The Nation October 28, 2011 by The Nation

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

NEWS

TH OF THE FL OODS: Children crawling past a bamboo makeshift bridge at AFTERMATH FLOODS •AFTERMA Agodi Gardens in Ibadan ... yesterday. The original bridge was flushed away by flood

•Minister of Labour and Productivity Emeka Wogu (left); Permanent Secretary Mr Anthony Ozodinobi and Director, Finance and Administration, Mr Hussaini Dayar, during a meeting with House of Representatives Committee on Labour in Abuja ... yesterday

Senate: Ekiti, Osun, Ondo, Edo, Oyo, Ogun, others face cash crisis Continued from page 1

does little, according to critics. The probe, the Senate said, should involve in-depth study of the emerging bankruptcy indications in the states and suggestion of remedial measures to avoid total collapse of the economies of the affected states. The Senate’s action followed a motion on the “Looming danger of bankruptcy in states: The need for fiscal evaluation”, sponsored by Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi (Ekiti North). The motion attracted an outpouring of emotions by Senators who agreed that steps should be taken urgently to address the precarious fiscal condition of states, in the interest of the country. Adetunmbi, who supplied statistics to back up his argument, drew the attention of the Senate to the fiscal challenge and looming danger of insolvency and bankruptcy facing states as a result of growing wage bill. He said the scenario is associated with the implementation of the minimum wage and other recurrent responsibilities of the states. The lawmaker urged the Senate to note a recent research by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, which revealed that 20 states faced the prospect of an unstable and unfavourable financial standing, given the high percentage of their wage bill to the total revenue accruable to them. He noted that most states have become social employers of labour, with unsustainable high work force that does not reflect in improved service delivery to the people. In most states, Adetunmbi said, the private sector is weak and unable to generate eco-

Senate calls for emergency on roads

ORRIED by the deplorable condition of roads across the country, the Senate Committee on Works yesterday urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on roads. A Bill for the creation of a special fund for comprehensive repair of all the federal roads will soon be debated by Senator, it was learnt. Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu said Nigerians will be pleased with President Goodluck Jonathan if there is massive repair of the collapsing roads across the country. “Nigerians want to see good roads,” he said. He spoke while inaugurating the Senate Committee on works. According to him, good road network has become the most effective parameter for Nigerians to measure the performance of government. Ekweremadu said the dividend of denomic growth and jobs that are required, thereby making the states and local governments the largest employers of labour, with attendant fiscal imbalance. The Ekiti State-born lawmaker said the Senate should be concerned that the bulk of the revenue of the states is financing pay roll of the civil service, which constitutes less than 4 per cent of the total population in the states. He said: “Under this development, six states are approaching distress; Kano will spend 127%, Sokoto 62%, Niger 56%, Zamfara 54%, Katsina 50% and Osun 50% of their gross annual revenue on civil service personnel cost. “14 states will deploy 3049% of their total revenue on personnel; six states will deploy 20-29%; five states will deploy 15-19%. Only Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra and Jigawa will spend less than 15% of total state revenue on

From Onyedi Ojiabor, and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

mocracy many Nigerians “understand today are good roads”. “We must focus on roads because if we fail this time, it will be too bad. What Nigerians want to see are good roads.” He enjoined road contractors to review the cost of road construction saying, “the cost of road construction in Nigeria is higher than in most other countries. This is unacceptable.” Ekweremadu asked the committee and the ministry of works to hit the ground running, saying Nigerians will not accept any excuses for failure. Chairman of the Committee Ayogu Eze, explained that the proposed intervention fund will complement the budget for the sector in each fiscal year. Bemoaning the state of roads, he

personnel.” Adetunmbi is concerned that if the trend continued, many of the states will become financially insolvent and increasingly handicapped to finance real sectors and drive economic growth, jobs and improved livelihood. He is worried that “most state governments now rush to the Capital Market to raise long term bonds to finance development projects”. “Without an appropriate framework, misuse of such funds could spell doom for the future of the states,” he said. The senator went on: “Some of the State Governments that have taken these route of funding between 2002 to 2011 are Lagos (Series 1 – N50bn; Series II – N57.5bn; Imo (N18.5bn); Kwara (N17bn); Niger (N6bn); Bayelsa (N50bn); Kaduna (N8.5bn); Ebonyi (N16.5bn, Ogun (N50bn); Delta (N5bn) in 2007; Kebbi (N3.5bn) in 2006;

urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on roads. Eze said: “We must declare a state of emergency on our roads. We will be held responsible at the end of four years if Nigerians fail to see reasonable changes on our roads. “Our roads are in terrible shape and the task to fix them is onerous. We think there is the need to create special funds in addition to budget for the Ministry of Works.” He noted that most of the highways have been under pressure because of the collapse of our water ways and other transportation modes. Eze said the poor state of Nigerian highways has become another threat to foreign investment inflow into the country. “We must get our roads right if we must attract foreign investors into the country,” he said.

Lagos (N15bn) in 2002 and Yobe (N2.5bn) in 2002.” The lawmaker noted that the financial quagmire of states further highlights the urgency of a review of the revenue sharing structure among the Federal Government, States and Local Government Areas. He said “the continued centralisation of labour and wages legislation without reference to resource endowment of states is antithetical to the basis of true federalism in Nigeria”. “Such unitarist policies are unhealthy to the development of a competitive labour market in states.” The infrastructural deficit and shortage of jobs in the states, Adetunmbi added, have led to massive out-migration of youths into key cities. “This has further exacerbated the pressure on urban infrastructure and social services, with attendant slum

Gunmen kill prison official, spray judge’s car with bullets Continued from page 1

Area, confirmed yesterday that the attack took place on Wednesday. He said Justice Moses Gwatana had adjourned the case against Abdulrazak Nasiru, who was ordered to be remanded in prison custody. The accused was released to an official to take to the Okene Medium Security Prison in a Nigeria Prisons

Service pick-up van. Saeed said before the van took off, the attackers, numbering between 10 and 12, apparently lurking around a primary school near the court, stormed the premises, wielding dangerous weapons and shooting indiscriminately. “They shot dead the warder whose name was not immediately known and released the accused while the court

officials, litigants and helpless security agents, scampered for safety during the operation that lasted 10 minutes,” he said. The News Agency Nigeria (NAN) learnt that although the judge escaped unhurt, his official KIA Sorento SUV was sprayed with bullets. Mr Bakare Sunday was shot in the ear. Saeed said the body of the prison official had been de-

posited at the Obangede General Hospital mortuary. The court registrar has been admitted in the hospital for bullet wounds. Kogi State High Court Chief Registrar Mrs Comfort Toluwashe has lodged a complaint with the police, saying the accused was initially involved in an armed robbery in which a man was kidnapped.

growth, urban unemployment and worsening crime rate,” he said. Adetunmbi observed that the State and Local Government Areas are the place of domicile and points of service delivery of dividends of democracy to the people. “Therefore, a progressive dwindling of resource availability for essential services constitutes a threat to peace and security,” he said. As Senators elected by people in the 36 states and LGAs “we owe them a duty of representation, advocacy and negotiation for a better deal”. Adetunmbi prayed the Senate to act with dispatch to prevent the collapse of the states. Most Senators who contributed to the debate agreed that the motion is a wake-up call that requires a decisive action. Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba described the motion as “timely”, saying that a situation where states rush to Abuja every month for Federal allocation is unhealthy. He noted that the emerging situation is a warning to those

demanding for new states that the time has come to merge some states. Senator Ahmed Lawan noted that the emerging situation is an indication that states are not getting the allocation they deserve. Senator Bello Tukur said that states were created on the understanding that they will be viable. The Adamawa-born lawmaker called for the immediate review of the revenue allocation formula. Senator Olusola Adeyeye recalled that in the past, regions flourished because they were autonomous. He said the founding fathers of the country structured the regions in such a way that the salary structures of civil servants were not uniform. “There is no federalism anywhere in the world where everything is uniform,” he said. Senator Nenadi Usman agreed that the revenue formula should be reviewed in favour of states. She added that more attention should be paid to local government areas. Senator Ganiyu Solomon noted that too much power is concentrated in the centre.

•Ekweremadu

Got a story or photograph for us? Please send your contribution to 08082036515 - Editor CORRECTION The headline of the story ‘EKSO alumni laud merger’ published in our September 29 edition should have read ‘EKSU alumni advises Ekiti government on new varsity’. - Editor

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

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28 2011

NEWS Lagos council chiefs take oath tomorrow •PDP flays LASIEC By Emmanuel Oladesu

•Representatives of the President, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Mrs.Amma Pepple (left), Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, Senate President David Mark and Former President of Burundi, Dr. Pierre Buyoya at the second National Prayer Breakfast 2011, In Abuja... yesterday PHOTO ABAYOMI FAYESE

Boko Haram suspects’ trial begins Nov. 18

FEDERAL High Court sitting in Abuja will on November 18 begin the trial of six alleged members of an Islamic sect; Boko Haram. Shuaibu Abubakar, Salisu Ahmed, Umar Babagana, Mohammed Ali, Musa Adam and Umar Ibrahim have pleaded not guilty to a fivecount charge, which includes criminal conspiracy and voluntarily causing grievous harm, slammed against them by the State Security Service (SSS). The alleged offences are contrary to and punishable under Sections,

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

97 and 248(1) of the Penal Code Law, and section 15 (2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Establishment Act 2004. According to the charge, the accused allegedly, at various times within the Federal Capital Territory and Niger State prepared, planted and detonated Improvised Explosive Devices (IED). They are believed to be the brains behind the April bombing at the Independent National Electoral

Commission (INEC) office in Suleja, Niger State, where 16 persons, including serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members died on the eve of the rescheduled National Assembly elections. The accused persons also allegedly conspired with others at large to cause grievous bodily harm by unlawfully planting deadly substances which led to the death of three persons at a political rally in Suleja. They also allegedly detonated explosives which killed three peace officers in Dakna village, Bwari.

The alleged offences are contrary to and punishable under sections 97 and 248(1) of the Penal Code Law. When the matter came up yesterday, counsel to the six accused persons asked the court to grant them time to look into the proof of evidence served on them on Tuesday by the prosecution. Justice Bilkisu Aliyu, after listening to the submissions, adjourned the case till November 18, for trial and ordered that the accused persons be remanded in the custody of the State Security Service.

EFCC, Fani-Kayode trade words over request for case transfer T

HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has accused former Minister of Aviation Femi FaniKayode of trying to choose the judge to try a case of money laundering pending against him before the Federal High Court, Lagos. The commission’s allegation is contained in a letter by its lawyer, Festus Keyamo, in response to an earlier letter by Fani-Kayode, seeking that his case before Justice Fatimat Nyako be returned to Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed, the former Judge. The ex-minister has denied the allegation, accusing the commission of distorting facts in the case. Fani-Kayode, who was also the Culture Minister, is standing trial

By Eric Ikhilae

for alleged money laundering brought against him by the EFCC. His trial was stalled last year through an appeal against a decision by Justice Mohammed by the EFCC. Justice Mohammed had refused to admit computer generated account statements relating to transactions carried out in Fan-Kayode’s accounts, insisting that such documents were not admissible under the Evidence Act. The prosecution, led by Keyamo, had sought to tender the statements through one of its witness-

es, a move opposed by Fani-Kayode’s lawyer, Ladi Williams (SAN). The Appeal Court, Lagos, over ruled the court’s decision on May 27. The Appellate Court admitted the statements of account, marked “Exhibit E” and directed the case at back to the lower court. The case has since been put on hold owing to the former Minister’s decision to appeal the ruling at the Supreme Court. While it was thought that the trial will resume before Justice Nyako, Fani-Kayode wrote to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court Justice Ibrahim Auta, seeking a return of the case to Justice Moham-

•Fani-Kayode

med. Justice Mohammed sits at the Enugu division of the court, following his redeployment.

We need private law schools, says NBA President

IGERIAN Bar Association (NBA) President Joseph Daudu (SAN) yesterday said the association intends to forward a bill to the National Assembly for a law to allow private persons own and run law schools Speaking at a meeting with nongovernment organisations (NGOs) and human rights groups on judicial reforms, he called for a stateof-the-legal-profession summit where issues affecting legal practice would be addressed by stakeholders. “We’re proposing a bill to allow private persons run law schools. We need at least a law school that will be privately run so that we can bring out lawyers who can compete globally. You cannot leave everything for government to do,”

By Joseph Jibueze and Adewunmi Abolanle

Daudu said. Recommendations at the meeting will be forwarded to the Judicial Reform Committee set up by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu in form of a memorandum. Daudu decried the increasing number of awaiting trial persons, and wondered why someone would be kept in prison for over 10 years on mere suspicion that he committed a crime. “It’s inhuman and ungodly for persons not convicted to stay in prison for 20 years,” Daudu said. He suggested class action on behalf of such persons to “force the government’s hand.” Former NBA President Olisa

Agbakoba (SAN) said the best solution would be to remove prison matters from the Legislative Exclusive List. “Transfer prison matters to the states so that a governor will be interested to see prisons system working efficiently. Some of the items in the Exclusive Legislative List must go,” Agbakoba said. It was suggested that magistrates should be given powers to release persons arrested for capital offences who have not been tried after several years in prison. Some other recommendations are: the need to create an ombudsman for the judiciary; strengthening of the judges’ monitoring system, need for constitutional courts, and need to streamline jurisdictional issues.

It was also suggested that the Penal Code and the Criminal Code be harmonised for a uniform criminal procedure; and that vacancies for judges be advertised so that the best candidates are selected, rather than the present practice of appointment. Managing Partner, Legal Resources Consortium, Mr Olawale Fapohunda, said: “It is necessary that the Judicial Reform Committee takes decisive steps to resolve the matter of the President of the Court of Appeal Justice Isa Ayo Salami. “There must be an open, transparent, impartial and fair process in bringing this matter to a closure. There must be an impartial review of the conduct of the National Judicial Council (NJC) in

NEWLY elected chairmen of local governments in Lagos State will be sworn in tomorrow by Governor Babatunde Fashola, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lateef Ibirogba, said yesterday. But, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Setonji Koshoedo, said the 57 helmsmen would be taking off on a shaky foundation, maintaining that the recent council elections were rigged in their favour. Expected at the ceremony, which will hold at the Lagos Television Blue Roof, Agidingbi, Ikeja at 10 am, are 20 local government chairmen, 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) chairmen, party leaders, traditional rulers, top government functionaries, local government officials, artisans, peasants, market women, youths and students, among others. Koshoedo said the PDP would challenge the outcome of the polls at the tribunal and called for the resignation of LASIEC Chairman, Justice Fatai Adeyinka (rtd).

Foreign investors for poultry show By Miriam Ndikanwu

INVESTORS from Europe, Asia and America are expected at the maiden edition of the Nigeria Poultry show and exhibition slated for next month at the Bishop Court, Onikolobo, Abeokuta Ogun State. The Nigerian Poultry exhibition is organised by the Southwest zone of the Poultry Association of Nigeria, (PAN). PAN Southwest Chairman Dr. Ayoola Oduntan, in a statement, said the exhibition’s theme is: “Value Chain Opportunities for Investment in the Nigerian Poultry Industry.” He said it is geared towards getting government committed to transformation of agriculture. Oduntan said the show is committed to improving the value of poultry business in Nigeria by bringing together investors from Europe, Asia, United States of America, Africa and other players. He said: “The poultry sector is easily the most organised of this agricultural economy with the highest rate of returns.”

‘Why cancer care is expensive’ UNITED States - based Nigerian cancer expert Dr Obinna Nwaneri has said cancer treatment is expensive because only few pharmaceuticals companies make the drugs. He spoke at the Ikoyi Club 1938. Nwaneri said: “Our problem is that we are not the best in health care in the private and public sector. In the United States of America, we record 95 per cent success in the handling of cancer cases. Cancer has assumed the number one killer disease in the world now since 2010, overtaking HIV AIDS and malaria put together and the treatment is still very expensive because of the exclusivity of drug manufacturing.” Dr. Bello Osagie, the Chairman of the health sub-committee of Ikoyi Club, lauded Nwaneri’s expertise and said the club hopes to keep sharing knowledge about healthy living.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

NEWS ‘Why broadband is our new area of focus’ EXECUTIVE Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), Dr Eugene Juwah, has reassured investors in the nation’s telecom sector of the safety of their investments, saying government is now focused on tackling security challenges in the country. Speaking in Lagos at the third West African Information and Communications Technology Congress, Juwah noted that the commission has begun preliminary appraisal of the smooth takeoff of broadband to achieve sub-regional integration. He said with the success recorded so far in the past 10 years, the country is on the right track to broadband provisioning. He urged investors and venture capitalists to come into Nigeria and invest in broadband. Juwah, who was represented by the commission’s Director of Public Affairs, Mr Tony Ojobo, said: “The impact of broadband can only better be imagined. Very soon, relevant applications such as electronic payment, elearning, e-government, eagriculture, will ride on broadband to drive all of these processes. “Even distance learning in universities and certain locations would require broadband for effective delivery, quality and at the required speed. Broadband will revolutionise data communications to drive business processes. “So, it is going to be an opportunity for us to sell ourselves and also to say despite various challenges, look at where we are. We are not only talking about what has happened in the past; we are also looking at the future to say yes there are opportunities that stakeholders can tap into and have good returns on their investments.”

Abducted oil workers released TWO contract workers kidnapped from ships supplying Exxon Mobil Corporation.’s offshore oil operations have been released, the company’s local subsidiary said yesterday. In a statement, Exxon Mobil spokesman Nigel Cookey-Gam told The Associated Press the workers taken in attacks on September 30 and October 17 in Niger Delta were released unharmed. Cookey-Gam declined to offer details, referring questions to the Federal Government. The two attacks occured near the coastline of Akwa Ibom State, where Exxon Mobil bases much of its operations in Nigeria. The company’s oil tanks line the beach and its offshore oil rigs can be seen along the horizon, along with the burning flares from the excess gas released during pumping. The two attacks mirrored each other, with gunmen attacking contractor ships carrying supplies as they were near Exxon Mobil oil rigs and platforms. In the September 30 attack, however, one crew member was injured.

‘Commonwealth is almost becoming irrelevant’

•Prime Minister of Australia, Ms Julia Gillard, President Goodluck Jonathan, Nigerian High Commissioner in Australia, Mr. Ayo Olukanni and Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga after the signing of a trade agreement with Australia...yesterday

No suspension of waiver for Fiji, Zimbabwe as CHOGM opens in Perth

FTER almost a week of investment and bilateral talks, the leaders of the 54-member Commonwealth countries will today begin a summit to consider proposals recommended by the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Council (CMAC). But Fiji and Zimbabwe remain suspended until ‘genuine democracy through transparent electoral process’ is restored. At a joint briefing yesterday at the Media Centre in Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, Prime Minister of Australia Julia Gillard and the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Kamalesh Karma listed the agenda as the reform of the association, economic transformation, food security, human rights, women as agents of change, climate change and the plight of small and vulnerable states. Gillard, who first addressed the press, said: “Our unique strengths and diversity — from the smallest nations to very large, and its representativeness with 54 states across six continents; its vibrancy and promise, are bonded by common values. “Organisations such as the Commonwealth bring countries together to discuss

issues such as food security, climate change and sustainable development. “We have a new sense of purpose and promise. We will continue to promote traditional values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. We will be discussing issues bordering on food security, global economy, G-20 and climate change. At the end of the day, we want to speak with one voice. “We have had a very successful business forum, the most successful in the history of the Commonwealth.” Sharma said: “What we are going to see at the CHOGM is the Commonwealth genius of finding the way forward on our agenda of reform, renewal and resilience “Emerging issues and reports will be formally received by leaders on Friday (today) and attended to accordingly. “Whatever decisions the leaders arrive at will reflect

the expectations of the Commonwealth citizens. “The aim is to build consensus on contemporary concerns, striving to strengthen the culture of democracy, to promote resilience and sustainable development, and to embrace and celebrate diversity. “This will make a difference in the lives of our citizens. This CHOGM will raise the bar for our engagement on each of our three aspirations — democracy, development and diversity. The programmes we devise here will see their expression in practical action that changes the lives of millions of people in all our member countries. “The consensus agreed here and the solutions achieved here are something which will have global potential, which can contribute to the outcomes of other global summits. Commonwealth priorities naturally pay special attention to reflecting and articulating the concerns

of small and vulnerable states.” On the fate of Fiji and Zimbabwe suspended from the Commonwealth, Sharma said: “We are watching very closely the situation and their readiness to promote genuine democracy through free, fair and transparent electoral process. “When they restore democracy to their countries, the leaders will take necessary decision on their return.” While Zimbabwe has been under a ‘doctored’ democratic environment, Fiji is being managed by military junta since 2006. As at press time, heavy security has been built around the summit venue with antibomb experts mostly deployed. Also, the images of all accredited delegates have been automatically fed into specialised gates in order to detect undesirable elements who may want to stray into the meeting. The star of attraction at the summit is Queen Elizabeth II whose temporary residence at the Governor’s Lodge had been besieged since 5am by Australians who wanted to catch her glimpse.

FORMER Carribean Senior Diplomat, Sir Ronald Sanders yesterday said the Commonwealth is almost becoming irrelevant. Sanders, who was also a member of the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) raised to reform the Commonwealth, spoke at the Commonwealth People’s Forum meeting in Perth, Western Australia. The EPG has recommended 100-point suggestions on how to reform the association but there were fears that not all these might be accepted by the Heads of Government. Ahead of the consideration of the EPG’s report, Sanders gave insight into the workings of the group at the People’s Forum. He said: “Some of us, I amongst them, were rather reluctant to take on this task (writing the report) as the last thing we wanted was to produce another report that would sit on the shelves of government offices and went absolutely nowhere.” “Over the next couple of days we will learn whether the Heads of Government believe that the 106 recommendations we have produced have some value. “What I can tell you is after the 16 months of work that we under took is that we are quite convinced of the potential of the Commonwealth.” Sanders insisted that only reform can guarantee the continued existence of the Commonwealth. He added: “This Commonwealth can continue to be an instrument to influence the world in peace and development but only if it is reformed. Without reform the Commonwealth will die. “Why do we say it needs reform? The overwhelming point from the submissions we received was that the Commonwealth was in danger of becoming irrelevant irrelevant to people because they don’t feel the Commonwealth in their daily lives. “The values for which the Commonwealth stands are violated by many countries on a daily basis with no action being taken by the Commonwealth collectively.”

Australia, Nigeria establish trade-investment council

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan and the Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard yesterday launched the Australia-Nigeria Trade and Investment Council. The council, according to both leaders, is to identify and develop new business opportunities between the two countries. Already, Chief Executive Officer of First Charnock Australia, Mr. Huge Morgan has been appointed as the cochair alongside Pascal Dozie, Chairman of Diamond Group Advisory Board. Minister of Trade and Investment Olusegun Aganga and his Australian counterpart, Dr. Craig Emerson were announced as the Patrons of the Council. The decision was reached at the end of the three-day

•Ajimobi wants share of CHOGM $10.5b solid mineral investment Commonwealth Business Forum, an interactive initiatives for business operators from both countries. According to the joint statement by both leaders, the council will focus initially on collaboration between both countries in energy, mining, agriculture and financial services. The Council, which has the backing of the private sector will establish small secretariats in Perth and Lagos. Also, a conference to launch and promote the initiative to the Nigerian private sector has been fixed for next year in Nigeria. Already, Organisers of the three day business Forum, Commonwealth Business Council (CBC) has described

the meeting as a success, saying various agreements in the region of $10.58 billion were sealed. The forum preceded the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which Queen Elizabeth II will open today. Commonwealth Business Forum co-chairman Mark Barnaba also said emphasis were the growing importance of economic ties in the 54-nation grouping as it undergoes reform to become more relevant. Prominent business leaders from mineral -rich Australia also attended the meeting, including the country’s wealthiest person Gina Rinehart and iron ore billionaire Andrew Forrest. Barnaba said organisers set

a target of generating Aus$10 billion in trade and investment deals from the forum and, while the final figure would not be known for as long as a year, the goal appeared to have been met. “We feel very confident that will be achieved, very confident indeed,” he told reporters. He said most of the deals centered on energy and mining in Africa, with Chinese interests heavily involved in the trade talks. China is not a member of the bloc of mostly former British colonies, but it was represented at the forum for the first time, sending a team of 60 delegates. Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajumobi, who was part of the business forum

alongside four other governors has assured that his state was prepared to catch on the opportunities presented by the renewed relationship between both countries. He noted that the state has begun discussions with some Australian business men who had shown interest in some of the solid minerals in the state. The discussion, he said would center on the resuscitation of the state marble industry and development of other solid minerals. Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State, Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun, Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna and Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom promised to showcase and attract investors to do business in their various states.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

NEWS Vice Chancellors battle JAMB over UTME

•Mr Wale Tinubu, Group Chief Executive of Oando PLC (left) chats with President Paul Kagame of Rwanda at the Commonwealth Business Forum in Perth, Australia

HE Committee of Vice Chancellors

(VCs) yesterday called for the elimination of the Universal Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for admitting candidates into Nigerian varsities. Chairman of the Committee of VCs’ and Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, told the Senate Committee on Education in Abuja, that it was wrong to use the same examination to admit students into varsities, polytechnics and colleges of education. The Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) according to him should return to Universities Matriculation Examination (UME) for the universities and separate examinations

Presidential poll: Jonathan, PDP disagree on CPC’s petition

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) disagreed grace at the Supreme Court over an appeal filed by the party challenging the petition of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). The PDP insisted that the appeal should be heard, while Jonathan said it should not be heard since the 60-day grace allowed for hearing and determination of an interlocutory appeal had elapsed. The appeal arose from the July 14 ruling of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, then chaired by the suspended Appeal Court President, Justice Isa Ayo Salami who held that the CPC’s petition which was filed on a Sunday was competent and proper in law. The Respondents had urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition because it was filed on a Sunday, a public holiday. But the tribunal said the petition being filed on a Sunday conferred no advantage on the petitioner, adding that

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

it would be determined on merit and not ‘technicality’. Addressing the apex court yesterday, counsel to the PDP Chief Joe- Kyari Gadzama (SAN), submitted that the 60-day should yesterday exclude the vacation period of the Supreme Court and the public holidays. By his calculation, this would amount to allowing the appeal to remain alive till December 10. He recalled that “we filed within the time asked for accelerated hearing but the Supreme Court went on six weeks holidays which fell under the period within which the appeal might have been heard and determined. We have done everything within our reach to have this appeal heard and determined within the stipulated time. We have been vigilant enough and equity heads the vigilant”. But lead counsel to Jonathan, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) disagreed. He said: “In all clear conscience, the appeal case is

dead and I will not subscribe to illegality that the appeal case was alive and should be heard”. Olanipekun told the apex court that it has no power to set aside a provision of the constitution but should rather make recommendation to the National Assembly to make Section 285 clearer. INEC aligned with the positions of Jonathan and Sambo. They said the appeals were dead on the account of time and therefore cannot be heard. Counsel to the CPC Oladipo Okpeseyi (SAN), said all that were cited by Gadzama “are Acts of National Assembly and not Constitutional provisions and may not be too helpful in this appeal”. In addition, he said: “Section 285 (7) is a specific provision and in all situation we prevail. When community reading is given to sections 1 (1), 1 (3) and 6 (6) shall not help now because section 285 (7) is a specific provision and therefore I thank Olanipekun for giving up. These appeals are incompetent; they are dead and bet-

Nabaruma becomes Acting Yobe CJ

TATE Justice Baba Sajeh Gujba has retired as the Chief Justice of Yobe State after clocking 65 years. Justice Garba Nabaruma, the chairman Governorship Election Tribunal in Cross River State, is now the acting Chief Justice. The Chief Registrar, Lawu Lawan said: “A valedictory court session would soon be

From Duku Joel, Damaturu

held in honour of Justice Gujba immediately the Acting CJ returns from his national assignment in Cross River state. “It is true that the CJ has retired. We now have an Acting CJ in person of Justice Garba Musa Nabaruma. As you know, the new CJ is the chairman of the election

Petition Tribunal in Cross River State. But he came briefly for the handover and has gone back. We hope that he would return as soon as he is through with his national assignment and a valedictory court session would be held in honour of the retired CJ to mark his official disengagement from the service of the state judiciary.”

‘PDP incapable of dislodging Oshiomhole’

N Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) chieftain in Edo State, Sanni Collins Ojo, has said nobody can rebrand the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He said: “The party is anaemic and hemorrhaging; it is suffering from ‘political cancer’.” Ojo said: “I acknowledge the fact in the interview where PDP Publicity Secretary, Matthew Urhogide, commended Governor Adams Oshiomhole. I must commend Urhogide for his fair statements about the comrade governor.

“Oshiomhole is too much for the PDP to contend with. July 14, 2012 election is a bad market for them. It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one Gen Charles Airhiavbere to win in Tony Anenih’s ward in Uromi. “We want to say that the changes taking place in this state have nothing to do with Oshiomhole as a person. We want to believe it’s the will of God for Edo people and God decided to use Oshiomhole to re-define the politics of this state and arrest the arrogance of those who have underdeveloped the state for a very long time.”

ter taken off the list of the Supreme Court”. Justice Walter Onoghen fixed Monday for ruling. The CPC had approached the tribunal to challenge the declaration of Jonathan as winner of the last April 16 Presidential poll. The petition had been fully heard and judgment adjourned indefinitely by the Justice Kummai Bayang Akaahs-led five-man panel.

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

for polytechnics and colleges of education as it was before 2009 before UTME was introduced. Oloyede contended that the screening conducted by the varsities was geared towards determining if prospective candidates were suitable for university education. He also noted that the syllabus of the universities was completely different from those of the polytechnics and colleges of education. He, however, admitted that there were some abuses in the conduct of the Post-JAMB tests conducted by the varsities, but added that those abuses were being addressed by the Committee of vice chancellors. “We are addressing the problems right now, we have met and discussed all these problems and if we put in place what we have

agreed, the problems will be solved”. Oloyede denied that the VCs were using the test to generate funds but that rather it was costing the universities so much money to conduct the examinations. He also accepted the suggestion that a single payment should be made by candidates for both JAMB examinations and the postJAMB test. Senator Chris Ngige explained the harrowing experiences of candidates for the post JAMB in his constituency, noted that the varsities need to explain the various reports coming from the candidates of irregularities bottlenecks associated with the exercise. The Registrar of JAMB, Prof Dibu Ojerinde, had accused the VCs of converting the post UTME into a revenue generating exercise, despite a subsisting directive that the charges should not exceed N1, 000.

Akpabio inaugurates 21 projects

WENTY-one projects have been inaugurated in Nsit Atai, Akwa Ibom State, by Governor Godswill Akpabio. The projects include 16 classroom blocks, three mini water schemes, a civic centre at Okoro Nsit and a market at Ikot Eket. Akpabio, represented by Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Paul Ekpo, said the projects were in fulfillment of his promise to develop the state. He commended the people of Nsit Atai for their support and show of solidarity.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

NEWS ASUU threatens strike By Adegunle Olugbamila

EXCEPT the Federal Government honours the agreement it signed with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), another strike is imminent in the nation’s ivory tower. ASUU is accusing the governments of ‘foot-gagging’ on the implementation of 2009 agreement and exhausting the union’s patience. It urged Nigerians not to hold it responsible in the event of another strike. According to ASUU, expect something positive from Federal Government on or before November 22, a strike might be the answer. At the union’s Ibadan zonal briefing held at the Lagos State University ASUU secretariat yesterday, Zonal Coordinator, Prof Emmanuel Ajisegiri reiterated ASUU’s commitment to compel government to improve the facilities in the universities to raise education standard. Prof Ajisegiri lamented that the Federal Government has pleaded for the November 22 date when in the real sense, the first phase of the agreement which should have take three years (between 20092012), has almost lapsed. The statement reads: “As ASUU, we must continue to agitate for the proper thing to be done in our universities. If we don’t get to a point where we can begin to make impact on the economy, then we are going nowhere in this country. No nation can rise beyond its level of education. “Today, I can tell you categorically that there is no single institution in this country that supports postgraduate studies, not even the National University Commission (NUC). Nigeria has the best brains all over the world, but we lack the tools to work. Go to our laboratories, they are mere carcasses. In some of our laboratories today, stoves are being used instead of the normal Bunsen Burner. Our universities are caricatures of what an ideal university should be. Now, many of our students who graduated with B.A today cannot even write application letter. That is how degenerated the system has fallen. We had been agitating for this over the years but unfortunately we have a deaf dumb and stubborn government.”

‘Landlords to lose C of O’ By Ebele Boniface LAGOS Commissioner of Police Yakubu Alkali has said landlords who allow criminals to use their premises will lose their Certificates of Occupancy (C of O). He made the statement when the Inspector-General of Police, Hafiz Ringim commended the Special AntiRobbery Squad, that squashed a gang of robbers who specialise in using rocket launchers and other sophisticated weapons against their victims. Alkali, who presented letters of commendation to the gallant officers noted that the awardees have displayed exemplary gallantry that should be extended to other states of the federation. He equally hailed Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola for the support he has given to the police.

Sambo to arrested Osun ACN members: go to court

ICE President Namadi Sambo yesterday advised members of the Osun State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), who were arrested in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, en route Abuja to seek redress in court. He was responding to a protest from Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who decried the treatment given to law-abiding “indigenes” of Osun State by the Kogi State Police Command on Wednesday. Speaking at the inauguration of the Federal High Court, Osogbo, Aregbesola, who expressed his anger to the Federal Government over the development, said the arrest and detention of his supporters by the police was an insult to his office and an infringment on the fundamental human rights of the people. But Sambo, who repsented President Goodluck Jonathan at the programme, advised the aggrieved governor to seek redress in court, if there was any security threat to the lives of the ACN members and infringment on their fundamental rights. Refusing to recognise the President in his welcome addresss in the order of protocol, Aregbesola said: “The President was deliberately skipped

Reps’ committees to investigate police action

EMBERS of the House of Representatives yesterday expressed their displeasure at the interception and arrest of some indigenes of Osun State from gaining access in to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by men of the State Security Service (SSS) and the Nigerian Police Force (NPF). The lower chamber of the National Assembly gave its committees on Public Safety and National Security, Police Affairs and Human Rights two weeks to investigate the allegation and report back. Sponsoring a motion, Lasun Yusuf said that on September 27 this year, a convoy of about 20 buses conveying the people of Osun State from Osogbo to Abuja were stopped, harassed and detained at the at the River Niger Bridge, Lokoja and prevented from coming into Abuja. According to the lawmaker, the occupants of the 18-seater buses were forced to pass the night on the said bridge. He added that the same incident re-occurred on October 25, 2011 at the same point when a Government House vehicle conveying Osun people was again stopped, harFrom Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

while recognising other government officials present at the occasion in order to protest the arrest and detention of 29 members of ACN by the commissioner of Police in Kogi State without any justifiable reason.”

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

assed and detained at River Niger Bridge, Lokoja en-route Abuja for official business. While expressing concerns over the conduct of the security agents, Yusuf regretted that “all entreaties made to the SSS and police officers to have them released after thorough inspection of the vehicles, search on the occupants and nothing incriminating found were rebuffed. He said it was disturbing that the right to movement as guaranteed in the 1999 Constitution of these people to move freely and their general freedom of movement throughout Nigeria was flagrantly violated without any justifiable reason. “Those that were affected were subjected to inhuman and degrading punishment by being forced to pass the night on the bridge, thereby endangering their lives and health resulting in having to take treatment in a nearby hospital for attendant stress,” the lawmaker added. He said the action of the security agents was tantamount to disrespect to the government and people of Osun State. The motion was referred to the joint committee for investigation.

He added “the arrest of the 29 ACN members in Lokoja was unwarranted as it was a dangerous trend in our democracy that must be reversed in the interest of justice, fairness, equity and sustenance of our democracy.” Aregbesola, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs.

Grace Laoye-Tomori, condemned the action of the Kogi police command for what he called an infringement on the fundamental human rights of indigenes of Osdun State, urging President Jonathan to enforce respect for human rights. In his speech entitled: “Justice is Beyond the Court

Room,” the governor said the Federal Government need to address some issues that affect the administration of justice in the country, saying that reckless disregard and disrespect for the principle of fundamental human rights in the country is a serious concern.” He enumerated some of the issues affecting administration of justice in the country to include impartiality, inefficiency, delays and prison reforms among others. In his remarks, President Jonathan urged judges in the country to pursue judicial codes as the hallmark of the judiciary, adding that they should strive to erase the unsavory perception about the judiciary in the minds of the public. Inaugurating the Federal High Court, the President noted that it will add value to the cause of justice in Nigeria, urging members of the bench to dispense justice without fear or favour to whom it may concern. Some 29 members of the ACN from the state while on their way to Abuja to identify with their National Leader and former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, had on Wednesday been arrested by the police on Lokoja.

Lagos-Ilorin Express Train Service begins operation

•Guest lecturer, Mrs Adeola Banjo delivering the 25th Inaugural lecture of the Lagos State Polytechnic, entitled: “Re-thinking Risk: Need for Risk Management for Corporate Security and Success” •Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, signing the UNICEF Programme Implementation Agreement at the State House, held at the school’s main campus, Ikorodu, Lagos…yesterday Ikeja, Lagos…yesterday PHOTO: DAYO ADEWUNMI

Board jobs: Southwest PDP protests exclusion from committee L EADERS of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Southwest yesterday in Abuja called on President Goodluck Jonathan to address the imbalance in the composition of members of the Presidential Committee on the selection of nominees into Federal Boards and Parastatals. Jonathan had named members of the committee last week after dissolving all the members of Federal Boards and Parastatals. The President said the ‘powerful’ committee would be chaired by Vice President Namadi Sambo (Northwest). Other members include Senate President David Mark (Northcentral), Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal (Northwest), Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF) Anyim Pius Anyim (Southeast), Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Ogiadome (Southsouth) and the National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje

•Says exclusion was provocative From Yomi Odunuga, Abuja Bureau Chief

(Northcentral). But the Southwest elders in statement signed by Senator Bode Olajumoke described the exclusion of the zone from the board selection team as unconstitutional and provocative. The statements read in part: “There was no explanation of the criteria used in constituting members of this selection team. However, whatever the criteria that was used in the selection of the committee members, it is evidently most inconsiderate, insensitive, provocative and unconstitutional to have excluded any zone in its membership. “The Southwest zone is a critical zone like every other zone and in a situation where it is put in a disadvan-

taged position, this will not augur well for the unity of the party and of the country. If the argument is that few PDP members were elected to the National Assembly from the Southwest, at least there is a Senator elected from the Zone, and there is the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives from the zone. “It is also a fact that Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of this Country, is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT)and he is from the zone. If for Protocol sake and any other reason, it might not be proper for him to be asked to serve in a committee under the vice president, he could, at least, have been asked to nominate another Southwest BoT member to serve on that committee in order to give room for equity, balancing and fair-play.

“There are other ways I believe that the Presidency should have been more sensitive and considerate in bringing all zones on board to reflect the Federal Character of the nation as enunciated in our constitution. How can other zones truly represent or defend the interest of those excluded in a country where tribalism, nepotism, corruption and religious bigotry have eaten deep into our culture - negative tendencies that appear to be the other of the day in our dear country! “Even if PDP Southwest did not perform well in the last election, by this singular act of the Presidency, are we encouraging them to refocus and regroup, or insinuating that they are simply irrelevant and should therefore no longer be reckoned with? “The President should know clearly that notwithstanding the performance of PDP Southwest in the last election, the Southwest still voted massively for him to clinch the Presidency.”

EGINNING from tomorrow, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) will start the LagosIlorin passenger train service. A statement from the NRC said track rehabilitation work has been completed between Lagos and Jebba by the Chinese contracting firm, China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC). The statement said the final track inspection was carried out October 21 - 22 for the purpose of ascertaining the level of preparedness and fitness of the tract section for safe running of train. The inspection was under the leadership of Government Inspector of Railways and engineers from NRC, CCECC, Roughton consultancy and representatives from the Federal Ministry of Transport. The Lagos - Ilorin Express train service will for the moment serve as the flag-ship of NRC passenger train service pending the completion of the Jebba - Kano line due for completion in December. The statement said that management of NRC has assembled dedicated coaches and locomotive engines for the train service which will depart Lagos every Friday at 9:00am from Iddo terminus with a return journey to Lagos on Sundays. The coaches are made up to 1st class sleeper, second class air-conditioned coaches and the economy class. There is also a restaurant coach and modern toilet facilities for passengers’ convenience, the statement said. According to the statement, special operations staff have been deployed for the train service, which also include medical officers and the Railway Police.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

NEWS Tinubu’s trial: ACN cautions PDP over Fashola

HE Lagos State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has flayed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for criticising Governor Babatunde Fashola for sitting with 25 Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), who defended his predecessor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) in Abuja, on Wednesday. In a statement yesterday, ACN Publicity Secretary Mr. Joe Igbokwe said PDP is frustrated over its defeat at the local government election. Igbokwe said: “Fashola is a lawyer and a SAN for that matter; he understands the implications of his actions as he does his duties as the governor of Lagos State. He knows the facts about this case and he understands what is at stake. “Lagos PDP has degenerated so much that it thinks Chief Bode George’s bruised personality can be compared with Tinubu’s towering im-

LASU students vandalise Lagos Assembly property

By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Political Editor

age. PDP should find out why 25 SANs lined up to defend Tinubu and tell us how many lined up to defend George.” “Has Lagos PDP seen the charges against Tinubu? Is it similar to that of George? Where is the proof of their phantom charges against Tinubu? Why is Tinubu being tried in Abuja? “There are things Fashola knows, which little minds in Lagos PDP do not know. Fashola appeared at CCT as a lawyer and not as the Governor of Lagos State. That is why he sat where the SANs sat. “PDP will continue to bite the dust in Lagos politics until they learn the art of honesty and integrity in leadership. “Loyalty is earned over years of hard work, not a day’s job. ACN is the alternative to PDP, if we have to salvage this country from rudderless leadership.”

•House sets up panel to look into fee hike

TUDENTS of the Lagos State University (LASU) yesterday

stormed the House of Assembly and vandalised several property, including security posts, gates, flower plants and other items. They also smashed the windscreen of a Mercedes Benz 190 belonging to the cameraman of the Lagos Television (LTV), attached to the House. The House had, on Tuesday, summoned the Commissioner for Education, Yinka Oladunjoye; Special Adviser to the Governor on Education Fatai Olukoga; LASU’s Acting Vice-Chancellor Mrs. Ibiyemi Olatunji Bello; and the executive of the Students’ Union to ap-

By Oziegbe Okoeki

pear before it yesterday, over the hike in school fees, which was earlier protested by the students. Shortly after the lawmakers began sitting yesterday, they invited those summoned into the chamber. LASU students stormed the Assembly in their hundreds to witness the meeting, but were not allowed into the complex by security officers. The students forced their way into the Assembly complex. They were said to have beaten up some of the security officers. One of the students said: “We left the school because we wanted to witness the proceedings, but those security men believed they could stop

us from gaining entrance. Where are they? They should come out, if we will not beat the hell out of them.” It was also learnt that the students allegedly hijacked two Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses and beat up one of the drivers. After listening to those summoned, the Assembly set up a committee to look into the matter. The panel is headed by House Leader Ajibayo Adeyeye. Members of the committee are Hodewo Suru Avoseh (Badagry), Lanre Ogunyemi (Agege), Oladunjoye, Olukoga, LASU Students’ Union Executive, representatives of the Parents’ Forum, and LASU VC. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education is

the panel’s secretary. The committee is to arrive at a fee that would be acceptable to stakeholders and present its report in two weeks. Mrs. Bello said the school’s management was only implementing the directive from the state government as contained in the White Paper issued by the Visitation Panel. A former President of LASU Student’s Union, Sanai Agunbiade, who is now a member of the House, condemned the violence displayed by the students yesterday. Agunbiade urged the Students’ Union President, Durojaiye Akeem, to call the students to order.

Ekiti renames school, road after lawmaker From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

HE Ekiti State Government has renamed Otun Comprehensive High School in Otun-Ekiti and former Parliament Road in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, after the late Deputy Speaker of the Third House of Assembly, Abayomi Saliu Adeoti. Governor Kayode Fayemi spoke yesterday on the floor of the House at a special session to mark the one year anniversary of Adeoti’s death. Fayemi described the late lawmaker as “an icon of democracy, who deserves being celebrated.” He said the late Adeoti “lived a purposeful, thoughtful, fulfilled, eventful and colourful life.” The late Adeoti was a member of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). He represented Moba Constituency 1. Adeoti died on October 27, last year, after a brief illness. He was aged 39

Ogun land panel summons ex-D-G over alleged N6m land deal From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

HE Ogun State Lands Commission of Enquiry has summoned the former Director–General, Lands and Survey, Mr. Gbenga Ogunnoiki to appear before it next Tuesday in respect of an alleged N6 million land deal. Pastor Femi Orekoya of the Lands Ratification Department was also summoned. The Managing Director of Input Limited, Mr. Gabriel Ikenwe, had petitioned the commission, claiming that he bought a piece of land on the Ogun State stretch of the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, but has been unable to take possession of it. He said the land, which was allegedly purchased in June, 2010, belonged to the state government. Ikenwe alleged that Ogunnoiki asked him to pay N6 million for the ratification of the land, instead of the official N1.540 million. He said he paid the N6 million and the ratification was carried out by Orekoya, but another person now occupies the land. The commission’s head, Justice Abiodun Akinyemi, said it is important for Ogunnoiki and Orekoya to appear before the panel and explain their side of the story. He assured the public that the panel would be fair to all parties.

Lagos probes building collapse •Sanitation: Suspends movement restriction

HE Lagos State Government is probing the cause of the collapse of a six-storey building in Maryland on Tuesday. Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development Toyin Ayinde yesterday said the government is probing why the building, which had not shown any sign of distress, went down. Ayinde said the owner may not forfeit the property to the government. Also, there will be no restriction of movement during tomorrow’s environmental sanitation. Commissioner for Environment Mr. Tunji Bello urged residents to clean their surroundings and clear the drains to allow free flow of water. He said this would prevent flooding, which was predicted by meteorologists, going by the intensity of the rains.

•From left: Ekiti State House of Assembly Speaker Adewale Omirin; Fayemi; his wife Erelu Bisi; and Deputy Governor Mrs. Funmi Olayinka naming Adeoti Road...yesterday.

Ibadan shooting: ‘Culprit’ll be punished’

HE policeman, who allegedly shot a truck driver over N20 in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, yesterday, will face disciplinary action, Police Commissioner Moses Onireti has said. The victim, Aminu Mudashiru, was shot in the hand.

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

It was gathered that the policeman asked Mudashiru for N20, but the driver said he had paid on an earlier trip. Eyewitnesses said the policeman insisted and ordered Mudashiru to park. While the driver was try-

ing to park properly, the policeman thought he wanted to drive off and shot at him. Onireti confirmed the incident. He said the three policemen at the scene of the incident had been arrested and investigation into the incident has begun. He said: “We should thank God that no life was lost in

the incident. I assure you that any member of the force who misbehaves would not be spared from facing disciplinary actions.” Onireti refuted reports that Mudashiru was hospitalised. He said the victim was treatment and allowed to go home.

Oyo to pay 142 per cent pension arrears

HE Oyo State Government yesterday approved the payment of the 142 per cent pension increase arrears to retirees. Governor Abiola Ajimobi said the payment of the arrears, spanning five years and two months, would reduce the suffering of the pensioners. Ajimobi also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a firm, DAG Motorcycle Industries Nigeria Limited, for the procurement and distribution of 1,000 units of tricycles to the people, under the administration’s poverty alleviation programme. The governor, represented by the Secretary to the State

•Succour for boat mishap victims From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

Government (SSG), Alhaji Akin Olajide, also assured civil servants that their welfare is a priority to his administration. Chairman of the state’s branch of the National Union of Pensioners (NUP) Alhaji Lateef Adegoke said: “It is a good development for pensioners in Oyo State. This is wonderful and unbelievable. We had been struggling to get the payment in the last six years. “The last administration made several promises to pay the money, but failed to fulfill the promises. In fact, they told

us in October 2010 that by December last year, the arrears would be paid. When we went back to them, they told us there was no money because they were preparing for their second term campaign. “I am grateful to Governor Ajimobi, who has graciously approved the payment of the arrears, just three months after he assumed office. This shows that he has the interest of his people at heart.” Also yesterday, the government promised to assist victims of a boat mishap at Olori in Oyo East Local Government Area. The 10 passengers on board were thrown into the river

when the boat capsized, but were rescued and taken to the hospital. Deputy Governor Moses Adeyemo visited Olori yesterday to console the people. Adeyemo thanked God that no life was lost in the accident. He said: “We will do everything possible to assist you (the villagers). The Ajimobi-led administration is committed to the well being of the people. “As soon as the governor arrives, he will be briefed on the development and your problems shall be adequately addressed.” Adeyemo directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to provide relief materials for the victims.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2011

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

The depositor did not go to the bank to lose money. Whoever puts his money in the bank expects to get that money on demand. My obligation is to make sure that every depositor gets his money. -CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

Globacom connects Babcock University

MTN records 4% subscriber rise

By Adline Atili

ELECOM giant, Globacom has announced connection of Babcock University to its international submarine cable, the Glo 1. Head of Glo 1 Enterprise Solutions, Folu Aderibigbe, said the connectivity would provide fast and reliable Internet services to the university. A few months ago, the Telco signed a multimillion-naira connectivity deal with the university for the provision of 40 Megabytes of Internet link, said to be the largest in the nation’s education sector so far. This is in preparation for the January 2012 take off of the university’s Benjamin S. Carson School of Medicine and the Babcock Business School both of which are to operate smart classrooms, simulation laboratories and high-tech instructional facilities hooked on to global partners around the world. “With the deal, the university’s faculty and students will be able to leverage the power of the Glo 1 cable to conduct online researches and real-time laboratory and classroom collaborative teaching from renowned scholars around the world on virtually all subject areas. It will be an exciting experience for them,” Aderibigbe said. He added that Glo 1 was steadily moving towards realising its vision of bringing 100 per cent prosperity to Africa . “Glo 1’s contribution to various sectors including education, health care, oil and gas, power, is clearly becoming evident,” he noted. Vice-chancellor of the institution, Professor Kayode Makinde, expressed delight that Glo 1 will address the university’s Internet requirements and make research and scholarship pleasant and seamless.

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

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

0.281 213.2 245.00 156.91 1.5652 245.8 40.57

• From left: National President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Chief kola Jamodu; Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Kehinde Durosinmi -Etti; and Vice President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Tunde Oyelola, during the 44th Annual General Meeting Public Lecture of MAN, in Lagos...on Wednesday.

Expect tight budget in 2012, says Okonjo-Iweala I

N far away Australia, the Government yesterday gave an insight into next year’s budget, saying its fiscal framework will be tight. Its financial outlay will focus on security and infrastructure development. Finance Minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said. Other areas to get priority attention are power and the ports. The minister spoke at a presidential roundtable on investing in Nigeria with top business leaders in Burwood, Australia. The coordinating Minister of the economy reiterated the government’s plan to cut recurrent spending, which stands at 60 per cent of the budget. “What do we need to do? Our priority in the present budget is first and foremost security, second is infrastructure, infrastructure, and infrastructure because this is one of the bottlenecks to making the other sectors in the economy work. We also need power, roads, and ports,” Mrs Okonjo-Iweala said, adding:

• Security, infrastructure get priority From Yusuf Alli, Australia

“We launched port reforms recently; we tried to bring down the cost of going through our ports and saving people the stress that it entails, like taking three to four weeks clearance of goods. We tried to bring the clearance period to one week and even less, halving the number of agencies at the ports and trying to deal with the corruption, extortion and other things that go on there, to bring the cost of doing business down. “In short, we are really very focused in this administration in trying to put in place the environment for the real sector to grow and trying to put in place the kind of investments that will promote growth. “All these things will not happen overnight, but by trying to invest in infrastructure to create the enabling

environment for business, we will be able to give the kind of growth to the sector that matters to grow. “However, in looking for investors in these sectors, we realised that the budget cannot cover all our needs. That is why we are very much interested in alternative forms of financing and investmentpublic-private partnership. We are actively looking at how to partner, especially for investment in infrastructure.” Dr. Okonjo-Iweala said the budget might be fairly tight with the likelihood of scaling down domestic debt. She said: “We are putting together a budget that is fairly tight. We are looking at a fiscal deficit of three per cent or less and we are going to maintain that over a medium term. “We are looking at increasing investment in the economy, curtailing the re-

current expenditure to a reasonable level. We are looking at scaling down domestic debt and holding debt at a reasonable level. “At this point, I must say that one of the good things we have got going for us is our debt-GDP ratio of 20 per cent, which is probably one of the lowest around the world. This gives us plenty of room particularly on the external debt side where we have about three to four per cent to GDP ratio. “I think we are reasonably in good shape, once we can maintain this fiscal level. And you see what has happened at the monetary policy side as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has responded to make sure that the exchange rate is kept stable. The exchange rate has increased sharply, but I am sure we will be able to bring it down over time, because we realised what it means for the real sector to be able to borrow.” The Minister assured the business leaders that the government will create the enabling environment for investment.

Nigeria’s debts hit N6.02trillion

HE debt profile of the nation was yesterday put at N6.02 trillion (US$39.72 billion). Chairman, Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, Ehigie Uzamere, disclosed this during the inauguration of the Committee in Abuja. He said external and domestic debts stand at US$5.398 billion and N5.210 trillion. He said: “This amount is unsettling and calls for concern. At the advent of civil rule, the country’s external debts stood at over $326billion. It was unsustainable and posed serious threat to our economy and our sovereignty as a nation. “The Obasanjo administration, with Mrs Ngozi OkonjoIweala as minister of Finance,

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

successfully negotiated and secured a debt relief in 2005, which reduced our external debts drastically. “Currently, our external debts stand at $5.398billion, which translates to 2.76 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Our domestic debt is N5.210trillion (17.53 per cent). “The total debt stands at $39.72billion (or N6.02trillion), which is 20.29 per cent of GDP. “Compared to the global limit of 40 per cent, the country is on safe ground. “There is a dire need for the executive to focus more on borrowing for projects with

self-repaying capacity and job generation, rather than borrowing to finance gap in budgets that are largely recurrent,” he added. Uzamere said while the total debt of N6.02 trillion is more than the Federal Government’s annual budget, its external component translates to 2.76 per cent of our GDP while its domestic component is 17.53 per cent of GDP. He was, however, not comfortable with the Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA) supplied by the Debt Management Bureau, saying “there are other Debt Sustainability Indices (DSI) that are more realistic and revealing that the Debt/GDP ratio.” “Do we have the capacity to repay this money, considering our yearly revenue profile?

What is the future value of the total debt in 10 years’ time?” Ehigie asked and promised engaging the executive to generate good quality data for its DSA. “Needless to say that proper DSA reveals a country’s susceptibility to debt distress; the committee will align its energy with the executive to review the country’s debt policy and, thereto, redefine its debt strategy,” he added. Uzamere urged the government to wholly embrace Public Private Partnership (PPP) through adequate legal framework to safeguard workability of the scheme as it is a sure way to hasten the provision of infrastructure with less financial burden to the government.

TN Group, Africa’s largest mobile operator, has reported a four per cent rise in third quarter subscribers, saying it had been warned by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to improve its service. MTN said in a statement that it had 158.6 million subscribers at the end of September, up from 152.3 million three months earlier. Some of its bigger percentage gains were in Iran and Syria, as well as Uganda and its home market of South Africa. MTN also said its Nigerian unit was one of three operators that had been warned by the local regulator to improve the quality of its service. NCC, in a statement said it may stop the three major mobile operators, MTN, Globacom and Airtel, from further sale of SIM cards by end of November 2011 if they fail to meet with the Key Performance Indicators (KPI) set by it to improve quality of service with immediate effect. The three operators have been issued a 30-day deadline, effective from November 1, 2011, to reverse the trend. According to the commission, this deadline follows a dismal performance by the three operators on quality of service from the result of an independent monitoring exercise carried out by the commission across the country, which showed that all three operators failed to meet with four KPIs that are crucial for quality of service improvement.

Nothing has changed, says NNPC From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

HE Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday stated that nothing has changed about the government’s objective of deregulating the downstream sector of the petroleum industry. The Group General Manager, Public Affairs Division of the (NNPC), Dr. Levi Ajuonuma, in a statement, defended the Minister of Petroleum Resources Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke over claims by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) that the Government is economical with the truth regarding the planned deregulation programme. He said that nothing has changed about the Federal Government’s objective of deregulating the downstream sector of the petroleum industry to encourage the influx of investments and the plough back of savings from subsidy into key infrastructure projects.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2011

BUSINESS NEWS Fed Govt to float mines infrastructure committee From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

N order to ease the infrastructural challenges in the mining sector, the Federal Government has directed that an inter-ministerial technical committee on mines infrastructure be established. Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Musa Sada disclosed this yesterday at the 27th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerian Metallurgical Society (NMS) in Abuja . Sada said this has become expedient in view of the fact that there is ”severe inadequate funding, policy inconsistency, lack of Regulatory Manual and Metallurgical Act to streamline the activities of the sector, which has constituted major challenges militating against sustainable development of the sector.” But he said despite these challenges, efforts are on to address these issues as the ministry is dialogue with relevant bodies. The minister said there are infrastructural inadequacies in the sector, which necessitated the meeting he recently held with top officials of the Ministry of Transport, who are custodians of rail and waterway transport across the country. According to him, the synergy he sought is targeted at synchronising his ministry’s developmental programme with transport infrastructure development in order to optimise the operational requirements of mining and metallurgical dealings. He however, added that only efficient rail and waterways system would facilitate bulk movement of raw materials from the mines to the smelting and refining facilities, and products from the smelters to both local and export markets.

Senate committee seeks pension scheme appraisal From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

HE Chairman, Senate com mittee on Establishment and Public Service, Senator Aloysius Etok yesterday said that there was need to appraise the implementation of the contributory Pension Scheme seven years after its introduction. Etok disclosed this during a sensitisation seminar on Pension Reform Act 2004 at the Le Meridien Hotel and Golf Resort, Uyo in Akwa Ibom state. He explained that through such assessment, it would be easier to determine the level of efficiency and effectiveness of the scheme. The lawmaker reasoned that in the past seven years, the scheme had been tested and tried, adding that, in the next 10 years pensioners under the scheme would continue to increase thereby giving greater challenges and demand for funds for the payment of retirement entitlements and pension every month. His words: “There is therefore, the dire need to appraise the implementation of the pension reform Act, 2004 and the management of the pension scheme and the funds thereto, under the Act within the last seven years; in order to determine and assess the level of efficiency and effectiveness thereto, identify the problems, encumbrances, defects and deficiencies of this Act for appropriate legislative actions.” “The number of pentioners under the Pension Reform Act regime will continue to rise and increase in such a manner that in the next 10 years, there would be greater transition from the old pension regime to the present one with greater number of pensioners under the new scheme.”

Reps fault govt on Budget 2011

HE House of Representatives yesterday chided the Executive for grave inconsistencies in the implementation of the 2011 budget, just as it stated that the 2012 budget will not be received if the Minister for Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala fails for appear before its Committee on Appropriation next week. The House also accused the Executive for not following the terms of the 2011 Appropriation Act to the letter because of refusal of the Federal government to send in quarterly reports of the budget releases and performance to the National Assembly. While expressing disappointment on the budget performance for the current year, the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, John Enoh, said it has become the fashion for the Minister to shun invitations from the House, saying she does not even have the courtesy to send a letter indicating her inability to honour the invitations. Enoh said the 2011 budget was

• Want budgets in , by September From: Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

well funded and therefore there is no excuse for the dismal implementation level, adding that this was the reason the House at plenary recently mandated the Appropriation Committee to ensure that all projects in the 2011 budget that were not implemented should be captured in the 2012 budget. He also accused the Executive of deliberately refusing to implement projects added into the budget by the National Assembly However, the Minister of State for Finance, Yerima Bulama, who stood in for Okonjo- Iweala told the committee that the Federal Government was not implementing the budget selectively. Bulama said the implement on the 2011 budget has its challenges and that the Federal Government has mandated the Director-General of the Budget Office to shop for N852 billion, which would en-

able the government to implement the 2011 budget fully. Meanwhile, the House has proposed a clear-cut date of September for the submission of the budget, saying, “this will allow stricter examination of the previous budget and still be able to take presentations from well over 200 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA). “Going by the size and nature of this country, there is no how a thorough and tangible job can be produced with the current arrangement,” he said. This followed a bill sponsored by Femi Gbajabiamila, titled, ‘A Bill to alter the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria , 1999, Cap. C23 laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004,” to provide a definite date for the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to present an appropriation bill for the next financial year to the National Assembly.

Flight Schedule MONDAY - FRIDAY LAGOS – ABUJA Departure Arrival 1. Aero 06.50 08.10 2. Associated 07.00 09.30 3. Air Nigeria 07.00 08.20 4. IRS 07.00 08.20 5. Dana 07.02 08.22 6. Arik 07.15 08.15 7. Chanchangi 07.15 8. Air Nigeria 08.15 09.35 9. Dana 08.10 09.20 10. Aero 08.45 10.05 11. Arik 09.15 10.15 12. Chanchangi 10.00 11.00 13. IRS 11.15 12.35 14. Dana 12.06 12.26 15. Aero 12.20 13.30 16. Air Nigeria 13.25 14.45 17. Chanchangi 13.30 14.30 18. Arik 13.45 14.45 19. IRS 14.00 15.20 20. Aero 14.10 15.30 21. Air Nigeria 14.50 16.10 22. Dana 15.30 16.50 23. Chanchangi 15.30 16.30 24. Arik 15.50 16.50 25. Aero 16.00 17.20 26. IRS 16.30 17.50 27. Arik 16.50 17.50 28. Dana 17.10 18.30 29. Chanchangi 17.30 18.30 30. Air Nigeria 17.35 18.55 31. Air Nigeria (T/TH) 18.30 19.50 32. Arik 18.45 19.45 33. Aero 19.20 20.40 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

LAGOS – BENIN Arik 07.30 Associated 08.30 Aero 10.50 Arik 11.45 Associated 13.00 Aero 14.25 Arik 15.30 Associated 16.00

1. 2. 3. 4.

Arik Aero Arik Aero

1. Arik 2. Aero 1. 2. 3. 4.

• From left: Registrar/CEO, Mrs Sunday Adeyemi; National Treasurer,Mr. Ijoema Enekwa, President/Chairman of Council; Mr. Abiola Popoola and Chairperson Local organising Committee (LOC), Lady Orji, all of the Chartered Institute of Personel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) during the 43rd Annual National Conference of the Institute held in Abuja ... on Wednesday.

Fed Govt earmarks N9b for asset insurance

HE Federal Government has set aside N9 billion for the insurance of its assets, the Commissioner for Insurance Mr Fola Daniel has said. The Commissioner, who disclosed this to journalists in Uyo, said the money was earmarked to provide insurance cover for all federal governments properties, adding that the government would soon issue a circular that would enable insurers

By Chuks Udo Okonta, Uyo

have access to the funds. Government’s insurance provision for its assets was N14 billion in 2010, out of which insurers only accessed N9 billion. Daniel said the industry has in recent times enjoyed adequate support from the government in repositioning insurance business. He said that the campaign on the

enforcement of insurance has reached its climax, noting that companies are now keying into the initiatives of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM). The commissioner said that NAICOM would commence on-site enforcement of compulsory insurance from November 15, adding that Ibadan Oyo State capital has been chosen for take-off of the exercise.

Substandard bulbs importers get two weeks HE Standard Organisation lighting market in Nigeria today ultimatum of Nigeria (SON) have given is filled with more of substandard two weeks ultimatum to the products especially lamps of

traders/ importers dealing with substandard bulb to get rid of it. Within this period, all stakeholders must also register with the organisation. At a meeting with the dealers/ importers of the products, the Director General, SON, Dr Joseph Odumodu said 90 per cent of the bulbs valued at N500million are in circulation, yearly. Odumodu disclosed that over 80

By Toba Agboola

per cent of the products failed life performance test, adding that Nigeria does not have any energy saving bulbs at the moment. “I can prove to you that the country loses about N500 million importing substandard bulbs”, he said, adding: The purchase of one good bulb ensures that one uses it for a longer period unlike inferior or substandard ones. The

different types. “Currently he said there is new product registration regime in SON and importers are all required to comply. The Director- General said that the enforcement would continue until the situation is sanitised, adding that for security reasons the SON would not disclose where it would be at any point in time.

GTB earns N12bn from sale of GTAssur

UARANTY Trust Bank (GTB) Plc received N11.91 billion from the sale of its majority equity stake in Guaranty Trust Assurance (GTAssur) Plc as the lender concluded its divestment from the erstwhile insurance subsidiary. Following Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s new banking regulatory regime that required banks to either divest from non-core bank-

By Taofik Salako

ing subsidiaries or form a holding company to hold those subsidiaries, GTB had decided to divest from its subsidiaries and focus entirely on core commercial banking. GTB yesterday said it had completed the sale of 67.68 per cent equity stake in GTAssur to Assur Africa Holding (AAH). The shares were sold at a price of N1.76 per

share for a total consideration of N11.910 billion, approximately $76 million. In confirmation of the completion of the deal, a total of 6.77 billion shares of GTAssur worth N11.91 billion were exchanged in 17 deals yesterday at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). GTAssur’s paid up share capital consists of 10 billion shares of 50 kobo each.

LAGOS – CALABAR 07.30 11.20 12.50 16.00 LAGOS – JOS 10.55 11.15

LAGOS – KADUNA Aero 08.00 Chanchangi 10.00 Arik 10.00 Arik 15.10

08.30 09.10 11.50 12.45 13.40 15.20 16.30 16.40 08.50 12.40 14.10 17.20 12.15 12.45 09.10 11.00 11.10 16.20

LAGOS – PORT HARCOURT (CIVIL) 1. Aero 07.15 08.35 2. Arik 07.15 08.35 3. Arik 09.00 10.20 4. Dana 09.27 10.40 5. Aero 10.50 12.30 6. Arik 11.40 13.00 7. Air Nigeria 12.00 13.10 8. IRS 13.30 15.00 9. Arik 14.00 15.20 10. Dana 15.03 16.20 11. Air Nigeria 16.00 17.10 12. Arik 16.10 17.30 13. Aero 16.15 17.30 14. Arik 17.10 18.30 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

LAGOS – OWERRI Aero 07.30 Arik 07.30 Air Nigeria 13.40 Arik 14.00 Arik 16.30

08.40 08.40 14.55 15.10 17.40

1. 2. 3. 4.

Arik Aero Arik Aero

LAGOS – WARRI 08.15 11.50 11.55 14.55

09.1 12.50 12.55 15.55

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

LAGOS – KANO Air Nigeria 07.10 IRS 08.00 Dana 08.10 Arik 12.20 IRS 14.00 IRS 18.15

08.50 09.45 09.40 14.00 15.45 19.55

LAGOS – OWERRI 07.20 14.00 16.30

08.30 15.10 17.40

LAGOS – UYO 10.35

11.35

1. Arik 2. Arik 3. Arik 1. Dana

LAGOS – MAIDUGURI 1. IRS 11.15 13.15 2. Arik 15.50 18.00 LAGOS – ILORIN 1. Overland 07.15 2. Arik (M/T/TH/F) 17.30

08.00 18.00

LAGOS – ABUJA SAT/SUN Arik 7.15; 10.20; 2.20; 5.20pm – 7.30; 9.15; 10.20; 2.20; 4.50; 6.45 Aero 07.30; 09.35; 13.10; 14.50; 20.20 – 07.30; 09.35; 13.10; 14.50; 20.20 Air Nigeria 08.15; 14.30; 17.15; 18.30 – 08.15; 13.30; 14.30; 17.15; 18.30

SHOPPING

THE NATION

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

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

•BlackBerry Touch

e-mail: janicenkoli@yahoo.com 08033349992 sms only

email:- shopping@thenationonlineng.net

•BlackBerry Storm

Much ado about Blackberry •BlackBerry iPod Touch

Leather for a suitable weather Page 14

Abuja cake convention holds Nov. 25 Page 15

And the bride wore... black! Page 16

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

SHOPPING

Much ado about Blackberry Many people aspire to have a blackberry irrespective of the number of phones they already have. For some, it aids their communication, for others, it is what is in vogue. JANICE NKOLI IFEME and FUNMI AYODELE write on the Blackberry craze.

HE President of the United States (US), Barack Obama, became known for his dependence on Blackberry for communication during his 2008 presidential campaign. Despite the security implications, he insisted on using it even after inauguration, becoming the first US President to use mobile email. Some saw this as an endorsement of the device. Indeed, Blackberry has become a part of many. There seems to be a craving for it. Actually, many are crazy about it. Last week, The Nation Shopping witnessed a scene close to the University of Lagos, which captures people’s penchant for Blackberry. A book seller was advertising a book on guide to the use of GSM. A group of people was listening to him with great interest. He stated how the GSM could be used for a lot of things. The one that elicited greater response was when he said that a woman could use it to detect if she is pregnant or not rather than go to the hospital for scan. He added however, that only a Blackberry could be used for it. Some women talked among themselves: “I like this one o’; so I won’t need to go to the hospital to find out?’ A man shouted from the rear: Ah, my wife will like this one o. Demonstrate…Show us how it is done”. Quite happy that he was drawing attention, he asked for a Blackberry. Many began to display their Blackberry. A group of five girls made a show of theirs and began to struggle whose would be used. The book vendor then beckoned on one of them. She gave her Blackberry to the man. It obviously looked tattered and some of the items on the keyboard were no longer visible. “Oh, this one is not clear enough. Let me have your own”, he beckoned on the next girl. But as the man scrambled for what he was looking for and couldn’t find it, he laughed saying: “ahh, this one is different o”. He collected another Blackberry from the next girl and still met the same disappointment. He said in astonishment. “This your Blackberry na wao”. Everyone broke into laughter as another man helped drive home his message, saying: “Don’t mind them, they just go and collect nonsense phone and be posing as Blackberry users. Blackberry my foot”. Right there another man said: “There is

nothing one won’t see from these girls. This Blackberry showed me the extravagant nature of my girl friend. She was always demanding money to recharge her phone. I truly wanted to marry her, but I had to call it quits.” Many may be making a show of Blackberry. Others may buy it because it is in vogue. Yet, many prefer it for its several uses that make it different from other products. Blackberry devices are smartphones, designed to function as personal digital assistants, portable media players, internet browsers, gaming devices and much more. They are primarily known for their ability to send and receive e-mail and instant messages while maintaining a high level of security through on-device message encryption. Blackberry devices support a large variety of instant messaging features, including Blackberry Messenger. With its efficiency and qualities, its demand is high. At present, it has the highest stock in the market as well as highest demand. It is expensive but saves cost as a result of being able to browse and ping cheaply with it. Most people use it for business because it is a mini computer; message can be passed through it to heterogeneous audience, which also makes it one of the channels in the element of communication. Mr Ugochukwu Okonji, a marketer at Ikeja said Blackberry is now at 70 per cent in demand, among other products. A user, Miss Folakemi Ajayi said that it is the best phone she has ever used for now because she does not need to go to the cyber café before she can browse and also its speed and accuracy in delivering message is high. Majority of users do not have any complain about the phone, but the illiterate who are opportune to afford the phone do complain about it because they lack the knowledge to operate it; infact they do not know the usefulness of the phone. Blackberries have variety with different prices. Most people prefer to buy fairly used because of a price difference of N10,000. It is now obvious that whereever people are Blackberry will always be found.

•BlackBerry Bold3

•Saupload Appcenter

Leather for a suitable weather Leather is a fabric of fashion and perhaps, most suitable for the rain. The beauty and style of leather outfits cannot be matched, writes TONIA ‘DIYAN.

•Leather pants

HE slim and clean look of a leather pant makes it attractive for any woman. If, however, you desire to show a little bit more leg then hot pants is a good option and one made of leather, certainly will add that sex appeal to your walk. Leather, as a textile, has advanced through the years. You will barely find a designer or a fashion house that may never have done a collection of leather pants. One of such is Christian Dior, who has launched new trends. Leather pants never go out of fashion. Carefully created high quality grain leather, when transformed into a pant is likely to grab attention and the wearer may by no means go unnoticed. Leather outfits are immensely cool and trendy but should be worn with caution. If you do not fit into leather slim pants, then you need not use them. Leather pants must fit your body style otherwise you may face serious effects of being inadequately fitted. Slim leather pants would bring out the untamed side of you and would give the high street attraction when paired with stylish coats and jackets. There are various types of leather outfits for your comfort:

cropped leather pants with belts loops and zip fastening pockets have totally changed the concept of skin tight and foxy pants. Bellbottom leather pants present you with the alternative of how you can rock and still stay within the confines of being multicultural and elegant. You could also go for snap bottom. There is the Capri leather trouser which looks really good for almost any casual wear. They also come in various animal skin types. The side criss-cross and front criss-cross leather pants will definitely keep anyone trendy. Get all the misguided beliefs out of your mind because leather outfits are very affordable and are not very hard to clean as often assumed. Check out the various leather outfits mentioned and be ready to shimmy in a brilliant pair. When shopping for leather clothing, keep in mind that most leather is made from cowhide. Additionally, ostrich leather is used by major fashion designers such as Hermes, Prada, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton. Wear a leather jacket with jeans and a t-shirt for a casual yet cool look. Pair a dark leather skirt with a pretty silk blouse for a night outing.

Never wear leather from head to toe. As far as accessories go, leather is always a great choice, A leather handbag or a leather wallet in a classic style is a wise investment because you will be able to use the same item for several years. Whether male or female, a leather belt is another great purchase for building your wardrobe. Caring for leather is a bit more difficult than caring for other types of clothing and accessories, but proper maintenance is the key to protecting your purchases. Coating a leather item with a spray-on leather protector will help keep it from drying out and reduce moisture damage. Avoid contact with hair care products and perfumes while wearing leather outfits because they could discolour the leather. Keep them away from direct sunlight to reduce the risk of fading. If your leather item needs to be cleaned, give it to a dry cleaner. But you need one who is experienced and specialises in leather and suede garments. Not all dry cleaners are familiar with the specialised stain removal techniques required to clean leather outfits correctly.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

SHOPPING

Smarten up with pussy bows, pencil skirts Make your wardrobe more attractive with lady- like outfit, such as pussy bows and pencil skirts, writes JANICE NKOLI IFEME.

F you are usually a jeans and T-shirts kind of girl, many dress shops are on a mission to smarten up your look. If that sounds dull, do not despair – there is nothing boring about dressing like a lady. With good dress sense, you could walk tall like you were off to work at the most glamorous office in the world. A slim-fitting pencil skirt that hits just below the knee and a retro-style pussy-bow blouse are all you need to work this look but if you want to look like a lady from head to toe you would need to tame your hair, paint your nails and slip your feet into some towering heels. If you would feel silly in a giant pussy bow, you could tone things down in a sleek black button-down blouse and skirt. This is a great way for curvy ladies to work grown-up chic

as the clean lines create a sexy silhouette without drowning you in frills and flounces Do not worry if you are happiest in jeans and trousers. A pussy-bow blouse in contemporary colours - burgundy - teamed with baggy boyfriend jeans and towering heels. It is a very wearable look for day or night and as you would only need to buy one new piece to update your look. And if you fancy going the whole hog and picking up a curvy pencil skirt, look out for stretchy ponte fabric that will smooth any lumps and bumps and help to create the perfect look. There are plenty of pussy bow blouses on the high street right now, so there is bound to be one that fits your budget. Look out for bold prints and bright colours, which look great with pencil skirts, trousers and jeans.

•This snake print pussy-bow blouse can be dressed up or down. You can wear it with the pussy bow done up or open or layer it over a vest.

•A bright colour blouse as this looks great with black. This one is quite sheer, so you would probably need to slip a vest underneath, especially if you are wearing it for work.

Cake baking has grown from hobby to being a passion for many. Are you interested in baking and decorating cakes or its sugar art? Then, you must be at this Abuja event. TONIA ‘DIYAN writes.

Abuja cake convention holds Nov. 25

AKE baking and decorating is a popular hobby among men and women alike. The Abuja Cake Convention coming up next month will provide a platform for cake lovers and vendors to meet. The concept of the event is to assemble and encourage cake decorating, baking and sugar art from amateur to professional level. The convention would enable cake vendors align, interact and compete. They would have the opportunity to advertise their products to the teeming shoppers who would grace the show. The event would be held on the 25th and 26th next month at Chancellery Hotel, Wuse, Abuja. Stands are on sale for vendors at N15, 000 per day. Items used for cake decoration and other forms of pastries would be available. There would be a talk on the history of cake by a cake vendor. Some of the cake decorators expected at the convention are; Abuja cakes, Flourishing cakes and Confectioners. The event is for those aspiring to be the finest, creamiest and smoothest of cake vendors’. It is a place to connect with cake bakers, decorators and sugar artists. The venue would be open for free to cake decorators, bakers, sugar artists, cake lovers, clients, event planners, wedding planners, prospective couples, caterers, chefs, cooks, restaurants/eateries, school cafeterias, students, churches and the public.

•Birthday cake

There will be other attractions such as; artist performances from the likes of D’zest, JayPee Swagnificent, Yungslick, Soule Baba, Anogiri and many more, comedians such as Ode among others will be performing. There will be various dance troops such as the Diamond, who would perform to the theme, ‘We are born creative’. It is organised by Divine I- Mode Concepts Limited, an outfit reputable for having organised successful shows such as the Apapa beauty and dance show held in Lagos for Sona Breweries plc; the blue jeans welcome jamz for jambites, at the Bayero University, Kano and the new yam festival of Aradhe town, Delta State.

Shopping Right with

Counting the costs •Did Gaddafi shop right?

INALLY, Libya’s strong man, Colonel Muammar Muhammad Abu Minyar alGaddafi is out of the way. The bid to oust him resulted in destroying virtually everything he built in Libya. Indeed, the country is left to JANICE NKOLI IFEME count the cost of the revolution. The issue on ground is how to rebuild the devastated country and hitherto, secluded and buoyoutput has since slowed to a trickle. With the aim ant economy. Edmond Burke noted: “after a war, of improving that situation, foreign oil compaall that are left are deaths and taxes”. As David nies are jockeying for positions in Libya’s enHartwell, Middle East analyst aptly puts it,” ergy sector. what you almost always find in these cases is When Gaddafi seized power in a bloodless that the postwar planning hasn’t kept pace with military coup as a Lieutenant in 1969, it was called the planning for the conflict itself. There’s going a revolution. His ousting also became a revoluto be a lot to do”. tion. Gaddafi’s revolution actually offered a lot The Transitional Council (NTC) has said reto the masses. In 1951, Libya was the poorest building Libya’s broken infrastructure will take country in the world. But with Gaddafi, it enat least a decade. Throughout his 42-year reign, joyed the highest standard of living in Africa. Gaddafi defied Western powers, especially the Homes were considered a human right. He United States which vowed to house every emerged the unipolar Libyan before his own power following the fall parents and kept his Anyone who wished to promise. Before he of the Soviet Union and made it clear that he did up, less than 1/ become a farmer was given came not need them to run his 5th of Libyan’s where free use of land, a home, illiterate. Under him, country, nor did he need their interference; unbecame equipment, livestock and education like other African nafree and high quality tions where they have seeds. Libya was debt free and and the literacy rate great influence. Till the to 83 per cent. the people shared in the rose last minute, he urged his Newly married cousupporters to continue wealth of their country, free ples received $50,000 the resistance against buy a home. Elecfrom the shackles of usury and to Western ideologies. tricity and gas was free While the battle raged, for all. Healthcare Western banking interests. he said he would fight was free and high and die in Libyan soil. quality. All loans He was captured in a were interest free. If a sewage pipe near his home town, Sirte. Libyan bought a car, the government paid 50 per Libya’s NTC has outlined its strategy to stabicent of the price. Anyone who wished to become lise the country. The head of the Libyan a farmer was given free use of land, a home, Stabilisation Team, Ahmed Jehani, noted that equipment, livestock and seeds. Libya was debt international help would be needed. free and the people shared in the wealth of their By unfreezing assets and offering loans varicountry, free from the shackles of usury and ous governments are extending help to the ‘new’ Western banking interests. Libya. Nigeria has equally justified its support The Libya State Bank was State owned and had for its transitional government. full control over the State’s finances. Members of the international community The Economy of Libya was centrally planned from world powers to oil companies - are gathand followed Gaddafi’s socialist ideals. ering to discuss their respective roles in the counHowever, the bane of Gaddafi’s administratry’s future. tion is just the usual thing that happens to many Decades of partial isolation imposed by African leaders who once in power, become adGaddafi have left the oil-rich country’s economy dicts to the sit tight syndrome. He was a dictator reeling from a raft of sanctions and its governwho brooked no opposition. He eliminated ment in a diplomatic no man’s land. The rebel every ethnic group or tribe that could likely opgovernment said it intends to change all that. Its pose him including dissidents living abroad. He chairman, Mustafa Abdel Jalil said the new Libya abolished the Libyan Constitution of 1951 and would build strong relations with other councivil liberties enshrined in it and imposed laws tries, based on mutual respect and co-operation. based on the political ideology he had formu.President Barrack Obama made it clear at the lated. Despising the Christian calendar, he reinception of the allied attack through NATO, placed it as the country’s official with an Islamic tagged Operation Mermaid Dawn, that “the calendar. Throughout the Gaddafi era, ChristiUnited States Policy is that Gaddafi must go”. anity was a taboo. Many pastors are already Apparently, Obama has been careful not to go strategising to plant churches in Libya. unilateral as George W. Bush did in Iraq and He variously styled himself as ‘the Brother Afghanistan. I guess that is the wisdom of the Leader’ and “Guide of the Revolution’. In 2008 a African blood flowing in his veins. The use of meeting of traditional African rulers bestowed United State’s Predator drone along with a on him the title ‘King of Kings’. French fighter jet, fired on Gaddafi’s large conThe United Nations called Libya under Gaddafi voy ended the eight months battle, leaving an a pariah state. Perhaps this is where the need for exhibit of charred skeletal remains of drivers democracy comes in. Now, L:ibya would be open and passengers and others, which lay mutilated to the international community and more freeand contorted strewn across the grass. dom for the people. Economic development is Libya produced about 1.6 million barrels of needful, but surely should not steal the freedom oil per day before the rebellion broke out, but of the people receiving it.

Write to us, express your views, observations and experiences. Let’s have your comments about shopping. Your comments, questions and answers will be published first Friday of every month. With your full name and occupation, send e-mail to: janicenkoli@yahoo.com SMS - 08033349992

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

SHOPPING

And the bride wore... black! Could sombre wedding dresses from renowned wedding designer Vera Wang mark a turning point for bridal trends? Asks JANICE NKOLI IFEME.

OR the mother-of-the-groom to wear black at a wedding is perhaps the most taboo of all fashion statements. It is to say, tradition states, that the wearer deeply opposes the union they are present to witness. So just what does it say when a bride herself chooses the colour of mourning for her nuptials? Highly celebrated wedding dress designer, Vera Wang has torn up the rule book for modern bridal style with her latest display of dramatic black wedding gowns, which she tagged the wedding dress for 2012. She also has on display, an array of colourful wedding gowns such as gold and black mixed with white. She designed the wedding gowns worn by Kim Kardashian for her

recent union as well as dresses for the nuptials of Victoria Beckham, Jennifer Lopez, Chelsea Clinton and Avril Lavigne. Widely considered to be one of the world’s most influential bridal designers, Wang is certainly no stranger to subverting current tradition, regularly designing wedding gowns that run the gamut of the colour chart in dove greys, pale mint or indeed black.This year though, the collection of pitch black lace was more notable than ever, with pale hues notable in their absence. The new black: Such a strong style statement from one of the most powerful names in bridal design will no doubt trickle down from the catwalk to the wedding plans of the everyday bride

•One of Wang’s wedding dresses

•Black bridal dress by Vera Wang Many have interpreted the new design to mean that a modern bride wearing black lace to her wedding would today seem to be in mourning for the loss of her independent status. However, do you think the grande dame of wedding dress design could have

her way? Vera Wang worked at United State’s Vogue for 16 years as a senior fashion editor before leaving and setting up her bridal design company. She left the vogue after she was overlooked for the editor-in-chief

position, currently held by Anna Wintour, and went to work at Ralph Lauren, where she stayed on as design director for two years. In 1990 she opened a bridal salon in New York’s Carlyle hotel where her dresses continue to wake waves.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

EDITORIAL/OPINION Comments

EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

The police again! •Without a lawful excuse, the police harass ACN supporters for travelling HAT is wrong with our policemen? Will they ever learn? These were some of the questions that came to mind when, on Tuesday, some policemen arrested members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) who were on their way to Abuja for a meeting. The police intercepted their vehicle at Lokoja, Kogi State and asked them to turn back. They did. But when the news got to Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, he ordered the men to turn back and continue their journey to Abuja. Again, the men did, only to be stopped and arrested at the same Lokoja by policemen from the state police command. It is like the police seem to regale in harassing opposition members, particularly those of the ACN, and

‘We are not aware of any law that says Nigerians must disclose their mission to any part of the country they are travelling to. So, the state police commissioner should show us where he got that aspect of the law. The police must tender an unreserved apology to the politicians for infringing on their fundamental rights. That is the least they should do in the circumstance’

this has manifested in many ways. Here, we recall the harassment of some of the journalists and two other workers of this newspaper who were arrested over a controversial letter allegedly written by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to President Goodluck Jonathan, and which the paper published on October 5. We recall too that the ACN members who went to Abuja during former Governor Bola Tinubu’s first appearance in the court last month to observe the proceedings of the case instituted by the Code of Conduct Bureau against him suffered the same fate. We wonder what is happening. Even if these men were going to observe Tinubu’s trial which continued on Wednesday, how on earth does that threaten national security? If there is a need to bar people from the court, the judge would so declare; it is not the duty of the police to pre-empt people by arresting them on the way to their destination when there is no proof that they were armed or that they intended to commit some crime where they are headed. The situation is particularly disturbing because we are supposed to be in a democracy. The country’s constitution guarantees freedom of movement and association to all. We are therefore not aware of the law under which the police acted to arrest the ACN members. Unfortunately, this has been their stock-in-trade for so long; they do something that is illegal and when it

boomerangs, they now want to cover their tracks by all means, hook or crook. If they had no ulterior motive, they should have allowed the ACN members to continue their journey after searching their vehicles and found nothing incriminating in the vehicles. Even if they still had cause to suspect the politicians, they should be able to keep an eye on them without necessarily infringing on their constitutional rights. It bears restating to the police that we are in a democracy and democracy can only thrive in an atmosphere where individuals and government agencies, particularly the law enforcers, respect the constitution and the rule of law. Whosoever is behind these illegalities is not helping the Federal Government. It is regrettable that the police are such a willing tool in such evil machinations. We dare say that there are by far more challenges for the police than to be chasing shadows as a way of convincing their masters that the force is working. The police will do well to deal with these security threats as assiduously as they are the opposition members. We are not aware of any law that says Nigerians must disclose their mission to any part of the country they are travelling to. So, the state police commissioner should show us where he got that aspect of the law. The police must tender an unreserved apology to the politicians for infringing on their fundamental rights. That is the least they should do in the circumstance.

Emmanuel’s death •Police authorities have to tell us the circumstances under which the lad died

HE story of Mrs. Grace Victor, the mother of Emmanuel Victor, allegedly killed by the police at a checkpoint in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, is agonising. According to her, Emmanuel, who was waiting to rewrite the unified tertiary matriculation examination, was shot dead on his way home from church, for asking the policemen whether they did not go to church on Sundays. In an interview with a newspaper reporter, the bereaved mother narrated that the alleged killer cop shot the young man about five times, shooting more bullets into him after he fell down. Even with the picture of the mother

‘But should the mother’s story be true, then Emmanuel’s death is not just a tragedy for the family and friends; but for our dear country, Nigeria. It would also be another incident of extra-judicial killing in the hands of men and women whose primary responsibility is to protect the citizens. The facts of what happened to Emmanuel can only come to light, if higher police authorities, or other statutory powers seek the truth’

on page 14 of The Punch Newspaper on October 26, 2011 and the gripping story of the dead son, it is difficult to believe that such brutality and bestiality can be visited on a hapless young man in his own country. If the story is true, then it means that as at the time of the interview, the policemen who allegedly murdered, in cold blood, the Nigerian have not been arrested for questioning. Sounding like a tale in a movie, Mrs. Victor also alleged that the police are already brewing a tale by moonlight to cover their tracks. In her chilling story, the policemen at the station tried to stop them from making a statement, claiming that the matter had already been reported by the police, and as such there was no need to make further reports. She also alleged that a police woman came in while they were making the spirited effort, to say that the late young man was smoking, and had wounded the policemen, and also disarmed and broken their guns. If the allegations were correct, then apparently in retaliation, the policemen who survived the attack decided to kill the young man by burying the alleged five rounds of bullets into his body. From the interview granted by the grieving mother, the young man was going home after a church service, and was in company of others from the same church; so she asked rhetori-

cally “all the way from church, it was only police that saw my son smoking, no brother from this church saw him smoking; only the police did”. The late Emmanuel allegedly was preparing to go to university to study law, and again in the lady’s words, her son “would not mind giving someone in need the last thing he had; all my husband’s colleagues loved him … they wept at the killing of the boy they referred to as a ‘good boy”. The death of the promising 20year-old young man on October 16, along the Sani Abacha Expressway must be heartrending for the grieving mother, his siblings and friends, regardless of the circumstance. But should the mother’s story be true, then Emmanuel’s death is not just a tragedy for the family and friends; but for our dear country, Nigeria. It would also be another incident of extra-judicial killing in the hands of men and women whose primary responsibility is to protect the citizens. The facts of what happened to Emmanuel can only come to light, if higher police authorities, or other statutory powers seek the truth. We urge the authorities to rise up to their responsibilities in this case to alleviate the grief of the family; and also assuage the worry that Nigeria is a lawless police state.

Fruit of freedom

INE months after a man doused himself with gasoline and burnt himself to death outside a provincial government building, the Arab Spring has led to its first election. Mohammed Bouazizi was not an activist, but a street vendor. He set himself alight not as a demand for democracy, but in protest at the institutionalised corruption of a system that each day humiliated him, robbed him, and prevented him from earning a living. His death, though sparked a protest, and that protest sparked revolution, first in Tunisia and then across the Middle East. The first wave of the Arab Spring started here. It is fitting that the second should, too. Revolutions are a first step away from tyranny, but free and fair elections are a necessary second. Since succesfully deposing Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in January, Tunisia has inspired millions, but has not, itself, trod an easy path. Unemployment (a major factor behind the protests which saw off that dictator) has not diminished but soared, with some estimates now putting it as high as 20 per cent, or 30 percent among graduates. Corruption (another factor) and human rights violations (a third) remain endemic. Until recently, both the President and Prime Minister were still unelected figures from the previous regime. The recent election nonetheless carried vast significance as the first free vote brought about by the Arab Spring. Votes were cast for a new transitional assembly which will have a year to form a new constitution. Early indicators suggest that Ennahda, an Islamist party banned under Ben Ali’s regime, is likely to be the largest party. In this, as in so many other respects, Tunisia’s baby steps in democracy will be a test case for the region. As with his counterparts in Egypt and Libya, the tyranny of Ben Ali was a secular one, and Tunisia has, at least relative to the rest of the region, a strong feminist tradition. Abortion is legal, polygamy is not. Professional women are common, and the vast majority are literate, with Western dress and traditional veils existing side by side. These, though, are questions for tomorrow. The Tunisian election may well prove to have been shambolic, with over 100 names on some ballot papers and many voters struggling to fully understand the process in which they were taking part, but none of this should detract from a sense of wonder that it is happening at all. Under Ben Ali, farcical presidential and parliamentary elections were held in 2009; his party scored 90 per cent of the vote in one, and 85 per cent in another. Tunisians today may be split over the merits of competing candidates for government and dismayed by their continuing economic woes, but the difference now is that they are allowed to be. Yesterday, voters spilled from Tunisian polling stations with ink on their fingers, free to discuss which way they had voted, and why. Beji Caid Essebsi, the country’s outgoing interim Prime Minister, stepped out into the sunshine describing himself as “an ex-Prime Minister from now on”. Rached Ghannouchi, the Islamist leader recently returned from exile, was reported to have been chided by his potential voters for marching to the front of a queue of voters, and to have promptly set off to the back, a kilometer away, to wait his turn. Perhaps the words of Thomas Jefferson were ringing in his ears, that “when the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty”. – The London Times

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THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

EDITORIAL/OPINION

IR: The decision of Abia State government to transfer services of non indigenes to their various home states is meant to salvage the economic reality of our times. It is based on the theory of opportunity cost and affordability, just as much as the determination of the governor of Abia State, Theodore Orji to live up to expectation by championing the cause of his immediate constituency could not have come at a better time than now. The mandatory payment of minimum wage is hatching too many uncertainties that can only be imagined by discerning minds and diviners. It is not surprising that this action has attracted the attention of interlopers mostly of non-Abia stock who have till date not proffered any

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Still on Abia staff rationalization solution or way out of the quagmire known as minimum wage; rather they have dwelt on vilification of government’s policy made in the interest of generality of Abia people. Most intriguing is the incursion of Femi Adesina of Daily Sun in the fray with the gimmick of eliciting the sentiments of ethnic politics as it concerns Ndi Igbo, without recourse to previous and adverse actions variously taken against Abia

indigenes in this same direction. Adesina has consistently and pathologically propagated as well as orchestrated hate campaign against Abia State hiding under the pedestal of a media house. The impunity and sagacity with which he discusses the plight of Ndi Igbo portrays him as a spy who loves us. This his well found hobby of crying more than the bereaved was acted during the last Presidential Election where he was shedding crocodile

tears in sympathy with the Igbos for no other reason than that the Igbos should not vote for President Jonathan. It is not as if we expect him this time around to sing the praise of Governor T.A Orji for obvious reasons but we should be asking him who made him a judge over us, because there is more to his interest in Igbo matters than meets the eye. Femi Adesina’s assessment of Abia government policy and accompany-

Gaddafi and the rest of us

IR: The 42-year rule of the former Libyan strongman, Muammar Gaddafi finally came to an end with his capture and eventual death in the hands of his captors. The whereabouts of Gaddafi had been controversial and speculative since the Northern Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) forces and the fighters of the National Transition Council (NTC) sacked the former dictator. Before his capture, Gaddafi had the opportunity to lay down arms and relinquish power. He never did. What we heard from his hideout were threats and missiles, suggesting that embracing peace and reconciliation would be his last option. Experts in international relations and law have decried his summary execution extra-judicially. The NTC had alleged that he was shot during “crossfire” with loyalists. Already, the United Nations and Amnesty International have called for an investigation into the circumstances, leading to his death, after capture. The demise of Gaddafi has, once again, re-opened the sad tale of the desperate, disposition of African leaders holding on to power at all cost. The likes of Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, Mobutu Sese Sekou of Zaire, now Democratic Republic of Congo, Idi Amin of Uganda and Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, ferociously held on to power, not minding the yearnings of their people for change and development. In their bid to desperately hang on to power, these ‘leaders’ squandered their nations’ hard earned resources, by acquiring arms and ammunition from developed nations, to suppress the collective will of the people and tenets of democracy.

That is why cases of political assassinations, corruption, poverty, looting of public treasury, suppression of press freedom are the trademarks of despotic rule of these African leaders. The current wind of change, blowing across Africa and other parts of the world, brings to the fore, the sacred need for leaders in Syria, Yemen and a few other nations, still grappling in dark of draconian hegemony should wake-up to the realities of the day and opt for democratic rule. They should learn from other climes and avoid being caught in the web of imminent, violent change. Now that the Gaddafi era is over, what the NTC should pursue, as a matter of urgency are reconciliation, reconstruction and restoration. The first step is the maintenance of unity of members by preventing possible internal conflict among its leaders, which could spark-off civil unrest.

Therefore, a conducive environment should be put in place to initiative genuine dialogue, to bring all warring factions together in rebuilding a post-Gaddafi Libya, as no nation ever survive two civil wars. NTC should avoid latching on the current arrangement, to stay longer in power unnecessarily. It is meant to be a transitional body and so its leaders must not jostle for tenure elongation, which is a common parlance in the annals of African leaders. A new constitution should be produced that will take care of the aspirations and yearnings of the people. The sensitive issue of ideological and cultural differences between the East (Benghazi) and West (Tripoli) should be resolved. An enduring peace, development and legacy will be enshrined when a full-fledged democracy is instituted. The transition government should or-

ganize free and fair elections in which candidates will be given unhindered opportunity to contest for elective positions. The intervention role of NATO and allied forces is commendable. It will amount to ‘political burden’ to the people of Libya if they stay longer than necessary. The sovereignty of the nation may be jeopardized if its advantage, of being strategically located between Egypt, Tunisia and the Sahel, is abused. In 1970, Gaddafi closed the American Wheelus Air Base, near Tripoli, to protect the country’s territorial integrity. They should realize that genuine reconstruction, reconciliation and restoration are better handled by Libyans themselves – who own their future. • Adewale Kupoluyi Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Let fuel subsidy stay

IR: The fuel subsidy removal has become a re-occuring decimal that has refused to leave our body politic. This is so because of the kind of parochial leaders that we have who have refused to reason beyond increases in fuel prices. The only time we had leaders that were sincere and had the love of the generality of the people at heart were the first set of political leaders who took over from the British. They worked so hard to put the then three regions on good footing of development without oil. It was the advent of the military and their civilian collaborators that truncated the steady developments

put in place. Ever since the clueless khaki boys took over, they fumbled in balkanizing the nation into 36 states that goes cap-in-hand to Abuja to collect revenue allocation. The military junta of Otta had been the worst culprit of fuel subsidy removals and price increases. And now his anointed son, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has taken over the recorded template of his godfather and began to reel out the obnoxious, vexatious and suffocating arsenal from the armoury for the pains of Nigerians. They told us that “the current regimes of subsidies in the pump of petroleum product is inefficient, corrupt and a waste of scarce national resources”. If we may ask them who are the

operators? Are they not their cronies, who in-turn, ensured their percentages goes to their bank accounts? The removal of subsidy, which is the only thing the poor masses enjoy in this country, will make the price of virtually everything to go up. The N18,000.00 minimum wage will become worthless than the former N7,500.00 minimum wage. The government must be reminded in case it has forgotten, that it did not campaign for fuel subsidy removal but for upgrading the existing refineries and encourage the private business community to establish new ones, good governance, guaranteed

ing diatribe is not only self serving and of ulterior motive but also seeks to sow seed of discord as his hatred for the Igbo man can no longer be disguised under any cloak. It is with this same recklessness that he has again cast aspersion on Ohaneze while on the same hand praising Afenifere to high heavens mindless of the fact that his own people have their own peculiar problem. Most disturbing is that in all that we have heard and read about this issue, none has come from the indigenes of Abia and none of the intruders have made reference to the root cause of that policy decision nor has any of them proffered one single solution. It is not as if we have closed our eyes so soon to the fact that Abia is a dangerous terrain strewn with mine fields engineered by do or die politicians who feel the governor has pulled the carpet from under their feet with quick and successive decisions such as we have in our hands. Most heartwarming is that this policy has aroused massive support similar to that of liberation, as it has served as vote of confidence on the government of Chief T.A Orji. This policy can not be used as a yard stick to measure ethno political or cultural sentiment of the governor as it relates to the well being of the Southeast because he has shown more than a passing passion as much as propagate the interest of Igbos without much noise. If a governor decides not to shoulder the responsibility of others any longer, invectives and misdirected vituperations can not add any value; rather the challenge should be heaved on the shoulders of the governors of sister states who by now should show gratitude for the fact that this action was delayed in coming. Governor T.A Orji is not the problem but a solution to the marginalistic tendencies of the system against the Igbos. •Ben Onyechere, Umuahia, Abia State unblinking electricity, good and motor-able roads, employment opportunities/job creations, better health facilities, good and qualitative education, etc. This government should equally be reminded that she is stretching her good-luck beyond limit and the elasticity will flag and the whole nation will rise against the leadership and will not return until they leave the corridors of power with their anti people policies. Nigerians are determined and resolute to go a whole hug towards achieving this. A word is enough for the wise. • Akinyeye Tokunbo, Aisegba-Ekiti.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011 16

EDITORIAL/OPINION

End of the working class heroes (3)

Reality Bites E

Olatunji Ololade

ONS from now, posterity will remember Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe and perhaps, May Ifeoma Nwoye. Our descendants shall remember Gani Fawehinmi, Obafemi Awolowo, Tafawa Balewa and Nnamdi Azikiwe. Tomorrow, while our children’s children and their greatgrandchildren recollect Nigeria’s golden age, they will say it was when such leaders of thought and men were alive. They shall effortlessly forget “the boy who had no shoes” and yet emerged to become “President.” They wouldn’t think much of him and his cohorts in the ruling class even if they tried. Posterity shall remember the incumbent ruling class as the lower brutes that survived on the blood of the working class. They shall remember the working class as much lower brutes – forgettable elements in the annals of the Nigerian state. Time will come when the Nigerian ruling class shall pay with blood, melancholia and despair. From six-feet under and grisly jail cells, they shall lust for life, desperately seeking a second chance with a kind of humble defeatism. Within that same breadth of history, the Nigerian working class shall pay with more tragedy, more misery

and blood even as they whine and lust for a better tomorrow. Until then, we shall continue to have “today” and yet fail to make the best of it. Now more than ever, we enumerate that pitiful lack of wisdom and aversion to freedom. Like the ruling class, we suffer a lack of intellect and knowledge – useful knowledge to be precise. Thus even if spurred by inexorable courage to topple the elite and change our stars, our tragedies shall persist in frequency and extent. After we inter the bones of the last of the ruling class, we shall raise our heads to seek our next best hero only to find none. That is because we who shall survive are as savage as the worst of the ruling class. Left to our own devices, we display an unforgivable lack of humaneness and character. Hence even if we could successfully seize power from the ruling class, we shall manage to remain not much in significance and sight. Simply put, were our dreams of change realizable, we shall always remain the next awful alternative. Sophistry and deceit are the springboards from which much of our civilization evolve; add mediocrity, mindlessness and greed; and you have a perfect representation of the Nigerian working class.

‘Posterity shall remember the incumbent ruling class as the lower brutes that survived on the blood of the working class. They shall remember the working class as much lower brutes – forgettable elements in the annals of the Nigerian state’

CCORDING to newspaper advertisements, come October 3, 2011, an investment forum will hold in Abuja to commemorate “50 years of capital markets regulation” in Nigeria. Speakers at the exclusive event will include the Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Trade Investment Minister Olusegun Aganga, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Chairman of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Senator Udoma U. Udoma, and the DG of SEC, Miss Arunma Oteh. President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan, are billed as special guests of honour. In one version of the newspaper advertisements, it was stated that “Nigeria is in its fifth decade of capital markets regulation”, consequent upon which the investment forum would “draw attention to government’s interventions for engendering market integrity and posturing for a truly robust and well-regulated market.” It is a matter of conjecture as to who placed the advertisement. But it would have been good to inquire from the advertiser what is meant by “market posturing”. Another Nigerian predilection to use big words that contradict the meaning they intend to communicate? Or, perhaps, this is simply a Freudian slip that unintentionally, but perfectly, captures the modus operandi in the regulation of the entire financial markets under the extant regime? It would also help to know what is intended to be achieved by the advertised thrust of the “commemorative” investment forum, coming at a time that the Nigerian capital market is reeling in the aftermath of the last official intervention in the market; such that while the rest of the world have recovered from the meltdown of 2008, the Nigerian market is still deep in depression. SEC’s intervention in the market in August 2010, rather than facilitate recovery as was the case in other jurisdictions, has compounded the growth and development problems of our emerging capital market. Investor confidence has remained weak, contrary to the promise of SEC as it moved against the leadership of The Nigerian Stock Exchange in 2010. Capital flight from the market is still the order of the day; issuers of securities are not forthcoming with new issues, instead there have been cases

We were wrong to think it a matter of years and decades that we would improve in citizenship and insight. We are unaware – like our base and iniquitous elite – that true knowledge essentially translates to being an emissary of truth, hope, superior culture and progress to both the literate and unschooled. We forget too that the true essence of learning, that is, both intellectual and vocational learning is never simply to teach breadwinning, furnish teachers for the public schools or be an epitome of polite society. It should above all be the appendage of that fine adjustment between reality and the growing knowledge of life; an adjustment which discovers the secret of civilization and the solution to its seemingly intractable problems. Insanely; to this end, we apply religion and milk it, we even get to abuse it. Thus by every manner of faith we commit the worst of inhuman transgressions – like playing God, terrorism and mass murder, lust for flesh and money. Today, we lack that broad knowledge of what the world knows and strive to know of progress – which we could apply to the endless tragedies afflicting us hourly. The most basic need of the Nigerian working class, asides food, shelter and clothing, is knowledge. For without it, we become basically unequipped and sorely handicapped to satisfy our need for food, shelter and clothing. Thus the need to evolve and painstakingly propagate practicable knowledge and culture in unexploited and infinite capacity. Until we attain a broad, busy abundance of such understanding, not all the finest flavours of the proverbial national cake – be they oven-baked or sand-baked – can save us from the affliction of the Nigerian ruling class.

The knowledge we flaunt is basically a ghost of human education that yet despises the enlightenment and empowerment of the masses. Under the foul stench of every form of slavery, we fight a lost battle for survival within the tainted air of social strife and entrepreneurial selfishness. The progress we seek is impeded by our lust for cynicism and delusions of grandeur. We starve and die for our lack of honest and broadly cultured men. Patience, humility, good breeding and taste, comprehensive high schools and kindergartens, universities and polytechnics, industrial and technical colleges, teacher training colleges, literature, tolerance and tact – all these spring from proper learning and culture. It’s time we engaged in pursuit and dissemination of knowledge devoid of loose and careless logic – like the type that produced and still produce a good number of the Nigerian ruling class. And the final product of our training must be neither a medical doctor nor journalist, but a man. And to make men, our learning process must be replete with ideals as well as broad, pure, practicable and inspiring ends of living – not desperate, sordid, moneygrabbing sound bites. The end product of our educational process must have learnt to work for the glory of his calling, not simply for pecuniary gains. The intellectual must think for truth and progress, not for fame or the applause of the gallery. And all these are attainable via human endeavour and yearning; by a conscious quest for learning; by founding the primary school for the secondary and the comprehensive high school for the polytechnic, university and teacher training colleges. If we could successfully weave such a system, we could finally establish an educational system and not a distortion of it; we could fi-

Capital market regulation: not yet 50 years By Adewale Ishmael of voluntary delisting that are linked with issuers’ loss of confidence in the market as currently regulated and operated; The Nigerian Stock Exchange All-Share Index has fallen so badly from 27,000 points pre-intervention, to now hover precariously around 20, 000 points. Since August 2010, the market capitalisation of the exchange has also fallen steeply to stand at about N6.4 trillion as opposed to 13trillion naira in 2010. Evidently, government’s intrusion into capital market under the guise of regulation has not augured well for the market and should not be celebrated, especially in view of the current sorry state of the market. At best, government’s recent intervention in the market has demonstrated all the elements of revisionism, and has been largely out of synch with known strategy for capital markets development around the world. Only last week The Guardian led with a story entitled “Investors lament weak capital market, seek reforms”. According to the report, even though SEC and the stock exchange had embarked on reforms to reposition the market, operators said the changes were inadequate. For the avoidance of doubts, there are good reasons for government regulation of capital markets. One is political self-interest, where government knows that investors are also voters and tax payers; the other is public interest, which operates on the need to promote economic development and confidence, and thereby “encourage inward investment.” Sadly, neither of these motives seems to inform SEC’s approach to the regulation of the Nigerian Capital Market. From the line-up of speakers at the proposed investment forum, the focus of all the discussions will be undoubtedly on the recent intervention in the capital market and the banking system. However, for a conference that purports to commemorate 50 years of the regulation of the Nigerian capital market, this is a

rather narrow composition of faculty, unless where self-glorification is the sole objective. None of the speakers has a history of the market beyond the last 5 - 10 years as to speak outside of this time frame, except as an academic exercise. The point is that it would have been interesting and more productive, from a public policy point of view, to see a Chief Joseph Sanusi, former Governor of CBN and first executive secretary of the forerunner of SEC, or a Prince M. A. Odedina, former executive director of The Nigerian Stock Exchange, comparing notes with today’s capital market regulators But the fact is that apart from the concerns already raised, we cannot in 2011 be talking about 50 years of capital market regulation in Nigeria if the idea is not to provide an escape for bored public officers seeking media lime light while providing the perfect licence to fritter away public funds. How old is the Nigerian capital market? Did regulation start at the onset of the market? Absolutely not. In reviewing the history of capital market regulation in Nigeria, casual reference could at best be made to the activities of the Capital Issues Committee (CIC), an ad hoc committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which operated between 1962 and 1973. As explained by Alile and Anao in The Nigerian Stock Market In Operation (1986), “the committee was not set up by law and it had no statutory powers. It was purely consultative ....” In the circumstance, formal regulation of the capital market in Nigeria could not have preceded 1973 when the capital issues decree of the same year was promulgated. That decree established the Capital Issues Commission, which was subsequently succeeded by SEC Decree of 1979. Thus, it would be misleading to now talk of 50 years of capital market regulation in Nigeria, unless the idea is to rewrite the history of the Nigerian capital market in keeping with the observed revisionist tenden-

nally midwife multiple births and not ceaseless series of abortion. To bring about such bliss requires the presence of substantially gifted men of courage and culture – a principal prerequisite we seem infinitely handicapped to fulfill. Thus we have shadows of men constituting the Nigerian ruling elite and working class. Consequently, we have learnt to live off the attainments of men of stature accessible now in history and diminishing daguerreotypes. The ruling class couldn’t be bothered if our educational system is wrecked beyond redemption; the philosophy of its intransigence is discernible in its greed and brazen disregard for the future even as Nigeria shamelessly treads the trail of erstwhile educationally-challenged neighbours in Africa. The politics of greed and incompetence of the incumbent administration demands that it neglects the core issues militating against the success of the Nigerian education enterprise – like inadequate funding, poor research facilities, inadequate infrastructure, outdated lecturers and teaching methods, obsolete libraries and laboratories and the degenerate politics of discrimination between Nigeria’s polytechnic and university enterprise. Thus the fraudulence and apparent cowardliness of the incumbent administration in addressing Nigeria’s unending educational crisis – simply because the final products end up to be you and me and every minion unfortunate to belong to the Nigerian working class. It is therefore, the duty of every constituent of the Nigerian working class to see that in the future competition for our mandate, the survival of the fittest shall mean the triumph of the humane, unpopular and true… • To be continued… For SMS only 08038551123

cies in the market at this point in time. Incidentally, only last month the newspapers published a photograph of the Director General of SEC ringing the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange on September 26. If the caption of the photograph ended at this, there would not be a problem with the publication only that it went on to claim rather indecently that “in Nigeria’s history, only President Olusegun Obasanjo was accorded this exclusive privilege.” (Daily Sun, September 29, page 48). This claim was made when only a fortnight earlier, BusinessDay (September 14, page 16) had published the photograph of the former Director General of The Nigerian Stock Exchange, Professor Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke, OON, ringing the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange, with a displayed date on the podium reading September 21, 2008. Nigerians should try not to re-write history and mislead the future generation. Finally, as the train of the contrived commemorative investment forum on 50 years of capital markets regulation in Nigeria leaves the station, it needs to be stressed that this is not how to make judicious use of public money; certainly, government’s resources could be better utilised than expended on artificial celebrations that only work to further insult and impoverish the public, and the President of Nigeria should not be used for such frivolities. The capital market is bleeding. Government regulators should sit down and do the work for which they are employed. • Mr. Ishmael is a securities market analyst

‘As the train of the contrived commemorative investment forum on 50 years of capital markets regulation in Nigeria leaves the station, it needs to be stressed that this is not how to make judicious use of public money; certainly, government’s resources could be better utilised than expended on artificial celebrations that only work to further insult and impoverish the public’

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

EDITORIAL/OPINION ‘Force, if unassisted by judgment, collapses through its own mass.’ ———Horace (65 - 8 BC) Roman philosopher/poet. HE uniformity of electoral calendar enjoyed by the country at the dawn of democratic rule in 1999 was justifiably gnarled by the courts. Then, aggrieved candidates of political parties with reasonable reasons to be bitter approached various Election Tribunals seeking for justice. At the tribunals, some elections were up-turned as few definite winners were pronounced by the courts while in other situations, re-run was ordered and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) promptly complied by organising re-run elections in the affected states. The post that was serious affected by such judicial pronouncements is that of the position of governor as tenures in the various states got altered. By the time of conduct of last April general elections, most governors whose states were affected by such judicial pronouncements have not served out their tenures. For now, elections in the affected states have been fixed for between December and the first quarter of next year. Adamawa, Bayelsa, Kogi, Sokoto, Cross River and Edo states are the states that will have governorship elections conducted between the stipulated periods. Expectedly, a lot of political intrigues and power play have been playing out especially in the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Well, intrigue could be understood as part of politics but such must not be allowed to jeopardise public interest. The podium of public opinion has been inundated with mind bugling reports. One of such reports is that President Goodluck Jonathan is covertly behind moves to get Governor Timipre Sylva out of power. The alleged political onslaught has been in the front burner of national news and this raises the poser of why the president has not concerned himself with serious issues of national significant rather than narrowing himself to unnecessary destructive sectional politicking. Afterall, he is the president of Nigeria and not Bayelsa state alone. For instance, the issue of fuel subsidy has not been resolved; yet, the president is bothering himself with the matter of who becomes the next governor in Bayelsa. The nation is still demanding answer to why the president arbitrarily retired Justice Ayo

HERE is no sunshine here anymore. And it is not because of the late October rains that seem to pelt down with particular vengeance. No, it is just that there is not much to cheer around here these days. The common Nigeria who ordinarily is a mirthful, if not a happy-go-lucky fellow, is laden with sorrow. It wasn’t as if life, even in good times, dealt him a good hand. He wears problems like tight pants. He has lived with these troubles and in fact, he has lived them down. What has however taken the Mickey out of Citizen Nigerian is that the only thing dear to him, the only flicker of light in his dark universe, is in the throes of death. That thing is football. The government and its gang of football touts have flattened Nigeria’s football. So while the rest of the world plays the round leather ball, our own is flat. Have you ever seen people playing flat football before? Come to Nigeria. Citizen Nigerian loves his football and his football teams – junior, senior and even female teams. Indeed if his President knew his politics, he would take Nigeria’s football more seriously than even security, power and the economy? Chances are that if our football is working well, there will surely be less security challenges. Even our economy might just fall in place. Our national football is our opium and our unifier. When our green and white colours emblazon on the fields of glory as we saw in the Olympic games of Atlanta ’96, they become our emulsifier, making us sing and dance as one indivisible entity; obliterating our ethnic, religious and primordial tendencies. Regrettably, we have failed to harness the seeming cosmic energies inherent in the round leather to catalytic effects. That is why the Super Eagles would crash out of AFCON from a group comprising Ethiopia, Madagascar and Guinea. Where on earth was Madagascar on any map, many had wondered upon the announcement of the draws? It was the cheapest group; it was meant to be a walk in the park. Recently, Nigeria has failed to qualify for a series of other international football tournaments including the All-African Games held in South Africa. The Super Eagles performed woefully in last year’s world cup

A President and his state

• Slyva

•Jonathan

Salami, the President of the Court of Appeal that was suspended in contentious circumstances. What makes the matter a bit theatrical is the fact that the incumbent from the same party as the president is still constitutionally entitled to one more term having been on the verge of serving out his first tenure in office. Yet, the same president publicly assured months back that all his party governors with outstanding elections will go for second term. One may ask; what is the reason behind the movement against Sylva now when officially arranged primaries have been conducted in Adamawa for the coming election where the incumbent Murtala Nyako scored over 800 votes out of the over 800 delegates for the primaries. Second, what informed the cavernous moves of the president and the PDP in the

case of Bayelsa? Even if the president wants the world to believe that he has no hands in the move to dislodge Sylva, the un-strategic removal by the national headquarters of PDP of the Bayelsa state chairman of PDP and the hasty redeployment of the state Commissioner of Police point to one direction- that some highly influential persons are after the governor. Otherwise, why is it that only in the president’s state that this kind of things is happening? The emerging aspirants too gave away the president’s clouded motive in the Bayelsa governorship race. Henry Seriake-Dickson, a member of the House of Representatives was once the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice when the president was governor. He has declared his interest to challenge Sylva for the ticket. Timi Alaibe, former Presidential Adviser on Amnesty and

EXPRESSO STEVE OSUJI

SMS O8055001684 email:steve_osuji@yahoo.com

Flat football tournament, crashing out ignominiously in the opening rounds. The last time Nigeria won any significant football trophy was the Atlanta 1996 Olympics football gold. By the way, the two clubs representing Nigeria in the African club championships (Sunshine Stars of Akure and Eyinmba of Aba) crashed out the upper week. Last weekend, the Super Falcons slumped to Cameroon and failed to qualify for the female football cracker in next year’s London Olympic Games. Some have attributed it to a curse. Yes, it’s the curse of corruption and ineptitude. Nigeria’s tale of woes in football has been long and consummate but the real tragedy is that there is no end in sight. The football house has been a mad house in the last few years and that is not metaphorically speaking. Yes, not neurotic or psychotic, but plain, raw market-mad people are running our football. The local football league has been in a shambles and today, it is laughable to pretend it is a league in the real sense of it. For instance, it has gone on interminably for one and half years now, yielding no good results. The female league is moribund. Even corporate sponsors like MTN and Glo have been locked out. What is to be done? As for the coaching and technical aspects, there is need to employ on a long term basis, an experienced and quality foreign technical adviser or two who will help groom our local coaches and develop our football from the grassroots through the schools and the academies.

Coach Samson Siasia certainly needs more experience and maturity under sound mentors. He should help the miserable football house out of its misery by doing the honorable thing as his female team counterpart, Eucharia Uche has done. Samson Siasia should step down. He still has a long future in coaching and only quitting now can ensure that. Did anyone hear them say that Uche is to be sacked because he did not have a contract ab initio? Is it possible that a coach who took a female national team to African Championship (and won it) and the World Cup has no contract? Such is the level of illiteracy and incompetence that permeate our football management. The reason our football is suffering so much today is that they do everything in the Glass House but football management. In fact the Glass House is worse than the PDP’s Wadata House. A coach has failed woefully to make his target; the practice the world over is to let him go get some fresh air while you reorganize the house and move on quickly. But no, they will politicize and complicate the matter until the next tournament comes upon us and they start running helter-skelter. That has always been their way. Though there are legal and FIFA entanglements, the Federal Government must reshuffle its sports appointees quickly to bring in men of experience and integrity, and who love sports like the late Isaac Akioye or Reverend Iloh to run the sports ministry and commission professionally

veteran contestant for the post has also returned to the PDP from the Labour Party, LP, where he went in his bid to challenge Sylva for the position last April. However, the national executive of PDP has denied Alaibe the waiver to seek for the governorship ticket because most people see him as a political harlot driven by no principle but the fiery personal ambition to become governor at all cost. Ben Murray Bruce, another aspirant is someone whose family just celebrated 100 years of settlement in Lagos state. He just realised so suddenly that he hails from that state and would want to rule Bayelsa. What a comedy that the race for the Bayelsa Government House has become! What does Bruce know about that state or governance to make him think that he can be its governor? The noise about Bayelsa governorship race is more surprising because the major challenge to the bid of Governor Sylva is not at this point coming from any of the opposition parties in Bayelsa State but from his own party, PDP. And this is overheating the state’s polity ahead of the slated November 19 governorship primaries. The Green Movement, a PDP group that allegedly has President Jonathan as its progenitor is really creating confusion that might end up affecting the conduct of free and fair election in Bayelsa early next year. This president must not create avoidable turbulence in his home state because of his personal political lust to control everything around him. It is surprising to note that most leaders do not learn from history as they illusorily sought to defy its lessons. They fail in the bid to achieve this as disappointments always await them in the end. Presidents everywhere are indeed very powerful but the earlier they recognise the limit of their power the better. We have seen situation in the past where against the wishes of the people, a president forcibly installed a governor that just left office recently but regretted the move before too long. The April elections were relatively peaceful and Nigerians believe that there should be improvements on subsequent ones. This cannot be possible if this president maintains an overbearing influence that destroyed the democratic credentials of the predecessor of the late president that he succeeded. Nigerians and indeed Bayelsans are watching.

and allow some sanity in the house. Time is of the essence. LAST MUG: ExxonMobil, Nigeria we believe. Really? ExxonMobil, the third largest miner of crude oil in Nigeria recently marked 50 years of tunneling into the depths of Nigeria’s earth to scoop out the black gold. The American giant in a most subdued, if not disguised, celebration of her golden age in what may be called a golden business, took up flat newspaper ads to state her age and restate her commitment to Nigeria. ‘Nigeria, we believe!’ the ad screams. It may not be cool to enquire how much oil Mobil has taken out of Nigeria in 50 years (though it may be interesting to know) or how much it has earned but 50 years is a very long time. Yes she has paid her taxes, awarded some scholarships, took part in the Oso Condensate project and perhaps even added a small power plant to the national grid. Yes, all these and more but a giant refinery or petrochemical complex adorning the horizon of the Niger Delta, hoisting the ExxonMobil logo would have been a better testimony of a 50-year trawl. Let’s say Mobil has paid her dues but it feels funny that a major crude producer nation has been importing fuels for over 30 years? Is this criminality happening in any other place? We understand how Mobil may have been trudging on with her rotten and inept JV partner, but let it be known that Nigerians no longer need bullsh-t with the mess that is our oil industry. BELIEVE is made of nobler stuff; let’s undo the mess.

‘The local football league has been in a shambles and today, it is laughable to pretend it is a league in the real sense of it. For instance, it has gone on interminably for one and half years now, yielding no good results.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

NEWS

•Vice President Namadi Sambo (second left); Chairman, National Electoral Commission, Sierra Leone, Ms. Florence Kulla • Managing Director/CEO, Tyonex Nigeria Limited Mr Emmanuel Kebbic (left); Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Atahiru Jega (third left), Nigeria’s High Tyohemba Agba(right) presenting an award plaque to Senator Commissioner to Sierra, Ambassador Henry Olufemi Macauley and INEC National Commissioner Mrs.T.A. Iremiren when Barnabas Gemade on his election in Abuja the delegation visited the Presidential Villa, Abuja...on Wednesday PHOTO:

Akinrun of Ikirun, Osun State, Oba Rauf Olayiwola Adedeji (left); Oloyan of Oyan, Oba Kelani Adekeye Oyedare; Group Managing Director, Trans Atlantic Energy, Mr. Akinola Awodeyi-Akinshehinwa, and Osun State Commissioner for Regional Intergration and Special Duties, , Mr. Ajibola Bashir when the Committees of Friends organised a dinner for Mr. Bashir at Eko FM, Ikeja, Lagos.

•Minister/Deputy Chairman, National Planning Commission, Dr Shamsudeen Usman speaking at the 17th Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) news conference at Protea Hotel, Ikeja. With him are Chairman of the group, Mr Folusho Phillips (left) and Director-General Frank Nweke Jr

•Senior Pastor, DayStar Christian Centre Sam Adeyemi speaking at a press conference on Excellence in Leadership Conference 2011 organised by the church at Oregun, Lagos…yesterday. With him are Pastor Kenny Folarin, Group Team/Head of Operation (left) and Pastor Bode Oloyede, Team Head, Maturity

•Lagos Sector Deputy Corps Commander and Head of Operation, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Hyginus Omeje, (left) and Mrs Helen Odukoya, Assistant Corps Commander and Head, Iba Unit, decorating Sector Head, Sepcial Marshal and Partnership, Mr Sikiru Aduloju with his new rank of Superintendent Route Commander (SRC) at the FRSC office in Ojodu, Lagos

•Secretary General, International Telecommunications Unon (ITU), Dr. Hamadoun Toure (left) being introduced to Nigeria’s Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson (right) by the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission(NCC), Dr. Eugene Juwah (middle) at a luncheon hosted by Nigeria leaders at the ongoing ITU World 2011 in Palexpo, Geneva

•National Deputy President,Association of Property Investment and Commission Agent of Nigeria, Mr Jide Odetola (left) speaking at a seminar on the role of Real Estate Agents in the Implementation of Lagos State new Tenancy Law. With him is Senior Special Assistant to Governor Babatunde Fashola on Justice Sector Reform, Mr Lanre Akinola PHOTOS: ABIODUN WILLIAM, OLUSEGUN RAPHEAL AND AKIN OLADOKUN

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

NATION SPORT

Stoke’s interest Joel Obi keen on Dream Team excites Uchebo N

IGERIA Under-23 international and VVV Venlo of Holland striker, Michael Okechukwu Uchebo is excited at the prospect of playing in the English Premier League with Stoke City with reports in the media linking him with a winter move to the Britannia Stadium. Uchebo in an exclusive chat with NationSport from Holland on Thursday morning, disclosed that if the information about the interest from Stoke is genuine he would not mind leaving the Dutch Eredivise struggling side for the acclaimed most exciting league in world. “I am happy and elated that a club all the way from England is interested in me and if the information is true I will not mind a shot at the premiership. It will be a dream come and a fresh challenge for me.” Uchebo said. It would be recalled that Venlo Chairman Hai Berden confirmed Stoke City’s interest in the Nigerian as quoted in Voetbal International stating that the club would be willing to sell Uchebo in January as

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri his contract with Venlo is set to expire at the end of the season.

• Uchebo

Obika may return for Yeovil

IGERIA-BORN John Obika could feature for Yeovil Town again before the end of his loan spell after the club revealed he was ten days away from a training return. The Tottenham Hotspur striker has been out of action since the end of August after sustaining a knee ligament injury in training. It had been feared his appearance in the 1-1 draw at Walsall could have been his last for the Glovers, but manager Terry Skiverton said he expected Obika to be fit again before his temporary deal expires at the end of the year. However, forward Steve MacLean was yesterday expected to find out the extent of a knee injury picked up at Stevenage last week. Skiverton said: “Ten days Jon is back training with us so, however, long they think it is for him to come back, he will be back involved then.

“We have had a bit of bad news with Steve MacLean and he is going to be out for a few weeks now, but with that positive news the signs are all looking good.” Andy Williams is also likely to return to training next week and could be a late consideration for the npower League One trip to Chesterfield after damaging his ankle when tackled against Sheffield United almost two months ago. “Andy Williams has been training with us during the last few days and he will be blooded in to full contact stuff next week,” said Skiverton. “Jon Obika is just around the corner as well and Gavin Williams is not too far away as well, along with Alan O’Brien and Paul Huntington. They are all getting closer and if we keep putting in performances like against Leyton Orient, when we have a full squad to choose from we will be a decent force again.”

NTER Milan midfielder Joel Obi is keen on turning out for the Olympic Team at next month’s CAF Under-23 tournament in Morocco. The 20-year-old is already a full international, having earned eight caps under Samson Siasia, but remains eligible to play for the Under-23s. Olympic team coach Austin Eguavoen arrived in Italy on Wednesday in continuation of his tour of European clubs to secure the release of players for the EightNation championship. The tournament falls outside of the FIFA window meaning clubs are not obligated to release players, and the former international plans to meet with Inter Milan officials to secure the release of Obi.

“Coach Austin Eguavoen is expected to see Inter Milan’s sporting director for the release of Joel Obi who has indicated interest in featuring in next months’ Eight Nations championship,” Olympic team Media Oficer Arafat Aliu said. On Tuesday Eguavoen completed his visit to the Netherlands where he met with officials of VV Venlo, the club of Ahmed Musa, Alex Nkume, and Uchebo Okechukwu. He also met with officials of PSV Eindhoven, the club of Rabiu Ibrahim. On Wednesday, he held talks with Parma, Torino, and Regggina for the release of Obiora Nwankwo, Nnamdi Oduamdi and Daniel Adejo. His next stop will be Spain on Thursday where he would see officials of Granada and Atletico Belares.

Eguma, Iroha livid after Olympic team’s loss

TAND-IN coaches Stanley Eguma and Ben Iroha were left fuming after the Olympic team lost 1-0 to Lagos-based academy Westerlo in a tune-up game on Wednesday. A combination of bad offside tactics by Kingsley Udoh and Festus Austin plus goalkeeper Dele Ajiboye's mis-kick allowed substitute Aremu Hafiz to nip in and score after 77 minutes at the Liberty Stadium Ibadan. Eguma, standing in as head coach in the absence of Austin Eguavoen, tore into the players after the game. “This is totally unacceptable. It is unheard of that an academy side beat a national team,” Eguma lashed out. At the other end, all efforts by the strike-force of Osas Okoro, Gbolahan Salami, Sunday Nwadialu and Ganiu Oseni was well contained by the defence of Westerlo in the second half. Westerlo Academy, managed by Olympic gold medal-winning goalkeeper Dosu Joseph, took the game to the Dream Team from the start with a dominant first half performance against

the Olympic team featuring the likes of Femi Thomas, Akas Chima, Monday Osagie, Semiu Laidi, Oliha Aigbe, Ayo Saka, Onorode Odah and Afolabi Okikiola in action. Iroha was even more scathing: “It is unbelievable how you guys played. You all have the opportunity now and this is what you do with it. “If tomorrow you are dropped for a foreign-based player you will all begin to complain that you were not given a chance,” he said. The Dream Team will on Thursday engage National league side FC Ebiede of Lagos in another scheduled friendly game.

Sack Siasia now —James Peter F

ORMER Assistant General Secretary, technical of the Nigeria Football Federatin (NFF), James Peters has said that the continual retention of Samson Siasia as the Chief Coach of the Super Eagles would subject the country to further ridicule in the eyes of the world. Speaking to Sportswriters in Abuja on Thursday, the former Super Eagles’ Coach said “I want to say without mincing words, that the good thing NFF would do for Nigerians is by relieving Siasia of his job immediately. One, they should respect the terms of the contract they signed with him which states that he should qualify us for the Africa Nations Cup and get the team to the semi final. This part of the contract was not fulfilled. None sticking to the adherence to this clause of the contract would make people take the NFF Board as a bunch of unserious persons. Again, there was a directive from CAF that every National team coach must be certified by CAF through their licensed programmes. In Europe we have the UEFA license, which is in A, B,C, and D. Same in Asia, they have theirs in that categories. For you to seat on the bench of any of the National teams in these continent,

Top clubs on Senegal, Ghana set for Nigeria Aneke’s chase teams in Lagos 7s Rugby

ENEGALESE rugby champion ASFA and Sharks of Ghana will slug it out with 14 Nigeria rugby clubs during the Lagos 7s Rugby Festival slated for November 4 and 5 at the Onikan stadium. The Lagos 7s Festival which is being sponsored by EXP, Nigeria’s leading experimental marketing company, is the first step in a long journey to bring Nigerian rugby up to international standards. “For too long there had been little support and development of the sport. Facilities are few and far between and players get few opportunities to sharpen their skills in competitive matches,“ Prince Kayode Oguntayo, Vice President of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) said. “We are very happy to have EXP as partners as they share our vision of the future of Nigerian rugby and we need more tournaments like the Lagos 7s,” he added. The 16 teams which have already been divided into four group include in Group A Barewa of Jos, Edo, Kaduna and Warri, in Group B Nigeria Police, Racing Lagos, Dragon FC of Lagos, and Eko 11. Group C is made up of ASFA of Senegal, Governor's Select Lagos Rugby Club and Ilorin while the Group include Sharks of Ghana, Abuja RFC, Jos RFC and Zaria RFC. The NRFF’s bold vision includes developing a team that will compete

By Bimbo Adesina against the best in the world. Sevens rugby becomes an Olympic sport in 2016 and as sport grows internationally and locally the Lagos 7s festival will provide players with an exciting platform to showcase their skills. “There is an enormous pool of talent in Nigeria and west Africa, the captain of the france in the IRB World Cup final has his roots in Cote d’Ivoire for instance”, enthused EXP Regional Director tertius Strauss. “Nigerians have shone internationally for England in the past and even Cameroon has had Serge Besten represent France. What we want is for our stars to shine here at home for us, in front of Nigerian fans.” He continued. Mike Archer of EXP siad rugby is all about entertainment as it will give Nigerians to enjoy themselves as well as see the athletes do what they like best. "We want Nigerians to come to Onikan stadium and have a great day. Its going to be wonderful, there will be cheerleaders and great day." VIP packages which include 10 VIP tickets for each day, food and drink in the VIP marquee and 100 open stand seats are still available from EXP. There will also be a demonstration game by two women’s teams and by two youth teams.

KYSPORTS.COM understands a host of Premier League clubs are battling to land Arsenal starlet Chucks Aneke on loan. The 18-year-old is on the fringes of Arsenal's first-team squad after emerging through the youth ranks at the Emirates Stadium. The imposing midfielder made his debut in the Carling Cup earlier this season and Arsene Wenger is a huge admirer of Aneke, who is also an England youth international. Indeed, earlier this week, Wenger likened Aneke to Manchester City star Yaya Toure. "Chuks is a bit like Yaya Toure - he has body power and good technique," Wenger told Arsenal's official website. "We had Yaya here [on trial] and for me Chuks is a bit similar because he can play behind the striker or in a deeper role as well. "We will have to see where he will develop, it is not excluded that in the future he will play deeper in midfield." It is understood Wolves, West Brom and Wigan are all keen on taking Aneke, and Wenger is keen for him to get some first-team experience, especially at Premier League level. A number of Championship clubs are also keen and would like to take him before January with Arsenal set to consider letting him leave on a short-term basis before securing a loan switch to a Premier League club.

From Patrick Nwaogu and Andrew Abah, Abuja you must possess these certificates. But the man we are talking of here in Nigeria, does not possess the prerequisite qualification. When the program was organised here in Nigeria, Siasia refused to attend, which means that he is not qualified to sit on the bench for our national teams. If NFF decides to retain him, they are going to further lead the country to more embarrassing situation in the continent. This means that at the end of the day, we would have a Chief Coach who would not be sitting on our technical bench. This sounds very ridiculous, and may not augur well for our football. Sentiment should be removed out of this, and the right thing should be done once and for all. So of what use would it be for us to keep a Coach who would not be sitting on the bench during our matches” the former national team coach stressed. Speaking in the same vein, the Chairman of FCT FA Musa Talle said the sacking of the Chief Coach would be the best thing to happen to Nigeria football. According to him “if the NFF takes a contrary decision on the Coach, the y would ha ve themselves t o blame for allowing itself to be cajoled into the nepotic bug of employing 'somebody who has the

ears of Mr. President.' If not, why would somebody claim that it is only the president that can decide his fate. And one is minded to ask: Is the president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, in love with failure? Must the coach of the Super Eagles come from the home state of the president? No doubt, a competent national coach does not need blackmail, nepotism or group campaign typical of the country's political shenanigans, to keep his job. If Siasia is competent, he does not need anybody to campaign for him to remain as coach of the Supe r Eagles. Someone who refused to forgive people when they offends, should not ask for forgiveness. Moreover, Siasia is too immature to manage our Senior National Team. If the NFF would want to keep him, he should be redeployed to any of the Junior teams until such a time that he is matured enough handle a sensitive position as the Chief Coach of a senior national team”. The FCT FA boss said that records of the Coach at the clubsides where he handled should have been considered first, before his been employed. He however refused to blame the NFF for employing him in the first place, saying that the former international rode on the goodwill of all Nigerians who thought he was the ‘messiah’ needed to save our football to get the job.

Chelsea boss warns Mikel, others over twitter

HELSEA boss André VillasBoas has warned Nigeria international Mikel Obi and his teammates over use of Twitter. Villas-Boas told the players that posting updates to social networks is like speaking to the media but stressed that they should use it as a “social tool”. The Chelsea boss admits he understands why social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook, which between them share almost one billion users worldwide, have become so popular. But the Portuguese tactician has warned his players that posting updates on either site is likely to have the same widespread effect as

speaking to the media. “Twitter and Facebook are social tools and should be used as social tools,” said Villas-Boas. “Everybody has been using it and I see no problem for the players to use it as a social tool. “But it shouldn’t be used as a tool that inflicts on your professional life. In football, your professional life is not just yours – it belongs to a group of players. “A couple of guys here use it [but] they know that it has that kind of power. We just think of it as a communication vehicle – it has to be put in the same part as dealing with the media. [But] as a social tool I think it’s pretty excellent.”

ALL AFRICAN GAMES FALLOUT

Chukwumerije splashes N3.3m on Taekwondo team

T a reception held in Abuja on Wednesday, Senator Uche Chukwumerije backed his words with real action when he compensated the taekwondo team to the last All Africa Games with N3.3million for their feat in Maputo. The Uche Perez Chukwumerijecaptained 16-man contingent won 10 medals to add to the country's medals haul in Mozambique. However, the chairman of the occasion and Speaker of House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal used the event to re-emphasise the need to pay quality attention to sports as it is a major revenue earner for some countries. At the well-attended reception organised by Senator Chukwumerije, for the team that won two gold, one silver and seven bronze medals afforded the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) to drum up support for the team's preparation for the next Olympics qualifiers in Egypt come January 2012. The Abia State legislator said the reception was organised because of his passion for the game, while calling on well-meaning Nigerians to support the game, which he said has been mopping medals for the country in major championships. "Majority of the medals won by South Africa came from swimming and it is now obvious that taekwondo has become a sports among the martial art sports that has regularly won medals for the country. So I feel we should start giving it enough attention so that we can be winning the 16 gold medals at stake in the event at the All Africa Games," Chukwumerije said. For the Speaker, Senator Chukwumerije should be commended for his singular support for taekwondo, while he also lauded the team for making the country proud in Mozambique. He said; "I want to thank the organisers of the reception especially Senator Chukwumerije for his interest

NATION SPORT Hodgson tips Osaze for penalty duties

EST BROM boss Roy Hodgson has backed Osaze Odemwingie and Chris Bruntto keep Albion’s penalty duties as he geared up for Saturday’s clash with Liverpool. Brunt, who netted twice from the spot in last season’s win against the Reds, looks set to remain the Baggies’ penalty taker this weekend despite screwing a spot-kick horribly wide at Villa on Saturday. And Hodgson has also backed Odemwingie, who had a tame penalty saved in the win at Norwich, to convert if he is needed to take another. “We have had a bad penalty season,” admitted Hodgson. “Chris Brunt scored one at Everton (in the Carling Cup) but the other two we’ve had have been missed so it’s not a good record.”

By Innocent Amomoh and support for taekwondo. For me I find sports to be a one-stop shop that promote unity and integration globally. All over the world, sports is a major revenue earner that must be taken serious. I urge legislators to continue to promote sports and we must also give budget consideration for sports." The Minister of Sports/ Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), Suleiman Yusuf, who was represented by Alhassan Yakmut lauded the Senator for showing genuine interest in taekwondo and specifically at ensuring that his children, Chika and Uche (jnr) combined sports and education very well, which he said other parents should emulate. For their feat in Maputo, gold medallists were rewarded with N500,000 each while silver medallists got N250,000 with bronze medallists getting N150,000 for their performance in Mozambique. The two coaches of the team got N500,000 each for guiding the young team to success in the Southern African country. An excited bronze medallist, Isah Adam Mohammad said he was happy that the Senator put up the reception for the team, adding this would boilster the athletes to always aim high in the sport. "I think this has never happened in the history of the taekwondo and we are happy that the Senator has once again demonstrated his interest and passion for the game. In Mozambique, he was like a father figure to us and he has shown us tonight that he wants the best for the sport. For me I feel elated because this will definately give us more encouragement to do well in major event," he said. The reception was attended by top personalities include the Deputy Senate President, Ikerewadu and deputy Speaker, captains of industry as well as diplomats.

• Osaze

Sammy Ameobi thinks of Newcastle future

EWCASTLE United striker Sammy Ameobi is happy to fight for his place no matter who arrives. Ameobi admits he wants to prove himself at Toon. “I’m not just thinking about getting a run-out, I want the best for Newcastle as well. You’d never have thought we’d still be unbeaten in all competitions. It’s been a great start for the club and everyone’s playing well at the moment so you really have to fight for your place. I’m looking forward to it."

Fashola to draw curtain on Governor's Cup

• Lionel Messi, right, vies for the ball with Nigeria's Ambrose Efe during a friendly soccer match in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

OVERNOR Babatunde Raji Fashola will on Saturday declare closed the 11th Governor's Cup Lagos Tennis Championship. The governor is expected to lead the state's Executive Council to the closing ceremony of the ITF approved tennis circuit, which has seen more than 200 tennis stars across more than 40 countries competing for the $80,000 prize money and the ITF points in the last two weeks at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan. According to the Tournament Director of the championship, Prince Wale Oladunjoye, Governor Fashola is expected to hit the venue at exactly 2:55pm just in time to watch the final of

By Stella Bamawo the Men's Singles after which he will present the trophies to the winners. The Women's Singles final will be played by 1pm. "Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Olusegun Ogunlewe will lead the body of Permanent Secretaries to the final. Chief Executives of the sponsors' companies, Etisalat, FCMB, Julius Berger, CCECC, Stomberg, Plycon, SMC, Globe HFP, LASACO Assurance Plc and NASTON will all be present," he said. FCMB, however, promised to give the first 100 tennis fans to the venue gift pack, while Etisalat and the Local Organising Committee, LOC, are also coming up with various gift items for the fans during the finals.

Meanwhile, Nigeria's Abdulmumini Babalola with Senegalese Daouda Ndiaye have qualified for the final of the Men's Doubles after they beat the pair of Russian Alexei Filemon and Paris Gemouchidis of Greece in a tie that ended 6-3, 2-6, 10/8. Top seed in the men's singles, Kamil Capkovic of Slovakia defeated Indian Rajeet Virali-Muguresan 6-0,6-4 to qualify for today's semi finals, while Indian Vijayant Malik beat compatriot Karan Rastogi 6-2,6-2 to get to the semi finals. Ante Pavic beat Vishnu Vardhan. In the lady's event, Slovakia Dalila Jakupovic Beat Swizerland's Conny Perrin 6-2,5-7,6-2. Croatia's Donna Vekic defeated Aussie Melanie Klaffner in 57,6-0,6-3 game. Belgium's Tamaryn Hender beat Tadeja Majeric of Slovakia 6-1,6-1 in Thursday's quarterfinal match.

INFRASTRUCTURE

CRIME

APPEAL

Road construction costs N100b

Police arrest robbery suspects

Widow cries out for justice

Akwa Ibom 28

Lagos

FRIDAY OCTOBER 28, 2011

Rivers

Page 25

Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

Youths endorse Oshiomhole for 2012

•Oshiomhole

OUTH leaders across the 12 wards in Orhionmwon Council Area of Edo State have started mobilising their members for the return of Governor Adams Oshiomhole and his deputy Dr. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu in next year’s governorship race. The youth leaders said their decision was based on the projects executed in their localities and in the state at large. They spoke when they led other youth groups on a visit to the

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

Deputy Governor in his office in Benin City, the state capital. Spokesman of the group, Mr. Osamwonyi Ehigiator, on behalf of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) youths in the locality, said they visited the governor and his deputy to express their solidarity and mobilise their constituency towards voting for them in next year’s polls. He said: “We have seen the unprecedented developmental

strides of the present administration across the length and breadth of Edo State and we are satisfied with the landmark achievements so far recorded in Orhionmwon in particular and the state in general. We collectively decided to support and accent to the endorsement of Governor Adams Oshiomhole and your humble self, Dr. Pius Odubu for next year’s governorship election.” Continuing, he stated that “Comrade Oshiomhole’s admin-

istration has initiated a positive turn-around in the state through the disbursement of agricultural loans to farmers, construction and rehabilitation of roads, schools, provision of potable water, healthcare facilities and above all, engagement of the teeming youths of the state in gainful employment.” Responding, members representing Orhionmwon I Con•Continued on Page 26

NON-GOVERNMENTAL organisation (NGO) has found a novel way of evolving a self-reliant workforce in the country. The Entrepreneurship Development Centre (EDC), Onitsha, Anambra State, organises skill acquisition programmes for youths. The latest of these efforts took place in secondary schools as well as churches in Anambra State, the idea being to impart entrepreneural skills to young ones there. The beneficiaries were taught various skills, including record-keeping, time management and identifying and profitably maximising their competences. The Programme Director, Professor Alex Ike Ikeme told Newsextra in one of the centre’s outreach programmes that the EDC has trained over 500 pupils from several secondary schools in the Southeast. Those students, he said, were tutored in capacity building, wealth creation, among other empowerment programmes. Ikeme also spoke about the idea of using churches in the programme, saying they have always been a veritable platform to cater for not only people’s spiritual needs but also their material desires. He said reputable churches have been found to manage funds better than some secular organisations. Ikeme said such partnerships with the church have provided excellent results. At the inception of the programme, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo said lack of entrepreneurial skills is militating against the growth of the Nigerian economy. “No meaningful result can be recorded in the fight against poverty without requisite skill acquisition programme,” Soludo said. The ex-chief of the apex bank, who made the remark at the

•The pupils at the event

NGO trains youths in entrepreneurship

From Adimike George, Onitsha

launch of the Onitsha pilot branch of the EDC for the Southeast geo-political zone, disclosed that the failure of micro-finance banks in delivering result-oriented services, is due to lack of sound entrepreneurial skills. He added that the EDC initiative aims to fill the gap, thereby accelerating the poverty eradication programme of the federal and state governments. He explained that the choice of

Schools, churches visited Obi hails Onitsha as pilot centre Onitsha as the pilot centre for the Southeast zone was largely influenced by the impressive entrepreneurship spirit and drive of the people of the area.

Soludo urged the authorities in the region to leverage on the potentials of the initiative to effectively eradicate poverty in the area.

Ikeme further explained that the EDC was conceived to redress the situation where graduates of Nigerian schools often fail to set up, grow, expand and diversify micro, small and medium scale businesses successfully. He stressed that the lack of initiative and abil•Continued on Page 26

THE NATION

OMEN Protection Organisation (WOPO) has teamed up with BSA Hearing and Speech Centre, Nigeria and a US-based foundation, Starkey Foundation, in collaboration with the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LSUBEB) to provide 2,000 hearing aids for pupils in Lagos and Abuja. Representative of the foundation, Mr Derrick Johnson with others, was at the Campos Sports Centre, Lagos Island, on Tuesday and Wednesday for the audiometric tests (measurement of ear canals) of the pupils which results would be taken to the Minnesota base of the foundation to build individual ear moulds for the hearing aids of each beneficiary. Prior to last week, Executive Chairman of LSUBEB, Mrs Gbolahan Daodu said the board,

Hearing aids for Lagos pupils By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

working with the Lagos State Ministry of Health, had identified about 1,000 pupils with hearing impairment in primary schools across the 20 local government areas and the 37 local council development areas of the state. She thanked the collaborators for embarking on the project which she hoped would be extended to teachers and other caregivers within and outside Lagos. “Both the beneficiaries and the state government are grateful to the collaborators for this kind gesture and it is hoped that it would be a continuous exercise which will

be extended to other states so that all our children with this challenge can enjoy this health facility,” she said. The project was brought to government’s attention by Mrs

Oluwatoyin Towobola of WOPO whose activities on women and children health matters had brought it in contact with challenges experienced by public primary school pupils and teachers.

For those who have had hearing loss, it takes them out of their world and communities. Their ability to learn is diminished…We are here to give them an opportunity to re-immerse themselves into their communities

FRSC decries high rate of accidents

HE Imo State command of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has decried the number of lives lost in recent times in road accidents, adding that the casualty figure is increasing. The Corps said 45 deaths were recorded in 2011 as against 39

From Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

in the previous year. The sector commander Mr. David Mendie disclosed this in Owerri when he paid a courtesy visit to members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of Nigeria

Between January and June, 2011, 317 people were injured in various road accidents while 115 crashes were recorded…These high rates of mishap resulted from indiscriminate packing; overloading; flooding; wrongful configuration of traffic light; breakdown of big and long vehicles and lack of ambulances •Continued from page 25

ity to engage in private enterprises has remained the major constraint of industrial growth in the country. His words: “The EDC [provides] intervention measures to retrain graduates and school leavers, especially those that are not yet employed or are underemployed, to create a class of Nigerian workforce that will be creative and proactive entrepreneurs”. Ikeme, urged the governors of the Southeast states to contrib-

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

Union of Journalists (NUJ) Imo State council. He said that between January and June, 2011, 317 people were injured in various road accidents while 115 crashes were recorded. Mendie said that these high rates of mishap resulted from indiscriminate packing; overloading; flooding; wrongful configuration of traffic light; breakdown of big and long vehicles and lack of ambulances. These, he said, are major challenges which the command is experiencing. He decries what he described as non-adherence to traffic rules on the part of road users, adding that the command had already initiated a programme tagged operation rescue Owerri from

menace of keke riders. He said that the programme, which started on August 25, is aimed at reducing road accidents and to decongest the roads to make them passable. The commandant further said that so far the command has apprehended 110 offenders and recorded 112 offenses, adding that majority of them are keke operators. He assured that the command is committed to carrying out its duty to ensure that traffic jam is drastically reduced to its barest minimum in order to make the roads passable and to reduce accidents on the roads. He called for cooperation from the public to ensure success on its set goals.

She said at the event that the organisation, through the support of the International Innerwheel Club District 911 of Lagos–to which she belonged– had made prior donation of hearing aids from the Innerwheel Club of Germany to a few of the 27 pupils identified to have hearing impairments in Lagos Island and Epe local governments. Her contact with Mr Simeon Afolabi of BSA led to a link with Starkey Foundation making its first foray into Nigeria through this project. Afolabi said the Starkey Foundation which goes round the world donating hearing aids, would return to Nigeria before the end of the year with experts who would test the hearing aids on each child whose measurement was taken before distribution is done. Given the cost of hearing aids, Afolabi said the donation would make a significant impact on the lives of the children, majority of whom are from disadvantaged backgrounds. Johnson said the aim of the foundation’s donation is to restore quality to lives through the gift of hearing. He assured that the donation is not one-off and would be extended to other parts of Nigeria. “We are here to bring the gift of hearing to each and every individual that has been pre-screened. For those who have had hearing loss, it takes them out of their world and communities. Their ability to learn is diminished. “We are here to give them an opportunity to re-immerse themselves into their communities. When we do commit to being in a country, we commit for the long-term. We look forward to working in Nigeria,” he said.

NGO trains youths for entrepreneurship ute adequately in the sensitisation process in their states, to ensure adequate participation at the grassroots. He added that the project needs special funding to make it sustainable. Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, who spoke on behalf of the Southeast governors, said the choice of Onitsha, as the pilot centre for the zone was very appropriate, considering the high concentration of private enter-

prises in the zone. He stated that the facility will not only boost economic activities in Onitsha, the commercial hub of the state, but also in the entire Southeast zone. Obi said: “We can’t continue with the development of physical infrastructure, without keeping human capacity development at par; we shall sustainably pursue the actualisation of the vision 2020 through sound skill acquisition programmes and em-

ployment creation, which the CBN, has just initiated. At the one of the outreach programmes, Ikeme told Newsextra that 12,110 entrepreneurs had been trained while 19,622 had also been counseled. He added that the 14th Quarterly Report of the EDC Southeast Zone had just been submitted to both the Development Finance Unit and the governor of the CBN for those

Youth groups endorse Oshiomhole for 2012 polls •Continued from page 25

stituency Hon. Patrick Aisowieren and his counterpart in Orhionmwon Constituency II, Hon. Friday Ogierakhi at the state House of Assembly said they endorsed Governor Oshiomhole and his deputy, Dr. Odubu for 2012 governorship polls. They urged the youth not to relent in their support for the state government to witness more good things. “We, the honourable members representing Orhionmwon in the

•Emir of Mubi, ALhaji Abubakar Isa (middle) pose with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officers who paid him a visit in Mubi PHOTO: NAN

trained between July and August 2011. “We are still dealing with the outreach aspect of the programme and co-habit with the rural poor. The EDC programme was designed to generate employment opportunities for Nigerians; to create wealth; alleviate poverty and to stabilize the socioeconomic mobility and stability of Nigeria,” Ikeme said.

state House of Assembly will not renege in our promise to support Governor Adams Oshiomhole and his deputy, Dr. Pius Odubu for the 2012 governorship race because they have performed beyond expectation.” Dr. Odubu, on his part, thanked the youth for their support and solidarity, saying the administration’s achievements in Orhionmwon included the largest single road project under construction from Ogan–Ugo– Urhomehe–Urhonigbe with a state–of–the–art bridge at Ehimwin River near Urhomehe.

THE NATION

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

Ritual killers on the prowl in Delta community

GHARA in Ethiope West Local Government Area, Delta State has come under the attack of ritual murderers, said a resident, Chief Victor Erunedo. Erunedo, the Erouvie of Oghara Kingdom, said the sleepy, agrarian community has lost its peace. Under the Chief James Ibori administration between 1998 and 2007, the tempo of infrastructure development in the community assumed an unprecedented pace thus boosting socio-economic life and transforming the community from a small farming community to a thriving economic hub. Ibori hails from Oghara. Its development appears to be its greatest undoing as it has attracted all manner of persons, including some despicable and disreputable characters. Erunedo said murder for ritual purposes has been going on the community. He added that the police have made some arrests. But following the release of the poeple arrested, fear has gripped inhabitants of the community. Erunedo, the third ranking chief in the kingdom, said he went to Oghara Divisional Police station to lodge a complaint of theft when he discovered that a chief in the community had been arrested at the police station. Upon enquiry, he said, it was revealed the suspect was charged with kidnap and possession of human body parts. Shocked at the alleged involvement of the chief in this murderous business, Chief Erunedo insisted the police carry out proper investigation. According to Chief Erunedo it was in his presence that the alleged culprit phoned made a phone call

AYELSA Maritime Union has stated that the state is ripe for at least two sea ports. It has therefore urged the Federal Government develop the facility which it said would be in the interest of the Niger Delta region, even as it pleaded with President Goodluck Jonathan to use his good offices to ensure the realisation of the dream for sea ports during his tenure. Comrade Lloyd Sese, State Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) in a chat with Newsextra in Yenagoa recently argued that being a major oil-producing state in Nigeria, Bayelsa

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

asking somebody to bring a skull and body parts to the police station. He said at about 7.00 pm a young man arrived with a bag and went to the Divisional Crime officer’s office. He said he was informed that the skull had been brought, but the body parts had disappeared. The next day, Chief Erunedo said the police had released the arrested suspect and four accomplices on bail. Erunedo said he wrote a petition to the Inspector General of Police dated August 8 alleging cover-up of kidnap and ritual murder. He named those allegedly behind the cover-up as Inspector Josephine Samuel and Inspector Iyong Benjamin of the Nigeria Police Division Oghara, Delta State. Chief Erunedo said he wrote the petition after he had gone to Delta Police Command in Asaba-the state capital, and discovered the case had not been transferred to the headquarters. He said Delta Commissioner of Police Mr. Mamman Tsafe directed

Anti-Vice Squad to commence investigation into the alleged crime. Following a swift raid on the Oghara police station, the crime dairy was recovered by the AntiVice Squad. Incidented in the crime dairy was a case of murder and kidnap by a named main suspect and and four others, but the case file, according to Chief Erunedo, disappeared. Erunedo claimed that emissaries were sent to appeal to him to drop the case, but he refused, insisting justice be done. Newsextra learnt that the Divisional crime officer (DCO) a female inspector, Josephine Samuel and Inspector Iyong Benjamin were detained at the Command Headquarters in Asaba. Erunedo alleged that a cross petition was written to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) from the chambers J.Y. Odebala & Co after attempts to persuade him failed. He said another team (Monitoring Unit) led by CSP Wabara and Inspector Fineboy Isaac were sent to investigate the case from Abuja. But in a strange twist to the matter, Chief Erunedo accused the team sent from Abuja of colluding with the accused persons to destroy the

Erunedo, the third ranking chief in the kingdom, said he went to Oghara Divisional Police station to lodge a complaint of theft when he discovered that a chief in the community had been arrested at the police station

case file. His words: “The accused persons wrote a petition to the IGP painting a wrong picture of the case, thus misleading the IGP who sent the Monitoring Unit to take the case file from the Command Headquarters in Asaba, but they left the exhibits behind, so that was when I suspected foul play and I wrote another petition upon which the FCID was sent”. Erunedo said the Monitoring Unit from Abuja collected the casefile but left the human skull behind with the police in Asaba Erunedo claimed that this singular act of the police team from Abuja led him to believe the police were collaborating with the criminals Upon this action by the police, Erunedo said he wrote another petition dated October 1. In it, he said he said he complained to the IGP that there attempts by some powerful individuals to kill the case. He said the FCID was dispatched to investigate and the team arrested the main suspect. Erunedo claimed that the FCID came to Asaba to recover the skull, body parts and duplicate of the case file as the original case file had been taken away by the monitoring team earlier sent from Abuja. Erunedo said he has been threatened. But he declared: “I cannot be afraid of death. It is only God that can take my life. I am not perturbed whether the main suspect has powerful backers. As the eye of the king, because that is what the title I hold in Oghara translates to, I am empowered to seek peace and justice in the Kingdom. I will fight the criminal gang in Oghara and make sure justice is done. It is not

•Mr Tsafe a good name that we have ritualists, kidnappers in our community” Newsextra spoke to Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mamman Tsafe who debunked any cover-up by the police, stressing that all those involved in the matter are being investigated and appropriate sanctions will be meted out to those implicated. The Police boss said Inspector Josephine Samuel is facing orderly room trial while the Divisional Police officer in charge of Oghara Police station has been transferred to the Command Headquarters in Asaba for strict supervision. He maintained that although Inspectors Josephine Samuel and Iyong Benjamin have been released, investigations were ongoing. He said it is impossible for them to escape as they are still serving members of the Nigeria Police Force.

Union demands sea ports, fuel stations From Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

State deserves sea ports. Sese observed that besides being a major oil producing state, it also has better geographic advantage for several sea ports due to its nearness to the sea. According to him, the proposed sea ports could suitably be located in Koloama, Brass, Furupa Ekeni and Ejetu areas of the state which

are very close to the sea. “These are areas very close to the sea. They are entrants from the sea, areas in the coast of the state,” noted the maritime union chairman who lamented that “it’s too bad that the state where oil was first struck in 1968 has not even one sea port. “It is very necessary to have at least two sea ports in the state because we have the location, the ter-

rain and the facilities.” Enumerating the advantages of locating sea ports in the state, Comrade Sese noted that the presence sea ports will generate employment, attract foreign investments, and reduce piracy in the waterways, among others. He also spoke on the security challenges being experienced by the union in the state. He said: “We have security challenges in the waterways of the state such as piracy and we want the Federal Government to assist the state by ensuring security on the waterways.” Another challenge being faced by the union, according to him, included the absence of feeling stations in the riverside communities

for the convenience of members of the union. He noted that members of the union have been waiting for the proposed feeling station at the Swali maritime jetty. He therefore appealed to the state government and Minister of Petroleum Resources who is indigenous to the state to come to their aid. “The state government and the Minister of Petroleum Resources who incidentally is from this state should please come to our assistance. The early construction of the fuel station will go a long way to ameliorating our fuel problems,” Sese said. He said the state needed at least five floating fuel stations to add to the existing one at Nembe.

The state government and the Minister of Petroleum Resources who incidentally is from this state should please come to our assistance. The early construction of the fuel station will go a long way to ameliorating our fuel problems

•A director in Lagos State Local Government Establishment and Pensions Board, Mrs Samiat Mumumi flanked by Mr Wahab Feshitan and his wife, Tinu, during the wedding of Mrs Mumuni’s son at Ilupeju

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

Akwa Ibom spends N100b on roads A

•Governor Akpabio

KWA Ibom State government has spent more than N100 billion on road rehabilitation and upgrading between 2010 and 2011. The Secretary to the State Government,Mr Okon Umanah, made the disclosure to newsmen in Uyo at the end of a two-day retreat organised by the Federal Ministry of Works, with the theme: Improving road sector infrastructure for socioeconomic development. He said that 717 federal and state road projects were being rehabilitated and 212 structures completed as part of the social amenities being delivered to the people. Umanah said the state was willing to collaborate with the Federal Government on infrastructure development as it was the bedrock and a catalyst for economic growth. The state’s chief scribe said the Akwa Ibom

Okorocha craves more NEMA offices

MO State Governor Rochas Okorocha has urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to create more offices within the country and acquire helicopters for effective search and rescue operations. The governor promised to provide facilities in Owerri, the state capital, to host NEMA office and maintain its helicopter and as a governor, he will do all in his power to make the effort of NEMA easy in attending to disaster within the region. The governor disclosed this during a visit by the NEMA Director-General, Alhaji Mohommed Sani Sidi, to Imo and Enugu states respectively, where he commiserated with and donated relief materials to victims of different disasters recently in the area. The Director-General said: “The issue of emergency and disaster management continues to take centre stage in the country and the world at large and requires adequate collaborations among stakeholders; there is need for them to pay serious attention to this issue. NEMA has seven zonal offices in geopolitical zones covering the 36 states of the

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

Imo federation and Abuja. “ He, therefore, urged the two states to key into some of the policies of the agency such as the establishment of Local Government Emergency Management Committees, the Grassroots Emergency Volunteer Corps and provide adequate funding for their respective emergency outfits. He then implored the states to see disaster issues as security issue because of various disaster threats in the geopolitical zone like erosion, flood plains and communal hostilities. In Enugu State, the Deputy Governor, Sunday Onyebuchi who represented the governor, praised NEMA for timely support to the victims of fire incident at prisons-police quarters in Enugu. He assured the DG NEMA that more effort would be put in place to strengthen Enugu State Emergency Management Agency for adequate disaster management and relief interventions within the state.

HE Abia State governmet has expressed its desire to partner with Abia medical experts in the Diaspora to ensure that the residents enjoy best medical treatment available. The Deputy Governor, Sir Emeka Ananaba who stated this while addressing a delegation of medical experts of Abia State origin based in the United States of America in Umuahia welcomed their patriotism and benevolent efforts at assisting government in catering for the health needs of the people. Ananaba expressed the determination of Governor Theodore Orji-led administration to sustain and improve on the medical facilities at the Abia State Specialist Hospitals, the two Diagnosis Centres in Aba and Umuahia, all general hospitals and health centres across the state. The deputy governor assured the medical team of government’s support to enable them realise their objectives, stressing that their security is assured at all times.

Akwa Ibom

government had intervened and added value to some federal roads which were impassable in the state in the last 15 years by upgrading them from single lanes to double carriage ways. Earlier, the Deputy Governor, Mr Nsima Ekere, had led the Minister of Works, Mr Mike Onolememen on a tour of some federal roads being rehabilitated by the state. He appealed for reimbursement of funds to Akwa Ibom to enable it embark on more outstanding projects. Some of the projects inspected were the AbakIkot Ekpene road dualisation, the Ekin Itam Oku- Ikono road dualisation, Afaha-Obong and Etim Ekpo road, including bridges. Among the roads upgraded were the UyoOron and Ikot Asua-Odobo Airport bye pass and a section of the Abak-Ikot Okoro-Uyo-Ikot Ekpene road dualisation. Ekere called on the Federal Government to dualise the Ibaka -Oron road with linkage to Uyo-Oron as well as the Calabar -Itu to Ikot Ekpene, leading to Abia State, to help boost the socio-economic activities of the people. He lamented the current situation of the route which he called a “nightmare”, turning an hour journey to six hours. In his remarks, Works Minister Onolememen lauded the state for its bid to provide infrastructure to the standard that would help complement Nigeria’s vision of being one of the developed economies by the year 2020.

•Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime (right) with the Commissioner for Information, Mr Chucks Ugwuoke during an interactive session with newsmen in Enugu

HE Ebonyi State government has introduced a new policy guideline that will create a conducive working environment for principals of Senior and Junior Secondary Schools.

Enugu From Chris Oji, Enugu

thousand teachers in core subjects by the administration and approval for the purchase of buses for all the schools in the state as well as renovation and furnishing of the schools, education was on a firm path of restoration. The governor noted that in its 50 years of existence, the school had produced many eminent Nigerians in both private and public sectors and praised the old Boys for their commitment towards strengthening and preserving the rich heritage of their Alma Mater. In his speech, the Minister of Power, Professor Bartholomew Nnaji, advised the students of his Alma Mater to always take their studies seriously and learn what their teachers teach since there is no substitute to education and learning. Nnaji noted that although government has returned schools to the church, they should continue to help in the running of the institutions.

•From left: Wife of Chief of Staff to Osun State Governor,Mrs Ganiyat Oyetola; Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare,Mrs Adetoun Adegboyega with the wife of the governor,Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola at the a two- day induction seminar for wives of political office holders and political appointees in the state

SON impounds N50m fake goods

HE Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has impounded over N50 million worth of suspected fake goods at the commercial city of Onitsha, Anambra State and also sealed off warehouses containing alleged imported fake products at the Bridgehead market in the city. It was gathered that SON during one of its routine checks stormed the warehouses allegedly containing Carlton chain saws worth over N50 million which was imported into the market. Speaking to journalists on the

From Adimike George, Onitsha

development, the Head Anambra State SON office, Awka, Mr. Madubuike Nwajagu, said the warehouses remained sealed off until after investigations, adding that the action was to stop further injuries to the users of the Carlton allegedly faked products and trace its source. Mr. Nwajagu, however, said they have swung into investigation and analyses to discover whether the products were fake or substandard as there is difference between faked products and substandard ones.

LASIEC praised over council polls

•From left: Mr. Funso Dada, 1st Vice Chairman, vicar of the church, Ven. Samuel Familua, preacher and bishop of Awori, Rt. Revd. Atere, chairman of local Young Men Christian Association, Ipaja, Chief O.Ojo and the 25th Year Anniversary Chairman, Brother O. Ogunsanya after the celebration at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church Branch, Ipaja

HE Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) has being praised for the peaceful of conduct of last Saturdays council poll. The commendation came from the Vice Chairman of Isolo Local Council Development Area Hon Mojeed Adio Adam who spoke to journalists after casting his vote at Isolo on Saturday. According to him, LASIEC’s handling of the election and the orderliness of the whole exercise shows that it was well organised. He also called on Lagosians to show more interest in local council election and affairs as it is the government that is nearest to them and that can address their needs better. “Local councils are more relevant to the communities and local people, even if people have complaints against the process through which candidates emerged they should come

Ebonyi announces new guideline for teaching service

Chime stresses need for education

OVERNOR Sullivan Chime of Enugu State has said that the future of the state can only be secured when children were provided with the best education that the resources can afford. Describing education as the foundation and engine room for development in any society, the governor said that it was in realisation of this that his administration had continued to accord that sector the highest priority. Chime was speaking at a ceremony to mark the Golden Jubilee celebration of Saint Patrick’s College, Emene, Enugu. He said: “We cannot secure the future of our state if we do not equip our children to compete in the knowledge economy by providing them with the best education that our resources can afford.” The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Amechi Okolo, an old boy of the school, explained that vigorous efforts were made to ensure that schools in the state were wellequipped and that sufficient funds were provided to enhance teaching and learning. He stated that with the employment of four

PHCCIMA lauds NLNG’s relocation

By Oziegbe Okoeki

out to vote for their party to ensure that their welfare is taken care of”, Adam said. According to him, it is only when the people participate in the election to pick their representatives at the third tier of government that they can exercise some form of control over them and also complain when they are not performing. •Adam casting his vote

Ebonyi The Chairman of the state Universal Basic Education Board,Chief Thomas Eze, told journalists in Abakaliki that the new guideline would reduce friction among members of staff in public schools. He said the innovation would restore peace in public schools and enhance the much needed improvement in the standard of education. Eze also expressed optimism that the impending rationalisation of teachers in primary and secondary schools would correct the imbalance in the number of teachers in urban and rural schools. “At the end of the exercise, any teacher who refuses posting to any school in the rural areas wil be laid off by government.” He decried cases of illegal collection of fees by some school principals, warning that “henceforth any school head caught imposing illegal levies on students or pupils will be prosecuted for corrupt practices”.

HE Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture PHCCIMA has lauded the planned relocation of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG company head office from Lagos to Port Harcourt. In a joint statement by the President, Engr. Vincent Furo and Chairman of the Oil and Gas Trade Group, Chief Franklin Dandison Gbupo, the chamber hailed the relocation, commending the board of NLNG, NNPC, Ministry of Petroleum and the Federal Government for the bold decision. It assured the board, management and staff of the gas company on security. “Port Harcourt and indeed Niger Delta region is a secure environment to do business as manifested in the increase in oil and gas production from the region. We also commend the Amnesty Programme of the Federal Government that has contributed immensely to bring about permanent peace in the region considering that it has contributed to the growth of oil and gas business,”! it said. “For the insecurity rumour being peddled in some sections of the media, we say it is only a figment of their imagination and are not in the best interest of Niger Delta people. Port Harcourt is the “Hub City” of Oil and Gas in Nigeria as compared to Aberdeen in the UK and Houston in the USA and is poised to take its rightful place in the comity of cities. The Garden City of Nigeria as we are popularly referred to is full of hospitable, peaceful and loving people who are sure to extend this to the staff of NLNG”, the statement added “PHCCIMA would want to commend the River State Government on their strides in infrastructure, development and security which has helped to support and sustain the growth in the oil and gas industry.

Briefly

Group inaugurates new exco FREELANCE and Independent Broadcasters of Nigeria (FIBAN) Lagos chapter will today inaugurate its newly elected executives. According to a statement signed by the state chairman, Yomi Ifankaleluyah, activities lined up for the three-day ceremony include workshop for all FIBAN members, visit to motherless Babies home, environment sanitation by all members along Alausa Secretariat,

Ikeja while the grand finale will hold on Sunday at Jonslan Castle Hotel and Hall, Lagos The closing ceremony which would feature popular musicians such as Alhaji Kollington Ayinla, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall and Wasiu Alabi Pasuma along other musicians. The ceremony have in attendance Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola and Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Aderemi Ibirogba,

Interment THE death has been announced of Mrs Beatrice Eumice Obiajulu Nwabueze in Okpanam town, Obodogha Quarters in Oshimih North Local Government Area of Delta State at a ripe age of 85. The community woman leader died at her Shomolu residence in Lagos. Burial arrangement will begin on Saturday, October 29 with a wake-keep at her residence, 14, Osho Street,

Somolu/Bajulaiye, Lagos. On November 5, the body will lie in state at her Obodogha Quarters in Delta State. There will be a church service after which her body will be interred in her compound. She is survived by Mr Anthony Nwosisi, a journalist, Rita Ngozi Nwosisi, Mrs Rosemary Nneka Olakitan, Mrs Taiwo Ojuri,Mr Kehinde and many grand children

Orji partners Abians in diaspora Abia From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

He disclosed that the state government would invite them to work out modalities for the setting up of International Medical Mission, hoping that the missions will be extended to all the nooks and crannies of the state for the benefit of all the people. In his speech, the leader of the team and a pediatric surgeon based in Las Vegas Nevada USA, Dr. Sam Otuwa, said that having concluded medical missions in South Africa, they are focusing attention back home in Abia State. Dr Otuwa thanked the governor for

•Orji appointing one of their daughters as a Commissioner for Special Duties and urged her not to disappoint them.

Council chief inaugurates community development committee

HE Chairman of the Ayobo Ipaja Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in the Alimosho Local Government of Lagos State, Hon. Falilatu Ajijola has inaugurated a new Community Development Committee and chairmen of all the Community Developments Associations (CDAS) for Baruwa Ipaja and Ayobo respectively. In her welcome address, Alhaja Ajijola congratulated the out-gone executive members for a good job in project execution and co-operation with the council. She advised the new executive to embark on meaningful projects that will enhance the living standard of their various communities.He reminded them that as

the fourth tier of the government, the council would beam searchlight on their performances, promising to reward achievers. Speaking on behalf of the executive members, chairman of the CDC, Elder Olushola Esan, thanked Ajijola for reposing confidence in the members and promised that himself and the team would work to achieve their set objectives. Esan highlighted some of the projects he intended to embark on to include establishment of a functional and computerised secretariat,organising seminars and workshops to sensitise members of the communities on the need to pay income tax and land use charges. The CDC, he said, was determined to remain focused notwithstanding some challenges.

Oshiomhole canvasses support for govt

DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has restated his commitment to the development of the state. The governor made the declaration during the 30th anniversary of Etsako Club ’81 and fund raising for Etsako Cultural Centre at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, where he was honoured for outstanding performance. Presenting him the award, the club’s president, Alhaji Sufi Abdulmalik, said the award could not have come at a better time than when one of Etsako kith and kin was in the saddle as the governor the Heart Beat of the nation. Abdulmalik noted that the governor has brought tremendous progress to the state which past administrations have held down because of their anti-people polices and lack of developmental programme. Responding to the honour, the governor expressed delight and dedicated the award to his late wife, Clara who passed on two years ago. He said the position he found himself could not have been possible if not for the support the wife gave. Oshiomhole stated that he was particularly grateful to the people who have been supporting his administration in the transformation of the state. He said: “I want to thank you for the

Edo By Musa Odoshimokhe

recognition and honour done me. I want to assure you that this is like a journey, not just to continue to do what we are doing, but to improve on it because the people are watching and when you are being watched you will try to do the right thing. “I think for most people and apparently including Etsako who have appreciated our modest contribution people have emphasised infrastructure, school, and roads whatever but for me the most important thing we have tried to achieve which is the pre-condition for every other thing, is to restore that confidence in the minds of our people from Edo North, Central to Edo South that they alone have the full voting freedom under the principle of one man one vote and not one god-father all the vote.” The governor stated that the force of darkness have been demystified because of the people resolved to do that by consciously guiding their votes during elections. Against this background, he said Edo people should be more united than before in supporting government programmes in order to enjoy the dividends of democracy.

Ikorodu North focuses on roads, drainage THE newly elected chairman of Ikorodu North Local Council Developmwnt Area (LCDA), Hon. Adeola Jokomba has promised to focus on road construction, rehabilitation and maintenance to ensure minimal road accidents occassionally linked to bad roads. He also stressed that drainage and culvert construction and maintenance wi ll be done to reduce the incidence of flooding in the area.

The chairman noted that agriculture is the main business in the LCDA and that farmers will benefit more when the roads are motorable to convey their farm produce to the masses. Jokomba, who was re-elected as the chairman of the biggest LCDA in Ikorodu with 80 different communities, pledged to do more work this time around. He thanked his people for voting for him and promised to ensure the area is more developed.

•Alhaji Abdulmalik speaking at the occasion

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

PEOPLE THE NATION

A SEVEN-PAGE SECTION ON SOCIETY

On October 16, eight Nigerians were honoured for their industry, diligence, excellence and meritorious services to their father land. It was at the 15th anniversary celebration and awards organised by Hallmarks of Labour Foundation at Oriental Hotel, Lagos. SEYI ODEWALE was there.

•From left: Mr Onosode, assisted by Mrs Arawore, presents a plaque to Mr Falana

HE honorees are men and women of impeccable achievements. They have satisfied the highest standards set for measuring achievements in every field of human endeavour. From public administration to jurisprudence and constitutionalism; from politics to international diplomacy and activism, they have carved their names in gold. When they stood to be honoured, they were like the biblical men and women, diligent in their works. The eight were honoured in categories, such as: Hallmark of Labour Foundation (HLF), Lifetime achievement; HLF award for excellence; HLF Umaru Shehu Life-time award to the most consistent advocate for positive change within the university system and HLF Gani Fawehinmi Life-time achievement award. As early as 1pm guests and dignitaries had begun to gather for the event. By 3:30pm, the expansive ballroom of Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos was filled. Clad in various attires depicting the nation’s diverse cultures, everyone, especially the awardees, wore dresses that brought out the rich cultures of their ethnic group. For instance, the former Executive Secretary of the United Nation Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Prof Adebayo Adedeji, was resplendent in his Agbada attire with a matching Damask cap, same went for the activist lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, who looked gorgeous in his Aso Oke sewn in Yoruba Dansiki style and Prof Ben Nwabueze, whose red cap pronounced him as a titled Igbo chief. The Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi OkonjoIweala; the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega and Justice Kayode Eso were gaily dressed. Two of the awardees sent their representatives. They are Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, represented by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ade Ipaye, and the Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, represented by his daughter, Moremi Soyinka-

Achievers united in honour Onijala. The compere, Patrick Doyle and Adesuwa Onyenokwe showed expertise in handling events of such magnitude. The man in-charge of reading citations, simply called Mr Makinde by Mrs Onyenokwe, was exceptional with his broadcaster’s voice. In her opening remarks, the Executive Secretary of the foundation, Mrs Patricia Otuedon Arawore, spoke on four factors that necessitated the awards. In her words, the awards were “to search for and identify Nigerians, Africans and people of the black race who have achieved success through hard work, honesty and integrity in every field of human endeavours; use the achievements of these role models as examples to educate Nigerians that success through genuine labour is more rewarding and fulfilling; develop a positive attitude among Nigerians, especially the youths, and encourage them to discard fraud, dishonesty and greed as a means to success and help make Nigeria a decent society that deserves the respect of other nations of the world thereby enhancing investment and tourism”. The Foundation, according to her, was founded on the basis of rewarding honest and diligent men and women in a country where moral decadence, dishonesty, inefficient management of funds and lack of transparency by various governments have become the order of the day. The Foundation’s trustees are: Prof

Emeritus Umaru Shehu as Chairman and Ambassador Christopher Kolade as Vice-Chairman. Other members include the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof Grace Alele-Williams; the constitutional lawyer, Prof Itse Sagay; Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Mrs Grace Giwa, while Mrs Arawore serves as the executive secretary. The awardees agreed that the nation needed urgent measures to bring it back from the precipice. While they lamented the deplorable state of the country, they cautioned that all hands must be on deck to restore things. Dr Okonjo-Iweala said Nigerians were tired of listening to one reform or the other. She said the time has come for everyone to join hands in building the nation. “Nigerian s,” she said, “must ask themselves what they must do to make the nation great.” According to Mr Ipaye, who represented Governor Fashola, the modest efforts of the Lagos State government are represented in the ideals of the foundation. He thanked the organisers for the awards and assured that the governor will continue to represent the ideals of the foundation. There were, of course, time to refresh memories when constitutional lawyer and scholar, Prof Ben Nwabueze, took the microphone to give his remarks after receiving his award. He recalled the running battle he had as a minister

for education with Prof Jega, when the latter was the President of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). He, however, took a swipe at attempts by the National Assembly to draft a constitution, noting that it is not their constitutional duty to tinker with the constitution. Justice Esho was also on point in analysing the nation’s woes, especially in the administration of justice. The judiciary according to him might have had its own share of the rot nevertheless, recent efforts geared towards pulling it back are commendable. The absence of rule of law in a society, he said, is akin to anarchy. There were other speakers, such as the former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, who, though shared the views expressed by earlier speakers, slightly differed on the way forward. It was however, not an evening for speeches as there were renditions of classical music by Olumide whose baritone voice captivated everyone. On set was Eva, the delectable R&B crooner, whose lyrics held everyone spellbound. Mrs Arawore in her vote of thanks appreciated everyone present and those unavoidably absent. Among those recognised was the wife of the former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, a senator of the upper chamber of the National Assembly and a member of the foundation, who sent a representative. For Falana, the award is meant to help him keep up the struggle. “My advice to young people is to appreciate that there must be a struggle for the new Nigeria. We are not celebrating wealth again, because that is vanity; we are celebrating quality contributions to the progress of our society. “I think it’s very encouraging and for me it’s a challenge to keep up the struggle for new Nigeria. I’m going to rededicate myself to that struggle,” he said. •More pictures on page 32

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

SOCIETY It was not just a party when the Epe-born Edo frontline business woman- politician, Ibiremilekun Agbowu turned 60 last Monday. Her friends turned the show into a carnival of dancing and feasting. Dignitaries from all over the country converged on The Harbour Point on Wilmot Point Place, Victoria Island, Lagos to celebrate her. TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO was there.

60 hearty cheers to a ‘wonderful’ woman

OING by her story from birth, she is divinely blessed. She was born into a reputable family, which believes in not sparing the rod when necessary. Even being an only child for a long time, never made her parents give her preferential treatment. To crown it all, her marriage to an African nationalist, who was an engineer, author and herbal medicine practitioner, the late Daniel Oritsejoghanyomi Agbowu, helped redefine her career. The late Agbowu, fondly called Uncle Dan, gave her all the assistance she needed to become a successful woman. These are some of the features that make the Epe-born Edo frontline business woman cum politician, Ibiremilekun Joan Epesanmi Agbowu a darling of many. Both the high and low are at home in her company. Last Monday when Mrs Agbowu, a chief, marked her 60th birthday, many described the occasion as worthy. It was Monday, the first day of the working week, but the expansive Harbour Point on Wilmot Point Place, Victoria Island, Lagos was full to capacity. The setting of the hall was breathtaking. Decorated by Galaxy, a Lagos company, the scenery was splendid – choice drinks dazzling on the beautiful table overlays, lovely flowers and bright lighting. Notable personalities comprising traditional leaders, top government functionaries, business moguls, politicians, captains of industry, among others, graced the event. They shone in expensive royal blue attires with silver headgears, jewellery and matching shoes. Top on the A-guest list were wife of former Vice-President, Alhaja Titi Atiku Abubakar; Senator Daisy Danjuma; former ViceChancellor, University of Benin, Prof Grace Alele-Williams; Justice Rita Bello of the Court of Appeal; wife of the late philanthropist, Hajia Abbah Folawiyo; Chief Executive Officer, Hallmarks of Labour Foundation, Mrs Patricia Arawore; Prof Ojo Aisiku; Dr Michael Fadayomi; Dr Dan Agbowu; Action Congress of Nigeria chieftain, Mrs Kemi Nelson; Lady Omolara Fagbayi; former secretary of the National Council of Arts and Culture, Mr Frank Aig-Imokhuede; Chief Executive Officer, Guardian Press Limited, Mrs Maiden Ibru; Mrs Florence Kukoyi; Mrs Kofoworola Shabi; Princess Yetunde Onile-Ere and Alhaja Wasilat Akinsanya. Mrs Kemi Davies; Mrs Bose Adeboye; Mrs Modupe King; Regina Ikenwe; Mr Bayo Bakare and his wife, Tina; Mrs

•The celebrator (middle), assisted by (from left) Mrs Oni; Alhaja Abubakar; `Alhaja Akinsanya; Dr Agbowu; Hajia Folawiyo and Mrs Shabi, cuts the cake

•From left: Ms. Pricilla Soyemi, Senator Danjuma and Mrs Esther Ogbeha

•Mrs Davies (right) and Mrs Ibru

•Prof Oje Aisiku

•Prof Alele-Williams (right) and Mrs Kukoyi

•Lady Fagbayi (left) and Yemisi Awe

PHOTOS: ADEJO DAVID

•Dr Fadayomi (left) and Otunba Noah Fadayomi

Mosunmola Fadayomi; former member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Ajoke Adegeye;

Mr Biodun Fujah; Bisi Kuye; Yemisi Awe; Omolara Awosika; Mrs Adeola Yesufu and Rantimi

Aborowa. The grand daughter of the celebrator, Miss Chloe Cole, gave a

special performance. The six-year old clad in royal •More pictures on page 31

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

SOCIETY

•Justice Gladys Olotu (left) and Bose Asuni

•Princess Teni Gbogboade

• Mrs Owokoniran (left) and Mrs Ola Adeola

•Mrs Kemi Nelson

•Mr. Kelly Arawore, Mrs Arawore and Ms Lizzy Otuedor

•From left: Rita Oguntoyinbo, Mrs Folake Lapite and Mrs Gbemisola Kamson

•From left: Mrs Bukky Adeniran; Mrs Yesufu and Mrs Bisi Banjo

•Mrs Oni and Mrs Adeboye

blue gown stunned the guests when she mounted the podium to play a piano. She received a standing ovation after playing a birthday song for her grandmother. The emcee, Koffi, alongside other entertainers dazzled the guests with wonderful performances. It was a night that brought the best out of the King of Juju Music, the legendary King Sunny Ade, who mesmerised the ‘birthday girl’ and her guests with scintiliting performance. Among those who spoke at the event was Dr Agbowu, who wished the celebrator many more fruitful years. Decked in white Agbada, blue cap and

•Prince Osunnusi and his wife, Princess Duro

pair of black shoes, Dr Agbowu said 60 is one of the master numbers. At 60, he said, Mrs Agbowu looks 45. He hailed her for her wonderful role in the family. Justice Bello, otherwise called Ritustic described the celebrator as “my sister and a good friend.” The jurist sang a song for her entitled: Great is thy faithfulness, oh Lord. “She is an icon. So many people are called icons but Remi is an icon for real. A phenomenon, an achiever, very generous and a friend indeed. She has that comforter characteristic features. You never see her with a troubling face,” she said. She thanked the guests for celebrating

God and Remi as a reference point. Dr Fadayomi, a close friend of the celebrator’s late husband, described Mrs Agbowu as a fantastic woman. “She is the best that ever happened to my friend and his family. I fell in love with her style when my friend took ill. She has an inexhaustible kind heart. I thank God we are celebrating her today,” he said. Mrs Arawore described her as a very good friend, pretty and hardworking woman. “She never leaves a project halfway. If Remi gives you her word, she would stand by it. She is very calm, and one of the people God specially modelled. I wish you many more fruitful years ahead,” she said.

PHOTOS: ADEJO DAVID

Mrs Agbowu’s business associate, Mr Kole Funsho was short of words. Mr Funsho described her as a dependable and worthy partner. He prayed God to grant her long life. Mrs Agbowu’s son, Jolomi described his mother as an intelligent, nice, thoughtful and compassionate woman. “She is an extremely kind, caring and loving mother. I wish her longer years on earth and prosperity,” he said. An elated Mrs Agbowu was full of appreciation to her guests. She moved round tables to see to their comfort and also snap pictures with them. It was difficult getting her to talk. She thanked God for sparing her life.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

SOCIETY

Achievers united in honour •Continued from page 29

•Prof Adedeji (left) and Justice Eso •Burgen Bello Siyaki (left) and Kebbi State Governor, Saidu Dakingari,

•Dr. Okonjo-Iweala and Prof Jega

•Prof Emeritus Shehu (left) and Prof Oladipo Akinkugbe

•Senator Nnamani and Mrs Soyinka-Onijala •Prof Alele-Williams (left) and Mrs Jumoke Asiodu

•Mrs Francesca Emanuel (left) and Regina Njoku

•Prof Wale Omole (left) and Diran Eso

•Prof Nwabueze

•Margaji Mahamud (left) and Kayode Idowu

•Prof Olurode

PHOTOS: ABIODUN WILLIAM

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

SOCIETY They met to discuss God’s word. But they never knew that God had perfected His plans on them to further spread His Word and continue the work of procreation. They obeyed God and ended as husband and wife penultimate Sunday. CHINAKA OKORO was there.

‘Our union ordained by God’

HE clement weather doused the fears of probable down pour as experienced the previous day. It appeared to have been a perfect understanding with the plans of the great families of Akpaka in Nwangele Local Government Area and the late Prince Ferdinand Nwairo Abii of Ezinihitte Local Government Area of Mbaise all in Imo State whose children Pastor Chizoba Victory and Prophetess Nkechi Deborah said “I do” on Sunday, October 16, 2011. The expansive and well-decorated auditorium of Motar Prophetic Ministry of Gethsemane (The Land of Discovering and City of Recovering), Ikotun in Igando/Ikotun Local Council Development Area, Lagos was filled to its capacity. The atmosphere was charged with soul-lifting and sonorous praisesongs. The sun shone mildly out of a clear azure sky. The cool breeze caressed the skin gently as the rhythm of the music from the church choir assuaged the nerves in a quiescent manner. Indeed, it was a moment marked by glitz, glamour and razzamatazz that witnessed a very impressive wedding between the couple. The groom, Pastor Chizoba disclosed to The Nation that he was attracted to his bride because of her intelligence, agility, caring, and fear of God, especially being a woman who serves God. Her humility and sense of responsibility, coupled with humanitarian services, he added, was key to their. Summing up his joy, he said that his wife was God-sent; even as he promised that “nothing will come between me and my angel.” On her part, the bride, Prophetess Nkechi said her husband is one of the best things that have happened in her life. She stated that “my

•The couple Pastor and Prophetess Akpaka flanked by groom’s brother, Mr Sabinus Akpaka and bride’s sister, Ms Susan Abii

husband, being a man of God, is imbued with the virtues of humility, hard work and kindness.” In his homily, the Pastor in charge of Motar Prophetic Ministry, Awom Ndubuisi urged the couple to be like unbreakable chain and stick together for the realisation of God’s plans for them, noting that “with God all things are possible.” Quoting copiously from the Bible Book of James chapter 1 verse 17, Pastor Ndubuisi said that “every perfect gift is from God who cannot change like a shifting shadow.” On the relationship between a man and his wife, Pastor Ndubuisi disclosed that it could be likened to a situation where one is suffering and smiling, adding that it requires patience and steadfastness. He said that most marriages these days col-

lapse as a result of lack of the principles necessary for peaceful and cohesive home. The cleric added that every couple should imbibe the virtues of love, kindness, commitment to the marriage project, and steadfastness to the things of the Holy Spirit. “What matters is what the husband says about the wife. Appreciate your wife. Don’t listen to side talks and destructive information from outsiders who are out to break your home. You should not beat your wife because any man who beats his wife is not qualified to be a husband. You must learn to endure insult, don’t say ‘I don’t take nonsense in this house’. Tolerate your wife to the last and you will enjoy your marriage. Argue out your misunderstandings with your wife and show good example to your children when they eventually arrive. You

must recognise the family of your wife and help in the upkeep of your parents-in-law,” Pastor Ndubuisi counselled. Continuing, he advised the bride to be mindful of the kind of women to relate with as some of them are home breakers. “Be careful about the friends you keep. Some women always peddle false information on what their husbands did for them in order to incite the other woman to make unnecessary demands from the husband, thinking that what her friend told her was the truth. They are home breakers. Don’t associate with them. Don’t listen to evil pieces of advice. Help your husband with prayers in order to stand firm. Obey God’s injunction by being submissive to your husband and fear and recognise God in all you do for you to have a blissful marriage,” he advised.

50TH BIRTHDAY OF THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF CBAAC, PROF TUNDE BABAWALE IN LAGOS

•The celebrator, Prof Tunde Babawale (left) and Governor of Ondo State, Dr Segun Mimiko

•Prof Eghosa Osaghae and Mrs Babawale

•Dr Wale Babalakin (left) and Oba Dokun Abolarin

•Prof. Babajide Aro

• Mr Shedrach Golen PHOTOS: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

SOCIETY On Sunday, October 9, the All Saint’s Anglican Church, Itoku, Abeokuta, Ogun State, held its yearlyAdult Harvest and Thanksgiving service and the wife of the elder brother of The Nation’s General Manager, Training and Development, Mr Soji Omotunde, Mrs Lillian Omotunde, was honoured the Iya Ikore meaning, Harvest Matron, reports ERNEST NWOKOLO.

A harvest like no other T

UCKED inside the heart of the densely populated Itoku community, Abeokuta, and noted for tumultuous joy of praises and worship to God every Sunday and week days, was All Saints’ Anglican Church, Itoku, Ogun State, which penultimate had its annual harvest and thanksgiving service with pomp. Although residents of that sleepy neighbourhood were accustomed to such vivacity since the church, built in 1979 in memory of Pa John Okenla, an indigene of Itoku and the first Balogun of Egbaland, took its root in the community, Sunday, October 8 being the first Sunday in October, was unusually colourful. Reason: it was the time for the church’s annual harvest and thanksgiving service. Aside the heavy traffic of regular worshippers who trooped in, guests and the decoration within and outside the church, gave the church a face lift. Life sized plantain trees with bunches of fruits and fresh leaves still attached to their stems, stood side by side concrete pillars supporting the one storey church auditorium. Some distance away from the Altar, lay basket of assorted fruits, and other farm produce: brought in amid songs and dance by the congregation. To them it was the best way to show appreciation to God for giving them a bountiful year. Among the faithful was a Lagos based legal practitioner, Chief (Mrs) Lilian Omotunde, whose husband is the elder brother to the General Manager, Training and Development, The Nation newspaper, Lagos, who was made the church’s Harvest and Thanksgiving matron, the Iya Ikore 2011. Mrs Omotunde, who has now by added to the church’s Hall of Fame, was honoured for her exemplary leadership and contributions towards the success of the harvest. She succeeded Chief (Mrs) A.O. Akinde who was the Iya Ikore for 2010.

Buoyed by the spirit of giving and dressed elegantly, the congregation danced and sang to the music ministrations from the choir. The high point was when Mrs Omotunde was decorated as the Iya Ikore of the year by her predecessor, Mrs Akinde and the Church’s Vicar, Rev Dayo Awodun . In his remarks, Rev Olatunji Oladipupo of Ifo Anglican Church Diocese said that harvest was the time to give to God. Citing Psalm 67: 6 -7, 85:12, Oladipupo advised Christians to cultivate the attitude of sowing always into the vineyard of God, especially, during church harvests, saying the joy and reward of giving to God with open heart is more blessings and protection from Him. “This is an opportunity to give and experience harvest of divine abundance as rewards from Jehovah. It is having in large quantity in the store-house, and having more than enough,” he said. He commended the Iya Ikore, and her supportive husband, for organising the year’s harvest in manner that made it “convenient for the congregation to appreciate and glorify” Jehovah with their substance. Interestingly, special harvesters, who were invited by the Iya Ikore, to sow into the Church by way of thanksgiving included Nathaniel Sopide (Chief Harvester); Chief Lawson Oso; Mrs Alice Aderinwale; Mrs O.A.Sobo; Mrs Folashade Kokumo and Mr and Mrs S.O. Majekodunmi. Others were Chief Tunji Falola; Mr and Mrs Segun Osota; Mrs Olubukola Sogbaike; Mrs Toyin Oworu; Mr Lukmon Yusuff; Kayode Kilaso and Mrs Remi Opere. Ore Ofe, Alafia and Fountain of Hope emerged the Societies of the year on the roster. Mrs Omotunde commended the congregation and guests for their moral and financial support towards the success of the harvest.

•Mrs Yemisi Adesiyan and Mr Deola Akintonde

FUNERAL

•Mr Felix Ideh (middle) with Mrs Ngozi Okafor,(left) and Mr Leonard Chidi, at the funeral of Madam Victoria Ideh at Okpanam, in Delta State

•Revd Awodun, assisted by Mrs Akinde (middle), decorates Mrs Omotunde

•Mr Omotunde (left) and Mr John Omotunde

•Pa Amos Soetan and Mrs Oguntolu

AWARD

•President, African Refugees Foundation, Ambassador Segun Olusola (second left) receiving the award for Hospitality Exellence from Prince Austin Oputa. With them are Chuks Ogboji (right) and Uche Ojula.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2011

SOCIETY Members of The Nation family were in joyous mood as the newspaper’s head of Property and Environment Desk, Okwy Iroegbu and her beau, Ernest Chikezie, a businessman, walked down the aisle at the Journalists’ Estate, Arepo, Ogun State. TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO was there.

‘A most wonderful day’

T was the moment everybody in the hall has been waiting for. The intending couple was all smiles. They had taken time to perfect preparation for the day. Even the downpour could not alter the arrangement to have a befitting marriage solemnisation and a lavish reception for those who came to relish in their joy. The ornately decorated expansive hall was awesome. Some of the relatives of the groom who came all the way from Abia State could not believe their eyes on sighting the scenery of the hall. They marvelled at the setting. Many among the guests were also full of praises and admiration for the couple for their painstaking effort to make the hall appealing. All eyes were on the light-skinned bride, Okwy Iroegbu, head of Property and Environment Desk of The Nation newspaper. She appeared charming in attractive white wedding gown with lovely veil jacket holding a multi-coloured bouquet. A sparkling pearl dazzling round her neck, stunning weavon and beautiful ear rings to match continuously received attention of her husband, who intermittently used handkerchief to clean her face. At every interval, Okwy’s lovebird, Ernest Chikezie, who dressed in a black suit, white shirt, yellow tie and a pair of black shoes, waved to greetings from the guests. Immediately the lovebirds exchanged the rings, repeated the marital vows and declared lawful husband and wife, the hall went into jubilation. Alongside their immediate family members, the couple signed the marriage certificate. The event also featured cutting of the cake, presentation of gifts and photograph session before the couple moved on to the dance floor. Okwy shown like a star like on the dance floor. Other guests including staff of The

Nation joined the couple on the floor. Speaking with The Nation, the bride’s brother, who stood in for her father, Mr Nkem Ogonsiegbe, congratulated the couple. Ogonsiegbe, a lawyer, described the bride as wonderful. “If I say wonderful, it’s even an understatement because of her maturity and charisma. To me, it is something of joy. She is somebody who has been of great help to the family and that is why all of us are here. I have an elder sister who came from Jos. I have other relations who came from within and outside Lagos just because of her attitude. Any time you go to her, she is there for you and all of us,” he said. He wished them long life and prosperous children. The groom’s brother, Victor, described his son in-law as a lady of virtue. According to him, it takes a man of virtue to have a woman of that substance. “She has the patience, perseverance and Godconsciousness. Their coming together is a dream come true. Man proposes and God disposes. I believe that God brought them together for others to emulate. The lady is very good and I’m sure she is going to be a good wife,” he said. The groom, Chikezie, described the day as “the most wonderful day of my life. She is a wonderful person and a good partner; someone I want to spend the rest of my life with.” The bride, Okwy, believed their coming together as husband and wife was ordained by God. Marriage, she said, is sacred and mankind must learn to respect the institution. “I look forward to a peaceful home, blessed with special children and a long lasting union devoid of rancour and bitterness,” she said. Among the personalties at the event were the President, Nigerian

•The couple, Chikezie and Okwy flanked by (from left) Mr Adediji; Nneka Ugbor and Mr Ukpong

•Bride’s mother, Mrs Jane Iroegbu Ogonsiegbe and Mr Ogonsiegbe

Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Mr Bode Adediji; General Manager, Niger Insurance Plc, Mr Sam Ukpong; representative of Director-General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr Joe Odumodu;

Head, Marketing, SON, Mr Bola Fashina; Editorial Board member of Business Day, Mr Godwin Nnana; a former secretary, Nigerian Union of Journalists, Lagos chapter Adolphus Okonkwo and Mr Romanus Chikezie.

Two years after his death, friends and colleagues of the former Chairman of Guinness Nigeria Plc., Chief Ralph Alabi, gathered at the Ralph Alabi Engineering Centre, Ikeja, Lagos to remember him and dedicate the first phase of the centre built in his honour and launch the second phase. VIVIAN EBBAH reports

•From left: Mr Olusegun Ajayi; Mrs Margaret Oguntala and Mr Olu Awoyinfa

OTWITHSTANDING a working day, that Thursday late last month, dignitaries left their busy schedules to join members of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Ikeja Branch to dedicate the first phase of the Ralph Alabi Engineering Centre, Ikeja, Lagos and launch its second phase in honour of its deceased founding member, the former Chairman of Guinness Nigeria Plc., Chief Ralph Alabi, an engineer. To them, his departure two years ago has left a big vacuum in the sector a bit too hard to fill. The more reason he stood to be counted at the memorial event. Their presence blended with the occasion just as their different colours further embellished the exquisitely decorated centre. Entering the centre, one noticed a big portrait of the late engineer hung on the wall for

•Pastor Olubola Elijah Afolabi (left) and Abiodun Awe

In memory of a great engineer all to see and refresh his fond memories in those that crossed his path and benefitted from his kind-heartedness. To kick off the event a minute silence was observed in honour of the great engineer whom many described as a hardworking, devoted, intelligent, humble and disciplined. Although, it was a small gathering, everything about was unique. The calibre of guests gorgeously clad in

Ankara material spiced the event and gave it a taste of class. Welcoming dignitaries to the high table the master of ceremonies Fummi Akingbagbohun, described the gathering as one of the best Ikeja Branch of NSE has held in recent time, considering those who graced the event. They exchanged pleasantries and posed for photographs as they walked to their seats.

PHOTOS: ABIODUN WILLIAM

And when it was time to toast to the memory of the departed, they raised their wine glasses, toasted to the success of the branch and more achievements to come. Speaking at the ceremony, the branch Chairperson, Mrs Margaret Oguntala, said the purpose of the gathering was to give honour to who it was due and to celebrate the life and times of Chief Alabi. She described the late Guinness helmsman was a father to all and a man of reputable character who always carried young engineers along with him. “Ralph Alabi was one of the founding fathers of the Ikeja branch. He was one of my mentors. I respected him so much even in death. He was hardworking and dedicated to work; you would never catch him sitting idle, “she said.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

COMMENTARY

ET me start today with a Qur’anic admonition which I have frequently quoted in this column but which has consistently meant nothing to the rulers of Nigeria. It goes thus: “...Beware of a calamity that may descend not only on the perpetrators of injustice amongst you; and be warned that Allah’s retribution can be very severe on the unjust...” Q. 8:25. History is an invisible teacher. It teaches the experience of the past to the inexperienced people of the present with a view to guarding them towards a safe future. Some people perceive history as the best teacher because it warns against the vanity of human wishes as much as it encourages the emulation of impeccable exemplariness of the past. Others call it a bad teacher because it does not practically prevent people from falling into the quagmire of life. From whatever angle it is observed, however, history remains the undisputable teacher of all teachers which can be described in any way by anybody depending on the side of the divide to which each observer belongs. Thus, for as long as human beings remain in existence, passing through the coast of history will never cease to serve a meal of lesson. Currently, Libya, a onetime Italian colony in North Africa, stands out as a bastion from where the smoke of history is oozing out into the firmament of Africa and the Middle East for misguided rulers to inhale some scents of experience from. Of all the Middle East countries recently engulfed in political turmoil, perhaps the least expected to join the fray was Libya. And that assertion would have become an axiom if the 69 year old despot of that country had heeded the warning of history coming from the neighbouring Tunisia. There had been a general but erroneous belief that the trend of the ongoing revolts in the Middle East started in 1979 with the fall of the imperial monarch of that country, Muhammad Pahlavi, who styled himself the Shah n Shah. But the truth is that the revolts actually began two years earlier (1977) in Egypt. It was called ‘Egyptian Bread Riots’. The two day riots of January 18 and 19, 1977 were a spontaneous reaction by hundreds of thousands of peasants to the World Bank and IMF mandated removal of state subsidies on foodstuffs. The then President, Anwar Sadat, had, in response to IMF’s recommendation, increased the price of a loaf of bread by just one Piaster (an equivalence of one Nigerian Kobo). The policy was the height of insensitivity, on the part the government, to the murderous plight of the masses at that time. By the time the dust settled, about 79 people had been shrouded for burial while over 800 others became patients in the casualty sections of many hospitals in the country. The riots ended only with the reversal of that obnoxious policy and the restoration of the removed subsidies. That singular incident, added to the general discontent in the land hitherto caused by the evident class dichotomy, eventually led to the assassination of President Sadat three years later. From thence, Egyptians became conscious that the only language understandable to their government was violent revolt. Thus, in 1986, barely six years after the death of Sadat and the assumption of office as President by Hosni Mubarak, another major riot broke out in Egypt. On February 25, 1986, about 17,000 Egyptian conscripts of the Central Security Forces (CSF) otherwise known as Egyptian Para-military Force staged a violent protest in and around Cairo city destroying two major hotels and targeting the property of the upper and the middle classes. The riots caused by a rumour that the government had decided to increase the then two year compulsory national service to three years without any commensurate remuneration lasted three days with official casualty figure put at 107. Over 2000 people were said to be terribly wounded. Unlike Sadat who quickly reversed his foodstuff subsidy policy, the only lesson which Hosni Mubarak could learn from that experience was the use of force. Ever since, Egypt had become a delicate gun

FEMI ABBAS ON Femabbas@yahoo.com 08051101861

Lesson from Libya

‘

‘Those in power in Nigeria who think they can live perpetually on injustice should remember that the likes of Saddam Hussein, Muammar Gaddafi and Hosni Mubarak never thought that nemesis could afflict them one day. Their episodes are now part of history’ •The late Gaddafi

powder waiting to explode anytime. If there was any surprise about the recent Egyptian revolution that ended Mubarak’s 32 year regime ignominiously therefore, it was its delay till that time. With the Tunisian and the Egyptian experience, one would have expected other rulers in the region to learn a lesson but as a Yoruba adage goes,” a dog that would die in perdition will never respond to the whistle of the hunter”. In Tunisia, the protests leading to the flight of the tyrannical President Zine ElAbidine Ben Ali to Saudi Arabia were instigated by the gruesomely symbolic suicide of one Mohammed Bouazizi last December 17. The 25 year old College graduate had obtained loan to venture into the selling of farm products having realised the futility of looking for job in a country where about 14% of the populace was unemployed. But when his wares were confiscated by government officials for not obtaining permit to sell farm products, the young man concluded that his country didn’t need him anymore and decided to commit suicide by setting himself ablaze. He died in a hospital a couple of weeks thereafter. The public reaction to his death was unimaginably spontaneous. Violence erupted across cities and towns as already aggrieved youths trooped to the streets burning whatever could be burnt and maiming whoever could be captured among government agents. The demand was no longer for reforms but for the

‘

removal of the President. By that time, the President tried to address some of the issues against which complaints were made. But then, it had become too late for such efforts to yield any sensible result. When the coming signals were no longer positive he knew that the die had been cast and decided to flee the country thereby ending his 24 year old regime with historic ignominy. The case of Bouazizi who set himself ablaze and was nationally pronounced a martyr as well as the father of the revolution was just an atom in the complex story of longstanding discontent in Tunisia. There were many other cases of the like but three main factors can be said to be the immediate precipitates of the Tunisian revolution. These were corruption, unemployment and insensitive affluence publicly displayed by government officials. While all these were going on in Tunisia and Egypt, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s impression was that the Presidents in both countries were mere jellies who could hardly manage their matrimonial homes. It was far from his imaginary dream that the surging political tsunami in the Arab world could come near Libya let alone consuming him. After 42 years of unbridled despotism, Gaddafi has reopened the film of Pharaoh’s history for the world to behold. Like Saddam before him, he has lost all that he lived for including most of his children. The story of the Tunisian, the Egyptian

‘The warning here is for the doubting ‘Thomases’ who are still in the dream land in Nigeria and the rest of Africa to open their eyes and clearly see the vanity of human wishes in the cited Arab nations. Such tendentious talks like: “IT CAN’T HAPPEN HERE IN NIGERIA” only belongs to primordial men who still live in the primordial time’

and the Libyan revolutions, cannot be relayed in isolation. There seems to be more of the like to tell in the very near future. That story is not in any way dissimilar from that of Syria or Yemen. And if the hanged President Saddam Hussein of Iraq had not met his doom in the hands of his imperial friends turned enemies, he would have probably met a similar waterloo as that of Gaddafi in the hands of his own people. In virtually all the Arab countries, education is free from the primary school to the University. There is no problem of electricity, water, roads, rail system, food and housing. The only two areas in which the people of those countries have problem with their governments are in those of employment and freedom to be part of governance. And for those two reasons, a tsunami is sweeping the length and breadth of what is called the Middle East. The Moroccan Monarch and the Algerian President were only lucky to have heeded the warning tune of that tsunami in time thereby escaping its consequences, the lesson they learned from the experiences of their colleagues has served them in good stead. Otherwise, they would have ended up like Gaddafi or Mubarak. Here in Nigeria, which of the above named infrastructures is available despite the enormous material resources with which the country is naturally endowed? Rather than utilising those resources to boost the general standard of living and thereby uplift the status of the country, the priority of our government is to squeeze the citizenry dry through the removal of a non-existing subsidy on oil. And that is in addition to the spiral increase of tariff on electricity consumption in anticipation of when power will be stable. Very soon, all Nigerian driving vehicles will be forced to buy new number plates that will cost at least N15000 each. That is a way of generating funds for our own government in Nigeria. Who says we don’t have a worthy government in place? While the Tunisians became restive over 14 per cent unemployment figure, Nigeria is proudly grappling with about 72 per cent of unemployment even as the government keeps drumming the tune of becoming one of the 20 most economically viable countries in the world. What a grand self-deception? The warning here is for the doubting ‘Thomases’ who are still in the dream land in Nigeria and the rest of Africa to open their eyes and clearly see the vanity of human wishes in the cited Arab nations. Such tendentious talks like: “IT CAN’T HAPPEN HERE IN NIGERIA” only belongs to primordial men who still live in the primordial time. To avoid becoming like flies dying in the bottle of wine, men of reason had better learn from the experiences of others before some others begin to learn from their own experiences. Justice is fundamentally sacrosanct in the reckoning of Allah. Where you have people who are educated enough to know their right; where you have people who are conscious of their common affinity; where you have people who believe in God and His capability to impose justice where none exists, let no one think that such people can be exploited indefinitely. Those in power in Nigeria who think they can live perpetually on injustice should remember that the likes of Saddam Hussein, Muammar Gaddafi and Hosni Mubarak never thought that nemesis could afflict them one day. Their episodes are now part of history. Prophet Noah (Nuhu) never prayed for the destruction of his nation and people even after 950 years of preaching to the deaf. His prayer only came when, one day, a small child carried on the shoulder of his father asked for a stone to be thrown at him (Nuhu) just as most people in the nation had done for the past 950 years. The Prophet’s conclusion was that even the great grand children of that generation would continue atrocities in the land and remain hostile to God just like their parents. Thus, when he prayed, it was divinely accepted with ‘automatic alacrity’. The rest is history. Let those who refuse to learn from ancient history try to learn from the recent one. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. A word is enough for the wise.

THE NATION

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

CRIME WATCH

•The suspects

OLICEMEN attached to the Joint Border Patrol Unit, Ilaro Ogun State have arrested seven suspected members of a robbery gang, among them a female. Items recovered from them included three locally made pistols and 11 cartridges. The suspects, it was gathered, were on their way to the location they intended to carry out an operation when two suspected members of the gang were arrested. Spokeman for the Command, Mr Olumuyiwa Adejobi told Newsxtra that the duo, Saheed Idowu and Clement Falolu were arrested on a motorcycle recently by the Joint Border Patrol policemen. They were reportedly subjeted to a search where three locally-made single barrel guns and cartridges were recovered inside their bag. The suspects, according to Adejobi, “confessed to have carried out series of armed robbery incidents in Ilaro and Oja-Odan and their environs. Their confessional statements later led to the arrest of

Police arrest seven robbery suspects Stories by Titilayo Banjoko

five other suspected members of their gang namely Ishola Saidat, Sesan Ayinla, Niniola Kamoru, Ogundipe Kehinde and Ezekiel Ishola. Eleven different types of handsets, a black hand glove and some MTN recharge cards were also recovered from them.

In a related development, police have also arrested a 22-yearold suspect who gave his name as Oyeniyi Fatai and his partner in crime as they stormed an apartment on Odunbanku Street while their victim was preparing to leave for his place of work. “Please do not kill me. Just give me another opportunity to turn a new leaf,” Fatai passionately pleaded with the mob that was at

As the robbers were about stepping out of the third apartment, the youth came out of their hiding but succeeded in apprehending only Fatai, while his partner managed to escape

Passenger stabbed to death over N20

ANDEMONIUM broke out at Iyana-Ipaja area of Lagos in the week when a commercial driver allegedly stabbed a passenger, identified as Ademayeloye Abiodun for failing to pay a N20 fare. Investigation revealed that the driver plying the Lagos/Abeokuta Expressway jumped out of his vehicle in Iyana-Ipaja and held Abiodun, demanding to be paid his money. Sources said the argument degenerated into a fight, with the driver

allegedly stabbing Abiodun in the rib. The incident sparked off a protest as a mob suddenly appeared, determined to lynch the driver. The angry mob withdrew as the driver brought out his identity card which revealed him as a mobile policeman. The driver immediately sped off leaving the injured victim in a pool of his blood. According to sources, Abiodun has just completed his National Certificate of Education (NCE) pro-

Eyewitnesses said the 29-year-old victim, said to be a local boxing coach, was coming from a training field and boarded the bus at Ile-Epo bus-stop, heading to Iyana-Ipaja

gramme. He bled to death before sympathisers could rush him to hospital. Eyewitnesses said the 29-year-old victim, also said to be a local boxing coach, was coming from a training field and boarded the bus at Ile-Epo bus-stop, heading to Iyana-Ipaja. But argument ensued after the deceased reportedly gave the driver N50 and demanded a balance of N20, as the fare, according to other passengers, was N30. Policemen from divisions under the area command stormed the area with an Armoured Personnel Carrier placed under the bridge when an irate mob attempted to vent their anger on any policeman, as they concluded the assailant was a Mobile policeman. Investigation into the murder of Abiodun, according to a police source, has begun. They want to unravel the identity of the driver of the commercial bus with plate number XY 866 GGE whether he is a serving mobile policeman or not.

the verge of setting him ablaze in Iju Ishaga area of Lagos. The suspects reportedly ordered their victim to lie face down while they ransacked the apartment for what they would cart away. After the successful operation, they reportedly locked their victim inside and went to another apartment. But unknown to them, their first victim had two phones, out of which only one was collected by the suspects. He reportedly contacted someone around the area, who subsequently alerted some youths. Newsextra gathered that as the robbers were about stepping out of the third apartment, the youth came out of their hiding but succeeded in apprehending only Fatai, while his partner managed to escape. Fatai was said to have been beaten to a pulp and in the process of being interrogated, he revealed that, that was his first time of going on robbery operation. He said his action was the handiwork of the devil.

He was interrupted intermittently with slaps across the face and a hard object on his body, causing him to groan in excruciating pains. At a point, he passionately pleaded to be handed over to the police. But his plea fell on deaf ears as a man among the crowd reportedly sprayed substance suspected to be petrol on him. Just as he raised his hands to beg, another member of the mob poured substance suspected to be kerosine on him. But as they demanded matches, his prayers seemed to be heard, following the screeching tyres of a police van. He was arrested by the police thereby saving him from being set ablaze. The policemen from Iju Isaga division whisked him into the van and zoomed off, as the crowd expressed disappointment over the arrival of the police which they said prevented them from carrying out a jungle justice on the suspect which would have served as a deterent to other robbers who may wish to come and operate in the area.

Woman arraigned for attempted murder

WOMAN, Mrs. Patience Onuh, has been charged to the Apapa Magistrate’s Court, Lagos State, for allegedly attempting to kill her neighbour’s five -year-old son. Mrs Onuh, 28, was alleged to have used a sharp razor blade to cut the victim several times which led to serious injuries. The incident happened at Snake Island Barracks, Igbologun, and Lagos, where both neighbours reside. She said that Bridget, the victim’s mother, had been harassing her . But Bridget told the court that Mrs Onuh wanted to kill the boy because she has no child. Sources said Mrs Onuh had a quarrel with Bridget, mother of the vic-

tim, and she allegedly vented her anger on the boy. She reportedly used a new blade and started cutting the little boy all over his body. The boy started bleeding profusely before he was rescued by their neighbours who rushed him to a hospital where he is now receiving treatment. She pleaded not guilty after she was arrested and arraigned. The presiding magistrate, Mr. E.O. Ogundare, granted her bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum. The matter was adjourned till 28 October. Mrs Onuh is presently being remanded at the Kirikiri Prison Apapa, Lagos.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

Mohammed and his team undertook to repair the Toyota Corolla car...On grounds of esprit de corps, the Divisional Traffic Officer at the police station released the patrol vehicle to them. But instead of repairing Odi’s car, the policemen dumped it at the police workshop in Borokiri, Port Harcourt

Widow cries out for justice

RS Agatha Odi, a widow, is crying out for justice to be done in a case involving her and the Rivers State Police Command. Odi, who is from Bomadi, Delta State but resides in Iwofe area of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, said her trouble with the policemen started on June 8, 2011 along Iwofe-Wimpey Road by Anele Filling Station, Port Harcourt. In a petition to the Commissioner of Police in the state through a lawyer, Mr Kenneth Obayi, a lawyer from Emmanuel Ukala (SAN) Chambers who was introduced to Odi by the Catholic Church, it was said that at about 3.45 p.m. on that day, she was in a heavy traffic jam, a regular feature along that road, when she heard a very loud police siren coming from behind. In the petition dated July 20, 2011, it was stated that Odi, on a closer watch, noticed that the said “police vehicle was driving in a zigzag manner with full headlights and at top speed.” As there was no possibility for her to move out of the road, she remained on the queue. But soon after, the driver of the said police patrol vehicle with registration number NPF 5168, Inspector Abubakar Mohammed rammed into her stationary Toyota Corolla car from the rear, causing the car to hit a tipper vehicle. The incident caused serious damage to her car. Apart from the damage to her car with registration number EH 221 PHC, Odi was said to have passed out in the process. It was also gathered that sympathisers who rushed to the scene of the accident were assaulted and prevented from taking photographs of the accident scene by Mohammed and his colleagues whose names were given as ASP Samuel Onuoha and Sergeant Friday Godday. Noticing that she was not in stable condition, Mohammed and his colleagues rushed her to Teme

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

Clinic, a trauma hospital in Diobu, Port Harcourt which is run by Doctors without Borders. Consequently, a report of the accident was lodged at the Rumukpakani Police Station and the traffic officers there towed Odi’s car and the tipper vehicle involved in the accident to their station. Much later, Mohammed drove the police vehicle to the Rumukpakani Police Station. There, they pleaded and convinced their colleagues who were on duty to release their patrol vehicle because they were on unauthorised movement. It was also stated in the petition that Mohammed and his team “undertook to repair the Toyota Corolla car.” On grounds of esprit de corps, the Divisional Traffic Officer at the police station released the patrol vehicle to them. But instead of repairing Odi’s car, the policemen dumped it at the police workshop in Borokiri, Port Harcourt where it has remained till the time of this report. The owner of the tipper vehicle challenged the policemen and they quickly paid for the repair of his vehicle. Now Obayi is appealing to the Commissioner of Police to use his good offices to cause Mohammed and members of his team to buy a new car of the same model for Odi whose husband died on February 17, 2011 leaving her with five children. The hapless widow who has been a full time housewife before her husband died was using the car to source for means of livelihood for her children. It was learnt that she has not been able to pay her children’s school fees and their chances of returning to school in this academic year appears very bleak. The lawyer is also asking Mohammed and his team to bear the medi-

•Odi and her five children

Inset: the damaged vehicle

cal bills of Odi who has been in and out of many hospitals for further treatment arising from complications associated with the accident. Another redress being sought is that the policemen should tender apology to the sympathisers who

were maliciously assaulted at the scene of the accident and that a serious disciplinary action should be taken against the policemen to avoid taking the matter to the court. However, when contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in

the state, Mr Ben Ugwuegbulam, said that he has not seen the petition adding that “if we had seen it, we would have known what to do.” Ugwuegbulam also advised the lawyer to come up with the petition.

Delta wins IT quiz competition

•Mr Ekpenisi Omorotionmwan, Edo State Education Commissioner (second right) presenting the trophy to representatives PHCN Secondary School, Sapele, winners of the competition as Mr Emeka Ezekwesili, representative of the NITDA Director-General (right) cheers

ELTA State, represented by PHCN Staff School, Sapele has won the South-South zonal finals of the maiden edition of the National Information Technology Development Agency-organised National Quiz Competition for secondary schools in Nigeria. The South-South zonal finals of the competition, which held at Vichi Gates Hotel and Suites, GRA, BeninCity penultimate Friday, witnessed a keenly contested competition among the participating schools, namely Edo College, Benin-City, (Edo State) Nigeria Navy Secondary School, Calabar (Cross-River), New Total Academy, Yenagoa, (Bayelsa State), Government Secondary School, Eket, (Akwa-Ibom State), and PHCH Staff School, Sapele (Delta State). Rivers State representative failed to show up for the competition. At the end of the IT quiz competition which exposed the abundant talent and ingenuity of students of the South-South states in ICT competency, Delta State came 1st with 100 points, Edo State came second with 90 points, Cross-River came 3rd with 80 points, Akwa-Ibom came 4th with 70 points while Bayelsa came 5th with 60 points. Each participating state got a plaque. Delta got a trophy, Desk-Top computer with all accessories; Edo got a trophy and Laptop with accessories

while Cross-River also got a trophy and mini-computer and accessories as well. Delta State will represent SouthSouth at the national stage of the competition coming up soon in Abuja to determine the national IT champion. In his keynote address, the Director-General of National Information Technology Agency (NITDA), Prof. Cleopas Officer Angaye, who was represented by Mr. Emeka Ezekwesili, the Director of Corporate Strategy and Research Department NITDA, re-affirmed the agency’s readiness to make Nigeria an IT compliant country in line with the mandate given to it by virtue of NITDA Act 2007. On his part, the chairman of the occasion who is the Commissioner for Education, Edo State Hon. Ekpenisi Omorotonmwan commended the vision of NITDA in organising a competition of this importance given the significance of ICT globally, even as he said that “the timing was most auspicious” and that “Edo State is ICT compliant.” The event had all stakeholders in the educational sector in attendance including directors of schools in the Ministry of Education from the participating states as well as IT and Science teachers and students who filled the hall to its capacity.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Hon. Rotimi Amaechi assumed office as governor of Rivers State on October 26, 2007. Four years after, he reviews activities of the government and speaks on salient national issues in this interview with journalists. Group Political Editor BOLADE OMONIJO was there.

My worry about our anti-corruption battle, by Amaechi

OW has it been in four years? I am tired, exhausted and it has been very challenging, but it has been a worthy experience. Does it mean that you have no regret? Certainly, you can’t live a life without any regret. There could be decisions that we may have taken that we could have taken differently, but I am not in a position to recount those decisions until we would have concluded our tenure in office. It has been said that governors, after reelection, often perform below expectation in the second term. What should we expect in Rivers? The truth is that one would want to complete projects without abandoning any, knowing that most governors that would come in would want to initiate their own projects so as to be recognised by what they put on ground. I said I would try and complete nearly all the projects that we have started. The difference between us and other states is that we are being accused of doing many things at the same time; we are not being accused of not doing anything at all. Could that account for why they said you were too ambitious? My response to them is that we were overwhelmed by what we met on ground and there was a need to respond to them. But in responding gradually, you may address only one or two issues and leave. You should just be courageous enough to the extent that you can engage in as many projects as necessary. Nobody has said all these projects are not necessary. What they have said is that they appear to be too many. It is not my responsibility to build primary schools; it is the responsibility of the local government councils and I met 1,300 primary schools on ground; no toilets, no offices, nothing! No auditorium for the children, no library, no ICT infrastructure. And I felt the need to deal with primary education. I looked at it after investigation by a committee, that the local government councils lacked capacity and resources to manage primary education. So, we took it over and the salary that we inherited from them was N1.2 billion. When the Federal Government increased salaries, the salaries jumped to N2 billion. So, we are paying the N2 billion to them and that is excluding the N18,000 minimum wage. By the time you add the N18,000, only God knows what it will be like. Then you look at primary health care. You cannot address the secondary health care if you don’t address the primary health care because it deals with diseases like cough, catarrh, malaria and all these are things that people take to secondary health institutions. So, we went ahead to deal with primary health care and now, we have about 100 of them functioning. How about infrastructure? We have been handling road infrastructure and don’t forget that everything we met on ground was done in the last 50 years. The 1,300 of the primary schools I mentioned were built 50 years back, but in four years we have added 500 primary schools and not just those six-classroom blocks. We are building 14-classroom blocks, all of them with ICT infrastructure. There is an auditorium and library (hard copy and e-library) in the schools and there are 16 toilets and children do not have to run into the bush anymore to ease themselves. The auditorium will offer them conducive atmosphere to hold morning devotion. We offer a different kind of leadership; we are solution-oriented. We look at the long-term effect of our decisions. So, if you look at these our primary schools in the next thirty years, you do not need to do anything about them because we have outsourced the maintenance of the schools. I usually tell people that when you go to the primary school at Elakahia, you would think that we built it last year, but it was built in 2008. This is because as soon as a child walks into the toilet and walks out, somebody

• Amaechi ... at his campaign rally.

walks into the toilet to clean it up. Now, we have introduced a reception class where children are not allowed to go into primary one. They are admitted first at the reception level. Now, we are dealing with secondary education just as we are under pressure to deal with secondary healthcare. By God’s grace, when the President visits Port-Harcourt between January and February next year, he will commission at least one of our secondary health care facilities which is furnished and equipped to world-class standard. You have spoken about so many projects. Is that the reason for the bond that is being criticised by the opposition? Ask them to tell us an alternative to the bond or the loan. The Rivers people should thank God that they (opposition) were not elected. You cannot run government without borrowing. We have run government for four years without borrowing, but for the first time, we said we have too many projects and we can’t continue to wait for government funds to come in trickles. More or less it is like bridge financing. We have said that by God’s grace, we will not leave any loan behind. Basically, we need to complete all these projects. Don’t you think you governors are becoming too powerful in the federation?

I don’t see how Governors are powerful. There is just one President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all governors are loyal to the President. That is the requirement of leadership. So, I don’t see how you can say we are powerful. Ex-Governor Peter Odili was at your second inauguration. Have you built on the new cordiality? Yes. We talk to each other. I do more of the visiting don’t forget he was my boss. We exchange ideas and talk to each other. Rivers State used to be a hot place but it is now cool. How did it come about? Even my first term was cool. We introduced town hall meetings to engage the people and know their problems. It is a participatory government. When everybody is involved, then you will not have tension. It is when you exclude people that you have tension. Are you worried that it is now a custom that governors after leaving office are taken to EFCC? I am speaking as Amaechi. I am worried that you finish serving your people then they invite you to EFCC just to rubbish you. Nobody takes into account the services that you have rendered. Everybody just believes that

‘I am worried that you finish serving your people then they invite you to EFCC just to rubbish you. Nobody takes into account the services that you have rendered. Everybody just believes that once you are a governor, you are stealing public money’

once you are a governor, you are stealing public money. Some of us have joined to propagate the theory by the Edo State Governor that if your child sits for an exam and if he scores 52%, what has he done? Passed. If he scores 26%, what has he done? Failed! So, if the EFCC is serious about fighting corruption, they should focus on the 52% and once they can stop corruption in the 52%, then they have passed. They abandon the 52% completely and begin to look for the 26% that is located in Rivers State, Sokoto or Lagos or Imo. You have no need to vilify the Governors. If you are serious about corruption, eliminate corruption in 100% of the economy or if you cannot, focus on the 52% because if you succeed in the 52%, what have you done? You have passed! If you make 100% of the 26%, you have still not passed your exam, it is a re-sit. That is the argument. We are helpless victims of the ruling class who have always wanted to be governors. As Chairman of the Governors Forum, would want your colleagues to draw a cue from your leadership style? Everybody has his own style of leadership. There are those who consult by going to see people in the night; they may be stronger than I am. I may wish to gather everybody in one hall and we discuss. There are those who would say, I have to visit John, visit Mary, go to places and talk to people and move ahead. But I can hold town hall meetings and say to you I drove down here, I did not fly. I know you have no road and you have no water and you have no school, or hospital and that I have XYZ amount of money from the Federal Government, what do you want me to do for you? The road, water, school or health centre? I may claim to have done the health centre up to stage A or we have paid the contractor up to stage C and they say oh no, no, no, the health centre is just at the foundation level not up to stage A. In fact, there is a case like that in the photograph I had, the health centre was completed and I announced at the town hall meeting that the health centre was ready and they said no sir, it is not completed. I said lets go there and we drove down to the place and they were right, then the commissioner began to apologise. That is one of the benefits of the town hall meetings. One thing I promised the country was that as chairman of the Governors Forum, I would pursue two things. I talked about constitution amendment and we are vigorously pursuing it and I talked about good governance and you can see that there is virtually no state that you cannot see good governance going on. Of course, the past governors have done very well, but we are leveraging on their successes to improve on good governance. The democratic system of governance has almost disappeared at the local government level as caretaker committees which are alien to the constitution have been foisted on the councils. What is the Governors’ Forum doing to reverse this? That is true! At the Governors Forum, we have resolved that in the next few months, governors who have not conducted local government council elections should endeavour to do that and all governors are very willing to conduct the elections. Lagos and Niger have finished their own. What are the other specific issues being handled by the Forum? I can’t tell until we have finished. We agreed at that meeting not to let the public know until we have concluded the final meeting. I was talking about the Revenue Formula. That is why I said we are not in a position to say. Ask the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RAMFC) that question. What we are saying is that we have a position. We will articulate that position in our next meeting and then come up with an amendment bill and send it to the National Assembly.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

POLITICS

Ekiti: Celebration has just begun The trouble with Lagos

HE turnout of guests at the state banquet, held to cap up the week-long celebration of the first anniversary of the Dr Kayode Fayemi-led administration on Sunday, October 16, 2011, was quite massive. But it was not in any way comparable with the unprecedented crowd that thronged the NNPC Ground, Iworoko-Road, AdoEkiti during the inauguration of the administration on October 16, 2010. Last Sunday’s event was a direct product of the October 16, 2010 unique celebration. Coming exactly 365 days after the October 16, 2010 event, many people had looked forward to the evening, which marked the grand finale of the week long celebration. The famous Adetiloye Hall, Fountain Hotel, Ado-Ekiti, venue of the dinner, was filled to capacity. There were more guests and well wishers outside the hall than those inside. Reason: whereas the event was by invitation, a good number of the guests were not only there to witness the celebration but more importantly to felicitate with the Governor as well as many Ekiti and nonEkiti indigenes who were billed to receive different awards in appreciation of their contributions to the success of the struggle to reclaim the mandate. It was a night of a thousand laughs and a thousand stars. Those who have contributed in one way or the other to the success of the struggle were given recognition. The list included the hundreds of women that demonstrated half naked on the streets of Ado –Ekiti in protest against the fraudulent result announced by the then Independent National electoral Commission (INEC) in the state, as well as those who were battered, detained , maimed or killed while the struggle lasted,. Ahmed Sadiq, the ACN supporter that was gunned down by hoodlums when Fayemi’s free eye glasses campaign hit Oye, ahead of the 2009 rerun election, resurrected briefly, as he was honoured post-humously. It was also a night of much excitement. The excitement in the air was so thick you could touch it. It was a night protocol was broken at will. Twice, Governor Fayemi stepped down from the stage to personally present awards to some elderly citizens on their seats. The thanksgiving service held at the St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Ado-Ekiti, earlier in the day, had also suffered a similar fate, as there were more worshipers and guests outside the cathedral than those inside. Those outside the massive structure could conveniently form congregation of additional three cathedrals. The Youth Summit, where thousands of youngsters were urged to drop their “insatiable penchant for swagger” for a more purposeful lifestyles and the two-day Economic and Development Summit, where prospective investors were given the keys to unlock boundless economic potentials in Ekiti were also well attended. The same for the press conference and the stakeholders’ forum coordinated by the Deputy Governor, Mrs Funmi Olayinka, and which kick-started the activities. The media was replete with reports of the weeklong activities, especially the various projects that were commissioned. The projects include the Deputy Governor’s office complex, the BPP office complex, the secretariat building, Oodua Development Centre (which includes a builders mart), administrative blocks and hostels at the College of Health Technology, IjeroEkiti as well as the commissioning of brand new tractors for the government’s mechanized agriculture scheme. Also flagged off were projects including the e-receipt management system, BPP e-office, Ekiti State Gender Development Policy, signing of

• Fayemi By Olayinka Oyebode

an MOU with agriculture giants, Wicklow Group, the N1bn CBN/ FBN Agric loan, operation renovate all schools in Ekiti and the signing of agreement with SAMSUNG Electronics, to aid the computer per desk initiative of the administration. Not even attempt by the opposition to pooh-pooh the importance of the celebration was potent enough to discourage the people from trooping out to be part of the celebration. Many of them believe that the various commissioning were the icing on the cake for the various silent revolutions which the administration has introduced to governance through its eight-point agenda for development. Part of the landmark achievements for which the Dr Fayemi is being hailed as the “people’s governor” or “Oyato”, include the payment of monthly N5,000 stipend social security support to elderly citizens of the state who are above 65 years old. About 20 ,000 elderly citizens, already captured in the data bank, would receive their first pay next week Tuesday. This is unprecedented in the history of the country. But as Governor Fayemi said, “these are parts of the little sacrifices a government should make in order to ensure a better life for its citizenry”. According to the governor, the idea of the social security for the elderly came as a result of the high rate of unemployment in the country which has denied many indigent elderly citizens the expected support from the children they had laboured to train through schools, hence the need for government to extend a helping hand. To also give the teeming population of Ekiti the needed educational and vocational equipment for future challenges, the government has also redefined education in the state with the introduction of several innovations. First was the merger of the junior and secondary schools, introduction of examinations to determine effectiveness of school principals and removal of automatic promotions for pupils in public schools. The administration also introduced education inspection, in the bid to restore the state’s fading reputation in education. This is in addition to the free education of the administration and equipment of school libraries. In the health sector, the free health programme is targetted at the most vulnerable citizens, including the elderly, pregnant women, children and the physically challenged. The administration’s focus on agriculture as a means of improving internally generated revenue (IGR) has led to the partnership with many developmental organisations. The cooperation of the administration with relevant federal government agencies has also led to a remarkable improvement in the state’s relationship with the centre. Whereas the need to gravitate to the centre had remained the monotonous rhythm of the opposition Peoples Democratic

Party (PDP) in the state, Dr Fayemi has, within the space of a year shown that a true leader can attract for his people all they require without selling its birth right. His diplomatic shuttling and relationships with some federal agencies has culminated in some gains for the state. For instance, the Ita Awure- Ado-Ekiti road, one of the smoothest in the state, was rehabilitated by FERMA, with support from the state government. Again, the much sought military base in Ekiti, finally became a reality when the governor met with the Army Chief of Staff, General Onyeabo Ihejirika. The state’s trapped funds in some federal agencies were also released through the sustained interaction with the federal agencies. This includes the N2bn UBE fund. The impasse over the citing of a Federal University in the state was also resolved amicably with the Federal Government. At the end of the day, the state still has the university and for the two communities of Oye and Ikole, it is a case of no winner, no vanquished.- the two towns now share the campuses of the university. In laying the foundation for the economic prosperity of the state, relevant laws were also put in place. These include the Public Private Partnership, the Freedom of Information laws and the law backing the government’s recourse to the Capital Market. Already, some of the developmental partners including the DFID that had hitherto left the state are now back and more active. The World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have also increased their scope of activities in the state. While a good number of them are interested in capacity building, the AfDB has two of its 29 projects in the country running in Ekiti, while it has also shown considerable interest in partnering with the state on rural roads projects. To underscore its commitment to the industrial development of the state, the governor commissioned the Oodua Development Centre and inaugurated the board of the Fountain Investment Company as part of the activities marking the first anniversary. Also, while some roads have been rehabilitated and about five flagged off, the local governments are saddled with the responsibility of constructing a minimum of five kilometers of road. Most of these are at different stages of completion. Armed with these achievements and ongoing projects as well as agreements, and above all, a peaceful and well-secured environment, the state can only get better as the governor is confronting poverty to make it a thing of the past. In a matter of days, the N20b the state intends to raise at the capital market, to finance its developmental programmes, will be actualized, having secured the endorsement of relevant agencies and institutions. Nevertheless, the urban renewal activities in the state capital as well as the introduction of examinations as sine qua non to the attainment of career progression, are considered as bitter pills in some quarters, but what however remains undeniable, even by the most ardent critics, is the fact that these bitter pills surely have the required therapeutic effect that will manifest in the socio-economic and human capital development in the state. The governor has also likened the first year to laying a solid foundation- using the German floor, which remains the best choice to erect an enduring structure. The people can only sit back and see more wonders in the months ahead. And for Ekiti Kete, this is perhaps, one of the most interesting times. The celebration has just begun! * Oyebode, is Chief Press Secretary to Ekiti State Governor

PDP, by ex-commissioner

“N

IGERIANS have been made to suffer for too long in the hands of our leaders who place little or no premium on serving the people. This is not about a political party; it is a general problem that must be addressed in the interest of the generality of our people.” A former Commissioner for Health in Lagos State and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Segun Ogundimu, expressed regret and disappointment when last weekend, he decried the worsening plight of Nigerians in the face of the nation’s abundant natural endowments. “It is not about a particular party; even my own party, the PDP is culpable. Look at what Lucky Igbinedion did with public money when he was governor of Edo State. Look at the worrisome condition he left the state and its helpless people. It is purely about one’s sincere passion for serving the people to the best of one’s ability. It is about patriotism. Virtually every one, no matter his party

• Ogundimu

By Dada Aladelokun, Assistant Editor

affiliation is culpable. It is time we eschew morbid materialism and make our marks with people’s sacred mandate,” he said. When asked to comment on last weekend’s council elections and the future of the party afterwards, Ogundimu replied: “I, as a person, had known for sure that the entire arrangement had been skewed to favour the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) because it is the party in control of the state. And it is not peculiar to ACN; it happens in states controlled by the PDP and other parties, but it is sad. It is sad because conducting election into the 37 development areas in addition to the constitutionally recognised 20 is an illegality that President Goodluck Jonathan should not have allowed. But then, I think my party participated because as they say, if you can’t beat them, join them. “However, with what we have on ground in the state across the councils, PDP would have stood a good chance in the election but for the stubborn polarization being suffered by the party in the state. Here we have the Ogunlewe group which is flexing muscles against the other loyal to Chief Bode George. In a situation where this polarization is assuming a permanent dimension, it will be idle to expect the party to do well in any election at the moment. Here lies my fear for the party that people like me toiled and suffered for.” Ogundimu, however, urged the Nigerian masses especially, not to lose hope because according to him, with the right and honest choices at elections, they will be part of the needed change that with positively alter the course of events that will lead to their improved welfare in future.

Party leader decries attack in Nasarawa

HE Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Nasarawa State, Yunana Iliya, has condemned an alleged attack on him, the former Deputy Governor and other members of the executive council under the administration of former Governor Aliyu Akwe Doma. Iliya and others in the convoy of the EFCC came under an attack by some youths on Wednesday while the agency was taking the former governor back to custody after a court ruling. While a spear said to have been thrown at him through the glass of the car missed him by a whisker, it nevertheless slashed the ear of the former Commissioner of Information under Doma’s Mr Mamman Alakayi who is said to be recovering from the injury. The PDP chairman who spoke to newsmen at the High Court premises where Doma’s trial was ongoing, described the attack on him and others as barbaric and uncivilized. He said

From Johnny Danjuma, Lafia

it was caused by illiterate people. Iliya who described the attack as unfortunate said the attackers took the laws into their own hands and went about humiliating and destroying people’s properties, saying that they were guarded by ignorance. The chairman who wondered what the matter at hand had to do with political parties, said that it was rather a case between the former Governor Doma, nine others and the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He, however, said that the matter had already been reported to the Inspector General of the Police in writing and copied the Commissioner of Police, the SSS Director and the National Security Adviser to the President. In the meantime, Iliya said that an appeal had been made to PDP supporters in the state not to embark on reprisal mission and should remain law-abiding.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

AGRO-BUSINESS

33 Niger Delta youths now fish farmers T

HIRTY-THREE Niger Delta youths were trained in fish farming in three years by Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (EEPNL) in partnership with the Olupona Fish Farming Education and Resource Centre (OFFER Centre) of the Ibadan Diocese of the Catholic Church based in Iwo, Osun State. Thirteen students graduated in 2008/2009, another 20 graduated at a ceremony for the 2010/2011 set at the school’s open ground in Olupona, Iwo, Osun State. For the one year intensive fish production training, the fourth set of 22 Niger Delta youths, resided in Iwo. Three dropped out. Executive Director/General Manager, Public and Government Affairs, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Gloria Essien-Danner, said her organisation was pleased to be part of the graduates training, which would boost their morale and equip them to be self-sufficient. “The agricultural sector holds a lot of untapped potential that can resuscitate the economy. It was the

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

mainstay of the nation’s economy until the discovery of oil in the 60s. Transforming the agricultural sector not only brings stability to the economy, it also brings hope to the community who will be assured of productivity and an improvement in standard of living. “This, I believe, is the ultimate goal of OFFER Centre to empower the youth with relevant skills to ensure that we have a hungry free society where human development and economic growth prevails,” she said. Director of OFFER Centre, Rev. Fr. Macarius Olatunji, in his address, said the organisation is geared towards upturning the negative image of farming.He said in spite of the numerous challenges they face as a training corporate body, the authorities of OFFER Centre rather than sit and count their losses have decided to take the bull by the horn. He recalled a period when it became difficult to carry on and quit farming. He said a 79-yearold Irish priest from a family of

• Some of the graduating students with Rev. Fr. Olaniyi and Mrs. Gloria Essien-Danner.

farmers, Fr. John O’Hea, on seeing their good job encouraged them to stay put till things improved. Olatunji said the Catholic Church decided to have the training centre for the youth because every where the church goes as a vehicle of change, there is life teaming in plenty. He said OFFER

Centre is an agent of the church to propagate her social teaching in a very concrete manner. “The collaboration between Esso in production sharing contract with the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) is one that has brought hope to a community that ordinarily would not have come to light. This would not

have been if fear and suspicion had ruled our minds. “The high level of corruption and the rot that has befallen our society, especially the youth could have scared any investor. For the faith Esso has in us, we want to say a big thank you. We are highly encouraged and motivated by your support.”

Fed Govt to mobilise investment in medicinal plants

• Adesina

HE Federal Government will mobilise banks and the private sector to invest in medicinal plants development, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, has said. Adesina spoke in Abuja while receiving the management team of the Nigerian Medicinal Development Company led by its Managing Director, Hajiya Zainab Sheriff. “God has given us so much and we must start thinking of how to make money from these resources. China, India, Tanzania, Kenya and other countries have commercialised their medicinal plants and we cannot afford to be left behind,” he said. The minister informed that his ministry would work closely with the company to ascertain the derivable value chain in the plants

From Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

to attract investment from the banks and the rest of the private sector. He emphasised the benefits of commercialising the medicinal plants, saying it would in addition to ensuring a healthy nation create wealth and employment for the teeming unemployed, particularly the women who constitute the greater percentage of the farming population. “The global value of medicinal plants is put at $80 billion and Nigeria spends N130 billion annually on importation of malaria drugs alone. Artemisia, which has been found to be very effective in the treatment of malaria, will save the country a lot of money.” He praised the commitment of the company in the strides made so far in the medicinal plants development.

Hajiya Sherrif said the company has successfully cultivated Artemisia plants in large commercial quantities and has discovered six additional medicinal plants that are grown in the six geo political zones. She revealed that Artemisia plant, which was hitherto thought to be grown only in China, has been found to grow successfully in Africa, specifically in Tanzania, Kenya, Congo and Madagascar, adding that Nigeria is the first country in the West African subregion to grow the crop. Artemisia has been found to be very effective in the treatment of malaria. Briefing the Minister on the progress made by the company so far, the Managing Director said it was incorporated in 2007 for the to develop the anti-malaria drugs, adding that the mandate of the

company was later expanded to cover more areas, sucjh as Artemisia. “We have embarked on an advocacy campaign to sensitise the relevant agencies of government that are stakeholders in this project to get them ready for our products which will soon be made available in the open market,” she said. Sheriff averred that the world was going back to nature, stressing that the global value of medicinal plants was $80 billion yearly, but regretted that Nigeria was not a player on the global market. She revealed that producing a new drug takes about 20 years and the expenditure inquired was over $50 million. She urged Nigerians to embrace medicinal plants which she said are environmentally friendly.

• Ogunbodede

• Amosu

Paramount, according to him, is that kenaf is a renewable and sustainable alternative with a short gestation period of four months. In paper manufacturing, he said lesser land, energy and fewer chemicals are required for the process, adding that Kenaf was found to be the most promising candidate for paper production.

The fast growing potential of Kenaf, he noted, represents an opportunity to obtain wood-like fiber and establish high profit making agro-industrial operations. The tremendous markets available for Kenaf based industries, he noted, are the printing paper industry and the animal breeding/feeding industry.

How to revive paper industry, by expert

O provide raw materials for the packaging industry, the Federal Government has been asked to support farmers to produce Kenaf crop. Executive Director, Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Oyo State, Prof Benjamin Ogunbodede, said Kenaf is a valuable fibre from the Hibiscus cannabinus plant, used in making products, such as paper, fibreboards and even high-protein animal feed. He said the kenaf-based product can be easily broken up and is degradable, which will indirectly help save the ecosystem from domestic waste pollution. Ogunbodede said research and development on the mixture of kenaf and other fibres has resulted in high quality products that can substitute polythene ones. He said being a natural fibre, there was huge demand for this eco-friendly product from European and other developed countries. He said the institute is engaged in

By Daniel Essiet, Agric Correspondent

introducing new products from Kenaf to boost trade in environmental friendly products. He urged the government to support the industry to invest and find ways to add value to kenaf. Since kenaf is a short-term fibre crop, Ogunbodede said no forest will be cut for use as timber, thus preventing the degradation of natural resources. He said kenaf planting would become a lucrative venture for farmers and is an environment friendly crop that can be grown throughout the year in the tropics. Ogunbodede said considerable research has been conducted, and proven that kenaf is an environmentally friendly plant with the potential to replace materials such as synthetic polymers, glass fibres and timber. He said it was found to have a high absorption rate for carbon dioxide, which is stored when processed. He said kenaf industries’ estab-

lishment is a tremendous economic development opportunity for any country searching for a performing and dynamic “tool” to boost up its economy. He said Kenaf industries’settlement will help the country, which takes necessary steps to implement it to establish a strong and high profit making industrial base intertwined with a strong cash crop agriculture. The President, Kenaf Producers Association of Nigeria, Chief Kunle Amosu, said the product had a vast potential with a large market across the local packaging industry. He said the product has a wide growing market which local farmers can take advantage of. He said kenaf is a promising annual fibre crop and can be used to separate oil from water. Amosu said the crop has begun to attract much attention and interest. He attributed this to the growing concerns of global warming and the rising price of petroleum-based products.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

AGRO-BUSINESS

Oyo moves to reduce T food import

HE Oyo State Government is working to wards food sustainance to reduce the penchant for imported food, Governor Abiola Ajimobi has said. Ajimobi spoke at a special church service marking the World Food Day at the Methodist Bishops’ House, Molete, Ibadan. According to him, as a first step, the government has finalised plans to introduce agricultural programmes in post-primary schools to encourage the youth to take part in agriculture. The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural and Natural Resources, Bimbo Kolade, said the programme was aimed at returning the youth to agriculture, stressing that the present farmers’ average age of 60 would not augur well for future development of agriculture. Ajimobi explained that the pilot programme would be in school in each of the 33 local government councils in the state, with focus on three major farm systems which include poultry, fisheries and planting of vegetables. He urged Nigerians to cultivate the habit of having home gardens where various vegetables could be planted

• Gov Ajimobi By Daniel Essiet, Agric Correspondent

for domestic consumption. Ajumobi urged the people of the state to plant vegetables, such as okro, spaniard, tomatoes, pepper etc at the back of their houses

or within their compound, stating that this will ensure that people eat fresh farm produce, which would make them healthier and also help families save some money. The governor pledged the readiness of the government to collaborate with religious organisations to spread the gospel of going back to the land for the development of agriculture and provision of sufficient food for the masses. According to him, “As a government, we want to bring back agriculture in the state. We are encouraging the school agricultural programme whereby at least one school will have a poultry farm, a fish farm or a dry season vegetable farm”. Stating other efforts being made by the government in ensuring food security, the governor said his administration had also started the distribution of fertilisers through the co-operative group of farmers in their localities, stating that this had started in Afijio and Iseyin local government areas.

According to the governor, the state had also started discussion with the local food processing group such as garri, fufu and cassava flour processing group to see how the government could help them to produce high quality garri for export. He said a joint stakeholders meeting was held on October 13 with stakeholders in cassava planting and at the forum, the Federal Government and the state government itemised areas of collaboration in value chain to cassava production and processing, towards establishing processing companies that will process cassava and food items from cassava for export purpose. In his sermon on the occasion, the Very Rev Williams Egbetakin stressed the need for government at all levels to place emphasis on food security to improve the lots of the people, while describing the provision of food as a way of salvation. He admonished the people of the state in particular and Nigeria as a whole to develop interest in keeping home gardens, which, he said, would serve as a way of preventing hunger, poverty and violence.

• Participants at the National Agricultural Show in Tudun-Wada, Nasarawa State.

FADAMA III communities get N15m

O increase food production, the Ondo State government has presented N15 million cheques to 31 FADAMA III communities in 14 local government areas. Already, N151 million has been spent by the government on FADAMA III since November 2009 when the project started. Presenting the cheques on behalf of the government, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Ademola Olorunfemi, said the government

From Damisi Ojo and Leke Akeredolu, Akure

was committed to agriculture and food security. He said: “It is on record that it was this administration that signed the subsidiary financing agreement and the legal opinion which made this project to be effective in the state. As a mandatory condition for draw-down of funds from the World Bank, the state and local government must pay yearly counterpart con-

tributions. “I am glad to inform this gathering that Mr Governor has always ensured that the counterpart fund for both state and local government are released to the project as and when due. “As at today, 41 smallscale communities owned infrastructure such as market, stalls, boreholes and culverts are either on-going or completed, 1,192 assets, such as battery cages, water pumping machines, canoes,

goat pens, and fish ponds have either been procured or constructed”. Olorunfemi noted that his men would continue to monitor the activities of the beneficiaries to meet World Bank specifications. The commissioner, however, promised that the government would continue to support FADAMA III project, urging the beneficiaries’ communities to make use of the funds judiciously.

Kogi yearning for agric investors By Daniel Essiet, Agric Correspondent

GRICULTURE is the main economic activity of the people of Kogi State. About 80 per cent of the population is engaged in it. There is a wide stretch of arable land for farming and, good grazing ground for livestock. A majority of the population depend on the crops produced. Cassava, rice, onion, yam, maize, guinea corn, cocoa, coffee, cashew, palm trees, peas, sorghum and millet are primary crops. The agricultural potential are good sources of raw materials for agro-allied industries, such as flour mills, fruit juice processing, starch, animal feeds, vegetable oil and soup producing among others. The state has two seasons, the wet and dry seasons. The wet season begins in March and ends in October and the dry season spans between November and early March. The yeraly rainfall is between 1016mm and 1524mm while the mean daily temperature ranges between 240c and 270c. There are numerous interventions taken to improve farming and soil quality. There is an increased use of modern variety (MV) seeds which are less dependent on water and the use of fertiliser will increase food yield and may increase micro-nutrient intake for the population. The potential for fish farming and production is equally very high with over 2,000 fishing ponds and 200 major fishing villages sustained by the Rivers Niger and Benue and streams across the state. In a bid to encourage farmers, the government sourced for beniseed and guinea corn seedlings for onward distribution to farmers. This exercise has paid off as the farmers have been able to produce beniseed and guinea corn for sale to the government. The government has bought 500 million of 100kg bags of beniseed and 300 million of 100kg bags from the farmers. The government has also discovered the suitability of the soil in the Central and Eastern Senatorial Districts for mass production of beniseed and guinea corn.In order to facilitate the exploration of the cleaned beniseed, the state government has ordered for three beniseed cleaning machines at $86,580. The government has so far procured 227 tractors of a capacity of 60 H.P which were • Governor Idris distributed to farmers. The Ministry of Agriculture also raised cocoa, palm oil, mango and cashew seedlings for distribution to farmers. Similarly, the government purchased 92 Forestry Pass Hammers worth N3.9 million to check illegal felling of economic trees and has also established 28 hectares of teak plantation at Olle, Acharaatne and Osara Forest Reserves. An additional 10 hectares of teak plantation was established at Olle through Kogi State Forestry Trust Fund. The forest resources in Kogi State are equally of very high economic value. At present, about 381,000 hectares of the total land area of the state is under forest cover. These resources are very valuable for construction and furniture industries. The state has abundant land suitable for the development of forestry. Valuable trees found in the state include iroko, teak, mahogany, obeche, parkia and castor among others. It has established nurseries for the production of about assorted seedlings of these trees. To accelerate the pace of forestry development, the state government has initiated an annual tree planting campaign across the 21 local government areas. In the fishing sub-sector, N12.124 million has so far been released to fishermen as loans to enhance their activities under the ECOWAS fund accelerated fish production project with 67 per cent recovery success rate. In the livestock subsector, the government made concerted efforts in controlling the spread of the avian influenza (bird flu) to Kogi State from some neighbouring states of the Federation. To this end, N1.9 million was released to curtail the epidemic. The sensitive campaign and the public education against the disease were successfully carried out. The agric sector in the state has the potential to provide employment and transform its economy through increased export of produce to the global markets. There are many opportunities to develop land and even make it attractive to agribusinesses. However, the state is in need of investors in infrastructure to improve ways to take goods to the market. The government wants investors in means to move goods from the farm to the factories or to ports for export. There are opportunities for investment throughout the agriculture production chain. The government likes to see farmers supply produce for global agricultural exports. At present, the government is focusing on providing an environment conducive to business, providing financing to small-scale farmers. For it, small farms are the cornerstone of its agricultural strategy. There is liberal policy of government aimed at encouraging private investment in large scale farming and the establishment of agro-allied industries. Such incentives include easy acquisition of land, provision of rural infrastructure and vital agricultural inputs.

49 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

Vol 3 No. 149

Until recently, the use of promotions in marketing has been kept to the minimum. Besides, the employment of promotions was limited to move consumer goods fast. That has changed as promotional products are now gaining more popular, garnering more sales, writes SAMSON AJANI.

•From left: Head, Marketing, Enyioma Anaba; Director, Payment Solutions and Business Expansion, Charles Ifedi; Divisional Head, Verve Business, Oluwatobi Boshoro and Chief Technology Officer, Ikem Emelieze of Interswitch, at the Verve National Consumer Reloaded promo in Lagos.

How Verve drives cashless culture via promo T

HE use of promotional products affects the success of a business, and because of recipients’positive attitude towards promotional products, a business can flourish more effectively, and this is evident in the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector. According to an experiment conducted by Georgia Southern University in 2003 on benefits of promotional products, 71.6 per cent of recipients of a promotional product remembered the name of the company that gave them the product and 76.3 per cent of others were more favourable to the company that gave them the product as well. In addition, 76.1 per cent of those who claimed they had received a promotional product in the last 12 months remembered the name of the company and only 53.1per cent of those participating in the survey could remember the name of an advertiser in a magazine or newspaper they had seen the previous week. Furthermore, 52 per cent of those participants who had received a product proceeded with doing business with the company and 52.1 per cent claimed to have a more positive image of the company. The participants also were making use of the products given. Daily, 45.2 per cent used the product and 73 per cent stated they used the product at least once a week. Promotional products have a wide range of benefits for businesses including increased sales, increased product referrals, improved image to customers, as well as continual advertising for the company by way of recipient. As a result of these benefits, banks, insurance and electronic payment and transaction companies such as Verve are now pushing out promotional products to attract consumers, to change habits and to build a culture. That is, outside of building more businesses, Verve is using its “Get and Win” national promotion to change consumers’ trends and build a new culture, which is to move them from cashdependent to card-reliant one. The whole essence of Verve National Consumer promo is

to support the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN)’s cashless policy and encourage Nigerians to adopt cards as a means of payment in Nigeria. This is the second edition of the Verve National Consumer promo. The precursor to this was the Verve “Activate & Win” promo in 2010, which aimed at persuading and rewarding Nigerians to use their Verve card for payment, make purchase at either point of sales (PoS) terminals or the automated teller machines (ATMs) for a reward. Over 10 million bank customers acquired and used their Verve cards for various transactions including usage on the PoS terminals in over 13,000 merchant locations, 9,000 ATMs and other channels including the internet. Among gifts given to beneficiaries of the promo in 2010, included three brand new Toyota Corolla cars, hundreds of 32" plasma television, MP3 players, branded T-shirts and thousands of other instant items. The surprise winner of a brand new Toyota car in the promo was a 70-year-old retired nurse. Others, who won the remaining two cars were a young woman and a man. Explaining the rationale behind the promo, Divisional Head, Verve Business, Tobi Boshoro, said itwas specially developed as a way of rewarding Nigerians who have chosen the lifestyle of convenience by “paying their bills on the web and PoS without using cash”. According to her, the promo was for cardholders while Verve “Get and Win” promo is for “those who are yet to request and pick up their cards from the banks. So the idea is for this category of people to go to their various bank branches, pick-up their Verve cards and get rewarded instantly”. She said Verve National Consumer promo has become expedient in order to encourage existing cardholders and particularly, new cardholders who are yet to obtain their Verve cards to embrace the cashless culture prior to the commencement of the CBN’s cashless policy. About 20 banks are participating in the Verve promo. These are Ecobank, Enterprise Bank, Equitorial Trust Bank,

First City Monumental Bank, Fidelity Bank, Finbank and First Bank. Others are Intercontinental Bank, Keystone Bank, Mainstreet Bank, Oceanic Bank, Skye Bank, Stanbic IBTC, Sterling Bank, United Bank for Africa, Union Bank, Unity Bank, Wema Bank and Zenith Bank. The promo would run from October 24 to December 16. Participants are required to request Verve cards from the various participating banks, activate their cards at the ATM. In turn, this offers the new cardholders the opportunity to receive instant gifts such as branded pens, card wallets, Tshirts, MP3 players, flash drives and notebook jotters at the bank branches. Activation of a new card during the promo also qualifies the cardholders for a bi-weekly draw and the chance of winning fantastic prizes such as iPads, deep freezers, power generators, 32’ LCD television sets and BlackBerry smart phones. The objectives of Verve promo include bringing the unbanked into the financial system, encouraging the unbanked community and fast-tracking the CBN’s cashless policy. Since over 95 per cent of the ATMs in Nigeria accept the Verve cards and over 20 banks to the firm, Verve is in the forefront of promoting the cashless regime. “Verve gives existing and new card-holders value added services that cannot be offered by other card brands”. Verve card caters to all the payment and collection needs of corporate and individuals. “More Nigerians have the Verve card than other card brand in Nigeria. Loyalty and rewards on the Verve platform is unmatched,” she said. As the only card brand in the market with unmatched reach and value added services, Verve offers payment convenience to cardholders across all payment channels such as ATMs, PoS terminals, internet, mobile phones and kiosks. The security and EMV features embedded in the Verve card, guarantees a higher level of security for payment transactions. The promo was flagged off last week at a forum attended by reporters.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

Brandnews

Etisalat is three •Firm hails consumers

TISALAT Nigeria has thanked Nigerians for their support in its three years of operation in the country. Speaking on the anniversary, the Chief Commercial Officer, of the telecoms giant, Wael Ammar, thanked Nigerians for believing in the company and the brand and also giving it the opportunity to provide world class products and services that meet their needs. He said: “This Third Anniversary of our operation is an important milestone in the history of our company and a great opportunity to thank everyone who has made this possible – our consumers, employees, dealers, partners, customers (distributors), regulators, governments, communities and others - whose support and contributions in various ways have made everything we do possible. “As a company, we have invested heavily in Nigeria to grow our business and to enhance competition in the market. Nigerian consumers have benefited enor-

mously and prices have fallen from 50k/s or 60k/s to 20k/s under Etisalat’s leadership. And we have done that whilst pursuing an agenda of having the best quality network in Nigeria. Our belief is that what is good for the customer is good for the development of the economy”. Etisalat started commercial operations on October 23, 2008 in seven cities. With a promise to de-

‘This Third Anniversary of our operation is an important milestone in the history of our company and a great opportunity to thank everyone who has made this possible – our consumers, employees, dealers, partners, customers (distributors)’

liver innovative and quality services in Nigeria, Etisalat launched with the famous 0809uchoose offering closely followed by the 0809ja brand campaigns which endeared many Nigerians to its brand. Since then, Nigeria has continued to witness its innovative services including - Homezone, Receiver Pays, Recharge others, You & Me on its easy starter product; Cliq for the day, Cliq for the week, unlimited SMS, facebook updates by SMS and MMS on easy cliq; and Bonus on incoming calls - a unique product feature available to subscribers of its easy starter and easy cliq products. Etisalat redefined speed with the recent roll-out of the unique 3.75G HSPA+ network and launch of the Gaga Android smartphone, an Etisalat customised 3G-enabled device which operates on android 2.2. Today, Etisalat has network in all the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Marketing Edge honours Moore Advice

ARKETING Edge Publications Limited is honouring Moore Advice, a multimedia communication support firm, with the Branding Icon Award of the Year. The awards, which will hold at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers Lagos on November 4, this year, is in recognition of Moore Advice’s quality execution of briefs in the visual brand communications sector of the integrated marketing communications (IMC) business in Nigeria over the past 13 years. According to the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Marketing Edge, Mr John Ajayi, “Moore Advice is truly a 400 degrees multimedia communication support firm combining multiple disciplines into an integrated brand solution to enhance assigned brands in the market

place.” Ajayi added that the visual brand consultancy firm is well ahead of others in brand identification development, design and branding of retail space and in website development and applications. “While others say it cannot be achieved on our shores, you accept clients briefs with equanimity and strive not only to meet, but to exceed expectations deploying stateof–the-art technology and an experienced and well trained workforce, you deliver core values of the brand that consumers can touch, see, feel, hear and smell. “Over the years, you have designed and built retail brand furniture and environments for Nigeria’s leading brands with offices and partners across the globe,” he said.

Unilever unveils new pepsodent

NILEVER Nigeria Plc has unveiled Pepsodent toothpaste at the just-concluded third International Association of Dental Research (IADR) Conference in Abuja. According to Mr David Okeme, Brand Building Director, Unilever Nigeria Plc, the aim is to address the gap in the market as well as meet the consumer’s need for stronger cavity free teeth. This, he said, is line with the vision of the Federal Ministry of Health to improve the oral health of Nigerians. “Pepsodent is a breakthrough technology, which contains both

fluoride and active micro calcium system. It is an anti-cavity technology which not only delivers effective fluoride, but also delivers 50 per cent more calcium to the mouth and helps repair the early signs of tooth decay,” he said. Also speaking at the pepsodent launch, President, Nigeria Dental Association, Dr Olufemi Orebanjo, said, this new toothpaste has been launched at the right time where the association and the Federal Ministry of Health are raising awareness among members of the public on prevention of oral problems with focus on tooth decay.

Firm sponsors free eye surgeries, treatments

G •From left: Damer Jones of Champgne &Cigar; Ronke Sobodu, MD/CEO, Spronks Creations, organiser of Nigeria Wine &Spirit Festival and Lamar Lanra of Champagne &Cigar, at the opening of the 2nd edition of the festival in Lagos

Kwara praises Nestle Milo for youth development

HE Kwara State Governor, Abdularah Ahmed, has commended Nestle Milo for its support for youth development through football.He stated this during the grand finale of Milo Football Clinic season 2 with Peter Rufai at the Kwara State Stadium. The governor, who was represented by the Sports and Youth Development Commissioner, Anthony Kayode Towoju, said: “The state and its ministry fully commend and appreciate Nestle Milo for it corporate social responsibility in youth development in Nigeria as it tallies with the state government’s vision of youth development through sports.” Towoju commended the firm for its assistance to groom future champions for the nation and promised that his Sports Ministry is ready to partner with Nestle Nigeria Plc in the development of talented youths in the state. Apart from Milo Football Clinic making its debut in Ilorin, the exercise also witnessed the employ-

ment of two foreign expatriates Miguel Serodio, from Portugal and Miguel Fernandez from Portugal and over 30 grassroots coaches. The three-day event, which which revived the dwindling fortunes of grassroots football in the state, also rewarded the participating youths. The first 16 players, who emerged winners in the novelty match went home with N20,000, a certificate of participation, football and free tins of Milo each. The second runner-up got N10, 000, certificate of participation, football and Milo gift each. Fulfilling its promise of giving young Nigerians a football clinic, the firm took 2,000 children through rigorous exercises, synchronising movement with the ball, learning and touching of ball mantras. Speaking at the end of the Ilorin leg of the event, the Brand Manager,

Orah Egwu, said the clinic has been satisfactory. “I have been amazed at the passion and the energy I have seen demonstrated by the children. Children were so eager to participate and even when we rounded off the event on certain days, they didn’t want to go.” For this season, she said: “We have experienced a lot of willingness and zeal from children to learn about sport and new skill in football. “So, this season is bigger and better than last. Last season, we did it in only one location - Lagos, but this season we are going to other locations. We have been in Enugu for the past three days and the passion is amazing. It has been really good. We are encouraged and happy that children are eager to use their energy in the right and positive way and not only that, but directing it towards sport, which is much better for all of us at the end of the day.”

RAND Oak is to increase its support for the “Mission for Vision”, a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, which helps to restore vision to people with curable blindness. Marketing Director, Grand Oak Ltd, Aare Fatai Odesile, said this during a visit to the Calabar Eye Centre, venue of the “Mission for vision” initiative, which renders free treatment and surgery to victims, who are largely poor and residents of grassroots areas, who could ill afford cost of the needed surgery. The firm has been committed to sponsoring 25 patients every quarter for treatment and surgery of eye diseases, such as cataract, glaucoma and pterigium, a project spearheaded by Tulsi Chanrai Foundation (TCF). Since inception in 2003, the Foundation has treated 22, 000 patients with an average of 3, 500 people per year. This has put pressure on the facility and personnel. Dr. Sreedhar Pindikura, Senior Consultant Ophthalmolo-

gist, TCF at the Calabar Eye Centre puts the success rate at above 95 per cent. According to Dr. Pindikura, “there is the prevalence of eye problems among children, youth and adults of both sexes in the country as a whole. This is why we always have over a 1,000 patients at any clinic day. Now we are booked up till November. This explains why your effort in this regard is highly appreciated.” He urged them to do more. Beneficiaries including Anthony Nkonya, a businessman from Owerri; Madam Geoge Edet, 70 and Ijeoma Izuako, a 16-year-old student of Ijeoma Devine International School, Aba, were all excited and spoke glowingly of the partners on the project who made it possible for their eyes to be restored. A former vice-chairman of Okigwe Local Government Area in Imo State, Mr Kenny Ohabor, who was operated for cataract of the eye, beamed with joy after his bandages were removed. He said: “I can see clearly now.”

‘The firm has been committed to sponsoring 25 patients every quarter for treatment and surgery of eye diseases, such as cataract, glaucoma and pterigium, a project spearheaded by Tulsi Chanrai Foundation (TCF)’

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

The LG laptop revolution

O further demonstrate its resolve of making available new products with cutting edge technology and continuous innovations, LG has unveiled the A520 laptop that can best be described as a revolutionary working tool with 3D entertainment. The laptop, which comes on the heels of delighting users with Full HD experience has an LED LCD screen and SRS wide 3D sound alongside a second-gen intel core i7 processor and a Geforce graphics card. Besides, it further boosts the 3D entertainment with its Blu-ray playback, Bluetooth 3.0+HS and HDMI connectivity. While 3D capabilities are, in fact, the selling point of the new portable computing system, it also provides solid hardware configuration, starting with the CPU, a choice of Sandy Bridge, 2nd generation Intel Core mobile CPUs. Added to this is its unique feature of much storage space up to 750GB HDDs supported. Worthy of note is that it doesn’t come short on connectivity options as expected from modern notebooks. The LG A520 3D Laptop brings what LG calls ‘revolutionary 3D technology’ in the shape of Film Patterned Retarder (FPR) that filters images through the glasses to give viewers truly outstanding blur-free 3D images. Suffice to say that the glasses are lighter, more affordable and without batteries compared to competing brands. With the LG A520 Laptop’s speciality of LED fingerprint and 3D Polarised Glasses, users can enjoy the latest 3D movies. Built as a user friendly device, the Laptop can convert 2D content to 3D content instantly using its Bluray disc. Added to this, the A520 Laptop has a luxurious, metallic brushed-aluminum body, and is available in attractive purple-black and wine-red coloring. A520 also boosts LED dimming lights along with a chocolate styled keyboard for a delicious sleek look. Commenting on this initiative, the General Manager, Media division of LG Electronics, West Africa Operations, Mr Jae Sang Lee, said: “With 3D becoming ever more popular, the logical next step is to make available products that are user friendly in functionality built on outstanding innovations and cutting edge technologies. This is what we have done with our new A520 notebook”. Lee further said with LG already taking the lead in the ever-growing world of 3D technology consumers should expect more of cutting edge innovations from the stable of LG Electronics. Worthy of mention is the high level of inventiveness that makes the LG A520 not only to accommodate a 750GB storage hard disk but also a 4GB to improve performance that truly guarantees complete 3D multimedia experience. Besides, the LG A520 is able to produce quality 3D images and it is equipped with two cameras that record simultaneously.

RIM, what went wrong?

Special software attaches the two images from both cameras together to create one 3D image. It is also interesting to know that users can shoot ordinary HD images with the LG A520 laptop. As a 3D working tool, it has high quality graphical display driver of NVIDIA Geforce GT 555M GPU with either 1 or 2 GB versions available together with Optimus graphics switching technology. The high performance level is further boosted by 8GB supported RAM memory. LG Electronics is, no doubt, living up to its brand’s promise of making available products that meets and suits the needs of its teeming and ever discerning consumers. The LG brand is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, mobile communications and home appliances, employing more than 93,000 people working in over 120 operations around the world. With 2010 global sales of 55.8 trillion Korean won (USD 48.2 billion), LG comprises four business units – Home Entertainment, Mobile Communications, Home Appliance, and Air Conditioning & Energy Solutions. LG is one of the world’s leading producers of flat panel TVs, mobile devices, air conditioners, washing machines, and refrigerators. LG has signed a longterm agreement to become both a Global Partner and a Technology Partner of Formula 1™. As part of this top-level association, LG acquires exclusive designations and marketing rights as the official consumer electronics, mobile phone and data processor of this global sporting event.

HAD a ripple effect. The BlackBerry (BB) service outage that happened in Canada spread to several continents; affected several countries, incapacitated millions of BB users around the world, and challenged our greatest needs for the Internet. While the outage lasted, most companies and individuals were incommunicado, unable to send emails, receive emails and unable to unravel the root cause. It was like a hurricane, which swept across the land, leaving devastation and woes in its wake. However, unlike a hurricane, the BB service outage did not leave any casualty while it lasted. It only filled one with empty feelings, and a sense of inadequacy. After all, your life and times is dependent on the Internet, and now that the purveyor of the service has become comatose, what can you do? Nothing actually. As such, you had to wait anxiously, BB in hand, your heart in your mouth, and unable to do what you wanted to most at the time: send emails. Yes, other smart phones have the capability to deliver, but only BB has the architecture to fulfill that desire of sending and receiving emails seamlessly, attachments and warts, all in one piece. Okay, okay, one is beginning to sound like a copywriter. It does not need emphasizing that the BB service outage was a bad experience. However, how did it get so bad, and Research In Motion (RIM) failed to conduct a research in to the motion? If the worse is over, one cannot say. What one can say is that the incident came at a worse time for RIM, following some harsh criticism in recent months because of its recent financial performance, product delays, and the disappointment of its partners – chief among them the operators. Therefore, let us ask RIM, what went wrong? According to reports, RIM said the service disruption was due to a failure of a core hardware switch related to its BlackBerry Internet Servers (BIS). However, its Blackberry Enterprise Server (BES) was unaffected. Not only did the switch fail, the failover system designed to back-up to another switch and recover the system did not responding properly though this sub-system had been tested before implementation. If the problem had to do with a hardware failure, service disruption would not strike again and the problem would be contained at once. On the one hand, should the problem go deeper than this and provoked by unknown software glitches, then a full recovery of the system could take days or even weeks, particularly if the system was exposed to malware or a virus attack. On the other hand, the origin of the BB

service outage could be related to a system overload resulting from the increased numbers of BB users together with the implementation of new features and services such as media-content sharing, BBMessenger music download and online interactive gaming. Not only do these services generate a huge amount of data that cross the BIS, but also expose the system to malware attacks. Should this be the case, RIM said it would need to scale up its infrastructure considerably to cope adequately with the traffic crossing BIS, and this could demand significant investment and time to implement. In the meantime, to alleviate the traffic burden, RIM might be forced to switch off some features and services that generate much data. Briefly, RIM does not know what went wrong. If this is what is happening, RIM could damage its credibility with its partners. If that happens, the partners would question RIM’s reliance on its roadmap. Aside that, RIM did not communicate the issue very well. It carried on as if no harm was done. Meanwhile, so much harm was done to businesses, to relationships, to lives. In addition, this has affected consumers’ confidence. Since BIS is the main service affected, consumers were the most exposed to the BB service outage. As these customers do not usually deal with sensitive data, it will take more than just a couple of days of bad user experience to persuade them to look for alternatives. Do you know why? Ordinarily, on a regular basis, you are exposed to a bad data experience owing to bad cellular coverage or a shortage of mobile network capacity, so you would perceive the current BB incident as just another failure of the mobile system from your mobile carrier. Well, if the problems persist, it could be disastrous for RIM because you are most likely to abandon your BB and pick up Android or iPhone? It is something you should consider, seriously. Anyway, aside thinking about dropping and picking another phone, businesses are now re-evaluating the reliance on centralised servers and instead are looking to invest in more corporately controlled servers. Not only would this enable IT departments to minimise the risk of unforeseen collapses but it could also give employees more flexibility to use their own devices in the future. There is no readily available number of BB users in Nigeria. However, if one considers the fees subscribers pay for connecting to BB services, about N3,000 per month, and, if one assume that half of the 90 million GSM subscribers own BB, how many subscribers would be compensated? That is a huge compensation. However, this would not recompense for the time wasted and emotional trauma suffered in the absence of BB service.

Search for best 100 firms ends Oct. 31

HE submission of forms for entry into the race for the best 100 companies in the country ends on October 31. The Managing Director of Corporate Initiative Group (CIG), organisers of the programme, Mr Kunle Malomo, said at a briefing in Lagos last week that this is the first time the competition is being held in the country. He said all things being equal, by December, this year, his firm would have completed its job and the best firms would be announced at a ceremony in Lagos. He said: “Our aim is to transform the nation on best practices.” While urging organisations, which are yet to embrace the programme to do so by picking its forms, he said so far, he disclosed that 100 companies have collected forms. These include 25 multinationals, whose parent body

By Joseph Eshanokpe

are among the best in the world. He said CIG is a subsidiary of The Great Place to Work Institute based in the United States. It is human resource outfit. “We are the first to have its licence in Nigeria, and indeed, in Africa. We launched in January, this year. The institute started in the US about 20 years ago. It categories companies after rigorous research to know the best organisations in the world.” He disclosed that working with the Fortune magazine, the institute produces the Fortune’s Best Companies to work in the US or its equivalent in the United Kingdom’s Financial Times. The institute is also in other 30 countries including Agentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil and Canada. Others are Chile, Colombia,

Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India and Uruguay. On the criteria for assessment for the best organisations, he said they include integrity, communication, credibility, respect, fairness, pride and camaraderie. The survey involves a four-step. They are: firms’nomination, determining survey process, submission of culture audit and evaluation by the institute. Both employers and employees play a major role in filling the forms. For example, he said the human resource department of an organisation is expected to fill a form on culture audit component of the firm just as employees fill a separate form on the company’s policy on welfare and other things. He listed other benefits of the research as higher productivity, best employees, low turnover, good qual-

•From right: Mr Malomo and other executives of the institute, at a forum in Lagos.

ity products and trust among staff and between them and their organisations. “Our US 100 best outperforms other companies in the stock market,” he added. CIG’s Vice-President, Susan Adedokun, said her firm organises training aimed at helping organisa-

tions to prepare or improve their images on future participation in the research. There are in nine core areas. They include development, listening, speaking, inspiring, living and caring, she added.

*Editor - Wale Alabi *Consulting Editors - Rarzack Olaegbe, Sola Fanawopo * Correspondent-Jimi David * Human Relations Executive - Owolabi Afolabi *Operations Executive - Isiaka Hassan *Creative - Oluwaseyi Sulaimon*Front Office Executive - Blessing Nkeanya * Business Development - Kenny Hussain * Legal Adviser - Olasupo Osewa & Co Brandweek is powered by Drumbeat Media and published every Friday in THE NATION newspaper. Corporate Suite: 20 Akinremi Street, off Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos. All correspondence to the editor - 0808.247.7806, 0805.618.0040, , e-mail: korede2000@gmail.com © All rights reserved.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 27-10-11

High-cap stocks spur market rally

HE bullish rally at the Nigerian stock market gathered momentum yesterday as significant gains by highly capitalised firms pushed the benchmark index up by 1.13 per cent, its most significant gain in three-day successive uptrend. With gains by Dangote Cement, Nigerian Breweries and Zenith Bank, the first, second and fourth most capitalised stocks respectively, the All Share Index (ASI) rose to 20,607.37 points as against its opening index of 20,376.73 points. Aggregate market capitalisation of all quoted companies gained N73 billion to close at N6.523 trillion compared with N6.450 trillion, representing an increase of 1.14 per cent. With the gain yesterday, the yearto-date loss at the stock mar-

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

ket dropped to 16.81 per cent. Besides the gains by highly capitalised stocks, the market was generally positive with all tracked sectoral indices closing on the upside, with the exception of oil and gas index, which remained flat. Dangote Cement and Flour Mills of Nigeria gained N2 each to close at N102 and N65 respectively. Nigerian Breweries rose by 91 kobo to N91.50 while Zenith Bank gained 61 kobo to close at N12.91 per share. Lafarge Wapco also chalked up N1.30 to close higher at N40.55 per share. Significant transactions on Guaranty Trust Assurance (GTAssur) due to the divestment of Guaranty Trust Bank from the erstwhile insurance

subsidiary, pushed total turnover to 7.19 billion shares valued at N15.28 billion in 4,243 deals. GTAssur accounted for 6.77 billion shares worth N11.91 billion in 17 deals. This placed insurance sector atop the activity chart with a turnover of 6.82 billion shares valued at N11.94 billion in 591 deals. Banking sector was the second most active sector with a turnover of 346.46 million shares worth N2.57 billion in 2,174 deals. However, UAC of Nigeria led the losers with a loss of 130 kobo to close at N28.70. Nestle Nigeria followed with a drop of 99 kobo to close at N400.01. CAP dropped by 86 kobo to N18.05. Vitafoam Nigeria lost 29 kobo to close at N5.66 while Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (Nahco) dropped by 26 kobo to N5.45 per share.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 27-10-11

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

MONEY LINK

‘IFRS won’t stop fraud, malpractices in financial sector’

HE Chairman, Interpretations Committee of the Interna tional Accounting Standard Board (IASB), Bob Garnett, has said the introduction into the Nigerian financial system of the International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS), Bob Garnett, does not stop crooks or fraudulent bank managers from executing their plans. It is simply a statement and commitment by a firm to abide by international laws. He said it is wrong to think that by signing into the IFRS operational modalities, frauds and malpractices in the system would be stopped. “The IFRS does not stop fraud and malpractices in the system, but represents a significant improvement by the firm to abide by international

By Collins Nweze

laws. The standard does not stop crooks. It is simply an acceptance to adhere to international laws and best practices,” he said. Speaking at an IFRS conference in Lagos, Garnett explained that IFRS, is a “principles based” set of standards that establish broad rules and dictate specific treatments for account statements. He added that IFRS, are principles-based standards, interpretations and the framework adopted by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). He noted that currently banks are appointing consultants to enable them tidy up loose ends in their organisations to migrate from local

build the financial services sector. He stated that the adoption of the IFRS will enhance transparency and improve reporting standards that would help prevent or reduce systemic risks. He said investment in infrastructure is also key in ensuring that foreign direct investment (FDI) is attracted into the economy. Garnett said Nigeria, ranked 34th among 142 largest countries in the world, adding that the country needs to pull more levers to improve its global competitiveness. He explained that aside infrastructure development, IFRS implementation can affect positively the quality of reporting in the financial system. He explained that Nigerian banks

standards to the IFRS by January 2012. The IFRS expert explained that the banks have to step up their internal processes to ensure compliance because of adverse implications of default. However, he admitted that accounting has become less risky than it was before the introduction of IFRS, adding that global knowledge and expertise reduces the risks of getting things wrong. Garnett said banks are also putting other finishing touches, including cost of migration to ensure compliance by set date, stressing that the adoption of the IFRS will further enhance transparency and facilitate the restoration of investor confidence in the on-going efforts to sanitise and re-

embarked on massive asset growth and capital raising sprees in the wake of the round of consolidation in 2005 which cut the number of financial institutions to 25 and subsequently 24, fiercely competitive firms from 89. But reporting standards have failed to keep pace with the explosive balance sheet growth, much of it involving higher levels of unsecured risk, and analysts say far higher levels of disclosure are needed to restore confidence. Nigeria’s minimum reporting standards only demand the quarterly publication of gross earnings, pre-tax profit and net profit, leaving analysts with little on which to gauge future trends for the business or make international comparisons.

UBA’s total assets hit N3trn as net profit grows by 52%

NITED Bank for Africa (UBA), yesterday released its third quarter operational report showing a total balance sheet size of N3 trillion and 52 per cent growth in net profit. Interim report and accounts of UBA for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011 showed appreciable growths in profit and loss and balance sheet items of the bank, with net earnings indicating a double-digit earnings yield of 10 per cent at current market consideration. The report indicated that total assets rose from N2.27 trillion in December, 2010, to N2.94 trillion in September, 2011, depicting UBA’s continued ability to execute big ticket transactions across the continent. The report further indicated that deposits grew by 18 per cent from N1.27 trillion in December 2010 to N1.5 trillion in 2011, reflecting a significant growth in market share and customer patronage.

By Taofik Salako

UBA also recorded an expansion in credit as loans and advances rose from N674 billion to N739 billion, confirming the increasing risks appetite of banks after the recent credit squeeze.

nancial centers- London , New York and Paris, and the third quarter report showed increasing contribution of global operations to the group’ s performance. Deposit base outside Nigeria stood at N258 billion, up by 17

The report showed gross earnings of N133 billion in 2011 as against N136 billion in comparable period of 2010 while profit after tax rose from N6.6 billion to N10.1 billion. UBA, has operations in 19 African countries and three global fi-

Consultant advocates guarantee of SMEs loans with pension funds

HE Managing Director, SPNS Consulting, Debo Adebayo, has advised state governments desirous of promoting entrepreneurship in their states to use pension fund contributions of their workforce as security for securing Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) loans from banks. Speaking yesterday at media briefing in Lagos, Adebayo, said staff that want to exit the public service to start their own businesses, can be assisted to secure soft loans from banks, using their pensions as guarantee. He said since many state governments may not be able to pay the

under utilised from their duties, to enable them find alternative means of livelihood. “In many government agencies, there is role duplication and correcting this will help government cut down on its spending by blocking the loopholes in its finances. He said making such options open, will even make some staff nearing retirement age to opt for the loan. He however, said that government should provide entrepreneurship training to help the staff adapt well in the course of the business. He said different states have to improve on their IGR using areas of strength. He said IGR can

N18, 000 minimum wage approved by government, the best option is to prune down their workforce, but not without a loan guaranteed with pension contributions to enable disengaged staff assume a new life. The states are expected to plan the modalities for the exercise with pension fund administrators who are now custodians of contributions from workers. He said in many states of the federation, the internally generated revenue (IGR) and monthly federal allocations are not sufficient to pay the minimum wages. He suggested that government may also disengage who are

FGN BONDS Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

OBB Rate Call Rate

7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-10-2011 “ 14-10-2011

GAINERS AS AT 26-14-11 SYMBOL

O/PRICE

REDSTAREX HONYFLOUR ZENITHBANK ACCESS SKYEBANK DIAMONDBNK UBA CUSTODYINS IKEJAHOTEL MAYBAKER NASCON

2.20 2.62 12.30 5.45 4.65 3.44 3.25 2.45 2.25 2.46 4.20

C/PRICE

CHANGE

2.31 2.75 12.91 5.72 4.88 3.61 3.41 2.57 2.36 2.58 4.40

0.11 0.13 0.61 0.27 0.23 0.17 0.16 0.12 0.11 0.12 0.20

LOSER AS AT 26-10-11 SYMBOL

LONGMAN VITAFOAM ACADEMY PRESTIGE NAHCO CAP UACN ECOBANK JAPAULOIL STERLNBANK UNITYBNK

O/PRICE

4.42 5.95 2.47 1.30 5.71 18.91 30.00 2.09 0.80 1.39 0.57

Amount

Exchange

Sold ($)

Rate (N)

Date

250m

266m

250m

150.8

19-10-11

400m

296m

150.8

17-10-11

400m

591m

150.7

12-10-11

EXHANGE RATE 26-08-11 CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Currency

INTERBANK -RATES

Amount

Offered ($) Demanded ($)

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

also be improved on by blocking leakages in the system. He said that in many cases, pension contributions are deducted from sources, making it difficult for employees of government and other private companies not to pay. In many other cases especially in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), contributions are also deducted from sources by the Budget Office of the Federation. In other words, the core personnel costs of the MDAs, the budget office would deduct what is specified from the personnel cost and also add the employers’ contribution among other procedures.

DATA BANK

Tenor

NIDF NESF

per cent from N221 billion in December 2010 while loans grew by 29 per cent to N117 billion as against N91 billion in December 2010. Foreign gross earnings rose to N25 billion compared to N19 billion in the corresponding period of 2010.

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD

147.6000

149.7100

149.95

-2.11

NGN GBP

239.4810

244.0123

238.00

-2.57

NGN EUR

212.4997

207.9023

207.24

-1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

Bureau de Change 162.0000

153.0000

160.5000

-2.30

(S/N) Parallel Market

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

NSE CAP Index

26-10-11 N6.450tr 20,376.73

NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N)

27-10-11 N6.523tr 20,607.37

% Change -1.13% -1.13%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS

(S/N)

Name

153.0000

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

Oct ’11

MPR

6.50%

12%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 3.00% 10.3%

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 118.31 100.28 0.76 1.02 0.91 1,639.36 8.24 1.39 1.87 7,230.13 193.00

9.08 1.00 118.14 99.71 0.74 1.02 0.90 1,634.12 7.84 1.33 1.80 7,028.67 191.08

ARM AGGRESSIVE KAKAWA GUARANTEED STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND THE LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL BGL SAPPHIRE FUND BGL NUBIAN FUND NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY THE DISCOVERY FUND • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED

C/PRICE

CHANGE

4.20 5.66 2.35 1.24 5.45 18.05 28.70 2.00 0.77 1.34 0.55

0.22 0.29 0.12 0.06 0.26 0.86 1.30 0.09 0.03 0.05 0.02

• STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

Rate (Previous) 24 Aug, 2011 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

• AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

Rate (Currency) 26, Aug, 2011 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK Previous

Current

04 July, 2011

07, Aug, 2011

Bank

8.5000

9.5000

P/Court

8.0833

9.0833

Movement

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

NEWS

Enugu Assembly passes disclosure of information bill

PUBLIC hearing on a Bill for a law to provide for the disclosure of call information by wireless telecommunications companies was held yesterday by the Enugu State House of Assembly. The Bill, if passed into law, would compel the companies to disclose information to authorised persons with a view to fighting crimes. Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Cecilia Ezeilo, who coordinated the hearing, said the Bill is aimed at curbing crimes and urged stakeholders to provide information that would enable the speedy passage of the Bill. Ezeilo, who is also the Deputy Chief Whip of the House, gave the title of the Bill as “A Bill for a Law to provide for the Disclosure of Call Information by Wireless Telecommunication Carriers to Law Enforcement Agencies in Enugu State and for Other Matters Concerned Therewith”. Present at the public sitting are MTN, Globacom and

From Chris Oji, Enugu

Airtel. The police, traditional rulers, Nigeria Civil Defence Corps (NCDC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)also attended the public sitting. Airtel’s representative Anyanwu Ugochukwu said the law would reinforce the practice already being provided by telecommunication carriers. He said Airtel has been complying with such requests, adding that the telecommunication outfit receives about 250 such requests monthly. But he faulted the Section which gave the time frame of releasing the information requested to just one hour, suggesting that the period should be extended to five hours for call data information. “Airtel believes that information should be released to appropriate persons/ agencies. But we are not comfortable with the time frame of one hour. We consider it too short.” Commissioner of Police said the Bill would minimise

crime in the state, if passed into law. “The purpose of the Bill is to expedite action on crime fighting. Just as GSM phones enhance communication among us, they also encourage kidnapping, armed robbery and other social ills,” he said. The Bill reads: “With effect from coming into force of this law, upon the request of a law enforcement agent or any authorised person, a carrier shall, not later than an hour of the receipt of the request, provide call information concerning its subscriber or call to the person making such request in furtherance of a criminal prosecution. “If a carrier fails to deliver the call information to an authorised person or law enforcement agent as provided in sub-section(1) of this Section, the carrier shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine of N1,000,000. And, for continued contravention, to a daily default fine of N250,000 for as long as the contravention may persist.”

Anambra town’s bridge arrives

WKA, the Anambra State capital, erupted in jubilation yesterday as the steel bridge constructed by Zamil Steel Company in Egypt was delivered yesterday. A commuter, Mr Patrick Okechukwu Nwokike said their happiness knew no bounds as the trailer- load containers drove past. He said the people of Awka North praised the commitment of Governor Peter Obi for keeping his promises to the people. The Project Manager, Brecco Construction Company, Mr Tony Madi said the Bridge will be ready before Christmas. He said it will take the company two weeks to assemble the disjointed steel materials be-

NGO unveils youth programme THE Bridge Foundation Nigeria will tomorrow unveil its agenda for the empowerment of Nigerian youths. The launching will hold at the multi-purpose hall of the Lagos State Ministry of Public Works, Ojodu. Muyiwa Olufemi, founder of the Foundation, said the NGO will allow all categories of youths access to the resources to fulfil their mission in life. According to him, the mission of the NGO is to reorientate, educate, nurture, mobilise and empower all Nigerian youths, especially those from low socio- economic status to become productive and law-abiding citizens. “We also seek to encourage sanity among the youths by giving them access to life-enhancing experiences, information and communication opportunity tools, educational opportunities, art and skills development,” he said.

fore the crane will hang it over the already concrete work. Madi thanked Governor Obi for ensuring that the people of Awka North are not left out in his numerous dividends of democracy. Transition Committee Chairman of Awka North local Government Romanus Nebenanya said with the arrival of the steel beams, Governor Obi has made history as a man of truth as some people never believed him when he said the steel beams were being fabricated in Egypt. Nebenanya said after the bridges are constructed and roads with the special attention being gotten on

•Obi

MDG’s , Awka North will be one of the best local government areas in Nigeria by 2015.

Enugu hosts Nigerian Idol audition today

HE auditioning for the second season of music reality show, Nigerian Idol, will hold in Enugu, the Enugu State capital, today and tomorrow at the Universal Hotel in Independence Layout. The Executive Producer of the show, Rotimi Pedro said: “Our expectations for Enugu are very high. We had a wonderful experience discovering great musical talents last year in Enugu. In fact, the winner of Season One, Yeka Onka, first came under our radar at the Enugu auditions. We expect to find great talent here.” Participants in the popular television musical show in the Coal City are preparing for the arrival of the auditions as impromptu rehearsals and amateur singing competitions crop up at the numerous campuses across the city.

Northern governors condole with Gaidam over wife’s death

HE Northern Governors’ Forum (NGF) has commiserated with Yobe State Governor Ibrahim Gaidam over the death of his wife, Hajiya Zainab. Governor of Niger State and Chairman of the forum, Dr Babangida Aliyu sent the condolence message to Gaidam on behalf of the forum. He urged Gaidam and members of his family to take solace in the fact that though Hajia Zainab died at 32, she lived an inspiring and a fulfilled life. Aliyu said: “You must take solace in the fact that your wife departed after an enterprising life of dedication to service and humanity.” In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Niger State Governor, Mallam Danladi Ndayebo, Aliyu noted that life is not about how long people live, but what positive impact they make on their environment. He said though Hajiya Zainab lived a short life, she changed her immediate family, her community, and Yobe residents, especially women and children.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

NEWS Rivers plans facelift for NYSC camp

ETTER days are ahead for youth corps members deployed to Rivers State as the government yesterday spoke of plans to build two additional hostels at the orientation camp. Governor Rotimi Amaechi made the promise yesterday when the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC), Brigadier-General Nnamdi Okore-Affia visited the Government House, Port Harcourt. The governor promised to start renovation of the camp in Nonwa-Gbam, Tai Local Government ahead of the next orientation. “If we don’t get the entire facilities ready before November 17, we hope that before the next batch will come the place will be conducive enough for them to stay.” He congratulated the NYSC chief on his appointment, wishing him the best while pledging continued support to the scheme. Brig-Gen Okore-Affia thanked Amaechi for his support . He said: “We have on record

that you have assisted in subsidising feeding of corps members during their orientation. “We also want to thank you for standing by the scheme during trying times, especially when some corps members were kidnapped.” Brig-Gen Okore-Affia hailed the governor for the planned hostels, renovation and the approval of special allowances for those serving in rural areas. He urged him to continue with the good work. The Amaechi-led administration has also commenced plans to build a modern educational facility for the physically challenged. The governor made this known in Port Harcourt at a special lunch with physically challenged students as part of activities marking the four-year anniversary of the Supreme Court judgment that brought him into office in 2007.

Slain Edo businessman’s wife buried From Osagie Otabor, Benin

IFE of Edo State based businessman, Elder Tes Soare, Bridget, who was killed by suspected kidnappers in September was yesterday buried in Benin City, Edo State capital. The late Mrs. Soare was killed when gunmen abducted her husband in front of their home while returning from church. A police orderly and driver were also killed in the attack. Her remains were buried at her husband’s home after a brief ceremony attended by family and close friends. Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state Bishop Peter Imasuen urged the children to leave vengeance for God. Imasuen urged the children not to allow the incident dissuade them from God. The widower enjoined government to provide jobs to tackle insecurity. Recalling his last moments with his wife, Soare said: “We were both in the church and she led the praise and worship. She was gorgeously dressed and I told her you are beautiful. She said: We are going for a second marriage. I believe she has completed her race on earth.”

Oshiomhole urges repair of roads

DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has called on the Federal Government to fulfill its promise to ensure that federal roads in the state are repaired. The governor made the call when he inspected the rehabilitation of the UgbowoLagos road and other projects. He said the state will continue with the construction of additional lanes from Ugbowo to Kings Square. “The state is putting pressure on the Federal Ministry of Works to ensure that federal roads are completed.

“Our own part of the job is going on and we are taking advantage of the dry season,”he said. The governor said the benefits for the expansion of the Ugbowo-Lagos road would be realised when the Federal Government meet its part of the bargain. He said before the next rainy season, appreciable work would be done on the road and called for patience from road users. Oshiomhole said on completion, the six-lane road would address traffic and flood challenges on the express road.

Delta returns 40 mission schools From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

ELTA State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan yesterday officially returned 40 secondary schools to themissionariess. The handover ended a 10-year wait by the owners. The process of returning the schools started during the administration of former Governor James Ibori in 2001. Twenty seven schools were handed over to the Catholic Mission; the Anglican Mission got eight. Baptist Convention had four schools returned to it just as one school was returned to the African Church Mission. The schools, which were handed over to representatives of the missions by the governor, are scattered across the three senatorial districts. Uduaghan said the return of the schools would improve the standard of education. He assured teachers in the affected schools that they would still be in the state civil service.

Amaechi greeting Brig-Gen Okore-Affia...yesterday

Reps probe extra judicial killing by police

HE House of Representatives is set to probe the police for the alleged killing of a 20-year-old man, Victor Emmanuel, in Bayelsa State. The committees on Police Affairs, Human Rights and Justice have been mandated to investigate the incident. According to a lawmaker, Warman Ogoriba, the incident is a matter of urgent public importance. He described how the young man was murdered in the presence of his mother. “It was last Sunday when Emmanuel was returning

•To invite Ringim From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

from church. He boarded a motorcycle to return home and when they got to a check point, they saw policemen extorting money from okada riders. “When it was the turn of the motorcycle Emmanuel was riding on, he joked that it was Sunday and the policemen, rather than going to church, were extorting money from

motorcyclists. “At this point, the policemen turned on him; he jumped down from the motorcycle and took to his heels. ‘When the policeman caught up with him, he shot him. “The policemen did not stop there, they picked the body and took it to a police station where he was dumped on the ground and a pair of scissors was put in his hand to paint a picture of suicide.

“The most annoying of this saga was that the young man was killed right in his mother’s presence. “One can only imagine the trauma the mother would have gone trough at that point and still going through now.” Ogoriba urged the House to invite the InspectorGeneral of Police (IGP) with the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Tokoro to explain their roles. Speaker Aminu Tambuwal referred the motion to the Committees on Police Affairs, Justice and Human Rights for investigation.

Delta Assembly protests poor state of roads

AWMAKERS in Delta State are protesting the continued decay of infrastructure in the country. The Assembly yesterday passed a resolution adjourning sine dine (indefinitely) until Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan orders contractors to complete their projects. The Assembly resumed yesterday after over 10 weeks recess. The legislature deplored “poor state of roads” and “drainage network” in Asabathe capital and slammed contractors for tardiness.

•Adjourns indefinitely From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

This decision followed a motion by Johnson Erijo (Isoko South II),who sought to amend an earlier motion by Dennis Omuvie (Warri South 11) to summon the contractors. Erijo said contractors had refused to complete their jobs, adding that some of the contracts were awarded more than three years ago. He noted that some of the

uncompleted road projects, especially the Ughelli-Asaba dualisation, had become a death trap and called for speedy completion of the projects. “The road is in a very bad shape and many people are killed there daily and if nothing is done more lives will be lost. “The people, who voted us into office, are not happy with them because of the poor state of infrastructure and the men-

ace of flooding in Asaba,” Erijo said. The motion, which was adopted, was seconded by Majority Leader Monday Igbuya (Sapele). Before the adjournment, the lawmakers approved the upward review of salaries of some political appointees attached to the governor, to bring their emoluments at par with those of commissioners. The approval was sequel to a request by the governor through a letter, which was read by Speaker Victor Ochei during proceedings

Sylva confident as PDP screens Bayelsa aspirants

MID tight security, Bayelsa State governorship screening for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspirants took place at the party’s zonal office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday. All the aspirants, including Governor Timipre Sylva, were optimistic about clinching the party’s ticket at the primary on November 19. Sylva, who spoke after the screening, said he was not asked many questions because he had been screened earlier in the year. He said he had been cleared for the primary. Francis Duokpola, who was an aspirant in 2007, said he hoped to win. Duokpola said he didnot clinch the party’s ticket last time because “it was not my turn then.” He said he was satisfied with the outcome of the screening and told Bayelsans “to expect that a new governor is coming in my name.”

‘Jonathan has no special candidate’

GOVERNORSHIP aspirant in the November 19 primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, Christopher Enai, has discredited claims that President Goodluck Jonathan has preferred aspirants. He spoke yesterday after submitting his

From Dele Anofi, Abuja

nomination form at the PDP National Headquarters in Abuja. Enai, who was a former member of the House of Assembly, said he joined the race in response to the yearnings of his people.

•Chairman assures aspirants From Clarice Azuatalam Isaac Ombe, Port Harcourt and Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

Seriake Dickson said he would win because he has a formidable campaign team. Christopher Enai said he had come to serve and with all the resources that Bayelsa has, it should be in the fore front of development. Timi Alaibe, former Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission who came in at 6pm, was the last to leave the venue.

He declined to speak to reporters. The Chairman of the party in the state, James Dugo, assured the aspirants of fairness. He said President Goodluck Jonathan would not interfere in the primary. The assurance followed insinuations that the President is plotting to dislodge Sylva, who is believed to have fallen out of favour with him. Dugo said Jonathan is only interested in good governance and peace, adding that he would support any candidate

MAC 61

•Sylva

chosen through a credible election. He said: “Let me assure all party members that I have come with a mission to reposition and reunite all groups and associations within the PDP family. “

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

NEWS Suswam sued for alleged certificate forgery

Kwara governorship poll: Tribunal rules Nov 11 T

HE Kwara State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Ilorin, the state capital, yesterday fixed November 11 for judgment in the petition filed by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN) challenging the election of Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed. Belgore is challenging the declaration of Ahmed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winner of the April 26 governorship election. He is praying the tribunal to cancel the votes recorded in areas he alleged had widespread irregularities. Belgore named five local government areas and some wards, based on documentary evidence. He said the tribunal should to declare him the duly elected governor,

Court declines jurisdiction on council suit From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

THE Federal High Court, sitting in Jos, the Plateau State capital, has declined jurisdiction in a suit filed by Dr. Saleh Kanam, the suspended Kanam Local Government Area Chairman, for lack of jurisdiction. Governor Jonah Jang had in June dissolved the council and suspended Kanam over alleged abuse of office. Jang replaced the suspended chairman with Danjuma Gar. But Saleh went to court to challenge the governor’s action. Justice Ambrose Alagoa said: “The claims filed by the plaintiff fall outside the jurisdiction of the court. The subject-matter of the suit; the Certificate of Return of the applicant; the committee set up by the Plateau State Government; and the complaint about rights are issues that fall within the jurisdiction of the state High Courts. “Since the complaint of violation of rights, based on Section 46, (1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, falls within the jurisdiction of the state High Court, the Federal High Court has no jurisdiction to try such a case. “The preliminary objection succeeds, and the matter is to be transferred to the Plateau State Chief George for re-assignment.” Attorney-General Edward Pwajok said: “Since the court has declined jurisdiction on the matter, it means there were no orders from the court as those earlier given were in error, now that the court has found out that it has no jurisdiction.” But Saleh said he would appeal the verdict and pursue the matter until he gets justice.

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

based on the highest number of valid votes recorded in the election. The Justice Ngozi Emehelu-led tribunal fixed the date after counsel to the petitioners and the respondents adopted and outlined their final addresses, with each side quoting legal authorities to support their positions. Also, the panel Secretary, Uju Mesiobi-Emeto, told the tribunal that the ballot count ordered by the chairman revealed that 213,011 ballot papers were used in the areas ACN is challenging, as against the 234,203 votes INEC claimed to have record-

ed. ACN’s lead counsel Ebun Sofunde had drawn the attention of the tribunal to the petitioners’ allegation of staggering of votes, which he insisted were responsible for the huge difference. Sofunde said: “Through the evidence of principal witness (PW)65 – one of the three expert witnesses called by the petitioners …by which upon an examination of the EC8As in all the areas being challenged - it was discovered that 234,203 valid votes were recorded as having been used, whereas upon physical count of the ballot papers for those areas, the actual ballot papers used were 213,011. This gives a discrepancy of 21,192 ballot papers recorded as valid votes

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

•Suswam

HE opponent of Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam in the governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Terver Kaki, has sued the governor at the Federal High Court in Jos for alleged certificate forgery. The case was scheduled for mention yesterday but had to be adjourned because counsel to the West African Examinations Council

Kwara Poly yet to access ETF, says Rector

HE Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, is yet to access the Education Trust Fund (ETF) for 2010/ 2011 academic session, the Rector, Alhaji Mas’ud Elelu, has said. The Rector said the school has spent over N400million from the funds it received from donors, such as the ETF to upgrade its facilities. Elelu spoke yesterday in Ilorin, the state capital, when members of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) visited the polytechnic for re-accreditation of its courses. He said the school was prepared for the accreditation, expressing optimism that its courses would scale NBTE hurdle. Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development Mallam Raji Mohammed said the state gov-

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

ernment would strengthen the school to enable it produce graduates who would be job providers. Mohammed said this has become imperative because of the importance the government attaches to youth empowerment, adding that the population of youths in the state is 60 per cent compared to other segments of the population. The commissioner noted that there is need to plan ahead to accommodate youths in manpower development. Mohammed said: “It is in response to this that the polytechnic would be strengthened to accommodate the necessary programmes in technical entrepreneurial education, skill acquisition and upgrading of vocational centres into our educational system. “The objective of this poli-

Army, police train NSCDC officers on arms handling From Marie-Therese Peter, Jos

THE Plateau State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has begun an in-house training for its officers on arms handling and drilling people to enable them render effective services to the civil populace. The two-month intensive training, which is underway in Jos, is being handled by security personnel from the Army, Police and State Security Services (SSS). Speaking with The Nation yesterday in his office in Jos, the state Commandant of the NSCDC, Mr. Desmond Agu, urged the officers to see the training as an opportunity to update their skills in effective service delivery. He said the NSCDC is training the officers in discipline, adding that he would recommend the sack of any officer who brings the image of the Corps to disrepute. Agu said: “We are giving this periodic in-house training, spanning two months, to our junior and senior officers because we want them to keep in touch with current techniques in crime-fighting. “The training is given by other security outfits, including the Army, Police and SSS, and it has to do with arms handling and drilling. “We are for the people; hence we emphasise on the word ‘civil’. We are civil in our approach and want our officers to do same. Any officer who defaults by intimidating the people or showing any contrary act will be dealt with as I will not hesitate to recommend the sack of such an officer.”

The Nation Kaduna reporter wins award

and as was disclosed in Exhibit AAO/10 by PW65. This discrepancy occurred in 363 polling units. The said ballot papers were tendered in evidence as exhibits. “Furthermore, a physical count of the said ballot papers under the supervision of the court was ordered and it confirmed the discrepancy of 21,192 ballot papers recorded as votes. The parties were ordered to take part in that counting exercise and given ample opportunity to do so, the respondents deliberately failed to take part in it. “In INEC v Oshiomole (supra) at page 662D – 664A, the Court of Appeal approved of a similar exercise that was carried out by the tribunal and further held that the evidence from the count was one which the tribunal could not ‘turn a blind eye to’ and the tribunal was right to make use of it.”

HE Kaduna State Correspondent of The Nation, Tony Akowe, has won the Overall Best Report in Education under the Journalism Development Programmes supported by the Education Sector Support Programme in Nigeria (ESSPIN), an agency of the Department for International Development (DFID). Akowe was among eight reporters selected

from six states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). They were rewarded by Development Communications (DevComs) Network through its Journalism Development Programme (JDP) on the Education Sector in Nigeria. Anthony Forson of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Kaduna, and Kikelomo Ifekoya of Radio Nigeria, Lagos National Station, won the Best Report for TV and radio.

cy is to add value to the end product of the polytechnic and prepare the graduates for a more competitive advantage over their counterparts in the global labour market. It is in this light that the state government is seeking a fair assessment of the polytechnic during the accreditation of its programmes.” The commissioner, who noted that the institution had recorded great achievements since it was established in 1973, said there are many grounds to be covered, particularly with the new no-

menclature of the Ministry of Education. He said: “It is our hope that you will work in collaboration with state government to build a world-class institution that will produce skilled individuals as job creators and not job seekers.” The leader of the NBTE team, Mrs Grace Yahayah, praised the polytechnic management for its “peaceful, clean and beautiful environment”. She said the team was in Ilorin to see how it could help the polytechnic to grow and not to find faults.

(WAEC) said he was not properly served. The case had dragged for several months at the Benue State High Court, spurring the plaintiff to file a fresh suit at the Federal High Court in Jos for accelerated hearing. In the suit before the Justice Ambrose Alagoa-led Federal High Court, Kaki alleged that Suswam forged his secondary school certificate to deceive the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the PDP into nominating him. But counsel to WAEC, Odigwo Nwogu said his client was not properly served and was, therefore, not ready for the case. But counsel to the plaintiffs, Femi Falana, argued that the governor and WAEC were properly served, asking the court to mention the case. Having listened to the arguments, Justice Alagoa urged the counsel to understand that the matter was on the pre-election and that it needs to be treated with urgency. He adjourned the matter till November 17 to enable the parties file their preliminary objections as well as fulfil the processes. The judge warned that he would not entertain any technical or academic intrigue capable of delaying the case.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

NEWS

CNPP, NANS, others reject planned fuel subsidy removal

HE National Chairman of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Alhaji Balarabe Musa, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), a frontline businessman and monarch as well as some clerics yesterday joined other Nigerians to reject the Federal Government’s proposed removal of fuel subsidy. Musa described the planned removal by the Goodluck Jonathan administration as another avenue to divert public funds. The former Kaduna State governor noted that whatever the nation makes from the proposed subsidy, “we will just discover that it has been stolen and nobody will do anything about it”. Nigerians, he said, have lost confidence in the present administration over the fight against corruption. Addressing reporters in Abuja, Musa vowed to ensure that

•Balarabe Musa: it’s a game plan that’ll fail From Gbenga Omokhunu, Olugbenga Adnikin (Abuja ), Ernest Nwokolo (Abeokuta), Damisi Ojo (Akure) and Sunday Oguntola

government’s plan on the proposed subsidy removal does not come to pass. He said: “The CNPP is opposed to the withdrawal of fuel subsidy for various reasons. It has not been proved that it is really a subsidy. At various occasions, the government has said the subsidy removal would be used to tame poverty in the country. “Nigerians have no confidence in whatever the government comes up with. They regard this development as a lie. The implication of the fuel subsidy removal is that as long as the level of stealing and corruption continues in the country, the money realized after subsidising whatever, will just dis-

Senate panel seeks appraisal of pension scheme

HE Chairman, Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service, Aloysius Etok, yesterday said there is need to appraise the implementation of the contributory pension scheme seven years after its introduction. Etok spoke in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, at a sensitisation seminar on Pension Reform Act 2004 at the Le Meridien Hotel and Golf Resort. He said through such assessment, it would be easier to determine the level of efficiency and effectiveness of the scheme. The lawmaker noted that in the past seven years, the scheme has been tested and tried, adding that in the next 10 years, pensioners under

PUBLIC NOTICE IBRAHIM I formerly known as Miss Ibrahim Rizqat Oluwakemi, now wishes to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olatunji Rizqat Oluwakemi. All former documents remain valid LASPOTECH and general Public should take note.

Public Relations Officer, Mr. Clement Olusegun, NANS said Nigerian students would resist the planned fuel subsidy removal, describing it as “anti-students and anti-masses policy”. It said: “It is time for us stop crying. It is high time we stood up for our rights; it is about justice. On this, the leadership of NANS proposes a three-day national warning protest. We say no to removal of subsidy on fuel. “The leadership of NANS warns the Federal Government not to dare implement the proposed removal of subsidy on the fuel products. To us, the government is hiding under infrastructural development, whereby it is just empowering its gangs.” The union accused the government of insincerity over the matter, noting that several excuses have been used to justify subsidy removal by successive governments “all in a bid to

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

the scheme would increase and pose greater challenges. Etok said the demand for funds for the payment of retirement entitlements and pension every month would also increase. He said: “There is, therefore, the dire need to appraise the implementation of the Pension Reform Act, 2004, and the management of the pension scheme and the funds thereto, under the Act within the last seven years, to determine and assess the level of efficiency and effectiveness thereto, identify the problems, encumbrances, defects and deficiencies of this Act for appropriate legislative actions. “The number of pensioners under the Pension Reform Act regime will continue to rise and increase in such a manner that in the next 10 years, there would be greater transition from the old pension regime to the present one with greater number of pensioners under the new scheme.

PUBLIC NOTICE IMAGE OF CHRIST ASSEMBLY NO. 9 ELDER MONDAY IYALLA STREET UPE. SANDFIELD, BOROKIRI, PORT HARCOURT. The above named Church has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES 1. Rev. Dr. B.G. Quakers 2. Deaconess (Mrs.) Gift B. Quakers 3. Mrs. Esther Inye Briggs 4. Engr. M.M. Princewill 5. Mr. Omubo George Quakers 6. Engr. Tonye Imangs

appear. “They have let us know that there is no accountability by the government. Even in today’s Nigeria, the President can withdraw public fund and spend it without the approval of the National Assembly. This is what happens. There’s no accountability according to the law. So, any amount realised from the removal of subsidy will just one day disappear.” NANS said it would soon embark on three days’ march on the nation’s streets to make Nigerians reject Federal Government’s plan to withdraw fuel subsidy. It said the argument by President Jonathan that subsidy removal woul “free about N1.2 trillion in savings, part of which can be deployed into providing safety nets for poor segments of the society to ameliorate the effect of the subsidy removal” is doubtful. In a statement by its National

confuse the entire Nigerians”. The Chairman, Obat Oil and Petroleum Company Limited and the Olugbo of Ugboland in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Obateru Akinruntan, urged Nigerians to await Federal Government’s guidelines on the controversial oil subsidy removal. The first-class monarch noted that stakeholders should reserve comments on the issue since it is still a proposal. He urged Nigerians to avoid comments that could create tension or cause a crisis. Oba Akinruntan addressed reporters at Ode-Ugbo at the sites of his hotel and new palace. The General Overseer of Elshaddai Covenant Ministries, Dr James Iruobe, yesterday kicked against the removal of fuel subsidy. The move, he said, would aggravate and not alleviate poverty in Nigeria. Iruobe said 80per cent of Nigerians are living below

Chairman

Secretary

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF IMAGE OF CHRIST ASSEMBLY 1. To preach the total gospel of Jesus Christ for the purpose of winning souls to His Kingdom. 2. To train and retrain ministers of the gospel, lay readers and church workers through retreats, conventions, conference for greater performance and productivity. 3. To build the body of Christ by ministering the power of the word through church (worship) services. 4. To spread the gospel of Jesus Christ through publishing, printing, distribution of Christian literatures, texts, tracts etc. 5. To establish manage and operate Radio and Television Outreaches. 6. To establish and manage prayer, intercessory, healing and deliverance centers for the purpose of ministering to the needy and training up kingdom work force. 7. To establish, manage and operate educational and vocational institutions. 8. To establish, manage and operate ICA hospitals, medical centers, clinic and charity pool. Any objection to the above registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Cresent, Maitama, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication. SIGNED: Rev. Dr. B.G. Quakers

Sudents of the Lagos State University (LASU) during a protest over an increase in their school fees at the House of Assembly, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos...yesterday. PHOTO:OMOSEHIN MOSES

ACN elders to Jonathan: halt Benue’s drift into anarchy

NDIGENES of Ugba in Benue State have urged President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure that peace and the rule of law return to the town following the violence that trailed the alleged assassination of Mr Celestine Agber, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) chairman, and his younger brother. The indigenes, under the aegis of Concerned Elders of Benue State, spoke in Abuja on the tension in the town since the killings. They noted that the Gabriel Suswam administration has lost its credibility, adding that about 50 ACN loyalists have been unlawfully ar-

From Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

rested and detained by the Benue State Police Command over the incident. In a statement read by Justice Bokon Utsaha, the group said the crisis, among other anomalies, requires the President’s immediate intervention so that rapid drift to anarchy can be averted. The elders said: “Our observation, assessment and conviction about political happenings in Benue State relative to the 2011 governorship elections in particular lead us to fear that we are headed towards

anarchy and in fact, a rape of democracy and barbaric suppression, manipulation, corruption and savagery in Benue State.” The Benue elders said Suswam has developed a sudden intimacy with the President, despite the governor’s acts of impunity and sycophancy. They urged Dr Jonathan to be impartial at ensuring the supremacy of the rule of law. The elders said: “Fredrick Douglas, an African–American political activist, once wrote and we again quote: ‘Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced,

where ignorance prevails, neither persons nor property will be safe’. “As concerned citizens of Benue State, we are afraid that today, we are close to this scenario than any other part of Nigeria. Let Nigerians hear us now and let those in authority act expeditiously before it is too late.” Praising the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Dahiru Musdapher for restoring the hope of the common man, the group said the Benue State Electoral Petition Tribunal has been giving contradictory judgments which threaten normal judicial proceedings.

‘80% of Nigerian youths are secondary school leavers’

IGHTY per cent of Nigerian youths are secondary school leavers, the Minister for Youth Development Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi said yesterday. The minister spoke in Ilorin, the state capital, at the launch of the Northcentral YouWin Enterprise Competition, He said 42 per cent of the 67million youths in the country are unemployed.

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

Abdullahi said: “The Federal Government cannot alone create jobs, no matter how well intentioned it is for job creation. There is need for the private sector to support government in job creation and youth empowerment. “If we do not find jobs for our youths, the devil will find jobs for them. When President Goodluck Jonathan launched the YouWin in

Abuja, he said the greatest hindrance to youth entrepreneurship is access to credit.” The minister noted that if the youths can dance well, they should write business plans to win money. YouWin is a Federal Government programme for creating jobs for youths through business plan writing competitions. The competitions are open to Nigerians from age 18 to 40, who must

have practicable business plans or expansion plans for an existing small business that would result in job creation. Winners can get up to N10million, while finalists will receive training in small and medium enterprises (SME) management and entrepreneurship. Winners will be selected on the strength of their business ideas or plans to expand existing businesses.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

FOREIGN NEWS

South Africans protest over economy S EVERAL thousand protesters in South Africa’s main city, Johannesburg, have demanded greater economic power for black people. The demonstrators waved placards calling for the nationalisation of mines in order to reduce the influence of white-owned businesses. The governing party’s youth wing organised the protest under the theme “economic freedom in our life-

time”. White minority rule (apartheid) ended in South Africa in 1994. The African National Congress (ANC) government has been battling to curb rising poverty and unemployment after leading a decadeslong struggle against apartheid, which discriminated

against black people. Higher Education Minister Blade Nzmande said on Thursday that unemployment in South Afrca stood at about 40% and was much higher among youth. Several schools in Johannesbrg’s black townships were empty as pupils joined the march to the headquarters of the Chamber of Mines and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), the Sapa news agency reports.

NEWS

Ex-soldier held for kidnapping

RETIRED soldier, John Ogboroju, has been arrested by the police in Edo State for alleged kidnapping and gun run-

ning. He was also accused of involving his three sons in kidnapping. The boys, Jeremiah, Toju and Utieyin are at large. Ogboroju (68) was among 19 suspects paraded by the police yesterday. The children were part of a five-man gang that kidnapped and killed a popular musician in the state, Omoregbe Okpeyen, popularly called Bayo Ade, after collecting N500,000. Two other gang members Dickson Edamwen (28) and Chinedu Ihieme (24) were also paraded. The retired soldier and the two suspects were arrested after the police recovered a phone used by the gang, where information about their activities was recorded. Commissioner of Police David Omojola said another kidnap suspect, Bright Ohumukoro (26), kidnapped a woman, simply identified

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

as Patricia, and collected N1.2 million as ransom. Omojola said Ohumukoro continued to threaten his victim, who parted with recharge cards worth N17,000 before he was arrested. The police boss noted that other kidnap suspects, Festus Aninorishe and Sunday Ejor, who belonged to another five-man gang, were also arrested. Two suspects, Godspower Ikoke and Uyi Egharevba, were paraded after being arrested while attempting to snatch a car . Other robbery suspects paraded include Aminu Abubakar; Idemudia Atekhe; Niyi Ogunleye; Osarodion Okunrobo; Osamnyi Isibor; Endurance Aburiemen; Emmanuel Izaya; Igbineweka Imariagba and Lucky Gogo. The suspects specialised in using motorcycles to rob their victims. Items recovered from them include one locally made pistol, one live cartridge, three motorcycles, one Macron pistol, seven round of ammunitions and N259, 260.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

NATION SPORT

PREMIERSHIP...PREMIERSHIP...

Chelsea youngster considering January exit

Rooney rivals Messi for FIFAgong W

AYNE Rooney is the only Englishman on the provisional list for the FIFA Baloon D’ior award. While world football’s governing body will not officially release the list until November 1, the Manchester United striker is the lone Englishman according to Spanish daily Mundo Deportivo. Lone striker: Manchester United star Wayne Rooney is the only Englishman in contention for FIFA's coveted Balon D'or award His United team-mate Javier Hernandez is also listed along with Manchester City’s David Silva and Sergio Aguero plus Liverpool’s Luis Suarez. Inevitably, European champions Barcelona dominate the list with nine candidates: current holder Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andres iniesta, Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Cesc Fabregas, David Villa, Dani Alves and Eric Abidal.

Silva lining: The Man City ace iis up for the prize Real Madrid have Cristiano Ronaldo, Xabi Alonso, Iker Casillas, Mesut Ozi and Sami Khedira. The Bayern Munich five of

Kuyt desperate for silverware

IRK Kuyt hopes Liverpool can continue their smooth progression in the League Cup by beating Stoke City and admits he is "desperate" to end the club's trophy drought. “In all my time as a Liverpool player I have been close to winning trophies," he told the club’s official website. Kuyt has come close a few times to ending his silverware drought on Merseyside, and now setting his sights on a trip to Wembley as he tries to avoid being the longest serving Liverpool player in 40 years never to have won a trophy. The Dutchman joined from Feyenoord in 2006, soon after the club won the FA Cup –

Van der Vaart: We know we can win every game

AFAEL van der Vaart has praised Tottenham Hotspur’s current form and says the club feels like it can win every game. "We’re so confident at the moment, we know we can win every game, especially when we play our game and play good football," he told Tottenham’s official website. Spurs twice conceded a lead at Newcastle midway through October and ended up drawing 2-2, but they bounced back to win at Blackburn the following weekend to continue their fine run of form which has seen them win five out of their last six matches. Van der Vaart has been a pivotal figure during that run,

Thomas Mueller, Phillip Lahm, Sebastien Schweinsteiger, Mario Gomez and Franck Ribery, plus ex-Bayern striker Miroslav Klose, now at Lazio, are also there.

scoring five times in his last four games, and he believes the confidence his side have means the London club feel they are a match for any team in the league. "Last week we drew at Newcastle, everyone was disappointed and that means everything, it says a lot about the team," Van der Vaart said. "It was important to win at Blackburn. I don’t think we played our best game but we won and that’s what matters. We have five wins and a draw [in the last six matches] and as I said, we have a lot of confidence. "It’s always tough at Blackburn but we managed to win and we’re up to fifth, so that’s great."

the club's last trophy. "There was the Champions League final, the semifinal and coming second in the Premier League. We have been close but it is now time to get some silverware," said Kuyt. "Not being involved in Europe is a major blow to the club so the Carling Cup is a great trophy to win because we're all desperate to win some silverware." He added, "Last season was such a disappointment, this one is all about improvement and we can achieve that by doing well in the Carling Cup." Liverpool takes on Stoke and looking to avenge its defeat in the league earlier this season, where it lost despite being the better team for large parts of the match. The Potters have a reputation for being a physical side, something which Kuyt says he and his team are wary of, although he believes they are well equipped to deal with the threat that they pose. "It is one of the most difficult games in the league," he explained. "They are very strong, but we can be a strong, physical team as well. "If we create as many chances as we have been doing we will be happy, but the only thing that has to change is the number of goals we score. That means we have to be more ruthless. "We have a lot of respect for them, but we must look at ourselves. We have a great team and we will be prepared. If we play to our level we know we can do well there.

Vermaelen: I'm fit to face Chelsea

sacked Sven-Goran Eriksson at Leicester City and have CVs from two Irishmen on your desk. On the one hand there's Martin O'Neill, who guided Leicester to the Premier League in the mid-90s and gave the supporters a few exciting years. O'Neill went on to win three SPL titles with Glasgow Celtic before quitting the club to care for his ill wife. Also in the in-tray is a file on Ireland and Manchester United legend Roy Keane. As a manager, he took Sunderland from low in the Championship to Premier League status but quit during his second season in the top flight with the club fighting relegation. A tempestuous stint with Ipswich Town ended with Roy being let go in his second season in charge. Neither Irishman may be offered the job, which could attract Mark Hughes. As the Race to Dubai hots up,

Luke Donald is on course to achieve a unique double, to finish top of both the European and US PGA Tours in the same season. Currently in poll position, Donald may not play in each remaining event, leaving a window open for Rory McIlroy to close the •1,312,826 prize-money gap that marks their first and second places. With his new agency, Conor Ridge's Horizon, in place, McIlroy expects to be increasing his sponsorship and advertising revenue. How the commercial switch might impact on his game remains to be seen. McIlroy insists he's trying to catch Donald in the race. Despite the smoke screen blown out by a fed-up Chubby Chandler, McIlroy's decisive move in switching agents, when non-action might have been the easier course, should be read as forward thinking and courageous.

•Rooney

RSENAL defender Thomas Vermaelen insists he is ready to play regular Premier League football again despite spending two months on the sidelines. The Belgium international has been beset with injuries in recent times and on Tuesday made his latest return after a spell out with an Achilles problem. Vermaelen played 84 minutes of the Gunners' League Cup fourth-round victory against Bolton Wanderers, before he was forced off with a calf injury. Fortunately it proved to be nothing more than cramp and the centre-back now believes he is in good shape to face London rivals Chelsea this weekend if called upon.

Hutton should face Long investigation

OU could see in the first 10-to-15 minutes they tried very hard to kick Shane," said West Brom's Paul Scharner of the Aston Villa tactics that have put Shane Long out of the game for at least six weeks with a chipped bone in his knee. That Alex McLeish's side may have targeted the Ireland

striker is disgraceful and worthy of investigation. Alan Hutton's kamikaze studded challenge on Long is a throwback to the bad old days. Had Hutton assaulted one of Manchester City's or Chelsea's expensive signings, McLeish would be rightly feeling the heat. You are assessing potential managers to take over from a

•Alan Hutton

OSH McEachran could make a move to Swansea on loan, according to ClubCall, with the midfielder hoping to build up more game time to break into the Chelsea starting line-up. At just 18 years of age, McEachran has shown great potential, and clubs have competed to sign the youngster while he finds limited game time at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea have continually insisted that they won’t let McEachran go on loan, but the midfielder wants to improve, and with just two appearances for the Blues so far this season, he isn’t getting the experience he had hoped for. And while Chelsea are hoping to create a star in McEachran, if he leaves on a temporary basis for half the season, Villas-Boas might reportedly be tempted to garner a deal for the youngster. Roman Abramovich is said to have ordered Villas-Boas to use young players like McEachran when Chelsea play Cup matches, but with limited games available to the England Under 21 international, Swansea might be a better option if the deal is a short one.

It was great to be back and to get time on the pitch. I felt fresh, I'm OK and am available for Saturday. Thomas Vermaelen, Arsenal defender "I feel great," Vermaelen told Arsenal Player. "I trained [on Monday] with the team and I felt good straight away so I felt confident for [last night]. "Personally I don't believe in that [needing games to regain sharpness]. If I come back from injury after a long

time I don't believe in coming back and getting rhythm. "I think it is just in your head and a mental thing - if you are a football player you have to be there straight away. That's why I wanted to play today and I think it's good. It was a good game for us, we fought hard and it was a deserved win for us I think." He added: "It was great to be back and to get time on the pitch. I felt fresh, I'm OK and am available for Saturday."

Ben Arfa can be key - Pardew

HE Toon boss believes the Frenchman can prove a valuable asset. A succession of injury problems have followed the sickening broken leg the former Marseille man sustained last October and have limited him to just four appearances this season. Ben Arfa's most recent outing came as a half-time replacement for Leon Best in last weekend's win over Wigan and Pardew was encouraged by the performance. Following a first-team outing at Nottingham Forest, the Newcastle boss could give the 24-year-old his second start

in this campaign's Carling Cup when his unbeaten side take on Blackburn on Wednesday. And Pardew will welcome the talent which made Ben Arfa a smash-hit upon his arrival at St James' Park, as he told the Chronicle: "He is going to be important in these type of games because he can unlock a door. "He can do that at any level. In terms of passes and clever moments, he showed that in little flashes against Wigan. "Hatem is at a much better level than he has ever been since I've been at the football club. "So we're hoping that he will start featuring."

•Arfa

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

SPORT EXTRA

Uchegbulam assures NFF of support C

HAIRMAN of Imo state football association Mazi Amanze Uchegbulam has assured the board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of his support, declaring that he was not in anyway celebrating the poor run of Nigerian teams of late. Uchegbulam in a statement described media reports that quoted him as saying that he wants the Maigari-led board to apologise to him and Alhaji

N890k up for grabs at chess tourney By Stella Bamawo

total cash prize of eight hundred and ninety thousand naira is up for grabs at the 34th NB/NCF international open chess championship slated for November 7-12. The competition would be in eight categories: Fide section, Category 1, Category 11, Ladies, Under14 boys and girls, Swan section and the veterans. It is scheduled to hold at the indoor sports hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. Winner of the FIDE section will go home with two hundred thousand naira while the winner in the Category 1 will win seventy thousand naira. Category11 winner would get fifty thousand naira. Meanwhile, the U-14 boys and girls category winners will win ten thousand naira. The winner of the SWAN category will go home with twenty thousand while the veterans category winner will receive a cash prize of fifty thousand naira. Every registered participant would be presented with a certificate of participation duly signed by the Managing Director and Chief Executive officer of Nigeria Breweries Plc. In the same vein, the President of the Nigeria Chess Federation, Sani Mohammed has commended NBC for their continuous sponsorship while he noted that the recent achievement at the last All Africa Games in Maputo where Bunmi Olape and Olatunji Oluwatobi won gold medals respectively in the male and female sections is a part of the testimony of u n q u a n t i f i a b l e development the Nigerian Breweries PLC tournament has impacted on chess growth in the country.

Sanni Lulu, if there must be a turn around in the nation’s soccer fortunes as untrue. “I have not granted any interview on the state of Nigerian football of late. Beyond that, I must say that as a genuine stakeholder in Nigerian football, I can’t be celebrating when our teams are not doing well. I want to assure the present board that I am ready to render support in whatever way I can for the game to move forward. I may not be on the FA board today, but as chairman of a state FA, it

will be my joy if our teams are doing well. We are members of one family.” The Imo FA boss who is the vice chairman of CAF’s appeals committee stressed that he is praying for the success of the nation’s Dream Team V ahead of next month’s 8-nation Olympic qualifier in Morocco. “All hands must be on deck to ensure that the Dream Team makes it to the London games. I am praying for Austin Eguavoen and his boys to get it right because we cant afford to lose out in Morocco.”

•Seyi Jones, Coach, Bethel Football Academy

www.thenationonlineng.net

TOMORROW IN THE NATION

Surely the Tunisians had the last laugh in spite of Gaddafi’s unsolicited and extravagant interest in their internal affairs. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM VOL. 7,

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

RIPPLES NBA RECOMMENDS PSYCHIATRIC TEST FOR POLICEMEN–NEWS

and I bet, there will be MASS FAILURE

SEGUN GBADEGESIN gbadegesin@thenationonlineng.net

Navigating the global village*

‘

No culture is completely homogenous; there are hybrids, and an otherwise “whole way of life” may be several quasi- independent ways of lives. In such a situation, rational morality filters through the maze of life forms, reconciling them with its appeal to critical standards

‘

S there a moral compass to navigate the “global village?” Central to the concept of a global village is the idea of the village, which the adjective “global” qualifies. We may therefore start by elucidating the idea of a village. The village is one of the most basic units of social life, below which are the neighborhood and the family compound. As the cradle of cultural life, we may imagine the village and its culture as a dot that is replicated across a landscape, each connected by a web of activities ranging from trade to education to spiritual endeavors and we get the picture of a global village. The peasant farmer immersed in the culture of his village and the local dyer shaping the culture of her village are aliens to the traditions of other remote villages they may never visit. And while isolated villages may be culturally and economically self-sufficient, the concept of a global village reminds us of the disappearance of the lonely village conceptually and physically. What comes with the global village is the imperative of the interconnectedness of human activities and human cultures. We may identify two senses of culture. In one sense, culture is a tending activity with nature as its raw material. It is in this sense that we talk of a cultured person and the sense on which Alain Locke focuses our attention when he declares that “the highest intellectual duty is the duty to be cultured. Culture here “suggests a dialectic between the artificial and the natural, what we do to the world and what the world does to us”, as Terry Eagleton puts it. A cultured person is a refined person, one who has been liberated from nature which also suggests that culture is a product of nature, even if it also changes nature. Here culture takes the sense of civilisation. What is interesting is that in this sense of culture, it also can be evaluated: if culture tends, how well does it do it? What might be the standard for such evaluation? For cultural relativists, no outside standard will do. In a second sense popularised by E. B. Tylor, culture is the complex of “knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man (woman) as a member of society.” While universalism is the end-view of the first sense, parochialism is the foundation of the second. The first sense was the basis of European hegemonic exploits leading up the notion of the White Man’s burden and obligation to extend Western civilisation to all the corners of the globe. In the second sense, however, culture is organic and authentic, and every culture is valid. While culture as civility takes the barbaric form of plundering other people’s lands and life forms; in the second sense, equality of cultures as life forms is acknowledged. For if there is no objective basis for evaluating life forms as superior or inferior; it is morally

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wrong to elevate one life form over another. Can we still talk about a moral compass for the global village? Let us draw a distinction between personal, customary, and rational moralities. Personal morality is the morality of an individual, which may be derived from but may also transcend the morality of the group. Customary morality is the morality of the group, derived from its customs and norms. Rational morality is the critical morality that is derived from reason and often but not always in conflict with the other two.

The rules and principles of customary morality are generally based on ideas of life as lived in the society. But sometimes, with the benefit of hindsight, members may come to realise that much of such ideas are based on inadequate thinking on unjustified fear and prejudice. Nearly every society or culture has some elements of their past cultural and moral life they are ashamed of. Rational morality, which is not necessarily external to the culture and which may come from within the ranks of its members, serves as the conscience of the culture, through its critique of cultural practices, thus making cultural and moral progress possible. No culture is completely homogenous; there are hybrids, and an otherwise “whole way of life” may be several quasi- independent ways of lives. In such a situation, rational morality filters through the maze of life forms, reconciling them with its appeal to critical standards. What is important is to realise that such an approach requires humility and tolerance. For if it is assumed that every life form, as such, has legitimacy in view of being the life form of a people, then any critical standard that rational morality would bring to bear on it, especially if it is midwifed from outside the group, must proceed with the mind-set of a learner, not of a teacher. The idea is that a culture has something to teach us as outsiders. In the process, we may confront some aspects of the culture that challenge our moral sensibilities. If it is based on a morality that is not quite similar to ours, we have to ask for education. Perhaps it will become clear, or of it does not, perhaps we can discuss the conflicting moralities and come to an understanding. In many cases,

HARDBALL O FAR, the Federal Government has not disclosed when the phased removal of petroleum subsidy will begin, nor has it announced the percentage of subsidy to be removed in the first, second, or infinity phase. It preoccupies itself with asserting that petroleum products are reaching Nigerian consumers at subsidised prices. In government circles, no one is interested in where the so-called subsidy came from in the first instance; and outside government circles, nearly everyone is arguing that subsidy must not be removed. Informed commentators, however, take a different view. They insist the government’s subsidy calculations are at worst fraudulent and at best inaccurate, and, therefore, officials need to come up with more persuasive facts and figures. Hardball will not take sides yet. However, he is intrigued that the government’s thinking on fuel subsidy is, like Charles Darwin’s apes, still evolving. The latest information on the matter comes from the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, in faraway Australia. According to her, the federal government is considering assembling a group of ‘highly respected’ Nigerians to monitor the subsidy withdrawal and advise on the use of the fund. The names of the eminent people, the minister adds, are even already on the table of President Goodluck Jonathan waiting for approval. This desperate ploy to win public acceptance is in some annoying ways similar to the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) set up by the late Gn Sani Abacha and first managed by

DAYO SOBOWALE

dialogue reveals acceptable agreement, if not truth, and that is good enough. Is there then a moral compass to navigate the global village? There are two issues here. First and more crucial is to be armed with an adequate knowledge of the global village, its cultural contours and moral landscape. On the understanding that every life form, in principle, deserves respect, and one may disrespect inadvertently without adequate knowledge, to avoid such an unfortunate but painful inter-personal disaster, it is imperative that one navigates with a good understanding of other cultures. The second issue is at the urging of my philosophical temperament. I have made a casual reference to cultural relativism above. It is important to end on this note to avoid being misunderstood about the issue of respect for cultures. I want to suggest that in some cases cultures may be criticised, even chastised, from a moral point of view, even when we are armed with a moral compass. Cultural practices, emanating from particular cultures, may promote or negate human flourishing within the culture itself. From the human angle, culture is made for human beings and not the other way round. Amilcar Cabral’s account of culture as the fruit of a people’s history speaks eloquently to this point. Culture must not negate the flourishing of its members. Human sacrifice, enslavement, oppressive governance, and heavy handedness by security agents, are cultural and institutional practices that negate the flourishing of members and they cannot be morally justified simply by appeal to the relativity of cultures. However, practices that members of the society develop in their unique approach to nature and social life which have no negative impact on human flourishing are immune from moral criticism. Consider religious practices (e.g. divination without the practice of human sacrifice). Suppose an outsider claims that these believers risk losing their souls to hell fire and therefore they must be forced to convert as Rousseau would force a recalcitrant citizen to be free. Here cultural relativism has a valid claim to intervene and reject the path suggested by an impaired moral compass. Moral and religious zealotry has no place in the global village. The Responsibility to Protect has a foundation in this reasoning. *Abridged version of a Keynote Address delivered at a recent conference. •For comments, send SMS to 08057634061

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Between PTF and subsidy monitors Gen Muhammadu Buhari, a former head of state. Given the cleverness with which AlisonMadueke worded her announcement – she talks about monitors and advisers – you immediately sense that there is a devil somewhere in the detail. Recall that under Abacha, Buhari had nearabsolute control over how the subsidy fund was utilised, a freedom that irritated Chief Olusegun Obasanjo when he assumed power. Under Jonathan, however, the eminent men of integrity will only ‘monitor and advise.’ Now, as all of us know, under the highly variable Jonathan and the insatiable Peoples Democratic Party goblins, monitoring is virtually useless, and advice nugatory. It is of course possible that the government is wary of the argument Obasanjo used to neutralise the PTF, and is therefore loth to attract criticism over the creation of an unconstitutional organ whose expenditures are outside the purviews of both the budgeting process and the oversight of the National Assembly. But to talk of monitoring and advising when billions of naira is involved, is to take levity to new heights, and red herrings to new warrens. In reality, however, it is more likely that Jonathan is simply and elegantly opposed to establishing any bureaucratic organ that will enjoy independent control of a humungous amount of regular income. The larcenous

Abacha had the discipline to let PTF be because he wanted to be left alone to accomplish grander and more profound filching. What could be Jonathan’s motive in assembling eminent people on the subsidy fund when he does not intend to allow them do more than monitor and advise? And which ‘highly respected’ Nigerian would agree to such redundant and cosmetic national duty? Well, going by our recent history and the sorry demystification of our leaders, you never can tell. If the government goes ahead to constitute its subsidy fund advisers and monitors, it would leave the outstanding issue of whether we can trust Jonathan to let the monitors advise well. Governors, who are also fellow politicians with the president, don’t even trust him. That is why they are dragging the federal government to the Supreme Court over the Sovereign Wealth Fund issue. Why should anyone expect us to trust him over the management of subsidy fund when those close to him doubt his intentions all round? In any case, what has the government done with the Ministry of Niger Delta, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and other bodies it has had the fecundity to create but not the profundity to manage? Maybe it is time we exhumed the Greek philosopher and logician, Plato, to teach our leaders the fundamentals of a just society expounded in his book, The Republic.

Published and printed by Vintage Press Limited. Corporate Office: 27B Fatai Atere Way, Matori, Lagos. P.M.B. 1025,Oshodi, Lagos. Telephone: Switch Board: 01-8168361. Editor Daily:01-8962807, Marketing: 01-8155547 . Abuja Office: Plot 5, Nanka Close AMAC Commercial Complex, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. Tel: 07028105302. E-mail: info@thenationonlineng.net Editor: GBENGA OMOTOSO

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