively for 30 years, recalled. ``She recorded great achievements and left bold footprints , took NAN from ground zero to its peak as the Chief Executive Officer for two consecutive terms ,'' he said. He also recalled that the agency had serious challenges with its communications facilities, which were at their lowest ebb, when she assumed office in 2007 as the MD. ``She faced the challenges by prodown the line, the students are still waiting and no one is telling them why they are yet to depart for Romania, Egypt, India, Philippine and Malaysia, where the institutions are based. According to one of the shortlisted candidates, who simply identified himself as Joseph, the journey to the NSDP started on May 10, 2012 when NIMASA, through a newspapers advertisement called for eligible Nigerians with WAEC/GCE certificates and between 18 and 30 years to apply for ratings’ training outside the country. He said: “On July 2012, all those who passed the English and Mathematics examination were sent for through text messages for another round of screening at Etal Hotel, Apapa.” The Nation gathered that after the screening that included comprehensive medical check-up and validation of credentials, another text messages were sent to those who qualified for the next stage. The message reads: “Please you are expected to report to Etal Hotels 1-15 Ede Street, ApapaLagos on Friday 28th-30th Sept. 2012 for the second phase screening of the Nigerian Seafarers Development Pro-

curing new and modern communication facilities to the agency and its story production rose from 60 to between 250 and 300 per day and the client-base also rose from 70 to 274. ``She brought the agency from a monolithic news agency that was based on text to a multi-media content provider. The agency was able to attract more clients to it and continued to earn more revenues. ``Mrs Oyo delivered 19 state offices across the country and she was the architect, designer and deliverer of the NAN media centre, where we are having this night of tributes. ``When she mooted the idea that we were going to build the media centre, we asked where the funding was going to come from and she said that we were going to work for it. Today that dream has become a reality,'' Adebayo said. Mr Lateef Ibirogba, Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Lagos, said that Oyo would be remembered for her professionalism and excellence. He said: ``We are gathered here today to celebrate professionalism, excellence and a knack for standards. ``We are gathered here to celebrate a woman who came, saw and conquered. She made sure that whatever she laid her hands on prospered.'' The commissioner said the life of Mrs Oyo was an example for all journalists and a pattern on which to build a professional journalistic career.

Mrs Comfort Obi, the Executive Secretary of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), described Mrs Oyo as a friend, sister, colleague, mentor and confidant. Obi said since her paths crossed with that of Mrs Oyo at a meeting in NAN many years ago, the deceased had been a major influence in her private life and her career. ``We (Oyo and I) were a formidable force. For female journalists, for years, women journalists were not looked upon as unimportant in the industry. We were only allowed to cover mundane beats, the consequential beats were considered to be for men; but we broke that ceiling,'' she said. Mr Lanre Arogundade, the former Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Chapter, said that Oyo was a dominant and prominent force in the campaign for the passage of the Freedom of Information bill into an act. Arogundade said Mrs Oyo was one of the journalists who stood to be counted in the 1990's, when journalists were being jailed, exiled and persecuted in the country. ``She was a river who never forgot her source, particularly after she became the Senior Special Assistant to President Olusegun Obasanjo. ``She kept an open door policy in all her positions. She also made NAN a media conglomerate, introduced radio productions and sent journal-

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We were only used by the agency to put money into the pocket of some top officials of the agency. This has denied majority of us another opportunity somewhere else •NIMASA chief Akpobolokemi

gramme, NSDP. Pls bring with you your original credentials. You are expected to stay at the above address for 3-4 days. NIMASSA Management.” After this final screening, the participants did not hear anything from NIMASSA till the end of 2012. On June, 2013 another message was sent to all the selected candidates. It reads:

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“Further to your successful selection for the Ratings programme, pls your are to report at Etal Hotels, 1-15 Ede Street, Apapa, Lagos on Tuesday, 18/613 for a day, to enable you complete some Malaysian Visa documents and note that you are staying for a night and the deadline for your arrival is Thursday 20/6/13 morn-

• The late Mrs Oyo

ists to NAN offices all over the world with limited funds,'' he stressed. He said Mrs Oyo would be remembered for her candour, charisma, love and laughter. Dr Nwabu Mgbemena, a former General Manager of NAN, as well as its first MD, said that Mrs Oyo would be remembered for her hard work and as a very outgoing and friendly person. He said when Mrs Oyo came to NAN for the first time as a member of staff; he had no idea of the quality of the person the agency had just recruited. Similarly, Pastor Moses Ihonde, Chairman, Diamond Award for Media Excellence (DAME), commended her dedication to duty and professionalism while she was alive. He said this manifested in the way she handled her job as the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to former President Obasanjo. ``From when we met I knew that Remi would go places. I was expecting that she would be a state governor, a senator or the first woman to be president of Nigeria. But God knows the best,'' he said. Interspersed with religious songs and pictures and video clips of some of Oyo's outings, the event was witnessed by who-is-who in the Nigerian media. They included Mr Vincent Maduka, a former director General of the Nigerian Television Authority

(NTA); Mr Sola Odunfa; former Editor of Punch Newspaper and BBC correspondent, Prof. Ralph Akinfeleye, Head, Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos. Richard Ikiebe of Pan-African University, Dr Elizabeth Nkem, Provost of the Nigeria Institute of Journalism, Mr Louis Odion, the Commissioner for Information in Edo, Rep. Abayomi Are, the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Information and National Orientation, National Assembly, among others. List of NAN former members of staff who worked with Oyo and came to honour her included Victor Udom, Mike Osunde, Ben Isichie, Jide Akerele, Segun Adeyemi, Goddy Ikeh, Segun Aribike, Ade Obisesan and Mrs Toro Oladapo. Others at the event included Okey Ifionu of This Day and Mrs Tinu Odugbemi of Media Review. ``So wise so young, they say do never live long,'' says William Shakespeare in his book -- King Richard III. In literal translation Shakespeare's expression, the Yoruba will say: ``Igi t'odara kii pe nigbo'', meaning a good timber will not last long in the forest. Farewell, Oluremi Oyo, a rare woman. Mrs Oyo is survived by her husband; Vincent, a son and a daughter, grandchildren, brothers and sisters. •Dada and Bodunde are of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

ing. Thanks.” Speaking to The Nation on their plight, another student, who was screened to go to India, said the fillers they got from the agency was that all the screening the agency did since 2012 were mere camouflage and that their names had been substituted with other candidates. The candidate, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said aside the fact that none of the candidates have received any mail from the agency this year, they were shocked to see on the website of the agency that about 2000 of those screened are studying abroad. “This is not true because we have our source within; we were only used by the agency to put money into the pocket of some top officials of the agency.” He said his international passport has been with the agency since 2012. “This has denied majority of us another opportunity somewhere else as we cannot apply for another passport and the agency has kept mute on our predicament and nobody can go to their office because the exercise was contracted out to a company known as Renner,” he said. A maritime expert, Mr. Chike

Okafor, said the alleged screening of candidates was a mere formality. “The issue of federal character is not exiting in NIMASA because 80 per cent of those given the opportunity to study abroad are from Southsouth,” Okafor said. Getting NIMASA to react to the allegations was like knocking the biblical Jerusalem gate. When The Nation got in touch with the coordinator of NSDP, Mr. Chinedu Ikedieze, through sms messages, he promised to visit the newspaper’s corporate office but he never showed up you. NIMASA’s spokesperson Mr. Isichei Osamgbi, who is the Deputy Director and Head, Public Relations, did not pick calls to his phone. This reporter was also not allowed into its office at No 4, Burma Road, Apapa on Wednesday, October 15. For now, the students’ hope hangs in the balance and if it is true that their names have been replaced with others who are already overseas studying, it is high time they started looking beyond NIMASA to realise their dreams.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014

Boko Haram: Abductions, bomb kill ceasefire hopes Continued from page 1

•Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant Akinwunmi Ambode receiving a document from Coordinator Congress of Islamic Organisations(CIO) Lagos State, Sheikh Abdullahi Shuaib, at rally of the group in support of the aspirant...yesterday. With them (from left) are: Ameer Wahatulli Awariyina Alhaji Tajudeen; Chief Imam, Lagos State House of Assembly Hon. Abdulhakeem Abdulateef and others

I’ll seek re-election, Jonathan tells PDP chiefs President off to Israel on pilgrimage

Continued from page 1

A Presidency source said Jonathan thanked the party men and women for endorsing him to run and giving him the offer of first refusal. The source, who spoke on a condition of anonymity, said Jonathan told them that he would pick the nomination form before Thursday’s deadline fixed by the party. Jonathan, he said, is to make a public declaration between November 7 and 15. A committee to work out the modalities for the ceremony has been formed. The source listed the chairman and members of the Presidential Declaration Committee as: “Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed (Chairman) from Kebbi, former Senate President Ken Nnamani (Deputy Chairman), Enugu, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim (Secretary), Ebonyi, Prof. Rufa’i Ahmed Alkali (member), Gombe, Julius Imagwe – Senior Special Assistant (SSA) Youth - (member), Edo, Dr. Baraka Sani (SSA -NSAP) Kano (member). Governors representing zones are: Liyel Imoke, Cross River (South South), Theodore Orji, Abia (South East), Olusegun Mimiko, Ondo (Southwest), Dr. Mua’zu Ba-

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan will today depart for Israel on pilgrimage. A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said Dr. Jonathan will be accompanied by the Chaplain of the Presidential Villa, Venerable Obioma Onwuzurumba and his principal aides. Apart from visiting Christian holy sites, he will join other Nigerian pilgrims in a prayer session for the well-being and progress of the country at an Inter-Denominational Service in Jerusalem on Sunday. He is expected back in Abuja on Monday. bangida Aliyu Niger (North Central), Ibrahim Shema, Katsina (North West) and Ibrahim Dankwambo, Gombe (North East).” “National Assembly Representatives: Sen. Hosea Agboola (Oyo), Sen. Ahmed Makarfi (Kaduna), Hon. Bitrus Kaze (Plateau) and Hon. Salmas Badru (Ogun). Federal Executive Council Representatives: Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke (Bayelsa), Minister of Police Affairs, Abduljelili Adesiyan (Osun), Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Zainab Maina (Adamawa), Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Sen. Bala Mohammed (Bauchi).

The statement reads: “Before leaving for Israel, President Jonathan will participate in the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the Seme-Krake Joint Border Control Post on Friday morning. “The President will be joined at the event by President Boni Yayi of Benin Republic and officials of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).” “The Seme-Krake Joint Border Control Post is being constructed under the ECOWAS Transport Facilitation Programme which has the objective of boosting trade and economic relations among member countries.”

Party Official Representatives: Deputy National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus (Rivers), Benue State Chapter Chairman, Chief Emmanuel Egbo (Benue) National Women Leader, Kema Chikwe (Imo) and North West Zonal Chairman, Amb. Ibrahim Kazaure (Jigawa). Party members represenatives: Sen. Stella Omu (Delta), Sen. Walid Jibrin (BOT Secretary, (Nasarawa), Ibrahim Bunu (Borno), Rev. Jolly Nyame (Taraba), Sen. Aniete Okon (Akwa Ibom), Peter Obi (Anambra), Mrs. Remi Adiukwu-Bakare (Lagos), Gen. A. B. Mamman and PDP National Youth Leader - FCT.

Others appointed at presidential discretion: Halima Alfa (Kogi), Nigeria Ambassador to Netherlands, Mrs. Nimota Nihinlola Akanbi (Kwara), FCT ALGON Chairman, Micah Yohanna Jiba (FCT) and Hon. Sam Ikon (Akwa Ibom). Giving analysis of members representing the zones, the source said SouthSouth (six), Southeast (five), Southwest (five), FCT (one), Northwest (five), Northeast (six) and NorthCentral (six). Another meetiing, the source said, was held last night where Prof. Jerry Gana was named as the chairman of the fund-raising sub-committee for the campaign.

Witnesses in the nearby town of Gwarta separately reported a kidnapping last weekend involving another 20 female victims, but details were not immediately clear. Bauchi police spokesman Mohammed Haruna said the dead in the Azare bus station blast were “burnt beyond recognition”. No-one claimed responsibility, but Bauchi has been attacked repeatedly throughout Boko Haram’s brutal five-year uprising, which has left more than 10,000 people dead. “Five persons burned beyond recognition were certified dead, while 12 others sustained various degrees of injuries,” Haruna said. “The entire surrounding (area) has been cordoned off … No arrest has yet been made, but an investigation has commenced.” A Chadian diplomat told Reuters that a deal could still be reached if this faction has ultimate control over the girls — although analysts say that could be divided between several cooperating factions. Reports of fresh kidnappings by the Islamists first emerged on Saturday near Chibok, where 219 schoolgirls were seized since April. Their release is part of the ongoing talks. Confirmation that the Bauchi bombing or the latest abductions were tied to Boko Haram would further undermine the government’s claim that they have negotiated a ceasefire with the extremists. After Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh announced the ceasefire following talks in Saudi Arabia, a senior aide to President Goodluck Jonathan said Boko Haram had agreed to release the schoolgirls. But evidence is mounting that both pacts were hollow. There has been no comment so far from Boko Haram’s purported leader Abubakar Shekau and hopes voiced by the Presidency that the girls would be released by Tuesday came to nothing. Nigerian negotiators were reportedly set to resume talks with Boko Haram envoys in neighbouring Chad next week, but further questions will likely be asked about the identities

of the purported sect negotiators. Some of the residents of Michika and Madagali local government areas, Adamawa State, who were abducted by Boko Haram have returned home, bearing tales of their harrowing experience. Some of the 45 girls and women recently abducted in the area have been wedded to fighters of the Islamic sect, they said. The insurgents, according to the returnees, have also turned some of the abducted girls to maidens who cook their food. Many of the relatives of some of the abducted girls who were released because of ill health told reporters in Yola, the state capital, that their relatives claimed that some of the girls had been turned to cooks while others were married off to the fighters. A relative to one of the women released by the insurgents who does not want his name in print said initially, the insurgents seized about 80 girls and women whom they loaded into vans and zoomed off. He added that later in the night, the insurgents separated the elderly women from the girls and released them. Many, the source said, are languishing in the forest as they could not find their way back to the towns. “We were told by trapped residents that the elderly women were released while the insurgents went away with the young ones,” he said. A relative of one of the abducted girls has enjoined the Federal and Adamawa State sovernments to intensify efforts at rescuing the abducted girls so that they will not be left in the hands of the insurgents for too long to save them from being abused. “We are confused that hours after the so called ceasefire agreement has been entered between the Federal Government and Boko Haram insurgents, our girls were abducted by the insurgents. “We are at a loss about the government’s sincerity on the whole issue and we urge it to rescue our daughters without further delay as we are ready to die searching for our missing ones,” he said. More than 400 girls have so far been kidnapped by the fighters since April 2014 in many places across Adamawa, Yobe and Borno states since the insurgency began five years ago.

First Lady resigns as Bayelsa Permanent Secretary Continued from page 1

auguration, Dickson appointed Mrs. Jonathan as one of the 17 new permanent secretaries in the civil service. Dickson said the appointment was based on the power conferred on him by Section 203 of the constitution. He said it was in recognition of the First Lady’s services to the state and the nation, adding that she was a directorate level officer in the civil service. Her appointment was, however, greeted with outrage by Nigerians who accused the governor of arbitrary use of constitutional powers. Civil society groups, human rights activists and concerned individuals rose to condemn the appointment. They urged the First Lady to reject it. The First Lady travelled to Yenagoa on July 21 to be

sworn in as a permanent secretary alongside others at the Government House Banquet Hall. Dickson was said to have taken the decision to endear himself to Mrs. Jonathan. Sources from the Ministry of Education said the 57year old First Lady left the service voluntarily. One of the sources, who pleaded for anonymity, said the ministry has computed her terminal benefits. When asked the total amount of her terminal benefits, he said: “Well I don’t know. All I can tell you is that everything has been processed. “The whole thing is political. It appears Madam Peace is not happy with the governor. “I feel the President’s wife resigned to enable her to have the moral right to slug it out with Dickson ahead of the governorship poll in the state. Let no one deceive

•Mrs. Jonathan

you, the whole thing is politics. After all, she is 57 and the retirement age is 60.” The wife of the President has a National Certificate of Education in Mathematics/ Biology, which she obtained in 1989 from the Rivers State College of Education. She also has a degree in Bi-

•Dickson

ology and Psychology (Education) from the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. It was learnt that by the resignation, the First Lady would be pushing with more force her battle to replace Dickson with her anointed son, Mr. Waripam-

owei Dudafa. Instead of supporting Dickson’s second term bid, she was said to have preferred Dudafa, the Special Assistant to the President on domestic matters. The First Lady was accused of influencing the posting of the new Commissioner of Police, Mr. Valentine Ntomchukwu, to the state. When contacted, Chief Salo Adikumo, who resigned during the week as Commissioner for Education, said he was no longer the commissioner. He said: “I resigned recently as commissioner to enable me pursue my political ambition. Please direct all your enquiries to the Ministry, “he said. But, a senior official of the ministry confirmed the development and said it was true that the First Lady resigned. The official, who pleaded

not to be named, for fear of victimisation, dismissed that she quit for political reasons. He said: “I can say Dame Patience Jonathan has voluntarily retired. But whether there is political undertone in her resignation, I cannot say. “I think the First Lady felt that her continued stay as Permanent Secretary will be depriving others. Now that she has thrown in the towel, it will afford others the opportunity to take her position. “Already, in accordance with the civil service rules, we have prepared all her entitlements. Whatever is due her will be given to her. She will also be receiving her pension.”

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 24, 2014

NEWS

Labour to resist ‘removal’ of wages, pension from Exclusive List W

ORKERS were angry yesterday about the removal of wages and pension from the Exclusive Legislative List, following the constitution amendment by the National Assembly. They vowed to resist the removal by preparing for a national strike. Trade Union Congress (TUC) President Boboyi Kaigama said the decision was unacceptable to the union. Also, the General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, accused the National Assembly of attempting to turn Nigerian workers into slaves through the removal. In a statement in Abuja, Ozo-Eson noted that the action of the National Assembly was a deliberate ploy by some people to truncate the electioneering process. The NLC secretary said an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the congress would hold on Monday to mobilise workers for further action against the National Assembly’s position. He urged Nigerians to show understanding, if the congress called the workers out for a national strike. Ozo-Eson said the national campaign and mobilisation on the matter, which the NLC organised in 2013, was suspended at the instance of the leadership of the Senate, following its promise to revisit the matter. The labour leader stressed that the Senate reneged on its promise to do the needful then because it was “better informed”. The statement, titled: We Shall Resist This, reads: “The Nigeria Labour Congress condemns ...the removal of wages from the Exclusive List to the Concurrent List by the National Assembly in the ongoing fourth amendment to the 1999 Constitution. “We at the congress see the removal of wages from the Exclusive List as an

Mark: PDP will ensure credible polls in 2015

•Why minimum wage is on Concurrent List, by Ekweremadu

Ihedioha: Labour not removed from Exclusive List

HE Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha yesterday clarified the status of minimum wage in the Constitution Amendment, saying Labour was not removed from the Exclusive List. A statement by Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, who is also the Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee on Constitution Amendment, said the clarification became necessary because of “false and misleading information on this matter”. The statement reads: “It has become necessary to clarify that the conference report of the Constitution Review Committee recently adopted by the Senate and House of From Tony Akowe, Abuja

act of treachery masterminded by conservative governors and their cohorts in the National Assembly, which will do the polity no good. “We wish to state in no uncertain terms that the Congress will mobilise its members to resist this move to scrap the national minimum wage. We recall that last year, our national campaign and mobilisation on this matter was suspended at the instance of the leadership of the Senate, which promised to revisit the issue now that they ‘was better informed’. “We recall paying tribute to the House of Representatives, which, in its wisdom did not contemplate removing wages from the Exclusive List. It is also worth recalling that the National Conference retained wages on the Exclusive List in deference to the logic of the argument for the necessity of maintaining wages on the Exclusive List. “We have generated and circulated enough literature on this matter and we are completely at a loss as to the rationale for this turnabout. We advise the National Assembly to hearken to

From Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja

Representatives did not remove Labour from the Exclusive Legislative List. “The Senate had put Labour on the Concurrent List but the House retained it in the Exclusive List. “During the Harmonisation of the Reports from the two chambers, the Conference Committee adopted the House version and retained Labour on the Exclusive List. “The Senate and the House of Representatives have now adopted the Conference Committee Report, which retained Labour on the Exclusive Legislative List. “We are at a loss as to where the false and misleading information on this matter emanated from.”

the voice of reason and the voice of the people by urgently retracing their steps because the consequences of their action could be dire for the nation. “We have explained as often as necessary that the basic rationale for fixing a minimum wage is to ensure that employees, particularly the unorganised and unskilled, are not exploited by their employers to the extent that their pay becomes so low that it creates a pool of the working poor. “Minimum Wage Laws are in force in approximately 90 per cent of the countries of the world today. Why would Nigeria leave this group for the negative 10 per cent? One of the implications of this amendment is the jettisoning by the National Assembly of the concept of a national minimum wage as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (Item 34 of the Second Schedule). “What this means is that every individual employer will determine its minimum wage. This is extremely retrogressive and dangerous. The other implication is that it will turn the wage determination process in states into a ‘legislative’ exercise instead of the uni-

versal best practice model of collective bargaining, as enshrined in the ILO Convention 154 on Collective Bargaining, as well as Convention 98 on the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining. “In light of the foregoing, the congress believes the removal is a deliberate and calculated attempt to move us from the working poor to the slavepoor. We also believe it is a conscious ploy by some people to truncate the ongoing electioneering process. “An emergency NEC has been convened for Monday, October 27, to mobilise workers for further action. We appeal to Nigerians to show understanding in the event of the fallouts from our proposed action.” Also, in a telephone interview with our correspondent, Kaigama said the position of the National Assembly was unacceptable to the union. He added: “Nigerians will hear from us very soon. “The decision is unacceptable and uncalled for. We shall come up with a collective position after consultation with our sister-body, the NLC. So, don’t bother yourself about it.

You will hear from us soon.” The Chairman of the National Assembly Conference Committee on Constitution Review and Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu said yesterday the National Assembly put wages on the Concurrent List in the workers' interest. His position contradicted House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, who said wages and pension were not removed from the Exclusive List. In a statement last night in Abuja, Ekweremadu said: "Our belief is that the constitution is not what you subject to the whims and caprices of individuals or their emotions. So, you have to be reasonable. We have to look at the best practices. "We are running a federation in Nigeria and our findings are that most federations all over the world allow wage on the Concurrent List. The reason is that all fingers can never be equal in a federation. We have rich states and we have poor states. What they are paying as wages in Borno may not be enough for somebody in Lagos. Also, what they are paying in Enugu, for instance, may not be enough for a worker in Abuja. "So, we believe that each state will have their separate challenges. We have oil-producing states that are richer than those who are not oil producing. This is because of their oil wealth. For instance, they may decide to double what is being paid as wages in Kano. "It is true that we call it minimum wage, but what usually happens is that everybody sticks to the minimum wage; nobody wants to increase it. If you say it is the minimum wage, it means you can’t pay more than that. "People take advantage of civil servants by sticking to the minimum wage. What we are now saying is that each state should be able to decide what their minimum would look like."

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

ENATE President David Mark has said the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will ensure that Nigerians get credible elections next year, despite the various challenges confronting the Goodluck Jonathan administration. The Senate president spoke yesterday in Jos, the Plateau State capital, when he led the distribution of empowerment items sponsored by Gyang Pwajok, the senator representing Plateau North, to his constituents. Mark said: “Nigerians do not need to nurse any apprehension over 2015 elections. The ruling PDP will ensure credible elections at all levels. We are only pleading that politicians do not make their elections do-or-die affair. Nigerians should be assured of free, fair and credible elections in 2015. “But in every game, there must be winners and losers. Those who lose should not make it a battlefront because there is always another opportunity to try again.” Mark hailed Pwajok for contributing to the Senate and showing concerns for his constituents. Pwajok said: “The constituency empowerment and development programme was organised to mark my two years in the Senate. These items are meant to economically empower women, youths and the less privileged in my constituency. My desire is for them to be financially independent and self-employed.” Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang, who was represented by Deputy Governor Ambas Ignatius Longjan, praised Pwajok for giving Plateau State credible representation at the National Assembly. The items distributed included grinding machines, sewing machines, tricycles, hair dressing kits, irrigation water pumps, vehicles and computer sets, among others, amounting to over N150 million.

From left: House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha; Senate President David Mark; Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and Life PHOTO: NAN Peer, House of Lords, United Kingdom (UK), Mr Paul Boateng, at the fifth National Prayer Breakfast in Abuja...yesterday

Fed Govt launches national plan on Ebola

HE Federal Government announced yesterday that it had developed a National Ebola Preparedness Plan (NEPP). The plan, it said, would check a possible fresh outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). Nigeria was certified Ebola-free on Monday by the World Health Organisation (WHO) at the end of 42 days of monitoring the virus without a fresh case. The virus, which was imported into the country by Liberian-American Patrick Sawyer in July, killed seven people before it was contained. But the coordinating minister of Health, who doubled as the Minister of State for Health, Alhaji Khaliru Alhassan, noted that until the EVD is contained in the region and the world, chances of the virus being imported into the country remained high. He said the nation should remain vigilant

From Vincent Ikuomola and Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

rather than relax that the virus had been conquered. The minister, who addressed reporters in Abuja on the certification of the nation as EVD-free, added: “This achievement recorded by Nigeria’s public health must not be taken for granted. We must not go to sleep and start resting on our oars. It should serve as a warning signal that the outbreak of EVD still presents a measured threat to Nigeria and the world, until it is contained and eliminated from all countries, particularly from the West African sub-region. “Without this, the possibility of a re-importation of EVD into Nigeria remains high. Thus, it is not quite over yet. It is in this regard that we have developed a NEPP with all elements

to work with the states to activate their management systems, to strengthen our national preparedness and be ready to respond to a potential outbreak, should it recur.” The minister noted that the Federal Government would set up a National Emergency Operations Centre at the nation’s capital territory. Alhassan said about 506 volunteers were ready for deployment in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone. The minister added that 250 others would also be deployed soon. He urged state governments to increase their surveillance systems and public awareness on the disease. The minister stressed the need to strengthen hospital authorities and health officials for the EVD.

THE NATION FRIDAY OCTOBER 24, 2014

NEWS Buhari’ll salvage Nigeria, says campaign chief •Southwest seeks support

coordinator

From James Azania, Lokoja

HE Kogi State Coordinator of the Buhari Campaign Organisation (BCO), Chief James Ocholi (SAN), has said former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, will salvage the country, if voted to power in next year’s presidential election. Ocholi spoke yesterday in Lokoja, the state capital, at the inauguration of the campaign committee. He noted that the country needed a positive change after 15 years of bad governance by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The frontline lawyer said the Presidency under Gen. Buhari would turn around the fortunes of the nation. According to him, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is poised to dislodge the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from power and rescue Nigeria from stagnation, corruption, maladministration and insecurity. Also, the Coordinator of the Southwest branch of the Buhari 2015 Support Group Centre, Mr Ayo Fatola, urged Nigerians to support Gen. Buhari's aspiration to emerge President in 2015. In a statement in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Fatola said there were three core values that make Gen. Buhari to stand out as a presidential aspirant. The coordinator said Nigerians cannot afford to throw away the chance to elect the former Head of State to develop the country. He noted that Gen. Buhari stands on a high moral ground with an impeccable record in public service. Fatola said the APC aspirant had always been committed to any task he handled, adding that his dedication to work showed his resolve to take Nigeria to greater heights. The coordinator said Gen. Buhari's simplicity, integrity and sincerity were necessary building blocks that he would use to nurture Nigeria into a modern nation Nigerians crave. According to him, Nigerians should vote in 2015 to realise their dream of a better nation.

Bill on corps members’ welfare scales second reading From Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja

BILL for the amendment of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Act to enhance the welfare of corps members and ensure their acquisition of special business and commercial skills went through the second reading yesterday at the House of Representatives. The Bill, among other things, seeks to allow corps members to pass through skill acquisition programmes during the mandatory one-year service after their graduation from tertiary institutions. The Bill, which was sponsored by Moshood Mustapha, is titled: “A bill for an Act to Amend the National Youths Service corps Act, No. 51 of 2004 to embody certain provisions aimed at enhancing the welfare needs of Corps Members, enable their acquisition of special business and commercial skills and empower them financially to fend for themselves at the end of their service and for other Matters Connected Therewith.” It was referred to the Ad Hoc Committee on the Review of the1999 Constitution and the House Committee on Youth Development. Mustapha (APC Kwara) explained that the proposed amendment would encourage self-employment and reduce unemployment and poverty in the country. In the proposed amendment to the Bill, Section 7(3) seeks to increase the State Government’s annual subvention from N500,000 with N50 million to enable it cater adequately for the welfare ‘and skill acquisition’ needs of Corp members deployed to the State.

•Pastor Joseph Obayemi (middle), Pastor-in-charge of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Region 2, who represented the General Overseer, cutting the tape at the opening of RCCG Complete Sanctuary, Dominion Headquarters at Iju-Ishaga, Lagos. With him, from left, are: Pastor Yomi Olurinto, Assistant Pastor-in-charge (CSR), Lagos Province 17; Pastor David Omonuagbe, Pastor-in-charge of the Province and Pastor Soji Omotunde, Pastor-incharge of the Dominion, at the event.

NUT, Jang-led NGF oppose local govt autonomy

HE national leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has vowed to resist the National Assembly for granting autonomy to local governments. The Jonah Jang-led Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) also opposed the National Assembly’s approval of the autonomy. A joint statement yesterday in Abuja by NUT National President Michael Olukoya and General Secretary Obong Ikpe Obong, reads: “NUT wishes to express in strong terms the resentment of Nigerian teachers on the position of the National Assembly Committee on Constitutional Amendment granting autonomy to local governments without factoring the position of the NUT on which arm of government is responsible for funding and management of primary education in Nigeria, considering that the financial allocation to each local government, as it stands today, cannot sufficiently fund primary education and other demands of such councils. “Much as the NUT is not opposed to

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

the autonomy of local governments, the resolve of Nigerian teachers not to once again have the payment of their salaries and management of primary education left in the hands of the authorities local governments remain unchanged and will be strongly resisted. “Similarly, the committee’s insistence to move the matter of minimum wage from the Exclusive List to the Concurrent List is another calculated attempt to cause avoidable industrial crisis in the nation’s polity. “We wish to remind the committee that salaries of political office holders, as fixed by the National Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, do not factor the financial strength of the particular state, which such political office holders are elected or appointed to represent. It is, therefore, hypocritical to remove the wage of public servants from the Exclusive Legislative List of the constitution. “The deregulation of the wage of the public servants, with regulation of

the perquisite of political office holders, is unthinkable and smacks of double standard. It is self-serving and will, therefore, be rejected by the working class in all democratic tradition. “The legislation and executive policies are expected to derive and serve the interest of the greater majority. In this exercise, the National Assembly has only served the interest of the political class, throwing into the abyss the interest of the common man and working class, which constitutes the majority of Nigeria. “The essence of a constitutional amendment is to right the wrong and address matters of injustice, and not to cause further disaffection, dislocation and avoidable chaos in the system. These misguided judgments of the committee must be reverted forthwith in the interest of industrial peace in the nation’s school system. “Nigeria teachers are keenly watching, especially now that the 2015 general elections are by the corner.” In a statement last night in Abuja by

.25m babies die in first month, says minister

BOUT 250,000 babies die within the first month of their birth,the Coordinating Minister of Health, Alhaji Khaliru Alhassan, has said. The minister noted that the deaths, which accounted for about 32 per cent of under-five child mortality in the country, were preventable. Alhassan spoke yesterday in Abuja at the maiden edition of the National Newborn Conference. The minister said the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) had maintained vital workable interventions but the progress was discouraging.

From vincent Ikuomola and Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

He said the interventions focused more on in-house capacity but recorded “low progress”. According to him, there are vital policies that support the fight against newborn. Alhassan said: “It is a clarion call to make sure every newborn lives. Reports showed that we have the highest number of new born deat,h with 250,000 babies dying in their first month from conditions that are preventable.”

The minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Linus Awute, called for better decision making process to enhance the survival of the new born babies. He was optimistic that the nation would win the battle against deaths of newborn, as it won the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). The ministry’s Director of Family Health Dr. Balami Wonpada said there is need to harmonise essential newborn care training packages for health workers at all levels.

Rape victims storm National Assembly

APE victims yesterday converged on the National Assembly complex Abuja to seek accelerated passage of the Sexual Offences Bill. The Bill has been pending at the two chambers of the National Assembly for over two years. Lawmakers, particularly the women, fought back tears yesterday as they listened to the pathetic stories of the rape victims. The affected ladies shared their experiences in the hands of their violators. They were at the legislative complex to inform senators and House of Representatives members on the need to pass the Bill to prevent further sexual offences. The rape victims took part in a mock tribunal/court proceeding on sexual and gender based violence, anchored by the National Assembly Women

•Call for passage of Sexual Offences Bill From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sani Onogu, Abuja

Affairs Committee and the Legislative Advocacy Coalition for Violence in Nigeria. The ladies painfully recalled how they were sexually assaulted by men, who were old enough to be their fathers. They also recalled how their efforts to seek redress in courts were frustrated because of weak laws against such crime or a lack of such laws. The violated women, who covered their faces when they gave details of how they were sexually assaulted, urged the women lawmakers to save other ladies - either of their ages or much younger than them - from sexual assault. Senator Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos

Central) and Senator Chris Anyanwu (Imo East), who received the distraught women, described rape as the most wicked crime against the womenfolk. The senators vowed to use the legislative machinery available to them to ensure that relevant bills, which seek to protect women and children against violence, are passed before the end of the current legislative year. The Founding Director of Women Aid Collective Dr. Joy Ezeilo said the purpose of the mock tribunal/court was to spotlight cases of gender-based violence in Nigeria. Ezeilo said the organisers also wanted to use the event to raise the voices of the victims and survivors to take urgent action on the appropriate laws that would protect women and vulnerable groups.

its Secretary, Earl Osaro Onaiwu, the Jang-led governors’ forum noted that the National Assembly used the conference committee to force the amendment on the local government. The forum recalled that it was rejected by the Senate during the constitution amendment debates and when the matter was put to votes. The NGF said it was improper for the conference committee to overturn the position of the majority in the Senate on the matter. It described the agitation for local government autonomy “as hasty without first considering the problems of executive recklessness and ineffective administration at the local level”. The governors warned that the amendment would lead to the hijack of some local governments’ administrative structures by a few powerful individuals when state governments are eliminated from performing such functions. But the Jang-led NGF was confident that the amendment would be rejected by several Houses of Assembly.

Jonathan: reports on rights abuses exaggerated From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has said reports on rights abuses by the country’s military and other security agencies were blown out of proportion by foreign rights groups. The President spoke yesterday in Abuja when he opened a three-day international workshop on civil-military cooperation at the National Defence College. He promised investigation into the reports. Amnesty International (AI) and other rights groups have accused the Nigerian military, the police and other security agencies of extensive right abuses, particularly in the counter-insurgency campaign in the Northeast. Jonathan said: “We have taken very seriously reports from some international organisations about perceived human right abuses by our security forces during military operations. “Findings have generally shown that these reports are indeed exaggerated. We know that there are issues, but the reports sometimes exaggerate the issues. “For me, maybe standing as a President of a country where we are fighting terror, if you make certain statements, people will begin to interpret them to mean that the President is trying to defend the Armed Forces. “Some may say the President is trying to protect himself from being dragged to the Hague; it is now common for Presidents to be dragged to the Hague. Some of these reports need to be properly investigated.”

THE NATION OCTOBER, FRIDAY 24, 2014

NEWS

Ekiti Assembly: no plans to remove Fayose

EMBERS of the Ekiti State House of Assembly has appealed to Governor Ayo Fayose not to endanger the lives of its members by peddling unfounded allegations that it is planning to impeach him. Noting that they nursed no such plans either individually or collectively, the lawmakers said such allegation might expose them to attacks. Speaking yesterday at a briefing attended by 16 of the 19 All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers, including the Speaker, Adewale Omirin, Churchill Adedipe, who chaired the event, said: “Our primary role is to use the Assembly to advance the course of the state’s development. “We have nothing to do with the pedestrian engagements going round now in Ekiti. The governor has been saying he is interested in developing the state and this has been our focus here for three and a half years. “Fayose should work with us, not with political jobbers, not with those interested in stoking embers of mayhem, unrest and discord. This Assembly is interested in partnering you (Fayose) once it is in the interest of the state. “We have been accused of collecting N50 million each; the Speaker was said to have taken N100 million to remove the governor. “We are not planning that and

APC urges governor to settle down

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has advised Fayose to settle down to business. In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatubosun, the party said it was time the governor stopped his “stunts” and start telling the people what programmes he has for them. “The business of governance is a serious one and not of theatrics, which Fayose wants to reduce it to. “We are not surprised about the circus show of our governor, who has been busy reeling out imaginary and mindboggling figures to discredit his predecessor, Dr Kayode Fayemi. “It is in his character to do so; we would, as a matter of fact, have ignored him, but we felt the need to set the records straight for the public which may be misled by this overblown cost of the Governor’s Lodge. “Fayemi had never hidden any of the projects executed with bond money from Ekiti people and this included the new Governor’s Lodge. Nothing could be farther from the truth that N50 million was spent on procuring a bed. Nowhere in the world is any bed sold for N50million and From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

we will not do so. I once said on EKTV (Ekiti State Television) that this is a season of drama and many of it will still come,” Adedipe said. The Majority Leader added: “For two days now, there have been several attacks on members, especially those from APC. This meeting was called for us to react to some of the developments. “First, we witnessed here in the Assembly intense intrigues to re-

none in the lodge is up to N2million. We challenge Fayose or anyone with contrary facts to prove it. “The new Governor’s Lodge has befitting furniture and fittings commensurable with the edifice, which is one of the legacy projects of the Fayemi administration. “The fittings of the lodge were done after Fayemi lost the election and he didn’t leave with any of them, which means they are for the use of his successors because it is state property. “It makes more economic sense to put fittings which are durable and good. If the governor’s hypocrisy would not allow him to use the lodge in order to portray Fayemi as extravagant, that is his own cup of tea. “The governor might have been angered by the fact that his predecessor spent Ekiti money on projects that are beneficial to the people. “Fayose is deceiving Ekiti people with a 1965 Mercedes Benz as official car, whereas he, as governor-elect, has purchased a N43million customised Range Rover and passed the bill to the government to pay. He who comes to equity must come with clean hands.”

move the Speaker but it is not our tradition to change the Speaker when government changes. “Moreso, there are constitutional ways to do that. APC members have no interest in changing the House’s leadership.” Adedipe said the lawmakers travelled to Lagos State to meet with the party leadership. He said the journey was to finetune strategies towards the October 29 national convention. “We need to state that APC will

hold its convention on October 29. If they are worried about happenings in APC, they can join the party so that the game of guesses and insinuations will be left out. “There is no reason why we cannot go to Lagos to see our leaders. National elections are around the corner. There is need to put our house in order before next year. And so there is nothing wrong in going to Lagos to confer with our leaders. “No one discussed how to re-

move Fayose as he had not even done anything. The administration just came on board. They want to lie against us to expose us to dangers of harassment and assault. “This briefing was called to enable us to clarify issues. We have seen that in Ekiti for sometime now there have been strange developments and APC members will not fold their arms to see things go out of hands. As journalists, we need to make you hear our own side of the story,” Adedipe said. Deputy Speaker Taiwo Orisalade noted that the allegation of participating in the impeachment move against the governor “was most untrue and unfair on me”. “I was away from the country. I travelled on October 17 and came back on October 22. There is no point taking Ekiti down the doldrums. Politics is no battle but a game. Ekiti needs us in facing the challenges.” Omirin said the present administration need not fear the Assembly. “George Bush Jnr ruled America for eight years and he did not have majority of the congress on his side. In Nasarawa today, we have the same scenario as we have in Ekiti. His words: “I am a medical doctor with 29 years experience. The so-called filling station has not started operating. No law says I should not invest. I am a law-abiding citizen and I know the law.”

Ambode gets more support HE Lagos Coalition of Northern Indigenes (LCNI) and the Niger Delta United Front (NDUF) endorsed yesterday former Lagos State Accountant-General, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode. Ambode will declare his governorship intention today at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos, today. The groups, in a statement by their spokesmen, Abubakar Mohammed (LCNI) and John Odili (NDUF), said Ambode’s leadership qualities and his rich resume were the reasons for their support. Mohammed said: “He is a man with a broad national

•Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi flanked by All Progressives Congress (APC) State Chairman Akin Oke (right) and his Special Adviser on Parastatals, Fatai Ibikunle, as he collected his expression of interest form at the party secretariat, Yemetu, Ibadan, ...yesterday.

Oyo warns against posters

Don’t equate jihad with violence, says Aregbesola

SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has said Jihad does not mean war or violence. The governor spoke yesterday while delivering a lecture, titled: “Muslims’ response to insurgency threat in Nigeria” at the sixth annual Femi Lateef Okunnu lecture series, organised by the Nigeria Association of Muslim Law Students of Obafemi Awolowo Awolowo University, IleIfe. Aregbesola said Jihad should not be turned into a licence to unleash terror on the people and destabilise the nation. He held that contrary to the claims by groups such as Boko Haram, Jihad was neither a call to arms nor an ideological blueprint for destructive insurgency. The governor said Jihad in Islam was at its core about establishing a personal relationship with Allah. He noted that the meaning of Jihad in Islam was total submission to the will and obedience to the laws of

Allah. “Submitting to Allah’s will is an act of conscious choice granted to mankind by God; obeying His laws is a demonstration and vindication of that submission. “The abused notion of Jihad often used as a justification for satanic atrocities of insurgent groups, such as Boko Haram, is a gross misapplication of the concept. “Jihad is far from being an open cheque for senseless violence, neither is it a Qur’anic endorsement of the pursuit of selfish political desires. “The concept of Jihad in Islam simply means ‘struggle’ or ‘striving’. It has two broad dimensions – external and internal striving.” Aregbesola said Islam opposes any form of violence, either against Muslim or nonMuslim or of any place where the name of God is being called and worshipped, such as churches and synagogue. He argued that Boko Haram and other insurgent groups have no justification

in Islam to back the violence it unleashed on the people of the nation. “If Islam thus forbids violence against innocent, how does Boko Haram justify the senseless killings, maiming, kidnappings of innocent women, children, and girls?” The Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Kehinde Yusuff, described the honouree, Femi Okunnu, as an elder statesman, who has contributed to the growth of the nation. Prof. Yusuff hailed the ad-

ministration for observing what he described as religious justice through the freedom given to every faith to practise freely. He praised the governor for granting a public holiday for the celebration of Hijira New Year. The association’s President, Mallam Abdulyekeen Olaitan, said the lecture series have been serving as a platform knowledge acquisition and meaningful contributions to public enlightenment.

Ex-council boss abducted From Damisi Ojo,Akure

FORMER Chairman of Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nicholas Akinbiola, has been abducted. Akinbiola was kidnapped at his filling station on the Benin/Ore Road. The kidnappers were said to have been trailing the former council chairman two days before his abduction. Sources said the kidnappers were demanding N20 million. Police spokesman Wole Egodo said they were working to rescue the politician. He said: “We are hopeful that the victim will be liberated soon. We are working to rescue him. We may not tell you our strategies for security reasons but I can assure you that very soon the man will be freed and his abductors apprehended.”

outlook which gives him ample advantage over others. “He is at home with indigenes who hail from other geo-political zones. “The All Progressives Congress (APC) has in Ambode an invaluable asset that is acceptable to people of diverse cultures living in the state and who will vote for him when he emerges his party’s candidate. “His laudable antecedents place him above others. Odili said: “It is a fact that Ambode is a detribalised Nigerian who will give indigenes of the various tribes residing here their dues in Lagos. We have met with him and he has assured us.”

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

HE Oyo State Signage and Advertising Agency (OYSAA) has warned parties, aspirants, campaign teams and supporters against indiscriminate pasting of posters. OYOSAA said it would continue to pursue its zero tolerance policy on indiscriminate use of posters in the state. Its Director-General, Yinka Adepoju, gave the warning yesterday while addressing reporters in Ibadan. Adepoju denied the allegation that the agency’s regulatory activities were targeted at some groups. “Governor Abiola Ajimobi established this board three years ago to bring professionalism into the state’s outdoor life. It will be a disservice to the government and the people of Oyo State if we now allow indiscriminate pasting of posters, flying of banners and erection of unapproved billboards. “It has taken this administration, time, great effort, human and financial resources to arrive where we are presently and we don’t think it is sensible to allow degradation.”

Soldier ‘loses sanity’ in Oyo

SOLDIER has reportedly lost his sanity in Oyo, Oyo

State. The uniformed soldier, who had a piece of luggage, was said to have boarded a motorcycle at Owode to Irepodun market. On Isokun road, the soldier ordered the motorcyclist to stop, which he did. It was gathered that the soldier crossed to the other

From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

side of the road and took his clothes off. He folded his uniform neatly on top of his luggage and started walking away. A source said officers of the Durbar Police Station did not respond when they were called. Operatives of Operation Burst later took the soldier away.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014

NEWS

Ekiti: Reps condemn assault on judges

HE House of Representatives has condemned the assault on the judiciary and its representatives, Justices Isaac Ogunyemi and John Adeleye, in Ekiti State. The lawmakers urged the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, to investigate the incident and prosecute all those involved. The House’s resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion by Ifeoluwa Arowosoge (Ekiti South West/Ikere/ Orun/ Ise Federal Constituency). Arowosoge said on September 22, Justice Ogunyemi was beaten by thugs, who tore his court records and smashed the louvres of the court room.

From Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja

“On September 25, Justice Adeleye was also beaten, dragged on the floor in his official regalia. Other judicial officers, lawyers, litigants and journalists were assaulted by the thugs. “These assaults took place in the presence of law enforcement agents, who did not attempt to prevent the assaults.” “The failure of security agents to intervene led to the murder of a former chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Omolafe Aderiye, and properties worth millions destroyed.” The lawmaker said the violence which erupted at the high court grounded all activities in

other courts. “The independence of the Judiciary, which should be an inviolable tenet of any democracy, is being threatened by assaults and intimidation of judges and other judicial officers,” he said. Efforts by Sunday Karimi to stop the motion on the premise that the prayers were belated and that it was subjudice did not hold as the Chairman, Committee on Rules and Business, Albert Sam- Tsokwa, opined that the rules of the House allowed for the debate in as much as it does not interfere with court processes. The motion was passed after the members voted in its favour.

Egba monarchs back Amosun

ONARCHS and chiefs in Egbaland have pledged to continue “playing the politics of development with Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun”. The monarchs said they knew that they “are not expected” to indulge in “partisan politics” but said they have aligned with Amosun’s politics of development. The Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, who spoke yesterday in Totoro, Abeokuta North Local Government, said the “best” of what Amosun has in stock for Ogun State and its people “was yet to come”. Despite the rain, thousands of residents received the governor. Oba Gbadebo said:”Obas don’t play partisan politics, but we play and will continue

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

to play politics of development with the governor. We will play politics of good health, politics of good roads, politics of good education, politics of infrastructural development and employment. “All these he has done and he will do more. Three and half years in our state are like 20 years in terms of development. “We believe he will do better and we have not seen anything yet. His best is yet to come.” Also, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Adegboyega Dosunmu; Agura of Gbagura, Oba Halidu Laloko; Omola of Imala, Oba Moses Olabode and Osile of Oke-Ona Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, urged the people to support “good governance”, which Amosun represents.

•Oba Gbadebo

Oba Olabode said: “I want everyone to support him to complete all he has been doing so that his efforts would not turn to abandoned projects.” Oba Dosunmu said: “You have seen his achievements but his best is yet to come. He will achieve much more than you can imagine. An Owu man never fails, an Egba man never fails.”

Two Ondo lawmakers join APC

WO lawmakers in the Ondo State House of Assembly- Gbenga Edema and Fola Olaseindehave joined the All Progressives Congress (APC). Edema dumped the Labour Party (LP) and Olaseinde the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). At the event were APC State Chairman Isaac Kekemeke, Paul Akintelure, Adegboyega Adedipe, Tayo Alasoadura, Tunji Abayomi, Mrs. Lola Fagbemi and Mrs. Kehinde Adeniran. Edema, who represents Ilaje II, said after the defection of

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

his colleagues to PDP, all LP’s structures have been destroyed. “Faced with this state of helplessness, I considered the option of going to the PDP as my colleagues but I soon discovered that the PDP is even more fragmented than the LP. Olaseinde, who represents Ose, in her speech, titled: “My walk to freedom”, said her colleagues marginalised her and suspended her for an offence she knew nothing about.

She said: “During my travails, my constituency was not represented, neither was I paid my entitlements. “The frustration and disappointment became unbearable when Governor Olusegun Mimiko abandoned the LP to join the PDP, a party that has rejected him as a “political Ebola”. Kekemeke said some PDP lawmakers were ready to join the APC because they were dissatisfied with Mimiko’s defection to their party. He appreciated the lawmakers for joining the progressive train.

Lawmaker picks nomination form MEMBER of the House of Representatives, Kamil Akinlabi, has picked his expression of interest and nomination form. Akinlabi, who will contest on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was accompanied by his supporters to the party secretariat, Yemetu, Ibadan. Reacting to the declaration of interest of the Alaafin’s son, Prince Akeem Adeyemi, Akinlabi said the people of Oyo Federal Constituency would determine where the pendulum would swing, saying “the race has just begun”. “As you can see here, my people appreciate my role, because I have served them and that is why they are sup-

porting me. And I want to say that it is the responsibility of my people to say I should go and once they say that, I have to go. In fact, I can say all the people of my constituency are with me.” The lawmaker, who is the first aspirant to pick the nomi-

nation form in Oyo Federal Constituency, represents Afijio, Atiba, Oyo West and East Constituency. He said no amount of gangup by the opposition would stop APC from winning the general election in 2015 in Oyo State.

Sanitation tomorrow in Lagos

HE Lagos State Government has urged Lagosians to participate in tomorrow’s monthly environmental sanitation exercise and ensure that the gains recorded during past exercises are sustained. Commissioner for Environment Tunji Bello said: “We call on residents to complement government’s efforts by cleaning drains/gutters in their surroundings regularly and not only on monthly environmental sanitation days.” He emphasised that the restriction of human/vehicular movement between 7am and 10am will be fully enforced and advised all vehicles and passengers to obey the order or risk facing prosecution according to the state environmental sanitation laws.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014

THE NATION FRIDAY OCTOBER 24, 2014

NEWS NACCIMA, others hail National Assembly over Tobacco Control Bill

TAKEHOLDERS at the recent Tobacco Control Bill (NTCB) public hearing have hailed the Senate and the Executive arm of government for coming up with bills to regulate and control the production, manufacture, sale, advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco or tobacco products in Nigeria. At the public hearing, the Nigerian Association of chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), represented by one of its national officers, praised the National Assembly for sponsoring the bill. NACCIMA noted that the Bill would sanitise the industry. It urged the National Assembly to enact a producer/ user-friendly legislation that would reduce the negative effects and maximise the positive effects of tobacco production and smoking in Nigeria. The association also called for its inclusion in the National Tobacco Control Committee (NATOCC).

The Intellectual Property Law Association of Nigeria (IPLAN), represented by its president, Prof. Bankole Sodipo, urged the National Assembly to amend the bill in order to align with the constitution and international treaties to which Nigeria is a party. He noted that the bills, from the perspective of owners and practitioners, raised concerns on some aspects of the bill, especially on “Nigeria’s obligations under the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO’s) Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Agreement (TRIPS) and the increasing role of foreign direct investment”. A director at the Environmental Rights Action and Friends of the Earth (ERA), Akinbode Oluwafemi, hailed the Senate for leading the regulation of the tobacco industry. He said his organisation was seeking the regulation of the contents of tobacco products, their packaging and labelling.

Abia denies endorsing governorship aspirant From Ugochukwu Ugoji-eke, Umuahia

BIA State government has described as untrue, a newspaper report that it has endorsed an aspirant for the governorship position. It said Governor Theodore Orji had not endorsed anybody for any elective position and urged people to desist from namedropping. The government’s stand was contained in a statement by Ugochukwu Emezue, the special adviser to the governor on Electronic Media. It said Orji had no governorship candidate. Emezue said the governor, a democrat, has provided a level-playing field for the aspirants. He said Abia State chapter of the PDP is not divided, adding that the story is the handiwork of a man determined to cause disunity in the party. Emezue said: “There is no tension in Abia PDP. The party is united under the leadership of Governor Orji. There is nothing like old PPA and PDP members in the party.”

Church holds convention

Activities marking the national convention of the Light Church of God (Worldwide) began on Wednesday and will end tomorrow. The event is tagged: “The Lord’s Supper”. Venue is Upper Room National Camp Ground, Aro bus stop, Km 10, LagosAbeokuta Expressway, Iya-Abiodun bus stop, Ipakoto, via Ifo, Ogun-State. The theme is: “Thy Kingdom Come.” The host, Pastor Timothy Salawu, said people would experience the power of God, as there would be salvation, deliverance, breakthrough, healing and blessing.

Pa Afolayan is dead PA Jacob Olajide Afolayan (aka Foso Baba George) is dead. He died on August 26 and was buried the following day. His funeral ceremony will hold on November 8 at Aran-Orin in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. He is survived by wife, children and grandchildren.

•The late Afolayan

•From left: Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Prof. Omolayo Ajayi; Osun State Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; former Federal Commissioner for Works and Housing, Alhaji Lateef Okunnu and chairman of the occasion, Prof. Kehinde Yusuf, during the 6th Annual Alhaji Lateef 'Femi Okunnu Lecture Series, organised by the Nigeria Association of Muslim Law Students (NAMLAS), at the Conference Centre, OAU ...yesterday

Anxiety at Lagos airport over fire

HERE was anxiety at the departure hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos yesterday as an electrical spark from one of the panels resulted in a smoke that engulfed the first and fifth floor. In the ensuing confusion, some passengers and airport workers were anxious, forcing them to run for safety. The General Manager, Corporate Communications, Federal Airports Authority of Ni-

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

geria (FAAN), Mr Yakubu Dati, who confirmed the incident, said the combined team of engineers and fire fighters from the authority quickly put out the fire. Dati said: “There was a minor smoke incident at the departure hall of the international terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at about 11.45am today, Thursday, November

23, 2014. “The smoke was quickly traced to the electric panel room on the second floor of the terminal by a combined team of FAAN’s electrical engineers and fire officers. Preliminary investigation reveals that the incident was caused by a short circuit at the panel room which was quickly arrested by the engineers on duty. “The Authority wishes to assure the traveling public and

Baby Factory Bill for second reading

EMBERS of the House of Representatives moved yesterday to check the activities of human traffickers, who operate baby factories. The lawmakers passed for second reading, a bill prohibiting the harbouring of expectant girls and sale of babies. The bill, sponsored by Eddie Ifeanyichukwu Mbadiwe (Imo/PDP), is titled: “A Bill for an Act to amend the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Law Enforcement and Administration Act, No. 28 of 2004 to prohibit racketeering with human pregnancy or operation of baby production factories, harbouring of expectant persons under 18 years and above, selling or attempting to sell newly-born babies and other matters related thereto.” The bill was subsequently referred to the committees on Human Rights and Justice af-

From Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja

ter its passage by the Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha. Mbadiwe, presenting the bill, said the purpose was to counter the criminal activities of persons, who operate baby factories by racketeering with human pregnancy. He said it was a sad development that a “second slavery is taking place at this point in the history of the country,” adding that unscrupulous people are recruiting young girls and randy boys to impregnate them with the aim of producing babies for sale. Mbadiwe said: “It is unfortunate that these girls are paid N200,000 and then when they put to bed, the babies are sold. What we are doing is reintroducing slavery.” The legislator said William Wilberforce moved a motion

calling for an end to the inhuman trade as far back as July 22, 1836. He said the existence of the NAPTIP Act has not prevented the operators of the baby factories from forging ahead with their evil trade, adding that it is necessary to amend the law to give it potency in fighting the promoters of the “evil trade.” Mbadiwe noted that it was unfortunate that the baby factories were mostly located in the Southeast where he hails from. A member, Farouk Lawan (PDP, Kano), supporting the bill, said: “If you look at what these children go through, you will be shocked. They can’t decide what they want to be and when a child is trafficked, he will end up being a menace to the society. It’s a bill, which will ensure the sanctity of the child, who will project our morality.”

Kalu’s attempt to get PDP waivers fails

ORMER Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu’s attempt to secure a waiver in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to enable him vie for the Abia North seat has been blocked. PDP in the Southeast has described his claim of being a member of the party as spurious and unfounded. The ex-Abia State governor in a letter dated October 9 sought the waiver on the grounds that he rejoined the PDP on January 16, 2012; the day he also claimed he was registered in his Igbere Ward ‘A’ home. Kalu said in the letter: “I write to inform you that I returned to the PDP on January 16, 2012. As one of the founding members of the party, I do not think I need a waiver to contest the senatorial seat. But if I do, I hereby apply for a waiver.” The party in the Southeast where Kalu’s letter was referred to for comment, denied know-

From Chris Oji, Enugu

ing the former Abia governor as a member. The National Vice Chairman of the PDP in the Southeast, Col Austin Akobundu (rtd), reacting to Kalu’s waiver request, was said to have raised what the zone referred to as eight strategic points, which knocked off Kalu’s claim of being registered on January 16, 2012 in his Igbere Ward ‘A’. According to the party, since Kalu “left PDP seven years ago and founded his pet party, the Progressive Peoples Alliance

(PPA), the ex-governor has not taken any step to rejoin, be admitted or re-admitted into the party.” The PDP Southeast said: “The fundamental requirement for the membership of our party is registration at the ward and having the name entered in the ward membership register and payment of the necessary fee. It is only when the name of a prospective member is entered into the party’s register that membership card is issued.” Said Akobundu: “I took time to inspect the Igbere Ward ‘A’

membership register. The register has 244 names. Kalu’s name is not in the register. “I also extended my search, for the avoidance of doubt, to Igbere Ward ‘B’, which has 256 registered members. His name could not also be found in the register.” Reacting to Kalu’s purported PDP membership card issued at Igbere Ward ‘A’, which was referred to him by the National Organising Secretary, Abubakar Mustapha, Akobundu described it as spurious and baseless.

other airport users that there was no immediate danger to anyone as a result of the incident; neither did it affect flight operations at the terminal. The Authority has directed the Directorate of Engineering and Maintenance to commence immediate investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the said short-circuiting of the cables.” FAAN fire tender truck with registration number P6-03 and a pick-up van fire tender with Lagos number FKJ-407-AS were at the terminal to put out the fire. It took about an hour for the fire fighters to achieve the aim as according to them, the smoke passed through a hose down to the departure hall. A FAAN staff, who pleaded anonymity, said the fire started in an electric installation just opposite her office. She said: “I was in my office typing some letters when I perceived a huge smoke coming through my office door and I ran out with fear. Some of our workers quickly made use of some fire extinguishers provided by FAAN to put out the fire; but they were unable,’’ she said.

INEC to shut polling units in politicians’ homes

HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said yesterday that it would close down polling units in the homes of politicians and palaces in Imo State before the general elections. Addressing reporters ahead of the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) registration, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Selina Oko, said the commission would soon begin the creation of 150 polling units allocated to the state. She said: “Imo State was given 150 polling units of the new 30,000 polling units. We are preparing to begin the allocation, but there are laid down procedures, which must be followed.”

PDP faction moves against Elechi

FACTION of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State has moved against Governor Martin Elechi for what it alleged as his attempt to manipulate the governorship election in

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

favour of the former Health Minister, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu. At a news briefing in Abuja yesterday, the faction said

members would work against the interest of the PDP in the elections if the governor failed to ensure a level-playing field for aspirants. The factional Chairman, Chief Mike Awo and members of his executive committee said

caucus meetings had never been held in the state since 2007, as prescribed by the party’s constitution. According to the faction, this had given the governor the opportunity to take decisions on issues affecting the party.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014

NEWS

Tension in Warri as PDP replaces Itsekiri candidate with Ijaw •Police warn troublemakers From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

•Governor Uduaghan

ESS than 48 hours to Delta State’s local councils’ election, the Ijaw and the Itsekiri in Warri have renewed their bitter rivalry over sharing of elective political offices. Tension rose yesterday as hundreds of Itsekiri youths took to the streets, occupying the Olu of Warri Palace section of the Ajamimogha Road, to protest alleged moves by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to replace its chairmanship candidate for Warri SouthWest Local Government Area, Weyinmi Omadeli, with an Ijaw . Also yesterday, a group, the Itsekiri Consolidated Movement (ICM), threatened to truncate the Warri peace

process, should the PDP go ahead with the replacement of Omadeli. The PDP Chairman in Warri South-West, Chief Boro Opudu, confirmed to The Nation that Omadeli had been replaced by the party with George Ekpemupolo, adding that the decision was taken at the state level. “That is purely a party affair. He has been replaced with George Ekpemupolo,” he said. Asked why the party made the change, Opudu said: “That question will go to the party hierarchy at the top. The chairman will answer that question from the state level, not at the local government level. “The local government does not have power to replace a candidate. It’s only the state that can replace a candidate. They have done it and it’s purely a party affair”. The development came after Ijaws in Warri, during the week, threatened an end to

the fragile peace in the city, should Itsekiris continue to “monopolise” all elective political offices in the three Warri council areas. The spokesman for the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), Eric Omare, in an interview with The Nation, supported an earlier stance by the Warri Ijaw Monitoring Group (WIMG) on the issue. The Itsekiri also warned against the plot to replace Omadeli with George, the younger brother of ex-militant leader Chief Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo. ICM, in a statement by its Chairman, Oritsegbemi Besidone, and Public Relations Officer, Franklin Metsese, alleged that Tompolo, using his connections in the Presidency, had been working to allegedly force Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to upturn the candidacy of Omadeli in favour of his younger brother. “Any attempt to replace Weyinmi Omadeli as PDP chairmanship candidate and

impose George Ekpemupolo as the next council chairman or seize the Warri SouthWest Constituency seat from the incumbent member representing the local government, Daniel Mayuku, would result in a major crisis, capable of having a spill-over effect on the 2015 polls,” the statement said. The police have, however, assured the people of a peaceful council election tomorrow, as it joined the government in placing a ban on movement within the state for the period of voting. This was contained in a statement by its spokesman, Roland Preston (ASP). The security agency also warned youths not to allow themselves to be used to foment trouble during the election. It warned that it would deal severely with any person or group found causing disturbance before, during or after the polls. The command also reiterated its appeal and warning to politicians to play the game by the rules and be prepared to accept defeat in good faith.

‘What Nigeria ’ll gain from APC next year’

IVERS State All Progressives Congress (APC) has assured that the same spirit employed by Lagos and Rivers states in fighting the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) would be used to make Nigeria the world’s unbeatable nation should the party be voted into power in next year’s presidential election. The APC, while reacting in Port Harcourt yesterday to the World Health’s Organisation’s (WHO) declaration of Nigeria as Ebola-free country, said it was something to be proud of

•Party hails Lagos, Rivers on Ebola From Clarice Azutalam, Port Harcourt

that the two states controlled by the party helped the nation to get the international approval. The party, in a statement by its chairman, Dr. Davies Ikanya, said the feat achieved by the APC states clearly showed where Nigerians should place their hope for a new government. “With what Lagos and Rivers states demonstrated in

this regard, it simply means that with APC at the helm of affairs come 2015, Nigeria will surely be a world beater,” the statement noted. Ikanya warned: “If we fail to take advantage of the 2015 elections to vote out the visionless PDP, we are doomed as a nation.” He praised Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola and his Rivers State’s counterpart, Chibuike Amaechi, “for putting smiles and hope on the faces of

Nigerians and the entire world through their robust and effective response to the Ebola challenge.” The party also prayed for the repose of the souls of those who died in the fight against the disease, including the doctors and other medical workers in Lagos and Rivers states, who paid the supreme price. Ikanya hailed the United States (U.S.) government for deciding to learn from the strategies adopted by the two APC states in eradicating the Ebola.

First Lady blesses Wike’s bid to govern Rivers

•Ex-minister, Amaechi’s aide trade words

HE First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has blessed the governorship aspiration of former Minister of State for Education Ezenwo Nyesom Wike. Mrs. Jonathan, who visited the former minister in his Abuja residence yesterday, said: “I am giving you the blessing of a mother. The blessing a mother gives to a beloved son. “Go and you will conquer. He is a minister that delivered while he served in the cabinet. Wike proved himself and is ready to serve in a higher capacity”. She noted that Wike was “a listening and respectful politician”, who listened to her when she asked him to drop his senatorial aspiration in 2011. Her words: “You listened to me and dropped your senatorial aspiration. I pray God to protect you, lead you and please go on with your aspiration. “I have handed you over to our father, Dr. Peter Odili, and the people of Rivers State. You are going to Rivers State for the betterment of all of us and to wipe our tears.”

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

The first lady later handed Wike to Odili. Responding, Wike assured Mrs. Jonathan that PDP would emerge victorious in all elections next year, praising the First Lady for serving as a mother to Rivers’ people. Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Austin Opara, who was at the event, said with the support of Mrs. Jonathan, Rivers State PDP had gained more ground and ready to win next year. He said party’s leaders bought the governorship form for Wike because they were united in the quest to take over from the state’s APC government. Other prominent Rivers’ indigenes at the meeting in-

clude Senator Adewari Pepple; Speaker Evans Bipi; Chief Sergeant Awuse; former Deputy Speaker, Chibudom Nwuche; Executive Director (Finance), Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Ogiri; former Commissioner of Sports, Boma Iyayi; and Ogoni politician Chief Kenneth Kobani. Also yesterday, Wike claimed that Governor Rotimi Amaechi pushed him away to be minister to make him (the former minister) lose his base and influence. He also noted that the State Executive Committee (SEC) of the PDP), led by Chief Felix Obuah, had decided that there would be no zoning, contrary to the provision of the party’s constitution, to have a governorship candidate with

the capacity to contest against the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The former minister spoke yesterday on Africa Independent Television’s (AIT’s) live current affairs programme, Focus Nigeria. In his reaction, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Chief Tony Okocha, who is also Amaechi’s Political Adviser, described Wike as an unrepentant ingrate, who is living in a fool’s paradise by embarking on wild goose chase, with his governorship ambition. Okocha stressed that Wike was a product of zoning. Otherwise, he would not have been chairman of Obio/Akpor local council, declaring that PDP leaders would be daft to field the ex-minister as the party’s governorship candidate.

Ibabu-Iselegu crisis: Uduaghan to inaugurate probe panel

ELTA State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan will on Monday inaugurate the Judicial Commission of Enquiry into disturbances in Ibabu and Iselegu communities in Ndokwa West and East local government areas, which occurred in June. The event will hold at 2pm in the Exco Chambers, New Government House,

Asaba. The Secretary to the State Government, Comrade Ovuozourie Macaulay, who announced the constitution of the commission in a statement yesterday, added that it has 30 days to submit its report. He said it has Justice (Mrs.) B.I. Molokwu (rtd) as Chairman, Mr. Enie Otrofanowei (member) and D.O. Akpoghene (member).

Police foil ‘terrorist attack’ on bridge in Akwa Ibom From Kazeem Ibrahym and Uyoatta Eshiet, Uyo

HE Police in Akwa Ibom State said yesterday they foiled “an attempted terrorist attack” on Itu Head Bridge, which links Akwa Ibom and Cross River states. Commissioner of Police Gabriel Achong, at a news conference at the Police Headquarters in Uyo, the state capital, said the command stopped the attack, following the information it received on September 20 that a group of aggrieved militants were planning to blow up the bridge. He said after receiving the information, his men swung into action and on October 5, they arrested two suspects Samuel Coleman Yaw, a Ghanaian resident in Bakassi, Cross River State and Monday Anthony (male) of Ikang Village, Bakassi Local Government Area, Cross River State. The police chief said the mastermind, Boronyefa Olorogun, alias General Bofa, escaped, but was traced and arrested in Bayelsa State on October 17. He said the suspects would soon be charged to court The command also paraded 24 suspects for alleged kidnapping and armed robbery.

Delta’s micro-credit programme renamed

HE Delta State Micro-Credit Programme (DMCP) has transformed into Delta State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Agency (DMSMA). The change was effected following a bill signed into law by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan. The transformation is aimed at better preserving the microcredit agency, which has given interest-free loans to thousands of Deltans and won several awards. Uduaghan hailed the benefits the programme had delivered to Deltans as well as the Programme Office Operation headed by Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Antonia Ashiedu. The governor also appointed Ashiedu as the agency’s Executive Secretary.

Church debunks reports on collapsed building

HRIST Chosen Church of God has debunked media reports that its old office building at Uzama, Benin City, collapsed. Rather, it said it was a demolition to give room for expansion. The church’s spokesman, Apostle N.G. Atoe, who made the clarification at a news conference, denied the claim that three people died and many were injured following the incident. “The old office block built 40 years ago became too small and this necessitated building an ultra-modern global office in our corporate headquarters. Our local branch at Uzama that inherited the old office block pulled it down to create enough parking space. “What I want to make clear here is that the building was not a failed one and it also did not collapsed on its own,” Atoe explained. He said the structure caved in when those employed to demolish it were working, condoling with the families of those the incident affected. The church’s spokesman frowned at the destruction, looting and burning of the church’s property that runs into millions of naira after the incident.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014

NEWS Motorcyclists back Jonathan

HE National Commercial Tricycles and Motor Cycles Owners and Riders Association (NATOMORAS) has pledged to work for President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election. Members of the group spoke during a courtesy call on the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Prof. Rufai Ahmed Alkali, in Abuja. The delegation of NATOMORAS, comprising an 18-man National Executive Council (NEC), was led by the Chair-

man, Board of Trustees and National Adviser, Dr. Benjamin Onoriode Irikefe. Also on the delegation were the Registered Trustee, Chief Ezekiel Oladapo; the National President, Alhaji Muhammed Hassan; Comrade Godwin Ikolo and Comrade Stephen Ochuko. Hassan said Jonathan has positively touched all sectors of the Nigerian economy and deserves another four years.

Kano recruits 1,000 teachers From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

HE Kano State government yesterday recruited over 1,000 secondary school teachers. Director-General of the State Secondary School Management Board (KSSSMB) Habib El-Yakub said the recruitment was to fill the vacuum created by retired teachers and those who had resigned. He said the government would recruit another 1, 900 teachers soon. El-Yakub said: “All these efforts are geared towards equipping our secondary schools with qualified and adequate personnel. This is necessary because of the state government’s free education policy, which was introduced last year.” He said the introduction of free feeding and uniforms in primary schools had boosted enrolment.

Cyber crime offenders risk life jail

YBER crime offenders may be in for tougher times as the Senate yesterday passed an Act for the Prohibition, Prevention, Detection, Investigation and Prosecution of cyber crimes. The Electronic Fraud and Crime in all electronic transactions and for other related matters Bill (2014) was sponsored by Senator Adegbenga Kaka (Ogun East) and 32 others, including senators Olubunmi Adetunmbi, Magnus Abe, Olufemi Lanlehin and Domingo Obende. On offences against critical national information infrastructure, the Senate accepted that “any person who, with intent, commits any offence punishable under this Act

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sani Onogu, Abuja

against any critical national information infrastructure, designated pursuant to Section 3 of this Act shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not more than 10 years without an option of fine.” Section 5(2) says: “Where the offence committed under subsection (1) of Section 5 results in grievous bodily harm to any person, the offender shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not more than 15 years without option of fine.” Section 5(3) says “where the offence committed under subsection (1) of Section 5 results in the death of person(s), the

offender shall be liable on conviction to life imprisonment”. Section 6 (1) says any person who intentionally accesses a computer fraudulently commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for not more than five years or a fine of not more than N5 million or both. Section 6(2) says: “Where the offence provided in subsection (1) of this section is committed with the intent of obtaining computer data, securing access to any programme, commercial or industrial secrets or classified information, the punishment shall be imprisonment for a term of not more than seven years or a fine of not more than N7 million or both.

Niger PDP gets acting chair From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

ORMER Niger State Speaker Musa Ma’ali yesterday emerged the state acting chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following the resignation of Alhaji Mahmud Enagi. Enagi resigned to contest the Niger South senatorial election next year. Ma’ali emerged at a stakeholders meeting at the party secretariat in Minna, the state capital, which was attended by Governor Mu’azu Aliyu.

‘Adamawa group rejects zoning’

OME Adamawa State indigenes, under the aegis of the Movement for the Emancipation of Adamawa People (MEAP), have condemned the “subtle moves to stop Governor Bala Ngilari from contesting the 2015 governorship election on the grounds of an existing zoning arrangement”. In a statement yesterday in Kaduna by its President, Mr. Philip Adamu, MEAP urged Ngilari to disregard “such moves” and pick the governorship nomination form. It said although there was a zoning arrangement, quality leadership should not be sacrificed for zoning.

From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

The group described Governor Ngilari as a humble, peaceful and credible leader, who is in touch with the masses. It said the governor had the capacity to ensure stability and unity in the state, “which has been divided for long”. The group called for the understanding of the people of Adamawa Central Senatorial Zone, whose turn it is to produce the governor in 2015. It urged them to be patient and support Ngilari in 2015 to reconcile the people and chart a new course for the state.

FAAN director resigns

Director with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mark Nzama, has resigned to contest the senatorial election in Kaduna South. The former commissioner for Justice said he wanted to provide effective representation for his people.

Snatched PVCs: ‘There won’t be election in affected units’

•A car swallowed by flood on the Abeokuta- Iyana Ipaja expressway at Casso bus stop in Lagos after a heavy down pour...on Wednesday. PHOTO: NAN

VER 6,051 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) snatched during the PVC distribution in Gombe State are yet to be returned. The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Istifanus Dafwang, said there would be no election in the affected polling units, if the communities

By Vincent Ohonbamu, Gombe

failed to retrieve the cards. Speaking at a meeting with stakeholders in Gombe, Dafwang said the PVCs could only be used by the rightful owners. He said: “Buying voter cards will not help any politician because we have card readers to ascertain the ownership of each card. Only legitimate owners can use them. So, I beg politicians not to tamper with anybody’s voter card because they will not be helping themselves and they would deny the person the opportunity to exercise his/her civic responsibility.”

American-Nigerian jumps White House fence

N American-Nigerian, Dominic Adesanya of Bel Air, Maryland, United States, was on Wednesday arrested after jumping over the White House fence. He has been charged with three felony counts and four misdemeanours, the U.S. Secret Service said yesterday. Although Adesanya (23) was unarmed when he was arrested on the White House grounds, he was attacked by security dogs. The incident came about one month after an intruder, armed with a knife, scaled the White House fence and entered the executive mansion, raising concerns about security at the heavily guarded complex.

This spurred the resignation of Julia Pierson as Secret Service director. Adesanya was charged with two felony counts of assault on a K-9 police officer, one felony count of making threats and four misdemeanour counts of resisting and unlawful entry, Secret Service spokesman Brian Leary said. K-9 is the team that uses specially trained dogs. The Washington Post said Adesanya was bitten by a dog. He was taken to a hospital and then handed over to the U.S. Marshals Service because of outstanding warrants, Leary said. A court date has not yet been set. Hurricane and Jordan, the two dogs that stopped the in-

truder, have been cleared to return to duty after being treated for minor bruising, Leary said. A video recording showed the intruder punching one of the dogs and Secret Service agents surrounding him on the north lawn of the White House. In an interview with ABC's Baltimore affiliate, WMAR, Adesanya's father said his son was “mentally disturbed” and had previously gone to the White House seeking to talk to President Barack Obama, but was stopped at the gate. “He’d done it before. He didn’t get that close,” his father, who declined to be named or shown on camera, told WMAR. He said he had been unable to find help for

his son. The White House was locked down for almost two hours after the incident on Wednesday, the same day a gunman attacked Canada's parliament in Ottawa. On Tuesday, a federal judge ordered Omar Gonzalez, charged in the Sept. 19 fencejumping incident, to undergo a mental health evaluation. Gonzalez, 42, an Army veteran living in Texas, was not stopped until he entered the main floor of the White House. In addition to the knife he was carrying, officers found more weapons in his car. He is scheduled to reappear in court Dec. 3.

Total/AMG dispute: ‘Freezing of firm’s account normal’

HERE is no reason to “unduly politicise” an order freezing the accounts of AMG PetroEnergy Limited, owned by Risqua Muhammed, son of former Head of State Gen. Murtala Muhammed, the businessman’s lawyers, Consolex Legal Practitioners, have said. The firm described the court order as normal, adding that there was no reason to read meanings to it. A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja froze AMG PetroEnergy Limited’s account following a business deal gone awry. The company was sued by Total Nigeria Plc over a business deal. In a statement, one of Muhammed’s counsel, Mr. Edo Ukpong, said the order was granted without giving his cli-

By Adeyinka Aderibigbe

ent an opportunity to explain his side of the story. He said because the case was before the court, his client would not discuss it and assured AMG PetroEnergy Limited’s customers that the company was taking lawful steps to protect their interests. Ukpong said: “I decided to shed more light on the development to avoid hasty conclusions often associated with single sided stories and to present to the public more facts to counter the widespread orchestration and sensationalisation of a routine commercial dispute which is suggestive of ulterior motives. “AMG PetroEnergy Limited entered into a contractual arrangement with Total Nigeria Plc for the supply of Pre-

mium Motor Spirit under the Petroleum Support Fund (PSF) Scheme. The transaction was financed on behalf of AMG by Guaranty Trust Bank Limited. The repayment of the facility was to be made from subsidy payments received from the Federal Government. AMG duly supplied the products as contractually agreed to TOTAL between December 29, 2011 and January 1, 2012. “There exists an unresolved payment dispute between AMG and Total, which has resulted in Suit No. LD/ADR/ 256/2013 – AMG PetroEnergy Limited and Anor V. Total Nigeria Limited. “The PPPRA, as industry regulator, is aware of the situation between AMG and Total, following the lodgment of a formal report by AMG. The

suit against our clients by Guaranty Trust Bank Limited which, although at the initiation stage and without the benefit of our clients being heard so far, has ostensibly generated widespread sensational news reports. “Our clients are taking lawful steps to protect their interests and will do so within the confines of the judicial process only. The court order is an incident common in commercial disputes and will not have merited any attention, but for the profile of Mr Muhammed. Customers of AMG and friends, supporters and political associates of Mr Muhammed are assured that nothing untoward is at issue. The messages of support from even strangers are heartening and appreciated.”

THE NATION FRIDAY OCTOBER 24, 2014

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014

COMMENTARY LETTER

EDITORIAL

Buhari, the leader we need

Shoddy deal •Release of Chibok girls should not be made subject of propaganda

T is more than six months since the 219 Chibok school girls abducted by the terror group, Boko Haram, have been in captivity. It is therefore understandable that any suggestion of impending breakthrough in efforts to get them released would lead to excitement across the country. So was an announcement that a deal had been struck for a ceasefire and possible end to the insurgency that had claimed thousands of lives and led to devastation in parts of the North East and the North West. However, barely one week after the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh and the Director of the National Information Centre gleefully announced an agreement reached between representatives of the terror group and the Federal Government, nothing appears to have changed. We are miffed at the breaking news of significant progress in talks between the two parties when discussions had just ended. The bloodletting continued within 24 hours of the announcement as the Boko Haram insurgents killed 25 in Borno villages and, within days, abducted 60 women in parts of Adamawa State, a ccording to a report. We find it difficult to understand the premature instruction to troops to cease hostilities when the rather complicated negotiations were still on. Mallam Shehu Sani of the Civic Rights Organisation who had been involved in previous negotiations and obviously has solid contacts with leaders of Boko Haram expressed doubts of any ceasefire being agreed and imminent release of the abducted girls.

Anybody who has any idea of negotiations with terrorists and militants knows how complicated it could be. It involves many layers and could take some time for a breakthrough to be agreed. Besides, what is the hurry in making announcements while talks were still on? We hope the information was not released merely to shore up the political rating of President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of the declaration of his interest in the presidential election. If this is so, it would be unfortunate, indeed. The lives of the 219 girls and the peace of Nigeria are too important to be so treated. The territorial integrity of the country, for which many officers and men of the armed forces and citizens had been killed, should not be so traded by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. Like all Nigerians, we are anxious to have the girls rescued and reunited with their families. We hope they would remain healthy as they were when kidnapped on April 14. We call on the Federal Government to do everything necessary to secure their release and ensure the security of lives and property in all parts of the country. It is deceptive and unacceptable that, while still holding talks, the government had made announcement of a deal. It is obvious that a shoddy job was done in the deal reportedly reached. Was the government able to identify the real leaders of the sect? Were the talks held with the terror group or a faction of it? Was the principal secretary to the president the appropriate person to handle the talks or would it have been more appropriate to get more

senior members of the administration and those involved in previous negotiations involved? This would be the fourth time a ceasefire would be announced. And, they yielded no results. We therefore call on the government to raise a more credible team to handle the negotiations and be more discreet in handling information. No one should use this sensitive matter for propaganda geared towards reaping political benefits. It is the duty of government to secure the lives and property of all Nigerians and the Jonathan government owes us all a duty to ensure that the armed forces are equipped to ward off external and internal aggression as well as get the innocent Chibok girls released or rescued.

‘What is the hurry in making announcements while talks were still on? We hope the information was not released merely to shore up the political rating of President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of the declaration of his interest in the presidential election. If this is so, it would be unfortunate, indeed. The lives of the 219 girls and the peace of Nigeria are too important to be so treated’

Owing WAEC •It is bad faith for state govts not to honour their promise to the council

EWS of heavy debts, in the region of N3 billion, owed the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) by some state governments may be interpreted as yet another evidence of a political tendency to pay lip service to educational development, which is indeed sad, considering the great gains the country is likely to enjoy from progress in the education sector. Even more disturbing is the information that the debts, connected with the body’s examination fees, have delayed the release of the results of the candidates whose states owe WAEC. Expectedly but unfortunately, the situation has bred worry and confusion, especially among the candidates and their parents and guardians, as they reportedly tried unsuccessfully to access the results. It is quite possible that withholding the results may negatively affect the educational progres-

‘More disturbing is the information that the debts, connected with the body’s examination fees, have delayed the release of the results of the candidates whose states owe WAEC. Expectedly but unfortunately, the situation has bred worry and confusion, especially among the candidates and their parents and guardians, as they reportedly tried unsuccessfully to access the results’

sion of some of the candidates who need them for the next stage of their academic pursuits. Also alarming are the details about how the state governments involved incurred such debts in the first place. The Head of Office (HNO), WAEC Nigeria, Mr. Charles Eguridu, was quoted as saying, “For us, it is a normal thing to give credit facilities to register their candidates because we expect them to pay up soon after the registration.” This background suggests bad faith, or at least, an inattention to obligation, which deserves condemnation, particularly because of the adverse consequences suffered by the apparently considerate creditor. Eguridu painted a picture of the difficulties experienced by WAEC as a result of such debts. According to him, “At a point, all the debtor states were owing WAEC about N3 billion. As an organisation, we need money to function. And because of the indebtedness, we have to take loans from banks to pay the examiners to mark the papers as paying our staff was becoming a problem.” He further said: “When we take loans from banks, we have to pay the interest that accrues because the examination papers must be marked, and we can’t come up to tell Nigerians that we could not mark examination papers because state governments are owing us.” Although the candidates from the “debtor states” ultimately bear the brunt of the governments’ default, it would appear reasonable that the examination body adopted the approach of withholding their results pending payment. As Eguridu perhaps rightly observed, “If we had released the results, they may end up not paying. Being politicians, some of whom are even

campaigning, they may lose elections and the new government may tell you right away that they don’t have anything to do with what you are talking about.” Interestingly, this observation highlights the possible political colouration of certain ideas that are currently projected by a number of governmental helmsmen in the country. Specifically, it has become fashionable for state governments to take up payment of WAEC examination fees for candidates in public schools in their territories, as a way of showing that they are interested in educational development, which may be a creditable position. However, as the debt problem and its fallout have shown, talk is miles away from action. It is cheap populism to mouth so-called people-friendly policies that are not positively supported by deeds. It is instructive to note the case of Cross River State which, Eguridu said, has been paying WAEC fees for candidates since 2008 in line with its declared educational development policy. “Cross River State government was indebted to WAEC to the tune of N300 million for 2013 and 2014 WAEC examination fees,” he stated. However, it is reassuring that some states have reportedly paid up, and it is hoped that others will do the same. Eguridu said: “I got a report that Kebbi, Sokoto, Borno and Akwa Ibom states have also paid up.” It is a shame that such a drastic measure, “no payment, no results”, had to be taken to stir up the concerned governments. Hopefully, the relevant authorities have been awakened to their commitment, and such a situation will not rear its ugly head again.

IR: Nigerians are eagerly awaiting the APC to elect its presidential candidate who will slug it out with the ruling party (PDP) in the general election next year. If I have to say the minds of Nigerians, we have seen the best of PDP, they have exhausted their ideas of governance and there is no a new thing people are expecting from them anymore. A large percentage of Nigerians are clamouring for change of government. Nigerians are the second poorest people in the world. In reality, President Goodluck Jonathan has transformed Nigeria by exploiting ethnicity and religion to polarize the country. For the first time in the democratic history of Nigeria, aspirants are declaring and campaigning in the churches and mosques. Nigerians at home and abroad are saying corruption and indiscipline are our major problems. Today, the fact remains that, the only man who can prove that he is bringing something different to the people in terms of change by action is General Muhammadu Buhari. He is the candidate whom Nigerians can trust to demonstrate the political will to fight corruption which everybody knows is our problem and recognizes as President Jonathan’s weakest point and of course, the bane of our development. Buhari has the antecedents, discipline and character to fight corruption. This is the minds of many Nigerians. And to quote one of the ex-staff of the PTF when Buhari was the chairman “he could have squandered the money meant for PTF’s projects because at that time nobody was auditing him on how he was spending the money because he was trusted.” This is to tell you how incorruptible the man is. The popularity of Buhari was put to test during his declaration last week. Those who attended his declaration rally on October 15, came from all over the country and they were not paid kobo to be there. In essence, if APC is to achieve its aim of winning the power at the centre in 2015 general election, they need not look beyond Buhari. He is the greatest electoral asset the APC has for now. He can sincerely lead the party to victory. Nigerians are confident that there exists a good chance for APC to produce changes that are beneficial to all Nigerians. • Adeyemi Omotunde, Ilorin, Kwara State.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014

CARTOON & LETTERS

IR: In the early hours of February 14, famous South Africa blade runner and paralympian, Oscar Pistorius, shot and killed his model girl friend, Reeva Steenkamp, at his Pretoria home in South Africa. Oscar’s trial for the murder of Reeva began on March 3, with Judge Thokozile Masipa presiding. On September 12, the presiding judge exonerated him of murder but found him guilty of the culpable homicide of Reeva as well as uncontrolled possession of fire arms. On October 21, after nine months of a fierce trial that caught and captivated the attention of the whole world, Judge Thokozile Masipa sentenced Oscar to prison for a maximum of five years for culpable homicide and a concurrent three-year suspended sentence for separate reckless endangerment conviction. Not quite a few believe that Oscar should have been given a harsher sentence. It is rather ridicu-

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An Oscar for Pistorius lous that the law would deal so mildly with a man who denied an innocent woman opportunity to a bright future ahead of her because of his insecurities. The sentence is a slap on the memory of the dead woman and a pain in the hearts of her parents and other family members. It becomes more painful to think that Oscar could be released into house arrest after serving out 10 months out of the total prison term. The ideal thing would be for Oscar to serve the sentence associated with the crime without parole. Would an ordinary South African, without Oscar’s celebrity status and wealth, given same circumstances,

A fellowship of rogues?

IR: It is not only among religious bodies that we have fellowships. Rogues using the garb of politics, religion and culture also have fellowship. In Nigeria, this fellowship transcends religion, tribe, race and zone. It has the largest congregation, perhaps in Africa. Membership is open to all. Most members are above the laws of the land because their evil activities are treated as family affair, they are agents of Satan. Are most leaders not having the mainstream philosophy of cakesharing? Otherwise, where does the money for the 2.6 barrels million of crude oil sold daily go? Are most leaders not lamentably alienated from the pulse of common people who form over 98% of Nigerian population? Why are many Civil Servants turning evil servants, aiding and abetting politicians to loot the treasury?

In Nigeria of this century, the poor are getting more desperate even as the rich and powerful get more ravenous in their despicable assault on the common till. The fellowship that is organized solely on individual members’ interests in self-promotion and individual success, including election success by hook or crook, claiming to have national and regional interests, is like a house built on sand, a fellowship on cards. According to one writer, “Corruption has become the commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN) and most civil servants have become evil servants. Big thieves walk the streets of Nigeria with their heads held high, while the small thieves are sent to jail”. May God deliver Nigeria and Nigerians. • Udo Ikot Imoh, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

have been treated in similar fashion? Does the judgment send the right signal to others, like Oscar, who resort to pulling the trigger at the slightest chance? The concern here is not whether one has a disdain for Oscar, but that of the law serving its true purpose. In every free society, everyone, irrespective of class and status, is governed by a rule of law, as opposed to a whim-ridden rule of men. The main objective of such a rule of law

is to protect the rights and interests of every member of the society. An efficient and effective justice system is one that protects the lives and liberties of citizens without violating the rights of some to provide gains to others. The deduction to be made from the Oscar Pistorius’ case is that law has its limitations. In Nigeria, for instance, a rape offender could get off the hook with a fine option of N250, 000. Recently, a robbery sus-

pect openly boasted on popular television programme, ‘Crime Fighter’, that the penalty for the theft offence he committed is a mere three months in prison. This brings us to the subject of the law as an ass. In Charles Dickens’ famous novel, ‘Oliver Twist’, Mr. Bumble, the miserable husband of a domineering wife, is told in court that “...the law supposes that your wife acts under your direction”; Bumble replies:”If the law supposes that, the law is a ass - a idiot”. What else could be said of a law that literarily gave Oscar an Oscar award for the murder of his girlfriend? • Tayo Ogunbiyi Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.

Political suicide for Ihedioha?

IR: Deciphering the psychological moment to contest an election is an exercise in political wisdom. Many Nigerian politicians lack the foresight to know the best moment to play their political ace. This explains why many notable personalities are usually reduced to the also-ran by shallow-minded political ‘wakabouts’ . In 2010, the former CBN czar Prof Chukwuma Soludo delved into the murky waters of Nigerian politics by contesting the Anambra State gubernatorial election. He drafted an earthshaking roadmap that will transform Anambra State into African Dubai or Taiwan. However, in the said election, he was reduced to an also-ran due to his inability to weigh the electoral consequences of the prevalent intra-party wrangling that his PDP consensus candidacy produced as well as the influence of Ojukwu in the said election. Had Soludo waited patiently in PDP for 2014, he would have had no rivals. The disgraced senatorial misadven-

ture of Igbo leader Chief Dim Odimegwu Ojukwu in 1983 after returning from exile put credence to this fact. The poor performance of Governor Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State created a scintillating political climate for alternative in the 2011 general election. Chief Rochas Okorocha reading the handwriting on the wall played his cards with consummate dexterity and sent the then occupant of Douglas House Ikedi Ohakim - to packing. As 2015 general election approaches, the media is awash with advertorials by groups either throwing their weight behind a politician contesting one post or asking one politician or public servant to vie for one post. One of the personalities that caught my attention in the gamut of all these drumbeats for 2015 general election is Hon.Emeka Ihedioha, deputy speaker, House of Representives. Ihedioha who has been representing AbohMbasi- Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency of Imo State since 2003 is

no doubt an astute parliamentarian and qualified to be governor but judging from the interplay between power and interest in the state, one needs no soothsayer to read that the climate is not conducive for Ihedioha. One remarkable thing about politics is that it connotes wires of influence and cult of personality and immediately one leaves any leadership position, he/she is being cut off from the wire and the influence will start to reduce like a punctured balloon. Hence my fear for Ihedioha. Hon. Ihedioha is a young man with a fat résumé - detailing his long political career - as well as trait of great leader; but he should employ the ecclesiastical injunction of ‘time for every thing’. It is better that Ihedioha go back to the House of Representatives while nurturing his ambition for the next electoral season or else he will be cut off the wire. • Jonathan Asikason, Enugwu-Ukwu, Anambra State.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014 16

COMMENTS

Man in the mirror (The politics of you and me)

Email: tunji_ololade@yahoo.co.uk 08038551123, 08111845040

OW that we are done fiddling with change, we are dying to articulate dissent like the emptiness that approximates silence; again. Like leadership we loathe, the language of our dreams and dissension has never been fathomed by us. Perhaps it’s because we allow our sentences and imports to trail off in confusion. Perhaps it’s because we swallow grief to express impotent will every time we ought to show discretion and character. But we have our inclinations too – wantonness, incoherence, shallowness and that fledgling impassivity that masks essentially, our recklessness and vile. Thoreau would call it a knack for folly. Russell would simply identify it as the manifestation of imprudence and lack of tact. I would call it suicide. For only the suicidal would entrust such sensitive things as the birthing of a “promising dawn” to professional undertakers. We are still the little, little people with neither principles nor strength of character. That is why we bestow our mandates unto all manners of candidates – in a manner characteristic of ones who have been programmed to self-destruct. Forget our apologies for

Goodluck Jonathan, Muhammadu Buhari and so on, it does not matter who we root for; it’s the reasoning that excites our politics that should appall us. It wasn’t too long ago that we brandished our untiring love for President Goodluck Jonathan at the last elections. Many claimed to love him just because his name is Goodluck. Others took a liking to him because he is purportedly “humble to a fault.” Then there were those who would die to see him retain his seat just because he hails from the SouthSouth. They believe it’s the turn of the South-South to plunder our national purse. But the song has since changed. Now we are beginning to see that it is not enough for Jonathan to answer the name: ‘Goodluck.’ We have begun to see that it takes more than Mr. President’s touted humility and inclination to “respect elders” and call “those who are older than him Sir or Ma!” even though “he is President,” to salvage our State. Let me not dwell on President Jonathan as there isn’t much to say of his candidature and administration. Any attempt to do so would be tantamount to squeezing the palm kernel seed for crude oil. And there is Buhari. Remember Buhari? It wasn’t too long ago that

‘Indeed, every other Nigerian is always supporting and scorning a candidate because it is fashionable to do so. A great many of us are switching loyalties, candidates and political platforms as socioeconomics and political expediencies demand. Some have done so because their favourite columnists suggested it’

EADING the piece entitled “Redrawing Cross River Political map”, written by Venatius Ikem, former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and published in The Nation of October 21, where he sought to play the role of a hatchet man, one cannot but conclude that it was a puerile effort of a man who is cognitively challenged. By Bassey Ofem pon sighting the caption, I had intuitively salivated at the prospects of savouring fresh insights on the political transformation currently going on in my state. But lo, I was let down when I discovered that the author was merely out to mislead and misinform his undiscerning readers with his cant. Indeed, his outing in The Nation was a classic piece in contradiction and obfuscation. In the piece, he tried feverishly to portray Governor Liyel Imoke as manipulating the political process in Cross River State to suit his personal interest. However, in his febrile and desperate effort to demonize the governor and tar him with a brush of a manipulator, Ikem, ended up confusing the readers. It is imperative to mention that ever since Governor Imoke booted him out of office as Commissioner for Works in his cabinet, Vena, as he is called by his associates no longer sees any good in the governor and what he does. It would be recalled that Ikem had demeaned his exalted office when he unabashedly engaged in a fight with a hapless young man at a party. He had reportedly stabbed his victim, an aide to Senator Ben Ayade in the head with a broken bottle. This disgraceful incident was lavishly reported by the media, including the Punch on January 2, 2012. The Governor considered his action untoward of a public office holder and swiftly gave him a matching order. This was the ‘mortal sin’ Governor Imoke committed against Ikem, setting the stage for the pathological hatred from Ikem. Since then, he has seized every opportunity and deployed every available media, both conventional and social to insult his governor. The piece in The Nation is at best a display of intellectual handicap and a ventilation of a frustrated and beleaguered politician. For instance, Ikem claimed that his preferred aspirant, Jeddy Godwin Agba was haunted (sic) out of office as Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing of the Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC). He, however, recanted in the same sentence by saying that his current benefactor (Jeddy Agba) voluntarily retired from NNPC. Poser: If someone was haunted as he ignorantly used the word or did he mean to say hounded out of office, could he at the same time voluntarily retire? As governor of Cross River State, does Governor Imoke also superintend over a behemoth such as the NNPC? Where does Imoke derive the power to hound, or to borrow Ikem’s own terminological inexacti-

we labeled him an “extremist” and “terrorist,” among other things; just because he is a Muslim. Some claimed he was set to implement a northern agenda to Islamize Nigeria. And not a few people recalled perceived excesses and shortcomings of his regime – to this lot, it hardly mattered that the former military dictator recorded some commendable feats during his regime. Then he picked Tunde Bakare, controversial and self-styled cleric, as his running mate and suddenly, the rising wave of dissent against his candidacy quieted to a drone. Vintage Buhari. The Spartan general knew just how to shut his detractors up. Now the much dreaded “fundamentalist” has become the favourite of not a few Nigerians. It isn’t just that Buhari had to pick Bakare that should shame us but that he had to play the religious card in order to sway the opinions of even his most virulent critics in his favour, provides food for thought. We have chosen to ignore the fact that Buhari, given his greater appeal, stature and promise, could have done better in choosing a running mate. But the elder statesman had to be pragmatic thus he fed us a generous dose of our own poison to gain our trust. This emphasizes our lack of depth and dependable political philosophy. I do not blame Buhari. The tireless contender had to survive. It doesn’t matter that his choice of running mate, Bakare, resounded all manners of permutation neither does it matter that his action projected our personal politic as desperate and shorn of wisdom. The Spartan general is actually not as inflexible as we thought him to be and we aren’t as wise as we think we are. If we were, we wouldn’t be taken by such politic at all.

And there was Ribadu; the candidate whose bid excited the worst of unexplainable bitterness and illwill in various circles – basically because he did a poor job of connecting with people he sought to govern. Not a few people claimed “Obasanjo’s attack dog” was no saint. Many argued that he was hardly Nigeria’s equivalent the awaited Messiah. It is understandable that the ruling class and highest echelons of the civil service and the corporate business sector would rather perish than see Ribadu mount Nigeria’s most coveted seat; for it wasn’t too long ago that he became the brute in their recurring nightmares. It is even more understandable that a considerable percentage of the nation’s youths – particularly internet and advance fee fraudsters among others – would give their last breath to thwart the presidential ambition of Nuhu Ribadu. But that a great percentage of Nigeria’s youth would profess an abiding dislike for Nuhu Ribadu because of numerous reasons they are yet to pin-point, is actually very distressing. Some argued that he contested knowing he was incapable of victory. They claimed he only sought to register his eligibility in order to appear as a worthy candidate for the presidency come 2015. Then there were those that believed Ribadu deserved scorn simply because it is fashionable to do so. Looking back now, they were probably justified in their contempt for “Obasanjo’s attack dog;” many are yet to come to terms with Ribadu’s shameful cartwheel to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in desperate bid to actualise his dream of governing Adamawa. Indeed, every other Nigerian is always supporting and scorning a

candidate because it is fashionable to do so. A great many of us are switching loyalties, candidates and political platforms as socioeconomics and political expediencies demand. Some have done so because their favourite columnists suggested it. The most pathetic amongst us however, are loving and hating one candidate above the other, simply because it is fashionable to do so. Yet for all the thoughtlessness we foster, we could be forgiven for whatever political anomaly we further; even as you read, none of our contenders for the presidential seat come 2015, has been able to justify his claim to our mandate and seat of power. It is just one of many such ironies that their emergence has failed to imbue us with much needed conviction and trust we ought to repose in our preferred contender to power. The connection is what we need. Among other benefits, it accords us a peep into the soul of each contender in order to trust him or not. It also means familiarity and wounds and scars. It could make it difficult to look upon them and see them as the future. But wherever it exists, it makes it easier to forgive the worst they have being in order to hope on the best they could become. We have few months to the 2015 general elections. Within the period, we could seek out a worthy candidate, “A man of the people, who is truly for the people in a sane way” if you like. But still, we rally round the usual candidates, the usual perversions and dire sentimentalities. Come 2015, if we usher in more calamitous leadership than we have now, you and I will be deserving of blame.

Ikem’s diatribe against Imoke By Bassey Ofem tude, haunt Jeddy Agba out of office? Again, another contradictory paragraph that exposes Ikem as a man who is not native to truth but one weaned on mendacity is his claim that current state PDP chairman, Ntufam John Okon should not have become the party chairman, because according to him, the man had just retired as Clerk of the state House of Assembly a few months before becoming the state PDP chairman. How hypocritical could Ikem be to raise issues about Ntufam John Okon’s position as the state party chairman while not considering it inappropriate to support his principal and aspirant, Jeddy Agba for the governorship of the state, despite that he was until a few months ago a staff of the NNPC? Is this not a clear case of Ikem trying to approbate and at the same time reprobate? While it is fine for his paymaster to aspire to the office of the governor of Cross River State, even as he was still in the employ of NNPC, it was sacrilegious for the state party chairman to have aspired and become the party chair, following his retirement as Clerk of the state House of Assembly. For Ikem, what is sauce for the geese should not be sauce for the gander? For Venatius Ikem, it is expedient to seek to confuse the debate over Governor Imoke’s laudable effort to open the democratic space, and allow the people to take ownership of the democratic process. Yet he wants Nigerians and indeed Cross Riverians to see him as a democrat who is only interested in the ambition of his patrons. It is in this context that it becomes pretty difficult to rationalize Ikem’s discomfort, unhappiness and distaste with the decision of John Owan Enoh to seek to represent the Cross River Central Senatorial Zone in the senate. Ikem’s claim that Governor Imoke does not want a ranking senator in Cross River to return to the senate so that he can continue to rule the state by proxy is ludicrous and lacking in substance. Perhaps a victim of selective amnesia, Ikem forgot that Senator Teslim Folarin from Oyo State was also the Senate Leader. But neither the senate nor Oyo State went kaput on account of his failure to return to the upper legislative chamber. Another issue Venatius Ikem raised and which rightly portrays him as one who plays politics of hatred is his confusion as to how Governor Imoke, who is a leading member of the PDP and according to Ikem, acclaimed bosom friend of the President and member of his kitchen cabinet, can still keep friends such people as the Speaker of the House of Representa-

tives, Rt. Hon Aminu Tambuwal, ‘a ring leader of a rebellious group’. For those familiar with Imoke and his style of politics, the governor sees politics as a game, pure and simple. So, while he might disagree with someone politically, he will never personalize such disagreement. This is what Ikem cannot understand. Ikem is not done yet with his myriads of laughable claims, but this time it is President Goodluck Jonathan’s failure to pay a visit to the state, since his assumption of office because, according to him, Governor Imoke has nothing for him to commission. Ikem, as a former member of Imoke’s cabinet did not really know his boss. If he did, he should have known that he is not a leader given to playing to the gallery. The governor does not commission projects because it does not make sense to spend taxpayers’ money on projects commissioning when such funds could be put to better use to improve the lot of the people. Apart from Nigeria where elected political office holders commission as little as well water project and dredging of gutters, where else is this done? That the governor does not commission projects is not to say there are no projects. With hundreds of kilometers of roads constructed and in use across the state when Ikem was Commissioner for Works, how many of those roads were ever commissioned? Today, the Institute of Technology and Management in Ugep, has commenced academic activities. Was the institution commissioned? The civil servants housing estate in Akpabuyo is today fully occupied; was there a big or lavish ceremony called commissioning? Does it also mean that the over 200 rural communities in the state enjoying rural electrification without commissioning are not citizens of the state or was it that the projects were not executed in Cross River State and deserving commissioning? Today, there are women and children in four local areas of the state who no longer die during childbirth due to improved quality healthcare made possible by the administration of Governor Liyel Imoke. This is despite the about 810 health facilities spread across the state. Should the citizenry have waited for their commissioning which will never come before accessing the facilities? Perhaps Ikem needs to be taken on a facility tour of the various projects to justify their presence in the state. • Ofem is a Calabar-based lawyer.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014

COMMENTS ‘The ruling political machine triumphs because it is united minority acting against a divided majority’ - Will Durant

“

ERSONALLY, l doff my hat for those progressive leaders of APC for their selfless pursuit of their party’s registration to a fruitful end; and particularly their current open door policy that is garnering more followership for the party across the country: They sacrificed their self-interests and endured personal discomforts. When it looked as if the set goal of registration was impossible; when their political hecklers were already jubilating that they had reached a dead end, they remained unrelenting. They really strategised day and night to lay this unassailable foundation.” The above is an excerpt from my column of Friday, August 5, 2013 titled: Will APC be PDP’s nemesis? At that time, the attendant euphoria of the eventual registration of the opposition party rented the air and in anticipation of greater things from the party, yours sincerely came up with this write-up. Ever since its publication over a year ago, this most publicly perceived leading opposition platform has made some serious incursions into the polity just as it has equally suffered visible setbacks. The convention process leading to the election of its substantive chairman was expectedly riddled with malcontent that quickly eased off. But it is equally true that no political party’s election process is universally free from such unease and what matters is how such issue was handled subsequently. Someone like Tom Ikimi who sold out on the issue of annulment of June 12 Presidential election as chairman of National Republican Convention and even publicly justified the judicial murder of Ken Beeson Saro-Wiwa before the entire Commonwealth of Nations as foreign minister under the late despot Sani Abacha, abandoned the party because he could not get the position of chairman. Bunu Sheriff, the former governor of Borno State widely believed to be a mole of President Goodluck Jonathan in the party and an alleged Boko Haram promoter led others from that part back to where their souls had always been, the PDP. That was when Chief John Odigie-Oyegun emerged as substantive chairman of APC. At this point, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president and presidential candidate of Action Congress party in the 2007 general election, also returned to ACN

T was an informal conference of sorts at the Seminar Café, the refreshment rendezvous inside the sprawling premises of the Lagos Television (LTV8), Agidingbi, Ikeja, four weeks ago. Resplendent in uniform aso ebi and numbering about 10, including three women, the “discussants” were guests of a couple that had come to walk down the aisle at the popular Blue Roof events centre – within the same premises. As assorted liquor washed sumptuous meals down their throats, one of them – an elderly man whose name was simply disclosed as Andrew – drew a deep pregnant sigh. Within seconds, he changed the kernel of their light discourse when one of them demanded to know why the sudden change in Andrew’s mood. “It is true that we are having a swell moment here, but I must confess that my mind is filled with thoughts about the future of this my cherished state. How I wish God answers my fervent prayer as the next governorship election draws near!” He gave a hint about the “storm” in his mind. “Ha … ha …? Are you contesting for governorship? Tell us now so that we know how to work for you,” one of them, a woman, cut in jocularly. A bout of laughter followed. Suddenly, Andrew wore a serious mien. “What I have in mind is not a matter to laugh about. For three days recently, I prayed and fasted over the chance of the man who, to me, has all it takes to sustain the tradition of excellent administration, which has remained unbroken since when Tinubu (exGovernor Bola Tinubu) was in the saddle in this state,” rising on his feet, he replied. This poser naturally followed: “Who then is in your mind?” His reply was emphatic: “Akin Ambode! He is the exceptional technocrat who is now being voluntarily supported by genuine lovers of a new Lagos across the state.” For a while, the 2015 governorship ambition of Akinwunmi Ambode, a shrewd accountant, who doubles as the immediate past accountant-general of the state and a leading contender on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) became the kernel of their discourse. The contribution of one of them, Sola Adetayo, was a clear pointer to the indubitable fact that whatever one does at one point

APC’s moment of decision

• Buhari

•Atiku

after his unsuccessful hibernation in the PDP. After surviving that internal wrangling at its convention and with the return of Atiku, several political pundits predicted that the primaries for picking the presidential candidates of the party would lead its final disintegration with the main 2015 elections serving as its final death knell. It is important for the party’s topmost hierarchy to be mindful of this prediction and must do everything possible to avoid any pitfall in picking its presidential flag bearer. By the party’s top echelon, this column means not only those in its national executive committee but also those top shots aspiring to get the party’s presidential ticket. The leading ones among them include Atiku, Mohammadu Buhari, and Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State. The news about the presidential ambition of Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, Speaker of the House of Representatives under APC remains a conjecture until he publicly crosses over to the opposition camp. However, the opposition must realise that

the struggle of Nigerians against impunity in power is akin to the proverbial struggle of memory against forgetting. The struggle against misgovernment by the ruling party at the centre has become serious albatross that has refused to go away and Nigerians are eagerly looking forward to APC as the only viable alternative at this point in time to take power from President Jonathan’s PDP. And the moment of decision has come when the party must choose a candidate that can rescue Nigerians from the crass ineptitude and misrule of the Jonathan-led administration. The leadership of the party ought to realise at this moment in time that it is important for political practicability to triumph over partisan parochial interests as the party prepares to pick its presidential candidate. There are several questions begging for answers as the primaries get closer. Of the aspirants, how many can each easily deliver their states or regions for the opposition party in the presidential election? Can Atiku deliver Adamawa for APC in February next year? Yours sincerely’s guess is as good as that of the discerning public and the answer is ‘no’. If a politician cannot deliver his state, ensuring he gets the party’s presidential ticket is like throwing it away. Again; is Kwankwaso politically in-charge and can he deliver his entire northern region for the opposition party in the presidential election next year? There is obviously no doubt that Kwankwaso cannot be ignored in the political equation of Kano State. But does that necessarily translate to winning the majority of the entire north for the opposition in next year’s presidential election? He cannot be easily written off, but can his political clout be effective on

Ambode in the public arcade By Jide Akinlabi in time in a leadership position will sooner or later become a reference point. His co-discussants hanged on his lips when he took them down memory lane. “I was well aware that the man (Ambode) was the one who, as the prime custodian of the state’s treasury under ex-Governor Bola Tinubu. We all remember the political war that happened between Tinubu and the then President Olusegun Obasanjo when the latter seized the funds due to local government councils in the state following the controversy over the creation of additional local councils in the state. “It is to the eternal credit of Ambode that he, through a rare ingenuity, evolved the financial infrastructure that helped the state survive those trying times. It therefore goes without saying that such a talent is needed to steer the ship of a state as complex as Lagos”, Adetayo said amid affirmatory nods by his hearers. Disclosing that he was a retired civil servant in the state, he spoke about his experience when he retired from the Ministry of Finance under Ambode: “When I retired in February 2006, I never in my wildest imagination thought I would not take years to get my entitlement. I got the most pleasant shock of my life when a few weeks after, I was paid my entitlements. When I made enquiries about how it happened, my colleagues told me that it was Ambode that insisted that our entitlement must not be delayed because having worked diligently for the state in our service years, we did not deserve to be paid back with hunger and deprivations in retirement”. “I was happy. I later dawned on me that it was the same Ambode who would always ensure that our salary was promptly paid when we were in service. He would always say that a well-motivated worker whose salary was not delayed would serve diligently and honestly to move the state to greater heights. He was passionately in love with the state and it showed in his utterances and actions all through. Since then, each time I remember him, my mind always prays for him. I never knew I would have this opportunity

to pay him back. In fact, I can’t wait to have him lead the state after the coming election.” Virtually everyone contributed one good thing or the other that had reportedly been said about the accountant. A Surulere-based woman, who gave her name as Alhaja Funmilola Alabi, said: “I have never met him (Ambode), but I remember that a friend of mine once ran to him when her son gained admission into the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). My friend, a widow was hard up for money and he was desperate to secure education for her only boy. Somebody told him to go to Ambode, assuring that he would help him whether or not he knows her”. “My friend did not believe it. She just summoned the courage one day. Following some enquiries about his residence, my friend visited thrice before she could meet him at home. My friend said she was about weeping when she was narrating her ordeal to Ambode who, according to her, asked her not to cry. To cut the story short, the man volunteered to sponsor my friend’s son through school. He is in his final year now. This writer was in a commercial but heading for Ojota from Lagos Island last week. The main issue being discussed was the forthcoming governorship election in the state. The concern of everyone is the ultimate emergence of the ideal man who has all it takes to ensure that the current train of development in the state is not drawn back to the “service lane.” After a concoction of arguments, an Igbo man, Cletus Nwachukwu, who claimed to be a trader at the popular Tejuosho market submitted: “I am not from this state, but I appreciate what Tinubu and Fashola have contributed to governance in the state. I have seen the posters of all manners of aspirant gunning for governorship and I have heard a lot about them. However, from my findings, one person stands out; he is the man called Akin Ambode”. “I have never met him (Ambode), but I have heard a lot of things about his virtues as a leader and manager of resources. Many have referred to him as an astute manager, an uncompromising disciplinarian, a humanist of

the presidential fortunes of the opposition party to rule the centre come 2015? My response is ‘no!’ Buhari stands out among the presidential aspirants of the opposition APC not because of his military leadership background which is tyrannical and oppressive or perceived religious fanatism, but because of his incorruptibility as a person and the commanding religious love that most northerners have for him. He was a former federal Commissioner for Petroleum, former GOC, former Head of State and former chairman of Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) among others. He remains obviously the only Nigerian leader, living or dead, that has held such enviable positions and still lives an ascetic and unpretentious life of incorruptibility. Can Buhari deliver Katsina, his home state, and most northern states for the opposition party? Yours sincerely can answer this in the affirmative. The reason is not because one likes the man but that is just the naked truth considering his electoral antecedents since his ANPP and later CPC years when he won millions of votes for the two political parties in the presidential elections and even secured some governorship slots for the parties on his singular honour. If this kind of political support base is merged with a southwest bloc votes and tokens from the east and south-south, then the ruling party is in trouble come February next year. Doing this by APC will prove that theorist, Will Durant wrong by showing that it is not in all instances that the ruling political machine triumphs, especially if its united minority is brutally dared by an equally united majority in the current opposition in the country. But will APC forge a united front of the majority after the presidential primaries? The decisive moment is the moment of truth that takes us to the birth of the leading opposition APC. The party is formed by the compelling necessity to rout the rampaging and impunity infested PDP out of the centre. This is why the convergence of strange political fellows became possible despite all odds. The selfless toil of APC leaders, their sacrificed self-interests and endured personal discomforts ab initio will come to naught if they ignore pragmatism in reaching a consensus on who picks the party’s presidential ticket. Doing anything contrary will be laying the foundation that could allow their political hecklers laugh at them in the end, God forbid!

no mean order and a progressive-minded technocrat. I am convinced that he will do the job by seeing the state move on steadily on the highway of all-round development.” Just yesterday, the same issue kept lips busy at a taxi park right at Ladipo Junction in Mushin. An Osun State-born commercial cab driver, Alhaji Rafiu Oladele, said although he is a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), he would vote for Ambode should he emerge as APC’s candidate because his assessment of the man had convinced him. “I am a devout Muslim who believes in truth. Yes, I belong to PDP as a party, but my concern is the progress of where I earn my livelihood. I have been lucky to move with a few people who have gained one thing or the other from the connection with Ambode and I am impressed. I have been made to believe that we will have a duteous and God-fearing governor in him. So, I will do my best possible to work for his success at the polls if he emerges as APC’s candidate. He will be a good choice as the one whose head the cap fits”, Oladele said. Besides his exemplary leadership acumen and public-spirited temperament, many at various for a today are always quick to allude to Ambode’s stint at the corridor of power in the state as an exclusive political advantage that will likely earn him victory at the polls over any other contender. Will the state retain the luck to have the right man to steer its ship? The moment of decision is almost here! • Akinlabi is a Lagos-based political analyst

‘I have never met him (Ambode), but I have heard a lot of things about his virtues as a leader and manager of resources. Many have referred to him as an astute manager, an uncompromising disciplinarian, a humanist of no mean order and a progressive-minded technocrat

THE NATION FRIDAY OCTOBER 24, 2014

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014

25 NLNG is one of the biggest success stories in our country. From what I am told, the company has invested $13 billion so far since inception, and has become a pacesetter in terms of revenue generation for the government. -Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga

BUSINESS THE NATION

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

We‘re accessing N10b Cassava Fund, say farmers

Nigeria’s cocoa export cost to EU rises 30%

From Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

ARMERS have started accessing the N10billion Cassava Bread Fund approved by the Federal Government, the President, Nigeria Cassava Growers Association? (NCGA), Pastor Segun Adewumi, has said. He said N2.4 billion was given to farmers to grow cassava. Adewumi, who spoke with The Nation in Abuja said farmers would be blamed if the recent new policy on cassava flour fails. He said: “The farmers have started working with the funds. N2.4 billion was given to grow cassava. The fund is divided between, cassava growers, the processors and the master bakers. Both processors and the master bakers have fund to upgrade their equipment, cassava growers have fund to provide affordable and adequate cassava for the programme. He explained that the banks now have confidence to give out money to farmers because they know that the market is waiting with multiplied patronage. He said government has given the cassava growers free hand to drive the 20 per cent cassava flour inclusion in bread baking. He said: “We have tried it before but it didn’t work because the implementation had a problem, but right now, the minister has given farmers a free hand. He said if anybody is to be blamed for its failure, it’s the farmers, because it’s no longer the government that is controlling it; gvernment has given the controlling powers to farmers and we are very happy. “As at now, we are supposed to do 29, 500 hectares which by this month end, we must have completed. So work is going on all over the country around the high quality cassava flour production centres.”

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$117.4/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,396.9/ troy Sugar -$163/lb MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE -N11.4 trillion JSE -Z5.112trillion NYSE -$10.84 trillion LSE -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -8% Treasury Bills -10.58%(91d) Maximum lending -30% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -1% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR 12% Foreign Reserve $45b FOREX CFA -0.2958 EUR -206.9 £ -242.1 $ -156 ¥ -1.9179 SDR -238 RIYAL -40.472

•From left: Dana Ambassador, (Comedian) Mr. Bright Okpocha alias Basket Mouth (middle); flanked by Regional Head, Murtala Mohammed Airport-2, Ms. Mariam Anosike (left) and Chief Commercial Officer, Dana Airline, Mr. Obi Mbanuzuo during the draws to reward Dana Air passengers that used the airline's mobile app for booking in Lagos.

Chinese investors stake N18b as foreign investors scout for Nigerian firms

OREIGN investors are scouting for viable Nigerian companies and possible turnaround targets as inlets into the economy, emerging talks and deals on mergers and acquisitions have shown. Regulatory filings obtained by The Nation indicated that two quoted firms are currently targets of significant foreign investments as foreign investors continue to make enquiries on possible acquisitions, takeovers and strategic equity investments. In one of the strategic investments, a leading Chinese Lead and Zinc mining company, Anhui Huishang Metal Corporation Limited, has committed to investing some N18 billion, about $111 million, in a joint venture business with Multiverse Plc, a company quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). According to emerging details of the transaction, Multiverse and Anhui Huishang Metal Corporation (AHMCL) have created a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to explore, develop and mine the

By Taofik Salako

huge deposit of Lead and Zinc ores at Multiverse’s Exploration License EL 16879 in Abuni, Awe Local Government of Nasarawa State. Both companies had already signed a Joint Venture Agreement with AMHCL becoming the technical partner to Multiverse. AHMCL is committed to spend about $111 million in terms of equipment, exploration and mine technology over a period of four years, starting from this year. Already, the Geological Institute of China has conducted a Resource Study to determine the Reserve Estimate of Lead and Zinc at the mines. In another similar development, some strategic foreign investors are currently scouting for opportunities in Nigeria’s fast moving consumer goods (FMCGs) industry. Regulatory filing indicated that Frigoglass SAIC, Athens, which holds the ultimate majority equity stake in Beta Glass

Plc through its Nigerian subsidiary, Frigoglass Industries Nigeria Limited, has been approached by a variety of investors expressing their interest in a wide range of strategic options, such as joint ventures, minority participations or even full acquisition of its Nigerian business. Beta Glass is quoted on the NSE. Frigoglass SAIC is commencing an exploratory process relating to strategic options for the glass business stating that the long-term high growth potential of the glass packaging business and the company’s strong position and solid manufacturing base in Nigeria has attracted substantial foreign investors’ interests. According to the report, as such foreign interests may represent significant value creation potential, Frigoglass has resolved to evaluate those options in a structured manner and has retained Citigroup Global Markets Limited as its exclusive financial advisor to this effect. Investment banking pundits said foreign investors have par-

ticularly showed keen interests in the agriculture, financial services and healthcare sectors which were seen as growth sectors of the economy. Sources said though the security challenge facing the country appeared to be moderating discussions around many major investments, foreign investors appeared to be discounting the security risks against the huge opportunity presented by Nigeria’s emerging economy. In spite of the global economic contraction, Nigerian economy has sustained consecutive years of growth with average yearly growth of more than six per cent. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its regional economic outlook for the sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) noted that among oil producers, Nigeria’s growth is expected to accelerate from 5.4 per cent to between 7.0 and 7.25 per cent between this year and next year on the back of buoyant non-oil sectors and recovering oil production.

Nigeria’s ranking on ease of doing business, others rise

HE Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga said Nigeria has measured 2.81 out of the overall logistic performance index (LPI), with one out of five being the worst performance and ranking 75 out of 160 countries. This, according to him, makes Nigeria one of the top 10 lower middle income LPI performance in terms of its efficiency of customs clearance process, quality of trade and transport related infrastructure, ease of arranging competitively priced shipment, quality of logistic services, ability to track and trace consignments, and frequency with which shipments reach the consignee within the scheduled time. Represented by the Ambassador of Trade, Geneva, David Adejwon, Aganga spoke at National Workshop on Implementating the World

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

Trade Organisation (WTO) trade facilitation agreement in Abuja. He said the trade facilitation needs assessment held in 2008, 2013 and this year in Abuja provided detailed information on technical assistance requirements and a valuable basis for the eventual implementation of the result on the WTO negotiations. He said: “We cannot overemphasise the need for Nigeria to take issues bordering her seriously if we are to realise our dream of becoming one of the top 20 economies by 2020 which is barely six years away. “A very important step in this direction is to periodically conduct the needs assessment as we have been doing and utilise the outcome to take advantage of the resources provided at the WTO to develop the technical skills for favour-

able and profitable negotiation with Nigeria’s trading partners as well as improve the climate for doing business in Nigeria. “Iam aware of the discussion you have held to fine tune the country’s commitment in the TFA categories and efforts are being made by the Ministry to follow up with the Federal Executive Council (FEC), on the category. A commitment that have been concluded on, and I assure you that a positive response from government will soon be obtained. “In our globalised world, no nation is self-sufficient as there is an increasing interdependence of national economies International trade is critical to the economic development of any nation as it enables the nation to expand its market and earn the much needed foreign exchange.” Aganga said the conclusion of the World Bank is that the phenomenon of globalisation has

•Aganga

no doubt created new opportunities for countries to harness global markets for economic growth and development. The resulting expanded supply chains and global production network has put a new premium on moving goods in a predictable, timely, and cost effective way, which has led to the need for trade facilitation activities at our air, land and border post.

IGERIAN cocoaprocessing companies say the cost of exporting their products to Europe has been inflated by 30 percent because of a stalemate in agreeing new trade terms with the European Union (EU). Nigerian cocoa butter and cake exports are charged from 4.2 per cent to 6.1 per cent of freight-on-board values as taxes at EU ports without an agreement, Felix Oladunjoye, executive secretary of the Cocoa Processors Association of Nigeria, or Copan, said in a phone interview Lagos, the commercial capital. Nigeria is the only country in West Africa yet to sign the Economic Partnership Agreement protocol on free trade by the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, he said. “It makes Nigeria-origin cocoa butter and cake less competitive in the international market. It is a direct loss of revenue to the local processing industry,” Oladunjoye said. Apart from having to export at a cost disadvantage, many of them are burdened by unserviced debts estimated collectively at about 40 billion naira ($241 million), preventing new credit lines from banks, according to Akin Olusuyi, managing director of Ile-Oluji Cocoa Products Ltd. and vice president of Copan. Eight processing companies located in the main cocoagrowing region in the southwest have a combined installed capacity of 155,000 metric tons a year. Since 2011 they’ve run at 25 per cent to 27 per cent of installed capacity, according to Oladunjoye. Processors also struggle to obtain beans in a local market dominated by exporters’ buying agents, he said. Nigeria is the world’s fourth-biggest producer of cocoa after Ivory Coast, Ghana and Indonesia. Nigeria produced 350,000 tons of cocoa in the 2013-2014 season, according to the Agriculture Ministry. A government incentive plan to encourage exporters of agricultural items with subsidies ranging from five per cent to 15 per cent has been slow to come into effect, according to Oladunjoye. A backlog of applications going back to 2011 is still awaiting approval at the Finance Ministry, he said. Three phone calls to numbers listed for Nigeria’s Trade and Investment Ministry went unanswered. Finance Ministry officials weren’t immediately available to comment, an official who answered its phone number said. Nigeria had in May rejected the proposed trade agreement with the EU because it requires abolition of import duties for manufactured goods from Europe, saying it would lead to dumping of goods and loss of jobs.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS BRANDS & MARKETING Transit advertising is growing at a fast rate, creating competition for traditional media. The new fad in advertising is evolving from being a communication wrap-around on company cars, mass transits and commercial vehicles, among others. The trend is offering individual car owners an opportunity to earn some income by allowing their cars to be used for advertising communications, writes ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI.

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

•Branded private cars.

Car owners can now earn advertising revenue! T

REND-SPOTTERS in advertising communication are not sleeping. Everyday, they are awake, devising a cost-effective platform for advertisers to enhance the impact of campaigns on brands and create return-on-advertising-investment. In the latest trend, Nigerian private car owners are offering a viable platform for advertisers and advertising agencies. This benefit has been enjoyed by owners of land, taxi cabs, public mass transit and a host of others for a long time. But, with the new window for private car owners to rake in advert revenue, car owners are now advert message and campaign drivers. Transit or driven media, is the practice of covering or wrapping any vehicle in vibrant, custom-designed vinyl sheets, turning a vehicle into a mobile billboard. The purpose of this is to provide advertising impressions. Unlike a stationed media such as billboards, transit advertising has an advantage of moving to any location after approval from outdoor regulatory authorities. The media, it is believed, has the power to further shrink the market share of traditional 46-sheets billboards and its modern form, Digital LED billboards which are stationed at specific locations, mostly traffic areas. Branding a private car for transit advertising is not common in Nigeria. Media planners for a long time had relied on public mass transit, taxi cab or buses designed for sales promo while most companies also wrap their official vehicles with their communication materials sometimes. The reason is that branded vehicles enjoy more audience than stationed hoardings. According to Outdoor Advertising Magazine, an international publication, wrapped vehicles have a 97 percent recall rate and 96 per cent of survey respondents thought transit advertising is more effective than traditional outdoor advertising. Another survey by a research firm, 3M, also noted that 91 per cent of the target noticed the text and graphics on these wrapped vehicles with 80 per cent recalling the specific advertisement. This perhaps explained why the platform is

popular abroad. For example, in some advanced markets, where such discovery had been established, brand owners are increasing their spending towards this line. A media company in South Africa, Provantage, reported that this medium is reaching an estimated 18.2 million commuter daily. “This advertising medium poses enormous benefits for both the car owner and advertiser. The car owner will be compensated for every month which they have the advertisers’ campaign on their vehicle - which enables them to make extra cash. Advertisers benefit from getting enormous exposure for their brands, reaching their target markets for a lower cost than they would have to spend on other traditional and non-traditional medium of advertising,” say brand experts. During the unveiling of the new trend in Nigeria on Monday, the managing director of brandmycar.com, Amaka Okolo said that advertisers are searching for cost-effective means of promoting their communication materials. She said the branding of private car though new in Nigerian marketing space, provides low cost mobile out of home advertising spaces on private cars and transit vehicles for effective brand messages and communication. “This will help connect people with brands, match car owners who want effective mobile exposure, giving them a source of living and

take the brands into smaller localised places where regular outdoor advertising cannot,” she said. She said the goals of the platform is also to drive outdoor advertising, where it is most effective and visible, as car owners commute daily to schools, shops, churches, mosques and works. According to Okolo, “What makes this service unique is that it is the first of its kind in Nigeria and it is easily reached, very flexible, visible and recent.”

How it works Okolo explained that all car owners are expected to cover a minimum of 200 miles per month, so as to be paid an agreed amount to them. She said before such money is paid to car owners, the advertisers will verify compliance of cars through vehicle tracking reports to prevent falsehood by car owners. When engaged by advertisers. She noted that the tracking report will show how many miles the car has covered within the agreed period of time the advert is supposed to run, this way, advertisers will know how far the advert has travelled. Okolo further said that advertisers can either pick the cars they want online or can allow the company pick for them and then do the vetting. She said that presently, there are about 700

‘The platform is to drive outdoor advertising, where it is most effective and visible, as car owners commute daily to schools, shops, churches, mosques and works... What makes the service unique is that it is the first of its kind in Nigeria and it is easily reached, very flexible, visible and recent.’

branded private cars functioning in Nigeria. Under her company, brandmycar.com, but that this figure is low compared to what is obtainable in advanced countries. She believed it will grow as more advertisers buy into it.

Demand for transit ad The Chief Executive Officer of Noisemakers Advertising Limited, one of the agencies that specialises in transit media, Mr. Jubril Dixion, believes that the platform is one of the a most effective platforms because of its reach. According to him, “My experience convinced me that the platform is not only effective but important for brand building. It is the way through which one can take campaign to consumers, wherever they are,” he said.

Regulatory issues that may stall the new trend Corporate brands political parties/politicians and even religious bodies have found vehicle branding and advertising as a very effective way of advertising their products and winning souls. It is not unusual in Lagos to see a BRT bus bearing the “Glo-Rule Your World’ advert, a taxi branded with the advert of a particular brand of condom or luxury bus with the lingo of ‘The Lord Chosen’. All these are pointer to the fact that the brands are reaping bountifully from transit media. Despite the level of awareness and increased use of this platform, the fact that not all the branded vehicle on Lagos roads have the government seal of approval has often become an issue of discourse in many forms. To ensure that car owners are not harassed, Mrs.Okolo said any car owners subscribing to have their cars branded will be screened and ensured that they have valid driving documents such as vehicle insurance, drivers licence, certificate of road worthiness among others. She said after that has been been verified, a LAASA permit will be secured for car owners.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014

Brandnews

Heineken engages consumers with new campaign H

EINEKEN, an international premium lager beer, has unveiled @wherenext, a revolutionary new digital experience which is part of the fully-integrated global campaign, ‘Cities of the World’. This is in line with its determination to give the Nigerian consumer an experience that will last for a long time. The Twitter-based @wherenext service aims to help consumers explore new experiences of their cities, using a brand new and innovative social tool. The digital experience of the ‘Cities of the World’ campaign marks a milestone in the evolution of Heineken’s digital marketing strategy. Acting as a social compass, @wherenext reads the pulse of a

Stories by Adedeji Ademigbuji

city by using real-time locationbased social activity to show where is hot and guide urbanites to new adventures off their beaten track. The new digital platform – developed in collaboration with R/ GA London – is a solution to findings from recent Heineken research which revealed that consumers experience a ‘fear of missing out’ on the exciting experiences in their city. The research also showed how consumers from different cities seek a different ‘social currency’ in each urban environment. People who live in them want to break from routine, experience new places and embark on urban

adventures that will add to their social currency. For example, Lagosians believe in “jaye”, a local parlance for “enjoying life” as a lifestyle. New Yorkers see ‘making it’ as the ultimate social currency whereas people from Rio de Janeiro see happiness as the absolute mark of achievement. For Londoners, it’s all about personal development and defining success for themselves. “Our world-class marketing campaigns are global, integrated and digitally-driven as everything we do is inspired by and oriented towards our fans. The success of the Heineken brand is rooted in a commitment to continual innovation,” said Mrs.

Ngozi Nkwoji, Senior Brand Manager Heineken. “We boldly break away from traditional beer marketing approaches to create stories that inspire people to be courageous and aspirational. @wherenext and Cities of the World is the latest iteration of Heineken strategy, using rich consumer insights to respond to their desires to explore the great adventures in their cities.” On how it works, Mrs. Nkwoji pointed out that the social-mediabased service uses a unique algorithm that listens to social media activity, such as tweets, check-ins and photos across popular platforms like Twitter, Instagram and Foursquare and analyses which locations are trending. The platform

will help people navigate nightlife, overcome their fear of missing out and live their city to the fullest. Throwing more light on the digital experience, JP Maheu, Managing Director, Global Brand & Agency Strategy at Twitter, said: “Heineken is a consistently innovative brand on Twitter, and we’re excited to see them continue this into the lifestyle and entertainment space with the @wherenext campaign for Cities of the world. The initiative is really creative use of Twitter. It’s well-suited to the real-time and mobile nature of the platform and will give fans a window into the most vibrant experiences in cities around the world, right in the palm of their hand.”

Osun hosts conference for journalists

•From left: Amaka Okolo, President, Brandmycar.com.ng; Ikem Okuhu, Analyst-in-Chief, BRANDish and Bukola Kukoyi, Social Media Manager, Brandmycar.com.ng, at the media unveil of Brandmycar, a transit media initiative, in Lagos.

TINK Africa launches trends worth billions

INK Africa, a start-up consumer insights firm, has unveiled a marketing tool platform named Consumer Trend Report where advertisers and agencies can assess information on trends which they could use to build their brands. Titled: Wired For The Future, the trend-spotting company also launched a website, Trends Worth Billions to provide instant access for the target users. The launch was a culmination of TINK’s local and global trendspotting tours that kicked off in June this year with the African Outdoor Advertising and Exhibition; Women in Marketing Conference [WIMCA] held July; Breakfast With the creatives in August as well as the Social Media Week Johannesburg which was held September and

ONSUMERS across the country have applauded Chi Limited for its introduction of three new variants of Hollandia Yoghurt in addition to existing variants in the market. The new variants: ‘Green Apple,’ ‘Orange’ and ‘Pure and Plain’ are expected to cater for a growing demand for dairy products in general and yoghurt in particular. In a latest food marketing consumer survey, the consumers said the new variants will widen their experiences of Hollandia Yogurt

Advertising Week New York - October. The founder of TINK Africa and former Marketing Manager at Insight Communication, Franklin Ozekhome, who has spent a decade in advertising (media planning, brand strategy, account management, digital planning, marketing and new business) says he “knew it was time to roll out an innovation company. Africa was on a ‘roll’ and needed new thinking; strategies and experiences that would help brands stand apart in the minds of consumers. He said that “the impact of popular culture - afro-pop music and sounds, reality TV shows, pop-candy videos, celeb fetish, techvolution, minipreneurism and the rise of technology start-ups and co-creation hubs - was being felt across indus-

tries - fashion, mobile and telecoms, fast foods, retail, alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, online shopping, tourism and health -, and revolutionising the Nigerian market. Brands, therefore, had to rethink and re-strategise how they were branding, marketing and communicating to the digital consumer.” According to Ozekhome, “the growth of transmedia storytelling, branded content, contextual planning and digital advertising is a big blow to the business models used by ad agencies and the type of engagement formats developed by marketers. Brand teams are now compelled to redesign and share brand experiences, platforms and products that not only have marketing ‘baked-in’, but are also engaging, sustainable and resonate with consumers.”

HE 2014 edition of the annual conference of the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN), will be held in the State of Osun, the association has said. The state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon. Sunday Aker, who received the representatives of the association, said the state, under Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is always willing to identify with individuals and organisations that could aid its developmental drive for the state. The Chairman of the group, Mr. Goddie Ofose, during a courtesy visit to the commissioner, said with the way the state governor has branded tourism, the association considers taking discourse on tourism marketing to the state and it is expected to hold between November 20 and 23 with a topic: ‘Tourism marketing as catalyst for economic development’. The 2013 edition was held in Ogun State. According to Ofose, “BJAN members have taken pain to follow up the activities of the State of Osun in the area of tourism, particularly the way the annual Osun Osogbo cultural festival has suddenly turned to international

Campari reveals 2015 iconic calendar

AMPARI, one of the leading global alcoholic spirits, has unveiled the cover image for the 2015 Calendar, entitled ‘Mythology Mixology’. The iconic calendar cover image features this year’s stunning leading lady, Eva Green, wearing a beautiful custom-made red gown poised against Campari’s wheel of time. The wheel symbolises the key dates in Campari’s rich and colourful past, where 12 of its most iconic and best-loved cocktail recipes were born. Whilst these intriguing stories journey through Campari’s glorious over 150-year history to date, the collection also has a distinct contemporary feel that challenges fans to look to the future and imagine the endless possibilities for

Hollandia’s Yoghurt new variant lauded as a result of its new formulation which accordingly has a rich mouthfeel and a balanced flavour. The survey stated that the consumers are also impressed with the new low-fat yogurts product proposition and other health benefits as they face major health risk associated with junk foods. Citing a case study of three friends, the qualitative marketing research narrate: “Amaka, Bose,

Amina and Uju are four close friends… and all yoghurt lovers. Amaka and Amina have been trying for months to get rid of junk food and make healthier food decisions. However, they have often failed to stay on course. This is because sometimes, the healthy options are simply too bland and unappealing. Recently they started substituting heavy dinners with healthy fruits and veggie smooth-

event. We do not only consider it necessary to reel out the economic benefits of tourism, we want to add our voices to how it can be better marketed. We want other states to learn from Osun and we want Federal Government to invest more in the industry,” Responding, Akere described the Aregbesola-led administration as a media-friendly government that would continue to contribute its quota to every step taken to add values to journalism practice in the country. He said: “As a government that appreciates the place of effective communication in government, the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has always regarded the media as a major partner in the journey to touch lives and bring rapid development into the State of Osun,” The speakers expected at the conference include; President Nigeria Guild of Editors, Femi Adesina; MD, Chain Reaction, Israel Jaiye Opayemi; and COO, 141 Worldwide, Bunmi Oke. Meanwhile, Hon. Sunday Akere has been pencilled down to open the conference while it will be chaired by the Registrar Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, Alhaji Garba Bello-Kankarofi.

ies. They couldn’t keep up with it however, as it often tasted…off. “One day, a friend asked them to try adding some yoghurt to their smoothies. They thought adding yoghurt would only add more sugar and not enough benefits to the mix. In any case, they gave it a try. In the course of selecting the ideal yoghurt, they ran into Hollandia Pure N Plain Yoghurt with no added sugar. The

this timeless spirit brand. Eva’s striking stance entices consumers to join her on an imaginative journey of discovery, as the dazzling heroine leads them through a contemporary reinterpretation of the brand’s history and celebrates the classic cocktail recipes that are still so popular in today’s modern world. The calendar was shot by the worldwide acclaimed and exhibited fine art photographer Julia Fullerton-Batten, the first ever woman to get behind the lens on the Campari Calendar. The Campari Calendar, of which only 9,999 copies are printed, will not go on sale but will be distributed to friends of Campari around the world. yoghurt added the creamy smooth texture their smoothies lacked and greatly elevated the taste without adding any sugar. Now they look forward to their daily smoothies. All thanks to Hollandia Pure N Plain Yoghurt,” the survey stated. “Bose, on the other hand, loves experimenting with flavours. However, it soon became obvious that the many brands out there were limited to one or two basic flavours. Over time, even for a yoghurt lover like her, it had become somewhat boring.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS SHOPPING

E-mail: toniaitose@gmail.com

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

Shoppers are often deceived by the seemingly endless succession of rollbacks and extra free deals adorning supermarket shelves, trusting these supermarkets to help them save money. But the sincerity of these deals could be questionable, reports, TONIA ‘DIYAN

•Discounted items with their price tags on a supermarket shelf

Supermarkets’ bargain tactics: who bears the loss? A

T this time of the year, discount prices on goods online and offline become the order of the day, with shoppers scrambling for bargains. Are special offers designed to provide the average shopper with good value or they are mere bargain tactics? Femi Oluyole, a banker who was buying groceries from a supermarket in Anthony,Lagos thinks a supermarket’s pricing policy is designed to increase margins primarily through convincing their ‘loyal’ customers into buying bargains that are not sincere bargains’. He said it will be time wasting trying to work out which products are included in any offer.Oluyole said he noticed that in the home bake section of the store, there was a promotion to buy three items for the price of two. He also noticed a shelf with items selling at N15 each instead of their normal N50. At Justrite Supermarket in Abule-Egba and Iyana-Ipaja, a shopper, Sholape Moyosore, observed that baking potatoes in a four pack,the type she uses as a caterer, were charged at a premium price. She said: “I have always understood baking potatoes to be sold according to their sizes but the reverse is the case here.” She said she also bought some grocery items from the supermarket at a certain price, but when she went back a few days later to buy more, the price had risen quite significantly. “When my husband queried this, he was told by an assistant (as if he was doing him a favour) to come back at the weekend as there would be a 20 per cent discount

because of promotion. That was to happen as promised, but the 20 per cent reduction still left the price far higher than what we paid on the item originally.All this happened within the one week.” Pa Oluwole, who spent 40 years in the United States, said he could not trust supermarkets because they pretend to have interest of their customers at heart when actually they aret out to milk them. He said: “Why should I trust supermarkets when they are always shouting about how they have the interest of their customers at heart? But I know how well they tell lies with their attractive offers. My daughter now shops for me at other outlets such as markets and small independent shops where many items are in fact cheaper and often of better quality.” When price slashing and discount offers first became popular, supermarkets took advantage of what they saw as a veritable source of publicity and an opportunity to attract more customers. But, as the industry grew and certain marketing strategies were they said the deals were not offering the anticipated returns on investment. They often put attractive gift items on display as a bait to draw the shopper’s attention as soon as he walks into the store. All essential items are widely displayed throughout the store. This is so that other ‘non-essential’ items can catch the shopper’s fancy as he walks around. He is simply being encouraged to spend more. George Ukwunna is the Branch Manager of the Apapa Shoprite store. When The Nation Shopping met him to find out if the special offers which his store gives out on a daily basis are designed to provide the av-

erage shopper with good value for their money or if they are mere supermarket bargain tactics, he said: “Special offers are definitely designed to give customers value for their money.” He illustrated his belief by saying that when a shopper buys an item at 20 per cent reduced cost from its market value, it gives himor her an opportunity to stock up while the offer lasts. According to him, the shopper will be able to save money by shopping at a well discounted price. A lady who simply identified herself as Rita said giving discount is another publicity stunt. Rita, who is the store manager for PEP, said because the store aims at getting publicity because they are new in the market, they often introduce aggressive mark downs and promotions. She, however said, “If it is all about the profit and not the customer’s satisfaction, the store won’t have an exchange policy. In other words, the customer is our priority and everything we do here, is at their interest.” The Nation Shopping gathered from a source that some supermarkets within the Lagos metropolis have decided to minimise, but not stop their price slashing strategy, saying the strategy may not actually be such a great thing for them after all. They have also realised that they are offering discounts against their best interests and may not actually present such inviting offers all the time. But, for the few customers, who visit after enjoying discounts, these supermarkets might decide that the idea is a bad deal and begin to turn their backs on it.

Our source said it is only about three per cent of supermarkets which offer deals daily, weekly and monthly that end up sustaining their additional customers. Those who offer huge discounts and don’t retain their customers sometimes end up with low profits, loss of the initial patronage or no gain from the deals. However, some experts have said, bargains are not always what they appear to be. “For example, one customer picked up a 12-pack of toilet paper advertised as 30 per cent off. However, on closer inspection, this was one of the more expensive packs on offer.” Speaking on the way forward for pricing and special offers, the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) has said it is calling on supermarkets to make their pricing clearer. CPC said: “We want them to show clear unit pricing – the price by weight, volume or unit – so that people can easily compare what they’re buying. We’re also putting pressure on them to sort out special offers so that they’re exactly that special which they are. “Last time we went round supermarkets with a trading standards officer, we found lots of items that were over priced in the name of promotional discounts and aggressive mark downs. “In some cases, products were listed as higher than what they actually were. A 150g of detergent costing N300 was priced at N450. A 125g toilet cleaner for N350 was displayed as costing N500 for a bottle. •Continued on page 37

Newspaper of the Year

AN EIGHT-PAGE PULLOUT ON THE SOUTHSOUTH STATES

NEW CALAB AR CALABAR

IJ AW/ITSEKIRI IJA

IT was conceptualised to draw the much-needed traffic into Calabar to boost the ailing Tinapa Resort as well as other areas of tourism in Cross River State. Governor Liyel Imoke’s vision to build an economic engine through the Summit Hills projects is becoming a reality.

THE Ijaw and Itsekiri, two age-long neighbours in Warri, Delta State, are hoping that their new found will last forever. There are, however, fears that tomorrow’s local government election will be a major test for this relationship.

•Imoke

•PAGE 32

•Uduaghan

•PAGE 32 •Udoh

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014

PAGE 29

VIOLENCE

IT was supposed to be a mere political consultation with the members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio’s local government area, Essien Udim. But it all ended up in violence, leaving several people injured. •PAGE 31

Death traps called markets •Bayelsans convert major Yenegoa roads to shopping centres •Residents, FRSC, motorists: it's a carnage waiting to happen

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

ENAGOA is the capital of Bayelsa, an oil-rich state. It boasts of being the headquarters of a state that gets one of the highest revenue allocations from the Federal Government. Besides, it is the capital city of President Goodluck Jonathan’s home state. But Yenagoa lacks one major commercial entity - modern markets. Yenagoa seems to be the only capital city in the country without a regulated, organised and well-mapped market. Apart from former Governor Diepreye Alameiseigha who constructed the Swali Market, no administration, including Governor Seriake Dickson’s, has paid attention to the need for befiting markets in this city. Residents of this homogeneous Ijaw city are lovers of commerce. Everyday, including Sunday, is a market day, but the marketplace is a disaster. In fact, people sit on a keg of gunpowder and roam a minefield everyday in the name of market. All the markets are located on major roads. Buyers and sellers are aware of the dangers. To them, life must go on, especially as the government has failed to provide an alternative for them. Communities that make up Yenagoa have converted major roads into their communal marketplaces. Residents converge on roads to transact businesses without fear of vehicular movements. Some markets hold by the roadside. Such markets are Tombia at the popular Tombia Roundabout on the Yenagoa-Mbiama Road and Swali on Swali Road. • CONTINUED ON PAGES 30 & 35

• Gridlock caused by the road side market in Yenagoa. • The bullet holes

• The lateODIEGWU Ms. Oneya PHOTO: MIKE

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

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014

NIGER DELTA REPORT COVER

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

Death traps called markets in Yenagoa

N Tuesday and Wednesday , for instance, a stretch of Mbiama-Yenagoa Road, the only road that leads to the city, is occupied by Akenfa and Agudiama communities. Also, on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, the people of Okaka, Igbogene and Opolo block another section of Mbiama-Yenagoa Road for buying and selling. A section of Isaac Boro Expressway is the marketplace for Kpansia community on Saturday. The Gwegwe Road is occupied by the people of Ovom every Sunday. Residents and visitors in Yenagoa groan on each market day. It is a day of traffic snarl and rising frustration among motorists. The Agudiama and Akeinfa axis on the Mbiama-Yenagoa Road is the worse hit. A stretch of traffic jam resembling a typical hold-up during a rush hour on Ikorodu Road, Lagos State, emerges on the popular Mbiama-Yenagoa Road. The gridlock covering kilometres hinders movements and causes loss of man hours. Traders carelessly occupy the roads and flamboyantly display their wares. They are not perturbed by the presence of different sizes of vehicles which try to manoeuver their ways to safety. Some of them even ignore dangers posed by the vehicles to advertise their wares. Buyers, without trepidation, stoop to bargain and select their goods of interest. They are, indeed, undisturbed by the agonizing drivers who try assiduously to avoid colliding with them and their wares. Despite any case of emergency, every vehicular movement along the Mbiama-Yenagoa road stops at the Akenfa and Agudiama axis on market days. The situation becomes more worrisome owing to the location of major security and educational institutions along the area. The Pobeni Camp which houses the Headquarters of the Central Naval Command (CNC) of the Nigerian Navy is situated there. Also, the SouthSouth campus of the Nigerian Law School is sited in the area. In fact, it is a herculean task for naval personnel to engage in their official security movement on market days because of road blockade by traders. They helplessly see a stretch of gridlock covering their gate. Even after work, naval officers and ratings stay back in their various duty posts till night when the market must have closed. Out of frustration, a naval officer describes the roadside market in a capital city as a sign of an irresponsible government. The man who identifies himself simply as Emmanuel wonders why the government would allow markets to be sited on the road. “This is a ridicule of a capital city. How can people convert roads to market? This is the same road that government officials including the governor pass with their sirens. “I have been in other states, this is the first of its kind. It is even unbelievable that a whole capital city does not have regulated ultra-modern markets. “It is sad what we pass through on this road each time there is a market. The government should as a matter of urgency identify safe areas and build markets for these people”, he said. It is the same tale of anguish in other markets by residents. Apart from traffic gridlock, roadside markets pose great dangers to the lives of the buyers and sellers. There have been reports of vehicles ramming into the markets, injuring people and sometimes killing them. But traders blame their occupation of roads on lack of space inside the markets. A seller of processed cassava popularly called garri at Okaka market told Niger Delta Report to hold

the government responsible. The woman who identifies herself as Mama Mercy, however, claims that there are more sales on the roadside than inside the market. She says the low sales is caused by the hold-up, which prevents people from coming inside to patronise them. Mercy also maintains that there is no structured market in the city. She laments the chaotic and rural nature of the available markets. She says: “We do not have a space inside the market. The market is not taken care of by the government and there are more sales by the road side compared to the inside. We experience bad market when we stay inside as a result of the hold-up caused at the entrance of the markets. So, most buyers prefer buying outside, than coming in. “Bayelsa has no market. How can market woman sell along the roadside in a capital city? The market is not well-structured at all. Everywhere is scattered. If you go to other cities outside this state, each market is wellstructured with established lines for various goods well-mapped out”. Mercy further says that she is ready to vacate the road and relocate to any market that will be built for them by the government. She expresses fears that the government has a tendency of making stalls and shops in such markets unaffordable to the poor adding that most times relations of persons in the corridors of power are allocated the shops. Also, Ruth Nicholas who sells fish in the same market agrees that all the markets in the capital city have no shops. She complains of unhygienic environment in the markets observing that heaps of refuse dumps are sited close to the markets. The ground, she says, is marshy and dirty. Ruth knocks the government and says it has refused to redeem its promise of building befitting markets. “All the markets are all the same because all of them have no shops. We sell along the roadside. The market environment is dirty. “We are used to the government and their stories. They had initially promised to build good markets. But those promises are lies. Even if they provide it, the shops wont get to us. “This is Nigeria. It is not really our intention to sell by the roadside. But the government always promises and fails. They have not built any shops from my own personal observation”. Ruth decries effects of the rainy season on their business because of lack of stalls. She says they conduct their business in the rain under umbrellas. She begs: “The government should come to our aid because the rain is really destroying our goods. Since the government could not provide shops for us, we sell under our umbrellas. “Most times, these umbrellas cannot withstand heavy downpour. I have been suffering from fever as a result of the heavy downpour. The rain is spoiling most of our goods”. Ruth further laments life-threatening dangers posed by their roadside commercial activities. She recalls that vehicles sometimes ram into sellers destroying their goods and sometimes knocking them down. “The dangers are numerous to mention”, she says. “But let me start with my life. Most times, l am scared of selling by the roadside because we have encountered so many accidents like tricycles which are also called keke running into the market.They either destroy goods or knock down sellers”. Despite occupying the roads, traders are harassed by persons who claim to be agents of the government. These agents collect rates from the roadside traders on each market day. “The traders who sell at the road-

•Dickson

PHOTO: MIKE ODIEGWU

•Agudama market day horror for motorists in Yenegoa.

side are always chased around by tax collectors. These group of people parade themselves around saying, that they are sent by the government. They collect N300 from us every market day. “We don’t know where this money is going to because of the sanitary state of the market. Most people living around the market don’t have toilets in their homes. They convert the market to their toilets. Everywhere is always littered with human wastes”, Ruth says. She appeals to the government to provide well-structured markets for Bayelsans. She also advised the government to understudy market development in other neighbouring states. She says: “The government should provide good and well-structured markets for all Bayelsans. They should go to other states and see how market are built. They should provide these shops and make them affordable to all. The government should also assist us with money”. Perhaps, to take people out of the road, an individual identified as Chief Osiri, has erected a large three-storey building at Tombia for the traders. The building which has stalls has yet to be completed. The traders avoided the stalls and continue to conduct their activities by the roadside. Most of them complain that the rent for the stalls is expensive. Even persons who initially paid and experimented the stalls, vacated them for the roadside because of low patronage. Even buyers are not comfortable patronising persons occupying the building, which is an assemblage of pillars. Mrs. comfort Ebieke, does her clothing business at Tombia market. She says the shops provided by Chief Osiri are expensive. “These shops; only the rich can afford them”, she says. She adds: “We are really suffering. Matters related to market is supposed to be conducted by the government. They are supposed to provide small and affordable lock-up shops for us. We don’t have money. “Selling by the roadside, itself, is risky. Accident, most times, happen on this road but God has been saving us. Secondly, we pay money everyday to sanitation workers. We pay N300 and if this money is not paid to

them they end up beating us up and scattering our goods”. For Ese Monday, who insists on occupying one of the stalls provided by Chief Osiri, business is dull. She pays over N40,000 annually for the shop, but she complains of “bad market”. “We are passing through a very tough time. Most of the shops are now empty. People are now moving out of the shops to the roadside because traders by the roadside sell more than us who are in rented shops. “The entrance of this market are most times blocked by these sellers and this is preventing the buyers from coming inside the market. “The government should provide shop for everybody because if they had, I wouldn’t have been in this expensive shop.” In fact, buyers are not left out of the anguish of Yenagoa market. Miss Kate Andrew is in Tombia market to buy foodstuff. She describes the market environment as muddy, mashy and dirty. “We are swimming in dirt”, she says. She observes that roadside selling has created traffic snarl along the road adding that markets in Yenagoa cannot be compared to those in PortHarcourt, Rivers State. She says: “When I compare Bayelsa markets with the ones in Port-Hacourt, Bayelsa State is far behind. There is no market structure in the whole of Bayelsa state. In Port-Harcourt, we have modern market structures. Everything is well-structured and shops are readily available to traders at cheaper rates. So, the difference is clear.” On dangers she faces each time she comes to a Yenagoa market, she complaints: “It’s a great risk. I think the government should look into this matter with immediate response. It is really a matter of life and death. Our lives are always at risk when we stand by the roadside”. Lamenting the environmental hazards of roadside markets, an environmental expert and state Representative of Environmental Right Action (ERA), Comrade Alagoa Morris, describes them as nuisances. He observes that the government is missing out on the revenue generation potential and employment opportunities of struc-

‘

tured markets. “Apart from the traffic problem and littering of the environment, we also know that any serious accident will involve many lives”, he says adding that the state and local government areas should collaborate to build befitting markets. “The way it is now, it is scattered”, he emphasised noting that the present markets in Yenagoa are conveying the image that Ijaw people are not organised. He says: “For now, it defaces the environment when you are passing. If you are passing along that Kpansia or Igbogene, Agudiama axis during the market days including Zarama on the East-West Road, you will see the dangers posed by these markets. “So, the government should do something about it to ensure that they save lives and give us a good environment in terms of aesthetics and beauty. “Wastes from these markets are dumped any how and they find themselves to the drains and other environment. It is not healthy at all.” Morris recalled that the former administration of Diepreye Alameseigha constructed Swali market with the intention of making it a standard marketplace in the state. But he says, the market has long been defaced. “I remember during our tour last week with the commissioner, I heard one of them saying that the areas that were preserved for car parks inside that Swali market have all been turned into shops and shades. “There is nowhere to park cars because the whole place is congested. That market was well-constructed that you can drive your car all throughout inside the market. “But because of lack of organisation, corruption even within the market leadership body, every little space is being occupied. So, that Swali markets to be fair to the government was intended to be a standard market”, he says. He decries the greed among wealthy government officials who are fond of taking over facilities built for the poor. According to him, top government functionaries took over most of the shops in the Swali after its construction and rented them to strangers. “The administration of DSP con-

structed the market and most people even the civil servants have shops there and rented them out to strangers. How to get genuine people occupy those things are also important. “Whatever you provide for the common people of this country, those in authority, top civil servants and their cronies want to have their own share and hire them out to other people. “Even if you build low-cost houses today, these same people will come down, stoop so low to come and drag these things with the poor people. This attitude is very bad and it makes one to be afraid and hopeless.” He adds: “The kind of well structured market l talk about are those with required utilities such as toilets, restaurants and enough parking spaces for cars and other vehicles that come to offload goods for traders. “Such acquired land for markets should also take into consideration the need for expansion in the future. As is the case in some places, a security post should be considered and if need be a health facility.” Also, the Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr. Vincent Jack, says that virtually all the markets in Yenagoa had serious consequences on road use. He says: “From our observations, virtually all the major markets spill over to the highway thereby causing serious traffic problems for road users. From also available statistics, we also notice that some vehicles occasionally ram into these markets because of their closeness to the roads. “We have advised severally, appealing to the local government councils that are responsible for these markets to look at the way of if possible relocating them away from being close to our various highways. “When you also consider the fact that there is an increase in vehicular movement in Yenagoa as a result of the upcoming political activities, it is advisable that all markets within our highways are relocated for the safety of our lives and properties.” Commissioner for Environment Mr. Iniruo Wills says he will contact his Trade and Commerce Industry to unfold the programmes of the government on market development.

Delta local govt elections threaten Warri’s peace

ANY keen observers of the relationship between the Ijaw and Itsekiri, two agelong neighbours in the Warri, Delta State, are hoping that the newfound peace between them will last forever. Since both sides accepted the peace deal brokered by former Governor James Ibori in 2004, none has slept with two eyes closed. Suspicion and distrust greets every step one or the other takes. The mutual distrust is honed by equally shared suspicion that both sides still own sizeable armoury, in spite of the Federal Government’s amnesty and other deals brokered over the past years. The overdue local government election in the state slated for tomorrow will again test this fractious relationship. The stakes couldn’t be higher because of the debate and controversy over fielding of candidates for the highest position in the three councils. The Ijaw and Itsekiri have much more in common than their differences. Sadly, their transformation has been far from peaceful, never minding that they intermarry, live among themselves, eat and dress the same way and do most things in common. The sharing of political offices and largesse from oil resources, which both sides have in abundance, have often seen them going for each other’s jugular in the past. Only recently, acrimony over the ownership of the land for the proposed Export Processing Zone (EPZ) threatened to open another war front in the area. For nearly a decade they fought over the location of the headquarters of the Warri South West Local Government Area. Thousands of persons were killed; hundreds of community razed and plundered while countless families were rendered homeless. The fight was sparked off when the late dictator, Gen Sani Abacha relocated the headquarters of the council from Ogbe-Ijoh (an Ijaw town) to Ogidigben (an Itsekiri town). Ten years after the end of the Warri Crisis in 2004, tempers are again rising between the two neighbours. At the centre of the latest imbroglio is the sharing of the political offices in Warri South, Warri South West and Warri North Local Government Area of the state. Three Itsekiri candidates are flying the flags of the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Saturday’s election, much to the chagrin of their Ijaw counterparts, who feel that the elective position in the area should be rotated between them and their Itsekiri counterparts. Our investigation revealed that the zoning arraignment is applicable in Warri South West LGA, where the last elected chairman of the council was Chief George Ekpemupolo, the younger brother of Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo). In view of the agreement, an Itsekiri is expected to occupy the seat after him. Mr Weyinmi Omadeli Bobby, an Itsekiri is the PDP candidate. Nevertheless, the zoning agreement is either not applicable or abandoned in the other two Warris – North and South – depending on which side of the argument you hear. The Ijaws of Egbema are seething over the arrangement, which they alleged have constantly favoured their Itsekiri counterparts. If they expect a change, they might not get it this time. The candidates of the PDP and All Progressive Congress (APC) are Itsekiris. It was against this backdrop that a pressure group from Gbaramatu Kingdom, which was the hotbed of the 1997 – 2004 crisis, Warri Ijaw Peace Monitoring Group, in a statement on Sunday, barely stopped short of de-

•Ajamita

•Crater drilled on the floor of a building in Gbokoda after an ethnic clash From Shola O’Neil, Port Harcourt

claring a war ahead of the election. The group’s Coordinator, Chief Patrick Bigha, who signed a pithy statement, warned: “There will be trouble if they (Itsekiri) refuse the Ijaws to feature a candidate, especially in the Warri North and Warri South West state constituencies. As it stands now, all the three Warri local government area Peoples Democratic Party flag bearers in the October 25 election are Itsekiris.” Earlier, another Ijaw group, Concerned PDP Members in Kurutie Town, Gbaramatu Ward of Warri South West LGA, had also written to the National Chairman of the PDP, urging a political arraignment of ‘give-and-take’ to nip the ugly situation in the bud. The Kurutie petitioners urged Muazu to use his “good offices to bring peace to Delta State” and to use wisdom to steer the “PDP ship to safe harbor.” Nevertheless, at the time Bigha sent out his release, the ship for tomorrow’s election had already sailed and the Itsekiri were on it with the three flags of the PDP. It was also unlikely that the Ijaws in the three councils had projected any strong candidate on any other political platform. Yet, the WIPMG cautioned that “It will not be well with the Itsekiri in Warri” in the election and the 2015 elections if they corner all the positions. “They are hell bent in grabbing all the House of Assembly constituencies in Warri as well as the House of Representative seat. We smell danger in Warri, hence this warning,” Bigha warned. Those who know Warri and its history of violence are wont to take such threats seriously. During one of several false starts preceding this Saturday’s election last year, armed Ijaw youths, suspected to be members of

the Egbema Radical Group, attacked several Itsekiri villages in the Benin River area of the state. At least 13 persons were killed, hundreds of houses were burnt and nine communities, including Obaghoro, Ajamita, Gbokoda among others, were pillaged. Speaking on the Sunday’s threat, an Itsekiri traditional titleholder and chieftain of the PDP in Warri, Chief Ayirimi Emami, who was contacted by our reporter, advised that elective offices are not won by “threat of war or violence” as is being done by their Ijaw counterparts, but “(by) negotiation and political lobbying.” Emami further stated that “It is unfortunate and sad that the Ijaws are making threat over an election that is a product of lobbying and choice of credible candidates. People who ran away from the PDP cannot come and dictate candidates to the PDP,” he stated. His kinsman from Benin River, who asked not to be named was not so civil in his reaction to the threat. The well-known Itsekiri youth leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, reminded the Ijaws that they “do not have a monopoly on violence.” He warned: “This is no time whereby somebody hides in the city and uses his boys to destroy Itsekiri villages. Any attack on Itsekiri villages will be met with equal, if not more violent reprisal on Ijaw towns.” Meanwhile, further investigations by Niger Delta Report indicate that the saber-rattling over tomorrow’s election is just a precursor of the battles for tickets of the PDP in the forthcoming primaries of the party in the state. There are four State Assembly, a Federal House of Representatives and one Delta South Senatorial tickets up for grabs. These tickets are coveted by politicians from the two sides. Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, an Itsekiri, is widely believed to aspir-

•Uduaghan

ing for the upper chamber of the National Assembly. He has the incumbent, Senator James Manager, to contend with. There are eight local government areas and four ethnic groups in the district. The Isoko had the first bite of the cherry in 1999, when Senator Stella Omu was elected on the platform of the PDP. In 2003, James Manager succeeded her, in line with the zoning arrangement. He is the only politician in the state to have three unbroken tenure in the senate and there are calls for him to be replaced. The Itsekiri, who are next in line are expected to project Uduaghan. By virtue of his position as leader of the leader of the PDP in the state, he is expected to easily picket the ticket. But the Ijaws have a different idea. They have expressed their resolve to challenge the arrangement. The Kurutie group vowed to truncate Uduaghan’s bid, using their superior number of their electoral wards. Apostle Monday Torousei and Powede Uyadongha, who spoke for the group, said: “It may interest you to note that the Ijaws with over 40 electoral wards to the Itsekiris’ 16. Ijaws will not stop at anything to deliver Senator Manager to the Nigerian Senate in 2015 elections.” But a political analyst views the tough talk as a negotiating strategy. “Maybe they want the slot for any of the constituencies or other position. They want to back the governor into a corner and arm-twist him into releasing some position for their group. That is democracy,” our source added. Nevertheless, fears still persist that the 2015 election may be the toughest test yet of the existing peace in the area. For people living in the riverside communities, particularly in the Benin River and Warri North, the terror of June 2013 is still fresh and a painful reminder of how fluid the peace in Warri.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

How Akwa Ibom senator’s consultation ended in fiasco I

T was supposed to be a mere political consultation with the members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Governor Godswill Akpabio’s local government area in Essien Udim but it all ended in violence. Several people were injured. The political team of a PDP governorship aspirant and senator representing Akwa Ibom South/Eket Senatorial District, Senator Helen Esuene, left Eket on a political consultation but the meeting was disrupted by youths from Governor Godswill Akpabio’s Local Government Area who attacked the gathering. The senator was said to be addressing the PDP members when thugs stormed the scene, attacking everybody in the hall. The thugs also upturned tables and chairs. The senator, according to eyewitnesses, was said to have been surrounded by her supporters during the melee and whisked away from the scene of the incident. The Chapter Chairman, Friday Udoh, was not spared by the youths, who descended on him for allowing Senator Esuene to come to Essien Udim for consultation. One of the PDP members, Willie Etim, who managed to escape unhurt, said: “As I am talking to you, I am not sure if all members of the entourage came out safely. We had to rush her out immediately in the melee that left many people injured. Everything was scattered and many people were injured.” Commenting on the incident, the Deputy Director-General of Senator Esuene’s campaign team and former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr. Bassey Essien, said such an ugly incident in the governor’s community was uncalled for. He said: “I am surprised. This is democracy. I don’t see any moral justification for hired tugs to stop a sitting senator and a PDP member from canvassing for support in any

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

part of this country. I am surprised. “I am appealing to the party and the Federal Government to look into the incident, because as I am talking to you, I don’t know what happened to the law party members. The thugs invaded the place and they were all armed with guns, shooting indiscriminately into the air.” The cause of the violence, according to the Chairman of Essien Udim LGA, Nse Ntuen, was the non-availability of transport fare for the youths. Ntuen said the youths were afraid that the chapter chairman would embezzle their money so they descended on him. His words: “The non-availability of transport money sparked the protests from youths and other attendants who knew they would be leaving home without their usual transport money. They descended on the chapter Chairman Friday Udoh.” Esuene, in an account by www.theeagleonline.com.ng and National Mirror, said she was attacked by political thugs during her campaign for the governorship ticket of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the party's secretariat in the local government. Her words: "We arrived the Peopless Democratic Party office Essien Udim Local Government Area at about 3pm and were warmly received by the party Chairman, Mr. Friday Udo, and other party officials and then conducted into the hall with songs and dances. "Party officials, women, elders and youth filled the hall. The person who returned my stolen phone, is, interestingly, the Personal Assistant to the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, Ukopng Akpabio, who is cousin to the governor. They are of the same family. The armed youths who came into the hall were identified by the peo-

ple. They are not strangers. "They are from the area. The incident happened on Wednesday and up till now, the local government chairman has not deemed it fit to call me in order to find out what happened but he had gone on air to say I was not the target and went further to describe the incident as a mere misunderstanding between the boys and the chapter chairman. I ask myself: a mere misunderstanding, which led to injuring of many people? "A very peaceful assembly was disrupted. The hall was vandalised, people's cars destroyed and personal property like phones, shoes and money stolen in the process. If it was a mere misunderstanding between the chapter chairman and the youths, why didn't they wait for me to leave? Why didn't they go to his house, after all he lives with them? "Why did they have to come while visitors were holding a legal meeting in a party office? Up till now, there had been no arrest yet. I am still waiting, but in a nutshell, the people that came in were not part of what was happening in the hall. They came from outside. They did not make any statement. They did not talk to anybody. They just came straight to the hall." Ntuen said neither the senator nor any member of her campaign team was touched or harassed by the protesters. He, however, said he was aware of the visit of the senator and her campaign team to the local government area. The council chairman said the ignorance of the organisers of the consultation in not involving the security operatives from the local government left a large security gap at the function. The local government chairman apologised to Esuene and her team over the “intransigence” of the Essien Udim PDP chapter chairman. The state government also con-

•Senator Esuene

demned the attack on the senator. Commissioner for Information and Communications Aniekan Umanah said Akpabio instructed him to dissociate the state from the attack. His words: “The governor has condemned the attack of Senator Helen Esuene. The action of the irate youths on the distinguish senator is condemnable. “The governor is not happy over the incident. The local government was not against any aspirant from coming to the area for consultation or campaign.” Umanah added that the attack was not targeted at Esuene, but the youth were not happy with the Peoples’ Democratic Party Chapter Chairman, Friday Udoh. He said that the crisis erupted because Udoh had instructed the senator to pay their consultation fee of N1m into his account which was improper and unacceptable to the youths. Akwa Ibom State Police Commissioner Gabriel Achong denied any

•Udoh

knowledge of attack on Esuene. CP Achong said it was a case of misunderstanding between the senator and the youths over money. His words: “I was told the senator came for consultation and they were in the Unity Hall. After the consultation, it got to the issue of money. The senator said she had paid in the money into the party’s account. “The youths asked why she paid the money into the party account because the youths wanted cash. The police escorted the senator out of the venue immediately. Not that somebody came from anywhere to attack the senator. There was no commotion/attack of any sort.” While condemning the attack on the senator, the President, Essien Udim Council on Political Affairs, Aniefiok Akpan, decried the rising political tension in the state. Akpan said if such was not contained, it could escalate to the point of disrupting the political process and governance in the state.

Weeping, as Frances Oneya is buried

NE week after she was gruesomely murdered by armed robbers in Effurun, Delta state, on Friday, October 1o, the remains of Ms Frances Oneya, daughter of a former military administrator of Kano state, Brigadier General Dominic Oneya was buried amidst tears last Friday. The heavens opened and joined hundreds of weeping mourners as they bid farewell to the 35-year-old mother of four, who was laid to rest on in the ancestral home of his grieving father at EhwerheAgbarho, Ughelli North local government area of the state. Her final journey commenced at the St Jude Catholic Church GRA, Effurun, on Thursday when Rev Fr Emmanuel Tobi led Very Rev Fr Ambrose Abaka Jr and over six other priests to officiate at a very poignant vigil mass for the vivacious lady who was murdered in her prime by armed robbers. She was on her way from a new generation bank located on PTI Road Effurun, when the hoodlums accosted and fatally shot her on Ovie Palace Road. The hoodlums thought a ‘Ghana-must-go’ bag with which she was carrying her stock of cloths meant for sale was loaded with money. Several hundreds of family members, friends and acquaintances

From Shola O’Neil, Regional Editor Southsouth

whose lives and hearts had been touched by the wonderful lady, joined her parents, children and siblings to bid farewell to a woman, whose promising life was snuffed out before her time. In a stirring tribute at the Requiem Mass held at the St Jude Catholic Church, on Friday October 17, her 17-year-old daughter, Patricia Oghenetega, in a sorrowful voice urged the mourners not to shed much tears for her mother any longer. She remarked that the heavy downpour that heralded the mass and burial was indication that the heavens was united with them in their grief over the death of a woman who sacrificed so much for her children. “I’ve told myself no more tears, because it hurts to know that she didn’t live for herself but for me and my three brothers. Life was given, and God needed an angel, so I’m content with her not being around. Everybody needs a guardian angel, me and my family now have one.” Nevertheless, she said she was hopeful that her mother’s killers would soon join her (in death), remarking that death was the end of all men. Gen Oneya, a former President of

the defunct Nigerian Football Association (NFA), who attended the mass with other mourners, including Olorogun O’tega Emerhor and Chief Solomon Edoja, bore his grief with stoic equanimity throughout the mass. He did not betray the sorrow and anguish usually visible when a man is playing the unusual role of a father burying his daughter; he even managed rueful smiles occasionally until the end of the service. One of Frances’ siblings, Theodora, said she was grateful to God for the four kids that her late sister left behind, adding, “the news of your death reached the ends of the earth and everyone that heard was pained.” Rev Fr Augustine Eruotor, in his consolatory message, described the late Frances as a woman who took delight in the worship of God. He said: “No human has been able to give the exact time of exit of from earth except God. According to human calculations, it’s always painful when we a loved one departs from earth, but we should be consoled in the fact there is life after death.” Meanwhile, the burial of the woman last Friday led to widespread call for the state government and the police to take action to tackle crime in the society. Edoja, a

former aide to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, decried the prevailing spate of insecurity in the state. He called for a manhunt to apprehend the criminals. Olorogun Emerhor, who lost a son, Ijamani, in a similar incident five year ago, described the young lady’s death as horrible. He said, “It is a horrible and devastating incident, and highlights the existing state of high insecurity. A vibrant young woman went to the bank and never returned alive. Four young children are deprived of motherly care. Our hearts bleed! Only God can console General. Our prayers are with the family.” Friends and relatives of Ms Oneya also took to the social media to demand action on her killers. One Ijeoma Sheila Philips in her post on Facebook said, “These robbers have murdered sleep, they will never have rest until they are brought to justice.” Police Public Relations Officer, Delta Command, Celestine Kalu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, in a telephone chat with our reporter

•The late Ms Oneya

shortly after the incident, had vowed that the criminals would be apprehended and made to face justice.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

Summit Hills: Calabar’s new hearbeat •Members of Egi community protesting against Total

•Egi women protesting against Total

Rivers communities protest against oil giant

•Artistic impression of the CICC at night

•Aerial view of the CICC under construction

T was conceptualised to draw much needed traffic into Calabar to boost the ailing Tinapa Resort as well every other areas of tourism in Cross River State. It was a vision of the governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, to build an economic engine in the area of the state’s advantage. However, beyond this, the Summit Hills Project, a 367 hectare real estate development in the state capital with kilometers of well-constructed roads, an international convention center, a 105-room specialist hospital, an 18hole international golf course with clubhouse and a residential estate shows promises of the emergence of a new city within the city. Also there would be a monorail which would link the all these up with Tinapa. According to Mr Nzan Ogbe, the Client Representative of the Summit Hills Development Project, all of these would be ready by April next year and tested before the end of the present administration. The flagship however would be the 5, 000 capacity conference center. Roofing of one of three blocks at the Calabar International Convention Centre (CICC), a major step towards achieving a fully-insulated building, had recently been concluded. According to John Ameh, Deputy Project Manager of the CICC, the choice of roofing sheets was influenced by factors such as sustainability, efficiency, value for money and easy maintenance of the facility. The insulated sheets used are specially designed to prevent sound and heat transfer, reduce radiation, and resist humidity and water. Expressing confidence in the building contractors, Mr. Ameh stated that Bouygues Construction is committed to delivering a world-class facility that will be the envy of the whole of Africa. Mr Ola Salami, Senior Project Manager at Courtney Michael Partnership, further emphasised the importance of the building’s sound-proof design which would ensure events in adjoining rooms can be held simultaneously without any sound interference. He explained that the finishing will include installation of acoustic walls and that every mechanical component of the building will be acoustic, including the suspended ceiling and ventilation ducts. According to Ogbe, who is also the Special Adviser, Governor’s Office,

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

the entire Summit Hills Project is a child of necessity. He explained, “To put it in context, the Summit Hills is a child of necessity. We came in as an administration in 2007 and struggled quite a bit with trying to crack the Tinapa debacle because some of the things that should have been in place were not in place at the time for no fault of the state government but the legislation to back the Tinapa development had not been obtained as well as a few other challenges. So we chased that for a while and at the end of it, we noticed that even after we got legislation there was inertia. Because after one year and a half, people who had shown interest in coming to be stakeholders and run business had of lost interest so what we needed to do was create a steady flow of traffic because that is the only challenge that Tinapa has as you can see the infrastructure is in place. “We observed that during December when we have the 32 day festival, Tinapa works because a lot of people that come use the parks, shop at the malls and so on. So it was working. It was down to numbers. So we thought of how we could ensure that we ensured traffic into Tinapa and ultimately into coming into the state all year round. We noticed that meetings, conferences and exhibitions had become a niche area where Cross River seemed to be attracting a lot of those. So the concept of the conference centre came up and as we searched for a location for where it should be, of course it had to be close to Tinapa, the governor pin pointed the particular location and we realised there was a lot of land around there. “So you have the conference centre and we felt that decision makers for where a conference would hold usually like to take time off to play golf. So we thought a golf course would be a good idea. We had a golf course in Calabar already but it is an old one and had some challenges with erosion. So the concept of the golf course came on stream. We also decided to move the city closer to Tinapa. So we partnered with UACN Property Development Company (UPDC) to come in and build accommodation. They came and did their assessment and saw there was need

for it. With entrants of companies there is demand for accommodation. So to fill that gap, they have come in to fill that gap and it also fell as general plan. “There has always been a plan for the hospital anyway and so the hospital was also introduced. So you have a cluster here where could literally be termed to have built a city. It is almost self-sustaining in the sense that it has all that it needs and then it has the shopping and leisure right across the lake in the Tinapa side. “The monorail is yet another aspect or component of the development. The previous administration had procured tracks for a monorail project which was to run from Tinapa to the airport, a 12 km project. But for two reasons, one, because Tinapa did not kick off as planned it did not make sense to invest in a monorail and secondly, we could not afford it at the time. So because it had been ordered already, what the governor decided to do was to create a linkage between Tinapa and the conference centre.” The train will convey passengers over a kilometre across a lake between the CICC and Tinapa. Reginald Longdon, Project Manager of the Summit Hills project, said the centre would be linked that way so that visitors would not need to do a drive around to access Tinapa. The monorail, he said would also be a novelty which would attract more people to the facilities. “The monorail would be a special appeal, a novelty which on its own would draw people. It would multiply footprints into Tinapa,” Longdon said. According to the Commissioner for Special Projects, Mr Bassey Oqua, this modern transport system will be powered by electricity generated by an independent supply, to ensure sustainability. In addition, the power plant will serve Summit Hills. “By connecting Tinapa to the CICC, the monorail will make it convenient for delegates and organisers staying at the Tinapa Lakeside Hotel to attend conferences at the CICC, in style and with ease. And, during their free time, delegates can visit the shopping mall or water park at Tinapa Resort for a much-needed break. For very large conferences, the monorail

•Artistic impression of the CICC hallway

‘

The monorail is yet another aspect or component of the development. The previous administration had procured tracks for a monorail project which was to run from Tinapa to the airport, a 12 km project. But for two reasons, one, because Tinapa did not kick off as planned it did not make sense to invest in a monorail and secondly, we could not afford it at the time •Imoke

will serve as a quick connection between the CICC and breakout meeting rooms across the lake at Tinapa,” he said. On the level of completion of the various components of the Summit Hills, Ogbe said: “For the monorail we are at 70 per cent completion because the tracks have been ordered and ready and should be completed by early next year. The conference centre is also about 70 per cent completed. Everything needed or it has been ordered. It is just to fix them. Completion has been scheduled for end of February next year. Of course they would do some testing, so I would say till March. “The golf course is about 85 per cent complete. The golf club house we started a bit late but that also would be finished by March. For the hospital we started much later. It is about 60 per cent. They are bungalows not

storey buildings. The rest of it is really for the equipment to arrive and then be installed. “The golf estate is privately driven. We don’t have control over that. What they have done is start with some units, get response from the market and then ramp up. The golf course would be playable in January. The club house ready in March. So, the full golf course would be March. Same for conference centre. Same for the monorail. The hospital would be April. As I said the golf estate would be on demand. As people buy, they build.” He said they expected traffic of 1.7 million annually for the conference centre. “We would get a couple of months of testing before handing over to the next administration to ensure everything is working. We wish we could have finished earlier, but these are

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very big and intricate projects and they took a lot of planning and time to conceptualise and design. We tried to pick the very best of contractors. The buildings the quality is top class. We are building something all Nigerians would be proud of. We don’t have a purpose built conference facility in Nigeria. This would be the first and we hope it attract a lot more. As it is already we have some bookings. We have not even started full scale marketing. Tourism is one of the most impactful way of reaching everyone in the economy. Imagine a 2000 person conference; it would be a huge catalyst for growth. The Capetown Convention Centre changed the economy there significantly to the point where they get 20 million visitors per annum. We here are just targeting one per cent of our population which is about 1.7 million,” Ogbe said.

HESE are not the best of times for French oil company, Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Ltd (TEPNL). The company is embroiled in protracted face-offs on several fronts with its host communities in Rivers State. The oil company’s operations were crippled the whole of last week in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area as two of its host communities blocked access to the company’s facilities there. It started with the people of Egi, who for two days picketed the oil installations of TEPNL spread in different villages that make up the community to protest against some perceived injustice allegedly meted out to them by the company. During the protest, they carried placards that bore messages such as: “ From today, Total know it Now, No community, no production”; Egi Contract staff of Total must be called back immediately/Conversion-MD of Total, Do it now” ; “We say no to the neglect given to our Paramount Rulers, EPA, Oil and Gas Youth, Oil and Gas Elders, EYF and Ewa”; “Total will pay dearly for the Neglect” and “Nicolas Brunet , PHC DMD Should Go.” The protesters, comprising men, women and youths, traced their grievances with TEPNL to the company’s sacking of 45 Egi youths, who joined their colleagues from other ethnic groups to protest against their nonconversion to permanent staff and lack of good welfare package. But it was not the only grievance they have against the firm.

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

The Chairman, Council of Chiefs, High Chief Shedrach Orikeoha, who spoke on behalf of the protesters said, “Total has desecrated our land and they have violated the agreement reached with them and the land.” Orioke recalled that Egi people and Total signed an MOU in 2012, which required that an account be jointly operated by the two parties, where billions of naira would be deposited for the development of Egi land. “Till now, the two-year agreement which will expire by the end of this year has not been implemented,” he said. He added that the company reneged on an agreement for the payment of yearly Community Development fund, in spite of the fact that the company allegedly reflects this in its annual budget. Speaking in the same vein, the President of Egi Women Welfare Association (EWA), Mrs Ngozi Agoh-Jacob and the Chairman, Egi Oil and Gas Elders Forum, Comrade Odioku Umejeru, also demanded that Total should call back the Egi youths sacked from their company and make them permanent staff. They also asked the company to implement all the agreements with the community, including the a 2007 deal, in which the company agreed to be giving 12 employment chances to the youths from the area yearly. They accused TEPNL of adopting divide- and-rule- tactics to weaken the unity of the people by calling some of

their members to wine and dine with the management staff of the company in Port Harcourt, after which the alleged Egi betrayers are purportedly given cash and material gifts. They vowed to continue with picketing the facility until TEPNL meets their demands; failing to do that, “We will adopt the African style, which is violence and sack them, the way Ogoni people did to Shell.” True to their words, Egi people continued with their peaceful picketing of the oil facilities of TEPNL in their community while the soldiers and mobile policemen there watched them without disturbance. But by part of the second day, policemen who were said to have been drafted from Abuja came in to chase the people away and destroyed their canopies and chairs. Reacting to the Police action, the Egi Peoples Assembly (EPA) in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Ephraim Eke, fingered one “alien worker” for bringing in police to intimidate the people. But just when TEPNL thought it had stopped the demonstration by Egi people, the next day, the chiefs, youths, and women of Umuebe in Ama community, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area also started protesting against the company. Umuebe people shut down the operations of TEPNL for perceived neglect by the oil company since 1991. The protesters barricaded all the roads in the community leading to the oil facilities of TENPL, threatening that they would not open the roads again for the company to come in.

The Paramount Ruler of Umuebe, Innocent Ogada said that TEPNL would not be allowed to resume operations in their community until the company signs an MOU with the people. Ogada said: “TOTAL has not made any attempt to recognise us. They should know that this land belongs to the Ama community. We are not saying that they should not have provision for the community but they have to respect the owners of the land first before the community. We are being marginalized. They are cheating us. The protest will be sustained. The Youth leader of Umuebe, Mr Newman Ogada, lent his voice: “We cannot use our piece of land now for farming or fishing activities because of the activities of this company; all our areas have been polluted. We do not fish; we do not farm here anymore. So we want a separate MOU with Total. We will come to a round table and discuss the way forward, having played the host for so long.” A few weeks back, seven families in Idoke Community, Ahoada East, also took an unusual measure by placing juju on their land to make TEPNL pay them compensation for pollution through oil spillage. The families are: Umudoka; Umuoke; Umuoga; Ukpeli; Inyekirinye; Aganume and Agbozorke who said that they decided on this after all efforts to get TEPNL to clean up their land and pay them compensation have failed. When the management of the company said it would react to the protests at the appropriate time.

Attah pays homage to Obong of Calabar

ORMER Akwa Ibom State Governor Victor Attah has visited the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, in his palace in Calabar, the Cross River State capital. Attah’s visit was to appreciate the monarch for honouring him during a reception organised by the Ibibio nation on September 5 to honour Attah. The ex-governor, who holds the title of Ada Idahae Ke Efik Ebrutu, said: “I congratulate His Eminence on the tortuous journey to Uyo on the 5th of September to honour me on my reception by the Ibibio people. We came here today to place on record your uncommon show of love and solidarity to me as an individual or to the Ibibios, your cousins on the other of the river. “Exactly one month ago, you led your entire cabinet to attend the grand reception in my honour organised by the Ibibio. I am aware that you and your cabinet did not need much persuasion despite the short notice. You were not deterred by the bad road between here and the two states. “You stayed through that special event and suffered the bad road twice in one day. This is a show of love and this to me is the hall mark of nobility

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From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

and leadership. I thank you on behalf of my family, leaders and members of the planning committee of that event as the leaders of the Ibibio people. I thank you on behalf of the Ibibio people at home and abroad.” Attah, who is leader of the Ibibio race, also said the reception marked the renaissance of the Ibibio people. His words: “Let me emphasize here that your esteemed presence added so much colour and panache to the event. You royal presence was a great honour to me and my people. It also marked the reawakening of the age long relationship between our people. I am happy that the event brought us together again as a people. “The unity of our people is strength and prosperity. Therefore, it is possible and important for our youths to grow up knowing that unity and cooperation between the Efik and Ibibio people can spice up their progress. It is also possible for our people to live in peace, understanding and love.” The Efik Monarch, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, thanked Attah for the reception in Uyo and appreciated his humility and love for the Efik people.

The unity of our people is strength and prosperity. Therefore, it is possible and important for our youths to grow up knowing that unity and cooperation between the Efik and Ibibio people can spice up their progress •Attah

The Monarch said: “I am calling for unity much more than ever; we must show love so as to have ourselves strengthened at all levels. We will not be a minority if we come together as are people.”

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He expressed displeasure in the current relationship between some neighbouring communities within the two states and pleaded with Attah to facilitate a meeting in which both states can interface and ensure lasting peace.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

Day Aluu chiefs honoured son “A CHILD who has achieved greatness will no longer be the son of his father alone but the son of the people (Nwo-oha) – Ikwerre maxim It was ostensibly against this backdrop that the Aluu Council of Chiefs and Agbakor Aluu Assembly gathered recently to honoured one of their illustrious sons, Chief Nwobueze Amadi, who was appointed Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Ikwerre Local Government Area. Nwobueze, one of the sons of renowned novelist and poet, Captain Elechi Amadi was appointed by Governor Chibuike Amaechi and his kinsmen thought it wise to honour him and use the opportunity to appreciate the governor’s magnanimity to Aluu community. Amadi received a warm reception and commendation for his political sagacity that caught the attention of the governor and made him consider Aluu community in the political calendar of Ikwerre politics. They were of the opinion that if the governor could do that for them, then there is hope for more things to come in the nearest future.

ated by his government in our community are yet to be completed and we want those projects to be completed. We the people of Aluu are promising him 100 percent vote to APC, especially now that we can count on him. “As for you our son, you have done well; if you were not a good son of your father and that of the community I don’t think the governor would have considered you for this appointment. We will get what we are looking for in this community. We wish you well as you pilot the affairs of the local government. But don’t forget to deliver our message to the governor that the people of Aluu said thank you. This is because when you say thank you for what somebody dies for you, when you ask for more you will receive.” Responding, the council chairman, who is a lawyer and a member of the dissolved caretaker committee, said the honour and award given to him by his people was humbling. He said though many people may not understand how happy he was; he said Governor Amaechi would be happy to hear that the people of Aluu appreciated him for recognising them through his appointment.

Red Cross train youths on disaster management From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

THE Nigerian Red Cross Society has trained youths on disaster risk management and how to understand the hazards that are prevalent in their localities. The training, which took place at Mina Hotel, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was presided over by the society’s Programmes Coordinator, Mr. Umar Abdu Mairiga, Speaking shortly after the training, the Deputy Disaster Management, Altilian Simon, said the volunteers were selected from different communities in the Niger Delta region to support disaster risk reduction in their various localities. She said the training of the volunteers •Amadi recieving the award became necessary to enable the organisation cope with emergency challenges From Precious Dikewoha, Port In his speech, Chief Kalu said by apespecially flood when the need arises. Harcourt pointing one of their sons as the Care“We are here to train a couple of volAfter thanking the new Caretaker taker Committee Chairman, the govunteers on vulnerability and capacity ernor had fulfilled some of his promCommittee Chairman, the chiefs assessment tools; with these tools they prayed for him and advised him to ises he gave to Aluu people. “The govwill gather information from these comernor has challenged us, we will also continue with the good work he had munities. In a participatory manner they challenge him, though we were unstarted at the council. will be able to know the vulnerabilities The Chairman of the Council of happy before now that he has not conof these communities and the hazards sidered us in the political leadership Chiefs, Chief Richard Kalu decorated they face. of the state but with what he has just the council boss with the George na“We look at the communities that done it shows that he will do more for tive wrapper, which is a symbol of a have been selected, what hazards are us in future. Some of the projects initichief of Aluu community. prevalent, vulnerabilities and the capacity that are inherent in these communities and also to contribute in reducing the vulnerabilities in these communities to flood. “We appreciate Shell who has been From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar T was homecoming for Old Boys here, I entered in 1945. We came from supporting the disaster risk reduction all over the country. In fact we didn’t of the St Patrick’s College, Ikot process, which is the focus of the world Ansa in Calabar as they converged one and came out in class five and be- know where we came from. We saw now in disaster management. With this, in the Cross River State capital from cause of the teaching and the resilience ourselves and brothers and that is why we can foster ways to reduce the probfar and near to celebrate the 80th an- and courage I got from this school, I we caught the spirit of SPACO. The lem facing the communities.” spirit is caught not taught. It comes was able to excel in my university. So niversary of the school. Also speaking, the chairman of Red The institution, fondly referred to as I can never ever fail to remember this into you naturally. It is a fantastic Cross Rivers State Branch, Dr. Uche SPACO established by Catholic institution and give all I have to it. It is place.” Dike, advised the participants to adhere A retired civil servant and prolific Church in 1934, has over the years a great day for me. to the lessons learnt at the workshop “The school stands for knowledge writer, he continued, “The school produced several notable Nigerians. Dike said: “The participants have got made me what I am today. I cannot be For the former students, called Pa- and wisdom. Patrick was a patron the knowledge on how to respond to risk tricians, across generations who had saint in Ireland and he is always be- pushed around. I am a highly princimanagement which is the purpose of the lost touch with each other, it was an hind us and we are achievers. St pled man and that is why I am reworkshop in order to enable them beopportunity to establish long lost ties Patrick boys are always achievers. So spected. I wrote the book because I am come good ambassadors of Red Cross as well as establish new ones, clad in we can never regret being here, and a historian by nature. I taught and love in their respective fields of endeavour. their traditional green blazers as they we try as much to impart on the young history. I started reading Nigerian “We are also preparing them for any carried out several activities on the ones. That is why we invited them here newspapers in 1936 as a small boy and flood emergency especially in the Niger premises of the institution that molded today so they can aspire to be like us all the things that have happened in • Edet Delta region, to be frank this youths are this country, I follow them. I like to in future. them, years ago. going to handle some of the disaster in “Our national president left this contribute to development in my own National president of the alumni asthe region. We are also going to provide an 80th anniversary despite all odds. sociation, Chief Charles Ifeanyi, ex- college sixty years ago but you still see little way to remind people what hapthe necessary equipment for effective “SPC stands for a good Catholic in- operation.” tolled the institution which he said had him in blazer as a student. I left about pened in the past, because in this counmade them become what they are to- 35 years ago, you still see me happily try we have a tendency to forget the stitution that not only develops you day by ensuring the received the best wearing the blazer. This is enough past. We don’t even think about the intellectually, but also morally and of moral intellectual and physical up- encouragement for the younger ones. future. We don’t think about the fu- physically. Look at the number of footWe have a lot of passion for this col- ture because we don’t cast our minds ball fields we have. We had lawn tenbringing. backwards to know what happened nis and hockey pitch. We had all sorts The chairman of the anniversary lege. Another old student, 85-year old in the past. Unless you know your of games. So it was a total rounded planning committee, Engineer Sylvanus Edet,, who was in the insti- Emmanuel Orji, who also wrote a past, you can never appreciate your development, which you don’t have From Osagie Otabor, Benin tution from 1969 to 1973 said, “Hon- book on the history of the institution present and plan well for the future.” today. Some schools don’t even have grounds not to talk of playing fields. I Another Old Boy and Director of the estly today I feel like even crying for launched as part of the anniversary A philanthropist and aspirant to the joy. It is a great day for me to witness celebration was also full of praise for MTN Foundation, Mr Dennis Okoro, advise the young ones take their pe- House of Representative on the platform said, “Today is a dream come true. The riod here as a training field to avoid of the Peoples' Democratic Party, Deathe 80th anniversary of this great in- his alma mater. Orji who schooled there from 1945 kind of training this school gave us eating their future. They should suf- con Sergius Oseasochie, has built a stitution. This institution molded me, gave me all the knowledge staring to 1949 said, “SPACO started as an in- made us has helped us. And that is fer today and defer gratification and borehole for management of Ubiaja Prisfrom the first day I entered here in class ternational school and when I was why we worked very hard to celebrate after six years it will yield fruit.” ons, Ubiaja in Esan South East Local Government Area. The prison was first built in 1910 and according to the Prison head, DCP Iroegbu Mike, all the facilities and infrastructures have been over-stretched and From Shola O’Neil, Regional EMBERS of the Nainadequate to cater for the prison inEditor Southsouth tional Youth Service mates, who hitherto had to ration water Corps (NYSC) serving for use due to water crisis in the area. boards, which is still being at the University of Calabar Deacon Ogun, who is seeking to reprehave made donations to the used by the school and to help sent Esan North East/Esan South East UNICAL Staff Primary School upgrade the school to best at the National Assembly, said he never as part of their Community De- teaching practices obtainable wanted to publicize the borehole donain the world. velopment Service (CDS) . tion but was prevailed upon by the He expressed hope that the A statement by Mr Isaac prison authorities so that other individuMensah made available to Ni- donations to the school would als could do the same for institutions in ger Delta Report in Port Harcourt bring it to global standards of need of help. teaching as well as go a long noted that the Corps members Ogun promised to add a power generway to adding value to the under the auspices of Universiating set to the facilities and urged the teaching process in the school. ty of Calabar Corps members prison management to make good use While inaugurating the Association (UCA), donated 16 of the borehole. white boards, cartons of white projects, the NYSC Coordina- •Dignitaries, Corps members, pupils and management of the school The borehole was donated through the tor in the state, Mr. Nkereke board marker pens and packs Sergius Oseasochie Ogun Foundation, Ibangha, an engineer, praised The donation ceremocial donation. They've made value to the school. of dusters to the school. Head teacher of the school, ny, which was attended an organisation through which the asThe President of the CDS the CDS group for distinguish- NYSC proud and I for one Florence Helen also appreciate by the Head, CDS in the pirant has provided scholarship to many Group, Usang Godday, ac- ing themselves in their service proud too," he stated. Chukwu indigent students in the locality. The Chairman, Board of the Corps members for the state, cording to the statement, said to their father land and the state. Usuagwa, teachers, pu- Ogun said the borehole was built to Governors of the School, Prof. gesture stressing that it is a the donations were informed fulfill the promise he made when he ear"I'm most delighted. The pils and corps members, James Utsalo appreciated the dream come true as the school by the association's desire to lier visited the prison to donate assorted mitigate some of the health Corps members have impact- goodwill from the corps mem- had long needed white boards also witnessed song ren- items to the inmates during last Easter hazards associated with chalk ed positively on the lives of the bers describing it as very laud- to replace the outdated chalk dition by pupils of the celebration. pupils of the school by this spe- able initiative towards adding boards. school.

Pomp as St Patrick’s Old Boys mark 80th anniversary

Borehole for Edo’s 104-year-old prison

NYSC Corp members donate to UNICAL staff school

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014

NIGER DELTA REPORT COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

GOT an exciting news from Calabar, the Cross River State capital some days back. It was delivered in the form of a story by our man in the tourism city. The news: the summit hills projects are taking shape and by April next year, all will be ready for use. I am sure you are wondering what these projects are. I will get to that shortly. Just permit me to go to the beginning of the matter. Tinapa was the beginning. Tinapa, a leisure and shopping hub, was meant to be a good news. Donald Duke, the handsome ex-governor of Cross River State, was the bearer of the news. Excitement was in the air. The global media, especially the CNN, felt the vibe. It was like Nigeria’s own Dubai was in the making, even though on a small scale. All the trappings were there: an artificial lake; water parks; a shopping mall; a beautiful four-star hotel; and above all, an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. The promise was just too much to ignore. I understand that the prices of landed property in the Tinapa axis also felt the vibe. It shot up in expectation of the good times. For a state that literally parties all of December through its Calabar carnival, little fear was expressed in terms of traffic to the resort and leisure centre. But the wait soon lasted than expected. Not that the project was not completed on time. It was just that the hype seemed to have overlooked a critical element of such a venture. Planned as a Free Trade zone (FTZ), the project was completed without this all-important status backed by law. It was not a law that the Cross River State House of Assembly could pass. That would have been easier to get. The Federal Government is the only authority that can gazette an entity as FTZ. After so much time, this hurdle was crossed. But not in Duke’s time. His friend and successor, Liyel Imoke, who was minister and at a point a senator while he was governor, accomplished this task. By the time this was done, a lot of people who bought into the dream had already given up. More hassles were on the way. For a long time, the businessmen operating there were having issues with the customs which, for some unexplained reasons, did not threat them as operating in a FTZ. This meant they had to pay duties, thus rubbishing the duty-free goods that were supposed to be sold in the stores. I understand that there were also the issue of big vessels not being able to come into the Calabar port over the issue of dredging, which forced the businessmen to bring their goods through Onne Port in Rivers State. It did not take time before other funny issues came up. For instance local government areas in the state said they invested in the project and decisions on it should involve them. This was at a time when the project’s indebtedness to banks had grossed many billions. The debt

OLUKOREDE YISHAU

ABOVE WHISPERS

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Senator Helen Esuene speaking about the attack on her campaign train __

Edo, Edo, Edo!

•A weekly intervention on Southsouth people and matters

olukoredeyishau@gmail.com

Awaiting good news ‘

With such a life built around Tinapa, the giant may just wake up. It has been in a deep slumber. I am eagerly waiting for the doors to the CICC and other projects on the summit hills to be thrown open in April. Imoke, let’s keep it a date. It sure will be a good way to end a two-term administration, which only a few will knock for failure. •Imoke

buyer, the Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON), has since come in. It is in the process of appointing a manager for this place. While that is being awaited, the shops are empty. A colleague, who was there some months back, said the place is like a ghost town. People he spoke with made him realize that the Federal Government can also help by ensuring that the status of the place as a FTZ should be respected by customs. They also told him that the Federal Government must fix its roads in Calabar to help Tinapa. They did not forget to talk about the need to complete the dredging of the Calabar port. But thanks to the Lakeside Hotel and Mo Abudu’s EbonyLife TV, which is using the Studio Nollywood, Tinapa would just have been money rotting before our very eyes. And that brings me to the summit hills

LAST WORD

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

The hall was vandalised, people's cars destroyed and personal property like phones, shoes and money stolen in the process. If it was a mere misunderstanding between the chapter chairman and the youths, why didn't they wait for me to leave? Why didn't they go to his house, after all he lives with them?

With such a life built around Tinapa, the giant may just wake up. It has been in a deep slumber. I am eagerly waiting for the doors to the CICC and other projects on the summit hills to be thrown open in April. Imoke, let’s keep it a date. It sure will be a good way to end a twoterm administration, which only a few will knock for failure.

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projects. The projects are expected to also breathe life into Tinapa. There is a link between the Calabar International Convention Centre (CICC), an integral part of the Summit Hills projects, through a monorail. This way, the distance between Tinapa and Calabar’s heart will be shortened. Imoke’s idea for the summit hills projects was to build a new town around Tinapa. The town has superb road network. Even when the projects had not been totally finished when I last visited, the promises they held could easily be seen. It has an international specialist hospital, a partnership between the government and a foreign entity. This is meant to engender medical tourism. I was told it would have everything Nigerians rush to India and other places for. There are also residential homes on the hills. The golf course promises to be the best in the country.

The lawmakers are yet to find peace. Now, we hear of explosion rocking a property of a former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu. Since the explosion, brickbats have been flying. Ize-Iyamu pointed finger of guilt at the Adams Oshiomhole-led government. The government said it was all a ploy by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to cause wahala in the state. You may wonder why Ize-Iyamu would accuse the government. May be a few background will do. Until some months back, Ize-Iyamu was a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which is the ruling party in the state. He fell out with the governor and defected to the PDP. Since then, each of them has seen nothing good in the other. The explosion coming at a time when Nigerians are yet to get over the invasion of the legislators’ quarters by thugs, which led to the destruction of property, does no good to the state’s image. If there are doubts about who are behind this violence in Edo, it is crystal clear that politics has a lot to do with it. But is it really worth it? Why maim, destroy and spill blood in the name of serving the people? Is politics not about serving the people? If it is, then why cause havoc? I just can’t get it.

Akwa Abasi Ibom State Pardon me if I confused you with the title of this piece. It is about Akwa Ibom State. I just like spelling it out that way to show its true meaning “God’s own state”. The elders are still angry with Governor Godswill Akpabio. Elders here include ex-Governor Victor Attah and former Minister Don Etiebet. Their grouse: Akpabio cannot force a candidate on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The governor has told the youths not to allow themselves to be misled by the elders. Aside this drama, there is also the one about some people in Abak 5 trying to stop His Excellency from becoming a senator in 2015. This is coming at a time the governor is garnering endorsement for his ambition. So, Akpabio is fighting two battles: to install a successor and to be a senator next year. On the face value, he looks set to defeat his opponents, including men who some months back were his boys. The state is sure one place we can’t close our eyes on. Interesting times lie ahead. Watch out.

BY BOLAJI OGUNDELE

Uduaghan’s future and the Ijaw challenge

IKE many of his colleagues serving out their second term of office, Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan wants to be a senator. All things being equal after next May 29, Uduaghan should be addressed as Senator Emmanuel Uduaghan. But there is a challenge, which he has to surmount before realising his dream. A section of the Ijaw elements in the Delta Senatorial District is threatening to work against him if he fails to assist Ijaw to produce his successor as governor. An Ijaw pressure group, Ijaw for Governor Outreach Movement (IGOM), which gave the condition at a meeting of supporters of Senator James Manager in Warri, also vowed to resist what it described as injustice to the Ijaw people in the state. ?Though yet to declare his ambition, only a few believe Uduaghan does not nurse an intention to contest the Delta South Senatorial District seat, which is occupied by Senator Manager. The district is shared among Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo ethnic nations. The group said they were ready to back Uduaghan's senate ambition if credible candidate of their dream from Ijaw ethnic nationality emerges as PDP governorship candidate in the state. Leader of the group, Comrade Bussa Fullpower, said any plan to allow Uduaghan

to occupy the senate position in the state without any arrangement for an Ijaw man to succeed him as the next governor of Delta State will amount to injustice against the Ijaw nation. He noted that the only way to maintain the existing cordial relationship being enjoyed by the Itsekiri and their Ijaw brothers is to adhere to the above request. "We are appealing to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to seek for other political positions in 2015 and forget his ambition of contesting for Senate position. The seat for Delta South Senatorial district is the only elective position being occupied by an Ijaw son. "We also believe that governor Uduaghan's personal ambition would not return the Itsekiri and Ijaws to their ugly past. The Ijaws in Delta state will not swallow the injustice that is about to befall them by losing the governor and at the same time the senate position. The way things stand it is unlikely Uduaghan will back an Ijaw governor. If reports are anything to go by, he has already made his choice and he is everything but Ijaw. The governor is believed to be backing Tony Obuh, who earlier in the week was unveiled by a section of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State, under the name of Delta United for Tony Obuh (DUF).

The DUF, during the week, unveiled a team it christened 'the Total Package', which it assured would deliver goods of democracy to all Nigerians, especially those in Delta. According to the group, its total package, for which it would embark on a massive campaign, include President Goodluck Jonathan for president, Obuh for Delta State governor, Uduaghan for the Delta South Senatorial seat, Chief Ighoyota Amori for Delta Central Senatorial District seat and Peter Nwaoboshi for Delta North Senatorial District seat. Speaking to a crowd of PDP members in Warri South-West Council Area, convener of the DUF, Chief Ayiri Emami, said: "I need not talk much about Governor Uduaghan; he's a man passionate for the development of our state and the works that are have been delivered and those on-going are enough testimonies to what he has been doing. We believe he will do more as our senator from this district.” It is clear the governor's camp does not take IGOM too serious and only time will tell if it really has the capacity to breathe life into its threat. For now, the governor seems to have the ace. Will the table turn? Well, the last word is: all agitations should be done in strict accordance to the rule of law.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014

Mega Plaza shut over tax evasion

World’s best shopping cities

EGA Plaza was last Friday shut by officials of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, (FIRS) over tax related offences. The owners of the shopping mall on Idowu Martins Street, Victoria Island, allegedly owes tax arrears running into millions of naira, as they have not filled the company’s tax return since 2009, and that several letters written to the company both for demand of returns did not yield any result. Following the inability of the company to comply with the FIRS directive, its officials led by the head, special enforcement, FIRS Mr. Nuhu Ibrahim, a Police Superintendent, supported by Innocent Ohagwa, Director, Large Tax Payers Department non - oil, Mr. Kayode Taiwo, Controller, Large Tax Payer, Lagos FIRS and other FIRS officials and police enforcement gang, stormed the popular mall to demand for the payment of the tax areas. For about 30 minutes the officials of FIRS shut down all business activities at the Plaza, it took the intervention of one of the company’s tax consultants who followed the team to its Lagos headquarters be-

Infinix Zero partners Konga By Ibrahim Adam

OLLOWING the introduction of Infinix zero last month, the company has partnered Konga to enable people buy the product online and at affordable prices. Head of Marketing, Infinix Mobility Co, Ltd, Peter Zhou, made this known at the conference held at GRA Ikeja when he said the Infinix zero will be 45per cent cheaper if purchased on e-commerce compared to the shop outlet. “We are partnering with Konga because it is the best market platform in Nigeria as shown by several metrics. Infinix zero is sold online because the cost of e-commerce is cheaper than that of the brick and mortal market, thereby making products affordable for customers.” he said. The product has so far sold over 20,000 which is an embodiment of aesthesis. Also present at the conference was the Trade Sales Manager / Operators, Shobanjo Adebayo and the Country Manager Sales, Bruno Lee both of Infinix Mobility Co, Ltd.

SEOUL: Where the most credit card transactions per person take place with serious shopping addictions. While foreign luxury goods tend to get a hefty mark up, local boutiques tend to be cheap and very chic. Milan: Home to what many fashion industry insiders consider the world’s most important fashion district, the Quadrilatero della Moda, Milan gave the world Prada, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana and many more high-fashion brands. Madrid: Madrid ranks third for best prices on luxury items in the Globe Shopper Index. People love it for the glorious sidewalks.

•Customers locked out of Mega Plaza By Adeyinka Aderibigbe

fore the mall was reopened for business. The team also visited the ABBNG Limited on Etim Inyang Cresent, Victoria Island, to demand for its

outstanding returns for 2011, 2012 and 2013 account. The leader of the team, Ohagwa, said the visit to those companies, is to sensitise them and demand for proof of their tax payment which they have failed to remit for

a long time, “any attempt for them not to file their returns on time may lead to sealing off of the company and the arrest and prosecution of its management because we have the mandate to prosecute tax evaders.” said Mr. Nuhu Ibrahim

Supermarkets’ bargain tactics: who bears the loss?

•Continued from page 28

“We checked the price per kilo, per 100g or per 100ml on a couple of products – looking at types of foods where errors have been spotted in the past. We found a quarter were wrong. In some of those cases, trying to buy the ‘cheaper’ product according to the unit prices displayed would have led to a consumer actually buying a more expensive item.” Advising shoppers, an expert said: “it is wise to check the price of individual items to see how much one will really save before purchasing”. He said products on the shelves at eye level are usually the most expensive items available. The supermarket’s own brand and economy items (cheaper products) are likely to be on the bottom shelf. For him, shelf labels make it hard for people to compare what offers the best value. By looking up on metric measurements, one can check different products and compare the price per weight/

volume to see which products give the best value. He further advised buyers to note that supermarkets have all their magazines stacked up by the counter, saying that they are strategically placed to give the shopper something to do whilst he/she queues up to pay for items. Other experts have said bargains are not always what they appear to be. “For example, when a customer picks up a 12 pack of toilet paper advertised as 30 percent off and takes a closer inspection at the item, it will actually be one of the more expensive packs on offer.” The Chief Executive Officer of Supermart, Mr Raphael Afaedor said”If merchants are running deals, they should offer reasonable discounts that will still allow them earn profit at the end of it all.” He added that customers, who are taking advantage of discount offers, should keep in mind that

the goal of the supermarket is to make money, so sometimes the offers might not be quite as great as the customer is hoping it will be. “The offer might be on products that a merchant wants to get rid off in order to accommodate new ones, or it might simply not be a really great discount”, he said. Raphael, however, advised that consumers should endeavour to carry out independent researches and confirm prices and product reviews before they jump on making a purchase offered as a discount sale. Having said these, while price slashing, mark downs and promotions turn out to be bad business for many, there are still some supermarkets and shoppers who will make it available always or go for it when they go out shopping. Particularly at a time like this when so many people do their shopping. Some merchants give out discounts on varieties of items they display daily and some shoppers will only visit such stores with discount offers.

Dubai: Dubai is known for glamour and surplus; the shopping here would have anyone spinning. It is the world’s largest mall; Dubai is also home to an indoor ski resort. Vienna: Vienna has some of the best values in Europe, second on the index for total cost of luxury items. Buenos Aires: Buenos Aires is famous for leather and jewelry and styleobsessed citizens. Hong Kong: “Shopping is one of, if not the, major attraction in Hong Kong. The city ranks highly across most indicators, not least for convenience,” says the Global Shopper Index, which deems Hong Kong the best shopping city in Asia. According to the research, 76% of shopping tourists “expressed aboveaverage satisfaction on value for money in 2011.” Paris: The best shops in Paris sell lifestyles. Whimsical shop Merci stocks designer goods that fall under the category of utterly useless but absolutely irresistible. Kuala Lumpur: Bigger is better in the mind of Kuala Lumpur shopper’s ethics. Three of the world’s 10 largest malls are in Kuala Lumpur, and the number one mall Utama has more than 650 shops, Asia’s largest indoor rock climbing facility and a massive rooftop garden. London: London prices can destroy your will to live. But get over the sticker shock and you’ll see London shopping at its best. Bold, eclectic and international, Liberty department store will inspire you to buy things you never knew existed. Tokyo: The best of Tokyo shopping can be found in the department store. Isetan’s mammoth flagship in Shinjuku has shopping consultants who will advise customers on everything from shoes to fish.

•From left: Gbenro Dara, Seyi Olashore, Darlington Chukwudi, Peter Esemuede, BeneObiali, Toritseju Wilkey, Kola Oyeneyin, Lilian Dixon, Subomi Plumptre, Francis Omoh, Kathleen Ndongmo and Onyeka Akumah all staff of MyAutoGenius.com. Nigeria’s first online insurance comparison platform that promises to provide car owners across Nigeria with auto insurance policies within 5 minutes at Eko Hotel & Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos.

New York: Where personal stylists and designer showrooms (and better yet, discounted designer showrooms) abound, New York’s exclusive shopping experiences include curated vintage shopping, fashion history tours and discount mega-department stores.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS

AGRICBUSINESS

e-mail: agrobusiness@thenationonlineng.net

Unleashing science & technology, innovation to boost food security, job creation Tackling the challenges of malnutrition and food security and improving production to create jobs require a radical rethinking of how food is produced, distributed and consumed. Experts say science, technology and innovation should focus on researches that can lead to increased food production and provision of jobs.DANIEL ESSIET reports.

OOD and agribusiness nationwide faces a great challenge. Right now, the sector is struggling in an operating environment characterised by slow growth, poor infrastructure and unstable economic policies, coupled with uncontrolled importation which combine to challenge business confidence. And yet the sector has a bright future. But how can food and agribusiness navigate way through the sluggish operating environment towards the stronger growth that lies ahead? How can it find new ways to profit through the current uncertainties while positioning and preparing for future opportunities? These questions are relevant for farmers and companies in food and agribusinesses. These questions were addressed during this year’s Food Technology Department day of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO) attended by over 120 dignitaries from the academia, research institutes, Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST), organised the private sector, and nutrition partners. Addressing the forum, the Acting Director, Food Technology Department, FIIRO, Dr Oluwatoyin Oluwole, said improving food processing is critical to feeding the nation’s growing population. This is because the economy presents a huge opportunity for investors who are to provide solutions through high quality products, while positioning the sector to ensure food availability. The strategy, she emphasised, lies in providing nutritious foods to those who need them most. While people use markets to access most of their foods, most of the time, she maintained that lack of affordable nutritious offerings in the market place, compared to the wide availability of food and beverages that have detrimental effect on nutrition and health, is an indication that customers are not well served by producers. To meet this need, she said FIIRO’s Food Technology Department is adding value to agricultural produce, using simple processing technologies that can be adopted by micro, small and medium scale entrepreneurs for production of different convenient foods. Dr Oluwole said the approach has several advantages as it can lead to product innovation, value chain optimisation and the use of locally produced ingredients. Some of the developed technologies, she maintained, have taken into consideration the significance of good nutrition toward promoting health and wellness in the society. In line with this, Mrs Oluwole said the institute has done researches and employed improved technologies on convenience foods which can be produced locally using natural nutrients. She listed the convenience food products to include plantain flour

•From left: Ogunmoyela, Dr.Elemo and Chairman, Lafarge Africa Plc,Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, during the event in Lagos

•Wheat snack

and chips, tomato paste, ketchup and puree, fruit juices from orange and pineapple and cassava based products, such as fortified gari, macaroni, custard; yam chips, sweet potato chips,tapioca,baked sweet potato and baked Irish potato. She explained that the institute’s processing facilities protect perishable crops and help entrepreneurs using fruits and vegetables in the production of convenience food products. Given improved funding, Mrs Oluwole said the institute has the ability to make more innovations into local food opportunities, adding that its scientists are working on solutions to post harvest

losses as well as storage problems. She assured that FIIRO’s technologies comply with hygiene, safety and quality standards and help farmers and producers to supply food products that are reliable, safe and trustworthy to consumers. The Director-General/CEO, FIIRO, DR Gloria Elemo, observed that the current trend is driving towards increasing patronage of convenience foods. She said workers go for convenience foods and ready-to-eat meals to be able to attend to their duties. While the institute has been able to achieve success in this area through improved technologies for ready-to eat meals, Mrs Elemo

said the institute is also taking advantage of increasing needs for ready-to-use-therapeutic foods for malnourished children and highnutrient-density food for pupils and students. As a result, she said FIIRO has become more integrated into value chains, with the aim of empowering businesses to produce and sell nutritious products and promote good nutritional practices. The Country Director, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), Mr Larry Umunna, noted that two-in- five children under five are stunted in Nigeria, and that this has remained so in the past 10 years. He attributed this to the prevalence of malnutrition,which consequences are shown in the form of stunting and other risks to healthy development. At the current rate, he said it would take many years to bring malnutrition to the acceptable level of five per cent. The Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target, he stated, is to reduce malnutrition by half, from 43 to 22 per cent. To attain the target, he said there is a need for 4.6 per cent annual reduction whereas the current rate is 0.4 per year. For this reason, he urged the local processing industry to take steps to ensure that people have access to sufficient amounts of safe, affordable and nutritious food to lead active lives. In line with this, he said his organisation is working to address malnutrition challenges, combating undernourishment and, at the

‘Opportunities exist for us to tap into the rapid growth in the use of enriched convenience foods in home-prepared meals whether as frozen, canned, dry mixes, powdered, and freeze-dried products. Consumers familiar with these convenience foods, are becoming aware of their increasing use by fast-food outlets, restaurants, and other food services’

same time, supporting fortification of a wide-range of foods. To make nutritious foods more accessible to the people and drive better nutrition, Umunna reiterated that efforts must be intensified at introducing nutrition targets, scaping up the nationallevel fortification programme. Conscious efforts should be made to help enterprises develop specially-formulated supplementary foods for young children and mothers. Apart from this, he said it is necessary to encourage local communities help implement the programmes. In an address, the Dean of the College of Food Sciences, Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State, Prof Olugbenga Ogunmoyela, warned that the MDG’s target of eradicating extreme hunger and poverty by next year, is becoming a dream with the report of children dying of hunger and malnutrition every five seconds. His fear also was the increasing number of under nourished people, which calls into question the effectiveness of the food production system, revealing a serious national challenge that has been understated. As it requires concerted efforts to deal with, Ogunmoyela called on entrepreneurs to explore agricultural innovation to improve the food and nutrition security. While agriculture continues to be promoted as a strategy for addressing the food and nutrition challenge and for contributing to wealth creation, the don noted that transformation of the sector, as well as the development of related spinoff industries would not improve the situation unless production and value addition are encouraged. He, therefore, called on the government to support entrepreneurship, innovation in agriculture and food processing at all levels. While observing that many entrepreneurs focus on products which are found on shelves of super-markets, the don urged them to focus on intermediate products where the greatest potential for industrialisation and export actually lies. His words: “Opportunities exist for us to tap into the rapid growth in the use of enriched convenience foods in home-prepared meals whether as frozen, canned, dry mixes, powdered, and freeze-dried products. Consumers familiar with these convenience foods, are becoming aware of their increasing use by fast-food outlets, restaurants, and other food services.” According to him, the use of convenience foods is expected to increase as a result of new technologies, including the use of disposable packaging, new package coatings and films, and the concept of portion control. As a matter of importance, he appealed to Nigerians to take advantage of this to promote industrialisation and create jobs, exploring opportunities in the food and agriculture industry.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014

AGRICBUSINESS

Boost farmers’ disaster resilience, govt urged

HE Federal Government has been urged to focus on building farmers’ resilience to mitigate the shock when disasters strike. An international Consultant, Dr David Etta, said events associated with climate change and climate variability have become more pronounced in recent years, thereby adversely affecting the lives and livelihoods of smallholder farmers He said the current vulnerability of farmers to climate change, stems not just from increasingly uncertain rainfall patterns, explaining that climate change is an additional stress that compounds persistent development challenges, such as a swelling population, land fragmentation, the migration of people into sparser and drier lowland areas, and inadequate infrastructure and provision of social services. These factors, he added, combine to contribute to the nation’s vulnerability to climate variability and longterm climate change. As such,he said the efforts to increase the capacity farmers to cope with and adapt to a greater prevalence of drought due to climate change requires a holistic approach that addresses their need for information, access to technol-

ogy, capacity building, new livelihood opportunities and a supportive policy regime. In response, he said measures should be taken to provide downscaled weather forecasts, improved agricultural practices and increased access to reliable water sources to farmers . According to him, the agric sector needs interventions that would contribute to improved and diver-

Stories by Daniel Essiet

sified livelihoods as well as facilitating the integration of adaptation to climate change into policies related to disaster management and sustainable development of affected areas. As such, he urged the government to set machinery to improve damage assessments to provide policy makers with a basis for seek-

ing disaster assistance as the agricultural industry can experience multiple impacts,such as crop failures, yield reductions, or liquidation of livestock. Given the direct nature of these impacts, he noted, that the government should give thought to developing a strategic plan for addressing more complex issues. One way to address this, he said, would require diversifying crops

in rural areas. This, he maintained, would help farmers immediately become more resilient to natural disasters and shifts in weather. He stressed that government and farmers need to move toward more critical thinking, and that means considering local conditions, risks, and opportunities to integrate resilience-building into market-based activities.

Kogi, CBN sign N2b MoU for agriculture

OGI State government has signed a N2 billion Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for agriculture. Governor Idris Wada said this at the opening of a four-day-training for cashew farmers in Anyigba, Dekina Local Government Area. He said the government has provided the will for farmers to succeed, adding that the N2 billion would be spread across agricultural areas where the state had comparative advantage. Wada, who was represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Zacchaeus Atte, said N300 million would be voted for cashew farm-

ers. The President, National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN), Mr. Tola Fasheru, urged the governments to provide incentives for cashew farmers. In another vein, Faseru, said Nigerian cashew is becoming one of the best in the world as it reached consistently 51Lbs and 52Lbs/ 80kg, with nut count around 180-185 per kg as the intensive training in good farming practices, harvest and post harvest handling practices conducted for farmers and local buying agents and produce inspection officers are beginning to pay off. According to him, efforts are also being put in place to provide in-

frastructure such as storage facilities and drying platforms for farmers. Faseru noted that farmers are being trained on how they can conduct quality test for their cashew particularly with respect to moisture,out turn and the nut count. All of these, he added, are geared towards achieving increased cashew productivity and quality. Currently, he noted that the annual production for the raw cashew nuts is put at 125,000 metric tonnes valued at N24 billion ($160,000,000). He said the sector has the potential for an annual output of about $2 billion within the next five

years. Already at the moment, he said the cashew industry provides livelihood for over 300,000 families directly employing over 600,000 people. He noted that efforts are ongoing to increase the level of processing and value addition to cashew nuts and cashew apple for local consumption and export to the international market. Faseru said an increase in the volume of the cashew being produced would impact directly on the jobs being created and this would in turn impact positively on the economy of the cashew producing states.

NICOWA celebrates win at agric exhibition

HE Nigeria Cooperative Women Alliance (NICOWA) has won first position in the 2014 Public/Private Driven Agriculture Exhibition. Its National President, Mrs Esther Eka, said the victory was a proof of the machinery it put in place to empower women in maximising the benefits of agro allied businesses. Eka said: “This is a proof of our commitments to the reduction of poverty among women and empowerment of families. “It is not easy to build any human network; NICOWA for us is a child of necessity, a platform that gives leverage to Nigerian women. “It gladdens my heart that both local and international institutions are concerned about the modest progress we have made so far. These awards are indications that we are on the right track.’’ The NICAWA national president said members would continue to savour the two awards, given by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in conjunction with the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). She urged women to continue to see themselves as agents of peace, stability and progress in their respective communities, stressing that “women are uniquely created by God to be agents of peace and positive change.’’

She appealed to them to use their acquired skills to contribute to national development, saying that the role of women was greatly appreciated in all facets. “I urge Nigerian women to intensify prayers for our families and for peace and development in our country,’’ the women alliance boss appealed. According to her, women must engage in selfless service, tolerance and good neighbourliness beyond becoming self-reliant. She said: “The unfolding violence and agitation across the country have the potential to rob us of our peace and tarnishing our timeless traditional and religious values. “NICOWA is pleading with the more than five million of its members across the country to eschew bitterness and preach peace at all times.’’ She also urged members to continually widen the scope of their business ideas and to take steps to actualise them, pledging that; “the Alliance is committed to providing expertise and direction for financing of viable investments within the scope of our mandate.’’ NICOWA, which is the umbrella body of all women cooperative societies in the country, was also rated the Best Coordinating Agricultural Group in Agriculture Exhibition at the 2014 Public/Private Driven Agriculture Exhibition held on October .

Amosun to resuscitate Lagos-Ilaro railway

HE Ogun State government will leverage on the agricultural sub-sector of the state economy to jump start its industrial revolution of the state for socio economic development. To effectively achieve this, the State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, said that the government is reconstructing the old railway line that passes through Yewa South and North and Ifo Local Government areas. It was a triumphant entry for the governor as thousands of party supporters, market men and women, artisans, traditional rulers welcomed him on his working tour of the local government, which is in the Ogun West Senatorial District of the state. Everywhere he went, he was cheered by jubilant supporters who thronged the empire field, venue of

the rally. Reasons for the love and appreciation might not be unconnected with the monumental infrastructure and the giant strides of the administration in the quest to rebuild the socio-economic development of the state which residents said has brought a new lease of life. Addressing the thousands of residents of the local government who came out to celebrate him, Governor Amosun said that the resuscitation of the old light railway line which runs through Lagos, Ilaro and Idogo would put agriculture in the area in a pride of place as it would ease transportation of agricultural produce. While assuring residents of more development, Governor Amosun also promised not to betray the confidence reposed in him by the people of the state.

•From left, Chief Executive,Nigerian Export Promotion Council,Mr Segun Awolowo, National President,National Cashew Association of Nigeria(NCAN), Mr Tola Faseru, Chief of Party USAID/NEXTT project, Mr Alf Monaghan, Project Manager, Agribusiness and Trade USAID- Mr Roland Oroh, Managing Director, Africa Cashew Alliance (ACA) Mr. Roger Brou at an event in Lagos

WAAPP partners UI on food production

EST Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP) Nigeria and University of Ibadan (UI), are set to improve sustainable food production and help to reduce poverty. Both institutions are to work together on solutions for sustainable food production. Speaking during a meeting between the two institutions in Ibadan, the Dean,Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Ibadan, Prof Emmanuel Iyayi, expressed this aspiration on behalf of the Vice Chancellor of the University in Ibadan while welcoming the National Project Coordinator of WAAPP, Prof. Damian O. Chikwendu to the university. Iyayi, who lauded WAAPP for the impact it is making in other universities, said he was particularly happy with the visit as it will pave way for the participation of UI in the WAAPP. The University of Ibadan, he enthused, has all it takes to deliver services in areas of aquaculture, poultry, animal husbandry and in crop production. The university fish farm, for instance, he noted is well positioned to deliver dividends in aquaculture research while essential infrastructure are also on ground to support research and production activities in the animal sciences. He, therefore, requested the Na-

tional Project Coordinator to do everything in his power to bring the university on board the WAAPP’s plan. Iyayi also extolled WAAPP for the initiative of taking the Shika Brown, an indigenous specie of chicken released by NAPRI, Zaria in year 2,000 off-the-shelf. He noted that the Shika Brown technology remains the most significant technology ever to be released in animal science in Nigeria but has remained largely on the shelf due to lack of funds and should be given its deserved prominence. The university, he hinted, will be very keen on promoting the Shika Browntechnology if the collaboration with WAAPP materialises. Earlier, WAAPP’s National Project Coordinator, Prof.Chikwendu, had announced that he was in the university in a follow up visit that will enable him inspect available facilities and straighten out areas of likely collaboration between his organisation and the institution. “We are here in the university”, he declared, “to see how we can work with you, particularly in areas of aquaculture and in poultry farming as well as in other sphere that may be of interest to you”. He appreciated the efforts of Prof.Emmanuel Ajani, the Head of Fishery and Aquaculture Management Department of the university who is also the representative of Council for

Agricultural Research and Development in Central and West Africa (CORAF/WECARD ) for bringing the impact of the regional body to the university, noting that WAAPP-Nigeria’s priority focus in Nigeria include aquaculture, poultry, cassava, maize, and rice among other. WAAPP-Nigeria’s area of mandate from the regional body is however in the area of aquaculture, just like it is cassava in Ghana, animal husbandry in Niger Republic and rice in Mali. WAAPP-Nigeria, he concluded, is thus committed to doing anything possible to promote aquaculture. The entry of the University of Ibadan into the WAAPP-Nigeria , brings to a total of 14, the number of universities collaborating with WAAPP in the implementation of the regional projects. Other collaborating institutions include 15 agricultural research institutes, 12 Colleges of Agriculture, 26 state Agricultural Development Programmes (ADPs), scores of Agricultural Innovation Platforms (AIPs) and a host of reputable and highly resourceful private investors. The objective of WAAPP is to improve agricultural productivity in the ECOWAS countries and at the same time encourage integrated development of agricultural research in order to generate innovations and promote their diffusion throughout the sub-region.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Heineken blames sales drop on wet weather

EINEKEN has blamed “unseasonably wet weather” in Europe for a drop in both sales and profit in the three months to the end of September. The Dutch brewer, which owns Strongbow and Bulmers as well as its eponymous lager, said sales fell 1.5 per cent to •5.1bn (£4bn) in the third quarter.

Air Peace crashes air fare to military personnel S part of efforts to assist the Federal Government in reaching out to the Nigeria Armed Forces, Air Peace is offering N10,000 fare to both retired and serving military personnel on all flights. In line with the practice in the United States, the reduced fare offer according to the chairman of the airline, Mr Allen Onyema is part of his contributions to support the military in carrying out its statutory responsibility in the face of current security challenges. He said the military over the years has made huge sacrifice to maintain peace and order in the country, which could only be appreciated with the lower fare offer. He said the airline is committed to supporting the Armed Forces and other institutions that are committed to the harmonious coexistence of the country. Onyema said no business could grow if the country is not enjoying an atmosphere of peace and stability, hence the need to support the military and other institutions in carrying out their statutory responsibility. He stated that Air Peace has come to change the face of airline operations in the industry with the arrival of seven airplanes, adding this is the first time a new entrant into the business will commence operations with such large number of aircraft. Onyema listed the aircraft in its fleet to include three Dornier 328 jets and four Boeing 737-500. The CEO also disclosed that the airline intends to expand its network to Asaba, Kano, Yola, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Ibadan Bauchi, Gombe and Katsina. Other areas which the expansion will cover are Makurdi, Minna, Zaria, Akwa Ibom, Ilorin, Akure, Benin, Calabar, Warri and Jos.

Heineken said net profit in the quarter had also fallen, down to •460m, compared with •483m a year ago. It comes just weeks after it rejected a takeover from rival SABMiller. Despite the weaker-than-expected performance, Heineken said it was still confident on its performance for the full year. “Amidst a volatile global environment and poor weather during the high selling season in

Europe, we maintained top-line growth,” said Heineken chairman Jean-Francois van Boxmeer. Revenues in eastern and western Europe fell 8.5 per cent and 4.1 per cent respectively. But the drop was offset by gains in emerging markets, with revenues up 10 per cent in Asia and 3.6 per cent in Africa. It said the popularity of its Tiger brand in Vietnam and Malaysia helped drive Asian sales higher.

In September, Heineken rejected a takeover offer from London brewer SABMiller, saying the proposal was “non-actionable”. It said the Heineken family, the founding family which still owns half of the firm, wanted to preserve the firm as “an independent company”. At the time, Heineken said it was confident it would continue to grow.

MainOne supports schools in host community S part of its commitment to its host community in Ajah, MainOne has lifted the Ogombo Community Primary School by renovating a block of four classrooms in Okun Mapo Primary School, and providing new school gates and classroom furniture for its students. In a statement, the firm said it also supplied crèche furniture, visitors’ chairs, mattresses, and educational toys to Okun Ajah Primary School at Ogombo, Ajah Local Government Area, Lagos. Speaking on its contributions to the community schools, MainOne’s Head, Support Services, Bimbo Olu-Martins asserts that its Ogombo drive forms part of the company’s efforts to improve education in Nigeria, “The major thrust of our community engagement has been towards the development of the education sector. This is why we have, since 2011, assisted these community schools in Ogombo, Ajah via identifying their various needs and exploring how we can provide for them”. Mrs. Olu-Martins also stressed the importance of its CSR thrust, stressing that “Ogombo has been an accommodating host to MainOne. Our CSR effort is hinged on strengthening our relationship with the community by enhancing the infrastructure in the community schools and ensuring their continued relevance to the society. That is why we have consistently supported these educational institutions by improving their environment.” The Principal of Ogombo Primary School, Mr. Sarafa Iyowun, expressed appreciation for the laudable transformation that MainOne implemented, adding that school and the pupils are forever grateful to the Company for this inestimable and kind gesture, as he urged other Corporate organisations to emulate MainOne. Since 2011, MainOne has been involved in the Primary Schools in Ogombo, Okun Ajah and Okun Mapo with yearly donations of study materials including school bags, text and exercise books, and renovation of critical infrastructure facilities. The company’s contribution to the development of these schools forms a part of its Corporate Social Responsibility focus in Education and Information and Communications Technology. MainOne is also a leading sponsor of the annual Software Competition organised by the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria; the T.E.N.T gathering of Paradigm Initiative Nigeria, the Girls-In-ICT Day, as well as ideation and innovation initiatives, such as Demo Africa, the Co-Creation Hub, and L5Lab, among others.

•From left: Director, Business Dev. Govt., Microsoft Middle East and Africa, Yasser Hassan;Country Managing Director, Microsoft Nigeria Kabelo Makwane; Chairman, House of Representatives' Committee on Information & Communication Technology, Hon. Ibrahim Shehu Gusau and United States Ambassador to Nigeria, James F. Entwistle, during Microsoft CityNext launch in Abuja.

GlaxoSmithKline shares up as profits beat forecasts

LAXOSMITHKLINE’s shares rose four per cent after its third-quarter results beat expectations and it pledged to return an additional £4bn to shareholders via a special share scheme. The UK pharmaceuticals giant reported a pretax profit of £548m for the three months to the end of September, sharply down from £1.4bn a year ago. But the results beat analyst forecasts. Hargreaves Lansdown’s head of equities, Richard Hunter, said the results could prove “a turning point”. “The drive towards containing costs is also in evidence, whilst the company anticipates sig-

nificant savings as a result of the restructure. In the medium to long term, Glaxo is also predicting a potentially lucrative pipeline, which should underpin prospects,” he added. GlaxoSmithKline’s shares have tumbled 14 per cent over the past three months, compared with a five per cent fall for the FTSE 100 over the same period. The business has been rocked by allegations of bribery in China, requiring it to pay a fine of nearly $500m, as well as patent expiries. A downward turn in its US business, due to pricing pressure on its key asthma drug Advair, and the impact of the strong pound on overseas profits have also weighed on the shares.

However, GSK said it was now targeting £1bn of annual cost savings over the next three years aimed at “refocusing” the business. It also said it would explore a possible flotation of ViiV Healthcare, a division focusing on treatment for HIV, to “enhance visibility within the group”. The firm also reiterated its financial outlook for the full year, saying core earnings would be “broadly similar to 2013”. “We have continued to make strategic choices to create value from assets held in the group and to respond to the pressures we are facing in our operating environment,” said GSK chief executive Andrew Witty.

Propertymart partners OPIC on new housing scheme

ROPERTY mart is extending its frontiers as a housing solution provider with the plan to launch another housing estate within OPIC scheme on Lagos – Ibadan Expressway, a serene haven in the warm embrace of nature about five minutes drive away from the Redemption Camp. The estate known as Belmont Uptown located within three minutes drive from the Redemption Youth Centre facing Lagos – Ibadan Expressway is planned to be a green city. Part of the alluring features of Belmont Uptown for prospective buyers is its accessibility given the ongoing expansion of the Lagos – Ibadan expressway into eight-lane highway proposed to be completed in 2017. Managing Director, Propertymart Real Estate Investment Limited, Mr. Adeyinka Adesope, who announced this latest milestone achieved by the company, said the estate will sit on about 3,700 square meters of land. He added that the new housing project is being implemented in line with the Ogun State Property and Investment Company’s (OPIC) proposed New Makun City. ‘‘The huge demand for home ownership has further strengthened Propertymart’s vision to

not only reduce housing deficit in Nigeria, but to provide homes in a serene, spacious, secured and well structured environment’’, he said. Adesope disclosed further that preparations are in top gear to begin construction of the new units of affordable and exquisite homes at the Belmont Uptown estate. He said prospective subscribers could get their home type from N5.2million to N48 million.

According to the Managing director, “there are five house typologies being proposed which are four bedroom (fully detached), three -bedroom (semi detached), three bedroom (fully detached) bungalow and two bedrooms (semi detached) bungalow respectively with each having a tucked in Boy’s Quarter while the fifth house type is the Belmont Mini villa comprising of one-bedroom apartments in four units.

Group unveils hotel in Lagos

subsidiary of the Nuclues Group of Companies, Spendour Hotel & Suites, Ilupeju Estate, Lagos has opened for business. It is built at a cost of over N500million. Its Chief Operating Officer(COO), Mrs Dimeji Okewale, said the hotel , which has 36 rooms, is aimed at delivering quality services to its customers at affordable rates, adding that its staff and suppliers have been well-trained for this purpose. She said the hotel has state-of-the-art infrastructure and ambience to meet its customers’ needs, adding that they are concerned with the experience the guests get and are able to relive it long after. She said: “Splendour is committed to contrib-

uting its quota, making available quality comfort to cater to the needs of its guests while also contributing to manpower development through the professionals employed at the hotel from the construction stage to date. This includes not only the staff, but also the local suppliers, contractors and related consultants.’’ She also said the hotel is strategically located and could be assessed from its Association Avenue base from any part of the state. She listed other features of the hotel as spacious bedrooms with modern bathrooms and facilities, restaurant/dining room that provides African and continental dishes; four standby generators to check erratic power supply, halls for trainings or retreat.

Palmchat extends social app market share

HE growing instant messaging (IM) social platform in Nigeria has witnessed another evolution with the introduction of Palmchat, a multi-media messenger that enables friends to connect across all platforms, and make new friends in diverse fun-filled and exciting ways. The app which is trending in the social application space is expected to transform and create a major swept in the history of instant messaging technology. It also predicted that all outdated Instant Messenger (IM) will be clearly phased out by social media apps that are more engag-

ing, personal and comes with interesting features. Head, Public Relations, Transision Holdings, Mounir Boukali, clearly defined the strength of the new IM by saying: “having used all the social application platforms we can find around, one can only ask for more and this is what Palmchat offers everyone; a cool new face of social instant messaging, personal and group chatting. “It offers really different features from those we are already used to. You can choose to join any chat room of your choice, discussing

a range of issues, from sports to romance, and even get discounts from online stores. It enables you to share your cool pictures, music and recordings with your friends, getting in touch with them in private messaging.” Boukali also added that, using location based services; Palmchat helps users link-up with friends within their neighbourhoods. “That person you have always had a crush on, can just be right in front of you – on your phone or connect with someone totally new, the “shake shake” feature gives you that instand experience.

THE NATION FRIDAY OCTOBER 24, 2014

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24 2014

COMMENTARY

REAMBLE The appearance of today’s title in this column once in a year often looks strange to most readers since this is not January. In Nigeria, like in most other African countries, the idea of ‘New Year’ is ignorantly believed to be peculiar to January which is the first month of Gregorian calendar. That is the effect of colonialism in our continent. From whichever angle it is viewed, European colonialism has a thick Christian coloration that still paints African culture in the rainbow of colonial tradition. Islam has its own calendar. And, like other calendars of the world, there is a beginning and an end for every Hijrah year. Unlike other calendars which are manmade however, Islamic calendar, otherwise known as Hijrah calendar, is divinely ordained. This is confirmed in chapter 9, verse 36 of the Qur’an as follows: “Surely, the number of months ordained by Allah when He created the heavens and the earth is twelve. Therefore, do not wrong yourselves in them….” The twelve Islamic months are as follows: Muharram; Safar; Rabiul Awwal; Rabiu-th-Thani; Jumadal Ula; Jumada-thThaniyah; Rajab; Shaban; Ramadan; Shawwal; Dhul Qadah; and Dhul Hijjah. The four months specifically designated as sacred months are the last four months of Hijrah calendar. They are Ramadan, Shawwal, Dhul Qa’dah and Dhul Hijjah. Some of these months have 30 days. Others have 29. No more, no less. Tomorrow (October 25, 2014) is the first day of Hijrah year 1436. It follows the last day of Dhul Hijjah which ends today. Dhul Hijjah is the last month of Hijrah calendar. It takes a well educated person to understand this and relate to it as such. This is what distinguishes Osun State Governor Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola from all other governors, especially in the Southwest of Nigeria. The declaration by him of public holiday for the event is a clear evidence of justice which had hitherto been denied to the Muslims in the state. To demonstrate similar justice, it is hoped that other governors in the region will follow suit as a mark of civility. Genesis Hijrah calendar took its name from Prophet Muhammad’s emigration from Makkah to Madinah in 622 C.E. The use of Hijrah calendar began when Umar Bn Khattab, the second Caliph, suggested that Islam should have its own distinctive calendar saying Hijrah, the Prophet’s emigration, was so much a significant landmark in Islam that it could not be overlooked. As a matter of fact, Hijrah is one of the three main factors responsible for the survival of the religion of Islam. The other two were the victory of the Muslims in the battle of Badr which was waged by Makkah pagans against them in Madinah shortly after the Prophet’s emigration. And the third is Allah’s great promise that became an everlasting fulfilment. That promise is contained in Chapter 15 verse 9 of the Qur’an thus: “It was ‘We’ (Allah) who revealed the Qur’an and We will preserve it…’ and who can doubt the Almighty Allah the Creator of the entire universe and its preserver”. But for these three fundamental factors, perhaps Islam or the Qur’an would have joined the legion of defunct religions. With Allah, all things are possible. Significance In Islam, the first day of the first Hijrah month (Muharram) is more significant than Mawlidun- Nabiyyi (the birth day of Prophet Muhammad (SAW)). The Prophet had existed for 40 years before ‘The Message of Islam’ came to him and nobody celebrated his birthday. Thus without ‘The great Message of Islam’ he would have had no cause to emigrate. And if he had lived for 40 years without being known in history before he became a Prophet, why should his birthday now take precedence over ‘The Great Message’ which made him the greatest man that ever lived? Basically Hijrah institutionalised three important aspects of life: social, economic and political. In the social aspect when the first revelation was made to the Prophet (SAW) a period of twelve (12) years was devoted by him towards inculcating the religion in the minds of individuals while no pattern of a collective

FEMI ABBAS ON femabbas756@gmail.com 08115708536

Happy New Year life based on true religious concepts could be presented to the world. The status of the Muslim individuals in Makkah gave rise to the misconception that Islam, or rather, believing in the mission of the prophet was one’s personal affair. This was believed to pertain only to the hereafter which had nothing to do with people’s collective life. Social Effect It was only after the Prophet’s emigration (Hijrah) that people began to see Islam clearly as a way of life which paid attention to and reformed every facet of human existence. It then became evident that Islam was the religion that gave directions regarding almost every moment of a believer’s conscious life. Hijrah also enabled the Arabs in particular to see what a Muslim’s matrimonial home should be in a Muslim society. Hence, it was only after this event that the world could see the aspect of human social decency and decorum prescribed by Islam. The second reason for the importance of Hijrah is its economic significance which manifested in the lifestyle of the pioneer Muslims’ emigration to Madinah led by Prophet Muhammad (SAW) himself. The unsurpassable hospitality of the people of Madinah towards the Muslim emigrants did not only provide a new peaceful home for the newcomers. It also showed the hosts’ passionate selfsacrifice. And with Hijrah, the Makkan emigrants who became immigrants in Madinah vividly came in contact with advanced agricultural acumen and ingenuous artisanship never experienced before. These resulted in an unprecedented economic revolution for the city. Since the hosts shared virtually everything they had with the immigrants when the latter first arrived, a lesson was learnt by the immigrants not to continue to be a burden on their brotherly hosts. Thus, every one of them adopted legitimate ways of earning righteous income. Moral Effect Initially, the Muslim Immigrants in Madinah worked as labourers in the fields, gardens and construction works. But later, they, being traditional traders, started small trading activities which brought them into an economic competition with the Jews of Madinah. One aspect of the economic revolution was that the Muslim immigrants paid the right price for every product they consumed since the Prophet had forbidden the practice of acquiring products on reduced prices in return for loans given to the artisans or to the land cultivators. The practice was prohibited because it was considered to be a form of usury. Thus, it was only after Hijrah that agriculture, industry and trade freely helped the Muslims to bring about an integrated, balanced and unfettered economy for the Ummah. Judicial Effect The third reason which made Hijrah a very important event is the political freedom for the Muslims. Before Hijrah, the Muslims in Makkah had no say in any matter, internal or external. They were a minority against whom the hearts of the majority were full of enmity simply because they were an insignificant part of the dominating unbelievers’ society in Makkah. It was Hijrah, therefore, that made the Muslims Masters of their internal affairs, external relations and matters relating to war and peace. If there was any disagreement between the Muslims and the nonMuslims, the final decision was to be made

by the Prophet. This indicated a kind of autonomy to be enjoyed by the Muslims for the first time. And it was the nucleus of a city-state which, within a period of ten (10) years in the life time of the Prophet expanded to the entire Arabian Peninsula. It is thus evident that the event of Hijrah turned a few hundred Muslims resident in Madinah into a highly successful society. An erroneous act If the Nigerian Muslim leaders were adequately informed at the time they were negotiating religious holidays for Nigerian Muslim Ummah they would have asked for Hijrah rather than Mawlidun-Nabiyyi. Apart from coming into the world through birth like any other human being, there is nothing the birth of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) contributed to the unprecedented revolution called Islam. And, the Prophet himself did not believe in the aristocracy of birth which celebration of birthday is all about. That was why he (the Prophet) never celebrated his own birthday the way some Muslims do on his behalf today. What is more, the Prophet’s birthday is never celebrated in Saudi Arabia where he was born. What is rather celebrated in that country is Hijrah Day. Whereas Mawlidun-Nabiyyi is about the personal life of Prophet Muhammad alone, Hijrah Day is about Islam and the entire Muslim Ummah. While celebrating Mawlidun-Nabiyyi, you can only praise the Prophet and nothing more. But when celebrating the Hijrah day, you are celebrating not only the Prophet’s migration but also the triumph of Islam as the everlasting password of the Universe. That is why we exchange pleasantries by congratulating one another and by chanting the slogan HAPPY NEW YEAR! Compared to Hijrah calendar the Gregorian calendar is not only artificial but alien to Christianity. It was only adopted some centuries ago as a way of distinguishing the religion of Christ fromwhatever preceded or succeeded it. While writing about how Gregorian calendar came into existence, a British writer and newspaper columnist, Ben Snowden said in a descriptive article entitled ‘The Curious History of Gregorian Calendar thus: “September 2, 1752, was a great day in the history of sleep. That Wednesday evening, millions of British subjects in England and the colonies went peacefully to sleep and did not wake up until twelve days later. Behind this feat of narcoleptic prowess was not just some revolutionary hypnotic technique or miraculous pharmaceutical discovered in the West Indies. It was, rather, the British Calendar Act of 1751, which declared the day after Wednesday the second day of that month to be Thursday the fourteenth day of the same month. Other calendars Prior to that cataleptic September evening, the official British calendar differed from that of continental Europe by eleven days—that is, September 2 in London was September 13 in Paris, Lisbon, and Berlin. The discrepancy had sprung from Britain’s continued use of the Julian calendar, which had been the official calendar of Europe since its invention by Julius Caesar (after whom it was named) in 45 B.C. Caesar’s calendar, which consisted of eleven months of 30 or 31 days and a 28day February (extended to 29 days every fourth year), was actually quite accurate: it erred from the real solar calendar by only 11½ minutes a year. By the sixteenth century, it had put the Julian calendar behind the solar one by 10 days.

In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII ordered the advancement of the calendar by 10 days and introduced a new corrective device to curb further error: century years such as 1700 or 1800 would no longer be counted as leap years, unless they were (like 1600 or 2000) divisible by 400. If somewhat inelegant, this system is undeniably effective, and is still in official use in the United States. The Gregorian calendar year differs from the solar year by only 26 seconds—accurate enough for most mortals, since this only adds up to one day’s difference every 3,323 years. Despite the prudence of Pope Gregory’s correction, many Protestant countries, including England, ignored the papal bull. Germany and the Netherlands agreed to adopt the Gregorian calendar in 1698; Russia only accepted it after the revolution of 1918 and Greece waited until 1923 to follow suit. And currently many Orthodox churches still follow the Julian calendar, which now lags 13 days behind the Gregorian. The use of calendars Since their invention, calendars have been used to reckon time in advance, and to fix the occurrence of events like harvests or religious festivals. Ancient peoples tied their calendars to whatever recurring natural phenomena they could most easily observe. In areas with pronounced seasons, annual weather changes usually fixed the calendar; in warmer climates such as Southern Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, the moon was used to mark time. Unfortunately, the cycles of the sun and moon do not synchronise well. A lunar year (consisting of 12 lunar cycles, or lunation, each 29½ days long) is only 354 days, 8 hours long; that is unlike a solar year which lasts about 365¼ days. After three years, a strict lunar calendar would have diverged from the solar calendar by 33 days, or more than one lunation. The Muslim calendar is the only purely lunar calendar with widespread use today. Its months have no permanent connection to any particular season. Muslim religious celebrations, such as Ramadan, may therefore occur at any date of the Gregorian calendar. To compensate for the difference in the solar and lunar year, calendar makers introduced the practice of intercalation (the addition of extra days or months to the calendar) to make it more accurate. Gregorian calendar Despite its widespread use, the Gregorian calendar has a number of weaknesses. It cannot be divided into equal halves or quarters; the number of days per month is haphazard; and months or even years may begin on any day of the week. Since the time of Pope Gregory XIII, many other proposals for calendar reform have been made. For instance, in the 1840s, philosopher Auguste Comte suggested that the 365th day of each year be a holiday not assigned to a day of the week. The French Revolution also made an attempt to introduce a new calendar. On October 5, 1793, the revolutionary convention decreed that the year (starting on September 22, 1792—the autumnal equinox, and the day after the proclamation of the new republic) would be divided into 12 months of 30 days, named after corresponding seasonal phenomena (e.g. seed, blossom, harvest). The remaining five days of the year, called sans-culottides were considered feast days. In leap years, the extra day (Revolution Day) was to be added to the end of the year. The Revolutionary calendar had no week; each month was divided into three decades, with every tenth day to be a day of rest. This clumsy calendar, however, perished with the French Republic because of its clumsiness. Conclusion Of all the existing calendars, only Hijrah has been generally acknowledged as unique in effect and in workability. In commemoration of the great occasion of Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) emigration from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE, both the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and the Muslim Ummah of Southwest Nigeria (MUSWEN) have sent messages of felicitations to Nigerian Muslim Ummah just as ‘The Message’ column also says HAPPY NEW YEAR!

THE NATION FRIDAY OCTOBER 24, 2014

IN THE HIGH COURT OF LAGOS STATE OF NIGERIA PROBATE REGISTRY, LAGOS DIVISION WHEREAS the person whose names are set-out in the first Column under died intestate on the date and place stated in the said Column. AND WHEREAS the person or persons whose names and addresses and relationship (if any) to the deceased are set out in the second Column here have applied to the High Court of Lagos State for a Grant of Letter of Administration of the Real and Personal Properties of the deceased. NOTICE IS HEREBY given that Letters of Administration will be granted to such persons unless a NOTICE TO PROHIBIT THE GRANT is filed in the registry within (14) days from the date hereof. S/N 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67. 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73. 74. 75. 76. 77. 78.

S/N

NAMES OF THE DECEASED PERSON:

Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh. Late of 3A, Manuwa Street, South West, Ikoyi, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 19th day of August, 2014. Ebulunaobi Nicholas A. Late of 44, Oworo Road, Oworosoki, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 3rd day of March, 2013. Ijezie Fidelis Anaeleuwa. Late of FMEV Games Village, Surulere, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 21st day of May, 2014. Omotayo Akingbade otherwise known as Akingbade Abosede Omotayo. Late of Block 13, Flat 2, Games Village, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 20th day of February, 2014. Martins Yekini otherwise known as Yekini Martins .A. Late of 35/37, Federal Low Cost Housing, Ikorodu, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 1st day of December, 2008. Ose Peter. Late of Flat 10, SSS Quarters, Ojo, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 11th day of June, 2014. Saka Ayinla Alhaji. Late of 4, Omowale Lane, Olodi Apapa, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 10th day of February, 2011. Paul Ushedo. Late of 17, Ajia Street, Ijesha, Surulere, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 10th day of August, 2008. Mutiu Toyin Dabiri. Late of KM, 45, Lekki, Epe Expressway, Eti-osa Local Government Area, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 25th day of January, 2012 Pa. Stephen Akinkuade Adepetun. Late of 24, Ogonniya Crescent, Off Akure Road, Ondo State. Who died intestate on the 5th day of June, 1992. Mrs. Iyabode Oluyemisi Ashaju. Late of 27, Igbehinadun Street, Makoko. Who died intestate on the 24th day of November, 2013. Mrs. Adam Afusat Sulola (Nee Bada). Late of 73, Agege Motor Road, Idioro. Who died intestate on the 25th day of March, 1998. Gbalidi Akebofa. Late of No. 118, Mba Street, Ajegunle, Apapa, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 10th day of October, 2012 at Lagos. Isiwele Patrick EigbedionAdolo otherwise known as PartickIsiwele. Late of 145, Bale Compound, Coker Orile, Iganmu , Lagos. Who died intestate on the 19th day of October, 2013. Mr. Ofonaye Martins. Late of Churchill Police Barrack, Block 1, Room 15, Marine Beach, Apapa, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 13th day of December, 2008. MS Ilori Olubukola otherwise known as Miss Ilori Olubukola Adejoke. Late of 5th Avenue, D1 Close, House 15, Festac Town, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 8th day of January, 2012. UNamba Emeka Livinus. Late of No. 6, John Ijeh Close, Okota, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 15th day of October, 2013. Mrs. Funmilola Adebayo. Late of No. 10/12, Atitebi Compound, Ebute-metta, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 9th day of March, 2013 at Lagos. Mr. Kazeem Ademoye. Late of No. 11, Nwahiri Onuora Close, Off Aigbokha Drive, Magodo, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 15th day of September, 2011 atLagos. Moshood Kamorudeen Gbolagade. Late of No. 1, Poultry Road, Oloja, Igando, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 15th day of April, 2014 at Lagos. Patricia Essie Anyafulu otherwise known as Patricia Edith Anyafulu. Late of No. 21, Road, A1 Close, Festac Town, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 11th day of February, 2012. Mr. Damian Duru. Late of No. 32, Arikewuyo Street, Coker Orile Iganmu, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 11th day of July, 2014 at Lagos. Ikegwuonu Augustine. Late of No. 3, Idewu Street, Olodi Apapa, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 25th day of January, 2013 Mr. Chukwuedu Mordi. Late of No. 15, Olusesan Adetula Street, Ikate Surulere, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 28th day of November, 2013 at Lagos. Chief Dumzo-Ajufo Thomas Chidebe. Late of No. 1, Thomas Ajufo Street, Opebi, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 10th day of December, 2013. Okoli Obioma. Late of No. 14B/23, Ajayi Olaiya Street, Bariga, Somolu Lagos. Who died intestate on the 3rd day of May, 2013 at Lagos. Sanyaolu Hamed Kayode Alhaji. Block 521, Flat2, Jakande Isolo, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 19th day of April, 1996 at Lagos. Adeoti John Idowu. Late of No. 2, Kingsway Road, Falomo, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 30th day of November, 2013. Ezeibe Chizoba Gabriel otherwise known as Gezibeson W.A. Limited, Cegab International Limited and Janigab Enterprises Nigeria. Late of No. 240, Herbert Macaulay Street, Alagomeji Yaba, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 1st day of February, 2014. Lawal Adekunle Sulaimon. Late of No. 4, Zone E, Oladele Phase2, Apata, Ibadan. Who died intestate on the 14th day of August, 2013 at Ibadan. Alakwe Pius .C. Late of Umusurueze Amandugba Isu Local Government Area of Imo State. Who died intestate on the 27th day of September, 2011 at Lagos. Rotimi Olatunbosun. Late of No. 4, Dogo Avenue, Isawo Ikorodu, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 2nd day of July, 2013. Mr. Baffoe William Pythias. Late of No. 2A, Banire Street, Surulere, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 17th day of January, 2010 at Lagos. Adewunmi Oluyemisi otherwise known as Agnes . Late of 5, Ilawe Street, IfakoGbagada, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 2nd day of December, 2013. Enwerekowe John Ufomba. Late of No. 11, Oke-Ona Street, IkateSurulere, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 20th day of April, 2013 at Abia State. Okiyo Robert. Late of No. 37, Osasogie Street, Off FGGC Road, Benin City. Who died intestate on the 3rd day of August, 2004. Faloye Emmanuel Oluwole. Late of No. 3, Orepeko Street, Surulere Estate, Igbogbo Ikorodu, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 22nd day of March, 2013. Mr. Maurice Okechukwu Ndubusi. Late of No. 7, Alhaji Shekoni Street, Off Alimosho Road, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 4th day of January, 2014. Rapheal Chukwudebelu Nri otherwise known as Nri Rapheal Chude. Late of Nri Aunkwu Anambra State. Who died intestate on the 19th day of December, 1995. Joseph Olufemi Alphonso otherwise known as Joseph Olufemi .A. Late of No. 13B, Oba-Ile Housing Estate, Akure. Who died intestate on the 30th day of November, 2005. Okechukwu Onyekwu. Late of 208 Road, C Close, House 10, Festac Town, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 16th day of January, 2002 at Boston, U.S.A. Alhaji Jubril Balogun. Late of 17, 2 Brothers Street, Community Road, Ijegun. Who died intestate on the 4th day of July, 2010. Mr. Johnson Adegbenga Oyedokun. Late of 51, Koilo Street, Off Evans Street, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 21st day of November, 2013. Mr. Boyebo Oderinde. Late of Close 28, House 14, Satelite Town, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 20th day of December, 2011. Florence Olasumbo Harrison. Late of 5th Avenue, CI, Close, Block 2, Flat 14, Festac Town, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 7th day of March, 2013. Mrs. Eucharia Francis. Late of 20, Asimiu Ashiwaju Street, Ejigbo, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 5th day of January, 2014. Isodje Paul. Late of Close 2, AbuleJigaye, OgijoOgun State. Who died intestate on the 22nd day of November, 2011. David Simon otherwise known as David Simon Ayinla. Late of 1, Ikogwe Street, Amukoko, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 29th day of March, 2013. Onyemari Steve (Steven). Late of 34, Ajose Street, MendeMaryland, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 11th day of July, 2013. Pa. Ajose O. Isaac. Late of 1, Market Street, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 29th day of August, 2002. Alhaji Amida Surakat Idowu. Late of No. 72, Isolo Road, Off Agege Motor Road, Mushin, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 16th day of July, 2011. Ademolu Rasaq Oduntan. Late of No. 28, kalajaiye Street, Mafoluku, Oshodi Lagos. Who died intestate on the 2nd day of January, 2013. Oludayo Olaitan Olabode. Late of No. 12, Sophie Kuye Street, Gbagada, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 12th day of November, 2013. Rev. Canon Rufus Chinakazi Iwuchukwu otherwise known as Iwuchukwu Chinakazi Rufus. Late of 4, Badaru Street, Off Adegoke Street, Surulere, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 4th day of December, 2000. Mrs. Adesegun Grace Olubunmi. Late of No. 85, Olateju Street, Mushin, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 14th day of November, 2013. Kogolo Helen. Late of 23 Road, U Close, House 2, Festace Town, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 21st day of March, 2013. Mr. Gabriel Ene-Obong. Late of 31, Zamba Street, Off Itire Road, Surulere, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 4th day of January, 2014. Edemayibo Anthony. Late of 7, Unity Street, Idimu Ejigbo, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 8th day of December, 2013. Akinsemoyin Nurudeen Ajibola. Late of 3, Sawyer Street, Lagos Island, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 15th day of July, 2014. Anyanwu Polycarp Nnanna. Late of No. 2,Ofokaire Street, Okota, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 27th day of September, 1997. Chinwe Rosemary Onwuka. Late of 131, Ishaga Road, Iju Lagos. Who died intestate on the 2nd day of April, 2014 at Lagos. Okwuje Chukwuka. Late of 22nd Road, C Close, Block 1, Flat 4, Festac Town, Lagos. Who died on the 20th day of January, 2014 at Lagos. Dosunmu Tajudeen. Late of No. 5, Olokun Street, IslaeEko, Lagos Island, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 16th day of June, 2014 at Lagos. Silva Ugorji. Late of No. 722 Road, B Close, House 27, Festac Town, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 22nd day of July, 2014 at Lagos. John Obogor Okwor. Late of Block 11, Flat 21, Queens Barrack, Apapa Lagos. Who died intestate on the 22nd day of November, 2011 at Lagos. Mr. Joseph Olajide Dawodo otherwise known as Dawodo Joseph Olajide Gbolahan. Late of No. 6, Ishola Street, Casino Alagomeji, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 1st day of December, 2013 at Lagos. Mrs. Obi Ngozi Dorothy. Late of No. 75, Benster Crescent, Mazamaza, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 2nd day of December, 2012 at Lagos. Bello Abdul Shittu. Late of No. 19, Asalu Street, Abaranje Road, Ikotun, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 4th day of December, 2010 at Lagos. Gbinigie Caroline Osaze otherwise known as Gbinigie Caroline. Late of 5th Avenue, F1 Close, Block 3, Flat 6, Festac Town, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 8th day of October, 2013 at New York City. Ifot Saturday Jimmy. Late of No. 13, Alfa Sanusi Street, Isashi, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 31st day of May, 2013. Mr. Friday Madaki. Late of NASDC Unit, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 19th day of July, 2014 at LokojaOkenne. Olugbodi Adeyemi Akana. Late of No. 41, Falohun Street, OrileIganmu, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 19th day of May, 2013 at Lagos. Mrs. Rebecca Owhotu. Late of No. 5, Emmanuel Agbooka Street, Iba , Lagos. Who died intestate on the 26th day of September, 2013 at Ikeja. Blessing Onoriobe Omamuzo. Late of No. 17, Ajisafe Street, Agric, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 10th day of February, 2013 at Lagos. Mr. Ijaodola Adejuwon Francis otherwise known as Ijaodola Francis. Late of Block 14, Flat2, Iponri Estate, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 21st day of March, 2014. Mr. Rasaq Kosoko otherwise known as Kosoko Adeniji Razack. Late of 11, Odeku Close, Surulere, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 2ndday of July, 2012. Mr. Gregory Iyama Imhogiemhe. Late of No. 16, Salami Street, Ijesha, Surulere, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 1st day of April, 2011. Giwa Aliyu. Late of 171E, Akerele Extension, Shitta, Surulere, Lagos. Who died intestate on the 2nd day of May, 2009.

NAMES OF APPLICANT APPLYING FOR THE GRANT

1. Bankole Cardoso, AmaAdedavoh and KodjoAdadevoh of 3A, Manuwa Street, South West, Ikoyi, and Road 3, J2 Compound, Block F, Flat 5, VGC. Son and Siblings to the deceased. 2. Mrs. Justina Chiebonam Anakwe and Nneka Deborah Ebulunaobi. Both of No. 44, Oworo Road, Oworosoki, Lagos. The widow and one of the children to the deceased. 3. Mrs. Grace ChinyereIjezie and Miss Victoria Oyadinma Ijezie. Both of 8, Golobo Street, Isolo, Lagos. The widow and one of the children to the deceased. 4. Samuel Akingbade and Mrs. Esther Oluseyi Idonuagbe. Both of Block 13, Flat 12, Games Village, Lagos. Two of the children to the deceased. 5. Mr. Taiwo Martins and Mrs. KehindeOgunwole (Nee Martins). Both of Godwill Estate, CeleImedu, Area Awoyaya, IbejuLekki, Lagos. Two of the children to the deceased. 6. Mrs. Victoria Ose and Miss Odunayo Ose. Both of Flat 10, SSS Quarters, Ojo, Lagos. Widow and one of the children to the deceased. 7. Gafari Saka, Afeez Saka and Tawakalitu Saka of 12, Ajayi Street, Olodi Apapa, Lagos, 13, JMJ Quarters, OlodiApapa and No. 4,, Omowale Lane, OlodiApapa, Lagos. Widow and children to the deceased. 8. Mary Ndidi Ushedo, Fidelia Nkeiruka Mouyekwe and Ngozi Ushedo of 17, Ajia Street, Ijesha Surulere, Lagos. Widow and two of the children to the deceased. 9. Mr. Saliu Arohundare Ayuba of No. 3, Lawal Street, Sango Tedo, Eti-Osa L.G.A, Lagos. Nephew to the deceased. 10. Adebayo Adepetun, Adesola Adepetun , Yewande Bakare and Tunji Adepetun of C 95, Road CT, Nicon Town Estate, Lekki Lagos, E 1, Close 51, Victoria Garden City, Ajah, Lagos, 04, Royal Estate, Phase 1, Surulere, Lagos and Plot 146, Kola Adeyinka Close, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. Children to the deceased. 11. Mr. Manase Ogunmayin and Mrs. Toyin Iluyemi of 15, Babayemi Street, Orile and 58, Makoko Road, Yaba, Lagos. Siblings to the deceased. 12. Mrs. Chirsitiana Abiodun Olatunji and Mr. Lati Jide Adams. Both of 73, Agege , Motor Road, Yaba, Lagos. Children to the children. 13. Mr. Ebiwari Gbalidi and Miss Emily Gbalidi. Both of No. 21, Cardoso Street, Ajegunle, Lagos. Children to the deceased. 14. Mrs. Stella Eigbedion Isiwele and Mr. Eigbedion Emmanuel Isiwele of No. 145, Bale Compound, Coker Orile Iganmu, Lagos and No. 61, Aruosa Street, Benin City. Widow and brother to the deceased. 15. Ofonaye Allison and Ofonaye Ayoleyi. Both of Churchill Police Barrack, Block 1, Room 15, Marine Beach, Apapa, Lagos. Two of the children to the deceased. 16. Mrs. Adekunbi Olubisi Olofin and Mrs. Oluyemisi Adara. Both of 5th Avenue, D1, Close, House 15, Festac Town, Lagos. Sisters to the deceased. 17. Mrs. Chioma Nnamba and Mr. Chinonso Nnamba. Both of No. 6, JohnIjeh Close, Okota, lagos. Widow and brother to the deceased. 18. Ogunwunmi Abiodun Oluwaseun ,Ogunwunmi Gbenga Babalola, Hassan Mutiat. All of No. 10/12, Atitebi Compound, Ebute-Metta, Lagos. Children to the deceased. 19. Mrs. Funmi Helen Ademoye and Mr. Olakunle Ademoye of No. 11, Nwahiri Onuora Close, Off Aigbokhan Drive, Magodo, Lagos and No. 10, Idowu Close, Off Awolowo Road, Ikeja, Lagos. Widow and brother to the deceased. 20. Moshood Shefiu Kayode and Idowu Morufat Moshood of No. 12, Rejoice Avenue, Mowe Ogun State and No. 1, Poultry Road, Oloja, Igando, Lagos. Brother and widow to the deceased. 21. Chief Lawrence Anyafulu, Mr. John Anyafulu and Elizabeth Mary Anyafulu. All of 21, Road, A1 Close, Festac Town, Lagos. Widower and children to the deceased. 22. Mrs. Mercy Duru and Mr. Ugochukwu Duru. Both of No. 32, Arikewuyo Street, Coker Orile Iganmu, Lagos. Widow and one of the children to the deceased. 23. Nkiru Ikegwuonu and Emmanuel Ikegwuonu. Both of No. 3, Idowu Street, Olodi Apapa, Lagos. Widow and son to the deceased. 24. Onyekachi Mordi and Felix Mordi. Both of No. 15, Olusegun Adetula Street, Ikate Surulere, Lagos. Brothers to the deceased. 25. Dr. (Mrs.) Caroline Omeba Dumzo-Ajufo, Mr. Amaechi Jebosa Dumzo-Ajufo and Barr. Biosa Ikenna Dumzo-Afujo. All of No. 1, ThomasAfujo Street, Opebi , Lagos. Widow and children to the deceased. 26. Okoli Lious Chukwuyelu, Okoli Tochukwu Solomon and Okoli Chidimma Jacinta. All of No. 14, Ajayi Olaiya Street, Bariga Shomolu, Lagos. Widower and children to the deceased. 27. Alhaja Titilayo Thompson, Alhaja Joke Sanyaolu, Mr. Kunle Sanyaolu and Mr.Segun Sanyaolu. All of Block 521, Flat2, Jakande Estate, Isolo, Lagos. Children to the deceased. 28. Adeoti Folashade Abosede of No. 2, Kingsway Road, Falomo, Lagos. Widow to the deceased. 29. Mrs. Jane Ifunanaya Ezeibe of No. 240, Herbert Macaulay Street, Yaba, Lagos. Widow to the deceased. 30. Lawal Aishat Titilayo and Lawal Gbolahan Samsudeen. Both of No. 6, Murphy John Crescent, Lasu, Isheri Road, Lagos. Widowand brother to the deceased. 31. Juliana Alakwe and Miss Chisom Alakwe. Both of Umusureze Amandugba, Isu local Government Area of Imo State. Widow and daughter to the deceased. 32. Rotimi Olakunle Olamidosu and Rotimi Olorunsola Eyitayo. Both of Block 61, Flat 1, Isolo Road, Dophin Estate, Ikoyi , Lagos. Children to the deceased. 33. Baffoe William and Baffoe Earnest. Both of No. 2A, Banire Street, Surulere, Lagos. Children to the deceased. 34. Mr. Adekunle Adewunmi and Adewunmi Ayodeji Oluseyi. Both of No. 5, IIawe Street, IfakoGbagada, Lagos. Widower and son to the deceased. 35. Mrs. Beauty Enwerekowe and John Kingsley Enwerekowe. Both of No. 11, Oke-Ona Street, Ikate Surulere, Lagos. Widow and son to the deceased. 36. Okiyo Caroline Eloho and Okiyo Hope Elo Oghene. Both of No.11, Igbobi College Road, Yaba , Lagos. Children to the deceased. 37. Faloye Fatimat Bolajoko and Faloye Nathaniel Olutayo. Both of No. 3, Orepeko Street, Surulere Estate, Igbogbo Ikorodu, Lagos. Widow and brother to the deceased. 38. Mrs. Virgina Azuka Ndubuisi and Mr. Maurice Obinna Ndubuisi. Both of No. 19, Arobieke Street, Alapere, ketu, Lagos. Widow and son to the deceased. 39. Mrs. Florence Nri and Mr. Victor Nri. Both of Agukwu Nri Anambra State. Widow and one of the children to the deceased. 40. Joseph Babatunde Oluwaseyi and Mrs. Yetunde Wuraola Ibama (Nee Joseph). Both of No.1, Taiwo Williams Crescent, Aguda, Surulere, Lagos. Children to the deceased. 41. Onyekwu Adaeze Bamidele Okafor and Onyekwu Chinedu. Both of 208, Road, C Close, House 10, Festac town, Lagos. Widow and child to the deceased. 42. Jamiu .O. Balogun, Jubril .A. Balogun, Elizabeth .T. Balogun and Grace .A. Balogun. All of No. 18, Two Brothers Street, Ijegun, Lagos. Children and widow to the deceased. 43. Mrs. Bosede Ojedokun and Mr. Stephen Opeyemi Ojedokun. Both of 51, Koilo Street, Evans Street, Lagos. Widow and son to the deceased. 44. Mrs. Faosat Adetoun Oderinde, Damilola Opeyemi Oderinde and Omolara Mabawonku Oderinde. All of Close 28, House 14, Satellite Town , Lagos. Widow and children to the deceased. 45. Mrs. Harriet Omobolanle Akinsulere ( Nee Harrison), Miss Lucien Oluwateniola Harrison and Mrs. Alexandra Ebun OluwaEze (Nee Harrison) of 19, Irepodun Street, Off Ogundele Abule-Egba, Oja-Oba, Lagos, 5th Avenue, CI Close, Block 2, Flat 14, Festac Town, Lagos and No. 9, Etim Close, Okota, Lagos. Children to the deceased. 46. Francis Akpaand ObinnaAkpa. Both of 20, Asimu Ashiwaju Street, Ejigbo, Lagos. Widower and son to the deceased. 47. Mrs. Eunice Isodje and Miss Theresa Isodje. Both of Close 2, AbuleJigaye, Ogijo Ogun State. Widow and daughter to the deceased. 48. Mrs. Kehinde David and Samuel David. Both of No. 1, Ikogwu Street, Amukoko, Lagos.Widow and children to the deceased. 49. Onyemari Dele Sinclair and Onyemari Abraham Etuonuof No. 6, Avis Street, Ikenegu L.G.A, Owerri, Imo State and No. 5, Solo Amahaotu Street, Ajao Estate, Lagos. Two of the children to the deceased. 50. Mrs. Iyabo Selesi (Nee Ajose) and Madam Ayo Ajose. Both of No. 1, Market Street, Lagos.Children to the deceased. 51. Amida Abdurahman Okanlawon and Amida Aboulganniy Babatunde. Both of 72, Isolo Road,OffAgege Motor Road, Mushin, Lagos. Children to the deceased. 52. Mrs. Ademolu Oluwabunmi of 26/28, Lanbinjo Kalejaiye Street, Mafoluku Oshodi, Lagos. 53. Felicia Olufeyisayo Olabode and Oladapo Alabi Olabode. Both of 12, Sophie Kuye Street, Gbagada.Widow and son to the deceased. 54. Erasmus Iwuchukwu and Alexander Iwuchukwu . Both o No. 4, Badaru Street, Surulere, Lagos. Children to the deceased. 55. Adesegun Salmon Adetunji and Adesegun Shamsi Adebayo. Both of 85, Olateju Street, Mushin, Lagos. Widower and son to the deceased. 56. Valentine .M. Kogolo and Maria Osakwe. Both of 23, Road, U Close, House 2, Festac Town, Lagos. Widower and sister to the deceased. 57. Emmanuel Gabriel Ene-Obong and Mrs. Margaret .G. Ene-Obong. Both of 31, Zamba Street, Surulere, Lagos.Widow and son to the deceased. 58. Omawunmi Edemayibo and Gabriel Edemayibo.Both of 7, Unity Street, Idimu Ejigbo, Lagos. Widow and son to the deceased. 59. Bolaji Akinsemoyin and Adeola Akinsemoyin of No. 4, Vincent Street, Lagos And 20,Aroloya Street, Lagos Island, Lagos.Children to the deceased. 60. Anyanwu Eziheka Lawrence and Mrs. Vivian Amaka Anyanwu. Both of No. 75, Modupe Youngest , Ajay, Lagos. Children to the deceased. 61. John Olisaeloka Onwukaand Mr. Alex Anyaduba. Both of No. 131, Ishaga Road, Iju Lagos. Widower and father in-law to the deceased. 62. Mr. Isreal Chukwuemeka Okwuje and Charles Chuks Okwuje. Both of 22nd Road, C Close, Block 1, Flat 4, Festac Town, Lagos. Brother and father to the deceased. 63. Miss Falilat Dosumu and Mrs. Saidi Dosunmu. Both of No. 5, Agbolokun Street, Isale - Eko, Lagos island, Lagos. Children to the deceased. 64. Clara Ugorji (Mrs), Ifeoma Ugorji Egeonu (Mrs) and Alexander Ugorji. All of 722 Road, B Close, House 27, Festac Town, Lagos. Widow and son to the deceased. 65. Comfort Okwor, Agnes Okwor and Samson Okwor. All of Block 11, Room 21, Queens Barracks, Apapa Lagos. Widow and children to the deceased. 66. Akeem Dawodu and Mrs. Temitope Agbabiaka.Both of No. 6, Ishola Street, Casino Alagomeji, Lagos.Children to the deceased. 67. Mr. Obi Boniface Obinna and Obi Chijindu Obinna. Both of No. 75, Benster Crescent, Mazamaza, Lagos. Widower and son to the deceased. 68. Kehinde Bello and Yahaya Bello.Both of No. 19, Asalu Street, Abaranje Road, Ikotun, Lagos.Widow and one of the children to the deceased. 69. Nosakhare Gbinigie, Esohe Noruwa and Omoregie Osa Gninigie. All of 5th Avenue, F1 Close, Block 3, Flat 6, Festac Town, Lagos. Children to the deceased. 70. Ifot Aniekan Saturday, Ifot Udak Saturday and Ifot Eno Saturday. All of No. 13, Alfa Sanisi Street, Isashi, Lagos.Children to the deceased. 71. Mrs. Rifkatu Friday Madaki and Mr. Mattew Friday Madaki. Both of NASDC, Apapa, Lagos. Widow and brother to the deceased. 72. Adepeju Akano, Funmilayo Akano and Oluwatosin Akano. All of No. 41, Falohin Street, Orile Iganmu, Lagos.Children to the deceased. 73. David Owhotu Oghenewede and Grace Adame Eniyome.Both of No. 7, Adeola Street, Medina Estate, Gbagada Lagos. Children to the deceased. 74. Grace Onoriobe and Emamode Onoriobe. Both of No. 17, Ajisafe Street, Agric, Lagos. Mother and sister. 75. Mr. Olajide Adekoya Ijaodola and Miss Ijaodola Temitope Olatokunbo. Both of Block 14, Flat 2, Iponri Estate, Lagos. Children to the deceased. 76. Mrs. Augusta Sophia Kosoko of No. 11, Odeku Close, Surulere, Lagos.Widow to the deceased. 77. Mr. Alex OshotseUmhogiemhe and Mrs. Grace Fonokun (Nee Imhogiemhe. Both of No. 45, Jubril Martin Street, Surulere, Lagos. Brother and sister to the deceased. 78. Rashidat Olasumbo Adelowo (Nee Giwa) of 12, Rasak Taiwo Street, Off Igbe Road, Off Igbogbo Road, Ikorodu, Lagos. Daughter to the deceased.

I.O.AKINKUGBE (MRS) PROBATE REGISTRAR

THE NATION FRIDAY OCTOBER 24, 2014

POLITICS Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Senator Ben Ayade has joined the governorship race in Cross River State. His candidature has been endorsed by some groups and associations. But, can he get the ticket? MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE examines his chances at the primaries.

Cross River 2015: How far can Ayade go?

EN. Ben Ayade has joined the governorship race in Cross River State. Many groups and associations have also endorsed him. The senator from the Cross River North District is not the only aspirant in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). But, the people of Bekwarra, Obanliku Obudu, Ogoja and Yala, which constitute the district, see him as the likely successor to Governor Liyel Imoke. The senator has been on tour of the state for weeks. Monarchs, community leaders and politicians have been cheering him. Some have alluded to his partisan credibility, trustworthiness, vision, progressivism, resourcefulness, transparency and humanity. But, there are those who argue that he should not aspire to be the governor. Their argument is that there are other dynamic aspirants on ground. The question is: can Ayade secure the ticket at the primaries? At a rally in Calabar, the state capital, last week, over 40 socio-political groups and non-governmental organisations from seven local government areas of the South District endorsed him. The umbrella group, the Southern Peoples Coalition (SPC) has described him as the best man for the job. “Having taken a closer look and having done a proper check on the governorship aspirants, Senator Ben Ayade remains the best material to step into the big shoes of Governor Liyel Imoke in 2015,” the group said. Another group, the Coalition of Youth and Women Groups, South and Central Zone, endorsed the senator. The group described him as a man of intellect, ideas, experience. The coalition, which claims to have begun consultations with other stakeholders said Ayade will take the state to a greater height. “Having watched the tireless effort of Governor Imoke and his infrastructural legacies, only the best epitomized by Ayade is good enough to further his developmental strides. He will be an easy choice for the party,” it added. Many stakeholders are rooting for Ayade because they see him as a focused young politician, who can defend Imoke’s legacies and build on his achievements. Another association, ‘Women for Ayade Group,’ urged PDP chieftains to mobilise delegates to adopt him at the primaries. Rising from a meeting in Ikom, the women said that the senator has demonstrated the qualities of a good leader through his various empowerment programmes. Top PDP leaders have not spoken on Ayade’s ambition. The governor has said that aspirants will compete for the ticket at the primaries.

•From right: Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC), Chairman Otunba Henry Oladele Ajomale; presenting the Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to the governorship aspirant Senator Ganiyu Solomon at the party office in Ikeja. With them is a party chieftain, Mr. Adekunle Olayinka.

I ‘ll govern Delta, says Olejeme

ELTA State Peoples Democratic party (PDP) governorship aspirant Dr. Ngozi Olejeme has said that it is her destiny to succeed Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in next year’s election. She spoke in Asaba, the state capital, shortly after the commissioning of the party secretariat by the National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu. Olejeme said she will emerge as the flag bearer because she has a formidable political structure and goodwill among the people. Dr. Olejeme, who is the Chairman of Board of Directors of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NTSIF), said she entered the race to serve the state. The aspirant promised to ensure the equitable distribution of social infrastructure, the promotion of industrialization and the implementation of a pan-Delta agenda, if elected as the first woman governor. Describing Delta as a complex multi-ethnic society, she said the state deserved a leader that would promote unity, peace and development. Olejeme promised to consolidate on Uduaghan’s legacies. She said: “The work of development is continuous. I will take off where the governor is stopping.”

Aspirant calls for bi-camera legislature By Musa Odoshimokhe

•Nollywood actor Desmond Elliot declaring his intention to contest for the Lagos State House of Assembly at a youth interactive rally in Surulere, Lagos.

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives aspirant, Toyin Balogun, has said Nigerian laws often discriminate against the youth. He called for better laws that will allow them to realise their potentials. Speaking to reporters after obtaining his letter of intent at the APC secretariat, Acme Road, Ogba, he said that the youths are the future of the country and their voice must be heard in the democratic dispensation. He added that the country has fared better under a bicameral assembly, noting that it is the best for the country. He said: “If you cast your mind to the happenings in the country and how the two chambers tackled some of the issues, you will realise that only a bicameral assembly is healthy for the country.” “When President Jonathan removed the oil subsidy some years back, it took the courage of the House of Representatives to save Nigerians. When the Senate accepted the subsidy removal, the House of Representatives refused.’’ The aspirant said that, if all the laws are made by a single assembly, the country will suffer, noting that it would lead to impunity and tyranny. He explained that he is contesting for the Kosofe Federal Constituency to give the youth a voice in the country, stressing that most of the laws being made in the country have not placed the youths in better perspectives. “At every moment in our lives, there is time to take decision; I have decided to obey the calls of my people to represent them at the National Assembly. “The future of Nigerian youths has been compromised in many ways. They are the energy bank of any society but in this case the laws have gagged them into being used and dumped. “Our people deserve better condition that can guarantee their subsistence, which can create opportunities for them to become what they want to be because the country is richly blessed,” he said. Also speaking, a chieftain of the APC, Olu Adediwura, said Balogun is a great mibiliser. He said: “Kosofe Federal Constituency is calling on him to resprest us at the National Assembly. His records speak volume for him. We are really impressed with his conduct and we know he can serve us better at that capacity.”

•APC chieftain Toyin Balogun at the party secretariat, Acme Road, Ogba, Lagos displaying his nomination form for the House of Representatives.

THE NATION FRIDAY OCTOBER 24, 2014

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014

BUSINESS EXTRA

•Aganga (right) Busari and Group Managing Director, Dangote Sugar, Mr. Graham Clarke in Lokoja, Kogi State… yesterday.

‘Private sector investments in sugar hit N500b’ N

IGERIA has attracted over N500billion pri vate sector investments in the sugar sector under the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan (NSMP), the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, has said. The minsiter who spoke at the 2014 Sugar Forum in Lokoja, Kogi State yesterday, said the investments cut across 11 states of the federation. He listed the states to include Oyo, Ondo, Ogun, Adamawa, Kogi, Taraba, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger, Kebbi and Sokoto. He said within two years of the implementation of the NSMP, sugar prices have nosedived to an all-timelow, while sugar refining capacity utilisation has moved up from 60 per cent to 75 per cent. He listed the interventions in the sugar sector under President Goodluck Jonathan’s adminsitration to include trade instruments, “which give domestic products access to the local markets; and the N2billion Agricultural and Infrastructure Support Fund set aside at the Bank of Agriculture for investors in Government’s Backward Integration Programme.” Aganga said the Federal Government has created a N10billion funding pool, managed by the Bank of Industry (BoI), with a N5billion matching fund by the National Sugar Development Council

•Ban on imported packaged sugar stays By Simeon Ebulu

(NSDC), among other intervention measures. While reiterating the ban on imported packaged sugar, he said: “So far, significant progress has been made in the sugar sector as a result of government’s policies. We are proud of what we have achieved so far, but more excited about what we can achieve as we go ahead. “The momentum we have achieved in the sugar sector is irreversible. We have started a journey that is difficult to reverse. “The NSMP was developed as a core component of the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan to fundamentally transform the sugar sector to create jobs, generate wealth and enhance economic growth. We’re gradually realising the targets under the plan. “The case to develop the sugar sector in Nigeria is clear, and the sugar master plan is our roadmap. By implementing a full scale sugar programme, Nigeria can produce over five million metric tonnes of sugarcane, which far exceeds the current domestic production of about 1.3 million metric tonnes per year. “This means that not only

can we produce enough sugar for consumption, we can in fact become a net exporter into the sub-region and the wider international markets. “Under our current programme, we are on track to producing 1.7 million tonnes by year 2020, and to exceed this afterwards This is the first president that has had the vision and courage to embark on this journey of diversification.” Executive Secretary, NSDC, Dr. Latif Busari, urged importers of banned packaged sugar to come and produce in Nigeria under the NSMP, noting that this would create jobs for Nigerians and grow the economy. He said: “The implementation of the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan has been very successful so far; we will therefore not allow anything to derail the process. Imported packaged sugar remains banned.” Kogi State Governor, Captain Idris Wada, said NSMP is a success story, saying the state had already provided 250,000 hectares of land for sugar production. He said: “Nigeria has a great potential to produse enough sugar to meet local demand and for export. The journey so far indicates that the implementation of the sugar master plan has been a success story. “My administration is ready to support any investor by facilitating the provision of land for industrialisation and sugar production.”

Fed Govt votes N100b for ranches

HE Federal Govern ment is set to approve N100 billion to assist states establish mini modern ranches across the country. This is to check the movement of cattles and prevent cattle rearers/farmers clashes. Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswam, who spoke to State House correspondents at the end of National Economic Council (NEC) meeting presided over by Vice President Namadi Sambo in Abuja, yesterday said it was one of the 15 recommendations his subcommittee presented to NEC. He said final resolutions would be taken on the issue in subse-

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

quent FEC meetings. He also said cattle rearers moving into the country from the neighboring countries would soon be registered. The governor said the report highlighted critical issues that must be considered among others, including struggle for land and water resources by herdsmen and farmers; uncontrolled influx of nomadic farmers into the country; and issues on Grazing Reserves in States. He said: “CBN (is) to provide seed funding of N100billion to assist states establish mini

modern ranches across the federation. “All grazing reserves/cattle routes already gazette and encroached upon should be recovered and improved upon taking into consideration present day realities; “Ranching and modern technologies of livestock production be established- meat processing and packaging, others halal certified; sensitisation/education workshops for herdsmen and farmers to build trust and confidence between the parties – NOA (National Orientation Agency) and relevant MDAs (minsitries, departments and agencies) to handle.”

MTN raises full-year subscriber target as South Africa grows

TN Group Ltd. (MTN), Africa’s largest wireless operator, raised its full-year subscriber guidance as growth in its domestic South African market helped offset contraction in its largest market, Nigeria. The telco will add 17.5 million net subscribers this year, compared with previous guidance of 17.25 million, its said in a statement yesterday. The carrier’s customer base grew

two per cent to 219 million in the three months through September. Its Chief Executive Officer Sifiso Dabengwa said: “Performance was impacted by continued aggressive competition and stringent regulatory requirements. The South African operation delivered an improved performance in the prepaid segment supported by competitive offers while the Nigerian operation faced a challenging regulatory environ-

ment resulting in lower-thanexpected growth.” MTN, which operates in more than 20 countries across the Middle East and Africa including Iran and Syria, is seeking acquisitions. It has overhauled senior management in its fastest-growing markets as it seeks to increase smartphone penetration and boost data revenue outside South Africa, where sales have been under pressure from competitors and regulators.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014

MONEYLINK

CBN vows to defend naira T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has pledged to keep supporting the naira after the currency approached a record low amid declining oil prices. “We will continue to defend the naira,” CBN Deputy Governor, Economic Policy, Dr. Sarah Alade told Bloomberg. “Yesterday, we saw the naira at a level we were not comfortable with. We increased dollar supply in the market and it calmed.” Since mid-September, the CBN has used foreign reserves to sell dollars outside of regular auctions held Mondays and Wednesdays, according to Standard Chartered Plc.

Stories by Collins Nweze

It will keep using the auctions and direct dollar sales to banks to preserve the value of the currency, Alade said. The currency strengthened 0.2 per cent to 164.90 per dollar. It earlier weakened as much as 0.8 per cent to 166.42, a record low on a closing basis. The naira weakened 0.9 per cent this month as Brent crude fell to the lowest level in more than four years last week. Further losses would force Nigeria to choose between raising interest rates, eroding reserves or, eventually, devaluing the currency, according to Exotix Ltd., a Londonbased investment bank. The Federal

Reserve is poised to end a program this month of asset-buying that drove investors to buy stocks, bonds and currencies in developing nations. The currency yesterday weakened as much as 0.4 per cent to 166.07 before rebounding. At auctions, the central bank offers the currency at 155 per dollar, plus or minus 3 percent. “We expect that investors will demand more dollars,” Alade said. “Our foreign-exchange reserves are still robust.” Nigeria’s reserves were $39.2 billion as of Oct. 21 from $43.6 billion at the end of last year. “The central bank has staked its credibility as

Stanbic IBTC forum reaffirms confidence in economy

•Dr. Alade an institution on the stability of the currency,” Bryan Carter, money manager at Boston-based Acadian Asset Management, said in an interview yesterday in London.

Fidelity Bank pledges more reward for customers not solve all the needs for education, but it will help,” she said. Thirty one customers of Fidelity Bank Plc last week won a total of N12.7 million cash and lots of consolation prizes in the ongoing ‘Save 4 Scholarship’ promo organised by the lender. Thirsty four customers had won

IDELITY Bank Plc has expressed its commitment to rewarding customers in the ongoing Save for Scholarship promo being organised by the bank. Its Executive Director, Shared Services, Mrs. Chijioke Ugochukwu, who spoke during the presentation of prizes to the winners of the second draw of the promo, said the lender will continue to fulfill its promises to customers. “At Fidelity Bank, when we make promises, it is always our delight to keep to our word. Last week, the draw was held and today, we are here to present the prizes to the winners. This presentation is taking place in all our branches across the country where the winners have emerged. “The reward today is the second of the promo and just the beginning because it will last for six months. Not only that, the reward will continue until a total prize scholarship of N80 million has been completely won by over 200 customers. We know it will

MPLOYEES of Skye Bank Plc have embarked on various corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects in the bank’s host communities across the 36 states of the federation. The projects which are basically in the education sector, seek to improve learning and teaching in public schools. According to a statement, the projects which will benefit 39 host communities in the current year are being undertaking in line with the United Nations Educational and Sci-

Offer Price

AFRINVEST W. A. EQUITY FUND ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH BGL NUBIAN FUND BGL SAPPHIRE FUND CANARY GROWTH FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CORAL INCOME FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND FBN HERITAGE FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND

168.45 9.17 1.12 1.19 0.69 1.39 1,676.09 1,118.84 121.30 121.16 1,117.51 1.2195 1.2842 0.8302 1.0889

entific Organisation’s (UNESCO) policy on World Literacy day, following the adoption of ‘Literacy Day’ by the employees as a foundation of their support for schools and learning. The employees said their objective was to establish the link which connects the trend of literacy, supporting schools with educational resources and improving on the reading culture of students which ultimately will affect productivity and national development in the long run.

DATA BANK RETAIL DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM (RDAS) Transaction Dates 20/10/2014 15/10/2014 13/10/2014 ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Inflation: September

8.3%

Monetary Policy Rate

12.0%

CHANGE

Foreign Reserves Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

1.33

1.45

0.12

39.00

42.30

3.30

DIAMONDBNK

6.32

6.63

0.31

CUTIX

1.76

1.84

0.08

Credit to private Sector (CPS) Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

AGLEVENT CAP

ANINO

0.22

0.23

0.01

NFM

0.76

0.79

0.03

COURIVILLE

0.53

0.55

0.02

FIDELITYBK

1.95

2.02

0.07

ACCESS

8.46

8.76

0.30

WEMABANK

0.95

0.98

0.03

LOSERS AS AT 23-10-14

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

PRESCO

35.50

33.73

-1.77

NCR

13.50

12.83

-0.67

192.90

184.00

-8.90

19.00

18.26

-0.74

GUINNESS ETI

Some of the projects being adopted through renovation and rehabilitation by the employees, include the Inclusive section of State High School, Ogba, Lagos, where facilities for Autistic, Down syndrome, hearing impaired etc Pupils are being renovated. Others are the Air force Primary School, Victoria Island, Lagos; Government Secondary School, Hwak, Kuru; Junior Secondary Peyi, Abuja and African Church Comprehensive High School, Alagbaka, Akure, where computers, exercise books and text books were donated.

Bid Price 167.01 9.08 1.12 1.19 0.69 1.33 1,676.09 1,118.03 120.45 120.30 1,116.70 1.2117 1.2842 0.8148 1.0889

GAINERS AS AT 23-10-14

SYMBOL

to the general populace. Some of the winners are Kyrian Obiajunwa, Ohajianya Kelechi, Okoli Chinedu, Isu Agha won N210,000, each; James Faith, a student living in Kaduna, Okoye Emeka, Aregbesola Blessing, Adigun Fadeke among others won N500,000 each.

Skye Bank employees embark on CSR

Name

• UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

N16.7 million during the first draw, adding that more N49.6 million will still be won in subsequent draws. Its Executive Director, Lagos and Southwest, Ik Mbalu said the promo is aimed at supporting government’s efforts at building sustainable educational standards in the country and providing financial empowerment

CHANGE

NEW chapter in the systematic nurturing of new age business leaders opened last week with the debut of the Stanbic IBTC Business Leadership Series. The series is fully dedicated to facilitating the emergence of a new crop of business leaders dedicated to excellence, innovation and integrity. Speaking at the event, headlined by e-commerce innovator and founder of leading online retail chain, Konga, Sim Shagaya and South African motivational speaker, Vusi Thembekwayo, Yinka Sanni, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank, said Nigeria has entered a critical phase in her economic evolution. This phase, he said, is one that makes innovative leadership increasingly critical, if Nigeria is to fully optimise the gains of the growth it continues to record yearon-year. While acknowledging challenges, Sanni said the ultimate goal of the conference is to inspire the next generation of Nigerian business leaders and entrepreneurs through knowledge sharing. “Stanbic IBTC will continue to spearhead efforts aimed at crystallising Nigeria’s economic development, and leveraging Standard Bank Group’s in-depth knowledge of emerging markets and understanding of investor behaviour to provide our clients with appropriate information to make the right decisions,” he said. Shagaya, who shared insights on the firm’s growth trajectory since it was established in 2012, stated that an unambiguous focus on customer expectations, supported by the appropriate strategy, is imperative for success.

Money Supply (M2)

Amount Sold in ($) 499.93m 349.97m 349.96m

CBN EXCHANGE RATES October 20, 2014

Currency

Buying (N)

Selling (N)

$39.1b

US Dollar

154.76

155.76

$97.9

Pounds Sterling

249.6279

251.2409

Euro

197.6595

198.9367

Swiss Franc

163.8365

164.8952

Yen

1.4481

1.4575

CFA

0.2835

0.3035

230.5372

232.0268

Yuan/Renminbi

25.271

25.4352

Riyal

41.255

41.5216

SDR

230.9483

232.4406

N16.42 trillion. N17.2 trillion 16.5%

NIGERIAN INTER-BANK OFFERED RATES (NIBOR)

Tenor

Amount Offered in ($) 500m 350m 350m

15-10-14 Rate (%) Rate (%) 17-10-14

Overnight (O/N)

11.00

10.917

12.464

12.393

13.281

13.201

14.205

14.110

FOREX RATES

UBA

5.98

5.75

-0.23

ROYALEX

0.53

0.51

-0.02

R-DAS ($/N)

157.29

TRANSCORP

5.15

5.00

-0.15

Interbank ($/N)

162.75

INTENEGINS

0.51

0.50

-0.01

FBNH

12.60

12.36

-0.24

Parallel ($/N)

167.50

26.50

26.00

-0.50

WAUA

GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

Tenor

Oct. 21, 2014

Rates

T-bills - 91

10.10

T-bills - 182

10.22

T-bills - 364

10.30

Bond - 3yrs

11.52

Bond - 5yrs

11.55

Bond - 7yrs

12.13

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014

UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR CALABAR

CENTRE FOR EDUCATIONAL SERVICES (CES) CALL FOR APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION 2014/2015 SESSION Applications are invited from qualified candidates for admission into the Educational Consultancy Programmes as listed below. Please apply on-line. Candidates are advised to follow the on-line procedure given in this advertisement. PROGRAMME S/NO 1. Pre-Degree Science Programme: Duration: One Academic Session in Science, Agriculture and Education (Science) Location: Faculty of Science Admission Requirements:Credit-level passes at not more than two sittings in (WASC/NECO/GCE O/L, NABTECH) English Language, Chemistry , Biology/Agric Science , Mathematics and one Science/Social Science subject and at least a pass in Physics. Students admitted into the pre-degree programme with a Credit in Agriculture and/or pass in physics will ONLY be sent to the FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE at successful completion of the programme. Applicants awaiting results may also apply. Such applications shall only be considered on receipt of the pending results within the period allowed for such consideration.Applicants must have JAMB results for 2013/2014. 2.

Pre-Degree in French Studies: Duration: One full academic session. Location: Department of Modern Languages and Translation Studies, Faculty of Arts. Admission Requirements: Five Credit-level Passes in WASC/GCE Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;LEVEL/NECO, NABTECH at not more than two sittings, including English Language and ONE Arts or Social Science subject.NOTE: A pre-knowledge of French IS NOT a requirement. Diploma in Public Administration (DPA): Duration: Two Academic Sessions (Full-time). Location: Institute of Public Policy & Administration (IPPA). Admission Requirements:For Admission into this programme, candidates must possess a minimum of four (4) credits in GCE O/L, SSCE, NECO, TC II examinations from among the following subjects: Government, Economics or Commerce, C.R.K, Literature, Accounting or Mathematics with at least a pass in English Language is not more than two sittings. Diploma in Local Government (DLG) Duration: Two Academic Sessions (Full-Time) Location: Institute of Public Policy & Administration (IPPA) Admission Requirement: For admission into this programme, candidates must possess a minimum of four (4) credit in GCE,O/L, SSCE,NECO,TC 11 examination from among the following subject: Government, Economics or Commerce, C.R.K, literature, Accounting or Mathematics with at least a pass in English Language in not more than two sittings. Diploma in Personnel Management (DPM) Duration: Two Academic Sessions (Full-Time) Location: Institute of Public Policy& Administration (IPPA) Admission Requirements: For Admission into these Programmes, candidates must have a minimum of four (4) credits in GCE O/L, SSCE, NECO, TC II examinations with at least a pass in English Language in not more than two sittings. Diploma in Tourism and Hotel Management Duration: Two Academic Sessions (Full-Time) Location: Institute of Public Policy & Administration (IPPA) Admission Requirements: (a) For admission into the above programme, candidates must have a minimum of four (4) credits in relevant subjects including English Language in GCE O/L, SSCE or NECO in not more than two sittings. Note that French is an advantage.

Diploma in Environmental Education (DEE) Duration: Two Sessions (Full-Time) Location: Institution of Education Applicants must be holders of: a) SSCE or GCE with four (4) credits in four (4) relevant teaching subjects and at least a credit level pass in English Language in at most two sittings b) TC II Certificate with three (3) credits or merits in three Teaching subjects and at least a merit level pass in English Language one sitting c) TC II Certificate with at least seven (7) years post qualification experience.

Diploma In Educational Technology (DET) Duration: Two Academic Sessions (Full-Time) Location: Institution Of Education DET Is Open To All Secondary School Leavers Who Posses: i) SSCE or Its Equivalent with At Least Four Credits in Relevant teaching Subjects and At Least credit level Pass In English Language and a pass in Mathematics in at most two sittings.

ii) Teachers Grade Two Certificates (TC II) with at least three credits or merits and at least passes in English Language and Mathematics in one sitting. 9

Diploma in Pre-Primary and Basic Education (DPBE) Duration: Two Academic Sessions (Full-Time) Location: Institute of Education Admission Requirements: DPBE is open to all secondary school leavers who posses level i) SSCE Examination or equivalent with at least four credits in relevant subjects and at least pass in English Language and a pass in Mathematics in at most two sittings. ii) Teachers Grade Two Certificate (TC II) with at least four credits or merits and at least passes in English Language and Mathematics in one sitting. iii) Any other qualification acceptable to the University of Calabar for a Diploma Programme admission.

Diploma in Library and Information Science (DLIS) Duration: Two Academic Session (Full-Time) Location: Institute of Education Admission Requirements: i) Minimum requirement for admission into Diploma in Library and Information Science Programme is four (4) O/level credits or its equivalent and at least a credit level pass in English Language.

Diploma in Education (DE) Duration: Two Academic Sessions (Full-Time) Location: Institute of Education Applicants for the Diploma in Education must be holders of: a) SSCE or GCE with credits in four (4) relevant teaching subjects with at least a credit level pass in English Language in at most two sittings b) TC II Certificate with three (3) credits or merits in three teaching subjects and at least a pass in English Language. c) TC II Certificate with at least seven (7) years post qualification experience.

Diploma in Business Administration (DBA) Duration: Two Academic Sessions Location: Institute of Public Policy & Administration (IPPA) Admission Requirements: a) At least five (5) credits passes in relevant subjects in GCE/WASC/SSCE/NECO at not more than two sittings. b) Subjects to include; English, Economics Mathematics or commerce.

DIPLOMA IN LAW Duration: Two Academic Session (Full Time) Location: Institute of Public Policy & Administration (IPPA) Admission requirements: The minimum entry requirement for admission into Diploma in Law programme will be as follows: west African school certificate with credit passes in at least four relevant courses including English Language and literature in English. GCE. Ordinary level certificate with credit passes in least four relevant subjects including English language and literature in English. SSCE Certificate with credit passes in at least four relevant subjects including English language and literature in English.

Diploma in Theatre and Media Studies (DTMS) Duration: Two academic sessions (full-Time) Location: Institute of Education Admission requirements: Every candidate for Diploma in Theatre and media studies must possess one of the under listed minimum qualification: (a) At least four (4) credit level passes at the WASC/NECO/GCE ordinary level or equivalent examination in Arts and related social science subjects including English language. (b) One year certificate in Theater, Media, Journalism or other related disciplines from university and recognized institution, provided the candidate had at least three (3) ordinary credit passes including English Language. (c) The Teachers' Grade II certificate (TC II) in at least four (4) subjects at merit level including English Language. 1) Diploma from any discipline from a recognized institution (at Merit Level) plus at least 3 O/Level credit passes including English Language and a pass in Mathematics. 2) A/Level GCE with at least 10 points aggregate plus at least four (4) O/Level credits including English Language and a pass in Mathematics in not more than two sittings. 3) Five (5) O/Level credits including English Language, Mathematics and any of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Health Science and Agric Science.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014

UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR CENTRE FOR EDUCATIONAL SERVICES (CES) CALL FOR APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION 2014/2015 SESSION 15

4) DIPLOMA IN MARINE SCIENCE Appplicants must have at least (5) credits in relevant subjects in SSC/WASC/GCE/ NECO at not more than two sittings. Subjects include: Biology or Agricultural Science, Chemistry, physics, Mathematics and English Language with CREDITS in all subjects Note: candidates with Diploma in Marine Science seeking entry into degree programmes must meet the minimum University entry requirements including a credit pass in English Language at SSC/WASC/GCE/NECO.

FIVE (5) YEAR EVENING PROGRAMME Candidates for the five (5) Year Evening Programme must obtain five (5) credit passes including English Language, Mathematics, Economics or Commerce and any other Social Science subject in SSCE or its equivalent obtained at not more than two sittings. FOUR (4) YEAR DIRECT ENTRY PROGRAMME Candidates for the four (4) Year Evening Programme must in addition to meeting the requirements stated above also posses the University of Calabar Diploma in Business Administration at Merit level and above, National or Ordinary Diploma (ND) or (OND) in the relevant field at Upper Credit level and above from a recognized institution. Candidates with the Higher National Diploma (HND) with Lower Credit in the relevant field, and equally those with University Degree may also apply. Academic Transcripts are required in all cases for the Direct Entry Admission.

Bachelor's Degree in Educational Administration and Planning (Faculty of Education) a) FOUR-YEAR PROGRAMME Post NCE with credit or merit passes in at least one major subject including credit in English Language and at least a credit in Mathematics in Non-Science options at O/ Level obtained in not more than two sittings. Diploma in Education and other relevant discipline from a recognized tertiary institution with five (5) credits at O/L including English Language (At least a Pass in Mathematics is required options for those that are not science related) obtained in not more than two sittings.

b) FIVE-YEAR PROGRAMME Five O/Level credits passes to include English Language, Economics and a pass in Mathematics, in not more than two sittings. But students who apply for Mathematics/ Science options are expected to have a credit in Mathematics at the O/Level. Teaching Options: Educational Administrations is offered alongside any of the under-listed options: i) Sciences ii) Computer Science iii) Arts iv) Social Sciences v) Accounting vi) Social Studies 17

(ii) In addition to meeting the basic admission requirements stated above, candidates must also have Upper Credit in Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Accounting. A University of Calabar Diploma in Business Administration (DBA) with CGPA of 3.50 or any other equivalent qualification that may be accepted by the Department. B) FIVE-YEAR PROGRAMME Five O/Level GCE, SSCE or NECO credit passes to include English Language, Mathematics and Economics and any other two (2) Social Science subjects obtained at not more than two sittings. 18

Bachelor's Degree in Banking and Finance Location: Faculty of Management Science

Bachelor's Degree in Social Works (BSW) (Faculty of Social Sciences) FOUR YEAR PROGRAMME a) Holders of Diploma in Social Work with credit or Merit pass in addition to five (5) credit passes in GCE O/Level/SSCE or its equivalent in not more than two sittings one of which must be English Language with at least a Pass in Mathematics. b) Practicing professionals with 5 O/Level credits (as in (a) above) and at least a Pass level in Diploma in Social Work or equivalent (e.g. Social Welfare, Social Development, Youth Development, Rural Development, Community Development, Theatre Art, Public Administration, Philosophy, English, Business Administration, Personnel Management); also NCE, IJMB and a Certificate in Nursing with at least five (5) years post qualification experience.

(ii) In addition candidates must have a University of Calabar Diploma in Managements Sciences, Economics or Computer Science or from any recognized institution. b) FIVE-YEAR PROGRAMME Five O/Level GCE, SSCE or NECO credit passes which must include English Language, Mathematics and Economics or Commerce and any other Social Science subject obtained at not more than two sittings.

FIVE (5) YEAR PROGRAMME Five (5) credits in GCE/WASC/SSCE O/L at not more than two (2) sittings, one of which must be English and at least a pass in Mathematics.

Bachelor's Degree in Business Management (Faculty of Management Science) FIVE (5) YEAR PROGRAMME Candidates for the five (5) Year Evening Programme must obtain five (5) credit passes including English Language, Mathematics, Economics or commerce and any other Social Science subject in SSCE or its equivalent obtained at not more than two (2) sittings.

Bachelor's Degree Programme in Public Administration (BPA) (Faculty of Social Sciences). a) FOUR YEAR PROGRAMME i. Five O/Level credits in (GCE, SSCE or NECO at not more than two (2) sittings. One of these credits must be English Language. ii. At least a Pass in Mathematics; and iii. A higher qualification - IJMB, OND, HND, NCE. iv. Advanced Level GCE Papers etc. b) FIVE YEAR PROGRAMME i. Five O/Level credits in GCE, SSCE, NECO or its equivalent to include English Language, Government and a Pass in Mathematics at not more than two (2) sittings.

a) FOUR-YEAR PROGRAMME (i) Five O/Level GCE/SSCE or NECO, credit passes including English Language, Mathematics and Economics or Commerce at not more than two sittings.

Bachelor's Degree in Educational Technology (B.Ed. Edu.Technology) Location: Faculty of Education Admission Requirements: Duration: 3 year Programmme Candidates seeking admission for Bachelor's degree in Educational Technology must possess one of the under listed minimum qualification: (a) NCE with an overall pass at MERIT level or above provided the candidate also has at least three O' level credits or its equivalence with a credit pass in English Language. (b) Diploma in Education or in any related discipline approved by the University of Calabar at a credit level provided the candidate also has at least three credit level passes at O' level including credit in English and pass in Mathematics ( or its merit level provided the candidates also has at least credits at ordinary level GCE or its equivalence including Credit level pass in English language and a pass in Mathematics (for non science students) Duration: 4 year programme (c) Teachers Grade II certificate with a minimum of five passes at merit level including English Language and a pass in Mathematics (for non science candidates ) in not more than two sittings (d) Five O' level credit passes including English Language and a pass in Mathematics (for non- science candidates) or its equivalence in not more than two sitting.

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting (Faculty of Management Science) a) FOUR-YEAR PROGRAMME (i) Five O/Level GCE/SSCE or NECO, credit passes including English Language, Mathematics and Economics alongside with any other two (2) Social Science subjects at not more than two sittings.

Bachelor's of Science Degree in Marketing (Faculty of Management Science)

Bachelor's Degree (B.Sc) in Environmental and Resource Management (ERM) (Faculty of Social Science)

Candidates with Advanced level (GCE) in any three of the following subjects may be accepted: Accounting, Economics, Business Management and Mathematics.

FOUR YEAR PROGRAMME i. Holders of the Ordinary Diploma of the Environmental Education of Unical or any other approved equivalent at Merit Level or above, with additional (5) (five credits at not more than two sittings in the GCE, O/L, WASC, NECO, SSCE or NABTECH including English Language and other relevant subjects which must include at least a credit in Mathematics. ii. Holders of Ordinary Diploma in Environmental Sciences of the Polytechnic or holders of NCE with Geography and any Social/Natural Sciences as main teaching subject, provided the candidates has the minimum University entry requirements of five credits in not more than two sittings, including English Language and at least a credit in Mathematics.

Academic transcripts are required in all cases for the Direct Entry Admission.

FOUR (4) YEAR DIRECT ENTRY PROGRAMME Candidates for the four (4) Year Evening Programme must in addition to meeting the requirements stated above also posses OND Diploma in Business Administration, Banking and Finance, Accounting or Marketing at credit level or higher from a recognized institution.

FIVE YEAR PROGRAMME

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014

UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR CENTRE FOR EDUCATIONAL SERVICES (CES) CALL FOR APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION 2014/2015 SESSION Candidates with minimum University entry requirements of five (5) credits, including English Language, geography and a Pass in Mathematics will be considered.

NOTE: (1) Candidates seeking direct entry admissions must submit their academic transcripts to the relevant Departments.

Bachelor Degree In Economics (Faculty Of Social Science)

(a)

FIVE YEAR PROGRAMME: Credit passes in five subjects including English Language, Mathematics, Economics and a pass in a science subject in SSCE or WAEC/GCE Ordinary Level at not more than two(2) sittings.

PROCESS FLOW FOR THE 2014/2015 ON-LINE C.E.S APPLICATION

(b)

FOUR YEAR PROGRAMME: In addition to the general university entry requirements for candidates, direct entry applicants who seek admission to pursue degree under the four year programme must in addition to meeting the requirements stated in (a) above also posses the University of Calabar diploma in Applied Economics at credit level and above or must have passed the GCE or Higher School Certificate Examination or its equivalent subject at the advanced level. Candidate with higher national diploma (HND) in the relevant field, and those with university degree may also apply.

FIRST METHOD: ELECTRONIC PIN Walk into any branch of Enterprise Bank Plc or any bank nationwide on E-transact platform. Request to make payment for University of Calabar C.E.S application form 2014/2015.

BACHELOR DEGREES IN ADULTAND CONTINUING EDUCATION

(a)

FOUR YEAR PROGRAMME i) Holders of NCE with a pass at distinction, credit or merit level from a recognized institution, plus three (3) o/level papers at credit level. ii) Diploma in adult education from the University of Calabar with a pass at distinction, credit or merit level or equivalent qualification from a recognized institution. In addition to the above, candidates must also pass additional qualification of at .least 3 credit at GCE/WASC/SSCE/NECO/TC11 or NABTECH at not more than two sittings. One of the three subjects must be English Language. iii) Candidate with three A/level or GCE or JAMB or equivalent qualification at one sitting plus two (2) O/level credits in two other subjects other than those obtained at the A/level are eligible to apply. iv) Holders of two A/level GCE papers or IJMB or equivalent qualification at one sitting plus THREE subjects other than those obtained at the A/level GCE are eligible to apply. a) FIVE YEAR PROGRAMME i) Holders of diploma at pass level from the Department of adult and continuing Education or its equivalent from recognized institution are eligible to apply. In addition to the above, candidate must also posses five 5 O/LEVEL credit including English language at not more than two sittings. ii) Holders of GCE/WASC/SSCE/NECO/TCII or NABTECH with five credits at not more than two sittings including English language are eligible to apply b)

MATURE PEOPLES' PROGRAMME Candidates who are deficient in a and b but with cognate experience can apply for admission into the Mature Peoples' Programme (as approved by the university) such candidate will spend the first session under the MPP programme before proceeding to the main course. 27

Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Education Location: Faculty of Education Duration: 5 years Applicants must have the Senior School Certificate or General Certificate of Education Ordinary level with passes at Credit level in at least five relevant subjects (including English) obtained at not more than two sittings. The teachers Grade 11 certificate with credit/merit in at least five subjects (including English) obtained at not more than two sittings in relevant subjects. At least a pass in Mathematics in SSCEE/GCE O'L or TC 11 is required in each case Duration: 3 year Programmme Candidates seeking admission for Bachelor's degree in Environmental Education must possess one of the under listed minimum qualification: (a) NCE with an overall pass at MERIT level or above provided the candidate also has at least three O' level credits or its equivalence with a credit pass in English Language. (b) Diploma in Education or in any related discipline approved by the University of Calabar at a credit level provided the candidate also has at least three credit level passes at O' level including credit in English and pass in Mathematics ( or its merit level provided the candidates also has at least credits at ordinary level GCE or its equivalence including Credit level pass in English language and a pass in Mathematics (for non science students)

Bachelor's Degree in Policy and Administrative Studies. (PAS) Entry requirements: Duration: 5years Admission is open to holders of the following: 1. 5 Credits including English Language, Government, Economics and other Social Science and Arts subjects at O'Level (SSCE, WASC, GCE and NECO). A pass in mathematics is a must. Duration: 4 years: 2. In addition to No. 1 above , possession of GCE A'L and or any good and relevant diploma (HND,OND,DPA,DPM,DLG,DTM,DBA, DIP IN LAW,DSW) recognized by University of Calabar is a must.

Pay the sum of 7,000 (Seven thousand naira only) and obtain payment slip containing a unique PIN. Login with the generated pin for the C.E.S application. SECOND METHOD: THE PAPER SCRATCH CARD OPTION C.E.S application scratch card are available for those who reside in Calabar or have difficulties obtaining the e-scratch card receipt: CALABAR ONLY Unical Microfinance Bank Enterprise Bank Limited Ecobank Plc Wema Bank Plc FCMB PLC On obtaining the scratch or e-scratch candidates should log on to http:// www.unicalonline.edu.ng and select “CES 2014 Application” from the On-line Forms menu tab on the home page. The next page will require the candidate to enter his/her phone number and e-scratch card pin or scratch card pin against the fields provided and click login. Follow the on-screen instruction after gaining access to complete the form. STEP 3 Print the form after submission Closing date for all application is 16th January 2015 HELP –DESK Zellence Unical Office Graduate School Building, Unical 08035191335, 07055993549

Signed DR. (MRS.) JULIA D. OMANG REGISTRA

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014

CITYBEATS OPC gets new president

HE Dr. Fredrick Fasehun-led Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) has appointed a new president to lead the group. At a conference in Lagos yesterday, the new President, Comrade Dare Adesope, said the development became imperative to harmonise all the members. Adesope said he would liaise with other factions of OPC to actualise the Oodua agenda. “I will work with other OPC leaders, Yoruba elders and other prominent Nigerian leaders who have supported the Oodua cause.’’ Announcing the new leadership, Comrade Godwin James said the group

By Musa Odoshimokhe

acknowledges the input of Faseun who had led the organisation since it was founded 20 years ago. “In view of all this, we the leaders of the organisation across the nation met and unanimously choose a vibrant and resourceful youth who has served at all levels to bring the desired positive changes to OPC.” “I want to assure all that there is unity in our group and that of Otunba Gani Adams in piloting the affair of Yoruba. We are still under Dr. Fasehun who is the founder of OPC; he would have been here at this meeting but he was unavoidable absent,” he said.

Residents back ‘good servant’

EFORE a large crowd of residents and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the lawmaker representing Ikorodu II Constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola, has been endorsed for reelection. At a ceremony in Igbogbo, Ikorodu, the constituents said the lawmaker deserved a second term for touching their lives through her empowerment programmes. Besides, they said the constituency was not ready to field a new candidate for the position, noting that

By Wale Ajetunmobi

Akinsola would be returned into the mainstream of legislative politics because of the experience she garnered during her first term. APC’s leader in Ikorodu, Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, said: “We have seen the good work she has been doing for the past three and a half years. All the communities that fall within the Ikorodu II Constituency have felt the impact of our dynamic lawmaker. This is why men and women came out in support of Akinsola’s second term ambition.”

CITYBEATS LINE: 08023247888

Prison is my university, says freed suspect D

ESPITE wasting six years in incarceration at the Kirikiri Maximum Prison, Ikoyi in Lagos for an offence he did not commit, a freed armed robbery suspect yesterday said he was happy to have undergone the ordeal. Kelvin Robert, 40, was remanded in prison custody in 2008 after he was arrested at his Mba Street, Ajegunle residence by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), for allegedly being an accomplice to armed robbery. Robert, who said he was a commercial driver, disclosed that his ordeal started after his friend in the neighbourhood, who was caught with stolen items and weapons, fingered him as a partner in crime. While his co-accused was freed by former Lagos Chief Judge, Justice Ayotunde Philips during one of her prison visits, Robert remained in prison until yesterday when Justice Raliatu

By Precious Igbonwelundu

Adebiyi of a Lagos High Court, Igbosere discharged and acquitted him. Speaking to The Nation after regaining freedom, Robert said he considers himself lucky to have been incarcerated because to him, the prison is a university. “I have never gone for any robbery operation in my life. I knew the first accused person because he was my friend but I never knew he was a robber. I knew him as a hustler, who goes to Tincan Island to do menial jobs. “I was a danfo driver before I was arrested. I was told the guy was caught during an operation and that he was locked up for six months before he mentioned me as his partner. That was how I landed in the hands of SARS men after three months we were charged to court,” he said. “From the court, we were taken straight to Kirikiri prison. I was in the prison without trial until this year

when a human rights lawyer came and asked me why I was being held. After explaining everything to him, he told me not to worry that he would pursue my matter. “Suddenly, my name was announced among those who were to be taken to court. My lawyer was not present the first day, but from the next day, he was always available. When trial started, the court asked the prosecutor to provide its witnesses and exhibits but on several occasions, nothing was provided. “When we came to court on June 27, the judge gave the prosecutor the last chance to provide its witnesses and exhibits and adjourned the matter till October 21 and so, when the prosecutor could still not provide its witnesses, the judge struck out the case,” he added. Robert said he learnt how to acknowledge God’s supremacy while in prison, adding that he now seeks

•Robert

God’s face in everything he does. “Prison to me was like a university. I learnt a lot of things I never knew. I learnt how to be patient in life. So, I do not see prison as a place of punishment or suffering. Though I was locked up for doing nothing, I am happy I had to go through that experience. “I see prison as a learning ground. We were being fed well and properly taken care of. Prison has made me a better person. So, I do not regret anything,” said Robert.

Lagos lauds judgment on hijab

HE Lagos State Government has applauded the judgment of an Ikeja High Court which upheld the ban on the use of hijabs in primary

By Adebisi Onanuga

and secondary schools in the state. The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ade Ipaye stated this in a statement issued in Lagos yesterday in its reaction to the judgment. Justice Modupe Onyeabor had last Friday, dismissed a suit filed by the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) seeking to quash an order of the state government banning use of hijab in schools. Justice Onyeabor held that the practice, if allowed would affect the secular nature of state. Ipaye said the state government is in the forefront of human rights promotion in Nigeria and will not deny its citizens their religious rights. The AG, however, observed that no right was absolute, adding that sometimes, public interest would justify some limitations, adding that uniforms are adopted for school children at the formative stages to encourage a sense of unity, discipline, organisation and orderliness. He noted that once deviations are allowed, conscious

or unconscious group affiliations would crop up to promote prejudices, limit interactions and weaken the sense of unity among pupils of the same school. ‘With uniforms, students, teachers and other staff are less likely to focus on dressing or appearance as a means of determining status, religion or other sociocultural affiliations. “Every student is equal and students are not able to tease or bully each other about the style, colour or quality of their clothing or their religious, social or cultural background’, he noted. He said uniformity will also encourage focus on school work and reduce social anxiety or animosity among students while enhancing confidence and allround sense of belonging. Ipaye said that the government’s decision to refuse variations to the uniforms: “We need to first define the limits of this policy as it is not as extensive as some portray it to be. It is only applicable in governmentowned primary and secondary schools where encouragement of free interaction among children from all so-

cial and religious backgrounds is a matter of state policy. Above the secondary school level, adult students can wear whatever they like, subject only to the dictates of their particular vocation or profession”. Even in the primary and secondary schools, Ipaye said, interested female Muslim students will be allowed to wear their hijab during Islamic Religious Knowledge classes and for afternoon or Jumat prayers. “Once any deviation is allowed for any reason, religious, cultural or personal, there will of course be no reason for disallowing another which may be requested on similar bases, Ipaye explained. In her ruling, Justice Onyeabor said Section 10 of the Constitution made Nigeria a secular state and that government must maintain neutrality at all times. She added that government has a duty to preserve the secular nature of the institutions concerned. She noted that since the public schools were being funded by the government, it was competent to issue dress codes and other guidelines to the students.

Businessman jailed for issuing dud cheque

30-year-old businessman, Justin Onyewesi, has been convicted by the Federal High Court in Lagos for issuing a dud cheque to a supplier. The GSM accessories dealer collected five cartons of batteries with 4,000 pieces from Mr Ejike Itanyi. He issued a cheque for N742, 555 to Itanyi, who got to bank and was told that there was insufficient fund in Onyewesi’s account. Justice Mohammed Idris sentenced him to a oneyear jail term after the con-

By Joseph Jibueze

vict pleaded guilty to the four-count charge of fraud and issuance of dud cheque. He said the prison term would be computed from when the convict was arrested. “Following the plea of the accused, he is convicted as charged, and is hereby sentenced to a oneyear imprisonment on each count. The term of imprisonment shall run concurrently and shall begin from October 2, 2013, the date of his arrest,” the

judge said. Onyewesi was first arraigned on January 1. He pleaded not guilty to the charge. However, on October 22, he changed his plea, saying: “I am guilty as charged.” The prosecutor, Mr Nosa Watson, said the fraudster committed the offence on August 17 last year in Okota, Lagos. The offences contravened sections 419 and 419 (b) of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation, 2004; and Sections 1(1) of the Dishonoured Cheques Act, 2004.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014

EXPRESSO

FOREIGN NEWS

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014

Failed ministers seeking to be governors Canada names suspect in parliament shooting •Continued

from Back Page

Classic PDP subterfuge politics but that is not the story for today. Wike has spent the better part of his tenure as the substantive head of a ministry that one rates the most important in the land. Under his watch, tertiary education was shut down for as long as he bothered to reckon and he never really cared. But it would not even be fair to judge him by such strikes as they have become a part of Nigeria’s education ‘culture’. Unfortunately, there is nothing else to judge Wike by on the job because he was busy politicking and was more in Port Harcourt than Abuja. We cannot even assess his capacity because he did not exert himself on the job in any notable manner for us to pass any judgment whichever way. His obsession was always the Rivers’ government house and it is well we leave him with the voters of the state. Let it be on record, however, that he never really attempted to do our job as education minister.

Maku, made for the Mr. establishment:

Labaran Maku seeks to take over Nasarawa State’s house. Maku was always in his elements in the federal cabinet. A one-time student

union leader and rights activist, we will remember him mainly for being the Squiler of the cabinet. Not because he was the chief spokesman of the government but for his often unreasoned and u n r e a s o n a b l e rationalisation of every action of his ‘boss’. You may argue that he could not have done it otherwise but we have seen occupants of that office in the past do that job with so much equanimity and common sense. Maku neither lifted his office nor left a recognisable legacy. He brought nothing new and he did even the routine poorly. Now he wants to ‘liberate’ his poor Nasarawa State. Well, Expresso wishes him and his people well but hastens to remind that his performance in FEC for over four years was dismal.

Obanikoro, the great Lagos gambit: He wants

another shot at the Lagos house. He is back on a familiar beat of angling for the Lagos house. After his long stint in Ghana as Nigeria’s ambassador, he was handed this FEC job which he had been at for less than one year. Defence is a tricky job and he was junior minister at that. But a terror war is raging and there is nary a sign that he applied his mind to it or to

anything during his short spell. Koro has been in public life or shall we say glare for quite some time and sorry to say that he has not carved the persona of a man with any mission or vision whatsoever. Why should Lagosians vote for him? What track record is he going to have to sell now? Nothing to report.

Ortom, Wogu, Ishaku, a dozen a dime: In other

not to waste your precious time dear reader, let’s gather up the remaining three fellows and price them as one; what my people will call ikwekota onu – that is selling off the remnants of your goods on the cheap after a long day, so that you may get on to something more important or just call it a day. Samuel Ortom wants to govern Benue State, Wogu seeks the Abia house and Ishaku is gunning for Taraba. One never noticed these people standing erect (again, no pun please) even for one day in all their time at the FEC; not to say anything about standing for anything one remembers. Now they want to be governors. One wishes them luck and sincerely hopes that if perchance they get there, they would disappoint me; I would gladly cover my face in shame and recant when that happens.

ANADIAN officials have identified Michael Zehaf-Bibeau as the gunman killed in a shooting at Parliament. He had been blocked from travelling abroad amid concerns he was attempting to join up with extremists. Details are beginning to emerge from the deadly shooting Wednesday on Ottawa’s Parliament Hill, in which a gunman opened fire on the Canadian War Memorial and inside the Parliament building. Two people were killed, including the shooter. Canadian officials have identified the gunman as Michael ZehafBibeau, a 32-year-old Canadian man with a minor criminal record. Dave Bathurst, a friend of Mr. Zehaf-Bibeau, told The Globe and Mail he had met him at a mosque in British Columbia, where he worked as a miner. Zehaf-Bibeau also served one day in jail for making threats in a 2011 incident in Montreal that his lawyer described to The Globe and Mail as “fairly minor and fairly bizarre.” Mr. Bathurst said

Obama, Netanyahu, offer condolences

SRAELI Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Harper late Wednesday to extend condolences on behalf of the Israeli people following the terror attack. Netanyahu expressed full support for Canada’s fight against terror, a struggle to which he said that Israel and the international community were partners. President Barack Obama called the shooting in Canada on Wednesday “tragic” and said it reinforced the need for vigilance. Obama, speaking to reporters at the White House, said he did not yet have information on the motivation of the shooter or whether he was part of a broader network. Obama said it was important for Canada and the United States to be in sync when it came to dealing with terrorist activity. The shootings followed an attack on two soldiers in Quebec on Monday carried out by a convert to Islam. Two U.S. officials said U.S. agencies had been advised the dead gunman in Wednesday’s shootings was also a Canadian convert to Islam. Witnesses said a flurry of shots were fired after a gunman entered the parliament building, pursued by police. mentally ill,” Bathurst Zehaf-Bibeau did not apsaid. pear to be an extremist, Recommended: How but was “erratic” and exmuch do you know about hibited strange behavior. terrorism? Take the quiz. “We were having a conBathurst added that versation in a kitchen, he last saw Zehaf-Bibeau and I don’t know how he six weeks ago, when his worded it: He said the friend said he planned to devil is after him,” travel to Libya to study Bathurst said, adding Islam. Bathurst chalthat Zehaf-Bibeau talked lenged him not to go for frequently about Shaytan, “something else,” but or Satan, being a presZehaf-Bibeau insisted he ence in the world. “I only wanted to study. think he must have been

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.9 NO.3,011

TODAY IN THE NATION ‘Indeed, every other Nigerian is always supporting and scorning a candidate because it is fashionable to do so. A great many of us are switching loyalties, candidates and political platforms as socioeconomics and political expediencies demand. Some have done so because their favourite columnists suggested it’ OLA TUNJI OL OLADE OLATUNJI OLOLADE

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

UMAN beings are thinking animals. This is what separates us from other animal species. This is the reason we make progress at various levels and other animals don’t. Between humans and other mammals, there is a huge difference in the thinking capability of humans. Thinking is the activity of the mind; through which it weighs issues, considers the pros and cons, and determines the rightness or wrongness of a particular policy or action. What issues present themselves to the mind of the progressive? What challenges agitate their mind? In the circumstance of a nation to which they express unflinching loyalty and express an unparalleled affection, what keeps them awake at night? When the morale of the nation is at the lowest, it can be before despair gives way to anarchy, when the level of corruption is sky-high and neck-deep, in an environment of thick social dysfunction occasioned by joblessness and hopelessness on the part of the youth, progressive thinking cannot just be reactive, it must be proactive and deep. Deep progressive thinking is not new to our clime. It predated the beginning of the republic even in its precolonial monarchical and imperial form. Individuals and tribal groups within each nationality raised questions bordering on the good of the people vis-à-vis the powerful forces that held them hostage. The fundamental issue of communal liberty versus imperial authority was at the basis of the civil wars that ravaged Yorubaland in the 19th century. It was however in the anti-colonial struggle that progressivism found its clearest expression among the political elite, who had taken advantage of Western education and were exposed to its ideals of liberty, equality and the common good. The buzzword of the era was self-determination and political independence, and the progressive movement was a coalition of forces across the nation. The nationalist leaders of the era focused on self-determination because freedom of the individual in mind, thought and action was considered the most priceless possession. To be denied this vital ingredient of our humanity is to be treated as a slave, a nonentity. This cannot but be embarrassing to the colonisers who had themselves been responsible for the popularisation of the concept of liberty and self-determination. As volatile as the 1st Republic was, pro-

SEGUN GBADEGESIN gbadegesin@thenationonlineng.net

Thinking progress

gressive thinking prevailed and triumphed in the various regions, starting, no doubt, with the Western Region. The Action Group (AG) famously made progressivism its ideological fulcrum. Freedom for All, Life More Abundant, was its motto and it got expression in the many actions and policies of the government, including free universal primary education, integrated agricultural development and especially the establishment of the Marketing Board, aggressive housing scheme for the middle class, and higher education scholarship for talented children. The collapse of the 1st Republic and the horror of the civil war led to a sense of despair and despondency because political degeneration and high level of corruption were the outcomes of these catastrophic events. Of course, progressivism is never out of tune or without a cause. And even in these periods of extraordinary repression, progressives did not relent. And so, in the wake of a brazen militarisation of the nation, the struggle for

E live in a time and season when merit and performance hardly earn you public office. Work until your bottom falls off; be as sharp as razor or as straight as nail, that is your predicament. In millennial Nigeria of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), it is he who passed his exams that is considered brilliant and not necessarily the other way round. PDP has dumbed-down public service so much in the last 16 years that it has become almost an aberration for really smart people to get to the commanding heights of government’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) where they can lead change for the good of all. PDP has institutionalised mediocrity so much they don’t even know the difference or any other way of doing things right. What do we see today, mediocrity cohabiting with idiocy and daily giving birth to a retarded nation? Before now, a portion of appointments were allowed on merit, but today, everything goes to all sorts of wriggly creatures crawling around the party – from ministerial appointments to board jobs. The result is that just anyone can become your minister these days and we have seen party thugs on boards of several strategic national agencies. And we seek to be a great country? If a man was, ab initio, too small for a job, it would be illogical to expect him to stand out in carrying out the responsibilities attached to it. But performance seems not to matter to us anymore, which is why seven ministers of the Federal Republic would step down with fanfare and so audaciously announce that they would want to contest to govern states. But EXPRESSO insists that none of these ministers would get my vote as none showed any brilliance in his first ministerial duties to deserve elevation. The

the ideals of democracy and true federalism did not wane. Indeed, this struggle was responsible for the final death of militarism in the country. We have now reached another landmark in the journey of the nation. Since 1999, we have been wandering in the wilderness of confusion. Are we going to have one nation, three or six nations (a.k.a. regions) or 36 (nay 57) nations (a.k.a. states)? The unity of the nation is at stake. Besides the usual platitudes and sweet tongues, there has been a lack of leadership from the ruling party. Action speaks louder than words, as the saying goes. But we have only been treated to words, and more words. The body language speaks eloquently in the opposite direction. Progressive thinking is needed and a self-defined progressive party must lead the charge: What must be our understanding of national unity? Secondly, there is the need for a redefinition of work and industry. My generation grew up learning the popular Yoruba rhyme which has expression in other national languages: work is the cure for poverty. Do we still believe in this? Or does the current environment of wealth without work render that believe false and useless? This is what generations after mine appear to now believe. I was once made to walk more than nine miles to my post-primary school entrance examination because I missed the only lorry that was available in my town. I was only 12. We are now procreating without the responsibility for the upbringing of those children. Rather we depend on stomach infrastructure from government. And the response of one government is to appoint an official for stomach infrastructure! With that imprimatur of His Excellency, why would citizens need to be responsible for their action or inaction? Thirdly, a progressive party must lead the

STEVE OSUJI

EXPRESSO

steve.osuji@yahoo.com

Failed ministers seeking to be governors Uduaghan: Ode to salubrity

met Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State once; I think it was late 2011 and the first encounter was on the lawn tennis court in the governor’s quarters. He was hard at play with some of his aides; an afterwork knock-about it seemed. He did not seem such a great tennis player and some of his aidesopponents beat him real good, showing him no reverence on the court. But he took it in his strides, turning the other cheek so to speak. He was sweating profusely as he left the court and led us to the lodge to grant my colleague and I an interview after he had freshened up. One had met governors; very few allow time for after-work exercise because they seem always to be operating from under the weight of what is of course, an onerous responsibility. In fact for many, work is a 24hour thing, thus to find a governor playing in

the evening was fascinating. But also apparent on that first encounter was his quiet, stolid mien and the evidence of strengths subdued and restrained. However, as he celebrated his 60th birthday midweek, his wife Roli put it all in perspective in an interview she granted Daily Sun. She said: “We have been married for 26 years plus and he has never raised his voice at me. It’s like he has shock absorber hidden somewhere in his body.” She went further to aptly describe it as “a very sensitive conscience” that will never want to offend. Yes, his must be among the most cultured and cultivated minds in the polity. It must be something from his training as a medical doctor and his deep public service work experience: let’s call it salubrity. This is wishing him many more salubrious years ahead.

out-gone ministers are: Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu (Health); Mr. Nyesom Wike (State for Education); Mr. Labaran Maku (Information); Musiliu Obanikoro (State for Defence); Emeka Wogu (Labour and

Productivity); Samuel Ortom (State for Industry, Trade and Investment) and Darius Ishaku (State for Niger Delta). Let us do brief x-rays of these ministers who would want to be governors.

effort in the renewal of respect for the rule of law. We got rid of the military as a force in national politics. However, there are lingering effects of its bad influence on the respect of the authority for the rule of law. This is why the federal government and the president who swore to protect the constitution and the rule of law can be so contemptuous of the judiciary and the courts. It didn’t start with this government; it is a carry- over from the first administration in the Third Republic. For how else are we to explain the way that the President of the Federal Court of Appeal, Justice Salami, was treated? And how are we to account for the impunity with which judges were treated in Ekiti State and the courts closed to avoid the hearing of the suit against the newly elected governor? What is the thinking of the progressive party on the matter of the rule of law? I only have space for one more issue: liberty, equality and the common good. This is the traditional focus of all progressives. Freedom under the law is the natural right of every human being. Therefore no one must be rendered unfree without a proper judicial injunction to that effect. However, many are currently rendered unfree simply because of the conditions of their existence. They are not in jail; but they are unable to function as decent human beings due to the precariousness of their condition. The young ones graduated from college as we expect. But they cannot find jobs, and we know the consequence of joblessness. If they are not to become thugs and miscreants, society has a responsibility to create the conditions for their emancipation and genuine freedom. The common good of all as opposed to the special interest of a few must be the battle cry of a progressive party. In the wake of the political tension in the horizon, in the face of economic inequality, in the climate of religious bigotry and educational decline, this is an opportune time for progressive thinking and action. There are opportunities for national rebirth which only a progressive party can initiate and sustain. The nation cannot wait any longer. But to paraphrase one of my favourite philosophers, action without thought is blind and thought without action is empty. We have dealt here with the thought of progressives. We are going to deal next with the action that must follow the thought. •For comments, send SMS to 08111813080 Prof. Chukwu, one heck of a lucky fellow: Chukwu seeks Ebonyi State government house: this Prof is a lucky man; he is like the fellow in the Igbo proverb whom the gods helped to crack his palm kennels. As health minister for three and a half years, he neither had a vision for the sector nor was he able to deliver any ad-hoc capital projects. He could not even manage his fellow doctors and he had the singular record of overseeing the longest doctors’ national strike in our history. He just went through the dreary motion of the office all the time he was there. But he seems to have a pact with providence. Just as he was going down with his damning ordinariness, Ebola came upon us. And not that he and his office responded with particular ingenuity but the credit crawled up to him all the same and he left in a blaze of unearned glory. This lucky fellow poised to waltz into Ebonyi Government House in like manner but this is just to remind him that not all of us are fooled. Poor, poor outing this last one. He had better raised his game on the next job. Wike, the political animal: Barr. Wike guns (no pun please) for Rivers’ government house. Swashbuckling Wike is your usual carpetbagger. For him politics must be an end and the end of all things must be politics. He was chief of staff and perhaps protégé of incumbent Governor Chibuike Amechi, who in the tradition of the PDP, nominated him for a ministerial appointment. Hardly had he gotten to Abuja than he bared his bottom to his ‘master’ (as we say in Igboland) and now threatens to chase him out of town.

•Continued

on page 63

•For comments, send SMS to 08111526725

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