Sep 10, 2013

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Itsekiri insist Olu of Warri must go

Protests over Anglican Bishop’s kidnap

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NEWS Page 57

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•Protesters block East/West Road www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 8, NO. 2602 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

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Forum alleges plot to remove Amaechi From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

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HE Rivers Peoples Forum (RPF) alleged yesterday that there is a plot for minority lawmakers to remove Rivers State Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi from office.

Thereafter, the RPF alleged, Amaechi, who had a running disagreement with President Goodluck Jonathan before joining six other governors to form the new Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), will be put on trial on “phantom charges” .

In a statement by Charles Bekwele on behalf of the RPF, the socio-political group alleged that a “certain interest within the Presidency” is working to illegally and unconstitutionally remove Amaechi by giving him what is code named “the Alamieyeseigha treatment”.

Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, a former governor of Bayelsa State, was removed from office by minority members of the House of Assembly in 2005. He fled abroad but returned and was put on trial and jailed

•MINE: Serena Williams holds the trophy as she celebrates her win over Victoria Azarenka of Belarus during their 2013 US Open women's singles final match in New York City.

Continued on page 4

Anenih to Jonathan: state your 2015 ambition now IBB may pull out of peace talks over Asari-Dokubo’s threats

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan is to decide his political future at the end of this month – if he accepts a piece of advice from a party chieftain.

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

(PDP), Chief Tony Anenih, on Sunday night told Jonathan to make his intention towards the 2015 presidential election known to Nigerians at the end of this month or “as we enter

CBN hails investment in Chinese currency

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IGERIA’S investment of foreign reserve in the Chinese currency, Renminbi, has paid off handsomely, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said yesterday.

The apex bank also said that the economy is strong.

Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the bank’s helmsman, spoke at the Regional Course on Optimising Reserves and Foreign Exchange Management for Income Generation.

It was organised by the West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM) in Abuja.

From Nduka Chiejina, Abuja

He said: “The CBN, two years ago, took the strategic decision to diversify the reserve base by investing in Renminbi and it has paid off because in the last two years, Renminbi has been appreciating.”

Sanusi was represented by CBN Deputy Governor (Operations) Mr. Tunde Lemo.

Lemo said: “Before now, people thought only currencies of the OECD economies were good enough, that is the euros, the dollars, the Japanese Yen and so on and so Continued on page 4

October”.

Anenih spoke during the PDP post convention dinner at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja. He said that taking such a decision was necessary towards giving the party a proper direction.

The dinner, which was earli-

er scheduled to hold immediately after the special convention, was postponed due to the splitting of the party. Seven governors - Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Abdulafatah Ahmed (Kwara), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Aliyu Wammako (Soko-

to) and Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) – walked out of the venue with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to form a parallel executive for the “new PDP”.

Before the new group named its executive, including NaContinued on page 4

INSIDE •Baraje’s faction elects NWC members •Osun PDP suspends erring members •Baraje faction’s office still locked •Kaduna backs ‘New PDP’ •PAGES 2,3,4,10&58 •Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun cutting the tape to inaugurate the 150 new Igba Otun Metro Taxis in Abeokuta ...yesterday. With him are his wife, Olufunso, Deputy Governor Segun Adesegun,Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Suraj Isola Adekunbi as well as the Onipokia of Ipokia, Oba Rauf Adetunji Adeole and the Olu of Imasai, Oba Gbadebo Adesola.

STORY ON PAGE 7

•OFFA POLL ‘FRAUD SHOULDN’T STAND’ P60 • STUDENTS PROTEST P60

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

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NEWS CRISIS IN PDP

Jonathan •Alake of Egbaland, Oba Michael Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo and his wife Tokunbo cutting the cake at the Grand House reception for Oba Gbadebo in Lagos...at the weekend. With them are (from left) Senator Olorumibe Mamora, Aremo PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA Olusegun Osoba and Bashorun Dele Momodu.

Daily, members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) opposed to President Goodluck Jonathan openly identify with the new PDP, writes OLUKOREDE YISHAU

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•MD/CEO Fidelity Bank Plc,Reginald Ihejiahi (third left) cutting the tape to commission the industrial boreholes donated to the Nigerian Police Commission Legico Barracks. With him are AIG Zone 2 Mamman Ibrahim Tsafe (second right)and representatives of the leadership of the Army 81 Division and NAF Camp.

•From right: Festus Fatoye, immediate past President, Ikorodu Metropolitan Lions Club, Lookman Akamo, District Cabinet Secretary Johnson Efunkomaya and Dr. Joe Okei - Odumakin at a lecture of the club.

• From left: Andrea Calderwood (producer), Anika Noni-Rose (actress) Chiwetel Ejiofor (actor), Chimamanda Ngozi-Adichie (author, Half of a Yellow Sun), Biyi Bandele (director), Thandie Newton (actor) and Yewande Sadiku (Executive Producer) during the world premiere of 'Half of a Yellow Sun: The Movie' at the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto, Canada... on Sunday.

AMADI Sambo, until his emergence as vice-president, was governor of Kaduna State. For the years he was governor, the architect-politician was in control of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) apparatchik in the state.

It was like his words were law. His elevation seemingly did not change his influence within the party much.

Or so it seemed.

Evidence that Sambo’s grip on the party structure was not as strong as it seemed emerged yesterday when the Kaduna State chapter of the party split into two, with a faction declaring allegiance to the Abubakar Kawu Baraje group. It was like an uppercut for President Goodluck Jonathan, who on the same day had some of his kinsmen in Bayelsa State declaring support for the Baraje group.

The revolt against Jonathan and Sambo in Kaduna is championed by Audi Yaro Makama, a former chairman of the party, and Gideon Morik, a former member of the House of Assembly.

Makama is a close associate of former Governor Ahmed Makarfi, who is now a senator. Makama’s closeness to Makarfi has led to assumptions that the former governor may be the mastermind of the new faction. But, Makarfi’s spokesman, Mukthar Surajo, denied the involvement of the senator in the development.

The statement accused Sambo of decreasing the fortunes of the party in the state.

The faction, in a statement, said: “Fundamentally, this decision has been taken after deep reflections on happenings in Kaduna State since the elevation of Namadi Sambo as Vice President. It is instructive that since his elevation, the fortunes and prestige of the party in the state has been declining rather than improving, because he has been incapable of rallying the people under its umbrella.

“Although this is hardly surprising since he lacks the political wherewithal and the requisite structure to preside over the politics of the state, but it was expected that he would come to terms with his inadequacies and enlist the support of established political actors.

“This expectation has been a forlorn hope because the Vice-President has surrounded himself with political paperweights. These hangers-on drive Sambo’s vehicle of political exclusionism by hunting for enemies even where they don’t exist. All efforts by concerned party members and elders to make him see reason, as well as draw the attention of the sacked party leadership were in vain.

“In the last few weeks, a political Tsunami was unleashed on the nation

•Jonathan (second left), Sambo (left), Tukur and Chief Tony Anenih at the PDP’s postconvention dinner in Abuja...on Sunday.

PHOTO: NAN

with the emergence of a new leadership to pilot the affairs of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“The decision of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and seven governors elected on the platform of the party, is not only worthy of commendation but worthy of emulation.

“The PDP in Kaduna State, therefore, proudly and wholeheartedly identifies with the new leadership of the party, under Alhaji Kawu Baraje and follows in the footsteps of its sister chapters of Adamawa, Jigawa and Taraba States in setting up new leadership to give our party a new lease of life.”

The assault on the pro-Jonathan PDP from Bayelsa State is being spearheaded by Dr. Perekeme Richard Kpodoh, Timi Frank, a known ally of Atiku, Sir Tonye Okio, Alabo Martins, Chief Preye Agama, Ineye Okara, Braboke Stanley and Abel Oggboma.

In an advertorial congratulating Baraje and Olagunsoye Oyinlola, they said: “Let the old PDP of impunity and injustice pass away and a new dawn break over Nigeria with the new authentic PDP.” Oyinlola, in a statement announcing members of the faction’s National Working Committee (NWC), unfolded the faces of more foes of the president.

The NWC members are: Baraje (Chairman); Dr Sam Sam Jaja (Deputy National Chairman); Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, (National Secretary); Hon. Maode Umar Hiliya (Deputy National Secretary); Timi Frank (National Youth Leader); Binta Koje (National woman leader); Mallam Nasir Issa (National Organising Secretary); Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze (National Publicity Secretary); Hon. Wadada (National Financial Secretary); and Mallam Tanko Isiaku Gomna (National Treasurer).

The party’s chapters in Adamawa, Kano, Jigawa, Rivers and others have earlier been balkanised along the pro and anti-Jonathan line.

The party’s structure in Kano, whose governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, is one of the arrowheads of the new PDP, has slipped off the hands of the Tukur group. The commissioners and special advisers in the state pledged their loyalty to the Baraje group. They said this was in the interest of the country.

Kwankwaso has even been quoted as saying if efforts to reform the party failed, the faction would consider joining the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Another dimension to the crisis emerged yesterday when chairmen of

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

3

NEWS CRISIS IN PDP

… the foes’ list increases

•Baraje

Tukur: majority’ll have their way P

EOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman Alhaji Bamanga Tukur has said the majority would always have its way in the party.

He spoke at a meeting with state chairmen of the party yesterday in Abuja.

The meeting was shunned by chairmen from the seven states loyal to the Abubakar Baraje-led breakaway faction.

Besides the seven, ten others did not attend the meeting, where those present pledged their loyalty to President Goodluck Jonathan and Tukur.

States whose chairmen did not show up at the meeting are: Kano, Jigawa, Sokoto, Niger and Kwara. Also, factional chairmen loyal to Governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) and Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) were also absent.

Tukur told the gathering that only the PDP can guarantee Nigeria’s unity and unity in the African sub-region.

He added that there is hope for the nation under the Jonathan administration.

The chairman said no other party has a national spread like the PDP, adding that the chairmen were the managers of the party at the state level.

Tukur enjoined them to defend PDP’s interests at all times, saying: “It is possible to have dissidents and it is

Kaduna ‘PDP’ backs Baraje

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HE Kaduna State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is divided, it emerged yesterday.

A faction has declared support for the Abubakar Kawu Baraje-led national faction.

Former Chairman of the PDP in the state, Audi Yaro Makama and a former member of the House of Assembly, Gideon Morik said members of the party were joining the new PDP. Makama is a close associate of former Governor Ahmed Makarfi and it is widely being rumoured that the former governor has endorsed the action. But, Makarfi’s spokesman, Mukthar Sirajo, denied the involvement of the senator in the move.

Sirajo told The Nation : “Makama may be Makarfi’s friend, but they don’t always agree on some political issues. I have seen that statement and I tried to dissuade them from going ahead because I know it will lead to this type if insinuations.It is a delicate issue, but I can tell you that Makarfi has no hand in what is happening”.

The statement entitled “Kaduna joins Baraje-led PDP” reads: “Fundamentally, this decision has been taken after deep reflections on happenings in Kaduna State since the From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

also possible to have good men to defend what the party stands for.

“Today, no party in Nigeria has the spread like PDP. That means the people accept our party and that

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

elevation of Namadi Sambo as Vice-President. It is instructive that since his elevation, the fortunes and prestige of the party in the state has been declining rather than improving, because he has been incapable of rallying the people under its umbrella.

“Although this is hardly surprising since he lacks the political wherewithal and the requisite structure to preside over the politics of the state, but it was expected that he would come to terms with his inadequacies and enlist the support of established political actors.”

The statement added: “In the last few weeks, a political Tsunami was unleashed on the nation with the emergence of a new leadership to pilot the affairs of our great party, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).

“The decision of the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and seven governors elected on the platform of the party, is not only worthy of commendation but worthy of emulation.”

It was not clear whether the action has the blessing of the state executives of the party as efforts to reach them proved abortive.

means it is a big responsibility; hence the people believe there must be equity and justice.

“I am analogue, while you are digital. I will give you wisdom to tackle tomorrow. We believe that every member of the party has the right to

express himself. Majority will always have their way, while minority will have their say.”

In a communiqué issued by the state chairmen and signed by their leader, Mr. Emmanuel Agbo (Benue) and Makanjuola Ogundipe (Ekiti) they

declared support for Jonathan and Tukur.

The communique reads: “We believe in the structure of this party, we do not intend to have a disunited and fragmented party at the state and local levels.

“We are prepared to carry out the resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, while we shall ensure discipline and membership drive.

“In the spirit of our founding fathers, we will always welcome dialogue, lawful and peaceful coexistence in the PDP and in the nation. However, we do not believe in any approach that will stampede the smooth running of our great party especially so when external influence is being insinuated.

“As state chairmen, we stand in support of our national chairman and the entire members of the NWC and their commitment to reconciliation, rebuilding and repositioning of our great party.”

State chairmen present at the meeting were those of Benue, Ekiti, Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, Oyo, Cross River, Adamawa, Yobe, Kogi, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Nasarawa, Ondo, Lagos, Gombe, Ogun, Osun, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory.

Atiku to police: stay off partisan politics

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ORMER Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has urged the police to stay off partisan politics.

A statement by his media office yesterday urged the Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Abubakar to order his men to vacate the secretariat of the new Peoples Democratic Party (PDP. He said the police invasion of the party’s office has no justification in law, but was rather borne out of political control.

The statement reads: “While it is embarrassing that the police have yet to give a reason why they are laying siege to a political party office, the whole world knows these are acts prompted by unscrupulous politicians who do not even have the moral conscience not to involve the police in polithe party in the seven states whose governors joined the Baraje-led breakaway faction stayed away from a meeting with PDP Chairman, Alhaji

•Pro-chancellor to ex-vice president, others: leave PDP alone tics.

“This goes to the root of the current crisis within the PDP. What does it say to our citizens, who live daily with the fear of violence and kidnappings, that our police priority is raiding a political party office.

“I call on the leadership of the Nigerian Police, especially its Inspector General, to steer clear of political entanglements and immediately vacate our party offices. Our national law enforcement priority must be the safety and security of Nigerians, not

politics.

“A politically partisan police force sets a dangerous precedent, as they will be entrusted to supervise free and fair elections in the future.”

The Chairman of the Governing Council/Pro-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Dr. Emmanuel Enemuo, urged former Vice- President Atiku Abubakar and the seven governors loyal to the new Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to quit.

Enemuo, who spoke to reporters in Abuja yesterday, said the position of the ‘New PDP’ that PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur

must be removed for peace to reign was undemocratic.

He said: “My own take on the matter is this: if they no longer want to be in PDP, let them go, form their own party and meet PDP at the polling ground. If they want to pick their presidential candidate, let them go and nominate him and let him come for the general election.”

He said the bid to oust Tukur was aimed at checkmating President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 bid.

Enemuo said: “They are now telling Jonathan that ‘look, you remove Tukur and we’re still with you’. The target is Jonathan himself. I know that.

Bamanga Tukur. But, those present pledged their loyalty to Jonathan and Tukur.

States, whose chairmen were absent,

are: Kano, Jigawa, Sokoto, Niger and Kwara. Also, factional chairmen loyal to Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and Adamawa State Gover-

nor Murtala Nyako were also absent.

Tukur said only the PDP could guarantee the country’s unity, adding: “It is possible to have dissidents and it is

From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

The target is the presidential ticket of PDP. If Jonathan decides to run-and I hope he decides to run because he is one of the best things to have happened to this country- none of them has a chance.”

The PDP chieftain in Anambra State said Tukur was not a dictator.

“Before he assumed office, what happened in PDP was that the National Chairman would have his own candidate, National Secretary his own, and so on. But now, everything has been reduced to level-playing field.

They don’t like it.”

On the ongoing university teachers strike, he urged the Academic Staff Union off Universities (ASUU) to call off the strike. also possible to have good men to defend what the party stands for… Majority will always have their way, while minority will have their say.”

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THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

NEWS

•President Goodluck Jonathan cutting the tape to inaugurate the Defence Intelligence Agency Headquarters in Abuja...yesterday. With him from left are: National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, Chief of Staff, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Ibrahim, Chief of Defence Intelligence Maj. Gen. Sanni Audu and Minister of State, Defence, Mrs. Olusola Obada.

PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

Babangida may pull out of talks over Asari-Dokubo’s threats

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HE ongoing peace talks on the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may suffer a setback following plans by ex-President Ibrahim Babangida to pull out of the mediation over threats from a former Niger Delta warlord, Mujaheedin AsariDokubo.

Gen. Babangida was alleged to have described Asari-Dokubo’s threats as insulting to eminent leaders on the seven-man panel headed by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Asari-Dokubo at the weekend threatened violence should President Jonathan be stopped from contesting in 2015.

There was, however, pressure on Gen. Babangida last night to have a rethink.

Also, barring last-minute change of mind, some members of the Kawu Baraje faction of the PDP may be expelled from the party by the Bamanga Tukur faction.

The Tukur faction may dissolve State Executive Committees of the PDP in five states and hand the party structures to those loyal to

Baraje’s faction elects NWC members

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HE Abubakar Baraje faction of the Peoples Democratic Party yesterday ratified the election of its national officers.

Ahead of its reconvening today, there is however pressure on ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s Peace Team to sanction the G-7 governors and all those behind the Kawu Baraje-led New PDP. The list of the National Working Committee members was contained in a statement by its National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

The statement said: “Despite the security siege to its national secretariat, the Abubakar Baraje led Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), has ratified the election of its national officers.

“The stakeholders of the party across the country at a meeting in Abuja have ratified the election of members of its National Working Committee.

“The NWC members are: Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, (Chairman); Dr Sam Sam Jaja, (Deputy National Chairman); Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, (National Secretary); Hon. Maode Umar Hiliya (Deputy National Secretary).

“Others are Mr. Timi Frank (National Youth From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

President Goodluck Jonathan.

The states are Kwara, Kano, Jigawa, Sokoto, and Adamawa.

Babangida is said to be uncomfortable that while eminent leaders were making peace, Asari-Dokubo was threatening violence.

A top source, who spoke in

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja Leader); Hon Binta Koje, National woman leader; Mallam Nasir Issa (National Organising Secretary); Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze(National Publicity Secretary); Hon. Wadada (National Financial Secretary); Mallam Tanko Isiaku Gomna(National Treasurer).

“The positions of National Auditor and that of National Legal Adviser which are zoned to the South East and South West respectfully, will be announced soon.”

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The presidency is insisting on sanction against the rebellious members to serve as deterrent to others.

“But the elders are of the opinion that the party should adopt no victor, no vanquished policy to move forward.

“This demand for sanction will top the resumption of peace talks in Abuja when Obasanjo’s team reconvenes.”

CBN hails investment in Chinese currency Continued from page 1

forth. But today, there are emerging economies like in China, the Renminbi.”

The OECD countries are developed economies made up of 34 countries founded to stimulate growth and world trade. They are mainly European countries.

The CBN Deputy Governor added that African countries were not investing their reserves in the continent because they have currencies that are

Continued from page 1

National Secretary Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Deputy National Chairman Dr. Sam Jaja, the aggrieved governors had demanded Chairman Bamanga Tukur’s sack. They complained of lack of internal democracy in the party.

The dinner party on Sunday night was attended by those loyal to the Tukur-led PDP faction.

None of the aggrieved governors attended.

Some of the elders mediating in the crisis rocking the party, such as former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Military President Ibrahim Babangida were absent at the Villa dinner.

Anenih said: “I will appeal to our leader, the President of this country, that at the end of September or as we enter October, we should not tell anybody that the time is not right. I think the time is right. It is good that we tell our people where we are going to; what our journey will be like.”

Referring to the on-going reconciliatory efforts in the party, he said: “We must be seen as a team and not as a group”.

He acknowledged that there was a crisis in the party, but, according to him, all the disputes

will be settled. “We will not fire any shot but we will win the war,” Anenih said, adding: “We will not recognise opposition within PDP. We will work together as a team so that by 2015 we will come here again to shake hands. We stand for unity and discipline. Nobody will be spared if he behaves out of indiscipline. We will do everything to bring everybody together.”

President Jonathan has been telling his aides that his focus is working to justify his mandate, adding that 2015 is still far and he would not like to be distracted.

The popular thinking is that the party’s crises are all about who gets the ticket to run in 2015.

Jonathan is said to have signed an agreement to spend one term in office. His aides deny such an agreement was signed.

Stressing that the PDP is intact, President Jonathan told the gathering that what was going on in the party was a minor disagreement that would be resolved.

He said: “There is no human institution that you don’t have disagreements. What happened on that Saturday was a minor disagreement. In every society, there must be differences. There

Continued on page 58

Forum alleges plot to remove Amaechi

Continued on page 58

luck Jonathan and his second term ambition.”

The recent reported withdrawal of some of Amaechi’s security detail is said to be part of the grand plot.

“We were further compelled to alert the general public, Nigerians, the diplomatic community and the international community on this plot when we read a newspaper story that President Jonathan has completely ruled out settlement with Governor Amaechi but he’s ready for reconciliation with the six northern governors in the ‘new PDP’.

The group wondered “why Mr. President is ready and willing to settle and reconcile with six aggrieved northern governors in the ‘new PDP’, but has ruled out settlement and reconciliation with Amaechi, who is his brother from same Southsouth zone?

It then warned that “as the umbrella body of all Rivers (State) people both at home and in the Diaspora, we want to state categorically that Rivers people will not accept and will vehemently resist any attempt, any move to illegally, and unconstitutionally remove Governor Amaechi from office as the elected governor of Rivers State. We freely gave Governor Amaechi our votes and our mandate to serve as governor for four years and he must be allowed to serve out his four year term.

“For clarity and emphasis, we want to restate that any move to remove Governor Amaechi in any Kangaroo manner, not prescribed in the

In the “Who said what” back page column of our September 2 edition, the following statement was inadvertently attributed to Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) President Oshahon Enabulele: “I think the President must speak on this because the world is watching us that we don’t have respect for basic rules. How do we present a sick man as governor?...So, Suntai should resign. Certainly, he doesn’t need to be told.”

Someone else made the statement.

What the NMA President said is that the body is “deeply concerned with the anxiety and imbroglio occasioned by the fitness or otherwise of the governor of Taraba State, His Excellency, Pharm Danbaba Suntai.”

ADVERT HOTLINES: 08023006969, 08052592524 NEWSROOM: LAGOS – 01-8962807, ABUJA – 07028105302 COMPLAINTS: 01-8930678

confidence with our correspondent last night, said: “Babangida was upset by the alleged reckless comments from Asari Dokubo. He was also shocked that no one has called the ex-militant leader to order.

“The former Head of State may pull out of the ongoing peace talks instead of allowing anyone to mess up his ef-

forts.

“There is however pressure on him to ignore Asari-Dokubo’s threats or comments because he is not one of the parties to PDP crisis.

“The next 24 to 48 hours may determine Babangida’s position.”

Some members of the Kawu Baraje faction may be ex-

Continued from page 1

after being found guilty of corruptly enriching himself.

President Goodluck Jonathan, who served as his deputy when he was Bayelsa governor, granted him amnesty.

The RPF alleged that “the plan is to thoroughly embarrass and disgrace Governor Amaechi, which they believe will serve as a warning and deterrent to other ‘dissident’ governors and dissenting politicians within the PDP who are perceived or considered to be opposed to President Good-

Continued on page 58

Anenih to Jonathan: state your 2015 ambition now tional Chairman Kawu Baraje,

not internationally convertible.

He said: “It may take time before we begin to see African countries investing in other African currencies. But, at least economies like China, Australia, Canada, South Korea may begin to see an upsurge in investments because of the trajectory of their currencies.”

Lemo said: “The issue about risk is changing because of the dynamics of the global economy and, of course, you know pretty well that there are cur-

is no other party that can replace the PDP. It is only in the PDP they can grow.

“For those who have issues, we thank the elders and governors who have been meeting and listening to them, we are committed to resolving our differences.”

“We will resolve all our differences. PDP is intact and will remain intact. We will do everything to make sure the party grows stronger. Without PDP, there is no democracy in Nigeria. We will make sure that the party remains one, those who left will rejoin us.

“It is only PDP that has not changed name or form. We will do our best to keep PDP one, to keep Nigeria one”.

According to him, the dinner was part of his promise to create more opportunities for peri-

odic meetings and interaction among party members at all levels.

Assuring the newly elected leaders of the party of his support, he urged them to work as a team.

On the support for the party, he said: “Even ordinary Nigerians believe PDP must remain one because it is the only party that can continue to give leadership.Even those that are aggrieved call themselves the ‘new PDP’, meaning they know without PDP they are nothing.”

Vice President Namadi Sambo also said that the PDP had always provided leadership for others to emulate. He highlighted the government’s achievements in sectors of the economy.

Akwa Ibom State Governor and Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum Godswill Akpabio

said: “We want Nigerians to challenge us on performance, not on the pages of newspapers.

We want to assure you there is no faction in the PDP. What we are seeing today is just a storm in a tea cup.

“If you want to step out of the party you are free, this is the only party you can leave and return and become a national party chairman. The people are not with those who do not respect constituted authority. Those who do not respect authority will not get authority.”

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, speaking on behalf of Senate President David Mark, noted that the Senate is united and will continue to protect the interest of Nigerians and support President Jonathan’s administration.

CORRECTION

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THE NATION TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

NEWS

More funds coming for UBE, says Gordon Brown N IGERIA will benefit from a pool of $500 million fund to boost educational development and provide more resources for the Universal Basic Education (UBE), it was learnt yesterday.

A former British Prime Minister, Mr Gordon Brown, spoke during a meeting of Coalition Interventions to Support Access and Quality of Education in Nigeria, hosted by President Goodluck Jonathan at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Abuja.

Brown, who is the United Nations (UN) Special Envoy on Global Education, said several international agencies were showing keen interest to support basic education in Nigeria.

He said: “I have been talking to a number of agencies and our partners in development. I can now say that we have adopted the decisions that they have made. We have been able to contribute from the international community additional resources to support the development of the Universal Basic Educa-

•Jonathan orders schools’ censurs From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

tion in Nigeria. I talked to the Head of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and he has told me that he would raise the money; he is making available $100 million.

“I have also been able to talk to the Head of Global Partnership for Education and it will make available $100 million for the development of universal education. I have talked to the Head of the Development Commission for the European Union (EU). He said he would tell the Government of Nigeria to submit an application from time to time, for the next seven years will be devoted to education development in Nigeria. So, it’s up to the government to make the application.

“I (also) talked to the Head of Department of International Development of the United Kingdom. He said he

would be happy to entertain new application for private support of additional cash transfers from the individual states. He will visit Nigeria in January and would want to meet states that are interested in moving this forward.

“The Federal Government has earmarked $250 million for investment in education by the states. What we have managed to do, by talking to the agencies over the last few days, is to match that $250 million by the additional $250 million, making possible new investment of $500 million in education in Nigeria.

“I believe that additional cash transfers are for training, introduction of new technologies, which can now match the initiatives that have been taken by Alhaji Aliko Dangote from the business community and other initiatives among five agencies.”

President Jonathan reaf-

firmed his administration’s commitment to an effective implementation of policies and measures to give Nigerian youths quality education that will equip them with essential skills and competencies for employment.

To get the right figures of pupils in schools, the President directed the Federal Ministry of Education to conduct schools’ census in November.

He said: “It is important to underline that accurate information on school enrolments, especially at the basic and secondary levels, remains a serious challenge.

To aid proper planning and decision-making, It is necessary that we get the numbers right.

“I am, therefore, directing the Federal Ministry of Education to initiate an effective partnership with the states in conducting concurrent schools’ census across the states by November. This will complement the Nigeria Digest of Education Statistics: 2006-2010, which was produced by the ministry and launched in 2011.”

Suntai’s health: Falana gets court’s nod to compel AGF for information From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

FEDERAL High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday granted Lagos lawyer Mr Femi Falana (SAN) permission to apply for an order compelling the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Mohammed Adoke (SAN) to provide information on the health status of ailing Taraba State Governor Danbaba Suntai.

Justice Elvis Chukwu granted the permission when he ruled on an ex-parte motion Falana filed at the court.

The Lagos lawyer sought an “order of mandamus” compelling the AGF to give information on the mental and physical health of the governor.

The motion ex-parte was brought pursuant to Order 34, Rules 1 and 3 of the Federal High Court Rules 2009 and Section 20 of the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act 2011.

Justice Chukwu held that having gone through the processes that Falana filed, he was convinced that there was merit in them.

He adjourned till September 16 the hearing of the substantive suit.

In a supporting affidavit, Falana averred that his recourse to the court was informed by the AGF’s refusal to honour the request he made under the FoI Act, on August 27, for information on Suntai’s state of health.

The frontline lawyer prayed the court to declare that the AGF’s refusal to accede to his request “is illegal and unconstitutional as it violates Section 3 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011”.

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NUJ flays pension disparity

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HE B-Zone of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has decried the disparity in the pension being paid to journalists and other retirees in the Federal Civil Service.

The union, through its zonal Vice President, Mr Dele Atunbi, said the development was discriminatory and repugnant to equity and the principle of natural justice.

The zone described the situation as demeaning to human dignity and repulsive.

It urged the Federal Gov-

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

ernment to correct the anomaly.

The NUJ advised the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to set up a probe panel on the matter and punish those who have been short-changing retirees in Federal Government-owned media.

The union urged industrial unions in the media industry to show more interest in the affairs of their retirees by defending their rights with the law.

Kidnappers free ex-governor Audu’s brother From Muhammad Bashir, Lokoja

K •Frome left: Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu; Ekiti State Deputy governor, Prof Modupe Adelabu; Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and his Anambra State counterpart, Peter Obi, during a meeting with Mr Brown at the Presidential Villa, Abuja...yesterday

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N17b bond: EFCC quizzes ex-governor Saraki for two hours

OR two hours, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives quizzed yesterday former Kwara State Governor Bukola Saraki on why the state government secured N17 billion bond during his eightyear tenure.

He was also asked to explain why he allegedly negotiated to pay only N1.5 billion of the N3.3billion pension funds he inherited.

The EFCC sought to know why the N1.8 billion balance was unpaid to pensioners.

With yesterday’s development, the ongoing probe of Saraki has been widened to two more areas.

The former governor had been grilled on the failure of Societe Generale Bank (SGBN) in his previous appearance.

According to sources, Saraki got to the EFCC office in Abuja at about noon and left at 2pm.

A source in EFCC, who pleaded not to be named, said: “We asked the governor to make statement on

•How the cash was spent, by ex-governor From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

how the decision to secure bond was taken; whether it had the backing of the Kwara House of Assembly or not and what it was used for.

“Based on the petitions written to us, there were issues on N3.3 billion pension funds. Some aggrieved petitioners alleged that of the funds, only N1.5 billion was paid to pensioners.

They claimed that the pen-

sioners were forced to forgo N1.8 billion.

“Another matter we are investigating is the extent the state government has gone in building Kwara Shopping Mall.

“These are still issues under investigation. We cannot say if Saraki is guilty or not. At the appropriate time, we will brief Nigerians.”

A close aide of Saraki, however said his boss explained that he used the N17 billion fund for 15 key projects.

The source said: “The former governor made the EFCC to realize that the bond matter was approved by the state assembly and SEC which regulated and monitored how the funds were spent. At every stage of spending the regulatory agencies were briefed.

“What the funds were expended on are: International Aviation College, Kwara State University, Ilorin water distribution project, agricultural irrigation support project, Kwara Advanced Diagnostic Centre, loan refinancing, streetlight project, Ilorin Stadium project, Kwara Shopping Mall and rural roads.”

IDNAPPERS of Alhaji Ibrahim Abubakar, the younger brother of former Kogi State governor, Prince Abubakar Audu, have released him.

The businessman was reportedly released yesterday after his captors were paid N50,000.

Ibrahim was kidnapped two weeks ago by some armed men at his Ogbonicha hometown in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The police confirmed his release yesterday at a media briefing.

It was learnt that a man, identified as Abdullahi Mohammed, was arrested as an accessory to the crime.

The suspect was said to have received the ransom money before Ibrahim was released.

Acting Police Commissioner Augustine Ivabukun, a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), said the suspect was being interrogated while investigators are trailing the kidnappers.

FCTA demolishes 110 ‘illegal’ structures From Gbenga Omokhunu and Grace Obike, Abuja

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HE Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has demolished 110 illegal structures that that allegedly posed a security threat in Gaduwa District of the territory.

FCT Minister Senator Bala Mohammed spoke yesterday on the matter during the bi-weekly FCT Operations Briefing Session in Gwarinpa I District, Abuja.

The minister said the demolition was jointly carried with the police following an intelligence report.

A statement by the Assistant Director/Chief Press Secretary to the FCT Minister, Muhammad Hazat Sule, said Mohammed assured that the FCTA is would not toy with the security of lives and property of the residents.

EFCC won’t dabble in political issues, says Lamorde

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HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Ibrahim Lamorde yesterday said the commission would not be influenced by politics.

He urged the media to assist the anti-graft agency to prevent crooks from occupying political offices.

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

Lamorde made the appeal when he addressed reporters after the opening of a workshop on Reporting Economic Crimes organised by EFCC in Abuja.

He said the commission has not been engaging in selective investigations.

Lamorde said: “Our activities won’t be determined by who does what with the government. We are not going to be drawn into political issues. We are doing our job and we will continue to do our job. We want the understanding of journalists.”

He urged the media to complement the efforts of the

EFCC and other anti-graft agencies to stop corrupt elements from occupying political offices.

The EFCC chairman appealed to journalists to report the antecedents of corrupt aspirants to the nation.

He added: “At times, if you check the history of somebody - the background

- you will be able to write a story that he is not fit for a public office. Maybe he has a mental issue; maybe he was arrested as a youngster or he has been stealing in his secondary school. Perhaps he was sent out of school.

Maybe he was caught in his university for an offence.

There is a history.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

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‘How Ombatse killed 73 security personnel at Lakyo’

OW many security operatives were killed by the Ombatse militia group at Lakyo village in Nasarawa State on May 7?

Seventy-three security personnel comprising 63 policemen and 10 State Security Service (SSS) operatives died in the attack, it was revealed yesterday.

Twenty-eight security operatives were said to have survived the ambush.

This revelation was contained in the memorandum of the Nasarawa State Police Command, which was read before the Judicial Commission of Enquiry probing the incident in Lafia.

The report of the police, said to have been signed by the Nasarawa State Commissioner of Police (CP), was presented in “camera”.

According to our source, the submission was said to have been read

by Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Sam Ewa, who represented the CP. Of the 73 security personnel, who died, five were said to have been burnt beyond recognition.

It was learnt that the decision to deploy the security personnel in the village was taken and approved by the Nasarawa State Security Council.

It comprises the governor, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), heads of security agencies, key traditional rulers, among others.

It was further learnt that the mission of the security agencies was to seal off the Baba Lakyo shrine.

This, it was learnt, followed “intelligence report” said to have been at the disposal of the state government that the Ombatse militia group was allegedly carrying out “criminal activities and occult acts” there.

It was also learnt that the mission was a joint operation of the conventional police, SSS, Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) and a detachment of anti-riot policemen drawn from the Tiger Squadron 38 of the Mobile

•Commission bars media coverage of ‘security memoranda’ From Sanni Onogu, Lafia

Police based at Akwanga.

Another source described the 15page report by the police as “very scanty.”

The questions reportedly posed to the police witnesses were said to have either been parried or declined, citing “security reasons.”

The source said besides the list of names of those who died in the attack and names of the 28 survivors, the report did not disclose how the mission was planned and executed.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Nelson Igbinoba, said to have been one of the survivors of the ambush, was reported to have testified before the commission.

He was said to have claimed that he could not shoot during the attack because his gun “hooked.”

Igbinoba was said to have claimed that he dispossessed one of the Ombatse militia of his machete with which he fought his way through.

Of the 28 security personnel, who allegedly survived the attack, Igbinoba was quoted by our source to have helped rescued seven.

He was also quoted as saying that he was assigned to go on the mission by his boss, the Officer in Charge (OC) of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Nasarawa State Police Command.

Earlier, the commission had barred the media from covering the presentation of the police report.

Chairman of the commission, Justice Joseph Fola Gbadeyan, described the report as sensitive.

The commission decided to hear the report, tagged: “Security memo” in camera following an application by the Officer in Charge (OC) of the Legal Services in the Nasarawa State Police Command, Superintendent of Police (SP) Saleh Adam Maidawa.

Maidawa urged the panel not to allow the proceedings to be aired live

during the presentation of the police memorandum.

He said the application became necessary in view of the fact that investigation into the incident at Lakyo village where over 50 security personnel were said to have been killed has not been concluded.

Maidawa said: “I wish to apply that the proceedings of the police should not be aired for security reasons.

“It should not be aired live for security reasons. This is in view of the fact that investigations into the incident have not been concluded. It is ongoing and the fact that any live telecast of this session will jeopardise the investigation.”

At that point Justice Gbadeyan asked whether all the lawyers present at the panel’s sitting have read the police memorandum and they said no.

He said: “I hope all members of the bar interested in this memorandum have read the memorandum.

When we said the memoranda should not be circulated, that is not to mean that the counsel should not be allowed to read the memoranda.

But we said the memoranda should be made available for every member at the bar to read at the secretariat.”

At that juncture, counsel to the commission, Mrs. Funso Lawal, said: “In the circumstance and in the interest of justice, I don’t know whether the memorandum can be stand down for the counsel to read it from the secretary to the commission?

“The instruction was for the counsel to approach the secretary and it would have been made available.

Even those who wrote to have access to it did not go to the secretariat. So it was not the fault of the commission.

“The memorandum has been available with the secretary for all counsel to have access. It is circulation that was restricted not to the counsel.”

Gbedeyan, granting the request of the police, said: “Will one hour be enough for you (lawyers) to read the police memorandum?

“Please and please, don’t photocopy the memorandum. The security memoranda are sensitive - that of the police, the SSS and the state government.

“We will give you (lawyers) one hour 30 minutes, so you can read the memorandum, then we will come back at 2pm for the presentation of the memorandum and cross-examination.

“At that time; the public, we will meet you some other time. We want you to excuse us so that we can take the memorandum in camera.”

The chairman of the commission adjourned proceedings for one and a half hours to enable the counsel representing other interested parties study and make notes to aid them during cross-examination.

The commission had earlier embargoed the three memoranda that it termed “sensitive security documents.”

The chairman ordered that the three memoranda should not be circulated “to the public” due to their security implication for the state.

The chairman advised lawyers, who sought copies, to meet the secretary of the commission, who will give them copies of the memoranda to “read and jot” necessary points.

He ordered that no photocopy should be made of the memoranda.

Lawyers yesterday read the police report and took notes under the close watch of the commission’s workers, who were detailed to ensure that none of the documents left the courtroom.

Justice Gbadeyan ordered reporters out of the court, saying the three security reports would be taken in camera.

He said: “The proceedings will be in camera. We appreciate the contri-

butions and cooperation of the press.

“For this particular police memorandum, that of the State Security Service (SSS) and the state government, there shall be no live coverage or broadcast. So, they should kindly excuse us.”

Following this ruling, the security agents providing security at the court ordered the reporters of Channels Television, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Daily Trust, Precious FM, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN and the Nasarawa State Broadcasting Service (both radio and television) out of the court.

Besides the other media covering the proceedings of the panel, the Nasarawa State Broadcasting Service (NBS), which has been transmitting the proceedings of the commission live since its inaugural session on July 18, also removed its outside broadcast van from the premises following the directive.

Delay of landing permit foils repatriation

By Precious Igbonwelundu

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ELAY in the application and issuance of landing permit yesterday foiled the planned repatriation of 100 Nigerians, including women and children trapped in Tunisia.

The International Organisation for Immigration (IMO) has written the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on its plan to evacuate the affected persons, who are victims of the Arab Spring wars.

They were expected to arrive the Cargo Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMAI) about 1pm yesterday.

But after waiting for several hours, NEMA officials were notified around 5pm that the returnees were yet to take off, following late arrival of the aircraft’s landing permit.

Surveyor urges more funding for research

By Okwy lroegbu-Chikezie

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HE President of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), Mr. Agele Alufohai, has advocated an increased funding of research and development to enable the country attain its economic potential.

Delivering a goodwill message at the institute’s Research Conference in Abuja, with the theme: “Innovative and Sustainable Management of Building and Infrastructure Project”, Alufohai said research had contributed to innovation and growth of advanced economies, saying Nigeria would gain by investing in it.

He said the conference was organised by the institute as part of its contribution influencing policy and the problems affecting Quantity Surveying.

•Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State (right), the Minister-in-Charge of Christ Life Church (Sword of the Spirit Ministry), Bishop Wale Oke (middle) and the General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, at the 31st Holy Ghost Convention of Christ Life Church, held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan... on Sunday.

PHOTO: GOVERRNMENT HOUSE.

COEASU begins warning strike

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ECTURERS in colleges of education nationwide, under the aegis of the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), have begun a seven-day warning strike to protest unfulfilled demands by the federal and state governments.

Their counterparts in the universities have been on strike since two months, following the failure by the Federal Government to honour the 2009 agreement it reached with the university teachers.

COEASU, Adeyemi College of Education (ACE) Ondo chapter, joined its counterparts in other col-

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

leges of education yesterday, for the strike.

The lecturers shut the main entrance to the college and embarked on a protest march.

The Chairman of COEASU in the college and the National Vice-President of the union, Messrs Samuel Akintunde and Smart Olugbeko, led other members in the protest march.

The union leaders said COEASU embarked on the strike because of the failure of the Federal Government to honour the agreement it reached with the teachers’ union in 2009.

Besides, it decried the delay in the release of a White Paper of the Presidential Visitation Panels to federal colleges of education.

COEASU said the delay was an attempt to ignore the issues the panels unearthed.

It rejected the introduction of the Integrated Personnel Payment System (IPPIS), stressing that it was not only retrogressive, but also infringed on the laws establishing the colleges of education and the regulatory body; thereby running of the colleges.

The union urged the federal and state governments to fund the edu-

cation sector, given its strategic role in the nation.

The management of Adeyemi College of Education has suspended the ongoing examinations, urging the students to remain calm until COEASU calls off the strike.

Deputy Provost Olufemi Olajuyigbe told reporters that a request for a waiver to allow the students finish their exams was turned down by the local chapter of COEASU in order not to incur the sanction of the national body.

Olajiyigbe, however, enjoined the Federal Government to save the education sector from collapse.

Centenarian twin dead

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NE of the centenarian twins, who celebrated their 100 years birthday on March 16, Mrs. Emily Kehinde OlukogaOgunde, is dead.

According to a statement by her only child, Mr. Kunle Olukoga, the centenarian died on September 5 about 9am in her sleep after breakfast.

She is survived by her son, grandchildren, great grandchildren and her twin sister, Mrs. Esther Taiwo Olukoya, who has remained inconsolable after the news was broken to her.

Funeral programme will be announced later.

Mrs. Olukoya and the late Mrs. Olukoga-Ogunde celebrated their centenary birthday on March 16 at their country home in Okun-Owa, Ogun State.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

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Amosun boosts transportation with 150 taxis

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GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun yesterday inaugurated 150 new vehicles under the Metro Taxi Scheme to boost intra-city transportation.

The ceremony was held at the Arcade Ground of the Governor’s Office in Abeokuta, the state capital.

Last September, Amosun inaugurated 50 mini-buses and seven high capacity buses under the State Mass Transit Scheme.

The governor said the Metro Taxi Scheme was necessitated by the influx of people and

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

investors to Ogun. He said this required an efficient transportation system for people and goods.

Amosun urged the police, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), sister agencies and transport unions to ensure the success of the project.

He said: “This event marks another milestone in the history of our state, as we are delivering on our promise by

There is an influx of people seeking greener pastures as a result of more investments and job opportunities inaugurating the first phase of the Taxi Scheme with 150 brand new fully air-conditioned Nissan Sunny/Almera vehicles, known as Igba Otun (New Dawn).

“Our state’s new socioeconomic status has brought with it attendant challenges

associated with modern development. There is an influx of people seeking greener pastures as a result of more investments and job opportunities.

“Aside the fact that we have been able to provide security, which enhances the

development of investments, it also infers that we must be able to ensure the free-flow of traffic of people, goods and services.

It is for this reason that we have intensified efforts on our road projects.

“Some of the roads under construction, which we have styled ‘Ogun Standard roads’, have been completed, while others are at various stages of completion. These roads, when completed, will enhance our transportation system and improve the aesthetics of our environment.”

‘Our stand on next Lagos governor’

•Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi greeting Mrs. Folake Solanke (SAN) at the 20th Anniversary celebration of the Development Policy Centre (DPC), founded by the late Prof.

Ojetunji Aboyade in Ibadan...yesterday.

With them is DPC Chairman Prof.

Bimpe Aboyade.

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GROUP, the Christian Conscience, has said its campaign for a Christian governor in Lagos State is not born out of religious sentiments.

In a statement at the end of its executive meeting, the organisation’s secretary, Mr. Femi Ilori, said: “Of the over 20 years that the state had experienced democracy, the only time a Christian was at the helm of affairs was during the tenure of Chief Michael Otedola, whose tenure was truncated by the military.

“We have observed that our leaders play a lot of religious games when putting people in sensitive positions. There is a fraternity game in the corridors of power, making it impossible for people, who are equally capable, to bring to bear their expertise.

“We are not out to cause trouble and are not advocating anything that does not conform to the law. We are just making a genuine demand. Where are simply asking for fairness in the power game.

“We urge Christians, who love Lagos State, to brace up for the 2015 elections. This is not the time to sleep or slumber. It is not the time to prevaricate and make empty noises. It is time to participate fully in politics and do our homework as God gives us the strength.”

PHOTO: FEMI ILESANMI

Mimiko warns NURTW members Man, 40, arraigned for ‘raping’ teen From Damisi Ojo, Akure

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NDO State Governor Olusegun Mimiko yesterday warned members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) against fomenting trouble, following the union’s National Secretariat’s order for the Ondo Chairman, Comrade Olayori Oladutele, a.k.a.

Die the Matter, to step aside from office.

Mimiko gave the warning in Akure, the state capital, at a meeting with NURTW leaders.

He said he would not allow anybody or group to disrupt the peace in the state and urged security operatives to deal with anyone found causing trouble.

Oladutele was told to step aside, following the allegation that the state NURTW chapter issued fake receipts to members daily for the payment of union fees.

Other members of the state executive were not affected.

In a letter signed by the National Secretary, Comrade Clement Wecko, the national body directed the State ViceChairman, Comrade Ajisafe Omobomi, to take over the union’s affairs, pending investigation of the allegation.

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

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40-year-old man, Ojetunde Odeniyi, was yesterday arraigned before an Osogbo Magistrate’s Court in Osun State for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl.

He allegedly committed the offence last month in Ede. The incident allegedly occurred around 10pm when the girl was returning home from an errand.

Odeniyi pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge.

The defence counsel, Mr. Babafemi Akande, urged the court to grant the accused bail in liberal terms.

The prosecutor, who did not oppose the bail application, urged the court to ensure that the residential addresses of the sureties are verified by the Investigating Police Officer (IPO).

Magistrate Olusola Aluko granted Odeniyi N100,000 bail with two sureties in like sum.

The sureties should be resident in Osun and must provide three years’ tax clearance certificates and two passport photographs.

Fayemi urges women to patronise hospitals

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KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi yesterday advised expectant mothers to deliver their babies in hospitals, rather than unorthodox places.

Fayemi expressed concern about the mortality rate among expectant mothers, which he said was worsened because “women often patronise unorthodox practitioners for the delivery of their babies”.

He said: “People should patronise general hospitals and other health facilities. We have to discourage our people, particularly women, from patronising unorthodox practitioners.

“Nigeria was listed as one of the countries with a high mortality and morbidity rate in the world. It is high time we shunned these cultural beliefs and start patronising orthodox medicine for our safety and

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

wellbeing.”

Fayemi spoke yesterday in Iyin-Ekiti at the start of the renovation of the 18 General Hospitals across the 16 local government areas.

He said the renovation, which would cost N1 billion, would be completed in three months.

The governor said: “The good roads we have built, the schools we have renovated, the social security for the elderly and other programmes will have meaning only if the people are healthy.”

He said the state would soon complete the 300-bed Oba Rufus Adejugbe General Hospital in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

Fayemi said the hospital would complement the Ekiti

State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH).

He said his health policy was rooted in the free health programme pioneered by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and supported by Maj.-Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo.

Fayemi said: “Some of these hospitals were built by our leader, Maj.-Gen. Adebayo, about 40 years ago. During that time, they were cottage hospitals and cynosure of all eyes. But today, can anyone say they still are cynosure of all eyes?

“Health is a necessary investment for effective service delivery, particularly at the grassroots. We are not only going to equip all these hospitals, we will also furnish them with other facilities and personnel for the wellbeing of our people.

“It is commonly said that health is wealth. This is why our administration has been paying careful attention to strengthening our health care delivery system to make it more functional and relevant to the needs of our people.”

Commissioner for Health Prof. Olusola Fasubaa said the administration would continue to equip hospitals to give better services.

Fasubaa said the administration had bought medical equipment worth N130 million, built an Adult Accident and Emergency Unit at EKSUTH and improved health facilities.

At the kick off of the renovation of the Okemesi-Ekiti General Hospital, the Owa Ooye of Okemesi, Oba Gbadebo Adedeji, hailed the government for the Operation Renovate all Hospitals (ORASE) project.

•Dr. Fayemi

He said: “People say monarchs should not be partisan, but that does not mean we should see something good and keep quiet. A government that cares for the people is here.

If we see something good and fail to campaign for it, then we are doomed.”

Fawehinmi’s son condemns attack on commissioner

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ON of the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Mohammed, has condemned last Thursday’s attack on Lagos State Commissioner for Transport Kayode Opeifa. In a statement yesterday, he said: “It is highly regrettable that the ugly incident at the Jabita Hotel, Ikeja, occurred. The late Chief Gani Fawehinmi fought for the masses of this great country until his death on September 5, 2009. He was an advocate of the people and adopted the non- violent stance of attack on various governments, using the instrumentality of the law to make his point.

“I was reliably informed of the violent attack on Opeifa, who was a close associate of the late Fawehinmi, the late Dr. Beko Ransome Kuti and the late Mr. Chima Ubani. It is disgusting to know that the incident was recorded and posted on Youtube.

“On behalf of the Fawehinmi family, I apologise to Opeifa, who was violently attacked with sachets of water. The act was crude and uncouth and the perpetrators acted on their own volition and without the knowledge of the Fawehinmi family.

“September 5 will always be a memorable day in remembrance of the late Fawehinmi.

As much as we strive to correct the mistakes of the government, whether at state or federal level, violence will never be adopted as an option.

“I hail Opeifa’s maturity and discipline for leaving the hotel in order not to escalate the mishap. The Fawehinmi family condemns this act and would ensure that such a disgraceful incident does not occur again in future.”

NOA advocates accountability From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

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HE National Orientation Agency (NOA) has urged public office holders to be accountable.

NOA Director-General Mike Omeri spoke yesterday at the Southwest Zonal Stakeholders’ Conversation on the mid-term report at the Civic Centre in Idi-Ape, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Omeri, who was represented by the Director,Planning Research and Strategy, Mr. Bonart Tagwai, said Nigerians have applauded President Goodluck Jonathan’s decision to present his administrations mid-term report for public scrutiny.

The NOA DG urged leaders to be honest and courageous.

He said: ”No leader can rise beyond the limitations of his character.

This is why NOA initiated its flagship value re-orientation programme, tagged: ‘Patriotism and Ethics First.’

“This theme lays emphasis on character in all segments of our society. So far, several public service institutions have embraced the PEF and have included patriotism education as part of their training curriculum.”

Omeri urged leaders to always fulfill their promises to the people. He said this would create trust in governance.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

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CITYBEATS 'Aregbesola has lifted my hope' Police officer O

NE of the victims of the post-June 12, 1993 election violence, Comrade Abiodun Mustapha aka June 12, has praised the Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, for making efforts to end his worsening plight.

Mustapha, a fashion designer, lost his right leg to amputation after it was hit by police bullet in Surulere, Lagos, while protesting the annulment of the election alongside others, including the late Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti.

Since then, according to him, life has been tough for him and his family of six. "To feed and train my children have been difficult. As we speak, we squat somewhere around Abule-Egba with a friend," he told The Nation in Lagos yesterday.

He added: "Senator Ganiyu Solomon (GOS) of Lagos West has been of great help for me in terms of keeping body and soul together. Recently, I met Lagos Transportation

By Dada Aladelokun

Commissioner Kayode Opeifa who promised to assist me with an artificial leg. Governor Aregbesola surprised me when he sent for me. He gave me a wonderful reception in Osun in the presence of his aides. He promised to put smiles on my face. Though I am still waiting on him, that invitation really lifted my hope and I know that as a man of honour, he will soon make me laugh."

• Mustapha

Old boys set to revive college

T

O restore the past glory of their alma mater, the Government College Ugheli Old Boys Association (GCUOBA), will on Thursday hold its second national fundraising dinner at the Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

The association plans to renovate the college buildings, sick bay, laboratories and library as well as revive cricket game for which the college is renowned, all geared towards reversing the decline in academic performance of the college students.

The event, which will be chaired by former Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme, will attract other dignitaries including: Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Bala Mohammed; Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan; Minister of Education, Prof. Ruquayyatu Rufa'I; Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Dickson Seriake; his Edo counterpart, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, and Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum

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By Jane Chijioke and Eniola Osidein

Corporation (NNPC), Engr Andrew Yakubu.

A pre-dinner conference with the theme: 'A framework for secondary school education in Nigeria in the 21st century,'' will hold tomorrow at 11am. The speaker is an Old Boy, Prof Peter Ikoya, Dean of Education, Delta State University, Abraka.

The GCUOBA president, Chief Joseph Akpieyi, said the association established ICT centres equiped with computers and effective internet facility - Felix Ezi ICT centres - to boost academic standard of the college.

The body's Lagos Branch Vice President, Clement Djebah, a lawyer, said the body was committed to achieving the set goal.

Akpieyi said the association had assisted many members secure employment, adding that a welfare committee that visits older members of the association - the Ancient Mariners - was put in place.

battles to save son’s life N

EXT month, little Oluwatomiwa Abraham Ogunleye will be two. But he will not be celebrating the birthday because of his condition, which is now his mother’s heartache. He cannot sit, stand or walk.

Yesterday, his mother, Mrs Titilope Ogunleye, a police officer, brought him to the Lagos Headquarters of The Nation in her search for succour for him.

Placing the baby on her laps, with a pitiable mien, she sought God's mercy on him. "I decided to run to you (The Nation) out of desperation. I have been pushed to the wall.

At this point, I need to cry out to the world to rescue my son," she said, sobbing.

The boy's head is unusually big to the extent that his neck cannot support it. His mother said he was diagnosed of having water and puss in his brain.

Mrs Ogunleye said: "He was not born like this; trouble started when he was four months old. He had malaria and jaundice and I took him for treatment at a hospital in Osun State, where he was treated with antibiotics. The malaria stopped, but when he was five months old, I noticed that his head was swelling up."

She said her mother tried all she could to assist her treat Oluwatomiwa, but they were told his condition was not for orthodox medication. So, they took their search for succour to several traditional homes in Edo, Osun and Ogun states, but

By Uyoatta Eshiet

the efforts were futile.

According to her, she opted to bring the boy to Lagos following an advice by her uncle.

When asked for the role of her husband so far, distraught Mrs Ogunleye said the man abandoned them when the ailing boy was four months in her womb.

"No one knows his whereabouts. I have been alone with my troubles in the belief that God who created my boy would see us through," she said.

She said owing to her financial constraints as she is the only one taking care of their three children without any tangible help from her husband's family, she followed her uncle to Lagos to seek medical help for the sick boy.

The police woman said they arrived Lagos on July 29, last year, when she started attending the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) till September 29.

After spending over N800,000 on series of tests and scans like CT Scan, MRI, and an operation on the boy's head, his sight worsened. "He can hardly see well. His head has remained big and generally, my boy is still not normal," she said.

She was full of praises for 'Sponsor a Child,' a nongovernmental organisation (NGO), which she said, had identified a specialist hospital in the United Kingdom (UK),

• Oluwatomiwa

where the treatment will be completed since both LASUTH and University of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) "have concluded that a second treatment for the boy is not possible."

She said the NGO has sent the results of Oluwatomiwa's tests, scans and medical history to the UK hospital, adding that after assessment, the hospital asked that he be brought for treatment.

Mrs Ogunleye said the estimated cost of his initial treatment was N5 million apart from other expenses.

"This is where I have found myself stuck at the crossroads," she said.

The police officer said raising the amount has remained a Herculean task for her and her family, hence her recourse to Nigerians to help her son live a normal life like other children.

Her two other children, she said, had been withdrawn from school because of the problem, which she lamented, had drained her purse.

She gave her bank account as: Titilope Oyewole; Wema Bank, 0226456809; her phone number, 08132714060, and e m a i l : oyewole.titilope@yahoo.com.

She said it had been tough managing her son's health challenge with the challenges of her official duties.

Occupants of distressed building to get N4.8m aid

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HE Lagos State Government has concluded plans to give N4.8 million to occupants of 24 flats in a defective building at OkeAfa/Isolo Housing Estate in Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

The General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Olufemi OkeOsanyintolu, yesterday said that was government's second phase of intervention, while the affected building

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

undergoes integrity and stability test.

Oke-Osanyintolu said the money would be given to the beneficiaries tomorrow at the Conference Room of the Ministry of Special Duties at Alausa, Ikeja.

Occupants of each of the 24 flats will get N200,000, stressing that the government is sensitive to the safety and well-being of the residents.

He said four distressed

buildings occupied by 17 flatowners had earlier received N200, 000 each during the first phase of the exercise in May after efforts by LASEMA and LABSCA to enumerate the affected buildings.

He said: "This kind gesture

by Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola is followed the discovery that some buildings were distressed and needed to be reconstructed by the Lagos State Development Property Corporation."

Oke-Osanyintolu advised

the occupants to move out of those buildings immediately to avert unnecessary loss of lives and valuables, and to allow their reconstruction.

He said the state government, through his agency, would, apart from not waiting for disasters to occur, would always put in place necessary proactive measures to save lives and property of all and sundry in the state. He added that safety of lives and property "is paramount to this administration."

• Djebah (left) and Akpieyi … at the conference

Be focused, foundation urged

T

HE Special Adviser to Ogun State Governor on Environment, Mr Temitope Osinowo has urged youths of Odi-Olowo Local Council Development Area in Lagos State to be focused on the development of their domain.

Osinowo, who spoke at the meeting of a group, 'Asiwaju Grassroots Foundation', OdiOlowo branch, in Lagos, urged them to be part of efforts to change their society.

He advised them to emulate their principal, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who he said, constantly fights for the upliftment of the people.

He urged them to believe in

By Olalekan Ayeni

themselves and be ready to make positive changes in their community and indeed, the country. He also advised them to embark on peopleoriented projects.

The foundation, according to the Odi-Olowo branch's coordinator, Mr Abolore Adeyemi Ojora, is a voluntary group, established by Nigerian youths to study and emulate Tinubu's leadership qualities and democratic philosophy.

Osinowo, who is the foundation's patron, said: "Leaders must be ready to face challenges and tackle them until success is attained."

•From left: Deputy Director, Food Product and Others, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Mrs. Abisola Adekoya; Managing Director, Dufil Foods PLC Mr Deepak Singhal and Brand Manager, Power Oil Miss Vani Mank at the media launch of Power Vegetable Oil in Lagos.

PHOTO: ADEJO DAVID

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

EATS CITYB Traditional

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Bicycle parts dealer caught with heroin

O

FFICIALS of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 40year-old bicycle parts dealer with 1.7kilogrammes of heroin.

The suspect, Nweke Livinus Uchenna, who flew in from Pakistan, was found to have ingested narcotics during a routine search on passengers on an Etihad flight at the arrival hall of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos.

NDLEA commander at the airport Alhaji Hamza Umar said the suspect excreted 100 wraps of substances that tested positive to heroin, w e i g h i n g 1.700kilogrammes.

By Jude Isiguzo

"While he was under observation, Nweke Livinus Uchenna excreted 100 wraps of heroin. He has provided useful information that the investigation team is working on," Hamza said.

The suspect, who is married with a child, said: "I was a successful dealer of bicycle parts until I lost N9 million to fraudsters in 2009.

That was the beginning of my problems. As I speak, I am heavily indebted to the extent that I am afraid to switch on my cell phones.

My brother is also bedridden for three years and they look unto me for assistance. I feel sad that I am in this condition. Circumstances

forced me to collect N450,000 to smuggle drugs from Pakistan. I pray for forgiveness."

Nweke, who hails from Enugu State, but lives in Lagos with his family, attended New Layout Primary School and Urban Secondary School, both at Abakaliki.

The agency’s chairman, Ahmadu Giade, said: "The Nigeria-Pakistan route is gaining notoriety; we are beaming our searchlight on it to frustrate drug trafficking syndicates. The agency will continue to increase its search and surveillance operations in the days ahead."

The suspect, he said, would be charged to court soon.

medicine practitioners celebrate

By Latifat Runsewe

• Uchenna

Lagos, stakeholders partner against insecurity

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HE Lagos State Government, the Police, community leaders, Police Community Relations Committees (PCRCs) and other stakeholders, are angry over the spate of insecurity in the country.

They expressed their concern at a parley held at the National Art Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, with the theme: "Addressing Nigeria's Security Challenge through Community Policing."

Governor Babatunde Fashola told the forum that community policing is more than a situation whereby people merely provide "certain crime information," explaining: "Provision of crime information is less than 30 per cent of what community policing set out to address.

Community policing is an effective instrument of bringing the police and the people together, building partnership, trust, cooperation and problem-solving capabilities, to address issues within the crime and social decay continuum."

Fashola, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Security, Major Tunde Harold, added: "PCRC as well as stakeholders and the community should assist the government in creating awareness on the various strategies accepted by government in ensuring safety of lives and property in the

LAWMA goes tough on environmental offenders

By Temitayo Ayetoto

THE Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has warned residents, particularly in Ajah axis to desists from dumping refuse on the roads.

It also urged owners of dilapidated structures to redevelop them as the government might confiscate them.

In a statement, the agency urged residents to work with the government to achieve a healthier Lagos, by packing their waste containers for easy evacuation by private sector operators.

By Paul Oluwakoya

state."

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr Umar Manko said: "About 99 per cent of criminal activities that have been cracked came through information from the public." He noted that crime prevention would be very difficult if security agencies were not starved of information.

He charged the committee to work more with the police to reduce crimes. He also encouraged it to grow its membership base, but warned that its members must be of impeccable character and proven integrity.

Manko also stressed the need for membership identification cards, and cautioned against misuse. He charged them to be patriotic and diligent in service and eschew erratic behaviour.

Manko, who was represented

by Deputy Commissioner (DCP), Femi Oyeleye, urged residents to have the telephone numbers of the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in their areas for easier communication in times of agony.

The Chairman of PCRC Lagos Chapter, Oba Momodu Asafa, said: "We have been able to assist in the areas of intelligence gathering,

provision of infrastructural and logistic supports for the police divisions and improvement on the community and public support for officers, resulting in the safety of lives and property in the state.

The Chairman, Organising Committee, Bashiru Balogun, said: "The goal of the seminar was to sensitise our members on community policing as to work in harmony with the police."

Contractor decries police harassment

A

contractor, Tunde Dawadu has petitioned the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Umar Manko, over alleged undue harassment and illegal detention by policemen at the Onipanu Police Station.

In the petition dated August 6, 2013, Dawodu alleged that a man, Caleb Fubara, who is based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, gave him a contract to print some books for him.

Fubara, he said, rejected the books owing to some errors

By Jude Isiguzo

and he accepted to re-print.

Dawodu said that on July 29, he receive a call from someone who said he had a job for him and when he got there, he was taken to the Onipanu Police Station on the orders of Fubara and was interrogated and detained over the job.

Fubara was said to have demanded the refund of N100, 000 deposits he had out of the total agreed fee of 215,000.

“I was surprised to see that I was put in police cell despite

9

of the intervention of my lawyer, Oladapo Kazeem, when I instantly called up to the station,” he said.

He said he was made to sign an undertaking to pay the money which he had already expended on the job.

“My agony intensified inside the police cell and my health was already deteriorating to the point of death. It was in this subdued, intimidating humiliating and desperate condition that I was made to sign an undertaking

to pay Fubara the sum of N50, 000 by August 2 and the balance of N50,000 by August 7. I was to deposit the payment at the police station,” Dawodu lamented, adding: “With the constant threats of arrest and detention by the police, I have not been able to concentrate on my health and live a normal life.

Dawodu urged Manko to call his men to order at the station and ensure that the policemen do not harass or threaten him any further.

THE National Assembly has been urged to fast-track deliberations on the National Traditional Medicine Practitioners Council Bill before it.

The Chairman, Association of Traditional Medicine Practitioners in Lagos State, Chief Wahab Oshodi, made the call during the African Traditional Medicine Day and 11th anniversary of the association in Lagos.

He said that the bill, which had passed second reading at the House of Representatives, would boost government health policy, particularly at the primary level.

The urged the state government to establish a college for the training of practitioners and traditional medicine clinics in the state.

While Oshodi sought a special annual budget for the promotion of traditional medicine in the state, the body's General Secretary, Chief Abimbola Odumosu, said it had completed a workshop for about 159 practitioners to improve their competence.

The Chairman of the association's Anniversary Committee, Alhaji Mustapha Ajibola, said that despite the fact that about 80 per cent of Nigerians depend on traditional medicine, the practitioners are not wellrecognised.

He appealed to the Lagos State Government to allow the practitioners practise in government-owned Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs).

A former Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Alhaji Omotilewa AroLambo, said he would liaise with the state government on behalf of the association to ensure that their demands are met.

The Chairman, Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board, Dr Bunmi Omoseyindemi, assured them of continued government support.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

10

NEWS CRISIS IN PDP

Amicable settlement in sight, say PDP women leaders From Dele Anofi, Abuja

T

HE crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will soon be resolved, the party’s women leaders have said.

The Chairman of the Conference of Female PDP Politicians Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, in a statement yesterday, said the group’s interventions in the crisis have yielded a positive results.

She said: “From all indications, all the parties we have consulted with over the crises have shown a positive interest in an amicable settlement of the conflict, to this end we appeal to fringe elements in the conflict to refrain from inflaming the situation any further.”

Ita-Giwa said the women leaders would not allow the crisis to linger more than necessary.

“As a group, we will continue with a nationwide consultation and as mothers we are appealing to all members of the party, who feel aggrieved in one way or another to return to the fold where reconciliation will take place,” she added.

The spokesperson for the group and former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Mrs. Biodun Olujimi, expressed the determination of the group to stabilise the party.

“The crises have awoken our motherly instincts within the party and it is our conviction that we should never lose sight of our responsibility to the party, hence our group has come to stay,” she added.

•From left: Former Senate President Ken Nnamani, Akwa Ibom State Governor Godwill Akpabio and Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu at the PDP post-convention dinner... on Sunday.

PHOTO: NAN

‘PDP cannot declare factional members’ seat vacant’

By Joseph Jibueze

Rivers PDP chair seeks expulsion of Amaechi, Lamido, Wamakko HE Chairman of the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Felix Obuah, has called for the expulsion of Governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers); Sule Lamido (Jigawa); Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto) and others for joining the Abubakar Baraje-led faction of the PDP. Obuah spoke with reporters in Abuja yesterday after a meeting with the national leadership of the party.

He said: “If I were to be the national chairman of the PDP, I would expel Amaechi and his co travellers. Amaechi should forgo his ambition.

Supporting the Baraje faction is supporting dissidents.

Amaechi is not a member of the PDP. “The crisis we have in the PDP today is man-made. Before now, those six governors

T

From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

had been going from one place to another in their personal interest.

“Their personal interest cannot override the interest of the nation. What happened at the Eagle Square was a manifestation of what I have said prior to this period; that they are already out. They are working with APC, PDM, VOP. These parties are being financed by these governors championed by Amaechi.

“How can you support illegality. I have said it time without number, that this man (Amaechi) is always in opposition states. Every time, opposition party members are visiting him.

“And for him to come and say he is supporting a dissident group, that is to show that

he is supporting opposition party. And some of them have said they are ready to leave our party.

“Before now, I have told our people that his (Amaechi) soul and spirit are not with us; only his face is in PDP. Amaechi and co are not in PDP. They are part of those sponsoring opposition and I stand to be corrected.

“They are playing antiparty activities. if I were to be the national chairman, I would have expelled them from the party. Because the Bible said if one hand would make you

sin, cut it off. “ In my state, all those people who want to play anti-party activities, we made sure they were given the chance to leave. I would ask them to leave and give them the proper place to be so that people who are around would make sure PDP wins any day any time.

“The crisis in Rivers State is the handiwork of Amaechi because he has been acting contrary to the rule of law. He acted contrary to the rule of law by suspending the executive of the Obiokpor local government council.”

Osun PDP suspends members for attending Oyinola’s meeting

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HE crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State yesterday depeened following the party’s leadership suspension of some of its members for attending last Sunday’s meeting of the Olagunsoye Oyinlola faction in Okuku, the headquarters of Odo-Otin Local Government.

Those suspended include: the former chairman of the party, Alhaji Ademola Rasaq, the former party secretary, Mr. Yinka Adeojo, a member of a federal board, Mr. Soji Adagunodo, Alhaji Rasaq Oyetunji, former chief driver to Oyinlola, former Ilesa West Local Government chairman, Mr. Ibukun Fadipe, former PDP factional chairman, Alhaji Akomola Ayedaade and former Osogbo Local government chairman, Alhaji Teslim Igbalaiye.

Others are a member of a federal board, Dapo Ayodele and Princess Bowade Oyewale. Three wards chairmen in Ayedaade Local Government, wards 5, 6 and 8, were advised not to parade themselves as ward chairmen.

Three of its governorship aspirants, Wole Oke, Akinlabi

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

Olasunkanmi and Fatai Akinbade, were given 24 hours to deny a statement credited to a former chairman of the party, Alhaji Ademola Rasaq, that they were members the new PDP. Akinbade has replied the party, saying its chairman, Alhaji Gani Ola-Oluwa lack the leadership quality to administer party.

In a statement by his Media Consultant, Kayode Oladeji, he said elections were not won on the pages of newspapers.

He advised President Goodluck Jonathan to be wary of those politicians from Osun State who come to Abuja to look for favour.

A statement by the party’s Elders Committee headed by the party’s former National Deputy Chairman, Alhaji Shuab Oyedokun, said the party has commenced a process to investigate Oyinlola.

The party leadership said board appointment associating with Oyinlola would be dropped.

T

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cannot declare vacant the seats of lawmakers elected on its platform because they joined the new faction, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Emeka Ngige, said yesterday.

He said the Supreme Court recognises that individuals cannot be punished for the factionalisation of their party.

In an interview with The Nation, Ngige condemned the sealing off of the faction’s secretariat, saying it was illegal and unconstitutional.

“So, what they are doing is primitive. It’s one of those elements of jack-boot democracy we’re witnessing under this present government,” Ngige said.

He added: “The seats of members of the PDP faction cannot be declared vacant because the Constitution, particularly in Section 109 as it relates to a member of the State House of Assembly, and the corresponding section for members of the federal legislature recognises factionalisation or division of a party.

“Once there is such a division, a member who decides to join another political party cannot lose his seat.

“In so far as the Constitution recognises a situation where there could be factionalisation or division in a political party, sealing off the secretariat of the new PDP, to me, is a negation of the provisions of the Constitution.

“It has happened before during Obasanjp’s regime, when Atiku Abubakar floated a rival PDP, and had Shuaibu Oyedeku as chairman, and Solomon Lar as one of the sponsors.

“The following morning Obasanjo sent a lorry-load of policemen with armoured tank to seal off the place. But that did not stop Atiku from joining the Action Congress as it was then called, and becoming its standered-bearer.

“Obasanjo went to court to get Atiku’s seat declared vacant, but the Supreme Court held that Atiku Abubakar has a right to join another party, particularly when there was a factionalisation of his party.”

Ngige said the sealing of the faction’s office was an act of intimidation.

He said: “It’s unconstitutional and it’s an act of intimidation of opponents. That act shows that the people who are doing it are not well-informed.

“The sealing off the secretariat is only physical, but have they been able to seal up the faction’s website? That rival PDP can open a website off where they will be propagating their ideas or message. They cannot send the police to seal off the Internet website.”

T

CNPP to PDP: don’ t derail democracy

HE Sokoto State chapter of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) has appealed to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) not to allow its crises to derail the country’s hard-earned democracy.

Chairman of chapter, Alhaji Abba Sidi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Sokoto that the current political stalemate within the party was contributing in overheating the nation’s polity.

“We should be careful not to truncate our hard-earned democracy because of some greedy politicians, who see elective positions as the only way to serve the people,” he said.

Sidi said the intervention of former heads of state and prominent leaders would pave the way for thorough reconciliation in the party, for the over-all political development of the country.

He said the future generation of Nigerians would hold the current leaders responsible if the political dispensation derailed. “ There are many ways one can contribute towards the nation’s development, not really being elected.

“The recent Nigerian Governors’ Forum election and the Rivers House of Assembly crises are not in the best interest of democracy.”

He also called for more political tolerance and understanding among politicians for peace and political development to prevail.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Risk management could entail avoiding the risk completely, reducing the negative impact of the risk through risk mitigation actions, transfering or sharing the risks with other parties and retaining the risk; ie, accepting some or all the consequences of the risk and budgeting for it.

- Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, CBN Governor

Naira strengthens after dollar auction

T

HE naira strengthened the most this month, erasing earlier declines, after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) sold the largest amount of dollars in two weeks at an auction.

The naira appreciated by 0.5 per cent to N162.60 per dollar as of 4:43 p.m. in Lagos, posting its biggest gain since August 30, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

The apex bank sold $300 million at a foreign-exchange auction to lenders yesterday, it said in an emailed statement. That’s the most at a sale since August 26, according to data on its website. The regulator, which sells dollars at twiceweekly auctions to support the naira, is the country’s major supplier of foreign currency.

“Increased dollar supply by the apex bank reduced pressure on the naira, prompting the local unit to strengthen,” Tunde Ladipo, the Chief Executive of Lagos-based Valuechain Investment Limited, said by phone.

The yield on Nigeria’s Eurobonds due January 2021 slipped two basis points, or 0.02 percentage point, to 5.875 per cent.

On the westcoast, Ghana’s cedi weakened 0.1 per cent to 2.1800 per dollar in the capital, Accra, its lowest level on record.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$117.4/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,396.9/troy Sugar -$163/lb MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE -N11.4 trillion JSE -Z5.112trillion NYSE -$10.84 trillion LSE -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -8.7% Treasury Bills -10.58%(91d) Maximum lending -30% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -1% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $46.8b FOREX CFA -0.2958 EUR -206.9 £ -242.1 $ -156 ¥ -1.9179 SDR -238 RIYAL -40.472

• From left: Director, Trade and Exchange, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Batari Musa; Executive Director, Corporate, Investment and International Banking, Shehu Muhammad; Deputy Comptroller-General, Nigerian Customs, Aber Benjamin; Executive Director, Lagos and West Directorate, Yvonne Isichei; Executive Director, Operations and Technology, Ademola Adewale, at the launch of Keystone Bank’s Trade Portal in Lagos ... at the weekend.

CAC may delist 45,000 firms

New revenue formula in Dec. T A

From Franca Ochigbo

NEW revenue shar ing formula between the three-tiers of government may be ready before the end of the year, Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Elias Mbam, has said.

Mbam, who spoke in Minna after a meeting with some stakeholders in continuation of his nationwide consultations on the new formula, said the Commission was 90 per cent through with the process of recommending the new formula.

He said: “After wide con-

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

sultations with some stakeholders, especially former Heads of state and other principal officers of government, we will come out with the formula that will reflect the wishes of Nigerians.

“The essence of this nationwide exercise which is one of the processes of the review, is to have imputs from stakeholders in all sections, particularly with our former leaders who know much about this country than many of us.”

He said that changes in the day-to-day running of the three-tiers of government since the last review of the sharing formula, necessitated the new review as well as the agitation by some other stakeholders for a review to reflect current reality.

The Chairman explained that in order to ensure that everyone was carried along in arriving at the new formula, the Commission visited the 774 local governments in the country, stressing that it has also embark on the review of past literatures to find out why past exercises

failed.

While admitting that the present sharing formula is not fair enough, Mbam expressed optimism that at the end of the exercise, the wishes of Nigerians will not only be respected, but reflected in the new formula that will be recommended by the Commission.

He assured that the focus of the review is to ensure that the RMAFC arrived at a reasonable formula that would make it possible for each tier of government to discharge it constitutional responsibilities.

Customs agents urge NPA to tackle port congestion

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HE National Council of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents yesterday called on the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to help in decongesting the Lagos ports.

Its President, Lucky Amiwero, told the News Agency of Nigeria, that this could be achieved if the Ports authority takes over the management of the Lilypond Container Terminal.

He said the Lilypond, an off-dock container terminal meant to ease congestion at the Apapa Port, had been lying fallow due to the fact that containers were not being taken there.

“The NPA needs to immediately takeover the Lilypond Container Terminal since the concessionaire signified its intention to terminate the contract due to lack of supply of containers to the terminal, saying this would help to reduce the rate of congestion, demurrage and other inconveniences experienced by importers and licenced customs agents.

Amiwero said the congestion was also caused by shipping companies’ refusal to send containers owned by their lines to off-dock facilities, adding that the current congestion was also due to the refusal of shipping companies

to transfer their containers to off-dock facilities.

He argued that this refusal has resulted in a build up at the Lagos ports thereby causing delays in the positioning of containers, which take weeks for scanning, physical examination and delivery.

He noted that such delays also cause importers and licenced customs agents additional cost.

Amiwero said for the enforcement of industry best practices, there is a need for the presence of a regulatory agency to oversee the proper management of port operations.

He said: “Operations at the Lagos ports need to be properly managed and coordinated in line with international best practice, by a regulatory agency, adding that such a regulatory agency will address the issues of delay in container positioning, scanning and examination, as well as high storage charges by terminal operators due to the extended time.

“It will also address issues of access to port facilities for loading and off-loading of empty containers, as well as the creation of holding bays for trucks and empty containers,” Amiwero said.

BPE, NERC discuss business plans of core investors

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HE Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commis sion (NERC) has met with a team from the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), to, among other things, discuss the business plans of core investors of privatised power firms.

It was called to establish modalities for a seamless handover of the privatised electricity companies’ According to a statement by the NERC Assistant General Manager, Media, Maryam Yaya Abubakar, yesterday, he

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

said the issues tabled at the meeting included the application of the Fit and Proper Guidelines, business plans of the core investors, framework for monitoring and enforcement of transaction agreements, and the formalisation of contracts pertaining to transmission, power purchase agreements, vetting contracts and gas supply agreements.”

He said the BPE Director General, expressed his satisfaction at the level of respon-

siveness displayed by NERC when ever issues were raised in the past, adding that the BPE had enjoyed a good working relationship with NERC. Chairman, NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, while congratulating Dikki on his confirmation as Director-General of the BPE, stressed the importance of preparing grounds for a successful takeover. He maintained that NERC will on its own part heighten its already laid down procedures for monitoring and enforcement.

He the priority of the

Commission remains customer metering, without which the industry cannot stand, adding that owners of the new distribution companies will be required to adopt the existing metering scheme put in place by the Commission or provide a better alternative.

A further meeting has been scheduled for next week to review the fit and proper guidelines as well as to arrive at the mechanism for dealing with liabilities incurred, posthandover.

HE Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) said it has resumed striking off dormant companies from its list of registerd firms. The firms, totalling 45,000 have defaulted in the filing of Annual Returns since their incorporation despite several reminders.

The Registrar-General, Bello Mahmud, who disclosed this during the presentation of the Commission’s report to the Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association, in Calabar, said: “The Commission will soon start the process of striking off companies that defaulted. He however said the commission will give the companies one last opportunity to update their records by publishing their names in two national dailies and the company’s website.

“As part of efforts to meet the expectation of its customers and standardise its processes, the Corporate Affairs Commission introduced the Companies Regulation 2012.

“The Regulation, which was approved by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, pursuant to Sections 16, 585 and 609 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), is intended to fill some of the gaps in the substantive provisions of CAMA. “The Regulation now requires every Director and subscriber of Companies under Part ‘A’ and Trustees of Associations under part ‘C’ to submit recognised form of identification such as information page of International Passport, Drivers License or National Identity Card as proof of their identity before registration.

“The new requirement will help to check cases of underage directorship, fake identification and fulfill national and international obligations under different Anti-Money Laundering and counter terrorism legislation.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

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NEWS

Firms, agents, others count losses of warehouse closure

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HE Nigerian Aviation Handling Company ( NAHCO) Plc and Skyways Aviation Handling Company Limited ( SAHCOL), licensed cargo agents and freight forwarders, yesterday continue to count their losses as the closure of the bonded warehouse closed by Nigeria Customs Service at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos entered the sixth.

Attempts to resolve the impasse over what Customs officials described as improper documentation and inability to explain the exit of cargo from the warehouses by the affected companies, failed to yield any results last week

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

after series of meetings.

A source hinted that operators involved in the clearance of imported cargo and courier in the shut warehouses, may have lost millions of naira as revenue over the six days of no operations.

It was not clear as at presstime when the warehouses would be opened, as officials of customs , NAHCO and SAHCOL, as well as the affected clearing agents associations and other stakeholders, were still meeting yesterday.

Security is still tight around the closed warehouses as officers of the Federal Operations Unit of

the Nigeria Customs Service were stationed around the airport to maintain peace.

Speaking on the closure, spokesman of NAHCO , Adesanya Onayoade, said discussions are on-going by all stakeholders with a view to resolving the matter, adding that the meeting with Customs officials and other players have reached an advanced stage on how to improve cargo processing for the benefit of all players.

He said stakeholders have agreed to draft a Memorandum of Understanding that would drive operations of warehouses at the airport.

The NAHCO spokesman

DANA Air seeks West Africa routes

A

• CG Customs, Dikko

said it is difficult to ascertain how much the firm could have lost to the closure of the warehouse.

Scores of agents yesterday at the cargo terminal called on the affected parties to resolve the impasse to save their business from collapse.

BOUT nine months af ter it resumed opera tions after its June 3, 2012 crash, DANA Air said yesterday said it has applied to the Ministry of Aviation to enable it secure traffic rights for flight operations into the West African subregion.

The Head, Commercial of DANA Air , Obi Mbanuzo, said flights into West African cities would be concluded before the end of this year.

He said the specific routes would be determined according the bilateral air Services agreements Nigeria has with the respective countries.

He explained the plans to commence flights into West African, is coming on the heels of on-going discussions between DANA Air and aircraft manufacturer, Boeing

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

Corporation.

He said officials of Boeing recently visited the airline to conclude discussions on how to acquire new generation aircraft to boost its expansion growth, adding that before the end of this year, the airline would commence operations into more domestic routes to consolidate its operations in the Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Uyo, and Calabar routes.

The DANA Air commercial manager also disclosed that the airline is increasing its fleet size from five aircraft currently to seven before the end of this year.

He said government could more to assist domestic carriers by creating a more conducive environment , by implementing policy on waiver on aircraft parts, encourage more investors to consider setting up fuel refineries as well as setting up aircraft maintenance facility within the country to reduce operating costs for airlines.

He said reduction in the cost of aviation fuel would assist airlines by lowering costs for operators, who are grappling with increasing costs of keeping the business afloat in a seemingly hostile business environment.

He also spoke of plans to expand operations on the south eastern routes before the end of the year, to cater for gaps in air services by competitors in routes, considered lucrative.

He said DANA Air is not aware of any plans by government to assist airlines with 30 aircraft under the intervention arrangement.

He said the airline is working hard to consolidate on its use of MD 83 aircraft, which he affirmed is best suited for the category of its operations.

Subscribers laud Etisalat

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TISALAT customers in Kaduna have lauded the company for its customer-centricity and innovative offerings. The customers made the commendation at the Asaa Pyramid Hotel, Kaduna, during Etisalat Nigeria’s customer feedback session tagged ‘customer forum’ held last weekend.

At the forum, one of the customers, Alh Awwal Mahmoud, a business man and politician, said that Etisalat is his network of choice. According to him, one of the reasons for his attestation was that Etisalat’s service offerings are yet to be matched by any other telecommunications operator in Nigeria.

“I had patronised all the telecommunications networks we had before Etisalat came to Nigeria. I decided to give Etisalat a trial in 2009 and got hooked. In fact, I have never for one day regretted it and my reasons are numerous. For instance, no other network has a forum like this where they interface closely with customers to listen to what we like and what needs to improve,” he pointed out.

Another customer, Aisha Ishaku, who came from Zaria to attend the forum also spoke similarly.

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COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

FROM OTHER LANDS

Syria’s al-Qaeda threat

Girl-child tears

•Thousands of women decide to weep as weapons against underage marriage

T

HE raging debate on the vexed issue of child marriage is not about to end. From all indications, it appears the womenfolk have sworn to keep the issue on the front burner of public discourse.

Three thousand Christian women from various church denominations across the South-South and South-East regions have vowed to converge on the Prayer City ground in Calabar, Cross River State, with the sole purpose of crying for 48 hours to protest against child marriage.

The co-founder of the Prayer to All Nations Ministry (a.k.a Prayer City Calabar), Rev. Ephraim Effiong said : “We are totally against child marriage and to register our protest, about 3,000 women would cry to God for 48 hours to end the evil practice everywhere in the nation.”

‘Research has shown that Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF) is often caused by childbirth in underage girls, whose female organs are not fully developed. ... A way out of the controversy, in our view, is a constitutional guarantee of a free and compulsory primary and secondary education for all children of school age.

That way, our children will be protected from the lecherous eyes of pedophiles’

How did the nation drag itself into this quagmire? It all started as a legitimate attempt by the Senate to amend sections of the constitution in July. Ironically, the debate was not about the legal age a person can marry. The debate was on the renunciation of citizenship. The relevant section, Section 1 states that “Any citizen of Nigeria of full age who wishes to renounce his Nigerian citizenship shall make a declaration in the prescribed manner for the renunciation.”

As a follow-up, Section 4 adds that “for the purpose of subsection (1) of this section, ((a) “full age” means the age of eighteen years and above; (b) any woman who is married shall be deemed to be of full age.”

That is the controversial section that is generating heat in the polity. When the Senate, therefore, sought to delete this clause, that is section 29 (4) (b) of the constitution, all hell was let loose.

Not unexpectedly, the Senator from Zamfara State, Ahmed Yerima, a former Governor of the state, who first shot into national prominence for his introduction of Sharia, the Islamic legal system, was up in arms. The senator, who ruffled not a few feathers when he took as wife a 14 year-old Egyptian girl, frustrated the attempt by his colleagues to delete the “offending” section.

To compound matters, a combustible combination of religion and tribe was thrown into the debate.

However, rather than looking at the issue of child marriage from the religious and cultural lenses, it would be helpful

for the nation to look at the issue from the perspective of what is good for the child.

Although taking children as brides has been justified on account of religion and culture, we dare say the practice is harmful to the socio-economic development of the girl-child.

The United Nations Child Summit Declaration of 1990 prescribed 18 as the appropriate age of marriage and over 150 governments, including heads of state from 72 countries subscribed to the declaration.

And back home, the Child Rights Act, 2003, prescribes 18 as the age of marriage and in fact, prescribes a penalty of half a million Naira as fine, or a jail term of five years or both, for a breach of this provision.

What would make a parent give out a child in marriage, if not ignorance and grinding poverty? With child marriage, poverty is deepened and illiteracy is guaranteed. Besides, it should be visible, even to the blind and audible to the deaf that child marriage has grave health implications.

Research has shown that Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF) is often caused by childbirth in underage girls, whose female organs are not fully developed. Complications arise and the result is the leakage of urine and faeces through the vagina.

A way out of the controversy, in our view, is a constitutional guarantee of a free and compulsory primary and secondary education for all children of school age.

That way, our children will be protected from the lecherous eyes of pedophiles.

War in Syria •Unilateral action by the United States may complicate rather than resolve the conflict in the Middle East country

U

NITED States President Barack Obama was unequivocal about the American determination to punish the Bashar al-Assad administration in Syria for crossing the boundary, by using chemical weapons to check the advances being made by opposition forces in the country. The Syrian President was said to have employed the weapon of mass destruction on August 24.

Since chemical weapons were first used during World War 1, it has always provoked outrage for being a war against humanity. Alongside biological, radiological and nuclear weapons, the whole world believes the armaments could one day horrendously snuff life out of a large section of the world.

The United Nations estimates show that, by this year, about 100,000 Syrians have been killed in the orgy of violence and war that has devastated much of Syria and turned many to refugees. Concerns over the humanitarian consequences of the war have led to widespread condemnation of President Assad, who has refused to quit the stage and enjoys the protection of veto-wielding Russia and China.

However, since August 24, American officials, including President Obama, the Secretary of State and Defence Secretary have declared that Assad’s action could not be overlooked, as a check on other dictators who may decide to ignore international conventions and protocols to unleash terror either on their own people or in attacks against other countries.

Despite the refusal of Britain to approve military attack on Syria, President Obama said America would consider unilateral action, even if it is limited in scope. So far, only France has indicated that it would be willing to stand by Obama in his proposed action.

The security situation in the Middle East is so precarious that any international action there must be well considered and a consensus achieved to prevent untold and unexpected fallouts that could affect the delicate balance in the region. The world is yet to recover from the devastation that followed the strikes against Iraq in 1991. The British Parliament’s refusal to approve joint action with their traditional allies is largely as a result of the outrage in the country over the carnage that attended the Iraq war, and lingering doubts over whether the Saddam regime actually possessed weapons of mass destruction.

While it is appalling that al-Assad, like Saddam Hussein and Muammar Gadhafi before him, could sit pretty and hold on to power as the people over whom they preside are dying in thousands and many more are being visited with untold hardship, we call on the United States to be cautious and allow diplomacy as the primary weapon to respond to the new turn of events.

It is unfortunate that, despite the fury against the stockpiling of weapons of mass destruction, very little has been achieved in terms of disarmament. The ultimate solution is the elimination of such weapons. It is illogical that some

countries are allowed to keep the weapons while the world powers pretend that they will never be used in war.

The United Nations must bear a large chunk of the blame. It has been very slow in acting in the face of the Syrian affront, thus provoking an American attack. The world body owes humanity a duty to ensure that blood-thirsty dictators are stopped in their tracks immediately they cross the boundary of decency. Otherwise, many more would follow suit.

The Syrian people must be saved from the pain and agony visited on them, but we urge multilateral action, not unilateralism in a world that has become very delicate.

‘The United Nations must bear a large chunk of the blame. It has been very slow in acting in the face of the Syrian affront, thus provoking an American attack.

The world body owes humanity a duty to ensure that bloodthirsty dictators are stopped in their tracks immediately they cross the boundary of decency.

Otherwise, many more would follow suit. The Syrian people must be saved from the pain and agony visited on them, but we urge multilateral action, not unilateralism in a world that has become very delicate’

O

NE OF THE foremost concerns expressed by members of Congress considering President Obama’s request for authorization of a military strike in Syria is that U.S. action will end up empowering actors who are even worse than Bashar al-Assad: in particular, al-Qaeda affiliates who have been prominent in fighting the regime. The worries are legitimate. But if they prompt legislators to oppose American military action, the threat to both Syria and U.S. national interests from the jihadists will grow worse.

As The Post and other news organizations have reported, al-Qaeda groups such as the alNusra Front and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant have used suicide bombings, beheadings and other brutal tactics to gain control over at least one provincial capital in northeastern Syria, as well as areas adjacent to the Turkish border. They have been prominent in battles between regime and opposition forces in areas across the country.

They are determined to create a safe haven for al-Qaeda in Syria — like that which existed in Afghanistan before Sept. 11, 2001 — while imposing a Taliban-style fundamentalist regime.

However, the strength of the al-Qaeda forces has been exaggerated. Foremost among the myth-mongers is Russian President Vladi-mir Putin, a staunch Assad supporter who on Wednesday claimed that “al-Qaeda units are the main military echelon” of the Syrian rebels and that Secretary of State John F. Kerry lied to Congress when he asserted otherwise.

In fact, if anyone is willfully distorting the truth it is Mr. Putin. Both U.S. and independent intelligence estimates show that the 11 jihadist groups identified in Syria make up a small minority of the anti-government forces. U.S. officials say they constitute 15 percent to 25 percent of fighters. Elizabeth O’Bagy, an analyst at the Institute for the Study of War who has travelled extensively inside Syria, reports that al-Qaeda and mainstream rebel forces are largely separated from each other and control different pieces of territory. She says that the jihadists are less interested in defeating Mr. Assad than in establishing a safe haven.

That the extremists are succeeding in holding some ground has more to do with Syria’s state of war than its receptivity to Islamic fundamentalism. For the last century Syria has been a predominately secular society, with numerous religious and ethnic minorities.

Many who have joined the al-Qaeda groups did so not because of their ideology, but because they were better funded and supplied. The Islamic State of Iraq depends heavily on foreign fighters. If the civil war ended, most Syrians would resist a fundamentalist regime; Ms. O’Bagy reports that there have already been demonstrations against the jihadists.

An attack that weakened regime forces could, of course, help the jihadists gain ground — but only if the United States and its allies failed to simultaneously bolster the mainstream Free Syrian Army. That’s why it is essential that Mr. Obama couple any strikes with a stepped up train-and-equip program for vetted rebel units. The way to counter the threat posed by the jihadists is not to leave the Assad regime in power, but to empower the moderate and secular majority. The U.S. failure to support moderate forces one and two years ago helped to pave the way for al-Qaeda in Syria. A congressional decision not to act now will make the jihadists stronger still.

– Washington Post

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

• Executive Director (Finance & Administration) Ade Odunewu

•Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon

•Advert Manager Robinson Osirike

•Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina

• Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde •General Manager (Abuja Press) Kehinde Olowu •AGM (PH Press) Tunde Olasogba

•IT Manager Bolarinwa Meekness

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THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: Everywhere the human hawks of the inordinately distended People’s Democratic Party (PDP) perch they often leave no one in doubt of their abhorrent lack of respect for the sanctity of the ballot box. Though they peddle smattering understanding that political parties must test their popularity at the sanctuary of the ballot box, they are never comfortable with the outcome of a free and fair election. Since the party has no viable programmes with which to convince the electorate, it often violently subverts the electoral process and grossly distorts the choice of voters. The rerun election held in Offa Local Government Area, Kwara State, a few weeks ago is a ringing reminder that the PDP rigging machine irredeemably remains the proverbial spots on the leopard’s skin which cannot be washed off however torrential the rain.

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Offa ruse and need for vigilance If PDP is breaking into factions owing to indiscipline, threadbare internal democracy, injustice, and irreconcilable differences, the longsuffering electorate and the upcoming All Progressives Congress must not be too lost in celebration as to forget vigilance.

Whether whole or dismembered, PDP cannot go to any election without perfecting plans to rig awfully.

Seeing that it has riotously frittered away the goodwill of the people and is without honour from Abuja to the hindermost part of Maiduguri,

the rudderless party will always worship at the infamous temple of rigging.

As the ongoing abominable justification of the electoral robbery at Offa shows and as the actions of the various spokespersons for the party in Abuja indicate, nobody needs doubt that the PDP men ruling Nigeria always have ‘a high blood pressure of words and anaemia of deeds’. All economic indicators show that the ruling hawks in Abuja are incapable of providing effective leadership. Yet, in highly

insufferable decibels, they talk of winning the 2015 elections.

Even in Osun State where a consequential majority of the people agree that the Aregbesola-led administration is responsive and responsibly performing, the fractured and fractious PDP which has no enduring records of performance in about seven years that it was in power there is arrogantly about town saying it will take back the governorship seat in the state in 2014. We are talking of a party whose worth and exertions in

Scrap the National Union of Pensioners

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IR: A union or association is formed to positively represent the interest, common purposes of its members. Where the opposite is the case, the union or association becomes a fraud and should be scrapped. The latter is particularly so with the National Union of Pensioners (NUP).

The world is now aware that the regularity of scams in the pension sector has turned to an epidemic. In spite of this, the Federal Government and her agencies are at best lukewarm and unperturbed in bringing pension thieves to justice. Instead, it is screening today, biometrics tomorrow. Pensioners are dying daily en route to and fro Abuja for complaints.

And the NUP is in slumber.

Individuals like this writer and others continue to cry out in newspapers. States like Oyo has gone as far as the Supreme Court to obtain ruling in favour of pensioners just as newspapers’ editorials are awash with tales on the plight of pensioners. Unfortunately, the NUP is in slumber.

At stake is the rational and justiciable approval by late Sani Abacha, the erstwhile Head of State of pension harmonisation (a level 14 step 5 pensioner of 1980 should earn the same pension of a level 14 step 5 pensioner of 2013). The Supreme

Court gave judgment in the pension harmonisation case on May 21, 2010 having gone through the High Court and Court of Appeal. Yet, the docile NUP cannot fight to validate the judgment which favours her members.

Recently, the Senate (not the NUP) decried the physical, mental and psychological inconveniencies and deterioration in the health of pensioners. In consequence, it summoned and later ordered the arrest of Alhaji Abdulrasheed Maina to account for the N195 billion naira of pension funds. The NUP simply did nothing.

Little did the pensioners know that

the NUP was Maina‘s accomplice. In a full-page advertorial, NUP praised Maina to high heaven as the ‘Messiah’ of pensioners for providing plastic chairs for complaining pensioners to sit on at Abuja. But the most astonishing revelation was the whopping N2billon or more of pension fund said to have been siphoned through the accounts of NUP. Is this how a union should protect the interests of its members?

Ironically, the NUP survives through a N100.00 monthly checkoff dues across board from pensioners. These extortions merely go to

enrich members of the national and state executives of the NUP (as in Edo State). Individual pensioners struggle on end to correct anomalies in their stipends. NUP accounts are never audited. You can never get a copy of its constitution.

NUP is a dead union. No sane, live union will fold its hands, close its eyes and sleep when its members are being maimed, dehumanized and killed.

NUP is an accomplice in pension fraud. It deserves to be scrapped.

• Bernard Awijale Ajibode Akoko-Edo, Edo State.

PDP is brain dead

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IR: In medical parlance, coma is a state of extreme unresponsiveness in which an individual exhibits no voluntary movement or behaviour. In deep coma, even painful stimuli which when performed on a healthy individual result in reaction are unable to affect any response and normal reflexes may be lost. The individual in coma is still alive, but the brain is functioning at its lowest stage of alertness.

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), under the leadership of Alh. Bamanga Tukur can not be said to

be different from the above situation as at today. A flock of sheep without shepherd is like a human body without a soul. The PDP does not have a soul. Despite all the pretensions or posturing that defy obvious reality, the party is in the state of coma. The funeral atmosphere that attended the party’s special convention had removed any vestige of doubt that the PDP is actually ill.

A convention at which there were more long faces than smiling faces conveys ominous signal of the uncertain fate that await the party. Indeed, any one who had the curios-

ity to watch the proceeding on AIT live could not have failed to notice the bizarre features of the controversial convention. The atmosphere of conviviality and amiability that should attend a gathering of one family was palpably missing. Infact, the whole event appears like a wedding attended by reluctant or unhappy guests. Many of the delegates and participants,including the President, Governors, Ministers, Parliamentarians and party faithfuls wore the expression of minds on their faces, especially when the former Vice President

power were as brief as a sigh!

PDP is dangerously desperate.

Freeze its past records of ignominy and look to its latest reckless behaviour at Offa. So perniciously desperate is the party that when its councillorship candidate in the rerun election, Afolabi Jimoh Olawale, came clean about his party’s electoral robbery, the party ploughed further the depth of idiocy and shenanigan by flagrantly denying his candidacy. The party is still out there laying invalid claims to the mandate which from all available evidence it inexpertly stole.

What the electorate at Offa said with their votes is not different from what many Nigerians have said in the past and will still say about the PDP in any elections – the party is not wanted, for it devalues their human dignity and scuttles their noble aspirations. If the roundly rejected party behaves as we have seen again and again, efforts must be intensified at all levels to increase the tempo of vigilance.

The Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission is a compromised umpire. No time should be wasted in unbundling it. There must be stiff sanctions against all those who collaborated to change the choice of the electorate at Offa.

Let the winner be given his mandate. But above all, Nigerians must more than ever before be vigilant and be ready to defend their votes against the soulless beings in the PDP who are offensively desperate to retain or grab political powers.

• Jamiu Oyeleke, Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

Atiku Abubakar and seven governors walked out of the venue of the convention.

Wiill the factionalisation of the PDP mark the beginning and the end of the party’s dominance in Nigeria’s political arena? And what about strained relationship between the President and some governors; will it distort the parties masterplan come 2015?

I must diagnose in tears that PDP will soon die of her curable disease if not urgently attended to.

• John Akevi, Bauchi

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

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COMMENTS

D

AVID had fought all the wars and avoidable loss, he plunges fursecured the kingdom. Solomon ther in search of further disashad taken the kingdom to its zeter!

That tragic streak he demonnith, a pearl among nations. All strated in his Nigerian GoverRehoboam needed was a little wisdom nors Forum (NGF) election deto “possess his possession”. bacle, when he permitted himYet, he blew it with folly as profound self the hubris of dictating which as the wisdom of Solomon, his father. No candidate should and should thanks to bad advice, a royal fool was not run for NGF chair; but soon rid of his Israel.

Olakunle earned nothing but disgrace.

The odyssey of Goodluck Jonathan and lordbeek1@gmail.com, 08054504169 (Sms only, please) Abimbola Even after his horse, the janhis crumbling Peoples Democratic Party gling Jonah Jang had lost, he (PDP) is not unlike that of the grandson flexed presidential muscles in a of the Biblical King David. laughable bid to crown a loser All Rehoboam needed was a little conas winner. Huffing and puffing, cession, over forced labour, to an angry he blundered into Rivers, in hot but still loyal people. All Jonathan mastermind. But then, morality and legality are no strong points needed was a little wisdom to manage the poisoned chalice of pursuit of the victorious Chibuike Amaechi: his minister of the PDP! his presidency, given his controversial emergence.

Nyesom Wike, talking wike, wike, and generally making a fool Indeed, the president as party outlaw was what Obasanjo beBut instead of stooping to conquer, as counselled by Soloof himself; his police commissioner, Mbu Joseph Mbu, shackqueathed his party. That grand fraud labelled “PDP national mon’s wise advisers, Rehoboam succumbed to the empty power ling his presidential principal in a futile bid to police a sitting leader” is ostensibly after the American system in which every conceit of bad advisers his age, who a version of the Bible disgovernor; and even his Dame, in an insufferable projection of successive president, or governor, assumes the role of party missed as “worthless young men”. He lost everything. power, earns the highest office in the land nothing but scorn. leader after election.

Much the same way, President Jonathan is courting ruin by Yet, Amaechi, the object of all this naked dance in the market, But Obasanjo’s peculiar invention neither boasts the presumed over-relying on a conceited presidency, almost shorn of all its would appear always a step ahead! good breeding of the normal American president nor brooks glory and majesty.

The undertaker in Jonathan has condemned him to using the conventional but rigorous checks and balances inherent in Even then, there is a big difference: Rehoboam was done in by Obasanjo-era bully tactics. Yet, the equation has drastically the American system. callow advisers. Jonathan may yet be done in by callous advischanged, except that only he won’t see it. That explains why the Indeed, it is the president as the unconscionable party bandit, ers, young and old. party is going kaput. before whom party laws and every member must bow and The general madness in the Abuja power house is symptoFrom Jonathan, the Tukur mandate is clear: deliver 2015 PDP tremble.

Just as Obasanjo’s imperial presidency affected the matic of fated collective madness before the final, irredeemable ticket, even if the party collapses. Well, it appears Tukur would conceit to soar above the Constitution that gave it life, the party crash! But it is early days yet. get his crude mandate. But it would come with a collapsed variant affected the conceit that a president was supreme to the Still, on one point, Jonathan is spot on: former President party. party that gave it a platform.

Olusegun Obasanjo cannot be part of the solution to the roiling Still, in impotent rage, the Jonathan PDP faction would illeIt was this subversive conceit that consumed Audu Ogbeh, the PDP problems. The man who now craves relevance as fish gally conscript the Nigeria Police as partisan rod to seal off rival last PDP national chairman that had any character; and set PDP craves water, rather conveniently absent at the convention bust, camps, just as the Mbu Police in Rivers routinely aid and abet on a journey of no return. Ogbeh’s successors, Ahmadu Ali, re-appeared all too suddenly: like some happy vulture samJonathan’s local faction.

Vincent Ogbulafor, Okwesilieze Nwodo and the latest poodle, pling sweet carrion!

Even, pro-Jonathan voices from the South-South couldn’t be Bamanga Tukur, were merry and eager rods in the hands of a It is perhaps too creative to suppose, as the Presidency is domore “Rehoboamic”: the ancient Pa Edwin Clark, with his utterbully president. ances, is busy manufacturing vicious presidential enemies for ing, that Obasanjo and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, All the same, Jonathan has himself to blame for the grave turn his godson. Asari Dokubo, from the militant class, is mouthing would gang up to unhorse Jonathan, no matter how permanent of events. The Christ was divined to die, so humanity would his usual trashy talk. interests always trump permanent friends or enemies, in soullive. Still, woe begot Judas: that human scum that made that Even from the intellectual front, at the height of the oil subless politicking. Both would appear too much of chartered podivine decree happen.

PDP would sooner than later unravel, sidy strike of January 2012, the best the normally cerebral militical enemies and mutual-nemesis to fit in that bill. given its reckless and undemocratic ways.

Still, history will nority rights advocate, Annkio Briggs, could offer, as convener Still, it is grand immorality for Obasanjo to posture to be damn Jonathan for making it happen in his own Presidency! of Niger Delta Occupy Niger Delta Resources (NDONDR), was settling a PDP crisis of which he could easily have been the Jonathan as presidential fall guy for past presidents’ PDP exsome South-South/South East Alliance that sinisterly suggested cesses, is a study in tragic flaws, bordering on wilful folly.

– and that on January 13, the anniversary of the day “The PDP goose is probably Obasanjo had enough satanic gravitas to thump his nose at the secession the tragic Civil War ended in 1970! law in bare-faced impunity.

The ill-fated Umaru Yar’ Adua had Why is Jona so blest! cooked. But it wouldn’t amount to a golden quietude about power that earned him respect, if not The PDP goose is probably cooked – and Jonathan appears on much if whoever took over still re- awe, before he passed on. his way, other things being equal, to be the first Nigerian presiBut Jonathan, in fits and starts, reminds himself he is president voted out of power. peated the PDP hubris. This polity dent; and would appear to act on that whim. He projects power That would be good for Nigeria’s democracy. But it wouldn’t must learn from the looming PDP – and crudely too – when he should not. But when he legiti- amount to much if whoever took over still repeated the PDP mately should, he clams up. He is the sorry study of a president hubris. This polity must learn from the looming PDP meltdown meltdown” as serial loser. But instead of pulling back to think after each – or it is doomed.

R

epublican ipples

Of Rehoboam and Jonathan

W

HO says leadership is all about staying by the side to cynically and sentimentally criticise even when you are not capable of doing better?

Leadership is all about having a vision, seeing beyond today, and planning for future. That was what the present government in Abia State has shown with her recent plans to relocate the popular Ariaria market in the commercial city of Aba to Osisioma community which is just about one kilometre from Aba town.

The plan is a welcome development and a step in the right direction. One of the greatest problems facing the commercial city of Aba today is the congestion caused by the abuse of the master plan of the city by residents in connivance with some corrupt officials of the successive governments in the state before now. Before now, no government in the state has ever thought of decongesting Aba through the relocation of some markets and expansion of the area.

But today, the present government has taken the bull by the horn by entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with a private development company to construct ultramodern workshops and warehouses on about 200 hectares of land to be structured on build, operate and manage basis for 35 years. The project, known as Abia International Industrial City (ABIIC) is expected to gulp $1billion dollars with an estimated 200,000 jobs to be created in the process.

The move is sequel to an advice from former World

‘The present government has taken the bull by the horn by entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with a private development company to construct ultramodern workshops and warehouses on about 200 hectares of land to be structured on build, operate and manage basis for 35 years. The project, known as Abia International Industrial City (ABIIC) is expected to gulp $1billion dollars with an estimated 200,000 jobs to be created in the process

Coming of Abia industrial city

By Helen Ukaegbu Bank President, Paul Wolfowitz and Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, both of whom visited the market back in 2005 to assess its economic potentials. Even though the relocation exercise would be voluntary, no right thinking person or trader hates good thing. When the project is completed, it is expected that most traders in Ariaria Market will not delay in relocating to the city because of the conducive and strategic nature of the place after completion. The city will attract more investors to the state and will also uplift the commercial city of Aba to international standard.

On its part, the state government has been in highlevel talks with various organisations, some of which include the Bank of Industry (BOI), United Nations Development Organisation (UNIDO), Central Bank of Nigeria CBN, Nigeria Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), Ministries of Trade and Investment as well as that of Labour and Productivity to see how they could be factored in making the project a great success. The project which is expected to take off September will have its first phase completed by December 2014.

Naturally, a lot of people would be wondering why this initiative now when the current administration has less than two years in office. The issue is that the project has been conceptualized to outlive the current administration and to explore other viable means of income to the state. The project was borne out of the need to establish key sectors of the economy that have the potential to transit Abia State specifically and Nigeria ultimately from being dependent entirely on the oil sector and unlock the several other economic fortunes of the state.

With this development, the state government has proved critics wrong again that nothing good comes to the state. Before investors would be prepared to invest such huge money in the state, they must have done their feasibility study which must have proved positive that they would not only get their returns, but that the atmosphere is conducive and devoid of insecurity for

them to operate. It has equally demonstrated the state government’s mastery of Public-Private Partnership initiatives (PPP), coming so soon after the partnership agreement with MEDICURE which brought about the successful completion and commissioning of Abia Specialist and Diagnostic Hospital Umuahia. The government has also extended the same gestures to other investors in the state. That is why Nigerians have not heard any case of disagreement between the state government and investors in the state, a development that has encouraged investors to be trooping into the state to explore investment opportunities.

One could only imagine what would have been the state of Aba today had the government in the state in 2005 hearkened to the advice of the then World Bank President, Wolfowitz and Okonjo-Iweala on the need to build industrial city centre in Aba. That they did not is yet another indication of how visionless and greedy those who pretend to be the leaders of the people are. Of course, such candid and salutary advice from world economic experts was an anathema – particularly as few politically connected individuals actually owned most of the shops in Ariaria market! Heeding the advice would have been tantamount to going against the express wishes of Mama Excellency. That was the major reason the government in the state then did not give it thought.

It is of course significant that the project is coming on board at a time Geometric Power Nigeria Limited has completed her power plant in Aba; this is another indication that the project would be a huge success. With this, it is expected that by the end of the next year, the commercial city will attain the status of a global industrial city.

• Dr. Ukaegbu, an investment analyst wrote from Abuja

‘One could only imagine what would have been the state of Aba today had the government in the state in 2005 hearkened to the advice of the then World Bank President, Wolfowitz and OkonjoIweala on the need to build industrial city centre in Aba’

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

22

COMMENTS

P

ROVERBS in African culture speak louder and clearer than a thousand words.

Among the Yoruba, it is often said that if a household is peaceful, the illegitimate child there has not reached adulthood.

You may wish to interpret this proverb the way you like after reading this piece.

Since the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election widely acknowledged to be the freest and fairest in the history of general elections in Nigeria by the then military rulers in 1994, the Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) had set aside June 12 of every year to commemorate this historic day that Nigeria’s democracy came of age with the jettisoning of ethnic and religious politics that had always impeded our development as a people and a nation. The day is always marked with a lecture among all other activities.

The 2013 edition was not different and I could recall listening to the guest speaker, Comrade Frank Ovie Kokori, the General Secretary of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers (NUPENG) during that period in our history when Nigerians fought the military not only to restore our democracy but also to revalidate the mandate given to late Chief MKO Abiola in that election as Nigeria’s president-elect.

Needles to recall here the heroic role played

by NUPENG, Kokori and other pro-democracy groups and activists in the struggle that eventually culminated in what we have today, in Nigeria, as democracy.

At the event also were Aremo Olusegun Osoba, former governor of Ogun State and erudite lawyer and activist, Chief Femi Falana (SAN). One after the other, they all lamented and expressed regrets that most of the major actors that fought and drove the military out of power in Nigeria then were nowhere to be found at the outset of this democracy in 1999, hence the problems besetting our democracy now.

Before the politicians hijacked the struggle around 1998/99, the battle against the military junta and restoration of democracy was largely being fought by the activists working together with the Nigerian Press. When the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) came it was heralded across the land as the vehicle to rescue Nigeria from the military usurpers of power.

Among the signatories to its declaration that included revered statesmen were some journalists including then rookie editor Labaran Maku. Yes, you guessed right, Labaran Maku, Nigeria’s current Information Minister.

But because the “boys” so to speak were cruis-

O

BAFEMI Awolowo Uiversity, Ile-Ife continues to engrave her name in the psyche of global reckoning as a centre of academic excellence. She remains the best and the number one university in Nigeria. She has retained this position for two consecutive years. In the latest Webometric ranking of world universities released by the Cybermetrics Lab of Spain – a world renowned Research Council and which was circulated around the world, the university was ranked the best and number one university in Nigeria and the entire sub-region of West Africa. She also moved from number 14 position to number eight in the Africa. This makes her the first university in Nigeria to be among the best 10 universities in Africa.

This break-taking achievement has been made possible because OAU as the leading ICT university in Nigeria continues to be the trail-blazer in other ICT initiatives in the nation’s educational landscape. Her researchers developed and established the first i-Lab in Africa, South of Sahara, after, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) started its pilot programme in 2005 with three African universities namely OAU, Makerere University, Uganda and University of Dar a-Salaam, Tanzania. I-Lab is a scientific innovation which enables students and researchers carry out experiments over a network without being in the same geographical location. Her Central Science Laboratory with the assemblage of state-of-the art equipment, including Varian Mercury 200 NMR Spectrometer which is the only one in the entire Nigerian

‘As a result of the immeasurable benefits from interdisciplinary collaboration in the area of research and training, OAU will extend the immense benefits of both the i-Lab project and the software engineering to other universities in the country’

Blame not Jonathan

ing home to victory in the battle to save Nigeria, the “big boys” had to step in and the politicians hijacked the process. In came second republic vice president Alex Ekwueme and some of his colleagues in that era including founding chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Solomon Lar. The G-57, a seemingly pan-Nigerian group, the mid-wife that gave birth to the PDP also sprung up with Ekwueme as the leading light, of course with former military president Ibrahim Babangida and his likes pulling the strings at the background.

Virtually all the activists and the other patriots in the media, save a few, who actually fought the battle retreated to the background maintaining a puritanical stance, insisting on the military convoking a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) before participating in the emerging democratic process. That was the opportunity the politicians and some apologists of military rule were waiting for and they seized it with both hands. That was an opportunity missed by the pro-democracy groups and activists to shape the future of this country in their own image so to speak; to mould a better democratic future for Nigeria.

This was the opportunity that Osoba and Falana were rueing at that June 12 lecture. They lamented not listening to the advice of former South African president Thabo Mbeki who came with a message then from then President Nelson Mandela to the pro-democracy camp in Nigeria not to boycott the emerging democratic process. They half listened. They even ignored the time tested admonition of late sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo against election boycott.

Those old men; they stubbornly stuck to their guns allowing the political opportunists backed by their retiring or retired military rulers to take centre stage. Only a few, especially the younger ones among them shunned the boy-

cott advice and embraced the then emerging democratic process. The rest as they say is history.

But then with the seeming ‘A’ list of those that fought the military to surrender government to civilians sitting on the fence, what did we have? The hijack of the process by those who sold their conscience to the military for a mere pot of porridge. Those that betrayed the people’s mandate of June 12, 1993. Reaping where they had not sowed, these people came together under an umbrella called the People’s Democratic Party and took over virtually everything, especially at the centre.

Give it to them, the Chief Tony Aninihs of this world; they knew what they wanted and how to go about it. They are veterans. They quickly sew together a pan-Nigeria coalition and easily grabbed power from the departing soldiers. They have since monopolized it to their advantage and almost total exclusion of the generality of Nigerians.

But because their sole motivation was to grab power, they had no plan of how to use it to serve the interest of the majority hence Nigeria under their watch has been taking one step forward and two steps backward. Now there past is beginning to haunt them as Nigeria slip from one crisis to another as they bicker over who becomes Nigeria’s president in 2015.

The house they thought they were building in 1999 when they dragged recently released from prison and hurriedly pardoned Olusegun Obasanjo into the presidential race and handed the presidency on a platter, is now crumbling.

Obasanjo we now know was a mistake, even though not a few, especially those that fought the military for this democracy, warned then that the former military ruler was not the best to lead Nigeria into democracy in 1999. Now they have been proved right.

But one would have expected that having dis-

OAU’s leadership in software engineering

By Segun Adefemi university system is the best not only in Nigeria but in the entire West Africa. It attracts researchers and scholars from the sub-region.

In furtherance of the determination of the administration of Professor Bamitale Omole to make ICT and other related innovations the fulcrum of her developmental strategy in teaching, research, administration and service delivery, she is now the pace-setter in software engineering.

Recently, with the financial support from Step-B/World Bank and Skye Bank Plc, a multi-million naira Centre of Excellence in Software Engineering was commissioned in OAU in July. The facilities in the centre will greatly impact in the teaching and research efforts of the university and make her retain its enviable position on the ranking of global universities by Webometric as the best university in Nigeria.

The centre’s Telepresence Environment which is fully equipped with Huawei TP 3118 product will enhance the delivery of lectures for large classes. Lectures will be delivered to students located in different auditoria in real-time over the internet. OAU researchers will also have web-conferencing and interactions with other researchers all over the globe in real time via the internet. There exists a Cloud Computing Environment (CCE) with 7.7 TB cloud server for applications and OS, and cloud storage of 96TB with 500 virtual Terminals.

The objective of the centre which is wellequipped with highly sophisticated equipment is to address the paucity and dearth of educational software which will utilize teaching aids in the teaching and learning of Science and Technology (S & T) post-basic courses. It will also enhance the capacity of post-basic teachers to develop, deploy and evaluate teaching and learning of S & T using modern ICT facilities with a view to facing

the 21st century S & T challenges. The programmes of the centre will build national capacities through postgraduate trainings, post-doctoral researches, short-term trainings, conferences and workshops in software engineering in S&T courses such as software development and application, networking, development of internet and web applications, simulations, graphic, remote experimentation, hardware design, implementation and maintenance.

The centre will impart knowledge to students in these areas using ICT driven participatory and student-centred teaching and learning approaches that would produce graduates who will be practical-oriented and serve as the catalysts and purveyors of the technological development of the nation.

For the centre to move abreast with modern trends in software engineering, it will leverage on some international and national partners which OAU has working relationships. The international partners include Abdusaalam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Italy for the provision of network backbone and hotspots, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) U.S.A in the area of S&T training and research in internet and remote experimentation, Hewlett Packard (H.P) in the area of modern methods in teaching S & T courses, CISCO Academy and Oracle Academy, USA in capacity building in networking and database management.

CHAMS PLC, OMATEK Computers Plc and Main One Nigeria Computers Plc which are the local partners will also assist in software development, hardware design and implementation as well as in the provision of internet bandwidth respectively. Already, Sir Demola Aladekomo, Group Managing Director of CHAMS Plc and an alumnus of the university has graciously agreed to build a Software Development House (SDH) to be located beside the centre to expand the software studio.

The centre also has a software studio where

covered the mistake in the making of the Obasanjo presidency the PDP would think Nigeria before installing his successor, but no. In their greed to hold on to power they brought a dying man and paired him with another who didn’t and still doesn’t seem to know his left from right into the presidency in 2007.

The story of the Yar’adua/Jonathan presidency we all know. It was one of those reluctant presidencies that Nigeria has been producing since independence. But if there had been relative peace with this kind of leadership since October 1, 1960, that ‘peace’ is about to be shattered now as that child, remember, the one I mentioned earlier, seems to have reached adulthood.

The deception called PDP is unraveling and disintegrating now before our eyes not only because of President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 second term ambition, but also because the party was built on falsehood. And as the Yoruba would say, any house built with spittle would be demolished by dew.

The founders of PDP never fought for this democracy and they and their party deserve what is happening to them now. And they deserve to be punished by Nigerians at the polls next time for reaping where they had not sowed. There is no way they would get it right because they are not deserving of the power they are holding. If they had fought for and earned the right to our presidency, they wouldn’t have punished us with an egomaniac as president in 1999, an infirm as our leader in 2007 and a colourless, clueless and dangerous man obsessed with power as president 2011.

Those who brought him, first with Yar’Adua in 2007 and as the lead candidate in 2011 deserve what they are getting now. Don’t cry for them, but cry for Nigeria. Do we deserve a Jonathan and what PDP is doing to us now? I don’t know. But don’t blame the man, blame those that brought him. As the saying goes you can’t give what you don’t have. The man has given everything he has and capable of, but regrettably, his best doesn’t appear good enough for Nigeria. That is what you get when you promote someone beyond the level of his/ her competence. Jonathan wanted to remain a governor, you promoted Vice President and mother luck made him President. And now he can’t live up to that office. What else do you expect?

And with the handwriting clearly on the wall, the man, like the Biblical Samson, wants to bring down the roof on his/our head(s). God forbid. Nigeria will not die. PDP can disintegrate. Nothing spoil. developers can interact to enhance their development skills with a view to developing various applications in software for local and international consumption. The software studio has started producing results. Within the last six months, a group of students from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering trained at the centre as software developers have been able to produce two major innovations: the “‘Akowe” and the “Kedu” software. The Akowe is an application software that enables lecturers deliver lectures over network either via the internet, or the Intranet, and for students to receive the lectures remotely from different locations. The “Kedu” is a network based on realtime communication system that leverages on the existing network facility of the University. It enables users communicate over the Local Area Network (LAN) even without the internet.

The i-Lab project has also made significant impact in teaching and research efforts by OAU. Firstly, it has solved some of her basic needs in experimentation. Another significant benefit of the project is the opportunity OAU students have had in working with leading global companies in the domain of the project. Through the i-Lab project, OAU staff and students have free access to majority of the lecture notes, audio, video and presentations of MIT Professors under that Institution’s Open Course Ware (OCW) which is the most popular Open Educational Resource (OER) project. This is because OAU is the only university in Nigeria which has the server of the OCW of MIT. Staff and students of OAU have leveraged on the accessibility of the MIT Open Course Ware to conduct research activities including porting the i-Lab platform to mobile phones, developing servomotor lab which allows students to carry out experiments in control engineering, and developing Emona Datex laboratory which enables experiments to be carried out in telecommunications.

As a result of the immeasurable benefits from interdisciplinary collaboration in the area of research and training, OAU will extend the immense benefits of both the i-Lab project and the software engineering to other universities in the country.

• Adefemi is of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife

INSIDE

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

Website: http://www.thenationonlineng.com

Page 25

Group urges Jonathan to save Taraba - Page 27

Abuja natives quit land-swap committee

Second-hand clothes: Staple of nation’s capital

- Page 28

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Jonathan, PDP and the future

- Page 40

IFE in the Federal Capital City (FCT) may not come cheap. Accommodation there poses a constant challenge, as do many consumables. But residents sure know how to survive. The used clothing market offers a lifeline.

There they find shirts that fit, shoes that meet their tastes, even bras and underpants they can flaunt anywhere. And they also, most importantly, fit their pockets.

Surely, the items were used and discarded elsewhere but in Nigeria and even its capital city, they are very popular.

Karmo Market located on the outskirts of Life Camp in the federal capital may lack the trappings of a modern market but it is the centre of a thriving trade for second-hand clothes.

Buyers are simply crazy over them. Most of them defy the bad state of the road to patronise the market which is on the rise.

The market, which operates on Tuesdays and Fridays, has a unique quality that attracts buyers from every nook and cranny of the city. Wares are displayed based on the amount of space

From Frank Ikpetan

allocated to individual trader.

For those who cannot afford the prices offered in boutiques and other stores around the city, Karmo Market provides an easy alternative, as it boasts materials ranging from shirts, trousers, footwear to boxers, underpants and brassieres, among others.

Compared to Onitsha Market in Anambra State, Katangowa Market in Lagos, Karmo Market has become the toast of Abuja residents by virtue of its used clothes.

One attractive feature of the market is that the prices of goods sold there are not just affordable to many residents of Abuja; they are also about the cheapest one can find in the city.

For example, the prices for a pair of female pants, for adults and children, are between N100 and N120.

Also, second-hand shirts are available for as low as between N100 and N 1,200, depending on the quality of the shirt. Some shoppers see these prices as fair when compared to what is obtainable in the boutiques.

Shoppers of used clothes, however, seem to be making their purchases based on style, rather than sustainability or durability.

Are used clothes for the poor alone?

Mr. Okafor, a trader in used clothes, said: “It isn’t just the poor who shop here. Workers also come to the market looking for unique outfits. Some big girls and boys also come here to buy.

Even boutique owners come here too.

“Many relatively poor or absolutely poor people prefer second hand western clothing materials because they are often of better quality and have associations with the western cultural imperative. They also match what they see on TV,” Benjamin, a staff of one of the leading banks in the country said.

Although there are claims by experts that used clothes come with diseases, some buyers differ on this assertion.

Dismissing the claim, an undergraduate who identified himself as Endurance told our correspondent that “as long as they are properly washed, there is nothing to fear about used

clothes. Besides, what assurances do people have that the so-called new clothes they buy from the shops or boutiques don’t come from these markets?

“I know of a boutique owner who lines his shop with used clothes. The only difference is the prices.”

Despite government’s ban on sale of second-hand clothes in the country, it is estimated that 80 per cent of Nigerians still patronise sellers of used clothes.

The ban, ostensibly designed to protect local textile producers, is one of such imposed by the government to protect the country from being flooded with donated clothes from the western world.

But the garments are moved into Nigeria illegally from neighbouring countries like Benin Republic and Togo.

However, as long as consumers have these aspirations, and traders want to turn a profit, it seems unlikely that sale of used clothes in Nigeria will stop anytime soon, regardless of government’s policy.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

26

ABUJA REVIEW

Foundation donates to needy kids

J

UDE Nnam Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has given play items worth about N1.5 million to children with special needs at the Down-Syndrome Support Initiative Centre, in the FCT. Some of the items presented to the centre were sets of swindler and slider, among other children playing equipment. The group was received by members of staff of the centre, who were on expressed their appreciation to the NGO. Recall that the students are still on vacation.

Presenting the items to the centre, founder of the NGO, Mr. Jude Nnam said the gesture was the foundation’s way of expressing love and support for parents of children living with Down-syndrome, even as he said it was also a way of letting the children know that despite their condition, they can live a normal life, as all hope is not lost.

He said: “Due to lack of proper

T

HE Independence Day bombing at the Eagle Square changed a lot of things.

There was a paradigm in the fight against crime in the Federal Capital Territory, which led to the introduction of stop-andsearch.

The security strategy is deployed all over the territory and even in several parts of the country including Borno, Yobe and Gombe.

Although before the emergence of the present level of insecurity in the country, such operations were only visible at the boarders into states, highways or specific checkpoints, security operatives now stop vehicles for searching on streets and bends .

Residents in the capital have come to accept the policy because not only does it make citizens feel safe but also sometimes makes it difficult for criminals and terrorists to operate freely, like it was before security operatives began appearing at every turn.

One wonders though, if the security operatives at check points in street corners really get the work done by simply clutching their rifles, waving their torchlight and looking

From Franca Ochigbo

care and attention to the issues related to Down Syndrome in the society, many children with the condition have either died or been neglected by their parents.

“The foundation is committed to educating and developing programmes for children with special needs as well as promoting community awareness on Down syndrome.

“I am using this platform to strengthen the already established centres catering for children with special conditions.

“We intend to open a music academy in the foundation where we can visit and play music and organise musical concert for children with Down Syndrome. They are musically inclined people as they love music a lot.

“There is also need for constant workshop to educate people; especially parents and physicians who specialise in this area on the need to adequately carter for children living with the condition.

“It has been my dream to do something positive for children living with Down syndrome condition. I am calling on the government to assist the foundation in its objective of ensuring proper care of the needs of children with Down syndrome.

•From right: Director General, National Environmental Standard Regulatory Agency, NESREA, Dr Ngeri Benebo; Minister of State, FCT, Jumoke Akinjide, Permanent Secretary, FCT John Obinna Chukwu, and others during NESREA, visit to FCT minister PHOTO ABAYOMI FAYESE

Pains, gains of stop-and-search From Grace Obike and Frank Ikpefan

down their nose, bored by motorists and motorcycle operators and their passengers who have to push their motorcycles along while passengers carrying heavy luggage and body weight, stumble pass them, panting like people that just ran a marathon.

Most citizens have come to welcome the trend because, they will rather walk miles feeling the safety of someone significant watching over their backs than drive around freely with the fear of the unknown lurking in the

shadows but some as expected, have something to say about it.

Mr Nonso, a boutique owner along Byazhin Road, Kubwa claimed that the security operatives do not actually check motorists and motorcycle operators, as is expected, but simply stand back pointing their torchlight at motorist, and any motorcyclist that makes the mistake of starting his car or bike before getting past them, is pulled over and his vehicle impounded.

He insisted that they do not bother checking cars properly or paying close attention to the

Residents in the capital have come to accept the policy because not only does it make citizens feel safe but also sometimes makes it difficult for criminals and terrorists to operate freely, like it was before security operatives began appearing at every turn

motorcycles and their passengers who have been known to sometimes be treats and execute heinous crimes.

Daniel Samuel, an employee of the Federal Road Safety Commission, confirmed that the initiative is good for the country especially with the present level of insecurity that the country is facing but suggested that, security operatives, especially those on street corners in kubwa, add a little initiative to the job by changing their locations constantly instead of sticking to a particular spot.

Criminals, he said, will get accustomed to the locations and simply divert and take other routes and the aim will be defeated.

Some residents in the capital are beginning to find worrisome about the activities of the security operatives of stop and search at night.

A resident of Gwarimpa, Usifo Benjamin, an entrepreneur, in lending his voice to the trend, explained that the policy has overstayed its essence. The policy, he said, causes long traffic on the road, which makes movement at night difficult.

Another resident of Lugbe,

who pleaded anonymity, lamented to our Abuja Review correspondent on the level of harassment residents go through in the hands of some of these security operatives.

According to her, security operatives harass drivers anytime they have the opportunity and some of them even talk like they own the city, she added.

With these experiences of residents in the federal capital, is it safe to say that stop and search activities of security operatives in the capital has achieved its aim? Is it time to do away with it? The commissioner of police of the Federal Capital Territory, Olufemi Olubade, has an answer.

The Police chief explained that since the introduction of stop and search policy, crime rates in the capital have reduced.

He alluded the reduction in the cases of snatched cars in the capital to the constant presence of security operatives at various checkpoints.

He lamented some highhandedness of some of the security operatives to lack of proper training; adding that many of the security operatives are undergoing training in order to serve residents of the capital better.

NGO lifts widows

A

•From left: Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Constituency Projects, Hon. Pally Iriase; Permanent Secretary, Special Duties and Inter-Government Affairs, Mrs Winnifred Oyo-Ita and Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Government Affairs, Alhaji Kabiru Turaki,at the Stakeholders Forum on the implementation of Zonal Intervention/Constituency Projects in Abuja.

NON-GOVERNMENTAL organisation (NGO), God’s Love Tabitha Royal Foundation in Nyanya Gwandara near Abuja, has donated food and clothing items to 50 widows and other less privileged women, when it held its annual love feast.

The widows, who came in from Panda site development area of Nasarawa State, received items such as bags of rice, clothes, soapy substance, kitchen utensils and cash.

Speaking at the event, founder of the foundation, Evangelist Victoria Oloche, said the gesture was its way of expressing love towards the less privileged especially the widows in rural communities.It is also to let them know that despite their condition, they can live a good life, as all hope is not lost.

From Bukola Amusan

She said the foundation had prepared gifts for 200 women but due to financial constraints to transport them down to Abuja, they could only bring 50 of them.

“Annually we organise a love feast, whereby the foundation not only donates gift items to the widows in rural areas but also celebrates and puts smiles on faces of other less privileged women, orphans and the poor in the society.

“Apart from the distribution of food items and clothing materials to the less privileged, we ( the foundation) also have some skills acquisition programme, where we teach them how to produce powder beans, soya beans, garri , powder pepper, crayfish, among others.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

27

ABUJA REVIEW

Group urges Jonathan to save Taraba I T took the intervention of security operatives to control a youth organisation under the aegis of Save Democracy Group (SDG) which took to the streets of Abuja to protest what it described as looming crisis in Taraba State.

They urged President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene in order to save the state from sliding into anarchy.

The group, while expressing sadness over the political development in the state, said with the existence of an acting governor and the decision by ailing governor, Danbaba Suntai to return to office by all means, there is bound to be a breakdown of law and order, a situation it said could spell doom for democratic governance in the state.

The youth carried placards with different inscriptions like “Suntai not fit to rule,” “some cabals are using the ailing governor to cause trouble in the state,” and “Suntai should step aside until he is fully fit to govern Taraba State.”

The National President of the group, Comrade Solomon Adodo who spoke when he led hundreds of members of the group to sub-

T

HE indigenous people of the Federal Capital Territory under the umbrella body, Original Inhabitants Development Association of Abuja, (OIDA) have voluntarily withdrawn from the Ministerial Committee on the Implementation of FCT Land-swap Programme and Resettlement Matters set up by the Minister of FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed.

In a press statement signed by its Media Adviser, Sumner Shagari Sambo, OIDA says its withdrawal from the Ministerial Committee is due to the non-acceptance of its recommendation of 30% for the host communities who own the land and are to be resettled by the government and companies involved in the landswap programme.

OIDA’s withdrawal decision is contained in a letter signed by its President, Pastor Danladi Jeji which the group said it had submitted to the Chairman of the Landswap Committee and Permanent Secretary, FCTA Engr.

From Gbenga Omokhunu

mit a protest letter to the Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party PDP, Bamanga Tukur for onward transmission to Mr. President, said: “It has become necessary for the President to act quickly to save our democracy so as to forestall other mass rallies being coordinated across the various states of the federation to rescue our democracy from the wicked cabal.

“If our democracy is not quickly rescued, it will collapse as a result of the two governors in Taraba State who are wielding

state powers.”

Adodo, under the watchful eyes of the security operatives said: “Mr. President sir, you may recall that this was the exact situation that you found yourself in 2010 when, after the National Assembly had invoked its constitutional powers to swear you in as Acting President, your late boss was smuggled into Aso Rock and his aides attempted to cripple your office for their selfish reasons.

“It is on this note that we wish to demand that you call your party men and women in Taraba State to order so as not to deliberately

Recall that this was the exact situation that you found yourself in 2010 when, after the National Assembly invoked its constitutional powers to swear you in as Acting President, your late boss was smuggled into Aso Rock and his aides attempted to cripple your office for their selfish reasons

throw the country into state of anarchy, chaos and lawlessness in the face of our numerous challenges.

“We have it on good authority that our friend, Governor Danbaba Suntai is still not strong enough to coordinate the affairs of a state in Nigeria; but a certain cabal in Taraba State is insisting that Governor Suntai must continue to function through families and friends who could decode his ailing body language in order to enrich themselves.”

Adodo expressed worries that affairs of the state are now being coordinated by hangers-on and desperadoes who are in the habit of causing confusion in order to feed their families.

He said it is most disheartening to note that “all these characters are members of the Peoples Democratic Party under your amiable leadership.”

While urging Mr. Suntai to go back for further treatment and come back only when he is fit enough for the rigours of democratic governance, the group said: “the Taraba State House of Assembly has reaffirmed our posi-

•Suntai tion and the feelings of well-meaning Nigerians that Governor Suntai is unfit to coordinate the rigorous duties of the Office of the Governor by unanimously recommending him for further treatment.

“This cannot be far from the truth as every attempt to force Governor Suntai to act the script of this cabal has continually refused to rhyme with his health realities.”

Abuja natives quit land-swap committee From Gbenga Omokhunu

John Chukwu at the resumed sitting of the Committee last Thursday.

The FCT group said its earlier acceptance of the membership and full participation of the Committee’s sittings was borne out of germane and bonafide motives.

“Despite initial misgivings OIDA chose to give the Hon. Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed the benefit of doubt when he said; ‘...we will carry the affected people and communities along….’ He further said: ‘… its going to be a bottom-up and not top-to bottom approach’. He equally said, ‘…we shall adhere to global best practices….’. But as things have turned out, particularly as the ‘draft report’ of this Committee now attests, with due deference to the persons and personalities of this Committee

whom OIDA holds in high esteem, the talk about ‘carrying the people (original inhabitants) along and so forth…’ was all mere rhetoric and a gimmick to get the Land-swap policy endorsed and or in another word ‘rubberstamped’ by the said locals.”

“In view of the fact that the Committee’s draft report and or resolutions/recommendations do not reflect OIDA’s most weighty position of redefining the percentage ratio of 60% to Private Companies and 40% to FCTA. Indeed OIDA’S position that the said equation be reworked from a bipartite to tripartite arrangement or contract, i.e. by the inclusion of the PAP/ Communities in the equation has not been reflected much less be so recommended. It has been the uncompromising position of OIDA as repeatedly told and submitted to this Committee that 30% of the

•Governor Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe State (right) and his Zamfara State counterpart Abdulazeez Yari after a meeting of leaders of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja

ratio or equation must go back to the PAP/Communities to be held in Community Trust Fund. This position was also the outcome of the FCT Enlarged Stakeholders’ sub-Committee’s consultations. OIDA believes that this demand is justified in view of the fact that the compensation due and payable for the creation (acquisition) of Abuja has not been paid for 37 years now. On 30% We Stand!”

The press statement further states that “the original inhabitants have unlawfully, unconstitutionally, immorally and indeed un-spiritually been deprived and divested of their God-given inherent ‘title hereditament rights to their ancestral lands’.

Despite the provisions of Section 297 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 1 of the FCT Act, it remains immutably and unequivocally explicit that for as long as the compensation for Abuja lands remain UNPAID by the Federal Government, then it means that we the FCT Abuja indigenous people still possess the customary rights to our lands.

On our Ancestral Lands We Stand!”

OIDA also dispelled media reports of a division between the FCT natives with regards to the landswap policy.

It states that “the volte-face done by the Ketti-Waru Youth Forum from demanding 30% to a position of demanding not even 0% is the handiwork of a well-scripted Machiavellian Script of forces outside of the Land-swap Ministerial Committee but OIDA is not

perturbed or deterred in its legitimate agitation for the Abuja People. Ketti-Waru’s shifting of grounds does not in any way reflect the generality of position of the other remaining communities to be affected by Land-swap and as such same cannot be used as a yardstick for across board implementation. No amount of intimidation, division of our people or use of divide and rule tactics will make us give up our lands. ” The rights group noted that “it is not proper to continually sit in this Committee knowing very well that at the end of the day, we would not assent to its report. That would be most unfair and a great disservice to the Committee.”

OIDA also wondered why the Ministerial Committee set-up to deliver its mandate in 3-weeks is yet to deliver report 10-weeks after its inauguration.

While thanking the Minister for his invitation to serve as a member of the Committee, OIDA said it was withdrawing from the ministerial committee “until such a time that the Land-swap programme and indeed the FCTA is willing and ready to accede to the demand of 30% to host communities through the setting up of a Community Trust Fund.”

The group also advised the concerned private investors and FCTA personnel to stay clear of Abuja indigenous communities until the issues are properly resolved through genuine consultation and dialogue or stand the risk of litigation.

Its withdrawal from the ministerial committee is due to the non-acceptance of its recommendation of 30per cent for the host communities who own the land and are to be resettled by the government and companies involved in the landswap programme.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

ABUJA REVIEW

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HE FCT Administration will work towards the strengthening of bilateral relations between Nigeria and Pakistan in order to increase their trade balance.

FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed gave the assurance while receiving the Pakistani Trade Delegation to Nigeria.

The Minister reiterated that his Administration would assiduously help in strengthening the existing robust relationship between the two countries for the benefit of their citizens.

Mohammed emphasized that Nigeria and Pakistan has a lot similarity especially in culture and beliefs, which are supposed to be, exploited for greater advantage of the two nations.

According to him, the meeting will help re-awaken the over 40 years diplomatic relations that can be further enhanced as Nigeria; particularly Abuja has lots of potentials waiting to be tapped.

While promising to not only provide an enabling environment but to also be a catalyst in promoting the increased trade relations, he recalled with nostalgia the activities of Pakistani teachers in Nigeria in the 1970s.

Speaking earlier, the Nigerian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Ambassador Dauda Danladi said that Nigeria established relation with Pakistan about 40 years ago and that the two nation’s trade potentials have not been well

T

HE Director-General of National Environmental Standard and Regulations Agency (NESREA) Ngeri Benebo, has accused the area councils in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of lacking the political will to impose environmental laws.

She also accused them of under-utilisation of the mobile courts, which, she said resulted in the upsurge of slums, shanty towns and temporary settlements.

She added that the officials and chairmen are scared of offending the people who elected them and thereby refuse to enforce policies that will ensure

Members of the National Youth Online Protection Summit at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja

FCTA to strengthen relations with Pakistan From Gbenga Omokhunu and Grace Obike

exploited.

Ambassador Danladi remarked that what spurred him into action to scout for Pakistani investors and industrial-

ists to come to Nigeria is the citizenship and economic diplomatic of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Also speaking at the meeting, the Pakistani High Commissioner to Nigeria, Lt. General

Mo h a m m e d Ash ra f S a l i m (Rtd.) stated that Nigeria and his country has a long time historical relations and promised to enhance the cordial relations.

He also assured that Paki-

stani investors and industrialists would launch their presence in Nigeria and particularly in Abuja by establishing educational and health institutions in the Federal Capital Territory.

Agency accuses area councils of negligence From Grace Obike

that the environment is clean.

Benebo made the accusation during a courtesy visit to Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Olajumoke Akinjide, where she pleaded with the administration to constantly monitor the people involved in environmental sanitation in the territory to get value for the money they are paid.

She said: “The current environmental situation in all the

area councils in the FCT is unfortunately very appalling and shameful.

“The chairmen of area councils are not co-operating with NESREA in ensuring the enforcement of environmental laws in the satellite towns.”

She said that NESREA, in an attempt to improve the environmental situation in line with the National Environmental Regulation 2009, has continued to hold intensive training and capacity building for environmental workers.

Responding, the minister said that the growth of the FCT is massive and is mostly in the satellite towns and area councils, which can both be a problem and opportunity which the administration does not leave solely to the area councils to manage on their own.

The assistant director of Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) Aishatu Adebayo also

explained that 28 different contractors on waste management collection are involved in the FCT’s waste collection in the cities, satellite towns and area councils.

She complained that funding is the greatest challenge involved in achieving a successful waste management in the cities and worst in the area councils and satellite towns.

The current environmental situation in all the area councils in the FCT is unfortunately very appalling and shameful…The chairmen of area councils are not co-operating with NESREA in ensuring the enforcement of environmental laws in satellite towns

50 youths start agric training

A

•Traders selling at Pedestrian Bridge in Abuja

•

BOUT 50 agricultural entrepreneurs recruited under the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) have started a one-month intensive practical attachment with successful agricultural establishments in and around Bwari Area Council.

The Coordinator, FCT NDE, Romiliyu Oludare Newton, disclosed this while flagging off the last stage of the three months training in agricultural entrepreneurship at the NDE Multi-purpose skills acquisition centre, at

From Bukola Amusan

Kuduru Village, in Bwari Area Council.

He said the participants have been tutored on practical and theoretical aspects of modern agriculture.

This, he said, included basic business training and management.

The youth will, after the training, experience the practical aspect of running a successful farm business in their environments.

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

‘

It’s only the Medical Board that can make a clear and precise pronouncement on Governor

Suntai’s state of health and that board can only be set up by the state’s Executive Council to determine his state. The fact that he is physically incapacitated does not mean that he is mentally incapacitated. He might have a 100 per cent use of his mental faculties. Are you See page 32 saying that a physically challenged person cannot be a governor?

’

E-mail:- law@thenationonlineng.net

INSIDE: Imoke: Taraba crisis is too sensitive to dabble into

-Page 32

Despotism, democracy and anarchy

Ahead of the 2015 elections, many in political circles are worried over Section 285 (6) and (7) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which stipulates that petitions must be determined within 180 days.

Some lawyers believe that the provision violates fair hearing; others argue that it should be retained to ensure that election petitions are determined speedily. Should the section be deleted, retained or modified in the ongoing Constitution amendment? JOSEPH JIBUEZE examines the issues.

A constitutional cog •Why Section 285 (6) and (7) generates heat ‘Section 285 (6) of the Constitution must be deleted for no other reason than the fact that it has proven to have no utilitarian value in improving the electoral process and the fact that it compromises justice and the right to fair hearing.’

‘These good intentions have taken us on an unsavoury journey of unhelpful judicial construction, which finds justice lying prostrate and crushed in the dust’

‘My position is that Section 285 (6) of the Constitution should be retained. The point is that the mischief which the provision came to correct will find itself back in the electoral process if the provision is removed.’

‘If we want to add more months to the six months, we’ll go back to where we were before. It is like a pot of soup; so many things go into it. So we need to work out how it (180 days) will succeed’

•Babatunde Fashola (SAN)

•Charles Edosomwan (SAN)

•Dr Joseph Nwobike (SAN)

•Chief Alex Iziyon (SAN)

W

-Page 33

HAT is it about Section 285 (6) and (7) of the 1999 Constitutionthat makes it tick?

When the Constitution came into being in 1999, the provision is without a time limit for the determination of election petitions.

Following the amendment of the Constitution in 2010, the provision set 180 days as the time limit for election matters.

Before it was introduced, election petitions took up to three years to determine, by which time an illegal occupant of an office would have almost exhausted an illegitimate term.

For instance, in Edo State, Governor Adams Oshiomhole concluded his petition over one year after the election. In Ekiti State, Governor Kayode Fayemi’s petition, filed in 2007, was concluded in October 2010, three years after the election. Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s mandate was restored three years after the election. It took Governor Olusegun Mimiko two years to reclaim his mandate from Olusegun Agagu.

The 2010 amendment, which was signed into law by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011, came with its challenges. Litigants are forced to battle against time to beat the deadline the section imposes. Inability to meet the time frame means that valid petitions could be dismissed on technical grounds.

Lawyers are divided on whether Section 285 should be deleted, retained or further modified.

The issue was a subject of discussion at a session during the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference in Calabar, Cross River State.

Is Jonathan constitutionally qualified to contest in 2015?

-Page 34

Lawyers score Calabar conference average

-Page 34

Consequences of Kenya’s proposed withdrawal from ICC

-Page 37

•Senate President David Mark

What the provision says In an attempt to remedy the absurdity created by the unpalatable scenario of unending cases, the legislature introduced Section 285(6) and (7) of the 1999 Constitution (as

amended). The provision stipulates: (6): “An election tribunal shall deliver its judgment in writing within 180 days from the date of the filing of the petition.”

(7) provides: “An appeal from a decision of the election tribunal or court shall be heard and disposed off within 90 days from the date of the delivery of judgment”.

The provision is also adopted

by Section 134(2) and (3) of the Electoral Act 2010.

Criticisms Analysts have criticised the time limit because they believe it robs tribunals and courts of discretion to enlarge (extend) time where there is need for it.

They said both Section 285 of the Constitution and Section 134 of the Electoral Act appear to be silent on situations where an appellate court orders the retrial of an election matter de-novo.

Another question which analysts raise is: how does an election tribunal handle cases where the petitioner, for instance, got an ample time to present his case but the respondents do not have such opportunity to present all their cases.

What happens to situations where the respondents in an electoral tribunal could not present all their cases on account of the fact that the tribunal’s time limit elapsed but the petitioner had ample time and opportunity to present his own cases?

Can the tribunal validly weigh the evidence of the petitioners vis-a-viz the scanty evidence on same scale of justice and deliver its judgment on it? Or does the tribunal dismiss the petitioner’s case on grounds that same has been caught by the limitation rule?

According to some analysts, a mischievous petitioner who knows that a tribunal will rely • Continued on page 30

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

30

LAW COVER CONT’D •Continued from page 29

on whatever evidence that is available to it within the time limit to deliver its judgment when faced with time constraint, might engage in delay tactics just to ensure that his opponents have little or no time to be heard.

In the same vein, the respondents might also employ the same delay tactics if they know that the tribunal will dismiss a petition where they are not given the opportunity to present all their cases on account of time constraint.

A lawyer, Mr Anthony Agadah, said: “While the National Assembly is implored to revisit both Sections 285(6) and (7) of the Constitution and Section 134(2) and (3) of the Electoral Act and make necessary amendments to take care of this anomaly, it is suggested that election tribunals should endeavour to manage the limited time available to them and also allocate equal time for all parties within which each would present his case. Whatever a party makes out of his own allotted time is his own funeral.”

Analysts further faulted the fact that no provisions were made for adjustment of the timeline in case of events such as the death of one or all of the members of the tribunal or court, a bomb explosion, earthquake, tsunami or a terror attack.

They said while the Supreme Court has confirmed the interpretation of a constitutional right to a judgment within a certain timeframe, it did not deal with the relief that maybe available to anyone denied of this right.

Following the Supreme Court pronouncement on the section, several Election Tribunals sitting on retrial of election petitions hurriedly struck out those petitions, even where it was the Supreme Court that gave such retrial orders.

The orders of the Supreme Court that such matters be re-heard on their merits were rendered null and void by those tribunals, which critics said was unfair.

Arguments for the section’s retention Dr Joseph Nwobike (SAN), who was involved in the case of Shettima vs. Goni, told The Nation that said sections 285 (6) and (7) should be retained.

“My position is that Section 285 (6) of the Constitution should be retained. The point is that the mischief which those provisions came to correct will find itself back into the electoral process if

•Fashola

•Ngige

•Wali

•Osinbajo

•Nwobike

•Gadzama

A constitutional cog the provisions are removed.

“What I mean is this: before the introduction of those provisions, election petitions, even at the tribunal level, lasted for three years, when the tenure of office is four years. It means that a person who has been declared a winner will remain in office for three years when dispute arising from the election has not been decided one way or the other.

“So, apart from the fact that it introduces a lot of distractions to the office and to the holder of the office, it encourages unnecessary delays and frivolous interlocutory applications in the course of the conduct of election petition.

“By providing that election petitions must be concluded within 180 days from the date of filing, the Constitution has provided a justification or a basis to prevent unnecessary delays in the hearing of election petitions in Nigeria.

“I think that the benefits which it has introduced into election

litigation in Nigeria outweigh the burden which it has imposed on election petition litigants.”

Asked if the time should continue to run even when there is an interlocutory appeal, Nwobike said: “That was what happened in the case of Shettima vs. Goni. The petition was filed within time; and in the course of the pre-hearing proceedings, the tribunal decided that the application for issuance of prehearing forms which was made by way of motion ex-parte, was incompetent.

“Against that decision, an appeal was lodged at the Court of Appeal. Because of the appeal, the tribunal stayed proceedings.

And then, at the Court of Appeal, the appeal was heard and allowed. The respondents further appealed to the Supreme Court, which also allowed the appeal and ordered parties to go back to the tribunal.

“By the time parties went back to the tribunal, 180 days had

elapsed, on the basis of which the tribunal dismissed the petition.

The parties now came back to the Court of Appeal and from there to the Supreme Court.

“The Supreme Court held clearly that Section 285 (6) does not admit of any contingency. In other words, whether or not there is a pending interlocutory appeal, the 180 days will continue to run.

“I think I agree with the Supreme Court, because once you introduce the contingency, that the section will be suspended once there is an interlocutory appeal, then there is no need for that provision at all.

“Most of the delays the tribunal usually suffers arise from interlocutory appeals. I think that whether or not there is interlocutory appeal, the 180 should continue to run. In any case it imposes a lot of obligations on the parties to either avoid interlocutory appeals, or to pursue their hearing and determination expeditiously.

“Section 285 (7) provides than an appeal from the decision of an election petition tribunal or Court of Appeal in an election matter shall be heard and disposed of within 60 days from the date of the delivery of the judgment of the tribunal or Court of Appeal.

“What this means is that, yes, you can go on appeal, but the appellate court will have 60 days to hear and determine such appeal. So if you take away 60 days from 180 days, you still have 120 days to come back to the tribunal and conclude your case.”

Asked about a situation where there is an unforeseen occurrence that prevented the tribunal from sitting, thereby interfering with the 180 days, Nwobike said the time should not be abridged nonetheless.

“Again in Shettima vs Goni, one of the problems that the petitioners had was that midway after the petition was filed, and some interlocutory proceedings were taken, because of the security challenges in Maiduguri, an application was made to the President of the Court of Appeal to transfer the tribunal from Maiduguri to Abuja.

“That process took about one and half months to conclude. By the time the tribunal came back to seat at Abuja, the petitioners had already lost about 45 days out of the 180 days. I don’t think we should be introducing all sorts of circumstances into Section 285 (6).

“We should allow it the way it is. It will impose a lot of pressures on election litigants, because what that means is that everybody must try as much as possible to expedite action and ensure that the petition is heard and judgment delivered within 180 days.

“Even if there is a tsunami, within four to seven days, the issue can be resolved. The location of the tribunal can be moved to another place. There is no rocket science about it.”

Speaking at the NBA conference, NBA President Okey Wali (SAN) said the problem is what happens inside the court and not with amending the laws.

“Quick dispensation of cases largely depends on how well judges conduct proceedings. If a judge is firmly in charge of his court, no lawyer will appear before them unprepared or ask for frivolous adjournments,” Wali said.

Chief Alex Iziyon (SAN), who is Editor-in-Chief of Election Petition Reports, said there is the need to fine-tune how to make the •Continued on page 31

Abuja high court chief registrar challenges suspension

S

USPENDED Chief Registrar of the Abuja High Court, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Yahaya has prayed the Court of Appeal to set aside its earlier decision which led to her suspension.

Mrs Yahaya was suspended earlier this year by the Abuja Judicial Service Commission following a recommendation by the National Judicial Service Commission (NJC).

The NJC’s recommendation was informed by the appellate court’s June 4 decision which found her wanting for allegedly violating the court’s order made in respect of an application filed by the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA).

A firm, BPS Engineering and Construction Company Limited had sued FERMA before the Abuja High Court for alleged breach of contract.

The court, after considering the case, gave a N460million judgment against FERMA. FERMA appealed the judg-

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

ment and the judgment sum was consequently kept with Mrs Yahaya as the court’s Registrar.

During the pendency of the appeal, Mrs Yahaya was said to have released the judgment sum to BPS Engineering’s Managing Director, Chudi Chukwuani.

FERMA frowned at the release of the money during the pendency of its appeal and urged the Court of Appeal to compel Mrs Yahaya and Chukwuani to repay the disputed judgment sum to the custody of the trial court within 30 days.

In a June 4 ruling, the appellate court granted FERMA’s prayer and held that the release of the money by Mrs Yahaya was in contravention of two subsisting interlocutory orders made by the Abuja High Court and the Court of Appeal.

The Court of Appeal’s ruling later

led to Mrs Yahaya’s suspension.

But in a fresh motion filed by her lawyer, Nkeruwem Akpan, Mrs Yahaya argued that the appellate court was misled into holding that she acted wrongly.

In the motion brought pursuant to Section 233(3), 233(5), 233(6) and Section 6(6)(a)(b) of the Constitution as well as Order 7 Rules (1)-(5) of the Court of Appeal Rules 2007, the appellant has also asked for an extension of time to challenge the appellate court’s decision of June 4.

Akpan, stated in a supporting affidavit that the fresh motion was informed by his realisation that salient facts were hidden from the appellant court, which led it into ordering that the released judgment sum be repaid back to the trial court.

He stated that he has secured an official copy of the order by the Abuja High Court, which gave credence to the release of the money.

“I was surprised to discover that the fault was not theirs (Mrs Yahaya and Chukwuani) but that they were only obeying a valid order of court,” Akpan said.

He stated that he also found that the “Decree Order Absolute” and “Writ of Attachment” issued by the trial court were not brought to the attention of the appellate court by either the appellant or respondent.

“I verily believe that the ruling of the appellate court ordering the repayment of the funds and which led to the suspension to the Chief Registrar would not have been made if the attention of the court was brought to the decisions at the trial court.

“I verily believe that this decision of your lordship can be set aside sou motu upon the emergence of these fresh facts.

“I verily believe that this application has merit and provides your lordship with additional impetus to set

aside the ruling complained of.

“I know as a fact that this application ought to have been brought within 14 days from the day of the ruling complained of.

“I have approached the court slightly late due to the fact that I had to gather the materials and exhibits necessary to bring this application; the delay is not deliberate.

“I verily believe the counsel in the main case owed this court a duty to draw your lordship’s attention to the writ of attachment in issue, but failed to do so.

“I verily believe that this oversight on the part of the counsel occasioned a gross miscarriage of justice and could, if not reversed, further drag the good image of judiciary into disrepute.

“The FCT Court officials acted bona fide in obeying a valid order of court and therefore not be vilified having acted within the law, he added.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

LAW & SOCIETY

Parties head for Supreme Court in dispute over Saraki’s election

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•From left: Head Judge, Lagos High Court, Justice Funmilayo Atilade; Chief Justice of Nigeria, Aloma Mukhtar; Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Ayotunde Phillips and Justice Yetunde Idowu at the swearing in of new justices of the Supreme Court.

A constitutional cog

•Continued from page 30

six months (180 days) workable and practicable rather than deleting it.

He said lawyers handling such cases can engage more hands and not corner them to themselves alone; briefs should be frontloaded so the judge does not need to write everything, and credible people should be employed to man the registry.

“If we want to add more months to the six months, we’ll go back to where we were before.

It is like a pot of soup; so many things go into it. So we need to work out how it will succeed,” Iziyon said.

Arguments for the election removal/amendment of section Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) led calls at the NBA conference for the deletion of the sections. He had several backers.

The governor said it would require courage to dispense with Section 285 (6) and simultaneously deal with delays of the trial of election cases.

“My recommendation is simple. Section 285 (6) of the Constitution must be deleted for no other reason than the fact that it has proven to have no utilitarian value in improving the electoral process and the fact that it compromises justice and the right to a fair hearing.

“We have not heard the unspoken statements of those who have been at the receiving end of such unjust treatment in the run up to the 2015 elections.

“I can only hazard a guess that it may not sound good unless we get our legislators to re-think and remove Section 285 (6), because if the hunter has learnt to shoot without missing, the bird that seeks to survive must learn to fly without perching.”

Former Lagos AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice Prof Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), said: “It does appear that all that any candidate that is declared winner needs do to do to get away with the mandate, even where it was brazenly stolen, is to file a preliminary objection and follow it through the appellate process.

“For gubernatorial elections, appeals now go all the way to

the Supreme Court, which makes it easier to prevent trial for 180 days.

“Thus, by simply holding up the actual trial of a petition, a rigged election will be legalised by a dismissal of the petition based on Section 285 (6) and ANPP v. Goni.

“The judiciary appears to have taken the unfortunate view that it is helpless even to order a fresh trial properly speaking, even where it is obvious that an interlocutory challenge was merely a ploy to let time run against a petitioner. Self-help now appears to be the only option for an aggrieved contestant.”

Backing the removal of the subsections, Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN) said the legislature still needs to go back to the drawing board to eliminate the factors responsible for perpetration of injustice in election matters.

According to him, while it is desirable to fast-track election petition cases, “justice rushed is worse than justice delayed.”

“First and foremost, mechanisms must be put in place to ensure free, fair and credible elections. Secondly, there should be a better fast track method which would allow for a better retrial of cases in deserving circumstances.

“Thirdly, petitioners must be fully ready to prosecute election petition cases by the procurement of necessary documents and materials before jumping to court or tribunal.

“INEC and the National Assembly should borrow a leaf from the Lagos State Election Petition Tribunal Law which has a proviso for enlargement of time to do things that ought to have been ordinarily done under deserving circumstances.

“Technicalities should be deemphasised and interlocutory appeals under whatever guise should be eliminated in election petition cases,” Akintola said.

Chief Charles Edosomwan (SAN) said while the apparent intention of the amendment was to further the goal of achieving fair trials of electoral disputes expeditiously within delimited periods, the good intentions have not been achieved.

“These good intentions have taken us on an unsavoury journey of unhelpful judicial construction,

the end result of which finds justice lying prostrate and crushed in the dust,” he said.

According to him, to allow a situation quite outside a helpless citizen’s control to rob him of an opportunity to judicially contest his electoral mandate “is perversion of the worst kind carried on in the same expediency.”

“To persist in this constructionist attitude will only result in an unjust roost in excess formalism where justice is drained from the words of the Constitution, leaving them dead, purposeless and meaningless to the ideals of fairness that ought to complement the principles of civil liberties enshrined in our Constitution with wholesome value.

“At best and worst, the provisions of Section 285 (7) be given a directory interpretative import and reprieve made available for faultless appellants,” Edosomwan said.

Mr Ebun Sofunde (SAN) said the sub-sections should be revisited, as they deny a fair hearing.

“Based on my experience and decided cases, my conclusion is that whilst section 285 sub-sections 5, 6 and 7 do not de-facto enable a fair hearing, it can be said that, in so far as they are constitutional provisions, they de jure enable a fair hearing.

“The law as to election petitions ought to be re-visited if we really want petitions to be determined, as much as possible, on the merits,” Sofunde said.

Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama (SAN) said: “The section should be further amended so there can be an extension of the 180 days if circumstances call for it.”

Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN) said Section 285 is unjust, that there is need for an amendment, and that the provision should be amended to stop the 180 days from counting when a case goes on appeal.

“Let it be amended in a way that if you go on appeal, you press the stop clock. When you go on appeal and come back, the clock continues,” he said.

Mr Lanke Odogiyan said the subsections should be reviewed so that in a situation of force majore (unexpected natural event), the time should not count.

The buck, it seems, stops with the lawmakers. Will Section 285 undergo further amendment? Time will tell.

HE dispute over the elec tion of former Kwara State Governor, Bukola Saraki, as Senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District, has been taken to the Supreme Court.

His challenger, Alhaji La’ziz Ayinla Kolawole, has appealed the decision of the Court of Appeal upholding Saraki’s election.

The appellant is praying the apex court to set aside the appeal court’s verdict which upheld a Federal High Court decision confirming Saraki’s election.

In a notice of appeal filed by Kolawole’s lawyer, Salman Jawondo, the appellant urged the apex court to set aside the judgment of the lower court on the ground of it being a nullity.

He also urges the court to hear and determine the appeal on merit rather than remit it back to the lower court for re-hearing.

The appellant, in the appeal filed pursuant to Order 8, Rule 2 of the Supreme Court Rules, argued that the judgment of the Court of Appeal was a nullity because it was delivered by a panel other than the panel of the court that heard the appeal.

It is also his contention that the Court of Appeal erred in law in entertaining and sustaining the issue of jurisdiction raised afresh

by Saraki.

He argued that the contention

by Saraki, at the Court of Appeal, that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case, was a new issue Saraki raised in utter disregard of his objection.

Kolawole stated that he had objected on the ground that the new issue was raised and canvass by parties before the trial court, but that the trial court failed to consider and make pronouncement on it.

He argued that the Appeal Court also erred in law in strik-

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

ing out his suit on ground of lack of jurisdiction upon its reasoning that, “the appellant’s case, in substance relates to the nomination, selection or sponsorship by the 1st respondents, (the Peoples Democratic Party) of its candidate for the National Assembly general election held in April, 2011 in respect of Kwara Central Senatorial District.”

The appellant is contending that his case only challenges the participation of Saraki as a candidate in the emergency special congress or re-run primary of the party in violation of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and not the party’s powers to nominate, select or elect its candidate for elective office.

“The appellant’s case is premised on violations and or breaches of and or non compliance with the provisions of section 87 (1), (4) (c) and (6) of the Electoral Act, sections 17. 1 & 17. 2 f the constitution of the PDP and sections 26 (1) (b) & (c), 27 (v) and 33 of the electoral guidelines for primary elections 200 of the PDP in the nomination/election/selection of its candidate for Kwara Central Senatorial election for the April, 2011 general election,” he said.

Kolawole argued that the Court of Appeal misdirected itself in law by its failure to consider and pronounce on the issues he placed and canvassed before the trial court.

Named as respondents in the appeal include Saraki, the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Court restrains firm from diverting N3b allocation •Unity Bank sues Bullet Construction

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USTICE Peter Affen of the Abuja High Court has re strained a firm, Bullet Nigeria Limited from diverting the N3billion approved for it by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to any other account than the one it maintains with Unity Bank Plc. The judge made the order while directing parties to maintain the status quo in the suit brought against the Abujabased firm by Unity Bank.

The bank sued Bullet Ltd over its alleged default in repaying a N6.85billion loan.

The bank, in a supporting affidavit, stated that Bullet’s four directors, Ismaila Isa Funtua, Dimitar Kraer, Kraytcho I. Nicolov and Lawal I. Isa, had guaranteed the loan.

It added that the directors also gave their properties as security for the loan.

The bank gave the addresses of the properties to include Plot 1088, Cadastral Zone AO1, Kaura Namoda Street, Garki Area 3; Plot 1760, House No. 17, Malcom Fraser Street, Off Jimmy Carter Street, Cadastral Zone AOS Asokoro, Abuja; Plot No. 1759, House 15 Malcom Fraser Street, Off Jimmy Carter Street, Cadastral Zone, AOS, Asokoro, Abuja and Plot No. 909 Agatu Close, Off Gimbiya Street, Garki Area 11.

The bank is praying the court for an order granting it per-

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

mission to sell the properties provided by the company as collateral security for the loan.

Hearing was stalled in the suit marked: M/11147/13 last Thursday, owing to an appeal for more time by defendant’s lawyer, Sheriff Sulaiman.

He prayed for an adjournment on the ground that briefed the previous day.

Sulaiman said he needed time to study the court processes and other documents from client to enable him respond appropriately.

Responding, plaintiff’s lawyer, I. M. Yamah did not oppose the defendant’s request for an adjournment.

He only prayed the court to order parties to maintain status quo pending the next adjourned date.

He explained that his request for status quo should imply that the N3b approved for Bullet in the 2013 budget of the Federal Government should be paid into firm’s account with Unity Bank.

Ruling, Justice Affen granted plaintiff’s lawyer’s prayer.

The judge, being a vacation judge, ordered that the case file be transferred to the court’s Chief Judge for further direction.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

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LAW PERSONALITY Governor Liyel Imoke, a lawyer, hosted the just-concluded General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) at Tinapa Resorts in Calabar. During the conference, he spoke to select journalists on security in the state, the loss of Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon, the challenges of the the loss of 78 oil wells to Akwa Ibom State and sundry national issues. Legal Editor JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU was there.

Imoke: Taraba crisis is too sensitive to dabble into

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OBSERVED that there is low crime rate in this state. How has Cross River State been able to maintain this level of security and what can other governors learn from Cross River?

What we have done on security in Cross River State is that we have been proactive.

On any security report that comes in, we try to address it upfront. We have tracking systems and we have vehicles that are equipped with tracking systems anywhere in the state.

Before the conference we had extensive meetings with the security agencies and examined the entire crime situation in the state.

What do you mean by this proactive approach to security?

We try to be proactive with security because of our commitment to tourism and we cannot afford to take chances.

We fight crime and we don’t take things for granted. You would have noticed that we banned commercial motorcyclists. We were the first state to do that and today, the benefits, in terms of crime rates are quite evident.

We have a total commitment to fighting crime and we don’t take it lightly. Most importantly the average Cross Riverian is very hospitable and accommodating; therefore visitors and all residents have nothing to worry about in terms of crime. The only possible crime you may find in the state is petty stealing and a few minor misdemeanor which of course we know cannot be totally eliminated.

Nigeria lost Bakassi to Cameroun,

how has your government been able to cope with catering for the citizens of Bakassi?

It’s a very unfortunate situation which we found ourselves. It is unfortunate that we lost Bakassi to Cameroun and it is more unfortunate that today, Cross River State is bearing the burden of that loss. Our losses are significant and it is worse on the people of Cross River more than any other.

How? As you know, Bakassi had oil wells which were resources from which Cross River State drew from. We had our budgets based on those projected earnings and when we lost Bakassi, the impact on our revenue was devastating.

Then the citizens of Bakassi had to be catered for and we didn’t find anyone helping out in that situation. The Cross River state government had to bear all that burden alone. You can therefore imagine what we have been through.

The consequence of the Bakassi judgment, the non-ratification of the judgment by the National Assembly has been devastating on us as a state. There are other consequences of the judgment, not just the socio-economic consequences. We had to scale down on a number of our capital projects and the judgment came at the peak of the agitation for minimum wage to which we had given our commitment. It’s been quite challenging and anybody who means well for the state will easily see the grave consequences.

Cross River State lost almost all its oil w e l l s to A k w a I b o m S t a t e i n a judgment by the Supreme Court. How

have you been able to cope with the challenges in terms of loss of revenue? There was a suggestion of a political solution. Has that been explored with your brother governor and learned colleague of Akwa Ibom State?

Let me say that I believe that a political solution is still possible with regard to our loss of wells to Akwa Ibom State and we have not shut our doors to that.

What do you consider to be the way out of the leadership crisis in Taraba State?

Unfortunately, I haven’t spoken with the Taraba State Governor since his return. So, I cannot say with certainty what his state of health is.

But there are very clear provisions in our Constitution which we must be very careful about. I am sometimes amused by how sentimental people can be when they comment on such matters.

It’s only the Medical Board that can make a clear and precise pronouncement on Governor Suntai’s state of health and that board can only be set up by the state’s Executive Council to determine his state. The fact that he is physically incapacitated does not mean that he is mentally incapacitated. He might have a 100 per cent use of his mental faculties.

Are you saying that a physically challenged person cannot be a governor?

The Taraba State executive has been sacked and a letter transmitted to the state’s House of A s s e m b l y on the governor’s

•Imoke

readiness to resume. What do you say to that?

But the point is that you lawyers talk about rule of law, so we must strictly follow the Constitution. The Taraba State situation is a matter is too sensitive to be dabbled into by uninformed persons as we are seeing in the newspapers. We must not also forget that this man was elected by his people. so what are his people saying?

What is their perception? We need to be careful about our comments on Taraba.

Adeboye Muyibat Bolanle, a graduate of Olabisi Onabanjo University was called to the Bar in 2003. Shortly after her call, she went into banking and specialised in investment banking. She left banking for private law practice where she is charting a path in maritime law. In this interview with John Austin Unachukwu, she speaks on her law practice, banking, and sundry national issues.

‘Nigerian lawyers should embrace globalisation’ in court and that was the reason I was there, the man said to me, come out of that place, it is the inner Bar and is reserved for Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN). Then I left the front row and went to sit at the back. Then, when I was addressing the court, I kept saying yes ma, not so ma like three times, then one female lawyer that sat beside me said, that you don’t address the court as ma, because there are no ladies at the Bar, you keep saying sir, sir, all the time.

•Adeboye

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HAT was your experience the first day you addressed the court as a new wig?

My first day in court was during my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and I remember very well, when I got to the court, I went straight to the front row and sat down there.

So what happened?

One senior lawyer came to me and asked, what are you doing there and I replied that I had a matter to do

What challenges did you face as an investment banker?

As at the time I started investment banking, it was indeed a very profitable and lucrative business in Nigeria. It was easy then to buy stock and forecast your profit and turn over on your stock in one year, for instance, if you had school fees to pay in January and you were willing to invest your money by June, we could confidently assure you that you could get good returns on your investment but as time passed it was difficult to give such predictions as stock markets went bad and it was extremely difficult to advise clients on where to invest, how to invest and what to put on the table. In addition to this, banks began to give high targets to their staff to meet, knowing fully well that those targets were very difficult to meet.

They still insisted that we met those targets at the end of the day and that was a very big challenge those

By John Austin Unachukwu

days.

So, why did you did you leave the banking for law practice?

When I went to study law, I did so because I wanted to become a legal practitioner. I didn’t study law to sit down on a desk and be doing the same job over and over again all through the year. When I was being called to the Nigerian Bar, my dream was to make an impact and leave an indelible foot print on the sands of Nigerian legal history as I I grew up in practice.

So, why did you go into banking Well, my dad at the time I was called to the Bar was very active in the banking profession and he encouraged me to join investment banking then because he thought that it was a very good profession at that time and that I could grow in the banking industry.

However, as I grew in investment banking, it became what we did not really envisaged.

So, we had no option but to leave and go back to our primary dreams to be lawyers .

How do you feel now that you are in private law practice?

I feel very elated. I feel very satisfied. I feel very encouraged and I feel very motivated, especially when I attended the NBA yearly General conference in Calabar and saw senior lawyers, distinguished legal practitioners pontificating the law , marshalling their points and leading serious advocacy. For instance, our erudite and highly scholastic Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency, Babatunde Raji Fashola was there to deliver a speech and as it is characteristic of him, he was very eloquent, the former Chief Justice of

Nigeria, S.M.A.Belgore was there and other distinguished Senior Advocates of Nigeria who equally presented papers and made us proud in the profession.

There is a call for specialisation in legal practice. Which area do you want to specialise in and why?

Well, I am interested in maritime law because I feel that is an area that has not been fully explored in Nigeria. I was privileged to attend a programme in the United Kingdom and that had to motivated me to study more about maritime law and specialise in it. I have been encouraging my friends to read more about maritime law because it has a lot of potentials to be explored.

There is this call for globalisation of legal practice; that is, allow foreign lawyers to come to Nigeria and open shops. How do you feel about this?

It is a welcome development; we cannot continue to live within our shells; we have to expand and there is no better way to do that than to compare notes with people who have better or different ideas.The legal profession is a competitive profession, when you get to court, despite the fact that you read your case and prepared very well for it, you will be dazed to know that the other party perhaps knows that same case better than you do.

So, it is a profession where you don’t have to rest on your oars, you don’t have to believe that you know it all, so, it is, indeed, a welcome development for lawyers sfrom other jurisdictions to come in here, we compare notes, practice together and continue from there.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

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LAW AND SOCIETY Text of a paper delivered at the State of the Legal Profession Lecture of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) by CHIEF JOE-KYARI GADZAMA (SAN)

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Modernising legal practice in Nigeria: Challenges and prospects

“ F there is one thing more impor tant than any other in a lawyer , it is that he should be honest. He must be honest with his clients. He must be honest with his opponent.

He must be honest with the court.

Above all, he must be honest with himself. This was, you may remember, the precept given by Polonius to Laertes: ‘This above all: to thine own self be true. And it must follow as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man’ - Lord Denning Introduction Over the years, the lawyer or attorney traditionally, has fulfilled the role of gatekeeper and guide to the web of law Legal Practice is therefore, a glamorous profession. It is an enthralling sight to see lawyers, fully robed and prepared for the day’s work in court. Members of the profession regularly elicit the most disparaging of comments from the uninitiated (one frustrated fellow actually compared lawyers to penguins, large aquatic birds, white and black in colour, just like lawyers).

Quite naturally, most of these comments are the product of ignorance or in most cases, jealousy. There is an almost glaring sense of entitlement evident in a successful lawyer’s steps. He oversees major financial and property transactions, often preparing the instrument of transfer and his statutory declaration of compliance is a sine qua non for the registration of a company. He also represents his clients in civil and criminal matters in court where he serves as his mouthpiece. There are as a matter of fact, Nigerians who do nothing without their lawyers’ consent.

Everything from the preparation of Wills, signing of important documents and every day commercial negotiations, now seems to require the services of a lawyer. Legal Practice in Nigeria has therefore developed steadily over the years, beyond court appearances. It has become so much more than that.

Since 1962, when two enactments, namely, the Legal Education Act, 1962 and the Legal Practitioners Act, 1962 came into being, Nigeria has churned out many lawyers and legal practice has indeed flourished, if your only criterion for measurement is the financial capability or increased number of our lawyers. On February 14, 2012 alone, the Body of Benchers called 3,479 candidates to

the Nigerian Bar. Between January 1963 when eight students were admitted for a three-month course at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos and 2012, the Nigerian Law School has graduated over 50,000 lawyers. Indeed between 2011 and 2012, the Nigerian Law School produced over 6,000 law graduates.

If other criteria are applied however, legal practice in Nigeria falls short of the expected standard. It is true that Nigerian lawyers make a tidy sum of money from the various legal services rendered to their clients which include aspects of Civil, Criminal, Commercial and Corporate Law. Others have, over the years, acted on behalf of the Federal Government, private individuals and Corporations; some have even gone as far as representing their clients internationally. Sadly, only a minute percentage of Nigerian legal practitioners can be said to have tried to expand the frontiers of legal practice in Nigeria.

For the greater part of the last 50 years, legal practice in Nigeria had experienced its ups and downs but its reputation as a profession filled with men and women of impeccable dignity had been maintained. That was until recently, when the toga of integrity was stripped from notable members of the profession, lawyers and judges alike. As unfortunate as these recent actions were, they are in the past, so I habour less fear of them than I do for the future of legal practice in Nigeria. We cannot change the past, we can only learn from it in order to ensure it does not affect our future. The future is replete with booby traps and pitfalls which we would do well to avoid if our revered legal practice is to stand the test of time and compete favourably with legal practice in the world’s leading jurisdictions in the United States of America and Western Europe.

With each passing year, starryeyed “new wigs” are churned out by the Nigerian Law School and while there are certainly some exceptional prodigies amongst these new entrants, the performances of the vast majority leave much to be desired.

To make matters worse, a lot of them get snapped up by Banks and other blue-chip companies before they have adequately found their feet in legal practice.

As bad as the above-mentioned scenario sounds, it completely pales

beside the issue of unethical practice. That is most definitely the biggest problem facing legal practice in Nigeria today; the quest by lawyers to become rich by all means. Some call it sharp practice but our illustrious friends in Lagos have coined a phrase that aptly describes it; jankara practice. Whichever name it is known by, this along with the well-known problems with technology is the single biggest problem that legal practice faces in Nigeria.

I would imagine that the aspiration of the bodies that regulate legal practice in Nigeria and the stakeholders in the legal profession in Nigeria is that legal practice in Nigeria competes with and perhaps surpasses what we have in the developed countries of the world. Some foreign companies in Nigeria hire foreign law Firms to represent them in disputes abroad simply because there are few Nigerian lawyers who are well versed (or even qualified to practise in these countries) in the subject matter of some of these suits.

Who says a Nigerian law Firm cannot handle the said matter abroad if it possesses the requisite expertise?

There is no doubt that we have the requisite brain power to compete anywhere in the world. The likes of Hon. Justice Oputa, Hon. Justice Kayode Esho, Chief F.R.A. Williams, SAN among others, could compete with the very best in the world. The likes of Hon. Justice Maryam Aloma Mukhtar, our Honourable Chief Justice of the Federation and Chief Richard Akinjide (SAN) can also compete with the best in the world. Similarly, the likes of Prince Bola Ajibola, (SAN) and the great Teslim Elias have at various times served as Judges in other countries. The man power is therefore not lacking at all.

Legal practice in Nigeria just needs to get rid of the obstacles on the road to modernisation, which is a must if our practice is to remain relevant in an ever changing world.

Definitions of basic concepts It is a well-known fact that words have no real meaning except in the context in which they are used.

It would, therefore, be imperative, as we go on, to define the concepts we would be referring to. This is to ensure that we are all on the same page and the context in which these concepts are used is fully understood.

•To be continued next week

•Third Vice President, NBA, Francis Ekwere and Treasurer NBA, Joyce Oduah at the just-concluded NBA conference in Calabar.

LAW AND PUBLIC POWER

with gabriel AMALU email:gabrielamalu1@yahoo.com

Despotism, democracy and anarchy

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HE contest for political power, as has been stated elsewhere, is truly akin to a civil war. As such, there is only a difference in degree and casualty between what is happening within the political parties in Nigeria, especially the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); and in the war front in Syria. In the battle for the soul of the PDP, the desperados are angling to drag the judiciary into their murky battle field, and unless the Judges exercise tact, some of them may become the fall guys, just like their colleague, late Justice Bassey Ikpeme, who apparently was lured into a pre-rearranged debacle, and mugged in the events leading up to the June 12 election, crisis.

Last week, the Atiku Abubakar-led faction of the PDP, after their show of desperation at the PDP mini-convention, went to a Lagos High Court in search of an ex-parte order to emasculate their contenders in the Bamanga Tukur led PDP; and it was reported by the media that the courts ordered for maintenance of the status quo ante bellum. Later, same last week, the Bamanga group also went to an Abuja High court to shop for their own mandatory injunction to stop their renegade colleagues in the party, again by an ex parte process; and it was reported that the courts also asked the parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum. Now, a day after the last order was reportedly made by Justice E. Chukwu, the office of the so called new PDP was sealed, with the Bamanga group claiming that the unlawful police action was merely an enforcement of the court order.

The obviously self-serving definition of what constitutes the status quo ante bellum, has given the warring parties an opportunity to recklessly abuse the court process as they battle to foster or counter the anti-party activity of the new PDP. For the avoidance of doubt, when a court orders that status quo to be maintained, it is ordering the parties not to take any further steps on the disputed issue, as that may foist a state of helplessness on the court; especially where the res (issue before the court) could be so violated that the subsequent decision of the court may become of no moment, after it must have considered the oral or written arguments of the parties in the suit.

Where an act considered a violation of another’s right has been concluded, the court can only make a specific order as to the rights of the parties, not a nebulous maintenance of status quo; in other for the parties to have a clear part in the judicial process. Unfortunately in Nigeria, as in most third world countries, the truism remains: first seize political power by any means possible, and then every other thing will be added unto that. That is why the PDP break away gang led by Atiku, are desperately seeking to destroy the PDP if they can’t have their way, because they know that Bamaga Tukur will not waste precious political time to allow a transparent party primary against President Jonathan or his son in Adamawa; when they have executive power and could abuse same to railroad the party wily nily to their preferred destination.

But, of course, the PDP is engaged in warfare and all is fair in a war? So let the swords clash, and the guns boom, and the war-farers get killed. If our democracy or even the country gets subsumed in the crisis; what is important for the politicians is to have their way.

Like in PDP as in Syria, it is the same desperation that is seeking to consume Syria, and if care is not taken drag the partisan actors across the world, into the madness. As far as President Bashar al-Assad of Syria is concerned, nothing is too sacred in the gambit to keep his family patrimony; which is what Syria is to the al-Assad family.

In the on-going civil war in Syria, chemical weapon banned by international law in war, has been applied to murder about 1,429 Syrians in a poison gas attack in August. Now the United States and its dwindling allies are turned between bombing the despotic regime of alAssad for that criminality and allowing him to continue to kill his people; with the feared consequences that extremist may take over the fragile country of significant non-Muslim faithful, if al-Assad is dethroned. Russia and China selfishly are also cashing in on the sectarian divisions among the Muslims in the region to warn that an attack on Syria will destabilise the region.

But as President Obama of United States has rightly asked the international community, would it be right to allow the criminals who gassed poor Syrians free latitude? If they are not held to account, is not likely that they may repeat it; or that other despots or countries could in future resort to the use of chemical weapon to win a battle? To show how delicate the situation is, Pope Francis and the United Nation’s Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon have cautioned the world powers.

The pontiff, who is a major moral force in the world, is genuinely afraid that Coptic Christians and other minority groups will suffer if the as-Assad regime falls. Of course the fear is based on the experience of their colleagues in other countries in the Middle East, where despots are holding their citizens to ransom.

To show how difficult the choice in Syria is, despotic Iran where minority Christians are also hounded, is among the supporters of Syria. Obviously the al-Assad family understands what it takes to make despotism preferable to democracy, and that is the tragedy of the entire Middle East.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

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LAW & SOCIETY Should President Goodluck Jonathan contest the 2015 election? No says an Abuja based lawyer, JIBRIN S. OKUTEPA (SAN) who argues that the president is not constitutionally qualified to contest.

Is Jonathan constitutionally qualified to contest in 2015?

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HERE have been debates and arguments that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, is or is not qualified to seek re election in 2015. Understandingly some people from the South South Zone of Nigeria, where our president comes from have been at the forefront of the agitation that the President must run in 2015.

They argued forcefully that their son must be allowed to do two terms of eight years , perhaps like President Obansajo. Others have argued that the president is not qualified to run in 2015 on so many variables principal among which is the constitution. Because I come from a minority like Mr President I would have loved to support arguments that Mr president be allowed to run or that Mr president should run for election in 2015, if God spares him as I pray he does.

But can President Jonathan run in 2015 presidential elections. My humble view is that he cannot and he will be constitutionally barred, unless of course, the 1999 constitution is further amended to accommodate that ambition if he has the ambition. There is no doubt that by the provision of the 1999 constitution as amended, Nigerian president can only spend a maximum of eight years in office. That is why section 137 (1) (b) of the 1999 Constitution as amended provides that a person elected to the office of the president at any time for two previous elections shall not be qualified for subsequent election as president of Nigeria.

There is no dispute that in 2007, president Jonathan was elected as Vice president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the joint ticket with late president Umaru Musa Ya,Adua. Upon the death of President Umaru Musa Ya’Adua, president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was sworn in as president. My humble view is that the election of 2007 was the first election of President Jonathan, because even though elected as Vice President, he was elected as president because in the absence of the president, he becomes the president on the basis of the election that brought him and the late president to the office. See S.146(1) of the Constitution. That the president Jonathan contested the election of 2007 and won into the office of vice president and who was in the same shoes with the president is not in dispute. See section 142(1) of the 1999 constitution as amended. It is clear from the provisions of section 142(1) and (2) of the said constitution that no person can be duly nominated to the office of the president unless he nominates a person who is qualified to be president like him. The implication is clear. A person contesting the office of vice president is by implication contesting the office of the president. He automatically becomes the president if any of the factors set out in the constitution in section 146 of the constitution occurs. This point was underscored by the Supreme Court in PDP vs INEC (1999) 7SCNJ 297.

The facts of that case was that Alhaji Atiku

•Jonathan

•Okutepa

Abubakar stood election to the office of the Governor of Adamawa State. He nominated Mr Bonnie Haruna as his running mate. They won the election as governor and deputy governor respectively. Before they could be sworn in, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar became vice presidential candidate to General Obansajo. INEC held the view that since they were not sworn in the Deputy Governor elect could not been sworn in as Governor of Adamawa State. The Supreme Court held otherwise and Mr Bonnie Haruna was subsequently sworn in as Governor of Adamawa State. Section 137(1) ( b) of the Constitution, is impari materia with S.182(1) (b) of the same constitution interpreted by the Supreme Court in Marwa vs Nyako & ors, (2012) 6 NWLR (pt.1296) 200 at 310-311, judgment/decision in consolidated appeals delivered on the 27th January 2012, where the Supreme Court held that: “ A person first elected as governor of a state shall vacate his office at the expiration of a period of four years commencing from the date when he took the oath of allegiance and oath of office though he could be re-elected for another term of four years giving him a maximum of two tenures of eight years” In the same case the Supreme Court held at 286 that : time fixed by the constitution for doing anything cannot be extended. It is immutable, fixed like the rock of Gilbratar. It cannot be

extended,elongated,expanded or stretched beyond what it states”.

There is doubt that President Jonathan spent two years in office as president following his election in 2007 as vice president cum the president of Nigeria as a result of the death of the then president. He was also elected president in 2011 and sworn in. Mr President has thus been elected to the office of the president on two previous elections and has taken two oaths of office and allegiance as president of Nigeria. The intention of the makers of our constitution is that we should not have any person however eminently qualified to serve in the office of president or governor for more than two terms of eight years. The Supreme court spoke so in Marwa vs Nyako supra. The question then is if Mr president makes himself available for the 2015 election and he wins and there is no doubt he will using power of incumbency and Nigerian factors in winning election, will he step down after two years. If not he would have spent 10 years in office under the 1999 constitution contrary to the provisions that provide for 8years maximum. The argument that Mr president is doing well is beside the point.

The Constitution is the grundnorm. Any ambition that will violate Nigerian constitution must be discouraged by all. Those who speak in favour of Mr President running are no doubt doing so because our constitution has given every one

the freedom of expression, but in the exercise of that freedom we must do so within the parameter of constitutionality. To argue that the two years spent by Mr President is not his term but the tenure of late President Musa Yar’Adua is an argument that flies in the face of logic and constitution. There is the principle of constitutional construction and it is this that the primary purpose of constitutional interpretation is to find out the purpose for which the framers of the constitution sought to achieve by the provisions in the constitution. The intention of the Framers of our constitution is that no one Nigerian however eminent qualified should be in the office of the president or governor for more than 8years maximum. The framers also know that the president or governor may die and can die in office and the vice president and deputy governor as the case may be has to take over. I hold the view that if the draftsmen of our constitution had intended that the reminder of the tenure being completed by the vice president now president or deputy governor as the case may be should not be part of the tenure of 8 years when they win elections on their own, the constitution would have said so. In order words it is my submission that in the circumstances of this case there is no amount of political gymnastics that can make it constitutional for President Jonathan to run for 2015, even if he has performed creditably well, which is outside the purview of this discourse. Dahiru Musdapher JSC as he then was summed it up beautifully in this way when he was contributing in judgment on the purpose of 8years tenure in our constitution. This is what the learned jurist said: if I may briefly explain supposing like Dr Chris Ngige a person elected as governor holds office for 3years before the election is nullified, he contests the rerun election and wins it and resumes office for another two years, when the electoral tribunal again nullified the election and again ordered a fresh election which he wins again, it would mean that the person would have spent 3,2 plus another 4 years thus making it 9 or take it a step further it may mean he could continue ad infinitum. Clearly this is not the situation the constitution has intended. It has only created a tenure of 4 years and no more. See Marwa vs Nyako supra at 294.

My view therefore is that if President Jonathan seeks re-election in 2015, and he wins as he is likely to,he would have been elected into that office more than two terms of four years. I humbly submit that president Jonathan is constitutionally barred from contesting the 2015 election unless the constitution is deliberately amended to accommodate him.

•Okutepa is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria based in Abuja.

Release Ozekhome, lawyer pleads

A

•From left: Second Vice President NBA, Steve Abar; Secretary Emeka Obegholu; President, Okey Wali (SAN); Chairman, Technical Committee on Conference Planning (TCCP), Chief Joe Agi (SAN) and Financial Secretary NBA, Aisha Ado Abdullahi at the NBA conference in Calabar.

LAGOS-BASED lawyer, Chijioke Emeka has called for the release of Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), who was kidnapped by unknown gunmen.

In a statement, he said the abduction was a “grievous crime against God and humanity”.

The statement reads: “While no one deserves the horror of ransom kidnap, Chief Ozekhome should have been the last person to be so treated.

Starting with the ‘People’s Lawyer’, Mr. Kanmi Ishola-Osobu, Chief Ozekhome was to become a scion of Chief Gani Fawehinmi School of Social Activism.

“He was in the trenches during the era of Military dictatorship fighting for the masses. Having surmounted the initial limitations of his humble beginnings by dint of hardwork, Chief Ozekhome was not a poor man.

Yet he stood with the poor and the down-trodden. He continued to speak out against the excesses of the succeeding civilian governments till date!”

He continued: “I recall when Chief Ozekhome bid for the Edo State House for 2003 Elections. Someone had tried to dissuade him with come and join us make we dey chop together

and Chief turned him down!

“Ozekhome’s abortive bid for governorship was to salvage Edo State, rescue education and create employment; the same mission Comrade Adams Oshiomhole embraced.

Ozekhome is not a ‘moneybag’. So, where do his abductors expect his family to secure the hundreds of millions they demand for?”

He added: “I call on the Federal Government, which controls all the intelligence, security and law enforcement apparatuses of Nigeria, to do something urgent on Nigeria’s security situation. Sadly, today, the major discourse in Abuja is 2015!

“Chief Ozekhome’s abduction is one too many. It is to our collective shame!

It is wrong for this man of the masses to become a victim of the same system he has fought all his life to change. Chief has never sided with the oppressors.

“So, why oppress him? Why put him and his family through this mental agony? I call on those holding Chief to remember God and release him unconditionally.

“Let them remember that money is not everything. There are generational curses that follow this type of heinous crime against God and man.”

35

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

NATIONAL BAR

Lawyers who participated in the one week conference of the Nigeria Bar Asociation (NBA) in Calabar have given kudos to the leadership of the association for organising a hitch-free event. But they said there is room for improvement in subsequent conferences. Legal Editor JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU, who was there, reports.

Lawyers score Calabar conference average

A

PARTICIPANT at the con ference A. O. Omonuwa (SAN) said: “The organisation was good in terms of making it easy and seamless for delegates to get their materials, although the bags didn’t contain all the materials. The challenge I discovered was that many lawyers didn’t find it easy to secure accommodation in Calabar, so it was very difficult especially for the younger ones.

“Again, transportation was another challenge, many lawyers found it difficult to move around, some of us didn’t even leave Tinapa but as regards course content, it was a very good conference. The keynote speaker, was really good, in short he was the best. I will give kudos to the president but another thing that I didn’t like about the conference is the aspect where we showcased our history and I think that as lawyers, if we are talking about our own history, the history should be correct, we should be able to depict the true history.

“I feel that some people who have served this association, people like Charles Idehen, up till today, he is the only person who was the president of the NBA and president of the African Bar at the same time.

He had a dual portfolio, his name was not mentioned and I was not happy about that, it was not the making of the present executives, it has been there for a while and I think that if lawyers have issues, we shouldn’t carry issues beyond a particular level, I don’t really know what it is but, I am sure that it is an oversight on the side of Mr. President, he is a very dynamic young man and I am sure that if he was aware of that, he would have corrected it. I think that it is the right time for us to correct our own history so that when the other generations are coming, they will know when the legal profession started, where we are and where are going.

•Omonuwa (SAN)

Damian D. Dodo (SAN) said: “It was a successful conference; the attendance was encouraging, the quality of presentations were good and the organisation was also good. I hope the organisers will keep improving the quality from year to year.”

•Dodo (SAN)

•Call improvements in future conferences Kunle Ogunba (SAN) said: “ I am happy to be in this conference, the organisation is good, the weather conditions are to a large extent ok and the qua;ity of the presentations are comparable to similar conferences anywhere in the world.”

Mr. A. T. Kehinde said: ”The theme for this year’s conference was “Law, leadership and challenges of nationhood in the 21st Century Nigeria.” This was a wellthought out topic in view of the leadership challenges facing our country, Nigeria.”

Chief Godwin Obla said: The sessions were very rich, the keynote speaker was fantastic and the break out sessions really helped us to sharpen our legal skills. I have no regret at all attending this conference.

•Ogunba (SAN)

Senator Eta Nan said the conference was good, but it will be more beneficial to lawyers.

“If the organisers introduce a Section on Legislative Studies where the Rules, processes and procedures for law making are freely discussed to enlighten lawyers who might be interested in knowing how the laws are made and also have a deep insight into legislative functions,” he said.

•Chief Godwin Obla

conferees, some did not only double their rates, some even went “the conference was good, the weather was good till the third day.

“Another area of challenge is to have a better friendship centre, I could see lawyers standing up to eat and that was not too good, even though I was hungry, I refused to stand up and eat because that would be too belittling for any lawyer called a lawyer because we were not in a cocktail, it was a friendship centre we need to sit down, relax, talk, eat and may be review some of the lectures.

On the whole, nothing is perfect, there is always room for improvement, we hope that on their own, they will see other areas for improvement.

We didn’t utilise the transport that was provided, over 40 buses were provided, but the publicity was not well done and the co ordination was very very poor, there will be plenty of improvements, but all the same, it was a successful conference.

Mena Ajakpovi said: “This conference is, indeed, successful. However, the transport was bad; the sessions are too far apart and I will like the NBA to look at this in organising the next conference.

•Prof. Aniekwu

Mr M. Derby said: “The sessions and the presentations were rich, the resource persons did their best and we are happy that the conference ended on a good note.”

Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the conference, Mr Emmanuel Ekong thanked God for making the conference a reality. He commended members of Calabar branch of the NBA for their contributions towards the success of the event.

•Senator Eta

•Marc

Secretary NBA Young Lawyers Forum, Okey Ohagba said: “ Well, it has been a very successful conference, it has turned out to be one of the best NBA conferences in recent times. The president planned well for it and it came out well from seamless registration to well comported attendees. There was significant increase in the number of people that attended the conference which is not unconnected with the reduction in the registration fees that the president brought to a moderate rate.”

He said: “The young lawyers were very much taken care of; they were carried along in the planning of the conference. Mr. president magnanimously donated 100 dinner cards to the young lawyers, which were shared among the branches of the Young Lawyers Forum and they all attended the dinner and took part in learning from the culture of the Bar.”

For Solomon Umoh (SAN), it was a very good conference, well organised but like every other thing in the world, there is always room for improvement, next time we should try to improve on the standards we have now.

•Ohagba

•Ekong

Enamhe Marc said: “Well, we lost a lawyer who came for the conference. It has never happened; we lost Mr. A. R. George of Port Harcourt branch. This is the first time we are experiencing this; may his soul rest in peace. Besides, the conference was good; the venue was a perfect one, accommodated everybody at the same time, one didn’t need to hang outside the main venue. However, one of the challenges I expect the NBA to address in subsequent editions is the far flung venues for the break out sessions, that affected participation by the conferees, for example, driving from Tinapa to the University of Calabar to the Cultural Centre, to Azare Hotels, one would have missed part of the programmes, but if they were held on the same venue, one would have had the benefit of participating in different lectures because if you don’t like the lecture going on, you would easily move to the next one like has always been the practice, another area is for the NBA to block all the Hotels in the town or city knowing that they would be fully occupied at the end of the day because the hoteliers took advantage of the

Academic Forum on the Bar; it seems that we in the academic are being swamped by the swag and attitude of the Bar which is great. But as I said too in the Women Forum, we should encourage the younger lawyers to go into teaching and research, everybody cannot be in the Bench or the Bar and without legal education at the tertiary level, then the Bar and the Bench are being compromised.

“That was my opinion at the Women’s Forum and a few other sessions, like I said, it has been such a grand meeting, grand meeting of very professional minds and in that respect, I think it has been a resounding success.

I have learnt so much from my friends at the Bar and the Bench . The women forum had a very successful session, the papers were wonderful and the contributions of our women were super.

•Mr M. Derby

The Chairman, NBA Calabar branch, Mrs. Nkoyo Ama said: “I am so happy the way the conference went and how we succeeded in hosting the conference. My colleagues and other lawyers who attended the conference are very happy for being in Calabar; they look forward to coming back to Calabar and I am happy that we were able to host this conference.

On the challenges of hosting the conference, Ama said: “The challenge is always there from the national level, our president ran into a little hitch with raising the funds.

At the local level also, we still had the challenge of raising the funds for the conference but we thank God that everything went through successfully at the end of the day despite the challenges.”

•Umoh (SAN)

Prof. Nkoli Aniekwu said: “This conference has been a very well attended conference, very multi-dimensional in terms of the scope and themes of the plenary and parallel sessions. It has been very engaging, I have had the opportunity to speak with some of the presenters and their thoughts and discussions have been thought provoking.

On the areas for improvements, Prof. Aniekwu said: “I would like a little more attention to be given to the

•Mrs. Ama

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

36

BAR DISCOURSE

How to combat terrorism, by Ehindero, others H

OW can terrorism be tack led? It is by applying inter national best practices in the war against the menace, say practitioners at a workshop organised by the Nigerian Insitute of Advanced Legal Studies (NAILS). They said though it was imperative to win the war against terrorism and insurgency, this should be done with respect for human rights.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the workshop on law, security and terrorism in Abuja, the keynote speaker and former Inspector-General of Police, Mr Sunday Ehindero said: “A new agenda or broader mission for policing based on the protection of human rights may offer policing a new platform for legitimacy and authority. Human rights has ethical catchet, it enjoys moral power by its commitment to human flourishing and a reduction in cruelty and humiliation.

“The police duty of providing a service to the public carries with it a special duty of care, a duty to deliver such service in a way which respects the fairness, dignity and autonomy of the individual. A high-tech, highly trained police force operating with sensibility, impartiality and integrity is advocated.

Ehindero said: “ The Nigerian society need an open and accountable police force trained in the proper exercise of discretion.

Therein lies the importance of ethics in policing. Unfortunately ethics is rarely taught in the Nigeria Police Force. And there is lack of intellectual input from our universities into policing in this regard. There are few ideas flying like kites from the intellectual community to guide police leaders on hard decision-making. Yes, police officers can learn and be taught management. But leadership and core decision-making process can only be developed”.

NAILS Director-General Prof.

Epiphany Azinge (SAN) said: “We assume that there seem to be inadequate training for our security operatives in many ways than one and given the security situation in the country at this point in time and the challenges confronting the citizenry in some of the places where state of emergency has been declared, there is a tendency for the armed forces to become inordinately over bearing to the extent that they may resort engage in extra judicial killing and possibly go contrary go against the rules of engagement as contained in international protocols and conventions as the case may be so, we decided to mount this programme so that we can make known the position of the law, especially the international humanitarian law and all the other protocols and see how we can call Chairman NBA Women Forum, Hajiya Fatima Kwaku said: “ The conference was a very successful one ind

•Hajiya Kwaku

By John Austin Unachukwu

them to curtail the excesses that are likely to come up as far as infringement of human rights is concerned.”

Azinge addeed: “We are also doing this to fill in the gap as regards training because we have noticed that in some instances, the training has not been adequate and so, this is an opportunity to fill in the gap but more importantly, the demands of our system is such that we must bring up our personnel ou to the international standards so that they can compete favourably and also to raise the consciousness, we know that whenever our soldiers and and armed forces engage in peace keeping operations outside the country, they do so well and even win the best awards, so we would like a situation where they do well abroad and at home, they take things for granted, so we are of the firm belief that this workshop will put them in a position whereby they can internalise some of the norms and apply them as appropriate” In his contribution, Prof. Dakas CJ Dakas (SAN) said: “ Nigeria at the moment grapples with a lot of security challenges as born out by the Boko Haram insurgency. This is a major challenge and the temptation for governments around the world is typically to see counter terrorism as a trade off, for instance with human rights and there is a tendency sometimes for people to go Machiavellian and simply think that the end justifies the means, so they resort to all kinds of mechanisms that in their assessment, simply achieve results without a sense of the quality of the process that underpins that outcome. And I think that it is important, because every society not only has a right , but indeed has an obligation to ensure that it confronts terrorism and other security challenges but in doing so it absolutely essential that we don’t look at the relationship between law and counter terrorism as one of trade offs, we must look at them as complimentary and mutually reinforcing, if we don’t do that and we simply for instance desecrate human rights simply in the name of achieving a higher goal of getting results, we may find out ultimately that what appears to be a tactical advantage indeed turns out to be a strategic blunder and that therefore it is important that we strike a balance between the imperatives of counter terrorism and the need to do so in a manner that is consistent with the norms of human rights. I think that when we do so, we will earn the confidence of the citizenry, when we will earn the confidence of the citizenry, then citizenry will in turn provide very

For the Chairman Eastern Bar Forum, Mr Ogbonna O. Igwenyi: “The conference did not only provide an avenue for lawyers to network, it provided them the rare opportunity to sharpen their legal skills through continuing legal education, the attendance was high, the resource persons were good and the conference was well organised, I commend the NBA president and his team for a job well done.”

•Mr Igwenyi

critical information that will help the security agencies to make their jobs easier as America has learnt in both Afghanistan and in Iraq, it goes beyond shock and awe, with all its military arsenal, with all its capabilities, Americans have come to terms with reality that it is easier to get rid of Saddam Hussein than to deal with the challenges that arise thereafter and so from part of the challenges that America faces in both Iraq and Afghanistan is born out of the manner in which for instance Americans are seen as violating human rights in respect of Guantanamo Bay or in respect of some of the atrocities that took place in Abu great prisons. Thankfully, the Americans have also realised that their security agencies have the responsibility to act in a manner consistent with human rights, some of the individuals both British and Americans troops that were alleged to have engaged in violations of human rights are facing one disciplinary process or another. It is also important and in our own interest if we think that we will also focus on the end and think that it may well justify the means, we may find as a very important African proverb says, “ He who rides on the back of a tiger must know that he is certain to end up in its belly.

“So, let us not create monsters of our security agencies, they are our brothers and sisters and it is important that we work in synergy and focus on the bigger picture of ensuring that we can all put our heads together to secure the future of this country” Prof. Animi Awa said: “ We have a lot of crimes in the country now, both petty ones and sophisticated ones. When you look at the number of our law enforcement officers as against the population of

the country, you find out that one law enforcement officer may be equal to several thousands of individuals, so it becomes necessary for the public to participate, in that way, it becomes easy for crimes to be detected, reported and given the avenue for enforcement.”

On how to restore the confidence of Nigerians in the Police, Ehindero said: “I am surprised to hear that there is a mistrust between the society and the Police because we always cultivate the civil society for effective policing , during my time, we even conducted a seminar which involved the civil society who see the society from a different perspective than those of us in the police do, I feel that we should cultivate the civil society but there is no way the police can get the confidence of the society than the way they perform their duty.

If you perform your duty with ethical conduct in mind, bearing in mind and respecting human rights and the aspirations of man to live in peace and tranquillity, then your policing methods will be accepted by the public so the police should not have any fixed way of policing, it is the society that will point to them how they should be policed and that is what the police should do.

“On the importance of ethiocs to Police duties Ehindero stated that “Police have discretion to make decisions which affect the life, liberty and property of individuals. The knowledge of ethics will enable police to make the right decision. The police have a duty to enforce the law. The knowledge of ethics would enable police to enforce the law with human face exhibiting high standard of integrity and impartiality. Ethics is the greatest training and leadership needs in

the Nigeria Police Force.

“Its knowledge will guide police officers’conduct and ethical behaviour. This is more so as stewardship is at the heart of policing. And this stewardship demand ethical standard and practitioners of high moral character. The study of ethics helps to develop police grasp of these standards, their ability to think critically, weigh up the consequences of their decisions and understand their personal responsibility.

“To achieve ethical policing there is the need to take cognisance of the character of the personnel; the need to recruit men who have a habit of integrity.

Although character is necessary, it is not sufficient. The environment of temptation for police officers is also important.

Ehindero added: “The idea is on competent based training for police officers to do things right rather than to do the right thing. The focus is on skills, knowledge and procedure. Our laws are precedent driven. So police rely on procedure developed in response to problems.

While this provides for stability and certainty, the level of change and challenges confronting the police requires reflective, analytic, ethical and value driven approaches.

“More and more police officers are being asked to account for the decisions they take. A response that ‘Oga at the top directs’ will not suffice. A grasp of ethics and the ability to relate theory to practice are essential part of policing. For instance, discretion or the scope for choice is highly significant in policing.

Ethics will enable police officers to exercise discretion fairly and impartially with integrity.”

•Participants at the workshop in Abuja.

Mr Aniedi Akpabio said: “I really score the conference very high, the choice of topic was apt, the delivery was also good and most of all the choice of Tinapa as the conference venue provided lawyers the opportunity relax, socialise and explore the tourism of the host State. I am indeed happy that I attended the conference.”

Dr. Ali Ahmad said: “The conference was, indeed, a successful one. The national Assembly is always ready to partner NBA for development of this country. We are for the rule of law and will always do our best to make sure that the rule of law prevails in this country.”

Mohammed Sanni said: “I am really impressed with the new leadership of the NBA. I am highly impressed with the leadership of Okey Wali (SAN), he is a deserved leader and we are proud of him. The organisation of this conference was very good, the attendance was impressive, the resource persons and quality of delivery were also superb, indeed, it was really a memorable conference”

• Akpabio

•Dr. Ali Ahmad

• Sanni

37

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

LAW & SOCIETY

A Lagos based lawyer, CHUKWUEMEKA EZE, examines the legal implications and consequences Kenya’s planned withdrawal as a state party to the Rome Statute, which established the International Criminal Court (ICC)

Consequences of Kenya’s proposed withdrawal from ICC

O

N Thursday, September 5, 2013, parliamentary mem bers of the political parties constituting the Jubilee Coalition that swept President Uhuru Kenyatta and Vice President William Ruto to power early this year, overwhelming voted for the withdrawal of Kenya from being a State Party to the Rome Statute, Article 1 of which established the International Criminal Court. It was widely reported in the media that the opposition party members of Coalition for Reforms and Democracy of the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga walked out on the ground that a favourable vote for withdrawal would not be in the interest of Kenya. The minority had their say and as always the case, the majority had their way.

The successful vote is, however, the first hurdle in the matter since “withdrawal” is an executive action of a government. Thus, the withdrawal will remain inchoate and inoperational until the Government of Kenya sends a written notice to the Secretary-General of the United Nations. This is the requirement of Article 127 of the Rome Statute of the ICC. The withdrawal shall take effect one year after the date of receipt of the notification, unless the receipt specifies a later date.

Definitely, the effective date of withdrawal will not be any date earlier than September 2014. Interestingly, a State shall not be discharged, by reason of its withdrawal, from the obligations arising from the Rome Statute while it was a party to the Statute, including any financial obligations which may have accrued.

Kenya’s withdrawal shall not affect any cooperation with the ICC in connection with the trial of President Uhuru Kenyatta, Vice President William Ruto and the other accused persons. Kenya has a duty to continue to cooperate with the ICC since the trial of these accused persons have commenced prior to the planned withdrawal. Eventual withdrawal by Kenya shall also not prejudice in any way the proposed commencement of trial of President Uhuru Kenyatta this month and that of Vice President William Ruto in November. In summary, withdrawal cannot be retroactive in consequence.

If Kenya makes good its threat to withdraw from the ICC as analysts are agreed that it will come to pass, then it will be the first country to do so since the Rome Statute came into effect on July 1, 2002.

Down memory lane

The situation in the Republic of Kenya arose from the 2007–2008 post-election violence in Kenya. The 2007–2008 Kenyan crisis followed the presidential election that was

•Kenyatta

•Eze

but also ordered the prosecution to certify to the court later in the month of May, this year that they have reviewed all materials in their possession and made the required disclosures. The African Heads of State at the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Saturday, May 25, this year to mark the 50 years since the founding of the organisation accused the International Criminal Court of conducting a race-based hunt against Africans at the close of the organisation’s three-day summit in Ethiopia. African Union agreed to oppose the International Criminal Court’s efforts to put Kenya’s president, Uhuru Kenyatta, and his deputy, William Ruto, on trial in the fourth quarter of this year at The Hague on charges of crimes against humanity.

The ICC charges allege that Mr. Kenyatta and Mr. Ruto helped to fuel the violence that followed the East African country’s elections in 2007 that left about 1,200 people dead and hundreds of thousands displaced.

However, rather than see both men, who were on opposing sides in 2007, tried at the ICC headquarters in Europe, the AU endorsed a Kenyan proposal that their charges be handled by the court system in their home country. They also agreed to press the United Nations to move the cases against Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta, and his deputy, William Ruto, to Kenya instead of The Hague. The United Nations Security Council has the power to postpone cases at the ICC for a year, but has never exercised it.

At the end of the summit, AU chair-

man, Hailemariam Desalegn, Ethiopia’s prime minister, charged that 99 per cent of those indicted by the ICC are from Africa, which left the body in no doubt that the international court’s prosecutors were intentionally targeting Africans.

According to him, The African leaders have to come to a consensus that the process the ICC is conducting in Africa has a flaw. The intention was to avoid any kind of impunity, but now the process has degenerated into some kind of race hunting. We object to that.

The ICC has only ever issued arrest warrants for Africans. It currently has investigations under way in eight countries: Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Central African Republic, Sudan, Kenya, Libya, Cote d’Ivoire and Mali.

Despite the AU decision, the ICC confirmed it intended to press ahead with the case against Mr. Kenyatta and Mr. Ruto. The ICC hit back at African Union claims that its investigations have degenerated into a “race hunt” amid debate about where Kenya’s president and his deputy, who both are due to go on trial, should face justice.

The court’s presidency of ICC responded to the criticism by pointing out that, “the majority of the Court’s current investigations were initiated following referrals or requests from the African States in question.” Two others – in Sudan and Libya – were sent to the court by the United Nations Security Council. The Court also strongly rebutted claims of racebased prosecutions. “Decisions are taken independently on the basis of the law and the available evidence

•Dr. Enamhe

OR LawPavilion, a leading legal Information and Communica tions Technology (ICT) services provider, the just concluded 56th Yearly General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), in Tinapa Business Resorts, Calabar, Cross Rivers State, was another opportunity to meet with its customers.

The customers got various corporate gifts and participated in a promotional raffle draw.

Head, Business Development of LawPavilion, Mr Temitope Olufranye, said: ”This is to encourage lawyers and judges to appreciate technology, which is the way to go and particularly, to make legal research for case argument or judgment writing as much faster and efficient as possible. It is also our contribution to the NBA’s goal of encouraging lawyers to be more efficient.”

F

Community honours Mediation Lawyer

G

AKEM community in Cross River State has honoured some of its prominent sons, including a Mediation lawyer, Dr. cKlaimz Enamhe for their contributions to its socio-economic and political development.

Dr. Enamhe and Uchua 1 of Busi, were conferred with the title of Ukpang ‘Ebebhuru, which means, the lion of our land.

Dr. Enamhe is a Knight of the Old Order of St. John, a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state and chief of staff to the former Deputy Governor of Cross Rivers State, chief John Okpa. He is a Special Assistant to Governor Liyel Imoke on Youths Development.

and are not based on regional or ethnic considerations,” the ICC presidency statement said.

The court’s prosecution office also issued a statement on 30th May, 2013 stressing its independence and mandate to prosecute crimes only when national authorities are unwilling or unable to do so. It followed a statement May 29, 2013 by the court’s presidency that said the ICC “strives to maintain good working relationships with all relevant international and regional bodies, including the African Union.”

Meanwhile, the prosecution office said it is “ready to engage in any legal debate regarding its on-going cases in Kenya,” but stressed that Kenya would have to persuade judges in The Hague to drop the case by proving to them that Kenyan authorities are conducting cases against the same suspects for the same crimes.

held on December 27, 2007. The Electoral Commission of Kenya declared that the then incumbent President Mwai Kibaki was re-elected, supporters of the opposition candidate, Raila Odinga, accused the government of electoral fraud and rejected the results. A series of protests and demonstrations followed, and fighting – mainly along tribal lines – led to many deaths (about 1,200 persons), injuries and displacements (about 600,000 people).

After failed attempts to conduct a criminal investigation of the key perpetrators in Kenya, the matter was referred to the International Criminal Court in The Hague. In 2010, the Prosecutor of the ICC, Luis Moreno Ocampo, announced that he was seeking summonses for six people: then Deputy Prime Minister, Uhuru Kenyatta, then Industrialisation Minister, Henry Kosgey, then Education Minister, William Ruto; former Cabinet Secretary Francis Muthaura, radio executive Joshua Arap Sang, and former police commissioner Mohammed Hussein Ali—all accused of crimes against humanity.

The six suspects, known colloquially as the “Ocampo six” were indicted by the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber II on 8 March, 2011 and summoned to appear before the Court.

The Government of Kenya and the National Assembly both attempted to stop the ICC process. The government appealed to both the United Nations Security Council and the Court itself regarding the admissibility of the case. The National Assembly voted in favour of removing Kenya as a State Party to the Rome Statute. Despite this opposition, the suspects cooperated with the proceedings and attended preliminary hearings in The Hague in April 2011 and confirmation of charges hearings in September of that year. On January 23, last year, the Pre-Trial Chamber II confirmed the charges against Kenyatta, Muthaura, Ruto, and Sang and declined to confirm the charges against Ali and Kosgey. The trial of Ruto and Sang was scheduled to begin in May this year, while that of Kenyatta and Muthaura was supposed to begin in July, this year.

Kenyatta was elected President of Kenya after defeating Raila Odinga in a run-off election in March 2013.

The prosecution, however, has received a reprimand from the judges of Trial Chamber V for the prosecution’s self-admitted lapses in making timely disclosure of all statements made by one prosecution witness. Presiding Judge Kuniko Ozaki and Judges Christine Van den Wyngaert and Chile Eboe-Osuji not only reprimanded the prosecution,

Aftermath of effective withdrawal Upon effective withdrawal by Kenya, it will no longer be under obligation to: (a) entertain requests for cooperation in matters being investigated by the ICC; (b) provide or transmit documents to the ICC in furtherance of an investigation or prosecution; (c) ensure that there are procedures available under their national law for necessary forms of cooperation; (d) surrender suspects or accused persons as it would have been obligated to do under Article 89 of the Rome Statute; (e) allow transportation through its territory of a person being surrendered by another State; (f) entertain request for the arrest of a person; (g) offer assistance in any other way that will be of benefit to ICC. Nevertheless, under Article 87 (5) of the Rome Statute, ICC may invite Kenya (after its withdrawal) to provide assistance on an ad hoc arrangement.

One of the principles of international law is that a treaty does not create either obligations or rights for third States without their consent, and this is also enshrined in Article 34 of the Vienna Convention on Law of Treaties, 1969. It is represented in the Latin maxim: pacta tertiis nec nocent nec prosunt. An exception, however, arises in respect of a case referred to the ICC by the UN Security Council since all UN member States are obliged to comply with every UNSC Resolution adopted under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.

•To be continued next week

LawPavilion fetes customers at conference

By John Austin Unachukwu

The star prize of the promotion was won by Magistrate Eunice Dada of the Cross River State magistracy and she received an Ipad .

Magistrate Dada said: “I am excited and happy. Even when I was entering for the promo, I did tell myself that I want to win the star prize. I have seen it happen for real. I have an Ipad, which is out dated but I thank Law Pavilion for the fantastic replacement. I am glad to have won.

I have been protronising their products and this is a good reward for me.”

On why lawyers should continue to use LawPavilion products, Olufranye said lawyers and judges should avail themselves of Law Pavilion products. He said: “Legal practice will never be the same again, as LawPavilion has launches Y-Cloud,

a technology that links your iPad, desktops and Blackberry so that you can instantly share documents across many devices. You can also link up your peers, so that information entered or updates by one person, can be seen and shared by everybody in the firm. This means continuous collaboration, better supervision and savings in time and effort.

He said: “You as a lawyer or judges are free from the weighty of heavy files, carry your office with you and work anytime, anywhere on different devices. Once you return, Y-Cloud will update your documents on those devices with a single click. “ You can relax, knowing that all your records are secured, backed-up on your server for easy retrieval in case of loss. With the confidence that you are ever ready, your practice can never be the same again.”

38

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

LAW REPORT

Court can convict an accused based on voluntary confession In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Date: February 22, 2013 SC. 97/2011, 2013(2)LEDLR-27

WALTER SAMUEL NKANU ONNOGHEN CHRISTOPHER MITCHELL CHUKWUMA – ENEH BODE RHODES-VIVOUR MUSA DATTIJO MUHAMMED CLARA BATA OGUNBIYI BETWEEN A court can convict an accused person based on voluntary confession.

ALHAJI MOHAMMED MMAMMAN APPELLANT AND FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

I

SSUES: Whether the Court of Appeal was right in affirming the decision of the Failed Bank Tribunal in convicting and sentencing the 1st accused on count 9.

Facts: The appellant was charged before the Failed Bank (Recovery of Debts) and Financial Malpractices in Banks Tribunal on counts 1, 9, 10, 11, and 12 in an amended 12 count charge filed before the said Tribunal. At the end of the trial, he was found guilty on counts 9 and 11 and sentenced on count 9 and 11 respectively.

RESPONDENT

Aggrieved with the judgment, he appealed to the Benin Division of the Court of Appeal. The Court of Appeal in its judgment allowed the appeal in part, affirmed the conviction and sentence on count 9 of the Amended Charge by the Tribunal and quashed the conviction and sentence on count 11.

Dissatisfied with the judgment of the Court of Appeal, the appellant proceeded to the Apex Court.

Ratio: Where an accused person confessed to the commission of a crime and further affirmed his confession under cross examination, he can be convicted purely on it and will not

be allowed to complain of miscarriage of justice on appeal The Supreme Court ordinarily will not interfere in the concurrent findings of fact of the lower court but will do so where: (I) the findings of facts are erroneous or perverse, and/ or not based on evidence led.

(II) where there has been in the course of trial some violation of some principle of law or procedure.

(III) there has been miscarriage of justice.

For the prosecution to succeed in a charge under section 18(1) (b) of Banking and Other Financial Institution Decree, he must establish following to the satisfaction of the court: (1) that the accused person is a Manager or officer of the Bank.

(2) that the accused person granted an advance loan or credit facility to a person.

(3) that the credit facility was granted without authorization as provided by the Rules and Regulations of the Bank, or (4) Where security is required such security shall be deposited in the Bank before the advance, loan or credit facility is approved and given to the customer.

(1) (2) and (3) must coexist. (4) becomes mandatory only if security is required.

Notable Dicta On the definition of confession 1. Now, Section 27 of the Evidence Act states: “27 “A confession is an admission made at anytime by a person charged with a crime stating or suggesting the inference that he committed that crime” – Bode Rhodes-Vivour, JSC

On the effect of confession 2. The position of the law is that once the court is satisfied that the confession is voluntary it can convict an accused person. A confession is an acknowledgment of guilt by whoever makes the confession and it is usually in writing but may be made orally. It is relevant and admissible when it identifies the person who committed the offence and proves the fact that constitutes one or all the ingredients of the offence.

See Yusuf v. State 1976 6 SC p. 167; Igbinovia v. State 1981 2 SCp.5 – Bode Rhodes-Vivour, JSC On the need for court to determine live issues and not academic issues 3. Court should on no account spend precious judicial time on issues that are academic. They should determine live issues, and those are issues that will meet the ends of Justice. See Oyeneye v. Odubgesan (1972) 4 SC p.244, Bakare v. A.C.B. Ltd (1986) 3 NWLR pt. 26 p.47, Nzon v. Jinadu (1987) 1 NWLR (pt. 51 p.537. –Bode Rhodes-Vivour, JSC On what constitutes miscarriage of justice 4. There is said to be miscarriage of justice or failure of justice when the judgement of the court is inconsistent or prejudicial to the right of the party concerned. It is failure on the part of the court to do justice.

That is to say the court did what amounts to injustice. See Oladija Sanusi v. Oreitan Ameyegun (1992) 4 NWLR (pt. 237) p. 527, Harrison Okonkwo & Anor. V. Godwin Udoh (1997) 9 NWLR (pt. 519) p. 16, Ojo v.

Anibire & Ors (2004) 10 NWLR (pt.

882) p. 571. –Bode Rhodes-Vivour, JSC When the supreme court will interfere with the concurrent findings of the lower courts 5. This court does not upset concurrent findings of the fact of the court below except where: (a) the findings of facts are erroneous or perverse, and/ or not based on evidence led. (b) where there has been in the

course of trial some violation of some principle of law or procedure. (c) there has been miscarriage of justice. See Ogba v. Sate (1992) 2 NWLR (pt.222) p. 164; Ogbu v. State (1992) 8 NWLR (pt. 259) p. 255; Dakolo v. Dakolo (2011) 46 NSCQR P. 669. –Bode Rhodes-Vivour, JSC On when a court finding is said to be perverse 5. A court’s finding is said to be perverse if the finding draws wrong inference from the evidence before it or where same has occasioned miscarriage of justice. See Ukpabi v. State (2004) 11 NWLR (Pt. 884) 439 SC and Aiguokhian v. State (2004) 7 NWLR (Pt. 873) 565 SC. – Musa Dattijo Muhammad, JSC. On the nature of justice 6. Justice is not a one way traffic but for all parties concerned and must be seen as done. –Clara Bata Ogunbiyi, JSC. Legislations The Evidence Act Banking and Other Financial Institution Decree Judgment: Bode Rhodes Vivour, JSC,:- In an amended twelve count charge filed before the Failed Banks (Recovery of Debts) and Financial Malpractices in Banks Tribunal, the appellant as accused person was charged on counts 1, 9, 10, 11, and 12. He was found guilty on counts 9 and 11 and sentenced on count 9 to N100,000 fine or two years imprisonment, and on count 11 to N5,000 fine or six months imprisonment.

Dissatisfied with the judgment he appealed. The appeal came before the Court of Appeal, Benin Division.

The concluding paragraph of the judgment of that court reads: ‘’ On the whole, for the reasons stated above by me, this appeal succeeds in part and it is hereby allowed appropriately.

•To be continued next week

LEGAL JOKES

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•From left: Director of Administration, Ministry of Education, Cross River State, Takon Asu Takon; former Assistant Publicity Secretary, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Gbolahan Gbadamosi and Deputy Registrar, High Court of Cross River State, Francis Inamerit at the NBA Annual General Conference in Calabar.

NSCDC arraigns two for alleged economic sabotage

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WO men, Anuoluwapo Oluwaremi and Abidogun Saheed, have been arraigned at a Federal High Court in Lagos by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for alleged unlawful mining and possession of mineral ore.

They were arraigned before Justice Mohammed Yunusa on a fourcount charge of conspiracy, illegal mining and wilful destruction.

The prosecution alleged that Oluwaremi, Saheed and others still at large, on July 29, this year in Abalabi Village in Ewekoro Local Government area of Ogun State, conspired to commit felony to wit; mining and possession of mineral ore without lawful authority.

They were further alleged to have engaged in unlawful mining and illegal possession of mineral ore.

In addition, the accused were al-

By Adebisi Onanuga

leged to have conspired with the others still at large to destroy the tracks of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) at Abalabi village in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The charges against the defendants read in part: “That you Anuoluwapo Oluwaremi, Abidogun Saheed and others still at large, on July 29, 2013 did commit a felony to wit; willfully destroying the railway tracks belonging to the Nigeria Railway Corporation situated in Abalabi Village, Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, thereby rendering the railway tracks impassable, an offence contrary to and punishable under section 1 (3) (b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M 17 laws

of the federation of Nigeria 2004” According to the prosecution, the offences allegedly committed by the two suspects are contrary to section 3(6) of Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17 laws of the federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable in the section 1(8) (b) and section 1(3) (b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17 laws of the federation of Nigeria 2004.

After listening to the charge prefferred against them, the accused pleaded not guilty.

Following their plea, the prosecution counsel asked for a trial date.

The suspects were, however, granted bail following the hearing of their application.

The matter has been transferred to another vacation judge, Justice Haruna Musa Kurya for the commencement of trial.

HE old man was critically ill. He called his lawyer. “I want to become a lawyer,” he said. “How much for a quickie law degree?”

“About $50,000,” the lawyer said, “But why bother?”

“That’s my business. Get me the course.”

Four days later the lawyer delivered the new law degree. Suddenly the old man was wracked with fits of coughing, and it was clear the end was near.

“Please, before it’s too late,” said the lawyer, “Tell me why you wanted a law degree now?”

As he breathed his last , the old man whispered, “One less lawyer.”

“And God said: ‘Let there be Satan, so people don’t blame everything on Me. And let there be lawyers, so people don’t blame everything on Satan.”

A lawyer was filling out a job application when he came to the question, “Have you ever been arrested?” He answered, “No.” The next question, intended for applicants who had answered, “Yes,” was “Why?” The lawyer answered it, “Never got caught.”

It was a nice day at the park by the lake. Three guys were casting their lines to catch some fish and a couple were rowing in a small boat. Two crows were cruising by, eyeing for some targets to shit on. The younger of the two crows tried to show off and dove onto those three guys. Tut, tut, tut. But it went thud, thud, hitting only two of the three.

The older crow went towards

the couple in the moving row boat. Tut, tut. And it went thud, hitting only one of the couples.

Since this was a moving target, it didn’t seem all that bad.

Then out from nowhere came this little bird, wings still wet like it was just been hatched. It dove towards those three guys. Tut, tut, tut. Thud, thud, thud. It swooped over to the row boat. Tut, tut.

Thud, thud. Then a kid riding a bike came around. It flew over there. Tut. Thud. And it then rested on a tree branch.

So the two crows felt embarrassed and went over there, said, “We are impressed! Where do you learn to shit on people like that?”

The little one said, “I may be a new hatch but I’ve got plenty of experience. In my former life I was a lawyer.

A rabbi, a Hindu, and a lawyer are in a car. They run out of gas, and are forced to stop at a farmer’s house. The farmer says that there are only 2 extra beds, and one person will have to sleep in the barn.

The Hindu says, “I’m humble, I’ll sleep in the barn,” so he goes out to the barn. In a few minutes, the farmer hears a knock on the door. It’s the Hindu and he says, “There is a cow in the barn. It’s against my beliefs to sleep with a cow.”

So the rabbi says, “I’m humble, I’ll sleep in the barn.” A few minutes later, the farmer hears another knock on the door and it’s the rabbi. He says that it is against his beliefs to sleep where there is a pig and there is a pig in the barn.

So the lawyer is forced to sleep in the barn. A few minutes later, there is a knock on the door. It’s the pig and the cow.

39

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

ABUJA REVIEW NEWS

•From left: Board Chairman, Nigeria Economic Summit Group, Philips Folusho; Minister of National Planning Dr, Shamsudeen Usman; Former Director General Food and Agriculture Organisation,Jacques Diof; Managing Director Psaltry International Company, Yemisi Iraloye; President Goodluck Jonathan; President, African Development Bank Group, Dr Donald Kaberuka; Minister of Agric, Dr, Akinwumi Adesina;Director FAMAG Jal Farm Nigera, Alhaji Manfida Tafida and Komla Dumor during the 19th Economic Summit at Transcorp Hilton in Abuja.

•From left: Minister of Education, Ruqayyatu Rufai; Minister, Women Affairs, Hajia Zainab Maina; Permanent Secretary, State House, Mr. Emmanuel Ogbile and First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan during the National Youth Online Protection Summit at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja.

PHOTOS AKIN OLADOKUN,

•From left: Chief Executive Officer GTBank,Segun Agbaje; Chief Executive Officer Standard Bank London, Anigua; Vice President Namadi Sambo and Chairman Aliko Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote during $3.3 billion US Dollars signing of agreement on Dangote Refinery, Petrochemical, Fertiliser Complex at OKLNG Free Zone.

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HE FCT Agency for Mass Education has called on the authorities of the Kwali Area Council to assist in the provision of more classrooms and furniture to help enhance teaching in the area.

The plea was made by the coordinator of the agency, Mary Gambo, during a tour of the area by the chairman of the council, Ibrahim Daniel.

He stated that apart from more class rooms and furniture, the agency was in need of skill acquisition materials which will help in practical demonstration of what is

•From left: Chief of Naval Staff Vice-Admiral Dele Ezeoba; Director-General of the State Security Service, Mr. Ita Ekpenyong; Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim, Chief of Army Staff, Lt- General Azubuike Ihejirika and Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Dikko Abubakar at the Security meeting with President Goodluck at the State House Abuja

‘Provide more classrooms, furniture’ From Bukola Amusan

being taught to the students.

“We need more class rooms, furniture and skill acquisition materials to help in the teaching of the people in the agency.

When you go and tell them to come and there are no materials to teach them, they become discouraged.

We need all these so that the people in the community will be encouraged to come to the agency and learn. It will really go a long way to help us,” she

said.

The coordinator also called for the mobilisation and sensitisation of the people in the area council about the activities of the agency and how it would benefit them. ‘’Getting people to come to the agency to come to learn is a problem. There is need for more sensitisation and mobilisation so that people will come to learn a lot. We are calling on the area council to help us in this. It should impress on the traditional and religious rul-

ers on the importance of the agency’s activities so that they will benefit from what the agency has been established for,” she stated.

While responding, Daniel said the council was interested in the training of its youths in skill acquisition so as to help them start their own businesses, adding that the council will do everything in its power to support the agency and its mandate.

“Our interest is about skill acquisition. We have

Youth Forum lauds health service delivery

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HE Nigeria Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF) has praised the FCT Administration for its provision of qualitative health and human services in the six area councils.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Mavin Yobana and Emeka Uzoka, NYLF’s National President and General Secretary, respectively, and made available to journalists in Abuja.

“We have embarked on a performance evaluation tour within the six area councils in the FCT. “It is with a view to presenting to Nigerians the

progress made so far in the administration of health and human services in our capital city.

“It is therefore, consequent upon the above that we resolved among other issues to pass a vote of confidence in the administrators of health and human services in the FCT under the administration of Sen. Bala Mohammed.

“We equally commend the Secretary of Health and Human Services, FCT, Dr Bumola Onakomaiya,” it quoted the forum as saying.

The statement further said the assessment was part of the contribution of

the forum to ensure efficient service delivery.

“It is to ensure that the nation’s ”collective goal in deepening our democratic experience is to build community of equals, wherein everyone has responsibility for the well-being of all.”

According to the statement, the people’s commitment and resolve are to ensure that the practice of democracy go beyond the claim to free choice.

It added that it was in the spirit of ‘’our democratic enterprise that we are making our assessment of the health and human services in the six

area councils.

“We have found it expedient to present to the general public the evidence of stronger health programmes in the FCT, which is for the general benefit of all Nigerians.”

NYLF is a platform that unites leaders of about 50 youth associations in the six geo-political zones in the country.

The major groups are the Niger Delta Youth Leader Administrative Council, Arewa Youths, Ohaneze Ndigbo Youth Wing, Oduduwa Youth Renaissance Group, and the Middle Belt Youth Forum.

so many graduates out there without jobs. If they had any vocational skills,

it would have helped them to start their own business without waiting for government,” he said.

We need more class rooms, furniture and skill acquisition materials to help in the teaching of the people in the agency

T

HE Abuja Chapter of the Alumni Association of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru has donated some items to an orphanage, prison and hospital in the FCT. Some of the items donated include toiletries, wrappers, cartons of noodle, spaghetti and bags of rice.

The Chairperson of the association, Dr Kate Nwafor, said the event was part of the body’s corporate social responsibility to society.

Nwafor said the gesture, done annually, was aimed at reaching out to less-privileged people in society.

At the Abuja Children’s Home in Karu, she said that the visit was to give the children sense of belonging.

The association also visited Kuje Prison, where Nwafor urged the inmates to use the opportunity to change their ways and desist from the criminal activities that led to their incarceration.

“So far you are not dead, God

Association donates to orphanage, prisons is with you, don’t allow what brought you here to bring you back again,’’ she said.

In their separate remarks, the Matron of the Abuja Children’s Home, Hajia Olutokun Agbaje and the Assistant Controller of Prison, Mrs Clementina Chukwu, thanked the association for the gesture.

The matron said that 50 children between the ages of one and 19 were being catered for at the home.

She solicited help from wellmeaning Nigerians for the provision of basic amenities for the children and renovation of the home.

Also speaking, Chukwu said that the items would be properly utilised.

40

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

ABUJA REVIEW

T

HE crack within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan became wider during the 2013 Special National Convention of the party at the Eagles Square on August 31.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and seven governors including Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Abdulafatah Ahmed (Kwara), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Aliyu Wammako (Sokoto), and Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) left the venue of the 2013 Special National Convention of the party to form a parallel exco for the ‘new PDP’.

The action beat the imagination of many stakeholders and political watchers in the country.

Apart from complaining about lack of internal democracy under the Bamanga Tukur-led PDP, they also complained of witchhunting by government agencies towards 2015 elections among other issues.

Announcing the sacking of the Bamanga Tukur-led executive, the new PDP constituted a new executive comprising of Kawu Baraje as National Chairman, Olagunsoye Oyinlola as National Secretary and Dr. Sam Jaja as Deputy National Chairman.

The new PDP promised to open a befitting parallel secretariat in the Maitama District of Abuja within hours of the break up as it also instituted a court action against the Bamanga Tukur-led party.

At a Lagos High Court, it pushed for the sacking of the Bamanga Tukur-led executive in order to stem the slide of the PDP. The series of actions taken by the new PDP is seen by some political watchers as so sudden, well executed and having all the attributes of a grandmaster on chess board making moves after moves that seem to be ahead of the Bamanga Tukur-led PDP. There has, however, been accusation that the main target of the aggrieved governors and their team is to destabilise the

T

HE FCT Administration has arrested a total of 1,469 street traders and hawkers in the metropolis between July and August.

FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed revealed this in his office after meeting with the officials of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB).

The Minister disclosed that out

Jonathan, PDP and the future From the Villa

By Augustine Ehikioya PDP, dump the party and go to the emerging opposition parties.

Notwithstanding this accusation, there is a growing support for the ‘new PDP’ since the break up as many party men have continued to pitch their tent with the new

group.

For a start, the new PDP, within hours of its creation, got support and backing of 22 serving senators and 57 members of the House of Representatives. The support has also been flowing from out-

side the party to the new PDP. These, no doubt, have been causing uneasy calm in the Bamanga Tukur led faction of the party. While tension and fear have continued to grip some Nigerians, within and outside the party, over the recent development in the party, some are applauding the new PDP. Before the break up, the normal song from party men was that the party will overcome all its problems and become stronger and bigger than it was.

To bring back the aggrieved members to the fold, there have been meetings upon meetings at the Presidential Villa, Abuja in attempt to prevail on the aggrieved to have a rethink and come back to the main party.

On the crisis, the Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Ahmed Gulak said: “I want to plead with all PDP leaders and members,

especially the senior stakeholders to continue dialoguing, you don’t win war at the battle front, you win war on the table.

“The opposition out there wants the party to split and there are moles, and they sent its moles in the cloak of PDP, we have discovered them and Inshallah all PDP stakeholders, especially our field commanders who are the governors have discovered this and we are talking.” he added While President Jonathan and his team have continued to hold meetings and make consultations towards resolving the crisis in the party, it is hoped that the polity will not be over heated beyond its limit and the best for the country will be finally arrived at.

1,417 street traders, hawkers prosecuted From Gbenga Omokhunu

of this number, 1,417 of the street traders/hawkers were prosecuted and convicted within that period to serve as deterrent.

Senator Mohammed further re-

vealed that 99 of the street traders/hawkers convicted were sentenced to various terms in prison.

According to him, a total of 2,300 nuisances reported to the Abuja Environmental Protection Board were fully addressed across the

Federal Capital City during the period under review.

He said that 235nos of various types of sewer complaints (bleeding manholes) in the Federal Capital City were also resolved between July 1, 2013 and August 16, 2013.

The Minister remarked that Sanitary Inspectors inspected 520 premises within the Federal Capi-

tal City and were given health talk on sanitation; while 11 premises were fumigated as required.

His words: “Pilot Survey of available Waste Receptacles was carried out in Area 1, section I, Garki I District; Aso Drive and Gana Street, Maitama District of the Federal Capital City respectively”.

Government may abolish youth council

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• Minister of State FCT Jumoke Akinjide(LEFT) Secretary Area Council Service Secretariat, Yahaya Al Hassan Ibrahim and Director of Admin & finance FCT, Abdulsalam Yahaya during Joint account Allocation meeting in Abuja

HE Federal Government has threatened to scrap the National Youth Council of Nigeria, (NYCN) if the struggle for power among the various factions continues.

The Supervising Minister of Youth Development, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, stated this at a meeting convened by the key Youth Council stakeholders.

The minister said the Federal Government will not hesitate to partner with other youth groups if the youth council fails to serve the interest of the Nigerian youths that they are representing.

According to the minister, the council is supposed to aid government in coordinating interventions on issues affecting youth in the country.

He said the FG is obligated to youths in the country but not obli-

From Bukola Amusan

gated to the NYCN, adding that if the council cannot help resolve challenges facing youths, government will be forced to partner with other youth organisations.

“Federal Government is obligated to youths of Nigeria but this obligation is not the same for the NYCN. “If NYCN work towards the transformation agenda of Mr. President of service in interest of young people we will work with them, but if this crises continues we will be forced to partner with other youth organisations,” he said.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth,Tunji Olaopa while describing the crises as a struggle for power said the Youth would remain emasculated, disenfranchised and insignificant if there is no platform to led their voice.

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Tuesday, September 10, 2013

43

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

The crisis-ridden Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is thirsty for unity. But the reconciliatory moves by the party elders have not restored harmony. Assistant Editor AUGUSTINE AVWODE reports.

PDP’s frantic search for peace F

OR the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), this is a trying period. Unity and peace have been elusive. Since the dramatic split of the party in Abuja, efforts to ‘heal’ the wound have not succeeded. The wound continues to fester. Will the party pull through or will it go under? Either way, the situation in the PDP is terrifying.

The elders of the party have been busy in their efforts to find a way out of the self-inflicted crises. At the risk of seeing the party they had toiled so hard to build crashing into smithereens, some of the influential party leaders intervened in the hope of reversing its predictable march to the precipice.

Peace moves PDP, which has been battling with discontent and sundry grievances within its ranks, set up a 30-man National Reconciliation Committee in July. Headed by Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson, it was saddled with the onerous task of “harmonising all interests and to achieve genuine reconciliation across board”. Setting up of the committee was the most unambiguous admission that the party was in dire need of unity and peace. The National Chairman, Alhaji Bamabaga Tukur, rode into the office with a promise to reconcile all the warring factions and reposition the party for the challenges of the 2015 general elections.

But his reconciliation efforts failed to yield the desired result.

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih, later took it upon himself to try his luck at reconciling the various opposing interest groups. Although he got some applause, it was obviously not far reaching. Hence, the need for the Governor Dickson Committee. After the initial opposition by a section of the party, the committee was accepted But, in a twist of irony, the committee was yet to finish its job, when a revolt occurred at the party’s Special Convention in Abuja last month. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar led seven governors of the party, chieftains and other stakeholders to form a faction.

The magnitude and complexity of the problem facing the party forced former President Olusegun Obasanjo to lead other top leaders of the party, which include former Head of State General Ibrahim Babangida, Anenih, former chairmen Col. Ahmadu Ali and Chief Barnabas Gemade, to embark on a

• Former President Obasanjo (middle) with Chief Gemade (left), former President Babangida and Chief Anenih after their meeting in Abuja.

peacemaking venture.

Conspiracy theory The leaders’ spirited efforts to bring reconciliation may fail. This is because of a conspiracy theory being spawned by a section of the party. Those behind it believe that the crisis was carefully scripted and handed over to the dissenting G5 governors to execute. A chieftain of the party from the Southsouth told The Nation on condition of anonymity, that the 2015 presidential ticket is the major cause of the crisis. He doubted if Obasanjo and his group would be able to record any breakthrough now that it has been understood by the main party that the factional PDP wantedTukur out to get the ticket for the North.

“The understanding, from this side, is that they are only particular about the 2015 ticket. And we also think that they have already convinced the man who is leading the reconciliation team. To us, they are simply working from the answer to the question. I can tell you categorigally that if the President says today that the will not run in 2015, whether Tukur leaves or not, there will be peace and not just peace in the party, the insurgency in some parts of the North will also abate;” he said.

Reminded that the crisis rocking the party is multifarious, the source maintained that they all have the same goal and objective, which is that power must return to the North.

“It doesn’t matter, all the problems you are talking about have the same objective - return power to the North. And this is the reason why I think Obasanjo will be the last person to be able to bring peace and true reconciliation to the party.

“Look at who is who in the team.

Only Anenih could be said to be on this side, but even then, you heard his comments. He was obviously overwhelmed in the discussion that he could come out to admit that there was some truth in the agitation by the revolting governors.

• Tukur

“Did they not boast before that ‘they will help to kill the PDP and bury it?’ So, these things that are playing out today had been well scripted out. Imagine the President calling a meeting of the party’s stakeholders with the intention of presenting a mid-term report. The same Obasanjo shunned it and went to Jigawa to sing the praises of the governor to high heavens.”

Political scientist and Executive Secretary of “Never Again,” Mallam Moyo Jaji, described Obasanjo’s efforts as mere “grandstanding”. He argued that the former President is an interested party. “I think what former President Obasanjo is doing is mere grandstanding. He was one of those the governors visited when they were touring the country, probably telling them their plans.

So, I can say he is privy to all these developments in the party. He cannot be an arbiter in a matter in which he is an interested party.

“He is known to be the promoter of the Lamido/Amaechi ticket.

Look at the conditions given to President Jonathan. They are unacceptable. As for me, I cannot ac-

• Baraje

cept them and I can say nobody will accept them.

“The problems that the party is facing are fundamental. They are not the type of things you just paper over. It won’t work. Take the issue of the gentleman’s agreement, that Jonathan entered into with some leaders of the party and reportedly announced it overseas when he travelled that he would do only one term. But then, we also know that he has been cleared already by the court and the Constitution also permits him. So, they are fundamental issues. To me, I can tell you that PDP is dead. We are seeing the end of the party. As they say, the party is as dead as dodo,” he said.

Obasanjo’s first meeting with the warring factions, it would be recalled, was put off ostensibly because of the perception that he is part of the problem.

No retreat, no surrender Notwithstanding the efforts being made by elders of the party, the two groups; the main PDP and the

factional PDP, are consolidating their positions. Three cases have been instituted in various courts across the country in respect of the matter. While the main stream PDP is frantically trying to whip the Alhaji Kawu Baraje’s faction into line, the ‘New’ PDP, is doing everything possible to legalise its status, including asking the court to remove Tukur.

As a show of its determination, the group went ahead to hire a building in Abuja as its headquarters. But in a counter move, the place was sealed up on Saturday by security forces.

The conditions given by the Baraje-led faction include Tukur’s resignation as chairman of the party, the need for Jonathan to forget seeking re-election in 2015, the resolution of the crisis plaguing the Nigeria Governors (NGF) and an end to the harassment of governors by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

On the other hand, the Tukur group implored the elders to stop the Baraje faction and the rest to desist from parading themselves as a parallel PDP National Working Committee; subject themselves to the constitution of PDP; and allow the party leadership to resolve all issues raised by the governors.

With the sealing off of the office of the Baraje group, it has further put a dent on the peace moves by the elders of the party.

Refelecting on the crisis buffeting PDP, Chairman of the InterParty Advisory Council (IPAC), Dr Tanko Yinusa told The Nation that crises in all parties in the country would be greatly reduced if the parties adhere strictly to their internal rules and regulations.

“As a body that is responsible to all political parties in the country, I can only advised us to adhere to our internal rules and regulation and help in minimising conflicts of this nature”, he said.

As for the PDP, it is a make or mar momenent. If the on-going peace initiative fails, the PDP may be stoking the fire that could consume it.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

POLITICS

Anambra NNPP gets governorship candidate

By Helen Wakawa

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BUSINESSMAN, Prince Leonard Uchendu, has emerged as the gover norship candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) for the November 16, governorship election in Anambra State.

Uchendu, who was the sole aspirant in the primary election held at the party’s secretariat, Awka, polled more than 95 per cent of the votes to emerge as the candidate.

The National Chairman of the NNPP, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, who spoke through the party’s National Secretary, Major Gilbert Agbo (rtd) before the election, told the delegates from the local government areas that, although Uchendu was the only candidate cleared by the Screening Committee, he should be subjected to acceptability test by the party.

In his acceptance speech, Uchendu thanked the leadership and the party members for the confidence reposed in him and promised not to disappoint them and the people of Anambra State. He promised to make job creation, sound and affordable education and health delivery system and security his focus. He also promised to embark on massive rural and infrastructure development across the 21 local government areas to check rural/urban migration.

The exercise was monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Urhobo leaders endorse Dafinone for Senate

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ROMINENT Urhobo leaders have endorsed Chief Ede Dafinone for the Senate in the Delta Central District. They identified poor quality of education, poor healthcare delivery, inadequate and inconsistent power supply, low level of employment opportunities, inadequate housing and poor security of life and property as problems affecting the Delta Central Senatorial District.

‘Our children must be properly equipped to make contributions to the wider society. They have the right to go to school, get meaningful employment, raise their families, buy their own homes and live without fear. We must give them these basic rights, and it is only through good governance and effective representation that we can achieve this’ the leaders said.

In a statement issued in Olomu, Ughelli South Local Government Area by the President of Urhobo Development Forum, Chief Julius Oshevire, the leaders said that Chief Ede Dafinone would protect the people’s rights through professional representation, sustainable economic development, quality education, job creation, improved healthcare services and poverty alleviation.

‘He is a democrat, with a firm belief in the supremacy of the will and the choice of the majority. He is a child of privileged background. He is committed to using his vantage position to improving on the quality of our environment and our fellow human resources.

Emphasizing that Dafinone would bring his professional knowledge and experience to bear on a wide range of public policy issues and topics, the leaders said as a senator, he would focus on the regional impact of legislation and policies, routinely communicating with individuals, business representatives, universities, communities and interest groups in Delta Central.

PDP crisis embarrassing, says chieftain

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AGOS State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Capt. Tunji Shelle (rtd) has reflected on the crisis rocking the ruling party, saying that it is embarrassing.

He called for an end to the logjam, which he said, could create obsatacles on the way of victory in future elections.

The politician said observed that the crisis got to a peak at a criticap time when the opposition has also become more vibrant in the country.

Shelle said in a statement that the crisis can be successfully managed because the aggrieved chieftains have not defected from the party.

He said: “The news of the parallel NWC is embarrassing to me as a member of the party and I believe every stakeholder in the party should feel concerned by this unfortunate development. I am, however, inclined to appeal to the aggrieved members to allow truce, especially as some notable leaders of the party have risen up to the occasion, with a view to resolving the acrimony”.

The politician advised the warring chieftains to resort to the internal mechanism of the party to resolve their grievances.

Shelle added: “Indeed, the fact that the aggrieved persons have not decamped out of the party, but created a parallel NWC, shows that they are still passionate about the party, even as their actions may have been too spontaneous, radical and threatening to the integrity of the party.

Ekiti governorship aspirant unfolds agenda

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HEAD of the next year’s governorship election in Ekiti State, an aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Dare Bejide, has unfolded his agenda, saying economic development will be his priority.

Bejide spoke at a dinner organised in his honour by friends and associates in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

The former ambassador to Canada promised to empower the indigenes by promoting the local content policy.

He said: “As part of government efforts to boost job opportunities and reduce poverty, all government contractors will be mandated to employ the indigenes. No contractor shall bring into the state any material for any construction or any project from other states unless such materials are not available in the state.

“These requirements shall be mandatory and verified at the point of tender for such contracts and also at the point of payment by the Ministry of Finance.

We shall introduce Local Content Compliance Unit at the Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Finance.” Bejide promised to promote agriculture and make it an income-yeilding business in the agrarian state.

He added:“There will be a separate department in the Ministry of Agriculture to undertake financial management and effective utilisation of funds allocated, encourage our farmers to do away with outdated peasant system of agriculture and assist them to embrace simple, cheap and modern agricultural implements to enhance their productivity and provision of highly subsidised inputs including farm tools, chemicals and pest control, fertilizers, improved seedlings, fingerlings and livestock breeds.”

He noted that various farm produces would be bought by the government at competitive prices to prevent wastages and loss of revenues by the farmers.

Bejide, described as a “home boy” because of his closeness to the generality of the people of the state, said that he would use his international exposure to attract huge foreign direct investments into the state.

Human rights activist and lawyer Festus Keyamo is a senatorial aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Delta Central District. He spoke with WALE AJETUNMOBI on his plans for the zone.

‘I will commit suicide than joining PDP’ W

HAT is your mission in poli tics?

It is no news again that we have declared for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State. And the reason is because we understand the need for all the progressive forces in the country to come together. We also realise the need for a strong coalition to confront the menace of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). That is why we think that, whatever reservation we may have as individuals about certain individuals, who are also coming into the APC; the most important thing for us is to bury our differences as opposition parties to the PDP and come together to fight the PDP. And I am sure you know that I am even the last convert, the last convert because, all the so-called radicals have all gone into politics, including my late boss, Chief Gani Fawehinmi. But I have since kept away from politics because I felt that, perhaps, I could still make a huge difference as a private person. I have tried my best as a private person and I am sure you have followed the course of my struggle for sometimes.

So, I have a strong conviction going into politics because I have seen even the limitations I have as a private person. I know that I will have a bigger voice if I have a bigger platform to express myself. I am sure you saw recently that the senators did not even know the power they have over the appointment of Service Chiefs; it took my effort to go to court and it was a four-year legal battle that culminated into a judgment in my favour, that in fact, the President cannot appoint the Service Chiefs without the concurrence of the Senate. But they, themselves, did not know the extent of their power; all of these I did as a private person, not as a senator.

Recently, I sent a memo to the National Assembly about how to speed up corruption trials and constitutional amendment. It was a very detailed suggestion on how to amend the Constitution. But I was doing all of these as a private person. So you can see that this is not an overnight brainwave, that I have woken up overnight and said I want to be a senator. No. There are other highly qualified aspirants on the field...

Permit me to say, and with the greatest respect to other aspirants, there is no single aspirant in Delta Central, that comes one mile near to what I have achieved in promoting constitutional democracy. Not one of them.

So, if you are talking about somebody, who is a square peg in a square hole or a round peg in a round hole, please, it cannot be anybody but myself for this job. And they all agreed, if you ask all of them. Even the supporters of the other parties, they agreed that Keyamo is the best for this job, ‘but…’ they will now bring other things… ‘he has been a lawyer and he has been doing well…leave this for politicians…’

But the question I ask is this: in the last 20 years or so, I have grown up in

• Keyamo

the eyes of the public; everybody can account for everywhere I have been and every position I have taken. You may like me or hate; you may detest me, but you cannot deny the fact that, for the last 20 years, I have spoken up my mind on every issue. So, I am not hidden; it will be a surprise, if I take a position in the public and somebody says na Keyamo dey talk this? It is because they know the position I would normally take. Now, do you want to vote for people, who you don’t even know where they stand on issues? Look at all the aspirants, you cannot say of any of them that you know where they stand on any issue. Not one. And I am serious about this; not one.

What are your programmes for the people in your senatorial district?

I have released a six-page document and I passed it round to everybody.

Even your newspaper, The Nation, has used it. I am the only person that has done so. The six-page document is on why I want to be in the Senate and what I intend to do. I have talked about the consumers’ rights protection bill I intend to propose; I have talked about corporate manslaughter bill that the late Senator Ewherido was pursuing before he died, that I intend to continue. I have talked about even the Aladja Steel Complex, what I intend to do as a senator to make sure that I touch the right button to even revive it. I also talked about this judgment I got on the part of the Senate and I want to make sure that they implement that judgment and to make sure that they exercise the right power.

I have also said that I will be the first senator in the history of Nigeria, and I am saying this on tape and you know I will do it, to publish my salary and allowances. I will be the first to run a very transparent tenure. Every three months, I will publish my activities in the Senate. It would be an innovation that every quarter, I will be publishing my activities in the Senate to my constituents and Nigerians. Those are

‘The PDP is an amalgam of the most undemocratic forces I have seen on earth, where 16 is more than 19 in the arithmetic of the party; where five people are more than 27 people in Rivers State House of Assembly to impeach a governor’

the types of things I want to do differently because, the normal question to ask is: ‘ what are you doing differently?’ but that exactly is the type of innovation I want to bring into the senate. I want to plead; for many years, The Nation’s editorial slant has always been: let good people come out to run.

That is the totality of all your editorials, that we do not deserve the leaders we have; but we keep lamenting that nobody wants to take the plunge.

People are saying I am going into murky waters of politics; I am sure many people believe I am a mad person now.

They would say: ‘ you have done so well as a lawyer, you have reached your height... what are you doing here?’ But I asked a simple, which I have been asking for the past one year when I made up my mind, I have not gotten an answer. The simple question is: if people who are successful in their individual professions like us should remain where they are, who should run for public office? Nobody has provided an answer.

Does it mean you will jettison your governorship ambition?

Absolutely not. Governorship is in 2015, this is 2013. There is a vacancy in the Senate. So, 2015 is still faraway.

But then, it has afforded me an opportunity to write an examination for people to see how much I can handle public office. If I did not do well, they can easily tell me to sit at home. But this time, I will have less to talk and more to do. If I win the Senate seat, my work would speak for me more than my rhetoric this time. Because it would now be a situation of, here is how I can do it. So, I will not talk too much again. If I am running as a private person, I have to talk and talk, and beg people to convince them that I can also handle public office. But if I run for the Senate now, I would do less talking and more work, for my work will speak for myself.

Why APC and not PDP or other parties?

I have said it before, that if the PDP is the last party on earth, then I would commit suicide. If they say for me to continue to live, that I must join the PDP, I will rather commit suicide. The PDP is an amalgam of the most undemocratic forces I have seen on earth, where 16 is more than 19 in the arithmetic of the party; where five people are more than 27 people in Rivers State House of Assembly to impeach a governor. It is only in Africa, and in Nigeria, it is only in the PDP that you can find that kind of arithmetic. I will not be part of that arithmetic because to be part of that arithmetic, I will have to go back to Primary One and I don’t want to go back to Primary One.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

45

HEALTH THE NATION

E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

Nigerians move to stem foreign medical trips I

S it an answer to rich Nigerians’ recourse to foreign countries for treatment? Yes, say the initiators of the project, who are determined to stop the rich from going abroad for medical treatment. They have established an arm of India’s third largest hospital, Manipal, in Lagos.

The facility, Vedia Lifecare (VLC), they say, will bring the best of medical treatment to the country.

According to Dr Benedict Okpala, Pius Olanrewaju and Mrs Linda Alaoma, the clinic will reduce rich Nigerians penchant of going abroad for medical reasons.

“Its establishment will curtail the current leaning of medical tourism and its resultant resources drain”, they said.

Although the hospital is manned by 75 per cent Nigerians as support staff, its core medical experts are expatriates. The Nigerians have been retrained in India for effective service.

The project promoters believe that importing the technological know how and medical expertise to Nigeria will stem capital flight. According to them, with the centre in Lekki, Lagos there is no need for Nigerians to travel out for medical care, going through stress.

Okpala, who is a director at the centre, said: “Services to be rendered include childcare, women’s health, dental care, eye care, earnose-throat (ENT), kidney care, liver and digestive disorders, diagnostics and laboratory, radiology, skin care.

Also we offer telemedicine services, which are for patients who are in urgent need of medical care and for the health-aid seekers living afar off, away from proper medical care facilities. It is a 24-hour service. No admission.

“Telemedicine has come as a boom in the present day medical arena as it involves an interaction between a doctor and the patient without any real displacement of the person in need.

“At VLC, the use of the absolute state-of-the-art technological aids, skilled support staff essential for

Cerebral palsy experts meet

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EREBRAL Palsy experts and representatives of government agencies will meet on September 26, in Lekki, Lagos, to seek ways of standardrising treatment for the ailment in Nigeria.

It will be anchored by the Dean, College of Clinical Sciences, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof Afolabi Lesi.

In a statement, the founder of Benola Cerebral Palsy Foundation, Air Vice Marshal Femi Gbadebo (Rtd) said: “Having gathered enough data on the state of cerebral palsy in Nigeria, Benola is ready to move to the next stage in the preparation of the Roadmap for the management Regime of cerebral palsy in Nigeria, through a process that will involve another roundtable meeting.”

He added: “At the end of the meeting a writing team will be appointed to ensure that a draft is ready by December 2013.”

Contraceptive pills codes

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•Mrs Orelope-Adefulire and former Inspector-General of Police Sir Mike Okiro at the event.

distant healthcare, to consultant specialist doctors, to be able to acquire prescriptions; send and receive status reports, images and video, directly get in touch with doctors in india; avail tele-reporting facility for patients pursuing radiology services and inter-personnel interaction between medical professionals and the patients are available.”

The hospital, he said planned to move to Port Harcourt, Abuja and some parts of the North.

He added: “In line with the transformation agenda in Health sector, General Electric (GE), United States, will supply the medical equipment, the Federal Government is expected to provide the enabling environment.”

At VLC’s inauguration, the Min-

ister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, represented by Director, Hospital Services Dr. Patience Oshunubi, said the hospital’s establishment was in tandem with President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda to align Nigeria with global strategy of best practices in every sector.

“Nigeria is a rapidly growing economy with a large market and a high demand for healthcare delivery. The nation through the Health Ministry launched 2010 to 2015 National strategic health development plan to formulate the way forward for a robust and effective health sector. The establishment of this private sector driven hospital is in line with the transformation agenda.

“To facilitate the vision that there

should be at least one world class hospital in each geopolitical zone, a special committee was set up, chaired by Chief Tony Elumelu, to carry out a critical analysis of the apparent low public sector investment in world class specialists hospitals and diagnostic centres and to identify potential investors and assist them to develop business models that will enable world class hospitals such as what we are launching today,” he said.

Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola represented by his deputy Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire said his administration had named a ‘medical village’ where more foreign companies planning to set up shop would be located.

•Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) House Officers and Interns protesting alleged non-payment of salaries.

PHOTO: OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA

OCIETY for Family Health Nigeria has launched Mobile Authentication Service (MAS) code for Postinor II to stop the product’s fakers.

Postinor II is the brand of emergency contraceptive in Nigeria, with a market share of almost 80 per cent.

Emergency contraceptives assist women who may not have used a contraceptive during sex to prevent unplanned pregnancy.

It is also very important in cases of rape and in conflict prone situations where regular contraceptives are unavailable or inaccessible.

In recent times, Postinor II has fallen victim of counterfeiters of pharmaceutical products. Counterfeiters sell to users who in turn experience adverse effects, or the method fails completely; thus putting lives at risk and discrediting the product.

As a result, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) recommended the mobile authentication number coding system. Postinor II is the first product SFH is adopting this coding system for; in addition it is the first emergency contraceptive in Nigeria to have the MAS code.

Hospital cuts treatment cost

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RIMUS International Super Speciality Hospital in Karu, Abuja is conducting a free Consultation Camp from today to September 21. It will provide free consultation to patients in joint replacement, spine problem, internal medicine, diabetes, ear-nose-throat (ENT), gynaecology, neuro surgery, dental, ophthalmology, plastic surgery and general surgery. The Hospital will also reduce cost of medical treatment during the period.

According to the Public Relations Officer of the Hospital Alhaji Umaru Jibia, the Management decision was borne out of its desire to make treatment available to all and at affordable costs especially those who cannot travel abroad. The Management of the Hospital has set aside N2million as reserved fund which will be utilised for the treatment of poor and needy during the health camp.

“For the diagnostic services, a great reduction has been put in place. MRI charges will be from N50, 000 pnwards while CT scan will be from N25, 000 onwards. Radiology, Laboratory Services will cost 30 per cent less while Pharmacy drugs will cost 20 per cent less. The surgical procedures are at very reasonable charges during the camp period,” he said.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

HEALTH

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IGERIA has got its first public health In-Vitro Diagnostic Control Laboratory in its bid to attain the millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on healthcare It was established by the Federal Ministry of Health through the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN).

At its inauguration, President Goodluck Jonathan, represented by the Minister of Health, Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu, said its establishment marked the beginning of a new era in the production, importation, storage and sale of diagnostic laboratory reagents and chemicals, under his administration’s the Transformation Agenda.

In vitro diagnostic medical device is a reagent, reagent product, calibrator, control material, kit, instrument, apparatus, equipment, or system, whether used alone or in combination, intended by the manufacturer to be used in vitro for the examination of specimens, including blood and tissue donations, derived from the human body, solely or principally for the purpose of providing information.

He said: “The health laboratories, which play a pivotal role in diagnosis and monitoring of diseases rely on the availability of the highest possible quality of personnel, equipment, reagents and chemicals to produce consistently reliable results for the correct diagnosis and proper monitoring of many disease conditions.

“Due to government’s zero tolerance to the existence of substandard, fake or adulterated products in the country, and based on the transformation agenda of the Federal Government, it is fulfilling to have this facility. ”There cannot be anything other than zero tolerance to substandard practices or equipment or diagnostic reagents and chemicals.

Doing otherwise would have a hugely negative impact on the health of our citizens. I am happy to note therefore, that in establishing this laboratory, the MLSCN has substantially carried out my directives to all our standards and regu-

•Chukwu (second right) at the event. With him are: Chief Medical Director (CMD), Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof Akin Osibogun (left); Director, Hospital Services, Ministry of Health; Dr Patience Oshunubi (second left) and Prof Emeribe.

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

Govt builds first In-Vitro lab

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

latory agencies when they met with me early in the life of this administration to give full effect to our declared zero tolerance to the existence of substandard, fake or adulterated products in the country, be they food, drugs, laboratory reagents and chemicals or even household consumer items.

“The facility would strengthen the regulatory function of the MLSCN with respect to the verification, validation, listing and registration of in-vitro laboratory di-

agnostics and attainment of its key performance indicators, which must necessarily be similar to those of other regulatory agencies in the country.”

The Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, MLSCN, Prof Anthony Eneribe said: “In line with its assigned duties as enunciated in CAP M4, LFN 2004, the Council has been unrelenting in its efforts to drive the culture of quality and efficient health laboratory care to the public. This is with the view of stemming medical tourism for quality healthcare abroad with at-

tendant capital flight, as empirical data have confirmed that 60 to 70 per cent of indices required for effective medical diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, surveillance and forecasting are based on accurate and reproducible health laboratory results.

Reports that over 50 per cent of public health in-vitro diagnostictest kits, equipment, reagents, chemical etc in the country open market are sub-standard, fake, expired or poorly stored and distributed as compared to less that 17 per cent for fake or sub-standard drugs

and food products are worrisome.”

He added: “Under such prevailing conditions, it becomes difficult to obtain accurate, reliable and reproducible results and reports from medical laboratories which are on the receiving end of the supply chain.

“No reputable regulatory agency can stand aloof, while such a chaotic state of affairs remains. The Council has also mapped out a comprehensive policy to ensure henceforth, only IVDs-equipment, kits, reagents and consumables that meet international standards would be allowed to be manufactured, imported, distributed or used in the country. These will help us upscale medical laboratory services in the county with positive implications for out health indices.”

‘The man with the 91 kg scrotum’: Unravelling medical mystery Scrotal lymphedema is a disease of the scrotum known as Ipa among the Yoruba. Victims have swollen scrotum, which keeps on swelling, if nothing is done in time. A victim, Wesley Warren, whose scrotum swelled up to 90 kilogrammes before he was treated, relives his experience.

I

MAGINE carrying a bowling ball between your legs that weighs close to 91 kilogrammes. If that image is too much to stomach, continue reading with caution. Wesley Warren, 49, spent more than four years with this extra burden before having surgery to repair the damage from a rare medical condition called scrotal lymphedema.

When doctors placed the swollen mass they had cut from Warren’s scrotum on the scale, it weighed almost 60 kilograms.

That’s not counting the fluid or smaller pieces of tissue the surgeons had also removed from the Las Vegas man.

“There are a lot of people that will look and laugh and stare in shock and awe and amazement,” Warren says as he walks down the

•Warren before

•Warren after

street. “It’s tough to deal with it, you know, because essentially, this is a sort of living and breathing freak show.”

It began in 2008, Warren told a filming crew of the new show “The Man with the 132-Pound Scrotum”. He awoke to a shooting pain in his testicles.

The tissue around his penis soon began to swell, eventually growing at an estimated rate of three pounds per month.

One doctor told Warren that it might be necessary to castrate him to fix the problem; others told him

that he would probably die on the operating table. And the cost of the surgery alone would be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

After Warren appeared on the American radio show, appealing for help, a fellow scrotal lymphedema sufferer referred him to Dr. Joel Gelman, who offered to do the surgery for free.

Gelman, director of the Center for Reconstructive Urology at the University of California, Irvine, specializes in urethral and penile reconstruction surgery.

Scrotal lymphedema is a very

real condition, Gelman says. He hopes media attention surrounding the show will encourage other men with the problem to seek treatment.

Here are some more answers about this condition: What is scrotal lymphedema?

Scrotal lymphedema, also known as scrotal elephantiasis, is a “massive enlargement” of the scrotum due to thickening of tissue and accumulation of fluid.

What are the symptoms?

The most obvious symptom is a large scrotum; this can range in size from a grapefruit to a basketball. But the mass doesn’t “max out” at any particular size, Gelman said. It will keep growing until the patient seeks treatment.

Warren’s scrotum was the largest Gelman had ever seen.

“Warren didn’t report that he was always in pain, but I think the biggest problem is that the sheer size of the mass made it very uncomfortable for him,” the surgeon said. “It’s like lifting weights to take a step.”

Warren’s penis was “buried” about a foot under his skin, Gelman said, but fully functional.

A tunnel of sorts had formed from the tip to the top layer of his swollen skin, allowing Warren to urinate without assistance.

How common is scrotal lymphedema?

Giant scrotal lymphedema is rather common in the tropics and sub-tropics. Definite numbers are difficult to come by, and the condition may be underdiagnosed due to physicians’ lack of awareness,

Gelman said. Many patients with the condition are also obese and are simply instructed by their doctors to lose weight.

How do you treat it?

Surgery is usually the best option to remove the swollen tissue, Gelman said. A surgeon who specialises in this type of procedure will cut a T-shape in the mass, identify the penis and testicles to make sure they aren’t harmed and then excise the excess tissue. The surgeon will then use undamaged tissue to cover the penis and scrotum.

How is Warren doing now?

Warren is walking again and enjoying life, Gelman said. He’ll need a follow-up surgery to remove some additional skin that was damaged by his condition. Gelman will perform a skin graft to cover the penis and scrotum.

Um, what if I think I have it?

If you are experiencing the symptoms noted above, see a doctor as soon as possible. Ask for a referral to a specialist if your primary care physician is unfamiliar with these types of conditions.

An unusually large scrotum can have a variety of causes, Gelman said.

One of the most common is hernia, in which a small part of the intestines enters the scrotum. Another cause is fluid buildup on one side of a man’s body between the testicle and the skin; this is called hydrocele. All are treatable and usually not life-threatening unless left too long.

•Culled from: news.naij.com

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

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ENERGY THE NATION

E-mail:- energy@thenationonlineng.net

Workers’ protest may stall PHCN handover to GENCOs, DISCOs

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ESPITE making all payments, the 13 generation and distribution companies(GENCOs and DISCOs) may still have a hurdle to clear before taking over the assets of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria(PHCN).

The workers are threatening to stop the takeover until the Federal Government implements its agreements with them before PHCN’s privitisation began a few years ago.

The agreement included the payment of their severance package and re-employment by the new operators, among others.

Earlier, the workers protested the handing over of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) in Abuja to Manitoba Hydro International, a Canadian firm.

The Chairman, National Union of Electricity Workers, Lagos Chapter, Mr Adeleke Ibrahim, said workers had not receive their severance package because of the Federal Ministry of Power’s inability to put its record straight.

He urged the committee and government agencies charged with computing the allowance to speed up and ensure that it is paid in time.

The payment, he said, would placate the workers and avert problems in the future.

The union, he said, would resist any further delay in payment because the

Stories by Akinola Ajibade

workers had waited long enough for it and were now worried.

The Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Dr Sam Amadi, believes the workers’ action cannot scuttle the reforms in the sector. The workers had no power stopping Nigerians from benefitting from the reforms.

He said the 13 GENCOs and DISCOs had met the requirements for operating as private entities, adding that the threat cannot stop them from starting operations.

The workers, Amadi said, had not been justifying their earnings because they could not provide light for the country.

He said it was time the workers left the sector for private companies to improve electricity supply in Nigeria.

Amadi said: “The workers have been collecting salaries for years, yet they could not guarantee power supply. The government has paid N400billion as severance package, in addition to 50 per cent increase in their salaries.

In spite of this, they are unable to justify the payment. Do we have light in the country? No. They have no choice than to leave for the new operators to come in to improve power supply.

“I believe in the workers’ welfare, but I do not support any strategy that would destroy the successes recorded in the power reforms. The workers should go because issues relating to their outstandings have been sorted out. They cannot stop the private-sector- led initiative introduced to enhance productivity in the power sector.”

The spokesperson in the Ministry of Power, Mr Timothy Oyedeji urged the workers not to lose sleep over the matter since the government has agreed to pay, adding that there are laid down structures for the payment.

He urged the workers to refrain from doing anything that could affect the privatisation process.

The workers’ actions, he said, would not prevent the companies from starting their operations, adding that some people were against privatising the sector.

He said laid down procedures were followed to drive

•Amadi

privitisation, urging workers to show enough understanding for the growth of the power sector.

The former President, Senior Staff Association of the defunct National Electric Power Authority, Mr Godwin Ifenacho, said the protest followed the uncertainty surrounding the fate of the workers. He said the workers were provoked by the slow pace of payment, adding that only 40 per cent of the workers have received their emoluments.

He said workers in Abuja among other cities had been paid, while others have not.

He said: “The problems lie in the ways in which the workers are paid their emoluments. A situation where some workers have been paid, while others have not, is not good enough.

This has created room for suspicion and fear. Based on this, the workers have no choice than to threaten to sabotage the efforts

•Minister of Labour Emeka Wogu

of the government.”

The workers, he said, did not want what happened to the workers of the moribound Nigerian Airways and the Nigerian Telecommunication Limited(NITEL) to happen to them. After the liquidation of the Nigerian Airways and NITEL, the government failed to fulfill its promises of reabsorbing the workers”.

“Workers are afraid of being thrown into the labour market.

Their argument is that when the companies eventually take over the assets of PHCN, they would not employ them. To avert this, they want to stop the companies from starting operations,” he said.

He urged the government to fasttrack payment to dispel rumours that it has a hidden agenda, adding that the government must speed up the payment process, because the period for handing over the assets of PHCN to the private operators is near.

‘How to improve power generation’

•From left: Sales Manager, ASSAI Document Control Management Service, Anthonia Smith-Ade; Executive Director, Petrodata, Adedayo Adenowo; Chief Executive Officer Willem Van der Jagt; Chief Executive Officer, LANCOR Nigeria Limited, Ayo Oyegbola and Manager E-Business Petrodata, Femi Moyan at a conference in Lagos.

OPEC to cut production by 500,000 barrels HE Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries(OPEC) may cut oil production by half a million barrels a day when its meets in December, the International Energy Agency(EIA) has said.

The body said if all go accoridng to plans, the reduction in production would be the first in five years since the last time such exercise was carried out was 2008.

It said: “ The last time OPEC cut its oil output was in late 2008 when it reduced production to 4.2 million barrels a day. During this time, oil demand fell and prices crashed amid the financial crisis.

Lately, Gulf countries, including

T

Saudi Arabia, have supported keeping the production ceiling at 30 million barrels a day, The organisation could reduce production by half a million barrels a day due to the surge in the North American shale boom,” OPEC’s latest report, released last week, projected that demand for its crude will slide 500,000 barrels a day next year to 29.4 million barrels of oilper day (MMbpd), or about 2.6 per cent less than the organisation is currently producing,’ It added that OPEC is ‘con-

cerned’ about US/Canadian production increases and its implications on the global oil market.

The International Energy Agency also stated that demand for OPEC oil in 2014 will fail to meet its current production of around 30 million barrels per day, in its released report last week.

It said OPEC will try to maintain production levels in order keep prices from falling below $100 a barrel.

According to the body, the development coincides with a surge in oil supply from countries outside the OPEC group.

NIGERIA requires a multi-sectoral approach to electricity generation for growth, the General Manager, Sh’oreline Group, an energy service provider, Mr Gabriel Okoebor has said.

Speaking with reporters on the need to improve electricity generation and distribution, using energy service providers, among others, Okoebor said the efforts of the 13 power generation and distribution firms can only be complemented when there is a multi-sectoral approach to power improvement in Nigeria.

He said the suggestion by the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, that banks located in a specific area should pull their resources together and use one power plant instead of big generators, is good, urging that other sectors should take a cue from act accordingly.

He said the success of the power reforms would result in the upgrade of electricity generation and distribution to global standards.

He said thousands of electricity megawatts are required to meet the growing need of the populace.

He said thousands of megawatts of electricity are required in the country and that it could take eight years to get these, adding that focus should be placed on industries too.

Firm to deepen gas utilisation GREEN Gas Limited has introduced a device through which people can buy Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for their vehicles. Known as Smartcard, the device allows people to make payments by instalments for kits among other ancillary components needed to use in gas -powered vehicles.

The firm, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and NIPCO Plc, said the card is contactless, has a chip to ensure stress-free, faster and more convenient method of effecting CNG accessories. It said the idea would help in increasing the number of users of gas over other sources of energy.

It said the card, known as, ‘Go Green,’ is part of the measures to deepen the use of compressed natural gas by reducing financial stress on customers wishing to benefit from the growing benefits of switching to gas as auto fuel, adding that the card enables motorists to validate the CNG components in their vehicle for periodic inspection, routine safety check and guard against counterfeiting of any sort.

The firm explained that the technology was developed in Nigeria by Universal Embedded Technologies Limited.

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NEWS

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (fifth left) with the Executive Director of Heritage Bank, Mr. Ifie Sekibo (fourth left); an Executive Director, Ms. Mary Akpobore (fifth right); the Executive Secretary, Mr. Niyi Adeseun (fourth right); Commissioner for Finance Ayo Gbeleyi (third left) and others during the bank’s management’s visit to the the governor... yesterday.

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

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EADERS of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State yesterday eulogised the late Alhaji Lam Adesina, leader of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

They described the late politician as a selfless leader with exceptional qualities.

The APC leaders, who spoke during a visit to Adesina’s widow, Alhaja Saratu, at her Felele home in Ibadan, the state capital, pledged to preserve the former governor’s legacies.

They include the state

Oyo APC leaders eulogise Lam Adesina From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

chairmen of the defunct All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP), Alhaji Rasaq Folorunso, and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Mr. Abideen Oladimeji.

Former governorship candidates Mr. Adebayo Shittu (CPC) and Mr. Wale Olatunji (ANPP) were present.

Also in attendance were Chief Pekun Adesokan,

Elder Babatunde Adeosun, Mogaji Oladosu Bankole, Pa Isamosta Ashiru, Mr. Kazeem Adedeji, former commissioner for works (and later Information) Chief Caleb Oyaniyi and a former member of the Oodua Investment Group, Prince Debo Gbadebo.

Shittu described the late Adesina as his mentor and political father.

He said their visit was to reaffirm their love for the

Mimiko lied about Olokola Free Trade HE Peoples Demo- Zone, says PDP not told how much money cratic Party (PDP) in accrued to the state and how

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Ondo State yesterday said the Governor Olusegun Mimiko administration is not responsible for the conceptualisation and development of the Olokola Free Trade Zone (FTZ).

It was reacting to the governor’s comment that the development of the free-trade zone was “an attestation to his investment-friendly administration”.

In a statement by its Publicity Director, Mr. Ayo Fadaka, PDP said: “It is common knowledge and backed up by documented facts that the PDP administration of Dr. Olusegun Agagu developed the plan and executed the development of the Olokola FTZ. The party said: “Had Agagu

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

remained in government, the business district would have commenced operations about three years back. Today, due to the lack of initiative and poverty of ideas by the Mimiko administration, the FTZ remains on the drawing board, with many blue chip companies recently pulling out of the venture.

“Mimiko’s years in governance has been characterised by falsehood and desecration of hallowed standards. They have been years of unmitigated mismanagement of public funds.

“For over four years, the people were denied information about the financial records of the state. We were

it was spent. We saw contracts awarded for the construction of existing roads, such as the Oba Adesida Road, to the tune of N7 billion and at the end of the day, the only justification was the placing of movable concrete embankment on some sections of the road.

“The Mimiko administration inherited N58 billion from the Agagu administration, but blew it away and went ahead to incur a massive debt, which the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) confirmed in its declaration last week.

“We appreciate the Dangote Group’s desire to site a refinery in the state and make it clear that the plan has nothing to do with the indolent administration in Ondo.”

‘Nigeria’s problem attitudinal’

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YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday said Nigeria’s problem is not its amalgamation but attitudinal.

He spoke at the 20th Memorial Anniversary of the founder of the Development Policy Centre (DPC), Ibadan, Prof. Oyetunji Aboyade.

The event was held at the centre.

Speaking on “Nigeria’s Amalgamation and National Development since 1914", Ajimobi said Nigerians must change before things can improve.

He said people should stop blaming the country’s challenges on the amalgamation and focus on solving them.

The governor urged Nigerians to learn from the United States (US), “where people of different tribes and cultures live together peacefully”.

He said Nigerians were “intelligent and extremely reli-

From Tayo Johnson and Diamond Adebowale, Ibadan

gious but also extremely ungodly people”, adding that the nation’s problem was not only leadership but also followership.

Ajimobi said Nigerians must correct the “fundamental wrongs” in the 1914 amalgamation and change their attitude towards life.

He said God would not come down to turn things around, adding that we can only develop if we put the right people at the helm of affairs.

The Guest Speaker and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI), Prof. Tekena Tamuno, said only committed leaders can build a nation.

He said: “Concerning the sustainability of Nigeria, I have no doubts that things are not at their best now, but un-

til hope dies, nothing dies. If in doubt, please look at Greece today and others in Western Europe, which are in a similar condition because of the global downturn of their national economies since 2008.

“This is Greece, founded several BCs ago, later the birth place of the Olympic Games, centre of famous architectural, philosophical and cultural assets of ancient and modern vintage. Nigeria shall never die unless such a fate is in God’s sovereign will.”

DPC Chairman Prof. Bimpe Aboyade said: “There is hardly anyone here today who is not joyful that our country has survived for a century in unity and brotherhood, despite the myriads of problems we have faced in the past and the present ones.

We should examine what the future holds.”

family and visit Adesina’s grave.

Shittu said: “We are here to identify with Alhaja Saratu and the deceased’s followers (Lamists), under the aegis of the Lam Adesina Memorial Abe Tent, with their headquartres here in Felele.

“Former leaders of the defunct CPC and ANPP have come to meet the Lamists to form a formidable front for the APC in Oyo.” The APC leaders were received by Alhaja Saratu and a relative, Dr. Isiaka Kolawole.

Kolawole, who is the head of the Abe Tent, thanked them for preserving the legacies of the late politician.

He described the APC as the modern day Noah’s Ark for the country’s salvation.

Kolawole said: “The late Adesina was an incarnation of minimalism, a representation of plainness, a depiction of humility, an interpretation of welfarism, a standard of progressivism and an illustration of service to humanity.

“In the face of danger to his life, he resisted partial-

ity, opposed unfairness, defied wickedness, challenged injustice, confronted inequality and promoted fairness.

“He stood tall where others had fallen to the grotesque sleaze and incongruous corruption that pervade our land, as he spurred cupidity, despised avarice and disdained grandiosity.

Throughout his life, Lam derided showiness and reviled bitterness and animosity.”

Alhaja Saratu thanked them for their “goodwill”.

Prayers were offered for Governor Abiola Ajimobi during the visit.

Why I lost in 2007, by Ajimobi From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

•Ajimobi

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YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has explained why he lost the 2007 governorship election.

He spoke at the weekend during the 31st Holy Ghost Convention of the Sword of the Spirit Ministry at the International Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan (UI).

The convention, themed: “Divine Favour”, was presided over by Bishop Wale Oke.

Ajimobi said: “Though I prayed and fasted fervently, I lost the 2007 election. I was angry and even lost faith in God. But unknown to me, I lost because it was not yet my time.

God was trying to clear off the bad eggs that will not allow me to perform in governance.

“It was after God removed the bad eggs that he allowed me to become governor. When I went to the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, and other men of God, they prayed for me.

Pastor Adeboye prayed to God to forgive me and allow my dreams come true. After a year, God answered my prayer. All the peace and progress recorded within my two years in office would not have occurred if I had won the 2007 election.

“I am here today because I also went to pray at the Sword of the Spirit Ministry

when I wanted to be governor and I promised God that I will always return there to thank him. That is what I am doing today because my prayer has been answered.”

The governor urged people not to despair when their prayers seem unanswered, adding that God would answer them at the right time.

He said at such times, people need to be strong, move closer to anointed men of God and abstain from sin.

Urging Nigerians to pray fervently, Pastor Adeboye said: “God rewards the diligent. Look how diligent Solomon and David were.

When God sees that you are spiritually thirsty for him, he appreciates hard work.

Whenever God favours you, do not abuse it because he can easily take it away.”

Bishop Oke said: “Oyo State is enjoying peace and progress today because God has chosen a man of peace and excellence.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

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EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 09-09-13

GSK rallies on the back of $2.1b acquisition

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LAXOSmithKline Consumer Nigeria (GSK Nigeria) Plc’s market consideration rose by five per cent yesterday at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) as the healthcare company’s foreign core investor, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK UK), United Kingdom, and Japanese company, Suntory Beverage&FoodLimited,reached a $2.1 billion deal for the sale of GSK’sLucozadeandRibenadrink brands.

GSK Nigeria yesterday said it has reached exclusive agreement with Suntory to retain the right to produce and market the Lucozade and Ribena drink brands for the Nigerian and other African markets. The two brands are iconic and popular brands with the Nigerian consumers. GSK Nigeria assured that its profit forecast for this year is still realisable.

Investors responded positively to the sale agreement which gives Suntory, a major food and beverage company that held 20 per cent share of Japan’s nonalcoholic drink market in 2012, the window to expand its operations to Africa’s largest market.

GSK Nigeria’s share price recorded the highest gain of N3.20 to close at N67.20 per share, playing a contrarian stock in a market that was pervaded by losses by several highly capitalised stocks.

The main index at the NSE, the All Share Index (ASI), slipped by 0.08 per cent from 36,403.95 points to 36,367.59 points. Aggregate market capitalisation of all equities also declined from N11.591 trillion to N11.579 trillion.

Nestle Nigeria topped the slackers’ list with a loss of N4.10 to close at N930. UAC of Nigeria followed with a drop of N1 to close at N55. PZ Cussons Nigeria slipped by 80 kobo to close at N41.50. Nigeria Breweries lost 79 kobo to close at N163.20. Flour Mills of Nigeria dropped by 78 kobo to close at N83 while Vitafoam Nigeria lost 44 kobo to close at N3.97.

Besides GSK Nigeria, one of the major highlights of the

•Investors stake N1.8b on Lafarge Wapco

By Taofik Salako

transactions was the voluminous transaction on Lafarge Cement Wapco Nigeria, with a turnover of 19.94millionsharesvaluedatN1.83 billion in 75 deals.

Total turnover stood at 176.57 million shares worth N3.88 billion in 4,501 deals. Guaranty Trust Bank recorded a turnover of 23.33 million shares valued at N585.58 million in 441 deals. Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) ranked third on the activity chart with a turnover of 17.38 million shares valud at N25.18 million in 141 deals.

SuntorytoBuyLucozade,Ribena Brands for $2.1 Billion Bloomberg reported that Suntory Beverage & Food agreed to buy the Lucozade and Ribena drink brands from GSK UK for 1.35 billion pounds. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of the year and the proceeds will be used partly to reduce debt, GSKstatedinastatementyesterday on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) Suntory Beverage is preparing to spend as much as 500 billion yen, about $5 billion, on takeovers after holding Japan’s largest initial public offering this year. GSK, UK’s biggest drugmaker, is selling the brands as part of a revamp announced in April to separate older products from its bigger business of developing new medicines.

“Since it’s already a known brand, they’re not going to have a problem putting it on the shelf,” said Mikihiko Yamato, deputy head of research in TokyoatJIAsia,referringtoLucozade.

“Suntory may want to start a new category within the energy drinks market,” said Yamato, who doesn’t cover the company.

Lucozade, an energy drink that competes with PepsiCo Inc’s Gatorade and Coca-Cola Co’s Powerade, and Ribena, a liquid concentrate marketed toward children, had combined sales of about 500 million pounds last year, Glaxo stated. Suntory will acquire global rights to the brands and

Glaxo’s Coleford manufacturing site.

The acquisition is the largest announced by a Japanese consumer company this year, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Suntory Beverage closed 0.4 per cent higher at 3,515 yen in Tokyo trading yesterday.

GlaxoSmithKline fell 0.7 per cent to close at 1,640 pence in London.

Glaxo said in April it was forming a new unit to house more than 50 older products with combined annual sales of about 3.0 billion pounds, prompting speculation it may sell the brands.

Suntory Beverage has said it plans to acquire companies in SoutheastAsia,MiddleEast,Africa and Latin America to help double sales to 2.0 trillion yen by 2020.

The Tokyo-based company derived about 31 percent of revenue from overseas markets lastyear,comparedwith25percent in2011,accordingtodatacompiled

by Bloomberg.

The acquisition would allow the Japanese company to expand in countries where the UK company already operates, such as Nigeria and Malaysia, Suntory said.

Suntory aims for 5.0 per cent annual sales growth in the brands whichthecompanyexpectswould provide “stable profits,” Chief Executive Officer Nobuhiro Torii said at a media briefing in Tokyo yesterday.

Suntory began trading July 3 after raising almost $4 billion in Japan’s biggest share sale since Japan Airlines Co’s 663 billion yen initial public offering in September last year. Suntory Beverage, which sells Boss coffee, had bought 51 per cent of PepsiCo Inc (PEP)’s soft-drink business in Vietnam this year.

Parent Suntory Holdings, which sells whiskey and beer, remains unlisted. The beverage group bought France’s Orangina Schweppes Group for 300 billion yen in 2009 and paid 600 million euros in the same year for New Zealand’sFrucorBeveragesGroup.

Suntory Holdings had a 20 per cent share of Japan’s non-alcoholic drink market in 2012, the secondbiggest after Coca-Cola Co’s 28 per cent, according to Inryosoken, a research company.

Suntory Beverage almost doubled first-half net income to 12 billion yen after it pared costs and sales in Asia rose.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 09-09-13

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

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MONEY LINK CBN picks 11 banks to handle forex sales to pilgrims

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HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has selected 11 banks to handle foreign exchange (forex) sales to pilgrims travelling for this year’s Hajj. The banks are Union Bank, Zenith Bank, United Bank for Africa, Fidelity Bank and First City Monument Bank. Others are Unity Bank, FirstBank, Ecobank, Sterling Bank, Skye Bank and Keystone Bank.

In a circular to all authorised dealers signed by W.D. Gotring for, director, trade and exchange department, CBN pegged maximum Personal Travelling Allowance (PTA) sale to intending pilgrims at $1,000 at a

FCMB to deepen retail banking

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IRST City Monument Bank (FCMB) has continued to provide value-added services, while deepening its presence in the retail segment, the lender said in a statement.

Following the decision of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to raise Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) for public sector deposit in banks to 50 per cent, FCMB, has deepened its retail banking operations in order to forestall any negative impact the monetary policy would have on its balance sheet in the second half of 2013.

The Group’s Head of Marketing and Communications, Ikechukwu Kalu said, “barring any unforeseen circumstances, and in spite of the impact of the CBN’s 50 per cent Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) on all public sector deposits, FCMB believes that the launch of a simple and easy to operate account for the unbanked and the under-banked who have before now been excluded in banking would boost its performance.”

Ikechukwu noted that by uphold-

Stories by Collins Nweze

flat rate of N146 to a dollar.

The apex bank also said no commission shall be charged by banks for the sale of the PTA between the approved $750 to $1,000. Issuance of the PTA started in Lagos and Abuja yesterday.

According to the CBN, the funds of the respective banks shall be debited as soon as the funds are disbursed. Each of the designated banks is required to sell to the CBN, the unutilsed PTA. Gotring advised the designated banks to comply accordingly.

•CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

Ecobank disburses MDGs’ funds to Ekiti

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COBANK Nigeria Limited and the Ekiti State Government have commenced the disbursement of the Federal Government Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) scheme under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to the state residents. It said in a statement that the funds have been successfully disbursed to all the beneficiaries through cash transfers on the Ecobank Mobile Money platform.

It disclosed that over 2,250 residents are the first set of beneficiaries in the scheme under the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President (OSSAP) on MDGs. Each of the beneficiaries received N5000 which will henceforth be paid monthly as grant for the upkeep of their families while a lump sum of N100,000 will be paid out to them for start-up of small agriculture business after 12 months.

This is made possible as the

OSSAP on MDGs earlier distributed cell phones and SIM cards to the beneficiaries while the Bank registered them for MobileMoney for the purpose of smooth transfer of the monthly subvention.

Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who inaugurated the cash transfer scheme in Ado Ekiti, described it as a kind of social security fund which makes a lot of economic sense, as it serves as a platform through which government reaches out to empower citizens within the low income bracket, especially women.

He said: “The N5,000 monthly grant and the final N100,000 make a lot of economic sense in that women are prudent managers of resources. I can assure you that by the time all the women receive the N100,000 for small business start-up, they will generate a lot of economic activities within the state. So to us as government, this

is not only an intervention fund, this is an investment.”

Deputy Managing Director of Ecobank Nigeria Limited, Tony Okpanachi, said the lender identifies with the target beneficiaries in this project hence the choice of Ecobank Mobile Money which is a mass market product and can be easily accessed by all.

He said it is part of the bank’s contribution in its strategic partnership with government on realising the MDG goals. He said Ecobank Mobile Money wallets have been created for the beneficiaries and money is disbursed monthly on instructions from the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs. He added that the bank was also using Ecobank MobileMoney to assist the Ekiti State Ministry of Agriculture in support of the state Youth Commercial Agriculture Development (YCAD) for farmers in the state.

Access Bank institutes award

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CCESS Bank Plc has an nounced the establish ment of the Nigerian Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.

In a statement, the bank said the initiative, aimed at recognising, encouraging and rewarding entrepreneurship in the country, was disclosed to media personalities at a CEO Media Forum hosted by the Bank on August 31, 2013.

The Bank’s Group Managing Director, Aigboje AigImoukhuede, said that “the Nigerian Entrepreneur of the Year Awards will have two principal categories; Entrepreneur of the Year Award and Female Entrepreneur of the Year Award. The

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11.039 12.23 13.19

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

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 350m 150m 350m 138m 350m 113m

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

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

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

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 09-09-13

SYMBOL OSBREW IPWA VONO PREMBREW IHS CORNERST PRESTIGE ABCTRANS GLAXOSMITH TRANSEXPR

O/PRICE 4.69 0.82 1.39 0.68 2.80 0.50 0.57 0.78 64.00 1.09

C/PRICE 0.46 0.08 0.13 0.06 0.21 0.03 0.03 0.04 3.20 0.05

CHANGE 5.15 0.90 1.52 0.74 3.01 0.53 0.60 0.82 67.20 1.14

VITAFOAM WAPIC MAYBAKER ETERNA COURTVILLE DNMEYER CUSTODYINS CUTIX WEMABANK INTENEGINS

O/PRICE 4.41 0.94 2.30 2.99 0.64 1.88 1.50 1.90 1.04 0.83

C/PRICE 3.97 0.87 2.08 2.73 0.60 1.78 1.43 1.82 1.00 0.81

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

Bureau de Change 152.0000 (S/N) Parallel Market 153.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

NGN USD NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N)

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

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

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 11.8%

July ’12

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

NSE CAP Index

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

Date 2-7-12 27-6-12 22-6-12

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Movement

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

CHANGE 0.44 0.09 0.22 0.26 0.04 0.10 0.07 0.08 0.04 0.02

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8 155.7

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

LOSERS AS AT 09-09-13

SYMBOL

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m 113m

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

OBB Rate Call Rate

Awards, designed to recognise owners of SMEs whose businesses have been judged worthy of recognition, will be granted at both state and national levels.

He said the initiative signposts the lender’s commitment to ensuring that women owned-businesses are given equal opportunity and recognition in the development of the Nigerian economy.

Herbert Wigwe, the Bank’s Group Deputy Managing Director and CEODesignate stated that “Access Bank’s next phase of growth will see greater focus on SMEs and entrepreneurs, adding that the Bank’s five-year corporate strategy will positively impact businesses at every level of economic activity.”

DATA BANK

Tenor

NIDF NESF

ing its strategic priorities, which include huge investment in the delivery of consistent customer experience management and launch of innovative and simple products and services across segments, optimism is high that FCMB would sustain its impressive result for the remaining part of this year.

The CBN decision has opened a new phase in banking operations in the country which may see banks, reinforcing their retail banking strategies of which FCMB has taken proactive measures in taking the lead. Experts believe that the leadership and acumen of Ladi Balogun, the Group’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (GMD/CEO) has not only distinguished the bank in the areas of innovation but has also taken it a notch higher than its contemporaries. The bank had recently projected that its retail banking will contribute 50 per cent of the group’s profit by the year 2015.

Ladi Balogun had told finance correspondents at a press interview shortly

Offer Price

Bid Price

ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH 9.17 9.08 KAKAWA GUARANTEED 1.00 1.00 STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE INVE 141.19 140.70 AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 156.04 155.62 LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL 0.80 0.78 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.16 1.16 BGL NUBIAN FUND 1.18 1.16 FBN MONEY MARKET FUND 100.00 100.00 FBN FIXED INCOME FUND 1,000.00 1,000.00 NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. 1,817.15 1,813.39 PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND 13.64 12.97 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 1.33 CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST 1.87 1.80 STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY 11.004.94 10,680.29 • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUNDARM AGGRESSIVE • OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000 8.0833

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

56

NEWS Cross River teachers resume strike

P

RIMARY and secondary school teachers in Cross River State yesterday resumed their strike as schools reopened for a new term.

A communiqué at the end of an Emergency State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) meeting of the Nigeria Union of Teachers on September 5 said they resumed the strike because of government’s refusal to implement the Teachers’ Specific Allowance (TSA).

The communiqué was signed by the Chairman, Eyo-Nsa Eyo Itam, Secretary Livinus Eta Omini and Publicity Secretary Dennis Monche.

It reads: “Arising from the

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

meeting, which was attended by state elected officers and local government branch leaders, the state wing has noted that the government has failed to respect the agreement signed with the union to restore the Teachers Specific Allowance from July.

“It was also discovered that promotion is yet to be completely and correctly implemented.

“The suspended strike of June 2013 is hereby resumed.

Teachers from public primary and secondary schools are therefore expected to sit at home from September 9 when schools are to resume.”

‘No crack in Delta APC’

T

HE Olorogun O’tega Emerhor Campaign Organisation has said there is no crack in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State.

A statement by the Media Assistant to O’tega Emerhor, Larry Umolo, denied the alleged crack in the Delta APC. The statement reads: “The attention of Olorogun O’tega Emerhor Campaign Organisation has been drawn to a report titled “Emerhor/Keyamo’s senatorial ambition causes crack in Delta APC”.

“It is our belief that this purported news story was sponsored by those who are afraid of Emerhor’s emergence as the APC candidate in the forthcoming Delta Central senatorial by-elections.

“These persons are obviously hunted and scared of the front runner status of our principal in the current race for the vacant senatorial seat.”

“For the avoidance of doubt, any discerning reader knows that the report was not about any crack in APC but about discrediting Emerhor in order to stop him from becoming the APC candidate.”

Nigerian judge denies taking N2.5m bribe in Gambia A FORMER Nigerian Chief Justice of The Gambia, Justice Joseph Wowo, who was accused of demanding 500,000 dalasis (about N2.5million) bribe to pervert justice in the country yesterday denied the allegation.

Justice Wowo, in his first public comment on the incident, told The Nation that the audio tape posted on YouTube was manipulated by a section of The Gambian public to witch-hunt him.

He said the masterminds of the tape, titled: “Gambia Corruption” were disgruntled people, who were averse to a foreigner’s rise to the exalted position in their country.

“What they are saying all over the place is lies. The fact of the matter is that there was no time I ever solicited bribe.

“In all my years as a lawyer and as a judge I have maintained my integrity.

“The purpose of that YouTube clip is just to witch-hunt me because of their xenophobic tendencies. That is all.

There is no truth whatsoever to the bribery allegation,” he stated.

The sensational story, which went virile online and on Nigerian national newspapers, was fuelled by YouTube

•Slams media report, threatens legal action (then President of the Court From Shola O’Neil, SouthSouth Regional Editor

audio in which Wowo was heard asking “how much are you willing to offer first so that we can negotiate.”

He subsequently lost his job and is facing trial, not for the alleged bribery, but for giving false information.

Justice Wowo told our reporter that the audio message was lifted from a meeting convened by a former minister of Justice.

He explained that the meeting was for parties in a land dispute to settle amicably after a court ruling.

The recorder of the tape, Alieu Barry, a Gambian-born British national, who represented the plaintiff at the meeting, has since debunked the bribery allegation.

Barry, in his sworn affidavit, a copy of which was obtained by The Nation, confirmed that the issue of bribe “never ever happened” at the meeting.

He added: “Justice Wowo

of Appeal) made it clear to all the parties that if the negotiation failed; he will not preside over the matter when it comes up in the Court of Appeal on account of his being there (at the meeting).”

Speaking further on the meeting, Justice Wowo told our reporter: “At that meeting all the parties, the plaintiff, defendant, their lawyers and the former minister of Justice (Lamin Jobarteh) were all present.

“The high court had already given judgment against the defendant, who had built on the land. In order not to lose his house, he agreed to meet with the other party to settle the matter amicably. As a judge we are allowed to encourage parties to settle out of court.”

He wondered how a bribetaker would demand gratification in presence of the plaintiff and defendant as well as their lawyers with all the witnesses present at the meeting.

The ex-judge explained that he was invited to the venue

of the meeting by the former ministers of Justice, Jonarteh, who is currently facing trial for abuse of office.

Justice Wowo expressed disappointmen, saying his fellow Nigerians and the media took up the matter based on what they saw on the internet and without verifying its authenticity or hearing his side of the story.

He lamented that he was vilified and maligned on the pages of newspapers without giving the chance to tell his side of the story.

The ex-judge praised The Nation for “taking the pains to call me here from Nigeria and hear from me.”

Nevertheless, he vowed to come back to Nigeria as soon as the case in Gambia is concluded to read papers that published damaging reports about him.

“I will be coming to Nigeria to read all those papers (that reported the bribery story without hearing from him) and file a law suit against them.

He said he was encouraged by the true reportage of the incident and the legal tussle going on in The Gambia media, adding that it gives him confidence that the truth would be revealed.

Edo launches open data portal

E

DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole is to launch Nigeria’s First Open Data Portal in Benin City on Thursday.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Peter Okhiria, said Edo would become the first state and the first subnational government in Africa to launch an Open Data Portal, joining over 200 governments worldwide that are pursuing Open Data.

The statement said the Open Data is part of activities marking the 2013 Edo State Technology Day with the theme: “Fostering Governance with Technology”.

Rivers receives free HIV drugs From Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

T

HE Rivers State government yesterday expressed its willingness to give out some anti-retroviral drugs it recently received from ACTLAP Children Foundation, Canada.

Parker said the drug was given to the state free of charge by the foundation to assist in fighting the virus.

Experts in a programme held in the state said the state requires over N15 billion to fight the disease between now and 2015.

The commissioner said: “All the government did was to cover the logistics of shipment and transportation so it is only natural to give some to our neighbours, who are in need.”

Bungalow razed in Delta

A

MIDNIGHT inferno has razed a fourbedroom bungalow, owned by a retired civil servant in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

The victim, who hails from Aniocha North Local Government Area, said she built the house shortly after her retirement.

Mrs. Rita Moemeka blamed the State Fire service for failing to respond to her distress calls.

The Nation gathered that the fire started at about 9pm on Sunday in one of the rooms.

The cause of the fire could not be established.

An eyewitness said the incident may not be unconnected with the fluctuating

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

electricity supply in the area.

She said: “We were about to sleep after returning from church when electricity went off and we immediately noticed smoke from one of the rooms.”

It was learnt that a distress call was put across to the Fire Service and the police.

Mrs. Moemeka added: “But to our greatest surprise, neither the Fire Service men nor the police team came to our rescue, not even 24 hours after the unfortunate incident even though they had promised to rush down. And as we speak now, we have not heard from either of them.”

•From left: Commissioner for Environment Prof. Olubukola Oyawoye; Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria (Obokun Chapter), Rev Michael Ajayi of Methodist Church, Otan-Ile; Assistant Director (Community Forum), Bureau of Communications & Strategy, Office of the Governor, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye and Rev Isaac Subuloye of Methodist Church Imesi Ile when CAN members visited Aregbesola's Campaign Office, Ibokun, Obokun Local Government, Osun State.

We’re ready to help Fed Govt, says MEND

T

HE Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) yesterday said it is ready to assist the Federal Government halt the upsurge in oil theft and pipeline attacks, if the government meets its demands.

Although MEND did not state its demands in its e-mail the group had demanded control of oil resources in the Niger Delta by local communities and the release of its leader, Henry Okah, who was

•PENGASSAN decries oil workers’ abduction handed a 24-year jail term in March by a South African court on terrorism-related charges.

“The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) is ready to end activities of illegitimate oil merchants, pipeline vandalisation and the unrest in the Niger Delta region when the reason we took up arms is addressed by a listening ad-

ministration,” MEND said in the statement signed by a spokesman using the pseudonym Jomo Gbomo.

MEND had, on September 4, said it was ignoring the activities of criminals loading stolen crude into barges in Niger Delta creeks for shipment into ocean tankers, because it helped the group in achieving its objective of crippling oil production.

Man found inside locked tomb

R

ESIDENTS of Akenzua Street in Benin City, the Edo State capital, were shocked yesterday to discover a 25-year-old man inside the locked tomb of Emmanuel Obasogie Obayuwana without any visible signs of break in.

The man, who was said to have been dressed in red, reportedly wore white gloves and tied a red piece of cloth around his forehead.

He was found sitting on the grave with stained cloths, found inside a wooden box

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

with him.

Some spiritualists and pastors who were invited were afraid of going inside to bring the man out of the tomb after the first son of the deceased, Isaac, brought the keys.

Eyewitnesses said they were afraid of going near the man for fear of possible spiritual attack.

It was gathered that some chiefs from the palace of the Oba of Benin came to take the unknown man away.

Isaac said he had been holding the keys to his father’s tomb for 11 years.

He said: “The place was locked. I don’t know his mission to my father’s graveside.

He has been taken to the palace.

“We don’t know him from anywhere and how he got inside the locked house remains a mystery.”

Sources at the Benin Palace said the mystery man had been taken to Oke N’ Orhue shrine on Akpakpava Road for spiritual cleansing.

Insecurity in the Niger Delta has meant Nigeria has so far been unable to meet its production target of 2.53 million b/d set for this year.

The National Bureau of Statistics said at the weekend that oil production dropped yearon-year by 180,000 b/d to 2.29 million b/d in the second quarter as a result of pipeline vandalism.

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) yesterday said abduction and killing of oil workers had returned to the Niger Delta.

The union made the observation in a letter by its Media and Information Officer, Babatunde Oke, and addressed to President Goodluck Jonathan, the Minister of Petroleum Resources and Rivers State Government.

The letter, dated September 3, was copied to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday.

It said the menace could ruin Nigeria’s economy, and called for urgent intervention by the Federal Government to avert workers’ strike.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

57

NEWS Okorocha: I won't take up issues with Umeh

I

MO State Governor Rochas Okorocha yesterday said he won’t join issues with the embattled National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Victor Umeh.

He pledged to work harder for the development, peace and progress of all parts of the country.

The governor said as a detribalised Nigerian, he would continue to promote the interest and peaceful coexistence of Nigerians.

“I am a detribalised Nigerian, who is determined to work in the interest of everyone, irrespective of their

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

tribe.

“APGA is essentially a sectional party and cannot help Ndigbo to achieve national offices or attain leadership positions in this democratic dispensation.

“I forgive him for all he has said about me and his reaction is predictable.

“If you lose dozens of your state chairmen and source of livelihood, you are bound to react the same way but I honestly believe that the future of the southeast lies with APC.”

Delta condemns attack on commissioner

T

HE Delta State government yesterday condemned the weekend attack on its commissioner for Basic Secondary Education by irate youths.

Prof. Patrick Muoboghare was stabbed at a meeting in Ughelli North Local Government Area.

In a statement by Commissioner for Information, Chike Ogeah, the government lamented that although the commissioner was "injured from a knife attack, but thankfully, he was immediately taken to hospital where doctors attended to him."

Ogeah added that "Muoboghare is stable, recuperating and responding to treatment. He is not and was never in a coma.

“What was scheduled as a peaceful meeting among political groups in the area was

hijacked by a few misguided youths that took advantage of the atmosphere of camaraderie to injure Prof.

Muoboghare.

“We unreservedly condemn the unprovoked attack on the commissioner.

“Arrests have been made by the police and perpetrators of the crime will face the full wrath of the law.

“At a time that Delta State has emerged as one of the most peaceful states in the country, the unfortunate incident belies the perception of the youth as the successorgeneration among the political class that should usher an era of tolerance in politics.

"We hereby urge Deltans, especially youths, to eschew violence in all their conduct as attacks on persons under any guise is a criminal act punishable under Nigerian laws."

Forum alleges Ogoni plot

T

HE Ogoni Peoples Development Forum (OPDF) said it has uncovered a plot to discredit and malign proponents of the Ogoni governorship in 2015.

In a statement in Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area, Rivers State, the forum said as part of the plan, prominent Ogoni leaders championing the crusade would be discredited using the media, among others.

It said frivolous allegations would be levelled against groups and individuals advocating for Ogoni, just as other ethnic based organisations would be encouraged to demand governorship for their respective areas.

The forum said activities of the Rotimi Amaechi’s administration would be maligned in protest over the governor’s seemingly disposition to a particular candidate of Ogoni extraction.

2015: Kalabari queen urges politicians to behave

T

HE Akasoba of Kalabari and chair, Akasoba Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution (ACPCR), Queen Akasoba Duke-Abiola has called on Nigerian politicians to stop playing political truancy, and put the country above their personal interest.

In a statement yesterday, she lamented the neglect of the Niger Delta by the major oil companies.

She said: “A hunger- epidemic may soon engulf the Niger Delta by the relentless oil spillage, gas flaring, wanton and unwarranted destruction of people’s eco system, their flora, fauna and their ways of life.

“The conflict is not abating, rather it is exacerbating despite the present Nigerian political configura-

tion of having a NigerDeltan as President.”

The queen alleged that there is “victimisation, segregation, denigration and intolerable cruelty” in the Niger Delta.

“How can the international community look the other way while ordinary citizens eat fish and farm produce laden with crude petroleum just because they are unfortunate enough to have oil in their land?”

She congratulated the newly elected Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and urged Nigerian politicians to emulate the Australian example of free and fair elections where winners exhibit modesty and losers are gallant. .

Kidnappers yet to contact bishop’s family

A

BDUCTORS of the Archbishop of the Niger Delta North Diocese, Rev Ignatius Kattey, are yet to contact his family.

Police spokesperson Mrs. Angela Agabe confirmed this in a telephone interview yesterday.

Mrs. Agabe said: “Bishop Kattey has not been released.

His kidnappers have not contacted anyone.

“So no ransom has been demanded but the police are making efforts to track them.”

The bishop was kidnapped with his wife, Beatrice, by unknown gunmen last Friday at their home town, Aleto Eleme, in Eleme Local Government Area by

•Youths protest in Rivers •CAN begs abductors From Bisi Olaniyi and Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

10.30pm.

Mrs. Kattey was later released and the car abandoned, while the bishop was taken to an unknown destination.

Thousands of youths, under the aegis of the Anglican Youth Fellowship (AYF), yesterday staged a peaceful protest in Eleme.

They called for the unconditional release of the kidnapped cleric.

The protesting youths barricaded the East-West Road,

near the two Port Harcourt refineries, disrupting the free-flow of traffic.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), through its State Chairman, Apostle David Zilly-Aggrey, described the abduction as ungodly.

He pleaded with the kidnappers to release the cleric.

The protesting youths said they would continue to cry to God to ensure Kattey’s release. He is the second-incommand to the Primate of the Anglican Church, Nigeria.

Speaking on behalf of the

protesters, Ven Israel Omosioni, the Archdeacon of Eleme Archdeaconry, described Kattey as a peaceloving man.

He said the youths, clerics and other members of the church would take their Bibles into the forest to secure the archbishop’s release.

The President of the Eleme Youth Council (EYC), Isaac Obe, described the incident as sad.

He urged security agents to continue to comb the forest, for Kattey.

Obe said the protests led to traffic from the Port Harcourt refineries to Eleme Junction and Eleme Township.

Warri monarch must abdicate, Itsekiri leaders insist •5,000 women to storm Warri today •Lawmaker pleads for calm From Shola O’Neil, Warri

•Olu of Warri

T

HE plot to force the Olu of Warri, Atuwatse II, to abdicate thickened yesterday.

Two groups- the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought (ILT) and Itsekiri Legacy Rebirth (ILR) - warned the monarch to recant the controversial edict or face the people’s wrath.

Some 5,000 women dressed in the symbolic red attire are expected to storm the palace today to “hand a stern directive to the monarch”.

The ILR, led by Alex Ideh, urged the monarch “to rescind and recant immediately his declaration or abdicate the throne.

“Any action otherwise will make him (monarch) face the wrath of the Itsekiri people,” Dr. Ideh, who read the text of a statement by the group warned.

He said the monarch did not consult the Itsekiri Traditional Council of Chiefs, ruling houses or the stakeholders in the land before making the declaration, which denounced the title of Ogiame.

The monarch’s edict, signed into law last Wednesday, proscribed the over 533year-old title because of perceived fetish connotation and the Itsekiri anthem, much to the chagrin of his opponents.

ILR said the issues of religion canvassed in the monarch’s declaration are his personal views, adding that he could not railroad the nation to accept those views or oblit-

erate the history of the people.

In a similar view, the ILT, led by renowned historian, J.O.S Ayomike, faulted the monarch’s claim that the Itsekiri religion is fetish.

A statement by Ayomike, I.O Jemide (Secretary) and eight others, stated: “The part of the Olu’s statement, which alleges that the Itsekiri religion is fetish and that the Itsekiri are not Christians is misrepresentation of the well-known documented historical fact that Christianity began in Warri/Benin region in the early 16th century and about eight of the 19 Olus got baptised as Christians.

“Itsekiri as a nation cannot be said to have covenant with Umalokun. There may be pockets of Itsekiri people who do.

“Everyone has freedom of worship as it is done everywhere. Religion is personal matter,” the state added.

Besides, they noted that worshipping or singing the anthem does not mean they worship the monarch.

“Itsekiri people do not necessarily worship their Olu and his ancestors. They deeply respect and honour the Oluship as an institution.”

They concluded by expressing satisfaction that with due consultation with major stakeholders in “our (Iwere) land, the Itsekiri want this new order renounced.

“We therefore advise the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II, to act accordingly.”

The Warri Council of Chiefs has accused some powerful members of the kingdom of hoodwinking the monarch into changing the 533-year-old title.

They said those who deceived the monarch did so for

selfish reasons and with the intention of grabbing power.

They lamented that those who deceived the monarch have now abandoned him to face the wrath and protest of his subjects.

Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, who read a statement signed by 22 palace chiefs of Warri Kingdom, said: “In Warri Kingdom, there are Christians, Muslims and pagan to the extent that the Olu appointed an Itsekiri as a chaplain for the Kingdom”.

She said the authors of the

edict have now abandoned the monarch and his faith and went into hiding to avoid harassment from the angry Itsekiri, especially the youths.

The member representing the Warri Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Daniel Reyenieju, has cut short his official trip to the United States to join in the search for peace in the kingdom.

Reyenieju, who spoke with our reporter, appealed to his kinsmen and women to espouse peace and engage in serious intra-Itsekiri dialogue as the only way to resolve the current crises plaguing the ancient Warri throne.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

58

NEWS Anenih to Jonathan: tell us your 2015 ambition now Continued from page 4

House Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, who was represented by Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, said the PDP members in the National Assembly will continue to support the party through legislative means.

Tukur harped on the importance of party loyalty and discipline.

“We must learn to accept change in order to build on democratic principles. Our party cannot be relevant to the people only once in four years, when votes are needed, but at every time in order to improve their lot.

“Dialogue and reconciliation

should be encouraged but our politics should be based on issues rather than personalities,” Tukur said.

Former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, noted that the party was going through a difficult time as he stressed that this period of claims and counter claims is no time to show weakness.

At the dinner, state party chairmen also declared their loyalty for President Jonathan, the national chairman and their governors towards the 2015 elections.

Women thanked the President for empowering them and for increasing their number in appointive and elective offices.

The group urged him to stay back to continue for another four years to impact more on Nigerian women.

Former Adamawa State Governor Boni Haruna, who was surrounded by Dipreye Alamieyesigha (Bayelsa), Jim Nwobodo (old Anambra State), Ikedi Ohakim (Imo), Sam Egwu (Ebonyi), Abdulkadri Kure (Niger), pledged the loyalty of former governors to the party under Jonathan.

In his welcome remark, Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Ahmed Gulak appealed to members on the “wrong path” to return to the “right path”.

At the dinner were Governors

Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Ramalan Yero (Kaduna),Theodore Orji (Abia), Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe), Liyel Imoke (Cross Rivers) and Serieke Dickson (Bayelsa).

Also present are Idris Wada (Kogi), Isa Yuguda (Bauchi), Sullivan Chime (Enugu), Jonah Jang (Plateau), Ibrahim Shema (Katsina), Saidu Dakingari (Kebbi).

The Acting governor of Taraba State and deputy governors of Benue and Ebonyi states also attended the dinner.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Anyim Pius Anyim, former Senate President Senator Ken Nnamani, Senator Barnabas Gemade and Ahmadu Ali were also at the dinner.

Court declines to order re-opening of Baraje-led PDP secretariat

A

NOTHER major blow hit the Kawu Barajeled faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday.

It failed in its attempt to get its national secretariat reopened as a Lagos High Court in Ikeja declined its prayer. The office was sealed off at the weekend on “order from above”.

Mr. Justice Ganiyu Safari declined to order the re-opening of the secretariat, rejecting the oral application by Mr Robert Emukpaero, the counsel to the faction.

The judge ordered the claimants to file a different application joining the Inspector General of Police (IGP) as defendant.

Baraje and four others sued the Alhaji Bamanga Tukur-led PDP to court, pleading with it to restrain him and his co-defendants from parading themselves as PDP National Working Committee (NWC) members.

Other claimants in the suit are Dr Sam Jaja and Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

Joined as defendants alongside Tukur are Mr Uche Secondus, Deputy National Chairman; Dr Kema Chikwe, Women Leader and Mr Olisa

By Adebisi Onanuga Metuh, National Publicity Secretary.

At the resumed hearing of the matter, Emukpaero accused Tukur and others of using the police to seal off the faction’s secretariat.

Emukpaeruo said the defendants violated the court’s previous order to maintain the status quo, pending the determination of the suit.

He urged the court to order the police to remove their Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) from the secretariat and allow his clients access to their offices.

But the defence counsel, Ajibola Oluyede, urged the court to dismiss the claim as a “mere say” and that which cannot be relied upon by the court.

“The police is a statutory organisation that has discretionary powers that cannot be usurped by any one; even the court,” he argued.

He said only the police could respond to the application.

Oluyede accused the claimant of breaching the court’s orders that all parties should maintain the status quo.

“After the order, they began to establish an office; they are the ones to be dragged for com-

mittal for contempt and we intend to do that in due course by making formal application before the court,” he added.

Oluyede told the court that the claimants had continued to address themselves as national officers of the PDP, in spite of the order of the court that they maintain the status quo.

Mr. Justice Safari held that there was no evidence linking the defendants to the closure of the secretariat.

The judge said while the defendants were high ranking members of the PDP, they had no powers to order the police to seal off the secretariat or deploy security agents in the area.

He, however reiterated his previous order that both parties should maintain the status quo, pending the determination of the matter.

He adjourned the matter till September 17 for hearing of the preliminary objection filed by the defendants.

There was a mild drama over legal representation for the defendants among three lawyers.

After Oluyede who was in court at the last hearing, had announced his appearance as counsel to the defendants, Boniface Igwe from Gadzama Chambers announced his ap-

pearance for Tukur and other defendants.

Another lawyer, Emeka Etiaba, also announced appearance for the Deputy Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus; the Woman Leader, Mrs. Kema Chikwe and the Publicity Secretary, Olisah Metuh.

Oluyede said he had Tukur’s instructions to represent him and others.

Igwe and Etiaba also displayed letters from the PDP’s national legal adviser, instructing them to represent the defendants.

Mr. Justice Safari resolved the controversy in favour of Oluyede, who was counsel on record and who had filed processes in court in fulfilment of the requirement of Order 48 of the Lagos High Court rules.

In a statement, by its National Publicity Secretary, the Baraje group urged Inspector General of Police, M.D. Abubakar, to immediately unseal its National Secretariat in Abuja and allow it to operate unhindered.

“Today, the High Court in Lagos once again ruled on the legitimacy of the PDP under the leadership of Baraje and maintained that the status quo be maintained until the determination of the motion on notice. “

IBB may pull out of talks Continued from page 4

pelled from the party by the Bamanga Tukur faction.

This is one of the major highlights of the report of the Political Committee, one of the secret committees raised by the President.

It was learnt that the report of the political committee was ready last night.

The President raised three committees last Thursday before travelling to Kenya on a state visit.

The committees (Political, Legal and Contact) were given advisory task on how the presidency should contain the aggression of the G-7 governors and the Kawu Baraje faction.

A source said: “The other measures recommended by the committee include an Xray of the activities of the disloyal members in the states and possible expulsion of some of those indicted in the factionalisation of PDP.

Forum alleges plot to remove Amaechi Continued from page 4

Nigerian constitution will be strongly and firmly resisted by the entire Rivers people with everything that we have.

“The plotters are hereby advised in their own good and for the good of the country to desist from such sinister plot.

Rivers people elected Governor Amaechi and are indeed pleased with his performance and achievements. No one has the right to illegally boot him out of office because of petty political disagreements. Rivers

people say no to impunity. “ An attempt was earlier made to remove Amaechi when five lawmakers loyal to Minister of State for Education Nyesom Wike convened on the House of Assembly complex in July.

Amaechi and the other lawmakers loyal to him stormed the House and prevented the illegal sitting.

This led to a serious fracas in which many lawmakers were injured.

House Leader Chidi Lloyd was arrested and arraigned for assault.

CBN hails investment Continued from page 4

rent issues around the currencies all over the world and the debate is ongoing whether or not the dollar will continue to be the de facto currency.”

As a result of this development, many countries, he said, “are making a basket of currencies where they keep their reserves so that they can mix their risk and then begin to diversify”.

On the health of Nigeria’s economy, the CBN governor said the reserve of $46 billion ranks second or third highest in Africa after Algeria “and that is really very remarkable.”

The CBN, however, cautioned that “there might be occasional fluctuations in our foreign reserves”.

Lemo said: “Our reserve level is very strong at approximately $46billion and that’s approximately 11 months of imports. The fundamentals of the Nigerian economy are very strong, occasionally there might be increase or decrease, it has been hovering between $45 and $47billion and that’s very strong.”

WAIFEM Director General, Prof Akpan Ekpo cautioned that unless Nigeria begins to actively produce for export to other countries, the current instability witnessed by Naira would continue.

Ekpo said the trend of exporting raw crude oil to earn foreign exchange will not strengthen the value of the naira.

Your Sexual Health & You: Novelty Tips, Questions & Answers

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But if you want a supplement that works for up to three days on one pill, then get Exploding Thunder or Sex Voltz – Uche I really like your Max Width enlargement cream. I have a small penis but my girlfriend has not noticed. I use Max Width instant enlargement cream and it works. Is it possible for me to use Big Bam Boo or Max Size enlargers as well?

Ofili Dear Ofili, yes you can combine them. Max Width is a cream and a temporary enlarger while Big Bamboo and Max Size are capsules that give longer lasting results – Uche I have been using the Lure Unisex Pheromone Spray for about two months and even though I don’t have an official girlfriend yet, I have a lot of female friends that like to hang out. I can easily start dating any of them. I don’t know if it is the pheromone or what but thanks anyway – Isaac You are welcome. Pheromones work to attract the opposite sex. They also give you confidence, which is a big part of attracting a mate – Uche My friend told me about this new Spanish Fly arousal supplement that is in form of tablets and that it is very good.

Is it true? I know the liquid one - Samson Yes Samson, Spanish Fly comes in different brands manufactured by different companies. We have the Spanish Fly Mints by Doc Johnson that come in three flavours of chocolate, pepper mint and cherry and yes they are very good for instant arousal that will keep you horny for hours – Uche Power Zen Gold is the best erection supplement I have ever taken. The fact that it also delays ejaculation is very impressive because I have been embarrassed by this for years. Than you - Eze That’s it for today. Adults in need of these treatments/novelties can call 08027901621 or 08051924159 or any other number here to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com. Zee Virtual Media delivers to you wherever you are in Nigeria. For enquiries send your emails to custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com - Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

59

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

FOREIGN NEWS

Syria positive about giving up chemical weapons

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YRIA yesterday quickly welcomed a call from Russia, its close ally, to place Syrian chemical arsenals under international control, then destroy them to avert a U.S. strike, but did not offer a time frame or any other specifics.

The statement by Syrian Foreign Minister Walid alMoallem appeared to mark the first official acknowledgement

by Damascus that it possesses chemical weapons and reflected what appeared to be an attempt by Syrian President Bashar Assad to avoid the U.S. military attack.

But it remained to be seen whether the statement represented a genuine goodwill gesture by Syria or simply an attempt to buy time.

“Syria welcomes the Russian proposal out of concern for the lives of the Syrian people, the security of our country and because it believes in the wisdom of the Russian leadership that seeks to avert American aggression against our people,” al-Moallem said during a visit to Moscow, where he held talks with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov.

However, al-Moallem, would not give any further details in his brief statement and didn’t take any questions from reporters.

K

Assad warns of retaliation for US strike on Syria SYRIAN President Bashar Assad has warned there will be “repercussions” against any U. S. military strike launched in response to a chemical weapons attack in his country.

“You should expect everything,” Assad said in an interview with CBS taped in Damascus.

“Not necessarily from the government. It’s not only the government ... in this region.

You have different parties, you have different factions, you have different ideology.”

Asked if he was making a threat of a direct military response to any such attack, Assad was vague, saying at one point, “I am not fortune teller to tell you what’s going to happen.”

President Barack Obama is seeking authorization from Congress to launch what the administration says would be a limited-scope attack against Syria in reprisal for Assad’s purported use of chemical weapons. Assad has denied it and argued in the interview Moallem’s statement came a few hours after U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Assad could resolve the crisis surrounding the alleged use of chemical weapons by his forces by surrendering control of “every single bit” of his arsenal to the international community by the end of the week.

Also Monday, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged Syria to immediately agree to transfer chemical weap-

broadcast Monday on “CBS This Morning” that Washington has presented no evidence to substantiate its allegations. In London Monday, Secretary of State John Kerry reasserted Washington’s argument and said that the evidence is sufficiently strong to be accepted as evidence in a court of law.

In the CBS interview, Assad said his forces were not in the area of the chemical weapons attack Aug. 21, saying “our soldiers in another area were attacked chemically. ... But in the area where they said the government used chemical weapons, we only had video and we only have pictures and allegations. We’re not there.” Kerry said that Assad’s denial is “contradicted by fact.”

Asked if chemical warfare could be one repercussion from an American intervention in Syria, Assad told anchorman Charlie Rose: “That depends if the rebels or the terrorists in this region or any other group have it. It could happen. “

ons and chemical precursors to a safe place within the country for international destruction.

Ban said he will also propose to the Security Council that it unite and demand an immediate chemical weapons transfer should U.N. inspectors conclude that such weapons were used in an attack Aug. 21 in a suburb of Damascus.

Al-Moallem and Lavrov didn’t make any immediate reference to Kerry’s statement

when they spoke to the media after their talks, but a few hours later Lavrov went before cameras to say that Moscow would urge Syria to quickly place its chemical weapons under international control and then dismantle it.

Lavrov, who held talks with al-Moallem in Moscow earlier in the day, said he expected a quick positive answer from Damascus.

“If the establishment of in-

Kenya’s Deputy President flies to Hague for ICC trial

•Assad

ternational control over chemical weapons in that country would allow avoiding strikes, we will immediately start working with Damascus,” Lavrov said.

“We are calling on the Syrian leadership to not only agree on placing chemical weapons storage sites under international control, but also on its subsequent destruction and fully joining the treaty on prohibition of chemical weapons,” he said.

The surprise series of statements from top U.S., Russian and Syrian diplomats followed media reports alleging that Russian President Vladimir Putin, who discussed Syria with President Barack Obama during the Group of 20 summit in St. Petersburg last week, had sought to negotiate a deal that would have Assad hand over control of chemical weapons.

ENYA’s Deputy President William Ruto has left for The Hague to stand trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) today.

High-ranking government officials saw off Mr Ruto at the airport in Nairobi.

Mr Ruto and President Uhuru Kenyatta have been charged with crimes against humanity, which they deny.

On Sunday, Mr Kenyatta said the ICC must stagger their trials as the constitution did not allow the two men to be out of Kenya at the same time.

Mr Kenyatta is due to go on trial in November.

Radio boss Joshua arap Sang has also been charged with inciting and helping coordinate attacks. He will be tried alongside Mr Ruto, and is already at The Hague, AFP news agency reports.

The charges against the three stem from violence that broke out after disputed elections in 2007, in which more than 1,000 people were killed and 600,000 forced from their homes.

Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto were on opposite sides during the 2007 election and are accused of orchestrating attacks on members of each other’s ethnic groups but formed an alliance for elections in March this year.

Navalny demands recount in Moscow mayoral race

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•Supporters of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny hold posters reading “Navalny” during a rally in central Moscow ...yesterday. Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny disputed the results of the Moscow mayoral poll after narrowly failing to push the pro-Kremlin incumbent into a run-off in closer than expected elections he claimed were marred by fraud.

The final tally showed that an ally of President Vladimir Putin, Sergei Sobyanin, barely crept over the finish line with 51.3 percent of the votes.

PHOTO :AFP

NSA evidence may be key to Hammarskjold mystery

UN chief, Russia urge Syria to transfer chemical weapons

A

MERICA’s National Security Agency may hold crucial evidence about one of the greatest unsolved mysteries of the Cold War - the cause of the 1961 plane crash which killed United Nations Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold, a commission which reviewed the case said yesterday.

Widely considered the U.N.’s most effective chief, Hammarskjold died as he was attempting to bring peace to the newly independent Congo. The crash of his DC-6 aircraft in the forest near Ndola Airport in modern-day Zambia has bred a rash of conspiracy theories, many centering on some startling inconsistencies.

For example: Why did it take 15 hours to find the wreckage, just a few miles from the airport? Why did Hammarskjold’s bodyguard, who survived the crash for a few days, say that the plane “blew up”? Why did witnesses report seeing sparks, flashes, or even another plane?

Hammarskjold was flying into a war zone riven by Cold War tension. Congo won its freedom from Belgium in 1960, but foreign powers coveted its vast mineral wealth and the country was challenged by a Western-backed insurgency in Katanga, which hosted mining interests belonging to United States, Britain, and Belgium. All three nations were jockeying for power with the Soviet Union, which was trying to spread communist influence over the newly independent nations of Africa.

The powers had a stake in the outcome of Congo’s struggle, and all four have been fingered as potential suspects in Hammarskjold’s death.

•Ban Ki-moon

U

.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is urging Syria to immediately agree to transfer chemical weapons and chemical precursors to a safe place within the country for international destruction.

Ban said yesterday he will

also propose to the Security Council that it unite and demand an immediate chemical weapons transfer should U.N. inspectors conclude that such weapons were used in an attack Aug. 21 in a suburb of Damascus.

He said he is also considering asking the council to demand accountability for an alleged chemical weapons attack.

Ban spoke shortly after Moscow’s surprise announcement that it was pressing its ally Syria on a similar proposal - to move its chemical weapons to areas under international control to avoid a U.S. military strike.

USSIAN opposition leader Alexei Navalny demanded a recount yesterday in Moscow’s mayoral election after official results showed that the Kremlin-backed incumbent barely escaped facing him in a runoff. Russia’s most respected monitoring group also questioned the accuracy of the vote.

The Moscow Election Commission said Monday that former Kremlin chief of staff Sergei Sobyanin won just over 51 percent of the vote while Navalny garnered 27 percent in second place, a strong result for a Russian opposition leader.

If Sobyanin, 55, had won less than 50 percent, he would have faced a runoff with the charismatic 37-year-old Navalny, who has risen to wide prominence in the past few years with his anti-corruption campaign.

“We do not recognize these elections,” Navalny told reporters. “Sobyanin can’t consider himself the mayor of all Muscovites, he can’t consider himself a lawfully elected mayor unless he agrees to our demands and allows a recount of the vote.”

Leonid Volkov, chief of Navalny’s election campaign, said the key violation they are contesting is the voting-fromhome totals, where the vote count showed what he called an abnormally high number of votes for Sobyanin. Those votes are from people considered too infirm to get to polling stations.

Sobyanin, who was appointed Moscow’s mayor in 2010, told Russian news agencies that Moscow had “passed the test for free and fair elections.”

Sunday’s election was closely watched around the world amid concerns over the democratic process in Russia and following Navalny’s recent conviction for embezzlement, a charge he says was politically motivated.

While Navalny’s frustrated supporters were gearing up for a protest rally Monday evening, the activist said he was not seeking to bring unrest to Moscow. Still, he pledged to “participate in acts of civil disobedience” if Sobyanin turned down his offer for talks and a recount.

“Our demands are lawful, we don’t plan to kick up a fuss for the sake of it,” Navalny said.

Golos, Russia’s leading independent election monitor, said the voting Sunday appeared to have gone smoothly but pointed to violations that could have tipped the balance in favor of one candidate.

Golos’ executive director Grigory Melkonyants said Monday his group’s observations indicate the actual tally for Sobyanin was lower than the official result posted by authorities. Aggregated data collected by election observers throughout Moscow and published on Golos’ website showed Sobyanin winning only 49.5 percent of the vote - a number that by law would have required a runoff in two weeks among the top two contenders.

“We have results from over 2,000 polling stations, and it’s clear that there should be a second round,” Melkonyants said. “And yet for some reason, where there aren’t any observers, the outcome is different and it changes the overall result. Everyone has doubts. This is clearly not a convincing victory.”

This mayoral election was the first in Moscow since 2003 and included six candidates. Last year, the Kremlin reversed President Vladimir Putin’s 2004 decree abolishing direct elections for Moscow’s mayor and other regional leaders.

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THE NATION TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

NEWS Jos crises: it’s not over yet, says STF chief

ASUU strike: Students protest in Port Harcourt

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

T

HE new Commander of the Special Task Force (STF) on Jos Crises, codenamed Operation Safe Haven, Maj.-Gen. David Enetie, yesterday urged officers of the command to remain on the alert until peace is restored to the state.

Gen. Enetie spoke in Jos, the state capital, after taking over the command from Maj.-Gen. Henry Ayoola.

He said: “I have been briefed on the peace efforts and the level of peace achieved by my predecessors. But I want to tell officers of the command that it is not over until it is over. We have a lot to achieve, and I expect you to sit up until total peace is restored.

“The goal of this task force is to make Plateau a ‘safe haven’.

So, I urge you not to relax until we achieve this goal. There will be no abandoned project as far as the restoration of peace on the Plateau is concerned.”

During the hand-over ceremony, the outgoing commander, Maj.-Gen. Ayoola, hailed the troops for the sacrifice they made to restore the prevailing peace.

Ozekhome still with kidnappers

K

IDNAPPED Lagos lawyer, Mr Mike Ozekhome (SAN), was still with kidnappers last night, contrary to the hope that he would be freed by his abductors.

It was learnt that the N100 million ransom his abductors demanded had not been raised.

Sources said the kidnappers refused what was offered them by the lawyer’s family, claiming that Ozekhome is rich and famous.

The abductors reportedly said the lawyer made a lot of money from litigations on the 2011 general elections.

The release of All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Edo North, Mr. Athanasius Ugbome, who was kidnapped with Ozekhome, had brightened hope for the lawyer’s release.

Doctors get automatic jobs in Yobe

From Duku Joel, Damaturu

Y

OBE State Governor Ibrahim Gaidam has said his administration would offer automatic employment to any doctor who works in the state.

The governor spoke during an inspection tour of the Mariam Abacha Family Support Clinic, a clinic dedicated to the treatment of expectant mothers and children.

He decried the exodus of health personnel from the state since insurgency broke out a few years back.

Gaidam said Yobe needs to recruit doctors from anywhere, as long as they are qualified.

“I must say that we need doctors in the state to uplift the health needs of our people. I think the Head of Service will have to recruit doctors from anywhere provided. Maybe you will have to advertise for the vacancies but the employment will be automatic.

“I am calling on doctors to come and work in Yobe. This is a blank cheque and our pay is attractive. The security situation in our state has also returned to normal. So, there is no cause for people to be afraid any longer,” Gaidam said.

S

* Maj.-Gen. Ayoola (left) handing over the Special Task Force’s (STF’s) flag to Maj.-Gen. Enetie in Jos...yesterday

Two held for raping child to death

T

HE police in Katsina State have arrested two men for allegedly raping a four-year-old girl to death in Sandamu town.

Deputy Police Commissioner Bala Senchi said the girl died a few hours after the incident on September 8.

Senchi said the deceased was allegedly lured into the act when she was sent on an errand to a relation’s home.

He said the girl had complained of headache to her parents when she returned and that her mother directed her to go to bed.

Senchi said the parents immediately reported the matter to the police in Sandamu when they noticed blood stains on her under pant.

He said: “The police took the girl to the General Hospital in Daura, where she later died.

“Following an investigation by the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the doctors at the hospital said the girl was raped.”

The police chief said two men had been arrested in connection with the incident.

Also, the command confirmed the arrest of the seven men who allegedly defiled and impregnated a 12-yearold girl in Malumfashi Local

Government Area.

Senchi said the suspects confessed to have defiled the girl.

The deputy police commissioner added that the cases would soon be charged to court.

Senchi urged parents not to send their children, especially girls, on errands, if they are unaccompanied.

Opadokun: PDP shouldn’t get away with Offa fraud APC chieftain seeks KWSIEC chairman’s prosecution •Opadokun

T

HE former Secretary of the defunct National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Chief Ayo Opadokun, has said the unfolding political drama on the August 31 rerun in Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State is a brazen show of impunity by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He said the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission’s (KWSIEC’s) declaration that the PDP won the election was a “broad day robbery”, which should not be allowed to stand.

Opadokun told The Nation that the result announced by KWSIEC was predictable because it was premeditated.

According to him, KWSIEC had been working in cahoots with the PDP to sack the chairman of the only local government controlled by the progressives.

He said: “We knew ahead of time what happened was going to happen. It was predictable, because the power menders and grabbers, who are governing Kwara State in the PDP, have no regard for democracy or for its value or culture.

“They are carrying on in their usual historical ways, very repressive, very intolerant of opposing views. They have made

A

CHIEFTAIN of the All Progressives From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin Congress (APC) in Kwara State, Rev. Offa on August 31.

Bunmi Olusona, has urged the Attorney“Dr Ajidagba, by this infamous act, has creGeneral of the Federation (AGF) and Minister for Justice, Mr Mohammed Adoke (SAN), to ar- ated a breach of public peace. The outcome of rest and prosecute the Chairman of the State In- the fake election results declared in favour of dependent Electoral Commission (KWSIEC), Dr his principal has led to a series of daily protests Uthman Ajidagba, for his in role in the August all over Kwara State by the public who feels short-changed. Offa has remained tense and 31 Offa Local Government rerun.

Rev. Olusona, who was the defunct Action public peace is under threat.

“We, in the APC, believe that Dr Ajidagba Congress of Nigeria (ACN) House of Representatives candidate for Irepodun/Ekiti/Oke-Ero/ deserves to be arrested, prosecuted and jailed Isin constituency at the 2011 elections, noted that for putting Kwara State on the edge for the following: Dr Ajidagba had breached public peace. * Dr Ajidagba falsely declared PDP chairmanIn a statement in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, the APC chieftain said: “We believe that the ship and councillorship candidates winner when Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government in it won only one ward. The collated result of the state blatantly committed serious electoral each of the 12 wards of the council showed that fraud by using the ever-willing hands of Dr APC won in 11 wards while the PDP won in Ajidagba during the local government rerun in one, among others. same thing we have been talkommendation was impleBy Musa Odoshimokhe ing about, globally today, a lot mented to save the country of the funny things we used to from an electoral umpire that sufficient efforts to trample on do like falsifying figures and takes sides with a contestant. the fundamental rights of our writing whatever results we feel The former NADECO chiefpeople. So, the verdict of the eleclike and asking those cheated tain stressed that this was the tion was totally in agreement to go to court or tribunals will only way the people’s votes with the expectation that the sobe extremely difficult to do now could count. called election was conducted because the gadgets will expose He said: “I am speaking in my for them to sack the only opthem. capacity as the Convener of the posing party in Offa Local Gov“The media covered the elecCoalition of Electoral Reform ernment.” tion; APC had over 11,000 votes (CODER). The main objective of The political activist noted out of the 12 wards, while the CODER is to ensure that every that there is ample evidence that PDP had 4,000 plus votes. How vote counts. But every vote did the All Progressives Congress can you now announce, the not count in Offa Local Govern(APC) won the election in the loser to be the winner. I am conment. I am speaking also as a local government. fident that the people will go to political activist, having devoted He urged the party to seek court and present the accurate a greater portion of my adultredress in court to stop the PDP’s report.” hood working for the entrenchrigging machine from getting According to him, it is high ment of people’s freedom. I am away with what he called an time the Justice Muhammadu also speaking to you as a proud electoral fraud.

Uwais Electoral Reforms recson of Offa.”

Opadokun said: “It is the

CORES of students of the five universities in Rivers and Bayelsa states yesterday staged a peaceful protest in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on the ongoing Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike.

The protesters barricaded the ever-busy East-West Road at Choba Junction, for several hours.

The students were from the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT); Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Port Harcourt; Ignatius Ajuru (formerly Rivers State) University of Education, Port Harcourt; the Niger Delta University (NDU), Wilberforce Island and the Federal University, Otuoke, both in Bayelsa State.

The students, who said they were tired of sitting at home, chanted anti-Federal Government songs.

There were riot and regular policemen at the scene to prevent a breakdown of law and order. Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and patrol vehicles were deployed in the area.

The students carried placards bearing various inscriptions.

Some of the placards read: “FG, respect 2009 agreement with ASUU”; “President Jonathan, you were a lecturer, let ASUU members return to work now”; “Nigerian universities’ students want to return to classroom”; “Politicians’ children are schooling overseas”; “FG must end ASUU strike now”.

The ASUU Chairman at UNIPORT, Prof. Antonia Okerengwo, told reporters that there was nothing to renegotiate in the 2009 agreement between the union and the government.

He urged the Federal Government to honour the agreement it voluntarily entered into with ASUU. Okerengwo assured that ASUU members would return to the classroom as soon as the Federal Government honoured the 2009 agreement.

‘Floods destroy over 300 homes in Plateau’ From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

T

HE Plateau State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has said floods have destroyed over 300 homes and other property worth millions of naira, following four hours of downpour in parts of the state.

The floods also washed away vehicles, poultry farms, crops and household items.

Though no one was reported dead in last Friday’s flood, several people were reported missing.

Hundreds of victims of last year’s floods have not recovered from the loss they incurred in the disaster.

The state government acknowledged the receipt of N500 million from the Federal Government on last year’s floods. But the victims said they are yet to receive any help from the state.

Last Friday’s floods affected five local governments: Jos North, Shendam, Kanam, Barkin Ladi and Kanke.

SEMA’s Executive Secretary Alhaji Alhassan Barde said over 300 houses were affected by by the floods.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

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THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

62

EUROPEAN TRANSFER...

Alba: I want to be Neymar: Messi 'is my idol' the best in the world

SPORT EXTRA

B

ARCELONA attacker Neymar has once again praised team-mate Lionel Messi, insisting the Argentinean is "above all".

Neymar has openly stated that the opportunity to play alongside Messi was a decisive factor in his decision to join Barca and he appears to have quashed concerns that the two would be unable to combine effectively.

The 21-year-old scored a goal in Brazil's 6-0 rout of Australia

on Saturday and revealed he has settled into life at his new club well, while hailing the influence of his "idol" Messi.

"Messi is above all," Neymar said. "I admire him, he is my idol. I respect him a lot. He has been the best player in the world four times now, and he's eager to do it again.

"My life in Barcelona is quiet.

But I love how everything is going. I love the city, the club and the people I work with.

Everything is perfect."

B

ARCELONA defender Jordi Alba has revealed his desire to become the best left-back in the world by the time his playing days come to an end.

The defender, who rejoined Barcelona from Valencia in the summer of 2012, has been in fine form in the opening months of the 2013-14 campaign, but is determined to keep on improving and do even better in the years to come.

"I hope to be among the best in the world by the time I finish my career," the 24-year-old told reporters.

"I'm flattered that people are talking about how well I am playing, but I don't take too much notice of it because when I have a bad game it's the opposite - and people slate me endlessly - but when I have a good game it's as if I'm the best player of all time.

"I hope I can keep growing

Racism 'drove Boateng away from Italy'

R

ACISM drove KevinPrince Boateng out of Italy, Schalke’s chief financial officer Peter Peters has told SportBildPlus.

Boateng joined Schalke from AC Milan only days after securing the Serie A club’s place in the Champions League when he scored a brace in the play-off second leg against PSV Eindhoven.

“Because of the racist incidents, Boateng wanted to leave Italy,” Peters said. “He had an arrangement with president Silvio Berlusconi that he could leave if AC Milan qualified for the Champions League group stage.”

When he arrived in Germany in late August, Boateng said only that “sporting reasons” had been behind his decision.

In early January, he walked off the pitch during a friendly match against Pro Patria, whose fans had racially abused him. He was joined by his team-mates, and the game was abandoned.

He has since made a United Nations speech about the problem of racism and said: “Now it’s crazy. It happens every game.”

Boateng was praised for his strong stance against racism.

His half-brother Jerome, of Bayern Munich, told Berlin’s Tagesspiegel newspaper he was proud of him and said: “It takes a lot of courage. He showed everyone that enough is enough.

“A lot of players should have done that much earlier, giving a visible sign against daily racism in stadiums just

like Kevin and his team-mates did.”

In an interview with ESPN, Kevin-Prince Boateng said: “It’s happened to me before” and looked back at his time on the cinder pitches of Berlin, the city in which he grew up.

He recalled one incident when the father of an opponent racially abused him, saying: “I will never forget the father. He had a big beard and no hair. I even remember his son. I wanted to kick his son so hard. I didn't. I scored a goal, and we won the game.

This I remember."

•Neymar

S

•Boateng

as a footballer and in many years' time be among the best in the world."

Alba netted once in Spain's 2-0 win over Finland on Friday and has now scored five goals in 24 appearances for the European champions.

Dortmund ‘ll never fire Klopp, insists Watzke

B

Stephan El Shaarawy: City and Real wanted me TEPHAN El Shaarawy has claimed both Manchester City and Real Madrid were keen to sign him in the summer.

The Italy international striker stayed at AC Milan, and insisted he was happy to remain with the Rossoneri.

He revealed that City and Real had tried to tempt him away from the San Siro, telling FourFourTwo: "I was very happy that Manchester City and Real Madrid wanted to sign me, but I want to stay where I am.

"I am a Milan fan and Milan is my home. This is a big club that aims very high, and I feel like I am a part of it now."

City bought two other forwards, Sevilla’s Alvaro Negredo for £20 million and Fiorentina’s Stevan Jovetic for £23 million, before being linked with El Shaarawy at the end of the transfer window,

•Jordi Alba

while Real invested a world record sum in Gareth Bale.

El Shaarawy, who joined Milan from Padova in 2011, signed a five-year contract extension to keep him at the club until 2018.

The 20-year-old said he was convinced he could play with

Mario Balotelli, even though he found goals harder to come by after his fellow striker’s arrival from City in January.

He added: "I actually think he makes me better. We play well together, we pass the ball to each other -- we have great chemistry."

Kaka thankful for captaincy in debut

K

AKA has thanked AC Milan goalkeeper Marco Amelia for handing him the captain's armband in his debut for the Rossoneri on Saturday.

The Brazilian made his first appearance in his return to the Italian club during a 4-0 friendly win over Swiss side Chiasso and he was given the opportunity to lead his side out by Amelia.

Kaka played 45 minutes in the outing and admitted his surprise at receiving the captaincy.

"It has been a fantastic weekend for me," he told Sky Sport Italia. "In the friendly it gave me shivers to wear the captain's armband and it was a real surprise.

"I didn't expect it, so I thank Amelia for this honourable gesture. We though together that it would be a nice thing, both for me and for Milan."

Coach Massimiliano Allegri believes Kaka has already shown he will be crucial in Milan's Serie A bid this season.

"Kaka has great quality, is a champion and his presence raises the level of selfconfidence throughout the squad," Allegri told Milan Channel. "I must do well to get the best out of him and help him reach peak fitness.

"You cannot expect a player, even one of his level,

to be ready straight away.

Kaka is a lovely guy who is eager to work hard, which he proved already in training."

ORUSSIA Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has insisted that he will under no circumstances fire head coach Jurgen Klopp.

The 46-year-old has been in charge of BVB ever since leaving Mainz in 2008 and has since guided Dortmund to two Bundesliga titles and one DFBPokal, achievements that have earned Watzke's complete confidence.

"I will never give Jurgen Klopp the sack, under no circumstances," Watzke was quoted as saying by Kicker.

The Dortmund director added that he remains confident Klopp will not decide to leave the club before the end of his current deal.

"Jurgen Klopp does not sign a contract and then breach it.

He has never done something like that. He has a contract until 2016 and will fulfil it."

Watzke then admitted that it's

•Jurgen Klopp

inevitable BVB will occasionally lose players to other clubs due to their refusal to pay similar wages to Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

"Players leaving Dortmund is partially related to the club's status. How many clubs are there really where no player leaves for a bigger club?

"In order to be able to keep all your players, you will have to pay wages similar to Bayern and Real Madrid."

Arda Turan in new contract talks

A

•Kaka

TLETICO Madrid star Arda Turan is set to be offered a new and improved contract at Vicente Calderon, reports AS. After expressing his desire to leave los Colchoneros last term, the Turkish midfielder seems to have changed his mind and he is now fully committed to the team’s cause.

As a result, Atletico Madrid officials plan to reward the player for his recent performances with a new and improved contract.

With his current deal due to expire in June 2015, Turan will be offered a two-year extension, while his wages will also be increased.

The current •24 million release clause is likely to be raised to •40 million, which should put off any interested sides.

As expected, Arda Turan has developed into a key player at Vicente Calderon, having joined from Galatasaray, as the 26-year-old managed 9 goals and 15 assists in 68 La Liga appearances for the Vicente Calderon outfit.

THE NATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

63

SPORT EXTRA

I don’t regret reporting Keshi to FIFA—Saintfeit

•’Coaches need to be role model always’

T

HE Flames of Malawi’s head coach, Tom Saintfeit after Saturday’s 2014 World Cup against Nigeria at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar has stated that he never regretted seeking FIFA’s clarification on the statement credited to Eagles’ coach, Stephen Keshi.

The Belgian insists he has no personal problem with the Big Boss but stressed that

From Tunde Liadi,Owerri comments made by Keshi do not befit his status as a coach and gentleman.

The former Ethiopian coach also noted that he would never stop the Malawian FA from pursuing the alleged racist comments made by Keshi because as humans each one is entitled to his or her colour without prejudice both expressly or by implication.

“No, I have no problem with Mr Keshi. I never said anything wrong about any colleague coach. It is one of the golden rules that as a professional coach, you don’t speak anything bad about your colleagues. I do everything I do for the interest of Malawi football. But as coaches we have to set good examples. We need to be role models in whatever we do.

When we say anything in the media, I think we have to give an example to people on and off the pitch.

“Again, I didn’t say anything wrong. So, I don’t have to apologise. I don’t need to shake hands. I don’t need to get hugged. I am a professional who is focused on football and not on racists’ issues.

“If I agreed to have the case withdrawn, it means that every person in the world and even in Belgium can say this about black people and would

mean that my wife who is at the moment with my parents in Belgium has to go back to Africa because of her skin colour. It is wrong. It means tomorrow my children who will have coloured skin could be asked to go back to Africa by people in Belgium. That will not be acceptable. I think in any case, no one has to talk like that. We are humans. We are in one world. We have different skin colours but we are the same humans,” Saintfeit reasoned.

NationSport recalls that the Flames were doused by determined Super Eagles 2-0 at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar last Saturday in a 2014 World Cup qualifier with Emmanuel Emenike and Victor Moses hitting the bull’s eye in the 45th and 50th minutes of the tie.

Nigeria placed first in the Group F with 12 points from 6 games, while Malawi were second with 7 points.

Bright Dike joins Toronto FC

S •Saintfeit

UPER Eagles striker, Bright Dike has left Portland Timbers to join another Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit, Toronto FC. The Nigerian international was acquired by Toronto for the remainder of the 2013 season in exchange of Argentine forward Maximiliano Urruti, who moved in the opposite direction.

Dike, who confirmed the move via his twitter handle on Monday, thanked Portland fans for the support given to him while at the City.

“Thanks to all the tremendous people that

Kanu canvasses support for Eagles

F

ORMER Super Eagles captain, Nwankwon Kanu has advocated for support for the Eagles in order to win 2014 World Cup ticket and thereby put smiles on the faces of soccer loving Nigerians at home and abroad.

Kanu told NationSport in Calabar on Saturday that now that the Super Eagles have qualified for the final round of the World Cup qualifiers all lovers of football in Nigeria should rally round the team to get the all important World Cup ticket.

“What the Super Eagles need now is just to support them, motivate them and

From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja make sure they win their games,” he said.

He charged those who were in the habit of criticising the team to understand that it takes a process and a very long time to get the kind of team they would all love to see, telling them to reduce in the way they compare the Stephen Keshi-led team their own time.

“I am an Ambassador of football, and I just want football to keep growing.

People are always complaining that the Super Eagles are playing the way we used to, what I say to them is

Joe Akwa tipped to be UNICEM Rovers boss

F

ORMER Shooting Stars Football Club and Enyimba FC striker, Joseph Akwa has been tipped to be the new UNICEM Rovers Football Club of Calabar Chairman.

NationSport reliably gathered from prominent football stakeholders in Calabar last week that Akwa is a popular choice to lead the club to greater heights.

The amiable exinternational and Vice Chairman of the Nationwide League Board has been tipped

From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja to lead the team back to its glorious days “I think I am capable and would be a great honour if I am appointed to be the Chairman of this great club.

The team has the capability and quality to be ranked among the best league in the country. The first assignment would be to gain promotion to the Globacom Premier League if chosen to lead the Club”, Akwa told NationSport when contacted.

that football is coming up and we are growing. It is step by step and it is a process, its not like they have to jump. You can not get that old days again. Now its modern football, you have your team and you have to supporting it,” he stated.

The former Arsenal Football Club is however confident that the Stephen Keshi tutored team would be in Brazil next year for the Mundial.

“The team is playing well and I believe that they have what it takes to scale through the play off round of the world cup qualifier. But like I said the support of the whole Nation is very important,” Kanu disclosed.

By Akeem Lawal watched me grow as a person and a player in Portland. I will miss the city. Thanks for everything,” Dike wrote in the tweet.

The trade ends Dike’s fouryear tenure with the Timbers.

He was one of the first players (along with Ryan Pore, Steve Cronin and Eddie Johnson) signed by the Timbers in October, 2010 as the team was preparing to join MLS in 2011.

The 26 year old had recovered from his latest injury - a torn ACL in his right knee sustained during a preseason game Feb. 8 - and was on the bench for the first time this season in the Timbers’ 4-0 win against Toronto Sept. 7.

He had played for the first time this season in a Timbers reserve game Aug. 31.

He finished with his threeyear MLS career with the Timbers with six goals in 23 appearances (nine starts).

Timbers general manager, Gavin Wilkinson showed appreciation to Dike for his professional conduct while at the club, wishing him well at his new club.

“We truly appreciate all that Bright has given to the club and this community in his four years in Portland. Bright is a tremendous professional and, as one of the club’s first MLS signings, has been a great ambassador for the Timbers.

We sincerely wish him all the best and he will be missed.”

NTTF sanctions maiden TJ’s National Open T/Tennis Championship

I

MPRESSED with the staging of the first Lagos International Table Tennis Classics, coupled with efforts to revive the fortunes of the sport, the TJ’s National Open Championship will debut next week in Ogun State.

The one-week competition approved by the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) is sponsored by TJ”s Hotel and Suites in Sango Ota, Ogun State with players competing for N1million prize money.

According to the competition manager, Kabir Ajibose, it was the obvious decline in the game that prompted the staging of the competition.

With special attention to U13 participants, the organisers intend to make the tournament an annual event to complement the efforts being made by the Wahid Oshodi-led NTTF board.

The tournament will serve off on Monday September 16 - 21 at TJ’s Hall in Sango Ota, Ogun State and teams are expected across the country.

“There is a noticeable decline in Nigerian table tennis competition since the turn of the century and this can be attributed to various reasons and prominent among them is lack of regular competition as well as a sound developmental programme that allows for early discovery of talents. We had included the Under-13 (cadet) boys and girls and we believe that with more competitions and a catch-them young tactics deployed, the future

LAGOS INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL TOURNEY

MFM FC defeats AS Dragons HE maiden edition of the annual Lagos FC de l’Ouémé

T

International Football Tournament (LIFT) was concluded on Sunday, 8th of September with MFM FC defeating A.S. Dragons FC de l’Ouémé 2 – 1 at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.

With the theme “Lifting soccer for global unity”, the annual tournament will offer top football clubs around the globe a unique football experience through regular youth-focused and professional football engagements.

The curtain-raiser was between Eko Football Goldenstars and Lagos Junior League in which they played a draw of 2-2 followed by the match between the MFM FC, a Nigerian football club which plays in the second-tier division in Nigerian football, the Nigeria National League defeating the A.S. Dragons FC de l’Ouémé hands down.

Moses links up with Liverpool

S •Moses

UPER EAGLES’ striker, Victor Moses has rejoined Liverpool after being excused by the national team Coach Stephen Keshi to return to his new club.

Moses who was part of the Nigerian side that beat Malawi 2-0 on Saturday to book a place in the playoffs for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, will not be in action as Super Eagles take on Stallions of Burkina Faso in an international friendly today at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna.

can be bright again.

He added: “Gone were the days when we used to have the Bournvita top 16 Classics and even the Coca Cola International classics as well.

Then, we had Nigerian players among the top 50 in the world, but now the story has changed, we are not even number one in Africa again.

This is a very strong indication that a lot has gone wrong and we thought that something needs to be done very urgently to arrest the downward slide that we seem to have found ourselves.

Hence we thought of the idea of a national championship to allow our best hands to compete as well as discover our future super stars,” Ajibose explained.

Ajibose, who is thrilled with the just concluded Lagos Classics, said, “Kudos should be given to the present board of NTTF headed by theWahid Oshodi and a lot of credit should go to Oshodi for creating so much vibrancy in the game in so short a time since the inception of his tenure as the NTTF president and that has encouraged us to come forward and participate as the environment he has created has become enabling and they have since lend their support and endorsed the tournament.”

With N1million total prize money, the players will compete in Men’s singles, Women’s single, cadet (under 13) boys and girls and the veterans’ category. The top 16 in each event will get cash reward for their efforts.

By Akeem Lawal Moses is yet to make his competitive debut for the Reds after completing a deadline-day loan switch from Chelsea.

The Nigerian international confirmed his arrival in England on his twitter handle yesterday is however looking forward to making his debut against Swansea at the Liberty Stadium next Monday.

“Back in Liverpool after great time with Nigeria. Looking forward to making my Liverpool FC debut now”, he twitted.

By Jeremiah Babatunde The master-mind behind the tourney and ex- Super Eagles midfielder, Mutiu Adepoju expressed joy and gratitude towards the success of the tournament “I am very happy and excited definitely because I am organising this tournament, I have been to international matches and I have see how football is being played internationally, I thought of it that why would Nigeria go for international matches we don’t have any that was what i thought and took it as a challenge to organise an international match that would bring people from other countries to play here in Nigeria” “Seeing the outcome of the match the purpose of establishing the competition has been accomplished, I might not be perfect but come next year, things will be better and I think in the nearest future, this competition is going to a greater height” He added He capped it off by acknowledging efforts of the sponsors towards the success of the tournament “I thank the Lagos state governor, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola for his support up to the end of the tournament and I want to use this medium to thank Osun state governor, Governor Rauf Aregbesola for his support and encouragement”

TODAY IN THE NATION

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2013 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL. 8

NO.2,602

‘Give it to them, the Chief Tony Anenih of this world; they knew what they wanted and how to go about it. They are veterans. They quickly sew together a pan-Nigeria coalition and easily grabbed power from the departing soldiers.’

WAHEED ODUSILE

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

T

O anyone who has followed the unremarkable life of Nigeria’s ruling PDP, the only surprise must be that the implosion that has shaken it down to its shallow roots in recent weeks did not occur much earlier.

With characteristic conceit, it branded itself the biggest political party in Africa – without having an audited record of its membership, let alone that of other political parties in Africa. It was this very conceit that led a former chairman of the party, Vincent Ogbulafor, to declare some five years ago that the PDP would rule Nigeria for 60 unbroken years.

That is a frightful prospect indeed, mitigated only by the consideration that if Ogbulafor could not predict his own future, there is no reason to set much store by his prediction of the party’s future. For he was dismissed as party chairman within two years of making that prophecy and has since then been shuttling between his home and the high court to answer a charge of criminal embezzlement.

Ogbulafor’s fate reminds me of what happened to the noted political scientist Zbigniew Brzezinski who, on the way to becoming Jimmy Carter’s National Security Adviser, had made a brilliant academic career at Columbia with his stirring anti-communism and combative Cold War rhetoric, all of which conduced to his reputation as the leading Sovietologist of the time.

Then, the Soviet Premier, Nikita Khrushchev, fell, just like that, in 1964, replaced by Aleksey Kosygin, in an internal purge of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

The news media that had embraced as gospel truth almost everything Brzezinski wrote or said about the Soviet system were taken aback.

“Professor Brzezinski, how come you had not predicted the fall of Khrushchev?” they taunted him.

“If Khrushchev could not predict his own fall,” he replied with a smirk, “how can you fault me for not predicting it?”

Before then, not even his doting admirers had credited the dour scholar with anything that could be mistaken for a sense of humour.

But I digress.

I was going to say that, despite the conceit and the bombast, the PDP is not even a political party in the strict sense of that term.

Rather, it is a vote-harvesting machine that runs on patronage. And like all machines, it is soulless. See how many of its senior officials it has devoured.

Ogbulafor, it has to be said to his credit, was just as taken in by the delusion of power as the party stalwarts who preceded him in that office. Those who came after him have operated with the same conceit, none more so than the current occupant of the post, the much re-cycled Bamanga Tukur, who runs the organisation like a camp master with help

RIPPLES Youths to Jonathan: WE NEED JOBS

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OLATUNJI DARE

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As the PDP implodes

•Tukur

from Dr Goodluck Jonathan who, with disastrous consequences for all concerned, divides his time between serving as National Leader of the PDP and President of Nigeria.

One day Tukur is suspending a state governor from the party because the governor did not take his phone call. The next day he is urging the National Assembly to pass a law mandating state governors or other political office holders to attend orientation courses, seminars or retreats before assuming office so that they would know how to address their superiors, like his good self.

Lately, he has declared in the manner of the captain of the Titanic might have, that he was fully in charge, and that he would “crush” those who had broken away to form a new PDP faction, among them seven state governors and 57 members of the National Assembly.

You know the PDP is in trouble when Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who governed Osun State under false pretences for three years – or seven – and had very little to show for it, clinches the post of National Secretary, edging out Ebenezer “Topsy” Babatope who had

served with great merit as Director of Organisation of the defunct UPN in the Second Republic, and is far more articulate.

Oyinlola had clinched the post by a process the courts considered flawed, like the process by which he had occupied the Executive Mansion in Osogbo, capital of the State of Osun for at least three and perhaps seven years. Now he is the National Secretary of the breakaway rump of the PDP. Its attempt to run a parallel operation has been crushed by the Nigeria Police Force, which has now dispensed with the pretence of being anything other than a wholly-owned subsidiary of Goodluck Jonathan’s and Bamanga Tukur’s PDP. This should come as no surprise to Oyinlola.

For it was the same police force he had used to frame the man he had cheated out of power – Rauf Aregbesola – on a charge of forgery.

What goes around comes around.

It is in the wisdom of our forebears that when adversity comes, even the pawpaw will demand to be counted among the might trees of the forest. That is the context in which Bode George, the PDP’s one-time chieftain in the Southwest who compounded a criminal conviction with unspeakably shameless behaviour on his release from jail, has now embarked on a mission to rescue the PDP from its self-destructive path.

But do not count the PDP out yet, weighed down by fatigue though it is.

For, even as it was imploding, it still had the presence of mind to do what it does best: stealing an election in the most brazen manner conceivable, the type that Afrobeat king Fela Anikulapo-Kuti described as “ojukoroju stealing” and “original stealing.”

In a reprise of its larcenous proceedings in Ekiti, it stole, for the second time, the council elections in Offa Municipal Local Government, in Offa, Kwara State. The court had

HARDBALL

I

F what ails our National Assembly, NASS, is not deep-seated narcissism then we must find a new meaning to that word of Greek origin which intimates about pathological self-absorption. Narcissistic tendencies will drive you into a self-love that is ultimately destructive and lead you to seek gratification only for yourself and your ilk. Can you see that the NASS fits beautifully into this mold going by their recent antecedents? One proof is their rare ability to win the world champion laurel not as the most conscientious but as the highest paid lawmakers in the world.

If only the authors of that survey knew half the story. But if you think no bad story can be hidden under the sun for too long, Hardball will change that to be: really big bucks can never be concealed under the sun. A few days back, a lady who ought to know informed Nigerians that we have handed out about N8 trillion to our money-mongering assembly men since 2005. She even challenged them to a public debate but they would not dare take her on.

Just because they are cash-goblins does not mean they are stupid enough to take on a fight that jeopardises all they have worked for. They allowed the fight to pass hoping that they would be left alone to enjoy their public service harvest.

A native saying hurriedly paraphrased warns that he who steals a wretched man’s fowl has only managed to steal his own peace of mind.

voided an earlier election and ordered a rerun, satisfied that the PDP had not earned the victory it was claiming.

Now, Offa has always been a bastion of progressive politics, a stronghold, first, of the Action Group, then the UPN, and lately of the ACN, which has since morphed into the All Peoples Congress, APC. With all their money and their bag of tricks, the Sarakis, father and son, could never secure a foothold in Offa for their self-aggrandizing brand of politics. And how it rankled!

So, at every opportunity, they and their agents always seek to add Offa to their collection of purloined trophies. When they are not trying to foist a paramount ruler on the people, they are scheming to steal their votes. That they have never succeeded in the long run does not deter them.

In their latest effort, they apparently had the chairman of the State Independent (ha!)

Electoral Commission, Dr Uthman Ajidagba, in their corner. He did not announce the results in Offa as stipulated by law. Instead, he left it to the state-owned Radio Kwara to declare winners the day after, in a dawn broadcast. At this writing, the detailed results are yet to be announced. For good measure, the authorities have issued the usual refrain: Anyone who is not happy with the state of affairs should head to the courts.

The brazen theft in Offa does not exhaust the parallel with the elections in Ekiti. There, Mrs the state chief electoral officer, Mrs Ayoka Adebayo, had announced defiantly that she could not on account of her Christian conscience announce the figures the election officials had cooked up, and was hailed as a heroine and a model of integrity.

Several days later, she sent her Christian conscience on vacation and dutifully announced the cooked-up results.

Now, in Offa, one of the councillors allegedly elected on the platform of the PDP has rejected the victory assigned to him and declared that the real winner was the APC candidate much to the discomfiture of the PDP which has been threshing about desperately and disingenuously to explain away how a candidate it claims not to have entered in the election was declared winner on its slate.

Meanwhile, the candidate, Jimoh Olawale, is being hailed as a hero and a model of integrity. This time, meaning no disrespect to Mr Olawale, I am going to hold my applause for a few days, hoping he will, unlike Ayoka Adebayo in Ekiti, stand unshakably by his rejection of a phantom election victory.

•For comments, send SMS to 08111813080

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

NASS, thy name is narcissism Has NASS aborted its own very peace by its own grabbing ways? Well let’s see: last week, the chairman, Senate Committee on Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, Mohammed Ali Ndume blurted it out that a total of N900 billion has so far been appropriated for constituency projects for the NASS since 2004.

Apparently oblivious of the import of his speech, Ndume said that the constituency projects were for grassroots development and that the choice of contractors by legislators was for accountability and employment generation. “Accountability”, “employment generation”, gee, just because these fellas are not thinking they imaging the rest of us braindead.

Ndume unwittingly threw up not a few unsavoury issues about NASS in his ill-digested treatise during what they called a one-day stakeholders forum on constituency projects.

First, such huge amount in eight years on invisible constituency projects? Dear readers, does anyone of you out there have such projects in your area? Would it be asking for too much dear Sen. Ndume to demand a breakdown of such projects, places of domiciliation and costs?

For the first time, Ndume revealed to us that NASS members who had sworn they knew nothing about how the projects were awarded,

actually appoint the contractors for the jobs.

It’s an old Nigerian trick we all are familiar with isn’t it? The third point to note is that how could constituency projects funds (which we all know are democracy dividends for our law makers) create jobs and develop the communities when most of our legislators have shunned the statutory requirement of setting up a viable constituency office in their locale.

Finally, the idea of constituency project is an aberration that has no locus in any law of the land.

It is a fraud perfected during the Olusegun Obasanjo era for shoveling ‘shut up’ money to NASS when the members got restive. Today, it has become a major appropriation head just as our dear Ndume is assiduously working on a Bill to give the projects ‘legal backing’, whatever that means. But is sure to happen is that a rampart NASS will increasingly suborn the roles of the executive for the purpose stuffing more and more cash into its members’ pockets.

But surely these execrable exertions of theirs will come to naught sooner because their action is self-defeating and their motive not viable. This overly self-loving narcissistic gang will have to give account one day, sooner or later.

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