The Nation September 09, 2011

Nigeria’s truly national newspaper

Flood alert in Ibadan, Sokoto

NEWS

Page 5

ICC urges INTERPOL to arrest Gaddafi NEWS - Page 4

•Cities told to brace up for downpour

•Libyan strongman boasts from hiding http://www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 7, NO. 1878 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

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Lawyers to Jonathan: reinstate Salami now

•The lawyers during the protest in Alausa, Ikeja ...yesterday

By Joseph Jibueze

L

AWYERS marched in Lagos yesterday over the controversial suspension of President of the Court of Appeal (PAC) Isa Ayo Salami.

They urged President Goodluck Jonathan to reverse the action.

A long row of lawyers, decked out in wigs and gowns, marched on the office of Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, who is Continued on page 4

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

The history of our country is replete with the facts that even those who have flouted the law have also gone back to the courts when they leave office. So, it is incumbent on everybody to protect that institution ...

– Fashola

More unfortunate, however ... was your Excellency’s ratification of this premature and pre-emptive suspension – which could not have been well considered. The Presidency ... should be the ultimate champion of due process ...

– NBA

Reps reject Obasanjo’s call for Speaker to quit Tambuwal, others endorse Akande-Adeola as House Leader

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•Tambuwal

HE House of Representatives has shunned ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s call for Speaker Aminu Tambuwal to step down.

Obasanjo said Tambuwal, who trounced Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Mrs Mulikat Akande-Adeola in the contest for the post, is occupying the seat illegally.

He said since the party zoned the post to the Southwest, Tambuwal should respect zoning by stepping

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

down. The PDP has the majority in the House.

But Tambuwal has argued that he was popularly chosen by the House members who have the statutory responsibility to elect its leaders.

After a three-day retreat by the principal officers of the House in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, they resolved that Tambuwal should not bow to the ex-President, it was learnt.

But they agreed to endorse Mrs Akande-Adeola for majority leader.

The President and the PDP leadership are said to be insisting on Mrs Akande-Adeola, who was defeated

by Tambuwal for the speaker’s seat.

Also, the leaders have mapped out strategies to ensure that the House makes meaningful impact on Nigerians, with far-reaching bills.

They promised to ensure that Tambuwal completes his four-year tenure, if he does not run into any

scandal.

The choice of Majority Leader has been between Hon. Muraina Saubana Ajibola and Mrs Akande-Adeola.

The Presidency is insisting on Mrs Akande-Adeola; most House members prefer Ajibola.

But The Nation learnt that following pressure, the Speaker and other officers made a commitment to President Goodluck Jonathan about a Continued on page 4

•SPORTS P15 •SOCIETY P29 •AGRIC P34 •LABOUR P36 •MONEY LINK P55

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

2

NEWS 9/11 ATTACKS...TEN YEARS AFTER

Four suicide attacks, PROLOGUE

By Olukorede Yishau, Assistant Editor (News)

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IME sure flies. It looked like yesterday when horror was visited on the world. But, it is not yesterday. In another two days, the world will mark the tenth anniversary of an event many will readily agree has changed the world. Thousands will visit the Ground Zero to tell the terrorists: ‘woe unto you.’

Better known as the 9/11 attacks, they were blows at the heart of world peace. Without batting an eyelid, dare-devil terrorists crashed three air planes into the World Trade Centre (WTC) and the Pentagon almost simultaneously. And within minutes, the buildings came crashing down.

What took years to build went down in minutes.

It was a day of sorrow, tears and blood. A day of regret. A day of teeth gnashing. A day of cursing. A day many of the victims would have wished they were elsewhere. But wishes are not horses and beggars cannot ride.

On that day, only the masterminds clinked glasses and toasted to beating the Big Brother at its back yard.

But, for many it was no day for popping champagne.

With the attacks went dreams, went hopes and aspirations. Wives became widows. Husbands became widowers. Children became orphans. Careers were shattered. Years of acquiring degrees upon degrees went down with the flames and rubbles.

It was a day when helping people proved a devastating experience for many a fire fighter and police officer. Some died in the process of helping get out trapped people. A few were lucky to escape with bruises that are yet to heal ten years after.

The unprecedented attacks shook the United States and the entire world.

Many who watched the events as they unfolded on cable channels found them difficult to believe. Not a few would have thought Hollywood was playing some of the tricks it is renowned for. But, the attacks were beyond what Hollywood could conjure.

If a poser on the possibility of an attack on Pentagon, the heart of America or even world security had been raised earlier, many would have said ‘perish the thought’.

Since the triplet attacks, things have not been the same again. Movement from one country to the other has become less fun. Security screenings at ports of entries have become more stringent. Indigenes of countries considered friendly to terrorist organisations such as the al-Qaeda would wish for a change of origin.

The attacks have left America more suspicious. But, the terrorists have not ceased trying. They have spread their tentacles so wide that a country like Nigeria now witnesses bomb explosions every other week.

A Nigerian, Farouk Abdul Mutallab is standing trial for a failed attempt to blow up a US-bound plane.

America has kept its promise to bring down the founder of al-Qaeda, the late Osama bin Laden. After several years of hunting him, which became intense after the 9/11 attacks, he was caught in splendor in Pakistan and fed to the fishes. Ironically, it appears only the messenger has been killed. The message has been spread wide and the bombs have kept tearing at hearts.

It is a changed world: the sort of change that brings tears and not smiles to faces.

President Barack Obama, in this article released by the Department of State yesterday, mourned the dead and vowed that al-Qaeda was on the path of defeat

Obama: We lost citizens of more than 90 nations

O

N this 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001, we remember that 9/11 was not only an attack on the United States, it was an attack on the world and on the humanity and hopes that we share.

We remember that among the nearly 3,000 innocent people lost that day were hundreds of citizens from more than 90 nations. They were men and women, young and old, of many races and faiths. On this solemn anniversary we join with their families and nations in honoring their memory.

We remember with gratitude how ten years ago the world came together as one. Around the globe, entire cities came to a standstill for moments of silence. People offered their prayers in churches, mosques, synagogues and other places of worship. And those of us in the United States will never forget how people in every corner of the world stood with us in solidarity in candlelight vigils and among the seas of flowers placed at our embassies.

We remember that in the weeks after 9/11, we acted as an international community. As part of a broad coalition, we drove al Qaeda from its training camps in Afghanistan, toppled the Taliban, and gave the Afghan people a chance to live free from terror.

However, the years that followed were difficult and the spirit of glo-

bal partnership we felt after 9/11 frayed.

As President, I’ve worked to renew the global cooperation we need to meet the full breadth of global challenges that we face. Through a new era of engagement, we’ve forged partnerships with nations and peoples based on mutual interest and mutual respect.

As an international community, we have shown that terrorists are no match for the strength and resilience of our citizens. I’ve made it clear that the United States is not and never will be at war with Islam. Rather, with allies and partners we are united against al Qaeda, which has attacked dozens of countries and killed tens of thousands of innocent men, women and children—the vast majority of them Muslims. This week, we remember all the victims of al Qaeda and the courage and resilience with which their families and fellow citizens have persevered, from the Middle East to Europe, from Africa to Asia.

Working together, we have disrupted al Qaeda plots, eliminated Osama bin Laden and much of his leadership, and put al Qaeda on the path to defeat. Meanwhile, people across the Middle East and North Africa are showing that the surest path to justice and dignity is the moral force of nonviolence, not mindless terrorism and violence. It is clear that violent extremists are being left

behind and that the future belongs to those who want to build, not destroy.

To nations and people seeking a future of peace and prosperity—you have a partner in the United States.

For even as we confront economic challenges at home, the United States will continue to play a unique leadership role in the world. As we remove the rest of our troops from Iraq and transfer responsibility in Afghanistan, we will support Iraqis and Afghans in their efforts to deliver security and opportunity for their people. In the Arab world and beyond, we will stand up for the dignity and universal rights of all human beings.

Around the world, we will continue the hard work of pursuing peace, promoting the development that lifts people from poverty, and advancing the food security, health and good governance that unleashes the potential of citizens and societies.

At the same time, we have recommitted ourselves to living our values at home. As a nation of immigrants, the United States welcomes people from every country and culture. These newest Americans—like all the innocent victims we lost ten years ago—remind us that despite any differences of race or ethnicity, background or belief, we are all bound together by the common hope that we can make the world a

better place for this and future generations. That must be the legacy of those we have lost.

Those who attacked us on 9/11 wanted to drive a wedge between the United States and the world.

They failed. On this 10th anniversary, we are united with our friends and partners in remembering all those we have lost in this struggle.

In their memory, we reaffirm the spirit of partnership and mutual respect that we need to realize a world where all people live in dignity, freedom and peace.

•Obama

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

3

NEWS 9/11 ATTACKS...TEN YEARS AFTER

a changed world

QUICK TAKES 20 people pulled from the rubble alive 20 people were pulled from the rubble alive. Among those pulled out were John McLoughlin and William Jimeno, two Port Authority policemen, who were rescued after being buried in debris around a freight elevator for about 13 and 21 hours.

Britons second worst hit It wasn’t just Americans who fell victim to the attacks at both the World Trade Center and The Pentagon. More than 80 nationalities suffered at least one loss from the day’s horrific events, including Japanese, Irish, British, Australian, New Zealanders, Swiss, Indian, Mexican, Brazilian, South African and Canadian. Out of 372 foreign fatalities, 67 people of British nationality died.

Ron DiFrancesco managed to escape from collapsing South Tower

Fires raged for 99 days It took 99 days for the fires at Ground Zero to be extinguished completely. At 8.46am on September 11, the fires started as the first plane hit the North Tower. The remaining fires were eventually put out on 19 December.

A third skyscraper fell A third skyscraper World Trade Centre (WTC) Building 7 – a 47-story building and one of the largest in downtown Manhattan fell during the attacks. It went largely unnoticed in the media because it hadn’t been hit by a plane.

Coded messages

•In the beginning (see picture on the left), the World Trade Centre was a beauty to behold. It was a pride of the Manhattan part of the great New York city and hosted many businesses in which citizens of no less than ninety countries eked their livelihood. But, some ten years ago, terrorists rammed aircraft into its towers (see picture above). The good news: by next year, (see picture on the right) the 1,776 feet (541m) One World Trade Centre will reignite the WTC magic. Initially planned not to be more than 50 floors, the carcass of the 70th floor is now ready. All things being equal, the building known as One World Trade Centre will be completed.

It will become the tallest building in North America. Adjacent to the new WTC is the National September 11 Memorial & Museum scheduled to open on Sunday.

Attacks changed the world, says last survivor

•DiFrancesco

R

ON DiFrancesco, a Canadian who is now 47, is believed to be the last person out of the South Tower of

the World Trade Centre before it collapsed. According to some reports, he was one of only four people to escape from above the 81st floor.

He is alive but DiFrancesco’s whole mentality has changed. He is constantly on alert, even when there is no imminent threat.

“Whenever I go into a building or a room, I need to know where the exit is, because that day I wasn’t in control, and I almost didn’t make it out. It’s a bit obsessive I think, but it’s changed the way I think and the way I act.

“For me, being so close to death, I don’t fear dying or moving on. When I was almost down and out, I did see the light, and I was prepared to go, but I’m here. … If I was to die tomorrow, I would hate leaving my wife and kids, but I don’t fear dying now,” he said.

He added: “When I see tall buildings and planes, it jogs my memory. Loud noises (and chaos) really bother me. I’m a little claustrophobic, so when (I’m) in a big crowd, it gets to me a lot. I also find screaming and yelling

really gets to me.”

A decade later, survivor’s guilt still weighs heavily on him. “It was a living hell. I was mere seconds from death. ... I didn’t know I was going to get out. I will carry with me to my grave whether I should have taken somebody with me. I still harbour a lot of guilt,” he said.

He added: “Time does heal a bit, but it doesn’t make you forget what happened. And I think, for our generation, it’s our marking point in history. It changed the world that day.”

The attacks left me powerless, says Bush

F

ORMER US President George W Bush has spoken of the moment he heard about the September 11 terror attacks ten years ago.

Speaking to the National Geographic channel, in his only interview before the anniversary, he described how he felt on that day.

He was informed by his chief of staff that New York’s Twin Towers had been hit by passenger jets while he was taking part in a reading session with schoolchildren.

His initial response has been criticised, but Mr Bush defended himself.

“I made the decision not to jump up immediately. I wanted to project a sense of calm. I did not want to leave the classroom and rattle the kids. I wanted to project a sense of calm.”

•Osama

•Bush

Mr Bush said he was then “whisked away” from the school in his armoured limousine.

“I remember thinking the first plane was likely an accident, the second one an attack and the third a declaration of war,” he said.

Mr Bush talked of his frustration at being kept away from the White House for his own safety.

“I said what the hell are you talking about? I am the president of the United States, we are going back. I need to be there,” he said.

“The most powerless I ever felt was when I was watching people jumping to their deaths on TV and there was nothing I could do about it.”

The former leader also said he felt a sense of “closure” and “gratitude that justice had been done” when he heard American forces had killed Osama Bin Laden - who was responsible for planning the attacks.

He said he experienced no pleasure when he heard about the death of the al-Qaeda leader.

He said: “To us certainly there was no sense of jubilation (and) certainly no sense of happiness. “ The full interview, which is part of a documentary on the attacks, will be aired by the National Geographic channel on Sunday.

It is claimed that one of the 9/11 conspirators - Abu Abdul Rahman sent a coded love post on an Internet chat room to his “German girlfriend” weeks before the attack, who turned out to be fellow 9/11 conspirator Ramzi Binalshibh. The message allegedly read: “The first semester commences in three weeks. Two high schools (Twin Towers) and two universities (Washington DC targets) ...

This summer will surely be hot ...19 (the eventual number of hijackers) certificates for private education and four exams (the number of planes used).

Regards to the professor. Goodbye.”

A company’s many losses Global financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald was the worst business affected by the 9/11 attacks.

It lost 658 out of its 960-strong workforce.

WTC steel was sold What did the US authorities do with the 185,101 tons of steel left at Ground Zero? They recycled it. The ‘9/11 Research’ website shows that the bulk of the steel was shipped to China and India. The Chinese firm Baosteel purchased 50,000 tonnes at a rate of $120 (£73) per ton. The rest of the steel was used for memorial material across all 50 states.

Plane engine survives crash According to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a single engine from one of the planes that struck the Twin Towers miraculously survived the plane crash and the explosion and collapse of the Towers.

19 terrorists, four planes 19 al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four US passenger planes and ploughed them into the Twin Towers and the Pentagon. A fourth plane allegedly heading straight for Capitol Hill or the White House crashed in a field in rural Pennsylvania, killing all onboard. Fifteen of the men were from Saudi Arabia, two from the United Arab Emirates, one (Atta) from Egypt, and one from Lebanon.

Enter Guatanamo Bay The attacks gave birth to Guantanamo Bay detention camp where US holds inmates defined as, “illegal enemy combatants.”

4

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

NEWS

Lawyers to Jonathan: reinstate Salami now Continued from page 1

also a lawyer, to protest what they called a threat to legal order and rule of law.

The lawyers, numbering over 200 from Lagos, Ikeja and Ikorodu branches of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), trekked for about an hour from the High Court to the Governor’s Office in Alausa, under light showers.

They bore placards, some of which read: “Mr Goodluck Jonathan, defend the Constitution. Don’t Kill it”; “Don’t kill the Judiciary”; “Re-instate Salami now!”; “Politicisation of the Judiciary is injurious to our nation. Stop it!”; and “Rule of Law must Prevail”.

Others read: “We say no to the illegal, unconstitutional and political suspension of Hon. Justice Isa Ao Salami.

President Jonathan, don’t kill the Judiciary. Don’t kill Nigeria!”; “President Jonathan, don’t send us out of our job”; and “NJC’s action is illegal”.

The lawyers, in a letter to Jonathan, said the President’s ratification of Justice Salami’s suspension when his suit was pending in court was not well-considered.

They handed the letter to Fashola to deliver to the President.

According to them, if Salami’s suspension is not reversed, it could set a very dangerous precedent, as anarchists and enemies of law and order would disregard the court of law with impunity.

The lawyers urged the President to “urgently reverse the suspension” of Justice Salami and allow the court to decide his case.

The letter was jointly signed by Chairman, NBA, Lagos Branch, Mr Taiwo O. Taiwo and Secretary, Mr Alex Muoka; Chairman Ikeja Branch, Mr Adebamigbe Omole and Secretary, Adesina Ogunlana; and Chairman, Ikorodu Branch, Mr Kazeem Adebanjo and Secretary, Lookman Ganiyu.

Fashola cut short an emergency state executive council meeting to attend to the lawyers, who waited for over an hour to see him. He said: “The fact that you are robed gives me concern because it is a most unusual development in the profession to be robed outside of the courtroom.

“The judiciary is the custodian of the rule of law. To that extent, I will say that your concerns are well-founded. I remain confident that as slow as the process might be, it still has the capacity to do justice, according to the law. I urge all of us to keep faith and to be optimistic. Justice, according to the laws that we know, will be done and the interest of justice will ultimately be served.

“It is necessary that we keep the peace because it is only in an atmosphere of peace that justice can be done.

We know the critical role the judiciary plays in enthroning democracy. Every step must be taken to protect and preserve the judiciary.

“The history of our country is replete with the facts that even those who have flouted the law have also gone back to the courts when they leave office.

“So, it is incumbent on everybody, therefore, to protect that institution, so that it will

•Fashola addressing the lawyers ... yesterday

remain evergreen, ever indelible, ever impartial to continue to be the bastion of rights that it is meant to be.”

The lawyers’ letter to the President reads: “We, the undersigned, for ourselves as Chairmen and Secretaries of the Lagos, Ikeja and Ikorodu Branches of the NBA and for our branches, respectfully express our great shock and disappointment at your Excellency’s ratification of the hasty suspension of the Hon. Justice Isa Ayo Salami by the National Judicial Council.

“Suffice to say here that due to the accusations and counter-accusations of official misconduct between the erstwhile Chief Justice of Nigeria (Hon. Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu) and the suspended President of the Court of Appeal, the National Judicial Council (NJC) set up a committee to investigate the two jurists.

“The NJC panel at the end of its work absolved Hon. Justice Katsina-Alu of any

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

misdeed as regards the Sokoto State Election Petition panel but held that Justice Salami’s accusation against the erstwhile CJN on the same matter was false and unproved. The NJC accepted the panel’s findings and strangely went on to direct Hon. Justice Salami to apologise to the former CJN within 10 days.

“Hon. Justice Salami’s reaction to the NJC panel’s finding and directive was to institute a lawsuit essentially asking the court to nullify the findings of the Investigative Panel and as well the directives of the NJC. “The NJC, however, despite being fully cognisant of the subsisting lawsuit, sat to deliberate on the findings of the Investigative Panel, accepted same and meted out sanctions against Hon. Justice Salami by suspending him and recommending his retirement to your Excellency.

“It is our considered view that the NJC, in suspending Hon. Justice Salami, flagrantly flouted the well established legal principle of parties not taking any steps during the pendency of a suit that would foist upon the court a situation of fait accompli or render nugatory the eventual judgment of the court.

“More unfortunate, however, (in our respectful view) was your Excellency’s ratifi-

cation of this premature and pre-emptive suspension – which could not have been well considered. The Presidency, we fervently believe, should be the ultimate champion of due process and the Rule of Law so as not to endanger our nascent democracy.

“In suspending Hon. Justice Salami and appointing an Acting President of the Court of Appeal whilst the law suit instituted by him is still pending, your Presidency would appear to have set a very dangerous precedent – a threat to the legal order and Rule of Law. “This precedent will henceforth be cited and relied upon by anarchists, enemies of law, order and constituted authority to take the law into their hands and disregard the Court of Law. “It is in the light of all the foregoing that we call on your Excellency to urgently reverse the suspension of Hon. Salami and await the outcome of the case in court, for this is the only path of honour, decency, law and order. It is our prayer that our nation will progress and prosper greatly in your administration.”

Omole added: “What we are saying is that the rule of law must prevail in all situations and all circumstances.

Nobody is above the law. We don’t want a situation where you allow might to be right.

The moment the rule of law is trampled upon, there is going to be problem.

“We don’t want a situation where the judiciary becomes and annex of the executive.

We don’t want the politicisation of the judiciary.

We want its independence to be maintained. Salami, having gone to court, surrendered to the rule of law by saying ‘let the court decide my case’.

“But, unfortunately, unfortunately and unfortunately, the NJC, which is meant to be a body of people of high integrity, despite the fact that the court processes had been served on them, still sat on that issue. They cannot tell us they don’t know what the law says! Maybe they believe that they are above the law because of their position.

“Unfortunately, the NJC decision was passed on to Mr President. He can’t tell us that with all his experience, he doesn’t know that the moment a matter is in court you must not do anything on it.

“But, Mr President went ahead and ratified the decision of the NJC. He was supposed to uphold the rule of law and not be seen to be supporting what is wrong.”

Taiwo said Justice Salami’s suspension must not be allowed to stand. He urged Governor Fashola to pass on the letter to the President.

“We are not happy about the development,” he said.

Reps reject Obasanjo’s call Continued from page 1

•From left: Chairman of Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Senior Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity) Dr Reuben Abati, Minister of Finance and Coordinator Economic Management Team Prof. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and African Petroleum Chairman Mr Femi Otedola, during the Economic Management Team’s meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja ... yesterday.

PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

Criminal Court seeks arrest of Gaddafi by HE International to start governing in his INTERPOL forts Criminal Court (ICC) place are being frustrated by

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prosecutor said yesterday he is asking the International Police (INTERPOL) to issue red notice arrest warrants for Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi, his son Saif al-Islam, and intelligence chief Abdullah al-Senussi.

The ICC issued arrest warrants last June for all three for crimes against humanity.

ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo said he wants Interpol to issue a red notice to arrest Gaddafi for the alleged crimes against humanity of murder and persecution.

Gaddafi’s voice boomed out from his hiding place yesterday, denying he had fled Libya and cursing as rats and stray dogs those whose ef-

his diehard followers.

“We will not leave our ancestral land,” Gaddafi said in what Syria’s Arrai TV said was a live broadcast from somewhere in Libya. “The youths are now ready to escalate the resistance against the rats in Tripoli and to finish off the mercenaries.”

Continued on page 53

month ago to ensure that Mrs Akande-Adeola becomes House Leader.

It was gathered that the commitment informed why the House leadership embarked on consultations in the last few weeks.

Despite initial resistance, the House leadership was able to build “appreciable consensus” for Mrs AkandeAdeola.

It was learnt that Obasanjo’s submission at the last PDP National Caucus meeting and the Southwest PDP’s session last Saturday sealed the hope of making Ajibola the House Leader.

A source at the meeting said yesterday: “We have just finished a meeting of principal officers in Ilorin where we have decided to concede the slot of House Leader to Mrs Akande-Adeola in line with our commitment to the President.

“We need to build a robust Executive-Legislature working relationship. The Executive insisted on Mrs AkandeAdeola, to ensure power balance and meet up with Affirmative Action. We also felt we should bend a bit to reunite with the PDP, which has produced majority of members.

“With the choice of Mrs Akande-Adeola, we will not only reconcile her supporters with the Speaker’s, we should be able to assuage the aggrieved Southwest.

“Since the House jettisoned for Mrs Akande-Adeola, who was the officially endorsed candidate for Speaker, our leadership has been labelled as ‘rebels’ and ‘non-conformists’, but we want to prove a point this time around that we are not out to derail Jonathan’s administration.”

On the call by ex-President Obasanjo that Tambuwal should step down for a

Southwest candidate, the source added: “The principal officers and members of the House have chosen to ignore the call.

“Tambuwal will not step aside at the prompting of Obasanjo, who cannot dictate to the House. We will back Tambuwal for four years as long as he does not abuse his office.

“The manner in which Obasanjo made his presentations has made members to be more united for Tambuwal.

“You see, Obasanjo got it wrong by addressing us like school boys and girls. This is not the kind of democracy we envisage.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “We also used the retreat to map out strategies to enhance our new Legislative Agenda.

“We want to pass bills with far-reaching dividends for Nigerians. We are out for a new era.”

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

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

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NEWS IBADAN FLOOD OF TEARS More floods predicted in Oyo, Sokoto

Authors give Ibadan flood victims cash, clothes

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By Evelyn Osagie, Staff Reporter

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HE Nigerian literati have donated money and clothing to the victims of the floods that ravaged parts of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on August 26.

They made the donation to the state government at a special reading of the book, entitled: After the Flood, in honour of the victims. It was held at the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) on Wednesday.

The event, which served as a fundraiser for the victims, was organised

by Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) and friends of Ibadan.

Dignitaries from government, the traditional institution, literati and politics, among others, were present.

Dr. Wale Okediran, a former ANA President, said the flood had become a recurring decimal. He called on the government to find a lasting solution to it. “Almost everything that happened during the 1980 Ogunpa flood happened again in last month’s floods. Lives and property were lost to the flood; weeks after, the state is still weeping. We have to put hands on the oars to correct the mistake,” Okediran said.

His book, After the Flood, written after the 1980 Ogunpa flood, was sold at the event and the proceeds donated to the victims.

Deputy Governor Moses Adeyemo, who represented Governor Abiola Ajimobi, said the flood was essentially man-made.

He blamed it on the breach of structural and environmental laws, saying houses built on waterways would face demolition.

He called on the people to prevent it in the future.

FCT Minister donates relief materials to victims From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

• Okediran (left), in a handshake with Marinho while Ofeimun looks on at the event in Ibadan PHOTOS: EVELYN OSAGIE

He said: “The lives of the people are the concern of this government and we will make sure that they are taken care of. Most of our people are careless on environmental sanitation; indiscriminately dumping of refuse and houses on our waterways.

Those houses and refuse will have to go. The most important thing is to guard against future recurrence, especially by channellisation of the rivers.”

Hailing the organisers of the event, Ajimobi said their donation, in addition to what the state government has been giving the victims, will go a long to bring succour.

Chief Femi Olaifa, Ekerin Balogun of Ibadan, who represented the Olubadan, Oba Samuel Odulana, recalled that the administration of the late Chief Bola Ige channellised the Ogunpa River. He said subsequent administrations failed to build on the effort. He praised the Ajimobi administration, saying he believes in

• A copy of the Book on display

Olubadan of Ibadanland; Poet Odia Ofeimun, The Nation Columnist, Dr. Tony Marinho; BCOS chair Yanju Adegbite, among others.

Affected houses to be demolished in phases, says Ajimobi

M

INISTER of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mrs. Olajumoke Akinjide has donated relief materials worth millions of naira to cater for those affected by the unfortunate incident.

The beneficiaries were drawn from Oluyole, Egbeda, Ona ara, Lagelu, and Akinyele areas of Oyo state The Media Assistant to the minister, Mr. Isiaka Kehinde, in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, said the gesture is a practical demonstration of Akinjide’s love for her constituents.

The statement reads: “ If not for her intervention in the channellisation of Ogbere ti oya bridge in her local government, Ona Ara,while serving as special assistant to former President Olusegun Obasanjo on FCT Matters, the effect of the flood in the area would have been disastrous.

“The minister is not resting on her oars, as she has promised to ensure that all promises made by the Federal Government in alleviating the sufferings of the victims and efforts at seeking solutions to the ecological problems in Ibadan are kept.”

its ability to deliver. “I am happy we have a caring government. I trust Ajimobi and his people that they will deliver.”

Over N250,000 was realised at the event, including boxes of clothes, which, according to the Oyo State Chairman of ANA, Akin Bello, will be handed over the government by the weekend. “We also want to give others who were not here the opportunity to partake in this humanitarian gesture. The writers sympathise with all the victims, we pray we will not see such again,” he said.

Also present at the event were former Deputy Governor Iyiola Oladokun, Senators Femi Lanlehin and Ayo Adeseun; Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Dauda Wasiu; Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Bosun Oladele; Commissioner for Health, Dr. Lateef Olopoenia; Chief Lekan Alabi, the Ikolaba,

• Oyo to enact environmental sanitation law

•Ajimobi

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HE Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has said that the planned demolition of structures obstructing waterways in Ibadan would be carried out in phases.

The governor, on August 31, served owners of the structures and those trading along the drainage alignment a seven-day ultimatum to quit the areas or have their structures demolished.

The notice was issued following

the flood disaster that attended the six-hour torrential downpour which claimed several lives and property in the ancient city.

Ajimobi, however, admitted that the seven-day ultimatum was too short for the relocation of the affected people.

The governor said the victims would be moved to other areas before the removal of the structures.

He said: “We will do it (demolition) in phases. You don’t just begin to demolish houses; you allow the people to pack out their belongings; some people have been traumatised.

We should not add to their trauma.

What we are trying to do is to gradually move them to other areas where they are going to be settled.”

On the number of houses so far marked for demolition, the governor said that environmentalists and physical planners have not concluded enumeration, stressing that they would soon come out with the number of buildings to be affected.

He attributed the disaster to the bad attitude of the residents of

Ibadan towards environmental sanitation, adding that if there had been no obstacles on the waterways, the disaster would not have been that much.

The governor received a delegation of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) national executive members.

Deputy National Chairman of the party, Mr. Boss Mustapha condoled with the government and people of the state, praying that God should grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.

Other members of the delegation of the ACN national executive that came to commiserate with the government are Dr. Muiz Banire, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and others.

Ajimobi also said new environmental sanitation law would be enacted.

He said: “Our problem in Nigeria is the ability to enforce laws, and we are going to enforce the new sanitation law. We will make sure that the city of Ibadan and Oyo State as a whole are clean.”

HE Federal Ministry of Environment has predicted that two states - Sokoto and Oyo will witness heavy rainfall that may lead to flooding.

Dr Morohunkeji Oyeleke, the Deputy Director, Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department in the ministry, made the prediction yesterday in Abuja.

Oyeleke said Ibadan and Iseyin in Oyo State and Sokoto and its environs are likely to experience heavy rainfall this weekend..

Both states are reeling from the effect of massive rainfall which led to the death of people and loss of property worth billions of naira. No fewer than 102 people died in the Ibadan floods.

Dr. Oyeleke appealed to the governments of these states and their Commissioners for Environment to take proactive steps to avoid loss of lives and properties. “ We are advising Commissioners for Environment and the state governments to take the necessary action to prevent loss of lives and properties.

“If there is need to evacuate the people, they should do it fast.

“Forecasting is a probability; although it is very high, the important thing is for those in authority to take appropriate action,” she warned.

Oyeleke said people living close to river banks and flood-prone areas should be evacuated.

“If there is any change in this forecast, we will also notify the public,” she said.

The Ministry of Environment recently installed Flood Early Warning System (FEWS) in one of its premises (‘Green Building’) in Abuja.

The system was installed to monitor and forewarn Nigerians on the likelihood of heavy rainfall, flooding, and other catastrophe across the country.

300 in court over sanitation offences From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

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OR allegedly violating the environmental laws, about 300 residents of the ancient city of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, were yesterday prosecuted by the state government at the Ibadan North/West Local Government, Onireke.

The law caught up with the defaulters after the Governor Abiola Ajimobi-led administration launched a war on environmental law breakers, following the devastating floods of August 26.

The Caretaker Committee Chairman of the council, Mr. Olatunbosun Adewale, spoke yesterday during the monthly environmental sanitation of markets introduced by the state to avoid a repeat of the floods that led to the death of more than 100 residents and destruction of property worth billions of naira.

Adewale, who hailed the state government for its ingenuity on the inauguration of the sanitation, promised that his council would ensure strict compliance with the laws.

Besides the recent floods, the council recorded an outbreak of cholera that caused the death of about four people.

The council chief said: “The local government had earlier planned to chlorinate some wells in some of the wards within the council area today (yesterday) but we put the programme aside to accommodate the sanitation programme.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

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NEWS Immigration chief goes tough over illegal aliens From Gbenga Omokunu, Abuja

SEQUEL to the recent deportation of 72 Nigeriens said to be residing in Nigeria illegally, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mrs Rose Uzoma yesterday vowed to deal, henceforth, with any state comptroller whose domain is used by alien to gain illegal entry into the country.

The 72 Nigeriens were apprehended by the Brigade of Guards, the army unit protecting the president, and handed them over to NIS, which deported them to their country.

Security sources said some Nigeriens and Chadians were being recruited to destabilise the country through religious violence including the spate of bombings, in parts of the country.

Briefing reporters yesterday in Abuja after a meeting with state comptrollers of NIS, the immigration chief said she would henceforth personalty hold them responsible for any illegal entry by aliens through the borders.

She said despite efforts to ensure transparency and good conduct: “there are still some bad eggs among us who are bent on destroying the image and good work of others. I will expose them.

They are involved in corruption. Henceforth issuance of passport must be done by senior officers. Some officers are receiving bribe which must stop.”

Mrs. Uzoma explained that the State Security Service (SSS), the Police and the Customs service are not to be blamed for any porous border, saying: “if we are to apportion blame over porous border it will be the NIS.” She directed the State Comptrollers not to allow any person without clear identity in to the country.

Nigerians demand special courts for corruption cases A NTI-CORRUPTION stakeholders yesterday demanded the establishment of special courts to speed up the trial of those involved in financial crimes.

They also asked the National Assembly to revisit the Assets Forfeiture Bill which they had dumped.

The stakeholders, who made the demand in a communiqué after the eighth National Seminar on Economic Crime, organised by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), also pleaded with the nation’s judiciary to fasttrack the trial of persons accused of corrupt practices.

In the communiqué signed by the Executive Committee of the Seminar, the stakeholders criticised prolonged trial of corruption-related suspects.

The communiqué reads in part: “That the prolonged delay in the trial of corruption cases is creating doubt in the minds of the public as to the sincere commitment of the relevant stakeholders in the anti-corruption crusade.

“That the harmful effects of corruption and other eco-

•Seek Assets Forfeiture Bill From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

nomic and financial crimes on national development engender poverty; unemployment; waste, inequitable distribution of income and the near collapse of our revered national ethics and cultural values.

“That corruption and money laundering distort the economy and result in capital flight which in turn fosters massive economic deprivation and insecurity currently being experienced in the country.

“That the Attorney General of the Federation should as a matter of urgency represent the Bill for a Nonconviction Based Asset Forfeiture law as an important complimentary instrument in the anti-corruption fight and also initiate process for the establishment of special courts for the expeditious disposal of corruption cases.

“That the National Assembly should urgently consider reviewing the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act,2011 by reducing the reporting threshold for financial transactions to facilitate effective monitoring of funds movement; and increase the penalties for money laundering offences to make them commensurate with the crimes in order to serve as deterrence to potential offenders.

“That Nigeria should as a matter of urgency domesticate the models implemented by the UK and USA regarding anti-bribery and Foreign Corrupt Practices, respectively.

“That the private sector must begin to see their responsibility under the Corporate Social Responsibility principle as a compulsory and necessary duty and as charity. The government must correspondingly play its constitutional duty of utilising pub-

lic funds in a prudent and efficient manner to provide goods and services in order to make life more meaningful to the citizenry.

“That the office of the Attorney General of the Federation should as a matter of urgency finalise work on the National Strategy on AntiCorruption which will drive the Anti-Corruption Campaign.

“A functional and law enforcement driven Nigerian Computer Incidence Response Team be established to protect consumers from attacks, respond to security incidents and collaborate with relevant stakeholders.

“A comprehensive cyber crime and critical infrastructure law in Nigeria should be enacted to provide for effective monitoring and investigation of cyber crime.

“That Law Enforcement Agencies (LEA’s) in Nigeria should leverage the vast financial intelligence domiciled

Terrorism: US ‘ll support Nigeria

By Ozolua Uhakheme Assistant Editor (Arts)

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Fed. Govt, Poland to partner From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

THE Federal Government is set to partner with the Government of Poland on women economic empowerment and social development.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Zainab Maina made this known when she the Ambassador of Poland, Mr. Przemyslaw Niesiolowski in Abuja visited her in yesterday.

The envoy was on a visit to canvass for a partnership between the governments of the two countries.

This, he said, was informed by the decision of the Polish government to use the inspiration story and memory of Nobel Prize Winner, Marie Sklowdowska-Curie to encourage women around the world.

According to Maina, women contribute about seven per cent of Nigeria’s economy and produce almost 70 per cent of the food consumed in the country.

Niesiolowski said Curie’s emergence as Nobel Prize Winner shows that women all around the world can “be whatever they want to be”.

within the Nigerian Financial Intelligence unit (NFIU) in the fight against economic and financial crimes and terrorism financing.

“That there is need for consolidation in strategies amongst LEAs as it relates to anti-corruption, anti-terrorism and economic crimes with each agency having clear scope of implementation and measurable performance indicators.

“That all critical stakeholders in the Nigeria project, as a matter of urgency, should publicize and collaborate to ensure the utilization of the freedom of Information Act as a potent instrument for the advancement of the cause of the war against corruption and economic crime.”

The Seminar was facilitated by sixteen stakeholders including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission; Central Bank of Nigeria; Nigeria Immigration Service; Federal Ministry of Finance; Federal Inland Revenue Service, Corporate Affairs Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission among others.

•Pastor Olutola (middle) speaking at the briefing... yesterday. With him are National Deputy Secretary, Pastors Segun Awojide, (left) and Gabriel Adeyemo Oyetunji, Conference Planning Secretary PHOTO: ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA

‘Those who steal depositors’ money are evil’

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RESIDENT of The Apostolic Church Nigeria, Dr Gabriel Olutola, yesterday condemned the involvement of Christians in the collapse of banks and other public companies in the country.

Olutola told reporters in Lagos that those involved in such acts were ‘nominal’ Christians who have no fear of God. The Apostolic Church president spoke ahead of the second African Zonal Leadership Conference which it is hosting next week.

He said stealing of depositors’ money is an irresponsible behaviour which, over the years, has stunted the nation’s progress economically.

The Apostolic Church as a whole, Odutola noted, believes in staying above board, reaping the benefits of transparent business transactions, and taking concrete action against corruption. The

By Daniel Eshiet and Adegunle Olugbamila

church, he added, does not support its members to engage in corruption to the detriment of those who value integrity and transparency.

He said: “Christians who help themselves with depositors’ money are not real Christians; they are nominal Christians. If you are a true bornagain Christian who abhors sinful acts, you will not steal what does not belong to you.

“How many members of our church who have held such key positions have been accused of stealing? Here (The Apostolic Church), you won’t find anyone because we consistently preach transparency and holiness in line with Biblical prescription. And from time to time, we have been in the vanguard of raising awareness of Nigerians on the evil of corruption and the need to fight the menace.”

On the proposed Islamic

‘Christians who help themselves with depositors’ money are not real Christians; they are nominal Christians. If you are a true born-again Christian who abhors sinful acts, you will not steal what does not belong to you’ banking, the cleric said people should stop bothering themselves over the issue, pointing out that God has always been in control of Nigeria in such a way that if Islamic Bank is not God’s will, it will fail.

“Religion has nothing to do with Islamic Banking. Something similar to it was done about 60 years ago when National Bank was the oldest indigenous bank. If Christian

decided to raise a Christian Bank today, I’m not going to save there because it has nothing to do with salvation of the soul. If we Christians know our rights, work accordingly to it and do what is right in the presence of God, let anybody put anything up, if it’s going to affect this country negatively, it will die a natural death,” he stressed.

The second African Zonal Leadership Conference begins on September 12 and runs through 19 at the church premises in Oworonshoki.

According to Pastor Olutola, the conference themed: Contending for the Christian Faith that was once Delivered to the Saints, will deliberate on issues such as: “The Origin of Christian Faith; The tools to employ in contending for Christian faith; why we should cater for Christian faith; and How to contend for the Christian faith; among others.

ARELY 24 hours to the anniversary of the September 11 bombing of the World Trade Centre in New York, the US ConsulGeneral in Lagos, Mr. Joseph D. Stafford, has reiterated US support for Nigeria’s efforts at combating terrorism.

He said terrorism, which has become a global scourge, regrettably, has infiltrated all forms of religion considering the dimension it has taken lately.

“United States government will support Nigeria as much as it can to combat terrorism, which has become a worldwide scourge,” he added.

Stafford spoke yesterday at a round table discussion on the theme: Literacy for peace, marking this year’s international literacy day organised by the Public Affairs Section of US Consulate General in Lagos.

He said where there is understanding, taking to terrorism or killing of innocent souls would not be attractive to many. His words: “Much of the world is still in need of literacy. And we must do all we can to promote literacy.

“When you think of what can bring the world together in peace, it include awareness, appreciation of people’s cultural values, willingness to reach out and dialogue instead of taking to violence through literacy. “ He identified ignorance and lack of understanding among people as major planks upon which terrorism thrives in the world.

Guest speakers at the session include the Editor, The Nation on Sunday Mr. Lekan Otufodurin, Prof. Remi Raji of the University of Ibadan, Director, Centre for American And Atlantic Studies, University of Lagos, Dr. Chimdi Maduagwu, and Dr. Chinwe Muodumogu represented by Dr. Makinde of the Lagos State University, Ojo.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

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NEWS

Religion as tool for nation-building, by cleric •Jonathan, others eulogise Kukah

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HE Head of the Jos Catholic Diocese, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama, has said religion has the capacity for enhancing nationbuilding and peace through dialogue among Muslims and Christians.

He, therefore, urged followers of both religions not to jettison national reasoning for sentiment.

Appealing to Christians and Muslims to return to the fundamentals of their religions and show love to one another, the cleric said those hiding under religion to cause violence should be punished.

Kaigama spoke in Sokoto yesterday at the consecration of Hassan Matthew Kukah as the Bishop of Sokoto.

He said: “Let us use religion to fight the growing vices ravaging the socio-economic strength of the country, such as poverty and unemployment, and ensure socio-economic justice, equity and fairness.

“We have taken religion to be something else in this country, in a manner we unleash attack on one another. This is not healthy for the country, as it gives us a bad name and subjects our religions and faith to ridicule.”

The cleric urged leaders of both religions to promote unity and peaceful co-existence, instead of “the fire-for-fire, which continues to encourage suspicion among followers”.

President Goodluck Jonath-

Abuja council identifies two black spots From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

THE Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) yesterday identified two black spots in Mpape and Deidei in its efforts to forestall security breaches.

Its chairman, Yohannah Ushafa, said the council was tackling the situation in collaboration with the Brigade Commander.

He held a crucial security meeting with traditional rulers in the area to prevent breach of peace.

The council chief noted that the meeting was in response to a directive by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Senator Bala Mohammed.

The minister had reportedly urged the council to adopt a traditional security model that suspicious residents be reported to appropriate authorities.

Ushafa said: “It was to discuss a way forward on security matter because the killings are more from bombings. We want to see how to curb it. We will see if we can go back to our traditional model like people who are looking suspicious within the community should be reported to the appropriate authorities so that a security measure can be taken to forestall their activities.

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto an, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, described Kukah’s ordination as a divine call.

He urged the Bishop to use his God-given wisdom to live up to being a true symbol of religious apostle and good governance.

Jonathan said: “Kukah has been a symbol of human love, who has demonstrated uprightness and integrity. He is passionately religious in all ramifications and is non-sectarian.

“He has displayed high sense of sincerity and courage, especially during the Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Panel sitting, among other sensitive assignments bordering on national issues. He has a common disposition to all without partisanship and he is very detribalised.”

The Principal Consecrator, Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie performed the ordination with the support of Bishop Felix Alaba Job, President, Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), other Bishops and senior Catholic officials.

Msgnr. Cletus Gotan read the mandate.

The Archbishop of the Kaduna Diocese, Matthew Ndangoso read the citation before the Cardinal and Pope Nuncio and Ambassaodro to the Vatican, Augustine Kasujja.

Present were: former Heads

•From left: Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar 111; Oshiomhole; Dr. Fayemi and Chief Obasanjo when they visited the Sultan... yesterday

•Bishop Kukah ...yesterday

of State, Generals Yakubu Gowon and Olusegun Obasajo; former Defence Minister,

General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma; Governors Patrick Yakowa (Kaduna); Adams

Oshiomhole (Edo); and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti).

Others included: Mrs. Pauline Tallen, Prof. Jerry Gana, Sen. Isaiah Balat, Sen. Ibrahim Mantu; former Ambassador to the Vatican, Yusuf Mamman; among others.

Bishop Kukah succeeds Bishop Kelvin Ajeh, who has formally retired after serving for about 26 years in the Sokoto Diocese.

Kaigama said Nigeria needs to be liberated by its citizens, adding: “We must join hands to fight all the evil machinations by redirecting our consciousness for a better nation with the fear of God.” He lamented the poor attitude of a few politicians and others for their uncontrolled appetite for wealth, saying it is negative and alarming “to the detriment of the majori-

ty”.

The cleric noted that the appetite of politicians has infected the nation’s security personnel whom he said collect mere N20 at check points to allow criminals free ride.

“It affects the police, the Nigeria Customs service and the Army,” he said.

Kaigama said indigeneship should be given a liberal face to accommodate the rights of minorities, irrespective of their religion, ethnic or political affiliations.

He said: “No religion or its followers should be alienated over rights and privileges. We should have equal rights for acquiring land for the purpose of building places of worship in any part of the country.”

Violence: ACF urges Fed Govt to hold governors responsible T

HE chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), General Jeremiah Useni, has urged the Federal Government to hold accountable any governor in whose domain there is violence.

He noted that most governors have derailed from their constitutional responsibility of playing a fatherly role to those they lead.

Instead, he said, some state chief executives create tension in their domains through their unserious approach to governance.

Useni said such governors should be held responsible because they have the capacity to nip crises in the bud.

The former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister noted that the Federal Government does not need to always intervene in crises in the states because the governors could

S

•‘Boko Haram is product of political power’

From Marie-Therese Peter, Jos and Jide Orintunsin, Minna

sort out their internal problems, if they want to do so.

Addressing reporters in Jos, Useni said: “It is high time the Federal Government took a harder look at the states where there are troubles. The government should relate with the people and know how they feel, and not rely only on what the governors are telling them.”

The ACF Chairman condemned the recent violence in Plateau State, saying the government needs to make pronouncement that would calm

frayed nerves and fast-track the return of peace.

Expressing worry over the deteriorating security situation in the state as well as the nation, Useni wondered why the hate and bloodshed happened.

The ACF chairman reminded the perpetrators that “life belongs to God”, adding: “If we fear God, we would not indulge in any killing.

“We have had enough of this violence; we must live together, whether we like it or not, and must respect one another’s religion and tribe.

There is no need reading the holy books without adhering to their tenets of love.

“Attacks and reprisal at-

tacks will only bring a cycle of violence; we must stop the killings and be our brother’s keeper. No one should stand by and watch as everyone has a role to play in bringing the cycle of violence to an end for the good of all.”

He cautioned those calling for the withdrawal of the military from the state and condemned the call for the declaration of state of emergency in Plateau.

Useni said: “If the people do not want soldiers, let them stop the killings and soldiers will leave. But with the violence persisting, when the soldiers are withdrawn, the situation would be worse.”

The Chairman of Northern

Governors’ Forum, Dr Babangida Aliyu, yesterday said the Boko Haram sect, which has been a terror in the North, is the product of the ugly struggle for political power.

The governor urged the Federal Government to be proactive in tackling the insecurity in the country, saying Boko Haram is not a religious sect, contrary popular notion.

The Niger State Governor spoke in Minna, the state capital, when he received members of the Presidential Committee on Security Challenges in the North-East, who were on a working visit to the state, led by its chairman, Ambassador Usman Gaji.

Aliyu said members of Boko Haram sect are youths who were used during elections, adding that they are now being used by some influential persons to settle some political score.

Shekarau’s supporters defy police ban

UPPORTERS of the former Kano State Governor and presidential candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in the April election, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, yesterday defied the ban on rallies and political gatherings. They staged a rousing reception for the former governor from Umrah, the lesser Hajj.

Thousands of residents, believed to be supporters of the former governor, thronged

Give ex-governor rousing welcome from Hajj From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

the Malam Aminu International Airport, Kano, as early as 7am, though Shekarau was scheduled to arrive the state at 4pm from Saudi Arabia.

Police Commissioner Ibrahim Idris had suspended gatherings, rallies, or campaigns, prior to the arrival of Shekarau, saying the suspension was because of the security situation in the

country.

But the ANPP supporters were adamant, as they trooped out in their thousands to welcome the Sardaunan Kano, who arrived the airport at 4pm.

Before his arrival, the supporters carried placards and posters, chanting: Sai Shekarau, Sai Sardaunan Kano.

Security was beefed up at the airport and Shekarau’s

house was cordoned off by heavily armed security agents.

But they became helpless as the surging crowd defied the security arrangement and forced their way into the former governor’s compound at Mundu Bawa Quarters in Bompai area of Kano metropolis.

Despite the apprehension by security agents, the welcome ceremony for Shekarau was

peaceful.

There was no record of violence at the time of filing this report.

Efforts by reporters to speak with the former governor were abortive due to the uncontrollable crowd.

But one of his close associates and the former Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Ibrahim Ahmed Yakassai, told The Nation that Shekarau was pleased over the the reception.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

8

NEWS Service for Aikhomu THE Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) will hold a commendation service in honour of the late Admiral Augustus Aikhomu next Tuesday.

The Head of YABATECH Public Relations Unit, Mr. Adekunle Adams, said the service, which will begin the funeral rites of the distinguished alumnus and fellow of the college, will hold by 5pm at Yusuf Grillo Auditorium in the School of Art Design and Printing.

I don’t have cancer, says Aregbesola

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SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has dispelled rumours that he has cancer.

He spoke on Wednesday evening during a display of cultural icons at the Centre for Black Culture and Understanding in Osogbo, the state capital.

Aregbesola, who thrilled the audience with some traditional dance steps, said he is hale and hearty.

The governor, who just returned from Lesser Hajj in

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

Saudi Arabia, said he has been going to the holy land annually since 1997.

He said: “It was funny, when about four days after arriving in the Holy land, rumours started that I was down with an ailment one should never wish for his enemy.

“I have never missed the Lesser Hajj since 1997 and this is why it was unthinkable

when they came up with the lie.”

Aregbesola said even his trip to China, which was facilitated by a renowned labour leader, Alhaji Hassan Sunmonu, did not go without an insinuation that he was ill.

He said: “Many indigenes of the state are aware of the economic benefits of my trip to China. Only those who spent almost eight years junketing around the world without any economic ben-

efits to the state can conclude that my investment drive is not yielding fruits.”

The governor advised those behind the rumour to engage in more productive actions.

He acknowledged the role of cultural icons in the state’s history.

Aregbesola said his administration is determined to generate revenue from tourism and would invest in the Osun Osogbo festival and other cultural events.

Ondo LP chief’s mum freed From Damisi Ojo, Akure

MRS Cecilia Omogbehin, mother of the Chairman of the Ondo State Sports Council, Mr. Bamido Omogbehin, has been freed.

The 75-year-old woman was released on Wednesday, after 11 days in captivity.

Although the family said no ransom was paid, unconfirmed reports had it that Mrs. Cecilia was released after the payment of an undisclosed amount.

The kidnappers had earlier demanded N50 million, but Bamido, who is also a chieftain of the Labour Party (LP), and his siblings said they could not afford the amount.

Commissioner of Police Sani Mogaji, who confirmed Mrs. Cecilia’s release, said the force has mapped out strategies to curtail the activities of kidnappers.

Oyo PDP withdraws petition From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State has withdrawn the petition against the member representing Ibadan Southwest/Northwest Federal Constituency, Mr. Saheed AkinadeFijabi.

Akinade-Fijabi was elected on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

The PDP had filed a petition, claiming that as at the time of the election, Akinade-Fijabi had not attained the age of 30 as stipulated by the constitution.

PDP’s counsel Gbenga Ojo told the tribunal, sitting in Ibadan, the state capital, yesterday that his client had instructed him to withdraw the petition.

Chairman of the tribunal Justice F.C. Nwizu struck out the petition.

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From Damisi Ojo, Akure

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NDO State Governor Olusegun Mimiko has warned interim local government chairmen against employing new workers.

Mimiko spoke yesterday at the National Institute of Education Planning and Administration (NIEPA), Ondo, during a three-day workshop for caretaker committees.

He also advised the new council chiefs to shun corruption.

Mimiko said: “I warn you not to employ new workers.

All appointments carried out at the various local governments in the last two years that did not pass through the office of the establishment will be reviewed.

“It is totally wrong for any council chairman to employ at this period. We don’t want the councils to be bloated.

“I advise all the new council chairmen to shun corruption and its tendencies. Anyone found culpable would be seriously dealt with.

“The local government administration is delicate and sensitive. You must be ready to serve and provide purposeful leadership.”

Ekiti tribunal adopts addresses From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado Ekiti

•Aregbesola (2nd right) and his deputy, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori (right), congratulating some of the 20 selected Cultural Icons...yesterday

Lagos lawmakers back Ikuforiji

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EMBERS of the Lagos State House of Assembly have defended their Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, who is being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an allegation of N7 billion fraud.

Addressing a news conference at the Assembly lobby yesterday, Deputy Speaker Kolawole Taiwo said the House supports the fight against corruption, but advised EFCC to be wary of mischievous elements.

He said: “In discharging its duties, it is important that the EFCC and other anti-graft agencies be wary of mischievous elements and shadowy groups, who may be pursuing sinister agendas to tarnish innocent reputations for partisan ends.”

Taiwo said it was impossible for the speaker to have misappropriated N7 billion as alleged in the petition because the House has not received such an amount since April, 2010, when it became self accounting.

He said: “Their allegations

By Oziegbe Okoeki

against the Speaker are so laughable and ridiculous that they could not have emanated from serious minds. We believe the problem of corruption is so pervasive in the country that the anti-graft agencies must be circumspect about the quality of allegations they expend their scarce time and resources on.

“The House became self-accounting in April, 2010, and had not received up to N7 billion at the time of the petition.

It is ridiculous for anybody to believe that the Speaker simply collects and personally expends the N500 million monthly running cost of the House as he pleases.

“The money covers the entire expenditure of the House comprising the elected legislators and the bureaucracy of over 600 workers. It includes sundry items such as travels, trainings (both local and overseas), office running and maintenance, vehicles, entertainment, publicity, protocols, logistics, administrative costs, among others.”

Taiwo also spoke on the allegation of credit card fraud and drunk driving in the United States (US) against the Speaker.

He said a court of competent jurisdiction had declared that Ikuforiji did not violate any law in the US. Taiwo said: “The issue of perjury exists only in the imagination of the petitioners.

“The House remains behind the leadership of the Speaker.

He has led the House with integrity and maturity. We will not be distracted from continuing to play our role in the ongoing radical transformation of the state as Nigeria’s fastest growing state and Africa’s model Mega City.”

The Majority Leader, Ajibayo Adeyeye, said members have absolute confidence in the Speaker.

“Being the Speaker of the House will not obstruct the investigation because there is no immunity for him. So there is no need to ask the Speaker to step aside,” Adeyeye added.

The Chief Whip, Rasaq Balogun, said: “Once there is an

•Ikuforiji

investigation, there would definitely be a conclusion, so we have to wait for the outcome.

“Moreover, the petition was forwarded to the EFCC, so the House cannot really act on it.”

When asked why the Speaker was not present at the news conference, Balogun said: “It is not unusual when issues like this happen. It is either the spokesperson of the House or any other person that speaks and not the person directly involved. EFCC should be allowed to do its job.”

Governors’ Forum partners Ekiti on development KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi has reiterated his administration’s commitment to development.

He spoke on Wednesday at the inaugural meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the State Executive Council on State Peer Review Mechanism

Mimiko warns council chief

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado Ekiti

(SPRM) held in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

Fayemi said the SPRM would boost government’s effort in appraising development plans and strategies.

He said the Southwest

Governors’ Forum has also created a platform for peer review.

This, the governor said, would enable states in the zone to exchange ideas on internally generated revenue, job creation, infrastructure and development.

Fayemi commended the

SPRM initiative and urged the NGF to continue to partner Ekiti, which has been chosen for the pilot scheme.

NGF Director-General Bayo Okauru said the review would enable governors learn from one another.

Okauru said the objective of the meeting was to

present tools and methodology for the SPRM and agree on a roadmap for the review process.

NGF Consultant Prof.

Alex Gboyega said the review would cover Policy and Strategy; Resource Management; Service Delivery; Citizenship Engagement; Monitoring and Evaluation.

T

HE National and State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal in Ekiti State has fixed September 13 for the adoption of addresses by parties.

The tribunal’s Secretary, Mrs. Lilian Ogbodo, said only two petitions were remaining before the panel.

One of them is from Busola Oyebode of the Labour Party (LP).

Oyebode is challenging the election of Gabriel Oguntade of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) as the representative of Efon Alaaye Constituency in the House of Assembly.

The second is from Oyebamidele Ojo, who is challenging the victory of the ACN candidate in Ekiti Central Federal Constituency II on grounds that the logo of the National Transformation Party (NTP) was excluded on the ballot papers for the election.

Senator denies defection plan From Osagie Otabor, Benin

S

ENATOR Domingo Obende, representing Edo North, has denied speculations that he is planning to defect to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Senator Obende, who was elected on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), said he believed ‘strongly in the developmental efforts of the ACN-led government in the state.

A statement in Benin City yesterday by his aide, Pendo Apologun, described those peddling the rumour as “disgruntled elements and political apologists”.

The statement said: “This is not true and it is one of their several devilish and callous attempts to distract him from serving the good people of Edo North.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

9

NEWS Tribunal overrules Uduaghan’s counsel

T

HE Chairman of the Delta State Election Petition Tribunal, Justice Abisoye Ayo, yesterday overruled an objection by counsel to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, Ken Mozia (SAN).

This was during cross-examination of prosecution witnesses in the April 26 governorship election trial.

The petitioner, Chief Great Ogboru of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), had opened defence of his petition with his counsel Mogbeyi Sagay (SAN) leading PW7 Felix Adanse in evidence which Mozia objected.

Mozia said the statement on oath tendered in court omitted the name of the Resident Electoral Commissioner as opposed to that in the document frontloaded.

He urged the tribunal to reject the document.

Three ex-militants arrested over J alleged kidnap attempt T From Shola O’Neil, Warri

the leadership of the Kou Cluster Development Board.

The board, also known as KOU CDB, is product of a GMoU and it oversees the development of Kou Kingdom’s host communities to Shell Petroleum Development Company in Bayelsa State.

It was gathered that those arrested in connection with the failed kidnap are ex-militants, who were being used to execute the illegal disso-

lution of Kou CDB. A source said: “Although these boys claimed to have accepted amnesty, they keep terrorising communities in our kingdom.

“It was even their activities that led to the destruction of Agge in 2009.”

Delta police spokesman Charles Muka said he was aware of the arrest but could not comment as he had no details.

However, Ebisine, who spoke in a telephone interview, confirmed the inci-

dent.

He said: “They beat me so much there was blood all over my clothes.”

The embattled community leader said he was attacked because of his stance and disavowal of some persons who signed a document purportedly removing the leadership of the board.

He said he was under pressure to assist in securing the release of the trio, but insisted that he wanted an undertaking that his life would no longer be threatened.

Why ex-militants are sent offshore, by Kuku

T

HE Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Kingsley Kuku, yesterday explained why exmilitants are placed in vocational centres outside the country.

Kuku, who spoke at a briefing commemorating President Goodluck Jonathan’s first 100 days in office, said the exmilitants’ placement offshore is in line the United Nations (UN) rules and codes.

He also said there was lack of vocational centers to cope

From Yomi Odunuga and Tayo Owolabi, Abuja

with the speedy training of over 26,000 ex-militants.

Kuku said: “There are two main reasons for this. The first we are adhering to DDR codes of the UN. “The UN strongly recommends the demobilisation and reintegration of former arms-bearers in locations that are far and totally removed from their natural habitats.

“The second reason is that Nigeria does not have

enough vocational or skills acquisition centres to cope with the training of the over 26,000 ex-agitators enrolled in the programme.

“It is counter-productive to keep demobilised ex-agitators waiting for several months. It is a risk that we are working round the clock to avoid.

“The Amnesty Office has successfully placed 4,149 former combatants in skills acquisition/training centers as well as in formal education

both in the country and offshore.

“Another 5,618 are being processed for placement in reintegration centers.

“In all, 3,482 beneficiaries are in 77 training centers within the country.

“The offshore placement quota is as follows: South Africa 933; Malaysia 172; Russia 64; Benin Republic 42; Ghana 197; Israel 22; Sri Lanka 34; United States 56; India 65; Poland 21 and the Philippines 129.”

Rivers council officials slash allowances by 20 percent

T

HE Chairman of Okrika Local Government of Rivers State, Tamuno Williams, has said he, councillors and principal officers will slash their allowances and perks by 20 per cent cut, which will then be channelled into providing infrastructure.

He said local governments

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

do not generate revenue owing to lack of capacity, inadequate enlightenment of the people of the area and absence of good performance.

The council boss said two communities in the area had been in darkness for over two

years.

He said Igbiri-Ama and Oba-Ama communities lost connection to the national grid, following a heavy storm.

Williams said: “I have been in office for just three months, but the first two months were my most horrible, as many of the council’s officials were

Edo denies sacking 5,400 youths

T

HE Edo State Government has denied rumours that it plans to sack the 5,400 youths who were recruited in March under the Youth Employment Scheme tagged EDO YES. It said the exercise was put on hold because some ghost beneficiaries were uncovered.

Managing Director and

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

Chief Executive of the State Rapid Response Agency, EDRRA Mujaidu Dako, who denied the rumours, said the recruited youths were asked to submit their letters of appointment to his office for verification.

Dako said about 2500 youths drawn from the 192

wards would be employed after the exercise.

The EDRRA boss lamented that some youths forged appointment letters of the agency.

“The agency has no authority to employ. The Office of the governor’s Chief of Staff sends us a list and we are required to issue letters of appointment accordingly.”

not accustomed to the style of cutting their allowances and perks.

“Through the initiative of cutting the allowances and perks, we have saved N40 million, which we have in our projects’ account.

“N2 million is also being saved compulsorily every month, which will be kept till the end of my tenure.

“2006 councillors from the 12 wards are still coming for their severance benefits, which is not ideal. Funding is a challenge, but we are deploying resources frugally and always account for money that comes in.

“Government should not be a centre to hand out free money to people. “ Nationalism and sense of belonging are the hallmarks of development.”

The Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) counsel Adebayo Adenipekun (SAN) aligned with the submissions.

Also the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) counsel Onyinye Ikpeazu (SAN) aligned with Mozia, arguing that the document is “not relevant”.

He said INEC did not receive the document.

But Sagay objected arguing that “the document is not a public document.

“It is a private document and the definition placed on the document under Section 109 of the Evidence Act does not apply. “ He urged the tribunal to refuse objection to the document.

Justice Ayo rejected Mozia’s objection.

ACN’s petition dismissed

•Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime greeting a Vietnamese investor, Dao Quang Phu, at the Government House, Enugu…yesterday. With them is a Commercial Counsellor, Ta Huu Thinh

HREE persons have been arrested in Warri, Delta State, following a failed attempt to abduct a community leader from Bayelsa State.

It was gathered that the Chairman of Azamabiri community in Ekeremor Local Government of Bayelsa State, Gospel Ebisine, narrowly escaped after some hoodlums stormed his home in Warri.

Ebisine, who is currently being treated for injuries, was beaten by his assailants.

It was gathered that Ebisine’s fate was not unconnected with his role in resisting a plot to illegally remove

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

USTICE Aliyu Garba of the National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal in Akwa Ibom State yesterday dismissed the petition filed by the Action Congress of Nigeria and its Senatorial candidate for the Uyo District, Nsima Umoh, on technical grounds.

Umoh has challenged the victory of Ita Enang of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Joined in the suit was the Independent National Electoral

Akwa Ibom gets new CP From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

A

NEW Commissioner of Police has been posted to Akwa Ibom State.

Solomon Arase, who hails from Edo State, succeeds Felix Uyanna from Anambra State.

The new police chief, until his posting, was the Commissioner of Police in-charge of “F” Department, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Uyanna, before his re-deployment to the Force Headquarters, Abuja, spent six months in Akwa Ibom.

Within two years, Akwa Ibom state police command has had four commissioners of police.

Arase is a graduate of Political Science from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and a fellow of Defence College (Fdc).

He also holds LL.B, LL.M from the University of Benin and the Lagos State University respectively.

Arase also has a Master Degree in Strategic Studies from the University of Ibadan. He was called to the bar in 2000.

•Party to appeal From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

Commission (INEC).

Justice Garba threw out the petition on the grounds that the petitioners did not comply with relevant sections of the Electoral Act in applying for pre-hearing session.

But Umoh’s counsel Mfon Peters said the tribunal erred in dismissing the petitioner’s application.

He said the party would appeal.

Mfon said the dismissal was against all legal strategies, adding that the petition was the best the party had ever filed.

His words: “I cannot really say why the tribunal has to dismiss this petition. This is the best petition we have filed in this court.

“We even filed a motion on notice to activate the pre-hearing session.”

LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to notify the general public that INDUTURE Registered as No. 72 on page 72 in volume 1760 dated this 28TH Nov. 1978 at Lagos State Land Registry, Alausa, belonging to Alhaji Mohammed Awesu Babatunde Coker go lost in transit. All effort to trace it proved abortive.

PUBLIC NOTICE I formerly known and addressed as MISS. ONUMBI VIDAH WOROMA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. EJIOFOR VIDAH WOROMA. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to notify the general public that, international passport belonging to Chima Valentine Okekeozuzu, Aku with No. A02040546 got loss in transit and effort to trace it proved abortive. If found Call: 070620443664.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

10

NEWS

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

T

HE Kwara State Police Command is collaborating the private sector to prevent and control crime, Police Commissioner Peter Gana has said.

He said the command has entered a partnership with an Ilorin-based engineering company, Contrivances Engineering Limited, to train officers and men of the command on car-tracking mechanism.

Gana told reporters yesterday in Ilorin, the state capital, at a two-day training for the command’s officers, that the partnership was a proactive measure to “make the environment riskier for criminals to operate”.

He said: “It is a proactive measure, it is not an alarm that the state is topping the least states in car theft. Kwara still remains one of the least in terms of crime rate in Nigeria.

“As part of the crime prevention measure, the state government is already completing the installation of street cameras and this car tracking device is one of the security measures. We want the public to key into the idea.

Apart from the car tracking device the same company has agreed to partner with us to make available in due course, this system to individuals, corporate organizations and government institutions in the state.”

Yakowa, ACF mourn ex-Kaduna Governor Jibrin

Jang to Plateau residents: we must end violence

Police partner private sector to combat crime

From Tony Alowe, Kaduna

•Why crises persist, by police chief

P

LATEAU State Governor David Jang yesterday told residents that the time has come to end the bloodshed in the state.

The governor spoke at the Yakubu Gowon Airport, Jos, his return from a medical trip abroad.

He said: “I received security reports about the last crises in some parts of Jos and I instructed the security agencies to ensure they prevented the impending bloodshed before I travelled out.

“My trip was unavoidable because it had to do with my health. I had an appointment with my doctor. But I was confident that we had adequate security to prevent any threat of violence. I don’t know why the crises were allowed to happen. I’m yet to be briefed.”

From the airport, the governor drove to the University of Jos Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and Bingham University

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Shelong Watdiyel and Esther Mark, Jos

Teaching Hospital (BUTH), to visit the victims.

He said: “I don’t know why some people are interested in bloodshed on the Plateau. As you know, the issue of peace and security on the Plateau is being handled by myself and the Federal Government.

Now that I’m back, I will liaise with the Federal Government to see which strategy to adopt to bring lasting peace to the state.

On the call for a state of emergency in the state, Jang said: “That is the target of the enemies of Plateau State.

They have been making such calls. But if they have the power, let them go ahead and declare it. I will advise them to start from the headquarters of Boko Haram.”

The governor expressed his administration’s concern over the crises and urged the residents to remain calm.

Police Commissioner

Dipo Ayeni yesterday linked the protracted crises in the state, particularly in Jos North Local Government, to some drug-addicted youths.

He urged everyone to solve the problem so that peace would return to the area and the state.

The police chief spoke at a stakeholders’ meeting at the Police Officers’ Mess, Jos. Ayeni said: “We have discovered that there is an army of uneducated, goskolo(locally made dry gin) drinking and drug-taking youths who are in thousands on the Plateau.

“They are restless, uncoordinated. They have a bleak future because there is no investment on their lives.

These are the foot soldiers used by violence promoters to kill, burn and maim.

“Government has to intervene by mobilising and annexing them for positive development efforts. If this army of jobless youths can be taken out of the streets of Jos, the market for ready tools of

•Jang

violence and wanton destruction of property must have been closed down.”

Ayeni said the culture of impunity and lack of respect for constituted authorities should be discouraged on the Plateau, adding that the police and other security agencies would not tolerate lawlessness.

He urged the residents to assist the police and other security agencies, saying intelligence cannot be gathered without community partnership.

The new Special Task Fund (STF) Commander, Pat Akem, urged the youths to borrow a new leaf.

Tribunal nullifies Benue Speaker’s election •ACN candidate declared winner

T

HE National and State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Makurdi, the Benue

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

State capital, yesterday nullified the election of the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Tarhemen Tarzor.

He was the Peoples

Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the April House of Assembly, representing the Benue North State Constituency.

The tribunal declared the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate for the constituency, Avine Agbom, winner and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the Certificate of Return from Tarzor and issue same to Gbum.

Tribunal Chairman Justice Anslem Nwigwe canceled the votes in Tse Tsav Ward, Makurdi North State Constituency, where he said election did not hold but votes were allocated to Tarzor.

There was jubilation in Makurdi by ACN supporters, who defied the rains and took to the streets in celebration of the judgment.

Addressing reporters, the counsel to Tarzor, Emmanuel

Ieregh said he would study the judgment to know if he would appeal.

Counsel to Agbom Andrew Wombo assured that the judgment would stand, even at the Appeal Court, because his client has a good case with diligence prosecution.

Agbom urged Tarzor not to go to the Appeal Court because he had served four years as a member of the House of Assembly.

It was gathered that some lawmakers, under the aegis of Integrity Group, held a secret meeting somewhere in Makurdi on the implication of the judgment.

The group was said to have deliberated on how to elect another Speaker.

But a PDP chieftain, who pleaded anonymity, told The Nation on phone that Tarzor could appeal, adding that the lawmakers are free to take any decision on the judgment without party interference.

No chance for terrorism in Lagos, says police chief

L

AGOS State Police Commissioner Yakubu Alkali yesterday warned bombers to stay away from the state as there is no room for terrorism in Lagos.

Alkali who was speaking on the bomb scare in Ikeja, said that the result of the analysis carried out on the item found at local government secretariat has shown that it was not a bomb.

He advised criminals and intending ones to leave the state or be ready to face the law if they decide to try anything that will disturb the peace of residents.

Alkali explained that the item lacked the basic components of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

The police chief assured Lagosians of the command’s preparedness to secure lives and property of residents.

He urged residents to go about their lawful businesses

By Jude Isiguzo

as there was no reason to panic, adding that the command have enough equipment and logistics to tackle any form of crime.

He said an IED has four basic components, which included Container, a Wire from where connection is made, the Power Surge and the Explosive itself, but that what was discovered had none of those components.

Alkali said: “The substance that was picked up at the Ikeja Local Government Secretariat was not a bomb because the four basic components were not there. Expert from the Bomb Squad arrived the scene, collected the substance, demobilized it to ascertain whether the claim was true, but at the end of the analysis, the four basic ingredients were lacking. The battery for instance was not there, there was no container, neither was any wire present”.

KADUNA State Governor Patrick Yakowa and the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) yesterday described the death of the former Military Governor of the old Kaduna State(before Katsina State was carved from it), Group Capt. Usman Jibrin, as a great loss to the North and Nigeria.

In a statement in Kaduna by the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Media and Publicity, Reuben Buhari, the governor described the late Jibrin as a statesman whose contributions to the development of the nation are significant.

The statement reads: “Governor Yakowa has received the news of the death of the former Kaduna State, Group Capt. Usman Jibrin, with shock. “An elder statesman, the late Jibrin contributed significantly to the development of Kaduna State, the North and Nigeria , and his death is a great loss to the North and the nation.

“His death occured at a time when the nation is passing through security challenges. The wise counsel of people like him would be greatly missed. His contributions to national development will be greatly missed.

“While praying to God to grant his family, friends and associates the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, Yakowa prays that God will grant his soul eternal rest.”

Adamawa PDP chair criticises Jubril Aminu From Barnabas Manyam, Yola

ADAMAWA State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Mijinyawa Umaru Kugama has criticised Senator Jbril Aminu for allegedly planning to hold a secret meeting against the Murtala Nyako administration.

Kugama, who addressed reporters at the party’s office, noted that the meeting would not achieve anything because only the state chapter of the party or the national secretariat can endorse such deliberation among stakeholders.

He said Aminu is not a member of the PDP because he sponsored candidates under the Labour Party (LP) in the April elections, adding that they all lost.

The party chairman said a good party member would not sponsor candidates from the opposition to fight his party.

He cited the case of Song Local Government, Aminu’s council area, where the candidates he sponsored defeated PDP’s, including that of Aminu’s Ward.

Kugama urged PDP supporters to shun Aminu’s meeting and seek clarifications from the secretariat on the issues on the party’s activities.

Kugama noted that ‘the likes of Senator Jibril Aminu are spent forces who still want to remain relevant despite the fact that the people have rejected them and discovered their ills of failing to plough but reaping bountifully’.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

If you have been following the financials of the three banks, you will know that before their licences were withdrawn, they were having negative shareholders funds. So, when you say lost out, we must ask ourselves from where?

-Ms Arunmah Oteh, DG, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

Fed Govt collaborates with UK, US, Isreal on airport security

Customs deploys 40-man team to battle fraud, corruption

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

HE Comptroller Gen eral of Customs, Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi has deployed a 40- man special squad to tackle corruption and dislodge other fraudulent people that specialise in forging customs clearing documents at the Tin-Can port, Lagos.

Investigation by The Nation revealed that the Customs operatives were redeployed by Dikko to return sanity to the port and check inadequacies of some Customs officers who are involved in illegal activities.

A senior Customs officer, who craved anonymity, confirmed the story.

Justifying the redeployment of the officers from the Customs Headquarters to the port, he said the Tin-can port is the Customs’ second highest revenue generator and that the menace of the ‘wharf rats’, who forge customs documents need to be curtailed to stop revenue leakage in the command.

Investigation revealed that a Deputy Comptroller, Mr. Ekpenyong Eneobong is the head of the team placed under the supervision of the Area Controller of the command Mr. Eporwei Charles Edike, to rejig the revenue collection machinery of the command.

By Oluwakemi Dauda

T

T

HE Minister of Avia tion, Mrs. Stella OduahOgiemwonyi, has said Nigeria is collaborating with security agencies in the United Kingdom, the US and Isreal on how to improve security at the nation’s airports, in the wake of the recent bomb blasts across the country.

She said the international collaboration has resulted in the assessment and identification of areas of vulnerability in the nation’s 22 airports, with a view to tackling any security breach that many arise.

Mrs Oduah-Ogiemwonyi, who spoke at a press briefing marking the first 100 days of the administration, in Abuja, yesterday, said the Federal Government might revisit some of the concessions in the sector. She said that the agreements that gave birth to some of them were ridiculously packaged to shortchange the government.

The minister said investigations have revealed that the benefiting companies do not have the capacity to enhance either the revenue base of the government nor the ability to improve service delivery, adding that government might revoke and restructure the concessionaire agreements and permits held by private sector players.

She stated that government has no choice but to take the painful decision of terminating some of the concession agreements, which she described as ridiculously packaged with no attendant benefit either for the government or the service users.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$109.7/barrel Cocoa - $2,856/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢78.07.pound Gold -$1,161/troy ounce Rubber - ¢146.37/pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

-N7.3 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -10.2% Treasury Bills -2.64% Normal lending -24% Prime lending -18% Savings rate -3% 91-day NTB -6.99% Time Deposit - 6% MPR -8.75% Foreign Reserve -$32.3bn FOREX CFA 0.281 • 213 £ 241.00 $ 153.7 ¥ 1.5652 SDR 240.3 RIYAL 39.3

• From left: Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEP Co), Mr Chike Onyejekwe Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Commissioner for Home Affairs, Hon Oyinlomo Danmole, Special Assistant, CBD, Honourable Mrs Derin Disu, and the others during a courtesy visit to the governor yesterday in Lagos.

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

CBN spends N3tr to resolve banking crises O

VER N3 trillion has been spent in resolv ing the banking crises that have seen 10 banks undergoing rigorous reforms including change of leadership in eight, the Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Kingsley Moghalu, has said.

The cost includes the N1.725 trillion spent by the Asset Management Corporation, (AMCON) to acquire the nonperforming loans of banks in the wake of the global financial crises.

Before then, the apex bank had injected N620 billion to rescue 10 banks at the heat of the financial crises in 2009. Another N679 billion was expended by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) to recapitalise the three Bridge Banks last August.

Speaking yesterday during the 30th Anniversary of the Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC), in Lagos, Moghalu, said unlike other economies where financial stimulus and bailout packages

M

By Collins Nweze, Senior Finance Correspondent

came at huge cost to tax payers, the CBN, banks and AMCON established the Banking Sector Resolution Cost Fund (Sinking Fund) to absorb cost of crises. He said the 24 banks in the country and the CBN have been designated to contribute 0.3 per cent of their total assets and N50 billion per annum to the fund.

“The net financial cost of stabilising the Nigerian financial system sequel to the global financial crises is estimated at N1.725 trillion. However, following the recent regulatory intervention and takeover of defunct Afribank, Bank PHB and Spring Bank by the AMCON and injection of N679 billion to recapitalise the emergent bridge banks, the cost has moved far higher,” he said.

The N1.725 resolution cost represented 5.58 per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Prod-

uct of N29.498 billion as at end December 2010. The fund was initially expended by AMCON to buy non-performing loans from 21 banks.

He said that unlike other countries where work of AMCON (bad bank) are limited to banking crises resolution. In Nigeria, the portfolio has been expanded to include recapitalising ailing banks and loan restructuring.

The Deputy Governor, said such role has been clinically and effectively implemented.

He said although there have been criticisms against the reforms, but it must be sustained.

He insisted that leadership failure rather than global financial crises brought the rescued banks down.

“But as there have been corporate failures, there have also been corporate survivors and leadership and corporate governance has roles to play in all the cases,” he said.

He said FITC has a role to

play in sustaining the financial system stability through training and continuous education of bank directors.

He said contemporary history is replete with corporate failures involving institutions that have risen to global prominence and assumed the status of global brands and icons due to their phenomenal successes in the past. According to him, the CBN remains committed to sustaining and consolidating on the gains of the reforms but it is imperative to complement the reforms in other sectors of the economy.

The Sinking Fund is a binding agreement between the banks to contribute three basis points of audited total assets at the end of each year to help the AMCON to pay some of its recovery expenses. It became exigent after the CBN and the banks realised that funds from the management and realisation of the eligible banks’ assets to be acquired by AMCON may turn out to be insufficient to meet the resolution cost of restoring financial stability.

Nigeria loses $5b to non-metering of oil, says Aganga

ORE than $5billion representing about 10 per cent of the total annual revenue from oil wells is lost annually to round tripping, Minister of Trade and Investment Dr. Olusegun Aganga has said.

He also said that the Federal Government has secured about N2.2trillion investment commitment from foreign and local investors for the non-oil sector of the Nigerian economy. The amount will be invested in the country within the next 12 months.

The Minister disclosed these yesterday during a press briefing to mark the first 100 days of President Goodluck Jonathan’ administration in Abuja, Aganga noted that the $5billion was lost due to

• Secures N2.2trn investment commitment From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

poor measuring equipment at the import jetties to verify and ascertain the actual quantities of petroleum imported.

Nigeria is one of the few countries where there are no measures to ensure the fairness, legalities, accuracy and quality control of all trade international best practice.

He said that there is unfair trade resulting from under dispensation of petroleum products at petrol stations and charges to consumers, subscribers of electricity, water, telecommunication, etc.

“In the first 100 days we have sought and received approval from Mr. President to commence legal metrology in these areas.

This will lead to a significant increase in revenue saving to the government, promote confidence and trust in local and international trade transaction, and protect the consumers from unwholesome trade practices.

Throwing more light on the $2.2trillion investment commitment, he said out of this amount, about N600bn ($4billion) would be invested in the solid minerals sector by foreign investors while about N1.55trillion will be invested by local investors in the manufacturing and agro-busi-

ness industries.

“At its maiden interaction with the Nigerian business community, the ministry secured firm commitments of investments worth N1.52trillion in the next one year from about 20 companies only in the non - oil sector of the Nigerian economy.

We plan to work with these companies to realise their expansion programmes and to extend the survey to other companies “About N34billion of investment commitment was also secured from about 18 companies in the agribusiness and agro-industries sector. We are currently working with the sector on a government policy that will lead to significant investments and create jobs in the next few months,” he said.

EAIF provides $15m debt to Tower Power

By Daniel Essiet

T

HE Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF) has committed US$15-million of senior secured debt to Tower Power Abeokuta Limited to facilitate the construction of a 12MW gas-fired combined heat and power station in Abeokuta .

According to Standard Bank, EAIF was established in January 2002 and is currently a US$600 million debt fund, which aims to address the lack of available longterm foreign currency debt finance for infrastructure projects in sub-Saharan Africa .

Construction is scheduled to be undertaken throughout 2011 and full combined cycle operations are expected to begin in January 2012.

The generated power will be sold under long term Power Purchase Agreements to industrial offtakers in the area. The project is to operate on full utilisation of waste heat with thermal efficiencies approaching the best of class, delivering significant economic and environmental benefits.

The project is promoted by Industrial Energy Africa Limited, an industrial energy group active throughout Africa in clean and renewable energy solutions.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

12

BUSINESS NEWS Ekiti meets captains of industry in Lagos

By Tonia Osundolire

I

N line with achieving its eightpoint agenda, the Ekiti Sate gov ernment has concluded plans to meet with captains of industry in Lagos to boost the industrial development of the state.

Also, 10 companies, including the Dangote Group, have showed interest in investing in the state.

Speaking with newsmen in Lagos, yesterday, the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Funminiyi Afuye, said that the eight template of Governor Kayode Fayemi is to bring business and industrial development to the state.

According to him, the administration of Fayemi is highly focused in redefining governance by brining it to the door step of the people of the state while making Ekiti a haven of industrial development.

Earlier, the Director General of Ekiti Enterprise Development Agency (EEDA), Mr Oska Aiyeleso, listed the agenda to include Good Governance; Infrastructural Development; Modernised Agriculture; Education & Human Capital Development. Others are Healthcare Services, Industrial Development, Tourism and Women Development.

Aiyeleso explained that these programmes are fashioned out to serve as solutions to the numerous challenges, majorly developmental issues plaguing the state.

He listed them to include poor infrastructural supports, poor industrial base etc.

Lamenting the plight of the state since inception, he said: “Successive governments in the sate have implemented a number of fiscal and economic policies to put the state on sound economic footing but with little or no success.”

Fed Govt approves new agric policy

T

HE National Economic Man agement Team (NEMT) has ap proved a new paradigm shift in tackling agricultural challenges in the country.

The Agricultural Transformation Roadmap, which would be part of next year’s budget would focus mainly on programme implementation in the agricultural sector.

The Minister of Finance and coordinating minister, Dr Ngozi OkonjoIweala, the Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State and the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, disclosed these to State House Correspondents after the meeting of NEMT in Abuja yesteday.

They listed the key components of the new policy to include the development of areas of comparative advantage, value chain and cluster farming settlements in agricultural research and development, production, processing and marketing across the country.

According to NEMT, the target of the policy is to create over 3.5 million jobs in the sector, put additional

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

income of over N300billion (US$2billion) in the hands of Nigerian farmers and also inject of over N60billion into the economy in the next four years.

The projection from government analysis is to increase rice production, which currently stands at 3.4 million metric tons to 7.4 million metric tons by 2015, while cassava is to rise from 34 million metric tons to 51 million metric tons, sorghum from 9.3 to 11.3 million metric tons, cocoa beans from 250,000 to 500,000 metric tons, cotton lint from 20,000 to 140,000 metric tons and fertilizer supply is to be increased from 550,000 to 20 million metric tons.

The action plan, the government said was aimed at achieving food security through increase in production of key food staples by 20 million metric tons, before the end of 2015.

Within this period, the policy is expected to increase rice production by 2 million metric tons,

cassava by 17 million metric tons and sorghum by 1 million metric tons; The NEMT also said the key the principles of the new policy would be based on public-private partnership, investment, accountability among others.

The action plan according to the Agriculture minister is to move agriculture from the level of a development issue to pure business; hence, government aims to diversify the agriculture sector, especially where the country has comparative advantages.

He cited rice, cassava, sorghum, coca, cotton production, as key agricultural crops that the country has comparative advantages and stressed that the Federal Government will focus attention in these areas to ensure food security for the country.

On how government would be able to achieve its target given the state of infrastructure in the country, Okonjo-Iweala said it’s not a bad idea to start something even if the country is faced with numerous problems.

T

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

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

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Arik Aero Arik Aero

1. Arik 2. Aero 1.

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Institute calls for investment promotion HE Chartered Institute of Ad ministration of Nigeria (CIAN) has called on the government to provide adequate security measures to encourage economic growth.

The body, in a statement, said the government can only speed up economic growth, by putting an end to spate of violence across the country. It said the recent bombing of the United Nations Building in Abuja, would have untold effects on investments climate in the country.

According to its President, Dr Ofili Ugwudioha, the inability of the three arms of government to find solutions to killings and wanton destructions means that local and foreign investments in the country are not safe.

Ugwudioha noted that the country has within a year witnessed up to 12 bomb attacks, adding that nothing has been done to unearth those behind the attacks.

“The incessant attacks in various parts of the country is a clear indication that our security agents have no answer to the security problems ravaging the nation.

This is an act of terrorism which is not tolerated in any country. Nigeria should fight this evil with all its vigour to save this country from imminent danger. The Institute condemns the killings of innocent citizens and destruction of investment across the country”, he said.

He said the economic consequences of insecurity in the country would be grave and costly, if urgent actions are not taken.

He urged the Federal Government to engage detectives and intelligence outfits from Europe and United States respectively to salvage the country, and further attracts more investors.

Flight Schedule

• Left: Hon. Niyi Afuye, Ekiti State Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Information & Civic Orientation, Mr Oska Aiyeleso, Director-General, Ekiti Enterprise Development Agency and Mr. Gbenga X-adebija, Managing Director of Ashton & Layton at a press conference in Lagos to announce to promote investment in the state.

Jonathan to OPS: support infrastructure financing

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, has urged the Organised Private Sector (OPS) to support the Federal Government in funding of capital intensive infrastructure projects across the country.

Speaking at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), President Jonathan, who was represented by the Minister of State for Trade and Investment Dr Samuel Ortom, said financing of the decaying infrastructure is an herculean task, which the government cannot do alone. Hence he said there is need for the OPS to support the government.

His words:” We shall continue with the privatisation of key infrastructure services as well as put

By Toba Agboola

in place a strategic plan for the protection and management of such national infrastructure. In addition, government has initiated several measurers aimed at fasttracking the realisation of accelerated development of the manufacturing sector. Some of these include recapitalisation of Bank of Industry (BOI) and other specialised financial institutions, implementation of sub-sector specific interventions and backward integration strategies, harmonisation and streamlining of our tax administration , investment laws and easing of expatriate quota procedures, to facilitate inflow of investment, amongst

others.”

The President disclosed that Nigeria’s economy is ranked 44 th in the world in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), behind South Africa and Egypt, adding that the manufacturing sector is the impetus needed to uplift the economy and surpass the African countries currently ranked ahead.

“I want to assure that this administration is firmly committed to the transformation of the manufacturing sector. Our emphasis is on further diversification of our economy, increasing investment in agriculture and industrial based commercial farming, reducing the cost of production and improve productivity in the manufacturing sector.”

Okonjo-Iweala preaches change at staff meeting M INISTER of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the economy, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, has urged staff of the ministry to adopt efficiency, effectiveness and delivery as their constant watchwords in handling their official functions. This, she said, would lead to better service delivery, which is necessary for the success of the present administration’s Transformation Agenda.

She gave the advice at an interactive meeting with staff of the ministry and those of the Budget office yesterday. While laying emphasis

From Nduka Chiejina, Assistant Editor

on efficient service delivery, Okonjo-Iweala, promised to put in place an equitable training and retraining scheme that would enable staff to acquire new skills and knowledge for improved performance.

She advised staff to take advantage of the various e-learning programmes on the internet to improve themselves, promising

that evidence of such self improvement would be rewarded.

She added that facilities available in the Global Learning Centre will be optimally utilised.

The Minister stressed the need for a clean and secure environment to enable workers operate in minimum comfort, which enhances productivity. Since security is a collective responsibility, she urged staff to be security conscious, saying management would put in place bio-metric identification for staff to ensure proper monitoring.

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

LAGOS – KADUNA Aero 08.00 Chanchangi 10.00 Arik 10.00 Arik 15.10

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

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

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

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

08.50 09.45 09.40 14.00 15.45 19.55

LAGOS – OWERRI 07.20 14.00 16.30

08.30 15.10 17.40

LAGOS – UYO 10.35

11.35

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

LAGOS – MAIDUGURI 11.15 13.15 15.50 18.00

LAGOS – ILORIN 1. Overland 07.15 2. Arik (M/T/TH/F) 17.30

08.00 18.00

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

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

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14

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

Injury sidelines Anichebe till December Pg. 16

NIGERIA/GUINEA CLASH

Siasia to stick with Aiyenugba

Pg. 16

Nation Friday, September 9, 2011

PAGE 15

NIGERIA/ARGENTINA FRIENDLY FALLOUT

Siasia defends Mikel

•Argentina's Javier Mascherano, left, vies for the ball with Nigeria's Mikel John during a friendly soccer match in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Tuesday Sept. 6,

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

16

49

NATION SPORT

NATION SPORT

Injury sidelines Anichebe till December E

Badminton team pledges more medals

A

FTER winning the first gold medal for the Nigeria at the on-going All Africa Games, Maputo 2011, the country’s Badminton team has promised to win more gold medals in the individual event.

Nigeria got her first gold medal after the badminton team defeated South Africa 3-2 in the final of the team event and in a chat with NationSport, former African champion, Grace Daniel believes the team is in right frame to secure the remaining gold medals at stake.

“We won the team event and defended our title which we won in Algiers. We were very excited because we really need to win the gold and it was a very good game and though one for that matter. We are all very

happy to make our country proud by giving them the first gold. By God’s grace we hope to get more gold medals in the individual game because we have all it takes and we put everything in God’s hand.”

Despite beating South Africa to the gold medal, Grace, who noted that the Rainbow nation team is a threat to Nigeria’s aspiration, believes her teammate will continue to rise to the occasion.

“The only challenge is South Africa, they are our only strong opponent and it did not start today. They have been a threat for a long time now and we pray that with God, everything will be possible. The spirit is high in the camp because we believe we can beat them any time any day.”

AAG TABLE TENNIS

Why we lost gold medal to Egypt •Wants NSC to come to rescue

F

ATIGUE has been identified as one of the reasons behind Nigeria’s loss to Egypt in the final of both male and female in the team events of the table tennis competition held on Wednesday.

The team captain, Segun Toriola who spoke with the NationSport stated that the distance from their hostel to the venue of the event was far apart . This according to Toriola was stressful as most of them would have been tired.

The Egyptians were, however, lodged in hotels close to the venue of the event by their sports federation.

“Although we have a lot of problems here because the venue we are staying is far. For us leaving in the morning and staying till evening is a little bit stressful. And the Egyptians are more organized. They stay in hotel close to the venue. Once we all come from the Game village, they will go there to rest.

And for us we feel dizzy and there is nothing we can do.

The problem is not the Nigeria sports Federation but the Local Organising Committee in Maputo. The organization is very bad. It is not only the Nigerian contingent that is complaining.”

Toriola is, however, optimistic that they still stand a better chance in the other events while stating that they

have put the obstacles behind them.

“Actually we feel sad because we know everyone wanted us to win the gold medal. What make us feel sad is that we lost both. Although we still have five medals we intend to work harder.

Even to eat lunch is very difficult. Our scribe buys food for us because we cannot afford to go back to the Game’s village for lunch. They promised bring lunch. But we won’t worry much about that because we are set to be focused for the remaining five events.”

However, the table tennis singles events begin today.

VERTON forward Victor Anichebe has been ruled out of action until December due to injury sustained during Nigeria’s clash with Madagascar in the Africa Nations Cup qualifier on September 4.

The injury was originally thought to be a groin strain but further examination showed that it was a muscle tear.

The injury prone Anichebe is a massive set back for David Moyes who is already operating with a small

CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CRACKER IN OMDURMAN

Groin injury rules out Yusuf Mohammed against Enyimba •Says his Sudanese side will do everything possible to beat The Peoples Elephant

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NYIMBA FC of Nigeria quest to qualify for the semi final stage of the CAF Champions League got a big boost ahead of their all-important Match Day5fixtureagainstAlHilalofSudantoday in Omdurman after the North African club and Nigeria defender, Yusuf Mohammed told NationSport exclusively Wednesday that he is down with groin injury and will have no part to play in the match at all Mohammed an unused substitute when the Sudanese visited Aba, Nigeria during the Match Day 1 of the lucrative African club competition which ended 2-2, had told NationSport then that he hoped to gain more playing time when they returned to Omdurman in the continuation of the Sudanese League but as fate would have it ,the former Enyimba dependable defender got a recurrent of his troubled groin injury in his very first league match after the trip to Nigeria.

Speaking ahead of the tie in an exclusive chat with NationSport from his base, Mohammed rued his luck in recent times with injuries while exuding confidence that his club will defeat Enyimba to pick a semi final berth where he is praying to be fit enough to participate to make amends for his no show thus far since the 2011 Champions League competition started.

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri “Imustbehonestwithyou,sinceourmatch in Aba when I was only on the bench where ItoldyouthatIonlyneededjusttwomatches before the Champions League’s home tie with Raja Casablanca. In the very first match I played when we got to Sudan, I had an injury on my leg again. I have not played in any Champions league match and I am praying Hilal qualifies for the semi final may be I might be fit enough to play that.”

Meanwhile, Yusuf Mohammed has tipped his Sudanese club, Hilal to overrun his erstwhile club, Enyimba in today fixture billed for Omdurman because the team is condemned to win the match so as to pick a ticket to the last four.

The Nigerian in a chat stated that everything humanly possible to win the tie had been done by Hilal and he prays that God crowns their effort on match day.

“We need the match because we want to win to qualify for the semi final. Enyimba is a strong side but with all the preparations we have had we will do our best to beat them.

“By the grace of God we know we shall beat them. It won’t be an easy match. It will be a very tough match but we are going to triumph.”

Siasia to stick with Super Eagles in final hurdle against Guinea Aiyenugba T

D

ESPITE the unimpressive performance of the Super Eagles reserve goalkeeper Dele Aiyenugba in the match against Argentina in Dhaka Bangladesh on Tuesday, NationSport can revealed authoritatively that the technical crew of the Super Eagles may have decided to stick to the former Enyimba international goalkeeper as the number one keeper, thereby jettison an early return of Vincent Enyeama to the team in the match against Guinea.

According to our source at the NFF secretariat on Thursday, Dele has been accepted as the number one goalkeeper for now "we cannot say because we want to win and continue

From Patrick Ngwaogu, Abuja

to condole indiscipline at the highest level. We would support the Coach in whatever action he wants to take against rebelling players. We want a good orientation for our national teams. Players should learn that Nigeria is bigger than anybody, and Nigeria can as well do without anybody. Many players have come and gone, and more are still coming.

The issue of holding the nation to ransom over certain issues have been the basis why we have not been able to surpass our past records in the continent. I want to tell you that as far as the Federation is concern, whatever decision that the technical

NYIMBA are hoping to snatch victory against Al Hilal in Omdurman when they play their Match Day Five game of the CAF Champions League on Friday.

The last time the two teams met, the Sudanese gave the west Africans a scare in Aba in a game that ended 2-2.

Enyimba is aware of the tough task ahead of them and are resolute in snatching a win to make them more comfortable ahead of the last group matches in a fortnight.

“Definitely, we are going there to win. Pressure will be on Hilal because they will want to impress their fans.

S

HOLA AMEOBI and Victor Moses could star for Nigeria against Guinea in a crucial Nations Cup tie next month if FIFA issue a final approval for their nationality switch.

Newcastle United striker Ameobi and Moses, who features for fellow English Premier League outfit Wigan, now want to play for their native country after they represented England at various age-group levels.

“Everything is set but FIFA committee has to meet to make a declaration on the status of the two players,” spokesman for the Nigeria Football Federation, Ademola Olajire, told MTNFootball.com “All the necessary documents from the England FA and the NFF have been submitted to FIFA for their approval.”

In March, Moses could not make his Eagles debut against Ethiopia because the nationality switch application was not completed.

However, both players would now be hoping to get FIFA nod in time to feature for Nigeria in an all-important

They are a strong side having held us in Aba, and it will be tough but we are confident,” team official Okey Nwabeke told SuperSport.com.

“If they can achieve a draw in Nigeria what stops us from picking three points and consolidating our position?” said Nwabeke.

Enyimba’s last group game will be against Cameroonians Coton Sport in Aba while Hilal will be away to Raja Casablanca.

Enyimba lead the group with eight points followed by Hilal’s seven, while Coton Sport and Raja are third and fourth with four and two respectively.

T

HE Nigeria Football Federation has announced that the grand finale of this year’s Federation Cup competition will take place at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos on Sunday, September 25.

CAF Champions League title contenders Enyimba FC of Aba will take the stage against Heartland FC of Owerri, finalists of the CAF Champions League in 2009, in the final of the 2011 Federation Cup competition.

NFF plans Europe friendly for Olympics Eagles

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HE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has concluded plans to schedule friendly matches in Europe with yet to be identified countries for the Under-23 national team otherwise known as the Dream Team V during the FIFA free days in the months of October and November before the team finally departs for Cairo, Egypt the venue of the Olympics Play Off which starts in the concluding week of November.

Revealing this to NationSport, a top official of the team expressed that the NFF is making frantic quest to ensure that the Olympics Eagles get about two or more friendly ties in the weekend of 8th to 12th October and also in the month of November

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri being FIFA Free days for international friendlies before the start of the Olympics Qualifiers which kicks off same month.

The official explained that the identity of the countries to be played have not been confirmed but he said that plans were at advance stage with some notable countries in Europe for friendly matches expressing his resolve that the NFF would oblige Coach Austin Eguavoen who has not hidden his desire to have 5 weeks of intensive training regimen to prepare a crack team for the qualifiers.

He stated that even though everything points in the direction of

Portugal for their camping exercise, the team was also considering the choice of Turkey which has same weather pattern with Egypt and very close to the North African, adding that very soon every other activity of the team will be made public.

According to our source, “The weekend of 8th to 12th of October is a FIFA free week for friendly matches to be played. The Wednesday of that week will be used for a friendly match. The NFF is also planning some more friendly matches for the team in Europe since the bulk of the team is based in Europe. The second one will be in November during the FIFA Free week for friendly matches and from there they will move to Egypt the

venue of the Olympics Play Off. “The coach said that he would like to have 5 weeks of intensive programme and the plan is to start camping during the first week of October. We are considering either Turkey or Portugal but Turkey seems to be having an upper hand because the country has almost similar climate as Egypt and it is closer to the North African country.”

Nigeria booked a passage to the Olympics Play Off with seven (7) other African countries after a 3-1 aggregate win over the Vigana Stars of Tanzania after the country saw off Equatorial Guinea 9-1 on aggregate in the previous round.

Egypt, Senegal, Cote D Ivoire and Morocco are among the countries that will sweat it out with Nigeria for the four berths to the London 2012 Olympic Games.

have 11 goals for and three against. A goal for Nigeria would see the Eagles move to 11 goals and three against, while Guinea will fall to 11 goals for and four against.

Secondly, a high-profile, heavilypublicized friendly against Argentina in Dhaka, Bangladesh proved too tough but the Eagles also proved tough going. World Best Player, Lionel Messi enacted two goals in his usual magical manner in two firsthalf minutes, but Chinedu Obasi cut that back only one minute after the re-start. A mazy run by Ahmed Musa could have been the equalizer minutes later, but he got too much purchase to the right on his shot and Argentina escaped.

Unfairly, hard-working defender Elderson Echiejile’s efforts to clear resulted in a third goal and the world superpower won 3-1 to gain some sort of relief from a 4-1 bashing by Nigeria

Nations Cup qualifier at home to Guinea on October 8.

A 1-0 win for the Eagles will book their passage to the 2012 Nations Cup to be staged by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea in January.

• Ameobi

in Abuja on June 1.

While Argentina would claim they fielded an under-strength side in Abuja, Nigeria would also be right to claim same for Dhaka, with first choice goalie Vincent Enyeama, Captain Yobo, left back Taye Taiwo, midfielders Kalu Uche and Yusuf Ayila and forward Osaze Odemwingie and Victor Anichebe all absent.

Guinea not a threat –Ogunjobi

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ORMER Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Technical Committee boss, Taiwo Ogunjobi has stated that the Guinea national team, Syli Nationale is not a threat to the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the quest to secure the sole ticket to the Gabon/Equatorial Guinea 2014 Nations Cup. In a chat with NationSport, Ogunjobi said: "Nigeria is ready to face Guinea and I don't see Guinea as a threat; as far as I'm concerned it is going to be a tough match, no doubt about that, but at the end of the day I see Nigeria beating Guinea In Abuja.

Guinea is three points better than Nigeria and both teams will lock horns in a must-win tie for Nigeria next month. Nevertheless, Ogunjobi is not bothered. He said: “I know the boys will surely go out and make the country proud in October. The Super Eagles are professionals to the core, they know what it takes, whatever might have happened, they should put it behind them.

“The most important thing as far as the boys are concerned is for Nigeria to qualify for the Nations Cup; they know what it means for them if they qualify and they wouldn't want to miss that opportunity. Definitely, before the match against Guinea they must have rectified all those routines."

ELECTORAL COMMITTEE

Why Idoko rejected Federation Cup finale set for Lagos, nomination

LONDON 2012 OLYMPICS PLAY OFF •Glass House wants to utilise FIFA Free days in October, November

crew wants, in relation to that, would be wholeheartedly supported". The source also revealed to us that technical committee of NFF will meet to deliberate on the Coach's report before the next match against Guinea here in Abuja, to decide on it.

Vincent Enyeama we gathered has not been happy with the situation of things in the Super Eagles which made him tactically stayed away from the botched friendly match against Ghana citing passport problems as his reasons. He objected to the traveling arrangements to Madagascar and Bangladesh, saying that there was no way the best of the team would be achieved most especially against Argentina.

HE Super Eagles must be proud of their gallant displays in two testy games over two days. First was a make-or-break 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifier in Madagascar, which they won 2-0 thanks to a goal by Captain Joseph Yobo and a screamer by Obinna Nsofor – both in the second half.

Abuja will be the venue for the all important final group match in the Nations Cup qualifiers against Guinea, which will further comfirm Nigeria's place in the soccer fiester to be hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea next year.

The win against Madagascar last Sunday means Nigeria, on 10 points, only need to beat group B leaders Guinea by the odd goal when both teams meet in Abuja in the last round of matches early October.

Presently, the Eagles have 10 goals for and three against, while Guinea

Ameobi, Moses wait on FIFA

Enyimba eyes win against Al Hilal

E

•Toriola

squad but is short up front after seeing both Nigeria international Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Jermaine Beckford leave the club in the summer.

To add to Moyes' worries Louis Saha is also an injury doubt and that could leave the manager with just Denis Stracqualarsi - Everton's new number 11 - and Tim Cahill as the only two strikers available for the clash with Aston Villa at the weekend.

NATIONS CUP QUALIFIERS

NIGERIA/GUINEA CLASH

September 25

Ocean Boys FC and Bayelsa United FC, both from Bayelsa State, will clash in the third place match that will precede the final at the same venue.

Enyimba FC defeated Ocean Boys while Heartland FC overpowered Bayelsa United in the semi final matches.

Last year’s competition was won by Kaduna United FC, which defeated Enyimba in the final.

Match-fixing: NFF summons Sunshine, Lobi Stars •Aiyenugba

T

HE Disciplinary Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation has invited Premier League clubs, Lobi Stars and Sunshine Stars FC to appear before it over subsisting allegations of matchfixing.

Lobi Stars chairman, Mr. Dominic Iorfa has accused the CAF Confederation campaigners of efforts to compromise the match officials for their rescheduled Premier League match billed for the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi last weekend.

The match officials were said to have been caught in the same vehicle

as officials of Sunshine Stars FC, on the way to the game in Bauchi.

Secretary of the NFF Disciplinary Committee, Tunde Aderibigbe said on Thursday that the committee would listen to all the parties involved in the case at the NFF Secretariat, Abuja on Wednesday, September 21.

“We are inviting the two clubs involved, the match officials as well as the Referees Appointment Committee to state their own sides of the story at our meeting on September 21. It is a serious allegation and we have to get to the root of the matter”, said Aderibigbe.

From Patrick Ngwaogu, Abuja

M

ORE facts have emerged on why former Board member of the Nigeria Premier League Mike Idoko decided to reject his nomination into the purported electoral committee of the embattled league board.

According to the source, the former Manager of the NPA of Warri was forced to resign from the Committee following revelation that he is an interested party in the chagrin that has engulfed the League that was rated first in Africa last two years ago.

Quoting the source, "Idoko did not resign voluntarily. He was forced to do so. He was discovered to have been the person who endorsed the form of one of the interested candidates in the Chairmanship seat, Akin Akinbobola. So in doing that, he is qualified to be part of that committee.

So he has to resign"he said.

Meanwhile, we further gathered that the NPL has directed the committee not to act in whatever way, as the NFF has decided to take over the election."Yes we have written to the NPL on that election, since they did not meet up with the date we gave to them.So the NFF Board will meet on Monday to take a decision on this, and also get the election done once and for all. We can tolerate what is happening now again"he concluded.

17

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

• From left: Niger State Deputy Governor Ahmed Ibeto, Governor Babangida Aliyu; the Chairman Presidential Committee on Security challenges in the Northeast Ambassador Usman Galtimare and the Etsu Nupe Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, during the committee’s courtesy visit on the Governor, at the Government House, Minna ... yesterday

2012: Kogi PDP lions on the prowl The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is set to hold a fresh primary election to pick its candidate for the December governorship election. MOHAMMED BASHIR reports preparations by the party and its aspirants as well as the bid by the minority groups in the Western and Central districts to take over from the East.

I

N less than three months, the voters Kogi State will decide who to be trusted with the governorship mandate. The contest is most intense in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party with agitation for power shift to the Kogi West or Central Senatorial District.

They have grieved over marginalisation by the Eastern Senatorial District that has been in the saddle since the creation of the state. In retrospect, Colonel Danladi Zakari from the Eastern flank governed as soon as it was created.

Prince Abubakar Audu also from the Eastern flank was briefly in Lugard House from 1991 to 1993 when it was cut short by the late General Sanni Abacha. In 1999 Prince Audu bounced back and remained till 2003 when he was defeated by his Igala kinsman, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, who is still in charge.

It has been observed that the West and Central zones have been playing the second fiddle. Going by their outburst in recent times, the two districts have shown why power must shift to them.

The age-long agitation for power by them has never been so pronounced. The Nation gathered that they have decided to come together to take the mantle of leadership from the Igala.

It was learnt that the minorities have dumped tribal sentiments to support a credible candidate irrespective of where he or she comes from in the two districts.

January 9, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held a governorship primary which produced Alhaji Jibrin Isa Echocho, another Igala man and Alhaji Abdulrazak Isah Kutepa from Lokoja, a minority from west. Both recorded more than 300 votes each.

• Echocho

Though the Federal High Court and an appellate court had extended the tenure of the incumbent governor Idris till April 2012, there had been internal confusion over the conduct of a fresh primary.

In the midst of this, it was learnt that the party’s national leadership had fixed September 27 for a fresh primary. This has generated horse trading between politicians in the state.

The Okun, majority group in the West, settled for Kutepa following his performance at the last primary.

They have decided to present him as the consensus candidate from the west notwithstanding his minority affiliation. Former Special Adviser to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Tunde Olusunle, said the choice of Kutepa would make their power agitation possible.

He said: “I am not saying any

•Kutepa

ELECTORAL ACT 2010

S.31(i) Every political party shall not later than 60 days before the date appointed for a general election under the provision of this Act, submit to the Commission in the prescribed forms the list of the candidate the party proposes to sponsor at the elections. other candidate cannot come out, but almost all the leaders in Okun land have endorsed the of candidature of Kutepa”.

Another group, Coalition of Okun and Ebira Youths (COEY) said it has adopted Kutepa as its consensus candidate for the rescheduled governorship poll.

The coalition’s spokesperson, Comrade Alex Babalola Omojarabi, said that the group

• Adinoyi-Ojo

came to the conclusion that it was time for the Igala in Kogi East to allow other senatorial districts to wield power.

He said: “The multi-ethnic nature of Kogi State has more advantages than disadvantages if only we can bring our various qualities together to build a great state. That is why Kutepa, a minority should be the bridge to bring all our people together. It is about mutual confidence; it is about seeing power as a tool for equitable development, unity and progress.”

The decision reached was after much consultations and studying the mood of the state. It is believed that the Igala have had enough of power having ruled the state from inception in 1991.

Some of the reasons are borne on the state of infrastructure Roads in the area, for example, could be de-

scribed as death traps and haven for armed robbers and rapists. So what they are saying is that other ethnic groups should control power and look into state of development in those areas.

There are however suggestions that some highly placed Okun people may not support Kutepa. While Senator Smart Adeyemi who represents the West zone in the Senate has not made known his preference, there are suggestions that he may endorse Echocho. Some analysts say the Senator has ambition to governor the state in the future and may therefore need the support of the Igala. This may be a trading point since Kutepa is from the minority part of the West, a non Okun.

In a reaction to the development COEY had advised the senator to be mindful of the activities and utterances as it could be inimical to the collective aspirations and uncompromising quest for power shift. It stated that Kogi State is bigger than PDP, while urging all the political parties involved in the race to ensure strict adherence to internal democracy.

COEY noted: “PDP is not a religion but power shift is. We don’t mind sponsoring our candidate in another party should the PDP shut its doors against Kutepa. This is beyond PDP. We are not politicians but a group of like minds out to advance the actualization of equity and justice in the power sharing formula among the components units and in the best interest of Kogi people”.

Meanwhile, quite a number of quality aspirants ventured into the race to pick the party ticket during the January 9, 2011 PDP primaries, but Kutepa was one man who drew the state nearest to paradigm shift.

• Continued on page 18

18

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

POLITICS David Iyofor is Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s spokesman. He spoke with BISI OLANIYI on the jadministration’s 100 days in office.

ACN chief preaches sane politics

‘Why Rivers took “M loans, bonds’ H

OW has the administration fared so far in the governor’s second term in office?

The governor has continued to give Rivers State and its people the best. The first thing the governor did was to thank the people for entrusting for another four years the leadership of the state to him and engaged them through various special interactive programmes and fora where he answered questions from Rivers people and talked about his plans for the next four years and the direction of the new administration. He also held a stakeholders meeting where he evaluated issues concerning the State and sought ways to better achieve the administration’s goals on all fronts. And in the last hundred days, we hosted lawyers here in Port Harcourt.

The lawyers came and saw what Governor Amaechi is doing. And from them, it has been praises galore. And when this kind of praise and commendation is coming from a very critical, most times cynical professional body like the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), you would agree with me that indeed, Governor Amaechi has done so much to transform Rivers State and the lives of Rivers people. In fact, the President of the association, J. B Daudu, urged the federal government to build our kind of model secondary schools in every Local Government Area in the country. Nothing tells the Governor Amaechi transformational story in Rivers State better than that.

Precisely, what are the achievements recorded within the first 100 days?

Governor Amaechi has always said that the next four years would be used to consolidate on the projects, programmes and policies of the first term. More schools, health and construction projects have been completed and delivered; more health programmes dispensed like the renewed fight against polio an initiative of the Nigerian Governors Forum spearheaded by the governor who is also the chairman of the NGF. Power generation from the state’s power projects as the governor works towards getting the Federal Government to concession power distribution to the state to independently distribute and improve the electricity supply in the state. The new Songhai Farm in Tai is blossoming and has employed its first set of workers and will continue to employ more. Plans are underway to employ more Rivers people as part of the governor’s plan to generate employment through agriculture and also be self-sufficient in food production. Preparations are also on for the commencement of the huge Banana Plantation in the State which will attract investment from outside the country. Work has also continued on various major projects like the Monorail, the flyover at Agip/Ikwerre road, the Interchange at Obiri-Ikwerre on the East West highway and a host of other projects.

There has been a lot of talk on the loan and proposed bond issuing by the Rivers State Government. What is the situation on that?

Governor Amaechi has explained all there is on the loan and bond. First, I will state that Rivers State has a solid credit rating and background and this has been affirmed by two renowned global financial agencies - Fitch, and Standard and Poors. The only reason the state seeks these funds is to fast-track development and complete the gigantic projects that need immediate and massive funds injection. Waiting for the monthly federal allocation and our internally generated revenue would slow down the work, hence the need for the loan and bond. We have huge projects like the new ultra modern campus of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, the new Mega hospital, the monorail, the Greater Port Harcourt City, Monte@Rivers - an entertainment complex; the new M-10 Highway- a beltway that would connect the old city to the new city, from the Seaport to the Airport and so much more. Such projects as these require huge funds injection.

The loan will be serviced monthly as the state revenue comes in and as the governor has assured, the loan could be repaid within the life span of his administration. Our projected earn-

ings both from federal allocation and internally generated revenue are by far much more that the bond we want to issue and the loans we have taken or intend to take. The loan we took from one of the banks, we have gone very far in paying back just from our internally generated revenue. So, paying back won’t be a problem at all. Governor Amaechi does intend to leave any huge debt burden behind when he leaves Government House in 2015.

The governor wants to deliver these projects as quickly as possible. We are amazed and shocked by the level of ignorance and complete lack of understanding of financial matters that have been expressed by the critics of this bond, especially the attacks from a so called opposition party. Maybe, they want to be seen as persistently attacking the Amaechi administration, but criticisms should be constructive, facts-based and not criticizing just to be seen as attacking the government of the day.

We understand that Governor Amaechi did a lot in the last four years. What programmes, projects and policies are being consolidated on?

As I said earlier, more primary and secondary schools are being completed; and you know the kind of schools we are building, nothing like it anywhere in the country. So, the Governor is consolidating on all projects from his first term in office, ranging from roads, infrastructure, education, health, power, agriculture, water and other projects. The free education is also being consolidated upon as well as that of free healthcare, all with the best facilities and in the most conducive environment. Security is also top notch considering additional plans by the governor to commence helicopter aerial surveillance of the State soon. The OgoniOpobo-Andoni Unity Road is also on the agenda and construction work has continued.

The governor’s vision of connecting all areas of the state by road is unwavering with all the bridges being built. The potentials of this administration are enormous and Rivers State and its people are going to be the better for it.

When do you think most of these projects would be completed?

A lot of projects have been completed from the last tenure. Many of the Model Primary Schools are in use, fully equipped to international standards. So many roads were completed too. As for the ongoing ones, Governor Amaechi has again urged residents of the state to be patient till after the rains. In a year, we have barely four months to effectively carry out construction work. And for our roads to be of quality standard, we can’t do much during the rains. If we carry out any major work under the rains, it could compromise quality and the roads may not last long. So we are working, and our projects would be completed. The governor is not the kind that abandons projects; you can see that from the achievements of his first tenure.

• Mr Iyofor

UDSLINGING must be eschewed in politics to encourage decent people to embrace it.” These were the words of a former Lagos State commissioner and national legal adviser to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Dr. Muiz Banire, yesterday.

It was when he was clearing the air on his rumoured ambition to contest for the governorship of Lagos State in 2015. “I have never nursed an ambition in my life. I’m never ambitious; I leave God to take absolute control of my destiny. It has never crossed my mind. Let me say here that but for my resolve, I would still be in Lagos Cabinet now because I was pressurized by some big guns over it. So, 2015 belongs to God; I always allow Him to have His way,” he stated.

He described as mischievous and wicked, insinuations that he is behind the ongoing investigation of the Speaker of Lagos House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

When reminded that the rumour could be linked to his said ‘2015 ambition,’ he added: “When people decide to go to this extent all in the name of politics, it is bad for our system. We must not allow it and we must encourage decent people to go into politics to change the system for the better.”

“The whole thing is laughable, mischievous and wicked, to say the least. When I heard it I laughed because it did not happen.

I think those behind the rumour failed to realise the fact that the Speaker and I have settled what they had seen as an issue we once had; we are back again as one. We meet

• Banire

By Dada Aladelokun, Assistant Editor

and talk regularly now. So, I think they are ignorant of developments.

“Besides, I will advise the media to tone down sensationalism in their reports because there is nothing extra-ordinary in EFCC’s invitation to the Speaker. To me, it is a normal thing that does not automatically mean indictment. It happens all over the world. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has been invited. It has happened to me; even the police have had occasions to invite me for certain clarifications in the past. It is normal.

We should not present it as something out of the ordinary,” he said.

Kogi PDP lions on the prowl • Continued from page 17

He and his supporters thus saw in the rescheduled primaries another opportunity to set the record straight.

About 10 aspirants have been touted in the race, but the rescheduled fresh primaries would likely be a duel between Kutepa and Echocho.

Governor Idris is allegedly sponsoring a former Afribank executive director, Jibrin Echocho. He was said to have made a declaration at a meeting in Idah local government area that he was not going to support any aspirant. It was however speculated that the outgoing governor is making effort to bring on board a retired military colonel and a former administrator of Oyo and Ondo states who incidentally is said to be an inlaw.

Another source however said that the governor is only being cautions and is too far gone in his support for Echocho to back out.

Idris is said to be wooing the three senators from the state, seven PDP members of the House of Representatives the 21 PDP State House of Assembly members and local council party chairmen in his bid to ensure the three extra delegates from each wards in the state are loyal to soften the grounds for the smooth sail of his candidate.

The plot would be a hard one especially in Kogi West and Central zones, which are said to have endorsed Kutepa as a consensus candidate. Of the 10 aspirants, only Kutepa is from Kogi West, two from Central and seven from East, a departure from the January scenario when about seven aspirants ran from the west alone.

According to a prominent political leader in Okun, “Our desire is to have a minority emerge as the next governor of Kogi State.

For this, we consider Kutepa as the number one in ranking among all the aspirants for us to align with.” He added that “we came to the realisation that the Igala, with their prolonged rule and dominance, are on the verge of consigning the people of Okunland to extinction and it was time to return to the status-quo ante.”

He likened Kutepa’s case to Barack Obama, saying the latter was able to see through his presidential ambition in the white-dominated United States of America (USA) partly because he was half White and half Negro, saying history had shown that, the black Negro, no matter how prolific and maverick, might not

have had it so easy.

“Kutepa does not belong to any of the three majority ethnic groups. He was born in Lokoja, a minority axis of Kogi West; he had his origin in Bassa, another core-minority group in Kogi East. He speaks Yoruba fluently.”

As a core minority, Kutepa cultivates the unifying spirit among the minorities that has been lacking in their quest for power shift.

He was able to prove his performance in the January primary when he recorded 303 votes, needing only 58 votes to make history.

It was evident by the voting pattern that the minorities gradually were regaining their voice. For this reason, Kutepa was named as the consensus candidate of Kogi West and Central peoples by leaders of the two senatorial districts. It was the first of its kind since 1991 when the Okun (Yoruba), alongside Lokoja/Kogi and Ebira was excised from the old Kwara State.

The adoption of Kutepa by the minorities and the withdrawal of some aspirants for him like Olusule is the reason some people are afraid of fresh primaries, without which PDP will be walking a tight rope into the general election.

Apart from the adoption of Kutepa as unifying candidate by the west and central, there have been some high level of realignment among the top politicians in the eastern senatorial district to also present Kutepa as their candidate. The leaders including some governorship aspirants believe that the interest of Kogi State in areas of development is more paramount irrespective of geographical zone.

Another important issue is that the outcome of the previous primary, which some quarters are clamoring that it should be made sacrosanct, was vehemently protested by practically all aspirants in the race; hence, the need for the party at the national and state levels to allow a level playing ground for all aspirants to Lugard House.

If the delegates from the West and Central zones are united, it may serve the ambition of Kutepa well. But experience shows that this is not alwlays so. The seed of discord may soon be sown in their midst.

It would be better for the PDP, the state and those in the saddle to do a little introspection and save the party from total disgrace. Rather than foisting a candidate on the party, the people’s choice and interest must prevail.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

19

EDITORIAL/OPINION Comments

EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

In the land of denial

Chirac’s trial •In spite of the delay, the French have taught us a big lesson

F

ORMER French President, Jacques Chirac may not be physically present in court for his corruption trial which began on Monday, it is still instructive that he would be tried in absentia. A court in Paris excused the 78 year-old former leader from the proceedings due to his medical problems. This was sequel to his lawyers’ request to represent him, following a neurologist’s declaration that Chirac is unfit to be put on the stand. His relations’ claim that he suffers from memory lapses and that his health has deteriorated in recent months seemed to have been corroborated by the fact that Chirac has appeared frail and disoriented at public outings of late.

The former president is charged with embezzlement of public funds, breach of trust and illegal conflict of interest over the creation of 28 ‘ghost jobs’ for members of his party at the City of Paris and the nearby town of Nanterre when he was mayor of Paris, between 1977 and 1995.

The city of Paris, the original plaintiff in the case, withdrew its complaint after Chirac and the ruling Union for a Popular Majority, which was born out of his Rally for the Republic Party, paid a 2.2million euro settlement. But an anti-graft association, Anticor, then took up the case, saying it wanted the Chirac case to serve as an example of politicians being held to account.

The case is among many scandals to hound Chirac over his years as mayor — including claims that he and his

family improperly ate some euro2.1 million worth of food from 1987 to 1995 at the city’s expense. However, those cases were rejected, either for lack of evidence or because they had surpassed the statute of limitations.

Chirac is the first of a former French head of state on trial since the World War II era, when Marshal Philippe Petain, the leader of France’s Nazi collaborationist regime, was convicted of treason and shipped into exile. Speculation had been rife that the trial could be postponed, perhaps indefinitely, after Chirac’s lawyers submitted last Friday, a four-page medical report outlining his memory challenges. But the former president had himself insisted of his desire for the trial to continue.

The commencement of the trial has proved cynics who had all the while believed that the serial delays that the case had suffered since March when it started were nothing but a mere ploy to prevent Chirac from answering to the charges. Indeed, the former president would have been docked since 1995 but for the fact that he became president after and could not be sued because he enjoyed immunity from prosecution in the office. Chirac faces 10 years in prison and a fine of 150,000 Euros (212,000 dollars) if convicted, even though this looks so remote.

Even then, if convicted, the point would have been made that France’s leaders have to lead responsibly. And this is enough embarrassment for a man remembered by the French for his

affable and dignified style. Even if he is freed, this in no way reduces the lesson that, in or out of power, those saddled with the responsibility of leadership could be called to account for their stewardship any day. In other words, there is no one that is above the law. This is the practice in most developed societies.

And it is something a country like ours has to emulate. Here, no one would ever have contemplated that a former president should come and answer to the kind of charges Chirac is facing. Here, the leadership can literally get away with blue murder!

When Nigerian leaders know that there is a day of reckoning, they will check their penchant for impunity.

This will in turn promote transparency and accountability in government, and ultimately strengthen the democratic process.

‘Here, no one would ever have contemplated that a former president should come and answer to the kind of charges Chirac is facing. Here, the leadership can literally get away with blue murder!

When Nigerian leaders know that there is a day of reckoning, they will check their penchant for impunity’

Singh the Zing!

•100 year-old Fauja Singh enters for 2012 Edinburgh Marathon!

T

HEIR tribe is quite small. All over the world, the 100 yearolds, also known as centenarians must be quite few. And at that, they are mostly wrinkled, ailing arthritic and if we must say it, wasted and rickety.

But not Fauja Singh. Singh is a zinger at 100 years of age.. To prove that his world record as a marathoner is not a fluke, he has entered for the Edinburgh International Marathon coming up next year! Yes, in 2012 and he is the first to do so.

Singh is truely 100 years old as he was born on April 1, 1911 in Jalandhar, Punjab, India. He says it is not April fool, he was actually born on that day.

He developed the knack for running as a tea farmer in Punja, India. But he took running seriously only when he relocated to England about 50 years ago.

According to his biography titled, “The Turbaned Tornado”, Singh has been doing a daily 10-mile regime since he was in his 60s. He started running competitively at about 69 years when professional runners are long retired. Today, Singh is celebrity in England, having taken part in about seven international marathons, including London, Glasgow, Toronto and Luxembourg, among others.

Singh is the record holder for London Marathon for his age bracket

since 2003. He also holds UK gold records for 200, 400, 800 and 3,000 metres for his age group. Straight as a nail, hardly any wrinkles on his face, Singh is a Sikh and a vegetarian.

On turning 100 in April, this year, his popularity spread like wild fire.

His feat is today, an inspiration and a huge motivation to many who read his story. Many who believed that 60 and 70 years of age were the evenings of their lives have through Singh, rediscovered themselves, reinventented themselves and started a fresh, a new life. And leading a good natured life has not made him poorer either. In fact, Singh seems to have made good more than ever, having become the poster boy of the running shoes giant, Adidas and gracing their London billboards along with David Beckham and Mohammad Ali. It is a new lesson in willpower and endurance. Apart from the 10-mile daily training regime, Singh says he takes a lot of ginger curry and drinks large quantity of tea. “The secret is being happy, doing charity work, staying healthy and being positive”.

He says further: “If there is something you can’t change, then why worry about it? Be grateful for everything you have, stay away from people who are negative, stay smiling, keep running”.

In a world in which it has become fashionable to wear a long hard face; where smiling is often seen as a sign of weakness and where worrying and meanness is akin to a professional attribute, Singh has offered the world another chance to expand the frontiers of life and longevity. The story of Singh leaves us with no excuse to live short and pain-filled lives.

In a world suffused with bitterness, violence, wantonness and diseases, Singh presents a paradigm shift for those who wish to try. And it does not have to be 10 miles a day. Just a dash a day will do for a start.

‘In a world in which it has become fashionable to wear a long hard face; where smiling is often seen as a sign of weakness and where worrying and meanness is akin to a professional attribute, Singh has offered the world another chance to expand the frontiers of life and longevity. The story of Singh leaves us with no excuse to live short and painfilled lives’

T

HE Republican presidential contenders regard global warming as a hoax or, at best, underplay its importance. The most vocal denier is Rick Perry, the Texas governor and longtime friend of the oil industry, who insists that climate change is an unproven theory created by “a substantial number of scientists who have manipulated data so that they will have dollars rolling into their projects.”

Never mind that nearly all the world’s scientists regard global warming as a serious threat to the planet, with human activities like the burning of fossil fuels a major cause. Never mind that multiple investigations have found no evidence of scientific manipulation. Never mind that America needs a national policy. Mr. Perry has a big soapbox, and what he says, however fallacious, reaches a bigger audience than any scientist can command.

With one exception — make that one-and-onehalf — the rest of the Republican presidential field also rejects the scientific consensus. The exception is Jon Huntsman Jr., a former ambassador to China and former governor of Utah, who recently wrote on Twitter: “I believe in evolution and trust scientists on global warming. Call me crazy.” The one-half exception is Mitt Romney, who accepted the science when he was governor of Massachusetts and argued for reducing emissions. Lately, he’s retreated into mush: “Do I think the world’s getting hotter? Yeah, I don’t know that, but I think that it is.” As for the human contribution: “It could be a little. It could be a lot.”

The others flatly repudiate the science. Ron Paul of Texas calls global warming “the greatest hoax I think that has been around for many, many years.” Michele Bachmann of Minnesota once said that carbon dioxide was nothing to fear because it is a “natural byproduct of nature” and has complained of “manufactured science.” Rick Santorum, a former senator from Pennsylvania, has called climate change “a beautifully concocted scheme” that is “just an excuse for more government control of your life.”

Newt Gingrich’s full record on climate change has been a series of epic flip-flops. In 2008, he appeared on television with Nancy Pelosi, the former House speaker, to say that “our country must take action to address climate change.”

He now says the appearance was a mistake.

None of the candidates endorse a mandatory limit on emissions or, for that matter, a truly robust clean energy program. This includes Mr. Huntsman. In 2007, as Utah governor, he joined with Arnold Schwarzenegger, then the governor of California, in creating the Western Climate Initiative, a market-based cap-and-trade program aimed at reducing emissions in Western states. Cap-and-trade has since acquired a toxic political reputation, especially among Republicans, and Mr. Huntsman has backed away.

The economic downturn has made addressing climate change less urgent for voters. But the issue is not going away. The nation badly needs a candidate with a coherent, disciplined national strategy. So far, there is no Republican who fits that description.

– New York Times

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye

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THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

20

EDITORIAL/OPINION

S

IR: Like many other Nigerians, I have had the opportunity to read the many exchanges some mild, others vitriolic, but unasavory effusions from former leaders of our dear country.

It all started with a Freudian slip from General Ibrahim Babangida during his 70th birthday celebrations where he cast aspersions’ on the regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo, describing it as lack-lustr eand uneventful. In his usual abrasive manner, General Obasanjo spat back by saying “a fool at 70 is definitely a fool to the grave”.

As an elder stateman from the same military constituency where both former presidents were bred – pity there are not many of us left with the recent exit of Admiral

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OBJ, IBB; please sheathe your swords Augustus Aikhomu, the number has further decreased – one cannot but feel disappointed with such show of shame. Making such unguarded statements and with raw language in public – and by former presidents, Haba!

With the background of spartan military discipline, the rich experience and wisdom of old age and such hallowed position as former Heads of State, one begins to wonder why this show of shame

and naked dance in the market place. Could this be because they are in their dotage, or could this be a deliberate effort to seek relevance to avoid being forgotten in the stench of their dust bin of history?

You both owe God and Nigeria of huge debt of gratitude and apology.

You know too well, we all know this fact also, that you were not the best in the Nigeria Army or Nigeria when it pleased the Almighty God to give you, out of a population of

over 150m people, the opportunity and privilege to preside over Nigeria in the capacity of military or civilian presidents. Personally, I think you did what you considered your best but whether your best is good enough for Nigeria is left to history to judge.

However, you cannot ignore the fact that you got to the height you reached by the grace of God. Both of you ruled Nigeria for a grand total of almost 20 years. You

The disinformation on Offa Poly

S

IR: I have been reading, with disdain, comments and some unfortunate, unfounded and deliberately twisted facts by some faceless groups on the situation of affairs in the Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State especially as it concerns the general welfare of the students of the institution.

I wish to seize this opportunity to inform Nigerians that the fictitious student group which parades itself as the major source of the ungodly misinformation on some untoward occurrences is virtually non-existent just as investigations have revealed that no students of the institution go by such strange names through which they peddle their lies and concocted stories.

It bewilders to note that not considering the concerted efforts by the present management of the polytechnic and the student affairs department to satisfy the students and to reposition the polytechnic for greater heights, some unscrupulous elements bent on pulling the institution down, could sponsor embarrassing stories in national dailies despite series of developments that have greeted the institution in the last few years.

Contrary to the allegations, The Federal Polytechnic Offa remains one of the very few in the country where peaceful atmosphere needed to achieve academic excellence prevail. It is not by chance that the institution has one of the best classrooms, laboratories, workshops and studios in the country today es-

pecially at the permanent site.

At the permanent site, what the faceless group allege in their orchestrated media reports is just too wide apart from the truth. If electricity and water situation is that bad on campus, why are students scrambling to get space in the hostel instead of living in the town where they will not get electricity for weeks and pipe borne water?

Students living within the school premises can attest to electricity being supplied to their hostels many hours of the day. This cannot be compared with what is happening in Offa town, Erin Ile, Ijagbo and surrounding villages. There

are enough security officials on ground, there are good lecture rooms, there are functioning industrial boreholes, transformers, wellequipped medical centre, ambulance, constant water supply and a host of others being supplied by the management. The suppliers of negative information about the polytechnic must be individuals who do not know God not to talk of believing in him. That is why they could lie so blatantly.

I am not saying we are getting 100 percent of what we need on our campuses as students. What I am saying is that our living condition within the campus cannot be compared

with what our colleagues in the town go through. Why are those in town not fighting the federal government for taking their lights for weeks and the state governments for not providing water at all for them?

It is unfortunate that at a time that many students are celebrating the fact that the Polytechnic is currently the third most sought after polytechnic in Nigeria as the recent JAMB rating shows, some bad guys are bent on causing disaffection between management and students. Why do some people just like destroying what is good?

• Odedele S. Funminiyi Federal Polytechnic Offa

survived counter-coups and “possible accidents”.

In the quietness of your retirement, you should be now be savouring your exploits in your palatial in mansions, counting your blessings, thanking God, praying and wishing Nigeria peace and progress like our great General Yakubu Gowon is doing to the admiration of all Nigerians.

Just in case you don’t know, the younger generation is seething with rage and anger that Nigeria’s experience under your watch has been one of broken promises.

Please let us leave the younger generation to find ways out of the thicket of corruption, infractructural decay, parboiled education, disastrous health services and dismal agricultural development that both of you had bequeathed to the younger generation.

It will be such a pity if by your recent performances unkindly described by some elder statesmen as “puerile, childish and foolish”, you unwittingly wipe away all the admiration and praise Nigerians, particularly our women folk had for your First Ladies, particularly Mrs Maryam Babangida.

Finally, let me remind you both that when you were young officers – that is before you were catapulted into prominence – you were some of Nigeria best specimens of officer– gentlemen. In your own interest and in the overall interest of this great country, gentlemen, please sheathe your swords.

Enough is enough.

• Major General Olufemi Olutoye (rtd) Akure, Ondo State.

Time to address the national question is now IR: Social discontents, hardship, restlessness, chaos and the burgeoning anarchy are signals of deep dissatisfaction with the Nigerian state. Time for clairvoyant minds to initiate a radical restructuring of the Nigeria’s political architeture. Failure to heed this warning might spell doom for this country.

It is high time we all sat in a round-table to discuss the mode and modalities of our staying together. Our togetherness must be based on a definable and a clearlydefined “Article of Association”, a form of social contract that is mutually acceptable to every linguistic and cultural group in the country. Our existence and union must

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be negotiated and re-negotiated if we are not going to end up like the former USSR, Yugoslavia and many others that violently broke up after being repressively and suppressively held forced together for many years.

The emergence of militant ethnoreligious groups such a the Boko Haram, OPC, ACF, MASSOB, MEND, Egbesu Boys, Bakkasi Boys and others as well as religious intolerance and violence, ethnic and regional hardline attitudes and the rising wave of violent crimes are bye-product of poverty-inducing policies of PDP government; they portend grave peril for this floundering republic that is gradually losing grip and control of its social re-

sponsibilities.

The patience of Nigerians is running out and this should not be wrongly intepreted as fatigue. No overwhelming force, however intimidating can conquer o the collective will of a determined people forever. There is need for negotiation. Display of brute force and military might cannot be employed eternally. There is need for political solution. The swapping or substitution of one geo-political zone hegemony for another is not the solution to the intractable problems of fundamental structural imbalances and alienation of critical major sections of the country.

The egregious malevolent dictatorship of IBB and Abacha, which

sharpened our political consciousness, should not be replaced by a seemingly benevolent but autocratic oligarchy of any other region. The various regions are so heterogenous linguistically, culturally, socially and religiously as any strange bedfellows and races. The only option open to the various interest groups and stakeholders in the polity is through dialogue which the National Assembly as currently composed and constituted is not capable of addressing and handling.

Now is the time to talk and iron out our differences. It is of compelling necessity.

• Akinrolabu Tunde Omonitan lkeji-lle,Osun State.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011 16

EDITORIAL/OPINION

Reality Bites T

Olatunji Ololade

HIS minute, conversation degenerates into mere gossip and heartfelt dreams manifest as perfections of perversity, everywhere. Everybody is a sucker for “high-society.” Like heatmaddened farm rats, ordinary people are persistently yearning for the madness of “high-society.”

It’s the little packets of madness that we need to fear. How unforgivably foolish the society becomes in its lust for celebrity gossip. The news we read, for the most part, is too paltry for the human genius. I do not know why our news should be so trivial.

It is the stalest repetition. Yet we madden and lust for celebrity humdrum to the point that one is tempted to wonder why too much passion is squandered in pursuit of too little substance. We live for idle amusement and thus is the nature of our daily news.

Our facts appear to spiral in the atmosphere, insignificant as the spores of the toadstool, and yet impinging on the surface of our mind, poisoning it, till it becomes not much in expression and thought. Superfluities meet superfluities; when our life ceases to be inward and absorbed, interaction degenerates into mere tittle-tattle and humanity relapses into the filthiest of averages.

No thanks to celebrity journalism and an innately perverted public,

the Nigerian mind has become a public arena, where the shenanigans of the rich and the idiocy of “high-society” are passionately celebrated.

Every celebrity is a media creation; I repeat. While some may be deserving of the exaltation liberally accorded them, not a few celebrities are undeserving of the hero worship they receive and so desperately seek. It is hardly the fault of the celebrity however, that the press and the society in general have chosen to accord them immeasurable hero worship despite their glaring idiocy and deficiencies.

It takes more than newsworthiness to create a celebrity. The vast, interlocking web of resources and institutions involved in creating and maintaining a single celebrity is astounding. From media outlets to fan clubs and agents, from media products to gossip columnists, a star is never solitary, but often the result of hundreds of backstage orchestrations and player deals.

It is even all the more disturbing to watch our fascination with celebrity gossip slide into precisely the kind of ruthless pursuit of its subject to which we claim to be ostensibly opposed; it is disheartening to observe the infringement of morals and humaneness at the heart of our inquest. Yet despite the evils of our maddening lust for celebrity

‘It should be the media’s job not to give one paragraph of a newspaper story to the idiocy and eccentricities of Nigeria’s middling rich trash and their spoilt kids’

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write in response to your editorial comment on page 19 of The Nation of Thursday August 11 entitled Appointing RECs in which you said, quite correctly, that President Goodluck Jonathan needs to be very careful in appointing Resident Electoral Commissioners for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) so that wrong persons are not appointed into that crucial body.

Like most Nigerians, this writer shares your view that the nation can only get it right electorally if it takes concrete steps to correct the mistakes of the past. One of the errors of the past is that men who were biased and lacking in integrity and honesty found themselves as electoral umpires; there is therefore need for vigilance so that persons with such credentials do not find their way to INEC any more.

Having said this, I wish to point out certain grave errors contained in your comment on Honourable Gabriel Ada from Cross River State, one of those RECs who have been re-nominated from the just retiring 13 whose tenure has expired.

Giving reasons why you think Ada should not be re-appointed, you asserted that Ada was ‘’a leading member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the same party as the president that re-nominated him’’. This is not correct. Ada was elected into the Cross River State House of Assembly in 1999 on the platform of the then All People’s Party and was subsequently elected Speaker of that House. He served as Speaker from that 1999 to 2001 when the ruling PDP decided it could not bear having a Speaker from the opposition party and hatched a political plot that removed him as Speaker. Ada however served out his tenure as a member of the CRS House of Assembly in 2003. This fact also proves wrong your other assertion that “he was also elected Speaker of the Cross River State House in 2000 and was removed in hazy circumstances’’.

There were absolutely no ‘’hazy circumstances’’ to his removal other than the usual political intrigue in Nigerian

Celebrity trash, trashy journalism and everyone (2) tittle-tattle, not a few tattlers gladly explain their obsessions away as some kind of virtuous curiosity.

There is no such thing as virtuous curiosity. In respect of the subject matter, our curiosity oftentimes does violence to its object. On the flipside, it leaves the society stuck in a revolving cycle of spectatorship that believes in its own virtue even as it corrupts itself – a perfect representation of Jacqueline Rose’s the “perverting of curiosity in motion.”

And even our so-called superstars have learnt to profit albeit fraudulently from the society’s perverse curiosities about their affairs. From Chaucer’s early poem, “The House of Fame,” whose hero-poet wrestles with the fame bestowed on him by society to Martin Scorcese’s film, King of Comedy, in which an amateur comedian jokes to a national television audience that it is “better to be king for a night, than schmuck for a lifetime!”

Not to forget Nigerian actress, Genevieve Nnaji’s illuminating response to a CNN interviewer’s poser about her celebrity status, “Oh yeah, I don’t even need to wake up. Just sitting down sometimes, I’m like (sighs), sometimes I hate my life, but I can’t complain” — these celebrities and their works speak to us, even give voice to our own desires, as they reflect back to us the realities and illusions of today’s celebrity culture.

Celebrities who insist, often with apparent desperation, that they do not court publicity, who try to hide from the public gaze on which they are totally dependent (they are legion – open any paper), are either naive or unapologetically fraudulent. With respect to Nigerian celebrities, being fraudulent and then, infantile, comes easy. Not only are most unable to discern that this is

the balancing-act they are required to perform, they believe –erroneously so – that by virtue of their claim to stardom, they should have both the press and the public subjected to their whims.

Therefore, the juveniles that they are at heart fail to realize that they are never functioning quite appropriately as befits their status; never perpetuating so perfectly the drama and duplicity on which celebrity thrives, as in the moments when they make that exasperating and utterly deceptive claim.

If truly they do not crave media and public attention, let them desist from making their affairs known to the public. Let them desist from scorning such attention only to divulge news of their purported “best kept secrets” to the media surreptitiously. Celebrities who do that while making a show of their distaste for the limelight embody the worst form of infantilism and narcissistic tendencies.

The vanity of their renunciation contains its own disavowal. It is a blatant hypocrisy that they perpetrate claiming that they do not want to be seen or become the subject of public attention; it simply says very much about their impoverishment in character and worth.

It is even more disturbing to watch the society’s curiosity translate into precisely the kind of ruthless pursuit of subjects perpetrated by celebrity journalism. It is about time Nigerian journalists learned to focus on the issues that truly matter. How are news of the “highoctane” wedding of a telecommunication company proprietor’s daughter’s wedding, a Reality Show contestant’s current boyfriend, a professional hip-hop dancer’s pregnancy – outside wedlock – and the likely father of the child more ben-

Stop the campaign of calumny against Gabriel Ada Utum Eteng politics. The insinuation about hazy circumstances is nothing but the usual underhand tactic of seeking to give a dog a bad name in order to hang it. Ada is someone I know very well and he is a man of ability, competence, integrity and honesty which is why INEC chairman considered him fit and suitable to superintend elections in both Benue and Delta states, which are without doubts two of the most difficult states to oversee elections in Nigeria.

It is very unfair to Ada that in spite of the fact that the current state chairman of the PDP, Chief Ekpo Okon, has repeatedly said that Ada is not and has never been a member of the PDP, his enemies have continued to spread the lie that he was a card-carrying member of that party and that he is therefore biased in favour of the PDP in carrying out his assignments.

I want Nigerians to know that it is nothing but the satisfaction Ada gave to his superiors in INEC headquarters from the able manner he carried out his assignments over the years in his INEC career that he was considered fit and proper for re-nomination . Therefore, rather than seek to cast aspersion on the integrity and suitability of Ada, The Nation and other media organisations should salute this rare son of Nigeria who has always tried to give his best to his fatherland in handling very challenging assignments.

Our journalists should not be fooled by orchestrated hullabaloo often raised against electoral officers, especially RECs, by our politicians most of whom are very bad losers. In fact, giving the nature of our politicians, no electoral officer can be a hero of all no matter how hard he tries to do his work impartially and honestly.

As for your concern that a man like Ada who was once a member of a political party could be biased, especially in favour of the ruling PDP, let me say here that after his stint in the CRS House of Assembly in 2003, Ada left partisan politics altogether and went back to his first calling as a medical practitioner until he was appointed a Resident Electoral Commissioner in 2006. It is an important statement about the integrity and impartiality of Ada that those who recruited him did so only after he was screened and scrupulously scrutinised and found suitable to be appointed a Resident Electoral Commissioner.

Let me also point out here that there is nothing in the rule books that say that a man who was a politician and who left partisan politics to do something else cannot, years later, be appointed an electoral umpire if he is found suitable to do so. The 1999 Constitution (as amended) stipulates that a REC nominee ‘’shall not be a member of a political party’’. It did not say he shall not be a member or former member of a political party. Given this constitutional provision and Ada’s personal attributes, the man is eminently qualified to serve, and he has (to his credit) very satisfactorily, served as an electoral officer in Edo, Taraba, Benue, Bayelsa and most recently, Delta, states.

The Nation is a respected national newspaper. It should therefore be very careful lest it allows itself to become an unwitting tool in the hands of our desperate and unscrupulous politicians. It is very clear that Ada is a victim of vengeance-seeking politicians who want to blame their bad politicking which led to their failure on

eficial to the youth and the society than a report about the dwindling culture of scholarship on the nation’s campuses and outside them? How is such news more beneficial to the public than the lack of functional local government authorities at the grassroots and the deplorable state of vocational and public primary schools across the country?

It should be the media’s job not to give one paragraph of a newspaper story to the idiocy and eccentricities of Nigeria’s middling rich trash and their spoilt kids. It is apparent that a passion for celebrity gossip has become the next illogical evolutionary step of journalism and readership in the country.

Basically, it is in the media’s best financial interest to pervert its principal role as “Status-Conferrer” according to the public’s yearnings.

This bespeaks a deeper perversion of the journalism ethic particularly, its “Agenda-Setter” function.

But the fault is hardly the media’s alone. Now that it has been confirmed that the Nigerian press is fundamentally a trash can cum sounding board for the psychosis and perversions of celebrity trash and their families, the public’s role in their perpetuation of such depravity is undeniable.

Given the public’s fascination with celebrity trash and their world, everyone remains complicit in the societal perversion. In essence, the Nigerian society is being ruled by base desires and voyeuristic inclinations for accounts of celebrities’ lives. This has led us to the point where we are not getting the journalism we need but rather the journalism we deserve.

• To be continued…

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an innocent electoral umpire. Your paper and its editorial writers certainly have a right to volunteer opinion on anyone you consider suitable or unsuitable for certain public office but the reasons you based your call on President Jonathan to be circumspect in re-appointing Gabriel Ada are faulty and unsustainable.

I would like to humbly urge President Jonathan and INEC Chairman Attahiru Jega to remain firm in defending the re-nomination of Ada who has been tried, tested and confirmed as a competent, impartial and courageous electoral officer who stands for what is right and fair. They should back Ada all the way until he is confirmed by the Senate. Nigerians must be made to realise that we are not going to get angels from heaven to come and administer our elections. We must necessarily have to rely on some of our people who may not be saints but who have proven that they are a shade better than others in terms of their sense of fairness, justice and equity. Honourable Gabriel Ogbudu Ada is one of such Nigerians. His career as an electoral officer should not be casually terminated to appease some misguided politicians who feel they must have their way at all costs even when the people are not with them or when they fail do what is right in order to win their election.

Utum Eteng, a lawyer, lives at No71B IBB Way, Calabar, CRS.

‘that there is nothing in the rule books that say that a man who was a politician and who left partisan politics to do something else cannot, years later, be appointed an electoral umpire if he is found suitable to do so’

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

22

EDITORIAL/OPINION

live on failed leadership expectations.

Perhaps, it would not be immodest to point out that the president, several months after fully assuming power, still could not show definite direction of his vision and mission for the Nigerian state. Just of late, he reportedly told his newly appointed Ministers to bring their four year action plan for him. If indeed Mr Jonathan has plans of his own, he would not be requesting for fresh ones from Ministers that are mostly out to milk the system. The president would just have presented his marshal plan on all sectors for them to implement. Yet, he has economic management team and even an implementation panel in place. These are all pointers to his confused state of mind on the direction to follow on state matters.

Sadly, insecurity has been a persistent feature of some areas in this country. With the advent of democratic rule over twelve years ago, Jos, capital of Plateau state has always witnessed intense violence. But in recent time under Mr Jonathan, the progression of such violence is very high. It is as if absolute state of anarchy has descended on that town. Not only is the nation battling the Jos confusion, the spate of violent occurrences have spread from Maiduguri, Borno state to Bauchi, Yobe, Abuja, Nassarawa and other northern states. Strategic places like the Nigeria Police Headquarters and the United Nations House in Abuja had been bombed and no serious effort had been taken to checkmate the Boko Haram, a group

of Islamic miscreant that claimed responsibility for the destructions of lives and property in Abuja and the north in general.

Nigerians are still waiting on the president to assure them that truly a government is in place in the country. He should not use rhetoric and clamour for unnecessary single term for governors and president to distract Nigerians but rather he should swing into concrete action by ensuring that all those that are involved in the bombings and other violent eruptions in all parts of the country are brought to book.

From the nature of northern leadership structure, emirs play very crucial roles in the stability of their domains. Thus, it would be nearly impossible for them not to be able to put any negative eruptions at bay if they truly want to. So, the president without being rude to traditional institution should summon all emirs and let them know that they will be held responsible for religious killings and disturbances that might happen in their domain. When such presidential order is given and if done with all seriousness, there is no doubt that the activities of Islamic sects like Boko Haram will diminish.

The security system in the country needs complete overhaul and re-orientation because it has proved tobe incapable of rising to security sensitive situations without prodding.

The numerous reactive rather than proactive approaches of security agencies to bombings in the country confirmed this reality.

Let the president know that it is impossible like l wrote last week for investors to come into the country if the current wave of insecurity persists. This wave of insecurity in the country is quite detrimental to any meaningful development. There is no doubt that nothing can progress except the president proves doubting Thomas’ wrong by coming out of his drab shell to find solutions to the myriads of problems facing the nation. The president must earnestly realise that he is no longer a deputy governor or vice-president.

He is the leader of the country and the buck stops on his table. So far, Jonathan’s luck is diminishing while the country continues to revel in confusion. This Goodluck is unluckily not rising to the occasion of effectively steering the ship of the Nigerian state and the earlier he does that, the better for him and the nation.

Another note to my sister Ngoo: Collapse of the LG system

way. This evil co-habitation, this viral orgy has gone on for far too long and if we don’t act now, we all will experience a catastrophic orgasm soon.

Things that can be done include engaging the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, initiating stake holders’ dialogues, helping to drive bills for constitutional amendment; and electoral law amendment, benchmarking against other countries’ local government practices and so on. Then stop allocations to local councils that are not legally and constitutionally set up via elections. This can be done in six months to one year.

One thing that is sure now is that we MUST change the status quo. Our local government system is dead. Our rural areas are in atrophy while our cities boom with poverty. This is not sustainable. The Federal Government too must lead by example by radiating for all to see, a bright light of fiscal integrity and strict accountability.

‘Doing nothing is the wrong thing to do if there is something to do that is clearly the right thing to do. But doing something that is not sensible...is a very bad idea.’

———Robert E. Rubin

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan is no doubt a man of providence. The only remarkable thing about the nation’s Commander-in-Chief is that he holds a doctorate degree in one of the sciences. Apart from this, he is not renown for any other remarkable feat whether as a teacher or as an administrator. In the nation’s public life, everything he became was on a platter of gold.

The impeached governor of Bayelsa state, Dieprieye Alameiseigha in 1999 probably appointed him because he wanted a noiseless deputy then. From his colourless background, providence catapulted him to the post of governor of his state.

Even as governor, Mr Jonathan was not remembered for any outstanding achievement. Despite this, providence still ensured that from nowhere around the then official political permutations, he was hand picked by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, to become the Vice-President of this country. He served under late President Umaru YarÁdua who died barely two years after assumption of power. Effortless, this child of providence called Goodluck became the president without facing the electorate. He sought for fresh mandate in April and got a historic Pan-Nigerian mandate in an election that was widely acknowledged both nationally and internationally to be reasonably free and fair when compared with the nation’s recent poor electoral history. This was to a large extent, a confirmation of the Latin aphorism: ‘Vox populi, vox dei.’ Indeed, the voice of the people is the voice of God! No one can blame God for showering Mr Jonathan with His immeasurable blessings and uncommon favours. The Almighty God favours whoever pleases Him and no human being can query His decision. The Almighty God favoured Obasanjo despite his numerous iniquities to fellow human being by twice giving him the leadership crown of the country. Of course, none of us can challenge the omnipotent and omniscience creator of the

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NEVER thought I would harry you so soon with another of my notes after last week’s but readers’ reactions concerning the state of our third tier of government was rather frightening. We all knew that level of governance in Nigeria was long dead but somehow, the anger out there and urgency the matter required was lost on us all.

The first thought that came to me upon reading some text message responses on my poser about local council budget was, why is President Goodluck Jonathan not tackling this issue instead of worrying about a 6- year single terms? He has just won a term of four years.

He was yet to tell us what he can deliver to us over this period and he contemplates a distant future none of us can foretell its colour.

Well, if your boss does not see the aberration in our local councils as ominous and of urgent national importance, you as the finance minister and chairman of the National Economic Management Team (NEMT) must get him interested in it. You can only run so far using crutches. You can only move Nigeria so far when you give away a whopping one quarter of the nation’s revenues to some three dozen fellows to salt away.

You have just published in national newspapers as you were won’t to do, the revenue allocations to states and local councils for the months of January to July, 2011. The 774 councils in Nigeria got N757 billion. What has happened to this huge sum ? This is the urgent question Nigerians want answers to quickly.

I understand your frustration on this matter. In fact, it is in an attempt to initiate some solution to the problem that your office elected to publish the monthly figures and show the citizens what their state and local council executives receive each month. Indeed, you had in your first coming, literally invited Nigerians to act to protect their common wealth.

But as you must have found out, your ploy has not worked and it won’t. You have to do more before you can get people to rise and act. What happens currently is that governors, (with hardly any exception), enact a vice-like grip over their environment (which is the entire state starting with the state house of assembly).

The local government councils follow with an immediate dissolution, if they were operational in the first place that is. They then install their lackeys – personal assistants, as chairmen and members of caretaker committee. A particular sinister governor once chose to appoint octogenarians and retired headmas-

Mr. Jonathan, lend me your ears

• Jonathan universe.

However, while thanking God for the uncommon blessings showered on the president, it is pertinent to state that he has not acquitted himself well in the discharge of his duty as the leader of this country. Some argued that this is because the president is meek while others postulate that he was only bidding his time. But the truth is that for how long can Nigerians wait before getting glimpses of good governance from this president. The president has shown flashes of his incapability to effectively rule this country without showing to Nigerians flashes of hope of what to expect from him. Nigerians now

EXPRESSO STEVE OSUJI

(SMS O8055001684 email: steve_osuji@yahoo.com

ters and civil servants: arthritis-ravaged people who had difficulty standing on their feet not to talk of looking at the commissioner for local government in the face.

On another occasion of the oft fast-moving musical chairs of our local councils, a governor installed a set of people who couldn’t recognize their names in print. “Where you want me to press”, they would ask and someone would guide their thumb to print away the entire council’s fund.

What we therefore operate is a callous subversion of the 1999 Constitution through the hijack of the local government councils by state governors. This has happened since 1999 with hardly any exception (apart from the councils of the Federal Capital Territory). Today, 27 of the 36 states LGAs are under the control of illegal and unconstitutional care taker committees.

This problem gets more compounded with the fact that it is the states that have the mandate to conduct elections into the local councils and no one wins a sitting governor in Nigeria in his election. They invariably manipulate the election. But in most cases, it has been convenient for governors to ignore elections for even two terms where they can get away with it. They thus disburse the councils’ revenues from their back pockets with no accounts given.

It is uncanny, if not scary that among the entire 36 states of Nigeria, there is no example to cite of a model of proper separation of powers between the states and local councils. There

is no example to be cited of any council that is functional and operational the way it ought to. Any wonder we see governors across the country acting like supermen, pretending to know and do everything. They are at once building all the roads, patching up potholes, clearing drains, packing wastes and erecting primary school blocks.

You see them everywhere - the only cock crowing in their clan, doing the work of every one including that of their commissioners, directors-general and local government chairmen.

Most governors systematically strangulate their state by closing up all the democratic and leadership space. Time was in this country when we knew great commissioners who were allowed to take full responsibility of their ministries to excel or fail. We once knew quality local government chairmen who ran their localities with vision, vigour and accountability.

While we want to see one good example, just one governor who can buck this ugly trend (organise free and fair election, allow councils to operate normally with minimum oversight) we dare say that this is a fundamental problem requiring presidential intervention.

President Jonathan must consider it a problem of national magnitude and then set about correcting it. It is just no longer enough to throw those revenue allocation figures to a hungry hoi polloi. My sister you have to go one step further. Since we are talking transformation now, let’s do old things in a new

LAST MUG: Gov Fashola and Mushin blood-bathing: by the last blood count, about 120 people have been slaughtered in the feud between bloody gangs in Mushin and Fadeyi, both in Lagos Mainland. A matter that had started as a minor fracas in May/June this year has continued to escalate with willful slaughteration and deadly reprisals from both ganglands. Nary a statement has been heard from the Lagos State Government nor the Police Command. Could it be that it is the norm for gangs to operate and gun down opponents at will? If we claim to be building a modern city then things like these are not allowed to linger, fester and become a culture.

‘Most governors systematically strangulate their state by closing up all the democratic and leadership space. Time was in this country when we knew great commissioners who were allowed to take full responsibility of their ministries to excel or fail’

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

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THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

HEALTH

CRIME

PROMISE

Auchi gets eye clinic

Security guard kills friend

Aspirant unveils plans for council

Edo

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FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

Lagos

38

Imo

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Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

Page 25

LATE CHRISTY ESSIEN-IGBOKWE (1960-2011)

•From left: Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Samuel Ikon; Governor Godswill Akpabio; Mrs Oladipo; Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, former Deputy Speaker, House of |Representatives; Ms Onyeka Onwenu and Secretary to the Governor of Awka Ibom State, Mr. Umana O. Umana at a ceremony in honour of the late Mrs Cristy Essien-Igbokwe

Plateau battles cholera, security crisis Red Cross tends to the affected

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ED Cross has stepped up its activities in Plateau State where a cholera outbreak has become a major concern. In June, the disease killed many in six local councils of the state, prompting the government to spring into action. The response of the Jonah Jang administration had immediate impact, restoring hope in the communities.

But last month, a fresh outbreak was reported. This roused up The Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) whose personnel have moved in to halt its spread and bring succour to the affected.

The cholera development has worsened the concerns of the state, which has been battling resurgent sectarian attacks.

In furtherance of its mandate to provide assistance to people affected by health emergencies in the country the NRCS, with the support of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Society (IFRC), came into the state with emergency responses to rescue the victims and secure others that are vulnerable to the cholera attacks.

•Red Cross staff at work in a cholera-hit community in Palteau State From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

Red Cross has distributed water treatment tablets, hand soaps and Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) in six local government areas of the state where cholera cases were reported earlier.

The exercise, which was flagged off at LEA Primary School, Zaramganda in Jos South Local Government Area, was taken to the other five local governments such as Jos North, Barkin Ladi, Mangu, Pankshin and Shendam.

Speaking at the ceremony, the deputy

head of health and care of the Red Cross, Dr, Kemi Aderibigbe told the community members to, “keep themselves away from diseases like cholera, diarrhoea, vomiting and others, if they drink safe water. Where your water is not clean, try and boil the water, filter it and then treat with Water Guard or Aqua tabs provided free by the Red Cross”.

She called on the people to take the cleanliness of their house and environment more seriously now, adding that they should ensure that their surroundings are free of refuse and waste.

In her remarks, the Regional Health Manager of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Dr. Chidimma Aigbe urged the people to keep their environment free of animal and human feaces saying, “People should make use of toilets and latrines and desist from defeacating on farmlands”.

Prior to the distribution of the ORS and water treatment tabs, the Nigerian Red Cross Society had recently trained 101 community volunteers on water and sanitation (WATSAN).

•Continued on Page 26

THE NATION

26

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

Edo to employ more doctors From Osagie Otabor, Benin

•Oshiomhole

E

DO State government has said it will soon employ more doctors and nurses into its civil service. The recruited personnel, it added, will be adequately remunerated, while the Central Hospital will be better funded.

Governor Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole is said to have mandated his deputy, Dr. Pius Odubu, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Simon Imuekemhe and the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Health, Dr. Philip Ugbodaga, to review the proposal on increased funding to the Central Hospital from the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, Edo State branch.

Dr. Imuekemhe who dropped this hint when the association’s state chairman, Dr. Christopher Aigbe led a delegation of the

body on a courtesy call.

“I’m indeed extremely delighted because the medical profession is my primary constituency and every other is an addition,” Imuekemhe said.

“Whenever I am with my own people, I cherish it profoundly, especially your leadership.

“That I have been deeply involved in administrative matter does not mean I am not part of you. I thank you for the adjectives and super-adjectives you have used to qualify me. My drive is to try to eliminate the illusion that doctors are not good managers; I am clearing the road for you all, having succeeded as HoS and in my present capacity.

“The idea that doctors are not politicians is not true. You are all important to my success in this office and to this government as in providing quality health services to the people of the state. After the visit of the governor to the Central Hospital in 2009, he made up his mind to build a state of the art hospital to replace what we have presently.

As the structure is ongoing, try and visit the site to see how can contribute to what is being done because you are the ones to use the facility.

“The process of employing more medical officers is on and I can assure you that in the next round of interviews, the attraction for the job will be there. We will be able to attract more doctors and nurses with a negligible difference with your federal counterparts. We have also received your proposal

on the need to increase funding to Central Hospital; the governor has mandated the deputy, myself and the permanent secretary in the Health Ministry to review it.

“You need to work hard to redeem the image of our profession as far as ethical practice is concerned. Yes, I don’t play with my call, I attend to my duties because I don’t want to be found wanting. We need to take our work very seriously because a situation where you don’t find doctors on duty does not speak well of the profession.

“I want to urge you as consultants to leave up to your billing and be part of the progressives that offer good decisions that will bring progress to the system. Let us be patient on the issue of 20% until we are completely through with the minimum wage issue in the state,” Imuekemhe explained.

Dr. Christopher Aigbe said: “we want to associate ourselves with our beloved and distinguished member on his promotion and appointment as the Secretary to the State

Government.

“We associate with your successes in government and in politics. We have looked up to you in our profession. When you were at the Central Hospital as the Chief Medical Director, you were the first to come to work and last to leave. We were disciplined and fought for the welfare of members, their basic emoluments and that the Central Hospital maintains the funds it generated.

“Dr. Simon Imuekemhe as an administrator was so fantastic that he became the Medical Director, Permanent Secretary, Head of Service (HoS) and today, he is Secretary to the State Government. We will canvass that you graduate to the federal level as a senator after serving the state meritoriously.

“We wholeheartedly support you and are extremely proud of your achievements. We have decided to honour you as a life patron of the Association because you have done a lot for the system and we will always run to you for assistance.”

The process of employing more medical officers is on and I can assure you that in the next round of interviews, the attraction for the job will be there. We will be able to attract more doctors and nurses with a negligible difference with your federal counterparts

Monarch, marketers endorse council chair for second term

T

HE Onitire of Itireland, Oba Lateef Dauda, Iyaoloja of Itire-Ikate, Alhaja Rafat Ajagbe and the council Community Development Committee (CDC) have endorsed the Chairman of Itire-Ikate Local Council Development Area, Hon. Hakeem Bamgbola for a second term in of-

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

fice.

The trio, in a letter to the state chairman of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Otunba Henry Ajomale, said Bamgbola has justified the confidence reposed in him by the party and people of the coun-

cil.

The Oba said the council chief has indeed performed creditably well especially in the areas of education, primary healthcare, good welfare package for the people, road network and peace within Itire –Ikate community.

“I will be very grateful,” the

•Red Cross personnel handing out relief materials to community residents

Plateau battles cholera, security crisis •Continued from page 25

The volunteers have in turn started sensitising various communities in the six affected local government on the prevention of diarrhea and vomiting with emphases on safe water, hand washing, general personal hy-

giene and sanitation of the environments thereby raising the level of awareness in the affected communities.

Acknowledging the efforts of the volunteers, a beneficiary observed that the water and sanitation educational campaign by the community volunteers were very helpful as people now know

what to do to prevent themselves from these killer diseases.

Meanwhile, Ubede Health facility in Jos South LGA has benefited from a consignment of Aqua tabs and ORS from the NRCS to complement their responses to any cholera outbreak in the community.

monarch said, “if you will use your good offices to allow him to come back to finish the good works he started.”

Alhaja Ajagbe described Bamgbola as a worthy son who supported the marketers.

“He has built a modern market for us and the people of Itire–Ikate.

He is a performer and he did excellently well in other areas of road construction, building and construction of classroom blocks and new health centre. In fact, he is worthy of our support and prayer.

By this, we are showing to him that one good turn deserves another,” she said.

CDC in a letter signed by its Secretary, Otunba Dupe Adekoya, described Bamgbola’s first term as successful.

“He performed creditably well.

He has touched the lives of most people in the local council area in all aspects of life especially in education, roads and health.

“We will be very grateful if you can allow him to come back for the second term to complete what he started. That is why the whole community is recommending him for the second term in office,” Otunba Adekoya said.

Their commendation was corroborated by the ACN leaders in Itire-Ikate LCDA who described the council boss as a worthy ambassador.

A letter signed by the party chairman, Mr Musibau Balogun, Bamgbola was hailed for ensuring peaceful working relationship with the party members and councillors.

•Bamgbola “Bamgbola,” Balogun said, “has been a loyal party man with dislike for any form of division or caucus in the party.”

The party leader recalled how the council chief donated motorcycles, sewing and grinding machines, dryers, generating sets and bursary to the citizens of the for poverty alleviation.

“He has continued to assist the indigent and old people financially not to mention the computer and adult literacy programme he initiated. The health centres in the council have received a great boost. His administration’s periodical meetings with the CDA, CDC and residents of the council had marked him out as one who has the needs and yearnings of the people at heart,” Balogun said.

THE NATION

27

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

Queen takes health policy to grassroots

T

HE reigning insurance queen, Miss Ebere Onuora has said she is taking health insurance to the grassroots as part of her Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Onuora who disclosed this in a chat with reporters in Lagos, expressed worry over the high rate of mortality in the country.

She said she is poised to assist the less privileged who are usually unable to access good medications.

She noted that she will donate drugs, treated mosquito nets as well as give health education to individuals at selected health centres across Lagos. She promised to improve on the awareness level of insurance policy among Nigerians, especially those at the grassroots.

She called on Nigerians to embrace insurance which remains the best way to mitigate risk, noting that most individuals suffer avoidable losses due to their poor knowl-

edge on insurance.

She said: “As the current Miss Insurance 2011/2012, I have two major things in mind and that’s to bring an increase in insurance awareness in Nigeria and to use my office in a way that the insurance industry will be able to give back to the society. I will ride on the platform of my pet projects to increase insurance awareness in Nigeria and reduce the rate of child and infant mortality.

“Infant mortality is the death of a child born alive before its first birthday while child mortality is the death of a child aged between 1 and 5. Infant and child mortality is a major menace which has defied many solutions.

“Infant mortality is a component of population changes. It is one of the best indicators of socio-economic development because a nation’s life expectancy at birth is determined by the survival chance of infants and children.”

•From left: Officer, Documentation, Union Assurance Limited, Mr Chike Nwaeze; Former Miss Insurance, Miss Nwakama Branda; Miss Insurance, Miss Ebere Onuora and Deputy General Manager Operations, Union Assurance, Mr Frank Obaduno at the event

School rewards parents

T

HIRTEEN parents have received an unusual but pleasant surprise from the school where their children are studying. The school gave them prizes for paying their wards’ fees promptly.

They got their packages at Fortlad Private Schools, Mushin, Lagos, at the end of term ceremonies.

The day also featured pupils in their colourful traditional attires, displaying enthralling footwork in cultural presentations.

The school proprietress Mrs. Omosule S.F. appreciated the good gesture and cooperation of the parents, emphasising that prompt payment of fees helps the school to plan an excellent academic session.

Speaking with Newsextra, Mrs. Adebimpe Adetilewa, one of the prize winners, said she was receiving such an honour for the first time.

• Pupils of Fortlad dazzle at prize-giving day

By Paul Oluwakoya

“Prizes are usually given to parents in schools but not for prompt payment of fees,” she said. “It is true according to the

proprietress that said parents are the principal beneficiaries of prompt payment of their wards’ school fees. I will like the school to do more in this gesture and other schools should emulate

them.”

At the valedictory and prizegiving ceremony held for the graduating students of the school at the Methodist Church, Palm Avenue, Mushin.

Mrs, Omosule described parents’ responsibilities to educate their children as hard work that needs encouragement. She also advised the graduating students.

“You are to remain good ambassadors of the school, focus on your set goals and never compromise your integrity for any

•Lions, all: From left: Secretary, Ikeja D’Ivy Lions Club, Bola Ibrahim with a club director, Rachael Morgan, treasurer, Temitayo Gidado, President, Adeola Oni, Club’s charter President, Iyabo Jaiyeola, past Zone 2, chairperson, Otunba Felicia Koleoso and the club’s immediated past president, Revd Dr. Adeola Coker at the children of Ola Foundation, Omole, Ikeja, Lagos

reason, as you move on to the next stage of your academic pursuit,” she advised.

While Akuakolam Ikenna, a commercial student, carted home the prize for the best graduating student of the year, Mr. Babatunde Nurudeen saw his award for the best staff as a recognition of hard work and diligence.

The event featured cultural dance, choreography, news casting and Miss Fortland beauty pageant. Miss Akinwunmi Elizabeth representing Ekiti State was crowned Miss Fortland 2011/ 2012.

“I like to be Miss World,” she said.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

28

Council to export pepper

T

•Governor Chime

HE Nsukka Local Government Council of Enugu State has appealed to the state government to establish farm settlements through its Songhai Farm project, to enable the council increase its pepper production The chairman of the council,Mr Tony Ugwu, made the call in Nsukka when Mr Rockefeller Ogboso, the Nigeria Union of Journalists Chairman, Enugu State Council, led other members of the council to pay him a courtesy visit Ugwu said that pepper was being cultivated on the 20-hectare farm

Auchi gets eye clinic

R

ESIDENTS of Auchi in Etsako West Local Council Area of Edo State suffering from various eye ailments would soon heave a sigh of relief as Rotary Club International has established an eye clinic in the town.

Rotary International said the eye clinic was established after it discovered that 70 per cent of patients that turned up for its fourth medical mission in Auchi suffered from eye-related problems.

Three Ophthalmologists and one Anesthesiologist led by Dr Neeraja Rateria from Rotary Club of Calcutta District 3291 will be in the town from September 5 to 15 to administer free eye medical services to the people at the new eye clinic.

Dr. Rateria told newsmen at the Benin

Edo From Osagie Otabor, Benin

Airport that they discovered that there were no facilities for treatment of eye ailments in Auchi and its environs.

She said: “Watching the long queue of patients with eye ailments, one of our volunteer members came up with the idea of setting up an eye hospital in Auchi.

Dr. Rateria disclosed that the state government has appointed one Dr. Jaafar Kadiri as the Chief Ophthgalmologist in charge of the Eye Clinic in Auchi .

She said it was the state government that donated the land and building which the eye clinic is located.

Orji donates 34 transformers

Enugu settlements provided by the state government.

He said that his administration was exploring the export potential of the pepper, which according to him, is of high quality and would meet export standard.

He said that the export of the spice was imperative due to the huge post-harvest losses recorded by the farmers as nearby markets could not absorb the usual surplus harvest.

According to him, the specie of pepper produced in the area is popular in markets in the West African region and some European countries.

Ugwu said that the council would partner with the state government to achieve the goal.

He promised to assist the NUJ to execute its project and stressed the need for balanced reporting by journalists.

Earlier, Ogboso had solicited the council’s assistance toward the completion of the NUJ multi-purpose complex currently under construction.

A

Anambra committed to polio-free programme

A

NAMBRA State Governor Peter Obi has assured that his administration will remain committed to its antipolio programme in order to keep the state free of the disease.

He also stated that his government will continue to lay emphasis on primary

healthcare as one of the conditions of achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by the year 2015.

Obi gave the assurance at the launch of the

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

• Rivers State Deputy Governor Engr Tele Ikuru(right) welcoming the Executive Chairman, Federal Character Commission, Prof. Shuaibu Abdulraheem, at the National retreat in Port Harcourt

Enugu to get two NTA stations

T

HE Federal Government has approved the establishment of two new Broadcasting Stations for the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in Enugu State, to enhance its rural information dissemination services.

The Chairman of the NTA Board of Directors, Hon. Patrick Ogbu who disclosed this during courtesy call on Governor Sullivan Chime at the Government House, Enugu, said that the new stations would be sited at Udi and Nsukka Local Government Areas of the state.

He added that the authority has entered into partnership with Star-Times, a Chinese Communication Firm to give Nigerian viewers access to about 40 additional channels, noting that the project had been launched in about eight states in the country and would soon be extended to Enugu State.

Hon Ogbu told the governor that he was in Enugu State as part of his tour to assess facilities of the authority at the zonal centres •Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (right), chairmanship aspirant on the platform of the in the country with a view to Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) for Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area, Mr Bolaji Ariyoh (middle) repositioning them for effective and the National Legal Adviser of the party, Dr Muiz Banire during the recent Lesser Hajj (Umrah service delivery in the present global economy.

2011) in Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Enugu He said that NTA as the largest network in Africa has no choice than to live up to its responsibility of informing and carrying people along, adding that the upgrading of the facilities of the authority for eventual switch over to full digital broadcasting and the establishment of Community Television in all the senatorial headquarters in the country would enhance coverage of the rural areas where the majority of the electorate resides.

The board chairman reiterated the commitment of NTA to give full coverage to the developmental efforts of the Enugu State Government.

Hon Ogbu enumerated some of the challenges facing NTA Station in the state, which included transportation and power supply and called on the governor to assist the organisation in those directions.

Replying, Governor Sullivan Chime praised the NTA for its effort in publicising government activities and for its good will in attracting two more stations in the state.

The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to State Government, Mr Amechi Okolo, reaffirmed the determination of the state government to continue to partner with NTA in the discharge of its duties.

He added that the issue of power and transportation would be looked into for possible assistance.

Briefly

Anambra

Fed Govt urged to equip security agencies

Quarterly Polio Eradication Sensitisation Campaign by the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and the 2011 World Breastfeeding Week Campaign at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Ihiala.

Speaking further, the state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Amobi Ilika said the state has been polio-free for the past five years because of comprehensive immunisation programme that has continued to receive the support of Governor Obi. He announced a cash reward of N10, 000 for anyone who reports any case of polio or guinea worm in any part of the state.

However, the representative of Rotary Club International, Rotarian Chika Ekwueme commended Obi for promoting effective immunisation in the state and re-focusing the attention of the Governors’ Forum to the need to sustain the fight against polio and other childhood diseases.

At the occasion, the governor presented a cheque of N10m for water project, digging of borehole at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital.

He said he was satisfied with the partnership with voluntary organisations, adding that the Anambra State government will support the hospital as well as some selected church-owned hospitals to make them centres of excellence.

A human rights activist, Mr Emma Udechukwu, has told the Federal Government to equip security agencies in the country urgently in view of the current security challenges in the country.

Udechukwu told reporters in Nsukka that the security outfits were ill-equipped to tackle the upsurge of criminality in the country.

“It is unfortunate that some hoodlums called Boko Haram can hold the whole country to ransom with security men looking helpless. If security men in the country have all it takes to fight crime, the Boko Haram issue could have been a thing of the past.

“The three tiers of government should see the urgent need to provide modern equipment to security agents to enable them flush out criminals in the country as well as restore the image of Nigeria. ’’ He described the recent blast at the UN House in Abuja as a national disgrace and embarrassment before the international community.

“Nigerians may be seen all over the world now as terrorists, because of heinous acts of some criminals.

“The blast in UN Office is an abomination and wicked, since those working at UN office are people who devote their lives to render humanitarian services to people, especially the poor. ’’

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

Akwa Ibom

has accused the state government of not being sensitive to the plight of workers in the state.

ACN chairman, Dr. Amadu Attai, said there is no need for the government to subject the workers to untold hardship before accepting to pay what is due to them.

Attai advised workers in the state to insist on the standard salary structure, saying with the state resources, Akwa Ibom should pay more in terms of salary to its workers.

His words: “We as a party will not sit down and watch this day light robbery executed by the PDP-led government in the state.

“It is either Akpabio pays the standard salary structure or he resigns as the governor of the state.”

When contacted, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour and Productivity, Ime Umoh, said the state government would not join any issue with ACN as a party.

Umoh explained that the government only had agreement with the workers’ unions and not with the ACN.

BIA State Governor Theodore Orji has donated 34 electric transformers and 17 cars to chairmen of traditional rulers’councils in the 17 council areas in the state.

This was part of the commemoration of the 20 years anniversary of state and the 100 days in office of the governor.

Speaking at the ceremony in Umuahia, Orji charged the local government chairmen to cooperate with his government to move the state forward, stressing that no government can function properly without support from the grassroots.

Orji said that the transformers would help open up the rural areas of the state, pointing out that once there is electricity, the youth in those areas would set up small scale industries and move away from violent crimes.

He called on the council chairmen to install the transformers and put them to judicious use as the communities do not have the financial muscle to do it.

The governor explained that each of the 17 council areas in the state is expected to get two transformers, adding that the communities should find a sharing formula that will ensure that there will be no problem while they are being

•Gov. Obi administering vaccine on a baby

Akwa Ibom workers reject govt’s salary structure W

ORKERS in Akwa Ibom State have rejected state government salary structure, saying it is far below their expectations.

The state government and the workers have been at loggerheads over the implementation of the N18, 000 minimum wage in the state.

The state government had recently approved the minimum wage to be paid to workers after the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress embarked on a three-day warning strike in the state.

The state NLC chairman Uyime Usoro told Newsextra that workers are calling for the immediate review of the salary structure.

Usoro explained that the salary structure approved by the Akwa Ibom State government is far below what workers in other states are taking.

He said: “Akwa Ibom State workers have rejected the salary structure table. The salary structure is low compared to what our sisters state are collecting.

“We are calling for immediate review of the table in the interest of the average workers in the state.”

The chairman said the union would do everything humanly possible to make sure the salary structure for workers in the state is reviewed by the state government.

Meanwhile, the Action Congress of Nigeria

37

League of Imams endorses Adepitan

T

HE League of Imams and Ulamas, comprising all the Muslim clerics in Mushin Local Government Area of Lagos State, has endorsed the candidature of Hon. Olatunde Babatunde Adepitan, the Executive Chairman, Mushin Local Government for second term in office, “having performed to the admiration of the Muslim Ulamas.

The Chief Imam of Mushin Central Mosque, Alhaji Opeyemi Olanijo said at the Ajumoni Secondary School play ground during the eidel-fitri celebration that Hon. Adepitan has performed wonderfully in all aspects. The cleric said the chairman distinguished himself in the role he played during the fasting period, providing food and drinks for the Imams and clergy despite the fact that he is a Christian.

According to Imam Adesina, Adepitan has shown himself as a worthy leader of all people , irrespective of religion, tribe or sex.

Speaking further, he said the chairman dedicated the period of the Ramadan fast to pray for the peace of Mushin, Lagos State and Nigeria. “He has the interest of the generality of the residents in mind. In view of this, we are all calling on the leadership of the Action Congress of Nigeria to allow the chairman another opportunity to preside over the affairs of the council so that more roads will be given attention in the council.

“Mushin is fast growing to become a major mega-city because of the number of roads that the chairman has been able to construct or rehabilitate in order to complement the efforts of the state government in the council.”

On the crisis among the warring youths in Mushin, the secretary to the Local Government Hon. Ismail Yahuya appealed

to the youths to keep the peace, especially as witnessed during the Ramadan fast, pointing out the fact that without peace, the community would not witness progress.

Alhaji Gazali Olanijo called on the youth in Mushin to sheathe their swords and allow peace to reign, warning that the hand of the lord will catch-up with the people causing mayhem to peace lovers.

Abia From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

shared.

On the cars, Orji told the traditional rulers’ council that the cars are meant for the chairmen of the traditional rulers councils.

He also said that all disputed lands in the state may be taken over by the government to avoid further problems, adding that efforts are being made to pay compensations for such lands so acquired by government.

The governor urged the communities to share the compensation money amicably without any rancour Orji used the forum to pay glowing tribute to the founding fathers of the state

•Orji such as late Chief Ugoji Eke and others, “because if they have not done what they did, I will not be here as your governor and also all the security agencies in the state for keeping the state safe from criminals”.

Akwa Ibom to establish market for local crafts T HE Akwa Ibom government says it has concluded arrangements to establish a market for the sale of local art works to boost tourism.

The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism,Dr Clement Bassey, announced this in Uyo while briefing journalists on activities lined up for this year’s World Tourism Day celebration.

The commissioner disclosed that the proposed crafts market would be located at Ikot Ekpene Local Government area of the state.

He said that raffia works, ceramics, wood carving and textile designs would be displayed and sold in the proposed market, when functional.

The commissioner said that this year’s World Tourism Day celebration would be observed in the state on September 27, noting that the planning committee had lined up a week of events to coincide with

Akwa Ibom

the 24th anniversary of the creation of Akwa Ibom State “We want to use this opportunity to showcase to the public what the state has to offer in terms of culture.

Kunle Johnson, Calabar “Our From emphasis will be cultural displays from the 31 local government areas of the state and drama to be staged outdoor at the Ibom Plaza,” Bassey said.

The commissioner said that the celebration would be spiced up with tourism components in line with the theme of this year’s celebration which is “Tourism: Linking Culture.”

He said that Governor Godswill Akpabio would declare the celebration open.

‘Hard work best way to success’

B

AYELSA State Governor Timipre Sylva has advocated hard work as the best way to achieve success, just as he urged the Church to pray for the progress of the state.

Governor Sylva, who spoke when he was honoured as the Best Children-Friendly award by the Shepherd’s Corps of Nigeria, a group from the Grace Dynasty Ministry, Opolo in Yenagoa , emphasised the need for youths to imbibe the enduring virtues of discipline and the fear of God. He remarked that such virtues were crucial at the formative years of the youths and lauded the group for taking up the challenge of educating the youths on leadership training and bringing them up in the way of the Lord.

The gesture of the Church was the only way the future of the nation could be guaranteed, added Sylva who was also inducted as the Grand Shepherd General of the Shepherd’s Corps of Nigeria.

He charged the youths of the state, particularly the children of the Shepherd’s Corps, to take advantage of the opportunities available to them so that they would be properly equipped to take

Bayelsa From Isaac Ombe-Yenagoa

over the mantle of leadership from the elders.

While appealing to the Church to pray for the progress of the state, he cautioned Bayelsans against the “pull him down” syndrome, which, according to him, is a factor militating against the growth of the state.

He urged all residents to learn how to rejoice with their fellow men in times of success and prosperity The governor, who donated a bus to support the activities of the Church, also promised to support the group to achieve their set goals of inculcating sound morals in the youth .

He later flagged off a state-wide campaign of the Corps tagged “Catch them young for Christ and transformation”.

The National Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Shepherd’s Corps of Nigeria, Chief Samson Agbaru, had earlier expressed appreciation to Governor Sylva for his untiring support to the Corps.

Church holds programme

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HE annual 33 nights power-packed vigil of The Holy Church of Trinity has begun at 28, Olusanya Close off Bola Owodunni Street, Alapere, Ketu, Lagos State.

The programme began on August 29 and is expected to end in October. It holds between 11:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. each dayand it is tagged: Turn My Reproach to Glory.

Speaking on the programme, the host, Prophet Joseph Matanmi Akinsoji said: “First, it is the revelation from the Holy Spirit that people’s reproach will be turned to glory just as it is in 1st Chron: 4:9-10, adding that it is all about the poor, barren, and the jobless. But through this programme, God will turn their reproach to glory.

Pastor Akinsoji further stated that “everybody has his or her glory but Satan serves as a constant impediment to the realisation of dreams. This is the reason why the Holy Spirit commanded us to hold this programme on yearly basis.”

Contributing, Lady Evangelist Florence David said that reproach can be cancelled in people’s life through fasting, prayer and praise-worship, and therefore urged all to attend the programme with faith.

• From left: The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun (Laroo Oye II) and the Asiwaju Adinni of Yoruba land, Alhaji Tunde Badmus, discussing with the Ataoja at the praying ground during the last Eid- el-Fitri at Okebale, Osogbo, Osun State

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

29

PEOPLE THE NATION

A FIVE-PAGE SECTION ON SOCIETY

A pace setter in many respects, Ambassador Aduke Jaiyeola Alakija, the pioneer president of International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), turned 90 on September 3. Members of the group rolled out the drums to celebrate the nonagerian they fondly call “mummy”, NNEKA NWANERI reports.

At 90, Alakija ages gracefully A

T 90, Ambassador Aduke Jaiyeola Alakija does not look her age. She is still agile and moves sprightly. When she turned 90 on September 3, many women of substance gathered to celebrate with her in Lagos. Most of them came from International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), an association which she brought to the country in 1963.

A woman of many parts, she was the pioneer president of FIDA. Her grey hair gave her away as she stood in the midst of the women to cut her birthday cake.

Dressed in simple (tie and dye) Adire, Ambassador Alakija walked unaided to the admiration of guests.

Some whispered: “So, mama is 90. She does not look her age,” and prayed that they be like her when they get to her age.

Born in March 1921, Mrs Alakija has played many pioneering roles in life. As an accomplished diplomat, she has served as a member of the Nigerian delegation to the United Nations Organisations ( UNO) at various times from 1961-1965, and served as Nigeria's ambassador to Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland from 1984 to1987.

The event, which was chaired by Chief Arthur Mbanefo, was a reunion of sort as those whose paths had crossed Mrs Alakija’s eulogised her. In his speech, Mbanefo said he has a lot to say about the celebrator.

He thanked her for bringing FIDA to the country. He said he was privileged to sit among women. "All the years, it shows a remarkable aspect of the life of Ambassador Alakija that needs to be appreciated. Somewhere down the line, you should feel satisfied that your effort was worthwhile," he said.

To the members of the association, Chief Mbanefo said: "I doff my hat to all members who have over the years given their hearts and resources to the less privileged."

He noted that the young ones are watching what the women are doing, because people observe what people do. "She is much more than a role model. She has set the pace, imbibe the value she has set," he pleaded.

FIDA's country Vice-President, Ezinwa Okorafor, in a welcome address, eulogised Mrs Alakija. Her life, she said, is characterised by many pioneering activities. "Though she was not the first female lawyer in Nigeria, she was the first to think of getting others together to improve themselves and the society. Consistently, she has not only opened the doors, but held them open for others to come in since it was introduced in 1963," she said.

Mrs Okorafor recounted some of her successes, and described her as a unique woman, a mentor who is worthy to emulate.

The celebrator's citation was read after which a toast was given by FIDA Assistant Treasurer, Mrs Joy Ezeigbo, to honour Mrs Alakija. Glasses were raised, clicked and drinks sipped after which she cut her gold birthday cake. The women delivered goodwill messages in which they enlogised Ambassador Alakija.

Then, it was time for the celebrator, who is also a former Director at ExonMobil, to respond. She said all the things said about her made her to feel loved. She told the women: "When the women progress, the nation progresses, so, keep the flag flying."

In attendance were the representative of the governor of Lagos State who is also a director with Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs Abosede Ogundimu; Judge of the High Court of Rivers State and African Court of Human Rights and People's Right, Justice

• Ambassador Alakija cutting her birthday cake, assisted by Chief Mbanefo (left) and a guest Elsie Thompson, among others. tive Secretary, Lagos Chambers and Industry; SecreDignitaries included Chief Arthur Mbanefo; Mrs tary, Association of Commerce, Industry and Mines of Funke Adekoya (SAN), Mrs Priscilla Kuye, Mrs Boma Nigeria; she was the first female social welfare officer Ozobia and Stella Ogboma,among others. in Nigeria; first African female director, Mobil Oil NiMrs Alakija’s pioneering roles included the Execu- geria Ltd., and a director, Mobil Exploration Inc.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

SOCIETY

At 90, Alakija ages gracefully •Continued from Page 29

She was also a director of Allen&Elliot; Director of E Osborn(Ngeria) Ltd.; Director, Unity, Life & Fire Insurance Company Ltd.; and a Life member/trustee of the Nigeria Society for the Blind.

Mrs Alakija is also an Advisor to the International Academy of Trial Lawyers; a Cofounder /Charter President of Soroptimists International; founding member, International Women’s Society; founding member/Trustee, Nigeria Conservation Foundation; founding member/Trustee, First Country Vice President, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria; FIDA representative (1971) and first Nigeria President, FIDA International (1975-1977).

•From left: former Regional President, Mrs Stella Omiyi and past NBA President, Dame Kuye

•Philip Hall and his wife Carolyn

•From Left: Director, FIDA, Mrs Veronica Odunuga and Mrs Olabisi Odumosu

Justice Elsie Thompson

•Mrs Ezinwa Okorafor

The Ekiti State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Wole Olugboji, recently, gave his daughter, Oluwadamilola Adeife, out in marriage in Ibadan, Oyo State Capital, to Abiodun Adediran Adeyemi at a well-attended ceremony. SULAIMAN SALAWUDEEN reports

A fruitful union

S

HE started out as a child with little hope for survival given her medical history which her family said was not encouraging. But years after, Damilola Adeife Olugboji proved everyone wrong. She not only survived beyond the expectations of her parents, Dr and Mrs Wole Olugboji, she got married to the man of her dream at a wellattended ceremony in Ibadan with dignitaries, such as the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, his amiable wife, Erelu Bisi; Fayemi’s deputy, Mrs Funmi Olayinka and other top officials of Ekiti State.

The All Souls’ Church, Bodija, Ibadan, venue of the event was filled to the brim with well wishers. Their presence caused a traffic snarl, especially on the roads leading to Idi-Ape from Bodija, with men of the Nigerian Police and the Nigerian Army, as well as traffic wardens having a hectic time controlling the

gridlock caused by the scores exotic cars that brought guests to the venue.

More cars and guests were noticed at the reception that followed at Ibadan Civic Centre, Idi-Ape. The list of guests included Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon Wale Omirin; Chief of Staff to Governor Fayemi, Chief Yemi Adaramodu and the Deputy Chief of Staff, Alhaji Mojeed Jamiu; Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Hon Funminiyi Afuye; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Kolawole Aina and his wife; Chairman, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Chief Jide Awe; Head of Service, Ekiti State, Mr Bunmi Famosaya; Caretaker Chairman, Ise-Orun Local Government Area, Hon Femi Ajayi; Executive Director, Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State and Women Leader of the State Action Congress of Nigeria, Mrs. Ronke

Okusanya.

Others in attendance were dignitaries from Oyo State Civil Service among whom were Mrs Florence Funmi Owoseni and Mr David Oyewole and others from Osun State Civil Service.

In his sermon, the officiating cleric, Assistant Priest of the Church, Rev Canon Bolodeoku, dwelt well on the necessity of the couple to make the Almighy God as the corner piece of their marriage.

He noted that adherence to God and His injunctions offer best assurances for a lasting and peaceful union.

Canon Bolodeoku cautioned them against selfishness and arrogance in relationships, saying the twin diseases, which have ruined many marital relationships, must be avoided by them.

On the band stand at the lavish reception was Shekinah Glory dishing out nice tunes.

Highpoint of the reception was the cutting of the cake su-

FOMWAN 25TH ANNIVERSARY

• Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Mrs Oluranti Adebule (left) discussing with Amirah Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), Lagos chapter, Alhaja Fatimat Gawat.

•From left: bride’s father, Dr Olugboji, the couple, Erelu Fayemi, Governor Fayemi and the bride's mother, Mrs Olugboji at the wedding reception.

perintended by Mrs. Olayinka, who went down memory lane on how cake cutting at wedding ceremonies came to be.

“I did a little research way back and found out that the first cake was presented at a wedding service in 1876 in Austria,” she said, adding that, “Your marriage actually starts after this reception,” Thereafter, she prayed the

Almighty God to bless their union with the fruits of a marriage.

The bride’s father, Dr Olugboji, described the day as wonderful and fulfilling.

“I am happy, even the elements are supportive as it has not rained today at all despite being a rainy season. I am happy for the couple for fulfilling their dreams. I wish

them well in the union”.

The bride’s mother also commented: “I share my husband’s feelings of joy, of excitement.

It is a joyful thing for one’s first child to get married when one is alive and in the presence of her entire family. All her siblings are here as well. I wish the couple a fruitfully fulfilling conjugal union.”

PREMI SEMINAR

• From left: Zonal Head, Bank of Industry, Lagos, Sonny Ekedayayen; Bishop of Gospel Baptist Church, Archbishop Magnus Atilade and Director-General, Prison Rehabilitation Mission International (PREMI), Bishop Kayode Williams, during investment empowerment seminar organised by PREMI at the Women Development Centre, Pen Cinema, Agege, Lagos.

PHOTO: RAHMAN SANUSI

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THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

SOCIETY

16 years after, a bundle of joy arrives The auditorium of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Ambassador District, Sasha, Lagos had hardly opened than cheerful faces - worshippers and guests of Otunba Femi Davies and his wife, Olori Dupe, a niece of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) spokesman, Mr Femi Babafemi - trooped in to felicitate with the family on the Thanksgiving/Naming of a bouncing baby girl, Alice Ifeoluwa, after 16 years of marriage.

TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO reports.

T

HEIR love journey commenced on October 19, 1991 and four years later, November 23, 1995, Otunba Femi Davies and his pretty sweetheart, Olori Dupe, a niece of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) spokesman, Mr Femi Babafemi, consummated their union.

After the wedding the couple, like others, began expecting the fruit of the womb soonest, but that was not to be.

Days passed as were months and years yet there was no sign of pregnancy. Then, anxiety set in.

As usual, their pastors and the congregation prayed regularly, medical practitioners exhausted their arsenals, all to no avail.

There was pressure on Olori Dupe from some of her husband's relatives to allow him marry another wife saying Ori omo lo n pe omo waye (meaning a child from another woman could be a blessing to her).

But her husband, rejected the idea insisted that marriage is not all about child rearing alone. The rest is now history.

God then went on to fufil His promise in their lives by bestowing a bouncing baby girl named Alice Ifeoluwa to the patient couple on August 21.

When the couple entered the auditorium of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Ambassador District, Sasha, Lagos penultimate Sunday, it was all joy.

Olori Dupe could not hold back tears of joy rolling down his cheeks. Her special praise-song was rendered in an emotional laden voice.

The whole church went into wild jubilation, dancing to the soul-inspiring songs rendered by the church choir.

Dupe looked radiant in purple lace Iro and Buba with headgear while her husband shone in a flowing Agbada, a cap and shoe to match.

The church cleric, Pastor Mathew Olusola continuously charged the congregation with "Praise the living God" while thunderous Halleluiah!!! followed.

Pastor Olusola described the couple as a good example worthy of emulation by the members.

He thanked God for their lives.

“ Throughout the trying period, their faith did not wane. They continued to pray, waiting and hoping for God's blessing. It is a great lesson for all of us that God is still there to do at anytime he wills," he said.

Chief Executive Officer, Strategic Alliance Insurance Brokers Limited, Alhaji Oladotun Amoo congratulated the couple.

"I am very delighted to be here. The couple are wonderful, very humble, supportive and kind. I have known Otunba since 1994. He has been a generous man and humane person. He is a person that I will do anything for," Alhaji Amoo said.

He urged those looking for the fruit of the womb to take a cue from the couple and be patient.

"Otunba has the capacity to marry another wife, but he realised that would not Olori’s. him a baby. I laud his perseverance and guarantee. I wish the baby greatness in life and be a source of blessings to the Davies family," he said.

Vice-Chairman, Lagos State University (LASU) Ikorodu Campus, Mr Dipo Arigbede said the delivery called for a big celebration.

He described the couple as loving. “ They put their faith in God and see what the Lord has done in their lives.

It is another testimony for us that God has a plan for everybody," he said.

Olori Dupe's cousin, Francis Aladeyi described the development as a surprise to the extended family.

"Throughout the period, except they told you about their predicament, the union was ever strong. I haven't seen in my life the typ of the love exhibited by this couple,” he said.

Dupe thanked the guests for sharing in their joy.

She singled out her husband for the undiluted love and care shown to her throughout the trying period.

"I have not seen a man like him in my life. He kept encouraging me to believe in God. There has never been a time people reported him for infidelity. I thank him and will continue to love him for the rest of my life because he is such an amazing person," she said.

•From right: Managing Director, Marketing Mix, Akin Adeoye; Mr and Mrs Yemi Akinbode

•From left: Otunba Davies, Olori Dupe and Pastor Olusola

•Alhaji Amao flanked by his wife, Lola and Mr Martins Egbeyemi

•Mr Shola Ojo

•Mr Feix Ojo

•From right: Mr Alade; Mr and Mrs Olajide Akinola

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

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SOCIETY The Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) has held its Fellows and Awards luncheon at the Lagoon Restaurant, Victoria Island Lagos. NNEKA NWANERI reports.

Honoured to drive a change W

ITH excitment written all over their faces, gayly dressed guests made their way into the prestigious Lagoon Restaurant, Ozumba Mbadiwe, Victoria Island, Lagos for this year's Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), awards tagged: Jubilee Awards.

To them, it was an event they must not miss as it served dual purpose - annual awards to deserving members and and, more importantly, the commemoration of the institute's 50th anniversary.

Notwithstanding the event holding on a week day, guests turned out in large numbers, splendidly attractive in their well sewn suits and traditional attires. They came from all corners of the nation.

The restaurant also wore a radiate look. It was embellished in red and blue, the institute’s colour. Outside the centre, dainty cars filled the arena and beyond, so much so that they caused a traffic jam on the road.

With the event kicking off with the reaffirmation of NIM's code of conduct by its 17th President/Chairman of council, Dr Sally Nkem Adukwu-Bolujoko, everyone knew that the luncheon was a must attend for the institute's members. Bolujoko was beside herself with joy as she was dressed in a red flowered skirt and blouse.

In her address of welcome, Bolujoko spoke of the institute's challenges, the achievements of the council and how members have contributed to the nation as policy shapers.

Urging guests to relax and enjoy the occasion, she thanked the members of the institute's council for their tireless work, and congratulated new fellows for joining what she tagged 'the Alpha League of Fellows in Nigeria'.

"Today, we are releasing the eagles, men and women of integrity and character, changing the face of the planet by your purpose today and conferring on you the highest award of the institute. If Nigeria thrives, NIM has the glory. If it fails, NIM has to answer," she said.

The guest speaker, a Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Mrs Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru, who

spoke on Driving Change in an Ailing Organisation, said in driving change, we must start off with the right attitude and intentions. "Driving change is not easy. It is, undoubtedly, fulfilling when one looks back at what has been achieved, but it is never a bed of roses. It involves hard choices for one's self as well as for others. Sincerity is the key, not just for the leader that is driving change, also for the team you lead is required to support you to drive the change you seek. The beginning of failure is when one loses focus," she said.

"We must stay true to the vision in good and bad times and. It is the vision that sees you through when things go wrong, and gives you the strength to go on. It is the vision that keeps you sane and focused when all things seem awry."

Omoigui-Okauru gave a formula for the topic, which she said would be getting the prerequisites right, and then ensuring successful succession planning.

As each of them stepped out Dr Bolujoko would say: "We are by virtue of this award saying you can consult as managers, and tell others what they need to be great." To others, she would say, "This is a very vibrant team. And by this award, we are saying you know what it takes to manage a nation and a home." One hundred and ten members were upgraded to the fellowship category of the institute, while 19 personalities were made Jubilee Life members of the institute and four people were awarded Jubi-

•Akinbayo Ademiti

• From right: Mr Otiti, Chief Ola Vincent receiving a life fellow Award from President/Chairman of Council, NIM, Dr AdukwuBolujoko

•From left: Immediate past President NIM Kaduna, Aminu Yabo; Director, College of Business Management Studies, Kaduna Polytechnic, Dr Aliyu Mamman; Col. John Uba (rtd) and CEO, Two-ESS Engineering Ltd., Kaduna Mr Stephen Owonaiye.

lee awards of the institute.

Photo journalists a were not left out as they scrabbled for spots to get good shots.

One of the recipients of the award who responded on behalf of others said the awardees are agents of change which has already started. He also thanked NIM for the honour, and promised that they will drive the change.

There were musical interludes and the awardees danced with their families and well-wishers.

• Dr Michael Olawale-Cole (left) and the National Treasurer NIM, Dr Betty Oni

•Mr Chibuzor Ugwoha MD/CEO, NDDC (right), with Mrs Omiogu-Okauru PHOTOS: RAHMAN SANUSI

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

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SOCIETY It was celebration for members of the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), on Thursday, September 1, during its General Assembly/Awards at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos with medical doctors, engineers, architects, lawyers and other professionals, making the guests list. OSAS ROBERT reports

Awards for Excellence

T

HERE was no mistaking the dignified crowd. They were professionals from different endeavours; medicine, engineering, architecture, law and others. Their appearance, comportment and mannerism spoke well of them. It was at the 27th Annual General Assembly and Awards for professional bodies’associations of Nigeria at the Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja, Lagos on Thursday, September 1.

They, in fact, showed a unique feature. They were men and women of style.

Gorgeous suits worn by men made them look exceptionally handsome, while the women refused to be pushed aside; they glittered all through beaming smiles that made them ravishing.

The hall, venue of the event, was not an exception. Looking immaculate with green and white droppings, it made everyone to feel at home. And the chairs and table overlays, immaculately white. Each table had a flower vase with scented flowers. There were also tags on them indicating names of different professionals and where they were to sit. The atmosphere was very warm as guests exchanged greet-

ings and chatted with one another as they moved round the hall seeking out tables allocated to their associations while light music boomed at the background.

Present at the event were the association chairman, Mr. Olusegun Ajanlekoko; the guest speaker, Prof Pat Utomi; special guest of honour, Mr Bala Ka’oje; Deputy Vice-President APBN, Tunji Bolun, an Architect, Mrs Margaret Oguntala, among others.

The Masters of Ceremonies Mr Femi Oyediran of the Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria (IPAN) and Mr Allwell Achumba of the Nigerian Computer Society (NCS), led the audience in singing the national anthem while everyone rose respectfully for prayers, which was led by Dr Kunle Olarejito.

Ajanlekoko, in his address, said: “The AGA/Award ceremony is a period that tells how far the body has gone and a period when they give awards for professional excellence.”

Stressing the importance of APBN, he said: “The issue of professional excellence is to bring to the fore the core values of APBN which I’m pleased to share with you and they are: excellence and integrity, accountability, transparency, probity, value

From left: President APBN, Mr Segun Ajanlekoko presenting an award of excellence to Mr and Mrs Hakeem Oguniran adding service delivery, friend and fellow professor plored all to be willing diligence and best-prac- in the University of Port- allies in dealing with Harcourt, he said: “The the country’s challenges tices”.

He also congratulated only investment opportu- in a professional manpresidents of nine member nity in Nigeria is politics ner.

Ajanlekoko, who prebodies who joined the as- while the real sectors in sented Utomi a plaque sociation during the 26 th this country are dying.” annual general assembly.

He added: “With the for his scholarly speech, The guest speaker, Prof lapses in this country, pro- said: “We are fortunate Utomi, who spoke on Pro- fessionals should be to have Prof Utomi who fessionals in the service of the ashamed” On the current is gradually becoming a nation: purposeful leader- state of insecurity in the member of the body. ship, held the guests spell- country attended by conDeacon Gamaliel bound. According to him, sistent bombings by the Onosode, Chairman, “prolonged ignoring of Boko Haram group, he said APBN Board of the economy sector in Ni- an Australian writer had Awardees, said the geria breeds unemployed predicted that “A city in APBN awards were graduates.”

Nigeria called Jos is where given in four categories.

He said jocularly that West African anarchy will Mr Hakeem Ogunniran while conversing with a start.” He, however, im- of the Institute of Char-

Prof Utomi PHOTOS: BADE DARAMOLA

tered Secretaries and Administration of Nigeria (ICSAN) was honoured.

The late Dr Obi Odeye of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) was given a posthumous award for Environment, Engineering/Construction. Dr Gabriel Obi of Nigerian Computer Society (NCS) was given an award for Management and Communication while Prof. Dennis Agbonlahor of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN)received an award for excellence under Health and Medical matters category.

WEDDING OF OLUKAYODE OMOLOLU AND EBUNOLUWA IFEMADE IN LAGOS

•From left: Groom's brother, Mr Abayomi Akinwale; bride’s mum, Mrs Morohunfayo Ifemade; the couple, Oluwakayode Omololu and Ebunoluwa Ifemade; bride’s dad, Hon Samuel Ifemade and groom's mother, Mrs Titilayo Akinwale

•From left: Wife of Lagos State Governor, Dame Abimbola Fashola; Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ade Ipaye; Head of Service, Prince Adesegun Ogunlewe and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs and Culture Mrs Doyin Olusoga

•Ex-Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Princess Sarah Sosan

•Lagos State Deputy Governor, Hon Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire PHOTOS: GABRIEL KUTELU

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

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AGRO-BUSINESS

Boost for food security as farmers get N600m loans T HE Farmers Development Union (FADU) has disbursed N600 million to farmers to boost national food security.

The funding, which is part of FADU’s national programme on small and medium scale farming and agro-allied processing, is for farmers in the Southwest, Northwest and Northeast.

The Programme Co-ordinator, Mr Victor Olowe, told The Nation that the disbursement of the money is ongoing, adding that the association wants to extend its support to farmers to boost the total national production.

According to Olowe, all lending

Stories by Daniel Essiet, Agric Correspondent

is done through groups. He said N1 million was given to each FADU community association. The group guarantees the loan repayment. The groups have a choice, based on their needs and rates.

He said rural markets have potential, while the famers need support to buy seeds and fertiliser to expand farms and alleviate rural poverty.

He said increasing access to credit

for farmers is a way of helping people break out of the cycle of poverty.

By providing these individuals, who are denied by banks and commercial loan agencies, with small loans and/or access to cash,Olowe said his organisation has provided them with the means to start a business, invest in more and better food resources, pay for school fees and afford health care.

FADU has been involved in Small-

Enterprise Development and micro-loans since 1999.

Meanwhile, a microfinance fund has been launched that will benefit farmers in Nigeria and other part of Africa.

Fonds Européen de Financement Solidaire pour l’Afrique (FEFISOL) is the Africa’s first specialist rural microfinance fund supporting fair trade and organic small business.

It will fund microfinance institutions and producer organisations across the continent.

Among the investors, the European Investment Bank (EIB), will provide five million euro for FEFISOL to help develop microfinance operations and small holder organisations in rural areas across Africa. It will also improve access to fair trade and organic export markets. The support of private and public investors is crucial in the success of the fund.

In addition, technical assistance will also be provided to help microfinance institutions develop new products, improve business planning and develop legal and human resources capabilities. EIB

• Olowe

also supports other initiatives in the world for boosting access to finance for small businesses using microfinance tool.

The Norwegian Microfinance Initiative (NMI) will also make a 1.8 million euro ($2.59 million) investment in the fund with unspecified amounts from Crédit Coopératif, Societa Europea Finanza Etica ed Alternativa (SEFEA), Développement International Desjardins (DID) and Fondation Caritas France.

Agric trainees seek to revitalise Ebonyi hatchery firm

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• From left: IITA Deputy Director-General (Research), Paula Bramel, discussing with a scientist Ranjana Bhattachajee at an event in Ibadan.

Agric offers recipe for economic challenges A

GRICULTURE is one of Nigeria’s most powerful tools in creating more employment, better public health, and greater economic growth, DirectorGeneral of the Ibadan-based International Institute of Tropical Agriculture IITA, Dr Peter Hartmann has said.

In a paper entitled: Forging an economic transformation: the role of agricultural research and productivity which he presented at the monthly lecture series of the National Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER) in Ibadan, Hartmann said the transformation of agriculture would stimulate small and medium-sized industries that are the engine of economic growth.

The need to focus on agriculture stems from the fact that the sector accounts for 70 per cent of the people in the rural areas, the growing demand for food and, more importantly, the about 44 per cent contribution of agriculture to Gross Domestic Product GDP, he said.

Hartmann said achieving economic transformation would re-

quire more investments in agricultural research and development and the development of infrastructure.

He also said Nigeria needs to build its defense against biological threats to crops just as is being done for the military.

He lamented that agriculture in Nigeria in recent decades has been a neglected sector, adding that gains have been constrained by weak institutions and inadequate infrastructure.

“These constraints are well known. Less known are the limited application of technologies, the low skill base in the sector, and its aging population. The young are fleeing rural areas and the production side of the sector. Similarly, financial institutions view the agricultural sector as risky and so it receives a very small portion of commercial credit,” he said.

According to him, getting the young interested in agriculture and developing a supportive financial system to facilitate the access of

farmers, traders, and processors to credit could go a long way in addressing several national needs.

He described the agricultural setting in Nigeria as ‘dynamic’, explaining that the problems/challenges facing agriculture could be turned to profits.

For instance, the postharvest losses in Nigeria could be turned around with more processing of what farmers harvest, he said.

In addition, the director-general called on Nigeria to depend less on development partners, to move from comparative agricultural to competitive production.

The Director-General of NISER, Prof. Olufemi Taiwo, said the lecture was timely, considering the government’s efforts in repositioning agriculture as a prime mover for Nigeria’s growth and development.

Taiwo, who was represented by Prof Femi Olokesusi, said the transformation of agriculture would bring many benefits to the country. Such could include the reduction in the level of unemployment and conservation of foreign exchange, among others.

Kogi fertiliser plant for inauguration

W

ORK on the Neem-based organic fertiliser plant es tablished by the Kogi State Government has been completed and ready for inauguration.

The Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Dr Abdulkarim Abubakar, stated this in AgbejiAnyingba, Dekina Local Government Area, during an inspection of the plant site.

He said the plant had undergone

a test-run within the last three months after its completion.

He said the construction of a road network within the plant site was the only constraint to the opening.

Abubakar explained that when fully operational, the plant would produce 15,000 tonnes of organic fertiliser yearly.

He expressed the hope that fertiliser produced from the plant

would assist farmers to boost food production, generate employment and diversify the industrial base of the state.

The commissioner expressed satisfaction with the level and quality of work on the landscaping of the premises and road network around the plant.

He said the plant had the capacity to produce 8,000 tonnes of fertiliser annually.

OME Ebonyi State indigenes sponsored by the government to the Songhai Farms, Benin Republic, have indicated interest in managing the state-owned Hatchery Firm, Abakaliki.

The government gave the trainees N2.7 million each on return to the country this year, to establish individual agricultural ventures.

The Leader of the group, Mr Peter Chukwudi, said in Abakaliki, that they were concerned about the deplorable condition of the firm.

“We are appealing to the government to allow us manage the firm especially the processing section, as the level of training we underwent at the Songhai farms affords us the competence to run it.

“We feel it is disheartening for such a viable firm to become redundant, in spite of the huge funds invested into it by the state government,” he said.

Chukwudi expressed confidence that they would be able to turn around the fortunes of the firm, if they were allowed to manage it.

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner for Sports and Youths Development, Mr Samuel Mgbada, while inspecting some farm settlements in Ebonyi North Senatorial Zone, commended the youths for the initiative.

Mgbada stressed the need for

youths to be given the opportunity to exhibit their competence in managing some establishments in the state.

“The role of youths in the enhancement of the state’s economy cannot be over emphasised. I am assuring the Songhai trainees that their request would be presented to the state government,” he said.

Mgbada commended the government for giving the youth the opportunity to acquire skills that would make them self-reliant and productive.

“In addition to enhancing the economic well-being of the state, it would help in the reduction of crime such as armed robbery, cultism and kidnapping, among others.

“We intend to correct the overdependence of the youth on their parents and government and make them to fully imbibe the tenets of self-reliance,” he said.

Some establishments inspected by the commissioner included Ededeigwe Farms Ltd, Ibiam and Sons Farms, Bridge Farms Ltd, and Chuks Centre Farms, owned by Chukwudi.

The state hatchery firm which used to be a viable source of revenue for the government had been constrained by several problems such as inadequate manpower and facilities and poor funding, among others.

Tomato farmers in Borno ask for road

T

OMATO farmers in Hawul Local Government Area of Borno State have appealed to the state government to provide them an access road to evacuate their produce to the market.

The spokesman for the farmers, AlhajiAdamu Ali, made the appeal at Sabon-Kasuwa village market in Hawul.

He said farmers produced large quantities of tomatoes daily but that most of the harvest was wasted because of difficulties in transporting the produce to the city.

“The farmers produce large quantities of tomatoes daily, especially during the rainy season.

“An average farmer produces a minimum of 10 baskets daily, while the community produces hundreds of baskets, but most of these get wasted for lack of transportation and storage facilities,” he said.

Ali said a minimum of 200 baskets of tomatoes were taken to Sabon-Kasuwa market daily.

“The problem is that only about half of the produce is sold, the rest get wasted for the lack of storage facilities.

“Few buyers come from neighbouring towns, such as Gombe, Damaturu and even Maiduguri, but the poor conditions of the roads discourage them from coming regularly,’’ he said.

Ali said transport owners attributed the hike in the cost of transporting the produce to other areas to the poor condition of the road.

He urged the government to provide storage facilities for the farmers to check their losses.

“The state government should take advantage of the large quantities of tomatoes produced in the area by establishing a tomato cottage industry,’’ Ali said.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

35

AGRO-BUSINESS

German agency to assist Nigerian cocoa farmers access world market

T

HE German International Cooperation (GIZ) will assist local cocoa producers in Nigeria to cultivate 4.8 million metric tonnes by 2015.

GIZ Technical Advisor, Sustainable Cocoa Business, Ayo Akinola, said the inability of the farmers to produce enough cocoa to cater to the increasing cocoa requirements is creating an imbalance in the global supply and demand.

According to him, West and Central Africa account for nearly 70 per cent of global cocoa supply that is produced by about two million small scale farmers.

The farmers, who depend

Stories by Daniel Essiet, Agric Correspondent

on cocoa as their main source of income, he explained, are severely limited on account of buyer-led prices, fragmented co-operative structures, and lack of access to input, technical knowledge and financial services.

He said efforts have to be made to boost the production of the cash crop and uplift the status of the nation as a leading cocoa produce.

Cocoa, Akinola said, is part of the lives of many Nigerians and improving the livelihood of small farmers, will help the economy.

Positioning the nation, he said, will make a meaningful difference in a sector that impact the livelihood of millions of farmers and their families throughout the country.

He said the Farmer Business School (FBS) seeks to enhance farmer capacity to participate in and benefit from agricultural market chains. It builds on the group-based experiential leaning mode of farmer field school (FFS) while shifting from production to a marketing oriented curricular framework.

He said over 27,000 farmers have graduated from FBS since March 2010. Akinola

said the school focuses on improving production and quality at the farm level, equipping farmers with business skills, promoting diversification of income, and improving access to input and support services.

According to him, improving farmer knowledge and productivity, and the quality of the cocoa production, can help these small farmers boost their yields and incomes so they can improve their lives.

A consultant to GIZ, Dr Julius Ayeni, said farmers seek training that is relevant to their needs is essential to the long-term sustainability of their efforts.

• Men arranging yams at wholesale market in Accra, Ghana

Expert calls for vegetable parks

T

HE vegetable parks in all Nigerian cities will ensure availability of quality produce at reasonable rates, the Programme Manager, Osun State Agricultural Development Programme (OSADP), Mr Rufus Adeniyi, has said.

Adeniyi spoke at the Farmers Business School in Akure, Ondo State capital.

He said this would go a long way in ensuring not only easy availability of high quality vegetables to the people, but also at reasonable prices.

Adeniyi said the great potential for agricultural production has been falling over the years.

He said there has been underinvestment in the rural areas; inadequate access to markets and unfair market conditions; inadequate access

to advanced technologies; weak infrastructure, high production and transport costs.

Adeniyi said the extension service delivery system that was meant to pass on research outputs to farmers has proved inefficient, and most of these institutions have inadequate machinery and capacity to share and disseminate output widely to smallscale farmers and other actors.

The government, he advised, should take time to build human capital and effective extension institutions.

He said the agricultural system needs to be radically overhauled to ensure food production rises to meet increasing demand.

As growth in demand for food has continued to increase, Adeniyi noted that

promoting agricultural growth in rural areas to meet the challenge will be enhanced if farmers have better access to land, water, credit, health and education, essential to alleviate poverty and hunger.

He urged the governments to recognise the vital role of agriculture and rural communities in overall economic growth and sustainable development.

On the programme of Osun State Government, the state ADP boss said the government is investing in agriculture and rural development, which is crucial to improving the people lives and livelihoods.

The programme, he explained, involves the allocation of 1,000 hectares of land in all the local government areas for farmers.

• Adeniyi

The strategy, if well-executed, he said, it build a strong agriculture base that will guarantee food security for the people.

Kwara opens investment for agric

By Daniel Essiet, Agric Correspondent

K

WARA State is promoting its agricultural sector and inviting investors to explore its numerous opportunities. The climate is conducive for the growing of fruits and vegetables. The region has dry and wet seasons with an intervening cold and dry harmattan period, usually experienced from December to January.

The yearly rainfall ranges from 1,000 to 1,500mm. The natural vegetation consists of rain forest and wooded Savannah. The landforms consist of undulating hills, valleys and plains covered by the Niger River and its tributaries. Fruits and vegetables that can be found in the state include mango, orange, pineapple, banana, cashew nuts, tomato, etc.

The main crops are cassava, rice, maize, cow pea, soya beans and rice, while the principal cash crops are: cotton, cocoa, coffee, kolanut, tobacco, benseed and palm produce.

Agricultural institutes located in the state are the Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute, (ARMTI), the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation and Niger River Basin Authority, all located in Ilorin and the Agricultural Research Project of the Obafemi Awolowo University at Balla provides farmers with vital information on modern agricultural techniques.

The state is promoting a two-way agricultural sector: export-oriented agriculture and food crop. The government wants scale up both traditional and non-traditional agricultural export as well as boost productivity in food to meet rising local demand and develop a viable local agro-industry.

The agricultural sector has performed quite well in the past.

With the growing segment of middle-income households providing a significant consumer base for locally processed foods, production capacity has to be improved upon to meet • Governor Ahmed local demand as well as raw materials needed by its agro-based industries.

The government has introduced incentives to promote food processing. The incentives make it attractive for foreign companies to invest in or set up processing plants.

The state took the challenge of partnering with the private sector. The state brought in and rehabilitated some Zimbabwean commercial farmers; provided an enabling environment for other private-sector players in agribusiness; and still has a well-articulated, agro-centered vision, including development plans and strategies for agriculture.

The Kwara State Commercial Agriculture Initiative in Shonga, otherwise known as the Zimbabwean Farmers Project is the flagship agriculture project of the state.

Apart from the obvious economic and social benefits that have been well documented elsewhere, this initiative has, however. become a major employer of labour in the state, especially within the community where it is located. Bee-keeping is another agricultural activity that has been quite popular with a large number of our youths.

The increased demand for natural honey, both nationally and internationally, provides a major inspiration for the youths who are seeking such opportunities.

Through the Youth Employment Office, 400 young men and women enrolled for training in bee-keeping. Each of them was set up with 10 bee-hive boxes.

The results began to emerge in May this year when the first set of natural honey produced by the trainee beekeepers was presented to the public. The honey is currently widely sold in the open market and through the State ministry of commerce.

Investors have the opportunity to invest in the processing of cassava into glucose syrup in Nigeria. A large amount of cassava is being cultivated by large commercial farmers and as well as those operating on a smallscale. The government wants businesses to invest in the production of fruit juice.

The project will include the planning, construction, installation of equipment and operation of the facility.

Investors are also encouraged to involve the local population in the project.

The government is willing to extend a number of incentives to serious investors. These include the provision of land and infrastructure, tax holidays and assistance with obtaining financing.

Investors have Kwara State as an immediate market for their produce but the whole of Nigeria can be seen as potential buyers.

The agriculture sector has many investment opportunities. With vast areas of arable land and enough manpower the conditions are really favourable. One can invest in direct production, processing, transport, the provision of agricultural inputs and even marketing.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

36

LABOUR

Doctors resign en masse in Gombe over poor salary D OCTORS in Gombe State are resigning en masse

ahead of their September 12 deadline to the government to review their salary.

President of the state’s Chapter of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Dr Raymond Dankoli, lamented the mass resignation, saying more doctors are planning to leave.

The doctors, he said, left because of the poor emuneration and dilapidating health facilities.

“Within these 100 days of assumption of office by Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo, about 12 doctors have left the state’s service and many more are planning to leave,” he said.

Dankoli, who also decried the inadequate number of doctors and equipment in government hospitals, expressed fear over the immi-

Stories by Dupe OlaoyeOsinkolu

nent collapse of the health sector, if the government fails to correct the anomaly.

He said, at present, there are not more than 60 doctors in the service, with one doctor attending to about 100 patients.

“Sooner or later, if nothing is done to arrest this situation, some of our hospitals will have no doctors to manage them.

“Most of our hospitals are dominated by doctors who had qualified between the neighbourhood of two to three years. ”There are very few senior doctors in the clinical service areas who supervise and train the younger ones. ”In fact, Gombe State can not

boast of any consultant in whatever discipline in its employment as at today. ”Those who were previously employed did not stay long because of poor remuneration and condition of service,” he said.

The ARD President, said the last administration approved 55 per cent increase in the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and the Consolidated Health Salary Structures (CONHESS) for doctors and other health workers, but that it was poorly implemented.

He noted that doctors were shortchanged in the recent salary increase for medical and health workers in the state.

Giving an analysis of the salaries of doctors and nurses in the state, Dankoli said a doctor on grade level

10 who used to collect N110, 467.01 monthly, now collects N119, 936.40 with an increase of N9, 469.39, but that a nurse on the same grade level who used to collect N48, 398.06 now collects N82, 461.40, reflecting an increase of N34,063.34.

He called on the government to ensure justice to avoid another agitation by doctors.

Dankoli called on the government to address the issues before the September 12, extended deadline which the government and the association had agreed to for the issues to be resolved.

Asked what would happen after the expiration of the deadline, he declined to make any categorical statement on the action that would be taken by the association.

He, however, cautioned that the association “may not guarantee any industrial harmony after the expiration of this extended period. “

ITF training for Nigerians

T

HE Industrial Development Fund (ITF), has trained 10 million Nigerians in technical and vocational skills since its establishment 40 years ago, its Director-General, Prof. Longmas Wapmuk, has said.

Wapmuk spoke in Jos while receiving the Minister of State, Trade and Investment, Chief Samuel Ortom. He said technical and vocational skills were necessary for the transformational agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

“For the transformational efforts and indeed, Vision 20: 2020 to become a reality, greater emphasis has to be placed on technical vocational skills acquisition.

Countries, such as Singapore, Malaysia and Brazil have taken this route to greater heights and the ITF is desirous of herding Nigeria the way of these countries,” he said. To achieve this, the ITF is set to establish 36 new skills training centres, 11 additional area offices, 11 mobile training units and a model ICT Centre, he stated.

The director-general said the organisation has re-tooled and reequipped its existing Skills Centres in Ikeja, Kano and Jos, while the Lokoja Centre would be completed soon.

He said the ITF is collaborating with overseas institutions in Israel, Brazil and the UK, who collaboration with Singapore has led to the establishment of the Model Skills Training Centre, in Abuja.

FCT to employ 750

T

• Lagos State Commissioner for Information Remi Ibirogba (left) Special Adviser on Information, Mr Lateef Raji and General Manager Radio Services, Mrs AinaBadejo at a meeting Lagos.

Bauchi okays implementation of N18,000 minimum wage

T

HE Bauchi State Government has approved the implementation of the N18,000 minimum wage with effect from April.

All categories of workers will benefit from the pay.

The Head of Service, Abdoun Dallagin, made this in Bauchi following an agreement between the government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

Dallagin, who signed on behalf

T

HE National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has given 10 unemployed youths N2 million under the Enterprise Creation Fund of Small Scale Enterprise (SSE) in Cross River state.

The state Co-ordinator of the Directorate, Mr Edem Duke, at the loan disbursement to the beneficiaries in Calabar said they would be given N200,000 each to start their businesses.

“The participants are expected to use this feasibility study report to seek funds from banks and other financial institutions to enable them establish their individual, group or cooperative ventures,’’ Duke said.

He said the beneficiaries had undergone a four-month entrepreneurial training and had been equipped with the necessary skills to establish and manage their own

of the government, said civil servants whose salaries were not up to N18,000 would start enjoying the package from April.

He said workers whose salaries were above N18,000 would begin to enjoy the new package from last month.

Dallagin said the new package would be reflected in the workers’ pay slips from this month.

All arrears would be paid in three instalments, “considering

the lean finances of government”.

He promised that civil servants who participated in the negotiations would not be victimised, and commended labour for the maturity exhibited during the negotiation.

Dallagin urged the civil servants to reciprocate government’s gesture by rededicating themselves to duty, to enhance productivity.

The state NLC Chairman, Malam Hashimu Gital, who signed

on behalf of labour, said the agreement was arrived at after eight sittings that were characterised by heated debates and “exchange of bitter words”.

He commended the government for the gesture, and urged it to implement the agreement in full without any deviation.

He also appealed to workers to reciprocate the gesture by renewing their commitment to duty.

Unemployed youths get N2m loan enterprises successfully.

Duke said the Directorate was building an Agricultural Skill Training Centre at Nde Village in Ikom Local Government Area of the state.

He also said the Directorate had trained 100 unemployed youths under the Rural Agricultural Development Training Scheme in the state.

“It is my fervent hope that these facilities will enable the beneficiaries to become self-employed by engaging in income generating activities.

“The beneficiaries should engage in income generating activities which will lead to additional employment for other unemployed youths thereby reducing unem-

ployment in the country,’’ Duke said.

In his remarks, Secretary to the State Government, Mr Fidelis Ugbo, said the loan would be a turning point in the lives of the beneficiaries.

“This is, indeed, a turning point in their lives and a complete departure from their era of unemployment to employment generation,’’ he said.

Ugbo, who was represented by Director of Administration in the SSG’s office, Mr Joseph Egban, urged the beneficiaries to make maximum use of the funds by starting their businesses to become employers of labour.

He reassured the beneficiaries, and, indeed, every Cross Riverian,

that the Imoke-led administration would continue to provide the needed infrastructure and conducive environment for businesses to thrive in the state.

“This is enshrined in our development agenda and we shall strive at all times to fulfill this promise to our people,’’ he said.

Earlier, Hon Itaya Nyong, Deputy Speaker of the Cross River House of Assembly, said the Assembly would help the Directorate to achieve its objectives.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), one of the beneficiaries, Mr Friday George, said he was very happy and gave thanks to God for the opportunity.

HE Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Bala Mohammed, has approved the recruitment of 750 workers for the Directorate of Road Transport Services (DRTS).

The approval is contained in a statement signed by Muhammad Sule, the Chief Press Secretary to the Minister.

The statement added that the decision was taken after the FCT Executive Council meeting which reviewed the activities of the FCT Transport Secretariat.

According to the statement, the decision is in line with the administration’s resolve to tackle the perennial traffic congestion in Abuja.

“To further show our commitment, the administration has purchased 35 Hilux vans, 10 Peugeot cars and various categories of towing vehicles for the operation of the directorate,” the statement added.

It stated that the administration has also purchased ambulance vehicle for the directorate to improve its rescue operations.

It further said that the vehicle registration procedure of the directorate has also been computerised, in addition to the introduction of e-enforcement strategies aimed at improving traffic management in the city.

NTI trains 2,491 teachers in Kebbi

T

HE National Teachers institute (NTI) has trained 2,491 teachers in Kebbi.

The workshop on new teaching methodologies under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) was meant to build the teachers capacity on the job.

The state NTI Co-ordinator, Alhaji Abdullahi Maiwada, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi, that the programme was organised jointly by the MDGs Office and the NTI. He said that 50 resource persons were deployed to the training centres located in Birnin Kebbi, Argungu, Bunza, Yauri and Zuru, adding that the programme recorded nearly 96 per cent attendance.

THE NATION

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

dering how this could be when I was informed that he died at 12 midnight. I went there to check and when I confirmed what happened, I called my boss and informed him.

I was then taken to Agugu Police Station where I was detained.

“This man was my friend; I never had it in mind to kill in my life.

Oyinbo was usually helpful to me; he used to give me money whenever I was broke so that I could use it to eat. I used to visit him in his house and he also used to visit me too.

“I knew his wife and two children very well. We were just playing; I didn’t even know he sustained an injury from the piece of glass I threw at him. We used to play a lot. This was not the first

time. I didn’t know it would turn this way.”

The suspect, who said he earns N8, 000 a month as a security guard, is currently in detention at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), where detectives from homicide section are carrying out more investigations into the case.

The police Spokesman in Oyo State, Femi Okanlawon, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), while speaking on the issue, confirmed that Sunday Oladele was arrested for murder and would be charged to court at the completion of investigations. He warned the public against acts that could translate to crime as ignorance is no excuse in law.

38

CRIME WATCH

Security guard kills friend

S

UNDAY Oladele and Musibau Olalere were very close friends at Oremeji area of Ibadan, Oyo State until last week when a disaster separated them.

Oladele, a security guard, allegedly killed Olalere over his refusal to acknowledge his greetings.

According to police investigators at the homicide section of the State Criminal Investigation Department where the suspect is being held, last Saturday, Olalere was on his way home when he saw Oladele sitting in an open space with some men in the area taking some local herbs.

It was gathered that Oladele called his friend Olalere to greet him but the later ignored him.

Oladele was said to have stood up from where he was sitting and chased after Olalere in a bid to find out what the problem was, but he refused to answer him.

Sources said that when Oladele got to where Olalere was, he tried to stop him without success.

Oladele was said to have pushed Olalere and a fight ensued between them. It was during the fight that Oladele picked up an empty bottle and smashed it on his friend’s head.

Olalere immediately collapsed while Oladele took to his heels and

By Titilayo Banjoko

escaped from the scene.

It was gathered that the victim managed to get up some minutes later, though bleeding profusely.

He started going to his house which was about half a kilometre away from where he was attacked.

Police sources said that by the time he got home, he had lost so much blood and had become very weak. His lace top was totally soaked with blood but because it was late in the night, people around were helpless as they claimed they could not get a vehicle to take him to a hospital. As a result, he bled to death.

Newsextra learnt that one Alhaji Akamo Gafar reported the case to the Divisional Police Officer at Agugu Division, Musiliu Sogbade; a Superintendent of Police (SP) around 3:00 in the morning the following day.

The DPO subsequently sent the Divisional Crime Officer, Olawole Ayoola, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and other detectives after the suspect.

The team arrested the suspect and he was reported to have confessed to committing the crime. The broken bottle used to commit the

In order to get him off my back, I picked a piece of broken bottle which was lay on the floor, threw it at him and ran away without looking back, just to keep him away from me…To my surprise, around 11:00 p.m., someone came to tell me that the man I was playing with was bleeding profusely

crime was also recovered by the police.

The 46-year-old suspect, who hails from Ibadan in Oyo State, said he never intended to kill his friend, saying “it was a play that turned to a tragedy.”

Oladele, who claimed he was a driver before becoming a security guard said: “I stopped driving because of the frequent crises at the motor parks which made it difficult for me to get any vehicle to drive. I decided to become a night guard and this was what I was doing at Oremeji before I fell into this current trouble.

I never intended to kill my friend whom we all called Oyinbo because he was fair in complexion. He was a cobbler.

“In the night of the incident, Oyinbo met me where we usually sat to relax while taking herbal concoction. The night of the incident, the herbal concoction seller was yet to come. As he came, he had two sachets of gin with him.

He offered me one and was sipping one himself. Suddenly, he started pouring the remnant of his own gin on me.

“I told him to stop but he didn’t listen to me. Instead he told me that since he was older than me, there was nothing I could do.

“Since I took it as a joke, all I did was to remove his hand from my body and got up from my seat.

“However, Oyinbo did not allow me to do this as he pulled me back.

I decided to run away but then, he ran after me.

“In order to get him off my back, I picked a piece of broken bottle which was lay on the floor, threw it at him and ran away without looking back, just to keep him away from me.

“To my surprise, around 11:00 p.m., someone came to tell me that the man I was playing with was bleeding profusely. I was still won-

•Oladele

Police arrest monarch for contempt

By Adepeju Elegbede

•Ringim

O

GUN State Police Command Eleweran has apprehended a traditional ruler in the state for parading himself as an Oba even when a High Court in the state had restrained him from doing so.

The traditional ruler, Muftau

Shofidiya was, on January 20, 2011, ordered by Justice O.O. Olapade in a suit: AB/202/2010 jointly filed by Chief Sikiru Oladunjoye, Abiodun Okuboyejo and Lukemon Oyedele for themselves and on behalf of Omotayo, Gbadamosi and Oyedele the descendants of Sangodina Koole who founded Obada-Oko in Ewekoro Local Government Area of the state restrained from parading himself as Oba. He was arrested by police for violating the court order.

They were challenging Shofidiya who is believed to be a tenant in the community and the Alake of Egbaland Oba Adedotun Gbadebo for wrongful installation of the accused as the king of the ancient town.

According to the injunction by

In contempt of the ruling of the court, Shofidiya has been parading himself as the Oba of Obada-Oko; he has also been causing disaffection and incitement among the people of Obada-Oko by urging them to pay royal homage to him as their Oba

Justice Olapade, second defendant, Oba Gbadebo or through his agents or servants were restrained from installing or performing any installation ceremony for the first defendant/ respondent as the Oba of ObadaOko, pending the determination of the suit. The claimants are to file, within four days in the Registry of Court, an undertaking to pay damages to the respondents should it turn out that the injunction ought not to have been granted by the court.

Newsextra gathered that the arrested Oba failed to comply with the injunction as he was said to have been going about in various Designers’ Obaship regalia as well as attend to cases in that capacity.

Our reporter however gathered that the second defendant, Alake of Egbaland and Olu of Itori Oba Fatai Akamo jointly favoured the installation of Shofidiya because the first claimant, Sikiru Oladunjoye as a Baale (village head) allegedly refused to support former Governor Gbenga Daniel’s Peoples’ Party of Nigeria (PPN) by opting for the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN,) even when he received text message from Oba Akamo to act otherwise.

Newsextra also gathered that Shofidiya went further to inscribe on his Jeep car the title of Olu of Obada-Oko, Ilufemiloye 1 as well as erect a big signboard with his photographs while

holding a staff and horse tail.

This, however aroused the concern of the claimants who, on September 1, 2011 petitioned the state’s Commissioner of Police on the contempt of court.

In the petition filed by the family lawyer, D.A.S. Sokunle, it was alleged that Shofidiya was also causing disaffection in the community.

“In contempt of the ruling of the court, Shofidiya has been parading himself as the Oba of Obada-Oko; he has also been causing disaffection and incitement among the people of ObadaOko by urging them to pay royal homage to him as their Oba,” the petition read.

It further stated: “Sir, it is in the contention of the petitioner that the acts of Shofidiya complained of in this petition amounted to contempt of court and disobedience to constituted authority.

Such acts can also occasion breach of the peace as the people of Obada-Oko will resist the imposition of Shofidiya on them as the Oba of Obada-Oko.” Newsextra further learnt that the police command promptly acted by inviting Shofidiya who also honoured the police invitation by storming the command in the full regalia of an Oba. A senior police source disclosed that though he had been released, “he told us that he didn’t know that the court asked him not to parade himself as an Oba.”

Police, robbers in gun battle

By Jude Isiguzo

P

OLICE detectives attached to Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Lagos, escaped death following a gun battle between them and men of the underworld who engaged them from the ceiling of the house where they went for investigations.

Police sources said the detectives had arrested a member of the dreaded robbery gang Oluekwu Nnamdi who confessed to taking part in several robberies.

During his confession, he mentioned names of some members of his gang and where their hide out is located.

It was gathered that when the suspect led policemen to their hide-out at 13, Oladapo Street Igando, the leader of the gang identified as Henry Azubike, who escaped through the ceiling on sighting policemen, engaged them in a gun battle.

However, when Azubike had exhausted his bullets, the policemen started firing him inside the ceiling. He was said to have jumped down and attempted to escape the second time but was over-powered by the policemen. The suspect was hit by shots from the police and he died. One single barrel shotgun and five live cartridges were recovered from the hide-out.

THE NATION

39

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

T

HE President-General of Amokwe Item Welfare Union (AIWU), Chief Kingsley Ogba Nwokoro has called on farmers in Igbo land to go back to revive the cultivation of cocoa yam and other farm produce which the people of Igbo extraction are known for. He expressed his worry over the situation in which such farm produce are going into extinction, describing it as inimical to the survival of the people.

He said that going back into farming in Igbo land despite the educational background of the people will not only ensure the longevity of the people, but also ensure that

Ndigbo challenged on cocoa yam farming From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

some traditional foods do not go into extinction, as they are very nutritious.

Speaking during the new yam festival of the people of Amokwe Item community in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, Nwokoro said that if such crops are allowed to disappear, the Igbo will feel its negative

impact.

He attributed the longevity of the people from that area to the consumption of natural foods like cocoa yam, eghdu and fluted pumpkin among other farm produce, stressing that they should not be allowed to disappear.

Nwokoro said: “I have noticed that few farmers are into the farming of such farm produce like yam which is said to be the king

•From right: Polycarp Orosevwotu, Treasurer, George Igbi, Vice-Chairman, Festus Ahon, Chairman, Sunday Apah, Secretary, Mathias Ogbagah, Financial Secretary, Kings Kofa, Internal Auditor and Gomo Oyiborhorho, Secretary, Delta State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ), Ugheli Chapel, Delta State, taking their oath of office

Ughelli NUJ executive inaugurated

M

EMBERS of the executive of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ughelli Correspondents’ Chapel Delta State have been inaugurated to man the affairs of the Chapel for the next three years.

Comrade Festus Ahon of the Vanguard was unanimously voted as chairman.

Other members of the executive include; Comrade George Igbi of The Urhobo Times Newspaper, Vice-Chairman; Comrade Sunday Apah (Daily Independent), Secretary; Comrade Polycarp Orosevwotu, (The Nation) Treasurer;

From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Ughelli

Comrade Matthias Ogbagah, Financial Secretary and Comrade Kofa Kings, (The Sun), Internal Auditor.

The Chairman of the chapel, Comrade Festus Ahon in his inaugural speech said the present executive is prepared to move the union to an enviable height to enable the chapel to compete favourably with other sister chapels in Delta State in particular and the country in general.

He promised to introduce welfare packages that will improve the lives of members, adding that it will be one of the paramount objectives of his executive.

He thanked the members for giving him and his team the opportunity to serve a second term.

Inaugurating the executive which was returned unopposed for a second term except the position of the Internal Auditor, the Secretary of the state’s Council of the NUJ, Comrade Gomo Oyiborhorho charged members of the chapel to imbibe the spirit of unity to enable it move to the next level.

of all farm produce. But allowing other important crops or farm produce to go into extinction will not go down well with the Igbo.”

He advised that people should cultivate the idea of opening up farms in their residential areas despite the size of the land in which their farm or garden is situated, saying that it is the only way such farm produce could be retained.

Also speaking, the Assistant Secretary-General of the union, Mr Sunny Ogelle described this year’s new yam celebration as unique; “as an innovation like trophies for the best organised autonomous community was introduced.”

Ogelle said that the celebration witnessed the distribution of relief materials such as soap, salt, rice and other materials to indigent women in the community, stressing that the people of the community were happy over the development.

He then called on the people of Amokwe Item to embrace peace, “as it is the only way to support the administration of Governor Theodore Orji and such support will benefit the people from this part of the state.”

I have noticed that few farmers are into the farming of such farm produce like yam which is said to be the king of all farm produce. But allowing other important crops or farm produce to go into extinction will not go down well with the Igbo

Aspirant unveils plans for council

By Chinaka Okoro

•Chief Ukaegbu

A

CHAIRMANSHIP aspirant for Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, Chief Ikechukwu Ukaegbu has said that his interest in the chairmanship position of the area is borne out of the desire to transform the local government.

He stated this in a chat with Newsextra on Tuesday in Lagos.

Chief Ukaegbu, who lamented the backwardness of the area despite being blessed with human and natural resources, noted that leadership is about having the interest of the people at heart and above personal considerations.

He disclosed that the local government being the third tier of government is a service delivery organ, adding that majority of Nigerians live in rural areas where most of these local governments exist.

The Inyishi Ikeduru-born politician opined that if people at the grassroots are carried along and are properly mobilised, it will engender a situation in which every individual becomes committed to the growth and development of

the area. “A genuinely mobilised society has political consciousness that can generate active participation in governance which keeps lethargy and ignorance at bay,” he said.

On his plans for the people of Ikeduru, Chief Ukaegbu pledged that “once I am properly elected as the executive chairman of Ikeduru Local Government; my primary objective will be to give the people purposeful and peopleoriented leadership. I would try my best to stop the stereotypical status of the area as an unproductive entity by using resources at the local government’s disposal to industrialise the area.

Continuing, he said: “The welfare of the people would be primary in any policy to be enunciated by the local government that I will lead.

Transparency and accountability would be the two cardinal principles upon which the government will be run.

“I will make sure that the overall interest of the people supercedes my personal interests.

Selfishness in governance has been the greatest undoing of the country. Most of our leaders’ personal interests supercede those of the people. I will render selfless service to my people and my slogan is the people first.”

Chief Ukaegbu, who was a one-time Senior Adviser to the Chairman of Ikeduru Local Government, tied the development of the area to the kind of leaders that had been in charge of its affairs.

He disclosed that electoral power resides with the people or the electorate. He quickly added that “if the people are brazenly robbed of their electoral powers; whoever leads them will become a despot as he didn’t derive legitimacy from the people.

“Anybody who got the position of a governor, Senator or local government chairman, for instance, or any elective position without being properly elected by the people, he or she does whatever he or she likes. His or her policies would be anti-people because he or she knows that the power he or she is exercising did not come from the people.

“But if the people gave their mandate to whoever is in power, their views, opinions, hopes and aspirations would be respected and their needs taken proper care of.

“So, the problem of development or otherwise depends, to a large extent, on how the leader emerged, and what he will do for the masses is also a function of how he emerged as their leader.”

To fight all manner of crimes effectively, the people must be given the opportunity to work and earn a living. Therefore, my plans include creating employment opportunities for my people. Through this, criminal activities will be minimised if not eradicated

Noting that no area can attain a considerable level of development without a robust economy, the aspirant told Newsextra that if he is elected as the council chairman, he would deploy his vast connections to bring in foreign investors to invest in the real estate sector of the economy.

He also promised to establish cottage industries to address the issue of unemployment, construct good network of roads, and improve schools’ and hospitals’ infrastructure with a view to achieving high academic and health standards for the people of the area.

Chief Ukaegbu also pledged to build recreation centres where the people would go for physical and mental relaxation, even as he said he would put in place sports arena for physical exercises.

Expressing concern over what he called low ebb of security in the area, the aspirant vowed to fight criminal activities and their perpetrators to a standstill.

“A situation where our illustrious sons and daughters do not visit home again for fear of being either kidnapped or robbed is a worrisome one and would not be the norm if my people give me the mandate to pilot the affairs of the local government.

“One thing is clear. When an individual has no genuine means of livelihood, he becomes a tool in the hands of the devil who would present evil options to him or her. But once the people, especially the youth are empowered through creation of employment opportunities for them, they will not think of engaging themselves in criminal activities which the society abhors.

“To fight all manner of crimes effectively, the people must be given the opportunity to work and earn a living. Therefore, my plans include creating employment opportunities for my people. Through this, criminal activities will be minimised if not eradicated,” Chief Ukaegbu said.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

40

We want to become a leading economic centre of Nigeria where the people live in dignity, powered by a government that is responsive to the people

Edo marks 20th anniversary D IGNITARIES lifted their glasses and sipped good wine. They sliced through well-baked cakes of different sizes and shapes. Indeed, there was a lot to celebrate as Edo State marked its 20th year anniversary.

But its story has not always been one of celebration. Created on August 27, 1991, it has faced sundry challenges. It could not find its footing on good governance except during the administration of Dr. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia and that of Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole.

Its urban crisis was characterised by infrastructural decay, institutional deterioration, environmental degradation, security threats, widespread unemployment, inadequate social services, absence of popular participation in governance, weak public sector, lack of transparency, accountability and corruption.

Added to the long list were inconsistent macro-economic policies, absence of a clearly articulated development agenda, absence of long-term planning and sustained policy implementation, inadequate internally generated revenue, weak financial control system that were prevalent in the years of the locust.

The result was far-reaching: dilapidated infrastructures, no learning aids in the public schools, insufficient teaching staff, woeful environment, pupils’ lack of interest in learning, teachers’ low morale, among others.

The Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Simon Imuekemhe who represented Governor Adams Oshiomhole at the anniversary dinner said the government is determined to take the state away from that unflattering profile.

“We want to become a leading economic centre of Nigeria where the people live in dignity, powered by a government that is responsive to the people,” he said.

“The Adams Oshiomhole-led government has had a massive

T

By John Mayaki

impact on key areas, cut waste in public expenditure, involved people and ensured transparency in governance, reformed the public sector financial management process and procurement, improved service delivery through Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and up-scaling civil service.

“We have also standardised our public schools with a holistic approach at renovating of over 120 public schools, provided learning aids and instructional materials to all schools across the state, implemented teachers posting to adequately staff schools in rural areas, eradication of illegal examination centres popularly called miracle centres, among others.

“We purchased 100 urban mass transit buses to manage the intra-city human traffic, and in line with our intent to be responsive to our people, these buses are all equipped with air-conditioners to create travel comfort for passengers.”

The state is also striving to become the food basket of the Southsouth geo-political zone, blessed as it is with raw materials, extensive arable and fertile soil, natural and mineral resources and a youthful population.

For Imuekemhe, Edo State being the home of culture with tourism potentials, also has the deepest seaport, the Gelegele port, and a large deposit of natural gas. On health, there is the supply of medical equipment to hospitals across the state, provision of health infrastructure (hospitals), provision of diagnostic centres and partnership in the management of publicly owned teaching hospitals.

As Edo marked its 20 years as a state, Imuekemhe mentioned some of the things that stood the Oshiomhole administration out.

The SSG listed them as a sense of

HE FADAMA User Groups (FUGs) in Abia State numbering about 764 have received the sum of N345m and 60 motorcycles under the 3rd National FADAMA Development Project to help in improving food production.

Speaking in Umuahia during the distribution of the 60 motorcycles to FADAMA 111 facilitators, the state’s programme coordinator, Mrs Ezinne Otuka said that the fund was released to help them to do better in food production.

Recall that the project started in the state in 2009 with 70 registered FADAMA Community Associations (FCAs) that cut across the local government areas of Abia State. Since then, the state government has not stopped paying its counterpart fund for the FADAMA programme.

Otuka said: “We decided to buy the motorcycles due to the terrain of our rural communities. We need to know what is happening to our projects at such places and with such terrain, motorcycles are the only means of transport for us to get there.

“The FADAMA projects in the rural communities need to be well monitored to ensure that the objectives for which they are set up are realised.”

She further stated that the distribution of the motorbikes was part of the FADAMA project expectations aimed at easing the mo-

•From right: Secretary to State Government, Dr. Simon Imuekemhe, Chief of Staff to Governor Oshiomhole, Mr. Osarodion Ogie and Head of Service, Mr. Anthony Edokpayi

purpose and restoring hope among the people nchored on democratic values. A shining example of this is the One Man, One Vote campaign driven by the Comrade governor. Imuekemhe also did not forget accountability and efficient utilisation of scarce resources.

The anniversary climaxed with a thanksgiving Mass in Government House Chapel where the Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu spoke on behalf of his boss. He said the task of building the state has been enormous but he thanked the people of the state for their support.

He said, “there will be mudslinging and blackmail because when you are determined to make a change, people will vilify you but by the grace of God, this administration will come for a second term and we will move the state to El-dorado.”

The governor thanked the royal father, Oba of Benin for his con-

tinued support and wise counsel. He also acknowledged the support of the state security chiefs for making Edo the safest in the Southsouth.

Chaplain of the Government House Chapel, Rev Father Andrew Obinyan in his homily said whoever wishes to be a leader must submit first to God, saying this would enable him lead better. He said: ‘my confidence in God is firm; divine providence will overrule. Evil will not last forever. We shall know peace as never before.”

He praised the government of Comrade Oshiomhole for its purposeful leadership and charting a course for the development of the people, whom he urged to support the administration with their prayers.

Present at the ceremony were the Head of Service, Mr. Anthony Edokpayi, Chief of Staff, Mr. Osarodion Ogie, the Iyase of Benin Kingdom and representative of the Oba of Benin, Omo N

Oba N Edo, Oba Erediauwa, Chief Sam Igbe, Chief Nosakhare Itsekhure, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, the President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Otabor Olubor, Brigadier General Obi Umahi, 4th Brigade Commander of the Nigeria Army.

Also on the list were the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Louis Odion, Commissioner for Art and Culture, Miss Anena Jemitola, Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Abdul Oroh, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr. Donald Boih, Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Miss Iziegbe Anita Evbuomwan, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Inumidu Idehen, Permanent Secretaries, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, among others.

•Mayaki is Senior Special Assistant to Edo State Governor on Media

Abia FADAMA groups get N345m From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

bility problems of the facilitators who operate in rural communities.

The project co-ordinator disclosed that 60 out of the 64 facilitators in the state would benefit from the largesse, explaining that the remaining four who operate in urban centres would be empowered with an alternative means of transportation.

Mrs Otuka stated that the state had more than 74 FADAMA Community Associations (FCAs), adding that the sub-projects cited in their various communities had lifted their economic status, as well as help in food production.

Also speaking the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Ike Onyeweaku said that the FADAMA Project Office in the state had done so well by co-coordinating the activities of

We decided to buy the motorcycles due to the terrain of our rural communities. We need to know what is happening to our projects at such places and with such terrain, motorcycles are the only means of transport for us to get there…The FADAMA projects in the rural communities need to be well monitored to ensure that the objectives for which they are set up are realised

all the groups.

Mr Onyeweaku however advised the beneficiaries not to use the motorcycles for commercial purposes, adding that government would closely monitor their usage and those found misusing theirs will be dealt with accordingly.

He also said that the state governor had been sensitive to the plight of rural communities, “and that is why he has consistently paid the counterpart funds to get the programme going so that those involved will not be left behind.

The commissioner said: “We will closely monitor the usage of the motorbikes because they are not for commercial purposes but to aid in food production.”

One of the facilitators, Okoroafor Ukariwe from Owuwa Anyanwu FCA in Ohafia Local Government Area commended the state FADAMA Office, noting that they had longed to receive such encouragement.

He said: “Everybody knows the terrain of the rural communities and these motorcycles will assist us in no small way to get to our project sites, since most of the rural roads are not too good.”

41 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

Vol 3 No. 144

•A branch of FirstBank

FirstBank: when the elephant goes dancing With over a century in the usually unpredictable and slippery financial market, FirstBank of Nigeria Plc has become an iconic brand in Nigeria. Yet, in spite of its long years of existence and experience, the banking brand wishes to remain relevant through constant innovation, up-to-date service model and product offerings. Recently, it launched a new communication campaign entitled, Did You Know? aimed at telling the story of its internal and external rebranding efforts so far. WALE ALABI writes on the importance of this brand communication campaign.

“I

NNOVATION doesn’t necessarily mean the first or biggest, but being the best.” Perhaps the custodians of the FirstBank of Nigeria Plc had these winsome words of the iconic British born entrepreneur, Sir Richard Branson in mind, when 15 years ago, in 1996, they embarked on a transformation project for the old financial warehouse. With over a hundred years history of operation, over five million customers, 11 financial subsidiaries and with presence in the United Kingdom, France, South Africa, and China, FirstBank is, indeed, the pre-eminent financial brand in Nigeria.

To underscore the fact that FirstBank was truly the first indigenous bank, its founding fathers chose the elephant as the brand icon. This was predicated on the fact that, it represents the African spirit of resilience and perseverance, wisdom, and, of course, strength. The bank lived truly to this image until competition became keener on the banking landscape, especially with the emergence of smaller, innovative and newer banking brands with younger, smarter, aggressive and IT-savvy executives in the late 1980s and the early 1990s.

The new competitors did not only turn the heat on FirstBank from the consumers angle, they also did a lot of damage to the brand at the corporate level, as most of its staff saw a greener pasture in the new banks and thus decided to graze there. It was then that it dawned on FirstBank’s custodians that the elephant had gone too far asleep and needed to be woken up.

Without much ado, they initiated a transformation agenda which encompassed both a re-engineering and rebranding campaign. Precisely in 1996, FirstBank commenced a transformation project entitled, Century 11. The objective was to reinvent the brand in tandem with the trends of the market.

This project was re-energised in 2001 with the theme, Century II – The New Frontier. The transformation theme again played out in April 2004, when it flagged off a fundamental brand transformation launch that unveiled a new chapter in the bank’s existence. The project, according to the bank’s management, was aimed at ensuring that FirstBank maintains its leadership position both internally and externally in terms of customer service and product offerings. The 2004 campaign, which was

termed Dependably dynamic had three pillars and these were predicated on four legs: leadership, enterprise, safety and security.

“Through these transformational projects, FirstBank has successfully revolutionised its operations, strengthened its brand equity, enhanced customer satisfaction, and established itself as a dependably dynamic global brand,” says Folake AniMumuney, head, Marketing and Corporate Communications of the bank. According to her, there are refreshing and innovative changes in the bank right from the profile of the people to the efficiency of processes.

Apart from providing 24-hour access to the bank for customers and bridging the gap between customer issues and resolution, the bank is creating a new experience within its banking halls by improving the ambience of its 600 branches and creating a friendlier environment for customers to enjoy hitch-free transactions.

However, despite the fact that FirstBank has overhauled its modus operandi both internally and externally, the consumer’s perception of the brand as a reinvigorated bank is still low.

And this was what necessitated the launch of the new campaign theme aimed at showcasing and projecting the rebranding the bank had undergone in the past decade till now and to communicate these initiatives to consumers. The campaign will

‘Apart from providing 24-hour access to the bank for customers and bridging the gap between customer issues and resolution, the bank is creating a new experience within its banking halls by improving the ambience of its 600 branches and creating a friendlier environment for customers to enjoy hitch-free transactions’

also confirm that the bank is in tune with the changes in trends, consumer lifestyles and behaviour and, ultimately, generate excitement and interest around the brand.

Under the communication strategy, the brand custodian says, “the introduced campaign will shore up believability and acceptability. The campaign will also allow us communicate a lot of things about the bank - the transformation initiatives, products and service offerings, within the framework of a single compelling concept.”

“The campaign is envisioned as a question and answer series, which will educate customers and prospects about changes and development at FirstBank, which they may not have known about.

“It equally introduced story telling on radio to disrupt the otherwise crowded and noisy medium to attract and educate audiences about FirstBank,”says Ani-Mumuney. The campaign will run on the 360 degrees communication platform. With this, Ani-Mumuney says, the FirstBank’s has many reasons to dance. For one, it is not only forward looking, but it has also gone digital. Beyond this, the octogenarian elephant is dancing in celebration of the success of FirstBank of Nigeria Plc as a truly iconic brand on the country’s financial services landscape.

42

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

Amstel Malta set to thrill consumers

E

NUGU is brewing with excitement and anticipation as its indigenes prepare for the second edition of the Amstel Malta Showtime. The event, which will feature superstars, such as P-Square and Naeto C, will be moving to Enugu after setting Owerri ablaze. In addition to the crooners, there will also be performance from ace dance group, Dance Na The Main Thing, while comedy would be supplied by Gandoki.

The auditions for the talent competition, which will hold today and tomorrow at the Dannic Hotel, Enugu, is already the talk of the town as the wannabe superstars prepare to showcase their talents in singing, dancing and comedy competitions before a panel of judges.

Much of the anticipation can be attributed to the first leg of the event, held in Owerri on the August 26, this year. The event was a crowd puller in-spite of the rains which fell on that day. The rains that began as showers slowly intensified into an unrelenting downpour, flooding the streets and bringing Owerri, capital of Imo State to a halt.

After a long wait in vain for the rains to subside, the fun loving people of Imo and neighbouring states trooped to the Aladinma Mall, venue of the event.

Though the show was held up for close to two hours, it was well worth the wait for the audience, mostly made up of students from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Imo State University and Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, all in Owerri, along with their colleagues from other tertiary institutions in neighbouring states. They turned up en mass for the event. They were not disappointed as they were taken through a journey of fun and excitement in the singing, dancing and comedy competitions from wannabe stars.

There were also live performances from top musical acts, not the least from Darey ‘Art’ Alade, the anchor of the night. Darey set the ball rolling with a commendable performance. Aided by two delectable dancers, the audience could not get enough of him as they swayed and danced to the rhythm to his performance.

After Darey, it was the turn of the dance group, Dance Na The Main Thing (DNTMT), who kept the audience on the edge of their seats with their well-choreographed and acrobatic dance routines.

Then, there was also hilarious comedy from ace comic, Buchi, who left the audience reeling with laughter as he dished out jokes after jokes.

Just when it seemed like the tempo was going to drop, on came Flavour to liven things up as he got the audience singing and dancing to his hit songs. So, excited was the audience that some of them found their way to the stage as they gyrated with him.

Then, the grand finale: the performance from The Choc Boiz, made up of the trio of M.I, Jesse Jagz and Ice Prince. Indeed, they showed why they are regarded as one of the hottest musical groups in the country, with their highly entertaining perform-

ance. The crowd could not get enough of them as they sang and danced in ecstasy to the renditions of the Jos-based music stars.

However, it was not only a night for established music stars, as the wannabes also had their chance to showcase their talents in the singing, dancing and comedy competitions. Each category was keenly contested by three contestants and the winners were decided by a voice vote from the members of the audience. At the end of the competitions, Egwere Emmanuel was adjudged the winner in the singing category, while Odi Henry won in the dancing category. Austin Chukwuemeka emerged the winner of the comedy category.

The prizes were mouth-watering indeed. While the second runner–up was given a shopping voucher worth N25,000, the first runner-up got a voucher worth N50,000. The first prize winners in all the categories each got a shopping voucher worth N100,000, a laptop and an all-expense-paid trip for two to Lagos.

The show was brought to a climatic close by a surprise joint performance involving all the musical acts, along with the talent hunt contestants.

Speaking after the event, Mrs. Adedoyin Owotomo, Brand Manager, Amstel Malta, said the idea behind the Amstel Malta Showtime was to consumers of the brand and create a platform for them to display their talents. “We wanted to give back to our teeming customers. That was why we came out with the concept of Amstel Malta Showtime in Owerri. We also recognise that there are talented youths out there in the country who are just looking for that opportunity to display their talents so we decided to give them the opportunity to express themselves,” she said.

Continuing, she stated that the event was conceived in line with Amstel Malta’s theme, Being the Best You Can Be. “Without any measure of doubt I can say we fulfilled the objective because we all witnessed these youngsters coming up here to display their talents and, in time, they will go on to be great ambassadors of this country,” she added.

Owotomo also said Amstel Malta Showtime will be hosted on monthly rolling, in three other cities of the country – Enugu, Abuja and Lagos – before the end of this year.

Also speaking after the event was M.I., who praised the organisers for organising the event. “I think Nigeria Breweries deserves praise for the show. It is not only about entertaining the youths, but also giving them their opportunity to showcase their talents. It is wonderful and I think this initiative should be encouraged,” he said.

He added that the crowd that turned up for the event in spite of the downpour was a sign of the acceptance of Amstel Malta Showtime by the audience. “It’s amazing to think that they would defy this rain to turn up for the event. That shows that they really accept Amstel Malta Showtime,” he said.

‘We wanted to give back to our teeming customers.

That was why we came out with the concept of Amstel Malta Showtime in Owerri. We also recognise that there are talented youths out there in the country who are just looking for that opportunity to display their talents so we decided to give them the opportunity to express themselves’

Road to cashless Lagos (2)

C

ASH caresses your spirit. It is the spring in your trainers. It oils the wheels of your car. It lights your mood and put you in the groove. These are some of the reasons you prefer cash to card. Let’s check some other reasons: Cash gives you instant purchasing power, giving you the ability to shop till you drop, allowing you to determine how the cash is spent, who you give and how much. This process of spending places you in the driver’s seat. Since you are a Cash Madam - your clutch bag is usually stuffed with wad of crisp currency - as such everybody swim around you like ants over a cube of sugar.

Aside the power you have to buy anything, anywhere and at anytime, cash in your bag also confers on you prestige. You are the Cash Madam. It is a matter of cash.

What is the price tag of that imported attire? Name it. Get cash. You would pay instantly, not accepting credit facility. You have your prestige to protect. To accept or request credit facility would tarnish your Cash Madam image, reduce you to a second class citizen, push you down the ladder of high-net-worth pedestal, and you would not consent to that.

To be seen as accepting credit, in the inner sanctum of your understanding, would cast a shadow of doubt over your liquidity power.

That is why you would rather buy it, pay cash and close the transaction pronto. Isn’t that why you are labelled Cash Madam? This alias was demonstrated to the hilt during the stock market boom when you sent one of your cronies to buy share value of over N100 million and you made cash deposit into the company’s account. Had a respected friend not prevailed on you, you were ready to physically bring the cash to the company’s accounts department. To you, cash is king. It is either cash or nothing.

When one of your more enlightened sidekick, who could not stomach your penchant for flaunting your cash power, mooted the idea of trying alternative means of payment, you waved it off. How about paying with a card? Do you mean card, as in, a pack of cards? You queried. No, electronic payment card, or ATM card. “Oh, that plastic? It is for oyinbo like you, not me. Cash gives me confidence. Cash puts me in charge. Cash gives me options in crisis time. Cash gives me the cushion effect, you know”. You said, counted wad of N1000 notes, and used the currency to fan your face.

This is your habit, particularly when you are in the midst of your “own” at your regular owambe party where live band sing your praises to high heavens. Once you are in the mood, you would turn the currency into an emergency hand fan and blow imaginary heat away. Then you would proceed to spray roll and roll of currency, sticking it on the forehead of the praise singer to the delight of admirers and friends, who would deliberately dance within your sphere of coverage, secretly hoping that you would plaster their foreheads with some of your largess. And you usually throw some cash their way.

Some other times, you would fling the currency into the air, adults and children would then scamper after the notes, some injuring themselves in the process. That is why you are called Cash Madam. That is your name; spending cash is your game. This is a typical lifestyle of some Nigerians. These scenarios happen every day and every weekend in our society. Why? Nigeria is a cash-

dependent, cash-loving, and cash-carrying society. Most economic transactions in Nigeria happen through cash. Cash speaks.

The difference between the English language and cash is that one speaks in currency; the other does it in words. Cash opens some doors that would ordinarily remain closed.

English language does not have such influence. That is why you like cash. There is something it does to your touch, isn’t it?

Having N20,000 in your wallet and holding ATM card that contains N100,000 gives you completely different feelings. It is the psychology of money and, yes, Cash Madam understands the feelings carrying cash gives.

That is why she would rather hold cash than embrace alternative payment means such as a bank card. However, now that Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had made new banking policy statement that cash based transactions above N150,000 would soon attract some penalty, what would you do, Cash Madam?

Mind you, the CBN directive is expected to take off in Lagos in five months, precisely December 2011. No, do not panic. The policy is not an isolated one. It is a gradual step towards making Nigeria a cashless society by year 2015. The reason behind this shift in policy is not only to align the economy with the global trend, but a response to the aftermath of the recent global financial meltdown which by statistics was said to have had lesser impact on cashless economies around the world.

There was no ceiling before now on cash transactions. Yet, the average Nigerian businessman/woman prefers cash transaction.

However, for modern economic trends, it is risky to rely on cash transaction business.

Beyond the problems of armed robbery, the holder of cash has too much control over the transaction. This may sometimes be to the detriment of contract intent. But then, in Nigeria, despite the proliferation of banks, you still cannot get credit facility to prosecute legitimate, failsafe business.

Instead of financing your project, the banks would rather finance the aspirations of a newly elected legislator or governor. That is why several Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are not flourishing the way they should. Therefore, how would the new banking policy favour SMEs and the informal sector that are peopled by artisans, pepper sellers, home-makers, boutique and many more?

This is the truth: banks are not really out to finance business enterprises, with the thinking that the attendant risks accompanying these enterprises are high.

Okay, if the banks would not touch the informal sector, when the policy finally gets underway, the informal sector would also distance themselves from the banks. Meanwhile, the large pool of money in circulation is in the hands of the un-banked, meaning the informal sector, in Nigeria. As such, there is still some work to be done. Nigeria would not get to the cashless land within five months or four years.

The road to a cashless society is long and windy, which requires more than policy statement. To succeed, the CBN must embark on mass education. Using Lagos as a sample state is misleading. Lagos is not a true representation of Nigeria. Lagos is a highly sophisticated state.

Yes, it is multi-ethnic. Yes, you cannot change the culture of a cash-carrying and cash-loving generation in a year.

‘Oh, that plastic? It is for oyinbo like you, not me.

Cash gives me confidence. Cash puts me in charge.

Cash gives me options in crisis. Cash gives me the cushion effect, you know’

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

All correspondence to the editor - 0808.247.7806, 0805.618.0040, , e-mail: korede2000@gmail.com © All rights reserved.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

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THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

44

NEWS

‘Govt should not privatise Ajaokuta’ Like many public utilities, the Ajaokuta Steel Mill is facing challenges, prompting the government to contemplate its privatisation. Is privatisation the way out of the firm’s crisis? No, says Chief Solomon Edebiri, President of the Nigeria Institute of Welding (NIW) in this interview with GBENGA OMOKHUNU, in Abuja.

D

O you think government is serious about revitalising Ajaokuta Steel Mills?

From what I know, there has not been any tremendous change from what it used to be. There has not been any serious effort by government to promote change to the steel plant. All we have been hearing are stories about plans of the government and no concerted effort. All I have been hearing is about revitalising the place, but the process of achieving that is what I don’t know. Ajaokuta Steel is still what it is and it is taking too much time to get it back on track.

When will it be operational?

You can’t know because the operating chain, the organisation that rectifies the existing problem and brings it back to focus, is not even in place. The whole problem is with the government. The rolling mills are ready to run within a few months because what the rolling mills need is servicing. They are 100 per cent ready and then we need to import the pellets. I need to find out the status of Delta State if they are still making the pellets and if not, we need to import the pellets. It will take like 90 days to get the pellets into the country; if we get the pellets in and the rolling mills are serviced then the plant will start running.

What about Itakpe Iron Ores? What happened?

Itakpe is a raw material base. We get the iron ores from Itakpe and these are fed into the furnace. The furnace in Ajaokuta Steel Mills is not functional because it is made to be fired by coking coal and we do not have coking coal in Nigeria. The coal we have cannot fire that furnace. We will have

to import the coal. The furnace is not 100 per cent ready. We have to get the furnace ready and if the furnace is ready, we have to ensure we have the source of the coking coal to fire it. It is not an issue whether Itakpe is there or not. For us to use the raw materials, they have to go first of all into the furnace and then come to feed them into the rolling mill.

Can Nigeria achieve its dream of being one of the 20 most advanced economies in the world, without the steel industry?

The team that the government is putting up to drive the Vision 20:2020 is not effective. To be one of the 20 greatest economies, Nigeria must have a vibrant economy and an economy cannot be vibrant without clear-cut industrialisation.

Without you taking some stride in export, you cannot be one of the 20 greatest nations, it is not possible. So, the Vision 20:2020 team must ensure that an industrial base is established and you cannot establish an industrial base without a steel plant. There is no way you can talk about manufacturing without a steel plant.

What is the way forward?

Government should set up a team of professionals to look at industrialising this country; a team of professionals and not people who are just clear-cut politicians.

We need professionals who know their onions, who know what it is to industrialise a nation. I have spoken a lot about integration process. The way forward is for government to set up a team of professionals to look into revitalising this country.

In a report on Ajaokuta Steel in 2009, you said it is 90 per cent completed. Can you give us the time within which

Ajaokuta can pick up?

Giving the right environment, within 12 months, the plant can take off. With the right support, I have said it many times that government should not make any attempt to privatise Ajaokuta Steel Mill. It will not work. No nation will do that. Let Nigeria own Ajaokuta Steel Mill. Let’s now encourage other organisations to support steel plants. There can be steel plant for iron only, there can be steel plant for bars only. Let other organisations come and set up steel plants. If it must be privatised, then it must be partial privatisation.

Many industrialists are advocating adaptive technology. How does this aid industrialisation?

No country lives in isolation today, no nation lives without others. So, therefore, adaptive research simply says if Peter knows this work, let me go and copy from Peter. So, if Britain has done it before and China has done it and India has also done it, why can’t I copy from India ? That is what adaptive research is all about.

Japan did it, they adapted from America and Britain; China adapted from America . So, what we are saying is that the adaptive research option is for us to put on our thinking cap and innovate our own technology just as Japan is doing.

Government is thinking of privatising Ajaokuta because it thinks it can’t handle the project alone. What is your take on this?

Government can handle it alone. That is why I said at worst, let it be partial privatisation. Partial privatisation will mean involvement of the government and the private sector. You can get people from overseas who will get involved or from

MINILS signs MoU with OATUU

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ICHAEL Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), Ilorin, Kwara State, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Organisation of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU), to explore areas of collaboration and partnership for their mutual benefit.

The ceremony, was held at OATUU Headquarters, Accra, Ghana, with the DirectorGeneral/Chief Executive of MINILS, Dr John Niyi Olanrewaju and OATUU SecretaryGeneral, Comrade Hassan Sunmonu, signing for their respective organisations. Under the pact, both regional bodies will collaborate on research and exchange of information on labour education and related issues for the benefit of workers.

In addition, the synergy is in furtherance of the promotion and reinforcement of the common goals of the two bodies which will

facilitate the availability of MINILS resources to OATUU “as a platform to run training programmes on labour and industrial relations” OATUU will in turn facilitate the logistics and management of training programmes for MINILS when its participants and learners undertake study visits to Ghana and other African countries.

The two-page, nine- point document, reads as follows: “That MINILS will make its resources available to OATUU as a platform to run training programmes on labour and industrial relations issues.

“That there will be exchange of resource persons between the two parties to facilitate training programmes and other activities based on the expertise required for the topic under consideration.

“That MINILS will handle logistics including

rebate on accommodation and other resources that will be held in MINILS “That OATUU will facilitate the logistics and management of training programmes for MINILS when its participants and learners are on study visits to Ghana and other African countries.

“That OATUU and MINILS will collaborate on research and exchange of information “That OATUU will facilitate partnership for MINILS through its international linkages “That in granting fellowships for other African countries to participate in MINILS programmes, consideration would be given to nominations by OATUU. “That OATUU will advise on the contents of the curriculum for training programme in this collaborative effort “That MINILS will serve as one of the regional centres for courses of OATUU and MINILS.”

Minimum wage debacle in Osun, Lagos

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IVIL servants in Osun State are still on strike despite government’s effort to get them back to work.

In Lagos, the government’s owned Lagos State Television (LTV) and Radio Lagos/ Eko FM, were shut from Monday to Wednesday in a three-day warning strike to protest alleged exclusion of their workers in the implementation of the N18,000 minimum wage.

The workers barricaded the entrances of the both stations after the strike began.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ),

Lagos State Council and Radio, Television and Theatre Arts Workers’Union (RATTAWU) met with representatives of the government and management of the two parastatals towards averting the strike, but there was a stalemate on the date of implementation of the wage.

The Commissioner for Information, Remi Ibirogba, said the unions should give government more time, assuring that the implementation process would be concluded by September 20.

Acting Chairman, Lagos NUJ, Deji

Elumoye, however, said Ibirogba promised implementation at the end of last month, but reneged on the promise. The workers, he said, would no longer be interested in more promises, but immediate implementation.

Elumoye, who spoke on behalf of the both unions, said NUJ and RATTAWU supported the warning strike.

“We are involved in the whole process because we believe that our members deserve to be treated well by their employers,” he said.

Editors hold annual conference

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O fewer than 300 editors nationwide will attend the seventh edition of the All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANCE) scheduled for September 21 to 25 in Benin City, Edo State.

The conference, organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), has as its theme:

Deepening democracy: Role of the Nigerian Editor.

Mr Isaac Ighure, General Secretary of the Guild, in Abuja, said the conference would attract editors from the print and the electronic media.

Some deserving editors will be conferred

with the Fellowship of the Guild.

Chief Ken Nnamani, former Senate President, will chair the event alongside Mr Nduka Obaigbena, publisher of Thisday.”

Prof. Attahiru Jega, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission is expected to deliver a keynote address at the conference.

• Edebiri

Nigeria, but the government will own a major share and the partners will own minor share. By so doing, the partners can be the operators and the government will be the administrator. They will oversee what is going on, but the government must give them free hand. It is necessary for government to get involved, if government doesn’t get involved, it is going to be a difficult thing. Ajaokuta has passed through one or two hands in the past two years and what happened? It is problems all over.

If you look at the things the government is involved in, they usually crumble later.

What could be responsible?

It is the problem of the people; that is why I said government must show commitment of faith. They must show patriotism. Patriotism has to start from government, honesty and transparency have to start from government, they must show all this. Even in the department of people, government must show clear-cut intention to save this country. So, if you appoint people who are going to destroy and you as the leader doesn’t identify that and correct it immediately, you are part of the people destroying this country. So, government should appoint people who have the interest of this country at heart, who are passionate about industrialisation and then we will sort out the problem.

NURTW election: Minister urges industrial harmony

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HE Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, has charged the re-elected President of National Union of Roads Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Najeem Yasin, to ensure industrial harmony.

Wogu’s Assistant Director (Press), Samuel Olowookere, urged Yasin to continue to strive for the welfare of members, and enjoined the new executive to make a good use of the opportunity offered by the election, to promote industrial peace and harmony in the country.

The minister promised a continuous open door policy to recognised labour unions in the country.

He congratulated Yasin on his re-election and the peaceful conduct of the Seventh Quadrennial National Delegates Conference of the Union, saying he was not surprised at Yasin’s election because he had proved himself worthy of another term of four years, considering his “doggedness and steadfastness in moving NURTW to greater height”.

The minister said he is confident of the ability of Yasin to lead the union as evident by his leadership style and achievements.

“The Ministry of Labour and Productivity under my supervision will continue to partner with the NURTW to ensure not only improved labour relations but also adequate support from the Federal Government,” he said.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

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NATION SPORT

Nasri injury blow for Man City S

AMIR NASRI is a doubt for Manchester City's clash with Wigan on Saturday after breaking a finger while in action for France.

The £24million midfielder shone on his debut in the 5-1 mauling of Spurs last month but could now miss out on a home debut at Eastlands at the weekend.

Nasri came on as a 75th-minute substitute in the 0-0 draw in Romania and completed the match, but now faces an anxious wait to see if he will be fit to face the Latics.

The 24-year-old playmaker will have his injury assessed by City's medical staff when he returns to his club on Wednesday afternoon, reports the Guardian.

Dream debut: The playmaker set up three City goals at White Hart Lane Dream debut: The playmaker set up three City goals at White Hart Lane Dream debut: The playmaker set up three City goals at White Hart Lane City midfielder Nigel de Jong is expected to miss the game with a foot injury while former captain Carlos Tevez may start for the first time this season as he has not been away on international duty.

Fergie lauds Anderson’s emergence

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•Nasri

Arsenal targets new Fabregas, Deulofeu A

RSENAL have set their sights on the new Cesc Fabregas - Barcelona youngster Gerard Deulofeu.

Cesc Fabregas joined Arsenal as a 16-year-old and went on to become the Gunners’ captain before rejoining the Spanish giants this summer.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is desperate to land Gerard Deulofeu who is being compared to striker Lionel Messi - before he turns 18 next year.

Players in La Liga are only allowed to sign professional contacts at 18 which means the Gunners can sign

Deulofeu for just £3m.

Wenger has come under huge pressure following six seasons without a trophy and the 8-2 humiliation at Manchester United.

The Gunners have one point from nine and are fourth from bottom, languishing below Premier League

Redknapp tips England for Euro glory

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OTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp believes that England can win the Euro 2012 tournament that takes place in Poland and Ukraine next year.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp believes that England can win the Euro 2012 tournament that takes place in Poland and Ukraine next year.

The Three Lions registered a 1-0 victory over Wales at Wembley on Tuesday to extend their lead at the top of Group G to six points, albeit having played a game more than second-placed Montenegro.

With England expected to make their way through qualification by claiming a direct entry into the tournament, the Spurs boss insists

•Redknapp

that he feels the team has what it takes to go all the way next year.

"Of course we can [win Euro 2012].

I said we could win the World Cup and was wrong but I do believe we have a good chance," Redknapp was quoted as saying in The Sun. "Spain are the best team in the world but after that there's a group of four or five who could win it."

"We have gone about the job of qualifying professionally and methodically - they've done all that's been asked of them."

"We've seen the emergence of some good, young players, too."

Tottenham target Gary Cahill put in a strong performance against Bulgaria and even scored a goal to emphasise his showing in the 3-0 victory in Sofia on Friday, but the former West Ham United boss reckons he will not keep Rio Ferdinand out of the side when the Manchester United man returns to full fitness.

"Rio Ferdinand is a fantastic player," said Redknapp. "Gary Cahill has done a great job standing in for him."

"His goal in Bulgaria underlines what a talent he is. But, when fit, Rio is the best centre-half we have. John Terry picks himself too."

"There are certain players that you can't really leave out when fit and I still firmly believe Rio is one of those. He is as good as anyone in the game in his position."

Redknapp also hailed boss Fabio Capello for making a tactical switch by playing Frank Lampard instead of Spurs' Scott Parker, who had started ahead of the Chelsea man in Bulgaria.

"Frank is a more positive player and Fabio Capello obviously went for a more attacking line-up, especially with Scott Parker on a yellow card," he said.

"Different players work for different systems."

"Parker was great in Bulgaria on Friday evening but Capello went for a tactical switch on the night."

Ruiz receives work permitBryan Ruiz has received his work permit and his flew back to London on Tuesday evening in order to train with his Fulham team-mates this morning.

The Costa Rican winger had expected to remain in Madrid, where he was training with two members of Fulham’s fitness staff while he waited for the British Embassy to finalise the documentation for his work permit, until tomorrow or Thursday but received a phone call telling him that he had been approved for a provisional work permit.

I have wanted to have my first training with the group, and I signed a week ago and I could not train, but I hope to do the training tomorrow.

Obviously, I’m a little anxious to start a new club in a top league.

The player himself believes there is ‘no downside’ ahead of a potential Fulham debut against Blackburn on Sunday, but the final decision will rest with Martin Jol, who must decide whether to throw Ruiz straight in at the weekend after only a few days of full training.

newcomers Swansea - who visit the Emirates on Saturday.

There had been talk that some of the Arsenal board are questioning whether Wenger is the man to lead the club going forward but HillWood said: "It's complete and utter rubbish and absolute nonsense. I think he is happy enough and we are happy enough."

Bargain Wenger had a hectic summer transfer-wise, boosting his squad by eight players and allowing 21 to leave, including 10 on loan.

"We have brought some new players in and although I don't know that much about many of them I think, generally speaking, they are going to improve the squad," added Hill-Wood.

Two of the big departures from the club were skipper Fabregas, sold to Barcelona for £35m, and Samir Nasri, who cost Manchester City £25m.

Responding to Barca vice-chairman Josep Maria Bartomeu's claim that Fabregas was a bargain, Hill-Wood said: "He is absolutely right - they did get him on the cheap. But he wanted to go back there and we respected that."

•Deulofeu

ANCHESTER UNITED manager Sir Alex Ferguson has paid tribute to Brazilian midfielder Anderson after a string of fine performances helped 23-year-old make his mark on the Old Trafford first team.

Anderson's career at Old Trafford had stuttered of late, with the likes of Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher often preferred in the 12-time Barclays Premier League champions' big games.

However, Fletcher's illness and Carrick's lack of form has opened the door for the former Porto midfielder, and Ferguson has praised him for taking his opportunity with both hands.

"He's been tremendous, the boy," Ferguson said. "He's had a couple of long-term injuries which haven't helped him, but in the last year or so, he's steered clear of injury.

"That means he's training every day so his fitness levels are much better. And he's maturing so you can see the consistency in his game."

After seeing off Arsenal in convincing fashion last month, Ferguson is now turning his attention to United's other title rivals, with the visit of Chelsea just 11 days away.

After falling away in the title race last season, and the failure to overhaul the squad this summer, fears are rife that the age of Andre Villas-Boas squad may hinder their chances of reclaiming the title, however Ferguson believes the squad's age acts as a positive.

•Ferguson

Adebayor: Spurs targeting top four EMMANUEL Adebayor says that Tottenham are aiming to finish in the top four and have a squad capable of doing what is necessary to achieve their goal.

Spurs finished fourth in 2009-10 and reached the quarter-finals of Champions League last season, having been absent from Europe's elite for almost half a century.

But balancing the Premier League and Europe saw the north London club unable to finish in the top four, and they had to settle for competing in this season's edition of the Europa League.

Adebayor, on loan from Manchester City, reckons Spurs are hoping to get back among the best in Europe by finishing in the top four.

He told The Sun: "I'm not saying we're playing to win the league, we're playing for the top four, which is not going to be easy but we've got the squad now."

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NATION SPORT

Neymar frustrating Madrid as Barca link grows stronger A

report in El Mundo Deportivo suggests Real Madrid are becoming more and more annoyed with Brazilian striking sensation Neymar, who is becoming increasingly linked with a move to Barcelona in spite of Los Blancos’ attempts to snare him on a 6-yearcontract.

Neymar had already infuriated Real boss José Mourinho and club President Florentino Peréz in an interview on FIFA.com when he praised both the Barcelona club and Lionel Messi. The 19-year-old followed this up with a message of support to international teammate Dani Alves via his Twitter account before the Supercopa de España against Madrid: “Good luck, brother,” he tweeted.

In fact, Alves is turning into Barca’s secret weapon in the race for the Santos player’s signature and La Blaugrana hope his influence can tip the balance in their favour. The pair were in London this week for Brazil’s 1-0 victory over Ghana at Craven Cottage on Monday night and Alves is understood to have put the youngster in the picture regarding the club, players, Pep Guardiola and the city itself.

Alves has never hidden his admiration for his fellow countryman and the fact he would like him to come to the Camp Nou. Moreover, when asked by Madrid journalists if he was trying to convince Neymar to move to Barca he replied: “I’ve told him Barcelona is a great club and he would be very welcome.”

Albertini cautions Balotelli

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ARIO Balotelli has been described by Italian FA (FIGC) vice president Demetrio Albertini as a champion who needs to refrain from making mistakes if he is to become the reference point for his country.

Balotelli has been under the spotlight again this week after he was seen using an iPad during Italy's Euro 2012 qualifier against the Faroe Isles.

That incident was largely played down by coach Cesare Prandelli, who is still trying to build bridges within his team as they try to recreate the glory days.

However, Albertini, a former Italy international and AC Milan midfielder, feels the Manchester City forward needs to mature.

"We need to show Mario the luck he has and how he is in charge of his own future," Albertini told Sky Sport Italia ahead of Italy's Euro 2012 clash against Slovenia in Florence

•Balotelli

on Tuesday night.

"He is a very nice lad who behaves well within the Italy group, but sometimes he mixes up football with the media aspect.

"We know he is a great champion, but his attitudes are not ideal at times.

"However, he has time on his side and he can continue to develop his game on and off the pitch."

Balotelli could feature for Italy who welcome Slovenia to the Artemio Franchi. A win will see Cesare Prandelli's men book their place at Euro 2012.

•Neymar

Robben likely to miss Freiburg clash BAYERN MUNICH winger Arjen Robben is set to miss his club's match with Freiburg on Saturday, due to his pubic bone still showing signs of inflammation, according to TZ. Despite the Dutchman working hard in recent days to regain his focus and motivation for a comeback, the publication does not expect him to make a playing return on Saturday.

The 27-year-old has been plagued with injuries since the start of the new campaign, missing Bayern's 30 win at Kaiserslautern on August 27, and has been participating in rehabilitation procedures for the past week during the international break.

However, a return to footballing matters may be nigh after showing positive signs in training, and he could be back in time for their clash with Schalke a week later; although that currently remains to be seen as the ex-Real Madrid man has stressed the need to take his time in his recovery.

"It's not healing so fast," said Robben to TZ. "The bone must heal in peace, and there should be no unnecessary pressure [on me to return].

"I must work without any pain in training first and then we'll see," he continued. "Even for the game next week at Schalke, it is still a huge question mark."

The news comes in quick succession of Robben signalling his desire to remain at the Allianz Arena, after confirming that he would be open to negotiating a contract extension.

Torres' slump threatens his spot with Spain ONCE Spain's star striker, Fernando Torres' scoring slump may threaten his chance to help defend his country's European title next summer.

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque sat the Chelsea striker in the stands for the first time for Tuesday's Euro 2012 qualifier, favoring the in-form Alvaro Negredo and David Villa to spearhead the attack, with Fernando Llorente starting on the bench.

Del Bosque made it clear after Spain's 6-0 rout of Liechtenstein that Torres' past fame won't be enough to regain his leading role with the world champions.

The former Real Madrid coach said "(Torres) is an important player, but those who stand out with their clubs will get the call to the national team, not the other way around.''

Torres hasn't scored for Spain in a year.

Totti issues Roma rallying cry

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OMA captain Francesco Totti has issued a rallying call to his team-mates and urged them to back coach Luis Enrique ahead of the new Serie A season which begins this weekend.

The first round of fixtures were postponed because of a player strike in Italy so Roma have had to wait until after the break for Italy's participation in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying games before opening their 2011/12 campaign at home to

•Totti

Cagliari on Sunday.

The game will be Enrique's first in charge and Totti wrote on his blog: "We must rally around the new coach."

He added: "We'll do it together and with one goal, Roma, of which I am just the biggest fan.

"This year I hope, as always, presents the fans with great satisfaction. We wait for the stadium to support us as you always do, and I am sure we will make you rejoice."

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

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NATION SPORT

Capello: We're adapting our style N

OW more than three years into his reign as England manager, Fabio Capello has one remaining chance to guide the Three Lions to international glory. The Italian plans to leave his current role following UEFA EURO 2012, where the 65-year-old will be desperate to deliver on the occasional promise his side have shown during his time at the helm.

After waltzing through their qualifying campaign, England endured a miserable time at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, barely scraping through the group stages before being totally outclassed by their old foes Germany in the Round of 16. Now the country’s sights are set on the tournament in Poland and Ukraine next summer, with England still looking to end their long wait for a trophy.

The former AC Milan and Real Madrid coach spoke exclusively to FIFA.com about a range of topical subjects, including his plans to change the style of English football,

his thoughts on Pep Guardiola’s seemingly invincible Barcelona team, and his expectations for the next FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Since you’ve been in charge of England, you’ve played 38 matches and won 25. How have you seen the team improve?

We improved a lot when we played in World Cup qualifying, for team spirit and confidence.

During the World Cup, we were tired. But we are improving, if we had beaten Germany we would have had a chance to really go forward. I think English football has changed in those four years.

Now all the teams try to play with more touches, not only long ball.

That is the main difference of the last four years.

What lessons do you think you and the team learned from being together in South Africa?

I think English players need two weeks, or ten days, to go on holiday and recover their energy.

That will be our preparation for

EURO 2012.

Turning to EURO 2012 qualifying, are you satisfied with your results so far?

Yes, but I think we dropped points against Montenegro. Against Switzerland, from 2-0 down to 2-2 and having chances to win, the result was really good. But against Montenegro, we had four chances to score but the goalkeeper was really good. But that is football.

Sometimes you play really well, have four or five chances, but you lose. Montenegro hit the bar in the last five minutes, with one chance, and that is football.

There is so much pressure on England and yourself. Are you able to enjoy the job?

It’s pressure when we win, pressure when we lose. It’s our job.

You need to stay the same when you win and when you lose. Have the same style of life and understand your mistakes, because there’s a lesson every time. I worry when we are winning, because you can lose concentration and focus.

We need to teach this new style if we want to improve. It’s a possession style, with touches, and technically really good. If we want to stay at the same level as the other countries, we need that.

England U-17s played in Mexico and the U-20s in Colombia during the summer. Are you happy to see them qualifying for these competitions?

It makes me really happy. If the young players from the academy

can reach a final, it is a really good experience. They come back better than when the competition started.

I think we have really good youth teams.

There aren’t many English players who move abroad. Do you think that would be a good thing for their development, if they experienced different cultures and styles of play?

Like I said, we have changed the style and we talk a lot in meetings about the new style of football. The academy coaches have learned a lot from other styles, like Spain, Holland and Barcelona. We need to teach this new style if we want to improve. It’s a possession style, with touches, and technically really good. If we want to stay at the same level as the other countries, we need that.

Do you think, even in the time that you have been in charge of England, that there is now more of a level playing field in international football between teams?

Yes. You can study a lot and you can see a lot of games from around the world. You can know players better, and their styles. You can tell your defenders and forwards about the opposition. Now you know absolutely everything, so things are balanced. Easy games do not exist. Look at the Asian teams, like Japan, Korea Republic and Australia, who are really good.

African teams have also improved a lot.

What type of football do you enjoy watching?

At the moment, the best type of football to watch on TV or to see at the stadium is Barcelona. It is a really difficult style to use with another team or country, because you would need the same players that play at Barcelona. They have seven players who came from the academy and they started playing their style at a young age Can you see anyone stopping Barcelona in the near future?

I think so. It will be possible, because we are lucky now that we can study opponents. You can find a solution to stop Barcelona, by understanding their strengths. You can study a lot, looking at tapes.

Some team will find the solution to beat Barcelona. Also, when you win a lot, sometimes you lose something to be really focused every game, to want to win. Some players are getting older too.

What about the Brazilian style?

Is it something you enjoy watching?

Brazil is a team that plays together but always with their unique individuality to win the game. It’s in the DNA of Brazilian players, to dribble and do something different. Brazil are a really good team, a young team with young forwards. They need to find a good balance on the pitch.

With your knowledge of Brazilian football and the people’s passion, what type of FIFA World Cup do you think it will be there?

I once went to Brazil to see the Copa America. I watched the final, Brazil against Argentina at the Maracana, so I know about the passion of the Brazilian people.

When Brazil scored the first goal, everyone was drinking beer and they spilled it all over me. The stadium erupted. Everyone went crazy. I was a little soaked but it was great to experience!

“It’s pressure when we win, pressure when we lose. It’s our job. You need to stay the same when you win and when you lose.

Have the same style of life and understand your mistakes, because there’s a lesson every time. I worry when we are winning, because you can lose concentration and focus.”

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THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

NATION SPORT

Sania Mirza suffers knee injury S

ANIA Mirza may not be able to play in the rest of the season in the WTA circuit as the Indian tennis star has been advised rest for six weeks after suffering a knee injury during the women's doubles third round defeat at the US

Open.

Sania has been diagnosed with a ruptured left knee miniscus and has been initially advised a minimum six weeks rest by a specialist, who examined her in New York, according to information received here.

The Hyderabadi has been struggling with injuries in the last few seasons. She made a good comeback last year after a careerthreatening wrist injury.

She zoomed up to 64 in the singles ranking after starting the 2011 season at 166. In the

• Sania

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HRISTIAN Malcolm, Team GB's athletics captain, says the squad met their medal targets at the World Championships but can do better at London 2012.

Great Britain achieved the target of bringing home seven medals from the World Championships in Daegu,

LONDON 2012 OLYMPICS

Team GB 'can do better' South Korea, with gold medals won by Mo Farah for the 5000 metres and Dai

Greene for the 400 metre hurdles.

For Malcolm, the event

Hamilton will learn from mistakes

B

BC Sport Lewis Hamilton Hamilton lies fifth in the drivers' standings but crashed out in Belgium.

Lewis Hamilton will learn from the mistakes he has made this season and become a better driver in the future, according to his McLaren team.

The Englishman lost any real hopes of winning this year's title with a crash at the Belgian Grand Prix two weeks ago, the latest in a string of errors.

McLaren principal race engineer Phil Prew said: "Lewis is a very clever guy and a very good racing driver.

"He will reflect on the difficulties he's had and come back stronger."

Hamilton is in fifth place in the championship, 113 points behind leader Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull with only 175 still available in the remaining seven races, starting with this weekend's Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

We will not ask him to change. Lewis is Lewis. He gets results with a very charging, aggressive approach. We fully support

doubles list, she is at her career-best 11.

The latest injury means that Sania's place in the prestigious year-end Championships is also doubtful. Sania and her Russian partner Elena Vesnina are front runners in the race for the top-four doubles teams.

They are placed third in the race so far with 4508 points, followed by Argentine Gisela Dulko and Italian Flavia Pennetta, who have 4106.

There are still eight different WTA events, yet to be played in the 2011 season after the US Open, the last Grand Slam of the year.

Sania's campaign ended at the US Open when she and Vesnina lost 6-7 (4) 6-7 (5) to the Czech pair of Iveta Benesova and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova.

She had also lost in the first round of the singles and mixed doubles event with compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi.

Sania is expected in Hyderabad shortly to consult with Orthropaedic specialists, who will consider a surgical intervention after further intensive tests.

The Indian tennis player had undergone an arthroscopy to repair the ACL on her right knee a few years back.

that He crashed out of the Belgian race while trying to overtake Sauber's Kamui Kobayashi, later taking full responsibility for the accident.

It was the latest example of a season that has veered between brilliant wins and basic mistakes.

His victories in China and

Germany were arguably the drives of the season but, in between, he has had races such as those in Monaco and Canada where he made important errors.

He has also been on the wrong end of some strategy errors by his team and appeared unsettled at times in public.

proved to be a good test before next year's Olympic Games of which athletes are ready to compete for medals.

He said: "For me, it's looking at the athletes and seeing if they're hungry for it, if they are ready for it.

"There were a few disappointed athletes out there, me included, and I think we need that hunger, we need that fight, that drive.

"There is not going to be anything bigger than having a home Olympics, it's a once in a lifetime opportunity."

Tyson's world class gamble T

YSON Fury says he will battle with North American champion Nicolai Firtha at Belfast's King's Hall on September 17 because he wants to give the Irish fans a night to remember.

The 12 round international contest will be shown live on Channel 5.

British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion Fury could have fought lesser men but instead he faces the 32year-old from Ohio who two fights ago went the distance with the new WBA World heavyweight champion Alexander Povetkin who recently won his title with a points win over Ruslan Chagaev.

Firtha won the NABA title in 2010 after stopping Tony Grano in two rounds and since then he has been in the form of his life, his most recent victory coming on 13th August in Ohio and he has warned Fury's promoter Mick Hennessy that he is ready to halt the Fury bandwagon.

Unbeaten Fury says he is taking "a bit of gamble" against 6ft 6' Firtha but is ready to handle what he expects to be the biggest challenge of his career. Fury says, "There was a lot of talk about me fighting Martin Rogan and a few other names like Mike Perez and Leif Larsen were mentioned but I've accepted to fight Firtha who's a lot younger than Rogan and has mixed in a lot higher company than any of those other guys.

"With two weeks to go I know this is a risk, a gamble but I'm a true fighting man and a man of honour and I'm prepared to fight any man on the planet and I want the Irish fight fans to come out and see a real fight not some knock over job.

"Anybody who knows anything about boxing can see that this is a risky fight because Firtha has gone the distance with the man who now holds the WBA belt which David Haye once held. It's going to be a big test for me so soon after me beating Dereck Chisora but I know it's a challenge that I can rise to."

Promoter Mick Hennessy expects Firtha to bring out the best in Fury and says a win will help Fury's stock rise even further on the world scene.

Hennessy commented: "Firtha is always in great shape, he's coming off the back of a good win and a very good performance against Povetkin the WBA champion so it's going to be real test for Tyson but I believe in Tyson and that's why I'm prepared to put him in with such an opponent.

"Although the fight has been agreed with just over two weeks to go, the Firtha camp have known about the possibility of this fight for some time. We had been looking at the Rogan fight but when that fell through then we looked to make the Firtha fight. Tyson's profile in America is on the rise and a win against Firtha will only help that.

"It's going to be a great night's boxing at the King's Hall with former WBC Champion Junior Witter fighting current Irish welterweight champion Stephen Haughian and Ryan Greene and Willie Thompson who will be fighting it out for the vacant Northern Ireland Light Middleweight titleâ••.

Also Joining these fighters at the King's Hall will be a host of talented boxers including Kid Galahad, Phill Fury, Tommy Tolan, Phil Townley and former British title challenger Kevin O'Hara who is looking to get his career back on track.

Tickets priced from £28.00 are available to purchase from the Ticketmaster box office on 0844 277 4455 (24 hour). Tickets are also available in person from Ticketmaster outlets, and online from www.ticketmaster.ie.

Golf world number one misses Seve trophy

W

• Hamilton

ORLD number one Luke Donald won’t play in the Seve Trophy in golf due to commitments in the FedEx Cup. Luke Donald is not the only absentee in for the British and Irish team as 4 of the top 20 players, including Donald, are unavailable to compete. Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Paul Casey will all miss the Seve Trophy.

The Irishman Paul McGinley will captain the side which has a mixture of young talent and great experience. The team

includes five debutants in the trophy in the form of Scott Jamieson, David Horsey, Jamie Donaldson and Mark Foster.

The wealth of experience comes from the likes of Ian Poulter, Darren Clarke and the world number two Lee Westwood. Westwood will be the team’s primary weapon against the team from Continental Europe “It is a huge boost for our team that players of the calibre of Lee, Darren and Ian have opted to play,” said team captain McGinley

• Tyson Fury

50

Friday, September 9, 2011

SLIDING TACKLE “We don’t want to go on court if it is raining. If I have to go on court, I go on court, but I think it’s not fair. We are not protected. There is a lot of money at the Grand Slams but we are part of the show. They are just working for that and not for us."

World number one tennis player, Rafael Nadal saying the players at the US Open needed protection from the heavy rains.

US OPEN...US OPEN...US OPEN...

Nadal leads revolt over safety at US Open •Blatta “We are not protected. There is a lot of money at the Grand Slams but we are part of the show. They are just working for that and not for us,” added Nadal.

“It was still raining when they called us on court. The rain never really stopped, the courts were not dry. I know the fans are there but the health of the players is important.”

Qatar to cough up £138b for 2022 World Cup opening and final matches of the tournament.

Qatar beat bids by the USA, Australia, Japan and Korea to win the right to host the tournament in 11 years time.

The capital city Doha is also bidding to stage the 2020 Olympics and the 2017 world athletics championships.

Planned transport improvements include

expanding the New Doha International Airport, constructing the new Doha port where it is planned some fans will be accommodated on cruise ships.

Bin Hammam's FIFA appeal set for next week if Bin Hammam will attened in person, or be represented by his lawyers.

Bin Hammam was banned after the Ethics Committee ruled he was responsible for cash gifts totalling around 1.0 million US dollars for officials from associations belonging to the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) at a meeting in Trinidad on May 10.

It was alleged the gifts of around 40,000 per member were to secure their votes in his battle to defeat incumbent Sepp Blatter in the FIFA presidential election on June 1.

AS SERIE A KICK-OFF

Milan faces Lazio at San Siro

C

HAMPION AC Milan will kick off the new Serie A season early today (Melbourne time) following the resolution of the player strike which caused the postponement of the first weekend of the new campaign.

Milan hosts Lazio at the San Siro stadium in an early test of both sides' potential to challenge for the title.

The host, alongside neighbour Inter Milan, is the favourite to retain its crown while Lazio is hoping to go one better than last season and secure a Champions League finish.

On Monday the Italian Players Union and the football league reached a temporary one-year agreement in their dispute, allowing the season to begin this weekend. Fans had endured a 3½ month delay.

Milan has strengthened

moderately in the off-season, bringing in defensive recruits Philippe Mexes and Taye Taiwo, while also adding Liverpool flop Alberto Aquilani to a midfield that lost 2006 World Cup winner Andrea Pirlo.

The trick for coach Massimiliano Allegri will be to continue to keep his attacking players happy as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Robinho, Antonio Cassano and Pato cannot all play at the same time - Ibrahimovic and Cassano are especially hard to please when they are on the sidelines.

Milan should still be defensively secure this season and can always rely on the most talented forwards in the league to decide games.

The bigger interest will be in seeing how Lazio has changed after its busy summer of

activity.

It has brought in experienced forwards Djibril Cisse and Miroslav Klose and it would be difficult to imagine that it won't improve on last season's shot-shy showings.

Klose is a proven goalscorer and Cisse has pace and power while he has always knocked in the goals wherever he's been.

With Brazilian Hernanes pulling the strings behind Klose and Cisse, they should at least give Milan's defence a tough test.

The other major change has been at goalkeeper where Uruguay No. 1 Fernando Muslera has left for Galatasaray while Federico Marchetti, who kept goal for Italy at last year's World Cup, comes in from the cold after a year-long stand-off with Cagliari.

After the allegations were made, Bin Hammam withdrew his candidature and Blatter was re-elected president for a fourth term unopposed.

FIFA have also charged 16 officials with rule breaches in connection with the CFU meeting and also handed a life ban to former executive committee member and FIFA vice-president Jack Warner of Trinidad & Tobago.

Bin Hammam has doggedly claimed he is innocent of all charges and if his appeal fails he has indicated he will take his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, and possibly after that to the Swiss federal court.

•Nadal

Djokovic calls for roof at US Open The prospect of a third Monday for the fourth successive year is now a distinct possibility and, with the likes of Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal making known their disapproval of playing in "dangerous" conditions, calls for a roof to be installed are mounting.

Djokovic told ESPN: "It's been like this in New York for the last couple of years. It's been happening more often than we expect it to so maybe this tournament should consider a roof in the future.''

OTHER SPORTS...OTHER SPORTS...OTHER SPORTS...OTHER SPORTS...OTHER SPORTS...

Vitali to retire after three more fights WORLD Boxing Council heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko, who faces Polish challenger Tomasz Adamek on Saturday, will fight two or three more bouts before retiring, his coach Fritz Sdunek said on Thursday.

"Vitali will have two or three fights, I do not think he will have more," Sdunek told the German Die Welt newspaper.

Sdunek said the 40-year-old Ukraine fighter will have no problems against Adamek despite the challenger's home crowd advantage in Wroclaw.

"Vitali to lose? Never. Mentally and physically he is so strong that absolutely nothing can go wrong there," long-time Klitschko coach Sdunek said.

Vitali's brother Vladimir beat Britain's David Haye on a unanimous points decision in July to add the WBA heavyweight title to his three other belts and complete his family's domination of the division. They hold the WBA, WBC, WBO, IBF and IBO belts between them.

•Klitschko

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

51

52

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

53

NEWS

INEC to update voter register ahead Kogi governorship poll T

HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday spoke of plans to update and revise the voter register for the governorship election in Kogi State on December 3.

Mr Kayode Idowu, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to INEC Chairman Attahiru Jega, dropped the hint during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

Idowu said that the commission intended to conclude the exercise 30 days before the election.

According to Section 9(5) of 2010 Electoral Act (as amended), “the registration of voters, updating and revision of the register of voters under this section shall stop not later than 60 days before any election covered by this act’’.

He pointed out that the exercise would not take place in

all the 2, 548 polling units in the state, but at ward level and would begin in less than two weeks.

According to him, arrangements are underway to deploy personnel and materials to set the stage in two weeks time.

He said: “The voter register will be updated; people will be deployed and machines will be deployed to update and consolidate the voter register.

“Between now and latest November 3, the voter register will be in place for the governorship election.’’

He identified Kogi as a flash point, saying; “it is a potentially violent terrain’’.

Idowu, however, said the

Inter Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security was meeting to address envisaged security challenges.

“The committee had gone to the drawing board and drawn plans that are suited for such difficult terrain,’’ he said.

He said INEC would take advantage of the staggered nature in the conduct of the governorship election in Kogi and some other states next year.

A federal judge had ruled that the tenure of five governors, specifically, Liyel Imoke of Cross River; Aliyu Wammako (Sokoto); Timipre Sylva (Bayelsa); Murtala Nyarko (Adamawa) and

Ibrahim Idris (Kogi) would not terminate in May 2011 as stipulated by INEC. The affected governors had won the rerun elections in their respective states.

Idowu said the commission intended that those forthcoming elections would be better than the April polls.

His words:“We have been working and meetings have been underway to ensure we have everything ready .

“All the challenges we had in April have either been addressed or were being addressed.

“This will guarantee improved security and better elections than the April general elections.

He added that INEC was

1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 seeks Fed 1234567890123456 Edo 1234567890123456 Govt intervention 1234567890123456 in erosion control 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 ROM the Edo State Gov1234567890123456 ernment came yester1234567890123456 1234567890123456 Ayogwiri day an assurance to the Community that 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 adequate measures have 1234567890123456 been taken to tackle the men1234567890123456 ace of erosion in Etsako West 1234567890123456 Local Government in Edo 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 North.

Already, Governor Adams 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 Oshiomhole has approached 1234567890123456 President 1234567890123456 Jonathan for theGoodluck 1234567890123456 tion of the Federalinterven1234567890123456 ment in addressing Governthe ero-

F

•INEC chief Attahiru Jega

already procuring some materials needed for the elections.

“But we have the Direct Data Capture (DDC) machines, ballot boxes and adequate personnel for the update and the elections.’’

sion threat.

The Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Simon Imuekemhe, spoke of the Governor’s effort when the Ogie of Ayogwiri, Chief Braimahe Oregbemhe led a delegation of Ayogwiri Osiregbhemhe Union on a courtesy visit to Government House.

He said: “Governor Adams Oshiomhole has written to the Federal Government on the erosion challenge you are facing. It’s not what the state government can do alone; we are however doing our best to making sure that your community is not cut off from Auchi, Fugar and other communities in Edo North.

12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 Choice of 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 candidate 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 polarises council 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121

By Emmanuel Oladesu 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 Deputy Political Editor 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 CTION Congress of 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 Nigeria (ACN) mem- 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 bers have endorsed a 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 security expert, Hon. Dipo 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 Okeyomi, for the chairman- 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 Leaders blamed ship of Ojokoro Local Coun- 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 for Boko Haram cil Development Area 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 THE Yoruba Ronu (LCDA) of Lagos State.

12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 The party’s position was 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 leadership Forum (YRLF) made known in a communi- 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 has blamed the failure of qué at the end of a meeting 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 leadership for the Boko held at the palace of the Oba 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 Haram insurgency.

In a statement yesterday of Ojokoro, Oba Rilwan Olu- 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 walanbe Taiwo. It was attend- 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 by the General Secretary, ed by party leaders, including 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 Akin Malaolu, the YRLF Alhaji Hassan Ajeigbe, Chief 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 urged the nation’s political Oluyomi Olaogun and Hon. 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 leaders to wake up to their Ahmed Omisore.

12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 responsibilities.

The statement reads: “If The declaration of support 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 not for the enormous

A

for Okeyomi trailed the previous endorsement of the incumbent chairman, Hon. Benjamin Olabinjo, for a second term by a section of party leaders.

The chieftains, who were led by Alhaji Ade Mohammed, said Olabinjo has performed to expectation.

However, ACN leaders rooting for Okeyomi disagreed, saying that a new blood would be preferable. The leaders are Mr. Afolarin Salami, Mrs Laide Omotosho, Alhaji Oladipo Bolaji, Alhaji Ibrahim Omitogun, Chief Arifajogun Falolu, Alhaja Adedeji Tinubu, Mr Jimoh Yusuf, Hon Wale Fakeye, Alhaji Sule Sokunbi Borokini, Hon Babajide Sobowale, Hon Segun Akinoso and the ACN woman leader for the council area, Alhaja Falilat Balogun.

The pro-Okeyomi group said his candidature would boost the party’s chance of victory against opposition parties at the polls next month.

They alleged that Olabinjo has not done much for the LCDA in the last three years.

•Okeyomi

•Ondo State Governor Dr Olusegun Mimiko (right) addressing participants at the opening ceremony of a three-day induction seminar for local government interim caretaker committee members in Ondo…yesterday

‘Daniel, Fayose, others free to return to PDP’

F

ORMER Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, his Ekiti State counterpart, Ayo Fayose and others who left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join other parties following disagreements with party chiefs at various levels are free to return to the party, Acting national chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Kawu Baraje has assured.

Speaking on the ongoing registration of members nationwide at the party’s

From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistnat Editor, Abuja

national secretariat yesterday, Baraje added that such prospective returnees must however be ready to comply with the party’s guidelines.

This is coming on the heels of the vow by former President and chairman of the PDP’s Board of Trustees, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo that he would never to be in the same party with Daniel and all his associates for working against

the interest of the party in OgunState in the April elections.

Obasanjo made the declaration last Saturday during the strategic meeting of the party’s south-west zonal caucus.

But contrary to Obasanjo’s stance on the defectors, Baraje declared: “Our register is open to members who want to come back. They are free as long as they follow the due process.

We haven’t changed the rules, neither has the party said it is expelling anybody”

“Before anybody is expelled or sanctioned, he will go through the due process. So, as far as we are concerned, the registration is open to all Nigerians, both returning and new men’’.

Baraje dismissed the belief in some quarters that the ongoing registration is meant to deregister certain members of the party and therefore enjoined interested members nationwide to come forward and register.

Criminal Court seeks arrest of Gaddafi by INTERPOL Continued from page 4

“Our resolute Libyan people, the Libyan land is your own,” said the 69-yearold who ran the country since he was 27, until two weeks ago. “Those who try to take it from you now, they are intruders, they are mercenaries, they are stray dogs.”

Backing up his words, a cannonade of Grad missiles flew out of Bani Walid, a desert town south of Tripoli where a hard core of loyalists - estimated by their opponents at about 150 - are under siege by the new interim government. Some of its commanders suspect Gaddafi himself might be hiding inside.

Two of the defenders were killed and one of the siege force wounded in overnight skirmishing, though a military spokesman for the National Transitional Council said the new rulers would abide by a truce until Saturday to allow negotiated surrenders at Bani Walid and Gaddafi’s home town of Sirte, on the coast.

“We can do it within two hours maximum,” Ahmed Bani said of taking over Bani Walid. He said he believed Gaddafi’s son and heirapparent Saif al-Islam was there, though he did not share the belief of some others in the NTC that his father was.

Referring to the arrivals this week of senior Gaddafi aides in Niger, across the

Sahara desert, which prompted speculation that could be an escape route, Bani said: “He’s a fox. Maybe he wants us to believe that he’s out (of Libya) but he’s inside ... close to the border so that in an emergency he can escape.”

In remarks which clearly indicated he was speaking after the reports from Niger were published, Gaddafi said: “This is not the first time that convoys drive in and out of Niger.”

Despite the sweeping and sudden nature of their victory in Tripoli two weeks ago after six months of civil war, the new leadership is still struggling to impose its authority across the capital and the rest of the sprawling,

oil-rich desert nation, which is home to just six million people.

The stalemates around Sirte, Bani Walid and south into the desert town of Sabha - all pro-Gaddafi bastions — means the original rebel stronghold of Benghazi is still largely cut off from Tripoli, an 800-km (500-mile) drive away to the west.

NTC leaders have said they hope to be pumping oil again next week, and the new head of the central bank briefed the media yesterday to assure Libyans and their foreign business partners that the bank had not been looted by fleeing members of the old regime.

Business as usual was the watchword.

power of endurance among the Nigerian people, the hidden disdain for our leaders for brewing mostly corruption and divisions which are the pivot on which Nigeria now turns would have resulted into resentment and confusion.

“The Boko Haram insurgency and others alike that have brought the nation shame, defeat and division caused by leadership ineptitude in all strata, equally increased heavy burden placed on our helpless millions of people and our foreign friends through no fault of theirs.”

Rally for council chief

B

ADAGRY Focus Group, a youth organisation yesterday at Lagos State Youth Sports Centre, Ajara held a rally in support of its Chairman Moses Husitode.

The rally, attended by thousands of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) supporters and members of the group sang praises of the incumbent chairman and called for his second term.

Mr Rasheed Olawale, on behalf of the group said: “In the first time in the history of Badagry Council, we have a leader who does not only live among his people, but also understand their problems with a view to solving them,” he said.

Mr. Husitode is one of the six aspirants running for chairman.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

54

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 8-09-11 2ND-TIER SECURITIES No of Deals Quotation(N) 1 0.50 1

Company Name CAPITAL OIL PLC Sector Totals

Quantity Traded 1,000 1,000

Value of Shares (N) 500.00 500.00

Quantity Traded 12,951 264,050 277,001

Value of Shares (N) 52,451.55 1,879,185.00 1,931,636.55

Quantity Traded 557,005 557,005

Value of Shares (N) 3,568,395.91 3,568,395.91

Quantity Traded 555,207 555,207

Value of Shares (N) 728,660.30 728,660.30

Quantity Traded 12,837,001 10,451,375 378,551 490,986 4,391,962 7,259,686 14,380,496 12,294,859 366,250 759,336 1,113,900 2,042,838 2,843,240 4,867,065 805,564 878,160 964,589 6,785,700 83,911,558

Value of Shares (N) 71,705,177.67 42,338,805.35 1,055,248.56 2,353,178.97 8,781,152.57 77,654,582.71 7,190,248.00 160,328,807.92 3,429,368.00 531,535.20 1,280,985.00 11,596,536.57 4,042,735.57 19,419,741.57 1,683,628.76 452,472.44 680,945.90 88,493,675.17 503,018,825.93

Quantity Traded 61,860 133,550 1,178,317 1,373,727

Value of Shares (N) 13,417,503.41 781,552.00 97,075,270.66 111,274,326.07

Quantity Traded 94,932 26,557 44,557 129,194 295,240

Value of Shares (N) 1,781,456.36 194,093.62 4,501,160.16 5,502,427.96 11,979,138.10

Quantity Traded 22,142 103,723 213,929 3,413,400 5,000 3,758,194

Value of Shares (N) 202,882.10 2,583,445.14 242,209.61 3,481,668.00 24,300.00 6,534,504.85

Quantity Traded 240,000 674,448 914,448

Value of Shares (N) 120,000.00 1,693,009.48 1,813,009.48

Quantity Traded 500 500

Value of Shares (N) 250.00 250.00

AGRICULTURE/AGRO-ALLIED Company Name ELLAH LAKES PLC PRESCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals Quotation(N) 1 4.26 10 7.00 11 AIR SERVICES

Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COM PLC 46 6.50 Sector Totals 46 AUTOMOBILE & TYRE Company Name R. T. BRISCOE (NIGERIA) PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals Quotation(N) 24 1.30 24

Company Name ACCESS BANK PLC DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK NIGERIA PLC FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC FIDELITY BANK PLC FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC FINBANK PLC GTBANK PLC STANBIC IBTC BANK PLC INTERCONTINENTAL BANK PLC. OCEANIC BANK INTERNATIONAL PLC SKYE BANK PLC. STERLING BANK PLC UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC. UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC UNITYBANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC ZENITH BANK PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 149 27 20 25 58 522 20 415 31 12 17 64 22 243 16 25 30 285 1,981

Company Name GUINNESS NIGERIA PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC NIGERIAN BREWERIES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 37 11 156 204

BANKING Quotation(N) 5.40 4.15 2.73 4.81 2.00 10.64 0.50 13.05 9.16 0.70 1.15 5.51 1.44 4.00 2.09 0.51 0.74 13.05

BREWERIES Quotation(N) 228.00 6.06 83.00

BUILDING MATERIALS Company Name ASHAKA CEMENT PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTHERN NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 22 8 36 30 96

Quotation(N) 19.58 7.36 103.00 42.55

T

Stock market relapses on cautions HE Nigerian stock financial stocks million shares worth N1.1 market slipped back billion in 3,837 deals, which

Quotation(N) 9.41 25.50 1.14 1.02 5.11

COMMERCIAL/SERVICES Company Name COURTVILLE INVESTMENTS PLC RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals Quotation(N) 1 0.50 16 2.51 17

Insurance Index slipped to 143.98 points, compared with opening index of 145.05 points. Banking losses also reflected on the NSE 30 Index, which dropped from 957.39 points to 955.66 points.

Also, the NSE Oil and Gas Index dipped to 254.22 points as against 255.15 points posted as opening index. However, the NSE Food and Beverages Index appreciated from 717.98 points to 719.04 points.

Turnover stood at 139.3

‘The decline was driven largely by losses suffered by financial stocks as investors remained wary of the postSeptember outlook for the banking sector’

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 8-09-11 CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INSURANCE PLC GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC GUARANTY TRUST ASSURANCE PLC CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSUR PLC LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. LAW UNION AND ROCK INSURANCE PLC. N.E.M. INSURANCE CO. (NIG.) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. STACO INSURANCE PLC UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC INTERCONTINENTAL WAPIC INSUR PLC Sector Totals

7 5 2 23 1 2 3 23 1 1 1 2 133

C&I LEASING PLC Sector Totals

11 11

No of Deals Quotation(N) 1 0.50 1

JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Sector Totals

58 58

CONGLOMERATES Company Name No of Deals CHELLARAMS PLC 1 JOHN HOLT PLC 1 PZ CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC 38 TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIG PL 47 UAC OF NIGERIA PLC 48 UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC 41 Sector Totals 176

Quotation(N) 6.76 6.51 28.76 0.79 39.01 27.00

AFROMEDIA PLC Sector Totals

1 1

Quantity Traded 15,000 500 178,552 1,656,435 140,351 1,228,919 3,219,757

Value of Shares (N) 96,450.00 3,095.00 5,303,306.17 1,266,248.03 5,474,885.47 33,669,740.55 45,813,725.22

CONSTRUCTION Company Name JULIUS BERGER NIGERIA PLC MULTIVERSE PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals Quotation(N) 14 55.00 1 0.50 15

Quantity Traded 381,693 7,307,575 7,689,268

Value of Shares (N) 21,039,209.11 3,653,787.50 24,692,996.61

ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY CUTIX PLC Sector Totals

1 1

2.18

2,000 2,000

4,160.00 4,160.00

FOOD/BEVERAGES & TOBACCO 7-UP BOTTLING CO. PLC CADBURY NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIGERIA PLC HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC MULTI-TREX INTEGRATED FOODS PLC NATIONAL SALT COMPANY NIGERIA PLC NESTLE NIGERIA PLC UTC NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

43 35 146 51 130 5 1 40 54 3 508

EVANS MEDICALPLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXOSMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Sector Totals

1 7 20 6 4 38

45.00 16.99 7.60 9.60 77.75 4.06 1.70 4.08 401.00 0.51

37,761 284,670 1,350,576 628,373 2,508,460 88,114 1,000 906,984 217,758 20,586 6,044,282

1,762,306.00 4,776,123.99 10,268,026.26 5,977,449.76 187,324,314.61 357,742.84 1,620.00 3,729,593.86 87,228,981.88 10,293.00 301,436,452.20

HEALTHCARE 0.94 1.61 26.00 3.80 1.21

1,050 139,200 109,343 27,000 73,000 349,593

945.00 216,519.00 2,880,358.90 97,470.00 88,330.00 3,283,622.90

HOTEL & TOURISM CAPITAL HOTEL PLC Sector Totals

7 7

7.50

34,150 34,150

243,489.50 243,489.50

INDUSTRIAL/DOMESTIC PRODUCTS Company Name ALUMINIUM EXTRUSION INDUSTRIES PLC B. O. C. GASES NIGERIA PLC NIGERIAN ENAMELWARE PLC VITAFOAM NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1 2 19 23

Quotation(N) 10.70 7.10 40.53 6.00

Quantity Traded 2,000 5,000 18,158 194,649 219,807

Value of Shares (N) 21,400.00 33,750.00 699,264.58 1,126,516.37 1,880,930.95

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY Company Name STARCOMMS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals Quotation(N) 3 0.50 3

AIICO INSURANCE PLC.

62

Quantity Traded 229,000 229,000

Value of Shares (N) 114,500.00 114,500.00

INSURANCE 0.66

1.02 2.52 0.50 1.01 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50

151,200 67,700 15,625 949,637 370,830 220,365 300,000 15,209,505 14,760 500 34,000 14,000 21,194,895

157,804.60 172,377.00 7,812.50 980,283.85 185,415.00 110,182.50 150,000.00 7,604,752.50 7,380.00 250.00 17,000.00 7,000.00 11,886,569.71

LEASING

COMPUTER & OFFICE EQUIPMENT Company Name OMATEK VENTURES PLC Sector Totals

represented a drop of 77 per cent, compared with a total of 247.2 million shares worth N1.9 billion traded in 4,284 deals on Wednesday.

The banking sub-sector accounted for 66 per cent of the total volume of shares traded with 83.9 million shares worth N503.02 million traded in 1,981 deals.

Insurance sub-sector followed on the activity chart with 21.2 million shares worth N11.9 million exchanged in 133 deals.

On the price movement chart, Flour Mills led the gainers’ chart with a gain of N1.75 to close at N77.75.

Eterna followed with a gain of 25 kobo to close at N5.29.

Other gainers were Vitafoam which gained 20 kobo to close at N6, Cadbury Nigeria, which added 19 kobo to close at N16.99 while University Press grew 18 kobo to close at N3.78.

On the other hand, Forte Oil recorded the highest loss for the day, dropping by 74 kobo to close at N14.20. Julius Berger lost 50 kobo to close at N55.

Dangote Flour dropped by39 kobo to close at N7.60, Stanbic IBTC Bank lost 34 kobo to close at N9.16, while Presco depreciated by 33 kobo to close at N7.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

CHEMICAL & PAINTS Company Name No of Deals BERGER PAINTS NIGERIA PLC 13 CHEMICAL AND ALLIED PRODUCTS PLC 27 DN MEYER PLC 7 PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES Pl 17 PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIG PLC 1 Sector Totals 65

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

to the negative yesterday as investors pondered the prospects of financial stocks ahead of the crucial September monthend resolutions of banks’ business combinations.

The All Share Index (ASI) and aggregate market capitalisation of all quoted equities, two indices that measure the pricing trend at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), dipped by 0.22 per cent, which translated into a loss of about N15 billion.

The ASI dropped from 21,396.43 points to 21,352.02 points, while market capitalisation of equities declined to N6.804 trillion as against its opening value of N6.819 trillion.

The decline was driven largely by losses suffered by financial stocks as investors remained wary of the postSeptember outlook for the banking sector. All the banks involved in the mergers and acquisitions which crucial meetings are scheduled for this month end are quoted on the NSE, except Equitorial Trust Bank (ETB).

The NSE Banking Index, the sectoral gauge for the banking sector, dropped from 310.16 points to 308.02 points, while the NSE

3,846,773

2,486,311.76

0.94

999,000 999,000

893,720.00 893,720.00

MARITIME 0.92

1,765,539 1,765,539

1,601,976.90 1,601,976.90

MEDIA 0.51

36,362 36,362

18,544.62 18,544.62

19,627 1,000 20,627

9,813.50 500.00 10,313.50

30,000 413,654 443,654

60,600.00 206,827.00 267,427.00

377,960 1,485 379,445

728,756.50 21,770.10 750,526.60

MORTGAGE COMPANIES ASO SAVINGS AND LOAND PLC RESORT SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC Sector Totals

1 1 2

0.50 0.50

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS DEAP CAPITAL MGT AND TRUST PLC ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC Sector Totals

1 9 10

2.02 0.50 PACKAGING

NIGERIAN BAG MANUFACTURING COM PLC 38 GREIF NIGERIA PLC 1 Sector Totals 39

1.95 13.97

PETROLEUM(MARKETING) MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC CONOIL PLC ETERNA OIL & GAS PLC. FORTE OIL PLC MOBIL OIL NIGERIA PLC. OANDO PLC TOTAL NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

8 13 27 18 28 140 12 246

63.86 34.36 5.29 14.20 148.00 28.75 203.32

14,184 18,709 767,641 93,659 77,093 907,373 20,275 1,898,934

898,658.08 612,518.85 3,916,392.46 1,329,957.80 11,018,440.29 26,163,697.39 4,053,312.00 47,992,976.87

PRINTING & PUBLISHING ACADEMY PRESS PLC. LONGMAN NIGERIA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC Sector Totals

17 1 22 40

UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. PLC Sector Totals

18 18

3.17 4.61 3.78

392,473 9,546 324,801 726,820

1,218,640.62 41,811.48 1,209,141.33 2,469,593.43

158,445 158,445

2,648,270.60 2,648,270.60

REAL ESTATE 17.55

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) UNION HOMES REAL ESTATE INVMNT TRU 15 50.00 Sector Totals 15

Quantity Traded 181,600 181,600

Value of Shares (N) 9,080,000.00 9,080,000.00

Quantity Traded 902 902

Value of Shares (N) 550.22 550.22

Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) ECOBNK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED 41 12.80 Sector Totals 41

Quantity Traded 2,090,400 2,090,400

Value of Shares (N) 26,217,120.00 26,217,120.00

Overall Totals

139,328,360

TEXTILES Company Name UNITED NIGERIAN TEXTILES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals Quotation(N) 2 0.60 2 THE FOREIGN LISTINGS

3,833

1,122,156,714.02

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

55

MONEY LINK

Banking crises solution beyond capital, says CIBN

T

HE Chartered Institute of Banks of Nigeria (CIBN) has said deploying more capital to the banking industry without adherence to prudential guidelines, can not create the desired stability in the sector.

A statement by the institute, signed by the Chairman, Consultative Committee 5th Annual Banking & Finance Conference, George Uwakwe, said there is need to guide against possible recurrence of the present crisis, by building a sustainable banking sector, focused on delivering value to the economy, adding that the challenges of rebuilding trust in the banking sector are becoming more

By Collins Nweze

pronounced than ever.

He said the institute is committed to ensuring the emergence of a new era in the nation’s banking sector that is not only strong in terms of capital base and balance sheet, but largely enjoys public confidence.

The event, which is part of the Institute's public enlightenment programme is meant to constantly keep the captains of the industry and stakeholders abreast of the developments in the economy. It is also one of the various ways the Institute complements Federal Government’s socio-economic programmes with a view to fast

sector, necessitating the need for practitioners and regulators to enhance skills and know-how of bank workers.

“Our own job is to see that we get the right people in terms of skills to manage the banking sector. One way of doing this is through training,” stressing that there is renewed emphasis on risk management and the banking sector is getting to a point where International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) will be fully implemented to enhance quality financial reporting in the industry.

To enhance its professional efficiency, the CIBN recently, reviewed professional code of conduct for bankers.

tracking the socio-economic development of our country, Nigeria and by extension attract foreign investments and improved national earnings to the benefit of all stakeholders, Uwakwe, stated.

Meanwhile, CIBN President, Laoye Jaiyeola, said there is need to work out plans that would encourage specialisation in the banking sector.

He said the agency has set up five work groups that would draw specialties where bankers can deploy, effectively, their competencies. He said the banking industry is not a one cap fits all arena, adding that there is need to set up faculty boards to look at diverse areas of banking.

He said, it is obvious that there is dearth of skilled manpower in the

Access Bank plans savings product for kids

A

CCESS Bank is set to launch a young savers account to encourage financial responsibility from an early age.

The ‘Early Savers Account,’ a custom-made banking product for Nigerian parents and children, will be supported during its launch by a groundbreaking strategic partnership with Nickelodeon, the global family entertainment superbrand.

Nickelodeon, worldfamous animated pre-school heroine and cartoon character, Dora the Explorer, is expected at the launch of the exercise.

“To further engage and involve young savers, and to drive the adoption of the Early Savers Account by Nigerian children and their parents, Access Bank and Nickelodeon, will bring Dora the Explorer and her best friend, Boots to Nigeria for the very first time in September 2011, for the “Dora’s Birthday Fiesta,” a statement from the bank,

UBA to invest in human capital devt

U

NITED Bank for Africa (UBA), Plc, through its Corporate Social Responsibility arm, UBA Foundation, has concluded arrangements to invest in human capital development in Nigeria and other countries in Africa.

Speaking during the launch of the UBA Foundation National Essay Competition, in Lagos, Managing Director, Philips Oduoza, represented by Deputy Managing Director, designate, Kennedy Uzoka, said the bank is aware that for it to grow, it needs talents that are properly groomed to handle critical issues in the course of their lives.

He said, the bank has come to the realisation that its talents are the strength of the bank and that no amount of investment in its human capital can be seen as too much or unwarranted. To this end, the bank has decided to invest in the development of education in, especially with the commencement of a number of ini-

By Collins Nweze

said.

Dora, will be holding her first ever public performance, featuring well-known nursery rhymes, at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, on Friday, 23 and Saturday, 24 September, 2011.

Group Managing Director/CEO, Access Bank, Aigboje AigImoukhuede, said; “Access Bank’s introduction of this Early Savers Account, is the first bold step in the implementation of our financial inclusion strategy. The future of this great nation belongs to our children and we will create a win-win partnership with Nigerian youths resulting in a lifelong customerbank relationship,” he said.

In conceptualising and designing the Early Savers Account, Access Bank seeks to serve the unbanked segment of the Nigerian economy, particularly children up to nine

• Aig-Imoukhuede

years. The product would address some of the key elements children would like to see in offerings from banks, like making the banking process simple and fun; educating them about banking in an engaging fashion; making banking for children a family affair and extending the lifecycle of the product to match the development life path of children from birth to adulthood.

FGN BONDS Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

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

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

Amount

7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2011 “ 14-04-2011

GAINERS AS AT 8-9-11 SYMBOL

UPL ACADEMY ETERNAOIL WEMABANK VITAFOAM INTBREW FLOURMILL JAPAULOIL CILEASING STERLNBANK ZENITHBANK

O/PRICE

3.60 3.02 5.04 0.71 5.80 5.89 76.00 0.90 0.92 1.41 12.90

C/PRICE

3.78 3.17 5.29 0.74 6.00 6.06 77.75 0.92 0.94 1.44 13.05

0.18 0.15 0.25 0.03 0.20 0.17 1.75 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.15

LOSER AS AT 8-9-11 SYMBOL

FO REDSTAREX HONYFLOUR DANGFLOUR NEIMETH PAINTCOM PRESCO GTASSURE UNITYBNK IBTC ACCESS

O/PRICE

14.94 2.64 4.27 7.99 1.27 1.07 7.33 1.05 0.53 9.50 5.60

C/PRICE

14.20 2.51 4.06 7.60 1.21 1.02 7.00 1.01 0.51 9.16 5.40

Amount

Exchange

Sold ($)

Rate (N)

Date

450m

452.7m

450m

150.8

08-8-11

250m

313.5m

250m

150.8

03-8-11

400m

443m

400m

150.7

01-8-11

EXHANGE RATE 26-08-11 CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Currency

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD

147.6000

149.7100

150.7100

-2.11

NGN GBP

239.4810

244.0123

245.6422

-2.57

NGN EUR

212.4997

207.9023

209.2910

-1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

(S/N) Bureau de Change 152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

NSE CAP Index

NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N)

Parallel Market

23-08-11 N7.137tr 22,313.23

24-08-11 N7.135tr 22,308.22

% Change -0.03% -0.03%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

(S/N) CHANGE

Amount

Offered ($) Demanded ($)

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES

Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

tiatives in this regard in the last couple of months.

Oduoza, said the bank has decided to pursue educational development with significant investment in critical segment of the educational sector, especially in nurturing young school children.

He said the new initiative — the Essay competition, is part of its corporate social responsibility and is designed to cater for the educational needs of bright young scholars.

He explained that winners of the competition, which is opened to only students of secondary schools in Nigeria, will have UBA as their life guardian, with the bank providing for their educational needs throughout their stay in any Nigerian universities whenever they secure admission to further their studies.

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

MANAGED FUNDS

OBB Rate Call Rate

By Tonia Osundolire

DATA BANK

Tenor

NIDF NESF

The draft Code of Conduct, has been sent to the Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation and the 24 deposit money banks for their input, before a final copy is endorsed by all the relevant bodies. The disciplinary organs of the Institute, the Investigating Panel and Tribunal, have also been activated to ensure the enforcement of the subsisting Code, he stated.

Jaiyeola, said action is part of the blueprint set by the body to restore bankers’ professional reputation in the country. He promised to increase and spread sound banking knowledge and practice to bankers, which can be achieved through improved corporate governance structures.

153.0000

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

Aug ’11

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

8.75%

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% 9.4%

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 117.50 112.11 0.79 0.01 0.97 1,620.90 8.70 1.39 1.87 7,745.89 193.00

9.08 1.00 117.22 111.89 0.76 0.01 0.97 1,618.90 8.28 1.33 1.80 7,502.11 191.08

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

CHANGE

0.74 0.13 0.21 0.39 0.06 0.05 0.33 0.04 0.02 0.34 0.20

• STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

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

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

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK Previous

Current

04 July, 2011

07, Aug, 2011

Bank

8.5000

8.5000

P/Court

8.0833

8.0833

Movement

56

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

57

58

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

NEWS ‘NABTEB certificates give job’ THE National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) has urged technicians and artisans in Enugu State to take advantage of various examinations conducted by the Board to acquire and improve skills as a guarantee to quick employment and sustainable national development.

Registrar/Chief Executive of the Board Olatunde Aworanti,who made the call during a visit to Government House, Enugu, noted that the Modular Trades Certificate Examination conducted by the Board has great socioeconomic potentials for the well being of the youths in the society and regretted that the state has not yet taken advantage of the “novel examination”, as shown by records.

WAMCO urged to pay tax DEPUTY Governor of Lagos State Adejoke OrelopeAdefulire has urged Friesland Campina WAMCO Nigeria PLC to always pay its tax for the speedy development of the state. She said the money would enable the government to execute its peopleoriented projects.

She spoke at an event organised by Fresland Campina, entitled: ‘New Peak Extra Fortified Plus’ in Lagos. She urged the company to employ more indigenes of the state to reduce unemployment in the state.

The deputy governor hailed the quality of the product and called on investors to empower women and children in the society.

She praised the company for contributing to the development of the state, adding that it has promoted high nutritional value, created society support, potable water and immunization centres in public institutions.

Journalist mourned THE Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) has been thrown into mourning following the demise of its Head, Media Division, Felix Olarewaju Oloyi.

Oloyi, an Assistant Director, died on September 3 at his Lagos home.

Born on April 4, 1960, at Akoko Ondo, Ondo State, he joined the commission from The Guardian in 2002 as a Manager and rose to the position above.

He is survived by a wife and four children.

•The workers being addressed at the state secretariat by Omar….yesterday.

Enugu workers begin indefinite strike

E

NUGU State secretariat was shut yesterday by the national leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC).

The congress ordered the workers to embark on strike following alleged refusal of the state government to implement the N18,000 minimum wage.

Addressing the workers at the secretariat yesterday, the NLC President, Comrade Abdulwahaab Umar, alleged that government has not indicated interest in negotiating with the workers.

Although the rally was tagged ‘the mother of all rallies’, only few of the workers attended.

Most of the workers stayed away from their offices for fear of the Labour leaders who went round to ensure that the strike was successful.

Govt: NLC action uncalled for From Chris Oji, Enugu

The state government has condemned the strike, saying it was uncalled for.

Commissioner forInformation Chuks Ugwoke spoke yesterday.He said: “The attention of the Enugu State Government has been drawn to the reports that the NLC has ordered workers in the state to embark on an indefinite strike over the implementation of the minimum wage. This is, to say the least, uncalled for and quite unfortunate.

“It beats the imagination why the labour leaders should give such a directive even when it is on record that the Enugu State Government remains the only one in the geo-political zone to have fully complied with the imple-

mentation of the payment of the minimum wage. The implementation was reflected in the payment of the workers’ salaries for the month of August and this is verifiable.

“As a matter of fact, Governor Sullivan Chime had even approved N18,500 as the minimum wage payable in the state. Furthermore, in the implementation of the minimum wage law, the salary of every civil servant in the state was also upwardly adjusted, just as the administration has paid the April to July arrears of the minimum wage. Therefore, the issue at stake cannot be about the payment of the minimum wage.

“Government urges the workers to ignore such an illmotivated directive by the NLC and continue with their

duties because external forces acting out the scripts of people envious of the peace and progress in the state will not be allowed to dictate how we shall function as a state on a non-existent issue.

“The Enugu State Government will continue to pay attention to the welfare of its workforce and that explains why it is the fourth state in the federation to have implemented the National Health Insurance Scheme. Government shall remain open to negotiation as a civilised way in resolving whatever grey areas with the workforce.”

Before the rally ,the Labour leadership urged the federal government to caution the governors against behaviour capable of destabilising democracy. NLC President Omar and TUC leader Esele were reportedly yesterday arrested and released before the protest.

Catholic knights seek virile leadership

N

IGERIAN leaders have been urged to be creative, pur-

poseful and decisive and evince selflessness and steadfastness.

Lagos Metropolitan Grand Knight, Sir Patrick Ikemefuna, gave the admonition at a lecture to mark the first anniversary of the creation of Maryland SubCouncil of the Knights of Saint Mulumba (KSM).

Sir Ikemefune, in a paper entitled: KSM Leadership Challenges in a Sub-Council, urged Nigerian leaders to always exhibit exemplary conduct.

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

He said leadership comes in varying degrees and that it is up to every leader to adopt the style that best suits his objectives, taking into consideration the needs, desires and idiosyncrasies of their followers.

The result of leadership, he noted, is human and societal progress.

The Grand Knight of Maryland Sub-Council, Bernard Nkwo, said the subcouncil was created out of the Ikeja Sub-Council, last year.

Nkwo said the council has grown to a great heights

‘Quoting from the Book of Romans, the Rev. Fr. Akpowho urged Christians to always offer their bodies as living sacrifices for God and mankind’ since its creation.

He said the council works for social justice for the benefit of mankind.

The celebration was her-

alded by a special mass at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Ojota, Lagos.

The Assistant Parish Priest of the church, Rev. Fr. Godwin Akpowho, urged Christians to always live a life of sacrifice and commitment to the will of God. Quoting from the Book of Romans, the Rev. Fr. Akpowho urged Christians to always offer their bodies as living sacrifices for God and mankind.

The cleric urged them not to model themselves on the behaviour of the world but to strive to discover the will of God.

Students condemn fresh Jos killings

T

HE National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has condemned the killing of innocent citizens in Jos, Plateau State, and urged the Federal Government and security agencies to address the security challenges confronting the nation.

NANS National President Comrade Dauda Muhammed described the fresh violence in the state in which 11 people were killed as unfortunate.

He said: “Having critically observed the reccurring crisis in Jos and its environs in the Northern part of Nigeria, NANS hereby wishes to urgently call on the Federal Government to find means of putting a stop to this deplorable crisis. Nigeria must begin to attach great value to the life of every citizen, irrespective of where he or she lives.

“It is saddening that at a period when Peace is being advocated globally, our country on a daily basis is becoming a subject of conflict and unwarranted violence perpetrated on such frivolous reasons such as religion or ethnic differences.

“We see the repeated crisis in Jos as an act that is not only barbaric and primitive, but sponsored,organised and perpetuated by individuals who are bent on destabilising our peaceful coexistence as a nation. The perpetrators of the Jos violence are not invisible.

‘Why we’re transferring non-indigenes to their states’

G

•Orji

OVERNOR Theodore Orji of Abia State has explained the reasons behind the transfer of non – indigenes in its civil service back to their states of origin.

The governor gave the explanation in a radio broadcast on the activities marking the 20th year of the creation of the state, saying the action was not vindictive but to, among other things, accommodate many Abia indigenes displaced in some crisis-ridden states.

From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

Orji also said the move would help the state government to implement the N18,000 minimum wage for workers, adding that his administration is committed to the payment of the new minimum wage as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

He said: “We took the action because there are many Abians displaced from the Northern part of the country,

as a result of the activities of Boko Haram and others like them, who are anxiously waiting on government for re-absorption and rehabilitation.

Orji noted that it would be difficult for his government to achieve its desire of satisfying its bloated workforce, “we can only achieve our desire of making our workers happy through the transfer of the non- indigenes in our civil service work force.”

He said: “The pupil-teach-

er ratio in our public schools is not encouraging, indicating that we have excess teachers who are virtually redundant. And the echelon of this profession is predominantly dominated by nonindigenes to the disadvantage of the indigenes who themselves need to be encouraged by promotion so that new people will be recruited to reduce unemployment.

“Sometimes in the past, Abians working in other neighbouring states were disengaged and forced to return to their

states for re-absorption. They were accordingly absorbed, and non-indigenes from those states in Abia, have since been retained and peacefully accommodated.

“Now that the state is committed to the payment of N18,000 minimum wage, the state cannot pay this if we silently continue to bear the burden of accommodating displaced Abians from other states, non indigenes in workforce, and the existing workforce.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

59

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

60

FOREIGN NEWS Zuma appoints controversial Mogoeng as CJ SOUTH Africa’s President Jacob Zuma has appointed a judge who is an ordained pastor with controversial views on rape and homosexuality as chief justice.

Lobby groups had urged Mr Zuma not to appoint Jude Mogoeng Mogoeng as South Africa’s top judge, saying he was lenient on rapists, which he denies.

South Africa has one of the world’s highest incidences of rape.

Mr Zuma said he was confident that with Judge Mogoeng at the helm, the judiciary was in good hands.

Last week, Judge Mogoeng said God wanted him to be chief justice.

Judge Mogoeng had served on the Constitutional Court since 2009 and had previously been the president of the High Court in North West province.

US charges 91 over $295m health fraud NINETY-one people, including doctors and nurses, have been charged with making fraudulent US Medicare claims totalling $295m (£185m).

Some of the 91 are said to have billed the US government for health services to people who had already died.

Arrests were made in eight US cities, Attorney General Eric Holder said.

Medicare is a US government programme designed to help residents older than 65, or those who are permanently disabled, cover medical costs.

The arrests occurred over three weeks, with 70 people charged on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Malawi’s leader criticised over appointments

Gaddafi’s loyalists fire rockets from Bani Walid

F

ORCES loyal to Col Muammar Gaddafi have fired rockets from Bani Walid, one of the last strongholds of the fugitive Libyan leader.

Rockets landed near those surrounding the town ahead of a Saturday deadline for loyalists to surrender.

Earlier, Col Gaddafi gave a defiant message dismissing speculation that he had fled to Niger.

The central bank, meanwhile, said 1.7bn Libyan dinars ($1.4bn; £875m) worth of gold had been sold during the conflict.

Col Gaddafi’s whereabouts remain the subject of speculation - though both

T

the National Transitional Council (NTC) and Western officials have said they have no reason to believe he has left Libya.

The NTC has been trying to negotiate a peaceful resolution to stand-offs in a handful of Libyan towns or cities still controlled by Gaddafi loyalists.

These include Bani Walid, Jufra, Sabha and Col Gaddafi’s birthplace of Sirte.

The rocket fire around Bani Walid followed skirmishes near the desert town, which lies about 90 miles (140km) south-east of Tripoli.

About 10 Grad rockets landed near rebel positions some way from Bani Walid.

Soon afterwards we heard Nato aircraft circling in the sky above, searching for the rocket launchers.

Overnight there was a skirmish between the rebels and Gaddafi loyalists in which one man was killed and another injured. The situation is getting increasingly tense as the deadline - which has already been extended once - now approaches.

The rebels say they’ve completely surrounded the town but their chief negotiator, Abdullah Kinshil, said he believed there was still time to bring about a peaceful solution, adding that two senior Gaddafi supporters in Bani Walid had defected to-

M

•Gaddafi

day.

He also said the humanitarian situation in the town was serious with a shortage of food, medicine and cooking gas and the people, he said, wanted the standoff to be ended as quickly as possible.

The missiles, which NTC forces said were Grad rockets, landed in Wadi Dinar, about 20km from Bani Walid.

NATO-led forces kill BBC reporter in Afghanistan

HE Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) in Afghanistan has admitted it mistakenly killed BBC reporter Ahmed Omed Khpulwak in July.

Isaf said a US soldier mistook the Pashto service journalist for an insurgent when troops responded to a militant attack in the town of Tarin Kowt in southern Uruzgan province.

Khpulwak was one of 19 people killed.

Nato launched an inquiry after initial reports that Khpulwak had been killed by insurgents were questioned.

The BBC said it recognised that Isaf had provided clarification, ending a period of

uncertainty, but it would study the details of the findings on receiving the full report.

Director of BBC Global News Peter Horrocks said: “Ahmed Omed’s death further highlights the great dangers facing journalists who put their lives on the line to provide vital news from around the world. It is essential that journalists are given the best possible protection whilst reporting in dangerous situations so that the world can hear their stories.

“Our thoughts are with Ahmed Omed’s family and we will continue to do all we

can to support them.”

Isaf’s findings concluded that Khpulwak, 25, was shot dead by an American soldier who mistook him for a suicide bomber.

The report said that Isaf troops were responding to an insurgent attack on the offices of Radio Television Afghanistan.

The soldiers were attempting to clear the building after two suicide bombers had detonated devices when they noticed a man “with something clinched in one of his fists and reaching for something on his person with his other hand”.

The report said: “Based on the events of the preceding minutes the soldier assessed the actions as those of a suicide bomber who was taking steps to detonate an IED [improvised explosive device] that posed a lethal threat to numerous soldiers in the immediate area. He shot the individual with his M-4, killing him.”

The BBC’s David Loyn says Khpulwak had taken refuge in a bathroom and what he was holding up may have been his press card.

Isaf said Khpulwak’s death was tragic and has expressed condolences to his family.

UK army abuse must never be repeated, says PM

E

VENTS leading to the death of an Iraqi civilian in British Army custody should never be allowed to happen again, Prime Minister David Cameron has said.

He said the 93 injuries sus-

tained by Baha Mousa after banned interrogation methods were used were “shocking”.

An inquiry found there was a “serious breach of discipline” by troops.

The head of the Army,

General Sir Peter Wall, said the “shameful circumstances” had cast a “dark shadow” over the “high” reputation of the service.

Speaking in Downing Street after inquiry chairman Sir William Gage published

his 1,366-page report, Mr Cameron said: “The British Army, as it does, should uphold the highest standards.

“If there is further evidence that comes out of this inquiry that requires action to be taken, it should be taken.”

Some of the soldiers named in the report have been suspended from military service in the wake of the inquiry.

Mr Mousa was arrested, along with nine other Iraqis, at the Haitham Hotel in Basra on 14 September 2003 by members of the 1st Battalion The Queen’s Lancashire Regiment (1QLR).

The Army says steps to improve training, communications and Army doctrine have been taken and more are under way to ensure that such an incident can never happen again.

The inquiry has made 73 recommendations, many of which the Army says are already being implemented, ranging from the need to retain the Ministry of Defence’s current ban on the use of hoods on detainees to improvements to law training for soldiers and better training in prisoner handling.

After an investigation and the most expensive court martial in British history in which only one of the accused was found guilty senior officers looked for the reasons behind such a serious breakdown of accepted standards.

ALAWI’S opposition has criticised President Bingu wa Mutharika for appointing his wife to the cabinet and moving his brother to a new post.

On Wednesday, Mr Mutharika appointed his wife, Callista, as the minister in charge of HIV/Aids and women’s affairs.

He also shifted his brother, Peter, from the education to the more senior foreign affairs portfolio.

The reshuffle comes after 19 people were killed in antigovernment protests in July.

The protest organisers had given Mr Mutharika a deadline of 21 September to introduce reforms.

The leader of the opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP), John Tembo, said he was concerned about the appointment of Mrs Mutharika and Peter Mutharika to the cabinet.

“The president still needs to justify why his wife and his brother are in the cabinet before we start accusing him of nepotism,” Mr Tembo said.

“Leading civil rights activist, Udule Mwakasungula, told the BBC that Mr Mutharika had given his wife a bigger job in the government despite anger over her previous role, when she drew a salary for doing charity work.

“We’d like to see the contract of the First Lady withdrawn,” he told the BBC’s Network Africa programme.

Analysts say Peter Mutharika’s appointment is the latest sign that the president is grooming him as his successor.

The protesters blame the government for rising prices and shortages The post would give him an opportunity to gain international exposure as Malawi tried to rebuild relations with donors, they say.

UK Archbishop seeks meeting with Mugabe

T

HE Archbishop of Canterbury has requested a meeting with President Robert Mugabe amid reports of violence between rival factions of Anglicans in Zimbabwe.

Dr Rowan Williams is visiting Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia in October.

His spokeswoman said the “pastoral visit” was to “show solidarity” with Anglicans in the region.

The Foreign Office said as head of the church, Dr Williams’ “desire to support them was understandable”.

Dr Williams will become the first prominent British representative to visit Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, in a decade.

The country’s violent regime has previously come under criticism from the Church.

In 2007, the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, cut up his clerical dog collar in protest at President Mugabe’s regime, saying he would not wear it again until the president had left office.

Dr Williams’ spokeswoman said: “[Dr Williams] will meet with bishops, clergy, and is going to be looking at church development initiatives in all three countries.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

61

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

62

SPORT EXTRA ALL AFRICA GAMES

Nigerian athletes get cash bonuses T

EAM Nigeria athletes who have won medals at the ongoing 10th All Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique have been rewarded with cash bonuses.

The prize monies for the

From Akeem Lawal and Stella Bamawo, Maputo different categories of medals as presented by the Nigeria Minister of Sports, Yusuf Suleiman in Maputo are: Gold medal $1,500,

Silver medal $1,000, while Bronze medal is $750.

Prize money for the team events varied according to the number of athletes involved.

According to Suleiman, the rationale for the cash reward

is to further motivate and boost the morale of the athletes to put in their best for the nation.

The Minister used the award ceremony to give an update on Nigeria’s performance in the various

We’re showcasing our feeder team –Akinloye

N

ATIONAL Tennis Coach, Rotimi

Akinloye has revealed that he will be fielding younger tennis players in the All Africa Games(AAG) holding in Maputo as the game commenced on Thursday at the Jardim Tunduro stadium in Mozambique.

Akinloye who spoke with the NationSport at the Game village on Thursday stated that he that he expects the boys to perform exceedingly well after drilling them for ten weeks in a close camping session in Abuja.

Akinloye said: “We had

From Akeem Lawal and Stella Bamawo, Maputo

close to 10 weeks training and camping. We went through series of selection processes which resulted into our last trials where we had to make everybody play themselves. In the girls category we made sure we picked the best four that emerged from the trials and that also goes for the boys.

If you look at the average age of our team this year, they are quite young and they are hungry to make a name for themselves and we are very optimistic that it will hap-

pen.

“You have to put into the consideration the training that we have had. The players we have in our Arsenal right now are capable of picking the gold medal. Everybody is a potential winner.

Every country a potential threat but I think we have prepared so well, and we are so optimistic that we will do Nigeria proud.

Coach Akinloye however dispelled the rumors making round that there were given automatic placement to represent the country at the AGG. He said: “ The players in question are those who

won the Central Bank, they went to Europe for a month, I will not like to delve into what I did not know about.

The period of camping afforded the technical crew to really assess our players, so there was no preferential treatment for any one. We think we will do this country proud.

If we want to go by history, we have won medals in previous editions but right now every country is doing a catch up. We cannot afford to rest on our oars. We will continue look for sponsors for our team and launch our players into full time professionalism.”

sports our athletes are competing in.

Nigeria won her first gold medal in the Badminton Team event Wednesday 7 September, 2011, three (3) silver medals comprising one (1) from Badminton, two (2) from Table Tennis and four (4) bronze.

Meanwhile, the Minister has expressed the commitment of government

to ensuring the welfare of our athletes and officials and urged Nigerians to continue to support team Nigeria even as he implored the athletes to win laurels for their fatherland.

Nigeria is currently in the semi-finals in four (4) different weight categories in Boxing. And also in the semi-finals of female Basketball.

All Africa Games medals table as at Thursday 8/9/2011 Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Nation South Africa Egypt Tunisia Algeria Kenya Senegal Zimbabwe Nigeria Cameroon Mozambique Botswana Congo Angola Mali Namibia Congo DR Mauritius Total

Gold 20 8 5 4 4 4 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 49

Silver 11 4 10 5 3 2 3 3 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 49

Bronze 15 2 6 11 4 7 0 4 4 2 4 2 1 0 0 2 1 65

Total 46 14 21 20 11 13 5 8 6 4 5 3 2 1 1 2 1 163

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

63

TOMORROW IN THE NATION

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM VOL. 7,

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

W

HAT is/are the end(s) to which our constitution-making endeavor is to achieve? How best might these ends be achieved? These questions are or must be at the heart of every constitution- making agenda, Nigeria’s included.

In a federal structure such as the one we claim to embrace and practice, power is shared between governments that are separate and coordinate within a country. Each of these governments is autonomous within its own sphere of authority. The authority of each is specified in a constitutional document and each has the instruments or tools to exercise its authority within its sphere.

Since the inception of a federal structure in Nigeria with the 1951 McPherson Constitution, the country has gone through a variety of changes in process and substance culminating in the 1960 Independence Constitution which was the first true federal constitution. In that Constitution, each of the regions and the Federal Government had its own constitution; the Federal Government and each of the regional governments had its own Coat of Arms. Furthermore each regional government had a Foreign Mission established in the UK, with a representative of its region as Agent.

In other words, the regional governments were autonomous in the spheres allotted to them with the authority to legislate in matters under the residual list which were their constitutional prerogative, as well as in matters under the concurrent list which they shared with the Federal Government. It was the Exclusive list that was out-of-bound to them.

The military putsch of January 1966 turned the system of federalism upside down in Nigeria. Adopting a unitary command system, the military abrogated regional autonomy with the appointment of military governors answerable to the Head of State and passing orders down from the center to the regions. Governors were no longer responsible to their regions, and the revenue allocation system which had worked well for the regions was changed in favor of the Federal Government which now assumed responsibility for all kinds of activities, including primary education. The damage that was done to the federal system from 1966 to 1978 was incorporated wholesale by the new constitution of 1979. And the 1999 constitution merely copied the 1979 constitution.

Like the 1979 constitution which it replaced, the 1999 constitution gave the Federal Government a position of superiority over state governments. Ranging from control of the police to exclusive authority over the registration of business companies, the Federal Government has become the great Leviathan

SEGUN GBADEGESIN gbadegesin@thenationonlineng.net

Federalism, Nigerian style

•President Goodluck Jonathan

that renders the states almost irrelevant in the lives of the people.

Consider the fact that the most important duty of government, its primary purpose, as the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria also affirmed, is “the security and welfare of the people.” Since a state government in Nigeria does not have control over the security apparatus under the exclusive list of the Federal Government, it follows that the state government is lacking in the means of carrying out its primary purpose.

On the other hand, while the state government may generate internal revenue and so provide for the welfare of its people, it is also handicapped because the Federal Government gets to determine and impose for a sizeable number of a state’s population the substance of the people’s welfare. This is done through the mandate of minimum wage which all states are obliged to implement.

The foregoing are well known and while they represent, in the judgment of reasonable people, an indefensible departure from the path of federalism, I have not paid close attention to an even more odious debasement of the federal principle until very re-

RIPPLES OBASANJO MISMANGED NIGERIA’S RESOURCES–IBB insists

BIRDS OF A FEATHER

NO. 1,878

'Azazi has succeeded in unravelling the truth about the epileptic convulsions in governance. As it is, we have to start all over again hoping that the present government would not re-package the contract to its lackeys! That is our fear and it is a bleeding truth.'

YOMI ODUNUGA

‘Is what we are promoting in a state or local government federal character or “state or local character”? What is wrong with each state establishing its own “State Character” or “Diversity” Commission? It’s federalism, Nigerian style’ cently.

Exactly a month ago today, there was a news report on the Federal Character Commission. The title reads as follows: “Federal Character Commission to supervise states, local government.” When I read this, I chuckled. I thought that there was something wrong; that the headline must have misrepresented the story; and what I was reading couldn’t be true.

Then I went to the body of the report and it confirmed the headline. “The Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) Alhaji Muhammed Ari Gwaska yesterday disclosed that the commission will henceforth monitor activities of governors by ensuring that available positions are shared fairly among the local government areas and wards.”

And there was more from the Chairman: “All local government areas within the state should be considered when public appointments are being made…..we expect that the governors (will appoint) Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries from all wards in their local governments.”

And he continues: “That is why ….we will go to the level of the local government areas,

HARDBALL

C

ELEBRATING the first 100 days of a government is a habit mercifully and slowly expiring under the weight of its own absurdity. However, it is yet to completely disappear, for old habits, especially bad ones, die hard. It is not clear when the habit took root, but once it did, it was always accompanied with pageantry often at variance with the quality and integrity of the government in power. As the years go by, and from indications of present trend, it is a question of time before we are rid of the unnecessary convention. The quality of opposition in our imperfect democracy is improving; so too is the trenchancy with which opposition critics are disembowelling the government of the day. To spare themselves injurious lampoon, most state and local governments no longer put any emphasis on their first 100 days. The media is, however, not letting go. It persists in reminding everyone, for editorial and advertisement purposes, that the governments of the day should mark (lowkey or high-key) their 100 days in office.

President Goodluck Jonathan was understandably uninterested in marking anything. Whether out of modesty or because he had little to mark, he sponsored nothing for the day and solicited for nothing. But because the media required an assessment, a

Buhari on Jonathan at 100 few top politicians were constrained to offer their views. One of them is former Head of State, Gen Muhammadu Buhari, Jonathan’s truculent opponent whose supporters repeatedly unnerved the president and, shortly after the last presidential poll, put the entire country on tenterhooks. In a statement issued on his behalf by his spokesman, Mr Yinka Odumakin, the retired general dismissed Jonathan’s presidency as a continuation of the mismanagement begun by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governments before him. He sums up: “The blind can see that it is not well with our country and that there is no sign of leadership in place that is even giving any ray of hope of addressing the issues confronting us.” If the blind could see.

But it does appear that Jonathan has not gone out of his way to give us anything sensational to feast on in his first 100 days.

That he probably holds the convention in contempt is no excuse not to shake the earth.

That he will not be up for re-election in 2015

to see what the chairman of the council is doing at that level, in providing primary schools, clinics, boreholes and road network at the local level.”

At this point, I couldn’t avoid roaring in disbelief. The governors and local government chairmen now have supervisors. They can be expected to roll up their sleeves because the Abuja monitors are watching. It’s federalism, Nigerian style.

I thought Chairman Gwaska was overreaching. I thought it was a case of zealotry.

That is, until I went back to the 1999 Constitution which provides for the establishment of the FCC. Section 14(3) makes provision for the reflection of the federal character of Nigeria in the composition of the Government of the Federation and any of its agencies. The rationale is to promote national unity. And Section 14 (4) provides for the recognition of the diversity of the people of a State or Local Government Council in the composition of its government or agencies.

The rationale again is the promotion of a sense of belonging and loyalty among all the peoples of the federation.

Now we do not have to go into the merits or demerits of the Federal Character idea or its provision in the 1999 constitution. For the purpose of argument, let us assume that it is desirable in the peculiar circumstance of the country. This is of course not an assumption that I am willing to defend, but I do not have the time or space to discuss the issues here. My focus is different.

The FCC is the organ of the 1999 Constitution to give effect to the provisions of Section 14 (3) and (14 (4). It has powers to “work out an equitable formula subject to the approval of the National Assembly for the distribution of all cadres of posts in the public service of the Federation and of the States…..” And it has the mandate to “promote, monitor, and enforce compliance with the principles of proportional sharing of all bureaucratic, economic, media and political posts at all levels of government.” Alas, the Chairman is only being loyal to his constitutional mandate!

But assume then that the provision of a Federal Character clause in the constitution is desirable. Does that seriously recommend having a Federal Commission of 38 members serve as the overall monitor for the entire federation? Is what we are promoting in a state or local government federal character or “state or local character”? What is wrong with each state establishing its own “State Character” or “Diversity” Commission? It’s federalism, Nigerian style.

•For comments, send SMS to 08057634061

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above is also no reason for the placidity of the opening three months of his presidency. It is unclear whether he had a real and sellable economic programme before he took office.

But whether he did or did not, he had to wait for his economic team to be constituted, and to which he gave a carte blanche, judging from the way the head of the team has been talking. If we are not clear about the president’s economic programme, what of his political and social programmes? About the only political programme Jonathan has talked about is the tenure extension gambit, which appears set to miscarry. And as for a social manifesto, perhaps he will soon constitute a team to conceive it.

The country may be faring badly under Jonathan at the moment, but there is no proof, notwithstanding Buhari’s dismissive characterisation of the Jonathan presidency as a continuation of waste, that he would not rise up to the challenge of nationhood and surprise us and the world. However, the other tiers of government are faring even worse. Apart from occasional flashes here and there, they are strangulated by unremitting boredom. If Buhari had been asked what he thought of the states and local governments, what would he say, given what we know is happening in those labyrinths?

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