The Nation September 10, 2014

Newspaper of the Year

Obasanjo’s son flown out of Yola

•Fintiri, Atiku visit officer

APC queries Sheriff’s trip with Jonathan NEWS

NEWS

•‘It’s shocking act of indiscretion’

Page 4

•Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

VOL. 9, NO. 2967 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

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WHEN WILL THE CHIBOK GIRLS KIDNAPPED ON APRIL 15 BE FREED?

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TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

the need for the President to act as Commander-in-Chief.

‘To...wedoreiterate that he has not only to restore all lost territories but the lost pride

of the Nigerian Army. Never again should we accept a situation where a neighbouring Cameroun would do with dispatch what our soldiers cannot dare. We reiterate that Maiduguri should not be allowed to fall — EDIT ORIAL, PA GE 19 EDITORIAL, PAGE because the consequences are serious.

’

•INSIDE: FINTIRI WON’T CONTEST IN 2015, SAYS PDP P59 IG: 20 POLICEMEN STILL MISSING P6

•Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima receiving a newly born baby at an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Maiduguri…yesterday

PHOTO: NAN

Emir flees as Boko Haram hits Defence chief’s town Residents flood Yola Troops retake Bazza, Bama Acting governor’s mum moved

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CORES of insurgents were killed yesterday following their invasion of the university town of Mubi, Adamawa State.

Attempts by the insurgents to hit Vimtim, Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh’s village, were repelled by troops.

Another report late last night said Boko Haram insurgents may have captured the village.

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja and Barnabas Manyam, Yola

But the military launched a counter offensive in Bazza to retake the town.

The Federal Government yesterday said Bama, Borno State’s second largest city had been retaken from the insurgents, who reportedly suffered heavy losses. Over 50 of their men were killed, it was learnt.

Gulak and Michika are other

towns on which the insurgents have launched attacks.

Also yesterday, it was learnt that troops led by Gen. JS Zaruwa recaptured Bazza, one of the towns seized

by Boko Haram insurgents.

A senior military source said troops retook Bazza after a fierce battle in which soldiers killed many Boko Haram militants.

Acting Governor Umaru Fintiri appealed for calm.

In a broadcast, Fintiri said he had got the Military High Command to ensure “immediate response to halt the incursions within the shortest possible time”.

He added: “I hereby call for calm in the affected areas and that no one should panic, raise false alarm and rumours capable of further throwing innocent people into confusion.

“I passionately appeal to all citizens in Mubi and surrounding vil-

lages to remain where they are and not move out as the military and security are there are on high alert and ready to defend the area.”

Vimtim is less than five kilometers to Mubi, the state’s second largest town.

The development has led to the relocation of the Emir of Mubi, Alhaji Abubakar Isa Ahmadu, and Continued on page 4

•LAGOS SCHOLARSHIPS P42-48 •COURT SUMMONS KWARA PDP CHAIRMAN P59

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

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‘Nigerians •From left: Vice-President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Otunba Samuel Olufemi Deru, ICAN President, Chidi Onyeukwu Ajaegbu, Minister of Trade and Investment Dr. Olusegun Aganga and Past President, Balogun PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN. Bisi Omidiran at 44th Annual Accountants' Conference in Abuja...yesterday.

•From left: General Manager, Prime Atlantic, Mr. Adeniyi Adekoya; Managing Director, Prime Atlantic, Mr. Ayo Otuyalo; General Manager, Eko Hotel, Mr. Danny Kioupouroglou; Manager, Corporate Communications, Prime Atlantic, Olajumoke Adeola; and Business Development Manager, Mr. Dimeji Belo during Prime Atlantic’s open day on "Innovative Fire and Emergency Response Technology and Solutions" in Ipara Remo, Ogun State... yesterday.

PHOTO: BOLA OMILABU

•From left: Managing Director, Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC), Dr. Lucy Newman, Group Managing Director/ CEO, Access Bank Plc, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, President, Chartered Institute of Bankers Nigeria(CIBN), Otunba (Mrs.) Debola Osibogun and Seye Awojobi, Acting Registrar, CIBN during the second Annual Seminar on Promoting Gender Economic Inclusion sponsored by Access Bank Plc in Lagos… yesterday.

•CEO, Dangote Cement, Joseph Makoju cutting the tape to launch Forte Oil’s 100 newly acquired product delivery trucks in Lagos...yesterday. With him are (from left): Managing Director, TSL Limited, Deji Wright, Head, Business Operations, Forte Oil, Tunji Rabiu, Group CEO, Forte Oil, Akin Akinfemiwa, Group CFO, Forte Oil, Julius Omodayo-Owotuga and Executive Director, Manila Banking, Heritage Bank.

PHOTO: JOHN EBHOTA

148 days after Boko Haram abducted over 200 school girls from a secondary school in Chibok, Borno State, the parents and relatives still grapple with the reality that the girls may never return home. In this interview with GRACE OBIKE, the Director of Publicity of Kibaku Area Development Association (KADA), the association representing the Chibok people in Abuja, Dr. Manasseh Allen, speaks on the travails of the parents and residents of the area since the abduction.

W

HAT does it feel like coming from Chibok?

Coming from Chibok is something that is natural and I cannot change it, but, at times, I really feel like I am placed in a very difficult situation. Let me say a disadvantage position . Here you find yourself among poor people who have no voice and suffering from what they cannot solve by themselves.

Has the President fulfilled any of the promises he made to your people?

Not even one; when we came last time to see Mr President, he promised us that he was going to do everything possible to rescue the girls, which is the most important thing to us, to see this girls coming back and continue with their normal lives. But, till date, no information as to what has been done in regards to rescuing these girls or as to solve the security challenges in the community. People are still leaving in fear. People lost houses, businesses and some were forced to relocate to other parts.

So, would you say the President lied to the Chibok community?

In a way, I may not really say lie but when you make a promise and did not fulfil, then one has to question a lot of things in that regard. If the government can accept the fact that they said that they know the location of these girls and 148 days after, no issue of having them back or informing or giving hints to the parents that this is how far we have gone regarding the girls, I think something is wrong there.

If the President promised to see the end of insurgency and day in, day out and communities are being lost to the insurgents means, that we are still far from having that promise fulfilled and if you did not solve the continuous attacks on the communities and even the seizures of some local governments in the Northeast, you cannot develop people that are living in fear. If you build schools, for sure, they will still burn the schools again; if you build or rehabilitate any hospital, they will still go ahead and burn

•Some of the Chibok girls

it down. The most important thing is making security a first class priority.

Based on what I heard from the President and what they intend to do, it is not applicable to the present situation we find ourselves.

How do your people feel so far after meeting the President?

When they came, they were really anticipating something good and when we met with Mr President and the fact that he gave us all the time we needed was very good to them.

So, they were really anticipating something good but looking at the preceding events after the visit, our people started casting doubts on a lot of things, especially when the issue of money came in and not really clearly handled. Some people were sceptical about the whole issue.

Do your people feel supported by the government?

No they feel abandoned.

After the issue with the money came up, has there been a rapport with the government on the issue?

The issue was really straight but they made it complicated in the sense that, these are poor people; they came to see their president, had meeting with the President and he gave them a place to stay. If I come to see my President and he knows that I am a poor person, displaced and without food or mattress to sleep on and I don't have all these things and need them all and he decides to give me something to support myself, it should be something open and in an open way that you do not need to hide anything.

I was personally not against Mr President helping poor people, who are Nigerians and need it but the manner in which the money issue was handled was not good because these people have structures. They came to Abuja with their traditional leaders, the Principal and medical practitioners that can speak regarding health challenges in that community. So, if the Presidency needs to help these poor people, they have structures. They should have been asked their needs and it should be handled in that regards, because they need not just to send somebody in the middle of the night to come and be moving from one room to the other, waking people and distributing something in envelopes in the absence of the structures that brought them to Abuja. It was wrong and our leaders were angry that the issue of

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

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NEWS

must unite on Chibok girls’

•Allen

‘Patience, strength needed to win war on terror’ •Nigerian releases book to mark 9/11

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OR the war on terror to be won globally, patience, strength and resolve are germane, author of a book on terrorism, Abayomi Mumuni has said.

Mumuni has completed plans to distribute 300 copies of his book, entitled “Global Terrorism and Its Effects on Humanity” for free in the United States to commemorate 13th anniversary of 9/11 attacks.

Mumuni, a politician and businessman, in an interview with reporters, said the matters raised in the book would not only help in the fight against terrorism, but provide a long-lasting solution to the scourge.

The former governorship candidate under the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in Lagos State during the 2011 general elections, said: “The US and its allies will win the war only if they fight it in the right way – with the same sort of patience, strength, and resolve that helped win the Cold War and with policies designed to provide alternative hopes and dreams to potential enemies. The war on terror will end with the collapse of the violent ideology that caused it.”

He also spoke on why the Federal Government should dialogue with Boko Haram.

He said: “It is becoming obvious that without negotiation, not much can be achieved by authorities in their fight against terrorism. So far, the only option I have identified as alternative to negotiation is military strike, and by which authorities will end up being accused of one crime or the other. Take Nigeria government’s efforts to destroy Boko Haram for instance. Out of eagerness to strike the terrorist money came deliberately to ridicule their efforts in the issue of the struggle to bring back the girls.

The President promised to instruct NEMA to distribute relief materials to your people, did it happen?

NEMA was in Chibok one or two weeks after the abduction but after our visit to Mr President, NEMA has not been to Chibok. We have not seen anything from NEMA, up till today, nothing.

A governor said some of the girls were actually abducted before the main incident that made the news, is it true?

It is not true, it is completely false because somebody like me, I stay in Chibok, I am from Chibok and virtually know majority of these girls by name. In my extended family alone,

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

group, collateral damages touched many civilians to the extent that the civil rights organisations accused the Nigerian government of a massacre in Bama village. Violence begets violence. In the new up-coming book, Demand by Terror, I am coming out with the conclusion that any response to a terrorist’s demands should not ignore negotiation. Negotiation has achieved more than military strikes, especially in hostage taking situations.”

He described terrorism as a man-made epidemic.

“There is no doubt that terrorism, a man inflicted malignant epidemic, is ravaging humanity at an alarming rate. This week (September 11) marks 13th anniversary of the US bombings. I believe the best way to show support in the fight against terrorism, which is still the biggest threat to America, is to come up with an intellectual work of this nature, and roll out, free copies to the States.

“There have been different discussions, debates and issues bothering on global terrorism in the 21st century world, none has been able to present an overview of its origin, types, justification, flight or fight and its effects on humanity as captured in this book. That is why I have divided it into about seven chapters for everybody, irrespective of nationality, race or creed to understand,” he said.

Printed in by Friesens Corporation in Canada and published by WSGF PTY, South Africa, and Media-Connect, an Advert-Consult-

about 26 girls are part of those abducted. So, if somebody is coming out to say that it is a scam, it is most unfortunate. I always say that Chibok is in Nigeria and not a foreign land that is difficult for security agents to investigate whatever information someone gives. That school is the only school that we have in Chibok; in fact, in the neighbouring local government; it is the only female school in that location.

So, it is normal to have a large number of students in such schools because Chibok is missionary-based and we look at education as the only means that we have to position ourselves in Nigeria.

So, the issue that how can a village school have the large population of girls at the same time, writing the same exams is uncalled for because you can

•Mumuni

ant firm in New-York, the book comprises seven chapters and shows the sociological, psychological, physical, political, and economical toll of the war on terrorism on America and its lasting impact on humanity and human rights.

actually find more than that in our local government. We have boys who cannot get admission into an ordinary Government Secondary School; if we had more schools, we know that we will have a larger number of these people in such schools.

Someone was also saying how is it possible to move over 200 girls from one school? What kind of car will be used? Some people will even go to the extent of analysing the number of vehicle needed to convey such a large number of girls out of school.

Let me tell you something, they picked a large wooden 911 truck belonging to a private business man; he is not even from Chibok. They offloaded bags of maize from the truck and loaded these girls into the truck. And how many Toyota hilux

did these people come with and how many cars were taken from Chibok?

They took a lot of cars.

I know that every girl that we say is missing is truly missing and for anybody to have doubts and call us names, saying it is a scam is very unfortunate.

I personally took more than 20 foreign journalists to Chibok. They went there, visited the parents and even saw the personal belongings of these girls to be sure that people are missing. By the way, what does one stand to benefit from lying to Nigerians that my daughter is missing? Let me tell you. If today they can bring my people back, I can tell you that you will not hear anything from us again.

Nobody is interested in safe school programme or the Presidential initia-

tive or whatever you call it. All they ask is to bring their daughters back and secure their community which is the statutory responsibility of the government.

Instead of people understanding with us and joining us in the fight, some people are busy blaming the opposition, and saying that it is an intentional ploy to make the administration of Goodluck difficult. It is unfortunate. This is something happening to teenagers, innocent girls, some of them have never seen a tarred road before or travelled anywhere. If you see it, it is a village school; they can't even get enough quality education like their counterparts in other parts of the country and some people are casting doubts and calling it a scam.

Do your people sleep in the bushes still?

It is absolutely true. Most of my people used to sleep in the bush for fear of Boko Haram. Few weeks ago, some teenagers spent the night outside and when coming back in the morning, they were abducted in Tukurumbula village and till date, we don't know their whereabouts. A pastor went to sleep outside his home for fear and on his way back in the morning; he was ambushed and taken away. We have not seen him till today and he is my in-law.

Things happen, people go out to sleep in the bush and return to their houses in the morning but recently things are not so bad because after taking over Gwoza, most of the insurgents have relocated to Gwoza and we are having relative peace in Chibok and the Chibok main village, most of the Boko Haram members have moved over to their headquarters in Gwoza.

Do you people still believe that the girls can be returned after 148 days?

On the perspective of faith and my own personal faith in God, I am optimistic that even if all of the girls do not return, a good number of them will come back. But on the side of the reality that I see on the ground, I am sceptical because it is taking too long.

Over 148 days, I'm afraid that it is taking too long.

Have the parents of the girls performed the burial ritual of the girls as reported?

It is not true. No parent performed any burial ritual of their daughter in abduction; but some of the parents are really looking at it as if these girls are dead; please inform us that they are dead so that we can make up our minds to start living but if they are alive, then bring them back. We are still praying that they come back.

Do you feel abandoned by Nigerians?

I feel like there is a level of complexity because if this were to have happened in another country, I'm sure that the seat of government would be made too hot until the girls return but we Nigerians forgive easily and are not really our brothers' keepers as we are supposed to be. I'm sorry for saying that but that is the fact.

But Nigerians need to wake up and join the advocacy because today it is Chibok, who knows where it will be tomorrow? Because Boko Haram is a terrorists group, Nigerians need to all come together and let us fight it together.

What is your take on the new slogan of #BringBackGoodluck2015?

This is what I call the poverty of the mind in the sense that people don't have the sympathy or empathy of others because if at all I am proJonathan, what does shouting to bring back our girls have to do with the seat of government? Unfortunately people think that advocating for the girls to be brought back is to ridicule the government of Jonathan.

It's unfortunate.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

Obasanjo’s son flown out of Yola

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•From left: Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo,Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, Minister of Works Mike Onolememen and Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Godwin Emefiele, during the Economic management Team meeting at the Presidential Villa yesterday

APC queries Modu Sheriff’s trip to Chad with Jonathan

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OR taking former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff on a trip to Chad, President Goodluck Jonathan came under attack yesterday.

To the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jonathan has shown “a shocking act of indiscretion” by hobnobbing with “an alleged Boko Haram sponsor, who is not known to have been investigated and cleared of the weighty allegation against him.”

In a statement issued in London yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai

Mohammed, the party wondered what message President Jonathan was sending to his compatriots and indeed to the international community when he took Modu Sheriff along during his Monday visit to Chad to confer with President Idriss Deby on cooperation against terrorism. ‘’This action by President Jonathan confirms what the APC has always believed: That the President either knows more than he is willing to admit on the issue of those who are behind the Boko Haram

insurgency or he is willing to sacrifice the battle against terrorism on the altar of political expediency. Either way, this action by the President is the height of indiscretion at best, or a palpable exhibition of callousness at worst. ‘’It also confirms our fears that Modu Sheriff was planted as a mole in the APC by his friends in high places, who are jittery about the birth of the party and would do anything to destabilise it,’’ it said.

APC said the President cannot pretend not to be aware of

a report sent home by Nigeria’s Defence Adviser in Ndjamena, Chad, in 2011, detailing the suspicious activities of Modu Sheriff in Chad concerning alleged Boko Haram sponsorship and asking the Federal Government to investigate him.

The party said it therefore beggars belief that President Jonathan will choose to take the same personality along with him to the same Chad on a trip to canvas cooperation against Boko Haram terrorists.

Continued on page 57

Southsouth, Southeast leaders reject 30,000 polling units

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OUTHERN leaders yesterday rejected the 30,000 new polling units created by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2015 general elections.

They spoke under the banner of Southern Nigerian Peoples Assembly (SNPA) in Abuja.

The leaders said the allocation of the 30,000 polling units was skewed in favour of the north.

The INEC in August, created the additional polling

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

units to bring the number of the polling units in the country to 150,000.

According to the electoral agency, the idea would facilitate easy access to election centres.

There has been mixed reactions to the action.

Yesterday, Chief Edwin Clark, SouthSouth leader, Former Vice President Dr. Alex Ekwueme leader of the Southeast, and Rev. Emmanuel Gbonigi, Chairman Yoruba Unity Forum, spoke for

the south.

According to them, it was unacceptable to allocate 21,615 units to the North out of the 30,000 units.

Chief Clark said the arbitrary allocation of the polling units, was against the new spirit reached at the National Conference.

The SouthSouth leader said it was an attempt to manipulate the 2015 general elections.

Bishop Gbonigi also cochair of the group, said the electoral body’s decision to

allocate additional polling units to the North lacked logic or wisdom.

Gbonigi said the SouthWest rejected the allocation and called for immediate withdrawal of the “offensive proposal”.

The second republic vice president noted that it was necessary for the group to make the position of the Southern region clear.

He also suggested that the group should seek an audience with INEC to get its exContinued on page 57

ORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo’s son, Lt. Col. Adeboye Obasanjo, who got injured fighting Boko Haram on Monday, is in stable condition, the Federal Government said yesterday.

Lt.- Col. Obasanjo , an engineer, was shot in the leg as his platoon battled the sect’s fighters in Bazza, Michika Local Government Area.

He was flown out of Yola, the Adamawa State capital, where he had been receiving treatment.

“He is in high spirits. I spoke with him. What is on his mind now is how he will get well and get back to the field,” National Orientation Agency (NOA) Director General Mike Omeri said yesterday at the security agencies’ regular briefing on the state of the nation’s security, which he coordinates.

Heads of government security agencies attend the sessions at the National Information Centre.

Also yesterday, Adamawa State Acting Governor Ahmadu Fintiri praised officers and men of the Armed Forces for their efforts in containing the insurgency in the state.

Fintiri spoke after visiting recuperating Lt.-Col. Obasanjo at the Federal Medical Centre, Yola.

Fintiri was received at the hospital by Chief Medical Director Dr Aliyu Danburam, who said Lt.-Col. Obasanjo was in a stable condition.

FMC spokesman Adam Dodo confirmed that the officer was responding well to treatment.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also visited the officer before he was flown out.

Omeri cautioned Nigerians against purchasing used phones and SIM cards.

He urged Nigerians to report cases of stolen phones and SIM cards to the police.

“The centre wishes to call on Nigerians to desist from pur-

From Bukola Amusan, Abuja and Barnabas Manyam, Yola

chasing used GSM phones and pre-registered SIM cards from uncertain sources because such phones and SIM cards might have been used by terrorists and for other untoward activities.

“This caution has become necessary to save members of the public the embarrassment of being apprehended for criminal activities committed with the phones and SIM cards found in their possession,” he said.

Omeri said the recapture of Bama, Borno’s second largest town by troops attests to the renewed zeal and commitment which officers and men of the Armed Forces have shown towards defending the country and safeguarding her territorial integrity.

“The government calls on all Nigerians to support the efforts of the military by providing worthwhile information which will boost the current campaign to end insurgency in the region,” he said Speaking on the Australian negotiator Stephen Davis, who named former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff and former Army Chief Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika as Boko Haram backers, Directorate of State Security (DSS) spokeswoman Marilyn Ogar, said the Federal Government would not rush into investigating any Nigerian, unless it had detailed information linking such person to Boko Haram.

She urged Nigerians to continue to provide information on the sponsors of Boko Haram in order to save the lives of Nigerians.

“Our information will be based on facts and not hearsay.

Nigerians should stop disturbing security forces but allow them to carry out their duties effectively,” she said.

Cameroon: we killed 100 fighters

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AMEROON’s state media reported yesterday that its military had killed 100 Boko haram members who travelled from Nigeria to attack a town just across the border.

Citing a statement from the Communication Ministry, Cameroon Radio and Television during the battle in Fotocol at the weekend, the

army fired mortars at the extremists and pushed them back into Nigeria. It said no Cameroonian soldier was killed in the fighting.

Fotocol is just over the border from Borno State. Thousands of Nigerians have fled into Cameroon to escape the violence, but now the militants are attacking towns in Cameroon, too.

Emir flees as Boko Haram attacks Defence chief’s town Continued from page 1

thousands of his subjects, under heavy security, to Yola, the state capital.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) yesterday confirmed that two officers and three soldiers were injured in the battle.

He said the injured five had been taken to a military facility which was undisclosed.

It was not specific whether Lt. Col. Adeboye Obasanjo, was one of the injured in the facility.

According to the Defence Headquarters, in a terse statement, the troops had a fierce battle with the insurgents in Mubi.

DHQ said: “Counter terrorism troops today carried out an attack on Insurgents in Mubi town, Adamawa State.

“In the fierce battle to root out the insurgents, scores of insurgents lost their lives while several others escaped with fatal gunshot wounds.

“Two officers and three soldiers who were wounded in the battle are currently receiving treatment in a mili-

Insurgents on killing spree in Michika

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LEEING residents of Michika have spoken of how Boko Haram insurgents killed more than 120 people since they took hold of the town about one week ago.

The insurgents are said to be going round the town, selecting choice properties which they take over. Occupants of such properties who resist them are killed, residents said.

A resident Mr. Emmanuel Yame Kwache, who is in hiding said he saw more than 120 bodies in various parts of the town. He said the first person to be killed was Chief Fidelis Fashe, Hole Village head, who also holds the title of Sarkin Arewa.

The others are: Yeri Madugu, a Michika businessman, Mr. Alapurna, a retired police officer and Yakubu Madi, a brother to a multibillionaire tary medical facility.”

Although the DHQ was silent on the identities of those injured, there were indications that Lt.-Col. Adeboye Obasanjo, former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s son, was one of those taken to the medical facility.

From Barnabas Manyam, Yola

China-based businessman, Ishaya Madi, whose large house hosts hundreds of ostriches when the insurgents tried to seize the property, the late Yakubu Madi resisted them and they shot him. He died instantly.

Also killed were Mr. Pius Teri Wabba, retired headmaster, Ayuba Ziraghi, former member of the House of Assembly representing Michika from 1979 to 1987, Mr. Peter Lelle, an uncle to General J.S. Kwaby, John Zira, a retired sergeant, Dauda Tumbarakoli and Reverend I. Fari.

There was also a retired soldier, Zira, Ahmadu Lowe, Alh. Naibi Bazza, the Deputy Chief Imam of Michika, who was killed along with his wife in front of the Michika central Mosque and Dauda Wamba, a suc-

A military source said: “The insurgents were audacious in attacking Mubi and Vimtim but troops had bloody encounters with them.

“The aerial attacks of the insurgents’ camps and battle positions were still on as at

cessful businessman.

“When they arrived in Michika town, they were going from place to place, searching for decent houses to occupy and they saw so many houses which they promptly took over but people resisted them and many were killed,” Kwache said.

On the number of persons killed, he said: “About 120 persons have so far been killed, but the number may be more. As we went into hiding, reports were reaching us that even those who had earlier run to the surrounding mountains were crying of hunger and invasion of snakes.

He called on the Federal Government to urgently come to the aid of the people as women and children are sleeping in the bushes and mountain

5pm. Troops will soon return normalcy to the town and its environs.

“We are already trying to secure Mubi and any moment from now, we will flush out the insurgents from the town.

“One thing I will want you to note is that the insurgents

Continued on page 57

who were sacked in Bama by troops accounted for the attack on Mubi in what appeared to be sheer reprisals.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “We are talking of killing more than 80 to 100 insurgents.”

DHQ is said to have or-

•Air Chief Marshal Badeh dered urgent medical treatment for Obasanjo’s son and others injured in the battle.

“The initial plan is to stabilize them before moving them to military hospitals. If their condition is critical, they might be moved to referral hospitals in Abuja,” the source said, adding: “We are cautious in managing this situation to prevent Continued on page 57

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

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NEWS DIMGBA IGWE 1956-2014

Igwe: Nigeria a sick country, says Guild’s chief

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HE President, Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE), Mr. Femi Adesina, said yesterday that unless there was change, there would be avoidable deaths like Dimgba Igwe’s.

He spoke at the deceased’s Lagos home when the management of The Sun visited his widow.

Adesina attributed Igwe’s death to lack of medical attention, noting that if a surgeon had attended to the deceased early, he would not have bled to death.

Igwe, who until his death was the vice-chairman of The Sun Group, died after he was knocked down by a hit-and-run driver near Apata Memorial School, Isolo, Lagos while jogging.

Expressing dissatisfaction that his killer had not been arrested, Adesina dismissed fears that the late Igwe might have been assassinated.

He said: “We need to get to the bottom of this. What really happened? How did it happen? We cannot answer these questions unless that driver, who drove recklessly, is apprehended.

“The security agencies, particularly the police, need to find that person so that we will know why it happened.

“Fears that it could be assassination are mere conjecture because I doubt that anyone would want

•’Funeral date to be fixed by monarch’

By Precious Igbonwelundu

Dimgba Igwe dead.

“I’ve not seen anything to point in that direction because he was a peaceful man. He was not a businessman, just a journalist; a writer, an author.

“For every crime there is a motive. Unless we find the motive, then, I do not agree that he was assassinated.”

On the allegation that Igwe was not given medical attention after he was knocked down, Adesina said: “I will not say there was no medical attention. He was attended to, but it was not adequate.

“When the incident happened, he was first taken to a nearby private hospital. There, they gave him drips and referred him to the General Hospital, Isolo.

“On getting to the hospital, there was no surgeon on duty, so he was referred to the General Hospital, Ikeja.

“So, he was attended to, although it might not be adequate and timely.

If they had taken him to a hospital with a surgeon on ground, they would have stopped the bleeding.

“We may say that he bled to death because medical attention did not reach him early and adequately.

“It shows that Nigeria is a sick country. Our institutions are sick,

including the health sector. We need to change the way things are done in this country.

“Until that change comes, we are at the mercy of things as this.”

The NGE president said Igwe’s death left The Sun Publishing Ltd devastated and grief-stricken, noting that his demise was a big and painful loss.

He went on: “Dimgba Igwe was our friend, mentor and boss. He was like a father because we could discuss other unofficial matters with him.

“He mentored many people. A lot of people were surprised he was not more than 58 because he was always there for everybody.

“I urge the family to be strong.

They should grieve, they should even mourn; but the Bible tells Christians not to mourn like those without hope.

“He was a Christian and a devout one. We have comfort that he is with the Lord.

“For the media, there is no way its history will be complete without mentioning Dimgba Igwe.

“Fortunately, he reproduced himself in many people who can make up for the vacuum his death will create.”

Also at the deceased’s home to commiserate with his family were

the All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart and Lagos State governorship aspirant, Akin Ambode and Delta State Information Commissioner, Chike Ogeah.

Ambode said he was touched because the late Igwe did so much for journalism.

“What happened to Dimgba Igwe is an indication of the level of decadence in the society. With the way we are incurring deaths, there is much to be done.

“We cannot have this kind of incident and fold our arms. It could have been anybody. We should pay attention to that fact.

“I enjoin the police to do more to ensure that his killer is apprehended and brought to justice.”

Condoling with the widow, Ogeah said Delta State was also grieving because Igwe’s wife is from the state.

He said Delta would support the family, urging them to seek solace in the fact that Igwe had gone to be with the Lord.

Said Ogeah: “He was a pastor and he saved souls. The prayer for those of us he left behind is to do the right thing so that we can join him.

“Dimgba Igwe was a journalist with integrity. I will miss reading his articles because I was always

blessed when I read him with all the satire.

“I don’t know what Mike Awoyinfa will be going through now because they were like Siamese twins.” The New Telegraph Managing Director, Eric Osagie, who said talking about Igwe in past tense was a harrowing experience, described his death as incomprehensible and unfathomable.

His words: “It is a big dream that I want to wake up and be told it is not true.

“He was a fine newsman; very analytical, profound and an organiser. He would be sorely missed.

“Life is transient. We should do all we can as though there is no tomorrow. It can happen to anybody at anytime.

“It is the shame of a nation that a car would knock somebody down and four hours later, no medical care.

They cannot cope with medical emergency.

“I do not know if the police will ever apprehend the killer because there are no security cameras anywhere.”

The Nation learnt that no date has been fixed for Igwe’s funeral because the family is awaiting confirmation from his monarch at Igbere in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.

NUJ to Fed Govt: fish out his killer From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

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From left: Ogeah, Mrs. Oby Igwe and Adesina... yesterday

‘Igwe was a fine writer’

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LL Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Dr. Leke Pitan has described the late Pastor Dimba Igwe as a fine writer.

He said in a statement: “I received the news of the death of that intellectual journalist, Mr. Dimgba Igwe, with shock. My first reaction was:

why at this point in time when the country needs principled and ideological journalists as epitomised by Igwe?

“I encountered him in interview sessions on a couple of times, and I found in him a sound, intelligent and thoroughbred journalist. He was a fine, didactic

and conclusive writer. He spoke to all through his writings and comments on public issues.

His contributions to the growth of the profession, its business and management will become a reference point by the present and future generations of journalists, news-

paper managers and proprietors.

“I commiserate with his family, relations, friends and colleagues and prayed that God should give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. I also pray that God Almighty should give him eternal rest.”

Minister sympathises with journalists

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HE Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, has sympathised with journalists on the death of the ViceChairman of The Sun Publishing Ltd, Mr. Dimgba Igwe.

Nebo, who expressed shock and sadness about the incident in a condolence message, said the sudden death of such a lively, vibrant and purposeful man might seem inexplicable, “but I believe the deceased fulfilled God’s purpose for his life.”

The Special Assistant on Media to the minister, Kande Daniel, said in a

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

statement yesterday.

Nebo attributed Igwe’s death to the carelessness of a hit-and-run driver while he was jogging to keep fit.

Reflecting on the life of the prominent journalist and prolific writer, the message said: “Dimgba Igwe was a gentleman to the core. He did not bury the talent God gave him, but used it well to benefit the human race.

“He was a fearless advocate and a dogged fighter for the good of the society, using his pen, having discovered his talent early enough.

“Like many a Nigerian journalist, Igwe never baulked or shirked the responsibility of telling the truth always, exposing the malfeasance in the society, no matter the cost, as demanded by journalism.

What is more, he realised also that God’s expectation of man does not stop at caring for the body alone, but includes the more important injunction of nurturing the spirit. So, he devoted himself to this as well, as a pastor.”

The minister urged journalists to be guided and encouraged by the life of the deceased and thanked God

for allowing him to pass through “this side of the globe.”

He added: “The only debt we owe him is to ensure that the fire he ignited in our hearts by his advocacy on the pages of newspapers and on the pulpit is not extinguished with his exit.

“On behalf of my family and the management and workers of the Federal Ministry of Power, I express deep condolences to the Igwe family, the management and workers of The Sun, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) on the loss.”

HE Kaduna State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has urged the Federal Government to set up a panel to fish out Mr. Dimgba Igwe’s killer.

It spoke yesterday when members paid a condolence visit to the Northwest Bureau Office of The Sun in Kaduna.

Speaking before signing the condolence register, the Chairman of the Elders’ Committee, Elder John Fwah, described the circumstances surrounding Igwe’s death as suspicious and called for an investigation to fish out the culprit.

He said: “It is unfortunate that we have lost a rare gem in the pen profession in this gruesome circumstances. The action of the hit-and-run driver brought a lot of suspicions and the only way to console his family, friends and colleagues is to bring the driver to justice.”

Fwah added that journalists would miss the knowledge, wisdom and professionalism of the late Igwe, whom he described as a gentleman.

A journalist and the Sadaruna Hayin Banki Kaduna, Alhaji Hassan Ibrahim, described the death as painful, considering the circumstances.

He said the incident was a wake-up call for journalists to key into the NUJ Life Insurance Scheme, considering the hazards of the profession.

The Northwest Bureau Chief of The Sun, Alhaji Ismail Omipidan, thanked NUJ members for their concern and supports.

Lagos APC shocked

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HE Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the late veteran journalist, Dimgba Igwe, as a pace- setter, who played a leading role in charting the course of journalism. It described his death as shocking and a big loss to journalism, “which is in dire need of competent professionals to steer it to greater heights.”

In a statement by its Lagos State spokesman Joe Igbokwe, APC said it was shocked by the manner the veteran journalist was killed by an errant driver while jogging near his home.

It sympathised with the family, friends and colleagues of the late journalist and urged that everything should be done to investigate the death.

Solomon: he ‘ll live in our memories HE lawmaker representing Lagos West in the Senate, Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon, has said the brand of journalism practised by the late Vice-Chairman of The Sun Publishing Ltd, Mr. Dimgba Igwe, was such that would make him live long in the memories of people.

Solomon, a governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State and the Minority Whip, in a statement by his campaign office, expressed shock on the death of Igwe, whom he described as “an exemplary journalism icon, who would not mince words in communicating facts and standing by the truth through his educative and informative weekly column.”

The grassroots politician said: “I was out of the country when the news of Igwe’s death got to me. I was devastated because I have always taken him as one of the few journalists, who have used their professional callings to raise the hope of and inspire the downtrodden in a society where the masses hardly matter.”

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

NEWS

Boko Haram: 20 officers still missing, says Acting IGP

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CTING InspectorGeneral of Police (IGP) Suleiman Abba said yesterday that about 20 officers are still missing after the Boko Haram attack on the Nigeria Police Mobile Force (PMF), Gwoza Training Camp in Borno State.

He was briefing State House correspondents after a meeting with Vice-President Namadi Sambo, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Of the initial 35 missing officers from the training school, he said some had either reported back to the school or to their families.

Abba said: “Well, I must tell you that the turnout of those missing is still impressive, because we have traced some of the officers, who have reported either back to their bases or their families. When you go through what they went through, the likelihood of you knowing what to do is not very tenable.

“There is a possibility that the decision of what to do may not be easily comprehensible. So, some went

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

back to their homes, but our concern is that once they are safe, we are satisfied. The process of bringing them back to their units has started.”

On how many policemen are still missing, he said: “It is just less than 20. But we are concerned about everyone of them and unless we can account for everyone, we will not relent in tracing them.”

The Acting IGP said what was ongoing in the force was not reorganisation but repositioning of officers, which would result in optimum performance.

Said he: “What we are doing is a normal thing. It has always been done. We assess performance and take into cognisance the vacancies available. We are aware that a number of commissioners of police retired recently.

Some of them were course mates of the retired IGP. So they left with him after 35 years in service. It is just an effort to fill vacancies and reposition the officers based

on performance, to face the challenges.”

Abba said one of the challenges he was facing was changing a culture people were used to.

His words: “Well, the one I consider most important is the one that is most difficult.

When you are changing a culture that has been there for too long, you should know that you will face a lot of challenges. Those involved in changes will tell you changing the culture, changing the character, changing the attitude of personnel are very difficult.

“Naturally, it comes with resistance. It comes with a lot of challenges. Somehow someone has to do it. I feel not minding the challenges I will face, the good thing is that we have started. As I said, it is a difficult thing to do. It will take a little while to see it.”

On what is being done to boost the morale of officers and men in the face of insecurity, he said: “Well, every police officer knows that if you are on the streets, there is the likelihood that you will come across someone

•Abba who wants to do what is not right, who wants to commit a crime and sees you as an enemy.

“So, once you are on patrol, you should know that there are also dangers associated with policing and patrolling. To us, facing dangers in the performance of police duties is not new.

What is new is that this time, the enemy is armed. This is why the military is there to support us in fighting them.”

‘INEC key to sustainable democracy’

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HE Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), Dr. Aminu Musa Yusuf, has urged stakeholders to support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enable it achieve its set objectives.

He described the commission as key to a sustainable democracy.

The director-general, who was represented by the Director of Transport, Dr. A.O. Odumosu, at the opening ceremony of a three-day

From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

course on “Logistics Operations Management”, for INEC officials, said the Institute organised the course for the workers to prepare them for the task ahead.

He said records showed that elections, which required planning and preparation, especially the logistics aspect, were characterised by late arrival of electoral materials and personnel, which hampered the smooth operations of INEC.

Hailing the leadership of the commission for organising programmes aimed at addressing the problems militating against the smooth conduct of elections, Yusuf enjoined the INEC management to be ready, as the nation and the international community looked forward to credible elections.

He said NITT would support INEC to enable it organise elections that would not only meet the expectations of Nigerians, but also promote good gover-

nance.

The Director of Electoral Operations, Mr. Kayode Oladimeji, who harped on the significance of logistics in electioneering, said the programme was designed to build capacity among INEC workers, as the nation prepared for the coming general elections.

He urged the participants to explore the opportunity provided to develop their skills and talents, as the commission would rely on the knowledge acquired to improve on its operations.

APC may adopt Adamawa model for subsequent HE All Progressives governorship primaries, says Izunaso Congress (APC) said

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yesterday that it might adopt the Adamawa State modified indirect primaries for subsequent governorship primaries.

The National Organising Secretary, Chief Osita Izunaso, who spoke when receiving the report of the committee, which conducted the Adamawa governorship primaries, said the party was yet to receive any complaint about the conduct of the election.

He said APC had conducted four governorship primaries since it was registered, adding that the first was conducted as a direct primaries, while the Adamawa election was the first to be conducted under the modified indirect primaries, which the party had chosen.

Izunaso said since the modified indirect primaries were in stages, the party might settle for the delegate option used for the Adamawa primary election, which he said was a success since nobody complained.

The national organising secretary noted that because of the success of the model, “it is most likely that we will

From Tony Akowe, Abuja

adopt this model in subsequent governorship primaries.”

Hailing the committee for a good job, he said since the national secretariat had not received any petition, “it means the committee has done a good job.”

Izunaso said the National Working Committee would study the report to identify the successes in Adamawa State and replicate them in

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other primaries.

He said: “What you have done now is one model of the indirect primaries. Most people understand indirect primary election to mean it must hold at one venue. But we have succeeded in holding indirect primaries that did not hold in one place because of the logistics of bringing over 6,000 people to one venue.

“Besides, we have given a lot of our members the opportunity of selecting who

becomes their standardbearer. If you watch our opponent, they had just 900 delegates, which is limited and we had about 6,000 persons, who participated in choosing who becomes our governorship standard- bearer. I believe we have adopted a good process. We have done very well.”

Submitting the report, the committee chairman, Dr. Garba Abari, praised the role played by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar in the exercise.

Security agencies begin investigations into ECURITY agencies at ‘attack’ on US Air Marshall the Murtala

Muhammed International Airport, Lagos have begun investigations into the alleged attack with a syringe by an unknown assailant on a United States (US) Federal Air Marshall on Sunday.

The investigations, according to the General Manager, Corporate Communications of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Yakubu Dati, were coming on the heels of prelimi-

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

nary meetings held yesterday between US officials and security agencies to establish the veracity of the information making the rounds on the alleged attack on the Air Marshall.

Speaking in an interview yesterday, Dati said such incident did not occur at the Lagos airport.

He said: “The attention of the Federal Airports Author-

ity of Nigeria has been drawn to a story making the rounds that a US Marshall was assaulted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

PUBLIC NOTICE CHANGE OF NAME

OKEKE

I formerly known and addressed as MISS OKEKE CHINONYE MARY now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ANACHUNA ONYINYE AGATHA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

IGP redeploys 32 CPs

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HE Acting InspectorGeneral of Police, Suleiman Abba, has ordered the redeployment of 32 Commissioners of Police (CPs) to formations across the country.

The affected officers and their new postings are: Ibrahim K. Idris, Police Mobile Force (PMF); Pius Imue, Admin.

(Department of Logistics & Supply); Felix Ogundeji, Police Mobile Force (PMF) Training; Hilda Ibifuro-Harrison, PortAuthority Police (PAP) (Western Port); and Michael Ogbodu, Homicide FCID, Abuja.

Others are: B.T. M. Sobulo, Commandant, Police College, Ikeja (PCI); Ekechukwu Nwodibo, Legal, FCID, FHQ Abuja; Etop John James, Community Policing, FHQ, Abuja; Joshak Habila, CounterTerrorism Unit (CTU), FHQ Abuja; and Damilola Samuel Adegbuyi, Special Fraud Unit (SFU), FHQ Abuja.

Also affected are: Rasheed Olatunde Akintunde, Intelligence, FIB FHQ, Abuja; Istifanus Shettima, Commandant, Police College Maiduguri (PCM); Jimoh Omeiza Ozi-Obeh, Commandant, Police Collegae Kaduna (PCK); Ghazali Mohammed, Election Planning & Monitoring, FHQ Abuja; and Peace Ibekwe Abdallah, IGP Monitoring Unit, FHQ Abuja.

Others similarly deployed include: Augustine Evbakhabokun, Federal SARS (FSARS); Adekunle Oladunjoye

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

Admin, Department of Finance & Administration, FHQ; Emmanuel Inyang, Courses, Police Staff College, Jos; Olufemi Oyeleye, Admin.

Force CID, Abuja; and Victoria N. Menta, CP Communication.

Also redeployed are: Ezekiel D. Zang, Airwing; Mohammed K. Mohammed, Deputy Commandant, Police Staff College, Jos; Sylvester Umeh, Deputy Force Secretary (DFS), Abuja; Henry Fadairo, Commandant, Police College, Oji-River (PCO); and Mohammed Hussein, Deputy Commandant, Police Academy (POLAC), Kano.

Others are: Sherifat DisuOlakoju, CCR, Force CID, Annex, Lagos; Salisu Fagge Abdullahi, Special Protection Unit (SPU), FHQ Abuja; Aminchi Samaila Baraya, Inspectorate-Training; Fatai A. Owoseni, Admin, Department of Operations, FHQ, Abuja; Emmanuel Ibine, Provost, FHQ, Abuja; Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi, Interpol, Force CID, Abuja; and Murtala Mani, Welfare, Department of Finance & Administration, FHQ. A statement yesterday by Force spokesman Emmanuel Ojukwu said the redeployments were geared towards enhanced administrative and operational effectiveness of the police.

He added that the redeployments take immediate effect.

Civil servants protest From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

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ORKERS of federal establishments in Akwa Ibom have protested the non-payment of their 2012 salary, following a system failure in the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

It was learnt that the system failure led to irregularities, resulting in either over-payment or short-payment of civil servants for three months from January 2012.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

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NEWS Lawmakers pass vote of confidence in Ajimobi

APC, PDP quarrel over missing exhibits

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AWYERS representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) traded words yesterday over missing exhibits as they inspect materials used for the August 9 Osun State governorship election.

The lawyers inspected the materials at the INEC state headquarters on Gbongan Road, Osogbo.

The crisis started as the commission’s Deputy Director of Electoral Operations, Mr. Azeez Olatunji, announced that items and electoral ma-

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

terials to be inspected for the day were those of Obokun and Ila-Orangun Local Governments.

The deputy director, who stated that the PDP requested to inspect materials of 17 local governments, sought the cooperation of the two parties.

He listed items to be inspected as ballot papers, election registers, result sheets, adding that if other materials, such as cubicle and ballot box-

es are needed to be inspected, it would be allowed.

Its Administrative Secretary, Oladipo Oladapo, assured the two parties that the commission would be fair.

Similarly, the commission’s Legal Adviser, Wiltep Ishaku, who presided over the inspection, told both parties to cooperate with INEC’s officials.

But it was later discovered that an Exhibit tagged “A” was missing.

Some lawyers from the APC said the inspection should not continue, but the PDP lawyers pleaded that the exhibit could

still be produced.

The PDP lawyers said the inspection could begin with the available ones.

The development infuriated the APC lawyers as they maintained their stand that nothing would be done until the exhibit is produced.

A lawyer from APC Daud Akinloye and another from PDP, Kehinde Adesiyan, exchanged hot words before the INEC Administrative Secretary ordered that the “Exhibit A” should be produced before the beginning of the inspection.

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HE 32-member Oyo State House of Assembly has passed a vote of confidence in Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

It was passed after a motion jointly moved by Olusegun Olaleye, Ibadan North II and Ibrahim Bolomope, Egbeda state constituencies at a plenary presided over by the Speaker, Monsurat Sumonu.

Reading the motion on the floor of the House, Olaleye stated that the “political will and determination of Ajimobi towards the implementation of a people-oriented blueprint for the state deserves applause and should be recognised.”

He said the governor’s recent decision to increase the salaries of workers across board was laudable, noting that workers create the wealth and they deserved to “share in the fruit of their labour.”

Temitope Olatoye of Lagelu Constituency, in his contribution, noted that the governor deserved the praise, considering the state’s development in the over three years of the administration.

He gave kudos to the governor for ensuring peace and security, “unlike previous

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

administrations, which witnessed acrimony, destruction of property as well as damages to lives.”

The lawmaker representing Ibarapa East Constituency, Adesina Adeyemo, hailed Ajimobi over the state’s educational development.

He extolled the governor for establishing the Ibarapa Polytechnic, the Saki Polytechnic and for approving the House Bill for School of Hygiene, Eleyele’s upgrading to the College of Health Technology.

He said the steps taken by Ajimobi would improve the socio-economic development of the areas and attract investors.

The Speaker thanked the lawmakers for their resolve to pass the vote of confidence, saying the development experienced Oyo State showed “Ajimobi as a pragmatic leader, whose concern for people’s welfare cannot be over-emphasised.”

She enjoined the people to continue to give their support to the administration.

Sumonu expressed optimism that the vote of confidence passed on the governor would spur him to greater a height.

Osogbo’s chief imam dies at 85 •Aregbesola, Badmus condole with family From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

• Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (right) presenting a gift to the wife of the state Overseer, Deeper Life Bible Church, Mrs. Elizabeth Adeniran (second left) when the church’s leadership visited the governor at the Government House, Osogbo...yesterday. With them are Deputy Governor Mrs. Titi Loaye-Tomori (second right) and the Overseer, Pastor John Adeniran.

Oyo APC to INEC: distribute PVCs, register voters

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YO State All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that voters get their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

The party’s Director of Publicity and Strategy, Olawale Sadare, who said this in a statement yesterday, also urged INEC to register those eligible.

APC said INEC was noncommittal to assurances it gave that eligible citizens would be able to vote next year.

The statement reads in part: “As days roll by, Nigerians are becoming increasingly expectant of the days set aside by INEC to choose their next set of leaders. But it seems the commission is not acting in the direction of

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allowing the people to have their say as it has been the case since 1999.

“What else could have been responsible for the failure of INEC to distribute permanent voter cards to the people it registered since almost four years ago and get the ones who are eligible to register to do so in a seamless process, if not for deliberate plan to repeat another flawed exercise to the advantage of the usual beneficiaries - PDP? “Oyo State was slated to be in the second phase of the twin exercises of distribution of PVCs and continuous voters’ registration. Dates were announced for concerned persons to participate, but most people were disappointed as the exercises were marred by inefficiency and tardiness on the part of INEC. As if that was not enough,

remedial plans announced by the commission turned out to be further testimony to INEC’s unpreparedness to discharge its duties as expected while the groaning continues among the citizenry till today.

“It is recalled that APC was the only political party that mobilised the people across the whole of Oyo State for the exercises since we are not convinced on the need to seek another alternative to citizens’ participation in the electoral process and this explains our cause for worry.

“For instance, a large chunk of registered voters in wards 2-10 in Egbeda; wards 4, 5, 10 and 12 of Ibadan North; wards 1, 7 and 12 in Ibadan South West; wards 8 and 11 in Ibadan South East as well as many other wards in the state could not get their

PVCs. Those to be registered as fresh voters are having difficulties in getting INEC to provide officials and good machines to attend to them.

“Consequently, we are reiterating our calls on INEC to work against all odds and restore the confidence of all the patriots in the system as the whole world is watching with keen interest.

“We also demand categorical statement on the fate of those who had to re-register as a result of INEC’s error regarding when they would have their PVCs. In the same vein, we would like to call on genuine stakeholders to do the needful and ensure that all the processes leading to the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in 2015 are transparent and acceptable to all concerned.”

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HE Chief Imam of Osogbo and President-General, League of Imams and Alfas in the Southwest, Edo and Delta states, Sheik Musthapha Ajisafe, is dead.

It was learnt that the Islamic scholar died at about 11p.m last Monday at 85, after visiting some relations in his residence.

A family source, who preferred not to be named, said that the late Islamic leader was not ill before his death, but died after he prayed and retired to sleep.

The remains of the late Ajisafe are expected to be interred today at his family house, Arikalamu compound, Osogbo after prayers at the city stadium in the morning.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubarkar, is expected to lead other Islamic leaders at the burial.

Meanwhile, Governor Rauf Aregbesola has described the cleric’s death as a big loss to the Muslim community in Nigeria.

In a condolence message yesterday by the Commissioner for Information and Research and Strategy, Mr. Sunday Akere and the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, the governor described Ajisafe as a cleric of repute.

He said his contributions to the search for peace in Osun and the country were outstanding.

He added: “The death of Sheikh Ajisafe is a big loss to the Muslim Ummah in Osogbo as well as the entire state because he preached peace and unity while alive. His preaching at home and his gospel of Islamic scholarship will be missed.”

While praying for the repose of the soul of the late cleric, Aregbesola urged members of Muslim societies to continue the good works Ajisafe started, adding “this is the only way to immortalise this pride of Osun in particular and Nigeria as a whole.”

An Islamic leader and businessman, Alhaji Khamis Olatunde Badmus, has described the death of Ajisafe as a great loss to Muslims.

Afenifere rejects creation of 30,000 additional polling units

HE pan-Yoruba sociocultural organisation, Afenifere, has rejected the creation of over 30,000 more polling units by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Its position was contained in a statement issued at the end of a meeting in Akure, Ondo State’s residence of the group’s leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti.

Chieftains and members from Oyo, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti and Lagos states were present at the meeting.

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

Its Publicity Secretary, Yinka Odumakin, said the organisation was disturbed by the INEC’s action few months to the general elections.

The distribution of the new polling units, Afenifere said, was disturbing and showed the determination of the INEC to sustain the permanent dominance of the North on election matters.

The organisation decried the allocation of 21,000 polling units to the North while

the South, including the populous Southwest, was allocated only 8,000 and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) 1,200.

It condemned the allocation of 7,906 to the Northwest alone, 5,291 units to the warravaged Northeast whereas the Southeast was given 1,167 units and Southwest 4,160.

The statement reads: “Afenifere hereby passes vote of no confidence in the ability of the Prof. Attahiru Jegaled INEC to conduct a free, fair and credible election, if those polling units are sus-

tained.

“We viewed the creation of the new units as attempts to create rigging of the election at the source.

“The creation of polling units is a subject of the number of registered voters and not based on land mass or any geographical distribution.

“We do not know any country in the world where electoral law is changed one year to the election. We reject the exercise in its entirety and INEC should cancel the new

units,” Afenifere stated.

On the National Conference, Afenifere hailed President Goodluck Jonathan for convening the conference.

The meeting praised the performances of Yoruba delegates at the conference, advising that the recommendations of the conference should be subjected to a referendum, which would give birth to a new constitution.

It urged Jonathan to implement the decision reached at the conference and make it a

centenary legacy for Nigeria as Lord Lugard was being remembered for the amalgamation.

The organisation advised leaders to go back to their states and ensure that committed members of the organisation emerge victorious in the election.

The meeting, which was attended by leaders and members from the political divides, was the first to be held after the National Conference.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

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NEWS ‘Ebola deadlier than insurgency’

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MEMBER of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Bisi Yusuf (Alimosho 01), has said the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is more dangerous than insurgency.

Yusuf, who spoke at a health programme in his constituency, described Ebola as a monster that must be controlled.

His words: “Alimosho is the largest constituency in the country. When I was campaigning I promised to touch the lives of my people. I want to represent the living not the dead.

“Nothing is too much to satisfy my people. That is why I have committed a lot of re-

By Leke Salaudeen

sources to this programme.

We want participants to take the message to the grassroots.”

The guest speaker, Dr Jemilade Longe, said Ebola virus kills nine of 10 patients.

Longe said the virus is spread through contact with the blood and body fluids of an infected person.

He said it could be contracted through objects that have been contaminated.

The doctor also warned people against touching the bodies of dead victims.

Inter-religious panel in Oyo

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YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has inaugurated a 28-member inter-religious and ethnic committee. The governor, who performed the inauguration at the Executive Council Chambers of the Governor’s Office, Ibadan, appealed to members to ensure the maintenance of the existing peace in the state.

The committee, which draws its membership from religious organisations, ethnic groups and security agents, is headed by Ajimobi.

He said since the inception of his administration, government is working to ensure the safety and peaceful co-existence among residents.

Ogun council secretary resigns From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

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HE Secretary to the Imeko Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State, Olusola Oke, has resigned.

Oke, in his August 25 letter of notice addressed to the Executive Chairman of Imeko Afon, said his resignation takes immediate effect.

The former SLG told reporters in Abeokuta, the state capital, that he was frustrated about local government administration in the state.

“People look up to us to address some of their needs. The council has not performed. The aspirations of our people are not met. I decided to resign to preserve my name and the integrity of my family.”

•From left: Former Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Ofeences Commission ( ICPC), Justice Emmanuel Ayoola, Guest of Honour/ Former Minister of Education, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwasili, Chief Folake Solanke (SAN) and Chairman, Development Policy Center (DPC), Prof. Bimpe Aboyade at the DPC’s 21st Anniversary Celebration held at DPC PHOTO BY FEMI ILESANMI, IBADAN Centre, Oba Akinyele Road, Agodi GRA, Ibadan, Oyo State...yesterday.

Suspected Ebola victim transferred from OAU

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N unidentified female student of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State, suspected to be an Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) patient was late yesterday taken to the University health centre.

The lady is said to be a secondary contact of the disease in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.

The news caused commotion as students started leav-

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

ing the campus.

A source said after a clinical assessment by the Ebola Surveillance Preparedness and Response Committee of the University, the authorities contacted the State Ministry of Health, the Federal Ministry of Health and the

World Health Organisation (WHO).

The source said the “female suspected secondary Ebola contact has since been evacuated to the appropriate facility in Lagos for further investigations to confirm her status.”

He said: “The national team and the WHO team on

Ebola Control have promptly decontaminated the University Health Centre, despite the fact that the case is yet to be confirmed.

“The case is not a confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease. The university has requested all members to remain calm as the situation is under control.”

House backs Dickson for second term

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HE Bayelsa State House of Assembly yesterday backed the second term ambition of Governor Seriake Dickson.

The Assembly passed a vote of confidence in the governor in a move suggesting the “breaking of the second term jinx”.

The endorsement came a day after Dickson praised many groups for supporting his re-election bid.

Dickson also promised to consider endorsements of various groups and to respond to them.

The lawmakers acknowledged the governor’s efforts in transforming the state,

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa especially in human capacity building.

They recalled their experiences when they toured many projects, including the remodelled Assembly complex.

The lawmakers said they were impressed with the developmental initiatives of the administration.

The Deputy Speaker, Sam Ateki, moved the motion endorsing the governor, which was supported by Jonathan Obuebite( Nembe 1).

The motion was unanimously adopted by other

members.

Ateki said: “In the light of dwindling financial resources, Governor Dickson has performed beyond expectation in all the sectors of the economy and deserves a vote of confidence.”

The Speaker, Konbowei Benson, assured that the lawmakers would continue to work with the governor to build a united, peaceful and prosperous state.

He said the number of people-oriented motions and bills passed by the Assemnly would not have been possible without the lawmakers’ loyalty and dedication.

Symposium to hold September 20

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OVENANT Keepers’ Network (CKN), an offshoot of the Congress on Christian Ethics in Nigeria (COCEN), will hold a symposium with the theme: Beyond Knowledge: Unto Obedience, on September 20.

In a statement yesterday in Lagos, CKN said the event is among its contributions to reduce corruption.

It said the event will hold at the World Mission Centre, 62/66 Akinwunmi Street, Alagomeji, Yaba, Lagos.

The symposium will be chaired by former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon. The

guest speakers include frontline lawyer, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite; Apostle Alex Bamgbola, Rev. Dr. Gary Maxey and Ambassador Moses Ihonde.

The convener, Philip Akinola, said CKN is a movement formed by some concerned Nigerians who seek support from well-meaning people and organisations to tackle corruption.

He said CKN “envisions generations united in integrity and righteousness, transforming their spheres of influence in Nigeria and beyond to the glory of God”.

‘Rebuild Alaafin’s palace’

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OUTHWEST states and indigenes have been urged to assist in rebuilding the Alaafin’s palace to reflect Yoruba tradition and culture.

Retired Methodist Archbishop and Deputy Chairman, Oranyan Festival Committee Lawrence Ayo Ladigbolu gave the advice at a briefing yesterday in Oyo town .

The cleric, who spoke on the theme of this year’s festival, “Our palace, Our

From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

pride”, said the rebuilding of the palace should not be left to the Oyo people alone.

He enjoined Yoruba to adopt a policy of palace development, renewal, refurbishment and replacement where necessary.

Ladigbolu said: “The institution of the Alaafin is about 1,000 years old.

“Over the years, the institution has served as a

repository of Yoruba history and culture of the people.

“There are very few dynasties in the world that are older than the Alaafin.

“When the remains of such institution are threatened by the fire, there is the need to look at how archival and historical materials are collected and preserved for the edification of the past, education of the present and future.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

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NEWS Ekweremadu’s Dream FM asked to tender plan From Chris Oji, Enugu

•Enugu agency give station three days

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RADIO station belonging to Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu – The Dream FM – got a letter from the Enugu State Government yesterday to submit its building plan within three days.

The reason for the short notice could not be immediately ascertained last night.

But it was learnt that the letter was delivered by the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA).

Although the radio station was not the first to receive such letters, it was learnt that the action might not be unconnected with next year’s governorship race.

Ekweremadu and Governor Sullivan Chime have been at daggers drawn on the senatorial zone to produce the next governor.

At the premises of Dream FM yesterday, all was normal but none of the workers would comment on the development.

The management was said to be studying the letter.

The Commissioner for the ECTDA, Mr. Ike Ugwuegede, could not be reached last night on phone. He did not pick his calls.

But a senior aid to the governor, who spoke in confidence, said there was nothing wrong in calling for building plans.

Don’t destroy MASSOB, politicians warned From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

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HE Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) under Chief Ralph Uwazuruike has cautioned politicians in the Southeast to drop their alleged plan to destroy the movement.

In a statement yesterday by Uwazuruike’s Media Assistant, Mazi Chris Mocha, the group said any plan against the movement would not succeed.

Also, members of the movement, including their regional directors, commissioners and supervisors in the transport industry, affirmed their solidarity with Uwazuruike.

MASSOB said there was no division in the body, as being speculated in a statement by its National Director for Transport, Chief Charles Oputa.

The director berated those accusing Uwazurike of mismanaging resources, adding that such people failed to understand that the movement had no other sources of getting funds except from the monthly dues from its members.

He explained that MASSOB’s finances were prudently used and channelled to building structures.

But Mocha said Igbo politicians should not destroy “the mouthpiece of the Ndigbo”.

He said: “If Odua People’s Congress (OPC) in the Southwest; the Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND); the Movement for Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) in the Southsouth and Boko Haram in the North are not destroyed, why is it that some politicians in the Southeast would want to destroy and kill MASSOB?

Three feared dead as traders, vigilantes clash in Anambra T HREE persons were feared dead yesterday in a clash between traders at the EkeAwka Market in Awka, the Anambra State capital, and a vigilance group.

Some other persons were said to have been injured.

But the police said only one person was killed while two others were injured.

The Area Commander in charge of Awka, Yusuf Usman, told The Nation that the two injured vigilantes had been taken to a hospital in Awka.

He said it was not true

•Police: only one person died

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

that three persons were killed, adding that the vigilantes who were injured were in a coma.

Police spokesman Uche Ezeh, who confirmed the incident, said the incident was being investigated.

He said the clash started when a vigilante shot a trader in the market.

According to him, two vigilantes were mobbed over the incident.

Ezeh said although details of the incident had not reached the command, it had deployed security operatives in the market to maintain peace.

But it was learnt that the trader was killed because he refused to pay an undisclosed levy the leader of

the vigilance group asked him to pay.

The refusal of the trader to pay the levy reportedly led to the clash.

The leader of the vigilantes allegedly ordered his men to “deal” with the “recalcitrant” trader.

The order, it was learnt, made one of the vigilantes to shoot the trader, who died on the spot.

Other traders pounced on the vigilantes and beat them to stupor.

They were rushed to the hospital, after their rescue from the angry traders.

•Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano (right) presenting N100 million cheque to the Chief of Army Staff’s representative, Corps Commander of Nigerian Army Engineers, Maj.-Gen. John Davis. With him are: the Commander of 302 Artillery Regiment, Col. Jubrin Fagge (second left) and the Brigade Commander, 44 Division Engineers, Brig.-Gen. F.O. Akanji.

PHOTO: NAN

Our grouse about Uwazuruike, by aggrieved commanders

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GGRIEVED commanders of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) have explained the cause of the face-off between them and their embattled leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike.

They said their grouse with Uwazuruike was not political, as was being insinuated in some quarters.

The commanders said their expulsion from the group, which Uwazuruike announced at a recent meeting at the Ojukwu Memorial Library in Owerri, the Imo State capital, was null and void.

In a statement by their “suspended” Director of Information, Comrade Uchenna Madu, the commanders urged Uwazuruike to compensate the families of members killed by security operatives when they were carrying out

•‘We can’t be expelled from MASSOB’ From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

his orders and account for the group’s resources.

They said this was the only premise on which a truce could be brokered.

The statement said the group “wishes to clarify on the ongoing confusing statement made by Chris Mocha (Deputy Director of Information) that some officers of MASSOB are either suspended or expelled”.

It added: “The true position is that nobody is either expelled or suspended from MASSOB because of the crisis, which seriously calls for total restructuring and equity and fairness.

“All we are saying is that the abandonment of the remains of our dead members at Onitsha mortuary must be

addressed: the wives, children and families of members who died in active services must be consoled.

Uwazuruike must assist their wives financially and train their children in school. Such gestures will restore the confidence of the living, if eventually they died.

“The big question of the fraud, mismanagement/ embezzlement of MASSOB money must be answered.

The insensitivity and wickedness of Uwazuruike must also be addressed.”

The statement stressed that “some MASSOB members are still brainwashed, living a hypocritical life, knowing fully that Uwazuruike is leading them astray but choose to remain

silent”.

The group also said: “Igbo political leaders are not MASSOB members but Uwazurike opened MASSOB’s door for them.

This resulted in his political romance, meetings, alliance and money-sharing. The inclusion of politicians in MASSOB’s affairs started when Uwazurike ordered members to start campaigning, supporting and voting for his selective politicians.”

It alleged that “whenever Uwazurike fell out with a politician, he starts telling us how bad and wicked the person is; that such a person wants to hijack MASSOB. He would incite us against the person. All that will make us to develop hatred for these Igbo leaders”.

‘Etiti State creation not feasible’ From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

F

ORMER Ebonyi State Commissioner for Works and Transport Paul Okorie has said the creation of Etiti State from Ebonyi is not feasible now.

He wondered why the people of old Ohaozara should clamour for the proposed state.

Okorie spoke yesterday in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital, on the prospects and challenges of the proposed state.

The old Ohaozara includes Ohaozara, Ivo and Onicha local government areas in Ebonyi State.

Okorie, who hails from Okposi in Ohaozara Local Government Area, said the proposed state would not be possible because most of its areas do not have any cultural affinity with one another.

He said: “Anytime there is need to create more states, cultural affinity and relationship among groups of people have always been the yardstick used in determining who belongs to where.

“But when you look critically, you will find out that there is no affinity between Ohaozara and the people of Orumba, Mbano and Okigwe. Ninety per cent of Okposi people are of Ikwo extraction.”

Okorie hailed Governor Martin Elechi for seeking a shift of the governorship position to the southern part of the state.

The former commissioner noted that although zoning is not in the constitution, it gives every Nigerian of voting age the right to contest for any position he desires, if he qualifies for it.

He said only zoning would enthrone equity and fairness in the polity.

Church marks anniversary

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HE Ever-Increasing Anointing Ministries, Igando, Lagos, has begun a week-long programme to mark its 19 th anniversary.

The church has hosted many ministers since the celebrations started last Sunday.

The General Overseer Pastor Taiwo E. Olayemi said the anniversary would take the ministry to the next level.

A programme, tagged: Prophetic Eagle Ministers Summit, which started yesterday, will end on Friday.

A thanksgiving service with the theme: Fire of Purpose, will hold on Sunday.

Forum defends Nnamani over comment on Onyebuchi

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GROUP, The Enugu Professionals’ Forum (EPF), has condemned attacks on former Senate President Ken Nnamani over his comment on the impeachment of former Enugu State Deputy Governor Sunday Onyebuchi.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary Tony Agu, the group said the attacks were the handiwork of “disgruntled and self-serving politicians” who were creat-

From Chris Oji, Enugu

ing tension in the state.

It said Nnamani should not be maligned for advising the former deputy governor to resign honourably when it was clear that his relationship with the governor had broken down irretrievably.

EPF said it was meaningless for the embattled deputy governor then to make a move that would not change the repercussion of his action.

The group said while other politicians in the state were pursuing selfish goals, Nnamani spoke his mind on the matter.

The statement said: “The EPF finds it surprising that some people would engage hack writers to attack a revered personage like Chief Nnamani simply because he played the part of a sincere elder and statesman in an issue affecting his state. It is only a person with sinister and self-

serving motives that would have advised a deputy governor to take up arms against his boss in the circumstances that we found in Enugu.

“It is our view that Senator Nnamani deserves his praise and respect for telling the truth as he saw it.”

EPF noted that the former Senate President had been vindicated by the impeachment of the erstwhile deputy governor.

The group stressed that

“no amount of diatribe or outpouring of prejudice can change what has happened”.

It added: “Our position is that the state does not need these distractions. Enugu has been enjoying the best of good governance under Governor Sullivan Chime but some people have sworn to truncate this success story.

Whoever speaks the truth is quickly targeted. But thankfully, we know who these people are.”

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

NEWS ‘Ikimi’s exit an insult’ From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

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HE exit of former Foreign Affairs Minister Chief Tom Ikimi, who dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC), has been described as an insult to the Bini.

The Political Adviser to Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Charles Idahosa, said: “Ikimi ‘s return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is an insult to the Binis.

“How can you tell people that you are defecting because you were not made the national chairman?

“He is angry because for the first time a Bini man was elected national chairman. I saw him on television, saying he has gone to join his ‘brother’, Chief Tony Anenih, but we will see. He is never on ground politically and we will not miss him.”

‘Ebola increasing online shopping’

By Tonia ‘Diyan

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ANAGING Director, Jumia Nigeria, Jeremy Doutte, has said online shopping sales have increased since Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) was introduced into

Nigeria.

He said: “We have seen an increase in the number of new customers on our website. It is encouraging to see that people are taking the awareness seriously.

“I think it is safer to stick to online shopping during this period. We have noticed a major increase in the demand for sanitary and protective products, such as handwash, sanitisers and bleach.

“We have also had a 50 per cent increase in the number of new customers. New customers sign up daily and are buying from Jumia with tripled increase traffic from major cities.”

Reps hail Oshiomhole on development From Osagie Otabor, Benin

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EMBERS of the House of Representatives Committee on Education have praised Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole for judiciously utilising funds to develop the state.

The lawmakers described as “unquantifiable” Oshiomhole’s contributions to the development of modern Nigeria.

They said the governor was one of the persons they respect because he believes in the oneness of the country.

The lawmakers spoke in Benin City when they visited Oshiomhole.

The Committee Chairman, Aminu Suleiman, said:”We are here and many of us are satisfied with what we saw. Those of us who are familiar with Edo State continue to wonder where you manufactured the funds to do what you are doing in the state.

“Your fight against poverty and your drive for human capital development is actually second to none in the face of zero resources, because Edo State is only an oil producing state in name only.

“Yet, you have utilised the little you are receiving judiciously well to further earn our respect.

“I want to say on behalf of the committee that you have a huge followership in the House of Representatives who believe in your style irrespective of the political leaning.

“I think at the appropriate time when the need arises, we will make use of that political capital. The House of Representatives is one classical example of a house that does and act in national interest, irrespective of the party.”

Five arrested for rape From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

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HE police in Delta State have arrested five persons allegedly involved in the rape of a student of the State Polytechnic, Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government.

Police spokesperson Tina Kalu said the victim was tricked to a location at Owhelegbo junction.

She said detectives arrested Ewomazino Ekperierie, Awolowo Abel, Chukwuka Godspower, Wilson Odili and Ojumah Kelvin.

Kalu said the victim was photographed nude.

The police spokesperson said a robber suspect was shot during a gun duel in Owvian –Aladja.

She said items recovered from the deceased include a locally made cut-to-size gun and one live cartridge.

•From Left: Minister of State for Works, Prince Adedayo Adeyeye; Surveyor-General of the Federation, Prof. Peter Nwilo and President, Society of Surveyors, Ganiyu Agunbiade, when the minister visited the Surveyor-General’s office in Abuja ...yesterday.

PHOTO:NAN

Panic over explosion in Bayelsa estate

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NE person was injured yesterday when a device ‘exploded’ at the Okaka Estate in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

The incident created panic among residents.

It was learnt that the device exploded on Road 6 at 11am shortly after the morning rain.

The explosion was said to have occurred from an old blue Nissan Sunny car parked on the road.

A resident said the device exploded from the boot of the vehicle.

“It only rocked the boot, shattering its back screen.

Somebody was injured.”

Operatives of the anti-

H

•Police: device was a teargas canister From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

bomb squad cordoned off the area.

The car was towed to the Ekeki Police Station.

A resident, who identified himself as John, said although they were initially scared, they only discovered later that it was not a serious matter.

“We were initially afraid.

But when we got to the scene, we discovered it was a minor incident.

“Whatever exploded was not a bomb. Only the back screen was affected,” he said.

Police spokesman Alex Akhigbe said nobody was injured.

He dispelled insinuations that the device was a bomb.

The spokesman said preliminary investigations showed that a police teargas canister caused the explosion.

Akhigbe said: “Yesterday at 10.30am, there was a report of a car explosion at Okaka Estate, involving a Nissan Sunny car with a Lagos number plate, PQ 509 KRD. “At the scene, the police discovered that the explosion was caused by a police

teargas canister kept at the back of the vehicle.

“It shattered the back screen.

“The two occupants of the vehicle abandoned it and ran away.

“When the police arrived at the scene, they found the empty shell of the teargas canister.

“The car has been taken to the police station as we await the owner’s arrival.”

When asked what a police teargas canister was doing in the car, he said the occupants of the car were suspected to be policemen.

He added: “What exploded was not a bomb. It was a teargas canister.”

Delta retirees protest in Asaba

UNDREDS of retired public servants under the aegis of the Association of Contributory Retirees yesterday protested the non-payment of their pensions in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

The ex-workers sang solidarity songs on Okpanam Road, complaining about the government’s failure to pay their pensions and warned of mass rallies and a strike.

The retirees said except the government issued an Irrevocable Standing Payment Order (ISPO) to the accountant-general of the federation, there would be a showdown by October 30.

They said there would be

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

rallies in Asaba, Agbor ,Warri, Kwale and Ughelli.

The protesters carried placards with inscriptions, such as “Uduaghan pay us our pensions”; “Pay us our N16.9 billion”; “Retirees are dying”; “Save our souls”.

The Speaker of the House of Assembly, Peter

Onwusanya, urged the protesters to remain peaceful.

Their leader, Eric Ovwiroro, said the government contravened the Pension Reform Law 2008.

Ovwiroro said the government defaulted in paying five per cent of the monthly wage-bill into the Retirement Benefits Bond Redemption Fund (RBBRF) account with the Central Bank of Nigeria

(CBN).This, he said, had accumulated to over N16.9 billion.

He accused the government of “irregular payment of its 10 per cent counterpart contribution into the retirement savings account of contributory retirees.

Ovwiroro blamed government for delays in the payment of retiree benefits up to two-three years.

Rivers PDP kicks against zoning

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HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has kicked against zoning of the governorship seat to ensure that the Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, succeeds Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

The State Executive Committee (SEC), in a six-point communiqué yesterday at the end of its meeting, accused an unnamed member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) from Rivers State, of ‘fraternising’ with Amaechi.

The party said: “Rivers PDP has not and will not zone the governorship ticket to any ethnic group, senatorial district or local government.

“Consequently, all constitutionally-qualified members of the party are free to vie for the party’s ticket, to allow for the best candidate to emerge.

•To ensure Wike succeeds Amaechi From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

“For the purpose of next year’s elections, the party is poised to reclaim all its lost offices in the state.

“The party shall ensure internal democracy and provide a level playing field for every member.

“The principle of party supremacy and discipline shall be upheld, maintained and enforced by the relevant organs of the party.”

The Rivers PDP also stated that it “wholly” endorsed the second term candidature of President Goodluck Jonathan.

“The party condemns the nocturnal fraternisation of a certain BoT member from Rivers State with Governor Amaechi to undermine the party, under the guise of

meeting of stakeholders of Rivers State.

“The party hereby cautions the said BoT member to desist forthwith from attending such meetings that are inimical to the party’s interest.

“The party observes that the said BoT member, contrary to the party’s constitution, summoned meetings purporting to screen governorship aspirants and hereby fanning the ember of disunity within its fold.

“We therefore caution all members of the party to desist forthwith from attending any meeting summoned by the said BoT member, and/or any screening for elective positions conducted by any person or group of persons, except as it is properly constituted by the party.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY SEPTEM BER 10, 2014

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

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CITYBEATS LINE: 08078425391

Lagos warns against stigmatising Ebola survivors

HE Lagos State Government warned yesterday against stigmatising Ebola survivors, saying it has taken up two of such cases.

The duo, he said, had complained of stigmatisation at their workplaces and homes despite being given a clean bill of health Commissioner for Health Dr. Jide Idris said the government directed the Ministry of Justice to take up their case because stigmatisation constitutes a violation of their fundamental human rights.

He said the social problem being faced by discharged patients ranged from eviction from their accommodation and termination of employment.

He said: “We’ve had cases of employers just terminating

•Govt takes up case of two discharged patients

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

the employment of their staff who were just mere contacts, not even suspected cases. We believe this is unfair and we feel this impedes on their fundamental human rights. I wish to implore all Lagosians not to stigmatise all cases and contacts that have been given a clean bill of health and passionately urge all of us and all employers inclusive to facilitate their reintegration to the society.

“Stigmatisation will further make contacts and suspects to

go underground and continue to reverse the gains so far made in the containment and management of this outbreak.

That’s why it is essential that people should stop the stigmatisation.”

The commissioner urged anybody, whether a discharged patient or a contact followed up, who is stigmatised to petition the Ministry of Justice and the Attorney-General of Lagos State that will take that matter up on their behalf.

He denied that a new case of Ebola has been recorded, say-

ing the only case currently being treated was a contact brought in from Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

Idris reiterated the government’s commitment to contain the spread of Ebola, saying out of the 356 contacts traced, 345 cases were discharged and cleared while 19 persons are yet to conclude their follow up.

“Those on surveillance are enjoined not to travel out of the state and should alert the rapid response on manifestation of symptoms or signs.

“We’ve also had serious meeting with mortuary operators because this is another area that might facilitate the spread of the disease.

“We have given them protocols they need to follow

Monarch seeks assistance to complete palace

By Emmanuel Udodinma

T •Dr. Idris

when they are dealing with suspected cases. We also want to urge operators to adhere to the professional best practices when handling such corpses”.

On the First Consultants Hospital, where the first case was recorded, he said the facility has been decontaminated and also certified to reopen for business.

HE Osolo of Isolo in Lagos State, Oba Kabiru Agbabiaka, has praised Governor Babatunde Fashola for his projects in the area.

Agbabiaka spoke during the commemoration of his 10th anniversary in his palace.

He called on the governor and members of the community to assist in completing his palace, adding that about N30million is needed for its completion.

The monarch lauded his subjects for their cooperation since his coronation.

Court adjourns trial of suspected police killers, pipeline vandals

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HE Federal High Court in Lagos adjourned yesterday till October 9 the trial of 20 persons accused of killing nine policemen and vandalising pipelines at Arepo, Ogun State on May 24.

Their trial was billed to begin yesterday after they were denied bail on Monday. Justice Okon Abang, on resumption of the matter yesterday, further adjourned it because his court was full.

He denied the defendants bail on Monday because of the severity of the offence.

The suspects, who were in court, were taken back to prison custody.

Denying them bail on Monday, Justice Abang said: “On

By Joseph Jibueze

account of the severity of punishment if found guilty, it is my view that it is not safe to admit the accused persons to bail.

“I have my doubt that if granted bail, the accused persons would appear in court and attend trial nothwithstanding their innocence until proven guilty.

“I am not inclined to exercise my discretion in their favour by admitting them to bail,” the judge held.

The 20 accused persons were arraigned on August 7 on 14count charges bordering on conspiracy, pipeline vandalism, oil theft and unlawful killings.

They pleaded not guilty to

the offences.

They are Felix Yayu, Ijoufaya, Yakubu Ebiwei, Augustine Ebiwei, Tamara Dembofa, Owei Atile, Agbara Tiewei, Rufus Godwin, Tiery Koiyetin and Ebis Sobijoh.

Others are Ibori Lawrence, Eberebu Ibori, Atinuke Odewale, Fatai Ishola, Ahmed Bashorun, Odewale Waheed, Susan Viana, Tuesday Filatei, Yeiyah Yellow and Ismail Abdullahi.

The police alleged that they were behind the May 24 illegal oil bunkering operation at Arepo that led to the killing of the nine police officers.

The diseased police officers are an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Abdullahi

Bature; Inspectors Raymond Oriere, Usman Mohammed, Tijani Jimoh, Oguntihemen Kolawole; Corporals Elogbamen Timothy, Yakubu Aliyu, Usman Abdukarim and Dauda Mohammed.

The alleged offences contravene sections 3(6), 4(a), 7 (a) (b), 17 (a) of the Miscellanous Offences Act Cap M17 and Section 319 of the Criminal Code, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

In their applications, the accused persons through their lawyers had urged the court to admit them to bail on lib-

eral terms.

Some of them said they had been in the prison custody for between 60 and 90 days, adding that they were innocent of the allegations levelled against them.

Others argued that they were randomly arrested at various locations different from the crime scene and that when the police searchedof their houses, nothing incriminating or linking them to the alleged crimes was found.

But in its counter affidavit, the police urged the court not

to grant the bail applications, saying it was not in the interest of justice.

According to the prosecution, the accused persons were found in possession of items such as pump action guns, locally made rifles, military uniform, military camouflage and some petroleum products.

The prosecution also argued that there was adequate medical facilities in the prisons custody enough to cater to the health needs of the accused who are currently remanded at the Ikoyi prisons.

‘My wife denies me sex on pretext of attending vigil’

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39-YEAR-OLD busin e s s m a n , Oluwasegun Oyedeji, has prayed the Customary Court in Alakuko, a Lagos suburb, to dissolve his 10year old marriage.

He is seeking the dissolution of his marriage to Basirat for allegedly harassing him at his work place, denying him sex and being stubborn.

He said: “My wife is not caring at all. She doesn’t treat my relations with respect. We were ejected from three different houses because of my wife’s bad character.

“Our first child was 41 days old when we began to experience a crack in our marriage. My parents and my inlaw knew everything that happened in our home. This was because we were living with my parents while a fence separated us from my in-law. My wife was complaining that she was not

By Basirat Braimah

comfortable living in my parents’ house, so I thought she needed her privacy and we moved into my uncompleted house, two weeks after, my wife complained she could not stand the sight of rodents in the house, especially when she was in the kitchen. Whenever I wanted to make love to her, she always hid under the cover of attending a vigil.

I was frustrated and had to rent another apartment because we already had three children. Actually, that was the last time we lived as a couple.

“She once created a scene of sorts in my place of work when she insisted on having the custody of our children.

She claimed to be protective of her children, but our fiveyear- old child was raped under her care, a situation that later resulted in an infection in her private part. Now, it

has started festering. I want my children to live with me because my wife can hardly take care of herself.”

His wife denied the allegations, saying: “He doesn’t care about our children’s welfare. He was responsible for our being ejected from our first apartment. This is the third year since we did anything together as a couple. He only caters for the children’s needs. Contrary to his claims, I did not disrespect any of his siblings and my daughter is hale and hearty.”

The couple has three children: Fuad (11), Aliyah (8) and Muinat (5).

The court’s President, Chief Godwin Awosola, ordered Mrs. Oyedeji to pay N5, 000 for rough-handling the court’s staff who served her the summons.

The case was adjourned till September 15, for dissolution.

My husband is a womaniser, says wife

“H

E demarcated our room, claiming to be tired of me.

He also complains bitterly each time I return from work at odd hours. What else does he want?

Why is he jealous?”

These were the words of 31year-old Funmilayo Alabi, as she sought the dissolution of her 14-year-old marriage to Babatunde Alabi. She claimed that her husband is irresponsible.

The marriage has produced three children: Moses (12), Damilare (5) and Derin (1).

Mrs Alabi said:”I was barely 19 years old when we started living as a couple. He was the first man in my life. I did almost everything he wanted because I tried to avoid trouble at

By Basirat Braimah

all times. My husband derives pleasure in beating me and womanising under my nose. A neighbour and friend once told me that our first child had a striking resemblance with her lover. But I told her we were created in twos. I never knew my husband was her lover, until I caught them red-handed. “ Our family members had tried unsuccessfully to resolve our marital problems at different times but to no avail. I nurse different infections because of my husband’s unbridled lifestyle. He plays his role as a father to his children, but I am tired of being his punching bag”.

Her husband said he was also tired of the marriage. Alabi

said: “My wife is fond of going through my phone each time I drop it. I have advised her to stop listening to rumours because I detest it.

Yes, I beat her whenever she rains curses on me and accuses me wrongly but she once attacked me with a cutlass and inflicted a deep cut in my body. She is too temperamental. It has been four months since I slept with her. I don’t love her anymore and I also want the marriage dissolved.”

The court’s President, Chief Godwin Awosola, ordered Mr. Alabi to bring N55, 000 for his wife to rent another apartment and N7, 000 for his children’s upkeep at the next hearing. The case was adjourned till September 15.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

Life

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Text only: 08023058761

Brother Jero in the eyes of TFT – Page 16

•From left: Senator Solomon, Pa Adeyemi; Chief Olaseni Lamina; Oba Bakare-Agoro and Prince Afonja at the event.

Struck by the Muse at 80 •Octogenarian Islamic scholar presents 11 books Encounters with Wole Soyinka – Page 17

NTDC boss backs of Nigerian languages – Page 18

At 80, when many would have retired, Pa Ayo Adeyemi, an Islamic scholar, is still active, writing books. He has written 11 books, which were presented in Lagos. OZOLUA UHAKHEME, Assistant Editor (Arts), reports.

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ALL it a dance party; a rich bouquet of carnival. The book presentation of Pa Ayo Adeyemi was these and more.

The Oranmiyan Hall of the Airport Hotel, Lagos, was filled with dignitaries and several groups. They were there to honour Pa Adeyemi, the founder of the Islamic Mission Organisation (IMO) and author of 11 books who turned 80.

Pa Adeyemi’s 11 books, including All Roads head to Arafat, The Concept of Prayer in Islam and Abridged History of Prophet Mohammed, were presented at the event, which was chaired by First Bank Chairman Prince Ajibola Afonja.

It was attended, among others, by ViceChancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof Abdurahaman Bello, who gave the keynote address; Senator Ganiyu Solomon; Senator Gbenga Kaka; Chairman of Island Club Chief Ademola Dada; the Ranodu of Imota, Oba Ajibade Mudashiru Bakare-Agoro; veteran television broadcaster Chief Taiwo Allimi; Prof Adesanya Hamzat; Dr Isola Abudu; Prof Yomi Adetoro and Prof Abdul Oke. They were thrilled by scintillating songs from a live band and some Islamic groups, including Al-Fajir Junior and Senior; AlSalam Ladies, Amantullah Ladies, Al-Qudus Sisters, Nasurulahi Mothers, Dawn of New Era and Al-Asri Mothers.

The guests praised the celebrator for propagating Islam. They urged others to emulate

BOOK PRESENTATION the celebrator, who is dedicated to living the life of a true Muslim.

Prince Afonja praised Pa Adeyemi’s energy and zeal towards the expansion of knowledge, saying at 80 the Islamic scholar is still inspiring the young. He urged Muslims to emulate Pa Adeyemi on the advancement Islam to which Prophet Muhammed dedicated himself.

“It is good that at 80, Alhaji Adeyemi is still expanding knowledge. Knowledge is very important and Islam places emphasis on it. The Almighty Allah introduced himself as the all-knowing 122 times in the Ouran. If God could emphasise knowledge

‘I do exercise regularly.

I take fruits in the morning – every morning, I have been doing this for long. By 8pm I go to bed.

By 4/5am, I am up from bed, say my prayers and write whenever I need to’

this much, anybody who expands knowledge is worth celebrating.

“When I entered the hall, I noticed the beauty of Islam. I looked at Alhaji Adeyemi, looked at his picture on the cover of the programme and the richness of the programme itself; I saw how radiant he is, how confident he is; I listened to the songs and behold the way the entire hall is arranged. I feel that I had never seen Islam in this form before. I am, indeed, happy to be a Muslim,” Afonja said.

At 80, Pa Adeyemi is bubbling with strength. This, he said, he owed to God’s favour, a moderate and healthy lifestyle.

He shared these secrets of sound health and his 11 “intellectual achievements” with guests, saying: “I do exercise regularly. I take fruits in the morning – every morning, I have been doing this for long.

By 8pm I go to bed. By 4/5am, I am up from bed, say my prayers and write whenever I need to.”

Experience, according to the celebrator, has taught him to always advocate peace to all along with a moderate lifestyle. He urged guests to be creative in their strive for excellence.

He said: “There is nothing that is good for the body that does not have its side effects, especially when carried to the extreme. One must know what is best for one’s own body. The chemistry of my •Continued on Page 18

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Niger promotes book, film

By Bilkisu AbdulAziz Abarah

SUPPORT

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•Cast of the play

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NE of the hallmarks of drama and theatre is its ability to effect changes in the society if used properly. Many know this, but fewer people understand the workings of Satiric Theatre than Prof Wole Soyinka.

The Thespian Family Theatre (TFT), with dreams of ‘building community, a stage at a time’ decided to stage two of his most famous plays, The Trials of Brother Jero, and The Lion and the Jewel as part of activities commemorating playwrights birthday.

Having watched The Lion and the Jewel as performed by the aforementioned troupe, it struck the writer’s fancy to watch the second performance on the menu, The Trials of Brother Jero.

The play itself, as written by Soyinka, chronicles an event in the unscrupulous life of a hardened and flagitious false prophet, Brother Jero. Having learnt and mastered the trade of con artistry from his master, the Old Prophet, he turns him from master to victim by evilly unseating the old cheat and stations himself at his spot on the local beach converting it to his lair. There he ensnares anyone his sprightly wit recommends as a victim ripe enough for his malignancies. This rebellious misdeed which has brought the old prophet to ruin prompts a rather savage string of curses from the Old Prophet. Apparently, he owes some money to a trader he bought his priestly garb from, and she, being a proper nag and committed she-devil, has come up with a most audacious way to collect her money from her debtor; viz. by stationing herself outside the prophet’s house and laying a siege to his movements.

Soon enough, Amope, the trader, gets distracted when a fishwife in every sense of the word passes by, and she tries to bargain with her; an ill-timed venture which soon turns to a haggle, and the ensuing repartee provides the cunningly watchful ‘Jero the muchneeded opportunity to hightail it out of his house and flee pell-mell to the beach with a rich dosage of contumely following him expressly from the unceasing tongue of the trader.

Meanwhile, he has been restraining (in what seemed to him business strategy) Chume, his customer/client cum worshipper, from beating his wife who offends him daily. Upon making the shocking discovery that his unmanageable creditor is in fact Chume’s wife, he tells the gullible Chume the Lord has given the go-ahead for him to deal his wife a proper beating. By and by, when Chume is about to trash his wife, he discovers Jero’s fraud, and wroth, goes to end Jero and expose him for what he truly is – mere crook. Just when it seems like Jero will be hoisted by his own petard, lo and behold, the gilt-edged charlatan proves himself a master rogue by turning the tables and having the latest addition to his congregation, a political aspirant, ‘settle’ Chume.

Brother Jero in the eyes of TFT From Paul Ade-Adeleye

THEATRE Under Olufemi Oke’s direction, the play went great guns as there were minimal faults and the performers fired on all guns in a manner which nearly made the writer forget that the play is in fact, meant to be a satire. Perhaps, the first thing praiseworthy about the play as performed by TFT was the venue for the play. Terra Kulture, Lagos, proved a suitable venue for staging plays – better suited than Freedom Park at least.

Next was the stage itself. The set was constructed with utmost industry and resourcefulness on the part of Mr Uwem Ikerika.

Also, the first scene was very energetic and it featured such gumptious displays as Brother Jero, played by the baritone Mr Toju Ejoh, sonorously render his famous opening lines (‘I am a prophet…’) without boring the spirit out of anyone, and then the Old Prophet…. played by Mr Ikechukwu Asonye, that old prophet did know how to curse. Trembling frenetically, he, in style, cursed Brother Jero to be brought to black perdition at the hands of the ‘daughters of discord’, and despite the modulatory antics he had to perform with his voice, maintained audibility.

The next scene was also another all hands on deck scenario as no performer was desirous of being outdone. Chume, played by Mr Peter Adesanya, came careening on stage on a bicycle, with Amope, (Miss Ronke Odunewu) perched precariously on the bike.

After being repeatedly chided and scolded

by Amope, a tongue-lashed Chume huffishly left the scene with a hangdog look. Miss Odunewu was apparently talented with audibility as she reeled off her lines audibly and managed to make it synchronise with her acting, and she melodiously infused Yoruba language with English in a rich blend. This scene also featured the dexterous Awolowo Bunmi who played the aforementioned fishwife, and was well grounded in the shrewishness that characterises market women who sell fish. She railed and spat out deadly invectives convincingly when provoked. One would even be left wondering if there was no prior enmity between Ms Odunewu and Ms Awolowo.

The director also controlled the congregational scenes properly with mimic dances which were very easy to understand as each

individual dance hinted at one societal ill or the other ranging from lechery to hypocrisy. Even the slapstick was in order with nothing that could provoke injury perceptible.

Notwithstanding this laudable showing by the TFT, a few observations seemed to flaw the production. First, the writer noted that the opening glee was virtually the same with that of The Lion and the Jewel. This hinted at monotony, for although they were performed by the same troupe, they were directed by two different thespians, and seeing as they were two different plays, they should have been treated as such. The only thing that seemed different about the glee was the observation that the performers were clad in the flowing gowns peculiar to white garment churches and the dramatic entrance of the dancers cum drummers – they danced onto the stage in the typical melodramatic manner used to depict fake spirituality.

Also, the lighting/technical man displayed a lot of artistry with his lights but seemed to have one major problem – he kept switching the lights on while the stagehands were engaged in the business of moving props on and off stage. Besides this, he was perfect, changing light colours in the necessary cues with remarkable attentiveness.

At the last performance, the writer complained about the gracelessness of the cameraman. Halfway through this performance, the cameraman of The Lion and the Jewel seemed cherubic compared to the officious individual who took it upon himself to constitute a complete impediment to the writer’s vision. In fact, he seemed so dedicated to this office that he planted himself firmly in a thoroughly unschooled fashion in the direct angle that was the writer’s viewpoint.

While posing as a Nephilim with his camera, the writer implored with him on two occasions to step aside, and on both occasions, he did step aside, only to come blundering back to impeding visions.

It would therefore end all, but not be all to note that whenever thespians – performers and technicians alike – commit themselves to a performance in truth and in spirit, with high morale, the result is usually similar to what the TFT displayed today; ‘leg-breaking theatre’.

•Ade-Adeleye is of the Department of English, Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU) Ile-Ife.

HE Niger State government is promoting the book and film industries.

The industries have received government’s support for the promotion of book and film-related activities.

The book industry, Niger State Governor Dr Babangida Aliyu M’uazu, said has okayed the publication of 24 works in various genres by the five established and over 20 new writers –the publications are tagged Minna Literary Series.

According to the government, the literary series will be a yearly scheme, which shall comprise writers resident in the state “so as to saturate the immediate environmentwith books”.

It will be recalled that, the Nigerian Writers Series being run by the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), was endowed by Dr M’uazu and is on the completion stage.

Like the ANA’s Nigerian Writers Series, the Minna Literary Series is sure to create a platform for young writers to hone their talents, in addition to developing a concrete reading culture. This will subsequently trigger the public into flourishing creativity, innovativeness and inventions that will bring about development.

Similarly, the governor has approved the construction of a Multimedia Unit for the promotion of film-related activities and Minna Art Gallery at the Niger State Book Development Agency.

The Multimedia Centre will provideoptimal film-related services, including editorial, content development, scripting and other professional needs for the promotion of a flourishing indigenous film industry. On its part, the Art Gallery will be an artistic structure meant for the training and exhibition of art works as a medium of liferenewal and aesthetic bonding of the human heart with sense of good for a better humanity.

Also, all is set for this year’s MBA International Literary Colloquium, billed for November 10 and 12. The colloquium, which will run for two days, has also been approved by the governor, it was learnt.

With the theme, Literature culture and social re-engineering for national development, among several literary activities, it would feature the inauguration of Multimedia and Arts Gallery (pre-colloquium day activity) and a pre-colloquium lecture with the theme: Post Centenary Nigeria: New Literatures, New Leaders, New Nation to be presented by Prof PiusAdesanmi of the University of Carleton, Canada. It is expected to host notable writers and literary critics from home and abroad, creativeperformers, literary journalists, social activists, politicians, students and academics. There will an interactive session on literature, creative writing, leadership and democracy among students, writers and politicians.

•Abarah is an author and social critic from Niger State.

•Aliyu

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Encounters with Wole Soyinka

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HE first series of encounters were over 20 years ago. Fast forward to this year, a series of remarkable encounters.

Port Harcourt became UNESCO World Book Capital by on April 23. It was announced with lots of literary festivities.

Yes, Nigeria made history loud and clear in a very positive manner. Being at Port Harcourt World Book Capital celebration to me was not just a breath of fresh air, it was a gush of fresh air. Port Harcourt was nominated World Book Capital, 2014 on account of its excellent record in the areas of books, reading and writing, thereby improving Nigerian culture.

Other applicants for the coveted nomination include Oxford (UK), Lyon (France), Moscow (Russian Federation) , Yaounde (Cameroun) just to name a few.

The ceremony was well packaged by the Federal Government, the government of Rivers State led by Governor Rotimi Amaechi and Mrs Koko Kalango, founder of Rainbow Book Club.

I was privileged to be at the ceremony and very proud to be a Nigerian. Prof Wole Soyinka was the keynote speaker on this memorable occasion.

Always politically and mentally alert, on climbing the rostrum to give his address- he dealt immediately with two burning issues – lambasting the government on slamming 50 per cent duty on books – which got the government to respond in a positive manner almost immediately. He also demanded that the government should not spare any efforts in bringing back the girls then recently abducted by the Boko Haram group.

The response from the audience was thunderous.

The fifth edition of the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature was held at the Civic Centre in Lagos in July. The prize was established by the Lumina Foundation in 2005 to promote the best in African Literature not just in Nigeria.

The prize money is now a whopping $20,000 and has been won across the continent. Wole Soyinka ensures that he is available to hand over the prize every year. This year’s award

•Prof Soyinka

By Aderonke Fetuga

MEMOIR coincided with his 80th birthday and the foundation spared no effort to make it a memorable one.

The Civil Centre was alive with dignitaries and music was nice and varied, including the famous Steve Rhodes Orchestra.

The address by the Guest Speaker, the fiery Prof Akin Oyebode took the audience down the memory lane when he had dabbled into acting!

Then we saw the Lion baring his fangs. Only the previous day, soldiers ran amok on Ikorodu Road on the excuse that one of their own was killed by a bus driver. Wole Soyinka took the opportunity to remind the government that this is not a military era and that the soldiers should be cautioned over their excesses. The coveted prize was won by a Nigerian, yes, Ibadan based writer – Akin Bello who was justifiably very elated.

A couple of days ago, I got an invitation (summons!) by BankoleOlayebi, MD Bookcraft in Ibadan, a professional colleague and also a good friend for the launch of the special

edition of four books; Ake, Isara, Ibadan and the Man Died by Wole Soyinka as part of celebrating his 80th birthday.

I knew I had to be there to give support to one of our own and also get glimpses of WS at close quarters again. For me, having lived in Ibadan for close to three decades and going to and coming from Ibadan was no big deal in those days. Now, to travel to Ibadan by road has almost become a nightmare! However, I had to obey the summons.

Keenly conscious of the fact that Ibadan is the city of culture and excellence where the concept of “African” time is not tolerated, therefore I took the longer route to Ibadan via Epe, IjebuOde and Idi-Ayunre. I must say my efforts were rewarded as the programme billed to start by 4pm was almost in full swing by 4.30pm.

The attendance was very, very impressive: there were professors and professors. There were emeritus Prof Ayo Banjo, Prof Akinkugbe ( a classmate to WS), Prof JideAjayi, Prof BimpeAboyade (my teacher & mentor); Prof TolaAtinmo, to name a few. Also, heavy representation from “town” included KunleAjibade of The News magazine (his special edition on WS is very much a collector’s delight);Mr Mosuro of Mosuro Books and naturalised Ife chief, Chief JoopBerkhout of Safari Books.

The evening was chaired by Chief (Mrs) Folake Solanke, Nigeria’s first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), classy, elegant and still fearless. The host, WS came in well before 5pm with his beautiful trendy wife, Folake (her shoes were a sight to behold!). Our Nobel Laureate get eyes o.

A close look at the programme with readings, from all the books, drama sketch and music by imitable Jimi Solanke assured us all of a memorable evening.

The first reading from WS’s book Isara was read by no less a person than emeritus Prof of English, Ayo Banjo. This was a question of a round peg in a round hole. The rendition was awesome. The next reading was by the playwright and author, Lola Soneyin, WS’s daughter –in-law from my favourite book, Ake. The section of the teacher who plucked a rose from HM’s garden and was asked to “lemo” is always hilarious.

The evening had gathered momentum, when we were interrupted not once but twice to usher in Governor Ajimobi. Having come so late, his aides could have ensured that he got in as quietly as possible.

No, an announcement was made to halt the proceedings and a few people got up to usher in the governor. Then WS stood up as if to meet the governor, whilst the radicals, Egbon Felix Adenaike and Brand – new Emeritus Prof Femi Osofisan, I sat next to, muttered very loudly “ewo”.

We were calmed down by no less a person than Lola Soneyin that WS only went to the loo!!! Real anti-climax. The governor read his allotted portion from the book Ibadan quite well.The rest of the evening was totally enjoyable and pleasant with interactive sessions with WS. •Mrs Fetuga, the Chief Executive, Florence &Lambard (Nig.) Ltd, lives in Lagos.

Smithsonian Museum hosts Lady Esther

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ADY Esther is guest o f Smithsonian Museum, Washington DC in United States. The hand-painted dress depicting the historical situations across Africa will be displayed at the Smithsonian Museum of African Arts at Washington DC. As the first of its kind to be given such relevance at the globally-recognised Smithsonian Institute, Diamond Bank Plc. through her innovative product, Diamond Woman, celebrated the feat at the farewell reception in Lagos.

Designed by Ms Patience Torlowei, a Nigerian designer, the dress was entered for and emerged winner of the Earth Matters Fashion Competition in February. Named Lady Esther, it is named in memory of designer’s departed mother and illustrates the historical situations across Africa, such as apartheid in South Africa, environmental degradation as a result of oil spillage in Nigeria and diamond mining in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Congo.

Speaking in Lagos at the reception, Torlowei said: “I named the dress in memory of my mum. I was inspired to do the painting of some misfortunes that had occurred in Africa. I am happy to have won the competition but I must confess my emotional attachment to the dress since I started making it.”

According to the organisers, this is indeed a significant achievement for the Nigerian fashion industry as the Smithsonian Insti-

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Harbinger of death

By Nosa Tokunbor

Where is the Sawyer?

Call him back not to die Let his death come after this war Sawyer, come wage a true war Fight the Boko Haram with your talent Your urine was poisonous So was your sputum Your venom was not found in Your teeth Your buca cavity was a container That offloaded a pint of Ebola Come back Sawyer and berth In our lush forest of Sambisa Where figs are armoured tanks Dreaded by our decorated combatants of war

•From left: Renowned accountant Chief Akintola Williams and Torlowei at the event

EXHIBITION tute, founded in 1846, is a globally-recognised historical centre and is strategically located in the heart of the US - Washington

DC. Dignitaries at the event included renowned accountant, Mr Akintola Williams, Ms Evelyn Oputu, Prof Pat Utomi, Lilian Unachukwu, Mrs Abba Folawiyo, Mrs Maiden Alex–Ibru and Seni Williams.

Travel journalist Awofeso gets tourism award

WARD-WINNING travel journalist and author, Pelu Awofeso, has been named the “Best Tourism Promoter” at this year’s MBE Improver Awards. It was held in Manchester, England .

According to the organisers, the event was hosted “to acknowledge, celebrate and confer excellence on individuals who devoted their all in promoting human welfare and advancing reforms in their specific fields”.

Other categories at the awards include outstanding leadership awards, volunteer recognition awards, best human rights activist,

POEM

best community leader, best journalist and best entertainer.

Nominations were announced for 16 different categories in June and winners emerged based on voting by the public on the organiser’s website.

“I am extremely honoured by this award, coming as it is when the international community prepares to mark the World Tourism Day on September 27. I want you to know that this award will only spur me on to continue to do what I have been doing in the past 15 years—promoting domestic tour-

ism in every way possible, online and offline,” an elated Awofeso said.

Awofeso is a former winner of the CNN/ Multichoice Africa Journalist Awards in the tourism category and his career in journalism has spanned 12 years. He is the author of three travel books on Nigeria and he currently edits waka-about, a tourism- and artsfocused periodical.

“It’s been a long, tough and almost tiring journey, but I will be the first to confess that my life has been thoroughly enriched by my adventures around Nigeria—from Argungu

Come back Sawyer Fight a gallant war Waged against us by your incarnates Sawyerfind your ilk in Sambisa With your buca cavity the war is won Slither your way into Sambisa Kiss the dreaded forest With your 21 days agonising silencer BUT Skip out our girls Your spurting venom travels in lightning speed From Liberia to Nigeria A haven surfeit of scourge

to Asaba— and the everyday Nigerians I have met on my way,” adds Awofeso, who has visited 30 states.

“If there is anything I would like to say at this •Awofeso point, it will be to all Nigerians to take your own journeys; a great deal of memorable experiences await,” he added.

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NTDC boss backs promotion of Nigerian languages

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HE Director-General of Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation Dr Sally Mbanefo has urged parents and guardians to ensure that they speak Nigerian languages at every home, saying it is a strong tool for the promotion of culture.

She observed that most languages, such as Igbo, are indeed, in danger of going extinct unless something drastic is done to preserve it.

Mbanefo, who spoke at this year’s national New Yam Festival (Iri Ji Ndi Igbo) at Igbo-Uku, Anambra State, urged traditional rulers in the state to intensify efforts at creating enabling environment for domestic tourism to thrive in their communities.

She identified tourism as a principal export for 83 per cent of developing countries and the most significant source of foreign exchange after petroleum. She pledged the Federal Government’s commitment to support and strengthen the festival in order to serve as a veritable channel to promote and market Nigeria’s rich culture.

“The domestic tourism market has a very high revenue and job creation potentials. Tourism industry contribution to the nation’s GDP is valued at approximately 1.3trillion naira with a 2.6 per cent contribution to total employment of 1,636,500 jobs. My plans to further take tourism to greater heights are increase domestic tourism volume by at least 30 per cent and entrench a culture of tourism among Nigerians, continued collaborative and sustainable partnership with the private sector operators to harness tourism resources and make Nigeria destination hub of Africa, and growing the tourism value chain to enhance revenue generation through innovative products/projects like the Green City,” She described the Iriji Festival as a time of thanksgiving and praying for good yields, saying: “I passionately appeal to the Igbos to come together as one and give Igbo-Uku new yam festival a global out-look as other festivals such as Sango. It is an event that should be seen and celebrated by every Igbo son and daughter. It is an epitome of the beauty of Igbo culture. The Igbo nation is a people that are blessed with everything that make a great nation. The human and material resources that are found in Igbo land are enough to make Nigeria Africa’s destination hub.”

Mbanefo was honoured by His Royal Highness Igwe Martins Nwafor Ezeh Idu II of Igbo-Uku with the title of Ona mma Ndi Igbo in appreciation of her contributions to the growth of culture and tourism in the country.

Igwe Ezeh who lauded the strides of the NTDC boss at promoting domestic tourism and cultural festivals in the country, said: “Dr Sally Mbanefo is a blessing to Nigeria, and in particular the Nigerian tourism industry. If men and women of vision and passion

•Left: Mrs Mbanefo, Igwe Ezeh and wife

By Ozolua Uhakheme, Assistant Editor (Arts)

CULTURE for nation building like our daughter, Dr (Mrs) Sally Mbanefo are at the helms of affairs of every sector in Nigeria, the nation will not only express her appellation as the Giant of Africa, but also as the Giant of the whole world. This is because we have the resources, what we only need are men of vision and patriotism to manage the resources for the benefit of all.”

Conferring the chieftaincy title on Dr Mbanefo, the traditional ruler said: “Mbanefo did not buy this chieftaincy title with money, rather we consider it apt for her, having considered her immense contributions to Nigeria and support for the promotion and development of Igbo culture and tradition. We pray that God almighty will continue to strengthen her and bless her with the wisdom to record a successful tenure in office, thereby propelling the movement of this nation and the Igbo communities to their respective promised land.”

The Odogwu of Ibusa and Director, Centre for Igbo Studies of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Dr Tony Nwaezeigwe, who corrobo-

rated the submission of the Igbo-Ukwu monarch on the efforts Dr Mbanefo at promoting Nigeria’s tourism industry, culture and tradition enjoined the NTDC boss to make a policy that will make the Igbos understand and appreciate their culture and tradition. He lamented the increasing decline in the promotion and preservation of the Igbo culture, especially language, which he said, is in danger of going extinct.

“Foreigners are coming to appreciate what we have, in terms of culture and heritage, hence we should never allow those inestimable virtues to go into extinction. Thus, I plead with our government to make Igbo language and history a must in the academic curricular, thereby protecting our language, culture and tradition,” Dr Nwaezeigwe submitted.

National Chairman, Mbido Igbo Association, Mazi Okafouzu Ugochukwu appealed to Anambra State government to assist in providing infrastructures in the place, such as tarring of the road leading to the National Yam House; building of a modern pavilion at the arena; provision of a functional bus and security van to the organizers of the festival, among others.

The corporation supported the five-day festival with a new deep freezer, a Motorcycle and a cow.

Waiting for Sanity poem seeks change

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ETERAN journalist and ace filmmaker, Mr Joe Dudun, has called for change. His poetry collection, Waiting for Sanity is calling for societal change and re-orientation.

The collection has poems spanning over 30 years. In it, Dudun ponders why the country is the way it is.

Citing some leaders, who have impacted positively on society, he advocates that Nigerians should be that change they want to see.

With poems, such as Confab, Westgate, First Song, Emauado, Oloibiri and Fuel Hike,the poet is set to impact society with the collection.

After years in Journalism and filmmaking,

By Evelyn Osagie

LITERATURE Dudun still hold dear the belief: “Poetry should talk back to society”.

His words, “We all seek for something or somewhere or someone that could consume our worries. Indeed, we strive for that redeeming shoulder that would unburden our burdens. Do we only but yearn and wait?...” summarises his what his thoughts in the collection. To find out, what the those thoughts and his contribution to scholarship, Dudun challenges the reader to seek his collection out.

Aside Waiting for Sanity, he has also published other titles,such asUwale (Barracuda, 2010), a play on the Niger River delta and The Ekpoma Plays (a collection of three early plays).

Dudun was the former Assistant Features Editor of The Punch Newspaper,who coordinated reportage of this year’s National Conference for Leadership Newspaper as Managing Editor (Features & Special Stories).

Born in Burutu, Dundun participated in the evolution of Nollywood and filmmaker who has directed The Village Square, Oso biri Ugen, The Great Tide: TheStory of Nana Olomu (13-part TV serial dramatizing the epic story

Octogenarian present 11 books •Continued from Page 15 body may be different from yours. One other thing is that you should learn to differ from the crowd. For you to think deeply and come up with productive ideas, you cannot always move along the same direction as the crowd.

But I primarily owe Allah the secret of my longevity and good health. He is ultimately the one that crowns one’s effort no matter how wise one may think one is.”

Prof Bello’s lecture, titled The role of religion in Nigeria’s quest for security and justice focused on the relationship between religion, security, peace and stability.

The Vice-Chancellor, who was represented by the Director of Distance Learning, Prof Ganiu Oke, observed that the non-adherence to the dictates of religion has resulted to the insecurity and other problems in the country. He added that although most religions propagate the values of peace, love, justice and good neighbourliness, the notion of religion is been misconstrued by many.

“The ideals propagated by the religions, notably Islam, Christianity and Judaism are different from the current realities. In Nigeria, for instance, ‘reason’ is being placed above revelation; material gain is emphasised above spiritual gain. Religion is becoming increasingly commercialised as religious leaders now reap huge profits from

the spiritual needs of their members.

“This has led to misinterpretation and misrepresentation of the doctrines which themselves were to ensure security of lives and properties and social justice. Personal, rather than corporate interests have taken over and the only panacea to the security and social injustice in our country today can only be reversed if we all practice the religions in their pure forms,” he said.

In his review of the books, a former Dean, Faculty of Arts at the Lagos State University (LASU), Prof Lakin Akintola, also praised Pa Adeyemi’s efforts in inspiring and drawing children and youths to Islam, noting that the books were painstakingly written. According to him, they lay emphasis on the need for Muslims to be pragmatic and moderate in their activities.

He said: “Before now, Muslims were held in contempt. Their music was despised in Nigeria. It didn’t draw youths. But Alhaji Adeyemi came and changed all this. It was from him that we first had first song in English for Muslims. Islam preaches tolerance.

He is therefore the kind of imam we need today. With imams like Alhaji Adeyemi, Christians, Muslims and even traditionalists will live together in peace. So, Adeyemi is being celebrated today not because he likes partying, but it is because he deserves it. He is a hero among Muslims.”

of Nana of the Niger Delta – won the Zuma International film Awards for best historical docu-drama), Beyond Obligation, Living For Tomorrow;Wale Adenuga Production’s SUPER STORY–The Promise. and co-wrote and co-directedCascade, a UNICEF advocacy movie project, etc.

He is the screenwriter of epic movies, such as Nneka: The Pretty Serpent; Fatal Desire; Goodbye Tomorrow; Onome; Wale Adenuga Productions’ Super Story – Omajuwa: The Destiny Child, One Man’s Poison and ‘Thislife’ series – Only God Forgives, Omotola, My Only Helper and Love of my life; Ripples; Candlelight; and One Too Much (13 episodes), among others.

‘Prevent Yoruba culture from going into extinction’

By Adebisi Onanuga

O •Wewe

Ila Orangun honours Tola Wewe

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ORMER Ondo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Chief Tola Wewe will tomorrow be honoured with the chieftaincy title of Oluaye Agbasaga of Ila Orangun in Osun State by the Orangun of Ila, Oba Adedeji Kayode Oyedotun, Bibire 1 at the Orangun of Ila’s palace.

Wewe’s wife will also bag the title of Yeye Alasaga of Ila Orangun. The honour is in appreciation of the contributions of Wewe to the growth of the nation’s cultural heritage especially of the Yoruba people.

Entertainment of guests will hold at Nike’s Guest House in Oshogbo.

The conferment is part of activities marking this year’s Asa Day Festival aimed at promoting the annual Isinro Festival that has been celebrated in Ila Orangun since ancient times.

Past personalities that have been honoured by the Orangun of Ila are Chief Remi Fajenyo (Oluomo Agbasaga of Ila Orangun), Chief Kayode Samuel (Agbasaga of Ila Orangun), Chief Odubamidele Odule (Baba Asa of Ila Orangun), Chief Bayo Adebowale (Arole Agbasaga of Ila Orangun), and Chief Mrs Adeola Faleye (Yeye Asa of Ila Orangun).

GUN State government has urged the public to embrace Yoruba culture and inculcate it into their children and upcoming generations.

The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mrs Yewande Amusan made the appeal at the yearly Ise-se Day festival tagged: IbaGbepo Alafia held at the Ake Palace in Abeokuta.

Amusan urged stakeholders to redouble their efforts at upholding the Yoruba’s traditional and cultural heritage and prevent it from going into extinction. She, however, pledged the ministry’s support to any groups and associations that celebrate local festivals in line with the traditional and cultural norms in the state.

The Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, enjoined traditional worshippers in the state to always exhibit love in their environment and accommodate Christian and Muslim faithful to promote peaceful co-existence.

“Ise-se yearly festival is a traditional legacy ordained by our fore-fathers and its represent peace, love, unity and prosperity in Egbaland.”

The Bantu of Oke-Aregba, Chief Kehinde Sofenwa, said the festival was established by their firebeers, hence, its yearly celebration in honour of Sango, Aje and Ifa deities.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

19

COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

LETTER

Maiduguri must not fall •President Jonathan must show that he is capable of defending the country

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OR those who reside far away from the epicentre of slaughter and human flight, the surge of the insurgent group Boko Haram still carries the air of another man’s battle. Nigerians, especially those who live down south, only see video clips of the ghastly images as well as still pictures. There are also narratives of plunder, deaths, rape and kidnap.

But the past few weeks have given greater potency to the story. They have been advancing from town to town, making mincemeat of residents and travellers. Above all, they have beaten our soldiers who seem to demonstrate little answer or imagination against these organised marauders in the name of Islam.

It has seemed that as a nation we are dazed, frozen into inaction at times and tokenism of feeble counter-action.

But in sum, we have shown ourselves below the task of defending our citizens and territory against the militants who are growing in armour, men and confidence.

As at press time, major towns and locations have fallen into the savage hands of Boko Haram. We have mentioned such places as Buni, Damboa, Gwoza, Madagali, Marte, Dikwa, Ngala, Michika as already fallen. The past few days were characterised by intense battles for the key town of Bama.

Conflicting media reports have befogged the status of the town as to whether it is in Nigerian hands or the so-called caliphate.

• Jonathan Territories in Adamawa,Borno and Yobe states tremble. The three states are beleaguered. Some Nigerians no longer know the state of our defence as any place seems within the capture of the insurgents. The leader is hoisting flags all over its conquered territories. The fear now is Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State. The reasons for the fear are palpable. The governor, Kashim Shettima, was reported to have said that a third of his state has been captured by the militants. Some other indigenes are less sanguine as some have claimed that two-thirds have fallen.

The other point is the leaflets that the insurgents have spread in the city of Maiduguri, warning of their imminent invasion. Such ominous literature shows a high level of confidence and clinical propaganda acumen.

The third point is the rally of the youths.

Recently they paid a visit to the palace of the Shehu of Borno and promised that they would fight to the death to defend the throne against the rapine of the zealots.

The fourth concern is that our military has not shown exemplary firepower in earlier battles. The government has not inspired us with confidence that

Maiduguri will not fall. This is a clear and present danger.

Maiduguri should not be allowed to fall. If it falls, the implications are huge.

It is the capital of the state, and it is the seat of government. It also has the concentration of the state’s population. It is the commercial nerve centre of the state, and the northeast’s big dwelling. If it falls, all its gifts and virtues will belong to the insurgents.

It will mean, to all intents and purposes, that all of Borno State will be a rogue caliphate under Shekau. If Maiduguri falls, there will be no Nigerian government in the state. We shall have 36 states only in name until we get it back.

If Maiduguri falls, it will enrich a growing militancy with more resources. It is well-armed now, with Borno State in its hands, its armoury will increase. It can run rampant in the state, molest its citizens and slaughter at will. It could mount a vast concentration camp of perceived upstarts, Christians, nubile girls and other resisters.

The citizens will be more facile to radicalisation. Because they are under the gun, the insurgents will happily recruit many youths into its army.

With that assurance, we cannot guarantee that it will not rumble into Yobe and Adamawa states and bring them into the ambit of its counterfeit caliphate. By then, the country under the eyes of President Jonathan would have shrunken signifi-

cantly.

When the over 200 girls were abducted from Chibok, the nation was benumbed.

The argument was, and still is, the Federal Government could get these girls out through either negotiation or some other sleight of hand. If Maiduguri falls, the story of the Chibok girls will be a footnote in a vast concentration camp of hundreds of thousands under the spell of a charismatic brute. The story is potentially a disaster.

President Goodluck Jonathan has declared a state of emergency in the region, and issued a suite of rhetoric that was only fiery in words but short on action.

The matter is getting so serious now that the president as commander-in-chief must show that he is capable of defending the country according to the oath of office.

If he cannot, it is high time he stepped down.

His first assignment is to defend his country.

If he fails in this primary task, he has failed to justify holding that position.

This is no time to apportion blame from the presidency. This is the same Nigerian army that has, over the decades, served as the symbol of the African pride. Our soldiers have acquitted themselves competently in Liberia and other areas of the West African sub-region. We have led in discipline, strategy and tactics. We have also served in other places in Africa, and the African Union as well as the United Nations have come to regard our army as indispensable in the pacification of the continent.

For that same army to squelch under an apparently ragtag force remains unthinkable even as we are harassed by the day.

Trillions of Naira have been expended on defence in the past few years, and should translate into a formidable force that should make a quick work of the militants. We have not seen that yet.

It is on that score that we reiterate the need for the president to act as commander-in-chief. To do that he has not only to restore all lost territories but the lost pride of the Nigerian Army. Never again should we accept a situation where a neighbouring Cameroun would do with dispatch what our soldiers cannot dare.

We reiterate that Maiduguri should not be allowed to fall because the consequences are serious.

‘The matter is getting so serious now that the president as commander-in-chief must show that he is capable of defending the country according to the oath of office. If he cannot, it is high time he stepped down.

His first assignment is to defend his country. If he fails in this primary task, he has failed to justify holding that position’

Why Nigeria cannot afford to fail

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OR astrologers, the sun remains the king of the stars. It is the biggest and the brightest of all the lighted objects in the galaxy. In the planetary arrangement, the Jupiter holds sway as the biggest of every other planets revolving around the sun. Also in the animal kingdom, there are kings and queens. Among the cat family, the lion is king.

Among the fish, the blue whale holds sway. In the snake kingdom, the python rules. Among the birds, the eagle stands out so also is the bee to the insect family and so on and so forth. Coming down to the realm of human race, kingdoms and kings have come and gone. In Egypt where it all began, about five or six kingdoms had emerged after Egypt: Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, Anglo/Dutch and now Anglo/ America.

Among the black race, Nigeria stands out as the beacon.

When I reflect on the ingenuity of the Igbos in the field of commerce, the entrepreneurial skills of the Yorubas, the agrarian prowess of the Hausas/Fulanis and the Niger Delta people, I have no reason to doubt the leadership position of Nigeria in the comity of nations. As the only country in the world with the largest concentration of black people on earth, I believe God has a purpose of keeping us together as a people.

As a people, we have all come from various rich cultural backgrounds with tales of our forebears that toiled through thick and thin to settle at the present locations we all find ourselves. We can as a matter of importance tap from this cultural heritage to develop something positive to teach the world. Already by act of providence, our numerical strength has brought us to the limelight. All we need to do is to put our acts together, sharpen our political philosophy by enthroning quality leadership and insisting on doing the right and positive things that will enhance our leadership position in Africa.

As the rest of black African countries are looking up to us to provide the needed leadership, what indeed are they learning from us? Are we teaching them that in our democracy, an incumbent can never lose an election even when smaller countries like Ghana, Malawi and Ivory Coast have already out grown that?

Are we teaching them that election rigging is the sure way of bring back an ineffective leader to power instead of allowing the people’s power to suffice? Or are we teaching them that politics is no more a game where concerned and visionary citizens go into to fight for an opportunity to provide leadership in the interest of majority of the people but rather a game which is now a bulwark for mediocres, political neophytes and men of low reasoning or easy virtue who go into it for self-aggrandizement or to persecute unsuspecting political foes?

These questions are asked in view of the events playing out in the country as the countdown to 2015 elections begins. The impeachment saga targeted at members of the opposition, the militarization of our electioneering process (Osun and Ekiti states as a case study), the intimidation of political opponents through the use of public institutions etc are factors indicative of how next year’s elections will look like. But whatever may be the case it will be pertinent to state here that if we fail to get it right in 2015 and if we fail to keep this big house together to enable us keep the hope of black man alive, I think no one should be blamed if he gives up on the project of nation-building and no African nation should even be blamed if she removes her hope on Nigeria and pitches it elsewhere.

But I know that Nigeria shall not, will not and cannot dash the hope of the black man because personal ambition of anybody can never override the ambitions of over 170 million Nigerians and indeed several millions of the black Africans out there.

We must get it right in 2015 to still keep Nigeria as the hope of the black race.

• Wenenda W. Weli Elibrada Emohua Rivers State.

Editor’s note: For reasons beyond our control, this column, which features editorials from other climes, is being suspended until further notice.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

20

CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR:“I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet” Mahatma Ghandhi Let’s call a spade a spade; the level of corruption in Nigeria is astronomical. Corruption runs in the blood of most Nigerians and most are ready to participate in corruption at the earliest blast of the whistle.

Nigeria is a house built on the sand of corruption, but regrettably its people expect it to withstand the calamities and afflictions that go with such quest.

Many Nigerians will profess several verbiages to convince themselves that they are not part of the Nigerian corruption. They convince themselves that things are not what they are and expouse fallacious claims to support every corrupt practise. The fact remains that Nigeria is corrupt by default.

Irrespective of what you convince yourself to believe, the fact cannot be erased.

Nigerians live, dine and wine in corruption and these corruptions run from the leaders to the common man on the streets. The leaders steal and share the big money, while the rest steal and share the money left.

You can hide the fire that is burning, but you can’t hide the smoke.

The smoke is everywhere, nothing gets done except bribe change hands. Ask for a little favour without throwing a bribe, then consider the job best ignored.

Everywhere you go, it is the same

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Corruption: Let’s call a spade by its name from public sectors to private institutions, everyone readily participate in bribery.

I cannot overemphasis the facts that we all need a radical change in our ways. Let’s call a spade a spade, we cannot continue to live this way and expect to get a sudden transformation.Life is only a miracle to those who obey the rules.

You cannot live your life anyhow and expect to get a worthwhile re-

sult out of it.

Until we all stamp out corruption, yes every one of us, Nigeria may not yet be ready.

We need determination and discipline to live corrupt free life.Bribery and corruption has become part of our culture and way of life, we are so much enmeshed in it that it ceases to make any difference to us anymore.

Corruption is now normal. If you

can’t beat them, you better join them, but must we live our lives this way?

Nigeria has reached the climax of corruption; you either play by the rule or get sucked in forever.You are not allowed to say no to bribery and corruption, if you do, you may get cut down in their wheel of scandals. This unfortunate predicament has got to a very dangerous level, it now runs

S

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Putting out the fire of Ebola

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IR: Since February, death toll from the recent Ebola epidemic has soared over 1, 000, making it the most deadly outbreak of Ebola in history since the discovery of the disease in 1976 with simultaneous cases in Sudan and the Congo.

Common symptoms of Ebola are fever, headache, weakness, cramps, aching in the muscles and joints, diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach pain, sore throat. As the disease progresses, additional symptoms may include rash, internal and external bleeding from the nose, mouth, ears and eyes, reduced liver

and kidney function, trouble breathing, bruising.

The working hypothesis for curtailing Ebola until the Liberian Patrick Sawyer came into the picture was that Ebola would more or less stay put, affecting only neighbouring countries. The time from infection to severe illness is typically so fast that it is unlikely that a person would be able to get it together enough to go to airport– or else would be so obviously unwell as to draw attention to himself.

Sawyer’s flight has changed all that. Until Sawyer’s death, all reported cases of Ebola had occurred

in one of the three adjacent West Africa countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

Public health approaches remain the viable solution to Ebola curtailment. These are to be driven by government institutions and machineries but must be supported by responsible citizenship. With 198 Ebola cases in a nation of 150 million people, there is no need to panic but time for responsible citizenship by all. Public responsibility is paramount in curtailing this outbreak since it takes a man to infect a community.

The President, the health minis-

Attention, Governor Obiano IR: Former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi did all he could as governor to promote the spirit of equity and fairness in his relations with the people in Anambra State. In spite of his commendable efforts, there remains a lot to be done for the people of Inoma community. who are eager to benefit from the dividends of democracy.

Inoma is a town situated at the bank of River Niger tributary, rich in agricultural produce. People of this community are predominantly

in every sector of the economy, from judiciary to legislature, executive to business, religion to education, health to power generation and many more. Nothing works on merit in Nigeria; you either pay for it or lose out on it.

Sad, really sad, how can we continue to live our lives this way?

Let’s join hands to say no to corruption. Play your part in stamping out this deadly practice. We cannot be free if we continue to sell our conscience for money. Edmund Burke wrote; “among a people generally corrupt, liberty cannot long exist.”

We need to come together and say no to corruption in Nigeria, which is the only way forward.

• Oni Oluwatobi David, Lagos

farmers, and cultivate varieties of crops. These yields are produced in commercial quantities but due to lack of storage facilities and access road, most of these are sold at cheap prices while others get damaged.

We appeal to you, to use your good office to fast-track the construction of Oroma Anam –Nzam – Inoma access road or Mmiata Anam –Nzam –Inoma access road to enable all the communities within these regions transport their agricultural produce to the cities. These communities are the most aban-

doned areas in Anambra State.

There are no basic amenities in Inoma, Nzam and its environs.

Could you also ask the chairman and all councillors elected in Anambra West LGA to copy the developmental stride of former Governor Peter Obi and the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan? They should be told to embark on familiarization tour to all the communities in the LGA, to enable them know and prioritise the needs of the people.

Anambra West LGA is the poor-

est developed council in the state and needs your attention in the areas of sustainable healthcare care, provision of pipe-borne water, functional rural-electrification as well as good road networks.

Generations to come will celebrate you if you can deliver electoral promises to Inoma community, in many other areas, not only limited, to those cited above.

• Ogugua David Azubuike Port Harcourt

ter, federal and state governments have shown commendable leadership towards curtailment of the outbreak. Highest level political meetings were held to devise effective strategies to manage the outbreak, rigorous screening at entry points were embarked upon, special funds provided, and several treatment and information centres established.

Of special mention are the commendable efforts by Lagos State government to stem the spread.

Despite the seriousness and notoriously incurable nature of the disease, preventing it spreading is relatively simple since only those who are symptomatic are contagious.

According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, it is important to wash one’s hands thoroughly with warm water and soap, or, if that is not available, a hand sanitizer.

As advised by Stephen Monroe, deputy director of the Natural Centre for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, we should all be geared up for a ‘marathon than a sprint’ in curtailing the disease. Until we identify and interrupt every chain of transmission, we won’t be able to interrupt the outbreak. Until we get all the fires put out, there’s still a possibility that it will re-ignite.

• Oluwaseun Oguntuase Ibereko, Badagry, Lagos

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

21

COMMENTS

‘Our Girls’; Lessons from Ebola: Wanted- ‘A UN Declaration on Expanded Role Of Media In Ignorance Elimination?’ ‘

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UR Girls’ are still in captivity since April 15.

Cholera has just killed 16 Nigerians, more than the ‘deadly’ Ebola. ‘Boko Haram, Typhoid and Tony Delivery’, having a baby, Marinho each kill thousands annually. Fortunately, Cholera and Typhoid will be reduced by the hand washing and hygiene and reduced contact strategies against Ebola. As we look to ‘Life after Ebola’ as it winds down in Nigeria hopefully, we commemorate the dedicated and courageous Dr Ameyo Adadevoh and prayerfully remember all other professional victims.

What is Nigeria’s ‘Post Ebola Preventive Medicine Policy/ Strategy’ at government, ministry of information/health and media levels? Nigeria needs larger ‘Medical Research Council Funding’. Google South Africa’s Medical Research Council. If not, all will go quiet until the next crisis while the internationally donated money, $200m, disappears like the military budget. Language and Communication Arts and Social Science departments in universities must study the role of the media in the Ebola episode. The importance of the media has come to the fore. Nigerians swim in a sea of ‘IGNORANCE’ about things that will keep them alive while being overloaded with adverts ‘educating’ them about products they can survive without. Ebola taught us to share ‘Life Skill Information’.

It has come to pass. What? The massive media participation in preventive medicine involving government and private sector corporate adverts along with the engagement of officials and celebrities. For me this is long awaited triumph and a vindication of the position of Educare Trust on the media! So much airtime is wasted daily. The media has been woken to its responsibility to ‘Educate and Inform’ and become unselfish, helping to keep Nigerians informed and alive through ‘Ebola Info’. Usually the media only ‘advertises’ prepaid products, not ‘unsponsored’ messages. The world

“

F

IRE on the mountain!”

This may look like a familiar lyric from a popular song. It is not. But if the drama that is currently unfolding in the north-east of Nigeria is anything to go by, then, it is crystal clear that, indeed, there is fire on the mountain. In the last few weeks, the Boko Haram terrorists have intensified their attacks and open confrontation with Nigeria’s security forces. They have been moving from their base in Sambisa fortress to some parts of Borno and Adamawa States, seizing towns and villages along their route. At the last count, the terrorists have taken over at least nine out of the 27 Local Government Areas in Borno, representing one-third of the entire state. Recently, they proclaimed the town of Gwoza, a “caliphate under Islamic law.”

Michika, Uba and some parts of Adamawa, have also tasted Boko Haram’s bitter pill.

Following the terrorists’ recent incursion into Bama town, about 72 kilometers from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, fears were heightened that the next port of call may be Maiduguri itself. Speaking in Abuja last Thursday, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, United States Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, said the frequency and scope of terror attacks had grown more acute, adding that this had constituted a serious threat to the overall security of Nigeria. According to her, “Boko Haram has shown that it can operate not only in the North-east, but in Kano, Abuja and elsewhere.

We are very troubled by the prospects of an attack on and in Maiduguri, which would impose a tremendous toll on the civilian population. This is a sober reality check for all of us”.

It is, indeed, time to engage in a sober reality check. This is because at no time since the end of the coun-

needs a plan of action towards ‘Ignorance Elimination’ – a greater killer than Ebola! What we have been preaching as a ‘Public And Private Media Policy And Strategy’ for 20 years has come to pass but it must not pass away with Ebola, only to be revived for ‘Alobe’. Education must be continuous to fight the contagious.

Our people suffer from a disease ‘IGNORANCE’, ‘Ignorance About Life Skills’. Ignorance is not the preserve of the uneducated. The educated are also ignorant. These ‘Life Skills’ are not taught in schools or out of school. Only the media parts, the electronic, print and advertising, are equipped to ‘Eliminate Ignorance’ in our citizenry. Before Ebola, the media was negligent and selfish in executing that responsibility and ignorance has spread like Ebola. The media elements face a negligence charge for only doing things for money under the ‘increase internally generated revenue’ order. For example Cholera and Typhoid kills thousands more than Ebola but when last did you see or hear any message/ advert about preventing Cholera or Typhoid? We like the sensational or terrifying and ignore the routine. But dealing with the routine with strategies like hand washing and sanitation, should prevent the sensational, like Ebola.

Just as for Ebola, so for the media. The media needs to be taught or ordered to use its power to eliminate the disease ignorance by allocating a specific quantity of airtime or page space for ‘free’ ‘LIFE SKILL MESSAGES’ to keep its customers alive to consume more. There is also a ‘secret message weapon’ that is little used but gets into every home and office, rich and poor. It is the $500 billion corporate advertising space on billions of items moved in packaging and adverts governed by advertising gurus. Criticise every empty space on a bottle, bag, and box as being wasted and can be used in the ‘Ignorance Elimination War’. That space can be offered by the corporate world to WHO, UNICEF for the top 100 life skill messages and to local advert needs, at no extra charge. Such messages can be on anything from bullying, sexual violence to healthy eating. This Ebola epidemic forces us to demand that the UN, WHO etcetera, partner with the corporate world for joint messaging

through a ‘New World Order In The Media’. ‘Life Skill Messaging’ on corporate advertising on products and product packaging will prevent citizens dying from ignorance and keep them alive to buy products longer.

We want A UNITED NATIONS DECLARATION ON THE EXPANDED ROLE OF THE MEDIA in the 21st Century as follows: ‘We the People of the World need A UN World Media Social Responsibility Law for every media outlet to ‘include in every 24 hours of broadcasting 15 minutes up to one FREE HOUR of 15-120 messages of 30-60 seconds each per day on chosen Social Life Skill Messages to bring about behavioural change in society’. The UN should recommend this LAW to the world A ‘PRINT MEDIA SOCIAL MESSAGE LAW’ mandating that every company should also ‘INCLUDE A SOCIAL/ MEDICAL MESSAGE IN EVERY SINGLE ADVERT’ in the media –on air, in the press, posters and billboards, packaging.

Competitive Awards For The Best Corporate/Media Social Life-skill Message Partnership under the slogan –‘Helping Keep Citizens Alive’ at all the different International and National Annual Media, Advertising and CSR Awards and film and TV and cartoon Awards worldwide.

The UN should convene a Meeting of the Global Fund and include Corporate Giants and Advertising Agency Gurus to kick-start this new initiative that Ebola has exposed as necessary and present to the world the annual top 100 Life Saving Messages for the media and advertisers to use.

‘The media need to be taught or ordered to use its power to eliminate the disease ignorance by allocating a specific quantity of airtime or page space for ‘free’ ‘LIFE SKILL MESSAGES’ to keep its customers alive to consume more’

Fire on the mountain try’s civil war in 1970, has the territorial integrity of this country been so threatened than what is currently playing out today. In spite of all the havoc the terrorists have wreaked on innocent people all over the place, they had the audacity to distribute leaflets in Maiduguri, the state capital, warning the residents of an impending attack. For one, the major weapon of terrorists is fear.

Those leaflets must have been circulated to create fear in the minds of the people. If that is the aim, the terrorists may have largely succeeded in view of the mass exodus of residents in Maiduguri.

For whatever it takes, the military and the federal government should do everything possible to safeguard Maiduguri. The city is too populated to allow these vagabonds to truncate its tranquillity. It is exigent that the temerity of the rampaging terrorists should be halted without further prevarication. By now, it must be clear to our policy makers that we have an emergency at hand.

There is no doubt that the army is short of manpower, having been overstretched because of its involvements in internal security duties in the country. Be that as it may, we may not have any other option than to resort to what happened during the civil war by recruiting those who are ready to do the job. Care must; however, be taken not to recruit Boko Haram agents or sympathisers.

In that case, rather than the usual one year training, the new recruits can be trained for two weeks and deployed in large numbers to crush the terrorists. The thing is to get the whole place flooded with troops. If the enemy out-flanks you, pull

‘Perhaps, we would be better off with leaders who do not have good strategies and know they do not, than with leaders who get stuck to bad strategies’

back, regroup and re-think your strategy. It is good that the terrorists have now come out of Sambissa Forest due to the rains and the subsequent marshy terrain. The security forces should launch a massive and sustained attack on them in the towns and villages they now occupy as well as lead an assault on Sambissa itself. The terrorists must have left some line guards behind to take care of the place for them.

All the security forces need do is to muster enough manpower and fire power to do this. Obviously, the terrorists cannot cope if many fronts are opened.

The terrorists are known to move swiftly just like the ISIS is doing presently in Iraq and Syria. The socalled Islamists, though calling themselves different names, share a common doctrine of destruction.

They seek to impose their will through propaganda, forced conversion, kidnapping, beheading, slaughtering, forced marriage, rape and other unspeakable horrors.

Obviously, Boko Haram exists for the same genocidal mission as ISIS. It has its own contribution to this hateful movement. The plan by AlQueda to acquire territories after territories until it enthrones its own Islamic doctrines was hatched many years back with defined roadmap and timelines. This was expected to have been crystallised in 2013. And Nigeria falls within the countries whose territories it wanted (and still wants) to acquire for this indoctrination. What this means is that Nigeria is fighting a formidable enemy.

The truth is that 16 months after a state of emergency was declared in the north-east states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, it appears that the country has not got an effective strategy to deal with Boko Haram and its avowed commitment to wage war against the country and its people. Much like the man who has a hammer and, therefore, assumes that every problem is a nail,

our policy makers have tried these past 16 months, to define the Boko Haram problem as something that they are comfortable to deal with.

Now, it is apparent that they are failing or they have failed, and woefully too. Not with the terrorists who seem to be riding roughshod over everybody and traversing state borders, thereby killing and maiming several innocent citizens as well as displacing people and destroying hundreds of schools in a wave of terror aimed at establishing a utopian Islamic state in Nigeria.

Recently, the international community was jolted with the abduction of more than 250 schoolgirls from Chibok community in Borno State. In the wake of the uproar, some foreign countries sent specialists with medical, intelligence, counterterrorism and communications skills to advise Nigerian officials. In addition, manned and unmanned surveillance aircraft have been flying over the heavily forested north-eastern region of the country where intelligence officials believe the girls are held. Some 80 armed American troops have also been sent to Chad, one of Nigeria’s next door neighbours, where predator surveillance drones are being operated from a large air base near N’Djamena, the Chadian capital. All these seem to have yielded nothing as the Chibok girls are still marooned in the woods.

Viewed from the prism of the seeming bureaucratic lethargy with which the ongoing war against terrorism is being prosecuted, it is as if Nigerian leaders are bidding their time and waiting for a miracle from nowhere to happen and put an end to this ugly episode. It is rather senseless to expect outsiders to come to our rescue every time there is a problem. Every nation is and should be responsible for its own citizens’ safety except that, on this score, Nigeria’s record is abysmal.

Corruption has become a hydra-

Dele Agekameh headed monster that has eaten deep into the fabric of the nation. The nation’s considerable oil wealth has been cornered by a few smart alecs.

The result is that the citizens have not been provided with adequate security, water, health, reliable power supply, good and motorable roads, as well as, quality education.

Now, the army, the last bastion of hope, is starved of essential resources and completely demoralised. This, in itself, is a bigger threat to stability. Yet, a military response is not a viable option to end the growing disenchantment in the country. It is, therefore, expedient on our grandstanding political leaders to urgently tackle the root causes of disaffection in the country by reducing corruption, and providing jobs and other lifelines to the growing army of hungry and angry Nigerians. As a people, we need a new, honest conversation on how we are going to defeat the multifarious forces of evil that have held the country by its jugular. Perhaps, we would be better off with leaders who do not have good strategies and know they do not, than with leaders who get stuck to bad strategies.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

22

COMMENTS ‘It is now clear to all Nigerians that the poor are at the mercy of the rich. If it had been a minister or any notable person that fell sick and was rushed to the hospital, would the doctors have abandoned him or her? Any government that cares for its citizens takes note of things happening within or outside its domain; I urge all our doctors to emulate the heroine, the late Dr Adadevoh, to save life before things get out of hand. When this is done, Ebola would be a thing of the past in the country.

From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapa, Lagos.

•Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau

For Dare Olatunji

Sir, we can define what is happening now as the inevitable response of men when caprice and transitory experience govern instead of reason and true knowledge. Is Governor Chime not as guilty as his impeached former deputy? The irony is that many people don’t strive to stretch the facts to reveal the truth, before jumping into their conclusions. It is a pity that materialism has damaged our social life beyond recognition.

From Adegoke O. O, Ikhin, Edo State.

I think the impeached Enugu State Deputy Governor Onyebuchi’s problem is that the governor Chime does not want to see his face again and all he did was to use the “chicken honourable members” to remove him, otherwise, how can someone be impeached for farming in a state where agriculture should be encouraged. Definitely, they were paid to do the bad job. From Inyamah P.O.P Port Harcourt It is very unfortunate that operating poultry in Government House premise has become crime, not stealing government money, and then what is the essence of having agricultural sector as ministry? Sunday Onyebuchi should go to court and argue that his impreachment lack merit. Nigerians will not be happy, if court didn’t return Onyebuchi back office because he was sacked wrongly and probably because of 2015 election. From Gordon Chika Nnorom Well written piece Sir, keep it up we admire your foresight and reasoning. From A.J. Kaura,Ado- Ekiti Enugu State lawmakers should cover their faces in shame for impeaching a deputy government because of a mere chicken. An idle mind is a devil work shop. The way the lawmaker are going now one day a governor or a deputy governor will be impeached because of the governor’s stay longer in the rest room (toilet). There are issues that are begging for attention but the lawmakers looked the other way and went ahead to impeach on flimsy reasons. The lawmakers would have saved their faces of shame if they had found another allegation against the deputy governor. From Hamza Ozi Momoh Apapa Lagos.

Sir, I read your piece on Enugu ‘chicken Impeachment’. It is shocking that instead of Governor Chime to appreciate and be grateful to his deputy Onyebuchi, for dutifuly holding fort for him during his numerous jouney abroad on account of ill health, he is paying him with impeachment. A lesser mortal could have taken advantage of the situation. Examples abound in Nigeria.

Taraba State is an instance- a classic one for that matter. Again, what became of the people that were working in the poultry farm?

Hoping that Chime also redeployed them to the civil service. If perchance, they lost their jobs over what they do not know about, its then, not difficult to know where the problem of Nigeria lies - greed, avarice, over bloated ego, selfishness etc. Chime has unwittingly multiplied the ranks of those who will line up against him on the day of reckoning. Take a bow Onyebuchi. From U.T Nwachukwu.

Dear Professor, I read your piece “Enugu chicken impeachment: matters arising” .It is a very amusing as it is funny. It is a pity that the Enugu House of Assembly members do not know the difference between a serious impeachable offence and a very trivial and disgusting excuse. I am also disappointed that Governor. Chime has forgotten so soon his long period of absence from the State House and state functions. What he and his cohorts have done is pure vendetta, no more any less.

In fact they have made a mockery of the word “impeachment “or can’t they read between

the lines? Their act is too shameful and malicious. From Ojo Anjorin Ayodele, Emure Ekiti I read your yesterday’s piece sir entitled Enugu ‘Chicken Impeachment’: Matters Arising, it’s quite good and friendly, but, wasn’t too objective; because you never talked of Onyebuchi’s major offence of insubordination to his former boss- From Auta , Jos.

For Gbenga Omotoso

Whoever authored the article on: Mass failure in WASSCE, will live long for being sincere with facts. The truth is that both the parents and government have failed and must someday account for the gross neglect of the upcoming generation thanks .From Dr Chike Ubani , UNN Hello! Your article on WASSCE is simply fabulous! Hard truth! Bitter pill! Until we tailor our attention towards rewarding brilliance in academic and technical competence we should not expect change.

From Akinya Oluwagbenga David I can’t agree with you less in blaming parents for the mass failure of students in the just released WASSCE. Apart from the numerous issues you raised, there is one immoral one some parents encourage shamelessly and that is hiring personnel to write for their children. As a teacher in a higher institution, we had one case that a student gained admission with 7As only to be withdrawn after one semester. We investigated and found that the parents hired someone to write for her. Parents have completely neglected their responsibility.

From Adudu, Nasarawa Mass failure in WASSCE: WAEC TO BLAME-no more printed booklet Version of the syllabus but the internet. WAEC in collaboration with Education Research Council plus Parents Teachers Association to organise “long-distance writing techniques” to attract writers/publishers and work on institutions for soft loans participants to set up “CORRESPONDENCE OUTFITS. In the good old days a copy of the syllabus plus a handful of past QUESTIONS at HARVEY Street WAEC BOOKSHOP in addition to the VHF film of the prescribed SHAKESPEARS’ text afforded my boy to have a B3 in Literature-in-English. From F O O SOMORIN. May God bless you so much for speaking out my mind. Parents, gadgets and how these bodies lavish money on irrelevant affairs bothers me so much. Please, what good will it be to this country having countless models?

They should kindly sponsor competitions and research. That’s Godly! Thanks.

Anonymous.

Thanks immensely for this wonderful contribution on The Nation newspaper on this heated issue of mass failure in the recently released WAEC exams. My take is the same as your views. Please next time, try to stress more on our parents’ show of poverty in the name of affluence in providing their children with state of the arts gadgets they call phones.

Meanwhile, thanks once again. More power to your elbows. From Wilson N. K. Esq. Thank you very much sir, for your writeup. Actually, I think the parents should be blamed the most. Who gives or buys the phones for the students? Parents/guardians of course! Parents have shifted their responsibility of taking care of their children, to teachers. If it were up to them, I bet you, they will make teachers come to school on Saturdays, just to be free from their childrens’ ‘wahala’. From Onyibe A.F. Mass failure in WASSCE: Who is to blame?

The write-up is a masterpiece and real truth.

Anonymous We have to blame ourselves because most students have it in mind that they are going to do engage in exam malpractice in the hall.

I say thank to WASSCE for their effort to reduce malpractice in last MAY/JUNE. I’m expecting them to do the same in forthcoming exam i.e. NOV/DEC. From

Oloyede Dhikrullah, Ede Osun State.

Gbenga, Re- Mass failure in WASSCE: Who is to blame? Thank God for having people like you. What you regard as failure was made possible by “prayer”. You need not read once you are a born-again. What are parents teaching a two-year old by attaching beads to her hair? You just wait; failure is about starting. Please, read The Sunday Times (London) of 10/08/2014 pg 22 captioned: “Waiter, do you have parenting lessons on the menu today”? Observe the picture of a small girl holding a fork/knife.

Parents are more than rare in today’s Nigeria. Women emancipation remembers!

You know most of our women have no homes where charity ought to come from.

All they care for is work and jewelleries.

They will later learn of having ruined their tomorrow. From Akinlayo. A. State of Osun.

You’re a great satirist. You made my day on your “2015 and the Jonathan crowd.” My Thursdays are always brightened by your satirical outpouring. Keep it up. And may God redeem us from this pervading groping. Anonymous “Mass failure in WASSCE...” You said it all indeed. Given the scenario, my take is that parents need do more to secure the future of their children: teach good values of hard work, motivate them, monitor them in school, and rebuke their excesses vehemently. Anonymous Your article on mass failure in WASSCE in the Nation newspaper of 4th September, 2014 is highly commendable. In addition, students don’t even know that WAEC syllabus exists! The students prefer to go for miracle centres for their WASSCE. Many teachers too don’t complete teaching the WAEC Syllabus in those respective subjects with the students. On the whole, the parents, teachers and students are to be blamed for lack of commitment to WAEC Exams and not WAEC who has consistently maintained her standard. From Simon Danbeki, A.C.A chie, Busary Department, Benue state University, Makurdi ‘Mass failure in WASSCE: Who is to blame? The Nation of September 4, was of truthful sorts. Correctly Yes! You blamed parents, students and corporate entities. I must say you ought to highlight the conspiratorial failure of the three tier governments that institutionalised corruption, lies, double speaks and evil machinations such that minimum deadly wage of N18,000 cannot survive workers\parents in their employment. meaning food first for children before or rather than buying books, etc and children fell for comedies, yahoo, yahoo to make ends meet even for their ageing parents to survive. From Afolabi Gbajumo, Ikeja, Lagos.

Your piece on 2015 and Jonathan crowd is so on point. I love the satire very much, your award as editor of the year is no joke. I love the ingenuity. A word is enough for the wise. Anonymous Mass failure in the last WASSCE is disturbing. The state government is largely responsible for this problem. For instance in Lagos state public secondary schools, you will see over 120 students in a class to a teacher. Most of the students do not have chairs and desks. They stand on their feet throughout the teaching period finding it difficult to write down what the teacher is teaching. Even on the available chairs and desks, you will find unusual number of students sitting on them. You will notice that teachers are not committed to teaching with this kind of situation. This condition does not support learning. In a secondary school in Surulere, students claim that they weren’t taught mathematics for a whole session yet students were compelled to write mathematics exam of which mass failure was recorded. Yes students may have their own blame, but state government should be up and doing to correct these mistakes.

From Idowu 0sinowo,Timberline, Surulere.

•Gov. Sullivan Chime

For Tunji Adegboyega

Re: Ebola’s other victims. Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria’s case differs from trying to expose our children’s schools to Ebola. While TAN could attempt to solve their own Ebola with their political free funds, where will the average parents get the funds to pay for their wards’ treatment should they contract the disease, and assuming it is curable? The die is cast already with the reversal of the October 13 resumption to September 22. Our solace lies in the almighty God who will protect our children on this journey they are being made to undertake.

God willing, they would return safely. From Lanre Oseni.

It is now clear to all Nigerians that the poor are at the mercy of the rich. If it had been a minister or any notable person that fell sick and was rushed to the hospital, would the doctors have abandoned him or her? Any government that cares for its citizens takes note of things happening within or outside its domain; I urge all our doctors to emulate the heroine, the late Dr Adadevoh, to save life before things get out of hand. When this is done, Ebola would be a thing of the past in the country. From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapa, Lagos.

You put all the blame at the door step of proprietors. Why? If the minister has superior argument for October as resumption date for our children, they (proprietors) have to abide by it. Mind you, having the entire family intact at home against an outbreak is at the mercy of God. From continuous closure many teachers will suffer more in Nigeria’s system.

All businesses tied to the school system will collapse, not only proprietors’. Remember our work and eat syndrome system. Allow resumption sir! Anonymous.

Thanks for your essay. Please visit hospitals to determine or report on the level of preparedness to tackle Ebola. Read the WHO guidelines on the net for your assessment.

There are people who no longer visit doctors because they say doctors now infect people.

What would you tell any close relative of yours working in any hospital now?

Anonymous.

The refusal of TAN to stop their rallies with the attendant risks and dangers, despite the president’s order to that effect only further confirms the suspicion that Jonathan has himself become captive to some forces who are subverting the system just because they know that all that matters to him now is Aso Rock 2015. As for those school children, they are just another means to Jonathan’s end.

Remember how long it took him to meet the parents of the Chibok girls? And that only after Malala instructed him to do so. For the PDP and Jonathan, even Ebola is politics. From Simon Oladapo, Ogbomoso.

Against the backdrop of the Ebola crisis, the idea to allow schools resume on September 22 instead of the previous October 13 is unwelcome. As our leaders of tomorrow, the health of our children is very important. Why are we in a hurry to resume when we are yet to sufficiently cage Ebola? There is this popular saying that prevention is better than cure. It is dangerous to expose our children to Ebola given that there is no cure for it yet. So, the ministries of education and parents should have a rethink of the decision to resume this month. From Chika Gordon Nnorom, Umukabia, Abia State.

I like your style of writing. A brilliant primary six pupil can understand your message on “Ebola’s other victims”. Keep it up. Anonymous.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

23

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

25 NLNG is one of the biggest success stories in our country. From what I am told, the company has invested $13 billion so far since inception, and has become a pacesetter in terms of revenue generation for the government.

-Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga

THE NATION

BUSINESS

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net Stories by Taofik Salako

MAN, govt seek conducive environment

By Toba Agboola

T

HE Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) said would collaborate more closely with governments at all levels to ensure a conducive operating environment for manufacturers for increased capacity utilisation.

The new MAN President, Dr Frank Jacobs, said the collaboration is expected to also increase employment generation capacity of the manufacturing sector and the sector’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Jacobs said there is need to train the youths to appropriate technical skills that will meet the requirement of the industrial sector. He said the body plans to collaborate with tertiary institutions and research bodies to bridge the gap between the manufacturing sector and the academia, and thus improve the skill requirement of industries.

He sais:”We want to also improve on our evidence –based information generation capacity.

We will improve on our ICT compliant level such that data from member companies will be promptly analysed to enhance MAN’s advocacy activities . This will also assist us in the timely analysis of the economy.”

He said the association plan to establish a centre for entrepreneurial studies which will train and develop entrepreneurs , add value to the society and reduce the yearning for paid employment.

“We plan to overhaul and update the MAN resource centre which is the business development unit of MAN to reposition it adequately towards assisting small scale entrepreneurs in developing or improving their business plans. This unit will also undertake clinical evaluation of ailing companies and proffer advice on how to improve their

DATA STREAM

COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$117.4/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,396.9/troy Sugar -$163/lb MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE -N11.4 trillion JSE -Z5.112trillion NYSE -$10.84 trillion LSE -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -8% Treasury Bills -10.58%(91d) Maximum lending -30% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -1% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $45b CFA EUR £ $ ¥ SDR RIYAL

FOREX

-0.2958 -206.9 -242.1 -156 -1.9179 -238 -40.472

Investment firm mulls N16b deal in L financial sector EAPFROG Investments, an equity investor in emerging markets, said it will be investing N16 billion ($100 million) into the Nigeria financial services sector.

The firm’s Partner, Dominic Liber, said the firm can invest N8 billion in a single business, where necessary.

He said the firm recently raised N65 billion ($400 million) that will be invested in high growth businesses in Africa and Asia, with Nigeria remaining a priority country. The firm, he added, has partner companies serving 22.7 million people across 16 countries.

Liber explained that the fund is backed by many of the world’s leading development financiers, insurers, reinsurers, pension funds and asset managers.

“Nigeria is a highly appealing investment destination, with stable economic indicators and an increasingly welcoming business environment. The Nigerian financial services industry presents a real opportunity for growth and there are a number of companies that are targeting

By Collins Nweze

the country’s vast emerging consumer market,” he said.

Continuing, he said: “LeapFrog’s fund will make equity investments of up to N8 billion in any one company. These must be established businesses that deliver insurance, savings, pensions, investments, credit, remittances or payments”.

The equity investor said he had played a leading role for over a decade in insurance product design, regulation and reinsurance across the continent. “We will be looking to invest in financial services businesses with strong management teams, an appetite for growth and profitability, and a focus on the emerging consumer,” he said.

LeapFrog has a strong track record in Nigeria. Liber said he had in 2012, orchestrated Leapfrog’s strategic partnership with leading asset manager Asset and Resource Management Co., to in-

vest in ARM Life, which today benefits over 600,000 Nigerians with life insurance.

Deputy CEO of ARM, Jumoke Ogundare said: “Thanks to Leapfrog’s hands-on operational support to company management, we have not only gained a capital provider but also a trusted partner.”

Backers of the new LeapFrog fund include leading development financiers, insurers, reinsurers, pension funds and global asset managers.

Economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa is forecast to accelerate to 6.1 per cent this year from a projected 5.6 per cent in 2013, according to the International Monetary Fund.

Investment will probably rise to 23.2 per cent of gross domestic product, from 22.8 per cent last year, the Fund said. Many private equity firms are adamant that Africa is the next hot spot for the industry as its burgeoning mid-

dle class continues to bloom, but the pension and endowment funds who invest in private equity funds are more cautious.

It is not hard to see what has attracted them to the continent. Over the last 10 years, Africa’s economic output has increased threefold to $2 trillion and six African countries have been among the fastest-growing economies in the world.

Therehavebeennewinvestments into the Nigeria financial sector. For instance, Atlas Mara Co-Nvest Ltd, the investment firm backed by Robert Diamond, increased its stake in Union Bank of Nigeria Plc for about $270 million in a push to expand in Africa’s most populous country.

The company will purchase a stake of about 20.9 per cent from Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, it said in a statement today. UBN, which provides banking services to individuals and companies in Nigeria through almost 340 branches, had assets of about

$6.3 billion at the end of June.

Atlas Mara, which was cofounded by former Barclays Plc Chief Executive Officer Diamond, 63, started trading on the London Stock Exchange’s main market last month. The company, which raised $325 million in an initial public offering last year, has been expanding through stakes such as in the Development Bank of Rwanda and ABC Holdings Ltd. Also, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) accepted the acquisition of a 12.5 per cent minority stake in ETI by Dohabased Qatar National Bank (QNB) through QNB’s purchase of both ordinary and convertible preference shares. QNB bought the shares from the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Following the transaction Ecobank is discussing a strategic partnership with QNB which will enable the two banks to forge business relationships of mutual interest to their respective customers.

‘Kashimbila dam to provide water for 400, 000’

T

•From Left: Head of Real Sector and Household Statistics Department, National Bureau Of Statistics, Mr Isiaka Olarewaju, Professor Of Economics University of Abuja, Prof. Sarah Anyanwu and Statistician-General of the Federation, Dr Yemi Kale, during the NBS National Stakeholders Workshop in Abuja... yesterday

‘Agricultural Development Programme going into extinction’

T

HE National Association of Nigerian Traders ( NANTS) has decried the dwindling service of the Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) in the country, saying the service is being neglected by government.

NANTS President, Ken Ukuoha, who stated this at a stakeholders consultative meeting on the state of Agricultural extension service in Nigeria, said the ADP remains the most enduring public system of Agricultural extension in the country with direct linkage to the grassroots and small holder farmers.

He said, “In recent times, the extension service delivery has almost gone into extinction, as the spark which the ADP was known for appears dwindling, To some observers the ADP was abandoned as soon as the funding

NIBSS to receive N15b capital deposit for DFIs - P 26

From Franca Ochigbo and Halima Farouk, Abuja

meant for it from the world Bank dried up.

“The regretable result is that today, the current ratio is one extension agent to two thousand farm families, and this is an impossible task to create impact. Interestingly, policy wise, agricultural extension service occupies a major plank in the Agriculture Transformation Agenda of Nigeria.”

He said the ADP is a key component of the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development (CADDP) which the Agric Transformation Agenda domestically seeks to represent, adding that the regional level, Nigeria is a major country upon which ECOWAS relies for the implementation of its agricultural policy, called ECOWAP, especially for the

economic development and food security of her over 300 million population.

He said it should be noted that ECOWAS accorded extension service sub-sector a significant role in the implementation of the region’s agricultural policy.

Ukuoha explained that in the spirit of the existing partnership with the Federal Public Administration Reforms of the Department for International Development, the Department For International Development, (DFID), NANTS seeks to beam the policy searchlight on the status of extension service delivery in Nigeria.

He said the goal is to monitor and engage this agricultural policy of government with a view to ensuring positive impact on the small holder farmers.

NAICOM seeks govt’s intervention in Group Life - P38 Assurance

HE Kashimbila Dam is expected to provide water for about 400,000 Nigerians when completed, the Federal Government has said.

Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, said the dam which is being built at a cost of $1 billion will generate about 30 Mega Watts of electricity to Benue and Taraba states.

Ochekpe spoke on the sideline of the African Focus Day at the 24th edition of the just concluded World Water Week in Stockholm, Sweden.

The minister in a statement in Abuja by the ministry’s Deputy Director Press, Boade Akinola, said that the project was undertaken by the government as a preventive measure to check the threat of flood from the eventual breakage of Lake Nyos in the Cameroun.

Ochekpe said that the dam has three components comprising of 40MW hydropower which would utilize about 140 m3/second, a water supply component

B

From Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

including a water treatment plant with a capacity of 60,000m3 /day and an irrigation component designed to utilize 86,400m3/day to irrigate about 2000 hectares of farmland.

“In developing the Kashimbila dam project, a holistic approach to water management in which many different aspects are closely connected and work successfully together was adopted.

“A process which promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources has been adopted in order to maximize the resultant economic activities and social welfare of benefiting communities in an equitable manner taking due cognizance the sustainability of vital ecosystems, in line with the Global Water Partnership’s definition of Integrated Water Resources Management,” she said in the statement.”

Bharti Airtel sells Africa towers for $1billion

HARTI Airtel Ltd. (BHARTI), India's largest mobile-phone carrier, agreed to sell more than 3,500 telecommunications towers in Africa to Eaton Towers Limited.

Bharti Airtel will lease back the towers for 10 years, the companies said in an e-mailed press release yesterday.

London-based Eaton bought the assets, located in six African countries, for almost $1 billion, said a person familiar with the matter who asked not to be identified as the details are private.

The deal may help Bharti Airtel reduce debt which stood

at 712.5 billion rupees ($11.8 billion) at the end of June, data compiled by Bloomberg showed. The company agreed in July to sell more than 3,000 towers in four African countries to Helios Towers Africa, offloading infrastructure that can be more expensive to maintain compared with other parts of the world.

After the purchase, Eaton Towers will own 5,000 towers in seven African countries, according to the press release. The deal doesn't include Bharti Airtel's infrastructure in Nigeria, the person said.

Plantain business as money spinner - P39

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

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THE NATION

BUSINESS MONEY

e-mail: money@thenationonlineng.net

NIBSS to receive N15b capital deposit for DFIs T HE new Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) guidelines for establishing Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) have mandated the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) to receive N10 billion and N5 billion as minimum capital deposit for Wholesale DFI (WDFI) and Retail DFI (RDFI), respectively.

The CBN said the policy requires Federal Government’s collaboration with development partners and International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in the establishment of a WDFI and RDFI. The DFIs are to bridge the gap and increase the availability of, and access to finance for Micro-

Stories by Collins Nweze

Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

It said DFIs are specialised financial institutions established with the mandate to develop and promote key sectors of the economy considered to be of strategic importance to the overall socio-economic development objectives of the country.

Part of the guidelines states that any promoter (s) seeking a licence to operate a DFI in Nigeria shall apply in writing to the Governor of the CBN. The application shall indicate the class of DFI

(RDFI or WDFI) and be accompanied by a non-refundable application fee of N100,000 or any other amount as may be determined from time to time and payable to the apex bank.

There should also be evidence of proposed name reservation with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC),and a feasibility report specifying objectives and aims of the proposed DFI, including the vision and mission statement and the strategy for achieving the objectives and aims, among others.

The apex bank said it has decided to develop this Regulatory and Supervisory Guidelines to provide a

level playing field for participants in the DFI subsector and to further direct private capital to participating financial institutions (PFIs).

These guidelines will provide framework for licensing, regulation, supervision and operations of both WDFI and Retail DFI (RDFI).

It explained that rather than compete directly with RDFI at the retail level, WDFI shall only provide wholesale financial products and facilitate technical assistance to eligible participating financial institutions (PFIs) throughout Nigeria.

The DFIs are expected to fund MSMEs for economic development and foster growth in sustainable businesses. It is also part of government’s drive to boost job creation, reduce poverty and improve quality of lives.

It said in a bid to accelerate the pace of development of the economy and realisation of the key role of some critical sectors in the process, the Federal Government

has over the years established development finance institutions (DFIs) to provide financial interventions in the identified sectors, targeting micro, small and medium-size enterprises (MSMEs), to complement the efforts of banks and other financial institutions (OFIs) in that regard.

However, due to limited access to long-term and low-interest funds, in addition to other factors, the DFIs have recorded limited successes.

As with all financial institutions regulated by the CBN, DFIs shall be subject to regulation and supervision by the CBN under the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act, CAP B3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

These guidelines are designed to be consistent with CBN’s existing regulations for all licensed financial institutions and to ensure that DFIs operate in a safe and sound manner,’’ he said.

Money laundering, terrorism financing rise in Africa, says GIABA

T

• From left: Managing Director/CEO, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Yinka Sanni; President, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Mrs ‘Debola Osibogun; Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Holding Plc, Mrs. Sola David-Borha and CIBN Acting Registrar/CEO, Seye Awojobi during the stakeholders engagement organised by the bank in Lagos.

CBN, NDIC urged to address customer abuse

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) and other regulatory and supervisory authorities have been urged to take seriously the rising cases of customer abuse in the financial services sector.

The Consumer Protection Unit of the CBN is to ensure that banks’ customers enjoy not only quality services but also protection from excessive charges and outright loss of funds through fraud and forgery.

President, Bank Customers Association of Nigeria (BCAN), Dr. ‘Uju Ogubunka, called for a functional helpdesk at banks’ headquarters where consumer complaints could be lodged. He also urged the regulators to review existing consumer complaints management framework in the sector to protect the interest of customers.

Ogubunka, who said this in a communiqué issued at the group’s maiden bank customers summit in Lagos, said such review would help lenders in achieving quick resolution of complaints.

Ogubunka, who was Registrar, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), said the regulators should also support BCAN in the propagation of its programmes which are critical in deepening fi-

nancial awareness in the country and achieving greater penetration of financial education.

He said lenders should also consider extending their consumer complaints desks to zonal and branch offices to facilitate quicker resolution of cases.

He said participants recognised the inter-dependence of the operators, regulators and bank customers in creating a sound, stable, sustainable and resilient financial system. The participants also agreed that a lot has happened in the banking industry that has made the formation of BCAN imperative.

The ex-registrar also wants regulators to facilitate the realisation of CBN’s financial literacy/inclusion objective, as well as inculcate appropriate banking habits and culture among the populace.

He said BCAN should also rally bank customers and consumers of banking and financial services for the promotion and protection of their interest in the face of daunting challenges against them.

According to him, BCAN also agreed that banking should be conducted based on acceptable values and best practices, stressing that BCAN will intensify efforts at fostering mutual understanding, trust and confidence between banks and their customers

through customer education. He said the step will strengthen and ensure the realisation of CBN’s financial literacy/inclusion and other programmes.

He said the BCN should also organise awareness programmes in the areas of Guide to Bank Charges, Financial Literacy and Inclusion as well as Banking Policies, Regulations, Products/Services for the benefit of consumers in particular and stakeholders in general.

The group should also collaborate and partner with organisations and individuals who share its vision and objectives in order to be able to extend its services to the nooks and crannies of the country for positive multiplier effect.

It also should create sustainable platform for the provision of advisory and counselling services in banking and finance to its members and the interested public in order to deepen their knowledge and ability to make the right financial decisions and choices.

The group also pledged to work closely with the regulatory and supervisory authorities to ensure that banks are held accountable for any unethical, unprofessional and risky products, services and practices they introduce into the financial system and to customers/consumers.

HE Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), has said threats posed by money laundering (ML) and Terrorist Financing (TF) to the West African region have become more pronounced over the past decade.

In a statement, the agency regretted that knowledge of the two phenomena and the various dimensions of their manifestations are low in the region, adding a critical factor responsible for this low level of knowledge in the region, is the dearth of local expertise to enable the generation and deepening of knowledge in the emerging field of ML/TF. However, to bridge this the gap in the region, GIABA initiated an Annual AML/CFT Research Grant to build regional capacity for research on ML/TF by providing some funds to facilitate the conduct of short-term studies on identified research topics.

The body has, through the grant, been empowering civil society in Ghana in the implementation of

AML/CFT Measures; Financial Inclusion and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter Financing of Terrorism (CFT) Standards in Sierra Leone and Money Laundering Through Non-Profit Organisations in West Africa, among other interventions.

The agency has also been involved in the development of effective civil society interventions for managing cross border cash flows in the informal sector.

It said the report on Financial Inclusion and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter Financing of Terrorism (CFT) standards in Sierra Leone, which assessed the link between financial inclusion and AML/CFT, showed that while the former helped to lower ML/ TF risks, a wholesale implementation of the latter without regard to the economic and financial peculiarities of the country could exclude most poor individuals and households from the formal banking and financial systems and, by extension, undermine AML/CFT efforts.

Unified Payments gets nod to process National eID cards

U

NIFIED Payments said it is committed to the processing of payment application in the new National Electronic ID Card (eID) issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

Unified Payments is a payment transaction processing company owned by Nigerian banks.

In a statement, the Unified Payments said its role in the project is to further demonstrate its leadership position in the e-payment industry.

It explained that with the eID card, Nigerians will have the ability to deposit funds, receive social benefits, pay for goods and services at merchant locations within and outside the country, as well as draw cash from Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) around the world.

Under the processing arrangement, Nigerians identity data would be hosted and managed exclusively by NIMC while payment data would be hosted and managed

by Nigerian banks and Unified Payments.

The firm’s Managing Director and

Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Agada Apochi, commended NIMC for the bold step and the technological achievement, adding that the initiative would help drive financial inclusion as well as stimulate economic activities in the country.

NIMC Director-General and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chris E. Onyemenam said Unified Payments was selected as the pilot processor of the payment aspect of the card based on its exceptional track record.

“Being the first processor in Nigeria certified to process EMV chip cards, the first to achieve the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) certification as well as its ownership by Nigeria banks, we have to entrust them with the role of processing the payment application in the National Identity Card,” he said.

Unified Payment Services Limited otherwise known as Unified Payments is a card-neutral and optionneutral payments service provider founded in 1997 and owned by a consortium of Nigerian banks.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

27

MONEY

Banks move to safeguard power sector loans Money Depoait Banks have committed over N320 billion as loans to DISCOs and GENCOs, while the Federal Government realised N400 billion from the sale of the assets of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). But the lenders are worried over persistent gas shortage, which has put operators’ cash-flow in jeopardy. To address the issue, the Bankers’ Committee has unveiled plans to pay the N25 billion PHCN debts.

COLLINS NWEZE reports that this may bring reprieve to the banks.

T

HE plans by the Bankers’ Committee to pay the N25 billion PHCN legacy debt has opened a new vista of hope in the funding of the power sector. The lenders decided last month at their meeting in Lagos, that leaving the gas supplying firms bogged down with the debt, will make nonsense of the huge funds already committed to the power projects.

Hence, the Bankers Committee opted to pay the debt until such a time that the power companies will attain maturity and make repayments on agreed terms.

The measure will boost gas supply and enable the lenders wriggle out of the rising non-performing loans granted power firms.

Findings showed that many of the banks that raised the capital to fund the power projects are counting their losses because of poor cash flow due to gas shortage. The lenders, it was learnt, are being more cautious in lending to the power sector until the gas challenge is resolved. A quick resolution is expected to revive the attractiveness of the sector to the lenders and create room for fresh loans.

The Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Jibril Aku, said the committee resolved to service the debt, admitting that doing so would enhance gas supply and boost power output in the country. Aku said the banks will recover the fund from the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) deductions.

He said the Bankers’ Committee is willing to support the initiative with government, where a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) will be set up to provide loans to clear the debt, and overtime, the loan would be recovered through MYTO tariff deduction.

The Ecobank chief said the essence of the power transformation programme is to achieve efficiency and improve power supply, which was constrained by gas shortage.

He said: “Obviously, gas coming into the power stations would affect the revenue.

Many of the operators have not raised their production capacity because of shortage of gas.”

According to him, the gas companies have always been agitating that this debt be paid, otherwise, they will not produce and will begin to accumulate new debts.

He said the committee believes that most of the problems associated with gas-topower would be resolved and Nigeria will begin to see a generating company that is inspired to increase power generation.

In line with its Vision 2020, which seeks to place the country among the 20 leading economies in the world, the government has set a rather ambitious target of 40,000 Megawatts (Mw) of electricity generation.

With a population surpassing over 170 million, its current maximum electricity generation capacity is approximately 4,500 Mw. This is inadequate to meet demand estimated at 10,000Mw. The World Bank and other local and international lenders have equally showed renewed commitment to power sector funding in Nigeria.

President/CEO, African Finance Corporation (AFC),Andrew Alli, said sub-Saharan Africa would need more than $300 billion in investment to achieve universal access to electricity by 2030. The governments of Nigeria, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia and Tanzania are in the “Power Africa Countries” initiative where the investments are expected.

In a statement on the lender’s website, the AFC chief said the bank will provide additional investments in energy projects annually, far in excess of its commitment to the Power Africa initiative.

“AFC aims to provide Power Africa Countries, not only access to finance, but deal structuring and sector technical expertise, advisory services, project development, capacity funding to bridge the power infrastructure investment, seen as acritical pillars for economic growth across Africa,” the statement said.

The AFC, recently participated in the US Presidential Power Africa Initiative meant

• Okonjo-Iweala

• CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele

to accelerate investment in Africa’s power sector over the next five years.

The key goal of the Power Africa Initiative is to increase access to clean, geothermal, hydro, wind and solar energy. It will help African countries develop newly-discovered resources responsibly, build out power generation and transmission, and expand the reach of mini-grid and off-grid solutions, by providing the capacity and resources to generate an additional 10,000Mw of power.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iwaela said the World Bank Group has pledged to provide $1.4 billion to Nigeria in support of efforts aimed at improving power infrastructure.

The minister said the global lender is planning to set up an infrastructure facility and that Nigeria would be among the first set of countries to benefit from it, given the nation’s large size and the scope of its infrastructure needs.

“They (the World Bank) want to concentrate on power, and are already actively working with several private sector companies that want to invest in Nigeria. They are promising to give Nigeria about $700 million under the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) guarantees for the power sector, as well as a willingness to invest another $700 million to support transmission,” she said.

She explained that the power infrastructure support finance was derived from the initiative of the World Bank Group and its affiliate, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) which listed Nigeria as one of the focused countries in sub-Saharan Africa to benefit from the funding.

She said government was prepared to execute and implement the negotiated projects, allaying fears that they might be abandoned midway and become white elephant projects. The World Bank Group hardly participates in any white elephant project, she said, adding that it has its teams that “normally come every six months to supervise what is going on, and when they see (that) the project is not performing well, they stop disbursing, cancel it and take the money elsewhere”.

Also, the Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has ap-

proved an African Development Fund (ADF) Partial Risk Guarantee (PRG) programme of $184.2 million to support Nigeria’s power sector privatisation. It also provided an ADF loan of $3.1 million, for capacity building for the country.

The Director, AfDB’s Energy, Environment and Climate Change Department, Alex Rugamba, said the PRG programme in the country would increase its electricity generation by catalysing private sector investment and commercial financing in the power sector through the provision of PRGs. He said: “The PRGs will mitigate the risk of the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET), a Federal Government of Nigeria entity established to purchase electricity from independent power producers (IPPs), not fulfilling its contractual obligations under its power purchase agreements with eligible IPPs. This in turn will increase the comfort level of private sector financiers and commercial lenders investing in the Nigerian power sector privatisation programme.”

Rugamba said an effective and steady power supply is critical to the sustainability of the country’s development. He said the ‘Board’s decision today will allow the AfDB to support the Nigerian government’s efforts to reform the power sector and position the country for sustainable and inclusive growth.’

Again, there was another $350 million infrastructure financing agreement for Africa between global infrastructure giant, General Electric (GE) and Standard Bank. The bank said the partnership seeks to provide affordable access to power infrastructure to augment traditional large scale grid capacity development. The bank said the partnership will target Nigeria, Angola, Tanzania, South Africa and Ghana. Others are Kenya, Mozambique, Uganda, Ethiopia and South Sudan. Financing activity will center on project finance, equipment finance, trade finance and advisory.

Speaking during a ceremony to announce the partnership, President and CEO of GE Africa Jay Ireland said the partnership comes at the right time when there are concerted efforts to boost access to energy across the continent. He said partnerships of this nature would certainly support efforts by respective governments in finding captive

‘The Bankers’ Committee is willing to support the initiative with government, where a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) will be set up to provide loans to clear the debt, and overtime, the loan would be recovered through MYTO tariff deduction’

power solutions to meet the growing demand for alternative fuels.

Mr Ireland said the partnership is in line with the country-to-company agreements, which GE has signed with a number of African governments aimed at generating incremental power and increasing access.

Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings (Standard Bank trades in Nigeria as Stanbic IBTC Holdings), Mrs Sola David-Borha, said the bank was committed to partnerships of this nature that help energise the sector.

She said the power challenges identified in the focus countries for this partnership were opportunities for growth through sustainable investment. According to her, through the partnership, financing will also be available for off-grid solutions that rely on cleaner fuels such as biomass and biogas across sub-Saharan Africa.

Another international lender, Ecobank Nigeria said it will invest $25 billion in five years to help solve Nigeria’s power sector crisis.

Its Country Head, Power & Energy, Olufunke Jones said the investment is in line with its policy to support the growth and development of the power sector in the country.

She said it has played a major role on the buy-side of the power sector privatisation exercise by providing financial advisory services, lead arranger role, acquisition financing and guarantees to Distribution Companies (DISCOs) , Generating Companies (GENCOs) and National Integrated Power Plants (NIPP).

She said:”Nigeria has one of the largest gaps between demand and supply for electricity. To bridge this gap, the country requires a combination of favorable government policies, private sector participation and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) as well as transparency and persistent monitoring that will guarantee an improved business environment.”

According to her, the current power sector reforms have created opportunities for Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) and Operating Expenditure (OPEX) funding which is a consequence of the handover to the new owners.

“There is the urgent need to rehabilitate the distribution networks in order to make them robust and flexible enough to accommodate the nation’s demand for power,” she said.

Also commenting, its Local Account Manager, Corporate Banking Group, Mrs. Funmilola Ogunmekan said the power sector is faced with the challenges of upgrading most of its obsolete equipment and processes under a traditional technology framework. This, among others, is the immediate challenge before the potential of the industry is fully manifested.

Mrs. Ogunmekan reiterated that this year, the lender will leverage its position as a bank with the third largest branch network to provide effective utility collections and cash management services while providing the required additional CAPEX/OPEX funding requirement for at least five of the DISCOs across the country.

Also, the United Bank for Africa (UBA) said it has so far extended $700 million (about N113 billion), in funding to different investors towards the acquisition of power assets in the privatised power sector. Its Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Phillips Oduoza said: “It is a growth sector we are playing very big.”

Zenith Bank said it expects to increase loans to the privatised power companies. The lender said loans to the power sector may rise to 10 per cent of its loan book by yearend.

The value of the lender’s loans to power companies was about N40 billion in the third quarter after the handovers.

It gave loans to power firms such as Eko Electricity Distribution Company and Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company both in Lagos State. “As we review the companies and we see viable propositions, yes we will” expand loans to the industry,” the lender affirmed.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

THE NATION INVESTORS

Capital market operators seek extension of recapitalisation deadline C

APITAL market operators have begun intense lobbying of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with a view to securing many concessions, including a possible extension of the deadline, on the ongoing recapitalisation of the minimum capital requirements for operators.

A reliable source indicated that the operators, majorly under the aegis of the Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria (ASHON), Association of Issuing Houses of Nigeria (AIHN) and the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), have made several entreaties to the apex capital market regulators to reconsider certain elements of the recapitalisation plan.

The elements included the structure of the capital requirement that fixed a minimum amount irrespective of the size and scope of operations of a firm, the implementation process and the deadline for full compliance.

According to the source, the “positive interface” with SEC was yielding results. Although the operators were yet to secure the two major concessions including the restructuring of the capital requirements on a risk-based level and the possible extension of the January 1, 2015 takeoff date for the new capital base.

As part of the results of the interface, SEC has extended the September 5, deadline for capital market operators to submit their recapitalisation plan.

The extension, the source said, was to give room for further discussions among operators on the ways forward on the recapitalisation, especially through the options of mergers and acquisitions.

Stories by Taofik Salako

The Nation had exclusively reported that several operators were considering mergers and acquisitions as alternative plan while the bodies of operators continue to press the case for risk-based capital structure that will allow many niche and small operators to continue their businesses independently.

The recapitalisation plan will now be submitted at a later date after a one-day workshop on mergers and acquisitions to be organised later this month by ASHON and AIHN. The source hinted that mergers and acquisitions plans could be used to push for extension of the December 31, deadline given the intricacies and extended timeline for successful merger and acquisition deal.

SEC had announced major increases in minimum capital requirements for capital market functions under a new minimum capital structure that is expected to take off by January 1, next year. Minimum capital base for broker/dealer was increased by 329 per cent from the existing N70 million to N300 million.

Broker, which currently operates with capital base of N40 million, will now be required to have N200 million, representing an increase of 400 per cent. Minimum capital base for dealer increased by 233 per cent from N30 million to N100 million.

Also, issuing houses, which facilitate new issues in the primary market, will now be required to have minimum capital base of N200 mil-

lion as against the current capital base of N150 million. The capital requirement for underwriter also doubled from N100 million to N200 million.

Trustees, rating agencies and portfolio and fund managers had their minimum capital base increased by 650 per cent each from N40 million, N20 million and N20 million to N300 million, N150 million and N150 million respectively.

A Registrar will now have a minimum capital base of N150 million as against the current requirement of N50 million. While the minimum capital base for corporate investment adviser remained unchanged at N5 million, individual investment advisers will have to increase their capital base by 300 per cent from N500,000 to N2 million.

Besides, dealing members of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) are contending with minimum operating standards recently introduced for all the three classes of dealing members including broker dealers, brokers and dealers.

The new standards address the five broad areas of manpower and equipment; organisational structure and governance; effective processes; global competitiveness; and technology.

The new standards are also expected to take off on January 1, 2015, just as the new capital requirements by SEC.

The Nation had reported that an emergency meeting called by ASHON had reached consensus on the need to develop alternative plan to ensure that as many as possible operators scale through the new capital requirements.

The alternative plan is expected to serve as a rescue option in the event that the ongoing engagement on the new capital requirements between the stockbrokers and other operators and the capital market regulators fails to yield any meaningful relief.

While stockbrokers were optimistic that the capital market regulators would consider reduction in the capital requirements and a reclassification of the minimum operating standards, they were worried that outright implementation of the capital requirements would reenact the “Soludo effect” in the capital market, a reference to capital basecentered banking reforms under the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Professor Charles Soludo, during which number of banks reduced from more than 80 to less than 25.

The alternative plan, according to the sources, will include mergers, acquisitions and raising of new funds through any of debt and equity means.

A source at the meeting noted that

stockbrokers, mainly founded on sole entrepreneurship, are now more than before open to discussions on mergers and acquisitions, giving the shrinking operating space for small firms in the industry.

An informed estimate indicated that not less than 180 stockbroking firms may be affected by the new capital requirements, given their current state of illiquidity and operations.

There are some 322 stockbroking firms listed as members of the NSE. A recent report by The Nation indicated that the NSE has already marked 81 out of the 322 stockbroking firms on its dealing members’ list as inactive, a classification that exposed them to the risk of being delisted under a new rule being considered by the NSE. Stockbrokers earn barely 4.0 per cent as total brokerage on complete buy and sale stockbroking transaction. Although several stockbrokers are registered for other functions such as corporate finance and investment advisory, they face strong competition from banks, insurance and other financial services companies which provide similar functions.

The precarious position of the larger number of stockbroking firms is compounded by the heavily skewed transaction pattern at the stock market, where less than 20 firms account for more than twothirds of trades at the NSE.

May & Baker assures shareholders of brighter years ahead

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HE management of May & Baker of Nigeria Plc has promised existing shareholders and investors of increased growth in the coming years.

Addressing journalists at the company’s corporate headquarters in Lagos on its 70th anniversary yesterday, the chief executive officer of May & Baker, Nnamdi Okafor said judging by the company’s growth projections and expansion, such would translate to better yields and income for the company in the long run.

According to him, the company began an expansion and diversification programme in 2005 which gave rise to the creation of new businesses and subsidiaries, while in 2005, Biovacciness, a local vaccine production subsidiary was set up in partnership with the federal government of Nigeria.

Explaining further, he said “In 2006, we constructed a multi-billion naira food processing factory, while in 2008, we commenced construction of a world health organisation standard pharmaceutical production facility which was completed and commissioned on June 27, last year.

“We saw the need for global best practice and competitiveness, commencing the process of international certification of our manufacturing plant for good manufacturing practice (GMP) of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States Food and Drugs Administration (USFDA),” he said.

He added that the company is in line to obtaining the WHO GMP certification for this facility and prequalification for its products and hopefully with these, the gate into global pharmaceutical market will open for the company.

“Following these huge capital investments on capacity acquisition and expansion, our company has in

the past four years been undergoing some restructuring and repositioning to effectively contain the expected short term negative impact of these investments on the business while waiting to begin to derive expected big returns on the investments,” Okafor said.

He pointed out that the federal government through the federal ministry of health and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has made some efforts towards supporting local pharmaceutical manufacturers.

The company was founded on September 4, 1944 as Nigeria’s first pharmaceutical company and began local manufacture of medicines in 1976. In 2002, the company became 100 per cent owned by Nigerians following the divestment of its foreign partners.

•From left: President, Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN), Prof Ngozi Nnam presenting an award on corporate excellence to Cadbury’s Head of Corporate and Government Affairs, West Africa, Mr. Bala Yesufu, in Owerri…recently

Cadbury Nigeria wins nutrition award

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ADBURY Nigeria Plc has received an excellence award in recognition of its valuable contribution to the development of nutrition in Nigeria.

The award was given to Cadbury Nigeria by Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN), a professional nongovernmental organisation of experts from across nutritional disciplines.

Cadbury Bournvita, rich in energy and essential micronutrients, is the only food drink in Nigeria endorsed by the NSN. In a recent meeting, the NSN Council reviewed the contribution made by supporting individuals, NGOs and businesses, as well as the government of Nigeria and its agencies, towards the nutritional well-being of Nigerians. The Council found

Cadbury Nigeria’s contribution to be highly commendable and deserving of recognition.

Commenting on the award, Cadbury Nigeria’s Managing Director, Emil Moskofian, said: “Cadbury Nigeria is proud to be associated with such a reputable and valuable Nigerian institution as the NSN, and to partner with it in tackling food, health and nutritional challenges that militate against sustainable human and economic development in this great country.”

The award was presented to the company officials at the 44th annual NSN conference in Owerri, Imo State, under the theme: ‘Adequate Nutrition: A Panacea for Sustainable Education and National Development’.

Cadbury Nigeria is a subsidiary

of Mondelçz International, the world’s leading snacks group.

Cadbury Nigeria Plc is a publicly quoted company offering some of the most-loved brands in Nigeria.

A front-runner in confectionery and beverages, Cadbury Nigeria’s quality products – Cadbury Bournvita, TomTom, Trebor Buttermint and Tang - are market leaders in their various consumer segments, enjoyed throughout Nigeria and beyond. Cadbury Nigeria is a 74.99 per cent-owned subsidiary of Mondelçz International, a global snacks powerhouse with an unrivalled portfolio of brands.

The remaining 25.01% shares are held by a diverse group of indigenous individual and institutional investors. Cadbury Nigeria has a cocoa processing factory located in

Ondo town, 275km from Lagos, with a capacity of 12,500tons per year, processing cocoa beans into a range of intermediate products including cocoa butter, cocoa liquor and cocoa powder for export and local customers.

Mondelçz International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MDLZ) is a global snacking powerhouse, with 2013 revenue of $35 billion. Creating delicious moments of joy in 165 countries, Mondelçz International is a world leader in chocolate, biscuits, gum, candy, coffee and powdered beverages, with billion-dollar brands such as Cadbury, Cadbury Dairy Milk and Milka chocolate, Jacobs coffee, Oreo, LU and Nabisco biscuits, Tang powdered beverages and Trident gum.

Mondelçz International is a proud member of the Standard and Poor’s 500, NASDAQ 100 and Dow Jones Sustainability Index.

Newspaper of the Year

INSIDE

AN EIGHT-PAGE PULLOUT ON THE SOUTHWEST STATES

Police train officers on how to fight terrorism

PAGE 31

Life returns to Agodi gardens PAGES 32-33

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

Water spill sacks Ondo community

PAGE 29

PAGE 34

Mystery school springs up at Ibadan’s ‘evil’ forest Few months after the frightening discovery of several decomposed bodies and dozens of human parts in a forest at Soka in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, a public school is being built on the site but nobody seems to know by who. OSEHE YE OKWUOFU reports that little progress has been made on the forensic investigation ordered by the state government.

I

T was dubbed ‘Ibadan Forest of Horror’ by the media after the world woke up to the discovery of decomposing human bodies and rescue of some persons who had been kept in captivity for a long time. The discovery was greeted with rage and bewilderment, but shortly after, the noise died down and the city of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on whose outskirt

the forest is located, has since put the saga behind.

Today, the ‘Forest of Horror’ is being turned to a public school by the government as a massive school thought to be one of several Federal Government Model Colleges being built across the country, is being constructed at a speedy

rate on a large piece of the former forest.

But many still live with horror and the fear of Soka forest will continue to hunt the people for many years to come.

Residents of the area who bared •Continued on page 36

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

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SOUTHWEST REPORT The alleged rape of an ND 2 student of Mass Communication, The Ibarapa Polytechnic, Eruwa, Oyo State by a member of the state special security squad ‘Operation Burst’ has thrown the outfit into a crisis of confidence and drawn the ire of the victim’s family and the general public. IBRAHIM ADAM reports.

Rape scandal rocks ‘operation burst’ in Eruwa •Soldier allegedly rapes poly student •Not true, say police “All The Victim’s plea to the soldier only earned her threats and beatings from the soldier, as the soldier informed her that if she fails to “Cooperate”, she would be killed and buried like many other girls who had failed to cooperate in the past and nobody would trace her death to him. At this point the soldier had drawn out his knife again and promised to slaughter The Victim “like a ram”.

“At this point, The Victim was left with no option, but to stop struggling with the soldier who pounced on her and forcefully had sex with her between the hours of around 10.30pm on Friday, 29th August, 2014 and 3am on Saturday, 30th August, 2014.

“As a confirmation of the fact that it had become a routine ritual amongst the Soldiers and officers of the “OPERATION BURST” Ibarapa office, while the soldier was forcefully having sexual intercourse with The Victim and The Victim Client was shouting and crying for help, the other soldiers and security agents were only walking past and acting as if what was happening was normal!

“Sometime at around 3am or thereabout, the randy soldier informed The Victim that he needed to take some rest, and that The Victim was a “good girl”, hence, he wanted to go into one of the offices around the premises of “OPERATION BURST” to get a better cloth for The Victim to wear, since he had damaged her clothes in the course of events leading to rape.

“The Victim promptly seized the opportunity of the temporary exit of the randy soldier to escape from the venue of the crime and ran to her house while still weeping and already psychologically dismembered.

“In the morning of Saturday, 30th August, 2014, The Victim called her parents on the telephone to tell them of the attack on her, and her parents in turn called to brief Our Office. We thereafter advised that The Victim should report to the Police Station at Eruwa, which she promptly did.

“The Police at Eruwa contacted the Police hierarchy in the state, who in turn contacted the military authorities since the culprit was a soldier. The Victim was thereafter taken to “OPERATION BURST” office wherein and identification parade was carried out and she identified the randy soldier amongst the others.

“At this point, the soldier admitted raping the victim and was only begging for forgiveness, as he attributed his conduct to “the Satan”!

“Thereafter, the victim was taken by the men of the Nigerian Police Force to Eruwa General Hospital, for appropriate tests to be carried out on her.

“Unfortunately however, on getting

to the General Hospital, The Victim who had been traumatized was informed by the staff on duty that the Hospital does not have hand gloves, with which the doctor was to conduct tests on her, hence, The Victim was instructed to go and buy hand gloves before anything can be done, an instruction she had no option but to comply with!

“A doctor at the General Hospital, Dr. Jesim Gambo in conducting the test only instructed The Victim to lie down, and thereafter used his GSM phone’s torchlight to look into her virginal and thereafter wrote his report. In his report, the Doctor stated that although he did not see semen/sperm therein, The Victim’s virginal had been tampered with, he further stated that the test was inconclusive. On being probed on the reasons why the doctor did not check inside the virginal for semen, we were embarrassed when the doctor informed Our Client that the hospital does not have the facilities to carry out such “an elementary” test!

“We were shocked to hear from relatives of The Victim, who on enquiries were informed by some Army officers that the randy soldier had been made to substitute his earlier statement where he admitted the crime with another statement wherein, he only admitted assaulting The Victim since the medical report does not reveal that there was semen on The Victim’s body! This is despite assurances from both the Police and representatives of the Nigerian Army that the security agencies will ensure that The Victim gets justice.

“In Our view, this is a tacit approval of crimes and criminal conducts by security agents by their direct employers, and same is a dangerous trend which every well meaning human being must join us to condemn as everyone of us may be exposed to danger in the event that same is allowed to stand.

“It is noteworthy to state that since this incident, The Victim had abnormally taken to alcohol as a means of trying to forget the incident. Worst still, precisely on Wednesday, 3rd September, 2014, out of frustration, The Victim made an attempt to poison herself, as she feels the agony and stigma attached to being a victim of rape is just too much for her to bear, especially stemming from the information she just received that as a face saving measure by the Nigerian Army, the accused soldier, who had earlier confessed to the crime of rape has been made to change his statement by the Army authorities, and has now only agreed to the fact that he assaulted The Victim, and based on the soldier’s new statement, he is to be prosecuted for “ASSAULT” and not “RAPE”!, but for the alertness of a relative who saw her while opening the bottle of the poisonous sub-

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RAPE scandal is currently rocking the Oyo State joint security patrol team, ‘Operation Burst’ as a member of the outfit has been accused of forcefully having canal knowledge of a female student of The Ibarapa Polytechnic, Eruwa.

Omolara (surname withheld) an ND 2 Mass Communication student of the institution had alleged that a soldier attached to operation burst, Ignatius (surname withheld), armed with a knife, had forced her into having sex with him penultimate Friday, But the management of the security outfit have denied this and instead treating the alleged rape as mere assault on the part of Ignatius. And this has expectedly drawn the ire of Omolara’s family which through their lawyer Barrister Ola Adeosun has called for a proper investigation into the matter and stiffer punishment for the culprit and rehabilitation for the victim.

Giving the fact of the matter the family lawyer said: “Precisely at about 10.30pm on Friday, 29th day of August, 2014, while returning to her apartment around the Oke Ola area, of Eruwa, The Victim, who is Our Client and an ND 2 Student of the Department of Mass Communication of Ibarapa Polytechnic, Eruwa was “arrested” by a soldier attached to the Oyo State, special Security outfit “OPERATION BURST”, on the allegation that she was a cultist.

“The victim explained to the soldier that she only escorted her friend who came to visit her, and they both discussed into the later part of the day, and that she was not a cultist as alleged by the soldier. Not satisfied, the soldier took The Victim to the Ibarapa Zonal office of “OPERATION BURST” situate after Secretariat, Eruwa.

“On entering the premises of the “OPERATION BURST”, The Victim saw other soldiers and security agents torturing some students of the Ibarapa Polytechnic within the premises.

“The soldier almost immediately dragged The Victim to the shed under a tree at the premises of the “OPERATION BURST”, removed a two edged knife and ordered our client to remove all her clothes, as he wanted to see all the “occultic tattoos” on the body of the victim. The victim pleaded with the soldier, and informed him that she was not a cultist as alleged, and that she only escorted a friend who visited her. When the threat by the soldier became vicious, as he had started beating and strangulating the victim, the victim removed all her clothes, including her underwear on the orders of the soldier. The soldier thereafter ordered the victim to lie down under the tree as she was already stark naked and was crying profusely.

stance.”

But the security outfit has dismissed the allegation of rape as baseless, even though it is taking disciplinary action against Ignatius for abandoning his duty post.

In a statement by the outfit’s second in command CSP Elijah Bawa, Operation Burst said immediately the it was intimated with the allegation of rape against the said student, it dispatched an investigation team to Eruwa.

Bawa said the team met with the Divisional Police Officer for the Eruwa Division, DSP Kayode Adigun who disclosed that the 23-year old Mass Communication student of the school lodged a complaint with the command that she had been raped by the soldier who was also an operative of the anti-crime outfit.The DPO took the lady complainant to the Eruwa General Hospital for medical examination, the result of which proved negative.

When interrogated about the process of the rape, Operation Burst said , the allegedly raped lady said she had left her hostel and was seeing her friend off at about 2230 hrs and when she was returning, she was accosted by the Operation Burst operative who accused her of being a cultist.

According to Bawa, the lady alleged that the soldier took her under a Dongoyaro tree where he asked her series of questions, ordered her to remove her clothes to affirm whether she had tattoos of cultists on her.

“The test on the lady was conducted by a Dr. Jesimi Gamdu and all the physical manifestations of rape were not found on her. The soldier will however be charged for abandoning his duty post in the night without permission against standing instructions in the Operation Burst’s code of conduct,” he said.

But in spite of the denial Omolara is insisting that Ignatius did rape her. Narrating her story she told The Nation that: “It was 10pm when I saw my friend off and it was few distance to my house. Immediately I turned back, a man on bike stopped me and asked where I was coming

When the threat by the soldier became vicious, as he had started beating and strangulating the victim, the Victim removed all her clothes, including her underwear on the orders of the soldier. The soldier thereafter ordered the victim to lie down under the tree as she was already stark naked and was crying profusely

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•Suleiman Abba, Acting IGP

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

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SOUTHWEST REPORT The police high command in response to the security challenges facing the country recently carried out an intensive training exercise for some of its officers at its training college in Ila Orangun, Osun State. ADESOJI ADENIYI was there.

Police train officers on how to fight terrorism

from. I told him I only saw a friend off and he said it was late and I said am sorry. He later identified himself as a member of the Operation Burst and asked me to mount his bike to their base. I resisted but he threatened me with the knife in his hand and I followed him.

“Getting to their base, we entered and I saw some students being beaten by some member of the Operation Burst. Immediately, he hit me outside and said he will beat me himself. He took me under a tree across the street and asked me to kneel and started asking me different questions like being a cultist. I told him I am not one and he started beating me, hitting me, slapping me and asked me the colour of the pant I was wearing and I told him it was white and he asked if I have a red pant and I said no. He asked me to pull off my cloth and I told him I won’t but he still threatened me with his knife which made me to comply. He checked my body if there was any tattoo but he found nothing. I was naked, cold and helpless and later on, he said if I don’t cooperate with him, he will kill me and throw my body away. And still, he kept slapping and hitting me.

“At this point, I had no choice but to do what he wanted. He asked if I had a condom with me and if I have any disease because he does not have one with him as he normally have ‘flesh to flesh’ sex with his wife. At that point he had sex with me, he did it for several times; he did it and was full of joy. He asked me to wear my cloth and not to tell anyone. He then requested to have a relationship with me and I said ok. He later said he cannot take me home and I should sleep in their base and I said no that I have a class that day. He gave me a bottle of beer to hold and said I should wait for him that he wanted to get me a cloth to wear because it was cold and that was about 3am. After waiting for about 20minutes after he had left, I ran home from that spot and gave a call to the Special Adviser to the association I belong which is ANUNSA, Eruwa in person of Ambassador Oludare Sunday Ogunlana who immediately asked me to inform the police,” she said.

Omolara said after reporting at the Eruwa police station, she was asked to go for a medical test the Eruwa General Hospital.

Doctor Jesini Gamdu who attended to the victim at the hospital told The Nation that he did not carry out a test but only examined her and his result was inconclusive.

“I did not test her but I only examined her because pregnancy result stay about two weeks (two weeks after sex)

and running a pregnancy test for her case was not relevant. If it was a forceful rape, it would have been more okay because she had to consent because she was threatened, because they were alone and with the threat, she had no choice. So, there was an easy flow of sexual intercourse.

“Two things I was trying to find out was one, for evidence of bruses and secondly, any semen deposit but they were not there. The result of my findings was inconclusive and I prescribed Postinure 2 to her to help her against pregnancy,’ he added.

Omolara also told The Naton that when she got to Eruwa General Hospital, the doctor asked her to buy him hand glove before any test could be conducted saying ‘he only flashed a touch light in my private part and prescribed Postinure 2 for me to use’.

On hearing the incident, the head of the Operation Burst in Eruwa community, summoned an emergency meeting of the squad and asked the victim to identify the culprit.

The culprit, Ignicious at the point of identification did not deny meeting her saying “Yes, I interrogated her” and immediately, he was put in hand cuff and taken for interrogation.

The Acting Deputy Rector of The Ibarapa Polytechnic, Eruwa, Evang. Dr. Abiola Jesulowo who spoke on behalf of the school management said the incident was unfortunate and called on the State government to carry out a thorough investigation on the case and to equip the hospitals in the community.

“We thank God that from the report we have so far, the culprit did not deny her when she identified him. This people are those who are supposed to protect the members of the community and have now turned to something else, it is quite unfortunate. So, we believe the State will be able to handle it and justice will be done.

“The case of the doctor instructing a rape patient to get hand glove for him has really shown the level of healthcare service in our hospital and we are really appealing to the government to equip and assist our hospitals with equipments and drugs because life is very precious,” he added.

The president of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Com. Yinka Gbadebo in his reaction also condemned the culprit and demanded for justice for the victim.

Omolara’s father lamenting the incident told The Nation that; “all I want is the Federal government and the State government to help me fight for justice.”

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O fewer than 55 middle ranking career police officers, including two women participated in a three week intensive training for 2 i/c squadron commanders held recently at the Nigeria Police Force Training College, Ila-Orangun, Osun State.

The programme was designed to afford the participants the opportunity to be trained in new techniques in weapon handling, tactical manoeuvres and obstacle crossing. Also, academic papers were presented by facilitators from the private sector and police instructors, especially on how to tackle the security challenges facing the nation.

For the participants drawn from all the squadron commands across the country, it was a rewarding experience. The course 6/2014 chairman, Francis Osagie Erhabor, a Superintendent of Police, said the course though hectic, was very important and strategic for repositioning the police mobile force and squadron commanders in the face of current upsurge in violent crime and insurgency taking place in the North eastern part of the country. Two other participants, AbdulKareem Abubakar (SP) and Felicity Jacob (DSP) said they had really been equipped during the training and promised to discharge what is expected of them.

Abubakar said the challenges of insecurity required tactical approach urging government to continue to train more security officials to contain all acts of terrorism in the country. ýHe said: “The course has equipped us with not only combat operational techniques that had been the norm over the years but those requiring mental and intellectual capacity.”

According to Jacob, he and other participants in the training would ever remain indebted to the directing staff, instructors and management of the college for quality training programme.

The passing out ceremony for the participants provided an opportunity for the Acting Commandant, Police Mobile Force Training College, Ila Orangun, Livingstein Orutugu, to ask the acting Inspec-

The era of riots, violent demonstrations and isolated acts of criminality have gradually given way to more precarious security situation in the country. Now crimes have become better organised, highly sophisticated, extremely lethal and totally complex, perhaps, with transnational links

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tor-General of Police, Mr. Sulaiman Abba, to look into the challenges facing the training college. He listed among challenges facing the college, the provision of primary school within the college to enable their children go to school.ý He said the participants had been exposed to both physical and intellectual aspects of holding the office of Squadron Commander in Police Mobile Force and other aspects of policing.

However, Orutugu said: “I thank the Inspector General for the emphasis he put on professionalism.”

The Acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. Sulaiman Abba, who was represented at the passing out ceremony by the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Force Headquarters, Mr.Felix Uyanna, charged officers and men of the Force to rededicate themselves to duty and stand up to the challenges of terrorism. The acting IG said the reason for massive adjustment in the Po-

lice security thinking and training became imperative in other to cope with the emerging challenges of insecurity. He reminded the officers that they could not afford to fail Nigerians, therefore, urging them to embrace intelligenceled policing to aid their operations.

He said: “it is no hidden fact that contemporary Nigeria is faced with emerging security threats and challenges different from what we used to know in the past decades.

The emergent threats that manifest in the form of insurgency and terrorism have not only challenged our hitherto and reactive approaches to internal security operations. They have affected the operational preparedness of Police Mobile Force as the last line of defence for the Force to effectively counter and contain these threats as they emerge.

“The era of riots, violent demonstrations and isolated acts of criminality have gradually given way to more precarious security situation in the country. Now crimes have become better organised, highly sophisticated, extremely lethal and totally complex, perhaps, with transnational links. This unwholesome security situation in Nigeria has not only impugned on the ability of the Nigeria Police Force as the lead agency in maintenance of internal security but also that of other security agencies often invited to aid in internal security operations.

“Time was when the Police Mobile Force was not only the hope of the Force but also that of the people that time was no more.

Time was when a unit of PMF can effectively confront, contain and conquer any act of insurgency, that time was history. Time was when the PMF was dreaded by criminals more than soldiers that time is no more. Time was when the PMF was impregnable, when its personnel are hardly killed in operation, that time was gone.” Abba said.

The IGP, who noted that ýthe nation is at a cross road, said a careful assessment of explicitly identified threats to the nation’s security has become imperative.

•A cross section ýof participants at the training workshop. PHOTOS: ADESOJI ADENIYI.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

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SOUTHWEST REPORT

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T was the place to be in Ibadan in the 70s and 80s to catch your fun and enjoy a family outing. Second only to the popular University of Ibadan Zoological Garden, Agodi Gardens, Ibadan is a city recreational centre that any family or fun-seeking tourist would want to patronise.

Tucked in the heart of the Oyo State capital, the garden is located at the foot of Mokola Hill, backing the State government secretariat, Agodi and the western part of the expansive Agodi Government Reserved Area (GRA) which houses both the seat of the state government, Governor’s Lodge and a prestigious housing estate.

While all these border Agodi Gardens on the eastern part, the recreational centre borders a lake, hilltop Premier Hotel and Cultural Centre on the west. The first teaching hospital in Nigeria, the University College Hospital (UCH) borders the centre on the southern part to give it an elitist and sophisticated environment.

Sprawling on a 35-hectre landed facility, the garden which was established as a biological and relaxation centre to provide recreational as well as educational services for inhabitants and visitors in 1967, lost its glory as a foremost tourist centre, particularly following its destruction by the infamous 1980 flood disaster dubbed Omiyale by locals, that swept through the ancient city.

The flood swept away most of the Gardens’ wild animals, exotic and vintage plants and most importantly its beauty leaving the people with little or nothing to look up to at the centre. Expectedly, tourists have stayed away ever since, especially in the face of little or no government effort to revive the centre. But things are beginning to change thanks to the efforts of the current administration in the state.

Agodi Gardens has witnessed a rebirth from the Governor Abiola Ajimobi-led administration. With an investment of over N500 million from a budgeted N1 billion already sunk into the new Agodi Gardens, fun seekers, lovers of nature and animals will heave a sigh of relief on visiting the redeveloped centre when it hopefully opens to the public next month.

At inception, Agodi Gardens was a reference/meeting point for botanists, zoologists, environmentalists, naturalists and users of herbs in the trado-medicinal trade. It served as a gene pool and biodiversity complex as well as amusement park for both young and old for over two decades before the flood disaster.

“It was initially a forest reserve with thick plantation. But the government later started the animal world known as Agodi Zoological Garden. The biological aspect of it included medicinal plants garden as well as a botanical garden and some rare trees. Only few of such species of trees were left in the country,” said the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Dr Bunmi Babalola.

Successive flood disasters and years of government neglect reduced the centre to nothing but a play ground of dangerous reptiles and such animals, making the task of resuscitation a herculean one for the Ajimobi administration.

On assumption of office, Babalola said:”We saw that face lifting will not work there. To achieve our goal, we had to totally redevelop the garden. To ensure safety of our people there, we employed local hunters to remove all dangerous animals in the lake.”

The garden now boasts of a modern theme park and zoological garden with plan to develop two other phases that will see the growth of a medicinal plants section and a truly modern zoological section.

Life returns to Agodi gardens

The first phase consists of the walkways, swimming pools, water slides, children play ground, seethrough fence, parking lot, dredging of the lake and creation of artificial lake, channelisation of the various streams, landscaping, restaurants, toilets and bathrooms, bridges and electrification. Cables have been laid for the entire project in this first phase.

There is borehole channelised to the various points

•Oyo govt pumps N1 billion into a new world-class resort in Ibadan Thirty-four years after a devastating flood swept through Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State destroying the popular Agodi Gardens among others, the tourist centre in the heart of the ancient city is gradually coming back to life following a N1 billion redevelopment programme initiated by the Governor Abiola Ajimobi administration. BISI OLADELE reports on the new Agodi Gardens.

Explaining government’s big plan for the multi-million Naira recreation centre, the state Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mrs Adetutu Adeyemi-Akhigbe, said: “The Governor Abiola Ajimobi administration established the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Hitherto, they were just departments under Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism. When the ministry was established, we

thought it fit that a place like Agodi Gardens should come to this ministry and the proposal was granted by the governor. So, we were able to start this project. We call it Redevelopment and Rehabilitation of Agodi Gardens.

“The project is in three phases. We wanted a theme park, where people can just relax. We believe that it will contribute to the good health of the

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people and with minimal distortion to the original architecture of the place. At every stage of this project, we are always doing Environmental Assessment Impact (EAI). So, no single tree was removed, if not necessary. There was individual tree tagging. That is why the project is going slowly. That place is like a buffer zone which absorbs extra carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide that con-

tribute to depletion of the ozone layer.

“We made it such that each phase will independently operate on its own. So, the first phase consists of the walkways, swimming pools, water slides, children play ground, seethrough fence, parking lot, dredging of the lake and creation of artificial lake, channelisation of the various streams, landscaping, restaurants, toi-

lets and bathrooms, bridges and electrification. Cables have been laid for the entire project in this first phase.

There is borehole channelised to the various points.”

The commissioner explained that government’s goal for the first phase is “to create a place in Ibadan that can easily provide leisure, accommodation, relaxation and entertainment for the family in the same place in a

healthy environment.”

She emphasized that clean environment, fresh air and access to natural environment mark out the centre, adding that they would improve quality of life of tourists.

Adeyemi-Akhigbe disclosed that about N1 billion was budgeted for the project but that what has been spent so far is already more than half of the amount.

She said: “We projected over N1 billion for the entire project. But as the project was evolving, new ideas were coming up.”

The first phase, which is over 90 percent complete, is expected to be commissioned next month.

The second phase, according to the commissioner, will feature a health farm that will involve partnership with Chinese and Indians who have

reached a good stage in herbal medicine. Chalets for lodging and a modern event centre with a different entrance will also be constructed on the garden.

Her words: “In the second phase, we want to have a health farm. This is a natural health farm where they won’t use orthodox drugs. It is a Medicinal plants garden. On this, we want to bring in the Chinese and In-

dians. They are bringing their own knowledge of these medicinal plants having been on them for years. They have acquired standardization of the products. So, our herbal medical practitioners will benefit immensely from them. They will see how herbal infusion can be brought into orthodox practice.

“It will also feature chalets for lodging. It will also have an event centre. They won’t be coming through the garden. We may also have a small golf course there.”

The third phase, according to the commissioner, will be mainly a zoological garden. “We are thinking of having friendly animals such as tortoise and peacock walking around in the garden to strengthen the natural view of the garden.” She said.

The project is expected to generate about N1 billion yearly as well as create about 1000 direct and indirect jobs when it comes up full swing.

As the flagship of the ministry’s projects, Agodi Gardens is expected to pull most of the tourists and fun seekers in the city and also provide easy access to other such centres in the Oyo state capital. From its central location, the garden is about four kilometres to the historic Captain Bower’s Tower, three kilometers to the University of Ibadan, and two kilometers to the current centre of trading buzz, Heritage/Cocoa Mall.

It is also only about one and a half kilometers to the proposed Olubadan palace.

When inaugurated, Agodi Gardens, as a modern resort, will add more glamour and value to the city with its surging population.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

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SOUTHWEST REPORT

Indigenes of Ilaje local government area of Ondo State are pleading with government at all levels and oil companies to come to their aid following a tidewater spill from two rivers in the area which had destroyed no fewer than 200 houses and property worth millions of naira. LEKE AKEREDOLU reports.

Water spill sacks Ondo community •Commissioner, monarch affected

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OR one month running now, residents of Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje local government area of Ondo State have been battling with a natural disaster that has rendered over 1000 people homeless following a spill of tidewater from Oluwa and Ofala Rivers which surrounds the riverside community.

The water had submerged several houses, including the palace of the community’s monarch, Olu of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, and that of the State Commissioner of Environment, Chief Sola Ebiseni.

Others houses affected include

those of the Caretaker Chairman of Ilaje local government, Hon, Soji Ayenuro, Chief Olusola Oke mother’s house, houses of former NDDC Commissioner, Dr, Ibukun Omotehinse and Hon, Tunde Ayemo.

Already, Ilaje people, who are naturally living on water have adapted to the disaster as some of them now paddle canoes to their various homes.

Children could be seen swimming inside the water when The Nation went to the area.

About 15 quarters have so far been affected. They include Ebiseni Avenue, GRA, Kofawe, Orikiti, IluChurch, Up Market, Larada, Kugbene

among others.

It was observed that those who could not withstand the disaster have relocated to neighbouring communities.

The river‘s surge has been described by residents as a recurring disaster that happens every 10 to 15 years in the community.

But, this year’s experience has been described as the worst since the existence of the community.

According to the Council Chairman, Ayenuro and the Commissioner for Environment, Ebiseni, they have provided accommodation at Holy Trinity Secondary School and

Igbokoda High School for those whose homes have been submerged in water.

Ebiseni, who spoke with The Nation on phone, said the disaster was caused by climate change that normally occurs in the community.

He noted that Igbokoda was a confluence town between Oluwa and Ofala Rivers, describing the situation as unfortunate.

He added that his ministry and the council have immediately responded to the disaster by providing accommodation for the victims at Holy Trinity Secondary School and Igbokoda High School.

Ayenuro, said the community has been taken over by flood due to the fact that all the water channels have been blocked, adding that with the assistance of Governor Olusegun Mimiko, all that could change.

The Council boss lamented the attitude of his people who normally empty their wastes and sand into the gutters, thereby preventing free flow of water.

Ayenuro warned that the natural disaster must not be linked to government neglect of the community, stressing that Mimiko’s administration has impacted a lot on the riverside areas in the state.

The joy of Agidingbi Auto-

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UTOMOBILE Mechanics under the aegis of Motor Mechanic and Technician Association of Nigeria (MOMTAN), Plot 7 Yard, Agidingbi branch were full of joy and appreciation last week when their age long desire became a reality. The Mechanics had always looked forward to owning an Automotive Diagnostic Machine (ADM), popularly called vehicle scanning machine but lack of funds had prevented them from achieving this. But this is no longer the situation.

Their representative at the Lagos state House of Assembly who is also the Deputy Majority

Leader, Hon. Lola Akande last week donated the machine including some other modern mechanic tools to them in fulfillment of the promise she made to the mechanics four months ago when they approached her for assistance to train their members on the use of the machine.

Speaking to journalists at the ceremony where she handed over the machine and the other tools to them in the mechanic village, Akande, who represents Ikeja 2 constituency, said the leaders of the mechanic village appealed to her to sponsor their members for training on the machine but after calculating the cost of training them which amounted to millions, “I de-

cided to buy the machine for them so that they can employ a trainer who can come and train them here in their place, and definitely if they employ someone to do that, they would be able to train as many of them as possible, that is exactly what I have done for them.

“They in fact requested that I send them to a school and each person they said would pay about N500,000; I now asked them the cost of the machine, when they told me, I said okay, I won’t be able to do it immediately, just give me four months which is August ending and today is September 1st. So I am happy, I thank God I am able to do it and this will teach as many of them as possible. And it is something they can use after the training for a very long time to come”, Akande said.

The lawmaker stressed further that the machine will equip the mechanics to attain international standard “because it is no longer trial and error, once you use the machine it will tell you exactly where the problem of the vehicle is”. She

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The days of trial and error to determine what was wrong with vehicles brought to their garage seem to be over for automobile Mechanics at Agidingbi, Lagos as they now have an Automotive Diagnostic Machine to pin point the problem, courtesy of the lawmaker representing Ikeja 2 constituency at the Lagos State House of Assembly. OZIEGBE OKOEKI reports.

I am surprised and amazed by this donation, it is an example for other leaders to follow, she has shown good example, they should emulate and recognise our association so as to grow and develop the economy

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urged the mechanics to make use of the machine very well, “make optimal use of it so that you can derive the maximum benefit from it and at the end of the day this will translate to better functioning for

the mechanics themselves”, Akande said.

She also promised to assist other mechanic villages in her constituency if they present what their needs are and if within her capacity.

Though the lawmaker expressed her desire to contest for House of Representatives seat in 2015, Akande assured that it will not in any way distance her from her constituents when she goes to Abuja.

“I don’t think going to Abuja will take me farther from my people because I have a constituency office that will take their request for me. And definitely I am supposed to come home at certain times to look through their request and see what I can do about them”, she said.

Thanking Akande for fulfilling her promise, National President of MOMTAN, Alhaji Sulaiman Husaini admonished leaders to lead by example and emulate the good others have done and promote unity amongst all. “I have never witnessed this kind of occasion before, all they do is to make false promis-

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

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He affirmed that there was no irrigation in the age-long road of Igbokoda which he said could have helped in diverting the water from entering various homes.

“As you know, Igbokoda is a metropolitan area in Ilaje local government area. More than 80 percent of the habitants of this local government have been affected by the flood.

“The Olugbo of Ugbo land, Oba Fredrick Akinruntan was here few hours ago to sympathize with me but the reason why I am happy is that when we were appointed, Mr. Governor told us to reside with our people so that the caring heart pro-

gramme of the state government could be extended to the grassroots.

“Having been a partaker of this disaster now, I am always happy anytime they call on me that ‘Chairman come and check at my own building,’ I will also tell them to come to my own house and see what the water has destroyed in my place. This is telling you that our government is above all this capitalist agenda.

“For the past few weeks now, I have been trying my best to make relief materials available for those who have no place to stay. I have created a particular building for them in the council so that they will continue to manage the place. I have seen a man who has seven family members now managing a kiosk. This is really unfortunate.

“We are calling on government at Federal and State levels, Oil Companies, NDDC and OSOPADEC to come to our aid, and bring us out of this mess. My people are suffering and we are appealing that these people should quickly intervene and save us” Ayenuro said.

mechanics es, this is the first time that I am witnessing a politician making this kind of promise and fulfilling it”.

According to him, there are about 300 mechanic villages in Lagos; “if Akande is doing this here others should emulate her in other mechanic villages.

“I am surprised and amazed by this donation, it is an example for other leaders to follow, she has shown good example, they should emulate and recognise our association so as to grow and develop the economy”, Husaini said.

Chairman of the mechanic village, Ayodele Owoniyi, while thanking Akande for the gesture disclosed that it was the branch that gave the name and model of the machine to the lawmaker after “we did a lot of research, she promised and she has fulfilled her promise.

“The machine works for any type and any aspect of vehicles. Data for all models of vehicles are installed there up to 2015 models and could also be upgraded anytime for more years. The machine will enable us to do more and boost our

finances the more”.

Owoniyi said mechanics from his branch use to go elsewhere to use the machine at the cost of between N10,000 to N15,000 to scan a vehicle, “and it is only the vehicle and machine owners that benefits, we don’t benefit. But with this we can allow our members here to do it with N1000 or thereabout and the balance (of the money paid the car owner) will be in their pocket because the standard price in the whole of Lagos today is N10-15,000 for diagnosis.

“And with this machine here, we can measure up to the standard of any mechanic in Lagos even in the world”, he said. He also disclosed that himself and a few other members have attended several courses on the machine, “so we already know how to use the machine and now that we have the machine we can benefit more because then it was only theory but now I can practicalise it, and we can also train more members”, Owoniyi said.

Lagos CDA rewards indigenes, groups T

HE Idowu Aso Community Development Association (CDA) in Isheri Osun, Igando Ikotun Local Council Government Area (LCDA, Lagos has held its maiden awards where it honoured some people and institutions for their services.

The event was supposed to be the day of glory for former Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Benjamin Olaiya. He might have looked forward to it. But when former Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) was called, he did not answer. He had passed on the previous day in London, where he went to meet his children as he usually did. But some heard the news for the first time at the ceremony. Those who passed by his block of shops at the Junction Bus Stop in Isheri Osun did not pay attention to the fact that they were shut; a tradition normally observed by tenants when their landlord dies.

However, his death did not diminish the importance of the day. Chairman of the occasion Alhaji Jelili Olubodun praised the late Chief Olaiya for his contributions to the community.

He listed some infrastructure he attracted to the area and his selfless service, adding that his kind are rare. A minute silence was observed for the Ekiti-born ex-cop.

Olubodun urged everyone to serve, saying the late President Nnamdi Azikiwe and leader of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), the late Pa Obafemi Awolowo were being remembered because of their services to the nation. He asked: “What do we do for our people?”

Specifically, he urged the executives of the association to be trustworthy and make selfless service their watchwords. Like a military commander, Olubodun, a former director, Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWNA), charged the executives to be star performers. He commended their association for being alive to its responsibilities, adding that during their tenure the CDA’s light must not go off.

Beside Olaiya and Olubodun, other awardees were Chief Shamsudeen Amao Mojeed; the former CDA chairman, Alhaji Alaba Akinlagu; the Divisional Police Officer, Superintendent of Police Keneth Egbo; and Director, Abiola Farm, Alhaji Aliu Babatunde.

The institutions were Elim Providence Schools, MTrend Schools and H i t e c h Construction Company, the firm handling construction of the Jakande EstateIsheri OsunIjegun Road.

The CDA’s Chairman, Otunba Segun Kolawole, sought t h e cooperation of residents of the area. He asked them to assist the CDA with quality advice on how to move the community forward.

•Olubodun (left) He recalled the and Kolawole words of the United Nations SecretaryGeneral, Bank Ki

By Joseph Eshanokpe

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We are calling on government at Federal and State levels, Oil Companies, NDDC and OSOPADEC to come to our aid, and bring us out of this mess.

My people are suffering and we are appealing that these people should quickly intervene and save us

Moon, saying: “No nation can be built without one first building the community”.

On security, he said there was need for them to cooperate to tackle not only the menace but also others, such as child abuse, kidnapping, and the attacks by Boko Haram insurgents ravaging some

Nnamdi Azikiwe and leader of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), the late Pa Obafemi Awolowo were being remembered because of their services to the nation...No nation can be built without one first building the community

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parts of the country. He tasked them on the need to be vigilant and “try as much as possible to expose suspicious movements of people around us, and as landlords to be extra-vigilant and careful in admitting tenants to our houses as this may pose a great risk to our community’s peace and progress, which we are enjoying.

Kolawole led the prayers for the release of the over 200 Chibok schoolgirls held by the Boko Haram sect for over four months. He called for another minute silence in honour of Pa Olaiya, whom he described as an illustrious father.

Praising Hitech for a good job, he pleaded with its management to speedily complete the road, noting that it is dear to the people.

In the interim, he asked them to rehabilitate areas that are bad to ease movement.

Two officials of Hitech, Ashton Davies and Theo Cilliers,

told The Nation they would deliver the road on schedule, promising that, all things being equal, they would meet the April target. They lamented that the work was being slowed by passers-by and the rains. Against the backdrop of their colleague who was killed earlier, the engineers called on the CDA to keep the area safe.

The representative of the DPO Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mrs Akinola as crime free and neat. She said this was because its residents are security conscious. She sought for their cooperation with the police.

Also at the event were Chairman, CDC Igando/ I k o t u n CDA, Elder Ademola Osibeluwo a n d Supervisory Councillor Agriculture in the Council M r Kaeem Amaoo.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

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SOUTHWEST REPORT

Mystery school springs up at Ibadan’s ‘evil’ forest

•The model school under construction

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•Continued from page 29

their minds said the thought will continue to remain very fresh in their memory as they still find it difficult to forget the rude shock and nightmare they suffered as a result.

The victims , who were rescued from the forest and taken to the state hospital, Yemetu, Adeoyo, Ibadan, it was learnt, were given adequate medical attention and have since been re-united with their relatives.

A medical personnel at the hospital, who would not want her name mentioned in print, said a few of the victims suffered from mental disorder and have been referred to the psychiatric hospital for further medical care.

Meanwhile the Oyo state police command is yet to make any significant headway on the investigation to bring to book the culprits behind the killings at Soka forest.

Head of the investigation team, Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigative Department (SCID), Mr Dasuki, told The Nation that all efforts to track down the principal suspect, simply identified as Alhaji Gbadegesin, has not yielded fruit .

The police, he said, in its investigation, was also making effort to arrest owners of the abandoned factories being used by the suspects to commit the crime but none has shown up despite the intense search for them.

Mr Dasuki had referred to the team of forensic experts as a basis and beacon of hope for tracking down the culprits, but as at last week nothing has been made available to the police to assist in its effort to arrest the suspects.

The Chief Pathologist, Dr Eze Uwom, who led a team of scientists from the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan to the site where many people were believed to have been chained and killed by their captors, described the exercise as very disappointing and frustrating .

Since the team was engaged by the state government to conduct forensic analysis that would lead to the roots of the deaths of many Nigerians at the forest, nothing significant has been achieved.

The Chief Pathologist explained that his team has not gone beyond the initial stage of its analysis since the exercise has been stopped due to lack of support and logistics.

He said: “The only thing I have to tell you is that we are at the level of forensic recovery. We can only proceed at this stage if we have the needed logistics. So, we have not left the initial stage. We are still at the very

This is something all of us living in Soka and Macmillan have been praying for over the years because this forest has been harbouring these criminals for over ten years now. There was a time the landlords wrote to the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Mukaila Aborode, during Alao-Akala’s regime complaining about these evil men and we called on the government to clear this area but nothing happened. Now that the government has brought this school, our people can now sleep with our two eyes closed

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initial stage. This investigation requires resources and manpower.

“But I have come to realise that the authorities have not shown the will to pursue this case. It is not because of lack of expertise that we cannot move beyond this stage. The problem is that until we turn the heat on those we put in the position of authority, we are not going to get anywhere. We do forensic with full support from the authorities with the appropriate materials and resources.

We did the Dana Air crash in Lagos. I led the team and everyone was there working with all our clothes melting on our bodies.

“We got full support from the Lagos State Government and we are working closely with the authorities.

Logistics was not a problem. Maybe it is because its Soka, the people involved were nobody. “ Speaking further on the Soka saga, Uwom said during the period his team was on site for data collection, he was not aware of any support from

•The ‘evil forest’ before it was demolished

the authorities, and if there was, he said it was definitely not for his team.

“Well, as to your question regarding the report of the forensic analysis, the answer you are seeking is not available because this has not moved from the rudiment stage,” he stated.

While police said they are not relenting in their resolve to fish out the suspects behind the Soka killings, the faceless owners of the abandoned buildings have filed legal action against the government over the demolition of the buildings and construction of model secondary school on the plots of land situated at the notorious forest.

The Assistant Commissioner Police who confirmed the suit said a copy of the legal action was also served on him. He however expressed delight on the decision of the government to use the plots for school.

“At least, this will send away those criminals who hide under the situation of the area to commit crime, “ he said.

The legal action, he added will also open the way for owners of the structures to come forward, having gone into hiding since the discovery of the Soka killings.

The area where many lives were lost is now wearing a new look with

economic activities springing up.

When The Nation visited the site, construction workers and food sellers were seen working hard to see the school project completed. Building materials suppliers were also adding to the buzz on the site.

However, there are conflicting reports over the ownership of the said model secondary school. While the Chairman, Caretaker Committee, Oluyole Local Government, Mr Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye, said the school was being constructed by the state government, The Nation learnt that it could be a Federal Government Girls Model college.

While speaking on the construction of new blocks of classrooms, the council boss hinted that the citing of the school at the location was strategic by the government.

The decision of the government, he added was aimed at bringing development to the area and make it a no hiding place for criminals who see the abandoned buildings and plots of land as a cover to commit heinous crime.

“We are thankful to the state government for donating the school to the local government, to bring more development to the area”, he said.

But the state Commissioner for Education, Professor Solomon Olaniyonu said he was not aware of the donation of the school to the local government.

“As the Commissioner in charge of Education, I am not aware of the model school being cited at Soka area” , he added.

When The Nation visited the Ibadan office of the Federal Ministry of Education, the officers could not give useful information as they said that their boss who could confirm the ownership of the school was not around.

When speaking on the model school, a resident of the area, Mr Adesokan Smith lauded the effort of the government for taking decisive step to clear the area of nefarious activities.

“This is something all of us living in Soka and Macmillan have been praying for over the years because this forest has been harbouring these criminals for over ten years now.

There was a time the landlords wrote to the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Mukaila Aborode, during Alao-Akala’s regime complaining about these evil men and we called on the government to clear this area but nothing happened.

Now that the government has brought this school, our people can now sleep with our two eyes closed”.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

THE NATION INVESTORS

How ETF is expanding frontiers of Nigeria’s capital market F OR companies desirous of raising equity, exchange traded fund appears to be the best and perhaps, safest choice.

Interestingly, Lotus Capital Limited, a pioneer and house hold name in ethical fund management in Nigeria, has launched the first Shari’ah compliant Exchange Traded Fund in sub-Saharan Africa- the Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund (“LHE ETF”), with a target of raising about N1.5 billion during the initial offer period. The offer opened on August 15, to close on September 11. Subscription is at an indicative unit price approximately equal to 1/200th of the value of the NSE-Lotus Islamic Index (“NSE LII”) on the day preceding the subscription.

The LHE ETF would be listed and traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and will contribute to overall market capitalisation and the global exchange traded fund universe.

ETFs are dynamic instruments usually designed to track different types of indexes such as equities, bond or commodity. The indexes can be sector specific such as those limited to oil and gas companies, construction companies, banks, financial services, or commodities such as precious metals, and export crops, among others.

Some indexes may also be thematic, such as the NSE-LII, which tracks the performance of Shari’ah complaint stocks listed on the NSE. Some indexes are jurisdiction specific i.e they track the performance of major stocks in particular jurisdictions, such as the HSBC Frontier Markets ETF tracking Nigerian and Kenyan stocks.

As of today, there are only two ETFs listed in Nigeria-the New Gold ETF and the Vetiva Griffin 30 ETF. The New Gold ETF is sponsored by ABSA Capital in conjunction with Vetiva Capital Management Ltd. The ETF continuously tracks the spot price of gold in the South African market. The Vetiva Griffin 30 ETF is sponsored by Vetiva Capital Management Ltd and it tracks the NSE 30 index, a basket of the 30 most highly

Stories by Taofik Salako

capitalised and liquid stocks on the NSE. The LHE ETF is designed as an open ended fund intended to track the yield and performance of the NSE-LII. The NSE LII was initially developed by Lotus Capital Ltd in 2009 and publicly launched in conjunction with the NSE in 2012 to track the performance of Shari’ah compliant stocks on the NSE. The underlying stocks in the NSELII undergo what is known as Shari’ah or Islamic screening by the fund manager, Lotus Capital, before inclusion in the index. There are two levels of screening– qualitative and quantitative. The qualitative screening eliminates unethical subsectors or subsectors, which are not permissible under Islamic law such as companies dealing in alcoholic beverages, tobacco, conventional financial services, gambling and adult entertainment. The second stage, which is the qualitative screening, employs the use of financial ratios and factors to eliminate listed companies with unacceptable levels of debt, cash and interest income.

As noted previously, there are only two ETFs currently listed on the NSE. They are NEWGOLD ETF, which tracks the price of Gold Fix PM on the London Stock Exchange(“LSE”) and Vetiva Griffin 30 ETF, which tracks the NSE 30 index (a basket of the 30 most highly capitalised and liquid stocks on the NSE).

Since inception, VG30, alongside the index tracked (i.e NSE30) has outperformed the NSEAll Share Index with a year to date currently at 10.06 per cent (vs NSEASI 7.95 per cent).

The LHE ETF will offer investors competitive yields, as the constituent securities in the underlying index are fundamentally sound, consisting of companies like Dangote Cement Plc, which contributes 20 per cent to market capitalisation, WAPCO (1.82 per cent) and Nestle (4 per cent). In terms of liquidity, the LHE ETF will be listed and actively traded on the NSE. In addition, Vetiva Securities Limited, the

ETF’s Authorised Dealer will provide liquidity by continuously providing two-way quotes for the LHE ETF on the floor of the NSE. In this way, the Authorised Dealer will be available to buy the units of any holder at any time.

Expectedly, following on the heels of Lotus Halal Equity, Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Limited (SIAML), a wholly owned asset management subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, recently concluded pre-offering process for the initial public offering (IPO) of its Stanbic IBTC Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) 30, paving the way for the opening of the application list for the ETF. At the signing ceremony in Lagos, directors of SIAML and other professional parties signed on the prospectus and other offer documents for the issuance of 10 million units of the Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 at a price of N100 per unit.

Application list for the IPO will open on Monday, September 15, to close on Wednesday, October 15. Minimum subscription is 10,000 units and multiples of 5,000 units thereafter. The signing ceremony was sequel to approvals for the registration and listing of the units of the fund from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the NSE. Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited is the issuing house to the offer.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC

Holdings Plc, Mrs. Sola David-Borha said the launch of the Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 reaffirms Stanbic IBTC as a leader and pioneer that has consistently brought innovative products and services to the capital market.

According to her, the Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 would further help to showcase the leadership of the financial services group.

She pointed out that the holding structure of the Stanbic IBTC Holdings makes it easier for the group to quickly complete financial transactions and deals.

Echoing similar sentiments, Executive Director, Business Development, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Haruna Jalo-Waziri described ETF as one of the fastest growing asset classes, adding that the Exchange would support the growth of the asset class in Nigeria.

He expressed confidence in the Stanbic IBTC ETF 30, noting that the holding company has proven to be a valuable partner in capital market development.

Managing Director, Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Limited (SIAML), Mr. Olumide Oyetan, explained that the NSE 30 Index comprised of the top 30 companies in terms of market capitalisation. The index serves as the flagship benchmark for the stock market as it represents 92 per cent of the NSE’s market capitalisation.

He noted that the Fund represents a convenient and efficient way for in-

vestors to have access to the top 30 most capitalised and liquid stocks on the NSE, in a cost effective manner.

“We believe that it will appeal to sophisticated and institutional investors who believe in the growth story of companies listed on the NSE and by corollary, in the abundant growth opportunities that exist in Nigeria,” Oyetan said.

Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited Chief Executive Officer, Ms Yewande Sadiku, commended the board of SIAML for its efforts towards the deepening of the Nigerian capital market through listing of new and innova-, tive products.

Lending credence to the foregoing, Managing Director, Vetiva Fund Managers Limited, Mr. Damilola Ajayi, who manages the VG30 ETF, explained that the interim distribution was in line with the structure and design of the VG30 ETF which include distribution of returns twice a year.

According to him, Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund represents a convenient and efficient way for investors to have access to the top 30 most capitalised and liquid stocks on the NSE, both from a potential capital appreciation and distribution income points of view.

Ernst & Young, the third largest multinational professional services firm in the world, has reported that the global ETF industry had 5,042 ETFs, with 10,053 listings, assets of US$2.3 trillion, from 215 providers on 58 exchanges as at October last year. It also predicted annual growth of 15 per cent to 30 per cent globally over the next five years.

Group applauds NSE’s transformation exercise •Urged Exchange on investors’ protection

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HE Capital Market Solicitors’ Association (CMSA) has commended the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on the various strategies aimed at deepening the market, urging them to strengthen its investors’ protection initiatives.

The Chairman of the Association, Uche Obi, who said this in Lagos yesterday, noted that Nigeria would be better positioned to achieve its economic and developmental plan if it had a world class capital market.

Obi, who observed that the Exchange had carried out a lot of reforms aimed at deepening the capital market in terms of liquidity, depth and volume, said, it still had some way to go to match exchanges in advanced economies.

He said: “It would also be considered a good exchange when it is very easy for people to change positions.

Looking at the structures, we have to ensure that the Exchange is capable of protecting the investors, especially the retail investors who are very vulnerable.

“It has to be an Exchange that can guarantee fairness across board; an Exchange that has adequate mechanism to resolve investment disputes expeditiously; and an Exchange that will be able to, in an era of globalisation, align with rules available in other top exchanges across the globe.”

Obi explained that in a situation where cross-border trade is becoming very common, the NSE should be able to relate with other exchanges so that products on the NSE can be traded on other exchanges.

He disclosed that the focus of its yearly business luncheon for 2014 would be on ‘Transformation of the Nigerian Stock Exchange into a world class Exchange’, adding that the goal

was for stakeholders from all segments of the capital market to find ways to speed up its transformation exercise.

The event, scheduled to take place in Lagos on September 17, according to him, would be chaired by the Chairman, Securities and Exchange Commission with its Director-General, , Ms. Arunma Oteh as guest of honour.

The Vice-Chairman, CMSA, Mrs. Yinka Edu, explained that the theme of the yearly event was timely considering the numerous changes in the capital market in recent times.

She said: “If you look at the Exchange in the last five year, you will notice that so many changes have taken place; different products have been introduced. Five years ago, we were just trading equity in the market and there was really no depth. But now we are looking at debt, funds, ETFs… various products have come on stream.”

She explained that the Chief Executive Officer of the NSE, Oscar Onyema, would be the guest speaker and would be supported by a panel of discussants such as the Seplat Petroleum Development Company Chief Executive, Austin Avuru;and the Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited, Chief Executive, Ms. Yewande Sadiku.

The CMSA is the umbrella body of about 250 law firms and in-house counsel of accredited operators practicing in the Nigerian capital market.

Its objectives include the enhancement of practising standards among practitioners affiliated to it, conducting advanced training and capacity building programmes, protecting the interest of members in capital market policies and transaction and acting as a self-regulatory organisation for its members.

•From left: Director, Brands and Communications, Enitan Denloye, Chief Executive Officer, Matthew Willsher both of Etisalat Nigeria; Captain, Etisalat FC Football Team, Andrew Enebeli; Chief Executive Officer, MediaVision Limited, Fela Bank-Olemoh and Coach, Etisalat Football Team, Samuel Adeosun at the finals of the Nigeria Telecoms Games held at the Legacy Pitch, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos at the weekend.

PHOTO: MUYIWA HASSAN

Guinness Nigeria declares N5b dividends on including Orijin Bitters, Orijin HE Board of Guinness Nigeria N109b sales vation RTD and Alvaro. The company conPlc, Nigeria’s brewing giant, firmed that sale of its innovation brands

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met recently to consider the results for the year ended June 30 , this year, and approved the company’s audited results which revealed a total revenue of N109 billion and profit after tax of approximately N10 billion.

Addressing shareholders on the outcome of the results, Chairman, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Babatunde Savage, said: “Despite the challenges faced, we progressed in the key areas of cost containment achieving improved cost efficiencies, and the upgrade our route-to-consumer which is directly linked to volume growth recorded by brand Guinness in the second half of the financial year.

The Board of Guinness Nigeria is confident that we have the right people and capability to guarantee the delivery of our strategic priorities of driving out cost to invest in growth, turning the business around by strengthening and accelerating our

premium core brands, innovating at scale to meet new consumer needs, and extension of our route-to-consumer advantage.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr. Seni Adetu, said revenue and profit declined due to pricing disadvantage, growth in the value segment where the company is a relatively small player, competitor’s aggressive trade practices and increased finance costs.

“On the positive side, the various innovations we have launched in recent times especially Orijin Bitters and Orijin Ready to Drink (RTD) have been quite successful, and we expect to further dial up our play in the value segment with Satzenbrau and Dubic Lager,” he said.

In the period under review, Guinness Nigeria launched several inno-

like Orijin Bitters, Snapp, Satzenbrau, Dubic and Orijin RTD were still growing; heralding a big boost for Guinness Nigeria’s future performance.

Following the release of the results, the Board of Directors of the company has recommended, subject to approval at the next Annual General Meeting, slated to hold on November 213, this year, for the declaration of dividends of approximately N5 billion in respect of the year ended 30 June 2014,, which is 320 kobo per 50 kobo ordinary share.

Guinness Nigeria was established in 1950 and listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 1965. The company is the custodian of household brands like Guinness Foreign Extra Stout; Guinness Extra Smooth; Harp Lager; Malta Guinness and Malta Guinness Low Sugar; Smirnoff Ice; Snapp; Dubic Lager and the Orijin brands, amongst others.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS INSURANCE

NAICOM seeks govt’s intervention in Group Life Assurance

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HE National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has appealed to the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation (OHOSF) to look into the challenges of Group Life Insurance scheme for federal workers and the insurance of Federal Government assets and properties.

The Chairman of the Governing Board, Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, made the call during a courtesy call on the Head of Service of the Federation (HOS) Danladi Kifasi in his office in Abuja by the management of the Commission. Nwuche led the board to see how the company can partner with the government to enhance implementation of the compulsory Group Life Insurance cover for federal workers.

Nwuche who expressed appreciation to the HOS for the success achieved so far in the implementation of the Pension Reform Act of 2014 as it relates to the Group Life Insurance scheme for federal workers, noted that the scheme has not operated without some challenges.

These challenges, he said, range from availability of adequate data for proper administration, timely notification of claims and submission of supporting documents and appropriate pricing of the risk.

He hoped these issues will be looked into by the HOS to ensure continued success of the scheme for the overall benefit of the federal workers.

A

Stories by Omobola Tolu-Kusimo

He also said that the insurance of public buildings and buildings under construction be made compulsory under the insurance Act of 2003.

He said it is therefore, imperative that all government buildings which fall under public buildings are adequately insured to guard against loss of property and scarce financial resources in the event of any disaster.

Nwuche requested the HOS to look into the issue noting that the insurance of public buildings under which government buildings fall, is compulsory under the insurance Act of 2003 and NAICOM Act of 1997.

NAICOM Commissioner for Insurance, Fola Daniel, told the HOS that the insurance industry is prepared to undertake the training of scheduled staff of the OHOSF, especially the officers involved in the management of the scheme to ensure justification and realisation of the set objectives of the scheme.

Daniel said the industry would also provide specific preventive health training for members on the scheme based on the outcome of the information gathered from the experience analysis of the data in the Commission’s possession and, the enlightenment of scheme members.

These are members who are close to retirement and need financial

Pension fees cap could add £1b to savers’ pots

CAP on excessive pension charges could boost savers’ retirement funds by £1 billion, five times more than previously estimated, one of Britain’s largest insurers has indicated.

Pension fees will be capped at 0.75pc a year next April under a Government initiative to tackle “rip-off” levies that deplete customers’ savings.

Ministers initially said this new ceiling would transfer £200 million from insurance company profits “into the pockets of savers.”

But Royal London, which has 11 million customers calculated that the sum passed to savers by the industry would be monumentally higher.

Phil Loney, chief executive of Royal London, said: “We estimate the total reduction in long-term insurer income may well reach £1 billion.”

The cap on charges will apply to workplace pensions linked to the stock market.

Pension companies such as Royal London take annual fees for managing money saved into company schemes. The charges can range from below 0.5pc a year to more than 2pc. Reducing the higher charges to 0.75pc will allow savers’ funds to grow more quickly to the detriment of pension providers.

Royal London profits fell by 49pc the first half of this year as the firm acknowledged it will take less from savers each year.

David Norman, a campaigner on charges and founder of asset manager TCF Investment, said: “The ordinary saver is entirely justified in thinking - hurrah, this serves the pensions industry right.

“If on average consumers lose

less from their pots in charges, we will all be richer. After all, pensions were not designed to make profit for insurance companies but for savers in old age - at least, that’s how it should be.”

Justin Modray, founder of Candid Financial Advice, said some of the charges on older pensions were little short of criminal and were only there to pay excessive sales commissions.

He said things have gradually improved over the years but there is no doubt some pensions remain too expensive. “Insurers are paying the price for treating customers poorly over several decades.”

However, some commentators warned that reducing charges so quickly could have unintended consequences.

Loney said the charges cap could do more harm than good, indicating that Royal London and similar providers might hit employers with supplementary fees. These would fall outside the 0.75pc government cap, which relates specifically to the management charges paid by staff.

Tom McPhail, head of pensions at financial services firm Hargreaves Lansdown, said extra fees outside the cap would be passed on to customers and shareholders.

“There could be a sort ‘moneygo-round’ where insurers put extra charges on employers, who pass these on to staff in the form of lower pay rises and to shareholders in the form of smaller dividends.

“If that happens there will be little overall benefit to the people the Government is trying to help.”

Culled from The Telegraph

planning like choosing annuity to ensure stream of income for the rest of their retirement’s life, he added.

The HOS, Danladi Kifasi, stated the preparedness of his office to continue the collaboration with NAICOM to ensure continuing suc-

cess of the scheme.

He pledged to support the Commission in the enlightenment and education of both scheduled staff and scheme members especially in the area of financial planning.

He thanked the management of NAICOM for the offer to provide

training for scheduled staff and members of the scheme and promised that the OHOSF will remain transparent but strict in subsequent bidding and selection processes to appoint brokers and underwriters for the Group Life Insurance Scheme for federal workers.

• From left: Deputy Chairman of Nigeria Insurance Association (NIA), Mr. Eddie Efekoha, Chairman, Mr. Godwin U.S. Wiggle and CIIN President, Mr. Bola Temowo during the CIIN President’s courtesy visit to NIA.

CIIN to practitioners: Reposition for growth

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HE gains of creating a premium position for the insurance industry in the financial services sector and the economy must remain the goal of insurance professionals, President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, Bola Temowo, has said.

Temowo made this statement at a meeting with the Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA) in Lagos.

He said professionalism is the bedrock of insurance business and enjoin insurance practitioners to always act professionally, particularly now that our national economy has been rebased.

He noted that this is the only way they can guarantee that the industry taps fully from growth potentials of the buoyed economy.

He added that no amount of aware-

ness campaign will be effective without their individual and collective efforts at advancing the insurance profession by benchmarking international standards.

He said: “It is my firm belief that we will continue to march forward as an industry and surmount all the challenges facing our profession, if the industry arms continue to act in concert at all times.

“The CIIN has the major role of providing ample opportunities for education and knowledge sharing and will continue to promote human capital development to guarantee better service delivery.

“The Institute has therefore, continued to initiate and adopt new measures aimed at attracting

more attendance at the major education and training programmes.

The College of Insurance and Financial Management is becoming firmly rooted with the far-reaching developments on the construction of the major structures for the take-off of academic activities in September 2014.”

Temowo reiterated that the institute will resuscitate the development of its building in Victoria Island, commence academic activities at the College of Insurance and Financial Management; establish an E-library; strengthen the study and teaching of insurance in secondary schools and tertiary institutions in Nigeria and provide adequate trained manpower at the institute secretariat for improved service delivery.

‘PenCom’s ban on contract at this time when some memstaff laudable’ sary bers of the public are yet to un-

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HE Group Managing Director PensionScope Group, Peter Tai Adediji, has said the National Pension Commission’s (PenCom’s) recent ban on engagement of contract staff by pension operators in their key operations, is laudable because it protects the pension industry.

In a statement made available to reporters in Lagos, Adediji urged pension operators to avoid imitating other operators who believe in casualisation of their workforce. He said due to the sensitivity of pension business, efforts must be made to forestall avenues capable of creating mistrust.

He called on the operators to cooperate with PenCom and other stakeholders to ensure that the objectives set in the Pension Reform Act are achieved. Adediji said engagement of contract staff that are often not properly trained and not entitled to some benefits enjoyed by full time employees, portends great threat to the growth of the pension industry.

He said the restriction is neces-

derstand the difference between the old and new scheme, which has built in checks and balances to eradicate fraud.

He said: “This is a welcome development as the engagement of contract staff is like engaging touts at our motor parks; their usefulness is never lasting. They perform more havocs than rendering unavoidable service to their ‘employers.

“Governments at various levels have spent a lot to control the excesses of these touts especially where their activities have resulted in the loss of lives.”

It would be recalled that PenCom in a recent circular, barred licensed pension operators from using contract staff for critical functions in their operations such as pension administration; benefit administration; fund management and accounting; settlement; safe keeping; contribution collection and administration and information and communication technology.

The commission hinged its decision on allegations of fraud and improper training of the

•Acting Director-General, PenCom, Mrs Chinelo Anohu-Amazu

outsourced staff, stressing that the risks inherent in this arrangement had already started manifesting.

It said that there are several cases of fraudulent activities involving these outsourced staff.

The commission gave all licensed operators that have in their employment outsourced staff in the affected functions, transition period of six months ending in February 2015, to convert their employment to permanent status or replace them with permanent staff.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

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SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP Rising demand for plantain has created a new breed of farmers who have abandoned the traditional way of farming for a supposedly more lucrative aspect. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

Plantain business as money spinner A

FARMER, Shelu Abu, was tired of the meagre earnings from tomatoes and foods sales and planned to leave the country in search of greener pastures. His trip to Cameroun made him to discover plantain cultivation as a goldmine.

He said: “One day, a friend of mine suggested we travel to Cameroun and from there, I could sneak into any country of my choice because I had no money then.

“When we got to Cameroun, I saw a farm close to where we were staying. I decided to apply for a job there since I studied agronomy. Fortunately, I was employed. What we do is that we plant the plantain suckers and when we harvest, they are taken to a production site where they are prepared for export to Europe and America.”

He added: “Before they finish packaging, buyers are already waiting to pick them up and I saw the kind of money coming in. We had about 300,000 suckers which multiplied. We were well paid so I told myself that the best thing is for me to go back to Nigeria and start my own farm.”

Abu‘s fortune changed for the better when he discovered the potential in plantain farming.

As a result, he set out to look for capital to see off his dream. He got in touch with other successful model farmers to learn more and got tips for starting off.

Shelu plantain farm in Ikorodu is one such farms that is successful. Its success is a testament to the fact that plantain farming could become a fledging industry.

The boom is partly due to the exploding market for plantain chips and increasing supply of plantain to top hotels and restaurants, where demand has gone up by 60 per cent.

One of the benefits of plantain farming is that wastage is very minimal.

Shelu told The Nation that plantain farming is the business of the future for entrepreneurs and retirees.

“When I came back, I leased a plot of land and planted the 200 suckers I brought with me. People were

•Abu

mocking me, asking what on earth I was doing with plantain instead of getting a good job. After about eight months, I started harvesting.

“My plantain trees are up to 18 feet high; they are so tall because of the nutrients and the taller they are, the bigger the fruits,” he said, adding: “I was making N7,000 to N8,000 weekly. When I told the Baale (traditional ruler) of the area that I needed land for plantain farming, he pointed to this place (farm site) which was a thick forest then. He asked for only N5,000 and a bottle of Schnapps.

“So I told myself that I could plant 1,000 suckers or more, to multiply my income. I placed an order for 5,000 suckers and planted them. Before this time, I had approached a first generation bank for loan. I discussed with them, but they asked for land, or C of O. If I have all that, why would I go to the bank to ask for loan? he queried.

“It will be better to sell the land and use the money on the farm. If I have money, instead of using it to get C of O, I will put it in the farm.

That is why I don’t bank with any bank in Nigeria. I save my money with my cooperative society because when I sold the idea to them, they bought it and came to my aid.

“I brought the bank here and explained to them that I have 40,000 suckers on the farm and even if I sell

•Plantain farm

for N500, I will make the money and pay back.” When the bank refused, Shelu approached his cooperative group. They provided the money and we were able to plant 40,000 suckers on that land.

“When the plantain was six months old, I called the cooperative members and said, ‘look, there is war.’ When they came and saw the farm and the fruits, I told them the best thing is for us to buy the land. We discussed with the owners and they sold to us. The cooperative paid and kept the document thinking I would not be able to pay. But as I sold my plantain, I paid into their account and to God be the glory, I was able to offset the loan and I have 40 acres of land today.”

According to him, Plantain farming is good, anybody who goes into it will not have any problem because he will not need to weed. “One, you don’t weed, you use herbicides and harvesting is not stressful. Before it matures, buyers are already waiting.

If you plant 60,000 suckers, you will be making about N800,000 weekly,” he said.

Since he started harvesting, he has created a lot of employment for people in this area. He has set up farms in various places for people.

He told The Nation that one can be succe4ssfulit if one plants 1,000 suckers. “In first harvest, one can

get his money back and make profit.

After four months, one can come back to the same place and still harvest more,” he said.

According to him, the second harvest maybe better than the first as the trees would have multiplied to about 3,000.

The Chief Executive Officer, www.farmingbizsetup.com Opeyemi Lawson, said the demand for plantain in the country is high, with suppliers struggling to meet the demand.

To make money in the long term, he said, one has to prepare a business plan. He explained that plantain plantation has a long productive life and can be done alongside cocoa , which could feed one with good foreign exchange.

Lawson has therefore, produced a plantain farming business plan/ feasibility study on five acres which are practicable across the farming belts.

A typical expenditure for five acres, include 5000 suckers at the rate of N100 per sucker N500, 000; cost of planting of suckers N250,000 at N50 per sucker, transportation N80,000,weeding four times in a year,N160,000 and fertilizer N25,000. He said the total expenditure would be N1,040, 000.

He said one could make twice

A start-up success story As Nigeria grows economically, so also are opportunities for new businesses emerging. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

U

CHE Ariolu’s entrepreneurial streak was discovered early. He had always wanted to make money through his industry.

As he grew up, he observed that Nigerians are busy facing challenges of buying foodstuff. In some instances, he had seen bankers and other people working in blue chip organisations leave home by 6am and would not return until 8 pm.

This, he noted, did give them enough time to shop for food items for cooking. He then came up with the idea of creating an online portal where busy Nigerians can order their food stuffs.

He discovered a huge untapped market. He was convinced some busy Nigerians would be happy to use the service to save an hour or two from going to grocery shops and use the internet. Everyone found the idea useful. The elderly and the physically challenged found the services attractive.

As he felt there must be a better

way to shop for food, there must, according to him, be a better way for farmers, traders and other food suppliers to make food accessible to consumers.

However, the internet was at its infancy when the idea crossed his mind. So, it had to wait until the country had a better internet penetration and adoption.

Subsequently, he launched the initiative early this year as an online marketplace for food.

Initially, he had the having challenge of selling the idea to Nigerians, but today, his company has grown to become a big business. He sells all kinds of food that can be ordered in restaurants and eateries. His customers can receive deliveries of local, organic produce and other products from the company’s network of farmers and food-makers.

Ariolu enjoys a right place, right time scenario, enjoying a high level of acceptability among Nigerians.

Along with its commercial success, the company has slashed produce prices to make more people

have access heathy food. thealthful food.

He is not new to exploring new ideas. While in the university, Ariolu had a roasted food outlet, which aimed at being a chain of barbecued food outlet across the country.

Back then, he was very young and ambitious. His venture didn’t grow more than one outlet and eventually failed due to inexperience and his commitment to his law programme.

After being called to bar, he dabbled into series of businesses until he ended up with Ticket MyPal, is an event management and online ticket sales platform.

To him, that was not the end of the dream of setting up a food empire, hence his internet based market access to farmers, food traders and restaurants, which provides a mobile–web platform to set up shops, accepts payment, display goods, promote goods and deliver directly to millions of consumers across the nation. The sellers are given an interface on

•Ariolu

the site to register, set up online shop and start selling through their mobile phones or internet enabled device.

Three products are offered, ready- to -cook for those buying and selling fresh food stuffs and farm produce. The supplier or sellers are the farmers, food traders, and frozen food dealers. This group sells directly through their shops on their platform to consumers. They are provided with the technology and business solutions. Farmers or traders can sell through their mobile phones.

as much profit in a year: “Plantain is a very lucrative business; a bunch of plantain costs N600-N800, some could be sold for a higher price in the market. Now imagine how much N800 could fetch when multiplied by 5,000- that translates to a whoping N4,000, 000,” he siad.

Another area one can make money, he said, is through plantain chip’s production.

His words: “Plantain chips production is one of the easiest businesses you can generate quick cash at home. With an initial startup capital of N15, 000, you can generate income of at least N10,000 per day when you are able to produce 1000 packets of plantain chips on daily basis. The street price for a small sachet pack of plantain chips sells for as much as N100 in Lagos and in other parts of Nigeria.”

To start plantain chips production business , he said one requires plantain chips cutter or table knife, big fry pan,portable nylon sealing machine, gas burner or kerosene stove and weighing scale.

The production materials include some bunch of ripe or unripe plantain,vegetable oil, table salt, sugar, plain packaging nylon or customised nylon and printed label.

There is also a ready-to-eat segment for restaurants and online food ordering. Consumers can discover variety of meals and places to eat,and can order food from fast foods and restaurants and take delivery at home or office.

The restaurants and fast-food are given the technology and business solutions to sell online at no set up cost.

The last segment is farm produce aggregation where the company enters into partnership with farmers and sign them up in a contract. They take delivery from the farm gate of all their harvest, sort it in sorting centres and sell it direct to consumers on the platform.

At present, the company has eight members of staff and some on part time workers.The team is based in Port Harcourt, but the platform is made available nationwide with a large number of registered users in Lagos.

He talked about the challenges. ”The initial challenges are those experienced by all ecommerce businesses especially, those in Africa.

They are basically the trust issue, people are reluctant to use their debit card for online purchases. Also most Nigerian businessmen especially farmers, traders and owners of restaurants don’t see technology as a tool to grow and improve their businesses. So we find it challenging convincing them to adopt our technology for their businesses.“

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

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BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL

Japan’s economy shrinks by RBS starts public share sale of subsidiary 1.8 per cent in three months T

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RIVATE consumption makes up some 60 per cent of Japan’s economic activity .

Japan’s economy shrank 1.8 per cent between April and June, worse than forecast and raising more questions about the government’s economic policy.

The official data confirmed that the world’s third largest economy suffered its sharpest quarterly contraction since the 2011 earthquake disaster.

On an annualised basis it would mean gross domestic product (GDP) fell 7.1 per cent.

The fall was blamed in part on a consumer sales tax introduced in April, with another rise planned for next year.

The release of Monday’s revised official data follows publication of initial GDP estimates that put the second quarter contraction at 1.7 per

cent, with the annualised rate at 6.8 per cent.

In the first quarter of the year, the economy grew by 1.5 per cent.

The single biggest factor behind the contraction in the second quarter is thought to be a rise in the nation’s sales tax in April, to eight per cent from five per cent.

There are now calls for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to delay a further rise planned for next year, while the central bank has faced fresh demands to expand its stimulus programme.

Private consumption makes up some 60 per cent of Japan’s economic activity.

Retail spending figures have showed that the country’s consumers boosted spending the first quarter in an attempt to beat the sales tax hike in April.

And that activity is what econo-

mists say negatively impacted growth in the second quarter.

A raft of official data released at the end of last month by Japan’s government showed that households had spent less and that factory output stayed flat in July.

Retail sales in July showed some small hope, rising by 0.5 per cent from a year earlier, after a fall of 0.6 per cent in June.

But economists say the current economic landscape should encourage the government to introduce even more reforms.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s position on raising the sales tax to 10 per cent is “utterly neutral”, says Japan’s economy minister Akira Amari At the beginning of this month, Mr Abe announced a government re-shuffle, which many have said signals his determination to get the

HE Royal Bank of Scotland has launched a public share sale of part of its United States subsidiary, Citizens Bank.

The bank said it planned to sell 25 per cent of the shares at a price between $23 and $25 a share each, potentially raising up to $3.5billion.

RBS bought Citizens for $440million in 1988 and subsequently turned it into one of the biggest regional banks in the US. Since being bailed out by the UK government in 2008, RBS has been under pressure to sell its foreign holdings.

Chief executive Ross McEwan said the sale marked an “important milestone” for both RBS and Citizens.

“The [sale] will significantly improve RBS’s capital foundation and is a further important step in making RBS a strong and secure bank,” he added.

RBS first announced the share sale last autumn.

Once the sale is complete, Citizens, which has an estimated five million customers and assets of $130.3billion, will see its shares listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

GM promises hands-free Cadillac by 2016

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ENERAL Motors (GM) has announced that by 2016, some of its Cadillacs will incorporate self-driving functions.

Vehicle-to-vehicle communication and a cruise function will be fitted in different top-of-the-range GM models.

It will be the first time that automated technology is made available at higher speeds.

The 2017 Cadillac CTS sedan, which will go on sale in 2016, will have the necessary transmitters and receivers fitted as standard.

The equipment will let it know the location and speed of other vehicles, as long as they are also fitted with the technology.

A different model, as yet undisclosed, will offer a “Super Cruise” function, which keeps the vehicle in the centre of the lane, maintains speeds on the motorway and controls braking.

That could mean keeping to the speed limit, but would also allow

the car to take control in stop-go traffic jams.

“If the mood strikes you on the high-speed road from Barstow, California to Las Vegas, you can take a break from the wheel and pedals and let the car do the work,” said GM’s chief executive, Mary Barra.

Automated driving is expected to ease congestion and reduce accidents, though drivers will still be expected to pay full attention to the road, rather than shifting their focus to reading the paper or applying make-up.

GM said it was also working on a system to monitor drivers to ensure they are paying adequate attention.

“I’m convinced customers will embrace (vehicle-to-vehicle) and automated driving technologies for one simple reason: they are the answer to everyday problems that people want solved,” said Ms Barra.

Wall Street flat, tech shares stronger

U •Poland’s Finance Minister, Jacek Rostowski (left) Italy’s Prime Minster Mario Mouti (centre) and UK Chancellor of Exchaquer George Osborne befor European Union Finance Ministers Meeting in Brussels PHOTO: BLOOMBERG

Electrolux takes on Whirlpool in U.S. with $3.3b GE buy

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WEDEN’S Electrolux (ELUXb.ST) said it would double United States’ sales by paying $3.3 billion for General Electric Co’s appliances business in its biggest ever deal, giving it the scale to go head-to-head with larger rival Whirlpool (WHR.N).

GE’s (GE.N) century-old household appliance business, which had $5.7 billion in last year’s revenue, could help the Swedish company expand beyond its core European market where growth has trailed that in North America.

Electrolux, the world’s secondlargest appliance maker by sales, will see its annual sales in North America more than double to over $10 billion, similar in size to Whirlpool’s sales there. It also gets to keep the iconic GE Appliance’s

brands.

“I think it’s a historic event for Electrolux. I’m very excited about it. I think the fit - the strategic fit, the industrial logic - is compelling,” Electrolux Chief Executive Keith McLoughlin told Reuters.

While the price tag is higher than the $2.5 billion figure people familiar with the deal suggested to Reuters last week, analysts said the company was not overpaying. The deal includes GE’s 48.4 per cent stake in Mexican appliances maker Mabe.

Electrolux said the price was seven-7.3 times GE Appliance’s estimated this year’s earnings before tax, interest, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), based on an enterprise value (including debt) of $3.45 billion, according to

ThomsonReuters data.

Including expected yearly cost savings of about $300 million, the multiple paid for GE would be much lower at around five times EBITDA, Electrolux Chief Financial Officer Tomas Eliasson, told a conference call.

“If they manage to realise the synergies, it’s clearly a good multiple,” said Kepler Cheuvreux analyst Johan Eliason, adding the inclusion of the Mabe stake would strengthen Electrolux’s position in Latin America on top of the clout it is gaining in North America.

“They’re getting access to both North and South America in a very good way, and will become very strong in all of the Americas,” Eliason said.

Pound falls on fears of Scottish independence

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HE pound has fallen to its lowest level in 10 months amid uncertainty about Scotland’s future within the United Kingdom.

The currency fell one per cent against the dollar in early trading to $1.6159, and also fell almost one per cent against the euro to 1.2480 euro.

It came after a YouGov poll suggested supporters of an independent Scotland had taken a narrow lead in the referendum debate for the first time.

Just a week ago sterling was trading at $1.66 against the US dollar.

Shares in Scottish-based firms dominated the top fallers on the stock market. Edinburgh-based Standard

Life fell three per cent, Royal Bank of Scotland slipped 2.4 per cent and Lloyds Banking Group, which owns Bank of Scotland and Scottish Widows, dropped 2.7 per cent.

Perth-based energy supplier SSE, Glasgow pumps specialist Weir Group and fund manager Aberdeen Asset Management also all fell between 1.5 per cent and 1.9 per cent.

“The latest poll is a big wake-up call for all the investors who had not yet priced in the risk of a vote in favour of independence,” said Alexandre Baradez, chief market analyst at IG France.

Voters in Scotland go to the polls on Thursday, September 18, when

they will be asked the “Yes/No” question: “Should Scotland be an independent country?”

The poll, which featured in the Sunday Times, suggested that - of those who had made up their mind 51 per cent would vote to leave the UK, compared to 49 per cent who would vote not to.

There is considerable uncertainty surrounding what currency arrangements an independent Scotland would make, with politicians in Westminster saying a formal currency union would be impossible.

Scotland could use the pound informally without control over policy in any case - as it could do with any other currency.

NITED States stocks are little changed in early trading on Monday, though the recent upward momentum remained intact and strength in technology shares lifted the Nasdaq.

Equities have risen for five straight weeks, and pronounced further upside may be limited given a dearth of domestic catalysts. Still, accommodative monetary policies from the Federal Reserve - including bond purchases and low interest rates - is expected to continue generating a positive environment for stocks, which haven’t undergone a prolonged pullback in months.

“The trend is definitely still up as we continue to benefit from low rates, which has been driving money into the market for years,” says Bruce Bittles, chief investment strategist at Robert W. Baird & Co in Nashville. “After a five-week rally, a drop of two points isn’t anything to be concerned about.”

Tech shares are the strongest of the day, with the S&P information

technology sector up 0.4 percent, the top-performing sector on the day.

Yahoo Inc is up 3 percent at $40.79, the S&P’s biggest percentage gainer.

The Dow Jones industrial average is falling 6.64 points, or 0.04 percent, to 17,130.72, the S&P 500 is down 0.93 points, or 0.05 per cent, to 2,006.78 and the Nasdaq Composite is adding 16.62 points, or 0.36 percent, to 4,599.52.

The largest percentage gainer on the New York Stock Exchange is Acorn International Inc, up 6.80 percent, while the largest percentage decliner is Callon Petroleum, down 7.46 per cent.

At the NYSE, among the most active stocks are Bank of America, up 1.98 percent to $16.34; Petroleo Brasil, down 2.17 per cent to $18.96 and Ford Motor Co, down 1.88 percent to $16.82.

On the Nasdaq, Yahoo; Microsoft Corp, up 1.7 per cent to $46.71 and Apple Inc, down 0.1 per cent to $98.91 are among the most actively traded.

Fed Govt plans 7,400 electricity jobs

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HE Federal Government is planning to create 7,400 jobs in the power sector, the Director-General, National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN), Rueben Okeke, has said.

Speaking during a stakeholder’s conference in Lagos, Okeke said the jobs were meant for youths wishing to work as technicians, among others. He said the institute has been mandated to train youths and prepare them for the sector. He said the need to improve electricity supply and socio-economic activities informed this decision.

He said: “NAPTIN is required to train 7,400 youths on various aspects of electricity distribution. The power sector privatisation has opened up employment opportunities for people. Interested youths are expected to apply through the institute’s portal. The training

By Akinola Ajibade

would sharpen their skills and help them to secure jobs.

According to him, skills- gap was created, following the retrenchment of over 60 per cent of the workers of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) by the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE).

He said the exercise led to the sack of the aged and experienced staff. ‘’ There is the need to close the gap created by the sack of electricity workers. The youths are believed to have the strength and the capacity to learn for the sector’s growth. Training them would help in galvanizing the potentials in the industry. The multiplier effects are huge because many stakeholders in the energy value chain are going to benefit,’’ he added.

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The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Accountant with a heart of gold An accountant, Mr Gabriel Onyema, enjoys serving humanity. To live his passion, he joined some clubs.

Following his emergence as 33rd President of Rotary Club of Festac Town, Lagos, District 9110 Nigeria, Onyema is promises to touch more lives, writes OLATUNDE ODEBIYI.

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ABRIEL Onyema is an accountant with a passion for humanity.

The Chief Executive Officer of Whitehall Multinational Limited and Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Onyema is also the founder and sponsor of the late Mary Ann Charity Foundation in Amamaogu, Imo State.

His quest for solving other people’s problems led him to joining social and charity organisations, like Rotary Club, the Society of Saint Vincent De Paul, OMPH Catholic Church and the Lagos Metropolitan Council of the Society of Saint Vincent De Paul, where he held senior positions.

Onyema became a Rotarian to fulfil his dream of touching lives and rendering service to humanity. He is a strong supporter of Rotary Foundation: he has held various positions, attended about eight international conventions and is a Six Star Paul Haris Fellow and a member of the Paul Haris Society, which is earned by only those who have given over $6000 to Rotary Foundation.

Today, Onyema is the 33rd President of Rotary Club of Festac Town, Lagos, District 9110 Nigeria, whose investiture took place last month.

“My passion for charity and service to humanity is excellent. It is one thing that I derive personal satisfaction from. I feel great solving people’s problem and helping others. Becoming a Rotarian in 2002 and now the President makes me happy to accomplish my dreams of making life better for people.”

Being a President of the group, he said, offers him another opportunity to impact positively on the lives of people, saying: “It

PHILANTHROPY is my intention to touch all the areas of service in Rotary”.

To boost economic and community development in FESTAC, his district under Onyema, trained and gave money and equipment to 15 indigents in the community. He also provided physiotherapist equipment to Beth-Torrey Home for the Handicap, inaugurated a borehole and installed water treatment plant at The Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria, Scian Village, Amuwo Odofin.

Onyema described his one-year journey as a “very big task but is achievable”. “Indeed, the year will be exciting, fun and challenging. With all hands of my members involved. And I urged Rotarians in my club to donate their time, talent and treasure.”

With a budget of about N25million for several project executions within the year, he said his administration hopes to inaugurate many projects in FESTAC Town and Amuwo Odofin. And because malaria cases are increasing and more people are dying from it, he added that his administration will make provision for disease control and prevention, adding they hope to put more smiles on the faces of many people.

He said: “Within the next one year of my administration, we will construct six rooms toilet in Sosaid Charity Home and carry out other projects in The Maternal and Child Care Hospital, FESTAC Town. We will distribute treated mosquito nets; carry out health assessment/ screening of various diseases and supply clean bedding to General Hospital. We will sponsor two children in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos with hole in the heart

•Onyema

surgery in India and also provide assessed equipment at the local government health centre. We are also going to construct and

Sola returns with Ragabomi

Onitsha monarch is art patron

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HE Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, has been made patron of the Life In My City Art Initiative. He was presented a plaque to mark the honour.

Chairman, Life In My City Art Festival (LIMCAF), Dr Kalu Uke Kalu, said it was a thing of joy to confer the LIMCAF’s patronship on the monarch.

Kalu said the festival was set up to promote art pan- Nigeria through the yearly competition that offers people below 30 opportunity to commercialise their art works, win prizes and interact with others on a national and international platform. The festival will hold on October 25 in Enugu.

Responding to the award, the Obi of Onitsha, praised the efforts of LIMCAF founder, Chief Robert Orji (Rocana) and its other administrators, saying the arts festival, which was established eight years ago, was contributing to the restoration of Enugu as the regional cultural centre for the Southeast of Nigeria. He expressed commitment towards making LIMCAF an international art event that will bring Nigerians together under the umbrella of visual arts and Enugu State, a major arts destination.

He added that the visual art exhibition which will include foreign artists will henceforth become a permanent feature of his yearly Ofala festival in Onitsha beginning with this year’s edition billed for October 11 and 12.

He said: “My instant decision to sup-

maintain a peace Triangle symbol and let people see and embrace peace in the market square and other places.”

•Kalu (right) presenting Igwe Achebe the plaque.

FESTIVAL port the LIMCAF was my duty and pleasure. As a royal father, I consider it a duty to support all laudable initiatives that can edify the human spirit and nature. I also have a deep passion for arts and not with-

standing my many other commitments. I will do my best to remain part of this noble initiative.”

Plans are afoot to build a museum/cultural centre, which will be the repository of his modest art collection and royal paraphernalia for the enjoyment of the public, the royal father added.

OLA Dada is back. This time, she is out with a single titled: Ragabomi and an equally impressive video. Both have the makings of a hit.

His first major recording opportunity was in November 2002 when Nova Promotions did a recording of a classic album project called The Afro Carols: a fresh approach to traditional Christmas songs - on which Dada recorded and featured alongside gifted artistes, like Olufunmi, Mike Aremu, Segun Obe, Femi Jacobs, among others.

Dada began her career in music fully in 2005 with the release of her debut album under the record label Nova Promotions. The album launch, which held at the prestigious Muson Centre was hosted by veteran radio broadcaster, Dan Foster and featured guest appearances by entertainment greats like Yinka Davies and TeeA, the comedian.

Several hit tracks from the album, such as Fall in Love and Iya were prominently featured on radio and television. Sola’s Fall in Love video, particularly enjoyed massive rotation across many television stations.

She has worked with notable producers , such as Cobhams Asuquo, TY Mix, Jeremiah Gyang and Diran Olajoyegbe. She has also worked on various notable tracks with celebrated musician/producer, Paul Play.

Ragabomi is produced by Netto of Cisum Productions and the video is directed by awardwinning music director Akin Alabi, who’s made videos for prominent musicians like 9ice, Ayuba, Timaya, Paul Play, Julius Agwu and Onyeka Onwenu, among others.

Shot on location in Lagos, Nigeria, Ragabomi video rings with romance and humour and features a fast-rising star on the Nigerian Comedy/MC scene - Dr. Shogo. The video is on youtube and the song on Sola’s space on soundcloud.com.

50

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

The Midweek Magazine

A

LBERT Einstein, famous for his Special Relativity Theory which in some way changed the world, at least from the perspective of physics, was also a firm proponent of social justice and responsibility. But he was also something of a philosopher.

Some of his thoughts reflect the reality of life. For instance, he is quoted as saying: “ Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I am not sure about the universe.”

But my favourite Einstein quote is that which states” “ A ship is always safe at the shore – but that is NOT what it is built for.”

That succinctly summarises the fact that we cannot run away from taking risks, because life itself is about taking risks.

I will take a deliberate risk by starting this review in violation of our natural reading order. Towards the end of Eghosa Imade’s book, Security Investment Management, there is an illustration that has become universally familiar. Inspired by Dante’s The Divine Comedy, Auguste Rodin’s bronze sculpture of a nude figure sitting on a rock with his chin on one hand as though in deep thought, is referred to as “The Thinker”.

Since its public appearance in 1904, it has been cast in multiple versions around the world and has become a fitting image that represents philosophy. But then our concern here is about finance, economy and possibly accounting. Accounting, for me, suggests accountability, something we do not seem to truly bother about in this country and that has led to a lot of our deficiencies that have become the Nigerian disease. But more on this later.

The progress of a society inevitably manifest through the quality of thinking that is encouraged. It does not matter the quantity of resources available to that society as long as the capacity to utilize those potentials are not harnessed. In a sense this encapsulates the Nigerian situation. A country bursting with enormous human and natural resources, that it used to be referred to as the “Giant of Africa”. A potential it has woefully failed to fulfill.

That appellation was not just a reference to its geographical, but essentially to its large population and economy. The preface of Imade’s book is a telling commentary on the relationship between population and

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Demystifying securities investment management BOOK REVIEW Title: Author: Reviewer:

Securities investment management Eghosa Imade Emman Usman Shehu

economy, two important development indices. It is also, unfortunately, a sad commentary on Nigeria.

For instance, he notes that: “Sorely structured as an import-dependent economy, the volume of trade economic activity by Nigeria is built around a sole natural resource: crude oil. Worse, with dysfunctional refineries at home, even the critical value-added jobs are also shipped abroad, thereby docking the economy of the competitiveness that should naturally be hers, were the consummable petroleum products processed by our citizens here, giving the nation some leverage to improve its balance of payment profile. That mirrors our crass dependency on other economies for such a pivotal commodity with overarching tendencies on the national economy and security. Precisely because we export jobs overseas, our GDP, indeed our national income, is grossly trimmed by the avoidable huge import bill.”

Imade further adds: “ Therefore our exchange rate is blighted by the vagaries associated with the commodity in the international market. Which is why the economy is afflicted by the Dutch disease; a situation whereby a nation’s foreign reserve grows for exogeneous reasons and not because of the value adding activities of its citizens. The egregious and widespread poverty, unemployment, privation, destitution and misery poignantly underscore this point.”

Indeed just as there is a Dutch disease, we must frankly admit that there is a Nigerian disease, which the last part of the aforementioned quote hints at. We must not be lulled

into not doing the needfulls, a reality check and taking pragmatic steps however risky they may be. Much better than being stuck in the harbour of our failure.

The current rebasing euphoria only restates the familiar anthem of potentials. Nigeria will always have economic possibilities. The challenge is to go beyond the possibilities and make them into practical economic realities. We do not even have to radically think out of the box, so to speak, because the lessons of history all over the world provide solutions applicable to our own situation. It just requires taking the appropriate ones.

First step is accepting that we have a problem. Second is making the right diagnosis.

For instance Imade notes: “ The fallacy of financialism and the specious outlook of a

In pursuit of a wooden God BOOK REVIEW Title: Author: Reviewer:

T

HERE has been much fuss in the media regarding the credibility of Okey Ndibe’s prose style. His debut novel, ‘Arrows of Rain,’ shares a close title with Chinua Achebe’s 1964 novel, ‘Arrow of God.’ His deployment of the nuances in the ethical values of the Igbo people in his latest novel ‘Foreign Gods, Inc,’ is reminiscent of the author of the most read African novel in English. But the crucial point is what marks the difference between imitation and inspiration. While imitation means impersonation in a slavish form, inspiration means influence with a profound sense of ingenuity. ‘Chinua Achebe has taught me much about life and literature,’ Mr. Ndibe says loud and clear in the Acknowledgements to the novel.

‘Foreign Gods, Inc.’ is an overwhelming triumph, a bold testament to the invincible power of imagination and also to the ruinous obsession of its protagonist, Ike with life on high speed and the ‘here and now.’

The obsession here is the effigy of Ngene, his townsfolk god of war with a savage reputation for brutality in Southeastern Nigeria.

The sacred totem pits this New York gradu-

Foreign Gods Okey Ndibe Ronald Adamolekun

ate but cab driver against several odds including Mark Gruels, owner of a posh art gallery in the city. As the novel opens, Ike walks into Gruels’s gallery – the ‘Foreign Gods, Inc.’ of the title – to talk him into buying the effigy. He has, before now, gleaned from a magazine sent him by a friend that Gruels’s gallery offers incredible prices for statues, carvings and curios from all around the globe. By putting Gruels under persistent pressure to offer a price for the statue which still sits at the corner of a shrine in his village, Utonki, we are let in on the unabating desperation of this character to seek a better life. But Gruels outwits him, refusing to make a deal until he sees the statue.

From here, the rising tension picks its way to the past, through Manhattan in the jumble of ‘fast-moving pedestrians, its traffic, its…skyscrapers’ before infiltrating Ike’s one bedroom flat, where Bernita holds sway.

Ike’s life is falling apart already owing in part to his awkward lifestyle and also to his four-year-old marriage to his ‘beloved’ Bernita, humorously called Queen B because of her bee-like irascibility. Slowly, the heat intensifies around him, having discovered Bernita has been sleeping around with men.

In the ensuing divorce battle, he is fleeced almost to the skin by this nympho, whose real lust could not be pinned down between sex and money. Ike, in his own past encounters, had dated women of different stripes and shades and would have obtained his green card much earlier and averted t a bad marriage, had he been patient with his college girlfriend.

Emboldened by the friend that sent him the magazine to steal the effigy, stirred by emails from his family in Nigeria to come home, he seems on his way to a better life.

He borrows $1,000 dollars from another buddy together with the remains of his sav-

ings and obtains a credit card that charges an outrageous 28.9% interest rate.

Ike arrives his native Nigeria to meet communalism supplanted by individualism, lively village squares give way to ivory towers, common love to pernicious greed, heightening Salman Rushdie’s sentiments that ‘civilisation is the sleight of hand that conceals our nature from ourselves.’ We are not left out of the mind games played by predatory preachers, especially Pastor Uka, who milks his poor congregation at will through heartless theatrics. He sets Ike’s mother against his uncle, the chief priest of Ngene and attempts to inveigle him to part with a whopping $50, 000 for a church project.

It is in this hostility that the novel catches its resonance. Mr. Ndibe takes the liberty of language to reveal the rich nuances of his style – its hard-earned sensuality imbued with the sight, taste, smell, voice and prickle of things.

There is no disputing his power as a master of evocative prose, considering how he handles trope so assuringly, sometimes to gripping, sometimes to witty effects.

There are moments, however, in the story, which come across more as obvious footdragging than a needful attempt at building up the pressure of expectancy. The amusing scene where kids, watching Michael Jordan’s past exploits at the NBA, fantasize about what they would do if they were as rich as he is overdone, for instance.

At the village, the effigy is highly valued by its devotees though hardly is any of them aware that the war prowess of their gods belongs to the past. The emergency of British imperialism banned communal clashes: Ngene’s forte through which it inflicted peerless devastation on neighbouring clans. Left in the hand of a sloppy carver, Ngene’s body is not depicted in an attitude of warfare but rather in a relaxed and idle pose, no more than a lifeless piece of artifact kept in a shrine.

The spirit, however, inhabits a river on the outskirts of the village. ‘When he outlawed wars and disarmed warriors, the white man stripped Ngene of its offices. Had the deity been a mere puppy, instead of the former scourge of enemy cavalries, the white man might have banished it altogether.’

strong economy fly in the face of an uncompetitive and wobbly manufacturing sector, a small clique of ingratiating businessmen , spoilt with patronage by their cronies holding evanescent state power; a condition that accentuates the lopsideness of wealth and income distribution in the country.”

Nigeria at this point needs a leadership that has the corrective will. A leadership that is willing to take risks in properly and actively diversifying the economy, and not docking the economy with manipulative tendencies that amount to wating time and resources, while we remain stuck in this pitiful harbour.

What Imade’s highly technical book offers, for instance, to borrow his own phrase, is a means of economic wellness through the capital market. That can only be possible when we have a proper understanding of what it entails, especially in the area of Securities Investment Management.

The book started life as a Masters thesis, as Imade himself admits, and benefits from a rigourous study of relevant texts providing a formidable cornerstone. Clearly, the work has also benefitted from the author’s vast experience as an accountant, financial educator and public commentator. Therefor what is on offer is a treasure trove that will dispel fears about financial investment management. It will help those willing “to seek better and more profitable ways of harvesting a fair return” without taking unnecessary risks. This detailed exploration of investment management in almost 240 pages is commendable. It shows us , apart from the technicalities, that there are peculiar risks with well documented examples. This therefore gives us the power of relevant knowledge to circumnavigate the potential minefields as we steer out of the harbour.

We can call this work a homegrown solution and it is fittingly so. Imade shows, through this work, the can do spirit of the Nigerian especially if he is given the enabling environment. Our dependency penchant can be reversed if we truly wish to change by boldly taking risks. We can have our own Einsteins and Rodins who can make impactful contributions not only in Nigeria, but also beyond. Eghosa Imade, take a welldeserved bow.

Bakare’s golden dance step

By Ozolua Uhakheme, Assistant Editor (Arts)

CELEBRATION

T

HE command performances of Once Upon a Tower and A harvest of dances will in November flag-off activities to mark the birthday celebrations of leading Nigerian scholar and multiple-award winner, Prof Rasaki Ojo Bakare, who will turn 50 on November 8.

The two shows will hold at the auditorium of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

Simultaneously at the Terra Kulture Arts Centre, Lagos, there will be a command performance of Drums of War on the same day by 6pm.

According to its secretary, Mr Doyin Owobamirin, a call for papers has been made by the committee for scholars and colleagues of the celebrator to contribute analytical essays aimed at documenting his works, practice and scholarship. These essays would form the contents of the book that will be published by SPM Publications, London.

Owobamirin said the celebration will commence with a command performance of Once Upon a Tower directed by Basil Asuquo and A Harvest of dances, an assemblage of some of Rasaki Ojo Bakare’s choreographies, coordinated by Tosin Pume and Casmir Onyemuchara, on November 6 at the auditorium of Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, followed by artistes’ night at Alexgrace Hotel Annex, Ado-Ekiti by 6pm.

On Friday, November 7, there will be a book presentation at the university’s auditorium by 2pm and a world gyration of Keggites Klub at Fountain Hotel, Ado Ekiti by 6pm.

A thanksgiving service will hold at the open field of ADISCO Secondary School, AramokoEkiti on Saturday November 8 by 10 am which will be followed by a reception and entertainment.

Prof Bakare, who is currently the dean, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, at the university, has directed over 200 major theatrical performances of which 60 per cent were commissioned high profile command performances, including three that were presidential inauguration ceremonies.

51

WEDNESDAY SEPTEM BER 10, 2014

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

RIVERS POLITICS Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirants are intensifying their consultations with stakeholders. BISI OLANIYI writes on their strategies, strengths and weaknesses.

Rivers 2015: Contenders and pretenders F

OR 14 years, Rivers State was the stronghold of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). But, following the rift between President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Rotimi Amaechi, the governor and his supporters defected to the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) last year. The ACN was among the three opposition parties that metamorphosed into the All progressives Congress (APC).

In next year’s governorship election, the PDP and the APC will test their strengths.

Since the creation of Rivers State from the defunct Eastern Region on May 27, 1967, only the Rivers Southeast Senatorial District, comprising the four Ogoni councils - Khana, Gokana, Eleme and Tai - and Andoni, Opobo/Nkoro and Oyigbo councils, has not produced the governor.

In 1999, Dr. Peter Odili, an indigene of Ndoni, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Council, West District, became the governor. Amaechi and Sir Celestine Omehia, who were PDP governorship aspirants in 2007, hail from Ubima, Ikwerre Council, East District.

The implication is that, since 1999, Rivers governors have come from the upland area, while riverine communities have not enjoyed the slot.

Thus, the riverrine area is now clamouring for power shift.

Amaechi has declared that no Ikwerre person would succeed him.

He said the successor must come from another ethnic group or senatorial district, in the spirit of justice, equity and fairness.

There are serious contenders in the two parties. However, there are also pretenders, who want to use their governorship ambition to bargain for other positions in the legislative and executive councils. These include commissioners, ministers, ambassadorial and board appointments.

In the ruling APC, the two main contenders are Senator Magnus Abe and Dr. Dakuku Peterside.

Abe Abe is the senator from the Southeast District. He is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream). He hails from BeraOgoni, Gokana Local Government.

Ogoni people have not produced the governor, the deputy governor, the Speaker of the House of Assembly and the Chief Judge since the creation of the state.

The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) led by Legborsi Pyagbara is at the forefront of the agitation for power shift. The association has urged the two major parties to zone the slot to Ogoniland.

Abe is an experienced politician. He was the former Secretary to Government (SSG), the Commissioner for Information, and the Minority Leader of the House of Assembly between 1999 and 2003 when Amaechi was the Speaker. Abe defected from the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) to the PDP in 2003. Last year, he defected to the ACN, which was one of the opposition parties that merged to form the APC.

Peterside Peterside, an indigene of Opobo, the headquarters of Opobo/Nkoro

Many people believe that, as long as Obuah is the chairman, Wike will become the PDP flag bearer. But, there can be an order from the above, based on the tradition of family affair. The PDP has a hurdle to cross. It has to decide whether it is going to adhere to the zoning arrangement or not. The question is: will it win the poll, if it does not field a candidate from the riverrine area?

Sekibo

• Abe

• Peterside

• Anyanya

Sekibo is an indigene of Ogu, the headquarters of Ogu/Bolo Local Government. This is also the birthplace of the self-acclaimed Speaker, Evans Bipi.

Sekibo represents the East District in the Upper Chamber. He is banking on his closeness to the President’s wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, to clinch the ticket. Mrs. Jonathan is from Okrika.

The perception is that Okrika and Ogu people are the same.

Walson-Jack Walson-Jack, a Kalabari, is the husband of Dame Didi Walson-Jack, the Chief of Staff to Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson. He is the former General-Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

The lawyer says he has what it takes to be the next governor. He denied being sponsored by Dickson and President Jonathan.

Baridam Prof. Baridam, an Ogoni, is the former Vice-Chancellor of UNIPORT. Many PDP stakeholders in Ogoni are rooting for him, in view of his intellect and brilliance.

Maeba

• Wike

• Princewill

Local Government, recently completed his doctoral programme at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT). He is a member of the House of Representatives from Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Constituency.

The youthful politician is the Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum (Downstream). He is a former Commissioner for Works.

Peterside’s bid is favoured by senatorial and ethnic considerations. He is from the riverine area, which has not enjoyed the slot since 1999. He is very close to Amaechi. In fact, the Amaechi camp wants him to succeed the governor.

Georgewill. Others are Bekinbo Dagogo-Jack, Oseleye Ojuka, Gabriel Pidomsi, Major Lancelot Anyanya, Chief Pawariso Samuel Horsfall, Ateke Tom and Larry Pepple.

PDP aspirants Aspirants within the PDP include Chief Nyesom Wike, Senator George Thompson Sekibo, Nimi WalsonJack, Prof. Don Baridam, Senator Lee Maeba, Dumo Lulu-Briggs, Tonye Princewill, and Emmanuel

Wike Wike, an Ikwerre from Rumueprikom, Obio/Akpor Council, is the Minister of State for Education and the grand patron of the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI). For almost a year, he was the Supervising Minister of Education when tertiary lecturers were on strike. The lecturers were agitating for increased funding and improvement in welfare.

Wike is a grassroots politician. He was a two-term Chairman of Obio/ Akpor Council. He was also the Chief of Staff before his appointment as minister. In 2011, he was the Director-General of the Amaechi Campaign Organisation. Amaechi claimed that he recommended him

• Senator Sekibo

for the ministerial position. But, Wike has denied this.

When Amaechi declared that no Ikwerre person would succeed him, he was apparently referring to the Minister of State. However, Wike, who is very close to the President, believes that he will get the PDP ticket and that he will also win the election. The APC has accused him of desperation.

The minister is perceived as the arrowhead of the PDP. He has been endorsed by PDP stakeholders across the 23 local governments. But, his camp was shocked during the recent rally organised by the pro-Jonathan Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) in Port Harcourt, the state capital, when the Master of Ceremony introduced Odili as the leader of the PDP. Wike was behind the emergence of Chief Felix Obuah as the Rivers PDP Chairman. Obuah and Chief Godspower Ake were involved in the leadership tussle.

‘Since 1999, Rivers governors have come from the upland area, while riverine communities have not enjoyed the slot.

Thus, the riverrine area is now clamouring for power shift’

Maeba, also an Ogoni, represented the Southeast District. In 2011, he lost the PDP senatorial ticket to Abe. He blamed Amaechi for his political misfortune. But, Amaechi absolved himself of any blame.

Maeba was accompanying Wike to rallies organised by the GDI across the 23 local governments. But, he opted out of the arrangement when reality dawned on him that the minister was simply using the outfit to fester his ambition, contrary to the belief that he was using it to drum support for the President’s second term bid.

Lulu-Briggs Lulu-Briggs, a philanthropist from Kalabari, is a grassroots politician. He said explained that Rivers State needed him to succeed Amaechi next year.

Lulu-Briggs maintained that he is not intimidated by the endorsement of Wike by some stakeholders. He has vowed to contest, in the face of all odds.

Princewill Princewill, a Kalabari prince, was the governorship candidate of the defunct AC in 2007. The son of the traditional ruler (Amanyanabo) of Kalabari Kingdom, King Theophilus Princewill, challenged the transcient victory of Omehia at the tribunal.

Shortly after the emergence of Amaechi as governor, Princewill withdrew his petition from the tribunal. He •Continued on page 52

52

THE NATION WEDNESDAY SEPTEM BER 10, 2014

POLITICS Lagos governorship aspirant unfolds manifesto

L

AGOS State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant Dr. Leke Pitan has promised to provide employ ment for jobless youths, if elected as governor in next year’s election.

He said he will provide jobs for graduates in his first 100 days in office. However, he was silent on his employment strategies.

Pitan, who addressed a rally in Badagry, also promised to assist women to engage in viable economic activities.

Describing unemployment as a threat to youth development, he said: “The first assignment I would perform as your governor is to employ one 1,000 youths from each of the 57 local governments.”

He added: “Some will be deployed to hospitals, some to schools and some to the construction sites that will spring up.”

Pitan told the beneficiaries of his medical mission to the zone that his government would promote social welfare.

He said: “That promise of Lagos as a city, as a state, held for you, both as an indigene and as an immigrant, would be delivered to you by us.”

Pitan said women would be adequately empowered to trade and engaged in genuine economic activities.

According to him, soft loans would be made available to petty traders and small-scale •Pitan businessmen.

Group backs Olejeme for Delta governor

A

GROUP, the Delta Progressive Movement (DPM), has urged Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to support the governorship ambition of Dr. Ngozi Olejeme.

The group also urged stakeholders to set criteria for selecting the governorship candidate for next year’s election.

The group said the virtues of competence, integrity, courage, initiative and focus should be on the front burner.

Rising from a meeting in Owa-Oyibu, the headquarters of Ika North East Local Government Area, the group said the next governor should build on the achievements of Uduaghan.

Issues discussed at the meeting included the future of the state, zoning, challenges that will face the next governor and the need to elect a good successor.

The group called for gender change at the governorship level. It extolled the virtues of the governorship aspirant, Dr. Ngozi Olejeme, describing her as a pragmatic aspirant.

It added: “Olejeme is suitable for the job. She has devoted her life to humanitarian and philanthropic services. She has provided employment for the people, especially youths. She is a committed leaders of the PDP in the state.”

The group’s spokesperson, Mrs. Josephine Nkenchor, said Olejeme would fight the infrastructure battle, revive the economy, provide jobs, and make accountability her watchword.

She added: “Olejeme will increase the material wealth of the people, establish capacity-building institutions, increase rural output, create employment opportunities and root out cases of poverty, diseases and ignorance”.

Nkenchor said the aspirant would stimulate rural industries and show the leadership by example.

She added: “Olejeme has strategies to banish unemployment and insecurity.

Her government will bring about sustainable development and progress.”

Onyebuchi: My impeachment, redeployment in bad faith

T

HE impeached deputy gover nor of Enugu State, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, was redeployed to the civil service, shortly after he was shoved aside. He was a civil servant on Grade Level 10 before he entered politics.

Onyebuchi was a lucky man. He was one of the political sons of former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani. He was perceived as Nnamani’s “brief case handler,” when he served as the special assistant to the former governor. Many people were envious of him as an important member of the Ebeano, the political structure of Nnamani. Onyebuchi ran errands within and outside the country for his former boss.

In 2006, he was catapulted from Grade Level 10 to the position of a Permanent Secretary by Nnamani.

This was ostensibly to prepare him for higher roles in the Nnamani Administration.

Onyebuchi was appointed as the Commissioner for Works. In 2007, he was imposed on Governor Sullivan Chime as running mate. He actually worked diligently under his new boss. He was also loyal.

Things started to fall apart when the governor travelled abroad for medical reasons. The opposition started to mount pressure on the former deputy governor. They said his boss may not come back alive and that he should assert himself as the substantive governor. Although, he resisted the temptations, he nonetheless, attended meetings where discussions on succession were held.

When Chime returned, he praised Onyebuchi for his loyalty. He told reporters that he was lucky to have him as his deputy, adding that he had no regrets retaining him in his second term.

But, recent political manouvres and realignments saw Onyebuchi pitching his tent with other forces. As claimed by an aide to the governor, “it was apparent that the loyal deputy governor had been contaminated by those opposed to Sullivan’s arrangement for 2015.”

Onyebuchi, according to sources, became uncontrollable. The governor kept his calm, until it became apparent that the once loyal deputy had taken sides with the opposition to scuttle the 2015 arrangement. In the arrangement, the governorship ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is zoned to Enugu North Senatorial District (Nsukka). Part of the arrangement is that those who have

•Onyebuchi From Chris Oji, Enugu

spent two terms in the National Assembly should step down for other people.

The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, had opposed the zoning of the governorship slot to Enugu North, arguing that there was no such agreement. Ekweremadu is believed to be nursing the ambition to succeed Chime.

The Deputy Senate President, who is from Enugu West, had on several occasions denied nursing the ambition.

However, crisis erupted between Chime and Ekweremadu, over the West senatorial ticket, when it became obvious that the governor is interested in going to the Upper Chamber. If Chime becomes the senator and the governorship is zoned to Nsukka, Ekweremadu will be left in the cold. To observers, this is a knotty issue.

‘If Chime becomes the senator and the governorship is zoned to Nsukka, Ekweremadu will be left in the cold.

To observers, this is a knotty issue. It was in this murky undercurrent manouvres that Onyebuchi was caught’

It was in this murky undercurrent manouvres that Onyebuchi was caught. When the House of Assembly served him the notice of impeachment, he could not be saved by those who allegedly encouraged him to disobey the instructions of the governor.

Even, as he was being redeployed to the civil service, none of them has made any statement in his defence. It is also noteworthy that non of them came to his aid during the impeachment process. It was only the All Progressives Congress (APC) that gave the former deputy governor support.

The APC condemned the impeachment and the redeployment. The party chided the governor for his over-bearing attitude.

However, the PDP fired back. It said: “The reaction of the APC to the redeployment of Mr Sunday Onyebuchi to the civil service is typically and characteristically uninformed and full of mischief. The party appears not to know the difference between the words “appointment” and “redeployment”. In its usual haste to misinform people, the party chose to forget or was ignorant of the fact that Mr Onyebuchi was a civil servant before his appointment to political offices and subsequent election as the deputy governor.

“If it had done its homework well, it would have known that Mr Onyebuchi never formally resigned from the civil service and that his appointment was not terminated when he occupied political offices. Having been relieved of his political office, is it not proper that he should return to his original service? His redeployment should actually be seen as a great act of magnanimity by the state government.”

Omyebuchi was redeployed as Assistant Chief Administrative Officer.

The rank very is below the position of Permanent Secretary, which he occupied before he was copted into politics. The reason given by government was that the administration had ordered that all those who were not on Grade Level 15 before they were appointed permanent secretaries should revert to their former positions.

“Onyebuchi falls into this category.

It was not meant to humiliate him,” said a government official.

However, Onyebuchi has vowed never to return to the civil service. He said he has resigned, shortly after his appointment into the public service.

He said his impeachment and redeployment were in bad faith.

Rivers 2015: Contenders and pretenders

• Dagogo-Jack •Continued from page 51

alleged that some desperate politicians offered him a huge sum of money to continue with the case to destabilise Amaechi’s government.

When Amaechi defected to the APC,

Princewill, an ally of former VicePresident Atiku Abubakar, refused to quit the PDP. He said he wanted to support Dr. Jonathan’s second term bid.

Later, in an interview, Princewill claimed that he assisted Amaechi’s government without expecting any reward. But, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, faulted the prince, insisting that he has benefitted from the government.

Princewill said he cannot be intimidated by Wike. He stressed: “I do not feel intimidated by the presence in the governorship race of Chief Wike. In 2007, with all the naivety and innocence of a first time politician, I faced a more fearful character in Chief Sergeant Awuse. He had the entire party structure and yet, I defeated him at the primaries. Politics is not for cowards.

High risk, high reward. For me, it is governor or nothing. I came to politics to make a difference. I want to make Rivers State a Dubai. But, I need to be given the opportunity.

“I found peace in Buguma, my

hometown and the headquarters of Asari-Toru Local Government. I organised all opposition parties into one and managed them. Amaechi tried in his own way. I believe he started well.

He made an impact. But, he lost it along the way. He allowed himself to get distracted. As for me, I will listen a lot more than he did and I will pick my fight a lot better than he has done.

“In 2007, once that election ended and the Supreme Court forced Amaechi on us, I just felt that, if I played my cards right, I would be the governor after Amaechi. I advised Amaechi not to leave the PDP. I see people like Wike as assets, rather than liabilities.

While some look at him as the enemy, I have utmost respect for him.

He stood and defended the President when others did nothing and he kept the party above ground.”

Princewill also stated that all the members of the PDP in Rivers State should be grateful to the Minister of State for Education and Rivers Chairman of the PDP (Obuah) for standing firm in the face of onslaught.

Dagogo-Jack Dagogo-Jack, a civil engineer, hails from Abonnema, the headquarters of Akuku-Toru Local Government. He was the Commissioner for Works and later, Transport. He is also the former Chairman of Rivers State Transport Corporation (RTC). Currently, he is the Chairman, Presidential Taskforce on Power.

Dagogo-Jack said: “I have come to rescue Rivers State. The state needs an experienced and neutral candidate to reconcile the various ethnic groups and harness their potentials to achieve set goals to the advantage of the state.

“I will open the rural areas and ensure good living standard for rural dwellers, thereby halting the rural/ urban migration. There will be massive infrastructural development of the state, with functional education as my top priority. Agriculture will be mechanised and commercialised to achieve the twin benefits of massive food production to feed the teeming population and to reduce unemployment in the society.”

Anyaya Major Anyaya (rtd.) is from Andoni Local Government. He is also not scared of confronting Wike and others at the primaries. He described himself as the right person for the job.

Tom Tom, an ex-militant, who hails from Okrika, is the former leader of the Niger Delta Vigilance Movement.

He may be hinging his ambition on his closeness to the First Lady and her husband.

Other aspirants Other aspirants include Emmanuel Georgewill, Oseleye Ojuka, Gabriel Pidomsi, Pawariso Samuel Horsfall and Larry Pepple. But, they may not make serious impact, in view of the presence of the political heavyweights.

The election will be a tough battle.

The leaders of the APC will want to retain the Niger Delta state. But, the PDP will also like to bounce back.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY SEPTEM BER 10, 2014

53

POLITICS

My agenda for Abia, by ex-deputy gov

F

ORMER Abia State Deputy Governor Eric Nwakanma has joined the governorship race.

He said that he is fit to rule because he has experience and integrity.

Nwakanma described himself as the best candidate for the job, owing to his achievements in public and private sectors. Before he served as the deputy governor, he hwas a member of the House of Assembly.

Now that he has joined the race, the number of aspirants has risen to five. They are Senator Nkechi Nwogu, Uche Ogar, Alex Otti, Senator Enyi Abaribe and Nwakanma.

During his visit to the PDP secretariat in Umuahia, the state capital, the former deputy governor promised not to let the party down, if selected as its candidate.

He said: “I have come to plead with you all to come together, to think of the good of Abia State.

When a people trust a leader, they place their collective destiny in his hands. When you know that power belongs to the people, you lead them with humility and, to be a good leader, you must be a good follower.”

Nwakanma described governance as a collective business, urging the party chieftains to support

Will INEC conduct by-election in Edo?

From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

his bid because they can testify to his ability and record of public service.

He promised to defend the interest of the state and implement people-oriented policies and programmes.

The aspirant said that he had been prepared for the governorship by his experience as a legislator and deputy governor.

Nwakanma, who is a former deputy speaker, also promised to ensure sustainable developemnt and cdefend the legacies of the Orji Administration.

He said he was prepared physi-

‘Urging the aspirants to brace up for the challenges of next year’s elections, he said those who may not get the ticket should be prepared to team up with the flag bearer’

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

T

• Nwakanma

cally, spiritually and emotionally for the job.

Responding, the Chairman of the party, Senator Emma Nwaka, said that the party will provide a level playing field for aspirants.

He said whoever emerges as the candidate at the primaries will fly the flag of the PDP. Nwaka said the by-election in Aba South Constituency won by the party has rekindled the hope of the party for a brighter future.

Urging the aspirants to brace up for the challenges of next year’s elections, he said those who may not get the ticket should be prepared to team up with the flag bearer.

How to tackle insecurity, by Belgore

K

WARA State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN) has reflected on the security situation, urging Nigerians to support government’s efforts.

He said the Boko Haram insurgency is a national headache, which can only be cured through collective effort.

Belgore called on federal and state governments to collaborate in the fight against terror.

The governorship aspirant spoke in Ilorin, the state capital, at the official inauguration of the Jonathan Actualisation Movement. His keynote address was titled: ‘Security challenges, peace and sustainable development in Nigeria.’

He said: “When there is collaboration, problems are better addressed and solved. A good example is the current struggle against the Ebola virus that has unfortunately been dumped on us.”

He pointed out that the Boko Haram crisis cannot be resolved by the President or Federal Governments without the assistance of Nigerians.

Belgore added: “The collaboration between the Lagos State and the Fed-

eral Government has helped tremendously to curb what would have been a major national calamity. There have been no finger pointing, personal insults or abuses of any kind. The two parties have worked closely together and are now winning the battle.

“There is a big lesson for us all in this, as we combat the Boko Haram menace. That lesson is that, if we work together, we can overcome all the security challenges we currently have.”

The legal luminary called on the government to also address the “main causes of insecurity,” which include “youth idleness due to mass unemployment, lack of hope for a better tomorrow, religious fanaticism, desperation, ignorance, exploitation, misguidance, indiscipline, poor leadership and societal influence.”

Belgore said: “Government must come off the thinking that giving N20,000-a-month-job to a few youths would ebb their restiveness.

“We have to provide our youths with gainful employment that will keep them away from all antisocial activities. Employing a few thousands youths and paying them a sti-

pend like N20,000 per month is not it.

There needs to be massive job creation to employ millions of people,” he added.

“Both the federal and state governments need to work together on the creation of our own equivalent of the ‘Marshal Plan’ that was established in Europe after the second World War to put the millions of people back to work.”

Belgore urged the government to bring to bring perpetrators of crimes to book to reduce the culture of tcrime.

He added: “We shouldn’t just be tough on Boko Haram and their likes, on cultism, kidnapping and urban violence, we should dig deep and be tough on the causes of such crimes. This is not to suggest that there is any valid justification for those crimes, but, we should critically examine societal problems that make young men and women easy preys to such crimes - issues of unemployment, falling moral standards, declining parental responsibility, and decaying educational system.

“Addressing the crime without addressing their possible causes would merely be scratching the problem on the face. It would not make for a lasting solution.”

•The Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport (NASST), Brig-Gen. Alkassid Jidda, and the Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr Mike Omeri, during a courtesy visit to the Command Headquarters, Benin City, Edo State.

HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is in a fix in Edo State. The commission has received two letters from the House of Assembly. The first letter is from 15 All Progressive Congress (APC) members led by Speaker Uyi Igbe. The second letter is from nine Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members led by impeached Deputy Speaker Festus Ebea.

In the lettwer, INEC was informed about vacant seats in the House and the need to conduct by-elections within 90 days.

The seat of Abdulrazaq Momoh (Estako West 1) was declared vacant by the Speaker, following his defection to the PDP without following the due process. In reaction, the PDP declared the seat of Victor Edoror (Esan Central) vacant for defecting to the APC Crisis hit the House on June 9 after four lawmakers-Jude IseIdehen (Ikpoba-Okha), Friday Ogierhiakhi (Orhionmwon South), Festus Ebea (Esan Southeast), and Patrick Osayimwen (Oredo East) were suspended for alleged gross misconduct and attempt to woo other lawmakers to the PDP. The suspended lawmakers were also accused of offering APC lawmakers N50m to join the APC. Before the suspension, four lawmakers of the APC including Ise-Idehen, Patrick, Friday and Momoh had defected to the PDP. With the defection, the PDP lawmakers rose to eight against 16 APC lawmakers before the impeached Deputy Speaker pitched tent with the PDP. What the PDP needed was to woo four more lawmakers to effect leadership change in the House, which would have led to the impeachment of Governor Adams Oshiomhole and his deputy, Pius Odubu. Ebea was said to have been penciled down for the position of acting governor, if the plan had succeeded.

For about four weeks, Benin-City was enveloped in anxiety as lawmakers battled for the control of the House. The police took over the premises and put a blockade on roads leading to the city centre where the Assembly complex is located. It was a daily exchange of blows for the PDP and the APC lawmakers. Legislative businesses were put on hold.

The crisis persisted because the lawmakers insisted on attending plenary sesions, despite a court order restraining them from gaining access to the complex. Several meetings supervised by the Commissioner of Police, Foluso Adebanjo, failed to resolve the crisis as the APC lawmakers said they would be disobeying court orders by allowing their suspended colleagues to attend plenary.

On July 7, Speaker Igbe moved the plenary session to the old legislative chamber inside the Edo Government House, citing the on-going renovation of the complex. PDP lawmakers kicked against the relocation of the plenary session and vowed not to attend the sitting. Legislative staff were asked to resume work at another location.

The roof of the hallowed chamber was removed. Armoured doors and iron bars were used to seal the chamber and offices of the suspended lawmakers.

PDP lawmakers however, broke the armoured doors and resumed plenary session inside the unkempt hallowed chamber. They recruited two former workers-Omoregbe Osagie and Okoh Godwin-to assist them. Omoregbe and Okoh served as Sergeant at Arms and Clerk for the PDP lawmakers.

Victor Edoror was named the new Deputy Speaker by APC lawmakers while PDP lawmakers also replaced principal officers. The latest action of the divided House was the sacking of two lawmakers. Speaker Igbe declared the seat of Momoh vacant while PDP lawmakers declared the seat of the new Deputy Speaker vacant.

Whose resolution will INEC obey? The 15 APC lawmakers or nine PDP lawmakers?

The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Baritor Kpagih, confirmed that the commission has received two letters from both camps informing it about the vacant seats. But, he said the commission was yet to take a decision on the matter.

Baritor said a by-election was not important to the commission than the distribution of Permanent Voters Cards.

He said the INEC does not take decision on a by-election at the state level , adding that its activities are guided by law.

“We have received two letters, but what is important to us is the distribution of permanent voters cards and thereafter, we register those that are yet to register.

“Regarding the byelection, the House of Assembly has notified us. As far as we are concerned, we don’t take decisions on such matters here at the state level. We have communicated to the INEC office, Abuja and, once a decision is taken, we will act on it.”

•Ebea

54

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

25-07-14 DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 04-09-14

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 09-09-14

Market dips by N114bn

T

HE stock market yesterday dropped by N114 billion to close a ctivities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

The market capitalisation fell by 0.84 per cent to close at N13.495 trillion from the N13.608 trillion posted on Monday.

Relatedly, the NSE AllShare Index declined by 346.79 points or 0.84 per cent to close at 40,868.02 as against the 41,214.81 achieved on Monday.

All but one of the five NSE sectoral indices recorded losses. The Oil/Gas index increased by 1.43 per cent. On the other hand, the Industrial index dropped 0.49 per cent, the Banking index fell by 0.29 per cent, the Consumer Goods index also lost 0.21 per cent, while the Insurance index declined by 0.17 per cent.

Market breadth was nega-

By Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

tive with 24 gainers and 30 laggards with Cadbury leading the losers’ chart by N30.73 to close at N55.08 per share. Seplat trailed with a loss of N29.98 to close at N650, while Nestle depreciated by N8.99 to close at N1, 010.01.

Dangote Cement fell N5 to close at N219 per share, while Guinness dipped by N2.28 to close at N173.53 per share.

Conversely, Forte Oil recorded the highest price gain of N7.01 to close at N225 per share. It was followed by Flourmills with N5.89 gain to close at N64.76, while Julius Berger appreciated by N4.90 to close at N176.02 per share.

Total chalked up N3.96 to close at N176.02, while UAC

Property rose by N3.05 to close at N15.30 per share.

Ashaka Cement Plc emerged as the most traded stock accounting for 76.62 per cent of the total stock market transaction as a total of 1.31 billion ordinary shares of Ashaka at N30.95 were crossed via Off-Market to Lafarge Africa by Lafarge Nigeria UK, Plc as the seller as part of the ongoing process to consolidate the South African Assets and the Nigeria Assets.

Access Bank followed with 62.16 million shares worth N570.20 million, while UB Capital accounted for 48.17 million shares valued N102.38 million.

ETI traded 34.8 million shares worth N628.19 million and Transcorp exchanged a total of 28.24 million shares valued at N180.41 million.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

55

MONEYLINK

AMCON bonds, others hurt CBN’s balance sheet, says Afrinvest

A

FRINVEST West Africa Plc said its review of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN’s) 2013 balance sheet showed that the regulator was bogged down by Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) bonds, intervention funds and development finance loans.

Its Managing Director, Ike Chioke, said these ‘unmarketable asset portfolios’ constitute over 40 per cent of CBN’s balance sheet.

He spoke yesterday in Lagos at the launch of the Nigeria Banking Sector Report.

He said the assets were long term investments without a discernible exit time frame other than the eventual performance of the loan portfolio.

He said: “Our review of the CBN’s balance sheet as at November 2013 raises crucial questions that require

•’Next bailout may require printing money’ Stories by Collins Nweze

urgent attention. The CBN’s proactive response to the 2008/ 2009 banking crisis was arguably the right move although this has, in itself, magnified CBN’s level of indebtedness. “Over 40 per cent of CBN’s asset portfolio is unmarketable, comprising principally of AMCON bonds, intervention funds and development finance loans.”

He said the 190.5 per cent surge in other liabilities from N2.1 trillion in December 2009 to N6.1 trillion in November 2013 was traceable to the acquisition of

AMCON’s debt by the CBN. Chioke said in the event of another crisis in the banking sector, the CBN may not have the capacity to bail out the banks without printing money which will have significant consequences on price stability.

He predicted that the CBN may be forced to raise the AMCON levy on banks from the current 0.5 per cent of total assets plus 0.5 per cent of 33 per cent of off-balance sheet items in the coming years.

Doing that, he added, will exert further pressure on industry bottom lines as AMCON’s fee as a proportion of total operating expenditure has risen from 4.6 per cent in 2012 to 7.6 per cent

NDIC urges Ecobank on independence of subsidiaries T HE Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has urged Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI Group) to ensure operational independence of its Nigerian entity to benefit fully and consolidate on the gains achieved from its ongoing restructuring.

Its Managing Director/Chief Executive, NDIC, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim gave the advice when the Chairman of the bank, Mr. Emmanuel Ikazoboh, led other members of the Board as well as the MD of Ecobank Nigeria, Mr. Jibril Aku, on a courtesy visit to the corporation in Abuja.

Ibrahim stressed the need for arm’s length relationship between the ETI Group and its Nigerian subsidiary. He argued that the fact that

From Nduka Chiejina (Asst. Editor, Abuja

the Nigerian entity constituted about 45 per cent of the total assets of the Group meant that its significance could not be overemphasised.

He said the supervisory axuthorities would like to see a transparent Shared Services Agreement (SSA) in which the Group’s operational activities would not continue to be at the expense of the Nigerian entity.

The NDIC chief said he was happy with the recent restructuring and recomposition of the ETI’s board. He also noted the recent divestment of the Assets

Management Corporation of Nigeria’s (AMCON) investment from the Nigerian subsidiary which had been successfully taken over by the Qatar National Banking Group. He expressed hope that the development would go a long way in enhancing the operations of the Group.

In his remarks, the Chairman continental lender, Mr. Emmanuel Ikazoboh assured that the Group would continue to operate efficiently, transparently and comply with all requirements of the supervisory and regulatory authorities.

He also said with the restructuring of the Group’s Board, all the corporate governance issues that were of concern in the past had been addressed.

in 2013 fiscal years and is expected to cross the 10 per cent threshold this year.

Chioke said the CBN governor’s desire to achieve lower interest rates over the medium term amid a stable naira and single digit inflation rate may be a daunting task given the huge exposure to foreign portfolio investments highlighted earlier.

“Triggered by rising inflation which has been buoyed by food and core inflation, real return on investment, currently 3.7 per cent may revert to negative territory. In addition, the debatable ability of the CBN to defend the naira in light of the weak structure of the external reserves will also be a determining factor for foreign portfolio investors,” he said.

He said the proposed gradual re-

Offer Price

AFRINVEST W. A. EQUITY FUND ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH BGL NUBIAN FUND BGL SAPPHIRE FUND CANARY GROWTH FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CORAL INCOME FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND FBN HERITAGE FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND

168.45 9.17 1.12 1.19 0.69 1.39 1,676.09 1,118.84 121.30 121.16 1,117.51 1.2451 1.2926 0.8892 1.0780

T

HE Federal Government has appointed the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank, Nnamdi Okonkwo on the Technical Implementation Committee of the National Council on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

The Council, inaugurated by President Goodluck Jonathan was to develop a value chain intervention strategy for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the country and solve the difficulties being encountered by small businesses in sourcing for finance.

The National Council on MSMEs is chaired by Vice President Namadi Sambo while its Technical Implementation Committee is chaired by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investments, Dr. Olusegun Aganga.

• UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

RETAIL DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM (RDAS) Transaction Dates 27/08/2014 25/08/2014 20/08/2014 ECONOMIC INDICATORS

8.3%

Monetary Policy Rate

12.0%

CHANGE

Foreign Reserves

1.10

0.22

Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

UAC-PROP

12.27 (15.34) 15.30

3.03

ABCTRANS

0.62 (0.68)

0.71

0.09

FLOURMILL

58.87 (64.76)

64.76

1.05

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

NEIMETH

0.88 (1.05)

IKEJA HOTEL JBERGER FTNCOCOA

C/PRICE

Currency

Buying (N)

Selling (N)

$39.6b

US Dollar

154.73

155.73

$110.44

Pounds Sterling

256.465

258.1225

N15.9 trillion.

Euro

204.1662

205.4857

5.89

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

N17.2 trillion

Swiss Franc

168.8455

169.9367

1.15

0.10

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

Yen

1.4876

1.4975

59.09 (65.00) 63.99

4.90

CFA

0.294

0.314

234.7445

236.2616

Yuan/Renminbi

25.1466

25.31

Riyal

41.2558

41.5225

SDR

235.0039

236.5227

0.60

0.04

30.95

33.00

2.05

UBN

9.42

9.89

0.47

PREMBREW

3.32

3.48

0.16

LOSERS AS AT 09-09-14

SYMBOL O/PRICE CADBURY 85.81 (55.08)

C/PRICE 55.08

CHANGE -30.73

16.5%

NIGERIAN INTER-BANK OFFERED RATES (NIBOR)

Tenor

Rate (%)

Rate3.37

(%) Overnight (O/N)

10.500

10.500

1M

12.175

12.101

FIDSON

3.52

3.35

-0.17

3M

13.328

13.225

TRANSEXPR

1.79

1.71

-0.08

6M

14.296

14.-85

SEPLAT

679.98

650.00

-29.98

CONOIL

61.00

58.89

-2.11

OKOMUOIL

34.50

33.50

-1.00

COSTAIN

1.06

1.03

-0.03

PORTPAINT

5.16

5.03

UBA

7.40 224.99

DANGCEM

Amount Sold in ($) 346.43m 398.77m 349.67m

Money Supply (M2)

0.56

ASHAKACEM

Amount Offered in ($) 350m 400m 350m

CBN EXCHANGE RATES September 2, 2014

Inflation: July

GAINERS AS AT 09-09-14

According to a statemnt, Okonkwo’s appointment is a testament to the bank’s role in the SMEs space which completely aligns with the government’s goal of ensuring rapid economic development using the SMEs as the catalyst. The lender said it recognises the role of the SMEs as the engine room of the economy.

Specifically, the lender had set up the Fidelity Managed SME Division to empower and build a new generation of Nigerian entrepreneurs, adding that at the heart of it is the major offering of Fidelity to the MSME space.

Fidelity Bank also offers MSMEs access to markets via the shared platform to enable them sell their products and services as well as access to funding by providing specialised funding agencies.

DATA BANK

Bid Price 167.01 9.08 1.12 1.19 0.69 1.33 1,676.09 1,118.03 120.45 120.30 1,116.70 1.2367 1.2926 0.8721 1.0780

duction in interest rates may lead to the unintended consequence of exerting additional pressure on banks’ income derived on yielding assets.

Fidelity boss appointed MSMEs’ council member

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

•CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele

FOREX RATES

R-DAS ($/N)

157.29

157.29

-0.13

Interbank ($/N)

162.75

162.75

7.22

-0.18

Parallel ($/N)

167.50

167.50

219.99

-5.00

WAUA

GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

Tenor

Rates

T-bills - 91

10.00

T-bills - 182

10.07

T-bills - 364

10.22

Bond - 3yrs

11.37

Bond - 5yrs

11.41

Bond - 7yrs

11.86

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

56

BUSINESS EXTRA

Govt ‘ll meet power expectations in two years, says Jonathan

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday sought the patience and understanding of Nigerians over the situation of power supply, explaining that the sector would meet their expectation between the next one two years.

He spoke at the 44th Annual Accountant Conference held at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja on Protecting the public interest, enhancing professionalism.

He said though the private owners have boosted investment in the sector, the nation requires a little more time for the realisation of the expected quantum to power

• Says 1.8m joins labour market yearly From John Ofikhenua and Abimbola Alo, Abuja

delivery.

He said: “I know that the power situation is not yet what we want it to be. But I see this as just a transition period. In one to two years from now, the power sector will begin to deliver power to us to what we all expect.”

He said when this is achieved, the economy will will witness endlessly growth.

Jonathan said while his government has created millions of jobs, more still needed

to be done to create space for the about 1.8 million job seekers that join the army of the unemployed annually.

The president said the government has successfully completed one of the most comprehensive and transparent power privatisation programmes in the world with the privatisation of four power generation companies and 10 power distribution companies.

He added that to provide comfort to private investors in the sector, the government has also strengthened power

market intermediaries such as the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET), which is backed with over N120 billion in financing.

Jonathan said: “The liberalisation of this sector has opened up new investment;. this year, the 450megawatts (Mw) Azura-Edo (Independent Power Project) IPP signed a power purchase agreement with $1 billion backing from 14 high quality investors, including Standard Chartered, IFC, First Rand Bank, Siemens Bank, and First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

He said: “All Nigerians would like to see uninter-

• From left: Mr Benedict Anyalenkeya, Group Head E-business, Unity Bank; Mr Dele Adeyinka, Vice Chairman, Committee of E-Banking Industry Heads (CEBIH); Mr Tunde Kuponiyi, Chairman; Mrs Juliet Nwanguma, Financial Secretary and Mrs Simisola Osinuga, Treasurer during a press conference on Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) new directives on ATM charges in Lagos.

‘Fed Govt spends $500m yearly on fish importation’

T

HE National Associa tion of Nigerian Trad ers (NANTS) yesterday said the Federal Government imports 1.96million tons of fish valued at $500million annually to augument the shortfall of fish in the country.

Its President, Mr. Ken Ukuoha, who spoke at a stakeholders’workshop on the Aquaculture sub-sector of the Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES) and Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) in Abuja, said the massive importation of frozen fish ranked it the largest fish importer in Africa.

He lamented that this is causing serious depletion of the nation’s resources while about six million employment from the sector is lost.

He said: “Nigeria has all it takes in terms of water, hu-

From Franca Ochigbo and Halima Farouk, Abuja

man capital and other resources not only to bridge importation but also to become a fish exporting nation while also filling the regional fish market gap and opportunities.

“At the regional level, one of the key components of the (Economic Community of West African States) ECOWAS Agricultural Policy (ECOWAP) is the improvement of the aquaculture sector as a means of job creation and food security. At present ECOWAS is collaborating with the World Bank on a West African Aquaculture Production Programme WAAPP where 13 countries are participating.

“This presents another op-

portunity for Nigeria to excel and improve impacts on tge sector using the GES. NANTS isvworking with the ECOWAS Commission in a 5 years project. (2013-2017) targetted at the implementation of the ECOWAP. “We are also implementing the USAID Market project on aquaculture targeted at the agronomic training and management of 1000 fish farmers in the FCT and Niger State.

“This collaboration will pull the various projects together using the GES as a toner to fertilisers increased agricultural productivity in Nigeria’s fish sector. The sensitisation is to expose and create investment opportunities for small scale farmers,especially youths to consider fish farming as alternative business option with GES as a motivation.”

AfDB’s $256m loan for Lekki Free Zone, others

T

HE Board of the Afri can Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved a combined $256 million for the financing of investments in Nigeria and Ethiopia as well as a multinational projects preparation facility.

The approvals comprise a $150-million senior loan to Lekki Port (LFTZ) Enterprise for the construction of a Greenfield seaport in the Lagos Free Trade Zone, 60 kilometres east of Lagos.

The project follows a 45year concession granted to LFTZ Enterprise, the Special Purpose Vehicle, by the Nigerian Ports Authority

(NPA) under a build, own, operate and transfer scheme.

It involves construction of port infrastructure such as breakwaters, quays, approach channels, dredging of the basin as well as captive utilities such as water and power.

On completion, the port would handle 2.5 million 20foot equivalent units (TEUs), 16.7 million tonnes (MT) of liquid cargo and 4.5 MT of dry bulk. Construction is expected to start in January next year with the container terminal operations expected to start in December 2018.

The project, estimated at $1.675 billion, will be financed through a 54/46 debt to equity ratio.

It is aligned with the bank's Nigeria Country Strategy Paper 2012-2016, which stresses infrastructure development in the non-oil and transport sector as well as the country's Vision 20:2020, which emphasises modernising infrastructure.

The project is also in line with the AfDB’s Regional Integration Strategy Paper (RISP) for West Africa which emphasises linking regional markets through regional transport infrastructure.

rupted power, and I know we are not there yet. But in the same way that the privatisation of the telecoms sector took some time to begin yielding benefits, I am very confident that our power sector will take off successfully in the coming years.”

He recalled that the entire liberalisation of the sector which the Federal Government completed its privatisation last year began 10 years ago, adding that power delivery would need one or two more years to meet the expectation of the citizenry.

Forte Oil votes $90m for Geregu plant’s overhaul

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ORTE Oil Plc, the owner of the privatised Geregu Power Plant, has set aside $90 million to overhaul the plant, its Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Akin Akinfemiwa has said.

Fielding questions from reporters yesterday in Lagos during the launch of 100 trucks the company acquired to boost delivery of its petroleum products and overall operations, he said the renovation of the power plant has started and the contract was awarded to Siemens. As the original builders of the power plant, the award of the overhaul contract to Siemens is considered to be apt.

The renovation work, he said, is expected to be completed in the next 18 months and will bring the plant to work at its installed capacity of 414 megawatts (Mw). Besides contributing to the achievement of stable power supply in the country, it will boost the company’s revenue and ultimately shareholders returns, he said.

Akinfemiwa said the com-

• Acquires 100 new trucks

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

pany plans to acquire 200 trucks and has only taken delivery of the first batch of 100 and expects the second batch by end of the year or early next year. He said: “The value of these trucks put together is about N2.5 billion and this is the first batch. Basically, about N5 billion will be spent on acquisition of the 200 trucks.

He said: “We are very confident that the acquisition of these 100 world-class product delivery trucks is a very strategic investment that will substantially increase our capacity to grow our revenue, profitability and ultimately maximize value for our shareholders as we move towards our mission of building a longterm successful company; boosting investor confidence by making Forte Oil Plc the investment of choice in Nigeria and globally.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

NEWS Southsouth, Southeast leaders reject 30,000 polling units Continued from page 4

planation.

Clark said additional polling units to parts of the North especially in the NorthEast states of Borno, Bauchi and Adamawa was unacceptable to the leadership of the SNPA. He said, “we view with restraint worries the significant differences between the number of new polling units allocated to the whole of the Southern Zones, (SouthWest: 4,160, South-South: 3,087 and SouthEast: 1,167) a total of 8,414 which is less that the figure of the NorthWest alone (7,906) added to the FCT (1,120) totalling 9,026.

“Or even more so the number allocated to the SouthSouth zone (3,087), which is less than half of that allocated to the NorthWest zone.

“Then, that of the SouthEast (1,167) which is less than a quarter of any of the Northern zones (NorthWest: 7,906, NorthEast: 5,291,and the NorthCentral: 6,318.

“All of this is unreflective of any historical data or any significant statistical data change to inform such radical disparity in the arbitrary allocation of the polling units to the respective zones.

“For instance, the whole of the SouthWest with Lagos, the most populated state in terms of eligible voters in the country added all other south west states, is allotted less

than any northern zone, a position not supported by any scientific or proven data.

“I view this insensitive assault on our collective sensibilities gravely worrisome and demanding of our urgent proportionate action.

No amount of explanation will be acceptable to the voters of Southern Nigeria” Bishop Gbonigi who was represented by Senator Femi Okurounmu said INEC’s decision to allocate more additional polling station to the North lacks any logic or wisdom particularly with lower voter turnout at previous elections and the massive exodus of citizens from many of the troubled parts of the North.

“The commission has exceeded its mandate by restructuring the number of polling units nationwide.

Furthermore, it wrote for itself the rules when it decided to restructure the number of polling units in each state using 15% equality of states and 85% promotional representation. The criteria above lack any logic or merit except to create bank of votes for the North to deploy during presidential elections or when a referendum is needed to decide fundamental national issues.

“The SouthWest rejects totally this INEC’s gift and we shall most certainly not fold our alms and watch the fu-

ture generations yet unborn bargained away. The South is yet to recover from the consequences of the massive injustice done to her when the states and local governments were created during the military era and the Northern Nigeria got 19 states and over 100 more local governments than Southern Nigeria with just 17 states.

“Accepting this new arrangement will amount to making the region completely irrelevant in national affairs, added Gbonigi.

The Assembly however called for the immediate withdrawal of what it described as “an offensive proposal.”

It stressed that INEC must conduct 2015 elections on the existing 120,000 polling unit structures nationwide.

The Assembly also urged President Goodluck Jonathan, Senate President David Mark, House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Masari, members of the National Assembly and the Nigerians to prevail on INEC to withdraw their obnoxious proposal so as not to plunge the country into needless crisis because under no circumstance will the people of the Southern Nigeria accept the proposal.

It was gathered that INEC chairman Prof. Attahiru jega will address the issue in Abuja today.

APC queries Modu Sheriff’s trip to Chad Continued from page 4

‘’If this is a joke, it is one joke taken too far, especially at a time that Nigeria has been losing territories after territories to Boko Haram; at a time that the same Modu Sheriff has been fingered by another source other than the Nigerian Defence Adviser in Chad, and at a time that calls are being made for an independent investigation into the allegation that Modu Sheriff and former Army chief Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika are Boko Haram sponsors.” ‘’Or could it be the case of it takes a thief to catch a thief?’’ it queried.

APC said it was apparent that President Jonathan smuggled Modu Sheriff into his entourage, as the official statement announcing the trip never mentioned that the former Governor of Borno State would accompany the President on the trip, even while the list of those to accompany the President was included in the statement.. ‘’Nobody in Nigeria would have known of this unholy alliance carried too far if not that the picture of the President, his host and Modu Sheriff surfaced via Twitter, where incredulous Nigerians were wondering what the President was doing with an alleged

Boko Haram sponsor at a time the same terrorist group is waging a titanic battle against Nigeria. ‘’Therefore, the President owes Nigerians an explanation on why he took Modu Sheriff to Chad, what the President knows about the allegation hanging on the former Governor’s neck concerning Boko Haram sponsorship and why his administration has not handed him (Sheriff) and Ihejirika to the International Criminal Court for investigation and possible prosecution, since it is now obvious that the Administration is unwilling to probe them,’’ the party said.

Insurgents on killing spree in Michika Continued from page 4

tops with no food to eat.

Many Mubi residents are said to have fled the town.

They include the Emir, Alhaji Abubakar Isa Ahmadu.

The Secretary to the Adamawa State Government, Prof Liman H.Tukur, said: “I’m aware of where His Eminence the Emir of Mubi is. I know his location and he will soon be going back to Mubi to preside over the

affairs of his Emirate.”

Tukur said the government had just held a security meeting with the military and soldiers had been deployed in all towns and villages seized by Boko Haram.

Fleeing residents said yesterday that Boko Haram fighters had seized the 320kilometre arc running alongside northeast Nigeria’s border with Cameroon.

A long-silent spokesman

of Boko Haram called reporters to say fighters had seized the village of Mararaban Mubi, just outside Mubi town in Adamawa state.

Mubi, which itself hosted displaced persons who fled fighting in the past year, is now deserted.

Spokesman Abu Zinnira also denied military claims that soldiers had retaken Borno town Bama, 75 kilometres from Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.

Emir flees as Boko Haram attacks Defence chief’s town Continued from page 4

the media from creating the impression that an officer or a soldier is more important than the other. We are giving equal treatment to all those injured so far.

“Due to the nature of the ongoing operation, we will not disclose the actual hospital but certainly the family of those either wounded or killed will be communicated - in line with military ethics.”

The Nation learnt that before the bloody encounters, the in-

surgents had stormed Vimtim on Monday night.

The military and other security agencies relocated the Emir of Mubi, Alhaji Abubakar Isa Ahmadu, to Yola.

“The Emir was smuggled out under heavy military security at about 11.30pm on Monday.

“As I am talking to you, many indigenes and residents of Mubi have moved out to Yola. In fact, the Girei Bridge is filled up with displaced residents fleeing from

the insurgents,” a source said, pleading not to be named because he is not authorized to talk to the media.

Acting Governor Umaru Fintiri has also moved out his aged mother from Kirchinga, Fintiri to Yola.

“Fintiri was lucky to move out his mother (who is a Christian) before the insurgents overran his village last Saturday.

“If they had met the woman, it would have been a different story,” the source added.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

FOREIGN NEWS

WHO: Ebola death toll reaches 2,288

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HE Ebola outbreak in West Africa has killed 2,288 people, with half of them dying in the last three weeks, the World Health Organization (WHO) says.

It said that 47% of the deaths and 49% of the total 4,269 cases had come in the 21 days leading up to 6 September.

The health agency warned that thousands more cases could occur in Liberia, which has had the most fatalities.

The outbreak, which was first reported in Guinea in March this year, has also spread to Sierra Leone and Nigeria.

In Nigeria, eight people have died out of 21 cases, while one case of Ebola has been confirmed in Senegal, the WHO said in its latest update.

On Monday, the agency called on organisations combating the outbreak in Liberia to scale up efforts to control the outbreak “three-to-four fold”.

Ebola spreads between humans by direct contact with infected blood, bodily fluids or organs, or indirectly through contact with contam-

inated environments.

However, the WHO says conventional means of controlling the outbreak, which include avoiding close physical contact with those infected and wearing personal protective equipment, were not working well in Liberia.

A fourth US aid worker has contracted the virus and is receiving treatment at Emory University hospital The reason for this remains unclear; however, experts say it could be linked to burial practices, which can include touching the body and eating a meal near it.

There are also not enough beds to treat Ebola patients, particularly in the capital Monrovia, with many people told to go back home, where they may spread the virus.

Sophie-Jane Madden, of aid agency Medecins Sans Frontieres, told the BBC that health workers at the largest treatment centre in Monrovia were completely overwhelmed: “Our teams are every day turning away people who are desperately seeking healthcare.”

Health agencies have warned of an exponential

Chile condemns bomb attack

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HILEAN President Michelle Bachelet has condemned a bomb attack on a shopping centre in a busy metro station in the capital Santiago on Monday.

The attack, in which 14 people were injured, is one of the worst since democracy was restored in 1990.

Ms Bachelet called it a “terrorist act, one of the most cowardly we have seen”.

There have been around 200 bomb attacks in Santiago in the past decade, with anarchist groups claiming responsibility for many of them.

No-one has so far admitted carrying out this latest bombing.There have been about 200 blasts in Santiago over the past decade, but this is the most serious so far The president said she would convene a meeting of her security committee on Tuesday to decide how to proceed.

“What’s happened is horrible, an abominable act, but Chile is and will continue to be a safe country,” Ms Bachelet said.

The explosive device went off at lunchtime at a fast-food restaurant in an underground

shopping centre at the Escuela Militar metro station.

About 150,000 people pass through the station daily.

Joanna Magneti, who works in the centre, described the scene: “I was having lunch when I felt the bang. When I went to see what had happened, I saw lots of smoke, people running and shouting, a youngster who was badly injured and a woman with an injured hand.”

Workers said the corridors of the shopping centre were filled with smoke following the blast Three people were badly wounded in the blast, and another 11 are also being treated. Ms Bachelet said it was “one of the most cowardly acts we’ve seen because it had as its objective to maim, spread fear and even kill innocent people”.

Chile’s Interior Minister said Ms Bachelet mother, Angela Jeria, had been in the area at the time the bomb went off.

He said she had been shopping in the centre, but had not been injured. However, he did not indicate whether she may have been the target of the attack.

Sir John Franklin: Fabled Arctic ship found

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NE of two British explorer ships that vanished in the Arctic more than 160 years ago has been found, Canada’s prime minister says.

Stephen Harper said it was unclear which ship had been found, but photo evidence confirmed it was one of them.

Sir John Franklin led the two ships and 129 men in 1845 to chart the Northwest Passage in the Canadian Arctic.

The expedition’s disappearance shortly after became one of the great mysteries of the age of Victorian exploration.

The Canadian government began searching for Franklin’s ships in 2008 as part of a strategy to assert Canada’s sovereignty over the Northwest Passage, which has recently become accessible to shipping because of melting Arctic ice.

“I am delighted to announce that this year’s Victoria Strait expedition has solved one of Canada’s greatest mysteries, with the discovery of one of the two ships belonging to the Franklin Expedition,” Prime Minister Stephen Harper said in a statement.

“Finding the first vessel will no doubt provide the momentum - or wind in our sails - necessary to locate its sister ship and find out even more about what happened to the Franklin Expedition’s crew.”

Sir John Franklin and his crew were captured in this 1847 painting by W Turner Smith called The End The find has been described as “the biggest archaeological discovery the world has seen since the opening of Tutankhamun’s tomb almost 100 years ago” by a British archeologist, William Battersby, who has written extensively about the Franklin expedition.

surge in the number of Ebola cases in Liberia Meanwhile, the US says it will help the African Union mobilise 100 African health workers to the region and contribute an additional $10m (£6.2m) in funds to deal with the outbreak.

The announcement comes as a fourth US aid worker infected with the deadly virus was transported to a hospital in Atlanta for treatment.

The identity of the aid worker has not yet been revealed.

Two other aid workers who were treated at the same hospital have since recovered from an Ebola infection.

Separately on Tuesday, the UN’s envoy in Liberia said at least 80 Liberian health workers had died from Ebola, according to the Associated Press.

Karin Landgren described the outbreak as a “latter-day plague” that was growing exponentially. She added that health workers were operating without proper protective equipment, training or pay, in comments to the UN Security Council.

MH17 crash: Dutch experts say numerous objects hit plane

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UTCH experts say Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 broke up in mid-air after being hit by “objects” that “pierced the plane at high velocity” in July.

The new report also said there was “no evidence of technical or human error”.

Correspondents say this matches claims that MH17 was hit by missile shrapnel.

Investigators relied on cockpit data, air traffic control and images, as the crash site in eastern Ukraine remains too dangerous to access amid fighting between government troops and rebels.

The plane was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it crashed in rebel-held territory in eastern Ukraine.

All 298 people on board, most of them from the Netherlands, died when the plane came down, amid reports it was shot down by pro-Russian rebels. The BBC’s Anna Holligan reports takes a close-up look at one of the first copies of the report The report made no comment on who might have fired the missile.

Both sides in this conflict use the same weapon, reports the BBC’s transport correspondent Richard Westcott, and to find out who was responsible investigators would need to determine where the missile was launched.

Investigators say the cockpit voice recorder “gave no indication that there was anything abnormal” on board The Dutch team analysed photographs of the wreckage that showed a number of pieces with multiple holes One expert said they should eventually be able to work that out with a combination of radar data and evidence from the scene, our correspondent reports.

A sobering fact highlighted in this report was that three other, very large commercial airliners flew over the same area at around the same time, he adds.

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NEWS

Niger East: Nuhu gets certificate as APC protests N

IGER State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Dr. Emmanuel Onucheyo yesterday presented a Certificate of Return to the winner of the Niger East Senatorial by-election, Dr. Shem Zagbayi Nuhu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Nuhu urged other candidates in the election to support him in improving the district.

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

He promised to ensure the take off of the hydro-electric power producing area development commission.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the by-election, Mr David Umaru, rejected the result and accused the PDP of stealing his mandate.

Addressing reporters yesterday in Minna, Umaru

said: “How come they are not celebrating, if they (PDP) truly won. They cannot celebrate because the mandate is not theirs.”

He alleged that the PDP connived with officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agents to rig the election.

Umaru said top government officials in Hilux trucks were stationed at polling

units and openly induced voters with cash and fabrics.

He said: “In some instances, people’s votes were purchased for N30,000 each.

District, village and ward heads were intimidated and ordered to ensure victory for the PDP at their places of influence or have their appointments terminated.

“PDP is afraid of the will of the people that gave us

From James Azania, Lokoja

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GROUP, the Kogi Democratic Forum, has urged northern governors to support Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido for the 2015 presidential election.

In a statement yesterday in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, by its Chairman, Idris Alhassan, and Secretary Solomon Ojoagefu, the group said it had assessed Lamido’s performance and was convinced that he is the most qualified presidential candidate.

It hailed Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu for backing Lamido and urged others to follow suit.

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

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ANO State Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso yesterday said he is planning an elaborate coronation ceremony for the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Mohammadu Sanusi (11). The ceremony is expected to hold after Hajj.

Addressing reporters yesterday in Kano, Kwankwaso’s aide on Emirate Affairs, Alhaji Tijani Mailafiya, said the coronation was postponed to enable the government perfect its plans.

It was learnt that a hall is being built for the coronation.

‘We didn’t endorse Kwankwaso’ From Dele Anofi, Abuja

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OME Kano State All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains have denied endorsing Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso for the 2015 presidential election.

In a statement yesterday, signed by Alhaji Musa Umar, Mr Garba Bala and Mallam Muktar Kwaru, the party chieftains said: “Our attention has been drawn to a communiqué issued and signed by Ambassador Kabir Rabiu and Saleh Jelli, which was published in a national newspaper on September 5. In the communiqué, the two signatories claimed that the Elders Committee of Kano State APC has endorsed Kwankwaso for the presidency. This is far from the truth, because of the following reasons.

“There is no formal elders committee of the APC in Kano State yet. What we have is a committee of leaders of the legacy parties in the persons of Alhaji Bashir Othman Tofa (ANPP), Mallam Musa Gwadabe (ACN) and Mallam Sabo Nanono (CPC), who have no knowledge of such committee.

“The two signatories of the communiqué are not members of the legacy parties but members of the Kwankwasiyya Group and, therefore, cannot speak for the legacy parties. The leaders of the three legacy parties have not endorsed any presidential candidate, nor have elders of the legacy parties.”

368 leave Kaduna for Saudi Arabia From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

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‘Why Fintiri can’t contest in 2015’ From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

•Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar signing for his Permanent Voter Card (PVC) at Ajiya Ward, Polling Unit 12, Old GRA, Yola in Adamawa State...yesterday.

NEMA provides relief materials for 12,000 displaced persons

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HE National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) yesterday distributed relief materials to about 12,000 persons taking refuge in two camps in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

The beneficiaries abandoned their homes following attacks by the Boko Haram sect on Bama, Kawuri and Damboa.

The camps, located at the NYSC Orientation Camp and

From Franca Ochigbo,Abuja

Yerwa Government Girls Secondary School, Maiduguri, were opened to provide temporary shelter for the displaced persons.

NEMA’s Director-General Muhammad Sani Sidi, who was represented by Dr. Zannah Mohammed, said: “The Federal Government is concerned about the condition of the displaced persons and

committed to doing everything possible to ease their plight. The choice of the two camps was based on the facilities and security available.

“Besides the relief items delivered to the camps, the agency would provide further assistance to the people after the restoration of stability and their return home.”

Receiving the items on behalf of the victims, the Chair-

man of the Borno State Committee on Displaced persons, Alhaji Usman Jidda Shuwa, thanked the Federal Government for its support.

The relief materials, which were conveyed to the camps in six trucks, included bags of rice, millet and beans, mattresses, blankets, sanitary items, detergents, drugs, clothes, soaps and noodles, among others.

Oyo lawmaker inaugurated skill acquisition centres

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HE member of the House of Representative in Ibadan South West/ North West Constituency, Hon. Saheed Akinade-Fijabi has inaugurated two skill acquisition centres and distributed job tools worth of N50 million to the beneficiaries of his programme.

Fijabi, said the programme was part of his electioneering campaign three years ago, adding that it will go along way to create job for the unemployed youths.

The centres of the acquisitions are UMC Primary School Molete, Ibadan and Anwarul Islam Secondary School, Eleyele, Ibadan and some the materials distributed were Generators, deep freezers, wheel-

though the PDP stole it from us.”

Umaru hailed the electorate for defying the rain, despite “intimidation and harassment”, to vote for him.

He urged them to remain resolute firm in their determination to entrench true democracy.

Umaru said his party was studying the election result and would soon announce its next line of action.

Group drums up support for Lamido

All set for Sanusi’s coronation

HE first batch of Kaduna State pilgrims left for Saudi Arabia yesterday on Flyness, a Saudi airline, around 2:30am. The batch, comprising 368 pilgrims, was accompanied by 20 Hajj officials.

The pilgrims arrived at the Prince Muhammad Abdul’azeez International Airport in Madinah around 5:30am.

Addressing them before they left Kaduna, Governor Muktar Yero urged them to be good ambassadors of the state.

He said: “We expect you to be good ambassadors of Kaduna and Nigeria in the holy land.”

their mandate. They used their antics to subvert and steal the will of the people and I know God will punish them for what they have done.

“Despite the intimidation, buying of votes and snatching of ballot boxes, the people have spoken. The PDP cannot stop the wind of change that is blowing across the state. We have done well and won the election, even

•Donates N50m tools From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

chairs, motorcycle, sewing machines, grinding machines, hair dryers, set of computers, clippers among other things.

He thanked the Speaker, of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and the State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi for the fatherly advised he has been receiving ever since he assumes office.

“When I came in 2011 seeking your votes to represent your interest at the National Assembly Abuja, I am not unaware of the enormous task of legislation, the turbulent and rigorous trend

of the highest lawmaking body in Nigeria. The efforts to give back to the society that elected me is never a favour but a responsibility which I owed you all. It is as important as accounting for my stewardship for the period under review.

“Between 2011-2014, we are proud to showcase some of our achievements. A yardstick to evaluate what we have done with your mandate, as a transparent representative of the people. Within this period, we strived and ensure that we make changes in the lives of our people which were the hallmark of our campaign in 2011.

“Apart from the actual project I recorded in the last three years, our job hunting for the teaming youths, empowerment programmes, relationship with the less-privileged, aged, children and vulnerable women. We cannot forget in a hurry the trouble and trauma our people faced during the 2011 flood disaster and cholera outbreak in Ibadan, and the tragedy of Omitowoju/Inalende fire disaster to mention but a few.

“What we are doing here today is part of my promises during my electioneering campaign and I am still going to deliver more before end of this year because we are not yet there”, he said.

A

DAMAWA State Acting Governor and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the October 11 bye-election, Amadu Fintiri, has voluntarily opted out of the 2015 governorship poll, the party’s National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo, said yesterday.

Oladipo spoke at the party’s national secretariat while hosting a delegation of the PDP’s National Students Wing, led by Mr. Success Wada.

He debunked insinuations that Fintiri was arm-twisted into forfeiting his chances of contesting the 2015 poll, saying: “Fintiri opted not to contest in 2015 if he wins the October 11 bye-election. We did not force any candidate to step down. I was the secretary of the committee that met with them. We pointed it out that it will be morally wrong for whoever wins now to contest the 2015 election, meaning that such a person will only rule till the expiration of the original term of ousted Governor Murtala Nyako. “Eight of them aspirants voluntarily withdrew, saying that they would prefer to contest the 2015 election. Nobody was forced. We do not have a class captain in the PDP.” Oladipo said the agreement, though not in writing, was “robust, solid and voluntary”.

He said none of the six aspirants that contested the last primary would be allowed to contest the primary for the 2015 election.

Court summons Kwara PDP chair From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

N Ilorin High Court has ordered Kwara State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Iyiola Oyedepo to appear before it today for a contempt charge.

The court had earlier granted the prayer of the former PDP Chairman in Ilorin West Local Government, Alhaji Toyin Olosasa, to stop the Oyedepo-led state executive from inaugurating a new executive in the council.

Despite the court order, the party chairman inaugurated a new executive. This prompted the contempt of court charge against Oyedepo.

Yesterday, the defense counsel, A.O Abubakar, argued that his client ought to have been given two days to reply to the court notice served on him by the claimant, which he claimed was contrary to the procedures of the court.

Abubakar urged the court to strike out the case, saying it lacked jurisdiction to hear it.

Counsel to the claimant, Magaji Oba Abdulkadir, urged the court to issue a warrant of arrest on Oyedepo for failing to appear in court.

Justice I.A Yusuf ordered Oyedepo to appear in court today.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

SPORT EXTRA Davis Cup: Nigeria battle Zimbabwe today

NIGERIA V SOUTH AFRICA

We’re condemned to win – Keshi

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UPER Eagles' gaffer Stephen Keshi has told his players that only an outright victory over the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in tonight's African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier will make Nigerians forget the team’s loss to Congo’s Red Devils last weekend.

The South Africans have yet to beat the Eagles in an official game since the country's readmission to the Confederation of African Football (CAF)

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri in 1992 but with a 3-0 whitewash of Sudan away from on Friday, the Bafana Bafana are closing in on achieving the milestone in Cape Town today.

Speaking ahead of the game the ‘Big Boss’ told NationSport that his team will be seeking to redeem Sunday’s home loss with a victory tonight.

"This loss to Congo will no doubt give us the needed confidence ahead of our match

with South Africa. There are certainly lots of things to learn from the defeat.

"We have to go and win if we want to qualify. I told them I saw it coming after I analysed their approach to the start of the match against Congo.

“We must go to South Africa and prove to our critics that we can still do the unexpected and that it is not sealed that we won't be going to the AFCON," Keshi told NationSport.

T

• Keshi The Big Boss called on Nigerians to apply positive pressure on the Eagles.

"We cannot be winning all the time. Brazil lost 7-1 and 30 at the last World Cup. This where the media come into the picture, this is where we need them to urge the team to go to South Africa and win," he told NationSport.

Step up your game, Okocha urges Eagles

By Bowale Odukale OLLOWING the Super Eagles’ disappointing start to their African Nations Cup (AFCON) title defense, losing a competitive home game for the first time in 33 years after a 3-2 defeat by Congo in Calabar on Saturday, former Eagles captain Augustine ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha has urged the team to raise their game as they face the Bafana Bafana of South Africa tonight.

South Africa, who top Group A after a 3-0 win over Sudan in Khartoum on Friday, will set out to make history against the Super Eagles at the Cape Town Stadium tonight. Bafana have never beaten the Eagles in a Cup of Nations or a World Cup match, making today's second round of group A qualifiers a crucial one for the hosts, who will have to overturn 22 years of Nigerian dominance.

Okocha, who made his official debut for Nigeria in their 2–1 1994 FIFA World Cup qualifier away loss against Ivory Coast in May 1993, took to the social networking site Twitter to express his expectations on the Eagles, Bafana clash.

“The Super Eagles have to get their acts together after weekend’s disappointment. They really need to set up their game and show some urgency,” he tweeted.

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NAMIBIA 2014 AWC

NFF calls up 30 Falcons

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HE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has invited 30 players to camp in preparation for the Africa Women’s Championship (AWC) billed for Namibia from October 11-25.

According to the list released

by Super Falcons’ Team Administrator Ruth David, the players and coaches are expected to report to Serob Hotel, Abuja, on Sunday, September 14, with their training kits and travel documents.

Ruth David said letters of invitation had been sent to clubs for the release of the invited players and urged the clubs to free the players on time because of the competition’s importance to the country.

• Precious Dede

EAM Nigeria will begin their quest for promotion in the 2014 Africa Davis Cup playoff against Zimbabwe today. The Pool 1 match holding at the Smash Tennis Academy in Cairo, will see the Nigeria team comprising Henry Atseye, Clifford Enosoregbe, Umaru Balami and Christopher Emmanuel facing a testy duel against the Zimbabweans who head into the match in second place.

The Southern Africans defeated Congo 3-0 in their first match on Monday to bag a point which sees them placed second in the group with a point, the same with Pool 1 leaders Madagascar, who possess a better winning statistics. They will be banking on their US-based right-hander Tinotenda

By Stella Bamawo Chanakira, who masterminded the win over Congo.

With Congo showing signs of being the group’s weeping team, having lost with embarrassing ease to Zimbabwe and Madagascar, a victory for Nigeria in today's match will boost the chance of a top-two finish which will see them playing any of the two qualifiers from Pool B which has Algeria, Namibia, Benin, Mozambique and Botswana in first to fifth places respectively.

Nigeria, with Coach Benson Isicheli as non-playing captain, will confront Congo on Thursday and are scheduled to round off their preliminary fixtures on Friday against Madagascar.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY SEPTEM BER 10, 2014

THE NATION WEDNESDAY SEPTEM BER 10, 2014

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TODAY IN THE NATION

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.9 NO.2,967

‘Perhaps, we would be better off with leaders who do not have good strategies and know they do not, than with leaders who get stuck to bad strategies’ DELE AGEKAMEH

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

A

S a reporter I am always suspicious of any public officer who likes publicity.

This may sound illogical because by definition the words and deeds of public servants should be public. But then there is a difference between publicity as a matter of course and public relations. The one focuses on the deeds, the other on the person.

The public officers I am always suspicious of are those who like to worship at the altar of the gods of public relations. Such public officers are invariably more concerned about their image than about their performance. Needless to say, they abound everywhere, including of course, in Nigeria.

Until I met the Comptroller-General of Customs, Alhaji Dikko Inde Abdullahi, about a couple of years ago, I thought he was one of those publicity seeking public officers who are more image than substance; hardly a week passed without one story or another in the press about him receiving one award or other for supposedly excelling in his job.

Indeed my first meeting with him, which was accidental, was in the course of his receiving one of those seemingly interminable awards, this time in the UK. I happened to be visiting our High Commissioner in the country, Senator Sarki Tafida, an elder friend, in his office in London, when he told me of his invitation to attend the award ceremony and extended his invitation to me. I was reluctant at first but in the end agreed to accompany him essentially because I really had little doing the evening of that day.

Since then I had kept a fairly close tab on the Comptroller-General (CG) and have since come to the conclusion that he may like his publicity so much but he reminds me of the bombastic Muhammad Ali, the living boxing legend; like Ali, the man justifies his PR. When he took over as CG five years ago on August 26, the service was generating a comparatively paltry sum of N27 billion a month. He nearly doubled that to 50 in his first year in office. Since then its revenue has grown to about 100 billion a month, making it a total of over a trillion annually.

As a good manager he has ensured that the increased productivity of his men and officers has reflected in their welfare by doubling their salaries and allowances, renovating and upgrading their offices and staff quarters and by investing heavily in their training and retraining at home and abroad and giving them the requisite hard- and soft-ware to do their jobs well.

Exactly a year ago last month, the man completed his first four years in office as CG. This led to speculations that he would be retired and replaced by one of his six deputies. Thanks perhaps to the confidence which he seems to enjoy from President Goodluck Jonathan, he survived the speculations.

This survival was child’s play compared to the threat he overcame in his first year in office following allegations by one, Olajide Oyewole Ibrahim, through his lawyer, Mr. Festus Keyamo, that the CG entered the service with forged academic qualifications. President Jonathan, to whom Keyamo had addressed Ibrahim’s affidavit, seeking the CG’s sack, was said to have dismissed it as the malicious work

People and Politics By MOHAMMED H ARUNA ndajika@yahoo.com

For a better Customs Service

•Abdullahi

of possibly disgruntled traducers.

Apparently, the allegations did not distract the CG from getting on with his job as best as he could. So far he has more than proved his mettle. Indeed, all indications are that he could do even better, but for some problems he seems to have encountered from his parent ministry, the Ministry of Finance, under our super minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who doubles as the country’s co-ordinating minister.

First, there is the scandal that has surrounded the duty waiver regime under the authority of the minister. Under this regime waivers of duties are supposed to provide incentives for investments in strategic and job creating sectors of the economy. Widespread suspicions that the waivers were instead being abused prompted the finance committee of the House of Representatives to ask the minister for figures and beneficiaries of such waivers between 2011 and 2013.

She told the House in January that the figures came to 171 billion for the period. It turned out that they were 1.4 trillion! At least those were the figures revealed by Customs and to date they have not been contradicted.

What was more, over 60 per cent of the waivers were for items without any value added to the economy.

Worse, so far no one has been brought to account for the criminal difference between the two figures. Worst of all, it seems the waiver abuse has only abated somewhat but is far from ended. As The Nation said in its editorial of two Mondays ago, “If Nigerians needed proof that the import duty racket was alive and well, the latest report showing the Federal Government as granting N25 billion in waivers over a five-month period this year

should be proof enough.”

Second, there is the issue of the Destination Inspection that had been under some private companies since government abolished preshipment inspection about eight years ago. Last December the contracts with the private companies were terminated and the job reverted back to Customs. Since then the service has faced a number of challenges in meeting expectations, not least of which is possible sabotage by elements outside the service who would be more than happy to see the new arrangement fail.

However, in spite of such possible sabotage and the usual problems that go with changes from the old ways of doing things, Custom has managed to improve the clearing of goods from 24 hours to an average of six. And, of course, it has saved the nation the huge fees paid to the companies, heads or tails.

Third, there is the delay the service has routinely encountered from its parent ministry in the release of seven per cent of the revenue it generates which it is authorised to retain as incentive for increased productivity.

These are, of course, not the only obstacles standing in the way of the CG performing even better than he has so far in his five years in office. However, they are the biggest. With them out of the way, the service should be able to surpass even the N1.2 trillion it set for itself in January as its target for this year.

And with such revenue from Customs alone, not to mention other revenue generating services of government, it is not difficult to see why the public was outraged by the presidency’s recent announcement that it would like to seek a loan of $1 billion dollars, or the equivalent of about one eighth of Custom’s annual revenue in Naira, to fight the Boko Haram insurgency.

A most shocking death The death of Mr Dimgba Igwe, the vicechairman of The Sun Publishing Limited, came to me as a big shock. It came in the form of a text from Mr Raheem Adedoyin, the secretary of the Nigerian chapter of the International Press Institute of which Dimgba had been a very active member. I didn’t know when I screamed after reading Raheem’s text because Dimgba’s death was the last thing on my mind when we last met in Katsina penultimate weekend for this year’s annual conference of the country’s

HARDBALL

I

T’S an old trick, and a dishonourable one at that. When a state governor, usually for political reasons, makes up his mind to dump his deputy, he gets supine supporters in the House of Assembly to do the dirty job for him, often without respect for the spirit of the law. The dramatic impeachment and removal of the former deputy governor of Enugu State, Sunday Onyebuchi, faithfully followed this familiar script.

Shamelessly, Governor Sullivan Chime gloated over Onyebuchi’s stage-managed fall in undisguised pleasure, hinting at his surreptitious supervision of the process. The September 1 inauguration of the new deputy governor, Rev. Raphael Ifeanyichukwu Nwoye, saw Chime in a suspiciously merry mood.

He said on the occasion: “Drawing the analogy of a broken down vehicle, we have just replaced a bad spark plug. The vehicle is re-

Chime and his ‘chicks’ paired and the journey will be smooth again.”

Chime described Nwoye in flattering words, and said he was “not just a minister of God” but also “a fine gentleman.” Referring to the dark and desperately pugnacious sequence of events that culminated in Onyebuchi’s ouster, Chime said: “What has happened has happened and I believe it happened in the best interest of Enugu State and not only the government.”

What happened? Onyebuchi lost his position on grounds that were as slippery as they were scandalous and saddening. There were two allegations against him: first, that he maintained a poultry farm in his official residence contrary to a resolution of the House prohibiting the maintenance of and operation of commercial livestock and poultry farms within residential neighbourhoods in

Enugu city; second, that he defied the governor’s directive to represent him at functions.

Onyebuchi’s defence that he met the said poultry farm when he moved into the official residence was considered impotent. Interestingly, he alleged that the governor similarly operated a poultry farm, a larger one at that, within his official residence. He also said of the governor: “I did not receive instructions from him personally, by phone or in writing asking me to represent him at the meeting of the South East Governors Forum that took place in Enugu on July 6, 2014.” He listed various other functions where he had represented Chime after this date.

However, in the apparently unwise wisdom of the House, Onyebuchi was guilty of “gross misconduct”, the only constitution-

editors.

He couldn’t look healthier and fitter than he was as we interacted throughout the conference in our hotel and at the venue of the conference.

As usual, when I saw him alone I asked him where he had left his “twin brother,” as most of us call Mr Mike Awoyinfa with whom he had worked at both the defunct National Concord and Sun, turning both into two of the widest circulating newspapers in Nigeria.

Mike, he said, couldn’t come because his son was graduating abroad, and he himself almost didn’t come because of fears based, of course, on media reports that the Boko Haram was all over the place in the North. In the end he came and he was, he said, glad that he did not miss the conference for the success it turned out to be and to see how Katsina had been transformed from the glorified village it was in 1991, when he first visited it, into a beautiful city, thanks in large measure to the current administration.

You can then imagine my shock at realising that Dimgba, the affable gentleman, great reporter, editor, author and columnist, was no more.

May God grant his wife, Oby, with whom he had always attended the IPI annual congress, his immediate family, his “twin brother” Mike, and his larger press family the fortitude to bear his great loss.

RE: A professor’s lies with statistics Sir, It is very interesting and at the same time disheartening that a man of Professor Darah’s repute will be calling for a division (of this country). But I wish to inform you that he is a professor of oral literature and folklore not of mass communication.

Okobi Colosus Philip, Federal Capital Territory, +2348122099757.

I stand corrected. However, The Guardian, where he was a columnist for several years and whose editorial board he once chaired described him as “professor of communications” in the introduction of an interview with him it published on July 13.

MH Sir, We know your style. Don’t demonize Darah/Chinweizu. You’ve been writing worse things about Southerners for a very long time.

FOR EVERY MONSTER, THERE IS A MIRROR IMAGE. +2347018933332.

Sir, I think the eggheads who decided that Darah deserved to be a professor‘ll be pinching themselves if he actually said those things you attributed to him. People like him also put the political future of minorities in jeopardy because he made it look like the size of your tribe also decides the size of your mind even as a professor!

One other question is: what has Jona done for the Niger Delta apart from empowering exmilitants to steal more oil? All other projects are located in his small Otuoke. Most Nigerians know the (national) conference is nothing but ‘2015 @SURE-P’.

Olu, +2348033013597.

•For comments, send SMS to 08059100107

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above ally defined context in which a governor or his deputy could be removed from office. In the mystifying opinion of the possibly lawless lawmakers, he deserved to be removed as deputy governor. Indeed, the interpretation given to the phrase “gross misconduct” in this case must be based on the legislators’ exclusive understanding, which reasonable members of the public cannot comprehend.

Ironically, the House itself appeared to be guilty of “gross misconduct” in the handling of this matter. The question is: who will impeach the lawmakers and effect their removal? To employ poultry imagery, it would seem that the House members behaved like chicks, meaning immaturely.

What of Chime who was excited about the charade? Perhaps he too deserves impeachment and should be kicked out for his subtle and sly support for the legislators who stood the country’s constitution on its head, which may be classified as “gross misconduct.”

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