The Nation September 10, 2012

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Govt floats Special Fund for N6.15tr debts

Oyo petitions CJ over Tokyo’s suit

NEWS

Page 4

NEWS Page 7

•Ajimobi names solicitor-general

•N500m domestic debts target set

www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 7, NO. 2244 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

THE AWARDEES

Awards for Adenuga, Elumelu, Olanipekun, Uduaghan, 145 others •Glo boss bags GCON From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

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LOBACOM chair Dr. Mike Adenuga shone brightest yesterday among other stars, bagging Nigeria’s second highest national honour.

Dr. Adenuga got the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON). Also honoured are 148 other distinguished Nigerians.

According to a statement last night by the Permanent Secretary (Special Duties), Dr. Henry Akpan, in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the awardees would be bestowed with the national honours on September 17.

The statement reads: “The Special Duties Office in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation has concluded preparations for the conferment of National Honours Award on 149 Nigerians and others.

“His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria would conduct the 2012 National Honours Award Investiture of deserving Nigerians and friends of Nigeria.

“The investiture will hold on Monday 17th, September, 2012 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja .

“The Special Duties Office is working assiduously to ensure a hitch free ceremony.”

Also honoured are 148 other Nigerians, including the Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji M.D. Abubakar (CFR) and Governors Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Danbaba Fulani Suntai (Taraba) and Martin Elechi (Ebonyi), who are to be honoured with the Commander of the Order of Niger (CON).

On the list are six Justices of the Supreme Court - Justice Mahmud Mohammed (CFR), Justice Walter Onnoghen Continued on page 4

N150.00

•Dr. Adenuga

•Chief Suswam

•Dr. Uduaghan

•Mr. Elumelu

•Chief Igbinedion

•Chief Olanipekun

•Dr. Adesina

•Chief Elechi

•Mrs. Sosan

•Justice Eso

•Mr. Abubakar

•Justice Odili

•Dr. Demuren

•Brig.-Gen. Johnson

•Dr. Mike Adenuga GCON CFR •Justice Mahmud Mohammed CFR •Justice Walter s. Nkanu Onnoghen CFR •Justice Suleiman Galadima CFR •Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour CFR •Justice Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta CFR •Justice Mary Ukaego Odili •Justice Andrews Otutu Obaseki(rtd) CFR CFR •Justice Kayode Eso (rtd) CFR •Mohammed D. Abubakar CFR •Brig. General Mobolaji Johnson •Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion CFR CON •Rt. Hon. Gabriel Suswam CON •Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan CON •Chief Martin Elechi CON •Alh. Danbaba Danfulani Suntai CON •Alh. Ahmed Muazu CON •Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba CON •Sen. Abdul Ahmed Ningi CON •Sen. Ayogu Eze CON •Sen. Zainab Abdulkadir Kure CON •Sen. Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan CON •Sen. Umaru Ibrahim Tsauri CON •Sen. Emmanuel Bwacha CON •Senator Bala Mohammed CON •Sen. Hamisu Musa CON •Sen. Bello Jibrin Gada CON •Sen. Adamu Ajuji Waziri CON •Sen. Emmanuel Azu Agboti CON •Sen. Mike Ajaegbo CON •Dr. Akin Adesina CON •Hajiya Ina Ciroma CON •Alh. Kawu Baraje CON •Prof. Stephen Debo Adeyemi CON •Mr. Tony Elumelu CON •Dr. Cosmas Maduka CON •Mr Cletus Ibeto OFR •Hon. Mulikat Akande OFR •Hon. Sulaiman Kawu OFR •Hon. Halims Agada OFR •Hon. Bashir Adamu OFR •Chief Antony Ani OFR •Justice N. O. Adekola (rtd) OFR •Mrs. Sarah Adebisi Sosan OFR •Emeka Eze OFR •Oluwole Olanipekun OFR •Alex A. Izinyon OFR •Godwin Jeddy Agba OFR •O. Omonuwa OFR •Dr. Patrick Dele Cole OFR •Alhaji Sani Abubakar Danladi OFR •Dr. Ifeanyi Okoye Eric OFR •Mr. Dan Nwanyanwu OFR •John Gozen Gobak •Dr. Ambrosie Chukwueloka Orjiako OFR OFR •Alh. Moh’d Sani Aliyu Augie OFR •Alhaji Ibrahim K. Aliyu mni

•Maduka

Continued on page 4

Bloody Sunday in Lagos Robbers kill three policemen, three others 10 injured Police gun down two suspects Govt: no cause for alarm

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•Manko

T was a bloody Sunday in Lagos yesterday.

Rampaging robbers shot dead three policemen, a bureau de change operator, an Okada (commercial motorcycle) rider and a bus driver.

There were reports of more deaths which The Nation could not confirm.

More than 10 people were believed to have been injured. They include an official of the Lagos State Traffic management Authority (LASTMA).

By Jude Isiguzo and Precious Igbonwelundu

The bureau de change was attacked in Agege. A large amount of foreign currencies was reportedly carted away by the robbers, who killed one of the operators.

But the Lagos State Government assured residents of adequate security. It described the situation as “unfortunate”, urging residents to be vigilant.

The robbers, said to be eight, includ-

ing two women, drove round in two SUVs - a Prado and an Armada. They shot the policemen who were inside their patrol vehicle near the Guinness Brewery on Oba Akran, Ikeja. Two of the five policemen inside the patrol van died instantly. The third was taken to the hospital, where he died.

A stray bullet hit a six-year- old girl in the eye. Her grandmother was hit on the forehead. They were watching television in their home at 15, Alfa-Nla

Street in Agege on the outskirts of the city.

A stray bullet also hit a parked Volvo ambulance with registration number HL 355 AAA belonging to Motolani Medical Centre. It shattered the rear windscreen.

The robbers were said to have been spotted at about 10.35a.m at IfakoGbagada from where they reportedly drove through Oshodi to Mile 2 and Continued on page 4

•SPORT P23 •CEO P32 •JOBS P37 •POLITICS P43 •MOTORING P49

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

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NEWS

Troubled times for aviation sector These are not the best of times for the aviation sector. For some months now, things appear to be moving round a vicious cycle, writes KELVIN OSA-OKUNBOR •The Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Major General C O Onwuamaegbu (right) presenting an honorary Degree of Doctor of Political Science to Senate President David Markat theconvocation and passing out parade of the NDA Course 59 Regular and Short Service Course 40...yesterday.. With them is Vice-President Nnamadi Sambo

•Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan (middle) and Justice Adolphus Karibi-White (Rtd) (left) at the 7th convocation of Delta State University, Abraka...on Saturday.

•Kogi State Governor Idris Wada presenting a scholarship award to Master Bamidele Oluwapelumi(left) from Ijumu Anglican Science School, Iyara during the 2012 Back to School Summer Studies Initiative for Senior Secondry School Student in Kabba/Bunu/IJumu Federal Constituency by Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Information and Communication Technology, Hon. Ayo Tajudeen held at Kabba...at weekend

•Senator Muniru Muse (left), Lagos State Deputy Governor Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (holding the cup), Senator Oluremi Tinubu (second right) and Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas (right), with Smart FC Apapa at the final/closing ceremony of Muniru Muse Cup 2012 sponsored by Senator Tinubu at the campus mini stadium, Ajele, Lagos...at the weekend.

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EFORE the crash of a Dana Air plane on June 3, there were concerns that the government must urgently rescue the industry from collapse. The crash reinforced the belief, which has refused to die down.

The decision of the owner of Air Nigeria to close shop for one year has further put the troubled state of the industry on the front burner.

In the midst of the confusion in the industry, Minister of Aviation Princess Stella Oduah said the government plans to establish a private sector-driven national carrier.

According to the minister, this is to correct the imbalance in the Bilateral Services Agreement (BASA), which puts Nigeria and its carriers at a disadvantage.

Captain Dele Ore of the Aviation Round Table and a former spokesman of the liquidated national carrier, Nigeria Airways, Chris Aligbe, believe the country is due for a national carrier, given the parlous financial and operational pedigree of the existing domestic carriers.

Matters came to a head a few days ago when more than 60 sacked workers of Air Nigeria protested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport’s domestic terminal, demanding four months unpaid salaries. The airline’s owner, Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim, fired nearly all of the company’s 800 employees for “disloyalty”.

Almost half the aircraft had been pulled out of service at Air Nigeria, which used to be the nation’s second-largest airline, and its staff had not received a paycheck in four months when its top executive summarily fired nearly all of its employees for “dishonesty.”

Ibrahim, in a statement announcing the sack of the workers, said: “Corporations are like individuals, who naturally will get sick. The usual thing to do is to admit them in hospitals, either for corporate surgery or for treatment, as the case may be.”

With Air Nigeria on sabbatical, only four domestic airlines are flying in Nigeria. It was nine in January. The dramatic decrease highlights the current turmoil of the nation’s troubled aviation sector.

While the Federal Government insists it conducts strict maintenance and financial audits of airlines, the financial mess left behind after Air Nigeria’s shutdown and a June crash

by Dana have left many Nigerians leery of flying and distrustful of official safety promises.

“I think that if in the future, if anybody’s coming into this business, I think the government needs to put in a particular panel to check that person’s mental state, first of all, and the financial records need to be checked so we can know if this person can even do the job,” said Isaac Balami, president of Nigeria’s National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers. “We’ve seen people that can’t even manage an ordinary business. ... Aviation is not for a lazy man or somebody who doesn’t know what he’s doing.”

Angered by their firing, more than 60 former Air Nigeria employees protested Friday outside of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and later marched past a domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Interna-

tional Airport. Former employees described a dysfunctional environment where bosses removed telephone lines and cut Internet access and using an elevator to reach their high-rise office.

Workers last received a paycheck in April and had been sitting at home for weeks for a call to return to work. At one point, employees also were forced to sign “loyalty oaths” to swear their allegiance to the company and promise not to be union members, workers said. Yet the company continued to collapse, even after it received money from a federal bailout fund, employees said.

“If they want to steal Nigerian money, don’t use our hands or our heads to steal it,” said an employee who asked only to be identified by her first name Barbara, out of hopes she might still receive the rest of her salary. “Just steal it and deal with your conscience.”

Financial troubles have trailed Air Nigeria, a one-time darling of the country when billionaire Richard Branson helped create it as Virgin Nigeria in 2005. Branson pulled out of the airline and in 2010 Ibrahim took it over and renamed it.

Engineers’ strike earlier this year saw workers claim the company’s finances stopped it from properly servicing its fleet. A top former company official also referred to airline’s aircraft as “flying coffins” in local media reports.

The workers presented a letter outlining their complaints to officials at the civil aviation authority. Samuel Ogbogoro, a spokesman for Air Nigeria, did not respond to a request for comment on Friday over the employees’ allegations. The company has said, however, it hopes to reopen in 12 months, though it remains unclear how it will do that with the debts employees say it faces.

Experts believe Air Nigeria is not a unique case among airlines. Jet fuel purchases often must be made with cash in the country. Other executives with ties to government officials have floated airlines in the past.

The country has suffered a series of fatal plane crashes over the last decades, with authorities never offering clear explanations for why the disasters happened.

In June, a Dana Air MD-83 crashed about five miles north of Lagos’ airport, killing 153 onboard and 10 people on the ground. While an initial report suggests both engines failed on the flight, officials haven’t explained why that happened, though they cleared the airline to fly again last week.

Other airlines appear to be grounded over financial concerns and other matters, leaving only four carriers flying and unable to meet the nation’s growing demand for flights. That could put further pressure on an industry where corners have been cut in the past and pilots feel pressure to fly no matter what.

Balami said: “The aviation industry is all about efficiencies, speed and accuracy. Can you imagine a pilot ... going through financial difficulties (and) he or she can’t pay their bills and you expect them to concentrate?”

A player in the aviation sector, Mrs. Nkechi Uko, said : “ Aviation is the biggest diplomatic weapon in the world today. The smallest countries in the world who want to extend their power are using aviation, sports and tourism.

Name them: Qatar, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Singapore and others. UAE

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

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NEWS

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Payment of customs duties for aircraft and its spares only happen in Nigeria and nowhere else does this happen. A carrier pays an average of $4million on import duties on an aircraft. That is huge

‘

•Air nigeria workers

is actually running five airlines. Every country is trying to extend their power beyond their shores and the easiest way is through aviation.

“Nigeria cannot be the centre of African diplomacy without effective airline. It is impossible for Nigeria to lead Africa without a national carrier. It is impossible. Unfortunately, we have diplomats that understand diplomacy but do not understand the potency of diplomacy. We have aviation people that only understand aviation but they do not understand the travel and diplomatic import of aviation. So, they are experts of their own nuclear environment but they do not understand the interdependency of these things. A Nigerian aviation man doesn’t think he needs tourism; the foreign affairs man doesn’t think he needs aviation. But unfortunately we have some of the best brains and nobody has been able to figure out the simple truth. Nigeria cannot be an effective political power in Africa and in the world without an airline base. If you want to do espionage, are you going to be flying your spies around with other people’s carrier? So you cannot grow your tourism on other people’s carrier. There are so many things you cannot grow on other people carrier. If we have accepted that we cannot run aviation the Nigerian government should buy into Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways or South Africa Airways and adopt them as our national carrier. But you know recently people have been opposing the idea of having a national carrier in Nigeria. “ Despite the lifting of the ban on its operations by the Federal Government last week, about 94 days after its McDonnel Douglas 83 crashed into residential building in Iju / Ishaga area of Lagos State, DANA Air may have to cross many hurdles ahead of its planned commencement of operations in the next few weeks investigations reveal.

Part of the hurdles the airline will have to grapple with is how to rebuild passenger confidence over the use of its controversial aircraft type: McDonnel Douglass 83, which safety integrity has come under intense scrutiny after the June 3 crash.

A cross section of passengers who spoke to The Nation expressed reservations over their patronage of the airline.

They urged the management of DANA Air to buy another aircraft type , which they said could boost passenger confidence .

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• Ms. Oduah

Another challenge the airline may have to grapple with is the delay in the payment of compensation claims to families of victims of the crash.

According to the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Harold Demuren, the airline has only paid 62 families out of the 153 that died in the crash.

He said the slow pace of body identification by the families of the victims and cases of multiple claims appear to have dogged efforts by the relevant authorities to pay compensations.

Demuren said: “ We cannot say how soon DANA Air will resume operations . We cannot say, the airline has been working hard, but, we have to ensure that everything is in order, especially ensuring that most of the dead are buried. We have to ensure that there is no default in the payment of claims to family members, who have lost their bread winners to the crash.

“You know that Dana Air has a peculiar challenge, they have a homogenous fleet. We have to recer-

• Dr. Demuren

tify their aircraft and ensure that everything is okay with the aircraft type before they can resume operations.”

As a way of breathing life to the industry, experts have called on the Federal Government to waive customs duty on aircraft and its spare parts.

Captain Akin Oni, who is Managing Director of Bristow helicopters and Captain Akin George, the Managing Director of Aero Airlines, explained that until prohibitive charges and the high costs of duties on aircraft and its spares are waived, airline business would not be attractive.

Oni explained Nigerian airlines spend an average of $4 million on customs duties on acquired airplane. He explained that such high cost is of no benefit to the airline.

Oni described Nigeria as one of the few countries in the world where domestic airline operators still pay customs duties on acquired aircraft and spare parts, noting that airlines in European countries,

United States of America and Ghana no longer pay customs duties on aircraft and spares. ccording to him, the $4mil lion spent on customs du ties could be used for construction of two standard maintenance hangar facilities. He cautioned that without the removal of this policy, Nigerian carriers would continually find it difficult to compete with their counterparts across the world.

Oni said: “Payment of customs duties for aircraft and its spares only happen in Nigeria and nowhere else does this happen. A carrier pays an average of $4million on import duties on an aircraft. That is huge. Aircraft are mobile resources that transport one around the world. This policy I have to tell you the truth is killing the industry. If you import an aircraft, you spend 14 percent as import duties to the government which is about N4milliom dollars for just importing an aircraft. We are one amongst many other countries that enforce such law, the same apply to

A

spare parts. In President Obasanjo time, it was removed and we pray that it should be removed because it is killing us, it is killing the aviation industry. If all these taxies and levies are waved, it will greatly improve the aviation sector and boost the country’s economy.

“Obasanjo once waived this policy before it was reintroduced. If this is reduced or abolished, it will reduce pressure from operators because with $4million, I can put two hangars up and immediately start maintenance business.”

Oni said Bristow budgeted about $7million on training of cadet pilots in 2012, excluding aircraft engineers while it spent $4.7million on the same purpose in 2011.

He explained that 12 cadet pilots had been sent on training to Florida, U.S, stressing that if the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria had commenced helicopter training as earlier promised, funds spent on training outside the country would have been cheaper.

He added that the helicopter company had, in the last four years, commenced fleet renewal programme, which made it to replace its ageing fleet with newer ones. He added that it had 29 helicopters and an executive jet for its operations.

Aero Airline has joined other indigenous carriers to clamour for waivers on customs duties on any aircraft spare parts imported into the country.

The airline said that the N300bn bailout funds released to the industry by the government, through the Bank of Industry (BOI), was only to enrich the banks, stressing that no airline was given cash to improve its facilities.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of the airline, Captain Akin George, in an interview with reporters at its headquarters in Lagos, wondered why government could grant waivers to some other aspects of transportation and abandon the airlines, a development which, he said, has made the sector unviable.

But, Oduah said the Federal Government would continue to protect the interest of domestic carriers with the creation of an enabling environment.

Time will tell.

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THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

NEWS Southeast governors get committee to fight crime From Chris Oji, Enugu

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•Newly commissioned officers at the passing out parade and convocation ceremony of the 59th Regular Course Cadets of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna...at the weekend PHOTO: NAN

2015 poll: INEC sets up graphics unit to design ballot paper T HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has established a graphics unit to handle the design of ballot papers for the 2015 general elections.

With this development, the commission has stopped outsourcing of the design of ballot papers.

Also, after a crucial meeting, the Chairman of INEC , Prof. Attahiru Jega and all the National Commissioners have agreed to merge the 29 departments in the agency into nine.

It was gathered that one of the key reform areas which INEC is focusing on how to secure the ballot design and process.

While the commission will manage the design of the ballot papers internally, it will still approach private and government mints for the printing.

According to investigation, INEC is already collaborating with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) on capacity development on graphics.

A source in the commission said: “The reforms being put in place by INEC chairman and his team have started with the establishment of a

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

unit for graphics.

“For the first time in INEC history, the unit will design its ballot papers and other security features relating to the electoral process. Apart from saving funds, the sanctity of the ballot papers will be guaranteed. We will no longer outsource the design of the ballot papers.

“Another advantage is that, if we are responsible for our ballot paper design, we can print ballot papers within a short period if there is any technical challenge. We can also redesign within a short time if we suspect any plan to rig.

“We are already working on the acquisition of relevant technology and capacity development for our staff nationwide. We are collaborating with IFES in this regard.

“IFES is reputed to have assisted many countries in acquiring appropriate technology to improve their electoral systems.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “We will put the graphics into use dur-

ing the 2015 general elections.”

Since 2007 elections, IFES has been providing technical assistance and strategic capacity building for INEC. The Chairman of INEC and his team have agreed to merge the 29 departments into nine (9) between now and January 2013.

Another source in the agency said although the chairman wanted seven departments, the National Commissioners insisted on nine.

The source added: “The merger of the 29 departments will begin any moment from now till January 2013. This is a consequence of the consideration of the report of the PricewaterhouseCoopers.

“We will now be able to put round pegs in round hole.

The essence of the ongoing reforms is not to sack any staff but to ensure effective management of our workforce. For instance, we have a department with two or three directors when they ought to be productive elsewhere.”

He confirmed that the audit firm had noticed some bureaucratic lapses which ought

to be corrected by INEC before the next general elections.

The audit firm’s report reads in part: “Over departmentalised and sectionalized corporate structure. The corporate structure has too many departments, directorates and units, some of which were created to satisfy selfish growth interests and in some cases to prevent discord between staff on the same grade.

“Improper grouping of activities and delineation of functions. For instance, benefits and welfare administration are handled by Administration instead of Human Resources at the corporate level “Absence of a strategic thinking role for the commission. The corporate structure did not make provision for a corporate planning and development functions whose responsibility will include facilitation of strategic planning process and the coordination of the commission’s development initiatives. This creates difficulty in strategic planning and continuous improvement.”

COMMITTEE, which will proffer solutions to the disturbing upsurge in crime in the Southeast, was formed yesterday.

Southeast governors met in Enugu with all the security stakeholders to raise the committee, which is headed by the General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Nigeria Army, Enugu,Major General Oluwaseun Oshinowo.

The committee has two weeks to submit recommendations to the governors on the best way to tackle crimes especially kidnapping.

At the meeting were the AIG in charge of Zone 9 Umuahia, Continued on page 8

Govt floats Special Fund for N6.15tr domestic debts

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ORRIED by the increasing N6.15trillion domestic debts, the Federal Government has established a Special Sinking Fund to reduce it.

Also, the Coordinating Minister and Minister of Finance, Dr, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has mapped out fresh strategies to reduce the domestic debts to about N500billion by 2015.

As at the end of June, the Debt Management put the domestic debts stock instruments at N6.152, 874,741,000.00 trillion and the external debts at about $6,035.66billion The breakdown is as follows: FG bonds (N3,714,553,859,000.

00); Nigerian Treasury Bills (N2, 084,590,382,000.00); and Treasury Bonds (N353,730,500,000.00.

Investigation however showed that the government is disturbed about the huge domestic debts.

A reliable government source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: “Our intention is to really have a healthy domestic debt outlook.

“The position of the Minister of Finance is that it does not help the nation’s economy if you are owing people so much within your own financial system.

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

“So, the Minister is focusing on these debts to bring them down to a reasonable level. It is a big challenge but she is determined to reduce it.

“People tend to assume that domestic debts are not as important as external debts. But the government does not see it that way.

“We have developed twoprong strategies to deal with the increasing domestic debts beginning from 2012.

“A Special Sinking Fund has been set up by the Federal Government for dealing with bigger or huge debts.

“The government target is that by 2015, the flow of the domestic debt will come down to about N500billion.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “The establishment of a Sinking Fund is not peculiar to Nigeria , it is a universal method of managing debts.”

Wikipedia says: “A sinking fund is a fund established by a government agency or business for the purpose of reducing debt by repaying or purchasing outstanding loans and securities held against the entity. It helps keep the borrower liquid so it can repay the bondholder.”

Bloody Sunday in Lagos as robbers go on the rampage Continued from page 1

Agege.

They shot dead an Okada rider in Ijesha on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway.

At Agege, the police reportedly engaged the robbers who shot sporadically and headed toward Ogba. On their way, a driver of a commercial bus, (Lagos XQ336 EKY) was shot dead. His vehicle crashed into a ditch at the Railway crossing.

The robbers, who made a detour and were retreating through the Oba Akran Road, met the patrol team and double crossed their van.

The bodies of the policemen were first taken to the Area ‘F’ Police Command, Ikeja before being taken to the mortuary.

When our reporter visited Oba Akran in front of Guinness Plc, about 10 patrol vehicles and an Armoured Personal Carrier (APC) were on the scene. An eyewitness, a commercial motorcycle operator who simply identified himself as Kabiru, told The Nation that he was following the SUV in which the robbers

Police shoot dead two robbers

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WO suspected robbers were killed by the police at the weekend, after snatching a bag from a woman in Apapa, Lagos.

The robbers struck after the woman left a bank on Creek Road, Apapa. The police led by the Apapa Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Mr Usman Ndabobo, a Chief Superintendent (CSP), went after the robbers, with help from some commercial motorcyclists.

The bandits were reported to have laid ambush for the woman, who had gone to the bank to withdraw money.

As she was leaving the bank, the robbers operating on a motorcycle, blocked her way and tried to snatch her bag but she held on

were operating, unknown to him that they were armed robbers, until he saw how they suddenly double crossed the patrol team and started shooting at the policemen.

He said: “It was like a war scene. I saw death with my eyes.

They shot dead two policemen.

I took cover near the war zone.”

Lagos Police chief Umar Manko, who confirmed the incident, said the gunmen were being

By Jude Isiguzo, Police Affairs Reporter

to it and raised the alarm.

Noticing that the woman was not ready to leave her bag, the bandits shot her in the leg. She immediately left the bag and the robbers sped off .

On receiving a distress call, the DPO led his men to the scene. But the robbers had left.

With the help of the commercial motorcyclists and the public, they went after the robbers. During the chase, there was an exchange of gun fire and two of the robbers were killed.

Their bodies were brought to the Apapa

chased by policemen.

“The police got wind of their operation and were chasing them and, in the process, two officers were killed,” Manko said.

He noted that the hoodlums killed the policemen because the patrol vehicle was met in an Isolated place.

He said he suspected that the bandits had snatched a police communication equipment,

Police Station before being taken to the morgue. The victim was rushed to a private hospital where she was treated and discharged.

Items recovered included a locally made pistol loaded with two cartridges, a hand bag containing the money and the operational motorcycle of the robbers.

The recovered money has been released to the woman.

Lagos State Police Commissioner Umar Manko praised the efforts of the DPO and his men.

The command, he said, is determined to ensure that Lagosians sleep with their eyes closed.

with which they monitored police directives.

On the bureau de change killings, the police chief said: “I cannot confirm either the death of the civilians or the robbery at the bureau de change because I do not have that fact, but I’ll contact you once I am put in the know.”

Confirming the attack on of one of its men LASTMA spokesman Richard Omolase said he was informed by zonal head

Kester Ademola that the officer was shot at Anthony were the agency has its zonal office.

He gave the name of the affected person as Sosan M, a level four officer. Who is recuperating at the Gbagada General Hospital.

Lagos State Commissioner for Information Lateef Ibirogba described the sporadic shooting by hoodlums as ugly and unfortunate, especially on a Sunday af-

ternoon. He extended regards to the injured.

He said although no society was free of crime, the state government was committed to ensuring that people can go to bed with their eyes closed.”The Lagos State Government will always make sure that there is co-operation between the government and the security agencies to kick crime out of the state. We are putting in our best to get crime and criminals out of Lagos as well as ensure that security agencies live up to their responsibilities.”We will always complement security agencies to make Lagosians and other residents go to bed with their eyes closed,” he said.

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

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

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NEWS FRSC suspends arrest, enforcement

ACN urges EFCC to probe N588m Environment Cactus contract

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HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the alleged non-performance of the N588, 499, 725 million contract awarded to a serving Senator from one of the Southeast states. It was for the establishment of Cactus Opuntia plantation in Borno, Niger, Katsina, Kebbi, Kaduna and Jigawa states.

In a statement in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said just as Dr Doyin Okupe, the embattled Senior Special Assistant to the President collected a whopping N886 million as mobilisation fee from the Benue State Government and failed to ex-

ecute the contract, this senator also collected N166 million” from the Federal Ministry of Environment in 2010 and absconded without visiting any of the sites.

According to the party, the establishment of the Cactus Opuntia plantations in the the six states was part of the National Afforestation Programme of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua. It was designed to roll back the expanding Sahara Desert and generally put in place mitigation measures to combat the imminent effect of climate change which regrettably has been unleashing havoc in several parts of the country today.

“To underscore the reign of corruption and impunity of

‘To underscore the reign of corruption and impunity of President Jonathan’s administration, this serving senator not content with walking away with the N166 million mobilisation fees’ President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, this serving senator not content with walking away with the N166

million mobilisation fees, is now putting pressure on the Federal Ministry of Environment to pay him the balance of the contract sum, the party has revealed.

The party has, however, expressed grave reservation on the ability of the EFCC to investigate this unwholesome act on the part of this serving senator against the background of the inglorious role of this anti-graft body working in collusion with the Presidency and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to shield Dr Okupe against glaring allegations of corruption.

“In conclusion, the party warned that when an institution like the Economic ad Financial Crimes Commission with the statutory responsi-

•Embarks on advocacy tactics to cut road crashes From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

E •Alhaji Mohammed

bility to help bring to justice those charged with acts of corruption adopts ambivalent and complicit attitudes in dealing with select individuals then the country has lost its, battle against corruption and this is why we call on President Goodluck Jonathan today to allow the EFCC a free hand in the discharge of its responsibilities.”

Anenih may return as NPA chairman

By Oluwakemi Dauda, Ports Reporter

B

ARRING last-minute change of mind by the President, former Charman of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) Chief Tony Anenih may return to the post.

An official of the Federal Ministry of Transport who spoke in confidence at the weekend, said the Federal Government was set to reappoint the former chairman of the Board of Trustees of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The source said President Goodluck Jonathan may announce Anenih’s name anytime from now.

The NPA board was dissolved alongisde others in October, last year.

“The President may announce the appointment of Chief Anenih any moment from now. The plan, we were told, was concluded few months ago. May be the President is waiting till the time when the boards of other agencies would be constituted after the FEC meeting on Wednesday to announce his appointment,” the source said.

NPA’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Chief Michael Ajayi, said although, there had been no letter to that effect, he however noted that there was nothing bad if the President reappoints Anenih.

“Chief Anenih is an experienced hand in port operation and nobody can deny him that.

Therefore, if the President appoints him again as the new board chairman, it would be a plus to NPA and the nation as we are sure that Baba would take NPA to a greater level,” Ajayi said.

•Chief Anenih

•L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Aviation Security Consultant, Mr. Ayo Obilana, CEO, Jetset Aviation Consultant, Mr. Clement Alabi, Managing Director, Skyway Aviation Handling Company Ltd. (SAHCOL), Mr. Olu Owolabi and President, Association of Foreign Airlines in Nigeria, Mr. Kingley Nnwokoma during the ‘’2012 SAHCOL Safety Week’’ held at the NCAA Annex, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE.

Okupe defends Jonathan’s achievements

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HE President’s Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe at the weekend defended the achievements of his boss, saying the country has witnessed some significant improvement in various sectors of the economy.

Addressing reporters in Abuja, Okupe cited power, roads and electoral reforms as high points of the administration in the last 15 months.

According to him, the Goodluck Jonathan administration has revived 10 abandoned Independent Power Projects (IPP) that it inherited, stressing that eight of the projects have been rehabilitated up to 90 per cent. The remaining two, he said, are up to 80 per cent.

He also said that Jonathan inherited about 1,900 to 2,200 megawatts of electricity, but that power generation has increased in excess of 4,400 megwatts.

“When the President assumed office, between 1900 and 2200 megawatts of electricity was what he met on ground. But today,

From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

it has increased to 4400 megawatts and the people can now enjoy at least 15 hours of uninterrupted power supply”, the President’s aide added.

Okupe dismissed the view that the relative stability in power supply in the last few weeks was as a result of having enough water in the various hydro electric dams, owing to the abundance of rain, maintaining that between 600 and 800 megawatts have been added to the national grid.

He assured the people that going by the pace of work, Nigerians should expect that additional 1000 megawatts would be added to the national grid between now and December.

On infrastructure, Okupe named the newly awarded contract for Benin-Ore road, the Onitsha road and the Lagos-Ibadan expressway which has continued to defy solution. These road projects, he said, would be completed on schedule.

RRING motorists will go scot-free this week, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) said at the weekend.

The “unusual” gesture will enable the traffic rules’ enforcers carry out their advocacy to reduce accidents.

During the week, they will suspend their biros and booking sheets.

There will be road shows, rallies at motorparks and other campaign programmes.

The new approach will hold across the country.

The Commission’s Spokseman, Jonas Agwu briefed reporters in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

According to him, enforcement would be suspended across the country throughout the week.

He, however, urged the public to cooperate with the Commission and not to see the week as a period to break road safety rules.

He said: “Throughout next week, (this week) we are going to embark on one week awareness campaign, we will suspend enforcement for the week.”

“No arrest will be made during the week. We want to suspend our biros and booking sheets in order to explore the use of advocacy to reduce road crashes.

“We hope that the public will not see next week as an avenue to break traffic rules including driving against traffic and making phone calls while driving,” he added Giving reasons for the campaign, he said that if the trend of the crash report of January to March this year is not checked, the Commission will not meet its 2012 projections for road crashes at the end of the year.

According to him, the crash report for January to March this year, shows that there were 2,409 crashes nationwide against 4,500 projected for 2012.

He also disclosed that the 1,562 deaths recorded in January to March this year may not let the Commission attain its target of less than 3,800 deaths projected for the whole year.

“In the last few months, there has been an increase in road traffic crashes along Lagos-Ibadan, Okada-Benin, Abuja-Lokoja, Akure-Owo, mostly involving tankers and trailers.” He stated. Also between 2007 and June 2010, he said that there are 4017 road traffic crashes involving trailers and fuel tankers.

Fed Govt urged to comply with ECOWAS judgment on children’s right to education

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AGOS lawyer FemiFalana (SAN) has urged the Federal Government to comply with the ECOWAS court judgment on the right of Nigerian children to free, quality and compulsory education.

The human rights activist counselled the government to urgently convene a stakeholders’ summit involving the Federal Government, states and civil society groups to discuss the framework and mechanisms for implementing the ECOWAS Court judgment delivered two years ago.

By Adebisi Onanuga

Falana made the request in his capacity as counsel to a human rights group, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) in a letter dated September 7, and addressed to Mr. E.W. Ikpi of the Legal Department of the Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja.

He said that compliance with the judgment will send a strong message that the Ministry is ready and willing to make substantial invest-

ments into our country’s most valuable resources, the Nigerian children.

“By fully and effectively implementing the ECOWAS court judgment, the Federal Ministry of Education will be demonstrating the government’s expressed commitment to end long-standing povertyrelated violence once and for all”, ’he said .

The human rights activist urged the government not to delay the implementation of the judgment any further, given the deterioration in the education sector, and the fact that

over 12 million Nigerian children of school age remain on the street.

“Further, under the Universal Basic Education Commission Act, the Federal Government is required to allocate two per cent from the Consolidated Revenue to universal basic education, which has to be matched by counterpart funds from state governments. Regrettably, this formula has not worked well in part because of the failure of many states to provide the required counterpart funds in order to access the over N30

billion of the UBEC fund, which has not been accessed to date.

“The urgent need for the effective implementation of the judgment cannot be overstressed. Providing access to free and quality education to millions of Nigerian children is the surest way to end the continuing violence and killings and insecurity in several parts of the country. We believe that the ECOWAS court judgment on the right to education provides the Minister with the legal and policy framework to do this”.

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

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CITYBEATS L

08033054340, 08034699757 E-mail:- ynotcitybeats@gmail.com

Fashola tasks pilgrims on discipline

AGOS State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola has challenged intending pilgrims to be disciplined during this year’s pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

Fashola spoke at the opening of this year’s National Christian Pilgrimage Retreat in Lagos, with the theme: “Pilgrimage as a tool for moral transformation and spiritual rebirth.”

Fashola, represented by the Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture, Mr. Oyinlomo Danmole, stressed the need for attitudinal change in pilgrims’ behaviour. He said right attitudinal mindset would make citizens obey all laws.

This year’s pilgrimage, he said

By Miriam Ndikanwu

should be a useful tool for the moral transformation which could lead to the desired national change.

“The first step in having a national change is to have a positive change which would entail respect for the rule of law, integrity, honesty, discipline and all that is noble,” he said.

Moral transformation, he said, would help the country achieve a better society governed by the rule of law where there is equity, justice and respect for rule of law.

Fashola said: “I do believe that apart from the spiritual uplifting that the pilgrimage affords

participants, there are much more to be learnt about the land of Israel and from the holy pilgrimage.

“The instructive lesson to learn, for those who must have cared to observe, is the will of the people of Israel. The will to survive and excel as a people, in the face of adverse and challenging circumstances, transforming an arid and difficult terrain to a rich land of Agriculture, producing a variety of fruits amongst others.”

The governor listed other lessons to be learnt from Israel to include the preservation of historical monuments and artefacts, which has helped to

promote tourism.

Executive Secretary Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission Mr. John Opara said the retreat would help Christian leaders and officials of the board seek solutions to some complex challenges affecting the future of pilgrimages.

Opara said: “This is a moment that will define our course, character and our pilgrimage, for decades to come. If we succeed in getting our pilgrims morally and spiritually transformed, they will in turn transform others and in no distant time our society will be morally and spiritually transformed.”

•A cross section of members of the Yoruba Tennis Club during and interactive session on the newly enacted Lagos State Traffic Law at the Club House, Onikan, Lagos. Inset: Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN)... recently.

NNPC confirms killing of three workers by pipeline vandals

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HE management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday confirmed the killing of three of its workers by suspected vandals of oil pipelines.

A statement in Lagos by Mr Fidel Pepple, the acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the corporation, said the three were members of a team deployed to repair recently vandalised products pipeline in Arepo Village in Obafemi/Owode

Local Government Area of Ogun.

The statement said the three members of the repair team had been confirmed dead and that some were receiving treatment for injuries sustained from gunshots.

It said the NNPC dispatched the team of pipeline engineers and technologists to the ruptured products pipeline site in Arepo after it had successfully put out the flames by ensuring a complete cut-off of product supply to the pipeline from the

Atlas-cove.

The statement added that the PPMC team was on the verge of gaining access to the damaged point to commence proper assessment of the scope of work when they were ambushed by the gunmen.

Describing the situation as sad and regrettable, the statement called on Nigerians to collaborate with the corporation in its quest to ensure effective supply and distribution of petroleum products across the country.

Policeman to be tried for murder

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POLICE Corporal, who allegedly killed the Meiran/Ilepo branch chairman of the Three-Wheelers Association of Nigeria will be dismissed and prosecuted for murder, Lagos State Commissioner of Police Umar Manko has said.

Manko, who said Corporal Abbey Adekunle, who allegedly killed Dele Oroja, was drunk, added that he has ordered the demolition of all makeshift shops where local gin and other alcohols are sold around Meiran Police Station.

Manko said the suspect is being detained at the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba.

He said during his tour of Area Commands, he lectured policemen on how to handle firearms and the consequences

By Jude Isiguzo

of misuse, adding that the corporal is on his own.

Adekunle had allegedly fired and killed Oroja on Thursday night following a disagreement over bribe. The corporal was said to have demanded bribe from the Oroja, who was taking him to command area to buy feeds for his domestic animals.

Adekunle was alleged to have dropped his rifle and fled after the shooting. He was later arrested by his colleagues who also recovered the rifle.

The incident elicited protest last Friday morning by members of the association and street urchins when they learnt that their leader had been killed by a policeman.

The armed protesters, it was learnt, attacked the police station, pulled down the gate and were on the verge of setting

“Nigerians need to identify with the NNPC and recognise that it is our collective responsibility to work towards securing the nation’s oil installations which is our collective national asset.

“It is no news that our economy relies heavily on what comes out of these pipelines thus our economic destiny is tied to our pipelines,” it added.

According to the statement, “any attack on our pipeline is an attack on our commonwealth”.

It called on Nigerians to rise up to the challenge, adding: “It is, therefore, imperative for us to strive to protect these installations in order to ensure continuous flow of oil for the benefit of the Nigerian people.”

Trainee-pastor charged with rape, assault

By Tumininu Owolabi

A 20-year-old trainee-pastor, Olamilekan Samuel, has been arraigned before Magistrate Olagbegi Adelabu of a Lagos Magistrate’s Court in Ikeja for allegedly assaulting and defiling a 16-year-old girl.

The accused is facing a threecount charge of having carnal knowledge of the young girl, assault and obtaining money.

Samuel, who is undergoing pastoral training in a white garment church, was alleged to have defiled the girl, Blessing, without her consent and also assaulted her sister, Victoria.

Police Inspector, Rachael Williams said the accused committed the offence on August 25 about 10:00pm in the Ikeja Magisterial district.

Williams said, the accused claimed to have a vision for Blessing and Victoria that they have unfamiliar spirit (Emere).

She told the court that the accused also assaulted the two girls by beating them with broom and palm tree in order to cast out the unfamiliar spirit.

The offences, the prosecutor said, contravened Sections 258(2) and 170 of the Criminal Law, Vol.44 No. 11, Laws of Lagos State, Nigeria 2011.

Samuel was also said to have allegedly obtained N4,000 from Blessing under the pretence to use it to buy candle to pray for her.

Williams said the accused acted contrary to Section 312(3) of the Criminal Law Vol. 44 No. 11 Laws of Lagos State, Nigeria 2011.

When the charges were read, the accused pleaded not guilty and Magistrate Adelabu ordered that he be remanded in prison custody pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). She adjourned the matter till October 4, 2012

20 illegal security firms shut THE LAGOS State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) has shut 20, private security companies.

The Command’s spokesman, Mr Sunday Eromosele, said the companies, which were shut down in the first six months of this year, were currently being prosecuted in court.

He said during the period under review, 44 people were arrested for various offences, and six fuel tankers seized from suspected pipeline vandals.

He said about 214,440 litres of petroleum products were intercepted from suspected smugglers, the command assisted some people to recover N5.6 million from suspected fraudsters during the period.

LASAA uncovers more signs

T •Manko

it ablaze when a re-enforcement of policemen from the State Headquarters and Rapid Response Squad (RRS), led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge of operations arrived. Their arrival saved the station.

Manko urged members of the association, the bereaved family and residents to remain calm as justice would be done.

HE Lagos State Signage & Advertisement Agency (LASAA) uncovered about 300 per cent increase in signs not previously captured in its data base, its Managing Director, Mr. George Kayode Noah, has said.

The exercise was to capture data of all paid and unpaid signage and outdoor advertising structures. It was embarked upon to enable the Agency operate efficiently. It involved verifying, collating and evaluating a detailed signage/outdoor database.

Noah, who spoke at the send

forth for the enumerators, thanked the 475 temporary workers for a job well-done on the benefits of the exercise, ‘’From the reports compiled by the Enumeration Project Team, we now have in our database over 300 per cent increase in signs not previously captured on our books. Similarly, we have recorded huge increase of 70 per cent in the number of billboards (Third Party structures). The enumeration has confirmed our earlier assumption that signs and outdoor structures on our books were enormously understated,” he said.

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

7

NEWS Osun signs N3.3b road contract

Ogun promotes 7,362 teachers, others From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

T

HE Osun State Government has signed a N3.3 billion agreement on four road contracts with an indigenous construction firm, Perfect Structure Limited.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Transport, Mr Oladepo Amudah, spoke in Osogbo, the state capital, at the signing of the contract.

He said the contractor is expected to finance the project while the government would repay over 36 months.

Signing on behalf of the government, Amudah said the construction would be completed in 18 months.

The Special Adviser listed one of the roads to be rehabilitated as the 23.2kilometre Ede (Army Barrack)-Ara-Ejigbo road, which is to cost N140,708.02.

Others are the 30.7kilometre Ede (Oke-Gada)Awo-Iragberi-Ejigbo-Oyo State boundary for N325,648,909.89; the 35.2kilometre Iwo-Ejigbo Road for N1,681,138,569.50 and the reconstruction of the Ejigbo-Aiye-Oguro Oyo State boundary (Alase village), for N971,016,512.53.

Amudah said: “The Rauf Aregbesola administration has taken this step to take the dividends of democracy to all segments the state. No doubt, these roads will facilitate the socio-economic development of the state.”

The Special Adviser noted that the financing of the project by the contractor would enable the government to do many more projects and ease repayment.

Advising the people to be patient, Amudah noted that the ongoing road projects have shown that the government is committed to entrench a good legacy.

He urged the contractor to deliver the works on time and do them according to specification.

The Team Leader of Perfect Structure Limited, Gboyega Ajao, assured the government of a good job.

He said the work would be done according to the terms of the agreement.

According to him, the company has completed the survey of the four roads, their designs and drawings.

The government also signed an agreement with Gardol Nigeria Limited to build 11-kilometre perimetre fencing of the airport at Ido-Osun.

•National Secretary, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Comrade Abdullahi Jabi (left); National President Chief Abubakar Sadiq and National President, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Yashim Najeem at a Presidential retreat for civil society at the Banquet Hall, State House, Abuja...yesterday.

PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

Oyo petitions CJ over Court Registrar’s ‘bias’ in Tokyo’s suit

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HE Oyo State Government has petitioned the Chief Judge (CJ) of the Federal High Court, alleging abuse of office by the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Ibadan Division of the court, Mr A. A. Tahir.

The government said the petition followed a case the former Chairman of the state branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Lateef Akinsola, (aka Tokyo), filed against it.

In a letter, Tahir allegedly sought police assistance in reinstating Tokyo as NURTW chairman.

The letter was allegedly written to the Commissioner of Police and copied to the Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) in Zone XI. In the petition, by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice,

•Ajimobi appoints Solicitor-General Mr. Adebayo Ojo, the government said Tahir was seeking police assistance to execute a declaratory judgment to which neither he personally nor his office was a party to.

The petition reads: “It is worthy of note that there is a pending application before the court by the persons named as the second to the 13th applicants, praying the court to set aside its judgment on the grounds that the suit was fraudulently commenced in their names without their knowledge or consent.

“Under these circumstances, the letter of the Deputy Chief Registrar is therefore a thing of curiosity and if actually confirmed to be authored by him, ought to raise suspicions as to what his interest is in seeking the

assistance of the Nigeria Police in executing a declaratory judgment.”

The commissioner said Tahir’s action was tantamount to an attempt to usurp the powers of the court.

Ojo added: “We, therefore, urge your Lordship, in your capacity as the administrative head of this noble court, to cause an investigation to be carried out into the authenticity of the letter and the conduct of Mr. Tahir, to nip in the bud the activities which might cause an embarrassment to the impartial status and dignity of the court.”

Governor Abiola Ajimobi has approved the appointment of Prince Adetunji Wasiu Gbadegesin as the Acting Permanent Secretary and Solicitor-

General of the Ministry of Justice, Oyo State.

Prince Gbadegesin was born on April 23, 1962 to the Ladigbolu royal family of Oyo, Oyo State.

He attended L.A. Primary School, Idi-Ope, Oyo, (19681974); Ladigbolu Grammar School, Oyo (1975-1980), for his secondary school education.

He also attended the Federal Government College, Odogbolu, Ogun State, (19821984), for his Higher School Certificate (HSC).

He attended the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State (1987-1991), where he got a degree in Law. He was called to the Nigerian Bar on July 17, 1993.

Prince Gbadegesin joined the Oyo State Civil Service in 1994. He is a devout Muslim.

The Solicitor-General is happily married and has children.

Ogun ACN: plot to derail Amosun ‘ll fail

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HE Ogun State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has said the Ibikunle Amosun administration in the state would not succumb to any orchestrated mischief by the opposition.

It accused the opposition of planning to distabilise the government by peddling falsehood.

The party said it was reacting to a “misplaced brouhaha orchestrated by the opposition” over the alleged intention of the Amosun administration to take a

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

N100billion bond.

ACN said the governor was falsely accused of spending N26Million on a chartered flight to Saudi Arabia for the last Umrah (the lesser Hajj).

A statement by its Publicity Secretary, Sola Lawal, said the Amosun administration was already crippled by an inherited N78billion debt burden, making the bond option unnecessary.

ACN said: “The bill before

the Ogun State House of Assembly seeks for a law to establish a procedure for the incumbent and future administrations to utilise a whole gamut of financial instruments, including promissory notes, loans, contractors’ financing arrangements and so on.

“Amosun - a chartered accountant – intends, through this bill, to inject sanity into government’s financial engagements as, in one bold stroke, the bill – if passed – would repeal all previous

anti-people financial legislation, including, in particular, the obnoxious N100 billion bond law the Gbenga Daniel administration hurriedly passed during the closing chapter of its tenure.

“Rather than opt for the bond non-option, Governor Amosun, drawing from his sound professional background in finance, would prefer to adopt promissory notes issued to contractors for its many projects, such as roads, schools, hospitals and so on.”

Aregbesola, Ikuforiji, Tinubu’s wife get FRCN awards

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SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola; wife of former Lagos State Governor, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, have been honoured by the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) for their leadership qualities.

Aregbesola got an award for Excellent Information Management as well as the efforts of his administration at improving the welfare of Osun

By Oziegbe Okoeki

State residents.

Ikuforiji was named the Legislative Man of the Year 2012 for leading the “Most Resourceful Legislative Chamber in the country”.

Senator Tinubu was honoured for her promotion of academic brilliance and excellence among school children in Lagos State through her initiative, the New Era Foundation.

The National Drug Law En-

forcement Agency (NDLEA) was rewarded for its zero tolerance for drug trafficking in Nigeria.

A distinguished jurist, Justice Alban, was also honoured for his outstanding contribution to the rule of law through his impartial dispensation of justice.

The awards were presented to the recipients on Friday in Ikoyi by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FRCN Chapel, led by its Chairperson, Mrs Bimbo

Oyetunde.

It was at this year’s “Press Week” of the chapel and in commemoration of the 80th year of broadcasting in Nigeria.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Strategy, Security and Publicity, Lagos Assembly, Segun Olulade, who represented the Ikuforiji, dedicated the award to the over 18million people of the state.

Aregbesola, who doubled as the guest lecturer, spoke on:

Funding, Good Governance and Transformation at the Grassroots.

The governor urged the media to be in the forefront of discouraging the military from interrupting the fledgling democracy.

He noted that military experience has impeded national progress.

Aregbesola said the media has a historical role to play in deepening democracy, strengthening the rule of law and transforming leadership and governance in Nigeria.

THE Ogun State Government has promoted 7,362 teachers.

It said the promotion is for primary school teachers on the list for 2009 and 2010.

The Executive Chairman of the state Universal Basic Education Board, Mufutau Ajibola, said this at the weekend.

He said 417 non-teaching workers also benefitted from the promotion.

A breakdown of the figure shows that 3,375 teachers were promoted in 2009 and 3,987 in 2010.

Also, 221 non-teaching workers of the Local Government Education Authorities were promoted in 2009 and 196 in 2010.

Ajibola urged the teachers to see the promotion as a motivation for better service.

Amosun for Press Week lecture OGUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun will today deliver this year’s Press Week lecture of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Oyo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

The governor will speak on: Military Involvement in Participatory Democracy, especially in monitoring elections.

His Oyo State counterpart, Abiola Ajimobi, will deliver the keynote address and declare the week open at Lafia Hall, Lafia Hotel at noon.

The celebration began yesterday with a church service at the Stone Church, Mokola, Ibadan.

Another lecture will be delivered on Wednesday

by Senator Babajide Omoworare of Osun East Senatorial District. He will speak on: Democracy and Military: Any Synergy?

The chairman of Iddo Local Government Area, Prof Joseph Olowofela, will on Thursday deliver a lecture on: Grassroots Democracy and Security.

400 psychiatric patients in Ogun From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

OVER 400 persons with psychiatric challenges are undergoing treatment at the Primary Care Mental Health Centres (PCMHC) in Ogun State, two years after the centres were established in parts of the state.

The PCMHC were the initiative of the NeuroPsychiatric Hospital(NPH), Aro, Abeokuta, the state capital. aimed at bring mental health services to the 20 Local Governments in the state, to cater for the mental health need of the rural folks who due to ignorance or poverty, may be unable to access such facilities in cities.

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THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

NEWS Awards for Adenuga, Elumelu, Olanipekun, Uduaghan, 145 others Continued from page 4

(CFR); Justice Suleiman Galadima (CFR); Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour (CFR); Justice Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta (CFR); and Justice Mary Ukaego Odili (CFR).

Others are two retired justices of the Supreme CourtJustice Andrews Otutu Obaseki(CFR)and Justice Kayode Eso (CFR) ; a former Military Governor of Lagos State, Sir Mobolaji Johnson (CFR); and Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion (CFR).

Others are a former Managing Director of UBA, Mr. Tony Elumelu (CON); a former Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Ahmed Muazu (CON); the Chairman of Coscharis, Dr. Cosmas Maduabuchukwu Maduka (CON);

a renowned businessman, Mr. Cletus Ibeto (CON); the Minister of FCT, Sen. Bala Mohammed (CON) Also on the list are seven serving Senators including the Senate Leader, Mr. Victor Ndoma Egba (CON); Abdul Ahmed Ninigi (CON); Ayogu Eze (CON); Hajiya Zainab Abdulkadir Kure (CON); Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan (CON); Umar Ibrahim Tsauri (CON) ; and Emmanuel Bwacha(CON).

Four members of the House being honoured are the House Leader, Hon. Mulikat Adeola Akande (OFR); Sulaiman Kawu (OFR); Halims Agoda (OFR); and Bashir Adamu (OFR).

Still on the honours roll are the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akin Adesina(CON); a

former acting National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje(CON); a former Ambassador to Turkey, Sen. Ajuji Waziri(CON); Senator Hamisu Musa(CON); exMinister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Inna Ciroma(CON); Sen. Emmanuel Agboti (CON); Ex-Minister (Sen), Jibrin Gada(CON); the Executive Chairman, Minaj Group, Sen. Mike Ajaegbo(CON); a former Minister of Health, Prof.

Stephen Debo Adeyemi(CON); The others are ex-Minister of Finance, Chief Anthony Ani(OFR); a former Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Nurudeen Adekola(OFR); a former Deputy Governor of Lagos state, Mrs. Sarah Sosan(OFR); the DG of the Bureau of Procurement, Engr.

•Sen. Ayogu Eze

Emeka Eze(OFR); three Senior Advocates of NigeriaChief Wole Olanipekun(OFR); Chief Alex Izinyon(OFR); and O. Omonuwa(OFR); a former Nigerian Ambassador to Brazil, Dr. Patrick dele Cole(OFR) among others.

•From second left: Governors of Enugu, Imo, Anambra, Abia states, Mr. Sullivan Chime, Chief Rochas Okorocha, Mr. Peter Obi, Chief Theodore Orji, Deputy Governors of Ebonyi and Anambra states, Mr. David Umahi and Mr. Emeka Sibeudu and Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi (left) at a press briefing at the Governor’s Lodge, Enugu......yesterday

2015: Igbo’s stand on presidency uncertain

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HERE will the Igbo stand in 2015? Will they back an Igbo candidate or align with President Goodluck Ebele Azikwe Jonathan – if he decides to run?

Three questions implex at the weekend, with Igbo traditional rulers from the 19 northern states pledging to join forces with President Jonathan.

Former Anambra State Governor Chukwuemeka Ezeire spoke for the Igbo leaders when he told reporters that “2015 is a very big thing (project), we are going to play a game of co-operation with Jonathan forces”.

Chief Ezire spoke as Movement for the Actualisation of Survival of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) leader Ralph Uwazuruike reiterated the determination of the Igbo not to carry out reprisal attack on Northerners for attacks on Igbo in the North.

The duo spoke in Abuja at a meeting of Ndi-Eze Igbo in the 19 Northern states hosted by the Chairman of the group, His Royal Highness Nwobu Ibe, Igbo 1 of Abuja.

At the meeting were the Eze Nri and custodian of Igbo culture and tradition, Eze Obidiegwu Onyesoh; Eze Cletus Ilomuanya of Obinugwu in Imo State who is the chairman of the Southeast Council of Traditional Rulers; Chairman, Ndi Eze Igbo in 19 States, the host, Dr Ibe, the former gov-

From Dele Anofi, Abuja

ernor of old Anambra State, Dr Ezife.

According to the MASSOB leader, the meeting was at the instance of the security and welfare of the Igbo in the North. “As you can see, we came from Igbo land and we are here to see what has been happening to our people here in the North to talk with them, know their feelings and know the areas we can be of help to them,” Uwazuruike said.

He declined comments on the Federal Government’s measures aimed at curbing the attacks, saying: “This is not for me to say here, if I’m not satisfied with what is happening. I have a way of communicating with them,” Uwazurike nonetheless assured that the Igbo would not embark on reprisal.

He said: “I have said it before, our people will shun reprisal attacks because we don’t believe in killing someone just because another person was killed. We shall continue to advise our people to refrain from reprisal attacks and ensure that we do not encourage that.

“However, governments should accept their responsibilities by making sure that people ‘s lives and property are secured”.

Ezife who noted that the forum would also explore means of seeking the government’s proactiveness of government

in curbing the incidents, regretted that the Igbo were adversely affected by the attacks.

He said: “We are here to also find out how we can develop a response to it in terms of pleading with the government to do more.

“How much affected the Igbo were by the attacks does not matter because we all know that when you go and bomb a church, you are bombing the Igbo; when you go and bomb a spare part-markets, it is the Ndigbos that are more affected.

“This is not to say that we are the only target but we are involved but as Christians, we are the dominant people, so anybody attacking Christians is invariably attacking us also though not necessarily because we are Igbos but because we are also Christians.”

On the way forward, Ezeife said: “Nobody knows we are ever going to get to this level because suicide bombing is alien to us. How do you relate to person that has made up his mind to die.

“The long term solution is enlightenment, public education on religious matters that will make it certain that our brothers, Christians and Muslims, know the meaning and limit of what their scriptures are saying.

“You do not just go out of it and start to brain-wash people into committing suicide. Do

we even understand the meaning of suicide? He who commits suicide goes to hell straight; no trial. Though the person that brin-washed you will go to hell but since he wasn’t dead yet, he can seek forgiveness for his sins.”

•Chief Ezeife

THE AWARDEES •Alh. Muhammadu Indimi •Dr. Emmanuel Samson Miri •Alhaji Bashari Aminu •Alh. Adamu Aliyu •Mrs. Esther Gonda •Dr. Emmanuel Okereke •Engr. Bala Na’ade Adamu •Lt. Col. Shehu Ibrahim (rtd) •Habib Baba Habu •Hajia Muheeba Dankaka •Uchechukwu S. Ogah •Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa •Othman Babayola Mohammed •Alh. Yakubu Muhammed •Dr adesegun akin-olugbade •Chief Alexander Chika Okafor •Prof. Cyprian Okechukwu Okonkwo •Dr. Nimota Nihinlola Akanbi •Dr. Tahir mamman •Maj. Gen. A. A. Olaniyi •Avm. Tomboiyi Dick Iruenabere •Rear Admiral Emeraku Ijioma •Prof. Charity Ashimem Angya •Prof. Olufunmilayo Falusi Olopade •Alhaji Mohammed Kabir Ahmed •Hon. Musa ibrahim Ahmadu •Alhaji Mahmoud Lai Alabi •Mrs. Mary Galadima •Mrs. Adenike Abiose •Mr. Pius J. Major •Amb.s. O. Willoughby •Dr. Paul Botwev Orhii •Mabel Alaba Amoni-Okwuonu •Inyang, Samuel Edward •Brig. Gen. Anthony Daniel Etukudo (rtd) •Mr. Tijani Yusuf •Mr. Matthew Osayaba Aikhionbare •Engr. Chief James Bukohwo Erhuero •Mrs. Sarah Alade •Suleiman Barau •Dr. Kingsley Bosah Chiedu Moghalu •Mr. Abu Karofi •Teco Benson •Prof.Abubakar Adamu Rasheed •Arch. Daniel Nwabueze Denne Nwankwo •Igwe Peter Chukwuma Ezenwa •Bishop Michael Chukwunweike Okonkwo •Rev. Godfrey Anayo Chukwu Agupusi •Edun Akenzua •Bishop Peter Imasuen •Ezeudo Abel Nwobodo •Prince Eze Madumere •Hajia Dije Bala Jibrin •Oba Victor Ademefun Adesimbo •Dr. Adegoke Olaoye Jacob •Oba Rauf Olayiwola Olawale •Bitrus Pam Kim •Hon. Godspower Umejuru Ake •DIG. Audu Abubakar, NPM (rtd) •Alhaji Adamu Abara Gummi •Alhaji Umar Ahmad Usman Dan Ali B/Magaji •Peace Anyiam Osigwe •Anselm Odaloighe Edenojie •Chief David Nnochironye Onyenweaku •Arch Harcourt Adukeh •Chief Joshua Fumudoh •Okechukwu Nwadiuto Emuchay •Chief Michael Olawale Cole •Muhammad Tahir Zakari •Basorun Doja Adewolu •Auta Mamman Busa •Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle •Alhaji Alhassan Sule Gwagwa •Hon. Zephania B. Jisalo •Alhaji Mohammed Adam •Alhaji Muhammed Baba Aboki •Rev. Bishop Callistus V.C. Onaga •Arch. Ferdinard nwabueze agu •Mr. Jelani Aliyu •Lt. Col. M. A. Suleiman •Alh. Yakubu Haruna •Dr. Usman Abdulkadir Maidugu •Hajia Muslimah Kamaldeen •Evang Samuel Maduka Onyishi •Alhaji Ibrahim Buba Vokna •Cyril Chukwudi Ngemegwai •Ado Hussaini •Abdulkadir Jibrilu •Igwe Chris Ogakwu •Ahmed Abdullahi •Lawrence Ayinde Osayemi •Mrs. Obaleye Olayinka

OFR OFR OFR OFR OON OON OON OON OON OON OON OON OON OON OON OON OON OON OON OON OON OON OON OON OON OON OON OON OON OON OON OON OON OON OON OON OON OON OON OON OON OON MFR MFR MFR MFR MFR MFR MFR MFR MFR MFR MFR MFR MFR MFR MFR MFR MFR MFR MFR MFR MFR MFR MFR MFR MFR MFR MFR MFR MFR MFR MFR MFR MFR MFR MFR MFR MFR MFR MON MON MON MON MON MON MON MON MON MON MON MON

Southeast governors pick Army chief to lead anti-crime fight Continued from page 4

Mr. Solomon Olusegun and all the state police commissioners of the five Southeast states.

Chairman of the South East Governors Forum, Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State who addressed reporters after the meeting said the meeting was a joint security council of all the various states in the zone.

The governors, he said, are committed to eradicating all forms of criminality within the Southeast and take a com-

mon decision to deal with the scourge.

“Every form of criminality, especially the one that deals with kidnapping. The committee is going to come out with what is required, which we will provide them. We want to take back the Southeast to the safe haven status it used to be,” Obi stressed.

Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha admonished that people should not use unemployment problem as an excuse for taking to crime.

“What is not good is not good.

Criminals should not hide

under guise of unemployment to commit atrocities,” Owelle Okorochas said: adding: “We have decided to have this joint security council meeting so as to define our borders to ensure that when you chase the criminals from one state, they don’t run to another state for safe haven for them. We have also decided to place big ransom and reward for informants that give us information on the hideout of kidnappers and armed robbers wherever they are found.”

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

NEWS Police recover 19 cars

T

HE Special Task Force on Heinous Crime constituted by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Mohammed Abubakar, has smashed a three-man car snatching syndicate in Kaduna State.

A statement released in Abuja and signed by Police spokesman, Frank Mba, a chief Suprintendent of Police said 19 stolen vehicles were recovered by the team.

The statement said the task force made the recovery between August 22 and August 28.

It reads: “Information of the recovery has since been disseminated to all the 36 State Police Commands and Abuja for circulation to the public, to enable persons whose vehicles were stolen to come for identification and collection.”

The statement listed the vehicles’ brand and chassis numbers as: Toyota Camry, 4TIBG22K71U09711; Golf W a g o n , WUWZZZ1HZSW1053; Vectra Opel (1.81), WOLOOOO8S5273647 and Honda Accord, IHGC6546XA802693.

Also listed are: a Nissan Primera, JNIBAAN15U0510309; Honda Accord, JHMCM45503C201055; Honda Civic, JHMEG3200S212494; Honda CRV, JHLRD1858VC807859 and Honda Civic, 2HGEJ6670VH555237.

Others are: Honda Civic, JHME044500S026250; Honda A c c o r d , IHGCG565XXA0444991; Toyota Camry, 4TIBG22K2WU1898927; Honda Academy, IHCD66XTA141698; Honda A c c o r d , IHGCG564XYA149622 and Honda CRV, JHLRE48527C043010.

They include: Toyota Camry, 4TIB322K33U776092; Nissan Pathfinder, 5N1AR18W55C749614; Toyota Corrola, INXBU4EE4AZ359074 and Honda CRN, JHLLRD1853VCO12900.

The statement said the IGP commended members of the team for their exemplary courage and gallantry in the face of difficult working environment.

“He attributed the breakthrough to the growing trust and cooperation between the force and the public.’’’ The statement said.

The IGP created the task force in the wake of rising crime wave in some parts of the country to checkmate, through proactive measures, the activities of the sponsors and perpetrators of such crimes

9

‘Regional Agenda‘ll restore lost glory’ F

OR Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, the regional integration being promoted by Southwest governors is more of a socio-economic move than a political.

He said the move is aimed at restoring the region’s glorious past.

Dr. Fayemi made the clarification while delivering a speech at the yearly convention of Egbe Omo Yoruba (National Association of Yoruba Descendants) in North America and Canada.

The curtain dropped yesterday on the convention in Baltimore, United States (US).

Fayemi also spoke on Friday on the State of the Nation at another lecture organised by the African Studies Department, Paul Nitze School of

•Fayemi tells Yoruba in North America, Canabda From Salawudeen Sulaiman, Ado-Ekiti

Advanced International Studies, John Hopskin University, Washington DC, US. The governor, who was the guest speaker at the threeday convention, stated that the governors realised that coming together is the best way to break the artificial boundaries and ensure development in the region.

He said the agenda would allow the region build a future founded on the shared history, values and aspirations as one people.

According to Dr. Fayemi, the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) is

aimed at accelerating the growth of the Southwest in a viable, equitable and sustainable manner, adding that the Master Plan has been designed to compliment the development plans already prepared by the states within the region.

He siad the region can become strong and virile if the component states pool resources together to pursue projects that cut across tourism, infrastructure, education, transport, energy and power, health and Information Communication Technology (ICT) among others for the common good of the people.

Quoting from the DAWN

document, Fayemi said: “There are Yoruba states endowed with sea ports, others are not; some are blessed with evergreen, tropical and lush green vast lands, others are not; some are blessed with hills and mountains, giving credence to the immense traditional tourism corridors, while others are not. For some of the Yoruba states, the influence derives from skilled manpower; for others it is industry”.

While stressing that the idea of regional integration was to strengthen the “unbreakable umbilical cord that binds the Yoruba together in matter and in form”.

The governor described recognition accorded Ondo State as part of the regional integration agenda despite not sharing the same ideology with its sister states as enough evidence that it was not established for political differences.

He cited the political tendencies in Western Europe which, according to him, had not hindered the formation of the European Union (EU).

Fayemi asserted that the component states are working to ensure that the integration is people-driven, hence the constitution of a technical committee made of three members from each state for the implementation of the zone’s roadmap to economic recovery.

Senator wants attackers of telecom masts punished From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor

I

•Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor Nsima Ekere (right), with the Anglican Bishop of Uyo, Rt. Rev. Isaac Orama (left), during the First Session of the Sixth Synod of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) Diocese of Uyo...at the weekend.

Aganga gives directors, agency heads deadline on performance contract T RADE and Investment Minister Olusegun Aganga at the weekend signed a Performance Contract with directors, chief executive officers of agencies and parastatals under his ministry.

He directed them to meet the deadlines as contained in the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of their respective agencies.

Speaking during the signing in Abuja, Aganga said the objective of the performance contract, was to ensure that those entrusted with leadership positions deliver on their respective mandates to the people.

He said: “Recently, President Goodluck Jonathan signed a performance contract with all the ministers. It was

From: Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

the first time in the history of Nigeria where ministers were asked to sign performance contract with the President.

“This clearly demonstrates that the ministers will be held accountable in terms of delivering on their mandates. On the other hand, ministers are also expected to sign performance contracts with the permanent secretaries, directors-general of all their parastatals and directors in their ministries.

“The objective of signing the performance contract is very clear. We want everybody to be performance -focused. By doing this, we will be focused on how we deploy

human and financial resources to improve the lives and welfare of the Nigerian people.

“When you present a budget for a project, you must be able to justify why that amount should be allocated to you and what the country will get in return.

“If we all adopt this style, it will be good not only for the President, all the ministers but also for the entire country because we have all been elected or appointed to serve the Nigerian people.

“And the only way to serve is to deliver on what the people have elected us to do. So, I am delighted that we have signed the performance con-

tract, first with the permanent secretary, directors of each of the departments and directorsgeneral of agencies and parastatals under the ministry.”

He added that the KPIs were designed after due consultation with the permanent secretary, directors and chief executive officers of various agencies and parastatals within the ministry, adding that the KPIs would be reviewed to reflect emerging developments.

He said: “In determining the KPIs, we solicited the views of all those involved and also held discussions with them to ensure that there are no expectation gaps in terms of what is expected from them.

F the Senate Committee Chairman on Communications, Gilbert Nnaji has his way, the funds earmarked for the printing of the proposed N5, 000 notes would be given to stimulate development in Enugu State.

He also urged the authorities to unmask and prosecute the masterminds of the destruction telecommunication masts in some states in the North.

The committee chair described as inconceivable that anybody could launch such monumental attacks telecom facilities in a country working assiduously to catch up with the rest of the world.

Speaking in a media chat, Senator Nnaji said: “I am appalled by the targeted attacks on several offices, base stations and masts of GSM operators in parts of Borno, Kano , Bauchi and Yobe states on Wednesday and Thursday.

“Though the motive of the attackers remains unknown, it is inconceivable that anyone would seek to destroy telecom facilities in the country.

“I know that terrorists the world over, can never have any genuine reason for destroying lives and property.

“They are evil people whose aim always is to cause harm and mischief.

“Having killed over 1, 000 innocent Nigerians this year alone, they have not bothered to spare telecom facilities, the live wire of modern living today.”

On the planned introduction of N5, 000 banknotes, the senator accused the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) of trying to create a problem for the country.

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

10

NEWS ONDO 2012

Alleged gun-running: NBA petitions IGP

T

HE Owo Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Ondo State at the weekend petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, over alleged illegal possession and distribution of weapons by a caretaker chairman in a local government area in Owo/Ose Federal Constituency.

The association’s Secretary, Mr T.O.M. Ahmed, sent a two-page petition to the IGP and copied Police Commissioner Danladi Mshelbwala.

The association noted that illegal acquisition and distri-

Group mobilises for candidate From Damisi Ojo, Akure

A

GROUP, Joint Action Council for Aketi (JACA), led by a former lawmaker representing Ese-Odo State Constituency, Kele Bolodeoku, has started mobilising supporters for Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate in Ondo State, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN).

The group has collected the names of over 250,000 residents and their phone numbers.

Bolodeoku, who was the Minority Leader in the House of Assembly, explained that the collated figures have surpassed JACA’s target.

He said: “It is so exciting that the electorate have willingly demonstrated their resolve to vote for the former Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) President and the ACN to transform the Sunshine State.

LP alleges plan to disrupt peace in Ondo higher institutions

T

HE ruling Labour Party (LP) in Ondo State at the weekend members of the opposition parties ofplotting to incite workers of stateowned Adekunle Ajasin University (AAU) in Akungba Akoko as well as the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic in Owo, against the government.

It alleged that the opposition has concluded plans to use the instititutions to create a false impression that the LP administration was not working.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Femi Okunjemiruwa, in Akure, the state capital, the party alleged the opposition parties had taken their ambition to “capture” Ondo State to the campuses of the higher institutions.

It said there were reports of frenzied activities targeted at disrupting academic activities in the schools to create the impression that the LP administration, in managing the institutions, was not doing enough for them.

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

bution of guns and other weapons may hamper the security of the state and stall a hitchfree election on October 20.

The petition reads: “The NBA Owo branch gathered and confirmed that during the police patrol of Ifon on August 29, the police, led by Ifon Divisional Police Officer (DPO), discovered a man alleged to be a Labour Party (LP) thug with offensive weapons.

“The hoodlum was said to have escaped police arrest and run into the house of a local government chairman.

“The police reportedly pursued him to the chairman’s house, but later came out to fire gunshots at the DPO who, with the support of his men, were able to overpower the thug and arrest him with the gun.

“The LP urchin reportedly confessed that the gun was procured for him by his principal, who is a local government chairman. He added that the council chief also gave him additional eight guns to other thugs he allegedly sponsored.”

The NBA said the council chief allegedly attempted to

bribe the DPO but that the police officer rebuffed the gesture.

It was learnt that the DPO has transferred the matter to the State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) state headquarters in Akure.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in charge of Operations, Mr. Bayo Fadairo, allegedly released the council chairman and the thug.

The lawyers said the hoodlums are moving freely, despite the gravity of their offence.

The NBA added: “It is on

the basis of this development that the NBA, Owo Branch, requests your intervention to ensure that the large cache of guns in the custody of the council chairman in Owo Division and his cronies are retrieved.

“We also urge the IGP to arrest and prosecute them for gun-running while we are calling for the immediate redeployment of Fadairo.

“The DCP Operations has been accused of being sympathetic to the Olusegun Mimiko administration.

“It is our contention that a compromised police officer

will heat up the polity during the forthcoming election because of his biased nature.”

A similar petition on an alleged threat to the lives of two Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) leaders in Okeluse, Ose Local Government Area, Mr. Timehin Adelegbe and O. Ogundimbola, by the same suspects, have been sent to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Zone XI, Osogbo.

A team of lawyers, under the auspices of Rex Advocatus, urged the IGP to arrest and prosecute the culprits.

‘ACN’ll win Ondo governorship poll’

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HE Director-General of the Akeredolu Campaign Organisation (ACO) of the Ondo State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Akure, Mr. Saka YusufOgunleye, has said the party would win the October 20 governorship election.

He tipped the party to get the majority votes in Akure South and North local

government areas.

Ogunleye addressed reporters after the tour of wards by ACN leaders in Akure South and North local government areas.

The politician said the people would votes for the party.

He said: “If you look at the crowd, it is a sign that the people are prepared to vote

in the election and cast their votes for the ACN candidate.

In all the wards we visited, we were received by large numbers of people.

“ACN will win in Akure South and North. This is going to be a great shock to the ruling Labour Party (LP).

The people will cast their votes for our party because they are tired of the present administration which

promised but failed to fulfill its promises.”

Ogunleye described ACN as the most popular party in Ondo State, particularly in Akure.

He said: “The people have accepted ACN because they want to be part of the Yoruba Integration Agenda. They want to return to the progressives’ fold. As at today, ACN remains the

most popular party in the state.”

A House of Representatives member, representing Akure South/ North, Ifedayo Abegunde, headed the massive turnout of the party’s loyalists.

The lawmaker added that the turnout would translate to massive votes for the party in the governorship poll.

Idanre gives Akeredolu rousing reception

T

HE ruling Labour Party (LP) in Ondo State at the weekend lost its supposed grip on Idanre, the hilly town that has worked its way into the global tourism map.

Hitherto, the town was thought to be a stronghold of Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s party.

But the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), at the weekend got a rousing reception in the community during his familiarisation tour.

The carnival-like took the Akeredolu campaign train to the wards in the community.

Residents trooped out in large numbers to receive the former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President.

In each of the wards he visited, Akeredolu’s message was clear: there will be a paradigm shift in governance, if ACN is voted into power on

•‘We’re tired of deceitful govt’ From Damisi Ojo, Akure

October 20.

The frontline lawyer decried infrastructural decay in the area, saying the community has the largest number of political office holders in the Mimiko administration.

Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr Kola Ademujimi, commissioner, Kayode Akinmade and Taiwo Akinyele and the Senator representing Ondo Central District, among others, hail from Idanre.

Akeredolu promised that if he is given the mandate, he would complete the abandoned cocoa factory at Alade, provide potable water and interest-free loans to farmers complete the abandoned road from Odode to Ofosu.

The ACN standard bearer assured the residents of massive renovation and expan-

sion of schools, an aggressive road construction and employment for the masses.

At Itana-Owa, the community’s leader, Mr. Ade Adetimehin, donated seven new motorcycles and other materials to the ACN to enable the party spread its manifesto.

He urged the people to vote for ACN, saying the party would make life better for them, if elected.

The ACN chieftain noted that despite the array of political office holders from Idanre, the Mimiko administration has not delivered the dividends of democracy to the people.

Adetimehin added that the ruling LP has not established any project in the area.

He said: “The huge crowd you see here today are not people imported from Akure

or anywhere else. These are indigenes of the Idanre town. They are fed up with the present government.”

Addressing reporters, the ACN chairman and the Financial Secretary in Alade/ Atosin Ward, Mr Ibitoye Ogunware and Mr Felix Akintomide said party members had been attacked by LP supporters for supporting ACN. They said no amount of intimidation would make them give up the progressive ACN. The residents, they noted, are tired of failed promises and are ready to vote for ACN. On the entourage were the Director-General of the Akeredolu Campaign Organisation (ACO), Chief Tayo Alaosuadura; a former governorship aspirant and

•Akeredolu

an ex-member of the House of Representatives, Jayeola Ajatta; a former Finance Commissioner, Mr Wale Akinterinwa; a former member of the House of Assembly, Ayodele Awodeyi, among others.

The entourage visited Alade-Atosin Ward, Irowo Ward 1, Ijomu/Isunrin Ward, Ofosu, Logbosere, Ehinpeti, and Ojadale.

‘Presidency recognises Oke as Ondo PDP candidate’ From Damisi Ojo, Akure

F

•From left: National President, University of Ilorin Alumni Association, Mr. T.A. Odedele; Secretary to the Kwara State Government (SSG), Mr. Isiaka Gold and chairman of the occasion, Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN), at the presentation of awards to some members of the association in Ilorin, Kwara State...at the weekend.

ORMER Defence Minister, Prince Tokunbo Kayode, at the weekend said the Ondo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Olusola Oke, would deliver on his electoral promises, if voted in the October 20 election.

Kayode spoke at the party’s rally in his Ikaramu Akoko country home.

He said the party’s leaders in Ondo State have united for the development of the state.

The former minister said PDP is the only party that has the blueprint for an economic development to liberate the state.

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

11

NEWS

Probe private jet owners, Obi urges security agencies

A

NAMBRA State Governor Peter Obi has called on security agencies to probe Nigerians, who own private jets.

He said that is the only way Nigeria can grow economically, adding that such luxuries are products of fraud and are at variance with current economic realities.

Obi spoke in Umuahia, Abia State, at the opening of the Second Plenary Session of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).

He said over 120 private jets are registered in Nige-

•Orji, Okorocha: we must all fight corruption From Ugochukwu UgojiEke, Umuahia

ria by people, who have stolen public funds.

Obi said some of them are owned by persons involved in the fuel subsidy scam.

The governor criticised people who spend large amounts of foreign exchange to educate their children abroad or seek medical treatment in foreign hospitals.

He said Nigerians spend N6 billion annually on

school fees abroad and N4 billion on medical care in India.

Obi said: “Most of the people sending their children abroad today are responsible for the rot in the education and heath sectors.”

He said they are flaunting the money they stole from the masses with impunity.

The governor said if the government cannot manage schools and hospitals effectively, it should hand them

over to those who can, such as the missions, in order to stop the capital flight.

Regretting the wastage and corruption in Nigeria, Obi said: “The country is going down and it is time to hold leaders accountable for what they do.”

Abia State Governor Theodore Orji said politicians are not the only corrupt Nigerians, adding that corruption is everywhere.

Calling for an attitudinal change, Orji said everybody

must be involved in the fight against corruption.

He said: “We have the will to fight corruption in high places, but our leaders should lead by example”.

Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha said many developed countries have passed through Nigeria’s present challenges and advised Nigerians not to lose hope.

Urging the Bishops to pray for the country, Okorocha praised the CBCN for handling the attacks on churches in a manner that “demonstrates true Christianity”.

Giving contracts to ex-militants is risky, says HURIWA

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RIGHTS group, the Human Rights Writers’ Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), at the weekend accused the Federal Government of encouraging armed insurgency and endangering national security.

The group was reacting to the award of the contracts to secure Nigeria’s crude oil pipelines to former militant leaders in the Niger Delta.

In a statement by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, and the National Media Director, Miss.

Zainab Yusuf, HURIWA said as national assets, the pipelines should be protected by security agencies, such as the army and police.

It said if the government decides to make a new policy on the award of security contracts to the private sector, such an action must be guided by the legal provisions of the National Public Procurement laws, which require that such contracts should be publicly advertised.

HURIWA said: “The selective award of juicy security contracts to friends of the Presidency is not only a violation of established laws that protect competition and transparency, but amounts to bribery of the most unprecedented dimension, if not reversed immediately by President Goodluck Jonathan.

“The selective award of juicy security contracts to former armed militants is a wrong signal to the armed Islamic rebels, who are unleashing a regime of bloody violence on national and private sector-owned assets, such as the telecommunications masts and public school.

“It will induce them to believe that one day, the Federal Government would be blackmailed into awarding their members similar juicy contracts to secure the vital national and private assets in Yobe, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Adamawa states.

“This immoral and unconstitutional action of the Federal Government is also a boost to armed marauders unleashing unprecedented violence in the South through targeted assassination and kidnappings, who would also be hoping to get juicy security contracts from the Federal Government some day in exchange for their surrender and cessation from these atrocities.”

HURIWA urged the government to reform security agencies for intelligence-driven efficiency.

It urged the Federal Government to openly try suspected Boko Haram members in court, adding that many of them are being detained without being arraigned.

.Managing Director, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Mr. Nnamdi Udoh (right); former Director, Safety, Engineering and Electronic Services, Mr. Raymond Panguru (middle) and Director, Finance and Administration, Mrs. Elizabeth Agom during the sendforth ceremony for the former Director at NAMA Headquarters, Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos...at the weekend.

Governor, minister advocate attitudinal change Two hundred and ten

Mrs. Oduah

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NAMBRA State Governor Peter Obi at the weekend said the absence of volunteers has destroyed our societal values.

Obi spoke in Awka, the state capital, at the inauguration of the Citizens’ Responsibility Volunteer Scheme (CRVS) of the National Orientation Agency (NOA).

volunteers were inducted during the ceremony.

The governor regretted the low productivity in the public sector, adding that the average civil servant is lazy.

He urged Nigerians to adopt the right values.

NOA Director-General Mr. Mike Omeri urged Nigerians to stop wishing for a greater Nigeria and start working towards it.

Omeri said the volunteers would go through value enhancing programmes to equip them for the implementation of community projects and distinguish them as beacons of change in society.

The Minister of Aviation Stella Oduah, repre-

•NOA inducts 210 volunteers

sented by the ministry’s Director of Human Resources, Mr. J. Anyanwu, said our culture permits volunteers.

She said in the past, youths volunteered to build roads, bridges, ensure security and offer other community services.

Urging Nigerians to resuscitate the attitude of community service, Mrs. Oduah advised the volunteers to show examples that would positively influence the society.

The ceremony, which was chaired by the monarch of Ndi-Ikelionwu, Prof. Vincent Ike, was attended by royal fathers, public servants, donor

agencies and the private sector, including Enterprise Bank, which partnered NOA on the project.

CRVS is one of NOA’s initiatives aimed at promoting core values for the evolution of a better society. The scheme is aimed at encouraging Nigerians to be volunteers and acquire skills that would empower them to contribute to the society’s development.

Volunteers are expected to sensitise their neighbours on the values of patriotism, good neighbourliness, entrepreneurship and social justice, among others.

‘Awka council boss is building defective structures’

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OMMUNITY leaders in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State and a rights group, the Transform Nigeria Movement (TNM), have urged Governor Peter Obi and the lawmaker representing Awka South 1 constituency, Mr Kenchukwu Chukwuemeka, to stop the transition committee chairman from building defective stalls in the market.

The community leaders are Kingsley Ozojiofor, Dele Nkemka, Anthony Ezekwesili, Umeadi

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

Ibekwe, Augustine Nzekwe and Okey Ozojiofor.

The petition reads: “What is going on at Eke Awka Market 3 is not construction, but the fabrication of a death trap.

“Those buildings were not originally planned to carry additional floors.

They were built 13years ago and some of them are in a deplorable state.

“No amount of reinforcement would make it strong enough to carry additional

‘Those buildings were not originally planned to carry additional floors. They were built 13years ago and some of them are in a deplorable state’ floors, so what they are doing is building death traps.

“The structures are being

expanded at night without approval from the relevant authorities.

“We solicit that you use your good office to arrest the situation. Your immediate action will save many lives.”

TNM State Coordinator Comrade Obi Ochije said: “We are tired of losing people on a daily basis to building collapse.

“The overnight construction on top of a building that has no solid base is unacceptable. We urge the governor and our lawmaker to intervene.”

92,000 living with HIV in Enugu From Chris Oji, Enugu

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VER 92,000 persons are living with HIV in Enugu State, the State Action Committee on HIV/ AIDS (ENSACA) has said.

ENSACA Private Sector Officer Mrs. Patricia Ugwu said this at the weekend in Nsukka during a seminar to sensitise members of the Nsukka Allied Business Community on how to avoid the virus.

Advising participants to be faithful to their partners, Mrs. Ugwu said: “Remember HIV does not show on the face.

About 92,000 people are already infected in Enugu State.

“If you cannot stick to one partner, ensure that you use a condom when having sexual intercourse with another person.”

She advised people living with the virus to join a support group, where they would easily access anti-retroviral drugs.

Mrs. Ugwu said: “If you are already positive, do not kill yourself. The government has provided enough drugs at designated hospitals to carter for those living with the virus.

“Through medical attention and counselling, infected mothers would be able to deliver babies that are negative.

Do not stigmatise anybody living with the virus, as that is an offence punishable by law.”

Chairman, Nsukka Allied Business Community, Mr. Augustine Okeagu thanked ENSACA for the sensitisation.

Highlight of the seminar was free HIV test for interested persons.

170,000 Nigerians visited UK in 2011 From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

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BOUT 170,000 Nigerians visited the United Kingdom last year.

This represents 70 per cent of the total applicants.

The UK home office rejected about 100,000 visa applications in the same year.

Mrs. Yvonne Onabolu, the Project Officer, Migration Policy, British High Commission, stated this in Abuja during a three-day seminar of the Illegal Migration Awareness Project (I-MAP), organised by Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA).

She said the notion held in some quarters that the UK government does not welcome Nigerians was wrong, adding that it has the most friendly visa policy.

Mrs. Onabolu said the UK could be a wonderful place for a legal migrant, but hell for an illegal immigrant.

Admitting that some have successfully entered with fake documents, she warned that sooner or later, such people would be fished out.

Comptroller-General of Immigration, Mrs. Rose Uzoma, said the Federal Government is working towards ensuring that illegal migrants are treated with some respect.

Nigeria has commenced negotiation with some countries in this direction.

Uzoma, who was represented by the Controller in charge of Immigration, said we have an agreement with Switzerland, where illegal immigrants can easily return home.

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NEWS Fuel scarcity worsens in Ibadan From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

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HE scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly called petrol, yesterday worsened in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Many filling stations shut their gates to motorists as the product was not available to buyers.

Queues started building up at some filling stations in parts of the city since Saturday morning following the rumour that there would be scarcityin Ibadan and other parts of the state.

Some filing stations selling the product stuck to the N97 per litre official price. But as the scarcity worsened yesterday, the few stations that were opened to customers charged extra N50 or N100.

Workers at some stations told our correspondent in confidence that the product was unavailable.

But it was learnt that some filling stations were hoarding the product. Others claimed there was shortage of supply from depots.

There was a similar report in Fiditi, Oyo town and Ogbomoso in Oyo State.

It was learnt that the scarcity was worsened by an alleged vandalisation of some pipelines in Ogun State.

Some residents, however, alleged that the Federal Government was planning to increase fuel price from N97 per litre to an unspecified amount.

A source at the Ibadan office of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), who spoke in confidence, said: “There is no supply to any depot in Ibadan and many parts of Oyo State. What we heard was that some vandals attacked the pipeline around Ogun State and so disrupted the flow of the product. There was a report that there was even shooting around the area. That is why the filling stations are shut.

“The situation is, however, temporary because we are hopeful that, by next week, the scarcity should be over.”

How I escaped from ritualists, by girl, 20

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FIRST year student of Health Technology at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Miss Grace Ayetan (20), at the weekend narrated her ordeal with ritualists to The Nation in Benin, the Edo State capital.

Grace, who was accompanied by her father, Mr. James Ayetan said: “I boarded a bus from Ring-Road to school and there were other passengers in the vehicle. At Five Junction, the bus

From Osemwengie Ogbemudia, Benin

stopped and the conductor went down to pour water into the radiator. That is the last thing I remembered. We all fell asleep.

“When another passenger, a woman, woke us up later, the bus was in the bush.

“We started shouting, but the driver and the conductor brought out a gun and told us to be quiet.

“They took us to an under-

ground house in the forest and put us into different rooms. They chained us and hung our bags around our necks. We went without food and water for days.

“After beheading a woman and her baby, a fight ensued between the ritualists over what to do with the rest of us. In the process, a bunch of keys fell from one of them.

“The fight drew the attention of the guards at the main entrance who took the parties into a room to settle the

dispute.

“That gave one of us the opportunity to pick the keys and unlock the chains. That was how we escaped.”

Grace said a good Samaritan took them out of the forest and brought them to Benin.

She advised the public to be careful when boarding commercial vehicles. Mr. Ayetan urged security agents to curb the activities of ritualists.

DELSU gets N150m for vehicles •Dame Jonathan, Okonjo-Iweala honoured

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ELTA State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan at the weekend presented a cheque of N150 million to the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka.

The cheque will cover part of the university’s 2012 budget for vehicles and car re-furbishing loan.

The governor made the presentation during the institution’s Seventh convocation ceremony.

First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan was given an honorary doctoral degree in Political Science.

Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was awarded an honorary doctoral degree in Philosophy.

Uduaghan said part of the state’s share of the proceeds from the removal of subsidy on petroleum products would be used to complete on-going projects at the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka.

He said the money would also be spent on empowerment, through micro-credit and transportation.

Uduaghan said there were challenges in the funding of the three campuses of the university, but assured the management that all ongoing projects would be completed by his administration.

Urging the students, staff and management of the university to cooperate with the government to ensure prompt completion of the projects, the governor said the government would build a convocation arena for the institution.

He praised the stability of the school’s academic programme and urged stakeholders to improve on it.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Eric Arubayi, said the recent accreditation of various programmes of the university by the National Universities Commission (NUC) testifies to the institution’s progress.

He said the development of the university cannot be left for the government alone and urged wealthy indigenes to support the school.

The Chancellor of the university, Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte (rtd.) and the Pro-Chancellor, Justice Francis Tabai, said that with more commitment from stakeholders, the progress made in the institution can be surpassed.

Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala pledged various scholarship awards to distinctive graduates of the department of Economics, both first degree and postgraduate graduants.

Cynthia: Monarch decries killing

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HE Obi of Owa Kingdom in Delta State, King Emmanuel Efeizomor II, has condemned the murder of Miss Cythia Osokogu.

Speaking with reporters yesterday in Benin, the Edo State capital, the monarch said the incident has shown the level of moral decay in the society.

From Osemwengie Ogbemudia, Benin

He said: “What used to be pen pal in the past has metamorphosed into the social media. People got married through it and progressed in life.

“But it has been abused

by Cynthia’s killers. They must be punished accordingly.”

.From left: Liberian President Mrs. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf; Senate President David Mark and former Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral Emeka Anyaoku at the Convocation and Passing-Out Parade of the Nigeria Defence Academy Course 59, Regular and ShortService Course 40 in Kaduna...yesterday.

Oshiomhole urges clerics to engage youths

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•Oshiomhole

DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has urged clerics to engage youths in productive activities.

Oshiomhole urged them to embark on projects that would help youths acquire skills and be creative.

The governor spoke at the weekend during the inauguration of the “2012 Reach Out Nigeria” campaign of the Believers Love World a.k.a Christ Embassy.

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

The campaign is part of activities organised by the church to mark Nigeria’s 52nd Independence Anniversary.

Represented by the Commissioner for Energy and Water Resources, Mr. Callistus Ojieabu, Oshiomhole praised Christ Embassy for making youths believe in the country.

He said the church has

Community gets water after 50 years

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IFTY years after the only public borehole in Igueben, Edo State, went moribund, the state government has reactivated.

The borehole was first inaugurated in 1962.

It has a 400,000-litre capacity storage tank and a standby generator.

The 50-year-old borehole was reactivated by the state government through its Rapid Response Agency (RRA).

At the handing over of the reactivated borehole to the community, the government reiterated its determination to provide potable

From Osemwengie Ogbemudia, Benin

water to all communities.

The Director of the agency, Mr. Sam Eboigbe, said: “To make water available in all parts of the state, the government has acquired special drilling rigs.

“Before now, our people were made to believe that water cannot be made available in some parts of the state, especially in Esan Land.

“With the inauguration of the Igueben Water Project and others in Esan Land, with more to be inaugurated in the days ahead, that myth has

been broken.”

The Igueben Progressive Union (IPU) urged the government to make water available to other parts of Igeuben Local Government Area.

IPU National Chairman Mr. Herbert Ekhoye said: “With the inauguration of the borehole, the excruciating experience of searching for water has stopped. Our people can now enjoy water in abundance.”

The Council Chairman, Mr. Sylvanus Igbogbo, said the council would look after the borehole.

Soldiers beat up journalist in Awka

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OLDIERS attached to the demolition team in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, yesterday beat up Mr. David-Chyddy Eleke, a Senior Correspondent with the Leadership, for taking shots of the exercise.

Eleke was taking photographs of the demolition on Arthur Eze Avenue when the soldiers descended on him. After beating him, they put him into their patrol van and took him to the council secretariat.

Mr. Uzoma Nzeagwu of The Guardian, who witnessed the incident, reported to the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

(NUJ), Comrade Tochukwu Omelu.

When the NUJ team got to the council, Eleke was released, but Omelu insisted on speaking with the council chairman, Mr. Okoye.

Okoye said Eleke did not get clearance from the soldiers to take pictures of the demolition.

Omelu said the union has a cordial relationship with the government and warned against assault on journalists carrying out their legitimate duties.

She also warned against the infringement of the rights of Nigerians by uniformed men.

taken many youths off the streets and engaged them in creative ventures.

Benin Zonal Pastor Mary Owase said as part of activities marking the celebration, the church has donated two boreholes to the Ogida Barracks and Obe Community and distributed helmets to commercial motorcycles.

She said 1.5 million copies of Rhapsody of Realities would be distributed to residents.

Institute holds seminar

By Wale Ajetunmobi

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HE National Institute for Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Education, has invited governmentowned tertiary institutions and officials of Ministries of Education in 18 states to a national seminar with the theme: Effective Information Management and Public Relations Practice in Government Academic and Educational Establishments.

The two-day programme starts next Monday at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), near the MKO/Marwa Garden, Alausa, Ikeja.

Others invited to the workshop are scholarship boards, states’ Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEC) and other educational bodies.

Selected states for the programme include Lagos, Kwara, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Edo, Delta and Rivers.

Others are Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi and Abia.

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

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THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

63RD KANO STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING.

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n Wednesday 5th September, 2012 (18TH Shawwal, 1433 AH) the Kano State Executive Council held its Sixty Third (63rd) sitting in continuation with sequence of previous sittings during which important policy issues and programmes that positively impact on the quality of lives of our citizenry were deliberated upon.

Importantly, in Sixty Two (62) sittings the present administration approved a capital expenditure of over N203 billion of which N1,785,189,960.07 was approved for the execution of 30 projects by the Council during its most recent 62nd sitting.

As usual, today’s sitting was presided over by the Governor RABIU MUSA KWANKWASO FNSE, during which 24 memoranda were submitted by 10 MDA’s for deliberation by the Council. An expenditure of N2,508,567,848.00 covering 14 projects was approved for execution by the Council.

1. Office of the Secretary to the State Government.

The office of the Secretary to the State Government submitted 12 memoranda for deliberation by the Council as follows: a) Submission of a proposal for the enrolment of the recently sponsored Government married Zawarawa into either the Kano Poultry Institute Tukwui (Makoda LGCA) or Kano Poultry Institute or both: The present administration is commended over its recent approval and execution of the Zawarawa Marriage programme which was adjudged successful, by contents of this memorandum. Nevertheless, the Hisbah Board propose for the establishment of a Zawarawa Training centre meant to serve as a source of economic empowerment to the beneficiaries or any other interested House wife. Careful perusal of the proposal informed the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to recommend that they can be enrolled either into the Kano Poultry Institute Tukwui or Kano Fisheries Institute or both.

Council noted, considered and directed the Chairman State CRC to study the matter/ issue and advise Government on the way forward. Again, Council directed the Honorable Commissioner Ministry of Project Monitoring and Evaluation to include among the skills/crafts to be trained in the crafts schools to be established in all the 44 local Governments. b) Request for operational funds as well as utility vehicles in respect of the State Post Graduate Medical College operating at Murtala Mohd. Specialist Hospital: The Hospital Management Board politely notified the Council, through contents of this memorandum that the Post-Graduate Medical College was established in 2009 so as to address the high demand of Medical Consultants across the State. Presently the college is headed by a Director/Coordinator with one consultant as Head of Department, three (3) visiting consultants as well as ten (10) resident doctors who have already passed their examinations. Currently, the college is planning to setup a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in addition to the already existing family Medicine training being conducted in the college. So, this position of the College makes it imperative for the Hospitals Management Board to request for the Council to consider and approve the provision of operational vehicles for the college

by Kano University of Technology, while more comprehensive memorandum on the procurement of equipment should be presented by next Council sitting. c) Request for assistance on Logistics to enable the implementation of capacity building programmes in collaboration with Cooperative Societies nationwide: Attention of the Council was politely drawn, by the contents of this memorandum, to the provisions required for the take-off of the National Policy on ethics and values piloted by the Office of the Special Adviser to the president on ethics and values. An approval was granted by the Council for the conduct of the exercise.

Accordingly, Kano State has been selected as the permanent Headquarters of the North-West zone while at the same time it is a zone of its own standing. So, to ensure prompt take-off of the project, certain requirements need to be provided-Thus: S/N I

ITEMS Official Zonal Liaison Office

RECOMMENDATIONS To be provided by the ministry of Commerce, co-operatives and Tourism.

Official State Office

Same as above

II

Provision of Land for the CTC (1-1000 Hectares) in each LGCA in the State.

To be provided by each of the LGCA’s in the State

III

Provision of Land for Farming of different crops.

Same as above

IV

Provision of two utility vehicles

To be provided by AGS and SSG’s Office.

beneficiaries will soon commence as reflected along with other issues raised in this memorandum. i) Presentation/introduction of a non-governmental Organisation (NGO) named “Association for the Development of Education in Africa(ADEA)”: Contents of this memorandum informed the Council of the existence of an NGO named ADEA along with its proposal to explore the possibility of engaging its services in mutually beneficial relationship in the education reform effort currently undertaken by the State. The association was established in 1988 as an NGO policy dialogue agency on education supported by Africa Development Bank (ADB). The state stands to gain immensely from interacting with the association considering its performance in other African countries especially Burkina Faso. Notably, the association is based in the U.S.A. As such, council considered contents of this memorandum and approved for enacting of a consultative team consisting of the Honorable Commissioner Project Monitoring and Evaluation, Ministry of Education, Chairman SUBEB, the Executive Secretary KSSSMB secretary science and technical schools board and the executive for official discussion areas for intervention in the educational sector of the State. The team will also embark on a performance appraisal visit to Burkina Faso and Tunisia to assess the activities of the association. k) Request for funds to facilitate for the conduct of capacity building for teachers and Head teachers using 2012 UBE/FGN intervention Funds: Council was notified by contents of this memorandum of the release of the sum of N140,000,000.00 by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) for the conduct of 2012 Teacher Professional Development Program. The Commission also approved for the execution of the action plan submitted by SUBEB and gave guidelines which emphasize use of Colleges of Education, Universities and specialized training providers such as ESSPIN, DFID, SMASE, HCA, British Council and NTI for the conduct of the exercise.

Council did not hesitate to approve for the permission to utilise the already released N140,000,000.00 by UBEC for the conduct of the training program. l) Request for funds to facilitate for the payment of Sitting allowances to members of the Committee on the establishment of Kano College of Nursing and Midwifery Madobi: The sum of N1,200,000.00 was approved for release by the Council to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to facilitate for payment of the five (5) committee members on the establishment of the referred College for the period November, 2011 to June,2012.

3. Office of the Head of Civil Service Three (3) memoranda were presented for deliberation by the Council from the office of the Head of Civil Service as follows: a. Request for funds to facilitate for the settlement of claims for bereaved family allowance received from various organisations: Council was politely reminded, by contents of this memorandum, of its approval for the release of the funds that facilitated for the payment of the ninth (9th) batch (2012) of bereaved family allowance to the tune of N3,090,000.00 disbursed to heirs of 56 deceased Civil servants. Office of the Head of Civil Service went further to request for payment of the tenth (10th) batch (2012) bereaved family allowance to the tune of N5,490,000.00 for disbursement to bereaved families of one hundred (100) deceased civil servants across the entire service. Council noted, considered and approved for the release of the requested sum of money to the office of the Head of Civil Service to facilitate for the payment of the referred allowance while commiserating with the respective bereaved families of the deceased praying for the divine mercy of the Almighty Allah to grant each of them the strength to bear the loss. b. Presentation on posting of Directors and other Centrally Controlled Staff: The office of the Head of Civil Service presented, through contents of this memorandum, a situation report on the current posting/deployment of Directors embarked upon since the inception of the present administration. Council was notified of eight (8) important issues highlighted in this memorandum that guide the process so as to uphold the established standards usually applied in staff realignments. Deviation from the etiquettes is not allowed due to its negative impact.

So, the desired transformation of the State Civil Service into a purposeful and result oriented machinery of Government is tactically being achieved. Council directed the Head of Civil Service to submit the names of Directors with professional area’s for Council’s clarification and consideration.

4. Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

Request for funds to facilitate for the renovation work and provision of new structures at the premises of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development Headquarters: The sum N13,913,570.73 was approved for release by the Council as requested by contents of this memorandum, to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to execute the referred projects as detailed in this memorandum.

Council noted, considered and directed the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to look into and process aspects of the issues raised in collaboration with the Office of the Deputy Governor/ Honorable Commissioner for Local Governments. Representation of this memorandum with more comprehensive contents is expected subsequently.

5. Office of the Deputy Governor/Honorable Commissioner of Local Governments.

Two (2) memoranda were presented for deliberation by the Council from the Office of the Deputy Governor/Honorable Commissioner Ministry for Local Governments as follows:

d) Request for funds to facilitate for the settlement of outstanding water bill arrears in respect of the permanent NYSC Orientation Camp, Kusalla, Karaye LGCA: Council noted and considered contents of these memoranda which prompted for the Council to direct the Secretary to the State Government to write a letter instructing the water board for a waiver considering the significance of the NYSC Programme.

a. Request for funds to facilitate for the foundation laying ceremony of North-West University Kano: Council was adequately reminded by contents of this memorandum, enacting of a Committee for organising the Foundation Laying Ceremony for the North-West University, Kano inaugurated by His Excellency the Deputy Governor/Honorable Commissioner for Local Governments on 1st March,2012.

e) Submission of an alert for the likely occurrence of flood disasters from the Office of the Special Adviser:

The Committee has done its job commendably and only awaits the new date (Saturday 29th September, 2012) slated for the foundation laying ceremony. Nevertheless, the necessary financial requirements to undertake the activities of the ceremony (as highlighted in 16 items) cost the aggregate sum of N62,351,962.40 which was requested for release by the Council.

Office of the Special Adviser on environment drew the attention of the State Government through the contents of a submission that “a serious flood disaster might occur” for which there is an urgent need to take appropriate measures so that lives and property as well as the socio-economic activities of the citizenry could be saved. The following recommendations were presented for Council’s consideration: I. An ad-hoc Committee needs to be enacted under the Chairmanship of the Special Adviser on Environment with membership from SARERA, Ministries of Environment, Health, Agriculture, CRC and SSG’s Office to study the alert report.

II. The Committee is to implement pro-active assessment of areas, structures and plants of strategic significance prone to destruction or suffer on account of the current unsuitable weather condition resulting from GLOBAL warming.

Council noted the presentation. f) Request for funds to facilitate for the upgrading of the Outside Broadcasting (OB) van of ARTV: N7,998,000.00 was approved for release by the Council to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government for onward payment to the management of ABUBAKAR RIMI Television to facilitate for the upgrading of its obsolete OB van which was locally constructed since the year 2006. The van is in a state of disrepair for some time now due to the unavailability of spare parts which indeed crippled the station in disabling the transmission of live out-of-station events. g) Request for funds to facilitate for the building of classes at Fatima Islamiyyah School situated within Bukavu Barraks of the 3RD Brigade Nigerian Army: The Council was politely reminded of the request submitted by the Ministry since November 2011, by contents of this memorandum which prompted the approval for the release of the requested sum of N8,140,676.25 to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to facilitate for the construction of additional classrooms at Fatima Islamiyya School in Bukavu Barracks. The gesture is in line with the policy of the present administration on qualitative provision for education in all ramifications. And, Council directed the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to supervise the project. h) Presentation of the final report submitted by MESSRS Ancover Investment Limited on the Sale of Government Property (GP) houses: Contents of this memorandum adequately presented highlights of the final report detailing information about observations and recommendations as reviewed by the consultant on the State of the referred houses. Main recommendations consist of six (6) items for which the Council was requested to consider and approve for adoption.

The council was adequately informed of progress achieved so far on the referred issue. Meanwhile, beaconing of the houses and issuance of grant letter to

Council noted and considered significance of the activity and approved for the release of the requested sum of money to the Office of the Deputy Governor/Honorable Commissioner Ministry for Local Governments to enable the Committee organize a befitting foundation laying ceremony of the North-West University, and directed the Committee to draft invitation letters and submit for the signature of the Governor RABIU MUSA KWANKWASO FNSE. b. Request for funds to facilitate for the purchase of Instructional materials and payment of facilitators and Monitoring Officers of the Mass literacy campaign programme: Council was adequately reminded by the contents of this memorandum, of its directive to the Office of the Deputy Governor/Honorable Commissioner for Local Governments (13th June,2012) facilitate for the purchase of Instructional materials and payment of facilitators and monitoring officers allowances. Council noted, considered and approved for the release of the requested sum of N520,825,506.66 to the Office of the Deputy Governor to facilitate for the entire duration of the referred programme.

7. Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youths, Sports and Culture.

Request for funds to facilitate for the participation of Kano State contingents in the preliminary stage of National Sports Festival at Zonal Headquarters Kaduna State: The requested sum of N7,313,600.00 was approved for release by the Council to the Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youth, Sports and Culture to enable the participation of Kano State contingents at the referred festival in which the State will be represented in five (5) events namely Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Handball and Hockey. The Kano State Sports Council is presenting suitable contestants at such events. The Council wish them good luck in the impending encounter coming up in Kaduna State (16th – 20th September,2012).

8. Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport.

Two (2) memoranda were submitted by this Ministry for deliberation by the Councilthus a. Request for funds to facilitate for the construction of 200 two (2) bedrooms and Zaure houses under the Model village programme as phase 1 at Warawa Kunchi and Makoda towns: Cost of one house, as presented in this memorandum is N753,341.40. council noted, considered and approved for the release of the sum of N152,000,000.00 to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to facilitate for the construction of 203 such houses using sandcrete blocks. The houses should be distributed thus: i. Warawa – 94 ii. Makoda – 48 iii. K u n c h i – 61 Total = 203

Rabi’u Musa Kwankawaso b. Request for funds to facilitate for the execution of the phase 1 Development works at the proposed Governors Lodge, Office at Kwankwasiyya city, Umarawa/ Riga fada alond Zaria-Kaduna Road express way Kumbotso LGCA: The requested sum of N500,065,730.41 was approved for release by the Council to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to Execute the referred construction project in view of its significance to the resolution of the present administration to transform Kano into a better place to live in.

9. Ministry of Health.

Request for funds to facilitate for the rehabilitation of the existing Patient Relation(s) shed, Toilet and additional Landscaping/Interlock Tiling work at the Maternity Unit of Murtala Mohd Specialist Hospital: The laudable achievements recorded by the present administration from its first to the present second coming in the total reinvigoration of the health sector was acknowledged by contents of this memorandum. Especially Accident and Emergency unit which is presently receiving a befitting renovation/interlock tiling works supported by the supply of medical equipments to the tune of an appreciable sum of money. The Ministry of Health profusely extends its gratitude to the Council and yet requested for the release of the sum of N13,507,802.26 to facilitate for the rehabilitation of the existing patient relation(s) shed, toilet and additional landscaping/interlock-tiling works at the Maternity Unit of the Murtala Mohd Specialist Hospital.

Council noted, considered and approved for the release of the requested sum of money to the Ministry of Health to facilitate for the execution of the referred project in view of its significance.

10.

Ministry of Land and Physical Development Request for funds to facilitate for the payment of compensation for Market extension and new Juma’at Mosque at Kwankwaso town: The sum of N15,005,525.00 was approved for release by the council to the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to facilitate for the payment of compensation for land, economic and structures acquired for the referred project thus: i. Land (1.43he) * N600,000/ha = N858,000.00 ii. Economic trees = N73,000.00 iii. Structures = N14,074,525.00 TOTAL = N15,005,525.00 Ministry of Education.

11.

The Ministry of Education submitted two memoranda, as follows: a) Request for funds to facilitate for the Construction of 1000 classrooms: Contents of this memorandum requested for the release of N1,066,549,347.98 to facilitate for the construction of 1000 classrooms across the State in order to provide for the vitally required accommodation for school attending children in the society especially at basic, middle and intermediate level stages where congestion and overcrowding seriously hinder the teaching and learning process. Council noted, considered and approved for the release of the requested sum of money to the Ministry of Education to facilitate for the stated project. b) Request for funds to facilitate for the settlement of annual rental fees on PMB owed NIPOST by 55 Schools: Council approved for the release of N1,328,400.00 as requested by contents of this memorandum, to the Ministry of Education to enable the settlement of three (3) years P.M.B rental fees owed NIPOST by 55 government (public) schools. This is to ensure continuity in the usage of the service by the beneficiaries.

UPDATE ON ACTIVITIES. Council acknowledged and appreciated the under listed noteworthy happeningsviz: 1. The “August” revalidation of the inherited contract awarded for the construction of 1000 classrooms by the previous admission. Part payment was made on the awarded contract leaving the sum of N1,066,549,347.93 as outstanding balance.

The Council magnanimously approved for the release of the stated balance on the liabilities so as to ensure continuation to completion of the project which will surely provide solution to the congestion problems in our schools and ease for the entire education sector.

2. The conferment of National Merit awards to two glorious indigenous citizens of Kano State in the persons of: a) Senator Hamisu Musa: Conferred the National Honor of the rank CON. b) Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed: Conferred the National Honor of the rank MFR. Council wish them success in all their under taking.

3. Presentation of Award of Excellence to His Excellency Governor RABIU MUSA KWANKWASO FNSE on his excellent contributions and general effort in the promotion of training programme(s) for piloting by the Air Services Communicators of Nigeria (30,08,2012).

4. The signing of agreement between the State owned Kano State Housing Corporation and the private firm “Urban Shelter” construction firm for the construction of 400 housing units at loko goma Abuja at zero cost to the Government on completion of the project, 60 of the houses will be donated to the state.

5. The victory of the Kano Pillars Football Club in the final Match scheduled between the club and Sunshine Football Club which absconded from the encounter.

This is the National Premier League final which makes the Kano Pillars Football the current National Champions. This is an honor to the Government and the State in general.

6. The appointment of principal officers to run the affairs of the Kano North-West University.

I. Professor Muhammad Doto – Vice Chairman II. Umar Farouk Yanganau – Registrar III. Mohd Sunusi Nassarawa – Librarian IV. Yusuf Isa Bursar Council wish them good luck and success in the discharge of their duties.

Signed: Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youth, Sports & Culture

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

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THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

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COMMENTARY EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

COMMENT

Reforming electricity in Nigeria

New thinking on refineries •Plan to help investors get loans looks good; but what are the details?

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ITH 23 licences awarded, whose owners have largely not done anything with them ever since, the Federal Government appears to be rethinking the strategy of getting private sector refineries on board. At the commissioning of Orient Petroleum production facility in Anambra State last week, Petroleum Minister Diezani AlisonMadueke told the guests that President Goodluck Jonathan has directed an inter-ministerial committee to come up with modalities for raising financial support for indigenous investors to bring in modular refineries. The support, she said, “would be for firms that are ready to invest, not only in production but also in refining to add value to the crude oil and gas produced”.

For a Federal Government that has hitherto luxuriated in the illusion that the forces of the market would deliver the refineries, the government’s new song comes close to an admission that its reliance on the market to drive the quest for new refineries is not only wrong but misplaced.

That an oil-producing nation said to consume between 30 -40 million litres of petrol daily, the bulk of which is imported at great cost to the treasury, remains inexplicable. More astounding is the fact that the Federal Government – for whatever reasons – continues to be lily-livered on a matter on which the well-being of its citizens has come to depend. Why the government is stuck with the so-called liberalisation that has reduced the nation to consuming imported fuel is the ques-

tion only the government can answer.

Other than the government’s astounding bad faith, it seems that the other missing element in the refineries quest is leadership. It comes by way of government’s abdication – its inability to correctly articulate the national interest, and with it the courage to push for its realisation.

Nothing, for instance, says that the government cannot be an investor in the refineries under a liberalised regime. Such investment, apart from providing financial muscle, would signal government’s determination to see its realisation. As we suggested in an earlier editorial, the Federal Government only needs to look at the structure and the financing model for the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) – a success story by all standards – to appreciate the possibility.

As for the local investors, it takes the knowledge of the Nigerian economy to appreciate why the investment in refinery business is a dead end as far as getting local financing is concerned. First is the high interest rate regime that the domestic investor would have to contend with. Second is the rather short gestation for the investible funds available in the local market. These are certainly daunting enough.

Of course, while we await the details of the package being worked out by the government, the measure seems the least the government can do, at least to get local investors a foot in the door. However, just like every initiative from govern-

ment, the devil is usually in the details.

The criteria must be well spelt out. The bottom-line is that the package must be seen to be thorough, equitable, competitive and tailor-made. Our experience with similar interventions has shown how much they were fraught with mismanagement and abuse.

Above all, the question of why none of the initial licencees could take off obviously needs to be addressed. Is the reason one of cash as the government appears to suggest, or are there other factors? The question begs to be addressed lest current efforts end up as merely pouring cash into a pit. A good way to go is for government to engage the prospective investors to unearth the factors. After all it is those that wear the shoe that know where it pinches.

‘Of course, while we await the details of the package being worked out by the government, the measure seems the least the government can do, at least to get local investors a foot in the door. However, just like every initiative from government, the devil is usually in the details. The criteria must be well spelt out. The bottom-line is that the package must be seen to be thorough, equitable, competitive and tailor-made’

Ominous signs at INEC •We wonder why the issue of who is chief accounting officer arose now

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HO is the Chief Accounting Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)? This question becomes pertinent in view of two things: First was the June 19 letter purportedly written by Attahiru Jega, INEC chairman, to Mohammed Adoke, Attorney-General (AG) of the Federation and Minister of Justice, asking for clarification on who should be the accounting officer of the body: Second was the July 26 response from Mr Adoke emphatically stating that Jega is not INEC’s chief executive officer.

We are in no doubt that the foregoing will obviously, in the months preceding the 2015 elections, make the commission a battle field for contending parties that are bent on challenging the INEC boss’ attempt at gaining more control for his office. Jega, in that memo confirmed the existence of internal altercation in INEC

‘The memo by Jega, though innocuous, shows that something is wrong with the commission. The matter should be attended to, once and for all; it should not be politicised. At any rate, why is this issue coming up now when virtually all the chairmen that held the post before Jega were deemed and seen as the accounting officers of the electoral commission? ‘

when he sought the AG’s clarification on the matter; ‘… for the avoidance of doubt and in order to put lingering matters to rest.”

The disturbing thing is that if this matter is not quickly addressed, it will have negative ripple effect on the commission’s cohesive control on future elections. This is why the poser raised

by Jega, albeit answered in ambivalence

by Adoke, should be of serious interest to the public.

Jega challenged; “…neither the Constitution nor the Electoral Act defined the role of the Secretary to the Commission as the Accounting Officer.’’ But the AG’s response, though reasoned, may not help the stability of the commission. The hasty assumption by Adoke that the secretary, judging from what obtain in other commissions, should be the accounting officer is unfounded. After all, the current secretary who is retiring early next year is not the accounting officer, neither were the career permanent secretaries posted to the same position before him in 2008.

We are wary of the fact that civil servants posted as secretary to the commission might, if clothed in borrowed political robe, against Civil Service rules, get tainted with the garb of partisanship.

Moreover, no other commission in the country performs such onerous and sensitive functions as INEC. INEC has always been put under the klieg light while other commissions perform their duties without or with little public intrusion. The basis for comparison therefore smacks of unduly putting legalism above realism by the AG. After all, the AG admitted that when he scrutinised all relevant laws - being

the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, the Electoral Act, the Public Procurement Act and extant Financial Regulations to determine whether the law has expressly provided for the position of either the ‘Chief Executive Officer’ or ‘Accounting Officer’ of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), he could not find any of such. Why should he confer on the commission’s secretary, powers that the constitution does not contemplate?

He equally admitted that the Constitution recognises INEC chairman as the ‘Chief Electoral Commissioner’, yet, that, in his learned view, is not tantamount to being ‘Chief Executive Officer’. We are aware that any full time political head/appointee of any government agency usually gets held responsible for exercise of administrative powers discharged on his behalf by career officers. In the case of INEC, the AG should tell us who the political head of the commission is rather than engage in suspicious legal proposition.

The memo by Jega, though innocuous, shows that something is wrong with the commission. The matter should be attended to, once and for all; it should not be politicised. At any rate, why is this issue coming up now when virtually all the chairmen that held the post before Jega were deemed and seen as the accounting officers of the electoral commission?

We do not expect the AG or anybody, no matter how highly placed, to play politics with matters concerning INEC or the nation’s democratic future. What is unfurling is indeed ominous. May be the courts can help us give more acceptable interpretation to who is truly incharge at INEC.

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BRIGHT spark is extinguished The president’s most vaunted reform is flagging but must be revived

ALTHOUGH Nigeria has almost as many inhabitants as Brazil, it produces only 5% of the electricity.

Many Nigerian leaders have tried to boost the state’s power supply, but many more have become rich by obstructing it, earning fees from private generation and stealing official funds meant for new power plants.

When he was elected last year, President Goodluck Jonathan promised to make electricity reform his big thing, hoping to transform the lives of millions of Nigerians who have spent decades in the dark.

But the resignation of his power minister on August 28th over a conflict of interest has exposed the rot in a process that seemed to be running relatively smoothly. Bartholomew (“Barth”) Nnaji, a respected technocrat who had been minister of power since last year, was meant to sell six generating companies and 11 distribution companies. Months ago he declared that a firm in which he owns shares held in a trust was involved in the bidding. It is not unusual for Nigerian politicians to engage in business overseen by their office; what is unusual is for any of them to resign.

Mr Nnaji’s supporters say that opponents of privatisation belatedly and unfairly engineered his departure. “Nnaji was the best person for the job,” says an adviser at the presidential task-force on the reform of power. “But he was getting in the way of other interests.”

The minister had certainly made enemies. He took on trade unions opposed to mass job cuts. A key aspect of privatisation is unbundling the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, a bloated and ill-managed monopoly, with thousands of “ghost” workers on the payroll. Two-fifths of the staff are apparently listed as drivers. Mr Nnaji tried for months to negotiate redundancy terms, as otherwise serious investors are unlikely to bid. It remains to be seen whether the unions have won the battle. Privatisation may be delayed.

Mr Nnaji also warred with the vice-president, Namadi Sambo, who owns companies with interests in the public power sector, oversees the government’s national privatisation council and heads a programme to build ten new state power stations that Mr Nnaji hoped to privatise. This may have hastened his departure.

Worrying signs have also emerged over transparency. Watchdogs were at the last minute relegated from being active participants in evaluating bids to observers, says a consultant. Their role is important because firms may win bids with lofty promises but fail to get finance or honour their contracts. This has hampered past privatisations. The current list of bidders is longer than expected and includes many local firms. Preferred bidders may be announced next month.

According to the government, the power sector needs $10 billion of investment a year for at least a decade. Mr Nnaji’s resignation is troubling investors who feel he brought expertise to a process that had previously been paralysed by corruption. Watched by foreign development agencies, eligible bidders have so far been selected in a clean and efficient manner. When a bid from Nigeria’s richest tycoon, Aliko Dangote, arrived apparently minutes late, it was rejected.

Most important for investors, a new tariff system, which will see a gradual increase in electricity prices over the next two years, came into effect in June. It is meant to ensure profitability. President Jonathan imposed the new tariffs despite worries that they would spark mass protests. In January Nigeria came to a standstill when he removed fuel subsidies. He partially reinstated them. This time, taking no chances, he agreed to new electricity subsidies for the poorest households for at least two years. But he no longer has a high-profile power minister to hide behind.

– The Economist

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso

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THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: As an indigene of Kebbi State, I feel thoroughly embarrassed by the needless controversy over the nomination of retired Brigadier-General Bitrus Boka Ushe for ministerial appointment

by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Leading this unfortunate campaign of denigration against the nominee is the Kebbi State chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Mansur Shehu, who should be among our enlightened men of reason.

That expectation was not to be.

Instead; he has provided the ammo for pulling down General Boka from the Zuru Emirate of Kebbi State. The chairman’s arguments are that the General is not a PDP member and that he is not known to the people of Kebbi State because he is allegedly more frequently based in Kaduna.Does it mean, therefore, that if a man stays outside his state or maintains a house elsewhere in Nigeria or abroad, he is automatically not qualified to hold a public office?

Does it also mean that if a citizen is not a PDP member, he is not qualified to be appointed a minister from his state? How come the former Minister of Science and Technology, Professor Abubakar Kaoje,

Our NYSC hopes dashed by OAU

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IR: I got admission into Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU Ile-Ife in 2007 to the department of Foreign Languages with matric number frm/2007/003 and graduated in December 2011.

By right I am supposed to be mobilise for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in July 2012, but due to the lackadaisical attitude of the departmental administrators, we were not mobilised in July (Batch B) and were told to wait for Batch C in November. And now this is September and we are already being told we might not be mobilised until February 2013.

Please on behalf of the affected students we are crying out and want youto help us so that the world can hear our cry and help us fight this injustice, as our lives and careers are being toyed with by unconcernedadministrators.

Please save our future and tell this to the whole Nigeria.

• Adekunle Adesokan OAU, Ile-Ife

EDITOR’S MAIL BAG SEND TYPEWRITTEN, DOUBLE SPACED AND SIGNED CONTRIBUTIONS, LETTERS AND REJOINDERS OF NOT MORE THAN 800 WORDS TO THE EDITOR, THE NATION, 27B, FATAI ATERE ROAD, MATORI, LAGOS. E-mail: views@thenationonlineng.net

Kebbi PDP strikes a dagger at North’s unity was appointed to that position when he was a Vice-Chancellor of the Kebbi State University? He is an academic and not a card-carrying member of the PDP when he was nominated for ministerial appointment.Besides, who told the Kebbi State PDP chairman that a ministerial nominee must be a cardcarrying member of the ruling party to qualify for that position?

Did he forget that in a presidential system of government, the President has the right to appoint ministers even outside the party?

Dr. Mansur Liman and Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman were not PDP members when they were appointed ministers by the late President Umaru Yar’adua administration.The arrogance of

the majority that borders on selfishness, greed and injustice should not be allowed to undermine the current efforts to rebuild northern unity. I am from the Gwandu Emirate of Kebbi State which has the majority, but I don’t think my rights would be better protected by treating others, the so-called minority, unjustly. Being small doesn’t necessarily suggest being insignificant or non-existent. Sadly, this is the kind of arrogance being displayed by the so-called majority elements in this country.

Is Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State not performing wonderfully, despite the fact that he comes from a minority ethnic group?The Nigerian constitution is superior to the PDP narrow politics

in Kebbi State and, therefore, President Jonathan should not succumb to this cheap blackmail by the enemies of unity, tolerance and harmonious co-existence. What I find disgusting is the suggestion by the Kebbi State PDP chairman that the nomination of General Bitrus Boka Usha, a minority Christian from Zuru, could endanger the relative harmony of the state.How? Does fairness or justice threaten stability? On the contrary, the absence of the two is the real threat to unity and peace. It is apparent that some of our so-called leaders are paying lip service to unity.

The late Premier of the defunct Northern Region, Sir. Ahmadu Bello the Sarduna of Sokoto, never discriminated against anybody in

public appointments on the basis of their religion and ethnicity, which was why he was respected by all. Chief Solomon Lar, Sunday Awoniyi, Michael Audu Buba and Jolly Tanko Yusuf were among the prominent Christian minority figures appointed into key positions by the late Sardauna. He appointed them into prominent public offices purely on merit. That was the only secret why the late Premier became the pillar of northern unity.At a time northern unity is mortally threatened by interminable ethnic/ religious conflicts caused by the selfishness and greed of our politicians of this generation, the Kebbi State PDP chairman and Governor Dakingari are sending a wrong message to other Nigerians.

What impact can the Northern Governors Forum ever make when it harbours elements who are silently working to destroy what the late Sardauna had built? Can we achieve northern unity through greed, intolerance, selfishness, injustice and lip service to peaceful coexistence?

• Na-Allah Mohammed Zagga, Abuja.

Letter to President Jonathan

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IR: I was among those that voted for you, regrettably, more out of primordial sentiments than anything. I did because I did not like the arrogance of our compatriots from the other part of Nigeria particularly the way they treated you following the death of President Yar’Adua.

Today, nothing seems to be happening under your watch; on the contrary things are detiororating so fast.

Your explanation that these issues have been around before your tenure is beside the point. Things are getting worse and Nigerians expect to see progress considering the resources at its disposal.

Nigerians have suffered from poor leadership for so long and their expectations are very low and you just have to do the basic to win the affection of Nigerians. The issues are not intractable, it just requires leadership and courage. If things continue at the present pace you risk being judged as one of the most ineffectual president the country ever had.

I highlight five areas that you should focus on to make a mark in the remaining two years of your tenure. In order to succeed , you have to first forgo publicly your second

term ambition as this will free you from blackmail from the various interest groups and you can be your own man and not be beholden to any interest.

Secondly, you have to be a handson president, relying less on your advisers and taking responsibility for overseeing the implementation of your campaign promises.

None of the recommendations calls for the setting up of new commissions to produce reports which are never read or implemented.

Reduce cost of governance: This is where you should start from. Be courageous. Reduce the number of ministries and parastatals. You have had the Oronsaye report for sometime now. Act on it.

Corruption: so much has been written of corruption and yet only a few people have been successfully prosecuted and jailed. The president Attorney General has not shown that he is serious in fighting corruption, so he should be removed and be replaced with a more serious-minded person. The first task of the new Attorney General should be to revive all dormant cases of politically exposed people and finalise them in six months.

You should put reduction of corruption in the performance contracts

of each minister and this should be monitored by spot check from your office and a regular public perception survey of corruption in the various ministries which should be published. This will shame the people involved and put pressure on the political bosses.

Infrastructure Development and Energy: This is key to creating employment and facilitating economic development. Concentrate on massive infrastructure spending especially on roads and energy projects.

This will generate employment and create a multiplier effect by facilitating other developments. Concentrate on renewable energy like solar which does not need building of expensive grids. Build industrial parks with power supplies in big cities where small scale businesses can ply their trade. Develop an industrial policy with focus on adding value in our oil and gas resources.

Security: Immediately review how all the money disbursed to the police has been spent in the past two years. This will as usual unearth a lot of corruption, then plug all loop holes identified. Retire all officers with questionable records and recruit more policemen through a credible process . Review the present state of equipments of the police force and

procure more sophisticated equipments.

Public Sector Reform: there has been many reforms of the public service with little to show for it. The truth is that the present crop of civil servants do not have the right service ethos and they are so entrenched in corruption. The fact is that you need the civil servants to deliver on some on the issues highlighted in this article. Retire all those indicted to free up positions to recruited a certain number of technocrats for each of the ministries. You must vet the final list of those recommended to ensure that Nigerian factor does not undermine it. Look abroad for competent Nigerians .

They have better work ethics. Let the ministers use these technocrats to accomplish what you want for the remaining two years.

The issues mentioned in this article are practical and within your reach . You just need to gird your loin and get to work. Just remember that you are answerable to the Nigerian people and it is them that will judge you in the end. It is not PDP constituency, your rich friends or your Ijaw people that will determine your legacy.

•Paul Okoh, Vienna, Austria

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THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

COMMENTS

Yes, Nigeria's problems too can be solved

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NITED States President Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina last week was emphatic that no matter the problems his country might be facing, the challenges are all solvable. I love optimism coming in the midst of affliction. At least Obama recognized the reality of his time and tenureship and was not giving excuses or shifting blames even as the opposition has been alleging that he has not kept his promises. It was also coming at a critical time when America’s job approval rating has fallen below 50%.

Obama’s response to his performance grading was valiant. “I won’t pretend the path I’m offering is quick and easy. I never have,” he told a cheering crowd; “You didn’t elect me to tell you what you want to hear. You elected me to tell you the truth.

And the truth is, it will take more than a few years for us to solve the challenges that have built up over a decade.” It was as if he was saying no matter what might be happening now, there is hope for restoration of lost glories.

If the same America that moved to the place of high majesty among nations on the trust in God could now be facing challenges in the lowly areas of jobs and housing like downtrodden nations, then the issue is beyond the ordinary that world economists can solve. Advancement in technology and comfort has made people to abandon the Almighty who can make all things possible. The US today is being bombarded by all manners of hurricanes and tsunamis that are above the control of man. It might just be a celestial reminder that emergence as the leading nation of the world could not have been by the power and wisdom of man, but by the enabled grace of God. Let’s admit that a leader could only lead gloriously if God is on his side. Former President Bill Clinton’s integrity and encouraging speech at the Democratic Party’s convention might end boosting Obama’s re-election bid, not because of his being an ex-President, but more because of his accomplishments while in office.

Clinton said: “Know this, America: Our problems can be solved. Our challenges can be met. The path we offer may be harder, but it leads to a better place. And I’m asking you to choose that future.” I take it that the future of man as well as that of a nation is better placed in the hand of the architect who is the creator with the ultimate capacity to turn things around for good.

I

N the exercise of the power conferred on the governor of Ogun State by Section 2 (1) of the Ogun State Commissions of Inquiry Law - to set up a Commission to look “into any matter in respect of which, in his opinion, an inquiry would be for the public welfare” - Governor Ibikunle Amosun on September 16, 2011 inaugurated the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into all land allocations, acquisitions, sales and concessions of government properties and administration of land policies, rules and regulations between January, 2004 and May 29, 2011 and other matters connected therewith. The Commission has since submitted its report and government views (White Paper) on the report have been gazetted. The public is now in a better position to comment on the inquiry.

But let me, in parenthesis, use this medium to join the debate - albeit belatedly -sparked off by the conversion of Tai Solarin University of Education to the Institute of Education, Olabisi Onabanjo University and the renaming of the University of Lagos, Moshood Abiola University. An aspect of the debate then was whether the judiciary could, in any way - directly or by inference restrain, even for one second, the Ogun State House of Assembly or National Assembly from taking any step on the renaming of the institution established by law pending the determination of the case before it.

From my study of the doctrine of separation of powers and its application in jurisdictions across the world, I’m of the opinion that “No arm or organ of government can bind the other.” It is the duty of the legislature to make law or amend the law it has made. The courts cannot stop, even for a second, or put in abeyance the time-honoured power of the legislature to perform this constitutional responsibility. The only power invested on the judiciary as far as lawmaking/ amendment of law is concerned is the power of judicial review, to wit after the legislature must have discharged its constitutional duty, if there is a prima facie case that it had not followed to the letter the constitutional process in discharging such a responsibility (for instance, not securing two-thirds majority to pass a bill into law), then the judiciary can set aside the law so made or amended.

Whatever we are reaping today as a nation are those things we sowed in the past years of grace when Nigeria was being tagged a nation on the path of greatness. We are in the depressed state we are now because of the abuse of grace. Our leaders abused God’s provisions and resources through scooping corruption while the people too abused opportunities and endowments that once upon a time were flowing in the land.

People will always hold their leaders accountable for their performances. In view of our hopelessness under distress, are we being made to see light at the end of the dark tunnel? How many of our past privileged leaders’ uprightness can be used as model to stimulate the nation’s future generations? Have we had leaders who are servant-leaders in truth and in deed – with love for the masses and not for fellow elites alone?

At the review of the implementation of the First National Implementation Plan for the Vision 20: 2020 last week, Minister of National Planning Shamsuddeen Usman bragged that as a result of what he called effective macro-economic management by the present administration, Nigeria’s economy had made valid progress by moving from its 44th position to 39th on the global ranking.

The same Usman used to defend CBN’s popularly-rejected unrewarding currency redesign chose not to understand that whether the nation has moved up from a lower position on the scale of economic performance or not, what would make the genuine differentiation lies in the capability of the economy to settle poverty, create jobs and curtail rising unemployment. Just like Americans are evaluating Obama’s administration, with the level of unemployment and poverty in Nigeria today, it would be difficult for any conceived ‘economic growth’ to be appreciated by the affected afflicted masses.

The Yoruba Assembly summoned by Gen. Alani Akinrinade (rtd.) met in Ibadan the week before. The gathering advocated a return to regional autonomy and true federalism as the way to save the nation from collapse. This was after rightly acknowledging that Nigeria is at a critical crossroad and summed up the undisputable current state of the nation: “After more than 50 years of independence, deep structural issues and nationality questions such as federalism, fair and equitable revenue allocation, security, free and fair elections, state police and inter-relationship among the different nationalities remain unresolved. There is general insecurity in the land, growing infrastructural decay and increasing tension in the polity.”

We must admit that the nation’s economic structure is flawed as it does not foretell a bright stance for meaningful development and the people’s progress now or in the future.

It needs to be restructured with the honest dedication and heart of righteousness. The same God who touched the heart of Nebuchadnezzar is still on His throne to touch the hearts of those in position of leadership.

We should begin to be more concerned about what would

grow the economy than celebrating what is no more than ‘a marginal gain.’

FEEDBACK Re: Where are the saints?

Soji, Nigerians did not elect President Jonathan to “manage the problems he inherited” but to solve them. But he said we should wait till 2013, which of course is around the corner.

Barr. Moronkeji Sir, I read your article and I pray to Almighty God to grant favour to this country Nigeria, and peace, unity and prosperity among all Nigerian.

Junnih, Abuja Soji, President Jonathan is a product of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s school of wuru-wuru to the answer political ambassador. What do you expect from a president who patronizes the likes of Ahmadu Ali, former governor Ibrahim Idris who ruled Kogi State for almost 9 years with nothing to show for it, only to come behind and force his inlaw and namesake on the people with the backing of the presidency and our hyper-corrupt judiciary who are the beneficiary of Kogi treasury since the inception of Idris Wada’s illegal administration.

Engr. Mohammed Haruna Emewe Opada.

On Sanusi and CBN inconsistency, most of us got carried away by the introduction of N5,000 bill which to me is ok.

The fundamental disservice to the naira is the replacement of 5, 10 and 20 naira notes with coins. That is where the devaluation comes in. We should all rise against it.

C.C. Odogun, Asaba.

Re: Commitment, not excuse Governance has to do with planning, hardwork, integrity, and accountability, and not on good luck. For the President to assert his inefficiencies and total failure to some forces Boko Haram and the opposition is enough to throw him out of Aso Rock. He can’t claim not to know the people behind Boko Haram operations. The President is finding a sft nest to lay his eggs. In other words, it is an admission of failure. He should bury his head in shame. He is interested in amassing wealth and not to govern. He took 100 people to Brazil; numerous probes are rubbished; unpopular policies are wrought on poor citizens among other inhuman treatments on the nation. He has no excuse for his inefficiencies and incompetence. He is serving in the interest of his PDP and not the nation at large.

Past. Odunmbaku Sir, your article on 23 July is a perfect example of a constructive and structural criticism. It actually inspires me ass I study it from academic point of view. But objectively, don’t you think the President has a point by blaming Boko Haram for part of his failure? Since they categorically told him before election that if he wins, they will make the country ungovernable for him?

Krumale Oyinpreye Joseph, OAU.

Ogun land matters: Between law

By Tolu Obadein and sentiments

This to me is simple to understand. Were it possible for the judiciary to restrain the legislature from making or amending a law while a case is subsisting, it is then possible that a legislature elected for duration of four years cannot make or amend a particular law.

This certainly goes against the grain in a constitutional democracy, guided by the principle of separation of powers. The National Judicial Council (NJC) may then need to look into cases, if any, where the judiciary has directly or indirectly restrained the legislature from performing its constitutional role.

I have perused the findings of the Ogun State Judicial Commission of Inquiry on Land Matters as well as reactions of stakeholders, including the immediate past governor of the state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

Government by whims and caprices, arbitrariness and rule of the thumb are among the phrases that captured the administration of lands in Ogun during the reign of Daniel.

Let’s hear the ex-governor himself in an advertorial in the Nigerian Tribune of August 3: “Every land applicant that requested for rebate and was brought to my attention got it!”

This shocking declaration, in an age of civilization - centuries after the reign of emperors - literally left me paralyzed! Little wonder that the then Bureau of Lands was the epicentre of monumental racketeering and sleaze and the people of Ogun paid dearly for this in the billions of naira of lost revenue.

Daniel claimed that the Land Use Act gave him discretion. But I am not aware of any law in Nigeria giving liberty to a governor to do as he likes. In announcing the rebates to attract investors to Ogun, Amosun, for instance, during the First Ogun Investors’ Forum in March, made it clear to the public that land for agriculture would attract 80% discount, manufacturing 60%, etc and that the discounts were valid till December 2012.

This is a typical example of the discretion

envisaged by law. Not the Daniel type where, in his own account, a public officer got 50% rebate, then that officer still complained and got additional 25% rebate! This is a very arrogant statement from a mindset of an emperor, who has power to dish out the commonwealth of the entire people of Ogun at his whims!

And if, for the sake of argument, we agree (without conceding) that he had discretion to give out lands the way he liked, then what about those individuals and organisations that got lands at ridiculous prices from Daniel yet refused to pay the rock bottom prices, as established by the commission? Does that mean that Daniel had the power to sell lands at any amount and also had the power to ask beneficiaries of his bazaar not to pay even the give-away prices! This is mindboggling, in a land that is governed by law!

Of course, it is no longer news that Gbenga Daniel appropriated lands legally owned by less powerful indigenes. The commission established a prima facie case, lamenting that “While acknowledging the fact that a sitting public officer such as a governor has a right, like other citizens to buy and own property in the state where he is a governor, the commission considers it a blatant abuse of office, power and breach of the trust reposed in him by the people, for the ex-governor, Otunba Justus Olugbenga Daniel to appropriate to his family, lands belonging to other citizens…”

And in spite of this misuse of power, how do we explain a situation where Daniel paid a ridiculous amount of N2,000 only for his own land, which was grossly undervalued at N3.367million?

Daniel alleged repeatedly that his predecessor also appropriated lands that belonged to others. “In spite of this discovery,” he wrote, “our administration didn’t

revoke the C of O of that allocation… This was out of respect for my predecessor despite our political differences”!

Can the whole world now see the mindset of Daniel?

So Governor Amosun, please respect Daniel ooo; betray your Oath of Office and work against the interest of the people of Ogun “out of respect for your predecessor!” Wonders shall never end in Nigeria!

Well, just in case, let me warn that there will be serious political consequences if Amosun fails to right the wrongs of the past and recover every kobo and property of the people of Ogun lost during the last administration. My organisation is very much aware of the pressure being mounted on the governor to overlook the serious infractions perpetrated by the Daniel administration. He must be guided by law, not sentiments. The Ogun State Attorney- General should also set machinery in motion to put anyone - I repeat -anyone found guilty of infraction of the Law of Ogun State on trial without further delay.

He must act swiftly and decidedly.

• Dr Obadein is of Campaign for Good Governance in Ogun State.

‘This certainly goes against the grain in a constitutional democracy, guided by the principle of separation of powers.

The National Judicial Council (NJC) may then need to look into cases, if any, where the judiciary has directly or indirectly restrained the legislature from performing its constitutional role’

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

22

COMMENTS

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NE key argument for the inevitability of true federalism in this country has been its capacity to diffuse the bitter competition associated with the contest for the highest political office – the presidency. It is reasoned that the concentration of awesome powers and resources at the federal level has had the net effect of overheating the polity each time an election into that office is around the corner and thereafter. To stave off this unbridled competition accentuated by our prebendal predilections, it has been variously canvassed that there is the imperative for power devolution such that the federating units assume greater control over their affairs while the centre concentrates on areas of common concerns.

When people talk of structural imperfections, devolution of powers, fiscal federalism or balanced federalism, they are calling attention to the need to tinker with the current federal arrangement such that the units assume greater control over their affairs.

With such an arrangement, the unbridled competition for power at the centre because of the enormous resources at its control will be diffused. With it also, the nation will be saved the debilitating primordial rivalry and suffocating corruption that have been the greatest undoing of this country such that its corporate existence has over the years been in constant stress.

Ironically, that is precisely the point Nigeria finds itself today after nearly 52 years of independence with little hope that things will change for the better. Even as the next elections are still far away, permutations and jostling for that high office are already on top gear. Without officially admitting it, the current security challenges in the country have their roots in the competition for the presidency. Boko Haram is nothing but political grievance masquerading under a religious garb. No less a person than a former National Security Adviser NSA Gen. Andrew Owoye Azazi said that much very unambiguously and has not been proved wrong. President Jonathan had earlier given vent to the same line of thought when he said that some of his cabinet members are members of Boko Haram. Thus, the political dimension of the Boko Haram onslaught is not in doubt. What has been lacking has been the sincerity of mind to admit that fact as it is. That is why even though its sympathisers have been rooting for dialogue with the government, its pre-

O

Emeka OMEIHE 08121971199 email: EmekaOmeihe@yahoo.com

South-east: New state vs. presidency cise nature and the people to dialogue with have been shrouded in utmost secrecy. I am sure when it sponsors are done, power shift to the north will be a key element of their demands. For now, the hide and seek game continues so long it keeps Jonathan very uncomfortable and could restrain him from pursuing a second term ambition. If and when he declares for that post, the current insecurity may take a more devastating dimension. Time will bear this presumption out.

However, in these calculations for the presidency in 2015, the South-east, one of the original tripod on which the foundation of Nigeria was erected, feels justified that it is its time to occupy that political position. To its advantage is the domination of that post by the north and the shot at it by the South-west as represented by Obasanjo’s tenure. Given this, a number of scenarios will likely emerge as 2015 draws closer. The first possibility is that of Jonathan running for a second term. The other option is a situation he does not run. In the case of the first scenario, there will be presumably three contenders- the South-south, South-east and the North. By reference to the North, we are talking of the three geo-political zones that make up the area fielding a common candidate.

For the second option, it will be a straight fight between the South-east and the North.

The first scenario will be more daunting to manage, while the second option may prove less contentious. Speculators are already simu-

F all the agenda scaled down for the new phase of amendment of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by the designate committees of both chambers of the National Assembly, state police has been superlatively brought to the front burner of public discourse, with torrents of arguments and counter-arguments endlessly flooding the media. This is understandably so, considering the undercurrents of the security challenges that are driving the nation to the precipice.

The debate on whether the states should be permitted to recruit, train, fund and control own Police independent of federal government as obtains in the United Kingdom, Europe and United States of America is indeed very healthy for our democracy. What, however, seems very despicable to me, is the focus of the debate. For the discerning, it is clear that there has been a steady dangerous twist with ethno-religious coloration.

But one thing comes clear. Which ever side of the divide one finds himself, the ineptitude of the Nigeria Police is visible.

Evidently too, the rising rate of crimes across the length and breadth of the country, stoutly support this point. Indeed, one does not need to hire a star gazer before coming to the understanding that the nation is currently teetering on a feral zone following the activities of religious extremists. The situation is even more precarious when one considers the evident failure on the part of federal security agencies to respond to such security challenges as the sustained pipeline vandalization in the Niger Delta region, kidnapping, high octane murders and assassinations, among others. This lacuna may have further aggravated the call for state police as a remedial measure.

Apparently encouraged by the security hiatus in the nation, proponents believe that with state-controlled Police, the prevailing security situation in the land would become history.

Truth is, many who subscribe to this idea may not be far from the bull’s eye as there are considerable evidences to support state Police.

But wait a minute. Let us take a rehearse of our political journey since independence and the operating system in Nigeria, as they would put things in proper perspective. First, let us consider the issue of election into public offices, say, the office of governor, state House of Assembly, National Assembly or council chairmen. With a history of electoral violence, particularly where an office holder is criminally determined to go for a second term, whether or not he or she qualifies for such a privilege on the basis of performance during the first tenure, it can only be imagined what potential deadly tool state Police can be in the hands of incumbents.

This becomes dangerous with a political history of witchhunting and intimidation of political opponents, and by extension, the ‘do or die’ political philosophy, which successive leaders have passed down the line.

Clearly, the instrument of State Police would have provided, for instance, a governor, with the options of who to prosecute,

lating the first possibility. They argue that indications are that Jonathan will run. If he does, he will have the South-east and the north to contend with. That decision is however, his to take.

But there is something untidy in some of the speculations making the rounds. There have been speculations that the South-east will be made to forgo the presidency in reward for a new state. And that part of the larger agenda to scheme the zone out of the race is to make Dr. Alex Ekwueme, the chairman of the Board of Trustees BOT of the PDP and appointment of people of the zone to juicy posts including into the ministry of power from which one of their sons recently disengaged. With these it is also reasoned that the zone will shift ground for the incumbent Jonathan to go for a second term leaving him with just the North to contend with.

Ordinarily and especially given the high demand for the creation of at least one additional state from the South-east zone to bring it at par with four other zones, any news of the possibility of actualizing that state will gladden the hearts of many. Before now, issues have been raised regarding the untold injustice the zone has suffered on account of its being shortchanged in this matter. Of the six geo-political zones, four have six states, one seven while the South-east trails with only five. It was for this glaring inequity, that the National Political Reforms Confer-

ence recommended one additional state for the zone. But the third term ambition of Obasanjo dealt a devastating blow to that popular recommendation. The logic for that demand has since remained very potent. This is more so in a clime where states constitute the unit of representation both in terms of resource sharing, ascent to legislative offices at the national level; appointments into political positions and admissions into tertiary institutions.

Given the foregoing, it is to be expected that positive chances of the emergence of a new state in the area will be well received as an event whose time has come. But, it will amount to an unmitigated insult on the sensibilities of people of the zone to tie their right to the presidency to the compelling imperative for balance in extant states’ structure. This kind of linkage politics has with it all that is wrong with us as a country.

First, it casts the South-east as a zone at the mercy of others. The purport of that suggestion is that for the zone to get justice in a statestructure that is tilted against them; they must suffer another injustice by giving up their right to the presidency. This suggestion is very uncharitable to say the least.

Secondly, it presents the matter as an undeserving favour rather than a genuine effort to redress observed injustice. If such conditions are being suggested to the zone, what do we make of other zones which have over the years monopolized the presidency and enjoyed the perquisites of the lopsided federal structure including the so-called juicy posts? How do we compensate the South-east for these years of mindless marginalization, alienation and subjugation?

Equally very ridiculous is the suggestion that giving the so-called juicy posts them and having Dr. Ekwueme as BoT chairman will compensate for their demand for the presidency. This is arrant nonsense. It is difficult to fathom how these will put other zones at a disadvantage or how it will preclude them from equally benefiting from the so-called juicy posts, whatever that means.

At the point this country finds itself now, there is no alternative to justice for the constituent units. Balance in extant state structure is a thing whose time has come. We cannot continue to wish it away. The race for the presidency is a different ball game that will be played when the pitch is ready.

State Police: Sweet, but sour

By Abdulwahaab Oba when and for what offence, the record to investigate, documents and files to throw away. This latter point, instructively, is what separates us from many civilized countries of the world where standards are effective administrative tools passed on from one government after another, irrespective of party affiliations, and, are religiously followed.

While those who subscribe to State Police easily point to its success overseas, they tend to forget the fact that the situations are not the same. For instance, while a public servant in the United Kingdom, Europe or America, by law, is accountable to the people; the law being supreme, the reverse is the case in our clime. In Nigeria, today, the legal system though well crafted, lacks the ‘function authority’ and so, like a tissue paper, is often torn, squeezed and disregarded as if it were a rude letter from an estranged girl to her boyfriend. This accounts for why most public servants have since graduated from the vote-begging novice and card-carrying member of a political party to a notorious powerful above-the-law crook, beyond the control of the electorate.

Funding is another major issue that will taint any good in the State Police. In Nigeria, for instance, when the issue of minimum wage came up, it took maximum rage from the organized labour for some states to agree to pay the new wage and the reason is simple: most of the states cannot sustain themelves effectively. If the alarm raised by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) that majority of the states are bankrupt is anything to go by, it is unthinkable that the states would be able to manage such a capital-intensive institution. Or will it make sense for the states to rely on the federal allocations to service their police? Blame the off shore, on shore dichotomy, which has largely impoverished some states. But this, certainly, is an issue for another day’s discussion.

In Massachusetts, United State, for instance, the Executive Office of Public Safety delivers numerous exciting funding and training opportunities to facilitate the policing job. This yearly opportunities come in form of state and federal tax dollars. This is in addition to funding provisions from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which presents a myriad of public safety opportunities in Massachusetts. The dollars, meant for public safety initiatives are deployed into community oriented policing, stopping violence against women, fire stations, port security, and emergency shelters. Committed to the peace of society, well-heeled individuals and corporate bodies even endow funds like the Shannon Grant Programme and the Municipal Police Station Grant Programme.

These grant programmes promote safety and well-being in Massachusetts by funding innovative, promising and effective programmes designed to provide prevention, intervention, training, and accountability in support of criminal and juvenile justice personnel, service providers, victims, and offenders. Also far-reaching, are programmes designed to cater for the families of police officers, who died in service of fatherland.

This cannot be said of corporate bodies and individuals in and out of government in this country who would rather pamper themselves with the good things of life; some siphoning funds abroad while poverty and decayed social infrastructure have a crunchy hold on the people amid aplenty. All these point to warped orientation, which exalts personal or parochial interests far and above social and general good of society.

How many of our states even host these corporate institutions?

The danger of State Police is that the few well-heeled persons in the society would appropriate it for personal gains. This is the reason State Police pose grave danger and, in fact, presents a potent road to breakup of the nation.

We have a choice and a good one at that. Rather than dissipating energy on an idea that potentially threatens the unity of our nation, profound efforts should be geared towards formulating policies and initiatives that would make life more comforting for Nigerians. The people need sustainable healthcare.

They need affordable transportation system. They deserve stable power supply. Nigerians deserve reliable and efficient social security system. Nigerians deserve exemplary, creative and progressive leaders. The youths want to be gainfully employed. They want capacity development through well articulated policies. The youths want conducive environment for learning and twenty-first century education infrastructure.

Enough of empty rhetoric and elitist machinations; all, leading to a needless waste of administrative time.

The Nigeria police need adequate and sustainable funding model; a long time bond package that will address the several challenges besetting the force. We must invest on a long time basis in our police – a funding window that will provide them with adequate insurance policy, modern equipment and guarantee adequate training that will meet the current security challenges.

In a civilized and developed society where the privilege of holding public office is not abused, State and federal police can work in harmony, but not in Nigeria with an ever-widening political and religious divisions. This, indeed, is why one feels very strongly that the prospects of State Police may be bright, but would need to wait a little longer.

• Oba writes from Ilorin

Eagles decamp, to Yobo hails Eagles regroup in October after Liberia draw Pg. 24

Pg. 41

Sport Monday, September 10, 2012

PAGE 23

LIBERIA VS. EAGLES ANC QUALIFIER

Amadu close to tears in Monrovia •Says Enyeama cost Nigeria 4 goals

By Ade Ojeikere

•Enyeama

NFF, Keshi disagree

… reads riot act to Eagles

Pg. 24

on Mikel

•Keshi

•Stay away order to late-comers Pg. 24

24

41

NATIONSPORT MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

NATION SPORT

NATION SPORT

Bassey doles out N.1M to Eaglets’ technical crew

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TILL relishing the ‘New Nigeria Golden Eaglets’ 4-1 demolition of Junior Menas of Niger at the weekend, Etubom Paul Bassey, foremost Nigeria’s sports journalist has made a donation of One Hundred Thousand Naira to the team’s technical crew.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Match Commissioner and General Coordinator, said his ‘widows mite’ was borne out of the fact that the players would not have raised their game to such an excellent level without conscious coaching guidance.

Bassey who spoke to the players in the dressing room, noted that there is indeed hope for Nigerian football if these players are nurtured, urging the technical crew to keep them focused on the main goal of being good players and a responsible citizen.

“When I heard that you were beating local teams 9-0, 7-0 6-0 in Calabar, I was not impressed,” he said. “Dr. Ikpeme said to me that we have a good team but my response was that I was not impressed.

“But when you played Rwanda and won convincingly, I said maybe because that was your first

real test, you had to roll out the tank to kill Rwanda. My mind was a bit at rest today, you made me so happy.”

Bassey noted that his happiness was not borne out of the fact that the Golden Eaglets scored four goals but their compelling display.

Said he: “I have watched football all my life and I can’t count the numbers but today, I saw my best game ever. I saw a team that played like a family. I saw young boys who were enjoying themselves but please, don’t carry this into your heads.

Even if you had won 2-1 today, it would have been immaterial because I didn’t come to see the score line. I came to watch a team that has a future and I’m thoroughly impressed. This is just the beginning for you. I’m so happy with all of you. I’m happy that I’m part of this delegation to Niamey.”

The morning after the game, Bassey announced his cash gift to the technical crew saying: “I’m so happy with what you people are doing, please keep it up.”

Expectedly, members of the technical crew collectively thanked him, promising not to let Nigerians down.

LFA treatment baffles NFF, Eagles …Draw excites envoy, Maigari

•Maigari

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IGERIA Football Federation officials have expressed disgust over the desperate antics employed by the Liberia Football Federation (LFA), to win the Nations Cup qualifier against Nigeria, including taking the team to a dilapidated hotel and assigning a weather beaten bus, without air-conditioner to the team for its stay in Liberia.

The NFF had immediately relocated the team to the Golden Gate Hotel, ahead of last Saturday’s 2-2 draw in Monrovia.

Technical Committee Chairman, Christopher Green, said he was taken aback going by the smooth relationship existing between both nations and their FAs. NFF President Aminu Maigari, was also petrified that officials of the SKD Stadium refused to switch on the flood lights at the arena, when Nigeria had its only training session there before the game, when the game was to be played under floodlights.

On each occasion the Nigerians used the bus alocated to them like on their way to and from the

airport, a visit to the Nigerian embassy and even a short trip from the Golden Gate Hotel where the team camped to the stadium, players and officials sweated profusely, forcing Head Coach, Stephen Keshi to ask the NFF for action in the return leg in Calabar.

The windscreens of the bus had to be opened each time it was used.

“This is very bad for the development of African football but Nigeria will never treat any nation like this. Am sure in the second leg, we will offer them a beautiful, airconditioned bus to take them around, we’ve always been trodden upon by those countries that we played the big brother to”, Keshi lamented.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Liberia, Her Excellency Chigozie Nnadozie, has said she was totally satisfied with the output of the Super Eagles, and she was sure that President Goodluck Jonathan, is also excited at the 2-2 draw in Monrovia.

NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, also spoke in similar vein, assuring that the Eagles will win the return in Calabar with a wide margin.

Ambassador Nnadozie, spoke during dinner organised for the Super Eagles in Monrovia, moments before the team departed for Nigeria on Saturday night. She along with the Liberian President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, had travelled to Kaduna for the NDA graduation but she returned early enough for the game but said she was delighted with what she saw.

“I’m sure that by the return leg in Calabar, our team will win emphatically and I hope to be there to help cheer the team to victory”, she said. Maigari thanked the Ambassador for her kind gesture and assured that the team will not rest on its oars to pick a Nations Cup ticket in October.

Manu plays down Eaglets big win

NFF, Keshi disagree on Mikel

•Mikel

E

AGLES’ coach Stephen Keshi and top officials of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are at daggers drawn over Chelsea ace Mikel Obi after the team’s midfield virtually collapsed in Liberia.

Keshi had insisted after his team was forced to a 2-2 draw, that his midfield was intact and he would only recall Mikel if he is ready to commit to the country’s cause.

However, several top officials who accompanied the team to Monrovia have asked that whatever personal differences that may exist between the coach and the Chelsea midfielder be thrashed so that he returns for the return leg match in Calabar next month.

“My two midfielders, Nosa Igiebor and Obiora Nwankwo, had a good game. The only

problem was that we played a 4-2-4 formation and we expected that the wingers, Ejike Uzoenyi and Victor Moses, would fall back into midfield when we are defending and they often did not,” Keshi explained.

The Eagles’ coach expressed his irritation that the issue of Mikel has again been brought to the front burner.

“I have said before that Mikel is still very much part of my team, but he has to show his commitment to the team for me to recall him,”explained Keshi.

A top team official informed MTNFootball.com that the team had expected the Chelsea star to get in touch with Keshi after it was later known that the qualifier in Liberia will be played on a grass pitch against the earlier suggestion that it

will be played on astro turf.

“If he were committed to the country, he would have agreed to play on any surface but since he opted out of the game in Liberia because it was first thought would be played on artificial pitch, which he said affects him, one would have also thought that after it was learnt the game will be played on grass, he would have called to play,” argued the official.

A top NFF official simply told MTNFootball.com: “I will not tell Keshi to call Mikel or not to call him because we will not impose any player on him.”

However, several officials who accompanied the team to Liberia were very clear on the need to recall Mikel beginning with the return leg in

October in Calabar.

House of Representatives committee on sports member Abdul Wudil demanded: “The midfield was porous and we therefore have to get Mikel back. So, whatever differences the coach may have with him and Osaze (Odemwingie) must be addressed before the next game.”

“As a matter of urgency, Mikel and Osaze must be recalled because even though they are good, the players from the Nigeria league have struggled when it mattered most,” added Senator Abdulaziz Usman.

“Mikel and Osaze are mature players who can still hold their own against anybody.”

… reads riot act to Eagles S

maturity and patriotism should henceforth stay away from the national team and he will thank such a players.

“I will appreciate players staying away and saying they cannot make it than for them to come and show Nigerians that we are not serious here. I recall that when we thought we were going to play on a synthetic pitch, I called Mikel Obi and he said it was not healthy for him to play on such a pitch that is the type of maturity and honesty I want from all national team players”, he howled.

Keshi also told all the 22 players that went for the battle of Monrovia, that henceforth any player invited and can’t make it the appointed time to

•Keshi

Eagles decamp, to regroup in October

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•Stay away order to late-comers

UPER EAGLES’ players have been told in no uncertain terms that their display against the Lone Star of Liberia, was a show of unprofessionalism and such will no longer be accepted, with Stephen Keshi declaring that he did not see enough fighting spirit in the players.

Keshi addressed the players at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in Monrovia, moments after the encounter, when surging fans prevented the team from leaving the arena. He also took time off to mention some players who did not show enough professionalism in the green and white colours of the Nigerian side and said anyone who is invited and knows he will not be able to show

C

camp, should not bother to come late as he will not be welcomed. “Any player who cannot make it on time should just stay away, because we need all the time we can get to blend for our games, because the Nations Cup is just around the corner”, he said.

The former Anderletch of Belgium and Strasbourg of France big defence cover, said he can no longer watch the national team pick draws when victory is at the window. “With this attitude on the pitch from top professionals that are in this collection, we won’t excel at the Nations Cup, that is what we want to stop”, he said.

HE SUPER Eagles was on Sunday officially decamped and are scheduled to resume camping in the first week of October for the October 13 crunch Nations Cup winner takes all tie against the Lone Star of Liberia in Calabar.

Head Coach, Stephen Keshi had after consulting with the NFF leadership, addressed the players at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja, when the team returned from Monrovia, Liberia and told them that they can go their way as camp has officially be dissolved. Those that will be needed for the Liberia return leg match will be notified early, he told the players. Most of the foreign based professionals, including

team skipper, Joseph Yobo left after the talk and did not make it to the team Bolton White Apartment camp on Sunday morning.

The team arrived the Abuja Airport at about 6:30am in the morning after a stop-over in Lagos for refueling the IRS Airliner that took them to Monrovia for the match against Liberia. NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, was at the head of the delegation.

Team Secretary, Dayo Enebi Achor, said the NFF will take a decision on camping dates and place for the team later this week, but noted that a proposal that will see homebased resume camp ahead of their foreign counterparts is already been worked on.

Keshi to Enyeama: You killed us •Ideye on war path; •As players blame Ike Uche too

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•Enyeama

UPER EAGLES’ Head Coach, Stephen Keshi was not a happy man after his team’s 2-2 draw against the Lone Stars of Liberia in a ‘make or mar’ 2013 Africa Nations Cup qualifier against the host team in Monrovia on Saturday and pointedly blamed the team’s first choice goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama for conceding what he called “cheap goals” to the host team in the match the Nigerian team could have won convincingly.

NationSport gathered exclusively from Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) sources that the coach had expected much from the assistant captain of the team who failed to rise up to the occasion in the match and faltered towards the latter stage, which he claimed also happened in Eagles match against Malawi in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers not too long ago.

“Let me tell you the chief coach is not happy at all with the way the two goals were scored. These kinds of goals couldn’t have beaten Enyeama at his best which the coach told him after the match.

From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja What makes it very painful to the coach is that he and the goalkeeper trainer, Ike Shorunmu worked on this aspect and Ike drilled him in the training sessions on this area. So the chief coach was disappointed that the error was still made by the goalkeeper in the match, a repeat of what happened against Malawi which is rushing out of his goal post and mis-timing”, the source disclosed.

“Keshi was also not too happy with the way top striker Ikechukwu Uche frittered away begging chances in the match. Uche failed to convert two sitters in the match which was unlike him. The source also disclosed that Keshi also tongue-lashed him and asked him to sit up.

The coach is, however, happy with the performance of Emmanuel Emenike and Victor Moses despite not scoring in the match”, another influential team source told NationSport yesterday.keshi

The source also disclosed that Keshi has warned sternly that any player that refused to improve and contribute positively to the advancement of the team and helping the team to book the all important Africa Nations Cup and World Cup tickets should forget about getting a call up to the team.

Speaking in the same vein, five players of the team who spoke on condition of anonymity, vented their spleen on Enyeama, expressing disappointment on the performance of Ikechukwu Uche too in the match.

“This is a match would have wrapped up and come back home smiling. To be honest we supposed to win this match by 5-2 and not even thinking of drawing it 2-2. We just don’t know how on earth Enyeama would concede these kinds of very cheap goals. I am not happy at all”, the defender said. Another player, a forward lashed out at Uche. “Ike is experienced enough to miss these kind of opportunity. I don’t see myself missing these chances at goal. God forbid bad

thing. But we thank God that we still have a chance at home here in Nigeria to correct these lapses. Me I want to go to South Africa o”, the player declared. The third player, a defender blamed the entire team for not achieving the needed victory. I think all of us should be blamed for not winning this match. It was within our reach but we threw it away. If we had won everybody would have been happy and share in the victory. So let us not blame any player but we should concentrate on winning the second leg match convincingly here in Nigeria next month”, he stated.

Dynamo Kyiv in form striker, Brown Ideye was hostile to NationSport reporter when the latter approached him for reaction on the match.

He angrily moved away and entered the waiting cab that was conveying him to the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport yesterday. Three other foreign based players that NationSport tried to speak with also refused to talk claiming that they were not in a position. “Bros we are sorry we can speak on this match now”, two of them chorused at the team’s Bolton White Apartment Camp of the team.

OACH MANU Garba has played down the Eaglets 4-1 thrashing of Niger, insisting his team still has a long way to go.

The Nigeria U-17 team trounced hosts Niger in Niamey in a first leg African Junior Championship qualifier to stay on track for the biennial tournament for the first time since 2007.

“We are grateful to God for this victory because this is the first time in a long while that a Nigerian team would win here in Niamey and we are grateful that we were able to achieve this, but we don’t have a perfect team yet,” an elated Garba said after the game.

“We want a flawless team and we are going back home to prepare for the second leg as if it is a Cup final for us.”

The Golden Eaglets on Saturday at the Stade General Seyni Kountché in Niamey began their 2013 African Junior Championship campaign on a convincing note.

The hosts still revelling in the joy of winning the Airtel Rising Star Championship in Nairobi last month, where they drew 1-1 with a Nigerian selected side, did not bargain for what they got from the boys under the guidance of coach Manu, as the Golden Eaglets dominated throughout the match.

Nigeria paraded the same team who beat Junior Wasps of Rwanda 5-0 in an international friendly last weekend in Calabar and the chemistry in the team was there for all to see right from the blast of the whistle of Malian referee Mahamadou Keita.

Bean-pole attacking midfielder Alhassan Ibrahim was an instant threat to the Nigeriens. As early as the third minute, he evaded his shadows and his shot was spilled by Awale Mohammed in goal for the Junior Mena for lurking Isaac Success to guide the ball into the net.

The goal was eventually credited to Ibrahim.

Ibrahim was back in the hunt 10 minutes later and thanks to the guiles of all-action striker, Success, who cleverly dropped the ball in his path to shoot the Eaglets into a 2-0 lead.

The Eaglets further piled more pressure on the hosts and could have scored more goals before the end of the first half but for tough luck especially on the part of gifted striker Kelechi Iheanacho, who missed some begging chances.

Iheanacho finally made good his boast to score against Niger when after collecting a ‘pocket pass’ from Ibrahim in the 50th minute, he dribbled through the Junior Mena defence before driving an angular shot for the Eaglets third goal.

He was pulled out immediately for Musa Yahaya, who could have added his name on the scorers’sheet but was denied by the opposing goalkeeper.

The home team stepped up their game thereafter and eventually got a cheeky penalty that was scored by Souleyman Issa in the 82nd minute.

The local fans thought there was hope for their team, but it was the Golden Eaglets who finally had the last word when second-half substitute and hat-trick hero against Rwanda at the weekend in Calabar, Chidera Eze, latched onto a through pass from Success, beat the offside trap to dribble on-rushing goalkeeper Mohammed for the Eaglets fourth in the 85th minute.

Yobo hails Eagles after Liberia draw

S

UPER EAGLES’ captain Joseph Yobo has described the 2-2 draw recorded in Liberia at the weekend as a fair result, which eventually may see them through to the next edition of the Africa Nations Cup holding in South Africa early next year.

Responding to a message from Nationsports on the outcome of the match, the Fernabache of Turkey strong man who saw only 70 minutes in the epic match in the Morovia said "I told you earlier that it is going to be a difficult match, because there are no longer minnows in African football. Every country is developing on a faster rate, and the Lone Stars were really motivated for the match, and they came out smoking right from the blast of the whistle. The whole stadium became charged when they got that their early minute goal, but I have to give kudos to our boys for rising to the occasion at that point, by getting the equaliser and shooting into the lead before the interval. Their equaliser was just mere loss of concentration. I must commend our boys, they all put in their best, and now I say that our fate is now in our hands. With that score draw, we have succeeded in boxing the Liberians into a corner. We should be able to take our chances here in Nigeria, and I pray that God should give us our heart desire".

From Patrick Ngwaogu, Abuja He revealed further that the involvement of president Goodluck Jonathan really worked magic for them, as they all resolved to win the match, not minding whatever intimidation that the host would come up with "we wanted to win, it was quite unfortunate that we conceded that second half equaliser. But that is football for you." he concluded.

•Yobo

25

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

I SSUES States battle for generation, distribution firms

Once you patronise a substandard product, you are indirectly killing our local industries and by extension endangering your lives and that of others.

-Director-General SON, Dr. Joseph Odumodu

THE CEO

‘Short-term finance bane of industrial growth’ - P. 32

- P. 27

News Briefing

Fast food retailers due in Nigeria

NIPP gulps $8 billion

T

THE Federal Government has spent about $8 billion on the 10 medium - sized power plants being constructed under the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP). The projects are being supervised by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC).

- Page 26

LIBOR to be replaced A KEY interest rate for more than $500 trillion of securities worldwide will be replaced by a benchmark subject to greater government control, according to a plurality of global investors.

- Page 39

N60b untapped in insurance LOTS of untapped opportunities exist in the insurance sector, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and experts have said.

Commissioner for Insurance, Fola Daniel, who spoke in Calabar, identified microinsurance and agric insurance as two untapped opportunities in the sector. - Page 31

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$107/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,800/troy ounce Rubber -¢159.21pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

-N7.560 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -11.9% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending-22.42% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -2% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $35.8b FOREX CFA 0.2958 EUR 206.9 £ 242.1 $ 156 ¥ 1.9179 SDR 238 RIYAL 40.472

•From left: Excetive Director (Operations) Bank of Industry (BoI), Mr Mohammed Alkali; representative of CBN, Mr Femi Fabanwo; MD/CEO Bank of Industry Evelyn Oputu; BoI’s Proterm Chairman, Mr Mohammed Dikwa of Ministry of Finance Incorporated and the Bank’s Secretary, Mr Waheed Olagunju at the 52nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of BoI at Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja... Thursday.

Banks accused of hiding fraud data from regulators D regulatory officials, such as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigeria Deposit In-

EPOSIT Money Banks are hiding data relating to fraud cases in their institution thereby compounding the work of regulators, the Chief Technical Officer, Digital Encode, Seyi Akindeinde, has said.

He said internet and mobile banking constitute the most frequent avenues through, which fraud is perpetrated.

Akindeinde said that while internal fraud constitute about nine per cent of the fraud cases amounting to N900 million, external fraud accounted for 91 per cent of other cases totaling N250 million.

He revealed that data from the Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum (NeFF), showed that banks lost N1.15 billion to internal and external frauds between April and June, stressing that the figure could be higher were banks submitting their full reports on frauds to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).

However, the NeFF is collaborating with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the judiciary to effectively fight the scourge. Akindeinde said, that the forum is also working with Nigeria InterBank Settlement System (NIBSS) to enhance the fraud reporting format in banks.

The Chairman of the Forum, Emmanuel Obaigbena, said NeFF is planning partnership with foreign banks to fight frauds because of global dimension of the menace.

Obaigbena said: “It is advisable for banks to give accurate data on fraud cases.

They should not be scared of

By Collins Nweze

sharing statistics with each other. The forum has already set up a committee to sanction erring banks. The objective for this Forum is for banks and the relevant agencies to share data with a view to eliminating frauds in the industry.” He added that fraud not only translates to operational risk losses to banks, but also erodes the confidence of the public in electronic platforms/systems as a channel for transacting business.

Also, the NIBSS, is taking measures aimed at reducing the volume and value of fraud perpetrated in the banking sector, its Executive Director, Operations, Niyi Ajao, has said.

He stated that one way of achieving this is through the use of its anti-fraud portal developed to check financial frauds in the Nigerian banking sector.

He said the portal became exigent following complaints by banks using the NIBSS Instant Payment (NIP), which allows customers transfer funds on its secured platform.

The portal he said was designed to enable chief inspectors of banks to report fraud cases, and for other approved banks’ officials as well as regulatory bodies view reported cases of fraud.

He said the portal has two categories of users. The first is chief inspectors of banks, and they are the only users that can create report on fraud incidence. The other category is labeled users only, as they can only view the fraud reports for their own official use. This category, he said, comprise banks’ chief executive officers or designated senior management officials,

surance Corporation (NDIC), Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).

WO major fast food retailers are due to set up franchises before the end of the year, a commercial specialist at the U.S. consulate in Lagos, Anayo Agu, has said.

The specialist, which spoke with Reuter’s news, however, declined to name them.

Agu added that an ice cream retailer was also looking to move in.

Other U.S. firms that have signed deals include Crestcom International, which provides management training, Precision Tune Auto Care and IN2IT, a nutrition and fitness franchise which offers kickboxing and pilates classes, along with muscle building pills and protein shakes.

Franchising in Nigeria, whose 160 million people have an almost insatiable desire for imported goods, is still in its infancy but firms see it as too big to ignore, said Agu.

26

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

BUSINESS NEWS Flight Schedule MONDAY - FRIDAY LAGOS – ABUJA Departure Arrival 1. Aero 06.50 08.10 2. Associated 07.00 09.30 3. Air Nigeria 07.00 08.20 4. IRS 07.00 08.20 7. Arik 07.15 08.15 7. Chanchangi 07.15 9. Air Nigeria 08.15 09.35 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. Aero 12.20 13.30 15. Air Nigeria 13.25 14.45 16. Chanchangi 13.30 14.30 17. Arik 13.45 14.45 18. IRS 14.00 15.20 19. Aero 14.10 15.30 20. Air Nigeria 14.50 16.10 21. Chanchangi 15.30 16.30 22. Arik 15.50 16.50 23. Aero 16.00 17.20 24. IRS 16.30 17.50 25. Arik 16.50 17.50 26. Chanchangi 17.30 18.30 27. Air Nigeria 17.35 18.55 29. Air Nigeria (T/TH) 18.30 19.50 20. Arik 18.45 19.45 31. Aero 19.20 20.40

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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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LAGOS – KADUNA Aero 08.00 Chanchangi 10.00 Arik 10.00 Arik 15.10

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

ing the balance of their remaining units.

Consequently, he said that by December about 1500mw is expected to be wheeled into the grid. The other six power generation plants that are under construction are at between 80 per cent and 90 per cent completion stage. So by the end of this year, all these stations will be generating about 2500mw or more but subject to the delivery of gas, he added.

He said: “In totality Nigerians have contributed about $8 billion to bring forth into existence 10 power stations that will give them nothing less than 4774 megawatts (MW) of power when completed.

We are also building hundreds of thousands of kilometres of transmission line across the nooks and crannies of this country including the substations to support those transmission lines.

“We are also building several thousands of kilometres of lines for distribution and also the infrastructure and substations to support it. We are also building gas pipelines within the same fund

to ensure that wherever you have a power plant there is gas that is flowing there and there is a line pipe that will be feeding the plant.”

He also said that since he issued warning that contractors that fail to deliver their projects on schedule would be sanctioned, many of them that have been lagging behind buckled up because they know that the hammer would fall upon them.

He confirmed that many of them are delivering on record time because the days of unnecessarily delay and waiting for power by Nigerians are over.

Olotu said that by end of this year supply from the NIPP would be about 1500mw, noting that a few months ago, the NDPHC went to Omotosho power plant in Ondo State to commission the first unit of the phase 2. Currently, he said the second unit has been commissioned and both are wheeling power into the national grid, while the third unit is being test run and will be commissioned next month.

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

08.50 09.45 14.00 15.45 19.55

LAGOS – OWERRI 07.20 14.00 16.30

08.30 15.10 17.40

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

T

HE Federal Government has spent about $8 billion on the 10 medium sized power plants being constructed under the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP). The projects are being supervised by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC).

The Managing Director of NDPHC, Mr. James Olotu disclosed this during the commissioning of a newly built 150MVA transmission facility at the Ikeja West Transmission Station.He said out of the 10 plants, four are operational - Olorunsogo in Ogun State, Omotosho in Ondo State, Sapele in Delta State and Alaoji in Abia State, which came on board just last week.

Olotu put the total supply capacity from the four plants currently wheeled into the national grid at 1150 megawatts (MW).

He said that in these stations what is currently being delivered is part of unit delivery, stressing that every month hereafter; these same stations will be deliver-

08.30 09.10 11.50 12.45 13.40 15.20 16.30 16.40

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

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Fed Govt spends $8b on NIPP

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

•Mallam Ahmed Kuru, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Enterprise Bank Limited (right), handing over the new jersey of the bank’s Football Team after its unveiling to the team handlers: Mr Taiwo Adeyemo, Assistant Captain; Mr. Kunle Salau, Coach and Mr Jude Nwauzor, Team Manager in Lagos…recently

Clearing agents seek stake in Customs revenue

C

USTOMS clearing agents have asked for a stake in the revenue generated, saying the measure would help to curb corruption.

A Freight Forwarder and Chief Executive Officer of Shiba Services Limited, Babatunde Shittu, told The Nation that corruption would be greatly reduced if government would consider giving agents a certain percentage of all revenue collected as duty.

Shittu, who was part of the executive course recently organised by the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), explained that such action would reduce the temptation for clearing agents to cut corners on behalf of their principals in the course of carrying out their duties.

He said: “For every duty, every tax collected for the government, and

By Uyoatta Eshiet

even the money collected on behalf of Terminal Operators, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), they are supposed to give clearing agents a percentage.”

Reminded that agents get paid by their principals, , he pointed out that what they get from their importers is for the service that they have rendered and stressed that without them making honest declaration, government would continue to lose revenue.

He said agents would not cut corners if they are assured of a stake in the revenue generated. “Take for example, if I handle a job which has duty of say N100 million and I know that I will get, let’s say, five per cent of that amount which is N5 million, why should I want to cut corners for

the importer? he asked.

Shittu lamented that a great proportion of the freight forwarding business in Nigeria is still being dominated by foreigners, stating that Nigerian operators lack the technical knowledge required to do the job effectively.

He said most operators limit themselves to the clearing and forwarding aspect of the business, thereby missing out on the bigger picture where the volume is.

“Our international partners sometimes find it difficult to use the facilities of the local agents because they believe that they are not well equipped,” he stated, adding that CRFFN has commenced the training of registered practitioners as the first step towards empowering them with the necessary knowledge to enable them compete effectively with their foreign counterparts.

IITA, Jigawa sign pact on agric development

T

HE International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the Jigawa State government have formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding, opening a fresh chapter of transfer of agricultural innovations from IITA to that state.

The agreement aims to facilitate collaboration between the Jigawa State government and the Institute towards rapidly improving food production, food security, and value addition and marketing of agricultural products in that north eastern state.

“The signing of this MoU further demonstrates our resolve to work with partners,” said the Director General of IITA, Dr Nteranya Sanginga today.

The deal to work with Jigawa State

ByDaniel Essiet

came after a visit by Governor Sule Lamido to IITA on 6 July 2012.

Governor Lamido who was impressed with innovations at IITA in Ibadan subsequently invited the Institute to come and help his state boost agricultural production.

Dr Sanginga said IITA was impressed with the response by Jigawa State government, adding that the signing of the MoU was a ‘clear message to governments across the world that IITA is willing to help.’

The Jigawa State Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Rabiu Isah Taura said the agreement signpost ‘the level of commitment on the part of the state to collaborate with IITA with the aim

of uplifting the standard of Jigawa State farmers.

Under the MoU, IITA will assist the state through the following: · Evaluate and adapt best-bet agricultural technologies that address problems of drought, parasitic weeds and soil fertility in cereals and legumes using extra early maize, and cowpea as test crops · Diversify the cereal-based cropping systems through the introduction and evaluation of adapted cassava varieties for both industrial uses and food security · Introduce, demonstrate and disseminate farm gate post-harvest technologies for cassava, cereal, and legume crops

Dangote to create more jobs

A

LL the investments in the Dangote Group would be tailored towards job creation for gainful employment so as to alleviate poverty in the country, President of the Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has reassured.

The assurance by the business mogul stemmed from a recent global survey, which declared Nigeria as having the potential to lead the continent in terms of growth by 2020.

Dangote, who is a member of the National Economic Management Team said in Lagos weekend that what Nigerians need most presently is economic empowerment and that is only a working population whether self-employed or engaged that could be economically empowered.

Speaking against the background of a report on Africa’s growth and job creation, by Mckensey Global Institute, which described Africa as the second fastest growing region in the world with decline in poverty, Alhaji Dangote said all hands must be on deck to ensure the dream of Nigeria’s economic turnaround becomes a reality.

He therefore urged local investors to complement the efforts of the Federal government at ensuring the success of the economic agenda by delving into manufacturing as one of the means of empowering Nigerians through job creation.

Stated the report: “Africa is the second-fastest-growing region in the world with decline in poverty. Africa is harnessing its natural wealth, and that sectors across the economy are growing rapidly. These sectors are said to be agriculture, manufacturing, and local services such as retail, banking, and transportation and communications, in addition to the natural resources sector, which was the largest single contributor to growth.

Firm gets N480m deal on seismic data

By Ambrose Nnaji

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ERITY Geosolutions Limited, an indigenous integrated geophysical solutions provider, said it has secured a contract worth about N480 million ($3million) to carry out seismic data acquisition on about 1000 square metres of acreage for one of the major oil companies in the country.

The contract, according to the company, would be signed by the middle of this month. The project, which is expected to be completed before end of the year, the company said, is a pre-stack depth migration, an advanced imaging technique, which allows hydrocarbon exploration and production companies to create value and optimize cost by reducing hydrocarbon exploration risks as well as improving oil well placements and understanding of reservoirs.

At the end of the project, it is expected that oil companies would have developed capacity to make new discoveries, drill additional wells and also increase their productions.

The Group Managing Director, Verity Geosolutions Limited, Abayomi Adejonwu, who spoke with The Nation in Lagos, said the company would continue to support the oil and gas industry in Nigeria to create value by delivering technologies to help Nigerians grow their skills. In addition, it would absorb unemployed graduates into the organization and train them so that they would become professionals that would provide technical services to the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

To ensure the success of the project, he said the company had employed highly qualified Nigerians and massively computing the computers in the data centre, ensured the software is in place and also consulting with the best Nigerian technical professionals.

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

27

ISSUES As international and local firms jostle for the 11 electricity distribution and six generation companies unbundled from the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), billed for privatisation before the end of the year, states, especially where the assets are located, are determined to emerge owners of what they think rightly belong to them. They are poised to acquire the facilities in their states or regions as investigation shows, EMEKA UGWUANYI reports.

•Power generation plant

States battle for generation, distribution firms T

HE states are leaving nothing to chance in the race for the generation and distribution companies unbundled from the power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

They are positioning themselves to emerge preferred bidders for the assets billed for privatisation before the end of the year. Some formed a consortium to bid for the firms, others used or collaborated with existing private companies.

Private companies and those formed by the states are using their influence to ensure they clinch the assets they are bidding for. Prominent Nigerians, including former heads of state, are are some of those behind the bidding firms.

It was learnt that most states keen on the facilities within their area. But they are showing more interests in the

distribution companies because of the belief that it is where the money is if efficiently managed.

It was gathered that the evaluation of technical bids for generation companies has been completed. That of distribution was expected to have been completed. The committee that handled the exercise will submit its report to the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) for ratification.

From the data provided by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), the assets for privatisation include 11 distribution companies (Discos) and six generation companies (Gencos). The distribution companies include Abuja Electricity Distribution Company Plc, Benin Electricity Distribution Company Plc, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company Plc, Eko Electricity Distribution Company Plc, Ibadan

Electricity Distribution Company Plc, Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company Plc, Jos Electricity Distribution Company Plc, Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company Plc, Kano Electricity Distribution Company Plc, Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company Plc and Yola Electricity Distribution Company Plc. The BPE said 54 bidders met the July 31, 2012 deadline for submission of technical and financial proposals for the Discos.

On the Gencos, the BPE said 25 bidders met the July 17 deadline for submission of technical and financial proposals for them.

They are: Ughelli Power Plc, Sapele Power Plc, Shiroro Power Plc, Geregu Power Plc, Afam Power Plc, and Kainji Power Plc. The Federal Government had advised states to endeavour to own shares in the Gencos and Discos but said such shares must not exceed

20 per cent.

Southeastern states The governors of the five Southeastern states (Enugu, Anambra, Imo, Abia and Ebonyi), The Nation learnt, formed a consortium called Eastern Electric Nigeria Limited (EENL). The company is one of the four that submitted bids for acquisition of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company Plc. The distribution company serves the five states. The other companies are Rensmart Power Limited; Proglobal Power International Consortium; and Interstate Electrics Limited.

A prominent and influential business mogul, it was learnt, has interest in one •Continued on page 28

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THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

ISSUES •Continued from page 27

of the three companies and is exploring all avenues to emerge the preferred bidder. It was in view of the trend that the Southeast governors met and decided to add some expertise to strengthen the bidding power of EENL. The Southeast Governors' Forum after its meeting mandated the chairman, Governor Peter Obi, to invite Dr Pascal Dozie, whom they believed does not only have technical knowledge of operations of industrial concerns including power but also commands international recognition, to bring in his experience to bear. It was also gathered that Dozie invited Nestoil Limited owned by Mr Ernest Azudialu and Geometric Power Limited to be part of the consortium as technical partners.

The game plan is, should the EENL emerge the preferred bidder, the technical partners would determine and advise the EENL management on whether the distribution company would require minor technical repairs or total overhaul, what technology should be applied in its reengineering, the cost, and the expected period shareholders shall start getting returns on their investments as well as the growth rate.

But the battle for who emerges owner of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, it was learnt, would be fierce. As the governors don't want to lose the asset to a one-man company, whom they think may decide to put an area in darkness for one conflict, reason or the other, the business magnate, it was also gathered, is exploring all his contacts and efforts to win the bid.

A stakeholder in EENL explained that it would be dangerous to handover the asset to one man as the possibility of turning it into a monopoly is high, especially in the East where only one distribution company serves the five states.

Besides, the stakeholder cited examples of some projects that were awarded to one-man company, who also happens to be in the race for the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company. He said the projects suffered setbacks. He cited the transmission contract from Abuja to Yola put at a cost of $14 billion and another one from Enugu to Makurdi being carried out under the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP). Both projects, he said, are ongoing but have been overdue for delivery since, yet no substantial milestones have been recorded. Therefore, the stakeholder was of the view that it would be mere foolhardiness to surrender the fate of the people of five states to the hands of such oneman company.

The Southeast governments didn't show interest in generation companies because they believe that with Aba Power Plant being built by Geometric Power and the Alaoji Power Plant, the largest under the NIPP with over 1000MW capacity, and the proposed coal power station in Enugu, they would have adequate power generation in future.

Southsouth The governments of Southsouth are also strategising to possess assets within their region. It was gathered that Edo and Delta states formed a consortium that submitted a bid for the acquisition of Benin Electricity Distribution Company. Another source said Ondo State pitched tent with Edo and Delta to form the consortium, which couldn't be confirmed as at the time of filing this report.

The seven companies that submitted bids for Benin Electricity Distribution Company are Southern Electricity Distribution Company; Cable & Rods Company Ni-

•Chris Akamnonu, Chief Executive Officer, Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company

•Oladele Amodu, Chief Executive Officer, Eko Electricity Distribution Company

•James Olotu, Managing Director, Niger Delta Power Holding Company

States battle for generation, distribution firms geria Limited; Copper Belt Consortium; Rockson Engineering Company Limited; RENSMART Power Limited; Duncan Freeman Company/Draytom Energy Limited; and Vigeo Power Consortium.

Unconfirmed reports said the company formed by Edo, Delta and Ondo states is the Southern Electricity Distribution Company.

Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States are said to have interest in the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company Plc but which company is representing the states couldn't be confirmed. The three companies that submitted bids for the asset are Utility Integrated Management Services Limited; Rockson Engineering Company Limited, which has a strong foothold in the Southsouth with power plants projects, which it is building in Rivers, Abia and Bayelsa States, is considered a strong contender; and 4Power Consortium.

The Southsouth states may not have problems with power generation because three of the six power generation companies Ughelli, Sapele and Afam Power Plcs – slated for privatisation, a couple of the power plants under the National Integrated Power project and some owned by independent power producers, especially the international oil companies, are in the Southsouth region.

Bidders for Ughelli Power Plc include Feniks Electricity; NPG Consortium; Delta Utility Company Limited, which is said to be established by the Delta State Government; Transcorp & Woodrock/ Symbion Power/Medea/PSL/ Thomasen; and Botad/GE/13M Power Consortium. Others are Danglobe Consortium; Amperion Power Distribution Company; Ethiope Energy and Taleveras Group.

Sapele Power has Foby Energy; Proton Energy Consortium; Ogorode Power Limited; CMEC/ Eurafric Energy Limited; Dateline Power; and JBN/Nestoil Power Services Limited as bidders while the bidders for Afam Power Plc are are Primeniza Energy Limited;

Skipper Nigeria Limited; and NPG Consortium.

Southwest The Southwest region is considered to be most favoured when measured against the number of distribution companies in the region. Of the 11 distribution companies in the country, the region has three, Ikeja, Eko and Ibadan Electricity Distribution Companies, two of are rated the most viable in the country. The viability was reflected by the number bids received from investors during the bidding.

Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company topped the list with 10 bidders followed by Eko Electricity Distribution Company with nine and Ibadan with seven bidders alongside Benin.

Ikeja and Eko, both in Lagos State, are the cynosure of all the investors' eyes.

The two companies are top revenue generators for the power sector, perhaps for the reason of their being located in the country's commercial hub.

The companies that submitted bids for Ikeja include Rockson Engineering Limited; SEO International; OANDO Consortium; Amperion Power Distribution Company Limited; Honeywell Energy Resources International Limited; Integrated Energy Distribution & Marketing Limited; West Power & Gas Limited; Vigeo Holdings, Gumco, African Corporation AFC & CESC Consortium; Daniel Power Plant Company Nigeria Limited; and KEPCO/NEDC Consortium.

Bidders for Eko Electricity Distribution Company are OANDO Consortium; Integrated Energy Distribution & Marketing Limited; NPD Consortium; SEPCO-Pacific Energy Consortium; West Power & Gas; Electric Utilities Nigeria Limited; KEPCO/NEDC Consortium; ENL Consortium Limited; and Honeywell Energy Resources International Limited.

The Lagos State Government had, over time, shown interest in Ikeja and Eko Distribution companies. It was gathered that the state government formed a consortium

with Oando to bid for the two assets. Also some other states in the region are said to have expressed interest in the facilities through some companies in the race. However, efforts to establish these companies were futile as relevant agencies refused to divulge information on the ownership of some of the companies.

Other Southwest states – Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ogun – are interested in the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, it was learnt.

They were said to have formed a consortium, Western Consortium.

Some of the member states are also using private companies that submitted bids for Ibadan and other assets to secure shares in such facilities. Other companies that bidded for Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company include ENL Consortium Limited; Integrated Energy Distribution & Marketing Limited; Skipper Nigeria Limited; ICOMM Energy Limited; Electric Utilities Limited; and KEPCO/ NEDC Consortium.

The North The four distribution companies in the Northern region - Abuja Electricity Distribution Company Plc, Jos Electricity Distribution Company Plc Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company and Kano Electricity Distribution Company Plc – got a combined 11 bidders with Abuja disco securing five – Skipper Nigeria Limited; NAHCO Power Consortium; KANN Consortium Utility Company Limited; Interstate Electrics Limited; and ENL Consortium Limited.

Jos Electricity Distribution Company Plc got two bidders, Masters Energy Oil & Gas Limited and Aura Energy Limited while Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company Plc also got two bidders NAHCO Energy & Power Limited; and and Skipper Nigeria Limited and Kano Electricity Distribution Company Plc also had two bidders – Sahelian Power SPV Limited; and Profile Energy Consortium Limited.

Apart from Abuja, the distribution companies in the North couldn't get many bidders be-

‘NCP's approval will pave the way for the opening of financial bids of the shortlisted investors. The BPE will on September 25, 2012 open the financial bids of prospective investors for the generating companies while October 10, 2012 is the date for the opening of the financial bids for the distribution companies’

cause records showed that revenue generation from distribution companies were very poor to the extent that revenues generated from other distribution companies were used to run them.

The state governments in the North also showed interest in the distribution companies but not as those in the southy. It was gathered that they may have interests in the private companies that submitted bids for the assets.

But in generation companies, Niger State, which houses the country's hydro power stations Kainji, Shiroro and Jebba – expressed full interest to keep the assets. The Nation learnt that the Niger State Government through a consortium submitted a bid for Kainji. However, only two firms submitted bids for Kainji Power Plc and they are Marubeni Corporation, a Japanese conglomerate, and Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited. The way Kainji and Jebba are structured, it would be difficult to separate the two plants because Kainji feeds Jebba. Therefore, whoever emerges the preferred bidder for Kainji automatically owns Jebba.

Further checks revealed that two generals who had governed this country are also interested in the Shiroro Power Plc, which is another functional hydro plant.

However, the power plant received only one bid, which is that of the North-South Power Company Limited.

Prospective core investors, who must be local and/or international power distributors or investors with power distributors as technical partners, will be responsible for operating the distribution companies, making the necessary investments to improve the distribution network and customer service in line with the objectives of the Federal Government.

The BPE's privatisation timetable shows that the timeline for the evaluation of the technical bids for generation and distribution facilities would have taken place between August 14 and 28, 2012. The evaluation of the technical bids, according to sources at the National Council on Privatisation (NCP), said evaluation of technical bids ought to have been concluded by end of last week after which it (NCP) will approve the results of the technical evaluation by September 11, 2012.

The BPE also said the deadline for the shortlisted bidders for generation companies to submit their letters of credit is September 18, 2012 while October 2, 2012 is the deadline for shortlisted bidders for distribution companies.

Consequently, NCP's approval will pave the way for the opening of financial bids of the shortlisted investors. The BPE will on September 25, 2012 open the financial bids of prospective investors for the generating companies while October 10, 2012 is the date for the opening of the financial bids for the distribution companies.

The announcement of the preferred bidders for the generating companies is billed for October 9, 2012 while October 23, 2012 is the date for the announcement of the preferred bidders for the distribution companies. The Bureau said Nigeria's economy could be growing at over 10 per cent if its power problem is solved but would require between $15 billion and $20 billion of investment in the next three years.

The Nigerian electricity industry was unbundled into generation and distribution companies and a single transmission company with the aim of encouraging private sector participation and attracting foreign and local investment into the power sector to ensure economic and reliable electricity supply.

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

29

BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL

LIBOR to be replaced within five years, say investors

A

KEY interest rate for more than $500 trillion of securities worldwide will be replaced by a benchmark subject to greater government control, according to a plurality of global investors.

Forty-four per cent of those responding to a quarterly Bloomberg Global Poll said the London interbank offered rate, known as LIBOR, will be supplanted by a more regulated model within five years.

Thirty-four percent predicted the rate will continue to be set by banks in the current fashion, while 22 percent said they didn’t know.

Confidence in LIBOR has waned as authorities investigate whether financial firms rigged the rate to profit on derivatives positions and hide how difficult it was for them to borrow money during credit-market turmoil in 2008.

Barclays Plc (BARC), the U.K.’s second-largest bank by assets, agreed to pay $460 million in June for its role in fixing the rate, prompting lawmakers, regulators and investors to question the veracity of a benchmark that is pegged to securities ranging from home mortgages to credit cards.

“The LIBOR scandal should not be something to be hidden under the carpet because it affects the correct functioning of financial markets and the economy as a whole,” said Mario Cribari, head of asset management at Veco Invest SA in Lugano, Switzerland, and a participant in the poll. Governments are trying to intervene “to calm public anger,” he said.

The quarterly poll of 847 investors, analysts and traders who are Bloomberg subscribers was conducted Sept. 4.

LIBOR is derived from a survey of banks conducted each day on behalf of the British Bankers’ Association in London. Lenders are asked how much it would cost them to borrow from each other for 15 different periods, from overnight to one year, in currencies including dollars, euros, yen and Swiss francs. After a set number of quotes are excluded, those remaining are averaged and published for each currency by the BBA before noon.

Investigators have focused on instances of traders coordinating submissions in order to earn profits on derivatives tied to the rates for dollars, euros and yen. The probe, which is ongoing, has ensnared banks including UBS AG (UBSN), Citigroup Inc. (C), Royal Bank of Scotland PLC, Deutsche Bank AG, and HSBC PLC (HSBA), according to company filings.

Meanwhile, regulators including the U.K.’s Financial Services Authority have started broader reviews of how the rate is determined and regulated. The European Commission said Sept. 5 it is also seeking views on possible rules, including forcing banks to provide real transaction data rather than estimates and increasing the number of lenders involved in setting the rate.

The proportion of poll respondents predicting that LIBOR would be replaced was consistent across the U.S., Europe and Asia.

“There will be the traditional U.K.

•Job seekers attend a career fair in Midtown Manhattan, New York

process of an inquiry that makes few meaningful recommendations, which will then be further watered down to the point that any changes will be both minimal and satisfactory to nobody,” said Oliver Attwater, a London-based North America equity analyst for British Airways Pensions Investment Management Ltd. The BBA, which represents more than 200 banks and lobbies policy makers and regulators on behalf of the industry, has been faulted for fail-

ing to fix Libor in 2008 when the Bank for International Settlements first raised concerns that the benchmark was being manipulated.

According to U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, private, unregulated organisations such as the BBA shouldn’t be responsible for rates such as Libor.

“We have to take a careful look at other parts of the financial system where the markets rely heavily on private organizations composed of private firms like the BBA that have some quasi-regulatory or self-regulatory role,” Geithner told the Senate Banking Committee in Washing-

ton in a July hearing to discuss the Barclays settlement. “As you’ve seen in this case, we’ve got to be careful to make sure the system is not relying on associations of private firms that leave us vulnerable to the kind of things we’ve seen.”

In a Wall Street Journal editorial Aug. 2, Dan Doctoroff, chief executive officer of Bloomberg LP, the parent of Bloomberg News, proposed an alternative to Libor dubbed the Bloomberg Interbank offered Rate, or Blibor, and offered to manage it as a service to global financial markets.

Global growth eases as demand falls

G

•Chinese rail project

China to spend $158b on infrastructure

C

HINA has approved plans for Rmb1tn ($158billion) in infrastructure spending, an investment push that analysts say will help support growth in the stuttering economy.

The money will be rolled out over several years and the government has not described the investments as a stimulus package, but the announcements nevertheless fuelled renewed optimism about China’s prospects.

The domestic stock market surged more than four per cent in early trading on Friday, reflecting the hope of investors that China could be on the verge of turning the corner after two years of consistently slower growth.

“With clear signs of a worsening slowdown of economic growth, China’s central government finally took real actions,” said Lu Ting, an economist with Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

China’s growth fell to 7.6 per cent in the second quarter, its lowest in three years, and data in recent

months has pointed to an even steeper slowdown this quarter. Economic indicators for August, to be published over the weekend, are expected to show sluggish industrial output.

Analysts had long predicted that the government would intervene with more fiscal spending and monetary easing to cushion the slowdown, but the nation’s top leaders have been very cautious and have only made mild moves so far.

Fear of overstimulating the economy, as happened in 2009, has been one major constraint. Officials also appear to have been preoccupied with politics as a once-in-adecade leadership transition is set to take place later this year.

In the announcements over the past two days, the National Development and Reform Commission, a top central planning agency, has approved 25 urban rail projects, 13 highway construction projects, seven waterway projects and nine waste water treatment plants. The total cost of the projects is estimated

to be about Rmb1tn, or two per cent of gross domestic product.

“We believe implementation of these projects will begin in the coming months, which will cause fixed asset investment growth to rise.

The impact should start to be reflected in GDP numbers in the fourth quarter of 2012,” said Zhang Zhiwei, an economist with Nomura Securities.

Projects spearheaded by the NDRC are seen by analysts as much more credible spending commitments than those announced by a series of local governments in recent months.

Local officials are keen to prop up growth, but they are struggling to find the means to do so, because their tax and land-sale revenues are flagging and they are effectively barred from borrowing money. By contrast, once projects have received the NDRC’s stamp of approval, funding is usually a formality, with either banks providing the financing or the government arranging for bond issuances.

ROWTH in the world's private sector economy eased in August as a modest expansion in services was coupled with stagnating demand for manufactured goods, a business survey showed.

The Global Total Output index, produced by JPMorgan with research and supply management organizations, fell to 51.1 in August from 51.7, but notched up its 37th month above the 50 mark that divides growth from contraction.

"The global economy remained in a low growth gear in August, with the weak performing manufacturing sector and stagnating world market demand providing the main drags on output growth," said David Hensley at JPMorgan.

New orders fell for the first time since July 2009 when the world economy was in the middle of its last downturn, the survey showed.

JPMorgan said the euro zone remained weak and that while growth was sustained across the

United States it was at a slower pace than in the previous month.

The Global Services Index fell to 52.3 in August from 52.6 in July and a similar survey on Tuesday showed the global manufacturing downturn gathered pace in August, with output and new orders falling at their fastest in over three years.

The pace of growth in the massive U.S. services sector rose in August on the back of a rebound in employment and exports, though a measure of new orders declined, data showed earlier on Thursday.

The euro zone probably slipped back into recession in the current quarter, according to PMIs published on Wednesday that also showed Asia's services growth remained muted in August as the global economy struggled to get its footing.

The index combines survey data from countries including the United States, Japan, Germany, France, Britain, China and Russia.

‘Monetary policy can't solve fiscal problems’

M

ONETARY policy cannot be used to solve fiscal problems, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said.

"If we were to begin to want to solve the problems of fiscal policy via the more comfortable means of monetary policy .. then we would have a problem," said Mr. Schaeuble in remarks at a presentation here honoring European Central Bank President Mario Draghi. Still, Mr. Schaeuble refrained from an explicit criticism of the ECB's decision, announced in detail earlier Thursday, to buy the bonds of euro-zone states

on the secondary market.

The program has come under resistance in Germany, as it is viewed as potentially inflationary and an inappropriate encroachment of monetary policy into the realm of fiscal policy.

Germany's Bundesbank said in an email after the meeting that at the ECB's most recent meeting, its president Jens Weidmann "reiterated his frequently substantiated critical stance towards the purchase of government bonds by the Eurosystem"--a reference to the ECB and the national central banks of states that use the euro.

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

30

MONEY LINK

Currency overhaul to improve settlement, says Rewane

T

HE plans by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to overhaul the naira are expected to improve transactions settlement between banks and their customers, the Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Bismark Rewane has said.

He however, said the CBN decision to restructure the currency is an avoidable controversy.

Speaking at the Lagos Business School Executive Breakfast Meeting for September, Rewane said there was no empirical evidence of correlation between higher de-

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has released Federal Government’s statistics for the second quarter of 2012, showing N2.5 trillion earnings. The figure represents a 7.1 and 8.7 per cent increase above the proportionate budget estimate and the level in the corresponding quarter of 2011, respectively.

A report released by the CBN, however, showed that the earnings declined by 12.9 per cent below the level in the preceding quarter. At N.9 trillion, gross oil receipts, which constituted 76.3 per cent of the total, exceeded the proportionate budget estimate by 19.4 per cent, but was lower than the level in the preceding quarter by 16.6 per cent.

The decline in oil receipts relative to the preceding quarter was attributed, largely, to the fall in the receipts from crude oil and gas exports as well as domestic crude oil and gas

Stories by Collins Nweze

nominations and inflation.

According to him, higher inflation leads to higher denominations and not vice versa.

“Higher denominations increase the velocity of circulation and portability as well as improves the settlement of transactions in the economy,” he said.

He said there was tight credit availability to the private sector in the second quarter, high government bond yields and use of other monetary policy tools to stem inflation. Increase in interest rates by 25 basis points and

tightened liquidity in the system were also prevalent during the quarter.

He noted that there was also exchange rate appreciation to N153 to a dollar and external reserves accretion to $40 billion.

Inflation he said, is expected to slow to 10.5 per cent in December.

The FDC boss said adoption of Point of Sale terminals is still below expectation mainly due to technological constraints as only 10 per cent of the terminals are being used in greater Lagos.

“The inflation declined, naira strengthened and re-

serves spike to $38.9 billion while national inflation in July was 12.8 per cent as against Lagos inflation in August which dropped 11.34 per cent,” he said.

He noted that power outage in Lagos was down to an average of 30 per cent per day while average spending on diesel down by 50 per cent.

He said that Sovereign Wealth Fund will ensure fiscal consolidation and discipline, but insisted that high savings in a recession is contradictory. “Current fiscal savings as percentage of Gross Domestic Product is two per cent compared to

Fed Govt earns N2.5tr in Q2 sales during the period.

The non-oil receipts, which stood at N614.60 billion was above the level in the preceding quarter by 1.6 per cent, but below the proportionate budget estimate by 19.6 per cent. The rise in non-oil revenue relative to the preceding quarter re-

the fiscal operations of the Federal Government resulted in an estimated deficit of N211 billion or 2.8 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), compared with a proportionate budget deficit of N284 billion and a surplus of N12.58 billion in the preceding quarter.

flected largely, the increase in corporate taxes and the customs/excise duties during the review period.

Retained revenue in the second quarter was N851.99 billion, while total expenditure stood at N1 trillion. Therefore,

Bond yields to fall

N

IGERIAN bond yields are expected to fall around 30 basis points this week as the market prepares for the country’s inclusion in the JP Morgan Government Bond Index - Emerging Markets (GBIEM) from October.

Yields on Nigeria’s 10 and 20year bonds have shed 300 basis points over the past month on news of the index inclusion, which JP Morgan says could potentially bring up to $1 billion into one of

Africa’s most developed debt markets.

Reueters report said the sharp fall in yields has also been driven by an improved inflation outlook, dealers said.

Inflation unexpectedly eased in July to 12..8 percent year-on-year from 12.9 percent in June, surprising many analysts.

“We expect yields to continue to drop,” one dealer said, noting that local investors were taking positions ahead of expected

liquidity from offshore investors when the bonds join the index.

JP Morgan said last month it will likely include three Nigerian bonds, maturing in 2014, 2019 and 2022, in the index, depending on market conditions.

The most liquid 3-year bond is trading at 14.04 per cent, down from around 16 per cent before JP Morgan’s announcement, while the five-year bond has shed almost 100 basis point to 13.95 per cent.

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

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

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

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 7-8-12 SYMBOL

EVANSMED ACCESS LONGMAN RTBRISCOE INTBREW ETERNA CCNN UBN NASCON FIDELITYBK

O/PRICE

1.00 8.07 2.02 1.82 10.18 2.25 4.53 6.18 4.75 1.48

C/PRICE

1.05 8.47 2.12 1.91 10.18 2.36 4.75 6.48 4.98 1.55

O/PRICE 0.80 0.63 0.63 1.99 2.70 29.80 0.77 46.57 0.62 3.15

C/PRICE 0.76 0.60 0.60 1.90 2.58 28.55 0.74 46.55 0.61 3.10

A

KINTOLA Williams Deloitte (AWD) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) have concluded a one day seminar that is geared towards assisting Small and Medium Enterprises to achieve the International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) implementation. The IFRS is due to take effect from 1 January 2013.

IFRS Leader for Deloitte West and Central Africa, Oduware Uwadiae said there are benefits and challenges of IFRS reporting for SMEs, which include IFRS conversion process and the need for early preparation.

A statement said MAN has already approached Akintola Williams Deloitte to take the seminar to other regions in Nigeria, where its other SME members, who could not attend are located. Deloitte is

also partnering with MAN after signing a Mamorandun of Understanding (MoU) to organise elaborate training and assist in IFRS implementation for all SMEs under the platform of MAN. The seminar, which was hugely applauded by participants and stakeholders, comes as the third phase of the adoption of IFRS in Nigeria draws nearer and highlights the need to create awareness and sensitise the applicable entities.

According to the roadmap for IFRS adoption in Nigeria, this phase of the adoption statutorily requires SMEs to issue financial statements based on the framework of IFRS for SMEs at the end of 31st December 2014.

This effectively means that the transition date to IFRS for all SMEs in Nigeria is 1 January 2013.

CHANGE 0.04 0.03 0.03 0.09 0.12 1.25 0.03 1.02 0.01 0.05

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8 155.7

Date 2-7-12 27-6-12 22-6-12

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

NGN USD NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change (S/N) Parallel Market

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

Dec ’11

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

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

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 12.6%

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

NSE CAP Index

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

CHANGE

0.05 0.40 0.10 2.09 0.50 0.11 0.22 0.30 0.23 0.07

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m 113m

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12

LOSERS AS AT 7-8-12

SYMBOL TRANSCORP JAPAULOIL UTC PAINTCOM REDSTAREX JBERGER DNMEYER WAPCO CONTINSURE VITAFOAM

Deloitte, MAN focus on SMEs

Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 350m 150m 350m 138m 350m 113m

Currency OBB Rate Call Rate

while inter-bank market recorded the highest increase in value with 1.59 per cent to N158.14 to a dollar,” he noted.

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF NESF

•Rewane

DATA BANK

Tenor

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

average of 98 per cent for oil producers. However, state governors have not given up yet.

“Oil prices strengthened with Bonny Light futures at $117 in October even as August crude oil production is estimated to remain flat at 2.2 million barrel per day (mbpd) with positive revenue effect.

“Naira appreciated across all market segments in August by an average of 0.64 per cent. Naira strengthened by an average of 0.64 per cent month on month across all market segments in August

Offer Price

Bid Price

ARM AGGRESSIVE 9.17 KAKAWA GUARANTEED 1.00 STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE 124.37 AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 100.11 LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL 0.77 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.10 BGL NUBIAN FUND 0.93 NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. 1,740.52 PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND 9.75 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST 1.87 STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY 8,307.39 THE DISCOVERY FUND 193.00 FIDELITY NIGFUND 1.67 • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

9.08 1.00 124.22 108.78 0.74 1.10 0.91 1,737.02 9.28 1.33 1.80 8,036.24 191.08 1.62

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 July, 2011

Current 07, Aug, 2011

8.5000 8.0833

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

31

MONEY MARKET REPORT

•Dollars

•Naira notes

CBN: Naira falls on rising imports T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has linked last week’s slide of the naira to increased pressure from fuel imports. Nigeria relies on imports to meet more than 70 per cent of domestic fuel needs because of a lack of refining capacity.

The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) issued permits to 39 marketers to import 3.125 million metric tonnes of petrol in the third quarter, an equivalent of 4.20 billion litres, as against the 5.036 billion litres imported in the first quarter and 4.794 billion litres in the second quarter respectively. This has substantially raised dollar demand at the Wholesale Dutch Auction System (WDAS), and exciting pressure on the naira.

CBN data showed that the naira fell for a third day against the dollar on the Nigerian interbank market as import demand increased. The currency fell 0.2 per cent to N158.5 to a dollar although the local currency had advanced 2.4 per cent this year, the best performer in Africa according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

An emerging markets strategist in London at Standard Bank Group Ltd., Samir Gadio, said there was some late demand. The currency earlier rallied on speculation that oil companies were going to sell dollars in the market, Gadio said.

The yield on Nigeria's seven per cent domestic bonds due October 2019 dropped 29 basis points to 13.52 per cent, according to data on the Financial Markets Dealers Association’s website. Yields on the nation's $500 million of Eurobonds due January 2021 slid seven basis points to 4.89 per cent.

Analysts at Afrinvest said that demand for Nigeria's local debt since the beginning of the year has been high due to attractive yields. Nigeria issues TBs twice monthly to reduce the money supply curb inflation and help lenders manage their liquidity.

Previously, shady practices in petroleum imports and over bloated subsidy payments by its managers had exerted pressure on the local currency. Same trends led to 40 per cent decline on petroleum import bill after subsidy cut in January.

Banking credit The aggregate banking system credit to the domestic economy stood at N13.3 trillion by June 31, the CBN Economic Report released last week showed. The data showed a decline by 2.7 per cent compared with the marginal decline of 0.1 per cent at the end of the preceding quarter.

The aggregate banking system credit however, rose by 8.3 per cent at the end of the corresponding quarter of 2011. The drop, relative to the preceding quarter's level reflected largely, the substantial decline in net credit to the Federal Government, which dampened the effect of the increase in claims on the

By Collins Nweze

private sector.

Banking system's claims on the Federal Government, at the end of the review quarter, declined by 213.2 per cent to negative N1.3 trillion, compared with a decline of 11.3 per cent in the preceding quarter, the report stated.

The development was accounted for, largely, by the decline in the banking system's holding of government securities, particularly Treasury Bills and bonds. The Federal Government, however, remained a net lender to the banking system at the end of the review quarter.

Currency overhaul The CBN said that the planned introduction of the N5,000 note and currency overhaul will save the country about N7 billion in cost of currency management yearly.

Speaking to journalists in Lagos, CBN Spokesman, Ugochukwu Okoroafor refuted claims that the printing of the proposed N5000 note will cost N40 billion. He insisted that the new denomination is aimed at saving the nation the cost of printing money, that it will also allow easy transportation of cash, and better management of the nation's currency, among other benefits.

CIBN The Chartered Institute Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has awarded practice licenece to its members that met the stipulated criteria. Such applicants would have worked for five years post Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (ACIB) qualification, passed the qualifying professional examinations and fulfilled other procedures set by the agency.

A statement by the Chairman, CIBN Practice Licence Board, 'Debola Osibogun, said the banking industry offers variety and unique career patterns that provide opportunities, advancements and challenging assignments for practitioners.

Power projects An undisclosed Nigerian investment bank will partner Zambia's largest distributor of power to mines in the financing and development of six new hydroelectric power stations worth over $1 billion in Zambia, an

industry official told Reuters.

Michael Tarney, the managing director for corporate development at Zambia's Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC), said the six projects had a total capacity of more than 800 megawatts (MW).

Tarney spoke after the signing of an agreement for the joint development of power projects by CEC and the Nigerian company.

"We are immediately looking at the $150 million Kabompo gorge hydro power project in northwestern Zambia and the five Luapula river projects estimated to cost $1 billion.

Consumer market Nigeria's consumer market is estimated at N15 trillion with the food and drinks accounting for the largest component. This was disclosed by the Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) Limited in its August Economic Report obtained by The Nation.

FDC Managing Director, Bismark Rewane said that with a population of approximately 168 million people, majority of which are in the 16 to 35 age bracket, Nigeria remains the eighth most populous in the world with a growing consumption base.

He said that the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector has benefited the most from this young burgeoning population. The sector grew 10 per cent from 2000 until 2010, with its contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increasing from 13 per cent to 24.3 per cent over the same period. He said the FMCG sector remains one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy such as reiterating that opportunities still exists in this sector.

NIBSS The Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) has said it is taking measures aimed at reducing the volume and value of fraud perpetrated in the Nigerian banking sector. NIBSS Executive Director, Operations, Niyi Ajao said one way it is achieving this objective is through the use of its anti-fraud portal developed by the firm to check financial frauds in the Nigerian banking sector.

He said the portal became exigent following complaints by banks using the NIBSS Instant Payment (NIP), which allows customers

‘Previously, shady practices in petroleum imports and over bloated subsidy payments by its managers had exerted pressure on the local currency. Same trends led to 40 per cent decline on petroleum import bill after subsidy cut in January’

transfer funds on its secured platform. The portal he said was designed to enable chief inspectors of banks to report fraud cases, and for other approved banks' officials as well as regulatory bodies view reported cases of fraud.

Ajao, who spoke at the Nigerian Electronic Fraud Forum (NeFF) held in Lagos, said the portal has two categories of users. The first is chief inspectors of banks, and they are the only users that can create report on fraud incidence. The other categories are labeled users only, as they can only view the fraud reports for their own official use.

RenCap The price of petrol may be raised in 2013, analysts at the Renaissance Capital (RenCap), an investment and research firm has said. RenCap said it is almost certain that the price of petrol will rise. It added that there was strengthening of real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in the second quarter of 2012, compared with the first quarter.

It predicted a dampening effect of the July 1 tariff hikes on imported grain to have been more pronounced on Household final Consumption Expenditure (HCE), in the third quarter of 2012, given the larger share of people affected.

"We expect the upcoming main harvest that largely falls in fourth quarter to provide a moderate lift to HCE. But we think this is likely to be short-lived, given our assumption of another petrol price hike in 2013," it said.

Nigeria, S/Africa debt The local debt of Nigeria and South Africa is expected to enter indices tracked by global and emerging market debt investors in October.

This will make the debt available to a wider pool of buyer at a time Russia and China are opening up their local debt markets to foreign investors.

South Africa will join Citi's World Government Bond Index, benchmarked by $2 trillion in international funds, in October, when Nigeria is expected to join JP Morgan's local emerging GBI-EM series, benchmarked by around $170 billion of assets.

"There is clear demand to own these assets, for diversification and for the potential to pick up higher yields," said Luis Costa, emerging markets strategist at Citi.

Banking confab The Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister for Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, will tomorrow declare open the Annual Banking and Finance Conference being organised by the Chartered Institute of Bankers

of Nigeria (CIBN).

The programme holds at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

The comfab with the theme "Transformation of the African Economy: Financial Services Industry as Catalyst'' is organised by the CIBN in collaboration with Alliance of African Institutes of Bankers and expected to attract participants from across the globe.

Bank to bank report Enterprise Bank has overhauled its operational channels and invested heavily in personnel to serve every customer of the bank efficiently and satisfactorily.

Speaking during the bank's customer forum held in Onitsha, its Chief Executive Officer, Ahmed Kuru said the lender is now a strong financial institution with asset base in the excess of N200 billion. In the last one year, the bank has spent time and resources to strengthen its infrastructural base to serve the customers better. "We have sharpened the system and hastened our speed of service delivery because we value our relationship with you," he said.

Access Bank has been recognised for its contribution to educational development through consistent payment of education tax. The award according to a statement was presented by the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruquayyatu Ahmed Rufai at the Tax Payers' Forum organised by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund to strengthen the Fund's partnership corporate taxpayers in the country.

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TET Fund) was established with the strategic objective of using the two per cent tax paid from assessable profit of corporate companies to provide focused and transformative intervention in public tertiary institutions through effective project management for the improvement of quality of education in Nigeria.

Ecobank Nigeria has unfolded plans to reward its existing and new customers who operate their current and savings accounts. In a statement, the bank said the promo will run from September through December 2012. It said the promo gives each customer the opportunity to own new cars at each of four monthly draws and a grand prize of a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) at the grand draw.

Standard Bank said it will press ahead with expensive plans to open another 30 branches in sub-Saharan Africa this year, aiming to cash in on booming loan and deposit growth even as the costs of such investment hit its bottom line.

Africa's biggest bank by assets, Standard is 20 per cent owned by Industrial and Commercial Bank of China. It blamed a below-forecast nine per cent increase in first-half profit on costs of investment.

32

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

THE CEO Managing Director, Learn Africa Plc (formerly Longman Nigeria Plc), Mr Fred Ijewere, has about 30 years experience across various businesses. With the transition of Longman Nigeria to Learn Africa, he has the job of taking the 51-year-old printing and publishing company to greater heights. In this interview with TAOFIK SALAKO, he speaks on the macroeconomic environment, prospects and challenges of the printing and publishing sector and ongoing efforts to unlock value for shareholders, among others.

‘Short-term finance bane of industrial growth’ W

HAT are the challenges facing manufacturers?

The basic one is power, which the government is trying to resolve. Once power problem is resolved, then the high cost of printing will come down and cost of book will come down. Then, we don’t have to import books, because now we import a significant number of books. We still print and make sure we patronise our domestic printers, but their capacity is limited. Power is the major inhibitor to manufacturing, printing or our production here; once that’s solved we will be in a better position. While the problem of power is general to all manufacturers, for us in printing and publishing industry, it’s very significant because the machines being used are supposed to run 24 hours -long run, you can’t do short-run printing. Shortrun printing is very expensive. When those competitors in, say Asia, print 100,000 copies, they will do it in a week, in Nigeria the maximum you can get is 5,000, and that makes the cost high. So, the print run is a major issue. This also affects domestic capacity because people cannot afford to bring in expensive machines only to face such a situation. So, the cost of energy and machinery are the major issues.

Considering our current energy generation, we need to start from the scratch. We need investments. Let each state and local government generate electricity and pay royalties to the centre, they will pay for using the central transmission. That’s where we are heading to now because if you look at power need and the current generation, it’s so inadequate that we need a radical overhaul of the system.

Why do we have shortage of long-term investments in the printing and publishing sector?

It’s a cat and mouse game, a chicken and egg situation. Who is going to fund such investments? The banks that you are expecting to fund them are not doing that because they prefer short-term investments as they also don’t have long-term funds to match. So, the equities that can be raised and short-term funds that can be managed can only deliver the bare level of equipment that keep the industry running.

What’s your experience in accessing finance?

We haven’t had to borrow as such to run our business. A lot has to do with prudent management on one hand. Secondly, when orders come, they are pretty much guaranteed and that gives comfort to the bank for the short-term finance. But in terms of long-term finance, it’s different. Borrowing from the banks is a challenge; the interest rate is extremely high. Why will I borrow for long-term when the effective interest to be charged can be as much as 30 per cent? That’s extremely high; in some three years you are paying almost 100 per cent. That’s why banks are doing much financing for wholesalers and retailers rather than manufacturers. That’s why you see that in contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), after agriculture, wholesalers and retailers are the next biggest contributors.

• Ijewere

Is there a need for special intervention fund for the printing and publishing sector?

No, at this point I don’t see a need for such.

The way the current orders are being made by State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), there’s less financial constraint: they give you an order and pay something like 15 per cent in advance to affirm their commitments and they keep to their terms. Nigeria has been known for challenges when it comes to sanctity of contracts, but it’s good that these government institutions are standing by their words when it comes to contracts, when you deliver on order, they pay. That’s enough to run with.

Once you have an order, banks are ready to finance because they know government institutions will pay.

Many people think the withdrawal of your

previous foreign major shareholder was a disadvantage, do you think otherwise?

Yes, when our foreign partner divested their equities, naturally, people asked: ‘where is the vision, where is the focus,’ because the foreign partner at that time always dictated where the company was going and that was always in line with their own global strategy, so Nigerians only worked towards that. Our shareholders recognised this when the foreign partner was divesting and knew there would be a need to change management thinking. So, in changing, we have a new vision that will take Learn Africa to global height, even competing side by side with its previous foreign partner, that’s why we have expanded into other African countries; and we are being welcomed with open arms. We are looking at new technologies. So, we are turning what supposedly

‘Why will I borrow for long-term when the effective interest to be charged can be as much as 30 per cent? That’s extremely high, in some three years you are paying almost 100 per cent’

would have been a disadvantage, especially from the point of view of shareholders who were concerned about the returns and safety of their investments, into an advantage. Rather than panic, we are telling our shareholders that Nigerians who have been trained have the capacity to take the company beyond the current level. Nigerians are talented and well endowed, there are 20 million Nigerians in the Diaspora; they are doing well and excelling, why won’t they do well here? We just need prudence in our management.

What does moving from a publishing company to learning resource company entail in terms of opportunities and potential?

First of all, we are looking at 15 to 20 years down the line; what’s the future of publishing even in the whole world generally? Because of technology, we are now talking about e-books. When we get our infrastructure right, students will most possibly be using e-books, electronic media, interactive media; and so we have positioned ourselves to harness, at this point in time, those opportunities that will ensure the sustainability and growth of Learn Africa in years to come. With learning re• Continued on page 33

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

33

THE CEO

‘Short-term finance bane of industrial growth’ •Continued from page 32

source, you can talk about teacher training, our subsidiary offers training. As we have discussed before, there is a huge gap in training and delivery. The results of the West African Examination Council (WAEC) show this more. Capacity building of our teachers needs to be done, so instead of printing and publishing books, let us now help deliver what is required so that our books are proper assets rather than being on the shelves gathering dusts; help the teachers to understand the books properly, help the teachers to understand the new techniques of delivering knowledge and so on. That’s why we are a learning resource company; there is a gap we are filling. We are also filling the gap in the areas of technology.

We are expanding our reach; it’s not only publishing that we now do, we are looking at other segments; providing learning solutions. In terms of learning resource, we have established a subsidiary company- Millennium Education Limited, which focuses on training, information technology development; we have had to launch help pads that are customised to our own demand and standards because of the growing use of information technology (IT). We are doing these so that we can deliver additional values to our stakeholders and shareholders.

We are moving beyond publishing because we know the constraints are there, we are going to grow by changing them. Also, the fact that Pearson, which used to be our foreign partner has left, we are now fully able to drive the business to maximise all potential. We are expanding now into other African countries to tap into opportunities. We are promising all the stakeholders, our shareholders that the future is bright.

Given your experience in the expansions to other African markets, how do you compare Nigeria and other African economies?

It’s obvious that Nigeria is the largest and most dynamic, and because of that we come with our own strategic position and we are able to enter these markets so easily. So, we are coming from a position of strength and in going to these markets, we are taking Nigerian entrepreneurship and zeal there to dominate the markets.

What are the prospects of the new businesses, the expansions?

They are looking good and by the end of the year our results should reflect it.

However, this being the first year, the impact may not be that much because, normally, you have at least gestation period of three years, especially in printing. But we are determined to make impact within a short period, by the next year our impact would be fully felt because we are moving aggressively. So, by the end of this year our results should reflect some incomes from the expansions, but by next year it will be much better.

There is this perception that printing and publishing are tied to the public sector, what’s the ratio of government to private sector contracts and orders?

Now, you look at it from the responsibility imposed on government to develop the children of this country. The costs of setting up private schools have been quite challenging to the operators. So, in terms of publications, SUBEC and UBEC are the ones doing most of the orders and because they are the ones, you have the ‘lopsidedness’. That’s not to say the open market is not there, we are working for the private sector; but most of our orders are from the states.

In the last five years there has been increase and part of this increase is due to the millennium development goals, which the country is striving to achieve. Part of these millennium development goals is the prerequisite of basic education for all children by 2015 and this being one of the major goals, the country has been investing to ensure that we are in sync with the global community. That’s why we have experienced natural progression in book orders.

You have painted robust prospects for the sector and your company, but there appears to be a disconnect; investors don’t seem to see this given the share prices of printing and publishing stocks?

With regard to our company, with the divestment of Pearson, they divested 51 per cent and gave 30 per cent of this to existing shareholders, so huge units of shares were pumped into the market, that’s expected to have halved the value of our shares. That number of shares that you pumped into the market vis-à-vis the perception that the

• Ijewere

‘Nigerians abroad remain Nigerians, they are tied to this country. If they are not ours, the $10 billion they remit to this country won’t be coming annually; they would have kept it there. And that $10 billion is what is officially recorded, extrapolated you will be talking of about $45 billion’

• Ijewere

main driver of the company has left, that’s expected to devalue the shares to a large extent. But now, it’s time for us to build. We will rebuild the share price by showing investors what we can do. At the end of the year when you see our results and what we are doing in terms of expansions, then the confidence will rebuild our share price. I can only advise that you buy the shares now.

We are not worried about the low share price, otherwise we could have resorted to panic

measures; at least we are now allowed to buy back up to 15 per cent of our shares.

Given the large shares outstanding, are you considering buying back shares or share reconstruction?

Not at this point in time. We will get our bearings right, show the investing public where we are going and with that regain their confidence. We know we have the responsibility of continuing to keep the value of our shares, but shareholders who have

also gotten a bonus of one for one will understand the possibility of dilution in value.

We won’t consider that yet, not that it’s out of our purview; we will have that in mind.

What do you mean by the argument on brain gain rather than brain drain?

Of the estimated 20 million Nigerians out there, those who had gone on scholarships are not more than, to be generous, 500,000; the rest are economic migrants-a lot of Nigerians who had gone on their own, worked and studied hard, worked two, three jobs, menial jobs; to raise themselves up. Now you have second generation Nigerians that are there already, those who went on scholarships are those who went several years back, when there were bursaries. Not the ones that are going now-people that are struggling to enter ships, pass through Sahara Desert, going through a lot of difficulties; a lot of Nigerians are out there on their own strength.

Yes, it’s true that a lot of Nigerian human resources have moved out, but we have not lost them. It’s just like if you move your fund from current account to deposit account, unless you tell the bank you are giving the fund to them, it remains yours. Nigerians abroad remain Nigerians, they are tied to this country. If they are not ours, the $10 billion they remit to this country won’t be coming annually; they would have kept it there. And that $10 billion is what is officially recorded, extrapolated you will be talking of about $45 billion. If you look at it, our own foreign reserves is $38 billion and you are getting $45 billion from Nigerians in the Diaspora, then they are your assets, they are generating incomes. And when you look in terms of comparative advantages, it’s probably better that they are out there because if the 20 million Nigerians are just sitting down here, you would have worse rate of unemployment, you can’t take care of them. But now, they are in the productive sector, they are generating incomes, that’s fantastic, that’s brain gain. When you change the way you look at things, you will see the brighter side of things, it’s brain gain not brain drain.

How do we tap into the resources of Nigerians in the Diaspora?

We are already tapping into this potential, we are earning $10 billion annually in remittances, and that’s only official figure. But we can further maximise these resources. For instance, in the education sector, let each tertiary institution set up an international office. The objective of the international office is to create the data base of the faculties that have left and alumni that have left the shore of Nigeria and they are out there working.

You create that database and you begin to communicate with them; seeking areas of collaboration. The international office will also collaborate with other international universities, leveraging on technologies to expose Nigerian students and faculties to international breakthroughs and resources.

Just like Nigeria has leveraged on technology in the telecommunication sector. You look at the medical sector, some of the big operations you are hearing worldwide now are being done by several surgeons in different parts of the world, they are all seeing what’s going on and each makes contribution to the operation. Besides, you can take this collaboration a step further. Just as you talk of the capital market as a place for exchange, you can create a human capital exchange where apart from collaborating; people can exchange information on required skills and what they have to offer. We are talking about a proper market place for skills with proper pricing. It’s a project we are thinking about. We are always open to collaboration.

What are those core strategies that will drive returns in the medium to long-term for Learn Africa?

We have our strategies. First of all in terms of value returns to our shareholders, they should expect to have a minimum of the current return they have. There is no reason they will not get any such return; rather the return should be improving as we go on. I don’t want to start quoting any figure, but am sure we are in good position to deliver better returns. The key drivers of our business going forward: we are looking at innovation, expansion, our growth will also be by means of acquisition, so that we are not unnecessarily reinventing the wheels in the area of expansion. We obviously will continue to maintain our base in Nigeria as the largest publishing house; we are going to consolidate that position

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

34

EQUITIES

Flour Mills absorbs Bagco

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 7-9-12

•Cornerstone acquires Linkage

B

ARELY four years after it was spun off and listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc at the weekend indicated it would reabsorb Nigerian Bag Manufacturing Company (Bagco) Plc and its subsidiary- Northern Bag Manufacturing Company Limited (Bagco-North).

The business combination would entail the transfer of all assets, liabilities and undertakings of Bagco and Bagco-North to Flour Mills of Nigeria. Consequently, the entire issued share capital of Bagco and Bagco-North would be cancelled and the minority shareholders of Bagco will have an option to elect for cash or shares in Flour Mills at a price to be determined using mutually agreed valuation methods.

Bagco and Bagco-North will therefore be dissolved without winding up.

In a notification of intent made available at the weekend, Flour Mills stated that the combination would streamline operations, reduce administrative costs, improve operating efficiency and capture the full synergies arising from the merger, which, in turn will result in a significant enhancement of shareholder value.

Also, more details emerged

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

at the weekend over the merger between Cornerstone Insurance Plc and Linkage Assurance Plc, two quoted companies that have sought to combine their businesses.

The Nation had reported exclusively that Cornerstone Insurance would subsume Linkage Assurance, giving the former’s shareholders and management greater control over the surviving entity.

According to filing made at the NSE, all assets, liabilities and undertakings, including real properties and intellectual property rights of Linkage Assurance Plc would be transferred to Cornerstone Insurance Plc, upon which the entire issued shares of Linkage Assurance would be cancelled.

In consideration for these, shareholders of the scheme shares of Linkage Assurance would receive 30 per cent shareholding of the postmerger Cornerstone Insurance Plc. This translated to approximately 74 per cent of the current shareholding in Linkage.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian stock market rallied N347 billion in capital gains last week as the bulls sustained

unbroken run through the trading session. Aggregate market capitalisation of all equities rose from its opening value of N7.56 trillion to close at N7.91 trillion. The All Share Index (ASI) appreciated by 4.58 per cent to close on Friday at 24,838.70 points.

Total turnover stood at 3.468 billion shares worth N23.994 billion in 21,542 deals. The financial services sector was the major driver contributing 92.05 per cent to the turnover volume with 3.193 billion shares valued at N20.138 billion in 12,659 deals.

The banking subsector was the most active with 3.091 billion shares worth N20.059 billion traded in 11,979 deals. Volume in the banking subsector was largely driven by activities in the shares of Union Bank Nigeria Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc and First Bank of Nigeria Plc. Trading in the shares of the three banks accounted for 2.520 billion shares, representing 81.54 per cent, 78.93 per cent and 72.66 per cent of the turnover recorded by the subsector, sector and total turnover for the week, respectively.

With 50 gainers to 15 losers, the market was overtly bullish. Flour Mills led the gainers with an increase of 15.68 per cent. Nigerian Breweries followed with a gain of 3.66 per cent. Arbico Plc led the losers with a drop of 14.14 per cent.

Morison Industries Plc trailed with a loss 9.58 per cent.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 7-9-12

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 , 2012

35

EQUITIES WATCH

Email: taofad2000@yahoo.co.uk

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, the most capitalised construction company, is lagging behind the market. But with consistent and high fundamental returns, the pause appears to represent significant undervaluation for the construction company. TAOFIK SALAKO reports.

T

HE Nigerian stock market appeared to have turned the corner. With a year-todate return of 19.82 per cent, the market opens today with a tickling bullish rally that promises to soothe the pains of recent years. But with several stocks hitting new recent highs and the overall market reverberating with the goodold echoes of up, trend stock-picking is also becoming increasingly tricky. As the market recovers, its much-touted undervaluation is diluted, throwing up average, fair and sometimes overvalued stocks. But in every market, even at the extreme end of the bullish rally, there will always be undervalued stocks- late adopters that tend to become the resilient in the midst of a slowdown. How do you now select a stock with locked-in values that could sustain good yield irrespective of the market situation? The best approach, market pundits agree, is to relate corporate earnings to market consideration to ascertain potential for future capital appreciation.

No doubt, the bullish market situation is reflective of growing investors' appetite for equities. The market position underlines significant gains by sectoral leaders. From Presco and Okomu Oil Palm in the agriculture sector, to Unilever Nigeria in the conglomerates sector to Cadbury Nigeria and Nestle Nigeria in the food and beverages sector to Guaranty Trust Bank in the banking sector, sectoral leaders form the bulwark of the current upswing.

But contrary to the general market situation, Julius Berger Nigeria is still with the bears. Unarguably Nigeria's leading construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria's share pricing trend belies its corporate position and fundamentals.

It opens today with a year-to-date return of -9.65 per cent. This further erodes the market value of the company, which had recorded a negative fullyear return of 36.8 per cent in 2011. From a high of N62.26, Julius Berger closed 2011 at its lowest consideration of N31.60. However, it had nearly doubled its share price in 2010 with a full-year return of 93.9 per cent. Julius Berger Nigeria had attained a high of N94.45 per share in January 2008.

Tracking the fundamentals But through all these years, Julius Berger Nigeria has witnessed consistent growths in key fundamentals. Audited report and accounts of the company for the year ended December 31, 2011 showed appreciable improvements in key underlying fundamentals with lower financial leverage, improved financing structure, better returns on resources and stronger liquidity. With net earnings per share rising by 75 per cent to N4.07, the company increased cash payouts by 20 per cent from N2 for 2010 business year to N2.40 dividend per share. Julius Berger Nigeria had recorded appreciable improvement in profitability in 2011. Both actual profit and loss figures and underlying profitability indices showed positive outlook. Gross profit margin improved from 17.1 per cent to 20.1 per cent while average pre-tax profit margin increased to 6.1 per cent as against 4.6 per cent in 2010.

Group turnover stood at N169.41 billion in 2011 compared with N173.69 billion in 2011. Gross profit grew by 14.5 per cent to N34.09 billion in 2011 as against N29.76 billion. Profit before tax rose by 30 per cent from N8.01 billion to N10.4 billion. Profit after taxes leapt by 74 per cent to N4.88 billion in 2011 as against N2.80 billion.

Earnings per share rose from N2.33 in 2010 to N4.07 in 2011. On the basis of improved earnings, the company distributed N2.88 billion as

Julius Berger: Undervalued

cash dividends for the 2011 business year as against N2.40 billion paid for the 2010 business year. Notwithstanding the 20 per cent in cash payout, the company's dividend sustainability outlook improved considerably with a dividend cover of 1.70 times in 2011 as against 1.17 times in 2010. Net assets per share also increased by 32 per cent from N6.44 in 2010 to N8.51 2011. Besides, underlying returns to shareholders and other assets improved considerably with return on equity rising from 36 per cent to about 48 per cent. Return on total assets also improved from 5.3 per cent to 6.1 per cent.

However, Julius Berger Nigeria's financial leverage and liquidity positions still appeared worrisome, notwithstanding the improvements in 2011. Debts still substantially overwhelmed equity while negative working capital and current ratio of less than 1.0 time showed a vulnerable liquidity position.

Fear of change While the fundamentals showed less signs of constraints, there appeared to be a link between the partial divestment of the company's major foreign shareholder and the transformation of the company into a self-sufficient entity. In 2011, Bilfinger Berger SE, the majority core investor in Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, which held 49.87 per cent equity stake, sold 10 per cent of its equities to a Nigerian shareholder. Thus Bilfinger Berger now holds 39.87 per cent equity stake.

The reduction in shareholding of Bilfinger Berger increased shareholdings by Nigerians from 50.13 per cent to 60.13 per cent.

But beyond the change in shareholding structure, the company has managed its transformation creditably well. It had signed an agreement to purchase a majority stake in Julius Berger International GmbH (JBI), an engineering and services company based in Wiesbaden, Germany.

An agreement between the vendor, Bilfinger Berger SE and JBN indicated that Julius Berger Nigeria would acquire 90 per cent of the shareholding of JBI. With this acquisition, the company is assured of key-support in planning, procurement and capacity building.

Besides, in order to strengthen its corporate independence, the company had earlier enhanced its on shore and off shore technical and logistic capacities by the establishment of a newly incorporated subsidiary, Prime Technology Design and Engineering Nigeria Limited for the provisions of design and engineering support services to the Company. It had also incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary-Julius Berger Medical Services Limited, to undertake medical services to its employees and stakeholders.

Julius Berger Nigeria also shows clear understanding of its positioning strategy. Chairman, Julius Berger Nigeria (JBN) Plc, Avm. Nuruddeen Imam (rtd), recently noted that Nigeria retains enormous potential as a developing nation with immense opportunities, especially in the private sector and downstream industries, which are attracting not only Nigerian, but also international investors.

"Such investors are looking for a dynamic partner who can deliver expert work to global standards, who is able to meet their demand for quality within the necessary timeframe and has Nigeria specific know-how. Our goal is to be the first choice contractor for such potential clients and the Julius Berger Group's business model, including a logistical partner in Germany, makes this goal possible," Imam said.

He outlined that the company had made significant investments in research for materials technology and construction products, which led to fabrication of its own bitumen emulsion for road construction and production of plaster made with materials sourced locally.

2007

2008

• Managing Director, Julius Berger Nig Plc, Engr Wolfgang Goetsch

Earnings Historic earnings and returns illustrate the attractiveness of Julius Berger. With average cash dividend of N2.46 per share and earnings per share of N3.43 over the past five years, the company's dividend yield ranged between a low of 6.1 per cent and a high of 13.1 per cent. Earnings yield also hovered between a range of 7.3 per cent and 20.6 per cent. Average dividend yield stands at 8.6 per cent while average earnings yield is 12 per cent.

Given the latest audited earnings, dividend yield at today's opening price is 8.4 per cent while earnings yield is in double digit at 14.3 per cent. Julius Berger Nigeria's fundamental yields surpass average yield in the market and represent unrealised hidden value, yet to be priced into the stock.

2009

2010

2011

36

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 , 2012

DUE DILIGENCE

Bagco: Improved performance N

IGERIAN Bag Manufacturing Company (Bagco) Plc achieved a well-rounded performance in the latest audited year with significant improvement in sales and profitability. Audited report and accounts of Bagco for the year ended March 31, 2012 showed appreciable improvements in the profit and loss accounts and the balance sheet as the company significantly deleveraged its financing structure, putting it in more supportive position for future growth.

In spite of the relatively high cost of sales, Bagco fell on internal cost management to counterbalance topline imbalance and improve overall profitability. With increase in net earnings, the packaging company scaled up cash payouts to shareholders while sustaining a higher degree of future sustainability of such payouts.

Besides the significant reduction in immediate debt overhang and the attendant pressures from such borrowings, a more liquid and better capitalised balance sheet provided assurances on the overall performance outlook.

Financing structure Total balance sheet size stood at N24.35 billion in 2012 compared with N23.11 billion in 2011. Current assets had improved from by 13.8 per cent from N11.92 billion to N13.57 billion. Fixed assets however declined marginally from N11.19 billion to N10.79 billion.

Total liabilities increased slightly from N13.92 billion to N14.59 billion. With 48 per cent drop in shortterm bank loans, current liabilities dropped by 24 per cent to N8.14 billion as against N10.76 billion in 2011.

Long-term liabilities however doubled from N3.2 billion to N6.44 billion. The company's paid up share capital remained unchanged at N3.11 billion, but shareholders' funds improved by 6.3 per cent from N9.19 billion to N9.77 billion.

With proportion of debt-to-equity dropping from 81 per cent in 2011

Fiscal Year Ended March 31 Nmillion Profit and Loss Statement Main Business Segment Total turnover Cost of sales Gross profit Operating expenses Interest and other incomes Finance expenses Pre-tax profit(loss) Post-tax profit (loss) Basic earnings per share(kobo) Gross dividend (Nm) Cash dividend per share (kobo) Net Assets per share (kobo) Balance Sheet Assets: Fixed assets Total long term assets Trade debtors Current assets Total assets Liabilities: Trade creditors Bank loans Current liabilities Long-term liabilities Total liabilities Equity Funds Share capital Total Equity Funds

2008

2009

By Taofik Salako

to about 40 per cent in 2012, slight increase in equity funds/total assets ratio from 39.7 per cent to 40.1 per cent complemented the financing outlook. Current liabilities/total assets ratio showed less vulnerability at 33.4 per cent in 2012 as against 46.5 per cent in 2011. Long-term liabilities/total assets ratio improved from 13.7 per cent to 26.5 per cent.

Efficiency There was noticeable improvement in the overall cost efficiency of the company, which gave fillip to average profit per unit. Although there were no available details to pinpoint the level of productivity per head and relevant cost per unit of production at the press time, the improvement in the overall efficiency was evident. Total cost of the business, excluding finance charges, reduced to about 89 per cent of total sales in 2012 as against some 91 per cent in 2011. The improvement was due mainly to a more efficient internal control and cost management.

Profitability Significant growth in sales and bet-

2010

30.3 30.3 31.7 26.2 9.7 24.0 69.2 41.8 35.4 35.3 7.7 7.7 6.1

18,585 18,585 13,876 4,709 2,968 342 584 1,499 1,025 16.5 808 13 148

10,787 10,787 2,214 13,567 24,354

-3.6 -3.6 69.5 13.8 5.4

11,189 11,189 1,306 11,921 23,110

2,500 3,873 8,144 6,444 14,588

71.9 -48.0 -24.3 103.3 4.8

1,454 7,454 10,755 3,169 13,924

3,108 9,766

0.0 6.3

3,108 9,186

2012

ter cost management complemented each other to deliver higher returns to shareholders in 2012. With 30 per cent increase in sales and about 10 per cent increase in total operating costs, Bagco moderated the relatively high 32 per cent increase in cost of sales to grow pre and post tax profits by 42 per cent and 35 per cent respectively. With improved bottom-line, actual and underlying returns to shareholders improved during the period.

Total turnover stood at 24.22 billion in 2012 as against N18.59 billion in 2011. However, cost of sales increased from N13.9 billion to N18.3 billion. Gross profit thereafter rose by 26 per cent to N5.95 billion as against N4.71 billion in previous year. Total operating expenses, including research and development costs, stood at N3.26 billion in 2012 compared with N2.97 billion in 2011. Non-core business incomes increased by 24 percent from N342 million to N424 million.

However, interest expenses rose by 69 per cent to N989 million from N584 million. Consequently, profit before tax increased by 42 per cent from N1.5 billion to N2.13 billion.

After taxes, net earnings grew by 35

2012 2011 12 months % change 12 months

24,222 24,222 18,277 5,945 3,255 424 989 2,126 1,388 22.3 870 14 157

2011

per cent from N1.03 billion to N1.39 billion.

Underlying profit analysis showed corresponding positive outlook.

While gross profit margin slipped from 25.3 per cent to 24.5 per cent, the profit be-

2008

2009

fore tax margin improved from 8.1 per cent to 8.8 per cent. Average return on total assets increased from 6.5 per cent to 8.7 per cent while average return on equity funds improved from 11.2 per cent to 14.2 per cent.

With 35 per cent increase in net earnings per share from 16.5 kobo in 2011 to 22.3 kobo in 2012, the board of the company recommended modest increase in cash dividends from N808 million to N870 million. This implies a dividend per share of 14 kobo for 2012 as against 13 kobo paid for 2011. The future dividend outlook of the company remained robust with a dividend cover of 1.59 times in 2012 as against 1.29 times in 2011.

Net assets per share also increased from N1.48 to N1.57.

Liquidity The liquidity position of the company improved appreciably during the period under review with better coverage for emerging liabilities and more adequate working capital. Current ratio, which relates current assets to current liabilities, strengthened to 1.67 times in 2012 as against 1.11 times in 2011. The proportion of working capital to total sales increased from 6.3 per cent to 22.4 per cent. Debtors/creditors ratio stood at 88.6 per cent in 2012 as against 89.8 per cent in 2011.

Governance and structures Bagco is owned largely by Flour Mills of Nigeria, which holds 70 per cent equity stake in the bagging subsidiary. Bagco manufactures woven and laminated polypropylene bags.

The most capitalised packaging company, Bagco was incorporated

Fiscal Year Ended March 31

2010

2011

2012

in 1964 and operated as a division and subsidiary of Flour Mills of Nigeria until it was spun off in 2007. It was listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 2008. Bagco Group includes two subsidiaries-Bagco Morpack Nigeria Limited and Northern Bag Manufacturing Company Limited.

Mr. John Coumantaros chairs the board of directors of the company while Mr. Abiodun Ogunkoya was recently appointed as the managing director. Flour Mills plans to absorb Bagco and return the company to its previous position as a division.

Analyst's opinion The performance of Bagco is commendable. Particularly, the top-line growth indicated robust base for continuing profitability. With recent investments and expansions, Bagco's top-line gave early success of the company's strategy. The packaging sector is closely related with the manufacturing and retail sectors of the economy. Packaging sector serves as major input sector for the manufacturing sector and consequently thrives during a period of product innovation, repackaging and corporate expansion. Bagco appears to be benefitting from the increasing bagging requirements of its parent company, which has sustained expansions across its business lines. From flour to pasta and cement, Flour Mills Group's in-house demand for bags guarantees a sizeable order for its subsidiary. Bagco meanwhile needs to complement its core catchment business with other clients to create a diversified and more robust top-line.

Overall, there is reasonable basis to assume that the company will remain profitable in the years ahead.

2012 %

2011 %

Financing structure Equity funds/Total assets Long-term liabilities/Total assets Current liabilities/Total assets Debt/Equity ratio

40.1 26.5 33.4 39.7

39.7 13.7 46.5 81.1

Profitability Gross profit margin Pre-tax profit margin Return on total assets Return on equity Dividend cover (times)

24.5 8.8 8.7 14.2 1.59

25.3 8.1 6.5 11.2 1.27

Pre-tax profit per employee (Nm) Staff cost per employee (Nm) Cost of sales, operating exp/Turnover

NA NA 88.9

NA NA 90.6

Liquidity Current ratio Working capital/Turnover Debtors/Creditors

1.67 22.4 88.6

1.11 6.3 89.8

Efficiency

JOBS THE NATION

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

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

37

• Stock Exchange building

The challenges of the financial services sector notwithstanding, many are still finding their way to get jobs. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

Despite reforms, financial sector L still recruits

AY-OFFS are inevitable whenever firms restructure. Under the ongoing banking reforms, many have lost their jobs as their companies are acquired or merged with others. Yet, there is still room for job seekers. The sector still needs workers with the skills to move their companies forward.

There is room for loan officers; mortgage advisors; portfolio managers, trust and estate specialists; account managers; risk analysts and project managers, among others.

Director-General, West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM) Prof Akpan Ekpo describes the workforce as an essential ingredient of the financial services industry.

According to him, availability of skilled personnel is key to building a financial services hub. Despite the recession, he said the sector has expanded in scale, depth and sophistication, the skill level and value-add of the workforce have also increased. The recovery of the stock market and the return of investors’ confidence, he said, are boosting the industry’s revival.

To achieve results, Ekpo said many

banks and other financial institutions put their recruits through weeks of training, teaching them the nitty-gritty of banking.

The banks want staff who are knowledgeable about a broad array of services and can sell those services to potential clients, he said, adding that, banks are looking out for experienced branch managers to direct branches, resolve customers’ problems, ensure that standards of service are maintained, administer operations and investments. In most banks, there are vacancies for loan processors and the prospects will be best for applicants with a broad range of job skills, including good maths, customer service and telephone skills.

Even with the challenges in the capital market, securities and financial services firms are looking for marketing professionals.

They constitute the majority in banks, selling services.

Ekpo said there are different positions in the financial services industry, noting that it

often takes years for individuals to find and settle into positions fit for them. He said risk professionals top the list of the most indemand skills across the banking and finance sector.

As with most risk functions, including market risk and liquidity risk, “we are seeing high demand for credit risk management specialists for corporate and financial institutions,” he said, adding that candidates with solid experience and certifications are particularly sought after, as firms tighten processes and seek to minimise risk.

The mergers have seen high demand for IT audit, risk and security specialists to enhance IT systems in response to new regulations and policies, as well as infra engineers, application support specialists and programmers.

To get a job now, he said, the candidate must be persuasive and knowledgeable and don’t mind working long hours. Prospective bankers must love numbers, good at

maths and Excel spreadsheets, and relish delving into the financials of a public company.

He added that getting financial services jobs has gone beyond just reading any of the numerical courses. He said banks prefer young people and they must be able to pass the aptitude test.

Immediate past chairman, Chartered Institute of Taxation (CITN), Ikeja District Society, Chukwuemeka Eze, said tax services had become popular, adding that they can be a source of opportunity for job seekers. Tax forms,he noted pour in, and the firms and financial services organisations use professionals to help process these documents.

Eze said there is demand for people with tax-related experience, and the surge will continue.

Across the industry, spot checks revealed that it is difficult for young Nigerians to break into some of the more prestigious firms’ without an international MBA. As an analyst, it is rapidly becoming a must.

For watchers, the industry has become highly competitive, and additional degrees will help set one apart from the • Continued on page 38

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

38

JOBS

Despite reforms, financial sector still recruits • Continued from page 37

crowd. Employers are becoming more focused on class rank and grade point average, as well as any practical experience in the field.

For an applicant who wants to become a money manager or enter some other specialised field within the industry, an MBA is highly recommended. One can still obtain a position in these fields without an MBA, but preference is usually given to candidates that have post-graduate certificates. On the balance, for workers who don’t have more than a bachelor’s degree, the odds of landing a job that provides at least a median wage, employer health care, and retirement benefits, have plummeted.

Right now, internships are available for those who want to obtain positions as analysts, bankers, or virtually any other position in the financial services industry. Employers look for this type of experience on one’s resume. Most internship is not paid for, but applicants don’t mind as long as they receive a letter of recommendation from the firm. In the long run, some applicants have been offered jobs at the end of the day because of internship experience.

Loan officers Loan officers assist prospective clients in applying for loans and in determining the type and amount of loan that is most suitable for their needs. They assess the creditworthiness of loan applicants, judging their suitability as borrowers and the precise terms (interest rate, repayment schedule, etc.) on which credit may be granted to them.

Depending on the position, officers may be expected to actively seek out clients, rather than passively wait for applicants to approach his or her financial.

Mortgage advisors Mortgage Advisors help people find and apply for the right mortgage and making sure they are fully informed about the different kinds of mortgages available. Day to day routine involve dealing with estate agents, valuers and mortgage lenders, keeping up to date with the current market and law and working closely with clients. They

help sell the bank’s mortgage products.

Portfolio managers Responsibilities: They are employed by banks, investment dealers, mutual fund companies, pension management firms and insurance companies to manage the portfolios of single investors, pools of investors. A portfolio is a collection of investments and can consist of stocks, bonds, mutual funds, derivative products and other investments.

Generally, Portfolio Managers are responsible for managing the investment portfolios of a specific set of clients (i.e. investors).

The Portfolio Manager’s job is to develop the right mix of investments to maximise investor’s gains taking into consideration the risk tolerance of the investor, the risk and return potential of the investments and the investor’s short- and long-term goals for the investment portfolio.

Trust and estate specialists Work with clients to manage transferring wealth.

Provide solutions to trust clients and prospects and to price services profitably. Work with existing customers to current on changes and developments within the fiduciary industry.

Account managers The demand for account managers/relationship managers has been increasing as financial services organisations continue to develop new products and services to meet evolving client needs.

Banks are in need of account managers/ relationship managers who are able to travel, speak local languages and are aware of industry trends.

Responsibilities: They serve individuals or commercial/corporate clients and sell or advise on different types of products or services depending on the financial institution with which they are affiliated. They often deal with products and services such as mutual funds, money market products, loans, insurance, and pension fund administration.

•Ekpo

Risks analysts Responsibilities: Conduct research and analysis on factors that contribute to risks • Managing risks related to borrowing functions (loans, credit) and business and financial risks of assigned relationships/accounts • Ensuring the ongoing quality of the bank’s overall risk profile positively influences the realisation of the bank’s asset growth and management • Corporate risk, working with compliance and audit functions to ensure the organisation has appropriate measures to identify and manage risks • Pension fund management, working with portfolio managers as well as compliance and audit groups to ensure appropriate measures and strategies are in place to mitigate potential risks in managing the pension portfolios.

Project managers Project managers: responsible for the execution of projects. They are responsible for driving iniatives, risk mitigation, communicating and managing the health of projects. Must have fund or investment bank financial project management experience or strong professional services coming from a top consulting company. High performing and results driving individuals. Prior experience in financial service i.e. investment banking, investment bank setting or top consulting firm preferred.

• Eze

Qualifications required The ACA and ICAN ACA and ICAN will enhance one’s employability at a bank if they are additional qualifications. One needs a 2.1 in first degree from a top university, under 26 when one did it.

An ACA or ICAN will help if one want a job in equity research, corporate finance, or credit analysis.

The MBA An MBA will only really enhance one‘s banking career if it is from one of the top MBA schools. For now an MBA from Lagos Business School is seen as top notch.

MSc in petroleum economics An MSc in petroleum economics – or indeed any qualification in petroleum economics will help you get a job in bank trying to make in road into energy financing.

Master in finance Masters in Finance is good if you’ve already got around five years’ work experience in financial services, want to improve employability, but don’t want to do an MBA. MScs in risks management,corporate finance,investment management.

CAREER MANAGEMENT

Career and job success skills for newly employed

N

OW that you have made the big transition through job hunting and landed the job, the next goal is job success.

Don’t take that for granted. There are specific skills you need to know and use to be successful at your job. It’s important to practice these skills prior to starting the job. First impressions show from day one. You only get one opportunity to create first impression.

What follows here isn’t a complete list. It’s a good idea to check with your direct boss about what’s most important.An important information for you: employers say many people lose their job because they don’t use good work habits and not because they are unable to do the job. The following list of suggestions is based on feedback form a majority of surveyed employers.

Employers expectations • A positive attitude is one of the most important factors in achieving job success. Don’t carry negative feelings into your new workplace. Resolve them elsewhere.

• Always be on time. How long will it take to get to work? Allow a few extra minutes for traffic problems and getting children to school.

Set an alarm clock to help you get up. Being reliable and dependable gains the trust and respect of your new employer.

• Good attendance and promptness are always important. It you’re going to be unavoidably late or out sick, find out the proper method of informing them.

• Know and follow all office rules, policies and procedures. Read the employee manuals.

Please find out the informal rules.

• Listen and learn. Be open to new ways of doing things, even if you have taught differ-

By Olu Oyeniran

ently in school or on a different job. Don’t be quick to find fault, criticise or complain until you can prove you can do something a better way.

• Meet and exceed your employer’s expectations.

• Learn all you can about the job you were hired to do before thinking about moving up.

Communication • When you need to talk with your supervisor, ask when would be a good time to meet • Take advantage of your performance reviews. Stay calm. Learn from them. Ask how you can improve. Show results or jobs-related classes you’ve taken. Most Supervisors appreciate employees who are concerned about performance and in finding ways to improve.

Your job success is also their success.

• Be a team player. Be willing to help. Know the goals of your job and how your job fits into the overall organisation. Avoid a “knowit-all attitude. “Try to fit in with the team. Keep your sense of humor.

• Ask for help when you need it. If you make a mistake, let your supervisor know immediately. Find the proper chain of command. Discuss items with your supervisor first.

Personal • Prior to starting the job, have all your appointments with doctors, dentists, etc., out of the way. Have your transportation and daycare lined up so you don’t immediately have to take time off. Have an emergency plan for daycare and transportation.

• Be willing to learn new skills. Keep a record of classes you’re taking that relate to the job.

Review this with your supervisor at an appropriate time.

• Take time in making new friends. Find positive and upbeat co-workers. Avoid negative, critical and gossiping people.

• Be clean and well groomed. Wear clean and job-appropriate clothes. Pay attention to how your coworkers are dressed. Avoid wearing strong perfumes or colognes.

• Keep you personal life and problems at home. Do not use the employer’s equipment and time to do personal things like making personal phone calls, using the copy machine or resolving your personal problems on the job. If you’re having trouble resolving personal problems, counseling, support groups or employee assistance programmes may be useful.

• Create the image. Dress for the job you want next.

• Be patient with yourself and your employer.

It takes time to get used to, learn and like a new job.

• Volunteer to projects and committees if your work is completed and your supervisor approves.

Getting along with others • Don’t express your opinions, biases or prejudices about others while you’re at work.

Diversity is a priority in the workplace.

• Accept criticism as constructive. Don’t become defensive or take criticism personally.

Thank the person for their input. Consider changing if it’s warranted. If you’re unsure how to handle the situation, check with your supervisor.

• Always be friendly to everyone. Be willing to go the extra mile. This creates goodwill with employers, coworkers and customers.

• Notice who your boss relies on and model yourself after them.

• Find a mentor, someone who knows the employer and the job well enough to coach you or show you the ropes.

• Realise playing politics or power games could be dangerous and backfire on you.

• Treat everyone with courtesy and respect.

Remember that as you climb the career ladder, you may meet the same people on your way down the ladder.

• Keep your emotions under control. The job isn’t the place to express or show your opinions or feeling.

• Show appreciation. Let your supervisor know your appreciate their training, support, input, feedback, etc.

• Strive to be positively recognised. Be friendly and helpful to everyone at all levels.

Note: There will be a free seminar for The Nation readers on the 1st of October, 2009. See www.jobsearchhow.com/freeseminars for more information.

Acknowledgement:This article, originally titled “Job and Career Success” was provided by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Minnesota, US.

Olu Oyeniran is the Lead Consultant, EkiniConsult & Associates.

Website: www.jobsearchhow.com E-mail: oluoyeniran@yahoo.com Tel 08083843230 (SMS Only).

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

39

INSURANCE

N60b untapped in insurance, says NAICOM L OTS of untapped opportunities exist in the insurance sector, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and experts have said.

Commissioner for Insurance, Fola Daniel, who spoke in Calabar, identified micro-insurance and agric insurance as two untapped opportunities in the sector.

Micro-insurance is the protection of low-income people against specific perils in exchange for regular premium payment proportionate to the likelihood and cost of the risks involved. The targeted market is the low-income group. The target population typically consists of persons ignored by mainstream commercial and social insurance schemes.Agric insurance covers risks in the sector.

Daniel enjoined operators to channel their energies to the development of micro-insurance and agricultural insurance to develop the market at the grassroots and in-

Stories by Uyoatta Eshiet

crease the sector’s contributions to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

He said the commission had put in place a draft guideline for micro-insurance business, adding that the draft was being exposed to operators, experts and other stakeholders for their input and contributions before it would released to the industry.

Daniel said NAICOM had studied micro-insurance in collaboration with GIZ, a German agency for sustainable development and Access to Insurance Initiatives (AII) and its local consultants The NAICOM boss added that the group was divided into smaller teams and each was assigned to a specific region of the country. He said NAICOM was reviewing and analysing the reports.

Daniel maintained that micro-insurance has the potential for developing the insurance sector, not-

ing that the population of the country gives an added advantage to the industry to grow its market.

The development of micro-insurance is, indeed, one of the objectives of the Market Development and Restructuring Initiatives (MDRI), designed to increase the premium generated by licensed insurance companies and make meaningful contribution to the economy.

On agric insurance, Daniel said the commission expected some developments in the industry though the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) is empowered by its enabling law to insure subsidised agricultural risks in the country.

Managing Director, RiskguardA f r i c a N i g e r i a L imited Yemi Soladoye, said over N60 billion micro-insurance opportunities were untapped by insurers adding that micro-insurance remained the panacea for poverty eradication.

He urged insurers to develop products that suit the needs of the

public, stressing that any product that did not note defaults would fail. He said most insurers sold products and not solutions.

Soladoye noted that research has revealed that micro finance banks (MFBs) have over 20 million customers, adding that the customers are good prospects for micro insurance.

He said the problem of insurance is that most people lack education on how it operates, adding that it is worrisome that most operators recycle products developed by their counterparts.

Soladoye said 90 per cent of insurance operators were confused about the difference between insurance education and advertorials, stressing that people do not buy insurance because they lack knowledge of the benefits it provides.

Executive Vice-Chairman, Insurance Brokers of Nigeria Mr Prosper

Firm urges NAICOM to lift suspension order

F

• From left: Lucky dip winner of Lumia Smartphone, Ayodele Ojo; Ecosystem Developer Experience (EDX), Nokia West Africa, Teemu Kiijarvi and Marketing & Business Operations Director, Microsoft Nigeria, Awawu OlumideSojinrin at the Microsoft/Nokia Developer/Imagine Cup Phone awards press conference in Lagos.

Insurance stocks net gains amid apathy

D

ESPITE apathy, the insur ance sector recorded profits last week.

Reports obtained from the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) showed that insurance stocks moved upwards, ending the week on a positive note.

The sector, which together with banks form the financial services sector of the Exchange, contributed 76 per cent in terms of total volume of stocks traded and in financial involvement.

In a statement, the Exchange said the stocks sustained their rally through the week, ending the month positively. A turnover of 1.461 billion shares worth N10.142 billion in 20,322 deals were recorded this week, in contrast to 878.53 million shares valued at N9.907 billion that exchanged hands last week in 11,633 deals.

In price movement, the NSE activity report week showed that the Bloomberg NSE Insurance Index appreciated by 1.52 per cent to close at 124.08.

Further analysis revealed the following position at the beginning of trading on the floor of the exchange. The insurance index opening position was 122.22, whereas at the close of trading last Friday, the position stood at 124.08, giving a positive weekly change of 1.86 and percentage change of 1.52.

Despite the positive closing position recorded last week by the insurance sector, its percentage Year to–date change closed negative, at -13.56 as the week closing position was a far cry from the Year opening position which stood at 143.54.

Also last week, Mansad Insurance Plc submitted its audited half-year results for the period ended June, 30, 2012. Its

audited gross premium stood at N7.890 billion as against N6.101 billion recorded in the same period in 2011, compared with N10.004 billion as at December 31, 2011.

Profit After Tax for the reviewed period stood at N902.144 million, as against N555.006 million in the same period in 2011, compared with the total audited profit of N964.933 million recorded as at December 31, 2011.

Its net asset as at June 30, 2012 stood at N14.119 billion, compared with N13.866 billion recorded at the end of 2011.

Prestige Assurance Plc and Custodian & Allied Insurance Plc, have sent in their half year unaudited results for the period ended June 30,

2012. According to the result, its gross premium moved from N2.001 billion in 2011 to N2.201 billion in 2012.

While the profit after tax reduced from N464.404 million in 2011 to N92.710 million in 2012 the net assets of the company rose from N4.743 billion in 2011 to N4.855 billion in the reviewed period.

Custodian & Allied Insurance Plc on recorded N4.584 billion as their premium revenue for the period ended June 30, 2012 compared with N3.958b in a similar period in 2011. Profit after tax stood at N957.825 million by June this year compared with N1.285 billion in the same period in 2011.

However, the net asset increased to N12.896 billion compared with N12.382 billion last year.

IDELITY Bond Group has urged the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to lift its suspension order on the firm or it would seek legal redress.

The firm’s lawyers, G.C. Ndubisi & Co. in a letter dated August 16, 2012, sent to the commission and made available to The Nation, said the brokering firm intended to take the regulatory body to court, one month from that date, if it failed to retract the order.

The letter reads in part: “That sometimes ago, precisely on August 13, 2012, the National Insurance Commission published a public notice that Fidelity Bond Group had been prohibited from trading as a Fidelity Bond Group for a period of six months and to be renewed for another period if the alleged infractions of violating insurance Act 2003 and NAICOM Act 1997 are not addressed”.

It stated that Fidelity Bond is not an insurance company and, as such, is not subject to insurance laws.

“The statement by NAICOM was made negligently and recklessly

N

false pretence (seven counts), embezzlement (seven counts), larceny by employee (seven counts), corporate m(seven counts), Felony conspiracy (seven counts).

Edward Earl Waters, 61, of 610 Walston Ave., Kinston, is charged with: obtaining property by false pretense (seven counts), embezzlement (seven counts), larceny by employee (seven counts), corporate malfeasance (seven counts), felony conspiracy (seven counts) and Franklin Ronnie Steed, 65, of 453 Flat Swamp Lake Road, Denton, is charged with: obtaining property by false pretence (six counts), embezzlement( six counts), larceny by employee (six counts), corporate malfeasance (six

and has caused hardship and damages to our client and its business,” the statement added.

The lawyers said they intended to start legal action against NAICOM to seek the following reliefs: a declaration that the publication purporting to prohibit Fidelity Bond Group is unconstitutional, ultra vires and, therefore, null and void and in bad faith and damages N5 billion for negligence and unconstitutional acts, among others.

On August 7, 2012, NAICOM suspended two insurance firms and a brokering firm, Fidelity Bond Insurance Brokers, from transacting business for six months, from August 6, 2012.

The suspension, NAICOM stated, was as a result of the failure of firms to comply with relevant provisions of the NAICOM Act 1997 and the Insurance Act 2003.

The alleged offences of the firms include non-rendition of accounts, misrepresentation and non-disclosure of liabilities; non-remittance of premiums and commissions and corporate governance abuses.

Life insurance giants fined for claim payouts

S

TATE insurance regulators have sanctioned four life insurance companies that operate in Minnesota for allegedly steering death-benefit recipients to keep the money in special accounts the companies run, instead of taking lump sum payouts.

The companies — Prudential, John Hancock, MetLife and ING — were each fined $200,000 and ordered to change their claims

Four arrested for alleged $5.3m fraud ORTH Carolina Commissioner Wayne Goodwin has announced the arrests of four individuals accused of participating in an embezzlement scheme involving $5.3 million in the U.S. Edward Roland Steed, 67, of 109 Wind Dance Lane, Swansboro, is charged with: obtaining property by false pretence (seven counts) embezzlement (seven counts), larceny by employee (seven counts), corporate malfeasance (seven counts), felony conspiracy (20 counts).

Marvin Lyle Quinn, 55, of 120 Cassedale Drive, Goldsboro, is charged with: obtaining property by

Okpue, said insurance penetration within the critical mass market was very low. This is because the supply chain to capture that critical mass is under-developed. There are not enough insurance brokers who could deal at micro and personal insurance levels. What is more, absence of professionally educated insurance agents and middlemen who are supposed to help the market build the bridge to the micro level is not there.

Aside penetration, the average person lacks confidence in insurance. The suspicion that claims would not be paid limits growth of the insurance market. This suggests that underwriters will have to improve their business practices. Nevertheless, there is a need for education of insurance consumers on the importance of buying insurance products.

counts) and felony conspiracy (six counts).

The North Carolina Department of Insurance opened a criminal investigation in November 2011 after officials from Discovery Insurance in Kinston notified the department of financial discrepancies in the company’s claims department.

Edward Steed, a former employee of Discovery Insurance, is accused of fraudulently using company claim funds to write checks to fictitious businesses owned by Quinn and Waters.

Franklin Steed is accused of receiving and cashing checks from Discovery Insurance that Edward Steed had allegedly made out to names of fictitious individuals. The men are accused

forms in Minnesota and re-establish cash lump sum payouts as the default option, according to the consent orders the state Department of Commerce has said. The pacts don’t provide direct compensation for individual consumers.

The department estimates that thousands of Minnesotans were affected by confusing paperwork and said the practices have gone on for years and, in the case of some companies, decades. The companies agreed to the penalties without admitting wrongdoing.

“Some folks don’t even realise that they could have had a lump sum payment,” Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman said. “It’s certainly wrong. It’s inappropriate.”

The insurance company accounts aren’t FDIC insured like a bank account, and function like a money market account. The company gives beneficiaries access to the death benefit money and pays interest on it — a Prudential spokesman said it pays around 0.5 per cent.

Meanwhile, the companies invest the money and pocket the profits as a bank would.

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

40

LABOUR

Union accuses employers of violating trade pact M ETAL Products Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (MEPROSSAN), has decried what it calls the flagrant violation of the collective agreement reached with employers.

It said it had declared a trade dispute after 10 months of fruitless National Joint Industrial Council Negotiation with Employers Association, AMPISEN. Addressing members at its delegates conference in Lagos, former Acting President Comrade Ambrose Oha said procedural agreement and Labour Law were against violation of agreement. He said the union wanted salary issues resolved at the plant level and procedures for redundancy and termination of appointment to be effected as reflected in the agreement.

Oha urged AMPISEN to direct its member companies to study the provisions of the law carefully before implementation, so that the growing rate of discord between employer and employees will not be extended to individual companies in the sector. The union warned employers against tagging workers as a “bunch of rascals.”

He said trade unionists are people driven by the pains that the masses go through.

Stories by Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu

“They are people who are willing to stop at nothing until employers and government do what is necessary in any society. They are agents of change, he stated.

His words: “Capital alone cannot generate wealth without labour. They have to co-exist with each respecting the other. We want capital to wear a human face in dealing with workers and sharing of the wealth generated by the workers.” He said while the union wishes to continue to work for perfect industrial peace and harmony, it will still not compromise the welfare of its members.

Oha lamented that the sector has become a dumping ground for cheap and poor quality goods. “The typical examples of these are the importation of finished metal containers, nails, bolts, screws, window frames, iron rods, galvanised roofing sheets, cooking utensils and a host of others.”

He said some employers have capitalised on these challenges among others to downsize without fully exploring other avenues to ameliorate adversities, adding that resorting to downsizing does not re-

ally solve the problem facing the private sector.

On expatriate quota, Oha appealed to government to come to the employees’ rescue. “Expatriates believe they can work harder than Nigerians. They are paid higher than Nigerian engineers. They enjoy free transportation and housing, yet we do the same job.”

The labour leader said though some expatriates are better than some Nigerian engineers, there are also some expatriates that Nigerians are better than, adding that if Nigerian engineers were exposed to the same training opportunities and facilities like their expatriate counterparts, they would do much more.

“Nowadays, you see some contracts with restrictive clauses, stating that only expatriates supervisors must be employed by the contractors. Such practices must be declared illegal. It is nothing but apartheid,” he lamented.

While the union appreciates the fact that effort is being made by government to bring in foreign investors to boost employment, the union also warned that it is not to the extent of leaving virtually everything in the hands of foreigners. “It just does not make sense for

expatriates to bring in filters and labourer to do jobs Nigerians can do with ease. We have capable hands in this country that can do these jobs. All these anomalies cannot happen in other countries,” said MEPROSSAN. On payment of terminal benefits of ALSCON staff, the union said the necessary payment should be effected immediately to enable the ex-workers take care of their immediate needs and their wards.

The union stated that it is contrary to Labour guidelines of National Council on Privatisation (NCP), regarding settlement of staff and liabilities in companies slated for privatization before handing over to a new coreinvestor as was the case of ALSCON. ‘’The total indebtedness to the over 1,800 former ALSCON staff as contained in the agreement between the two staff unions in the sector, MEPROSSAN and SEWUN and Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE), is N2.8billion ,” said Oha. The union lamented that since December, 2010 that the bill was signed and subsequent ratification made, no action was taken as regards implementation. The union appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to assist the workers towards immediate payment of the money.

Maritime workers threaten to shut ports

M

ARITIME Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has threatened to shut down the ports over alleged illegal midstream operations of some multinationals and shipping companies. Such activities , it claimed, undermines the economy and impoverish dock workers.

President-General, MWUN, Comrade Tony Nted, who gave the warning at the launch of Dockworkers’ Welfare and Loan Scheme, lamented that multinationals and shipping companies have not only been undermining the economy, but also giving jobs meant for dockworkers to foreigners.

He said what obtained in the maritime industry was unacceptable, adding that “a situation where some of the shipping companies bring vessels offshore without recourse to stevedoring contractors appointed by the Federal Government to manage it, must be stopped. They do these illegal activities to evade payment of Customs duty, Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) charges, stevedoring charges, and other charges related to ports operations.

“We have written several petitions to the Presidency, to the Minister of Transports and NPA to no avail over this illegal mid stream operations.

They engage unregistered workforce and foreigners to do the work of registered dockworkers who are left idle.

“There was a time we had a meeting with some of the multinationals, their argument was that the place they are operating is about 200 nautical miles.

But the question we ask is, this socalled 200 nautical miles, is it within the Nigerian territorial waters? If the answer is yes, which we know is the case, who are those working there, are they ghosts? If the place is too far for registered dockworkers to work, those working there illegally, how did they get there? he queried.

•From left: National Secretary, MEPROSSAN, Comrade Oluwatosin Abe; former President, MEPROSSAN, Comrade M.A. Momodu; National President, MEPROSSAN, Comrade Ambrose Abe & Chairman Executive Secretary, Association of Food, Beverage and Zubicco employers, AFBTE, Mr Aderime Adegboyega at the event.

TUC seeks ‘honest’ power Minister RGANISED labour has called on the Federal Government to appoint an honest person as Power Minister, following the exit of Prof Barth Nnaji.

Speaking with reporters, Trade Union Congress (TUC) Secretary- General John Kolawole said since the reform of the power sector is in the President’s hand Nnaji’s resignation would not affect the plan.

O

He said the expectation of TUC was for President Goodluck Jonathan to look for a trustworthy person to fill the post.

Kolawole said workers had never been against the reform, but were only demanding for their benefits, urging government to give the workers their entitlements.

Also, the President , Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, said the Power

Kwara council workers shelve strike

T

HE Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Kwara State has withdrawn its 14-day ultimatum to the government over unpaid salaries of its members.

Its Secretary, Comrade Abayomi Afolabi, after a meeting with officials of governmentin Ilorin attended by officials of the Association Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), said the workers were ready to partner with the government.

The union, he said, had reached an understanding with the government,

which has agreed to pay all outstanding salaries.

Blaming the issuance, of ultimatum on communication gap between labour and the government, Afolabi, however, said it would be wrong for anybody to insinuate that the union was being used by opposition.

He said local government workers should not be denied their entitlements because majority of those who elected the government are from the grassroots.

The NULGE Secretary said the union was not opposed to the biometric verifi-

cation of workers’ and the joint project account, adding: “We only frown at the non-payment of salaries.’’

The Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Ademola Banu, said the meeting with labour yielded result.

Banu, appealed to the workers to show more understanding , saying the delay in salary payment was caused by late release of federal allocation in the past few months.

NULGE had given the government a 14-day strike notice if it failed to pay outstanding workers salaries.

Minister should be labour friendly and have the sincere mind to actualise the objective of the government.

His words: “We praise President Goodluck Jonathan for accepting the resignation of Prof. Barth Nnaji.

Although NLC welcomed the longawaited exit of Nnaji, the union called on President Jonathan to immediately institute a thorough investigation into his tenure as the minister in the Power Ministry.

“We wish to praise President Goodluck Jonathan for accepting the long overdue “resignation” of Prof Barth Nnaji, who throughout his tenure as minister overtly displayed his contempt for workers and did not also hide his personal interest in the industry.

“These clearly showed he was never qualified to head that ministry in the first instance as his personal business interests in the sector definitely compromised his office.

“We urge Mr. President to immediately speed up the resolution of all outstanding labour issues in the industry, including the withdrawal of armed soldiers that were invited to intimidate workers,” Omar said.

“I have nothing but great memories from my time with Tottenham and nothing will ever take away this wonderful part of my career. The fans gave me so much love and respect during my time there and I want them to know that the feeling is mutual from me to them. The chance to join the biggest club in world football was impossible for me to ignore and this is the reason why I left Tottenham. It was a little difficult in the final few weeks as the transfer went on for longer than expected, but I hope there is no hard feelings towards me from Spurs.”

FERGIE: Monday, September 10, 2012

Inzaghi ready for coaching debut

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C Milan youth boss Filippo Inzaghi says he wants to convey his passion to his players ahead of his coaching debut on Sunday.

The 39-year-old brought the curtain down on a glittering career at the end of the 2011/12 season, scoring the winning goal against Novara, before taking up the reins of the club's youth side.

Inzaghi's charges take on Bologna in their first game of the season, with the former Italy international hopeful of a good result.

"I am calm and

peaceful about this new experience. I've worked with these guys for three weeks," Inzaghi told Sky Sports Italia.

"I hope they play a good match. I (have prepared for) this by studying the opponents and picking the team that I thought was most useful.

"Hopefully I've sent these guys my passion. I am clearly at the beginning of this career as a manager, but I think I've already been able to give these kids tips on diet, and on the rules an athlete must follow in order to remain the best."

I'll pay anything

Modric: I love Tottenham fans

for Ronaldo S

IR Alex Ferguson has reportedly asked Manchester United to pay whatever it will take to re-sign Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid.

The Portuguese superstar expressed his unhappiness with life at the Bernabeu after refusing to celebrate his two goals against Granada last Sunday, although he would not reveal any details regarding his feelings, saying only that they were

•Inzaghi

New real Madrid playmaker, Luka Modric, expressing love for his former club, Tottenham Hotspur.

"professional" reasons.

Madrid president Florentino Perez was quick to dismiss rumours the forward was edging for a move away from the La Liga champions, while manager Jose Mourinho flat out refused to comment on the situation, sparking reports the 27-year-old was indeed fed up with life in Spain.

Ferguson, who signed Ronaldo from Sporting CP for £12.24million in 2003

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EW Real Madrid playmaker Luka Modric has revealed he holds no hard feelings towards former club Tottenham Hotspur.

The Croatian finally completed his protracted £33m move to the Bernebeu last month, after a summer of fierce negotiations between the clubs.

Modric was thought to be furious with Spurs – particularly chairman Daniel Levy – for refusing to allow him to join the Spanish giants sooner, while the former Dynamo Zagreb man was also left upset by the Londoners’ refusal to grant him a move to Chelsea last summer.

But the 26-year-old has revealed quite different sentiments, saying he has nothing but fond memories from his time in the Premier League. before selling him to Real Modric is quoted as saying by ESPN. for a whopping £80m in ““I have nothing but great memories 2009, is thought to be keen from my time with Tottenham and on bringing him back to nothing will ever take away this Old Trafford, and has wonderful part of my career,”The fans reportedly told United's gave me so much love and respect o w n e r s t o c o u g h u p during my time there and I want them whatever amount it would to know that the feeling is mutual from take to lure the player back me to them. to Manchester.

“The chance to join the biggest club in However, any potential deal would only be able to world football was impossible for me to be completed in January as ignore and this is the reason why I left t h e t r a n s f e r w i n d o w Tottenham. It was a little difficult in the slammed shut on August final few weeks as the transfer went on for longer than expected, but I hope 31. there is no hard feelings towards me from Spurs.”

Modric’s feelings may not be shared by all of the White Hart Lane faithful, however. The European Championship midfield schemer and helped his country refused to overcome Ukraine in a participate in the group encounter. club’s pre-season Left-back Ashley Cole tour of the US had already been ruled out this July and sat with the ankle injury which out Spurs •Modric prevented him from opening two playing in Chisinau and league games, as remains on 98 caps. he angled for a But Leighton Baines move to Spain. proved a capable deputy against Moldova and scored England's final goal.

Mourinho wary of Dortmund threat Terry out of Ukraine clash

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EAL Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has labelled Borussia Dortmund a threat to his side's progression from Group D of the Champions League.

In a group containing Manchester City and Ajax, the Portuguese praised the progress exhibited by the German champions over the past couple of seasons, and maintained Real Madrid would have to be wary of their opponents' capabilities.

"I'm not sure (if Manchester City are our biggest opponents).

Borussia Dortmund have been champions of Germany twice in a row," the 49-year-old warned.

"They are well organised and very experienced, with many

international-calibre players from Germany, and the top two from Poland. Their stadium and fans are impressive too."

Mourinho then aimed a sideswipe at Roberto Mancini's Premier League winners, claiming all the money in the world would not necessarily buy them European success.

"The Abu Dhabi investors have invested so much, because they want to ensure the European Cup does not slip out of their hands," the former Chelsea boss said.

"Nevertheless, the tradition of clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich cannot be bought. The best players in the world will always go there."

•Mourinho

•Terry

It would be Cahill's first appearance at Wembley since he suffered the broken jaw against Belgium which ruled him out of Euro 2012.

Phil Jagielka, who partnered Lescott when they were team-mates at Everton, is the other player in contention.

Terry was one of England's most consistent performers at the

PARALYMPICS

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OHN Terry has been ruled out of England's World Cup qualifier with Ukraine at Wembley on Tuesday due to his ankle injury, the Football Association have confirmed.

Terry suffered the setback during Friday night's 5-0 win in Moldova and England finished the game with 10 men after the Chelsea defender limped out of the action in the closing stages.

He continued to have treatment yesterday after returning to England but it has been decided, an FA spokesman said, that Terry will not recover sufficiently in time to face the Ukrainians.

Gary Cahill is likely to replace Terry and partner Joleon Lescott at centreback in the second qualifying match of the campaign.

Paralympians are hardcore - Pistorius OSCAR Pistorius believes London 2012 has proved that the Paralympic Games is not just about inspirational stories, but "hardcore sport".

The South African brought the curtain down on a summer of action at the Olympic Stadium on Saturday night with a belated first gold medal of the Games, emphatically winning the 400 metres title and he leaves London with the impression the public perception of the Paralympics has changed.

"I think people are going to look back at this Paralympic Games and for the first time really, truly believe that Paralympic sport is not just inspirational, it's hardcore sport," he said. "It's full of triumph, sometimes it has

disappointment, but that's what we look for in sport."

He added: "We want it to be competitive and that's what it's been about. I couldn't have hoped for anything better, this has been one of the biggest highlights of my life."

It was a fine way to end a week which had started in hugely controversial circumstances for the 25-yearold, after he launched a furious attack on the long blades worn by Alan Fonteles Oliveira after the Brazilian beat him to 200m gold.

Pistorius has since apologised and been at pains not to re-enter the debate, however many times he is asked. And, following that, Pistorius lost his 100m title to British teenager Jonnie

Peacock.

But, regardless of his farewell win, Pistorius' claims minutes after he stepped off the track after the 200m that he was not competing on a level playing field have overshadowed his achievements on it.

•Pistorius

43

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Politicians, lawyers and rights activists are expressing reservations about the report of the AigImoukhuede Panel on Payment of Fuel Subsidies submitted to the Finance Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Deputy Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU writes on the politics of the fuel subsidy probe.

Cloudy politics of fuel subsidy probe H

AS the fuel subsidy probe gone with the wind? This is the question agitating the minds of many politicians, lawyers, rights activists and other Nigerians.

To them, government and key players in the oil industry have been playing politics with the protracted probe. This, they argue, has created a hollow in the anti-corruption battle.

“You can only know the beginning of a probe in Nigeria. After some time, the noise will go down and a report will emerge, but it will be thrown into the dustbin”, said Lanre Suraj, a lawyer and human rights activist.

A member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Lanre Odubote, lamented that the subsidy probe had lingered for 10 months, making Nigerians to perceive it as a gimmick employed by government to douse tension while avoiding the basic issues.

“The House of Representatives has done its bit. It set up a committee.

The panel did its work. I know the position of the House is that the report should not be swept under the carpet, despite the allegations against the committee chairman”, said the legislator from Epe. The subsidy crisis engulfed the country early in the year. It started in Lagos and some major cities. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC had declared a nation-wide strike.

Protesters invaded the streets challenging the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government. The House of Representatives waded into the crisis by investigating the scam. Although the Green Chamber passed a resolution that President Goodluck Jonathan should not remove the subsidy, he ignored it.

His media aide, Dr. Rueben Abati said it was an advice that was not binding on the government.

Later, the House set up an Ad Hoc Committee chaired by Alhaji Farouk Lawan to investigate the fraud. The committee was embroiled in another scam. Nigerians feared that the report was about to be discarded because the hunters were being hunted. A businessman, Mr. Femi Otedola alleged that he offered bribe to the committee chairman.

Lawan said he played along in the bribery saga with intent to arm himself with evidence against the oil magnate, who he alleged, induced him with bribe. Otedola’s company was previously on the list of indicted firms. On the floor, Lawan explained that it appeared on the list in error. The Police are yet to conclude its investigation on the alleged bribery.

There was momentary relief when the Finance Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, set up the AigImoukhuede Technical Committee on Fuel Subsidy Payments. Following the submission of the report to the federal government, criticisms

from many stakeholders have also been trailing the report.

Children of big wigs in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were indicted. Leading oil companies associated with top party leaders were also fingered in the fraud. In the 2011 fuel subsidy payments, 88 firms were found culpable. But powerful people behind the transactions have kicked against the findings, saying that some of them were exaggerated.

Now, politicians, oil marketers and some lawyers have asked the government to set up an independent committee to review the AigImoukhuede Report. They alleged that he is also an interested party.

According to the report, the indicted firms allegedly collected subsidies without auditors’ signature and evidence of Bill of Lading. Not only were subsidies paid without evidence, but banks also disclaimed the transactions. In addition, the panel said that subsidies were paid for some mother vessels for petrol which were not in operation at the time of transactions.

Marketers, which allegedly imported petrol using “dead ships” included Valviza Petroleum Limited, Alminnur Resources Limited, Eurafric Coastal Services Limited, Nasaman Oil Services Limited, Sifax Oil and Gas Company Limited, Pinnacle Contractors Limited and Top Oil and Gas Development Company Limited. All these are subject to thorough investigation and successful prosecution.

Other questions have been raised.

Would this go the way of previous scams that were punished with mere plea bargainings which allowed culprits escape with slaps on the wrist? The cases involving former Oceanic Bank Managing Director, Mrs. Cecilia Ibru and former Edo State Governor Lucky Igbinedion have been cited as examples. Also cited are cases that have been in court for more than six years without clear direction and others dismissed by the courts for failure of the prosecution to adduce sufficient evidence.

The Aig-Imoukhuede committee reported that subsidies paid on the seven transactions amount to N8.138 billion. That implied that subsidies may have been paid on uncertain transactions. “Unless the affected companies are able to prove otherwise and show evidence of the existence of the mother vessels, they should refund all the subsidies re-

• Lawan

ceived in full.

“The Petroleum Products Price Regulatory Agency’s (PPPRA) role in approving the subsidy payments for the transactions should also be investigated”, said the committee.

But some oil marketing companies have described the committee’s report as shoddy and hasty. They complained that the panel did not invite them to make some clarifications before it drew its conclusions. They also alleged that some firms, whose funds were processed by Access Bank Plc, whose Managing Director headed the committee, were conveniently left off the hook while others processed by other banks were indicted. The bank denied the allegation.

The oil marketing firms argued that, although the record of transaction accounts released by PPPRA showed that Access Bank Plc handled the highest number of transaction counts, with 118 of the total 857 counts, none of the companies involved in the 118 counts was indicted by the committee.

The record of accounts handled by banks as released by PPPRA showed that Access Bank handled 118, AfriBank (Mainstreet Bank) 14, BankPHB (Keystone) 18, Ecobank 78, Citibank six, Equatorial Trust Bank eight, Diamond Bank eight, Fidelity Bank 17, First Bank 100, GTBank 53, Intercontinental bank 46, Oceanic Bank 42, Skye Bank 17, Spring Bank (Enterprise Bank) nine, Stanbic IBTC Bank one, Standard Chartered Bank 15, Sterling Bank 58, Union Bank 31, Wema Bank three, United Bank for Africa 51, Zenith Bank nine, while those without reference had four counts.

Lagos lawyer, Jiti Ogunye, observed that the presence of Imoukhuede on both the technical committee and the 15-man panel may have adversely affected the confidence of the discerning public on the reports. He said President Goodluck Jonathan should have chosen a neutral person to chair the technical committee. But the Federal Government maintained that the eminent banker was fit for the duty because he had excelled in the industry and carried himself with dig-

• Okonjo-Iweala

nity.

The Federal Government approved N240 billion in last year’s budget as petrol subsidy, but the Finance Minister told the Senate that N2.19 trillion was released to petrol importers. This irked the Save Nigeria Group (SNG) and other civil society organisations who suspected a foul play When civil society groups mounted pressure on the government, two committees were set up. A technical committee was first set up by the Finance Ministry, followed by a presidential committee, set up to review the work of the technical committee. Both were headed by Aig-Imoukhuede.

One of the firms involved in the subsidy transactions is Ice Energy, whose Director, Aigbovbiose AigImoukhuede, is said to be a relative of the Access Bank boss. The Managing Director, Chuks Iroche, had denied any business relationship with the Access Bank boss.

Another rights activist, Udengs Eradiri, who also queried the credibility of the Aig-Imoukhuede-committee report said: “Anyone expecting any justice from the panel is deceiving himself. He will never indict himself or his colleagues. With that committee, the Federal Government has dashed the hopes of Nigerians on the fuel subsidy scandal.”

Citing example of the recent resignation of the Minister of Power, Prof.

Barth Nnaji, over conflict of interest in the ongoing privatization in the power sector, Eradiri therefore, called for the suspension of the report while the Access Bank MD steps aside and a fresh panel set up to review his committee’s work.

House of Representatives member from Ikeja Constituency Mr. James Faleke, who spoke with reporters in Abuja, said Nigerians were aggrieved because of the turn of events.

He said probes are not pastime that would lead to nowhere, assuring that the House will not sweep the report of the Lawan Farouk Committee under the carpet.

“Eyes are on the government and the Finance Ministry. Probes are meaningful, if the indicted are brought to book. This also has to do

‘But some oil marketing companies have described the committee’s report as shoddy and hasty. They complained that the panel did not invite them to make some clarifications before it drew its conclusions.

They also alleged that some firms, whose funds were processed by Access Bank Plc, whose Managing Director headed the committee, were conveniently left off the hook while others processed by other banks were indicted. The bank denied the allegation’

• Otedola

with the anti-graft war of the federal government. Those found culpable should be punished by the law”, he added.

One other aspect of the subsidy claims and counter claims is the attempt to shield officials of government agencies and departments from facing the law. If private firms were paid for making claims and receiving payments for products not delivered, does it not stand to reason that there must have been collusion with officials of relevant agencies?

Why is no one talking about heads of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) and even the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and even the Ministry of Petroleum Resources?

Some oil marketing firms free from the investigation have cried out that the procedure adopted by the Federal Government could have more adverse effects on the economy than intended. As the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) indicated last month when they threatened to embark on strike action, there are fears that about 30,000 jobs could be lost if the subsidy saga is not urgently and carefully addressed. Statistics from the NNPC and the Petroleum Ministry indicate that, since March, the NNPC has taken up the role of importing about 85 per cent of the refined products for domestic consumption. The Corporation claims that it is being owed more than 1 trillion Naira. Is this being investigated?

Another question being asked is what has happened in the case of kerosene importation. Is it being subsidized? Since the NNPC is fully and solely responsible for supply of DPK, why is the light not being beamed on this cloudy part?

It is disturbing that the Minister of Petroleum Resources is now being presented as a crusader, but it should not be lost on anyone that since Dr. Okonjo-Iweala is the Supervising Minister of the Economy, she and her ministry also remain suspects unless and until all investigation is over. The same applies to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) The last has not been heard on the subsidy scam. The Attorney General of the Federation owes all Nigerians a duty to ensure that the investigation is thorough and as speedy as possible. All those who have fed fat on the public till, the civil society campaigners have pointed out, must be fished out, but he has to ensure that, in the process, only the guilty are identified and diligently prosecuted, while the innocent are saved the agony. Besides, the overriding objective must be beneficial to the national economy.

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

44

POLITICS Elections: Amosun, Ajimobi, others speak on military involvement From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

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GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, his Oyo State counterpart, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, and some prominent political leaders in the Southwest will today in Ibadan examine military involvement in election monitoring in a democracy.

It is expected that the leaders will also offer suggestions on howto resolve pressing problems facing the electoral process preparatory to 2015 polls.

The governors will deliver papers at 2012 Press Week lecture of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists {NUJ}, Oyo state which kicked off yesterday.

Governor Amosun will be speaking on Military Involvement in Participatory Democracy, especially in the area of monitoring elections while his Oyo state counterpart, Senator Abiola Ajimobi will give a keynote address as well declare the event open at Lafia Hall, Lafia Hotel by 12pm.

The Week kicked off yesterday with a church service at the Stone Church, Mokola.

Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Senator Babajide Omoworare of Osun East senatorial district, in another lecture, shall speak on Democracy and Military: Any Synergy on September 12, while the chairman of Iddo Local Government, Professor Joseph Olowofela will deliver a lecture on Grassroots Democracy and Security on Thursday.

The event will come to a close on Friday with a jumat service and awards on some Nigerians who have impacted on the chapel and who have promoted good neighbourliness and championed the promotion of Yuruba culture in their callings.

The awardees include: Mr. Supo Kosemani of the Council of Arts and Culture, Oyo State; Sybil Akinfenwa, the Divisional Police Officer of Sango Police Station; Dr. Femi Majekodunmi, a chieftain of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP); Mr. Adebayo Jimoh, the Group Managing Director of Odua conglomerate and Mr. Olawale Ajao of Alaroye newspapers.

In his sermon on the challenges plaguing the country, and the seeming helplessness of its leaders towards surmounting them at the thanksgiving service yesterday, Pastor Oluwole Benjamin suggested seeking God’s face as the only solution out of the quagmire.

He expressed optimism that Nigeria would not disintegrate as some ethnic nationalities had been drumming, but rather would get out of the socio-economic and political woods it has been enmeshed in.

Awo Foundation calls for designs

By Augustine Avwode

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N preparation for the maiden award of the Obafemi Awolowo Leadership Prize, The Obafemi Awolowo Foundation has called for designs of the Prize Certificate, medal and plaque.

In a statement at the weekend signed by the Executive Director Dr. Olatokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu, the Foundation explained that the award would take place “around March 6, 2013”.

“The Foundation has decided to open the designs for the Award Certificate, Medal and Plaque to allow for competition and it is, therefore, calling on interested artists to submit such designs, which will be critically adjudged by an expert Art Selection Committee, made up of some of the most accomplished Nigerian artists, after which the winning designs will be selected”.

The Foundation further explained: “We envisage that the medal will be cast in metal and the plaque can be made of glass, Perspex or wood. The certificate will be an original painting on high quality art paper”.

Participation is open to artists of all ages and varying accomplishments. The winners will be rewarded with “modest cash prizes”. But the Foundation added that “more than the financial reward, however, is the honour that being the creators of the designs on the symbols of the Obafemi Awolowo Leadership Prize will confer upon the winners, in perpetuity”.

While inviting students of creative arts and professional artists to the contest, the Foundation advised all interested participants to contact the secretariat located along Gbagada Phase 2, Lagos, for more details just as it has set November 30, as the closing date.

• The late Awolowo

Prince Segun Seriki was a member of the House of Representatives and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State. He spoke with Deputy Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU on the crisis in the chapter.

‘Obasanjo is killing PDP in Ogun’

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HO is the authentic chair-man of Ogun PDP between Sena tor Dipo Odujirin and Mr. Bayo Dayo?

There is nothing like authentic chairman. The chairman is Bayo Dayo. This crisis about leadership is being created by those disgruntled elements who are opposed to legitimate leadership.

What is responsible for this leadership crisis?

The crisis has a background. PDP found itself in this situation because of the inter-play of democracy whereby those who are not true representatives of the people were aspiring to leadership. Gbenga Daniel came and ran an expansive and successful campaigns that led to victory. A question arose over who should be the leader between Daniel and Jubril Martins-Kuye. The governor came with a lot of activities. in between the discussion on leadership, a third force, Buruji Kashamu came. Former Governor Daniel held forte and had control over some members of the state executive committee.

Buruji also worked and had influence on substantial party executives. others, including Martins-Kuye and Chief Olusegun Obassanjo had no influence on the party. They relied on old glory and reputation.

Including the JMG Group?

JMK Group only existed in name, based on past reputation of its leader as former governorship candidate.

Then came Harmonisation of the executive committee. Parties agreed to the harmonisation. However, a court judgment brought a judicial unification. But some people disagreed and Daniel’s followers went to PPN. No factional list of candidates was presented for 2011 election. I was in the Daniel’s group and aspired to be a federal legislator, but I realised that there was a substantial court order forbidding Daniel’s group from holding primaries. I told the governor, but he refused. I left the group and left for the other side to contest because I could not disobey the rule of law. If we don’t obey the rule of law, the country is doomed.

It is painful that former executive office holders are violating the law. It is dangerous for Nigeria. Our respected leader unilaterally nominated Gen. Idowu Olurin for the governorship election under Dayo Soremi leadership. We had reservations, based on his antecedents. The question us why should Chief Obasanjo disallow Dayo Soremi from conducting primaries that would lead to handover of party power to another executive council.

Obasanjo is frustration Ogun PDP with that illegality and that is not right. The political loss of 2011 showed

• Seriki

that there are two PDP gladiators of meaningful influence in Ogun and these are Buruji Kashamu and Daniel. Unfortunately, Daniel’s followers are in PPN. What should be done is to bring Daniel’s followers back to the PDP. But former office holders and opportunistic office seekers go to Obasanjo. This makes him to believe that he is a popular leader. If care is not taken, Obasanjo will kill PDP in Ogun State.

You said Obasanjo is not popular, but why are people going to him?

It is because the system allows individual and personal nomination of ministerial candidates to the President. when ministers are to be appointed, Soremi prepared a list, but Obasanjo personally nominated the candidates and his list was honoured by the President. The party’s list was rejected. That is why opportunistic people flock to Obasanjo’s house.

Are you saying that Obasanjo is the problem of PDP Ogun?

Obasanjo is the nemesis of the PDP. He promotes arbitrariness in the processes he adopts. He unilaterally nominated Olurin and ministers.

He was president for eight years.

He had the opportunity to become the Awolowo of PDP in Ogun State.

Dayo Soremi’s executive presented his candidate, Olurin, but he did not allow the committee to do the right thing by handing over to a legitimate executive. Sycophants now hide under this trend to deceive Obasanjo. The impunity continues.

What is the way out?

We should promote the rule of law. We will fight to the end until the constitution prevails. men of

• Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (middle) and his wife, Alhaja Serifat; former Defence Minister Aliyu Mohammed (second left); former Minister of Information Chief Alex Akinyele (right); and Commissioner for Special Duties Lagos State, Honourable Wale Hammed, during the conferment of Governor of the Year in Information Communication Technology [ICT] on Aregbesola at the 8th Nigerian Telecom Awards at Incubator Event Centre, Chief Yusufu Abiodun Way, Victoria Island, Lagos State... yesterday.

goodwill should not old their arms.

The Ogun PDP issue is a test case for Nigeria. Free and fair election is not about election date, it is about enforcing the law and complying with the law. What is free and fair on election day when people who are not relevant are presented to you as candidates? the processes leading to the election is fundamental. Can the country be run based on the whims and caprices of the big people who muscle up the process?

What about the alleged gang-up to create a parallel executive to the Bayo Dayo executive?

A court validated the process that led to the emergence of the Bayo Dayo executive. The law breakers. went to court and in the process committed a contempt of court and they were jailed.

They have continued their illegalities because Obasanjo supports them.

Obasnajo does not have the image of a person who has respect for the rule of law and gentleman’s agreement.

There are evidence of betrayal of agreements by Obasanjo. I was in Solomon Lar’s house when Etiebet was being pacified and offered the position of Secretary to Federal Government. That was why it was zoned to Akwa Ibom, but Obasanjo reneged on the arrangement and went for another person. Ciroma was present at that meeting. In knew that Obasanjo would not keep his promise. This is frustrating to people like Fasawe and Oluwalogbon up till now. Can Obasnajo behave like Mandela of South Africa? Who will follow him?

Today, we have unqualified national officers of PDP from the Southwest.

There were court judgments that annulled the fraudulent congresses. Now, the products of the fraudulent congresses, Segun Oni and Olagunsoye Oyinlola, are now acting the scripts to disturb Ogun PDP. Why should Bode Mustapha be a member of the national executive, despite the opposition? Is he qualified for the position? I was a school boy when he was retiring as Military Head of State. But the same Obasanjo is still going around creating problems. We will continue to stand by the rule of law. President Goodluck Jonathan should know that God put him in office, using Nigerians and not Obasanjo, and therefore, should stand by the rule of law.

Obasanjo was an unpopular candidate from his ward, local government, state, and tribe, but we worked hard so that he could win. He turned around to betray people who did that for him.

He later bungled the country’s destiny with third term. It was self-interest.

But Obasanjo has said that there was nothing like the third term...

I was actively involved then. Atiku Abubakar and former Senate President Nnamani frustrated the bid. Did money for legislators come from the moon? Obasanjo has not changed. I was young when he was Military Head of State. When I became an adult, Obasanjo handed over power to an incompetent fellow. Tinubu handed over to capable hand in Lagos.

Obasanjo did not do that. He was pursuing self interest. There is nothing you can copy from him. Politics that is against rule of law is mischief, arbitrariness and fraudulent. Only Daniel and Buruji Kashamu are the PDP leaders in Ogun who can pull crowd, not Obasanjo. It is a burden that Obasanjo is from Ogun State and was imposed on the country by forces that preferred him outside Southwest. Some national officers are saying that we should appease Obasanjo and allow him to have his way. Why should that be? He used the Soremi-led executive to nominate Olurin, but he later said the same executive committee could not hold congress to hand over to another party leadership.

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

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DISCOURSE

Niger Delta: Beyond resource control Conclusion of text of the paper delivered by Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan at the Hallmark Lecture Series in Asaba.

• Continued from August 31

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E have as much as possible partnered with big pri vate investors in co-funding projects such as the multi-billion Naira OFN/Delta Farms, the N40 billion Delta Leisure Park, which on completion will make the Delta the tourist destination of choice. Some of these projects are the foundations of our hope of a better future in which other opportunities can become relevant in stimulating the prosperity of our State.

From what we have been doing, the picture of Delta State that is emerging is one that should give us great optimism and belief in the State and ourselves. For that reason, I feel as I said the other day that we should take pride in our infrastructure programme that has seen us construct 252 inter/intra city roads. I am confident that with the dualisation of major roads that include 148 km Asaba-Ughelli, 33 km Ugbenu-Koko, Effurun-OsubiEku, 7.2 km Ughelli Artery, PTI/ Jakpa, Old Lagos/Asaba among others, we are gradually eliminating bottleneck in movement of goods and creating major network grids to link all the corners of the state.

The results of our human capital programme have been remarkable. We are making progress in addressing maternal and child mortality rate in the State. Our performance is commendable.

There is a steep drop in maternal and child mortality rate in our hospitals. New health care facilities are being constructed or upgraded, but of note for me is the progress of Oghara Teaching Hospital as a centre of excellence. With current efforts, soon, Oghara Teaching Hospital would become a centre of note in Africa. I am sure with Oghara Teaching Hospital we will contribute to reversing the search for healthcare treatment outside Nigeria.

We are investing heavily in infrastructure upgrade and modernisation of our public schools for our children, teaching and non-teaching staff facilities.

So far about eighteen thousand classrooms have been built, renovated or upgraded. We will still do more. With collaborative efforts and keeping to standards, the physical condition of our schools can compare with any in the world, in a few years.

Through our liberal programme in education, we are giving our brightest youth with first class degrees, a head start in life. Our offer of scholarships, up to PhD level, tenable in any university of their choice, is a deliberate investment in the future.

These youths are prized assets who will look back with pride the support they received from their government. In a knowledge driven world, we are positioning our best and brightest not to be left behind. We are also sending a message to our other youth to step up and enjoy similar opportunities.

We have also been consistent in payment of our bursary to augment financial investment made by parents in the training of their wards.

Ultimately, our investment in human capacity in particular in our youths will stand out as perhaps the wisest investment we have made as an administration. I hope future administrations will sustain this programme of creating generations of knowledgeable youths, committed to the future of Delta.

Making our youths knowledge-

able and competitive is certainly another step in widening the options available to Delta State, when oil becomes irrelevant.

Since this lecture is about the Niger Delta region and what its current crop of leaders envisions for the zone, I want to repeat the point I made last April at the 2nd South-South Economic Summit, which I hosted here in Asaba. I said then, “I am proud of what we are doing in Delta State as well as in my sister Niger Delta States. When we as governors of the South-South States came together three years ago to create the South-South Economic Summit with the BRACED Commission as its driving force, we were deliberately taking steps to leverage on areas of our core competences and to optimise same for the benefit of all, knowing fully that we are not all equally endowed. I am confident therefore in the future of the Niger Delta and the South-South region as we seek new ways of collaboration with our sister States and across the regions both within and outside the country.”

In several ways, we have shown aggressive commitment towards economic integration and partnership in the zone. The BRACED Commission is envisioned as a strategic vehicle through which we can deliver on our expectations. It is our hope that in due course we can become the country’s new economic powerhouse.

Furthermore, I am confident about this because at individual level, the various States are making significant progress. Rivers State is taking giant strides in its renewal efforts with great things to show in its update of the public school system, health care and general infrastructure revamp. I can say the same for Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Bayelsa and Edo, notwithstanding the latter being a non-PDP State.

For us as governors in the Niger Delta region there is a near unanimity of opinions on what our priorities should be, no matter the differences in resources available to the States. Our human capital development rests on the simultaneous pursuit of education, provision of healthcare, especially primary healthcare to the young, vulnerable and the aged, the upgrade of existing infrastructure and provision of new ones; reviving agriculture and expanding the economic base as well as provision of sports and recreational facilities.

These are some of the priorities of our administrations.

A major concern for us also and why we must look beyond resource control and indeed oil, is the devastation of the environment. As I have noted earlier, there are global concerns about the future relevance of oil and the need for cleaner sources of energy. We in the Niger Delta region and Nigeria, as a whole, must share in these concerns. We are aware of the effect of the exploration activities

• Uduaghan

of the oil companies in the Niger Delta region over the years and how that has affected our lives forever. The fact that worldwide huge investments are being poured into developing and commercialising low carbon energy options for cleaner energy only tells us that the days of resource control as it relates to fossil oil are numbered.

Even as we live with the damage already done to our environment, eco-system, economy and total well-being, I have been very concerned about these issues because I also know these damages can be reversed. Our environment can be restored. We can mitigate pollution; the oil industry operators can apply best practices in technology as they do abroad. I have in this respect sought collaboration and partnership both at home and abroad on how to achieve a better treatment of the environment; I am keen that our peoples can have access to cleaner and sustainable energy.

It is a matter of urgency, something in the realm of an emergency.

I have often wondered if the Niger Delta environment cannot be reconstructed now, with its vast contributions to the economy what will happen when oil ceases to flow. Where would Nigeria find the resources and political will to clean up the environment? This is probably a more important, though more ignored aspect of resource control.

Despoliation of the environment of the Niger Delta has far-reaching global consequences than the immediate suffering of its peoples. Gas flaring and the wasting of the Niger Delta’s rain forests are contributing to global warming, destruction of aquatic lives and their replacement with a wasteland that would displace millions of people.

That is why as Governor, I have linked up with Governors and regional leaders across the world to float R20, an international non-governmental organisation committed to global promotion of green economy and environmentally sustainable economic developments.

High construction costs in the region – a result of its marshy soil, its disparate islands, and creeks – means that the region cannot be

developed within the funds currently allocated to it. There is still need for more intervention, specifically on projects likes the East West Road that would open the Niger Delta to more economic and social activities than oil and gas exploration. These matters rank high in our concerns about the region but they are too often lost to the louder voices in the contests for shares of national revenue.

Study after study has shown the imperative of the East West Road, and the economic potentials that it bears, not only for the Niger Delta region, but also for other parts of the country that can be connected at various spurs in the road’s designs by further developments like railways. Major projects like the coastal road would open up numerous inaccessible parts of the Niger Delta regions and connect them to the numerous opportunities Nigeria has to develop for her people.

Yet I want to caution that no one should be deceived, the neglect of the Niger Delta region over the years is serious even if the peoples bear the brunt with a waning equanimity. The level of degradation with all the attendant consequences on our environment resulting from oil and gas exploration and production activities is even more serious. The resources required for a total revamp of the Niger Delta region are enormous, far more than the present 13 per cent derivation can ever address.

That is why resource control, though we are looking beyond it, will not die. Ikechukwu in the same article citied earlier referred to the Niger Delta region as “a prime example of deprivation directly traceable to the absence of true federalism.” The rest of the federation must do what is right to the Niger Delta region. We must go back to what served us well at the very beginning of this nation.

There must be fiscal federalism.

People must benefit from what they produce. No one is by this saying that the peoples of this federation do not have a responsibility to one another. We must remain our brothers’ keepers.

I accept that some of these matters are constitutional, but I also believe that they are issues of equity and fairness. Since we are in the process of amending the Constitution, it is time our legislators looked at justice, equity and fairness in addressing these issues. We cannot continue supporting the destruction of the Niger Delta region – which is what our silences and inactions represent – while the peoples are dying and the future of their forebears compromised.

My position is that one way we can be assisted to address the myriads of challenges that we face and to compensate for the violence and despoliation visited on our environment, is a modest increase to 50 per cent derivation. It is entirely in order. My appeal is that as leaders and representatives of our peoples we should not stop engaging others and reaching out at our different fora to press our case.

One such forum which has served us very well is the Governors’ Forum. We will continue to seek all avenues for a better understand-

‘ Even as we live with the damage already done to our environment, ecosystem, economy and total well-being, I have been very concerned about these issues because I also know these damages can be reversed. Our environment can be restored. We can mitigate pollution; the oil industry operators can apply best practices in technology as they do abroad. I have in this respect sought collaboration and partnership both at home and abroad on how to achieve a better treatment of the environment; I am keen that our peoples can have access to cleaner and sustainable energy’

ing and fairer representation of the issues affecting the peoples of the Niger Delta region. As we have seen from the recent intense militancy, which enveloped the entire Niger Delta region and made security of lives and oil production difficult, a wound to one is a wound to all. To put it mildly, it was a double jeopardy, the worst of which we must put behind us forever.

I want to add that it is not all a gloomy picture in the Niger Delta region. We must put on record some gains that have accrued to the Niger Delta region. The Amnesty Programme started by the administration of late President Yar’Adua and sustained by the present Goodluck Jonathan administration has helped secure more peace in the region and freed more resources for development.

As at the last count, over 5,200 exmilitants have undergone or are undergoing training in various institutions at home and abroad.

The salutary effect on the Niger Delta region and the entire nation is there for all to see.

The creation of a separate Ministry of Niger Delta at the centre can only mean a willingness to show more understanding of the peculiar problems of the region. It must not stop there however. The Ministry must be properly funded and repositioned to carry out its mandate as there is presently cause to worry about its relevance and direction. There is also the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, which continues to impact the various communities of the Niger Delta. Our hope is that it will continue to re-invent itself to meet its set mandate better.

What the peoples of the Niger Delta region would want to see are more profound programmes that would save their environment and open up their areas for economic activities, especially away from oil and gas. The opportunities abound and are waiting to be explored.

Agriculture is one such area and the favourable climate of the region creates room for commercial practices from palm oil, cassava, yam, maize, and poultry to the more traditional fishing. More elevated linkages like preservation and packaging of these products for export, industrial and home consumption, will create more sustainable and environmentally friendly economic activities than oil and gas production.

In closing, I cannot be more optimistic. Democracy holds a lot of promise for the Niger Delta region and indeed, Nigeria. Not too long ago, it was almost inconceivable that our country can elect a president without him being from particular extractions. Now we have a president from a minority section of the country. It is one of the beauties of democracy that we can pass that bridge.

We did not only elect a minority, but one from the Niger Delta region! The message is not lost on our peoples. What this means is that we only have to be patient with our processes. The parties are evolving through internal democratic mechanisms. The electoral process, given time, is bound to be more accountable as the votes count more. The laws and institutions of the country will evolve and be strengthened through reforms and amendments. They will hopefully take us, at the end of the day, to a Niger Delta region and country of our dreams.

As I have pointed out throughout the course of this presentation, the road is paved with thorns, sweat and blood, but the end will justify the challenging means.

Once again I thank you all for your attention.

God bless you us all.

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

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DISCOURSE

The need and justification for state creation Text of the paper delivered by Prof Bolaji Akinyemi, former External Affairs Minister, on the 21st anniversary of the creation of Jigawa State, in Dutse.

Protocols

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HEN a lawyer tells the court, “it is settled law”, it is because his arguments are weak and that he has no precedents to cite. However, when I begin this lecture by stating that it is settled that where a political entity encompasses a multiplicity of groups of different fundamental identities, a federal political structure that provides for separate structures around these different identities is the most appropriate response, believe me. I will cite several examples to buttress this assertion. In fact, the refusal or inability to adopt this appropriate response is what was responsible for the breakup of the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Sudan, etc.

Federalism as a prescriptive ideology has an ancient pedigree. Some have argued that in ancient Chinese Han and Tang dynastic empires and in the Roman Empire, variants of federalism were evident.I believe that as more scholastic work is done in China, we may in fact come across evidence that Federalism as a doctrinehas its roots in Chinese political philosophy. Although the word federalism derives from a Latin word “Foedus” meaning “covenant”, signifying a political arrangement brought into being through agreement, not force among the constituent parts.

As far back as the 1500s, federalist thought had crept into the literature of political thought. Johannes Althusius regarded as the father of modern Federalist thought argued in his 1603 masterpiece, “POLITICA METHODICE DIGESTA”for the adoption of federalism to secure the rights and freedom of his people against the tyranny of the Emperor.

From the 1500s till now, Federalism had been canvassed by such scholars as Ludolph Hugo (16301704), Baron de Montesquieu (16891755), David Hume (1711-1776), Abbe Charles de Saint-Pierre (1658-1743), Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778), Immanuel Kant (1724-1804), James Madison (1751-1836), Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804), John Jay (17451829), John Stuart Mill (1806-1873), Pierre-Joseph (1809-1865), and AltieroSpinelli, Ernesto Rossi (1944) and Chief ObafemiAwolowo.

From then on, the doctrine of Federalism has influenced the rise and fall of States all over the world. The most important of the Federalist states being the United States, Canada, India, Nigeria, Australia, Russia etc. In fact, right now, there is a Forum of Federations made up of Australia, Brazil, Canada, Ethiopia, Germany, India, Mexico, Nigeria and Switzerland, domiciled in Canada.

I have made this historical excursion for three reasons. Firstly, it is important to show that the theory and doctrine of federalism has an ancient pedigree. Most Nigerians probably just traced federalist thought back to Kenneth Wheare (1907-1979) whereas in China as far back as 1894, federalist thought was being canvassed. Secondly, there is a universalism to federalist thought.

It was present in both Eastern and Western political thought. Thirdly, it developed as a realist rather than an ideological doctrine in the sense that it was addressing specific problems of structural governance arising out of practical issues. As empires and states with multi-national complexions arose, the issue of how to govern from a centre while keeping the loyalties of the constituent nations was a matter of public policy.

It was in response to this problem that the doctrine developed.

While attention has been focused on Eastern and Western thought, it is incumbent on me as an African scholar to explore African political thought. Both the Fulani and the Yoruba empires exhibit variants of federalist structure. The outcome of the Fulani Jihad under Othman danFodio led by 1809 to the establishment of a Sokoto Caliphate/Empire of 30 emirates which owed allegiance to the Sultan at Sokoto while enjoining considerable independence. The Yoruba empire, owing spiritual and political allegiance to Ife, spread from Warri to present day Togo and had a complex structure of independent kingdoms whose royalty was subject to confirmation by Ife. These two were not the only examples of multinational empires in pre-colonial Africa. The ancient Ghana, Shongai, Mali and Zulu empires were multinational entities.

Extensive research still needs to be done as to whether governance in these empires had unitary, federal or con-federal characteristics.

Great Britain, which imposed what ultimately turned out to be a federal structure on Nigeria, was ambivalent about the experiment. It was not a case of following a blueprint of federalism. While it is quite true that the British were aware of the federalist experiments in the United States (in which the British were not involved), Canada (where the British had a hand), India (where the British had a hand), and Sudan (where the British had a hand), not only did the British not experiment with federalism in such multi-national states as Ghana, and Zimbabwe, Britain did not experiment with federalism in Britain itself, until recently, which was composed of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

That the imposition of federalism in Nigeria was a measure of tentative steps was probably inevitable given the incremental imposition of colonialism on Nigeria coupled with the uncertainty about the external parameters of Nigeria as this was dependent on the rivalry between England and France over annexation of land in Africa. Firstly, the annexation exercises in the North was independent of the annexation exercise in Lagos which was itself independent of the annexation exercise in Benin and which also was independent on colonial activities east of the Niger. The following timelines will illustrate this. In 1852, the Bight of Benin Protectorate was established.

In 1861, the Bight of Biafra and Benin Protectorate was established. In the same year, Lagos was proclaimed a colony. In 1893, an Oil Rivers Protectorate was proclaimed. In 1885, a Niger District Protectorate was established. In 1885, a British Oil Rivers Protectorate was proclaimed. In 1886 a Niger River Delta was proclaimed. In 1900, the Protectorates of Northern and Southern Nigeria were established. In 1906, Lagos was merged into the Southern Protectorate. In 1914, the amalgamation of both protectorates took place.

Secondly, even after the authorities started merging annexed territories, it was still a haphazard exercise involving creation of provinces, merger of provinces, demerger of provinces and finally the 1914 merger of Northern and Southern Nigeria into one united Nigeria. In other words, from the British incursion into Nigeria in 1852 to the amalgamation in 1914, it took the British sixty-two years to make up their mind that it was a unified country it wanted Nigeria to be.

But how many Nigerians are aware that during the governorship

• Prof Akinyemi

of Sir Hugh Clifford, (1919-1925), Britain had to urgently make a most strategic intervention. Sir Hugh had proposed that either Nigeria was turned into a unitary state with a centralized government or dissolved into two separate countries. Richmond Palmer who was then the Lieutenant-Governor of the Northern Provinces petitioned London against Clifford’s proposals. The Colonial Office upheld Palmer and overruled Clifford. The status quo was maintained.

HE reason why the Colonial Office overruled Clifford need not detain us here except to point out that it was most irregular and unheard of, in the British service, for a junior officer to have the temerity to petition against the position of a senior officer, and certainly, most unprecedented for the colonial office to overrule the senior officer.

The debate continued to rage within official British circles as regards the internal structure of Nigeria. Today, most Nigerians would trace the genesis of the advocacy of the six-zonal structure to former Vice-President Alex Ekwueme. In fact, the first proponent of the idea was a British colonial officer, the same Richmond Palmer who was a Lt-Governor in the Northern Protectorate,in competition with other proposals from British officials working in Nigeria.

When the historical perspectives alluded to above are brought together, the case for the creation of

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‘Having accepted the inevitability of Nigeria as a Federation, it must be conceded that at independence, Nigeria was an imperfect Federation. Given the piecemeal process by which Nigeria was brought into existence, one would have expected that the internal structure of Nigeria would have been more complex than the three-region structure at independence. As earlier alluded to, there was a debate among British officials as to how many internal units Nigeria should be divided into’

states is very strong. Firstly, the history of pre-colonial Nigeria is a fluid history of independent states, losing their independence to fellow states and regaining their independence from fellow states. This continuing struggle for dominance and domination was still on going when the British intervention took place. These are nationalities with very long memory, very entrenched traditions and culture. The British intervention was just an interlude of just over 100 years in the over five hundred to one thousand years of history of Nigerian nationalities. There is a current psychological theory about the underpinnings of human behavior. It is called “ancestor syndrome” defined accordingto Anne AncelinSchutzenbergetas “links in a chain of generations, unconsciously affected by their suffering or unfinished business until we acknowledge the past” (Doreen Carvajal, On the Trail of Inheritted Memories, International Herald Tribune, 17/08/2012) The past influences the present in ways we are not even aware of.

Secondly, the doctrine of Federalism kicks into place. Where different nationalities come under a common authority, conflict can only be minimized by following the principle of subsidiarity which means allowing issues which are of interest and valuable to only a particular locality should be under the local authority.

In addition, dispersal of authority assists in dispersal of nodes or centres of development. This is evident in the way development had spread all over Nigeria. With development engineered by government, projects by the private sector has tagged on, thus creating a boom in the infrastructural sector.

Under the theoretical classification of Federalism, there are two types of federalism (according to the Stanford Encyclopaedia of Philosophy): firstly is the Coming Together federal type which is “arranged to constrain the centre and prevent majorities from overriding a member unit”, then you have theHolding Together federal type which develops “from unitary states, as governments devolve authority to alleviate threats of unrest or secession by territorially clustered minorities”. Given the fact that Nigeria grew from a colonial state into an independent Federal state, it did not really fit into a neat classification. It was more or less a hybrid product.

There is another classification which emphasis the end product rather than the previous classification which emphasized the process.

According to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, there are two types of Federalism namely “separate (split or compact) federalism” which is federalism where “decisions made centrally do not involve member units at all” and “interlocking (or cooperative) federalism where member units are involved in central decision making. An illustration of the first is the present Nigerian constitution where the Senate is made up of members elected directly by the people and not appointed by state governments. An illustration of the second is the independence federalism of Nigeria where regions appointed members into the Senate which like the British House of Lords, exercised the power of legislation with the House of Representatives.

A third type of federalism is the asymmetric one where some units of the federation are granted special priviledges usually in language and cultural areas or in parliamentary representation.

Professor ItseSagay(see THE NATION ON SUNDAY, 19/08/2012,p.18) has drawn attention to sections 7 and 14 of the Constitution of the Mid-Western Region which granted special representational privileges to minority areas namely Akoko Edo, Isoko, Warri and Western Ijaw. The

priviledge was that only indigenes of these areas could represent the areas.

As part of the bonding mechanism in our present day Nigeria, where there are settlers in almost every state, these settlers could be given a quota of seats in each State Assembly.

Nigeria, made up of 250-300/ 350nationalities (depending on which study one consults) of disparate population sizes, was obviously a prime candidate for federalism. (See Is’haqModiboKawu, A struggle for the soul of Nigeria, Vanguard, August 16, 2012, p. 17) for the problem about classification of Nigerian nationalities) Apart from the fact that the British colonial administration had run the colonial territory of Nigeria as a Federation and was determined to hand over an independent Nigeria as a Federation, the Nigerian leaders themselves were determined to inherit an independent Nigeria as a Federation. Some may argue that neither the British nor the Nigerian leaders had much choice.

But it should be borne in mind that around this time, the French, on the eve of independence broke up its West African Federation and its Central African Federation into independent constituent states. I believe that the British and the Nigerian leaders were genuinely committed to the concept of Nigeria as a Federation.

Having accepted the inevitability of Nigeria as a Federation, it must be conceded that at independence, Nigeria was an imperfect Federation.

Given the piecemeal process by which Nigeria was brought into existence, one would have expected that the internal structure of Nigeria would have been more complex than the three-region structure at independence. As earlier alluded to, there was a debate among British officials as to how many internal units Nigeria should be divided into. The most theoretical proponent of Nigerianfederalism who also was a practicing politician, was Chief ObafemiAwolowo, who argued in in 1947 in his PATH TO NIGERIAN FREEDOM, that Nigerian federal structure should be based on the internal nationalities. This led him to later propose that Nigeria should have 18 states. Apart from the Fulani/ Hausa, Yoruba and Ibo nationalities who were regarded as having had their own regions confirmed, the so called minorities who should really be called other nationalities mounted a spirited campaign to have regions/states of their own before independence. The British lukewarm-ness towards creating more states/regions/zones from the beginning had to do with the British disdain for huge bureaucracies and the fact that Britain had a limited budget to run Nigeria, without looking for subsidy from London.

The lukewarm-ness of Nigerian leaders, except Chief Awolowo and his Action Group, precisely had to do with the fact that the Nigerian leaders and the British colonial authority believed that Awolowo’s Action Group would be the beneficiary of any exercise in state creation as it has been the most consistent and most persistent advocate of the right of minorities to their own states. This perception was confirmed by the electoral success of the political allies of the Action Group in elections held in minority areas.

The conundrum on the Nigerian federal structure is its foundational basis. Almost to the exclusion of any other factor such as economic viability or mono-nationality complex, the factor of nationality based federal structure was the mantra. Did this mean that each Nigerian nationality would be entitled to a state? Did it mean that the ideology would have to be compromised to accommodate minorities within some state structures?

• To be Continued

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THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

MOTORING

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THE NATION

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 2012

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

From its humble beginning as a manufacturer of bicycle spare parts in Korea, Kia Motors has emerged as the world's fifth largest car-maker. Arguably, Kia is the country's first automobile manufacturer as well as Korea's first automobile exporter, TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO writes on the upgrading of the Korean auto giant.

•Cadenza

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IGERIA, the acclaimed giant of Africa has lessons to learn from a Korean company, Kia. The story of a company that started as a manufacturer of bicycle spare parts to become a leading auto maker in the world cannot but be emulated.

Kia Motors has become a reference point in auto technology, the need therefore, for other firms and nations to learn from its doggedness and determination to excel.

The word Kia has not only become a household name in the automobile industry but a force to be reckoned with by auto lovers.

"Kia" is derived from the Chinese characters Ki, meaning to "arise or come up out of" and a, referring to Asia. When put together, Kia means to "arise or come up out of Asia".

Today, Kia has risen as a major global player and boasts an everexpanding product line-up that is sold through a network of distributors and dealers covering 172 countries around the world.

Founded in 1944, the company is Korea's oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles and today the world's fifth largest car-maker.

The company is aiming to become the third largest automotive brand by 2015.

Kia produces no fewer than 2.1 million vehicles annually in 13 manufacturing and assembly operations in eight countries which are then sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering 172 countries.

With over 44,000 employees' worldwide and annual revenues of over $20 billion, Kia is living to its mission to be number one in terms

From bicycle parts to auto giant of quality and customer satisfaction in all the markets.

Led by an ambitious and industryfocused management team who play a vital role in the day-to-day activities in growing the brand around the world, Kia Motors has pursued globalisation and strived to raise the profile on the world stage for the last decade.

Interestingly, it began as a manufacturer of bicycle parts by hand on the outskirt of Seoul, Korea, Kia has over the years emerged as the driving force behind the Korean motor vehicle for the last six decades, laying claim to the production of the country's first automobile as well as Korea's first automobile export.

According to the company's Nigerian Marketing Manager, Kayode Adejumo, the "Power to Surprise" represents Kia's global commitment to surpassing customer expectations through continuous automotive innovation, while embodying the 'exciting and enabling' attributes of the Kia brand.

Adejumo took motoring correspondents on the history of the auto giant penultimate Saturday.

The event featured a display of Kia models for a test drive session.

They include Picanto, Rio, Cerato,

Optima, Sportage, Sorento, Mohave and its latest, Cadenza.

The test drive, which took place between the Lekki Peninsula Resort, Ajah and the second tollgate on the Lekki /Ajah road, was heralded by a brief on the brand.

The brief, which was co-ordinated

by Dana Motors Limited Chief Commercial Officer, Mr Sandeep Malhotra highlighted the various products in the Kia line up and gave a brief description on each.

With its three dimensional typeface and logo, Adejumo said Kia’s corporate identity is designed to reflect the company's youthful and energetic image.

He said: "The rich, deep red colour suggests the passion of the sun and represents Kia's strong determination to move forward in a lively and entertaining fashion. The supple and refined ellipse symbolises the globe and alludes to Kia's stature as a major player on the world automotive stage "As the hub of our global styling operations, the Namyang Design Center closely monitors international design trends to ensure that each new model encapsulates the core values of the Kia brand for markets around the world.

"From ideation, styling and

prototyping to researching new materials, Kia continuously tweaks the design process in quest for design perfection. Kia's Design Center first opened in 1977 with the goal of anticipating the lifestyle changes of customers in overseas markets in order to better incorporate into our latest design trends. The efforts of Namyang Design Center are augmented by satellite design centers in the United States, Germany and Japan, which ensure that Kia continues to create unique design concepts and further embellish its reputation as one of the world's leading automakers."

He described the recent appointment of Peter Schreyer, a multiple award winner and one of the automotive industry's most respected authorities on product design, as the newest stage in a highly successful career that has seen dynamics in their brand.

Schreyer as Audi's chief designer between 1994 and 2002 was credited with revamping the Audi brand with a number of revolutionary new auto designs. From 2002 to 2005, he was the chief designer for Volkswagen and since 2005 has been the head of advanced design for the Volkswagen group, earning critical acclaim for several crucial product

launches, featuring a range of unique design concepts.

On after sales service, Adejumo said Kia Motors has been steadfastly pursuing a customer-first strategy of service based on trust and responsibility.

The company, he boasted, is offering customers around the world a consistent level of service based on its 'Family-like Care' service philosophy.

According to him, 'Family-like Care' "is our commitment and promise to all Kia customers to pursue a thoughtful service just like I treat my own family, emotional service that comes from the heart and trustworthy service to create life-long customers. In sum, we have developed a service identity unique to Kia in order to provide customers with the same level of dedication, care and dependability that is given to family members."

Earlier, Malhotra said the customer-first philosophy guides their policies in all areas of the business.

"Both our Principals and we believe that there is a great future for KIA in Nigeria with all the new products that will hit the market in the very near future. I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate our strong commitment to the KIA brand. Our management is always willing to make the necessary investments in facilities and people to be able to back up the KIA vehicles that we sell with caring and competent after sales service. We are aware that the future of any brand would rest on the level of customer satisfaction. Towards this end, everyone in our organisation has been urged to do their very best,� he said.

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MOTORING

Are there kinks in the new traffic law?

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S the Lagos State government is poised to enforce the new traffic law to the letter, there is a sense of foreboding in different quarters of the metropolis.

These apprehensions stem mostly from the portended grave fallouts of the implementation of a law, of which many Lagosians are yet to be fully abreast, and don’t agree with.

Hearsays among people and proclamations by the government on the penalties have led to the formation of widespread opinion that the law is “high-handed and draconian.” Stiff fines, which most people see as commensurate with the minimum wage, and long prison terms, which could be compared with that mete out for serious contravention like larceny, are known features of the new traffic law.

General Manager of Lagos State Transport Management Agency (LASTMA) Mr Babatunde Edu told The Nation that the gazette form of the law has been approved and enforceable.

Edu said LASTMA in conjunction with other law enforcement apparatus would work with the law to sanitise Lagos roads. Also, the Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, has

By Damilola Owoyele

reportedly read out the riot act to motorists in Lagos, and declared that the police was “battle-ready” to enforce the law.

While the beehive of activities have been going on in the government circle, online forums, such as Twitter and Facebook, have also been abuzz with conversations among ordinary Lagosians on the new traffic law.

Lagos Traffic Info created two years ago, is a twitter account that updates Lagosians on recent happenings on traffic logjams and accidents inclusive.

It has a whopping followership of 14,000 Twitter users. It is no wonder that the owner, Stanley Okafor, has been besieged by a deluge of requests for information because many people are in the dark about the black, white and grey areas in the law. His Twitter account also serves as a portal through which opinions on the new law are channelled.

Okafor said on Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) programme, that though he agreed that the penalties were severe, but he thought that, in the long run, the law would “restore sanity, security and safety on Lagos

roads.”

In a chat with The Nation, Okafor, however, rebuked the Lagos State government on inadequate sensitization of the public on the new law.

The government, he said, has not done enough public enlightenment, adding that government needs to tell motorists the implications of the law in the short and long run.

He conceded that the poor sensitization was not characteristic of the Lagos government and that they have done much promulgation via the Lagos State Traffic Radio; he, however, said the enactment of this new law required a comprehensive public education.

“It cuts across the board; it affects the rich and the poor, the literate and illiterate. The rich would be able to pay the fines, but what about the poor? For instance, many Okada riders who can’t read usually get their news via informal channels, and they are oftentimes misinformed.” He mimics them: “They will say, ‘Them say, them say.’ “ As he rightly observed, last week, many okada riders in Lagos had reportedly validated Okafor’s claim

when they said that they were aware of the existence of the new law but unaware of the provisions that affected them. By their indignation, it was apparent that the lack of knowledge was not due to ignorance but borne out of disconnection with the authorities.

They have also lamented that the competition in the business would become fiercer because they have been restricted to less amount of roads and banned from plying the major highways.

A point that also lends credence to Okafor’s view of the illiterate inadvertently contravening the law is a section of the law that penalises the droving of livestock on highways, a common activity of nomads; the law also penalises the usual fervent huckstering by conductors as they solicit for passengers. It is axiomatic that nomads and most conductors can’t read. Their unawareness to the law would make them vulnerable to infringement.

Despite the ban on the activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state from collecting tolls on the roads and ordered to operate from garages like

other unions, they are still seen on roads across Lagos “extorting” money from commercial motorists, flagrantly flouting the law. Presently, most of these workers wear plain clothes and not the green and white uniforms, with which they had been identified. Rufai, a danfo driver, who had just paid off a band of young, threatening “agberos”, lamented on their seemingly never-ending pestilence. “This wahala is too much o. We don’t even know who NURTW worker is, and who isn’t? All of them are wearing plain clothes. Anybody could just threaten to damage the vehicle if we don’t give money. They have drained all my earnings.” All efforts to get the NURTW Acting Chairman Tajudeen Agbedw to comment on his workers’ violations proved abortive.

Lagosians had insinuated that the new law was a means devised by Lagos government to extort from them. However, Edu said: “Within the context of the new law, it is stated that if any traffic official was found exploiting the provisions to enrich his pocket, he would be sacked forthwith and handed to the police.”

Toyota regains top ranking

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OYOTA motor company bounced back from safety recalls and natural disasters, selling 4.97 million vehicles globally in the first half of the year to retake its crown as the world’s top automaker from General Motors Co (GM).

A release by Toyota (Nigeria) Limited showed that the Japanese company sold about 300,000 more cars and trucks than GM did in the first half of the year, a lead large enough that will be difficult for GM to catch Toyota •From left: Dr Maduka; Coscharis Group Managing Director Mr Josiah Samuel (middle) and other guests from Jaguar Landrover, in the final six months of 2012.

United Kingdom at the event.

GM sold 4.67 million vehicles during the first half. Both companies released their numbers last Wednesday. For Toyota Motor Corp., the numbers unservice delivery. The objective design, engineering, tech- derline a powerful rebound

By Tajudeen Adebanjo N auto firm Coscharis from a period of dismal sales, Group has opened a which is shifting from just ca- is to decongest the workshop nology and customer satis- and the resilience of its brand as faction is at the core of Jagas fast as possible. new ultra-modern pability to plush and luxury at He expressed commitment uar Land Rover business, and it gains traction in new markets showroom and workshop in its peak. This informs the new of the company to quality ser- for Coscharis Motors. “This such as China and Southeast Asia Lagos.

Land Rover pay-off - “Above vice that will go much deeper means we will continue to in- while clawing back lost market Tagged Jaguar Landrover and Beyond”, he said. than just owning a luxury or vest in sales and after-sales share in the United States.

Lekki Showroom, the edifice Said Maduka:“The show- premium brand.

Both companies have said in facilities, develop new techwould also serve as the room ambience is intended to “We want to be proactive, nologies and enrich the skills the past that they do not care company’s new corporate engage customers on a perwork with time, and give of our employees to meet the about the global sales leadership Headquarters. sonal level with or without any and are focusing on making In his speech, Coscharis guide from our sales consult- value-for-money; since effec- needs of our rightfully de- profits. But the crown is a matter manding customers.” tive and high-quality afterGroup President/Chief Execu- ants. To ensure this personal The Coscharis’ Jaguar Land of corporate pride for both tive Officer, Dr. Cosmas engagement, we have de- sales service is the key to automakers. GM does not plan Maduka, said the motive be- signed the showroom to be maximising sales. We are as- Rover workshop now has 38 to drop out of the race, though. hind the edifice is that every highly inter-active via the Jag- suring all stakeholders that car lifts of various types, two The company’s sales and marwalk-in customer should feel uar studio and a series of you will feel the positive im- wash bays, one state-of-the-art ket share grew in China, and spray booth and 26 tool boxes pact of our presence here.

The the uniqueness of the Jaguar lounges and meeting rooms; a Chevrolet, its largest brand, has Land Rover brands via the colour-trim and table is avail- beautiful surrounding and and many more under one seen record growth for seven exciting exchange with our roof. There would be new moawesome ambience. able too. The aim is to give cusstraight quarters, spokesman Jim “It is also a statement that tomers the brand’s premium- technical managers and ser- bile service assistance to man- Cain said. GM sales should rise Coscharis Motors is beginning feel right from the showroom. vice personnel are all de- age breakdowns and other because 70 percent of its US modto enthuse the brand’s market- In addition, this facility offers signed for customer comfort. emergencies.

All these, Maduka said, is to els will be refurbished or allleadership in their respective proximity to majority of our Again, the motivation is to new in the next two years, said segments into its showrooms. customers and therefore, eases provide facilities and people position the Jaguar Land Rover Cain. who reflect professional and brands in their rightful leaderThis is driven by the premium accessibility to our services.”

“We are in the early days of dependable level of service,” ship place, and emphasise the luxury orientation of the JagThe workshop is structured he said. the most aggressive rollout of ambition to remain the auto uar Land Rover philosophy, to ensure faster and efficient new products in our history, He said the innovation in market leader in Nigeria.

Coscharis opens headquarters

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which will help us press our advantage in the U.S. and China and grow profitably around the world,” he said, declining to comment on whether the company expects to pass Toyota in the second half.

Toyota’s production was hit by the earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan last year and then by flooding in Thailand, an important production base for the automaker but the company’s factories and sales recovered faster than expected, making it very hard for GM to catch Toyota between now and the end of the year, said Jeff Schuster, Senior Vice President of forecasting.

Also, GM has a bigger presence than Toyota in Europe, where auto sales have fallen dramatically, and China, where the economy is starting to slow, Schuster said.

GM was No. 1 in world auto sales last year on strong performances in the U.S. and China, its two biggest markets. The Detroit company held the global sales crown for more than seven decades before losing it to Toyota in 2008 as GM’s sales tanked while it headed toward financial ruin.

Volkswagen AG was in third place in the global sales race. The company said earlier this month that it sold 4.45 million vehicles in the first half. It came in second after GM in global vehicle sales last year. GM had already trailed Toyota for the first quarter of this year at 2.28 million cars and trucks across the globe, while Toyota sold 2.49 million vehicles.Toyota has forecast that it will sell nine.

SAFE DRIVING

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HERE have been hues and cries about the activities of the Niger – Delta militants and Boko Haram in Nigeria.

Governments, political leaders, traditional rulers, civil society organizations and other well – meaning Nigerians have been expressing their disgusts as well as urging all and sundry to embrace their suggested solutions to the menace. Virtually every peace – loving Nigerian is now rising against the activities of the Boko Haram because we want every positive step possible to be taken to put an end to the ac-

Worse than Boko Haram tivities of Boko Haram.

As dreadful as the activities of Boko Haram is in Nigeria, I make bold to say that road crashes is more deadly than Boko Haram. I have been taking the statistics of deaths and damage to properties resulting from the activities of Boko Haram in comparison with the deaths and fatalities resulting from road accidents. The result of my comparative analysis clearly pointed to the fact that the number of deaths and damage to valuable prop-

erties as a result of road crashes is far more than those caused by the activities of Boko Haram and far more than those killed by HIV/AIDS nationwide. I stand to be corrected in this research – based assertion.

I, therefore, humbly plead with all well – meaning Nigerians to rise and speak – up in clearer terms against every activity of drivers, employers of drivers, private vehicle owners, commercial drivers, transporters, haulage companies, traffic manage-

ment and regulatory authorities that can result to or promote road crashes and fatalities in every part of Nigeria.

Vehicle owners should go for refresher courses in defensive driving and vehicle maintenance. Employers of drivers, Transporters and haulage companies should send their management staff and drivers to different levels of capacity building training programmes in fleet management and safe driving skills among others.

Jide Owatunmise •Registrar / Chief Executive , Professional Driving and Safety Academy

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

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NEWS

Injustice retards development in Kogi, says ACN chair

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HE Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Kogi State, Mallam Haddy Ametuo, has said unless justice is done in the political system of the state, there would be no development.

Ametuo, in a statement, said the state would not develop unless the state is fair in seeking solution to its political crisis.

He said the responsibility of electing a leader lies with the people, adding that anything contrary would cause reactions and litigation.

“Nothing tangible will be achieved by the present administration because of the litigation hanging on its neck, arising from legitimacy,” Ametuo said.

The ACN chieftain said the circumstance in which Kogi State Governor Captain Idris Wada came to power was not democratic.

According to him, the people deserved a better deal.

He alleged that no capital project has been executed by the administration since the passage of this year’s budget and urged the House of Assembly not to renege on its responsibilities.

Ametuo sought God’s intervention in the crisis and enjoined the indigenes to fast for a week to solve the socio-economic and

From Muhammad Bashir, Lokoja

political problems.

He said ACN is the viable option in view of the performances of its governors across the country.

He described the achievements of the ex-governor and ACN’s candidate in last year’s governorship poll, Prince Abubakar Audu, as

impressive in view of the solid structures he put in place.

Ametuo, however, hailed Wada for fighting thugs, criminals and political jobbers whom he said were prominent in the last administration.

He praised the governor for sanctioning those who had contributed to the backwardness of the state.

‘Aliyu yet to decide on 2015 presidency’

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IGER State Commissioner for Information and Strategy Malam Danladi Abdulhamid has said Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu has not decided on the 2015 presidency, despite speculation to the contrary.

The commissioner, who spoke at the weekend in Minna, dispelled rumours that Aliyu was eyeing the country’s highest office.

He insisted that he was yet to take a decision on what role to play in 2015.

Abdulhamid said: ‘’Governor Aliyu believes that power belongs to God and mandate belongs to the people.’’

Vice-President Namadi Sambo, Senate President

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

David Mark, Governor Aliyu, Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar are among those speculated as contenders for the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) presidential ticket in 2015.

Reacting to a call by the leaders of the Yoruba community in the state when they visited him that the governor should contest the presidency, Abdulhamid said: “Governor Aliyu believes that whatever the people want him to become in 2015 is what he will do because he is a man of the people.”

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With ekpoita :funtreatsvilla@yahoo.com / 08077706130

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ACROSS

DOWN

1.Resort (3) 4.Repair (5) 7. Examine (4) 9. Buttocks (4) 10. Peruse (4) 12. Entreat (4) 14. Trunk (5) 16. Perform (2) 17. Insect (3) 18. Ominous (4) 20. Musical Note (2) 21. Full of Mint (5) 22. Yes (3) 23. Single (2) 24. Nipples (5)

1.Begin (5) 2.For Each (3) 3.Convince (6) 5.Mud (4) 6. Fellow (4) 8. Brief (5) 11. End Prematurely (5) 13. Proceed (2) 15. Carry out order (4) 16. Noise (3) 18. Have Dinner (4) 19. Seeing Organs (4) 20. Beam (3) 21. Rug (3)

MISSING LETTERS All the words in the columns below have lost their first letters as indicated by the blank spaces above them. You are required to find and affix them. When done, all the first letters will form a 9-letter, sexually offensive word or action. Happy Puzzling!‘

SANDS OF TIME

FOOD FOR THOUGHT The Chicken

Marilyn Munroe - 50 years after

Once upon a time, there was a large mountainside, where an eagle’s nest rested. The eagle’s nest contained four large eagle eggs. One day an earthquake rocked the mountain causing one of the eggs to roll down the mountain, to a chicken farm, located in the valley below. The chickens knew that the must protect and care for the eagle’s egg, so an old hen volunteered to nurture and raise the large egg.

One day, the egg hatched and a beautiful eagle was born. Sadly, however, the eagle was raised to be a chicken. Soon, the eagle believed he was nothing more than a chicken. The eagle loved his home and family, but his spirit cried out for more. While playing a game on the farm one day, the eagle looked to the skies above and noticed a group of mighty eagles soaring in the skies. “Oh,” the Eagle cried, “I wish I could soar like those birds.”

The chickens roared with laughter, “You cannot soar with those birds. You are a chicken and chickens do not soar.” The eagle continued staring, at his real family up above, dreaming that he could be with them. Each time the eagle would let his dreams be known, he was told it couldn’t be done.

That is what the eagle learned to believe. The eagle, after time, stopped dreaming and continued to live his life like a chicken.

Finally, after a long life as a chicken, the eagle passed away.

The moral of the story: You become what you believe you are; so if you ever dream to become an eagle follow your dreams, not the words of a chicken.

HUMOUR True Believers The two thousand member Baptist church was filled to overflowing capacity one Sunday morning. The preacher was ready to start the sermon when two men, dressed in long black coats and black hats entered thru the rear of the church.

One of the two men walked to the middle of the church while the other stayed at the back of the church. They both then reached under their coats and withdrew automatic weapons. The one in the middle announced, “Everyone willing to take a bullet for Jesus stay in your seats!”

Naturally, the pews emptied, followed by the choir. The deacons ran out the door, followed by the choir director and the assistant pastor.

August 5, 2012 marked the 50th anniversary of Marilyn Monroe’s death, and still, a half century later, the world is fascinated by the legend of Hollywood’s most celebrated sex symbol. Marilyn the icon will continue to be an indelible persona in our pop culture, but behind the movie star, there was a woman who few knew as well as photographer Sam Shaw.

Shaw famously shot the iconic image of Marilyn standing After a few moments, there were about twenty people left over a subway grate with her skirt flying on the set of The sitting in the church. The preacher was holding steady in Brain Teaser Seven Year Itch. But that celebrated photo was just one of the pulpit. The men put their weapons away and said, many the photographer captured of Marilyn, and his candid A man in a restaurant asked a waiter for a juice glass, a dinner gently, to the preacher, “All right, pastor, the hypocrites images of her, off-set and away from the movie cameras, plate, water, a match, and a lemon wedge. The man poured are gone now. You may begin the service.” are the images that tell a more intimate story of a friend enough water onto the plate to cover it. whom he described as “beautiful without makeup and in “If you can get the water on the plate into this glass without Getting Into Fights spirit as a person.” Marilyn and Shaw first met in the early touching or moving this plate, I will give you $100,” the man A young couple drove several miles down a country road, 1950s when he was the photographer on the set of Elia Kazan’s said. “You can use the match andA lemon to do this.” walked away with $100 in his not saying a word. n Viva Zapata!. The charismatic Shaw was a friend to actors aA few minutes later, the waiter Anthony Quinn and Marlon Brando (whom he famously pocket. How did the waiter get the water into the glass?

An earlier discussion had led to an argument, and neither photographed in a ripped t-shirt for Kazan’s A Streetcar wanted to concede their position.

Named Desire.) But it was Kazan’s girlfriend at the time, a young actress named Marilyn Monroe, whom Shaw ANSWER As they passed a barnyard of mules and pigs, the husband developed a close friendship with during the making of sarcastically asked, “Are they relatives of yours?” that movie. Kazan had asked Marilyn to drive Shaw to the set everyday, and this was the start of a relationship between the movie star and photographer that lasted until Marilyn’s “Yes,” his wife replied. “I married into the family.” tragic death in 1962. Shaw, who died in 1999, said of Marilyn: “I see her as a metaphor for Hollywood...the good, the bad and the beautiful.” And in describing his famous Touch a life today by a smile, a word of photographs of her, he explained: “I just want to show this encouragement or any kind gesture. fascinating woman with her guard down, at work, at ease, off-stage, during joyous moments in her life as often she was—alone.”

Our ideas like orange plants, spread out in proportion to the size of the box which imprisons the roots.

First, the waiter stuck the match into the lemon wedge, so that it would stand straight. Then he lit the match, and put it in the middle of the plate with the lemon. Then, he placed the glass upside-down over the match. As the flame used up the oxygen in the glass, it created a small vacuum, which sucked in the water through the space between the glass and the plate. Thus, the waiter got the water into the glass without touching or moving the plate.

You can try this experiment at home with appropriate supervision.

Pep Talk

– Edward Bulwer Lytton

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NEWS

Civil society backs Ekpu, Agbese, others on Newswatch

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HE Coalition of Civil Society Organisations for Transparency in Governance has thrown its weight behind the founding fathers of Newswatch, Mr. Ray Ekpu, Mr Yakubu Mohammed and Dan Agbese, over their disagreement with Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim, the core investor in the magazine.

The National President of the group, Comrade Ibrahim Alih, who spoke to reporters, urged lovers of objective journalism to ensure the the media outfit is not run aground.

Alih urged Nigerians and the international community to stand behind Ekpu, Mohammed and Agbese.

He said: “Nigerians must rise up in prayers at this critical moment for the founders of Nigeria’s most popular magazine and mouthpiece of democracy, Newswatch. As a core investor, Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim wants to take away the company from its original

owners through legal technicalities.

“The trio of Ray Ekpu, Yakubu Mohammed and Dan Agbese must have fallen cheap for the antics of Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim who is known for acquisition of very lucrative ventures belonging to individuals and government. We must rise up as lovers of objective journalism being practised by these exceptional Nigerians to ensure that no man is allowed to kill the vision and mission, which Newswatch has brought to bear everywhere in the world.

“Every available record in the court of public opinion has shown how these elements who astronomically have acquired such ventures in the past have nothing to write home about and any attempt to subject the true owners of this property to unnecessary psychological trauma would be rebuffed by the civil society.

“The people of Nigeria are

•Ibrahim calling on Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim to have a rethink and stop this shameful dance with these harmless patriots who have sacrificed all their lifetime to the service of nation and humanity.”

FCT Permanent Secretary to get Mohammed Uwais Award

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HE Permanent Secretary, Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Anthony Ozodinobi, will tomorrow receive the prestigious Mohammed Lawal Uwais Public Service Award from the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies.

A statement in Abuja yesterday by the Chief Press Secretary of the FCT Administration, Hazat Sule, said the award ceremony, which is scheduled to take place at Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, is expected to be attended by crème de la crème of the society.

The statement added that the award will be preceded by a public lecture to be delivered

From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

by Chief Philip Asiodu, a seasoned administrator and former super Federal Permanent Secretary with the title “Public Service and Transformation Agenda: Redefining the Rules Engagement”.

The statement said “The FCT Permanent Secretary was first nominated amongst the top three out of which he won the award.

“The FCT Administration considers this feat as award not only for the Permanent Secretary but an honour done to the entire FCT Administration and the residents of the Federal Capital Territory.”

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NEWS Minister inaugurates water plants in Benue From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

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HE Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, has inaugurated two water treatment plants in Benue State.

The minister, who was on a two-day visit, first inaugurated the Katsina Ala water plant built by SGC Nigeria Ltd. The water plant, which was started and completed by the Governor Gabriel Suswam administration, has a lifespan of 25 years.

Mrs. Ochekpe, accompanied by Governor Suswam, commissioners and other top officials inaugurated another water plant in Anyiin. It was built by the Waste Management and Environmental Services (WMES), an American company.

The Commissioner for Water and Environment, Chief John Ngbede, said the water projects were embarked upon by the Suswam administration to provide water for rural dwellers.

He said the water treatment plant in Anyiin has the capacity to pump 1.5 million litres of water and has 1.5 kilometres reticulation in Anyiin. It has a lifespan of 25 years.

He said N500 million has been provided in the 2012 budget for water projects, adding that before the end of the year, more water projects would be completed.

Governor Suswam said he had completed the Greater Makurdi Water Project and it was inaugurated by President Goodluck Jonathan during his last visit.

Kano to spend N320m on Marine Engineering From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

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ANO State Government is to spend N320 million for the sponsorship of 25 indigenes for a four-year programme in Marine Engineering in specialised institutions in India and the United States of America (USA).

Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso said this yesterday in Kano during the combined graduation ceremony of over 1,000 youths under the government’s youth empowerment programme. He also disbursed drugs worth millions of naira to beneficiaries of Lifiya Jari scheme.

He said the money was provided to avoid any shortfall, adding that the students would soon depart the state for the countries.

The governor said the studies would cost the government N80 million yearly, stressing that his administration attached importance to human capital development.

“We are doing all these because we want to empower our youths and reduce unemployment. We would not have been able to implement these policies if we have not been prudent by channelling our resources to the priority areas of human development,” Kwankwaso said.

Floods kill 137, displace thousands

F

LOODS across Nigeria have killed 137 people and displaced more than 30,000 since the beginning of July, the local Red Cross said yesterday.

Nigeria, which has a rainy season from May to Septem-

•Adamawa, Taraba, Benue worse hit ber, suffers from seasonal flash floods, which are sometimes lethal, especially in rural areas or overcrowded slums where drainage is poor or non-existent.

Red Cross spokesman Umar Mairiga said the floods had affected 15 local government areas, adding that the worse hit are Adamawa, Taraba and Benue states.

“We are expecting the number of the dead or displaced to keep building up,” he said, putting the latest displaced figure at 36,331.

There have been no reports so far of major damage to agriculture or industry.

•Governor Suswam and Mrs. Ochekpe inaugurating the Katsina Ala water plant in Benue State.

PHOTO: UJA EMMANUEL

UNILORIN VC-designate describes criticism against selection as unfair

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HE Vice-Chancellordesignate of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, has spoken on criticisms that trailed his selection.

The professor of veterinary medicine was in July selected by the university’s governing council to succeed Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, whose tenure ends next month.

But some of his opponents have described the mode of his selection as biased.

The VC-designate said those that opposed his selection were unfair.

Ambali, who spoke with reporters at the weekend in Ilorin, said: “It is amazing to say a professor of over 15 years is not qualified to be selected as a Vice-

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

Chancellor. “A professor is not made in only one university. For somebody to say a professor of over 15 years ago who has done his sabbatical in a university in the United Kingdom, a professor that has produced Master’s and PhD students, somebody that has been dean of faculty, head of department, a member of the university governing council and a board member of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UNITH) is not qualified to be a ViceChancellor is most unfair.

We should practice politics with decency and decorum.

“I pray to God to give those that were not so fortunate to

be selected good heart and wisdom to be gallant in defeat. The position of a ViceChancellor is a call to service. Since I have been given the opportunity, I will use it with caution and be humble in victory.

“When I contested for the position 10 years ago, I was not even short-listed. Five years ago, I was short-listed but not selected. I then went to the University of Maiduguri because I know God gives power. I don’t see any reason why anybody should flex his muscle if God says it is not his time. It is appalling for anybody to question what God has done.”

On his agenda for the next five years, Prof Ambali promised to strengthen research, improve learning

and community service.

He added that the laboratories would be eqipped to ensure better quality for support staff.

“We will embark on training and retraining of researchers. Over the years and given my interaction with the outside world, the only difference between here and there is the absence of facilities here. This leads to frustration of scientists and ultimately brain drain.

“I want to bridge the gap between the industry and research so that our scientists can carry out implementable researches for the consuming industries. We will use a top to bottom approach to identify a problem and find a solution,” he said.

Boko Haram: I didn’t order killing of youths, says Gaidam Y

OBE State Governor Ibrahim Gaidam has urged mischief makers to desist from taking advantage of insecurity to spread rumours.

He said such rumours, instead of improving the situation, would worsen it and cause more problems for the people.

Governor Gaidam, who spoke with reporters in Damaturu following a rumour that he directed security operatives to kill teenage boys, said “such rumours are lies orchestrated by the enemies who want to thwart my efforts to solve insecurity.”

He went on: “I am surprised that people can manufacture this kind of rumour against me and my administration.

You and I know that by the constitution of Nigeria, I don’t have powers to order policemen or soldiers. They are answerable to their superior officers. I only have authority over my commissioners and permanent secretaries.

“How can I order the killing of people, especially

From Duku Joel, Damaturu

youths? If I do that what future do I intend to build for my people? If all these people are killed, who do I rule as a governor?

“The people spreading this rumour are mischief makers and enemies who want to frustrate my effort to resolve the crisis. They want to bring down my government. Their objective is to tarnish my reputation and dent the image of my administration. They are also taking advantage of the

fact that our people are not enlightened in this aspect.”

Gaidam said insecurity should be the concern of everybody, stressing that as a responsible and responsive governor, he has taken steps to address the problem.

“We will continue to remain focused and committed to the sustainability of our developmental programmes aimed at making life meaningful for indigenes.

“We will do our best to provide relief so as to ameliorate the hardship faced by

•Gaidam

the people, particularly those affected by the Boko Haram insurgency and natural disasters,” he added.

UNILORIN Alumni presents award to Ahmed, others THE University of Ilorin Alumni Association at the weekend in Ilorin presented the first ‘Leading Lights’ award to Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed and three others.

The other recipients were Prof. Is’haq Oloyede, the Vice- Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Prof. Rasheed Na’Allah, Vice-Chancellor, Kwara State University and Mrs. Folusho Olaniyan, Managing Director, United African Company (UAC) Nigeria Ltd. The National President, University of Ilorin Alumni Association, Mr. Taoreed Odedele, said the award was organised to showcase the high calibre manpower the university had produced.

He noted that the university had maintained a leading position among Nigerian universities, adding that it was the only institution that could boast of 15 years of unbroken academic session.

In a lecture at the ceremony, Prof. Oluwafemi Durosaro said universities provided the essential training for individuals wishing to acquire professional training in all fields of human endeavour.

Durosaro, a don at the university, noted that Nigerian universities faced the challenge of producing world-class labour force.

He said: “To encourage our universities to rise to the challenges, there is currently a widely-publicised web ranking of world universities using some standard parameters.

“Universities worldwide now strive to meet the world class by improving facilities, funding, curriculum and strategies, with a view to developing students’ creativity, insight and analytical skills.”

According to him, the globalisation of the world’s economy and the development of modern technologies have compounded the problem of employability of Nigerian university graduates.

Durosaro noted that there was a high demand for workers with computer literacy and other soft occupational competencies that are lacking in Nigerian university graduates.

He said the major task was how to develop Nigerian universities to provide unique opportunities in an intellectually stimulating environment, to enrich their students and prepare them as a world-class labour force.

He, therefore, urged stakeholders of various alumni associations to intervene and assist their alma mater.

Nasarawa plans to build airstrip

N

ASARAWA State Governor Umaru Tanko Almakura has pledged to build an airstrip in Lafia, estimated at N1 billion, despite the dwindling fund the state receives from the federation account.

The governor, who spoke in Lafia yesterday, said the aim of the project is to open up the state for businesses and maximise its proximity to the Federal Capital Territory.

He said his administration is partnering the Federal Government and foreign partners to build a bigger airport that will be for normal trips and other uses.

From Lafia Johnny, Danjuma

He added that he project would be completed before the end of his tenure.

According to him, “we have followed due process at the Ministry of Aviation to ensure that our plans meet the stipulated standards for such establishment.”

Although Almakura said his administration would begin an intra-city rail transport system aimed at boosting the economy of the state, he added that the project might not be completed by the present administration.

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

58

FOREIGN NEWS

Dozens killed in wave of bomb attacks in Iraq

A

BUILDING, which housed a French consular office, was badly damaged by a car bomb on Sunday.

Security personnel inspected the wreckage after another blast in Basra.

This attack in Basra was part of a wave that took place on Sunday morning.

There were two attacks in Nassiriyah, in southeast Iraq, with at least three people being killed.

A crater was visible on the ground after one of the bombs exploded in Nassiriyah on Sunday morning.

Kirkuk has been the target of several bomb blasts by suspected Islamist insurgents.

At least 73 people have been killed in 19 bomb blasts and gun attacks targeting cities across Iraq.

The most deadly of the attacks happened in Dujail, 30 miles north of Baghdad, when gunmen and a suicide bomber driving a car targeted a military base, killing 11 soldiers and injuring another seven.

Eight people queuing to apply for jobs as police

guards for the Iraqi North Oil Company died in a car bomb explosion in the flashpoint city Kirkuk, police said.

Another car bomb exploded outside the French consular building in the usually stable city of Nassiriya, killing a police guard and wounding four others, and a second blast in the city killed two more.

A string of attacks took place across Iraq on Sunday.

More people were killed in several other blasts across the country in Kirkuk, Samarra, Basra and Tuz Khurmato, with nearly 240 others thought to have been injured

in the attacks.

Sunni insurgents and al Qaeda have launched a series of major attacks this year in an attempt to stoke the kind of political and sectarian tensions that drove the country to near civil war in 2006 and 2007.

It comes after Iraq’s fugitive Vice President, Tareq al Hashemi, was sentenced to death for murder on Sunday in a ruling likely to further inflame sectarian tensions.

Hashemi, a senior Sunni Muslim politician, fled Iraq after authorities accused him of running a death squad, charges that triggered a crisis in power-sharing among

Sunni, Shi’ite and Kurdish blocs as US troops were pulling out in December.

The vice president is unlikely to return to Iraq from Turkey.

Hashemi and his son-inlaw were both found guilty of murdering a female lawyer and security official, Abdul-Sattar al-Birqdar, a judiciary spokesman said.

He had accused Shi’ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki of orchestrating a crackdown on Sunni opponents and refused to appear in a court he said was biased.

The Nassiriya attacks damaged the building housing a French consular office,

but a French diplomat said the honorary consul himself - an Iraqi citizen - was not at the office at the time.

French diplomats have been targeted before by violence in Iraq.

In June last year, a French embassy convoy was hit by a roadside bomb in Baghdad, wounding seven local Iraqi guards and badly damaging an embassy vehicle.

At the time, France had been on high alert for attacks overseas due to tensions over the presence of its troops in Afghanistan and the country’s ban on allowing full-length Islamic veils.

British soldier killed in Afghanistan

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BRITISH soldier from The Light Dragoons has been killed after the vehicle he was travelling in struck an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan.

The soldier’s family have been informed.

Spokesman for UK Forces Afghanistan, Lieutenant Colonel Richard Parry, said: “I have the sad duty to inform you that a soldier from The Light Dragoons has died as a result of wounds sustained while on duty in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province.

“The thoughts and prayers of everyone serving in Task

Force Helmand are extended to his family and friends at this extremely difficult time.”

The soldier’s death brings the number of members of UK forces to have died since operations in Afghanistan began in October 2001 to 427.

Guardsman Karl Whittle, 22, died in hospital in Birmingham on Friday, having been injured in an attack by insurgents in the same area of Helmand Province on August 14.

Guardsman Whittle, a member of The Queen’s Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, was described as “one in a million” by his family.

Girl dies in Cornwall steam fair accident

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FIVE-year-old girl has died in a “tragic accident” at a vintage steam fair after being hit by a slow-moving vehicle.

The girl was fatally injured at 11.40am on Saturday at the Lanlivery Steam Fair near Lostwithiel, Devon and Cornwall Police have confirmed.

Efforts to resuscitate the girl at the showground in Cornwall were unsuccessful.

Foster parents of the unnamed child gave their permission for the annual twoday event to continue.

They also attended a church service held at the field on Sunday morning in remembrance of the child.

“The child was treated by paramedics on the scene within a minute of the incident occurring as they were present at the show on a display stand within 100m of the location,” a police spokesman added.

“The child was flown to Derriford hospital, where she later died.

“CPR was being undertaken at the point the air ambulance lifted from the scene.

Local police attended, later being joined by officers from the Bodmin serious collisions investigation unit, who will conduct a full investigation into the incident.

“The child was with her foster parents who live in Devon, her details are not being released at this time until interested parties are all aware.”

Diane Williams, the event secretary, said: “It was a tragic accident, a tragic accident.

It is the family’s wish that the rally continue today. Our hearts go out to them.

“We had a church service this morning at the field which the (foster) parents attended.”

Unions planning more strikes for Autumn

U

•A building which housed a French consular office was badly damaged by a car bomb on Sunday.

Iraq VP Tariq al-Hashemi sentenced to death

I

RAQ’S fugitive VicePresident Tariq alHashemi has been sentenced to death in absentia after a court found him guilty of running death squads.

The court ruling came as at least 64 people were

killed in a wave of about 27 attacks across Iraq.

Hashemi was the most senior Sunni Muslim in the predominantly Shia Iraqi government until he was charged last December and went on the run.

The charges against him sparked a political crisis in Iraq.

Other Sunni politicians denounced Shia Prime Minister Nouri alMaliki - who issued the warrant for Mr Hashemi - as a dictator, accusing

him of deliberate provocation that risked plunging the country back into sectarian conflict.

Iraqi security personnel inspect the site of a car bomb attack outside a French consular building in Nasiriya One of the at-

tacks was near the French consulate in the southern city of Nasiriya Correspondents say the fragile government coalition between Sunnis, secularists and Shia has seemed in danger of collapse ever since.

Obama to young Hawaiian: you have a birth certificate?

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HILE campaigning in Florida at the weekend, President Barack Obama stopped in at Gator Dockside, a Florida sports bar that boasts 19 bigscreen televisions and 15 chicken-wing sauces. After grabbing a beer, shaking hands, and leading a chorus in singing “Happy Birthday,” Obama met someone from his home state.

“My young son,” a woman said to the president, pointing across the table and conferring further with Obama.

“He’s a Hawaiian!” Obama exclaimed, looking up to face Andre Wupperman, who now lives in Orlando and will turn seven next week, according to pool reporters.

“Do you know how to do a shaka?” he asked, making the

Hawaiian gesture with his thumb and pinky finger.

“You were born in Hawaii?” he asked the child next, then pointed at him.

“Do you have a birth certificate?”

Behind Obama’s grin and laughs from those nearby lie the conspiracy theories of some conservative Republicans, who maintain that Obama was not born in the

United States, and is therefore not eligible to be president.

He released a certification of live birth during the 2008 campaign, and in the spring of 2011, released his longform birth certificate. Both show that he was born in a Hawaii hospital on August 4, 1961. Contemporaneously published newspaper announcements also noted the birth in the Aloha State. Only

“natural born” citizens of the United States are eligible to be president.

Among the highest-profile birthers, as they are known, are Donald Trump and Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Arpaio, the top law enforcement officer in Maricopa County, Arizona, earlier this year held a press conference to announce findings of an investigation he led into documents.

NIONS are on a fresh collision course with the government, with the TUC set to back a general strike as it holds its conference in Brighton this week.

Most of the major unions are poised to back a motion demanding a “coalition of resistance” to the government’s austerity measures, including the “consideration and practicalities of a general strike”.

A series of strikes, in protest at pay freezes, job losses and other cuts, would take place this autumn, after a TUC march through London, already planned for October 20.

As the conference got underway, Unite leader Len McCluskey warned the Government not to pick a fight with workers and claimed David Cameron’s ministerial reshuffle was an “ill disguised” preparation for an attack on workers’ pay and rights.

He accused the coalition of drawing up a “sacker’s charter” and said: “We’ve taken on bad bosses and won - we will see off the Tory right too.”

Leaders of the two biggest teachers’ unions will meet this week to decide whether to hold co-ordinated strikes this autumn, with other unions likely to add their support..

59

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

FOREIGN NEWS Clinton sees movement on Russia-U.S. trade relations

Mali Army kills 16 at Segou checkpoint in Diabali T

HE a r m y i n M a l i says it has shot dead 16 people after their vehicle failed to stop at a checkpoint in the town of Diabali in the central Segou region.

At least some of the dead are believed to be Islamic preachers from the conservative Dawa sect and included Mauritani-

ans as well as Malians.

They were travelling to a conference in the capital, Bamako.

Northern Mali is now controlled by Islamist militants, following a military coup in March.

Correspondents say the

army may have mistaken the preachers for Islamist fighters.

The government said it was launching an investigation into the incident.

The Dawa sect originated in Pakistan and first spread to Mali in the 1990s.

US warns Asia leaders over disputes

U

S Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has urged Asian countries not to let their territorial disputes disrupt cooperation in a region she called the “engine” of the global economy.

She urged China and its neighbours to resolve tensions over disputed islands in the East China and South China seas.

She was speaking at the end of the Asia-Pacific regional summit in Vladivostok, Russia.

US officials say they would welcome a more active Russian role in the region.

“Now is the time for everyone to make efforts to reduce the tension and

strengthen the diplomatic involvement,” Mrs. Clinton said.

“This region of the world is the economic engine in what is still a fragile global economy.

“It’s not in the interest of the Asian countries, it’s certainly not in the interest of the United States or the rest of the world, to raise doubts and uncertainties about the stability and peace in the region.”

On Saturday, Chinese President Hu Jintao told Japanese PM Yoshihiko Noda that a serious situation had developed over the contested Diaoyu islands, called Senkaku in Japan, and that the Japanese should not make a

wrong decision.

The two leaders did not hold customary talks on the sidelines of the AsiaPacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) summit because of the row.

Japan administers the islands, but China says the island group has been part of Chinese territory since ancient times.

Tokyo is also involved in a separate dispute with Seoul over islands known as Dokdo in South Korea and Takeshima in Japan.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is hosting the summit, has expressed concern about the world economy, and particularly Europe’s debt crisis.

SYRIA, ALEPPO : A handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) shows a Syrian man searching for the people after an explosion in Aleppo on september 9, 2012. Seventeen people were killed and more than 40 wounded in an attack in the stadium area of the embattled northern Syrian city of Aleppo, the official SANA news agency reported. AFP

Syria: Footage shows heavy shelling in Aleppo

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YRIAN activists have released amateur video footage of heavy shelling continuing in the city of Aleppo.

Residential districts in Syria’s largest city have been under bombardment after rebel fighters overran army barracks on Saturday.

Activists said an air raid destroyed a residential building in the Hananu neighbourhood - one of several in the east of the city under rebel control.

The death toll was not immediately clear, but bodies and wounded people were being dug out from the rubble.

Houses in the Midan district - currently held by the government - were also shelled on Sunday morning.

Video footage from the area showed scores of people searching and digging in rubble.

It comes as Aleppo suffers from severe water shortages

‘Electricity was cut and now water. This will only increase the suffering of people’ after a major water pipeline was destroyed during intense fighting.

Aleppo flooding A man carries a child through flooded streets after a water main was hit President Bashar al Assad’s government and opposition groups traded blame over the damage to the water pipeline in central Aleppo’s Midan district.

Aleppo-based activists said a Syrian warplane hit the pipeline with a missile.

Mohammed Saeed, from

the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, told AP news agency: “Water was completely cut from several neighbourhoods in the city.

“Electricity was cut and now water. This will only increase the suffering of people.”

Aleppo’s governor Mohammed Wahid Akkad said two water pumps were subjected to an act of sabotage by “terrorists”, the term used by the regime for the rebels.

Akkad was quoted by state-run news agency Sana as saying that water was cut in the neighbourhoods of Midan, Suleimaniyeh and Aziziyeh and work was under way to repair them.

Activists say more than 23,000 people have been killed since the uprising against Mr Assad began in March 2011. The government says more than 4,000 security officers are among the dead.

•Clinton

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.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton signalled Saturday that Congress could move to repeal Cold War-era legislation governing trade relations with Russia as soon as this month.

Clinton’s comments regarding the so-called Jackson-Vanik amendment came as she addressed business leaders in the Russian city of Vladivostok, where she is standing in for President Barack Obama at the head of the U.S. delegation

to the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

“To make sure our companies get to compete here in Russia, we are working closely with the United States Congress to terminate the application to JacksonVanik to Russia and grant Russian Permanent Normalized Trade Relations,” she said.

“We hope that the Congress will pass on this important piece of legislation this month.”

The Jackson-Vanik amendment was passed in 1974 as a way of pressuring Russia to allow Soviet Jews to emigrate. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, that was no longer an issue, but legislators kept the amendment on the books to pressure Russia on other issues.

Clinton: Russia, China on

board with us The United States has waived it every year since 1994, but it still violates World Trade Organization rules requiring members of the body to give one another permanent normal trade relations.

Russia finally entered the WTO this summer, raising the stakes for the United States to end a measure that critics warn could end up costing it business.

Clinton discussed the Jackson-Vanik amendment with her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov over a working breakfast, Nuland said.

“She said that the Congress was going to start voting and that we have strongly pushed and been supportive, and we think that it’s time for Jackson-Vanik to be repealed,” Nuland said of Clinton.

NEWS LCCI backs CBN on currency overhaul

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HE Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has backed the planned overhaul of Nigeria’s currency by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

In a statement made available to The Nation, President, LCCI, Mr Goodie Ibru said the new currency restructuring initiative of the CBN should be given a chance.

It said that the policy should be seen as a “policy response to current economic dynamics.”

However, the introduction of higher denomination according to the LCCI should maintain an incremental sequence of N2000 and N5000 in line with historical trend and international best practice. Besides, the LCCI advised the CBN to constantly ensure a proper alignment between the cash-less policy and its currency management strategy.

The chamber however, said that what is paramount

By Ayodele Aminu, Group Business Editor

at this time is for the CBN to relax its current tight monetary policy and risk management guidelines in order to improve access to credit and reduce the cost of fund in the economy. “It is time to focus on efforts to stimulate the economy and promote growth,” the chamber stressed.

On the flip side, the LCCI said the new policy will likely increase the incentive for currency counterfeiting in the country. “The risk of counterfeiting high currency denominations is high. It might also undermine the use of electronic channels for transactions to an extent,” the statement said.

The chamber however, dismissed the popular conjecture that the proposed introduction of higher currency note will cause inflation.

“There is no economic theory or empirical evidence suggesting a causal relation-

ship between higher currency denomination, inflation and devaluation. From the monetary stand point, inflation can only be induced by increasing money supply, or the stock of money in an economy. A new currency structure has no link with monetary expansion or contraction,” the LCCI stressed.

It nonetheless lamented the tight monetary policy stance of the CBN, which has persisted for close to a year, saying it is taking its toll on private sector productivity and sutainability. “Interest rates of over 20% are unquestionably inimical to entrepreneurship development, wealth creation and employment generation in the economy. Beyond that, access to such credits is even a much bigger issue because of the impossible conditions prescribed by the commercial banks. This, in our view, are more significant issues for which the business community should engage the Central Bank of Nigeria,” the LCCI said.

Akeredolu’s running mate gets more support T

HE deputy governorship candidate of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Dr. Paul Akintelure, at the weekend got the support of a group and former deputy governorship aspirants.

The three former deputy governorship aspirants, Chiefs Adewale Omojuwa, Olu Tawose, Wole Eruaye and the Ilaje Elders’ Forum backed his candidacy.

At a meeting in Ilaje, under the leadership of Chief Oluwanbe Omololu, a former Director of Immigration; Chief Francis Thinnance, Prof Esi Ebisemiju, a former Special Adviser to the late Governor Adekunle Ajasin on Energy Matters; Chief Sedera Victor Babatunde, among others, supported Akintelure.

The group noted that

though an Ilaje man did not get the deputy governorship slot under ACN, it said Akintelure is one of their sons because Ikale and Ilaje are the same.

Akintelure is Ikale.

The group added that it is only the ACN that has the blueprint to develop Ilaje, which it said has been neglect by the Olusegun Mimiko administration in the last three and a half years.

Through its spokesman, Prof. Ebisemiju, the group said Akintelure is a renowned medical doctor, a philanthropist who has contributed not only to Ikale land but also to Ilaje.

It said: “We see you as our son. We see Ikale and Ilaje people as one. Al-

though ACN’s decision is painful, we have put that behind us and decided to support you for ACN to win.”

Prof. Ebisemiju urged the ACN governorship candidate, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) and Dr. Akintelure not to forget the people of Ilaje, when they get to power.

He said if the ACN wins the October 20 election, the Akeredolu administration should implement a blueprint for the development of Ilaje to transform the oilrich community.

Akintelure met with Omojuwa and Tawose in a separate meeting where they promised to work for the victory of the Akeredolu-Akintelure ticket.

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

60

NATION SPORT

PREMIERSHIP ...PREMIERSHIP ...

Cleverley has 'fantastic future' says Gerrard

Santos on holiday during international break E W

HILE 14 of his Arsenal colleagues are away on international duty for the World Cup qualifiers, more than any other club in the Premier League, Arsenal’s Andre Santos has been relaxing on holiday in Mallorca and he seems to have been having a grand old time. Then again, this is Andre, he always seems happy.

Today he tweeted:Often the subject of playful ribbing from

Arsenal fans about being ‘chubby’ and ‘cuddly’ Andre looks anything but in this photograph and the fact that I’m posting this shows the dearth of Arsenal-related news that there is currently available (plus this is a gossip site).

Santos, who has played just nine minutes for Arsenal this season, hit the headlines at the end of August when the Sun reported that he was the subject of a high speed police chase.

Friedel: I'm still No 1

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OTTENHAM goalkeeper Brad Friedel has warned new signing Hugo Lloris that he'll have to fight hard to get into Spurs' first team.

"You have to understand Hugo Lloris is going to be a team-mate, not an enemy."

Friedel, 41, was in fine form between the sticks in Tottenham's 1-1 draw against Norwich while Lloris, who signed for the club on deadline day for £12m, was left on the bench.

And the veteran insists he is looking forward to the chal-

•Santos

lenge of staying ahead of Lloris, Carlo Cudicini and Heurelho Gomes as the season progresses.

"It's great to have competition," he told Goals on Sunday.

"I'm 41 right now; when I signed the contract at Tottenham I signed as a stop gap while they looked for a long-term No 1 goalkeeper.

"Carlo Cudicini, who is an outstanding goalkeeper, has just turned 39; Heurelho Gomes, who is an outstanding goalkeeper as well is 31.

Tottenham Hotspur deserve a long-term goalkeeper.

After 150 Blues appearances, Malouda heading to Lyon

C

HELSEA outcast Florent Malouda looks set to end his torrid time at Stamford Bridge by completing a January move to French side Lyon, The Daily Mail reports.

The French international has been a key part of the Blues since his arrival in 2007 from Lyon, but has found himself surplus to requirements since Roberto di Matteo became manager.

Eden Hazard, Juan Mata and Marko Marin’s additions to the Chelsea squad have seen Malouda cast to the shadows and he took to social networking site Twitter to reveal he had been sent to train with the under 21 squad this season.

Malouda is disenchanted with life at Stamford Bridge and sees a return to the Stade de Gerland as a lifeline to end his career back in France. The 32 year old spent four years with Lyon and club president JeanMichel Aulas wants to bring Malouda back. Chelsea

•Malouda

paid around £13m for Malouda five years ago and the Frenchman has made nearly 150 appearances for the Blues, winning the Pre-

mier League and three FA Cups.

Aulas said: “Our door is always open to former players. Malouda has been in

contact with our coaching team very recently. We’ve also spoken with Jeremy Toulalan who has been having problems at Malaga.

NGLAND skipper Steven Gerrard is predicting "a fantastic future" for Tom Cleverley, who confirmed his promise with another encouraging performance in the 5-0 win against Moldova.

The Manchester United player operated effectively behind main central striker Jermain Defoe in the World Cup qualifier in Chisinau. It helped England to compensate for the absence of the injured Wayne Rooney as goals from Frank Lampard (two), Defoe, Leighton Baines and James Milner ensured an easy win for Roy Hodgson's side.

Gerrard said: "Tom is going to be a good player. He is only a young boy. Games like that in Moldova will be fantastic experience for him. He is playing for one of the biggest clubs in Europe and he has broken into the England team so he has got a fantastic future. He keeps learning the game, keeps trying to improve, he is going to be a top player."

When asked if Cleverley could fill the role on Rooney's return, Gerrard said: "We will have to wait and see but he is doing a good job. He's played there twice now, against Italy and against Moldova, and he has done himself no harm at all.

"He can also play as a midfielder as well. It's important when you are young to

•Gerrard play in a couple of different positions. It helps you get into starting elevens and he can do that."

Hodgson has shown himself unafraid to play youngsters like Tom Cleverley and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain but Steven Gerrard believes the senior players have a key role to play in their development.

He said: "The important thing with a football team is to get the right blend of youth and experience. I don't think it would be fair if you put 11 kids out in games like in Moldova. The older lads have got a lot of helping to do for these young lads.

"But it showed in Moldova that if you get the right blend of youth and experience, you can win football matches and that's what it is all about."

Gerrard knows England will face a sterner test when they take on Ukraine at Wembley on Tuesday.

Scoring days numbered in new England role, warns Lampard

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RANK Lampard has warned fans not to expect a flurry of goals from him after England manager Roy Hodgson handed him a new role.

Chelsea midfielder Lampard scored twice — once from the penalty spot — in the 5-0 romp over Moldova on Friday night, but said: ‘I’m playing a bit more of a disciplined role now and those goals might be few and far between.

Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard Golden boys: Hodgson used Gerrard and Lampard in more defensive roles against Moldova 'But when you are part of a good performance and see the

young players coming through, it gives you a bit of excitement.

‘We trained very hard and with an attacking mindset. We are looking to get the ball into our pacy players on the wings or behind the front men.’

Lampard played alongside Steven Gerrard, a partnership which has seen questions raised about its compatibility on the pitch, but Lampard said: ‘Stevie is always a pleasure to play with. He is a top player.’

Gerrard added: ‘Frank’s a good player. We’ve got the understanding there.’

England's Frank Lampard

(L) celebrates scoring a penalty against Moldova with Tom Cleverley Master and the apprentice: England's Lampard is likely to play behind Cleverley in future England games Despite Lampard’s warning, Gerrard is convinced the pair still have something to offer, despite the emergence of youth. He said: ‘We still feel like kids.

‘The important thing is to get the right blend of youth and experience.

‘It’s not fair if you put 11 kids out in games like this one. The older lads can help the younger lads a lot.’

•Ferguson

Barry making good progress

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ANCHESTER City have been boosted by the news Gareth Barry is making good progress from his injury and should soon be back in the side.

The 31-year-old has yet to figure this season after undergoing a double hernia operation and then suffering a muscle tear, but he should be back pushing for a return sooner rather than later.

Barry has stepped up his game time with two run outs for the reserves against Middlesbrough and Liverpool and barring any setbacks he should be available shortly.

“I’ve had two outings with the Elite Development Squad now, and I felt a lot better in the second game (Liverpool) so things are progressing nicely,” he told the club’s official website.

“I had a double hernia operation which meant an initial four weeks out, but then I tore a muscle in rehab which set me back a little bit, but I don’t think I’m too far off now – touch wood!

“I’m just taking things one day at a time but I’m feeling quite strong again which is really good.”

The return of Barry will be a huge boost for Mancini who has been concerned with the way City have conceded five goals in the opening three games of the season.

•Gareth

Ferguson mounts scouting in Mexico, S/America

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IR Alex Ferguson has revealed that Manchester United are on the lookout for new talent in Central and South America.

Ferguson has worked with a number of players from that part of the world over the past few years and says they all have similar attributes in terms of attitude.

Chilean teenager Angelo Henriquez is the latest to arrive at Old Trafford and it would be no surprise to see others following in his footsteps in the years to come.

"Our scouting there has increased," Ferguson told Inside United. "We've got an operative in Mexico, two in

Brazil and four South American scouts now.

"Quite frankly, they do produce. The South Americans love playing football, it's just in their blood.

"The three Brazilians Anderson, Rafael and Fabio - love it and are first to training every morning. It's a breath of fresh air.

"Antonio Valencia is as tough as nails with great discipline about him.

Chicharito has a fantastic attitude to playing and everything else. It's really good.

"We've done very well in Central and South America in the last two or three years."

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

61

NATION SPORT

•Loveline Obiji wins gold in powerlifting Paralympics

Nigeria's Paralympic powerlifting success, an eye opener F

OURTEEN-YEAROLD Abdullahi Maggi has never had the luxury of watching a televised sporting event, but his eyes shine when he talks of Nigeria's Paralympics team.

"I have heard there are people with no legs who can run. It makes me proud to be like them," he says, spinning on a makeshift wheelchair in a crammed public home for disabled people – one of only two in Lagos, Africa's largest metropolis.

He and his friends heard of the Paralympic Games for the first time this year, as news trickled in of Nigeria's powerlifters winning 12 medals as of Friday, smashing two records along the way.

Maggagi has lived in the litter-strewn centre, where 250 surrounding rooms house almost 5,000 disabled people, since his legs withered away from polio at the age of four. "We want to be useful but we have no options. So we go begging, then they pick us from the street and put us in rehabilitation centres, but that is like prison to us. We try to occupy ourselves by playing football at times," he says, showing calluses on his hands from pulling himself on his padded plank with wheels attached to it.

The Paralympian medal haul has been a ray of sunshine in a torrid run for Ni-

gerian sport. Africa's largest nation limped out of the Olympics without a single medal for the first time in over 20 years.

Money thrown into crowdpulling events such as football has disappeared into a black hole of corruption. In 2010, President Goodluck Jonathan sacked the football team and board and issued a two-year ban in an attempt to focus on training, before backtracking.

The Paralympians have won not only against disorganisation and inadequate funding – the Olympics team took the bulk of $14m (£8.7m) released only three months before the Games started – but in a society where disabled people have few options open to them.

"In another five years, I can see a gold medallist begging on the streets," says Aare Feyisetan, a wheelchair user who coached the powerlifters to their 12 medals, including six golds. "In Nigeria when you want to talk to a person they look at you as if you only want to ask them for money. They believe that's the only thing a physically challenged person can do."

A former Paralympian who brought back a gold medal from the All Africa Games in 1995 and a clutch of golds in other international events, Feyistan says he narrowly avoided that fate. "If not for coaching now, I don't know what I'd

be doing. After the sport, there's nothing else. That's why the government should be doing something tangible for us when we return," he adds.

Big name footballers are often awarded – or simply given – houses and cars in Nigeria. While a handful of officials, frequently paying from their own pockets, have nurtured disabled athletes, recognition has been a long time coming. Before heading to Korea for three months, most of the powerlifters trained at battered stadiums in downtown Lagos, where congested streets are difficult to navigate even for the ablebodied.

"There is nothing here, just the heat and rats. It is only their determination that allowed them to win," says trainer Henry Oko, gesturing at rusting weightlifting equipment scattered outside one stadium.

Nigeria's sports minister, Bolaji Abdullahi, says that's set to change. "The lesson for us is that rather than spread our resources thin we focus on areas where we can win. We're going to put more money into the sports where we have a comparative advantage," he explains.

There have been other victories. "They have made us realise we have to give physically challenged people more opportunities in this country. They have

made Nigerians proud in a way we haven't been for a long time," Lagos resident Odemuyiwa Tomori says, in front of an open air lagoon-side bar showing the Paralympic Games.

Beside him, motorbike driver Emmanuel Bzaryou agrees: "I'm from Liberia

where, because of the war, we have facilities for amputees. Nigeria doesn't have that. I really appreciate what the Nigerians have done. It makes people think: this man doesn't have a leg but he is changing his life."

Coach Feyistan has been approached by Brazil's

•Loveline Obiji

powerlifting federation. "We are having an impact even outside of Nigeria," he says proudly. "I hope whoever is coming in to work in sports will now say: yes, this is how things can be done.

From now on we can be seen as human beings in Nigeria."

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

62

SPORT EXTRA LONDON 2012 PARALYMPIC GAMES

Nigeria finishes as Africa’s 3rd best A

S THE 2012 Paralympic Games rounded off in London on Sunday, no fewer than 10 African countries made the medals table, winning a total of 112 medals over the 11 days of the Games, Aug. 29 to Sept . 9.

African nations’ performance at the Games represented a marginal improvement over their performance at the last Paralympic Games in Beijing, China, in 2008, where only eight nations made the medals table.

The 10 African countries notched up 112 medals, made up of 38 gold, 36 silver and 38 bronze medals.

Nigeria, which led Africa’s medals table from the beginning of the games, was beaten to the third place by Tunisia.

Tunisia, now Africa’s number one at the end of the Paralympic Games, won 19 medals - nine gold, five silver and five bronze, to beat South

Africa, which had 25 medals eight gold, 12 silver and seven bronze medals - to the second position.

Nigeria, which placed third

with 13 medals overall, had six gold, five silver and two bronze.

Nigeria, however, ended the Games’ overall number

one winners of the Power lifting event, from where it won 12 of its 13 medals.

Algeria placed fourth with a total of 19 medals – (4-6-9),

FIFA clears Raheem Lawal

T

•Nigeria’s Paralympic team London 2012

FIFA TO NFF

Let Falconets transform to Falcons F

OOTBALL Intertional Federation Associations’s (FIFA) President, Sepp Blatter has advised the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to ensure the transformation of the present set of Falconets into the Super Falcons.

This advice is contained in a statement issued by NFF’s Media Officer, Ademola Olajire, in Abuja on Sunday.

The statement said Blatter praised the Nigerian girls’ efforts throughout the competition, especially the performance in

Egypt had 15 (4-4-7), Morocco (3-0-3), Kenya (2-22), Others are: Namibia (1-10), Angola (1-0-1) and Ethiopia (0-1-0).

their last match.

It said the FIFA president urged NFF to strive to keep most of the players together to form the next squad of the Super Falcons, the senior national team.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Falconets had on Saturday in Tokyo lost 12 to hosts Japan in the third-place match of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. "Though they ended up with the wooden spoon among the four semi finalists, after a splendid run that saw them win three matches

and draw one, the Falconets played with purpose, vision and invention and should be encouraged.

"Your girls are very good players. Their creativity and strength bring a lot to the tournament.

"It would be good to keep them together so that they can take the steps to the next grade,” the statement quoted Blatter to have told NFF’s Executive Committee member and leader of delegation to Japan, Effiong Johnson.

The president of the world football governing body said the Nigerian Under-20 women national team was not disgraced.

"Their battling effort on Saturday against the host nation, especially in the second half, underscored tenacity and courage in front of a near full-house rooting for the opponents," he said.

Blatter urged the players not to be discouraged as they had shown strength of character and capacity, describing them as a great credit

to the women’s game.

The statement also quoted Johnson, while responding to Blatter, to have thanked him for appreciating the team’s effort.

He promised to relay the advice to the appropriate body upon the team’s return to Nigeria.

NAN reports that the Falconets were in Group B of the competition’s first round with South Korea, Brazil and Italy.

They won their opening match 2-0 against South Korea and were held to a 1-1 draw by Brazil in the second game.

They defeated Italy 4-0 in their last group match and edged out Mexico with a lone goal in the quarter-finals.

Their semi-final clash with the U.S ended 2-0, leading to their vying for the third-place position with hosts Japan.

NAN reports that the U.S won the competition after a lone strike from Kealia Ohai a minute before half-time gave them a 1-0 win over defending champions Germany.

AHEAD 18TH NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL

Lagos hockey team set to excel

T

O ensure that they excel 18th National Sports Festival tagged Eko 2012, the Lagos State hockey team has intensified its training ahead of the tournament in November.

With the conclusion of a two-day championship, the Technical Director of the Lagos State Hockey Association, Ayo Ladeinde, said that the target of the team is to win gold medal in both the male and female categories.

“Our Players are hardworking, dedicated and in high spirit to win gold at the festival. So far, we are 70 per cent ready for the festival in terms of preparation as it concerns the players’ skills, teamwork and training. What the players need now is encouragement and Lagos State Government is trying in that regard. The coaches, technical crew and other

personnel in the Lagos State Hockey Association is working round the clock to make sure that we clear the two gold medals in Hockey come November.

For the Chairman of the association, Tunde Popoola the championship was organised to prepare the players ahead of the festival and also to develop the game at inter-club level in line with the policy of the state government.

He commended Governor Babatunde Fashola for releasing funds for all the sports associations in the state meant for organising competitions in their various sports.

Four male clubs, which were Team Lagos Hockey, Union Bank Hockey, Police Hockey Club and Dynamic Hockey Club, participated in the championship, while two teams made up of Team Lagos Hockey and 90 Degree Hockey Club competed in the female

HE career of Eagles’ midfielder Raheem Lawal is back on track after FIFA cleared him to move to Turkey despite refusal by his Spanish club.

Lawal could therefore make his debut for Turkish second division club Adana Demirspor as early as next week.

He was not cleared by Spanish third division side Atletico Beleares, who insisted he return to training.

But he received reprieve from FIFA after it was discovered that Beleares owed him money.

“Raheem got FIFA to cancel his contract with Beleares, who owe him money,” a top source informed MTNFootball.com Dispute with his Spanish club cost the former Olympic team star a place in the Super Eagles’ squad for the 2013 AFCON qualifier in Liberia.

He has signed a two-year contract with Adana Demirspor.

Inter lists Joel Obi for Europa League

R

ECUPERATING Nigerian midfielder, Joel Obi has been named in Inter Milan’s 31-man squad for the group stage of UEFA Champions League.

Obi sustained the injury in the twilight of last season, which ruled him out of the Nerrazzuri’s pre-season plans, as well as a handful of international engagements with Nigeria.

But he is now up and running with the rest of the team and has marked for roles in the group stage of Europe’s second-tier club competition.

Ricardo Alvarez, Christian Chivu and Dejan Stankovic are still struggling with physical problems and were salient exclusions from the list.

•Joel Obi

AHEAD 5TH NATIONAL SCHOOL SPORTS FESTIVAL

Federation to inspect facilities at Rivers •As Garden City plays host

D

ETERMINED to ensure the readiness of River State as host of the fifth edition of the National School Sports Festival, officials of the Nigeria School Sport Federation (NSSF) will on September 11 inspect facilities for the multi-sports fiesta.

According to NSSF President, Ibrahim Muhammad, the state has accepted to host thousands of Nigerian students that will compete in 25 events at the championship.

"Rivers State has agreed to host the fifth National School Sports Festival and for us to confirm their readiness for the tournament, we will be inspecting facilities that will be used for the competition.

It is a normal thing for us to inspect the facilities because we need to know how ready the state is. We are confident that that the state can host the event but it is important that we look at the venues including the accommodation because thousands of students from the 35 States and Abuja will be part of the championship," Muhammad said.

Venues like the University of Port Harcourt, Liberation Stadium and schools within the state capital will host most of the events.

The NSSF boss added: "I think with our dismal performance at the London Olympics, the festival in Port Harcourt will surely afford us the opportunity to discover athletes with their true age and groom them to stardom.

I want to appeal to the

By Innocent Amomoh National Sports Commission (NSC) to encourage the sports federations to send their coaches to Port Harcourt to identify talents.

"In previous festivals, sports federations hardly send their technical officials to get talented athletes but I believe with what happened in London, we don't need to tell them before they come. I am also using this avenue to passionately appeal to NSC to encourage coaches from the sports federations to come to Port Harcourt to source for talents they will groom to stardom. We are hoping that from the festival, young athletes with true age will be unearthed and nurture to greatness," he said.

Aside the inspection of facilities, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) will also be inaugurated while the logo/ mascot of the festival will also be unveiled.

Muhammad, however, appealed to parents to allow their wards to be part of the sporting fiesta, which is the biggest assemblage of Nigerian students in the country.

Meanwhile, the body has charged states to begin preparation President, Nigeria School Sport Federation (NSSF), Ibrahim Muhammad has charged states to commence preparations for the fifth National School Sports Festival holding in Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State.

The NSSF boss believes with quality preparation, the students can excel in various events to be competed for at the sporting fiesta.

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

63

SPORT EXTRA

Eagles can win Nations Cup —Echiejile

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UPER EAGLES’ left back, Elderson Uwa Echiéjilé has revealed to Nationsports that his heart’s desire is to see the Super Eagles lift the Africa Nations Cup in South Africa next year, and making a historic move to Chelsea of England.

According to him, these are his two heart desires after which, it would be safe to conclude he has achieved his childhood desire.

Echiejile who was part of the Super Eagles team that was held to a 2-2 draw by the Lone Stars of Liberia, said "I want to help the Super Eagles win

From Patrick Ngwaogu, Abuja the Africa Nations Cup next year. Though I still have a contract with Bragga in Portugal, but I still wish to play for Chelsea in the English League. That has been my childhood desire, and I would strive to make it come to reality. He said that the Super Eagles as constituted now, are committed to returning smiles to the faces of all soccer-loving Nigerians, saying that the task of lifting the trophy in South Africa is achievable, with the crop of

players that are in the team now “we can do it, though it is a big task, but nothing is impossible".

Born January 20, 1988 in Benin City, Elderson Echiejile plays for Sporting de Braga in Portugal, as a Left back. He began his football career at Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin, making his first-team debut at the age of 16. In August 2007, he was sold to Stade Rennais F.C. in France, making his Ligue 1 debut on 23 December 2007, in a 0–0 draw at Toulouse FC. On June 16, 2010, Echiéjilé signed for Sporting de Braga from Portugal for • 2.5million, on a four-year contract. He scored on his official debut for the Minho club, netting from a corner kick in a 3–0 home win against Celtic for the qualifying rounds of the UEFA

Champions League (4 – 2 aggregate win).

Elderson Echiéjilé was a member of the Nigerian U-20 team at the 2007 World Cup in Canada, playing five matches and scoring once. He was also a member of the Nigerian U-20 at the 2007 African Youth Championship in Congo. His only goal in the semi-final match against Gambia booked a place in the Finals for the U-20 team. They finished the tournament as a runner-up to the host Congo.

Having made his debuts for the senior side in 2009, he was picked for the following year's FIFA World Cup in South Africa, appearing in two group stage matches in an eventual group stage exit. At the moment, Echiejile is one of the regular players for the senior team.

Focus on Grassroots football, Asagba IFA/CAF advisor and a urges NFF senior lecturer at the

F

•Echiejile

University of Ibadan Prof. Babatunde Asagba has urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to focus more on helping the roundleather game develop at the grassroots rather than how they concentrated all their attentions on winning laurel.

The retired FIFA-badged referee disclosed this at the passing out event of players of Ibadan based FRENAGEProgression International Soccer Academy (FPISA) which was held over the weekend.

Asagba frowned on the spate Nigerian football that was reverred by all soccer-playing nations across the globe, is sliding back to the level that we failed to qualify for African Cup of Nations,

NFF’s chieftains salute excellent Eaglets ...as victorious team returns today

P

RINCIPAL members of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in Niamey at the weekend have hailed the sparkling performance of the self-styled New Nigeria Golden Eaglets following their 4-1 defeat of Junior Menas of Niger in the 2013 African Under-17 Youth Championship qualifier played on Saturday.

On a day the National Under-20 Women’s team faltered in their bronze medal match at the FIFA World Cup

in Japan and the Super Eagles less hard-earned 2 -2 draw in Monrovia, the Golden Eaglets gave Nigerians and indeed NFF officials on their entourage to Niamey, something to cheer about with their near flawless display. “ The truth is that we have heard and read so much about the new Golden Eaglets but this is the first time I’m seen this team and I’m truly delighted about your p e r f o r m a n c e

WORLD MOUNTAIN RUNNING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Imoke promises good showing

C

ROSS River state Governor,senator Liyel Imoke says his state is ready to organise the best-ever world mountain running championships that will serve as benchmark for future championships.

Imoke made this pledge following the award of the hosting right to Obudu Ranch Resort for the 30th World Mountain Running Association Championship which will hold in 2014. The governor told WMRA officials and delegates at the association's meeting in Italy penultimate weekend via a recorded video message that the champioships in Obudu will be the best ever.

"His Excellency expressed his total commitment to the project and assured that all that is needed to be done to make the championships a huge success will be done",revealed Patrick

Ugbe,the Cross River state Commissioner for Youth and Sports. Ugbe added that Gov Imoke`s message and the general acknowledgement especially by WMRA president,Bruno Gozzelino of the huge success the annual Obudu International Mountain Race has recorded since its inaugural edition in 2005 ensured Obudu got the nod to host the championships in 2014. "His Excellency has been the pillar behind the success of the annual mountain race. This fact is not unknown to WMRA president who upon noticing the governor's commitment to the race urged him to bid for the 2014 championships”,said Ugbe.

The Commissioner added that it was Gov Imoke that mid-wived the coming on stream of the African mountaining championships.

today(Saturday),” said Alhaji Muazu Suleiman, a board member of the NFF and leader of the delegation to Niamey.“This is the best Under-17 team I have seen in recent years. We would use this as the prototype for Nigerian football and I’m confident that this is a team that can take Nigerian football to a greater height.”

He further praised the players for their sturdy perseverance despite some poor refereeing particularly that controversial penalty awarded in favour of the Junior Menas.

“I’m happy that you kept your cool despite all the nonsense we saw here today, “he advised the chairman of the NFF’s Referees ‘Committee. “I want you to maintain this good attitude because some of these referees would want to frustrate you but I’m so happy you played good football and conducted yourself very well.

According to Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, the Director of competitions at the NFF, the typical fine display of the Golden Eaglets is like a sweetened drug: “I’m totally overwhelmed with the performance of this team against Niger today. This is a good team in the making and my recommendation to Nigerians is that if you want to see good football, go and watch the national under-17 team.”

maintaining that only grassroots approach can save our football from such decay.

He, however, praised the management of FPISA for toeing a path that would soon redeem the battered Nigerian football image, by giving our young aspiring footballers basic knowledge.

Also speaking at the event was the acting general manager of Unic FM Ilesa, Mrs. Adebimpe Atofolaki who emphasised the importance of acquiring a fundamental knowledge in one’s chosen vocation, saying football had greatly laundered the image of Nigeria positively globally had become a money spinning venture.

•L-R: Senator Muniru Muse, Deputy gov of Lagos State, Orelope Adefulire, Captain of Smart FC Apapa, Kareem Ibrahim and Senator Oluremi Tinubu presenting the U-13 trophy.

PHOTO: Rasheed Olaniyonu

Senator Tinubu ‘lifts’ U-13 tourney S MART FC of Apapa defeated Coker FC of Iwaya 3-2 in the U-12 boys’ category of the Muniru Muse Cup which was held at Campos Square, Lagos on Sunday.

The competition which was sponsored by Senator Oluremi Tinubu , also saw Amazon Queen FC of Ebute Metta beating C.F.C Queen FC 1-0 to clinch the trophy in the female category. However, winners in the male category carted home cash prizes to the tune of two hundred and fifty thousand naira, while runners up got one hundred and fifty thousand naira for their effort. In the female category, winners got one hundred and fifty thousand naira, while runners up in the female category smiled home with one hundred thousand naira.

A member of Lagos State Grassroots Association stated that the association ventured into the round-leather game because it believes that the sports should not be left solely to the government.

“As you are aware, government alone can not carry

•As Apapa, Ebutemetta emerge winner

By Rasheed Olaniyonu

the burden of sports development in this country, last year we decided to contact Senator Muniru Muse for the sponsorship of the U-13 Boys Category . He was motivated to sponsor the tournament because of his firm belief in developing the standard of youth football in the state.

At this junction we, the entire members of the association hereby express our appreciation and acknowledge the timely intervention of our most distinguished Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her motherly role and support both financially to ensure the successful staging of this edition.”

Meanwhile, other dignitaries that graced the 2nd edition of the Muniru Muse Cup were the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Adejoke Adefulire, chief Molade Okoya Thomas and Senator Muniru Muse.

ADOPT -A-TALENT

Athletes are future Nigerian champions—Oteje

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UDO coach of Adopt-ATalent Sports Programme, Olugbenga Oteje has hailed the potentials in the athletes in the ongoing summer camping of the porgramme, saying they are Nigeria's future champions.

The athletes are currently undergoing a 10-day camping at the Myoung Barracks, Somolu, Lagos.

Oteje said he was surprised to see how the athletes are responding to training.

"In Judo, we are training on the rudiments and modern

Golden Tulip wins UDPC/Ikoyi Club Tennis Championship

A

FTER one week of tennis action at the Tennis Section of the Ikoyi Club, Golden Tulip over the weekend emerged champion of the 2012 UPDC/ Ikoyi Club Grand Slam Tennis Championship.

Golden Tulip defeated Cameroon Green 4-3 to win the coveted trophy hotly contested for by eight teams in the 2012 edition widely considered the most competitive since the championship started.

Cameroon Green had cruised to the final by beating Vintage Garden 6-1 and had looked set to clinch the ultimate prize of the championship going by the array of good players in the team. It however lost to the superior striking power of equally good players of the Golden Tulip team who qualified for the final by trouncing the Festival Place team 5-2.

techniques of the game, but I was surprised that the athletes caught up with what we are training them," he said.

The coach said that with the programme lined up by the Management Committee of the Adopt-A-Talents Sports Programme headed by Prince Wale Oladunjoye, who is the Senior Special Assistant on Grassroots Sports Development to Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, the sky will be the limit for the athletes in the nearest future.

"I see potential world champions in these young Judokas. We are bringing the best out of them and the state and

indeed the country will be better for it," Oteje said.

About 180 athletes are participating in the summer camping, which will end on Sunday, 16 September.

Athletics has 31 athletes, Basketball (24), Boxing (8), Football (44), Gymnastics (10), Judo (11), Karate (10), Swimming (13), Table Tennis (17) and Volleyball (11). The athletes comprise 103 boys and 77 girls.

They are having their training at University of Lagos Sports Centre, Yaba College of Technology, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, and Jalisco Sports Centre, Oshodi.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL 7 NO 2,244

TODAY IN THE NATION ‘Whatever we are reaping today as a nation are those things we sowed in the past years of grace when Nigeria was being tagged a nation on the path of greatness. We are in the depressed state we are now because of the abuse of grace. Our leaders abused God’s provisions and resources...’

SOJI OMOTUNDE

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

I

N one of his sermons, the numinous Christ differentiated the broad way from the narrow way. The narrow way leads to life, the broad way to destruction.

That was my thought when the Lagos State Government introduced the new traffic law, the most ambitious and comprehensive of such legislation in the history of this country. And who else to do so but the governor of example, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN). When the news made the rounds, I also anticipated a row, the voices of dissent and resistance.

It has been called draconian, ruthless, inhuman. I call it the law of the narrow gate.

Back to the numinous Christ. He said the broad way attracts all sorts of people, the wicked, the good, the fools, the heartless and the lawless. A cocktail of such human types would lead to destruction. It is the way of indiscipline, the albatross of chaos.

So the law says: don’t eat, don’t drink, don’t beat the red light, don’t bring your okada to the major spines and arteries of the cities, don’t ride okada with two persons, keep away your cell phones, don’t drive the danfo with nonfunctional lamps, drive your heavy trucks only at night, et cetera.

And I say why not! Go to the Lagos road and you will know why. A man in suit navigates a one-way street with the reckless gusto of the shirtless danfo driver. The rabble has converted the dove. It is time to reverse that. Recently, the streets were lined again, and the purpose is to keep commuters on their lanes. Only on Saturday, I watched a man in a new Honda Accord hug the street, as though he could not see the border between my lane and his.

The road fines are heavy, and that is how it should be. When I first started driving in the United States, I was almost tempted to throw out the foil wrap of a cake I had just consumed on my way from Denver to Boulder in the state of Colorado. It then occurred to me that there was a sign that a fine of $1,000 loomed. For a cake that cost me about one dollar? That is the discipline we need to abide by the law.

The road is not just the road. It is the place where we all meet. The President’s siren blares when he commutes, CEOs and the drivers are forced into the same space.

The driver can hear some of the conversational intimacies of the most powerful man in town when even the wife is as far away as Madagascar. The road accommodates the slouch and the efficient, the rascal and the devotee, the sinner and preacher, the drunk and the sober, the virile and impotent, the blessed and the cursed, the damned jalopy and the chariot of the Lord. The road,

SAM OMATSEYE

IN TOUCH

intouchsam@yahoo.com 08054501081(sms only) •Winner, Informed Commentary 2009& 2010 (D.A.M.E)

Fashola’s way of life

•Governor Fashola

whether it is as thin as needle or wide as the heavens, becomes a broad way. Broad is the gate and wide is the road that leads to destruction, many there are who find it.

Wole Soyinka wrote a play at our Independence in 1960 and it was aptly called The Road. The Nobel Laureate, ever a

HARDBALL

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traveler, is a devotee of the road. He has shown this in his marquee plays, poems, memoirs and novels. In real life, he became the boss of the Federal Road Safety Corps.

The phrase Aksident Store haunts me from The Road. It is the store where all the vehicular scraps from around town are kept by a sort of tout called Professor.

The new law is to avoid the accidents and pare the rate of scraps of tragedy on our roads. Obedience of the law is better than the sacrifice of the limbs and health of our commuters.

As a reporter in the United States, I once visited the Denver jail for a night, and what struck me was the number of people behind bars for what is designated as DUI – driving under the influence. Of alchohol, that is. That was Denver, a tranquil cow town of low blood pressure with minimal traffic infractions.

The road is the place of all human activities. There many wars are fought, many peace treaties signed, many lovers consummated. There children are born , David beat Goliath on the road, Samson mauled a lion barehanded. Also: Ija Ore in the Nigerian Civil war, the walk of Moremi into myth, the pogroms and festivals of our people, the Battle of the Bulge in the Second World War when Germans ensnared Americans by changing road signs, the conversion of Paul, the road to Golgotha, Mohammed’s trip between Mecca and Medina, Budda’s nights of solitude as shown in Nobel Prizewinning novel Siddhartha by Herman Hesse, the young wooer of big words in

Soyinka’s play whose bag got empty and sent for a bigger dictionary, the actions in Death and The King’s Horse man, the mad man in Achebe’s short story, the slaying of Ikemefuna in Things Fall Apart, the assassination of Murtala Muhammed and John Kennedy. Every day when we wake up, we might as well remember the song of the American rock star, Bob Seger: Here I am/ on the road again/ there I am/ up on the stage.

In the movie, The Great American Traffic Jam, everything happens from the birth of a baby to the pursuit of a criminal to the glitter of a band with guitars blaring.

The American novelist, Jack Kerouac dramatised the rebellion of the young and restless in the 1950’s with the novel On The Road where a group of lads travel all over America in search of meaning they cannot not find. The road is nothing but a process.

It is not where we are going to but where we are going through. Just like searching for regular power supply, real federalism as well as end to armed robbery, ethnic and religious bigotry, rigged elections, etc. We are forced on it whether it is well travelled or not. That was Christ’s point.

If we don’t make it a good one, the road becomes the end of the road. Another novel, The Road, by Cormac McCarthy tells of its apocalyptic potential. We neither want to make the road an endless search nor the finisher of our souls.

No law is perfect. When the Americans developed their constitution, they admitted it would be improved along the way.

That is why they have several amendments.

Somebody asked me how she could carry her baby from her home to the main street without Okada since there are only Okada.

While the spirit of the law is to save the child, the convenience of mother and child may not enjoy infrastructure as yet. That is the challenge to make more roads open to such families. It is work in progress.

The spirit of the law is in the right place, and most of it is right. That is where we should focus. Governor Fashola wants a way of life in which a narrow gate leads to life, not to death and destruction.

We follow Ebenezer Obey’s line, “ Irin ajo la wa yi o/ ori gbe wa de le…” That is the high way, which Prophet Isaiah says the unclean will not take. That is Fashola’s way of life for Lagosians, a road pruned of dirt and deaths. It is in that spirit that Soyinka writes, “Traveller, you must set forth at dawn/I promise marvels of the holy hour.”

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Federal monologues and prestige projects

I

N an advertorial, entitled: “False rumours on currency restructuring,” the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) tried to tackle stories it described as malicious misrepresentations on the impending introduction of N5,000 banknote. No contracts have been issued on the project, and it would not even cost the N40 billion speculated in the media, it said. But the statement neither answered why currency restructuring in Nigeria must inevitably be directed towards the introduction of higher denomination notes, nor convinced the public why the CBN thinks previous replacement of notes by coins did not raise prices and cause the same coins to be pushed out of circulation. What is clear from the advertorial and from the reactions of leading government officials and CBN managers themselves is that the government has made up its mind to ignore the protests of the people from whom it derives legitimacy.

While the CBN and its managers were busy ignoring the fears of the public on the currency restructuring programme, the Aviation Ministry was also busy confecting prestige projects that look certain to be both economically unviable and insulting. On these projects, too, the government has made up

its mind that there would be no going back.

The government never goes back on anything – not on fuel subsidy in spite of superior arguments to counter fuel price hike; not on N5,000 note since it thinks it knows best and Nigerians are ignorant or mischievous; and not on the Aviation projects because Nigerians weren’t even invited to consider them, let alone dissuading the government. The Aviation Ministry is set to construct 11 airports at a cost of N106billion.

The funds, we are told, would be sourced from China, and Chinese firms would build the airports. On top of these indignities, the Aviation Ministry, which appears to have so much leverage in this government, is also set to introduce a new national carrier less than a decade after it wound up the former national carrier due to crippling losses and incompetence.

The Goodluck Jonathan Presidency must have embraced a novel interpretation of democracy. Even if does not say so, the government appears to see democracy not as one of government of the people, by the people, for the people, but one of a conceited, all-knowing coterie of officials speaking down to people they often describe as malicious and uninformed. Nigerians are slowly

beginning to understand that they are compelled to listen to federal monologues in which communication between the government and the people is one-way. They are beginning to realise, like Alfred, Lord Tennyson wrote of the Charge of the Light Brigade at the Battle of Balaclava during the Crimean War, that theirs is not to reason why; theirs is but to do and die.

In a few years, when the next set of elections will be due, the country waits to see how these monologists will reconcile their monologues with the principles of democracy. Since they have mastered the art of listening only to themselves, and are inculcating the same habit in the electorate, when next they mount the soap box, they will be astounded to discover that voters are also disinclined to listen to them. As the fuel subsidy affair showed, and as the N5,000 banknote issue and Aviation prestige projects are also showing, the damage to the Nigerian economy may be unquantifiable. But whether the damage will be reversible or not will depend on whether voters in the next election have also imbibed the culture of shutting their ears against the political campaigns of those seeking re-election.

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