The Nation October 7, 2011

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Governors back subsidy cut

Eagles will beat Guinea, says Yobo

SPOR T SPORT

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NEWS – Page 9

•Nigeria’s captain: we ‘ll qualify

•‘It’s tough decision in people’s interest’ www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 7, NO. 1906 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

EFCC detains Akala, Daniel, Akwe Doma Daniel: truth will prevail Ex-Oyo governor: I was invited

By Yusuf Alli, Bisi Oladele and Musa Odoshimokhe

•Alao-Akala

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HREE former governors – Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo), Gbenga Daniel (Ogun) and Aliyu Akwe Doma (Nasarawa) – were detained after being arrested yesterday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The anti-graft agency is questioning them at its Abuja head office on alleged mismanagement of about N100 billion.

Alao-Akala was arrested in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. Daniel was picked up in Lagos.

Doma was seized in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.

There was drama surrounding the arrest of Daniel. He allegedly avoided EFCC operatives at his Asoludero Court mansion in Sagamu, Ogun State, at midnight on Wednesday.

Aware that the EFCC operatives were bent on arresting him, Daniel reportedly telephoned the EFCC, through a proxy, saying he learnt that he was wanted by the agency and would like to report at the commission’s annex office in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The ex-Ogun State governor gave himself up at the EFCC’s Lagos office, where he was picked up.

Continued on page 4

•Daniel, accompanied by his wife Olufunke, arriving at the EFCC office in Abuja ... last night

•Doma

PHOTO: Abayomi Fayese

THE ALLEGATIONS DOMA: AKALA: DANIEL: •Diversion and misappropria- •Diversion and misappropria- •Diversion and misappropriation of N18 billion tion of N58.5 billion tion of N25 billion

Security agents arrest Lagos banker over Okah

STORY ON PAGE 4

•Okah

27 AK47 rifles found in another suspect’s home

•AGRIC P13 •BRAND P15 •SPORT P24 •SOCIETY P29 •POLITICS P43

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THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

NEWS

Governors, others absent at Yoruba conference

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•President Goodluck Jonathan being received on arrival in Ethiopia by African ambassadors at the Bole International Airport Addis Ababa ... yesterday PHOTO: NAN

T was billed to be the biggest gathering of the Yoruba elite in politics and the professions.

But yesterday’s panYoruba Conference in Ikenne, Ogun State, home of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, failed to live up to its billing.

It flopped.

Southwest governors, senators and other elected government functionaries from the zone, were absent.

The conference was jointly convened by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade and Chief HID Awolowo, the matriarch of the family of the late sage, to promote unity among the Yoruba.

All current and past public office holders, traditional

Security agents arrest Lagos banker over Okah

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ECURITY agents have arrested two men who they believe are allies of Henry Okah, the militant leader.

Held is a Lagos banker, Nonso Nnaemeka, who was whisked away on Tuesday by security operatives, believed to be from the State Security Services (SSS).

Okah, the acclaimed leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), is standing trial in a South African court for alleged terrorism.

He is accused of being the mastermind of the twinbomb blasts that rocked the Eagle Square, Abuja, on October 1, last year during the Golden Jubilee anniversary of Nigeria’s Independence.

Also held is Jessica David, who is also known as Segun.

Both are believed to have strong links with Okah.

Nnaemeka and David were taken to Abuja yesterday for further interrogation. The Director-General of the State

By Bunmi Ogunmodede

Security Services (SSS), Mr Ekpenyong said on Tuesday that he had not been briefed of the arrest.

When contacted, the Assistant Director, Public Relations of the SSS, Mrs. Marylyn Ogar, said: “I am just coming in from Lagos, I am not aware of any arrest. I know the service is doing something but I have not been briefed, I am not aware.

When I have the information, I will let you know.”

The outlawed MEND had, on September 28, issued a three-paragraph statement, warning Nigerians to stay away from the Eagle Square, which it promised to bomb.

The October 1, last year, bombing killed 10 people and injured more than 35 others, including 11 policemen.

The government, in a lastminute move, shifted the Independence anniversary celebrations to the Presidential Villa.

Though the Federal Government would not publicly admit so, it was believed that the development may not be unconnected with threats by militant groups, specifically MEND and the Boko Haram, to attack the Eagle Square.

Six suspects, including Henry Okah’s younger brother, Charles, are standing trial at an Abuja Federal High Court in connection with the October 1, last year attack.

The banker’s arrest is the second of such in Lagos within 72 hours, made by a team of detectives on the trail of Okah’s suspected allies.

At the bank yesterday, Nnaemeka’s colleagues told customers that he was away on an assignment.

The Nation learnt that David was arrested on Sunday at Iyana-Iba, a Lagos suburb, for his alleged control of Okah’s businesses.

Sources said 27 AK47 riffles and 200 rounds of ammunition were found in his cus-

tody. The arms were concealed in a vehicle parked in his house.

A source in the bank told of how the manager was arrested at work on Tuesday, following the information given by David.

“When arrested, every detail on Okah, including a lot of correspondences, was on the banker’s phone. He claimed to be a childhood friend to Okah,” the source said, pleading not to be named.

After a two-day drilling, the bank manager, who lives in a three-bedroom apartment in Festac Town, was found to own houses in highbrow Ikoyi and Victoria Island.

Security agents, it was learnt, had used a tracking equipment to locate the suspected Okah ally at Iba. The hunt for Okah’s allies was intensified following a threats from MEND to disrupt the scheduled celebration of Nigeria’s 51st Independence anniversary.

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

amd opinion leaders from the zone, among others, were invited. But only a few of them attended.

Governors Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) and Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), were absent. Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko was represented by his deputy, Alhaji Ali Olanusi.

Ex-Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel came in and left a few minutes later. Other former governors in the Southwest: Adebayo AlaoAkala (Oyo), Segun Oni (Ekiti), Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun) and Olusegun Agagu (Ondo) also did not show up.

Lawmakers in the state and National Assembly were also absent.

Traditional rulers, such as the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Michael Gbadebo, the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Kayode Adetona and the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Michael Sonariwo, were not there.

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and National Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Chief Bisi Akande, in separate statements, criticised the process leading to the meeting. They also questioned the motive of the conveners.

But the Ooni and Mrs Awolowo, in their goodwill messages, said the meeting is not political but a “family affair.”

Present were Chief Olu Falae, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Chief Olaniwun Ajayi, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, Prelate of Methodist Church Bishop Ola Makinde, Erelu Abiola-Dosunmu, Chief Kofo Bucknor-Akerele, Senator Anthony Adefuye, Chief

Ebenezer Babatope, Gen. Oladipo Diya, Otunba Gani Adams, Dr. Frederick Fasehun, Senator Iyiola Omisore and businessman Jimoh Ibrahim, among others.

Mrs Awolowo said given the population of the Yoruba, their level of education and sophistication, it will be strange for the people to move in one direction politically. She urged critics of the conference to have “the love and interest of the race at heart”.

She said if the race had taken seriously the philosophical message embedded in the lyrics of a popular song by the late doyen of theatre, Chief Hubert Ogunde, they would not have had to hold the short end of the stick in the current scheme of things in the country.

She said Yoruba children have become ready victims of routine violence and killings in Jos, the beleaguered Plateau State capital, adding that the situation would have been different if there had been the spirit of forgiveness and unity among the people.

In the communiqué issued at the end of the conference, the meeting deplored the deliberate plan to “isolate” the Yoruba from governance at the centre.

It resolved to send a high-powered delegation to President Goodluck Jonathan to intimate him of the observed “plights.”

The delegation is also to draw the attention of the President to the problems. The communiqué also called on the Federal Government to address youth unemployment, noting that Yoruba youths are the worse hit.

The communique condemned the attempt by some people to cause problem, discord and disharmony within the country, using the Boko Haram members as tools.

It appealed to Boko Haram to halt bombings and allow the Federal Government to find solutions to problems confronting them.

EFCC detains Alao-Akala, Daniel, Akwe Doma Continued from page 1

Alao-Akala was arrested at his New Bodija Quarters home in Ibadan.

He was flown to Abuja aboard an Arik Air flight from Lagos. Daniel was taken aboard IRS Airline.

The ex-Ogun State Governor arrived at the EFCC office in Abuja, accompanied by his wife, Olufunke.

Oyo State government asked the EFCC to allow the law take its course, following the arrest of Alao-Akala.

In a statement, Festus Adedayo, Special Adviser to Governor Abiola Ajimobi, said: “Though the arrest is a vindication of our earlier allegation of the predatory clean-up of the state’s patrimony for four years by the Alao-Akala government, the present government does not want to gloat over the fate of the former governor. We only enjoin both the EFCC and the judiciary to allow justice to be done.”

Diran Odeyemi, AlaoAkala’s aide said the former governor was not arrested by the EFCC, but invited.

Odeyemi said: “This morning, Otunba Alao-Akala left from his Ibadan residence to Lagos to honour an invitation by the EFCC. He was later transferred to Abuja. He was

not arrested and by this we are correcting the insinuation that he was arrested.

“He is aware of the statutory functions of the EFCC and hopefully prepared to answer any question put to him. As a retired police officer, he is aware of the consequences of any crime committed while in office.

“He governed with the fear of God, we are not anticipating any problem and we believe that he is in safe hands with the EFCC.” Daniel’s media assistant Adegbenro Adebanjo, in a statement entitled: Daniel: I will be indicated, said: “Today, agents of the EFCC visited the Sagamu home of Otunba Gbenga Daniel. When they got there, Otunba Daniel was at the pan-Yoruba Summit in Ikenne. On learning of their presence in Sagamu, Otunba Daniel left Ikenne to join them. He was taken away by the agents, ostensibly to continue investigation into the petitions it had received against the former governor.

“It is important to state that prior to their visit, Otunba Daniel had not been invited to answer any question. Also, nothing incriminating has been found or brought to his notice by officials of the EFCC prior to their visit to his house on Thursday. Indeed, when

speculation became rife that he may be invited for questioning, a scheduled trip abroad by the former governor was put on hold in order for him to be available to answer the summons of the EFCC. “As a law abiding citizen, Otunba Daniel expects the agency to follow the due process in the current situation.

“Otunba Daniel remains confident that he will be vindicated as the petitions written against him and which may have formed the basis of his invitation, by the EFCC are politically-motivated.

“We believe that at the end of the day, the truth will prevail.”

The three governors are wanted in connection with alleged fraud as follows: Daniel (N58b); Alao-Akala (N25b) and Doma (N18b).

A EFCC source, who spoke in confidence, said: “These exgovernors will be quizzed alongside some of their excommissioners and contractors.

“We have already prepared a list of ex-commissioners and contractors that will appear before our interrogation team.

“Although we have reports that some ex-commissioners and contractors in Oyo State have gone underground, we may declare them wanted, if

necessary. There is a case of a big time contractor in Oyo who has been located in Britain.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “We are likely to detain the ex-governors, pending the conclusion of investigations.

“We will surely complete our investigations within a timeline in order to arraign them in court.”

EFCC spokesman Femi Babafemi said: “At the moment, I know we have three ex-governors – Alao-Akala, Daniel and Doma – with us for interaction over allegations of fraud while in office.

“They are being investigated for alleged diversion and misappropriation of N58.5billion (Alao-Akala); N25 billion (Daniel); and Doma (N18billion).

“I cannot say how soon they will be released because investigation has just started.”

It was learnt that their arrest was fuelled by petitions from their states.

Part of the N25billion allegedly mismanaged by AlaoAkala is the alleged deduction of N8.2billion from the Excess Crude Funds belonging to the 33 local government areas to finance 155-kilometre road projects.

Each of the 33 local government areas was forced to part

with N250million for the special road projects.

About five-kilometre road is to be constructed in each of the 33 local government areas.

Alao-Akala is expected to make the following clarifications: why the said deduction was not backed by law; diversion of a part of the fund; inflation of road contracts in some councils; and non-execution of the projects in some local governments.

Prior to his arrest, a six-man panel raised by the EFCC chairman, Mrs. Farida Waziri, had isolated some allegations against Daniel.

Some of the allegations are as follows: “Diversion of about N12billion revenue in Ogun State Bureau of Lands and Survey.

“Non-remittance of N1billion deducted from Ogun State workers’ salaries.

“Fraudulent and illegal payment of N1bilion purportedly as counterpart funding for water projects.

“Illegal debt servicing to the tune of N5.2billion as against an appropriation of N350million for the same purpose in 2009.

“Payment of N300million electricity utility charges by the State Electricity Project Agency, despite direct deduction of same from various Ministries, Departments and

Agencies (MDAs).

“Diversion of N500million agricultural loan granted by National Agricultural Credit Bank for Rural Development.

“Diversion to cronies and associates of N5billion in the name of salaries and allowances under the Contingency and Miscellaneous of the Office of the Governor.

“Questionable transfer and disposal of governmentowned enterprises and investment portfolio of over N15billion by Gateway Holding without enabling law or House of Assembly approval.

“Illegal purchase of 20 refurbished graders to the tune of N950million for Local Government Areas and subsequent deductions from their allocations monthly.

“Illegal purchase of 20 Toyota Prado SUVs to the tune of N200million for local government areas and subsequent illegal deduction of same from their accounts and allocations.

“Fraudulent procurement of loans from various financial institutions (mostly banks) amounting to over N22billion without approval from the House of Assembly.”

Doma is alleged to have inflated contracts; duplicated contracts and mismanaged the Local Government Joint Account.

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

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

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NEWS Police officers arrested for alleged theft

The man Jobs Apple founder B Steve Jobs dies at 56

A

PPLE founder Steve Jobs died yesterday after a protracted battle with pancreatic cancer.

He died on a day Apple shares fell 1.2 per cent to $373.73 in pre-market trading in the United States.

The 56-year-year-old lived and breathed the business which began life in a garage and became the most valuable company in the world.

There have been four apples that changed the world. The one that Eve ate, the one that fell on Newton’s head, The Beatles Record label and the business Jobs named after that.

Jobs once said: “Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me. Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful.

That’s what matters to me.”

Tributes, led by President Barack Obama, began pouring in within minutes of the company confirming the death of the mastermind behind the iPhone, iPad and the iPod at the age of 56.

Fans took to Twitter to pay tribute to Steve Jobs' in their masses. Within minutes of the announcement by Apple, RIP Steve Jobs was trending.

Soon after iHeaven, iClouds, iSad and ThankYouSteve also began repeatedly to be tweeted.

In the hour after his death was announced, there were more than 170,000 mentions of 'RIP Steve Jobs' on Twitter.

A statement by Apple’s board of directors said:”We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today...Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple.”

Jobs leaves a wife, a son and two daughters.

His relatives also released a statement, which said he “died peacefully today, surrounded by his family.”

ORN in San Francisco in 1955, Mr Jobs, who was adopted, dropped out of university after one term and only took his first computer job to raise money to go on a spiritual retreat to India.

He returned a Buddhist with his head shaved and admitted experimenting with LSD, calling his drug-induced experiences ‘one of the two or three most important things’ he had done in his life.

Back in northern California, he started working for computer firm Atari before founding Apple in his garage in 1976 with friends Steve Wozniak, Ronald Wayne and Mike Makkula.

After a power struggle in 1985, he left Apple, only to return eleven years later to launch the company’s extraordinary growth over the past fourteen years.

He proved to be the comeback kid. After a successful stint running Pixar, during which time the first Toy Story movie was released, he returned to his spiritual home.

Jobs’ masterstroke was staying one step ahead of the opposition by making complex kit so simple to use and making it look sexy and desirable. This also enabled the company to charge a premium for its products and attract the best designers.

The success of the iPod, offering “1,000 songs in your pocket”, in 2001, led to a lengthy legal battle with The Beatles’ record label which had let him use the name provided he steered clear of music.

That row finally ended last year when the Fab Four’s music finally went on sale on iTunes.

The deal was yet another testimony to the irresistible force of Jobs’ personality and the power of his Apple empire.

Apple CEO Tim Cook announced the news of Jobs’s death to Apple employees via e-mail, in which he said: ‘I have some very sad news I want to share with all of you. ‘’Death is very likely the single best invention of life. It is life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. We are planning a celebration of Steve’s extraordinary life for Apple employees that will take place soon.

“No words can adequately express our sadness at Steve’s death or our gratitude for the opportunity to work with him.”

Obama tweeted: “Rest in peace, Steve Jobs. From all of us at Obama2012, thank you for the work you make possible every day - including ours.”

Mr Obama later gave a fuller statement, in which he praised Jobs as a ‘visionary’ who was “bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it.”

He added: “And there may be no

By Jude Isiguzo

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HREE senior police officers have been arrested over the disappearance of N11.8 million from the Police Microfinance Bank, located at the Police College, Ikeja.

The money was allegedly stolen from the bank’s vault during the public holiday on Monday.

The trio were taken to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti-Yaba, for interrogation.

Police said they suspect an insider’s link in the operation.

According to the police, the robbers came to the bank, which is directly behind the office of the College Commandant and opened the doors with their own keys.

But spokesman for the Lagos Police Command, Jinadu said the stolen money was not police salary.

He said the police is not the only body that use the bank.

Health workers decry subsidy removal From Olugbnega Adanikin, Abuja

M •Jobs

greater tribute to Steve’s success than the fact that much of the world learned of his passing on a device he invented.”

Steve Wozniak, who started Apple with Jobs in 1976, said he will miss him ‘as much as everyone’.

As CEO he earned only $1 a year, but he held 5,426 million Apple shares as well as 138 million shares in Disney.

His wealth is estimated at more than $5billion.

With his trademark jeans and casual jumper, he became synonymous with the company’s every innovation in recent years, from the iPod through to the iPhone and iPad. Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates also spoke of the 'profound impact' Jobs had on the world.

“I'm truly saddened to learn of Steve Jobs' death. Steve and I first met nearly 30 years ago, and have been colleagues, competitors and friends over the course of more than half our lives.

'The world rarely sees someone who has had the profound impact Steve has had, the effects of which will be felt for many generations to come. For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him, it's been an insanely great honour. I will miss Steve immensely.”

Google Chief Executive Larry Page posted on his Google+ account: “He always seemed to be able to say in very few words what you actually should have been thinking before you thought it. His focus on the user experience above all else has always been an inspiration to me.”

In a statement, Bob Iger, chief executive of Walt Disney, described Jobs as a person whose 'legacy will extend far beyond the products he created or the businesses he built.'

California Governor Jerry Brown, Arnold Schwarzenegger, the former California governor and Hollywood actor, Michael Dell, CEO and founder Dell Inc, also described him as a visionary.

Nobel prize for literature goes to Swedish poet

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HE Swedish Academy has responded to accusations of insularity over recent years by awarding the 2011 Nobel prize for literature to one of their own: the Swedish poet Tomas Tranströmer.

Tranströmer becomes the eighth European to win the world’s premier literary award in the last 10 years, following the German novelist Herta Müller in 2009, the French writer JMG le Clézio in 2008 and the British novelist Doris Lessing in 2007.

Praised by the judges for “his condensed translucent images” which give us “fresh access to reality”, Tranströmer’s surreal explorations of the inner world and its relation to the jagged landscape of his native country have been translated into 50 languages.

Born in Stockholm in 1931, Tranströmer studied at the University of Stockholm and worked as a psychologist at an institution for young offenders. His first collection of poetry, 17 Dikter (17 Poems), was published in 1954,

while he was still at college. Collections, including Hemligheter på vägen (1958) and Klangar och spår (1966) reflected on his travels in the Balkans, Spain and Africa, while the poems in Östersjöar (1974) examine the troubled history of the Baltic region through the conflict between sea and land.

He suffered a stroke in 1990 which affected his ability to talk, but has continued to write, with his collection Sorgegondolen going on to sell 30,000 copies on its pubilcation in 1996. At a recent appearance in London, his words were read by others, while the poet, who is a keen amateur musician, contributed by playing pieces specially composed for him to play on the piano with only his left hand.

Tranströmer has described his poems as “meeting places,” where dark and light, interior and exterior collide to give a sudden connection with the world, history or ourselves. According to the poet, “The language marches in step with the executioners. Therefore, we must get a new language.”

Peter Englund, permanent sec-

retary of the Swedish Academy, admitted the choice of a Swede could “perhaps” be seen as controversial internationally, but added that “one should also keep in mind that it is 40 years since this last happened”: the last Swede to win the literature Nobel was in 1974, when the Swedish authors Eyvind Johnson and Harry Martinson took the prize jointly. “It’s not that we spread them around on Swedes each and every year,” said Englund. “We have been quite thoughtful about this – we have not been rash in choosing a Swede.”

Tranströmer is also well-known internationally, translated into more than 60 languages, stressed Englund, recommending two collections that have been translated into English, The Half-finished Heaven and New and Collected Poems. “Both of them are pure gold. They are very good, and I understand that he translates very well,” said Englund.

Although Englund said that Tranströmer’s production has been “sparse” – “you could fit it

EDICAL workers under the auspices of the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions of Nigeria (SSAUTHRIAI) have kicked against the planned removal of Petroleum subsidy by the Federal Government. It said such step, if taken, would “inflict serious hardship on Nigerians.”

In a communiqué issued in Abuja yesterday and signed by the Health Sector President, Joshua Chijioke and his secretary, Umo Williams, the association said the removal of the subsidy would affect the cost of other goods and services.

Group faults govt on independence

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HE Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum (YRLF) yesterday criticised the Federal Government’s mode of celebrating the nation’s 51st anniversary.

The group said it was wrong to shift the celebration of the anniversary from –the traditional venue – the Eagle Square to the Presidential Villa.

The YRLF, in a statement by its Secretary General Akin Malaolu, said: “We find it rather odd that in quick succession, the President rather than promote strength, love and to loyally defend the nation’s integrity, has again considered Eagle Square a wrong place to celebrate our independence anniversary and therefore moved it to the precinct of Aso Rock Villa.”

‘Subsidy removal amounts to terrorism’

R •Tomas Tranströmer

into a not too large pocket book, all of it” – the permanent secretary praised his “exquisite” language. “He is writing about the big questions: about death, history, memory, nature,” he said. “Human beings are sort of the prism where all these great entities meet and it makes us important. You can never feel small after reading the poetry of Tomas Tranströmer.”

IGHTS activist Morakinyo Ogele has described the purported removal of oil subsidy by government as a total declaration of poverty on poor Nigerians.

He said at 51, instead of addressing the multifaceted problems facing the country, government was bent on creating more hardship for the already battered masses who suffer subsidy removal.

He said: “PDP administration is daily punishing Nigerians in a country where there is no security, good road, poverty is spreading like the tentacles of octopus, education is in disarray, notwithstanding government is trying to hard to increase the hardship faced by the people.”

Ogele urged human rights organisations to resist the move, which he described as terrorism.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

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NEWS THE JACKSON TRIAL (DAY 8)

Nigeria: IT is the most populous Black nation in the world, the fifth largest producer of oil and Africa’s most popular country. Yet, reports from development organisations show that attaining the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), especially the health and poverty compenents, is near impossible for Nigeria, write OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA and WALE ADEPOJU

U

•(From top) Drugs found in Jackson’s home displayed at the trial yesterday; Dr. Murray; and Los Angeles County coroner investigator Elissa Fleak...yesterday.

PHOTOS: Getty Images

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HE day eight of the trial of Dr. Conrad Murray for the alleged involuntary murder of Michael Jackson focused on the haul of drugs recovered from his home shortly after his death.

Prosecutors tried to convince a jury that Murray was responsible for the pop star's death.

Toxicologist Dan Anderson said he found Midazolam, lorazepam, diazepam in blood from Jackson's heart. Also found in the blood were Propofol, lidocaine. He said no cocaine was detected.

Coroner's investigator Elissa Fleak Fleak began the day by continuing to identify pieces of evidence collected from Jackson's home.

She told the court she found a large collection of drugs and medical paraphernalia in the pop star's bedroom and wardrobe, including vials of propofol, the drug that killed him. She said the drugs were hidden away in bags she found in a cupboard in the star's bedroom.

She also found an empty vial of the drug on the floor by the bed and an array of different sedatives and prescription painkillers in medicine bottles bearing the name of the star and an alias he is known to have used.

The drugs were found in two searches of the singer's Los Angeles mansion within days of the tragedy.

Miss Fleak, who works for the Los Angeles County Coroner, said she examined Jackson's body after he was taken to hospital to see if she could determine any obvious cause of death.

She took a number of photos of the star - including one shown on the opening day of the trial - but said she was unable to see what caused Jackson's collapse.

She testified that she also found medical equipment, including oxygen bottles, IV containers, syringes and a jug or urine in Jackson's bedroom.

But defence lawyer, Ed Chernoff pointed out some apparent inconsistencies and omissions in Fleak's records. Her initial notes did not indicate that a propofol bottle was found inside an IV bag, but her revised notes did. She also did not photograph the bottle in the bag before removing it.

In addition, Chernoff noted that she moved one bottle of medication before photographing it, that her notes said gloves were found on the floor when photos showed them on a chair and that she left a fingerprint on one of the syringes found in the room. Fleak also acknowledged that she did not collect and test a juice bottle that was on Jackson's night stand with some of the bottles of prescription drugs.

On redirect, prosecutor David Walgren asked if Fleak had ever conducted what she considered a perfect investigation and she said no.

After Fleak testified, Walgren read a stipulation that fingerprint analysis was conducted on many of the vials and pieces of medical equipment found in Jackson's room and only the propofol bottle found in the saline bag had Conrad Murray's prints on it. Of the other items where prints were detected, Michael Jackson, Murray and several of Jackson's employees were all eliminated as possible sources.

Walgren began to review results of toxicology testing on Jackson's body with coroner's office toxicologist Dan Anderson Munray's lawyers for the doctor spent the first half of the eighth day of his trial calling into question key evidence against him. In aggressive cross-examination, defence lawyer Ed Chernoff questioned Ms Fleak's recollection, suggesting she had made a "substantial number of mistakes" in her investigation of the scene.

He highlighted that she had de-

stroyed her original notes, left a thumb print on a syringe, and showed the court photos with latex gloves on a chair in the singer's bedroom, when her report said they were on the floor.

Chernoff also showed court the photograph of the saline bag that a prosecution witness said had a propofol bottle inside it, with some of the milky white substance collected at the bottom.

The lawyer highlighted that this was the only photograph of the bag, and in it the propofol bottle had been taken out, and there did not appear to be any of white liquid inside.

Ms Fleak admitted that she has never conducted a "perfect" investigation, but insisted it was common practice to destroy original notes once the detail had been recorded in a formal report.

In a blow to the defence team, she said she had requested Jackson's medical records, and that when she received them there were no records past April 2009. The singer died in June of that year.

Later the court heard the full police interview with Murray in the days after his patient's death.

Murray has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter. If convicted he faces four years in prison and will have his medical licence revoked.

It has also emerged that Jackson slept with a doll. A photo of Jackson's deathbed, taken just days after he died, showed the child's toy lying on top of the singer's white sheets.

The doll had blonde hair and was dressed in brown dungarees and sandals. It was impossible to tell if it was male or female.

Lying next to the doll on Jacko's bed sheets was a black Bose CD player and a CD.The never-beforeseen snaps of Jackson's private bedroom were shown to jurors during the eighth day of Dr Conrad Murray's trial at Los Angeles Superior Court.

NITED Nations SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon holds job that compels him to scoff at global warming, rail against global violence and condemn poverty. But, when he, not too long ago, went on the offensive against maternal deaths, it was with some personal touches.

He brought the reality to life and stressed that the millions of women and children who die from preventable deaths are not just mere statistics but people with names and faces.

Said he: “We must, therefore, do more for the teenage girl facing an unwanted pregnancy; for the married woman who has found she is infected with HIV Virus; and for the mother who faces complications in childbirth and for newborn who succumbs to infection for want of simple injection and for the young boy who will never reach his full potential because of malnutrition.”

Ki-moon touched on three of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which, eleven years ago, Nigeria and 188 other countries made a pledge to, within 15 years, address. The three are: reducing child mortality, combating HIV/ AIDS, malaria and other diseases, and eradicating extreme poverty and hunger.

Two of these 8 goals, which the then President Olusegun Obasanjo promised to fight, can only be achieved with a sound health sector. They are: improving maternal health and combating diseases.

Significantly too, these two goals are somehow tied to the first goal of eradicating poverty.

A development expert in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Ibadan, Bolatito LanreAbass says: “Poverty is also a major cause of maternal mortality, as it prevents many women from getting proper and adequate medical attention due to their inability to afford good antenatal care.”

Recent reports show that attaining these aims remain a mirage. The New York-based Centre for Reproductive Rights report entitled Broken Promises: Human Rights Accountability and Maternal Deaths says: “Nigeria has done little to address them.”

The World Bank 2012 World Development Report (WDR) on Gender and Equality released September 17 does not score the country high with the Co-director, WDR Mr Sudhir Shetty saying: “In the case of Nigeria, what is observed is that the maternal mortality is still quite high, which is also a big issue in almost all parts of Africa.

There is a need for necessary improvement in health care delivery.”

He adds: “The second issue is that female farmers have lower yield than their male counterparts and this calls for discussion on the need to improve women’s access to resources through window mechanisms, window access to productive resources, improved technology and education.”

A World Bank report says the chances of Nigeria meeting the 2015 deadline to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are slim.

The report released at the justconcluded Annual Meeting of the bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) listed only four African countries as likely to attain the goals.

The report reads: “Four countries: Cape Verde, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Malawi will likely achieve most of the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 or soon thereafter. Despite success, serious development challenges remain in Africa.”

The report says about half of the continent’s population live on 1.25 dollar per day; about 645 women die during pregnancy while child birth per 100,000 life birth.

The report, however, observe that maternal mortality is on the decline.

“Child mortality rates are also declining, the rate of HIV infection is stabilising , primary school completion rate is rising faster than anywhere else in the world and the percentage of people living in extreme poverty falling,’’ it says.

The United Nations Human Development Report also offers scary details which have made experts rule out the possibility of being able to combat diseases effectively and reducing maternal mortality. The report put Nigeria’s life expectancy at birth at 48.4 years, a little above the 47.7 years recorded for the country last year. The 2010 report put the country’s Human Development Index (HDI) at 0.423, making the country 142 out of 169 countries with comparable data.

Nigeria is not within the high Human Development rank, neither did it make the High Human Development rating. It was not also ranked among the countries that made it to the Medium Human Development strata. Rather, it is in the lowest ranking nations in the Low Human Development category. It is in the twenty-seventh position, counting from the

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

7

NEWS

miles away from the MDGs

•Jonathan

rump.

The report puts under-five mortality stood at 186 out of every 1,000 live births. Low life expectancy impacts on the nation because it retards a country’s development.

About 10 countries account for nearly two-thirds of the world’s maternal mortality, with India contributing 22 percent or 117,000 deaths. Nigeria accounted for 10 percent of the deaths with 59,000 maternal deaths, according to a 2005 study. This translates to one death in 13 live births. Many diseases are occurring and reoccurring. HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, diabetes and cancer are taking their tolls on Nigerians.

President of an anti-maternal mortality organisation, Oops I’m Pregnant (OIP), Mrs. Osaze Ebinda, says: “ The possibility that something could go wrong makes pregnancy less appealing for many. There is need for government to show greater willingness and enthusiasm to have communication and collaboration with ad-hoc health service providers and strive to provide government machineries to reach and serve relatively more deprived areas and people.”

According to the President Society of Perinatal Medicine of Nigeria (SOPMON), Prof Godwin Ajayi, Nigeria is still at the lower rung of the ladder in the attainment of MDGs, particular in prevention of deaths of mother and child during childbirth. A lot of women and children, he adds,

•Ki-moon

•Chukwu

•Zoelick

‘We must redouble efforts to remove diseases, hunger’

• Governor Kayode Fayemi

IT is evident that as we count down to 2015, we must redouble efforts to improve the human development indices.

We must collectively remove poverty, hunger and diseases from the society and thus unleash all potential available for growth and development in order to achieve the MDGs in Nigeria.

• Senior Special Assistant • Mr. Sina Fagbenro- • Dr. Otive Igbuzor on MDG Hajia Amina Byron, DFID, South west THE fact is that children Az-Zubair Regional Coordinator die every single day in THE Millennium Devel- 2015 is our time frame Nigeria. The rate is only opment goals in Africa and we have a pretty viv- second to China and it is holds the promise of sav- id idea about the state of unacceptable. These dising millions of lives; em- welfare of our people. We eases occur because peopowering women, ad- need to ensure that we ple defecate in bushes dressing the scourge of begin now to concentrate around their houses and illiteracy, hunger and on real impact that is when rain falls, it washes malnutrition; and ensur- meaningful and has a it into the river and the ing that Africa’s chil- transitional effect on our water is consumed by indren have access to edu- people especially the dividuals.

Five years to MDG deadcation of good quality poor and vulnerable.

We need to be sure that line, the world is still a long and good health to lead we are counting and mea- way from meeting the sanproductive lives. itation target. suring the right things.

are dying from preventable diseases while the country needs to build capacity and improve on

infrastructure to address this problem.

Significantly, the MDG Office

saddled with the responsibility of tracking the progress towards attaining the MDGs was, last

year, written off by the Senate as a conduit pipe for corruption.

Closely related to this is the fact that the Ministry of Health, headed by Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, which claims to have blueprints on how to revamp the sector has been unable to do so. The challenges to actualising these plans to guarantee a healthy nation have always been hydra headed, the most daunting being Nigeria’s expenditure on public health which is just 1.7 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The parlous state of the sector has left many Nigerians to seek medical attention overseas, a development which a former Commissioner of Health in Lagos State, Dr Leke Pitan condemns thus: “It has become a shame to start sending the sick abroad. There is no health care abroad that is a miracle. Things should be done properly to get result. There are Nigerian experts who are super qualified, but the working environment must be conducive for them to work. If the country wants them back and contribute to the health care delivery system, it should put in place infrastructure. Inadequate infrastructure, adversely affect the sector’s growth.”

And with an enabling environment not in place, chances of reducing maternal mortality and combating diseases appear slim.

However, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is optimistic that if efforts are intensified, the lost grounds can be covered in four years. Time will tell.

The UNDP Nigerian office’s report on the MDGs offer insights on how to meet the target. Excerpts:

How Nigerians can benefit from attainment of the goals, by UNDP GOAL 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger Recent economic growth, particularly in agriculture, has markedly reduced the proportion of underweight children, from 35.7 per cent in 1990 to 23.1 per cent in 2008.

However, growth has not generated enough jobs and the effect on poverty is not yet clear (the most recent data is from 2004. Growth needs to be more equitable and

broad-based.

GOAL 2: Achieve Universal Primary Education In a major step forward, nearly nine out of ten children, 88.8 per cent, are now enrolled in school.

Nevertheless, regional differences are stark. Primary completion rates in states range from 2 per cent to 99 per cent. Low completion rates reflect poor learning environments and point to the ur-

gent need to raise teaching standards. The rapid improvement in youth literacy, from 64.1 per cent to 80 per cent between 2000 and 2008, appears to have reached a plateau.

GOAL 4: Reduce child mortality Progress in reducing child mortality has been rapid. With sustained effort and progress in other sectors, such as water and sanitation, there is a strong possibili-

ty of achieving Goal 4 by 2015.

Under-five mortality has fallen by nearly a fifth in five years, from 201 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2003, to 157 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2008.In the same period, the infant mortality rate fell even faster, from 100 to 75 deaths per 1,000 live births.

GOAL 5: Improve maternal health Recent progress towards this goal is promising. If maintained at the

same rate, Nigeria will reach the target by 2015 and turn progress on this Goal into a success story.

Maternal mortality fell by 32 per cent, from 800 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2003 (at the time one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world) to 545 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2008. An innovative Midwives Service Scheme aims to raise the proportion of births attended by skilled health workers. This will further accelerate progress.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

8

NEWS New bill for degree awarding institutions

ACN to National Assembly: don’t pass bill on telephone tapping

From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

CHAIRMAN, House Committee on Education, Farouk Lawan, yesterday said the House was working on a new bill to allow some polytechnics and colleges of education to award degrees.

This, according to him, would allow polytechnics and colleges of education students to be at par with their university counterparts.

Lawan said polytechnics and colleges of education students are more useful to the society than university graduates.

He spoke at the 2011 World Teachers’ Day at Adeyemi College of Education in Ondo State.

Lawan, who received the “Distinguished Leadership Education” award, said Nigeria needed technical students to tackle poverty.

T

HE Action Congress of Nigeria (AC N) yesterday urged the National Assembly not to pass a bill authorising e-surveillance of telephone calls by security agencies.

The bill is in the works.

In a statement in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, the party said passing such bill will give security agencies the carte blanche to tap the phones of citizens on the pretext that it is for security purposes.

It said such a law was also capable of breeding dictatorship, as it can be easily abused by the government

to target the opposition or even out-of- favour party officials .

ACN said what the country needs to tackle its enormous security challenges is to think out of the box, encourage cooperation among security agencies and fund them adequately.

The party, however, said the ultimate answers to the nation’s security challenges are the establishment of state police, securing the nation’s borders and improving training as well as intelligence gathering.

It went on: ‘’Since it is said that all security is local, having state police will defi-

nitely enhance security across the country.

“One cannot over-state the importance of deploying security agents in areas they are conversant with, either in terms of language or geographical terrain.

ACN warns that any law that is capable of compromising the privacy law protecting phone users and interfering with the constitutionally-guaranteed rights of Nigerians can only create more problems than it will solve. ‘’Who determines whose phones are to be wiretapped and for what reasons?

“What would be the impli-

cation of a law authorising esurveillance by security agencies on the privacy law to protect phone users?

“How are we sure the government of the day will not abuse such a law?

“Who determines what constitutes a national threat that will warrant e-surveillance?

These are some of the questions that must be answered by those pushing for the enactment of such a law,’’ the party said.

It said the biggest problem facing those who preside over the security of the nation is that they barely understand what security is all about.

Robbery: Police arrest two THE police have arrested two persons believed to have masterminded the robbery at the Victoria Island, Lagos, residence of former Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu.

A domestic employee in Kalu’s house, Michael Ogbonna, was killed by the robbers, who stole N2 million.

A police source at the Bar Beach police station, where the robbery is being investigated, said two guards of the former governor are being interrogated.

The suspects were arrested after preliminary investigation, it was gathered.

The source said: “Before now, there were five policemen attached to the house but when the domestic workers told the policemen that they no longer needed their services, the police withdrew them.”

He said the robbers might have stormed the house based on a tip-off.

Police spokesman Samuel Jinadu, confirmed the arrests.

Jinadu said: “We are investigating after which we shall tell the public what our findings are.

Jonathan to sign new income tax THE long wait for the presidential assent on the Personal Income Tax law may end soon, it was learnt yesterday.

President Goodluck Jonathan said the bill would receive expedited attention and become operational soon.

The President spoke in Abuja at the opening of the International Tax Conference.

He said the representations made with respect to the administration of Personal Income Tax (Amendment) Bill 2011, would introduce and make the expected impact on tax revenue collection at the state and federal levels.

The National Assembly passed the PITA bill into law early this year.

The President was represented by Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Soyinka for commemoration From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

A

NIOMA indigenes will today commemorate the massacre in Asaba during the Civil War. The commemoration is an annual event.

Anioma people comprise the Ibo-speaking nine local governments of Delta North.

The local governments are Oshimli South; Oshimili North; Aniocha South; Aniocha North; Ndokwa West; Ndokwa East; Ukwuani; Ika South and Ika Northeast.

Nobel Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka will, on October 27 at the grand finale in Florida, United States, address human rights activists and experts on genocide.

In a statement by the Director of Programmes, Emma Okocha, the event will begin at the palace of Obi of Idumuje-Unor, Obi Anyase and end in Asaba, the state capital.

According to Okocha, Rev N. Martins, Omu of Asaba M. Okolie and Monsignor Ugboko will be honoured for their humanitarian roles during the massacre.

NUT laments teachers’neglect From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

T

•United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator Helen Clark cutting the tape at the UNDP office, Lagos...yesterday. With her are Managing Director ,Bank of Industry, Ms. Evelyn Oputu; UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa Tegeuewoile Geitu (third right); UNDP Resident Representative Dauda Tour (left) and others PHOTO:JOHN EBHOTA

Fed Govt sets target for foreign donors

M

INISTER/Deputy Chairman of National Planning Commission (NPC) Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman yesterday said foreign donors must align with the country’s set targets.

At a meeting with international donor agencies in Abuja, Usman said the Federal Government remains committed to collaboration and partnership for development.

He urged the donors to harmonise their operational policies to entail greater co-operation and co-ordination.

The minister urged them

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

to upload their data on the Development Assistance Database (DAD) established by the commission.

A statement by NPC spokesman, Salisu Haibadamasi, said the minister stated that the overall aid to Nigeria has been an insignificant component of the economy than what obtains in other African countries.

Usman added that Nigeria’s programmable aid is less than one per cent while ODA accounts for less than two per cent of Nigeria’s budget.

He said Nigeria has be-

come a donor country, in some respect.

“Nigeria contributes the highest financial and human resources to peace-keeping initiatives in West Africa, through Technical Aid Corps and has provided technical assistance to African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries,” he said.

Usman said the nation has 12 main donor countries and agencies, seven of which are in the United Nations (UN) system.

He listed the health sector as the biggest recipient of aid (54 per cent or $1.3 billion) followed by Poverty Alleviation (18 per cent or $481mil-

lion), Women and Empowerment (four per cent) ,Agriculture, Energy, Environment and Finance, received about one per cent each.

On an aggregate basis, he said the GDP is expected to grow by 7.98 per cent this year as against the 7.85 percent recorded last year.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator and Chair of the United Nations Development Group (UNDG), Ms Helen Clark, said Nigeria would be supported to achieve the targets of Vision 20:2020 and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) before 2015.

Mark laments rot in education

S

ENATE President David Mark yesterday bemoaned the rot in the nation’s education sector.

Mark spoke at the inauguration of the Senate Committee on Education.

He appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other relevant unions to avoid incessant strikes.

“Let me use this opportunity to appeal to this committee to please appeal to ASUU and the other organisationsto stop their strikes.”

The Senate President said things have so deteriorated that Nigerians now send their children to universities in

•Appeals to ASUU against incessant strikes From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

Ghana.

He said nobody should expect anything good from children who go to school and sit on the floor.

The Senate President said the present condition is a wake-up call for massive injection of funds into the sector by federal, states, local governments and individuals.

“Unfortunately we have not made investment in our educational system. We have infrastructure dotted here and

there, half completed.

“All of us must resolve… this committee, the Ministry of Education all the institutions that are involved must resolve that we invest massively in education.

“There is no two-way about it and it is not a charity organisation, we must put in money there so we can get the best result.”

The committee Chairman Uche Chukwumerije said the mass failure that has attended the school certificate examinations show the low level to which the sector has sunk.

•Mark

While inaugurating the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Mark decried a situation where adequate funds are not provided for the ministry and its agencies to aid research.

HE Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has lamented the exclusion of teachers from the minimum wage by some state governments.

The National President, Michael Alogba Olukoya, said the exclusion of teachers was “totally unacceptable”.

He said teachers are “unusual workers” and should not be excluded from any decisions taken about other workers.

“The situation of teachers is even made worse as some states have excluded them from the minimum wage, in spite of the compelling force of the law.

“The union therefore calls on the governors to keep faith with this negotiated agreement.

“The minimum wage should not be misconstrued to mean an ouster of the 27.5 per centteacher’s enhanced allowance,” Olukoya said.

He said the enhanced allowances address professional hazards of teaching, adding that besides providing incentives for job retention, they should not be made to replace the Teachers Salary Scheme, which is still being demanded from some states.

The NUT Chairman in Niger State, Tanko Adamu Paiko, called for implementation of the minimum wage to avoid industrial action in the education sector.

He said teachers would ensure that the negotiated teachers’ enhanced allowances are preserved and protected.

Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu commended the state chapter for the diverse welfare programmes initiated for teachers in the state.

He said the government has provided land for the National Teachers Housing Scheme.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

NEWS

Governors back fuel subsidy removal •Yet to agree with Fed Govt on Sovereign Wealth Fund

G

OVERNORS yesterday threw their weight behind the Federal Government’s planned removal of subsidy on petroleum products.

Although labour, civil society groups and other catagories of Nigerians have kicked against the proposal billed to take effect from January, the governors said the removal of subsidy is in the interest of the country.

The governors took the decision at a meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC), presided over by Vice-President Namadi Sambo.

But they could not reach a consensus on the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF).

On the Universal Basic Education (UBE) fund, the governors said they are looking at many possibilities including changing the law but in the immediate, they will workout modalities on how the fund could be accessed on a quarterly basis.

Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers spoke to reporters on the outcome of the meeting in Abuja. With him at the briefing were Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke and Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

Others were Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Peter Obi (Anambra), Abdul-Aziz Yari (Zamfara) and the Minister of National Planning, Shamusideen Usman.

They described subsidy removal as part of the difficult decisions that leaders must learn to take so as to impact positively on the people.

Amaechi said the gains of subsidy removal will outweigh the pains.

On the specific measures that will be put in place, Amaechi said Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala will make the announcement.

According to the governor, “Various views were canvassed and many decisions reached. One of the most important issues that we canvassed and decision reached on was the support for the Federal Government’s move to remove subsidy because we believe it is in the interest of this country.

“We will save money for the development of the economy and at the end of the day, we will provide opportunity for the greater number of people.”

Reacting to the question on opposition to removal of subsidy by organised labour and civil society groups, Amaechi said: “I don’t think the governors or the Federal Government can be insensitive to the people that have elected us and put us in office. Don’t forget that this is a civilian government, it is a democratic

T

•Amaechi

•Nyako

‘We will save money for the development of the economy and at the end of the day, we will provide opportunity for the greater number of people’ From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

government that will seek for votes four years after.

“We must learn to take very difficult decisions. That is what we were elected to do and that decision is to improve on the welfare of our people.

“But beyond the fact that the Federal Government is putting up safety nets to cushion the effect, there is also the argument that only a few Nigerians are just gathering money and we are hearing of subsidy. For Christ’s sake, outside the few state capitals in Nigeria, which other place do you have this subsidy operating. I hear some states in the Southeast are selling fuel for as high as over N100 per litre. Fuel is being smuggled out of the country and the people of Nigeria are suffering and then some elite then pick up the conversation that we are insensitive to the people. Do you

•Obi think that politicians who will go four years after with this new electoral process, will become insensitive to Nigerians? The answer is absolute no.

“We are ready for discussion. We are open to discussions and we are open to the fact that there are social safety nets that the Federal Government is trying to put in place to cushion the effect.

“So, we wait for the conversation and we will meet them at the point of the debate.

He added: “I don’t think the Federal Government or the governors are shying away from the conversation that will emanate from it. “ The Federal Government and the governor’s forum are ready to engage them in that discussion. “Anyday and anywhere, if anybody comes up with that, because there are so many benefits that will accrue to the people. Nigerians are dying of hunger on the streets when we can liberalise or deregulate the oil industry and create more employment opportunities at the end of the day.

“Most people do not know that from crude oil, you can get a number of other products and that is part of other aspects of economic development and nobody has addressed that.

When you talk about sensitivity, you must realise that this is informing our decision.

“Beyond the fact that a few of us elite are benefitting from this huge pull of fund that no one can account for. The aim is to create a conducive environment to explore the opportunity engaging labour union.

“There is the need to engage the

labour unions and for the people to ask what the state and Federal Governments want to do with the outcome of the removal of the subsidy.

They should ask specifically what will be the benefits of the removal to improve on the lives of the people. If that is the essence of the dialogue, instead of allowing a few people to benefit from it.”

On Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) he said: “ We deferred a decision, the issues were properly canvassed and we are of the view that there is a dialogue in process.” “ It is the Federal Government trying to convince the governors to abandon their positions. We are satisfied that it is a conversation we don’t want to escalate. Let’s look at all the issues and when all the issues are on the table and the governors are convinced, we will take a decision. But as of whether a decision has been reached, no decision has been made.

Finance Minister Ngozi OkonjoIweala, who was invited to the meeting to shed light on the operation of SWF, said “It is a very serious and very important matter, so we need to keep discussing over a period of time so that details about how we do invest, in what would you invest, how will it be managed will be made clear.

All these are details that need to be made clear and sorted out. What will be the governors structure also need to be cleared. So, we are talking about that. Each time we make some progress in deepening the understanding.”

She noted that discussion has not been closed on the issue as discussions are still on-going.

“We are discussing and we are having a very fruitful dialogue with the governors on SWF,” she said. Reacting to the alleged threat of legal action by governors, the minister said the Federal Government will continue to dialogue with the governors adding, “we will continue to try and make them understand how this will work. Mr President is also dialoguing with the governors and we are working on that and I think we are making progress.”

On agriculture, the governors said they accepted the need for the setting up of the planning and research and statistics department aimed at capacity building.

He said: “We are to work with the Federal Government and the national planning commission in that regard so that we will have our people trained and their abilities improved upon.

Abdulmuttallab: Nigerian juror fired A Nigerian was dismissed yesterday shortly after being picked as a juror for the trial of Farouk Abdulmuttallab accused of trying to bring down an international flight with a bomb in his underwear.

About a half-hour after 12 jurors and four alternates were selected for the Abdulmutallab’s trial, United States District Judge Nancy Edmunds told attorneys, “we have a problem with a juror.”

Edmunds then dismissed a woman identified a day earlier as being from Abdulmutallab’s home country. The judge did not elaborate or explain the dismissal in court.

Abdulmutallab, a well-educated 24-year-old from an upper-class family, was directed by a radical Islamic cleric and wanted to become a martyr when he boarded Northwest Airlines Flight 253 in Amsterdam on Christmas 2009, according to the government.

Lawyers had not objected to keeping the Nigerian woman in the jury pool when she was questioned in court Wednesday. She had said on a jury questionnaire that she was “embarrassed” at the time of the attack.

“We all feel it as a community,” she said in court.

She will now be replaced by one of the four alternates and a new alternate will be chosen. Opening statements in the trial are scheduled for Tuesday. Abdulmutallab, who is acting as his own lawyer but has a court-appointed attorney, may deliver his own remarks.

He has pleaded not guilty to eight charges, including conspiracy to commit terrorism and attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction. The government says he wanted to blow up the plane by detonating chemicals in his underwear, just seven minutes before the jet carrying 279 passengers and a crew of 11 was to land at Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

But the bomb didn’t work, and passengers assisted by crew members saw flames and pounced on Abdulmutallab.

The failed suicide attack, the first act of terrorism in the U.S. during the Obama administration, revealed the rise of a dangerous al-Qaida affiliate and the growing influence of American-born cleric Anwar alAwlaki, who was killed by a U.S. military strike in Yemen last week.

In the moments before the jury was picked, a farmer who was late said he would have a hard time serving. He eloquently described himself as a man who prefers “mercy before condemnation.”

Reps seek suspension of N30billion ID card project

HE House of Representatives is to investigate the previous national identity card project.

The lawmakers urged the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to suspend the injection of N30 billion into another project pending the conclusion of the investigation.

The decision was taken after the adoption of a motion entitled: “Urgent need to investigate the Federal Government’s N30 billion National Identity Card Project”, sponsored by Bimbo Daramola.

He said the approval of the money

by FEC was unconstitutional because the parliament did not capture it in the Appropriation Act. According to him, little progress has been made despite the huge amount of money involved, while similar projects in the past were discovered to have been fraught with fraud.

He said: “It is disturbing that the same identity card project has been characterised by many episodic events from huge financial resources allocation down the drains to conviction of those saddled with the project for corruption charges.

“The N30 billion approved by FEC

House to buy cars for members

T

HE House of Representatives is planning to buy cars for its 360 members, it emerged yesterday.

“Members came out of a two-hour closed door session yesterday in which issues pertaining to the welfare of members were extensively discussed and at the close of session, it was decided that there was need to purchase new cars for members for committee assignments”, the House spokesman, Zakari Mohammed, told reporters.

Mohammed said though members in the closed session agreed on the need for the House to purchase cars for committee assignments, there was no conclusion on the brand of the car to be purchased.

“We are yet to decide on the number of vehicles to purchase as well as the brand, “he said, adding “whatever we purchase will be according to our need.”

He, however, said one of the considerations for the From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

to be spent on the project has neither gone through appropriation of the House nor the parliament consulted and Nigerians in their millions are alarmed that the Federal Government is about to commit this

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

purchase of the vehicles is the utilitarian value and that it will be in consonance with the cost-cutting stance of the Tambuwal-led House.

His words: “Members are weighing the option of which cars are rugged; however, any decision taken will be in the best interest of the House and Nigerians.”

According to him, members had earlier been given a N7 million loan each to purchase cars at the advent of the Seventh Assembly but that this was a personal loan for members which they have been paying back from their salaries for the past two months.

“When we came in, what was given to us were loans which we have been paying back. you can’t expect us to use loans to buy vehicles and use it to do committee work,” he said.

huge resources into the project again.

“This huge amount of money, whose source has not been properly explained that also failed to determine the time of completion of the project, may just go down the drain, constituting another abuse, waste and maybe fraud”.

“The disposition of committing limited resources to projects that Nigerians have not derived value from cannot augur well for our country, more so when there are many equally important areas of our national life seeking attention”.

Jerry Manye queried the outcome of the 2001 project. He asked: “Is the

on-going project the continuation of the old one or a new project entirely?

“Where is the money to fund this coming from, because it was not captured in the budget?”

Disagreeing with one of the prayers, Betty Apiafi, noted that the importance of the project to national development as well as security cannot be overemphasised.

She said rather than put the project on hold, the House should consider the factors militating against its success.

The lawmaker said before the project got to this level, the House should rather find out the competence of the contractor involved as well as due process that drove the award.

Jumoke Okoya-Thomas urged the House to investigate the level of conformity to the Procurement Act while the process was on-going.

The motion was unanimously supported with the House mandating its committees on Interior and National Planning and Economic Development to investigate the state of the project among others.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

10

NEWS Ondo gives more land owners 150m

Why we retained joint ownership of LAUTECH, by Ajimobi, Aregbesola YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi and his Osun State counterpart, Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday explained why they decided to retain the joint ownership of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso.

The governors spoke after a meeting in Ajimobi’s office in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

They said the university was established by the

O

‘Tinubu’s trial slap on Yoruba race’ From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

AN Ekiti group, Igbimo Majeobaje, has described the arraignment of the National leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) as “an orchestrated and misguided move to bring the personality of the Yoruba leader to disrepute.”

The group said the tribunal’s actions fell short of fair standards and reeked of a sinister plot, not only to tarnish Tinubu’s image, but that of the Yoruba race.

It said while it does not support corruption, it would not take kindly to the intimidation of Yoruba leaders.

In a statement by its National Coordinator, Bunmi Akanbi-Awotiku, the group said: “The trial of the former Lagos State Governor is an attempt to muzzle the Yoruba race and progressive in the country.

“We commend Tinubu for displaying rare respect for the Rule of Law by appearing before the tribunal, in spite of the apparent flaws in the suits.

“We wonder why the anti-corruption agencies have failed to probe the sudden wealth of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was a pauper before assuming power, but became affluent after leaving office.

“If not for the forceful military retardation of the policies and programmes of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the Yourba nation would, by now, rank alongside Singapore, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirate.

“The first leader of the Nigerian project was the late Awolowo, followed by Pa Abraham Adesanya, Chief M.K.O. Abiola, Chief Bola Ige, and the new hero and symbol of liberty, Asiwaju Tinubu.

“We call on Yoruba citizens to rise up against the nascent onslaught targeted at notable institutions in Yorubaland.

“Much as we believe in the Nigerian Project, we are not averse to the fact that we shall be better placed, if we go our separate ways. A forced marriage of incompatible partners is unethical.”

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

founding fathers of both states to foster unity among their people.

Ajimobi, who briefed reporters, said: “It will be a shame, if our founding fathers, who thought it fit to have LAUTECH, discover that during our own time, we refused to fortify it and allowed its disintegration. It will be unforgivable.

“So, whatever needs to be done to fortify the university to be No. 1 in Africa will be done.

“Although the outgone government tried to separate, divide and cannibalise the university, we have decided not to allow it.”

He said certain steps had been taken to ensure unity in the institution.

Part of the steps, he said, was for the College of

Medicine to remain both in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, and Osogbo, Osun State.

Ajimobi said teaching hospitals would run concurrently, adding that this would increase the number of medical graduates from the institution.

He said the school’s management had been asked to submit modalities for implementing the decisions arrived at in the next two weeks.

•Ajimobi

“We are one and shall remain one by the grace of God, so shall it be.”

Commissioners blame delay on Oyo teachers’ salaries on analogue system O YO State Commissioner for Finance Zaccheaus Adedeji and his Education counterpart, Mrs. Adetokunbo Fayokun, yesterday blamed the delay in the payment of teachers’ salaries on the analogue system used to prepare their vouchers.

They said the e-payment system had been introduced and teachers’ salaries would, from the end of this month, be paid on time.

The commissioners were summoned by the House of Assembly to explain the delay in the salaries of primary and secondary school teachers.

The summons was in response to a petition by teachers over the “persistent delay” of their monthly salary.

The permanent secretaries of both ministries, present and former permanent secretaries of the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) and the Universal Basic Education

•Assembly summons road contractor From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

Board (SUBEB) also appeared before the Assembly.

The commissioners attributed it delays in the preparation of vouchers by teachers, release of funds by the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) and the manual process of salary payment, which they described as “cumbersome.”

The said teachers had been mandated to open an account with any bank of their choice to facilitate epayment.

To prevent delays, Mrs. Fayokun said teachers had been mandated to submit their salary vouchers latest by 25th of every month.

The lawmakers said priority should be given to teachers’ welfare and urged

Mrs. Fatokun to address indiscipline among her staff.

They also advised her to engage competent hands to handle the preparation of salary vouchers.

Also yesterday, the House summoned the contractor of the dualised Iwo Road Interchange-Leyland-Olodo Road, Senator Anthony Adefuye, to appear before it next Tuesday.

It lamented the dilapidated condition of the road, which was commissioned in February, 2010, by former Governor Adebayo AlaoAkala.

The project was handled

by Messrs Aresco Limited at N1,467,363,540.24.

Commissioner for Works and Transport Yunus Akintunde had earlier appeared before the House.

Akintunde, who came on

board about two months ago, said: “Even though the contract agreement stipulated a 12-month defect liability period, certain defects were noticed, which included failed asphalt concrete surfaces at some locations on the road, and were brought to the contractor’s notice. “He said the contractor insisted that the contract did not include maintenance and he would not be responsible for any repairs on the road.”

The commissioner said Clauses 35.1, 35.2 and 36.1 of the contract make the contractor liable for maintaining the road for 365 days after completion.

He said the ministry has sent its complaint to Sterling Bank, which guaranteed the contractor’s performance, and threatened to make the bank repair the road, if the contractor fails to do so within four weeks.

•From left: President, Kudirat Abiola Initiative for Democracy (KIND), Mrs. Hafsat Abiola-Costello; Gen Sec., National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN), Comrade Issa Aremu; NUTGTWN President, Comrade Reginald Agulanna; and President, Women Arise and Campaign for Democracy (CD), Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin at the 23rd Annual Education Conference in Lagos

Banks shut down over robbery scare in Osun

T

HE fear of being attacked by robbers yesterday forced banks in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, to shut down.

Banks on the GboganIbadan road were also shut, following rumours that the robbers would be coming

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

from Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

By 10am, the rumour had spread round town.

Customers, who were already in the banking halls,

hurriedly left, while those trying to get in were turned back by the security men.

A customer, Mr. Temitope Ajani, said: “The security guards advised me against going into the bank. They said if I did, it

HE Ondo State Government yesterday released N150 million as compensation to 104 landlords, whose buildings would be demolished to pave the way for the N2.89 billion dualisation of the Arakale/ Owo road.

The government had earlier paid N1 billion to those affected.

Commissioner for Budget and Planning Mr. Akin Adaramola, who is also the Chairman of the Arakale/Owo Road Relocation and Compensation Committee, said 77 landlords had been compensated in the second phase of the exercise, while 27 are yet to pick up their cheques.

Adaramola said: “After the first phase of compensation was paid, many of the buildings that were partly demolished have become dangerous for human habitation, hence, the need to fully demolish them.”

He said the affected landlords have been invited to appear before the committee tomorrow and the buildings would only be demolished after they had been compensated.

T

•Osogbo, Ogbomoso teaching hospitals approved

would be at my own risk.”

Miss Itunuoluwa Lawanson said: “When my sister, who sent me to clear a cheque for her, heard of the impending attack, she phoned and told me to leave the bank premises immediately.”

Lawmaker wants assassination attempt probed

By Oziegbe Okoeki

MEMBER of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Sakiru Osinowo (Kosofe 1), has urged the police to speed up investigation into an attempt to assassinate him by two gunmen.

Osinowo, at plenary yesterday, explained how he escaped being killed at his home in Ogudu GRA. He said two gunmen attacked him at home, but his neighbours came to his rescue and handed the hoodlums over to the police.

The lawmaker said he was surprised that the police are yet to come up with any information on the attack.

He said: “There is need for the police to unwrap the mystery behind the attack.

What was the hoodlum’s mission and who sent them?”

Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji called on the police to expedite action on the matter.

He said this would strengthen the people’s confidence in the police.

The House sent its condolence to the family of a policeman, John Ibisugbe, who was killed with his 23 year-old daughter by suspected gunmen in Ogun State.

The late Ibisugbe was attached to the Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police, Area F, Lagos.

The Assembly stressed the need for the governments of Lagos and Ogun states to tighten security on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

A

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

CBN to stop oil firms from buying dollars • Naira falls sharply

T

HE Central Bank of Ni geria (CBN) will no longer allow oil companies to buy dollars at its auctions to fund product importation.

It said the firms should use the foreign exchange they earn from exporting crude to fund their operations, the apex bank said yesterday.

This came a day after the naira weakened to a new record low of N164.85 to the U.S dollar in the interbank market, pressured for a second day by comments made by the apex bank that it would not support the local currency at all costs.

The decision to stop oil firms from buying forex at the auctions, according to Reuters news, is expected to reduce U.S. dollar demand at its bi-weekly auctions and support the naira , which fell to its weakest ever in the interbank market last Wednesday.

The naira fell to N164.85 to the dollar in intra-day trading from N161.70 at the close on Wednesday.

The apex bank said on Wednesday the naira could be allowed to devalue if oil prices and foreign exchange reserves continue to fall and attempts at monetary intervention are exhausted.

Traders said the failure of the regulator to fill all demand for forex at its biweekly auction, its breach of policy in allowing the naira to trade outside a band of +/ - 3 per cent from around N150 to the dollar, and its comment on the outlook of the currency have eroded confidence in the market.

“Many importers are now bringing forward their obligations in the face of the recent position of the authority on naira valuation,” one dealer said.

If we are really serious about tackling unemployment, we should put a stop to the influx of expatriate in the the country.

–President, LCCI, Femi Deru

Visafone mulls acquisition of Starcomms T A HERE are strong indi cations that Code Divi sion Multiple Access (CDMA) Telco, Visafone may acquire rival provider, Starcomms.

A top official of Visafone, who confirmed that the company is talking with another CDMA, described it as “the best for the industry.”

But he declined to speak on progress made so far.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said merger and acquisition of CDMAs is inevitable because of the dwindling fortunes of the segment.

He said: “It is a known fact that the CDMA segment of the telecom sector is not buoyant; we are not as prosperous as the Global System for Mobil communication (GSMs) operators. Mergers and acquisition is inevi-

By Adline Atili

table. That is the only way the industry can move forward and remain competitive.

“We have plans to acquire Starcomms. We are the only strong CDMA left in Nigeria; there is no point competing feebly with each other when we can join forces to make the CDMA segment stronger.”

He said the company may change direction towards reopening the Multi-Links deal, if Starcomms’ fails, saying, “the deal was not closed after all, contrary to speculations.”

“If Starcomms does not pull through, Multi-Links is

still there. Contrary to speculations, the deal was not closed and we did not lose anything. We are still on it and have chances of reopening acquisition talks,” the source said.

As part of strategy to strengthen its hold in the CDMA market, Visafone had in March this year acquired the mobile assets of troubled Telco, Multi-Links for $52 million in a landmark deal.

The combined entity of Visafone and Multi-Links after the deal, created a total active subscriber base of 4.2 million for Visafone, with coverage area cutting across over 85 per cent of Nigeria’s land mass.

The deal, however went awry barely two months later when a court injunction nullified the sale of MultiLinks.

A tower company, Helios Investments, alleged that Telkom, the South Africabased parent company of Multi-Links, did not fulfill its side of a 10-year tower lease agreement between them; saying it backed out after only three years.

A High Court sitting in Lagos, ruled that the disputed lease agreements were valid, blocking the sale of the company until the contract controversy is concluded by the two firms.

In unexpected turn of events, Helio Towers agreed to buy the embattled MultiLinks. Telkom thereafter sold the Telco to Helios Investments for $10 million.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$118.7/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 -15.84% Savings rate -1.42% 91-day NTB -6.99% Time Deposit -6% MPR -8.75% Foreign Reserve $34.87b CFA EUR £ $ ¥ SDR RIYAL

FOREX -

0.281 215.1 245.00 153.16 1.5652 243.2 40.57

Absa merges units in line with Barclays structure

• From left: Director General-Nigeria Association of Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Mr John Isemede, Honorary Consul of Republic of Turkey, Mr Mohammed Koguna, President, Remo Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chief Mrs Adesola Adebutu and President, Meridyen International Fair Organisation Limited, Mr Oquz Yalcin at the media briefing on Lagos/Turkey Fashion Exhibition 2011 in Lagos.

PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN

BSA Group, the South African bank majority owned by British lender Barclays, said it would merge its business and retail banking units and has also created a small team of Barclays and Absa executives to lead its expansion across the continent.

The merger of the retail and business units according to Bloomberg news, follows a similar move by Barclays this year, when it reshuffled its own structure.

The unified platform of retail and business banking could help Absa cross-sell more products, said Patrice Rassou, head of equities at Sanlam Investment Management.

“I do think there is potential to better service (customers) by having a unified management team. I see more upside than downside,” he said.

“The Africa board announcement is interesting.

The way I read that, Barclays are relying increasingly on Absa to drive the African strategy.”

Absa in April announced a strategy to work more closely with Barclays in subSaharan countries outside South Africa.

The British lender has operations in nine African countries outside South Africa and is moving its headquarters for the continent back to Johannesburg from Dubai after buying a 56.4 per cent stake in Absa in 2005.

South Africa’s largest retail lender, like its rivals, wants to expand into the continent’s other fast-growing markets and Absa’s chief executive Maria Ramos told Reuters in March the bank might consider a return to oil-rich Angola.

Absa’s retail unit posted a 75 per cent jump in headline earnings in the six months to end-June, helped by sharply lower impairments, or bad-debt charges, but warned a repeat performance in the second half was unlikely.

Recapitalisation: NAICOM moves to stop ‘hot money’

T

HE National Insur ance Commission (NAICOM) has adopted measures to ensure that stolen funds are not used to recapitalise bank-owned insurance firms, the Commissioner for insurance, Fola Daniel, has said.

Daniel told The Nation that NAICOM would screen local and foreign funds invested in the firms to ensure they do not contravene the Money Laundering Act. He said the commission would also forestall developments where individuals with questionable funds hijack the firms.

Daniel said: “All inves-

By Chuks Udo Okonta

tors will be screened no matter where they are coming from. Anyone bringing in capital would be screened to ensure the money is not derived from criminal activity, but brought to do business. The country has put in place a mechanism for sifting potential investors.”

He said NAICOM would ensure that every investment to be made in the insurance industry follow the stipulated rules in the Money Laundering Act, adding that the commission would certify that insurance companies affected by the divestment

policy remain afloat and stronger in years ahead.

Daniel noted that following the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) directive that banks divest from insurance businesses, NAICOM proactively set up an eight-man Advisory Committee to work out the modalities of the divestment to ensure that the insurance companies’ interest and that of policy holders were not jeopardised after the divestment.

He said that the committee has submitted its report, which the commission is harmonising to ensure that the set objectives are met.

Director-General, Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Mr Sunday Thomas, also

said the association is working hard to ensure that companies affected by the divestment come out from the exercise strong.

He said the association is showing serious concern on the issue as the progress of firms is for Noting that many investors are interested in the industry, he said there may not be room for mergers. He noted that many investors have made overtures to some companies and all that is left is for the owners of the firms to dispose their stakes.

The Assistant Director, Corporate Affairs, NAICOM, Mr Lucky Fiakpa, said the commission has given approval in

• Daniel

principle to Guaranty Trust Assurance and Law Union and Rock to discuss with investors expressing interest in the companies.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

12

BUSINESS NEWS Flight Schedule

Fed Govt sets targets for foreign donors

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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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LAGOS – WARRI 08.15 11.50 11.55 14.55

09.1 12.50 12.55 15.55

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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 1. IRS 2. Arik

LAGOS – MAIDUGURI 11.15 13.15 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

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

H

• Group Managing Director of Sterling Bank PLC, Mr. Yemi Adeola, flanked by the Managing Director of Equitorial Trust Bank (ETB), Mr. Gbolahan Folayan (left), and Mr. Femi Obaleke, Executive Director, Commercial and Institutional Banking, ETB, at the formal meeting of both banks' management teams in Lagos on Wednesday.

NLC cuts off 5m subscribers, says Airtel M ORE than five million tele phone subscribers were cut off when members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), attacked an exchange belonging to Airtel, the telecom firm it said yesterday.

The Akure, Ondo State office of the firm was also sealed off by the NLC. The NLC was protesting the alleged casualisation of workers in Airtel and the dismissal of 3,000 employees, but the company denied the charges.

“Some elements purporting to be members of NLC have shut down 15 of our showrooms across the country and also attacked our switch in Abuja, thereby cutting off over five million Nigerians from our network in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and parts of northern Nigeria,” Airtel said in a statement.

“We appeal to our customers in the affected areas to please bear with us as we work with the Nigeria police to regain access to our switch and restore services.”

• Ondo NLC shuts telco’s office From Damisi Ojo, Akure

NLC acting secretary general Owei Lakemfa told AFP that the unionists took the action against Airtel “after it sacked 3,000 workers at the end of September, and for refusing to pay some allowances it agreed with the workers.”

“Since they said they wanted to shut down some parts of their operations, which they said led to the their sack, all we did was to help them quicken the process,” Lakemfa said.

Airtel in the statement denied either hiring casual workers or dismissing the 3,000 employees as reported in some Nigerian newspapers.

“Airtel does not employ casual workers in any part of our

organisation... Airtel did not sack any employee,” it said.

“The employees being referred to work for Tech Mahindra and Spanco, who provide us call centre services,” it said.

India-based Bharti Airtel Limited is a leading global telecommunications company with operations in 19 countries across Asia and Africa.

The company boasts 233million customers worldwide.

Meanwhile, the protesters in Ondo insisted that the Airtel office would remain closed until the National Assembly concludes its investigation on the matter.

The Nation learnt that at exactly 10 30 am, members of the various unions under the umbrella of the NLC stormed the area office of Airtel located along the Oba-Adesida road in the heart of Akure metropolis.

They rendered solidarity songs for their sacked colleagues.

Initially, the Airtel workers resisted the NLC members from enforcing the order but later complied when the pressure was too much.

Cashless economy: CBN appoints manufacturers for PoS B

ARELY three months to the commencement of ‘Cash less Lagos’, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has appointed four manufacturers to provide Point-of-Sale (PoS) terminals for the exercise.

PAX Technology, Bitel, Ingenico and Verifone - the four firms that made the list were selected “after a thorough process by a committee comprising key stakeholders in the payments system value chain.” The manufacturers have products that conform to the minimum standards as specified in the CBN PoS guidelines, the apex bank said in a statement on its website.

PAX Technology (PAX), from Hong Kong, is the global leader in providing secure card electronic payment systems and PoS. Ingenico is a French PoS firm with over 15 million terminals deployed in more than 125 countries. Bitel, a South Korean firm, has gotten patent in PoS solutions while Verifone is from

By Collins Nweze

Hawaii.

CBN Deputy Governor, Operations, Mr. Tunde Lemo said that the deal is a welcome development as it shows the benefits “we can achieve when we do things collaboratively.” He said that the manufacturers are now willing to take the Nigerian market more seriously, and do what it takes to ensure customer satisfaction.

“They have already indicated willingness to customise their products in line with the specific requirements of the Nigerian market. Besides, with service from the recently licensed Payment Terminal Service Providers (PTSPs), Nigerian customers can expect a much more pleasant point-of-sale user experience,” Lemo said.

The apex bank reaffirmed the commitment of the Bankers’ Committee

to deploy over 40,000 PoS terminals in Lagos by the end of December, to enable the process start on January 1, 2012.

It said that the deployment is expected to create an enabling environment for the take-off of the new cash policy in Lagos state.

To achieve the full benefits of this cashless drive, the banks, the apex bank said, decided to come together to negotiate the terms with PoS terminal manufacturers on behalf of the industry with a view to reducing the costs and guarantee greater access to the platforms. The banks he said also negotiated a 30 per cent discount on terminals with each of these manufacturers on behalf of the Industry. The terminals is said, are available to any terminal owner, acquirer, merchant, bank or other stakeholders wishing to participate in this arrangement.

Dangote signs $750m investment pacts in Dangote said the intention of the ANGOTE Group has signed fresh investment agreements Congo, Ethiopia Group in its foray into Congo was

D

worth $750 million with the government of two African countries for the production of cement.

The Dangote group according to a statement, signed a $350million investment agreement with the Central African Republic of Congo and another $400 million of with Ethiopian government.

The deals were consummated at separate occasion in the capital of both countries where President and Chief Executive Officer of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko

Dangote signed on behalf of his company, while three Congolese Ministers, Mr. Pierre Moussa in charge of Ministries of Planning, Economy, Integration and Coordinator of the Economic Pole; Mr. Rodolphe Adada, Minister for Industrial Development and Private Sector Promotions and Mr. Pierre Oba of the Ministry of Mines and Geology endorsed the pacts on behalf of the government.

Speaking at the event, Alhaji

not just to make profit but also to further empower the people of Congo, create new jobs and wealth.

The business mogul hinted that the long term ambition of the Group was to develop 50 million metric tons of cement production and terminal capacity in Africa by 2015. He said that the Dangote Group nursed the ambition to become a truly panAfrican champion in the manufacturing sector, capable of competing globally with the largest cement companies in the world.

ENCEFORTH, donors who want to offer assistance to Nigeria will have to align with the country’s set targets on its priorities and no longer just what they want, Minister/Deputy Chairman of National Planning Commission, (NPC) Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman, said yesterday.

At a meeting with international donor agencies in Abuja, Usman said that the government remains committed to collaboration and partnership for development. The government he also said is pleased to have the donors as key allies for the achievement of the objectives of the vision 20:2020, which is being implemented currently through President Goodluck Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda 2011-2015.

He urged them to harmonise their operational policies to entail greater co-operation and co-ordination among themselves. The minister also told the donors to upload their data on the Development Assistance Database (DAD) established by the NPC with technical assistance from UNDP targeted at ensuring accountability, transparency and monitoring of donor activities.

According to a statement by the NPC spokesman, Salisu Haibadamasi, the minister also stated that, the overall aid to Nigeria has been an insignificant component of Nigeria’s political economy than it has been experienced in other African countries. He added that Nigeria ’s programmable aid is less than 1 per cent, while ODA accounts for less than 2 per cent of Nigeria ’s annual budget.

He noted that Nigeria has over the years, becomes a donor country, in some respect.

Lagos inaugurates agric survey

By Daniel Essiet

T

HE Lagos State government has inaugurated an eco nomic survey to determine its capability to increase agricultural productivity in future.

The survey is also intended to present an overview of the sector, highlighting where investments are needed and where to focus on increasing overall production.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives, Dr Olajide Bashorun, said the food situation calls for a much closer scrutiny and monitoring of the input to agriculture as well as its production processes, adding that this has created enormous new challenges of agricultural statistics.

He said Lagos State, which caters for an estimated 18 million residents requires a reliable database to develop the agricultural sector.

He said evaluators will spend eight weeks in the field, and that the data collection process will ensure that data gathered are accurate. Subsequent decisions he said, based on these findings are valid.

Bashorun said the lack of data hinders agricultural development and that food security cannot be achieved in the absence of essential agricultural data.

He stressed that agricultural data is vital in increasing productivity in the sector and it is befitting for Lagos as a mega city, where international agencies domicile, to establish a reliable database for food security and poverty alleviation. He said the available data is either outdated or inadequate.

He noted that private international investors and donors have over the years shown increasing interest in data in order to provide development and support to the agricultural sector.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

13

AGRO-BUSINESS

Ekiti in diaspora endorse Fayemi’s agric plan E KITI indigenes abroad have endorsed the state government’s return-to-theland programme to feed the people.

They told Deputy Governor, Mrs. Funmi Olayinka, who visted London for the Ekiti Day/Launch of the agricultural projects of the Ekiti Parapo in the United Kingdom (UK) that they are ready to invest in farming in supports of the government’s initiative.

The group’s President, Deacon Michael Ajayi, said Ekiti in the diaspora believe in the leadership style of Governor Kayode Fayemi and Mrs Olayinka.

Delivering Fayemi’s message, Mrs Olayinka reminded that the Fayemi administration believes governance is the business of all, adding that all hands must be on deck towards bringing back agriculture.

According to her, “this administration does not see any sense in

By Daniel Essiet, Agric Correspondent

going to Abuja cap in hand every month for the allocation that has continued to put us as second to the last. We do not think Ekiti is occupying its rightful place by remaining a civil service state, when we can return to our leadership position in agriculture.

“Right from the campaign days, Dr. Fayemi has left no one in doubt as to his determination to make us proud again as one of the best in cocoa production, for instance. Our commitment is to increase the internally generated revenue (IGR) of the state by encouraging our people to go into mechanised farming and I can tell you that we, on our part, are not reneging on this plan.”

Mrs Olayinka said the government is prepared to modernise agriculture and encourage active

• Governor Fayemi

participation of youth in the sector. The government, she said, has made efforts at removing major constraints/bottlenecks in food

production, especially the drudgery in land preparation.

She said not less then N6 million has been spent on the repair of 16 tractors, 10 ploughs and five ridgers to complement the newly purchased 15 units of tractors with four sets of implements to each unit at N45,015,000.

While saying the cost of the new tractors would have been about N100 million, if not for subsidy by the Federal Government, she said the state has also paid N42 million as counterpart funds for the national programme for food security.

Ajayi thanked the Fayemi administration for providing the state purposeful leadership, saying members of the organisation have concluded plans to approach the governor for land for comparative advantage farming, which sup-

ports the cultivation of crops where they are known to grow well.

Money, he said, is being raised for the project to demonstrate that members of the organisation are prepared to tap into the willingness of the government to provide the desired leadership.

He said: “We are supportive of government’s intention to bail the state out of its present precarious state. We have looked round and have seen that the only way to make meaningful contribution to putting food on the table of an average man is to get involved in agriculture. So, we are in accordance with government’s challenge, home-bound to demonstrate our full agreement with government’s vision for agriculture as the magic to our greatness as a people.”

Fund research on livestock diseases, govts told

F

EDERAL and state governments have been urged to increase funding for research into livestock diseases linked to genetic sources. In an interview with The Nation, an animal production expert, Prof Abiodun Adeloye, said the genetic make up of livestock has a lot to do with resistance or tolerance to diseases.

Adeloye, who is Animal Production Department of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Kwara State, said scientific experiments can insert genes cells into animals that will help them fight debilitating diseases linked to genetic sources.

He said increasing the genetic strength of livestock can recreate reproductively competent copies of animals that had perhaps been incompetent or made incompe-

tent early in life.

He suggested that the government should support works of research scientists designed to evolve appropriate treatments for handling such diseases.

Since animal disease research is the key to livestock production, he said, it was a moral duty for industrial concerns to supplement government efforts by devoting a proportion of their profits to support research works.

One of the most appealing uses of technologies in farm animals, he explained, is the ability to combat diseases, adding that infectious disease affects livestock production and animal welfare.

The industry, the don noted, need to invest in technologies to produce animals that are better able to combat or resist infection.

Ministry lauds IITA for cassava production • From left: Director, Agric Planning, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives, Jafar Sanuth; Permanent Secretary, Dr Olajide Bashorun and Director, Agric Services, Dr Olayiwola Onasanya, addressing a Macro Indicators Baseline Survey training for some staff of the ministry in Lagos.

Council worried over vet doctors low output T HE President, Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN), Prof Gabriel Ogundipe, has appealed to practitioners to upgrade their skills to meet challenges in animal health management.

Ogundipe spoke at a continuing education programme for practitioners in Bayelsa State, with the theme, 250 years of Modern Practice.

He said veterinary practice has undergone tremendous changes.

He said: “The level of literacy and sophistication that prevails in any profession is a reflection of the quality of continuing education in that field, for the Veterinary profession in Nigeria the level is still not good enough.

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

While calling on the government to invest in animal health to ensure economic growth, he canvassed the creation of a Ministry of Animal Health Production and Fisheries Development to promote capacity building in animal health management and provide a formidable platform for the fight against animal diseases. The prevention and control of animal diseases, he said, depends on the quality of veterinary services.

“There is the need for Balyesa

State to develop livestock production and veterinary services, while the fishery and snail rearing department, micro livestock and meat hygiene service should not be left out,” Ogundipe added.

The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr Blesson Akpuluma, commended the council for its efforts and commitment towards the improvement of the standard of Veterinary practice through continuing education programmes.

Akpuluma reiterated the commitment of the Balyesa State governor to achieving food security through an integrated agricultural development programmes.

T

HE Federal Ministry of Agri culture and Rural Develop ment has praised the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) for its contributions to the development of cassava production.

The ministry’s Deputy Director (Root and Tuber Crops), Dr Victor Odeyemi, made the commendation in Abuja at a meeting of stakeholders on the Action Plan for Cassava Transformation in Nigeria.

He said IITA contributed to control mosaic and other cassava diseases, adding that the institute had also developed various varieties of cassava.

The various researches, conducted

by IITA on cassava helped to increase cassava yield in the country from 20 to 40 metric tonnes per hectare to 80 tonnes per hectare, he said.

Odeyemi said the introduction of the Presidential Initiative on Cassava by former President Olusegun Obasanjo also contributed to efforts to accelerate the production of the root crop.

He said to boost cassava production, the Federal Government had given flour mills an ultimatum to introduce 10-per-cent cassava flour to composite flour used in baking bread.

He said the implementation of the Action Plan for Cassava Transformation would increase the income of 1.8 million cassava farmers by at least $450 (about N67, 500) per annum.

Odeyemi said it would also generate about 1.2 million jobs in the cassava sub-sector through the doubling of cassava production, processing and marketing in a fouryear period.

He said the implementation of the programme would ignite a remarkable increase in cassava production through demonstration and adoption of improved production technologies by farmers’ clusters.

According to him, the action plan will also lead to the establishment of a network of agro-dealers to supply the requisite agricultural inputs to cassava farmers.

FADAMA village for Nkpor community

T

HE Idemili North Local Government Council in Anambra State has earmarked 10 plots in Nkpor Community for the establishment of a multi-purpose Fadama village.

Mr Raphael Nnabuife, the Chairman, Transition Committee in Idemili North Local Gov-

ernment Council, said in Ogidi, Anambra.

He lauded the introduction of the Fadama programme in the area, and said its introduction had not contributed in creating job opportunities for the people.

He also said the programme had helped in enhancing the in-

come of rural farmers and contributed in the fight against poverty.

He said cassava and banana plantations would be established in the village, adding that poultry, pig and fish farms would also be established.

Nnabuife, who is also the act-

ing President-General, Nkpor community, lauded the state government for constructing rural feeder roads in the area to facilitate evacuation of agricultural produce to the markets.

On environment, the chairman said the council had within the last one month, painted and

beautified roundabouts, parks and cleared refuse in the area.

He said the council had also embarked on enlightenment campaign to sensitise the people on the dangers of displaying their wares on the road and the importance of evacuating drainage systems.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

14

AGRO-BUSINESS

In Anambra farming holds sway

By Daniel Essiet, Agric Correspondent

A

• Executive Director, National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research, Dr Augustine Okaeme; Chairman, Fish Value Chain Group, Dr Lanre Talabi and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Ezekiel Oyemomi, at the National Stakeholders’ Workshop on Development of Aquaculture Value Chain Process in Abuja

New policy will transform agric, says expert T

HE Federal Government’s integrated agricultural development programme will lead to the economy’s growth, according to the Country Director, Research into Use (RIU), Dr Utiang Ugbe.

RIU is a programme funded by the Department for International Development (DFID).

In an interview with The Nation, Ugbe said since the appointment of Dr Akinwumi Adesina as Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, he made important policy pronouncements.

These, he said, include a four-year strategy to generate 3.5 million jobs in the agricultural sector, and a new national focus on selected crop value chains such as cassava, cocoa, cotton, rice and sorghum.

Ugbe pointed out that the government took the initiative in developing a sustainable agribusiness through novel policy. This, he said, covers agriculture and allied sectors, such as horticulture, fisheries, animal husbandry, sericulture and food processing both in infrastructure and industrial segments on an end-to-end basis.

According to him, effort is being made to ensure strong growth in the sector and provide employment opportunities. An highlight of the policy, he said, is agriculture produce market reform to facilitate sustained operation of terminal markets for the benefit of farmers and other stakeholders.

Ugbe said: “To me, the integration of agriculture portfolio into the Economic Management Team, which is led

• Adesina

By Daniel Essiet, Agric Correspondent

by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, is a good move because it shows that the government understands the place of agriculture in the economy of Nigeria.

Another recent move that one has seen as very positive is the decision to pursue the development of selected agricultural value chains. This approach has been long overdue in Nigeria, so one is happy to see it getting attention at the highest level.

“The third pronouncement that I’m happy with is the decision to end what has for many years been seen as government’s problematic involvement in the fertiliser business. It would be a miracle if this actually happens, and the details of how this will be achieved are not yet made public, but it’s a good idea.”

On the agricultural value chain he considers most im-

• Ugbe

portant for Nigeria: “Every agricultural value chain is equally important if selected on the basis of national economic rationality.

“Media reports are my only source of information on these things. We saw an initial list of five value chains: cassava, cocoa, cotton, rice and sorghum. But that might just be the starting point, and I believe that Nigeria has the capacity to include several more value chains.

“For example, cowpea is not one of the selected crop value chains, and I think it should. Nigeria accounts for nearly 60 per cent of the world production of cowpea, yet a zero share of the international market.

“We also have evidence that Nigeria is currently an importer of packaged cowpea from countries that do not even produce it. In other words, Nigeria has a natural and historical economic competitive advantage on cowpea,

but the sector is still undeveloped. My warning is that if this competitive advantage is not harnessed through an aggressive value chain development strategy, another country will hijack the dynamics of cowpea production and Nigeria will become the world’s number one importer of beans by the year 2025.”

Defending the government’s plan to focus on cowpea production, Ugbe said the country accounts for almost 60 per cent of the global production. “Nigeria produces about three million tons of cowpea each year, most of which we use as food. Every ethnic group in Nigeria eats beans. Beans constitute the base ingredient for Gbegiri soup in Yoruba culture and Buraku, a delicacy in Adamawa and Borno states.

“We all eat moin-moin, olele, okpa, akara or kosai, all of which are made mainly from beans.

When we go to a bukateria for lunch, we would order for yam and beans, or rice and beans, or beans porridge.

“Nigerian society is one of the world’s highest eaters of beans in diversified forms.

So, it is great that Nigeria accounts for about 60 per cent of world cowpea production; it’s a high-protein food and a potential national cushion against global food crisis.”

He lamented that national cowpea productivity per hectare is still less than 500kg, whereas it is possible to achieve a productivity of about 3000kg per hectare.

“Imagine the annual output from Nigeria if we can achieve a productivity of just 1500kg! Just imagine that!”

Gombe provides 60 tractors to boost food production

T

HE Gombe State Government has given 60 tractors to farmers to boost agriculture production, Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo has said.

The tractors comprise 35 new and 25 refurbished tractors.

Dankwambo said three tractors were deployed in each of the 11 local government areas; the remaining 27 are at the State Tractor Hir-

ing Unit for hire by farmers. He said before the purchase of the new tractors and the refurbishing of the old ones, the unit could not boast of a single functional tractor.

He said besides the farming equipment, his administration had also purchased and distributed adequate quantity of fertiliser at subsidised rate to boost the morale of farmers.

Dankwambo urged Nigerians to ensure the unity of the country and love one another to sustain the legacies bequeathed to the country by its founding fathers.

He said when he assumed the leadership of the state four months ago, he identified security and youth restiveness as the critical concerns of the people, adding that he had been able to ad-

dress them.

In their remarks, the former Military Administrators of the state, Group Capt. Joe Orji (rtd) and Col. Muhammad Bawa (rtd), congratulated the people of Gombe for clocking 15 years as a state. Maj. Gen. Lawrence Onoja (rtd) also commended the government and people of the state for the collective efforts to prevent security threats in the state.

GRICULTURE is one of the priority sectors for development in Anambra State. The state has large hectares of arable land suitable for the cultivation of fruits and vegetables. Agriculture provides food and employment for about 80 per cent of the population.

The land is fertile for production of tropical crops, such as yam, cassava, rice, maize and cocoyam. Anambra has high potential for agricultural development. The lfite Ogwari Dam on the Anambra River provides water for 3,500 hectare irrigated land at Ornor for the cultivation of rice, maize, and out of season vegetables.

This project, with a target of 5,000 hectare of irrigated land, is a joint venture between the Federal Government and a Japanese consortium. The Ornor rice farms, together with the Ogboji Ezira rice lands of Orumba, and Odoekpe rice fields in Ogbaru, earn for Anambra State the third richest rice potential area in Nigeria. Large private farms, such as the Ekenedilichukwu Farms, Arnak Farms, and Pokobros are located in the rich hydromorphic soil regions of Anambra and Ayamelum Local Governments.

Forest reserves in the Mamu River Basin, Akpaka and Ajali Umeje reserves provide valuable forest products, protect the watersheds and maintain ecological balance, thereby helping to prevent sheet and gully erosion. Services and programmes geared towards increased agricultural production and forestry, including the organisation of farm groups.

Livestock is raised state - wide. Poultry and piggery are the major products. Oil Palm is also grown in the state with its by products - palm oil, kernel oil, kernel cake - used in manufacturing margarine and compound cooking fats, soap, cosmetics, crayon and candles.

Furthermore, Anambra is a state that has many other resources in terms of agrobased activities such as fishery and farming, as well as land cultivated for pasturing and animal husbandry. The state Ministry of Agriculture has a mandate to develop and modernise agriculture, and will readily give the necessary support and incentives to any serious investor who wants to invest and operate in the sector and support the government’s efforts • Governor Peter Obi to develop the sector.

The following investment opportunities have been identified - production and processing of baby vegetables; production of bio-fertilisers, crops such as yam, maize, mangoes, bananas, avocadoes, guava, cashews, oil palm, coconuts, mushrooms, peas, cowpeas, beans, etc. The government is pushing the agricultural sector in this direction through food security strategies that are already bearing fruit. Development of the agribusiness sector is very high on its agenda. It plans to attract further foreign investment in areas such as large-scale farming, animal feed production, cattle breeding and high value added food processing.

The sector offers potential for value adding processing for local and international markets. Several raw industrial materials and agro-products are located in various parts of the state and they include oil palm, maize, rice, yam, cassava, and fish. The government is ready to allocate plots of land to private, local and foreign investors. There are opportunities for livestock and poultry production such as sheep, goat, swine and rabbits, fowls, ducks and turkeys for eggs and white meat.

Investors are needed for poultry and fish (aquaculture) feeds production and for manufacture of, veterinary drugs for the animal industry. Pesticide plants are needed for the manufacture or fabrication of pre- and post-harvest pesticides.

Governor Peter Obi has said his administration would use mechanised farming to create, at least, 1,000 jobs and eradicate hunger and extreme poverty in the state. The government has, however, committed itself to diversify the economy, with agriculture being one of the focus areas.

So far, the administration has been working with businesses and farmers to help put together integrated agribusiness projects. The government has brought in experts to help do the necessary assessment on these opportunities, scoping of the projects as well as the feasibility studies and business plans. There is also scope for companies to get involved in the supply of services and input, such as improved seeds.

The state has been blessed with an abundance of arable land, decades of under investment in infrastructure has hampered efforts to profitably cultivate it. The government is ready to promote more sustainable agriculture, most notably through biotechnology which can improve soil productivity, allow crops to grow in a wider range of environments, and produce nutrient-enriched crops.

The government has declared food security its top priority, investing millions of naira in a programme to acquire improved seeds and fertilisers for distribution to farmers at subsidised prices. The government wants agriculture viewed as a profitable and steady business opportunity for entrepreneurs.

15 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

Vol 3 No. 146

N

IGERIA is a huge market for children products. Vir-

tually all the banks in the country have products designed for and targeted at the children market. From the first generation banking brands to the yuppie (young, urban and professional) banking brands, the story is the same. And all the banks have been utilising a litany of consumer promotions to woo children. This promos had before now been routed through parents or proxies. Yet, children who are the main target, had no say when the choices of particular children accounts in banks are made by their parents. But this may soon be a thing of the past with the strategy adopted by Access Bank to market directly to children using the vehicle of cartoon animation as exemplified in Dora, the Explorer.

The children’s positive response to the bank’s introduction of its Early Savers Account through a partnership with Nickelodeon saw Dora, The Explorer, the world-famous animated pre-school heroine and cartoon character in Nigeria for the first time was affirmed recently when many children in Lagos State joyously partied, and had fun with their favourite cartoon character at a birthday fiesta organised by the bank at the Federal Palace Hotel.

Many children and parents thronged the event.

Given the excitement, analysts contend that custodians of the Access Bank brand understand how the minds of their targeted consumers work. The Early Savers would be a hit with children because of the way it was introduced.

Access Bank’s brilliance in this new marketing onslaught will redefine the different segments of the banking sector – from now on, and the retail space may no longer be the same, especially the children products segment.

The strategic introduction of Early Savers Account already suggests that the children-focused financial product is in a different class among the several financial services products in the market as it has captured the hearts and minds of the young savers. Similarly, the appeal derivable from its association with Dora, the Explorer is pleasing to the children and resonates with them perfectly.

Access Bank has established itself as an industry leader in terms of pioneering initiative and setting standards for the Nigerian banking sector. The introduction of Early Savers Account heralded by Dora’s premier visit to Nigeria has set another standard for the industry in product launch and introduction.

Early Savers Account is more than a financial product. It is an institutional commitment to nation building and economic empowerment.

Signing on to the account offers immediate thrill and happiness to children and their parents as they have the opportunity of attending Dora the Explorer’s birthday. But beyond the celebration is the legacy the product leaves in the

•Dora The Explorer, the world famous animated pre-school heroine and cartoon character and children with invitation cards to ‘ Dora’s Birthday Fiesta’ organised by Access Bank and Nickelodeon as part of the benefits of the Access Early Savers Account, at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos.

Access Bank woos young savers with cartoon icon Access Bank and Nickledeon have thrilled children with Dora, the popular cartoon character to encourage money savings among children and make popular its product, Early Savers. WALE ALABI writes on the impact of this brand on children products in the banking sector. unbanked segment of the Nigerian economy, particularly children from the age 0 -9 years.

Early Savers seeks to partner account holders from childhood to adulthood and create a platform for understanding of their financial transaction and process. As a brand, Access Bank has scored a some of firsts with this initiative.

For instance, this is the first time a Nigerian bank is bringing a product with world class brand to impact the future of children. This is also the first time a Nigerian bank will follow the evolution of a person from childhood to manhood.

Besides, recent financial crisis has

shown that nothing is constant and there is the need to plan for the future, by growing wealth to sustain one’s condition and ensures their wealth .

Speaking on the new product, Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Access Bank, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, said: “Access Bank’s introduction of Access Early Savers Account is yet another demonstration of our commitment to the relationship we share with our customers. The new product is a strategic response to the quest of our parent-customers to have a product by the bank that al-

lows them to save for the future of their children as well as secure their future by inculcating in them a savings culture. That the future belongs to the children is a universally acknowledged truth, but the level of preparation and empowerment provided them is integral to how that future is shaped. Access Bank’s Early Savers Account seeks to embark on a brilliant journey into the future with Nigeria’s children by creating opportunities and platforms for them to excel through education, entrepreneurship and financial literacy”.

“Giving the collective belief in the need for Nigeria to address significant gaps in the development of the value system of children, we are confident that Nigerian parents will quickly identify with and endorse the Access “Early Savers” product.”

Also Alex Okosi, Senior VicePresident & Managing Director, MTV Networks Africa, said: “We are delighted that Dora, the Explorer, will be helping young Nigerian children to go on an exciting adventure that will help them understand the value of money and get involved in the banking system early on.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

16

MTN’s N1b promo

T

HE current N1 billion give-away tagged, The Big Reward, has once again marked MTN, the network with the widest reach in Nigeria, as a leader whose presence can neither be ignored nor wished away in the country’s telecommunications scene.

Following directives from the National Communications Commission (NCC) that all networks keep a database of their subscribers via SIM card registration, the public space has been inundated with different schemes, baits and advertisements all in a bid to drive people to the different registration centres currently dotting the nooks and crannies of the country.

However, as has become synonymous with the local culture, the September 28 deadline seemed abstract and traffic to the desired locations remained low. In response, several networks have embarked on promos and sundry incentive based measures to achieve the desired results.

By some coincidence or good fortune, the registration falls within the season of MTN’s 10 th Anniversary. In appreciation of the goodwill it has enjoyed in 10 years of operation in Nigeria, the network giant has chosen, ‘Thank You Nigeria’, as its celebration theme.

This, it has boldly played out in various ways, including the introduction of new value packages, live concerts and numerous CSR activities. The country has simply been abuzz these past months.

It, therefore, was another pleasant surprise to many when MTN added The Big Reward to say thank you to its loyal subscribers. True, the initiative may have been necessitated by the NCC directive, and the network admits as much; however, the uniqueness in this case is that rather than weave exploitative interests into the target of getting subscribers to register their SIMs, MTN is primarily intent on dishing out rewards to its over 40 million users.

The modalities are very straight forward: register your SIM with either MTN or NCC, migrate to any of the new packages (Funlink Reloaded, Supersaver, Family & Friends Expanded), recharge your card and you qualify for a draw.

In all, 10 people will win N10 million every 10 days; 900 people will win N100, 000 each, plus N10 million worth of instant cash prizes.

This is the biggest reward scheme ever in the history of Nigerian telecommunications - all with no strings attached!

Already, the first set of 10 new millionaires was rewarded at the draws held at the Golden Plaza head office of MTN on September 20. They include Oladapo Simeon, an undergraduate of the University of Lagos; Gift Azubuike, a hairdresser and Latifa Ogbeifun, a Computer Science graduate.

The event was presided over by Mr. Okechukwu Aninweke, zonal co-ordinator of

By Chinedu Aforonwa the NCC, who testified: ‘We have had 10 years of GSM in Nigeria and many reward programmes have come and gone, but this is the first time I am hearing of a N1 billion give away ... It is, indeed impressive.’ Since it began operations ten years ago, MTN Nigeria has remained undaunted in its commitment to enrich the lives of Nigerians at every possible touch point.

At a time when telecommunications services in the country was virtually non-existent and even major bigwigs dreaded to come close, the company packed its experience, skill and influence into a dogged determination to change the Nigerian story. This daring move, it turns out, changed the history of communications in Nigeria, nay, Africa.

The company’s activity in corporate governance remains the benchmark for corporate Nigeria and it is about the only telecoms organisation in Nigeria to publicly announce profits, yearly. Only a tested leader can stand so assuredly, resisting the alluring temptation of tax evasion and avoidance.

As a part of the MTN Group, MTN Nigeria sponsored the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. This was the first time the highly coveted event was coming to Africa. Explaining the rationale for the huge investments in bringing the World Cup home, MTN Data and Devices Manager, Mr Tayo Judge, had said: ‘Customers want to be entertained, stimulated, emotionally affected and creatively challenged.

That is why we are sponsoring the global soccer competition. We believe that sponsorship in Nigeria needs to be taken to the next level too.’

Unarguably, MTN Who Wants to be a Millionaire TV game show remains one of the biggest property on Nigerian television. At its inception, the organisers of the highly educative and entertaining programme fragmentised it among several players. This strategy appeared to do little regarding sustainability. As the situation grew increasingly dire, MTN was approached to save the day, and the network has since shown it has the financial muscles and expertise to carry through.

The programme has also grown to become a unifying factor for Nigerians irrespective of age, class or religion as the rest of the country keeps faith with those on the Hot Seat and share their tense moments and shouts of victory. The programme has gone on to touch every strata of the society with extensions such as the Celebrity Version, Who Deserves to be a Millionaire and Children’s Special.

MTN Project Fame remains the only music talent hunt show television with an in-house academy to train contestants.

•Chinedu is a public analyst in Lagos

•From left: Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Wael Ammar; Director, Brands and Communications, Mr. Enitan Denloye and Director, Products and Service, Mr. Lucas Dada all of Etisalat Nigeria, at the Easyblaze Exhibition organised by the telecoms giants at The Galleria in Lagos.

Waiting for Interswitch, banks et al

C

BN has said it. The World Bank has endorsed it. That is it. There is no going back. The planned cashless banking policy recently announced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) would happen no matter what market analysts say. For a start, the World Bank has said the policy is the route to the Promised Land for Nigeria.

Meaning: it is the road to making Nigeria one of the top 20 economies in the world by 2020 or 20:2020. The World Bank also agreed that operating a cashless society in Nigeria is a key strategy to fast-track growth in the nation’s financial sector.

However, the oracle at the World Bank also noted that getting access to finance and developing a vibrant market that would create more jobs requires the backing of a solid and modern financial sector. To make that happen, the country must embrace and operate a cashless system, so that cash payments and monetary movement within and around the country can be tracked, then it would be easier to ascertain how much cash was moved and who moved it and for what purposes.

Reports have it that over $1billion funds moved back and forth between Ghana and Nigeria in 2010. No one has a clue about the source or destination of the fund. That is because the fund did not pass through any formal channel. It got out of the country though GMG bags. A situation like this worries the World Bank.

That is one of the reasons it is backing the cashless regime. It understands that moving cash around is a normal phenomenon in Nigeria, such act aids money laundering. The World Bank wants this stopped. The cashless regime presents a systematic way to make this dream come true. What exactly is a cashless society? It is a culture where you do not spend cash, where you make purchases happen through credit cards, cheques or direct transfers from your account to the account of your laundry man, supermarket or a school through mobile banking.

Now you use why the World Bank is in love with the cashless policy and why it warned that as the world increasingly moves towards a cashless society, continuing with the fashion of moving cash around would take Nigeria’s financial sector a step backward. What do we do? To move the economy forward, we have to embrace cashless regime. Therefore, in its wisdom, and in accordance with global best practice, the CBN would roll out thousands of point of sales (PoS) terminals and ATMs to ensure the success of the operation.

Although the policy would take full effect in June 2012, the apex bank would use Lagos as a guinea pig. Therefore, the cashless train would move out this December and destination is Lagos. The core benefits of the policy are multidimensional. Besides reducing the running costs of banks by almost 30 per cent and affording Nigerians the opportunity to participate directly in the financial sector, it would also promote a card-carrying culture among Nigerians.

Do not worry. The CBN and other stakeholders are working round the clock to ensure a successful take off in Lagos. Some of these stakeholders are Interswitch, banks,

3Line et al. These e-payment entities are up to the task, especially, Interswitch that is rolling out hundreds of point of sales (PoS) terminals at shops and other transaction points to enable the acceptance of payments with cards.

To make it happen, Interswitch has tied the payment around reward and loyalty programmes such that Lagos residents who use their Verve cards at these locations would get additional value in excess of the items/ services they pay for. To bring the unbanked into the formal financial system, Interswitch would encourage the unbanked community to get Verve card for easy transactions and other benefits that come with the Verve card.

With the community in mind, Interswitch has designed Verve prepaid card, a customizable card to suit the needs of this segment in a way they can easily obtain and use the cards without the stress of a bank account. Reports said over 95 per cent of the ATMs in Nigeria accept the Verve cards and while over 20 banks issue Verve card. This fact has placed Interswitch at a position to push Verve card into the hands of new cardholders that would emerge in the new cashless regime.

To attract the unbanked into the formal sector, Interswitch has started the second edition of its Verve Get & Win Promo, where existing and new Verve cardholders could win prizes. Its card solution is to accommodate the divergent needs of the banked and unbanked segments of the market. “We have also put systems in place to develop card solutions that will provide for the sophisticated emerging needs of the market”.

Addressing the media recently, Head of Verve Business Unit, Tobi Boshoro, Verve, gives existing and new cardholders’ valueadded services that “cannot be offered by other card brands”. Interswitch encourages Nigerians - irrespective of gender and political affiliations - to embrace the card culture as prescribed by the CBN. 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”.

Aside, the banks have now recognised the potential of the unbanked and are introducing resourceful methods of bringing them into the formal economy. Most of the banks have also developed special products targeted at the unbanked in readiness for the takeoff of operation cashless. In this vein, Access Bank has introduced the Early Savers Account, a custom-made banking product for Nigerian parents and children as part of efforts to deepen its retail banking.

FinBank has FlashMeCash product, which allows account holders to send and receive money using their phones. This would benefit the unbanked. Zenith Bank has also prepared for the take-off of the cashless regime, as its Zenith Mobile Link enables customers to effect transactions through SMS. This infrastructure provides the key to mobile banking development in the country. As we wait for some of these products, and the commencement of the cashless policy, the CBN and the World Bank would endorse the initiatives of these companies.

‘That is one of the reasons it is backing the cashless regime. It understands that moving cash around is a normal phenomenon in Nigeria, such act aids money laundering. The World Bank wants this stopped. The cashless regime presents a systematic way to make this dream come true. What exactly is a cashless society? It is a culture where you do not spend cash, where you make purchases happen through credit cards, cheques or direct transfers from your account to the account of your laundry man, supermarket or a school through mobile banking’

*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.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

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THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

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EDITORIAL/OPINION Comments

EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

Better late than never •The Northern elite must be frank and bold at their confab on Boko Haram

T

HE Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has suddenly seen the urgent need to intercede in the Boko Haram insurgency that has been perilous to the nation’s security. The northern socio-cultural group is planning to convoke a conference that will address the menace of insecurity and proffer the way forward for the North.

During a meeting with Aminu Tambuwal, Speaker, House of Representatives, the ACF reportedly observed, through Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Gusau, its committee chairman for the Conference on Contact and Mobilisation that: “We in the North must be part of the progress and development of the country; we have fought for the unity of this country and it must be sustained. Time is now and the ACF has come up with the conference to address the problems fac-

‘We urge the ACF to muster enough courage to be objective and dispassionate in treating them. The body should ensure that these factors are openly discussed at the proposed conference. The northern socio-cultural group must not mix the purity of Islam with the vanity of politics, otherwise, its entire effort will be a jamboree - an absolute waste of time, energy and scarce resources’

ing the entire North.”

He further said: “We realised that under our revered leader, the late Sardauna, nobody dare say I’m a Muslim or a Christian; everybody lived together in peace and the nation was moving forward, but things have changed to the level that we are now at each other’s neck.’’

We welcome the proposed all-inclusive conference initiative on Boko Haram.

However, we take exception to the tardiness of the body to act, especially in view of the bleeding injury the sect’s activities have caused not only the North but the entire country. We note that the largerthan-life image of Boko Haram would, ab initio, have been curbed but for the undue prolonged silence of the northern elite which to us encouraged the sect to perpetuate more evil against the Nigerian state.

We recall that Tishau, the self-confessed co-founder of Boko Haram had sometime ago implicated, in an interview aired and published nationally, the northern elite, especially the governors, for breeding groups pursuing interests that are inimical to that of the nation. No credible elite voice from the North has come out to denounce what Tishau said.

What can be inferred from this is that Boko Haram and other injurious groups from that region are northern political elites’ creation. It is very sad to imagine that this could be true.

More pertinent to us, however, is the fact that the conference should not just

be a mere talk show where people will come and grandstand. The northern elite must seize this opportunity to tell themselves the truth. All northern stakeholders, including the governors, emirs, political office holders and others from that region with seen and inferred interests in its security and that of Nigeria must be invited to state their grievances, analyse the problems at hand and proffer solutions that can immediately nip the security challenges we are facing in the bud.

We are happy that leaders from the North have realised that insecurity and self-inflicted turmoil are affecting gravely northern development. They promote the detrimental phenomenon of almajiris and also fan embers of ethno-religious crisis for none other than parochial reasons. We have always known that in the long run, such avoidable violence and ulterior pursuits would put the North’s modernisation at risk, and the earlier its leaders realised this, the better.

Most of the issues surrounding the turmoil in the North are well known. We urge the ACF to muster enough courage to be objective and dispassionate in treating them. The body should ensure that these factors are openly discussed at the proposed conference. The northern socio-cultural group must not mix the purity of Islam with the vanity of politics, otherwise, its entire effort will be a jamboree - an absolute waste of time, energy and scarce resources.

Laudable scheme •We commend Ekiti welfare initiative for the aged to other states and the FG

I

NDIGENT senior citizens’ of Ekiti State origin now have something to look forward to at the end of every month. The Governor Kayode Fayemi administration has initiated a social welfare scheme that they are to benefit from.

The governor announced a monthly package of N5,000 each for them during a live broadcast to mark the country’s 51st Independence and the state’s 15th anniversaries. About 53,000 senior citizens who are 65 years and above, and have no one to cater for them, are to benefit from the package.

This is salutary, especially in a country where the elderly are hardly remembered. In spite of their age, they are left to fend for themselves, a cruel experience in old age. We have to take good care of our old ones because people that do not die young will eventually grow old. We make old age to look like punishment when we abandon our senior citizens. In many advanced countries, they are specially taken care of, at least to ensure that they age gracefully.

We commend the Ekiti State government for this initiative. The state is not particularly rich; and this makes the lesson the more profound. A state government does not have to be swimming in money before it can take care of people who have no one to fend for them, especially at old age. The money may look small, but it is symbolic. At least it shows commitment to the cause of the aged. No

doubt the gesture will be appreciated by the beneficiaries because before now, they have had to depend solely on the generosity of friends and relations.

The gesture is particularly noteworthy because of the country’s economic situation. Ekiti State did not just stumble on its slogan of ‘Fountain of knowledge’, the state earned this reputation because of the love of the people for western education. Unfortunately, the economic downturn has altered so many things, with many graduates now roaming the streets years after graduation. So, there is a role reversal, as many parents who sent their children to school with the hope of sitting back to reap the fruits of their labour end up disappointed, when years after graduation, the parents are still the ones taking care of their jobless graduates.

This is a major reason why many of the senior citizens in the country have no one to look after them.

The Fayemi administration appreciates this challenge as it had earlier initiated a free healtcare scheme for the senior citizens in the state. A laudable aspect of the scheme is the fact that it took cognisance of the people’s cultural values. The other option open to the government would have been to just establish old people’s homes for them, from where the government would take up the responsibility of catering to their needs. But this is forbidden by the people’s culture. In the state, as in other parts of Yorubaland,

people see the culture of depositing their old ones in old people’s homes as alien and lack of affection for people who had taken good care of their children in their prime.

We welcome the state’s social welfare scheme and indeed commend it to other states and the Federal Government. It will go a long way in providing for people who did not work either for the government or in the private sector and are therefore not entitled to pension. Old age is something to be celebrated; therefore the senior citizens should be assisted to enjoy theirs to the full. We can only hope the scheme would not be abused like the pension in many parts of the country because that is the only way to make its impact fully felt.

‘We welcome the state’s social welfare scheme and indeed commend it to other states and the Federal Government. It will go a long way in providing for people who did not work either for the government or in the private sector, and are thus not entitled to pension. Old age is something to be celebrated; therefore the senior citizens should be assisted to enjoy theirs to the full’

The wrong way to deal with China

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HINA is undeniably manipulating its currency.

Countries around the world, including the United States, are losing jobs because their manufacturing industries cannot compete with artificially cheap Chinese goods. For the good of the world economy, and its own long-term economic development, China should stop.

Still, a Senate bill, with strong bipartisan support, to punish countries that manipulate their currencies is a bad idea. It could do even more damage to the American economy if — as is all too likely — China decides to retaliate.

Senator Charles Schumer, a Democrat of New York, declared that the legislation “is a clear, unwavering message from both parties to China’s leaders — the jig is up; it’s time to stop gaming the system or face severe consequences.” Talk of payback is playing well with his colleagues. On Monday, 79 senators — 47 Democrats, 31 Republicans and 1 independent — voted to initiate debate.

Growing trade with China over the past two decades has been one of the leading causes of the decline of manufacturing employment. The United States would likely add jobs over time if the renminbi was allowed to rise more significantly. Some high-technology industries, like the nascent American solar-panel business, would be a lot more competitive against their Chinese rivals. But many of the low-wage businesses lost to Chinese competition — like toys and textiles — will never come back.

Stiff retaliatory tariffs or other punishments are also very unlikely to persuade Beijing to swiftly abandon a policy that has been at the core of its economic strategy for two decades. Instead, it could add an explosive new conflict to an already heavy list of bilateral frictions.

The Senate bill is intended to limit the executive branch’s discretion. It would require the Treasury Department to identify countries whose currencies were grossly misaligned — with China everyone’s favorite culprit. If Beijing persisted, Washington would be required — with a delimited presidential waiver — to stop spending federal dollars on Chinese goods, and consider the renminbi’s undervaluation in antidumping cases against Chinese imports. The Treasury Department would also be required to ask the Federal Reserve to consider acting in currency markets to counteract the undervaluation of China’s currency. And the bill would increase the pressure on the Commerce Department to impose tariffs on undervalued Chinese products.

Given Beijing’s history of meeting fire with fire, many experts fear that China would retaliate on other fronts, like dragging its feet on customs inspections of American imports, opening new antidumping investigations against American goods or slowing its promised efforts to halt the stealing of American intellectual property. Beijing might even slow the renminbi’s current rise against the dollar, which translates into an appreciation rate of some 10 percent per year, after taking Chinese inflation into account.

The Obama administration has been pressing Beijing on the broad range of economic relations. It has won some important cases at the World Trade Organization.

But it could do more to challenge other illegal policies, like China’s ban on the export of rare earth materials used in high-tech industries.

It could more explicitly link China’s bid for a bilateral investment agreement with the United States and a designation as a “market economy” at the W.T.O. to improvements in Chinese policies. It should press the European Union, Brazil and others to increase the rhetorical heat. China’s undervalued currency hurts them, too.

Beijing is not immune to pressure. But the Senate bill is too blunt an instrument.

• New York

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THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

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EDITORIAL/OPINION

S

IR: “Our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education. The human mind is our fundamental resource.” John Fitzgerald Kennedy, a former United States (US) President, might have had not only the US in mind but also other nations of the world, including Nigeria, desirous of marked advancement in all areas of their national life in mind when he made this submission decades ago.

That’s why the year-on-year results and overall performances of students in public examinations in the last decade, particularly in the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) have been a real source of worry to patriotic Nigerians and true friends of the country.

For instance, the latest May/June examination results indicated that less than 22% of the over one-million candidates that sat the examinations passed with at least five Credits in five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

What key factors could be traced to the comparatively poor reading habit among the so-called “BlackBerry (BB) learners” in the

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Reading culture and mass failures in exams country these days? And whose fault is it really?

Government at all levels, parents, teachers, students/learners, school proprietors/proprietresses, education administrators and managers, total collapse of societal value system and other stakeholders in the Nigerian enterprise have a lot to share in the blame.

There are have been numerous instances where lots of dishonest private school managements greedily jack up exam fees, running into tens of thousands of naira, for “logistics”. Even without any tinge of serious pre-examination coaching and assessment in the examination subjects to determine how candidates would fare eventually, such pervert private schools and their tutorial centres’ collaborators who also arrange for “Special Centres” with their massive posters that tend

to offend the sensibilities of wellversed Nigerians with things like “8 As Guaranteed” (in WAEC/NECO); “Score 300 and above” (in UTME), and other ridiculous inscriptions to attract patronage.

Other crucial factors fuelling poor reading culture among students are apparent misapplication of information and communication technology (ICT) tools through endless, time-consuming “sweet nonsense” chats online and listening to hundreds of musical tracks; excessive TV and video games watching; and undue emphasis on deceptive and distracting quick-rich syndromes, urging the youth to become “stars” and “millionaires” overnight, particularly as it’s the fad in the entertainment industry, where all manner of dances and mega jams are flaunted at these young ones.

The implications of these obvious

lapses in effective learning have been grave on the economy. Now, poorly prepared school leavers get pushed over into tertiary institutions. In turn, the shortfall in painstaking learning, reading, writing and communicative abilities continues to manifest even years after graduation.

Besides the alleged rampant phenomenon afflicting some higher institutions of learning called “sorting”, part of the tragic economy of trading in grades and degrees, Prof.

Okey Ndibe, a Nigerian who teaches Fiction and African Literature in Hartford, CT, United States, wrote something similar in his recent article titled: “Sexually Transmitted Degrees”.

In the piece, the foremost newspaper columnist wrote that: “There are ... multitudes of Nigerian bankers, engineers, lawyers, accountants, physicians, mass

Obj, let President Jonathan be

S

IR: It dealt more vigorous blow to the already tawdry personality of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to see for ourselves in The Nation of October 5, a copy of the purported letter he was alleged, but earlier denied by him, to have written to President Jonathan for recommendation of names for appointments into some federal agencies.

Reading through the published letter, I felt disgusted that the country has been unlucky to have a deceitful and two-mouthed man of Obasanjo’s ilk first as a Nigerian and most regrettably as a former president.

After spending three years as a military head of state and came back in 1999 to spend another eight years as a democratic president with unimpressive achievements relative to the exorbitant resources available to him to change the face of Nigeria, why would he still not have the maturity to leave the new man alone to do his own best without unnecessary interference from a confused man like him?

It is high time Chief Obasanjo realized he is not the only elder statesman in the country today. That he has become so egocentric that he believes he could dictate at all time to President Jonathan is a mystery. Does he see himself above the millions of

Nigerians who put the president in power through their votes in April 19? Even though he had his own input in Jonathan/Sambo 2011 presidential project, he could not have taken himself to represent the entire fine men and women, fathers and mothers, boys and girls, political and non-political groups that campaigned and trooped out in mass to vote President Jonathan in.

The president owes the entire

country the basic responsibilities he swore to discharge while taking the oath of office in May 29 and not only Obasanjo.

Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, Chief Ernest Shonekan, Rtd Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, and Gen. Ibrahim Babangida among other elder statesmen have all taken the path of honour by allowing President Jonathan a breathing space in key government decision making

processes, and not choking him unnecessarily by meddling in the affairs that are exclusive preserve of the president. Therefore, won’t Obasanjo rather let the president be, for at the end of the day, it is Jonathan we are all going to assess by his performance and not Obasanjo in any way. I think we already had enough of him.

• Alimi Olukola Fatai.

Osogbo, Osun State.

communicators, economists –to name a few– who flaunt sexually transmitted degrees, diplomas or certificates. Or degrees that were priced and bought, not earned through diligent study.”

As a university teacher himself who understands the nation’s system very well, can Ndibe’s postulation be farther from the truth?

Therefore, President Goodluck Jonathan’s ‘Roadmap on Education’, reportedly launched as part of his Administration’s Transformation Agenda at the nation’s 51st Independence Anniversary, in Abuja, must not end there. Requisite teaching, research and learning infrastructure and adequate funding should be provided to revive the fortune of this highly distressed industry.

Public examination bodies should improve on exam invigilation endeavour, and continue to intensify efforts at deploying innovative ICT tools to beat unprepared candidates, their dubious collaborators and academic criminals to the rising exam malpractices cabal’s game, in order to augment the effectiveness of their operations.

Parents and guardians who delight in buying live exam papers for hired exam writers, and/or paying needless huge sums of money for their children/wards to sit exams in specially-arranged exam centres must realise the fact that they are only destroying the future of such children and wards aside from doing a great disservice to Nigeria in connection with the much-needed, quality human capital to prop up its prostrate economy.

• Gbenga Kayode Wordkraft Communications Limited, Lagos.

Don’t remove fuel subsidy for peace to reign!

S

IR: “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it”, so says George Santayana; when I read that President Goodluck Jonathan has finally conveyed to the National Assembly his administration’s intention to begin the removal of fuel subsidy next year, I concluded that our leaders have not learnt from history. They are doomed to re-enact violent mass protests in the North Africa and the Middle East that toppled Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

Any government policy that reduces real income of the people provides motivation for violent protests. Removal of fuel subsidy,

increase in food price, increase in taxation, call it any name, so far it tokenizes the real income of the masses will generate frustration and frustration will generate aggression.

The rise in food prices contributed to the wave of protests across North Africa and the Middle East.

In 1977 Egypt experienced threeday “bread riots” that killed over 800 people, which were a response to the Egyptian government’s removal of state subsidies for basic foodstuffs, as mandated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The root cause of the famous French Revolution of 1789 was the occurrence of bad harvest in 1788 which led to high food prices in France and later snowballed into bloody riots.

Coming home, in 1929 the colonial masters, stupidly imposed heavy tax on market women of Aba and its environs; this led to Aba Women’s Riots of 1929, which led to the revocation of the draconian colonial policy. Failing to learn from history, the military government in Western Region Nigeria, exactly 40 years after the Aba saga in 1969, imposed unjustifiable tax on the Ibadan farmers. The outcome? Agbekoya (farmers) revolt; eventually the military government was forced against its will to rescind the decision to increase tax, which will reduce the real income of the people.

Seriously, this is not the best time to remove the fuel subsidy. The federal government has not

convinced intelligent Nigerians that its transformation agenda is not a mendacious abstraction that will end up as a tantalizing mirage. How do we transform our nation when over 90% of the annual budget is spent on recurrent expenditure? We cannot transform any sector with 10% budgetary allocation spent on capital expenditure.

I will advise President Jonathan to drop the idea of removing fuel subsidy in order to finance capital project; rather let him opt for PublicPrivate-Partnership financing model.

• Olusoji Ajao Peace & Conflict Studies University of Ibadan, Ibadan.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011 16

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EDITORIAL/OPINION

Reality Bites T

Olatunji Ololade

ODAY, our hopes mate even with fantasy-fitted fears and we dream our way to the future like the drunk’s feeble strut towards the closed liquor store. The freedom we flaunt smells like human faeces and cow dung. When you taste it, it stings like badly brewed beer. Having drunk too much of it for too long, we go through each day in a perpetual hang over.

After 51 years, there should be nothing left. But we stand somnolent in our everlasting hang over; dreaming of a better Nigeria and a better future even as we entrust our heartfelt dreams to familiar undertakers. But that is simply one way to look at us. We are the nation of excellent technocrats and desirable intellectuals who entrusted our destinies to President Goodluck Jonathan and company.

Guess it will simply not do to deny the promise and intimidating potentials of President Goodluck Jonathan anymore. Who knows, President Jonathan may unexpectedly become that proverbial revolutionary that Nigeria so badly needs. Perhaps it is certainly not fair to crucify President Jonathan for damages wrought over preceding years of bad leadership.

He is not a magician, is he? Neither is he a “lion,” a thug, “Pharaoh,” or autocratic army general.

But he is, despite everything, Executive President and Commanderin-Chief of the armed forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

By virtue of his office and the expanse of his territory, President Goodluck Jonathan is to the African continent what American President Barack Obama is to the world.

But he does not seem to know that yet. That is why he may never chart that remarkable roadmap that would see us evolve from the sleeping giant of Africa to an intercontinental super power.

It’s amazing what colourful definitions we ascribe to Mr. President.

Agreed, it is hardly a good time to be Mr. President but is there ever a good time to be Mr. President?

Goodluck Jonathan could never have it as easy as he would like it to be – not with our catalogue of recurrent tragedies.

Governance is never so easy; not in any part of the world. It takes a real man to rise to the demands of leadership particularly within the worst of abnormal climes and political culture. Is Goodluck Jonathan such a man? If he is, he need not labour to evolve into that superextraordinaire President of our dreams – if such an impressive personality truly exists.

He need not labour to moot or hatch the most intricate and complicated leadership culture; all he

‘Can President Goodluck Jonathan tame tragedy and rewrite it into bliss? Can he cultivate history and command it? Can he become the solution to Nigeria’s most pressing problems?’

T

HE message of the Ogun State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) to the governor of the state, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, is crystal clear and unambiguous: Your predecessor did not implement the PAYE Act; heavens did not fall as a result of that. Why then must you insist on implementing the law?

I have followed with keen interest the developing story on the issue of tax in Ogun State. The story is now about to attain a denouement with the seven-day ultimatum issued by Labour to the state government.

The Ogun NLC accused the state government of a hike in Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax to the tune of 300 per cent; though it later kept quiet on the quantum of increment alleged. It also accused the government of not paying the arrears of leave bonuses and gratuities inherited from the previous government of Otunba Gbenga Daniel. It demanded the immediate repeal of the law on Contributory Pension Scheme.

The government of Ogun State, from news reports, seems to have cried itself hoarse on the above issues. It describes as a lie the rumour of a 300 per cent increase in Personal Income Tax of its civil servants, “saying that it has not increased tax by even one per cent; the state government is only implementing to the letter the Personal Income Tax Act (Cap P8 LFN 2004),which guides the administration of Income Tax throughout Nigeria.”

It says it is the first state government in Nigeria to pay N18,250 minimum wage, which is above the benchmark of the Minimum Wage Act. It is probably the only state government in Nigeria that allowed all its workers to claim, in advance, the maximum benefits and allowances allowed by the PAYE Act. This means that all civil servants in the state have four children, dependant relatives, etc. It has also not compelled its workers to pay back the arrears of unpaid taxes and penalties, as it is the case in tax administration.

Contrary to the allegations of tax rise, the governor, at his recent interactive forum with the workers, which was widely reported in the media, explained that the tax

Parable of the President who couldn’t be a lion (2) need do is be President Goodluck Jonathan. But that is where the problem truly lies. Is Goodluck Jonathan the model President Nigeria truly needs?

He is the President Nigeria currently deserves, no doubt about that – but the most conscientious jury will certainly falter on the necessity of a President Goodluck Jonathan as the C-in-C of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, particularly at this moment in history.

Can President Goodluck Jonathan tame tragedy and rewrite it into bliss? Can he cultivate history and command it? Can he become the solution to Nigeria’s most pressing problems? How? In his independence speech; in that familiar bland, platitudinous style characteristic of Nigeria’s ruling class, he waxed lyrical, sentimental and tough.

He said: “I value all Nigerians. I see our youth who are looking for jobs and yet remain hopeful. I see the farmer, and fisherman, toiling everyday to earn a living. I see the teacher, working hard, to train our future generations, with much sacrifice.

“I see the market women whose entrepreneurial spirit helps to generate income for their children and families…I see our resilience and commitment, as a nation, to defend our democracy and secure our future. I see every single profession and vocation, making positive contributions to national progress. I value you all!”

In President Jonathan’s speech subsist the irony of an accidental metaphor; when you idealize it too seriously, it becomes contrived.

President Jonathan’s address is at once a contradiction and barely disguised attempt to poke fun at over 140 million Nigerians. And that is merely a way to consider it.

Despite his hearty attempt to evoke the nationalistic spirit and confidence in his leadership, President Jonathan would have done better if changes and progress he excitedly recounted are in any way felt and discernible to the unemployed youth, farmer, fisherman and market woman whose plights he claims to be concerned with.

Now, according to Mr. President, “Because of the measures” he has “taken on the economy, our GDP is today one of the fastest growing in Africa. We are currently growing the economy at 7.8%. We expect to sustain an 8% growth rate and a better GDP in the medium term, on our journey towards realizing our Vision 20:2020 goal.”

There is hardly anything worth the excitement and hope of the purported recipients of his message.

This is because Mr. President’s economics complicates the ease in easy.

Even as Economics is erroneously adjudged one of the soft sciences, it is indeed one of the “soft” sciences without easy answers.

Yet President Jonathan will have us believe that his 7.8 per cent growth rate is the best thing that would ever happen to the unemployed youth, farmer, fisherman and market woman. How? At what cost and to whose disadvantage?

In economics, the only rationally accessible truths manifest at the individual or organizational – that is, the microeconomic level. For instance, it is clearly the case for the individual that more will be demanded, subject to the law of diminishing returns, if the real economic costs (prices) are less, all other things being equal. Only at the individual or organizational level can all other things (ceteris paribus), be held equal.

At the macroeconomic level how-

Ogun NLC’s seven-day ultimatum to government

By Olusegun Adebayo payable by certain categories of workers had actually reduced. “For instance, workers on Grade Level 1 to 5, who used to earn N17,384 and paid N471 as tax now earn N23,769 and pay N369 as tax because, according to the Personal Income Tax Act, those who earn below N30,000 are allowed a minimum tax.”

The governor also cited the example of officers on Grade Levels 6 and 7 whose salaries, based on the new minimum wage, increased from about N25,000 to N33,000 and from N31,000 to N43,000 respectively but whose taxes, based on compliance with the Income Tax Act, only increased by about N800, saying that every worker in Ogun State was better off in spite of the full implementation of the PAYE law.

While lamenting the refusal of the last administration to pay the salaries of workers in full, which resulted in the illegal tax policy, he stated clearly that staff could apply the Personal Income Tax Act to compute their pay and where they established over deduction of taxes, the Board of Internal Revenue would refund them, even with interest!

The governor, during that same forum, promised to fulfill the state obligation on the Contributory Pension Scheme, saying that he would not allow those retirees that had served the state meritoriously to suffer as was the case in the past.

I recall vividly that the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa, had during a press conference cleared the air on the alleged reduction of salaries of Permanent Secretaries. He said the Ogun State House of Assembly in 2008 passed a bill on reduction of salaries of political office holders and Permanent Secretaries. He stated that despite the 2008

law, the present government sent a bill to the House of Assembly to reduce further the salaries of only political office holders, as a demonstration of the commitment of the Senator Amosun-led government to ensure that everyone in the new government sacrificed for the rebuilding mission of the state.

It is clear from the foregoing that the issues involved in the Labour agitation in Ogun State are strictly on law. The Personal Income Tax Act is a federal law; it is the duty of all authorities in Nigeria to implement that law to the letter. As a matter of fact, I think the labour leaders should have commended Governor Amosun for not only complying with the Minimum Wage Act and PAYE Act but paying the salaries of workers in full and as at when due.

As I had cause to say recently, it is the obedience to law that distinguishes human community from that of the beasts. No nation advances without adherence to the rule of law. Labour should therefore direct its agitation to the National Assembly in Abuja seeking a repeal or amendment of the Personal Income Tax Act and Pension Act. Labour however could appeal to Governor Amosun to pay the arrears of leave bonuses and gratuities inherited from the previous administration that served for eight years.

But the question political observers will ask is, ‘Why will Labour go on strike on account of the sins committed by the former government of Ogun State, worse, when it did not do so when that government was in power?’

It should not forget in a hurry that the state government remains the employer, not the employees and holds all the aces should union leaders decide to plunge the state into

ever, nothing can be held equal, so no real truths can emerge. It is at this point that facts become sacred and yet ultimately violable, and history becomes malleable. We know that there are great efficiencies to be gained by an improvement in the growth rate of a country’s GDP. But we also know that the micro and macro-economics of such growth process, particularly in Nigeria, translates as balderdash to its common recipients even as it fosters the incongruities that makes such advancements persistently indulgent and accommodating to the greed and several excesses of the Nigerian ruling class.

It’s a harsh life for the unemployed youth, farmer, fisherman and market woman of the sidewalk among so many others. Let President Jonathan desist from his obscenely casual and expedient lip-service to their plight. No matter how wellmeaning he is, he will be judged by how humanely his government improved the quality of lives.

Bet this is where his unrepentant associates will argue that it is not the duty of government to put food on every Nigerian’s table. True. In fact, the virtue of statesmanship and industry demands that every man pursues honest livelihood within legitimate and sustainable means, to his benefit and that of the society.

Today, President Goodluck Jonathan is seen in a new light; as a facilitator or violator of that inalienable right. He is a Messiah to his kinsmen and party loyalists and a team player to his ruling class.

But to the poor, ordinary middle class and breadlines…

To be continued…

For SMS only 08038551123

unnecessary industrial crises. Certainly, you cannot compel any responsible government to break the law in order to pander to your wimps and caprices. Labour should be wary of being caught on the wrong side of the law. It may become a costly battle! From media reports, the civil servants, after the frank discussion they had with the governor, left the venue happy. So in whose interest are the union leaders acting? In the present case, the government is on the side of the law; any precipitous act by Labour may boomerang with serious consequences for workers!

From my study, doctors in Ogun may have a genuine case as a result of the full implementation of the PAYE Act because they have a separate pay structure. Everyone knows that government is already looking into that. It is therefore over the top for them to again issue an ultimatum to government.

Finally, there is no doubt that strikes will always appeal to workers knowing full well that once they return to work, they will always collect salaries for jobs not done during the period of industrial crisis.

Therefore, I call on Ogun workers to lead by example and remember that they constitute less that 1.5 per cent of the population of the state. They should not attempt to hold the 98.5 per cent indigenes to ransom.

•Chief Adebayo, a retired civil servant, writes from Iperu Remo.

‘It is clear from the foregoing that the issues involved in the Labour agitation in Ogun State are strictly on law. The Personal Income Tax Act is a federal law; it is the duty of all authorities in Nigeria to implement that law to the letter’

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

22

EDITORIAL/OPINION ‘To run away from trouble is a form of cowardice and, while it is true that the suicide braves death, he does it not for some noble object but to escape some ill.’

-------Aristotle (384 BC - 322 BC)

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N Abuja, the game of fear in official circles is on and what makes it repugnant is the fact that those who should inspire courage in ordinary Nigerians are those that are sending jitters down the spines of the masses that imperatively need state protection.

Imagine President Goodluck Jonathan receding into Aso-Rock Villa cocoon from the Eagle Square simply because of his fear for Boko Haram, the dangerous Islamic sect and perhaps Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND).that have threatened to bomb the traditional public venue for hosting important national ceremonies in the Federal capital.

When those who have state’s instrument of coercion at their beck and call run away from insurgent groups like Boko Haram and MEND, then, the Nigerian state is near the situation of anarchy espoused by Jean-Jacque Rousseau. What makes this state-of-affairs frightening is Thomas Hobbes’ description that in a state of nature where lawlessness reigns, the lives of the people are ‘brutish, nasty and short.’

It is laughable that a president that just reminded the nation that he doesn’t want to rule like a military general or David/Goliath and other biblical personages have gone a step further to amplify his cowardice for the whole world to see. Last week, yours sincerely on this page stated that Nigerians are ‘tired of unsolicited sermons from a Jonathan that does not want to emulate the good qualities of military generals and notable biblical persons even when the citizens crave the emulation of virtues inherent in these people.’

Even if this Jonathan is not a general or Goliath/David, he must have read of the exploits of genuine generals in history like George Washington and the historic biblical sortie of David and Goliath. How much of their bravery has he deployed in combating the perilous activities of the Boko Haram and more particularly, the common insecurity in the nation? Many argued that the president is too timorous and that he lacks the right character tenacity to govern this country.

Assuming one disagrees with this school of

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AS any one out there wondered why the more we seem to fight corruption, the more we are embroiled in it? In fact, it gets more brazen and mindless by the day. Just yesterday we were bursting our veins over N12.3 billion oil windfall and the N7 billion library funds (acts allegedly committed by ex heads of State). But today, we are confronted with a case of a federal minister being prosecuted for hefting about N47 billion from the national treasury. We also hear of a Speaker of the House finagling with funds to the tune of N38 billion. Most of our governors simply go a-trawling for wealth as soon as they get into government house.

Of course we have recently witnessed how managers of banks and public firms we trusted with our deposits and shares have sequestered them in Dubai and far-flung islands.

How have we managed to remain sane in the midst of these physical and mental assaults? Well, some pointers may have emerged recently as to why the more we say goodbye to graft, the more we seem to embrace the monster with a full hug: the agencies charged with fighting corruption are in themselves locked in a mortal combat with their shadows.

The Code of Conduct Bureau(CCB) and its more famous cousin, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) by their recent comments, activities and body language, have shown that they are now soulless and hollow agencies beset by acute crisis of confidence and deep leadership hang-ups.

They are, as currently constituted, in no position to discharge the sacred duty of catching thieves and cheats.

The CCB exposed its nakedness, if not weakness and frustrations recently at a press conference over the alleged money laundering trial of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, former governor of Lagos State. A matter many consider to be more about politics than governance.

During the media parley, the obvious questions had been raised as to why it had taken all of four years to get round to Tinubu’s trial and why he is seemingly being singled out among the 36 governor of his time?

Rather unguardedly, the Chairman of CCB, Mr Sam Saba had answered that many former governors accused of one corruption act or the other had been set free after – plea bargain. According to him, some of the gover-

Indeed, this Jonathan isn’t a general

Jonathan

thought, the singular fact of his running away with the Service Chiefs and other security bigwigs to the comfort zone of Aso-Rock Presidential villa for the independence anniversary celebration should be a classical reason for one to align with that line of thought.

No one is saying that the president should not avoid situations that could presumably be fatal, afterall, that French philosopher and writer, Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712 - 1778), rightly captures human feeling regarding death thus: ‘He who pretends to look on death without fear lies. All men are afraid of dying;

this is the great law of sentient beings, without which the entire human species would soon be destroyed.’ It would have been wise of him to get the Eagle Square that annually hosts the event fortified if he was indeed sure of the competence of his Security Chiefs. By running away from that venue, he has sent wrong signals to the citizens that he and other heads of security agencies in the country are incapable of securing the territorial jurisdiction of the country.

The situation where the fear of Boko Haram has become a threat to national image and safety should be deprecated. President Jonathan’s administration owes Nigerians the duty of protecting them wherever they might be living in all parts of the nation. But he seems not to be doing the right thing in that regard now. His inept leadership profile/cowardice reminds of the immortal words of the Greek Philosopher, Aristotle (384 BC-322 BC) when he said: ‘To run away from trouble is a form of cowardice and, while it is true that the suicide braves death, he does it not for some noble object but to escape some ill.’

President Jonathan could not have fled the Eagle Square for any noble reason other than selfish. If he was sure of the security state of preparedness of the nation of which billions of naira of tax payers’ money had been expended, he would not have bolted under the guise of low-key independence celebration into his official Aso-Rock haven.

EXPRESSO STEVE OSUJI

SMS O8055001684 email:steve_osuji@yahoo.com

CCB, EFCC in end-stage shadow boxing nors made refunds and therefore were not tried. Gee! Since the helmsman at the CCB has not denied that he actually made this faux pas, it is clear that the Bureau has lost its raison d’etre and ought to be disbanded forthwith. Saba is unwittingly telling Nigerian that the CCB has metamorphosed into a clandestine agency for making secret financial deals with criminals and enemies of State who ought to face the law and be seen by all to be doing so.

Is Saba encouraging us all to go loot the treasury and share the booty with CCB? By the way, how many governors did he make deals with? What criteria did he use in selecting them? How much were they supposed to have pilfered? How much exactly did Saba recover? Where is the money? So many sad questions pork-mark Saba’s shoddy job at CCB and scandalous utterances. Isn’t it elementary that the hallmark of this body has to be open dealings and the public example it sets in prosecuting and convicting corrupt public officials?

If the CCB has lost its essence, it is trapped in double jeopardy as it seems to be saddled with a leadership way beneath it; the type that is so easily inveigled to do all sorts of biddings. Need it be emphasized that such a pristine and key institution of nation building ought to be led by people with long track record of public service, pedigree and name?

With due respect to Mr Saba, one does not

seem to know him. Not even the internet provided much help as the CCB has no proper presence on the world wide web. Apart from news reports mentioning the name, most other Sam Sabas are Americans (if you ignore the Sam Saba hats and outerwear at Hartfordyork.com that kept popping up).

In fact, one had never seen a picture of our Sam Saba before, not to talk of guessing his age, stature or character. Sam Saba could well have been a cognomen. Surely, certain kinds of jobs come with their prescribed owners.

CCB headship does not seem to belong to Sam Saba; again with due respect to him.

While CCB seems underled and its leadership suffers curious anonymity, the EFCC on the other hand is overexposed and its leadership currently suffers acute frustration if not subjugation. About three months ago when the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Mr Mohammed Adoke was reappointed, his first brief, it seemed, was to take hold of the reins at the EFCC. His fight with Mrs Farida Waziri, the EFCC chairman, was public and dirty but Adoke got his assignment accomplished all the same. Now Nigerians have learnt in recent report that Adoke has given the EFCC the go-ahead to begin prosecution of four former governors. However, instead of eliciting joy in Nigerians, it is bound to leave them with trepidation considering Adoke’s legendary record of subverting trials and perverting the

What will history say about this man called Jonathan? What is the opinion of an average Nigerian regarding his (President’s) slippery performance in office and disposition to power? Will Jonathan end up the way of a Babangida or an Obasanjo in view of his unhidden pursuit of the unpopular seven-year single term proposal? Since it is obvious now that the president lacks the tenacity of purpose to take tough but meaningful decisions and even the will power to create and pursue meaningful policies, will Nigeria be worse off politically and economically at the end of his tenure?

The president’s advisers on venue for the last Independence Day celebration are either misleading him or that the president himself chooses to take the wrong path that makes mockery of the exalted position that he occupies. It is impossible for any human being not to make mistakes but such becomes sins when they are repeated. President Jonathan has made mistakes in the way he handles the Boko Haram menace and the manner of his ruling the country so far. He should stop giving undue victory to dissidents in MEND and the Boko Haram that with proper decisions ought to have been quelled by the state. His last action portrayed him as a president that is incapable of conquering enemies or one that cannot solve the nation’s insecurity and other problems.

Confucius (551 BC - 479 BC), a philosopher of global acclaim probably had the president in mind when he said: ‘To know what is right and not to do it is the worst cowardice.’ For lacking the courage to take decisions that would translate to appreciable public impact, some people must indeed have acquiesced with the President’s assertion that he is not a general nor Goliath/David. He possesses none of their great virtues.

‘Nigerians celebrate being alive to witness this day but could not feel the real impact of true independence. They remain Nigerian by ancestry but desire to elope from the country at the slightest opportunity’ cause of justice. Who on earth gives a cat a mouse to watch over?

What criteria, may we ask, have been applied in picking (on) these four former governors over the others from a list of about a dozen presented by the EFCC? Are these governors going to be lined up for plea bargaining as has been the practice? Let’s remember that we have not been able to put even one former governor in jail. Who oversees these bargains? What happens to the states from which the funds are embezzled? Who keep the refunds? Shouldn’t the details of the plea bargain be made public and open? And by the way, one hopes they are given a clean bill of health so that no one returns to harass them.

Madam Waziri, despite her shortcomings, managed to give a good account of herself when she had full control of the EFCC. Now with Adoke acting as a sole administrator of all the anti-graft bodies, they have been castrated and bound. We are likely to see a stalk and conquer situation or even a point and kill scenario. It’s all shadow boxing now, a masquerade. What an awful pity.

LAST MUG: THE INJUSTICE AGAINST SEN. IGBEKE: Does the leadership of the Senate of the Federal Republic derive some vicarious joy in meting out injustice against Senator Alphonsus Igbeke (Anambra North zone), by depriving him of his rightful seat in the Green Chamber? In spite of the fact that Igbeke was duly returned in the last election and with a court injunction to boot, he is still being shut out of the Senate four months on. The same thing happened the last time when Igbeke trounced Joy Emordi at the election court, it took the Senate leadership months to obey the courts. In fact it became a national scandal. The Senate should spare themselves further embarrassment on this matter and do the right thing.

‘His fight with Mrs Farida Waziri, the EFCC chairman, was public and dirty but Adoke got his assignment accomplished all the same’

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

23

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

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41

NATION SPORT

NATION SPORT

NIGERIA V GUINEA

TomTom offers $3,000 for MVP

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N the eve of the decisive 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game, TomTom, the Official Candy of the Nigeria national football teams, has announced incentives for the Super Eagles who are in a must-win situation as they lined up against the Syli Nationale of Guinea at the National Stadium, Abuja.

The Most Valuable Player (MVP) will receive a reward of $3,000 (about N475,000), among other package for the Nigerian team who are fired up to deliver the ticket for the 28thedition of the African Cup of Nations to be co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea next January.

TomTom is also re-introducing the Shot-on-Target Award. For every shot on target, the Super Eagles will get $500 (about N80,000), courtesy of TomTom. According to Mrs Bimbo Alabi, Senior Manager (Medicated Candies), Cadbury Nigeria Plc, TomTom would always go all out to motivate

the Super Eagles and all other national football teams to deliver soothing results to the teeming Nigerian football supporters.

She said: “TomTom, the Official Candy of the national teams, is giving an incentive that will promote competition among the squad members and ultimately deliver the result that would make the much desired qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations possible.”

Over the years, TomTom had rallied behind the various national teams in several ways, earning the tag “True Fan of the Nigeria national football teams.” In addition to motivating the fans to cheers the teams, the brand introduced the TomTom Shot-onTarget initiative which spurred the squads to produce goal after goal.

For instance, during the FIFA U17 World Cup which Nigeria hosted two years ago, the players and officials testified that TomTom’s support contributed to the success of the Golden Eaglets in the tournament.

Samsung introduces Man-of-theMatch Award to motivate Super Eagles

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AMSUNG Electronics West Africa, the Official Electronics of the Nigeria national football teams, has demonstrated huge support for the Super Eagles as they filed out against their Guinean counterparts tomorrow’s makeor-mar 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match.

A reward of $3,000 (about N475,000) awaits the Man-of-the-Match at the end of the game, which is the last hurdle to the participation of the Super Eagles in the 28th edition of the continental championship to be co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea in January.

Samsung is also mobilising 150 secondary school students to the National Stadium, Abuja to rally support for the Nigerian squad.

According to Donald Etim, Head of Corporate Marketing, Samsung Electronics West Africa, the Super Eagles deserve the support of all Nigerians at

this crucial stage of the qualifying series, more than ever before.

He further said: “Having come this far in the qualifying stage, we must rally behind our national team to ensure that our desired dream of flying the Nigerian flag at next year’s Africa Cup of Nations is realised. The Super Eagles have demonstrated commitment to national duty and we at Samsung are proud to be identified with the team as well as the other national football squads.”

Since singing the partnership agreement with the Nigeria Football Federation two months ago, Samsung has showed commitment to the national football teams in several ways. When the Flying Eagles returned home from the Colombia 2011 FIFA U20 World Cup, the brand hosted the team to a rousing reception. The Flying Eagles were the last African side to exit from that championship having been beaten in the quarter-finals.

Osaze ready for Guinea

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UPER EAGLES’ attacker, Osaze Odemwingie says he is fit for Saturday’s 2012 Africa Nation’s Cup qualifier against Guinea.

Odemwingie has not played for Nigeria since falling out with Coach, Samson Siasia after the Super Eagles’ Afcon qualifier against Ethiopia in March.

After mending fences with Siasia, the West Bromwich Albion forward was invited for Nigeria’s double header against Madagascar and Argentina in September.

An ankle injury however saw the forward miss the game and the unheralded Columbus crew midfielder, Emmanuel Ekpo was drafted in as a replacement.

Odemwingie however insists he is fit for the game against Guinea on Saturday.

“I’m fit; no injury. I have played the full 90 minutes in the last four matches for my club in England so I am in great condition to face Guinea,” Odemwingie told SuperSport.com.

Coach Siasia had earlier appealed to fans of the team to turn out in their numbers to offer support to the team on Saturday and the WBA attacker was quick to echo the gaffer’s sentiments.

“We need support of course. A full stadium before the kickoff will be a good message for the boys.

“We know Nigerians want to see us at the Nations Cup and their support (is vital),” Odemwingie submitted.

Pepsi motivates Eagles with N50m EPSI, the official beverage of the bonus African Cup of Nations has

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announced a whopping N50 million winning bonus for the Super Eagles of Nigeria should they beat Syli Stars of Guinea tomorrow and qualifying for the African Cup of Nations in 2012.

There is also a princely sum of N100 million for the Super Eagles players should they repeat the feat of the 1994 Eagles in Tunisia by winning the next edition of Africa’s World Cup being hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

Announcing these motivational packages for the Super Eagles at a media briefing in Lagos yesterday, Mr. Jimi Awosika, Managing Director, Insight Communications and Spokesman for Pepsi said the N50 million bonus award to the players is a clarion call to the players to fight for the honour of their fatherland and ensure that the glory of our football is restored.

Quoting from Nigeria’s national anthem Awosika said: “Arise O’ Compatriots, Nigeria call obey. This Saturday and henceforth we must all

answer that call, we must all stand up and show support for our team and for our country Nigeria.”

Answering a reporter’s question, Mr. Awosika said the Pepsi N50 million largess is conditional: the Super Eagles must win and qualify, not just winning.

According to Awosika, Pepsi, global brand known for its youthful and dynamic spirit has been relentless in its support for Nigerian football and its fans.

He noted that the Pepsi Football Academy which has contributed immensely to the development and growth of Nigerian football is proud to have some ex-students of the Academy as regulars in the Super Eagles and other national teams. These include Mikel Obi, Osaze Odemwingie, Elderson Echijile, Solomon Okoronkwo, etc.

He charged Nigerians to troop out on Saturday and show their support to the Super Eagles to do the nation proud again.

NIGERIA/GHANA FRIENDLY

4,500 tickets sold at Vicarage Road

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ROUND 4,500 tickets have currently been sold for next Tuesday’s friendly between Ghana and Nigeria at Vicarage Road.

The number of seats which have been sold so far is at a similar level to the original fixture at this stage.

It is expected that a large number of supporters of the two nations plan to pay on the day but Watford were paid a flat fee for hosting the game, rather than an incentive-based agreement, so they shouldn’t be too badly affected if it is a low crowd.

Supporters are encouraged to buy in advance but those hoping to purchase tickets on Tuesday night, when kickoff is 8pm, can only pay in cash.

Complimentary tickets from the original fixture in August are no longer valid and will need to be reissued by the match organiser. The refund deadline has passed.

The Rous Stand will be segregated, with Ghana in the south side. Watford season ticket holders can purchase tickets for £15 in the Rous Stand and Vicarage Road end.

•Osaze

2012 AFRICA NATIONS CUP

Yobo: We’ll qualify R

ECORD-CHASING Eagles’ skipper Joseph Yobo speaks to MTNFootball.com on his team’s readiness to beat Guinea on Saturday in Abuja, to book their flight to next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

How ready are you for Saturday’s crucial Nations Cup qualifier against Guinea?

I am ready but we will wait and see on Saturday who the coach is going to field but hopefully the coach is going to play the best players who are going to give him the best result. But we came prepared because the leagues in Europe have commenced and most of us are match fit. Hopefully, we can come back here and do the same.

You scored in Madagascar last month.

Do we see you doing so against Guinea?

God chooses when he wants me to score, but the most important thing is for the team to win. It is not just about me but every player is involved. I don’t mind if I score, but most importantly I want the team to do well and qualify for the Nations Cup. Anybody can score on the day but I hope it doesn’t get to that point that we would get desperate because we have a lot of good strikers and good midfielders who can help the team in this respect. We are a united team so anybody could score for us, but hopefully and most important thing for me is to make sure that we don’t concede a goal but go ahead to win the game.

How is the team generally ahead of this very important match?

All is well in our camp. Everything is okay but you know that as a family there is always one or two issues but we are a family so I don’t think there are any problems. Anything that supposed to be a problem has been taken care of. We are a united family now and everyone is in full support and even those players who are not here want us to do well and qualify because they are still part of the team.

What of the issue of Vincent Enyeama?

Enyeama is part of the team and he is not excluded from the team. The coach might have a reason but he is a big player for us. His experience is without a doubt and he has done much for this country. Of course we will miss him, but that is why there is competition in the team because there are other players who can also perform well. He

is not here now but as I said he is a key player for us and hopefully he will be back.

How would you rate Guinea?

I do respect Guinea as a good team but I don’t have any fears. This is football and that is why we need our fans behind us. But we don’t need the stadium packed up and people booing us and singing the usual “all we are saying give us more goals” we only need one goal to go to the

Nations Cup and the fans have to understand this. The most important thing is for us to go out there and play with our whole heart and come out with the three points.

Could you predict the result of this match?

I won’t predict any goals now. It is going to be tough but most importantly by the grace of God we will do our maximum best and we believe God will bless our efforts on Saturday.

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National team of a nation that has talents in abundance. And as such I expect you to cash in on this occasion to write your name on gold giving your best at all times in ensuring that Nigeria makes it to the London 2012 Olympic because Nigerians we all know will not accept anything less after we failed to make the all Africa games.”

“I want to urge you to disabuse your minds from insinuations that we already have players for this team, the truth is that there is no automatic shirt for any player in this team. Therefore you must cease this opportunity and give us your best even at training.”

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UPER EAGLES Chief Coach Samson Siasia has predicted as many as three goals against their Guineans in Saturday's 2012 Africa Nations Cup qualifier at the Abuja National Stadium.

Siaone said, "my brother, those people go see fire that day. They have been boasting on how they are coming to disgrace us on that day, but I want to assure them that they will bite more than they can chew all at the end of 90 minutes.

From Patrick Ngwaogu, Abuja "I want to tell that the goals would not be less than three goals. I have strikers that can deliver at any time, so there is nothing to be afraid off. We have a good team, we only need to work on the backline, and it would be from one zero three zero. We have strikers that can score a goal, and I don’t see why we cannot win" he said.

Guinea clash: NFF urged to provide necessary support

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OUSE Committee Chairman on Sports Godfrey Gaya has advised the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to ensure that all necessary assistance are provided to the Super Eagles to ensure that they qualify for the 2012 African Nations Cup. According to him, the benefit of such qualifications cannot be over emphasized. He said that National assembly has revealed enough funds to the Federation to ensure that ensure that the country's flag is hoisted in the games.

Gaya said that football is a big business, and a better way to reduce unemployment, saying that footballers have contributed immensely to the development of the country's economy.

He was of the opinion that the various vices that is engulfing the country will

From Andrew Abah, Abuja be a thing of the past if emphasis is placed on the development of the youths.

He further revealed that funds were appropriated to the federation to develop football at the grassroot level "we cannot continue to invest our funds on the development of players who are at their peak. We should emphasis on catching them young, and this can only be possible if we assist the various academies and talent hunt programmes".

The Honourable member spoke while inaugurating a talent hunt programmed organized by Meding sports Nigeria Limited and supported by the House of Representative.

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HELSEA midfielder John Mikel Obi says he has drawn a line beneath the $5,000 fine imposed on him for reporting late to the Nigeria camp ahead of Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Abuja.

“That’s behind me. The focus should be on the match on Saturday, which we have to win to qualify for the Nations Cup,” Mikel said after the team’s training session on Wednesday.

The defensive midfielder was supposed to join up with the 22-man Nigeria squad on Tuesday but arrived at the team hotel early on Wednesday morning and was subsequently fined.

However, coach Samson Siasia has insisted that he remains very much a part of the team for Saturday’s crucial match against Guinea.

Nigeria need to beat Guinea to finish top of Group B and qualify for the Nations Cup, which will be staged in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea in January.

The Super Eagles are second on 10 points from five matches, three points behind leaders Guinea, with only the overall group winners guaranteed a ticket to the biennial tournament.

•Mikel

Falcons to get double bonus

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HE Super Falcons have been promised a one hundred percent increase in their match bonus if they qualify for next year’s Olympic Games.

The Falcons travel to Cameroon for the second leg of their 2012 Olympic qualifier on October 22, carrying a slim 2-1 lead, and needing a result to qualify.

If they do that, they will join South Africa as one of Africa’s two representatives at the Games in London.

NFF Executive Committee member Christopher Green visited the squad at training on Wednesday and told them the federation would bump up their bonus if they achieve qualification “NFF has promised to double your winning bonus if you girls beat

Cameroon and qualify for the Olympics,” Green said. “We will provide all you need in order to make sure you are fully concentrated to prepare for and win this upcoming match.

“We have also decided that if you win the match, the double bonus will be your permanent bonus from henceforth.”

Green was accompanied by fellow Executive Committee member Shehu Adamu and Director of Competitions Mohammed Sanusi.

Meanwhile, Jennifer Osawaru and Janet David, two of the three players who were called up as replacements have reported to camp and joined their team mates in training.

Ebere Orji who was excused as a result of ill health has also joined the team.

Okoronkwo fears for national team’s future

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OLOMON Okoronkwo is dissatisfied with his lack of first team chances at AaFK. He feels this is affecting his invitation to the Nigeria National Team. Against IK Start on Monday, the 2008 Beijing Olympics silver medallist spent 90 minutes on the bench. ''I was stuck on the age-specific national teams and Olympic national team. In addition, I played some games for the senior National Team and had been invited for some games.

But due to lack of playing time in Aafk, I was not invited this time,'' Okoronkwo was quoted as saying by

Sunnmørsposten.

Okoronkwo's contract expires at the end of the season. He might not be offered a contract extension by the AaFK hierarchy. ''I have an agent I talk a bit with.

And he is not satisfied with the status quo. Shall I continue in Aalesund, I have to get more chances than I had in the fall.''

The Netherland Fifa Under 20 World Cup star has started only four games in the league. Sometimes, he is used by the coach in the Reserve League.

11TH GOVERNOR’S CUP LAGOS TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP

Competition kicks-off Oct. 14 •Over 300 entries expected • Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Aminu Maigari addressing Super Eagles players during a training session in Abuja

Eguaveon charges Dream Team V to prove worth ATIONAL U-23 coach, Austin Eguavoen has charged the thirty invited players for the first phase of the Dream Team V camping exercise, in preparation for the upcoming CAF U-23 championship which serves as the London 2012 Olympic game qualifier to count themselves privileged to have been given a nod to fight for shirt in his team.

The former Super Eagles gaffer also urged the players to cash in on this opportunity for a chance to do their fatherland proud.

“You must count yourselves lucky and privileged to be invited to a

Siasia predicts goal haul Mikel shrugs off fine

added Eguavoen.

The Former Eagles captain stressed the need for discipline explaining that he is looking for team players and not talented players.

“I know everyone of you here are naturally gifted and can do exceptional things with the ball. But I am not looking at your individual talent but how you use such talent for positive team work, because in this team our philosophy is win,win and not win some” Coach Austin Eguavoen made the declarations while addressing players and officials to officially open the Dream Team V camp in

Ibadan on Wednesday night.

The National U-23, are preparing for the upcoming Eight Nations championship in Egypt next month.

The Dream Team begins its campaign against Morocco on 27th November, before taking on Senegal three days later with a final group game against Algeria on December 3rd.

Host Nation Egypt will face Gabon in the opening match of the tournament which ends on December 10th.

The championship will be on a round-robin basis with the top two from each group advancing to the semi-finals.

Odibe urges Nigerians for maximum RSENAL KIEV of Ukraine on support loan defender Michael

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Chukwuwike Odibe has tasked Nigerians to give their maximum support to the Super Eagles in Saturday’s crucial African Cup of Nations Qualifier against the Syli Stars of Guinea at the Abuja National Stadium.

Nigeria needs an outright win to usurp the summit of the Group B from the Guineans which have three more points than their fellow West African but Odibe informed NationSport that with encouragement from the vociferous fans the Eagles will find it quite easy beating their Saturday’s opponent.

“Nigeria will still be the overwhelming favourites and I am tipping them to beat Guinea. It won’t be easy at all because Guinea will like to

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri preserve their unbeaten run. The support of the supporters club will be crucial at this point in time. I will enjoin the fans to serve as the twelfth player for the Eagles and this will no doubt go a long way to assist the team’s bid to get the first position from Guinea.” Odibe expressed.

Odibe has been capped once by the Eagles when he featured in the team’s 21 laboured win over Sierra Leone at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos in March this year he is currently on loan to Arsenal Kiev from his parent club AC Siena of Italy after finding first team opportunities limited.

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HIS year’s edition of the Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship will kick off on the 14th to the 30th of October with thirteen million naira up for grabs as the total prize money.

Expected to participate in the week long event, according to the Chairman Local Organizing Committee (LOC), Pius Akinluyelure, are over 300 players from different parts of the world.

He expressed appreciation to former governor of the state, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu for coming up with this kind of laudable initiative during his tenure, while thanking Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN)for taking the competition to the height it has attained today through his support.

Speaking further at a press briefing held at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan to herald the competition, Akinyelure stated that the championship has grown to become

By Innocent Amomoh and Stella Bamawo arguably the longest running tennis competition on the continent.

“I hope you all are aware that this competition remains the only International Tennis Federation (ITF) ranked tournament in Nigeria. It gives out the highest prize money in the whole Africa, parts of Europe, South America and the Oceania area for tournaments of this category.

“Indeed, as far as Tennis is concerned, it has become the pride of Nigeria and the African continent. We take pride in our modest achievements so far and look forward, in partnership with all present here, for a greater and brighter rewarding future,” he declared.

The winner of the male category will smile home with 30 thousand United States Dollars (about N4.9m), while the winner in the female category is expected to get 50 thousand United States Dollars (about N8.2m).

PROJECT

ENFORCEMENT

SOS

Southeast state rehabilitates federal roads

Experienced officers boost crime fighting

Orphaned boy needs N5m lifeline

Abia

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Lagos

FRIDAY OCTOBER 7, 2011

Enugu 40

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Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

Uduaghan, Obi pledge cooperation NAMBRA State Governor Dr. Peter Obi and his Delta State counterpart Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan have promised to pool their resources together to promote development in both states.

Addressing journalists after a meeting in Asaba, the Delta State capital, Obi said both states share a common boundary, cultural and economic similarities, and should cooperate to move them forward.

He said Delta has great potential in micro-credit and is exploring it to enhance its growth and development.

He said the meeting provided an opportunity for them to share

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•Obi

•Uduaghan

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

ideas and learn from each other so that each state would harness its resources to accelerate development.

Assuring that Anambra and Delta would not relent in their effort to promote and sustain their ties, the governor commended Uduaghan for his peaceful disposition.

In his remarks, the Delta State governor said the meeting afforded them the opportunity to compare notes on areas of common interest.

Dr Uduaghan said both states

have a lot in common, and promised to tap from the achievements of Anambra State especially in the area of environmental sanitation.

He described Anambra State Environmental Sanitation Programme as impressive and promised to replicate that in the state to achieve more success.

He said: “We have a lot in common and we are learning from each other so that together we transform the living standard of our people.”

He said a problem shared is half-solved, stressing it is better to pool ideas to solve developmental challenges.

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HEY came neatly dressed in their uniforms. But it was not for a routine exam. Rather, the youths, about 500 of them, drawn from six secondary schools spread across the Southeast, gathered at the Madonna Renewal Centre Nkpor Agu, in Idemili North Council of Anambra State, to learn to be economically independent in adult life. They spent a whole week at a workshop meant to equip them with sundry skills for post-school life.

Family-Light of the Nation Foundation (FLNF), the nongovernmental organisation (NGO) which organised the empowerment programme, called it “catching them young”.

FLNF is administered by the Immaculate Heart Sisters Congregation, a group of Reverend Sisters in the Catholic Church, Onitsha Archdiocese.

The workshop was one of the NGO’s empowerment programmes.

The guest of honour was Mrs. Margaret Obi, wife of the state governor. While declaring the workshop open, she said the government is also keen to prepare youths for a fulfilling adult life.

The workshop was jointly organised by the United Aid International (UAI) and FNLF and had the theme: “Youth Empowerment: Capacity Building, Wealth Creation and Pro-Life Education”.

Mrs. Obi, who was represented by Mrs. Mitchell Onugbolu, said that Anambra State government trained about 5,000 youths drawn from the three senatorial zones in August. She added that the Peter Obi administration has concluded arrangements to open one operational skill acquisition centre in each senatorial zone.

“We are faced with the realities of unemployment and the

•The students

Youths prepare for self-employment NGO trains adolescents in Anambra for entrepreneurship Obi’s wife hails programme cases and lack of entrepreneur- ernment to approach the issue From Adimike George, Onitsha

only way out of it is through entrepreneurship training,” she said. “This will make our people to be self-reliant and create jobs for people within the immediate communities. Thus, our youths, especially at the school leavers’ level, could use their

learnt or innate [skills] to drive their economic power and live above the poverty line.”

The Executive Director of UAI, Mr. Emmanuel Doughdough, in a keynote address, said that the major problem of the country’s youths is not lack of jobs, “but indeed the total un-employability of our graduates in some

ship spirit among them”.

“UAI has in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria through its Entrepreneurship Development Centre (EDC), Onitsha raised over 500 undergraduate trainers who had been sent out to train others in the North-Central Zone,” Doughdough said.

The director called on the gov-

of poverty alleviation and entrepreneurship with a bottomup approach as well as making students and school leavers’ major target.

Commending the Immaculate Heart Sisters Congregation, founder of the NGO, he noted “religion has, since the creation •Continued on Page 26

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

Jonathan urged to okay Food Reserve Act

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O ensure that Nigeria does not suffer the kind of famine that has gripped Somalia, President Goodluck Jonathan has been urged to assent to the National Food Reserve Agency Act. The Concerned Agricultural Practitioners of Nigeria (CAPON) which made the call in

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

a statement issued in Port Harcourt explained the gains of the food reserve Act, saying that Nigeria’s agricultural sector would be better for it if it becomes operational.

While other African countries are seriously tackling the issue of food security, Nigeria, which should be at the forefront, is lagging behind due to selfish interest of those who should know better…Nigeria should learn from the Somalia draught situation so as not to be taken unawares •President Goodluck

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NDIGENES of Igarra, the administrative headquarters of Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, are considering confering an award on the council chairman, Hon. Anselm Agbabi for rehabilitating major roads in their community.

At a recent Aba festival in Igarra, most participants from Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja and Kaduna were shocked that so

Igarra to honour council chief From Osagie Otabor, Benin-City

much has been achieved in the area of infrastructural development in their community, courtesy of the visionary governor of the state, Comrade Adams

I think the chairman understands what governance is all about. He was a member of the House of Assembly and as a former legislator, he knows what the people need

Oshiomhole and the council chairman, Anselm Agbabi.

Agbabi rehabilitated the full stretch of Momodu Ajayi Road, Market Junction to the Expressway, Okpe Junction to the expressway and Idiba Street where the Otaru of Igarra’s palace is located.

Particiapnts who live outside the state, and even those at home, were full of appreciation for the developmental efforts.

Asishana Amana, a Lagosbased lawyer who was at the festival said the Igarra will be happy to appreciate the council chairman’s good work by conferring an award on him. He said they want to drive home the point that one good turn deserves another.

“This developmental effort is wonderful as we are all glad that the process of change has started and everybody can feel it,” said

the barrister-at-law. “There is fresh air now because a silent revolution is going on. I think Governor Oshiomhole is at the heart of this because of his desire to change the old order and make governance more attractive by making the people the target of his achievements.”

He spoke further: “I think the chairman understands what governance e is all about. He was a member of the House of Assembly and as a former legislator, he knows what the people need and also knows that governance is about the people and the more they are happy, the more the government is adjudged to be working.”

Akoko Edo is more of an agrarian place. The people say their age-old challenges were compounded by the inactivity of the past governments. There was no

Youths prepare for self-employment •Continued from page 25

of mankind, played a leading role in salvaging mankind from moral, spiritual and physical calamities.

It is therefore little wonder that Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary have by divine grace courageously responded to the call by God to lead this new generation of Nigerians out of the ‘slavery’ of poverty and unemployment and take them to the ‘promised land’ of wealth creation and abundance through this well designed programme for adolescents of their schools”.

He continued: “I am happy that this programme is beginning from the Church because God has promised to teach his people how to make wealth and I believe that he has chosen Onitsha, this renowned commercial centre of Africa, to launch this programme of divine prosperity for the world”.

The coordinator of FLNF, Rev. Sister Evelyn Onodingene said that the objectives of the workshop include educating the students in basic business enterprise, generating and selecting business ideas.

Others include business registration requirements and procedures, basic record keeping, book keeping and management skills required to sustain established small-scale business and providing information to the students on entrepreneurial/leadership skills and how to become a good entrepreneur.

“Despite the educational transformation and economic initiative

The statement, which was signed on behalf of CAPON by Mr Kingsley Bejikini, observed that “while other African countries are seriously tackling the issue of food security, Nigeria, which should be at the forefront, is lagging behind due to selfish interest of those who should know better.”

While stating that it was imperative of the President to sign the bill into law, CAPON also advised that “Nigeria should learn from the Somalia draught situation so as not to be taken unawares.”

The group, which also expressed dissatisfaction with the activities of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture under the former minister, however urged the ministry to uphold the strong commitment it has shown to agricultural development since the advent of the current administration.

•Mrs. Mitchell Onugbolu, (middle) representing Mrs Obi, and organisers of the programme

in Nigeria in the last decade, the aim of producing efficient and self-reliant manpower and effective economic transformation has not been achieved,” she said.

“University graduates lack the necessary skills for creating jobs and have often been described as unemployable”.

She insisted “this capacity building workshop fortified with pro-life education for prospective school leavers will in no small measure contribute to unity, harmony and peace in the family, in

institutions, the states, the nation and the world at large now and in the future”.

Among the schools that attended were Cor Maria Secondary School, Nkpor; St. Augustine Secondary School, Nkpor-Agu and Immaculate Secondary School, Nnewi, all in Anambra.

Others from outside Anambra include Cor Maria Secondary School, Aba, Abia State; Mater Christi Secondary School, IgedeEkiti, Ekiti State and Madonna Secondary School, Owerri, Imo State.

visible infrastructural facility and no effort was made to establish any. And if any was made at all, it didn’t come to fruition.

Amana said: “Recently too, just after we all returned to our various places of residence, we heard the chairman recruited people into the civil service and that it was over 100. Before now, unemployment was high. He may not have succeeded in eradicating this global threat but there is no doubt that a good foundation has been laid and other governments will build on that.”

This year’s edition of the festival was the first time in the 222 years of the fesst that the state governor would be in attendance.

At the fest, Oshiomhole urged the various communities in the state to use their rich cultures to unite the state.

THE NATION

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

Imo needs your prayers, says Okorocha

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•Okorocha

MO State Governor Rochas Okorocha has urged the representative of Pope Benedict the XVI, His Grace, Most Rev. Augustine Kasuja to pray for peace, unity and understanding in the state.

Okorocha, who received the Pope’s representative on arrival at Sam Mbakwe International Airport, Owerri, noted that the state’s Rescue Agenda is geared towards improving the living standard of the common man.

He noted that “the visit of Papal Nuncio is a blessing to the state and the entire country,” even as he urged him to pray for the state and the country especially now that the country is experiencing some security challenges.

He recalled the overwhelming efforts and support of the Catholic faithful in the state during the last governorship election which, he noted, enhanced his emergence as governor of the state.

Governor Okorocha, who declared that the Catholic Church is as good as democracy, asserted that the state is dominated by Catholics who voted overwhelmingly for him to ensure his victory at the April polls.

The Papal Nuncio, who called on Governor Okorocha, said he is on a pastoral visit in the state to ordain 26 priests in Okigwe Diocese as well as to open a new parish.

Most Rev. Kasuja also stated that his presence as a representa-

tive of Pope Benedict XVI means that the Pope is in the state as well as accord the local church a sense of belonging to the big Catholic family.

Present at the meeting were the Deputy Governor, Sir Jude

Agbaso, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof.

Awuka and Prof. Maurice Iwu, former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), among other dignitaries.

The visit of Papal Nuncio is a blessing to the state and the entire country… Pray for the state and the country especially now that the country is experiencing some security challenges

Anglicans mark silver jubilee

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HE Evangelical Fellowship in the Anglican Communion, (EFAC) has celebrated its 25 years anniversary of evangelism in the commercial city of Onitsha Anambra State.

Addressing reporters on the week-long anniversary, the Vicar of St. Christopher’s Anglican Church, Onitsha, Rev. Rufus Ezenwaka said being in existence for a quarter of acentury is no mean feat, adding that despite the 25 years of grassroot enengelism there have been great challenges.

According to him, “The past 25 years have not been easy, even if there has been tremendous success; it is not easy initially, all efforts of evangelism in the Niger Diocese started from here until it was decentralised.

Missionary dioceses were created because of EFAC’s efforts”.

The vicar who was flanked by the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Chikelue Innocent, said resource persons that include Rev Canon Ndubuisi Obi, Rev Canon Godwin Iloka of Amazing Grace and others would speak during the event.

He said that activities lined up for the programme included among others, visit to motherless babies home, Bible teaching and thanksgiving on Sunday, the last day of the event.

On the handover of schools to their original owners, (mission) he described it as a welcome development but regretted that the missions have not been fully handed over the schools by the various state governments.

Commenting on the global insecurity situation especially in Nigeria that is characterized by bombing, armed robbery and kidnapping the group noted that it was not the end of the world but signs of the end of the world.

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GROUP under the aegis of Oil-Producing Area Welfare Assembly (OPAWA) in Imo State has blamed oil companies operating in the communities in the state for failing to impact on the lives of the people.

The National President of the association Prince Victor Nwauwa said this while addressing reporters in Owerri.

He said that the presence of the

•From left: Ugwuanyi Onyebuchi, Chikelue Innocent, Rev. Ezenwaka Rufus and Azubuike Emeka From Adimike George, Onitsha

“The Christians/Moslem bickering not necessary, preach peace, Christians have not been in the offensive in the religious crisis is in the country because Christ who we look up to never preached violence”. He said.

He advised the three tiers of government to live up to their responsibility hinting that corruption started from those at the top.

In their various remarks, the Planning Committee Chairman – Chikelue Innocent, Azubuike Emeka – Secretary, Ugwuanyi

The two major religions should preach peace.

Christians have not been in the offensive in the religious crisis in the country because Christ whom we look up to never preached violence Onyebuchi – Leader, paid glowing tribute to the late Archbishop on the Niger, His Grace, Late Onyemelukwe Jonathan who they said was the founder of EFAC in the

diocese.

According to them his efforts have become the fruit that is the EFAC, which has spread like wildfire to the hinterlands.

Oil firms blamed for poor community development From Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

oil companies in the areas might be meaningless if their host communities do not benefit from their activities.

Nwauwa advised the companies to embark on provision of all nec-

The association, which was formed in 2006 and cuts across all the oil-producing states in the country, has the vision to cater for the welfare of poor masses in these areas

essary infrastructure; power development; creation of employment and making soft loans accessible to the people of their host communities.

He maintained that youths in the oil-producing areas go into kidnapping and other social vices due to lack of employment opportunities.

Prince Nwauwa further said that the association which was formed in 2006 and cuts across all the oilproducing states in the country has the vision to cater for the welfare of the poor masses in these areas in all the states.

He said that the association which is a non-governmental organization has settled several disagreements between some commu-

nities and oil companies.

He disclosed that part of the objectives of the organisation is to assist people in skill acquisition, employment in oil companies and other agencies, among other

things.

Prince Nwauwa stated the organisation resolved to partner with government with a view to addressing some of their fundamental objectives.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

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Abia rehabilitates federal roads

Anambra chiefs ask Obi to tackle communal crisis

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OME chiefs and elders of Atani in Ogbani Local Government Area of Anambra State have called on the state Governor Peter Obi to address the lingering crisis in the community to avoid a repeat of the Umuleri-Aguleri communal war.

In a petition to the Governor entitled: “Atani sitting on keg of gunpowder, nobody wants to hear us, nobody wants to intervene”, the council of chiefs warned that if nothing was done to curb the use of machetes and bottles in the town by hoodlums, it would be AK-47 rifles, rockets and other improvised explosives in the nearest future which could result to buildings going up in flames, while human life which is sacrosanct

•Obi

Delta export zone to get plant

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ELTA State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has announced that a petrochemical and fertiliser plant would be sited at the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Koko, Warri North Local Government Area.

He said that the project would be funded by some foreign investors who had indicated interest to do business in the state, adding that the plant would be a major boost to the EPZ. Uduaghan disclosed this while speaking at a ceremony to mark the 51st independence anniversary of the country, in Asaba.

He stated that the state government would speed up work on the dualing of Koko-Ugbenu road project, saying that when completed, it would ease movement of goods and services from Koko seaport and the EPZ to other parts of the country.

He also disclosed that, in the dry season, the government would expedite action on the dualisation of the Asaba-Ughelli road, stressing “what we are doing is to create necessary atmosphere and infrastructure while enhancing human capital”.

He charged the people to take advantage

Delta of provision of facilities in the state to empower themselves, adding that the role of “Deltans in Diaspora” could not be underestimated in that regard.

“They need to come home and enrich the state with their exposure and expertise by participating in the ongoing socioeconomic efforts of the government.

“I also urge Delta State professionals and businessmen to come and invest to be able to play an active role in the development of our dear state,’’ he said.

Uduaghan noted that the anniversary was an occasion to remember personal and collective sacrifices made by past leaders of the country to secure freedom for the citizens.

He urged Nigerians to remain committed to the ideals of these leaders and to contribute toward the attainment of the goals set out by our past heroes.

He, however, acknowledged that some segments of the population were still waiting to enjoy the fruits of the nation’s economic growth and development, assuring that efforts

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Anambra From Adimike George,Onitsha

could become as cheap as vegetable and chicken.

The petition was signed by Chief Onuorah Izukanne, the Onowu of Umunwa, Chief Obiwulu Ezekude, Odua Umunze Atani and eight others on behalf of the council of chiefs.

According to them, the state of terror unleashed on their people on September 20, 2011 where one person was almost beaten to death and many others severally injured has brought to fore their earlier numerous calls on government and police leadership to intervene in Atani matter.

They alleged that a prominent legal luminary from the community had brought thugs that forcefully seized the palace of the Igwe, claiming that they wanted to use it to play host to their guests.

When the people protested, said the chiefs, “they were called slaves and the thugs ordered to deal with them. This is apart from the fact that the previous day, the legal luminary had led a group of title holders to match through the town, chanting ‘slaves you are, slaves you are’”.

They also alleged that a 70 year old Chief Benjamin Obi Ukodei, district head of Obelenta Village was assaulted and manhandled on September 24, 2011 when he was going to Atani Police Station on the invitation of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO).

The Atani Nidichie who accused the DPO of compromising himself in the matter, expressed shock that the attackers of Chief Ukodei were never arrested even though they were all wellknown.

•Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan (right), with Prof Pat Utomi during a meeting of Anioma people at Onicha Ugbo.

Firm donates medical equipment

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S parts of its corporate social responsibility, Total Nigeria PLC has donated a comprehensive set of High Tech machines for the screening of HIV/AIDS to St. Luke’s General Hospital, Anua in Akwa Ibom state.

Presenting the items to the hospital, the company’s managing director, Guy Maurice, said apart from the donation of the medical equipment, the company had invested in some other areas in Akwa Ibom as parts of its sustainable development efforts.

Maurice recalled that Total Nigeria was the

‘Embrace education, good conduct’

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HE Chairman,Apapa Local Government Area,Hon. Ayodeji Joseph, has advised school children to embrace education and good conduct as pre-requisite for effective leadership.

The council chief gave this admonition during the independence celebration, praising the resilience of the pupils despite the heavy down pour on the day.

He said they should be of good character both at home and school to justify that they were asset to the country and as leaders of tomorrow.

He said: “A lot of us will not understand the importance of this celebration because we do not know what it means. Before we achieved independence, our national life was determined from outside, we were like puppet in the hands of the colonial master. ” Joseph restated the need to be hopeful that the country will pull out of the wood despite the challenges it was facing. “It is gratifying to note that our nation has been able to navigate the turbulent water from

•Hon Joseph with pupils at the ceremony

By Musa Odoshimokhe

October 1, 1960. We have faced economic recession, natural disaster and passed through a civil war, yet we remain indivisible.”

He pointed out that the council had tried to live up to its responsibility not only to the pupils in their educational advancement but in confronting the social problems in Apapa.

“Like I said, education occupies the front burner in the life of this administration; in the last three years, we have renovated many schools, given out GCE, JAMB forms and provided transportation to pupils. We have also provided uniforms for all our primary school pupils,organised coaching classes during holidays, among others.”

The chairman urged Nigerians to unite against insecurity so that foreign investors can have confidence in the country.He said people should report suspected movement to law enforcement agents the upbringing of their their wards.

•The Olugbo of Ugbo, Oba Akinruntan Obateru (right) with the Chairman, Ilaje Local Government Area, Mr banji Okunomo, during a security meeting at the council headquarters, Igbokoda

Abraka monarch gets staff of office

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BRAKA monarch, His Royal Highness, Akpomeyoma Majorho, Ojeta 11, Ovie of Oruarivie of Abraka Kingdom in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, has been presented with a staff of office by the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan.

Performing the ceremony, the governor who was represented by his Deputy, Prof.

Amos Aigbe Utuama, described the occasion as epoch making and called on all the sons and daughters of Abraka Kingdom both at home and in the Diaspora to join hands with the government to move the state to an enviable height.

Uduaghan said the scathing criticism from Abraka has, no doubt slowed down the pace of development in the state.

He added that the era of attacking the government was over, saying that development is far from any place where there is constant rancour and disagreement.

While congratulating the monarch for the honour , he called for unity among his subjects, saying his prayer is that the event would usher in development in the kingdom.He promised to channel their request to the appropriate quarters.

Earlier the Otota (Prime Minister) of the Oruarivie Kingdom, Chief F.O. Okotie who thanked the state government for making event possible, said theywere celebrating the end of 21 years of struggle for justice.

Okotie promised the kingdom would start

Delta From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Warri

a new relationship, giving support to government’s prorammes and actions.

While commending the state government for ongoing projects at the Delta State University, inthe town , he appealed to the government to give urgent attention to the university community on its roads, power supply and to develop Ethiope river as a tourist attraction.

Honour for Okorocha

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HE government of Republic of Liberia has honoured the Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha with one of its highest awards for his outstanding humanitarian work.

The award was presented to the governor by the Liberian Ambassador to Nigeria, Prof.

Al-Hassan Conteh on behalf of President Sirleaf Johnson in Imo Governors’ Lodge, Abuja.

By this prestigious award, Governor Okorocha become s the Chief Glorzou Toweh of Nimba Country, Liberia.

Governor Okorocha was earlier billed to receive the award as part of the activities linedup to mark the 164th independence anniversary of Republic of Liberia held in Abuja but was conspicuously absent owing to urgent state matters and was represented by Sen. Osita Izunaso.

BIA State government said it had begun work on dilapidated portions on federal highways and other roads across the

state.

The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy,Chief Don Ubani, made this known in an interview with reporters in Umuahia.

Ubani said Governor Theodore Orji directed the Abia State Oil Producing Area Development Commission to handle the repairs on the Abia end of the Enugu/Port Harcourt highway.

He further said that other federal roads with problems were equally being handled by some other firms commissioned by the state.

Ubani said that the state government resolved to undertake the repairs pending when the Federal Government would move in to begin work on the roads in order to reduce the suffering of the users.

“Governor Orji has been worried on the deplorable state of federal roads, but he is optimistic the government will address the problem, but in the interim, he directed the Abia State Oil Producing Area Development Commission and other firms to repair the bad

Abia spots,’’ he said.

The commissioner, who blamed the poor state of most federal infrastructure in Abia on the declaration of Abia as a ‘pariah state’ during the immediate past administration, added that Governor Orji was doing everything possible to improve on the relationship with the federal authorities.

On the 51st Independence anniversary, Ubani said the country had every cause to celebrate, noting that a lot had been achieved since 1960.

“Before independence, Nigeria had a few hospitals, four universities and a few federal highways. Today, some many of these infrastructure are scattered across the country.

“With these significant milestones, despite the role of the military in truncating the aspiration of the founding

•Governor Orji fathers by hijacking power for so long, I feel as a nation we have done quite well,” he said.

Ubani, who also praised the feat achieved

by Abia which turned 20 on Aug. 27, 2011 also noted that the state was on the right track on its development projection.

Customs seizes ammunition

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Akwa Ibom From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

first Oil and gas company to enter into Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Akwa Ibom state government with annual spending of N700million.

His words: “This year alone, the MoU with the state government is about N756m of which infrastructural development is N336m, scholarship is 235.5m comprising 1000 University, 90, local and 16 foreign post graduate skills development – 175m, scholarships and 10m for micro credit.”

He recalled that the Total Nigeria HIV/ AIDS initiative was inaugurated in year 2006.

According to him, there have been four phases of the initiative involving the use of Total’s numerous filling stations as venue for the campaigns in 13 of the 36 states of the Federation to reach out to over 19,000 Nigerians.

The managing director said in addition to the education, there are free counselling and testing services.

Represented by the deputy managing director (CRS & PA), Mrs. Nkoyo Attah, Maurice said the modalities deployed in the Total HIV/AIDS initiatives were in compliance with the United Nations recommended standards, which according to him, involves interacting with communities, addressing specific issues of concern and capacity building for peer educators.

He said such was achieved through the collaborative efforts of the Nigerian Business Coalition against AIDS (NIBUCAA).

HE Nigeria Customs Service, Onne Port Command, Area II Port Harcourt has made a seizure of one revolver pistol (Python 357) and four rounds of live ammunition.

Following a 100 percent examination of a 1x20ft Container No. SBLU 228146/6 which was declared to carry personal effects, a discovery of a well concealed revolver pistol and four rounds of live ammunitions were made by the vigilant examination officers.

This was made known by the Custom Area Comptroller, Onne Port, Comptroller Dan Ugo while briefing the press. According to Ugo, preliminary investigation has led to the arrest of one Mr Sebastine Okom the clearing agent. In an interview with Mr Okom, he said he is the Field Operating Officer for Creseada International, an organisation that handles consignment for Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

The consignment, he said, belongs to a British national that works in Nigeria. When they move they come with their personal belongings and the revolver was found in the consignment” he said. Mr. Okom is said to be under arrest and the agent in question has been given 24 hours to produce the importer.

Speaking about the consequence should the importer be found guilty under the law, Comptroller Dan Ugo said once the case is being tidied up and is presented to the head Office, the case will be transferred to the police whose function is to prosecute offenders. “The duty of customs is not only about collection of revenue and curbing of smuggling but also to fish out things that are not allowed by the law thereby protecting the society from things that are harmful to us, he said.

Briefly

Isoko professionals mourn Otobo THE Isoko Professionals Association has expressed its regret over the demise of Chief James Ekpre Otobo, one of the illustrious sons of Isoko and a First Republic politician.

Otobo, a former Deputy Premier of the defunct Mid-Western Region of Nigeria between 1955 and 1956, is a highly respected political leader in Delta State and Nigeria.

The National President of the association,Hon Emmanuel Egbabor, expressed his deepest condolence to the family of Otobo, the Isoko nation and the Delta State government for the irreparable loss of a man whose wealth of experience would be greatly missed at this critical moment of Nigeria’s political advancement.

Egbabor described Otobo as a frontliner of Isoko politics and one of the political leaders

of Delta State who contributed immensely to the progress of the state.

Otobo was a member of the Action Group (AG), a political party led by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo in 1959. Chief Otobo, who was bold, courageous, dynamic, outspoken, and an astute orator, was a foremost parliamentarian and one of the delegates to the famous London constitutional conference which was a precursor to Nigeria’s independence in 1960. He worked for the creation of Delta State and continued to be relevant in the political affairs of the state until his death.

The Isoko Professionals Association is a group of prominent Isoko sons and daughters who are professionals in their various fields of endeavours.

• The wife of Chairman of Apapa Local Government Area, Mrs Sarah Ayodeji Joseph (right), presenting a set of net to a beneficiary of long lasting net campaign

Community urges govt to repair road

T

HE Illah community in Delta State has appealed to the state government to repair the road that leads to market in the area to reduce accidents.

It said the deplorable state of the road was making evacuation of food items from the market area difficult in spite of the regular influx of people to the market.

The traditional ruler of the community, Obi Nwabuenu Mebu, who spoke with reporters at Illah, lamented that both the state and Oshimili North Local Government administration had neglected the road for a long time.

“The market is located close to the banks of River Niger here at Illah and it is a very big market which attracts people from many areas, including Anambra, Edo and even Kogi, who come mostly through the river,”he said.

According to him, the council gets a lot of revenue from the market and businesses carried out there but has refused to repair the road.

“We have made representation to the council but to no avail,’’ he said.

Delta He said that many accidents, particularly those involving trucks conveying yams and garri from the market had occurred on the road due to its poor state.

“Although no life has been lost in all the accidents, so far, food items worth so much money are always lost whenever the accidents occur,’’the monarch stated.

He disclosed that the road also leads to a Catholic monastery in the community.

“Since the council has refused to even grade the road to make it motorable and avert accidents, we have decided to appeal to the state government to help us.

“We are aware that the government has a programme for addressing rural infrastructure, especially roads and we are appealing that it should do something about the road,’’ he said.

The chairman of the council could not be reached on the issue but the Commissioner for Works, Chief Funkekeme Solomon, promised that the government would construct the road.

Youths challenge council on projects A youth-based group called Isolo Initiatives has called on the Lagos State government to monitor projects undertaken by council areas in order to ascertain their relevance to the needs of the people.

At a roundtable discussion on the way forward for the Isolo Local Council Development Area, the group lamented what it called ‘the lost three years’ of the present council administration.

The Coordinator of the group, Mr. Olawale Ambali said:” There is need for council chairmen in Lagos State to embark on projects

that would touch the lives of residents. As concerned youths of Isolo, we cannot fold our arms and watch our community degenerate into a total failure.

“For the past three years, there has not been a single infrastructural development in the council area. The chairperson of Isolo, Chief Modupe Oseghale has been embarking on projects that have nothing to do with the yearnings of the people.

Presently, all the roads in Isolo are in deplorable condition and nothing is being done by the council authorities to address the issue”, he added.

• From left: Sir Tayo Opanubi, Chairman Omotayo College Ogijo, presenting the first prize winner of Excellent Quiz Competition to Divine Mercy School, Oluwagbami Samuel and Oni Damilare while Mr Chikeze Okeoma, Principal, Omotayo College and Mr Abioye Olufemi watch PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAM

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

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PEOPLE THE NATION

A SEVEN-PAGE SECTION ON SOCIETY

Saturday, September 23, Ijebu-Ode witnessed a large crowd of dignitaries, who came from all walks of life to felicitate with Chief Sabitu Kolawole Onanuga, who marked his 80th birthday. ADEJO DAVID reports.

Toast to a community leader at 80 •The celebrator assisted by Senator Mustapha (left) and Mr Kayode Onanuga to cut the cake

N

OT even the downpour could stop the guests

from coming. They came from far and wide to celebrate with the Otun Baba Adini of Ijebu-Ode, Chief Sabitu Kolawole Onanuga in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

Despite the rain, the guests continued to arrive for the party.

Politicians, captains of commerce and traditional rulers were in attendance of a party that will be remembered for long in Ijebuland.

The event took off, with a prayer at Chief Onanuga’s residence in the heart of town.

It was led by the Chief Imam of Ijebuland, Alhaji Salisu

Alejulelohun. He prayed that the Almighty Allah should grant the celebrator good health and prosperity. He advised guests to live a honest, hardworking and principled life, made Onanuga a model among his contemporaries. The cleric also prayed for members of the Onanuga family.

After the prayers the celebration moved to the Grand Inn and Suites, International Stadium road, GRA, Ijebu-Ode, where popular musician Yinka Ayefele, entertained guests tunes.

The guests include: Ogun State Deputy Governor, Prince Segun Adesegun; Senators Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon and Lekan

‘I really appreciate all that was done to honour me on my birthday. In fact, I was suprised to see all that was prepared to make today a memorable day for me. Sincerely, I don’t have a kobo in all that was spent. This I appreciate so much’

Mustafa (son-in-law), Senator Iyiola Omisore, Gbenga Obadara, Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro; Mr Chen Jian Qian, Eric Liu and Dr and Mrs Anthony Mimra.

Others are the Ajalorun of Ijebu-Ife, Oba Adesesan Oguntayo and his Olori; the Oluworo of Oworo-Ijebu, Oba Gabriel Onafuwa, Oba Mufutau Kasali and Prof and Mrs Simbo Banjoko.

Senator Solomon, who described Chief Onanuga as a community leader worthy of emulation, wished him a long life, in good health and prosperity.

The celebrator called on com-

munity religious leaders to live in peace and harmony. He was full of prayers and gratitude to the organisers. According to him, he did not plan for such an elaborate party to mark the day.

He confessed that he made no contribution to all that was done to honour him, saying he wished he could repay the gesture of the organisers. He prayed God to pay them back in ten fold.

“I really appreciate all that was done to honour me on my birthday. In fact, I was suprised to see all that was prepared to make today a memorable day for me. Sincerely, I don’t have a kobo in all that was spent. This I appreciate so much,” he said.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

SOCIETY

•Senator Solomon (left) and Senator Obadara

• Wife of the celebrator, Alhaja Fatimot Onanuga and her daughter, Mrs Iyabo Mustapha

Mr Bayo Onanuga and his wife Toyin • From left: Mrs Babs Omojola, Dr Anthony Mimra and his wife

•Oba Onafuwa (left) and Oba Kasali •Olori Sade Kasali (left) and Olori Dupe Onafuwa

•From left: Giwa Mustapha Oseni, Mr Eric Liu and Dr Kehinde Phillips

•Senator Obanikoro

•Bidemi Alalade

•Oba Oguntayo and his wife Olori Olayinka

•From left: Mrs Kofo Onanuga, Prof Simbo Adenuga and Mrs Sikiratu Banjoko PHOTOS: ADEJO DAVID

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

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SOCIETY An elaborate reception was organised in honour of lawyer and business tycoon, Mrs Omolara Fagbayi at the Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Victoria Island, Lagos to mark her 50th birthday last Sunday. TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO was there

When a classy chic turns 50 T

HE invitation card read: “Omolara, like vintage wine, has aged well.” And you wonder who is this Omolara?

Well, the guests found out at the expansive Civic Centre on Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Victoria Island, Lagos last Sunday.

The hall was ornately decorated.

There were lights every where.

Choice wines sat on the beautiful table overlays.

At exactly 7:30pm, five beautiful women emerged, distributing the programme for the event.

It was then that the identity of the celebrator was revealed.

Welcome Omolara Ajike Fagbayi, a lawyer into the golden age club.

Earlier, the delectable Omolara decked in blue chiffon lace, dashing headgear, gold plated choker with matching bracelets sat quietly on the table reserved for the celebrator and a few friends.

Those who could reach the table shook hands with her, some hugged her; others waved from a distance.

A band, God Bless and the Eboni, mesmeriSed the audience with old school tunes, ranging from R and B, to Highlife, among others.

The guests enjoyed themselves to the full. They sang along with the band.

The event officially began when Queen of Juju music, Ayotunde Kofoworola Balogun popularly known as Queen Ayo Balogun mounted the stage.

Her sterling performance swept the guests off their feet with many showering naira notes.

The celebrator, who had gone to change, returned to the hall amid a standing ovation.

Omolara looked elegant and stunning in a gold maxi gown embellished with fluffy cottons, a bridal satin veil and a curly weavon.

She dazzled the guests with her dancing skill.

She was joined by her daughters – Tolu, Abiola and Modupe, to cut the birthday cake.

Later, the ‘birthday girl’ was

joined by the immediate past governor of Oyo State, Otunba Christopher Alao-Akala; Chairman, Island Group of Companies, Kashamu Buruji to equally cut the cake.

Among the guests were Senator Brimmo Yusuf; former Lagos Commissioner for Water Front, Prince Adesegun Oniru; essayist, Prof Adebayo Williams; Chief Edem Duke; Chief Executive Officer, Silverbird Group, Ben BruceMurray; Hon Tony Igbaroola; Hajia Farida Dankaka; Ms Modupe Ajanaku; Funke Robert; Feyi Rowland; Mr Dayo Keshinro; City People Publisher, Mr Seye Kehinde; Folashade Oredugba; Funmi Talabi; Mr Segun Omirun; Mr Larry Ayeni; Mr Femi Ajanaku; Mrs Morayo Fadipe and Bolaji Oyeleye.

•The celebrator with her children (from left) Tolu; Abiola and Abimbola Fagbayi

•Prof Williams (right) and Mr Aina

•Mr Ayeni (left) and Mr Ajanaku

•From left: Otunba Alao-Akala; Mrs Robert and Senator Yusuf

•Chief Duke (left) and Mr Murray-Bruce

•Madam Florence Oyeleye •Prince Oniru

•Prince Buruji

•Mr Kehinde

•Hajia Dankaka

PHOTOS: ADEJO DAVID

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

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SOCIETY

Methodist ladies celebrate at 60 The Ladies Friendly Society, Methodist Church of the Trinity, Onikan, Lagos last Sunday rose in style at the Yoruba Tennis Club, Onikan to mark her 60th anniversary, writes WALE ADEPOJU

I

T was held at the Yoruba Tennis Club, Onikan, amid pomp. The ambience of the Yoruba Tennis Club, Onikan, Lagos where the 60th anniversary of the Ladies Friendly Society of the Methodist Church Nigeria held was electric, clean and fresh.

The anniversary included a N50 million fund raiser for Wesley University of Science and Technology, Ondo (WUSTO) and awards ceremony began in a joyous mood as guests and members of the society walked majestically into the magnificent hall about 2:00pm.

They were gorgeously dressed and exchanged pleasantries as they took their seats. With great expectations, they sat in clusters. Some of them were accompanied by their husbands, children and friends. The sonorous sound from Skippo, a life-band, thrilled the audience.

The three-in-one event lived up to its billing with the arrival of the Chairman on the occasion, retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice George Adesola Oguntade. He was led into the warm embrace by the President of the society, Mrs Mopelola Ajasa.

Other guests, drawn from all walks of life, also walked in, to add colour to the event. Among them was the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, who was represented by Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs Sola Oworu, Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Dr Ola Makinde, an embryologist, Prof Bamidele Ashiru and WUSTO ViceChancellor, Prof Tola Badejo, among others.

Mrs Ajasa thanked the guests for gracing the event, for their support and generous donations to WUSTO. She said the gesture would allow the society to construct a student recreation centre and provide sporting facilities, with a gymnasium and other in-door games at the College.

“Part of the funds realised would also be used to support the on-going construction at the basement of our church, Methdist Church of the Trinity, Tinubu as well as development of satellite churches with special attention to the ones at Gbagada and Agbara Estate.

“Also, it would be used to support the Wesley School for the Deaf and Dumb at Ajao Road, Surulere, especially in Information Technology facilities and to continue the scholarship programme for students at the Methodist Theological Institute (MTI), Sagamu, Ogun State,” she said.

Justice Oguntade stole the show with his charisma and the energy with which he anchored the fund raiser for the college.

•Justice Oguntade flanked by his wife, Dupe (left) and Mrs Ajasa

The retired jurist admonished the people to donate cheerfully because God loves a cheerful giver.

Donations were thankfully received.

Oguntade urged the society to use the fund realised judiciously for the purpose it is meant for.

The occasion also provided the society the opportunity to honour some of its members for their commitment to the society. They were Mrs Yewande Ajose-Adeogun, Iyabo Awotesu, Florence Johnson, Remi Kukoyi, Stella Odesanya, Jokotade Ogbe, Vida Oke and Mrs Gladys Pecku while Lady Abimbola Smith and Lady Adebola Williams were honoured for their contributions to the growth of the society.

Also, Mr Bob Kufeji, Apinni Odeinde, and Sir Bolaji Oni were honoured as patrons.

The late Deaconess Bella Ademola received a post humuous award. Mrs Aikhomu, Mrs Olusola Alex-Duduyemi and Dame Erelu Ojora were given awards as patronesses while Mrs Folorunsho Alakija and Mrs Kehinde Okunowo were awarded for their contributions to the society and propagation of Christianity.

The event came to climax with dance by members and guests.

• Prelate Makinde

•From left: Lady Abimbola Smith; Mrs Adesola Thomas and Mrs Enitan Oristejafor

•Prof Aba Sagoe and Prof Tola Badejo

•Mrs Folorunsho Alakija and Mrs Bob Kufeji

•From right: Olayinka Fasetan; Lady Mojirade Joseph and Mrs Yemisi Bolarinwa

•Mrs Dupe Oguntade (right) and Sola Oworu

PHOTOS: RAHMAN SANUSI

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

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SOCIETY Maplewood Estate, Agege, Lagos was agog on Sunday as friends, relatives and associates of The Nation columnist, Dr Femi Orebe and his jewel, Tinuke, trooped to the estate to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. RISIKAT RAMONI was there.

What ‘Great Ife’ has joined H

E was 26 and she was 21 on that fateful day in 1969 at the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU), where they met, became friends and got married two years later.

Forty years on, their marriage remains as romantic as ever.

It was in that light that friends, neighbours, relatives gathered at the residence of Dr Femi Orebe and his wife, Tinuke to celebrate their 40 years of marraiage.

Guests comprising journalists, newspaper columnists, civil servants, educationists and lawyers, were all there. Religious leaders were not left out.

They all came to rejoice and celebrate with the Orebes.

Guests filed in one after the other looking cheerful and dazzling in traditional attires of various types. Some wore lace, Ankara, guinea brocade while others simply put on casual T-shirts and pairs of trousers.

The hosts stood out in the crowd. They were the cynosure of all eyes. Dr Orebe first in a white lace buba and sokoto, a purple and blue cap and a pair of shoes to match. Later on, he changed into a simple shirt and pair of trousers. His wife appeared in a Romanian blouse on skirt and her hair was gold-tinted. The black dress was adorned with white, all over.

They both wore spectacles and necklace.

As they stepped into the beautifully decorated area, where their guests were already seated, their faces beamed with smile to see their loved ones celebrate with them.

The table was wrapped with gold overlay while the white and red cloth on the chair made the whole atmosphere sparkling.

The guests had different nice things to say about the couple.

“Their marriage was made in heaven, ordained by God and delivered on earth,” Mr Dipo Ajayi, a former acting editor of the Daily Times said.

Ajayi, who has been a friend of Orebe for 53 years, described the duo as a perfect match. He described the couple as being focused and lucky to find each other.

He enjoined young couples to emulate the Orebes by desisting from having too many guardians outside the home. “God should be the only counsellor they should run to whenever there is any misunderstanding,” Ajayi said.

Another columnist with The Nation Prof Ropo Sekoni, who has known the couple for the past 35 years described them as best of friends.

A childhood friend of Mrs Orebe, Mrs Funke Ogunyomi, said the Orebes are like five and six. The couple, according to her are humble, friendly, helpful and accommodating and have learned to trust, have patience and tolerate each other.

The second child of the Orebes, Mrs Kemi Alfonso, said they are loving and close. To her, they have had a good life. She said there is a part of her parent’s life none of the children witnessed, “They have never fought in the children’s presence.”

She wished them many more years together while at the same time praying that God might continue to keep them in good health.

A neighbour, Mr Adegbuyi Otuyemi, said their marriage lasted this long because they are a civilised, liberal, amiable couple, whose exposure, maturity and understanding have made them live happily together.

Dr Orebe dedicated his marriage success to the glory of God, adding that they had nothing to complain.

He said aside God, the success of the marriage could be linked to his wife, who he described, as a pillar.

“She is beautiful, very gentle with good manners and persevering. The moment I set my eyes on her, I knew this was my wife. Later on, I discovered we were compatible and were made for each other.

“She has been a good wife to me, supportive mother and grandmother to our offsprings,” he said.

His better half, Tinuke, declared that the love she had for her husband 40 years ago when they got married remains intact even today.

“I never regret marrying him. He is a nice, plain man, who gives me peace. He is my perfect man and I have nothing to complain about,” she said.

•L-R: Mrs Funmi Ajayi in a group photograph with the celebrator, Dr Femi Orebe, Mr Dipo Ajayi and Mrs Tinuke Orebe

•Prof Ropo Sekoni with his wife, Banke

•Chief Parry Owei and his wife, Funmi

•Prophet Ayo Ogundipe and his wife, Esther

•Deacon David Otuyemi and Mrs Margaret Otuyemi

•Mr Adegbuyi Otuyemi and his wife, Kemi

PHOTOS: SOLOMON ADEOLA

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

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SOCIETY

Golden Jubilee of the Order of St.Mulumba The Knights of the Order of the St. Mulumba Nigeria, Lagos Metropolitan Council, gathered at the Holy Child College, Ikoyi, Lagos to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the order in Nigeria and honoured some of its members with awards. AMIDU ARIJE was there.

“T

HAT we will grow in the love of God and of one another Father, guide us, as You guide creation according to your law of love.

May we love one another and come to perfection in the eternal life prepared for us.”

This was the opening prayer said by the congregation to mark the beginning of the Mass for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of The Order of the Knight of Saint Mulumba Nigeria, Lagos Metropolitan Council.

The order was named after the Kenya martyr, Mathias Kalemba, with the title ‘Mulumba’.

The mass was followed by a social reception and honours’ awards, at the same venue. Members of the order were full of appreciation to the Almighty for making them witness the golden jubilee, which had the cutting of the jubilee cake, as the high point of the celebration.

Advocate of the Lagos Sub-Council, Goddy Uwazurike, said the day was to thank God and appreciate the contributions of some members of the church.

‘The essence is to appreciate the awardees for their contributions in service to humanity,’ he said.

The awardees were accredited outside the hall to be sure of who was present or not.

One of the awardees, who is also the

•From left: Dr and Mrs Mbelede receiving a plague from Mr Anthony Onuh

•Mr Goddy Nwazurike (left) and Mr Frank Arinze

President of Metropolitan Ladies of St Mulumba, Lagos, Lady Victoria Uzoigwe, said the award was given in recognition of their service.

“Service to humanity is the basis of awarding the people. I feel humbled, because whatever I have done is for the love of God and I thank God for the

•From left: Mr Egri-Okwaji, his wife, Rosemary and Sir Ikemefuna PHOTOS: SOLOMON ADEOLA

honour,” she said.

Other awardees are: Dr Christopher Abebe, Dr Leonard Kufeji, Justice Victor Erereko Ovie-Whiskey (rtd), Awodiji Tejumola Pius, Ben Nwazojie, (KSM) SAN; John Egri-Okwaji, Sir Patrick Nwabueze Ikemefuna (KSM, KSS), Chief (Mrs) Victoria C. Uzoigwe

(LSM), Lady Agnes Adesanya, Dr Charles Mbelede (KSM), Dr Joseph Omonigho Osevwe, JP; Dr Solomon Oludayo Onimole, Bernard Nkwo, Anthony Olatunbosun Olabode and Patrick Fajinmi, among others. All were joined by their relatives to rejoice and celebrate with them.

BIRTHDAY

AWARD

•Mofoyeke Damola (left) of the FirstBank Plc Headquarters, Marina, Lagos, being assisted by Bioye Seriki to cut her 40th birthday cake

•From left: Deputy President, Nigeria Institute of Management, Dr Michael Olawale-Cole; Chief Consultant, Supreme Management Training and Consultancy Service, Mr Fasuyi Olayinka and President, NIM, Dr Nkem Adukwu-Bolujoko at the institute’s Awards and Dinner in Abuja.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

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SOCIETY

Omotunde’s day of double celebration It was a double celebration for the General Manager, Training and Development, Vintage Press, Publisher of The Nation newspaper, Mr Soji Omotunde and his wife, Emiede, last Sunday, when they had a special thanksgiving to mark the 50th birthday of Emiede and 30 years of being a journalist by Soji. Two books written by Soji were also launched. ABIKE HASSAN writes

T

HEY were the cynosure of all that Sunday as they sat on the high table, facing the congregation. They were a couple any one would love to emulate. The way Soji Omotunde and his wife, Emiede, related with each other that day cut a picture of a perfect and harmonious union. Everyone at the thanksgiving could feel the love oozing out of them as they both celebrated their union, Emiede’s 50th birthday anniversary, the 30 years of Soji being a journalist and the launch of his two books.

Omotunde, a pastor with The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). Love Assembly Area New Oko Oba , Abule-Egba, a Lagos suburb, was beside himself with joy. The day, according to him, was that of double celebration.

The venue of the event was the well-decorated church auditorium of Praise Palace, Lagos Province 17 Headquarters, which was packed to the brim.

The service kicked off at 2 pm with powerful prayers said by Pastor A. A. Boyejo, which were followed by a session of praise and worship led by the church choir. Of note was the attires worn by the members of the Love Assembly choir; they were dressed in green and white skirts and blouses for ladies while the men wore shirts and trousers made from the same fabrics. Perhaps it was meant to honour the nation’s 51st Independence anniversary which held a day before.Other choir which ministered was the Joshua Generation Centre and Bukola Bekes.

After the songs came testimonies. The Master of Ceremony, Pastor Iyiola Olayori, who anchored the event urged members to come out and share with the congregation whatever experiences they might have had with the couple. Members came out one after the other and recounted the many good deeds the couple had done to touch their lives. Mrs Omotunde, who stood while it lasted, hugged them as they filed out to share their experiences. It was, indeed, emotional.

Also, in a message from the wife of the former governor of Lagos State and a Senator of the Federal Republic, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, while felicitating with Emiede, recalled that she shared the experience of passing through Adeyemi College of Education in Ondo, Ondo State. She remarked that herself and Omotunde’s wife studied the significance as well as the processes of making meaningful impact on the lives of others around them.

“You and I also share the experience of standing behind our husbands during very challenging times in their respective careers. As an educationist and mother, your role in the home has, undoubtedly, facilitated the accomplishments of your dear hus band, who is celebrating his 30th year in journalism,” she wrote.

In a separate letter to Omotunde, Senator Tinubu noted: “It is a divine irony of fate that the man who was gagged and violently taken from his car is a living testimony to God’s might and the cause of freedom today while democracy and its developmental dividends are evident on the same streets where coercion once prevailed.”

She then congratulated Omotunde on the occasion of celebrating 30 years of journalism practise and the launch of his two books. The MC then ushered in the officiating minister, Pastor Remi Oluboba, who delivered the sermon. The cleric said: “It is, indeed, an afternoon of celebration for the couple. Celebrating 30 years in journalism does not come easy and is, indeed, to the glory of God. Fifty years in Nigeria for Mrs Omotunde is a landmark, because of the various challenges faced in Nigeria today.

“Mr Omotunde has been able to survive 30 years in journalism and the ministry. To survive on the job is faced by various risks and challenges especially, when it depends on who is running the affairs of a country.”

The cleric, who prayed that the couple continue to survive under the guidance of God, also encouraged others in different professions to be steadfast and prayerful in order that they would be able to celebrate their successes as being done by the couple. He urged them to be zealous despite challenges they may face along the way.

Reviewing one of the books entitled: Destined to Win, The Nation Sunday Editor, Mr Festus Eriye, said: “If you study the life of Joseph, you will be able to study life today. The book teaches important lessons about life and gives in-depth analysis of the spiritual realm and life in general. Mr Omotunde has been able to explain spirituality in its simplest form.”

Mr Sanya Oni, Editorial Page Editor of The Nation, who reviewed the second book, entitled: This Country, our Nation, expressed concern over what he called irresponsibility of power among the leaders.

“He has captured the military and civilian regime in his book. All activities that have transpired in the past 30 years are found in the book and can be graphically imagined. Mr Omotunde described Nigeria in his book as a great country transitioning activities from the past to the present,” he said.

The presentation of the books was handled by RCCG Province 17 Head, Pastor David Omunagbe, while the cutting of the birthday cake was done by the couple and assisted by Pastor (Mrs) Christianah Omunagbe.

Omotunde expressed delight by thanking the guests for supporting them. He also appreciated the presence of God in his life.

Among the dignitaries at the event was the Chief Press Secretary to the Ekiti State Governor, Mr Yinka Oyebode,whorepresentedhisboss,DrKayodeFayemi.

•Tolulope, Mrs Emiede Omotunde, Pastor Omotunde, Ibiyemi

•Mr Akin Oluwadare (Jnr) (right) and Mr Yinka Oyebode, representative of Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State

•Pastor Omunagbe and Pastor Remi Oluboba

•Chief Siji Olowosuko and Mrs Olanrewaju Ajoke

•Mr Remi Samuel and Toyin Oloniyo

•Pastor Michael Sobowale (right) and Mr Theophilus Obaja

PHOTOS: NIYI ADENIRAN

36

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

COMMENTARY

FEMI ABBAS ON

H

AJJ in the life of a Muslim is like pregnancy in the womb of an expectant mother. The experience varies from woman to woman. The foetus in the womb undergoes various stages before reaching the stage of delivery. But by the time the child is finally delivered the mother feels a relief of her life. And the child assumes a tabularasa (clean slate) that makes him absolutely innocent.

A pilgrim is like a newly born child, spiritually, if he strictly performs Hajj as prescribed by Allah. But if he returns into the world of vanity he automatically becomes like a person in snow white attire who finds himself in a palm oil market.

Unless he spiritually guides his loins, he may immediately become a tainted person both in body and in soul. Perhaps no one has as much value to guide in life as a person who performs Hajj piously and successfully. And that is because Hajj is like a visa to paradise which no sensible person will want to lose to vanity.

Pilgrims who are going on Hajj must be prepared to go through series of rigour both spiritually and physically. The rigour of getting the money with which to perform Hajj; the rigour of getting the travelling documents including visa; the rigour of taking care of the home front before embarking on the Holy journey; the rigour of boarding the plane with a sense of high risk; the rigour of going through the security search at the embarkation point as well as in Saudi Arabia when entering and when departing; the rigour of performing the Tawaf and Sa’y; the rigour of moving from Makkah to Mina on the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah, then to Arafah on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah, and back to Mina via Muzdalifah on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah; the rigour of locating the tents at Arafah; the rigour of throwing the pebbles at the Jamrats in Mina on the three or four days known as Ayamu-tTashrik; The rigour of performing Tawaful Ifadah at the Sanctuary in Makkah after the first day of throwing pebbles; the rigour of shaving the head and slaughtering the rams, the rigour of performing the farewell circumambulation otherwise known as Tawaful Wida‘i all in the midst of millions of people can be too much to forget so soon after Hajj. Whoever is not bothered by the money spent on Hajj should at least be bothered by the various stages of the rigour involved including that of visiting Madinah. To lose all these to the forces of Satan after Hajj is like losing one’s travelling passport after obtaining visa. The prayer of every genuine pilgrim is to retain the validity of Hajj forever.

Hajj is a privileged obligation for good Muslims. It has conditions that must be fulfilled according to prescription. Those conditions are pre-requisite for the fifth pillar of Islam. A willing pilgrim must have genuine intention based on high spiritual standard. He must have attained puberty. He must have been an ardent practitioner of the first four pillars of Islam: (Salat, Zakah, and Sawm) all of which are fervently based on faith (Iman). Hajj without these pre-requisites is like a tree without fruit.

Money is a major pre-requisite for Hajj but it is not absolute. Having money does not absolutely qualify one for Hajj.

Performing Hajj without having practised other pillars of Islam is like wanting to purchase Allah’s bounties with money.

Manual of Hajj Hajj, the last pillar of Islam is, by and large, a rehearsal for the Day of Judgment.

It shows very vividly, the similitude of what mankind will experience on that Final Day. Looking at the unique way in which pilgrims dress alone and how they assemble at Arafat leaving their luggage behind in Makkah, one will realise how ephemeral this world is.

The various stages of preparation through which pilgrims pass before arriving at Arafat are symbolic of our peregrination in life as human beings. Like the Day of Judgment, Arafat is the climax of Hajj performance. Anybody who misses Arafat misses Hajj. But Arafat is not by physical appearance alone. It takes a combination of factors to participate effectively in that great assembly which serves as the climax of Hajj.

For Hajj to serve its spiritual purpose in the life of a pilgrim, certain steps must be taken before leaving home. They are as follows:

Femabbas@yahoo.com 08051101861

About Hajj

‘

Hajj, the last pillar of Islam is, by and large, a rehearsal for the Day of Judgment. It shows very vividly, the similitude of what mankind will experience on that Final Day. Looking at the unique way in which pilgrims dress alone and how they assemble at Arafat leaving their luggage behind in Makkah, one will realise how ephemeral this world is.

•The Ka’abah

‘

• Fine-tuning the first four pillars of Islam very sincerely • Packaging the intention to perform Hajj • Ensuring the security of the way • Providing for the family and dependants at home • Paying all the outstanding debts including promises • Ascertaining the condition of health • Perfecting immigration procedures and undergoing all necessary medical services including inoculation • Assuming a mood of humility like that of a servant approaching his master.

• Readiness to endure hardship and to tolerate fellow pilgrims’ attitudes.

• Constantly bearing in mind that Hajj is a spiritual journey and not a mundane tour for leisure.

Admonishing Muslims on spiritual journey, including Hajj, Prophet Muhammad once said: “Actions shall be judged according to intentions. Whoever embarks on a spiritual journey for the sake of Allah will be adjudged on that basis.

And whoever bases his/her intention for pilgrimage on marriage or material gains should not expect any reward beyond that for which the intention is based”.

It is therefore pertinent that Hajj is seen and regarded as a mini judgment day here on earth.

close to the Haram. This is to enable them walk to the Haram and back conveniently at any prayer time. But because of the incessant developments going on around both sanctuaries which compel pilgrims to reside a little far from those sanctuaries, some pilgrims do miss their ways while returning to their residences. To minimise the occurrence of this or to avoid it, pilgrims are provided with hand bands bearing the addresses of their residences.

Pilgrims are therefore advised to wear such bands all times to enable them show it to either the Hajj guides or policemen when the road is missed. The hand band which bears pilgrims’ residence addresses is provided by the Saudi official agents called Muassasah.

It is also important for pilgrims to always be with their identity cards provided by Nigerian Pilgrims’ Commission or private agents. This is to enable them to be identified in case of sickness, accident or even death. And when the need to go to the clinic becomes necessary, the pilgrim does not have to reach his county’s clinic before getting medication. He can go to any nearest one of the Saudi ubiquitous clinics or that of any other country. For safety however, it is better for pilgrims to move about in groups or duos.

The Miqat

Pilgrims must be ready to undergo some rigour in the process of moving to Mina from Makkah. The rigour which normally affects all pilgrims is engendered by limited time available for millions of pilgrims who must move to that spiritual camp at the same time.

The same procedure continues towards Arafat and back. Mina is about three kilometres away from Makkah. Arafat is about 12 kilometres. The five days to be spent in these two camps are the real days of Hajj rituals. Whoever does not participate in the activities of those five days misses Hajj.

Miqat is the specified place for the wearing of Ihram dress. There are five of such places in all. But the one earmarked for pilgrims from Nigeria cannot be reached by pilgrims travelling by air. It is over-flown while crossing the Red Sea. What most Nigerians do therefore is to wear their Ihram dress in Jeddah which has now been adjudged right through a Fatwah. Thus, Nigerian pilgrims can now wear their Ihram dress on arrival at the pilgrims’ airport in Jeddah.

Movement to Mina

Residence in Makkah or Arafah Madinah At the Plain of Arafat, pilgrims are

Most Nigerian pilgrims often seek their accommodations in Makkah or Madinah

advised to stay under their tents and concentrate on the spiritual activities that

take them to the place.

They ought to have reached Arafat by mid day when Salatu-d-Dhuhr and ‘Asr are supposed to be observed combined.

Anybody who is not at Arafat by mid day is considered not to have taken part in the assembly and therefore missed Hajj.

They should not attempt to go about visiting or climbing mountains as some people do ignorantly.

The great assembly of Arafat terminates shortly before sunset (Magrib) and the pilgrims return to Mina via Muzdalifah.

Muzdalifah At Muzdalifah, pilgrims are expected to halt their journey to observe Magrib and ‘Ishai combined. They are also expected to pass the night there and observe the Salats-Subh of the following day before proceeding to Mina.

Jamrat Stoning of the devils (Jamrat) begins a day after Arafat and continues for the next three or four days that the pilgrims are supposed to spend at Mina.

To avoid commotion which used to cause death of many pilgrims, the Saudi authorities have turned the way to and from the Jamrat into one way and many bridges have been built in terraces to facilitate easy access to the Jamrat.

While going for the pebble-throwing exercise, pilgrims are advised to take their pebbles along. Except for the first day when seven pebbles are supposed to be thrown, pilgrims are required to throw twenty one pebbles each day while they remain in Mina.

Picking such pebbles at the point of throwing them is forbidden. All pebbles must have been picked before leaving the tent for the ‘Jamrat’.

Majzarah or Abattoir Slaughtering of sacrificial rams is also done at the abattoir in Mina. Pilgrims do not need to bother themselves by going to the abattoir for the purpose of carrying out this compulsory obligation. They can simply buy the guaranteed ticket sold by designated Saudi agents. The ticket is the evidence that one has performed that duty.

The slaughtering is done on behalves of the pilgrims by some authorised artisans who are paid by the Saudi Hajj authorities from the money paid for rams.

Tawaful Ifadah For pilgrims who can afford to go to Makkah after throwing the first seven pebbles, it is good to perform Tawaf-ulIfadah. For those who cannot, the exercise can be deferred till the end of Tashrik.

Pilgrims who have performed Tawaf-ulIfadah are free to shave their heads and change from their Ihram dress into civil or traditional dress.

The only reason for any pilgrim to go to Makkah from Mina during the camping period is to perform Tawaf-ul-Ifadah. No pilgrim should break camping by going to Makkah without performing Tawaf-ulIfadah. And after performing Tawaful Ifadah, no pilgrim should remain in Makkah until sunset without having returned to Mina.

With the completion of the camping days in Mina and the arrival of all the pilgrims in Makkah, Hajj has been completed except for Tawaf Wida’a otherwise called fare well Tawaf. That Tawaf is compulsory.

It is then left for pilgrims to decide whether or not to go to Madinah. Going to Madinah is not compulsory, but it will be spiritually odd if a pilgrim chooses not to visit the Prophet’s Mosque.

Throughout the Hajj exercise, what should be uppermost in the mind of a pilgrim is the spiritual benefit.

Hajj is made compulsory only once in a life’s time for those who have the wherewithal to undergo it and can satisfy the conditions attached to its performance.

On arriving home finally, pilgrims are not expected to start organising parties in celebration of successful Hajj performance as ignorantly done by some Nigerians.

Maintaining Hajj is a necessity for those who know the value of doing that.

Whoever is privileged to perform Hajj once should forever be grateful to Allah as no one is sure to have another chance.

We pray the Almighty Allah to accept genuine Hajj based on genuine intention as an act of Ibadah. Amin.

THE NATION

38

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

CRIME WATCH

Experienced officers boost crime fighting Stories by Jude Isiguzo

•Ringim

T

HE deployment of police officers who understand the Lagos terrain has boosted the war against crime and criminals in the state, a security expert

has said.

Speaking with Newsextra at a security event, Mr Folorusho Atta, who is also a veteran Crime journalist, said that it is a well known fact that the state governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola has invested heavily in acquiring patrol vehicles, firearms, gunboats, Amoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), communication gadgets as well as logistics, in his passion to fight crime. But if there are no quality officers to manage these equipment, no meaningful progress would be made, he said.

He explained that there is relative peace in the state because the officer who is currently in charge of operations in the command, Mr Tunde Sobulo, a Deputy Commissioner (DCP), knows the state like the back of his hands.

Atta noted that though some

Lagosians are trying to blow the rate of crime out of proportion, residents can attest to the fact that house-to-house robbery, and assassinations have reduced since the current Commissioner of Police, Mr Yakubu Alkali took over the mantle of leadership.

He explained that there is no society in the world where criminal activities are not of daily occurrence, and encouraged people to

give information to the police as they are not spirits or magicians and so cannot be everywhere at every time.

“Since officers like Sobulo who served as Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Alausa, Commander, Operation Fire-for-Fire, Police Mobile Force (PMF) 20 and Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge Operations, and his counterpart in the State Criminal Investigation De-

The crime situation is not as bad as people are painting it in the state. Akali is doing his best to fight crime and needs to be encouraged. All he needs are DPOs and Area Commanders that are ready to deliver on crime fighting

partment (SCID), Mr Abdulahi Yuguda, a Deputy Commissioner (DCP), who served as DPO Badagry, Ketu and later Area Commander, Area ‘H’, Ogudu, are part of the police management team in the state, it is certain that they would invest their experiences in the war against crime and the rate is defiantly going to reduce drastically”, Atta said.

Atta noted that in the last two years, there has not been any reported incident of bank robbery in a place like Victoria Island, an indication that the Divisional Police Officer, Mr Adegoke Fayoade is doing his job well and deserves to be commended.

“The crime situation is not as bad as people are painting it in the state,” he said. “Akali is doing his best to fight crime and needs to be encouraged. All he needs are DPOs and Area Commanders that are ready to deliver on crime fighting.”

Man remanded for ‘forging’ cleric’s signature

A

N Abuja Chief Magistrate Court has remanded, Augustine Okoro in Kuje prison for allegedly forging the signature of the General Overseer of The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Movement, Pastor Lazarus Muoka and stealing the church’s letter heads.

His latest incarceration is the third in the last three months at the same prison for similar charges of criminal conspiracy, forgery and criminal intimidation contrary to sections 97, 364 and 397 of the Penal Code law respectively.

In the latest case which is before the Chief Magistrate Court, Wuse 2, Abuja, he is standing trial on a four-count-charge of forgery, stealing, intimidation, illegal possession of the letter head papers of Pastor Muoka and threat to his life.

The First Information Report (FIR) filed by the police stated how Austin moore and his gang members, now at large, allegedly forged the signature of the man of God and threatened to kill him if he fails to pay him the sum of N50,000,000.

Our correspondent gathered that the incident that led to his latest journey back to the Kuje prisons started shortly after he was released from the prison recently when he allegedly presented a letter purportedly written and signed

by Muoka, to some journalists in Abuja.

In the said letter, Okoro alleged that he was being owed N50 million by Muoka over spurious business transactions in Abuja. He told the journalists that he assisted the preacher to recover a plot of land for his friend, earlier hijacked by hoodlums.

Although, he claimed that a plot of land at the place is being sold for N6million, the suspect further demanded a 2011 model of Land Cruiser jeep as physical compensation for purportedly chasing away hoodlums from the plot of land. The jeep is valued at about N10million.

The forged document alleged that Muoka breached the gentleman’s agreement by failing to redeem his promise to pay him the money for assistance rendered to him and his friend.

However shortly after the press

briefing, a spokesman of the church, Pastor Chidi Louis, alerted the police high command at Abuja over the forged letter. He reminded the police that Austin More had made a written statement in which he told the police, at Abuja, that there was no written agreement between him and Muoka and urged the police to investigate the forged letter which he presented to journalists.

Louis argued that the sudden presentation of document allegedly signed by Muoka by the accused is an attempt to smear the image of the General Overseer and the church.

Sequel to this, the Monitoring unit of Inspector General of Police, IGP, swung into action and arrested the suspect. He was immediately arraigned on four count charges of forgery, threat to life, conspiracy

Spokesman of the church, Pastor Chidi Louis, alerted the police high command at Abuja over the forged letter. He reminded the police that Austin More had made a written statement in which he told the police at Abuja that there was no written agreement between him and Muoka

and intimidation for which he pleaded not guilty on all the charges.

However, Police prosecutor, Mr. Victor Nwadike informed the court that police investigations revealed that Austin More stole the letter head papers and lifted Muoka’s signature on it to appear as if the document originated from the General Overseer.

He argued that the accused person does not need to be granted bail since he had abused the previous ones granted him The police prosecutor argued that the accused was arraigned in same court on 26/07/11 on a similar charge and between that date and now he has committed another offence while on bail.

He noted that as soon as Austin was granted bail he went into another heinous crime thus he has violated the right for bail. He argued that the accused persons has antecedents of having multiple criminal cases and with the frequency, these crimes were committed, proved that he should not be allowed to live in the midst of innocent people because he is a dangerous specie to the society and thus may commit more crime if granted bail. He added that the accused has been sentenced to jail before for contempt of court The counsel to the accused however argued that since it has not been brought to his notice that his

Italy-based Nigerian ‘caught’ with cocaine

A

29-YEAR-OLD Nigerian living in Italy has been apprehended by officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos.

The suspect, Erhunmwunsee Abraham Osagie with an Air France ticket, was found to have ingested wraps of narcotics during screening of passengers to Paris. Scanning machine at the centre screening hall revealed that suspected capsules of narcotics were hidden in his stomach.

While he was under observation at the departure wing of the airport, allegedly Osagie excreted 82 wraps of substances that tested positive to cocaine weighing 1.400kg. During interrogation, the suspect stated that

•Osagie

drug trafficking was not his dream and that the economic meltdown in Europe and the at-

tendant financial hardship forced him into the criminal act.

“Drug trafficking is not my dream. I left my wife and son in Italy three weeks ago that I was going to see my family in Nigeria.

I work in factories in Europe to sustain myself. Initially, I used to earn about 1,000 Euros per month when the economy was still good but since the economic meltdown, jobs are no more regular and the remuneration had reduced drastically to 300 Euros per month. It was my financial condition made me to smuggle drugs, I ingested 82 wraps of cocaine for 5,000 Euros. I am indebted and wanted to pay my rent and electricity bills.

If only I knew it will turn out this way. I am really sad because this is not my dream,” Osagie lamented.

Chairman/Chief Executive of

the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade said that the due process of the law suspect will run its full course because there were numerous legitimate options of making money but the suspect chose to smuggle drugs. “There are many legitimate means of making money. Drug trafficking is criminal and unacceptable in our society. We hope others will learn from his mistakes because the law will take its course” Giade warned.

The suspect who has been working in Italy since 2006 hails from Edo State. He was caught on his way to Paris from where he would have moved to Torino, Italy to join his family. He is scheduled to appear in court soon and is expected to face a two count charge of unlawful possession and exportation of cocaine.

•Pastor Muoka client has been sentenced in the past, he should be granted bail.

Having listened to the submissions of both parties, the Magistrate asked the accused how many of his cases that are currently pending in his court. He asked “Mr Austinmore, how many cases do you have in this court? And the accused roared at him thus, ‘’Check your record. Am I the one writing it for you? You better check your record’’. At this point he sat down without seeking the permission of the court to do so and the clerk went and ordered him to stand up or face contempt proceedings.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr. Azubike Okeagu, at this juncture ruled thus “the court has heard all the argument for and against and concluded that it was not in the interest of justice to grant bail to the accused”.

He then adjourned the case to 14th of October 2011 for hearing of bail application and ordered the accused to be remanded at the Kuje Prisons.

It was gathered that Okoro was first remanded to the Prison on July 3rd 2011 by the Chief Magistrate Okeagu for allegedly attempting to swindle an Abuja based business man, Mr Austin Oguejiofor to the tune of N50million. He was further alleged to have threatened to kill Oguejiofor and his family if he, (Ogunjiofor) fails to give him the sum of N50m and the latest brand of Land Cruiser jeep.

The suspect spent 32 days in the prison and when he was granted bail, another Magistrate (Mrs) Gulma of the Life Camp magistrate court Abuja sent him to the prison again where he spent another 28 days before his release.

THE NATION

39

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

Community seeks development

U

RHONIGBE, a border community in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, has decried what it termed the slow pace of work by the contractor handling a road project linking Ogan-UgoUrhomehe-Urhonigbe communities.

Elders of the community who stated this at a reception to mark Nigeria’s 51st Independence said the contractor’s continued delay in completing the road project has become a source of worry to them.

Leader of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the locality, Mr. John Uhunwagho said the road project when completed would uplift the community as well as aid them in evacuating their farm produce.

Mr. Uhunmwagho stated that Urhonigbe community has been neglected by past administrations which caused a breakdown of many infrastructures.

He appealed for the re-establishment of a police station in the community, saying the absence of a police station had enabled armed bandits to terrorise them at will.

Also speaking, Chief Isaac Omoruyi said the only skill acquisition centre built through communal efforts has been abandoned and not being used and appealed to the state government to urgently intervene and put it to use.

Chief Omoruyi said many youths in the community would be selfemployed and trained in different the ancient city of Benin certainly felt the pulse of some of the country’s most distinguished personalities holding forte in the executive and legislative arms of government as they jaw-jawed with the crème of the fourth estate of the realm.

The event was the seventh annual All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) of the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) which was hosted by the government of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. Those who graced the occasion in Benin City included Aminu Tambuwal, Speaker of the House of Representatives; Governor Raji Fashola of Lagos State; Information Minister, Labaran Maku; several Senators and House members; representative of Sokoto State Governor, Aliyu Wamako; Ambassador Dapo Fafowora, Sam Amuka-Pemu, Vanguard publisher; Aremo Segun Osoba; Donald Duke both former governors of Ogun and Cross River States respectively; Malam Nasir El-Rufai, former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Remi Oyo, Managing Director of NAN and Ray Ekpu of Newswatch Magazine.

Edo State Governor, Comrade

T

Urhonigbe community has been neglected by past administrations which caused a breakdown of infrastructure From Osagie Otabor, Benin

skills if the centre had been functioning.

He also said the three public schools in the community should be part of the state’s agenda for total transformation of schools.

Responding, Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu who was at the occasion to celebrate the Independence anniversary said the schools will be renovated before next year’s elections.

Dr. Odubu explained that the state

•Edo State Deputy Governor, Dr Pius Odubu addressing the gathering government was equally worried about the pace of the road project but said the contractor would be urged to hasten work and commence the project from the Urhonigbe end of the project.

The deputy governor stated that the state government recently ap-

proved two transformers for the community as well as gave one ambulance for the hospital in the community.

He told the people that approval has been given for the renovation of the remaining two public schools in the community, adding that

chairs have been supplied to the one already renovate.

Highlights of the ceremony was when the community elders placed a curse on any member of the community who will cause disaffection among them as the 2012 governorship election approaches in the state.

Deepening democracy at Editors’ jaw-jaw The convivial atmosphere, interspersed with elevated discourse on knotty issues affecting the world’s largest black nation, raised the bar at the 7th All Nigerian Editors Conference (ANEC) held in Benin City under the auspices of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), writes NASAMU JACOBSON Adams Oshiomhole, who declared the conference open set the tone on a thoughtful line that attracted a resounding applause. Said he: “I believe the last elections reflected the qualities of two main characters, that of the President and Commander-in-Chief, President Goodluck Jonathan and that of Professor Attahiru Jega. I believe that these two personalities can well claim the credit for the substantial improvements in the conduct of the last elections compared to the ones before them. As Prof Jega said in his address, those elections were not perfect, we still had problems of rigging, but it won’t be right to suggest that those rigging were ordered from Abuja, the way they were done in 2007.”

He continued: “the theme of this conference ‘Deepening Democracy: The

Role of the Editor’, I thought is very interesting. When I was in the NLC, at several fora, we talked about deepening democracy and for me, this is in appreciation of the fact that the mere need to have election and people to vote is not enough for us to beat our chests and say that Nigeria is a flourishing democracy, I think we have started the process, but there is a lot we need more to do, not only to deepen it, but also to internalise the core values of democracy and to ensure it grows from strength to strength”.

“The starting point in a democracy is that the people should be able to choose who they want, because I’ve argued somewhere, I think it was at the Nigeria Bar Association Conference, that when people commission toilets, they commission refurbished

•From left: General Secretary Southeast and Southsouth Professionals, Mr Grogo Karibi-Whyte, President Southeast and South Professionals, Mr Emeka Uguru-Oju and member, Southeast and Southsouth Professinals, Mr Denzel Kenede during the press conference on Time to run Niger Delta Development Commission Professionally in Lagos.

PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN

504 car, they announce this as dividend of democracy. I argue that this is not it, because even dictatorship delivered on development to some extent. After all, the 3rd Mainland Bridge in Lagos wasn’t a dividend of democracy. I think what substantially distinguishes democracy from dictatorship is not just the deliverables, it’s the way in which decisions are taken and the role of the people in that process. Because at some point in life, men and women don’t want to be spoon-fed, they want to choose what they want to eat, they want to partake in the preparation. So I think democracy is more about the processes through which leaders emerge”.

“How do we deepen democracy therefore, I think once we are done with the formalities of the elections and managing the process, the real challenge for me begins after the election in the context of deepening democracy.

Because, first we must appreciate that elections is a means to an end, it’s not an end in itself. What is the end, the end is development, delivering to the people, addressing the welfare of the people, that is what all of this is about.

And what makes democracy superior to all other forms is that if the people elect a thief, or even someone who probably is not a thief but simply not a performer by reasons of the fact that he is able to deliver on the development agenda or improve on the lives of the people, then the people at regular intervals can review his activities and decide to recall, when they are not satisfied, decide to re-elect, whereas in other systems, good or bad, you are there.”

The Edo State Governor said more on the qualities and beauty of democracy at the conference which elicited a rousing ovation from all editors among whom were President of the Guild, Mr Gbenga Adefaye, MD of the News Agency of Nigeria, Mrs Oluremi Oyo, Mr Ray Ekpu of Newswatch Magazine, the irrepressible Uncle Sam Amuka, Publisher of Vanguard and Mr Victor Ifijeh, MD of the Nation, among other senior editors who were at the confer-

ence. The INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega was also represented on the occasion by an INEC Commissioner, Mr Adedeji Soyebi.

Jega, in a keynote address, noted that “the power of the media in shaping society, setting agenda for public discourse and moulding public opinion is long-standing and legendary”, adding that that the media are a vital instrument of humanity’s emancipation . According to Jega, the Editor has a strategic role to play in media operations, being the chief gatekeeper and principal content mediator between his medium and the public”.

“But in the real politic of the media industry, this role is encumbered by such factors as acute time pressure involved in news production, the subjective tendencies of proprietorial interest, the new challenge posed to media professionalism by citizen journalism and the increasingly hobbled economics of conventional media operation in the face of cost-free social media outing”, he said. These factors, he pointed out, have tended to compromise the performance of the Nigerian Editor.

Several topical issues ranging from “True autonomy of the Local Governments”, “Perspectives on the Cost of Governance in Nigeria” to “Geography, Power and Politics”; “Media, Civil Society and Democratic Development” and “Deepening Our Democracy; The Executive Perspective”, were exhaustively discussed over a period of three days.

It was not, however, all jaw-jaw. The executive members of the Guild led

by Adefaye, kicked off the event with a courtesy visit to the Oba of Benin.

The host governor, Adams Oshiomhole, hosted the editors and other invited guests to a ravishing gala nite which featured cultural entertainment and the induction of new Guild members as well as Fellows.

Oshiomhole was at the occasion also honoured with an Award of Excellence by the President of the Guild, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye. The editors also had the opportunity of a guided tour of some roads and other infrastructural projects executed by the Oshiomhole administration in parts of the state.

On the whole, there is no doubt that the conference participants savoured their lively stay in Benin City and would probably wish to be back soon.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

40

The politicians can disappoint you but you won’t disappoint yourself. That is why we have continued to empower you through skill acquisition so that our people will be in a comfortable position to help themselves

Lawmaker empowers 750 women farmers

T

HE many uses of cassava and cocoyam have been demonstrated at the headquarters of Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

It was at the closing ceremony of a five-week agro-training programme for 750 women farmers, mainly from the grassroots.

The National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike in Abia State, conducted the training for the 750 women farmers in Enugu West Senatorial District of Enugu State on the modern techniques of agricultural production and value addition to root and tuber crops with special focus on cassava and cocoyam.

This was part of efforts to eradicate hunger and support the development of a viable rural economy.

On display at the occasion were various cuisines made out of cassava and cocoyam. These included cassava strips, cassava croquette, cassava doughnut, cassava chin-chin and biscuits, cassava/wheat bread cassava cream salad and cassava flour.

Also on display were cocoyam queen cake, cocoyam strips, cocoyam chin-chin, cocoyam soup thicker and cocoyam fufu flour for diabetic patients.

The training programme sponsored by Ikeoha Foundation founded by Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, drew 150 participants from each of the five local government areas in the senatorial zone namely

From Chris Oji, Enugu

Aninri, Awgu, Oji River, Ezeagu and Udi. Speaking at the event, Senator Ekweremadu said the agro-training programme for women in his senatorial zone was part of his efforts to eradicate poverty and empower the people he represents at the National Assembly with necessary skills that would enable them to take good care of themselves.

He said that as a Senator, he was determined to leave lasting legacies for which he would be remembered after his political career, pointing out that the welfare of the people had remained his top priority since he was elected into the National Assembly.

“The politicians can disappoint you but you won’t disappoint yourself. That is why we have continued to empower you through skill acquisition so that our people will be in a comfortable position to help themselves.

For me as a politician, I am mindful that my career will end one day. So, I am concerned about seeing my people enjoying good roads, streetlights, potable water and all the basic needs of life.

“I want the people of my senatorial zone to say that at this time we had a Senator that provided their basic needs. I want the people of the Southeast to say that Ike Ekweremadu was once a Senator and in his time, he brought down a lot of amenities

IGHT-YEAR-OLD Master Ifebuche Ugwu is an orphan from Igbo Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State. His parents are dead. He was born with a congenital abnormality described in medical parlance as hypospaidias, which is the inability to pass urine through the penis.

He underwent several unsuccessful surgical operations from the age of four before the death of his mother. Ifebuche was then abandoned in his Ukehe Village where he was being taken care of by his siblings, the oldest, a girl of 16 years old.

Unfortunately, the girl could not cope with caring and nursing Ifebuche anymore as she was said to have been put in the family way by men who took advantage of their state of penury.

However, luck smiled on the little boy.

A lady in their village went to Enugu and brought Ifebuche’s plight to the attention of Dr. (Mrs.) Betty Agujiobi who runs an NGO known as Mediating for the Less Privileged and Women Development (MEWOOD). Agujiobi did not waste time to rush to Ukehe to bring the boy to Enugu.

She said: “When I saw the boy, I took pity on him and introduced him to Radio Nigeria and NTA.” This, she said, made it possible for them to generate funds for his operation at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu. That operation cost them close to N1m.

But about six months after the operation, the boy started having serious problems with passing urine until he finally stopped urinating. “We rushed him back to the doctor who led the team that carried out the operation at UNTH and he went back to using catheter through which he evacuates urine,” lamented Agujiobi.

Ifebuche needs help from good-spirited Nigerians. At present, he resides with the

E

•Displayed products of cassava and cocoyam

just as I also want the people of ECOWAS to say that at the time Ike Ekweremadu as the Speaker of their parliament, did a lot for us,” the Deputy Senate President said.

He thanked the National Root Crops Research Institute for conducting the agro-training programme for the women, just as he assured the participants that more support would be given to them to implement what they

learnt in order to improve the welfare of their respective families.

Also speaking, Executive Director of NRCRI, Umudike, Dr Ken Nwosu applauded Ekweremadu for the partnership which enabled the institute to actualise the agro-farmers training programme aimed at improving the living standard of poor farmers.

He urged other elected public officers in the country to emulate

the Deputy Senate President by sponsoring similar training for their constituents to ensure economic progress and poverty alleviation in the country.

On their part, the participants showered praises on Ekweremadu for sponsoring the programme, even as they assured him that they would do their best to ensure that the resources expended on them yielded the desired result.

Eight-year-old orphan needs N5m lifeline The patient, who was presented to us on 22/ 03/10 after series of surgical intervention, is being investigated for re-do operation for failed urethroplastics. He has several surgical attempts at repair of hypospaidias with recurrence just a few months after every attempt

•Ifebuche From Chris Oji, Enugu

Agujiobi family in Enugu. According to Mrs. Agujiobi, the boy has refused to go back to Ukehe.

“Since I brought Ifebuche to my house for help, he has refused to go back to his hometown where he lived with his siblings in abject poverty. I have no choice

but to adopt him in my home and some help is sent to his siblings to keep them alive,” she said.

Nonetheless, Agujiobi is making an appeal to Nigerians to come to the help of the poor boy.

According to Dr. OFN Ozoemena of UNTH, the boy has had several surgical attempts at repairing the hypospaidais with recurrence just a few months after every attempt. On the whole, he had undergone five operations. Doctors at the

hospital believe that dismembered urethroplasty is what the boy needs to rectify the anomaly. The proposed surgery, which may take up to two to three sessions of three to six months interval will gulp not less than N5m.

Mrs Agujiobi is also seeking for any hospital in the world that can help the poor boy. His condition has made him drop out of school as fellow children make jest of him for carrying catheter about.

“Even taking him to church on Sundays has become a problem as the smell of urine oozing out from his body disturbs worshippers,” she said.

In the same manner, while appealing for help on behalf of the boy, Dr. Ozoemena of UNTH wrote: “The patient, who was presented to us on 22/03/10 after series of surgical intervention, is being investigated for re-do operation for failed urethroplastics. He has several surgical attempts at repair of hypospaidias with recurrence just a few months after every attempt.

“He is currently being worked up in this hospital for dismembered urethroplasty which we believe will go a long way towards rectifying the anomaly. This surgery will be staged urethroplasty, which may take up to 2-3 sessions of 3-6 months’ interval.

“It is hoped that he will benefit immensely from such procedures. You may wish to give him the necessary assistance he deserved. Thanks for all the help you have so far rendered to the poor boy Ifebuche Ugwu.”

Donations should be sent to Dr. (Mrs.) Betty Agujiobi’s UBA Account No. 00190110000028; or call her on 08035005488 or 08187871359.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

42

IN THE HIGH COURT OF LAGOS STATE OF NIGERIA PROBATE REGISTRY, LAGOS DIVISION WHEREAS the person whose names are set-out in the first Column under died intestate on the date and place stated in the said Column. AND WHEREAS the person or persons whose names and addresses and relationship (if any) to the deceased are set out in the second Column here have applied to the High Court of Lagos State for a Grant of Letter of Administration of the Real and Personal Properties of the deceased. NOTICE IS HEREBY given that Letters of Administration will be granted to such persons unless a NOTICE TO PROHIBIT THE GRANT is filed in the registry within (14) days from the date hereof.

S/N

S/N

NAMES OF THE DECEASED PERSON:

1. ALHAJI MUSIBAU AJELERO KNOWN AS AJELERO MUSIBAU ADIO LATE OF AJELERO COMPOUND, BADAGRY, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 17TH MAY, 2008 AT BADAGRY, LAGOS. 2. PRINCE OTHNIEL MARCUS ADEBOWALE KNOWN AS FASANMADE ADEBOWALE LATE OF 65, ONITIRE STREET, SURULERE, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 28TH FEBRUARY, 2009 AT LAGOS. 3. MRS. UNICE BETIKU KNOWN AS MRS. BETIKU UNICE LATE OF 5, BOLOMOSERE STREET, BARIGA, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 5TH MARCH, 2006 AT LAGOS. 4. SUNNY OYAYEVBO IMODE KNOWN AS IMODE SUNNY LATE OF BLOCK 8, FLAT 1, L.S.D.P.C KETU, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 27TH NOVEMBER, 1995 AT LAGOS. 5. CHINAZO AGHALU KNOWN AS CHINAZO GETRUDE AGHALU AND AGHALU GETRUDE CHINAZO LATE OF IDEMILI NORTH LGA ANAMBRA STATE WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 5TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2011 AT IJEBU ODE, OGUN STATE. 6. ALHAJA SIDIKATU ADUKE ALAKA LATE OF 75A, EVANS STREET, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 1ST JULY, 2009 AT LAGOS. 7. AYALA SEGUN VICTOR (MR) KNOWN AS MR. VICTOR AYALA LATE OF 2, OGUNDARA AWISE GBAGADA, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 17TH SEPTEMBER, 2009 AT LAGOS. 8. HENRY UGIAGBE LATE OF NEW BLOCK 2, FLAT 12, QUEENS BARRACKS, APAPA, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 1ST FEBRUARY, 2009 AT ONDO STATE. 9. ANTHONY EYAMEKWARE KNOWN AS EYAMEKWARE ANTHONY AND ANTHONY OGHENESIEMUKOWO EYAMEKWARE LATE OF 2, TEKOBO STREET, CHEMIST BUS STOP, IMODE, OJO WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 9TH MARCH, 2010 AT LAGOS. 10. MRS. ODUSOTE OLUSEYE IYABO KNOWN AS OLUSEYE IYABO ODUSOTE LATE OF 11, WULEMOTU AJOKE STREET, AKOKA, YABA, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 3RD NOVEMBER, 2010 AT LAGOS. 11. JAMES IKEM ONYEYIONWU KNOWN AS ONYENYIONWU JAMES IKEM LATE OF 54, KOYODE STREET, POWER LINE, EJIGBO, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 26TH AUGUST, 2010 AT LAGOS. 12. GARBA SULE KNOWN AS GARBA MUSA KATAGUM AND GARUBA SULE LATE OF NO. 9 ADEKUNLE STREET, IDI ARABA, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 20TH APRIL, 2006 AT LAGOS. 13. PA. ALFRED OLABODE AKINWUNMI LATE OF 42, NATHAN STREET, OJUELEGBA, SURULERE, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 9TH MARCH, 1991 AT LAGOS. 14. MR. AUGUSTINE IBE ODEGA KNOWN AS ODEGA AUGUSTINE JUNIOR AND ODEGA AUGUSTINE LATE OF 31, ADEBOYEJO STREET, IJESHATEDO, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 9TH FEBRUARY, 2010 AT IBADAN, OYO STATE. 15. JOHNNY MERCY LATE OF 77, AIWA STREET, AGUDA, SURULERE, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 16TH AUGUST, 2009 AT LAGOS. 16. DENNIS JACKSON NKANTA KNOWN AS NKANTA DENNIS JACKSON AND D.J LATE OF ROAD 6, BLOCK 95, APARTMENT 12, NAVY TOWN, OJO, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 1ST MAY, 2008 AT LAGOS. 17. IYABO IFEKOYA LATE OF 51, ABIODUN STREET, SHOMOLU, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 8TH OCTOBER, 2010 AT LAGOS. 18. ALEX EGBO LATE OF 16, TAPA STREET, BARIGA, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 21ST JANUARY, 2011 AT LAGOS. 19. MRS. OLUYEMISI OBIKOYA KNOWN AS MRS. OLUYEMISI ADUNNI OBIKOYA AND OBIKOYA OLUYEMISI LATE OF 7A, BLOCK U, ABEHAM ADEKOYA ESTATE, AJAH, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 8TH DECEMBER, 2007 AT IBADAN, OYO STATE. 20. AMBROSE IWUAGWU NWADIKE KNOWN AS NWADIKE AMBROSE IWUAGWU LATE OF 16, BAILEY STREET, ABULE IJESHA, YABA, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 26TH JULY, 2000 AT LAGOS. 21. EZEKIEL ZACCHAEUS KNOWN AS BABATUNDE ZACCHAEUS LATE OF NO. 21, AJE STREET, ILASAMAJA, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 2ND FEBRUARY, 2007 AT LAGOS. 22. PATRICK KWAME GADZEKPO KNOWN AS PATRICK GADZEKPO LATE OF NO. 2, ODO OGUN CLOSE, IKOYI, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 27TH MAY, 2002 AT ACCRA, GHANA. 23. SIMEON ORABE KNOWN AS ORABE SIMEON LATE OF POLICE BARRACKS OBALENDE, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 21ST JULY, 2009 AT LAGOS. 24. SIKIRU LASISI JINADU KNOWN AS SIKIRU LASISI LATE OF 1, JINADU STREET, IGBO EFON, LEKKI, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 7TH JULY, 2009 AT LAGOS. 25. MR. OLUFEMI OLATUNBOSUN MOSAKU KNOWN AS CHIEF OLUFEMI OLATUNBOSUN MOSAKU, MOSAKU OLUFEMI, MOSAKU OLUFEMI OLATUNBOSUN LATE OF 21, ODUDUWA STREET, IKATE, SURULERE, LAGOS WHO DIED ON THE 12TH AUGUST, 2010 AT LAGOS. 26. NMOR VICTORIA OSSAI LATE OF UTUE- OGUME DELTA STATE WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 16TH JUNE, 2008 AT PORT HARCOURT. 27. MR. YUSUF TAORIDI LATE OF 32, PIKE STREET, LAFIAJI, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 9TH JUNE, 2004 AT LAGOS. 28. MR. HELPER ODERHOWHO LATE OF 10, ODUDUWA STREET, IKOTUN EGBE, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 23RD AUGUST, 2007 AT OREROKPE, DELTA STATE. 29. NNAEMEKA IHEJIRIKA LATE OF 24, TOLU ROAD, OLODI APAPA, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 28TH DECEMBER, 2009 AT LAGOS. 30. ALHAJI ISIAKA MARTINS KNOWN AS ADISA LATE OF 23, KIRIKIRI ROAD, APAPA, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 11TH JUNE, 1999 AT LAGOS. 31. MRS. HAMDALAT APEKE GANIYU OYELAMI KNOWN AS GANIYA OYELAMI HAMDALAT APEKE LATE OF 30, OSHODI STREET, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 25TH OCTOBER, 2009 AT LAGOS. 32. MR. VICTOR FRIDAY NKECHI KNOWN AS NKECHI VICTOR LATE OF 97, TUNDE ODEBELA STREET, SELEWU, IGBOGBO, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 5TH DAY OF DECEMBER, 2009 AT BENIN. 33. MR. SIKIRU ADISA ANJORIN KNOWN AS ANJORIN SIKIRU AND SIKIRU ANJORIN LATE OF 3, OLADU STREET, ISOLO, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 17TH APRIL, 2009 AT LAGOS. 34. MRS. ROSE ULONTA AMANZE KNOWN AS MRS. AMANZE ROSE, LATE OF 18, NWANKWO CLOSE, SATELLITE TOWN, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 13TH SEPTEMBER, 2010 AT LAGOS. 35. DR. ABIMBOLA SADARE LATE OF 14, ADEOJO STREET, IKEJA, WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 30TH JULY, 1992 AT LAGOS. 36. MR. OLOYEDE GABRIEL KNOWN AS OLANIYI LATE OF 20, SURULERE STREET, U TURN ABULE EGBA, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 2ND JULY, 2010 AT LAGOS. 37. ADEGBOYEGA ADEGBITE KNOWN AS ADEGBITE ADEGBOYEGA LATE OF QUEENS’S COLLEGE, YABA, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 4TH AUGUST, 2010 AT LAGOS. 38. LONGINUS IGBOKWE KNOWN AS IGBOKWE LONGINUS NNEJI ESQ. LATE OF 30, MAKANJUOLA STREET, SARI IGANMU, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 11TH AUGUST, 2011 AT LAGOS. 39. FARINDE ELIJAH OLUTUNDE LATE OF BLOCK 411, FLAT 4, ABESAN HOUSING ESTATE, IPAJA, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 23RD FEBRUARY, 2010 AT LAGOS. 40. POPOOLA ABIODUN JAMIU KNOWN AS POPOOLA ABIODUN LATE OF 15, OMOBOLA STREET, LAWANSON, SURULERE, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 2ND JANUARY, 2009 AT ABUJA. 41. MR. KAZEEM AFEEZ ISHOLA LATE OF 9, SUENU STREET, ISALE EKO, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 10TH DECEMBER, 2008 AT LAGOS. 42. ONWURA EZEKIEL SUNDAY LATE OF 64, DILION STREET, KIRIKIRI TOWN, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 21ST NOVEMBER, 2010 AT UMENZE. 43. SAMUEL ISHOLA DADA LATE OF 3, OKUNEYE STREET, PEDRO BARIGA, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 8TH JANUARY, 1979 AT LAGOS. 44. MARIA EBITEA LATE OF 29, ADEITE OGUNSANYA, GBAGADA, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 12TH JANUARY, 2007 AT LAGOS. 45. MRS. CATHERINE EBUN IBIYEMI LATE OF 58, TAFAWA BELAWU CRESCENT, SURULERE, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 11TH AUGUST, 2010 AT UNITED KINGDOM. 46. JOSEPH OGUNFEMI KNOWN AS OGUNFEMI JOSEPH OF 18, ADEYEMI STREET, ORILE, IGANMU, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 24TH JULY, 2010 AT LAGOS. 47. ABU BISIRIYU LATE OF 3, ALASELETU STREET, MUSHIN, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 28TH OCTOBER, 2008 AT MUSHIN, LAGOS. 48. OMAYEMI TEMIETAN OGISI KNOWN AS OGISI OMAYEMI LATE OF BLOCK 172, IPONRI HOUSING ESTATE, SURULERE, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 12TH JULY, 2001 AT LAGOS. 49. MISS GLORY JOHN KNOWN AS EKPO LATE OF 2, ADARANIJO CLOSE, SANGOTEDO AJAH, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 26TH FEBRUARY, 2009 AT LAGOS. 50. ADEYONBO JOEL SADARE KNOWN AS ADEYONBO SADARE JOEL LATE OF NO. 6, ALHAJA ASANA STREET, ORILE IGANMU, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 16TH JANUARY, 2011 AT LAGOS. 51. SUNDAY OBUKOHWO KNOWN AS OBUKOHWO SUNDAY LATE OF 24, ORISUNMIBARE AGBESANYA STREET, SHIBIRI, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 5TH DECEMBER, 2010 AT LAGOS. 52. LYDIA OKOLI LATE OF 8A, REEVE ROAD, IKOYI, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 12TH JANUARY, 2011 AT LAGOS. 53. MAJOR GENERAL BITRUS DUNIYA LATE OF ABUJA WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 17TH SEPTEMBER, 2006 IN AIR CRASH AT BENUE STATE. 54. CHINWE EKWERIKE KNOWN AS EKWERIKE CHINWE LATE OF 30, BB ROTIMI STREET, TEDI VILLAGE, OJO, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 26TH JANUARY, 2010 at LAGOS. 55. MRS. VICTORIA WURAOLA SODE KNOWN AS SODE VICTORIA WURAOLA LATE OF 24, AMEEN STREET, ABULE OJA, YABA, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 26TH DECEMBER, 1992 AT EPE, LAGOS. 56. TAWAKALITU OLUKEMI LUMOUS KNOWN AS TAWAKALITU OLUKEMI SHITTA- BEY AND LUMOUS OLUKEMI TAWAKALITU LATE OF 13, KETU CLOSE, AGUDA SURULERE, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 20TH NOVEMBER, 2008 AT LAGOS. 57. NDULAKA NGOZI LATE OF 15, ADIGUN STREET, IJESHATEDO, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 26TH OCTOBER, 2010 AT ABUJA. 58. KELECHI JOHN OKORO LATE OF 3RD AVENUE, L CLOSE, HOUSE 12, FESTAC, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 7TH JANUARY, 2011 AT UMUAHIA, ABIA STATE. 59. OKEOWO OLAYINKA POPOOLA KNOWN AS OKEOWO POPOOLA OLAYINKA LATE OF 3, VICTOR OLAIYA CLOSE, SURULERE, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 5TH FEBRAURY, 2011 AT IJEBU IGBO, OGUN STATE. 60. NURATU ASHABI LAWAL LATE OF BLOCK 59, FLAT 3, DOLPHIN ESTATE, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 14TH JANUARY, 2011 AT LONDON, UK. 61. OKORONKWO MARY LATE OF 17, DISU ESIN STREET, ORILE IGANMU, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 8TH SEPTEMBER, 2010 AT LAGOS. 62. GODWIN AGBONGIARU LATE OF BLOCK 9, ROOM 2, OBALENDE POLICE BARRACKS, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 15TH JANUARY, 2011 AT LAGOS. 63. OPARA GODWIN KNOWN AS OPARADUDUD GODWIN DABIRI AND OPARA GODWIN DABIRI LATE OF NO. 8, COAST U FELI SURULERE, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 20TH JULY, 2009 AT LAGOS. 64. MR. VICTOR NWOSU LATE OF 28, OWODUNNI STREET, AMUKOKO, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 17TH OCTOBER, 2007 AT LAGOS. 65. ALFRED ETIM EFFIONG KNOWN AS ALFRED ETIM LATE OF BLOCK II, ROOM 27, QUEENS BARRACKS (POLICE) APAPA, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 16TH APRIL, 2011 AT MAKURDI, BENUE STATE. 66. CHIEF GABRIEL OJO ESO ADUROJU LATE OF C91, OTAPELE STREET, ILESHA OSUN STATE WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 9TH MAY, 1975 AT ILESHA, OSUN STATE. 67. MR. OLAKUNLE AFOLABI ILORI KNOWN AS ILORI OLAKUNLE AFOLABI LATE OF 3, COKER CRESCENT, OFF BADORE ROAD, AJAH, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 3RD JULY, 2011 AT LAGOS. 68. CHIEF DR. SANNI AKANNI MOJIDI OTHERWISE KNOWN AS CHIEF DR. SANNI MOJIDI, MOJIDI SANNI AKANNI AND BABA ILU OYINBO LATE OF KM. 46, EPE ROAD, AJAH, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 11TH JUNE, 2003 AT LAGOS. 69. SAKA ADEBOWALE ADEWUNMI- TOKEDE KNOWN AS SAKANYAR ADEBOWALE ADEWUNMI- TOKEDE LATE OF AGO DAN AREA ILORO WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 27TH DECEMBER, 2010 AT ILORIN. 70. IBRAHIM DANIEL MAKELE LATE OF FLAT 27, 100 WESTMINSTER BRIDGE, LONDON, WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 21ST JUNE, 2010 AT LONDON. 71. MR. OLATUNJI APENA KNOWN AS MR. APENA OLATUNJI LATE OF 6, JUWON OSHIBAJO STREET, ITEMAGA, IKORODU, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 5TH MARCH, 2010 AT LAGOS. 72. OLUWAWOMI FUNKE ADEYINKA LATE OF 68, NOSAMU STREET, AJEGUNLE APAPA, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 8TH JUNE, 2011 AT LAGOS. 73. SAMSON ADEKUNLE RUFUS KNOWN AS SAMSON A. RUFUS LATE OF 180, FLAT 2, L.S.D.P.C ABESAN IPAJA, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 7TH JUNE, 2007 AT LAGOS. 74. ONSA YISA KNOWN AS ALABA LATE OF 32, CELE STREET, EPE, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 20TH JUNE, 2007 AT EPE, LAGOS. 75. ADELAKUN ABIOLA SAMUEL BAMIDELE KNOWN AS MR. ADELAKUN A. SAMUEL BAMIDELE LATE OF 27, OLOWORA STREET, MAFOLUKU, OSHODI, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 27TH JANUARY, 2011 AT LAGOS. 76. MR. ADEBAMBO OLUMUYIWA OGUNTONADE KNOWN AS ADEBAMBO OGUNTONADE LATE OF FLAT 2, BLOCK 120, ABESAN HOUSING ESTATE, IPAJA, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 4TH SEPTEMBER, 2007 AT LAGOS. 77. ADEOLA AKONNI EYITAYO KNOWN AS MR. EYITAYO ADEOLA AKANNI LATE OF 8, TAOFIK ABOLAJI STREET, SADIKU, ILASA, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 3RD MARCH, 2011 AT LAGOS. 78. KUYE EMMANUEL LATE OF 1, OJO ROAD, MUSHIN, LAGOS WHO DIED INTESTATE ON THE 19TH NOVEMBER, 2010 AT LAGOS.

NAMES OF APPLICANT APPLYING FOR THE GRANT

1. MRS MARIAM AJELERO AND MR. MIUNU AJELORO BOTH OF THE 46, BOLA STREET, EBUTE METTA, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND BROTHER RESPECTIVELY OF THE SAID DECEASED. 2. DR. FASANMADE A AND MRS. MARYANNE FASANMADE OF 16, AGBOYI ROAD, OGUDU, OJOTA, LAGOS AND 49, ITIRE ROAD, ODO ARAN, ITIRE, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND ONE OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 3. MR. AKINFOLARIN BETIKU AND MISS FOLAYEMI BETIKU BOTH OF 5, BOLOMOSERE STREET, BARIGA, LAGOS. THE TWO OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 4. ANTHONIA IYABODE UZOEGBU AND ONYINYECHI RITA UZOEGBU BOTH OF 6, OBANIKORO STREET, IKORODU ROAD, LAGOS. THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 5. CHIGOZIE AGHADU AND CHUKWUNONZO AKPU BOTH OF OGIDI IHITENANSA. THE WIDOWER AND BROTHER OF THE SAID DECEASED. 6. MRS. OMOTUNDE S. RUFAI AND MRS. FAOSAT O. OJUOLAPE OF 75A, EVANS STREET, LAGOS AND 28, ALBERT AKINYELE STREET, AKUTE, OGUN STATE. TWO OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 7. MR. AYALA OLATUNDE AND MR. AYALA IBIKUNLE BOTH OF N.N.P.C QUARTERS, SATELLITE TOWN, LAGOS. THE BROTHERS OF THE SAID DECEASED. 8. BENJAMIN UGIAGBE AND MRS. EVELYN UGIAGBE BOTH OF NEW BLOCK 2, FLAT 12, QUEENS BARRACKS, APAPA LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND ` ONE OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 9. MRS. JANET EYAMEKWARE AND MR. ISAAC EYEMAKWARE BOTH OF 22, TEKOBO STREET, CHEMIST BUS STOP IMODE OJO, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND BROTHER RESPECTIVELY OF THE SAID DECEASED. 10. BABAJIDE VICTOR ODUSOTE OF 11, WULEMOTU AJOKE STREET, AKOKA, YABA, LAGOS. THE ONLY SURVIVING CHILD OF THE SAID DECEASED. 11. MRS. ENDOLYNE N. OYENYIONWU AND MR. PAUL U. NNAOMA BOTH OF 54, KAYODE STREET, POWER LINE, EJIGBO, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND FAMILY RELATION OF THE SAID DECEASED. 12. MR. TANKO MUSA GARBA AND MARYAM GARBA BOTH OF 9, ADEKUNLE STREET, IDI ARUBA, LAGOS. THE TWO OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 13. MRS. CORDELIA OMOTAYO AKINWUNMI OYEKAN AND MISS ABIMBOLA ABOLARINWA OYEKAN BOTH OF 42, NATHAN STREET, OJUELEGBA, SURULERE, LAGOS. THE CHILD AND GRANDCHILD OF THE SAID DECEASED. 14. MS. UCHE VERONICA ODEGA AND MS. JOY AMAUCHE NWATU BOTH OF 31, ADEBOYEJO STREET, IJESHATEDO, LAGOS. THE SISTERS OF THE SAID DECEASED. 15. JOHNNY SUNDAY AND JOHNNY MONDAY BOTH OF 77, AIWA STREET, AGUDA, SURULERE, LAGOS. BROTHERS OF THE SAID DECEASED. 16. MRS. IMA-IMA DENNIS NKANTA AND MISS ESTHER DENNIS NKANTA BOTH OF ROAD 6, BLOCK 95, APARTMENT 12, NAVY BARRACKS, OJO, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND ONE OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 17. IFEKOYA ADEOYE AND IFEKOYA ADESHINA BOTH OF 51, ABIODUN STREET, SHOMOLU, LAGOS. THE WIDOWER AND ONE OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 18. MRS. JUSTINA EZE AND MISS SUSSANA ANOBI OF 16, TAPA STREET, LAGOS AND 20, SAMARITA TOWN, SULAHJA, ABUJA. THE SISTERS OF THE SAID DECEASED. 19. MR. OLUJIMI OLUFEMI OBIKOYA, MRS. OLUKEMI OLUFUNMILAYO ADETAN- PHILLIPS AND MR. OLUGBEMI GODSENT ADETEN- PHILLIPS ALL OF 7A, BLOCK U, ABEHAN ADEKOYA ESTATE, AJAH, LAGOS. THE TWO OF THE CHILDREN AND SON-IN-LAW OF THE SAID DECEASED. 20. NNAMDI JEREMIAH NWADIKE AND IFEAYICHUKWU E. NWADIKE BOTH OF PLOT 87, AGBOLADE OGUNNIYI STREET, OWORONSHOKI, LAGOS THE TWO OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 21. MARY ZACCHAEUS AND OLUWADAMILARE ZACCHAEUS BOTH OF 18, SHORINOLA STREET, OFF MODINAT ROAD, EGAN, IGANDO, IKOTUN, LAGOS. THE TWO OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 22. ENG. LAWRENCE A. AMU AND MRS. MABEL BADE OJEIKERE BOTH OF 2, ODO- OGUN CLOSE, IKOYI, LAGOS. THE BROTHER AND SISTERIN-LAW RESPECTIVELY OF THE SAID DECEASED. 23. TERNA ORABE, MONICA ORABE AND PHILLIP ORABE ALL OF POLICE BARRACKS OBALENDE, LAGOS. THE THREE OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 24. SIKIRU IBRAHIM, SIKIRU MUSA AND SIKIRU KUDIRAT ALL OF 1, JINADU STREET, IGBO EFON, LEKKI, LAGOS. THREE OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 25. OLUBOWALE A. MOSAKU, OLUWAYEMISI O. OSAMU AND MRS. R.O I MOSAKU ALL OF 21, ODUDUWA STREET, IKATE, SURULERE, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND TWO OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 26. RALEIGH –JOE OKORITE MARSHALL AND RALEIGH –JOE I. CHRISTABELL BOTH OF ROAD 5, BLOCK 78, FLAT 9, NAVY TOWN, LAGOS. THE WIDOWER AND DAUGHTER OF THE SAID DECEASED. 27. SIMBIAT YUSUF AND ABIOLA OLAGUNOYE BOTH OF 1A, IGBOHO STREET, ALAPERE, LAGOS. THE DAUGHTER AND GRAND DAUGHTER OF THE SAID DECEASED. 28. MRS. VICTORIA ODERHOWHO, EZEKIEL ODERHOWHO AND MISS EUNICE ODERHOWHO ALL OF 10, ODUDUWA STREET, IKOTUN EGBE, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND TWO OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 29. UZOMA PEACE IHEJIRIKA AND ENYINNA CORNELUS IHEJIRIKA BOTH OF 24, TOLU ROAD, OLODI- APAPA, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND ON E OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 30. ALHAJA SHERIFAT ABBAS AND MR. HAKEEM MARTINS BOTH OF 23, KIRIKIRI ROAD, APAPA, LAGOS THE TWO OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 31. MR. TAOFIK OYELAMI AND MRS. KHADIJAH ABUBAKAR OF 56 A, MOLAPE STREET, ALAGOMEJI YABA, LAGOS AND 5B, TAIWO STREET, ABULE EGBA, LAGOS. THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 32. MRS. BEATRICE N. NKECHI AND MRS. VICTORIA NKECHI BOTH OF 97, TUNDE ODEBOLA STREET, SALEWU IGBOGBO, IKORODU, LAGOS. THE TWO WIDOWS OF THE SAID DECEASED. 33. MRS. MOSUNMOLA AJAYI AND MR. SAHEED ANJORIN OF 1, OKUNFOLAMI STREET, ANTHONY, LAGOS AND 4, FOLABA STREET, ISOLO, LAGOS. THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 34. MR. ISHMAEL OKECHUKWU AMANZE AND PRINCE AZUBUIKE AMANZE BOTH OF 18, NWANKWO CLOSE, SATELLITE TOWN, LAGOS. THE WIDOWER AND SON OF THE SAID DECEASED. 35. OLUJIMI SADARE AND OLATUNDE SADARE BOTH OF 14, ADEOJO STREET, WEBA BOB ESTATE, ADENIJI JONES, IKEJA, LAGOS . THE TWO OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 36. MRS. IYABO OYEWUMI AND MRS. BOLA CHRISTIANA OLOYEDE BOTH OF 20, SURULERE STREET, ABULE EGBA, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND COUSIN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 37. MRS. BOSEDE ADEGBITE AND ADEYEMI ADEGBITE BOTH OF 47, ABDUL QUADRI STREET, MAGODO G.R.A, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND ONE OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 38. EMMANUELA CHINWENDU IGBOKWE OF 30, MAKANJUOLA STREET, IGANMU, LAGOS. THE ONLY SURVIVING CHILD OF THE SAID DECEASED. 39. FARINDE SAMUEL OLUMUYIWA AND YETUNDE OLUYEMISI GIWA OF 30, LATEEF ONIGEMO STREET GBAGADA, LAGOS AND BLOCK 87, FLAT 1, IJAIYE, MEDIUM ESTATE, IPAJA, LAGOS. THE BROTHER AND SISTER RESPECTIVELY OF THE SAID DECEASED. 40. POPOOLA MORUFU OLALEKAN AND POPOOLA MONSURU OLATUNJI BOTH OF 15, OMOBOLA STREET, LAWANSON, SURULERE, LAGOS. THE BROTHER OF THE SAID DECEASED. 41. MR. KAREEM AKEEM AYINDE AND MRS. KAREEM NIMOTA IDERA BOTH OF 7, AJAYI ROAD, OGBA, IKEJA, LAGOS. THE MOTHER AND BROTHERS OF THE SAID DECEASED. 42. MRS. PAULINA ONWURA AND MR. ARINZE ONWURA BOTH OF 64, DILION STREET, KIRIKIRI TOWN, LAGOS . THE WIDOW AND ONE OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 43. MR. TUNDE JAMES DADA AND MRS. IYABODE MADUKA BOTH OF PLOT 29, OPETUNJOBI STREET, IGANDO, LAGOS. TWO OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 44. VIVIAN EBITEA AND PETER CHUKWUMA EBITEA BOTH OF 12, FESTUS OSAKWE AVENUE, IKORODU, LAGOS. TWO OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 45. TOKUNBO IDOWU JEJE AND KEHINDE IBIYEMI OF 6, PARKER CLOSE, MAGODO, G.R.A , LAGOS AND 58, TAFAWA BALEWA CRESCENT, SURULERE, LAGOS. TWO OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 46. AKINWUNMI OGUNFEMI AND EMMANUEL OGUNFEMI BOTH OF 18, ADEYEMI STREET, ORILE IGANMU, LAGOS. TWO OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 47. GANIYU BISIRIYU AND LATEEF BISIRIYU BOTH OF 3, ALASALATU STREET, MUSHIN , LAGOS. THE ONLY SURVIVING SON AND GRAND SON OF THE SAID DECEASED. 48. ALERO EBU AND MRS. TEMITAYO OGISI OF 20, MOSHUD ABIOLA CRESCENT, IKEJA, AND BLOCK 172, FLAT 5, IPONRI HOUSING ESTATE, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND SISTER RESPECTIVELY OF THE SAID DECEASED. 49. BLESSING JOHN EKPO AND MOSES JOHN EKPO OF 2, ADARANIJO CLOSE, SHANGOTEDO, LAGOS. THE SISTER AND BROTHER OF THE SAID DECEASED. 50. MRS. MORENIKE SADARE OF NO. 6, ALHAJA ASANA STREET, ORILE IGANMU, LAGOS. THE WIDOW OF THE SAID DECEASED. 51. MRS. FELICIA O. OBUKOHWO AND ESEOGHENE B. OBUKOHWO BOTH OF 24, ORISENNUBARE AGBESANYA STREET, SHIBIRI, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND ONE OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 52. JOHN OKOLI AND MARY OKOLI BOTH OF 8A, REAVE ROAD, IKOYI, LAGOS. THE BROTHER AND SISTER RESPECTIVELY OF THE SAID DECEASED. 53. MRS. RIFKATU B. DUNIYA AND KUZAYED B. DUNIYA BOTH OF HOUSE 24, NIGER BARRACKS, ABUJA. THE WIDOW AND SON OF THE SAID DECEASED. 54. CHIAKA EKWERIKA AND JUSTINA ANYEREIBE BOTH OF 30, BB ROTIMI STREET, TEDI VILLAGE, OJO, LAGOS. THE SISTERS OF THE SAID DECEASED. 55. MR. OLUSEGUN SODE AND MR. OLAWOLE SODE OF 9, SURULERE STREET, IKORODU AND 27, ASHOFIYAN STREET, MUSHIN, LAGOS. TWO OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 56. MRS. SEKINAT AKANDE, OWOLABI SHOMORIN AND SEGUN LUMOUS ALL OF 13, KETU CLOSE, AGUDA, SURULERE, LAGOS. THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 57. OKECHUKWU NDULAKA AND CHRISTOPHER O. LEWECHI BOTH OF 15, ADIGUN STREET, IJESHATEDO, LAGOS. THE BROTHER AND UNCLE OF THE SAID DECEASED. 58. CHIOMA OKORO AND OBINWANNE MORDI OF 3RD AVENUE, L CLOSE, HOUSE 12, FESTAC, LAGOS AND 58, OLORUNLOGBON STREET, ANTHONY VILLAGE, LAGOS. THE RELATION OF THE SAID DECEASED. 59. OLATUNDE OKEOWO AND OLUFUNMILAYO OKEOWO BOTH OF 3, VICTOR OLAIYA CLOSE, SURULERE, LAGOS. THE TWO OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 60. IDRIS OMOLADE LAWAL AND OLAKUNLE MUYIDEEN LAWAL BOTH OF NO. 59, FLAT 3, DOLPHIN, ESTATE, LAGOS. TWO OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 61. EMMANUEL CHUKWUKA EZENWA OF NO. 17, DISU ESIN STREET, ORILE IGANMU, LAGOS. THE ONLY CHILD OF THE SAID DECEASED. 62. MRS. IMADI FELICIA AGBONGIARU AND MR. CLEMENT GODWIN BOTH OF BLOCK 9, ROOM 2, OBALENDE POLICE BARRACKS, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND ONE OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 63. MRS. NNENA JUSTINA OPARA AND MR. VELENTINE ENYINNAYA OPARA BOTH OF NO. 6, COAST U-FELI STREET, SURULERE, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND ONE OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 64. MISS MERCY ULOMA NWOSU AND MR. CHINEDU EMMANUEL NWOSU BOTH OF 28, OWODUNMNI STREET, AMAKOKO, LAGOS. TWO OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 65. ESTHER ETIM EFFIONG AND BLESSING ETIM EFFIONG OF BLOCK II, ROOM 27, QUEEEN BARRACKS, APAPA, LAGOS. TWO OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 66. EDWARD ADEDOKUN ADUROJA OF NO. 22, TAPA STREET, EBUTE METTA, LAGOS THE ONLY SURVIVING SON OF THE SAID DECEASED. 67. MRS. OLUWAYEMISI JANET ILORI, MR. OLANREWAJU OLUROTOMI ILORI, MR. ABIMBOLA AYODEJI ILORI AND MR. OLAYINKA OLUWASEUN ILORI ALL OF 3, COKER CRESCENT, OFF BADORE, ROAD, AJAH, LAGOIS. THE WIDOW AND THREE OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 68. MRS. AFUSAT SHEFIU OF KM. 46, LAGOS EPE EXPRES ROAD, AJAH, SANGOTEDO, LAGOS.THE ONLY SURVIVING DAUGHTER OF THE SAID DECEASED. 69. MRS. FATIMOH ABOSEDE ADEWUNMI, RUQUYAH ADEBUKOLA ADEWUNMI AND YETUNDE IYABO ADEWUNMI ALL OF ASO DAN AREA, ILORIN. WIVES OF THE SAID DECEASED. 70. AHMED REMI MAKELE OF 5, KNIGHTON CLOSE, SOUTH CROYDON SURREY. THE ONLY CHILD OF THE SAID DECEASED. 71. NURUDEEN OLAJIDE APENA AND SIDIKAT IDOWU APENA ALL OF 23, AWOYEJO STREET, NUSHIN, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND ONE OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 72. OLUWAWOMI ITIOLA GRACE, AKINLAWON BOLORUNDURO AND AKINLAWON BANKOLE ALL OF 68, NOSAMU STREET, AJEGUNLE, PAPA, LAGOS. THE MOTHER, ELDER BROTHER AND YOUNGER BROTHER OF THE SAID DECEASED. 73. BOLORUNJI FOLASAYO SAMSON AND ADWEWUYI OLAMIDE SAMSON BOTH OF 180, FLAT 2, ABESAN ESTATE, IPAJA, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND SON OF THE SAID DECEASED. 74. TAWAKALITU ONSA, KIKELOMO ONSA, AND MR. TEJU ONSA OF 17, OPE COURT, LAGOS ISLAND, AND 32, CELE STREET, EPE, TOWN, LAGOS. THE THREE OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 75. MATHEW ADESOPE AND ADEWALE ADESOPE JOSHAU BOTH OF 27, OLOWORA STREET, MAFOLUKO, OSHODI, LAGOS. TWO OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED. 76. MRS. OMONIKE O. OGUNTONADE, PETER ABAYOMI OGUNTONADE AND MISS FADAYOMI OMOTOLA ALL FO FLAT 2, BLOCK 120, ABESAN HOUSING ESTATE, IPAJA, LAGOS. THE WIDOW, CHILD AND SISTER OF THE SAID DECEASED. 77. MRS. BOLANLE A. AKANNI AND MRS,. OLAWUNMI A. AKANNI BOTH OF 8, TAOFIK ABOLAJI STREET, SADIKLU, ILASA, LAGOS. THE WIDOW AND MOTHER OF THE SAID DECEASED. 78. ROSELINE A. OLAGUNDOYE AND ESTHER A. ONASANYA OF 4, OLAMOJIBA, AGUDA, LAGOS AND 1, OJO, ROAD, MUSHIN, LAGOS. TWO OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SAID DECEASED.

G.A SAFARI (MR.) PROBATE REGISTRAR

43

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Edo voters sing new song ahead 2012 E

DO State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has received commendations from a cross section of editors from both the print and broadcast media across the country for having the will power to open up the rural communities with the construction of several networks of roads barely two years and ten months in office.

“What we saw is a different Edo State all together. The governor has succeeded in distributing roads to the rural communities,” the editors who were in Benin City for the 7th All Nigeria Editors Conference disclosed after a tour of road projects embarked upon by the state government.

There is no doubt that the people living in the rural communities in Edo State now have a different story to tell. In the past, it was a story of despair and disappointment, due to decades of criminal neglect, marginalisation and deceit by previous administrations.

As at this moment, the former Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Oshiomhole is putting smiles on the faces of the people, particularly the rural folks who have not been taken into consideration in the developmental plans of previous administrations.

The office of the governor, according to Comrade Oshiomhole, must be used to touch and change the lives of the people and he believes that when the various communities are linked with motorable roads, their economy is integrated into the national and state economies.

In all sectors of the economy, education, tourism, health, water, electricity and the civil service, the Oshiomhole-led administration has succeeded in making a positive statement. Take Benin City, for instance, the capital of the state has been transformed into a modern city from its unenviable status as a neglected ancient city.

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN) who was in Benin City for the 7th All Nigeria Editors Conference, on arrival, said he saw from the air before landing at the Benin Airport that there were remarkable changes in the landscape.

“From what I have seen so far, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has done well. The essence of democracy is for people to benefit from the dividends, which the governor is providing for the people in the state,” the NBA president disclosed when he paid a courtesy visit to the governor at the Government House.

During his first year in office, the governor had concentrated development projects in Benin City, the state capital, with a promise that after the first year, focus will be shifted to the entire state, which will be transformed, into a construction site. And, true to his promise, no area of the state has been neglected, especially in the construction of roads and provision of those basic amenities, such as schools and water.

Edo State governor had consistently reiterated that his administration is people- oriented and there is no doubt that the rural folk is overwhelmed with the rapid road transformation that has taken place in their communities.

They could not conceal their joy seeing bulldozers, tippers and heavy-duty earth moving equipment in their communities for the construction of their roads that were hitherto abandoned. You could see the excitement in their faces, apparently because when these roads are commissioned, they will link and integrate the remote communities with the city centres and thereby facilitate trade and development.

The people have seen, for the first time, reputable contractors like Skaaf Construction Company, RCC, Hartland Construction, Borini Prono and Company Nigeria Limited, and a host of others

• Oshiomhole

By Eubaldus Enahoro

working day and night to complete their assignments for which they have already been paid.

The comrade governor who led the editors on a tour of some of the road construction sites in the state took a long walk down the dualised Auchi Polytechnic Road in Etsako West and they saw the excitement of the people who showered encomiums on the government for transforming the town into a mega city.

They also visited the Usogun Primary School in Auchi, which was reconstructed, by the state government, the Jattu-Auchi road, Jattu-South Ibie road, Jattu-Afowa-Iyora-Apana road, the Iyamho-Iyora road and the Jattu Ayua roads, as well as the Iyamho Primary School.

The construction of the Iyamho and Iyora roads was the best thing that had happened to both communities because with the construction of the roads the

‘The office of the governor, according to Comrade Oshiomhole, must be used to touch and change the lives of the people and he believes that when the various communities are linked with motorable roads, their economy is integrated into the national and state economies.

In all sectors the Oshiomhole administration has succeeded in making a positive statement’ movement of goods will become easier, the relationship between them will be strengthened.

In the words of Comrade Oshiomhole, the reason the village people are poor is because they are not integrated with the cities and they also lack educational institutions.

He has therefore ensured that modern secondary and primary schools are built across the state, because, according to him, “any government that cannot provide education for the young ones is doomed.”

The people in the rural communities have expressed appreciation to the State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for opening up their villages with the construction of several networks of roads, which were hitherto abandoned by past administrations.

At the Afowa- Iyora- road in Etsako West, a trader, Madam Florence Agono said the road will enhance commercial activity, which was lacking in the past and she prayed for the governor for long life for remembering them.

In the words of Alhaji Sule Braimah, from Jattu - Ayua, “we have never seen this kind of government presence and we can now take our farm produce to the markets with ease, because the road was terribly bad in the past.”

The state governor who told the Editors that government is determined to link the rural communities with the urban towns through the construction of network of roads said the people were informed in the past that due to the difficult terrain nothing could be done on some of the roads.

The governor noted that he is satisfied with the extent of work done on all the roads going on in the three senatorial districts of the state, especially those that are newly constructed, to provide access to the rural communities.

Comrade Oshiomhole who expressed total commitment to the development of all parts of the state said the joy in the faces of members of the communities where the projects are sited shows that they appreciate what God is using him to do.

According to Mr. Steve Ayorinde, Managing Director of National Mirror Newspapers, while expressing his satisfaction with the efforts of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in the transformation going on in the State, the developmental strides achieved by the governor are impressive. ”We have visited the rural communities in Edo State and we are happy with the way the governor is opening up the communities. It is apparent that if there have been other leaders like Oshiomhole, Nigeria would have been a better place,” he noted.

According to him, if the governor does not go for a higher office, then his second tenure will witness tremendous transformation.

In the words of Mr Femi Adesina, Deputy Managing Director of the Sun Newspapers, the roads are of high quality, noting that what they had seen was a true reflection of the dividends of democracy in Edo State.

The governor was commended by a cross section of the Editors including the Editor of Sunday Sun, Funke Egbemode, for having the will power to open up the rural communities. ”What we saw is a different Edo State all together. The Governor has succeeded in distributing roads to the rural communities,” they added. * Enahoro is a Benin-based journalist

• Left to right: Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, Senate President David Mark; Chairman, Senate Committee on Housing and Urban Development, Sen. Bukar Abba Ibrahim; Vice Chairman, Senator Gbenga Ashafa and a member, Sen. Basheer Mohammed at the inauguration of the committee at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

44

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

POLITICS

Jonathan should be more assertive, says PDP chieftain Until May 29, 2011, Longers Anyanwu was the Commissioner for Agriculture in Imo State under Chief Ikedi Ohakim’s administration.

In this interview with Abuja Bureau Chief YOMI ODUNUGA, he speaks on how the party lost in the last general election in the state and his ambition to become a member of the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC).

W

HY do you want to go into the administration of party politics instead of running for an office in government?

I have always been into party politics. I was a foundation member of the Peoples Democratic Party. We founded the party here at Bolingo Hotel and, ever since then, I have been in it.

Even before then, we were in the UNCP. Even by the time I felt things were not done well in our party, I had to flee my own party which is Accord. So, I believe that every party you see today is an offspring of the PDP. The forefathers of PDP had a very strong vision; the kind of vision that will keep insurgence permanently out of this country. So I have always been a party person.

You said you went back to the PDP in 2007, may we know the attraction?

I still believe in the vision of the forefathers of the party whereby people will have opportunity to express themselves, have a strong organisation that can checkmate external insurgence in handling political ripples. I believe that the PDP is the only party that is strong enough to have the courage, vision and programme to achieve the transformation agenda of the present government and of course sustain democracy.

There is this rumour that you are eyeing a particular post in the PDP, how true is that?

I am committed to a virile party.

I’m committed to strengthening and redirecting it to align with the vision of the PDP government. But the leadership of the party is still tinkering with the rezoning. Originally, I wanted to go for the national chairman of the party. But, as a party man who must abide by the party’s decision, I cannot go for what is not zoned to me. I want this PDP to be the front runner of governance so that the people will know the PDP programme.

You mentioned the promise land; how soon will that be because the PDP has been in power since 1999 and people are still groaning?

Is there any government anywhere in the world that does not have people grumbling? There is no government like that. It is easier to see what government has not done than to see what government has done. Remember before 1999, Nigeria could not even get into proper democracy; Nigeria could not even conduct ordinary election. Today, we have transited from civilian to civilian. Today, you and I can now discuss freely about the Nigerian state and affairs. That is progress. If you recall the road network in Nigeria during the coming of civilians, you will know that we are not doing badly; there has been 70% improvement of road network in this country whether you want to agree or not. In a nutshell, you cannot say that Nigeria is still suffering. Nigeria is expecting to

•Anyanwu

be better and as democracy is progressing. But there are other democratic challenges. Those who lose election would form themselves into another group of opposition.

Are you trying to say that the security situation in the country is being fuelled by those who failed at the last election?

What do you think it is? What is Boko Haram? Boko haram is the expression of a group that thinks and asks the question: ‘Why must Nigeria be sanitized?’ For me, it is targeted at the president but people are not courageous to say it. The earlier Nigerians begin to speak out openly and boldly, the better for us. The faceless people will always want to try the will of a new regime or a government and if the government does not brace up for the challenge, then they will break up that leadership and win.

Some believe that the present leadership of the country is rather slow in tackling this matter?

There is the need for a shift in the strategy that this government

‘If you watch all governors and the presidents in the cause of their re-election, you would find out the high level of hostility that happened in the states.

Governors would stop at nothing to make sure they get elected. It single term will also promote internal democracy in political parties. Parties will now look for candidates who have ideas’

is using for the ordinary man on the street. The ordinary man wants things to happen very quickly. He wants categorical statement by the president and I believe that the language of the presidency should change. He should be more assertive. The President today is the one elected by the Nigerian people by popular vote, therefore, he should use that mandate to be more assertive. These people are getting more emboldened. If am the President today, I will say since outsiders have infiltrated this country, Nigeria is going to do something drastic.

The government is talking about a single term of six years, where do you stand?

Now this idea that is in the air is the best that can happen to sustain the Nigerian nation today. The six-year single term has nothing to do with tenure elongation or third term at all. If anything, it is going to reduce the number of years. How does this happen? If you watch all governors and the presidents in the cause of their re-election, you would find out the high level of hostility that happened in the states. Governors would stop at nothing to make sure they get elected. It single term will also promote internal democracy in political parties. Parties will now look for candidates who have ideas. I want to see a Nigerian democracy that is anchored on good party programmes, manifestos and not individual power.

Can you tell us why the PDP lost Imo state to the All Progressive Grand Alliance?

We lost out of internal and external conspiracy. Some few big men in the party felt that they were not in tandem with the governor because the governor, Ikedi Ohakim, was more of a reformer and reformers at the helms of affairs are not very popular. If he had agreed to share the state’s money with the cabal, there would have been no problem.

But he chose to use the money to build roads and other things. He said he was going to open up Imo to the world and attract everything that couldn’t be attracted before. What was the portfolio of funds we got from international communities and the nation because they believe in efficient and transparent system that was put in place? Federal government and World Bank projects started flowing in. But democracy is a tortuous exercise. It takes time.

Does Jonathan have what it takes to take this country out stagnation and does he have the political will to do what he needs to do?

A man who has been a deputy governor, Vice President and Acting President is not by sudden flight. Everybody has got his style and I want to tell you that, contrary to what people say, this President is one of the toughest guys you can have around. I want to tell you he has a political will and he has the teeth.

Group calls for restructuring of NDDC

By Emmanuel Oladesu

S

OUTHSOUTH/Southeast Professionals, a non-partisan group, has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to begin his transformation agenda with the restructuring of the Niger Delta Development Corporation (NDDC).

The group led by Emeka Ugwu-Oju also suggested that credible professionals, including Tonye Cole, Pat Bassey, Jim Ovia, Atedo Peterside, Udo-Udoma, Ifueko Omoguo-Okauru, Pat utomi and Ledum Mitte, to offer themselves for service in the corporation.

He lamented that NDDC could not measure up to the standard of the defunct regional corporations, which accelerated the development of the competing regions in the earlier dispensations. UgwuOjo said that, if federalism is practised in the country, NDDC would have been the creation of the oil-producing states.

He implored the President to appoint another board for the corporation, adding that members of the new board should not be politicians or lackeys of party leaders.

Ugwu-Oju added: “We suggest that the President may choose to abide by the rotation principle, but even at that, let him call for proposals from interested persons in the area for the job. Let them state how they will utilise the “allocation” to NDDC to turn around the zone and member states.

“The judges should be well educated clerics and elder statesmen from the area. No favouritism and no intervention from the ever meddling governors. Let the best man emerge and show case his brilliance for the people”.

The group leader said when loyalists to political leaders are saddled with great responsibilities in the corporation, they often display the lack of capacity to transform the institution.

He urged the President to halt the culture of “job for the boys” by appointing people who can meet the needs of the oil-producing states.

Ugwu-Oju added: “The neglected people of the Niger Delta and oil producing states deserve better. we believe the President when he said he is committed to the ideas of our founding fathers. We wish to remind him that the development corporations our founding fathers established worked. Let us make NDDC work”.

‘Nigeria still under dictatorship’

By Musa Odoshimokhe

F

ORMER PRONACO Director of Logistics and leader of June 12 Coalition, Comrade Linus Okoroji, has described the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government in the country as a continuation of military government which cannot fix its problems.

“PDP leadership is not different from the regimes of General Abacha and Babangida. Nothing has changed in terms of policies. Though we have a National Assembly, it is obvious that dictatorship pervades. For instance, the way former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isah Ayo Salami was removed was a pointer to it,” he said.

Okoroji who spoke to The Nation in Lagos in the week expressed doubts over the effectiveness of the National Assembly and the Judiciary under the PDP leadership because the principle of separation of power was grossly being undermined to pave the way for one-man rule.

He explained that it was time Nigerians sought an alternative party that would usher in genuine representative government that will meet their aspirations. According to him, a new progressive political party is what Nigerians need at this point, having wandered in rudderless direction with the ruling party.

“I have said it on many occasions that we should join the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to get the people a semblance of democracy. And the race towards that must start now because the people have suffered long under the ruling party. So, by 2015 the party must be given a marching order.”

“The ACN has the greatest potential of producing the next president of this country because from what we have seen the governors doing which place emphasis on welfare, infrastructure development, educational development and all other aspects of governance.”

He maintained that the governors have introduced the Obafemi Awolowo logic into governance while they are trying to keep it alive.

He stressed that Governor Babatunde Fashola revolutionised governance in Nigeria, which has since become a template for other leaders who don’t have an idea on how to tackle underdevelopment.

Okoroji further explained that the party continued in that fashion, it stands the chance of producing the government at the centre.

He, however, warned that government should tread gently on the persecution of ACN leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, adding that his trial was quite laughable as it would make the party stronger.

“To persecute such a man is to promote him. Asiwaju Tinubu should ride on the opportunity.

ACN should not feel intimidated.

What this amounts to is that PDP has failed and can no longer remain in power. It was an opportunity to expose PDP’s weakness. It is really unfortunate because things like these only happen during military era,” he said.

He noted that unless Nigerians rise to the occasion, democracy will continue to suffer because some cabals have hijacked it and that until they are shown the way out through the ballot, the maladministration going on in the system will remain with the peo• Okoroji ple.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

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THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

SHOPPING

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THE NATION

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

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

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

email:- shopping@thenationonlineng.net

Suede is still in vogue and remains a classic piece for the wardrobe. Suede comes in varieties. There are suede jackets, gowns, bags, sneakers. You name it, suede has them all. Here are tips from JANICE NKOLI IFEME on how to maintain suede.

Want to stand out? Go for suede

•Luxury suede jacket

Winning consumers Page 50

•Suede dress

Mall fetes customers Page 51

Want to stand out?

Go for suede Page 50

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

50

SHOPPING

Want to stand out? Go for suede S

UEDE has a distinctive look.

It is the reverse side of leather. The material has a nap finish that is soft and full of texture.

the beauty of owning a pair of suede casual dress shoes overshadows the burden. Buying a pair of dress shoes made from suede will put you topmost in regards to the quality of shoes that the people around you are wearing.

The unique thing about suede shoes is that you must not be careful in regards to them brushing up against the leg of a chair, but you must be extremely careful with them coming into contact with water.

This means that you should always check the weather forecast before you leave your house with a pair of casual dress shoes on your feet. A few drops of water will not absolutely ruin the suede material; however, enough contact with water will definitely affect the overall look of the shoes.

How to wear suede Shop for your new suede wear or dig out your old garments from your closet. Before wearing it, apply leather spray on it to repel stains and water.

Pair tall, mid-calf to knee-high suede boots with leggings or tights and wear with a short to mid-length skirt or dress for a trendy and sophisticated look. Pair the same boots with slacks for a completely different look.

Wear a suede skirt the way you would wear a corduroy, denim or leather skirt. Mix textures and colour shades for a hip look or blend textures and colours together for a more classic outfit. Shop for suede skirts with cutouts, scallops or a flared cut.

Mix a suede jacket into your wardrobe for both work and play.

Wear the jacket with a collared shirt or sweater and khakis for a more formal look, or pair with jeans if you want to go casual.

Match your shoes to the jacket or shirt you wear and add a handbag of your choice, varying textures and shades.

Suede is the same weight no matter what the season, so you can wear it year-round if you pair it with seasonally appropriate items.

Store suede items in cloth or tissue paper in a dark and dry place.

Look for microsuede or ultrasuede, a fiber version of suede, as an alternative to the animal product. You can find microsuede in upholstery, as a soft stainless fabric covering couches and chairs, as well as in clothing, shoes and accessories.

Avoid wearing suede in heavy rain. Even if you spray a protectant on your garments, you run the risk of ruining them in a downpour.

Do not store suede in plastic or in a damp area as this restricts the garment’s ability to breathe and may cause mold or mildew to grow.

Choosing suede jacket Suede jackets can be a little bit problematic especially if you get one that is oversized or a little bit too stiff. It is advisable that you go for something soft. Do not go for anything stiff or a little bit

Suede slippers •Polo men’s shoes

•Soft black suede fringe bag with adjustable strap

•Black suede long dress

•Suede high heel shoe

a neutral colour but also slightly darker because so much colour is not going to transfer onto it and it is going to be easy to keep it looking good.

Suede dress shoes

•Soft Suede

•Tan Suede slippers

cored because it would be too structured.

You want something that hangs a little bit and also to go for something that is tailored to fit well to

the body. What you do not want to do with a suede jacket is to go for something big and bulky. So, make sure it is a very fine suede.

Go for something that is a bit of

Suede has become a popular purchase among people of all ages.

There was a point in time in which suede casual dress shoes were only being purchased by older men and women; this was mainly because their designs were geared towards such people. However, the society and the shoe manufacturers have progressed towards accepting the way most casual dress shoes look on absolutely everybody, regardless of their age.

Suede ruins easily on contact with water. One would hate to own a pair of dress shoes that one must be extra careful with. However,

Suede slippers come in a variety of styles and prices. When choosing the best pair, consider whether they will be worn indoors or outdoors, what time of year you will be wearing them, and whether or not they are washable. Of course, comfort is the main reason for purchasing house shoes, but style and price are also important. With so many brands of suede slippers to choose from, you are sure to find a pair that is just right for you.

Most varieties of suede slippers are constructed with a durable sole made of nylon, rubber, or leather.

Consider whether you will just be wearing your slippers around the house, or whether they will serve double duty as your comfortable weekend shoes for running errands.

If you will be wearing your suede slippers outdoors, look for a durable, weather-resistant sole with treading to keep you safe on wet or icy sidewalks. Always buy slippers in a size as close as possible to your regular shoe size. Properly fitting shoes reduce the likelihood that you will trip or slide in them.

Suede slippers are often lined with sheepskin, which makes them warmer than many other varieties of house shoes. Some are lined with luxurious faux fur, and others may include foam insoles for comfortable cushioning when you walk.

The foam may be covered with cotton, flannel, or other fabrics designed to improve ventilation and absorb moisture. Consider your own comfort level when deciding whether to buy a warmer, bootie style or a cooler moccasin variety.

Winning consumers Shopping has transformed from merely picking an item off the shelf. Producers now engage in strategic campaigns to woo consumers. JANICE NKOLI IFEME writes.

M

ODERN day shopping is all about glamour. Shops are tastefully furnished and were well arranged to attract customers. It doesn’t end. It is spiced up with entertainment.

Apart from producing and displaying the products in stores, proactive outfits devise means to showcase the value of their goods with the aim to further endear them in the hearts of consumers.

Many companies, especially multinationals have a special department called the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). During such events, they make massive donations of products and money to charity. Some undertake community development projects to give back to the community, which has enabled them to thrive in business.

Last week, Friesland Campina Wamco was at it again, as it flagged off the third edition of its talent hunt show, tagged Making More Superstars.

It is one of the shows the company uses to power peak milk. Its theme is: It’s in you. The underlying factor is that the milk contains the various nutrients that would enable people can perform at their best through every stage of life.

Kida Kudz, the winner of the second edition, last year, just back from London on training as part of the star prize of N10 million – N2 million in cash and N8 million for talent enhancement contract. How did a teenager shop with such a whooping sum of money? He said: “My parents still shop for me. I still remain humble. I still keep it cool. I still have all my friends around me. It has really been rewarding drinking milk. And I have also discovered that it’s in me.”

The Managing Director of the company, Mr Bob Statescamp noted that the product brings out the talent in the Nigerian, adding: “ Nigerians now know that the talent show is a serious business.”

•Statescamp (second left) displaying disk with Kida Kudz, Olorunfemi and Mrs Famurewa (left)

The company’s Brand Manager, Mr Jide Olorunfemi, highlighted the various steps of the competition saying that auditions have been concluded in various parts of the country with 120 performers qualifying for the zonal finals in Lagos, after which the top 12 move to the peak talent house where they would re-

ceive professional coaching and display before viewers. The winner would emerge through the verdict of the judges as well as sms voting by the audience.

The Corporate Affairs Manager, Mrs Ore Famurewa, urged Nigerians to watch the show and cast their votes for their preferred performer.

PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN

N40 million worth of prizes are up for grabs. The star prize winner gets N10million in cash and talent development contract while the audience would win prizes such as ipads and blackberry phones based on their sms voting. The show would run between October and December.

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SHOPPING

Mall fetes customers

T

HE Independence anniversary was marked with fanfare last Saturday at the Adeniran Ogunsanya Shopping Mall. Shoppers were treated to a special party with music, dance and live performances. The host was the popular MC Shaggee.

Other aspects of the funfilled day include arts exhibitions and a mall wide promotion.

Visitors were presented with free miniature Nigerian flags. People were surprised when they walked into a mall decorated in Nigeria’s colours, with rich Nigerian music waffing in the air. The conversion of the mall’s extensive walkways into an art gallery of sorts, featuring various paintings, artworks, sculptures and indigenous fabrics designs on display, added colours to the arrangement.

As shoppers walked in, they came face to face with the cherry on the cake, a mall- wide promotion with almost all stores offering one fantastic discount or special offer.

The ranges of the special offers were attractive and diverse.

The Nation Shopping spoke with some shoppers who expressed delight at the attractive discount they got. Joy Obiduogu, a first time visitor, was of the opinion that more should be done to publicise the mall’s unique offering and the wide discount on offer. “A lot of people do not know how big this mall is.

They don’t know about the discounts, I bought shirt at twice as nice and enjoyed 20 per cent discount!

Mrs Folorunso said: “I have never seen so much fun in a mall.” Another shopper, who refused to disclose his identity said: “The Mall has a full package, and that they are ready for all ages.” They said, it was an experience they would always want to encounter from time to time.

The mall’s Marketing Consultant, Mr Olatayo Olaniyan, said it was just the first of several promotions and events to be run.

Shopping Right with

By Tonia ‘Diyan

He also reminded shoppers that the promotions will run until the end of this month and advised them to take advantage of the offers available.

The art exhibition was run in partnership with the arts and design students association of YABATECH, Lagos. The exhibition had the theme: ‘The land is green’ and featured works which celebrated the beauty of Nigeria, her people, their ingenuity and culture.

According to Femi Ogunleye, president of the Arts and Design Students Association, the partnership with the AOS Mall, was a welcome development. He asked other similar bodies to support the discovery and promotion of local talents in the arts.

It was a nice sight to see several shoppers with young children in tow, treating the kids to several of the fun rides available within the Mall. A helicopter kiddy amusement ride, in particular was a huge hit with the kids, and had t hem squealing with excitement.

Nwando Medidem, Head of Marketing, thanked all for making the Green Fest a success.

According to her, “we would like to thank all our participating stores, our sponsors Airtel, Cocacola and all shoppers who have been part of GreenFest at the mall.”

The Adeniran Ogunsanya Shopping Mall is fast becoming the choice destination for family shopping and entertainment.

With over 120 prominent local and international retail brands present, no other mall in Nigeria currently offers such an extensive shopping experience.

The mall offers in–door multi-storey parking for over 300 cars and it’s designed to deliver the most convienient shopping experience.

FROM MY MAILBOX Dear readers, Welcome to another first Friday of the month during which we publish your comments. Thanks for reading and responding to The Nation Shopping. As always, we are poised to serve you more and give you every valuable pieces of information on our finger tips.

Here are some of your comments as space would enable us. Please bear with us if your comment is not published in this edition.

Thanks a million, Janice.

Nkoli, your 'Whither Nigeria' in The JANICE NKOLI IFEME Nation of September 30, 2011 is breezy and full of sweet reminiscences of yesteryears.

Then, too, a comfortable flat was within reach-N2500 per annum. What a world! I have a song with the title, 'Whither Nigeria'. You need to listen to the lyrics. Thanks.

– Alumonnmann President Jonathan and the State governors should plan to execute the programmes they have for the nation to terminate in four years.

– Concerned citizen Hello Aunty Janice, I appreciate the wonderful job you are doing out there. Keep it up. With wonderful analysis in your column in The Nation Newspaper, especially on Fridays.

– Leo Portharcourt 51 years is not a joke. But I assure you, there is hope for Nigeria. Happy Independence, Good People Great Nation.

– Ozioma, Enugu Money was created from food. Agriculture is the priority of the United States.

Why not Nigeria? If it becomes number one cocoa producer, you will have balanced economy.

– Professor Ore Colbert, Africentre Agro (Unibadan) Ore Oluwa Springs, Ijare, Akure Dear Nkoli, God bless you for your wonderful piece on 'Whither Nigeria'. You said it all but will our rulers listen? Is it not the height of dishonesty to continue promising heaven on earth I 20-20-20 when things are getting worse by the day?

– Charles Ibeji, Imo State Janice, thanks for your great piece on 'Whither Nigeria'. I truly agree with every thing said. Nigerians are hard working, but we need enabling environment for our hardwork to show. I hope President Jonathan would simply face the task of building the nation instead of all this unnecessary thing about tenureship. Before you know it 2015 will be here. He must make sure he has something to show us for placing him there. Indeed, Nigerians are tired. Inflation is soaring high; the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. Where are we really heading to?

– Dr Solomon Anyasi, Benue State Dear Janice, your piece on 'Whither Nigeria' made me so weak. Thinking back now, it appears that our yesteryears were better than our today. President Jonathan asked us to keep praying for him. I hope he cooperates with God to use him positively to rebuild this nation because, as it is, time is fast running out. I am praying for him and for this country to get well. And I believe I am not the only one. God bless you Janice for reminding us where we began to fail.

– Chief John Obikelu, Onitsha Dear Janice, while reading your article on 'Whither Nigeria', published in The Nation of October 30, 2011, I can tell you that I could feel your heart beat. Thanks for your wonderful contribution. I hope our leaders are receiving insight from the works of people like you. Please don't stop telling them the truth. Who knows?

May be one day, they will hear your voice. Thanks.

– Mr Chuks Chukwueke

•Shoppers cutting the Independence cake at the AOS mall

Thanks a million Janice, on this article: Shopping right: Against food and water borne diseases. My fear and pain is that reading culture is dead even among the elites and undergraduates who who are mostly dirty and do not wash their hands after using the toilet. However, keep it up.

– Engineer Dr Solo Agbamu Fnimeche, University Don, Abraka I just want to say that I love your article on shopping with children. That was a smart point you so well put together right there.

Thanks. – Avery Hi, your publication about classic wardrobe was awesome. Before now, I had almost all coloured shoes but your view changed my perspective. You really did a wonderful job, keep it up.

Janice, thanks for your good piece on aso-oke.

– Hambolu.

•Arts exhibitiion @ the AOS Mall

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

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EQUITIES Stock market relapses as investors HE Nigerian Stock Ex added 54 kobo to close lose N60bn geria change (NSE) relapsed at N27.80 and Nigerian

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

T

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 6-10-11 2ND-TIER SECURITIES AGRICULTURE/AGRO-ALLIED Company Name LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC PRESCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded 3 0.50 500,000 13 7.71 69,100 16 569,100

Company Name AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COM PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded 1 1.95 5,400 59 6.13 849,471 60 854,871

Value of Shares (N) 250,000.00 545,808.55 795,808.55

AIR SERVICES Value of Shares (N) 11,016.00 5,131,401.65 5,142,417.65

AUTOMOBILE & TYRE Company Name DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC R. T. BRISCOE (NIGERIA) PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded 4 0.50 10,391,735 14 1.48 56,414 18 10,448,149

Company Name ACCESS BANK PLC DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK NIGERIA PLC FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC FIDELITY BANK PLC FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC GTBANK PLC STANBIC IBTC BANK PLC SKYE BANK PLC. STERLING BANK PLC UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC. UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC UNITYBANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC ZENITH BANK PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 143 43 31 44 87 530 412 74 91 58 294 22 37 23 289 2,178

Company Name GUINNESS NIGERIA PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC NIGERIAN BREWERIES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 62 97 136 295

Value of Shares (N) 5,195,867.50 86,350.30 5,282,217.80

BANKING Quotation(N) 5.49 3.42 2.67 4.37 2.02 9.27 12.51 9.62 4.94 1.44 4.21 2.09 0.78 0.77 12.33

Quantity Traded 19,191,456 4,283,588 282,150 1,193,775 33,900,808 7,427,555 11,644,207 7,771,603 2,050,766 6,890,390 14,413,850 1,759,857 5,922,124 7,453,108 12,980,401 137,165,638

Value of Shares (N) 102,571,429.45 14,682,760.36 734,441.25 5,284,008.40 66,539,480.03 70,788,471.99 146,480,927.45 75,909,385.85 10,216,984.60 9,916,948.69 58,836,930.60 3,678,101.13 4,541,690.24 5,733,720.44 158,966,065.25 734,881,345.73

Quantity Traded 1,256,599 422,915 1,551,442 3,230,956

Value of Shares (N) 262,777,334.35 2,393,936.20 131,438,940.67 396,610,211.22

Quantity Traded 785,597 291,604 2,318,849 1,413,283 4,809,333

Value of Shares (N) 13,715,535.94 2,022,742.35 231,830,318.50 56,599,301.20 304,167,897.99

Quantity Traded 57,703 316,668 799,352 785,000 1,958,723

Value of Shares (N) 515,201.60 6,026,931.78 871,293.68 635,850.00 8,049,277.06

No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded 2 0.50 201,000 16 2.30 297,463 18 498,463

Value of Shares (N) 100,500.00 683,992.90 784,492.90

BREWERIES Quotation(N) 210.00 5.76 84.00

BUILDING MATERIALS Company Name ASHAKA CEMENT PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTHERN NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 65 12 47 27 151

Quotation(N) 17.00 7.25 100.00 40.08

CHEMICAL & PAINTS Company Name BERGER PAINTS NIGERIA PLC CHEMICAL AND ALLIED PRODUCTS PLC DN MEYER PLC PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PL Sector Totals

No of Deals 14 39 7 3 63

Quotation(N) 9.36 18.69 1.09 0.81

COMMERCIAL/SERVICES Company Name COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Sector Totals

COMPUTER & OFFICE EQUIPMENT Company Name TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded 1 3.25 1,759 1 1,759

Value of Shares (N) 5,435.31 5,435.31

CONGLOMERATES Company Name CHELLARAMS PLC JOHN HOLT PLC PZ CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC SCOA NIGERIA PLC TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIG PLC UAC OF NIGERIA PLC UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 3 72 1 72 56 71 277

Quotation(N) 6.43 6.51 30.00 6.11 0.85 33.56 27.80

Quantity Traded 2,000 2,278 1,056,472 300 3,738,656 541,860 966,187 6,307,753

Value of Shares (N) 12,220.00 14,100.82 31,695,409.43 1,743.00 3,120,439.90 18,818,434.20 26,825,093.64 80,487,440.99

CONSTRUCTION ARBICO PLC JULIUS BERGER NIGERIA PLC MULTIVERSE PLC ROADS NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

2 21 3 1 27

26.00 47.16 0.50 5.12

100 116,287 10,022,000 50,000 10,188,387

2,470.00 5,439,344.15 5,011,000.00 256,000.00 10,708,814.15

ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY CUTIX PLC Sector Totals

3 3

2.00

127,000 127,000

254,000.00 254,000.00

FOOD/BEVERAGES & TOBACCO 7-UP BOTTLING CO. PLC CADBURY NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIGERIA PLC HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NATIONAL SALT COMPANY NIGERIA PLC NESTLE NIGERIA PLC NORTHERN NIGERIA FLOUR MILLS PLC TANTALIZERS PLC Sector Totals

12 61 157 99 92 19 16 77 3 2 538

48.00 14.57 6.91 7.56 60.90 3.00 4.50 400.01 22.61 0.50

9,447 492,500 1,958,759 3,927,954 1,042,357 223,900 113,553 247,105 5,929 2,500 8,024,004

430,783.20 7,240,351.77 13,748,512.70 29,656,325.64 63,280,672.11 681,550.00 496,875.06 99,247,885.59 127,354.92 1,250.00 214,911,560.99

HEALTHCARE EVANS MEDICALPLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXOSMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC PHARMA-DEKO PLC Sector Totals

11 4 12 24 21 1 73

0.86 1.20 27.00 3.14 1.03 3.68

760,439 40,500 349,004 488,380 316,872 227 1,955,422

672,749.78 51,000.00 9,423,807.30 1,456,230.90 321,839.42 794.50 11,926,421.90

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 6-10-11 INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY Company Name e-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC IHS NIGERIA PLC STARCOMMS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded 1 7.50 10,663 101 2.59 8,158,383 102 8,169,046

No of Deals 10 1 21 32

Quotation(N) 6.95 0.50 5.95

No of Deals 1 4 2 7

Quotation(N) 4.97 2.66 0.50

Quantity Traded 95 40,000 17,500 57,595

Value of Shares (N) 449.35 101,200.00 8,750.00 110,399.35

Quotation(N) 0.57 1.04 0.50 2.31 0.52 1.16 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 1.50 0.50 0.50 0.50

Quantity Traded 6,693,103 1,346,000 6,400 214,000 779,000 12,258,310 10,030,000 8,743,205 2,000 58,000 184,643 100,000 10,653 1,000,000 4,000 26,400 41,455,714

Value of Shares (N) 3,826,039.35 1,368,450.00 3,200.00 495,290.00 393,600.00 14,135,615.95 5,015,000.00 4,371,602.50 1,000.00 29,000.00 92,321.50 50,000.00 15,233.79 500,000.00 2,000.00 13,200.00 30,311,553.09

0.94

39,062 39,062

INSURANCE Company Name No of Deals AIICO INSURANCE PLC. 31 CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC 16 CORNERSTONE INSURANCE CO. PLC. 2 CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INSURANCE PLC 3 GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC 6 GUARANTY TRUST ASSURANCE PLC 33 GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. 2 INTL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC 3 LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. 1 MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC 2 N.E.M. INSURANCE CO. (NIG.) PLC. 6 NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. 1 PRESTIGE ASSURANCE PLC. 3 STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC 1 UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC 1 INTERCONTINENTAL WAPIC INSURANCE PLC 2 Sector Totals 113 LEASING C&I LEASING PLC Sector Totals

3 3

JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Sector Totals

86 86

35,155.80 35,155.80

MARITIME 0.94

3,734,036 3,734,036

3,478,514.26 3,478,514.26

1,310,000 1,310,000

1,310,000.00 1,310,000.00

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Sector Totals

3 3

1.00

AVON CROWNCAPS & CONTAINERS PLC. NIGERIAN BAG MANUFACTURING COM PLC STUDIO PRESS (NIGERIA) PLC. Sector Totals

1 183 2 186

PACKAGING 6.57 1.96 2.92

68 357,065 509 357,642

425.00 702,670.50 1,415.02 704,510.52

PETROLEUM(MARKETING) MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC CONOIL PLC ETERNA OIL & GAS PLC. FORTE OIL PLC MOBIL OIL NIGERIA PLC. OANDO PLC TOTAL NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

3 16 21 31 26 224 17 338

63.86 35.00 4.59 9.60 140.00 26.57 200.00

6,000 19,533 219,594 125,017 435,835 2,664,131 45,449 3,515,559

375,000.04 672,355.92 994,985.22 1,224,598.10 60,982,462.47 70,785,960.67 8,755,150.00 143,790,512.42

11,500 860,961 780,500 1,652,961

28,585.00 4,005,110.21 2,966,822.26 7,000,517.47

PRINTING & PUBLISHING ACADEMY PRESS PLC. LONGMAN NIGERIA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC Sector Totals

3 5 8 16

UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. PLC Sector Totals

12 12

2.47 4.65 3.80

REAL ESTATE 12.81

74,137 74,137

949,694.97 949,694.97

ROAD TRANSPORTATION Value of Shares (N) 79,972.50 19,632,383.05 19,712,355.55

INDUSTRIAL/DOMESTIC PRODUCTS Company Name B. O. C. GASES NIGERIA PLC FIRST ALUMINIUM NIGERIA PLC VITAFOAM NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

follow due process.

Guinness Nigeria topped the losers’ list with a drop of N4.99 to close at N210. Nigerian Breweries followed with a loss of N3.60 to close at N84. UAC of Nigeria dropped by N1.75 to N33.56 while CAP lost 98 kobo to close at N18.69 per share.

Other top losers included Ashaka Cement, which dropped by 85 kobo to close at N17, Cadbury Nigeria lost 76 kobo to close at N14.57 while Mobil Oil Nigeria declined by 60 kobo to N140.

First Bank of Nigeria lost 48 kobo to close at N9.27, Forte Oil dropped by 40 kobo to close at N9.60 while Dangote Flour Mills lost 28 kobo to close at N6.91 per share.

Meanwhile, Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc led the gainers with addition of N2.90 to close at N60.90. Oando trailed with a gain of N1.26 to close at N26.57. UACN Property Development Company gained 61 kobo to close at N12.81.Unilever Ni-

Aviation Handling Company rose by 27 kobo to close at N6.13.

Other top gainers were Vitafoam Nigeria, which gathered 25 kobo to close at N5.95, Roads Nigeria improved by 24 kobo to N5.12, May and Baker Nigeria increased by 14 kobo to N3.14, Ikeja Hotel added 12 kobo to close at N2.59 while Access Bank gained 7.0 kobo to close at N5.49 per share.

Turnover on the NSE stood at 250.8 million shares valued at N2 billion in 4,677 deals. Banking sector remained the most active sector with turnover of 137.17 million shares valued at N734.88 million in 2,178 deals. Insurance sector placed second on the activity chart with 41.46 million shares valued at N30.3 million in 13 deals. The automobile sector made an unusual appearance on the top activity chart as transactions on DN Tyre and Rubber pushed sectoral turnover to 10.45 million shares worth N5.14 million in 18 deals.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

HOTEL & TOURISM Company Name CAPITAL HOTEL PLC IKEJA HOTEL PLC Sector Totals

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

into the negative as profit-takers sought to lock in gains that had accumulated in five days of sustained bullish rally.

The All Share Index (ASI), which measures the pricing trend at the NSE, contracted by 0.91 per cent to 20,507.18 points as against its index on board of 20,695.77 points.

Aggregate market capitalisation of all equities dwindled by 0.90 per cent from N6.599 trillion to N6.539 trillion, representing a loss of N60 billion.

The downtrend worsened the year-to-date return at the Nigerian stock market to negative 17.21 per cent. The decline was orchestrated by profit-taking transactions across the sectors as well as lurking fears that the banking sector’s mergers and acquisitions might unravel.

The House of Representatives’ Committee on Capital Market had alleged irregularities in the mergers and acquisitions and said it would probe the business combinations for failing to

Quantity Traded 64,057 900 1,323,337 1,388,294

Value of Shares (N) 463,765.53 450.00 7,558,244.52 8,022,460.05

ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

11 11

UNITED NIGERIAN TEXTILES PLC Sector Totals

4 4

0.50

2,206,181 2,206,181

1,103,090.50 1,103,090.50

TEXTILES 0.89

123,247 123,247

109,689.83 109,689.83

THE FOREIGN LISTINGS Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity Traded ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED 41 12.65 561,735 Sector Totals 41 561,735 Overall Totals 4,672 250,784,767

Value of Shares (N) 7,070,380.71 7,070,380.71 1,997,716,176.76

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

55

MONEY LINK

Safety must take precedence over profit, says CBN

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said safety and sound risk management practices must override profit and return on investment in banks to forestall economic crises. The apex bank said this has become exigent as there is renewed fear that financial crises ravaging Europe could spill over to other parts of the world, including Nigeria.

Speaking yesterday at the Access Bank Financial Market Conference, CBN Deputy Governor, Economic Policy, Mrs. Sarah Alade, explained that since Nigeria is integrated into the global financial system, only sound risk management would save the financial system from possible collapse.

She said banks must embrace

By Collins Nweze

safety measures in areas of sound risk management process instead of taking excessive risks that will deplete depositors’ funds. “Banks must learn to be prudent in the management of depositors’ funds and ensure diversification of their liabilities.

Mrs. Alade, who was represented by CBN Director, Research and Development, Charles Mordi, said banks must take necessary steps to ensure that they observe sound risk management processes, corporate governance, quality product delivery, legal structure, and right manpower to drive their operations.

She said banks’ ability to address all of these issues in a cor-

rect order, are critical to their continued survival, adding that the banking sector must be extra vigilant in all aspects of their operations.

Banks have to embrace prudent management of resources even if it involves minimal lending and reduction in their profitability to ensure that financial system stability is attained.

Noting that regulatory initiatives needed to be pursued for enhanced economic growth. She said the Extraordinary General Meetings (EGMs) of banks has brought to close, reforms in the financial services sector.

She also said the CBN and head of operations of deposit money banks are discussing on the possibility of shared-services to re-

Bank chief seeks improved investment climate

T

HE Managing Director of HASAL Microfinance Bank, Rogers Nwoke, has called on the relevant authorities to put in place policies that will attract investors to the small and medium businesses’ sector of the economy.

Nwoke, who made the call while speaking with the media at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), of the National Association of Microfinance Banks (NAMB), in Abuja, said with the right environment, small businesses will thrive, while microfinance banks will also be there to provide the needed credit to facilitate the growth and expansion of such businesses.

He restated the need for an investment friendly environment that would assist businesses, saying the high cost of doing business in Nigeria would continue to hamper economic development unless the atmo-

duce cost of operations in banks.

She said that banks are complicated structures, adding that a quick fix approach can derail their continued operations. Alade also regretted that low patronage of foreign exchange forwards is affecting is affecting market stability and called for the need to diversify the sources of forex inflow.

Deputy Group Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, Herbert Wigwe said that said the focus of the conference is to forecast the likely direction of financial services industry across the globe in the next financial year. He said that the ability of CBN to embrace cashless economy will add value to people’s businesses and should be supported.

IFC reaffirms pledge to Africa devt

I

NTERNATIONAL Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, issued a report on its work in Africa during the financial year ending June 30. The report according to Reuters news said the bank had seen strong business and development results across subSaharan Africa, supporting regional growth despite turbulence in the global economy.

During the previous calendar year, IFC’s activities generated power for an additional 6.6 million people, connected about 59 million telephone users, supported nearly 500 000 students, provided loans to 241 000 small businesses and 261 000 farmers and created about 217 000 jobs.

IFC said its new investments in sub-Saharan Africa reached 31 countries, with 87 of the 95 new investments made in some of the world’s lowest income economies.

Yolande Duhem, IFC Director for West

sphere was made more conducive.

He urged the respective government agencies to put in place policies that will enable the private sector to thrive so that there would be jobs to keep the youths off the streets.

The HASAL’s helmsman, assured of better quality service from the MFBs, stating that the playing field is large enough to accommodate all players in the industry. He said the bank is committed to assisting low income earners in building capital to improve their lives.

He however, urged the government to assist the microfinance banks in terms of churning out regulations that are friendly, arguing that the sub-sector has contributed immensely to the development of the micro, small and medium enterprises in the country.

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

7.9-10% 10-11%

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

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2011 “ 14-04-2011

GAINERS AS AT 6-10-11 SYMBOL

FLOURMILL OANDO UAC-PROP UNILEVER NAHCO VITAFOAM ROADS MAYBAKER IKEJAHOTEL ACCESS

O/PRICE

58.00 25.31 12.20 27.26 5.86 5.70 4.88 3.00 2.47 5.42

C/PRICE

60.90 26.57 12.81 27.80 6.13 5.95 5.12 3.14 2.59 5.49

+2.90 +1.26 +0.61 +0.54 +0.27 +0.25 +0.24 +0.14 +0.12 +0.07

SYMBOL

GUINNESS NB UACN CAP ASHAKACEM CADBURY MOBIL FIRSTBANK FO DANGFLOUR

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

214.99 87.60 35.31 19.67 17.85 15.33 140.60 9.75 10.00 7.19

210.00 84.00 33.56 18.69 17.00 14.57 140.00 9.27 9.60 6.91

Current

Start Offer

Before

Date

450m

452.7m

450m

150.8

08-8-11

313.5m

250m

150.8

03-8-11

400m

443m

400m

150.7

01-8-11

C u r r e n t CUV Start After

NSE CAP Index

04-10-11 N6.563tr 20,695.77

147.6000

149.7100

150.7100

-2.11

NGN GBP

239.4810

244.0123

245.6422

-2.57

NGN EUR

212.4997

207.9023

209.2910

-1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

Bureau de Change 152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

ARM AGGRESSIVE KAKAWA GUARANTEED

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N)

05-10-11 N6.600tr 20,581.30

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

(S/N)

Parallel Market

% Change +0.56% +0.56%

%

153.0000

DISCOUNT WINDOW

,,

Liquidity Ratio

9.08 1.00

STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE

117.81

117.57

AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

107.46

107.10

THE LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL

0.78

0.75

BGL SAPPHIRE FUND

1.02

1.02

BGL NUBIAN FUND

0.94

0.93

1,628.78 8.24

1,625.40 7.84

CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST

1.39

1.33

CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST

1.87

1.80

7,221.04

6,999.77

193.00

191.08

July ’11

Aug ’11

6.50%

6.50%

8.75%

8.50%

8.50%

9.50%

4.50%

4.50%

5.50%

25.00%

25.00%

30.00%

1.00%

2.00%

2.00%

THE DISCOVERY FUND

12.10%

12.10%

9.4%

• ARM AGGRESSIVE

Standing Lending Rate Deposit Rate

Bid Price

9.17 1.00

Feb. ’11 MPR

,,

Offer Price

Cash Return Rate

NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND

STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY

• KAKAWA GUARANTEED

CHANGE

-4.99 -3.60 -1.75 -0.98 -0.85 -0.76 -0.60 -0.48 -0.40 -0.28

Rate (N)

250m

NGN USD

Inflation Rate

LOSER AS AT 6-10-11

Exchange

Sold ($)

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year

(S/N) CHANGE

Amount

EXHANGE RATE 26-08-11 Currency

INTERBANK RATES OBB Rate Call Rate

Amount

Offered ($) Demanded ($)

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF NESF

and Central Africa, said: “IFC made significant progress in supporting Africa’s development last year. Our investments in West and Central Africa and other parts of the continent grew, we saw important reforms to improve the investment climate in the region, innovative projects in priority sectors, and we have a large portfolio of investment and advisory projects that are improving people’s lives through better services and opportunities.”

Jean Philippe Prosper, IFC Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, added: “Our increasing activities in Africa reflect IFC’s commitment to mobilise resources for entrepreneurial activity and projects driving forward the region’s private sector. IFC’s investments and advisory services are creating jobs, improving infrastructure, securing access to finance for small and medium enterprises, and raising health, education and living standards for Africans.

DATA BANK

Tenor

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

•CBN Governor, Lamido Sanusi Lamido

• STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

NIBOR Tenor

Rate (Previous)

Rate (Currency)

24 Aug, 2011

26, Aug, 2011

9.0417

10.17%

30 Days

9.6667

11.46%

60 Days

11.2917

11.96%

7 Days

150 Days

12.1250

12.54%

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK Previous

Current

04 July, 2011

07, Aug, 2011

Bank

8.5000

8.5000

P/Court

8.0833

8.0833

Movement

56

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

NEWS Presidential tribunal: PDP to present 135 witnesses From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday spoke of its plan to present 135 witnesses at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal in defence of its April 16 electoral victory.

The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) is challenging President Goodluck Jonathan’s victory at the election. Jonathan contested on the platform of the PDP. The petitioner, Jonathan and his deputy’ Namadi Sambo, as well as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have closed their cases after calling witnesses to give evidence at the tribunal.

CPC’s Publicity Secretary Rotimi Fashakin, an engineer yesterday honoured an invitation to appear before the tribunal.

He was summoned over a statement credited to him where he allegedly maligned the five Justices sitting on the panel.

In the September 28 statement published in a newspaper in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on September 29, Fashakin was accused of condemning some of the rulings of the court.

Asked by the tribunal to explain if he authored the statement, he asked for seven days to verify the claim. The request was granted by the panel which adjourned hearing till today.

How ‘poor’ states can pay minimum wage, by don

A

LL states can pay the minimum wage if there is political will and fiscal discipline, a professor of Industrial Relations, Funmi Adewumi said yesterday.

According to him, there is no state in Nigeria, no matter how ‘poor’ it may be, that cannot afford to pay a minimum of N18,000 to its workers.

“The real problem is the lack of political will, coupled with the contempt which governments in Nigeria have for the citizenry,” he said.

•Fashola, others celebrate Pedro at 50

By Joseph Jibueze

Adewunmi was one of the speakers at a symposium entitled: “Federalism and Development: Getting it right in Nigeria.”

It was jointly organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice and Klap Ventures to mark the 50th birthday and 25 years at the Bar of the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN).

The revised edition of the book: Jurisdiction of Courts

in Nigeria – Materials and Cases, written by Pedro, was also launched.

Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN), represented by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ade Ipaye, described Pedro as “a golden asset” to Lagos, and lauded him for his “consistency and hard work.”

Other speakers were Executive Secretary, Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Mr Fola Arthur Worrey and a lawyer, Mr Opeyemi Ag-

baje.

Adewumi added that governors could save money by cutting down on “jumbo cabinets” and addressing high cost of contracts.

“The governors should be reminded that their emoluments and those of all political office holders are determined at federal level.

So, why are they not kicking against that?” he asked.

Arthur-Worrey re-iterated the call for a state police, saying its needs will be bet-

Obasanjo: let’s diagnose cause of security challenge

F

ORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday declined to speak on the Pan Yoruba National Conference which, was held in Ikenne, Ogun State home of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

Obasanjo was in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, on a condolence visit to the Southwest National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo, whose father died recently.

When Obasajo was asked to comment on the Ikenne meeting, he waved his hands and said, “no comment.”

The former President also

‘What we need is diagnosis. That will help us prescribe the right drugs and dose for our sickness, if it is malaria fever, for example’ From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

refused to comment on the proposal to remove oil subsidy.

On the defeat of the Peoples Democratic Party in the Southwest in the last general elections, he said the party is set to take back the zone from the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), saying: “You all know the circumstance that led to the defeat of the PDP.” He said the PDP is still standing firm and strong in the Southwest and assured that in the 2015 general elections the party will spring surprises.

The former President, who disclosed that his eyes had just been operated for catarract, also spoke on security issues, saying there

is no security problems in the country but security challenges.

He said: “What we are going through in the country is not security problems but challenges and which any nation can experience anytime. And I believe that security issue is the responsibility of every Nigerian.

“So, we should all stop asking who brought us to this point but rather we should be asking why are we in this and what do we need to do to get out of it.

What we need is diagnosis.

That will help us prescribe the right drugs and dose for our sickness, if it is malaria fever, for example.”

Daily Independent holds anniversary THE management, staff and well wishers of Independent Newspapers (INL) Ltd, publishers of Daily Independent, Saturday Independent and Sunday Independent, will gather at Archbishop Vining Memorial Church, Oba Akinjobi Way, Ikeja, Lagos, on Sunday, October 9, for a thanksgiving service to mark the 10th anniversary of the organisation.

A statement signed by Secretary of the Anniversary Organising Committee, Kenny Okeowo, disclosed that the service is part of the activities lined up to mark a decade of the media house which hit the streets on October 1, 2011.

“We want to thank the Almighty God who has brought us this far. A decade in the life of any organization is not a joke. Not only has INL been in business, the flagship of the outfit, Daily Independent, has won the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award (NMMA) Newspaper of the year award in 2006 and 2008,” Okeowo said.

•Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Mrs Funmi Olayinka (middle) presenting the keys to a Toyota Yaris car to the Best Secondary School Teacher of Year 2010, Mr. Ayeni Segun Emmanuel of Ipoti Junior High School, Ipoti-Ekiti in Ado -Ekiti...on Wednesday.

With them is the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Dr. Eniola Ajayi

Abortion is inexcusable, says Okogie

By Joseph Jibueze

C

ATHOLIC Archbishop of Lagos, Anthony Cardinal Okogie has said that deliberate abortion can never be justified under any circumstances. Condemning the practice of procuring abortion in its entirety, he said human life must be respected.

Rev Okogie called for increased awareness on the fact that “killing the defenceless unborn child is a sin against God and against humanity.”

He stated this in a goodwill message to a special vigil mass on “Reparation for Abortion”, jointly hosted by the Marriage, Family and Human Life unit of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos and the Order of the Knights of Saint Mulumba, Lagos Metropolitan Council.

“The need for the proper moral and value education of young men and women who will have a deep respect for human life at every stage from conception to natural death is becoming more imperative,” Rev Okogie said.

He added: “God in his infinite wisdom has made it imperative for fathers, mothers and even grandparents, to play a part in the sexual education of their children.

“There is a lot therefore that the family can do to protect the girl child from sexual abuse and promiscuity.

These dangers, when left unchecked, often account for the increasing numbers of pregnancy crisis among young girls.”

Agency urges court to strike out ex- members’ suit

T

HE Mobile Advert/ Loading and Offloading Agency of Nigeria (MOAN/LOLAN) has asked a Kwara State High Court, sitting in Ilorin, the state capital, to strike out the suit filed by some of its former members.

In a notice of preliminary objection filed pursuant to Section 6 (6) of the 1999 Constitution and Order 2 Rule 9 of the THE meeting of the old Kwara State High Court (Civstudents’ Association of il Procedures) Rules 2005, counGbongan High School, Ibadan-Ife sel to the defendants, the FalaRoad, Gbongan, Osun State will na and Falana Chambers, hold tomorrow.

The venue is Oke-Ola, Gbongan asked Justice S. T. Daibu for an home of the founding principal, order striking out and dismissing the suit “in its entirety for Dr. J.O.O. Ojeleye. want of jurisdiction”.

Time is 10a.m.

The defendants in the suit, A statement by Prince Adeolu Adeyefa enjoined members to be filed by Mr. Gan Adewunmi and others, are MOAN, its Prespunctual.

Old students meet tomorrow

ter addressed under state structure to enhance community policing.

According to him, the lack of police accountability to local authority is antithetical to democracy and need for oversight, adding that state police will better respond to local issues.

He said state police is the answer to insecurity since the central authorities and institutions cannot professionalise the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and turn it into “a modern, non-partisan, capable, confident, courteous and effective force.”

ident, Otunba Mike Osimen Eboziegbe, and Vice-President, Chief Richard Ibeto.

According to Falana, in the notice filed by a senior counsel in his chambers, Dr. Ifeanyi Maduabuchi, the plaintiffs failed to comply with Section 97 of the Sheriff and Civil Procedure Process Act 2004 and Order, Rule 9 of the rules of the court, which requires that every writ of summons for service from one state to another must bear specific statutory endorsement.

He added: “The course of action arose in Lagos and the MOAN/LOLAN, Otunba Mike Eboziegbe and Chief Richard Ibeto are based in Lagos.”

He also stated that Section

251 (I) (e) of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1990 stipulates that the Federal High Court has exclusive jurisdiction to entertain all matters relating to operations of companies and incorporated bodies under the Companies and Allied Matters Act. The objection was supported by a six-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Kayode Ogunmefun of the Falana and Falana Chambers.

Although the court granted the plaintiffs an ex-parte order of interim injunction on September 13, 2011, restraining the defendants, the defendants said in their notice of preliminary objection that by “the ex-parte order of interim injunction granted has since

abated, which means died away, became less strong and active and should be set aside after seven days when the order was made”.

Meanwhile, the case has been transferred from Justice Daibu, who made the order, to Court 2 by the Chief Justice of Kwara State.

In the suit, the plaintiffs, who had been expelled by the agency, among other reliefs, asked the court to declare as illegal the act of referring to the first defendant as a President.

Besides, they asked the court to modify the board resolution of August 27, 2011, adding that the failure of the first defendant to discharge his duties of printing and dis-

tributing MOAN/LOLAN clearance certificates to them is illegal.

But, two of the people whose names were included among the plaintiffs, Messrs Billy Oyemonlan and Chief Chike Nweiwu, have both denied they were part of the suit in separate letters to the Chief Registrar of the court.

They claimed they were not consulted and have never been invited to any board of directors’ meeting in the last three years, adding that they would seek redress in a law court for including their names as plaintiffs in the suit.

However, the matter has been adjourned till October 19, 2011, for hearing.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

57

NEWS Okorocha’s wife convoy in road mishap

No Independence parade took place in the Villa, says Presidency

From Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

THE wife of Imo State Governor Nkechi Okorocha was involved in a road accident on Owerri/Onitsha Road.

According to an eye witness account, the vehicle somersaulted severally and the six occupants sustained some injuries.

They were taken to the Federal Medical Centre in Owerri, where they are reportedly responding to treatment. Four of them have been discharged from the hospital.

Chief Press Secretary to the governor’s wife, Chris Ekweariri, confirmed the incident. He said all those involved in the accident had been discharged, except one.

Tributes for Archbishop From Adimike George, Onitsha

TRIBUTES flowed yesterday at the All Saints Anglican Cathedral, Onitsha, Anambra State, as the remains of the Archbishop of the Niger Jonathan Onyemelukwe was buried.

The funeral ceremony which took place at the Cathedral where the late Archbishop ministered for about 25 years was attended

by President Goodluck Jonathan, the National Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, Victor Umeh, former VicePresident Alex Ekwueme, Anambra State Deputy Governor, Emeka Sibeudu, wife of the state governor, Mrs. Margaret Obi, former Minister of Information, Prof. Dora Akunyili, among others.

Old students meet THE meeting of Ado-Ekiti Old Students’ Association of Christ’s School, Ado- Ekiti willhold from October 11 to 16. Enlightenment lecture, pep rally and sporting events for the incumbent students and staff of the school will feature in the first three days of the programme.

Dr Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti State Governor,Dr Segun Aganga, Minister of Trade and Investment, Prof Bolaji Aluko, Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Otuoke and Prof.

Michael Omolewa are the distinguished alumni scheduled for special recognition at the Reunion.

The event will be concluded with a thanksgiving service at the school chapel on October 16 at 9 am.

Church holds prayer summit THE Christ Apostolic Church will hold a three – day prayer and fasting conference to pray for the peace and development of the country.

According to the founder of the church at Kilometre 7, Idanre Road , Adofure, Akure, Ondo State ,Prophet Samson Oluwamodede, the prayer summit would attract worshippers from across the country. Pastors Jumoke Oluwamodede, Taiye Apanisile and Ololade Bamgbose are expected at the event. Prophet Oluwamodede urged the people to attend the summit.

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

F

•The women protesting in Abia ...yesterday.

Police bar women from protesting against gang rape W OMEN from Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo

states were yesterday stopped by the Abia State police command from protesting in Umuahia, the Abia state capital, against the controversial gang rape alleged to have taken place at the Abia State University, Uturu.

The women, who said they came under the umbrella of civil society groups in the Southeast and Igbo Women Organisations, urged the government and the police to investigate the incident.

The Abia State police command promised to reward any

From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

person with information that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrators or identification of the rape victim with N500,000.

A statement by the command’s spokesman, ASP Geoffrey Ogbonna, said: “The command in its usual manner of protecting informants’ identity, assures utmost secrecy in this regard while a handsome reward of N500,000 awaits any one with useful information”.

The women, who came into Umuahia with two buses, were stopped from the Government House by the Divisional Police Officer of Umuahia. He referred them to the Central Police Station where they were addressed by some senior police officers who pleaded with them to return home as investigation was still ongoing.

The police discouraged them from protesting in Umuahia in order not to cre-

ate the impression that the incident occured in the state.

The leader of the group, Nma Odi, a civil right activists, said they came to Umuahia to urge the governor and the police to properly investigate the incident.

She said the rape and other maltreatment of women could no longer continue in any part of Igboland.

“It can’t continue. We came to tell our governor that this will not continue. That investigation should be deeper. We are helping the governor to rescue Abia, to rescue Igboland.

Orji seeks mega city for southeast

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ERNOR Theodore Orji of Abia State has advocated the creation of a megacity in the Southeast to boost the region’s economy.

According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Public Communication Ben Onyechere, Orji said the creation of a megacity will ease off the pressure on Abuja and Lagos.

Orji said: “There is no better time to raise a mega city in the Southeast than now, due to the socio-economic suffocation presently experi-

From Yusuf Sanusi

enced in the zone.

“All over the world, building of mega cities has become veritable channels to engender development and generate employment through the involvement of massive infrastructural development.

“A case study is Abuja which has to a large extent stood in the gap for provision of job opportunities through expansion of political and economic activities in this nation, thereby giving Lagos

a new lease of life by decongesting the squalor that was prevalent. The erection of a mega city in the Southeast will minimise congestion in Abuja and Lagos.

“It can also help to curb accidents occurring on our roads on daily basis due to rush to seek greener pasture in Lagos and Abuja, as much as bring about even development of the Southeast.

“The benefits that will accrue from this venture include stability of the economy. It will help to check inflation as

•Orji

much as it will give the people of the zone an equitable sense of belonging, considering that it is a major part of the tripod on which Nigeria stands.”

Umeh condemns resignation call

T

HE National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA),Victor Umeh has criticised Special Adviser to Anambra State governor on Parks and Market Sylvester Nwaobu-Alor over for calling on him to resign.

The APGA chair, who spoke to reporters in Onitsha during the funeral of the late Anglican Archbishop Jonathan Onyemelukwe, described as unfortunate the antics of the Special Aadviser.

He said: “I have no word to bandy about with him, as Christians we are restrained from acts that are capable of undermining public peace.

The purported crisis in APGA was created by Nwaobu-Alor and his co-bandits who are going by the name of APGA stakeholders.In the party’s constitution, we don’t have the phrase stakeholders. His call for my resignation is the grand plot to divide the strength of the party ahead of the 2015 general elections”.

The national chairman noted that the anti- populist tendencies of Nwaobu-Alor, was

’APGA Stakeholders lack locus standi’

T

HE All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has condemned the activities of the Conference of APGA Stakeholders. The Conference had called for the resignation of the national leader of the party, Victor Umeh. APGA’s national Publicity Secretary Bernard Akomas, spoke on behalf of the party.

He said: “Recent pronouncements by some people who styled themselves ‘Conference of APGA stakeholders,’ from Anambra State under the leadership of Nwobu-Alor have continued to create the impression of a rift in the leadership of the party under Chief Victor

Umeh.

“This is a far reaching political miscalculation by the group as the party is firmly united under Umeh and has refused to be derailed by the meddlesome activities of those who ordinarily do not possess any statutory authority to arrogate to themselves the power to speak for the party.

“The orchestrated calls by the group for the dissolution of the party structures and resignation of the national chairman can best be described as noise emanating from a political group with perceptual refraction.

“APGA is a political party duly registered with the Inde-

From Adimike George, Onitsha

tional politics.

Debunking the rumour of his arrest by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Umeh said it was part of desperate measures by disgruntled elements within the party, who are bent on depleting the fortunes of the party, “ I was never arrested by the

responsible for the party’s poor showing in Anambra State in the last election, adding that he has run the affairs of the party in the last few years with dexterity and commitment which has brought the party to the centre stage in na-

pendent National Electoral Commission(INEC) and is being governed by law. There are specified procedures for the appointment and dissolution of the various organs of the party. These processes are not subjected to the whims and caprices of any single individual no matter how highly placed in the party.

“The constitution of the party does not make any provision for conference of stakeholders neither does it empower any group to constitute itself into such a body for the purpose of speaking for the party. “ EFCC or invited by any antigraft agency, I have never done anything to warrant that. So, I know that I can’t be weighed down by such distractions”.

He said the APGA- led administration in the state has suffered name dropping because of the “unethical attitudes” of Nwaobu-Alor, who he alleged has been imposing his will on the governor.

OR the umpteenth time, the Presidency yesterday said there was no iota of truth that security reasons forced Nigeria to mark it’s 51st Independence Day anniversary celebration with a parade in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Presidential spokesman Dr. Reuben Abati, who spoke from Kigali, Rwanda, explained that contrary to the impression in some quarters, such parade never took place within the Villa.

According to a statement, Abati said what actually took place was the ceremonial weekly change of guards because a decision had earlier been taken by the Federal Government to observe a low-key Independence anniversary. The statement quoting President Goodluck Jonathan said: “The decision to observe a low-key anniversary was not necessarily to conserve funds but because we cannot celebrate every year. It is a wrong notion that we celebrated in the State House.

“We had a low-key anniversary. No country celebrates National Day every year and invites foreign leaders. Last year we celebrated 50 years independence anniversary on October 1 and my inauguration as President took place on May 29 this year and for both events we invited world and African leaders.

And October this year you want to invite them again?

“Even in the coming years 2012 and 2013, the celebration would be low-key but we will celebrate in 2014 to commemorate 100 years of Nigeria’s amalgamation as one country in 1914.

Valedictory session for Ume- Ezeoke From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

T

HE House of Representatives will on Tuesday hold a valedictory session in honour of the former Speaker of the House of Representatives and national Chairnman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP),the late Edwin UmeEzeoke.

Ume-Ezeoke died in India on August 1.

The House resolved to hold the session following a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Mulikat AkandeAdeola, to suspended Order 19, Rule 217 of the new House rules to admit former Speakers, Ministers, former Clerks of the National Assembly, Permanent Secretaries and other invited guests to the hallowed Chamber for the valedictory session scheduled for 10am.

Speaking on the funeral arrangement at the National Assembly in Abuja yesterday, Chairman of the National Burial Committee, Agunwa Anaekwe, said the family of the deceased, Anambra State government, the leadership of the House of Representatives and the Federal Government were consulted on the burial programme.

Anaekwe, who was a former Speaker of the House of Representatives,said UmeEzeoke would be given a befitting burial.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

58

NEWS Flood takes over Makurdi HEAVY downpour that lasted nearly two hours yesterday morning led to the flooding of parts of Makurdi, the Benue State capital, with the residents now counting their losses.

Mostly affected are Gyado Villa, on Makurdi-Gboko road; Wurukum Market and Motor Park; Demekpe in wadata; and North bank area, located across the River Benue on Makurdi-Lafia road.

The flood took most residents by surprise, destroying houses, farm lands and roads.

It submerged most markets in Makurdi metropolis.

Other affected areas are Living Faith Church and some schools, whose pupils had to return home when they could not get to their schools.

Those who managed to get to their schools were stranded for hours.

One of the largest private motor parks in Makurdi, Pleasure Travels, was submerged in the flood.

The buses at the park were floating in the flood.

The home of the first civilian governor of the state, Aper Akume, was overtaken by the flood.

A

• A flooded part of Makurdi...yesterday From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

At the flooded Wurukun Motor Park, members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) moved their vehicles to the main road, where they took and dropped off passengers.

Household items, including seasonings and foodstuff, floated about on the water at Wurukum Market, where the flood sacked the traders.

In Gyado, a settlement on Makurdi-Gboko federal highway, where Benue State Uni-

PHOTO: UJA EMMANUEL

versity (BSU), Makurdi is located, residents moved their personal effects such as mattresses, chairs, clothes and other households to the middle of the busy highway where the flood was less.

Commissioner for Water and Environment, Chief John Ngbede, who inspected the

flooded areas, told The Nation that the damage was beyond the scope of the state government.

He appealed to the Federal Government to assist the state.

Ngbede noted that the flooding in Makurdi and its environs has been recurrent

and urged those affected to be patient as government would proffer a permanent solution to it.

The commissioner blamed some landlords for building on water channels, saying the government would soon demolish illegal structures in the town.

‘Lamido’s plane failed to land’

World Bank, FIDA to spend $315m A T on rural roads

HE World Bank and the French International Development Agency (FIDA) will spend $315million to rehabilitate 800 kilometres of rural access roads in four states, including Niger.

Leader of World Bank’s Rural Access and Mobility Project team Mr Nicholas Pertier spoke in Minna, the Niger State capital, when the team visited Governor Aliyu Babangida at the Government House.

Pertier noted that the intervention by both global institutions on rural road rehabilitation in the states would reduce the loss of agricultural produce.

Two hundred kilometres

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

of rural roads are to be rehabilitated in each of the four states within six months.

Pertier lamented that over 40 per cent of agricultural produce in Nigeria is lost because of inaccessibility of the rural roads and poor road networks.

He said the rehabilitation would enable areas with high agricultural concentration to access urban areas where they can sell their

produce.

Under the arrangement, the project will be jointly financed by both global institutions, with the World Bank providing $195 million and FIDA $120 million.

Pertier said the intervention would increase the economic base of the four states and boost their agricultural potentials.

He urged governments of the benefiting states to ensure a reliable maintenance system, adding that past rural road projects failed due to lack of maintenance.

Aliyu, represented by his deputy, Ahmed Musa Ibeto, said the state would abide by the conditions of the project partners to ensure that its rural roads get a facelift.

The governor said Niger State needed the intervention than the others, adding that rural areas account for 80 per cent of the state’s land mass, which need to be linked to urban areas.

He said the state can produce more agricultural produce if access roads to rural areas are rehabilitated.

Aliyu added that the government would use the state’s Road Maintenance Agency (NIGROMA) to maintain the roads.

I

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Esther Mark and Shelong Wapdiyel, Jos

“We appeal for government pardon and we promise to return to the society as agents of peace. We have realised the importance of freedom and peace.”

Vondip said: “The visit was facilitated by AFWOP, in collaboration with the Plateau State Government. We have decided to visit the inmates to show concern about your condition, most especially as 90 per cent of you here are youths.

“The government is not

happy that you are here because you are supposed to be out there as free citizens of the country. The government also thinks the awareness of peace that is being preached to youths in the society has to be extended to you because government considers you as part and parcel of the citizens of the state.

“Most especially, the government is concerned about your welfare and the need to see the areas of intervention and how to make your stay here a little bit comfortable.

“The government needs your cooperation to build

ity.

The delegation was to attend the installation of Alhaji Najib Husseini Adamu, the Emir of Kazaure, as the Chancellor of Akwa Ibom State University, Uyo. Led by Governor Sule Lamido, the delegation had to hover in the air for about three hours before returning to Kano, to avoid running out of aviation fuel.

It was learnt that the flight ran into turbulence after takeoff from Kano. The pilot was said to have forewarned the passengers that there would be turbulence before Abuja.

Lamido’s Director of Press, Alhaji Umar Kyari, said the delegation had since returned to Dutse, the state capital.

Some members of the delegation described the flight as stable.

Besides Lamido, other members of the delegation included the Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, Adamu Ahmed; Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Lawan Abdu; the Head of Service, Mustapha Aminu; and the Chief of Staff, Aminu Ibrahim.

34 ex-sex workers graduate in Abuja

T

Jos crises: Prisoners appeal for amnesty NMATES of the Jos prisons, most of whom were convicted over the Jos crises from 2008 till date, yesterday urged Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang to give them amnesty.

They promised to turn a new leaf, if the governor grants them freedom.

They spoke when a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Aid for Women in Prisons (AFWOP), led by its Coordinator, Miss Deborah Akekeme, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth Matters, Samuel Kwamtur Vondip, visited the prison.

About 90 per cent of the 608 inmates of Jos prison had been arrested in the ethno-religious conflicts in the state since 2008. Most of them have been convicted while others are awaiting trial.

There are seven women among them.

One of the inmates said: “We are using this opportunity to appeal to Governor Jang to set us free. We have realised our mistakes; we have learnt our lessons and we are now reformed citizens. Majority of us have shown remorse. The prison officials can bear us witness since they are closer to us.

24-MAN delegation in a chartered flight from Jigawa State to Akwa Ibom State could not land yesterday as a result of heavy rainfall and poor visibil-

•Jang

peace in the state and to also encourage you not to see your moment in the prison as hopeless. God has a destiny for you to be better Nigerians tomorrow. This is just a transformation process in your lives.”

HIRTY-four repentant commercial sex workers yesterday graduated from skill acquisition centres in Abuja.

They were given N100,000 each as take-off grant to enable them begin work in their areas of training.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in collaboration with a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Society Against Prostitution and Child Labour in Nigeria, trained the former commercial sex workers in hairdressing, computer appreciation, fashion designing and bead making.

The Secretary, Social Development in the FCT, Mrs. Blessing Onu, said the FCT

From Anne Udeze, Abuja

Administration gave each of the rehabilitated women a starter packs comprising the equipment they need to enable them earn a decent living.

She said the FCTA believed that when the women earned a decent living, their former colleagues would want to be trained in vocations.

Mrs Onu said: “As a further proof of its commitment to the rehabilitation process, the FCT administration, through the NGO, is offering the graduates starter packs and take off grants to enable them commence their business ventures in their acquired skills.

“This, we hope, will improve their means or and keep them away from the street.”

Makarfi tenders 158 exhibits over senatorial poll

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ORMER Kaduna State Governor Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi yesterday tendered 158 exhibits at the Legislative Election Petition Tribunal over his battle to reclaim his mandate in the April 28 senatorial election.

The former governor contested under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He told the tribunal that unsigned ballot papers were stuffed into ballot boxes in

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

53 polling units of the senatorial zone in favour of his opponent, Yusuf Datti BabaAhmed, of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).

The exhibits he tendered included forms EC8 A, B and E as well as the ballot boxes for 53 wards in seven of the eight local government areas in the senatorial zone.

Led in evidence by his counsel, Yunus Usman (SAN), Makarfi averred that

the election was free and fair in three wards in Pambegwa of Kubau Local Government Area.

He alleged that the results were not included in the overall results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

There was a mild drama in court when counsel to the former governor said he wanted to amend a typographical error in one of the paragraphs in the main pe-

tition, adding that the word not was omitted in the paragraph.

But Abbas Ibrahim, the counsel to Baba-Ahmed, opposed the amendment, saying election held in the polling unit being complained about, not the other wa round.

Usman said the petitioner filed the amendment within time but the respondent did not object to it.

ButAbbas said he was not

aware of the document.

This forced the tribunal to adjourn for one hour to enable it check the records.

On resumption, tribunal Chairman, Justice Daniel Kalio, overruled the objection, saying from the records available to the tribunal, the respondents were duly served copies of the reply and that they did file a motion seeking to strike out the paragraph.

The tribunal adjourned the matter to today.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

59

NEWS PDP’ll fail in Edo, says lawmaker •Teachers honour Oshiomhole, Imoke, Yuguda

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•From left: Former Judge of the World Court Justice Bola Ajibola; Lagos State Commissioner for Justice Adeola Ipaye; Lagos Solicitor-General Lawal Pedro (SAN); Mrs. Titilayo Pedro; and Justice A. Oloruniba at Pedro’s 50th Bithday/25th Call to Bar anniversary at the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja...yesterday

HE member representing Orhionmwon South II at the Edo State House of Assembly, Ogierhiakhi Friday Osakpamwan, has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will fail in next year’s governorship election.

Osakpamwan, who was elected on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), said the 10-year rule of the PDP in the state has made it unpopular.

He said the achievements of Governor Adams Oshiomhole have endeared the people to the ACN. Osakpamwan said: “The PDP cannot match the infrastructural development brought about by the present ACN-led government of Oshiomhole.

“We are not going to forget what it did to us in a hur-

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

ry. The 10-year reign of the PDP was a period of pain and sorrow, and it is not yet time for us to welcome the prodigal son.

“You cannot fool a people forever. Anybody who wants to fly the PDP flag should know that he is embarking on a liability, because PDP is a liability now.

It cannot fly and the exercise would be a bitter one.”

Also, Oshiomhole has received the Best Governor’s Award from the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT).

Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke and his Bauchi State counterpart, Isa Yuguda, were also honored for their contributions towards improving the welfare of teachers.

Minister denies disrupting April polls From Osagie Otabor, Benin

M

•From left: Leaders of the Ogoni 20, who were detained with the late Ken Saro-Wiwa: Mr. Nyieda Nasikpo, Mr. Micheal Doghala and Mr. Samuel Asigna, at a news conference on their demand for compensation from the Federal Government in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital...yesterday PHOTO: NAN

Southsouth leaders seek protection for oil communities T HE Southsouth Elders and Leaders Forum has urged the Federal Government to make laws that would protect oil producing communities.

The leaders said oil companies are taking away the wealth of the area without thinking about the welfare of the people, who have continued to live in poverty.

In a statement in Abuja yesterday, its Chairman, Chief Edwin Clark, said the Federal Government is over indulging oil companies in the Niger Delta.

Citing Ugborodo community in Delta State as an example, Clark said the community is suffering from

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

“long neglect, discrimination, dehumanisation, marginalisation and erosion caused by Chevron.”

He said Chevron has jettisoned its agreement with former Delta State Governor James Ibori, to build a new town for the people.

Clark said: “What is happening in Ugborodo community today is being replicated all over the Niger Delta by the operations of other oil companies.

“These oil companies be-

lieve that their partnership with the Federal Government has given them a licence to destroy and neglect the welfare of oil producing communities in the Niger Delta.

“For instance, minor contracts meant for the host communities have been given to contractors, who operate outside the host communities. This is part of the agitation of the people of Ugborodo community.

“There is no drinking water, electricity, good school

and proper health centre in the community, and their fishing and farming occupation have been destroyed.

“Erosion has almost eaten into the heart of Ugborodo, but Chevron barricaded only its enclave.

“The people can no longer tolerate this dehumanising discrimination and that is why they are demonstrating against Chevron to sustain their survival.

“Chevron fraudulently obtained awards in the United States for excellent community development activities in the Niger Delta, particularly in Escravos and the Benin River, whereas the opposite is the case.”

Sylva gives teachers cars, cash

T

HE Bayelsa State Government has donated N500, 000 to teachers in each of the eight local government areas that participated in the march past marking the World Teachers’ Day on Wednesday.

Governor Timipre Sylva approved two official cars for the National Union of Teachers (NUT). He said the vehicles would be delivered to the union’s secretariat next week.

He also directed the Ministry of Works and Trans-

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

port to repair the road that leads to the Teachers’ House in Yenizue-Gene, Yenagoa, the state capital.

Sylva said the Chairman of the State Primary Schools Board is working on the non-payment of three years arrears, promotions and annual increment of primary and Junior Secondary School teachers.

He directed the Commissioner for Education, Prof.

Tuemi Asuka, to set up a committee to look into

other issues raised by the teachers.

The governor said his administration would build two model primary schools in each of the eight local government areas and an international model secondary school in each of the three senatorial districts.

He said the projects would begin after the rainy season.

Sylva said: “The focus of my administration is to develop the capacity of teachers, so as to improve their

quality of teaching.”

Asuka urged teachers to partner the government in improving the sector.

NUT Chairman Alabo Eriware thanked the governor for accepting to pay the N18,000 minimum wage and urged him to implement it soon.

Dr. Juliana Asodike of the University of Port Harcourt spoke on the theme of the celebration: “Teachers for gender equality.”

She urged teachers to effect gender equality in schools.

INISTER of Works Mr. Mike Onolemenmen yesterday denied ordering soldiers to beat up Matthew Okuebo during the April National Assembly election in Edo State.

Onolemenmen was summoned to appear before the State Election Petition Tribunal over his alleged disruption of the elections in the petition filed by Chris Ebare of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

Ebare is challenging the election of Friday Itulah of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Onolemenmen denied the allegation. He said: “I never ordered the beating of anybody. The allegation of Okuebo is false. The election was free, fair and the

•Onolemenmen

best I have witnessed in Nigeria.

“Even though I am a PDP leader, there was no expectation that I must deliver my unit by all means. After all, in 1999, former President Olusegun Obasanjo lost in his ward and unit, but later became President.”

Itulah denied allegations that he lured voters with money.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to inform the General Public that Alhaji Saliu Moshobalaje Olubuade is the owner of the property situate at No.11, Attan Street, Yaba/Surulere, Lagos by virtue of Certificate of Occupancy registered at the Lagos State Land Registry as No. 37 on page 37 in volume 1983M. It is to inform the General public further that the Certificate of Occupancy with respect to the property got lost and all effort to locate it proved abortive hence dealing or transaction with respect to the property is invalid, and null and void.

Signed: Alhaji Saliu Moshobalaje Olubuade.

PUBLIC NOTICE ZION-KEEPERS HIV/AIDS COUNSELING AND PREVENTION CENTER The general public is hereby notified that the above organization Zion-keepers has applied for registration with the corporate affairs commission, Abuja under part C of the companies and Allied Matters Act No. of . 1990.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES ARE 1.

MRS. VERONICA SIGALO 2.

MR. T.B. TORNWINI 3.

VERY-SARO MARCUS TORNWE 4.

MRS. TARRY NYENGIWARI 5.

MR. LOVEDAY IMEAH AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1) Training and empowering youths through skill acquisition programme 2) Giving moral and material care and support to vulnerable and physical challenge people in the society 3) Health materials, free medical services mostly on Hiv/Aid and malarial treatment in compliance with MDGs 4) To educate on preventive measure against Hiv/Aids.

Any objection thereto should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs commission, Wuse, Zone5, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED:VERONICA SIGALO.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

60

FOREIGN NEWS

Biya set for victory in Cameroonian polls

C

AMEROON president, Paul Biya, on course to win Sunday’s election, will use a new term to try to build a favourable legacy to his decades in power with major construction projects, and to anoint a successor, analysts say.

During his 29-year rule, Biya has kept the central African oil-producer on a relatively stable path in a volatile region — although critics say sometimes at the expense of democracy.

The one-round vote comes just weeks after a smooth handover of power in Zambia showed that Africa can deliver peaceful political change through the ballot box. But Biya, 78, looks set to remain one of the continent’s dwindling clutch of rulers with decades of power to their name.

“We feel that it is likely he will stand and win the election before managing a midterm handover of power — provided a deterioration in his

•Biya

health does not necessitate a more rapid and potentially volatile handover,” Roddy Barclay, London-based analyst at Control Risks consultancy, said.

Opposition to boycott parliament in Serra Leone

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IERRA Leone’s two opposition political parties say they’re boycotting the opening of parliament.

Both parties say they won’t take part in today’s session unless the ruling party investigates reports of political violence going back two years.

Sierra Leone is preparing to hold presidential and legislative elections next year. Already political rallies have descended into violence,

leaving a top opposition presidential candidate seriously wounded.

Julius Maada Bio, who ruled the West African nation briefly in 1996 after a military junta seized power, is facing incumbent President Ernest Bai Koroma.

Tens of thousands were killed in Sierra Leone’s 1991-2002 civil war. Koroma was elected in 2007 in the first presidential vote after the withdrawal of U.N. peacekeepers.

Tributes to Apple ‘visionary’ Steve Jobs

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ORLD and business leaders have paid tribute to Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, who has died at 56 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

United States President Barack Obama and Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev said Mr Jobs had changed the world.

Microsoft’s Bill Gates said it had been “an insanely great honour” to work with him.

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg remembered his “mentor and friend”.

The Twitter microblog site struggled to cope with the traffic of tributes.

Apple itself said Mr Jobs had been “the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives” and had made the world “immeasurably better”.

Thousands of celebrities and ordinary people went on Facebook, Twitter and

YouTube to record their tributes and memories of the man behind products such as the iPod, the iPhone, the iPad. Thousands of people all over the world have also been attending Apple stores to leave flowers, notes, and apples with a bite taken from them to mimic the company’s logo.

Apple’s leading rivals such as Microsoft, Google, Sony and Samsung all chipped in with glowing tributes.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

61

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

62

SPORT EXTRA

Kick off time not an excuse, Osaze tells mates S

UPER Eagles’ striker Osazee Odenwingie has advised his colleagues not to use the timing of the match 2pm against Guinea as an excuse not to put up a brilliant show on Saturday.

He told Nationsports that the weather would have little or no effect on the team's performance "Nigerians should forget the weather problems for now, as we are not coming from winter, afterall many of us played here be-

From Andrew Abbah and Patrick Nwaogu, Abuja fore we went abroad, so we have to adjust immediately, because we have been in this kind of situation before. We have no option than to do the willing of the people, that is

winning and winning convincingly". He said that is is the desire of all the players to be at nations cup next year, and for them to do that, they must first beat the Guineans. He promised to score a goal if the opportu-

nity, comes, but would prefer to work for the general success of the team. He said that the older players would have to strive very hard to carry the younger ones along in the game for a maximum success to be recorded.

Fengor, Efe line up to replace Okonkwo

F

ENGOR Ogude and Efe Ambrose are in line to take up the Super Eagles' right-back position, with Chibuzor Okonkwo looking increasingly unlikely to feature against Guinea.

Okonkwo reported to camp with a groin injury which has kept him out of action for Heartland, and has failed to train with the group since reporting.

The Heartland man faces a race against time to be fit but looks to be losing the battle.

As a contingency, Samson Siasia and his coaches have tried out out Ogude and Efe Ambrose as options during training.

Ambrose has developed a successful partnership with captain Joseph Yobo in the centre of defence, and if he moved out wide, Dele Adeleye is the likely option to slot in in his place.

Ogude stood out impressively during last month's international friendly against Argentina, giving the coaches a midfield selection headache.

His shunting to right back could ease some of those worries, but it is a headache assistant coach Simon Kalika says the coaches are happy to have "It is better to have a number of good players in one position because it creates good competition.

"Now we have players fighting hard because if they dont do well in training, they wont play."

S

P

RESIDENT of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Distinguished Senator David Mark will be special guest of honour at Saturday’s 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifying cracker between Nigeria and Guinea at the National Stadium, Abuja.

The country’s Number Three Citizen, an ardent fan of the Super Eagles, was leader of the Federal Government delegation to the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa, and accompanied President Goodluck Jonathan to meet the players and officials at the Protea Hotel Wanderers in Johannesburg on the eve of their opening match of the tournament against Argentina.

Also expected at the big occasion on Saturday afternoon are Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Aminu Tambuwal, Governors of Bayelsa, Delta and Nasarawa States, cabinet ministers, senators, members of the House, the Inspector General of Police and other highlyplaced Nigerian political and business leaders.

The Nigeria Football Federation has also invited the three children of deceased

Eagles’ legend Mudashiru Babatunde Lawal who are based in Nigeria. Olatunde, Bolanle and Abosede MudaLawal will all be part of the crowd cheering the Eagles to qualify for the African Cup of Nations, 31 years after their father scored the final goal that nailed Algeria and handed Nigeria her first Cup of Nations trophy.

It is part of the honour the NFF is giving to the former midfield maestro, having invited his wife and two children based in London to the international friendly against Ghana in August. The match was eventually cancelled as a result of the riots in London at that time.

Officials confirmed on Thursday that security personnel have been instructed to treat ticket-holding spectators with courtesy and avoid molesting anyone, as “football is a game of joy and there should be friendliness in the way we treat the fans”, according to NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles confront Guinea’s Syli Nationale as from 2pm for a place at the 2012 African Cup of Nations scheduled for Equatorial Guinea and Gabon early next year.

Guinea captain doubtful for Nigeria clash

G • Osaze

We’ll come all out—Nsofor

O

BINNA Nsofor has given a recipe on how the Super Eagles would triumph on Saturday.

Speaking exclusively to Nationsports in Abuja, the former Enyimba International of Aba player said "for us to win that match we need to come all out on the Guineans right from the first blast of the whistle.

We need to play them the way way we played against the Argentines here in Abuja.

I thank God that we have an attack mindede team, and everyone is itching to go. If

From Patrick Ngwaogu, Abuja we bombard from the first balst of the whistle, there is no way they would crumble.

We know them in and out, and I don't think anything has changed from the team we played in Conakry.

will be taking nothing for granted.

“Everyone is ready. We are not underrating anybody and because we know how important the game is, we will be giving our all,” Obasi told SuperSport.com.

The TSG Hoffeinheim man knows that the tide could easily change if the players fail to achieve the result desired by Nigerian fans on Saturday.

“Qualifying (for the Africa Cup of Nations) is extremely important for Nigerians and we know the fans will be disappointed if we

Thank God we are playing at home, they had their own chance at their home, it our own chance now". He promised Nigerians that he would surely score a goal in the encounter, enable Nigeria book a place in the Nations Cup.

Utaka craves more playing time

S

UPER EAGLES striker Peter Utaka has appealed to the technical crew of the senior national team to give him more playinmg time to enable him

We won’t underrate Guinea — Obasi UPER EAGLES forward, Chinedu Obasi says there will be no room to underrate their opposition, the Syli Nationale of Guinea in the Afcon qualifier in Abuja on Saturday.

Nigeria trail Guinea by three points in 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying but a 1-0 victory will see the Super Eagles book a place to next year’s Afcon finals in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

Bookmakers expect Nigeria to win easily on Saturday but Obasi says the players

David Mark to lead support for Eagles

fail to achieve the result they want in Abuja.

“We can’t let them down and we know we have to win,” he said.

Obasi who scored in Nigeria’s 1-3 defeat to Argentina in Dhaka, Bangladesh on September 6, also gave an insight on the mindset of his teammates.

“There is a whole lot of positive energy in the team and we just have to take it into the game on Saturday,” he said.

The Nigeria versus Guinea game will kick off from 2pm on Saturday.

From Patrick Ngwaogu, Abuja perfectly prove himself in the team.

Speaking exclusively with Nationsports in Abuja, the bulky forward said "I am happy and grateful to the technical crew for considering me worthy to be in the team.

The few times I have played, I have been able to to justify my invlusion, all I am appealing for now is that I should be given more playing time to enable me justify my inclusion. I need to score more goals for the team, and thereby making my countrymen happy.

The support of Nigerians have been very over willing, and one have to strive to make them happy always". On the match against Guinea, the junior Utaka said much is expected from the Super Eagles, but they would surely come out victorious at the end.

UINEA captain Kamil Zayatte picked a groin injury on Thursday during training session and may be sidelined for Group B decider against Nigeria in the final match of the 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifiers taking in Abuja on Saturday.

The Syli National coach Frenchman Michel Dussuyer told reporters in Paris on Thursday before the delegation left for Nigeria that the former RC Lens and Hull City defender remained doubtful but that fin-

gers were crossed for a speedy recovery.

Zayatte took treatment at a hospital in France after Thursday’s injury which complicated an earlier pain he had been nursing.

The two teams are vying for a spot in next year’s showpiece, with Guinea leading the group on 13 points and Nigeria second placed with 10.

The Syli National humbled the Super Eagles 1-0 in the reverse fixture played in Conakry a year ago.

Glo urges Eagles to go for outright victory

T

ELECOMMUNICATION giant, Globacom has urged the National team, the Super Eagles to go for outright victory when they clash with Syli stars of Guinea on Saturday in an all important 2012 African Nation’s cup qualifier in Abuja.

The company which gave this advice in Lagos also encouraged the Eagles to approach the game with full concentration and go for early goals which it believes will give the team the necessary confidence to win the match.

Globacom exhorted the players to be focussed throughout the duration of the game and adhere strictly to the game plan in order to ensure outright victory.

The company therefore appealed to the team to win the match and pick the group ticket to the next African cup of nation’s competition, thus increasing appearance record of the Super Eagles which dates back to 1988.

The Super Eagles with ten points presently occupies the second position in Group B while the Syli Stars of Guinea tops with 13 points. Nigeria needs an outright victory to qualify for the tournament.

The next African Cup of Nations will be jointly hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea in January 2012.

Globacom is the major partner of Nigeria Football Federation and the official sponsor of all National teams of Nigeria.

Milo football clinic kicks off Oct. 15

T

HE second in the series of the Peter Rufai moderated Milo football clinic has been scheduled to kick off in Enugu on October 12 through to the October, 15th, Corporate Affairs Manager, of Nestles foods, Dr. Samuel Adenekan has revealed.

This year’s edition of the clinic which will be taken round the country is tagged ‘more than just football’ and is already the talk among kids

footballers across the country.

Just like the first edition, Dr. Adenekan promised that the second in the series of the catch them young programme will be more exciting and more rewarding for the participants.

The event has also been expanded to reach out to more champions in different parts of Nigeria and thus will see children from Ilorin and Lagos also being part of the campaign.

THE NATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

63

SPORT EXTRA

I dread playing in front of Nigerians—Joel Obi S

UPER Eagles’ jewel Joel Obi has revealed that it is always intimidating playing in front of the ever passionate Nigerian fans.

According to him, there is always a sort of of pressure whenever one is putting on the national team jersey.

He said that that pressure

would have to be subdued on Saturday if they were to win the match against the Guineans.

"This is our job, we don't have any other job that playing this game. If winning always is what will bring joy to Nigerians, we have no option than to do that". He did not wave off the opposition of the rampag-

ing Guineans, but believe that they have all it takes to triumph on that day "I hope for the best, and the best of the team".

He was full of appreciation to Nigerians for the support they have given to him thus far, promising to put in his best in all his games.

Our game needs TV coverage—Baraje

C

HIEF Coach of Dolphins FC, Zachary Baraje has voiced his sentiments on the upcoming Nigeria Premier League (NPL) game between Sunshine Stars and Dolphins.

Both clubs are currently ensconced at the summit of the log with 64 points from 34 matches and most believe the encounter which takes place at the Gateway International Stadium, Ijebu Ode has the makings of a title decider.

Sunshine Stars have yet to lose at their home ground this term while Dolphins have racked up several decent results on the road.

With the big clash looming, something has got to give and Baraje is optimistic the winning streak of the league leaders will be snapped ‘if conditions are right’.

“We will not lose in Ijebu Ode. I am sure that if the conditions are right in that game, we will have a good chance of getting a good result,” Baraje told SuperSport.com.

The Dolphins trainer believes television will be a vital factor in the game urging ‘the authourities to see that the game is televised live’.

“I am urging the authourities to see that the game is televised live. If that is done, I am sure fairness will be the order of the day. “Nigerian football will be the winners as the two best teams in the country will display their best,” he said.

Dolphins have been Nigeria league champions on two occasions and Baraje believes a third title is within touching distance.

Maigari appeals for 90-minute support

P

RESIDENT of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari on Thursday made a special appeal to ball fans to support the Super Eagles for the entire duration of Saturday’s 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea.

“We hereby appeal specially to our fans to come to the Stadium with belief that the Super Eagles will win, and therefore support them from the first blast of the whistle to the last.

“It is important that we keep up the support all through the game and not waiver no matter what. The players themselves are determined to conquer and they also want to appear at the African Cup of Na-

tions.

“Some of them have played at the Cup of Nations while some have not. Those who have played at the Cup of Nations want to go and win it this time, and those who have not want to be there at the summit of African football. So, all the players are highly motivated.

“If we keep up the support for the entire duration of the game, their spirit will remain high and they will approach the match with positive mentality”, said Maigari.

Maigari and other members of the NFF Executive Committee visited the players and officials at their Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja on Thursday afternoon.

Kwara United beat sEnyimba 2-1

K • Joel Obi

WARA UNITED of Ilorin defeated Enyimba 2-1 in a rescheduled Nigeria Premier League (NPL) game played at the Ilorin Township Stadium on Thursday.

Segun Atere opened scoring for the Afonja Warriors in the 23rd minute of the game to ensure the host end the first half with a goal lead.

Beach Eagles' captain, Isiaka Olawale then made a good return to the team as he doubled the lead with a superb strike in the 75th minute to send the Ilorin fans into a wild jubilation. But Ifeanyi Ede reduced the tally for the Peoples’ Elephant in the 89th

By Akeem Lawal minute to end the game in a respectable scoreline.

In a chat with NationSport, Olawale said “I’m happy to have scored today (yesterday) after being away from the team due to my national assignment. It was not an easy game I must tell you, but credits must be given to my team mates for putting up such a great performance against the current champions. Though we are not in contention for the league crown again this season, this win is to assure our fans that we will end the league on a creditable position”, he said.

www.thenationonlineng.net

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

TOMORROW IN THE NATION

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM VOL. 7,

OR I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.” Matt 25:35-36 The past few months have been eventful on the national stage. Our airwaves and newspapers during this time have been filled with tales of woe, Boko Haram, kidnappings, tenure elongation and judicial mayhem- all echoes of a nation lost in the wilderness. In the Pacesetter State, however, there is a quiet revolution in form of a new governance paradigm exemplified by the Oyo State Free Health Mission, and initiative of the Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

At the launching of the Free Health Mission in Ibadan North Local Government, I watched the Governor, visibly overwhelmed at the scale of human need spread out before him, as the leader of the Health Mission Team took him around the venue. Thousands listened to him as he spoke in measured terms about the resolve of his administration to cater for the welfare of the people in quantifiable ways. He promised a continuation of the missions throughout his tenure, even as he indicated a determination to rebuild the tattered primary health care system.

The crowd was a sight to behold as they surged forward to catch a glimpse of the man who provided them with life-saving opportunities but more importantly for them, to access the source of their need-satisfaction. They sang the praises of the governor and prayed long and hard for the success of his programs and for his wellbeing.

There were many elderly men and women who had to literally be carried into the venue.

Those that could walk did so with painful measured steps, resting occasionally on their walking sticks. Many were legally blind as could be ascertained from their blank stares and misted over eyes. The scene was biblical in scale and made one wonder how all these people survived on a daily basis without access to affordable medical services. It was clear that this Free Health Mission was a panacea long in coming.

Back at the office, the Governor issued a directive to all his commissioners and aides to visit every health mission, particularly those in their own local governments. This, he indicated, was in continuation of his ongoing internal program to transform the attitudes and orientation of those working with him. He wanted those working with him to see, touch and feel the people and see how easy it was to impact them in concrete life-affirming ways totally different from the usual construct of cash and carry politics.

By the end of a grueling 11-day schedule that marked the first phase of the program, the 107 member Health Mission Team had treated almost 65,000 people including general medical patients, eye patients, dental patients and reproductive healthcare patients.

This is not a fluff piece to praise or highlight the Governor and his achievements. Rather, it is intended as a discourse on the meaning of

“F

RIPPLES PROPOSED REMOVAL OF SUBSIDY: NIGERIANS DARE FED GOVT

Infact...a TRIAL WILL CONFUSE YOU

NO. 1906

‘It won't be long before Nigeria gets into the Guinness Book of World Record as a place where local government councilors earn more money as politicians than the David Camerons and Barack Obamas of this world! Isn't it intriguing that what shocks in other climes fascinates here?’

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

SEGUN GBADEGESIN gbadegesin@thenationonlineng.net

Life more abundant

•Some participants at the event

public service and why each and every one of us must take a lesson from the success of the Health Mission of Senator Ajimobi and re-examine our attitudes to our fellow human beings. Politicians especially have a responsibility to demonstrate the virtue of integrity: a consistent affirmation in action of what is declared in words. Our conduct in office must match our words on the campaign trail.

Senator Ajimobi likes to say at every opportunity that “the highest form of Godliness is service to humanity”. In this vein he subscribes to the principles of the old prophets of all faiths.

For instance, it is known that Jesus Christ enumerated the conditions for entrance into paradise to include caring for the sick, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and sheltering the homeless.

In other words, relentlessness and

By Muyiwa Gbadegesin skillfulness in prayers or frequency of church attendance alone will not save anyone. As Jimmy Cliff puts it, you are a liar if you claim to love God but hate your brother. And there is no deeper hatred of brothers and sisters and fellow citizens when they entrust you with their votes to promote their interest and you renege on your side of the bargain.

Public officers must measure their success in the number of lives they touch on a daily basis and on the enduring nature of that ‘touch’. As such, education and healthcare must be a priority because these social services make lives and save lives.

My own interest in the health of the elderly has a personal history behind it and it is beside the trite observation that the youth of today shall be elders of tomorrow. In the year 2005 I

MY VIEW

YOMI ODUNUGA

visited the grave of my beloved grandmother for the first time since she passed in 1997.

Alice Moriyeba Gbadegesin was a simple woman. Throughout her life she cared about the welfare of her only son, Segun and his five children whom she doted on all her life. Mama was a constant in our lives growing up. She would help us get ready for school and then wait all day on the veranda for us to arrive on foot from school; following which she would coo and cluck over us, prepare our favourite dishes, watch over us lovingly as we ate and refuse to allow us to wash our own plates as was the rule in our disciplinarian household.

Mama’s last days would have been very different had brutish politics not forced my dad and the entire family to stay in exile while Mama felt alone in the world. While she was with us at Ife, she had access to the best medical care. Gradually, dictators who ruled with impunity watched as the health sector deteriorated and hospitals were turned into mortuaries. In my grandmother’s case, it was not a question of resources. My parents ensured that resources were made available for her care by relatives. But the system frustrated the best intentions of folks.

Had there been political leaders with a caring attitude who were concerned about the welfare of the people, my grandmother would be alive today. I saw many Moriyebas among the crowd as I followed the Health Mission from town to town and it gladdened my heart that their lot would be different.

Such heart-wrenching stories like that of Mama will become a thing of the past in Oyo State with the new agenda set forth by the Administration of Senator Abiola Ajimobi. I am personally convinced that the Senator is a man of our times, a man of the people. For someone to truly get it and understand that politics is only useful when you serve the people directly and beneficially, that man must be a caring and thoughtful man. It is my hope that every good citizen of Oyo State will join hands and hearts with Senator Ajimobi and join in the march to a life more abundant.

•Gbadegesin is Special Adviser to Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi •For comments, send SMS to 08057634061

•Hardball returns next week

And yet, PDP will produce more Salamis

M

ARTIN Luther King Jnr. once said: “I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in

reality. That is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant”.

It is on this note that one would like to console oneself on the current travails of Justice Isa Salami, the suspended president of the Court of Appeal.

One had watched with both vexation and caution since the persecution of this courageous judge started; vexation because the whole scenario had pointed at the fact that our nation was still not getting out of the woods democratically, fervently as we desire a stable democracy; vexation because the potential absolute rulers amidst us still have the nerve to brazenly molest the democrats despite the recent gains.

One had been cautious because Justice Ayo Salami, being human, could truly have been overzealous or less dispassionate in exercising courage while adjudicating the governorship election appeals in respect of Ekiti and Osun states.

If Justice Ayo Salami had been caught napping with call logs, he would, of course, have been blamed for playing into the hands of the ACN opponents and the sympathy for him would have dropped, perhaps.

For this writer, however, it would still have been praises for him all the same, whatever would have become his penalty, the reason being that I was an eye-witness to the magnitude of election rigging that took place in Ekiti State in 2007 at least, if I wasn’t privileged to witness same in Osun.

This was apart from the woeful, open, desperate reversal of democratic norms perpetrated by the Ekiti State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Chief (Mrs) Akoya Adebayo, in the 2009 rerun governorship election.

If presiding Chairmen and judges of election

By Jide Oguntoye tribunals had passed such polls as fairly won by PDP as it were, somebody ought to have been searching for their call logs too, long before former Governor Segun Oni and his co-tormentors stumbled on the tricky idea!

Without being immodest, it was the wanton electoral malpractices that greeted the 2007 governorship election in Ekiti State which inspired my book: “Dancing Naked Again”, which Macmillan published in 2009, the year we were to watch Mrs. Adebayo’s show of electoral shame.

So, if anyone would have my type of personal conviction about the falsehood of the PDP’s victory, he would be doing more than search for judges’ call logs. He would reverse the counterfeit victory if in a position to do so.

The National Judicial Commission with the out-gone CJN as its Chairman had acted vindictively by entertaining, with fanfare, the futile petition of former Governor Segun Oni against the PCA over some call logs that were neither pleaded nor admitted in court in the course of the appeal proceedings.

The NJC with its chairman was obviously out to victimise the PCA for his judgments in the appeals of ACN in Ekiti and Osun states and for his guts in rejecting his deployment to the Supreme Court by the CJN, an action which the PCA said was reactionary to an earlier rebuff given to the CJN’s intervention in the Sokoto governorship appeal.

In the absence of vested interests, the CJN and JCN would have prevented the judicial embarrassment later witnessed if they had had the courage not to intervene in the Sokoto case and the courage to inform former Governor Oni that his petition was belated.

Now, would a proof of clandestine phone calls between Justice Ayo Salami and ACN chieftains

really have been used to revisit or reverse the verdict of a final appellate court when Nigeria does not run as autocracy? If the petition, an obvious after-thought, was not going to make a difference in the concluded case why entertain it with such dramatisation in the first place.

We are bound to ask some salient questions: Wasn’t the truth of this matter that Justice Isa Ayo Salami resisted the attempts by the PDP in Ekiti and Osun to influence his judgments? The PDP should come out and swear that it never tried to reach Justice Salami over the appeal cases, by phone call or in any other way.

Again, wasn’t the truth of the matter that the out-gone Chief Justice of Nigeria the pliable type whose weakness was to compromise the independence of the judiciary at the little threat to his job or his retirement benefits; the type who would constitute himself into a superseding authority with superior jurisdiction over the courts and tribunals, who would welcome all shades of frivolous petitions and treat them as weightier than the issues before the courts?

We were aware of the fact that the PDP felt that Justice Ayo Salami “embarrassed the party in Ekiti and Osun states” and had thought the issue was a matter of law and judgment - RULE OF LAW - rather than partisan sentiments. The lesson the PDP should learn today is in the Martin Luther King’s saying above.

The party’s usually very raw, crude exercise of power has been too irritating to well-meaning Nigerians and it is setting the party far behind in the nation’s race for stable, credible democracy.

If the party had believed it could continue to maintain its size by these crude means, it would be surprised to succeed only in producing more and more men of courage like Justice Ayo Salami, within and outside the Judiciary, who would rescue Nigeria from the party’s iron-fisted grip.

It is a prediction.

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