Sep 6, 2013

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Offa: APC tenders proof as PDP denies candidate

•Party condemns ‘vote robbery’

N15b low interest loan for farmers

NEWS

•Agric gets govt’s boost

Page 53

BUSINESS

Page 11

www.thenationonlineng.net

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

VOL. 8, NO. 2598 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

N150.00

PDP crisis: Jonathan tells elders to shun Obasanjo

Ex-President’s peace mission crashes Tukur, Baraje camps in war of words

E

VEN before it got off the drawing board, former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s plan to lead the peace moves in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has collapsed.

The meeting of elders to resolve the party’s crises was slated for today in Abuja.

It was “technically” called off last night at the Presidency’s prompting, The Nation learnt.

President Goodluck Jonathan, it was said, advised the elders to shun the

‘

A prodigal son can be accepted back because the PDP will not disown its sons and daughters. But, of course, you will have to face the consequences of taking a wrong step. You have to reconnect and correct your wrong steps From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

meeting, following intelligence reports that Obasanjo was behind the crises.

The former President could not be reached last night.

Among the elders expected at the meeting are former

Police ‘withdraw Amaechi’s escort’

’

chairmen and notable leaders.

A pre-meeting session of some governors at the Rivers State Governor’s Lodge went on for hours last night.

It was not clear what was discussed, but the news about the Obasanjo mission may have been broken.

‘

We have always been saying it that Tukur represents everything that must not be seen in a democratic organisation. His statement demonstrates not just impunity but also lawlessness and crass ignorance of the tenets of the law and democratic ethos

“All was well, until this evening when we learnt the President was opposed to Obasanjo presiding at the meeting,” a source said, adding: “He believes that Obasanjo is the architect of the crises; he shouldn’t be called to settle it and be seen as a

’

peacemaker.”

The meeting slated for next Tuesday will hold. President Jonathan will preside.

Brickbats continued to fly yesterday amid shaky efforts to rescue the PDP. A group loyal to President Jonathan also accused

Obasanjo of being the architect of the crises. He should call his associates in the Kawu Baraje faction of the party to order, the Media Network for Transformation (MNT) said.

The group said Obasanjo could not continue to be the hand of Esau and the voice of Jacob at the same time.

In a statement in Abuja, signed by its Coordinator, Mr. Goodluck Ebelo, the MNT urged Obasanjo to either renounce his associates in the New PDP or be treatContinued on page 4

SCENE OF HORROR

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

A

FTER a brief lull, the row between Governor Rotimi Amaechi and state police chief Mbu Joseph Mbu resurface yesterday.

Amaechi’s escort commander has been withdrawn by the police, Commissioner for Information Ibim Semenitari claimed last night.

Police Commissioner Mbu reportedly made a request, which was not in the purview of the police officer following which he was removed from his position, Mrs. Semenitari said.

Continued on page 4

Boko Haram kills 20 in Borno

T

•Military arrests

HE Boko Haram sect came back with fury yesterday, despite the serious efforts by the military to crush its insurgency.

Men suspected to be members of the sect, bearing sophisticated weapons, launched attacks in Borno State, killing no fewer than 20 people.

They attacked schools and hospitals, setting some houses on fire in Gajiram, headquarters of Nganzai Local Government and Bulabulin Ngawra village in Konduga Local Government Area of the beleaguered state.

Nganzai is about 73 kilometres from Maiduguri, the state capital. Bullabulin Ngawra is 45 kilometres away. The local governments share boundaries with the terrorists’ major camps in Marte and the Sambisa Forests, which the military said had been destroyed since June.

Continued on page 4

•The spot where the ill-fated house stood.

Man loses three children, wife, two in-laws in mudslide

•P AGE 57 •PA •A young woman who lost her mother and sister in the mudslide that buried a house along Edim Otop in Calabar on Tuesday evening was inconsolable…yesterday

•AGRIC P17•SPORTS P23 •NIGER DELTA P25 •SOCIETY P29 •POLITICS P45

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

2

NEWS CRISIS IN PDP •Former military President Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (middle) receiving 72nd birthday gifts from Union Bank Minna Zonal Cordinator, Ahmed Dangama (left) and Business Development Manager, Salmanu Wada in Minna.

•Minister of Health Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu (second right) at the commissioning of Vitro Diagnostics Control Laboratory in Lagos... yesterday. With him are Chief Medical Director, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Prof Akin Osibogun (left), Director, Hospital Services, Ministry of Health Dr. Patience Osinubi (second left), and Registrar/CEO, Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) Prof. Anthony Emeribe PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

•Executive Director, Investment and Corporate Banking Group, Skye Bank Plc Mr. Timothy Oguntayo (middle) speakng at the bank’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) seminar in Lagos...yesterday. With him are the CEO, Wedding Strore Mrs. PHOTO: DAYO ADEWEUNMI Bolanle Koya (left), and General Manager, Retail Banking Group Mrs. Ariola Kola-Daisi.

•Retail Adviser, Etisalat Miss Maureen Nwakaju (middle) presenting cheques to the winners of Etisalat FC Bacelona 2013 promo, PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE. Mr. Samuel Okosa (left) and Omowunmi Akande at the Ikeja City Mall, Lagos...yesterday.

Can PDP

I

N the past, the old political war horses were sidelined in the running of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) across the states. The governors, who are the party’s acclaimed state leaders, perceived them as threats and ambitious gerontocratic monitors. But when its protracted crises led to balkanisation, its anxious stalwarts turned to the founding fathers for intervention and reconciliation.

The elders’ intervention is the initiative of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who appears not neutral in the crisis. A section of the divided party fears that the move may pale into another diversionary antics of an unpredictable and cunning statesman.

Today, in Abuja, the PDP elders will be locked in sober reflection over the turn of events. The number of elders expected at the crucial meeting is not known. But the party has elders across the six geo-political zones. They include former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, Chief Solomon Lar, Mrs. Titi Ajanaku, Prof. Jibril Aminu, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, Chief S.K. Babalola, former Anambra State Governor Jim Nwobodo, Alhaji Mohammed Abba-Gana, Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, Chief Tunde Osunrinde, Senator Barnabas Gemade, Senator Ameh Ebute, Senator Ahmadu Ali, Chief Tony Anenih, former Information Minister Chief Edwin Clark, Commodore Bode George, Chief Peter Odili, Chief Shuaib Oyedokun, Gen. David Jemibewon, Senator Olu Alabi, Chief Alaba Williams, Alabo Graham Douglas, Alhaji Hassan Adamu, Chief Dapo Sarunmi, Dr. Umaru Dikko, and Senator Yinka Omilani.

Not all the elders see eye to eye.

For example, many of them criticised Obasanjo’s style as President. They believe that he set dangerous precedents as the pioneer PDP national leader between 1999 and 2007.

Obasanjo and Anenih exchanged hot words over the Board of Trustees (BoT) chairmanship. The Uromi chief believed that he was displaced by the retired general before he regained the seat. Lar’s supporters have not forgiven the former president over the way the pioneer national chairman was shoved aside.

Clark has also attacked the Ota farmer, accusing him of fuelling the crisis. Other elders have also taken sides in the divisive and potentially destabilising crisis. Therefore, the meeting may hold in an atmosphere of mistrust and suspicion.

Esteemed elders, including Ekwueme and Nwachukwu have cause to be weary of critical intervention in logjam. Almost six years ago, the former vice-president spent precious time traversing the six zones as the Chairman of the PDP Reconciliation Committee. He collated the grievances of the aggrieved chieftains and wrote a report. But the report never saw the light of day. It was thrown into the dustbin. Had it been implemented, sanity may have returned to the divided family.

At the state level, the advice of the elders have also been ignored. In Lagos, when some elders, including Ajiroba Williams, Mr. Olorunfunmi Basorun and Senator Tony Adefuye, canvassed peaceful peaceful resolution of the crisis facing the party, the arrowheads of the party evolved a factional elders committee, which backed subscribed to their politics of exclusion. A PDP elder from Ogun State, Osunrinde, headed a reconciliation panel, which evolved a formula for the distribution of party and government positions among the four factions. The report was

•From right: Senator ItaGiwa, Mrs Olanrewaju Adedeji, Ms Ogodo, Ms Ikpeazu, Doris Uboh Ogunkoya, Ms Janet Adeyemi and Mrs Olujinmi at the news conference in Abuja... yesterday.

PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

By Emmanuel Oladesu Group Political Editor

never implemented by the party. The chapter is still in crisis till today.

When the PDP leadership crisis escalated, Anenih, Tukur and President Joanthan had visited Obasanjo in Abeokuta separately. They discussed the future of the party that is now ebbing away. But their discussions did not avert the impending doom.

President Goodluck Jonathan and the mainstream PDP National Chairman Alhaji Bamanga Tukur actually need the elders’ decisive intervention. But the President’s camp has indicated that it will welcome it with caution and reservation. To them, it smacks of hypocritical commitment on Obasanjo’s part to initiate truce, while at the same time fueling the crisis.

Indisputably, the relationship between Obasanjo and Dr. Jonathan has been frosty. The former President had resigned as the BOT chairman in protest. Sources said that, rather than urging him to retrace his steps, President Jonathan welcomed the resignation with a mixture of shock and understanding. He never persuaded his benefactor to return to his influential position in the party. This, some insiders said, annoyed the former President.

Later, Obasanjo put the President on the weighing scale. Reminiscent of his verdict on his successor, the late Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua, he said Jonathan should quit, if he lacked the capacity to shoulder the enormous responsibility of his office. The remarks did not go down well with the President. Also, when the former President was expected at Abuja for the second anniversary of Jonathan Administration, he went to Jigawa State, where he showered praises on Governor Sule Lamido. Party faithful came to the conclusion that Obasanjo had endorsed the former Foreign Affairs minister for the Presidency in 2015. Their evidence was that he deliberately hit Jonathan with a bullet of words and projected Lamido as his replacement.

Many suspect Obasanjo because five of the seven “rebellious” governors are his men. He was responsible for the victory of Lamido, Babangida Aliyu (Niger State), Admiral Muritala Nyako (Adamawa), Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), and Alhaji Kwakwanso (Kano) in 2007. Since then, the governors have been relating with him as godfather. In fact, when the “G5” started its offensive, the first port of call was Obasanjo’s residence in Abeokuta. It coincided

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

3

NEWS CRISIS IN PDP

elders mend the torn umbrella?

•Baraje

Women leaders to warring faction: your seats won’t be declared vacant

P

EOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) women leaders have said the national chairman, Bamanga Tukur’s threat to declare vacant the seats of the breakaway faction at the National Assembly was not conclusive.

Speaking under the aegis of PDP Female Career Politicians yesterday in Abuja, the women leaders said the crisis was capable of ruining it and impacting negatively on the country’s political survival.

They said the attempt to bar President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2015 presidential election was unfair and undemocratic.

The group met with the leadership of the Tukur-led faction. It said it would also meet with the Abubakar Barajeled faction.

The women said if the crisis must be resolved immediately.

The political career women drawn from across the country include former and serving state and federal legislators, governorship aspirants and others.

Present at the session are: Mercy Almona Isei, Mrs Remi Adiukwu-Bakare, Kemi Adewunmi, Patience Ogodo, Aduke Minna, former Ekiti State Deputy Governor Abiodun Olujimi, Senator Khairat Gwadabe, Senator Grace Bent, Mrs Theodora Giwa-Amu, Mrs Folake OluloyoOsinowo and Mrs Amina Khadi.

Others are Mrs Iquo Inyang, Oyibo Ahaneku-Nwaneri, Azumi Bebeji, Lynda Ikpeazu, Ms Doris Uboh-Ogunkoya, Ms Ukachi Amaechi, Elizabeth Ogbaga, Janet Adeyemi, Oluchi Okoye, Mrs Lola Edewor, Mrs Fatima Raji Rasaki, Mrs. Olanrewaju Otiti, Fendo Mohammed and May Inije. with the visit of the president. But they dodged the number one citizen.

Niger State Chief Servant Aliyu had canvassed power shift to the North, claiming that the president had a pact with some Northern leaders on presidential zoning in 2011.

He said the inexplicable pact should be honoured. Thus, when Obasanjo visited Jigawa and showered encomium on Lamido, it was interpreted as a subtle endorsement for power

From Dele Anofi and Faith Yahaya, Abuja

The co-ordinator of the group, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, said Tukur’s remarks on the suspension should not be taken as final.

She said: “When conflicts like this happen, people tend to make inflammatory statements. We have tremendous respect for our Chairman but sometimes people say things when emotions run deep but that does not mean it is conclusive. Not that we are apologising for anybody but we intend to consult with our colleagues as well as our chairman and everybody.

“This is because we do not want anybody to do anything that will be counter-productive to the existence of this Party and peace in Nigeria, we can not afford that.

“We are all still part of the party, including those that walked out from the arena. If they wanted would have said they are leaving the PDP, but they have not said that, which means that the corporate existence of the party is still intact; we just have to make effort at sustaining it.”

She however advised that the feuding parties have to make sacrifices in the interest of the Party by disabusing insinuations of ethnic coloration to the crisis.

Ita-Giwa said: “Not that we are saying it is ethnic-based, but if you look at those that walked out, it was six states from the North and one from the South. This is strange, which was why we felt it is taking on ethnic coloration.

“Also, women were excluded from that decision, no woman was consulted before that decision was taken. Notwithstanding, we are not passing judgement but we don’t

shift.

Obasanjo has unresolved issues with Dr. Jonathan. He is not happy with the removal of his associates; Gen. Olagunsoye Oyinlola as the National Secretary and Mr. Segun Oni and the National Vice Chairman (Southwest). Oyinlola’s election was not voided by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which voided the election of other 17 national officers. The former

Osun State governor and secretary of the Kawu Baraje’s faction is still in court challenging his revoval.

Also, the former President had threw his weight behind the Ogun State PDP faction led by Senator Dipo Odujinrin. But, following a court ruling, the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) headed by Tukur gave recognition to the faction headed by Adebayo Dayo, an engi-

want to run a northern party and a southern party.

“All we want is for everybody to come back together for us to have peace in this country. We are not taking sides and we are surely going to talk to all of them to douse the flame as best as we can, however we do not want to be seen as succumbing to intimidation.

“However, it is our opinion that it is immodest for someone to ask another human being not to contest elections or to attempt disenfranchisement another human being. If anything, why not let anyone interested contest and then lose,” she added.

Though Ita-Giwa said the women leaders were resolute in their support for Jonathan, she pleaded with the new faction to realise that the interest of the party should be paramount.

She said: “It is pertinent though that while we lay claims to neutrality in this intra-party dispute, our loyalty to and confidence in the persons and office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria remains unshaken.

“As a large party, we recognise that political dissension is inevitable from time to time, however such disagreement should never be allowed to fester to the point where positions are taken that threaten the existence of the party.

“We believe that the PDP is big enough to accommodate all shades of opinion without bursting at the seams.

“It is against this backdrop that we appeal to the contending forces currently pulling the party apart, to sheath their swords, step back from the precepts and take a deep breath as they reflect on the disastrous implications of their actions.”

neer. The decision infuriated Obasanjo, who complained that the national leadership did not have the courtesy to discuss with him before taking action.

After today’s meeting, the elders committee may come up with a number of ideas and suggestions.

But the elders’ counsels will only be advisory. The elders forum is not a formal party structure. It can bark, but cannot bite. It does not have the

power to implement its decisions and whip the President and party chairman to line.

Trust is a scare commodity in the PDP. Mutual suspicion is the watchword. Thus, the intervention may be counter-productive. The Presidency seemed to have suspected a hidden agenda on Obasanjo’s part. Will that perception not shape or influence its response to any option that may be canvassed by the elders committee?

Southwest PDP to court: compel INEC to deregister PDM

T

HE leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Southwest yesterday urged the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw recognition of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM).

Its chairmen in the region, including Captain Tunji Shelle (Lagos), Chief Adebayo Dayo (Ogun), Mr Ebenezzer Alabi (Ondo), Alhaji Ganiyu Olaoluwa (Osun) and Mr Yinka Taiwo (Oyo), filed the suit on behalf of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party.

The defendants are INEC, the PDM, factional PDP chairman Alhaji

By Remi Adelowo

Kawu Baraje and factional National Secretary Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

The plaintiffs are begging the court to determine whether INEC can register PDM, as a political party when the patent purpose for which the registration was sought and obtained was to destabilise the PDP. According to the plaintiffs, the purpose for which the promoters of PDM sought the party’s registration was not in line with Section 2 of the 1999 Constitution as well as Section 224 of same constitution.

They want the court to determine if Baraje’s and Oyinlola’s actions in

•Oyinlola

declaring themselves officers of the PDM did not amount to

renounciation of their PDP membership .

Oluyede said: “Our client has instructed us to take action against the PDM. The disposition of the PDM members, who transformed themselves from a group within the PDP, works against the unity of Nigeria and it is against the clear provision of Section 224 of the 1999 Constitution. As you know, Section 224 states that political parties should conform to Chapter 2 of the 1999 constitution. What has happened is that the unifying factor in the PDP is being broken down and a new tribalistic approach is now in place.

“It is on this basis that we filed an

action at the Federal High Court in Abuja asking for de-registration of the PDM as a political party. It is a distraction to good governance and that is the reason why this action has been taken. The provision of the constitution forbids you from forming a tribal party. As you know, there was no notice given for the application.

No one was aware until it (PDM registration) was announced by INEC. The PDM was formed for the purpose of causing disunity and discord within the PDP and for that reason, INEC should not have registered it.

It has an ethnic agenda and for that reason, it is in contravention of Chapter 2 of the 1999 constitution.”

4

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 , 2013

NEWS Boko Haram kills 20 in Borno Continued from page 1

The terrorists reported to be about 40, were armed with

•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola speaking during the 19th Nigerian Economic Summit, at Transcorp Hilton Abuja… on Wednesday. With him (from left) are: Anambra State Governor Peter Obi , Minister for Agriculture Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, Managing Director Access Bank Plc. Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede and Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke

T

PDM to Baraje faction: Come and join us

HE newly registered Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) has thrown its doors open to the Abubakar Baraje-led breakaway faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The PDM’s invitation is coming on the heels of an appeal by PDP national chairman Bamanga Tukur to members of the faction to return to the fold.

Deputy National Chairman of the PDM, Mr. Bode Ajewole, urged the factional members of the PDP to move to the PDM where they would be given a free hand to realise their political aspirations.

According to him, many of the members of the PDP were founding members of the PDM in the military era before the movement was registered as a political party a few weeks ago.

T

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

Ajewole said: “We are ready to accommodate them in PDM, although we have not initiated discussions with them yet. But we believe that the PDM is going to be their last political bus stop.

“The PDM is the greatest and most successful political family force in Nigeria, dating back to 1987 and giving birth to many parties and successful politicians.

“Our party is head and shoulders taller than others in terms of democratic equity, unity, development and the pursuance of good governance. We shall do well in 2015 polls.”

He listed as members of the PDM “great politicians”, such as the late Senate President, Dr Chuba Okadigbo, Asiwaju Bola

Ahmed Tinubu, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar among others.

Tukur yesterday urged aggrieved PDP members to retrace their steps to the PDP. According to him, the breakaway members should come back to the party; otherwise the PDP train would move without them. Tukur spoke before a group of youths and women at the party’s secretariat in Abuja.

He said: “What is going on in the PDP recently, is something of concern. If they come back, we can tell them ‘welcome back’.

But also, it is something that can always happen in a family. But whatever happens should be resolved within the house but not outside.”

He described members of the breakaway faction as “prodigal” sons, stressing that like the Bib-

lical prodigal son, the party would be ready to accept them back if they desire to do so.

Tukur said: “A prodigal son can be accepted back because the PDP will not disown its sons and daughters. But, of course, you will have to face the consequences of taking a wrong step. You have to reconnect and correct your wrong steps. If you don’t, the PDP train will move without you.”

Commenting on the crisis in the party, PDP woman leader, Mrs. Kema Chikwe said: “The party is facing challenging times because of the morbid quest for power by unreasonable members of the party. PDP has done so much for Nigeria and has provides the ladder for many people politically and deserved to be protected.”

most democratic party is having a discussion, after which it will come up stronger,” Aliyu said.

Kwankwaso accused the Bamanga Tukur-led PDP of disregarding the Constitution and manifesto of the PDP, “having realised the weaknesses of the party, we decided to rescue it and make it a better party.”

Kwankwaso listed the grouse of the Group of Seven (G7) governors to include crises in the Rivers and Adamawa PDP and the election of the PDP Governors Forum where 19 governors elected Governor Rotimi Amae-

chi.

“We did all we could to make them know the truth, but it didn’t work.”

He said since 2010, “we have been drawing the attention of the PDP national headquarters to Kano, especially, in the area of appointments, but to no avail.

Aliyu blamed Nigeria’s woes on failure of leadership and corruption, saying amalgamation was not a curse.

“God has ordained that the marriage will work even without a marriage counsellor,” he said.

PDP will be stronger after crisis, says Aliyu

WO of the seven governors who pulled out of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to form a faction, yesterday spoke on why they took the step.

Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu spoke in Lagos.

His Kano State counterpart Musa Kwankwaso spoke in Kano.

Kwankwaso said the ‘old PDP’ lacked fairness and justice.

He alleged that the party leadership serviced few people’s in-

By Joseph Jibueze and Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

terests. He passed a vote of no confidence on National Chairman Bamanga Tukur.

But Aliyu said the PDP will be stronger after its internal crisis is resolved.

He said the party remains democratic even though it is presently “not at rest”.

Aliyu was the guest speaker at Lagos Country Club’s Business Lecture Series.

He spoke on the topic: “The marriage of 1914 - a curse or blessing?”

“PDP is not at rest, but the

Ak47 rifles. No fewer than 15 people were killed in the ambush on Gajiram. The vigilance youths also known as “civillian JTF” and military men later engaged them.

The terrorists also laid ambush to the Damboa-Maiduguri road, which was reopened two weeks ago, where they were believed to have shot dead five people.

“The Boko Haram sect members attacked Bullabulin Ngawra in the early hours of today (Thursday) and killed five people. I believe that they attacked us because of how our Continued on page 58

Police ‘withdraw Amaechi’s escort’ Continued from page 1

The report could not be confirmed last night as Mbu did not pick his calls.

The police authority earlier in the week declared Amae-

chi’s Aide-de-camp a deserter for failing to report to the Inspector General of Police as requested. But the state government said the ADC was on medical leave.

The governor’s security is threatened, the Rivers State government said in the statement, which said: “The redeployment, according to CP Mbu, was because the Escort Commander had refused his directive to “Furnish (the CP) with prior information of the movement of the governor. The Escort Commander is not in charge of the governor’s protocol and cannot have prior knowledge of the governor’s movement, especially in the prevailing circumstances regarding security in the State.

“After redeploying the Escort Commander, CP Mbu also requested the Camp Commandant of Government House, Port Harcourt, to give him prior briefing of the governor’s daily movement - a request which in practice would be difficult to comply with, unless the Camp Commandant gets prior knowledge of the Governor’s movement.

“The Government of Rivers State is most uncomfortable with these developments and their implications for the security of Governor Amaechi. This

is more so, as the developments are coming on the heels of the Rivers State Police Command’s declaration of Governor Amaechi’s ADC (which is receiving medical attention) as a deserter.

“This sudden interest of CP Mbu regarding the daily movement of Governor Amaechi cannot be borne out of love. If his intentions were noble and above board, CP Mbu has Governor Amaechi’s telephone number and could have reached him directly to make the request of prior briefing of his movements.

Alternatively, he could have written officially to the Secretary to State Government to make the same request.

“This would be the first time, since Governor Amaechi assumed office in 2007, that a Police Commissioner would be requesting prior information of his movement. This was not the case even in the heyday of militancy in Rivers State. As far as we know, this is an exception rather than the rule.

“The fact that CP Mbu waited for the Governor to travel out of Port Harcourt to issue the invitation to policemen attached to Government House is curious and indicative of ulterior motives. His sudden interest in the Governor’s movement is suggestive of a more sinister motive. “ CP Mbu has not hidden the fact that he holds Governor Amaechi in disdain and would stop at nothing to either harm him or aid those planning to harm him. After all, in May 2013, he allowed ex-militants to barriContinued on page 58

Baraje faction threatens Tukur with contempt suit

P

EOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman Bamanga Tukur got yesterday a disturbing notice – his time up.

The Abubakar Baraje faction issued the notice, saying Tukur’s “reign of impunity and lawlessness has ended”.

The faction also said it had mandated its lawyers to press contempt charges against Tukur, who announced on Wednesday that leaders of the Baraje faction could be expelled.

But, the Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih, has warned warring factions in the party against provocative statements.

The Baraje faction, which made its position known in a statement by its National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, said Tukur’s threats pointed to “not just impunity but also lawlessness and crass ignorance of the tenets of the law and democratic ethos”.

It faulted the news conference addressed by Tukur in Abuja on Wednesday where he threatened to sack members of the National Assembly supporting

PDP crisis: Jonathan tells elders to shun Obasanjo Continued from page 1

sponsor, the rebel governors draw their in- time. No arbiter, who is the guiding light of the rebels, can make peace. Peace, in this “Apart from numerous clandestine meet- matter, will continue to elude President ings, former President Obasanjo started Obasanjo because his activities are the his public romance with the rebel flank very antithesis of the conditions precedent when he became unavoidably absent at to peace.” this year’s Democracy Day celebration in The group said it suspected that ObasanAbuja, but vigorously participated in the jo cannot resolve the crisis in the party with day’s activities in Dutse, Jigawa State. That alleged partisan interest. was followed by the rebel governors’ visit The statement added: “Unfortunately, to his Abeokuta home. his eight years in office provides no road “Then came last Saturday, and Chief map to resolving a political dispute. All Obasanjo’s mischief literarily flew over that can be gleaned from the debris of his the Eagle Square venue of the Special Con- time in power are abuse of institutions of vention. Unavoidably absent, again, he State in shutting down dissent, hounding was to turn up the next day in church, at political opponents into prison and forcthe Presidential Villa, made a few platitu- ing a party chairman to resign …. Little dinous remarks on the need for a peaceful wonder that such baleful legacy dogs his resolution of the crisis and thereafter attempt at making peace. called a meeting . His meeting failed and “President Obasanjo has to come out will continue to fail. publicly to renounce his ties with the sev“Obasanjo cannot continue to be hands en governors who are trying to impose of Esau and the voice of Jacob at the same their will on the remaining 29 states and

ed like those rated as rebels by the party. spiration from him.

The group said “no arbiter, who is the guiding light of the rebels can make peace”.

To the President’s camp, Obasanjo is the unseen hand pulling the string of crises in the ruling party. There is suspicion in the Presidency over his peace mission.

Some governors were meeting last night at the Rivers Governor’s Lodge in Abuja ahead of today’s meeting.

National Chairman Bamanga Tukur yesterday described members of the Kawu Baraje faction as “prodigal sons” who would be accepted back into the fold, if they retraced their steps.

But the Baraje faction told Tukur that his “time is up”.

The statement said: “We call on former President Olusegun Obasanjo to call his associates to order. Apart from being their From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

the Baraje faction and arrest its officers.

The statement said: “We have asked our lawyers to press contempt charges against Tukur because his statement was made in clear contempt of the orders

of a Lagos High Court, which three days ago asked both sides to maintain the status quo. We will ask the court to commit him to jail for his disdain for the law and the judicial system.

“We have always been saying it that Tukur represents every-

thing that must not be seen in a democratic organisation. His statement demonstrates not just impunity but also lawlessness and crass ignorance of the tenets of the law and democratic ethos.

“Tukur displayed his disdain for law and order with his threat

to order the arrest of law abiding persons in a democracy.

“We ask what powers he has under our laws to make that statement and what gave him the impression that Nigeria has become a police state where impunity reigns and citizens can be

•Tukur

arrested at the whim of any power drunk Tzar.

“Fortunately, our country is a democracy under the rule of law and not under the rule of man.

Continued on page 58

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

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

5

NEWS

‘Health insurance to be compulsory’

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

T

HE Federal Government will soon make health insurance compulsory.

Minister of Health Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu said the move would enable Nigerians access quality healthcare.

He spoke at the inauguration of the MART Medicare’s World Class Maternity Suites and Genetics Diagnostic Centre, by Prof Oladapo Ashiru.

The Health minister said the move followed concerns by the Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, during the last National Health Council, held in Lagos.

He said: “It does nor augur well to put first class facilities in place, hire best manpower and install the best equipment, yet it cannot be accessed by Nigerians due to non-affordability. “If insurance is made compulsory for cars, vehicles, houses and other ephemeral things, why not health?

“The President will soon address governors and stakeholders on how community health insurance can benefit every Nigerian. Thereafter, we will ensure the scheme takes care of everybody.”

Why insecurity persists, by Kalu

By Sunday Oguntola

ACK of good governance and rule of law, among others, are some of the factors aggravating insecurity, a former Minister of Finance, Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu, said yesterday.

He said insecurity would linger as long as inadequate dispensation of justice and stifling economic situation persist.

Kalu was the guest speaker at the 14th Annual Mike Okonkwo Lecture.

He spoke on “Overcoming the Nigerian Security Challenges: A panacea for national growth and development.”

The renowned economist also listed the faulty political process, bloated personnel structure, intractable corruption and avoidable bureaucracy as other factors increasing security challenges.

Said he: “Security is not necessarily about keeping a large army or police. We have to nip in the bud situations that can degenerate into strife and violence.

“A situation where the shrinking job market is filled with nepotism and man-knowsman syndrome, there will always be violent reactions.

When people cannot actualise their economic goals within reasonable means, the temptation to resort to violence becomes inevitable.”

Kalu said most of the recent violent situations are not unconnected with the inability to achieve legitimate socio-economic goals at personal and community levels.

He said when people cannot maximise their potential in a lawful and acceptable way, violence becomes an attractive option.

Kalu advocated equal opportunities based on merit and a robust political culture to promote justice and democracy.

On the Boko Haram insurgency, he said: “We can shout about the involvement of Al-Qaeda links, but we also replicate that tendency by our culture of impunity and failure to provide good governance. We are the architects of our misfortunes.”

L

Students protest ASUU strike

T

HE National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) yesterday protested the twomonth old strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

The students, led by the Director of Action and Mobilisation, Comrade Sunday Asefon, marched on the streets of Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, carrying placards.

They chanted songs decrying the stance of the Federal Government, noting that ASUU was right to insist that the government should fulfil the agreement reached with the union in 2009.

The students threatened to ensure that academic activities were also stalled in the private universities.

According to them, the incessant strikes by ASUU had aided what they described as “a continuous recession in the standard of education since Dr. Goodluck Jonathan emerged as the president.”

Comrade Asefon said between 2000 and 2011, Federal Government earned almost N48.48 trillion from the sale of crude oil alone, as opposed to the N3.10 trillion, which accrued between 1979 and 1999.

The student leader went on: “The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in the 2012 financial year made N5.12 trillion as the

•’We ‘II disrupt academic activities in private varsities’

Suswam: ASUU is misleading Nigerians

B

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

ENUE State Governor Gabriel Suswam has said the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is misleading students and parents on what the Federal Government has done since the negotiations began in 2009.

Speaking at the Government House, Makurdi, yesterday when he hosted the National Union of Benue State Students (NUBESS), he said the Federal Government has acceded to the demands of ASUU. Suswam advised the lecturers to go back to the classrooms for the future of youths.

Said he “Federal Government has done a lot. It is time ASUU should sacrifice and shift its ground as the negotiation is becoming political.”

The Benue State governor, who is leading the Federal Government negotiation team, said N100 billion has been distributed for infrastructural development and N30 billion for earned allowance.

According to him, the criteria for distribution of the funds were adopted with ASUU representative, adding that the projects are to be executed by the universities and their councils.

He said the earned allowance is only for the federal universities, hence state universities have no business going on strike.

Suswam said the Benue State University (BSU) lecturers have been paid their earned allowance.

He urged ASUU to return to the classrooms as it would not be proper to play politics with the future of students.

“We asked them to take N30 billion and pay their members, then come back for another money, but they said no, we must give them N92 billion,” the governor said.

Suswam enjoined students to ask ASUU why it wants to ground education.

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

revenue generated from tax paid by the masses.

“With this tremendous upswing in the revenue at the disposal of the government, one would have ex-

pected such to translate to a commensurate improvement in the quality of public education and other social services.”

Asefon said given the resources at its disposal, the Federal Government should budget a sizeable sum for the development of education as recommended by the United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), adding that countries, such as Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and Kenya with smaller GDP have done so.

Part of their demands were that state universities, such as the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Lagos State University (LASU), Osun State University, Olabisi Onabanjo University and others should charge half their current school fees.

Another student leader from EKSU, Comrade Steven Adara, said those in government and other affluent Nigerians were not helping matters “as they are in the habit of sending their children to private schools, locally and overseas.”

Said he: “We will mobilise ourselves and ensure that we disrupt academic activities in the private universities, because it is the children of the rich that are in these schools.”

Expert hails Civil Defence on security

A

SECURITY expert, Dr. Ona Ekhomu, has hailed the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for its fight against economic saboteurs like crude oil thieves, petroleum pipeline vandals and electricity and telecommunications cable thieves.

He urged increased funding of the agency to protect the critical infrastructure.

Ekhomu said the country faced economic downturn if the damage to its infrastructure persisted.

He said: “With an estimated loss of 400,000 barrels of crude oil per day to oil thieves and saboteurs, the Federal Government should as a matter of national security emergency empower the civil defence corps to curb infrastructure attacks, in partnership with other security agencies.”

Speaking when moderating the final plenary of a two-day stakeholders’ forum on the Protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure, held in Abuja and organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser, from September 2 to September 3, Dr. Ekhomu said the use of security forces constituted only one component of the asset protection equation.

He said the critical asset protection involved the integration and interoperability of the personnel, equipment/technology and policies/procedures.

He said at present, detection technology was not being sufficiently employed in critical infrastructure protection and the policy environment was weak.

Ex-IOD chief Guobadia dies at 90

•Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State (second left); Special Adviser to the Governor on Development Matters and Special Duties, Mrs. Sarah Pane (second right); Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr. Adeolu Akande (right); and Commissioner for Women Affairs, Social Development and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Atinuke Oshunkoya, during a visit by Mrs. Pane to the governor in Ibadan...on Wednesday.

PHOTO: GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

Summit urges Jonathan to give Nigerians peoples' Constitution

P

ARTICIPANTS at the just concluded two-day National Political summit in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, have canvassed for peoples' Constitution if Nigeria is to come out of her current woes.

The members, under the aegis of Nigeria Consensus Group, reasoned that the greatest service President Goodluck Jonathan would render to Nigerians is to be the first President to give the people a constitution deriving its source of authority as supreme law, directly from them, otherwise known as a Peoples' Constitution.

The resolutions at the summit were signed by two representatives each from the six geo-political zones in the country.

Prof. Ben Nwabueze signed as the convener, Chief Ayo Adebayo chairman, Chief

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

Anselem Eyo for South-South, Dr. Tunji Abayomi South West, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife South East, Hajia Ramatu Bala Usman North Central, Air CDR Dan Suleiman rtd North East, Senator Isa Kachako North West, while Oluwale Okunniyi signed as secretary Project Nigeria (Nigeria Consensus Group).

The summit also called on the President to broaden the scope of national dialogue regarding the 'monster', insecurity and political instability, noting that, such would give him opportunity to hear from all sections as a prelude to the national conference.

The group appealed to government at all levels to be committed to the indivisibility and indissolubility of Nigeria as a sovereign state, adding

that, such would further guarantee peace, stability and progress.

They said: "A polity or state rest on a very weak foundation if the source of authority of its constitution , as the supreme law of the land, is not the people's directed, acting as a constituent assembly and a referendum, that is what characterizes a constitution as a democratic one otherwise called a people constitution.

"It is true to say that since the democratic revolution that swept across the globe from 1989, most countries of the world, certainly more than 85 percent of them, Nigeria not included, accept and implemented the democratic motion of the people as the source of authority of the constitution as the supreme law of the land."

They went further: "Notes with satisfaction that perhaps

the greatest service President Goodluck Jonathan will render to the peoples of Nigeria is to be the first President to give the people a constitution deriving its source of authority as supreme law, directly from them, otherwise known as a Peoples' Constitution.

"Accordingly implores him to send an Executive Bill to the National Assembly containing the provision to be embodied in such a constitution which after submission to, an approval by the people at a Referendum will become a Peoples' Constitution".

"Whilst commending President Goodluck Jonathan for initiating the Transformation agenda, impress him to expand its scope to embrace the entire polity and society with a view to creating a New Nigeria and a New Society based on justice, equity and morality."

THE founding President of the Institute of Directors (IOD), Nigeria chapter, Chief Anofi Salawu Guobadia, is dead.

Aged 90, he died on August 31 in Florida, USA. His eldest son, Ogbe, said his father died “after some medical challenges, including those related to age.”

Guobadia, the Aisagbonrioba of Benin, was the first President and District Governor of Rotary International in Nigeria.

He founded the Rotary Club in Ibadan in 1961 after returning to Nigeria from his Electrical Engineering studies at the Regent Polytechnic, London, UK, where he was the development engineer for Rediffussion (Nigeria) Ltd, in charge of the then Western Region.

The deceased was on the boards of companies in sectors including banking, insurance, agriculture, retail, trading, healthcare and manufacturing.

His survivors include Ogbe and Felitia, Orhue and Bayo Imosemi, Osato Guobadia, his grandson Adonye Guobadia and relations.

•The late Guobadia

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

6

NEWS Nigerians insist on National Conference •Jonathan hails Gani Fawehinmi at fourth annual lecture

S

PEAKERS at the fourth annual Gani Fawehinmi Lecture yesterday said Nigeria has not made any meaningful headway, despite staying together in 100 years of nationhood.

They also said nothing has changed since the death of Chief Gani Fawehinmi, a frontline lawyer, who died in the struggle for the emancipation of the poor and the op-

pressed.

Various speakers noted that a National Conference should be convoked soon so that Nigeria can make progress.

They said it is at the round-table the people would decide on several issues to resolve the nation’s sundry challenges.

President Goodluck Jonathan, in his speech at the event, said the late Fawehinmi stood for the change that the nation

•From left: State Commissioner for Integration and Inter-Government Affairs, Mr. Funmilayo Afuye; All Progressives Congress (APC) Interim Legal Adviser, Dr. Muiz Banire; guest lecturer, Prof Taye Olorode; wife of the Gani Fawehinmi, Ganiyat; Chairman, Amuwo-Odofin Local Government of Lagos State, Comrade Ayodele Akele; Chairperson, Campaign for Democracy (CD), Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin and former Petroleum Minister, Prof Tam David-West, at the Fourth Annual Gani Fawehinmi Lecture in Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: DAYO ADEWUMI

By Uyoatta Eshiet

enjoys today.

The President said the iconic crusader fought and died for his country.

Dr Jonathan described the late Fawehinmi as a defender of the poor and the rule of law, adding that he was a patriot and a statesman, whose love for Ni-

geria and the people’s well-being were unparalleled .

The President said his administration would keep the promises it made to Nigerians, including improvement in infrastructure, electricity, security, transportation and governance, which the late legal icon lived and died for.

In a lecture, titled: Niger-

ia Centenary: Does it Worth Celebration? with a subtheme: The State of Nigeria After Gani, the guest lecturer Prof Omotoye Olorode said the characterisation of the Nigerian nation depends on who is doing the characterisation.

He noted that the characterisation has its beneficiar-

Nasarawa community accuses al-Makura, others of fuelling Ombatse violence

S

OME alleged comments

by Nasarawa State Governor Umaru Tanko alMakura were yesterday said to be responsible for the increased violence by the Ombatse group.

Ombatse members were also accused of killing 21 and burning over 1,000 houses belonging to the Alago people of Assakio town in Lafia East Development Area of Lafia Local Government Area.

Two federal lawmakers and a serving commissioner in Nasarawa State were listed among the alleged “promoters, sponsors, financiers, aiders and abettors of Ombatse in Assakio town”.

The accusations were in a memorandum submitted by the Alago people of Assakio town to the Justice Joseph Fola Gbadeyan-led nine-man Judicial Commission of Enquiry.

The panel is probing the killing of over 50 security personnel in an ambush, allegedly by members of Ombatse in Lakyo village on May 7, as well as other violent crises in the state.

The Alago community’s counsel, Yakubu Hassan, read the memorandum yesterday.

He also led the only witness, Prince Elayun Owara, in evidence before the panel sitting in Lafia, the state capital.

The memorandum was joint-

F

From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

ly signed by Owara, Maji Elayo, Iliya Ashokpa, Usman Elayaba, Dantala Usman and Muhammed Osewoya.

The community blamed the incessant conflicts between the Eggon and Alago people on the ownership of Assakio town, the payment of royalties on designated farmlands to the paramount chief of Assakio, the demand by Eggon people for a separate chiefdom and the personality clashes between Alago and Eggon chiefs.

The residents advised that government’s pronouncements during a crisis or on sensitive matters be done with caution.

The memorandum reads: “The Eggon militia group (Ombatse), from all over Eggon land and those in Assakio, launched an attack on Assakio town on Friday, June 1, 2012, in which lives and unimaginable property were lost. The entire Assakio town was razed.

“The Wakilin Eggon (Umaru Avre Tsaku) alleged that the attack on Assakio was a reaction to an act of provocation by the Alago people in Assakio who lord themselves over Eggon people.

“After the attack on Assakio, the Ombatse re-grouped again within Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area for their ini-

tiation rites. Security agents, who went there to find out what was going on, were attacked, injured; their arms seized and their vehicles burnt.

“Following this breakdown of law and order, the people of Nasarawa State, with good conscience, vilified the activities of the Ombatse. But Governor alMakura defended them. He said as citizens of Nasarawa State and Nigeria, the Eggon people were free to practise whatever religion they wanted, including their tradition.

“He added that it was wrong for the security agents to interrupt the activities of the Ombatse.

This action of the governor further strengthened the activities of Ombatse.”

The petitioners said three weeks after their initiation rites, the Eggon (Ombatse) attacked the Koro (Mighili) people of Gwandenye/Agyaragu. They blamed the attack on the alleged bid by the Eggon people to take over the administration of Agyaragu from the Koro people “who are the original owners”.

The community added that from the various comments allegedly made by the national leaders of Ombatse in their open letter to President Goodluck Jonathan, “it is clear that every member of Ombatse (Eggon militia group) is an Eggon person (though not every Eggon

person is an Ombatse).

“Ombatse is a cult and not a spiritual or religious body of the Eggon people. This is because no religion discriminates against women, children and other ethnic groups. The Eggon people have pent-up grievances, which they harbour against other ethnic groups within Nasarawa South Senatorial District (such as Alago, Mighili, Gwandara, among others).

“Tthe Eggon people (through their militia group) are preparing for a showdown during the 2015 governorship election in the state, thus preparing to take it by force.

“The Ombatse (militia group) has been uncomfortable with the security agencies in the state. The opportunity came their way and they took their pound of flesh at Alakyo village.”

On the remote causes of the conflicts between the Alago and their Eggon neighbours, the community said: “Both the Alago people of Assakio and their Eggon neighbours have contended the ownership and first settler (status) of Assakio and, therefore, the paramount chieftaincy of Assakio chiefdom. “...Therefore, it was the question of indigene and settler that infuriated the Eggon to unleash terror on the Alago people of Assakio as a result of slight provocation.”

Danjuma visits Suntai in Jalingo

ORMER Defence Minister, General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, yesterday visited ailing Taraba State Governor Danbaba Suntai at the Government House in Jalingo, the state capital.

Danjuma is an illustrious son of the state, which is locked in a bitter struggle for power between Suntai and his deputy Garba Umar, who has been given the nod to continue as acting governor.

Suntai spent 10 months in Germany and the United States, treating the injuries he sustained after the plane he pi-

From Fanen Ihyongo

loted crashed in Yola, Adamawa State, on October 25, last year.

Danjuma is the third caller since Suntai’s return on August 25.

Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako visited Suntai on August 27.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Fact-Finding Committee, headed by Senator Hope Uzodima, met with Suntai on September 3.

Danjuma landed at the Jalingo Airport at 10:40a.m in an aircraft marked M-SAPL.

He was driven to the Government House in a convoy.

The former Defence minister spent about 30 minutes with the governor in his inner sitting room. He prayed for Suntai to get well soon.

He did not speak to reporters before leaving the Government House.

A family source quoted him as telling the governor’s wife, Hauwa, to “feel free, your husband will soon be strong”.

Suntai reportedly thanked Dunjama for visiting him.

He was said to have recalled how Danjuma visited

•Suntai

him at the Hannover Hospital in Germany and at the Sea View Hospital Rehabilitation Centre and Home in New York, the United States.

ies and victims, those he called two contending forces.

Prof Olorode said the reasons to reduce macroeconomic volatility, corruption, inequality and other challenges, which the late Fawehinmi and others fought for, are still prevalent.

He said there must be a com-

plete reversal of the present order.

Ekiti State Govenor Kayode Fayemi, who was represented

by Mr Funminiyi Afuye, the commissioner for Information and Strategy, said the lecture was becoming an important platform for discussing pertinent issues on the state of the Nigeria.

2015 behind political crises, says Fed Govt From Vincent Ikuomola and Nike Adebowale, Abuja

T

HE political crises in the country are all about 2015, the Federal Government said yesterday.

Information Minister Labaran Maku said it was obvious that the welfare of the people and development of the country were not driving those behind the crises.

Maku, who spoke on burning national issues, wondered why President Goodluck Jonathan was being blamed for the nation’s problems.

He noted that in the last two years, Dr Jonathan has done his best to improve the situation he met in the country.

The minister urged politicians to play politics according to books without overheating the political environment.

He said: “To become a councillor, a governor, a National Assembly member and President, that is what the fight is all about.

The fight is not about your welfare; it’s not about the economy; it’s not about development. What I can say is that every politician should play the game according to rules and remember that power comes from God. “...You will not become the President just because you are tearing down the system. So, we must focus on God and not heat up the system unnecessarily. Nigeria is for all of us. We can’t stop anybody from becoming President. “ But the truth of the matter is that our behavior must promote peace and orderliness as politicians and ordinary citizens must assess the situation. This is because if it is about development, we will know it. But you can see that it is our ambition that is driving the current things we see in the political atmosphere. I am sure the system will take care of it and God will continue to secure Nigeria.

God has already written those that will lead. We are only struggling as human beings. So, you do not have to kill anybody to be President or to tear anybody down or blackmail anyone.”

22 states’ APGA chairmen join APC

T

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday received 22 state chairmen of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) into its fold.

Besides, five members of the National Working Committee (NWC) also defected from APGA to the APC. Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha presented the members to APC Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja. He said the defectors were those recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Okorocha said the former APGA chieftains were joining the APC because of “the impact we have made so far”. Former Niger State APGA Chairman Shuaibu Kawu said the APC was offering them the opportunities they had lost. He said there is a better Nigeria ahead, if APC forms the government at the centre.

Kawu hailed Okorocha, saying: “He was there and he came to harmonise us. I believe Nigeria has a better tomorrow with the APC.” Those who joined the APC yesterday include: Lagos StateAPGA Chairman, Prince Adesina Olayokun; APGA Assistant National Secretary, Chief Mrs. Olufunmilayo Onwubiko; APGA Assistant National Women Leader, Southwest, Mrs. Oby Ozenna and Cross River State APGA Chairman, Prince Atep Frederick.

Others are: Kogi State APGA Chairman, Nuhu Mohammed Umar; Kaduna State APGA Chairman, Simeon Onyema; Imo State APGA Chairman, Prince Marshal Okaforanyanwu; Kano State APGA Chairman, A. A . Idris; Katsina State APGA Chairman, Adamu Dahiru; Nassarawa State APGA Chairman, Nwogu Kingsley; Kaduna State APGA Chairman, Chief Simeon Onyema, among others.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

NEWS Quit politics now, Tsav advises Tukur

T

HE National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has been told to quit politics by a former Lagos State Commissioner of Police Abubakar Tsav.

Tsav said Tukur should devote the rest of his life “to philanthropy”.

Tsav, in a text message to The Nation, said Tukur by all standards is a fulfilled man.

He listed some of Tukur’s achievements as: a former governor of the old Gongola State; administrator of the

Augustine Avwode, Assist Editor

sea ports, and acclaimed businessman, with connections both in Nigeria and beyond.

He said: “The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur ,was once the governor of the old Gongola State after serving as general manager, NPA. He holds a traditional title from Adamawa.

He ‘chairmans’, International Business Organisation, a successful businessman and well connected.

PDP has always been in crises, says Ndoma-Egba

C

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

RISES have been court of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) since it was formed, Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba told reporters in Calabar yes-

terday.

“I don’t remember a time there has not been a problem in PDP,” he said.

He said the party had survived bigger crisis than the one rocking it now.

“It is a simple family irritation and it would be resolved soon,” he said.

He said the presence of crisis meant the party was alive.

“If there is no crisis, it means the party is either dead or run by a single individual. Crisis is what assures the individual that it is alive. The bigger the party, the bigger the crisis. It is a normal thing. In due time, it would be resolved.

The PDP still remains one party. We don’t have different logos or colours or motto. So we are still one,” he said.

Activist to Jonathan: forget second term

A

By Emmanuel Oladesu

HUMAN rights activist, Phrank Shuaib, yesterday urged President Goodluck Jonathan to jettison his second-term bid and quit the stage in 2015 in national interest.

He also advised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, to resign from office, for peace to rein in the party.

Shuaib told reporters in Lagos that merit and performance of presidential candidates would determine their acceptance at the general election, adding that the President may not have concrete achievements to advertise.

He said Tukur has lost the support of the PDP faction chaired

by Alhaji Kawu Baraje and urged him to make a sacrifice in the interest of the party. In his view, if these concessions are made, peace would return to the troubled ruling party.

Shuaib blamed President Jonathan for not resolving the Rivers State PDP crisis, lamenting that the controversy stirred by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) chairmanship election has now consumed the mainstream PDP, led by Tukur.

He blamed the President for his tacit approval of the undemocratic steps taken by Tukur, including the suspension of Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, the exclusion of key members from the delegate’s lists for the controversial national convention, expulsion of national officers by the Rivers chapter, and victimisation of perceived foes.

Shuaib said: “My advice is that President Jonathan should look at the mirror and see if there is any reflection of a President. The surest way to re-election is performance in office. A successful one-term is better than 15 years in office. The President is not pursuing the aspirations of the people”.

Health workers urge govt to sustain family planning From Tayo Johnson and Diamond Adebowale, Ibadan

T

HE Principal Nursing Officer and Matron in charge of family planning at the Agbongbon Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Ibadan, Mrs Folasade Olatunde, has urged the government to sustain family planning.

Mrs Olatunde spoke yesterday during a facility tour of two family planning clinics in Ibadan by the Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative(NURHI).

The family planning clinics are Agbongbon PHC in Ibadan South East Local Government Area and Oniyanrin PHC in Ibadan North West Local Government Area.

Mrs Olatunde said the government must take over at the end of NURHI’s free family planning programme .

She said family planning helps families in planning their homes and improving standard of living.

The matron added that NURHI had helped to increase awareness on family planning.

According to her, family planning has reduced the number of unwanted pregnancies, abortion and deaths.

The Chief Nursing Officer at Oniyanrin PHC, Mrs Solademi Oluwatoyin, said the the government must intervene at the end of NURHI’s free family planning programme.

She said: “Before the inception of NURHI, we used to have about 45 to 60 clients in a month but since the programme started we have about 600 clients a month since commodities are free.”

“By world standards, he is rich and should be a comfortable man. By age, he is ripe for retirement from active politics, if he cherishes his name and integrity. It is time for him to quit politics and devote the rest of his life to philanthropy.”

Tsav said people involuntarily invite tribulations to themselves by giving into greed and selfishness.

“What else does Alhaji Tukur want in life? Mr Nelson Mandela fought apartheid headlong and was arrested and jailed for 27 years. On his release, he was elected president of RSA (Republic of South Africa). He offered to serve for just one term. Today, the world holds him in high esteem. Greed and selfishness invite tribulations.”

7

• Son of Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, Diran and his wife Nike at their wedding in Sagamu, Ogun State.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

8

NEWS ‘Leaders lack moral values’ From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

L

ACK of moral values is responsible for the various conflicts in the coun-

try.

The pioneer Chairman of the defunct Action Congress (AC) in Oyo State, Chief Samuel Farinu, spoke with reporters yesterday in Oyo town.

To address the nation’s challenges, Farinu said leaders must have moral values, which would guide their actions.

He said: “Our society lacks discipline and goals. People only pursue their personal desires. This brings us to the principle upon which the moral system of a future Nigeria should be established.”

Describing the Governor Abiola Ajimobi administration as “accountable”, Farinu said: “People are happy with the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration because it has showed concern about the people’s well being, as regards the welfare of workers and infrastructural development.”

He said a good leader must rule with the fear God, listen to wise counsel and shun sycophancy.

Osun PDP dissociates self from Oyinlola’s faction

T

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State has dissociated itself from the factional national executive council, which has Alhaji Baraje as its chairman and former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola as secretary.

Osun PDP Chairman Alhaji Gani Ola-Oluwa and leader of the Elders Committee Alhaji Shaub Oyedokun spoke with reporters yesterday in Osogbo, the state capital, after the party’s meeting.

They said any member that

•APC says party is haunted From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

associates with the Baraje faction would be sanctioned.

Describing the group as illegal, Oyedokun pledged their support for President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

He said the process for the discipline of Oyinlola and his followers has commenced, adding that the party would

pardon the former governor, if he apologises and retraces his steps.

Ola-Oluwa said the four PDP governorship aspirants - Senator Iyiola Omisore, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade, Senator Olasunkanmi Akinlabi and Mr. Wole Oke - were not in support of the factional group.

He said there was nothing unusual about the crisis in the PDP. Also at the meeting were Alhaji Suaib Oyedokun, Chief

Abiola Ogundokun, Chief Gunju Adesakin and Chief Dosu Oladipo, among others.

Minister of State for Defence Erelu Olusola Obada; former PDP National ViceChairman, Southwest; Alhaji Taju Oladipo; the four governorship aspirants and Senator Olu Alabi were absent.

Ola-Oluwa said some of the absentees sent their representatives and solidarity messages.

Also yesterday, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state described the PDP

Publisher collapses in court

Army hands over 27 drug suspects to NDLEA

From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

T

HE Guards Brigade of the Nigerian Army yesterday handed over 27 suspected drug dealers to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The suspects were arrested by men of the Brigade in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its environs.

Commander of the Brigade Brig-Gen Emmanuel Atewe said the arrests were made with the help of other security agencies.

He said the brigade would continue to work with the NDLEA to rid the FCT of drug dealers and their agents.

Brig-Gen Atewe said: We are encouraged that some of the drug suspects we handed over to you are being prosecuted. Your request for continued collaboration and other auxiliary services is granted.

“I thank you for the effort you are making to rehabilitate arrested drug dealers and users and all you are doing to the service of God and humanity.”

‘FGC Odogbolu has improved’

By Precious Igbonwelundu

S

TAKEHOLDERS of the Federal Government College, Odogbolu in Ogun State have been urged to sustain the goodwill enjoyed by the institution.

A parent, Mr. Abdur Oladeinde, yesterday urged executives of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) to use internal means to resolve crisis.

He said the school’s progress has positively affected the result of the pupils and urged parents to assist the school where necessary.

Oladeinde said: “It is a known fact that the school has never had it so good. The progress going on there is clearly visible. The environment is more conducive for teaching and learning and this shows in the pupils’ results.”

as a “haunted house full of skeletons of expired politicians”.

In a statement by its Publicity Director, Kunle Oyatomi, APC said: “The level of perfidy playing out at the national and state levels portrays the party in a very bad light. The core of the internal wrangling in the PDP is one of the fundamental breaches of trust between factions within the party - a situation that is unhelpful for the image of the country at home and abroad.

“The PDP is totally unworthy of being in charge of governance, especially now that the country is facing serious existential challenges. What the PDP has made of itself is not only a shame to democratic politics in Nigeria, it also warns us not to put our future in the hands of these selfish politicians, who are lumped up in the PDP for the purpose of exploiting Nigerians and stealing the country’s resources.”

From Grace Obike, Abuja

T •Wife of the Ekiti State governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, inaugurating the Otun-Ekiti Women Development Centre. With her are Commissioner for Arts, Tourism and Culture Mrs. Ronke Okusanya; Commissioner for Women Affairs, Social Development and Gender Empowerment Mrs. Fola Richie-Adewusi (behind Mrs. Okunsanya); and Moba Local Government Caretaker Committee Chairman Adeyeye Adeleke.

T

‘Traders vital to economic growth’

HE President-General of the Traders in Nigeria, Mrs. Sade TinubuOjo, yesterday said traders are vital to economic growth.

She urged market women to support the government to bring about positive changes.

Mrs. Tinubu-Ojo said women remain the pillar of commerce, “owing to their intrinsic attributes”.

She spoke in Emure-Ekiti during the presentation of cash and a bus to traders in the council by the Ekiti State governor’s wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi.

Mrs. Tinubu-Ojo said: “You are regarded as the pillars of any nation, so you should play your role in building the economy of this country.”

Two weeks ago, Mrs. Fayemi started a tour of markets in the 16 councils.

Presenting the gifts to the Acting Iyaloja in the council, Mrs. Rachael Abegunde, the governor’s wife urged them to make judicious use of the cash.

She said: “If well used, the money can bring consider-

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

able improvement in your lives and businesses. The bus and money are meant to advance your businesses. The bus

A

is for you to attend to issues within and outside the state.

“I assure you that the state government will build modern markets in all council headquartres as you request-

ed. You said your markets lack toilets, water and other facilities. I assure you that the proposed markets will meet your desires and boost your businesses.”

90mw project for Ogun next year

N indigenous electricity firm, Bresson A.S. Nigeria, will inaugurate its 90 mega watts project in Magboro, Ogun State, in the fourth quarter of next year.

Its Chairman, Mr. Gbenga Olawepo, told the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, in Abuja yesterday.

In 2004, the Federal Government approved the firm as an Independent Power Producer (IPP) to sell electricity under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) and subsequently the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

Olawepo said: “The project has the full cooperation of the Nigerian government in col-

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

laboration with the IEG of Slovakia Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract and the General Electric, United States (US), which is the equipment supplier.

“On February 28, last year, we executed an EPC contract from which we have configured two units of GE LM 6000.

The firm was conceived in the wake of the Lagos State/Enron partnership.

“It was then the only IPP without the financial involvement of any state or the Federal Government. This project has evolved through the years, seeking the right policy environment, including the availability of a cost re-

coverable tariff for the grid, credible off-taker and reliable fuel supply.

“Tremendous progress has been made by the Federal Government in the implementation of the electricity sector reforms with the successful privatisation of some distributing and generating companies. If the current momentum is sustained power outage should be a thing of the past in Nigeria in the next five years.

“The reform rests on two legs: Privatisation of existing companies and the promotion of independent power generation through green field IPPs. We need to get more support for the IPPs to come on stream.

They are the ones bringing additional capacities.”

HE publisher of the Desert Herald, Mr. Tukur Mamu, yesterday collapsed in an Abuja Magistrate’s Court.

Mamu was arrested by the police and detained at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, for alleged extortion and blackmail.

He was accused of blackmailing the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Bala Mohammed.

Mamu allegedly threatened to publish “incriminating reports” about the minister, if he did not pay him some money.

At his arraignment yesterday, the publisher collapsed when the Magistrate, Mr. Tony Ubani, said he would be remanded in police custody until the investigation is concluded.

Magistrate Ubani ordered that the police take him to the hospital for treatment in protective custody.

He said subject to his recovery, Mamu should be brought to the court next Thursday.

The Magistrate said if Mamu is certified fit to face trial before Thursday, he should be brought to the court on Monday.

Mamu was taken to the Wuse General Hospital, where he was admitted in a private ward.

Sources at the hospital said he was stable, but the state of his health would be known when the results of his medical tests are out.

Lagos to phase out rickety food distribution vans

T

HE Lagos State government yesterday introduced new vans and trucks for the distribution of perishable food items.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Co-operatives Prince Gbolahan Lawal presented them at astakeholders meeting with perishable food vendors, automobile manufacturers and financial homes.

He said the development was to get rid of the rickety vehicles currently being used and reduce microbial haz-

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

ards.

Lawal said: “The essence of food hygiene in Lagos State is to enforce standard and grade quality of post-harvest agricultural produce (both raw and processed). It is also to ensure that post-harvest agricultural produce compete favourably in the international market.

“The vehicles they use for the distribution of perishable food items are not road worthy, especially with the

carbon emission that is prevalent in our society.

“That is why we created this opportunity for them to have new vehicles. We have invited vehicle manufacturers and banks’ representatives to ensure that new distribution vans replace the rickety ones.

“This will reduce post-harvest loss from 40 per cent to less than five per cent. This is the thrust of the stakeholders meeting. It is our responsibility to educate people involved in the distribution chain of the government’s

plan for them.”

He said food vendors requested for the vans after meat distribution vans were changed.

The commissioner said: “Having seen the change in the meat distribution system, the perishable food sellers wrote to the government to initiate the system for them.

The new system will also create jobs.”

Commissioner for Transportation Kayode Opeifa urged the vendors to nominate some of their members

•Lawal

to be part of the state traffic mayors.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

9

NEWS

Fashola warns drivers against alcohol

L

AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola has warned commercial drivers against taking alcohol and narcotic drugs before driving.

He said statistics showed that many road accidents were caused by substance abuse by drivers.

Fashola spoke yesterday at the New Garage Motor Park in Bariga during the Motor Park Health and Safety Awareness Campaign organised by the ministries of Health and Transportation as well as Guinness Nigeria Plc. The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs. Adejoke OrelopeAdefulire, said: “The aim of the initiative is to reduce road accidents and ensure the safety of road users. It is also aimed at increasing awareness about mental health and what can be done to prevent, as well as cure it.

Ondo FRSC: we’ll flush out bad eggs

•Lagos, Guinness sensitise drivers It is part of the composite health care plan for the sustainability of our people and to improve the life expectancy rate.”

He said since the campaign began in 2011, over 2,500 commercial drivers have been screened for blood alcohol content, substance abuse, hypertension and diabetes.

Fashola said: “The campaign has been taken to Ojota, Iyana-Ipaja and Oyingbo motor parks and the screening team include doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians, pharmacists and pharmaceutical technicians, officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) and Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) and administrative workers.”

He said of the 884 drivers

screened at the Ojota Motor Park, 239 were hypertensive and 86 diabetic.

Fashola said 60 tested positive to substance abuse and 287 had excessive blood alcohol level.

He said: “Of the 988 drivers screened at the Oyingbo Motor Park, 363 were hypertensive; 156 diabetic, 59 tested positive to cocaine/ marijuana, and 494 tested positive to the breathalyzer.

Of the 1,025 drivers screened at the Iyana-Ipaja Motor Park, 162 were hypertensive, 71 diabetic, 103 tested positive to cocaine/marijuana and 215 had excessive alcohol in their blood.

“Let us resolve today that we will stop taking a gamble with our lives. Every time you drink Alomo and Paraga and get behind the wheel with drugs in your

system, it is like putting a loaded gun to one’s head and wondering if it can kill or not. It is a huge risk to take and we should stop it.”

Commissioner for Health Jide Idris said many lives could be saved by preventing avoidable accidents.

Commissioner for Transport Kayode Opeifa urged drivers to dislodge drug and alcohol hawkers from motor parks.

He said the Drivers’ Institutes in Epe, Ikorodu, Oshodi, Ikeja and Lagos Island were built to train motorists, both private and public, on safe driving techniques.

Opeifa said from October 1, any commercial driver that is not certified by the institute would not be allowed to operate in the state.

The Managing Director,

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

T

•Fashola

Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Seni Adetu, who was represented by the Head of Sustainability and Responsibility Unit, decried irresponsible consumption of alcohol by commercial drivers.

He said: “The major objective of this programme is to raise awareness on the dangers of irresponsible alcohol consumption and to induce a change in the attitude of commercial motorists to drink driving.”

Use excess crude fund to build roads, markets, says Ajimobi

O

YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has directed council chairmen to use their share of the excess crude oil fund and the Millennium Development Goals’ (MDGs’) funds to build and rehabilitate roads, markets and health centres.

Ido Local Government Chairman Prof. Joseph

E

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

Olowofela spoke with reporters yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, while inaugurating some projects.

The projects include the Alexandra Junction-Bembo road; Oke-Alaro-Alexandra road, Apata; Kuola road linking New Garage, a neigh-

bourhood market at BodeIgbo and a motorised borehole.

He said the governor’s directive showed that the administration was committed to the people’s welfare.

Olowofela said: “We are getting our funds from the excess crude oil cash. We are not only building markets,

Cholera kills eight in Oyo

IGHT people have died of cholera in Egbeda Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Over 12 people were hospitalised but nine have been discharged.

Health Commissioner Muyiwa Gbadegesin and his Environment and Habitat counterpart Mr. Lowo Obisesan were at the council yesterday on a fact-finding and enlightenment mission.

They urged the people to keep their environment

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

clean and distributed drugs to them. The commissioners and officials of two ministries supervised the treatment of wells and fumigated the area.

One of the officials said: “We have mapped out strategies to ensure that the disease does not spread beyond Egbeda.”

It was gathered that the government had concluded arrangements to build hospitals in the council.

It was learnt that officials of the two ministries and the World Health Organisation (WHO) would be mobilised to all hospitals and health centres in the 33 local government areas to prevent the spread of the disease.

The government has begun an enlightenment programme on state-owned media stations on cholera prevention.

Residents have been urged to report cases of stooling and vomiting to the nearest hospital.

Family accuses police of killing kinsman

T

HE family of a 28year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, has accused the police of killing him.

The deceased, simply identified as Lukman, was a night guard at Agodi Spare Parts Market.

He was allegedly tortured to death last Friday by policemen at Gate 2 Division.

The late Lukman, who also worked as a vulcaniser at Irefin Junction, was employed as a night guard at the ceramic and Aluminium section of the Motor Spare Parts Sellers’ Association at Gate.

It was learnt that his employers accused him of taking part in a robbery at the market and reported to the police.

The late Lukman was arrested and locked up, but he was found dead two days later, when his family visited the station.

The police said the suspect committed suicide.

His family and youths at Irefin, where Lukman lived, have questioned the police’s

•’He committed suicide’ From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

claim.

Police spokesperson Olabisi Ilobanafor said Lukman committed suicide with the tunic he was wearing.

She said: “His cell mates were there and they can tes-

tify to it. A physical examination of his body showed that his tongue was outside.

How can anybody say he was tortured to death?”

Ilobanafor said an autopsy was carried out, adding that the Police Commissioner, Mohammed Indabawa had ordered a probe.

‘Leaders lack moral values’

L

From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

ACK of moral values is responsible for the various conflicts in the country, pioneer Chairman of the defunct Action Congress (AC) in Oyo State, Chief Samuel Farinu, told reporters yesterday in Oyo town.

To address the nation’s challenges, Farinu said leaders must have moral values, which would guide their actions.

He said: “Our society lacks discipline and goals. People only pursue their personal desires. This brings us to the principle upon which the moral system of a future Nigeria should be established.”

Describing the Governor Abiola Ajimobi administration as “accountable”, Farinu said: “People are happy with the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration because it has showed concern about the people’s well being, as regards the welfare of workers and infrastructural development.”

He said a good leader must rule with the fear God, listen to wise counsel and shun sycophancy.

we will build strategic roads, such as the Oloruntumo and Aba Nla roads. We will also do the front of Bembo.

“I also mentioned the MDGs project. We are lucky that this local government is one of the beneficiaries of the MDGs programme. We are going to execute a project worth about N200 million, to be completed in four months.

Olowofela is a former Head of the Physics Department of the Federal Univer-

sity of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The Baale of the BodeIgbo, Chief Muraina Agbomeji, said: “This is what we have been expecting from the government and we thank God it has come to pass today through one of my sons, Olowofela.

Some people said he is not from Ibadan because they are ignorant, but we, the elders, know he is truly from here. We thank the governor for making this happen.”

HE Ondo State Command of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) yesterday warned its officers against indiscipline.

Speaking after decorating young officers, who had just been promoted, the Head of Operations (HoP), Sunday Ajayi, said the command would continue to encourage dedicated officers.

The officers are: Mr. Emmanuel Fadero, Mr. Buraimo Olufemi and Mrs. Yetunde Fabunmi.

Ajayi said: “Just as we are rewarding hard work, anybody found wanting would face punitive measures.”

He said officers found wanting in the past were sanctioned.

Ajayi hailed the officers and men of the command for their good conduct, saying in recent times, none has been involved in any offence that could lead to dismissal.

Urging them to be committed to their work, he said: “Promotion comes through hardwork, loyalty and dedication. I encourage you to continue to work hard in your respective duties.”

Speaking for his colleagues, Fadero said they would continue to put in their best.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

10

CITYBEATS

Teenager dies in Lagos fire

By Jude Isiguzo

A female teenager died in a fire incident on Wednesday night in Ikorodu on the outskirts of Lagos. Her parents and two other neighbours suffered first-degree burns, it was learnt yesterday.

It was gathered that the fire razed six rooms at their 30, Femi Ogunyeye Street, Ishawo, Ikorodu.

The teenager and others affected were said to have gone to bed when the fire started. Valuables worth millions of naira were lost in the incident.

Lagos State Director, Fire Service, Rasak Fadipe, who confirmed the incident, said those who suffered burns were being treated at an undisclosed hospital in the area.

Free health mission excites residents From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

“Individuals and corporate bodies must not leave the health of Nigerians in the hands of government alone. We must see it as a joint project to add value to human lives.”

With these words, the Elemo of Oke-Emo, Ilawe-Ekiti, High Chief Gbenga Agbona, explained the one-day free health mission he organised for his teeming subjects.

The programme attracted over 250 beneficiaries across the community who were tested on hypertension, blood pressure and given anti-malaria drugs among others.

Agbona urged government and corporate bodies to sensitise grassroots people, especially the aged, on the need to key into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

He lamented that ignorance had deprived most people, particularly rural dwellers, from enjoying the numerous healthcare opportunities in the scheme.

“Many people at the grassroots never heard about the NHIS; those that have heard about it don’t know how to access its services. This is why people must be more sensitised,” he said.

He said the programme was borne out of the felt need to assist the elders who are mostly farmers to be more conscious of their health, adding: “This is a way of complementing the state government’s efforts on health.” He urged other wellmeaning individuals spread in key positions to engage in free health care for the people.

Like Mrs Kehinde Egunjobi, an illustrious daughter of the town, the Chairman, Ekiti Southwest Local Government, Mr Yemi Alatise, praised Agbona, saying that the event would help those who are far away from health facilities to know the status of their health.

Describing the programme as a challenge for him to replicate same in his community, he noted: “There are little things you do which have far-reaching implications for the beneficiaries.

This is one of them.”

A beneficiary, Mr Fakolade Eleko, said: ”The event has afforded me the opportunity to know my health status and what to do to remain healthy.”

Oshodi family gets new leader

By Seun Akioye

THE Oshodi-Tapa Chieftaincy family of Lagos has described as false, the publications that a new Olori-Ebi had not been elected for the family. It said an election was held on June 3, and Alhaji Surakat Alabi-Oshodi from Ewumi branch, emerged winner.

Speaking to The Nation at the family house, Iga Oshodi in Epetedo Lagos Island, Alabi-Oshodi, said tall the branches of the family were represented at the “peaceful and transparent” election.

“There is no truth in the publications that there was no election. The person they claimed is Olori-Ebi was removed on March 22, 2009. We have documents to this effect. There is no truth in the allegations of any court injunction asking us to vacate the Iga Oshodi. I have been duly elected the Olori-Ebi by all the children of Oshodi and we have the evidence that a transparent election held,” Alabi-Oshodi said.

It was learnt that each family branch nominated a candidate for the election, while 10 branches voted. Kobile branch declined to nominate while Legbayi branch was absent.

According to documents made available to The Nation, two candidates stood for the election, namely: Dr Mustafa Oshodi and Alabi-Oshodi. While Mustafa got two votes, Alabi-Oshodi got eight. Also, 102 members of the family were reportedly present at the election.

Alabi-Oshodi said as the new family head, he had called a meeting of the entire family on August 10, with a view to solving the disaffection in the family, stressing that the family is ready to address the grievances of members.

“This challenge will be over. We are a family and whatever that is of concern can be discussed amicable. I want progress for this family. So, the family is open to discuss whatever issues,” he added.

Police to auction vehicles THE Ogun State Police Command has issued a twoweek ultimatum for the removal of recovered and abandoned vehicles and motorcycles at Lafenwa, OkeItoku, Odeda, Ilupeju, and Adatan divisions in the state.

The command’s spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said: “The vehicles will be sold by public auction if the owners fail to claim them within the period” On the list are: A Mercedes Benz car marked AV 723 EPE; Kia car (AJ 59 DDA), two taxi

cabs (XB 259 AKM, AA 908 AYE); Honda Accord (BU 131 FST); Peugeot 605 (EE 236 LSR); Nissan Primera (AZ 142 AGL); unmarked Toyota Hilux 24D, two unmarked Qlink motorbikes, five Lifan, three Bajaj, Nanfang, Licon, Supra, Bajaj, Jincheng, Onigqi, Locin, Supra (AV 723 EPE), Jincheng (QP 144 KTU, OY 672 DU), Bajaj Boxer (KSF 301 QA, QR 295 LND, QU 274 FFF, QS 141 KJA), Speed 11 (QL 651), Suzuki (QP 799 EKY, QN 881 LSR, OC 851 MEK), Skygo (QT 359 FST) and 16 registered Lifan bikes.

CITYBEATS LINE: 08023247888

W

HEN Mr Sola Elegbede, an estate agent, woke up on Tuesday, he never imagined that he would lose his threeyear-old grand-daughter, Ikeoluwa Abikejesu Olaniyi before night fall.

The day started like any other, but before nightfall, Elegbede’s household at 12/ 14, Oludegun Street Ire-Akari Estate, Isolo, a Lagos surburb, was in confusion. When The Nation visited yesterday, the family was mourning.

Family members, sympathisers and neighbours were still in shock over the death of Ikeoluwa who was smashed by their neighbour’s car.

Elegbede cut a pitiable look as he was inundated with calls of sympathy. Eventually, he settled down to narrate what led to Ikeoluwa’s death.

Elegbede said the girl lived with him and his wife from Monday to Friday as her parents work late because of the nature of their job.

“Ikeoluwa is my daughter’s child. My daughter stays in Ajao Estate; “She is an accountant and her husband is a banker. They work very late every day and come back around 9pm.

Ikeoluwa attended Jack & Jill Nursery/Primary School, IreAkari. I would go and pick Ikeoluwa and her younger sister on Monday and take them back on Saturday to their parents.”

At about 3pm that day, Elegbede sighted the girl close to the entrance of his flat and beckoned on her to come inside. “She hardly ate, but that day, she requested fried egg. But she left the food and went to sit by the entrance,” he said.

Elegbede got a call from a friend about a property and headed outside to attend to the business. “Ikeoluwa followed me outside, as she was fond of going out with me. She saw her mates playing in the compound with bicycle and joined them; so I left,” he said, adding: “I went to the next

• The late Ikeoluwa

• Elegbede

Girl, 3, crushed to death during lovers’ fight

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

house to honour the call. We had not started the discussion when someone called me that someone had hit my little daughter with a car.

“I thought she went to the road to play not knowing that it was inside the compound. I never knew that it was a lady that drove the car until we got to the police station. By the time I saw my wife with my late grand-daughter, blood was gushing out of one side of her head.

“I learnt a neighbour’s daughter had a misunderstanding with a boy, Chiboy, who was bent on making her his girlfriend, but she refused. I met them when they were quarrelling outside as I was coming back into the house. I was told the brother of my neighbour’s

daughter fought Chiboy somewhere along the road.

“I learnt that Chiboy and his sister arranged with a policeman to arrest my neighbour’s son; and that the sister who was ready for a showdown with his brother’s “girlfriend” drove home from Ire Akari Road in high speed. That was where my late grand-daughter who was playing with her peers got crushed and died on the spot.”

Elegbede alleged that the motorist and her brother alighted from the car and fled.

“But a riot policeman helped us to arrest the girl and her brother. We want the police to investigate the case for justice to be done”, he said.

A tear-soaked Elegbede’s youngest daughter, Adenike, said: “I left the house very early while she was still asleep only to return home

after the day’s work to learn about her death. Ikeoluwa was such a fun loving girl. She was loved by the family and neighbours. She was a smart and intelligent child; I will miss her presence and our conversation. She once said she wanted to become a lawyer in future.”

Plans were being made by the family to bury Ikeoluwa yesterday at the Atan Cemetery, Yaba, Lagos Mainland.

The Divisional Police Officer of Okota Police Station, Patricia IdahosaAmadin, confirmed the incident but referred The Nation to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ngozi Braide.

All efforts to get Braide failed. She said she was in a meeting and did not respond to the reporter’s SMS.

to a search. In the process, we recovered two guns and twelve live ammunition from Chioma's car. This led to the arrest of other members of her gang who had positioned themselves strategically to strike. They include: Michael Madu, 52; Okechukwu Jerome, 28; Amadi Igwe, 41; Raymond Chukwuka, 24, and Ignatius Okeredi, 27. One of them is on the run."

Chioma allegedly confessed to have made arrangement for the weapons but said the bone

of contention was a disputed land.

"We were not there to operate as robbers, but to settle a score over a land. I am a graduate of law. I was called to Bar in 2000 and I currently run a non-governmental organisation. Therefore, I cannot condescend so low to being a robber," she said, refusing to speak any further.

The suspects were yesterday charged to court on a threecount charge of robbery, conspiracy and unlawful possession of firearms.

Lawyer, six others charged with attempted robbery

A

35-year-old woman, said to be the selfstyled leader of a seven-man gang, has been arrested by operatives of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) in Ikeja, Lagos.

The suspect, Chioma Ezekwe, who claimed to have studied law at the University of Lagos, was arrested during a foiled attempt to rob a hotel in Ijaiye area of Lagos on Monday.

Chioma, popularly called Chao, and suspected members • President, Okota Lions Club, Lion Folashade Joseph, presenting a digital camera to the Vice Principal, Wesley Schools, Lawanson, Surulere, Lagos, Mr Solomon Addey, as part of the club's project to the less-privileged in the community.

With them is Lion Mojisola Maciver (left) and some pupils.

By Jude Isiguzo

of her gang, reportedly trailed a businessman who lodged at the hotel. The man was said to be carrying over N8 million which he intended to use in a business transaction with a man at the hotel.

Trouble came for the suspects when a worker of the hotel, who suspected their moves tipped off the police, which arrested them.

Police sources said: "When we received the call, we rushed there and subjected everyone

BUSINESS

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Oil block buyers may lose operating rights, says NNPC

T

HE Nigerian National Petroleum Corpora tion (NNPC) has warned investors interested in three shallow water oil blocks offered for sale by Chevron that buyers may lose the right to operate them.

According to Reuters, U.S.based Chevron is selling minority stakes in joint ventures that operate five oil blocks. The majority owner is the NNPC. Nigeria wants more direct ownership of its oil and gas through NNPC or local firms, leading several oil majors, including Chevron to dispose off assets in the oil and gas sector.

NNPC published a notice in local newspapersyester day, saying that there had been a “recent high level of interest shown by various investors in the on-going divestment program for OMLs 52, 53 and 55 by Chevron Nigeria”.

It reminded those considering investing that, although Chevron currently operates the blocks, NNPC has the right to take over the operatorship as majority shareholder. Chevron owns 40 per cent of the blocks and NNPC, 60 per cent.

“Chevron shall cease to be the operator upon assignment of their participating interest,” it said, adding that prospective buyers should note that automatic operatorship does not come with the acquisition of any of these blocks.

Not having operatorship poses significant risks for would be investors in the fields, not least that the NNPC’s development subsidiary, NPDC, lacks the finance and expertise. It has usually had to call in a thirdparty operator anyway.

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

11 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

BoA gets N15b for on-lending to farmers at single-digit

T

HE Federal Govern ment has granted the Bank of Agriculture (BoA) N15 billion for onlending to farmers at a single-digit for the 2013 farming season.

In addition, government has authorised the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) to proceed with the privatisation of the agric bank to allow private investors participate in facilitating cheaper access of credit to farmers.

The Vice President, Namadi Sambo, who stated this yesterday at the closing of the 19th Nigerian Economic Summit (NES) in Abuja, said government was aware of the problems Nigerian farmers faced with regards to access to financing and the current high interest rate charged by banks on credit.

To solve these problems, the federal government, had to take steps to remove bottlenecks in the agricultural sector

• Privatisation of Agric Bank approved From Nduka Chiejina, (Asst Editor)

to allow for growth and development, he said, adding that government will ensure that land security would be provided for investors in the agric sector as the Presidential Committee on Land Reforms has reached advanced stage in its work, and would brief the National Economic Council (NEC) next month.

Sambo described these policy initiatives as short term measures because government was already putting in place mechanisms to facilitate long term access of credit to farmers.

According to Sambo, “government is strongly committed to unlocking the economic potentials of the agricultural sector to ensure food security, generate wealth and create jobs.”

He advocated for the diversification “from oil and the

agricultural sector is where Nigeria has strong comparative advantage. The face of agriculture has changed in this country and it is refreshing to note that agriculture is no longer development programme but a business.”

With regards to the Presidential Committee on Land Reforms, Sambo noted that “this committee has reached an advanced stage and the Minister of Planning has been directed to put them in the agenda for the next month’s National Economic Council meeting for presentation and consideration of that council.

Without security of land it will be difficult for investors to have the confidence needed to invest in land improvements.”

Vice President Namadi Sambo also disclosed that the coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi

Okonjo-Iweala was working out modalities for setting up a Nigerian Development Bank that “would allow access to fund for infrastructural development and provide long term fund at low interest rates in Nigeria. That will enhance doing business in Nigeria.”

At the end of the summit it was recommended that the Growth Enhancement Scheme should be backed up with appropriate legislation at states and federal levels; state governments and private sector partnership in land clearing for small holder farmers; implementation of the NEPAD/CADAP recommendation of deploying 10 per cent of the annual budget to agriculture as well as building capacity of the Ministries Departments and Agencies of government to understand, own and implement the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) to ensure its sustenance beyond the current administration.

• From left: Director of Security Services, Sir Wendell Ogunedo; Leader of the Team; Mr E.C Walers; Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr George Uriesi; Mr James Plasman, and General Manager, Coporate Communication, FAAN, Yakubu Dati, during the United States Economic Team’s visit in Lagos ... yesterday.

PHOTO: ISAAC AYODELE JIMOH

Nigeria to control 10% of global fertiliser market

N

IGERIA is being po sitioned to control 10 per cent of the global fertilizser market by 2017, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, has said.

She said most of the fertiliser plants projects in Nigeria are billed to come on stream by 2017, assuring that the Gas Revolution Agenda aimed at using the nation’s abundant gas resources to galvanise all-round economic growth is making steady progress towards achieving its objective.

Mrs. Alison-Madueke, who spoke in Abuja at a plenary session of the 19th Nigerian Economic Summit, titled, ‘Building a World Class Petrochemical and Fertilizer Industry in Nigeria,’ said the need to get the gas sector to drive growth in all sectors of the economy, especially the agricultural sector, necessi-

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

tated the excision of some key areas of the Gas Master Plan from the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) for accelerated implementation under the Gas Revolution Agenda.

Acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Tumini Green made this known in a statement yesterday.

The statement quoted the Minister as saying that the programme has begun to yield dividends, with plans for the establishment of a number of new fertilizser plants at advanced stages.

She listed some of the proposed fertiliser plants to include, the proposed Dangote Petrochemical and Fertiliser Plant to be built at Olokola, Indorama Fertiliser Plant at Eleme, Brass Fertiliser Com-

pany at Brass, Nagarjuna Fertiliser Plant at Ogidigben, and another plant by the International Fertiliser Association.

She explained that the thrust of the two-pronged policy of gas-to-power and gas-to-industries, are to drive linkages between the power and industrial sectors, with the agric sector serving as a linchpin in the industrial sector on account of its enormous job creation potential and multiplier effect in the economy.

She assured of adequate gas supply through the introduction of fair pricing that is comparable with what obtains in major gas producing countries, as well as massive construction of gas infrastructure such as gas pipelines and gas processing plants.

On efforts to reduce gas flare, the Minister said the practice has been reduced considerably over the past two years to 20 per cent, adding that the

series of gas projects, including the oncoming petrochemical and fertiliser plants would take up a bulk of the gas currently flared, thereby reducing gas flare and the harm it does to the environment.

Confirming the development of new fertilizer plants, the Managing Director of Gas Aggregator Company of Nigeria, Mr. Kunle Allen, stated that apart from Notore which is already into fertiliser production, six new companies have approached the Gas Aggregator Company to firm up gas supply arrangements for their fertiliser plants and that talks are at an advanced stage with the companies.

Allen said the gas supply challenge is being further tackled through the dedication of 10% of domestic gas obligation for gas-to-industry to petrochemical and fertilizer plants.

Shagari seeks acceptable revenue formula From NdukaChiejina,

F

(Asst. Editor)

ORMER President ShehuShagari has urged the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to reflect diversity in determining a new revenue allocation formula for the country.

Shagari, who made the call in Sokoto when he received members of the Commission, stressed that the principles of equity, fairness and justice are the only mechanisms that would take care of the diverse interests of the constituent parts of the country.

A statement issued in Abuja, yesterday, quoted Shagari, as urging the Commission to strive to come up with an acceptable formula that would be seen by the generality of Nigerians as just in intent and formulation, fair to all in distribution and equitable in application.

To achieve this, the former president enjoined RMAFC to continue to consult widely across the broad spectrum of the Nigerian society to promote buy-in by all stakeholders.

In his remarks earlier, the RMAFC chair told the former leader that the Commission is committed to ensuring an all-inclusive process that will ensure the emergence of a just, fair and equitable revenue allocation formula for the country.

It would be recalled that the Commission had earlier paid similar visits to former leaders like Gowon, Obasanjo and former Vice President AtikuAbubakar in continuation of its advocacy and mass mobilization campaign on the review exercise.

Last week, Former Vice President Atiku had called for a reduction in the number of Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs), lamenting that “there is too much federal bureaucracy, and there is too much centralization.”

AtikuAbubarkar said he did not “believe in proliferation of ministries.” Instead he adovocated that some federal ministries like agriculture and education should be ceded to state governments while the federal government regulates them.

AlhajiAtikuAbubarkar who described himself as a “product of local government” expressed support for local government autonomy and the control of their resources.

According to him, being a product of local government, he believed that local governments should control their resources.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

12

NEWS

Shell to negotiate compensation for 2008 Nigeria oil spill A

S legal team prepares for talks, gulf be tween what company and impoverished villagers claim happened remains vast.

Five years after a Shell pipeline burst twice, massively polluting fishing grounds in the Niger delta, the company will finally sit down on Monday with affected villagers to negotiate compensation and possibly start to clean up what some experts say was one of the largest spills in one of the world’s poorest regions.

According to The Guardian UK, as Shell’s top legal

team prepared to fly to Nigeria for talks in a Port Harcourt hotel, the gulf between what the $175bn (£112bn) a year company and the impoverished villagers of Bodo claim happened in 2008 remains vast.

Shell admits liability for the spills and, using figures from an official inspection group, says that about 4,000 barrels of oil flooded into the mangrove swamps and creeks when its pipeline burst.

But independent analysis

by US oil spill expert Richard Steiner suggests it was nearer 500,000 barrels.

Equally, the oil company argues that relatively few people had their livelihood destroyed while the villagers say the spills affected up to 11,000 people. The company is thought to be offering about $20m compensation, but the villagers are holding out for $200m.

On Thursday, both sides squared up to each other in London. “Until the two 2008 spills, Bodo was a relatively

prosperous fishing town.

The spills have destroyed the fishing industry. Shell’s response has not been to try and speedily recompense the people of the community but to delay and prevaricate.

Shell … have provided oneoff relief materials in June 2009 amounting to 100 bags of rice, beans, sugar, 100 cartons of milk, tea, tomatoes and oil in June 2009 which was entirely inadequate for a community of 31,000 people,” said Martyn Day, senior partner with London law firm Leigh Day, which is representing the Bodo community.

Firms, clearing agents lose millions to warehouse closure

C

ARGO handling com panies, clearing agents a n d f r e i g h t forwarders, lost millions of naira yesterday as the closure of the import and courier warehouses belonging to Nigerian Aviation Handling Company ( NAHCO) Plc and Skyways Aviation Handling Company Limited ( SAHCOL) entered its second day.

The warehouses were closed by Nigeria Customs Service for failure by the companies to comply with proper documentation for the release of cargoes from the warehouses without paying the relevant duties and charges to the Service.

There was heavy security presence around the cargo wing of the Lagos Airport, as heavily armed security op-

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

eratives were stationed around the warehouses to forestall any attempt by operators to gain entrance into the facility, or constitute a breach of peace.

Clearing agents and freight forwarders, yesterday said they have lost millions of naira to the closure of the import and courier bonded warehouses belonging to two cargo handling companies at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos .

Most of the clearing agents and freight forwarders at the cargo unit, said the continued closure of the warehouses may have ripple effects on the facilitation of goods flown into the country, as scores of importers be-

sieged the cargo wing to ascertain when the warehouses would be open.

But, the Nigeria Customs Service, it was learnt, said the closure may extend for days until all knotty issues concerning proper documentation of cargo out of the warehouses, and the relevant duties accruing to the Service are sorted out.

A source close to the Airport Command of the Customs, said meetings are still on-going with the relevant stakeholders, including NAHCO) Plc, SAHCOL, clearing agents and freight forwarders, as well as cargo airlines.

A customs official said about the issue:” We are not sure when the warehouses will be open. But meetings are on-going today after the

series of engagements of yesterday.

“You will notice that our Federal Operations Unit personnel are on ground near the shut warehouses to ensure there is no break down of law and order, or possible breach of peace.

T

NCP, BPE at the crossroads

HE relationship be tween the Technical Committee of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) and the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) may have gone awry as BPE is alleged to have refused to approve the meeting of the committee to discuss issues on the latest transactions in the power sector, including the inability of some preferred bidders to pay the balance of 75 per cent value of the assets they bought.

The Nation gathered that the Chairman of the committee, Atedo Peterside in a letter explaining to members why the committee has not held meeting for so long, said the Director-General of BPE , Benjamin Dikki, allegedly doesn’t want the meeting to hold by not giving his approval.

The letter allegedly signed

by Peterside titled “Re: Update on PHCN Privatisation - Inability to convene a meeting of the Technical Committee of the National Council on Privatisation,” the BPE is

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

keeping the committee in the dark on latest issues on privatisation of power assets The letter written to members of the committee, said: “Many of you contacted me recently to enquire why a Technical Committee meeting has not been called to consider and deliberate upon updates on the PHCN Privatisation.

“My understanding has always been that it is the chairman of a committee that decides when it is appropriate to call a meeting, having considered possible agenda items and the need to dispense with them promptly with a view to achieving the broader objectives/mission of that committee.

“The reason we are unable to meet is because the DG of BPE, who controls the BPE’s budget and therefore releases funds to pay for hotel bills and sitting allowances, has “surreptitiously” vetoed all my efforts to convene a meeting of our Technical Committee of recent.

NAICOM, CEOs in discuss industry challenges

C

OMMISSIONER for In surance, Fola Daniel and Chief Executive Officer of insurance companies in the country yesterday held a meeting behind closed doors over burning issues in the industry.

The top echelon who met at the 2013 Professionals’ Forum of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) with theme, “The Insurance Industry in Motion-

From Omobola Tolu-kusimo, Ibadan

Emerging Issues for the Professionals” at Premier Hotel Ibadan, Oyo- State declined to speak with journalist on the agenda of the meeting.

The meeting is coming on the heels of failure by 28 insurance company’s inability to submit their International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) financial accounts

to NAICOM for approval three months after deadline.

Sources hinted that this and other issues like Group Life arranged for Federal Government workers and regulatory and legislative matters form part of the discussions.

The insurers according to insurance law risk cancellation of their operating license following the June 30 deadline submission date.

SOS

HEALTH

APPEAL

Four-year-old needs N1m to walk

Free eye treatment for 10,000

Cleric rues unemployment, violence

Edo

50

Abia

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

14

Ondo

52

Page 13

Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

N

OW there is a lift in their spirits and a smile on their faces. It is a whole new picture for Anambra State pensioners, some of whom say they have never had it so good.

Across the country, there is a perception that nobody loves the pensioner. The retirees themselves feel unloved.

Theirs is an uncertain twilight, characterised by low selfesteem, fragile health and very lean financial muscle.

Many are widowed, some childless and lacking adequate care. Daily feeding is a challenge as their pensions and gratuities are often held up by the establishments in which they invested the best parts of their lives. They were once even described as dead wood.

Now, in Anambra, the senior citizens’ story has changed. On retirement, their pension and gratuity are ready, thanks to the Peter Obi administration. And it is across board; civil servants at the state level are relishing it as much as local government workers are applauding it.

Newsextra gathered that those who retired last year are already enjoying their gratuity. The same with local government service commission. Obi has cleared the 2012 gratuity of retired local government workers totaling over N1.5 billion.

He presented the cheque to the pensioners at the Women Development Centre, Awka.

In the case where qualified retirees were dead, their next of kin stood in.

The governor said his administration has sustained prompt payment of pensions and gratuity because of prudent and skillful

• Governor Obi presents the cheque to some of the pensioners at the Women Development Centre, Awka

Relief for senior citizens .

Obi lifts 954 retirees with N1.5b

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

management of resources. He recalled that his administration liquidated arrears of pension and gratuity accumulated by successive pension administrations since 1996.

He said that government

introduced a new system of paying the beneficiaries simultaneously through electronic platforms. He enjoined the pensioners to remain part of efforts to rebuild the state by insisting that future administrations continue to build on the strong foundation already laid.

The governor made it clear

that pension and gratuity are rights and not privileges of every worker, stressing that it is a crime to owe pensioners.

Governor Obi said the state has remained on a strong financial footing without borrowing or owing anybody and can pay three months salary and pension without federal

T

in the state, he said, marked the beginning of the third phase of the training which he explained, was scheduled to be implemented in 13 states.

A breakdown of the total number to be trained in the phase, Mr. Oluwasemire said, shows that 13,000 of the youths were to be trained in technical and vocational

skills, as well as, entrepreneurship, for three months.

For Cross River State, he said, government identified four trade areas for the youths, namely, cell phone repairs, Plaster of Paris (POP) production, information and communication technology (ICT) and welding and fabrication.

“It is expected that majority of

It is expected that majority of the graduates of the programme will start up their own businesses, while some will be employed in various sectors of the economy, thus readily becoming potential members of various Business organisations

allocation.

It approved the payment of N1, 560,375,400.41 gratuity and pensions owed the 2012 batch of retired civil servants totaling 945 persons in the state.

At Awka, Obi emphasized that it is the right, not a privilege, for all retirees to receive their gratuity and pensions.

He noted that his administration started clearing the pensions of workers who retired from •Continued on Page 49

1,000 youths for industrial skills training in Calabar HE Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has flagged off the third phase of its National Industrial Skills Development Programme for 1,000 youths in Cross River State.

At the ceremony in Calabar, the state capital, Director General of the Fund, represented

by ITF Area Manager, Mr. Olu Oluwasemire, said the training has become necessary in view of the high level of unemployment prevalent among youths in the country.

He said between January and August, a total of 23,000 youths have been trained in 23 states of the country, at the rate of 1,000 youths, per state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The flag-off of the programme

PHOTO: ODOGWU EMEKA ODOGWU

the graduates of the programme will start up their own business, while some will be employed in various sectors of the economy, thus readily becoming potential members of various Business organisations.

“In the same vein, as partners in the implementation of the training, the Bank of Industry (BOI) was to help provide the graduates access, to ‘start up’ loan facilities, while the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), was to provide the graduates the entrepreneurship development and training skills.

“The programme is not geared towards provision of tools and equipment or capital but rather, skill acquisition for self-sustenance and employment,” he said.

“Furthermore, a database will be generated, while a Yellow Book on the graduates will be published regularly. This will guide prospective employers and clients in making informed decisions about utilisation of their services. He maintained.

“The databank can also be used to create business networks among the graduates to help them generate more, value through synergy and access, business development support, particularly finance, collectively.”

He hoped, however, that, the programme which is in collaboration with the state government and other stakeholders would help mop up unemployment and facilitate the actualisation of the Federal Government Transformation Agenda and Vision 20:2020.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

14

10,000 get free eye treatment

O

•From left: Director-General NAFDAC,Dr Paul Orhil Professor T. Omon Oleabhiele President National Association of Nigeria Traditioal medicine (NANTM) Prof. Martins Emeje, National Institute of Pharma Research during the celebration of International Traditional PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS Medicine Day

Traditionalists seek recognition

T

RADITIONALISTS in Oyo State under the umbrella of Osemeji Ibadan Foundation have sought recognition of their religion and its followers by the Oyo State government. They also praised the state governor Senator Abiola Ajimobi for his developmental strides since he came into office.

They alleged that the religion being practised by a sizeable percentage of the residents of the state is not being given proper recognition like other religions in the state. They are seeking asimilar practice in Osun and Ondo states where they enjoy public holidays and other dividends of democracy.

In a statement jointly signed by the newly appointed Araba of Ibadanland, High Chief Oyewusi Fakayode and the Publicity Secretary of the foundation Mr. Abidemi Fayemi, the traditionalists said that they are not satisfied

by the inadequate attention given to the religion and its followers in the state.

They maintained that their contributions toward the emergence of the present administration in the state cannot be over emphasised therefore implore the government under the leadership of Senator Abiola Ajimobi to give equal treatment to all religions in the state.

According to the statement, “We want to use this medium to appreciate Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state for his vision toward infrastructural development in the state. We pray that Ibadan and Oyo state will continue to experience the current peaceful atmosphere. We also want to use this medium to express our displeasure on the way the state government refuses to recognise us and our members. We are not satisfied by the inadequate attention given to us.

VER 10,000 residents benefited from an eye care programme organised by the MTN Foundation in collaboration with Abia State government and Eye Foundation Hospital Lagos.The exercise was conducted in Umuahia, the state capital.

Out of the number, 2010 people had free Cataract surgical operation with drugs, 2000 patients received free eye glasses while others were treated for various eye diseases including glaucoma and were given medications accordingly.

Speaking to newsmen at the end of the programme, a member of the medical team Dr. Okechukwu Ogar explained that the programme which lasted for a period of three weeks was a tripartite arrangement between MTN, Abia State government and Eye Foundation Hospital Lagos.

Ogar said that it was part of the state government’s effort to address the healthcare challenges of the people, through collaborating with other relevant groups to bring eye health treatment closer to the people of the state.

He said that a community eye programme had also been launched by the state government to reach more rural dwellers in order to consolidate on what had been achieved in the free eye treatment exercise.

Ogar, a former health commissioner in Abia State noted that eye specialists would be deployed to the three senatorial districts of the state to continue from where the current exer-

T

N2,000.000 being distributed was a fulfillment of the earlier promise made by Dr. Muiz Adeyemi Banire to make the event as regular as possible.

“That a woman lost her husband is not of her making, she should not be made to suffer double jeopardy, losing her husband at the same time beeing rejected by the society. Every body must care for the widow, they are not to be pitied but to be given their rightful position. They formed group that voted massively for our party, the Action Congress of Nigeria, now APC, we must recognise the tremendous role they played to give us the needed vote”.

Pastor Tokun Pedro, a former Commissioner with the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) advised politicians to always remember the needy and the less-privileged.

He stated that his church, the Signs and Wonders Arena, specialises in giving to the widows and the less privileged. He thanked those that supported the cause such as Hon. Bolaji Yussuf Ayinla, Hon Adefunmiyo, Tejuoso,Barrister Musbau Oyefeso, Hon. Toyin Fayinka for answering the clarion call.

•Hon. Adepitan, surrounded by some of the widow, beneficiaries

•The newly appointed Araba of Ibadan land High Chief Oyewusi Fakayode (middle) and other traditionalists at a meeting.

Lagos takes safety campaign to health sector L AGOS State government has taken its sectoral safety campaign to the health sector with government urging all health practitioners, professionals and operators to improve on safety concerns to promote the lives of patients and other members of the public.

Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Safety Commission (LSSC) Mrs Dominga Odebunmi stated this at a focal meeting with accredited health sector safety champions, ahead of a conference slated to hold next month on growing safety concerns in the health sector.

According to Mrs Odebunmi, the conference which would hold at De Hall, beside Lagos State Printing Corporation, Ikeja, would have among other speakers Prof. M. Hal Sosabowski, Joe Crombie and Mrs Elizabeth Ozogolu all from the UK, to be complemented by other seasoned local speakers.

She said the conference with the theme: Safety across Border, which is being packaged in collaboration with Stream Pharmaceutical, would among others, generate a document for the implementation of safety guidelines and regulations in the health sector.

Mrs Odebunmi said though the Ministry of Health has been up to the task of enforcing standards aimed at promoting safety of lives in the state, efforts still need to be made to make safety a conscious part of deliverable services in all health institutions.

She said: “The need to develop health and safety management system in our hospitals, pharmacy, dentistry, ophthalmologuy etc cannot be over emphasised. This informed our move to initiate new corrective safety measures to be implemented within the health sector.”

T

From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

‘Widows deserve dividends of democracy’

HE Chairman of Mushin Local Government Area, Hon. Olatunde Babatunde Adepitan, has stated that widows deserve dividends of democracy. He mentioned this during the Muiz Banire Widows Empowerment programme which took place in Mushin Local Government Area.About 100 were gathered and presented with N20,000 each.

According to Adepitan, the initiator of the policy, Dr. Muiz Adeyemi Banire, has directed that the data band of all the widows in Mushin and Lagos State be collated. This data will serve as a reference point when any largesse is to be extended to them in the future. He assured them that they would never be forgotten or neglected having supported democracy to win.

“When you empower a woman, you are directly empowering the nation, no woman will watch her children go hungry. The widows in our society are very vulnerable, some family member hijack what their husbands ever labored for while alive,” he said. He appealed to the society and well-meaning individuals to asst the widows carry part of their burden.

Speaking further, Adepitan said the

Fed Govt begins skills acquisition programme

Abia cise had stopped to reach out to those in the rural areas.

He, however, blamed many health challenges in the state on ignorance and poverty and advised residents to always seek proper medical attention and avoid the patronage of unqualified health personnel.

Ogar said the upgrading of healthcare facilities as well as construction of new ones especially in rural areas had begun and expressed gratitude to Governor Theodore Orji for his in interest in the health of the masses which had led to huge achievements in the sector.

He said: “It was the massive support of the governor in the healthcare sector that made Abia State to be selected by MTN Foundation for the free eye care programme scheduled for each of the six geo-political zones of the country”.

Dr. Anya Kalu said a schedule had been drawn for the continued care of those who benefited from the programme to enable them recover fully and urged them to avail themselves of the opportunity provided by the state government.

In his remark, Dr. Akinwale Akinfe of the Eye Foundation Hospital Lagos, said that Cataract was now a leading cause of blindness globally which was a major public health problem they noticed during the exercise.

By Yinka Aderibigbe

She said the commission is working with health-related specialists who are accredited safety agents of the commission on various policies that would promote safety of members of the general public.

The focus of the conference which comes up on September 24, for all public sector operators and September 25 for their private sector colleagues are the generation of a safety policy manual for strategic implementation, the promotion of first aid enlightenment campaign in all schools in the state and the generation of guidelines for safety response during disaster and recovery.

She, therefore, called on all relevant bodies within the health sector to collaborate with the government and support the initiative which according to her, aims at bringing the health sector at par with international standards.

Throwing the weight of the Ministry of Health to the initiative Commissioner 3, in the Lagos State Health Service Commission, Mrs. Kudi Ligali, said all hands must be on board in the task of avoiding accidents and avoidable deaths in all hospitals and health institutions in the state.

She listed areas of safety concerns to include environmental cleanliness of hospitals, storage facilities of drugs and other equipments, basic live saving skills, temparament and attitude of health workers, as well as the habits of patrons and patients of health institutions that could impede safety.

Also speaking LSSC Deputy Director Engr Hakeem Liadi said the initiative to take safety to the health sector has been on since last year.

51

•Governor Orji Dr Akinfe noted that the free eye care programme was a deliberate effort to restore vision and save people from avoidable loss of sight, stressing that losing of one’s sight is a great disadvantage to such people.

HE Director-General of Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Prof. Longmas Wapmuk, has expressed the commitment of the Federal Government to develop the skills of youths to make them self employed.

Wapmuk, who is also the Chief Executive of the ITF, said this in Port Harcourt at the inauguration of the National Industrial Skills Development Programme.

He said the workshop was designed by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to develop the skills and build capacity of the youth to be self-employed.

Wapmuk said that the programme would fast track the achievement of the National Industrial Revolution Plan of the Federal Government’s transformation agenda.

The chief executive said that the objective of the programme was to provide the skills to support the plan.

He said that the training was to develop high skilled entrepreneurial workforce for

Rivers From: Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

small and medium enterprises (SMES) in areas where they had competitive and comparative advantage.

According to him, the training will reduce youth restiveness and contribute immensely to wealth creation, poverty reduction and enhance national unity.

“This programme has successfully been implemented in 23 states and FCT from January to August, and has produced 23,000 youths at the rate of 1,000 youths per state and FCT,’’ he said.

The Area Manager, ITF Port Harcourt, Mr

Abdul-Rasaq Adeniran, said that the ITF, in consultation with the state Ministry of Employment Generation and Empowerment, selected 1,000 youths.

Adeniran said that the selection was done from the 23 local government areas in Rivers to benefit from the phase three of the programme.

He said that the programme would be domiciled at designated training centres in each of the three senatorial districts of the state.

Adeniran called on the state government and other stakeholders to continue to support the programme.

He urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity availed through the training to improve themselves.

Council chief hails Tinubu

C

HAIRMAN of Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon.Jide Jimoh, has referred to Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubuas his role model and mentor who he would forever be grateful to.

Hon. Jimoh said that the national leader of All Progressives Congress, APC, has liberated many from bondage and oppression.

He described Tinubu as a ‘Tutor-General’ whose intellect and wisdom have been a guiding light to Nigerian politics for an enduring change that will stand the test of time.

The council chief said these in an interactive with session with the media on the Continental Good Governance and Peace Award which the national executive of Nigeria Pro Wrestling Federation went to give him during the final ceremony of the 3rd BRF Wrestlemania in Lagos. Hon. Jimoh said the wisdom of Tinubu and other notable progressive leaders in the country brought about the merger that brought about APC, which he wants all Nigerians to embrace because the party is the solution to the myriad of problems confronting the country and a God-given alternative to Peoples Democratic (Party PDP) government.

He said that he is working tirelessly to see that he leaves a legacy of integrity at the end of his tenure, adding that he has been running a government that carries the council’s legislative arm, officials and the people along.

“Yaba LCDA plays host to at least eight

A

FIRM, Simon Page Business School has urged organisations and business outfits to pay attention to professional development of their workforce by encouraging refresher courses for the staff on periodic basis.

The institute holds development programmes to help employees perform better by instilling strategy for greater value in them.

It will hold short courses that will enable professional skills which will directly impact in their productivity and development in organisations.

Chief Executive Officer of Simon Page Business School, Princewill Omorogiuwa, in a statement said in a bid to provide quality professional business qualifications, it has just added short courses to its stable.

The programme, Omorogiuwa added, is aimed at helping professionals develop skills

By Innocent Amomoh

higher institutions, a large portion of land that contain Atan Cemetery, the state’s Criminal Investigation Department, CID, headquarters of West African Examination Council, WAEC, a world class psychiatric hospital, Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission office and many others. All these show how important the LCDA is to the economy of Lagos State.

I’m happy to say that we have been able to maintain peaceful co-existence among people in this area without problem,” said the chairman.

Jimoh said that he was not surprised with the award given to him by the professional wrestlers because the independent assessors that came to the LCDA were able to see the dividends of democracy his government has been given to the people.

“We have done a lot to uplift the life of our people. At least 100 elderly people are given N10, 000 for their welfare every month, which will amount to N36m in three years. Yaba LCDA is the first local government to operate free ambulance service in the country. The first LG to equip schools with first aid facilities.

We also built boreholes for 33 schools and many other projects. I think these and many others things are what the wrestlers saw that made them extend the international recognized award to me and my people,” he said.

Jimoh, who played football, table tennis, handball, volleyball in his school days.

Firm seeks continuous skill development

By Nneka Nwaneri

for future corporate challenges as well upcoming business needs.

“These capacity building programmes focuse on courses in marketing, digital marketing, finance and management and will run concurrently in Lagos and Accra with training sessions by experts. The trainings will provide comprehensive hands-on solutions for professionals to upgrade their skills and advance their careers within the organization”.

•From left: Wife of Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area Chairman, Alhaja Omolola Oyesanya, Chairman, Hon Abdlefatai Oyesanya and Vice-Chairman, Hon. Bola Bada-Onikosi andsupporters of All Progressives Congress (APC) during the flag-off of the party in the council.

Lawmaker mobilises women

T

HE MEMBER representing Mushin Constituency 1 in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Adefunmilayo Tejuoso, has said that women will be properly integrated to enable them make impact in the 2015 election.

Addressing party supporters at the hoisting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag in her constituency office, she said as a loyal party woman, it is her responsibilities to mobilise women for the success of her party.

She said: “We have to give support to our women who have been deprived by the Peoples Democratic Party led government at the centre but greatly benefited from the APC led government at the state level.

“I want to say we thank God that our dream to effect a positive change has come to reality with the registration of APC. We could have equally gone to bed that APC has been registered and wait for election time but this will not be in the good interest Nigerian women, so we must mobilise them now.”

Tejuoso stated that as virtuos women, who

Adeboye, Fashola, Amosun for Redeemer’s University convocation

T

HE General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God, (RCCG), Pastor Eunuch Adejare Adeboye, Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola and his Ogun State counterpart Senator Ibikunle Amosun are among the dignitaries billed to grace the 5th convocation ceremony for the award degrees of the Redeemer’s University.

While briefing press men on Wednesday about the ceremony scheduled to hold 10am, on Thursday, September 12, at the Youth Centre, Redemption Camp, Ogun State, the Vice Chancellor of the University,Prof. Z. Debo Adeyewa hinted that the ceremony would as well parade an array of royal fathers, ambassadors and vice chancellors .

While the briefing lasted, Adeyewa revealed that “ a total of 519 graduands will be awarded degrees and prizes” during the ceremony.

By Biodun-Thomas Davids

According to him, 93 of them are from College of Humanities, 326 from College of Management Sciences while the remaining 100 are from College of Natural Sciences.

In a similar statement, he mentioned that 20 graduands would bag first class degree; 184 would have second class upper division while 227 graduands would bag second class lower division. He added that 78 and 10 graduates would have third class and pass Other activities lined up for the convocation include: Anointing Service, today(Friday), Alumni Day and Convocation Play, tomorrow( Saturday), Convocation Church Service, on Sunday, 8th Appreciation and Awards Night, on Monday and Convocation Lecture on Tuesday.

•Hon Tejuoso (right ) during the flag-off

By Musa Odoshimokhe

wake up very early to attend to family needs, women in her constituency would not relent and have started mobilising them to displace PDP by 2015 “We have to get the women fully ready and that we are telling them to ensure that when elections are conducted, they should not just vote but should monitor their votes to see to it that they count.

“Let me again remind them that whatever they are enjoying in Lagos State would double if APC forms the government at the federal level. The party’s welfarist programmes that cater for the masses of the country have never been in doubt.

“They should know that what they are currently enjoying in Lagos State will be replicated at the national level when APC wins future elections.”

The party faithful who praised the lawmaker promised not to sleep until PDP is defeated in 2015.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

15

16

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

17

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

AGRO-BUSINESS A lot of food is lost during post-harvest. Why? Farmers do not have storage facilities. The way out, according to experts, is to have storage facilities, such as silos. DANIEL ESSIET writes.

Food storage: Silos to the rescue F ARMERS toil to bring out food. But their efforts in most cases come to nought because of lack of adequate storage facilities. Not everything that is harvested is consumed; the excess has to be stored. But many farmers do not have what it takes to store them. The government, which has, does not seem to be interested in farmers’ plight because it does not give prority to agriculture.

Why are these post-harvest losses still a problem?

According to Lagos State Commissioner of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Prince Gbolahan Lawal, the country is incurring losses because of lack of storage and processing facilities.

He blamed the development on the absence of food processing units and modern cold storage facilities.

The Federal and state governments are striving to address the problem using the metal silos model adopted by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation’s (SDC)’ Postcosecha programme in Central America, which introduced metal silos for grain storage.

A Consultant to the World Bank, Prof Abel Ogunwale, told The Nation that reducing post-harvest losses is key to increasing availability of food.

Ogunwale said farmers were recording a lot of losses from the harvest of maize because traditional storage practices cannot guarantee protection against major storage pests.

Consequent upon lack of good storage, farmers, he noted, receive low prices for any surplus grain.

He emphasised the need for safe storage of maize at the farm level to address poverty food and income security and ensure prosperity for small farmers.

He said farmers were forced to sell maize when price was low to avoid post-harvest losses from storage pests and pathogens because of the absence of appropriate storage technology.

Hence, they cannot use their harvest as collateral to access credit,resulting in undermining food security. He said deploying

• Ogunwale

silos would reduce post-harvest losses, increase income and enhance food security.

Ogunwale said silos prevent grain from damage by pests and allow longer storage periods. It is an important technology in the fight against hunger and food insecurity, he added.

He urged the government to address the challenges faced by small farmers on maize grain post-harvest management, and expand their opportunities in the sector.

Technical Advisor, GIZ Nigeria, Mr Ayo Akinola said the agricultural sector can enhance food security and improve incomes of farmers promoting improved storage technologies such as metal silos.

According to him, improved maize storage technologies have a great potential impact on food security as most households lose much of their maize due to poor storage facilities.

Akinola said farmers can use the silos to store cereal grains and grain legumes, reporting higher incomes and longer storage possibilities.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, said post- harvest losses can be as high as 45 per cent for some agriculture commodities, especially perishable ones, such as

•Galvanised-silo-storage

onions, tomatoes, fruits and horticulture products.

“We are addressing this challenge. We have completed a total of 10 new silos for strategic food reserves within one year. We now have a total of 30 silos of different capacities in various locations in the six geopolitical zones of the country,” he said.

He said government was also supporting the silos with warehouses to ensure that the post-harvest losses were reduced.

An environmental Scientist, Dr Mohammed Kyari, has also called on the Federal Government to build more silos to prevent postharvest crop losses, adding that the adoption of relevant technology could help to address the challenge.

Kyari, a Senior Scientific Officer with the Africa Union Scientific, Technical and Research Commission, said the provision of infrastructure would help to reduce losses.

“You see a lot of new silos that were built by the Federal Government to store food, grains and others as a measure of the food

Govt urged to test for drug residues in beef

T

HE Federal Government has been urged to ensure that meats were tested for chemical residues before they are sold.

The Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Prof Abiodun Adeloye said chemical residues were poisonous and could threaten food security.

He called for testing to protect consumers from illegal drug residues in meat products.

Public health officials,he said,should test for chemical compounds from each sample, to enable them identify and evaluate illegal drug residues more effectively and efficiently.

“With modern technology, the government should be able to test for the presence of chemical compounds, including approved (legal) and unapproved (illegal) veterinary drugs, pesticides, hormones, and environmental contaminants that may appear in meat, poultry, and egg

noting that these challenges often lead to post-harvest crop losses.

He said: “We squander nearly one third of our food through food waste (on the consumption side) and food losses.

“In developed countries, over 40 per cent of losses come from companies and consumers.”

According to Food Agriculture Organisation (FAO): “We lose enough food to feed at least 48 million people due to inefficiencies in harvesting, storage and delivery, .

“So, our greatest challenge in Africa is the harvesting, storage and delivery and that is the area we are trying to tackle.”

According to Kyari, there are nearly one billion malnourished people in the world.

He said approximately 40 million tonnes of food wasted by American households, retailers and food services yearly would be enough to satisfy every one.

He further said the irrigation water used globally to grow food that was wasted, would be enough for the domestic needs of nine billion people.

Food firm gets $120m IFC loan

T

By Daniel Essiet

products.

Stressing the need to modernise chicken and turkey slaughter inspection, the animal production expert implored government’s agencies to focus resources on the areas of the poultry production system that pose the greatest risk to food safety.

Adegoke said there was need to reduce the risk of foodborne illness and that this could be achieved by revising procedures and removal of outdated regulatory requirements that do not help combat foodborne illness He said poultry establishments will have to ensure that their procedures prevent contamination in the production process and provide supporting data to health personnel.

He asked the government to strengthen standards concerning food contaminants, fungal toxins, food additives and food labels, adding that government should

security. So, they are doing their best, but you know measures keep on improving. You keep on building and going forward because the population is growing; the demand for food is growing and you have to continue building.

“It is not silos that will prevent post-harvest losses, you need to improve on the transportation; we lose food in the transportation process; we lose food in preservation process and there are also measures on it.

“When you look at it, they (Federal Government) are improving road infrastructure; you can see that railways are coming up; these infrastructure are meant to prevent losses in the transportation process,” he said.

According to him, the greatest food waste comes from the postharvest losses in developing countries, while the problem of wasting raw food was common in developed countries.

He noted that the developing countries usually faced challenges of food transportion and storage,

•Adeloye

ensure that packages of ground and chopped meat and poultry bear a nutrition facts label to help consumers make informed safety decisions.

He said consumers need labels to help them comply with dietary guidelines, adding that new labels would assist consumers have access to information on calories, fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and protein.

HE International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, and and indigenous company,Olam, have signed a five-year $120 million loan to finance the upgrade and expansion of three food processing facilities operated by the firm in Nigeria and in India.

The loan will support Olam owned Hemarus Sugar Mill in Kolhapur and spice processing in Kochi (both in India,whch are to be upgraded); Crown Flour Mill in Lagos for expansion; mechanical cashew processing in Illorin and sesame hulling in Lagos.

Crown Flour Mill will process imported wheat into flour for domestic bakers. Others will integrate more than 45,000 smallscale farmers from surrounding regions into Olam’s supply chains by 2015, by allowing them to supply their crops directly to the processing units, thereby guaranteeing a market for their products.

By Arito Ibironke

IFC‘s agri-business strategy aims to promote food security, inclusive growth and environmental and social sustainability in agricultural supply chains.

IFC works with supply chain integrators to provide small farmers and rural businesses with access to finance, access to inputs such as equipment and seeds, advice and extension services and access to markets. In this fiscal year , IFC invested $4.5 billion.

Director, Global Manufacturing, Agri-business and Services, IFC, Atul Mehta, said: “Olam is a critical link between small farmers, businesses and global markets. It is a supply chain manager and partner for leading multi-national corporations and recognised brands, all of whom are looking to improve traceability of their sourcing and address sustainability issues in their supply chains.”

18

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

AGRO-BUSINESS

NIFOR raises the alarm over adulterated seeds T HE Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) has warned farmers and other stakeholders of adulterated seedlings.

The Institute’s Head, Seed Production, Mrs Philomena Ehiomhen, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin, the Edo State capital, on the sidelines of a media tour of the Institute, said buying fake seedlings had dire consequences.

Farmers, she said, would lose income and the seedlings, when matured would fail to deliver the improved ‘tenera’ tree being promoted by the institute.

She explained that the `tenera’, is the improved oil palm seedling which had undergone series of modification over the years, to produce small kernel, thick scalp and large mesocarp. It is a hybrid seed, the result of a cross breed of two other varieties of oil palm known as the ‘dura’ and ‘pisifera, she added.

Stories by Daniel Essiet

She said the dura palm had very thick shell, very large kernel but small oil mesocarp and therefore, produced less tonnes of oil, adding that the pisifera, on the other hand, does not mature quickly enough but when it does, comprise all oil mesocarp without kernels.

“The tenera, achieved through the institute’s research, is a combination of both dura and pisifera, resulting in more production of oil through the large mesocarp which actually produces oil,” she said.

Ehiomhen said: “We have tried to make this information available to the public that when you want to plant oil palms come to NIFOR or go to our sub-stations all over the country.

“All those stations have planting materials, you can always buy them and plant, or get them through the Agricultural Transformation Agenda Progamme, where these materials are

everywhere at strategically located places. We need people to know the dangers of planting adulterated materials because when people sell what they don’t now, it can never be NIFOR tenera.

She said what the seeds hawkers do is to get materials from wherever they see and sell to the farmers as improved planting material; when these farmers plant them they never get tenera. They sometimes revert to dura, or sometimes mix dura with pisifera and so their objective is defeated and that causes discouragement and operation failure because it is their loss.

“They must always certify that when they plant, they are planting NIFOR tenera that has gone through generations of genetic improvement,” she stated.

The institute’s Production Director, Dr Christy Okwuagwu, urged farmers to get their improved seeds directly from NIFOR, or its sub-stations located

in almost all states of the country.

“Here, there are many gene poles from the different expeditions; you will see older trees which are our genetic resources that have come from the wild.

“We have these pools as reservoirs of genes from different parts of the country, so our breeding programme is focused on high quality tenera, which produces small kernel but has more than 80 per cent mesocap so the oil content is very high.”

She noted that discovering many years after that a farmer planted the wrong variety of palm tree, the tree being a perennial crop, could be discouraging and capital wasting.

She said: “The problem is that when this industry has reached this level, we find that unscrupulous people have entered the industry; the few people who are planting are blown away from coming to buy improved planting

material from us.

“They know that the NIFOR material is what they should plant but people still carry useless things to them because of distance, short cutting cost or whatever, to sell adulterated planting materials to them.

“These adulterated planting materials can never be 100 per cent tenera; it is only through breeding and selection and reproduction in our organised seed production garden that you can get 100 per cent tenera.”

NAN reports that the institute sells one improved tenera palm seedling for N30 and a bag of 500 seeds for N15,000; it has over 22 sub-stations and out stations.

The include a research sub-station in Abak, Akwa Ibom State for oil palm, experimental stations in Agbarho, Delta; Onishere, Ondo; Acharu, Kogi; Umuabi ,Enugu; Nsukka, Enugu; and AgoEmokpae in Edo.

‘Why local rice is expensive’

T

HE Chairman, Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Southwest Zone, Mr Olusegun Atho has attributed the high cost of locally produced rice to low productivity.

He said in Lagos that the government needed to equip farmers with the necessary tools to produce higher quantity.

He also identified inadequate equipment as one challenge why the locally produced rice is more expensive than imported rice.

A bag of local rice costs between N20,000 and N25,000 ,depending on the type – Ofada or Abakaliki, while imported ones cost between N10,000 and N12,000 per bag. ``If farmers produce higher quantity of rice, it will reduce the price because the higher the quantity, the lower the price. ``Before the price of local rice can drop, the government needs to put things in place by providing farm•From left: Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)immediate past Chairman Dr Tiémoko Yo; Chairman,Dr Charity Kruger; immediate past Executive Director, Dr Monty Jones and his successor Dr Yémi Akimbamidjo at the just-concluded Sixth Africa Agriculture Science Week in Accra.

A

‘Shut abattoir without waste discharge plants’

FORMER President of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr Hyde Ochia, has urged states to close abattoir without effluent treatment plants.

According to him, since abattoir generate a lot of waste per day (TPD), they need an effluent treatment plant (ETP) to treat the waste. The waste are disposed in nearby by lanes and low lying areas, blocking sewer lines and spreading infection.

According to him, the conversion of livestock into meat at the abattoir stage can be linked to various health and environmental hazards.

These hazards, he said, can be contained if abattoirs function properly and produce meat according to stringent hygiene and environmental rules and regulations.

In this context, he said it was the responsibility of the government to develop and provide for abattoirs and for the meat sector the necessary hygienic and environmental frameworks.

According to him, animal parts strewn all over the place; dogs and vultures preying over these wretched remains; dirt festering all around; horrible stench that makes one innards wrench with revulsion.

He said most abattoir across the

•Ochia

• Adeyemo

country dispose their waste in the most hazardous manner, pollute land, air and water and make life miserable.

Residents in the immediate environs of many slaughterhouses often complain of blood trickling out of their taps.

He said animals are supposed to undergo a thorough health check up before being slaughtered. After slaughtering, the meat is again checked and stamped by health of-

ficials. Only stamped meat can be sold in the market.

Assistant Director, General Management Services, Agricultural and Rural Management Institute (ARMTI), Dr Ademola Adeyemo said abattoir need to use fresh water as they are food-processing units.

He said it was time the government looked at abattoir waste as a real challenge and not play musical chairs with it.

ers with modern equipment.

“If farmers still produce with cutlass and hoe, the price can’t be reduced because this process is time consuming and does not enable large production,'' he said.

The RIFAN chairman added that farmers were working hard to improve on the quality of the locally produced rice. `There is a mini-de-stoning machine we use to clean the rice to remove stones and dirt.”

Atho, however, appealed to the government to assist farmers by providing them the necessary farm tools and modern equipment to improve and increase rice production across the country.

“Farmers are ready to produce and sustain their production but they require the help of the government to encourage and promote agriculture generally,'' the chairman added.

Firm boosts local content

F

UMMAN Agricultural Products Industries Plc is committed to growing the produce market, its Managing Director, Mr. Layi Adeyemi, has said.

This, he said necessary to build the capacity of the local farmers, as well as meet the local content demand of the industry.

Speaking with reporters in Lagos, he said: “We have an unwavering commitment to produce top class quality brands,” Adeyemi said, adding: “The company is poised to sustain its pedigree as an organisation strong and focused on the production of quality products, a culture that has been built into Fumman since inception as the company set out to produce Nigerian fruits.”

Fumman offerings, he added, “are dictated by the needs of the consumers. Our continuous insight generation have revealed that consumers want a perfect blend of juice that reflects originality and natural taste. Fumman engages the consumers directly and gauge their perception on the product quality and this continuously creates huge platform to build affinity between the brand and consumers.”

Justifying the need for local content development, Adeyemi observed that faulty statistics about the nation’s productive capacity in pineapples, pawpaw, mango, oranges among others, accounts for the reason why no fruit concentrate

By Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf

plant in Nigeria, however small is in operation.

To bridge this gap, Fumman, Adeyemi said: “Has fostered a synergy of cooperation with agricultural research institutes, such as Nigerian Centre for Genetic Resources Conservation and Biotechnology (NACGRAB), Nigerian Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), a STEP – B programme of the World Bank driven by Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Centre for Environmental Renewable Natural Resources Management Research and Development (CENRAD) and others for the promotion of knowledge in the value chain of fruit crops research, planting, management, harvesting, processing and marketing.”

He added : The firm has also encouraged the introduction of passion fruit to farms closer to the factory and importation of elite planting materials of mango, oranges, guavas and pineapples where we have three varieties on our farm.

“Our focus in agriculture is to make our humble contribution to the growth and development of our agricultural raw materials. If we want the right volume and quality of our raw materials at the right times, locations and prices that are agreeable to our needs, we must be involved. For now, the issue is more of volume and the prices to the plant.”

19

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

COMMENTARY FROM OTHER LANDS

EDITORIALS

The Lens legend •Peter Obe, colossus of the camera, taught us how to take and keep pictures of and for the ages

I

N a poignant irony, a master of the dramatic image has departed, leaving behind the permanence of pictures. The professional life of Peter Oyeyemi Obe, who took his exit at age 81, was indeed a sight to behold. His was no monochromatic career, for he brought to his art a richness of perspective and an enthusiastic involvement that distinguished him. His round frame and signature cap were unmistakable features as he pursued the news photos that earned him fame.

Obe was a colossus of the camera, and possessed an intriguing understanding of the potency of pictures. It is a testimony to his vision that long before the concept of “the visual age” gained popularity he seemed to have had a glimpse of the future and the approaching primacy of the story-telling photo. As a photo-journalist, he was sufficiently discerning to recognise that he was a recorder of history and its subtle nuances.

Evidence of his historical imagination can be seen at his studio in Surulere, Lagos, which has the value of a museum owing to the sheer scale of the pictorial documentation on display, telling the Nigerian story through personalities and events. Obe was the stuff of legend, and his unparalleled collection of pictures of the Nigerian Civil War gave him an assured place in collective memory. To better appreciate these archival photos, many of them exclusives, it would no doubt be appropriate to contemplate the photographer in the context of a full-scale war, with all the associated dangers. The passion and courage indispensable in such opera-

tional circumstances could only be the qualities of a perfect professional. It is a huge positive that Obe produced a 220page book informed by his coverage of the conflict, entitled Civil War Pictures from Nigeria: A Decade of Crisis in Pictures.

As if to demonstrate the depth of his thinking and the fact that he had his eyes on history, he also released a 98-page book that captured the political experiment of another era, its disastrous result, and military intervention; this was entitled Nigeria: Second civil rule and the military rescue in pictures. It is hoped that Obe’s efforts in producing photo-books that focus on the country’s socio-political evolution will not only inspire press photographers of today to build on his work, but also stimulate interest in the country’s history, particularly among the youth.

It is a measure of his resourcefulness that Obe, who belonged to a pioneering class of press photographers, employed his lens even outside the political realm, and also thrived in the areas of sports, nature, and social commentary. His reputation for professional excellence marked not only his days as chief cameraman of the Daily Times, in the newspaper’s glorious age; this distinction also attracted foreign attention and admiration, and in his freelance practice he worked for external agencies, notably, Agence France Presse (AFP).

It is significant that one reported reaction to his passing highlighted some qualities that made a difference in his approach to photo-journalism. According to The Nation Photo Editor, Mr. John Ebhota, “He told me to do my homework before attending as-

signments. One big lesson I learnt from him is to be patient. He was never in a hurry to take shots.”

There is no doubt that Obe left a legacy of professionalism, especially considering the fact that he continued to work as a photographer even outside journalism, and successfully ran his own outfit, Peter Obe Photo Agency. It is fitting that he was regarded in photography circles as an “all-rounder.” The lasting lesson of his career is that with hard work and passion, it is indeed possible to attain impressive heights, not least in the field of photography. By personal example, he showed that even in a society that idolised materialism, the contribution of cultural work cannot be discounted, and that such engagement had its own rewards.

‘The lasting lesson of his career is that with hard work and passion, it is indeed possible to attain impressive heights, not least in the field of photography. By personal example, he showed that even in a society that idolised materialism, the contribution of cultural work cannot be discounted, and that such engagement had its own rewards’

A bale of money •Finance outplays football

T

HE recent record-breaking purchase of the Welsh winger Gareth Bale by the Spanish giants Real Madrid FC for an estimated £85.3 million has once again demonstrated the way in which money has continued to pour into European soccer at a rate which defies both prevailing economic conditions and common sense.

There is no doubt that the British footballer is one of the most exciting things to happen to the modern game. Blessed with electrifying pace, superb shooting skills and wonderful positional play, Bale is truly deserving of the praises heaped upon him. He is not just a star player, but one who has consistently displayed the capacity to carry the team on his shoulders, as demonstrated severally during his last season at Tottenham Hotspur.

As good as he is, however, there are larger questions posed by the huge sum that was paid for his services, and they

‘Where does Nigeria find itself in all this? At first glance, it would seem that the nation stands to benefit. Even if most of its players fall outside the ranks of Bale and Ronaldo, they still attract very impressive prices and wages.

However, the inflation and distortion of values creeping into the European game could have even more negative effects in Nigeria’

are likely to impinge negatively on football in particular, and sport in general. The first relates to the way in which football players are valued. What are the elements that go into the valuation of a player? Is it the number of goals scored? The nationality of the player? Media hype? A potent combination of “branding,” public hysteria and sheer desperation on the part of football administrators?

In the specific case of Bale, it appears that all of these elements have had a part to play, in addition to his undoubted talent. His nationality makes him unique; he hails from a country that is unlikely to ever appear in a World Cup final, and is therefore less susceptible to the club-versuscountry rows that disfigure the careers of players from more prominent footballplaying countries. He played in a league that was outstanding for the way in which star performers were lauded to the skies, especially those from the British Isles.

The adulation in which Bale was held by his fans, and the grudging admiration of supporters of rival clubs helped to raise his reputation to the skies. And Real Madrid’s well-known penchant for paying staggering sums for individual players lent an air of inevitability to the whole scenario; the Spanish team paid worldrecord prices for Christiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane.

A situation in which the prices paid for players increase almost exponentially may imbue football with a certain dramatic quality, but it does not augur well for the game in the long run. For one thing, the money circulates within the very narrow channel of the game’s rarefied upper echelons: players, agents and top clubs.

Very little of it goes to the grassroots, nor

does it help to defray the already-prohibitive costs of tickets and branded merchandise. For a sport long touted as “the people’s game,” this is an ironic tragedy.

Stupendously high transfer prices also appear to have negative knock-on effects. Player salaries rise to the level where there is no logical connection between what the players are paid and what they do on the field. Indeed, the careers of some players like Paul Gascoigne, Diego Maradonna and Adriano often bore an inverse relationship to the huge amounts they were paid.

As the wages of top stars rise, they lift those of their less-talented counterparts; money, rather than talent, becomes the name of the game.

This inequality draws from the very fabric of modern capitalism that has inflicted a huge gulf between a few wellheeled persons and a majority living in desperate circumstances, a phenomenon worsened in the recent crisis around the world.

Where does Nigeria find itself in all this? At first glance, it would seem that the nation stands to benefit. Even if most of its players fall outside the ranks of Bale and Ronaldo, they still attract very impressive prices and wages. However, the inflation and distortion of values creeping into the European game could have even more negative effects in Nigeria. Already, the corrupting influence of money has begun to assert itself in the fixing of matches, the exploitation of players and the debilitation contests for administrative positions. Money is vital to the growth of football, but cannot replace it.

Making the case against Syria

P

RESIDENT Obama was right to seek Congress’ approval on taking military action.

But he also must ensure that any such mission remains limited.

Last week, the Obama administration was signaling that it would take unilateral military action against the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad for what the administration insists was the deliberate use of chemical weapons to kill hundreds of civilians. On Saturday, the president abruptly — and appropriately — changed course, saying that he would seek support in Congress for action to “hold the Assad regime accountable for their use of chemical weapons, deter this kind of behavior and degrade their capacity to carry it out.”

We agree with Obama that convincing proof of widespread use of chemical weapons by the Syrian government justifies a military response — designed not to overthrow Assad but to punish him for defying a century-old understanding about the particular abhorrence of chemical weapons. But we were critical of the president for his seeming indifference to the importance of obtaining assent from Congress for military actions that do not address an imminent threat to the United States.

Obama has now rectified that flaw in his approach. But there is a danger that in securing the needed majorities, the president might agree to more drastic action than is necessary.

We found it ominous that Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), a longtime proponent of U.S. intervention in the Syrian civil war, said after a meeting with Obama on Monday that he was now confident the president was planning an attack “a little more robust than I thought.”

Another concern is that the draft resolution released by the administration contains broad language that could give rise to mission creep.

It says: “The president is authorized to use the armed forces of the United States as he determines to be necessary.” Congress shouldn’t dictate to the president and his commanders the precise number or timing of cruise missile strikes, but the resolution should be modified to make explicit what Obama already has promised: that the U.S. “would not put boots on the ground.” On Tuesday, Secretary of State John F. Kerry expressed an openness to such language.

Not all of the votes the administration needs belong to senators and representatives who agree with McCain; it also must obtain the support of members of both chambers from both parties who worry that a limited strike to enforce the prohibition on chemical warfare will mutate into an intervention reminiscent of Iraq or Afghanistan.

Satisfying all of the factions in Congress on this issue is a challenge comparable to the proper alignment of a Rubik’s Cube. Ideally, the result will be nothing less — but also nothing more — than what Kerry called “a limited and tailored response to ensure that a despot’s brutal and flagrant use of chemical weapons is held accountable.”

– Los Angeles Times

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 •Deputy Editor (Nation’s Capital) •Press Manager Yomi Odunuga Udensi Chikaodi •Group Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu •Legal Counsel John Unachukwu •Dep. Business Editor Simeon Ebulu • Manager (Admin) Folake Adeoye •Group Sports Editor Ade Ojeikere •Acting Manager (sales) •Editorial Page Editor Olaribigbe Bello Sanya Oni

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

20

CARTOON & LETTERS

S

IR: Not a few persons anticipated the implosion that hit the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on August 31; the signs of trouble were all too evident. The PDP has often been accused of lack of respect for the rule of law, falsehood, deceit, and imposition of candidates, repression and several other undemocratic and dishonourable conduct. Despite the unhealthy baggage, it has managed surprisingly successfully to survive one crisis after another.

This time, however, it seems to have pushed its luck too far.

According to Hooke’s law, an elastic material will return to its original length provided the elastic limit is not exceeded. The PDP has considerable elasticity for lawlessness but obviously those pulling the strings miscalculated and

S

EDITOR’S MAIL BAG

SEND TYPEWRITTEN, DOUBLE SPACED AND SIGNED CONTRIBUTIONS, LETTERS AND REJOINDERS OF NOT MORE THAN 800 WORDS TO THE EDITOR, THE NATION, 27B, FATAI ATERE ROAD, MATORI, LAGOS. E-mail: views@thenationonlineng.net

PDP: House divided against itself ended up exceeding the elastic limit.

Of recent, some of the actions of the party’s leadership have indeed been most bizarre.

Following the Nigeria Governor’s Forum (NGF) chairmanship election, it invented a queer arithmetic of 16 greater than 19. The dust raised by this disingenuous invention was yet to settle when five lawmakers (if you like, lawbreakers), egged on by the powers-that-be,

attempted to impeach the Speaker in a house of 32 members. This is just one of the many infractions that have gone on in Rivers State all in blind quest to get at the governor.

There have been arbitrary and bizarre suspensions of high ranking members including governors.

In Anambra, Senator Andy Uba was handed the same pill when he questioned the handing over of the party’s gubernatorial ticket to Tony

Nwoye. In fact, anyone who differed with the presidency and the party’s chairman was an enemy to be dealt with. Many complained but their complaints apparently fell on deaf ears.

Things eventually came to a head at the special national convention when former Vice President Atiku Abubakar along with seven state governors and their followers staged a walk-out and went ahead

geria have bordered on which ethnic group or region controls Nigeria, from the civil war (1967-1970) to the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. Hence it was a welcome development when some leaders from all over Nigeria decided on rotational presidency, starting with the Southwest whose Moshood Abiola, was denied the presidency by the 1993 annulment. Against rejection by the South-west, the rest of the country voted for Olusegun Obasanjo; he lost even in his own ward in the 1999 presidential election. The South-west leaders who later embraced him regretted their lack of focus.

At the end of Obasanjo’s two-term tenure, the rotation shifted to the North-west, and Yar’Adua emerged as elected President. Why did Nigerians again lose focus, and voted for Goodluck Jonathan in 2011, just because Yar’Adua died? Note that it was not only the PDP that chose its presidential flag bearer from the Southwest in 1999 and 2003; or from the north in 2007; all the major opposition political parties did the same.

What is more, even in 2011 when the PDP was arm-twisted to vote for Jonathan, the major opposition political parties still maintained the rotation stance.

Why then should the All Progressive Congress (APC) shy away from appropriating rotational presidency among the six geo-political zones, for order, equity, peace, progress, and stability? Nigeria’s constitution condones federal character policy for the same reason; how does rotational presidency violate that spirit?

Isn’t it significant that arguments against rotational presidency heightened after Jonathan truncated it in 2011? Any nation that loses focus on critical issues of election and political order can hardly be stable.

• Pius Oyeniran Abioje, Ph. D, University of Ilorin.

does not make the person a leader.

Nigerians are very wise; only that if they allow themselves one minute to think about an individual’s character, judging from his or her speech or antecedent, they will be able to make an informed decision about his or her leadership capabilities.

True leadership comes out of a conscience driven by a sense of social progress.

Nigerians will individually have themselves to blame when they abuse their political franchise with bad choices. The influence of poverty politics creates the corridor for charlatans to thrive. The jingoists

come around every election season and make promises and like a typhoon they disappear once they get into office. The country has sufficient resources to satisfy the economic demands of the citizens.

Now is early. The poor masses have suffered tremendously from the neglect or ignorance of their civic responsibility. If a politician offers you goodies, take them and thank him or her. An enlightened citizen should endeavour to do his or her own political calculation and vote for the candidate that will best satisfy his or her interests.

Democracy will yield abundant fruits when its tenets are strictly

Why political instability may persist

IR: There cannot be stability when the conditions for it are absent. Take the electoral system as a starting point. Popular protest against election rigging made President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to set up the Electoral Reform Committee, headed by Justice Muhammed Uwais. The most crucial recommendation of that committee, which was that the electoral system should be freed from the whims and caprices of the partisan President, Governor, and the ruling party, as the case might be, was jettisoned by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), using its upper hand as the ruling political party.

There was a palpable and bourgeoning agitation for the implementation of the Uwais’s recommendation in the build-up to the 2011 general elections, but Dr. Goodluck Jonathan also thwarted it by nominating Prof. Attahiru Jega to replace Prof. Maurice Iwu as the chairman of the electoral commission. Too many Nigerian intellectuals swallowed the bait, saying Jega was incorruptible. I was almost a lone opponent, shouting, “But we want a strong institution and not just a strong personality!”

Obviously, large scale manipulation of election results still trails our nation, as a consequence of our collective lack of focus, and PDP’s desperation to leave as much room as possible for election-rigging.

Besides election-rigging, most of the major crises that have bedevilled Ni-

S

IR: Politics as usual has not served the industrious citizens of this nation well. Nigerians have been disenfranchised by politicians who cared little for good governance. The tide of unconscionable politicians is sweeping through the country like locusts. They are voraciously squandering the immense resources endowed for the betterment of the people. Suddenly politicians are living in palaces as if they are kings.

Nigerians should avail themselves of the chance to do soulsearching on the personalities they consider for political leadership.

That someone is visible and loud

New face of politics

to set up a parallel executive. Many have predicted possible tear in the umbrella but perhaps not many imagined it would be torn almost in two. Well, a patient will suffer in relation to the magnitude of his ailment. When a mighty tree crashes it must fall with a mighty thud.

But does the PDP deserve the sympathy of Nigerians, or does its current travail call for celebration?

It must be borne in mind that none of the issues over which the PDP gladiators are battling borders on the welfare of Nigerians. On the contrary, it’s mostly over the politics of 2015. In any sane setting, one must first give account of, and indeed justify, the opportunity given to him before asking for more.

Now, how well has the power mongers disturbing the peace of the country with their squabbling done so far? Of what benefit is their stay in power to Nigerians?

In the past few years, Nigerians have witnessed a surge in corruption like never before. Infrastructure is in decay, unemployment rife; poverty, hunger and insecurity stalk the land. Undergraduates have been at home for months now. Yet those to whom authority have been vested to tackle these present challenges seem unconcerned but are busy fighting to capture or retain power in 2015. They chase after rats while the house is aflame. There’s need for change.

• Nnoli Chidiebere Aba, Abia State.

adhered to. It behoves on the citizenry to disabuse themselves of the regression of vulgar politics.

The new face of politics in Nigeria will wear the mask of discipline and abhor the evil forest of corruption.

The future generation must be spared from the sins of their forebears. An Igbo adage says suffering is on the body. What good has the political road Nigerians travelled so far done for them other than total collapse of the social structure? Turn on the light and see the disastrousness of the nation’s journey so far.

• Pius Okaneme, Umuoji, Anambra State.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013 16

21

COMMENTS

The demons within

N

O one could teach humanity to our callous clan. Nobody could teach reality to a land that dies of dreams of plunder. Who could teach direction to a people that thrive on monstrosity and misdirection?

As we approach 2015, we enthuse about the possibility of rebirth. Our talk is of a new dawn but if we look closely enough, we shall find that there is no light in the skies yet.

Last sunrise – at the beginning of the current dispensation – the sun betrayed a hint of tiredness. It seemed to have withdrawn into some new distance – like the North Star that suddenly discovers the unworthiness of our pirate ship for its guiding light. We are still that great ship with no certain commitment to compass and outlast our course’s most hideous storms.

As we approach 2015, every moment uncoils as that in which we return to sup on yesterday’s vomit, like starved greyhounds. We are recycling the same old faces, same old politics, same old hurt. Every minute passes like that in which seedlings and crop shoots fear the late and early rainstorms. Our young expects too little, still; and our old still indulge in pleasurable reminiscences even as they discover no logic to justify that which they

had forsaken and squandered.

Come 2015, we expect that things will change for the better. But nothing will change for the better because we have appointed career undertakers to midwife our new dawn, again. Come 2015, more promises will be broken and fear’s moonflower will spread and attain full blossom, till our proverbial dawn illumines as familiar dusk of compromise. And that is because we have refused to change.

An in-depth scrutiny into our psyches would reveal the depth of our affinity to leadership we have. Our thoughts, politics and actions, while lacking in philosophy and conviction betrays on one hand, wanton inclinations to aid and abet our current leadership, and on the flipside, an excessive confidence in our personal judgment and contempt for the advice and criticism of others.

Our pains are of substandard education, mass unemployment, sky-rocketing inflation, pervasive poverty, insecurity, crime, high infant and maternal mortality, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) epidemic, cyber –fraud, institutional fraud, etc. To these, we have proffered countless solutions.

We have suggested population control. We have suggested greater government support and presence

‘Like a citizen’s resoluteness to respect the traffic light and a local government chairman’s immutable passion to improve life at the grassroots – particularly when the world isn’t looking’

F

ORMER President Ibrahim Babangida has uncanny understanding of the psychology of Nigerians. While celebrating his 72nd birthday, Babangida demonstrated his understanding of the country when he described Nigeria as “one of the most amazing countries in the world”. He said no matter what happens you would “find people happy, laughing and attending football matches. That’s Nigeria for you.”

Babangida’s statement neither confers responsibility nor liability. His statement does however reflect a mentality that seems to define government approach to the on-going strike action by Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU. It is an attitude of insensitivity, lack of responsibility and accountability. Clearly it reflects how Nigerians, their feelings, rights and indeed the future of this country are treated with contempt by people entrusted with leadership. Sadly they are emboldened by the level of complacence that pervades among the citizenry.

Otherwise, how can a government that desires to develop the country technically, economically, scientifically, socially and politically choose to treat with disdain the very institution designed to produce manpower required for such goals?

It is particularly difficult to understand the recent twist in the negotiation between federal government and ASUU. Suddenly a government that for three years refused to honour its agreement proudly tells Nigerians it is “alarmed over security reports reaching it that ASUU has been infiltrated by opposition parties”. In its thinking, it is the opposition parties “that have encouraged the lecturers to keep the universities closed, to make political capital.”

There is no doubt that ASUU may have within its ranks sympathisers of all the political parties in the country (PDP, APC, PDM, etc). But the federal government allegation raises some concerns. It does not, for instance, tell us what the security reports said when for three years the government refused to honour the agreement it reached with the union, since 2009. What also has the security report told them about the dwindling standard of education in the country and its implication on national security and international integrity?

One expects security report to have told the government that its non implementation of the 2009 agreement was a threat to the education system. That the lecturers were not ready to endure such insensitivity indefinitely. And that a major disruption in the university education was inevitable if government continued to act irresponsibly. No one knows if all of these could be attributed to opposition parties. However, that the government found it convenient to ignore an agreement that was in the best interest of Nigeria is bad enough; that they are desperate to find a scapegoat means they have no conscience. The fact is all Nigerians, irrespective of party, religion, tribe, etc, are affected by the strike.

They also have legitimate right to feel angry, blame government or ASUU. Indeed, they have right to even protest against government insensitivity to a defining sector like education.

If it is true the lecturers are more amenable to influence

in the Niger Delta claiming that since it is Nigeria’s only reliable source of national income, the federal government ought to devote greater time, money and other resources to the region.

We have suggested that we paid more attention to our ailing agricultural sector. We claim it would do us great good if we could revivify our dying cocoa industry, collapsed groundnut pyramids and struggling oil palm sector. Not to forget our persistent rant about our abject neglect of our tourist attractions. It’s amusing to see us mount the soap-box in fickle fits of contempt – in our liquor and rant-activated pubs, living-rooms, courtyards and pages of our sensational newsprints. We have perfected the art of lamentation, bandying angst and pitiful punch lines to bemoan our rudderless politics.

What’s your poison? Nigeria’s leadership problem? Pervasive poverty? Endemic corruption? Religious upheavals cum perversion of faith? What is it that causes riotous incense to course through your brain? The abject rot of the Onyeama Coal Mine? The collapse of Ajaokuta Steel as well as other appendages to Nigeria’s steel sector?

Our underperforming oil refineries and Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN)? What excites your grief? Our conduit-built and corruption-activated ministries?

Nigeria ruins and stagnates like cocoyam sodden in a mud field and we continue to articulate textbook remedies to problems that are best resolved by truth, honesty and impeccable character. Today, we suggest a sovereign national conference or referendum to provide the forum by which we could redress the state of the union. What manner of redress do we seek? Many have suggested that we break-up.

They claim we shall do better if we go our separate ways.

Now picture the dissolution of our 53-year old union; what plenitude could it bring? What manner of peace, justice and stability could we derive from a relapse to humanity’s often wildest and best-forgotten enterprise?

What would be our role in the new order? Shall we reinvent the millipede by calling it, ‘snake?’ Shall the lion cub become tomcat simply because it is kept as a house pet? We could reinvent ourselves as much as we like; we could secede by our terms as many times as we like; we could quote Nietzsche, Plato, Disreali et al and re-echo the idiosyncrasies of our favourite columnists for as long as it gets us to justify our cynicism and grief; nothing will change.

Our lives shan’t get better. Nigeria won’t become the land of honey and milk we wish it would become until we change.

It’s a fundamental nature of our society that we accept abnormality and debauchery as incontestable parts of our nature. Yet if we did not indulge in such abject perversions and pitiable evasions as our principle of moral agnosticism which imbues us to be tolerant of anything and everything, we could have matured enough in intellect and psyche to know how and why not to compromise between truth and falsehood, reason and irrationality.

We could have attained such maturity that would enable us to understand that the values we project become the essence of our sociopolitics and being – whether we like it or not. Every utterance we make, as our most humane and inhumane actions and reactions, intensify the simplicity or degeneracy of our individual perceptions, as well as the

rationality and otherwise of politics we choose to scorn or celebrate.

It needn’t be so hard to be good.

But it is – simply because despite our touted morality, wisdom and predilection to evolve a quintessential civilization, we have lost direction.

Knowingly, we scorn both our glaring and latent abilities to discern that proverbial path to the realization of the essence and undeniable benefits of being good. Consequently, our culture and our lives disintegrate for our lack of character.

When we ennoble double-speak and refrain from praising men’s virtues and condemning their vices, our fraudulence declares and we foster the corruption of our larger society.

No practicable and highfaluting panacea could resolve our most hideous realities until we attain the essence of goodness without being self-righteous.

Simply put, there can be no compromise, however exquisitely couched, between us and the depravity we tolerate. Aiding and abetting corruption in the spirit of socioeconomic and political expediency is hardly a compromise but a cowardly surrender to the elements that disintegrates and make bleak.

Whether we like it or not, there can be no compromise or wanton sophistry acceptable on basic principles and fundamental issues. It’s time we desist from every conscious quest to improve the status quo from the deceitful springboard of compromise. The change we seek subsists in random and premeditated acts of goodness that we have learnt to forsake: like a citizen’s resoluteness to respect the traffic light and a local government chairman’s immutable passion to improve life at the grassroots – particularly when the world isn’t looking.

ASUU strike and price of indifference

By Daniel Bo from opposition parties, it is indication of the failure of Jonathan administration to address legitimate needs of the education sector. In a democracy, a government that plans to win by popular and majority votes should have anticipated response of opposition parties, in the event of a strike. It would have quickly honoured the agreement so as to win the hearts and minds of the lecturers, and to restore some level of integrity. To ignore the agreement only to make wild allegations rather compromises the integrity of the administration.

The attitude of the President and his cabinet shows that administration is paying lip service to issues of development.

They know that Nigerians are generally gullible and susceptible to ethnic, religious and other sentiments that can easily be used to manipulate the masses. Otherwise, how can anyone explain the courage of federal government, when it said ASUU should be grateful because the “government has shifted ground from its initial posture that there was no money to offering N30 billion”. For an administration that knows it has violated the sanctity of a subsisting agreement and consequently betrayed its trust, such presumption is to say the least, arrogant.

Perhaps, the administration has forgotten that according to the 2009 ASUU/FG agreement and the 2012 Memoranda of Understanding (MOU), what is due for the 2012 and 2013 is N500 billion. In four years government is supposed to have spent N1.3 trillion on federal and state universities. The fact that the government has offered only N100 billion, more than one month into the strike confirms its insensitivity. For the government to expect ASUU to be grateful that it (government) has shifted from its initial “no money” to offering some money is indecent. That out of the paltry sum, which evidently insults the principles of the agreement, government still wants to take back N1.975 billion as “project administration cost” is awful. Yet, it is ironic that a government that does not have enough to solve numerous problems affecting the universities, would rather spend N50 billion to construct only 35,000 bed spaces hostels when the same amount can be used to construct 125,000 bed spaces hostels.

This again is, to say the least, scandalous.

What is particularly interesting about the ASUU strike is the deliberate attempt to make a simple, straight forward matter complex and complicated. ASUU had declared the strike action following inability of the Federal government to honour the 2009 agreement the two parties had signed.

The fundamental issues in the agreement were not personal to members of the union. They were meant to reverse the

embarrassing collapse of the education system in the country. No one is ignorant that, even our highest degrees are hardly recognized beyond Nigeria. In the West, America, including some African countries our educational certificates are simply despised. It is a national disgrace driven by years of neglect. The 2009 ASUU/Federal Government agreement provided the roadmap to end the embarrassment. Lack of a conscience and patriotic feeling to recognize the agreement as obligation to the present and future generations is inexplicable.

While the country’s leadership is willing to toil with the future of Nigeria, they are quick to deploy the commonwealth and assets to defend their personal ambitions. Often, realizing their ambitions is a do-or-die affair. President Goodluck Jonathan administration needs to understand that, on a yearly basis, Nigerians spend billions of naira to educate their wards in small, less endowed neighbouring countries like Ghana, due to lack of faith and confidence in our educational institutions. It is an indictment of his administration.

The attitude of the government to the demands of the striking lecturers suggests that it is simply interested in foisting a culture where possession of a certificate is more valuable than knowledge and competence. And as Babangida unconsciously perhaps, revealed, our leaders are possessed by blind confidence that no matter what they do, Nigerians are too docile to react or express discontent.

He is right. If you live in a country where the rule of law prevails, where elected leaders are accountable, where impunity is criminalised, where vote counts, where personal ambitions of those in power is separated from national interest or patriotism, where corruption is a vice not virtue, you will simply not believe what “you read and hear” about Nigeria. Here, the culture of impunity reigns, patriotism has been personalized and made synonymous with personal agendas of sitting leaders, corruption is a virtue. Men and women of honour are denigrated. Honesty and merit have been criminalized. Above all the complacency of the masses is unparalleled. It is this state of affairs that is holding the ongoing strike by ASUU hostage.

• Dr. Bo is a public affairs analyst

‘Here, the culture of impunity reigns, patriotism has been personalized and made synonymous with personal agendas of sitting leaders, corruption is a virtue’

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

22

COMMENTS ‘The moment we break faith with one another, the sea engulfs us and the light goes out.’ —— James Baldwin

N

OBODY can deny the apparently imminent implosion in the ruling People’s Democratic Party today. The truth of impermanence beckons with last weekend’s mini convention of the party that witnessed the break-away of a faction. Except for President Goodluck Jonathan and his minders, the discernible public rightly knows that from the ominous signs on the wall, the party needs urgent help, otherwise, an undertaker will soon do his job.

Hear the president’s reported remarks at the mini convention: “Ours is not only the party of the present, but it is the party of the future. It is very clear that we are the party destined to take Nigeria to greatness. We are the party that holds the interest of Nigerians dearly at heart. We do not pursue divisible policies, we do not preach hate, we reject violence, we reject killings, we recognise Nigeria as one indivisible entity, we deplore ethnic distrust among our great people….Before I leave, let me ask our party men and women one fundamental question and I need the answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’. As a party, have we changed our name? No. As a party, have we changed our logo? No. As a party, have we changed our slogan? No. As a party, have we changed our motto? No. As a party, have we changed our vision? No. No shaking.” He went ahead to list the achievements of the PDP-led government to include improvement in telecoms, agriculture, aviation, transportation, roads, water resources, and education.

The truth is that may be in telecoms, the ruling party/government can be grudgingly scored fairly despite the poor services inflicted on Nigerians by the mobile telecom-

‘The life of PDP at the moment is like that of branches on a tree growing in different directions but with weak roots that are pretending to be staying as one’

R

ESTRAINING from writing this piece for quite sometime now has in itself amounted to enduring a niggling pain. For over two months, I had deliberately held down the urge to bare my mind on the troubling misgivings one has about these two federal agencies. One held back ‘fire’ perhaps in sympathy for the young, ebullient compatriots heading them who need encouragement to succeed instead of barbs of criticism. But the more one shied away from doing it, the more one is tormented by the need to render this apparent public service.

The Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC and the National Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC both have their jobs well-defined and cut out for them. They are however imbued with a particular good fortune in the sense that aspects of their schedules have direct and immediate impact on the populace nationwide but even better still is the fact that these activities are monstrously revenue churning.

First FRSC: apart from devising means of ensuring safety on federal highways, it has a much more lucrative task of issuing driver’s licences and number plates. These services which enjoy a sitting-duck customer base of no fewer than 70 million are in a torrid mess right now. There are few processing centres and even those are pock-marked by touting and racketeering mainly insider-induced. People pay for many months without being issued documents or getting service. The stories emanating from licensing offices are long and ugly but this bit will suffice.

NERC on the other hand and as the name suggests ought to regulate electricity distribution, metering as well as oversight the new private operators. NERC is better known to Nigerians today as a ‘crazy’ government agency that only specializes in increasing electricity tariff especially at a time of blinding ‘blackout’ and near zero power supply. But if people could live down the ‘thrombosis’ of tariff increase in a time of ‘darkness’, how are Nigerians supposed to swallow the fact that they paid for meters for years and they never get them. Just like FRSC, NERC is so fortunate to have over 100 million Nigerian households begging to pay just any price for these meters that ought to be free in the first place. My personal experience is that a close friend paid about N50,000 and it took nearly four years to get the one-phase meter.

At times like this, one remembers forlornly, a Dora Akunyili, Ifueko Omoigui and even

07011117777

2015: No longer family affairs

•Jonathan munication networks. In the agricultural sector, for the elitist minister, it has been all grammar and no progress. A more rigorous searchlight would very soon be beamed on that sector by yours sincerely after my vacation that commences next week. Since the transportation programme of this administration is manifestly zero, it would be wrong to think that such a government can have any meaningful road policy.

If anyone is also in doubt, the decrepit condition of federal government-owned Lagos/ Ibadan Expressroad among others, is a loud testimony of “progress” in a sector. In a country where the completion of a borehole project is still usually launched with official funfair and where virtually all residential homes dig own boreholes, it could not be

said that there is progress in the area of water resources. The dilapidated state of airports across the country; official compromise of aviation rules and the sight of not well maintained aged aircrafts in the nation’s airspace could not have been what the president was referring to as achievements in that sector. The current doldrums in universities where lecturers for months have been on strike speaks volumes about the ruinous policy of President Jonathan on education in the country.

So, despite the fact that PDP, in the president’s estimation, is laughably not ‘shaking’ because the party in 15 years has not changed its slogan, its motto and obviously blurred vision, it is increasingly becoming evident that the party should not be saddled with the country’s future because it thrives basically on the inordinate ambitions of its leaders and not necessarily the interests of Nigerians.

The PDP in 15 years has become a party of broken promises; of hate/violence and one that was exasperatingly described by inimitable Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka, as a ‘nest of killers.’ The other parties that have made transformation their routine acts because of the irrational polity created by PDP are making far-reaching impacts on the people of the various states in the land.

It would be nice if the president and members of his party could come to terms with the reality that Nigerians are tired of their kleptocracy in governance. The ambition of the president to seek another fresh mandate

EXPRESSO STEVE OSUJI

SMS 08111526725, email:steve.osuji@yahoo.com

Endless agonies over FRSC and NERC

Stella Oduah in this era of stupefying inertia.

What the trio have in common is that they proved most convincingly that with the right leadership and drive, even government agencies will work in Nigeria. They showed us that you could cut through the fat of bureaucracy to get the results you want. No excuses. I want to wager that an Akunyili would have delivered meters house-to-house starting from Bonny Island upwards through katsina right up to the outer fringes of Chad and the Niger Republics.

An Omoigui would have devised a 48-hour home delivery method for anyone who concluded his vehicle documentation process. Service, service, service; no excuses.

The pity is that the two helmsmen (Osita Chidoka, FRSC and Dr. Sam Mbah, NERC) are young, vibrant and well-regarded young people; how they succumbed so supinely to inertia and put Nigerians through such untold agonies is difficult to tell? (Perhaps they have insights the rest of us cannot fathom whereupon this space will be availed them for any article that would shed light on the issues raised above).

Readers speak Below are a few of the SMS reactions to last week’s article: Kwankwaso, Haruna, Odimegwu and fictional censuses, published on this space: Ha Mr. Osuji, why did you write with such anger today? The truth is that we are all guilty of self preservation when the issues affect our tribes. See how ‘Baba Clark’ and Asari Dokubo

gyrate over any criticism of President Jonathan.

You have also ‘defended’ Igbo nationals when criticized e.g. minster of Aviation, among others. What of the recent accusations and counter accusations over Fani-Kayode’s article which was precipitated by an Igbo man’s claim that Lagos is no-man’s? In my view, these are all natural reactions because we belong to our tribes FIRST before we are Nigerians.. – 08034726625 Most of the time, I find your comments disgusting. Your are not different from Haruna Mohammed in fanning the embers of tribal hatred. Odimegwu has spoken, let it be. – 07026802510 God bless you my brother! Igbos are everywhere in this country giving credence to our false unity. Igbos should withdraw to the east like the Yourbas and Hausas have done and Nigeria will cease to exist. From Obinna, Aba, 08072175614 You are an irritating pollutant, a disgusting opinionist whose mind is possessed by tribal misconceptions. The earlier you are shown the way out, the better for our dear newspaper.

Don’t kill yourself while trying hard to tell and defend a tribal lie. Come to the north and take a census of at least one household and your tribal infection may be healed. – 08085536615 Oga Osuji, thanks immensely for being very sensitive to national issues. Some people out there just think others are ‘mumu united’. That others don’t talk of the fraud called national census doesn’t mean they are fools and those

come 2015 is threatening the already brittle peace of PDP. That Special Convention of PDP was meant to take essential decisions ahead of the 2015 elections but eventually turned to a platform of bile, venom, revulsion and breakaway by disenchanted members of the party. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, seven governors (including Sule Lamido (Jigawa); Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano); Abdulafatah Ahmed (Kwara); Babangida Aliyu (Niger); Aliyu Wammako (Sokoto); Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) and Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers); three former governors and federal legislators reportedly walked out of the convention.

They subsequently proceeded to a media conference where they announced the sack (illegally) of the party’s embattled national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, who was also installed in cloudy circumstances. Well, the ruling party is renowned for perpetuating illegalities.

Tukur was ‘replaced’ by Alhaji Kawu Baraje who was at a time, acting national chairman of the party. At the last count, 57 out of the PDP-produced 204 Representatives and 20 senators from the same party are rooting for the Alhaji Kawu Baraje-led New PDP. However, in 2011 general elections, the PDP won 23 out of the nation’s 36 gubernatorial seats.

Now it has lost seven disenchanted governors and left with mere 16 state governors that are not totally reliable being politicians of the unpredictable Nigerian hue. And contrary to the president’s assertion, let him answer this question: Is PDP growing bigger and stronger under his care and leadership?

Where is the derisory family bond holding these PDP election riggers and self-aggrandisers together?

As inept President Jonathan continues to perfect his infamous plans on how to run for re-election in 2015, the polity is unnecessarily getting disgustingly overheated. Sincerely, the atmosphere in the ruling PDP has defied the usual ‘family affairs.’ It is now one that limits members’ wishes and also abridges the rights and needs of the party’s inordinately ambitious chieftains - just because of Jonathan’s presidential ambition - like it happened under ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, the tyrant in agbada. The life of PDP at the moment is like that of branches on a tree that are growing in different directions but with weak roots that are pretending to be healthy. committing the fraud will always have a field day. Thanks for calling Malam Haruna to order in his subjective feature. From Monday – 08033691236 Dear Mr. Steve Osuji, your piece is a masterpiece, God bless you. – 08164483725 I read your piece and I think your conclusions are wrong and mere sentiments. All indices supporting high population such as early/ child marriage, polygamy and poverty are more prevalent in the north. That high figures are cooked up for the north as you insinuated cannot be correct. From A. Ojo, Lagos. – 08023535890 Thank you Steve for your work on Odimegwu, Kwankwaso, etc. – 0803541017 Opara-ukwu Igbo! That is what you are Steve Osuji. Thanks for your exceptional disquisition in EXPRESSO, 30.8.13. Your bold refreshing candor is re-enlivening to countless Ndigbo.

Iwu akataka! From Ogbuehi M. – 08034868081.

Honestly sir I am very much proud of you and I am happy to know that there is someone who can think and stand by the truth. I just want to encourage you to do more. – 08069265966 I have just read the charade you submitted on Kwankwaso and Odimegwu your kinsman.

For irrationally chasing Igbo sentiments and churning out the rubbish that the Igbo is better than every other human on earth, you are a disgrace and a curse to your pen profession and your so-called race. Shame on you and the tabloid that gave you the platform. Nigeria does not need your arrogance. From Salau@LKJ -08036001282 For just firing a bullet into the air, those who are benefitting from the falsehood are developing heart attack. The only advise I have for Odimegwu is: let your strategies be coded before those beneficiaries of falsehood ambush you. From Effiong, Calabar – 08072003205 Well done Steve! The judgment from the Census Tribunal which invalidated 2006 census results from 14 LGAs in Lagos (see Sun, Vanguard of 31.8.13) has validated your piece if it needed any. There will always be crisis in a country built on injustice, for instance Kano is touted to be in the same population bracket with Lagos yet old Kano had 44 LGAs. When Jigawa State was created from this same Kano, it was allotted 27 LGAs making old Kano to have 71 LGAs while Lagos remains at 20 LGAs. Can anyone quantify this singular injustice in terms of federal revenue allocation?! Please keep it up Steve, change will come someday, somehow. From Amaku, - 08151529021

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

I N S I D E

Website: http://www.thenationonlineng.com

How nurses, couples power baby factories •Baby Miracle with her mother

‘Nothing wrong with Uduaghan starting projects he can’t finish’

Victims relive four long days in kidnappers’ den

•PAGE 26

Pages 25

•PAGE 38

•PAGE 27 • Ogeah

•Villacorte

Church where Oba of Benin is General Overseer

On Akpakpava Road in the heart of Benin City, the Edo State capital, is a church founded over 500 years ago.

The architectural design of the building tells its story. It does not advertise itself; yet has a large following. The Oba of Benin is its spiritual head, reports OSAGIE OTABOR.

T

HE Holy Aruosa Cathedral is to the Bini people what the Church of England is to the English people; no wonder it is referred to as the Church of Benin.

Welcome to the Holy Aruosa (the eye of God) Cathedral.

Members of the Holy Arousa are different from flocks of other religious bodies: they are seldom seen sharing pamphlets to convert members or inviting people to the church. The church leaders do not hold crusades or revival services to convert ‘souls’, neither do they invite people to experience miracles.

Legend has it that the church was located at the place because it was the spot the Bini had direct contact with Osanobua (God) long before the coming of the European explorers and missionaries.

According to the folklore, a powerful spiritual leader known as Okhuaihe was said to have offered to personally take the peoples’ plea to God as a result of drought and pestilence that had infected the land. He gave up his life during one of the prayer sessions. He was expected to return and bring succour to the people.

As the story goes, the people continued their prayers waiting for Okhuaihe’s return but rather than his return, they got a huge fireball that descended from the

•The Church of Benin

‘

We don’t use the Bible here. We have our own book. We use the book of Holy Aruosa according to the sayings of the ancient belief written by the wise men. The church is still in existence till today; it is an entity that will last forever.

Nothing can stop it •Oba of Benin

sky. At the point where the ball of fire dropped, a huge black stone was found and a place of worship was built there.

During the British invasion of Benin Kingdom, the church was de-

‘

stroyed and the black stone was carted away along with other artifacts from the ancient city at about 1897. The invaders came with their own God, mode of worship and forbade the people from worshipping

•Okao

Osanobua at Holy Arousa.

It was Oba Akenzua II (father of the present monarch) who rebuilt the current cathedral, not only in Benin City, but in Onitsha, Umuahia and other areas.

The Oba of Benin is the spiritual head (general overseer) of the Church. His deputy is the Benin Crown Prince. The presiding head of the church is known as ‘Ohen Osa’ (God’s servant). A special seat is reserved for the Oba at the church. The priests dress like the Roman Catholic priests and usually wear red caps.

Service at the church is conducted in Bini language. The Holy Bible is not used in the church; much of the preaching revolves around reminding the congregation that the Oba is God’s representative on earth and on the need to be good while on earth. Baptism of new converts is done with the white chalk (Orhue) in what is regarded as ‘Igborhe’.

Does miracle happen in the church? Ohen Osa Harrison Okao said people received miracles and God’s blessings directly from God without any intermediary.

He said: “Those who seek God come here. We don’t beg people to come. If you attend and disContinued on page 40

•I’M INNOCENT, SAYS GIRL IN KIDNAPPERS’ DEN P37• RIVERS COMMUNITY TO TOTAL: PAY US N200M FOR EXPLOSIONP37

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

26

NIGER DELTA REPORT The Niger Delta has its share of the ‘baby factories’.

SHOLA O’NEIL investigates the role of medical workers and desperate couples in the multibillion naira criminal trade.

How nurses, couples power

E

ARLY last year, Mrs. Caroline Ojei (not her real name), accompanied a friend to a reputable chemist located off the popular Warri/Sapele Road in Warri, Delta State. She has been married for nearly four years and was yet to have child.

She was introduced to the chemist , which had gained a reputation among women in the Oil City as a wonder clinic where women seeking fruit of the wombs get their desires and , sometimes, determine the sex of the baby.

“My friend told me that there is a ‘doctor’ there who could help me and I would be pregnant within months. I met this friend during my search for a child and the next time I saw her she was 'pregnant'. I asked her how she did it.”

The decision would open the eye of the woman (in her late 20s) to the scary world of a powerful child trafficking ring, which activities and influence spread across the length and breadth of the country - from Benin through Warri to Port Harcourt, Enugu and up to Abuja and God knows where else.

Mrs Ojei appealed not to be identified by her real name because of fears of deadly backlash from the operators if they knew she was the one that gave out their secret.

When she got to chemist, she met dozens of women of all ages waiting to see the 'doctor', who our investigations revealed was a pharmacist. Although he is believed to be working with a Port Harcourt-based syndicate that specialises in the sale of babies to desperate women, he has never been arrested or tried because none of the victims were willing to go to the police with their tales.

Our findings revealed that the pharmacist was working outside the knowledge of the owners of the reputable medicine shop.

Babies for sale

Our investigation revealed that the ring includes a baby factory section where young girls, who either got impregnated by studs for the purpose or through illicit affairs, are lured for a fee as low as N50,000.

“His job is to meet the demands of those who want babies with factory owners,” a source said.

Several ‘factories’ were uncovered in Imo and Abia states in the East. Sixteen expectant mothers, including teenagers from Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Enugu and Abia states, were rescued after a raid on Cross Foundation International, an NGO, by DSS operatives in Aba, in June.

•Two women accused of stealing minutes-old baby from Nkpor Rumuolumeni, Rivers State

Our investigation revealed that operators sell a male child from N100,000 to N2 million and a female child fetches between N80,000 and N1.5 million, depending on buyers and sellers.

In some cases, very rich clients choose surrogate mothers, who are impregnated and kept in luxury for the duration of the pregnancy till they are delivered of the babies.

“In this case, the carrier of the baby could make as much as N500,000 to N2m, depending on the sex of the baby and what the buyer is able to pay,” our source, who is a medical doctor, said.

A gynaecologist in a popular hospital Benin City, Edo State expressed concern about the trend. He said one of his patients recently told him that she was carrying the baby in her womb for a rich client.

“She said she would be paid N500,000 and that she was just waiting for the pregnancy to get to three months before moving into a well furnished apartment arranged for her in Abuja where she would stay before delivery.

“I was shocked, to say the least, because this is a graduate who is on youth service.

She was so unremorseful and was even looking forward to delivering the child so that she

would cash the cheque written in her name,” he said.

The mothers are not always willing clients like the youth service girl. In other instances, the babies sold are stolen sometimes at gunpoint - by midwives or 'prophets' of churches where the children are delivered.

In December 2011, a baby was stolen from a church, Divine Encounter Holy Ghost Ministry, in Nkpor village , Rumuolumeni, Rivers State, barely five minutes after she was born. The child was born to a Mrs Sunday, whose quest for 'divine protection' took her to the church run by Pastor George Brown.

The baby girl, Miracle Sunday, later turned up in the home of a couple in Choba, Port Harcourt. The couple was celebrating the ‘birth’ of their miracle baby 25 years after marriage when the police busted them. Pastor Brown and a nurse, Madam Blessing Egbune, who were arrested for masterminding the sensational baby theft, led the police to the home of the couple.

It was gathered that prior to the celebration, neighbours had noticed that the belly of the aged woman was protruding and she had all the signs of pregnancy.

“It was not surprising to us

when the woman returned before Christmas with a baby girl that she just delivered because we thought she was pregnant. Even when the police came we were willing to stand by the woman, until we heard the true story,” Chika, who said she attended the ‘baby shower’, told our reporter.

“How did she do it?” Chika wondered.

False pregnancy

Shortly after Caroline Ojei started the treatment, she said she stopped menstruating.

Her belly got bigger, her breast became fuller and her face and neck puffed up and she also started suffering bouts of ‘morning sickness’.

“My husband (an officer in the state Civil Service) and I were overwhelmed with joy.

I could not wait for my pregnancy to complete the first trimester so that I could go for a scan to ascertain the sex of the baby. Whether it was male or female didn't really matter to me, I just wanted to do what other women do. I waited years for it,” she recalled.

However, the reality of her situation dawned on her when after three months she approached her 'doctor' for advice on the scan. "He acted suspicious and said I cannot

•Miracle reunited with her parents five months after she was stolen

go for scan because nothing would show in the scan. He said my pregnancy was through a special technology and that such babies don't appear in an ordinary scan.

“He said when scan becomes necessary, he would tell me and personally take me to the special clinic where it would be conducted. My friend, which was way ahead of me, also confirmed that it was the practice there. In fact, she had not scanned even though she was seven months pregnant.”

When she became agitated over the situation, she said her friend became angry and scolded her for being an ‘over sabi’ (too inquisitive).

Worried by the new twist, Caroline, who is a graduate, began investigating the 'new technology'.

First, she took the drugs she had been taking to another pharmacist, who told her that she had been taking steroids and other drugs, which have dangerous side effects.

Confirming this, a medical practitioner and Chief Medical Officer, International SOS Nigeria, Dr. Henry Omaduvie, said: “It is true that people could wrongly and criminally use drugs like prednisolone for that purpose (mimic pregnancy).

“For those who will want to benefit from the side effects of the drug to mimic pregnancy by using prednisolone probably in combination with other drugs. “(They) might want to wrongly and criminally benefit from the following side effects of steroids which include: irregular and complete absence of menstrual bleeding, swollen face, legs and ankle due to the fluid accumulating property of steroids, weight gain and nausea.”

He said usage of such drugs lead to stoppage of menstruation as well as morning sickness like vomiting, headache and others similar to signs of pregnancy.

Nevertheless, he warned that the prolonged use of steroids without expert supervision should not be attempted because of its very dire consequences.

Rude awakening

When Caroline realised that she had been taken for a ride by the 'doctor', she said she was heartbroken and confused. In her anger, she went back to the chemist and raised a storm. She tried to convince over a dozen other women who were attending sessions that their 'doctor' was a fraud.

“Rather than listen to me,

‘

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

27

baby factories

NIGER DELTA REPORT Our four long days in kidnappers’ den

•Villacorte with other rescued sailors -

PHOTOS: SHOLA O’NEIL

•The suspects

C

they went back to tell the man that I was spoiling his name and his 'good works'. At a point, I became convinced that some of them already knew what the deal was. It was like a cult."

She also got a call from the 'doctor' who threatened to deal with her if she didn't mind her business.”

Further checks revealed that some of the victims were forced to go ahead with the scam because of shame and fear. Mrs Ojei's friend, who refused to disclose her name, said she was in dilemma when she found out that her pregnancy was a sham because her husband, family and friends thought she was expecting a baby.

Another woman said she was “just weeks from buying another person's child” before common sense kicked in. Her anxiety to add to the son she had nearly a decade earlier drove her to the ‘wonder clinic’.

“I knew after the first trimester that I wasn't pregnant because I have been pregnant before and I know the signs all were missing. When I confronted the man he told what I had to do if I do not want the disgrace.

"I needed a lot of money and my husband won't give

me close to N1m without asking questions and demanding cogent explanation. So I opened and told him the truth."

She said her husband was aghast. "He said over his dead body. He would rather adopt than buy a child. Today, I am grateful to him (husband) for his position because after that debacle, God has given me my own child that I carried in my womb and delivered myself.”

Reflecting on her situation, she advised husbands to take more than passing interest in the affairs of their wives when they are pregnant.

“During that period, I met girls and even women who were taking these pills simply to fool their husbands or to lure their boyfriends into marriage. There was a particular lady, her boyfriend usually drops her off before going to work. But as soon as he leaves, she would walk out of the clinic and go back to whatever business she had. A man who takes great interest as my husband did will never fall prey to these criminals.”

Dire consequence

Dr. Omaduvie told Niger Delta Report that prolonged use of such drugs could have life threatening effect of users.

The International SOS Nigeria CMO warned that Pred-

nisolone “must be used with caution and under strict supervision by a licensed physician as the side effects can be more than the anticipated benefit especially in prolonged usage”.

A former Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association in Delta State, Dr Chuks Ossai, who was contacted, confirmed that he had heard of the activities of the criminal ring. He said the NMA was not aware of the activities of the ring in the state.

“What we heard is that there are places that people go to, especially in Rivers State to purchase those miracle babies, but we have not heard of any report in Delta State. What we normally do is when a clinic is established we usually investigate it to ensure that they are qualified doctors,” he added.

He said there is little the NMA could do about the 'rumour' until it gets a formal complaint about the activity of the ring in the state and involvement of medical doctors.

“What you should know is that there are many 419 going about these days. The NMA doesn't take kindly to quacks.

We have an anti-quackery committee that we can detail to investigate such report,” he added.

APTAIN Elmundo Villacorte and eight other crew members were aboard a maritime tanker vessel, MT Norte on August 13 when their nightmare began.

Sixteen heavily- armed men stormed the vessel and seized control. The hijack occurred off the coast of Forcados in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

That invasion began a fourday ordeal that culminated in a fierce shootout between security operatives and the suspected pirates, which lost 12 of its members on August 17.

Speaking with our reporter after the bloody rescue operation by the Navy, Villacorte said: “They (pirates) came in the middle of the night and we were unprepared. It was a horrifying experience; we did not expect and everybody was scared.”

The vessel, owned by Orion Marine, a company based in Apapa, Lagos, was conveying 17,000 metric tonnes of PMS (Premium Motor Spirit) popularly called petrol, when the gun struck that night. The value of the product was put at over N2 billion.

Giving details of the operation that led to the rescue, Commanding Officer, NNS Delta, Commodore MS Garba, said when the Navy got information of the attack, it deployed five naval gunboats, NNS Obula from the Central and Western Naval Commands.

He said: “The combined effort of five naval gunboats and NNS Obula from Central and Western Naval Command intercepted and rescue the vessel and crew.”

Our independent investigation revealed that operation to rescue the kidnap sailors began with negotiation with the criminals, who gave conditions to release the vessel and free their hostage.

A top naval source said security operatives entered the negotiation to buy time and get the necessary machinery in

•Garba and Nwagu

They (pirates) came in the middle of the night and we were unprepared. It was a horrifying experience; we did not expect and everybody was scared From Shola O’Neil

place for the operation.

“During the discussions, they did not know that we had aircraft overflying the area and getting the necessary details and information about their location, position of their men and the kind of weapons they have.

“The operation was not as easy as it looked because first,

PHOTOS: SHOLA O’NEIL

the criminals gave us condition that only one naval vessel must be left in the vicinity while they were making their getaway in speedboats,”a source said.

However, unknown to the pirates, the Navy had a suffocating presence of gunboats waiting for them in the creeks.

When they ran into the ambush, they tried to shoot their way out trouble, leading to a gunfight that lasted nearly one hour.

In spite of its firepower superiority, the navy suffered damage to one of its gunboats.

The Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, Rear-Admiral Sid-Ali Hassan Usman, who paraded four suspects, acknowledged that one of the naval boats was affected during the operation.

He said although the ship was riddled with bullet holes, the damage was minimal and did not affect it much.

Twelve suspects, including leader of the gang, simply identified as Ben, were killed.

Three lucky ones were arrested while a fourth jumped into the river and swam to safety. But his freedom didn’t last for too long as he was picked up by a fishing trawler, which immediately handed him over to the Navy.

Continued on page 39

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

28

NIGER DELTA REPORT

Garden City is 100 years strong Men and women from various parts of the old Rivers State and beyond converged on a beautiful land 100 years ago. Port Harcourt remains strong and beautiful, writes CLARICE AZUATALAM, Port Harcourt

T

HE ceremonies to mark the 100th anniversary of Port Harcourt, the Garden City of Rivers State started last weekend.

Governor Rotimi Amaechi, while flagging off the cerebration at the Main Bowl of the Alfred Diete Spiff Civic Centre in Port Harcourt, said the Garden City held the key to the economic growth, political development and cultural renaissance of Nigeria and West Africa.

He said Port Harcourt was important to the state and its inhabitants, irrespective of tribe.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Tele Ikuru, said: “Every Rivers man, from whatever tribe he comes from, sees Port Harcourt as our common city.

Jointly and severally, we will always make Port Harcourt a better place to live.

“Today, Port Harcourt is not only a city for Rivers people, but it is also a cosmopolitan city. The city where people from all walks of life come into and such people are absorbed into the city. Port Harcourt is a city that provides for all within it and none is left to starve. In the city of Port Harcourt, none has ever been rejected.”

He described the city as one of

stupendous wealth and great opportunities.

“All who come into Port Harcourt leave this place rich; none has ever come to Port Harcourt and gone back poor. Indeed Port Harcourt is the treasure base of Nigeria,” he added.

Enumerating some of the city’s outstanding credentials as a truly top class cosmopolitan city of splendour and beauty, he said: “The city’s population stands at 1.9 million with a robust economic climate, cultural diversity, functional infrastructure and remains politically relevant.”

While reiterating the resolve of his administration to deliver constant power supply to Rivers people in the shortest possible time, he said Port Harcourt has the best primary health care and educational facilities and would be the first to enjoy 24 hours of electricity in the country.

Amaechi said the city was on the verge of setting another history through the Greater Port Harcourt City Project.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), George Feyii, who is also the Chairman of the Port Harcourt City Centenary Committee, said it was imperative to cel-

•Ikuru (in track siut) kicking off the novelty football match

•Feyii (left) and a guest at the celebration.

ebrate the milestone because the present generation would not be around to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the city.

He enjoined residents to identify

with the celebration by participating fully in all activities lined up to commemorate the anniversary.

Highlights of the occasion was the presentation of awards to win-

ners of the marathon competition held earlier that day and traditional masquerades and women dance displays, which reflected the rich cultural heritage of the city.

120 peace builders emerge in Niger Delta

T

HE Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) and the Partners for Peace Network have trained over 120 youths and elders in the Niger Delta on peace building.

The participants were trained on how to use new media for research, project management, development of early warning mechanisms and conflict mapping.

The week-long programme, which ended last weekend, took place at the Adolescent Peace Centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, with the theme: “Peace, Yes Play Your Part”.

The programme attracted guest speakers from the private and public sectors, including the representative of Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

Some of the participants, who spoke to Niger Delta Report, said they were delighted to be part of the programme and to have acquired the skills for the promotion of peace in the region.

One of the participants from Delta State, Maxwell Agbor, said he would impart the experience acquired from the programme on his community.

He said:“Through this programme, I have realised that no meaningful development would take place in an atmosphere of crisis. So, this training will assist me to preach about peace in my community or anywhere I find myself.”

A participant from Rivers State, Chibuzor Weke, said he has been taught how to promote peace not only in his community but in his

•Participants at the training

•Ake speaking with reporters From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

home.

He said: “From today, I see myself as a peace builder and realise

that crisis or conflict is absence of peace. And to do this, we must start from our home, neighbourhood to preach the gospel of peace.”

Prof Mark Anikpo of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), who spoke on the topic “The foundation for better livelihood”, said peace building should not only come up in times of war or conflict.

He said: “There could never be meaningful development if the crisis rocking the region continues.

During the arms struggles in the region, almost all the companies operating in the area relocated to Lagos and Abuja. So, we should not wait for crisis before we preach

peace because in any defined peace better livelihood is the answer.

Some communities may not be in conflict or at war but lack peace.”

The Special Assistant to Rivers State Governor on Good Governance and Ethics, Eloah Ake, thanked the organisers for working for peace.

He said: “The government of Rivers State is delighted to know that this programme is targeted at peace building in Niger Delta and the governor has accepted to offer any assistance in relationship to experience gained. The late Ken SaroWiwa campaigned for peace in the region; so, we must continue to seek

peace as the only way to achieve development in the Niger Delta.”

The Executive Director of PIND, Sam Daibo, said: “This is a proud moment for us. Partners for Peace Network has been offering peace for a long time, and seeing the passion with which you all have worked together and your taking time out of your respective lives to come here for a whole week to strategise on how to bring peace to your communities is inspiring.”

He said conflict was a key constraint to sustainable economic development. “This is because it removes the stability in the environment that is necessary for the progress of any community. Schools stop teaching our children, businesses stop investing, people’s livelihoods are disrupted. It’s a vicious cycle, and PIND’s approach is to recognise community leaders, farmers and other business owners as key stakeholders in their communities. Put simply, there can be no sustainability of any development without peace,” he said.

He said the programme was designed to identify and facilitate a network of organisations and individuals committed to promoting peace and reducing conflict in the Niger Delta.

Daibo said the NGOs have done consultative workshops with peace builders throughout the region, adding: “These workshops were important to help us ensure that the P4P approach is built on a solid understanding of dynamics of conflict in respective communities in the Niger Delta.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

PEOPLE

29

THE NATION

A FIVE-PAGE SECTION ON SOCIETY

In appreciation of his efforts towards the development of their community, the people of Ilaje of Ondo State rallied round a former Commissioner of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Benson Enikuomehin, when he was installed Special Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Local Government and Public Administration of Nigeria (CILGPAN) TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO reports.

•Prof Awotokun (left) presenting a plaque to Dr Enikuomehin. With them (from right) are Chief Olanipekun; Dr Okereke and Mrs Enikuomehin

H

OW true the Yoruba aphorism that people are one's apparel. The truth in it came to the fore at the decoration of a former Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) commissioner, Benson Enikuomehin, in Lagos. His people from Ilaje in Ondo State turned out in large number to share in the joy of the day with him at Oriental Hotel on Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos.

Dressed in traditional and foreign attires, they were the cynosure of all eyes on entering the hotel.

They marvelled at the setting of the hotel's auditorium - its mirror-like floor, dazzling lights and unique scenery, among others.

A live band led by Remi Ado entertained the house.

The aroma from a sizzling dish wafted in the air. Waiters moved from table to table, attending to guests’ needs.

It was all at the decoration of former Commissioner of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Benson Enikuomehin as a Special Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Local Government and Public Administration of Nigeria (CILGPAN).

Enikuomehin, who represented Ondo State on the NDDC board, also bagged a CILGPAN's Distinguished Performance Award for his achievements during his tenure.

Enikuomehin, a lawyer, within two years on the NDDC board, put smiles on the faces of his constituents.

Among other projects, he saw to the construction of the multi-billion naira UgboOghoye road, donation of science laboratory across the state and constructing solar street lights in about 14 communities.

In June 2011, Dr Enikuomehim brought in medical experts from India to perform surgery on over 2,500 people.

The celebrator came with his beautiful wife, Mabel and son Boluwatife.

He was in a black suit, a white shirt, a black bow tie, eye glasses and a pair of black shoes.

His wife wore a simple white attire.

A fellow in the house ‘He is upright; ready to serve at all times; he has written his name in gold; he spent only two years on the board of NDDC representing Ondo State and his achievements were tremendous.

He had a little problem which took him to India; after his treatment in India, he arranged to bring the doctors to Ondo State to give us treatment free of charge and the cost of the exercise was not on the bill of the NDDC’ The ceremony featured the recitation of the National Anthem, showing of a mini documentary of Dr Enikuomehin’s achievements, the reading of his citation and musical interlude.

Guests stretched their necks to see what was happening when CILGPAN's President Prof Adekunle Awotokun decorated him with an academic gown, collar and cap.

He later received a plaque and a letter, certifying him as a fellow.

The Council’s Registrar, Dr Uche Okereke, said Enikuomehin was selected after a careful consideration of his achievements.

Dr Okereke described him as a man of calibre.

"A man who has helped his people; the choice of Benson was done after due consideration of his management of public institutions," he said.

Before he delivered his acceptance speech, Dr Enikuomehin revelled in the entertainment

supplied by the Ondo State Cultural Troupe.

After their superlative performance, one of the lead singers danced to where the celebrator and other guests were seated and handed horsetail to him and his wife.

The couple did not disappoint the cultural troupe; they headed towards the stage and gave a good account of themselves on the dance floor.

The couple got a standing ovation for their dancing skill. Some of the guests, including traditional rulers from Ondo sprayed them with new naira notes.

Congratulating Enikuomehin, a legal luminary, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), urged Nigerians to emulate his selfless service to the people.

"I have known him for years; he’s just like a junior brother to me; if you see us, you will think that we are biologically related. I have since taken keen interest in him; his activities in the legal practice and even in his politics, he is a focused person," he said.

Olanipekun, who returned to the country because of the event, said: "Honouring him (Enikuomehin) is like honouring God because he's a worthy citizen of this country, a worthy product of Ondo State and an ambassador."

Oba Philip Olabisi Kalejaiye from Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State described Enikuomehin as a dynamic person.

Oba Kalejaiye said: "He is upright; ready to serve at all times; he has written his name in gold; he spent only two years on the board of NDDC representing Ondo State and his achievements were tremendous. He had a little problem which took him to India; after his treatment in India, he arranged to bring the doctors to Ondo State to give us treatment free of charge and the cost of the exercise was not on the bill of the NDDC. Dr Enikuomehin is a kindhearted man, more people like him is what we need to make the nation better. He is not extravagant. I wish him success."

The Alagho of Odonla, Oba Elias Ikuomola, described the celebrator as a man of integrity.

"He was born to be a head; God will take him to higher level. I pray God to spare his life till then. My advice to him is to be patient and be prayerful so that God will take him to where he is going," the monarch said.

An elated Enikuomehin said: “I am humbled by this award because I did not lobby for it; in fact, I am seeing Prof Awotokun for the first time. I appreciate the entire members of the council; this is nothing but God's grace,” he said.

He thanked Chief Olanipekun who flew in from London to grace the event.

Dr Enikuomehin reserved special praise for his wife, Mabel for taking care of the home front.

"To manage me, you need a woman like her; she was there when it was raw. She is an embodiment of encouragement and also beautiful," the hall erupted in laughter to his speech.

•More pictures on page 30

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

30

S OCIETY

A FELLOW IN THE HOUSE

•Oba Kalejaiye (right) a traditional ruler

•Oba Ikuomola and his Olori

•From left: Chairman Loto Oil Nig Ltd Chief Loto Amehinola; Chief Tony Okoro and Prof Akin Loto

•Representative of Ondo State governor and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) and Dr Okereke.

•Pastor Femi Emmanuel (left) and a guest

•Pastor Sunday Enikuomehin

•Hon Anthony Orubo

INVESTITURE OF GEORGE OLUSEGUN OSIFESO AS FELLOW OF NIGERIAN INSTITUTION OF SURVEYORS AT OTA RECREATION CLUB IN OGUN STATE

•The celebrator George Olufemi Osifeso flanked by a renowned essayist Prof Adebayo Williams (right) and Hon Dipo Akingbade

•From left: Tunji Adegunle, his wife Bola and Kayode Abraham

•Sir Abiodun Akinyemi (left) and Chief Segun Odumosu

•Justice Charles Jacobs and wife Moji

PHOTOS: DAYO ADEWUNMI

SHOPPING

31

THE NATION

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

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

e-mail: toniaitose@yahoo.com

07035302326 Shopping@thenationonlineng.net

•Stores inside the Palms, Lekki.

Retailers are stepping up efforts to rent spaces in malls across the country. However, they are facing some restrictions.TONIA ‘DIYAN writes.

A

Demand for spaces in malls rises

YOUNG entrepreneur, who wants to start up a business inside Ikeja City Mall in Lagos, or any of the malls, may find raising the start-up money difficult. This is because, at the moment, it is only big retailers that can become tenants in the malls. They can afford the high rent and meet management requirements.

Whether or not a small retailer can get a space in a mall depends on the market, management and rent, among other factors.

Findings have shown that the number of merchants who desire to become tenants in malls, especially the pioneer ones, is increasing by the day. The first set of malls are: The Palms in Lekki, Lagos, which came into the country in December 2005; Ikeja City Mall opened December 2011, Kwara Mall in Ilorin opened November 2012, Polo Park in Enugu opened September 2011 and Grand Towers Abuja berthed in 2000.

The Palms always has a long queue of retailers who want to own shops there, same with the Ikeja City Mall and the Adeniran Ogunsanya Shopping Mall in Surulere.

The Chief Executive Officer, Broll Nigeria, Mrs Erejuwa Gbadebo, said: “If the major barrier to entry is removed and rent is made affordable to every merchant, then the demand to become tenants in a mall like The Palms or Ikeja City Mall for instance, could be met.”

”However, owners of these malls look for successful merchants who are ready to convince them that the new store they are about to house has reasonable chance of success and will help the tenant mix,” she said.

Mrs Gbadebo added: “If, as a retailer, you are considering a mall for a first-store venture, your financial backing and merchandising experience must be proven. Some small merchants with good business records and proven understanding of the market have a good chance of being considered by a mall developer. So, if a particular merchant has a good reputation in retailing, it might make a strong case for acceptance into his/ her choice mall.

Mall experts said before a retailer moves into a mall, it is necessary to ask: Are the mall’s shoppers my prospective customers? Would the mall offer the best sales volume potential for my kind of products? Can I produce the appeal that will make customers come to my store? Can I deal with the competition of

other stores within the mall? How much space do I need to handle the sales volume I expect to have? Lastly, where do I need the space; i.e location within the mall? Some retailers prefer the first floor, while others the ground floor and then, close to the entrance or exit, they want to be in the main flow of customers as they move in and out of the mall. The truth is, that as long as a retailer is visible and can catch the shopper’s eye; such retailer will do well anywhere within a mall.

There are some retailers who wouldn’t mind the location but prefer a spacious store; they would rather go for the big stores. Of course, the amount of space needed will determine the shop rent; for the bigger the shop, the more expensive it is. Merchants need to rethink their space requirements when located in a shopping mall. Because, rents are typically high, so space must be used efficiently.

Looking at the brand value and the way people shop, it is actually cost effective to be in a mall. Some retailers actually look out for

‘If, as a retailer, you are considering a mall for a firststore venture, your financial backing and merchandising experience must be proven. Some small merchants with good business records and proven understanding of the market have a good chance of being considered by a mall developer’

one, because they have seen the value of a mall.

If costs are high, the stress on retailers is less. They are not bothered on whether they have being provided with fake diesel; electricity is not a challenge, cleaning the mall is the management’s business, the management guarantees security at all times.

Some store owners at the Ikeja City Mall shared their experiences. Mr Saliu Azeez the owner of Identity, a clothing store, said his being in the mall has made him more popular.

Miss Moradeke Sholebo, the owner of May Brand, an accessory store also in the mall said: “The fact that people now shop in malls instigated my moving into the mall. Accessory store make huge sales, especially at weekends and people visit the mall more on weekends; so, I make double the amount made during the week.

Another benefit is the location of the mall.

It very easy to access”.

Miss Temitope Ashiru, a store attendant at Poise, said the mall is an interactive and business friendly environment. “Sales are better now that we are in a mall”.

For small retailers who can’t become tenants in a mall, experts believe they should look for strategies to cope. Such people should look at their merchandise rate and see what they can do differently. They could go round their neighbourhood and offer free delivery. They just have to keep moving with the time, they added.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

32

SHOPPING

Jumia introduces tracking tool

N

• The Ikorodu market

Lagos displaced traders recount ordeal T

HE expansion of the ongoing Ikorodu road in Lagos which started a year ago has almost paralysed the popular Ikorodu market.

Traders have become helpless; they are now limited to small spaces they created for themselves.

Some of them spoke with The Nation shopping. Alhaja Showemimo Adigun sells pepper at the market.

“My wares are perishable. If don’t manage like this, I will lose them. I don’t want to lose two things at the

By Olajumoke Azzan

same time. I have lost my shop, I don’t want to lose my wares,” she lamented Mr Chukwuka Nwosu, who sells foodstuffs said he is happy with the road construction, but he has lost his life fortune to the demolition.

According to the Iyaloja of Ikorodu market, Alhaja Alimo Anifowose,

“We understand why some parts of our market are demolished and we are also trying to help displaced traders with some amount of money to start all over again. I believe the government would hear our cry and provide a more conducive place for us.”

A trader Mr Kazeem Awe appealed on the government to come to their aid and provide a suitable place for his colleagues, adding that most of them cannot feed well and would not be able to rent new shops.

IGERIA’s number one online retailer Jumia is set to improve shopping.

The firm has been nominated for the World Retail Awards.

It is says it is launching an ‘order tracking tool’ on its website where customers can easily log in and check the status of their orders without having to call customer service.This new tracking tool will be available to all that place orders on jumia.com.ng.

With the innovation of the tool, it will bridge the communication for the company with customers online; where they can follow up with the different stages of order processes, also with an estimated delivery time from status online.

The new tool can easily be located on the header of the Website.

M-commerce is exploding in Africa – the number of users who access the internet via their phones is growing rapidly and leapfrogging the traditional desktop users in Africa.

According to the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), there are 120,362,218 mobile subscribers (78 per cent of population) and 48,165,033 smart phone users in the country (based on active internet subscriptions in June, this year).

Similar mobile subscription numbers can be found in Kenya (29.8 Mio mobile subscribers, 69 per cent of population), Ivory Coast (18 Mio, 75 per cent of population) and Morocco (38.3 Mio mobile subscribers, 120 per cent - more subscribers than peo-

By Tonia ‘Diyan

ple living in the country).

Co-Chief Executive Officer Africa Internet Holding, Jeremy Hodara, said: “For JUMIA, it’s immensely important to also offer a mobile solution to our customers. M-commerce is not just an additional channel, but might be the entry point to gaining many more customers in a market where landlines are not always 100 per cent stable.

“The smartphone penetration rates in sub-Saharan Africa has increased immensely over the last years and will continue do so. JUMIA seizes this enormous opportunity with the best m-commerce solution on the market.”

In addition to the growing market penetration of smart phones in Africa, Nigeria is said to be among the 10 fastest growing economies worldwide, The Economist said.

The World Bank predicts that Sub-Saharan marketplaces will expand by 5.1 per cent in 2014 and by 5.2 per cent in 2015.

Co-Chief Executive Officer Africa Africa Internet Holding, Sacha Poignonnec: ‘’In the time of just one year since its inception, JUMIA has excelled at offering its customers a wide collection of high-quality products.

“JUMIA greatly facilitated online shipping in Africa. We strive to push retail on the continent, and the addition of an mcommerce solution is yet another way of making it more convenient for our customers.”

•One of Wal-mart Stores

Wal-Mart to deliver packages to online buyers

W

AL-Mart Stores Inc is planning to deliver packages to online buyers. It hopes this will enable it to better compete with Mr Price, also a South African clothing store in Nigeria.

The store is making a big push to ship online orders, hoping to cut fares and gain an edge over its rival and other online retailers, which have no physical store locations.

Wal-Mart does this at 25 stores, but plans to double that to 50 this year and could expand the programme to

hundreds of stores in the future in Nigeria and in other countries.

Wal-Mart uses carriers such as FedEx Corp for delivery from stores or, in the case of a same-day delivery service called ‘Walmart To Go’ that is being tested in five metro areas, its own delivery trucks.

“I see a path to where this is crowd-sourced,” Joel Anderson, chief executive of Walmart said in a recent interview with Reuters.

Wal-Mart has millions of customers visiting its stores weekly. Some

of these could tell the retailer where they live and sign up to drop off packages for online customers who live on their route back home, Mr Anderson explained.

Wal-Mart would offer a discount on the customers’ shopping bill, effectively covering the cost transportation for delivery of packages, he added.

“I’m sure it will be a test in some stores. But they may only keep it for metro markets and for higher-priced items,” he added.

•The abattoir

T

• First Lady Ekiti State, Erelu Bisi Fayemi during a visit to market women in the state.

Traders lament low sales at abattoir

RADERS at the Ajelogo abattoir in Mile Two, Lagos are lamenting poor sales.

Some of them attribute the development to the ban on the sale of raw meat in the area by the government.

According to some of them, people patronise Eko meat, saying it is more hygienic.

One of the butchers, Mr Monsuru Awoleye said business is bad.

“I have suddenly moved inside Mile 12 market, because my customers have refused to visit the abattoir like they used to. Meat selling is my only source of income,” he said.

Another butcher, Mr Fijabi Adewale said sales have dropped drastically, adding that his customers buy meat from Mile 12 and other neighbouring markets.

By Olajumoke Azzan

“I own a meat stand in the market, but I’m always here in the mornings to help out with butchering in the abattoir, to keep it alive for the few customers that we receive.”

Mrs Ayoka Akinrinde is a food seller. She visits the abattoir frequently because she gets cheap bargains. “I have been patronising this abattoir for years and I have benefited immensely from it. I buy in large quantities because of my kind of business and I get discounts; so it is of very big advantage to me.”

Another trader Mr Gabriel Onola said he takes meat to his customers at home, since they no longer come to the abattoir. “I came up with this strategy because I am tired of sitting and lamenting. I am trying to make ends meet,” he added.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 2013

33

COMMENTARY

“W

HAT can we say of a man who fixes his eyes on the sun but does not see it? Instead, he sees a chorus of flaming seraphim announcing a paroxysm of despair”. That is the parable of the country called Nigeria. Like the Israelite of yore, Nigerians have become gypsies wandering aimlessly in the wilderness of despair and wallowing helplessly in abject poverty even in the midst of abundance. What else do we expect from Allah beyond the invaluable bounties with which He has blessed us?

What is Nigeria not blessed with?

Our resources We have land in abundance, not in terms of size alone but also in terms of agrarian soil, rich vegetation and exceptionally clement weather. At least over 77 million hectares of land is said to be arable in Nigeria. Out of this, only about 34 million was reportedly cultivated for various agricultural activities some years ago. This has now dwindled to less than 25 million square hectares as more and more youths are migrating to cities and towns in search of imaginary but unavailable greener pastures only to further aggravate the frightening insecurity in the land.

We are blessed with rainfalls that water our crops from the sky and graze our animals to satisfaction. We are blessed with sunshine that photosynthesises our plants and balances our weather. We are endowed with a variety of nourishing foods that are enough to feed us from generation to generation without necessarily importing anything from anywhere. No country is more fitting to chapter 80 of the Qur’anic testimony to this than Nigeria: “Let man reflect on the food he eats; how ‘We’ pour down the rain in torrents and cleave the earth asunder; how ‘We’ bring forth the corn, the grapes, the fresh vegetation, the olive, the palm, the thickets, the fruit-trees and the green pasture for you and for your cattle to delight in…”.

Allah’s favour is constant and manifest. We cannot deny it.

Dedicated workforce

In addition to the aforementioned, we have energetic and dedicated work force that is married to the farm land, plants and husbandry in Nigeria. We also have intellectual brains that are permanently engaged in research work to ensure Nigeria’s economic improvement especially in the agricultural sector. Yet, hunger, poverty and squalor are the profits of these endowments.

Nigeria is not lacking in forest and savannah. She is rich in rivers and mountains all of which are great resources for people who are seeking reasonable comfort and are not selfdeceptive.

What we lack is a competent, responsible government that can manage all these resources with sincerity to the benefits of the citizenry and care about Nigeria’s foremost economic heritage which is agriculture. That food is becoming a luxury rather than necessity in Nigeria today after 53 years of independence is a misfortune successively engendered by the naivety and short-sightedness of those who claim to be in government especially at the federal level. Capitalising on the docility of Nigerians, the Federal Government keeps squeezing the citizenry in the Machiavellian belief that peoples’ impoverishment is a major instrument of perpetual rule over them by those in government.

Margaret Thatcher’s wish

A former Prime Minister of Britain, Margaret Thatcher, alluded to Nigeria’s precarious situation in a press interview some years back when she was celebrating her 80th birthday. She was casually asked by journalists to indicate where she would want to live if she had opportunity of coming back to this world. In her response to that question she said she would like to come back into the world as a Nigerian ruler an answer that threw the interviewers into sarcastic laughter. And when asked to explain what she actually meant the Iron Lady said: “Nigeria is the only country in the world where people can be pushed to the wall and they would rather enter the wall than turn back to confront their rulers”. Thatcher’s statement here may sound like an impetus to a parochial government, but any reasonable person will know that elasticity has limit.

Parable of governance

Governance in Islam is like pregnancy in the womb of a woman. Its duration is naturally defined barring any anomaly or aberration. Its delivery depends on the safety of its carrier and the circumstances of her well being. And, after delivery, the baby is claimed, not by the pregnancy carrier but by the impregnator.

There is no pregnancy without semen firmly planted in the womb of a woman. And the

FEMI ABBAS ON femabbas756@gmail.com 08115708536

Governance Islamica semen planter is a man who will eventually be called the father. For this reason, children bear the names of their fathers rather than those of their mothers as surnames.

By analogy, one can compare the government to a pregnant woman who could not have become pregnant without an impregnator. The impregnator in this case is the populace that gave those in government the mandate to rule them. And just as the product of the womb (the child) belongs to the impregnator as a matter of legitimacy so should dividend of governance be the property of the populace. A child who bears his mother’s name as surname is nothing but a bastard.

After life, security, law and justice, nothing else is held more sacrosanct in Islam than governance which can be compared to a magnificent umbrella under which the people are supposed to take cover during torrential rains or burning sun. In a democratic setting, such umbrella is owned by the citizenry. Its bearer is just a servant holding it in trust for the people. Perhaps that was why the late President Umar Musa Yar’Adua called himself a servant leader on his assumption of office in May 2007.

Advising the Federal Government to learn from the experience of countries like Saudi Arabia and Japan may be quite irrelevant here since such advice has no meaning to those in government. After all, the same advice had been given severally in the past without any sensible response. You can’t give what you do not have.

The Saudi example

In Saudi Arabia, education is totally free from primary school to the University. Everything including tuition, hostel accommodation, books, feeding and transportation is provided free by the government. In addition, all students are paid monthly stipends to solve personal problems that can divert their attention from studies. And, in summer, all foreign students on scholarship are issued free tickets to travel to their home countries on holidays.

What it takes to enjoy all these is to be qualified for admission and every other thing follows automatically. Yours sincerely knows this much because I was a beneficiary. My first degree was obtained from King’s University, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. And if I was not fortunate to benefit from that great opportunity I, probably, would not have had the opportunity of university education because of my modest background to which Nigerian government was indifferent despite the obvious talent in me and many other Nigerians in my shoes. If all these could be done for students in that country, research facilities for lecturers can be taken for granted.

Today, Saudi Arabia has taken her wealth beyond oil and other mineral resources. The two gigantic industrial cities of Yambu’ and Jubail alone with more than four thousand industries including petrochemicals which she established in the early 1980s are enough to see her through the future in the absence of oil. And what is more, that country does not depend on oil for survival anymore despite her position as number one oil exporter in the world.

Besides, there is no aspect of human development and material investment eluding Saudi Arabian attention in all parts of the world today, including agriculture, shipping aviation, textile and electronics. And most of these are public owned without any dubious deregulation and deceptive ‘blind trust’ privatisation.

Japan’s experience

Japan, on the other hand, is an exclusive island delicately resting on a vast array of waters. Her natural farm land is very limited. Yet, she shares that water with some neighbouring countries in accordance with international law of water boundaries.

To manage her national economy therefore, Japan had identified human brain as her strongest

economic resource. She knew that without human resources there could be no effective economic management hence her concentration on human training. And, today, the result is manifest. Contrarily, at the commencement of every new regime in Nigeria, a newly sworn in President would deceptively promise manna and salwa knowing very well that such promise is a mere deception just to attract momentary applause. The greatest misfortune confronting this so-called giant of Africa is in entrusting the management of the country to mere mediocre who see governance as a sheer opportunity to amass wealth and wield political power against opponents.

Managing a national economy is neither by wishful thinking nor by chanting slogans. It is rather a serious business that cannot be left in the hands of charlatans.

Why USSR failed

In her vainglorious days, the defunct Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR) had indulged is similar self-deception by toying with all sorts of meaningless economic theories jumping from socialism to communism only to finally collapse upon her own face like a pack of cards after about 74 years of catastrophic experiments.

Today, the greatest bane of Nigerian economy is not just the elimination of the middle class but also the extremely high cost of running the government by the greedy self-centered elements at the helm of national affairs. This fact has been emphasized many times privately and through the media in the past but the lotus eaters will rather die eating the intoxicating lotus than heed the voice of reason. And, unless this situation is changed positively, Nigeria may continue to wander aimlessly, in economic wilderness, for many, many years to come. We hope that the current seeming ‘undertakers’ will not pilot Nigeria to Siberia.

Nigeria’s federal might

Shortly after the Nigerian Southwest governors assumed office in 1999, yours sincerely wrote an open letter to them, which was published in Vanguard where I was then the Deputy Chairman of the Editorial Board. In the letter, I suggested three major areas of economic success with which they could sustain the pacesetting of that region.

First was a regional power generating center with which to permanently stabilize electricity supply. With this, I argued that not only would industrialization take a sound footing but also that most unemployed young men and women would become self-employed to the greatest relief of those governments.

Second was a regional railway system that could serve not just as a mass transit for the commuters but also as a cargo courier for all the goods in the region. With such a regional railway in place, the region would have become the doyen of commerce in the country and every able hand would have been effectively engaged without bothering the governments.

Third was the establishment of a common refinery that could fill the vacuum created by constant non-availability of oil products and incessant arbitrary increase of their prices. Each of these projects could be jointly put in place by the six South-West states since they were all on the concurrent list.

If the then Southwest governors had not been prevented from implementing those suggestions by the then vicious government at the centre, perhaps the situation in the region would have been different today and the other regions would have followed suit in a new progressive economic competition. That was the kind of competition that put the Asian tiger states (Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore) ahead of Africa.

An inept federal government in Nigeria can only hold the rein of power for the purpose of selfenrichment and never for the benefit of growth

and development. The experience of Lagos State’s innovative investment in electricity which was thwarted by the federal government can still be vividly recalled.

The missing link

In modern economic management, there can be no place for the middle class in the absence of such infrastructures as mentioned above.

And without the middle class which is conspicuously missing in Nigeria, no economy can thrive to the benefit of the populace. That is why the multinational companies in Nigeria are leaving the country in droves for some other African countries.

The current lopsided situation which deliberately puts over 97 per cent of the national wealth in the hands of about three percent of the idle populace is not only ungodly but also prone to unpredictable future consequences. We have begun to see such traces. It is therefore, not in the interest of those who are now basking in the euphoria of being in power to continue to drag the dead body of this country towards political murky water.

Oil as lotus

If it takes less than 10 dollars to produce one barrel of oil and the same one barrel of oil is sold for well over 100 dollars in the international market, what prevents a responsible government from building and maintaining functional refineries to the comfort of all and sundry? As the sixth largest oil producer, should Nigeria, an OPEC country, be exporting crude oil only to import refined one for domestic consumption? And yet, the populace is being forced to pay for the ineptitude of a tendentious clique holding tenaciously to the power at the centre with nothing to show for it. After 53 years of independence in this age of high technology, should any country without electricity, refineries, functional rail system, befitting industries and effective shipping and airlines that could create mass employment for the youth claim to be in existence? Yet, here in Nigeria where this situation prevails some people are still shamelessly claiming to be in government and in power.

Isn’t that insane?

Forced Diaspora

Today, Nigerians are not only subjugated internally, they are also humiliated status wise internationally as they are forced to prefer living in other countries to theirs. Days and nights, Nigerians are found at the entrance gates of foreign embassies seeking to obtain visa and coping with stringent conditions of those embassies willy nilly even as our very best brains are the forces behind the development of other countries. If there is anything that has not been privatized in this country it is governance.

Never has the government come out to tell Nigerians how much it costs to produce a barrel of oil. What we have always been told is that the government subsidizes the local consumption price of every litre of oil. That was the callous theory in which the obnoxious pioneer regime of this republic regaled for eight agonizing years. And that has now been inherited as a political culture. The question now is this: who actually owns the oil; the government or the people? And even if there is any subsidy at all, as often claimed by our rulers, shouldn’t Nigerians, who are supposed to own the oil by constitutional right, be entitled to such subsidy?

The posture of owner and seller of petroleum products assumed locally by the federal government is not only criminal but also a flagrant betrayal of people’s trust.

As a matter of fact, the populace has lost total confidence in the federal government following years of deception and inhuman policies which continue to keep people in abject and perpetual poverty. Those are the same policies that engendered ethnic conflicts and religious dichotomy which led to the emergence of youth restiveness in various parts of the country.

Candid advice

Now, rather than celebrating mediocrity in the name of democracy as often done on the 29th of May every year since year 2000, what the current administration should spend its remaining two years doing is true and sincere reformation which should henceforth take the front burner of governance if only to restore the missing confidence in the people and reassure that Nigeria can still become a nation after all despite years of economic devastation. If those in government are not ashamed of ruling a country in perpetual cycle of despair, some of us, the ruled are.

Celebrating anything called democracy in this situation is not just a sham but also an additional injury to the bleeding hearts of the citizenry. While the intra-party rancour surges ahead, it is necessary to hint here again that only a forthright economic clemency can serve as a panacea for Nigeria’s chronic ailment called ‘the government’. God heal Nigeria.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

34

S OCIETY Priests at The United African Methodist (Evangelical), Abule-Ijesha, Yaba, Lagos Mainland, reaffirmed their loyalty to God at a special service last Sunday.

TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO was there

‘In God we trust’ I

T was a Sunday service like no other.

Like the congregation, the clerics turned out for an overriding purpose: To convince their “sheep” that their spiritual strength comes solely from God. Dressed in white flowing agbada, former Chief of General Staff and second-in-command during the late Gen Sani Abacha regime, Gen Oladipo Diya (rtd), the Baba Ijo of The United African Methodist (Evangelical), on Akinsola Lane, Abule-Ijesha, Yaba, Lagos Mainland, was on his feet for about one hour penultimate Sunday. So was Senator Anthony Adefuye, the church’s Patron, and Dr Funke Adebajo, its Matron.

The session came in the middle of the church’s usual Sunday programme, which was presided over by Minister-in-Charge, the Very Reverend Oladipo Timothy. It was the oath-taking by the church’s ministers before its Counsellor, Chief Kehinde Diya, a lawyer.

Members of the church choir were at their usual best, dishing out soul-inspiring songs which sent the congregation to the dance floor. For bystanders and passersby, the music was too infectious to be ignored.

While some nodded their heads, some sang along; others stood by watching from outside.

Before the choir could pause for the day’s event to continue, the scanty auditorium was nearly filled.

An elated Rev Timothy, in his sermon, had, with copious biblical allusions, emphasised the fact that it is spiritually suicidal for anyone to worship mammon with God, saying whoever does it is cursed.

Speaking to the choir in Yoruba language, the cleric said: “Eni to ba fe korin imisi, ko gbodo fi ara se ohunkohun meaning “whoever wants to sing inspirational or soul-lifting songs must be holy.”

Afterward, the priests, in turns, stepped onto the pulpit, told the congregation that they did not and would never belong to any secret organisation, asking God to visit them with His wrath should they. After appending their signatures, they were issued certificates affirming that they had no secret pact with mammon.

The church’s choristers were not left out of the exercise. They read out the oath of allegiance to God after the oath’s administrator.

Elders of the church, including Diya’s wives

•Gen Diya (right); Senator Adefuye (second left) and some of the clerics at the event

- Josephine and Folasade – and Chief Mabel Komolafe, also stepped out to be counted among those reaffirming their unbroken romance with God. At the end of the session for which every one expressed satisfaction that they were under the spiritual care of “pure” ministers in the church, the elders could not hide their excitement as they exchanged pleasantries.

Gen Diya told The Nation: “This is a special day for us in this church because it is what we have long expected. The essence of the declaration service is to establish it and be sure that those who are divinely saddled with directing the affairs of the congregation serve no other god except The Almighty. This, as one could feel and see, has boosted the confidence of the congregation in those who constantly lay hands on them. They can now be convinced that they are being led by true servants of God.” Senator Adefuye spoke in the same vein: “The programme has succeeded in convincing all that our church is unique in purity; that here, we serve only God in unalloyed honesty, through Jesus Christ Our Lord. I think it is something other churches can emulate in the interest of the body of Christ and the nation in general.”

Saying that the event did not surprise her, Adebajo added: “This church was founded on the tradition of solely advancing the Word of God. What we did here today was simply to cement our robust relationship with God to effectively serve our congregation. By this, we will all reap bounteous fruits of our stainless loyalty to Him.” Before the congregation departed, the choir stepped out again, entertaining all and reminded of their take-home message.

BIRTHDAY

•From right: Chief Toyin Oyewoga; Chief Ebenezer Akinsanya; Chief Ojerinde and Chief Augustine Soyoye

•Gen Diya’s wives Josephine (right) and Folashade

WEDDING

From left: Deaconess Oluwatoyin Solomon; Chairman Sam David Nig Ltd Pastor Olusegun Ojo; the •Mr Rasheed Agunbiade flanked by Elder Yinka Ajayi (right) and Samuel Olawoyin during couple, Mr and Mrs Olalekan Ayoola; General Manager Royal Eagle Invest and Trust Ltd, Pastor Agunbiade’S 50th birthday at the premises of Celestial Church of Christ, Ire-Akari, Isolo, Olatunji Solomon and Prophetess Deborah Ojo during a wedding at New Creation Gospel Mission, Lagos.

Orile Agege, Lagos.

35

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

S OCIETY

75TH BIRTHDAY OF BABA OMOJOLA IN LAGOS

COMMUNICATE YOUR IDEAS

Public speaking Icon cont.

L

•From left: Mrs Kudirat Alao Aka-Bashorun (left) supervising cutting of the cake. With her are (from right) Chief Frank Kokori; the celebrator Baba Omojola and other guests

•From right: Representative of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu , Prof Adebayo Williams; the celebrator Baba Omojola and Chief Frank Kokori

•From left :Dr. Amos Akingba; Prof. Adeniran Adeboye and Chief Jumoke Ogunkeyede

•From left:Razak Olokooba; Nelson Ekunjumi and Debo Adeniran

PHOTOS: DAYO ADEWUNMI

AST week, we had the benefit of sharing from the valuable experiences of a Public Speaking Icon, Prof.

Charles Ogbulogo. To refresh your memory, he is the Dean of the School of Post Graduate in Covenant University, and he had AMODU LANRE OLAOLU his first public presentation when ( Ph.D) sospeak2lanre@yahoo.com. he was in primary school. He 07034737394 shared with us how he developed his interest in public speaking and how he overcame stage fright. We have a lot more to learn today and I can't wait to begin.

Landmark Opportunity In 1997, the University of Lagos (Unilag), where I taught for 18 years, hosted The Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA).

The two major MCs/Orators of the University were contacted to host the event. At the Opening Ceremony, however, the two MCs disagreed on who would start the event, so the programme could not begin. Guests had come in, including several Vice Chancellors and representatives of the Federal Government, yet the MCs were arguing. I saw the microphone idle and the podium vacant, so I mounted the podium and greeted, "Good morning Nigeria and good morning University of Lagos. Today is going to be the greatest day in the history of this University and I make a promise that you will not regret it. In the crowd we've got the Second in Command in Nigeria who has come to grace this occasion. We have an array of Vice Chancellors who are coming, so please feel comfortable, in a short while, we will get started." Meanwhile, the MCs were still arguing. Next, I got the list of guests and started acknowledging them. I invited the Vice Chancellor of Unilag for his welcome address, after which I invited the two MCs to take it over. Immediately, I ran away from the venue because I didn't know what to expect. I ran as far as Ikeja.

The next day, however, I got a letter officially nominating me to be the master of event, and I took it up from there.

Dealing with the unexpected In 1999, President Olusegun Obasanjo was invited as the Guest of Honour at the Convocation Ceremony of the University of Lagos. It was a spectacular event and I was appointed to host it. The President had another event at Enugu that same day, after which he returned to Abuja. However, he was delayed by other assignments, which made the guests at Unilag sit in the Multi-Purpose Hall from 9am to 5pm. To keep them busy from morning till 5pm was a big test for a public speaker. I exhausted all my jokes, went into teaching, singing and all manner of things to keep guests from being bored. It was then I realized that one good speaker could make all the difference. If it was badly handled, there would have been so much chaos.

Time Management Every event is for a particular time. A speaker can lose it by managing the time badly. One thing I have discovered is that people who don't manage their time well always become very anxious towards the end. It is better to finish what you have to say before the time, than to rush to finish when the time is over. Most good speakers will capture their audience within the first five minutes; if they lose that critical moment, everything is gone. That is why speakers could start with quotations, stories, or even some noise, such as a bang, just to capture the audience.

Using big grammar in public speaking Those who want to bamboozle people with big sounding words probably don't have anything to say. I remember my first experience of teaching Advanced Level Literature; it was one of the most difficult classes to teach because one had to read. My friend, whose class it was, had an urgent need to travel out of town. So, 30 minutes before the class, he asked me to stand in for him. I had all along been in grammar, phonetics and semantics, but there I was going to teach people who were hungry for something impactful, and I was not prepared. Then I realized I had a superior advantage over them since I knew more words, more structures and more examples. So, I taught them using big grammar to confuse them- it was on purpose and I achieved it; but I knew I had actually fooled myself. Communication from its root word, communis, means sharing. If you don't share, you are not communicating. A good speaker must have a quick audience survey to determine the level of complexity of grammar required.

The difference between a master of event and a regular public speaker A master of event is restricted by so many things, one of which is time. You must also have a sense of improvisation because you don't have all your speech written out like other types of public speaking. A good master of event must insist on a meeting before the event. And in that meeting, he/she must have a checklist and seek several clarifications. You must also have someone at the wings to run errands since you can't leave the podium to attend to important issues.

Advice for up and coming public speakers Public speaking is not being a jester. I realize a lot of up and coming public speakers confuse it with being a standup comedians. A good public speaker must be sensitive to the class of people he is dealing with, their needs, their fears and their situations. A good public speaker is also an image maker; he/she has to dress neatly without necessarily being expensive. Our up and coming public speakers, especially those intending to be masters of events, must realize that it is a relay team (a teamwork) and handover is important.

Dr. Amodu teaches at the Department of Mass Communication, Covenant University, Ogun State.

36

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

SOCIETY

A former Sketch Editor, Elder Bola Aragbaiye, has held the final funeral rite for his mother, Comfort Folake Aragbaiye. The ceremony was held in Owo, Ondo State, TAIWO ABIODUN reports.

I

T was a carnival of sorts as the remains of Mrs Folake Aragbaiye were laid to rest in Owo, Ondo State, penultimate Sunday.

The funeral rites began on Thursday with a traditional dance (Ajabue) round the town. The men decked their necks and wrists with special coral beads as they carried ceremonial swords (agada).

The women were not left out.

They adorned their necks with coral beads, held their beaded female fly whisks (iyasin) and danced round the town with the traditional cultural troupe.

Local drummers almost tore the leather of their drums, while the trumpeters mesmerised the crowd with their skill as they sang the praises of the deceased, laced with panegyrics (oriki).

More colour and flavour were added. The dancers displayed their acrobatic dance skills like never before. Some wore T-shirts with the picture of the late Madam Aragbaiye. Other guests wore the uniformed cloth chosen for the occasion.

Specially made umbrellas shielded guests from the downpour. It also shielded the high-profile guests from the scorching sun that followed after the rain.

Both locally-produced and foreign wines were served. Palm wine was brought in kegs. It was taken with the pounded yam and bush meat served guests.

The following day, the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) was jampacked as human and vehicular traffic competed for space to attend the wake. They caused a disorder. As the undertakers brought out the brown casket with the name of the deceased engraved on it, drums erupted and bells rang, announcing the arrival of the body to the town.

The undertakers went into frenzy, displaying their dancing skills as they raised the casket above their shoulders and danced with it. A woman with a bouquet of flowers, slow walked in front of the black Jeep that conveyed the body.

It took six hours to take the body home for the wake and lying-instate. The crowd was too rowdy to control. Men of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and policemen were on hand to ensure that the situation was manged.

The event featured prayers for the deceased and soul-lifting songs.

On Saturday, the Saint Patrick’s Anglican Church where the funeral took place was besieged by many sympathisers.

About 21 officiating ministers led by Rt. Rev. John Oladunjoye came for the ceremony.

Oladunjoye in his sermon implored those present to emulate Jesus. He described the late Aragbaiye as a woman of humility, who trained her children well and was not proud in spite of her children’s status in the society.

T

Award

HE Director-General of Centre for Policy Development and Political Studies (CEPODEPS), Dr Aderemi Aderemi will on Sunday confer the Lagos State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, with the Man of the Year award at Eko FM Multipurpose Hall, Agidingbi, Ikeja Lagos.

Farewell to a ‘mother in a million’

•Children of the deceased (from left): Mrs Aragbaiye; Mr Alex Aragbaiye; Mrs Evelyn Abiodun; Evang. Funmi Aragbaiye; Mr Olu Aragbaiye; Dr Lambo; Mr Dare Aragbaiye and Elder Aragbaiye at the graveside

•Mr Akeredolu (SAN)

• Chief Dele Akinyele

•From left: Ekiti State Head of Service Mr Olubunmi Famosaya; his wife and Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori

•Chief of Staff to Ondo Governor, Dr. Kola Ademujimi (left) and former Chairman, Ondo State Radiovision Corporation, Chief Sanya Oyinsan

•Former Ondo Head of Service, Mr Ajose Kudehinbu

•Permanent Secretary, Government House and Protocol, Revd Soji Gbadebo

The cleric implored the children of the deceased to love one another.

Her remains were interred beside that of her husband who died 18 years ago.

Dr Esther Lambo, one of the daughters of the deceased, was glad that her mother’s wish to be buried by her husband’s side has been fulfilled.

Mrs Dele Aragbaiye wept profusely.

Sketch Editor described his mother thus: “She was a rare gem, friendly; always cheerful, humble and very compassionate. Mama was full of wisdom and knowledge.”

Prof Eyitayo Lambo, a former health minister, who is a son in-law to the deceased wrote in his tribute: “The relationship between me and mama was not that of a mother-inlaw and a son-in -law but that of a loving and caring mother and her son.”

At the ceremony were: Mrs Jumoke Anifowose, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN); Ondo State Deputy governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi the Olowo of Owo Oba David Folagbade Olateru Olagbegi III , the Olukare of Ikare, Oba Momoh Akadiri III, Ojomo Oluda of Owo, the Oba Olunaun of Unanun, Owo, Oba Olanrewaju Abegunde, Honorable Deji Aseniserare,Tunde Okunrinboye, Banji Aralepo, among others.

T

Convention

HE African Church Evangelical Students and NonStudents Fellowship (TACEF) yearly convention, which began on Monday, will continue today at the Assembly Church of God Youth Camp on Lagos- Ibadan Expressway.

The event, which has as theme Abiding faith, will end on Sunday with a thanksgiving service.

Many described the late Mama Aragbaiye as a traditional philosopher whom everyone went to when in trouble in the community. Little wonder she was compared with Socrates while some praised her for her wisdom in resolving issues.

Mr Samuel Aragbaiye described his mother as an embodiment of honesty, humility, integrity, generosity and Godly virtues.

The eldest son of the deceased Elder John Aragbaiye who is a former

WHAT AND WHERE

A

Reception

GRAND house reception in honour of the paramount ruler of Egbaland Oba Michael Gbadebo will hold tomorrow at the Nightshift Coliseum Arena, Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos.

COMPILED BY RITA ONYEKERE

A

Convocation

CTIVITIES marking the Fifth Convocation Ceremonies of the Redeemer’s University (CU), begins today with an anointing service to be led by the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, at the Holy Ghost Congress Arena Redemption Camp, Ogun State.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

37

NIGER DELTA REPORT

I’m innocent, says girl arrested in kidnappers’ den T HE Bayelsa State Police command in Yenagoa was a beehive last Friday. It was like an exhibition of sort: various sizes and types of weapons recovered from suspected criminals were on display.

Squatting round a pavement bearing a pole of the national and police flags were suspects arrested for varying offences. Some of them bared their black and fair skin.

The only woman among them, identified as Naomi, was the centre of attraction. She remorsefully begged for forgiveness.

When she sighted the Niger Delta Report, she intensified her plea for leniency.

“I don’t know anything about this matter. I only went to visit my boyfriend. I begged him to come to Yenagoa but he refused and asked me to come and meet him at Agrisaba.

“I went and after eating l slept off.

It was in my sleep that the police raided the building and arrested me.

They said the man was a kidnapper.

I am innocent. I only met him once in Yenagoa. I am a 100-level student of the College of Education. Help me,” she begged.

The young undergraduate was identified as the girlfriend of the ringleader of a gang of kidnappers who abducted five workers of Beks Nigeria Limited and M. Sidom. The companies were engaged by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to carry out shore protection and reclamation work at the erosion-ravaged Opuama community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The indigenous workers were seized by the assailants who operated on a speedboat and were whisked away to a militant camp in Agrisaba creeks in Nembe Local Government Area.

They were later released after the companies paid N6 million to the kidnappers. But luck ran out for some of the suspects during an organised police operation; about N1.45 million, part of the ransom, was recovered in a room. The money was recovered through a tracker device, and Naomi was in the room when the police carried out the operation.

Arrested in the same room with Naomi was a suspect identified as Desmond Sunday.

Sunday told Niger Delta Report that he was not a kidnapper but was only hired by the abductors to cook for them during the operation.

“I am not a kidnapper. My boss hired me to cook for him and others when they went for the operation”, he said referring to his boss as an influential man who was in charge of the security of a wellhead belonging to an oil company in Nembe.

He said: “Whenever there is a movement (a criminal operation), we always move to a camp. My boss named (names withheld) operates a

•The suspects and the remnant of the ransom money seized from them From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

camp called Mokirikiri Camp.

“He called me and said I should follow him to the camp. When we got there, he said I should prepare food that they were coming. So, I cooked at the camp and shortly after that he and others came with five persons.

“They started making calls. They first demanded N20million ransom but after some days they moved the five persons out of the camp and came back with N6million. I was given N50,000 from the money but he promised to add N20,000 to me. In the night when I was sleeping, the police came to the room and arrested me and two other persons. We went to where my boss was staying but we didn’t see him.”

Commissioner of Police Hillary Okpara gave details of how the police located the hideout of the kidnappers.

He distanced the command from the N6million ransom paid to the

Town planners elect officers in Akwa Ibom

T

HE Akwa Ibom State hapter of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has elected new executives with Nse Nwawo as the Chairman.

Nwawo, who took-over from Raymond Nde, promised to run an allinclusive tenure.

He explained that his administration would welcome noble ideas from members.

His words: “I can assure you that this administration shall listen, welcome noble ideas, seek innovation, shall not be repulsive to good and positive change, shall not be dogmatic, shall not project credit, nor store any, rather every success shall be credited collectively.

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

“It is our administration, not mine.

It will be wrong to sit down and assess what Nse Nwawo can do or not; rather let us spend time for what we can do together .

“I do know it is difficult to please or satisfy an enemy or a biased person.

Let those who feel we can’t make it think positive to make things work.

Not all of us can do great things but we can do small things with great love. So join the voyage.”

Nde listed the achievements of the association within the last two years to include the acquisition of landed property for the body to tackle its accommodation need.

kidnappers saying Beks Nigeria Limited and M. Sidom whose workers were abducted parted with the ransom without the knowledge of the police.

He said the police used a map to find the suspects’ hideout, adding that Naomi would not be set free until the police conclude investigations and determine her level of involvement.

He said: “While the police were fine-tuning our strategies aimed at storming the hoodlums’ hideout and releasing the captives, the companies went ahead and paid the ransom without informing the police and the victims were released.

“However, police went ahead and after analysing our intelligence, which include studying the map and the terrain of the area vis-a-vis the only waterway leading to the area, we raided the hideout and arrested three of the kidnappers. We recovered part of the ransom money

paid to them. Efforts are on to arrest one who ran away.”

He listed the items recovered from the kidnappers as one freezer, a television set, one generator and about N1.45million of 29 wraps of N50,000 notes, which he said was part of the ransom.

He said members of the team that arrested the suspects displayed professionalism during the raid as they did not fire a gunshot in the area.

He further said the police recovered eight large cylinders from five suspected oil pipeline vandals at Amurukeni and Ogbia town in Ogbia Local Government Area and Biseni in Yenagoa Local Government Area.

He said:”For the fact that the police arrested these kidnappers where they did not believe we will have access to because of its very difficult terrain is a warning to potential kidnappers and illegal oil thieves who carry out their criminal activities in the creeks.

“Obviously, Desmond and his

partners in crime, including Naomi are in trouble. The new law operating in the state stipulates death sentence for anybody arrested and convicted for kidnapping.”

The Commissioner for Information, Markson Fefegha, said the government was committed to stopping crimes to ensure a violencefree society.

He said there was a paradigm shift in strategies adopted by the government to fight criminality, adding that the government would no longer pay lip service to issues of peace and security.

“There will be no sacred cow in the enforcement of law and order and offenders should be ready to face the full wrath of the law. There is an anti-kidnapping and other matters law operating in Bayelsa State and by the provision of the law, anybody found guilty of kidnapping is liable to punishment by death,” he said.

Owners of abandoned vehicles in Uyo get one-week ultimatum

T

HE Uyo Capital City Development Authority has warned owners of abandoned vehicles parked on the streets of Uyo to remove same.

The Chairman of UCCDA, Ignatius Edet, spoke in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

Edet, a former Speaker of the House of Assembly, said the Authority would no longer tolerate owners of abandoned vehicles who use the streets of Uyo and its environs as dumping grounds.

The chairman explained that owners of such vehicles have been given one week to remove such, saying at the expiration of the deadline, the UCCDA would remove such abandoned vehicles.

He reiterated his earlier call on the public to do away with make shift containers, attachments, shanty shops and all other forms of illegal structures within the UCCDA. Edet cautioned the residents to desist from using

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

government’s right of way to display their wares.

He also warned those using tipping laterites on water channels, moulding blocks and converting the streets of Uyo to mechanic workshops to desist from such.

The former Speaker was conferred with an award of exemplary leadership by the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN).

The award, according to a statement from his office, was presented to him by the National President, Abdullahi Abdulmajeed, at a ceremony at the UK Bello Centre, Minna, Niger State.

Edet, who was a former youth leader in Akwa Ibom, thanked the (NYCN) for the honour.

He dedicated the award to Governor Godswill Akpabio for his leadership role and uncommon transformation in the state.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

38

NIGER DELTA REPORT

‘Nothing wrong with Uduaghan starting projects he can’t finish’ Chike Ogeah is the Delta State Commissiner for Information. In this interview with OKUNGBOWA AIWERIE , he speaks about the efforts of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to develop the state and its people, saying there is nothing wrong in the administration starting a project for his successor to complete.

D

ELTA State has witnessed development in many fronts in the last 14 years of democracy; what is your assessment for its future?

Your question insinuates that you understand that development is a continuum; it flows from one administration to another. I can assure you that when this administration came on board I know that the priority at that time was completing a lot of the projects that it inherited. By the second term, Gov Uduaghan enunciated his vision for the state, which was a Delta beyond hydrocarbon resources. We see everyday where even the western powers that depend on our oil have discovered shale oil which is a cheaper alternative for them. We also know that natural resources could dry up.

So what Governor Uduaghan has done, looking at the topography and terrain of Delta State, he has taken a birds-eye view and said we have the economic zone of the South with its seaports, Free Trade Zones in Koko and Warri and all the activities of the oil multinational companies. Chevron has a massive EGTL project which employs over 10,000 people and all the facilities of the oil companies are there. So whether you like it or not that is the economic hub of the State.

He looks at the Asaba axis which is the administrative capital but that capital has a very strategic advantage for being 10 minutes away from the massive markets at Onitsha and Nnewi and establishes the Asaba Airport close by. Immediately that was done (it) served as game changer for the whole senatorial zone because that singu-

lar activity in aviation translated to unprecedented development in real estate, hospitality and industrial clusters around the airport.

The Asaba airport has been earmarked as a cargo airport by the Federal Government.

The terrain of the state, with these initiatives, has changed overnight and to complete this transformation he envisioned the Ughelli-Asaba dualisation project to link both zones. The road project was so ambitious and the government had to secure a bond from the capital market, and that money is tied irrevocably to the project.

The whole idea is that when this is done our merchants who normally go to Lagos to clear their goods from the ports will not need to go that way.

They will make a shorter journey to Warri or Koko port when that is all sorted out and reduces a lot of manpower and increases our activity here and we will see the booming of our economy.

We also realise that government resources are not unlimited and in this regard we employed the PPP model to finish the other 5-star projects.

The Warri Industrial Park project which is billed to be an amalgamation of massive industries in one place is one of such projects.

In Udu in Delta Central we have put another 5star project there known as the Oleri Theme Park which is our version of Disney world. This aimed at jumpstarting tourism. These areas are the where we have comparative advantage in our quest to grow the State’s economy beyond oil. If oil is of no more consequence, we can still run our economy.

We are also into medical tourism with the 5 star teaching hospital in Oghara, ac-

‘

I think it is a laudable thing which we have not been doing in Nigeria. Yes, this project cannot be completed within the tenure of the government, but if this project can truly change the landscape of the society, free us from the jaws of poverty, create employment, I think these are projects that should be followed up to completion

‘

knowledged as one of the best in Africa, because we now have an agreement with a university in the U.S to provide first class manpower and technology exchange programme.

We have performed hip replacement surgery , organ transplants .

The new slogan of the Uduaghan administration is “to finish strong” does it not presupposes that the government started very poorly in its first tenure?

No, it does not, it just tells us to redouble our efforts, pull up our bootstraps. Even if government started poorly, which it didn’t, the finishing is the most important thing. I would not deny the fact that we had a lot of distractions. It was only

in Delta that we had two elections and after the elections we went into another era of litigations but we continued to work despite these distractions. After the judgment of the Supreme Court we have rededicated ourselves and put all our efforts into finishing strong.

Can you please explain the snail pace of many of the projects embarked upon by the Uduaghan government?

I can tell one thing, the pace of our projects usually does not depend on government a lot of the time. For instance we are building a road project which traverses a lot of communities.

In community C or D the youths block the road refusing our contractor access to site and start making unreasonable

• Ogeah

monetary demands. This was being done all around the State and this slows down projects until Governor Uduaghan got upset and threatened that such projects will be removed to more peaceful communities because there are so many other communities yearning for these projects.

Secondly, government is not the private sector, we are just travellers that would come and go. When we go it is the documents we leave behind that speak for us, that is why government goes out of its way to observe due process. A lot of our processes might by slow, in choosing contractors, in making sure they get all the advance payment guarantees, and to know that these contractors can perform and these things take a long time to go between them and the banks.

So by the time you look at the contracting processes and frustration we get from the communities our projects are perceived as slow.

Is it not disingenuous for the Uduaghan administration to embark on grandiose projects when it knows it can-

not complete them within the time allocated to his administration?

That is the problem with Nigeria and that is why we are still where we are today. The whole country and indeed states as federating units must have a grand plan. I remember my boss, Chief Phillip Asiodu, he used to say that the last time Nigeria had a national plan was in the 60s.

Then they had the rolling plans, that is, the short, medium and long term plans.

If you want to industrialise your society, you must plan for 50 years ahead and you must have a road map and keep at it. Irrespective of the succeeding administration whether they are from your party or not, it does not matter, just put down the project that you know will jumpstart the economy and for the benefit of the people, such that the people will take ownership of the project, because when people take ownership of the project, when a new government comes and wants to discontinue it, it is the people that they will have to confront.

Cross River’s Christian women kick against child marriage

T

HE women wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Cross River State has lent its voice to the outcry against child marriage.

The women, in a meeting in Calabar, urged the National Assembly to stop the practice.

Chairman of the association, Rev. Mercy Akpama, told Niger Delta Report: “We are against the issue of child marriage. We don’t want it. Health wise, a child’s body is not developed to carry what goes with pregnancy and all of that.

A baby cannot carry a baby. It is a woman who can carry a baby, not a baby giving birth to another baby.

“The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria says that for someone to be an adult in Nigeria, to have you have to be 18 and above. You must be an adult to have franchise to vote and be voted for. So, if they say any married person is an adult, it stands to violate what the constitution says if one gets married below that age.

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

“The Bible says a man would leave his family and to a woman, not a baby girl.

“Those supporting child marriage should know that it is morally wrong to give a child out in marriage, especially the girl child.

“They are creating problems were government is trying to provide healthcare, because if a child is not ready for pregnancy she may die trying to give birth. There is also the risk of VVF. “I laud the National Assembly for rejecting same sex marriage from Nigeria. They should keep it up. Whatever should bring sanity in Nigeria should be promoted in Nigeria and whatever would bring problems should be discouraged and removed.

“On the issue of same sex marriage, threat of withdrawal

of aids from the imperial masters whose aim is to perpetually keep us in slavery and undermine our God given potentials should not deter us.

“Why can’t we make do with what we have? What is the essence of independence? We should rather associate with countries that agree with our line of thinking. You must not associate with everybody. God has blessed us with lots of resources, but it is the management of the resources that is bringing the problems.

“Nigeria should discourage a mono-economy which is over dependent on oil and gas. We should diversify our economy as we are endowed with so many natural resources which if properly harnessed will drastically reduce overdependence on the imperialists.

“So, we should not be threatened by what is morally wrong, religiously unacceptable and unAfrican.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

39

NIGER DELTA REPORT

C Strokes gives expectant mothers N2 million at album launch

R

eggae musician C Strokes brought smiles to the faces of expectant mothers last Saturday in Port Harcourt. It was at the launch of his album.

C Strokes, whose real name is Chimbiko Akarolo, is the Mayor of Port Harcourt.

Aside the album launch, he also inaugurated the Caroline Akarolo Foundation (CAF).

The foundation was set up in memory of the politician cum musician’s late wife, who died during childbirth in 2011.

He said his wife’s death opened his eyes to the pains and dangers of childbearing and led to the establishment of the foundation to assist pregnant women, orphans and •C Strokes and other artistes performing at the ceremony. women in general.

Speaking on behalf of pregnant women, who benefited from the artiste’s gesture, Mrs. Grace Stanley, praised her benefactor and his foundation My mission is to use for the gesture.

She said: “Every woman on music to preach the earth needs a man who will gospel of love. Our love her the way Chimbiko loved his wife. You can imagambulance is coming ine the pain in his heart and the love he shows to poor pregsoon, and it has all the nant women here today is a equipment to assist demonstration of a real love he had for his late wife. pregnant women and “He has promised a lot to other emergencies. I pregnant women, which will be accomplished through don’t want people to Caroline Akarolo Foundation. experience what I We will continue to pray for him, and I know God will bless passed through him more and strengthen his family.”

Speaking with Niger Delta Report after a pulsating performance and rendition of some •C Strokes presenting a cheque to an expectant mother. songs in the 11-track album, C From Precious Dikewoha, reggae album,which trans- over again. I am not thinking stroke said his inspiration to Port Harcourt verse all aspects of the music about immediate reward for sing came after the death of his wife. doctors, medication and to en- genre including lovers’ rock, my music.”

He said his late wife was He said his musical activities sure that necessary informa- dance etc, with message and would be purely for charity, tion regarding their health support for the poor in the so- one of those who encouraged him not to let his musical taladding that funds realised during pregnancy are pro- ciety.

The high point of the event ents die. from the launch and sale of the vided to them.

“She had enormous influalbums would go to the CAF “My mission is to use music was rendition of songs from for the provision of amenities to preach the gospel of love. the album by the musician and ence on me and my music. Bethat would assist pregnant Our ambulance is coming other artistes who thronged fore she died, one day she came women and orphans. soon, and it has all the equip- the Arcum Centre to honour C to me and said ‘you stopped playing the keyboard. When I He said: “I am in love with ment to assist pregnant Strokes.

In an earlier interview, C met you, you were marvellous reggae music because it gives women and other emergenme the opportunity to reflect cies. I don’t want people to ex- Strokes explained the phi- on the keyboard and you used on what is happening in our perience what I passed losophy behind the album. to sing for me. The children He said: “The album title is don’t even know you play muenvironment. I sing for charity, through.” which started after the demise Members of board of the ‘Reality’ and it has conscious sic. Why don’t you get a keyof my lovely wife. Today, I am CAF include Dr. Parker, Riv- music, lovers’ rock. Reggae is a board and teach them?’

After that, I met my producer opportuned to have whatever ers State Commissioner of wonderful channel to reach I want but what of those who Health (Chairman); Hon, people, express yourself as an who also told me people don’t lost their love ones or relatives Azubike Wanjoku, member artiste and let people know that know my talent because I just but have nowhere to go or any- Rivers State House of Assem- there are good reggae artistes kept it to yourself. I said I was one to hear them out? bly; Chief MacClean Uranta out there willing to contribute too busy. But as soon as she tran“We have set up Caroline and Belema Papamie, (Secre- to the industry. If you listen to sited, I got the message and when my songs, you will hear clearly; my producer came in, it was like Akarolo Foundation headed tary).

by Dr. Sampson Parker; the August last year, he re- I wasn’t aided by the system. my wife was talking through my foundation will be used to ad- leased a single, which was My music is evergreen and it is producer. So, I decided to use my dress issues of antenatal, how dedicated to his late wife. His going to last. If a song has mes- music for charity.” to register, to be available to latest work is a 11-tracker sage, you can play it over and

‘

I think it is a laudable thing which we have not been doing in Nigeria. Yes, this project cannot be completed within the tenure of the government, but if this project can truly change the landscape of the society, free us from the jaws of poverty, create employment, I think these are projects that should be followed up to completion.

Given the snail pace in the renovation of primary and secondary schools in the state, there is the argument that it is too little too late?

I disagree with your assessment .What you might say is that because we have so many.

The whole idea is to renovate all of the 1,206 primary and 486 secondary schools and we have gone along way. Even in the old colleges of yore. Over 300 schools have been renovated apart from the brand new school we are building which is a model for every school in Delta State.

So, you see there are two things going on side by side, the building of the new model schools which should be the yardstick for all schools in

Delta and the complete renovation of those old which we want to bring to the standard of the new ones which are ICT compliant, modern classrooms across the State. I think it is a commendable policy.

What is your assessment of the Uduaghan government in the last 6 years?

I am, perhaps, the wrong person to direct this question at because I am the spokesman of government but looking at it dispassionately I think Gov Uduaghan is a big vision man in the sense that he has a massive vision of what he wants from Delta State. Yes, to the ordinary eye it might look grandiose and unattainable. I can assure you in another two years, just before we leave I will love to have another interview with you and you will see where we are going to.

Though, it might not be 100 per cent clear to the ordinary eye, I can see the vision. I have bought into the vision and that is why I talk passionately about it. This is a vision that will change the economic landscape of Delta State and propel us into the 21st century.

Our four long days in kidnappers’ den Continued from page 27 On Wednesday, Commodore Garba released the rescued crew members to the agents of Orion Maritime at the Warri Naval Base.

Speaking with reporters after the handing over ceremony, which included signing of release documents, he said: “It is pertinent to state that all investigations relating to the hijack has been concluded by the NNS Delta. Therefore, in this regard, the Chief of Naval Staff has directed the release of the vessel to the owners with immediate effect.”

Captain Villacorte, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, said: “We are happy that this ordeal is finally over. I must thank the naval officers who helped in our rescue.”

When asked about his future plans, the relieved Filipino smiled and said: “I do not think I will like to go back for now. I will think about it.”

Eze Chukwudi, Head, Operations of Dado Maritime, the agent to the Orion, praised the professionalism displayed by the navy in carrying out the rescue operation, without any death or injury to the sailors.

‘

Group urges APC to be wary of discredited PDP members A POLITICAL pressure group in Delta State, Delta Rescue Mission (DRM), has described the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the answer to the yearnings of Nigerians for a change from the old order.

DRM urged supporters to be wary of detractors and lastminute defectors with the objective of hijacking the party’s structure and handing it to discredited politicians Its Director-General, Ahweyevu Mukoro, said the APC was a welcome development for the people of Delta who desire a change from the way the state has been governed since 1999.

He said: “The alternative platform which the APC represents and which DRM actively supports must seek to redefine politics in Delta State on the basis of transparency, integrity and proppeople development that must deliver dividends of democracy directly to our people and not through television sets.

“This is to rescue Delta State from bad governance and return it to the path of excellence, integrity and sustainable development.”

He said the group was happy to join APC, promising to put

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Warri

DRM’s driving skills and services at the disposal of the mega party with the aim of helping it wrestle power from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He said: “The resolve, strength and organisation capacity of the APC as a party will soon be put to test in the bye election for the Delta Central Senatorial District.

“We call on all fellow compatriots, especially those aspiring to be candidates of the APC to be resolute and bold because the APC political vehicle is reliable.”

Mukoro cautioned aspirants to refrain from unilateral and precipitous actions and utterances capable of endangering the party’s support among the populace.

“While it is okay to consult and gather support among prospective voters, it is unconscionable for any aspirant to pretend and purport to announce the alleged names of officials of the APC when registration of membership is yet to commence,” he added.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

40

NIGER DELTA REPORT

Delta’s moment of praise and worship

D

ELTA State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has attributed the successes of his administration to the faithfulness of God. The governor spoke during the Annual Thanksgiving, Praise and Worship Programme tagged “DELTA YADAH 2013An Evening of Thanksgiving”, held in Asaba, the state capital.

He urged people of the state to continue to pray for the peace and unity of the state.

He explained that his administration has been able to achieve its present developmental strides because the power of God was at work and expressed gratitude to God for the unity of the state.

He said: “Delta State has gone through several phases since creation; there has been challenges, crisis and violence, but in the midst of all these troubles, God listened and intervened. All that we have achieved so far is by the grace of God. “He is a God of peace; an unchanging God, he brought peace to Delta State, he listens to us in times of trouble and has continued to bind the state together as an indivisible entity. I thank God for this and for all he has done for this administration to move the state forward.”

Uduaghan praised the special guest artiste, Mr. Lionel Peterson, an international gospel artiste from South Africa.

He said the artiste’s songs have always motivated him to be firm and steadfast in the lord.

He appreciated the founder of the Delta YADAH programme, Mrs. Patricia UwajeKing, for the success of the programme in the last four years and thanked all those that have assisted her to make the dream a reality assuring her that the annual event will continue in the state even after his tenure.

The governor said: “Next year will be the last of this annual thanksgiving programme in my tenure, l want to assure you that this programme will continue in the next administration because this state is anchored on God.” Uduaghan promised the audience that next year’s edition of “Delta YADAH” would be bigger and would feature four renowned international gospel artistes including Donnie McClurkin, Israel Houghton, Kirk Franklin and Cece Winans.

He also pleaded with Peterson to join them next year.

Uduaghan, who dedicated the state’s 22nd anniversary celebration to prayers and thanksgiving, said: “God inhabits the praises of his people and the state has imbibed this attitude of gratitude at all times. We will celebrate this year’s anniversary with prayers and thanksgiving to God for his mercies on the state.”

The 2013 Delta YADAH programme was an evening of thanksgiving and praise featured performance from a host of renowned gospel artistes including Lara George, Nathaniel Bassey, Solomon Urete, Chioma Jesus, Doris Dumah, Vinchy and Midnight Crew.

The worship event was attended by top government functionaries, including the Secretary to the State Government, Comrade Ovouzorie Macaulay; Commissioner for Housing, Mr Funkekeme Solomon and citizens from across the state.

•Uduaghan (left), his wife Roli (right) and Petersen at the event

‘ From left: Macaulay, Sam Obi and Solomon at the event

‘

God inhabits the praises of his people and the state has imbibed this attitude of gratitude at all times.

We will celebrate this year’s anniversary with prayers and thanksgiving to God for his mercies on the state

‘

Rivers community to Total: pay us N200m for gas explosion

T

HE people of Aye Community in Ogba/ Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State are demanding N200 million compensation from the French oil giant, Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (TEPNG), over an alleged gas explosion.

They said the explosion occurred at the company’s facility on August 26.

A statement by the community’s leaders in Port Harcourt claimed that the assessment of the explosion revealed that “the doors and windows of houses in the community can no longer be shut because of the damage caused by emergency fire lightening”.

They urged TEPNG to reduce the size of the flare pit and conduct thorough cleaning of the poisonous chemical pit to promote environmental protection.

The statement demanded an official apology from TEPNG for the manner soldiers at its flow site brutalised Prince Uche, who was among the 1,500 people who went on a peaceful pro-

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

test at the company’s site.

They said they were woken up on August 26 by “devastating earth vibration resulting from high-powered chemical inferno from a flare pit belonging to TEPNG”.

The people also said “poisonous chemical effluent discharged at the company’s OML 58 site measuring 800square meters go to human habitation because of its proximity to less than 150 metres. This poisonous chemical pit carved out by TEPNG they claimed mixed with the October 2012 water flood that ravaged rivers, lands and vegetation of the community without compensation thus resulting to prevalence of strange ailments among the people”.

Attempt to get the reaction of the company, through its Public Relations Unit, was futile as its officials declined comment.

An unofficial TEPNG source said: “All those claims are false.”

A cross section of participants at the event

The church where Oba of Benin is General Overseer Continued from page 25 cover that your contact with God is cordial, you will remain. If you beg God for promotion and you come here and got it, you will remain here.”

Harrison said the church was founded during the reign of Oba Esigie and to worship God without praying through any intermediary.

He said: “We use our local language to communicate with our God. We are aware of other diverse ways of reaching God. If you are a good Muslim, God will accept you. If you are a good Christian, God will accept you.

“We don’t use the Bible here. We have our own book. We use the book of Holy Arousa according to the sayings of the ancient belief written by the wise men. The church is still in existence till today, it is an entity that will last forever. Nothing can stop it.”

“A professional doctor does not need sign board. Oba is a special human being. He is God’s representative on earth. The seat that

‘

Those who seek God come here. We don’t beg people to come. If you attend and discover that your contact with God is cordial, you will remain. If you beg God for promotion and you come here and got it, you will remain here

‘

concerns Omon N’ Oba, nobody can sit on it.

That seat is exclusively preserved for him.”

42

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

43

44

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

POLITICS

45

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

The mandate of the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges expires this month. Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN examines its activities and scorecard.

W

Boko Haram: Is Amnesty Committee working?

HEN the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges was inaugurated by President Goodluck Jonathan, many thought that the days of the Boko Haram sect were numbered. Its main objective was to broker peace between the dreadful sect and the Federal Government.

Recently, the committee claimed that it had reached an agreement on ceasefire with the sect. Many Nigerians received the news with cautious optimism. The reason is not far-fetched. The chairman of the committee and Special Duties Minister, Alhaji Taminu Turaki, claimed that his committee had engaged the leadership of the sect in dialogue and reached an understanding for a ceasefire. The minister also claimed that it had reached a truce with the authentic leadership of the sect. He said, although its spiritual head, Abubakar Shekau, was not directly involved, he was aware of the development.

But Shekau objected to Turaki’s claim.

In a video message, he debunked reports that negotiations were on-going with his group. He said the sect will continue with its campaign of violence. To prove that it was not ready for dialogue with the government, the sect launched deadly attacks in Kano two days after.

No fewer than 20 persons were killed.

In Borno State, gunmen believed to be on reprisal mission, also targeted youths, who had formed a vigilante team, the Civilian JTF, in Dawashe Village. About 21 persons were reportedly killed in the Borno attack.

Ironically, at a time the Turaki’s committee claimed that it had brokered peace in Bauchi, gunmen, in another reprisal attack, killed 44 people at Dumba village, near Baga, Bornu State. The gunmen were also said to have set some houses in the village on fire. This attacks cast doubt on the true identity of those the Turaki Committee claimed to have dialogued with.

More disturbing was the claim by the committee on May 9 that it met with Kabiru Sokoto and other suspected members of the sect in Kuje Prisons, Abuja.

Sokoto, the alleged mastermind of the December 25, 2011 bombing of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Madalla, Niger State, denied ever meeting with the committee.

The counsel to Sokoto, Mr Sharif Okoh, said the suspect was in court on the aforementioned date. He also pointed out that Sokoto was being held in the custody of the State Security Service (SSS), and not the Kuje Prisons, where the purported meeting with the committee took place.

Okoh said: “We were in court with our client when members of the committee told the world that they visited Kabiru Sokoto in Kuje Prisons. We (lawyers) asked him, if it was true, and he said that no member of that committee or any other committee visited him. So, that means that the members committee are telling lies.”

Committee’s mandate On April 24, the Presidential Amnesty Committee was inaugurated by President Goodluck Jonathan to proffer solutions to Boko Haram insurgence within three months. It was mandated to develop a framework for granting amnesty to the sect, set up a framework through which disarmament could take place within a 60-day time frame and develop a comprehensive victims’ support

peace?

“The government needs to understand that the issue at hand is beyond politics and must, therefore, not use it as an avenue to reward political loyalists. The entire situation may not have gotten this bad, if government had not played politics with it when it first surfaced. Government should engage the right people, who can muster the courage to mediate between it and the sect and stay away from playing politics with the issue,” he advised.

Road map for peace

•Dr Jonathan

• Turaki

•Sanni

‘The committee is a distraction. It’s of no use. Since its establishment four months ago, what has it achieved?

Has the committee ever dialogue with the real leaders of the Boko Haram group? How many times have they visited Borno and Yobe states; these are places, which are considered as the haven of the sect, to seek audience with their leaders? However, the committee finds it convenient to stay in Abuja writing reports that are lacking in credibility’ programme and mechanism to address the underlying causes of insurgencies that will help to prevent future occurrences.

Lacklustre performance Against the backdrop of the committee’s terms of reference, Nigerians are not impressed with its performance. A legal practitioner, Ibrahim Idris, said the inconsistency and insincerity of the Federal Government has manifested in the lacklustre performance of the amnesty committee.

Idris noted that, initially, President Jonathan perceived the members of the Boko Haram group as ghosts and ruled out any dialogue with faceless people.

Later, the Federal Government made a uturn, saying it would dialogue with the sect leaders. “Less than a month after the committee was set up, the Federal Government proscribed the Boko Haram sect. Now that the Boko Haram sect has been outlawed, is amnesty committee still relevant? The answer is no. How do you negotiate peace or ask those you have engaged in military action to come to a roundtable conference for peace talk? It is not possible. The military in their operations keep killing the insurgents and innocent people on daily basis and you still want them to come out so that you will round them up. Boko Haram members are not fools.

“The committee is a distraction. It’s of no use. Since its establishment four months ago, what has it achieved? Has the committee ever dialogue with the real leaders of the Boko Haram group? How many times have they visited Borno and Yobe states; these are places, which are considered as the haven of the sect, to seek audience with their leaders? However, the committee finds it convenient to stay in Abuja writing reports that are lacking in credibility,” he said.

Idris also pointed out that the victims of the massive killings by the sect have not been rehabilitated.

An Urban Planning Consultant, Abubakar Usman, said the Federal Government has failed to convince Nigerians that it has the capacity to deal with the Boko Haram insurgency. He said: “The fact that the situation got to a stage where amnesty has been combined with full military operations shows that the government has failed. He said the government ought to have crushed “But, here we are still talking of amnesty because incompetence has brought us here.

Why should government include politicians that are most likely to hide the truth, if we are really interested in dealing with the insurgency? What is the big deal in having someone who has interfaced with the insurgent group as a member of the committee, if the Federal government is really sincere in pursuing

Civil rights activist Mallam Shehu Sani said the insurgency can be resolved, if the government embrace the right method. He advised the government to dust the report he submitted to former President Obasanjo and that of Dr Datti Ahmed, which was facilitated by a journalist, Ahmed Serkida.

Sani added: “The road map for peace is first and foremost, to get mediators that are acceptable to the Boko Haram sect and recognised by the government. The Dialogue Committee, if recognised by the government and not accepted by the Boko Haram sect, as it is now, will fail. But when you have a mediating body, which has the stamp of approval from both sides, both sides will listen”.

Sani stressed that both sides should agree on a ceasefire. Such a ceasefire should be announced by sect and not the government, because all the ceasefires that we have heard were announced by the government and dismissed by the Boko Haram sect.

Sani and Ahmed were appointed members of the amnesty committee by the government, but the duo declined to serve because, according to them, they were not consulted. Ahmed explained further that his decision was based on his past experience in dealing with the government on the security issue. “First, the government reneged on its agreement to grant the two conditions the Boko Haram sect demanded for a successful dialogue to take place, thus displaying its insincerity. Secondly, the report of the committee may be filled with lies, considering the fact that the chairman and secretary are serving minister and civil servant respectively, who will feel obligated to tell the government what it wants to hear”.

Many have also complained about the approach adopted by the committee. For example, a major stakeholder in the dialogue process, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has alleged that the committee did not seek any input or even contact the group, until it was about to round off its activities. CAN President Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor made the claim when members of the committee visited him. He said the report of the committee would not be acceptable to the Christian body.

Idris has other grievances. He said that, despite the fact that the committe has not shown enough capacity, its mandate was extended by two months, effective from July 24. He said the extension was unnecessary because it will not make any difference in the performance of the committee.

According to him, the committee has failed to come up with a frame work on disarmament, adding that violent attacks have persisted. “If the committee could not persuade the insurgents to surrender arms, five months after its inauguration, there was no guarantee that it will achieve this feat in less than one month”, he said.

46

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

POLITICS House of Representatives member Hon. Abimbola Daramola from Ekiti State spoke with EMMANUEL OLADESU and ADEKUNLE YUSUF in Lagos on the controversy surrounding salaries and allowances of lawmakers, the anticorruption war and prospects of the All progressives Congress (APC).

‘APC will liberate Nigerians’ H

OW did you receive the news of the registration of the All Progressives Congress (APC)?

It was with excitement. The type that every woman has after carrying her pregnancy up to the point of delivery and when the baby comes out and the mother hears the sound and cry of the new baby. That was the kind of feeling I have. But, immediately, like all the new mothers always feel, I see it as a sign of responsibility.

I know that responsible parents are also mindful of the kind of schools they want their children to attend; they want to ensure that the kid grows up well and is prepared to face the uncertainties of the future. That exactly is my mindset when APC was eventually registered.

What are the challenges facing the new party in your state as well as other states now?

Don’t forget, unless we want to be unrealistic with ourselves, there will always be local realities. Therefore, there is the need to contextualize.

If for instance, you have APC in Yobe, you will expect most naturally that the weight that APC will pull in Yobe may not be as a result of what a party like ACN could bring into the card; you will expect that the guys from CPC who have been there (are responsible for the feat).

For instance, ACN used to have six states, and then we have come together with CPC coming with one or three states with ANPP. So you will expect that we will reflect the environment that has produced 80 legislators in the southwest; it will be very difficult for us to discount that. All we are trying to do now is the amalgamation of people with multilateral strengths so that they can overcome multilateral challenges and conquer.

When I was in the business school, one of things we were taught is SWOT analysis. S stands for strength, W for weakness, O for opportunities, T for threats and so you can apply that to our present reality today. You need SWOT analysis, for instance, when you want to come out with a new product and you are thinking of penetrating the market; SWOT analysis will help you to determine the penetration strategies that you want to use. Whether you should go by way of packaging; maybe that is your strength to overcome the weaknesses that already exist and be able to capture the opportunities to annul the threats that already exist in that market.

We know that things are not working as we all expect; we know that we are not getting the best from the endowments of God over this na-

tion; everybody knows it across and regardless of parties.

And I dare say, that the opportunities are there, and the greatest opportunity we will be talking about will be the opportunity for people to merge the God-given endowments over this country with strength and be able to conquer the weakness and threats of corruption, the threats and weaknesses of social and moral decay.

Decay, like in which sector?

For instance the decay in the education sector, where the students are more at home than they are in school, hospitals don’t have drugs, LagosIbadan express way will take another five years for it to be fixed and all of those things. People can now see, for instance, and I am proud to say with due respect, that the ACN, now APC governors have showed an increasing understanding of the fact that power belongs to people and the ultimate essence of power is the power that affects positively; we are seeing it everywhere.

If we harness this together and root it in the ideology that has bred APC, that may just be drug to cure the ills and the malice of this country as at today.

The opinion of those in government is that it is populated by those who lost out in the power game in PDP.How do you feel whe you hear make statements like this?

It is a very puerile argument by the Presidency.

Paul was formerly Saul; Saul was on his way to Damascus and he had an encounter with God. Of course, his mission was to go and persecute Christians; he was on a mission to further persecute Christians. He heard that voice and God told him “I am the one that you persecute on the road to Damascus.” But guess what happened?

Saul met his salvation in the process of going to persecute the people of God. Then, he had that encounter and there was a turnaround and Saul became Paul; it is recorded in the Bible that he became the greatest preacher that the people of those times felt. He became one of the most courageous apostles and one of the greatest evangelists of all times.

You can imagine and take a look at where he was coming from. Imagine when an armed robber becomes a Christian. The way he will preach the gospel, so, you may liken that to the scenario that we find ourselves today. Unless we want to deceive ourselves, a woman who is pregnant,does not have to wait for the ninth month before she knows that she is pregnant.

So, the guys who are nailing this country to the

•Daramola

cross know themselves. Don’t mind the sound bites that they give to Nigerians for comfort; don’t mind all those things that they say, so that they can appeal to the people.

The truth of the matter is that everybody knows that Nigeria is at the tentacles. I am not a doomsday preacher, but I know when a country is working. Now, there is a global challenge and a global requirement and global demand for qualitative and purposeful leadership.

How would you assess what is happening in Nigeria today?

We should be able to tell if things are working, but it doesn’t appear that things are working. I must say this, there is a point in time that we have to start embarking on stocktaking as a nation and the time is now. It is even late; we should have done this many years ago, because development is not waiting for anybody.

A friend of mine, Victor Ogene of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), moved a motion trying to reconcile the parity of entrypoint scores into Federal Government Colleges (unity schools). In the north, or in some states in this country, what you need to get into those schools is four out 200 marks. In the Southwest here, you have to score well. Before my brother’s child could get into Queen’s College, she scored almost 180 marks.

In the same country, some are being admitted with just scoring four out of 200. Is that a country that is working? Is that a signature tune of a nation that is working? It is a serious mater!

So, when I tell you that we are sitting on tentacles or on a tinderbox, I sure know what I am

saying. Unfortunately, we live in lies and deceive ourselves here.

But your party is said to be lacking in presidential material?

What is important at this point in time is not who will become the presidential candidate; when we get a systemic assembly, an assembly done out of a systemic ideology, when we have that in place and for people to have laid down their guards, they will be glad enough that anybody who emerges out of that process will most naturally be the one that may take us out of the wood. We are two years away from the election anyway, and there is so much work to be done.

But Nigeria is not there yet, we are still in Egypt.

It is about time we take a collective walk. When God even gave the direction, because God has given the direction by APC, it is time for the people of Israel, the modern day Israelites, that is Nigerians, to come together and allow the will of God for this country. The will of God for this country is to have a country that works; the perfect will of God for Nigeria is to have a country where everything works.

How do you react to the allegation of overbloated allowances and salaries, that all this constitute a huge burden on governance in Nigeria.

I believe very strongly that the cost of governance can be reduced. What you would have succeeded in doing is to reduce the cost of governance and have more money to deploy to good works. However, we have also discovered that when money has been saved in this country, you never get to see what it is used for. All the monies recovered from Abacha, Swiss bank, nobody knows where they ended up until today. It took the House of Representatives to move a motion and invite EFCC and ICPC to come and account for that. But when you say the National Assembly as an arm of government has also been one of the sources of conduit pipes and sources of leakage in the system, I am going to ask you to please take your time to sit back and ask yourself if that is true. Again, was Sanusi Lamido Sanusi that said the National Assembly takes a third of the Nigeria’s budget right? In the past six years that I know, the budget of the National Assembly has always been N150 billion per year for both House Representatives and the Senate.

Does this amount include the allowances?

Yes. I dare say when people call me honorable, I say in my mind vulnerable. Because virtually everybody that sees you feels you have now joined the class of the newly arrived. But that is not true. Senator Ojudu on his Facebook page the other day said if a senator earns N5 million per day, he will still be broke. Number one, the N150 billion can never be one third of the nation’s N4.9 trillion budget. The N150 billion is to maintain 109 senators and 360 House of Representatives members, and about 3,500 Nigerians who report to work in the National Assembly as staff and legislative aides because every legislator has five aids that also get paid out of the N150 billion.

Why I’m critical of govt, by Fasuan

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

• Fasuan

F

ORMER Federal Commissioner, Rev enue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fis cal Commission (RMAFC) Chief Deji Fasuan has shed light on why he is critical of the government.

Fasuan, who turns 82 today, told newsmen in Afao-Ekiti, Ekiti State, that many public officers have not lived up to expectation.

“It is shameful some people conceive my position like that. However, I must admit

that they are entitled to hold their views.

But, tell me, what should we clap for in Nigeria today? Is it the lack of power supply or the perennial transportation problems? Is it the graduate unemployment, is it the insecurity situation, is it the lack of integrity in governance? Look, I have not received my federal pension for two years simply because some civil servants pinched my money and those of others.

Corruption has simply pushed the country to a fiasco and they want us all to keep silence? I have a determination never to refrain from telling the truth all of my life”, he said.

Fasuan disagreed with people who hold the view that foreign media, both print and broadcast, have been unfair to Nigeria. He argued that the federal government has no ground to begrudge the international media for reporting events and developments as they unfold in the country.

The one-time Permanent Secretary in the old Ondo State described the manner of reports as factual, accurate and fair. Said he: “The so-called negative reports are factual, accurate and fair reports of worrisome developments, which daily assail the world from the country. It really de-

pends upon what you call negative. If foreign media say what they see, and you call that negative, that is another manifestation of our penchant for corruption.

“I have not read or listened to any negative reports about Nigeria in the foreign stations. What they call negative reports are the actual events in Nigeria. Does the federal government expect them (the foreign stations) to make it positive by lying that those occurrences happen the other way or did not happen at all?

“Unlike some of our own media in the country, they (these stations) don’t have party leanings to white watch some of the untoward developments or coal tar others, they tell the stories as they are. If anyone does not like that, it is unfortunate”, Fasuan said.

Fasuan disagreed with those calling on the younger generation to take over the reins of governance. Thee octogenarian said: “There is no existing experience to justify such advocacy. The new are as corrupt as the old. It is a funny and half hearted proposal. Just yesterday, I watched the hearings in the American Senate, in respect of President Barack Obama’s proposal for military intervention in Syria. He wanted Congressional clearance and backing for such intervention, following reported use of chemical

weapons by the Assad regime in troubled Syria. The quality of debate, the age of the senators, their experience and patriotism made me marvel and then wonder, if we can claim enlightenment in governance at all.

“Come and hear the senators speak according to their beliefs, not a matter of being members of the President’s party or not. I was glued to the TV for a whole hour, hearing what the US senators, US Secretary of Defence and Secretary of State, advanced as their positions.

“In their discussions and arguments, you will observe pure patriotism. What do we have here in Nigeria? Most members of the National Assembly are inexperienced and they often promote sectional interests as though they represent the general. They had money to buy their way through into the parliament. Their arguments are ever tilted towards ethnic, religious, sectional interests. Never dispassionate, never sincere and are never fair and firm.

“The advocacy that the so-called youth should run the affairs of Nigeria is not new. The youths have always been in charge. If you tell me the old people are corrupt, I would answer by saying that most of the present generation is rotten and self seeking,” Fasuan said.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

47

48

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

49

Four-year-old needs N1m to walk again

F

OUR-YEAR-OLD Vctory Nwabueze is in pains. Her hope of walking depends on the intervention of any good Samaritan to assist the family with N1m for reconstructive surgery on her legs and fused fingers.

Victory is yet to start formal education because she cannot sit and her fingers are fused, making writing difficult for her. Victory was born with a potruding ankle which doctors described as a congenital deformity.

She had surgery at the age of two to prevent the loss of her legs.

She has spent a good part of her life at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and the University College Hospital, Ibadan. Her mother, Judith Nwabueze, said they saw the ankle bone when she delivered Victory.

Mrs Nwabueze said: “As a result of this, blood could not flow into the veins in her left leg because there was a disconnect at the ankle. With time, the leg became lifeless and started to turn pale and black later.

This was the beginning of the problem.

“After the operation, they plastered her leg with POP so that the leg would straighten up. She carried POP on the leg for about two years. After a while that the POP had been removed, we later saw that another bone was coming out from the side because of the position she walks.”

She said a specially made shoe belt was designed for her daughter at the Benin Central Hospital to aid her movement. The shoe belt, according to her, was a palliative measures to prevent the lower limb from coming out when she walks and to protect Victory’s foot while they wait for her to reach the age of four when she

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

will be fit enough for a reconstructive surgery.

Judith said she was referred to UCH, Ibadan but did not do the recommended test at UCH because of lack of funds and nowhere to lay her head. At UCH, she said nothing was achieved because she was told to do a series of tests, some of which she said had been done at UBTH. She however said she could not do the tests because of the amount involved. Another problem, according to her, was that there was no place to stay in Ibadan as she did not have family or friends there.

“Even though, we knew that it would be difficult for her, we enrolled her in school. We later removed her because she just could not cope as the condition of her leg was becoming worse. She will look at her junior sister’s hand and say, Mummy, why is my hand not like Favour’s own. She will start crying and say Mummy, please help me to separate my hand, I want my hand to be like Favour’s own. Everyday, she cries that she wants to go to school and ask why she cannot go to school when Favour does,” she said.

Judith said they have spent their life earnings on seeking treatment for their daughter and that they decided to cry out for help now that it is time to do the corrective surgery.

“I don’t know exactly how much I have spent because I have not been taking records of the expenses. All that I know is that my husband and I have spent a lot on Victory and now we don’t have anything again.

A former local government chairman told me that provision

had been made for me. Later, I was directed to meet a pharmacist who is like the Chief Pharmacist of the council. I moved from pillar to post to claim this money but nothing came out at the end of the day.”

One of the consultant plastic and reconstructive surgeons at the UBTH, who has treated Victory before, Dr Ijekeye, said Victory was born with some congenital deformities that is affecting her lower limb and fingers.

“She has some conscription band and deformed limb. As a result of this, she cannot stand well on her legs. Some of the bones there are abnormal in the sense that some of them have fused or were not well formed.

So, she needs a reconstruction of those abnormal parts. Her fingers also need to be separated since they also fused together.

“Exactly what she needs is multiple stages of reconsruction. She had a surgery before but it was not enough. The first surgery was important anyway because it helped in saving her foot. She needs further surgery to straighten the limb so that she will be able to walk and not lose her foot. Of course, her situation can never be like that of someone who was not born with the deformity but if a corrective surgery is done, she will be able to leave a life close to normal one,” Dr Ijekeye stated.

“Over time, she could need up to a million naira or more than that because there are multiple things to be done from time to time.

The surgery can be done in Nigeria here and we have done similar surgeries before.”

Now, Victory’s mother is appealing to people all over the world to help safeguard the life and future of her daughter.

She has opened a bank account and the details of the account are provided below to help raise enough money for surgery to be carried out on her daughter’s limb and fingers.

Donations to: Bank: Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) Account Number: 0135997607 Account Holder: Nwabueze Osadebamwen Judith.

Relief for senior citizens •Continued from Page 13

1996, saying that the feat was made possible through prudent saving of the state finance.

According to him, it is a crime unless it is anything drastic to owe pensioners.

“Anambra is the least indebted state in the country, including owing pensioners and contractors. All money we have paid is what we saved over the years,” the governor

noted.

He disclosed that the state government has launched a N1.5 billion social welfare package for about 40, 000 persons who are over 70 years without means of livelihood.

The governor commended the pensioners for their efforts in contributing to the growth and development of the state, urging them to continue to pray for the nation’s leaders.

“As you retire, those of you

who are able should contribute to the development of the state, those who can, should pray for the peace and progress of our leaders in the state and the country.

“Make sure you are part of the new Anambra by ensuring that my successor is someone who will be ready to sacrifice anything for the people and continue to develop all sectors of the state,” he admonished.

Earlier, the Commissioner for

•Oyo State pupils at a skill acquisition programme organised for second schools by the state government at PHOTO: OYO GOVERNMENT HOUSE the Assembly Hall of Lagelu Grammar School, Agugu, Ibadan

•Victory and Mummy

Local Government Matters, Mrs Azuka Enemo, said that the state government had always considered giving succour to those who served the state meritoriously.

She disclosed that the payment would be made directly to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries and no longer for pensioners to queue up to receive their pensions and gratuity.

Enemo further disclosed that a total of 789 live pensioners would receive N1, 340,856,484.47 while a total of 141 dead pensioners would receive N202, 148, 848.41 as gratuity.

The commissioner also said that the mop-up gratuity for some other persons starting from 2007 to 2012 was N17, 370,067.53.

She further said Governor Obi’s administration had put smiles on the faces of those who served meritoriously to give them succor and noted that the Governor has increased the socio-economic capacity of the people by ensuring development in all spares and sub-sectors.

Two pensioners, Mrs Eunice Ulasim, a retired primary school teacher and Mr Emmanuel Ononeze, a retired

security man, thanked the governor for ensuring prompt payment of their gratuities.

“I am surprised and happy. I have not seen such before. I hope it will happen as promised that we will receive alert on our phones before we leave this place,” Ulasim remarked.

“I am happy that the governor has the welfare of retirees at heart. He had paid the gratuity of those before us and now he is paying ours. May God continue to bless him,” Ononeze said.

Some other beneficiaries, Mrs. Christian Igwilo, Mr. Obiakor Ogugua and Lady Josephine Ilokunolu said the Governor had touched many lives, and brought a new order to the State even as they thanked him and wife Margaret for making they enjoy their pension and gratuity alive.

In their separate speeches, the Transition Committee Chairman Nnewi South, Mr. Chieloka Okoye and Orumba North counterpart, Mr. Emeka Aforka as well as Awka North Mrs Joy Enweluzor said the Governor had continued to set pace for others and set standard future administration would aspire to, as well as entrench prudence and transformation in governance.

This is the essence of this conference; we are here to teach our women how to live in peace in their families, and build their homes. We believe that a peaceful home leads to a peaceful church and society at large

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

50

Youths to Jonathan: we need jobs

F

ROM Port-Harcourt, Rivers State capital, a call has gone out to President Goodluck Jonathan to address the issue of joblesssness among youths.

The call was made by youths themselves, who followed up with a strong case for non-militants among them. They argued that after ex-militants in the Niger Delta were appeased with jobs, non-militant ones equally deserve to be employed.

The youths made the appeal in a communiqué they issued at the end of their 2013 International youths’ day celebration in the Rivers capital.

T

HE Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area of Lagos State, Apostle Oloruntoba Oke has called for more understanding and cooperation between the military and civil society as a panacea to prevailing security challenges in the country.

The council chief made the call when he hosted the new Commandant of the 9th Brigade, Nigerian Army cantonment, Brigadier A. Oyebade, who visited him as part of his familiarisation tour of key local governments under his command.

The Commandant in his speech earlier said the visit was borne out of the need for him to understand the terrain under his

From Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

In the nine-point document signed by over 16 different youth groups and associations in the region, the youths said empowering non-violent youths like their militant counterparts would bring about equity, justice and fairness.

They stated that it would also encourage the non-militant youths to continue to engage in peaceful dialogue with the government in the event of perceived grievances.

The youths equally appealed to the President not to delegate the appointment of the dissolved principal officers of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), to the governors, saying that it was his statutory responsibility.

They said in the communique: “Now that the NDDC board has been dissolved, it behoves on Mr. President to appoint principal officers of the commission particularly the MD/CEO, as the provision of the Act 2000 in part iv 12(c), stated that ‘the MD/CEO

shall be appointed by the president, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces with the approval of the Senate.”

The groups also appealed that the incoming MD should be appointed from among the serving staff of the commission, saying that this would help the new boss in quickly taking charge of the commission.

They said if the new chair were to be appointed from outside, it would take him some time to learn the ropes, as it were, before any meaningful activities could begin.

They also wanted the headquarters and state offices of

the Ministry of Niger Delta to be restructured for effective service delivery, while the office of the Special Adviser (SA) to the President on Niger Delta be expanded and mandated for even distribution of social amenities among states of the region.

The youths also called for the inclusion of the Nigerian constitution in the primary school curriculum to enable kids get acquainted with the provisions of the constitution.

Some of the signatories to the document included the National president of Change Initiative Forum, Ambassador Genesis J.

In the nine-point document signed by over 16 different youth groups and associations in the region, the youths said empowering non-violent youths like their militant counterparts would bring about equity, justice and fairness

•President Jonathan Idikibiebuma; Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Kingsley Adonis Pepple, Niger Delta youths Movement , represented by Tonye Dikibo, and Ijaw Youth Council Kingdom Igin.

Council chief seeks civil, military cooperation on security

By Yinka Aderibigbe

command and to improve military services to the populace, adding that “most often, the military is drafted to maintain law and order in the current democratic dispensation; as such, it is faced with the challenge of military and civil relationship.”

He said with these sorts of opportunities, the military would be better able to understand the civil populace and know the terrain better anytime they are drafted to help keep peace in the area.” he said.

Most often, the military is drafted to maintain law and order in the current democratic dispensation; as such, it is faced with the challenge of military and civil relationship

Apostle Oke, while thanking the military chief for the initiative, lauded military exploits particularly in the war against insurgency in the Northern part of the country, as well as curbing criminal acts in

A

other parts of Nigeria and Lagos State in particular through the combined efforts of the Police and other security agencies.

He however enjoined the visitor to use his good offices to re-position the military

operation in Lagos State to conform with democratic tenets which he said can only be achieved through regular interaction, mutual understanding and cooperation with the civil society.

Women advocate godly character

S a four-day women’s annual convention of the Rivers District of

Assemblies of God Church ended in Port-Harcourt, the participants have made a case for godly character especially among women.

The fourth National President of Women Ministries (WM) of the church in Nigeria, Mrs. Tina David-Oparaodu made the call in a chat with reporters at the Silver Valley Parish of the church in Port the Rivers State capital, venue of the convention.

Evangelist Oparaodu while explaining the reason for the choice of the year’s theme, “Heaven is real,” said it became imperative following recent

•From left: Ekiti State Commissioner for Arts, Tourism and Culture, Chief Ronke Okusanya; Commissioner for Women Affairs, Social Development and Gender Empowerment, Mrs. Fola Richie-Adewusi; Caretaker Committee Chairman, Moba Local Government, Mr. Adeyeye Adeleke; and wife of the Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, during the inauguration of the Local Government's Women Development Centre, as part of the Market Outreach programme of the governor's wife, at Otun-Ekiti

From Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

events in the society.

“There is need to remind Christians especially women of the fact that the end is near and therefore should remain focused and prepared for the second coming of Jesus Christ”.

She said heaven is made for only those that are prepared, and that women should not allow themselves to be distracted by the antics of false prophets and lose focus of the heavenly race they are called to run.

The women leader urged women to be submissive and available to their husbands, saying that consciousness of heaven and the word of God should be the guiding principles of their actions and activities within and outside the homes.

“Today false prophets are performing all sorts of miracle and dishing out falsehood to the society everywhere. Christians, especially women, should not be deceived by these; the bible has already said it that these would happen in the last days; don’t allow yourself to be deceived.

Heaven is real, hell is also real, but note that it is only those that are prepared that will go into heaven.

“This is the essence of this conference; we are here to teach our women how to live in peace in their families, and build their homes. We believe that a peaceful home leads to a peaceful church and society at large. Women should learn to be submissive to

their husbands; they should be ready to be available to their husbands; this is their calling, while the husbands will in turn love them,” she said.

In her sermon entitled “Preparing for Rapture,” the guest minister, Mrs. Grace Praise urged the church to be prepared for the second coming of Jesus Christ, adding that excuses would not save anyone when He comes.

Mrs. Praise said, “Jesus is coming to rapture a prepared, radiant church, void of stain.

Christianity is not bread and butter; there are sacrifices you must make.”

On the recent wave of dreams, revelations by those allegedly woken from death, she advised “Today there are lots of dreams and revelations, but the bible remains our guide. There is nothing you will look for concerning Jesus Christ, his coming and the rapture that you will not see in the bible.

“Why many Christians are being deceived is because they don’t read their bible; they have no time to read their bible, they have no time to pray, they have no time to wait to hear what God is talking about.

“Women should dedicate more time to the word of God and prayer so they will not continue to be deceived; there is no true miracle without a relationship with God.” The conference ended with a victory march.

This is the essence of this conference; we are here to teach our women how to live in peace in their families, and build their homes. We believe that a peaceful home leads to a peaceful society at large

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

52

We also condemn the activities of the saboteurs in the power sector including generator and diesel importers,corrupt officials and contractors; we warn them to desist or face eternal darkness and perdition

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has been urged to tackle the nation’s ills, among which are unemployment and violence.

The Diocesan Bishop, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) Idoani Diocese, Ondo State, Rt. Rev. Ezekiel Dahunsi urged the president to step up efforts in contain the threats.

Dahunsi also flayed the culture of impunity and pervasive corruption in the country.

He was speaking at the first session of the second synod held at St Paul’s Church, Idogun in Ose Local Government Area. the church noted that Nigerians are still together as a nation only by the power of God, in spite of the activities of Boko Haram.

In a communiqué issued after the first session of the synod, Rt. Revd.

Dahunsi bemoaned the culture of impunity and widespread corruption in the country.

The church also noted that some legislators have turned their functions to money-making ventures, wondering what has become of the oil subsidy probe scandal and many other high profile corruption cases in the country.

It lamented the level of unemployment in the country, stressing that highly skilled and educated youths are without jobs, a situation which breeds a crime culture among the youth.

The synod urged the government to resuscitate ailing industries and provide the enabling environment for enterpreneurial growth to guarantee job creation.

“We also condemn the activities

•Revd Dahunsi,his wife,Alice,Revd Fasogbon,other clerics and Ladies Guild members after the ceremony.

Cleric rues unemployment, violence From Damisi Ojo, Akure

of the saboteurs in the power sector including generator and diesel importers,corrupt officials and contractors; we warn them to desist or face eternal darkness and perdition,” the communique stressed.

It wondered why billions of dollars claimed to have been spent

by government could not be seen to be making any difference in the lives of the people and has not solved the challenges of power supply in the nation.

On 2015 general elections, the communique decried the tension already being generated, urging politicians to play the game by the rules.

It reiterated the need for a

national conference to deliberate on various issues among the nationalities.

The synod also faulted the apparent validation of child marriage by the Senate and urged for a revisit and deletion of the offending section from the constitution.

At the thanksgiving held after the synod where Revd Dahunsi inaugurated Diocesan Ladies Guild

‘Our school shouldn’t be sacrificed for mono-rail’

T

HE people of Greater Akwuke community in Enugu South Local Government have regretted donating land to the government for development purposes.

They said the government is now taking them for granted.

In their generosity, Greater Akwuke community apparently gave their land to both federal and state governments for building of 11 establishments.

These, they said, include the 103

From Chris Oji, Enugu

Rekki Battalion Barracks, the Awkunanaw Police station and barracks, Southeast headquarters of Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), the National Grains Board, the Enugu Trucks Factory and the Market Garden and Fertilizer Depot.

There are also the Science Equipment Development Institute (SEDI), the Children’s Remand Home, the Afor Awkunanaw

•The protesting residents at the Village Square

market and the Gariki Cattle Market (whose existence they said “has destroyed our only source of livelihood, which is farming, by the cows that roam about our community, grazing and destroying farms owned by natives”.

They are not, however, totally against these projects because, according to them, they are all for the good and progress of Enugu State. But the snag which is causing

them sleepless nights is the recent proposal by a Canadian firm to pull down the only post primary school in the community to pave way for a mono-rail project.

The entire members of Greater Akwuke are kicking against the idea. This is because the 22-yearold school, Comprehensive Secondary School, Akwuke was built by the women of the community since their children used to trek far distances to acquire post-primary education.

The President-General of Akwuke Development Union, Mr John Ewoh, said “the women taxed themselves and toiled for years to build that school. They now say they are going to pull it down to make way for monorail. The annoying aspect is that they did not make any alternative arrangement for our children schooling there.”

Corroborating the president general, Nick Agbo, a lawyer said they have made a number of entreaties to the government but none was replied to. Enquiries by The Nation at the government axis did not yield any result. Officials at the Government House and the

(DLG) which consists of young christian ladies in the Diocese, the Bishop urged members to be good examples in their responsibilities.

The Bishop of Oke-Osun Diocese in Osun state, Rev. O. Fasogbon also urged christians to be good ambassadors of Christ.

A priest, Rev Felix Daisi was canonised by Bishop Dahunsi in recognition of his hard work in the Diocese. state ministry of education claimed ignorant of the development.

The community planned a peaceful protest march to the Government House, Enugu where they intended to intimate the governor with their ordeal. But they were stopped by security agents who confined them to their village square throughout the day.

They decided to send a letter to Governor Sullivan Chime. In the letter they intimated the governor “concerning the proposed closure of Akwuke Comprehensive Secondary School and planned demolition of the school structures and acquisition of its premises and all adjoining land.”

They told the governor in the letter: “We are constrained to write you today because we have waited for a response but none was forthcoming. We wish to state here that even as at this moment, Greater Akwuke has never been officially communicated about the the said mono-rail. The only communication we got was in conduct relayed through the marking on the structure to the effect that it would be demolished within 21 days even when we have been reliably informed that the fund for the proposed monorail is not available yet.”

The women taxed themselves and toiled for years to build that school.

They now say they are going to pull it down to make way for mono-rail. The annoying aspect is that they did not make any alternative arrangement for our children schooling there

THE NATION FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

53

NEWS

APC condemns PDP’s ‘vote-robbery’ in Offa •Kwara PDP disowns victory disclaimer •APC candidate: it’s face-saving ploy

T

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned what it called “the daylight vote-robbery” by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in last Saturday’s rerun in Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The party said the result had shown that the PDP, whether old or new, was irredeemable.

Rising from its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, the APC said everyone who witnessed or monitored the election confirmed that the APC won it convincingly.

In a statement yesterday in Abuja by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the APC said the impunity perpetrated by the PDP had started hunting it, after its candidate in the Shawo Southwest Ward, Mr. Afolabi Olawale Jimoh, repudiated his “victory”, just as one of the presiding officers, Mr. Akeem Oyetunji, said the APC won the councillorship and chairmanship in Shawo Central Ward.

“This is a damning evidence that should make it clear to the PDP that its impunity cannot stand, that there are still Nigerians who have conscience and would sacrifice even their political and other careers for their integrity.

“In view of this, the APC calls on the PDP, which has been working in cahoots with the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission the (KWSIEC), to regurgitate the victory it wilfully swallowed, and from which it has now become so constipated and uncomfortable,” it said.

APC hailed Mr. Jimoh and Mr Oyetunji for their decency and honesty, attributes the

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

party said were very rare in today’s Nigeria under the watch of the PDP. It also hoped that all the other conspirators in last Saturday’s “monumental electoral heist” would emulate the two virtuous Kwara State politicians who he described as “rare species of mankind”.

The party said the so-called New PDP had a chance to use the Offa election to show that it is different from the old PDP, which it accused of lacking in internal democracy and not having regard for the rule of law.

APC said: “It is now clear that the saying that ‘fruit does not fall far from the tree’, is true for the so-called New PDP. Presented with a chance to show that it is different from its votestealing, violence-peddling and impunity-prone ‘father’, the New PDP failed the test by engaging in bare-faced conversion of defeat to victory in Offa and then daring the party that has been robbed to go to court.

“What message is the New PDP sending to the world when it could engage in such impunity in Offa? What other argument does it have now that one of its candidates, on whose behalf votes were stolen, has said his conscience and religion would not let him take what is not his?

“The only way this New PDP can redeem itself is to immediately own up to the fact that it has denied the people of Offa their right to choose their councillors and chairman, and to accept its defeat in last Saturday’s rerun.”

The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday said Jimoh was

not among its councillorship candidates in last Saturday’s rerun in Offa Local Government.

Jimoh, who was the party’s candidate for Shawo Southwest Ward during the rerun, on Wednesday publicly rejected his “victory” at the poll.

He said the APC candidate won in the ward.

The PDP said another man, Olagunju Olalekan, was its councillorship candidate.

But the APC chairmanship candidate in the election, Prince Saheed Popoola, described the PDP and the state government’s denial as a facesaving ploy.

He said Jimoh exhibited uncommon patriotism and sincerity to own up to the fraud perpetrated by KWSIEC and the PDP. Addressing reporters yesterday in Ilorin, the state capital, the PDP Secretary, Prince Yemi Afolayan, described Jimoh as an impostor.

Though Afolayan said Jimoh was the PDP’s councillorship candidate in an earlier poll, which was upturned by the Election Appeal Tribunal, he added that Jimoh had defected to the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) before its metamorphosis to the APC. Afolayan said: “Olawale (Jimoh) cannot claim to be PDP’s candidate in the rerun because he had defected to the (defunct) ACN - now APC about two years ago.

“We had written a letter to KWSIEC days before the rerun, seeking the substitution of Olawale (Jimoh) with Olagunju as our councillorship candidate for Sawo Southwest.”

The PDP secretary presented to reporters the party’s

Boko Haram: 91 policemen’s families get N35.7m

•The KWSIEC list showing Mr Jimoh’s name

candidate for Sawo Southwest Ward with 11 other councillors elected on the PDP platform.

But Popoola faulted Afolayan’s claims, in a statement yesterday in Ilorin.

He said: “The PDP is making two funny and almost conflicting claims. One: that the fellow is not their candidate in the election; so, the issue of him disowning the result does not arise. Two: that he had since defected to the APC, and so had been replaced.” “A governor’s spokesman, Femi Akorede, made some of these laughable claims on Channels TV this morning (yesterday). We take it that he was totally ignorant of the issues involved.

Also, we are used to his routine lies!

“Both claims regarding the candidate are against common sense - which is not common, anyway!

“We ask the PDP to answer these posers: whose name did the KWSIEC display as the PDP candidate for the ward? Anybody who has seen the list of PDP councillorship candidates will see that Mr Afolabi Adewole Jimoh was conspicuously listed as the PDP coun-

cillorship candidate for Sawo Southwest Ward. He is No. 6 on the list.

“Also, can the PDP change a candidate for a rerun? Is that allowed under the law, except in the event of death and maybe voluntary stepping down of that candidate, which he must communicate to the electoral body?

The answer, of course, is No! “For the avoidance of doubt, we approached the KWSIEC to change one of our councillorship candidates and the answer was an emphatic No! May we also put it on record that our party demanded and got the list of the candidates for the election, including the list for the PDP, just to be on the side of caution.

“We enjoin the public and the media to call for the court paper the PDP filed, dated February 22, 2011, challenging the result of Sawo Southwest Ward and see if Mr Jimoh was not the applicant who sued our candidate, Adefioye Kayode.

“We made this point to counter the lie that Mr Jimoh was not part of the litigation that led to the court judgment.

“Finally, we are surprised that five days after the election was held, all the KWSIEC has

Niger warns campaigners against polio immunisation

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

T

HE Assistant Inspector-General of Police in-charge of Zone I, David Omojola, yesterday presented N35.7 million to the 91 families of police officers, who died during the Boko Haram attacks in Kano.

Omojola said the compensation represented the third batch of the assistance given to the families.

He said the money which is an insurance coverage for the officers and men was meant to alleviate the sufferings of the decease families.

According to him, the money should not be seen as compensation because no amount of money can bring back those who lost their lives or sustained injury.

Omojola explained that one of the deceased families received a cheque of one million Naira while the least received N100,000 naira.

done on radio was to announce a blanket result without telling us who scored what from what ward and so on. We call on the KWSIEC to immediately release the breakdown of its bogus results, which, we will definitely challenge in court.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called for the dissolution of the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWSIEC).

The party alleged that the Dr Uthman Ajidagba-led KWSIEC has several card-carrying PDP members.

The APC Kwara South Coordinator Kayode Zubair said the illegal declaration of the PDP candidates in the councillorship and chairmanship rerun in Offa Local Government on August 31 has made the people to lose confidence in the commission.

Addressing reporters yesterday in Omupo, Ifelodun Local Government Area, Zubair said: “We call for the immediate dissolution of KWSIEC. We have lost confidence in that organ. We don’t believe it will conduct a free and fair election on October 26.”

T

•Zamfara State Governor Abdulazeez Yari (left) and his Yobe State counterpart Ibrahim Gaidam (middle) and their aides after a meeting of leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja...yesterday

T

Fulani killed 14 of our kinsmen, say Berom

HE Berom ethnic group in Plateau State has accused Fulani of allegedly killing 14 of its kinsmen in the last five days.

The Berom were reacting to the attacks by gunmen in five of their villages in the state.

The National Caretaker

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

Committee of Berom Youth Movement alleged that the killing of their brothers and sisters in the villages were allegedly carried out by armed Fulani men.

The state government

had confirmed series of attacks on some communities in Barkin Ladi and Jos South local governments between last Friday and Tuesday, leading to the death of 14 people.

The government said the attackers were criminals who struck like armed rob-

bers.

It added that seven suspects had been arrested by security agencies.

But the Berom debunked the government’s claim in a statement yesterday in Jos by the National Chairman of the Berom Youth Movement, Rwang Dantong.

HE Niger State government has warned that anyone caught campaigning against immunisation of children will be prosecuted.

The government said it was amending its Health Care Development Agency Law to provide for a 10year jail term or N100,000 fine for any cleric found guilty of preaching against the immunisation of children.

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Alhaji Abdullahi Bawa Wuse, spoke yesterday at a postExecutive Council media briefing in Minna, the state capital.

The law also stipulates a six-month jail term or N50,000 fine for anyone, who refuses to be immunised or disallows his ward from being vaccinated.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

54

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 5-09-13

Oando eyes N88b from Canadian share offer O

ANDO Group could raise about N88 billion through the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) to support the group’s balance sheet as it tidies up the acquisition of ConocoPhillips (COP)’s Nigeria assets.

Oando, through Oando Energy Resources (OER), had in August filed a preliminary short-form base shelf prospectus with the securities regulators in each province of Canada with the exception of Quebec, a preliminary step that would allow the group to raise funds in Canada.

The final filing will allow OER to offer common shares and subscription receipts up to CAD$550 million, about N88 billion, about four times the size of OER’s CAD$142 million market capitalization on the Toronto Stock Exchange Preliminary reports indicated that the group would use the net proceeds of the offering to pay a portion of the

By Taofik Salako

purchase price for the acquisition of ConocoPhillips’s Nigeria assets while it will also boost the floatation of the OER stock on the TSX. Oando recently raised N62.6 billion through a rights issue in the Nigerian market, highlighting shareholders’ confidence in Oando’s ability to continue to generate sustained earnings and increased value for its shareholders.

Group chief executive, Oando Plc, Mr. Wale Tinubu, said the centerpiece of the group’s overall growth strategy remains focused on steady and progressive value creation for shareholders.

“With a business such as ours that guarantees steady returns on investments, we are positioning ourselves to ensure that our shareholders

continue to enjoy an exemplary dividend payout year after year,” Tinubu said.

He noted that Oando has steadily reduced its overall debt by 18 per cent in the last 12 months from N289 billion to N236 billion adding that the active debt reduction has also impacted on the company’s net interest expense.

According to him, the group approached the second half of the year with the promise of a renewed drive in the promotion of an enabling environment for indigenous participation in the oil sector, ultimately resulting in superior value creation for all shareholders, by further refining its three-pronged strategy to; reduce debt, improve diversification in upstream, and focus on higher margins.

Oando this week paid a total dividend of N5.1 billion, an increase of 61 per cent on the payouts in previous year.

PEARL Awards to reward quoted companies, operators EARL Awards Nigeria trading performance, but

P

has announced the introduction of corporate governance award in addition to the previous awards being given by the firm in recognition of companies with outstanding earnings reports.

Speaking at a press briefing to flag off the 2013 PEARL Awards, president, PEARL Awards Nigeria, Mr. Tayo Orekoya, said the corporate governance award was introduced to promote sound corporate governance system in Nigeria.

He outlined that the PEARL Awards was instituted to recognize the performance of quoted companies based on credible and globally acceptable parameters including turnover growth, return on equity, earnings yield, share price appreciation, dividend cover and profit margin among others.

He pointed out that the 2013 PEARL Awards would as usual be in three main competitive categories including sectoral leadership awards for sectoral leaders, market excellence awards for overall market leadership in each ranking indices and overall highest award category for the best performing company in the entire market.

He added that there would also be special recognition awards to honour individuals and institutions that have contributed remarkably to the development of the capital market.

“This year’s event is being specially packaged to be even more than a night of excellence and glamour, where corporate chieftains and captains of commerce and industry will savour the joy of excellent operational and stock

would also provide a forum for quoted companies to be recognized and reward for excellent performance,” Orekoya said.

He reiterated the commitment of PEARL Awards to objectivity, fairness and absolute neutrality in assessing the companies based on their audited annual reports and other statutory documents.

According to him, the PEARL Awards is committed to sustainable growth and development of the Nigerian capital market and it would continue to contribute effectively to efforts to develop the market.

“On our part, PEARL Awards Nigeria remains committed to partnering with the regulatory authorities and other stakeholders towards achieving sustainability, growth and deepening of the market. We also advocate that a strong collaboration between the market players and the media is highly essential towards ensuring that we make the capital market more meaningful and relevant to investors both home and abroad,” Orekoya said.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 5-09-13

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

55

MONEY LINK

Agric lending rises to N25b, says Minister

M

INISTER of Agriculture, Akinwumi Adesina has said bank lending to agriculture sector rose to N25 billion this year from about N3.5 billion in 2012.

He told Reuters at the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) in Abuja that food imports has fallen

by N850 billion while food production rose by eight million tonnes, helping to create 2.2 million new jobs. He said government wants to add 20 million tonnes of domestic food production by 2020 and rice, corn, sorghum, palm oil and cocoa have already increased.

S

Stories by Collins Nweze

Nigeria, the world’s second-largest importer of rice, aims to become self-sufficient by 2015 after introducing a 100 per cent tax on polished rice imports this year, likely to mostly affect countries like India, Thailand and Brazil.

Security sources and farmers have said one backlash has been a rise in smuggling of rice and sugar from neighbouring countries and into ports. He said higher cassava output has been used to make flour, reducing wheat imports mostly from the

United States by almost nine per cent.

Adesina said duties on agricultural equipment have been scrapped and tax breaks given to companies willing to invest in both farming and industrial processes, as well. The country’s reforms have drawn new foreign investors such food giant Cargill, seed company Syngenta and brewer SABMiller, while Dangote Sugar and others are investing more.

However, many companies asked to speak at the summit gave a less rosy picture, saying state and local governments still extort unofficial payments, while officials at ports

Skye Bank engages entrepreneurs on SMEs devt

KYE Bank Plc yesterday organised a capacity building seminar for entrepreneurs and other small scale business owners to help them succeed in their businesses.

The bank’s Group Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Kehinde DurosinmmiEtti said the seminar was part of the lender’s plan to support and promote the growth of the small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs), the growth engine of the Nigerian economy.

The maiden Skye SMEs seminar with the theme “It is Possible” had in attendance many operators in the SMEs sector who came to gain fresh and new insights and trends into the operations, financing and management of SMEs. Durosinmmi-Etti who was represented by the bank’s Executive Director, Corporate and Investment Banking, Timothy Oguntayo, said the SMEs sector provides more opportunities and employment than the mining, oil and gas sectors. “The SMEs sector has the capacity to drive business and rural economic development in the country”, he said.

Noting that over 32 million Nigerians were involved the sector, the bank CEO said if the sector was well developed, it would have the capacity to solve the unemployment problem in the country. He promised that the lender would continue to play the role of a facilitator and development partner to help young businesses grow and realize their full potentials to the benefit of the nation, the people and the economy.

General Manager, Retail Banking, Skye Bank, Mrs. Arinola Kola-Daisi, said SMEs constitute an important vehicle for national development as they have the capacity to integrate a large segment of the populace in productive economic activities.

Specifically, she said the economies of the Asian Tigers or Asian Dragons of the highly free and developed Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan, owe their rise to economic pre-eminence to an extent, to the existence of well-

Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

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

S •Durosinmi-Etti

organised and efficiently run SMEs. Similarly, she noted that the Tiger Club Economies of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand, follow the same export-driven model of economic development pursued by the four dominant Asian Tigers where SMEs constitute a sizeable vehicle of bringing about development and have remained so till this day.

ing for the agriculture sector, both for smallholders and commercial farmers.

In a statement, the lender said it has a vision of being one of the leading agriculture financing banks in Nigeria.

Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mrs. Sola David-Borha disclosed this at the sidelines of the 19th edition of the annual conference of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, which ended in Abuja yesterday. “Stanbic IBTC has a well-structured business unit that focuses on agriculture. We have established a number of schemes and products that will significantly impact on the entire agri-

NIDF NESF

OBB Rate Call Rate

Current Market 5495.33 N552.20

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

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

1.50 3.13 2.33 3.89 3.10 1.16 1.28 2.75 0.69 3.71

1.65 3.44 2.56 4.27 3.40 1.27 1.40 3.00 0.75 3.95

Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 5-09-13

LEARNAFRCA EVANSMED IHS JOSBREW AIRSERVICE VONO TRANSCORP ETERNA IPWA UPL

CHANGE 0.15 0.31 0.23 0.38 0.30 0.11 0.12 0.25 0.06 0.24

Amount Offered ($) 350m 350m 350m

PORTPAINT BETAGLAS COURTVILLE JBERGER PRESTIGE MANSARD NPFMCRFBK ROYALEX UNILEVER ZENITHBANK

O/PRICE 5.01 3.18 0.68 74.71 0.54 2.20 0.74 0.56 61.05 19.85

C/PRICE 4.51 11.87 0.64 71.50 0.52 2.14 0.72 0.55 60.00 19.61

Currency

Year Start Offer

Current Before

Current After

CUV Start %

NGN USD

147.6000

149.7100

150.7100

-2.11

NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change (S/N)

239.4810 212.4997

244.0123 207.9023

245.6422 209.2910

-2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

Parallel Market

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

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%

NIBOR Tenor

Statistics All Share Index Mkt Cap (NGN’bn) Deal Volume (mn) Value (NGN’mn)

Rate (%) 30 Aug

Rate (%) 2 Sep

Call

11.66

12.29

7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 90 Days

12.00 12.45 12.75 13.16

12.58 12.87 13.16 13.41

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m 113m

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8 155.7

30 Aug 36,248.53 11,496.61 4,164 190.62 2,580.30

Date 2-7-12 27-6-12 22-6-12

02 Sep 36,337.15 11,524.72 4,468 256.91 2,393.16

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

CHANGE 0.50 1.31 0.04 3.21 0.02 0.06 0.02 0.01 1.05 0.24

Amount Demanded ($) 150m 138m 113m

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12

LOSERS AS AT 5-09-13

SYMBOL

cultural value chain. Stanbic IBTC Bank is one of the leading financial institutions contributing to the growth of agriculture in Nigeria, with products and services customised for the sector,” David Borha stated.

She assured operators that the bank will consider the merits of all applications. “The bank is accessible to all operators in this sector. We are also working with a number of government agencies and multilateral organisations to drive the transformation of the agricultural sector in Nigeria, leveraging on Standard Bank Group’s experience and expertise in agricultural financing.”

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

Brazil cost N135 per kilo, while a chick in Nigeria cost N180, making government plans to emulate its South American rival unrealistic.

“Ports would scare the life out of anyone. It’s the worst thing about your system,” said Calvin Burgess, chief executive of Dominion Farms, a U.S.-owned firm looking to farm rice in Taraba state.

DATA BANK

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Quotation Price N8250.00 N1000.00

•Adesina

Stanbic IBTC makes case for TANBIC IBTC Bank has said agric financing it improved access to financ-

FGN BONDS Tenor

and customs either worked around government policies or outright ignored them.

Confusing laws on land, much of which is owned or claimed by government officials, also mean it is difficult to expand. That has left 60 per cent of Nigeria’s arable land fallow, farmers say. He said subsidies used to reduced the cost of fertiliser for farmers were not longer managed by corrupt politicians but instead were given directly to farmers.

“We’re still battling with the basics; visa processing times, port delays, access to credit, transport systems. Rhetoric is all we are getting.

It’s time to walk the walk,” said Alan Jack, managing director of Shonga Farms, a mainly poultry and milk farming group which supplies the Lagos branch of Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Jack said imported chicken from

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

Movement

SECONDARY MARKET Tenor T-bills - 91 T-bills - 182 T-bills - 364 Bond - 3yrs Bond - 5yrs Bond - 7yrs

30 Aug (%) 10.58 10.72 11.15 13.07 13.49 13.53

02 Sep (%) 10.42 10.66 11.05 13.07 13.49 13.51

THE NATION FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

56

NEWS

Enugu PDP threatens sanction

UBTH resident doctors protest From Osagie Otabor,

P

From Chris Oji, Enugu

T

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State has threatened to sanction any member who accuses the party leadership of imposing chairmanship aspirants on the councils.

The state Publicity Secretary, Dr Okey Eze, said it was unfair to accuse the party of imposing the chairmanship candidates for the November 2 election, when the primaries have not been conducted.

He said: “The PDP frowns at the nefarious activities of some people who are trying to overheat the system and destroy the peace existing in the state chapter of our party.

“The PDP has not held its primaries at the ward and local government levels. So why should anybody accuse the party leadership of imposing a particular candidate whereas the process of electing a candidate has not begun? The move is aimed at causing crisis within the party, but this would be resisted,” Eze said.

Army finance talks in Abia From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

T

HE Army Finance Corps will hold its ninth Biennial Training Conference in Umuahia, Abia State from September 10 -13.

The theme of the conference is: “Transforming the Nigerian Army towards meeting security challenges and national development: The role of the Nigerian Army Finance Corps”.

Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Col. H.A. Gambo, in a statement, said the programme is organised in line with 2013 forecast of army activities”.

Gambo said: “The forum would create the opportunity to assess the role of the Corps vis-à-vis the vision of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), which is to ‘transform the Army into a force able to meet contemporary challenges”.

He explained that the conference aims at creating an avenue for deliberations.

Governor Theodore Orji is expected to open the conference, to be attended by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen Azubuike Ihejirika and the military top brass.

•Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Odi-Olowo Local Government Area of Lagos State, led by Bashorun PHOTO:BOLA OMILABU Tajudeen Jayesimi, unveiling their banner at Ilupeju..yesterday.

Bayelsa denies $250m stake in power company T HE Bayelsa State government yesterday denied acquiring a $250million stake in a private power distribution company, 4 Power Consortium.

In a statement during a briefing, the government said the state only bought two per cent shares in the company.

The Commissioner for Energy, Francis Ikio, did not speak on the amount paid for acquiring the two per cent investment.

He said: “The Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) has two per cent in the company. The Bayelsa Electricity Company has two per cent.

I only know about two per cent.

Any body who says it amounts to $250million is peddling rumours.”

•’We only acquired two per cent’ From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

The briefing came shortly after the opposition accused the government of spending so much on the two per cent acquisition.

The opposition claimed the government paid the amount to cover other influential persons, who bought shares in the company.

But Ikio debunked claims that the government paid too much for too little.

He said: “To say that we don’t have control over the compa-

ny is wrong. Control over a company depends on your shares. I don’t know the sum paid. I will restrain myself from talking about the figure. The records are there.”

The commissioner said the state got involved in the deal as an investor, adding that the people would reap the future benefits of the investment.

“Our investment is not wasted. There is hope that 4 Power will change the service delivery in the state,” he said.

Ikio was joined at the briefing by the Commissioner for Information, Markson Fefegha

and the Commissioner for Capital City Development, Zuwa Konugha.

Fefegha said details and records of the transaction were domicilled in the Bayelsa Investment Development Corporation.

He assured that the government would deliver adequate power supply in the state.

Fefegha said the government had shown its determination by partaking in the ongoing privatisation of the sector.

On decisions taken to restructure the state capital, Konugha said the executive council had resolved to adequately planned some areas.

He said his agency would henceforth regulate construction of buildings on the AIT Road to Igbogene.

Police uncover fake university hospital in Imo

A

FAKE doctor and suspected leader of a gang, which specialises in extorting money from candidates seeking admission into higher institutions, has been arrested by the police in Imo State.

Fidelis Chukwujindu of Umudumabiakam Ogboko in Ideato Local Government Area was arrested while conducting entrance examination for 576 victims, who reportedly purchased the admission forms at N8,000 each.

Chukwujindu, who was later discovered to be a native doctor, posed as a medical doctor. He was arrested on the premises of the college hospital, which has the sign post: “University College Hospital, Ogboko, Ideato, P.O. Box 1960

•VC, deaf and dumb dean arrested From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

Orlu, Imo State”.

Parading the suspect with his victims, the Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Musa Katsina, said the gang strategically selected the site opposite the State University, Ogboko, which is adjacent to the Rochas Foundation College, to convince their victims of the genuineness of their business.

“This is a primitive catalogue of illegality by a self-

acclaimed medical doctor, who paraded himself as a graduate of Harvard University.

“But he’s just a native doctor. More than 5,000 people have been swindled by this man.”

Katsina said the suspect and his cohorts, including a deaf and dumb woman, Mrs. Ngozi Anyaoha, who was introduced as the dean of the college, were arrested by the a squad attached to the command, following a tip-off.

Chukwujindu said the insti-

tution, which he claimed was in partnership with the National Universities Commission (NUC), was officially approved by the previous administration.

He, however, denied using the name of Governor Rochas Okorocha to swindle anybody.

“This is a college and not a university and as such I did not obtain approval from the NUC and I went to the Ministry of Education, Abuja, where I obtained approval and it is affiliated to the University of London,” he insisted.

NAFDAC cautions against intake of toxic substance T

HE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians about a toxic substance, Aflatoxins, found in maize, rice, groundnut, among others.

The drug control agency, which has begun an awareness programme, in collaboration with the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), said this became necessary in view of the dangers in the consumption of the fungus.

The Director- General, NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, who was represented by the agency’s Director, Laboratory Services, Mrs. Stella Denloye, spoke in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital,

From Tayo Johnson and Diamond Adebowale, Ibadan

yesterday at a workshop organised by NAFDAC, IITA and other international organisations.

He said the toxin could cause liver cancer.

His words: “Records have shown that there are efforts all over the world, directed at the introduction of preventive strategies to reduce the risks associated with Aflatoxin contamination and toxicity, particularly the incidence of liver cancer.

“Elimination of Aflatoxins after serious contamination

has proved difficult if not impossible. Therefore, prevention and mitigation strategies would need to be the focus for reduction of their presence to acceptable levels.”

The Deputy Director-General, Partnerships and Capacity, Dr Kenton Dashiell, said Aflatoxin is a major food poison problem in Nigeria, stressing that it cannot be seen or touched and causes liver cancer.

He went on:” We are meeting here today to sensitise the public and give farmers solution to the fungus, especially people, who process and store grains. With this, it will reduce Aflatoxins in our food.”

Benin

ROTESTING members of the Association of Resident Doctors of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) almost disrupted activities at its 35th anniversary yesterday in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

They were protesting the non-payment of their salaries when Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa arrived the Oba Akenzua Cultural centre, venue of the event.

They allowed the programme to continue two hours after Okowa promised to help them appeal to the Federal Government to release their salaries.

The senator said it was unacceptable for Nigerians to spend over N80billion annually on medical tourism to India and other countries.

He urged the Federal Government to provide adequate equipment for hospitals and health centres across the country to reduce the frequent medical tourism abroad.

Okowa cautioned resident doctors against embarking on strike and urged them to use the tool of advocacy.

National President of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Dr. Osahon Enabuele, who was represented by the state Chairman, Dr. Emmanuel Ighodaro, begged the senator to help resolve the impasse between health workers and the Federal Government.

‘Why I want to replace Ewherido’

A

N aspirant in the forthcoming by-election in Delta Central Senatorial District of Delta State, Napoleon Gbinije, has said he has the experience and pedigree to win the seat.

The seat became vacant, following the death on June 30 of Senator Pius Ewherido of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP).

Gbinije said although other aspirants may be qualified, he was most qualified because of his achievements at the House of Representatives.

He said: “The Urhobo people owe it a duty to the late Ewherido to elect an experienced person who would be able to deliver.

“I am the best at this time for the people because I have the experience needed to achieve result in the Senate.

Legislation is my turf. I have been there before and if given the necessary support my people would be proud of me again.

“I would make sure that the Urhobo people regain their pride of place in the nation.

Since 1999, Urhobo people have produced representatives at different levels, yet they have nothing to show for it.

“There is nowhere in Urhobo land where you have a Federal Government project worth N500million.

“The time has come in our national life when we say: enough is enough and this can only be expressed in our choice of a credible candidate, who has what it takes to bring a new lease of life to our people. I am that candidate.”

THE NATION FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

57

Families hold prayers for Ozekhome, others

I’ve lost everything, says man whose family died in mudslide

NEWS

F

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

AMILIES of six kidnap victims are praying and fasting for the release of their loved ones.

The victims are human rights lawyer Mike Ozekhome, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tenacious Ogbome, a primary school teacher, Mrs. P Elebe and her three children.

It was not clear if they were being held by the same gang.

A family source for Mrs. Elebe declined comments on how much the kidnappers were demanding.

The source said the kidnappers made contact with the family.

It was gathered that the teacher’s husband, Nathaniel, who was hospitalised after the abduction of his wife and children joined in the prayers.

The source said they were making efforts to negotiate the reduction of the ransom.

Sources at Iviukwu community said the family of Ozekhome and community elders are fasting and holding prayers for his release.

The house just collapsed and finished everything I have worked for in this life. The only thing I have now is this cloth I am wearing.”

MTN apologises to Bayelsa consumers

M

OBILE telecommunications giant MTN yesterday apologised to its customers in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

This was at the 58th edition of consumer outreach programme, organised by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

The interactive session witnessed complaints of duplication of charges, fake promotional messages, renewal of some services without permission and drop calls from service providers.

MTN’s Customer Relationship Officer Reginald Kamalu apologised for instant renewal of caller tune subscription services with-

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

out permission from the subscribers.

He said MTN had established a policy of compensating customers with such complaints.

Kamalu urged customers to visit the company’s customer service centre in the state to address their grievances.

On scam short messages, he said the company had continued to educate consumers against the antics of fraudsters.

“MTN cannot stop short messages because they are generated from the Internet.

We have always warned our customers to beware of scams,” he said.

Redeemer’s Varsity to graduate 519

T

HE Redeemer’s University (RUN) was not established to issue undeserving degrees to students but to combine Christian values with academic excellence to redeem the youths from vices and make them upright, its Vice-Chancellor, Prof Debo Adeyewa, has said.

Prof Adeyewa addressed reporters yesterday at the preconvocation briefing at the Senate Chamber of the university. The university’s fifth convocation ceremony holds next Thursday at the Youth Centre of Redemption Camp in Ogun State.

The vice chancellor said the vision of the university was being achieved through the contributions of its graduates to the development of Nigeria and the world.

According to him, what sets the Redeemer’s University apart from other higher institutions was its addiction to excellence and philosophy of God’s word.

Prof Adeyewa assured that the university would continue to give value-based education, which would be rooted in biblical ethics to its students.

The vice chancellor said the school does not believe in “patching” students’ results to gauge its academic growth.

He said: “We can assure you that anybody who graduated here is a complete person, not only academically but also spiritually.

“I must add that the alumni of this great institution are doing wonderfully well all over the world. Recently, one of our students, who went to the United Kingdom (UK) for her Master’s, was given scholarship for her doctorate degree because she was able to prove her knowledge. This tells you that we have created a condu-

By Wale Ajetunmobi

cive environment for learning and research.”

On the convocation ceremony, the vice chancellor said 519 students in three faculties would be awarded bachelor’s degrees and prizes, with 20 of them graduating with a First-Class and 184 with Second Class (Upper Division). A total of 227 would be issued Second Class (Lower Division), 78, Third-Class while 10 have Pass.

Prof Adeyewa, who said the management had christened the graduating set “a class of glory”, added that the manifestation of good leadership traits distinguished the graduating students from the previous set.

“We are confident that these graduands will go on to do our nation proud and add values to any organisation they might find themselves.

More importantly, we believe that a number of them will become employers of labour rather than job seekers,” he said.

•Mr. Akaniyene

F

ORTY-YEAR-OLD Amos Akaniyene who lost his family in Tuesday’s mudslide at Edim Otop of Atimbo in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State has relived his ordeal.

“I’m finished. I am the only one left.”

Members of Akaniyene’s family -his expectant wife, three children, his mother-inlaw and sister-in-law- were buried in a mudslide which rolled off the side of a hill and collapsed on his house.

He sat with a glazed look in his eye, crying: “My child

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

was calling daddy, daddy. I did everything I could do as a man. I could not save my family. My expectant wife was carrying twins. My three children. My mother-in-law and her daughter, all gone.”

He got up suddenly and spun around as one possessed and sat back almost immediately. “The only thing I have left is the cloth I am wearing now,” he whispered.

Akaniyene, who is from Ikono in Akwa Ibom State,

was in shock. His eyes were dry; no tears as he narrated the incident that claimed his family.

He said it rained all day on Tuesday and they noticed some rubble coming down the hill. He had gone to search for a shovel to redirect the erosion, but it was an “avalanche” as the entire hill suddenly rolled down and collapsed on his house, burying everybody inside.

“If I had known, I would have removed them from the house first,” he cried.

Akaniyene, who is a mason, said he built the six-bedroom house in 2010. “The house just collapsed and finished everything I have worked for in this life. The only thing I have now is this cloth I am wearing.”

When The Nation visited the area yesterday, people were wailing.

The building was at the bottom of a ravine-like area, with hills rising like a wall just beside it.

Man ‘rapes teenager to death’ in Bayelsa

O

TUOKE, the university community, in Ogbia Local Government Area, was thrown into mourning yesterday when residents woke up to hear reports that a 36-year-old man allegedly raped an 18-yearold girl to death.

The man was identified as a close associate of a former Community Development Chairman.

It was learnt that the man, whose name could not be ascertained, hailed from Isoko Local Government Area in Delta State.

He was arrested by an

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

operative of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who saw him attempting to throwthe girl’s remains into a bush.

But some residents of the community claimed that the suspect was trying to assist the girl in his home before she died.

It was gathered that the suspect lived in an uncompleted building across the Otuoke Bridge.

Eyewitnesses said the man was apprehended with the naked remains of his victim.

‘He said he attempted to rescue the girl and borrowed N5,000 to take her to a clinic.

On getting to the clinic..., ‘ A source, who identified herself as Eunice, said the suspect claimed that he met his victim writhing in pains and decided to assist her.

She said: “We saw the civil defence officer dragging the man and

Court adjourns hotelier’s two motions

A

N Onitsha High Court in Anambra State, with a vacation judge, Justice A. O. Okuma, presiding yesterday adjourned hearing till September 12 in the motion ex-parte filed against Governor Peter Obi by Bonaventure Mokwe, the detained proprietor of Upper Class Hotel, Onitsha.

The court also adjourned till Monday another motion on notice

Several other houses, it was observed, were in the same position. The area is referred to as Burrow Pit and is a place where people dig for sand.

Ndifereke Augustine was one of those who tried to save the situation.

He escaped death. He was also buried when more mud came down from the hillside but he managed to escape.

He said: “I was sleeping when I heard the commotion and I came out to see the situation and help. I was also buried. I don’t even know how I survived.

“This is the first time it has happened like this. This place is called burrow pit and there is no gutter to carry water out of here. People come here to pack sand. Government should give us another land, if they want us to leave here.

“I tried to work with Akaniyene but it was to no avail. There were women and children inside and we could not remove them. We have been living here for the past five years.

“A similar thing had happened here some years ago, but nobody died, only a building was destroyed.

Government should help us control the erosion in this area,” he said.

Vice-Chairman of Calabar Municipality David Nsemo said people who were living in the area were doing so illegally. He said there had been calls on them severally to leave the place as it was not safe.

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Onitsha

filed against Chief Superintendent James Nwafor, the officer-in-charge of the state Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS); Commissioner of Police, Inspector-General of Police and Attorney-General.

Upper Class Hotel was demolished on August 1 on Obi’s orders after human heads were allegedly found in the

hotel.

The adjournment came after Mokwe’s counsel Franklyn Ibeh told the court that the bailiff had served a writ of summon to the governor through his personal secretary.

But Justice Okuma insisted that the writ of summons must be served personally on Obi or, in the alternative, the applicant should file a motion for substituted service on the governor.

The applicant is asking

the court for leave to apply for the order of prohibition against the respondents herein from confiscating, destroying his asset and property, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

He is also seeking an order that the leave so granted shall act as a stay of further demolition by the respondents in connection with the compliant in the suit, pending its determination.

lamenting that the man had raped a teenager to death. We rushed to the scene. The man was begging for understanding.

“He said he was innocent. He said he met the girl in pains.

According to him, the girl was frustrated and drank poison and was rolling violently on the ground when he met her.

“He said he attempted to rescue the girl and borrow N5,000 to take her to a clinic. On getting to the clinic, he said there was no body on duty and that he took the girl to his house.

The girl, according to him, died in his house.”

But another source, who pleaded for anonymity, said the community wondered why a girl the suspect claimed to be helping was found naked.

The police confirmed the report and said they would conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

Police spokesman Alex Akhigbe said the police had begun investigations into the matter.

He added that the remains of the deceased had been deposited in the Kolo General Hospital.

58

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

NEWS Baraje faction threatens Tukur with contempt suit Continued from page 4

The police and our other security agencies cannot be used to further such agenda as being nurtured in the dictatorial mind of Tukur.

“Again, we believe only an ignorant person would threaten to sack elected Senators and Representatives for staying on the side of truth, justice and fairness.

Tukur needs be reminded that members of the National Assembly were elected by the people of Nigeria and are not his appointees who he could dismiss like the minions in his private residence.

“He called the Alhaji Barajeled leadership of our party impostors and we ask him if he does not know that the endorsement of our cause by elected representatives of our people across all tiers of government has vindicated our position that what we represent in the party today is what the people want.

“We challenge him to call out those who are with him in his clear journey to perdition even as we add that Tukur should come to terms with the reality of the end of his reign of terror, impunity, dictatorship and lawlessness in our party.

“On our part, we reassert our commitment to the consolidation of democracy, peace, love, unity, people centred development and above all, the rule of law in

our march towards progress and development.

“More importantly, we assure our associates and well wishers that we shall conduct our party’s business with patriotism, resourcefulness, truth, justice and fair play as demanded of a political Organisation with a vision and mission.”

Anenih yesterday asked PDP leaders and members to stop making inflammatory statements that are capable of undermining the ongoing efforts at reconciliation.

Anenih, who made the appeal in a statement, titled: “A Call for Caution”, in Abuja, said making pre-emptive statements amid reconciliation was disrespectful to President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP leadership at whose instance the reconciliation efforts are being made.

The statement reads: “Following the walk-out staged by some aggrieved members of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), at the special convention of August 31, there have been genuine efforts by the leadership of the party, including the President himself, to reach out and reconcile with the aggrieved members, using the numerous mechanisms for conflict resolution that exist in the party.

“A series of meetings have

been held and more are scheduled to hold in the next few days.

“It is unfortunate that while the reconciliation efforts are being made, some of our members are making inflammatory statements, intimidating one another and issuing threats of court actions. Such actions do nothing but harm the efforts at reconciliation.

“As a good family, we must avoid open confrontation and allow the leadership of the party to effect genuine reconciliation.

“Conflict is not new to the PDP and, as in the past, I am confident that, in spite of the differences, the current one will be resolved, with the party coming out even stronger and more united than ever.

“To make pre-emptive statements, while the process of reconciliation is still on, is disrespectful not only to the President but also to the party leadership.

“Such statements undermine the party and the enormous efforts being made under the transformation agenda of Mr. President.

“I, therefore, call on all members of our great party to exercise restraint throughout this trying period.”

Anenih on Tuesday, said the aggrieved governors had sought for more time to consult widely on issues tabled at a peace parley at the Presidential Villa Sunday night.

Boko Haram kills 20 in Borno

Continued from page 4

volunteers have succeeded in curtailing their atrocities in our area,” an eyewitness said.

Some Maiduguri residents told reporters: “We saw two Hilux patrol vehicles of the military conveying bodies and the injured heading towards University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), but we could not ascertain whether they were victims of the latest attack in Nganzai or Bullabulin Ngawra”.

It was gathered that on Wednesday, the “Civilian JTF”

and the military arrested 14 terror suspects with arms and ammunition in Bulunkutu ward, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) premises and Sulimanti ward of Maiduguri metropolis.

The suspects, according to sources in Maiduguri, sneaked into the hospital through the perimeter fence, before the youths sighted them with rifles and ammunition at about 10.35am on Wednesday.

“The suspects disguised as injured and sick persons with rifles hidden under their flowing

gowns. They perforated the barbed wires; before entering the hospital premises to seek medical attention. The vigilance youths saw the suspects and arrested them on the spot, before handing them to us here.”

Some suspects were also arrested in Bulunkutu in Maiduguri when they were trying to collate information on the activities of the civilian JTF. The military spokesman in Borno Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, said he was not aware of the incidents. He promised to get back to reporters after compiling his report.

Police ‘withdraw Amaechi’s escort’ Continued from page 4

cade the gate into the Government House after parading major streets of Port Harcourt.

“He has even acknowledged before the media that he found nothing wrong in fraternizing with militants.

“We suspect that the request for daily prior briefing on the Governor’s movement may be to furnish strange persons with necessary details of his move-

ment, thereby placing him in harms’ way. “ At different times, CP Mbu has compromised Governor Amaechi’s security and safety, and even personally led an attack on Government House, Port Harcourt on July 10, 2013. As Commissioner of Police, CP Mbu, refuses to brief the Governor, who is the Chief Security Officer of the state, on the state of security in Rivers State.

“We, therefore, wish to alert Nigerians and the rest of the world that CP Mbu should be held responsible should anything evil happen to the Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, any principal officer or top government functionary in Rivers State. We believe that his current actions are sufficient warning to us “as a tree that cries out cannot kill anyone on its path”.

Court vacates order on Andy Uba’s candidacy

A

FEDERAL High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has vacated its order recognising Senator Andy Uba as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the November 16 governorship election in Anambra State.

Justice H.A. Nganjiwa vacated the Order on Wednesday upon hearing a motion on notice dated and filed on August 19, 2013.

The motion prayed the court for an order extending the time within which the 1st defendant/ applicant (Peoples Democratic Party) may apply for the discharge of orders of interim injunction granted by the court on August 6 in favour of the plaintiffs/ respondents (Ejike Oguebego and others).

It also prayed the court for an order discharging the ex parte orders of interim injunction by the court on August 6 and any further or other orders as the court may deem fit to make in the circumstance.

The judge, in his ruling, said upon reading the affidavit and further affidavit in support of the prayers filed at the court’s

From Onyedi Ojiabor

registry, the written address and the exhibits attached thereto and after hearing counsel to the defendant and plaintiffs ordered that “the 1st defendant/applicant is granted extension of time within which he may apply for the discharge order of interim injunction granted by this court on August 6.”

He also ruled “that the ex parte orders of interim injunction by this court on August 6 exhibit ‘KM5’ is hereby set aside and same discharged accordingly.”

The court ordered “that the consequential orders made by this court on August 27 and August 30 are also vacated and discharged accordingly on the principle in UAC VS MACFOY 1962 AC 152, which says you cannot put something on nothing and you expect it to stay or stand. It will collapse.”

Specifically, the court vacated its August 27 order, which recognised Mr. Ejike Oguebego as PDP chairman in Anambra State, and that recognising Uba as PDP governorship candidate for the November 16 election, on August 30.

Jonathan tells elders to shun Obasanjo Continued from page 4

the Federal Capital Territory or acknowledge them and be treated like them.”

President Jonathan is yet to speak on his political future, but MNT said he is free to run again. It said: “The governors are welcome to contest the PDP primaries, individually or present a candidate. That’s democracy. But for persons, who

themselves, stood for elections for their second terms to demand that Mr. President cannot avail himself such amenity is not only rude but feudal.”

Obasanjo’s media aide Vitalis Ortese declined to comment on the statement credited to the group last night.

“I cannot speak on what a faceless group is saying”, he told our reporter on the telephone.

THE NATION FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

59

FOREIGN NEWS

I

•Men gather on the remains of a destroyed building after reported air strikes by Syrian government forces in the rebel-held PHOTO: AFP northwestern Syrian province of Idlib...yesterday.

Egypt interior minister survives bomb attack A BOMB targeted the convoy of Egypt’s interior minister yesterday in Cairo in the first attack on a senior government official since the country’s Islamist president was toppled in a coup two months ago, raising concerns over a possible campaign of violence by his supporters.

The assassination attempt against Mohammed Ibrahim, who is in charge of the police force, signaled the arrival in the capital of the sort of insurgencystyle attacks that have been escalating in the Sinai Peninsula.

Sinai has been roiled in unrest and lawlessness for years, but Islamic militants have carried out more frequent and deadlier attacks on security forces there since the July 3 ouster of President Mohammed Morsi.

The bombing also harkened back to the insurgency waged

by Islamic militants in the 1980s and 1990s against the rule of

now-ousted autocrat Hosni Mubarak. At that time, militants targeted several senior officials, killing the parliament speaker and nearly killing the then-interior minister.

Mubarak himself survived an assassination attempt in 1994, when militants attacked his convoy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Some of Morsi’s more hardline supporters have publicly threatened to wage a campaign of assassinations and car bombings against officials of the military-backed government until the former president is reinstated.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Thursday’s blast, which went off in the late morning as Ibrahim’s convoy passed through Nasr City, an eastern district of Cairo. The ministry

did not immediately say where the bomb was planted.

Ibrahim survived the attack, but at least 22 people were wounded, including two policemen and a child seriously.

An unidentified body that likely belonged to an attacker was found at the site of the attack, according to security officials.

Clearly shaken but unscathed, Ibrahim said on state television that his car, a black SUV, was directly hit by a “large-size explosive device” that badly damaged it along with four other vehicles in the convoy.

“It was a heinous (assassination) attempt,” he later told reporters at the Interior Ministry in central Cairo. The explosive device, he added, likely was detonated by remote control.

His comments were carried

Pope: Abandon ‘futile’ military Syria solution

P

OPE Francis urged the Group of 20 leaders yesterday to abandon the “futile pursuit” of a military solution in Syria as the Vatican laid out its case for a negotiated settlement that guarantees rights for all minorities, including Christians.

In a letter yesterday to the G-20 host, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Francis lamented that “one-sided interests” had prevailed in Syria, preventing a diplomatic end to the conflict and allowing the continued “senseless massacre” of innocents.

“To the leaders present, to each and every one, I make a heartfelt appeal for them to help find ways to overcome

T

the conflicting positions and to lay aside the futile pursuit of a military solution,” Francis wrote as the G-20 meeting got under way in St. Petersburg.

Francis has ratcheted up his call for peace in Syria amid threatened U.S.-led military strikes following an Aug. 21 chemical weapons attack near Damascus.

He will host a peace vigil in St. Peter’s Square on Saturday, a test of whether his immense popular appeal will translate into popular support for his peace message.

Yesterday, the Vatican summoned ambassadors accredited to the Holy See to outline its position on Syria, with Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, the Vatican’s

•Pope Francis

foreign minister, noting that the Aug. 21 attack had generated “horror and concern” from around the world.

He didn’t refer explicitly to the threat of military strikes to punish the Syrian regime for the attack. But he said the main priority was to stop the violence which he said risked involving other countries and creating “unforeseeable consequences in various parts of the world.”

Chile’s judges apologise for past

HE body representing judges in Chile has made an unprecedented apology for the actions of its members under military rule in the 1970s and 1980s.

In a statement, it said that the judiciary at the time had abandoned its role as protector of basic rights.

“The time has come to ask for the forgiveness of victims... and of Chilean society,” said the judges.

More than 3,000 people were killed under the dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet between 1973 and 1990.

The statement by the National Association of Magistrates of the Judiciary comes a week before the 40th anniversary of the coup that brought General Pinochet to power.

It said its members, and in particular the

Supreme Court, had failed in its duty to protect victims of state abuse.

The magistrates’ association acknowledged that the Chilean judiciary could and should have done much more to safeguard the rights of those persecuted by the dictatorship.

It said the judges had ignored the plight of victims who had demanded their intervention.

Chilean courts rejected about 5,000 cases seeking help on locating missing loved ones abducted or killed by the authorities.

Critics say their usual response was they had no information about their fate.

Chile’s current centre-right government has said the country will officially recognise the anniversary of the coup.

live on state television.

“Even if I am martyred, another minister of interior will come and continue the war on the evil terror until we secure the country,” Ibrahim said.

The blast damaged stores and several cars parked on the street and shattered the windows of several nearby apartment buildings. The aftermath of the blast suggested a powerful explosion, with three badly damaged SUVs, including the minister’s, and a small raging fire. The blast site was littered with the charred skeletons of cars and tree branches severed by the explosion. Shop fronts were mangled. Criminal investigators swarmed the site looking for forensic evidence.

Iran’s foreign ministry to lead future nuclear talks

RANIAN President Hassan Rouhani said yesterday the foreign ministry would take over future talks with world powers over Tehran’s contested nuclear program, according to the state news agency IRNA. Since 2007, negotiations have been conducted by Saeed Jalili, head of the country’s Supreme National Security Council and a veteran of the Iran-Iraq war who was seen by Western diplomats as an uncompromising ideologue.

IRNA gave no further detail as to who will be the chief negotiator to replace Jalili, but the announcement appeared to suggest Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif will either lead the talks himself or appoint another ministry official.

The move indicates Rouhani, a relative moderate elected in June to replace conservative hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, may be trying to streamline the process and is looking to exert more influence, although Iran’s most powerful authority, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, retains the final say on any proposed deals.

The last round of negotiations in April with the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany again fell short of any breakthrough. But some believe more progress can be achieved under Rouhani, who has pledged a more conciliatory and transparent approach to foreign policy by the Islamic Republic.

K

Kenya votes to quit ICC

ENYA’S parliament voted yesterday to quit the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, but the Dutchbased tribunal said it would press ahead anyway with the trials of its president and his deputy.

Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto are accused of orchestrating violence after elections in 2007. About 1,200 people were killed in ethnic blood-letting that plunged east Africa’s biggest economy into crisis.

The ICC’s first trial of a sitting president is viewed as the biggest test to date for an institution that has faced mounting criticism in Kenya and across Africa, where it is accused of bias as all the suspects to date have been Africans.

Support for the process, which once had broad backing in Kenya, has been eroded since the peaceful vote in March this year that elected Kenyatta, the son of the country’s founding leader.

Parliament, dominated by the alliance that brought him to power, voted in favor of telling the government to withdraw from the ICC. Minority leader Francis Nyenze warned: “We’ll be seen as a pariah state, we’ll be seen as people who are reactionary and who want to have their way.”

The ICC said earlier that even if Kenya voted to withdraw, its departure from the first permanent international criminal court would take at least a year and would have no effect on cases already in train.

THE NATION FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

60

FOREIGN NEWS Pope pulls envoy amid abuse allegations

P

ROSECUTORS began a criminal investigation Wednesday into the Vatican’s former ambassador to the Dominican Republic, a day after a local church representative said the pope had recalled the envoy because of child abuse allegations.

“We have formally opened an investigation,” Dominican Attorney General Francisco Dominguez Brito told reporters. “Here we have to work with two legal aspects, first national laws and also international laws in his status as a diplomat, which implies other mechanisms of investigation and judgment.”

The Vatican confirmed Wednesday that Jozef Wesolowski had been removed from his post and that an investigation is under way but did not say what allegations were made.

Wesolowski had been an apostolic nuncio, the Vatican’s official representative in the Dominican Republic.

But the pope pulled him from the post last month after an internal church report connected him with child abuse and pedophilia, according to Monsignor Agripino Nunez Collado, the rector of a Catholic university and spokesman for the church in the country.

In 2012, when Francis was still Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, he said that when he was asked for advice by another bishop, “I told him to take away the priests’ licenses, not to allow them to exercise the priesthood any more, and to begin a canonical trial in that diocese’s court.”

For years, the Catholic Church has faced calls for reform in the wake of scandals involving the sexual abuse of children by priests and allegations of corruption.

Shortly after his election to the papacy, Francis told a senior Vatican official to “act decisively” against sexual abuse and carry out “due proceedings against the guilty.”

In July, the pope made it a crime to abuse children sexually or physically on Vatican grounds. The acts were already crimes under church law, but are now specifically outlawed within the Vatican city-state, which is home to hundreds of people.

•A cross section of G20 members at St Petersburg, Russia...yesterday

Divided G20 discusses Syria crisis in Russia

W

ORLD leaders are locked in a divisive debate over Syria, at the end of the first day of the G20 summit in Russia.

Opening the summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed Syria would be discussed at the working dinner, despite not being on the agenda.

US President Barack Obama has already talked to Japan’s leader about Syria, and is pushing for support for military strikes against the Damascus regime.

In his opening remarks Mr Putin told the leaders, gathered in St Petersburg, that some participants had asked for time to discuss “very acute topics of international politics, in particular the situation around Syria”.

Even though the traffic is moving, Damascus is not a normal city. Manufacturing has been badly hit. The way people live has been badly hit. There are two million people displaced in the city.

As for the rest of the country, many cities are pretty much in ruins. The whole structure of society in Syria has been fractured by more than two years of fighting. In a sense, looking ahead

to an American attack if it happens, people are saying “look, we’ve been through a lot already, we’re tough, we’re hardened”.

But there is something about an attack by the most powerful country in the world that is uniquely alarming. Among Assad supporters, there is a feeling of being more on a war footing, especially for the men who carry guns for the regime. They are concerned that if there is an American attack, there could be follow-up attacks by rebels who are in the suburbs not far from here.

“I suggest we do this during dinner so that we... in the first part can discuss the [economic] problems we had gathered here for.”

The BBC’s Bridget Kendall in St Petersburg says, in the short-term, the leaders can only hope that their discussion over Syria at dinner does not descend into an even more bitter row than it is already.

The government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is accused of using chemical weapons against civilians on several occasions during the 30-month conflict.

German and US media reports published fur-

ther analysis yesterday both claiming that the gas used in the attack was more potent than expected, and that Syrian forces may have got the mix wrong.

UK Prime Minister David Cameron has told the BBC British scientists have uncovered further evidence linking the Damascus attack to the use of chemical weapons.

Mr Assad’s government has denied involvement and said the rebels were responsible.

On the G20 sidelines, Mr Putin’s spokesman once again dismissed the US intelligence assessment on the Damascus attack.

“We can’t accept proof that is a long way from being convincing,” said Dmitry Peskov.

Mr Obama, who is trying to build support in the US for military action against the Syrian government, held informal talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe over the issue.

Mr Obama said Japan and the US had a “joint recognition” that the use of chemical weapons in Syria was a tragedy and a violation of international law.

Mr Abe has not stated publicly whether he supports military strikes.

Analysis

What weapons could be used in strikes against Syria?

A

S the United States considers military action against Syria in response to a disputed chemical weapons attack on civilians, military analysts profile some of the weapons that may be deployed by both sides in the days ahead.

Tomahawk cruise missile The Tomahawk cruise missile has been in service since 1983. These missiles can be launched from ship or submarine. They are equipped with small turbofan engines, similar to commercial airliners, which they use to cruise to their targets.

They have a small cross-section, fly at low altitudes and are very difficult to detect. Tomahawks emit little heat so they cannot be picked up by infrared detection.

They have a range of about 1,000 miles (1,600km) and fly at a speed of about 550mph (880 km/h).

The missile reaches its target by using Terrain Contour Matching software, which works by matching the view on the ground with a map of its route. It carries a warhead of between 1,000lb and 3,000lb (450kg-1,360kg).

Destroyer USS Gravely in 2011 The USS Gravely could be

used to launch cruise missiles Arleigh Burke-class destroyer The US has four Arleigh Burkeclass destroyers in the eastern Mediterranean.

The ship is 505ft (154m) long and can carry cruise missiles. It is one of the largest and most heavily armed of the US destroyers.

It was the first US warship designed with an air-filtration system to protect against nuclear, biological and chemical warfare.

USS Nimitz The USS Nimitz, one of two US carriers in the region Aircraft carriers The United States has two aircraft carriers in the region, the USS Harry S Truman and the USS Nimitz. Both of these huge nuclear-powered warships are more than capable of launching air strikes, but if limited action is planned by the Americans then they may not come into use.

The carriers are some of the largest in the world, at nearly 1,100ft (330m) long and have a complement of up to 85 aircraft.

F-16 fighter/bomber The F-16 has a reputation as one of the most reliable, manoeuvrable and effective mili-

The Pentagon has been developing specific munitions for attacking chemical weapons stores and production facilities. For example a bomb designated “crash pad” is designed to incinerate the target at sufficiently high temperatures to destroy all the chemicals involved tary aircraft in the world.

It is a multi-role fighter, with the ability to attack other planes in the air and seek out and destroy targets on the ground.

The planes are the backbone of the US Air Force and when first introduced they brought the innovation of fly-by-wire, rather than mechanical cable, controls to fighter planes.

It has a range of about 2,000 miles (3,220km), which allows it to remain in combat zones longer than other aircraft. It is armed with an M61 vulcan cannon and the pilot sits in a frameless bubble

canopy for better visibility.

F-16s based at Incirlik or Izmir in Turkey, or possibly also operating from Jordan, could be used in any possible strikes against Syria.

The F-15 Strike Eagle is a capable, multi-role aircraft F-15 Strike Eagle Another multi-role aircraft, the F-15 was designed for long-range, high-speed ground attacks.

The combined thrust from its two engines means it can accelerate even when going straight upwards.

F15E Strike Eagles are equipped

with the “Lantirn” navigation and targeting system, which aims to improve the accuracy of attacks by using infrared or laser-guided bombs.

It has terrain-following radar, which can be linked to the plane’s autopilot so it can follow the contours of the landscape at a height of just 100ft (30m).

Anti-chemical weapon munitions The Pentagon has been developing specific munitions for attacking chemical weapons stores and production facilities. For example a bomb designated “crash pad” is designed to incinerate the target at sufficiently high temperatures to destroy all the chemicals involved.

Given the scale of Syria’s chemical weapons infrastructure and the proximity of much of it to heavily populated areas, it is a moot point whether such munitions might be employed in any US strike against Syria.

Smaller than the US Nimitz Class carriers, is an impressive ship coming in at 860ft (262m) long.

Reuters

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

61

62

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

63

SPORT EXTRA

Enyeama: Eagles still missing Yobo

G

OALKEEPER Vincent Enyeama has said captain Joseph Yobo is still badly missed in the Super Eagles’ setup, as the team is set to host Malawi in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday.

Yobo, Nigeria’s most capped player, has not played for the Super Eagles since the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations last February in South Africa.

And Enyeama, who takes the honour in deputizing for Yobo, says the Fenerbahce defender is still being missed in the camp of the team.

“It’s a big honour to wear the (captain’s arm) band for this country. It’s also an honour to stand in place of Yobo. He is a great guy and an amazing person. He’s a great human being, Enyeama told supersport.com.

The Lille Metropole goalkeeper also expressed sadness at Yobo’s absence from the squad that will face

•Yobo

Malawi on Saturday.

“I wish Yobo was here in Calabar, unfortunately, he’s not. It’s up to the coach to decide who comes to the camp

and who does not but I really wish he was here, Enyeama said.

“However, it’s an honour for me to captain this great side.

The game will be played at the U.J Esuene stadium with Nigeria needing only a draw to advance to the final stage of Africa qualifier.

From Taofeek Babalola, Tunde Liadi and Uchenna Ajah, in Calabar

they wear the colours of the national team to come and cheer up the national team.

He also had this to say on the incessant rainfall in Calabar ahead of the Eagles clash, Ugbe said “We should expect a very beautiful weather on Saturday and be that as it may, if it rains they are used to playing under the rain anytime even in Europe where so many of them are playing. Rain doesn’t actually stop you from playing football but we expect to have a clement weather.

Calabar ready to host Eagles—Ugbe

C

ROSS River Sports Commissioner, Patrick Ugbe has stated that the Super Eagles will not lack support on Saturday when they entertain the Flames of Malawi during the 2014 World Cup qualifier slated for the UJ Esuene Stadium,Calabar tonight.

Ugbe disclosed that the state government had mobilised enough fans to come and cheer their team to victory as they target victory over the Malawians.

The state’s sports boss disclosed that adequate publicity has been run on both radio and television stations within and outside the state to create awareness and also rally fans support for the match.

Ugbe noted that Super Eagles is a brand and the incumbent African Champions need no much introduction, but he explained that the Cross River government took it upon itself to make the news on the Eagles game to be broadcast far and wide.

He also spoke of the benefits the state derives and enjoys as the hosts of the Super Eagles and other national teams. He added that the state will always be willing to host the Eagles.

“We are very prepared. It is

nothing new to us. We have been doing this for several times now and we are happy doing it for the country.

The only thing we can do is to continue to publicise the match.

The Super Eagles, the national team of the country doesn’t actually need much to tell people to go and support their own national team. What we are trying to them is to identify with the team by ensuring that

T

From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja Stadium) after that we will be ready for the match.

“I am very satisfied with my squad. The present team is full of young players who are ready to play in the tactical way we want them to play. Every team needs a bit of luck. The team is ready to play and we have at I think we can recover from the flight in the next 48 hours.

“Nigeria is the Champion of Africa. They are very strong squad selected by Coach Stephen Keshi. He selected a very strong team comprising of good players from Europe and local bseas players too. It is going to be very difficult for us. The Nigerian team as a lot of strength and quality in front of goal and very good in the

T

HE Flames of Malawi yesterday arrived Nigeria with a 21-man contingent made up of the players and officials.

The delegation landed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport from Accra, Ghana where the team travelled through after losing a friendly against Botswana.

They were received by the General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Barrister Musa Amadu and other top board members.

But the General Secretary

air and they can score from set pieces too.

“Despite these, the Nigerian team also has some weaknesses and we are going to use that against them.

“But it is going to be very difficult (for us) because we (Malawi) are ranked 120 in the world and Nigeria is ranked no 5. We are the underdogs and we have nothing to lose. I think all the pressure is on Nigeria. If they (Nigeria) lose it will be terrible for them. If we win it will be a miracle.

“We had good preparations for this match despite losing to Botswana and I think we are ready.

“My players got paltry sum of $85 dollars to win the qualifiers and they will be paid $500 if they can beat the Super Eagles on Saturday”, Saintfiet told NationSport.

Moses causes selection headache at Liverpool

W

INGER Victor Moses’ arrival at Anfield is set to cause selection headache for manager Brendan Rodgers.

Moses has been very clear since he joined Liverpool that he’s looking to play games and use the club as a vehicle to revitalise his career.

Liverpool were superb against Manchester United last weekend and that gives Rodgers a headache over who to leave out if he’s thinking of using Moses in the club’s next league match away to Swansea City.

Moses predominantly plays slightly wider in attack and he could feature for the Reds as an out and out winger but he also has the versatility to push inside playing just behind a main striker, in this case Daniel Sturridge.

Some of Liverpool’s squad

will return having played two international games which means Moses should be slightly fresher and his eagerness is just another reason to get him into the team.

Liverpool will also more than likely be playing on the counter attack against the Swans, a team that like to dominate possession when they play any side at the Liberty Stadium. Iago Aspas is probably in most danger because he plays in very similar positions around the pitch to how Moses would play.

Aspas is predominantly a central player who drifts in from wide positions to offer support to the main striker and the likes of Steven Gerrard and Philippe Coutinho, the creative forces in the middle of Liverpool’s

S

TRIKER Joseph Akpala says a lack of first-team chances at German club Werder Bremen led to his season-long loan move to Turkish side Karabukspor.

The Nigeria star only signed a four-year contract with Bremen in 2012 after moving from Belgium’s Club Brugge.

But he made just 21 appearances, mostly as a substitute last season and scored just once last season.

“Regular football is top of the agenda and of course the main reason for moving,” Akpala told BBC Sport.

“Every footballer desire to play regularly in the first team and Karabukspor provides that opportunity.”

“When you are in great form...you know opportunity can come” Akpala played for the

Malawi’s 21-man squad arrives for Eagles

Pressure on Eagles to beat Malawi—Saintfiet HE Head Coach of The Flames of Malawi Tom Saintfiet has told NationSport that the pressure is on the Super Eagles to win the 2014 World Cup qualifying match against his team on Saturday.

The outspoken Coach who had a chat with NationSport at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport yesterday afternoon, disclosed that the Malawi national team is not under pressure to beat Nigeria but it won’t be easy doing so.

“We are on our way to Calabar now (Thursday) from Abuja and tonight we could have started training.

But tomorrow (today) the team will rest in the morning and commence training in the afternoon and have a feel of the grassed stadium (UJ Esuene

Akpala seeks more games in Turkey

team. Gerrard and Coutinho certainly won’t be dropped and the fact Moses is seemingly a better wide player than Aspas means the Spaniard will more than likely have to make way.

Moses can offer an extra outlet by staying wide on the left although there will be times when Liverpool’s shape and pressure won’t be sacrificed if he does want to come into the middle and get involved in the build-up play.

Another option for Brendan Rodgers is to drop one of Lucas or Jordan Henderson in Liverpool’s midfield. It’s far less likely to be Lucas because the Brazilian has nailed down that holding sort of role in Liverpool’s midfield, reading the game superbly and breaking up opposition counter attacks.

By Innocent Amomoh of the Football Association of Malawi (FAM), Suzgo Nyirenda and the association’s members had arrived the country since Monday.

After securing visas at point of entry, courtesy of good relationship between the NFF and Nigeria Immigration Service, the players and officials then flew aboard an ARIK Air flight to Calabar, where they were received by top officials of the Cross River State government and NFF’s Director of Technical, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme.

The visiting team will train at the U. J. Esuene Stadium

today at 4pm.

Amadu said on Thursday: “We have concluded all arrangements to host a very successful and hitch-free match. There is adequate provision for security, and even the Malawians will tell you they are very comfortable with all the arrangements they have seen.

“We commend the government and good people of Cross River State for their exemplary role of playing good hosts to all the National Teams whenever we call on them. The NFF implores our good-natured fans to turn up at the Stadium in our lovely green colour on Saturday. “

Super Eagles at the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil but is not in the squad for the current round of World Cup qualifiers.

But he insisted that the move was not motivated by trying to earn a recall to the Nigeria squad.

“As a professional you want to play regular football at the top level,” he said.

“The main reason I have joined Karabukspor is not to try to help my Nigeria chances - I know that will come if I am playing consistently well for my club.

“When you are in great form with your club, scoring goals and in good condition, you know the opportunity can come.

“I have been called up recently and I know that with the talents available to the coaches you’d need to play games to get into the squads.”

Akpala trained with English Championship side Reading earlier this summer, but was unable to secure a move to the Madejski Stadium.

According to Werder Bremen manager Thomas Eichin, the Turkish club Karabukspor does not have a buy-out option at the end of the season.

“Joseph Akpala has great skill, but so far he has not been able to break into our first team regularly,” Eichin told the club website.

“Now, he will get the chance to play regular firstteam football in the Turkish league. There, he can pick up the self-confidence every striker needs.”

TODAY IN THE NATION

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.8 NO.2,598

‘The life of PDP at the moment is like that of branches on a tree growing in different directions but with weak roots that are pretending to be staying as one’’’ MOBOLAJI SANUSI

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

T

HE registration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has changed the geopolitical calculus in the country.

But observers and critics have beamed a searchlight on the mega party by promoting debates on its prospects and challenges as an amalgam of like-minded progressive actors from the religious and culturally diverse six geo-political zones.

Many have predicted doom for the organisation, based on their assumption that the struggle for the presidential ticket on the platform may polarise the fold and weaken its collective zeal and resolve to get power, ahead of the critical 2015 election.

The past attempts at forging a common front by the progressive leaders in the earlier dispensation hit the rocks. But the APC merger drivers have succeeded where the men of the old order failed. The future is pregnant with many possibilities. Since the party derives its strength in its power of ideas and avowed commitment to change, the ruling hegemony cannot be indifferent to its permutations and seemingly superior ideological postulations.

The road to 2015 is bumpy. It is slippery and laced with thorns. But APC has antecedents in 11 states where its governors have lived to expectation. How to reenact the feat at the centre is the challenge, and not the competition for the presidential slot by the members of the united political family.

Former Head of State and chieftain of the APC Gen. Muhammadu Buhari , in this article, counsels observers and critics to elevate issues over personalities as they focus their discussions on the legitimate scramble for power, morality of political leadership and the repositioning of the polity in the post-2015 period.

•APC logo

The registration of the All Progressives Congress- APC -which was a merger of the main political parties in the country, has generated a great deal of excitement and rekindled the prospect of strengthening democracy and hope in our country, in place of national despair. By this act alone, the leaderships of the merging opposition parties have demonstrated that Nigeria, its future, progress and prosperity of its citizens are greater than individual ambitions.

The APC is therefore a platform for Nigerians to have an alternative to fulfil their aspirations and realise their potentials with

a party that is strong and nationally based.

What is more it will help to arrest the drift towards oppression and anarchy.

Democracy is not just about free and fair elections, the consequence of which parties alternate to form governments. It also provides opportunities for fresh policies to move the country forward. That is why presidential systems have term limits, such as we have but the failed third term attempt is a clear indication that given the opportunity, some politicians will try and subvert the system.

In parliamentary systems, where there

RIPPLES MEETING ASUU’S DEMANDS CAN SHUT DOWN NIGERIAL- FED GOVT

... and why has LAWMAKERS’ JUMBO SALARIES not SHUT DOWN NIGERIA

OPEN FORUM By

MUHAMMADU BUHARI

It is about Nigeria, not Buhari

A

S far as comic reliefs go, local government elections across Nigeria today are jokes taken too far. In recent years, it has been sweepstakes for the state governments that conduct such elections as they simply carted away the ‘booty’ wholesale. But there is a new twist in the council election in Kwara State last Saturday in which a re-run was ordered in Offa LGA. The twist is, of course, peculiarly Nigerian as Hardball found that it is a phenomenon we are much at home with going by the rich repertoire of phrases we have for describing it.

Tori don get k-leg, as our title goes, suggests that the plot has gone askew or knock-kneed and there is pretty little to be done to rectify it. Alarm don blow suggests that you have been caught out in your well laid stealthy machinations; the alarm simply goes off and you are caught in the act. Ise fo, is Yoruba street parlance for all of this, that is to say, your monkey business has simply been shattered. Water don pass garri, suggests to us that the Nigerian staple, garri, made from cassava has suffered the misadventure of being sodden whereupon it becomes damaged and inedible. There are so much more, like yawa don gas or kasala don bust. All

‘The issue is not just about Buhari, but something greater than Buhari or any individual or parts of its whole, it is about Nigeria-its future, progress and prosperity of its citizens, living in peace, harmony, its evolution and integration’ are no term limits, members of the governing parties remove the head of government, however successful she or he is in government and popular with the voters. That was the fate of two British Prime Ministers, Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair, in recent times. Alternatively, provided there are free and fair elections, the electorate will vote out unpopular governments such as what happened with Mrs. Ghandi in India.

The dangers of one party or an individual remaining in power for too long are two fold: first is corruption of power. Power, it

HARDBALL

has been said corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. The second element is the temptation to absolutism, the rule of one party has the tendency to become the rule of a faction of the party and ultimately the rule of one person, a forbidding path to a Stalinist state.

Regrettably, after the euphoria of its registration, public discussion has been more about personalities and less on the benefits of the emergence of a strong alternative to the governing party and the prospect it offers to widening democracy and stemming the drift to impunity, where an elected President can say he doesn’t give a damn about public opinion.

The issue is not just about Buhari, but something greater than Buhari or any individual or parts of its whole, it is about Nigeria-its future, progress and prosperity of its citizens, living in peace, harmony, its evolution and integration.

By joining the army, I had signed up to lay my life for my country. This was what my colleagues and I faced during our tragic civil war to keep our country united. Nigeria has been good to me. I was an orphan but it educated me and trained me and offered me the ultimate prize any citizen can hope for-its leadership.

My involvement in the political process is another call to duty and my desire to give back to Nigeria a little of what it gave me, by joining hands with others to provide viable options to our fellow citizens and evolve social and economic policies that are sustainable and all inclusive, by a caring leadership that is dedicated to the efficient management of the economy, social justice and individual liberty.

Such leadership is not restricted to government alone, we all have roles to playthe National Assembly, the judiciary, the security services, the press and civil society groups, to ensure checks and balances, protection of all under the law, and accountability.

If some politicians find it more convenient to drag public discussion towards the weaknesses of Nigeria, in order to hide their incompetence and divert attention from their theft of public funds, it is the responsibility of the press to steer the debate to policies and programmes, not withstanding the diversionary self-destruct antics of the PDP. •Gen Buhari is a former Head of State and a chieftain of the APC.

•Segun Gbadegesin returns next week •For comments, send SMS to 08111813080

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Offa rerun: Tori don get k-leg of these corroborate the same theme of being caught in the act or beaten in your game.

Now let’s see how they figure in our story: a certain Mr. Afolabi Jimoh was the councillorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the Shawo South West ward in Offa LGA of Kwara State in last weekend’s council election. Jimoh had been declared winner in the re-run and had been announced along with others over state radio and television by the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commision, KWASIEC. Of course, PDP swept everything down to the last councillor.

Now tori come get k-leg: on Wednesday, while other ‘election’ winners in the state were still celebrating and throwing even more parties in expectation of the huge windfall that follows public office in Nigeria, this fellow Jimoh (is he a crank?) addressed a press briefing that he did not win the election!

What, this man must be a citizen of Mars or some outer worlds like that. Many Nigerians have been in court in the last two years trying to corral the judiciary into awarding them election victory and here is a man who has

been declared winner ‘counter-declaring’ that his opponent and not him, won the election!

Only in Nigeria. We can equally say this: it is only in Nigeria that we rig ourselves to death in an election and also in Nigeria that we are capable of ‘unrigging’ ourselves out of a rigged position. This must go to the Guinness Book of Records.

Hear Jimoh: “I did not win that election. In all the eight polling units, APC won convincingly, we did not win. I am a loyal member of the PDP, but first and foremost I am a Muslim and as a person I won’t allow anyone to take what belongs to me to another person.” He said further, “In the interest of peace and justice in Offa and Kwara State, KWASIEC should release the authentic results of last Saturday’s election. “In the interest of peace and justice in Offa and Kwara State, KWASIEC should release the result of the council poll in Offa..” But trust our doughty politicians, they go down fighting.

Even if you catch them with a smoking gun, they simply say it’s a gun-shaped pipe. But let’s watch this tori wey bi like say him don get kleg.

Published and printed by Vintage Press Limited. Corporate Office: 27B Fatai Atere Way, Matori, Lagos. P.M.B. 1025,Oshodi, Lagos.

Telephone: Switch Board: 01-8168361. Editor Daily:01-8962807, Marketing: 01-8155547 . Abuja Office: Plot 5, Nanka Close AMAC Commercial Complex, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. Tel: 07028105302.

WEBSITE: www.thenationonlineng.net E-mail: info@thenationonlineng.net ISSN: 115-5302 Editor: GBENGA OMOTOSO