September 11, 2015

Newspaper of the Year

Ambode appoints heads of agencies

•Army: no election in four Rivers local govt areas P5 •Buhari sacks UBEB chair, FCT revenue board, others P4 •Senator detained in Saudi Arabia after false claims P6 •NECO records 68% five credits pass in June exam PP88 •Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

VOL. 10, NO. 3334 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

NEWS

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•www.thenationonlineng.net

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

•NEW ANCESTOR SPECIES DISCOVERED P61 •NNPC LIFTS EMBARGO ON 113 VESSELS P11

Workers demand death for all treasury looters NLC, TUC protest in Lagos, Abuja, Oyo, Ogun, Kwara, Edo, Kogi, Kaduna, Plateau, Rivers, Bauchi, Jigawa, Abia, Enugu

•Members of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and affiliate unions, during the rally in Lagos…yesterday.

is the day when people that are corrupt will get per‘Gone petual injunctions restraining EFCC from prosecuting them.

PHOTO: NAN

SOME OF THE DEMANDS •Stronger anti-graft laws

If we have such cases, Nigerian workers are ready to go to their •Capital punishment for convicts residences and bring them to court and also interrogate the •Declaration of assets before judge...We are also demanding that the penalty for corrupt pub- taking office, midway and at the lic officers should be... capital punishment. It has worked else- end of tenure of public officials AND MORE ON P AGES 2,3,6,8&60 where and there is no reason why it should not work here PA

•INSIDE:

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•Ambode urges labour to back Buhari •NLC to resist saboteurs •Tukur, Akanbi: Buhari on course•Fayose blames civil servants

•BRANDS P13 •AGRIC P16 •POLITICS P23 •SPORTS P24 •INDUSTRY P47 •FOREIGN P61

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

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NEWS

Buhari and the new anti-graft battle •Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (second right); Belarus Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Vyacheslav Beskosty (second left); Political Officer , Belarus Embassy, Mr. Sergei Makarevich (left) and Director, European Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Baba Garba when the ambassador visited the vice president at the Presidential Villa in Abuja...yesterday.

PHOTO AKIN OLADOKUN.

It looked complex when it started, but President Muhammadu Buhari’s anticorruption battle is gaining more converts by the day. BUNMI OGUNMODEDE examines the development and and states the conditions that will make the war successful.

“I

•From left: Chairman/Chief Executive, Phillips Consulting Ltd, Foluso Phillips; Chairman, Zenith Bank Plc., Jim Ovia; Chairman, Heirs Holdings and Board Member of The Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), Tony Elumelu and Vice President, CCA, Ambassador Robert Perry after a round-table with members of the CCA in Nigeria at Heirs Place in Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: ADEJO DAVID

•From left: Deputy Registrar, (Academics), National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, Dr. Salami Sule; Registrar, Prof Ayoola Atoyebi; President, Prof Rasheed Ajani Arogundade and Treasurer, Prof Opubo da Lilly-Tariah, at the pre-convocation PHOTO: ADEOLA SOLOMON news conference of the College in Ijanikin, Lagos…yesterday.

•From left: Vice President, Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN); Mr. Samuel Kolawole; President/Chairman of Council, Dr Nat Ofo and Executive Director, Convention on Business Integrity, Soji Apampa, at the 39th ICSAN annual conference /dinner at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja...yesterday.

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS.

DON’T think any Nigerian is in favour of corruption or is against the President’s commitment to ensuring that we turn a new leaf.” That was Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, speaking to reporters at the Presidential Villa, Abuja after President Muhammadu Buhari hosted members of the Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar –led Peace Committee.

President Buhari has not left anybody in doubt on his stance on corruption. Even before winning the March 28 election, the desire to tackle insecurity and corruption was pivotal in his electioneering campaign. To him, something must be done about corruption as the social menace may pull down the country if allowed to thrive.

Going by a survey conducted by the TNS, a leading global research agency with offices in more than 80 countries, 91 per cent of Nigerians are in support of the President’s anti-corruption crusade. Considering his antecedents and spartan lifestyle, about 86 per cent of Nigerians believe that Buhari has what it takes to make the country work again.

Some Nigerians who expected action from the blast of the whistle have expressed reservations as the government has not flung open the prison gates for those who plundered the commonwealth of the land. Many people expected much from the Buhari administration in its first 100 days. They branded the President as “Baba Go Slow”, a name tag he described as fitting.

“I am going to go slow and steady. Nigerians should be patient to allow •President this administration put some sense into governance and deal with corruption,” he told those who see him as a slow coach. He gave the reply at an interactive session with Nigerians in the Diaspora at the Nigerian Embassy in Washington DC, United States (U.S.). He said he would rather go slow and steady in fulfilling his campaign promises.

But, the corrupt got a clear message – time is up – yesterday, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), marching in support of the President’s anti-corruption battle in major cities across the nation. They urged the President to go after corrupt officials, recoup stolen funds and punish offenders within the ambits of the rule of law. After their solidarity marches, the workers recommended capital punishment for corruption convicts.

There are speculations that some people have on their own been making moves to return stolen cash to stave off the pending embarrassment. Such people, it is believed, will get a soft landing as they would have saved the government the time and resources that would have gone into their prosecution. “They will be asked to go and sin no more,” a source said.

The President’s searchlight has been on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) – for obvious reasons. Oil accounts for over 90 per cent of Nigeria’s revenue. Preliminary probes launched into the activities of the NNPC and other revenue-generating agencies, including the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS); Nigerian Customs Service (NCS); Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), among others, discovered the agencies as conduit pipes for public office holders.

The Excess Crude Account (ECA) – the savings for the rainy day – is also being examined.

At its maiden meeting, the National Economic Council (NEC), under the chairmanship of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, raised a committee of five to look into allegation of sharp practices in some money-generating agencies. Specifically, the NEC mandated the panel to investigate a shortfall of N3.5 trillion in remittances by the NNPC into the Federation Account since 2012.

Headed by Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, the panel’s other other members are ; governors Nasir El Rufai (Kaduna), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Ibrahim Dankwabo (Gombe) and Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos). The NEC decided to set up the committee after a briefing by a director of Funds in the Office of the Accountant-General on the status and management of the Federation Account, which indicted NNPC for remitting only N4.3 trillion out of its earnings, estimated at N8.1 trillion Buhari in three years.

The Oshiomhole-panel has since concluded its assignment, with the government appointing Pricewater house Coopers (PwC) and KPMG to forensically audit the books of the NNPC and other agencies.

To curtail the looting spree, the international community, with the U.S. as its arrow-head, has promised to assist the President in tracking the accounts into which stolen funds are kept in foreign banks and help recover same. Back home, the management teams of major agencies (NNPC, FIRS, NPA, NCS, NIS and others) have been changed by the President, who has assured that sinners will not go unpunished.

Apparently buoyed by the President’s body language, anti-graft agencies – the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) – got their energy renewed.

Both agencies have woken up to their statutory responsibilities. Those who had written the agencies off as toothless bulldogs have since changed tunes. To them, the agencies have become tools of oppression, used against the opposition. But, President Buhari

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

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NEWS

•OGUN OGUN Governor Ibikunle Amosun addressing members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), who stopped-over in his office during the “Campaign for good governance” rally at the Arcade Ground,Abeokuta...yesterday.

• EDO Governor Oshiomhole (left) receiving a letter from Edo State Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Mr Emmanuel Ademokun, (right) during the anti-corruption rally organised by the NLC in Benin...yesterday.

says anybody giving political colouration to the anti-corruption battle will be missing the point. The upright and incorruptible has nothing to fear, he has said.

In just 90 days, the EFCC has recovered $6.55 million and 248,340 Euros from 55 money laundering suspects at the international airports in Abuja, Kano and Lagos. Besides the seizures, the anti-graft agency has also initiated 71 high profile cases. They include the arraignment and trial of former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation Steve Oronsanye, former Imo State Governor Ikedi Ohakim and his Jigawa counterpart Sule Lamido.

Detectives are poring through the books of at least nine states - Akwa Ibom, Kebbi, Enugu, Lagos, Plateau, Benue, Kwara, Katsina and Cross River. In the past, the states, especially, those governed by the ruling party, were untouchable. But the states under watch cut across party lines.

The Sagay anti-corruption panel The President demonstrated his commitment to the war against graft on August 9 when he named prominent Law professor and civil rights activist Prof Itse Sagay as chair of a seven-man Presidentail Advisory Committeee Against Corruption.

Expectedly, the Sagay committee’s brief is to advise the Buhari administration on the prosecution of the war

against corruption and the implementation of required reforms in Nigeria’s criminal justice system.

Three international development partners bought into the anti-graft crusade by jointly establishing a $5 million Anti-Corruption and Criminal Justice Reform Fund to boost the Federal Government’s efforts. The partners are: Ford Foundation; MacArthur Foundation and Open Society Foundation.

The Fund, to be managed by Trust Africa, an international development civil society organisation with programme presence in more than 25 African countries, is to assist in the implementation of key components of the Action Plan and the work of the Presidential Advisory Committee.

As part of its mandate, the sevenman Committee is to develop comprehensive interventions for achieving recommended reforms.

Other members of the committee are: Prof. Femi Odekunle, a Professor of Criminology, Ahmadu Bello University, Dr. Benedicta Daudu, an Associate Professor of International Law, University of Jos, Prof. E. Alemika, a Professor of Sociology, University of Jos, Prof Sadiq Radda, Professor of Criminology, Bayero University, Kano and Hadiza Bala Usman, a civil society activist.

Prof Bolaji Owasanoye of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) is member/execu-

BAUCHI Members of the Bauchi State chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) during their rally in support of •B President Buhari's anti-corruption war in Bauchi...yesterday.

•ABIA ABIA State chapter chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman Uchenna Obigwe addressing workers during the rally against corruption im Umuahia...yesterday.

tive secretary of the Committee.

Likely obstacles There have been calls in certain quarters that probing past financial misdeeds may, after all, be a waste of time as it will slow down governance.

But advocates of a New Nigeria say those who plundered the nation’s wealth must be brought to justice.

Some believe that leaving stolen cash in the hands of former officilas is sleeping under a roof on fire and that this could spell doom for the government of the day. Such funds, they caution, could be used to destabilise the administration. Some former ministers in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan have regrouped in Abuja to articulate how best to respond to allegations of corruption being heaped on Dr.

Jonathan’s aides. They warned the Buhari administration to refrain from portraying them as corrupt.

The former President chaired the meeting, at the end of which the former National Planning Minister, Dr. Abubakar Olanrewaju Sulaiman, was appointed to henceforth speak for them. Already, some of them are challenging President Buhari to publish the names of corrupt ministers.

Many have identified inadequate funding as one major hindrance that may slow down the prosecution of corrupt officials when they are eventually arraigned by the State. Observers fear that getting enough resources to prosecute super-rich officials might become an albatross, especially when such offenders have the financial wherewithal to hire the services of the best of lawyers.

Investigating officers will also need funds to work.

Learning from the pitfalls of the past, where judges pander to indiscriminate requests for adjournments by defence counsel, there have been demands for the establishment of special courts to try corruption cases.

The question is what effect will yesterday’s solidarity rallies have? The fact that the workers trooped out en masse to support the anti-corruption war is a strong signal that majority of Nigerians are on the same page with the President.

Will the judiciary rise to the occasion? Will there be more cash for investigators? Will lawyers join corruption to fight back - all in the name of defending their clients? Who will carry the day - Nigeria or corruption? Time will tell.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

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NEWS Alleged N28.9b shares’ scam: EFCC arrests BGL chief Okumagba

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HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday confirmed the arrest of the Group Managing Director of a financial services company, BGL Plc, Mr. Albert Okumagba, for alleged N28.9billion shares’ scam.

He was said to have allegedly lured 50 investors in Nigeria into subscribing to his company’s shares.

The suspect was alleged to have diverted the proceeds of private placements of 4.3billion ordinary shares of 50k each at N7k per share eight years ago.

The funds had been traced to British Virgin Island.

But the EFCC stepped into the case following a petition by the Securities and Exchange Commission(SEC) in May, 2015.

A source at the commission said Okumagba, who is respected in the industry, was being investigated for stealing and obtaining money under false pretences.

The source said: “The 51year-old, who hails from Delta State, was picked up on Wednesday by operatives of the EFCC. His arrest followed investigation into a petition to the anti-graft agency

by SEC in May, 2015.

“The suspect is alleged to have diverted N28.9billion being proceeds of private placements of 4.3 billion ordinary shares of 50k each at N7k per share in 2007.

“The company, whose subsidiaries include BGL Capital,

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

BGL Private Equity, BGL Security and BGL Asset Management, allegedly lured 50 investors in Nigeria into subscribing to the company’s shares, promising them options of liquidity and exit within two years.”

The source added that the diverted proceeds of the placements were traced to Okumagba’s subsidiary company, BV1 Club 1 on British Virgin Island.

The EFCC source added: “The liquidity and exit options offered the investors, which were contained in its memorandum of private placements, imply that the investors would get value for their investments through one of its subsidiaries, BGL Securities Limited.

But BGL moved the N28.9billion to an offshore account belonging to one of its subsidiaries, BV1 Club 1, British Virgin Island.

“The suspect was also said to have refused the investors the opportunity to liquidate their assets as promised.

“Investigation also showed that though the suspect allegedly promised the investors that BGL would be listed on the SEC via an Initial Private Offer, within 24 months after the private placements was concluded in 2008, it, however, turned out to be a ruse.”

EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity Wilson Uwujaren confirmed the arrest.

He said investigation was in progress.

Firm offers free job vacancies

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S part of its commitment to tackling unemployment, Nigeria’s leading recruitment website, jobberman, has introduced a free job posting package for employers in the agriculture sector.

A statement yesterday by the online platform stated that the package “is in alignment with the Federal Government’s economic diversification and job creation drive in the agricul-

By Sunday Oguntola

ture sector.”

The firm said job seekers could access free vacancies from direct employers in the sector.

Jobberman also extended the offer to insurance firms and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

The drive, it assured, would enable qualified job-seekers access employment opportunities quicker and faster.

Nigeria, Togo to fight piracy, oil theft From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

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IGERIA and Togo are collaborating to check maritime crimes, including piracy and oil theft in the West Africa sub-region.

Togolese President Faure Essozinma Gnassingbe said this yesterday after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Stressing that security was a big issue in the sub-region, he said he was in Abuja to invite President Buhari for a summit on maritime security and development in Togo by November.

He said he came to congratulate the President on his victory at the election and condole with him on the loss of lives due to terrorism.

“I am also here to commend the President and the Nigerian security forces for the work they are doing to combat terrorism in West Africa.

“What we are doing here to fight terrorism in Nigeria is to promote security on the African continent. Security is a big issue within our sub region, we saw what happened in Mali and the recent conflict in our region in the last 10 or 20 years; we have been dealing with security issues. We pray that God will help Nigeria overcome.

“I am also here to inform the President that Togo is hosting a summit on maritime security and development in November. That summit will deal with issues of piracy and we know that one of the problems of Nigeria is the theft of oil through the sea, the summit will also deal with illicit trafficking in the sea, such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, and deal with the issues of pollution of our water.”

Toxic things are poured in the water killing the ecosystem in our African seas.

On the issue of too many summits, he said: “It is not only applicable to Africa, but the whole world, but the challenge of maritime security in Africa is so much that we cannot allow it that way. For instance, piracy alone costs the region $7billion for not combating it and without cooperation you cannot combat piracy.”

•General Superintendent of Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM), Pastor William F. Kumuyi (middle); Group Pastor, Ketu Group of Districts of Deeper Life Bible Church (DLBC), Pastor Kapde Dada (left); Lagos State Moderator of DLBC, Pastor Joseph Fasanmi (second left) and Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee of Lagos City-Wide Crusade, Pastor Olusegun Babatope at the Lagos City-Wide Crusade organised by DCLM in conjunction with Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigerian (PFN) at Ketu...yesterday.

Buhari sacks chairmen of UBEB, FCT revenue board, others

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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has sacked Chairman, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Internal Revenue Service, chairman, Secondary Education Board (SEB) and the chairman, Universal Basic Education Boards (UBEB).

According to the Deputy Director/Chief Press Secretary FCT, Muhammad Sule, the sack was announced yesterday by the FCT Permanent Secretary, John Chukwu.

He stated that the directive affected all boards of the FCT

From Gbenga Omokhunu and Grace Obike, Abuja

parastatals, agencies, institutions and governmentowned companies.

It said: “President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the immediate sacking of the chairmen of the FCT Internal Revenue Service, Secondary Education Board (SEB) and Universal Basic Education Boards (UBEB).

“The sacking was contained in a letter to the FCT Permanent Secretary, John Obinna Chukwu, FNSE, on Wednes-

day, September 9, 2015 by the Secretary to the Federal Government.

“The Federal Government’s directive on the dissolution of the governing boards of the federal government parastatals, agencies, institutions and government owned companies remains extant.

“That the directive applies to all boards of the Federal Capital Territory parastatals, agencies, institutions and government owned companies.

“In view of the above, the FCT Permanent Secretary, John Obinna Chukwu has di-

rected the former chairman of the FCT Internal Revenue Service to hand over to the director of treasury, FCT; while the chairmen of the Secondary Education Board and Universal Basic Education Board should hand over to the directors/secretaries of SEB and UBEB respectively.

“Meanwhile, the FCT Administration expresses its profound appreciation for their contributions to the development of the Federal Capital Territory and wishes them success in their future endeavours.”

Ministry of Water Resources to pay arrears

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HE Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Musa Istifanus, on Wednesday said the ministry had started working on the payment of promotional arrears for workers.

Istifanus said this in an interview in response to protest by workers over unpaid arrears.

The workers on Tuesday protested against lack of training, unpaid promotional arrears as well as the running of the ministry by Mr. Istifanus.

But the permanent secretary dismissed the allegations against him, adding that the

From Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

workers were protesting because he refused to approve Sallah package for them.

He said one, out of the three persons owed promotional arrears had been paid, adding that the ministry would reprocess the other two before they could be paid.

He said: “In respect to promotional arrears there were three batches one has been paid. But the other two could not go through to the Budget Office because it was a blanket request. Usually if you want to pay promotional arrears you attach evidence of

the approval for the promotion from the commission, the list of officers affected and the grade level they are moving from and the state they are moving from and the distress that will arise as a result of that. You send this to internal audit for audit purpose and you must attach this computation sheet before you submit to budget office.

“When I requested to take a look at the three issues only one of them actually met this requirement the other two was a blanket request and budget office could not have approved something like that.

As it is now we have to repro-

cess the other two arrears. But one of them that went through the normal process has been paid since early this year.

“I do know that starting from about two years ago most training was for every staff.

The money that is available cannot train all the staff in one year. So what is being done is to train a portion of the staff in a particular year and another staff in the next year until all the staffs has been covered and then they come back and repeat the same process. If ten years the officer has not been trained it means he was not in our nominal rule.”

ECOWAS Defence Chiefs meet on security

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HIEFS of Defence Staff in ECOWAS member countries are meeting in Dakar, Senegal on security, particularly insurgency.

A statement yesterday by the Acting Director of Defence Information, Col. Rabe Abubakar said the Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin was leading other top military chiefs to the meeting.

“The meeting is deliberating on new structures of the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) and the Peace Support Operations Division (PSOD).

“Other areas of discussion include ECOWAS Mission in

From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

Guinea Bissau (ECOMIB), Exit Strategy and the implementation of the Defence and Security Sector Reform Programme (DSSRP) in Guinea Bissau.

“The Nigerian delegates are using the occasion to brief the wider regional body about the Boko Haram insurgency and the efforts the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) member countries are putting in place to end Boko Haram terrorist activities in the region”, the statement said.

Gen Olonisakin had, a few

days ago, attended a similar meeting in Mali where regional efforts to curb terrorism and insurgency were extensively discussed.

“With increased regional and continental awareness of the evil of the terrorism and related crimes in the West African sub region, the perpetrators of evil will have it rough with regional forces”, the statement added.

The Nigerian delegation to the Dakar meeting is expected to present papers on the Boko Haram insurgency and emerging challenges in maritime security in the country.

Members of the delegation also include the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral

•Gen. Olonisakin

Ibok-Ete Ibas; the Chief of Training and Operations at the Defence Headquarters, Major General Shehu Yusuf and other staff officers at the Defence Headquarters.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

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Army to Rivers tribunal: no election in four local govt areas

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LECTION was disrupted in Abua/Odual, Ikwerre, Gokana and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government areas of Rivers State on April 11 by hoodlums, the Army told the Justice Mohammed Ambrosa-led Rivers State Elections Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja yesterday.

This brings to five the number of local governments the Army said people were not allowed to vote. On Wednesday, the Army said there was no voting in Tai Local Government. Captain Garba Sani, who led troops in Tai Local Government Area during the election, testified that election did not hold in the entire area on April 11.

Four Captains, who led soldiers on election duty in the four local government areas, testified. The captains said the heavy presence of armed hoodlums at every polling centre in the four local governments prevented officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from conducting the election and the electorates from voting.

The four officers appeared before the tribunal on the strength of the subpoena served on the Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Tukur Buratai.

The subpoena was obtained from the tribunal by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate in the election, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, who challenged the declaration of Governor Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as winner of the

•‘Abua/Odual, Ikwerre, Gokana, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni didn’t vote’ From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

poll.

The witnesses were Captain Sadiq Abubakar (leader of the patrol troop in Abual/Odua); Captain Fred Bala (leader of the patrol troop in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Isa Al-Makura ( leader of the troop in Ikwerre) and Captain Jeremiah Salihu (leader of the troop in Gokana).

Captain Al-Makura told the tribunal how his troops fought to repel attacks from unidentified criminals who attacked polling units repeatedly.

He said most of the polling stations in the local government were attacked by armed gangs which took electoral materials and disappeared into the bush.

According to the army captain, corps members who served as INEC adhoc staff were brutalised when they resisted the thugs who carted away electoral materials. He added that electoral materials meant for the election were diverted as they disappeared immediately on arrival at the local government headquarters.

Captain Al-Makura, who patrolled Ikwerre Local Government Area with 30 soldiers, said he visited all parts of the area, such as Omerelu, Ubima, Apani, Alu, Ozuaha and Isokpo?, the local government headquarters, and never noticed anywhere voting took place on the election day.

He said: “In Ozuaha, roads were barricaded and on sighting our patrol vehicles the hoodlums who mounted the barricade ran into the bush. We received calls and on getting to some polling units, the INEC ad hoc staff told us that some hoodlums came and beat them, collected electoral materials and ran away. I never saw any electioneering taking place in any of the wards.”

The witness, who was deployed from 101 Battalion in Giwa Barracks in Maiduguri, Borno State, added: “That same day, we started hearing gunshots in the town. I had to move my men to see if we could arrest those who were firing the shots. At Okiri Street to be precise, we picked 13 shells on the ground.

“In the morning of the election, there were still gunshots at the local government headquarters. There was distribution of electoral materials at the INEC office but I can tell you that before they got to their destinations they were hijacked.”

Captain Salihu, the second witness, told the tribunal about the breakdown of law and order in Gokana, a situation that necessitated the deployment of Armoured Personnel Carriers from Mopol 56, Sakpenwa to the flashpoints.

Under cross-examination, Captain Salihu said he and his men provided security on the day of the election. He said the council consists of 17 wards.

“I was at the INEC office in the morning when they brought the election materials and the armed men came and started shooting. I did not respond to the shooting because of collateral damage,” Salihu said.

He recalled how the shooting became so intense, even with the presence of his troops.

But to avoid unnecessary loss of lives; they decided not to return fire.

The army captain alleged that the situation was so bad that even collation at some point took place at a police station. He added that his patrol also encountered dissatisfied members of a community, who were protesting the absence of electoral materials and their inability to vote during the election.

“In the course of my patrol, I received a call from a primary school in Mogoh. On getting there, there was shooting from across the fence. We responded and the shooters were shooting as they withdrew.

We were able to pull out the INEC permanent and ad hoc staff and took them to INEC office,” he said.

Captain Bala said he had been in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni? Local Government Area since January because of incessant cult activities in the area.

He said election materials were hijacked from INEC adhoc staff shortly after they were disbursed at the INEC office at the council headquar-

ters in Omoku on the day before the election.

“That same day, we started hearing gunshots in the town.

I had to move my men to see if we could arrest those who were firing. At Okiri Street to be precise, we picked 13 shells on the ground.

“In the morning of the election day, there were still gun shots at the Local Government headquarters. There was distribution of electoral materials at the INEC office, but I can tell you that before they got to their destinations they were hijacked,” Bala, attached to the 101 Battalion in Giwa Barracks, Maiduguri, Borno State told the tribunal.

Captain Abubakar said he led a team of 20 soldiers to patrol Abua/Odual during the election. He said he received many calls from people about incidents of election materials theft from various polling units.

“I received calls from INEC staff that their electoral materials had been hijacked by hoodlums. We kept receiving such calls and we tried our best to retrieve the materials but we could not. We received distress call from Okana. Close to their town hall, we rescued some indigenes, and we took ?them to police station for safekeeping,” Abubakar said.

The army captains who were eye witnesses, having served as commanders, were in agreement over uncontrol-

Permanent Secretary stalls budget probe

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OUSE of Representatives’ investigation into the performance of the capital component of 2015 budget could not take off again for the second time in a week.

The absence of the Federal Ministry of Finance’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Anastasia Mabi Daniel-Nwaobia at the public hearing halted proceedings at the hearing despite the presence of seven agencies of government invited for the hearing.

The committee will begin the investigation next Tuesday after being informed that the Permanent Secretary will still not be available throughout this week. The decision to go on with the hearing on Tues-

•House summons Emefiele From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

day followed the intervention of President Mohammadu Buhari’s National Assembly liason officers, Senator Eta Inang and Suleiman Kawu.

They said the permanent secretary would be on official duty outside the country throughout the week.

The committee summoned the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.

The agencies that appeared before the committee yesterday included the Budget Office of the Federation, the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal

Commission (RMAFC), the Fiscal Responsibility Commission among others.

The committee refused to allow the representative of for Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Aliyu Gusau who is the director general Budget Office to make any presentation on behalf of the Finance Ministry.

Members of the committee, who were unanimous in their decision to postpone the hearing, took turn to explain the implication of the absence of the Permanent Secretary at the hearing.

The Chairman of the Committee, Pategi, said his panel would not compromise the

transparency mantra of the current administration.

“We need to know the budget performance, do we have difficulties implementing it, is the nation broke, there are lots more to know.

“For instance, we are concerned that Zenith bank is laying off about 1000 workers and that’s part of the reasons the House is worried about the capital expenditure of the budget because of it’s implications on Nigerians”.

Nicholas Ossai noted that the Permanent Secretary may not be aware of the enormity of the hearing by sending a representative after failing to appear before the committee a week earlier.

lable violence, snatching of electoral materials, intimidation and absence of proper election.

During cross-examination by counsel for the respondents – Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) for the Independent National Electoral Commission; Mr. Emmanuel Ukala (SAN) for Wike and Mr. Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN) representing the PDP – the officers insisted that there was no evidence of conduct of election in their various areas on April 11.

The army officers, who were led in evidence by their lawyers, Chief Akin Olujinmi (SAN) and Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN), denied allegations leveled against them by the respondents’ lawyers that they appeared before the tribunal to help the APC. As at last night, the petitioners had called 39 witnesses.

MultiChoice promises quality service to subscribers

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•From left: Field Sales Manager, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Adelaye Adebayo; Marketing Manager, Friday Enaholo; Managing Director/CEO, Great Dan White Pharmacy Limited, Mr Ugbah Daniel; General Manager, Sales, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mr Alli Balogun and Corporate Services Manager, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mr Oladimeji Oduyebo during Fidson Healthcare Plc retail reward programme in Lagos.

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS.

•Peterside

EADING pay-TV provider, MultiChoice Nigeria, has assured the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) of its commitment to the continuous provision of top quality service to its subscribers.

The assurance was given in Abuja yesterday at the scheduled hearing into costumer complaints at the head office of the CPC. Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe, led the team of experts to the hearing. The team, comprising experts in various areas of the company’s operations, arrived the venue of the hearing with a number of official documentation that the CPC had requested to be brought along.

Speaking at the hearing, Ugbe said: “We recognise the role the CPC plays in consumer protection and we are glad that we have the opportunity to meet with them in order to achieve optimal customer satisfaction, which is our key objective.”

He explained that the company brought along experts in various areas of its operations because it holds the CPC in high esteem, shares its commitment to customer satisfaction and desires a speedy and satisfactory resolution to the matter through the expertise of the team it brought along.

Ugbe added: “Our customers guide the decisions we make and all our initiatives continue to be geared towards a rewarding customer experience for our subscribers. We await further communication on a new appointment from the CPC, as we work jointly towards improved quality and content for our customers,” said Ugbe.

Early last month, the CPC announced its intention to find out the challenges MultiChoice was facing in its operations, with a view to finding solutions to such in a way that would enhance the satisfaction of its subscribers.

WAI to partner security agencies

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AGOS State Commander of the War Against Indiscipline (WAI) Brigade, Comrade Adeoye Gabriel, has urged members of the command to collaborate with security agencies to ensure adequate security support for their communities and the grass root.

Speaking during a four-day annual camping programme of the WAI brigade in Ikotun, Lagos, the State commander said the organisation was established to instill public morality, social order, civic responsibilities in Nigerians, and promote Nigerian nationalism. “As such, we must collaborate with other government agencies and ensure adequate support for our communities. Our dream is a Nigerian society that is orderly, responsible and discipline, where citizens demonstrate core values of honesty, hard work and patriotism, where democratic principles and ideals are upheld, and where peace and social harmony reign”.

The Special Guest and Lagos State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr Waheed Ishola, noted that the goal of NOA is to consistently raise awareness, provide timely and credible feedback, change attitudes, values and behaviours and mobilise citizens to act in ways that promote peace, harmony and national development.

6

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

NEWS Senator detained in Saudi Arabia after false claims

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FORMER Chairman Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism, Senator Hassan Barata, is in detention in Saudi Arabia.

According to sources, when he was arrested and quizzed, he claimed to be an employee of the Nigerian Embassy – a claim that was found to be untrue.

The senator, who is believed to have travelled to the Kingdom a few weeks ago, may have overstayed when he was picked up.

Barata represented Adamawa South in the sixth Senate, having been elected in 2011 on

By Joseph Jibueze

the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) last February but returned to the PDP after losing his bid to pick the governorship ticket.

He was believed to be holding an official passport on the trip.

The Federal Government has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to retrieve diplomatic and official passports from all persons who are not entitled to hold such documents.

My Customs mission, by Ali •President Muhammadu Buhari (right) and Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe speaking to reporters at the State House in Abuja...yesterday.

Anti-graft protests rock cities

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AGOS Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday urged labour unions to put their weight behind the anticorruption crusade of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Ambode gave the advice when he received members of various labour unions on a peaceful rally at the Lagos House in Alausa.

The Governor was represented by Secretary to the State Government Tunji Bello. He commended the unions, including members of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), National Youth Council (NYC) and Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), for their decision to show solidarity with President Muhammadu Bu-

•Mr. Bello (left) receiving a letter of commendation on behalf of Governor Ambode from the NLC ComPHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES rade Idowu Adelakun (middle) and others...yesterday.

hari’s quest to stem corruption.

He said: “We must thank you immensely for the support that you are giving President Buhari.

This is what Nigerians need.

You are the leaders, you are the

opinion molders, without you setting agenda, there is no way this country can progress, so we really appreciate you.

“All the messages you have brought on this anti-corruption

crusade must be delivered to President Buhari. The Governor said I should assure you that your message will be delivered because he takes you as very Continued on page 8

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OMPTROLLER-General of Customs Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd) has said that President Muhammadu Buhari assigned him to do three things in the service.

They are: to increase revenue generation, restructure Customs and Reform Customs.

A statement of the Public Relations Officer, Mr. Wale Adeniyi, yesterday noted that Ali spoke during his maiden meeting with the management of the service in Abuja.

The statement quoted him as telling the senior officers: “The mandate he (Buhari) has given me are three basic things: go to Customs, reform Customs, restructure Customs and increase the revenue generation. Simple.

I don’t think that is ambiguous, I don’t think that is cumbersome. It is precise and I believe that is what all of you are here to do.”

He urged the management to work with him to deliver on the mandate.

Col. Ali pleaded with the management not to see him as a stranger in the Customs family, noting that his mis-

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

sion is to strengthen the Service.

He solicited the loyalty of all officers and men in his mission for a better service.

The Deputy Comptroller General covering duties for CGC, John Atte, while handing over, gave Col. Ali a brief history of the Service and assured him of unquestionable loyalty of officers and men to work towards suppression of smuggling and increased revenue collection, facilitation among others, in the interest of the nation.

Col. Ali was appointed Comptroller-General of Customs on August 27.

Born on 15th January 1955 in Dass Local Government of Bauchi State, Col. Ali attended the Nigeria Defence Academy Kaduna, between 1974 and 1977, and the Sam Houston State University, Huntsville Texas, USA, between 1984 and 1988. He holds the Bachelors and Masters degrees in Criminology, and the Nigerian Defence Academy Certificate of Education (NDACE).

“Col. Ali had a distinContinued on page 8

Workers demand death for all treasury looters

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ABOUR yesterday called for death penalty for corruption con-

victs.

To the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), the anti-corruption laws are too weak to stop potential treasury looters. They must be strengthened.

The NLC demostrated its support for the Muhammadu Buhari administration’s battle with rallies and picketing of Government Houses in state capitals.

Many streets were paralysed by the protesters, who carried placards In Abuja, NLC President Ayuba Waba led the protest.

The team marched on the office of the Secretary to the Federal Government (SGF) and the National Assembly premises.

Presenting a letter to the SGF, Mr. David Bachir Lawal, Waba said: “Gone is the day when people that are corrupt will get perpetual injunctions restraining EFCC from prosecuting them. If we have such cases, Nigerian workers are ready to go to their residences and bring them to court and also interrogate the judge.

“Our judiciary must sit up.

Gone are the days when perpetual injunctions are

Tukur, Akanbi: Buhari on course

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WO elder statesmen – Justice Mustapha Akanbi and Alhaji Bamanga Tukur —yesterday endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari’s battle against corruption.

Justice Akanbi, a retired President of the Court of Appeal and pioneer Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) said the only thing needed is for Nigerians to “pray for Buhari to succeed”.

He spoke to reporters in Ilorin as part of activities to mark his 83rd birthday.

Tukur, a former Chairman of the PDP, commends Buhari for keeping faith with his campaign promises.

His position is contrary to that of his party which said Buhari had derailed in the implementation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) manifesto.

Justice Akanbi said: “I did not imagine in my time that people will work for six months and they are not paid salaries. How will they feed their families? It is because people have stolen the money. Many poFrom Tony Akowe, Abuja

issued,,restraining agencies of government from prosecuting corrupt public officers.

We must be on the same page and therefore, Nigerian workers are ready to invade the courts and the sanctity of such judges.

“We are also demanding that the penalty of corrupt public officers should be made very strict, including capital punishment. If has

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja and Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

litical office holders have stolen money.

“This administration has given more hope for now. I spoke against ICPC that they have not been working; that they should wake up from slumber just as EFCC has woken up. The body language and spoken words of Buhari show that he is going to fight corruption.

“Let us all support Buhari. Nobody will succeed in fighting corruption if government does not show political will and Buhari has demonstrated the political will in what he is doing now.”

On the delay in appointing minister, Justice Akanbi said “Buhari has said that we should wait till 30th of September, if he has not appointed, then you can go on with your criticism for not appointing ministers. So he has given a deadline. He must have reasons for giving that date.

“When it comes to the issue of appointment, I understand that there are thousands of appointment to be given. Buhari

worked elsewhere and there is no reason why it should not work here. Therefore, all of us are here to try to present our position.”

Lawal commended labour for standing beside the Buhari administration in its quest to make corruption a thing of the past. He assured them that the government will not fail Nigerians in the fight against corruption.

The Government secretary

is the president for the good and the bad and for every Nigerian. I am sure that by the grace of God, he will balance his appointments.”

According to Tukur, Buhari has hit the ground running in tackling corruption, insurgency and unemployment with the efforts already yielding positive results.

“As far as I am concerned, the President is going according to his agenda. So you can judge as well as I can judge. Buhari wants to confront corruption, he wants to confront insurgency, he wants to tackle unemployment. So for me, he is going the right way, he has not deviated.

“We must remove religion from politics.

We must accept ourselves as Nigerians and not see ourselves as being from A or B state, or local government. We must ensure that culture, ethnicity, religion or anything we cannot change, we don’t bring to the table”, Tukur said.

Tukur spoke with reporters at his Abuja residence, ahead of his 80th birthday anni-

said the government considers labour as partners in the development of the country and not enemies, pointing out that with the workers supporting the government’s fight against corruption, the fight is almost won.

He said if the country must move forward, corruption must be made unattractive, while those who engage in corrupt practices should not be given any place to hide.

Continued on page 8

There was a mild drama at the first gate to the National Assembly when security agents locked the gates, preventing labour and civil society organisations from gaining access to deliver their protest letters.

The angry workers who were kept at the first gate to the National Assembly for about 10 minutes threatened to pull down the gates if they were not allowed.

•Tukur

The workers and civil society organisations who began their march at the Unity Fountain also took the campaign to the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Some of the placards they bore read: ‘Payment of workers’ salaries is not negotiable’; ‘Stop corruption; Nigeria can create million of jobs alone in agriculture’; ‘Invest in agriculture today; Corruption has damaged our communication sector, stop it’; recover our monies in the hands of past leaders now; corruption has Continued on page 8

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7

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

NEWS

Oyinlola: I’ve made moves to resolve problem with Soyinka

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ORMER Osun State Governor Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola has promised to explore opportunities for the resolution of the leadership tussle between him and the Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, over the chairmanship of the Board of Trustees of the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding (CBCIU).

Oyinlola, who spoke with reporters at his Okuku country home yesterday at a news briefing, said he would rather address the issues associated with the crisis than engaging Soyinka in a media war.

Oyinlola was the chairman, board of the centre, at its inception in 2008, before Governor Rauf Aregbesola replaced him with Soyinka.

He said the Nobel laureate was misinformed “on the true story, structure of and philosophy behind the establishment of the centre.”

Narrating the peaceful steps he had taken to resolve the matter, Prince Oyinlola said

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

despite the incessant attacks “on my personality by the professor, I will still be cultured in dealing with this matter. Because I believe, to the best of my knowledge that there is no animosity between me and Professor Soyinka, I have, in consultation with my governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, made moves to meet the professor and give him the correct information on the centre, for him to be guided.

“The moves have sadly been rebuffed. I visited his home in Lagos on the advice of my governor. He was not in and never acknowledged that visit. I made several phone calls to him, which were never answered. I tried reaching him unsuccessfully through his daughter, Mrs. Moremi Onijala.

“The respected professor spoke of ethical issues concerning the CBCIU. His attacks did not just start. He did

much more in 2008 when he opposed the establishment of the CBCIU and used his contacts in and out of the country to wage a war, which we won.

“In 2008, Prof. Soyinka unsuccessfully sought to enlist the support of former President Umaru Musa Yar Adua against us. This time, he is appealing to President Muhammadu Buhari with insinuations of ethical matters manifestly based on falsehood. I, however, will still assume that he has been misinformed on the true story, structure of and philosophy behind the establishment of the centre.

“UNESCO, around May 2007, took a decision to establish a category two institute (on culture) in Africa, which, it noted, would be the first of its kind on the continent.

A number of countries in Africa showed interest. Nigeria was one of them.

“To strengthen Nigeria’s bid for the institute, the presidency acquired archival ma-

terials of renowned culture icon, Prof Ulli Beier and sent the then Minister of Culture, Prof. Babalola Borishade, to Sydney, Australia to seal a deal with him on the matter.

“However, Beier gave two conditions, which he said must be met before he would grant Nigeria’s request. These two conditions are, one, the institute must be sited in Osogbo where he lived and around where the majority of the materials were gathered over the decades he was here. The second condition was on who would preside over the board of trustees of the centre.

“Prof. Soyinka’s ‘board’ tested this in court in 2013 when it sought to take over a case instituted by us.

And what did Soyinka get from that move? The Federal High Court, Osogbo in a ruling on October 10, 2013 (appeal on which was struck out by the Court of Appeal, Akure on February 26), decided as follows: “It is not in doubt that the

first plaintiff, ‘ Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding,’ a UNESCO- affiliated institution, was established in Osogbo, Osun State through the Osun State House of Assembly, which passed the law in that behalf, which was signed into law on December 29, 2008. Thereafter, it was registered under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act vide a certificate of incorporation dated July 23, 2009.

“As this case is still at its preliminary stage, I will refrain from making comments that may have the effect of determining the substantive suit one way or the other.

However, once a body becomes incorporated, under the Companies and Allied Matters Act as an Incorporated Trustee, from the date of its registration, it becomes a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal.

The Companies and Allied Matters Act

(CAMA) is a federal legislation and once a body is registered under it, it cannot be regulated outside the said legislation i.e. CAMA. “The court further held that the case was instituted on the instruction of “the Registered Trustees of the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding, who are the existing parties in thiscase. The court went further to state that “the party represented by Mr. T.S. Adegboyega (i.e.

Soyinka’s board) are not parties on record and as such cannot discontinue a process they have not initiated.

“The court concluded that a non-party in a case cannot decide the direction it should take. To steer a ship to harbour, one must of necessity enter it first.

And, did I hear Prof. Soyinka right when he said there had been no court pronouncement on the status of his ‘board’? I believe he has been grossly misinformed.”

Ambode appoints heads of Safety Commission, LASIMRA, Water Regulatory Board

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AGOS State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday appointed new heads of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Authority (LASIMRA) and the Water Regulatory Board.

He approved the appointment of Mr. Fouad Alade Oki as the director-general of the Lagos State Safety Commission, the agency saddled with the responsibility of safety regulations and enforcement.

In a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, the governor also approved the appoint-

ments of Chief Funso Oyekola Ologunde as the chairman and Mr. Jide Odekunle as the new general manager of LASIMRA. Mr. Joe Igbokwe, who until now was the general manager of LASIMRA, was appointed as the chairman of the Wharf Landing Fee Collecting Authority.

Ambode also appointed Ahmed Kabir Abdullahi, an architect, as the acting executive secretary of the Water Regulatory Board.

The appointments, according to the statement, take immediate effect.

Ekiti signs MoU with UK firm on IPP KITI State government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a United Kingdom-based firm, Elemi Energy Limited, for the installation and development of 1.15 megawatts Solar Photo Voltaic (PV) Farm.

The project, which was to boost power supply and breathe life into the economy, was facilitated through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) and it would cost over N500 million, as Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) was approved by Governor Ayo Fayose as part of his commitment to infrastructure development.

E •Governor Aregbesola (second left); son of the late Bola Ige and former Commissioner for Lands and Physical Planning, Muyiwa Ige (middle); his sister, Mrs Funsho Adegbola (third left) and auto metrics instructor, Mr Olayinka Oladigbo (fourth right), at the event ...yesterday.

Aregbesola inaugurates Bola Ige Institute

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SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday inaugurated the Bola Ige Mechatronic Institute in Esa-Oke, Osun State.

Speaking at the event at the Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke, the governor described Bola Ige as a leader, a national icon and a citizen of the world.

Aregbesola, who noted that the project was a befitting legacy in honour of the slain Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, said the “suspected killers of Bola Ige are the same set of people who have tried effortlessly to destabilise our state.”

He noted that the institute was a dream come true, with the equipment costing N875 million.

The governor said: “Although Ige was brutally murdered by those who thought they could silence him, his spirit has been restless and has been tormenting his killers, who have become politically- irrelevant.”

He said the institute was the first of its kind in Africa, add-

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

ing that the state’s vision for the institute began with the need to empower youths and equip artisans with the requisite skills to be relevant in an increasingly digital world.

According to him, “the spirit of Chief Bola Ige will not sleep until the killers are brought to book. These are the same individuals, who have fruitlessly attempted to plunge the state into chaos and bring

O

about a change of government through conspiracy and subterfuge in the recent past.

“While the killers drink from the cup of shame, we shall continue to honour the memory of Ige as he is ensconced in the pantheons of departed Yoruba leaders.”

Aregbesola said the institute would train on-the-street mechanics from garages and candidates from automobile companies.

He said it would admit holders of the Ordinary Na-

tional Diploma and technical college graduates for skill acquisition and industrial trainings.

The governor added that the institute planned to offer through the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the National Universities Commission (NUC), approval for the upgrade of the polytechnic syllabus, a degree course in Auto Mechatronics, using the facilities in future.

it imperative for the government to look inward and ensure its IGR was improved upon.

He said government embarked on a subtle sensitisation process to enlighten residents on the need to pay tax.

“We are paying attention to areas other than the federal allocation to generate revenue. We are bringing more people into the tax net.

“The Land Use Charge, for instance, is one area. Econom-

ic value on land will make more money. We are also reorganising our board of Internal Revenue, not by reducing the workers, but by re-tooling and ensuring they are up-todate and that they get enough training to cope with the present reality.”

Appealing to the people to pay their tax promptly, the commissioner said it is what they pay that the government will use to work for them.

The Solar PV Farm is to be built on 14,000 square metres of land belonging to the Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State (BSES), with an agreement to provide free 150 kilowatts to power station installations and equipment for 20 years.

Elemi Energy Limited, which will handle the power project through its subsidiary in Nigeria, Elemi Power Solutions Limited, will also sponsor training of five engineering workers of BSES in the UK for the operation and management of the 150KW power plant.

The Ooni Ife needs, by aspirant

Ondo moves to raise IGR

NDO State government has said it is putting up initiatives to shore up its Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR), following the declining federal allocation to states.

The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, said the reality of the unfavourable economic climate, which resulted in the sharp drop in revenue from oil, being the main source of revenue for the country, made

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

•Prince Oladele

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PRINCE of Ile-Ife, who is aspiring to emerge as the next Ooni, Adetayo Oladele, has said the new monarch must be a man who is desirous of bringing development to the town.

He said the person must not be one who is seeking the

throne only for the privileges it brings.

Prince Oladele, who hails from Adagba Royal Compound in Lafogido Ruling House, said in a statement yesterday that the throne became vacant at a time the town needed a traditional ruler, who would reposition it to the level of bringing pride not only to Ife sons and daughters, but also to all Yoruba in the world.

He said the Ooni should be a man who sees the throne in terms of responsibility and service, rather than power, privilege and prestige.

The aspirant urged others and kingmakers to prioritise the interest of Ile-Ife in their considerations.

8

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

NEWS Bamanga Tukur, Akanbi: Buhari on course Continued from page 6

versary, coming up on Tuesday. He cautioned the PDP against destructive criticism of the President and his policies.

“My advice is that they should not allow religion, ethnicity and other parochial considerations creep into the nation’s politics”, Tukur said.

The ex-PDP chair advised President Buhari to choose his ministers on merit, above any other considerations, saying “Buhari should not appoint those who want the job; he should appoint those the job wants”.

Such appointees, he said,

must be credible, experienced and incorruptible with proven integrity to make a difference.

He counseled that politics should be built on justice, equity and fairness to deepen the nation’s democracy and governance.

The ex-party chair said the PDP would have recorded a better outing in the last general election if he had remained the chairman, adding however, that the Nigerian people got the change they desired.

He foreclosed the possibility of defecting to the APC at his age, saying in democracies any where in the world, there must

a be a ruling party and the opposition.

Recalling the circumstances under which he was forced out of the PDP, Tukur said some power brokers in the party found it difficult to embrace his principled leadership style.

“I preached what I believed.

I wanted election and people in the PDP said they wanted selection. If the majority or the strong people in the PDP did not believe in it, then the choice or the next thing for me to do was to leave.

“Under the circumstance, it is either I leave or they leave. But I did not want them to leave, so I decided to leave. At that

NECO records 68% five credits pass

T •Justice Akanbi

time, people said I was preaching internal democracy instead of imposition. So it was difficult for me to sit there and allow them to leave”, Tukur said.

Anti-corruption protests rock cities

Continued from page 6

important partners in progress.”

State Chairman of the TUC, Comrade Akeem Kazeem, said: “Corruption has created a very bad image for the country and its citizens. It has affected all sectors: health, education, petroleum, power, agriculture, transport, goods and services as well as manufacturing.

“It has also led to massive brain drain- a great number of Nigerian best brains have been driven to other parts of the world where they now spearhead developmental and scientific exploits.

He commended Governor Ambode’s strides in the first 100 days in office, saying that the labour unions are fully in support of his drive to invigorate the state civil service and engender development in the state.

“In this state, we have said pensioners’ benefits have not been getting the required attention for so long a time. We must recognise the fact that we are aware that Governor Ambode has released the sum of N11billion to offset pension arrears. It’s a right step in the right direction”.

Oyo The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Oyo State chapter has assured workers that Governor Abiola Ajimobi has no intention to retrench them or reduce their salaries.

Chairman of NLC Comrade Waheed Olojede spoke at the rally to support President Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade in Ibadan.

He said: “We held a meeting with the governor 11 days ago and the position of both government and labour was that government will never downsize or rationalise the workers of Oyo State, irrespective of whatever development.

“At no time did the government of Oyo State and labour agree to reduce workers salary, So even if there is any plan by government to reduce workers

salary, the union will resist it by all means.

The NLC boss stated that what all employers of labour should be thinking now is on how to increase workers salary because the present salary wages is low.

He urged the workers in the state to be calm, assuring them that none of them will suffer any job casualty in the state.

“Unfair treatment of Nigerian workers and unrealistic minimum wage has led many workers to live in penury and. Suffer untold hardships, as a result of corruption.”

He debunked the claim that Nigeria workers are the most corrupt, adding that there is no examination of facts to such a claim.

He said:” There is a need for self examination to know the place we are not doing well. We must join the train to fight corruption. I want to appeal to you that the campaign against corruption must be sustained by all sundry. “ Governor Ajimobi who was represented by Deputy Governor Moses Adeyemo, urged all to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration to flush out corruption.

Ekiti Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose yesterday accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of being guilty of corruption it is constitutionally empowered to fight.

Fayose also accused workers of complicity in corruption saying “no politicians can steal public funds without the connivance of career civil servants.”

The governor spoke at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Trade Union Congress (TUC) and their affiliate unions’ anticorruption rally in Ado Ekiti.

The workers’ unions rally which was tagged Campaign for Good Governance started at the NLC secretariat at Egbewa through the State Secretariat, House of Assembly before it ter-

minated at the Governor’s Office.

Fayose who described the rally as a “mere jamboree” pointedly told the labour leaders majority of who are civil servants, to purge themselves of corruption before accusing politicians of graft.

Accusing EFCC of corruption, Fayose explained that he sued the anti-graft agency in 2009 for allegedly harassing his wife, Feyisetan, and the court awarded N10 million damages in his favour which the commission has refused to pay till date.

Fayose said: “The commission has been evading the payment of N10 million it ought to pay to me over Appeal Court judgement when I sued EFCC for harassing my wife. Is this not corruption?”

He also described the anti-corruption crusade of President Muhammadu Buhari as “mere propaganda” urging the Nigerian leader to start the fight against corruption from his party chieftains.

Fayose said for Buhari to be taken serious in his anti-corruption battle, he (Buhari) must revisit the Halliburton scandal which happened before the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

He said: “No governor, minister or top political office holder can steal a penny from the treasury without the coopera-

•Oshiomhole

tion of the civil servants. We don’t write papers as politicians, but we only approve whatever the civil servants come up with.

“I consider the anti-corruption war of President Muhammadu Buhari as mere propaganda. If you want to fight corruption, you have to do it by example.

President Buhari must start from his party men. He should probe how his campaign was funded because he told Nigerians that he is a poor man.

“I differed seriously to his anti-corruption war because he has been protecting other former heads of State, except President Goodluck Jonathan, who contested against him.

“What is happening to Halliburton’s scandal and other corruption cases perpetrated before Jonathan’s government? This is what I expected the labour to do.

They should ask questions, rather than go on mere protests”.

After submitting a letter to the governor on behalf of the labour unions, NLC Chairman Ade Adesanmi, said: “Corruption has affected all the sectors- education, civil service, banks, markets, transport, power, manufacturing and other private and public institutions. It has lead to the closure of factories and engendered poverty in the system.

“It breeds all kinds of crimes like robbery, vandalism, kidnapping, youth restiveness and insecurity. We promise that the trade unions will continue to support the current leadership in its fight against corruption”.

Kaduna Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has dismissed rumours of his sudden collapse as a hoax and the handiwork of mischief-makers.

He said: “You can say El-Rufai has collapsed and died, but here I am. I am alive. My deputy is here, he is alive and can continue the good work we are here to do for the good people of Kaduna state.

“Only last weekend my dep-

HE National Examinations Council (NECO) has released its June/July 2015 results with 511, 931 or 68.56 per cent of the students recording five credit pass and above in all subjects including English Language and Mathematics.

Announcing the release of results yesterday at the Council National headquarters in Minna, the Registrar and Chief Executive of NECO, Prof Abdulrashid Garba said the result shows 12 per cent improvement to the results of the 2014 result released by the council and a remarkable improvement to the results in the last four years.

According to him, 969, 991 candidates registered for the examination out of which 969, 491 sat for the examinations in centers across the country.

Giving a breakdown of the results, the NECO Registrar said 83.28 per cent credit pass in English

From Justina Asishana, Minna

Language and 80.74 per cent credit pass in Mathematics.

The Registrar lamented that despite the adequate vigilance and monitoring by his organisation, NECO still recorded substantial malpractices which led to leading to cancellation of 43,608 culprits results and black listing of culpable adhoc staff.

Garba said 13 states were partially indebted to NECO, with commitment to pay and the Council released the results of those states adding that some private schools also owe the organisation but all results were released except those involved in malpractices.

In the analysis of candidates performance by states, Delta State? scored the highest in five credits and above including English and Mathematics with 83.51 percent, and Edo state follows suit with 83.42 percent.

My Customs mission, by Ali Continued from page 6

guished career in the Nigerian Army during which he served as Military Administrator (MILAD) Kaduna State between 1996-1998 and Colonel Training TRADOC, Minna in 1998.

“His previous appointments include General Staff Officer II, Military Police Headquarters, 1981-1982, General Staff Officer II, 1 Mechanised Div, Kaduna, 1992, and Commander, Special Investigation Bureau, Apapa, Lagos 1994-1996.”

Autogenius unveils website relaunch, records 100% paid claims

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IGERIA’s first online auto insurer, Autogenius launched last October has recorded a 100% paid claims processed by its five leading insurance partners AIICO Insurance, Custodian and Allied Insurance, Leadway Assurance, NEM Insurance and Royal Exchange. As part of its efforts to enhance the quality of customers’ shopping experience and availability of information, the company has launched its redesigned website.

With the use of simple explanatory banners, the website directs visitors to their preferred auto insurance options and available providers. The product page at a glance offers a detailed introduction to the various auto insurance packages available.

Continued on page 60

By Tonia ‘Diyan

Speaking at the event, Kola Oyeneyin, Chief Executive Officer Venia Technologies, parent company to AutoGenius,sauid: “The new website was created with the user experience firmly in mind. This is a result of talking with customers and gaining valuable feedback.

We are excited to be able to provide the ultimate userfriendly experience with improved navigation and functionality which enables customers access auto insurance products easily”, he said.

He added that AutoGenius provides users with a startto-finish e-insurance experience. Allows vehicle owners and operators search for quotes from their preferred insurance providers, compare prices and features and purchase auto insurance online.

Workers demand death for all treasury looters Continued from page 6

increased poverty, fight it now; if we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill us; corruption promotes insecurity, stop it now, among others.

Waba said further labour abhors a situation where those who stole public funds are given light sentence or an option of fine, only to come out and enjoy the money they stole adding that in China, those found to be corrupt are shut to serve as deterrent to others.

“Our leaders must use their brains to come up with policies and programmes that will impact meaningfully on Nigerians. This is a struggle

for all of us a struggle for a new Nigeria, a struggle for good governance and a struggle against corruption.

“We are here because our laws are very weak. Even if one steals N100 billion, he get two years jail term or part with a fraction of the money and is allowed to go and enjoy.

“The one that comes to mind is the case of Atiku Kigbo who stole billions from the Pension fund and what he got was two years imprisonment and N750,000.00 fine.

“We are also demanding that all political office holders both elected and appointed must declare their assets before assumption of office, mid way into their tenure and

at the end of their office so that we can know whether they have stolen or not.

“Our generation and generation yet unborn will suffer for the consequences of not fighting corruption. For the first time in our history, workers went eight months without salaries. Let us not fight the symptom. The disease is corruption and lack of good governance”.

President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Boboi Kaigama said this was the first time in over 20 years that workers had to stay for several months without salaries as a result of corruption.

He said labour had always been in forefront of the fight against corruption, pointing

out that President Buhari had only come out to align with the position of labour, pointing out that the onus of fighting corruption lies on the workers who are the only people paying taxes in the country.

He said that workers cannot afford to wait for the EFCC, ICPC or the police to fight corruption in the country, pointing out that the time has come when Nigerians should stand up and stamp out corruption.

Chairman of EFCC Ibrahim Lamorde commended the labour efforts in supporting the fight against corruption and assured that they will act on the letter with dispatch.

Lamorde assured that they

will not be deterred in their zeal to fight corruption in the country in line with the aspiration of Nigerians and President Muhammadu Buhari.

At the National Assembly, Senate Deputy Minority Whip, Senator Francis Alimikhena received the letter on behalf of the Senate President Bukola Saraki.

He assured them that the Senate was in agreement with the President’s anti corruption campaign and will do everything possible to ensure that fight against corruption in the country is a success.

Alimikhena said as part of the senate’s fight against corruption, it had asked for the abolition of waiver on the

importation of rice as well as investigating investment in the power sector since 1999.

House of Representatives member Sani Zorro who represented Speaker Yakubu Dogara, apologized to labour for the difficulty encountered while trying to access the National Assembly.

He said the House of Representatives is in full support of the fight against corruption in the country.

General Secretary of the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, Comrade Isa Aremu and President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU) Dr. Nasir Fagge, also spoke at the rallies.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

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THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

NEWS Defection of PDP chiefs to APC worries Paulker •Okoya withdraws for governor From Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

THE lawmaker representing Bayelsa Central in the National Assembly, Senator Emmanuel Paulker, has expressed concern at the defection of some Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) chieftains to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Paulker spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, following his screening by PDP Southsouth Governorship Election Committee.

Governor Seriake Dickson, who is seeking reelection, was also screened by the committee.

Paulker noted that the PDP lost most of its heavyweights to the opposition.

But the senator expressed confidence that the PDP would win the December 5 governorship poll.

He said: “I am disturbed about the defection and more worried about the calibre of persons that defected. I am even more worried that their defection came a few months to the governorship election.

“However, one thing sure is that Bayelsa is a PDP state.

We will put our acts together. The PDP will still win the election.”

Dickson confirmed the withdrawal of Reuben Okoya from the governorship race.

The governor said the news of his withdrawal came to him (Dickson) on his way for the screening in Port Harcourt.

He described Okoya’s decision as a sign of good omen for the PDP. Dickson hailed Okoya for his decision, adding that he would woo him and his supporters into his team to build the state and the party.

Cleric denies link with Effurun collapsed hotel From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

THE General Overseer of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry, Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin, has debunked a report that the church’s guest house collapsed.

Addressing reporters yesterday at the church’s permanent site on EffurunSapele Road in Delta State, the cleric said since the incident, he had been receiving calls and messages on social sites, asking if the collapsed guest house belonged to the church.

He said: “Critics are promoters. Men of God who criticise other men of God need deliverance.”

Fufeyin urged Christians to love one another as Christ did.

On the alleged partnership with the hotelier, the cleric said he had instructed visitors of the church to stop using the hotel in the last one year and eight months.

He said the church had built its guests houses.

Dickson accused of wasting N1.5b on declaration

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GROUP of stakeholders in Bayelsa State, the Bayelsa Surveillance Group (BSG), has accused Governor Seriake Dickson of spending N1.5 billion at his re-election declaration.

The group claimed that the governor spent the money to hire the huge crowd at his declaration in Yenagoa, the state capital, on Tuesday.

But the Ijaw Young Professionals (IYP) described the allegation as frivolous, unfounded and baseless.

IYP said the accusers were faceless, adding that BSG was a non-existent group and a decoy by the opposition to deceive the residents.

In a statement by its Chairman Kemekiye Oliver and Secretary Peter Izontari James, BSG said: “Dickson spent N1.5 billion of Bayelsa State funds for his declaration for a second term as governor.”

The group said the Dickson administration should

•Allegation laughable, unfounded, says group From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

have used the money to complete some of its numerous abandoned projects.

It said: “We have it on good authority that the amount was used to enable Dickson’s foot soldiers rent crowds from all nook and cranny of the state to attend the declaration.

“The aim was to create a facade of popular support by the grassroots for Dickson. Some of the abandoned projects are constituting an eyesore and a dent on Bayelsa skyline.

“Furthermore, this wrongful and unproductive deployment of scarce resources by Dickson clearly negates his avowed commitment to bring the needed infrastructural development to Bayelsa.

“Spending that sum of money for a failed governor’s declaration for second tenure is quite appalling and needs

to be probed by anti-graft agencies.”

The BSG criticised former President Goodluck Jonathan for publicly endorsing Dickson’s second-term bid instead of playing the role of an elder statesman in the election.

The group noted that Jonathan’s public endorsement of the governor amounted to imposing him on Bayelsa electorate, adding that the former President was repeating what he did in the run-up to the 2012 governorship election.

But IYP, in a statement by its spokesman Seighfa TonyeBrown, said the accusation was false because of Dickson’s disposition to public spending.

Tonye-Brown said: “Governor Dickson is a principled, strict and morally upright gentleman. He will not spend a dime of government money to fund his declaration.

“As one of the many pro-

Dickson support groups, which took part in that declaration, I should inform all such rumour mongers that we spent our resources to mobilise 2,000 of our members to attend the event and to express our solidarity with the governor. I know for a fact that similar support groups also contributed money to make their presence felt at the rally. “...We are aware that the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant is behind the wild rumour because he is now jittery over the groundswell of support and popularity of the governor. It has nothing to do with government.

“Governor Dickson is not the kind of person who will spend the state’s resources on himself. He is that strict, and those who are peddling such devilish propaganda are just being wicked and mischievous.”

‘Olu of Warri sick, not dead’

By Our Reporter

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GROUP, Iwere Integrity Group (IIG), has said the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II, is only ill and not dead, as was speculated last weekend.

The group decried the spread of what it called false information on the monarch’s health.

The IIG, which comprises princes, princesses and prominent Itsekiri leaders, promised to be open about the monarch’s health to avoid further rumour-mongering.

In a statement by its Chairman and Secretary, Moses Fregene and Francis Ariyo, IIG said: “We admit that His Majesty (Ogiame II) has some issues with his health. All we need do is pray for his quick recovery.

“We promise to let you know, through the Warri Traditional Council, should his condition improve or deteriorate.”

IIG restated its commitment to upholding the uprightness of the Itsekiri, “who have been organised under one tongue and crown for over 500 years”.

But the group’s reaffirmed its commitment to “the promotion of every strand of the custom and tradition of our people and will do everything lawful to guarantee the rule of Itsekiri customary practice and procedure”.

The monarch, a lawyer, ascended the throne on April 2, 1987.

His coronation was the last public event attended by the late Yoruba sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

Ayade ends eight-month JUSUN strike

C •Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole (left) and outgoing Police Commissioner Samuel Adegbuyi (right) decorating the Governor’s Chief Security Officer (CSO), Mr Haruna Yusuf with his new rank in Benin

Bayelsa APC to PDP: you harbour kidnappers

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HE Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday told the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to look inwards for the incessant kidnapping across the state.

The APC was reacting to an allegation by the PDP Youth Vanguard (PYV) that it was responsible for Wednesday’s abduction of Fynman Wilson, the special adviser on Political Matters to Governor Seriake Dickson.

Condemning Wilson’s abduction and sympathising with his family, APC alleged that notorious kidnappers were not just members of the PDP but were also holding political offices in the administration.

The state’s APC Secretary Merlin Daniel said the kidnapping of Wilson should have arisen from the statements credited to former President Goodluck Jonathan at the Dickson’s formal declaration for a second term.

Daniel described Jonathan as a disappointment to Niger-

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

ia and Bayelsa, saying the former President foreclosed the ambitions of other PDP aspirants by asking those who had bought forms to forget their aspirations and support Dickson.

The APC chief said Jonathan’s statement could have compelled supporters of aggrieved aspirants to engage in violent protest.

He said the APC was too busy preparing for its primaries and too responsible to engage in criminality.

Daniel said Wilson’s issue was politically infinitesimal to be considered a threat to APC’s march to win the December 5 governorship poll.

He said: “We sympathise with the family of Fynman Wilson, the victim of the kidnap. At the same time, we condemn the action. It is frivolous for anybody to link the APC to the incident. Wilson is too politically infinitesimal to the next election.

“We don’t consider him as

a case to us. Besides, we are working towards our primary, the state’s congresses. We don’t even have time to look at PDP because PDP is not a case as far as Bayelsa State is concerned. APC is too responsible to indulge in an act like that. All the known kidnappers in this state work in PDP and holding government offices.

“They should investigate themselves very well because the former President Jonathan, who has disappointed Bayelsa, made a statement at the PDP rally on Tuesday during the declaration of the governor, that every other person that bought forms on the platform of the PDP to contest against Dickson should forget their interests and work with Dickson.

“Is it not possible that the aggrieved persons, because the statement is annoying, could do an act like this? Instead of looking into the problems in PDP declaration, they are coming to accuse APC. APC knows nothing and

will not do that. The governor himself is not even a factor as far as the election is concerned, including Jonathan.”

He added: “They (PDP) ruined this country and, today, he (Jonathan) is coming to Bayelsa, which he could not ...see for six years, that they should work for Dickson. He said if Dickson is not voted for, it is going to bring down his image and his wife’s.

“What has his integrity done to Bayelsans? Has his integrity built the roads in Bayelsa or built the roads from Yenagoa to Otuoke, his village. Has his integrity brought jobs to the people of the state?

“Has the former President integrity completed our World Bank’s building? Has his integrity built the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) in Brass? He is coming to talk of integrity; he should be covered in shame to stand before Bayelsans and talk. I weep for him. He doesn’t deserve the respect of Bayelsans.”

ROSS River State Governor Ben Ayade has resolved the over eight-month strike of the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) yesterday with the representatives of the union in Calabar, the state capital.

The agreement was signed on behalf of the government by the Head of Service (HOS), Ekpenyong Henshaw; JUSUN’s National Treasurer Jimoh Musa Alonge, who represented the National President Mustapha Maruan Adamu, signed for the union.

Ayade hailed members and the leadership of the national and state chapter of JUSUN for their understanding.

The governor assured that he would keep his side of the bargain, adding that he would set up a committee to work out the modalities for implementing the contents of the MoU. He said: “With the signing of this MoU, I owe you a responsibility, a duty to keep our side of the bargain.”

Ayade said he received a letter from the workers, demanding the implementation of the consolidated salary for judicial workers.

The governor said his administration was studying the demands.

He said the signing of the MoU and subsequent suspension of the strike by JUSUN was victory for the common man and those detained without trial as well as some young lawyers whose practice had been checkmated for the period od the strike.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

11 “The governors owe Nigerians explanations why they could not pay their workers because they collect money from Abuja every month. So, what did they do with all the money? Some of them were launching ambitious projects that were unrealistic such as building airports.”

BUSINESS THE NATION

-Managing Director, Neo Media & Marketing, Mr Ehi Braimah

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

FrieslandCampina celebrates 1000 days of workplace safety

NNPC lifts embargo on 113 crude oil vessels T F HE Nigerian National Petroleum Corpora tion, (NNPC) yesterday lifted the embargo it placed on some 113 Vessels from engaging in Crude Oil/Gas loading activities in any of the Terminals within the Nigerian Territorial waters.

The Corporation said lifting the ban is predicated on the receipt of Letters of Comfort from all Terminal Operators,

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

oil companies and Off-takers of Nigerian Oil and Gas as guarantee that nominated vessels, pending the outcome of detailed investigation, are unencumbered and would not be utilised for any illegal activity whatsoever.

NNPC’s Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Ohi Alegbe, who made this known in a statement, said the Federal Government has approved the establishment of an InterAgency Committee made up of the Department of State Services, Nigerian Maritime

Administration and Safety Agency, Nigerian Navy, Department of Petroleum Resources and the NNPC. The body is mandated to collect data and investigate the activities of the banned vessels within Nigerian territorial waters. In addition, it is expected to appraise the culpability or otherwise of each of the vessels in the time past and advise appropriately, the statement said.

Save us from AMCON, G.Cappa begs court

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CONSTRUCTION company, G.Cappa Plc, yesterday prayed the Federal High Court in Lagos to order policemen who sealed off its offices to leave immediately.

It asked the court to discharge an ex-parte order granted the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) which took over the company over an alleged unpaid N1.2billion debt.

G.Cappa said AMCON did not follow due process in executing the order.

Besides, it said the ex-parte order made by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke on May 14 had elapsed “by effluxion of time” as at when the order was executed on August 27.

It sought an order discharging the ex-parte order, and prayed the court to direct that its bank account be unfrozen.

G.Cappa’s lawyer Mr Taiwo O. Taiwo said his client does not owe the sum claimed by

By Joseph Jibueze

AMCON. Rather, he said the Federal Government owes G.Cappa.

“We’re under serious hardship. We can’t go to our office because the police have sealed it up. This is a company that employs so many people. We have no choice than to come to court to save us from those who think they have so much power,” Taiwo said.

In a supporting affidavit, he applicant said: “The execution of the ex-parte order was without regard to the interest of the defendant’s tenants at the two premises occupied by policemen.”

AMCON had taken possession of the company’s property at Kano Street, Borno Way, Ebutte Metta, and at 8, Taylor Road, Iddo, Bond Line, Lagos.

The corporation said G.CAPPA approached UBA Plc for working capital to the

tune of N880million as overdraft, short term advance, direct credit, bonds and guarantees for corporate restructuring, which were granted through offer letters of April 28, 2000; April 30, 2001 and March 14, 2002.

The property was said to have been used to secure the loan, which was bought over

by AMCON. “At the expiration of the facility, the defendant failed, neglected and/or refused to liquidate its indebtedness to it, leaving an outstanding balance of N1,207,296,646.45 being the outstanding balance as at the 4th day of June, 2014,” AMCON said.

But G.CAPPA denied failing or refusing to repay the debt, saying the issue has always been that of ascertaining its exact indebtedness to UBA Plc. The defendant said it has made some payments to UBA amounting to N250million, adding: “The defendant is

• From left: Deputy President, Nigerian–British Chamber of Commerce, Akin Olawore; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc., and Guest Speaker, Nnamdi Okonkwo and British Deputy High Commissioner, Ray Kyles at the Nigerian–British Chamber of Commerce September Breakfast meeting in Lagos...yesterday.

Dangote, Adenuga, others to be honoured with Africa Int’l Achievers Award

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FRICA international achievers, among them,Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Group Chairman, Dangote Group; Otunba Mike Adenuga, Founder, Mike Adenuga Foundation; Dr. Raymond Dokpesi, Chairman Emeritus, DAAR Group; Hon. Justice Maria Do Ceu Silva Monteiro, President, ECOWAS Community Court of Justice are to be honoured in Accra, Ghana.

The award is been anchored

by AFRICA International Achievers Conference and Awards (AIACA).

The Chairman, AIACA Organizing Committee/Board of

Advisors of MediaStead International Limited, His Grace, ArchBishop Dr. Benjamin Obomanu, who described the AIACA as an avenue for African Leaders to converge and discuss on ways to tackle leadership failures and how to get Africa out of the economic quicksand slowing down the continent’s progress.

He said the award is a way of ensuring motivation for the duplication of achievers and achievements; stressing that it is always good to extend a helping hands when God is helping us.

As all hands are on deck to ensure a smooth conference and awards at AIACA 2015, we wish our participants and awardees

greater successes and the eagle vision to set higher trends for posterity.

This august and epoch making summit and honour is the brainchild of MediaStead International Limited in conjunction with Africa Elite and Teem Magazines.

The event which comes up at the M.J Grand Hotel, Accra Ghana, is designed for a speedy developmental impact that will leapfrog unprecedented socio-economic, cum leadership advancement, an urgent development revolution that appears to be the sine qua non for growth in a continent that direly seeks to attain relevance in the comity of great continents.

not bound to pay the sum claimed by the plaintiff because that is not the actual amount it owed the plaintiff.”

G.CAPPA has also filed a counter-claim against AMCON and UBA, saying that the overdraft facility it took from UBA was N250million by commercial paper and that it owes the bank only N86million.

It said UBA unilaterally varied terms of the agreement to the detriment of G.CAPPA, which adversely affected its business.

Justice Mohammed Yunusa will rule today on G.Cappa’s application.

RIESLANDCAMPINA WAMCO Nigeria Plc, has celebrated 1000 days of safety with no staff forced to be absent from work due to injuries sustained on duty.

This, according to its Corporate Affairs Director, Ore Famurewa, is no mean feat.

Famurewa, who spoke on the occasion in Lagos, described loss time accident (LTA) as an employee’s time off work as a result of injury sustained at work during daily operations.

She said her organisation is now ISO14001 and OHSAS 18001 certified for maintaining the best regulatory standards for environment-friendly energy use and waste management as well as promoting the best occupational health and safety standards without legal breaches.

The Managing Director of the company, Rahul Colaco said: “The achievements truly demonstrate our team members’ individual and collective commitment and dedication to high personal safety standards”.

The company, he said. was proud of the standards it has set for itself,

By Wale Adepoju

adding: “We are very proud of our employees, especially the operations team”.

Colaco said the company received the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) award for safety performance, stressing that this recognizes a successful company with safety programme, which produces tangible safety improvements.

Operations Director, Doyin Ashiru said the company embraced a culture of safety after suffered the July 11, 2011 flood, which affected its operations, and other incidents.

He said the 1000 days without LTA was groundbreaking, adding that the goalpost will be shifted from lost time accident ton zero injuries.

“So, we are going to start tracking injury days. But our objectives would be to be able to celebrate another 1000 injury-free days. If we are able to prevent injuries, we would not be talking about lost time accidents,” Ashiru said.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

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THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS BRANDS & MARKETING

e-mail: adedejiademigbuji@yahoo.com /mobile line: 08131075667

Fidelity Bank targets the millennial in new identity Brands pass through various stages. To remain active from one stage to the other, many try to stay connected to market forces. For Fidelity Bank Plc, the unveiling of its new brand identity “Millennial or digital natives”, appears to have been informed by the need to focus on the youth, while retaining its older generation of customers, writes ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI.

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HERE’S no such thing as the millennial - the generation of children born between 1982 and 2002. This bold proclamation by a global advertising intelligence firm, Exponential Interactive, has continued to elicit responses from brand owners, especially the conservatives who want to maintain their grip on old generation consumers and capture the market force.

Hence, every business owner, with foresight on future growth and relevance in a market full of uncertainties, is constantly preparing the ground to carry the demography tailoring product and service design that suit its needs.

This new thinking is understandable. The baby boom generation (people born during the demographic post–World War II, approximately between the years 1946 and 1964) are ageing, while trend spotters are mapping the millennial as the next target market. This position is further affirmed by a recent market intelligence forecast which stated that the “Millennial” generation is projected to surpass the outsized, as the nation’s largest living generation.

Exponential analysed data revealed that three major forces have shaped the millennial experience: the economy, globalisation and social media.

According to the firm, these forces define important millennial populations, and within each of these categories, are several subgroups, each with its own specific needs and preferences. While there is some overlap across categories, marketers find it important to map the groups they want to target, and how to appeal to each one, individually.

This, perhaps, explains why Fidelity Bank Plc, is changing its conservative market orientation.

Last week, the bank changed its brand identity-logo and colour to align with the new market realities.

Established in 1988, the brand’s new identity comes with a block logo with green, deep blue, on two sides and light white line dividing the colours in a diagonal form, making the green and blue form triangles. The bank explained that the deep blue colour is a testimony of its “rich, solid background as a bank. It holds an accommodative path which inspires us to go into the future.” It said, the green colour symbolises fertility, growth and progress to the future, while the white line at the middle signifies safety, purity and a guiding light.

But beyond the logo and new identity, trend spotters believe the bank is smarting out of its conservatism to connect with the new market forces before it gets cut in the web of market dissonance.

Hence, during the unveiling, the bank explained that the rebranding exercise is to bring about convergence in its services, to suit both the old and new generation customers.

According to a brand analyst at Brandish, Mr. Ikem Okuhu, banking used to be this conservative.

“Change used to be slow and very

slow sometimes. And that sometimes explains why it takes some of them, well-schooled in the traditions of money management ample time and caution to change from the authodox ways it is seen by the external community.

In the Nigerian banking ecosystem, it perhaps remained only a few banks and Fidelity Bank that were yet to refresh their logo and by that token, refocus their marketing dynamics.”

Chairman of the bank, Dr Christopher Ezeh, said the bank is taking away its old garment for a new one in order to serve the customers better.

However, the Group Managing Director/CEO, Fidelity Bank, Nnamdi Okonkwo, said the changing trends mean that “over time brands age and require renewal.

“For us, the motivation behind our rebranding project is a combination of several factors. Our business environment is changing and we realise that to remain true to the customers we serve, it is imperative that we stay in tune with the times.

“We are not just giving our brand a new look, more importantly, we are actively changing the way we do business; becoming more focused on our customers’ needs and exceeding their expectations.

Rebranding, therefore, makes this contract visible to our stakeholders. Major global brands also constantly evolve to remain relevant with the times and so it became obvious that we needed to reposition our brand as a modern and forward thinking bank,” he stressed.

While stating that about 43 per cent of Nigeria’s population are youths, Okonkwo said any institution which fails “to connect with the youths today will lose tomorrow.” To connect with the group, the bank has also invested in technology to suit the needs of the new market force whose older generation rely on assistance in accessing digital experience in the banking sector, he stated.

As a result, Fidelity Bank said it is leveraging on technology to drive into the future market. “We are leveraging technology to improve customer service experience.

Your bank has re-positioned its electronic channels and banking products, to not only reflect our refreshed identity and the regulatory mandates of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), but also as a re-affirmation of our commitment to you.

“We have implemented a bespoke online banking system that offers an improved modern interface and consistent features across all web based platforms. This is in consonance with our commitment to support the Federal Government’s cashless initiative by providing better customer experience and convenience across electronic channels.

“Beyond that, our improved electronic banking system has drastically reduced the turn-around-time for online customers set up at all touch-points, a clear testament of our resolve to continually surpass customer expectation.

“Today, customers can conduct

• From left: Ezeh; Okonkwo; Executive Director, Shared Services, Fidelity Bank Plc,. Chijioke Ugochukwu and Peter Maison at the unveiling of the New Fidelity Bank logo in Lagos.

bank-to-bank transfers seamlessly via our mobile platform. To support our innovation, we are in the final stage of migrating our core banking platform from Finacle version 7, to Finacle version 10,” said Okonkwo This, according to the bank, is meant to enhance its operational efficiency, strengthen innovation capabilities and support scalable growth.

“Finacle version 10 will enable us to implement services such as

enhanced SME banking, management information system reporting, application monitoring, and disaster recovery automation,” he said.

Meanwhile, the bank has enjoyed strong performance in the last 27 years. The 2014 FYE, gross earnings of the bank grew by 4.3 per cent to N132.4 billion from N126.9 billion in 2013 while the Profit Before Tax increased by 71.9 per cent to N15.5 billion from N9 billion.

By the first half (HYR1) of this

year, the bank consolidated on its performance momentum of 2014 by recording a modest growth in critical indices despite the challenging operating environment.

“Our operating income increased by 14.1 percent to N42 billion from N36.8 billion in HYR1 of 2014.”

With the change in brand identity, Okonkwo assured that the bank’s promise and commitment to customers, whether old or young, remains strong.

Bajaj unveils home appliances

I

NDIAN manufacturing conglomerate Bajaj Electricals Limited has launched its range of home appliances in Nigeria.

To enhance distribution, the company named Polaris Trade and Logistics Limited (PTL) its distributors.

A subsidiary of Bajaj Group of Companies, Bajaj Electricals Limited, has, for seven-and-half decades, impacted the global industrial landscape and the Indian economy, charting the course in small appliances, including lightings, transmission towers, special projects and power distribution.

Executive Vice President, Bajaj Electricals Limited, Pradeep Patil, told a group of traders, salesmen and brand ambassadors at the Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, venue of the launch, that Bajaj is an enigma in small appliances and a market leader in fans, lightings and power distribution.

He said: “Bajaj Electricals has through its wide range of products provided convenience and happiness to millions of homes in India and other international markets…

By Adedeji Ademigbuji

and with the same passion and commitment we will proudly assert these world-class products in Nigeria.”

Patil, who is the company’s Business Unit Head, Kitchen Appliances, said: “Appliances isn’t only about quality products but the overall experience of the users and our goal, just as we did in India, is to change the experience of users and bring happiness to many more homes in Nigeria.”

He applauded PTL, Bajaj local partners, describing the company’s experience in brand management and customer service as unprecedented with full infrastructure facilities for distribution, sales and aftermarket services nationwide.

“With the vast experience of our partners in Nigeria, we will continue to expand our network and introduce new and world-class products and inspire trust,” Patil said.

Reassuring of the quality and reliability of Bajaj products, PTL’s Managing Director, Mr. Parimal Vipani at the success of Bajaj two-

wheeler and tricycles commonly used for commercial transportation in Nigeria as evidence of Bajaj ingenuity, reaffirming the technological excellence of Bajaj in home appliances.

“Bajaj products are strong and durable and I’m convinced it will be an added value to each and every household of Nigerian family,” Vipani assured.

He continued: “PTL has demonstrated exceptional resilience in brand management with uninterrupted network of branches across the country’s six geo-political zones that would speed up the distribution of Bajaj products and services to customers regardless of their locations.

“Within the group, we already have good infrastructure and network of branches across the country through which we shall be able to distribute Bajaj products and services to our customers.

Earlier, the High Commissioner of India, Mr. A. R. Ghanashyam praised the initiative of the duo of Bajaj Electricals and Polaris Trade and Logistics for introducing Bajaj appliances to Nigeria.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

14

Brandnews ExxonMobil, NB, others for SERAs awards

PR Council warns T unregistered consultants T

HE Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN) has warned unregistered consultants, who have set up PR practice, to get ready to be named and shamed.

Rising from an extraordinary general meeting in Lagos on the state of PR practice in Nigeria, the professional body warned all unregistered consultants and their clients to get ready for a legal showdown.

Following a motion moved by the Chief Executive Officer of CMC Connect Burson-Marsteller, Mr. Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, members passed a vote of confidence on the present leadership of PRCAN, while praising them for partnering with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) to step up the fight to rid the industry of quacks and unregistered PR Consultants.

According to him: “PR is a profession regulated by law just like medicine and accountancy. The law regulating PR practice in Ni-

Stories by Adedeji Ademigbuji

geria is an Act of the Parliament.

You cannot just wake up one morning in South Africa and decide to float a PR agency. No, it is never done and this will not be allowed here in Nigeria. We must take the battle to the gates of these unregistered professionals just like our colleagues in advertising have done.”

Responding, the PRCAN President, John Ehiguese, thanked members for their unalloyed support, saying the PRCAN leadership will continue to work with the NIPR to ensure that the crusade is pursued to its logical conclusion.

He reiterated the resolve of the association to engage other corporate bodies and government establishments still patronising the services of unregistered PR Consultants, assuring those who are qualified to practise PR of the readiness of the professional body to welcome them to its fold.

The PRCAN President further assured all private and public sector organisations in need of PRCAN consultancy services that the professional circle is the right direction to look.

He said: “This is a win-win situation for us and for all private and public sector clients, who need the services of PR consultancies. If any of our members is not living up to the standards expected by the clients, such clients should know that they can make a formal report to PRCAN and we will ensure they get their money’s worth in terms of best-inclass professional PR services. But we can only hold our registered members accountable for standards and not the unregistered army currently parading themselves about as PR consultants in Nigeria.”

PRCAN and the NIPR have challenged MTN Nigeria and Guinness Plc for appointing unregistered PR firms as Public Relations Consultants.

RUCONTACT CSR Nigeria, organisers of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) awards, known as The SERAs, has got 47 entries.

They were from ExxonMobil, Nigerian Breweries, Lafarge, Total, Cornerstone Insurance, Etisalat, BATN, Airtel, DHL, Nigerian Stock Exchange, FCMB, Promasidor, First Bank, among others.

The awards described as Nigeria’s top CSR and sustainability honour entries is in its ninth year. The awards process is designed to integrate principles and framework of the Global compact, global reporting Initiative and ISO 26000.

The SERAs is reputed to be the major promoter and force behind galvanising businesses across various sectors and industries in Nigeria to imbibe the ethos of CSR and sustainability in Nigeria.

The theme of the 2015 awards is: Building partnerships for a sustainable future; business leadership as a catalyst for development. This seeks to highlight the lessons

learned from Nigeria’s inability to completely attain the millennium development goals targets and building on the lessons of the MDG’s to begin a move towards attaining the sustainability development goals (SDG’s), and also promoting the vital roles that cooperation and partnerships will play in efforts to achieve the SDG’s.

All is set for the commencement of verification and facility visit to projects and locations entered by the organisations. The SERA involves the production of a yearly Nigeria Social Enterprise Report that documents the CSR and sustainability interventions of corporate organisations.

Meanwhile, the organisers have released a call for entry for the Tunmise Adekunle Awards for CSR reporting, a category introduced in 2009, to promote media excellence in reporting CSR and sustainability in Nigeria.

Entries for this category close on September 21.

The awards is billed to hold on November 14 at 6p.m. at Shell Hall, MUSON Centre.

APCON, AAG okay ‘Brand As King’ awards

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HE Advertising Practitioner Council of Nigeria (APCON) and the Advertising Association of Ghana (AAG) have endorsed Brand As King Awards, which will hold on October 25 in Lagos.

According to the Editor-in-Chief/ Chief Executive Officer of the organising firm, Billboard World, publishers of a magazine with the same title, Maureen Umanah, it is to honour advertising professionals, outstanding achievers, corporate brands, product brands and brand ambassadors from Nigeria and beyond that have performed excellently in various endeavours.

She said the awards would be memorable, adding:“In its quest to uphold industry standards and position out-of-home advertising as a vital player within the advertising industry, this year’s

award, the fifth edition of the BAK, has adopted a most appropriate theme: Out-of-Home (OOH) media as a veritable tool in aesthetics and environmental sustainability. ‘’This is in line with the need for us to nurture and protect our immediate environment from the dreaded global warming and its harmful effects.’’

However, the organisers of the awards have called for entries in the following categories: most performing brand awards, excellence awards in media reporting, most performing industry associate awards, outstanding brand ambassador awards (Entertainment), excellence awards in environmental policy, best upcoming brands, industry merit awards and special recognition awards.

ADVAN gets president •Okeme: ‘we’ll make Nigeria the centre of gravity in advertising

T •Participants at the just-concluded TBWA Concepts Write Mothers initiative forum in Lagos.

TBWA concept introduces Write Mothers T O give mothers the opportunity to express their creative spark, TBWA Concept, a creative advertising agency, has unveiled five creative mothers who emerged the overall best in what the agency described as a ‘disruptive’ initiative, Write Mothers.

According to the agency, the women will be engaged to work for the TBWA from their homes or wherever.

TBWA Managing Director Kelechi Nwosu said the advertising industry had always experienced a dearth of women.

“The initiative was, therefore, an opportunity to motivate, stimulate and challenge our mothers who are outside of the industry but who, nonetheless, are specially talented to write for us from wherever they are. And, you all know we are looking for copywriters in the (advertising) industry,”Nwosu said.

He said the initiative is flexible so that it draws from the multitasking capabilities and skills that women are known for and that his agency opted for mothers because “that itself, brings a particular perspective that is missing from the experience of motherhood,” adding that the profiles of several mothers across our land reveal women who are well-educated, skilled and talented but who, perhaps, because of the challenges of society and motherhood, are not working.

On the selection of the women, he explained that his agency placed an advert on some online platforms which requested mothers to simply “Tell us two interesting things about you” and that they (TBWA) opted for on-line platforms because they

wanted women who are on-line savvy.

Meanwhile, a Co-founding Partner of LTC/JWT advertising and first female president of the Association of Advertising Practitioners of Nigeria (AAPN) now Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) Mrs. Bola Thomas urged the selected women to remain strong in the face of obvious challenges.

He said the society tends to under-estimate women but women with great zeal will surely break the seal. She, however, urged women to trade cautiously while aspiring for greatness.

Mrs Thomas urged them with the inspiring story of her successful life, assuring them that in spite of the challenges, women can be the best in their career.

HE Brand Building Director, Unilever, David Okeme, has been elected president of Advertisers’ Association of Nigeria (ADVAN).

He defeated the Executive Director (Commercial) of Promasidor Nigeria, Onyekachi Onubogu, with a slim margin.

With the new election, a new set of executives has been elected to take over from the immediate past President, Kola Oyeyemi.

Others, who also make up the new executive committee include Joan Ihekwaba, General Manager (GM) Marketing UACN Foods as first Vice President; Bimbo Alabi, Marketing Manager SoKlin as second Vice-President; Bukunola Ogunnusi, PR & Advert Manager, Toyota Nigeria as Treasurer; Samson Oloche, Marketing Manager (non-alcoholic drinks) NB Plc as Publicity Secretary, while the three Ex-offcios are Toruka Osandukwo Head, Communications UBA; Osamede Uwubamen, Head of Corporate and Investment, Marketing and communication –Stanbic IBTC and Ibraheem Awelenje, Category Manager Breakfast Cereals and Ediri OseEdiale remains the GM/Executive Secretary of the association.

Speaking with reporters after the yearly general meeting of the association, Okeme said his administration would focus on ensuring that the country becomes the cen-

tre of attraction as far as advertising is concerned.

He said: “In terms of focus, I think the exco will shift the focus a bit and that shift will be moving from being a pressure group to an enabler of growth in the industry.

There is a Nigeria market agenda that we have and we are going to leverage on it.”

He said further: “Nigeria is the biggest economy in Africa and when you talk about advertising platform, people tend to go south of the continent but this EXCO will work to make Nigeria the centre of gravity in advertising. These are real big ambitions and we will mobilise our partners to make this happen.”

Okeme lamented that about $1 million is spent yearly on advertising, adding: “It is a very big investment but if you look at the kind of returns that we get, it shows that growth among our members is between zero and five per cent.’’

According to him, with the high level of investment that goes into advertising, it was unfortunate that advertisers were not getting the desired returns promising that the association was ready to collaborate and deploy all that is necessary to ensure clients get the desired leverage.

He said: “So, one of the things that ADVAN we look into is how to leverage on the industry such that we can build greater efficiency in terms of advertising returns,”

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

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THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

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The Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Ondo State (FECA) and Cassava Adding Value for Africa (C:AVA ) are set to lift farmers through a formula for producing about 50 tonnes of cassava per hectare. Experts see the intervention taking cassava from a humble root crop to a prized industrial input that will put money in the pockets of many farmers, DANIEL ESSIET reports.

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ANY farming families depend on cassava production, but low and unstable yields are becoming increasingly common. Experts attributed this to farmers using rudimentary agricultural techniques, planting haphasardly and paying little attention to the quality of stem and the use of fertilisers. As a result, productivity has been extremely low and cannot achieve more than 10 tonnes per hectare. This worsens the farmers’ situation and keeps them in a cycle of extreme poverty.

The situation, however, is going to change. Thanks to the grant funding from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation through Cassava: Adding Value for Africa (C:AVA) and years of research and development undertaken by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). As a result, more than 60 new cassava varieties that have been tested and released and are now being disseminated with successful results. Interestingly, Federal College of Agriculture (FECA), Akure, Ondo State, that has adopted some of the varieties for field trials and demonstration is warming to harvest 40-50 tonnes per hectare, one of the highest field production records in Africa. Already, experts say the college’s achievement is an example of how agriculture best practice can enhance current food security. Speaking with The Nation, Project Director, C:AVA 11, Prof Kola Adebayo, while inspecting a demonstration farm at the college, said achieving 40 to 50 tonnes per hectare is the result of focused, relevant research and committed, energetic development . This, according to him, proves that significant yield improvements are possible for agriculture.

With the outstanding feat the college is going to achieve, Adebayo said farmers will be introduced to a new way of tripling cassava yields, and this will translate to them seeing more money enter their pockets after harvest. Addressing the International Farmers’ Field Day on Cassava Production Enterprise held at the college, Adebayo lamented that returns coming to traditional cassava farmers were not enough for them to achieve a better standard of living.

Besides, increases in production are mainly achieved through expansion of the area cultivated, rather than through productivity gains. He said CAVA is supporting FECA to set up on-farm research trials, adding that the cassava varieties were tested along with improved production, better agronomical practices - specifically better use of fertiliser.

He said cassava production is capable of fuelling economic growth and economic development.

Prominent in its industrial applications is the use of cassava for glue, biscuits, pharmaceutical products, confectionery, noodles, magi cubes, paper-cartons, animal feed, pastries, mosquito coils, confectionaries, ethanol, textile industrial products, dry cell batteries, toothpaste, biodegradable products and, most recently, the brewery industry is using it as alternative or complementary to sorghum, maize starch and barley. This implies a huge market where farmers can earn revenue.

The College Provost, Dr Samson Odedina, said the poor yield re-

How to boost cassava yields

• Oba Adekunle Ojo Boboye (Olu of Eleyowo Community, Akure North LGA) (Regent of Ibulesoro Community, Ifedore LGA, Ondo State), Regiana Adekunle and Olu of Owode Community, Akure North LGA, Ondo State), Oba Samuel Fapohunda, Odedina at the event.

• An hectare farm capable of producing 50 tonnes.

corded by farmers is giving him and the management of the college concern, adding that they have found the formula to help the farmers move away from extreme poverty, having set up a demonstration farm that is capable of producing between 40 to 50 tonnes per hectare. Farmers in the south west, he said are going to be earning higher profits by planting cassava on the same field over a 12-month period provided the follow better practices which will be taught by the college.

Most farms have been yielding about nine tonnes of cassava per hectare, according to him. He said that higher incomes would help many farmers as the college working with CAVA and IITA will offer high-yield varieties to farmers so they could increase productivity and earn higher incomes. He said the college is ready to work with farmers to identify the areas where they need the most support.

Through short courses, he said the college trains farmers in basic agricultural techniques, such as preparing ridges, making manure and compost, planting systematically with adequate space between

plants and applying fertiliser at the right time. He expressed optimistic that the project would help farmers increase their income and could serve as a model for others. According to him,the demand for cassava is likely to increase strongly in both local and international markets, auguring a bright future for the domestic cassava industry.

The Programme Manager, Ondo State Agricultural Development Project, Mr Adeniyan Babasola reiterated the commitment of the state to support the college to help boost cassava cultivation, improve farmers’ productivity and ensure food security. He reiterated the state government’s commitment to achieving food security as cassava is a major staple in the diet of Nigerians. Babasola reiterated the readiness of the government to work with the college to prevent its farm land from being encroached upon by local inhabitants.

The Project Manager, Cassava Seeds System, IITA, Dr Richardson Okechukwu said the institute has developed improved varieties and promoted best management practices, creating opportunities for farmers to improve their food se-

curity and incomes. He said cassava is a major cash crop that can help drive industrial development while delivering higher incomes to smallholder farmers but many farmers have not learnt the technique.

He noted that the national average yield was approximately 10 metric tonnes per hectare. He said the institute and its national partners jointly developed improved cassava varieties that have significantly higher productivity in terms of fresh root yields, starch content, and improved disease resistance and environmental adaptability.

With the college training, he said Nigerians would benefit from better more diverse and added value products choices on offer contributing to improvements to health and nutrition needs.

According to him, IITA scientists, in collaboration with national partner institutes and development partners have defined which agronomic practices could narrow the cassava yield gap and how these can be scaled up to many farmers.

On the technical side, Okechukwu IITA has a system of accelerated multiplication of cassava based on

the use of ‘ministem’ cuttings. A ministem cutting consisted of only one or two internodes. Ten times more cuttings could be taken from a single plant, vastly increasing the potential multiplication rate.

He said the project would boost the production of cassava with the availability of improved cassava stems, making food more secure and generating wealth.

Okechukwu warned that intercropping of cassava generally affect yield, urging farmers to concentrate on mono cropping as cassava needs quality space and nutrients to increase yields He also explained that to make profit, a farmer needs improved seeds, appropriate agronomy information on cassava; necessary strategic information in relation to cassava growth and nutrient needs and market. The Ghana CAVA II Project Representative Mr Samuel Nyamekye said the country will replicate the experiment demonstrated by FECA as opportunities for commercial production of cassava will encourage some youth back into farming. CAVA II) Project representative from Uganda, Mr Anthony Ijala said cassava yields had more than doubled thanks to the planting of new highyielding varieties and the adoption of more sustainable production practices.

With the steps taken by FECA to improve yields, Ijala sees the cassava industry flourishing. Meanwhile, a two-day regional workshop to review the first phase of the West African Agricultural Productivity Programme’s (WAAPP) Diffusion of Approaches for the Control of Cassava Diseases (DALIMA) Project has opened in Kumasi.

The project being spearheaded by the Crops Research Institute (CRI) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), aims at maximising cassava production, using disease-resistant planting materials. Research indicates that the sub-region produces about 31 per cent of the world’s cassava, but this is being threatened by viral diseases including the African Cassava Mosaic Virus.

Funded jointly by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and WAAPP, the DALIMA Project had since its inception in 2009 helped to cultivate about 40 hectares of disease-resistant cassava planting materials across the West African sub-region. Country Director of the project, Dr. Mariam Quain, and also Head of the Biotech Laboratory, CRI, said the new materials were being made available to farmers, citing Benin where farmers had already benefited.

The workshop, which had in attendance WAAPP Coordinators drawn from Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Togo, Sierra Leone, Benin, Liberia and Nigeria, and, among other things, was strategised to develop a new road map to sustain the project for the next phase. Quain indicated that the participants would discuss ways of setting up a regional mission on roots and tubers to help advance research and increasing cassava production to ensure food security.

She stressed the need to deepen collaboration among agricultural scientists, researchers and technocrats to improve the productivity of the cassava value chain in the sub-region.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

Millionaire investors buying up farm lands

Don seeks relief package S for livestock industry A S the livestock industry faces a critical situation with many farms nearing bankruptcy, a former Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ilorin, Prof Abiodun Adeloye, has called for increased government’s financial support package to save the industry.

While the cost of animal feed has risen relentlessly, farmers said demand for poultry products has slowed down. As a result, many farmers are virtually bankrupt.

He said livestock producers were feeling the pinch as prices of corn, soybeans and other livestock feed go higher.

Livestock feeders are looking at

Stories by Daniel Essiet

severe losses never before experienced in the livestock sector.

Adeloye urged the government to help struggling farmers cope with disease outbreaks, falling prices, and lack of resources.

According to him, there is a need for a tripartite links between livestock farmers, feed suppliers and banks to help the livestock sector solve long-lasting problems such as increased input costs, unstable prices and outlet for their products.

The livestock sector, mostly consisting of small-scale household farming, outdated techniques and a shortage of investment for farming, has been experiencing a difficult

time as farmers struggle to access loans and attempt to conform to environmental protection regulations.

Adeloye said financial shortages were a major problem for farms.

He asked the banks to offer farmers loans with preferential interest rates.

According to him, the livestock industry is critical to the economy because it provides food to Nigerians.

He said demand for food would increase over the next decade due to population growth and increased business activity.

He said the need for livestock would rise in keeping with the trend.

OME prominent Nigerians, including wealthy foreign investors, are purchasing huge tracts of land for farming with projects worth millions of naira. Many of these lands are being used for cassava, plantain, fish production and other food production.

The Nation learnt that the investors, which spread across the Southwest, are investing in the area because of lower costs for land, taxes and human resources. They are using agents to acquire large agricultural properties in Ogun State.

Many of the investors get arable land very cheap and are required to create jobs for the locals in exchange for the acquisitions.

According to an expert, Debo Thomas, investment in agriculture is important, adding that this is responsible for the pace of land buying that has been phenomenal. In Oyo and Kwara states, Thomas said individuals and consortium have bought 5,000 to 10,000 hectares for cashew and arable farmers.

He said the rush to buy farmland is being encouraged by investors who are desperate to modernise farming methods and increase crop yields to feed rising populations.

In the last few years, The Nation learnt that the pressure had been on farmlands in Ogun State. In some areas, an acre goes for between N300,000 and N900,000. The state provides investors access to land as well as the ability to move profits out of the country.

The state also provides attractive incentives, including income tax holidays, for foreign buyers who can buy large plots of land for agriculture and food processing businesses.

Consequently, the state is benefitting from investments directed at ethanol production while there are large-scale commercial farming and beef and poultry production in some areas.

Last month, the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) said Nigeria would partner a Chinese firm Sang-Liang Technology Development Centre (STDC) to grow sweet sorghum.

The statement was issued in Abuja,

by Chuks Ngaha, RMRDC’s deputy director of public affairs unit, said the development was part of its efforts to add value to local raw materials to stimulate employment opportunities and create wealth for the nation.

“The council is established to develop raw materials and facilitate the adoption of machinery and processes for raw materials utilisation.

“The agreement with STDC is for the processing and development of sweet sorghum into food and industrial and energy products to add value to local raw materials and create wealth,’’it added.

The statement explained that the council would receive the franchise for the distribution of the improved sweet sorghum seedlings, planting materials and its technology in West Africa.

‘Agric waste’ll address energy shortage’

N • Members of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Cassava Weed Management Project at a Joint Quarterly Meeting to review the activities of the project and plan for the next quarter, at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB).

Agro exports need revamp to regain shine

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MID increasing fears about food safety challenge affecting exports, the National Public Relations Officer of the National Cashew Association of Nigeria, Sotonye has called on the government to cut the contamination rate of agro export produce.

This follows reports that international inspectors found samples in commodities which are high pesticide residues.

According to him, the government needs to work with farmers’ organisations to find out where these products came from and take measures to tackle the situation.

He said government agencies need to test samples of domestic and imported plant protection chemicals to ensure they meet safety standards.

He urged the government to increase inspections and quarantines and test more samples of fruit and vegetables for the export market.

Anga said improving the nation’s chances at the export markets will create an opportunity for a big revamp to the sector which is losing shine.

He said exports of agro products are among the nation’s leading cash earners, but that the situation could turn upside down bringing the sector’s export value if nothing is done

to address the issue of contamination.

Some agro produce exporters, he noted, would make more money, but added that many export products have failed to meet the quality and hygiene standards of their foreign markets.

With European Union (EU) warning that many agricultural and food products from the country violate food hygiene and safety standards, he urged operators to keep an eye on the contaminations in their exports.

He said exporters would hurt themselves if they continued to do business in the old way, with old manners. He urged relevant agencies to implement measures to ensure food safety and hygiene, tracing the origin of foods of all kinds and focusing on essential farm produce.

He urged that surveillance be tightened during production.

He also urged that food production businesses be encouraged to meet international standards on food safety and hygiene such as ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) and HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points).

He wants more to extend capacity on technical and phytosanitary barriers to international trade. He said some

producers have encountered difficulties in accessing the European Union (EU) market.

According to him, the government should redirect its strategies to boost international trade to include capacity building for producers, such as agronomists and farmers doing organic farming and addressing practices that hinder demand for indigeneous produce.

Recently, stakeholders in the industry called for the establishment of a Cashew Board, to boost foreign exchange earnings and generate more jobs.

They also appealed to the Federal Government to assist cashew farmers and processors through the provision of a special fund, to boost cashew production. NCAN President, Mr Tola Fasheru, decried the high cost of processing a ton of cashew. He said it costs $500 to process one ton of cashew, while it costs about $250 in India and $217 in Vietnam.

He said for the industry to compete favourably with others, the government should set up a special fund for the industry.

According to him, the sustainability and competitiveness of the sector may be a mirage if the government did not assist cashew farmers and processors.

IGERIA has great potential to develop bio-gas from agricultural and animal waste, the Deputy Director, Directorate of General Management, Agricultural and Rural Management Institute (ARMTI), Dr. Ademola Adeyemo, has said.

In an interview, he said though agricultural waste is a source of pollution, it can be converted to biogas to generate electricity, adding that it will countries that are seeking new sources to replace or supplement traditional fossil energy sources.

He said millions of households in rural areas should be encouraged to acquire biogas digesters that convert waste into clean-burning fuel for cooking.

According to him, bio-gas technology convert organic waste into biogas to reduce the greenhouse effect, wipe out diseases at breeding farms, and create a clean energy source for cooking, lighting, and generating electricity.

He said bio-gas is an indispensable factor in agricultural production as it reduces pollution.

In view of the ever-increasing cost

of conventional energy source, and the worsening rural and urban ecological problem of pollution resulting from improper waste disposal and management.

He urged the government to adopt biogas technology to generate additional power sources.

He called on the government to support farmers to use bio-gas from animal waste to generate energy.

He expressed concerns that the country lacks strategies and policies for bio-gas development, calling on the government to map out a strategy for bio-gas development.

Recently, the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Moor Plantation, Ibadan inaugurated its new biogas project at Apete Onidoko farming village in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State, calling on the Federal Government and other tiers of government to replicate the project across the country.

Director, IAR&T, Prof James Adediran, said the benefits of biogas are limitless, and that it could be used in the farms, in the homes, in institutions and also at abattoirs, among others.

NIFOR warns against palm oil adulteration

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HE Director of Research, Nigeria Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), Dr Celestine Ikuenobe, has warned against adulteration of palm oil.

Ikuenobe, who gave the warning in Calabar, the Cross River State capital at a workshop for palm oil farmers, said adulteration is risky to consumers The director decried the adulteration of palm oil with chemicals used in dyeing of clothes, saying it is unsafe for human consumption.

He said that unless such unwholesome practices were checked, a major health disaster might occur in the country.

According to him, the adulteration is not only in palm oil, but also in palm seedlings sold to farmers.

“The palm oil supplied to the Nigerian markets and the diaspora is often adulterated with dye chemi-

cals, which make such oil unsafe for human consumption.

“This act is unacceptable and unless something drastic is done, a health disaster might result in the country.

“Because of the low palm oil production in the country, we contribute nothing to the international global palm oil supply and all these factors are responsible for the low palm oil production in the country”, he said.

Ikuenobe called on farmers not to patronise people who offered them seedlings at a cheaper price but should instead, buy from the ministry of agriculture in the states.

He urged cooperative societies, farmers and growers, to interface with Solidaridad and states’ ministry of agriculture , to access loan and learn best production practices to enhance their oil production.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

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THE NATION

BUSINESS LABOUR

Wabba warns against fuel Why power supply is stable, by unionist subsidy removal W N

IGERIA Labour Congress (NLC) President Comrade Ayuba Wabba has warned against fuel subsidy removal as a pre-condition for investment in the downstream oil sector.

He told The Nation that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Group Managing Director Dr Emmanuel Kachikwu is not on the same page with President Muhannadu Buhari on the reforms in the oil and gas sector.

He said the ongoing campaign of the NNPC boss for the removal of fuel subsidy does not align with the presidents’vision.

“We are surprised that Dr. Kachikwu has failed to read the lips of his principal, who has consistently said he is not convinced that the vast majority of poor Nigeri-

Stories by Toba Agboola

ans can afford to bear the effect of the removal of the so-called subsidy on petrol. ”For us, the NNPC boss has his job clearly cut out for him. If he cannot assist Mr. President and the country in ensuring that our four refineries start working at optimum capacity within the shortest possible time; if he cannot come up with a do-able plan for the Buhari Presidency to establish new refineries to cater for the shortfall in our domestic petroleum products needs; if he cannot articulate a plan for us to establish refineries within and outside our immediate borders that will be refining our crude oil for export, adding value, creating jobs and making more revenue for the country, then he is the

wrong man at this point in time to man the NNPC. “It is quite clear, and we have said this times without number, that all those campaigning for the withdrawal of fuel subsidy as a precondition for investment in the downstream sector of the oil industry are not friends of our country, and indeed the masses of our people.They must be kept at arm’s length,” Wabba said.

The NLC helmsman argued that removing fuel subsidy tantamount to increasing the suffering of the average wage earner and the majority of Nigerians that do not earn any wages at all.

“We will continue to resolutely oppose any such plan, and we will mobilise Nigerians in their millions to join us in this struggle,”he added.

•From right: National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers President, Comrade Amechi Asuqwuni; General Secretary, Comrade Babatunde Liadi and Deputy General Secretary, Education and Training, Comrade Wilson Ezurunoye, at a press conference in Lagos.

Use recovered funds to create jobs, Fed Govt told P RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has been asked to use part of the funds recovered from looters for job creation to bridge the unemployment gap.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its affiliates were also asked to protect workers against retrenchment.

These were views expressed at a retreat by the NLC in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

The NLC resolved to review its position presented at the 2009 Tripartite National Employment Summit organised by the Federal Government with technical support from the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

A communiqué signed by NLC President Comrade Ayuba Wabba and General Secretary, Comrade Pe-

ter Ozo-Esson, said Labour’s position should reflect the final report of the summit, which stated that four to five million jobs would be created yearly between then and 2020; and the campaign promise of the APC government to create three million jobs yearly.

It reads: “The retreat resolved to support the determination of the current leadership of congress under Comrade Ayuba Wabba to build a firm coalition of Nigerians for good governance. In this direction, the retreat endorsed the decision of the national leadership of congress to declare September 10, 2015 as a Day of Solidarity Protest Action against the incidences of escalating corruption in

our public life, as well as protest against the high cost of governance in this country.

“The retreat further resolved to call on all stakeholders in the Nigerian project to join the NLC and its allies to massively turn out on this day, and send a clear message to our political elite that Nigerians would not continue to allow very few greedy and unpatriotic members of the ruling elite to continue with the high level of corruption in our country, as well as the unsustainable high cost of governance, with a huge amount of our earnings going to pay the wages and allowances of political office holders, to the detriment of developmental projects, and developmental aspirations of the vast majority of our citizens.”

NIOB to train 200,000 artisans

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HE Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) said it plans to train 200,000 building workers across the country.

Its President, Tijjani Shuaibu made this known in Abuja, after he was sworn-in.

He said the introduction of the National Vocational Qualification Framework (NVQF), which empowers the institute to certify artisans and craftsmen, further lend credence to the programme.

He said: “With the approval from NBTE, the assessment and certification board, which has just been es-

tablished is expected to train, assess and certify 200,000 artisans within the next 12 months.

“Towards this end, skill training centres are to be established in all six geo-political zones while all state chapters will have to be fully equipped and active in the recruitment and basic skills training to prepare their candidates for assessment and certification.”

“Membership drive for all cadres will have to be stepped up in order that professional members are not overwhelmed by the expected massive influx of competent and certified

artisans into the industry,’’ he added.

Shuaibu, therefore, gave a wakeup call to NIOB members to acquire basic training to supervise these new breed of artisans and benefit from the significant incremental income they can generate as trainers, training providers, assessors and verifiers.

“To drive this, we have entered into a tripartite collaboration with CORBON and the DFID sponsored construction skills training and empowerment project C-STEmp with its foreign partners to train 120 masters’ trainers, 1000 trainers and assessors,’’ said the NIOB president.

HY has power supply been stable in the past 100 days? It is because of the rains, the President Muhammadu Buhari factor and steady supply of gas to power plants, says National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) General Secretary Comrade Joe Ajaero.

Ajaero said: “During this time of the year, there is always a slight improvement in power supply because of the rise in water level. That is, the lake goes up and hydro power stations generate more power. Second is the Buhari factor, which has made the operator to sit up and added to that, before now, the gas pipelines were usually vandalised.

“We suspect it may be in collaboration with some highly placed individuals who award contracts for the pipelines to be repaired which runs into billions of Naira.

If the pipelines are vandalised and the contracts are awarded for repairs, almost every two months, it is big money for them. I think that because of the fear that those who engaged in the business may be caught, for now there is relative peace and the gas pipelines are delivering gas to the power plants.”

Continuing, he said: ”But we fear the power situation may not be sustainable. Once the rainy season ends and the water level drops, there will be problem. Again, today, all power being generated is being pumped into the system, there is no reserve in case of any breakdown, and there is no reserve in case of maintenance and so on.

We ought to have reserve for emergencies. Sadly, we do not have that at the moment.”

On NUEE’s face-off with Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC), Ajaero said though the Department of State Services (DSS) and the police, attempted to wade in, they had nothing to do with industrial relations.

Ajaero warned that next time, PHEDC may not find it easy, say-

ing: “Though the 18 successorcompanies have disdain for union, at least, in others, there is union management relationship.

Though we don’t agree on a lot of issues, we meet and discuss, PHEDC does not want to discuss.

The next time we are biting them, we are going to bite them hard.

This one is just an example. ‘’ He continued: “We went to Industrial Arbitration Panel (IAP) and the management said they were not going to respect the ruling of IAP. They wrote to us a letter that they had appealed to the National Industrial Court, NIC, but, till now, we have not seen the appeal. Nevertheless, the issues now are not the matters presented at IAP. They wanted to use that excuse of being in court to continue to perpetuate anti-labour practices.

“The arrangement in the power sector makes it easier for us to select a place and deal with the issues there. Before now, it would have been a nationwide action. We have perfected our plan so that there could be power outage in Port Harcourt, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa without the action affecting other states. We feel sorry for the residents of these states who experienced power outage during the action, and we pray that we will not be forced to take a similar action again. If we take this action again, the management won’t see anyone to negotiate with. Electricity sector is a unionised sector,” he added.

Explaining the genesis of the conflict, Ajaero said: “At privatisation, the first six months was a transition period from Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to the new investors. What were transferred to new investors were the files of the workers and grades, only Port Harcourt claimed that the membership of the union was not transferred. Even for the six months that nobody was meant to talk, they did not pay their dues and none of the workers has withdrawn his membership of the union.

NULGE wants local govt joint account probed

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HE National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to probe the local government joint account.

The union said the probe has become imperative because the account was being used to siphon billions of tax payers’ money by unscrupulous Nigerians.

NULGE President Comrade Ibrahim Khaleel made this call while addressing reporters in Abuja at the end of the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.

He said the union had resolved to throw its weight behind the fight against graft, expressing its readiness to serve as a whistle blower.

NEC, he said, resolved to mobilise its members across the 774 local councils to Abuja to participate in the forthcoming anti-graft rally to be convened by the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC).

Khaleel said the war against graft would have impact if extended to the other tiers of govern-

ment, which he claimed “also stinks with filth”.

He said: “We pray that President Buhari will also take the fight against corruption to the grassroots , looking into all the issues surrounding the local government operations, particularly the operation of state and local government joint accounts, which have been bastardised by many state governments.

“The money that has been hijacked completely over the years by state governors should also be of great concern to Mr. President and his government. As a union operating at the grassroots, we are ready to avail the new administration first hand information that will enable it unearth some of the sharp practices that take place there.”

NULGE, he said, would restrategise to pursue local government autonomy under the Buhari administration.

He said the union would hold a retreat on the best form of local government administration for the country.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL

LETTER

Making a blur in history

Wood carving endangered •We need to save the Benin phenomenon for its cultural and commercial values

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T may indeed be a sign of changing times that a land noted for its fascinating sculptural treasures made in various media is reportedly facing a crisis of sorts in the production of wood carvings. It is a cause for concern that Benin in Edo State, which formed the core of a famous ancient kingdom, may be losing its distinctive wood-carving capacity.

This may well be true of carvings in other media too.

What makes the development particularly deserving of attention is that it is the wood carvers themselves that are sounding the alarm. A concerned university-trained Benin sculptor, Mr. Festus Enofe, who provided a history of the problem, was quoted in a report as saying: “Wood carving used to be carried out by Wood Guild called Igbesanmwan, when it was under the control of the Oba of Benin. Then, the carvers were working for the Oba. It was a part-time work, as the carvers did their farming occupation to survive.”

Enofe said: “After the Guild era, when carving became commercialised, it was booming - tourists were coming to Benin to buy carved works – but it has dropped now.” He blamed this on, among other things, the lack of an enabling environment for carvers. “There are no incentives, no encouragement to those involved in producing artworks,” he said.

For a country that aspires to gain from cultural tourism locally and internationally, this is not the path to follow.

Other factors in this narrative of decline, according to Enofe, include negative taxes imposed on art patrons at the country’s

international airports where customs officials allegedly often seize contemporary artworks under the mistaken impression that they are antiquities. Enofe also said: “Religion is a barrier to artwork. These days, people tend to see carvings as images of demons, which can attract bad spirits. It is an erroneous perception.”

Perhaps more fundamentally, another Benin sculptor, Mr. Emmanuel Uwumwonse, identified a critical learning gap as a contributory factor endangering the wood-carving trade. According to him, “When we started learning, we normally did it after school hours, especially during holidays. We went to the workshop to work with our father, to raise our school fees.

These days, you hardly see children doing that. Children no longer do so because they do not see any future in sculpture.”

Clearly, modern conditions and consequences are at the heart of the problem. The economy of culture has not been modernised in tune with new realities. The truth is that the age-old traditional craft can no longer be realistically practised in the old ways. The practitioners need new perspectives and fresh approaches.

Furthermore, the promotion of culture requires promotional space that is sustained by the relevant authorities. The importance of an enabling environment for the craft to thrive cannot be overemphasised.

Certainly, it is not that carving has gone out of fashion, considering that art schools and centres in the country still teach the skill and students still learn it. The missing link is that the structures of cultural

promotion are weak and wobbly.

It is counter-productive that the concept of Arts Endowment Fund remains largely alien to official cultural managers at the various levels of administration in the country. That is the right path to take. As things stand, the fortune of fine art and artists, and by extension, the performing arts and artistes, is unduly tied to narrow commercialism which stifles a desirable flowering of talents.

It is a noteworthy testimony to the rich artistic ambience of the old Benin Kingdom that the internationally celebrated Queen Idia Mask Head, symbol of the 1977 African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC) held in Lagos, is credited to Benin sculptural tradition.

The original artifact was among those carted away by British invaders in the 19th century, and a replica had to be produced for the festival.

Regrettably, this richly creative tradition has been impoverished over time and may yet further decline without urgent remedial steps.

‘Clearly, modern conditions and consequences are at the heart of the problem. The economy of culture has not been modernised in tune with new realities. The truth is that the age-old traditional craft can no longer be realistically practised in the old ways. The practitioners need new perspectives and fresh approaches’

Okagbare and Rio Olympics •Though an alleged Okagbare ban has been dismissed as fake, it underscores the often prickly relationship between Nigerian athletes and sports administrators

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UST as well the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has denied a reported Blessing Okagbare ban from next year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The purported ban, on whatever grounds, would have been knee-jerk, unwise and counter-productive.

That is why AFN should be commended for its swift denial of the alleged ban; and for the reasons it gave.

“Why would a reporter report that Okagbare has been banned from Rio Olympics and will not attribute such an important story to a staff of NSC [National Sports Commission] or AFN? The story is not true”, Olukayode Thomas, AFN board member and head of communication and media declared. “Even if Okagabare has done something and we intend to punish her, the [AFN] secretary general will first write her a letter inviting her to face disciplinary committee where she will defend herself against the allegation. After a fair hearing, the disciplinary committee will make a recommendation to the board, and

‘The purported ban, on whatever grounds, would have been knee-jerk, unwise and counter-productive. That is why AFN should be commended for its swift denial of the alleged ban; and for the reasons it gave’

the board will then decide.”

Again, it is nice AFN has developed a rigorous sense of justice; and a nuanced attitude to managing athletes some of who, to be honest, often are mavericks, on account of their touted talents and huge media approval rating. On such accounts, not a few athletes have been dismissed as “undisciplined” by their sporting federations; and branded “unpatriotic” by the often emotive Nigerian sporting media.

There is therefore a steady fare, in the media, of sporting federations threatening to crack down, errant star athletes with necks on the virtual chopping block and a furious press dismissing the athlete as unpatriotic and selfish, with even some reports spicing the news with personal insults, as if the reporter has a personal axe to grind with the athlete. The Okagbare “ban” report, which mercifully turned a hoax, evoked this ugly scenario.

Okagbare was a flop at the just concluded China Athletics World Championships, when she came eighth — and last — at the 100 metres ladies final. She also didn’t run the 200 metres final race, reportedly due to some cramps. But a few days later, she grabbed second position in an International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) Diamond League 100 metres dash. A day or two after this race, the news came that she had pulled out of the Congo Brazzaville All-Africa Games; and an apparently outraged AFN, reportedly barked at her to race in Brazzaville or forget her Rio Olympics slot.

Such trajectory would appear very typical of Nigeria’s quicksand sporting world. Therefore, Okagbare became an instant devil for flopping at the World Championships, just as she soared into sainthood when she completed a double sprints gold, at the last Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

With the media patriotically raining fire on the failed athlete, the federation becomes more stentorian and brazen. But often, this only goads the athlete to further rebellion. And with IAAF window sanctioning switch in nationalities, a few athletes have been lost to other countries, just as Nigeria, at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, benefited from such influxes.

But it need not hit that extreme.

Okagbare, for example, should have no cause not to run for her country. If she has a psychological burden, it is left for the AFN and allied stakeholders to come to her aid, and lift her spirit — after all, no human is a machine. But AFN cannot do this, if there is a gulf in communication; and both parties are mutually suspicious. As for the media, they should facilitate improved communication, not make themselves an additional layer of the problem.

So, the Nigerian sporting family should dispense with empty threats and embrace mutual understanding and sensitivity. If the sporting media discharge their functions with this frame of mind, Nigerian sports should weather any storm that comes in its path.

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IR: The last administration was marred by lack of monumental progress. It is not even long since President Goodluck Jonathan left office and one cannot remember a single bold achievement he made. The mark of a leader is the legacy he left behind. The name of the person makes an indelible print in history books. Masses treasure his or her memory for the uncommon good he or she did to elevate society.

One is forever in awe of Nelson Mandela for his selfless struggle to liberate South Africa from racist apartheid regime. One admires Jerry Rawlings for his seriousness of mind in clearing Ghana of lecherous politicians and thereby, turning the country into a modern state, and even our own President Olusegun Obasanjo for surmounting entrenched interests to bring GSM phone system to Nigeria; look how our lives have changed. Many other names in the modern times are worth mentioning outside Africa.

Today, all one hears about the last administration is corruption. We bathe in the euphoria that the Buhari administration will be a model of excellence. Though, if we can relax our sense of optimism a little, we will recognize the small progress made by the last one.

Our airports have been spruced up, even if, superficially. The horrendous Benin to Ore highway is now a comfort to travel on. These and some others are examples of incremental accomplishments by the President Jonathan’s administration.

Many view these endeavors as window dressing. The president had ample opportunity to make history with the oil boom during his era. The demon played a trick with his mind and planted a boneheaded ideology.

President Jonathan has to explain to Nigerians in broad daylight that corruption is a form of wealth creation. This justification is just as equal to giving rogues license to loot the treasury.

The leadership exceeded expectation by siphoning mind blowing sums of money into their private bank accounts. Every landmark project became a scheme for self-enrichment.

Devil may care if the masses are suffering from abject lack their billions of dollars must be offloaded to their foreign stash. Power supply that was promised the people never materialized. Second Niger Bridge is still a mirage.

The administration toyed with the hope of Nigerians. May the land never allow such evil to happen again!

President Muhammadu Buhari should take note on how not to govern: corruption is criminal. One cannot achieve monumental progress by sabotaging the process. History will judge him harsher if after descending on the political landscape like a white cloud he soils the ground worse than his predecessor. Expectations are running high and Nigerians are living on the margin. Fighting corruption is a moral cause. He will be remembered kindly if he gives Nigeria steady power supply. Completing the construction of Second Niger Bridge will be a game changer. The Igbo will believe the war is over. That is history!

• Pius Okaneme, Umuoji, Anambra State.

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

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THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: Recently, Ayo Fayose, the freak of nature that is the Governor of Ekiti State, perpetrated his most outlandish joke yet. He installed a self-confessed illiterate, one Olatunde Afolayan, as caretaker chairman of Moba Local Government Area. And the joke stood!

Fayose pulled the stunt at the inauguration of Boards of Commissions and Governing Councils. But not before admonishing President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing an ‘ineligible’ Amina Zakari – a pharmacist, technocrat and former Senior Special Assistant to President Obasanjo –acting chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Fayose was clear-headed enough to discern the need to explain his bizarre choice to the bewildered audience that witnessed the drama: ‘’Some of us used them (illiterates) to get to positions and forget these people. In my government, whether you are educated or not, you will get something. The vote

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EDITOR’S MAIL BAG

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An illiterate proposes, Fayose disposes! of a professor and an illiterate is the same. So, under my administration, those who are not educated can rise to any level they want’’.

Fayose projects himself as a populist leader. He rode to the venue of his second inauguration in a quaint Mercedes Benz that had auto historians debating whether the relic was the 1957 or the 1965 model. He insinuated that he elected to make the curiosity his official car because he wanted to sustain intimacy with the commoners.

After he was sworn in, he flung the gates of the Government House open and bid his horde of

supporters to dive in and enjoy the swimming pool. To date, no governor has deigned to replicate that orgy of mass baptism.

But this joke of segueing an illiterate to local government chairmanship is an insane overreach.

Fayose could have found or created a work environment that fits Afolayan’s craft and proficiency.

Fayose didn’t have to imperil Moba, a constitutional entity, for political patronage.

Unsurprisingly, non-Ekitis have not ventured past acknowledging this umpteenth Fayose absurdity.

They have long inured themselves to the impact of Fayose’s tomfool-

ery. They have resolved, as a token of contempt for the man, not to waste outrage on him. He has increasingly overleaped himself since he placed a Buhari death wish adverts in newspapers.

Moreover, people think it pointless censuring Fayose when a dominant majority of Ekiti locals approve of his ways and waywardness and seem sworn to remaining perpetually infatuated with him.

Other Nigerians, looking in from outside, figure that they need not cry on behalf of the bereaved. It’s a blissful marriage: The people are as pleased with his streak of oddities as Fayose is proud of the

Shoddy tariff reviews by electricity companies

IR: The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) had earlier this year reviewed the rates to be paid for electricity consumption in the country following complaints lodged by all classes of consumers.

After its consultation with various electricity consumer groups across the country, NERC established that the skyrocketing increase in tariffs was informed by huge Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) losses which are incurred by the electricity distribution companies (Discos) and are subsequently passed through to consumers.

It, in fact, reviewed the assumptions in the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO 2.1) and determined that henceforth, it would be inappropriate for distribution companies (Discos) to transfer collection losses that they record and have control over to consumers. This removal of collection losses from customers’ tariff is intended to reduce tariffs by more than 50 per cent in many places across the country.

However, it is the case that this

mandate of NERC has not being obeyed by many discos, especially Enugu Electricity Distribution Company which has shoddily reviewed or increased tariffs on electricity.

It is observed that there were no serious public awareness and energy consumer interface, including but not limited to Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), and many consumers were not carried along in the review of tariffs. The only case of advertorial as regards this review was done by Benin Electricity Distribution Plc (see The Nation, August 5, p. 52) yet there was no DISCO-Energy Consumers’ interface meeting but shoddy internet/ online appeal.

This situation contradicts NERC’s new directive which came as part of the commencement of the Transitional Electricity Market (TEM) that is built on bilateral trading between parties and is geared towards ensuring an efficient market where cost reflectivity will lead to more affordable electricity services for consumers.

“As part of preparing for TEM, the commission has issued a tariff re-

view regulation that requires the utilities to consult with relevant consumer classes before presenting a tariff review application to the commission to approve.

“It is now the responsibility of the Discos to prepare and present to the commission a tariff that will ensure that they recover their costs and ensure efficient operations,” Amadi, the NERC’s chairman, had stated in this regard.

Meanwhile, there are no bases for tariffs and charges reviews other than legalizing economic terrorism seeing the overexploited Nigerian energy consumers’ paying for their discos’ self-inflicted economic losses caused by collection losses, nonavailability of power, power transmission losses and electricity-allocation rejection. If the discos are having power generation and allocation challenges and losses, they should engage the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) directly and not make Nigerias criminally neglected, abused and overzealously exploited.

Nigerians are promised massive power sector reforms only to be

made scapegoats of the imperial economic hit-men and internal cabal agents’ greed. Consequently, NERC are called upon to discharge its oversight functions of intervening and participating actively in any future Nigerian Energy ConsumersDISCOs’ tariffs and charges reviews so as to ensure that consumers are carried along.

NERC, as empowered by EPSR Act, is mandated to make sure that only prudent and efficient costs are passed to consumers. This is all in the principle of ensuring that the distribution company operates efficiently and provide quality and affordable services to consumers.

Also, it is advised that NERC should be stick-bound to its recent four months deadline for the discos across the nation to give Nigerians, whether using prepaid or postpaid meters, the right energy bills emanating from energy used, as a beginning point in sanitizing the frenzy recessions in the energy sector.

• Iregbenu Paul <iregbenu2002@yahoo.com>

people’s unflinching loyalty to his person.

But apathy is not a proper response to a brazen attack on governance at the grassroots. It would be irresponsible for us to welcome this new low of having an illiterate in charge of affairs of some of our countrymen.

We accept that, in most parts of Nigeria, local government councils has fallen into disuse. The governors appoint their cronies caretaker chairmen or conduct sham polls that return them as validly elected. The chairmen serve no nobler purpose than being conduits for the monthly allocation from Abuja. Yet, the governors manage to respect the sensibilities of the despoiled. They present chairmanship candidates with passable credentials.

Fayose did due diligence and satisfied himself that Afolayan was an illiterate ... and appointed him.

This is an offensive oddity. And it rankles that Fayose is empowering illiteracy in a state that styles itself the Fountain of Knowledge, a state that is said to have the highest number of professors in Nigeria!

Of course, it is fair to expect that Fayose would not abandon Afolayan. The illiterate has a steep learning curve. So Fayose would necessarily be the novice’s guide.

Including, as you would expect, in the small matter of council funds!

It is not impossible that an illiterate may become the best local government chairman of all time.

A grateful Afolayan might feel challenged to prove the naysayers wrong. He could, indeed, prove that the common sense and skill set needed to run a viable carpenter’s shop in the village can be successfully parleyed to administer a sprawling public institution.

Except a miracle happens, however, this hope is far-fetched. This is because Afolayan’s ability to master the lowest common functions of his office is literally nonexistent. Fayose made clear that Afolayan’s brief was to leverage the appointment for self-enrichment.

• Emmanuel Uchenna Ugwu, emmanuelugwu2002@yahoo.com

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015 16

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COMMENTS

Mr. Adesina, Buhari is hardly all that...Not yet (1) (The perils of being Special Adviser on Media Affairs to Mr. President)

Email: tunji_ololade@yahoo.co.uk 08038551123, 08111845040 HE Nigerian infatuation with moral personae is reflective in the trending fascination with President Muhammadu Buhari. Be it positive or negative, the opposition and public’s fixation with the retired Army General is recipe for recrudescent theatre. The dictator with unpopular morals eventually emerges as the country’s best hope (at the moment) of navigating its lattices of disaster and death to safer clime. How instructive.

At Buhari’s emergence, various segments of the country experienced radical re-awakening to the severity of his moral character. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), major opposition to Buhari’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), consider him bad news; they cringe from his crusader mentality and imminent gale of prosecutions and corrective measures accruable from his much hyped anti-corruption campaign.

Pro-Buhari movement, comprising Nigeria’s impoverished and fading middle class however, cheer him on; even when his action (s) reek dangerously of injury to certain interests or sociopolitical divide. This is not to lampoon the president as most of his actions till date, seem absent of premeditated intent to gall or punish anyone or group unjustly.

My view though, given the public’s predilection to read infinite meanings to everything and anything deemed political.

At his second shot at power, Buhari also experiences a rude arousal; his heartfelt dream of presiding over

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173.8 million Nigerians or thereabouts has suddenly come true.

An adult thing has happened, now he has to respond as a fully evolved adult. His virulent critics believe he is set up for a disastrous spell, his ardent loyalists ceaselessly affirm his competence yet Nigeria and the world depends on the Spartan conservative from Daura to affirm or dispel the wanton speculations and insinuations about him. Can he?

Buhari seemingly restores frantic theatricality to governance and leadership. What would have been impossible and unacceptable in previous regimes is suddenly becoming the public language of personae. The APC’s ‘change’ ideology meshes with the retired general’s anti-corruption stance in a dramatic dance of whim and political maneuverings.

Governance becomes a stage and Buhari is chief performer. Will he be hero or villain?

Buhari until his ascendance to power was a work of self-sculpture.

Then he assumed power and became a statuette; everybody’s unfinished model. By becoming President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Buhari assumes an incompleteness.

Innumerable expectations and traits seep into him by his personal and implied contact with loyalists and foes, in person and on the traditional or new media space.

The new Buhari will become what we intend him to be. It is beyond his will. His innate constitution is not enough to ride the tide of our collective degeneracy or sterling citizenship.

Having played

VER since the term, “100 days in office”, was first coined by a former US President, Franklin Roosevelt in an address on July 24, 1933, the expression has continued to generate public appeal and application. In that address, President Roosevelt encapsulated his programmes and outlined the successes of that obviously brief period to an expectant American populace.

In the past 82 years, leaders the world over have been conscious of their first 100 days in office by making pronouncements and initiating actions aimed at justifying the people’s confidence in them.

Cross River State is a defining example of how an elected leader, conscious of the huge expectations of the people, makes spirited efforts to lay a solid foundation for the present and future generations. Presently, the affairs of state are being presided over by Senator (Prof.) Ben Ayade, a suave and urbane gentleman, who assumed the reins of power, riding on the tide of popularity, following his past philanthropic gestures. His assumption of office as the first elected Governor of Cross River State from the northern senatorial district was accentuated by his huge credibility profile.

His swearing in, along with his deputy, Professor Ivara Esu on May 29, was indeed the commencement of an unprecedented era, filled with expectations and rich in its convincing ambience. The governor’s first working day in office was instructive of what he intends to entrench in the psyche of both civil and public officers. He was at his desk at 8am only to discover to his chagrin that punctuality was no longer a virtue among civil and public officers.

Thereafter, he embarked on inspection visits to many ministries, departments and agencies, among which were the Cross River State Water Board Limited and the Waste Management Agency to ascertain the state of affairs. Since then, there has been regular unscheduled visits to other ministries.

This has not only re-established the sanctity of official resumption time but has also indicated that it would not be business as usual.

With a prodigious capacity for work, he has steadfastly adhered to a rigid regime of official punctuality. Although coming from the private sector, Governor Ayade has continued to demonstrate a clear knowledge of how the bureaucracy functions. No doubt, he is ready to deploy the totality of his creative elements to give the state a new look and take its development paradigm to higher levels of appreciation.

Of significant impact these 100 days is the determination to reduce the huge unemployment figure to a manageable level.

One way in which he has shown this is in the on-going recruitment into the Cross River State Green police – a security outfit targeted at securing the vast forest reserves the state is blessed with. A total of 1,500 (500 from each senatorial district), will be recruited into scheme.

In the same vein, the envisaged garment factory is becoming a fascinating reality with the on-going construction at the factory site. When fully completed, the factory will be an-

degenerate for too long under previous administrations, it’s about time we attempted the pursuit of noble citizenship in the interest of our fatherland. While we embark on such noble enterprise, Nigeria deserves the partnership of a humane and humble leadership. Is Buhari really such man?

In the run up to the March 28 presidential elections, the PDP persistently pitched former president, Goodluck Jonathan, as the ‘devil’ we know, advising haughtily, that we kept faith with his ‘transformation agenda’ even as it ushered us down the steep plane of disaster. The APC however, identified Jonathan as irredeemably less than, and passionately dismissed him as the faithful would, a rowdy wine god, or the abstemious would, the chronic tippler or mirth maker.

No doubt, Nigeria urgently needs a traditional moralist whose convenient morality would ultimately serve as a bridge and extinguisher of decadence but while we set Buhari up for such arduous and usually under-appreciated task, there is need to monitor him and the men seemingly responsible for inputs into his manifestly popular and unpopular acts.

Hardly anyone knows what the portfolio of “Special Adviser” signifies under President Buhari but going by its implied connotation, one could not be too wrong in assuming that the holders of such title wield immense influence in the presidency.

If that be the case, there is urgent need for Mr. Femi Adesina, former editor of The Sun newspapers to tread gently and fawn sparingly irrespective of the intensity of his love and admiration for President Buhari.

In a recent published article, he said of the incumbent president, “But what is bred in the bones never goes out through the flesh. Immediately after Buhari returned on May 29, Nigerians knew that discipline was back.

Stealing is now corruption...And this one! Even our foreign reserve knows that a new sheriff is in town, and has responded appropriately. In June, just one month into office, and with the plugging of some leakages and loopholes, foreign reserve surged from $29 billion to $31.89. Holy Moses! Just in one month. Well, that is what a new sheriff can do. He brings sanity, confidence and probity to the system.

And you would agree that Nigeria needs such shot in the arm, if we consider recent past experiences, when our treasury was like a bag filled with holes.

“President Buhari has spent time trying to clean the Augean stable he inherited. And he is succeeding.

Sheriffs can either come in with guns blazing, shooting malefactors to kingdom come, or simply stamp their authority on the situation by sheer force of personality and presence. The Nigerian sheriff seems to have opted for the second option for now. But we should never forget that sheriffs are licensed to shoot. And those shots can be lethal for lawbreakers. In a matter of months, you can ask those who had bled our treasury to the point of death. They’ll have stories to tell.”

Mr. Adesina sure has stories to tell, at the moment. The details however, rankles with ominous note for the new Special Adviser on Media Affairs and the president. The presidential spokesperson’s recent article reads like a deep tissue massage of President Buhari’s ego.

Agreed, certain details in the piece, barring embellishment, could be substantiated but the job of a Special Adviser on Media Affairs, I believe, should be ennobled beyond what it was in the time of Reuben Abati and what Mr. Adesina seem to be making it out to be.

I would love to believe Mr. Adesina commands the respect of President Buhari; that with him the Nigerian presidency would desist from seeing the average journalist as nothing more than an errand boy or obsequious pawn to be played in pursuit of selfish objectives.

Power infinitely generates and attracts sycophancy.

The blasphemous flattery of Nigeria’s past presidents by their media advisers was not a mere culture of survival but a sign that the position is persistently regarded as an end in itself. Mr. Adesina as representative of the nation’s fourth estate should never be involved in the production of such fawning literature about his principal. His job is to caution and pitilessly offer harsh but constructive criticisms from a patriot and the media’s perspective of the president’s intended policies or actions before they are made public.

That was hardly the conduct of past occupants of the office in previous administrations. The former occupant of the office for instance, issued flattery like secular prayer and worship of his principal, Goodluck Jonathan, to the latter’s detriment.

Mr. Adesina should never morph into such grotesqueness. Until he assumed the post, he was never an insincere flatterer. He wasn’t a leech nor was he a polluter of language and media integrity. Unlike his predecessor.

•To be continued...

Ayade: 100 days after

By Beatrice Akpala other bold initiative that will add value to the lives of Cross Riverians and equally set the pace for the state industrialization agenda. Recruitment of employees for the factor has since commenced.

The Deep Seaport under construction is yet another big project that has become synonymous with the Ayade led administration. He has left no one in doubt about his desire to exploit the enormous economic potentials of a deep seaport, which will strengthen the state revenue base as well as exploit the commercial activities begging for attention from the Cross River State axis of the country. When all these projections are added to the need to grip the alluring inflow of the much needed foreign investments, the seaport need no further advertisement.

Cross River State no doubt suffers from lack of road infrastructure, which has over the years suffered neglect. To this end, Governor Ayade is embarking on, unarguably, one of the most ambitious road projects in the world – the 260 km Super Highway Stretching within the entire length of the state from Calabar to Obudu. Interestingly, his administration intends to run a public/private partnership collaboration to source for the funds needed for these signature projects.

Assuredly, an iconic infrastructural assets is in the offing. It is noteworthy that Governor Ayade has been paying inspection visits to the various project sites at regulated intervals to ascertain their pace of progress.

Other areas of great interest are the many courtesy calls by a cross section of people, corporate bodies, international organizations such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, all with the intention of playing one role or the other in the life of the people of Cross River State. One such visits that holds so much promise for the state was embarked upon by Affordable Buildings Concepts Ltd. from the Republic of Ireland.

Through the company, the Governor hopes to address the huge housing deficit that plagues the state by significantly reducing the cost of building materials. Some commissioning ceremonies have also been performed such as the Fynfield Petroleum Ltd. to ensure steady supply of petroleum products in the state.

Other visits and courtesy calls were from the Ecological Funds Office, The Presidency, Abuja, Governing Council of the University of Calabar, Leaders of forest communities in Cross River State, the United Nations Redd Programme, as well as the management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), among others.

Within this brief period of 100 days, Governor Ayade has

played host to the Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and undertaken a trip to the Republic of Cameroun with President Mohammadu Buhari. Yet another inspection visit was to the Military Recce Operation at Ikang in Bakassi Local Government Area. In a bid to secure the lives and property of the citizenry Governor Ayade has boosted the morale of the state security outfit and the Nigeria Police by the provision of vehicles.

The Calabar Christmas Festival often referred to as Carnival Calabar remains very dear to the heart of the governor.

He has revealed his intention to reignite the passion of the festival by introducing many variety shows, cycling competition such as formula one, games, demonstrations and casinos, among others.

To ensure that those at the lower rung of the ladder do not suffer unduly, Ayade has proposed a bill to be sent to the State House of Assembly to exempt low income earners from paying tax. Shortly after his assumption of office, Gov. Ayade cleared the backlog of salary arrears and set an unshakable date for the payment of salaries on the 25th of every month and he has kept tenaciously to this date.

Aware of the need to generate funds for the various landmark projects, he has embarked on the re-organization of revenue generating agencies. Already, a new chairman has been appointed for the state Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

He has equally taken notice of the need to source for and appoint credible, competent and qualified Cross Riverians into political positions in the state. That search to ensure equity, justice and fair play is responsible for why such appointments are yet to be made. Hopefully, this issue will soon be laid to rest.

Interestingly, Cross River State has the startling coincidence of being the first state in Nigeria to have two professors as governor and deputy governor respectively. Their experiences in the various positions they have held will undoubtedly be brought to bear in the administration of the state. The expectations are indeed high.

With a massive dose of optimism, Governor Ayade has hit the road running. It has not been an easy yoke, however. He has encountered the relentless animosities of defeated opponents, some of who took him to court to question his overwhelming electoral victory. He came out of the court with his head high by conquering the frivolities of the case. Not a few hailed the victory. He is deeply aware of the verdict of history and has vowed to confront it.

It has been an incredibly busy 100 days in office and the result has been very encouraging. Welcome to the enchanting vision of Governor Ayade. Welcome to Cross River State, the land where the past and present are rapidly melting into the future.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

22

COMMENTS

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HE piece “Buhari beware of Tinubu” in Daily Sun September 2, comes from the depleting arsenal of the forlorn amalgamation known as the PDP. At least we can say that the newspaper has remained faithful. It was propaganda vehicle of the PDP prior to the election and has decided to stick to that role.

This article can be cited as an exemplar of graveyard journalism, its author an unabashed necromancer. For he disinters and romances old lies and falsehoods that have been investigated and buried because they were unfounded. No person so publicly and fervently revives old lies to express new truths. The author’s motive shall not be found in the codex of honesty and fairness. The purpose is as murky as the PDP and the former government it led.

Nothing these people do is straight. The arrows they shoot are crooked; the bow they use is warped. Nothing they say can be taken at face value. Every time they speak, they increase their inventory of lies by at least one per word spoken. While in office and with all the power of state at their disposal, all they could do was break the nation while defaming our collective intelligence by telling us all was getting better by the day.

Instead of leading the nation to fine pastures, they led us into a dark cul-de-sac. Now they have the gall to castigate Bola Tinubu in order to distract the people from all the wrongs they have done and the money they squandered. Had they governed the nation as well as the APC’s progenitors governed Lagos, Nigeria would be a much better place.

They know this. More importantly, the people know it.

In the article, a so-called guest columnist accuses Tinubu of having amassed an unimaginable fortune. The writer claims that Tinubu cannot be part of any progressive change and that President Buhari must disassociate himself from the former Lagos governor. This author is the latest to ply a transparently slanted and incredible theme that seems to have become a psychological life rope to the PDP and its mercenaries. “If we can only get rid of Tinubu” goes their salacious dialogue.

Implicit in this sinister plot is the belief that driving a wedge between President Buhari and Tinubu will not only take Tinubu

Buhari,Tinubu and hatchet men

By Sunday Dare out of the picture, it will leave President Buhari politically isolated and vulnerable.

They seek to politically kill a progressive political actor in Tinubu and Buhari’s progressive government with one regressive stone. We could not reasonably expect a strategy any less treacherous from this group and they did not fail to live down to our low expectations of them.

None of the accusations made against Tinubu are new. They are a rehash of a rehash. All of these things have been investigated and discovered to be acidic lies.

The writer tried to explain away the case that the Jonathan administration opened but lost against Tinubu. But the writer could not intelligently tell why the Jonathan team would have let Tinubu off the hook if they had incriminating, potentially incarcerating evidence against him. When they took him to trial, they were acutely aware of his political stand and the threat it posed to their hold on office.

They knew him to be the prime strategist behind the political merger that became the APC that would eventually unseat the PDP in the 2015 elections. While no person is indispensable, the APC would not have been established with the form and capacity it assumed had Tinubu been sidelined. The history of the elections might have been different and more beneficial to the PDP incumbent. Jonathan and his team knew this.

With so much at stake, there is no way that the Jonathan team would not have closeted Tinubu if they had the chance to sideline him with criminal culpability. They would have relished the chance because it would have come as close to sealing the election as any one singular act could. The decision not to pursue Tinubu did not result from a largess of spirit. The decision was based on the realization that they lacked evidence to pursue the contrived suit.

In any case many of the allegations made in the hatchet piece are already issues of libel in the law court against AIT and similar

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HE unfolding political drama in Rivers State is no doubt, a worrisome distraction not only to the dramatis personae and their henchmen but also to the entire polity. Its festering dimension as we follow the intrigues and name-calling portrays us as an unserious lot who see politics and political power as avenues to lay claim to some fiendish acclaim. It is depressing as a recurring negative of our democracy at a time the political system is fraught with many challenges, yearning for overhauling.

But my greater worry is the implication of this unrestrained indulgence on the critical question of proper governance in the state and the basic interest of the people which should be the pre-occupation of the incumbent governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike. Rather than the fixation on his predecessor with all sorts of recriminations, the new government should be circumspect by focusing more on governance as a pressing factor of its responsibility in spite of the allegation of a stolen mandate.

From the look of things, it will appear to any objective observer that this is a dog fight which has a deeper, disguised essence other than the much publicized allegations against the immediate past governor, the Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. This is an important observation, reinforced by the sequence of events and indeed the feisty and bitter nature of public pronouncements of Governor Wike against Amaechi before and after the controversial election in the state which are largely suspect and objectionable. The persuasive deduction from this important observation as many are wont to believe is that the whole orchestration that is gradually but consciously executed by the new power block in the state is aimed at rubbishing the legacy of the former governor which is regrettable.

Now, the refrain in the government establishment in PortHarcourt and those of associated political interest groups is the tendency to cast Amaechi in very dark stripes as a “demon” and in the new consciousness of betrayal and ardent provocation as a ‘fraud” barely six months after leaving office as a celebrated performer, a humanist and democracy hero, one who actually made a difference in the lives of his people.

‘He worked so hard to birth a lasting peace in a former enclave of street gangs and insecurity. He moved so fast to reposition education in a creative manner that has changed the lot of a generation.

Making Port-Harcourt a UNESCO World Book Capital was not an accident, Wike’

organizations.

That this story appears now is predictable.

For the last few weeks, the regressives have tried their hardest to cause acrimony within the APC, publishing fiction that Tinubu was at war with important APC figures, particularly in the South-west. Try as they might, those lies could not gain traction.

Facts and common sense rebutted the machinations. The APC stalwarts were too wise to take the bait. Having exhausted that approach, the provocateurs quickly switched to see if they could pit President Buhari and Asiwaju Tinubu against each other. The attempts to tarnish Tinubu’s relationship with the President and with other APC stalwarts have been recurring tactics pulled from the PDP’s bag of tricks.

Having destroyed their own party from within, they now seek to destroy the APC. The observations we can make about them is that they excel at failure and are creative in destroying things. By their wiles, we know them. By the results their conduct has produced in Nigeria, we reject them.

Overripe with lies and falsehood, the article says more about its author than about Tinubu. The writing is a sad testimony to barrenness of the PDP. The party is slowly disintegrating before our eyes. Yet, they stubbornly refuse to change their ways. Like thief gravediggers they venture into the cemetery in broad daylight to dig up old, refuted calumny and defamation. As the opposition in an open democracy, they have free and wide latitude to offer alternative policies recommendations and a different vision for the nation. They can’t take advantage to this option because they could not produce one credible new idea if the whole lot of them gathered for a year of deliberations. After all they did not do it in 16 years of blatant misrule.

We know now that the regressive conservatives who comprise the PDP and its allies are a stubborn brew. Their stubbornness so deeply envelopes them that it has affixed itself to them as terminal blindness. They refuse to see what is plain to all others. They lost the election because the

people rejected their policies and the corrupt, mean way they implemented them.

These blind men now go thrashing about feverishly, trying to engage a battle already lost. They boast that they shall make the government and governing party quake.

However, their desperation is palpable.

While they rudely hector at the democratic procession passing them by, deep down they know their voice is weakening; they themselves are but apparitions, fading as a new and progressive political economy takes shape despite their futile efforts to halt it.

Try as he might to ridicule the President Buhari and Tinubu, the author of this piece merely showed the bankruptcy of his own mind and of those who asked him to sign his name to public libel and false witness. Instead of being aware of Tinubu, they ought to be aware of the hole they have dug. It appears they are close to falling into it.

- Dare is the Media Adviser/Chief of Staff to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

‘While they rudely hector at the democratic procession passing them by, deep down they know their voice is weakening; they themselves are but apparitions, fading as a new and progressive political economy takes shape despite their futile efforts to halt it’

Amaechi’s legacy remains indelible

By George Njoku So what really happened? Why the bizarre obsession to destroy a good man at all cost especially when we recollect his many firsts in leadership, effective governance and overall huge successes in policy and programmes and as affirmed in public opinion in no distant time? What could be the issue? Is it a manifestation of the evils of our crude politics or sheer banality? This should be a time for soulsearching as well as time for healing, I believe.

Lest we forget that our politics is still largely driven by opportunism: from that sunny day at the water front in Okirika, when Amaechi had a “confrontation” with the former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, over policy (public good)rather than such mundane interest as she then postulated, the seed of discord was sown. As with all things Nigerian, our dear Nyesom Wike capitalized on the face-off to feather his own nest. He became the willing tool, an errand boy and a manipulator, no matter the moral question, to persecute his benefactor. So sad! From that moment till date, Wike has never hidden his disdain for Amaechi with his burning interest and target to become the governor of Rivers State and a new power broker.

A lot had since happened but certainly the desire to rubbish Amaechi by Wike in any way possible remains a constant element in his agenda. From day one in office, this desire became a priority going by his numerous vindictive and selfish actions against Amaechi.

But beyond the maddening crowd of Amaechi crucifixion, can we really justifiably believe the new found corruption claim of the state government other than a deliberate plot to paint Amaechi so black with a possible damning verdict by a court so primed to deliver a hasty pronouncement on his tenure? A logical end in the on-going hot pursuit of a sworn enemy? Let’s wait and see! Of course, it is too clear to every discerning observer of the macabre dance in Port-Harcourt that the objective is to dent Amaechi’s hard-earned reputation to possibly frustrate his higher elevation in leadership position and national service but this will fail so woefully.

President Muhammadu Buhari, all conscientious leaders and the generality of patriotic Nigerians can see beyond Wike’s façade of hypocrisy. It won’t stop Amaechi from ascending to higher calling as a will of God, a God of purpose who has so far used the former governor to liberate his people and by extension the Nigerian people from the yoke of poverty, ignorance and incompetent leadership.

No matter what his political enemies may say, Amaechi is an uncommon leader who was conscious of his place in history and acted so pragmatically especially in the last presidential election. His strategic roles in the election of

President Buhari will continue to be of serious evaluation and analysis with a generous verdict by perceptive thinkers as a vote for national interest rather than tribe or ethnic leaning. He was simply a patriot whose activist and progressive leadership in this 4th Republic raises hope for democratic consolidation and national renewal. Amaechi is a man of convictions, dogged, thorough and certainly a key architect of the democratic success we are enjoying today.

He deserves to be celebrated as a genuine national icon.

From that Okirika incident to the huge infraction of the Soku Oil Well to the‘16 higher than 19 votes” at the Nigerian Governors Forum election down to the orchestrated impeachment as we recollect those terrible occurrences in the state house of assembly, deprivation of Amaechi’s administration in legitimate constitutional entitlements and privileges to all manner of political intimidation and harassment (remember Mathew Mbu), the stage had since been set to bring down the Lion Heart. But in major considerations, we can only look back and reckon so proudly that Amaechi won the battle, notwithstanding the subsisting leftover as we are witnessing.

Amaechi came into office well prepared and he delivered on his lofty promises to the huge excitement of his people.

His passion and determination were too visible to the end.

First, he worked so hard to birth a lasting peace in a former enclave of street gangs and insecurity. He moved so fast to reposition education in a creative manner that has changed the lot of a generation. Making Port-Harcourt a UNESCO World Book Capital was not an accident, Wike should be reminded. Health, agriculture, entrepreneurship and empowerment, infrastructure, particularly roads and bridges got major attention as he provided a remarkable leadership which was duly recognised locally and abroad. He bonded freely with his people and they loved him for his forthrightness.

Like Rosa Park, Amaechi, however, insisted on being treated with dignity, decorum and equity. He refused to sacrifice his principles on the altar of convenience or compromise. It is a moral force shaped by his values and ethics which have also helped to build his enduring leadership of integrity and honour. He was courageous and he continues to inspire. This was the defining moment which Wike and his tribe of opportunists hated so much and exploited to become somebody today but I doubt if Amaechi is regretting his course of action.

Thus let the word go forth from now to friends and foes alike that the essential Amaechi is unshaken even in the face of provocation and abuse of power. Amaechi’s legacy remains indelible and no amount of human efforts can obliterate that important part of history.

• Njoku wrote from Port-Harcourt.

THE NATION FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

POLITICS

23

The electoral misfortune did not diminish his leadership of the PDP in Ondo ‘State.

Apart from the respect accorded Agagu by former President Joonathan, many chieftains also looked up to him as a father figure and a rallying point ’

Former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Agagu had just been appointed into a reconciliation committee by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before he died. Two years after, the Ondo State chapter, which he led, is divided.

Many of his supporters have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) while some are still in the party.

Ahead of next year’s governorship election, both parties have started mobilisation. Has Agagu’s demise created a vacuum in the PDP? What are his legacies? Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU revisits the life and times of the politician and the impact of his death on the troubled chapter.

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WO years have passed like a flash of lightening since Olusegun Kokumo Agagu, former university teacher and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, passed on. As governor of Ondo State between 2003 and 2008, he was the target of the opposition figures. When he died, political differences disappeared as he was mourned by admirers and foes, who testified to his good works, brilliant ideas, tolerance and lack of political desperation. He was 65 years.

Two years after he left, his party, the PDP, is enveloped in crisis. Many of his supporters, including his younger brother, Femi, former Chief of Staff, and Chief Olusola Oke, former PDP National Legal Adviser, have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), following protracted crisis in the chapter. The defectors have a grouse against Governor Olusegun Mimiko, who had served as Secretary to Government in the Agagu Administration and Minister of Housing before defecting to the Labour Party (LP). In their view, Mimiko had discredited the chapter in the past and made it an electoral liability. Their argument was that, during that turbulent period, they maintained an abiding faith in the distressed chapter. Therefore, they believe that Mimiko has returned to the fold to sideline them.

The claims and counter-claims attested to the fact that there was no concrete agreement and reconciliation between the old PDP chieftains and returnees, who had sojourned in the LP for almost eight years.

In 2007, Mimiko had resigned as minister to contest for governor. The coast was not clear for him in the PDP. Therefore, he defected to the LP. At the close of poll, Agagu was returned by the electoral commission. But, Mimiko rejected the result, saying that it was fraudulent. He went to court. A protracted litigation ensured. The Appeal Court acceded to his prayer and Mimiko was dethroned.

The verdict drew the curtain on Agagu’s career as governor. His image was dented by the virulent campaigns and media propaganda. His popularity rating dropped. In the senatorial election that followed, the former governor was the PDP candidate for the South District seat, but he was defeated by Senator Boluwaji Kunlere.

Shortly after the last general elections, Mimiko, a maverick politician, retraced his steps to the PDP. The move was critical to his future political survival. There was confusion in the party. As governor, he automatically became the party leader. Also, some of his supporters grabbed the strategic positions. Those he met in the party complained of marginalisation. There was a sharing formula for the distribution political offices. Old party members wanted more slots because the governor’s men were dominating the State Executive Council. But, like an astute politician that he is, Mimiko’s criterion was loyalty. Crisis broke out over the sharing formula. Thus, what ordinarily should be an advantage for the ruling party became a burden. Reconciliation is still deadlock.

Many believe that the situation may have been different, if Agagu were alive. There were indications that the former governor was about to bounce back, following his appointment by former President Goodluck Jonathan as a member of the National Reconciliation Committee. They also argue that Agagu was not likely to object to Mimiko’s return, but both sides would have entered into a pre-defection dialogue that would averted domination and the feeling of marginalisation in the chapter.

Agagu was a man of peace. His associates said that he was not too desperate for power. Before he entered poli-

Ondo PDP: Two years without Agagu

•The late Agagu

tics, he was not a poor man. he has made name as a geologist, university teacher and oil worker. Agagu had borne the vicissitudes of political life with a mixture of shock and philosophical calmness. His demise was trailed by a funeral turmoil as the plane conveying his corpse from Lagos to Akure, the state capital, crashed few minute after taking off from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, claiming some lives.

Many Nigerians poured encomiums on Agagu for living a good life and making a modest contribution to socioeconomic development. More importantly, he was a community man. Thus, his death created a vacuum in Ikaleland. The people of Iju-Odo, his home town, mourned his departure. The people of the South District lamented the loss of a patriot, role model and mentor. One of his legacies is the Ondo State University of Science and Technology established by his administration.

Agagu was a Geology teacher at the University of Ibadan in the seventies. He was fond of geological surveys. He was a brilliant student and good example to his students.

But, politics was in his blood. the ideas and exploits of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and his associates.

In his autobiography, former Governor Adekunle Ajasin of Ondo State recalled that Agagu was one of the young stars who assisted the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) with his expertise in statistics and information technology. Their efforts assisted the party in detecting the pattern of rigging by the proscribed National Party of Nigeria (NPN).

In the Third republic, Agagu was a chieftain of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP). He served as deputy governor in Olumilua government. He was in office for barely 18 months before the collapse of the ill-fated republic. Thhe Olumilua/Agagu ticket defeated the National Republican Convention (NRC) candidate, Chief Ayo Ogunlade. Under the administration, Mimiko served as Commissioner for Health.

In 1999, Agagu crossed over to the conservative camp.

Many were taken aback because he was a devoted progressive politician. As the PDP governorship candidate, he lost with a slim margin to the Alliance for Democracy (AD) candidate, the late Chief Adebayo Adefarati. To compensate him, he was appointed by President Olusegun Obasanjo as Minister of Aviation, and later, Power and Steel Ministry.

Luck smile on Agagu in 2003. In the keenly contested poll, he defeated Adefarati. Among the young elements who assisted him to win was Mimiko, who was Adefarati’s Commissioner for Health. Ahead of the election, crisis had broken out in Afenifere/AD. The younger elements were restless. The 2003 poll was keenly contested. Ahead of the election, crisis had seized Afenifere/AD. The tradition in the pan socio-political group favoured the distribution of political slots based on seniority and record of contributions to the political family. But, the young men in the fold were in a hurry. They left the group in droves. Mimiko later became the Secretary to Government. Much later, the politician fondly called Iroko by admirers became a minister. Party sources said that his boss had no input in his choice. When he challenged Agagu to a duel, it was evident that it was not an empty threat. Mimiko defeated him at the poll. Agagu never anticipated the turn of events.

But, he bored the tragedy with equanimity, knowing that power was transient. As Mimiko was being sworn in as his successor, he headed for the church for a thanksgiving. Although he also lost his deposit at the senatorial election, he never retired from politics.

The electoral misfortune did not diminish his leadership of the PDP in Ondo State. Apart from the respect accorded Agagu by former President Joonathan, many chieftains also looked up to him as a father figure and a rallying point. He was an asset to the party in many ways. Only a few has the stature of Agagu in the chapter. Thus, the chapter has missed his guardian.

‘Ugwuanyi committed to equitable development’

G

OVERNOR Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has said that his administration will foster justice, equity, and fairness in the distribution of basic amenities.

The governor gave the assurance in Nsukka at a consultation meeting. He was represented by the Chairman of the Nsukka Urban Renewal Committee, Chris Offor.

Offor said the committee was constituted in line with the vision and policy thrust of the governor to “open up rural areas, create

more urban areas in Enugu State, boost economic activities and reduce unemployment”.

He noted that Nsukka is “the second largest urban area in Enugu State and a university town founded over 50 years ago”. He said the town deserves a facelift to compete with its contemporaries in attracting technology and knowledge-based businesses for the socio-economic growth of the state.

The committee’s chairman said that the governor’s passion for the

development of the entire state in line with his campaign promises and broad-based vision is remarkable and desires the support of the people of the area.

He said that the committee is one of the numerous programmes by the governor geared towards development, adding that he has also embarked on programmes aimed at developing other satellite towns including Abakpa Nike, Emene, and Independence Layout Phase II. Offor said the committee has

made progress, adding that the public hearing was imperative, in view of the need to consult widely with the people to have a holistic idea of the challenges and make appropriate recommendations to the government.

Those who spoke at the event harped on the need to find a lasting solution to flooding, clogged drainage system, poor state of internal road network, erection of illegal structures on waterways, scarcity of water, inadequate healthcare facilities, among others.

• Ugwuanyi

Newspaper of the Year

AN 8-PAGE PULLOUT ON SOUTHEAST STATES

UNICEFpoly partnership bears fruit in Anambra

‘Why I established army language institute’ •PAGE 27

•PAGE 26

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

PAGE 25

Ebonyi fixes roads •PAGE 39

Communities once renowned for large-scale rice and palm oil production lie in ruins, their businesses comatose. Blame bad road, OKODILI NDIDI reports

•A failed portion of the Nnewi-Arondizogu-Okigwe-Enugu Road

‘Poor road has ruined our cottage industry’ I

T once felt good to hail from communities fringing the Nnewi-Arondizogu-OkigweEnugu Road in Imo State. Residents happily tilled the land, producing such cash crops as rice.

They also milled palm oil and made a fortune for their efforts.

From Lagos, Enugu, Cross River states and the north, many flocked to the Farm Produce Market in Arondizogu in Okigwe Local Government Area of the state to buy their produce. The people prospered and so did the settlements.

Life was good.

Not anymore.

Why not?

The 19km Trunk-A road on which patrons trooped to the communities has since failed and along with it, the booming industry.

But today what reminds the indigenes of those good old days of prosperity and abundance, are

abandoned rice farms, failed cottage industries and sad remains of what used to be beautiful travelers’ guest houses and whether –beaten gigantic roofs of filling stations and factories.

The communities are almost completely deserted, save for some adamant indigenes who are managing to eke a living out of their peasant farming, hoping that one day their plight will draw the attention of the Federal Government.

Today, the few travellers who still brave the road have tales of horror in the hands of daredevil armed robbers who have turned the once busy highway into a den of terror.

Now described as one of the worst Trunk-A roads in the country, the Nnewi-Arondizogu-OkigweEnugu Road was awarded to different contractors in the past, Doliz Brown Group, who abandoned the project shortly after mobilising to

We are agrarian communities and we cultivate rice in commercial quantities but since the road collapsed, we are no longer cultivating that much because we don’t have roads to take them to the market. This important Trunk-A road connects six states in the Southeast and Southsouth geopolitical zones site, dashing the hope of the people each time.

At different points along the now snaky road, heavy duty equipments belonging to the absconded firms litter the road.

After years of fruitless hope for intervention, the communities

have once again brought their plight to the knowledge of the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari.

The traditional ruler of IhiemeIzuogu, Eze Cosmos Ndubuisi Kanu lamented that the state of the road has brought untold economic hardship on

the people.

He said, “We have managed this terrible situation for over fifteen years. Everything in this community has been at a standstill. We can’t take our farm produce to the market because of the road. Most of the people have abandoned their rice farms and gone to the cities to search for nonexistent jobs.

“We have 12 autonomous communities along this road that are affected and terrible accidents happen on this road always. It has brought economic and social services to a halt, the few industries and hotels that were flourishing when the road was still good have all closed down. The contractors handling the road in the past have all abandoned it but we are not apportioning blame but we are appealing to President Muhammadu Buhari to come to our aid and fix •Continued on page 26

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

26

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

‘Poor road has ruined our cottage industry’ •Continued from page 25 this road, given its importance”.

He continued that, “We are agrarian communities and we cultivate rice in commercial quantities but since the road collapsed, we are no longer cultivating that much because we don’t have road to take them to the market. This important Trunk-A road connects six states in the Southeast and Southsouth geopolitical zones”.

Another indigene, Mr. Uche Ohia, a legal practitioner and rice farmer, called for urgent and drastic intervention on the road, stating that the state of the road has forced out young farmers who could have been contributing to providing the food need of the nation.

He said, “we have lost millions of naira to the collapse of this road, the level of impoverishment among the people is very high because no business can thrive under the present situation. The economy of the communities has totally collapsed, it is indeed a terrible situation.

“This situation is not encouraging most of us who returned home to invest in agriculture. For instance I have a large palm plantation and for almost last two weeks now I have been looking for means to transport the harvest fruits to the market and they are beginning to get bad.

“One other major problem created by bad road, is the increase in criminal activities. There is high rate of vandalization of electrical installations by vandals who operate unchallenged at night because no one dare move out once it is night. It gets even worse any day it rains. We are appealing to the Federal Government to order the contractors handling the road to return to site or revoke it and award it to a more committed firm”.

Another angry indigene and a banker, Dr Ikenna Uche, noted that the contractors handling the road contributed to its present state, adding that, “the contractors destroyed the road totally by abandoning it after excavating deep boroughs on the road and this has resulted in flooding and serious erosion. This road

used to be the shortest route to Lagos but our people now travel to Onitsha or Owerri before going to Lagos.

“Our people don’t come back home anymore because of the bad road. Those of us that manage to come leave our cars in Owerri and ride on okada, which is very dangerous. We are appealing to the relevant authorities to come to our aid and I can assure you that once this road fixed the economy will bounce back and all the collapsed industries will be revived because our people are willing to invest at home.

“Another area of serious concern is that the total collapse of the road has also affected the state of other social infrastructure like school, market, health centers, electricity and pipe borne water. All these have either ceased to exist or are in very poor state because the communities are cut off by the bad road”.

Apart from this particular road, other Federal roads in the state have equally collapsed. The Owerri-Port Harcourt and the Owerri-Umuahia roads have also been abandoned and are currently in a terrible state of disrepair.

Speaking on the development, the Chief of Staff to the Imo State Government House, Chief Uche Nwosu, decried the state of the roads, adding that in the last four years, the state government has spent huge sum of money carrying out palliative repairs on all the Federal Government roads in the state.

He however assured that the situation will not remain the same under the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration, noting that, “the situation of the Federal Government roads in the state will not remain the same because the Governor has already taken it up with the President but that does not mean the state will not continue to maintain the roads because the common road users does not know the difference”.

Proffering solution to the problem, Nwosu suggested that all Federal Government roads in every state should be managed by the state but financed by the Federal Government.

A portion of the road washed away by erosion

•The abandoned federal road

UNICEF-poly partnership bears fruit in Anambra

T

HE partnership between United Nation International Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

(SMEDAN) with the Federal Polytechnic Oko in Anambra state has started yielding results.

•Continued on page 27

•Members of UNICEF, SMEDAN and Oko Poly staff

Eight modern toilets have been built in the institution with the help of Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) under the Water Sanitation Hygiene (WASH)

programme.

This according to UNICEF is to ensure that the vision of achieving open defecation free by the year 2025 is achieved in the land.

The WASH consultant for UNICEF, Nicholas Dosunmu, who led other members of the team to the institution on Monday, commended the management for partnering with them on the project.

He said that they also came to Oko polytechnic to train participants who will in turn, take up the projects to their respective villages and communities in the state.

Dosunmu said over fifty million Nigerians engaged in open defecation which according to him, could result in outbreak of epidemics.

The UNICEF man also disclosed that federal polytechnic Oko was hosting the pilot scheme of the programme, expressing the hope that if the project succeeds, the name of the institution would be written in gold.

The Director of International Linkages, Sir Walter Ezeanata thanked UNICEF for choosing the polytechnic for the pilot scheme and also, commended other agencies for making the polytechnic a hub for training participants for the WASH programme.

Ezeanata disclosed that four of the toilets were sited at the female hostel, two beside the polytechnic field, one at the old Fine and Applied Arts site and the last at the extension site of the institution.

Mr. Douglas Mba, the perma•Continued on page 27

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

27

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT UNICEF-poly partnership bears fruit in Anambra The UNICEF representative expressed the readiness of the donor agency to partner the school in other areas that could improve lives of the people and sustaining virile environment •Continued from page 26

•One of the toilets being inspected by the team

nent secretary, state Ministry of Water resources and utility, said the state government was happy with the programme.

He however, commended the institution for accepting to host the programme which he said, will go a long way in tackling open defecation.

He described Anambra state as

peculiar and unique, adding that before the projected 2025, the state would have achieved zero open air defecation through a high level sensitization and awareness.

Another UNICEF consultant, Prof Dipak Roy, said he was excited that the programme lived

up to expectation and tanked the institution for making it possible.

The UNICEF representative expressed the readiness of the donor agency to partner the school in other areas that could improve lives of the people and sustaining virile environment.

He assured that the polytechnic

would not disappoint its partners by making sure that the project succeeds, adding that maintenance of the project was quite important.

Also, Deputy Rector (Academics), Mrs. Gladys Anene said the project came when the institution was putting toilet facilities all over the places in the institution, adding

that the Rector was a man who loves creativity.

One of the participants in the training, Peter Akwobi while speaking with the Nation, described the training as a worthwhile experience.

The toilets had two septic tanks of one metre each and could last up to seven years.

•Gen Ihejirika (fourth left) with French Defence Attache team

Why I established army language institute, by Ihejirika

F

ORMER Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Azubike Ihejirika has shed light on why he set up the Nigerian Army Language Institute (NALI) at Ovim in Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State.

He said the NALI project was informed by the need for military men to learn other languages apart from English so they could communicate effectively with their counterparts

From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

from non-English-speaking countries.

Ovim was once renowned for the rail line which ran through the community, and later for the senior military officers who hailed from it.

General Ike Nwachukwu and Admiral Ndubisi Kanu hail from there, as do Col. Osondu and Ihejirika.

Kanu constructed a road from Isuikwuato to Uturu down to Okigwe through which he was coming home when he was the military governor of old Imo State.

Nwachukwu transferred the then Imo State University later known as Abia State University to its now permanent site at Uturu.

In 2012, Ihejirika established the Nigerian Army Language Institute •Continued on page 37

The former COAS said that when the institute was established it was mainly for Nigerian soldiers to help their French-speaking neighbours during peace missions to understand themselves but now the reverse is the case as the French-speaking neighbours are now helping Nigeria in the war against insurgency

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

28

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

•A site of the landslide

,

Lawmaker seeks road contract probe

A

member of the House of Representatives Hon Uko Nkole (Arochukwu/Ohafia constituency) has called for a comprehensive probe of all contracts awarded for the Arochukwu/Ohafia Road.

Nkole proposed that the probe should stretch as far back as the era of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF).

He described the road as a disaster and death trap requiring immediate intervention in order to stop the daily accidents which occur on it.

Gully erosion has further damaged the road, several parts of which have failed, making travel a herculean and hazardous exercise.

Speaking with reporters in Arochukwu, Nkole said that there is need for the federal government to extend the corruption fight to the contracts awarded for the construc-

From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

tion of Arochukwu/Ohafia federal road.

Nkole said that the contract for the construction of the road has been awarded several times by successive governments with no visible result.

He called on President Muhammadu Buhari to order for probe on all the contracts awarded for the construction of the road from the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) till date and that any of the contractors found culpable should be made to refund the money and also face the law to serve as a deterrent to others who may want to go their way.

The federal lawmaker said that the road has suffered neglect since the end of the civil war 41 years ago and is getting worse day by day

•Hon Uko

while causing untold hardship to commuters and the people of Ohafia and Arochukwu and other adjoining communities.

He explained that the people from the area are mainly agrarian

people and traders but have no good roads to transport their goods to and from the area thereby affecting the socio-economic development and denying them the neces-

Gully erosion has further damaged the road, several parts of which have failed, making travel a herculean and hazardous exercise

,

•Continued on page 37

Committee to avert land crisis in Anambra From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

May 20 and 19 June.

The new committee by the community which was inaugurated at the weekend is led by Chief Vincent A.O. Obi. In recent times, however, due to population explosion and urbanization, land has become a scarce commodity in Oba. The LUSAC chair, Chief Vincent Obi, popularly called (Akamba) in the area, said, ”Oba town which has existed from time immemorial has also known peace, progress and brotherhood and would want the same conditions to prevail from generation to generation.”

The surge in indiscriminate and illegal sales of land and flagrant

,

A

community in Anambra State has found a way to end crises resulting from the sale of its land.

Oba in Idemili South Local Government Area used to peaceful until some residents started selling land indiscriminately, resulting in crises.

But the traditional ruler Igwe Peter Ezenwa (Eze Okpoko I), his chiefs and the town union have set up a committee to regulate land use and sale, hoping it will contain the bad blood generated by land conflicts.

The General Assembly of the community met first on April 6, under the aegis of Oba Patriotic Union (OPU), while the second and third joint meetings were held on

The traditional ruler Igwe Peter Ezenwa (Eze Okpoko I), his chiefs and the town union have set up a committee to regulate land use and sale, hoping it will contain the bad blood generated by conflict

,

abuse of traditional procedures for community land disposal were becoming an order of the day for

youths they refer to social drop outs in the community.

As a result, the community waded in, with committee to curb the menace that nearly torn the community into shreds.

According to the code of conduct for all land deals in Oba community; “That Individuals or Kindreds who have Personal or Communal Lands have rights to sell their bonafide property, provided that the President General of the town mandatorily appends his signature to the Agreement or Assignment before the sale can be consummated and forwarded to the Ministry of Lands for Title Deeds” “That the Ministry of Lands shall be informed to dishonor any application for a Title Deed which

does not bear the signature of The President General” “That the Ichie/Chief of the village and designated members of the village where the sale is about to and/or has taken place shall attest that the land is/was in their village and that the seller is a citizen of the village and is the bonafide owner of the land” “That any person or persons who indulge in secret land deals and transactions would be punished by the Oba traditional laws and customs until they return to sanity” It was signed by Igwe Peter Ezenwa, the president General of the town union, Ifeatu A. Uzowulu, Clifford M. Enendu and Chief Vincent A.O. Obi.

Newspaper of the Year

AN EIGHT-PAGE PULLOUT ON THE SOUTHSOUTH STATES

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

PAGE 29

Bad times for oil thieves in Rivers Rivers monarch cries out as subjects abandon community over fear of military attack PAGE 30

Revenue contractor turns whistleblower in Edo PAGES 34

Delta launches unemployed youths’ data base PAGES 32

•Supected oil thieves

F

OR a long time, they reigned. From creeks to creeks, they set up shops. Their tools were crude; their tactics crude too; but the money they made was not crude. They were sweet cash made from almost zero investment.

Welcome to the world of Rivers’ operators of illegal oil refineries whose presence was felt from Buguma to Okrika to Obio Akpor and many other parts of the state.

The good times are going away. Almost no week has passed in the last one month that they have not had bad times with the Army or the Navy. Soon, the Air Force may even go after them. The police are also not left out of the battle to kill the economic saboteurs called oil thieves and illegal bunkerers.

The country was shocked about three weeks ago when an illegal refinery was discovered not far from the Rivers State Government House.

The Army made the shocking find. It is the biggest illegal bunkering site ever discovered anywhere in the

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

country. It is near the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and two kilometres away from the Rivers state Government House, Port Harcourt.

The Commander of the 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Brig.-Gen. Stevenson Olabanji, told reporters in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, that the discovery followed a tip-off.

Thousands of litres of illegally refined diesel were discovered at the site.

Olabanji added that army personnel were immediately deplored in the site, located at Makoba Beach.

The Commander said: “About 16:40 hours on Monday, we got an information that some illegal bunkering activities were going on along Makoba Beach.

“On arrival, our personnel discovered illegal activities, which involved bunkering (of illegally refined petroleum products) and lifting of diesel to local boats.

“At the site, we found over 5,000 drums loaded with illegally refined diesel, four tanker trucks containing 132,000 litres of diesel combined and a badge with 165,000 litres of stolen diesel.

“This discovery is unprecedented, because since we started our operations 10 days ago, this is about the biggest that we have uncovered.”

Olabanji also stated that additional 150 drums loaded with about 3,150 litres of diesel were also discovered in 21 Cotonou boats in the area.

He noted that 13 suspects were arrested at the scene of the illegal activity.

The commander stressed that the illegal bunkering dump was yet to be set ablaze, in line with the Joint Task Force’s (JTF’s) mandate, in view of its closeness to residential buildings and the NPA. Olabanji said: “Our mandate requires us to destroy the site in situ, but we cannot do this because it will degrade the environment and affect residents, as it is

situated in the heart of Port Harcourt.

“Our plan is to move them to a safe location for destruction. Preliminary investigation has already begun to unravel the sponsors of the facility. The 13 suspects will be handed over to relevant authorities for further investigation and prosecution.”

The commander also warned against sabotage of oil and gas installations by oil thieves, while assuring that the JTF would not rest, until it rid the state of illegal bunkering activities.

He declared: “Let it be known that the army will not and will never tolerate illegal bunkering in our area of responsibility.”

Olabanji also called on the members of the public to provide the JTF with timely information which could lead to the arrest of oil thieves and pipeline vandals.

The Navy was to discover more a few days ago. This was barely two weeks after the personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS), Pathfinder, Rumuolumeni, Port

Harcourt destroyed many illegal bunkering and refining sites in Rivers State.

The naval personnel, who had been combing the creeks of Rivers State to prevent the activities of the illegal bunkerers and refiners, were offered N600,000, which was rejected, with four suspects subsequently arrested.

Commander of the NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Shuwa Mohammed, spoke with reporters in Port Harcourt, after taking them round on aerial and land surveillance of the sites of the newly-discovered artisanal refineries in Rivers.

He stressed that the arrested suspects would be handed over to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), for further investigation and prosecution.

During the aerial surveillance, many artisanal/illegal refineries, hidden under the mangrove forest, were sighted, with the environment polluted.

•Continued on page 31

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THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

NIGER DELTA REPORT PERSPECTIVE

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

Rivers monarch cries out as subjects abandon community over fear of military attack •Panic linked to JTF officers’ bodies found death in bush •Army has assured us no plan for reprisal attack

B

ODIES were found in the bush close to the Emohua Model Secondary School in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State. The bodies were not of ‘bloody civilians’. They were of two members of the Joint Task Force (JTF). That was in August. The Army, whose men were killed by unknown people, was angry and it gave an ultimatum: the killers must be produced by the community in seven days. The seven days lapsed on September 1. The community has no clue as to who the killers are.

Now, the people are running. They are afraid the military will come after them and vent their anger on the community.

The monarch of Emohua, His Royal Majesty Eze Vincent Chituru Okor, the Nne NewEli of Emohua Kingdom, is sad that his community has been deserted. He was at The Nation’s office in Port Harcourt at the weekend. He wants his subjects, who are leaving the community, to stay back because the army had ruled out a reprisal attack.

The monarch said: “Because the ultimatum was given which elapsed on Tuesday, September 1, delegation from the paramount ruler of Emohua, led by Chief Dr. Esezi Obilor, met with the Brigade Commander incharge of the Rumuokoro Army Barracks in Port Harcourt on Friday, August 28, 2015. The other members of the delegation are Chief Barrister Gabriel Enyi, Chief Vincent Chukwu and Engr. Nnamdi Abah.

“The meeting was prompted by the 7-day ultimatum handed down to the Emohua Monarch to produce

•Chief Okor

Okomu oil, community resolve conflict

I

T appears there is an end in sight to the lingering conflict between Okomu Oil Plc and Okomu community following the intervention of the Commander, Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, Major General Emmanuel Atewe.

Eight persons who are workers of Okomu Oil have been killed and hundreds of hectares of rubber trees were burnt since the quarrel started.

In February, two Okomu Oil workers were shot and maimed while others sustained severe injuries after they were attacked by suspected Ijaw youths.

Okomu community is one of the 17 communities located within the precincts of the oil firm operational base in Ovia South West Local Government and it is the only community at loggerheads with the company.

The resolution to end the conflict was reached at a round table meeting held at the premises of the oil firm after an initial peace process was brokered between both parties in Bayelsa State.

In attendance at the close door round table meeting under the watchful eyes of JTF representatives were members of Okomu Commu-

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

nity Development Association and top management of Okomu Oil. Managing Director of Okomu Oil, Graham Heifer who spoke to newsmen after the meeting expressed optimism that the peace process would stop any further killing of his staff.

Heifer said the company has spent over N40m on the Okomu Community in the past as part of the firm’s social responsibility and that he was ready to do more just as other communities benefited within the limits of available funds.

According to him, “We try to help as many communities as we can. In the past we have help this community with development programme worth over N40m. We gave them roads, boreholes and other amenities.”

“The JTF played a significant role.

They did the most prominent mediators. The JTF did a good job. As a result of its mediation, we hope we can now work together”.

“The incident of killing my staff was very regrettable. I cannot be in charge of arresting the perpetrators.

The law will do that. I am sure the law wil its course if it takes its course. I cannot predetermine what the law

would do. We need to make sure it does not happen again. By this peace meeting, I hope we will not witness any loss of life again.”

“I want to also be sure that it would stopped vandalism of our crops in the future. We will rely on the community executive to pass the message around that it is not good for them to steal our produce. We are confident they will take the message back. That they should desist from doing that.”

Spokesman for the Okomu community, Ajele Sunday, said the company should deal with only recognized executives of the community and should arrest any imposter.

Ajele said what they want is transparency on the part of the company in terms of living up to its corporate social responsibility.

According to him, “We have only one chairman. What stops you from arresting any persons that want to cause trouble. We are always ready but let transparency be our watchword. We only asked the company to do their social responsibility.

“We need to establish if the attacks came from outsiders or from members of the public. The security should play their roles by doing proper investigation and not on allegations.”

‘‘

There is no need of running away from the community; the commander has said he is not going to attack the community.

He only advised that the community should do everything within its powers to assist the military authorities in identifying criminal elements in the community, especially those who masterminded the killing of the officers From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

‘‘

and surrender to the Army the killer(s) of a soldier and a policeman attached to JTF, whose dead bodies were found along the ever-busy Emohua-Kalabari highway at ending of the month of August. The same road leading to where the bodies were found stretched from the Choba East/ West Road and end to the three Kalabari Local Government Councils of Akuku-Toru, Asari-Toru and Degema. To be frank, apart from the mass exodus of residents from the

communities, the rest are living in great fear. There is panic everywhere.

“The delegation commiserated with the Brigade Commander, Lt Col. A.A. Lawal over the death of the security personnel and craved the understanding of the military in the peculiar circumstances of the matter.

The history of this notorious highway mocks the very essence and meaning of the army’s ultimatum. It was on this road that one Progress Onuekwa of the Mgbo Royal House of Emohua was abducted about three months ago. He has not been seen since then. The police have several

reports of vicious criminal activities along this road. Emohua, in every good sense, cannot be held solely responsible for the death of the men.

“The delegation prayed the security and law enforcement agencies to deploy the awesome intelligence and other resources at their disposal to apprehend and punish the culprits: Emohua lacks the competence and capability to do so. Emohua would enlist the Special Anti-Robbery Squared stationed at the Emohua-Ogbakiri junction of the East-West road in the task of dislodging violent criminals. Emohua will offer any form of help to the military and law enforcement agencies in her effort to fish out and punish all those behind that dastardly crime.”

He further stated that Emohua had not exonerated any individual or group of persons from the killing of the two security agents. He added that it had duly taken adequate traditional measures to ensure that such heinous acts were nipped in the bud.

He said during a meeting with the Brigade Commander, Lt Col. A.A. Lawal, he assured the delegation that the army would not go to the extreme length of a military reprisal on the people of Emohua.

“There is no need of running away from the community; the commander has said he is not going to attack the community. He only advised that the community should do everything within its powers to assist the military authorities in identifying criminal elements in the community, especially those who masterminded the killing of the officers.

The commander also assured the community that regular military patrols along the Emohua-Kalabari Highway and environs would be intensified.”

Akwa Ibom governor’s wife seeks financial literacy for women

W

IFE of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel, has identified lack of business skills, saving support and financial literacy as factors militating against women in business. The governor’s wife made the disclosure at the 8th edition of the Onna Women’s day held at the Onna sports stadium.

Represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr. Glory Edet, the first lady noted that though many women have business ideas, they do not often have information and access to the small capital they need to launch themselves. “Our women need business skills, saving support, and financial literacy, often times, they have good ideas but they do not have access to the small capital they need to launch out and help themselves and their families.” She remarked.

Mrs. Emmanuel stated that the need for the empowerment of women is long overdue, hence remains a key priority of the Udom Emmanuel’s development agenda, adding that on her part, she is poised to do all she can towards ensuring that Akwa Ibom women will never take the back seat in the economic life and development of the state.

As part of the celebration, the governor’s wife performed the ground breaking of the Onna Women’s daily market along Onna-Eket road.

The chairman of occasion, Mrs. Ini Akpauso, thanked the governor’s wife for her love and support for the event adding that over the years, any programme aimed at touching and impacting the lives of women, she is

From Uyoatta Eshiet, Uyo

always passionate about it. She appreciated the founder for the insight of establishing the programme saying it will go down in history.

She also congratulated the governor on his first 100 days in office saying that with him on the saddle, the women will be better off.

Also speaking, the founder and initiator of the event, Akwa Obongawan Patience Akpabio Ukpa appreciated God for making the week long programme a success.

She appreciated the governor’s wife for her motherly and supportive role in making sure the event was a success as well as her pivotal role in encouraging and developing Akwa Ibom women saying that indeed she is a noble and worthy daughter of the soil.

Dignitaries at the event were thrilled with various cultural dances and renditions by the various women groups. Traditional titles were also given out to deserving daughters and friends of the area for their meritorious and selfless service by the Paramount Ruler of the area, His Eminence Akwa Edidem Akpabio Udo Ukpa, Oku Ibom Ibibio (111).

Among dignitaries who accompanied the first lady were, former chairman, Technical School Board, Comfort Etuk, wife of Commissioner for Investment, Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Anne Enoidem, wife of Commissioner Housing and Urban Renewal, Mrs. Inem Enobong Uwah, legislators’ wives and wives of transition chairmen.

Ayade...How far 100 days after?

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HEN on May 29 Prof Benedict Benyaushuye Ayade was sworn-in as the governor of Cross River State at the prestigious Calabar International Convention Centre (CICC), he left no one in doubt that he was coming to government with the sole purpose of serving the people.

His vision as encapsulated in the inaugural speech is clear, captivating and precise as to the direction/path he intend to chart, the drive and passion he possesses, not unmindful of the hurdles on the way to success, he expressed his un-quenching determination to surmount such limitations and pilot the state to its divine allotted sphere of honour. In his inaugural speech, Ayade was passionate that as a people we have come to a point in history of possibilities/prosperity because he has come with the right ingredients to bring about a perfect pollination whose petals will spread abroad sweet scent that will enlivened and awakened and drive the state away from backwardness to greatness and the people from poverty to economically viable icons among the people of Nigeria and the world. To achieve the desired goal therefore, it require that the people must collectively “rise to…full height to envision and carve out a better future” for themselves and the coming generations.

Ayade’s subsequent utterances and actions from the day of his inauguration to his 100 days in office lucidly indicate that he is on course, never deviated or drifted away from the path which he has charted for himself by the grace of God to move Cross River out of doldrums of social, economic and political irrelevance to prominence and Cross Riverians from backbenchers in all sphere of existence to trail blazers in the comity of Nigerian States and beyond. Ayade had maintained in his inaugural speech that “In the new Cross River of our DREAM, there is a place and hope for everyone. There will be jobs for the youth •Ayade and prosperity for the working class. The resurgent middle class shall find anchor for their roots and everyone shall find independence and pride in their work. The wages of honest labour shall liberate families from the jaws of hardship and no child shall go to bed with an empty stomach. Neither shall any mother be depressed by lack of access to Medicare for her children and loved ones. Brothers and sisters, this is our DREAM!” In 100 days, Ayade has made good his promise to provide jobs for our people with the conclusion of recruitment interview to employ 1000 persons for the Green Police and the Garment factory (500 each for a start), lifted the hitherto agonizing 13 years embargo on employment, started and sustained prompt payment of workers salary as at when due, concluded arrangement with a Dublin based Irish company, Affordable Buildings Concept International Limited for the building of 5000 Houses for the low, middle and upper income earners that would be provided with water and electricity, and provided an appointment by executive fiat to Mr. Ashie Osor who has been writing as a linage reporter with the Cross River State Newspaper Corporation since 2009.

As part of effort to actualise his vision of creating employment opportunities for our people, within his 100 days in office, Governor Ayade has also been able to ensure that work on the garment factory is ongoing Inspite of the heavy rains, concluded arrangement with Irish Dairy firm for the establishment of an Ice Cream making factory, a Spanish company, Cavenco to establish a Dairy Farm to revitalize the Obudu Ranch Resort Farms. It is based on this reality that in his inaugural speech he specifies what this period expects from the entire people of Cross River.”This is what this moment requires. The capacity to dream! That is what will give real meaning to our belief. We must all strive to dream, to lift our eyes beyond the horizons of the present difficulties and visualize a better day! And we must all do this…from the hills of Obanliku to the thick forests of Boki and from the Creeks of Bakassi to the Cocoa plantations of Ikom, we must join hands to plant the trees of HOPE and water the gardens of liberty!”

To bring to fruition his promise supported by the cooperation of the people tape on new ideas as well as technology to bring about total empowerment to Cross Riverians, Senator Benedict Benyaushuye Ayade has equally within his 100 days in the saddle concluded a pact for the establishment of a tractor assembly plant in the state, as progress of work on the governor’s signature projects in 100 days is clearly obvious. China Harbor Engineering, a globally renowned company is already carrying out preliminary work at the proposed Calabar Deep Seaport that will help to evacuate the corridors that have always prevented bigger vessels from entering the Calabar seaport, as they had to stop at Lome and then use smaller vessels to transfer goods by installment to Calabar. The project will also help service land lock countries like Chad and Niger to move their goods easily from the Calabar port.

Ayade has already attracted a 500 million Euros from the Broad Spectrum Industrial Services, based on purely Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with the government require to provide 25 percent Bank guarantee; just as a reputable Nigerian bank has already given its approval to the novel arrangement. When completed, the seaport is expected to generate an average N30 Million on monthly basis. In 100 days, surveying, plotting and excavation work is seriously ongoing on the over 260 kilometers Super High Way from the seaport to the northern part of the state.

Advanced plans for the actualisation of the proposed state owned refinery; to send talented Cross Riverians to be train as pilots and other associated aviation courses, professions in Dublin with feverish vision to establish an airport in a located between Ogoja and Yala Local Government Areas of the state, have been laid.

By Emmanuel Ulayi and Solomon Asha

In his historic inaugural speech, Ayade explained: “And by ensuring that every foot is on the pedal, we aim to harness new ideas and technology to reconstruct our state, reform our schools to guarantee first class education for our youth and empower our citizens with the skills they need to engage a brave new world! Let me use this opportunity, to announce our signature projects; we shall undertake the construction of a dual carriage super highway from Calabar through Ikom and Ogoja to the Ranch Resort in Obudu”.

Guided by the uplifting and immortal words penned by a global icon, Late Nelson Mandela that it always seems impossible until it is done”, Ayade sets out to lay a solid foundation as he has done in 100 days to bring about the restoration of hope to a once despondent people, checkmate hitherto raising spite of insecurity in the state as well as ensure a proper management and utilisation of our rich forests resources for the good of the people. To this end Ayade has in a 100 days set up a Five-man Security Committee headed by Brig. Gen Mannix Nyiam (Rtd) and code-named “Operation Skolombo” which has successfully reduced crime rate in the state to a negligible percentage. Provided the security committee with operational vehicles, attended and inspected the carry out of reconnaissance (recce) by the Officers and Men of the Armed Forces at Bakassi where several illegal settlements by militants were destroyed, thereby boosting foreign and international investors confidence in the state.

Propelled by the unquenchable desire to bring about an attitudinal change favouring the employment of machineries/technology to enhance our production capacity, boost our economy and open a new vista of hope and opportunity directed at increasing our value chain as unambiguously stated in his inaugural speech, the Obudu born governor has within 100 days in office sponsored and signed into law the Cross River State Infrastructure Development Law for a solid foundation for the development of the state, becoming the first state in Nigeria to do so. In 100 days, Ayade has sponsored a bill for the establishment of Cross River State Sustainable Development Agenda Agency’ a bill for Social Housing Infrastructure Development to ensure every Cross Riverian, no matter his/her social, economic and political status is entitled to a decent house.

He has equally sent a bill for a law to protect of our water frontiers; a bill to preserve our forests resources in accordance with the sustainable development agenda of the global community; a tax exemption bill to exclude the poor and the low income earners from taxation to ameliorate the conditions of the ordinary man in the state. Out of a total of 15 bills before the current CRSHA, 10 are sponsored by Senator Ayade in 100 days in the saddle.

In 100 days, Governor Ayade has equally concluded an arrangement to build a brand new city to be called “Calas Vergas” in Calabar and 16 other modern estates in the 16 Local Government Areas where the dual super high way will pass as part of deliberate effort to lift the state infrastructure wise, draw oil magnets and other investors to Calabar and the sate in general and then boost the overall economy of Cross River and lives of the people.

Outside the above stated achievements, the amiable governor has equally laid a rock-solid foundation that will turn the state into an economic hub in West Africa sub region by sealing a pact with Chinese experts to generate a total of 90 megawatts of electricity from the Agbokim and Kwa waterfalls and the canalisation and channelisation of either Ikom, Itigidi and Calabar rivers, with each generating 30megawatts and the conclusion of plans to construct the Calabar Haulage City. Other significant achievements recorded by the Ayade administration within the short span of a 100 days in office include presentation of operational vehicles to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), restores the regular media parley with the press, restored the monthly impress to the press, provided the press with a brand new bus, restored the Correspondent Chapel to the Governor’s Office,, held meetings with members of forests communities, and operators of quarries in the state plan to lift the ban on logging in the state and restore the concessional logging system, evacuation of refuse from our streets and introduction new refuse collection method as well as severally intervened on the Federal Roads to bring about palliative relief to the suffering motorists and other road users at Odukpani Junction and the Akpabuyo road.

All that have been achieved and those successes in the offing, Ayade had in his inaugural speech as governor stated confidently that they were achievable and the journey and action of this visionary leaders in the past 100 days has clearly shown that they are indeed achievable with the collective support from the people in the future as they have so far done.

“With our backs against the wall, we must dig deeper into the wells of our creativity and hew out a new pathway to greatness. In doing this, we must be guided by the immortal words of Dr Nelson Mandela that “ It always seems impossible until it is done”. Fellow Cross Riverians, we shall overcome the present bleakness and wend our way into the sunshine of a brighter day! As we clime this imposing mountain of hope, we shall widen our scope, broaden the horizon and sharpen our instincts for fresh and big ideas that will galvanise this great state to achieve its full potential and usher in a prosperous Cross River, where our people will live in peace and harmony with one another and with nature. We count on your prayers and support to achieve this.”

Actually,100 days is actually an insignificant number out of 1095 or 1096 days in four years of a tenure, but to a great mind like Ayade, it means a lot and he has gone ahead to prove that by the achievements on ground.

Bravo Ayade, Bravo the people’s Field Marshall, leader and commander of the poor and the down trodden in our society! Carry on!

• Ulayi and Asha are media aides to Governor Ben Ayade

‘‘

With our backs against the wall, we must dig deeper into the wells of our creativity and hew out a new pathway to greatness.

In doing this, we must be guided by the immortal words of Dr Nelson Mandela that “it always seems impossible until it is done”

‘‘

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

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NIGER DELTA REPORT COVER

Bad times for oil thieves in Rivers •Continued from page 29 There are over 33,000 creeks in the Niger Delta, of which the NNS Pathfinder is saddled with responsibility of monitoring activities in more than 1,000 of the creeks and waterways.

The commander said: “While earlier setting ablaze one of the illegal refineries in Rivers State, four out of the fleeing oil thieves came back and offered us a bribe of N600,000 to leave the refinery.

They were immediately arrested.”

Mohammed also stated that the mop-up was aimed at ending the colossal damage done to the environment by activities of the oil thieves, who he said through their acts of sabotage, had been puncturing pipelines to obtain crude oil illegally.

The commander of NNS Pathfinder, who was represented by the Base Operation Officer, Commander Chidi Ejiofor, declared that there would be no hiding place for oil thieves and pipeline vandals in Rivers state.

Mohammed said: “The mopup ordered by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas, is part of a series of operations lined up to end incessant crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism in Rivers State.

“During the aerial surveillance, many new illegal refineries were sighted, which prompted troops’ mobilisation.

“In the course of our operations, an illegal refinery with 15 storage metal tanks, loaded with 145,000 litres of stolen crude oil, was set ablaze in Buguma, AsariToru LGA of Rivers State.”

The commander of NNS Pathfinder also stated that more than 50,000 litres of illegally-refined diesel, stored in ten cooking

tanks, was also destroyed.

He noted that a metal badge and dump, with the capacity of storing thousands of litres of petroleum products, were also destroyed during the raid.

Mohammed maintained that more operators of the illegal refineries in Rivers state, who had been fleeing the sites of their illegal activities, upon sighting the naval personnel, would soon be apprehended and prosecuted, to serve as a deterrent to others.

He noted that in spite of the renewed efforts by the naval high command to stop oil theft, sensitisation was key, in order to end the illegal activity, rather than destruction alone.

The commander said: “It is difficult to maintain 24-hour presence in all the creeks and oil facilities, especially considering the shallowness of some of the creeks, making them near impossible to patrol.

“Sensitisation and government partnership with communities will greatly help put a stop to attacks on oil and gas installations, which not only affect everyone, but degrade the environment.”

Mohammed also assured that in spite of the challenges being faced by the naval personnel, the mop-up operation would continue, until all the newly-discovered illegal refineries were completely destroyed and their operators arrested and prosecuted.

Observers are of the view that if the security agencies can keep the heat on the oil thieves their days will be numbered, not just in Rivers but the entire Niger Delta.

•Burnt illegal refinery in Rivers

•Illegal refinery set ablaze in Rivers

Urhobo group slams Buhari’s critics, calls for patience

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HE Urhobo Nationality Council (UNC) has slammed critics of President Muhammadu Buhari over his recent appointments, urging them to be patient and watch how the development unfold.

The group in a communiqué issued by its President, Comrade Joel Ileleji , National Secretary, Comrade Progress Omo-Agege and the Publicity Secretary, Barr.

Ejiro Etaghene, after several hours of review on the recent appointments made so far by the president, condemned in its entirety, some Niger-Delta groups

From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Ughelli

criticizing the president of being sentimental in his appointments.

The communiqué which called on all Nigerians to support the Buhari’s administration said the president’s action so far was aimed at cleaning up the mess left behind by the 16 years of the PDP government, emphasizing that not until corruption is thoroughly wiped out by this APC’s administration, Nige-

rians wouldn’t see the needed changed.

While applauding Buhari’s achievements in his 100 days in office, the communiqué pointed out his efforts in ensuring that power supply is now relatively stable with over 4000 megawatts of electricity being generated and the pump price of fuel across the nation with a uniform pump price and scarcity of product which is perpetually becoming history.

The group had also maintained that Nigerians are pleased with the President’s

fight against corruption and that, no amount of blackmail should deter him from probing past public office holders with the view of recovering all stolen funds.

The group in the communiqué appealed to President Buhari to appoint Urhobos as minister, ambassadors and members of federal boards and parastatal, reiterating that Urhobos gave APC the highest votes in Delta state in the presidential election and should not be left behind.

Eight arrested for selling pirated works in Edo

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EITHER persons have been arrested in Benin City the Edo State capital for allegedly dealing in pirated works.

They were arrested by officials of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) who were on a routine raid on hotspots like Sapele road, Ramat Park and Siluko road.

Several bags of audiovisual materials were recovered from the suspects.

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

Zonal Head of Operations, Mr. Joseph Ajang, said the exercise was part of measures to check the spread of piracy in Edo and Delta after several petitions from intellectual property owners.

One of the suspects, Jonathan Okeke, said he was not aware that he was selling pirated works.

He said: “I buy in Benin and Lagos. Unfortunately, the

NCC came to my shop and said that I sell pirated audiovisual materials.

“I have been in the business for two to three years now. But I do not know that they (audiovisual materials) are pirated material. It is my first time to hear about piracy.?”

Ajang said the suspects would be prosecuted at the end of investigation.

He said, “They will always claim ignorance. But we have

been educating them that what they sell is against the law. They know the originals, yet they insist that man must survive.

“These siezed materials will serve as exhibits. They destroy the economy deny the rightful owners of the benefits of their works.

“The public should be warned that piracy is a crime and the commission has zero tolerance for piracy. We will continue this fight until we win.?”

Axe falls on Burutu legislative leader From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Ughelli

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HE Leader of the legislative arm of Burutu local government area of Delta State, Hon. William Elagha was impeached on Wednesday by members of the house following allegation of gross misconduct and incompetence in the discharge of his duty.

The motion for the impeachment was moved by Hon. Owotorufa Pereotubo and seconded by Hon. Asiayia at the floor of the house with two third majority of the members of the house.

After the impeachment of the leader, Hon. Godspower Akiefa was immediately made the acting leader where he acted for over 30 munities before another motion was moved by Hon. Sunday Orukpeti to elect Hon. Adokeme Frank was moved and was seconded by Hon. Isaiah Bekenaowei.

The new leader of the house, Hon. Adokeme Frank while presiding over the sitting after his emergence as the new leader thanked all members of the house and adjourned indefinite.

When contacted, the former leader, Hon. William Elagha said twelve out of twenty councilors signed against him and it was a motion without notice and that he quickly resigned his leadership of the house.

Oko residents seek help over gully From Osagie Otabor, Benin

R

ESIDENTS of Honey G street at Oko-Ogba road in Oredo Local Government have sent a save our sour message to the Edo State Government to reduce them from the menace of a gully erosion ravaging the area.

The gully has already claimed some houses and is expanding everyday because of heavy rains.

John Idehen, a resident in the area, said they urgently need intervention to save their houses from the gully.

He said the gully has rendered the road impassable.

According to him, “This is beyond the community capacity to handle. Many houses have been swallowed.”

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THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

Hope rises in local fabrication as firm builds biggest dredger “N

IGERIA is a country to beat when it comes to fabrication if the government takes the issue of local content law seriously.”

This was the view of stakeholders at the public inspection of the on-going construction of the biggest locally made dredging machine in Nigeria.

They called on the Federal Government to take sincere measures to grow local industries.

The stakeholders said facilitating effective implementation of the provision of Local Content Law of 2010 would fast-track the desired economic growth. They noted that economies of developed countries of the world today, are driven by small and medium scale industrialists and organisations, and noted that if the content laws are fully implemented, the country’s economy will be better off.

The cutter suction dredger machine is being built by Nwakama Dredge Nigeria Limited in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital. Participants on the inspection tour expressed satisfaction in Nigerian manufacturing industries especially fabrication and dredging sector.

They described local industries as main drivers of the economy and said that the provision of local content Act is key to achieving the successful diversification of the economy for economic growth; they called on the National Assembly and Federal Government to enforce the Act. Senator Nimi Barigha-Amange, who represented Bayelsa east senatorial district, was among those that inspected the dredger being constructed

by Nwakama Dredge Nigeria limited in Port Harcourt.

Amange said major construction work can hardly take place in the Niger

From Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

Delta region without sand being dredged from areas for the projects.

He also said in the region land sometimes are reclaimed for community settlement so dredger is a significant tool for development in the region.

He called on Niger Delta governors to take advantage of the opportunity the local manufacturer has created to develop their states, and stop embarking on capital freight which according to him is injurious to the economy.

The former Law maker appealed to the federal government to strengthen policies and legislations that would support growth of fabrication of dredgers locally in the country.

Amange who expressed surprise that this dredger could be fabricated locally said the government should grow this sector of the economy.

Managing Director , Nwakama Dredge Nigeria limited, Elderd Onwuzuruigbo said the features of the first locally fabricated 18x16 cutter dredger his firm was constructing among other things include spud pillared, crew kitchen, inbuilt capacity to hold 33,000 litres of diesel and is equipped with 22 meter ladder would be operated manually.

Onwuzuruigbo appealed to the federal government to fast track effort to make the Ajaokuta steel begin full scale production to discourage importation of steel by local fabrication companies in the country.

The MD said inspection of the dredger while under construction became necessary to avoid any doubt after completion that it was constructed

by Nwakama dredging company.

Taagbo Monday who spoke for Rivers state chapter of Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), expressed sur-

•Another side of the dredger being built

• The dredger being built

prise that an indigenous firm could fabricate such dredger. He called on local manufactures to identify with SMEDAN, saying that the agency was established for their benefits and growth.

“The need for effective policy framework to encourage local manufacturers of dredgers by way of patronage and loan facilities and also stop further importation of foreign made dredgers into the country cannot be over-empha-

sized by what we have seen here today.

“Local manufacturers can compete favourably with foreign their foreign counterparts, there are so much our manufacturers can offer, the govern-

ment should muster the political will to enforce the content law if the country must move forward.” He stated.

Also in their separate remarks, the State Chairman of Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises

Delta launches data base of unemployed youths D

ELTA State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has identified lack of statistics and data base of unemployed youths in the state as one of the factors mitigating against effective job creation initiatives and past youth empowerment programmes in the state.

To address the challenge, the governor disclosed that the state government has launched a database of unemployed youths in the state through the job and wealth creation scheme, which promises to keep the youths off the streets.

He said the database would provide a steady feed of participants for the programme and also enable the government in planning for its future and those of the youths..

“By the next six months when the next phase begins, we will simply pull out the next set of participants from the database, so, there is opportunity for as many as are qualified to be enlisted in subsequent phases of the scheme.”

The governor spoke at the Songhai-Delta, Amukpe in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State, on Wednesday, August 26, he flagged off the training of1,645 young men and women who were part of the agricultural programme of the state government.

The gathering included young school leavers, graduates and others who are among a batch of 6,000 youths targeted in one of the state government wealth creation programme tagged Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP) and Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP).

The STEP and YAGEP are part of the programmes aimed at taking teeming youths off the street. It is also aimed at the fulfillment of the State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa campaign slogan tagged ‘Prosperity for all Deltans’.

The governor, while flagging of the programme, explained that the scheme was being executed in phases,

From Shola O’Neil, S’south Regional Editor, Warri

adding that the introduction of the scheme has enabled the state government to develop a database of the unemployed in the State.

He explained that with the performance of the participants, who had been on a week-long orientation course, he was confident that the programme was headed in the right directions. He said all the programmes were strategically designed, stringently planned and specifically tailored to tackle the problem of youth unemployment and produce lasting and sustainable prosperity across in the state.

He said that his administration had adopted the Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) model which is the best way to tackle youth unemployment, because job and wealth creation are the bedrock of his “S.M.A.R.T” agenda.

The Governor who was flanked by his deputy, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro,a lawyer, said that the Wednesday’s event is the latest part of his effort to bring prosperity to the state, industrialize it through the YAGEP and STEP initiative which was one of his electioneers promises to Deltans.

“Today’s event is undeniable proof that our administration’s S.M.A.R.T agenda is well and truly on course; it goes without saying that job and wealth creation are the bedrock of the S.M.A.R.T agenda, with YAGEP and STEP as the flagship programmes and other programmes under the Job and Wealth Creation Scheme are Production and Processing Support Programme (PPSP), Development of Agro-Industries, and Extension of Microcredit,” he added.

Speaking on the prospect of the scheme, Governor Okowa said that while previous programmes sought to prepare people for employment, the Job and Wealth Creation Scheme seeks to produce wealth creators and job creators adding that critical differences also exist in

•Okowa and beneficiaries

the selection and screening process, training approach, management system, and collaboration with the organised private sector”.

He maintained that the scheme is not the typical empowerment programme that is often cash based; “it is a wealth and job creation scheme, it is not about skills acquisition; it is about building a knowledge economy and the overarching goal is to equip participants with the technical know-how, vocational/technical skills, values and resources to become self-employed and employers of labour.”

Giving statistic of how MSMEs have been faring in the country, Governor Okowa said that more than 90 per cent of businesses in Nigeria employ less than one

hundred persons which put them in Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) category, adding that that was a sector that can get most of Nigerian youths off the street.

“By definition, MSMEs are companies that employ less than 250 persons and available statistics indicate that 97% of all businesses in Nigeria employ less than 100 persons and they account for about 50% of Nigeria’s productive workforce and 46.54% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP)”.

While congratulating the participants at the orientation course, Governor Okowa said; “while multinational companies and big corporations get all the public attention and acclaim for their capacity to induce foreign investment capital, MSMEs remain the backbone for

(NASME), Dr. E. Oko-Jaja and the National spokesman of Dredger Manufacturers Association of Nigeria(DMAN), Ufoma Tom-Smith corroborated Amangi, and said content law could have been enforced over 35

years ago, stressing that further delays would inflict more torture on the economy.

According to Oko-Jaja, “The direction we are going now as a Nation is what we have been asked to do 35

economic growth and social development in any society.”

Earlier, the Commissioner for Economic Planning in the state, Hon. Kingsley Emu in a welcome address said, the participants’ spirit are high and assured that at the end of the day, they will surpass the governor’s expectations.

Speaking in the same vein, the Sole Administrator of Songhai-Delta Dr Theophilus Okpidi in an address, thanked Governor Okowa for revamping the centre, adding, “I salute your courage and pray that God will make ways for you and direct your steps towards the actualization of the job and wealth creation scheme for the benefits of Deltans.”

He appealed to the governor and the state government to put in more into the strategic agriculture farm settlement and its facility, which is structure along the line of the famous Soghai in Port Novo, Republic of Benin.

In his address, the Chief Job Creation officer in the state, Prof. Eric Eboh disclosed that one thousand, six hundred and forty-five youths were been trained in the ongoing exercise. He thanked Governor Okowa for initiating the programme that will make the youths entrepreneurs.

Speaking with Niger Delta Report, one of the beneficiaries, Karen Arubayi, expressed gratitude to the governor for the opportunity to be among the first trainee of the YEGAP AND STEP programmes, enthusing that the training module and syllabus would ensure that the state government get the best out of it.

“Yes, it is strenuous, rigorous and very tasking, but that is because nothing good comes easy. I am very excited about this opportunity and the prospect that awaits at the end and I am determined to put in my best to ensure that I do not waste my time and the government’s resources,” she added.

Other participants expressed similar feelings, with some particularly happy that they are given opportunity to give feedback as well as to access and assess their instructor on their performances and teaching.

Side attractions at the event included cultural displays, matchpass and presentation of Certificate of Honour on the governor by the National Association of Nigerian Students.

Guests included the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Festus Agas, the Commissione for Science and Technology, Hon Joyce Overah, his Commerce and Industry counterpart, Mrs Mary Iyasere, Senator Emmanuel Aghariavwodo and Chief Peter Asagba.

years ago and the country refused to comply with it because oil was booming, the direction we are going now is going to open every sector of the economy to take its proper place particularly the local content issue.” Oko-

jaja said.

Tom-Smith expressed satisfaction on the product and stressed that there is no more need for Nigerians to continue to import dredgers from outside.

He said Nwakama Dredge deserves governments’ encouragement in the areas of loan facility and electricity.

He noted that the brand has the four major components of a durable dredger-the Pump, Engine, Hydraulic system and electrical systems used in manufacturing the product gives it an advantage over the imported ones.

He noted that dredging industry was also helping to reduce the challenges of unemployment in the country.

“What we are looking for overseas is already here. The engine he iis using can run for twenty four hours , there is the advantage of availability of spare parts locally.

“Nigerian content board has failed the dredging sector. What are the policy they have in place to protect local dredging fabrication centres.

There is no where you will do a job in the Niger delta that dredgers will not be needed.

“The local content board is not helping the dredging industry because we don’t feel its existence. We don’t see them in our operations. I am a representative of a dredging manufacturing company in China. The price for this dredger we are gathered here for is far less than what we give in China.

“There is no IOC dredger in this country that has this length. Bank of industry should sponsor projects with economic importance to the nation.”

He stated.

It is expected that the innovation in the dredging industry when fully developed would stop the importation of foreign made dredgers if government encourages growth of the sector with policies.

NDDC committed to Niger Delta development, says Abia

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From Uyoatta Eshiet, Uyo HE Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is determined to fulfil its core manplained that the global body "is committed to addate of developing the Niger Delta region, the dressing the problems of poverty and disaster reManaging Director and Chief Executive Officer duction in Niger Delta".

(CEO) of the Commission, Sir Bassey Dan Abia has He commended the agency under Abia for its said. contributions towards disaster reductions, climate Speaking in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, change and poverty reduction which Abia expressed the commitment of has earned him this unique recognithe Commission to tackle youths tion by the global body. and women unemployment in the region through capacity building This (Buhari’s Besides, the group commended the Federal Government led by President and economic empowerment programmes for youths and women in fight against cor- Muhammadu Buhari, for his giant the Niger delta region. ruption) has mani- strides in the last 100 days in office, noting that "what the President has It was at a ceremony organised in his honour by a Non Governmen- fested in the steady achieved within this few months in tal Organisation (NGO), Niger supply of power office shows that he has good intentions for Nigeria and Nigerians".

Delta Network Advancement ProEarlier, the President of the orgram (NDNAP), which conferred an up to 4000 megaAward of Excellence on him for watts in the coun- ganisation , Al mustapher Emem "transparent corporate manage- try, improved re- Edoho, called on the Federal Government to "strengthen the Commisment ethics, poverty, disaster reductions and capacity building among fining capacity at sion as a critical intervention agency the youths in line with SDGs 2030". the Port Harcourt in Nigeria to continue to deliver on its set goals and mandate".

Abia, who expressed delight deHe urged for increased funding of light at the recognition, thanked the refinery to reduce group, assuring that the award importation of re- the agency through immediate release of backlog of NDDC withheld would further spur him to deliver on the mandate of the Commission fined petroleum funds , which according to investigation stands in excess of N800 bilas put forward by the Federal Gov- products lion, adding that "such an amount, ernment. if released will greatly help in masAcross the Nine Niger Delta States,

‘

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the NDDC boss pointed out that the intervention of the agency within the short period of his leadership has ensured the spread of development projects in roads, water, electricity, scholarships and development of educational infrastructures in Universities within the region.

Presenting the award on behalf of NDNAP, the representative of GNDR, the London, United Kingdom affiliate group, Mr. Chibundu Uchegbu, ex-

sive infrastructural transformation of the Niger Delta as a whole".

He also commended Buhari's anti corruption agenda, noting that "this has manifested in the steady supply of power up to 4000 megawatts in the country, improved refining capacity at the Port Harcourt refinery to reduce importation of refined petroleum products", among others within these 100 days of Buhari's tenure".

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

34

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

Revenue contractor turns whistle-blower in Edo •’My detractors want to scuttle my second term’

M

ORRISON Ogunrobo, chairman, Ovia South West Local Government, is battling to retain his office. His tenure as elected boss of the local government is expected to end by April next year but the action of a whistleblowing revenue contractor might make Morrison join the league of suspended council chairman.

Already, councillors in Ovia South West have suspended Morrison and the council secretary, Idahosa Oyomire, for two months to enable the state government set-up a panel of inquiry into alleged fraud allegations.

The councillors ordered the Vice Chairman, Omosede Adenomo, to take over as acting Chairman while Morrison and Idahosa were asked to refund the sum of N13.7m.

Trouble started when a contractor appointed to collect revenue at the Jojo Rock quarry pit at Evbonogbon petitioned the councillors on how he paid cash to Morrison through Idahosa.

The younger brother to Morrison, Harrison, who is a partner to the contractor, Dan Owegie (jnr) , was named as a signatory to the petition.

In the petition by A.I Amasowomuan and dated August 3, the revenue contractors accused the council chairman and the secretary of diverting revenue accruals to personal accounts.

The petition reads: “We are informed by our clients that they were appointed by Ovia South West Local Government Council as coordinators of internally generated revenue collectors for the said council in charge revenue collection at Jojo Rock pit at Evbonogbo and that such money be collected and paid to the Councils bank account weekly. The N250, 000 weekly amounts to N1 million monthly. This our client has

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

been paying religiously.

“We are also informed by our clients that when they discover that people were no longer coming to Jojo rocks pit to buy granites, they protested to the present chairman and the secretary of the council of their predicament and they instructed our client to be paying N500,000 to the council but that those money should be paid cash to the secretary Ken Idahosa and this they have been doing. Upon giving the said sum to the said secretary to the council, the secretary will then instruct one of the staff to pay N150,000 into the council’s bank account. Our clients can prove the fact.”

Dan Owegie (Jnr), in a chat with our reporter, said he decided to squeal on the duo because of his family’s reputation and that he was shocked to receive a letter terminating his appointment for allegedly embezzling council’s fund.

He stated that revenue contractors were told at a meeting that it was only through Internally Generated Revenue that the chairman could make some money for himself.

He said: “I was given this appointment two years ago and we were asked to remit N250,000 weekly to the council coffers. We did it for two months and and the Chairman asked me to start paying the money to his personal account. Other contractors were there when we were told that the IGR is the only way the chairman can make some money. We were told to pay N500,000 to the council and the remaining N500,000 either to the Secretary of the Chairman’s PA. We did this without any quarrel.”

After some time, another quarry was opened at Ondo State and the revenue dropped. We went back to the council and we were asked to be

•Ogunrobo

•Owegie

paying N500,000 monthly and it should be paid directly to the council’s secretary. They said they would be using it for the administration of the council. I did not ask any question since I am not a staff of the council.”

“The head of the revenue department accosted me one day that I have not been paying. I told her I have been paying. She said I should bring the tellers.mI went to the Chairman and he told me not to worry. He said I should go and do my work. I later received a letter from the councillors that I should bring my tellers that they were doing oversight functions.

The Secretary told me to meet the councillors and I asked him if I should tell them that I have been giving him the money, he asked whether I have proof that he collected money from me.”

“The Chairman’s immediate younger brother who is my partner, Harrison, was not happy. He recorded his brother on phone and told me he has proof that we have been giving them money. I called the

chairman and told him to end the game he started.

The Chairman’s younger brother sent me a tape he recorded. He called me and told me he has been pressured to step down from the petition.

The tapes I have will vindictate me.”

“It was N8.5m that I have paid to them. The chairman have begged that I should delay the petition that they will give me back the job. I have a tape where the Chairman begged me to dropped the petition, I went to the legislature to submit all my evidence. I want them to investigate the truth because I don’t want to smear my family name.”

Morrison described the suspension as a ploy to stop hie second term ambition because of his performances in office.

He insisted the his brother was not a party to the petition and described the suspension as a nullity, as according to him, only the House of Assembly has the constitutional powers to remove him from office.

According to him, “They don’t have right. It is only the House of As-

sembly that can do that. They do not have right to suspend me if I am being investigated. It beats my imagination that they went ahead to be doing all this. I am happy they did not accused me of carting away the council’s allocation. They are talking about IGR. “The petition was written few days after his appointment was terminated. Why will I want to terminate the appointment of somebody I benefitted from?”

The Chairman of Edo State Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Mrs. Itohan Osahon-Ogbeide, described the suspension of Ovia South West Council boss as null and void.

She said the councillors failed to follow due process and the extant laws guiding local government operations in the state.

In her words: “Whatever anyone does, they must follow due process.

Due process was not followed in what they have done in Ovia South West because there are laws guiding local government.”

“If they (councillors) go to that law, they have not followed it at all.

If they have any grievances, they should have followed due process.

They did not give the Chairman the opportunity to defend himself and thereafter refer it to the House of Assembly. The matter will be resolve amicably.”

The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon Victor Edoror, urged the councillors to stay action on the suspension of the council boss to allow the House of Assembly look into the matter.

Edoror, in a letter by Deputy Clerk of the Assembly, James Omoataman, said provisions of section 19 of the Local Government Law 2000 as amended were important on the suspension of council officials.

According to the letter addressed to the chairman, “The purpose of this letter is for you to as a matter of urgency prevail on the Legislative Arm to stay action and the status quo ante remain pending the intervention of this Honourable House.”

The fate of Ogunrobo now hangs on the outcome of the House of Assembly’s resolution on the petition.

Ijaw groups hail Okowa for Izoukumor’s appointment

T

HE appointment of the chairman of the Delta Ijaw Oil and Gas Producing Commumities, Chief Favour Izoukumor, into the newly constituted board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), has continued to attract accolades to the Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and his deputy, Kingsley Otuaro.

Various Ijaw unions and groups, through individual memos and messages, have continued to congratulate Chief Izoukumor over his new appointment as well as thank the governor for deeming him fit to serve the state in the capacity of a board commissioner of the DESOPDEC. In a letter of commendation, Ijaw kingdoms, such as Ogbe-Ijoh Warri, Gbaramatu, Egbema, Iduwini, Diebiri and Ogulagha kingdoms, after expressing gratitude to Governor Okowa for choosing Izoukumor to represent the Ijaw on the board, said they all accepted the choice of the Ijaw activist, who happened to be the chairman of their union.

“We have consulted widely and are happy to state without fear of contradiction that the appointment of Chief Favour Izoukumor is widely accepted and commended by the people of core oil bearing Ijaw communities.

This shows that your Excellency understands and listen to the feelings, pains and aspirations of the people of Ijaw Oil producing Communities, who have been marginalized for long.

Chief Favour Izoukumor is vast, knowledgeable, competent and experienced hand in oil and gas matters as it relates to the bearing communities. He is the Coordinator of this body and a notable leader of Ajuju, an

From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

oil producing community in Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom.

“Moreover, he was a two-time Secretary and President of the Izon-ebe Oil Producing Communities Forum (now Izon-ebe Oil Producing Communities Association), a notable association recognised by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and other Oil multinationalsoperating in the Niger Delta Region. The association, which is registered with CAC, is the frontline body in the protection of the interests of Oil producing communities. During his tenures he mobilized and galvanised the support of the oil producing Communities for common action towards their benefits. He is diligent, accommodative, listening and consultative”, the body attested.

From his Ogbe-Ijoh home front, Izoukumor, who is both the Fiye-Wei (Spokesperson) and the Pulo-Ibediwei (Oil Minister) of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom, was hailed as deserving the appointment, being “an unblemished and highly respected leader in the Kingdom”.

In a statement issued by the Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Governing Council and signed by its chairman, Lucky Oromoni and secretary, Elvis Wurusibewei,, the people of Ogbe-Ijoh hailed their own and commended the state government for deeming him worthy of the office.

“Your Excellency, the people of Ogbe-Ijoh are indeed elated by this appointment, as it is the first time someone from a core oil producing community in this Kingdom will be appointed into the board of DESOPADEC, particularly in the midst of diverse interests.

This is a rare privilege and honour accorded

•Okowa congratulating Chief Izoukumor after his inauguration as a DESOPADEC commissioner representing the Ijaw ethnic nationality in Asaba

us and we are full of exhilaration. This appointment goes to show that your Excellency has our interest in mind and that you will never disappoint us.

“Chief Favour Izoukumor, the Fiye-Wei (Spokesperson) of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Traditional Council of Chiefs, was also the Pulo-Ibediwei (Oil Minister) of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom. He is an unblemished and highly respected leader in the Kingdom and we have no doubt that he will justify the confidence reposed in him by Your Excellency, as you have displayed the good will and intention that informed the restructuring of the Commission for a better performance, efficiency and effective service delivery to meeting the great expectation of

the Oil producing Communities and Deltans at large”, the statement said.

In another statement issued by Ajuju community and signed by the secretary and spokesman of the c o m m u n i t y ’ s governing council, Samson Oyimi and Wilfred Ikika, Okowa’s choice of Chief Izoukumor as the commissioner representing the the Ijaw oil and gas host communities in the state was a honour done to the Ijaw people

in the state.

The statement noted that Izoukumor had, through the exemplary leadership he had shown in his community and among his people, earned the respect of the state’s administration and by extension the appointment duly given to him by the state governor.

“We wish to state unequivocally that Chief Favour Izoukumor, who is the Chairman of our (Ajuju) oil producing Community in the Ajuju-Batan oil field, is well known and highly respected leader of this community and Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom and we are in no doubt that he will bring his wealth of experience to bear in this new assignment”, Ajuju noted.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

36

NIGER DELTA REPORT COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

U

NTIL last week, I took it for granted that his name was Benjamen. Do not blame me; he is called Ben Ayade. He is the young professor at the helm as governor in Cross River State. He succeeded Senator Liyel Imoke. His name is actually Benyaushuye. And wait for the meaning: “The future is unknown; a poor man can become rich”. He also bears Benedict. But not Benjamin as I had assumed.

Ayade was born into a poor home. Now, he is rich. He has been rich before becoming Cross River’s generalissimo. On Monday, he made me happy. He signed a bill which decrees death unto gbomogbomos (kidnappers). The law also empowers the state to seize assets as well as freeze accounts belonging to convicted kidnappers and those who aid and abet them.

Gbomogbomo is the Yoruba word for a kidnapper, especially the variant who specialises in the abduction of children. The child’s age does not matter. Neither does the sex. And unlike the other variant, who makes a phone call to the parent or guardian or employer of the ‘hostage’ to demand ransom, gbomogbomo never calls anyone. He or she just grabs the child and disappears with the child.

And most of the time, it is forever. His motive is not the money from the parents or guardians or employers of their victims. Their loyalty, like those of hired assassins, is always to their patrons, who we have been told are usually the rich and the powerful.

The significance of Ayade’s action makes sense when one considers the fact that Cross River State has had its fair share of the gbomogbomo menace. Its capital, Calabar, which the state government has done all within its power to market as the tourism headquarters of Nigeria, has had and is still having scary moments as a result of the gbomogbomos.

In a number of instances before Ayade came on board, kids just disappeared. It put parents on the edge. There were also instances where children were snatched from the arms of their mothers or guardians by abductors who pretended to offer them lift in their cars; others were abducted right from their homes while their parents were not at home or in another part of the house.

The targets, at some point last year, were children under 12. Their background, whether from rich or poor families, meant nothing.

Like typical gbomogbomo cases, several theories, from abduction for rituals, trafficking and sale to childless couples, have been formulated to explain the development, which has forced parents to take extra precautions to save their children from the hands of these agents of darkness.

A report in this paper May last year quoted a single mother of three children as saying: “I now pray double about the safety of my children. Whenever I am not with them, for instance when they go to school, my mind is never at rest until I see them again, safe and sound. Personally, I have also taken precautions on my own to ensure their safety.

I don’t let them play around the house

OLUKOREDE YISHAU

ABOVE WHISPERS

•A weekly intervention on Southsouth people and matters

olukoredeyishau@gmail.com

Death unto gbomogbomo

‘

I am ordinarily not a fan of death sentence because if a mistake is made it can never be remedied. An innocent man can be killed due to judicial error. Ayade should ensure due diligence so that an innocent man is not killed •Ayade

anymore. Now, I ensure they are always indoors, if there is nothing necessary to take them outside. It has become a worrisome situation and we are praying they should do something urgently about it. We know Calabar as a peaceful place devoid of all these kinds of things. Now, we don’t know what is happening.”

The sad part of the gbomogbomo of Calabar is that no place is sacred. God means nothing to them, neither does His house.

Sometimes last year, a boy, identified simply as Victor, was snatched by an unknown person in a church during service.

He was just 3. His parents must have asked all those rhetorical questions: Why us? Who did we offend? Of course, they offended no one. They were just victims of men whose happiness come from nothing but wreaking havoc on others. The modern-day slave merchants have sold their hearts to the devil.

Damn heartless bastards.

Imagine a case last year at Ikot Ansa in

LAST WORD

‘

Calabar Municipality: A child was supposed to be dedicated in church on a Sunday, arrangements were made. Food and drinks were ready. Invitees must have also been salivating about the food and perhaps practised one dance-step or the other. But, when members of the household woke up in the morning, the baby was nowhere to be found. The baby was abducted the night before. The family was shattered. They did not know when someone came in and abducted the child. Or, did the baby crawl away from the bed?

The mother was in a coma for a long time and the father was hysterical. It was a tragedy nothing prepared them for. Not their education; not their age; not their intelligence.

What should have been a celebration of life, with azonto and ethighi dance steps just became a macabre dance.

Another terrifying case was that of a fouryear old boy, Effiong, son of a bank security man and a fried yam seller, who was

abducted at the Ekorinim axis of C74alabar in a car with no registration number. This also happened last year.

But nemesis has caught up with some gbomogbomos. In April last year, four girls, aged between four and six, were hawking sachet water on a street in Calabar when some men attempted to snatch them. They raised the alarm and the men were snatched instead and taken to the Atakpa Police Station where a mammoth crowd gathered to see the faces of evil. Victor Bassey was arrested after a failed attempt to snatch a baby from her mother inside a cab.

The situation became so disturbing that a member of the last House of Assembly, Ngim Okpo, brought a motion of Urgent Public Interest “on the increasing incidents of child snatching where in recent times, have been several reported cases of kidnapping of innocent children by some unscrupulous elements for alleged ritual purposes”.

There have been a few instances this year, which must have prompted the governor to move against these evil men.

Only a few days ago, a community leader in Creek Town, Odukpani Local Government Area, Chief Asuquo Ekpenyong Ekpe, was kidnapped. He is the elder brother of the former Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Chief Ekpenyong Ita. A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Prevent Abuse of Children Today (PACT) Coalition, Cross River State, a few days ago, raised the alarm over what it said was the increase in the number of children kidnapped in the state.

The coalition said in less than one year, it documented reports of the kidnap of at least 20 children in different parts of the state. It said Calabar “is now nose-diving into a den of kidnappers with incessant reported cases of child kidnapping.” It gave the ages of the victims as between one and seven.

The NGO gave some instances of kidnapping of children this year: “On the 9th of July 2015, a 1 year and 9 months old baby was kidnapped at Ikot Abasi Obori Street, Ikot Ishie Town, Calabar. On 2nd June, 2015, a four-and-a half-year old child was kidnapped at Awi, Akamkpa, Cross River State. On 15th May, 2015, a four-year-old child was kidnapped at Akamkpa, Cross River State and a 2 and a half year old child was also kidnapped at Idang, Calabar South. In April, 2015 a four-year old child was kidnapped at 8 mile axis of Calabar.

“Other cases include, a one-and-a half year old child who was kidnapped in May, 2015 after the kidnappers had lured the child’s mother to Aba, Abia State under the pretence of giving her a job. Again, in April, 2015 a seven-year-old child was kidnapped at Ambo Street, Calabar South. Another seven-year old child was kidnapped in April, 2015 at Idang, Calabar South.”

My final take: I am ordinarily not a fan of death sentence because if a mistake is made it can never be remedied. An innocent man can be killed due to judicial error. Ayade should ensure due diligence so that an innocent man is not killed.

BY MIKE ODIEGWU, YENAGOA

As the people of Ijaw Nation’s Jerusalem decide

B

AYELSA State is unique in many aspects.

It has the least population when compared to other states in the country. It perhaps has the least land mass. Topographically the state of former President Goodluck Jonathan is always said to be 70 per cent water and 30 per cent land.

Fondly called the Jerusalem of the Ijaw Nation for being the only Ijaw homogeneous state, Bayelsa is rich in maritime assets. It is opened to the Atlantic Ocean and surrounded by rivulets, rivers, lakes and other water channels. The state ranks among the richest in petroleum resources.

But among its contemporaries, Bayelsa is arguably the least developed.

Now, Bayelsa is under trial. It is marching to another landmark of political transition to choose a fresh vehicle that will drive its development.

The two dominant and big political vehicles begging for boarding in the state are the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressive Congress (APC). Other smaller vehicles such as the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Labour Party (LP), also exist.

Expectedly, PDP and the APC are at each other’s throat battling in a game of intrigues and

wits to seek the patronage of the state. PDP has been the vehicle of choice for Bayelsa since 1999.

Hitherto, Bayelsa never engaged in a competitive process to select its vehicle and driver. Election was alien. Selection and coronation were the order of the day. It was taken for granted that whoever emerged a candidate from the PDP would drive the vehicle of the state with little or no input from Bayelsa.

So, it was for the past “drivers” of the state such as Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Chief Timipre Sylva and the incumbent driver, Chief Seriake Dickson.

But the PDP is no longer the same. It has been given a bloody nose by the punches of the APC. Suddenly, the APC has become the vehicle of choice for many people in the state, especially the politicians. Persons who hitherto constituted the backbone and pillars of the PDP are leaving in droves to join the APC vehicle. In fact, the creme la de creme and their followers have already declared for the APC. Even the state Chairman of the PDP, Col. Sam Inokoba (retd) left his job to be counted in the APC. Some of the heavyweights who deserted the

PDP are Timi Alaibe, Dikivie Ikiogha, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Nestor Binabo, Werinipre Seibarugu, Warman Ogoriba, Alex Ekiotene, Senator Brambaifa, Dr. Stella Dorgu; in fact, the list is endless. Most of them were former elected and appointed political office holders. Some of them even abandon the cabinet of Dickson to hop into the vehicle of APC. Therefore, as the vehicle of APC is filling up to a congesting point ahead of the December contest, that of the PDP is looking empty.

The PDP is divided over the reelection ambition of Dickson. An anti-Dickson group, the PDP Unity Group (PUG) comprising mainly former aides sacked in controversial circumstances and other aggrieved party leaders, have vowed to scuttle the governor’s ambition.

Therefore, in PDP some persons are desirous of collecting the party’s ticket from Dickson.

There is a belief that the process of selecting the driver of the APC vehicle will generate controversies. Most of the bigwigs are aspiring to be at the driver’s seat and unless they bury their ambitions, the dream of the APC to displace the PDP will be a mirage.

Almost all the heavyweights in the APC want the party’s governorship ticket. Former Governor Timipre Sylva, Alaibe, Ikiogha, Ogoriba, Godnows Powell, Ebitimi Amgbare, Inokoba and many others are struggling to get the party’s ticket. Already over seven aspirants have picked the party’s nomination and expression of interest forms valued at N6.5million. However, some names like Alaibe, Ikiogha and Ogoriba in the governorship race of APC have continued to generate fears and tension in the PDP. Some days back, Jonathan endorsed Dickson.

A key aspirant, Reuben Okoya, also withdrew from the race in deference to the governor who also has the incumbency factor of Dickson going for him. He is believed in some quarters to have done well. Everybody is waiting to see the kind of candidate that will emerge from the APC. They are waiting to see a popular, credible, political heavyweight, a household name considering the timeline of the election. Bayelsa will then decide its vehicle and driver.

•A slightly different version of this piece was first published last week.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

37

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

Lawmaker seeks road contract probe

Priest to present 19th UNN inaugural lecture From Chris Oji, Enugu

A •Continued from page 28 sary infrastructure that could have come their way.

A community leader, Mazi Jideofor Kanu who spoke on behalf of Akanu/Ania village said the that transportation of farm produce in commercial quantity from Ohafia, Arochukwu, Ihechiowa, Ututu to other neighboring communities in Akwa Ibom and Cross River states is truncated and wondered when the traumatic experiences encountered on the road would end.

The President General Nzuko

Arochukwu, Mazi Nnamdi Udoh said there is no time left to be apportioning blame on what has delayed the rehabilitation of the Arochukwu/Ohafia Roads because it will not help the local people.

Udoh said that the local people are the ones who bear the brunt daily and called on the Federal Government as a matter of urgency to deploy a competent construction firm to take over the project and complete it in record time in order to redeem the people of the area from the unfortunate bondage.

One of the motorists Kanu Monday said that the road needs a Save our Soul [SOS] intervention and appealed to the federal government to come to their aid because they are being cut off from other communities and wonder if they are part of this country called Nigeria.

Kanu said that it is shame that 41 years after the end of the civil with the saying no victor no vanquished, “We are still being treated as the vanquished people of the war, we need to be told our proper place in this country, except we are

no longer from this country”.

Another motorist Okezie Ibom said that there is need for the federal government to come to the aid of the people from that part of the country, stressing that many people have lost their lives on the road because of the dilapidated nature of the road.

Ibom said that the situation of the road has gone a long way to prove the saying by Igbo people that there is no easy road to get to Arochukwu and wondered when the saying will be proved wrong by subsequent administrations.

•Continued from page 27 at Ovim where soldiers and others could be trained in French language and other foreign languages to enable them communicate with their counterparts from non-Englishspeaking countries.

Gen Ihejirika from whose country home one could see clearly the language institute, said that nothing gives him joy like waking up every morning to have a view of the institute and prayed that the institute will live beyond the expectations of its founders.

In a chat with The Nation at his country home in Ovim while playing host to Col Marc Humbert the France Defence Attache to Nigeria, Gen Ihejirika said that he established the institute which is the first of its kind in Africa so that Nigerian soldiers on a peace mission will stop finding it difficult to communicate with their counterparts from other African countries.

Gen Ihejirika said that during his tenure as COAS he found out that Nigerian soldiers were not communicating fluently with their colleagues from neighbouring nonEnglish-speaking countries.

He said that his first thought was to establish the institute so that Nigerian soldiers who are always on a peace mission will find it easy to communicate with other soldiers whenever they are on a peace mission, “Also bearing in mind that we are surrounded by French speaking African countries, there was this need for our soldiers to understand themselves whenever they are amongst their colleagues from other countries”.

The former COAS said that when the institute was established it was mainly for Nigerian soldiers to help their French-speaking neighbours during peace missions to understand themselves but now the reverse is the case as the French-speaking neighbours are now helping Nigeria in the war against insurgency.

Gen Ihejirika said, “When the institute was established it was to help our soldiers understand French language when on peace mission to other countries, now it has turn the other way round, as we need to speak and understand French as these French speaking countries are now in our country to help us fight insurgency”.

In his speech the French DA, Col. Humbert commended Gen Ihejirika for citing the institute at a serene

Why I established army languageinstitute, by Ihejirika

•Part of the language instute

place where students will come and study unhindered from distractions associated with urban areas, stressing that the environment will enable the students to assimilate the languages faster.

Speaking at the language institute, Humbert said that Nigeria and France are very close allies and that there is need for the Nigeria to educate its officers in French language.

Humbert who donated French books and other teaching aids to the army institute said that the close relationship between the two countries has made the embassy to donate the books to enable them face the challenges of language in future.

He described the institute as a place for the future and believed that it will grow to support the entire military force in its fight against all manner of terrorism and other forms of challenges in any part of the country.

The French DA noted that the success recorded at the institute, “Will help the Nigerian army to corporate with its French speaking neighbours in the current war against insurgency as they have formed an alliance to fight the terrorism war”.

Bearing in mind that we are surrounded

by French speaking African countries, there was this need for our soldiers to understand themselves whenever they are amongst their colleagues from other countries He described Nigeria as a great country will huge potentials and backed with different communities, stressing that the beauty of the difference in culture and language is the unifying factor of the country.

Humbert said that the books are a token of their appreciation to the school and hope that it will help in training of soldiers, and also help in fostering good working relationship

with other countries.

Receiving the books and other teaching materials, on behalf of the chief of army staff, the commandant of the institute, Col. Joseph Bamidele Ajanaku said that the materials will go a long way in helping the students.

Col. Ajanaku said that the school has just commenced with its first batch of 20 students who are doing the basic French course 1, stressing that the materials will help them to learn the language faster.

He said the institute started operation on August 1, adding, “We intend to increase the languages to include, Swahili, Portuguese, German and Chinese languages as we are expanding towards these countries in bilateral relationship”.

Col Ajanaku said that with the establishment of the institute at Ovim that it has helped in no small way to fast track the development of the area, stressing that most of the senior officers who are coming to the place for the language training will spend their money around the area and also help to increase the economic activities in the area.

Catholic priest has been scheduled to deliver the 19th inaugural lecture of University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN).

The lecture series were introduced 39 years ago by the institution’s Governing Council to stimulate robust research and academic excellence.

The lecture, which only involves academic staff who have attained the status of professor, provides them the platform to showcase their intellectual prowess in their fields before the university community.

A statement from the senate ceremonials committee of the University of Nigeria, said a famous economist and catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Prof. Hyacinth Eme Ichoku, will deliver the historic 99th inaugural lecture series on Thursday, next week, September 17.

The lecture entitled “Health and Economic Development in Reverse Causality”, will attempt to x-ray the relationship between health and economic outcomes, as conventional wisdom and scientific evidence produced in the 1980s suggested that improved income leads to improved health of the population.

The release said, “As the standard of living of the people improves, people tend to live healthier and longer lives, thus, it is said that the wealthier the healthier, implying that richer individuals tend to be healthier and richer nations tend on average to live healthier and have longer life expectancy. However, there are new scientific evidence suggesting that improved health leads to improved productivity, therefore, that improved health is a major determinant and contributor to economic growth and development.

The Vice Chancellor of the institution Prof. Chukwuma Ozumba will chair the occasion, scheduled for the Princess Alexandra Auditorium, on the Nsukka campus on Thursday, September 17th.

The UNN 99th inaugural lecturer, Prof. Hyacinth Eme Ichoku who was ordained catholic priest in 1988, joined the university in 2001 as a lecturer and rose rapidly to the status of professor in 2012, after securing a doctorate degree in economics at the university of Cape Town South Africa in 2006.

•Hyacinth Eme Ichoku

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

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THE SOUTHEAST REPORT Community urges Fed Govt to tackle N3b landslide From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

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OMMUNITY leaders of Isuochi in Ummunnochi Local Government Area of Abia State have lamented the landslide which has caused much havoc in the settlement, saying it will take over N3b to contain the menace.

Speaking while conducting reporters round the affected areas the member representing Ummunneochi Constituency at the state House of Assembly, Prince Ikedi Ezekwesili said the landslide was caused by a road project whose contract was awarded by the Niger Delta Ministry.

Ezekwesili said the community cannot handle the landslide on its own as it will require well over N3 billion to contain.

The lawmaker and called on the federal government to either order the contractor back to site of call on the federal ministry of environment to come to their aid.

Ezekwesili said that the ay the construction company handled the road and drainage construction caused the landslide, adding that the company should come back to site to remedy the situation before more harm will be done to the community.

He said, “If you look behind you will see the landslide, this landslide was occasioned by improper termination of drainage by the construction company that did this road, ENACO that did this Federal Road between Leru and Nkwoagu.

It is quit disheartening, you can see it, we appreciated the gesture of the

•Part of the Umunneochi landslide site

Federal government by giving us his road, but it is very unfortunate and little did we know that the company either they did not do proper Environmental Impact Assessment or they were ordinarily naïve or careless, they could not extend the drainage appropriately.

If you move down there is a stream, so, if they have extended the drain down properly we would not have seen the landslide that we are seeing today. You can imagine that the length from here now to the road is not up to twenty steps if by the next rain or couple of rains, the road will be cut off”.

Ezekwesili said that despite cutting

This environment is clearly sandy environment and of cause, a construction company ought to have known the appropriate mechanism or technology or what to do regarding the trend. the road, the Umunnochi Council Secretariat, Isuochi Model secondary school, the Divisional Police headquarters, the Community’s Unity

Square that is under construction and the 7.5MVA Isuochi power Station under the National Integrated

Power Project (NIPP) are all under the threat of the encroaching landslide.

He said: “This environment is clearly sandy environment and of cause, a construction company ought to have known the appropriate mechanism or technology or what to do regarding the trend.

So what we are saying as a people is that the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs should step up immediately to find something to do to stop further landslide and of cause the company, we are no longer pretending about our emotions if we don’t see them within one month from now, we will take other actions which may not stop at •Continued on page 39

•Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (middle) in a procession to ESUT auditorium in honour of the late Prof. Julius Onah

Enugu varsity buries pioneer VC E

NUGU State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s mentor, Professor Julius Onah has been buried. The pioneer vice chancellor of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) was 76.

He was the first professor of marketing in West Africa.

The academic community in the former Eastern Region and beyond trooped to ESUT to pay their last respects to the academic giant.

From Chris Oji, Enugu

Four former vice-chancellors of the university were present at the valedictory.

At the occasion, Governor Ugwuanyi named the ESUT Auditorium after Professor Julius Onah, describing him as not only a mentor but motivationalý father whose life examples propelled many to greater heights.

The late Onah was buried at his

home town, Orba in Udenu local government area of the state where the governor also hails from.

In a eulogy, Ugwuanyi urged his contemporaries to emulate the late Professor Onah by distinguishing themselves in their various disciplines.

The Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese Most Rev. Godfrey Onah urged people who aspire to achieve greatness on earth and remain

hopeful in having a place in God’s Kingdom to follow the path of sincerity as exemplified in the life of late Professor Onah.

He observed that late Onah’s exemplary leadership and academic prowess reflected by his first positions in various endeavours which he said had affected lives of both the small and the great who had continued to look up to him as a role model even at death.

He observed that late Onah’s exemplary leadership and academic prowess reflected by his first positions in various endeavours which he said had affected lives of both the small and the great who had continued to look up to him as a role model even at death.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

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THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

Ebonyi fixes roads E

BONYI State Governor Dave Umahi has started matching his campaign word with action as his administration embarks on fixing the state’s deplorable roads.

To achieve this, he bought 15 heavy-duty trucks which he handed over to the Ministry of Works.

Speaking at the handover ceremony held at Akanu ibiam Roundabout, Abakaliki, Governor Umahi said the trucks were acquired to fast-track the construction projects.

The governor who said that the government had incorporated three new construction companies, namely-south construction company ltd, North construction company ltd. and central construction company to assist in fast tracking the much desired development of the state, announced that the trucks would be deployed to the three senatorial zones of the state for use.

The governor disclosed that a team of expatriate engineers has been recruited to work with our engineers to achieve the desired result. He reiterated his commitment to construct at least 10kms of road in each of the 13 local government areas of the state within the first two years of his administration.

He said, “We are having quite a number of pay-loaders, a number of bulldozers, a number of mixers and other construction equipment. So we want to divide it into these three senatorial zones. We have approved that each of the local government areas and of course each community in Ebonyi State should start receiving attention in terms of electricity.”

The state Commissioner for Works, Mr Felix Nweze, an engineer,

•Umahi Commissioning the projects

•Some of the trucks bought for the road project From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

announced that the state government placed orders for the procurement of six concrete mixers and eight pay-

loaders to arrive very soon.

Nweze disclosed that the contractors handling the construction of flyovers at the state capital had mobilised to site; while the over laying of

•New Market Road Abakaliki under construction

asphalt on ogaoja road would commence soon.

He said that the fifteen trucks handed over to the ministry by the Governor “would enable us to move quick-

284 get scholarship in Ebonyi

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HE burden of fees has been taken off 284 pupils in Ebonyi State, thanks to their governor Dave Umahi who gave them scholarship. The gesture ran into millions of naira.

No fewer than 130 of the beneficiaries are physically challenged.

At the launch of the scholarship, the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Higher Education, Mrs Adaeze Nwuzor said it shows the regard the Umahi administration has for education as the bedrock of the society and ist growth.

She said,” It is with this understanding and burning desire to give education the needed priority attention that made the Governor, Fave Umahi to graciously approve the payment of scholarship awards to the state scholarship beneficiaries for the 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 academic sessions”.

From Ogochukwu, Anioke

“ This approvals by the governor is an enduring testimony of his unprecedetentell everyone and quest to educationally little Ebonyi State higher. Interestingly, he approved the payment of these scholarship awards regardless of the financial difficulty which the state is currently experiencing.

She said the scholarship awards to the 284 students covers the arrears of 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 research grants, French language immersion programme, return flight ticket for some oversea students, tuition fees, debaters and physically challenged persons.

“It is my hope that the beneficiaries will remain good ambassadors of Ebonyi State.

Wife of the governor, Mrs Rachel Umahi who disbursing the funds, said the scholarship programme is

in line with the goals of her Family support and uplifment pprogramme which harps on using education to fight poverty in the state.

She promised to collaborate with the scholarship board and all other relevant agencies of government to continue the good work of scholarship grants to deserving Ebonyi students.

Mrs Umahi who said the gesture was geared towards enhancing their educational pursuit, promised to always carry them along in her project.

She maintained that they are not incapacitated in any way as God has endowed them with wisdom to better their lives.

Chairman of the occasion and State Deputy Governor, Kelechi Igwe said the state government will continue to do all that is necessary to make the state the best in terms

‘Beware of masqueraders’

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HE Enugu State police command has alerted residents of the state on the new tactics employed by rogues to rob unsuspecting members of the public: masquerades The police said robbers disguised as masquerades now attack members of the public.

In a bulletin, the spokesman of the command, Ebere Amaraizu, said, “The hoodlums who hide under the guise of masquerades attack and unleash mayhem and at times rob unsuspecting citizens of their valuables.

“The command in this regard wishes to make it clear that in as much as it will not interfere in the traditional activities of communities in the state such as the masquerade festivals amongst other things, it will not fold its arms and watch

From Chris Oji, Enugu

innocent and good people of the state pass through pains in the hands of individuals or group of persons in the name of masquerade as well as other traditional activities.”

It warned perpetrators “to desist from such unwholesome act by sticking to the tenet of the rule of law while engaging themselves in masquerade and traditional activities as anyone or group of persons caught will be made to face the full wrath of the law.”

The command reminded the people of the state desirous of enlisting into the police force that recruitment has not started, but it warned candidates to watch out for online fraudsters who may take advantage of the recruitment information to defraud them.

of education.

“Equal attention will be given to all levels of education in the state from the nursery to the tertiary level”, he aded.

The deputy governor lauded the governor’s wife for convincing the state government to come to the aid of this category of undergraduates, especially the physically challenged.

He stated that though the previous government was unable to completely pay for the 2013/2014 academic session, the governor decided to pay for the 2015 session with the arrears of the 2013/2015, despite the economic challenges in the state.

He charged the beneficiaries to work hard and make the government proud.

In their goodwill messages, the commissioner for education, Dr John Ekeh, the Chairman Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Mr Gabriel Igwe and the representative of the state scholarship board, Deacon Elijah Ituma respectively extolled the the state government for making the programme a reality and charged the beneficiaries to make best use of the money to enable them contribute meaningfully to the society.

Mr Orji Genility, a law student and one of the beneficiaries, appreciated the state government for giving them a sense of belonging and promised that the physically challenged persons will continue to pray and support the administration.

The governor’s wife later presented cheques to the beneficiaries by the wife of the governor, Mrs Rachel Umahi.

ly into action to rehabilitate most of our roads,” stressing that Nkaliki, Ogoja, Gunning and new Market roads have been rehabilitated.

Community urges Fed Govt to tackle N3b landslide •Continued from page 38 legal action”.

Ezekwesili who is the Minority leader in the State House of Assembly regretted that the road project which should have been a source of joy to the community is now turning out to be a bad omen to his community.

He said, “The project has come to destroy my community, there are over five communities that would be affected by this landslide, this communities may not last in the next five years from now if something urgent is not done about this ugly situation.

They may not, five years may be a long time, if this could happen within a space of two years of this road construction, it means that in the next two years it would have gone further and may wash away the five communities’ .

In his own reaction the Vice president of Isuochi Development Union, Elder Sunday Ekeh, said that they have we have been crying over danger posed to the communities in these local government by landslide.

Elder Ekeh recalled that last year the former Senator for Abia North senatorial District, Late Comrade Uche Chukwumereije had to take the photograph of the affected area to Abuja and nothing came out of it.

He said, “We are crying aloud now because if the rain continues the way it has been raining now, the level of devastation that it would cause the community would be calamitous”.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

Facility for building material traders T

RADERS in building materials in Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State now have a brand new market courtesy of the council.

The market sited along EnuguPort Harcourt Road is equipped with modern facilities.

The facility covering about 26.67 hectares of land will help to decongest the overcrowded building materials market at Kenyatta and Amawbia streets.

Chairman of the council, Victor Agbo told correspondents on a fact finding mission in the 17 local government council areas that they have so far constructed 200 stalls for iron rod dealers out of the expected 1,500 shops and offices in the market.

He explained that the facilities in the new international building material market would include, police post, drainage system, banks, toilets, restaurants and other facilities for easy trading. ý”It is a large place that will accommodate all the traders in Amawbia section of Kenyatta Market and also young ones who are coming up, so that immediately they are settled by their masters they have a space

From Chris Oji, Enugu

to start their own and not hanging around because they do not have shops.

“There are also shops for electrical materials dealers while other

building material dealers would be accommodated as time goes on”.

On the choice of the location the chairman said it was mainly because of its proximity to the express road and enough space for business activities.

According to him all the building materials dealers in Amawbia and Kenyatta would have their goods and their vehicles accommodated.

Said he: “The market is designed in such a way that all vehicles would be parked at the back of the market

Enugu police chief, others hail PRO

Amaraizu is described as up and doing and at the beck and call of not only journalists but the general public.

He answers his phone calls and leaves no room for “Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer was unsuccessful.

From Chris Oji, Enugu

I

T is probably his finest hour.

Awards have come and so have praises. And the recipient is Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police.

The state’s police commissioner Abubakar Adamu Mohammed has praised his commitment and that rare attribute, warm public relations. It was not just the state top cop; friends and well-wishers lavished praise on the command’s image maker.

Many say he was well worth it.

Amaraizu is described as up and doing and at the beck and call of not only journalists but the general public. He answers his phone calls and leaves no room for “Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer was unsuccessful”.

In 2013, he won the best police public relations officer award in West Africa at a ceremony in Johannesburg, South Africa. Last year, he was selected as the best community relations officer at an event Dubai, UAE. In appreciation of these achievements the Inspector General of Po-

to avoid blockage and create enough spaces for the iron Rod dealers to drop their goods without blocking each other.

“We also have provision for a large warehouse in case anybody wants to store his goods. It is an international market we will provide all the necessary things needed for the traders to operate freely,” explained Agbo. ýýThe Chairman, however , noted that the was a clog in the wheel of progress.

According to him a conflict of interests reared its head up as the landlords of the shops at Kenyatta and Amawbia streets were forming association to sabotaging the effort and the good intentions of the Local government by feeding the traders with false information on why they should not relocate.

“These landlords are doing this for their own selfish interest because of the fear of imminent loss of revenue they receive from the traders.

They should know that Amawbia Street was never built as a market and they cause a lot of problems to motorists among many other challenges”, he stressed.

•Amaraizu (left) receiving his commendation from Arase. Middle is Fmr police spokesman, Ojukwu

lice, Solomon Arase hosted the police image maker.

Arase described Amaraizu’s feat as a thing of joy and honour for the police.

At a reception for the state PPRO,

colleagues and other members of the public extolled his virtues. The state CP Mohammed praised his excellence, urging him to get set for greater challenges ahead.

He further described Amaraizu

as a man with many parts as well as a proactive PPRO. Mohammed said, “Amaraizu is committed and dedicated and I wish him well in his public relations task.”

The Deputy Director, Public Relations, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army Col. Gambo Mohammed as well as the State Director, National Orientation Agency Isaac Onukwube, amongst others graced the occasion.

Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi (middle); the New Commssioner of Police in The State, Peace Abdallah (fourth right) and other officials, during the Commssioner’s courtesy call on the Governor PHOTO: NAN in Abakaliki... on Tuesday.

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HEALTH THE NATION

E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

The statistics of those who go blind from avoidable causes is scary. Some have lost their sight to ignorance.

Ophthalmologists, however, believe they are misinformed about eye care. They think the situation can be corrected if people visit their eye doctors for regular checks. WALE ADEPOJU writes

‘Regular checks, prompt treatment ‘ll stop blindness’

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R Adelani Adebesin (not real name) lost his sight to glaucoma. He was an insurance officer bubbling with life when it happened.

He thought it was the handiwork of his enemies and forces beyond his control. But, investigation by ophthalmologists, who attended to him after the loss showed it was caused by glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a disease, according to experts, is a ‘silent thief of the eye’.

Unknowingly, many Nigerians are living with this problem.

Another pitiable story was that of Mrs Chioma Onu, who lost her vision to cataract. She had complained to her husband that her vision was failing. Her eyes were blurry gradually. But she kept to herself afterwards, thinking that it will soon go away. When it didn’t, she applied some local preparation on it. But unknown to her, the condition was at an advanced stage.

•Prof Adefule-Ositelu

Family members and friends urged her to seek the help of a doctor, but by then, it was a little too late. She lost her sight to cataract, a condition described by the World Health

Organisation (WHO) as the major cause of blindness.

Like Mr Adebesin, many people who lost their sight to glaucoma, do not know they have the condition.

And many of them delay their treatment by wishing their problems away.

Glaucoma is one of many causes of blindness. The others are cataract, which is the leading cause of blindness, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), corneal opacities, diabetic retinopathy, childhood blindness, trachoma and onchocerciasis.

Ophthalmologists, however, believe that people can prevent sudden loss of sight by having regular eye checks.

The National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey in Nigeria conducted between 2005 and 2007 says 84 per cent of blindness was due to avoidable causes.

A consultant ophthalmologist at

Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof Adebukunola Adefule-Ositelu, said: “It is people’s rights to have good vision. It is also their right to have functional vision”.

The awareness, she said, is increasing and, as such, people are realising that their eye problems are not caused by fetish means or witchcraft.

She urged people to seek treatment from the real care eye givers, which leaders are, the ophthalmologists.

“They should make sure they see them. But when there are no ophthalmologists around they should go to their health centres, where their concerns can be addressed.

“So, if they need to be referred, they would be referred. But they should not take their eye health for granted because they can lose it,” Prof Adefula-Ositelu said.

Ophthalmologists, she said, see a lot of patients with irritation, dust

and dryness.

“Now that everybody is using generators, there is also an increase in eye problems because of the fumes. They can get irritation; otherwise, the most common eye disease, these days, is cataract,” she said.

Why? She said: “This is so because it is more common with ageing. As people grow older, there are changes in the body. The eye also ages as people age.

“Apart from cataract, there is also glaucoma, which is more serious with black people. Its incidence is increasing in the country. Before parents don’t tell their children about their eye problem. But today, they tell them so that they too could get screened for the condition.”

She said visual impairment cases are decreasing, but it seems they are actually increasing because “more people are becoming aware of the problem and are seeking help from doctors”.

‘Better nutrition panacea for childhood brain disorder’

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HILDREN, whose diets lack vital fatty acids, such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are at risk of hyperactivity disorder, uni-polar depression and aggressive resentment, experts have said.

The experts, which include President, Paediatrics Association of Nigeria, Prof Adebiyi Olowu and Senior Scientist, Global Nutrition Development, FrieslandCampina Innovation Centre, the Netherlands, Dr Anne Schaafsma, said the problem could be tackled with appropriate fatty acids.

They spoke at the FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc 10th Annual Nutrition Seminar in Lagos tagged: “Physical growth and brain development of the Nigerian child: The challenge of our time”.

The solution, the experts said, is appropriate nutrition, adding that when infants are fed with appropriate essential food, they become smarter, faster and happier.

Conversely, improved health and nutrition will lead to enhanced economic development.

The speakers presented papers on the importance of nutrition in optimum brain development in a child.

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

Brain development and mental health of a child, according to them, are vital and should not be neglected.

Moreover, the first five years of development of a child is crucial and it represents the period the child needs essential nutrients that support overall brain development, especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid that is a primary structural component of the human brain, cerebral cortex, skin, sperm, testicles and retina.

Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, identified lack of awareness by mothers on what adequate nutrition should be as one major problem to be tackled because the significance of nutrition in the first five years of a child’s life cannot be over-emphasised.

Mrs Ambode called on healthcare practitioners to “take opportunity of the Nutrition Seminar organised

by FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria to dialogue on new strategies, and new perspectives alongside sharing of current knowledge on ways to improve the nutritional well-begin of the Nigerian child.”

•From left: Colaco, Mrs Ambode, FrieslandCampina WAMCO’s Corporate Affairs Director Mrs. Ore Famurewa, and Marketing Director Mr. Tarang Gupta at the event.

Managing Director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC, Rahul Colaco, reiterated his company’s commitment to nourishing Nigeria with quality dairy nutrition; part of which includes providing adequate up to date researched information on child nutrition.

According to Colaco, “FrieslandCampina has invested huge funds into research and de-

‘Nigeria loses N250b on medical tourism’

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HE Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has raised the alarm that Nigeria loses N250 billion yearly to medical tourism.

Consequently, the association said the solution to such capital flight lies with the upgrade of the tertiary institutions, and replacing obsolete equipment with modern ones.

In a communiqué at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, NMA said it was opposed to giving girls out in marriage before the age of 18.

The communiqué was signed by NMA President and SecretaryGeneral, Dr Kayode Obembe and Dr Adewunmi Alayaki.

NMA said it supports the Univer-

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

sal Health Coverage (UHC), adding that this has been the focus of the National Officers’ Committee (NOC) of the association.

Besides, we believe the instrument of the full implementation is through National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). “We are delighted that the National Health Act made provision for getting one per cent consolidated revenue fund through the NHIS while the other 50 percent goes to the primary health care,” Obembe said.

He said the association was concerned with the incessant strikes that have bedeviled the health sector, and as such, circulars issued by the Federal Government were not

cash backed.

He continued: “In the interim, supplementary allocation should be made to pay for such commitments while on a long term basis, it must be clearly defined as a budget heading in 2016 appropriation.”

The NMA chief said the association is poised to eradicate measles from our country. “We have kicked out polio and Ebola. Everybody should join hands with NMA to achieve this. Therefore, our Physicians Week in October shall focus on measles,” he said.

He urged President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint a medical doctor as the minister of health, adding that “doctors who take care of the sick must be accorded priority in the scheme of things”.

velopment of quality and affordable products to cater for the needs of the consumer. So, we are confident of our support to healthcare practitioners in ensuring proper child nutrition.”

The seminar, which had held in Ibadan, Abuja, Port Harcourt and, reinforced the importance of pub-

lic-private partnership (PPP) in responding to key national issues, particularly in the nutritional development of the child.

FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria said it will continue to partner key stakeholders to help reduce incidences of malnutrition among women and children.

Ante-natal attendance on the rise

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HERE is an increse in antenatal care attendance in public health facilities in the state, the Permanent Secretary, Health Service Board, Dr. Jemilade Longe, has said.

He said the increase is as a result of the positive impact of the robust maternal and child mortality reduction programme strategies being implemented by the government.

Longe spoke while reviewing statistics of public health facilities utilisation in Lagos.

According to him, “since the commencement of the maternal and child mortality reduction strategies, which were fashioned towards addressing some major causes of maternal and child mortality in the state, the key performance indicators have been pointing upwards evidencing that the strategies adopted are yielding positive results as shown in the increase in ante-natal attendance, in-

crease in deliveries, increase in patronage of child survival interventions like immunisation against childhood killer diseases, and increase in women accessing family planning services”.

He said the key performance indicators on ante-natal attendance in Shomolu General Hospital showed an increase in antenatal attendance from 491 in January 2015 to 635 in July of same year while that of Ikorodu General Hospital also showed an increase in ante-natal attendance from 681 in January 2015 and 1,021 in July.

The Permanent Secretary said various maternal and child health services in public health facilities have been strengthened and improved on in line with the avowed commitment of the Ambode-led administration to an efficient, qualitative, effective, equitable and affordable health care delivery.

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HEALTH HEALTH TALK with How to deal with challenges of puberty

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•From left: Director, Narcotics and Control Substance, Dr Umar Musa; President, Milestone Marketing Limited, Mr Jide Fowode; Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr Paul Orhii and Director, Drug Evaluation and Research, Mrs Titilope Omowunmi Owolabi at a briefing on NAFDAC summit and exhibition coming up in Lagos.

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAM

Govt calls for health team’s unity

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HE Lagos State Government has called for the unity of all members of the health service team to achieve effective medicare delivery in the state.

The Permanent Secretary Lagos State Health Services Commission (HSC) Dr. Jemilade Longe, said this while declaring open the second National Conference of the Association of Medical Laboratory Technicians and Assistants of Nigeria (AMELTAN) and the National Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (NLSCN) Workshop, which held at the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Ikeja, Lagos.

Describing medical laboratory technicians as the most underrated in the healthcare chain, Longe said the technicians being the first contact between a patient and the health team, must ensure they comply with basic universal safety precautions and work in unity with other members of the health team to get accurate diagnosis of any medical issues presented to them.

He said though many in the sector have a wrong impression about the technicians, they (practitioners) are critical as they are the gateway to proper medical laboratory diagnosis.

He charged the technicians not to be limited by their present calling but to aspire to be the best even in their calling through scholarship.

By Adeyinka Aderibigbe

Longe who admitted that the profession is fraught with risk, cautioned that the technicians must adhere strictly to basic universal safety precautions to protect their patients and not to be unduly exposed to infections through contacts with dangerous body fluids.

He charged the laboratory technicians and assistants to think outside the box in riding the profession of quacks, who have found themselves providing illegal services at many hospitals across the country.

NLSCN Registrar/Chief Executive Officer Prof Anthony Emeribe decried the influx of quacks, adding that about 150 per cent of laboratory technicians who have been trained by the council are still jobless because their places are being filled by people who have no business in medical laboratory services.

To rid the industry of the menace, Emeribe said the council would be partnering with the Federal Ministry of Justice to intensify inspection of medical facilities across the country and arrest anyone suspected to be operating without the Council’s certification.

“Six months ago, we arrested a suspect in Delta State and he had been sentenced to six months imprisonment by the courts. We are going to storm Abuja and all the 36 states in our renewed commitment to rid the

industry of quacks because the lives of Nigerians are in danger if those who are not qualified continue to issue medical results or open medical laboratory facilities as is being presently done,” Emeribe said.

He said he was satisfied with the success recorded by the association, adding that technicians and assistants should continue to work together in the interest of the people who demand their services.

Dr Oloruntoba Ekun of the Department of Laboratory Science, College of Medicine, University of Lagos in his keynote paper titled: Phlebotomy and its associated risk, said because these technicians carry out minor surgical operation procedure which deals with the withdrawal of blood or the introduction from a sample, they are open to several risks.

Ekun, who was represented by Dr Oluyemi Akinloye said the technicians and assistants must be aware of the risks and mitigate them by putting in place quality assurance programme, ensure availability of medical laboratory consumables and the avoidance of used or contaminated samples.

Liking laboratory technicians and assistants to a building foundation, Ekun said if the technicians get the diagnosis wrong, everything else would be wrong and the result might be fatal and irreversible.

Respiratory infections still kill children

M

ANY children are suffering from lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI), says a pulmonologist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Dr Michelle Dania.

Dania, who spoke with The Nation, said more needed to be done to reduce the rate of LRTI, especially as it affects the lower part of the airways and lungs.

According to her, any infection below the respiratory tract known as the larynx is the lower tract infection because it is close to the voice box. “Any infection above the larynx is an upper respiratory tract infection,” She added.

Dania, who is a consultant physician, said there are tubes that take air into the lungs. They are the trachea, bronchi and the long parenchyma, he said, adding: “Infections affecting the tubes are mostly known as bronchitis or acute bronchitis. Bronchiolitis can be found in children less than two years.”

Dania said pneumonia, acute bronchitis and bronchiolitis are the most common types of LRTI. “Some people see influenza as LRTI whereas it affects both the upper and lower respiratory system.” she said.

She spoke of asthma as a non-mem-

By Oluoma Omeihe and Faruk Hamzat

ber of lower respiratory tract infection. Why? “Normally, some infections can worsen the symptoms of asthma because it is not an infection per say. Asthma is not classified as LRTI unlike pneumonia.”

She said tuberculosis can be classified as lower respiratory tract infection because it has organisms which also cause infection in the lower part of the respiratory tract.

“LRTI generally are caused by organisms, viruses, adenovirus and bacteria,” she said.

The specialist listed cough, fever, abnormal breathing and restlessness as common symptoms of lower respiratory tract infection. “Fever is a major symptom and patient will need to take enough fluid to prevent dehydration,” she noted.

Dr Dania said: “Antibiotics are used to manage infections. Also, supportive treatment is needed. Many times when patients have LRTI, they develop fever and use antipyretic (medication to bring down the fever).”

Her words: “Generally, children are prone to infections because they are still young and are building their

immunity. Most times, they have lots of recurrent viral infections.

“Depending on what the likely organisms are, not all LRTI are induced by bacteria. However, those induced by bacteria will need antibiotics but those induced by viral infections, the patient may not need antibiotics.”

The preventive measures, she said, are exclusive breast feeding for children, proper nutrition, immunisation and vaccination from zero to five years. She advised on frequent hand washing with soap and water to prevent contamination of LRTI. Speaking on the severity of LRTI, she said, oxygen should be given to patients to support their breathing and intravenous to take fluid into the body.

LRTI incidents, she said, are reducing due to the use of vaccination.

Also, people are now adopting good lifestyle and mothers have been encouraged to breastfeed their babies.

“The menace of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has made the infection not to be well controlled because HIV patients are prone to LRTI. Otherwise, I would say it is on a downward trend,” Dania said.

ATER, from 14-16 years upward, the voice may break and the “Adam Apple” becomes more prominent. At this stage, the boy is virtually ready hormonally (but not mentally nor physically until about 18-20), for one of the tasks before him: reproduction! If he is unguided, he is at great risk indeed, from sexual abuse and early fatherhood.

Perplexed as to what is happening to him, the teenager asks questions or refrain from asking questions but may attempt to experiment or succumb to peers pressure. If his questions are not honestly answered and in a friendly manner or he takes the advice of his peers or experiments, he may begin to follow the wrong path in life!

In all, dismayed as to the rapid change in him, the young man resents events around him, becomes angry and rebellious. He needs counselling at this stage.

Age of 14 - 18(Both Sexes). In general terms, no major changes occur here except that, the young woman and the now young man builds upon what they did until up to age of 14 years. Also, the body adjusts to these spectacular and rapid changes. In girls, the breast grows bigger, the menstruation regularises and the rapid growth slows down towards a permanent position. The ovaries become more active and ovulation synchronises with menstrual period. Ovulation which is the release of egg from the ovaries in readiness for meeting the sperm from the male, is released 14 days or so from the start of the period.

So, in 28 day cycle, the ovulation will take place about 14th day. This is the time that pregnancy is most likely to occur, though pregnancy occurrence can vary by 3-4 days before or after the ovulation. It is very rare that ovulation and menstrual period should occur at the same time though this is not impossible.

In the young man, growth is still continuing at a rapid phase until about age 18 years when it stabilises. Night emission of sperms may now be more frequent. Early morning penis erection becomes a common event. He becomes “sensitive” and attracted to female pictures and other sexual appearances.

In both sexes, there is increased awareness of the changes and transformation that has taken place in them, with the result that each now creates an identity to align their world views with mother/female or father/ male and respective genders in larger society in line with their own identity.

On the other hand, each of the boy or girl wants to be seen in association with the opposite gender of their age.

All these changes that have taken place from 10 /11 years to 18 years is called puberty.

Biological Implications of Puberty The main reason for the changes that occurs in puberty is simply for Productivity. (a) These changes in boys and girls occur so that each individual can be ready for reproduction: that is be prepared to bear another person similar to the bearer (parent). (b) The purpose of the changes is also to make each person, attractive and pleasant to the opposite gender so much that one would like to be in the presence of the opposite sex. The “icing on the cake” for this companionship is of course, sexual intercourse with sole aim of reproducing another person.

This is biological productivity (c) Defence: The growth in all areas of the human body at puberty, the energy that came with the growth, the accompanying power of puberty, the increase in muscles (mainly in the male) and fat around the body (mainly in the female), the increase in mental capacity and capability are all meant to help in the defence

Dr Joel Akande Infertility Specialist and Consultant 08188343865 managementlease@yahoo.com

against external attack. The aim of this defence is to secure the individuals and the couple and any children that the new couple may now have. Thus, the new man (father), the new adult female (mother) and the new offspring of the man and his wife is called a family.

Economic Implications of Puberty: Productivity. The individuals in ages of puberty and coming up to 20 years are immature yet they are very energetic. The growth in all areas, the energy, the accompanying power, the increase in muscles (mainly in the male) and fat around the body (mainly in the female), the increase in mental capacity and capability are meant to help them to be engage in economic productivity. The aim is to provide for the individuals and also for any children that the couple may have (family). When one family joins with another and another and another, then a society is formed.

The Legal Implications of Puberty While different countries will have different laws, in general, a child is

by World Health Organisation definition is someone who is under 18 years. So, ideally, those that are under 18 are under the protection of their parents or guardian. The implication is that a child may not cause harm and thus escape legal punishment.

That used to be the law, at least in Britain. How things have changed.

We now know that 10-year-olds can kill, how much more 17 and 18 years old! Therefore, in Britain, the age of legal criminal responsibility is 10 years! The society and the law expect 10-year-old not to commit crimes. If they do, they would be charged and could have criminal records or go to juvenile prison.

Also, by law children are not allowed to be employed. The exception to this is if the law permits such employment under certain conditions, otherwise, it would amount to child abuse.

We do know that child labour is a form of abuse.

Similarly, the law expects individuals to be responsible for their actions.

No mistakes. If a child gets a girl pregnant, even the without intention to do so, he now becomes a father. The law does not respect or accept mistakes. If you miscalculated, you will be held responsible.

So, on the other hands, someone who is a child can not undertake certain responsibilities such as entering into a contract, standing as surety for another and so forth. This is designed to protect the child whose mind is immature, from exploitation. The law in general expects that every member of our society should behave to maintain peace and not cause harm to anyone.

The Psychological Implications of Puberty The growth spurt is a true rush of energy through the child, with result of an accelerated growth. This rapid growth is not matched by rapid growth in the mind and brain, knowledge and wisdom nor is it matched by volume of learning and experiences of life that is required to stay in the “straight and narrow lane.

•To be continued

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

47

THE NATION

BUSINESS INDUSTRY

industry@thenationaonlineng.net

Following the Federal Government’s policy of increasing local production of sugar through mini plant technology, the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) and other organs of government have taken steps to ensure compliance and delivery of incentives to address challenges, reports OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE.

Overcoming challenges in sugar production D

ESPITE the huge potential for the production of sugar, Nigeria produces less than two per cent of its requirement, estimated at 1.7 million tonnes, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Data obtained from the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) indicate that sugar consumption in 2012 was 1.1m tonnes against the domestic production of 10,843 tonnes.

Within the period, 1.1m tonnes was imported at $517.2 million. To address the shortage, the Federal Government has come out with a policy to increase local production.

The policy aims at instituting mini sugar plant technology and a package of incentives.

But industry watchers, who applaud the policy, said with a landmass of over 500,000 hectares suitable for cane and capable of producing over five million metric tonnes of sugarcane, the nation had no business importing sugar.

Nigeria produces two per cent of its requirement, importing 98 per cent of the commodity. This was attested to by AFDB President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina.

The Nation checks revealed that due to challenges faced by sugar cane farmers, which have made the commodity highly unexploited, key players have remained in the business by importing from Brazil.

There are five major players in the industry: Dangote Sugar Refinery (DSR), BUA Sugar Refinery, Savannah Sugar and Josepdam Sugar Company, and Flour Mills of Nigeria. Dangote Sugar produces 1.44 million tonnes. BUA adds 720,000 metric tonnes.

Dangote Refinery, which supplies 70 per cent of the local market requirement, plans to spend $1.5 billion to increase output over the next five years.

“In the next five years, we should be able to produce 1.5 million metric tonnes locally, from around 50,000 metric tonnes now,” Abdullahi Sule, Managing Director of DSR, told Reuters in Abuja.

To revamp the sector, the Federal Government has initiated incentives for an enabling environment for investors.

Among the incentives are zero per cent duty on machinery and spare parts by companies, as well as 10 per cent import duty and 50 per cent

• Refined Sugar

levy on imported raw sugar. There is equally a 20 per cent duty and 60 per cent levy on imported refined sugar.

The government has also begun a credit support scheme for sugarcane growers through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and commercial banks; in addition to provision of infrastructure, such as access roads, boreholes, power lines, land acquisition, and health care facilities for new sugar estates.

To reinforce its commitment, it has banned refined sugar in retailready packets into the country.

According to industry watchers, privatisation of sugar estates has improved the subsector; it is now better managed. This, to them, can be attributed to the Nigerian Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) and the National Sugar Development Council.

But the challenge remains evolving strategies to meet the demands of about 168 million consumers and prevent huge spending on imports.

Industry players contend that there is an urgent need to establish mills where sugarcane can be crushed. They also add that sufficient portions of land should be made available to grow the plant.

Sugar cane farmers complain of dearth of industrial buyers which leads to immense post-harvest wastage.

• Sugar cane plantation

Analysts believe that the establishment of a board to link buyers (companies) and sellers (farmers) could be a way out.

Reacting to the development, the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) lauded the policy, describing it as a bold step which, if well implemented, will have a multiplier effect on the sugar sector.

“If we don’t want to move backward, we should take our destiny in our hands to reduce importation, save the naira and the exchange rate and give jobs to our people,” said former NACCIMA DirectorGeneral, John Isemede.

He said the private sector strongly believes that with these incentives, new investors will come into the sector while existing ones may expand their operations which would create jobs.

“Those who are service providers, those who are into agro chemical and implements will have jobs,” he emphasised.

However, he urged that priority should be given to companies and individuals in form of tax holidays, so that: ”We do not leave our gates open for people to come in only to invest and after four-to- five years, because you have given them pioneer status, they will relocate to neighbouring countries.”

“There should be a road map and it should be properly monitored so that we do not solve one problem and create multiple other problems. So, the position of NACCIMA, or the OPS, is that it is a welcome development because it will create jobs, it will reduce the price of sugar “In addition, it will help the country to move from its present level of the consumption of granulated sugar to cube and brown sugar, the one used for cakemaking, so, it is a welcome development”.

He noted that extant companies in the sector, such as Dangote Sugar Refinery and BUA Sugar Refinery, are into pack sizes now, and they have big sugar cane farms.

“Dangote has a big farm in Numa, Adamawa State, which is the Savannah Sugar Company. So, they can now continue to invest more. You heard of Bacita Sugar, there is one in Hadejia and there is another one in Kwara. So, these are opportunities that we have to tap into to develop our economy,” he added.

Managing Director, A &P Foods Limited, Sameer Vaswani, manufacturers of HAANSBRO brand of biscuits, chewing gums and sweets, also hailed the policy.

Vaswani said: “The three main raw materials required for biscuit production are flour, sugar and

•From left: Treasurer, Ikorodu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Prince Seye Adedipe; ex-officio member Alhaja Kudirat Olayinka Lamina; President, Prince Jamiu Adio Saka; Human Resources Manager, Hypo Hygiene Ltd., Mr. Akin Ogunsolu; Vice President, ICCI, Hamed Olugbenga Lawal, and member Alhaji Fatai Kolawole during a visit by the chamber officials to Hypo Hygiene Ltd office in Lagos.

palm oil. The long-term policy of encouraging local sugar cane plantations and growing of sugar cane locally is a fantastic policy but it needs time as sugarcane planting and harvesting cannot just start overnight.”

In order to ensure availability of sugar cane, Executive Secretary, National Sugar Development Council, Abuja, Dr. Latif Busari, unveiled plans to cite 236,000 land banks in 17 states for sugarcane production.

He listed the states as Katsina, Zamafara, Jigawa, Imo, Ogun, Kwara, Kogi, Edo, Cross River, Benue, Taraba, Ogun, Plateau, Ondo, Anambra and Adamawa.

According to him, the industry is a promoter of investment, job and wealth creation and a tool for rapid rural development as it creates communities that are self-sufficient.

As an example, he said that in India, the sugar industry employs one million people directly and six million indirectly, stressing that it is what it will do for Nigeria.

He advised the Federal Government to encourage states to make land available to existing and prospective investors for the project.

He said the expected cost of implementing the project to raise local sugar production for selfsufficiency as in the cement is about $3.1 billion. This will stem the tide of importation and enhance the production of ethanol and electricity generation.

In an interview, former Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, said compared to other West African countries, Nigeria produces two per cent of the 2.5 million metric tonnes of sugar required for its 170 million population while over 75 per cent of raw sugar is imported and granulated by a few investors in the sugar sector. Thus, the country is the lowest producer in the region, in spite of abundant raw materials for sugar production across the country.

For instance, Benin Republic produces 25.6 per cent of its sugar requirement; Burkina Faso, 47 per cent; Cote d’Ivoire 54 per cent; Senegal, 48 per cent and Mali, 28 per cent.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

INDUSTRY

Diversification: Experts canvass appropriate taxation

H

OW should Nigeria diversify its economy to save it from the effects of falling oil

prices?

Appropriate taxation is the answer if the economy must be diversified. This is the view of experts and operators in real sector.

In separate interviews, some of them noted that states that find it difficult to pay salaries have poor Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR), in addition to the non-remittance of their monthly allocation from the Federation Account due to the fall in global oil prices. They argued that appropriate taxation is a viable way of diversifying the economy.

For instance, the former Minister of Industry and Deputy President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mrs Nike Akande, made a case for appropriate taxation, noting that in the face of dwindling revenue from the Federation Account and the failure of state governments to meet their obligations, there is the need to encourage individuals and corporate bodies to pay taxes.

“Without adequate taxation the government would not be able to provide key infrastructure. Everybody that is in a position to pay tax should do so without prompting, that is the only way government can work. The challenging economic environment provides opportunity for innovative policies that should encourage people to pay their taxes and for government to reward those who are faithful to their civic responsibility,” Chief Akande said.

Akande, who is also a tax ambassador for Lagos State, an award she got for her diligence in income tax payment, praised the state government for its innovative tax policies which resulted in exemplary governance and competitive infrastructure.

She, however, cautioned that multiple taxations is unhealthy for the manufacturing sector, calling for the harmonisation of taxes among the various levels of government to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

She advised the government to support the ‘Buy Nigeria’ campaign, noting that it is the only way products can be more competitive and

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

the local industries stimulated.

Her words: “A lot of people are buying locally-made and designed fabrics now. If our local designers become more creative, more people will patronise them. When l was a minister, l made sure that l wore locally made fabrics in all my official engagements. l would wish that the government continues to promote the use of local fabrics. If you tax manufacturers without encouraging them to grow with innovative policies and supportive infrastructure, you will kill the local industries.”

President, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Mr Bassey Edem, also harped on the need to harmonise state and local government tax agencies that introduce spurious taxes inimical to the growth of businesses. He said though he supports taxation, multiple and spurious taxation are injurious to business.

He called for a stop to the exportation of raw materials. Rather, he said local industries should be encouraged to use available local materials, add value to them and provide finished products that can earn foreign exchange.

Edem further urged the government to invest in the energy sector by harnessing alternative sources of energy, such as wind, coal and solar, to improve electricity supply to support the manufacturing sector.

President, Nigeria Association of Technology Incubation Entrepreneurs (NATIE), Mr. Duro Kuteyi, said manufacturers were not unwilling to pay taxes, but would want to be taxed fairly.

Lauding the appointments at the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), he urged the government to look into the challenges facing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in terms of cost of infrastructure, multiple taxation and cost of funds.

“Manufacturers are expecting a reduction in tax rates. We are also looking at the FIRS to have a window for us to discuss and for them to understand how the economy has dealt with the SMEs before now.

Smuggling is killing the efforts of SMEs, big multinationals producing raw materials are also killing the

Gabon is top sub-Saharan African country in retail growth

G

ABON is the most attrac tive sub-Saharan African country for international retailers to target due to strong economic growth and a stable middle class, according to A.T. Kearney’s African Retail Development Index.

The study, which evaluated 48 countries in the region, ranked Gabon ahead of Botswana, Angola and Nigeria, Africa’s biggest economy and most populous country.

The index, published by the United States (US) consultancy, is compiled based on size of the urban population, business efficiency and risk of investment.

“Scale will come to sub-Saharan Africa only when a few things happen, particularly the development

China needs economic reforms, says EU

• Mrs Akande

T

HE European Union Cham ber of Commerce in China has said China needs to accelerate its reforms to stop the slide in its economic growth.

“The economy is slowing, and promised reforms are taking too long to implement,” the chamber’s president, Joerg Wuttke said.

The yearly increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has slowed to around 7 per cent, cooling the enthusiasm of many foreign investing companies.

“It’s not the end of the world for us,” Wuttke said, ahead of the release of the chamber’s

• Kuteyi

SMEs by taking up their product and producing them en-masse. They should not also compete with SMEs in producing the same products because we cannot compete with them on spread, distribution network and financing,” he said.

Kuteyi appealed to the government to address the challenge of power supply. According to him, fixed electricity charges on all sizes of SMEs are affecting operators severely. “They don’t want to listen.

The government should really look at more protection for SMEs to thrive,” he added.

T

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie and Temitayo Ayetoto

He explained that such assistance is rendered to scrupulous clients who display a good track record that meets loan repayment.

ICCI president Mr Jamiu Saka praised BOI for sensitising SMEs about various aids and disbursements available to them, noting that businesses and establishments are eager for favourable times under the current dispensation.

“As we all know, it is a new dawn in Nigeria and expectations are very high of a change for better in the life of the nation. Businesses and industries especially look forward to and are sincerely entitled to improvement in their fortunes, howbeit in terms of provision of better infrastructure, conducive environment and not at the least, access to loans and credit to finance their operations,” he said.

Reiterating that SMEs have a strong hold on economic growth and promotion of even development, Saka said the luncheon was an avenue to scale the readiness of BOI to realise the desired growth and development.

In a related development, BoI has

an investment commitment of $6 million (N1.2 billion) in SMEs. According to a statement released in Lagos, the bank said the investment commitment came through the $60-million Venture Capital Fund raised by Grow Africa Equity Partners Limited.

It said the Venture Capital Fund focuses on providing equity capital with strategic and operational support to early stage.

The statement quoted BoI Managing Director as saying:“Nigerian businesses cannot be built on debt alone. It has long been part of the bank’s vision to find ways to provide sorely needed equity capital and business advice to promising Nigerian businesses.

Our partnership with Grow Africa is one of the avenues for realising this vision and we remain committed to the pursuit of our core mandate,” the statement reads.”

It also quoted Olaoluwa as stating that the investment commitment was informed by the track record of Grow Africa’s partners. He said: “Our commitment was also informed by the developmental impact of their existing portfolio and their strong pipeline for potential new investments.”

In statement also, the Chairman of

annual position paper, European Business in China.

“One of the most urgent problems was the high level of China’s debt,” he said.

The country’s total debt is estimated at 282 per cent of GDP, according to financial consultants McKinsey.

“Around a fifth of the debt is held by government bodies, and nearly a quarter by financial institutions, with 44 per cent by non-financial corporations, and the remaining 13 per cent by households, ‘’Wuttke said.

JCI fetes Asia business community

T

HE Junior Chamber International Nigeria (JCIN) has concluded plans to host a business forum – ‘Let’s go to Asia’ on Setember 27, at the Intercontinental Hotel, Lagos.

Let’s go to Asia is a prelude to the centenary anniversary of JCI holding in Kanazawa, Japan.

The forum is offers a platform of opportunities to promote business relationships between young Nigerian business leaders and Asian companies.

On the initiative, JCIN National President Mr Seun Osikalu said:

BoI partners 122 BDSPs on SME promotion O address the bane of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), the Bank of Industry has signed a service pact to engage 122 Business Development Service Providers (BSDPs).

Its Managing Director, Mr Rasheed Olaoluwa stated this at the 7th luncheon of Ikorodu Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Its the theme was Role of the Bank of Industry in the Development of Nigeria’s Industrial Sector in the current dispensation.

He said the BSDPs would sharpen loans application, documentation and pre-disbursement conditions, business plans and feasibility study, progress rate as well as reduce Time Around Time (TAT).

His words:“This is in fulfilment of our core mandate of providing long-term financial and business support services to large, medium and small projects.”

According to him, the bank plays a major role in financing businesses through products and services like micro-credit lending, SME lending, large enterprise lending, cassava bread fund, cement fund, sugar development council fund, rice intervention fund, business fund for women including other packages.

of a shopping culture,” A.T. Kearney consultants including Mike Moriarty and Jaco Prinsloo said in the report. “The first priority in most markets is for basics and dry goods, but over time fresh supply chains and modern shopping space will be increasingly needed.”

South African retailers including Shoprite Holdings Ltd., Woolworths Holdings Ltd and Pick n Pay Stores Ltd. are expanding on the continent to take advantage of higher economic growth rates than in their home market and rising household incomes.

U.S. chain Wal-Mart Stores Inc is also adding new stores in sub-Saharan Africa through its Johannesburg-based, Massmart Holdings Ltd. None of the four chains have entered Gabon.

Grow Africa Equity Partners Limited, Adedotun Sulaiman, said Nigerian businesses could become global leaders with the right type of support. “Over the past 10 years, I have provided capital and advice which have helped several businesses grow from ideas into multi-billion Naira industrial leaders.”

He noted that the partnership, will spur more entrepreneurs to realise their dreams of creating leading companies and delivering massive value to Nigeria.’’

On his part, Managing Director of the firm, Afam Edozie, said: “we are extremely pleased with this partnership with BoI. This is a strong signal of the bank’s commitment to supporting indigenous Fund Managers to catalyse growth and sustainable development in Nigeria.”

He added that the new investment will increase development impact and socio-economic benefits through the creation of additional jobs, development of local entrepreneurship and will create additional fiscal revenue to government. He further praised BoI’s dedication and passion in helping to build world-class industries in Nigeria.

“Our members invest a lot of resources on their various travels around the world for JCI programmes and conferences.

These events provide enormous opportunities for our members to establish lifelong relationships and we want our members and interested members of the public to take deliberate advantage of such opportunities. We have partnered with Asian trade and commercial missions in Nigeria to come sell their countries and they are excited at the prospects that the forum offers.”

Also, the National Director of Business Affairs, Mr Jide Benson said: “We reckon that since a large delegation of our members will be attending the week-long world congress in Kanazawa Japan, which will be an opportunity for direct interaction with business organisations and people in the Asiatic regions - Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, Singapore, Phillipines, Malaysia, Japan and others - so we thought it fit to be equipped with the right information and knowledge before departure. The region, being the hub for manufacturing and production, has a lot to offer discerning business people.”

The event is a fee for interested persons and is open to members and non members seeking opportunities to be tapped in Asia and JCI Nigeria is proud to see the need and take the lead.

The Junior Chamber International is a world federation of young (community and business) leaders that provide development opportunities for active citizens to create positive change.

Entrepreneurship is one of the ideals that the organisation promotes sand the LTGA is geared towards this area.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

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THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

50

RE: PRESIDENT BUHARI: WHAT YOU NEED TO INVESTIGATE ABOUT KATSINA STATE GOVERNOR

T

his is a direct response to a paid advertorial that ran on page 59 of Daily Trust Newspapers of Monday September 7th 2015. Locally, within Katsina State, the symptoms and evidences of the trauma of defeat that the PDP was subjected to by the citizens of the state are still visible. It is a big shame that the PDP has decided to expose itself to further ridicule, by sponsoring unverifiable lies on the pages of newspapers. For a political party that ruled this country for 16 uninterrupted years, to come out and dish out blatant lies, is to say the least uncharitable.

Well, it is pathetic that much more than any other thing, the PDP in Katsina State is refusing to come to terms with the reality that the party is no longer in government. The PDP here is contagiously disturbed that the era of impunity is over. The era of abuse of public finances is over. And if it can, it will do anything, just anything, to malign, the dignity of the ruling APC in Katsina State.

For the records all the issues raised in that advertorial are false, typical of the PDP, a political party that was built and nurtured on falsehood, and reared to ensure, this country is destabilized when they are rejected and thrown out of power by the electorates. So as Nigerians, we have seen nothing yet.

For the sponsors and authors of the advertorial to call on President Muhammadu Buhari, to descend down to their level is pathetic. One recalls how the PDP, while they held sway in Katsina State, invited former President Goodluck Jonathan, to come down all the way from Abuja, just to inspect and bless the construction of a new Government House project.

Probably this explains the logic behind the call on President Buhari to “take more than cursory interest in the events going on in the state”. President Buhari has a tight schedule, working round the clock to bring sanity back on stream in our great country. Just like the Governor of Katsina State, RT HON Aminu Bello Masari, is working hard to clear the rot left behind by the PDP. One of the most disgusting rots left behind by the PDP in Katsina State was a backlog of pension and gratuity arrears totalling over 11 billion Naira. The cowards that the PDP leaders were, they paid workers salaries to their last day in government. They were afraid of worker’s strike; something that will expose their indecencies. But because pensioners are not prone to violence and protest, the PDP refused to pay their entitlements running into several months. This is the point that must be understood, if one wants a clearer picture of the letter from the office of the Governor of Katsina State to the House of Assembly. The letter that was quoted by the sponsors of that advertorial.

Now, following the resolution at the end of FAAC meeting in july, the Accountant General of Katsina State wrote to the CBN asking for his state’s share of BAILOUT ON OUTSTANDING SALARY FOR WORKERS OF STATE

AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT. And subsequently the Governor wrote to the state House of Assembly seeking for approval to access this BAILOUT, which is a loan from the CBN. What katsina State government plans to do is to use the funds to pay off outstanding pension and gratuity that was left behind by the PDP. The government views pension and gratuity as an extension of salaries. After all it is beneficiaries of salaries that end up as pensioners. For someone to turn round trying to malign the name of Katsina State Government on this issue is wicked and vindictive. All the states of the federation will benefit from this BAILOUT. Katsina should not be an exception. It is out of the question for anybody to say Katsina should not benefit. The APC Government is disappointed that some people claiming to be indigenes of the state will come out to criticize this noble quest by the government to upset pensioners’ outstanding gratuity and pension.

The sponsors and authors of the advertorial in question also called on the EFCC and ICPC to investigate the Government of Katsina State which is barely three months in office. Well it is our humble opinion that one does not need to tell these agencies of government their responsibilities to the Nigerian people. But the point must be made that the PDP glorified corruption and exalted the corrupt. With this attitude and viewpoint in mind, the PDP believes leadership is all about corruption and that every leader must necessarily be corrupt. Well for the records, the APC Government in Katsina State believes differently. To the APC, leadership is a trust and service to God and country. By voting out the PDP out of leadership, the people of Katsina State have voted out corruption out of their polity and politics.

The allegation that the government awarded N2.8 billion Naira contract for the supply of fertilizer is false. This is confirmed by the wordings of the allegation. The authors coined it this way; “alleged unlawful award……”. It is brazenly spiteful and insulting for the authors of the advertorial to dish out what they called “alleged” to the citizen. This is evident of uncouth and impolite behaviour.

Of course this is another confirmation of PDP’s master/ servant relationship that they subjected Nigerians to. Thank God it’s over.

The allegation that duly elected local government councils were illegally dissolved is bogus and spurious. Governor Aminu Bello Masari will never do such a thing. He is a product of a legal electoral process. He values genuine people’s mandate. The election, procedure and manner in which local councils leadership were put in place by the departed PDP left much to be desired. In the first place, the PDP government in Katsina State passed a law that authorized the state governor to expel local councils, on the advice of the state House of Assembly. In the case of the sacking of local councils by the APC led Government, what happened was that, the Katsina State House of Assembly investigated and discovered that the council officials

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

51

embezzled over 11 billion Naira public fund. Subsequently, the Assembly after satisfying all laid down procedure advised the Government to sack the elected council officials.

This was what happened. And for anybody to turn round and accuse the government of illegal dissolution of duly elected local councils is being mischievous. That action by the government is what the authors of the advertorial called illegal dissolution.

The allegation that a contract has been awarded for the replacement of furniture at the Katsina Government’s House is unintelligent. This did not happen. It was never contemplated. It was really imprudent and irrational to make that wild and unsubstantiated allegation. Another symptom of trauma of defeat.

The advertorial also mentioned “alleged diversion of N2 billion Naira loan borrowed from Bank of Industries…..”. this is not true. The Government of Katsina State, as constituted under the banner of the APC did not ask for any loan from the Bank of Industry. The Government of Katsina State challenges anybody with any evidence linking it with this loan to come forward with evidence. Another symptom of trauma. There is this popular saying, “comments are free, but facts are sacred. “ Get your facts right. Then we talk.

The more one looks at the issues raised in that advertorial, the more one is inclined to pity the PDP in Katsina State.

That the APC Government in Katsina State deducted N510 million Naira from local governments account to fight Boko Haram is false. Over the years, rural banditry and cattle rustling was the order in several states in the northwest of Nigeria. And the PDP government looked away. One recalls the day former president Goodluck Jonathan came visiting, a day when these bandits attacked a number of villages in our great state, killing 140 of our citizens and carting away their livestock in a single day. Instead of fighting back, the PDP top guns were celebrating and dancing in Katsina State Government House. The people, our people were left with their despair. One of the first bold steps taken by APC Governors from the northwest was to meet and devise means of confronting these bad elements that were allowed to thrive under the PDP. Today these rural bandits and cattle rustlers are on the run and our country side is safe. And for the records N510 million Naira was not deducted from local governments accounts. It was a joint operation involving six states including our beloved Katsina. What we contributed like all the other states was 100 million Naira.

And what about N589 million Naira for Ramadan feeding.

The PDP entrenched this practice. But in our opinion, the wrong way. Under the PDP, Ramadan feeding was exclusively for card carrying members of the party. As a party and government, the APC distributed food stuff to all the polling units in the state. And everybody benefitted.

There are several documented stories to confirm our

position. There are PDP faithful, who out of despair thought that with their party out of government, it was good bye to Ramadan feeding. They were shocked when they got their share and were not ashamed to celebrate the APC. So when we see the issue of Ramadan feeding in your advertorial, we understand; you are daily loosing goodwill even from your diehards. Naturally you will do anything just to save your life from waste. We also challenge you to deny the fact that under the PDP over one billion Naira was spent on Ramadan gift. So for you to accuse us of expending 589 million Naira is uncharitable.

Former PDP government in Katsina State was advised to renovate Old Government House at N1.5 billion. This advice was rejected. The government went ahead to construct a new Government House at well over N10 billion Naira. This is our own position on your allegation that the APC government plans to renovate the old Government House at N1.5 billion. We are available. Come with your proof and lets talk about it. We also dare you to deny spending over 10 billion in constructing the new government house when you know 1.5 billion would have accomplished the same task.

The APC, arguably, is the only party to enjoy popular support in the political history of our great and beloved fatherland. And for anybody to say the APC government in Katsina will use local council’s officials to abuse public fund is difficult to accept. The PDP is out of power. It must learn to deal and live with that reality. The PDP must stop this unprofitable pull him down syndrome.

This goes without saying that it is foolhardy and reckless to ask RT HON Aminu Bello Masari, Governor of Katsina State to abdicate and hand over the reins of leadership. We are talking about a leader with well over six million followers.

Governor Masari will never betray this huge multitude.

They love and trust him. That is why they voted for him.

Yes, he is the people’s choice. This has been confirmed by the huge number of votes he garnered at the polls. When in doubt ask INEC’s CARD READER, the one technological force that aligned with the Nigerian people to push the PDP to the dustbin of Nigeria’s political history.

For the records, Katsina State Government is open to criticism. And for those who feel strongly about our actions and inactions, we are happy to engage in open debate using whatever platform that is convenient to them. It is only the guilty that are afraid.

This open challenge is directly targeting Movement for Transparency and Accountability, and any other persons or interests groups. APC led-Katsina State has nothing to hide. And if anybody has anything against this government, we are ready and available for open debate anywhere, anytime.

ABDU LABARAN SENIOR SPECIAL ASSISTANT (MEDIA) TO THE GOVERNOR, KATSINA STATE

52

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS SHOPPING

Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.net

E-mail: toniaitose@gmail.com

SMS : 07035302326

Cheaper bargains, rather than product ‘loyalty’ is now the ‘in-thing’ for shoppers, who, are becoming more conscious of their spending powers, especially in the face of a harsh economy. Retailers, conscious of this development, are cashing in on the lure of sales promotions to attract and retain customers’ patronage, writes TONIA ‘DIYAN.

F

OR some common and popular commodity brands, these are not the best of times.

With rising competition from other lesser brands- offering lesser cost, and competing for the same disposable income of the consumer, bigger and more popular brands are gradually losing their market dominance. And with this comes the waning ideology of product or brand loyalty.

Several housewives, obviously out to save cost on purchases, say they now look for alternatives that still offer the same quality on the popular brands they are used to.

For instance, a housewife, Mrs. Adeola Tijani, revealed that owing to the high cost of buying a particularly popular dish washing liquid soap, she has found an alternative in an obscure but highly effectively alternative liquid soap to do her dishes. In the process, she said she has been able to save over N250 on the product. Similarly, another housewife, Hajia Adijat Kareem, explained that her choice for a particularly popular beverage has been jettisoned owing to its rising cost; she has since settled for a less popular brand of beverage, with she claims, offers the same taste and satisfaction for her at a cheaper price. The reality now staring both manufacturers and retailers in the face is that the era of product loyalty is long gone.

Available data from a 2012 shoppers’ survey conducted by United Kingdom’s Kantar Worldpanel, testifies to this reality.

According to the survey, about 50 per cent of a product’s ‘loyal’ users might dump the product for another brand following year. And the reasons for this trend though appear minute, yet very significant.

The Worldpanel survey revealed that shoppers were no longer keen when it comes to product loyalty.

Reason for this, the survey revealed, is that the market has been saturated with a retail environment increasingly driven by promotions. “Price promotions have always been an important part of retail and product loyalty,

B

•Shoppers at a store

The waning power of loyalty but have become more of a concern to retailers recently as the number of products sold on discounts continues to climb and retailers seem not to make much profit. Generally, promotions now account for 40 per cent of branded product sales, which has to be influencing the way people shop,” the Worldpanel survey revealed.

Another survey also shows that over 5,500 shoppers bought more than 450 brands online and offline across 17 categories in the past quarter of the year. Observations across the Lagos metropolis also show that an average of 42 per cent of consumers have a particular product in mind before they go shopping, leading to consumers buying at least two different products in the majority of categories. Experts believe that the high level of transparency among major grocers and the fact that consumers can easily compare prices when products are on the shelf led to more price-matching, which has had a major effect on the promotional landscape, thereby resulting to product disloyalty amongst consumers.

Now, realising the effect of promotions, retailers now strive to

outdo one another on promotional strategies in certain highly promoted categories that can mean a continuing increase in their level of promotions to encourage product loyalty. If one retailer introduces a promotional package, others copy it and even add a new idea. For instance, the food category is a sector where purchase behaviour is influenced by what is on offer as at the time of purchase.

According to findings within Lagos, only 21 per cent of shoppers plan which type of consumable they are going to buy prior to going shopping. Some shoppers cannot afford to be loyal to a particular product as they are always happy to buy across price tiers. So, the same shopper who will buy a product ‘A’ today, for instance, is the same that will buy a product ‘B’ tomorrow, depending on what is on offer/ discount.

A manufacturer of a cosmetic product in Lagos said his brand is highly promoted, but that the majority of sales he makes are from the promotions he offers from time to time.

The manufacturer, who declined to be mentioned, said he finds relatively little

loyalty, as consumers choose what is on offer before their favourite item. This behaviour is reinforced by the layout of products in store with both brands stocked on the same shelf and in similar packaging, blurring the lines between the different price tiers.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Shoprite, Whitney Bassey noted: “Before now, marketers always asked if I introduced promotional offers.

What does it do for my business in the long-term? But now it’s more about how much profit and how much a promotion can deliver in the shortterm.” He said it’s more tactical in nature rather than a strategic long-term view. He added that manufacturers are investing more in building their businesses and creating excitement for the shop where they have their products displayed.

Even in categories where shoppers are found to be more loyal and the overall number of products purchased small, David Botha, a Manager at ‘Mr. Price’ says there is still need for a high level of promotion. Citing example with beverage, he said 51 per cent of shoppers pre-plan which brand they are going to buy prior to setting foot in

a shop, while 30 per cent change their mind while in the shop and an average shopper buys the cheapest items on the shelf.

However, experts have advised that retailers should pay close attention to the types of deal they offer because a higher level of discount does not mean higher return on investment. They should also consider whether they discount their ‘hero’ product, the one that performs best in terms of keeping loyal customers regardless of promotions or support a weaker performing product with the hope of increasing sales. Sometimes, during a one week-long promotion it will be possible for the hero product to perform more than three times better than the smaller product.

Shoppers have different views on how loyal they are to their brands.

For instance, Matthew Smith, a retailer thinks consumers have become more ruthless in their hunt for value. “Consumers are being much savvier in their shopping habits, they rather do one big shopping from a large retailer; they shop across the discounters and premium retailers. This trend will only continue,” he said. Omoba Adeyinka said he likes trying out new products. “My old products are common and I like to explore new things,” he said.

However, Kaymu Public Relations Officer, Tomiwa Oladele, said she likes to remain loyal to her favourite product especially online. Same for Mrs. Aderinola Abiola, a legal practitioner, who said she prefers staying glued to her favourite brand.

She said her favourite brands are trustworthy and have never failed her. “I don’t see any reason why I shouldn’t be loyal to my brands. As the saying goes, the devil you know is better than the angel you just met,” she said.

A brand analyst, Mr. Ayodeji Ayopo, agrees with her. He said he remains a brand loyalist and does not switch brands. His words: “I don’t switch brands easily. I am a brand loyalist. I remain committed to my brands even to tea, toothpaste and toiletries. I don’t switch.”

How hygienic is that meat?

UYING and selling of meat in bits takes place mainly in the open market as not everybody has the financial means to buy a whole livestock to refrigerate.

However, the issue of hygiene becomes a factor to consider when patronising meat sellers in the open markets.

Experts and nutritionists say that if nutrients must be gotten from this produce, it is important that they are kept hygienic and healthy at every stage of processing, including having a clean environment where they are processed. Meat at every point should be suitable for human consumption.

Most meat markets in Lagos can be considered neat as traders get rid of bones after their daily sales. Some choose to make their sale mobile by carrying it around within the market to save them the stress of cleaning after each day’s business. This neat attitude is not just because they are clean but because of government agencies that have made it a point of duty to close down meat markets that decide to make dirtiness their lifestyle.

In a visit to the meat section of Ketu and Ikotun Market, The Na-

By Ochu Ohunene Latifah and Oyewole Priscilla

tion Shopping gathered the diverse opinion of buyers on how hygienic they think the meat they buy is. Most buyers felt it was hygienic enough because it is well processed and preserved. A shopper in Ikotun Market, Mrs Romoke Adegbenga agreed that “I believe the meat we buy from these meat sellers are hygienic because of the way it is being processed and you can see that the water they use in washing before selling is clean compared to some other markets that use dirty water in washing theirs ”.

Mrs Bukola Taiwo another buyer feels it is hygienic for consumption.

“The meat is good and this is where I buy my meat right from time and it is good to me. I believe if the animal being slaughtered is healthy, then the meat should be alright. And also, the environment looks neat for selling the meat and the sellers are being careful as to how they display their meat”, she said.

Another meat buyer, Mrs. Taiwo Ojo, affirmed what the previous buyer said. “The meat I buy in this market is always neat and hygienic. There are no foreign bodies in it, ” she said.

However, there are some people who believe that the meat they buy from the sellers are not hygienic enough except for when they are cooked.

Speaking with Mrs. Rasheedat Bayode in Ikotun market, she had a contrary view, saying: “If you look around, even if the place it is being processed is hygienic, the way it is been displayed is something that gives me a lot of concern. They don’t cover their meat with maybe nylon or have a shed where they sell.This makes the meat to attract flies and they carry bacteria around which is very unhygienic and unsuitable for consumption. The only saving grace we are having is the fact that it is been boiled before eaten if not it would have been injurious to our health.”

Mr. Ayo Moses who buys meat in Ketu market also believes the meat sellers are not hygiene conscious. He said: “The meat is very unhygienic because there are flies around it. In fact, the abattoir is very dirty. It is even possible to contact diarrhoea and dysentery if you are not careful”.

Also, Mrs. Florence Adeyemi feels same as she said, “I can’t say much about how hygienic the meat is be-

•Meat section of Ketu market,Lagos

cause I have never witnessed them bringing in the meat to the market. I only see them displaying it on their tables. But displaying it in an open

place like that where people move around and in the process raise dust is what I don’t like. Because of that, I feel it is not hygienic enough.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

53

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 10-09-15

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 10-09-15

Guinness Nigeria rallies on Diageo’s share acquisition bid

G

UINNESS Nigeria Plc was a major contrarian stock against the downtrend at the stock market yesterday as investors jostled to hold equities in the brewer in anticipation of better deals from the planned share acquisition by Diageo Plc. While there were more demand, existing shareholders were reluctant to sell, creating a seller’s market that pushed the brewer and the sectoral index to the top list of advancers. Guinness Nigeria’s share price rose by 5.0 per cent or N6.57 to N138.05 per share, a gain that helped the NSE Consumer Goods Index to the top counter with the highest sectoral day-on-day gain of 1.3 per cent.

With 25 losers to 23 gainers, the benchmark index at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the All Share Index (ASI), had dropped by an average of 0.17 per cent, raising

By Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

the negative average year-todate return to -15.16 per cent.

“The positive sentiment on Guinness Nigeria was primarily due to the announcement of a planned partial tender offer by the company as the majority shareholder, Diageo seeks to increase its stake from 54.3 per cent to 70 per cent in Nigeria,” Afrinvest Securities noted in post-trading review.

Diageo Plc, the parent company of Guinness Nigeria Plc, on Wednesday said it has launched preliminary discussions on a bid to acquire additional equity stake to increase its majority controlling stake in the Nigerian subsidiary to 70 per cent.

In a regulatory filing at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday, directors of Guinness Nigeria said Diageo has approached the board with an intention to make an offer to increase its equity stake in

Guinness Nigeria from 54.3 per cent to a maximum of 70 per cent. Diageo will maintain Guinness Nigeria’s listing on the NSE. Guinness Nigeria yesterday notified the NSE of Diageo’s approach.

In a deal estimated at about N41 billion, Diageo, through its wholly-owned subsidiary-Guinness Overseas Limited; plans to purchase up to 236.18 million ordinary shares of 50 kobo each in Guinness Nigeria at a maximum price of N175.

Subject to receiving regulatory approval and if Diageo decides to proceed with the proposed transaction, Diageo, through its wholly owned subsidiary Guinness Overseas Limited, will launch a partial tender offer at a price not higher than N175 per share in cash, giving all shareholders the opportunity to elect to sell some or all of their shares in Guinness Nigeria.

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 10-09-15

54

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

MONEYLINK

NIBSS battles Chinese, Indian Customs over BVN tools at ports T HE Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) said its plans to extend the Bank Verification Number (BVN) project to China and India is hampered by delays in clearing project kits from their ports.

Speaking yesterday during the announcement of partnership between NIBSS and some telecom operators in Lagos, its Managing Director, Ade Shonubi, said some of the devices needed to commence Diaspora BVN registration in both countries are stuck in their ports.

He said: “We have been unable to get the devices out of the ports. The Customs in those countries are not co-operating with us”.

Shonubi said NIBSS is working in partnership with telcos to ensure that every one that has been enrolled on the BVN network gets his number through his phone by dialing specified code.

He said the USSD-BVN Notifica-

•Partners telcos on BVN confirmation alerts Stories by Collins Nweze

tion Service, will assist the banking sector achieve seamless Know-Your -Customer (KYC) documentation process, and will boost customers’ access to credit.

The NIBSS boss also said the BVN will enable banks blacklist fraudulent customers and ensure they do not return back to the system.

Chief Marketing Officer, Etisalat, Francesco Anjelone, said the firm is fully in support of the USSD-BVN Notification Service, describing it as an innovation. He said Etisalat keyed into the project because there will be a creation of value for both industries. “The collaboration will strengthen the BVN project,” he said.

Senior Manager, Airtel, Adefolake Ogunbayo, said Airtel customers will start checking for their BVN from Wednesday next week. She described the partnership with NIBSS as a perpetual relationship that will lead to other services.

Aside China and India, the NIBSS also is working on extending the BVN project to Washington DC, Johannesburg, and Atlanta. Other cities participating in the scheme are Guangzhou, London, Leicester, Houston and New York City.

The OIS Services, handling the Diaspora project, is expected to capture necessary data for online transmission to NIBSS, which would thereafter generate the BVN and

NDIC boss urges banks on outsourced staff

T

HE Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has called for a closer look at the phenomenon of outsourced or contract staff in banks to ensure healthy and sound practices in the banking industry.

Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Corporation, Umaru Ibrahim, made the call in Abuja during a courtesy call on him by the President and other Council Members of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).

The NDIC Boss said bank examination reports had indicated that the high incidences of fraud and forgeries in the banking system had been linked to outsourced or contract staff.

Umaru also said that in as much as regulators appreciated the necessity for banks to cut costs, it was incumbent on all stakeholders to fashion

out capacity building and other strategies to motivate all employees to contribute positively rather than engaging in criminal acts that impact adversely on the entire banking system.

The NDIC CEO also expressed concern about the plight of female employees in the banking industry. He noted that banks often engaged female employees and set for them very high targets on deposit mobilisation and other asset creation ventures, which put undue pressure on the female employees.

According to him, although some improvement had been recorded with regards to the situation, there was still need to provide a more conducive working environment in order to attract and retain a talented female workforce in the sector.

The President of the Institute, Mrs

Debola Osibogun regretted that over 75 per cent of fraud cases in the sector had been traced to outsourced bank staff who were neither professionals nor members of the CIBN. While noting that the Institute had no control over the banks, she disclosed that a Committee of the Institute was already working with heads of operations of banks on the challenges being posed by the outsourced staff and would soon submit its report to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for consideration.

The CIBN President also said the Institute had been mandated as the agency for competency framework for banking industry by the CBN, adding that the CIBN had visited banks’ academies and had issued accreditation certificate to the academies of the FirstBank, Access Bank and Guaranty Trust Bank.

communicate same to the customer.

The Diaspora customer are expected to forward their BVN to their local banks for linkage with their accounts.

The CBN has also reiterated its support for the BVN project. The regulator said the new guidelines on the BVN enrolment has authorised bank customers in Diaspora to present themselves for enrolment by using foreign based Nigerian banks.

“The first option is the customers of Nigerian banks to present themselves to the offshore branches or subsidiaries of any Nigerian banks for the BVN enrollment. The deployment of scanners and other devices to these locations have started in earnest,” it said.

•Shonubi

UBA trims loans as African units turn profit

U

NITED Bank for Africa (UBA) lowered its forecast for 2015 loan growth to five to eight percent from 15 to 20 per cent as rising regulatory and economic uncertainty increase risks to lending, the bank said yesterday.

UBA CEO Phillips Oduoza told Reuters in an investor call that the lender would maintain a conservative approach to lending for the second half of the year with a view to balancing risk with returns.

Loans grew 8.5 percent in the first half with foreign currency loans accounting for 30 per cent of total N1.16 trillion ($5.8 billion) loan book. That compares with 14 per cent growth in loans last year.

Oduoza said the bank would maintain its other forecasts. He forecast 2015 return on equity (ROE) would be above 20 percent, up from 19.2 per cent last year.

ROE hit 22.3 percent in the first six months of the year.

“We have revised downwards

our loan growth target ... given renewed uncertainty in the global and domestic market we would maintain a conservative approach,” HE said.

Nigeria’s economy slowed sharply to 2.35 percent in the second quarter from 6.54 percent a year ago as lower crude prices took its toll on Africa’s biggest economy and top oil producer.

The drop in crude prices also hit the currency market, prompting the central bank to tighten access to dollars in a bid to curb speculation on the naira, in turn hurting bank revenues from foreign exchange activities.

Oduoza noted that regulatory risk was also rising with the government withdrawing public funds from the banking sector.

Last week, UBA posted a pretax profit rise of 35 per cent in the first half to N39.04 billion ($196 million) and declared a dividend of 0.20 naira, thanks to increased income from business customers.

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS 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 FIDELITY NIG FUND • UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

126.04 9.17 1.12 1.19 0.63 1.39 1,744.73 1,104.77 112.34 121.16 1.67 1.2457 1.3572 0.7762 1.1739

125.82 9.08 1.12 1.19 0.62 1.33 1,744.73 1,104.00 111.75 120.30 1.62 1.2393 1.3572 0.7637 1.1739

O/PRICE

HONEYFLOUR 2.52 DIAMONDBNK 3.40 GUINNESS 131.48 CONTINSURE 0.81 NFM 0.64 EVANSMED 0.68 PAINTCOM 1.14 NASCON 5.80 TRANSEXPR 1.21 PZ 25.00

C/PRICE

CHANGE

2.75 3.57 138.05 0.85 0.67 0.71 1.19 6.05 1.26 26.00

0.23 0.17 6.57 0.04 0.03 0.03 0.05 0.25 0.05 1.00

`

LOSERS AS AT 10-09-15

SYMBOL UBCAP VONO UBA FBNH SKYEBANK TRANSCORP CADBURY STANBIC FCMB ACCESS ETRANZACT

O/PRICE 1.51 1.08 4.09 6.63 2.36 2.33 24.51 24.90 2.43 4.90 2.33

C/PRICE 1.37 0.98 3.55 6.15 2.20 2.19 23.06 23.66 2.31 4.66 2.22

Inflation:April

8.5%

Monetary Policy Rate

13.0%

Foreign Reserves

$28.2b

Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

$67.91

CHANGE -0.14 -0.10 -0.34 -0.48 -0.16 -0.14 -1.45 -1.24 -0.12 -0.24 -0.11

FOREX RATES (NairaVs Dollar) May 28, 2015 Interbank ($/N)

199.00

$1

Black Market ($/N)

215.00

$1

London Inter-bank Offered Rates (LIBOR)

Money Supply (M2)

GAINERS AS AT 10-09-15

SYMBOL

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

N16.42 trillion.

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

N17.2 trillion

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

Tenor

16.5%

12-02-15 Rate (%) Rate (%) 13-02-15

Overnight (O/N)

14.683

76.583

1M

15.033

15.977

3M

15.809

17.177

6M

16.493

17.908

Tenor 1 Month 2 Months 3 Months 6 Months 12 Months

May 27

May 28

Rate)%

Rate (%)

0.1735 0.2147 0.2615 0.3841 0.6709

0.1715 0.2108 0.2626 0.3857 0.6744

Nigerian Stock Market Indices 27 May Statistics 5 May All Share Index 34,649.3 29,383.93 Mkt Cap (NGN’bn) 11.8 9,804.36 Deals 3,385 3,714 Volume (mn) 564,28 377,75 Value (NGN’mn) 6,087.80 6,568.66 GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

Transaction Dates 03/02/2015 3/12/2014 1/12/2014

Amount Offered in ($) 500m 400m 350m

Amount Sold in ($) 499.93m 399.97m 349.96m

Tenor

Feb. 13, 2015

Rates

T-bills - 91

12.44

T-bills - 182

13.85

T-bills - 364

13.92

Bond - 3yrs

15.92

Bond - 5yrs

17.22

Bond - 7yrs

16.59

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

55

NEWS

APC to Fayose: spend bailout T cash on salary

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has urged Governor Ayodele Fayose to make judicious use of the bailout loans being facilitated by the Federal Government.

It said the call became imperative against the backdrop of his alleged misapplication of the balance of the N4billion bond taken by former Governor Adeniyi Adebayo, which Fayose allegedly diverted in 2004 to other purposes different from the terms of the bond agreement.

The party’s Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, said in a statement that Ekiti people would want the governor to spend the loans for salary and other debts owed civil servants and former political office holders.

He said the disbursements and expenditure would be monitored to ensure compliance with the terms of borrow-

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

ing, to curb diversion.

Olatunbosun said: “Our concern is premised on the alarm Governor Fayose has been raising on the status of the state’s debts, particularly his condemnation of the Federal Government’s bailout initiative, which he dismissed as not a bailout but a statutory allocation.

“It is gratifying that the Federal Government again made available N9.6billion to the state to offset salaries, allowances and other emoluments owed civil servants, pensioners and former political appointees, but we have our reservations on the governor’s new move to access another N10billion to be repaid in 10 years.

“Our reservations is premised on the evidence that the gover-

nor has no development blueprint he put before Ekiti people during campaigns, fuelling fears that the loan may end up as the 2005 bond cash, which Fayose allegedly misappropriated in his N1.3billion fraudulent poultry project that was never in his development blueprint.”

Stressing that the governor’s meeting with workers to seek their opinion on the propriety of taking the N9.6billion loan was diversionary and a fraud on the intelligence of the Ekiti workforce, the APC spokesman said the party could not fathom why a governor that had taken the loan, would pretend that workers’ input mattered in order to blindfold the workers into a collective responsibility fraud to extract workers’ solidarity.

He added that with the loan

facilities, Fayose had no reason to owe any category of civil and public servants, including former political office holders, as the loans were approved for such purposes.

Olatunbosun said: “We urge workers to insist that the loans should be devoted to the payment of their salaries as approved by the lending authorities. Former political office holders should impress it on the governor to pay their severance allowances and other entitlements as approved in the mandate of the loan scheme.

“Knowing the kind of man the governor is in money matters, we hereby put the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) on notice to monitor disbursements and appropriation of the loan to ensure that the money does not end up in private pockets.”

FRSC boss urges marketers to upgrade safety standard

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ORPS Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Boboye Oyeyemi has urged the independent petroleum marketers to upgrade their safety standards in line with global best practice in conveying petroleum products.

He said the safety standard must not be compromised on the altar of profit-making.

Oyeyemi, who spoke in a statement at a presentation of the Transport Service Providers’ Training Workshop at Oando Nigeria Plc in Apapa, Lagos, said the country had reached a stage where stakeholders must take road safety serious by observing the safety standards set to guarantee safety of life and property.

He expressed dissatisfaction that most of the crashes involving tankers/trailers were avoidable, as the vehicles were old and mechanically-dysfunctional, with the drivers poorly-trained.

Oyeyemi enjoined stakeholders to demonstrate commitment to road safety by adopting scientific safety measures in their operations.

He said: “It is unprecedented in the history of this country that the number of tanker/trailer crashes as well as the casualties recorded this year ever happened.

“In June, we recorded 16 crashes involving tankers/ trailers, while that of Onitsha claimed 49 lives.

“The other crashes, which occurred in Lagos and other parts of the country not only claimed lives, but also destroyed houses and vehicles in the inferno that threw the nation into mourning.”

Giving an overview of the crash situation globally, Oyeyemi said 1.3 million people die annually from road crashes and 50 million suffer injuries, with Nigeria accounting for 10, 380 of the crashes last year.

“Five thousand five hun-

Stakeholders hail deployment of commission’s personnel

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TAKEHOLDERS in the petroleum product marketing sector yesterday reviewed the initiative on the movement of the personnel of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to depots and tank farms.

They said it was an appropriate action capable of contributing to the efforts to tackle crashes involving tankers and trailers.

Speaking at an interactive session with the stakeholders, who came to review the programme one week after it began, the participants praised the FRSC for its response to a call by the stakeholders at a national summit on haulage operations organised by the FRSC. The commission deployed 160 of its personnel in the depots and tank farms on September 1 to enforce minimum safety standards concerning tankers that load petroleum products from the facilities.

The initiative was intended to save the nation from tanker crashes and spillage of fuel, which cause destruction of life and property through inferno.

Evaluating the operational policy, Corps Marshal Boboye Oyeyemi said the deployment officers was to ensure that tanker drivers observed the minimum safety standard at the depots before loading the products.

He advised the stakeholders to do more to achieve the desired results.

Oyeyemi said the idea was mooted at the national summit and agreed to by the stakeholders, making it part of the plan of action, which was arrived at to reduce tankers/trailers crashes.

The Executive Secretary of the Major Marketers Association, Mr. Obafemi Olawore, hailed the FRSC for the initiative, saying it would create awareness on minimum safety standard by tanker drivers and reduce carnage involving trucks.

He expressed confidence in the success of the programme and enjoined depot owners and facility managers, who were yet to harmonise their operations with the operational details of the officers, to do so, as that could assist in achieving the desired results.

Among participants at the session were representatives of the Depot Owners Association of Nigeria, Petroleum Tanker Drivers Division of NUPENG, Marine Transport Owners Association of Nigeria and other safety and depot managers from depots and tanker farms in Lagos and its environs.

dred and ninety-six people died last year in the country from road crashes. Thirty thousand and eighty nine suffered injuries and 16, 779 vehicles were involved,” he added.

Speaking on the policy measures put in place by the FRSC to avoid crashes involving haulage vehicles, Oyeyemi said the Road Transport Safety Standardisation Scheme (RTSSS), which the commission launched in 2007,

was aimed at creating safe environment for fleet operators.

According to him, the scheme required the employment of a safety manager by every operator with over five vehicles in his fleet to ensure observance of safety rules and regulations by the drivers of the company.

The workshop was organised by Oando Nigeria PLC, with participants from fleet managers of the major petroleum marketers.

Agagu lecture holds Sunday

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HE second edition of the annual memorial lecture in honour of the former minister of Aviation and ex-Ondo State Governor Olusegun Agagu will hold on Sunday at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

According to the Board of Trustees of the

Olusegun Agagu Foundation, a keynote address would be delivered under the chairmanship of former President Olusegun Obasanjo by Togo exPrime Minister Edem Kodjo.

The topic of the address is: ‘Resource, Policy and Economics’.

•Oyeyemi

R

Rave FM hits airwaves

AVE FM, a newly-licensed radio station, will begin operations early next month as the first youth-oriented and urban digitally-equipped radio station in Osun State.

It will operate on frequency 91.7 FM. Rave FM is a regional and a commercial radio station, which will broadcast 24 hours daily, offering the best of music and quality shows.

The station’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Femi Adefila, said in a statement that the station would target the young, creative class seeking new music and emerging artistes, adding that youth culture was not defined by age but by interest in innovative cultural expression.

He said Rave FM was committed to deepening the culture of public discourse through refreshing and objective debates on topical issues.

“Our listeners will enjoy the best of up-to-date news, business, entertainment, traffic, sports, weather and much more through our programmes.

“We will serve the needs of listeners across the Southwest, as well as listeners around the world via our online streaming portal www.rave917.fm and other platforms, such as our IOS App, Android App, Blackberry App and Tune in Radio.”

Oyo tribunal: Lawyers submit final addresses From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

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HE lawyers in the case between Chief Oyebisi Ilaka, the Accord senatorial candidate in Oyo Central and Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) standard-bearer, holding at the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Ibadan, have submitted their final addresses to the judges.

Following submission of the addresses, the tribunal Chairman, Justice J.G. Abundaga, adjourned the judgment to a date that would be communicated to the lawyers.

The petitioner’s counsel, Olawale Omoloye, delivering his addresses and adopting them before the tribunal, said the two written addresses were the final argument on the part of his client and pleaded with the tribunal to grant the relief and prayer being sought.

The first respondent, Senator Sunmonu, was represented by Tola Oshobi, the second respondent, the APC, was represented

by O. Olowofela and the third respondent, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), was represented by Adisa Oluwatosin. They addressed the tribunal and adopted the final written addresses.

Oshobi prayed the tribunal to dismiss the petition and award substantial cost against the petitioner for bringing an incompetent case.

Glo treats Abeokuta, Ikorodu, residents to music, comedy shows

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LOBACOM has promised residents of Abeokuta in Ogun State and Ikorodu in Lagos State a memorable weekend of fun and entertainment, as it stages its musical and comedy shows in the towns.

The national operator said in a statement in Lagos that it would hold its musical concert, Glo Slide ‘n’ Bounce, in Ikorodu tomorrow, adding that this would be followed by the comedy show, Glo Laffta Fest, to be held at the O.K. Centre, Abeokuta on Sunday.

Globacom said it had concluded arrangements to ensure that its subscribers in the two towns and surrounding communities had a memorable weekend by lining up the best hands in the entertainment industry.

The Abeokuta event, the company said, would feature first-class comedians, such as Bovi, Seyi Law, Odogwu, Osama, Omo Baba, Mr. Latin, Pappy Luwe, Bash and Memory Card, with the Fuji sensation, Saheed Osupa and the ‘katapot’ singer, Reekado Banks, adding

music flavour to the show.

Glo ambassadors, Yoruba movie actor, Odunlade Adekola and female comedian, Helen Paul, will attend the Laffta Fest show as special guests.

At Ikorodu where the Slide ‘n’ Bounce concert holds, rap king, Jude Abaga, known widely as MI, Wande Coal, gospel singer, Sammie Okposo and Di’ja of Marvin will perform, while DJ Neptune will be in charge as disc jockey. Odunlade Adekola will grace the event as special guest.

Post-UTME: UI declares work/lecture-free days

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WENTY-eight thousand candidates will today and tomorrow write the post-UTME examinations of the University of Ibadan (UI).

The candidates were screened out of the 46,218, who chose the university as their

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

first choice and scored 200 and above in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination conducted by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

The authorities of the university declared today and to-

morrow lecture and work-free, following the large number of candidates.

A statement by the Registrar, Olujimi Olukoya, asked lecturers, students and workers not participating in the examination to stay away from the campus.

Julius Berger returns to site on Lagos-lbadan Expressway

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ULIUS Berger Nigeria Plc has returned to site on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway ahead of its plan to start full repair work again by the end of this month.

The rehabilitation work on the road was stopped by the company sometime ago, following issues with the Federal Government A visit by a correspondent of New Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to the site yesterday showed that officials and other workers of the company were already on the road preparing for the work ahead.

Some officials of the com-

pany told NAN that the road rehabilitation would start from kilometre 12 otherwise known as the ‘’long bridge’’ and would run towards the Shagamu Interchange.

They said the skeletal work started on August 8 at the Wawa Bus-stop along the expressway.

NAN reports that the company has already started moving heavy duty vehicles and road barriers from its yard at the Sagamu-Interchange to Wawa Bus-Stop at Kilometre 12.

The barriers were being taken to Wawa Bus-Stop

where workers were already repairing the median along the expressway.

Julius Berger started the road rehabilitation from the Shagamu Interchange towards Lagos during the initial phase of the reconstruction exercise.

The rehabilitation of the entire Lagos-Ibadan express way was awarded in 2013 at a total cost of N167 billion by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The six-lane road rehabilitation project is being handled

by Julius Berger Construction Company and Reynolds Construction Company (RCC).

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THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

57

NEWS Troops kill 10 suspected insurgents in Northwest •7,119 head of cattle recovered

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ROOPS, under the 1 Division of the Army, have killed 10 bandits and suspected terrorists in the war against insurgency, tagged: Operation Restore Peace II, in the Northwest.

During the military operations, about 64 suspected terrorists and bandits were arrested and handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution.

It was learnt that 7,119 heads of cattle, sheep and goats were recovered from rustlers and bandits terrorising residents of the zone comprising Jigawa, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kaduna, and Kano states.

The operations was extended to Niger and Kogi states in the Northcentral.

A statement by the Deputy

From Blessing Olaifa, Assistant Editor, Kaduna

Director, Army Public Relations of the 1 Division Headquarters in Kaduna, Col. Usman Abdul, said the operations were carried out by combined team of the Army, Nigerian Air Force (NAF), the police, the Directorate of State Department (DSS) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), among others.

Abdul said: “In Kaduna State and its immediate environs, the expanded security outfit involved in the operation recovered 2,081 animals, such as cattle, sheep and goats. Twenty-seven suspects were arrested and lots of weapons of various calibres were recovered from the bandits.

Ex-police officer, 60, arraigned for defiling two minors From Austin Tsenzughul, Bauchi

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SIXTY-YEAR-OLD former police officer, Yusuf Ibrahim, has been arraigned before a Bauchi High Court for allegedly raping two minors, aged five and six.

The retired Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), of Bakin Kura in Bauchi, was accused of luring the two children into his shop and defiling them.

The prosecution counsel, Mohammad Adamu, said the offence contravenes Section 282, sub-section 1 (E) and punishable under Section 283 of the Bauchi Penal Code.

Adamu told the court that on May 25, the accused gave the kids chewing gum after defiling them.

The prosecutor said two of the three witnesses had made submissions on the matter.

Justice Muazu Abubakar adjourned the matter till September 16 for further hearing.

Ibrahim had applied for bail but the court rejected his request.

Tambuwal sends 22 commissionernominees to Assembly

Jonathan, PDP leaders split over Wada’s return F ORMER President Goodluck Jonathan and top persons in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains, including the party’s governors, are on collision path over the reelection bid of Kogi State Governor Idris Wada.

While Dr Jonathan wanted Wada to forget a second term, the governors wanted him to run and his major opponent, Alhaji Jibrin Isa (Echocho), to step down for the governor.

The former President and his supporters accused Wada of making it easy for the All Progressives Congress (APC) to defeat the PDP during the presidential election.

A highly placed source, who spoke in confidence, said Jonathan believed Wada supported the APC presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, because of religion.

The source said the exPresident was also bitter with the governor because of his visit to former President Olusegun Obasanjo in his Abeokuta, Ogun State home, at the height of this year’s presidential campaign.

Other PDP chieftains, who oppose Wada’s return, according to the source, include former PDP National Chairman, Dr Ahmadu Ali and former Governor Ibrahim Idris.

Wada lost to the APC in his ward and local government during the last presidential election, despite the alleged “huge war chest” made available to him by the Presidency to prosecute the

•Governors urge Echocho to step down for Wada

From James Azania, Lokoja and Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

election.

The PDP National Working Committee (NWC) on Wednesday postponed the governorship primary in Kogi State from yesterday to Monday.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary Olisa Metuh, PDP attributed the postponement to logistics issues.

The party, it was learnt, is shopping for a replacement for Wada, the real reason for the last day postponement of the governorship primary.

The source added: “Jonathan believes that Wada supported Buhari because he is a Muslim and that he went to visit Obasanjo before the general elections.

These are some of the reasons why you are seeing what we are witnessing. Ahmadu Ali is angry… They argued that Wada deliberately lost his ward and local government in favour of Buhari.

“Former Governor Ibrahim Idris needs N4 billion, which he used to finance Wada’s 2011 election. Wada has not paid him all the while, but he needs the money now.”

Echocho is slugging it out with Wada for the party’s

‘Former Governor Ibrahim Idris needs N4 billion, which he used to finance Wada’s 2011 election.

Wada has not paid him all the while, but he needs the money now’ ticket ahead of the November 21 governorship election.

PDP’s national leadership had ruled out the possibility of giving Wada an automatic ticket for the race.

The governors, who were still meeting at a secret location in Abuja at 6.20pm yesterday, might have sensed the growing opposition against Wada’s re-election bid.

The meeting, which was being presided over by PDP Governors’ Forum Chairman and Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko was said to have failed to reach a consensus.

It was leaernt that while some of the governors insisted that the party should go ahead with the primary, a few others were said to have supported Wada.

The dissenting governors

reportedly argued that fielding an unpopular candidate could cost the party the election, considering the profile and popularity of All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu.

Echocho had won the PDP governorship ticket at a primary in 2011, but was denied the ticket.

The party later conducted another primary which Wada won.

Echocho, who was said to have been summoned to the meeting, reportedly insisted on contesting for the ticket.

The popular PDP chieftain was said to have reminded the governors of how the party “unjustly” withdrew the ticket from him in 2011.

Indications emerged at the weekend that Wada’s popularity had been on the decline, following his perceived poor performance in the last four years.

A high-ranking party source told reporters yesterday that the governors were apprehensive that Wada might be disgraced at the primary.

“The party leadership is presently in a dilemma over the matter because, if the primary should go on, the governor would be defeated. That is the situation on ground,” the source said.

The source hinted that the party’s leadership might not buy the governors’ idea, saying imposing Wada might lead to the PDP losing the state to the APC.

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

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OKOTO State Governor Aminu Tambuwal yesterday sent the names of 22 nominees for appointment as commissioners to the House of Assembly for scrutiny and confirmation.

A letter containing the names of the nominees was addressed to the Speaker and submitted to the Clerk, Alhaji Muhammad Mainasara.

The letter reads: “The nomination is in line with Section 192 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.

“The nominees are selected after wide consultation within the spectre of our society and in conformity with Section 14 (4) of the Constitution. They are persons of proven integrity and good track record in their various vocations.

“I am confident that, they will bring to bear their wide experience in propelling the formation and execution of government policies and programmes for the overall development of the state.”

The nominees are: Deputy Governor Ahmad Aliyu, Alhaji Sahabi Gada, Alhaji Umar Tambuwal, Alhaji Saidu Umar, Alhaji Abdulkadir Jeli, Alhaji Arzika Tureta, Alhaji Jabbi Kilgore, Alhaji Sirajo Gatawa and Alhaji Mani Maishinko.

Others are: Alhaji Tukur Alkali, Alhaji Muhammadu Sifawa, Alhaji Bello Gwiwa, Suleman Usman, Alhaji Nasiru Zarummai, Alhaji Isah Achida, Alhaji Aminu Bello, Alhaji Bala Kokani, Alhaji Bello Goronyo, Alhaji Manir Dan’iya, Hajiya Kulu Abdullahi, Dr. Shehu Kakale and Alhaji Musa Ausa.

Also, the Assembly resolved yesterday to go on its end of second quarter’s recess from yesterday till October 21 to enable members perform Hajj, the Eid-al-Kabir and the nation’s Independence Day celebrations.

I am alive, says El-Rufai From Blessing Olaifa, Assistant Editor, Kaduna

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ADUNA State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has dismissed the report of his alleged collapse and near-death.

The governor said the report was a hoax and the handiwork of those he called mischief makers.

He said: “You can say El-Rufai has collapsed and died, but here I am. I am alive. My deputy is here; he is alive and can continue the good work we are here to do for the good people of Kaduna State.

“Last weekend, my deputy announced that some money (N24 billion) had been recovered from various accounts in the state because of the single account we now operate. Some people became jittery. Now, they are peddling rumours that I collapsed and was taken out of the country...”

•Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom (right) and the Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TetFund), Prof.

Suleiman Bogoro, during the governor’s visit to TetFund in Abuja...yesterday PHOTO:NAN

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Ortom probes Suswam’s ‘sale’ of state’s N8.3b HE Benue State govoffloaded over 30 million shares in BCC ernment is investigatunits of shares valued at

ing the N8.3 billion accrued to the state from the sale of government’s shares in the Benue Cement Company (BCC) in Gboko, under former Governor Gabriel Suswam.

Governor Samuel Ortom spoke on the sale when officials of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) visit him at the Benue Peoples House in Makurdi, the state

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

capital.

He noted that from the money, N2 billion was deposited into a private account; N1 billion allegedly given to Benue Investment Property Company (BIPC), while the N5 billion balance was deposited in the state government’s account.

The governor said his administration would investigate the money.

He said it was because of this he constituted the State Assets Verification Committee to probe the matter and follow due process in its assignment.

The Suswam administration, through Elixir Investment Partners, a fund management and advisory firm,

over N8 billion belonging to the state government.

But the former governor said the shares were intact.

His Finance Commissioner Oklobia Omandachi took a full page advert, denying the sale of the shares.

But the Ortom administration reportedly discovered that the shares had been sold.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

NEWS How women can change society, by cleric

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OMEN must help to bring the positive change that Africa desperately needs, the co-pastor and Coordinator of the Christian Pentecostal Mission (CPM) International, Rev. Mercy Ezekiel, has said.

According to her, women can make a difference not just in their homes, but in the society, adding that they require God’s help to contribute to a better society.

“You don’t have to be a great scientist to make a difference. You can make a difference in your little corners.

But if you don’t have a vision from the start, you cannot reach the stars. So ask yourself, do you have a vision?” she said.

She spoke while addressing women from across Africa who converged on Lagos for CPM’s ongoing Women of Vision International Conference, which began last Sunday at the church’s Ajao Estate headquarters.

The weeklong conference, with the theme: Go! Make a difference began with a colourful opening ceremony on Monday in which representatives of various African countries and the 36 states of Nigeria displayed their culture as they matched and danced.

Ezekiel said women have innate transformative abilities, adding: “We must be the

‘You don’t have to be a great scientist to make a difference. You can make a difference in your little corners. But if you don’t have a vision from the start, you cannot reach the stars. So ask yourself, do you have a vision?’

By Joseph Jibueze

delight of the world. You have the power to be more than what you presently are. So, go and make a difference.”

She urged the women to make the most of meeting, saying: “After this conference, your confidence must be sure.

You will become a new woman. The lord of host will take you from glory to glory. You cannot follow Jesus and stay where you are because it is less risky to stay where you are. We are pushing you forth because you must make a difference.”

Earlier, Pastor Maudly Chibunna led the gathering in a passionate opening prayer and singing session, where she prayed against terminators of destinies, enemies of agreement, and for the country’s good and the women.

Urging them to be full of faith, she said: “God has the patience. If you run short of words while talking to him, don’t worry – He understands your body language.”

Vehicle owners get ultimatum

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HE Ogun State Police Command have warned owners of accidented and abandoned vehicles parked at Sagamu Area Command to remove

them within 14 days of this publication or lose them to members of the public.

The vehicles, according to Police Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi are: Passat Saloon Car with registration number APP985AP; Iveco truck XJ161USL, Volkswagen transit bus XJ766USL, Nissan Blue Bird car CC13LND, Daewoo car DS829CSL and six motorcycles.

Nwuche cautions against smear campaigns in Rivers

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ORMER House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Chibudom Nwuche has urged politicians in Rivers State to stop their politics of bitterness, blackmail and semar campaigns to witch-hunt and denigrate political opponents.

The former lawmaker said this was a wrong approach to seek political popularity and pull down others to attain higher national duties.

In a statement in Abuja yesterday, Nwuche regretted the recurring politics of bit-

terness in which eminent Rivers indigenes were blackmailed and maligned by unscrupulous politicians to prevent their elevation at the federal level.

The former deputy speaker noted that this would make the state lose its slots for important national appointments to other states in the Southsouth.

The politician said he had been a victim of such odious practice by those he called misguided persons because of his

principles, forthrightness and outspokenness.

He said Rivers had lost important positions, following such smear campaigns against its indigenes.

Nwuche urged the authorities and Nigerians to discountenance the ongoing smear campaign against former Governor Rotimi Amaechi by the state government.

The former deputy speaker noted that it was designed to deny Amaechi - and invariably the state - the elevation to the

Shettima names 21 commissioners

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ORNO State Governor Kashim Shettima has submitted a list of 21 commissioner-nominees to the House of Assembly for perusal and confirmation.

The governor said he was acting in line with Section 192 (2) of the 1999 Constitution.

He sent a letter containing the names of the 21 nominees to the Speaker.

The nominees are: Usman Ali Zannah, Musa Inuwa Kubo, Adamu Alhaji Lawan, Babagana Tijjani

Banki, Kaka Shehu Lawan, Sugun Mai Mele, Dr. Haruna Mshelia, Mustapha Fannarambe, Alhaji Mohammed Kauji and Dr. Babagana Umara Zulum.

Others are: Fanta Baba Shehu, Ahmed Usman Jaha, Zainab Gimba, Yerima Lawan Kareto, Baba Magaji Wamdeo, Inna Galadima, Dr. Mohammed Bulama, Abubakar Ibrahim Babale, Waziri Imam, Ali Abatcha and Mohammed Aliyu Dili.

Shettima also sent the names of 27 persons to the Assembly for confirmation

as caretaker chairmen of the 27 local government areas.

The governor’s request is in line with Section 81 (4) (a) of the Borno State Local Government Law 2000 (as Amended).

He also sent the names of councillor-nominees for the wards across the state.

A statement yesterday in Maiduguri, the state capital, by his Special Adviser on Communications and Strategy, said Shettima has reconstituted the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

federal level.

He said it was ungodly for the authorities to use Rivers State resources, which should be deployed to develop the state as well as improve the masses, to pull down its indigenes.

Nwuche urged well-meaning Rivers men and women to speak against what he called the state-sponsored witch-hunt.

Lawmaker wins Icon award HOUSE of Representatives member (Owo/Ose federal constituency) Dr Bode Ayorinde, has been adjudged the Ondo State personality of the year

by Icon & Legend Incorporated.

The award is “in recognition of his exemplary leadership, immense contributions and passion for excellence-driven services to humanity in the area of education and youth empowerment.”

EXPRESSO

•Continued from Back page

Saraki, Chip of the old PDP block While we shall allow history to damn Mark and his baleful lot, we shall have to march on the current Assembly. In just a few days, it has become obvious that Senator Bukola Saraki, the new president of the Senate is as much a lost soul as Mark.

For Saraki, ‘change’ must be a stupid new buzzword Nigerians have just discovered.

None of all that ‘change nonsense’ for him; Nigeria’s billions of naira beckons, it seems. His eyes must be firmly glued to a future of imperial positions, and he needs money to purchase it. That is all that matters; again, legacy be damned!

One had thought that Senator Saraki would be influenced by the advantage of better learning and better democratic credentials. We are mistaken it seems. A buccaneer is a pirate and a vampire will always relish blood. Having tasted blood (of the people) in his first term it is too late to let up now. It does not matter that the economy is flailing, it does not matter that revenues have dried up drastically and it does not matter that workers are not being paid their humble wages across the country. All that matters is to grab positions over which they had bludgeoned themselves since inauguration in May. Now that positions seem settled, the time has come to shovel funds generously into their pockets.

This must be the best job in the world Is it possible that these NASS members have hurled home the sums we hear they have hurled in just three months of bickering and taking recesses? Is it true that about N13 billion has been shared by our lawmakers already? Is it true that each of the senators has been paid at least N36 million while each of the House of

Like Mark, like Saraki Re-Like Mark, like Saraki •Continued From Back page

By Kola Ologbondiyan

Osuji in his EXPRESSO column surmised that the eight years of Senator Mark as President of the Senate would only be remembered for what he ( Osuji) dubiously tagged as “a rapacious money mongering ogre ; a loose King Kong trampling the polity and gobbling up our common wealth” among many other fables. There is no conclusion that could have been farther from the truth about the Mark’s Years.

Throughout his uproar, Osuji did not accuse Senator Mark of helping himself from the disbursement of funds or committing any malfeasance arising from pilfering in the general purse. Rather, his accusations were like venting self-inflicted frustrations on an imaginary enemy. Osuji was uncouth and sounded like a confused town crier.

For the avoidance of doubts, it is imperative to state that the Senator David Mark Years of (sic) the Nigerian Senate created a stable polity and amended electoral laws that guaranteed credible, fair and free elections which every Nigerian including Osuji are (sic) proud of today.

Also, that Senate was historic for her cohesion, indivisibility and unity of purpose as Senators spoke in unison irrespective of creed or political affiliations.

It is also curious that Osuji will forget so soon that the Mark’s Senate remained the only government department in annals of our contemporary history to return a whopping sum of N 7billion Naira to the national coffers as unspent fund in the 2008 fiscal year.

I do not think that Osuji suffers dementia. But it shuddered (sic) me that he failed to remember that Senator Mark in the last session of 2014 led his colleagues to slash the budget of the National Assembly by over N30billion Naira.

It is indeed sordid, sad and reprehensible that Osuji and his likes would prefer to make Senator Mark the scapegoat of their hate campaigns. Their wishful thinking notwithstanding, majority of Nigerians will continue to adore the legacies of stability; cohesion; executive/legislative collaboration; the invocation of the Doctrine of Necessity that saved our polity from the precipice; electoral reforms; anti-same sex marriage bill and many other bills.

These and many others are the achievements of Senator Mark which Osuji and his hate promoters cannot dwarf in the court of public opinion no matter the pecuniary interests that ink their pens.

Ologbondiyan is media aide to Senator David Mark Representatives members has pocketed about N25 million so far?

It is scary that all our law makers including supposed ‘noble’ men and women (like Ben Murray-Bruce and Dino Melaye) in these pristine chambers would not take a definitive and open stance against what is obviously an obscene, under-the-table payouts. How on earth did the NASS arrive at an annual budget of N120 billion (N150billion up till last year)? Why should NASS comprising of only 469 lawmakers have a bureaucracy of about 4660 civil servants?

Even at that, why would a NASS with a total head count of 5129 persons have an annual budget of N120 billion

while a state like Benue for instance, with a population of about 4.2 million people has an annual budget of N98.5 billion. To think that such states like Benue would have to also provide infrastructure and public utilities such as roads, water, health and educational facilities among others. What this suggests is that the NASS may not need more than N25 billion in total annual budget.

We will therefore expect the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) in all its twiddling and twaddling about fixing legislators’ emoluments and pay cuts, tell us what N120 billion is used for.

The Office of the AuditorGeneral of the Federation

(OAGF) which ought to scrutinize all appropriated expenditures in the federation has been remiss in its duties.

It is its duty to ensure that every kobo of this whopping sum is accounted for.

Members of NASS have been sharing cash as if they were hooded bandits sharing booty this last decade because the federal audit system had become near moribund. Since it has become obvious that Saraki is anything but a change agent and that it seems his leadership would be worse than Mark’s, Nigerians must brace up to effect the change they need by themselves. Enough is enough! Who needs the senate anyway?

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

59

NEWS

‘Ilori is not our leader’

S

OME members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo West/East Federal Constituency have dissociated themselves from the declaration of a former Special Adviser to Governor Rauf Aregbesola on Environmental Sanitation, Bola Ilori, as the constituency’s party leader.

A statement by Chairman, APC, Ondo West, Mr Adeala Ademulegun; the Organising Secretary, APC State Exco, Mr. Raphael Adetimehin and Assistant Auditor, APC State Exco, Mr. Ebenezer Akinsulire, said Ilori’s claim was “a joke taken too far.”

According to them, the orchestrated declaration of Ilori as the leader of APC in Ondo East and West local governments was an attention-seeking gimmick in a bit to be “noticed by party leaders upstairs.”

“It is to be noted that the so-

By Joseph Jibueze

called declaration was remarkable for the absence of all notable leaders of APC in Ondo Federal Constituency,” the statement said.

The party men said the authentic leaders in Ondo Federal Constituency were well known.

“These are leaders that work day and night to uplift the fortunes of the party and not spend time and money creating instability here and there!

“We mention in particular the likes of Dr. Bayo Ademodi, an engineer and scientist, a former Special Adviser, Senatorial Chairman and Zonal Co-ordinator, Buhari Campaign Organisation; and Mrs. Lola Fagbemi, a former Special Adviser, Auditor in the State Exco and Women Coordinator, Buhari Campaign Organisation, Ondo State.

“And how about the important personalities who joined APC from Mimiko’s Labour Party and PDP and who contributed their level best in achieving a famous victory in Mimiko’s constituency at the last general elections?

“Incidentally, it was during the campaign period that Bola Ilori was busy trying to enthrone himself, falsely, as the State Coordinator of the Buhari Campaign Organisation in Ondo State, a situation very much akin to his present self-declaration as the leader of APC in Ondo Federal Constituency.

“He similarly declared himself (again falsely) as the Ondo State Director-General of Ribadu Campaign Organisation for the General Elections of 2011,” the statement said.

The statement said Ilori has not contributed as much as the likes of General Oyeneyin

(rtd), Prof Ropo Sekoni, Ambassador Orobola Fasehun, Yinka Adeyosoye, Gbemi Oyeneyin, among others.

“We ask, is Bola Ilori also the leader of the likes of Dr. Tayo Fawehinmi, Director of Motayo Clinics and an erstwhile member of the House of Representatives, and Senator Gbenga Ogunniya, a three term distinguished senator of the Federal Republic?

“We, the undersigned, on behalf of ourselves and leaders and teeming members of APC in Ondo Federal Constituency hereby declare that Bola Ilori is solo; he is completely on his own while all our leaders are together on the same page on the activities of APC in Ondo kingdom.

“Most members of the party are aware that APC Constitution does not have a space for a leader of two different local governments,” the statement added.

Conference on nation-building

T

HE Nigeria Association of Educationists for National Development (NAEND) will hold its yearly conference on September 14 at the Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, Ondo State.

NAEND’s President, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti zones, Prof. Oyetunde Awoyele said the two-day conference will hold between September 14 and September 17 at Obongwan Lecture Theatre of the institution.

The theme of the conference is “Education and Nation Building”.

Registrar, Joint Admission Matriculation board (JAMB), Prof Dibu Ojerinde is the keynote speaker and Prof J.B Babalola of the Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan will present the lead paper.

The host is the Dean of Education, Adeyemi College of Education, Dr. Oyenike Oyinloye while the chief host is the head of the institution, Prof. Olukoya Ogen.

Issues to be discussed include Early Childhood and Nation Building, Vocational Education and Nation Building, Entrepreneurship and Nation Building, Language Education and Nation Building, Curriculum Planning Development and Nation Building among others.

Educationists across the nation are expected to attend the conference that will be opened on September 15.

‘How to identify genuine Vlisco fabrics’

T

HE management of Vlisco Fabrics has launched the connoisseur of style campaign to help consumers dress in a positive and distinguished manner with genuine materials.

It said ‘Tell’ is the latest Vlisco collection of vibrant, iconic fabrics and ready-towear styles.

The company said in a statement: “To identify original Vlisco fabric, find our well-known Sun on the fabric label and you’ll see the iconic VVH crest. Compare

the Design Number on the Selvedge with the number on the white label – this is identical in an original.

“The Selvedge refers to the unprinted edge of the fabric.

Look for the words Veritable Wax Hollandais Vlisco at one side, while the other side proudly states Guaranteed Dutch Wax Vlisco.

“Also look out for the Label: all Vlisco fabrics are printed in Helmond, Holland, at our own factory. This is proudly stated in our ‘Printed by Vlisco in Holland’ statement on the label.”

Jesus Partners holds ‘Wonders of Praise’ •From left: Book reviewer, Prof. Pat Utomi; Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Akintola Williams; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule and Nigeria’s former representative to the United Nations, Amb. Arthur Mbanefo, at the public presentation of a book: ‘In quest For perpetuity’ in honour of the late Sir. Odumegwu Ojukwu in Lagos…yesterday

Alleged robbery: NYSC rescues corps members in Niger

T

HE National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) yesterday said it had intervened in the case, of the three corps members,who were accused of robbery in Suleja, Niger State.

In a statement, the commission said it had secured bail for two and gave an assurance that the other will soon get reprieve. It urged corps members in Niger State not to panic.

The Commission said it was working with the Suleja Emirate, the Army, the police and other security agencies to guarantee the safety of corps members in the area.

The statement read: “We inform the public that immediately after the arrest of the trio, the NYSC reached out to stakeholders, including

Baptists meet

T

HE third quarterly assembly of the Itesiwaju Baptist Association holds tomorrow at Araba Baptist Church, 4/6, Araba Baptist Church Street, Ilasamaja, Lagos, from 9am.

It will be presided over by the Moderator, Rev. Gbenga Ojo of Araba Baptist Church, Ilasamaja, Lagos and the Consultant, Rev. Adenrele Philip Oyeyemi of First Baptist Church (FBC), Itire, Lagos.

the state police command and the state government to ensure that the corps members did not suffer unduly.

“Without prejudice to the investigative duties of the appropriate law enforcement agency, we have it on good authority that preliminary findings showed that the accusation was based only on circumstantial evidence.

“Following the joint intervention of the NYSC scheme and the state government, through the Office of the Secretary to the Government and the Ministry of Youth Development, two of the three corps members have been released while the process of securing the release of the third is on.

“Management wishes to assure members of the public, particularly parents and

guardians of corps members that no corps member will suffer unduly, especially on cases of mistaken identity during the service year.

“We inform the public that the provisions of the NYSC Bye-Laws are very clear on the involvement of corps members in criminal acts, though very unlikely, as their participation in the scheme does not confer immunity from prosecution.

We have, therefore, continued to sensitise members of the service corps on the need to be law-abiding and to shun acts capable of soiling the image of the scheme and their families.

“We also allay the fears of corps members in Suleja regarding their safety. We have intensified liaison with the Army, police and other se-

NGO names steering committee

T

HE Pan-African NonGovernmental Organisation, “I Will Give” (IWG) has named a 10man steering committee to govern its activities It is to ensure the actualisation of its goal of mobilising resources for social development.

“I Will Give” is a platform for social giving; engaging corporate social responsibility (CSR), organised philanthropy and private giving. It focuses on high social impact programmers aimed at improving socio-economic out-

comes in six specific areas, including education, health, youth development and women empowerment.

Members of the steering committee include the President of Chestrad International, Dr. Lola Dare, Mrs. Chioma Madubuko, Dr. Bala Magaji, Mr. Tunji Mayaki and Mr. Mobolaji Shenjobi Others are former Minister for Cooperation and Integration, Dr Abimbola Ogunkelu, Mrs. Rosamond Vera-Cruz, Mrs. Anne Guthuku-Shongwe, Mrs. Remi Olajoyegbe and Dr. Olatokunboh Sangowawa.

curity agencies, as well as the Suleja Emirate Council, who have all renewed their commitment to the protection of corps members in the area.

“Corps members therefore enjoined to go about their normal businesses without fear of molestation.”

A

LL is set for the annual Wonders of Praise organised by Jesus Partners, an inter-denominational group committed to the propagation of God’s word and partnership with Jesus This year’s edition will hold on Saturday, September 19, by 11am at the Excellence Hotel, Ogba.

The event will attract eminent personalities including the President of Rescue Team International, Dr. Adewale Adeyeye, as guest minister and Mrs. D.A Fasoyin.

Others expected at the event are Bukola Bekes, Makanjuola Ajayi, True Worship, Yemi Levite, David Omodunmiju and The Levites – Jesus Partners Choir According to the Chief Host, Mr. Femi Adefowokan, the event promises to be a wonderful experience. “It is a moment to help you share your personal walk with Jesus in some of the great activities we all enjoy in our daily lives. We urge as many people as can to be a part of the event and partake in this unique fellowship”.

Editor loses dad

•The late Apostle Adegboyega

S

PECIAL Apostle Gabriel Adeshina Adegboyega, father of the deputy chairman of The Nation’s Editorial Board, is dead. He died on August 11, after a brief illness.

Born on August 18, 1935 in Lagos, Special Apostle Adegboyega took and passed courses in Pitman Shorthand and Typing. He began his career as accounts clerk at the then Bata Shop in Lagos, and worked as a stenographer at the House of Representatives, then at

Odan, also in Lagos.

He joined the then Barclays Bank D.C.O. (now Union Bank Plc) in 1955 when the British were in control, and served as branch manager in several towns before his retirement in 1990.

Special Apostle Adegboyega was a devout Christian. He began his religious activities at the African Salem Church (now The African Church Cathedral Salem), Freeman Street, Ebute-Metta, Lagos. He was a chorister and choir secretary for years. He was also one of the founding fathers of Young Stars Society, as well as the society’s first secretary. The society celebrated its 61st anniversary five days after his death.

Upon his transfer to Lokoja, in the then Kwara State in the 70s, Adegboyega joined the Anglican Church where he briefly served as Lay Reader. It was while in Lokoja that he crossed over to the Cherubim and Sera-

phim Movement Church, where he became Special Apostle in 2013.

A strict disciplinarian, Special Apostle Adegboyega is survived by his wife, Most Mother-in-Israel Bola Adegboyega, and children: Tunji Adegboyega, deputy chairman, Editorial Board of The Nation; Mrs. Ayoade Ogundele, a retired Chief Nursing Officer in Ogun State Local Government Service Commission; Mrs Mubo Ebohon and Mr. Seun Adegboyega (both civil servants in Oyo State); Mr. Tunde Adegboyega, a teacher; Mr. Tobi Adegboyega, a student at the University of Ibadan and Miss Yemisi Adegboyega, an event planner, as well as a brother, Mr. Dotun Adegboyega, Managing Director, C.S.S. Bookshops Ltd, and grandchildren, among others.

His remains would be buried on October 10 after service of songs and wake on October 8 and 9 in Lagos.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

NEWS

•The protesters in Abuja... yesterday.

PHOTO: AFP

Anti-graft protests rock cities Continued from page 8

uty announced that some money (N24 billion) has been recovered from various accounts in the state because of the single account we now operate, some people became jittery, now they are peddling rumour that I collapsed and was taken out of the country.

“Let me say it here that here I am and your money, the people of Kaduna’s money is alive and intact. Kaduna state now has money to pay its workers and all civil servants will get their pay before Sallah.

We will not wait until Federal Allocation is paid before we pay workers”, governor El-Rufai asserted.

The Governor made the remarks yesterday while receiving members of the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) and Trade Union Congress, (TUC), at the gate of the Government House during a solidarity protest in support of President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption war.

Governor El-Rufai said he cannot be deterred by the mischief makers: “ I am set to visit Rimi College and see things for myself, if you have built any structure on government property there, I will pull it down”.

Governor El-Rufai who said he and his deputy have not collected salary since they took over in May 29, urged the people to be patient with his government because it is working to make the state better.

The union leaders who were led by the Kaduna state chairmen of NLC, Comrade Adamu Ango and TUC, Comrade Shehu Mohammed.

In the letter, the unions called on President Buhari to among others ensure that all fund identified to have been stolen from the common treasury is traced and recovered to the last kobo.

“That all such recovered funds should be kept in a special account and appropriated for job creation, funding education infrastructure from primary to tertiary institutions and upgrading our healthcare infrastructure”, the unions stated.

Kwara Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed praised workers and their trade unions for ensuring industrial harmony in the state; despite recent challenges.

Ahmed, represented by the Head of Service, Hajiya Zahra

•Labour activists in Port Harcourt…yesterday.

Omar, promised that the state government would continue to address issues affecting workers.

He hailed the labour unions for rallying support for the President’s anti-corruption crusade and assured Labour that the letter would be forwarded appropriately to the presidency.

State Chairman of NLC, Comrade Yekini Agunbiade said the rally was in line with the directive of the national leadership of the Congress to support the ongoing war against corruption.

State Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, Comrade Kola Olumoh stressed the need for Nigerians to support President Buhari’s efforts in eliminating corruption in the country.

Ogun Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Deputy Governor Yetunde Onanuga, and Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Ogun, Akeem Ambali, led hundreds of people in a rally for “good governance.”

Amosun, who joined the rally aimed at drumming up support for President Muhammadu

Buhari’s anti - corruption crusade, led the march from his Oke Mosan Governor’s Office to the arcade ground demanding that good governance should be enthroned in Nigeria.

The march which was spearheaded by the NLC and Trade Union Congress(TUC) began by 8:30am at Ibara area of the state capital and coursed through Oke - Ilewo, IBB Boulevard before terminating at the Arcade Ground, Oke Mosan.

The governor called for life imprisonment for all public officers tried and found guilty of engaging in corrupt practices.

He added that the person and his immediate family should be stigmatized to serve as a deterrent to others.

Amosun noted that he would have advocated death penalty for convicted corrupt public officer in the country but said capital punishment is no longer fashionable in the reckoning of the international best practices hence his recourse to pushing for life jail term.

He also pointed out that ridding the country of corruption

and enthroning good governance at all levels is not a struggle that should be left in the hands of the leaders as the followers too should shun corruption and do their part well.

The Governor said President Muhammadu Buhari’s zero tolerance for corruption was obvious in his 100 days in office, noting that there had been tremendous improvement in electricity supply, reduction in cost of governance thereby reducing wastages.

Governor Amosun described any state that cannot pay workers salary as a failed state, pointing out that his government had since August 2011 closed over 300 accounts to introduce a Treasury Single Account (TSA) to block leakages.

Kogi Members of organised labour in Kogi State have declared that they are in full support of the anti-corruption crusade of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Onuh Edoka who spoke in

Lokoja during the rally: Corruption for Good Governance said their march against corruption was happening throughout the 36 states.

According to him, “The objective was to show how labour abhors corruption in the country.

“We are supporting the fight against insurgency for good governance in the country that would give the citizens a new lease of life and a conducive atmosphere for every Nigerian to thrive in their various endeavours”.

Edo Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday urged Nigerians to join the army against corruption led by President Mohammadu Buhari.

Oshiomhole said Nigerians were the victim of corruption as monies meant to provide infrastructures and good governance were diverted to private pockets.

The governor spoke at a rally organized by the Nigeria Labour Congress in support of the fight against corruption.

Oshiomhole said that Azura Power plant that was launched with fanfare could not take off because of corruption.

He said Julius Berger Construction was already on site but the power project was stalled because Azura was not ready to part with money.

According to him, “The good news under one month is that what the former President refused to do because Azura did not part with money, President Buhari has done it and construction is going to resume. The largest IPP in Nigeria would soon start operation.”

Plateau Plateau state chapter of the Nigerian Labour congress (NLC) has declared its support for the anti-corruption drive of President Muhammadu Buhari.

It appealed to President Buhari to help Plateau state recovered its funds stolen by immediate past administration of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The Plateau NLC gave their support through a peaceful rally organised by the organised labor union comprising of NLC and TUC. The organised labor who mobilize its members and match through the streets of Jos said the peaceful walk was a declaration of their support for President Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade.

In their protest message which they unions presented to the plateau state governor for onward delivery to president Buhari reads: “corruption has created a very bad image for the country and it,s citizens as Nigerians are viewed as corrupt and dubious people outside “ NLC chairman, Plateau state chapter Comrade Jibrin Bancir who read the protest message during the rally said, “Labor unions in the state are matching against corruption in the state and Nigeria as a whole. We are calling on President Muhammadu Buhari, and the Plateau state governor Simon Lalong to ensure that all funds identified to have been stolen from the common treasury in Plateau is traced and recovered to the last kobo.

Addressing the members of the state organised labour at the government house Little Rayfield , Governor Simon Lalong said the government would continue to support the fight against corruption and it is doing everything possible to recover the funds stolen in the previous administration.

Lalong, who was represented

by Deputy Governor Sonni Tyoden described corruption as a cankerworm which has eaten deep into the society.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

61

FOREIGN NEWS ISIS says Norwegian and Chinese hostages are ‘for sale’ TWO men stand in yellow jumpsuits, staring toward the camera with a chilling message posted below their portraits: “FOR SALE.” The images, tucked away in the final pages of the latest edition of the ISIS online magazine Dabiq, are part of a troubling new claim: The terrorist group says it’s holding two more foreign nationals hostage.

One page reads “Norwegian Prisoner For Sale.” The next says “Chinese Prisoner For Sale.”

An ominous warning appears beneath an Iraqi phone number at the bottom of each page: “Note: This is a limited time offer.”

Speaking to reporters in Oslo late Wednesday, Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg confirmed that a Norwegian man in his 40s was being held hostage in Syria, and “everything indicates” that ISIS is responsible. The man was kidnapped at the end of January and held hostage by different groups, she said.

Now, he's believed to be an ISIS hostage, according to the Prime Minister.

The kidnappers have asked for specific ransom amounts several times, she said, but Norway will not pay.

“This is a matter that the government is taking very seriously. We neither can nor will give in to pressure from terrorists and criminals.

Norway does not pay ransom,” she said. “This is a principle we cannot depart from in the face of cynical terrorists. Payment of ransom would increase the risk that other Norwegian nationals will be taken hostage” ISIS has taken dozens of international hostages, often seeking ransoms for them to swell its coffers.

Some governments have reportedly handed over hefty sums of cash. In other cases, where money isn't forthcoming, the Islamic militant group has publicized its barbaric killings of the hostages, apparently in an effort to score propaganda points with its extremist followers.

Iran’s supreme leader: there will be no such thing as Israel in 25 years

I

SRAEL will not exist in another quarter century, Iran’s supreme leader, the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said during a speech this week in Tehran, state-run media report.

“I’d say (to Israel) that they will not see (the end) of these 25 years,” the Islamic Republic News Agency quoted Khamenei as saying Wednesday at the Imam Khomeini Mosque.

Khamenei raised the issue while discussing the recent nuclear deal between Iran and the so called P5+1 the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, China and Russia by which, among other things, Iran agreed to cut its uranium stockpiles and centrifuges and limit uranium enrichment in exchange for the West lifting sanctions against the Islamic Republic. The agreement allows the International Atomic Energy Agency to access Iranian facilities for verifications. Still, the Obama administration has faced fierce criticism over the agreement from both sides of the aisle, and especially from Republicans who have promised to scuttle the deal despite the fact

• Khamenei at a press confrence...yesterday

the President reportedly has sufficient support to veto any such measure.

Khamenei’s speech promises to make a contentious deal pricklier.

Some of the agreement’s measures will remain in place for 25 years. Seizing on that time frame, Khamenei noted that some observers say it should allay Israel’s fears about a nuclear Iran during that time.

“God willing, there will be no such thing as a Zionist regime in 25 years. Until then,

struggling, heroic and jihadi morale will leave no moment of serenity for Zionists,” he said, according to IRNA. After negotiations, in Zionist regime they said they had no more concern about Iran for next 25 years.

From London, where he is meeting with UK Prime Minister David Cameron, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the opportunity to reiterate his opposition to the nuclear deal, saying that Khamenei’s words leave its supporters with no “room for

illusion.”

“He has made it clear that the U.S. is the Great Satan and that Iran intends to destroy the state of Israel. This will not happen. Israel is a strong country and it will become even stronger,” Netanyahu said in a statement. “However, the conclusion that arises from the remarks of the tyrant in Tehran is that all responsible countries must cooperate in order to stop Iran’s terrorism and aggression which, to my regret, will only increase as a result of the agreement.”

New ancestor species discovered

B

ERGER, a professor at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa, had unearthed some major finds before. But he knew he had something big on his hands.

What he didn’t know at the time is that it would shake up our understanding of the progress of human evolution and even pose new questions about our identity.

Two years after they were tipped off by cavers plumbing the depths of the limestone tunnels in the Rising Star Cave outside Johannesburg, Berger and his team have discovered what they say is a new addition to our family tree.

The team is calling this new species of human relative “Homo naledi,” and they say it appears to have buried its dead a behavior scientists previously thought was limited to humans.

Berger’s team came up with the startling theory just days after reaching the place where the fossils consisting of infants, children, adults and elderly individuals were found, in a previously isolated chamber within the cave.

The team believes that the chamber, located 30 meters underground in the Cradle of Humanity world heritage site, was a burial ground and that Homo naledi could have used fire to light the way.

“There is no damage from predators, there is no sign of a catastrophe. We had to come to the inevitable conclusion that Homo naledi, a non-human species of hominid, was deliberately disposing of its dead in that dark chamber. Why, we don't know,” Berger told CNN. “Until the moment of discovery of ‘naledi,’ I would have probably said to you

• Homo Naledi

that it was our defining character. The idea of burial of the dead or ritualized body disposal is something utterly uniquely human.” burial dates to some 100,000 years ago, but because Berger's team hasn't yet been able to date naledi's

W

• Rescue effort at Joso...yesterday

mal situation and there is imminent serious danger,” he went on.

The hardest-hit areas have

been Ibaraki and Tochigi prefectures. Japan’s Meteorological Agency had put both regions on its highest level of

DENMARK’s train operator DSB announced on Thursday that it will resume rail traffic across the German border after police initially halted traffic on Wednesday.

Following the announcement, a train bound for Denmark with 50 refugees on board left the north-German city of Flensburg, according to the German news agency.

Rail services to Germany running through the border towns of Padborg and Flensburg are set to run normally on Thursday, said DSB in a statement. The ferry crossing at Rodby will remain closed to trains, however, “due to police work at the borders.”

Ferry operator Scandlines confirmed that ferries which usually carry both cars and trains - will remain open only to cars between Rodby and Puttgarden.

Danish police have also meanwhile stated that they will allow refugees arriving from Germany to pass freely through Denmark without registering.

“We can't hold foreigners who don't want to seek asylum,” said national police chief Jens Henrik Hojbjerg, who made the decision late on Wednesday. The decision seemed to challenge the current political strategy of the country, with Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen earlier insisting that arriving refugees be processed in Denmark in accordance with current EU rules.

On Wednesday, the police stopped trains carrying 350 refugees who were attempting to seek asylum in Sweden in Rodby, a busy ferry crossing from Scadinavia to Germany.

U.S. to admit 10,000 Syrian refugees

fossils, they aren't clear how significant their theory is.

Berger tried to put the new find into perspective.

"This is like opening up Tutankhamen's tomb," he said. "It is that extreme and perhaps that influential in this stage of our history."

Japan floods: City of Joso hit by ‘unprecedented’ rain IDESPREAD flooding and landslides in north-east Japan have forced more than 90,000 people to abandon their homes.

The city of Joso, north of the capital, Tokyo, was hit by a wall of water after the Kinugawa River burst its banks. Helicopter rescue teams have been plucking people from rooftops.

At least eight people are still missing and 100 need rescuing.

The rains come a day after a tropical storm brought winds of up to 125km/h (78mph) to central Aichi prefecture.

The chief forecaster at the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), Takuya Deshimaru, said that the rainfall was ”unprecedented” for that part of Japan.

“We can say this is an abnor-

Denmark reopens border to trains

alert.

Saori Mori, who lives close to the Tone River in the town of Abiko, told the BBC that “the

water is right up to the top of the banks now”.

“We have been told to pack and prepare to evacuate as soon as we are told to,” Ms Mori said, adding that she and her family were “getting ready for a fast exit”.

But there are concerns that these storms are getting stronger in recent years and more preparations may be needed in the future.

Entire homes and cars were carried away on the torrent as the Kinugawa River burst its banks after two days of heavy rainfall. The flood waters reached as far as 8km (5 miles) from the breach.

In Tochigi, more than 500mm (19 inches) of rain fell in 24 hours in places, double the amount that normally falls there throughout the whole of September, according to Japanese.

PRESIDENT Barack Obama has ordered his team to admit at least 10,000 Syrian refugees next year, the White House said yesterday, amid criticism that the United States has not done enough.

Spokesman Josh Earnest said Obama had asked staff to “scale up” the number of refugee admissions from around 1,500 in this fiscal year, to 10,000 in the next, beginning October 1.

“He has informed his team that he would like them to accept at least 10,000 refugees in the next fiscal year,” said Earnest.

With global public opinion shocked by images of drowning refugees, the United States is under political pressure to act quickly.

The United States currently accepts around 70,000 refugees from conflicts and persecution each year, but has been slow to accept Syrians.

Refugees from Syria and its region must undergo strict security checks to weed out extremists, even after being registered by the United Nations.

An estimated four million Syrians have fled during four years of war.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

62

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 09091178827

One feared dead in police, okada riders clash

O

NE person was feared dead and scores injured yesterday when policemen and commercial motorcyclists clashed at Ogolonto in Ikorodu, Lagos.

But Lagos State Police chief Fatai Owoseni said there was no such clash, adding: “There was no riot in Ikorodu. There was no fight between police and motorcyclists. If police arrested motorcyclists, they are doing their job. No one was killed or injured”.

The Nation gathered that

•Owoseni: nobody was killed

By Precious Igbonwelundu

the incident occurred about 9am, after the policemen allegedly impounded about 500 motorcycles.

The policemen allegedly raided parks to arrest the motorcyclists.

The angry motorcyclists reportedly vandalised government properties, including Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) and LAGBUS vehicles.

An eyewitness, Fadeel Akinlolu, said the incident

caused a traffic gridlock which lasted for over an hour.

He said: “I saw more than five people injured on the ground. I really cannot say if anyone died because I was inside a bus. The problem started after policemen arrested about 500 okadas. The angry Okada riders started attacking government properties, which led to a fight with the policemen and state government officials. It took

over one hour for calm to return and the gridlock cleared.”

Saying there was no such incident, Owoseni stated: “We heard there was an issue there but the Area Commander and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) were with me at Ikotun. So, I have released them so that they can go and investigate. They are yet to give me feedback, I will get across to my public relations officer (PRO) to issue a release once they get back to me.”

Lone survivor of Surulere fire dies

T

HE lone survivor of the fire that razed a selfcontain apartment on 23, Michael Ogun Street, Surulere, Lagos Mainland, is dead.

It was learnt that Chidinma, 8, died yesterday at the Gbagada General Hospital, Lagos.

Seven members of her family died on the night of the fire.

Her relatives collected her body from the hospital around 2.35pm.

A neighbour, Christiana

Fishermen held for ‘illegal’ dealing in fuel

A

FEDERAL High Court in Lagos yesterday remanded three fishermen in prison custody for alleged unlawful dealing in petroleum products.

Tijani Gbadamosi, 48, Adelake Akininbosun, 54 and Kenneth Okoria, 39, are standing trial on a three-count charge.

Prosecuting Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Mathew Omosun, told the court that the accused committed the offence on August 27 at Ijanikin, Lagos.

The accused, he said, loaded 700 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) worth N546, 000 into a truck marked YB 200 EKY without licence.

Omosun alleged that their intention was to distribute and sell the products belonging to the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC).

The offence contravened Sections 1(7)(a), 3(6) and 17(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Laws of the Federation 2007.

The trio pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor urged the court to remand them in prison custody pending their trial.

Their counsel, Mr MarkAnthony Akariele said he would file a bail application.

Justice Mohammed Yunusa adjourned the case till September 11.

Faleti, who was with Chidinma, till her death said: “Since she was admitted, she has been breathing with the use of oxygen. She was convulsing and when I asked the doctor what the problem could be, he said the smoke had blocked her heart and being a little girl, there was no way she could survive. It is really pathetic. I had earlier thought God wanted her to achieve something in life.

With the little period I spent with her, she was like my blood. Only God knows! Only

Him.” Simeon Eze, a relative, said the body has been deposited in a morgue, adding: “There will be a family meeting tomorrow to discuss how they will be taking to Enugu State for funeral. This is too much for us to bear. Who will this happen to that won’t feel like leaving this world? We want government to investigate the matter. We learnt it was a deliberate act by the tenants because we are non-indigenes.

We are appealing to them to get to the root of the case.”

T

By Basirat Braimah

the Inspector-General of Police, who directed the Ogun State Police Commissioner to treat. The office of the Ogun State Police boss equally directed the area command at Sango to implement the directive.

“Consequently, the police assigned a team of officers led by one Assistant Superintendent (ASP) Afolabi to assist me in carrying out the exercise. As my workers went about pasting the posters, the judgement debtors in the company of a large group of thugs numbering over 80 and accompanied by fake armed uniformed men led by “One Hour” invaded the scene and started firing gunshots indiscriminately.

“Two of the policemen sustained serious wounds and the police were forced to beat a retreat. Hours later, my residence at Atan, which is far from the scene was again invaded by the hoodlums who fired indiscriminately, destroying everything in sight. The invading vandals made spirited attempt to abduct me, but for the timely intervention of the police. In a twist of fate, I was arrested for

A

TRADER, Abiodun Ilesanmi, was yesterday arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly obstructing National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) officials from performing their duty.

The office of the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation alleged that Ilesanmi prevented members of the Federal Task Force on Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods from ascertaining the genuineness of food products sold at Mile 12 market on September 3.

Ilesanmi trades in Shops 28 and 29 at the market.

By Joseph Jibueze

The prosecutor, Umar Shamaki, who signed the charge on the AGF’s behalf, said the offence contravened Section 2 (1)(a) and is punishable under Section 11 (2) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Section Miscellaneous Provisions) Act Cap C34, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The offence also violates Section 25 of NAFDAC Act, Cap N1, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The accused pleaded not guilty.

Justice Mohammed Yunusa will hear Ilesanmi’s bail application on September 16.

Call for tight security at parks

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•The late Chindima at the hospital bed before her demise on Wednesday

Barber’s death sparks row HE police have been accused of trying to frame up a businessman, Alhaji Mutairu Owoeye, for the murder of a barber, Bidemi Akinde.

Owoeye is alleging that the Zone II Command at Onikan, Lagos, is after him “over an earlier misunderstanding”.

Recounting how the barber died, he alleged that Akinde was killed by thugs led by a cult chief, named “One Hour”.

Owoeye denied that policemen from Sango Ota Area Command killed the barber, saying his travail with the Zone II Command started when he was appointed agent of a property at Oke-Ore in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State.

“As the land was occupied by illegal occupants, I decided to inform the occupiers of a court judgement in respect of the land as many may not be aware and to this effect, I printed a public notice to be pasted on the land as the judgement debtors are prone to violence. I decided to seek police protection to avoid unpleasant scene. I forwarded a letter to the police which was approved by

Trader charged with obstructing NAFDAC officials

allegedly causing the death of Akinde.

“A wrong impression has to be corrected. I was not arrested by the armed uniformed men. In fact, they were out to kill me. I was rescued by the police from Sango-Ota and the police at Zone II, Onikan, Lagos took over the case with intent to carry out a revenge mission over an earlier misunderstanding between me and them after an illegal raid on Orudu village in Ibeju-Lekki, during which the Police arrested and charged an 84-year-old woman to court for stealing N22,000”, Owoeye said in a statement.

AGOS State branch of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) chairman, Alhaji Musa Mohammed has urged members to tighten security in all motor parks.

He gave the directive at a meeting with leaders of branches and units in Ijegun, a Lagos suburb.

Mohammed directed Task Force members to intensify their surveillance, adding that security gadgets acquired for checking of baggage should be effectively used.

He advised his men to always inform the police of any suspected movement, reminding them that the ban on alcohol sales in motor parks still subsists.

Any unit chairman that allows sales of such products in his motor park will be dealt with, he said.

Mohammed hailed Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for directing Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) to change their style for operation, saying the directive would aid operations of commercial drivers.

He cautioned drivers not to see the governor’s gesture as licence to reckless driving.

Five ‘cultists’ in court

F

IVE men were yesterday arraigned before an Ikorodu Magistrate’s Court in Lagos for allegedly being members of a secret cult.

They are said to belong to the Aye ‘Axe Men’ confraternity cult that displayed weapons in public and breached the peace at Imota in Ikorodu on May 28.

Prosecuting Police Corporal Mary Ajiteru told the court that Rabiu Kapo (18), Joseph Fasasi (aka ‘Alaye’) (31), Adebayo Juwon (32), Olatayo Kehinde (24), and Adesanya

By Robert Egbe

Rasak (18) and others at large, joined the unlawful secret society to misbehave in public.

She said: “They conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace.

They also displayed dangerous weapons in public without lawful authority and in a manner likely to cause terror.”

The accused pleaded not guilty.

Magistrate O. O. Olatunji granted them N100,000 bail and two sureties in the like sum each.

Lawmaker decries poor power supply in Badagry

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EMBER representing Badagry Constituency II in Lagos State House of Assembly David Setonji has decried the poor power supply in Ajara community which comprises over 14 villages.

Setonji called on the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply in the area.

Setonji said for over eight years, the area has been in dark-

By Idayat Bello

ness because the transformers were of low capacity and old.

The transformers, he said, could no longer serve the community because of its large population.

“It is sad that for over eight years, the Ajara community has been without electricity even now that power supply has improved nationwide. The reason for the present situation is because the transformers in the

area which are of 11 KVA capacity can no longer serve the people effectively. They have become obsolete and are over 25 years old. We want transformers that are of 33 KVA capacity like the ones in Badagry metropolis and environs,” he said.

The lawmaker said because of the unsteady power supply, artisans and other tradesmen cannot work except with generators compounding their cost of production.

Vehicle owners get Ultimatum

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AGOS state police command has warned owners of abandoned vehicles parked at the Ajao estate Police division to come forward with their original documents and remove or lose them to the public through auction sales after 21 days of this publication. The vehicles are: BMW saloon car REG NO: SD 690 KJA and Gulf car REG NO: XK 950 EPE.

•Yaba Local Council Development Area Executive Secretary, Bola Olumegbon with beneficiaries of the council's Free Holiday Coaching programme for the 2015/16 JSS One pupils at Anglican Primary School Complex, Makoko, Yaba, Lagos

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

63

TODAY IN THE NATION

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.10 NO. 3334

‘Stealing is now corruption...And this one! Even our foreign reserve knows that a new sheriff is in town, and has responded appropriately. In June, just one month into office, and with the plugging of some leakages and loopholes, foreign reserve surged from $29 billion to $31.89. Holy Moses!

Just in one month. Well, that is what a new sheriff can do. He brings sanity, confidence and probity to the system’ OLA TUNJI OL OLADE OLATUNJI OLOLADE

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

D

ECEMBER 7, 1941 was a day that will live forever in infamy. That was the verdict that President Franklin D. Roosevelt pronounced on the day that the Japanese decided to launch a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and the heart of the United States bled for its innocent citizens.

It was an act of war and the country and its leaders treated it as such. It was the beginning of the end of the 2nd World War. While the fortune of that war changed, the world didn’t. And at the end of the war, normalcy returned; and Japan and the United States have remained allies and trading partners for most of the last century to date.

September 11, 2001 (9/11) was a different class in the calendar of days. It was the most appropriate for the title of a Day of Infamy.

Fourteen years ago today the world really changed and normalcy has been a mirage ever since. Witness security operations at local and international airports. Though radical Islamists had been a nuisance to the sensibilities of the civilised world for most of the last 40 years or so, 9/11 carried its raging insanity too far, striking the soul of the capital of the industrial world with its mindless fury. And the world appeared to have had more than enough. Or has it, really?

If in fact the world had it on 9/11, the question that cries for an answer is “why hasn’t the world really come together to excise the cancerous mass from its body?”

And why has it allowed the malignancy to spread so aggressively?

Further still, from the way in which terrorists have unleashed their murderous venom on innocent human beings in all corners of the world, shall we infer that the rest of the civilised world, from Africa to Asia and Europe to the Americas, cannot combine their forces to defeat and root them out from the face of the earth?

Terrorism is about the use of violence and terror to achieve political change. This is true of religious terrorists as it is of freedom fighters. The purpose is political. ISIS, Al Qaeda and Boko Haram all want to have a Caliphate that they control. Boko Haram once insisted that no non-Moslems will be allowed to rule their fold. But they also discriminate between their version of Islam and those they reject. No members of other Moslem sects are also to be trusted to rule over them.

What they want they cannot have by persuasion because they don’t trust their own power to persuade others to their point of view. Rather they will force their creed into the mind, (sorry, make that the flesh), of others. If you cannot persuade by reasoning, you

SEGUN GBADEGESIN gbadegesin@thenationonlineng.net

The day the world changed

‘

What state terrorists, such as Robespierre started, anti-state and proanarchist terrorists took over and ran with in the aftermath of the industrial revolution and the widespread alienation it caused cannot reach the mind of anyone. If you then choose to impose your creed by force, you are capturing the body, the flesh, and not the mind.

How deep does that go? That is why Oxford English Dictionary defines a terrorist as anyone who attempts to further his or her views by a system of coercive intimidation.

One is tempted to blame it all on the civilised world itself. Not just because they have proved themselves utterly ineffective in stopping the spread of terror in at least the last 15 years; but also because, as some will argue, they started it all in the first place.

Tracing the history of terrorism in a seminal book, Inside Terrorism, Bruce Hoffman observes that the French Revolutionists designed the “reign of terror” to consolidate the power of the new government they established by intimidating the counter-revolutionaries and subversives who they regarded as enemies of the people.

Robespierre, the Revolutionary leader, defined terror as nothing but justice, prompt, severe and inflexible. He regards it therefore as an emanation of virtue itself. How perverse this must appear to us now if Shekau

I am re-running this piece originally published here Friday, August 28, 2015 because of the embedded rejoinder. This is to avail the writer a right of reply and afford readers the opportunity to read and judge by themselves. I overlook the actionable statements in the rejoinder.

were to offer himself as the embodiment of virtue. Indeed, hasn’t he taunted and mocked the rest of us as kaffirs, which is another term for vice, the opposite of virtue.

What state terrorists, such as Robespierre started, anti-state and pro-anarchist terrorists took over and ran with in the aftermath of the industrial revolution and the widespread alienation it caused. And of course, the state that never quite abandoned its absolute control over the use of force also found terror handy as an instrument of the totalitarian state. On their part, the oppressed and dispossessed in colonial enclaves, rejecting the title of terrorists, self-identified as freedom fighters. The tactic and outcomes, however, remain identical.

But can there ever be a moral justification for terrorism, which unlike conventional war, makes no distinction against morally justifiable and unjustifiable targets of violent actions? When Shekau and his terror gang send innocent girls and young boys on suicide bombing missions, we cannot assume that those young people know or fully understand what they are being asked to do. Then they

on page 58

tion such that could untangle the system and unleash the potentialities of the state

•For comments, send SMS to 08111526725

EXPRESSO

M

steve.osuji@yahoo.com Twitter: @steve_osuji

•Columnist of the Year (NMMA)

Like Mark, like Saraki Re-Like Mark, like Saraki

By Kola Ologbondiyan

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S a mark of respect, I hate to join issues with my senior colleagues on the pages of Newspapers (sic). This position of mine was further encouraged by the President of the Senate Emeritus (sic), Senator David Mark, who always told me that every man has a right to his opinion. In the eight years I spent with him officially as his media advisor, Senator Mark’s preference and insistence was to speak directly with those who held contrary opinions to his views not minding their reactions in the newspapers. He often advised that we leave all channels of communication open for “those who need to know.”

As a journalist, I also subscribe to the dictum that the right to free expression is not open ended. In simpler terms, the freedom of expression has its limits. It is in the light of this that I believe that my first boss and senior colleague, Steve Osuji, went beyond his freedom of expression in his “ Like Mark, like Saraki” as espoused on the Backpage of The Nation newspaper of Friday, August 28, 2015. His opaque views must not be allowed to pass or else many will mistook (sic) his rubbish fiction as a fact.

•Continued

the structural dysfunction plaguing the polity was righted; no landmark legisla-

•For comments, send SMS to 08111813080

was pushed.

For 16 years, the NASS remained a wayward, licentious lad and in eight years under David Mark’s leadership, it grew into a rapacious money mongering ogre; a loose King Kong trampling the polity and gobbling up our commonwealth. Mark will be remembered for the singular achievement of nurturing a NASS where members earned more than members of the US Congress and the British Parliament put together. We will remember him for bequeathing us with the inimitable legacy of a rogue assembly during his presidency.

We remember Mark today and for always for that outstanding record of creating a NASS that earned the highest wages in the world. We will always remember him for breeding a corps of hardhearted men and women who are lacking in compunction or empathy for the teeming horde of a poor and deprived populace.

We will remember David Mark and his gang not only for mindlessly immiserising the people but for also over-sighting the historic pillage of Nigeria in the last five years. Never in our history had a parliament entered into such incestuous relationship with the executive branch to rape and ravage the country and her people.

STEVE OSUJI

Cash is king, no, cash is god AY history be damned! Monetise our legacy! Hand us cash bequeathals! This must be the silent chant of members of our National Assembly (NASS) in the last 16 years. If only they knew any better; if only they realized that the unit of measure of life’s worth lies in legacies and not currencies.

This is why history will have no golden chapter for Senator David Mark who was senate president and head of NASS for eight years. The refrain of his supporters has been that he was instrumental to stabilizing the Fourth Republic and Nigeria’s nascent democracy. But ‘stabilize’ to what end? Didn’t he merely hold down the cow for it to be milked to death?

As this column has always canvassed, the position of the Senate President is only second in importance to that of the president of the federal republic. Therefore, under the control of a noble and enlightened mind, the NASS is a veritable instrument for ringing far-reaching socio-political and constitutional changes. But as we have witnessed, none of

’

•Roosevelt

die and they kill others who have nothing to do with whatever the grievances of the gang might be.

Or when Chibok girls were herded away in trucks to an unknown destination and forcefully kept against their wish while some were converted to Islam against their wish as the President recently observed, does Shekau consider this act as good-in-itself or as a means to some end that he wants to achieve?

If he thinks it is good in itself to abuse and brutalise innocent girls he must be the most perverse and devilish human being. Isn’t it a most bizarre and cruel irony that he would suggest that he is doing whatever he does in the name of God and in obedience to his will?

So we know that it is bizarre. We understand that it is devilish. And we agree that it is evil. What is it that prevents us from not just verbally condemning these mindless violence and others, such as the beheading of innocent men and women by ISIS, but more importantly, combining the forces of the entire world community, which are certainly greater than those of the terrorists to defeat them?

One reason the world has not come together is the perceived dissimilarity of vested interests among the leaders of the civilised world. One props up a regime that gasses its citizens. Another turns a blind eye towards atrocities committed by a friendly regime. A third is inward looking and doesn’t care as long as it is not a target. Yet for another it is the economy that matters and she will enter into trade relations with the devil if it pays.

And so with disparate national interests, worldwide terror, even with its limited strength, gets a break that it doesn’t deserve.

With a purposefully united international community AWOL, terrorists are having a field day, and evil is let loose!

African nations cannot afford the devastation, dislocations and the psychological trauma that terrorism is inflicting worldwide.

This is why it is important for them to combine their forces to defeat it and erase it from the face of the continent. This is supposed to be Africa’s century. It is its take-off time. It cannot afford to be pulled down by the weight of terror.

President Muhammadu Buhari is on the right path with his shuttle diplomacy to neighbouring states, mobilising his fellow leaders to the theatre of the war against terror. With their arms wide open appealing for support, the West must be ready to lift them up with the resources they need to execute the war to its logical conclusion.

•Continued

on page 58

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Editor Daily:08111813080, Marketing: 01-8155547 . Abuja Office: Plot 5, Nanka Close AMAC Commercial Complex, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. Tel: 07028105302. Port Harcourt Office: 12/14, Njemanze Street, Mile 1, Diobu, PH. 08023595790. WEBSITE: www.thenationonlineng.net E-mail: info@thenationonlineng.net Editor: GBENGA OMOTOSO