The Nation September 12, 2011

Nigeria’s truly national newspaper

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VOL. 7, NO. 1891 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

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Emotions as US marks Sept 11

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HOUSANDS gathered yesterday morning at New York’s ground zero and stood still in silence, some crying as they listened to the names of victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks read aloud.

“They were our neighbours, our friends, our husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, children and parents,” said New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who, along with President Barack Obama, helped lead the commemoration on the 10th anniversary of the attacks.

“We have asked their families to speak their names out loud, to remind each of us about the person we lost in New York, in Washington and in Pennsylvania. They each had a face, a story, a life cut short from under them.”

A moment of silence spread across New York City at 8:46 a.m. (local time) - the time when American Airlines flight 11 crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Centre. Houses of worship tolled their bells.

After Obama read a Psalm, 167 pairs of family members began reading the names of those who perished. The reading was interrupted by another moment of silence at 9:03 a.m. - the time when United Airlines Flight 175 struck the South Tower.

The solemn ceremony at the site of the World Trade Centre came amid a heavy security presence permeating the area in lower Manhattan, as authorities continued their search for possible plotters of another terrorist strike.

Information considered credible but unContinued on page 4

•Alicia Bergstein (centre) comforts her children Devin Bergstein (left) and Adrianna Bergstein while visiting the National September 11 Memorial at the World Trade Center site in New York ... yesterday. Daniel Bergstein, Alicia’s husband and the childrens’ father, was killed on 9/11. See also pages 2 and 3.

PHOTO: AFP

Bombings: Tight security at Defence Hqtrs, others Explosions in Jos as govt plans review S •Air Marshal Petinrin

ECURITY was tightened yesterday at the Defence Headquarters and other service buildings in Abuja.

Besides, all officers and men in all the services and those at the Defence Headquarters now undergo security checks before being allowed into their offices.

It is all part of the precautionary measures against Boko Haram (Western education is evil), the Islamic fundamentalist group that has claimed responsibilities for the spate of bomb-

‘

The Armed Forces and others cannot afford to take anything for granted on a sensitive date like September 11, which al-Qaeda and their affiliates could take advantage of to strike.

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

ings in the land.

Soldiers yesterday cordoned off a part of Muhammadu Buhari Way, which leads to the Defence Head-

’

quarters, Navy, Air Force and Army headquarters.

Special patrol vehicles coded DHQ 442, 445 and armed soldiers were deployed in all roads leading to these buildings.

Also, there was a heavy security check on the road from the International Conference Centre on the way to the Army Headquarters.

Both the centre and the nearby high-rise Radio House are also being protected.

Although it could not be immediately ascertained what informed the sudden security build-up at the Defence Headquarters, a source said “it is based on intelligence report and the Continued on page 4

•POLITICS P17 •SPORTS P24 •JOBS P25 •CITYBEATS P31 •CEO P37

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

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NEWS 9/11 ATTACKS...TEN YEARS AFTER

World finds unique ways to mark 9/11 anniversary R

ESIDENTS of a small Filipino village lined up flowers. Firefighters in Sydney, Australia, climbed stairs to the top of a skyscraper and shed tears. In Madrid, Spain, a crowd of several hundred gathered to plant trees and hold a moment of silence.

Around the world on Sunday, people remembered 9/11, marking in their own ways the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that brought much of the world to a standstill.

Jose Luis San Pio, who lost his daughter in the attacks, said the pain gets worse with each anniversary.

“But Sylvia is always in my memory,” he said, during a ceremony at a Madrid park where 10 American Oak trees were planted.

Sylvia San Pio Resta, 26, was the only Spaniard to die in the attacks.

His daughter, who was pregnant, worked in the Twin Towers, as did her American husband, John Resta, who also died. They were both financial traders.

“We are here to remember those who died on that day but also to celebrate their memory,” said U.S. Ambassador to Spain Alan Solomont.

The crowd observed a moment of silence for the 9/11 victims.

In Sydney — 10,000 miles from New York, where the World Trade Center towers were leveled in the attacks — firefighters held their own moment of silence for their lost brethren.

They climbed 80 flights of stairs to the top of Sydney Tower, the city’s tallest building, in a testament to the firefighters in New York who rushed into the burning towers.

“This is the least we could do just to say thank you,” said one.

“So many of them didn’t go home that day,” said another.

CNN affiliate 9 News reported on a moment of silence the firefighters held at the top — and showed one young firefighter weeping.

Later, at an interfaith memorial

service in Sydney’s St. Mary’s Cathedral, Cardinal George Pell, Sydney’s archbishop, said, “While belonging to different religious traditions, we’re united in our opposition to terrorism.”

In some parts of the world, people found quiet ways to mark the solemn occasion and pay their respects.

Residents of the Gawad Kalinga village in Baseco Compound in Manila, Philippines, brought flowers to a marker in memory of Marie Rose Abad, who was killed in the attacks.

Her husband Rudy, a Filipino-American, had donated funds for the construction of 48 homes in their village as a tribute to their 26 years of marriage, CNN affiliate ABS-CBN reported Sunday.

In front of the U.S. Embassy in London’s Grosvenor Square, dignitaries joined loved ones of Britons who died in the attacks.

“Although that dreadful act of violence was meant to divide us, it has actually drawn us together, one person to another, one community to another” said Prince Charles.

“On this anniversary we are drawn to you in our thoughts and in our prayers, knowing that we cannot change the past, but that through struggling to find a light that can lighten our darkness, we may ultimately bring the healing the world so desperately needs.”

Family members stepped up to read the names of their lost loved ones, then placed long-stem white roses attached to small black-andwhite photos of the victims on a 9/ 11 memorial garden.

In Ancona, Italy, Pope Benedict XVI offered a prayer in memory of the victims.

Saying he was thinking of those who lost their lives and the victims’ families, the pontiff said, “I invite the leaders of nations and men of good will to reject violence always as a solution to problems, to resist the temptation to hate and to work

within society based on the principles of solidarity, justice and peace.”

Paris held a moving ceremony at the Place du Trocadero, also known as Human Rights Plaza. Two replica towers about 80 feet tall, representing the World Trade Center, were erected, covered with large canvasses displaying the names of the victims of each tower.

About 200 people gathered for the ceremony, despite the windy, rainy weather. A French mother, who brought her 2-year-old daughter, said she felt the need to be there to support the United States. She recalled the front page of the French newspaper Le Monde at the time of the attacks, which carried the headline, “We are all Americans.”

The event ended with the flight of 40 doves released by children.

Among those commemorating 9/ 11 on Sunday were U.S. troops stationed overseas, including in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Members of Joint Base Balad, Iraq, took part in a 24-hour flag run/walk vigil combined with a remembrance ceremony, the U.S. military said.

“I’m from New York, so I remember 9/11 like yesterday, I responded to the towers, so New York City is embedded in me,” said Master Sgt. George Pardee, 332nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron Vehicle Maintenance flight.

At U.S. bases in Afghanistan, where soldiers are fighting a war triggered by the 9/11 attacks, soldiers took part in ceremonies to reflect as well.

“Don’t forget what happened on that day, and remember the reason why we fight,” said Air Force Master Sgt. Alex Kruhlinski, a radio frequency transmission systems specialist in Kapisa Province.

In countries all over the world, many people stopped what they were doing to watch the 9/11 memorials on TV — and to share memories on social media.

Tears, tributes amid sunshine

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OME arrived the night before, standing until dawn’s early light. Others came in swarms at the end, up from the heavily secured subways to these sad, sacred acres.

Some were there to mourn what had been lost. Others came to represent what had been saved. Some came so they could remember what

•A woman crying at the Ground Zero...yesterday

had happened 10 years ago. Others to find a bit more closure so maybe they could, at last, enjoy a measure of relief.

They came to the memorial service at Ground Zero here and heard a choir sing, two presidents speak, and six moments of silence pass.

Church bells rang throughout the city. The bagpipes of “Amazing Grace” whistled around corners.

People even chanted “USA, USA.” They stayed and listened to the reading of 2,983 innocent names into the Manhattan morning, an act designed to both provide remembrance on an individual level and offer proof on a global one to all the despots that divide through denial.

“We’ve lived in sunshine and shadow,” New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said. This day was to acknowledge both.

They came to look wide-eyed up at the surrounding canyons of steel and into the still gaping, reconstructed space where hell came to America like never before. One World Trade Center is being built, a museum is nearly done, yet it still feels empty.

They came by the thousands even if they could barely see or hear the ceremonies, even as the warnings of more terrorists seeking to kill more Americans dominated discussion.

They refused to be deterred or dis-

tracted or driven away.

Parents came to remember lost children. Children came to remember lost parents. Others came to remember the sacrifice of all those strangers, the workers in the towers, the first responders who tried to save them, the passengers and crew members on the plane, even the soldiers who wound up fighting wars that essentially began right here.

They stood and prayed and acknowledged the moment the first tower was hit, then the second, then the Pentagon in Virginia and the field in Pennsylvania, then the collapsing of one building, then the next. Each moment seemingly more haunting than the last.From sea to shining sea, the song goes, and here was this sea of shining people, American people, all races and creeds, all colors and classes, all ages and allegiances. Some with family ties that date back centuries and some who didn’t even land on these great shores until September 11, 2001, had already played out.

“The world stopped that day,” said Johnny Frisk, who flew from Sweden, his first visit to the States, just to attend the service. “I felt it was important to be here, to show we’re a family.”

“Never forget,” it said on so many shirts.

And no one forgot. The politicians spoke with eloquence but it was the people who took the place back.

Protesters burn American flag outside U.S. embassy in London

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ROTESTERS set fire to the U.S. flag outside the American embassy in London yesterday during a minute’s silence to mark the moment the first hijacked airliner hit the World Trade Centre.

A group of 100 Muslim radicals, including members of Muslims Against Crusades, shouted ‘USA terrorists’ and brandished anti-American placards.

One protester in Grosvenor Square said: ‘You will always face suffering, you will always face humiliation, unless you withdraw your troops from Muslim lands.’

A small group of Muslims staged a counter-demonstration nearby, holding up placards reading ‘Muslims Against Extremism’ and ‘If You Want Sharia, Move To Saudi’.

Abdul Sallam, 41, who was waving a sign that read ‘Keep The Silence’, travelled down to London from his home in Glasgow to show the strength of his feelings.

He said: ‘I’m a Muslim. What they’re doing is bringing shame on all Muslims. This is not part of the teachings of Islam. Islam is all about peace, but what they want to do is hate other people.”

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

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NEWS 9/11 ATTACKS...TEN YEARS AFTER

• Clockwise from top: two people embrace during tenth anniversary ceremonies at the site of the World Trade Center in New York; the commemoration ceremony at the National September 11 Memorial on September 11, 2011 at Ground Zero ; people gathered during a ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center outside the One World Trade Center site; family members of the victims of the terror attacks enter the 9/11 Memorial Plaza for the first time; former President George Bush jnr, his wife, First Lady Mitchele and President Barack Obama.

PHOTO: AFP

Memorial opens to victims’ families

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OR the families of 9/11 victims, this year brought a new experience at the World Trade Center with the official opening of the 9/11 memorial.

During the 10th anniversary ceremony yesterday, families entered the memorial for the first time.

The memorial features twin reflecting pools with waterfalls that flow into the voids of the Twin Towers. Surrounding the pools are the names of the nearly 3,000 victims of the attack, etched in bronze.

Now, families have a place to go to see their loved ones’ names.

“It’s going to mean a lot to our family,” said one man who lost his brother on 9/11. “Someplace where we can just sit and reflect on what the day was and what the family misses.”

Families may have been anxious going into the memorial yeterday, but as they emerged, most had a sense of peace.

“It was nice. It was like kind of closure,” said another man. “It was something you could go back to and see his name there.”

“It seems like yesterday and it seems like a hundred years ago,” said Perry Sikorsky.

For him, seeing his brother’s name, firefighter Gregory Sikorsky, in bronze at the 9/11 memorial is a defining moment.

“I think the way they did the names, not necessarily in alphabetical order, the architect it looked like he spent a lot of time putting names with associates. I thought that was really special,” he told WCBS 880 reporter Sean Adams.

Prince of Wales joins ceremony outside US Embassy

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HE Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall joined relatives of the British victims of 9/11 at a ceremony to mark the 10th anniversary of the attacks outside the US Embassy in London’s Grosvenor Square.

Other dignitaries who attended the service included David Cameron, the Prime Minister; his deputy, Nick Clegg; Labour’s leader Ed Miliband; the US ambassador, Louis Susman; Dame Judi Dench, the actress; and London’s mayor, Boris Johnson.

About 30 families who lost loved ones in the terrorist atrocities attended the remembrance service at the September 11 memorial garden next to the embassy.

In what has become a tradition

on every anniversary, the bereaved relatives read out the names of the 67 British victims of the attacks and laid a white rose for each of them.

The memorial garden is dedicated to the memory of those killed when fanatical extremists used hijacked passenger jets to strike at the US on September 11 2001.

Opened by the Princess Royal in 2003, it contains a small pavilion bearing three bronze plaques which list the names of victims from the UK, UK Overseas Territories and those with dual nationalities.

There is also a memorial stone bearing American author Henry Van Dyke’s poem For Katrina’s Sun-Dial, beginning “Time is too

slow for those who wait”, which was read at the first memorial service for those killed in 9/11 at Westminster Abbey in November 2001.

The September 11 UK Families Support Group, which represents the bereaved relatives, invited the Prince and Camilla to attend the ceremony because of their close links with the royal couple.

Shortly before the service, a group of Muslim protesters attempted to disrupt the day by burning a US flag and chanting with a loudhailer.

They were opposed by a rival group of moderate Muslims who were determined that extremist voices were not the only ones heard.

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THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

NEWS

•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (second left), wife of Ekiti State Governor, Mrs. Olufunke Fayemi (right); Executive Vice-Chairman, Industrial and General Insurance (IGI) Plc, Mr. Remi Olowude, and his wife, Olubunmi, during Osun state’s honours and awards ceremony in Osogbo ... at the weekend

•Participants at the Gulder Ultimate Search final selection party held at Eko Hotel VI, Lagos at the weekend.

PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

Emotions as US marks 10th anniversary of Sept 11 Continued from page 1

confirmed indicated up to three attackers could be trying to use an explosivesladen vehicle for an attack in New York or Washington, according to various sources.

Authorities stressed that while they were taking information of a possible attack plot seriously, there was no evidence so far that an actual terrorist operation was underway.

Roads near ground zero were blocked and police checkpoints for both vehicles and pedestrians surrounded the memorial, with backpacks checked by bomb-sniffing dogs and put through xray machines.

At the ceremony, Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama stood behind bulletproof protection. Former President George W. Bush, who was president at the time, read a letter sent by Abraham Lincoln to a woman who lost five sons in

the Civil War. “I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming,” Bush read, quoting Lincoln.

“But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the republic they died to save.”

Those who lost loved ones in the attacks stepped forward to read names. In all, 2,753 people died on two airplanes and on the ground when the planes slammed into the World Trade Centre towers, causing their collapse. That total does not include the 10 al Qaeda hijackers on board the planes.

Parallel commemoration ceremonies also took place in Washington - where mourners observed a moment of silence at 9:37 a.m., the moment American Airlines Flight 77 struck the Pentagon, killing 184 people — and in

Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where passengers aboard United Flight 93 are believed to have thwarted a plot to drive the plane through the U.S. Capitol dome and eventually caused the plane to crash in a field.

The total number of dead in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania was 2,977 people, not including 19 hijackers.

The New York programme included music from singer James Taylor ahead of another moment of silence at 9:59 a.m., the time the South Tower collapsed. That was followed by another moment of silence at 10:03 a.m. in Shanksville, the time of the Flight 93 crash. In New York, the ceremony paused again at 10:28 a.m., the time the North Tower fell.

The attacks led U.S. forces to invade Afghanistan to topple the Taliban rulers who had harboured al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and Washington began a “war on

terror” that ousted Iraq’s Saddam Hussein and persists on several fronts to this day.

Those in the crowd included Joseph Conzo, who has been an EMT for 18 years.

He recalled the moment the second tower collapsed, leaving him trapped beneath the smoldering rubble of a neighboring Marriott hotel.

“I still can’t believe it’s been 10 years,” he said. “I’ve got a range of mixed emotions.”

Conzo said he was in therapy for two years after the attacks, grappling with “survivors’ guilt.”

“It was the kind of thing that if you went right, you died, and if you went left, you lived,” he said. “I was left with the question, ‘Why me?’”

Sunday’s ceremony, to him, is about closure, he said.

“Let’s get this finished and move forward.”

In Washington, the moment of silence was followed by remarks from Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike

Mullen, Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta.

Biden spoke on US efforts to combat al-Qaeda in the wake of the attacks, referencing the May assassination of its leader Osama bin Laden.

“Those in this building that day knew what they were witnessing,” Biden said. “It was a declaration of war by stateless actors bent on changing our way of life, who believed these horrible acts, these horrible acts of terror directed against innocents could buckle our knees, could bend our will, could begin to break us and break our resolve. But they did not know us. Instead, that same American instinct that send all of you into the breach between the fourth and fifth corridors galvanized a new generation of patriots, the 9/11 generation.”

“No memorial, no ceremony, no words will ever fill the void left in your heart

by (the victims’) loss,” he told family members. “My prayer for you is that 10 years later, when you think of them ... that it brings a smile to your lips before it brings a tear to your eye.”

At the ceremony, troops placed wreaths at the Pentagon memorial. En route to the Pentagon ceremony, Biden stopped by a Washington fire station.

Obama attended all three ceremonies yesterday. At Shanksville, he and the first lady laid a wreath at the Flight 93 memorial, prompting cheers of “USA,” from the crowd.

Obama visited the North Memorial Pool, which sits in the footprint of the north tower. He walked around it hand-in-hand with first lady Michelle Obama, former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura.

The president touched the etched names of the dead before he greeted some family members.

Boko Haram bombings: Tight security at Defence Hqtrs, others Army seeks divine intervention to fight terrorism

Continued from page 1

need for precautionary measures”.

The source, who pleaded not to be named because he is not authorised to talk to the media, added: “The Armed Forces and others cannot afford to take anything for granted on a sensitive date like September 11, which alQaeda and their affiliates could take advantage of to strike.

“This nation has had its fair share of terrorist attacks from Boko Haram and it is prepared to ward off any terror threats.”

Responding to a question, the highly-placed source added: “It is true that officers and men, no matter their ranks, are now being subjected to security checks at the Defence Headquarters, service buildings and military formations.

“We have to resort to that because no one can tell who is working for Boko Haram or any terrorist organisation.

You will recall that some years ago, a member of the Sikh sect, who was a body guard to the late Prime Minister of India Indira Ghandi, actually shot her.

“With threats from Boko Haram, we cannot rule out any suspicion. That is why

T

HE Army is seeking divine intervention in the fight against terrorism.

Officers and men of the Second Division in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, yesterday gathered at the All Souls Military Church (Protestant) at the Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment to seek the face of God. They were locked in singing and praying for about five hours, seeking “divine intervention against internal and external aggressors”.

They also prayed to God to unravel the we are pre-emptive.”

Defence Headquarters spokesman Col. Yerima Mohammed said he had been away on vacation and could not comment on the security measures.

“I have just arrived in Abuja from my vacation base.

I may not be able to make any clarification, until I resume on Monday (today),” he said.

There were indications last night that the Federal Government may prevail on Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State to allow the Special Task Force (STF) to strengthen security on the state’s boundaries with neighbouring states, such as Kaduna, Bauchi and Nasarawa.

Intelligence reports have confirmed that those invading

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

mysteries behind acts of terrorism in various parts of the country and deal decisively with the aggressors.

The officiating priest, Major Moses Abolanle, a venerable, quoted from the Bible and asserted that “the battle against the noticeable acts of terrorism in the nation are not ours, but God’s”.

He urged the congregation to pray fervently for divine intervention.

The cleric said: “The battle is not ours.

What we need to do is to rise up stoutly

Berom settlements in Heipang and Barkin Ladi in Jos South Local Government Area are suspected to have established bases in neighbouring states.

The governor, who is a Berom, has resisted the presence of the STF officers and men, following accusations last year by villagers that some of their attackers were always dressed in military camouflage.

A senior government official, who spoke in confidence, said: “The Presidency is tired of these killings. Each time we get in touch with Jang. He gives the assurance that he is on top of the situation.

“We can no longer leave the security situation to Jang as he is insisting. These killings must stop. He has to listen to a second opinion from the Presi-

in effective fervent prayers of the righteous and call on God to fight our battle.

It is time for spiritual battle against the aggressors. We need divine protection in the nation. And the Lord will definitely fight our battle and grant us victory over all our enemies.”

Major Abolanle urged soldiers to move closer to God as, according to him, this is a trying period that calls for more devotional prayers on the part of all.

“Whenever you face problems or persecution, prayer is the answer,” he said.

dency and security agencies.

“We know he is trying to provide security but we will prevail on him to allow the STF to protect Plateau’s borders and identifiable routes with neighbouring states.

“We know Jang loves his people, but we have reached another bend that we must review the security situation again in Jos.” The spokesman of the STF, Capt. Charles Ekeocha, had told a newspaper that the state was resisting security from the Force along the boundaries with neighbouring states.

He said: “We need to ask ourselves why is it that it is only in Barkin Ladi and Heipang axis that these accusations keep coming from?

“You should know that the

terrain is difficult. There are many routes from there to Kaduna, Bauchi and Nasarawa.

“We have been saying that they should allow us to deploy our men so that we block off these routes but they said no.”

Twin-bomb explosions rocked Jos, the beleaguered Plateau State capital ahead of today’s peace parley. The bombs went off at West of Mine part of the city.

Although the number of casualties was unknown, Some people were believed to be injured.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity Ayuba Pam insisted that no one was killed or injured.

A visibly shaken resident of the area Paul Gyang said a bomber on a commercial motorcycle, dropped the lethal explosives at

about 8.15pm. He said: “The bomber threw the explosives at some fun seekers at a spot in the West of Mine. The place houses also house a Suya stand.

“The blast scene was not far away from Joseph Gomwalk House of the Plateau state owned newspaper - The Standard.

“Naturally, the explosion shook the buildings within the vicinity and we all ran helter-skelter.” Asked how many people were killed or wounded, Gyang said: “I would not have known in the midst of the commotion.

“But you cannot rule out casualties because the explosives were thrown at a crowded drinking joint. In a statement, Pam said: “There was no casualty but the bomber escaped on a motorcycle. The bombs landed on the road, there was no casualty.

“Security has been beefed up in the area and residents have been asked to be vigilant and keep watch.

“The blast is coming ahead of a peace parley planned for today by Governor Jonah Jang to bring Hausa, Fulani, Berom, Yoruba, Igbo and other stakeholders together in the light of recent killings.

“The government will go ahead with the peace summit,” he said.

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THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

5

NEWS

Documents nail Orubebe in quarrel with Bash Ali Niger Delta Minister Elder Godsday Orubebe last week said his ministry was never committed to sponsoring the proposed Guinness Book of Records boxing bout of world champion Bashiru Ali, popularly known as Bash Ali. But, documents obtained by The Nation show the contrary, reports OLUKOREDE YISHAU

D

ID Niger Delta Affairs Minister Godsday Orubebe ever commit his ministry to sponsoring the proposed Guinness Book of Records bout of World Boxing champion Bash Ali to emerge as the oldest boxer to win a world championship?

Orubebe, in a telephone interview with this newspaper last week, said his ministry has nothing to do with sports. He added that all he did was to recommend Ali to the National Sports Commission (NSC). Ali, however, insisted he had a commitment from the ministry, through the minister, to sponsor the bout.

Ali’s claim, said the minister, shows that he needed psychiatric help. Orubebe said: “That man came to me with his proposal and I said these are things that can be done by the National Sports Commission (NSC). I gave him a recommendation note to see the Minister of Sports at that time.

“Later he came to me that some people told him that the programme will be included in the budget of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.

“I said if other people are lying, I

•Orubebe

•Bash Ali

‘The ministry is in the process of supporting an International Boxing Tournament between Bash Ali of Nigeria and John Keelon of Britain. We are, therefore, seeking for your nominee to serve as member of the committee that will work out the modalities on how to arrange and finance the tournament’ will not lie. The Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs has nothing to do with sports, the programme could not have been part of our budget. So, it is not in our budget.

“This agitation of Ali is dated back to the tenure of ex-President Umaru Yar’Adua. At a point, he was so impressed with my assistance that he wrote a letter to Yar’Adua telling

him that I am the only minister who speaks the truth. I still have a copy of the letter with me.

“Sometime this year, he sent me a text that is it because he insisted on a transparent deal that the budget for the programme was not released? I asked: What has my ministry got to do with Sports?”

“Bash Ali is a big fool. He is good

enough for the psychiatric hospital in Uselu. I think it is a mental case and I want to advise his family to take him there. I am not bothered about what he is saying about me.”

However, documents obtained by this newspaper suggest that Ali had a deal with Orubebe’s ministry to sponsor the bout. The ministry also championed the setting up of a Lo-

cal Organising Committee (LOC) to stage the fight. Orubebe’s ministry, in a letter, asked the NSC to nominate one of its senior officials to serve on the LOC. In the August 27, 2009 letter, the Ministry of Niger Delta, wrote the Chairman of the National Sports Commission on its readiness to support Ali’s fight. The letter, signed by Dalhatu Sule on Orubebe’s behalf, reads: “I am directed to inform you that the ministry is in the process of supporting an International Boxing Tournament between Bash Ali of Nigeria and John Keelon of Britain.

“We are therefore seeking for your nominee to serve as member of the committee that will work out the modalities on how to arrange and finance the tournament.

“Your nominee should be an officer of not below the rank of Assistant Director.”

In another letter, also signed by Sule on Orubebe’s behalf on September 8, 2009, Ali was assured that “a committee has already been set up to work out the modalities for the great fight.”

But, after some months, Orubebe changed his mind. So, in a December 15, 2009 letter Sule, on Orubebe’s behalf, wrote the fighter that the ministry had no money to sponsor the bout, which it had earlier set up a committee to organise.

The letter reads: “I write to refer to your letter of 24th November, 2009, on the above subject matter and to inform you that we are just a fledgling ministry that barely took off this year and as such, extreme budgetary constraints has been a problem to grapple with. In this regard, the Niger Delta Affairs Ministry would not be in a position to sponsor the historic boxing defence bout between Ali of Nigeria and Keeton of Britain. Please accept the warm assurance of the Honourable Minister’s highest regards.”

While it is not in doubt that Orubebe actually gave Ali the hope that the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs would support the fight, why he had a change of mind is hazy. Ali claimed it was because of his refusal to part with some of the $14.2m allegedly budgeted for the fight under skill acquisition in the ministry’s budget, an allegation the minister denied. The minister said the fight was never budgeted for by his ministry.

Customs collects N76b in July

ACN scores Jonathan’s 100 days low

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HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday said there has been little or nothing in the first 100 days of the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration to convince Nigerians he could transform the country.

In a statement issued in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said events of the first 100 days of the Jonathan administration have been akin to building a structure on sand rather than on rock.

The statement reads:’’In his inaugural speech, the President exhorted Nigerians to ‘look beyond the hardship you have endured. See a new beginning; a new direction; a new spirit’. Unfortunately, the President’s unsteady gait as well as his trade mark indecision on critical issues in the past 100 days do not point to a new spirit or a new beginning. They point to a return to the same old raggedy path that brought Nigeria to this sorry pass. ‘’The President told Nigerians on May 29th that ‘I am mindful that I represent the shared aspiration of all our

people to forge a united Nigeria: a land of justice, opportunity and plenty.’ But the unity of Nigeria has never been more threatened than it is under his watch, and the country is still far from being a land of justice.’’ ‘’The President said he is very conscious of the negative effect of insecurity on growth and development, but now expects Nigerians to believe that the contraption he calls Economic Management Team and a supposed first rate cabinet will perform miracles, even as insecurity stalks the land; as Boko Haram continues to kill and maim with impunity, as kidnappers are having a field day and armed robbers striking at will. ‘’The President said he represents the shared aspiration of Nigerians to forge a united Nigeria, but watches helplessly as Nigerians decimate one another in Jos, and families upon families are being wiped out in an orgy of unspeakable violence.

No thanks to the inept handling of the Jos crisis, the situation has worsened in the past 100 days. ‘’We do not expect the Pres-

ident to transform Nigeria in 100 days, but we expect him to take the first sure step towards the transformation of Nigeria. ‘’After all, it was the late US President John F. Kennedy who said in his inaugural speech about his plans for his country: ‘All this will not be finished in the first 100 days.

Nor will it be finished in the first 1,000 days; nor in the life of this administration. Nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin. ‘’No nation that is worth its salt will say it is not prepared for terrorism, 10 years after terrorists killed over 3,000 people in one day alone in the aerial attacks on the US. No nation that wants to be taken seriously will say it is not prepared for terrorism when terrorists have struck in countries they consider as soft targets, like Kenya and Tanzania. Nothing in the NSA’s comments reassures Nigerians that this government will tackle insecurity decisively in the next four years.” ‘’How can anyone talk of setting the stage for development in an atmosphere of in-

security? How can development take root in a land of impunity, where the rule of law is easily subordinated to the rule of the jungle? How can a so-called vibrant cabinet and a world class economic team achieve anything without a visionary policy direction?. ‘’We are not asking the President to tar all dilapidated roads in the first 100 days.

We do not expect the President to solve Nigeria’s numerous problems in the first 100 days. We do not think the President is a miracle man who can transform Nigeria overnight. But we expect him to lead the drive for the nation’s rebirth and give hope to our people, in speech and in deed, and to roll out a clear road-map to the land of security, prosperity, respect for the rule of law as well as world class education and modern healthcare for the citizenry. ‘’Sadly, the Jonathan administration has done little or nothing in its first 100 days to show it has even taken the first step on the journey to that land, or even knows how to get there!’’

•Dr. Jonathan

T

HE ComptrollerGeneral of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)Alhaji Adbullahu Dikko, yesterday said in Abuja that the service collected N76 billion revenue in July.

Dikko told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the unprecedented collection was made possible with the “tremendous support’’ of President Goodluck Jonathan.

He noted that the service did not receive much atten-

tion in the past leading to low morale, poor performance by officers and low monthly revenue collection of some N30 billion.

“It’s within the first 100 days of GoodLuck Jonathan that we made the highest collection in the customs; N76 billion in a month and I believe this is a great achievement.

“Honestly, if you remember customs were really underfunded, so during his time, we bought 500 vehicles at a time; we just approved the purchase of two sea farers that will accommodate 30 officers and he approved the purchase of a brand new aircraft.’’

Dikko also told NAN that the Customs Service had also gained international recognition in the recent past, adding that 10 world leading customs administrations had sought to partner with the Nigeria Customs Service.

He said that the service was about to inaugurate the best staff college in Africa, funded by the Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

6

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

NEWS ANA prize for Aderinokun

By Evelyn Osagie

THE Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has instituted the Tayo Aderinokun Prize for Short Story and Poetry in memory of the late Managing Director of GTBank.

The association described Aderinokun as the ‘greatest patron of the arts’ that Nigeria has ever had. This was on the occasion of Patron’s Day, ANA Lagos chapter held in Lagos at the weekend to celebrate Aderinokun’s legacies and contributions to the development of Arts.

ANA Lagos chair Dagga Tolar said: “Though Aderinokun is no more with us, we can go on to shame death by continuing to have him with us, not only in our hearts but also in a new generations of writers born and yet to be born. As we celebrate the life of Aderinokun, we, ANA Lagos announce that soon there will be a presentation of the Tayo Aderinokun Prize for Short Story and Poetry.”

Operation of Foreign Accounts: Tinubu’s trial ill-timed, political, says group

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GROUP, the Defenders of Democracy (DOD) yesterday described the proposed trial of a former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for alleged operation of foreign accounts while in office as ill-timed and politically motivated by the presidency.

The DOD which made its position known in a statement in Abuja by its National Coordinator, Comrade Ibrahim A.O, also fingered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as one of those behind the plot.

The group said it is baffled that instead of the presidency probing allegations against serving government officials by Wikileaks, it opted for the persecution of the nation’s main opposition leader.

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

It expressed regrets that the nation is treading the familiar political terrain of the past.

The statement said: “The recent summons served on Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to appear before the Code of Conduct Bureau on allegations of operating foreign bank accounts while in office as Lagos governor couldn’t have been more ill-timed by the government.

“This pending summons, which the PDP government has held over Asiwaju Tinubu’s head like a sword of Damocles for years now comes in handy at a time the PDP is losing political relevance and the Presidency under Goodluck Jonathan is reeling from one scandal to

another a.k.a Wikileaks.

“With PDP’s political hegemony slipping away, due to ACN victory under the national leadership of Asiwaju Tinubu, with impending electoral defeats staring the party in the face in the 2012 election, Bola Tinubu easily becomes an easy target.

“We thus see the recent attempt to try Asiwaju Tinubu as politically motivated by the Presidency and members of the ruling party in an attempt to halt his rising political profile as Nigeria ’s leading opposition leader and also stop possible electoral defeat by the ACN. “DOD is concerned about this attempt at selective justice and what it portends for Nigeria’s fragile democracy.”

The DOD warned the presidency against the dangers of muzzling the opposition.

The statement added: “Nigeria is headed in the same direction like in the past, when those in power employ crooked means to try to intimidate, harass or destroy individuals that pose political threats to them”.

It is in this light that we see the recent summons to Tinubu.

“The ruling party has had no answer to the onslaught by the political opposition which has challenged most of the decisions and activities of the Jonathan government. Or maybe they have finally hit on an idea-which is to put Tinubu on trial and distract the opposition while PDP busies itself with stealing electoral votes.

“Vigilance is the eternal price of freedom and we call upon all Nigerians to be vigilant in these matters.

Appeal Court reverses order on Reps poll dispute

“We also call on the government to initiate an investigation into the recent Wilileaks revelations, suspend political appointees accused of corruption and the ruling party must heal itself first.

“We challenge the government to line up other former governors and political appointees being serenaded by the EFCC and the Code of Conduct for trial. This selective persecution, political intimidation and crude attempt to stifle the opposition should not be allowed to stand”.

Group seeks probe of cable report

By Eric Ikhilae

THE Court of Appeal in Lagos has upturned an order made by the state’s Legislative Election Petition Tribunal, in favour of Cosmas Okoli of the Labour Party.

The tribunal had on May 31, directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to permit Okoli and his forensic experts to inspect and analyze materials including biometric data used during the last legislative election in Amuwo-Odofin Federal Constituency.

Okoli is challenging the emergence of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate, Ganiyu Olukolu, as the winner of the election. His petition is hinged on the argument that Olukolu was not duly elected on April 9 and urged the tribunal to so hold.

•Tinubu

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•Chairman of Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) Hon. Wale Oshun (right), his wife, Anthonia, and chairman Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Lagos chapter, Otunba Henry Oladele Ajomole during the 60th birthday party in honour of Mrs Oshun...at the weekend.

PHOTO: ADEJO DAVID

Trovan drug test victims threaten to sue Pfizer

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ICTIMS of the Trovan drug test in Kano State have threatened to sue Pfizer Pharmaceutical Company if it does not release the results of the DNA screening it conducted earlier this year within seven days.

The ultimatum came from counsel to a group, Trovan Victims’ Forum, Etigwe Ewa,

By Olamilekan Andu in a petition to the HealthTHE National Emergency care/Meningitis Trust Fund Management Agency (NEMA) set up by Pfizer and the Kano has urged the immediate State Government to execute relocation of communities the out-of-court settlement from floodplains and those in 2009. with houses on waterways.

On behalf of the forum, the This is coming as four states umbrella body for the 192 prepare for heavy rainfall based on the recent alert by meteorologists.

NEMA’s Director-General Muhammad Sani-Sidi warned ETERMINED to the states at the weekend in prove its case, the Uyo, the state capital, during a Congress for Provisit to Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio at gressive Change (CPC) has filed a motion praying the Government House.

He spoke after a management Presidential Election Petition Tribunal to allow it call retreat of NEMA officials to additional witnesses. review this year’s recurrent Hearing in the petition in disaster situations in Nigeria. which the party is challengSani-Sidi, who noted that with more than 200 deaths and ing the April 16 victory of President Goodluck displacement of thousands of Jonathan begins today. Gen. others by flooding, this year, the new alert from the Nigeri- Muhamadu Buhari contested on the platform of the an Meteorological Agency CPC. (NIMET) must be taken seriThe petitioner also wants ously.

NEMA urges relocation of communities

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

victims of the Trovan clinical trials, Ewa accused Pfizer and the Healthcare/Meningitis of breaching the out-ofcourt deal by deliberately delaying the payment of compensation to other victims.

He said: “The delay is causing untold hardship to our clients and is in breach of the understanding reached between our clients and Pfizer with regards to the settlement of the cross action instituted by our clients in May, last year.

“The inordinate delay is in

breach of our clients’ fundamental rights to the determination of their civil rights and obligations within a reasonable time guaranteed under section 36 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

“Of greater concern to us is the total lack of information about the rules and procedures being adopted or to be adopted by your board in the determination of the true participants of the trials.

“We understand that recently your board made a finding that eight out of the 355 persons who submitted

claim forms in May, last year, qualify for payment.

“No information has been received as to how this determination was made and the factors taken into consideration.”

Ewa warned that the victims would not accept the piece meal release of results, challenging the board to disclose who is in possession of the DNA results.

“Recently six out of 192 clients who we personally escorted to the board for the purpose of submitting the claim forms were invited by the board to appear before it.

CPC seeks approval for additional witnesses

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From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

to plead additional list of documents.

The application followed the CPC failure to get an order of the Tribunal compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to release to it the biometric data used for the conduct of the April 16 presidential election won by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The party claimed that it

wanted to rely on the forensic analysis of the biometric data to prove that Jonathan did not win the election as declared by the commission.

In the motion brought by its Counsel Abubakar Malami (SAN) pursuant to paragraph 47 (1) of the First Schedule to the Electoral Act 2010 and/or the Court’s inherent jurisdiction, the party is asking for an order granting leave to the Petitioner/Applicant to move this Motion outside the PreHearing Session.

The reliefs include: •An Order pursuant to Paragraph 45 (1) of the 1st Schedule to the Electoral Act 2010 and/or the Court’s inherent jurisdiction granting leave to the Petitioner/ Applicant for enlargement of time within which to file and use Additional Witness Statements as separately filed before this Honourable Court and attached to this application and marked as Exhibits 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20, among others.

CIVIL society group, Integrity in Governance Alliance (IGA) is seeking a probe of the 2007 general elections.

This followed the revelations contained in the United States diplomatic cables published on the Wikileaks website that exPresident Olusegun Obasanjo allegedly planned to sack the then Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Maurice Iwu, for his refusal to cancel the polls.

Coordinator of the group, Dr. Alhassan Umar Gubio said the probe has become necessary for the country to place the 2007 elections in its proper context and find better ways of insulating the nation’s president from direct interference in the affairs of the electoral commission.

Gubio said such a probe would determine the veracity of the Wikileaks report in addition to helping Nigerians to know how they were governed.

Gubio noted that the revelations were “grave”.

Lord Mayor of London in Nigeria

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HE Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Michael Bear, is in Nigeria, the British High Commission announced yesterday.

He is in the country to further develop the existing commercial and economic relations between the United Kingdom and Nigeria, a statement yesterday by the Press Secretary to the High Commission, Hooman Nouruzi, said.

“As part of this visit to Nigeria, the Lord Mayor of London will undertake official engagements in Lagos and Abuja,” the statement added.

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

7

NEWS Mimiko’s spirit still in the PDP, says Obasanjo From Damisi Ojo, Akure

F

ORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo has said Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in spirit, even though he belongs to the Labour Party (LP).

Obasanjo spoke at the weekend during the one year coronation anniversary of the Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adesida.

The anniversary, which coincided with the monarch’s 61st birthday, was held at St. David’s Anglican Church in Ijomu, Akure.

Obasanjo said: “It was surprising that despite Adebiyi’s closeness to me, Mimiko did not stop him from becoming the king.

“Though we belong to different political parties, the governor is physically in the LP while his spirit is in the PDP.” No member of the PDP in the state was at the airport to welcome the ex-President. He was received by Senator Iyiola Omisore and his entourage, who arrived earlier.

Dignitaries at the event included the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade; Mimiko; the Olowo of Owo, Oba Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi; and the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo.

Others were Senator Boluwaji Kunlere; Senator Olorunmbe Farukanmi and Dr. Olu Agunloye, among others.

Obasanjo; Ooni; Deji; Obasanjo’s wife, Bola; Mimiko; Deji’s wife, Olori Mojisola and Mimiko’s wife, Olukemi ... at the weekend

Osun workers to resume work today

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IVIL servants in Osun State are expected to resume work today.

They suspended their fiveweek-old strike last Friday after meeting with the government.

Both parties agreed on the implementation of the N19, 012.95 minimum wage for workers on Grade levels 1-7 with effect from August 1, while the salaries of those on levels 8-17 would be reviewed as soon as the financial situation of the state improves.

House of Assembly Speaker Najeem Salaam praised the

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

labour unions yesterday for allowing reason to prevail.

He said dialogue is the only tool for negotiation.

The lawmaker representing Ife Federal constituency, Rotimi Makinde, assured workers of improved conditions of service during the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

The Chief of Staff, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, promised Labour that no worker would be punished for participating in the strike.

VC pleads with Fayemi on varsity site

Cholera claims 10 lives in Oyo

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O fewer than 10 persons have been killed by cholera in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Many of them died within 24 hours of stooling and vomiting.

About 30 others are also on admission at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan and other hospitals.

A couple of weeks ago, several people were killed by the disease in Ibadan Northwest.

A doctor at Omi-Adio in Ido local government, who pleaded for anonymity, said the eight cholera patients that were brought to the hospital

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado Ekiti

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HE VICE Chancellor (VC) of the Federal University approved for Ekiti State, Prof. Chinedu Nebo has urged Governor Kayode Fayemi to approve its citing in Oye-

Ekiti.

Nebo said this would enable the school takeoff next January.

The Vice Chancellor spoke at a reception organised in his honour by the people of Oye Local Government Area when he inspected a proposed site for the university at the weekend.

He said: “The facilities on ground in Oye are not adequate; we will try to improve on them before January.”

Nebo said the location of the main campus/administration department would either be in Ikole or Oye, but he was awaiting the governor’s approval.

He said: “It would be wonderful if our beloved governor would be kind and gracious enough to approve the originally intended site, here in Oye. That way, we can start the two campuses together.

“If not, that means we might take off a little later, but my prayer and hope is for the students to be on ground come January 2012.”

Governor sued for allegedly hoarding information

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HE Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sued Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi for his alleged failure to release information and documents on his administration’s spending on primary education.

The suit was filed at the State High Court last week by SERAP’s counsel, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN).

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice was joined as respondent.

The organisation had, in June, requested up-to-date information and documents on spending relating to primary education from 2005, when the first budget was released for the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) program in the state.

SERAP Executive Director Adetokunbo Mumuni said: “The power or discretion to refuse to give access to infor-

mation requested for cannot be exercised in vacuum. Such a power or discretion must be provided for by the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act. “This means that a request for information can only be denied or turned down if the information requested is exempted from disclosure under the provisions of the FoI Act. “In the case at hand, the information requested relates strictly to the receipt and expenditure of public funds on primary education in the state.

“In Nigerian jurisprudence, statutes are binding on all citizens and the government, unless there is special provision exempting the government from the operation of the statute in question.

“The FOI Act 2011 is a validly enacted law and therefore has binding force on all authorities and persons.”

•30 hospitalised From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

had been referred to UCH. He confirmed that no fewer than 10 persons have been killed by the disease.

Caretaker Chairman of the council Professor Niyi Olowofela said: “Cases of cholera were reported in the council, especially Omi-Adio and its environs.

“I am aware of only one death. They victim was severelly vomiting and stooling, but since there has been no postmortem, we cannot real-

ly know whether the death was caused by cholera.

“My friend’s child has also been referred to UCH for exhibiting cholera symptoms.

We are trying to control the spread and I have directed the Medical Director of the local government to do all he can to curb the disease.”

Olowofela said a team of health workers were already on the field to check the situation and educate the people on the importance of cleanliness.

He appealed to individuals and corporate organisations to assist the government by providing disinfec-

tants and water treatment chemicals.

The Chief Medical Director of Twins Hospital in OmiAdio, Laide Emmanuel, said some specimen have been sent to the laboratory for examination.

He said: “We can call it suspected cholera for now, because it has not been confirmed by the laboratory.

Many cases of vomiting and stooling have been brought here, but some of them were referred elsewhere because of the patient’s inability to make the needed deposit for treatment. Cholera treatment is not something you stop half way.”

Ajimobi sets up flood prevention committee

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YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has inaugurated a 12man task force to evolve measures that will prevent a recurrence of the August 26 flood in the state.

The task force, headed by Dr. Bolanle Wahab, is also expected to take inventory of water courses in Ibadan, identify structures along waterways and clear water paths.

Inaugurating the task force in his office at the weekend, Ajimobi said the members were selected based on their professional competence in environmental management, regional and urban planning, as well

•Demolition may start tomorrow From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

as water resources and civil engineering.

The task force is also expected to evolve strategies for inclusive environment and waste management, emergency response to unexpected flood, effective sanitation and any other measure necessary for effective environmental management.

Wahab assured the governor that the task force would accomplish the set task.

The demolition of struc-

tures blocking water channels in Ibadan, the state capital, may begin tomorrow.

Ajimobi had earlier said it would be done in phases and with a humane face.

Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources Alhaji Wasiu Dauda told reporters at the weekend that it may begin tomorrow.

Dauda said landlords who violated the Town Planning Law on building, at least, 500 metres away from rivers bank would not be compensated.

He said the initial seven

days vacation ultimatum was shelved to give victims time to find alternative accommodation.

Though the relief camps were closed last week, Dauda said the government may re-open them to accommodate displaced victims.

To prevent flood in the future, the government has declared the second Thursday of every month as environmental sanitation day.

This is alongside the sanitation that is done every second Saturday of the month.

Dauda urged residents to stop dumping refuse carelessly and keep the drains clean.

HID Awolowo is good reference point, says Amosun •Ogun lures investors

•Amosun

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GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has described the matriarch of the Awolowo family, Mrs. Hannah Idowu Dideolu (HID), as a good reference point on service to humanity.

Amosun spoke at the weekend when he visited Mrs.

Awolowo at her home in Ikenne.

He praised her for being a mother to all, irrespective of religion, tribe and political differences.

Describing HID as a mother of the nation, Amosun said: “I’m happy that in spite of your age, you remain a good reference point for all that is good, and all lovers of humanity, not just democracy.

“I’m sure wherever Papa is, he would be happy that you have continued to emancipate the people of Ogun State and Nigeria as a whole.”

Mrs. Awolowo prayed that God would grant Amosun the wisdom to administer the

state.

Also at the weekend, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, said the government was determined to increase the number of industries in the state.

He said the ministry would reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks to encourage prospective investors.

Ashiru disclosed this during a tour of industries in Ado-Odo/Ota. He said adequate infrastructure had been put in place to assure investors of optimum returns on their investments and urged them to reciprocate government’s

goodwill through the prompt payment of taxes.

Ashiru said: “The state has a bad representation as one of the worst locations to site a business, but the present administration is poised to change that perception through the creation of a onestop shop for prospective investors.

“It will reduce bottlenecks and assist investors to relate with other government agencies within the shortest period of time.”

He said the reconstruction of Ijoko-Akute road into six lanes would begin soon and urged corporate organisations to stand up to their social responsibilities in their host communities.

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

8

NEWS Rivers supplies water to Ogoni communities From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

The Rivers State Government is supplying water to the people of Ogoni communities through the Emergency Water Supply Intervention Project.

Commissioner for Water Resources and Rural Development Mrs. Patricia Simon Hart made this known in Ogale-Eleme in Eleme Local Government.

She said the administration is concerned about the people’s welfare.

The report of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), recently submitted to President Goodluck Jonathan, indicates that ground water in Eleme Local Government is contaminated with benzene, which could cause cancer.

Hart said the government had delivered over 2.6 million litres of water to the communities.

The traditional ruler of Ogale community, King Bebe Okpabi, said the contamination couldbe traced to the activities of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

The monarch regretted that many weeks after UNEP report , Shell was yet to come up with steps to remedy the situation.

CBN begins campaign

Man killed days before wedding in Delta

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HE prevailing insecurity in Effurun and other parts of Delta State assumed a worrisome dimension at the weekend, with the murder of a banker, Oghenevwede Itoje.

Itoje, who was preparing for his wedding, which comes up in a few weeks, was

PUBLIC NOTICE I formerly known and addressed as MISS AZUKA ADAORA KULUME now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AZUKA ADAORA ONYEME. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

CORRIGENDUM The date on the missing person advert of Saturday, September 10, 2011 sahould have read July 5, 2011 and not August 5, 2011 as published. The error is regretted.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to inform the general public that the original copy of rights of occupancy belonging to MRS DAMARIS EBELE of No.23 Dambata Way Sabo Gari, Kano State, is missing. This allocation letter was issued to her by AMAC. All efforts to find the said document prove abortive, if found contact Mr Jasper Chukwudi Ebele of No. 34 Church Road, Sabo- Gari, Kano State or the nearest police station.

killed by unidentified gunmen on Airport Road, Effurun.

Police spokesman Charles Muka said he was yet to be informed about the incident.

He promised to contact the Divisional Police Officer in the area.

Itoje’s death, at about 6:30am on Saturday, was one of similar killings in the past two weeks in the area.

Two weeks ago, a Warrilawyer, Samson Ogbun and his client were murdered at Ekurede-Itsekiri.

Ogbun, who was buried at the weekend, was reportedly

trailed by gunmen, whose motives remain unknown.

Shortly after the killing, another victim, simply identified as Tobi, was killed on September 2 in Agbarho.

Tobi was shot barely 24 hours to his wedding to his Togolese fiancee, sources said.

•Arik Air’s Vice-President, Planning and Marketing, Bert Van der Stege flanked by founder, Africa International Film Festival Chioma Ude (right) and the airline’s Events and Sponsorships Co-ordinator Adeyinka Oloyede during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Arik Air and Africa International Film Festival in Lagos.

PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

From Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has warned that persons engaged in the abuse of the Naira would be sanctioned.

Acting Director of Currency Services, Charles Olorunda, gave the warning at a sensitisation campaign on the abuse of the Naira in the Southsouth which kicked off in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

Represented by the Bayelsa branch Controller, Basil Udo-Utun, Olorunda said security agencies have been mandated to arrest offenders any where they are seen abusing the naira.

From Shola O’Neil, Warri

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Polish Marine Academy sends 11 ex-militants home

LEVEN ex-militants on maritime skill acquisition in Poland have been sent to Nigeria for their inability to meet the academic standard of the institution, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

The students were among the 22 admitted to the Polish Maritime Academy in July for a two-year programme to study various courses, ranging from navigation to maritime science.

Polish Ambassador to Nigeria Przemyslaw Niesiolowski, who spoke to NAN, said the students could not cope with the school curriculum as they lacked the will to study, and had no basic education on maritime before proceeding for the course.

Niesiolowski, who regretted the development, said

the institute observed “that the students attitude towards the programme was not encouraging, as they had undesired interest to be there and could influence and distract others from the course.”

However, he said the development would not affect the Nigeria-Polish partnership on maritime, a platform under which the students are

being sponsored by the Polish government.

The envoy said: “Others who show genuine interest and can cope with the course will be encouraged.”

To avoid a recurrence, he said applicants for admission would undergo an entrance examination to ascertain the level of their background knowledge on maritime,

and ability to cope with the programme.

“With this in place, I see a positive outcome of the exercise, because the programme itself is result-oriented. ’’ NAN reports that the students are the first batch of beneficiaries of the amnesty programme to be sent to Poland.

Nigeria and Poland established diplomatic ties in 1960, and have various bilateral agreements in place.

Three Cameroonians arraigned over fake drugs T HREE Cameroonians suspected to be selling fake Chinese drugs were at the weekend arraigned at the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Penda Geougs, Nana Pa-

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

trice and Andrea Capoel were arrested by officials of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

They were arraigned on a four-count charge of importing, selling, distributing and possessing unregistered, fake and counterfeit drugs.

NAFDAC officials reportedly said the suspects were picked up while operating an illegal clinic at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Abakaliki, where they also dispensed and administered the illegal drugs to the public.

The suspects claimed to be working for Christian Gmipibio, a Cameroonian based in China, who sources the fake drugs in China and sends them to Nigeria.

They were also in possession of six bags of assorted

fake drugs labelled in Chinese language when they were picked up.

The trio were arraigned in Port Harcourt because there is no Federal High Court in Ebonyi State.

Justice Tijani Abubakar said the action of the illegal aliens was contrary to Section 1(1) of the Food, Drug and Related Products (Registration) Act Cap F33 LFN 2004 and punishable under sections 6 and 7.

Abubakar also said the offence violates Section 1(a) of the counterfeit and Fake Drug and unwholesome processed food (Miscellaneous provision) Act cap C34, LFN, 2004 and punishable under Section 3(1)(a).

The suspects pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Their lawyer, J.N Eluke, pleaded for their bail which the prosecution counsel, Mathias Abutu did not object.

Delta goes tough on doctors •To adopt no work, no pay From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

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HE Delta State Government has said it would adopt the policy of “no work no pay” for striking doctors in governmentowned hospitals.

The government said all unconfirmed doctors joining the strike have, by such action, terminated their appointment with the Hospital Management Board (HMS).

Commissioner for Health Joseph Otumara gave the warning when he visited the Central Hospitals in Warri, Agbor , Ekpan and Orerokpe.

He said the visits were to take roll call of doctors.

Otumara said the issues warranting the industrial action had been satisfactorily addressed, and wondered why the doctors went on strike.

He said the strike was an abuse of industrial process, saying that doctors who were expected by their calling and professional ethics to save lives were involved in acts capable of causing avoidable pains and deaths.

The commissioner said the tax affected all workers in the state, explaining that the Personal Income Tax Act of 1963 and amended in 2004 is a law that is operational in all states.

On the Contributory Pension Scheme, Otumara said every deduction from workers’ salary, including those in HMB was intact.

On the demand by doctors for the sack of the HMB Permanent Secretary, Dr Caroline Ajuya, Otumara said the doctors had taken their demands too far.

He said what the doctors were asking for amounted to an employee questioning the ownership right of his or her employer.

He said the Permanent Secretary‘s enforcement of the signing of attendance register by doctors was a routine that is practised everywhere in the service.

Edo to promote agriculture DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has identified agriculture as the key to tackling unemployment in the state.

The governor spoke at the opening of a three-day Executive Council retreat tagged: Sustaining Reforms, perspectives from a development partner in Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government yesterday.

He said: “The importance of agriculture to our economy cannot be over-emphasised, particularly its ability to create jobs.

The governor said the retreat is expedient because it is a management practice to hold periodic retreats and reflect on the strategies and tactics.

Resource persons include former Head of Service of the Federation Steve Oronsaye; renowned economist Peter Ozo-Eson; Kwima Nthara and Reinaldo Florini from the World Bank and retired senior executive with Shell Petroleum Egbert Imomoh.

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BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

CAC to clamp down on firms From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

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HE Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) at the weekend said it will deal with unregistered business operators.

He also said firms that fail to file yearly returns within 18 months after incorporation will be dealt with according to the law.

Registrar-General of CAC, Bello Mahmud, disclosed these at Keffi, Nasarwa State during a training for media practitioners.

Mahmud, who was represented by the Abubakar Mohommed Special Assistant to the Registrar-General, said: “In spite of the establishment of its offices in all the states of the federation, many people still carry out businesses without registration which is not supposed to be,” he said.

Pensioners seek probe of banks From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

T

HE Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) at the weekend urged the Federal Government to probe some banks for allegedly withholding payments due to its members.

Its National President, Alhaji Ali Abatcha, who spoke at a briefing in Abuja, alleged that the affected banks are denying the pensioners access to their money, leaving the rightful owners (the pensioners) to languish in poverty, adding that some of them have died out of frustration.

He stated that the Pension Reform Task Force is being starved of funds to pay pensioners whose payments have been processed.

The PIB ought to be published in national dailies or posted on the internet so that stakeholders could see what had become of the draft bill and be able to make recommendations on the final document before it is passed.

-Babatunde Ogun, President PENGASSAN

2012 budget may be ready in Nov, says Okonjo-Iweala T

HE 2012 budget will be ready by next month or in November this year, the Co-ordinating Minister of the economy and Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala has said.

Speaking with newsmen in Abuja yesterday, she said her ministry and the Budget Office were working hard on to get ready “because President Goodluck Jonathan wants the budget to come out on time.”

By the end of this week, the minister said there will be interactions between the executive arm of government led by the President with members of the National Assembly and other members of the executive council to deliberate on the 2012 budget.

“Once initial parameters are arrived at, work on the 2012 budget will commence,” she assured.

Noting that there are lots of unfinished projects in the 2011 budget, he said the 2012

• ‘I was pressured to reject appointment’ From Nduka Chiejina (Assistant Editor), Abuja

budget would be used to complete the projects, stressing that officials are already compiling information on the level of implementation of 2011 budget.

She, however, said for Nigeria to have a proper budget, the old practice of individuals infusing their projects into the budget without the knowledge of the designers of the budget must be discontinued. “The 2012 budget must not experience what the 2011 budget is going through now. Right now, the ministry and Budget Office are looking at viaments for 2011 budget,” she said.

The minister said the successful implementation of the 2012 budget, which is geared towards diversifying

the economy and creating jobs, is singular pre-occupation of President Jonathan.

She said the administration will focus over the next four years on tackling allocations to budget.

As part of the government’s transparency initiative, the minister disclosed that the President has authorised the regular publication of Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursements to the three tiers of government.

Already, the Ministry of Finance has published three volumes of FAAC disbursements in the last 18 months and will soon upload the information on the ministry of Finance website, she said.

She urged the media and civil society groups to make effective use of the data to educate Nigerians on what the government had been

doing.

The reason for publishing the FAAC allocations to three tiers of government she said is for Nigerians to analyse and critise the information.“In addition, the government will also be publishing information and figures on public finances including the budgets,” he said.

The minster disclosed that some people tried to stop her from taking the ministerial appointment, but she resisted, insisting that “there is joy in trying to help Goodluck Jonathan deliver on his agenda”.

She described recent online media publications alleging corruption on the part of government officials as an attempt to destabilise and make the administration of President Jonathan fail.

MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

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

From: Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor

N

IGER Delta Develop ment Commission (NDDC) Managing Director, Mr Chibuzor Ugwuoha, has said those opposed to his determination to transform the commission are those who wanted him out.

He said the movement of the controversial account of the commission to FirstBank of Nigeria Plc would fetch NDDC $6million in its scholarship scheme in future.

Ugwuoha, who spoke in Abuja last Friday, where he received an award of excellence given to NDDC by the Independent Service Monitoring Group, said he was being attacked because of his insistence to do the right thing.

He said: “I would say normally people will attack you when you begin to do things new. Everybody wants business as usual, once you deviate from what is known, even if it will bring the best results, people will attack you first. It is just normal.

“For me, I am not bothered about how many persons are attacking me for doing the right thing, which I believe is the right thing to be done. I know one day, they will come to the realisation that the steps taken are the best and at that time, they have no alternative than to say well done, you have done well because everybody is interested in moving this country forward and we cannot transform the country if we continue to do the same thing the same way that we have done it in the past.

Dangote to build more cement plants

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

Why they are after me, by NDDC boss

D • Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Enterprise Bank Limited (EBL), Mr Ahmed Kuru, being welcomed by Ms Evelyn Oputu, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Bank of Industries (BOI), when Kuru visited her in Lagos.

Foreign investors repatriate N38b dividends

F

OREIGN investors in Ni gerian quoted compa nies earned about N38.3 billion in the immediate past business year as businesses continued to provide attractive returns in spite of challenges.

The Nation’s Market Intelligence Report indicated that about 55 per cent of cash dividends declared by multinationals and other companies with substantial foreign shareholdings were repatriated as cash dividends to the foreign parent companies.

The gross dividend of N38.3 billion for the immediate past year, which mostly ended December 31, 2010, represents about 20 per cent on N32 billion earned by foreign investors in 2009. Be-

By Taofik Salako

sides a handful of about four companies, all others run the 12-month Gregorian calendar as their business year.

Major multinationals in the manufacturing sector including Unilever Plc, GlaxoSmithKline Plc, PZ Cussons, Nestle Group, Lafarge SA, Guinness Overseas, Heineken NV and Excelsior Shipping Company saw significant improvements in returns from their Nigerian businesses in terms of profitbased dividends.

In different sectors of the economy, most foreign core investors repatriated dividends as most Nigerian nonfinancial companies have survived the global and national

financial and economic crises with appreciable bottomlines.

At the last count, not less than 23 quoted companies with substantial foreign shareholdings have distributed cash dividends for the immediate past year. Many companies with foreign equity interests including Cadbury Nigeria, Nigerian Bottling Company, Ecobank Nigeria and John Holt, among others, have reported improvement in their operations but did not recommend cash payouts.

The gross cash payouts of N38.3 billion that accrued to foreign investors implies that a net sum of more than N34.5 billion could be repatriated to the various parent companies

as against net return of N29 billion repatriated in previous year.

Cash dividend in the market is subject to a 10 per cent withholding tax, a deduction investors have severally kicked against as duplicitous given the earlier charges on profit including company income tax and education tax.

Nestle Group, which holds 62.3 per cent in Nestle Nigeria Plc, earned about N5.2 billion in cash dividends for the 2010 business year, the same amount repatriated for the 2009 business year. Unilever Plc, United Kingdom; with 50.04 per cent stake in Unilever Nigeria, received about N2.1 billion, a slight increase on N2 billion received in previous year.

ANGOTE Cement Plc is set to establish more cement plants in some African countries.

They are Gabon, Congo, Algeria and Tanzania.

The construction of the planned cement plants, according to a statement, are to be undertaken by a Chinese stateowned consortium of AVIC International Beijing Company and German’s KHDHumboldt Wedag International AG, renowned for their quality and timely process in the construction of cement manufacturing plant.

Representatives of the firm and the Dangote Group, according to the statement, rose from a meeting in Lagos expressing satisfaction at the resolutions arrived at at the meeting. This included the need to put in place one of the best plants in the world within a stipulated time.

The decision to engage AVIC/ KHD, according to the statement, stemmed from its high profile as a tested plant builder with combination of European technology and Chinese Low Cost Solution with exclusive partnership between AVIC and KHD, having successfully completed 13 cement plants across the continents of the world.

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THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

BUSINESS NEWS

Union Bank shareholders get 21% stake E

XISTING shareholders of Union Bank of Nige ria Plc, one of the banks bailed out by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), will own 21 per cent of the bank’s shares at the end of its recapitalisation.

The deal will also give a group of institutional investors led by African Capital Alliance (ACA) private equity a 60 per cent stake in Union Bank, while the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) will get the balance.

Addressing reporters, Deputy General Manager, Treasury, Abayomi Oluyomi, said under the arrangement, he explained that the choice of a consortium of core investors to inject fresh funds into the bank as against the options of merger and acquisition or nationalisation was to protect the interests of all the stakeholders. He said the disadvantages of other options far outweigh the advantages.

Listing some of the benefits for the shareholders, he said the recapitalisation would bring in international reputable companies as part shareholders, adding that some part of the exist-

By Collins Nweze

ing shareholding would be salvaged and saved.

“As you can see, this is the best arrangement that adequately protect the interests of shareholders, staff, customers and others. Unlike other arrangements where the shareholders either lost their investment or get a paltry sum, in our case they still own 21 per cent.

This is certainly a good deal,” he said. Under the deal, which was agreed in principle in March, ACA will invest $750 million; $500 million in equity and $250 million in tier two capital. The bank will launch a rights issue to existing shareholders to complement the capital injection, while AMCON will bring Union Bank’s net asset value to zero.

Oluyomi noted that the core investor will focus on adding value to the bank, which would be beneficial to all stakeholders, noting that with the capital infusion by the core investor, AMCON and existing shareholders would make Union Bank one of the most liquid banks in the country.

He explained that the bank will retain its brand,

• From left: Dr Godwin Owoso, Zonal Co-ordinator, Lagos Island Zone 11, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc; Mr Kunle Ball, Zonal Coordinator, Ikeja Zone 11; Mrs Funke Osibodu, GMD/CEO, during a press conference by the bank, on its recapitalisation process in Lagos.

stressing that the new investor will recapitalise the bank to enable the lender to sustain its growth. Other groups to benefit from arrangement are customers, he said, adding that there would be major improvement in the services and technology to make banking experience easier and more enriching.

The rescued bank said it will convene a shareholders’ meeting to approve the

transaction at the end of this month Earlier, a representative of senior and general management staff of the bank, Kunle Ball, said the staff support efforts made by the board and the executive management team to ensure that the lender meets September 30 deadline for recapitalisation.

He said: “We commend the extraordinary effort the management of the bank

has carried out to ensure to reposition the bank towards recapitalisation. We also commend the transparent leadership of the board.

“Staff of the bank expressed their optimism about the choice of the option of core investors for recapitalising the bank. They recalled that this had been the preferred option since 2007 when, at an Extra-Ordinary General Meeting held in

Kano, shareholders had overwhelmingly voted to sell 30 per cent of the bank’s shares to overseas investors,” he said.

He said the staff are excited about the fact that they will face less uncertainty on their jobs. “Pensioners will also be assured of their entitlements as per the Pension Reform Act of 2004. If the bank were to be nationalised, none of these will be guaranteed,” he said.

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

13

ISSUES

•Aganga

•Deru

The remaking of the real sector The real sector has been comatose for long . Many manufacturing firms have folded up for various reasons, especially epileptic power supply. But the Federal Government is set to redeem the situation, raising hope of the kind of real sector the country had in the 70s and 80s. TOBA AGBOOLA reports.

I

T was the news the business community was waiting for. So, it was upbeat after President Goodluck Jonathan and the Ministry of Trade and Investment spoke of plans to transform the economy and make the business environment friendly.

President Jonathan said Nigerians would enjoy uninterrupted power supply by next year. He spoke at the presentation of the roadmap for the Nigerian Power Sector Reform in 2010.

“By God’s grace, by December 2012, Nigeria will not only celebrate one day of uninterrupted electricity supply, but we would celebrate one week, one month and so on of uninterrupted electricity supply,” Jonathan pledged.

This promise raised the hope of industrialists, who said they spend over N1.8 billion weekly to keep their generators running.

Recently, Jonathan reassured the citizenry of steady power supply by the end

of 2015. For industrialists, time is not on the President’s side as far as fixing the economy is concerned, and industrialists said the major problem facing the sector is inadequate power supply.

They described as unacceptable the high price of diesel which has risen from N85 to N140 per litre, an increase of more than 50 per cent, at a time the economy is still coping with the effects of the global economic meltdown.

With over three months into his four-year term, and high expectations of Nigerians arising from his many promises, Jonathan cannot afford to continue to run his administration at the present snail speed, they said.

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Olusegun Aganga, has held two all-inclusive meetings with stakeholders in the real sector in the last two months.

At the first meeting, in company of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, Aganga spoke on the

transformation agenda of the President, stressing the need for a revamp of the industrial sector, as well as agriculture and trade with regional and global participants.

He explained that the change in the ministry’s name, from Ministry of Commerce and Industry to Trade and Investment, was indicative of new things to come.

“The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has been expanded, refocused and rebranded so that it can play its proper role in the economy; so that it can be the key driver of the economy. If you look at the economy and you want to talk about economic growth, it is all about industry; it is about trade; it is about investment. And when you look at the key drivers of any economy in terms of spending, there are only four of them. There is government spending, there is private sector spending, there is consumer spending, and, of course, export. These are the four main drivers of spending in any economy,” he said.

He informed stakeholders of some im-

pending changes. He said: “There are going to be many changes; the expectations are quite high. But if we are going to achieve our transformation agenda, that is, economic transformation, it is critical that we all work together to make sure that this ministry succeeds.”

The second meeting of the minister focused more on the agric sector.

As a motivation for the agro-based industries, the minister cited the success of the first meeting, pointing out that some of indigenous firms had unveiled plans to make huge investments in the economy in the next one year.

For instance, he said, 166 indigenous firms in the non-oil sector have concluded plans to make investments totalling N1.5 trillion within the next 12 months.

He said the figure, which is conservative because of the few companies cap• Continued on page 18

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

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ISSUES

•The Economic team

The remaking of the real sector • Continued from page 17

tured, was arrived at after an analysis of the survey forms filled by the firms at the maiden meeting with the Organised Private Sector and captains of industry.

Of the amount, the President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, will invest N900 billion in the production of fertiliser and petrochemicals; the Nigerian Bottling Company Plc pledged to invest N45 billion; Guinness Nigeria Plc ($225m); Odua Investment Company Limited, N37billion, and Chairman, Ikeja Hotels Plc, Goodie Ibru, ($6m); among others.

According to the survey, the manufacturing, real estate, agro-allied and automotive sectors will get N1.06 trillion; N198.5billion, N67.8 billion and N45 billion investments respectively, while tourism, trade and commerce, transport and others will make up the rest.

Aganga, who commended the Nigerian investors for their confidence in the economy, added that the Federal Government was committed to providing the conducive environment required by the private sector to play a pivotal role in the transformation of the economy.

Observations

Following the declaration of intention on the new focus of the government, stakeholders within and outside the economy, have been commenting on the new initiatives. However, the main worries remain the poor infrastructure and unstable power supply.

For instance, the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Onno Ruhl, predicted a good showing for the economy. He said the economy will grow at a double digit rate in 2011 and beyond, based on the country’s new focus on investment.

He noted that, in spite of the lull in economic growth triggered by the global economic crisis, the economy has the potential to grow at a double digit rate, stressing that with the creation of a new ministry to take charge of trade and investment, the country was on the right track towards achieving its objective of becoming one of the 20 leading economies by 2020.

Ruhl said: “The ongoing global economic crisis essentially means that not many economies are growing fast. But the Nigerian economy is still growing fast. However, we all know that the investment climate in Nigeria can be significantly improved by developing infrastructure and access to credit, thereby making it possible for more people in Nigeria to do business.

“Economic growth in Nigeria is expected to be faster this year, which will allow the country a good opportunity to realise its objective of catching up with other economies of the world in line with its Vision 20:2020 programme.”

Speaking under the aegis of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), its President, Dr Ademola Ajayi, said Jonathan and all the governors must gather speed in their pursuit of the transformation agenda, because Nigerians are too eager to see positive changes as the train moves on.

Ajayi, who presented members’ view at a media briefing on the state of the economy, said: “The transformation train must gather speed now. The four-year tenure of President Jonathan is like a new dawn for Nigeria, and must be well-utilised, because as the saying goes: ‘Morning shows the day’.

With the swearing-in of the Managing Di-

rector of the World Bank, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as Minister of Finance, we are hopeful that the government will witness a renewed rev.”

He added: “The new administration at the national and state levels should kick-start the train of transformation with renewed vigour and determination transparent enough for all to see and to feel. They should urgently and with utmost priority address those critical issues of national development in order to achieve set goals.”

Buttressing their claim, Ajayi cited the execution of the power sector reform as an example. While acknowledging on-going efforts at tackling the power supply, he affirmed that the chamber is worried “with what appears to be the slow pace in the implementation of the roadmap for electricity power supply in the country.”

The NACCIMA boss urged Jonathan to focus on how to significantly improve agricultural productivity and production and the domestication of the oil and gas, which, he said, jointly contributed more than 60 per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and provided over 60 per cent of its total employment in 2010.

“There is also a clear signal of the need for the government to be committed to diversifying the economy through worthwhile incentives to empower the non-oil

‘The transformation train must gather speed now.

The four-year tenure of President Jonathan is like a new dawn for Nigeria, and must be well utilised, because as the saying goes: ‘Morning shows the day’. With the swearing-in of the Managing Director of the World Bank, Mrs. Ngozi OkonjoIweala as Minister of Finance, we are hopeful that the government will witness a renewed rev’

sector of the economy, especially solid minerals exploration and exploitation. Their gross neglect manifested in the massive importation of food and refined petroleum products, resulting in a drain of our foreign reserves by over N2 trillion in 2010,” Ajayi continued.

He went on: “Other key areas that require immediate attention are education, health, and roads. The alternative to education (ignorance) is undesirable, while the situation where a number of Nigerians spend over N60 billion ($400 million) outside Nigeria for advanced medication is inexcusable and constitutes another avoidable drain on our national resources”.

The President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Otunba Femi Deru, described the new initiatives in the economy as impressive.

The LCCI boss commended government’s collaborative approach and support for the Organised Private Sector, stressing the need for a greater synergy to achieve Jonathan administration’s Transformation Agenda. He added that Nigeria has to stop creating jobs for people abroad by putting the right policy in place to enhance local productivity.

In a review of the economy, the LCCI chief said not much improvement has been recorded so far, as the business community continues to grapple with the usual challenging operating environment, caused by to frastructural constraints, particularly the perennial power and energy crisis.

Ajayi said the power supply situation has continued to constrain capacity utilisation in industries, and at the same time increasing the cost of doing business.

“We, therefore, urge that the government should give priority attention to the speedy realisation of the targets of increasing power generation to 10,000 megawatts by 2012 and the expected 30,000 megawatts and above by 2020. Also, the issue of abandoned turbines, according to information, at the ports, and the procurement of gas turbines that would each generate five megawatts electricity in the country should be addressed”, he stated.

Ajayi noted that the government has commenced plans to increase the pump price of industrial fuel (LPFO).

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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

• Obi, Ngige, Metuh: Ready to lead APGA, ACN, PDP battle charge

The recent sack of the chairman of the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC), Prof Titus Eze, by the State House of Assembly, has spread fear over the possibility of a fraud-free exercise . NWANOSIKE ONU reports the anxiety of the opposition parties and the response of the ruling party.

Council poll: Intrigues, fear grip Anambra T

HE tension created by the non-conduct of local government elections in Anambra State reached its climax last Tuesday. The chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC), Prof Titus Eze, was sacked by the State House of Assembly.

His removal was not unconnected with his alleged indictment by the audit panel set up by the government to audit the account of the commission. The report was submitted to the state Assembly by the Auditor-General of the state, Mr. G. Abadom.

Consequently, the 30-member Assembly led by the Speaker Hon. Chinwe Nwebili (Ogbaru II Constituency), unanimously sacked the lecturer.

But the last might not have been heard on the issue as the Professor, a former Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Resident Commissioner (INEC) in Kwara and Abia States, is considering a legal battle with the state.

Eze told The Nation that he was not consulted by the State House of Assembly to hear his own side of the story despite the grave allegations leveled against him by the audit panel.

Eze, who was shocked at the decision of the House, described his sack as null and void.

The Professorsays the action is capable of ternishing a reputation he had built over the years. He had worked at the Federal College of Education, Technical (Umunze) where he proceeded to INEC, serving as a state commissioner in about three states.

The Nation gathered that his record in those offices made him to be considered as the next (INEC) Chairman when the tenure of its former chairman, Dr. Abel Guobadia expired.

Eventually, that position was handed Prof.

Maurice Iwu on the recommendation of Former aide to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Dr. Andy Uba. Regarded by many, both in the state and outside, as an experienced technocrat, Eze, The Nation gathered, was pressured by the state governor, Mr. Peter Obi and others to accept the position he occupied for only two years.

He replaced the former ANSIEC boss, Chief Cornel Umeh, who equally had a running battle with the Obi administration before he finally bowed out in 2009 which culminated into the appointment of Eze. Before now, the Nnamdi Azikiwe University lecturer had been accused of being a cardcarrying member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which the powers that be said, it discovered after his appointment, perhaps, because of his closeness to some of the politicians.

It is being suggested that he had been in close contact with the current embattled state chairman of the PDP, Prince Kenneth Emeakayi, who the party said on Tuesday that it had also sacked.

The story may not be unconnected tothe fact that both are from Okija in Ihiala Local Government Area of the state.

Again, Eze has been accused of being in support of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh in his recent face-off with Governor Peter Obi over appointments.

Other reasons that may have occasioned his sack as gathered by The Nation included the allegation that Eze was said to have met with his ANSIEC Commissioners where it was resolved that they meet with Governor Obi to demand a specific date for the council polls or resign en masse.

As a result, he was said to have met with the governor penultimate week and tabled the resolution but apparently, Obi felt that the man had lost grip of his commissioners and the reality on ground and decided to use the opportunity of his alleged indictment to do away with him.

After that meeting with the governor, it was gathered that another parley was to take place on September 10 which never happened before the hammer fell on his appointment.

However, he reportedly insisted that the governor and a traditional ruler were in the know of every money spent by the commission during his tenure.

It was equally gathered that the state government had released the sum of N100 million to the commission since 2009 in preparation for the local government elections, but was not satisfied by the way and manner some

• Eze

•Okonkwo

of the money were spent.

On the alleged reckless spending of the commission, Eze said that he was ready to account for every kobo spent during his administration.

Following the removal of Eze on Tuesday, Obi appointed an acting chairman for the Commission. He is Hon. Sylvester Okonkwo, who had been in the commission for some years.

While speaking with The Nation at the weekend, Okonkwo said that the commission would be transparent in all its activities with all the registered political parties.

Okonkwo further said that staff welfare would be given top priority attention, while adding that the issue of temporary staff that had operated in the office for a long time would equally be looked into.

However, he added that though the commission had some problems, that he would move with the other members of the ANSIEC to discuss with Governor Obi. Okonkwo said that ANSIEC would embark on a massive staff training to get them abreast with modern processes of election.

“We want the entire world to commend the state and the commission; the era of writing results under the mango trees is over. This ANSIEC is lucky to have men of God in its

fold”, Okonkwo said.

He said there is no electoral commission in the country that has the number of men of God as members, adding that “with these types of men, I do not think there is a commission like that of Anambra State in the country.”

Though, he had sympathy for his former Chairman, he said Prof. Eze had every right to challenge his removal anywhere but added in strong terms that he did not want to delve into such issue.

Eze’s removal has, however, been questioned by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

The ACN State Chairman, Chief Amechi Obidike described it as a ploy by the Obi administration to delay the conduct of local government election in the state.

Also, the sacked state acting chairman, Prince Ken Emeakayi, alleged that the state House of Assembly was dancing to the tune of the APGA-led government in the state.

A councillorship candidate of PDP from Onitsha North, Mrs. Chinwe Okoye, described the sack of Prof. Eze as a drama, further describing it as unacceptable to them.

But the state Chairman of APGA, Chief Mike Kwentoh alleged that the sacked ANSIEC Chairman had been hobnobbing with the leader of ACN, and the Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial zone, Dr. Chris Ngige.

But Obidike described the allegation against Ngige as “bunkum and childish,” adding that every human being had equal rights to mingle with whoever he or she likes.

He said that Ngige and Prof. Eze were highly influential people in Anambra State and therefore, have the right to associate irrespective of their positions.

The Nation gathered that Eze was sacked because the state government was afraid he was not going to bend the rules against the conduct of council polls. For that, a top politician in the state described him as a tough man.

However, his removal has further cast doubts over the possibility of the commission holding the election in the next two months as earlier proposed.

The die is now cast as, the question every citizen of the state has been asking is when will democracy be extended tothe councils.

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THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

NEWS

‘PDP did not win Taraba governorship’

Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy Lateef Ibirogba spoke with Senator Joel Ikenya was the Taraba State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Deputy Political Editor EMMANUEL governorship candidate in the April election. He spoke with Deputy Politi- OLADESU on the activities of the Adminiscal Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU on the litigations involving his party tration and other issues. and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as well as other issues.

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HAT is the latest on the governorship litigation involving ACN and PDP in Taraba State?

All necessary documents and papers have been filed. Pre-trial has ended and we are on the main case now. All exhibits are about to be received by the court. We are hoping to get justice because the judiciary is the last hope of the common man. We believe that justice will be done to our case. We are hoping that Tarabians would have a new lease of life and a new leadership will emerge when a proper election is held in the state. We expect to get justice when the governorship and parliamentary cases are competed.

On what ground are you fighting this legal battle?

It is on the grounds of malpractices and violation of the electoral act.

How do you assess the speed at which the case is proceeding?

In Taraba State, we really started late, but we are on the right tract.

The tribunals are sitting on working and non-working days and we are hoping and believing that, before the end of October, judgment will be delivered. We have no quarrel with the speed. Our opponents are engaged in delay tactics, thinking that they would succeed. They think that there will be no judgment, but a deadlock. They think that after the six month period, the case will be dismissed. They have no defense at all. They are only working on technicalities. It will be difficult to dismiss a case on governorship election based on technicalities. Thank God for the judiciary. There have been pronouncements that cases should not be dismissed based on technicalities. We are in court for the purpose of justice. This country is governed by law and we cannot succeed and develop without having legitimate people on the throne. Without legitimate people on the seat, you cannot hold him responsible. He is not enjoying peoples mandate. he just manipulated his way to power.

This is what we want to stop.

Is there any pressure on you or your party from any quarter to withdraw your case from the tribunal?

I am a member of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). I am not in PDP and I will not be in PDP. Before filing the case, there was a proper consultation. Based on the proper consultation, we were able to file our petitions, both at the Governorship and National Assembly tribunals. I have not been approached and I know that our party at the national level has not been approached. PDP cannot ask us to

withdraw our case. It is not in the best interest of the PDP. The man there is not performing. In the last five years, the man has never commissioned one project. The only project he has is that he has again gone to United States to train as a pilot. He has done that before in the Nigeria College of Aviation, Kaduna. He has gone to Germany and US. That is the only project he has to show. Tarabians and other Nigerians are watching seriously.

Apart from the campaign period, President Jonathan has not visited our state. There is no project to commission in Taraba State. I am not under any pressure from any quarter to withdraw my case. My case is a beautiful case. We have a lot of facts and I know that judiciary will do justice as the last hope of the common man. Justice is not for select few; it is for all.

How about other cases involving your party at the National Assembly Tribunal?

We filed four cases in court; two senatorial cases and two House of Representatives cases. At pre-trial, all the cases were dismissed. We believed it was against the provisions of the Electoral Act. We proceeded to Yola for appeal and we were able to bring life to the four cases again. A lot of things transpired. It was strange. Only in Taraba State is the National Assembly Tribunal doing what it is doing. Cases were dismissed on the basis of mere technicalities. The provision of the Electoral Act is very clear about that. Our lawyer applied for pre-trial and contrary to the act, the tribunal said that we had to do it by way of motion. The Electoral Act is clear, whether it is by motion or by application. They decided to dismiss the case. In the process of arguing our case at the Court of Appeal in Yola, there were

‘In the last five years, the man had never commissioned one project.

The only project he has is that he has again gone to United States to train as a pilot. He has done that before in the Nigeria College of Aviation, Zaria. He has gone to Germany and US. That is the only project he has to show’

‘Lagos needs federal assistance’ H

• Ikenya

two judgments. The first was the first judgment that was obtained and on the basis of which we had appealed. We said the lower tribunal erred in law. But on the day they appeared to hear the case, the chairman of the tribunal again wrote a letter and attached a new judgment and advised that they should drop the former judgment and adopt the new judgment. In the annals of history, we have never heard about one case and two judgments and simultaneously. It has never happened before. It has never happened before.

But we thank God for justice, fairness and firmness of the Appeal Tribunal. They gave our lawyer opportunity to go through the two judgments. We found out that the two judgments are different and we reported back to the Appeal Court and the Appeal Court acted on the former judgment, which was more legitimate. We believe that water has passed through the bridge and the party is prepared for the challenges. The career of a judge is very serious. We cannot allow any injustice to stay. The Appeal Court has now referred back the four cases to the lower tribunal. Thank God, the new tribunal will now come and take over. The cases would be tried and we will retrieve back our mandate.

What is the strength of ACN in Taraba?

ACN is in control of Taraba State.

ACN won the elections. We won the two senatorial districts actually and two House of Representatives seats.

We were just taken by surprise by the manipulation of INEC and government officials. We believe that justice would be delivered.

•Representative of Lagos State Governor, Mrs Derin Disu; Ekiti State Governor and Convener, Dr Kayode Fayemi, Guest of Honour, Prof Richard Joseph and wife, Jennifer at the one-day conference on “Democracy and Prebendal Politics in Nigeria” held at the Eko Hotel, Lagos on Saturday.

OW are you preparing for the local government polls?

In Lagos State, local government elections would hold in October.

At the expiration of term for the council chairmen, no sole administrator or caretaker committee would be set up. That is not constitutional. We are emphasising grassroots governance. We want dividends of democracy to get to the people in the rural areas.

How is the Lagos State government going about this issue of special status for Lagos?

We are making the right contact. It was part of the reasons the President came to Lagos. It was in response to the letters we have written. Ministers have been coming to see what we have enumerated as problems and they agreed with us that Lagos actually deserves a special status. I don’t think there is any place in Nigeria where you have a concentration of18 million people. The development of Nigeria should start with a special status for Lagos. I think the President has agreed with us that we need a special status.

The Federal Government has to learn from other countries. Germany is an example. From 1945 to 1994, the capital was Bonn. Later, it was moved to Berlin after the agreement of movement was signed. Germany has not neglected its old capital. Brazil is another example. The capital was moved from Rio-de Janeiro to Brazilia. Now, they operate dual cities. They maintain the city. It has not depreciated. It still hosts the country’s National Assembly, although the capital now is Putrajaya. Sydney was the capital of Australia. The new capital now is Camera. Major national activities still hold in Sydney. Go to Tanzania. Dar-es-Salam was the capital before it was moved to Dodoma. The old capital is still receiving the best of federal attention. Why should Lagos be different?

How is the Fashola Administration meeting the expectations of Lagosians in this second term?

This is the government of the people and we cannot afford to fail the people. We are building on the achievements of the first term in all the sectors and in all ramifications. The achievements of the second term must surpass the first term. and this is the challenge. so, we cannot afford to rest on our oars. Lagosians are not docile. They will only support you when you are doing what is right. It is our duty to always do it right. Lagos State is a model and the standard will not be relaxed. Expectations are high and it is with justification. This state is a mini Nigeria. We are on our feet. Everybody on board is a professional what we have is a cabinet of talents. Lazy people cannot work with Governor Babatunde Fashola. What the state Executive Council needs is the cooperation of all.

This question becomes necessary because those governors who had performed well in their first term often derailed in the second term. How can this be averted?

Our government is a government of new initiatives. ideas are not in short supply. There is a blue-print. A government gave birth to this administration. It is the best party in terms of ideas, manifesto, programmes and policies. That is why in the cabinet today there are a lot of technocrats from all fields. All commissioners and special advisers properly fit into the roles they are assigned. Look at me, a bloody reporter. I have been on information line all my life. It would have been a different ball game, if he had put me in transport ministry. Professionalism is the watch word.

Expertise is not negotiable. Specialisation is key. Experience is not jettisoned. There is a square peg in a square hole. To this administration, governance is not a one way thing. We must get feed back from people.

Their inputs are requested because governance is a collective responsibility involving the government and governed. Governor Fashola is the servant. he is always on the move. Every time, he has his boot and jeans in the car. How are you as commissioner without that level of preparation.

He has brought government and governance to the doorsteps of the people. All the local governments are on the red alert.

What is the process of getting feedback from the people on your the activities of government?

This government derives its strength from the people it is meant to serve. Lagosians have access to this government on regular basis. All our numbers are public knowledge. Lagos State government has an affective information process. It is easy to reach us physically, through phone, through SMS. Everybody has the right to approach the government and its officials. We derive strength in constructive criticisms and critique of government amenities, especially where we are not getting it right. This is how we can improve and serve society better and make amends. The only way to serve Lagosians right is to do what is right. Lagosians are always on the side of good governance and our government must always meet this criterion. There are more than 18 million Lagosians under the care of this administration and it our duty to ensure their happiness. This is where feedback is necessary.

Governor Fashola is not relaxing. On some occasions, we hold meetings of the executive council brainstorming on how to solve the mounting challenges.

There is no room for docility and frivolity. Look at the sheer population of people who voted for the governor in the last election. The voters did not want to vote in vain.

To whom much is given, much is expected. Governor Fashola cannot afford to disappoint the 1.5 million voters who endorsed him at the polls.

• Ibirogba

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

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EDITORIAL/OPINION EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

COMMENT

Rivers’ ‘trapped’ 380MW •Another state suffers due to obnoxious constitutional provision on power distribution

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O the scores of eminent lawyers gathered at this year’s national congress of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the story of the stifling centralisation of the nation’s power sector and its negative impact on the sector’s development is probably familiar. Less familiar perhaps is the “live” experience of the reality in real colours, as provided by host Governor Rotimi Amaechi, in the open fields of Afam – one of the sites of the power stations established by the state government.

Conducting the lawyers round the three power stations – the 130 mega watts Trans-Amadi gas turbine station, the 150 mega watts Omoku Station and the 100 mega watts Eleme station built by the state government at a cost of over N100 billion, the governor opened the floodgate

‘If we may echo a refrain that is now a sing-song for true federalism: there is nothing sacrosanct in retaining federal monopoly in any aspect of the electricity value chain. The Federal Government at this time ought to be more concerned with the business of oversight and regulation to ensure true liberalisation of the power sector as against acting like a dog in the manger; in short, it should be seen as actively pushing for unfettered liberalisation of power sector, not stifle it’

to the debates when he observed rather ruefully, that despite the state government’s investment in power which could have guaranteed its self-sufficiency, there was a constitutional hurdle preventing it from distributing the power to its citizens.

He went further to inform his guests that his request for an exemption was flatly denied by the Presidency. His only option, he informed them, is either to fight for true federalism through a massive constitutional amendment, or quietly lobby the National Assembly to move power distribution to the concurrent list in the constitution.

The governor’s dilemma, hardly new, is of course at the heart of the stifling federalism that continues to choke every segment of our national life. Rivers State seems to have found company here with Lagos State, which shortly after the return to democratic rule in 1999 brought in Enron, an Independent Power Producer (IPP) to shore up power generation to meet the needs of Lagosians, but which soon after completion, the Federal Government appropriated.

Requiring state governments to wheel the power generated by their IPPs into the national grid – not for the citizens of the state and their businesses for whom the project was meant – to reward the under-achieving Power Holdings Company of Nigeria (PHCN) obviously is hard to digest.

Here, the paradox of the current situation obviously deserves some scrutiny.

To put it mildly, using the instrument of law to sustain the monopoly of a dysfunctional industry would seem anachronistic in this day and age, given that law is supposed to be dynamic. If we may echo a refrain that is now a sing-song for true federalism: there is nothing sacrosanct in retaining federal monopoly in any aspect of the electricity value chain. The Federal Government at this time ought to be more concerned with the business of oversight and regulation to ensure true liberalisation of the power sector as against acting like a dog in the manger; in short, it should be seen as actively pushing for unfettered liberalisation of power sector, not stifle it.

This is to say that states deserve better consideration – or accommodation.

Secondly, the National Assembly should push for either the amendment to, or the abrogation of every statute which stifles the practice of true federalism. One of such statute that should be considered as priority is the one precluding state governments from distributing power. One surest step in this regard is to move power into the concurrent list.

It is not sufficient for lawyers to be indignant; they should also be in the vanguard of every initiative to see the desired changes through. The dire situation of the power sector not only recommends it, it is something that national aspirations dictate at this time.

Why should states willing to undertake investment in power generation not be entitled to guarantees to make good their investment? Isn’t that what equity and fair-play is all about?

Style over substance •Jonathan should restructure Nigeria’s foreign missions instead of renovating them S has become worryingly familiar over the past few months, President Goodluck Jonathan has once again demonstrated a marked inability to grapple decisively with fundamental concerns besetting Nigeria. At the foundation-laying ceremony for the ambassador’s residence and chancery in Sao Tome, he announced that Nigerian embassies would be undergoing some much-needed improvement.

Although it appeared that the President was talking about a thorough reassessment of the efficiency, purpose and relevance of the country’s various missions scattered across the world, what he in fact meant was nothing more than the renovation, beautification and sprucing-up of Nigeria’s diplomatic buildings which, in his words, “are not quite impressive.”

It is profoundly disturbing that a matter as routine as the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s embassies should be deemed so important that it has been given the virtual status of a policy statement by the President. Embassies, diplomatic residences and chanceries are buildings like any other: their periodic maintenance is supposed to be taken for granted, not raised to ridiculous levels, as the president appears to have done.

Heads of State in other countries have no time to waste on such mundane matters, and it is a surprise that President Jonathan felt that the matter deserved the importance he gave it in Sao Tome. The issue properly belongs to the Ministry of External Affairs, whose bureaucrats

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ought to explain why the country’s diplomatic buildings are allegedly so shabby in spite of the substantial sums annually provided for their maintenance in successive national budgets.

The announcement of such a rehabilitation programme should, in any case, have been left to either the substantive Minister of External Affairs or the Minister of State who are, after all, specifically tasked with such duties.

Rather than focusing on the relatively trivial matter of how impressive the country’s diplomatic structures should look, the President ought to have emphasised the much more important issue of how efficiently the missions are administered.

Many of Nigeria’s missions abroad are notorious for the way in which they have become symbolic of the nation’s problems instead of its prestige. Routine services like the issuance of visas, passports and other travel documents to Nigerians and non-Nigerians are often slow and bogged down by sharp practices. In many cases, diplomatic members of staff appear to be more interested in what they can gain from their overseas postings rather than the services they can render.

Any Nigerian abroad who is unfortunate enough to have to rely upon the staff of the country’s missions quickly finds that they are often more of an encumbrance than a help.

To make matters worse, there are several pending allegations of high-level fraud in the sale and purchase of diplomatic buildings abroad. One of the bet-

ter-known cases is that of the opaque manner in which landed property belonging to the Nigerian embassy in Washington D.C. was disposed of in 2009. Despite the storm of negative publicity, there is no sign that the Federal Government ever got to the bottom of the matter.

If President Jonathan truly wants to raise the profile of the country via its missions abroad, he should ensure that they are properly funded, transparently run and effectively managed. Indeed, if these objectives are met, the sartorial splendour of the country’s embassies and high commissions would be guaranteed as a natural corollary of such measures.

At a more fundamental level, however, the President must be much more circumspect in the way he wields the enormous prestige of his office. The more he learns to disentangle himself from trivial matters and focus upon what is really important, the better it will be for the country.

‘Rather than focusing on the relatively trivial matter of how impressive the country’s diplomatic structures should look, the President ought to have emphasised the much more important issue of how efficiently the missions are administered’

Mr. Obama’s jobs plan: A worthy proposal, if not a panacea

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HE DIFFICULT TRUTH is that on some level there was no way President Obama’s speech on jobs to a joint session of Congress on Thursday night could live up to expectations. There is no magic way to swiftly create jobs or to ease the interconnected problems of unprecedented long-term unemployment, unacceptable levels of overall unemployment and stubbornly stagnant economic growth. The era of the trillion-dollar stimulus is over. Indeed, the wisdom of another massive stimulus package has to be considered in the context of the mounting national debt and accompanying concern about whether leaders will ever summon the political will to address it.

But the shaky state of the economy, the need to at least avoid making it worse by too-quick fiscal contraction and the evident human toll of the crisis all counsel in favor of some significant action along the lines of the president’s proposal.

Mr. Obama’s package totals $447 billion — what used to be big money before the even larger 2009 stimulus bill. The president said that, unlike in 2009, that amount would have to be offset with savings down the road, and he promised to provide details next week when he outlines his debt reduction plan to the new congressional supercommittee. It will be essential to see not only how the president proposes to pay for the package but how he envisions making certain that those savings materialize.

The centerpiece, accounting for about half the spending, is prolonging and increasing this year’s payroll tax cut for individuals and extending it to businesses. This tax break would be unaffordable on any continuing basis, but with consumer demand so weak, it could encourage both spending and hiring. Will workers spend every penny of their tax savings? No, but history suggests enough will to make the cut worth trying.

Will employers pocket the savings or use them to create jobs? Would those be jobs that would have been created anyway? Some almost certainly would have been. But the marginal benefit in a low-growth economy might be worth the cost.

A tax cut to individuals and employers ought to be the part of the president’s program that Republicans are most likely to support. The president also seeks another extension in the duration of unemployment insurance, which is appropriate given the increase in the ranks of the long-term unemployed, but he would couple this extension with reforms that would allow unemployed workers to use their benefits to gain work experience or start businesses.

The remainder of the package involves speeding planned infrastructure spending, sending money to state and local governments to avoid layoffs of teachers and first responders, and similar efforts. We are most enthusiastic about the infrastructure proposal, because it would accelerate spending that would have happened anyway and because the nation’s deteriorating roads and other facilities are such an obvious target for investment.

Mr. Obama’s package stands almost no chance of passage in the form he proposes. But if combined, as promised, with a serious debt reduction outline next week, it offers the plan that congressional Republicans have been demanding. It sets the stage for an important debate this fall — and quite probably during the months of campaigning to follow.

– Washington Post

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THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

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EDITORIAL/OPINION

IR: It all seems like yesterday, when Jonathan was sworn-in based on the results of a relatively free and fair election. He won a pan-Nigerian mandate largely by his famed humility, and an outlook that seemed to abhor evil. It is now 100 days since he assumed the mantle of leadership of the largest congregation of black people in the world, how time flies!

Jonathan’s inaugural speech held out hope, said all the right things in well coached pitch. He won the commendation of a vast majority of commentators who acknowledged the tremendous improvement in his speech quality and presentation. Some even argued he must have recruited new speech-writers that added substance to it. The commendation ended, few days after the inauguration. His first task, which should naturally be the constitution of his cabinet, was dogged in controversy. The President’s promise of a cabinet list within two weeks of his inauguration couldn’t be kept

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100 days of a dithering Presidency largely because of the shoddy handling of the list, and his indecisiveness. Different names kept appearing and disappearing on the speculated lists which made news headlines for days, if not weeks. When the cabinet was finally ready, it was a bogus one, made up of 42 members which showed that nothing had changed, and yet he promised a reduced bureaucracy that will leave more funds for capital expenditure. The first thing that caught the fancy of the President few days after the inauguration of his cabinet was the proposed tenure extension bill. He suggested that the present four-

year, two-term limit should be amended to a single term of probably six or seven years because he thought four years is not enough to record tangible achievements.

If the suicide bombing of the Police Headquarters in Abuja was expected to jolt Jonathan out of his slumber, we were mistaken. The President failed to seize the moment, to inspire the citizenry both in speech and body language, that he is capable of deploying the tremendous powers of his office to destroy the budding terror network. He failed to rise to the occasion, and address Nigerians personally. He issued a statement

through his spokesman and I begin to wonder if we voted for an invincible President. Experts in security matters have said lack of proper co-ordination among the various security agencies are mainly responsible for the success of the terror attacks, yet the President retains his NSA and service chiefs under whose watch, security has degenerated for the past one year!

The face-off between the erstwhile Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Katsina-Alu and President of the Court of Appeal (PCA) Salami exposed the folly of his presidency.

The President had all the while

Jonathan’s economic team should get cracking

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IR: The economy of any nation is like its jugular vein, it needs to be properly nurtured for a vibrant, healthy and happy populace. If mismanaged like the Nigerian case, you will eventually end up with a frustrated, sickening and depressed citizenry.

Nigeria has a GDP (Purchasing Power Parity) growth of 8.2 percent, ranked 31st in the world in terms of GDP as at 2009. With petroleum constituting 95 percent of foreign exchange earnings, it is evident that the rise in GDP is mainly due to increased oil exports and high global crude prices not necessarily translating to robust and high living standards of its people.

Having a mono product economy coupled with endemic corruption in the public sector has been observed as some of the major predicaments of the country. As a result of corruption, 80 percent of energy revenues benefit only one percent of the population according to World Bank estimates.

President Goodluck Jonathan assembled a team of men and women to form the economic team. Leading them is the Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala who supervised the debt waiver from the Paris club where we parted with 12 billion dollars of our wealth. Critics of the waiver argued that with a national budget of about three billion dollars and decaying infrastructure, it was not economically wise

to part with such a staggering amount of money. Government posited that the money that would have been used to service the debt would be diverted to fund the Millennium Development Goals projects. With just about three years to 2015 and no tangible achievements on the MDG projects, we are left to conclude that Nigeria was the loser in the deal.

With her second coming and with the likes of Atedo Peterside of the IBTC fame, business magnate Aliko Dangote, Access Bank helmsman Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, tax

queen Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru, we expect a better deal this time around.

What the economic team should have at the back of their minds is that, the largely subsistence agricultural sector has not kept up with rapid population growth. Nigeria, once a large net exporter of food, now imports most of her food products, with a population below poverty line of 70 percent, while agriculture contributes 30 percent to the GDP and 70 percent of the workforce.

We have no reason not be amongst the 20 leading economies of the

world by the year 2020 and no Nigerian should go to bed on an empty stomach when we have a population of 155.2 million and land mass of 923,766 square kilometres of which 33 percent is arable. Additionally, we have 18 agricultural research institutes, three federal universities of agriculture and a bank of agriculture.

What I expect is for these men and women of wisdom to roll up their sleeves and quickly get to work.

• Engr. Idris Jibrin Adewole Industrial Estate Ilorin, Kwara State

postulated as an advocate of the rule of law but repudiated this in the most brazen manner, when he approved the illegal suspension of PCA Salami. He claimed he didn’t want to leave a vacuum in the office of the PCA so he appointed an acting PCA pending when all issues regarding the office are resolved.

The office of the PCA was never vacant as the case surrounding the purported suspension was in court when the illegal sitting of the NJC was held. Even if the AttorneyGeneral Mohammed Adoke, known for his legendary ability to stand the law on its head attempted to misadvise, the President who at least is learned knows that any case that has pendency in court can’t be acted upon.

If the morning shows the day, Jonathan has started badly. He needs to assume, and deploy the full powers of his office, and be seen, to be in charge. He has to tackle decisively, the alarming insecurity in the land, particularly the Boko haram menace. The security agencies should be overhauled from the top to the middle management cadre. Matching orders should be given to security agencies to fish out, and expose sponsors and ring leaders of the deadly sect, no matter their position in the society. The temptation to cage the judiciary should be resisted because when people lose faith in her, they will resort to taking laws into their hands. The problems of unemployment, epileptic power supply, decaying infrastructure, economy, food insecurity and others should be the focus of the President, not mundane issues like tenure extension.

• Segun Olatunji Lagos

Bring back “dinner with the professors”

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IR: Our universities in Nigeria do not seem to have the relationship with students that they could fall back on in future. I mean in terms of translating good times the students have had on the campus into moral, material or financial support.

For instance whilst at one end the lecturers are telling the students that: “the lecturer is the final arbiter, no Jupiter can reverse his verdict” some of the students are saying to themselves “fire on Mr. Lecturer, my days in this university are numbered” and there is no turning back.

In Soyinka’s celebrated lecture on ‘Democracy, the idea of the University, the student Factor’,

Soyinka affirmed that the student remains an insignificant part of what goes on in the university.

Strike is the strongest weapon of the lecturers but teaching is the least of what they do. Since the students would eventually become politicians and barons of business in vantage positions, to serve the university, I think we should look at students as being a very significant part of the university.

This is the reason why I am recommending a return to ‘Dinner with the Professors’ every week. It used to be every Wednesday at the University College, Ibadan now University of Ibadan. I can understand what the professors were trying to do. It’s what the

business persons today would call relationship marketing.

According to the book, ‘Before our very Eyes’, a tribute to Wole Soyinka as edited By Dapo Adelugba, as undergraduate Wole Soyinka was asked to report to dinner in his lounge suit or traditional attire but he reported in his neck tie and tail shirt perhaps because he saw the dining table as a symbol of authority and so he chose to defy it.

You would recollect that in his, ‘Ake, the years of Childhood’, Soyinka revealed feigning interest in the discussion with his father on the dinning table, for his mind was more on the bowl of Akara. Of course it’s been said that the

conversation that we have on the dinning table serves to shape the nation.

Father to Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding Fathers of American Independence, affirmed that food is an insignificant part of what goes on on the dinning table.

But I think for Soyinka, author of ‘Salutation To the Gut’, food is very significant. According to the book, ‘Before Our Very Eyes’, Soyinka was served some Salad, He wrote an editorial comment and that was the end of Salad. But what is wrong with salad?

• Augustine Togonu-Bickersteth London, England

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THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

EDITORIAL/OPINION

PDP’s curse on Nigeria?

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HE People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Acting National Chairman Alhaji Kawu Baraje seems set to imprison Nigeria. Last week, he was reported as boasting that his party will continue to rule the nation till eternity.

His rationale is that with the level of indiscipline in the party, the constitution is to be reviewed “with the aim of making the PDP stronger and making it the doyen of Nigeria.” Speaking at the inauguration of the committee to reevaluate the constitution, he was quoted as recounting the party’s desire to keep on domineering the nation’s political landscape such that “we will continue to make it and it will continue to remain on top forever as the dominant political party in Nigeria.”

There is nothing wrong with expressing a political ambition. Indeed, any mission without a vision is hollow. But when a dream’s pedestal is selfish motive, it is bound to crash land.

The wreckage will even become calamitous if it is in the affairs of a whole nation that the interest of the generality is being relegated.

While it is possible to manipulate the people for a while, history has shown that it is impracticable to deceive them forever. With the wasteful experience under military dictatorship, Nigerians long for democratic rule, not just for the sake of it but for a purpose; and that is for meaningful governance that will have positive impact on the life of the majority. After 12 years under PDP governance, the sensible thing would have been to critically assess the state of the nation to see if the life of the people is now better or worse off.

It is so inopportune that our generation of politicians are more compassionate about being in power rather than performance. They perceive politics more as ruling and not governance. In the end, it is what they are able to get out of power that matters to them above the service they can offer the people whose vote they rode upon.

Beyond sentiment, Action Congress of Nigeria’s Lai Mohammed’s reported response hit the nail right on the head.

According to him, there was no way anybody or any party can rule forever. “If the PDP said it would rule forever, it means Nigeria is doomed forever”, he said, “the 12 years that PDP has ruled us, it has suffocated all Nigerians to the point of death.”

Tell me, what specifically can we point to as developmental achievement in the last 12 years? I believe Baraje and the PDP

leadership are not totally blind to the reality of the cumulative heat ravaging the land today. Economically, the masses are suffering. There is poverty all over. Except the handful that have privileged access to thieving from the commonwealth, standard of living of most Nigerians keeps dwindling on daily basis. Socially, insecurity across board – unceasing bombings, kidnappings, armed robberies etc - has placed the nation under siege, akin to what was experienced through the civil war.

If PDP is sincere and caring, the mandate given to its constitution review committee ought to be in tune with the desire to move the nation forward such that the people can now truly begin to see actual impact of democracy dividends, further than mere lip service. Any concern about party discipline should chiefly focus on how to checkmate the colossal corruption of its members in government, so that annual budgets and campaign manifestoes are actualised for the benefit of all.

PDP should see itself retaining power through excellent performance rather than electoral manipulations which has been its bane. It will be idiocy to think that because it holds power today, therefore it can always rig its way back and be in dominion “forever.” Afterall, the party leaders were witnesses to the outcome of the uprightness of Attahiru Jega-led INEC in the last general elections. PDP lost some states because voters’ judgment on its non-performance was allowed to count.

Nigerians are being forced by their distressing situation to become more politically enlightened. They are being awakened to understanding how to get what they want. They are all ears to the tenacity leading to unfolding revolutions in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya where the self-styled forever doyens are being shown the reality that power indeed belongs to the people instead of infertile power being perpetually imposed on the people.

Let it be known that it might one day no longer be easy to take the people for granted and be compelled under the blight of poverty to do the will of oppressing leadership. That day will surely come when the people will resolve to be delivered from all manner of curses and take their destiny in their hand.

FEEDBACK I agree with you that we need a SNC. Nigeria is not mature for presidential system of government. It is not only too costly, but confers excessive power on executives which they misapply. The timing of the exco bill is timely. Some governors have started thinking of second term; so it will serve as a deterrent. If you under-perform, to hell; but if you you’ll be re-elected in a different capacity. -2348035478040 I totally agree with your position on the proposed single term by GEJ. Anything short of SNC for wholistic restructuring of the polity will fail. –Kingsley.

This is a wonderful piece; but the presidential system is not the problem; rather, it’s the politicians operating the system.

From Falodun Joseph, Port Harcourt.

I love your piece. – Engr AB, Karu, FCT There must be holistic approach to our political reform. If the President is sincere, let him convene SNC where all the major stakeholders will fashion out a political system that will enhance productivity, developments and values in our administrations and governance. Discard with this bogus, extravagance and fraudulent presidential system and adopt parliamentary six-year single term, part-time lawmakers at federal and states; Devolution of power to federating units to act as autonomy, and not a contrived agenda that is out to perpetuate mediocrity in power because President G E Jonathan will surely don the toga of Oliver Twist in 2015.If you are in doubt lets watch. From Ayo Ayintete Your article titled Turning Upside Down is indeed captivating and thought provoking. How I wish our visionless leaders go through it and see what awaits them soon. Thanks Omotunde From Femi Olatoye.

It is a masterpiece. You called a spade a spade. I hope our leaders are listening. – Somnazu Francis, Asaba.

Soji, I think you are from another planet. To me, your write up is a tonic for a new product (Ghana must come!). We are putting something together and need people like you. I am a witness of what you wrote about Ghana. But remember they first did Nigeria must go in 1970. Nevertheless, I have been living in Accra Ghana since 2009. I’m sad that PDP has put this nation in a big mess through uncontrollable indiscipline and massive corruption for a whole 12 years. Yet, the Nigerians voted for Jonathan/PDP in place of better prepared Buhari/ Bakare/CPC. – Pastor Chuks Sampson.

Turning upside down is the truth about our country Nigeria. We are all guilty – both leaders and the led because of sentiments: religious, tribal, regional, state etc. I think our only weapon is prayer. God help us. – Chuwang, Lafia.

Your piece was so heart touching. You called back my tears for this nation. As you rightly put it, god’s love for this country is awesomely great. But it seems to me that Nigeria’s political class over the years have made a league with Satan to destroy this beloved nation. May God help us. Anonymous.

I went through your write up and was so moved that I found it very difficult to believe that there still exist pragmatic and patriotic people like you. Your type is one in a million in this country I must confess. –Ali Muhammed.

I so much like your write up. But my question is when do we as a nation learn our lesson? It is only a fool that will refuse to learn from the mistakes of his enemy. Our leaders have failed us at all levels. God will save us. Anonymous.

Who is afraid of SIM Card Registration?

I

T would really be a surprise to see any Nigerian who would not want his SIM card registered in the ongoing SIM card registration exercise across the country. This is simply because the benefits simply outweigh any reason do otherwise.

Now that we can safely assume that the Nigerian user of phone services knows about the exercise, the obligation to register before the closing date of September 28, has mounted.

One would imagine that those who are yet to register may be waiting for the habitual last minute rush!

The only person who should be afraid of SIM registration, naturally, is the criminally-minded who know that their days are numbered after all existing SIM cards are registered. We may begin to imagine how the criminally minded would be responding to the registration from their den, and probably asking themselves about what future holds in a situation that phones may no longer be available for their nefarious activities.

Surprisingly, there are some public commentators, newspaper columnists, and authors of editorial comments who get carried away about their superior sense of reasoning above majority of Nigerians, that they have ended up overreaching their arguments, and in the process, presenting themselves as spokesmen of those who should naturally, be afraid of SIM registration.

One school of thought presented by the pessimists is that the collection of biometrics data for the purpose may well not be permissible under the Nigerian laws. The protagonists of this argument hinge their argument on the unreliability of residential or office addresses of many Nigerians, and that this data collection without verification of the residential address of those registering may amount to waste of government’s resources. In other words, the ongoing biometrics data collection will not be very useful in the fight against crimes if the addresses are not well defined.

For the avoidance of doubt, there are three different statutes providing canopy for this exercise. While the fundamental laws are contained in the Nigerian Communication Act 2003, as it relates to management and assignment of frequency spectrum and numbering plan used in the country, another is contained in the regulation already enacted for the purpose of SIM registration and has ample provision to cover all aspects of the exercise.

The third law that backs up the exercise is as implied in the passage of the NCC budget 2011 into law by the National Assembly, and assented to, by the President.

The line of argument about the existence of appropriate laws, and the efficacy of biometric data collection for effective crime prevention, resolution and prosecution, may sound very good in the ears of the criminal who may take this as having

By Reuben Muoka an escape route. But even in the most advanced parts of the world, biometric data has become the easiest way to arrest criminals because of its uniqueness to each individual. In countries like USA which is often quoted by ‘been-to’ critics, it does not matter where a crime is committed because once the biometrics information of the criminals are gathered, they are tracked down, even if they kept off their known address for months. In biometrics registration, your residential address, which can change from time to time, will not be as reliable as your identity as captured in digital photograph and stored with your fingerprints. In effect, biometrics information becomes the most reliable in the identification, verification and confirmation of the identity of the individual.

Another argument from yet another school of thought question the role of the regulator in the implementation process as this is said to be a job left to the operators in other jurisdictions. This argument, in most cases, questions the rationale in the budget provision of N6.1 billion for the implementation of SIM registration which ought to have been a cost to the service providers.

The emotive nature of this argument, especially when the amount involved is mentioned, most times tends to overshadow the logical reasoning behind the involvement of the telecom regulator in the case of Nigeria. This school of thought pretends that the commission is unaware about how SIM registration is carried out in other countries. It therefore plays down the critical factor that brought the commission to the point where it must play some critical roles that underline the success of the exercise in Nigeria. Apart from the fact that available laws in Nigeria permit the regulator to manage SIM registration, the country also presents a unique attention as one without existing citizenship register that contain all the necessary information about all the citizens that the operators would have simply relied upon for such registration.

Another Nigerian law also forbids the telecom regulators from keeping the biometric information of Nigerian citizens which inevitably confers on the telecom regulator the responsibility to take control of such data arising from SIM registration for transfer to the appropriate institution permitted by law to hold such sensitive data.

The most compelling involvement of the regulator stems from the urgency demanded by the security agencies in Nigeria for an effective register of all SIM card holders in Nigeria in the face of a submission by the service providers that it will take a little less than four years for such process to be completed if left to them. A nation in the precipice of security challenges arising from the use of SIM cards cannot afford three and half years to complete registration of existing subscribes in the

network. The regulator was, therefore, left with no option than get involved at the behest of all the stakeholders, including the operators, the National Assembly, and the security agencies in Nigeria.

The emotive subject of the amount budgeted for the exercise pales into insignificance when compared with the cost of lives and property associated with crimes committed with the use of mobile phones; and as most who have associated with the regulator must have known, a track record of transparency and professionalism implies that whatever funds that are budgeted for the project would be judiciously expended on a publicly process.

Beyond the contentious arguments of the various schools of divergent thoughts, it needs to be said that the telecom regulator in Nigeria has a very result oriented culture of adapting telecom regulation to the peculiarities of the Nigerian environment. The conception and execution of SIM registration follows the tradition of consultation which began since 2008.

All the relevant experts in the professionally diverse of fields of SIM registration, including all the relevant stakeholders, including the relevant committees of the National Assembly, all the stakeholders, including the operators, the media, consumer advocacy groups, the Nigerian Identity Management Commission, (NIMC), National Population Commission (NPC), all the security agencies and also the consumers were fully involved in the process and decision that led to the registration exercise in Nigeria.

Let it be known, that the implementation takes into consideration, the security, biometrics, infrastructural, usage, and operational imperatives of the Nigerian market, and less about how it was carried out in other countries of the world.

• Reuben Muoka is Head, Media and Public Relations of NCC

‘Beyond the contentious arguments of the various schools of divergent thoughts, it needs to be said that the telecom regulator in Nigeria has a very result oriented culture of adapting telecom regulation to the peculiarities of the Nigerian environment’

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

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EDITORIAL/OPINION

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T would appear that there is currently, a positive realignment of thought on some of the issues that had before now, assumed the character of a norm in our governance framework. Just last week, a fundamental revolution took place in the way we hitherto perceived governance without being noticed. September 5, 2011 marked the first one hundred days in office of the various state chief executives and the president.

In the past, state governors celebrated the occasion lavishly. The usual scene was that of a phantom commissioning of projects most of which were rushed to give the impression that they are performing. In the rush to impress, some of the governors found a convenient handle of rehabilitating, repainting and erecting some buildings. In very few instances, a few kilometers of roads are either rehabilitated or constructed anew.

This is followed by a media blitz. Over the years, the heuristic value of this 100 days assessment parameter has largely remained hazy for many discerning members of the public. Questions have been raised regarding the rationale in using the first 100 days of a four year administration as an evidence of its capacity to deliver public goods and services.

More so, as such periodic performance appraisal seems to end as soon as the first 100 days celebrations come to a close.

The precise origin of the ‘first 100 days’ and the logic that informed its presumably universal acceptance are not very clear to this writer. But one thing that stands out in the way the concept has been applied in this country is the assumption that a good government can be determined from how effective it was in its first 100 days. But that is where the entire concept runs into very serious problem. It is inherently incongruous to use only 100 days out of four-year tenure to sustain generalizations that can stand the rigors of scientific enquiry. In other words, science would scoff such conclusions for not only being hasty but lacking in empirical validity.

There is nothing to suggest that a government that even started very well cannot derail at some point. There is equally nothing to suggest that one that could not start off very well within 100 days will be a failure after all. There is nothing to sustain such a conclusion. A smart rogue government could hurry and showcase some seemingly good projects within this time frame only to embark on a looting spree thereafter. These

Emeka OMEIHE 08058105720 email: EmekaOmeihe@yahoo.com

The 100 days euphoria are possibilities. Even at that, some of the makeshift projects that are bandied within these first 100 days cannot even sustain the rigors of credible independent assessment.

They are most often, packaged by the host governments to respond to the euphoria that they must show something as evidence of performance. And what do you expect when you set exams for yourself and mark the scripts thereafter? So what you find has been a mad rush to impress. And you can trust our people in such a circumstance.

The truth is that at 100 days, most governors are yet to fully take off. In most instances, they have barely put in place the necessary support staff before the first 100 days begins to knock at their doors. You can therefore begin to conjecture how well conceived and far reaching projects executed within that time frame will be in the overall assessment profile of a four year regime.

It would appear that it is on account of these inherent difficulties that most governors shunned the usual hype associated with the celebration of their first 100 days in office. It was devoid of the usual media razzmatazz for which the occasion is known. But for those of them that cared to give some recognition to the event like the Presidency, Ogun state governor and some others, they departed form the usual practice of showcasing hurried buildings and makeshift projects.

All one can discern from their statements and broadcast was largely an exercise in agenda setting or rather a rehash of their electoral promises. The Presidency re-echoed its agenda of promising less and delivering more. It went further to talk about issues like observance of the rule of law and such other

matters that do not easily lend themselves to precise assessment. It also talked about contracts awarded and all that. Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun state used the occasion to announce his intention to set up a Truth Commission to investigate cases of people who lost their lives and property without measures to seek redress. He also promised that the education system will be overhauled and that they had begun the repair of 50 primary healthcares centers in the state.

The point being made here is that even with those governors that cared to dignify their 100 days in office, it was still a sharp departure from the usual fanfare and deceit that had attended the exercise. What they have done in my thinking is to reinforce some of their promises to the people while drawing attention to actions taken in those directions.

All these go further to underscore the point that was raised earlier regarding the emerging realignment of thinking on the usefulness of 100 days as an effective parameter for assessing a government.

It is also instructive that what dominated these accounts of their stewardship in the last 100 days were statements of intent rather than concrete actions executed. The impression one gets from this is that the governors while responding to the euphoria of 100 days in office are indirectly asking for more time for their plans to come to fruition.

This is more so as the opposition in some states have been striving to make political capital out of this. In Oyo and Imo states for instance, the opposition, still nursing the wounds from its electoral defeat is hanging on to the so-called 100 days to lampoon the

administrations there. These are states where the party in power was swept away due incompetence and poor performance by their incumbent governors. Ironically, while these governors held sway in the last four years, these born again critics looked the other way or acquiesced with the mess the incumbents were notorious for. These same people are now shouting on top of their voices just after 100 days. What an irony? In Oyo state, the opposition is even trying to hold the state governor culpable for the recent flood disaster in Ibadan. Yet, Oyo state has been host to serious flood disasters in the past. We cannot forget the Ogunpa floods in a hurry.

But whatever actions or lack of it that precipitated the recent flood there did not start in the last 100 days the governor assumed the mantle of leadership.

It would have been interesting to know what steps if any the previous regime took to avert the looming danger before it was swept out of office.

In the absence of that, the noise by the opposition is nothing but hypocrisy.

In all therefore, it is important that elected officers periodically give account of their stewardship to their constituents. But we must proceed beyond the first 100 days to establish a regular timeframe that would enable the people to effectively assess their elected functionaries. Though relevant, the first 100 days is an exercise in a hurry. That seems to be the message running through the statements by some governors in their 100 days in office.

‘ There is nothing to

suggest that a government that even started very well cannot derail at some point.

There is equally nothing to suggest that one that could not start off very well within 100 days will be a failure after all.’

VIEW FROM THE FOREIGN PRESS

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EN years ago, a well-coordinated terrorist plot led to the assault upon the United States with disastrous loss of human life. The worst of all this was the destruction of the World Trade Centre towers in lower Manhattan, where nearly 3,000 innocent people were killed.

The loss to America was immediate: The stock market closed down and then lost great value, and for a while the infrastructure system closed down.

The world watched in awe, and many foreigners thought it served the arrogant American empire right; across the Arab world, including in supposedly pro-United States nations, there was rejoicing on the streets. Surely, then, America had been weakened?

But the response of the US government was fast, decisive and, in a calculated way, quite brutal. The attackers were known to be of the Al Qaeda terrorist organisation, it was known that they were housed by the Taliban in Afghanistan. And it was known how to project American military power into the mountains of south-west Asia and crush the greater part of Al Qaeda; hunting down Osama bin Laden was a matter of time.

Two years later, in 2003, US forces (with a few allies) poured into Iraq for a second time in recent memory and eradicated Saddam Hussein and his unpleasant regime.

This time, the world stood aghast for a different reason: The blunt display of America's military might, and thus the possibility that the US had gone as far ahead in "hard power" capabilities compared to other powers (Russia, India, China, Europe) as the Romans had vis-a-vis the barbarian tribes 2,000 years earlier.

Russian nationalists, French intellectuals and Chinese planners were all upset, which probably made American hawks like Vice-President Dick Cheney and Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld doubly happy. The US was back on top.

But was it? And, even if it had displayed an impressive amount of military muscle, how long would that last? And of what deeper value was it to the preservation of America's long-

An America adrift The real legacy of 9/11 was a nation distracted from real issues

By Paul Kennedy term power position? Over the years that followed, the epic events of 2001 and 2003, the ground wars in Iraq and especially in Afghanistan became more protracted, more bloody and ever less clear for the American public to understand.

NOBODY CARES I cannot do the sophisticated polling that the Pew Foundation expert pollsters do, and the Pew polls show Americans nowadays much more uncertain about their post-9/11 position than they apparently were 10 years ago. But when I talk with the folks at my local hardware store or Italian deli, I hear no Cheneylike pride or aggressiveness.

There is a feeling that these wars have lasted too long and are not going anywhere, and an even stronger feeling that the White House and Congress should cease bickering and focus all their attention upon America's undoubted domestic ills.

Is isolationism in evidence at my hardware store and deli? You bet it is. Nobody talks much here about the rise of China. Nobody cares about Putin's Russia. Latin America and Africa, apart from helping starving babies, are off the mental map. India is marginally on the map.

The Middle East is just full of stupidities why can't we just get out? And the situation in Israel is to most Americans just an embarrassment. Europe is, except for college students planning an exchange programme, not a place of interest; nobody knew of Dominique StraussKahn until he was hauled off the Air France plane.

If asked "which foreign country would you fight for", the largest number of those Americans polled would say Britain, but that is because those polled feel that Brits are the only

people who have fought alongside America in a world in which the superpower feels increasingly lonely and sick of overextending itself. To the average American, few other countries are worth fighting for.

DISTRACTED When the actual day of the 10th anniversary occurs, the ceremonials arranged by the White House will be sensitive, intelligent, suitable. How could they not be? And it will be proper to respect what President Barack Obama is trying to do, and to respect American emotions. These events will undoubtedly attract all the chatter of the absurdly shortterm media in this country, eager for instant coverage and unintelligent commentary. Mr Obama will strive to be above that.

But what of those of us who are attempting to step back from these memorials and ask questions about where America is in the world now compared to a decade ago? Has the United States been weakened, or strengthened? How has its foreign policy been affected, in the largest sense?

And perhaps the real answer to that critical last question might be this: That the largest effect of 9/11 upon America is that it became distracted. Distracted in two very important ways. In the first place, it was distracted from many other things that are going on in the world. Secondly, it has been distracted from the erosion of its financial strength and international competitiveness.

Let us look briefly at the first matter. In its own hemisphere - surely among the most important areas in the world to US interests a new Latin America is emerging, unsteadily but observably. There is human catastrophe in Haiti, an uncertain future for Cuba, the continued idiocies of a sick Chavez regime in

Venezuela, and drug-gangster wars from Bolivia to Mexico.

Yet there is also the extraordinary transformation of Brazil, the success of Chile, and the quiet recovery of Argentina. But does the US have a positive, carefully crafted strategy for Latin America? Of course not.

Africa, apart from a few lights of promise, trembles over the pit of environmental and demographic disaster, but Washington leaves that problem to the World Bank. Europe fades further away. Russia is neglected. An IndiaPakistan policy is, well, hard to describe.

And American views on China range from blind enthusiasm to calls to build up the US Navy immediately. And all this neglect for adventures in Afghanistan and Iraq that are now being wound down. This will be hard to explain to history students in 50 years' time.

Even more worrying has been a decade of distraction from attending to the "common wealth" - that is, the common good of America itself and of its citizenry.

The Bush administration's combination of expensive foreign wars and inexcusable tax cuts that favoured the rich has had dreadful effects upon US federal deficits, upon America's growing dependency upon foreigners, and upon the long-term future of the dollar.

The social fabric is fraying, the underclass is growing - it is observable year upon year in the soup kitchen where I work - and the public-school system crumbling. Under-investment in our roads and railways and power systems is visible every day. And, as if any more bad news was needed, along comes a Tea Party with policies that would make America's double-distraction even worse.

This, then, may be the real legacy of 9/11, long after US troops are withdrawn from those high Hindu Kush ranges.

For here was the decade when America turned its attention away from its own domestic condition and from its need to have a wider view of global change. The New York Times Kennedy is Dilworth Professor of History and director of International Security Studies at Yale University; and the author/editor of 19 books, including "The Rise And Fall Of The Great Powers".

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

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NATION SPORT

NATION SPORT ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE 2011/2012

Osaze hands West Brom first win P

Plot to stop Nigeria’s medal haul uncovered •As Referee runs away

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ATIONSPORT can exclusively report that there are plans to disrupt Nigeria’s medal haul in the Badminton events of the ongoing All Africa Games holding at the E.S.J Machel Stadium in Maputo.

In a chat with the Assistant coach of the country’s badminton team, Sulaiman Tajudeen on Saturday in Maputo, Tajudeen was visibly angry at the pairings of his team which he complained had resulted in the Nigerian team playing themselves hence giving room to his players eliminating themselves at the Games.

He said: “Our players were meeting themselves in the last sixteen and the quarter finals which is not supposed to be. Some other

countries like South Africa and others have protested, Nigeria too did but unfortunately the referee ran away and we couldn’t reach the referee, he just instructed the head umpire, to carry on with the matches.

Most No.1 seeds from other countries including Nigeria were pushed up the ladder, which shouldn’t be.

“It is unfortunate. We have four quarters on the chart and we had four entries, so our four entries were supposed to be on those quarters that is, the top, two middle the third quarters. But suddenly three of our players were pushed up to pave way for Mauritius players. That is the situation as far as the mixed doubles is concerned.

“We have been playing ourselves

at some stage, where we are supposed to claim silver gold and bronze, they now opened it up for Mauritius to get something,” he told NationSport.

Tajudeen, however, heaved a sigh of relief as his team was able to give Nigeria her first gold: “So far so good we have had a good performance at least in the team’s events that was concluded some days back we won the gold medal so we are still expecting five gold medals from this championship. So far so good in the mixed doubles that is just starting this morning, our two entries we are still intact. Then in the singles, all our four entries are in the quarter finals, the mixed doubles too. We are in. Although, transporting ourselves from the village to the playing venues has been very very hectic. In fact, yesterday we were lucky not to be walked over here due to the cycling competition, all the roads were blocked. We had to call the referee to tell him we were stuck in traffic, but he reluctantly agreed to push our matches up,” he said.

Power outage at last

P

•Nigerian born Suraju Saka in action for Congo Brazzaville

T/Tennis: Congo coach blames pregnant athlete for loss to Nigeria

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IGERIA-BORN Congo Brazzaville table tennis Coach, Lasisi Kasali has blamed his pregnant Congolese athlete for the inability of the Congolese national side in garnering medals in all the female categories of the table tennis events at the on-going All Africa Games holding in Mozambique.

Kasali who spoke with NationSport on Saturday evening at the Centrao Islamico Sporting Center, Maputo was filled with annoyance that the girl suddenly got pregnant after all hopes had been placed on her to fly Congo’s flag high.

The girl who was supposed to be the country’s joker according to Coach Lasisi had destabilized the team which ended up with four bronze medals in a row: “All our hopes were placed on her because

she was the best female player in Congo. She just decided to get pregnant at the wrong time,” Lasisi lamented.

“We prepared well for this Games and my aim was to give Nigeria a fight by winning gold in most of the event, but the girl got pregnant just like that and this is a big minus to the team because other players were looking up to her”, he said.

Meanwhile, Coach Lasisi who had been handling Congo Brazzaville Table Tennis team for years will be coming to Nigeria for a month’s rest ahead of preparations for a cadet table tennis championship will hold in Puerto Rico in January.

Coach Lasisi told NationSport he will be coaching the African team which will go on training tours of Spain and South Africa before the Championship proper.

HEW! After seven days of constant power supply, electricity was disrupted for twenty minutes in Maputo. It can be excused though. The disruption came in around 12.30 am when the town should be asleep except for the night crawlers who would have probably frowned at the interference.

The NationSport noticed that partying is synonymous with most Mozambicans as they can be seen with cars parked on street corners with music blaring from powerful sound systems in their cars every day. In fact, if you call them ‘enjoyment ministers’ it will not be an understatement. Dancing on the streets to them is not associated with what an average Nigerian will term street madness.

It is a way of life here. They are not suffering and are smiling. A far cry from the late Afro beat crooner’s Fela Anikulapo-kuti’s song of ‘suffering and smiling’. However the 99 standing, 44 seating in their luxurious buses aka molue is still obtainable here.

The boys love their bottles and the ladies love their guys as they cuddle themselves without any cares in the world at every nook and cranny. In fact, Mozambicans have all got swags.

Their currency is ‘powerful’. A dollar is 29 metical while in Nigeria a dollar is N157. Weather it was devalued or not, no one is complaining here.

Every Mozambican seems content. They love their President. An errand boy in the hotel confirmed this when he agreed to serve as an escort to us when he pointed to a picture of the Mozambican President, Armando Guebueza with glee . ‘See our president.’ When Nationsport asked one of them if thoughts of travelling for the proverbial greener pasture abroad abound here, he said: “Hell No! Portugal is poor, what are we going to do there? Most Portuguese live here as you can see.”

•Ehiosun

Ehiosun scores on Turkish debut

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IGERIA international striker Ekigho Ehiosun made a goalscoring debut for his new Turkish club Samsunspor as they won their opening league game 3-2 against Genclerbirligi.

Ehiosun hit target on 38th minute on the first day of action in the Turkish top flight.

The ex-Warri Wolves star was booked on 62 minutes, though.

He is on a season-long loan deal at Samsunspor, who only won promotion back to the Turkish top league this season.

Another Nigerian star on song in Europe Saturday was Obinna Nsofor, who replicated the form he exhibited against Madagascar last weekend by getting among the goals in his Russian club’s 4-2 win at home against Zenit St.Petersburg.

Zenit led 2-0 after half an hour before Nsofor pulled a goal back after 46 minutes to inspire a superb comeback for his club Lokomotiv Moscow, who went on to win 4-2.

It was a big win for Lokomotiv, who are fourth on the table with 39 points from 23 matches, against table toppers Zenit.

ETER Odemwingie’s early goal proved enough boost to give West Brom a 1-0 win at Norwich on Sunday, Albion’s first in the Premier League this season.

The Nigerian capitalised on a mix-up between Ritchie de Laet and rookie keeper Declan Rudd, in for the suspended John Ruddy, to fire the Baggies ahead on three minutes at Carrow Road.

Norwich, now without a victory in four league games, had a few halfchances but did not really test Ben Foster - and would have been out of contention with 14 minutes left but for a fine penalty save from Rudd.

West Brom had lost all three of their Premier League games before this afternoon - but two of those were against title hopefuls Manchester United and Chelsea, while Stoke stole a 1-0 win in the last minute at The Hawthorns before the international break.

It took the Baggies only three minutes to go ahead following a terrible mix-up

in the Norwich defence.

A long ball from Nicky Shorey caught the Norwich rearguard cold, as De Laet’s header did not reach a hesitant Rudd, and Odemwingie nipped in to poke the ball into the far corner.

Norwich looked for a response, with Andrew Surman getting in on the left and his near-post effort was kicked out

by Ben Foster, with captain Grant Holt unable to guide the rebound on target.

Norwich continued to press, but without really stretching the West Brom defence, while looking vulnerable on the counter.

Surman drove in a low 20-yard effort, but Foster was down quickly to make a comfortable save.

Elliott Bennett slammed Marc Tierney’s left-wing cross over from eight yards after 30 minutes.

The former Brighton winger did better when cutting inside to sting Foster’s hands with a rasping drive from the edge of the penalty area.

Rudd lifted his confidence with a decent

block from Odemwingie as the West Brom forward burst clear down the right after the Norwich defence was easily split once again.

West Brom were inches away from going 2-0 ahead five minutes before the break when Graham Dorrans strode forward and lashed a 25-yard effort against the post.

The Canaries were now enjoying their best spell, but again opted for the wrong pass when well placed in the final third.

Lambert made a double change with 20 minutes left as captain Holt was replaced

by Steve Morison, and James Vaughan came on for Martin to make his first appearance since a summer move from Everton.

On 75th minute, West Brom swung a deep free-kick into the Norwich area, which dropped to Steven Reid, who went down under what looked minimal contact from Wales forward Morison.

Odemwingie rolled the penalty towards the bottom left corner - but Rudd dived full stretch to produce a magnificent save.

Enyeama benched again as Lille wins

S

UPER EAGLES’ goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama was on the

bench for all 90 minutes on Saturday as his French first division side, Lille OSC won 3-1 at St. Etienne.

It capped an unhappy week for the former Enyimba shot stopper who was dropped for Nigeria’s last two internationals against Madagascar and Argentina after he complained about the travel arrangements of the national side.

St Etienne had taken an 8th minute lead through a David Rozehnal own goal.

However a second half fight back inspired by the German forward, Eden Hazard, who claimed a brace, gave the Mastiffs a 3-1 success.

Lille moves up to 2nd on the log with 10 points from 5 matches; just a solitary point behind the leaders, Olympic Lyon with Sunday’s games still to come.

Meanwhile, former Nigeria Under-17 goal keeper, I mama Amapakabo is saddened at Enyeama’s present situation

at Lille.

Amapakabo, a member of the technical staff at Nigeria Premier League (NPL) club, Sharks believes it is important for the Super Eagles that the shot stopper starts playing regularly at the top flight.

“The move to Lille is a bad career move for Vincent,” declared Amapakabo.

“Foe a goalie of his class to go to a club that already has an established number one (is surprising). Well, in Nigeria, it dosen’t matter if he plays regularly or not, he will be called to be first choice.

NPL’S crisis: NFF set to intervene •Meets today

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HE executive board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is expected to meet today in Abuja, to among other things deliberate on matters that affect the NPL disputed election. The Board is desperate to meet in order not to be committed to prison for contempt of court. An Abuja High Court had given the board 45 days to ensure that all matters relating to the disputed election matters in the League Board be sorted out in accordance with the Ibidapo Obe arbitration panel ruling.

The NPL election committee headed

by Tony Raufu had been at logger heads since the decision, leading to the impeachment of the Chairman, and later the dissolution of the entire body. Before the newly constituted electoral body could be sworn in, the NFF issued an order restraining them from functioning, when the Football Body noticed some

From Patrick Ngwaogu, Abuja arm-twisting in the new Committee.

The NFF Board is expected to direct its electoral committee headed by Abdul Hakeem Mustapha to go ahead to conduct the election on or before 15 September.

Unless the unexpected happens, Rumson Baribote would be sworn-in as the new Chairman of the League Board, as he is the sole candidate that contested against the erstwhile Chairman Davidson Owumi.

However, the emergence of Akin Akinbobola as a candidate cannot hold waters, as he had told sportswriters in Abuja on June 9,2010 that he had withdrawn for Davidson Owumi in that election having found out that Owumi is a more eligibale candidate, and that his services in the Ondo State government would not give him the opportunity to act properly as the Chairman of the League Board.

The NFF Board is also expected to

AHEAD NIGERIA/GUINEA CLASH

Siasia, others to meet NFF

S

OURCES in the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) exclusively revealed to NationSport at the weekend that the GlassHouse will be meeting with Super Eagles gaffer, Samson Siasia and other members of the technical crew today in Abuja ahead of the Nations Cup qualifiers against the Syli Stars of Guinea come October.

The meeting which is being conveyed by the Technical Committee of the NFF to perfect strategies ahead of the crunchy clash.

Guinea leads group B of the Nations Cup qualification series with 13 points against Nigeria’s ten points, leaving the final in Abuja as the decider in confirming Super Eagls’ slot at the highest football competition in Africa.

“Guinea must definitely fall in Abuja when they come visiting, but the NFF does not want to leave anything to chance. A meeting has been conveyed for Monday (today) to discuss the modalities of approaching the game.

By Innocent Amomoh “It will involve the coach Siasia and the Technical Committee members of the NFF slated for Abuja. Though the time has not been confirmed, but the meeting is important because the football house is taking the qualification for the Nations Cup seriously,” the source further reveled.

Having lost 0-1 to the Guineans in Conakry, the Super Eagles will have to defeat the Syli Stars by more than one goal margin to avoid the head-to-head rule of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

But is Nigeria wins convincingly, clinching the three points at stake, both teams will tie on 13 points each, with Nigeria qualifying on superior head -tohead advantage, but if otherwise, the Guineans will emerge from the group as the sole qualifiers.

The competition which will be cohosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS

‘Eagles condemned to qualify’ From Patrick Ngwaogu, Abuja

deliberate on the 2011 Federation cup whose finals will be played in Lagos on 25th September. They are expected to ratify the appointment of the new Technical crew of the Golden Eaglets, and ensure that everything about their contracts are sorted. Another important issue that may be discussed is the Arbitration panel issue that was looking into the disputes in the National and Women League. We gathered that the panel has finished its sittings, and may have submitted its reports.

Sani Kaita stops Abutu’s Ukraine move

F

ORMER Dolphins midfielder, Jonah Abutu has seen his hopes of playing in the Ukrainian Premier League dashed after he was informed by officials of top division side, SC Tavriya Simferopol that his proposed move had fallen through at the last minute.

The burly midfielder was in the Ukraine for three weeks alongside Kaduna United striker, Saviour Fidelis.

He revealed that they had been assured of the club that they would be signed on if they impressed during the three week period only to see their hopes dashed at the eleventh hour.

“They told us that they would sign us if we did well in the trials. We did well only for them to tell us later that they wanted to sign Sani Kaita instead because he is more experienced,” Abutu explained.

SC Tavriya Simferopol also signed another Nigerian, Super Eagles defender, Dele Adeleye and Abutu stated that he and Fidelis took it on the chin more agreeably as they (Kaita and Adeleye) are their countrymen.

“I won’t lie, we were very disappointed but since they are our fellow Nigerians, it was easier for us to bear,” he said.

Abutu has now set his set on securing a deal in the Egyptian top flight stating that his agent ‘is working on something for me’.

“My agent is working on something for me. I will be heading to Cairo very soon and by the grace of God, I will get a good deal,” he said.

Abutu played for Bussdor United and former Nigeria Premier League (NPL) champions, Bayelsa United before teaming up with another NPL side, Dolphins.

N

•Team Nigeria during the march past at the opening ceremony of the All Africa Games

IGERIA’s Football ambassador John Fashanu has reiterated that Super Eagles are condemned to pick the sole ticket in Group B of the 2012 Africa Nations Cup holding in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. Speaking to NationSport in Abuja at the weekend, the former England international said the Head Coach has no option than to put together a team that can over run the Guineans when they come to Abuja early next month. According to former Wimbledon striker, “Nigerians would not be ready to take any excuse whatsoever from Coach Samson Siasia and the team in that match. They have all things working for them now.

They are three points behind the Guineans, and need to score a single goal to be at that the Nations cup. The implication is that their fate is now in their hands, they know that it is the dream of every player to be at such high profile competition, so they have to put everything into the game and get Nigerians the sole ticket”.

On the recent loss to Argentina in the friendly match in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Fash said the team should put that behind them, and remain focused to the last qualifying match against Guinea “we don’t need to crucify them on that match.

It was very obvious that at least three regular players of the team who would have made the difference were not in the team. It is a friendly match, and people should accept it that way, bearing in mind that we also defeated the Argentines here in Abuja. We should not allow that to disturb us, instead, it should propel the team to doing well against Guinea here in Abuja, which is more important” Fashanu concluded.

•Sani Kaita

Omeruo stays put at Standard

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IGERIA U-20 international Kenneth Omeruo has turned down Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem and will stay back at Standard Liege of Belgium, at least for this season.

The highly-rated central defender will be given a pro deal by Standard when he turns 18 on October 17, but has had to fend off interest from Vitesse after he shone at the recent FIFA U20 World Cup in Colombia.

“My agent informed me of a serious interest by Vitesse but that could not be finalised before the transfer window closed last month,” Omeruo told MTNFootball.com “I would wish to spend at least a season at Standard as part of my development, but then you never could tell with the football business.”

The promising defender is set to be given a three-year contract by Standard with an option for an additional two years.

JOBS THE NATION

Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.com

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

25

• An electronic hacker

Hackers are more like ticks the way they operate. Many organisations and individuals have lost vital information to their illegal activities. But their days are now numbered, with the coming of ethical hacker, whose job is to safeguard the internet, corporate networks and their web sites. DANIEL ESSIET takes a peep into the world of ethic hackers.

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HE best of security networks in banks, telecommunications and other big companies have been broken-into by illegal hackers.

Operating from cyber cafes and other places, they break into sites, read e-mails, crack mail passwords and steal credit card numbers from online shopping sites.

As a result of their activities, many sensitive personal and financial data have been stolen or made public.

While some companies fell victim due to porous security controls, there are big firms with celebrated break-ins, despite having the best security

Hacking the hacker systems and policies in place.

The rate of serious IT-based criminal activity – fraud, theft and industrial espionage – is on the increase.

Consequently, the industry has raised computer security experts known as ethical hackers to help fight the bad guys.

Their job is to find security leak spots in companies’ networks, database and other information-rich targets for hackers and crackers.

In layman’s terms, an ethical hacker is simply a bodyguard. He is a computer bodyguard.

Their job is to sit and figure out: If a hacker were to attack a system, how would he do it, and to protect systems? They are employed by organisations to poke, prod, and determine the overall level of security. They are given written permission to perform this test and have detailed boundaries to work within.

Founder/Executive Director, Paradigm Initiative Nigeria, Gbenga Sesan, said the job of ethical hackers is to get into the minds of computer criminals, think like them and come up with innovative methods to protect computer systems and corporate networks.

According to him, there are plenty of individuals waiting to test and probe an organisation’s security stance. Their presence in one‘s network, he noted, is not a

good thing.

Though there are hundreds of consultants serving companies, Sesan said they cannot counter hackers’ threats.

As the web continues to grow and place more and more personal information online, the computer underworld is also getting more difficult to control.

For lack of jobs, young Nigerians are into the art of breaking into secure networks, detecting loopholes and decrypting passwords.

The demand for ethical hackers comes from the banking, telecoms sectors and companies • Continued on page 26

26

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

JOBS

Hacking the hacker •Continued from page 25

fense job requirements.

The Certified Ethical Hacker certification programme is offered by the US-based International Council of E-Commerce Consultants (EC-Council).

It certifies security professionals to identify vulnerabilities in target systems to fix them. Ethical hackers use the same knowledge and techniques as malicious hackers, but apply them on behalf of the system’s owner. Companies hire penetration testers to probe, hack and secure their systems before malicious hackers can breach them.

The industry is growing at a tremendous pace and offers a plethora of lucrative job opportunities for youngsters.

Currently, there are very few service providers offering Certified Ethical Hacker training in the country. Only Cisco Nigeria, Karox Nigeria Limited, Innobuzz Knowledge Solutions (Nigeria) and New Horizons Nigeria Limted offer the course.

Among the courses the students take are security testing methodologies, remote root vulnerability exploitation, privilege escalation hacking, unauthorised data extraction, remote access trojan hacking, offensive sniffing, wireless insecurity, breaking IP-based ACLs via spoofing, evidence removal and anti-forensics.

Certified hackers can serve as penetration

with large network and huge online database.

Sesan said every institution needs trained hands to ensure fool-proof safety for their systems.

He said private companies and government establishments are employing ethical hackers to secure their database from potential theft.

According to him, illegal hackers know the dark side of the Net. So, his organisation is supporting the training of ethical hackers to assist security agencies and finance firms in checking cyber crime.

The visible hacker community, to Sesan, consists of highly intelligent people who are bored and need jobs. Once they get one, they do the right thing. His organisation is encouraging yahoo boys to become ethical hackers instead of ruining other people’s businesses through IT crime.

So, he recruits repentant yahoo boys and retrains them to become useful IT workers.

The move has international endorsement.

It is now a common practice among Fortune 500 companies to employ ethical hackers to defend their networks. Certified Ethical Hacker training and certification is now an option for four categories of IT pros in meeting the United States Department of De-

• Sesan

testers, security analysts and security auditors. There are opportunities in computer forensics, which are in high demand by law enforcement agencies.

In the nation’s IT industry, the job prospects are good. Passion for the subject, knowledge of information security, analytical skills and a basic understanding of IT, experts said, are what it takes to succeed.

Changing trends in hacking and expanding Internet are some of the challenges in the field.

The issues is that international firms will not hire former criminal hackers because it is impossible to know how genuinely “reformed” they are.

They purchase trained ethical hackers, who have very strong programming and computer networking skills, and have been in the computer and networking business for several years.

At its recent convocation, in Lagos, New Horizons Computer School graduated four ethical hackers on Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH v7).

The graduatss were from public and private establishments. They are Mr. Carl Ileka of Rexit Limited; Femi Omolola from office of the National Security Adviser, Abuja; Akin Ogundimu of Alcatel Lucent and Mr. Adebanjo Olufemi of Da-Clickx Networkx.

Speaking on the programme, the instructor, Mr. Ojo Seyi, made a case for the training of more ethical hackers to checkmate malicious hacking.

On who needs ethical hackers, Seyi said everybody that handles information needs them. They should not be seen as the exclusive preserve of banks and other multi-nationals.

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Ogunsanya is NBC’s MD

N • Ogunsanya

IGERIAN Bottling Company (NBC) has named Mr Segun Ogunsanya its Managing Director. His appointment took effect from this month.

A statement signed by the Head, Public Affairs and Communications, Mrs. Adeyanju Olomola, said Ogunsanya joined NBC from Coca-Cola Sabco, Kenya where he was Chief Executive Officer.

Ogunsanya, a 1987 graduate of

Electrical & Electronics Engineering from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife), is also a Chartered Accountant. He is versed in the Coca-Cola business having spent a significant part of his career with the Coca-Cola company.

Ogunsanya started his career in Nigeria in the Tax and Business Advisory Division of Arthur Andersen & Co.

In 1994, he joined the Coca-Cola Company in Nigeria as Head of Treasury and subsequently spent some time in Atlanta, United States (US) on a short term assignment at the Corporate Office.

In 1998, he was seconded to the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Ghana as Finance Director. A year later, he was appointed Gen-

eral Manager and Chief Executive of the business in Ghana. In 2004, he was given additional responsibilities as Deputy Regional Manager for the Equatorial West Africa Countries, supervising three countries.

In 2008/2009, he spent a short time with Ecobank Transnational INC as Group Head of the Retail Banking Division, covering 28 countries in Africa.

Two years later, he returned to Coca-Cola as Chief Executive Officer of the company in Kenya.

CAREER MANAGEMENT

T

HE major thesis of last week presentation was that looking for job is like developing a brand and selling it. So job hunting has striking similarities to marketing. Like the 4Ps of marketing, the operative “P” words for a successful campaign are positioning, process, and persistence followed closely by performance, personality, and pricing.

The product is the candidate. For a candidate to have the opportunity to sell his value to the targeted buyer/employer, the strategy driving the search has to be effective which means choosing the correct focus and developing the right approach.

Your job search project may be one of the most demanding, and rewarding campaigns you will ever manage. Let’s look at the last set of Ps that can help improve odds in your favour through savvy job hunting and best practices job search implementation skills:

Performance and Presentation Make sure your resume speaks of your strengths, talents and skills, but nothing beats actual performance to prove to an employer that you can deliver for them. If you can provide proof of your competence through a customised presentation developed especially for a prospect, (Think : Impact) you have demonstrated initiative and creativity as well as your wealth of knowledge.

Six Ps of job search (I)

By Olu Oyeniran

Doesn’t this speak volumes of your willingness to work hard, your desire to make a contribution, to want to go all out to make a difference, to be a team player, to be a leader and to go beyond expectations? Rather than use your words, show the prospective employer what you are made of!!

Do a report just for the informational interview, demonstrating your grasp of the concepts and your ability to use the material effectively.

Does this effort rate the preparation time? Yes, because it is more likely to gain attention and lead to further discussions of your mutual interests and ways you might fit into the organisation than mailing out a thousand resumes that are headed for the wastebasket or automated applicant tracking database.

This definitely gives you a huge advantage over others who simply submit a resume and wait passively for a reply. You are already past the gatekeeper wooing the decision makers. Don’t waste a chance to show hiring managers your capabilities.

Put yourself out and you’ll reap a competitive advantage, getting on the inside track to joining the company you want to work for!

Personality The greatest credentials in the world are not enough. Interpersonal chemistry, that essential feeling of trust, plays a critical role in hiring decisions. If you are fortunate enough to make direct contact with a prospective employer, concentrate on letting him get to know you and begin to cultivate his trust.

Listen rather than talk so you can hear what is important to him and then can address his needs and calm his concerns. This is critical to encouraging the employer to be comfortable in choosing you to join his business.

Gaining credibility might be even more important to your selection than whether your skills and background are desirable.

Focus on generating a dialogue, getting to know each other, sharing experiences and thoughts. If there is good chemistry, the rest will follow.

If this encounter doesn’t lead to an offer, it will likely produce additional leads, interviews and referrals that in turn generate more leads to opportunities.

Your personality will facilitate networking and this is how you are going to eventually find your next challenge. Just passing your paperwork around is less likely to motivate people to recommend you than if well-connected colleagues

care about your future and want to help you find a job.

Pricing Compensation provides a guideline to where you fit into an organisation’s hierarchy, how much responsibility/authority you merit and an indicator of the additional value you represent to the employer.

Until a prospective employer is sufficiently intrigued to bring up money, don’t raise this issue. Assure him that if you both agree that this is a good fit, you are confident that the financial details can be worked out agreeably.

All the more time to invest developing interest in you that the employer would not want to abandon. When you do start talking dollars, be sure to frame this in terms of a range, not a single figure. Skirt this issue assuring the employer that you are certain that this is a negotiable item that won’t be a problem.

Rather than get into the language of closing a deal, let me suggest that you be prepared to show the employer that you can recoup the expense of bringing you on board through creating new income, saving this amount, retaining business, capturing new clients, increasing client loyalty, etc.

• The goal of a job search campaign is to find a great new career opportunity- great from both the employer’s perspective and the candidate’s viewpoint. To attract a targeted, prospective employer’s attention requires implementing correct marketing strategy.

To accomplish this, as a candidate you must develop the right positioning and put together a unique value proposition that distinguishes you from your competitors.

Equally important is selecting prospective employers who will appreciate what you bring to their organisation and that you initiated discussions. If these tasks are successful, you will generate exploratory interviews leading to exciting new challenges.

You’ll have to expect to put substantial effort into all phases of your campaign from research to execution and then persist with your dedication over time. The network of personal contacts you develop using the Six Newer P principles will generate job leads better and faster than other job search methods.

This article relies heavily on a presentation by Debra Feldman of Jobwhiz.com Olu Oyeniran is the Lead Consultant, EkiniConsult & Assoiciates.

Website: www.jobsearchhow.com E-mail: oluoyeniran@yahoo.com Tel 08083843230 (SMS Only).

CAPACITY

PROGRAMME

EMPOWERMENT

Osun to introduce e-learning in schools

Council aspirant unfolds manifesto

Catholic women plan N200m centre

Ogun 30

Lagos

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

36

Lagos

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Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

Page 27

• The African Development Movement (ADM) march in Lagos

H

ER request was simple and clear.

“Give us water and good education,” she pleaded with government in a chat with Newsextra.

“I need pipe-borne water. My dad is too poor to pay my school fees”.

At eight years of age, little Onyinye is not spared the pressure of daily living.

She and her siblings cannot enjoy uninterrupted schooling because of her father’s economic challenge.

Onyinye was among the hundreds of people who marched through the streets, asking for better leadership not only in Nigeria but across the continent.

On account of age and weakness, a woman of about 70 years could not join in the march organised by African Development Movement (ADM), a pressure group championing leadership change. But the septuagenarian was just as desirous of transformation as the rest of the marchers. She regretted the loss of her childhood pleasures, conveniences

‘Give us water, education’ Hundreds of people march through Lagos streets seeking better governance in Nigeria and on the continent, as a pressure group comes on stream. EDOZIE UDEZE reports and values. She believes Nigeria needs a crop of credible leaders to reclaim even the basic facilities the nation can hope for.

“My son, no be so we see am when we dey grow up,” she told the reporter in Pidgin.

“Not even the civil war bad reach like this.”

Leading the pack of protesters to register the presence of the group in the minds of Lagosians was Rev. Chima Okereke of the Global Success Ministries, AmuwoOdofin, Lagos.

The march began as early as 7am as the congregation gathered for the usual Sunday service. But Okereke, in company of some top members of the group, defied the early morning drizzle, saying, “we need to march through the streets this early and in large numbers to let the whole world see how concerned and serious we are to effect changes in the style of leadership we have in Africa. But we have to begin from home; from our own country,

Nigeria, where, as you can see, things have really, really gone bad”.

With different kinds of placards indicating the depth of rot and decay in Africa, it was clear that onlookers got the message, which ADM wanted to pass across.

Little Onyinye whose placard read “give us water and good education” was obviously unsatisfied with the life she •Continued on Page 28

Amosun urges protection of children’s rights

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•Amosun

GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has urged fellow governors and other elected leaders to protect the rights of Nigerian children.

He also advised leaders to set a good example for them through quality leadership.

Amosun said as parents and leaders, people in position of authority should spare a thought on the effect of corruption and other vices not just on the adult members of the society but also on the children.

The governor gave the advice at the inauguration of the third edition of the Ogun State Children Parliament at the Government House, Valley View, Abeokuta, the state capital.

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

The 40–member parliament elected Miss Jaiyeola Oluwaseun as Speaker. She succeeded Miss Boluwatife Adedokun. Miss Opeyemi Sogaolu was the maiden Speaker in 2005.

Amosun, who was represented at the occasion by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Lanre Tejuoso, enjoined all to ensure that no effort is spared in order to “adequately” prepare Nigerian children for their role as future leaders.

“Children remain the future of any society,” he said. “The survival of such society depends therefore on how that society develops and integrates its youths.

This fact is not lost on our administra-

tion. It is for this reason that it places quality and affordable education and efficient healthcare delivery at the centre of our cardinal programmes.

“These are indices for measuring human capital development. The inauguration of the third set of Ogun State Children Parliament is a timely initiative in this direction,” he said.

The governor said it is a duty which the country’s leaders and parents owe the children, as Nigeria is a signatory to both the United Nations International Treaty on the Rights of the Child (1991) and the African Union Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (2001).

•Continued on Page 28

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

28

Apapa/Iganmu LCDA takes stock

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EFORE his foray into politics, he was a community man reputed for philanthropy. His private hospital, which he built in 1996, has served as a refuge for the sick. He had ministered to the needs of patients free of charge, sponsored community programmes and given succour to the poor and needy.

When he ventured into politics, he was already a successful medical practitioner and household name. But, Dr Samuel Adesola Adedayo believed that he needed power to achieve more for the people. In October, 2008, he was sworn in as chairman of Apapa/ Iganmu local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State.

He inherited many challenges. They included mass unemployment and poverty, lack of funding for projects, weak internallygenerated revenue base, youth restiveness and insecurity. He developed a strategic development plan, which had borne fruits in many sectors, especially education, health, environment and waste management, infrastructural development, economic empowerment, welfare packages, sports and security. Along the line, there were obvious distractions from “induced” councillors, who threatened him repeatedly with impeachment.

“We have accomplished much and we are not indebted to banks. We prudently managed the meager resources at our disposal and shunned corruption,” he said.

Almost three years after, Adedayo had to tender his stewardship to the select elders and representatives of the wards constituting the council. He also unfolded his second term ambition, saying: “We have accomplished more. If I am given an opportunity to complete the unfinished business, I will like to serve again”.

After vetting his achievements, stakeholders described him as an example of a professional in politics. Unlike those

By Emmanuel Oladesu

playing politics of bread and butter, the 56year-old, 1979 graduate of medicine from the University of Ibadan, is a model administrator replicating the achievements of Governor Babatunde Fashola at the grassroots.

At the screening conducted for chairmen seeking for second term in office by the Lagos Central Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Adedayo scored 75 per cent, to the consternation of petitioners, who had inundated the forum of elders led by Prince Tajudeeen Olusi, with complaints about lack of performance.

“Dr Adedayo has shown proof of great feats as council chairman. He may not have satisfied all, but, with these achievements, he has lived up to expectation. We can encourage him to do better in his second term”, said Olusi, who urged the chairman to always live up to expectation.

There was a sort of tension at the Lagos Central ACN stakeholders meeting, which held on the Lagos Mainland. The chairman came with his laptop computer and other documents showing the expenditure and finance analysis. Olusi, a former member of House of Representatives in the Second Re-

public and commissioner and his team realised that Adedayo had a lot of developmental projects, which could hardly allow room for embezzlement of funds, if they are well implemented.

The petitioners could not contradict the claims made by the council boss on his achievements. However, in spite of the feats, which have been acknowledged by the party leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Governor Fashola, and his wife, Abimbola, who had visited the LCDA twice to commission projects, the critics still objected to his second term ambition. When prodded, it was disheartening to the party leadership that some chieftains decided to serve as a stumbling block because of a desire for pecuniary gains. They alleged that he was sponsoring hoodlums, popularly called ‘area boys’ to molest and create panic in the neighbourhood.

Adedayo defended himself, saying that he decided to rehabilitate the urchins, so that those perceived as liabilities can become assets by living productive lives. “I recruited 100 of them and paid them N30,000 per month. I also employed 80 sweepers and they collect N10,000 monthly each”, he explained, lamenting that the LCDA could not

We have accomplished much and we are not indebted to banks.

We prudently managed the meager resources at our disposal and shunned corruption

extend the gestures to graduates because of cost. “That is why I am appealing to the federal and state government to tackle soaring graduate employment because it is a time bomb,” he added.

The chairman listed 16 core achievements in education. When his claim was investigated, it was incontrovertible. They range from provision of exercise books, school uniforms and pairs of sandals to distribution of JAMB and WAEC forms; rehabilitation of schools, computers to schools and purchase and distribution of Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) forms to indigenes.

It is in the health sector that he has recorded far-reaching feats. It may be due to the fact that he is a medical doctor. Adedayo has organised festivals of surgery for cataract, hernias, hertnitomies, appendicectomies, and other victims. Free treatments were given to patients with malaria, typhoid, STDs and other prevalent deadly deseases. He capped it all with free HVI/AIDS counselling and testing.

To keep the environment safe, his administration has demolished illegal structures used for hideouts for criminals, cleared the drains, and enforced sanitation rules. Since infrastructural development is key, Adedayo has also justified the confidence reposed in him by rehabilitating roads, constructing drainages, providing boreholes, supplying generators to power township street lights, and transformers to communities.”We are completing work on our new secretariat. It will be a monument for ever”, he added.

On security, Adedayo said: “We have donated two patrol vehicles to the police for surveillance activities. engaged community security watch to complement police surveillance and provided regular logistic support to the two police stations in Apapa/iganmu LCDA to enhance crime prevention, crisis control and security of lives and properties”.

‘Give us water, education’ •Continued from Page 27

and her family lived.

The septuagenarian reasoned that the level of fear and worries in the minds of people is enough to ignite a civil disobedience.

“We dey suffer, my son. Tell government say we dey die small, small”, she said, blinking back tears.

The idea of the formation of the ADM, according to Okereke, is to ensure that a sound system of government with a kind of leadership anchored on sincerity and the total concern for the people is put in place. “We do not need to see people die to effect this leadership change. No. It has to be a systematic call for change.

Change in the mentality of the people so that Africans will no

longer see themselves as having limitations. As Africans we have to move ahead to meet with the kind of changes prevalent in the rest of the world”.

He went on; “people do crime because, they are less busy. The youths have no jobs to occupy their time. No busy person will like to throw bombs or foment trouble. We have to brace up in this respect by seeing to it that governments can create jobs for their citizens. This will take time, but we have to start right now”.

He gave the second reason as what he described as security lapse in the country. “If a criminal knows that he will be caught and dealt with, he will not commit the crime. But here people do it because they know they cannot be caught.

Therefore, we need to improve on our security systems, make the situation more modern in order to reduce crime; in order to check the movement of people who are prone to crime in our society”.

Okereke said that families can come out en-masse to join in this protest which he described as the first stage of our concerted efforts to stamp out poverty, poor education system, bad leadership and other vices from our system. “We can do that effectively through constant protests, workshops, enlightenment campaigns on non-violence protests and so on.

It is a campaign we have chosen to do to save our children from the shackles of endless poverty, perpetual misery and mental agony”, he bemoaned.

With the help of the grassroots and other wellmeaning people in the society, Okereke and his group hoped to reach out to the rest of Africa.

“Change is possible if one can start it and others key in to make it work. This is why we have started this; we hope to go places with our message of change, in order to avoid the total breakdown of life’s most basic issues in Africa.

Nigeria is almost on the brink and we need to work fast to save all of us from the imminent dangers ahead,” he said.

•Okereke

Amosun urges protection of children’s rights •Continued from Page 27

•From left: Acting Executive Director, Kasher Consulting, Dayo Oluwole; Director Brume Foundation, Jite Brume; Communication Manager, Literamed Publication Nigeria Ltd, Solape Farotimi and Coordinator, Barack Obama American Corner at a lecture to mark the International Literacy Day at Ovie Brume Youth Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Elizabeth Sonubi, said Ogun State will continue to take the lead in the crusade against all forms of child abuse and neglect.”

She added that the Ogun State Child Rights Act domesticated from the Global Child Rights, will be revisited by her ministry.

M r s Sonubi, w h o s e ministry oversees the Children Parliament, said the s t a t e C h i l d

Rights Act formulated in 2004, was found to be “grossly inadequate” in taking care of the children’s matter because it is bereft of a “portion dealing with Juvenile justice.”

According to her, the new administration has taken steps to re-present the Bill to the Ogun State House of Assembly and ensure its quick passage by the state lawmakers.

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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

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HE Presbyterian Church of Nigeria (PCN) is planning to establish a multi-million naira college in Abuja to cater for residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The college will offer quality educational and vocational training.

John Knox College, conceived in memory of the popular 19th century, Scottish clergyman, leader and promoter of the Presbyterian system of church government Protestant Reformation in Scotland, is an initiative of the First Abuja Parish of the Presbyterian Church. The ultra-modern institution will be modelled after the Hope Waddell Training Institute, Calabar, one of Africa’s largest vocational training institutes founded in 1895 by United Presbyterian Church of Scotland missionaries, led by the late Mary Slessor, best remembered for her role in championing the fight against poverty and killing of twins at infancy in West Africa.

To be located in Pianko in Karishe Development Area of Karu Local Government of Nasarawa State, the curriculum of the college will be designed to provide students the unique platform for the acquisition of quality education and some basic skills that would enable them live productive life.

Minister in charge, First Abuja Parish, Reverend Solomon Umazi, said in Abuja that arrangements were already being made for the take-off of the college, with the receipt of formal approval of its proposal by both the Federal Ministry of Education and the documentation and registration of project development plan with

Presbyterians to establish college the Nasarawa State government.

“The Presbyterian Church has always been in the vanguard of providing not just education for knowledge, but also one for skills, character and moral development.

The involvement of the church in education is not only to produce persons who can read and write, but also those whose learning would reflect in their moral behavior, character and general lifestyle.

“The kind of education that the Presbyterian Church has always offered as symbolised by products from Hope Waddell Institute is a holistic package for the individual to mould the mind into being a God-fearing individual as well as responsible citizen,” Reverend Umazi stated.

Reverend Umazi disclosed that a revival

programme by the Grace Evangelical team from Ghana will soon begin, complete with fasting and prayers as part of activities to mobilise the initial capital for the development of preliminary structures at the site preparatory to the formal takeoff of normal academic programmes by September 2012, at the latest.

The revival programme is expected to climax on Sunday, September 25, with a grand service on the theme, “Harvest of Manifestation”, to commemorate the parish’s ‘Harvest 2011’ celebrations, to rekindle the spiritual momentum of members to yield their resources and life to productive investments that would outlive our generation for posterity.

“Members of the Parish would be en-

The kind of education that the Presbyterian Church has always offered as symbolised by products from Hope Waddell Institute is a holistic package for the individual to mould the mind into being a God-fearing individual as well as responsible citizen

Aspirant makes case for social security

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HE Vice-Chairman of the Ikeja Local Government Moheed Alabi Balogun has called on the federal and state governments to take firm steps towards checking the incessant cases of crime among youths.

Balogun said this in a chat with Newsextra in Lagos while urging government not to treat the recent bombing of the United Nations House in Abuja with levity.

He advised that all relevant au-

By Adeola Ogunlade

thorities should be alive to their responsibilities and arrest the situation in order to prevent further bloodshed and loss of innocent lives in the country.

Balogun also offered a clue. According to him, to curb crime, killings and destruction of lives and property, the nation should also confront social injustice and provide jobs for the country’s teeming youths.

Over 70 per cent of youths in Nigeria are unemployed, thus they are easily bought over by politicians who are determined to cause chaos and destabilise the country

He said: “Over 70 per cent of youths in Nigeria are unemployed, thus they are easily bought over by politicians who are determined to cause chaos and destabilise the country.”

Balogun, who is vying for the chairmanship of the Ikeja Local Government in the forthcoming polls, also challenged the youth to shun violence and toe the path of peace.

He further said: “It is time we respected each other irrespective of our, religion, association, and ethnicity and political party. We should unite to confront the monstrous evil and violence as anyone could be a victim.”

Balogun, a former youth coordinator of Afenifere Justice Group, reiterated the need for our leaders to rule with the fear of God and reposition the country for economic growth.

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gaging in prayers and fasting activities during the period, hopeful that John Knox College would manifest as part of the Parish’s contribution to the development of a viable education system and a new generation of Nigerians for the future,” Reverend Umazi said.

Already, he disclosed that members o f the parish, who have embraced the project, have broken into different groups (Gold, Ruby, Diamond, Platinum, Emerald and Crystal families), and have evolved creative ways of mobilizing support from within and outside the church to see to the realization of the project.

Urging all Nigerians and men of goodwill around the world to join hands with the church to build a citadel of learning and excellence for the Federal Capital Territory, the minister reiterated the commitment of PCN to promote the highest quality and standard of learning, assuring that only the best hands in the various disciplines and subjects in the school’s curriculum would be given opportunity on its academic and administrative staff.

“Our vision is to build an international institution that would cater for the needs of those within and outside the country.

Therefore, we would do all within our means to ensure that the standard and quality of education and learning conform to standards obtained on the international scale. We will look for Godly teachers who possess the quality we need to develop an institution we would all be proud to be associated with,” he declared.

HE Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Enuowa Divisional Police Station in Ondo town, Alhaji Oyibo Shuaibu Suleiman, a Superintendent of Police (SP) has been commended for refunding the sum of N7,237,999.89 wrongly posted to his salary account at the Zenith Bank PLC by an official of First Bank Plc. The amount was said to have been discovered by the police officer through a message sent via an alert by the Zenith Bank PLC shortly after the DPO had gone to make some withdrawal from his current account at the bank.

Suleiman said he was very surprised when the account statement was sent to him as the amount he was expecting in his account was far less than the amount credited to him.

He said: “When I discovered the mistake made by the First Bank Plc official, I immediately contacted the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Sani Magaji to intimate him with the discovery after which the officials of the bank in Akure were informed of the discrepancy.

The management of the bank, represented by Mrs. Nike Olawale, lauded the police officer for exhibiting a high degree of integrity.

According to her, the decision by the police officer to return the money has demonstrated that

•From left: Oba Yinusa Adekoya Dagburewe of Idowa-Ijebu, Otunba and Chief (Mrs) Timothy Olu Adebanji at the church service to mark their 80th birthday ceremony.

PHOTO: BADE DARAMOLA

DPO hailed for returning over N7m From Damisi Ojo, Akure

the Nigerian Police still has people that can be relied upon.

She prayed God to reward him for his honesty.

She said: “We thank God for the kind of person he is. We want to appreciate him before his boss.

“We are happy that we have this kind of person in the police.

We pray to God to reward him.

He is a man of integrity,” she stated.

Responding, the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Mr Magaji also showered praises on the police officer for his honesty.

We thank God for the kind of person he is. We want to appreciate him before his boss.

We are happy that we have this kind of person in the police. We pray to God to reward him. He is a man of integrity

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

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Osun to introduce e-learning in schools P

• Aregbeshola

LANS are underway by the Osun State government to introduce electronic learning system in public schools across the state.

Through the e-learning system, the state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, pledged to overhaul the state school system to meet the international standard.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of a three-day workshop on Content Development and Capacity Building for Senior Secondary School Teachers in the state, held at the Osogbo main campus of the Osun State University, Aregbesola stated that the step would help make teaching and learning innovative, interesting, stress-free and technological-based.

According to him, embracing e-learning would help public secondary schools sustain

Corps member plans poverty eradication fund A Corps member, Miss Oluwafeyikemi Bolaji, serving in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State is set to empower 30 indigenes with N400,000.

Bolaji expressed concerns over the plight of the poor in the society, particularly in Ekiti State where she has interacted with people and known the extent which lack of fund had crippled many a business idea among the citizenry.

She said she had long sought opportunities to assist those in need from childhood and her plan to alleviate the suffering of 30 indigent people across the 16 council areas has become the fulfilment of such dream and her Community Development Project.

The 2010/2011 Batch C corps member informed journalists in Ado Ekiti that she had committed about N400,000 into the project which she hoped would benefit no less than 30 beneficiaries who would receive eight sewing machines, eight hair dryers, eight generators/clippers and six mobile phones/ chairs/umbrellas, according to job/vocations they registered for.

Ekiti

From Sulaiman alawudeen, Ado Ekiti

She said: “It is about charity. It is about my undying passion for ensuring better living standards for those I can reach within the very limited means at my disposal, and it is a means of promoting entrepreneurship among people.

“This is my small contribution to the society and it is made possible through the efforts of other well meaning Nigerians.

There are many people out there that need help, really”.

The Business Administration graduate of Bowen University said NYSC State Coordinator, Mr Baba Ahmed, Wema Bank Regional Manager, Mr James Adeniyi and Chief of Staff to Ekiti State Governor, Mr Yemi Adaramodu were few of the dignitaries expected at the distribution of the poverty alleviation items tomorrow in Ado Ekiti.

Ondo launches HIV/ AIDS counselling in rural areas

Osun

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HE Ondo State Action Committee on AIDS (ODSACA) has embarked on mobile HIV/ AIDS counselling and training in the local government areas to further reduce the prevalence of the virus in the state.

The Project Manager of the committee, Dr Dayo Adegbulu, told reporters in Akure that the motive was to let the rural dwellers know their HIV status and take preventive measures.

He said the programme had successfully kicked off at Iju Ita-Ogbolu in the Akure North Local Government Area.

Adegbulu said the mobile counselling and training would cut across the 18 councils, noting that “initially, the prevalence rate was 3.2 per cent.

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

the imminent lack of quality among its product, saying that the era when teachers would have to prepare voluminous lesson notes and students carrying around heavy loads of books would fade out.

Lamenting the level of poor result among secondary school graduates in the state, the governor said that only adequately trained teachers could guarantee a wellperforming, high-quality, equitable and stable education system.

He also called on teachers to take advantage of the workshop to enhance their subject content delivery.

Aregbesola assured them that government would continue to help teachers improve their subject-knowledge and teaching skills so as to deliver learning content more effectively.

“You are expected to return to schools to implant, in the student, confidence, persistence and emotional resilience aimed at ensuring their attaining the peak of their achievement, social, emotional and behavioural well-being,” the governor advised.

In her own contribution, the deputy governor, Otunba Grace Laoye-Tomori, disclosed that high level of decadence, quality lacking teaching and learning process, coupled with other social problems in the sector spurred the administration into action since its inception late last year.

•Oyo State Commissioner for Works and Transport Alhaji Yunus Akintunde (right) addressing beneficiaries of the state free health programme during the monitoring exercise in Oyo town.

PHOTO: OYO STATE GOVERNMENT HOUSE

Ogun traffic agency cautions motorists OTORISTS plying major highways in Ogun have been warned against reckless driving during the “ember months”.

The Corps Commander of the state’s Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE ),Mr Ayo Sangofadeji, gave the warning in IjebuOde during a one-day public enlightenment campaign for road users.

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Church provides water in three communities

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S part of activities marking Nigeria’s 51st Independence Day celebration, Believers Word Ministry a.k.a Christ Embassy, has promised to sink three boreholes in three communities in the state.

It said free medical services would also be provided to residents of the state during its 2011 ReachOut Nigeria campaigns of Nigeria’s independence celebration.

Speaking at the launch of 2011 ReachOut Nigeria campaigns, Pastor Mary Owase of Christ Embassy, Benin, said the yearly programme of the church has been a veritable tool for community development.

Pastor Owase said this year’s theme: A New Hope, is to give reason for courage, confidence, optimism, patience, hard work, dedication and faith in Nigeria.

She said they want to use the word of God to change people’s lives through free distribution of copies of Rhapsody of Realities to over 30

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

million Nigerians.

According to her, “ReachOut Nigeria train is actively on her way to the doorsteps of many homes, decision-hall of many organisations and the hearts of many people. The Word of God is poised to take centre stage in all facets of life through our daily devotional and study guide, Rhapsody of Realities.

“The impact of this devotional has been seen to be far reaching as many have testified of its saving, healing,enriching, invigorating and promoting impact.”

Governor Adams Oshiomhole, who was represented by his Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Hon Aenena Elizabeth Jemilade, urged the church to come up with partnership programme to enhance employment.

Oshiomhole urged them to reach out to those in the rural communities.

• Chairman,Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area, Alhaji Kamal Bayewu presenting old people monthly grant to one of the beneficiaries, Alhaji Saadu Atanda at the council secretariat in Lagos PHOTO: BOLA OMILABU

• Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko (middle) in the front of Pa Adekunle Ajasin house in Owo during inspection of Owo Township roads being constructed by his administration

Aspirant urges women to contest political offices A JEROMI/Ifelodun Local Government chairmanship aspirant under the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Hon. Nancy EkedoOlageshin has urged women to rise to the occasion by vying for elective posts in the forthcoming council elections.

Apparently motivated by the call of Senator Oluremi Tinubu that women should rise to occupy the 30 percent slot made available to them in politics, Hon Olageshin stressed that women can make the difference because they have always excelled when trusted with responsibilities.

Citing Senator Tinubu, Hon. Abike Dabiri and Prof Dora Akunyili, the aspirant said the impact of these women stand them out as gladiator in politics and administration which others should emulate.

Hon. Olageshin, who was a Supervisor for Health at Ajeromi/Ifelodun Council, explained that the passionate appeal by Senator Tinubu to women to embrace politics was re-assuring because she wants women to take advantage of the 30 percent representation.

She said: “Senator Tinubu is behind women and if you look very deeply it’s like politics is just for men alone which is not true. That is why she is urging us to come out to participate. We should not just be seen as praise singers but full participants and make our contribution to development.”

The aspirant noted that as Supervisor for

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Lagos

By Musa Odoshimokhe

Health, she did everything possible to make the department work by putting in her best.

Besides, she made impact in the lives of many people through Nancy Ekedo Empowerment for Humanity which distributed sewing machines, hair dressing machines and dryers, clippers and other health equipment to people freely.

She said: “We went into collaboration with GSM service providers and get many youths to start business; through this, most of them have been sustaining their families and earning decent living.”

She stressed that if given the opportunity to serve the people of Ajeromi/Ifelodun Council, cases of y o u t h unemployment will be tackled, street miscreants will be empoweredand d e c a y i n g infrastructure will be arrested.

•Hon Olageshin

Ogun Sangofadeji said the campaign was organised to inform motorists that the “ember months”, the last four months of the year, were not different from the other months.

He pointed out that it was the mistake of man that caused an increase in road traffic accidents and deaths during the “ember months”, making people to believe the months were full of deaths and evil.

Sangofadeji said that TRACE was ready to make the roads accident-free during the “ember months” and warned motorists against over-speeding, reckless driving and drinking before and while driving.

He said that road users who disobeyed traffic rules and regulations would be dealt with according to the law.

“People are always afraid of the ‘ember months’ because of the myth that the months are full of accidents and deaths, but this is not true.

“The months are not different from other months, but rather it is the mistake of man that causes traffic accident and death during these months.

“Road users, especially commercial drivers, always want to make a year’s profit in four months. As a result, they drive carelessly and cause accidents, which mostly result in deaths.”

The corps commander said the state government had given the agency the mandate to ensure that all roads in the state were free for easy traffic movement and to reduce accidents to the barest minimum.

Briefly

Council sues for peace THE initial confusion that characterised the chairmanship tussle in Ojodu Local Council Development between the incumbent chairman, Hon Olumuyiwa Oloro and the Council Secretary, Hon Yomi Tijani has ended.

A meeting was conveyed where both parties reached a compromise and later addressed their supporters to sheathe their swords. They spoke through Hon Olawale Ajala who is the Council Special Adviser on Youths and Sport and Hon Titilope Ojo, Special Assistant on Information.

Ajala said: There is no rift between Oloro and Tijani; they have both reached a compromise and are waiting for the verdict of the kingmakers of Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN) to choose the next chairman of the council come October 22.

In a similar vein, Hon Wale Larinde has appealed to supporters of Oloro to be peaceful, saying: “Oloro is a man of peace and I want his supporters to imitate him and let the party decide on who is the next chairman of the council”.

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“It has dropped to 2.3 per cent and we want to ensure that it drops further with this rural counselling and training we are embarking on.”

He pointed out that enlightenment on HIV and AIDS in the rural communities was still low, hence the need to embark on another round of campaign against the virus.The project manager said the ODSACA was collaborating with committees on AIDS in the council areas for the programme to succeed.

He praised Governor Olusegun Mimiko and the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Aderotimi Adelola, for giving approval for the programme.

Adegbulu also lauded the state government for

•Governor Mimiko aggressively fighting the virus by providing anti-retroviral drugs in the hospitals and taking various preventive measures to curtail its spread.

Oyo to enact environmental sanitation law

HE Oyo State government will soon enact a law on environmental sanitation to ensure clean environment and healthy living.

The State Governor, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, disclosed this while briefing newsmen after monitoring the maiden weekly environmental sanitation exercise put in place by his administration in Ibadan metropolis.

He reiterated his administration’s determination to ensure that Ibadan and the whole of Oyo State were made clean, adding that a situation whereby the state capital is largely described as the dirtiest city in Nigeria would no longer be accepted.

The governor warned that anybody who violated the proposed environmental sanitation law would be dealt with accordingly.

“Our problem in Nigeria is the ability to enforce laws, and we are going to enforce the new sanitation law. We will make sure that the city of Ibadan and Oyo State as a whole are clean. We will no longer accept the description of Ibadan as

Firm holds pre-trade fair conference Lagos

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Ondo

S part of efforts to make next year’s edition of drupa - world’s biggest trade fair for the printing and media industry successful, Trade Fair Services Limited, Messe Düsseldorf representative in Nigeria has concluded plan to host a predrupa 2012 presentation.

Taking place on October 4 at Sheraton Hotel Ikeja Lagos at 10:00 am prompt, the presentation will show participants what drupa 2012 has for them. According to MD/ CEO of Trade Fair Services Limited, Mr. Augustus Itua, “the presentation will afford participants a brief overview of drupa 2012 trade fair that encompasses prepress and premedia, offset printing, digital and hybrid printing, bookbinding, printing and paper processing, packaging supplies production and consumables. There will also be drupa specials that will highlight new innovations”.

At the event, participants will be informed on the value-added services being provided

by Trade Fair Services Limited for arranging group travel for Nigerian participants in such areas as event catalogue, registration of participants, assistance in visa processing, hotel accommodation and transfers.

Participants will also be given opportunity to ask questions that relate to new visa processing procedure by the German embassy, immigration rules, weather and climate change to make participation worthwhile.

Mr. Itua also stressed that Trade Fair Services Limited will use the presentation to assure Nigeria participants that will be attending drupa 2012 in Düsseldorf, Germany from May 3rd to 16th 2012 of a stress-free attendance at the show, “we are well aware that logistics is a major aspect of visitors’ participation at drupa, that is why we are starting our marketing a year early, so as to give Nigerians enough time for documentation and visa processing” noted Itua.

Oyo the dirtiest city in Nigeria. We will clean Oyo State,’’ he said.

Senator Ajimobi appealed to residents of the state to be prepared to clean their

environment, without being prompted, to prevent an outbreak of cholera and other diseases.

The governor had gone round the city to monitor compliance with the environmental sanitation exercise, during which he ordered the demolition of some shops which he said were built on non-trading zone.

‘Boko Haram not a religious war’

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HE General Overseer of Pillar of True Faith Mission, Bishop Udoghoreyon Edema, has described Boko Haram as not a religious sect but political tool to destabilise the government in power. He made this declaration on the heels of incessant bombings in recent times, including the UN House in Abuja.

The cleric has, therefore, advised President Goodluck Jonathan to relieve the Inspector General of Police Hafiz Ringim and the head of the State Sercurity Services of their positions if he must check the Boko Haram excesses.

The group, according to him, wants Islamic law or sharia to be established more widely in Nigeria.

Boko Haram launched a violent uprising in July 2009. Nigeria’s military crushed the unrest and killed its leader. Since then, Boko Haram has attacked police, politicians and community leaders. The group claimed responsibility for a major attack on Abuja’s police headquarters in June this year.

President Jonathan, Bishop Edema warned, should see security as key part of his administration, noting that heads of security bodies particularly the police and SSS be changed forthwith and the entire security overhauled.

He said the perpetrators had the strong backings of some reactionary elements in President

Lagos

By Adegunle Olugbamila

Jonathan’s administration hence the latter’s inability to cling the wings of the members of the religious sect .

The cleric likened the attack to ‘a mouse killing the cat’ adding that while it is the government that should be clamping down on terrorist groups and other anti-social forces in the country, the reverse is the case.

“It is high time, President Jonathan sacked the IG and head of the SSS and rejig security. He should not allow sentiment or seniority to influence his choice of new security heads but fairness.

“Boko Haram is not fighting Nigeria but the government in power. That is why their activities has been on the high scale ever since President Jonathan became Vice-President, and now that he is the President of this country.

They want to do everything to thwart the developmental efforts of his government. This Boko Haram’s case is like a goat which strolled conveniently into the lion’s den and kill the lion in the presence of his family members and the members could not do anything about it”.

Fashola urges Shell on international standard

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AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola, has charged the management of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO) on the need to adopt global standard in addressing environmental cleanliness in developing society where they operate.

Fashola said this when he received SNEPCO management led by the Managing Director, Mr Chike Onyejekwe, in his office at the Ikeja House.

He explained that environmental degradation poses serious concern to the world over, stressing that if the price of oil and gas is subject to international standard, the time has come to

By Miriam Ndikanwu

raise environmental cleanliness to international standard.

According to him, “I don’t think that poorer nation be subjected to lower standard; this is something that should be at the heart of corporate governance and I feel it should be given priority.”

Fashola lamented the pathetic situation that oil producing communities had to contend with, saying that degradation should not be at the expense of the livelihood of the people.

•From left: M.K. Owatunde Marshalress; Prophet Samson Idowu Omoalase and Prophetess Funmilayo Adebayo marking the Calling of Prophets and Prophetesses at the Celestial Church of Christ, The Royal Family, Ajegunle, Lagos

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

CITYBEATS THE NATION

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E-mail:- ynotcitybeats@gmail.com

•A cross section of the 100 compactor trucks handed over to PSP operators

PHOTO: BY MIRIAM NDIKANWU

Shocker for Lagos residents as 100 days go unsung T

HERE was a tradition Governor Babatunde Fashola kept faith with, in his first term. It was the ritual of marking his every 100th day in office, beginning with the first 100 days in September 2007. Many were looking forward to his continuing along this line during his second term, which began on May 29. But when this went unsung, last Tuesday, they started asking: why?

Fashola’s innovative idea of celebrating every 100th day during the last dispensation was an opportunity for every segment of the society – traditional rulers, civil servants, the youth, professionals, civil society groups and others - to hear first hand from him, his achievements.

At the events, the governor got a

By Miriam Ndikanwu

feedback from the citizenry. This helped him in providing good governance. The events were so sacrocant to the governor that he took time off, electioneering for his 1,500 days in office.

Lagosians, who have been expecting the continuation of the ritual, were surprised that the governor did not mark the first 100 days of his second term in office.

A section of the populace believes that the seeming lull in the activities of government in the last 100 days may have accounted for this.

Hardly had the governor started his second term twhen a downpour wreaked havoc on the state on July 10. Many parts of the state were flooded, scores killed and properties estimated at millions of

Group seeks speedy development A group, Oshodi New Dimension (OND), has called on Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola to speed up his infrastructural development programmes.

In a statement, the leader of the group, Otunba Olukayode Ogundipe, said the governor should use his second term to demonstrate that “the reward for hard work is more work.”

According to the statement, Fashola should continue to lead by example and not emulate other governors who use their second term to loot the treasury since they are not eligible to re-contest.

naira destroyed.

An assessment was embarked upon by the governor and measures taken to checkmate re-occurrence.

Part of the measures are expansion of drainage channels and construction of new ones to channel water into the lagoon.

Fashola appealed to residents to stop dumping refuse in drainage.

He said combating flooding required the co-operation of all.

Said the governor: “How could somebody with a sound mind think of building any structure on a canal path.

Nobody should build near any of our canal setbacks. They are God’s natural

Residents miss the 100 days briefing ritual

protection used for holding water during massive flooding. It is not a place for anybody to build a house.

“Anybody who purports to sell land there, for the purpose of building a house, doesn’t like you. The canal setback is no place at all for anybody to take as a house.”

Apart from fighting flooding, which formed the bulk of government activities in the last 100 days, the state remained a trail blazer in lawmaking. In the last 100 days, Fashola has signed, into law, over 15 bills.

Among the bills are: Tenancy Bill, Safety Bill and a bill establishing the Office of the Disability Affairs.

Others are: A bill establishing the Office of Public Private Partnership; bill for establishment of Audit Service Commission and Office of the

Orelope-Adefulire drums support for Security Trust Fund LAGOS State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke OrelopeAdefulire, has appealed to the organised private sector to intensify support for the Security Trust Fund.

Mrs. Orelope-Adefulire, who spoke at the public presentation of the new Peak Plus, a new dairy product from Friesland Campina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, said businesses needed to support the government on security because no business can thrive in an atmosphere of insecurity.

She said in the last four years, the state has invested heavily in equipping the police through the public-private sector fund initiative. This, she said, has guaranteed the safety of lives and property. She urged well-meaning individuals and corporate organisations to continue to support the programme.

Auditor-General of Lagos State, Historical Properties and Public Buildings Law and Lagos Registration Law. Fashola explained that Tenancy Bill, which had been praised before it became a law, seeks to protect the poor and underprivileged from shylock landlords.

He described the new legislature as part of government’s commitment to providing affordable housing.

“It is true that this law will not, on its own, solve the housing problems, but it has the potential to radically alter our way of life for good and reduce the needless pressures that we put on ourselves that aggravates our consumer and living indices daily.

“Let us ask ourselves the first question: How did we get to the stage of demanding multiple years rent in advance? History will reveal that it was a simple reaction by landlords to the frustrations of recovering their premises promptly from defaulting tenants.

So, they chose to collect multiple yearly rents in advance to mitigate

•SEE PAGE 34

'Demolition must continue' LAGOS State Government has cited the need to save residents the agony of flooding for its resolve to demolish structures blocking drainage channels.

Commissioner for the Environment Olatunji Bello said this to reporters during a tour of Lekki, Somolu and known Gbagada, where demolition groups pulled down buildings on •Bello drainage channels.

He called on President Goodluck Jonathan to respond to the menace of ocean surge, which has affected Alpha Beach axis of the state.

He said failure to embark on immediate remedial action would expose residents to flooding. He added that about 100,000 residents had been displaced by the ocean surge.

32

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

33

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

34

CITYBEATS

‘

Council Secretary guns for chairman

By Oziegbe Okoeki

A LOCAL government chairmanship aspirant, Abayomi Mukaila Tijani, has said he intends to uplift his constituents.

Tijani, the Secretary of Ojodu Local Council Development Area (LCDA), is seeking the chairmanship the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

He said the ideals and manifestoes of the party would enable him to mobilise human, moral and material resources for the benefit of his people.

Tijani said he has served played several roles in the party both at state and community levels which make him ready for the job.

He said: "I am prepared to act as an impetus for the mobilisation of all resources towards the elevation of our great community. I have, therefore, irrevocably decided to take up the challenges as a chairmanship designate of the ACN in my council area.”

Tijani promised to continue to maintain and sustain the good work of the past administration of the council by ensuring continuity of the local council governance through a reorientation of the people towards the development of existing amenities and provision of new facilities for their betterment, adding that "there shall be proper articulation of ideas, full dedication and commitment to service.”

He added: “I have been involved in Ojodu politics right from day one. So, it is not going to be a strange thing. I know where the lapses are and I know I can improve on them.”

His areas of priority when elected, he said, include education, provision of health service, clean and sustainable environment, adequate security, job creation and community development.

Debunking criticisms of non-performance by local council, Tijani said creation of additional 37 councils in Lagos have been a blessing to the state because the councils in Lagos have performed and it can be seen everywhere in the state.

• Tijani

1. Fire and Safety Services Control Room Phone Nos: 01-7944929; 080-33235892; 080-33235890; 08023321770; 080-56374036.

•Flood... a major issue for Fashola in the last 100 days

100 days go unsung •Continued from page 31

the risk,” Fashola said.

The government, in the last 100 days, intensified effort in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of inner city roads. Fashola said over 50 inner roads are under construction, adding that his goal is to fulfil his election promises.

He listed some places

where road construction is going on to include Mushin, Idi Araba, Akerele, Adeniran Ogunsanya, Bode Thomas, Ogunlana Drive in Surulere. ”We have concluded plans to start work in Aguda, Adetola, Sanusi.

Other areas where work is ongoing are Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Agege, Orile and Ikorodu.”

In the period under re-

view, over 100 new compactor trucks were handed over to private sector (PSP) operators, with a call on all to pay greater attention to the environment to enhance the quality of life.

Handing over the trucks to operators at Olusosun Landfill, Ojota, Fashola said they would assist in improving life expectancy of the people.

When we implore people to dispose of their wastes properly, to resist the temptation and impulse to dump refuse and plastics into drainages–these are appeals that go to the totality of securing our environment

“When we implore people to dispose their wastes properly, to resist the temptation and impulse to dump refuse and plastics into drainages, it is meant to secure our environment,” the governor said.

He said refuse dumped at wrong places eventually sip into the underground water which we drink.

He charged the environmental sanitation enforcement agencies to “increase the tempo of enforcement and compliance,” stressing that the core of the government health care delivery system is preventive.

“Preventive health care starts from the cleaning and maintenance of our environment rather than the curative capacity that exists in our hospitals.

“It is in our hands to protect our environment, to protect our city, to protect our local governments. It is not right to dump refuse inside canals and when it is the rainy season, you expect government to come and collect it. In the first place, refuse does not belong in the canals and those who put

’

them there must lead the process now to remove them. Every community, every local government and every village must rise and join hands with us so that we can sustain and clean the state and make it worthy and liveable not only for ourselves but for the generations coming behind us”, he said.

Fashola’s achievemens spurred other governors and officials of the Federal Government, to come to the state to see things for themselves.

According to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Senator Balla Muhammed, who was in Lagos recently to understudy the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and other development schemes, Lagos is working.

“We have come to appreciate excellence and performance. We came to Lagos to learn what you have done in the area of Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives, transport master plan and of courses other initiatives that have to do with metropolitan matter and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR),” he said.

Youths seek improved primary health care

T

HE need for improved Primary Health Care (PHC) services, especially in Lagos, has been emphasised by youths.

Speaking under the aegis of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Lagos State Chapter, the youths led by Gbadebo Oluwafemi urged the government to make primary health care available for free at affordable rates.

Speaking during the group's visit to the Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, Oluwafemi said if primary health care centres were in each of the wards of the 57 councils, they would go a long way to assure people of government's interest in their well-being.

He said: Decongest "One of the ways to the safeguard secondary the health health o f residents care

By Amidu Arije

is to locate health care centres in all the wards of the state to decongest the secondary health care institutions of cases that ought to be attended to at the primary health care level.

“The Lagos State Chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria is willing to collaborate and partner with you in the task of promoting healthy living for all. One of the ways we do this is the periodic health enlightenment campaigns we organise to enable the citizens know how to safeguard and protect themselves against diseases."

Receiving the team on behalf of the commissioner, the Director of Family Health and Nutrition, Dr. Jemilade Longe, thanked the group for their vision for the state and assured it of government’s response to their requests.

"I want to assure you that the state government also has an agenda similar to

2. Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Lagos Zonal Command Phone No: 080-77690200; 01-7742771 Sector Commander Phone No: 080-776909201; 01-2881304 FRSC Emergency No: 070-022553772

•From left: Dr Oludara F F, Gbadebo, Dr Longe, Kolawole, Ishola and Adegboyega during the courtesy visit

what you have presented before us. Though the primary health care service has collapsed in the country, the Lagos State Government is determined to bring normalcy to its primary health care system by setting up the PHC board to see how it can be spread across the wards. But, now,

we are focusing on how to make it available in all local governments in the state," Longe said.

He said the state government cannot do it alone, so it is partnering with the private sector to bring to bring to limelight the targets of the state on PHC. He assured the youth that their

EMERGENCY LINES 3. LASTMA Emergency Numbers: 080-75005411; 080-60152462 080-23111742; 080-29728371 080-23909364; 080-77551000 01-7904983

4. KAI Brigade Phone Nos: 080-23036632; 0805-5284914 Head office Phone Nos: 01-4703325; 01-7743026 5. Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Phone Nos: 070-55350249; 070-35068242 080-79279349; 080-63299264 070-55462708; 080-65154338

demands would be communicated to the commissioner.

Other executives on the visit were the Vice-Chairman, Hon Bisiriyu Kolawole; Public Relations Officer Hon Hakeem Ishola; Hon Otunba Qudus and Secretary, Hon Akanbi Adegboyega.

767 or email: rapidresponsesquad@yahoo.com 6. Health Services – LASAMBUS Ambulance Services Phone Nos: 01-4979844; 01-4979866; 01-4979899; 01-4979888; 01-2637853-4; 080-33057916; 080-33051918-9; 080-29000003-5.

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

36

The empowerment centre will seat on two acres of land and have five structures designed to enhance various vocational trainings for women.

She said it will have a multi-purpose hall, guest chalet and worship centre slavery

Catholic women plan N200m empowerment centre

A

WOMEN empowerment centre will soon take shape at Lala Village along LagosAbeokuta expressway courtesy of the Lagos Ecclesiastical Province of Catholic Women Organisation (LEPCWO).

The project master-plan was unveiled at the organisation’s 2011 annual provincial seminar.

In a chat with Newsextra, the architect of the project, Mrs Dame Rosemary Azimi said that Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) will spend not less than N200m to accomplish the project.

She said the empowerment centre will seat on two acres of land and have five structures designed to enhance various vocational trainings for women. She said it will have a multi-purpose hall, guest chalet and worship centre.

Azimi described the development as a move toward emancipating women from economic slavery.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Mary Ekundayo, President of the CWO Lagos Arch-diocesan Council, called on all Catholic women throughout the federation to continue their financial support so that the dream for the women empowerment centre will be achieved soon.

The event, held at St. Ferdinard

•

•Women dancing at the event

By Paul Oluwakoya

Catholic Church, Ipaja, Lagos also witnessed the launch of the 2011 Women Echo, an annual magazine which presents the voice of the Nigerian women on issues bordering on religion, politics, health, education and family.

Speaking on the necessity of this year’s seminar which had the theme :“You are My Witness,” Mrs. Ekundayo, whose tenure as the president of (CWO) lapses this year, said: “The seminar brings Catholic women together to discuss doctrines, morals and challenges which women experience in their various parishes within the

arch-diocese.”

Rev. Father Peter Oke, the host parish pastor, described the spiritual life of members of the CWO as being in accordance with the spiritual teaching of the Catholic Church.

“They organise spiritual activities like Novena (seven days prayer devotion), they attend wor-

ship regularly and they organise pilgrimages to hold steadfast their spiritual growth.”

He advised the governing body of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to be focused on peace, unity and love for various churches under its umbrella because the church is the mirror of the larger society.

Council aspirant unfolds manifesto

By Emmanuel Oladesu

•Tinubu

A

GRASSROOTS politician and vice chairman of Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State, Hon. Olukayode Iyiola Tinubu, has unfolded his manifesto at a meeting of stakeholders, assuring that he would erect legacies and reposition the council for excellence.

He promised to run an inclusive government, fight the infrastructure battle, restore people confidence in grassroots governance, shun corruption and promote accountability.

Tinubu said: “We shall faithfully execute the six-point agenda of the ACN for the enhancement of living standard, banish poverty and foster developmental

growth; create new opportunities for the advancement of women and youths, and guarantee wealth creation through increased productivity and job opportunities.

“We have already built data that will assist us to create 500 jobs within our first 100 days in office. There will be compulsory school attendance for children of primary school age. We will ensure free tuition at that level, abolish examination fee and provide adequate education infrastructure. We will attempt a programme that guarantees home ownership for teachers, local government employees and other regular income earners. We will declare a state of emergency on our roads and drainages. We will construct and rehabilitate roads.

There will be happiness in Osodi”.

In October, the educationist and lawyer, will be completing two terms in office as vice chairman.

A party loyalist, he had stepped down twice. He told party faithful in Osodi that he wanted to be in the driver’s seat so that he could deploy his experience to the service of the vast local government.

He said: “For 12 years that I have been in politics, I have carried a burden in my heart; a passion and a burning desire to team up with visionaries, who are ca-

pable of taking Oshodi to the next level by regenerating a new council that places premium on human and capital development.

“I am still burning with the passion to mobilise people towards enhancing the development of human resources potentials by targeting health, education, environment, sports and vocational empowerment. Quality attention to these sectors will make us develop a strong, healthy and wealthy people with zero tolerance for corruption, youth restiveness and criminal tendencies”.

Tinubu said that he is in a vantage position to mobilise the people to achieve their dream of an enterprising ultra-modern local government system capable of engendering a proud heritage and collective will to cast away the jinx of under-development.

Armed with a bachelor degree

in English/Education and Masters degree in International Law and Diplomacy, the aspirant had worked for over 24 years, especially in the private sector. In 2002, he bagged another degree in Law from the University of Lagos, Akoka. In 2007, he became a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria. In 2005, he became an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM).

From his undergraduate days, Tinubu had exhibited traits of leadership. At UNILAG, he was a student parliamentarian (198384), chairman of Henry Carr Hall of Residence (1984-85) and President of UNILAG Threatre 15, (1985-86). Having worked and made fortune, he decided to plough back to society by joining

We have built data that will assist us to create 500 jobs within our first 100 days in office.

There will be compulsory school attendance for children of primary school age

the Rotary Club of Isolo, of which he was a Past President.

In 1990, he joined the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP). In 1999, he was a pioneer member of Alliance for Democracy (AD) in Oshodi. His progressive leaning has been his driving force in the choice of political platform.

Thus, Tinubu has been became a member of the Action Congress of Nigeria (AC), which later became ACN at its inception.

Reflecting on his political service, he said: “Within the last one decade, I have served in several capacities within the party as a delegate at the LGA, state and national levels and I was the head of the 2011 General Elections Campaign Committee at the ACN Secretariat in Lagos State’.

A team player, he had worked harmoniously with the out-going chairman, Hon. Afeez IpesaBalogun, who he now hopes to succeed in October.

Tinubu said: “I am imbued with a thorough understanding of the local government system, having directly been involved for about eight years. I have gone through the furnace of grassroots politics and have come out more resolved, better prepared and strengthened for the challenges ahead. I know the hills and I have gone through the valleys. I am ready to give ACN a new identity, a new status and a new lease of life in Osodi/Isolo local government area’.

37

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

THE CEO

‘Businesses are operating in suffocating environment’ His brief is to turn round the cashstrapped Starcomms Plc, the only telecoms firm listed on the Stock Exchange.

Logan Pather got the job of Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Starcomms, based on his antecedent. He has worked in some of the world’s leading telecoms firms. He worked with Telkom (South Africa), Vodacom (South Africa), MTN (Cameroon), Telecel (Zimbabwe). He was with Roamware Africa for five years before he landed the Starcomms job. With Starcomms striving to hedge competition, Pather is tasked with leading the company into a new era of stable growth and returns. In this interview with TAOFIK SALAKO, he speaks on the economy, the telecoms sector and his plan for Starcomms.

• Pather

W

HAT are you doing to improve shareholders’ values?

We are looking at value creation for all stakeholders, not only the shareholders. Our stakeholders include shareholders, staff, customers, government and the environment, among others. The essence of any business is revenue; if you don’t get revenue, then you don’t have a business. So, there is a huge focus on revenue at the moment. We

are addressing a whole lot of issues on our shortcomings.

One of the things we have not been good at is the training of our staff. It is easy to see why we are not selling enough because the money comes from sales. We must train people; they must be clear on what is expected of them. To that end, there is a huge focus on revenue and training. So, we have started implementing changes. They started

the day I arrived. For me, key focus is revenue. How do we do that? We have to get more customers onto the network.

What is your agenda?

My agenda for the company is survival. I have to make sure I acquire more subscribers. I must ensure that we are extremely efficient when it comes to cutting costs. We have • Continued on page 38

38

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

THE CEO

‘Businesses are operating in suffocating environment’ • Continued from page 37

made significant in-road in cost reduction.

Besides, what will differentiate us from other operators is customer service delivery.

Looking at the performance of Starcomms since listing, do you think the company made projections on wrong assumptions?

I disagree with the aspect that probably we did not get our assumptions right. When Starcomms was trading, we were strong.

We had no clue that two other licences were granted - Etisalat and Visafone. That was what nobody knew about.

If they had known about this, they could have made an alternative plan. May be even talk to the authorities that: no, why are you issuing more licences when our businesses are where we are? And you can see what has happened to the industry. You get a company that came with a sort of Asian model and crashed the price so low that it became not even profitable for them.

They have admitted this much in newspapers that they made mistakes of dropping prices so low; and now they have jacked up prices, saying retail voices is not going and all that. Now, they want to focus on data.

Everybody is focusing on data because that’s where the money is. But, whose data do you use?

When people talk to you about data, Internet, which Internet network do you think about immediately? Starcomms. Everybody knows Starcomms is the leading network when it comes to Internet. So, we are a powerful company. I had explained the reason retail voices dropped. It wasn’t that the company was not careful about its business; we didn’t have a crystal ball, we can only understand what the market is doing.

What other challenges do you have?

There is the problem of operating environment, which has been a major drag on performance. There is the high cost of do-

• Pather

ing business in Nigeria and it has been affecting our revenue. So, we are planning to go into partnership with other organisations to provide alternative power supply that will be regular and cheap.

What are the competitive advantages of Starcomms as a brand, given the competition in the telecoms sector?

First of all, we will build on our strength.

One, we are a powerful brand, we go back a long time. Two, we are a truly Nigerian company; any money we make in this company, today, is in this country. Can that be said of others?

Every kobo we make stays in the country.

We will focus on data, where we are extremely strong. We will focus on roll out to boost revenue. We may not necessarily be rolling out in every nook and cranny. But, there are some technologies we are discussing. Hopefully, we will implement them soon to be able to get access to other networks with the Starcomms phone. So, you still can use the network you are using anywhere in the country with the Starcomms phone.

Right now, we are offering international roaming. We are remaining competitive.

You know how many awards we have won for being the industry’s first. We are still a powerful company. Last year, we won the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) operator of the year. And this year, we won the global roaming award. Again, we are very smart in what we are doing as an organisation; we just need to get more customers onto the network; that is the bottom-line.

Tell us your plans for the company If you look at it from a futuristic perspective, the present GSM and CDMA technologies being deployed by telecoms operators in the country will be phased out and replaced with Long Term Evolution (LTE), a fourth generation technology. Some lead-

• Pather ing global telecoms firms around the world are already testing it. At Starcomms, our current facility has some features of LTE. So, all we need is to finetune our system and upgrade our software with minimal cost to operate LTE. Wireless Equipment Providers are stepping up their development programmes to support the large growth potential of LTE deployments.

To gain an edge in the market requires being early in the market with differentiated features. So, we have an edge in that our technology is ready for LTE. All our base stations are LTE ready, but we need more spectrums to achieve full roll out. We are working in the background to achieve this. Our prime focus is to maintain optimum efficiency while reducing operating cost.

When I am LTE ready, I will become an attractive company. Do you know how many investors have come into the telecoms market and failed? Those investors will want to come back given the right conditions. If there is going to be consolidation, we will have to put the business in a position where it would be valuable.

We have also engaged a cell phone manufacturer in China to provide affordable and quality phones for our customers. We are also looking at the possibility of giving free phones to our customers who stayed with us for about 12 months. We will invest heavily in capital expenditure this year to complete our network roll out. There will be a huge marketing push where we have network coverage presently and potential ones to enhance our profitability.

We are in a transition to empower our major dealers to handle complaints of customers within their territories while we will exit areas where our dealers have strong presence as part of the empowerment plan.

Given the impairment in balance sheets due to losses over the years, is there any effort to restructure the company’s balance sheet either in terms of loans or equity?

Some of the loans we had, we have restructured; we have been successful with some of them. So, there is no much pressure to pay, which is a big relief to us. Again, as an organisation, we will continue to do that; to buy more breathing space in terms

of loans.

Where do you see Starcomms in fufure?

I think a year from now, we will see a consolidated CDMA business. What it will look like, I don’t know. It could be Starcomms, it could be another company, it could be a merger of two or three companies. There are quite a few small CDMA companies around and I think for CDMA to really remain in force and still be profitable, we need to come together. We are in discussion with two other companies; smaller companies that we are looking at acquiring. Starcomms will be the surviving entity.

What is your timeline to return the company to profit and begin to pay dividend?

We are where we are because of 13 years history. Can I fix it in three months? I don’t think so. We have evolved over the years.

From being a fixed wireless operator in Lagos with 2,500 subscribers and four base stations in 2002, the company has grown into a national telecommunications operator with presence in 22 states, 31 cities, 175 towns, more than 900 base stations and 1.6 million active subscribers as well as being a leader in broadband data and has won many awards for brand, quality and innovations.

For me, the objective is to turn the business around within a year; we can’t take much longer than that. We have to make sure we turn the business around within a year, if we can’t turn the business around, then we have serious challenges. So, the objectives right now are: turn the business around, reduce the losses you have talked about, start looking at strengthening balance sheet and become a stronger company.

For me, the take is that we have to get more spectrums to move to the next generation of technologies. If we do that, we will become a very very attractive investment opportunity. You know there are other companies who are willing to come to Nigeria; so if we become LTE ready, I am sure people will come. We are looking at more ways to improve our business. We appeal to our shareholders to be patient with us, as they will enjoy the benefit of high returns soon.

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

39

CAPITAL MARKET

Banking sector controls 53% of total transaction

I

NVESTORS in the banking industry claimed 53 per cent of the total volume of transaction that exchanged hands at the stock market last week.

Contribution shows that traders exchanged 0.33 billion units’ worth N2.35 billion in 7,375 deals as against 0.24 billion units valued at N1.31 billion in 4,474 deals a fortnight ago.

The sector maintained 53 per cent of the total activities at the Exchange last week, this pointed out that the banking stocks were actively traded at the exchange compared to 65 per cent the penultimate week, returns on banking volume dropped by 17.03 per cent and the value of money spent on banking stocks stood at 47.63 per cent.

The Insurance sector occupied the first runner-up with 87.85 million units worth N 45.58 million in 520 deals. On average evaluation, the Insurance sub-sector accounted for approximately 14.13 per cent of the total activity and 0.92 per cent of the total funds invested at the Exchange during the week under review.

In terms of transactional volume, the Conglomerates sub-sector’s performance improved by 4.01 per cent last week. The total weekly value of stocks in this sub-sector stood at N731.42 million.

Continuous bearish returns dominate activities at the Exchange last week as all market indices further decline to end the weekly transaction.

The bearish return is attributed to the price crash of some banking stocks. Overall market performance determinants i.e. the Market Capitalisation, All share Index and the braIndex® fell by 0.87 per cent, 0.47 per cent and 0.42 per cent as against an decrease of 4.48 per cent, 4.52 per cent and 4.31 per cent recorded a fortnight ago. The statistics shows that the bearish shows a fair retreat to close the week.

The worth of activities last week fell noticeably and its sustainability requires stringent market re-orientation to restore their lost confidence.

In the current week, the volume of transaction reads at N 4.93 billion with the volume of transaction of 0.62 billion shares as against the trading activities of 0.33 billion shares worth N 2.03 billion a fortnight ago.

Shares of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, FirstBank of Nigeria Plc, Access Bank Plc, and United Bank for Africa Plc were the toast of investors as they were actively traded in terms of volume and total investment.

The Market capitalisation which measures the share price movement fell from N 7.02 trillion a fortnight ago to N 6.81 trillion last week; the All Share Index also fell to 21,976.87 from 21,396.43, representing a 0.47 per cent drop on weekly assessment. Apparently, the braIndex® also fell by 0.42 per cent.

All the three market indicators fell last week showing that overall activities in terms of volume and fund invested may decrease noticeably. The inverse returns on both benchmarks were less than three index point and attributable to the recent decrease in share prices of some banking stocks.

On a year-to-date basis, both benchmarks - the NSE All-Share Index and the braIndex® - showed losses of 3.80 per cent and 4.73 per cent.

Stock Market Sectoral Performance Investors in the shares of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc exchanged 50.89 million units in 1,566 deals worth N 678.33 million. The average number of deals remained well over 313 deals per day during the week. FirstBank of Nigeria Plc was second with 40.86 million shares worth N 443.50 million.

In the Insurance sub-sector, Universal Insurance Plc led with 18.86 million shares worth N9.43 million.

The sectoral volume amounted to

Table 1: A Five-Day Moving Average Data of the Market Indices Change(%)

Market Capitalisation (%)

All-Share

Average Weekly Depth

(2.07)

(1.86)

(1.10)

Year To Date (YTD)

(3.83)

(3.80)

(4.73)

Month To Date (MTD) Week To Date(WTD)

(3.12) (0.87)

(3.17) (0.47)

(3.86) (0.42)

Values

Market Cap(trillion Naira)

All-Share Index

braIndex®

As of closing on September 07, 2011

6.81

21,396.43

14.30

Source: NSE & bra Limited Table 2: Stock Market Summary Statistics for the week ending Sept. 07, 2011.

Period Market Capitalisation (Trillion) 29/08/2011 6.87 01/09/2011 6.81 02/09/2011 6.90 05/09/2011 6.86 06/09/2011 6.78 07/09/2011 6.81 Source: NSE & Bra Limited

All-Share Index (Base Points) 21,497.61 21,299.55 21,598.98 21,538.04 21,298.07 21,396.43

braIndex® (Base Points) 14.24 14.26 14.47 14.41 14.26 14.30

Table 3: Statistics on Weekly Sectoral Contribution Sectors Banking Conglomerates Food, Beverages and Tobacco Telecommunications Insurance Source: bra Limited

% of Total Trading Net Worth 47.63% 14.80% 9.79% 1.34% 0.92%

Trading Net Worth(in Naira Millions ) 2,352.67 731.42 483.71 62.28 45.58

Figure 1a: The All Share Index and braIndex® Performance at a Glance

Source: BRA Computation

Source: BRA Computation

almost 87.85 million units and constituted over 14.13 per cent of the sector’s trading volume.

Companies Appraisal Guaranty Trust Bank Plc is the most active company in the Banking subsector with 50.89 million units, followed by the First Bank of Nigeria Plc. First Bank of Nigeria Plc beING the first runner-up closed the week at N443.50 million in 1,686 deals.

Among the most active companies in the Insurance sub-sector were Universal Insurance Plc, N.E.M. Insurance Co. (Nig) Plc, International Energy Insurance Plc, Goldlink Insurance Plc and Lasaco Assurance Plc. In the Telecommunication, Indus-

try, IHS Plc claimed to be the most active company in the sector.

The Conglomerates industry was also active in terms of the market value.

Unilever Nigeria Plc, Transnational Corporation Plc and U.A.C of Nigeria Plc were some of the most active stocks in the sub-sector.

Last week, shareholders of Guinness Nigeria Plc, Dangote Cement Plc, Ashaka Cement Plc, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc and Zenith Bank Plc saw the value of their investments earning profit less than five per cent while investors in Nestle Nigeria Plc, Unilever Nigeria Plc, PZ Cussons Plc and Dangote Flour Plc made less than

five per cent loss on a daily basis.

tinue to be the toast of investors.

Points to note: The weekly stock market analysis reports the current position of the outlook of the stock of the companies listed on the Exchange and the aggregate market. The NSE closed the 36th trading week on a bearish note.

The movement shows clearly that the bearish returns may persist in coming week activities as predicted a fortnight ago.

Historical analysis of trading volume shows that in the new week, the Banking, Insurance and Conglomerates stocks are likely to con-

Disclaimer This report has been prepared for information purposes only and for private use.

Whilst reasonable care had been taken in its production, bra Limited does not guarantee the correctness of its contents nor does the company accept liability for any loss arising from a reliance on its contents.

Kindly note that our suggested recommendations and other tactical actions are based on bra Limited best estimates which are guided by generally available information and our Proprietary Tools.

This is not an invitation or a solicitation to deal in any stocks and we do not guarantee the future outcome of such recommendation.

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

40

CAPITAL MARKET Bond and Money Market Review

A

CTIVITIES at the bond market segment further increased as capitalisation rose by 0.15 per cent to hit N1.843 trillion from a lower value of N1.840 trillion recorded in the penultimate week. Though there is about 0.01 per cent drop in value on daily assessment.

A fortnight ago, the market appreciated noticeably by 0.88 per cent. Starting from the week start till the week close the prices of most short term instruments remain the major driving force of the overall market performance.

The FGN bond Index began the week at 1,514.66 and closed at 1,517.09 points, increasing by 243 basis points in support of a rise of 454 basis points a fortnight ago. It ended the week at 1,517.09 points.

Average index stayed at 1,517.02 points, compared to 1,514.81 points the previous week.

The 30-day and 60-day and 90day indices rose by 0.04 per cent, 0.08 per cent to claim 10.37 per cent and 11.08 per cent, while the 90-day rate decreased by 0.04 to stood at 11.70 per cent.

The volume of market transaction increased from N1.840 trillion to N1.843 trillion, while the index on the other side close at 1,517.09 points, as it started the week with 1,512.62 points. Market capitalisation closed with N 1.843 trillion to end last week transaction as against N 1.83 trillion observed in the penultimate week, the daily changes in the index decreased slightly to close the weekly observation.

The index movement shows that there is noticeable increase in the market performance though the changes on daily examination decrease slightly been arrived at as a result of reduction in price of some long term instruments, these instruments are the major drivers of the market performance a fortnight ago.

Among the 15 traded bonds, most of the traded bonds have their price increased throughout the last week trading activities. Surprisingly, the prices of short term instruments witnessed appreciation towards the end of the trading week.

The top price loser was the 20year bond, 15 per cent FGN Nov 2028, which appreciated by N0.65 to close at 121.62. However, the fiveyear bond, 10.50 per cent FGN Mar 2018 which also decline by N0.92 to end the week at 100.04.

Figure 1 illustrates the year-todate change in the bra FGN bond Index.

The bra FGN bond index is a market value weighted index and is designed to measure the performance of the Nigerian investmentgrade fixed income market.

Although the index remained flat during most of January and February as seen, it recorded a sharp drop in March as investor outlook turned negative in the bond market in anticipation of elections.

The FGN index recorded its biggest decline (108 points) in March losing roughly seven per cent of its value. We observe the stabilisation of the declining trend in April and a gradual recovery in May and June.

July follows this recovery trend with index values reaching their March levels. The index stabilised in August closing at 1512 points on August 26 flat compared to 1517 points on July 30.

Last week, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) sold foreign exchange worth $400 million to authorised dealers at the Wholesale Dutch Auction System (WDAS) window as against $600 million a fortnight ago.

The dealers had demanded $541.2 million before the auction while the actual amount offered stood at $400 million.

The over-the-counter bond market notched up by 2.59 per cent last

Capitalisation increases by 0.15% Table 4: Key Statistics of Market’s Stock Performance as at Sept. 07, 2011 S/N

Company Name

Share Price Gain (‘N)

% of Shares’ Gain by Investors

TOP FIVE GAINERS BY PRICE 01

Guinness Nigeria Plc

228.00

4.58%

02

Ashaka Cement Plc

19.58

4.20%

03

Zenith Bank Plc

12.90

3.11%

04

Dangote Cement Plc

103.00

1.47%

05

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc

55.50

0.70%

Dangote Four Plc

7.99

-4.99%

02

Berger Plc

9.41

-4.94%

03

Unilever Nigeria Plc

27.00

-3.57%

04

PZ Cussons Plc

28.76

-1.67%

05

Nestle Nigeria Plc

401.00

-0.24%

TOP FIVE LOSERS BY PRICE 01

Source: NSE and bra Limited Indicator Turnover Value Deals FGN Bond Index Market Capitalization Index Weekly Returns (%) Index Year-to-Date Returns (%) 1-Month Returns (%) 3-Month Returns (%) 12-Month Returns (%)

CurrentWeek 197.8 million N160.43 billion 1,301 1,517.09 N1.843 trillion 1.73 5.30 0.74 4.44 3.89

PreviousWeek 192.8 million N157.84 billion 1,296 1,514.66 N1.840 trillion 1.71 5.22 0.74 4.43 3.71

% Change 2.59 1.64 0.16 0.15 1.16 1.53 0.27 0.26 4.85

Source: BRA Figure 1: FGN Bond Index

Source: FMDA

Figure 2: Nigerian T-bill Primary Market Auctions

Primary Market Auction

Source: Financial Markets Dealers Association week, yielding N160.43 billion with a turnover of 197.8 million units in 1,301 deals.

The amount compared favourably with the N157.84 billion invested on 192.8 million units in 1,296 deals a fortnight ago. The activity was boosted by the 20year bond, due in July 2030 with 10.0 per cent coupon rate. It traded 41.95 million units valued at N31.30 billion in 316 deals.

This was followed by the threeyear bond, 5.5 per cent FGN Feb 2013, which traded 33.55 million units valued at N30.04 billion in

281 deals.

Sixteen of the available 34 FGN bonds were traded during the week, compared with 12 the previous week.

In the NTB Primary Market, there were three new issues of NTBs with three, six and 12 month maturities.

The yield ranged from 7.34 per cent to 9.35 per cent yearly.

These rates are slightly up from the previous month’s auctions when the true yield on the threemonth issue was 6.91 per cent and the yield on the six-month issue was 8.1 per cent.

We observe the real interest rate

on Nigerian one yr T-bills equal to or near zero, which could be a deterring factor for investors in the region. Both Ghana and Zambia offer more attractive real returns on their one yr treasuries.

This could lead to decreased investor appetite for NTBs. Nigerian Yield Curves In terms of long term bonds, there were three issues of FGN Bonds with maturity dates ranging from three to 10 years for a total amount of N70 billion. The yields on these bonds ranged

from 10.75 per cent on the threeyear bond to 11.19 per cent on the five-year and to 11.39 per cent on the 10-year one.

The same yields were 10.25 per cent on the three-year note and 11.69 per cent on the 10-year one a month ago.

The increases in the FGN bond yields suggest a decline in investor demand for FGN government debt in the short term but an increase in the long-term notes.

Figure 23 shows the volume of the NTB and FGN Auctions in the Primary Market.

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THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

43

PERSONAL FINANCE

Email: taofad2000@yahoo.co.uk

Investor’s Worth

An entrepreneur as an investor

W

ITH a market capi talisation of more than N2.5 billion, Fidson Healthcare Plc is one of the five most capitalised quoted healthcare companies.

The metamorphosis of Fidson Healthcare from a small private pharmaceutical company to one of the leading publicly traded healthcare companies represents the story of dogged determination, entrepreneurial spirit and long-term commitment to investment and reinvestment by Agenebode, Edo State-born Fidelis Ayebae.

Ayebae is one of the few professionals whose knowledge and skills have led to creation of pools of wealth through which they and other stakeholders derive enduring benefits. In doing this, he has etched his name in gold in the corporate history of Nigeria while building billion-Naira nest eggs for himself. With the company’s name largely derived from his name, Ayebae also remains the single largest shareholder and beneficiary of the phenomenal growths in the operations of Fidson Healthcare in recent years.

According to the register of shareholders of Fidson Healthcare, no shareholder holds up to five per cent of the company except Fidelis Ayebae, who holds about 35 per cent equity stake.

His wife, Mrs Olufunmilayo Ayebae, also holds about four per cent equity stake, trailing her husband as the director with the second largest shareholding, albeit a distant one.

The income stream being provided by Ayebae’s shareholding in Fidson alone is indicative of his billion-Naira investment port-

folio. Between 2007 and 2010, Ayebae received about N364 million as cash dividends.

With a humble beginning, Fidelis Ayebae’s prospects showed early in life with clear focus on attainment of good educational foundation. Ayebae then acquired diverse range of experience in corporate governance having worked in Nigeria International Bank, now Citibank, as assistant general manager, Metalum Limited as project manager and Ayebe Investment Limited as managing director.

Fidson Healthcare, under the management of Ayebae, has grown to become a foremost pharmaceutical company in the West African sub-region and has done Nigeria proud with many pioneering breakthroughs including Virex, the first locally manufactured antiretroviral drugs for the management of HIV and AIDS; Gascol, antacid with magaldrate; Meprasil/ Lanzosil, anti-ulcer; Adult and Baby Tribotan, dermatology and skin products and Cephalosporins, a variant of antibiotics. Besides, Fidson is the second most visible indigenous pharmaceutical company as well as the second highest billing pharmaceutical company in Nigeria.

With three state-of-the art manufacturing facilities in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria and three companies; namely Fidson Healthcare Plc, Ecomed Pharma Limited and Fidson Products Limited, Fidson Healthcare Group employs more than 1000 people and provides returns to several hundreds of shareholders.

Ayebae inspires confidence and believes in creating and recreating his envi-

F

•Fidelis Ayebae

ronment to manufacture goods in accordance with best global practices. He is a natural motivator imbued with special entrepreneurial spirit.

Widely regarded as the symbol of the pharmaceutical industry’s power and compass for the future, Ayebae’s hobby now is to spearhead the much-needed public-private partnership (PPP) initiative and dictate the way forward for both indigenous and foreign pharmaceutical companies in the country.

In recognition of his pathfinding roles for the development of indigenous manufacturing, Ayebae has received many awards from numerous communities and organisations.

He is a fellow of Institute of Corporate Affairs Management (FICAM) and member of the Institute of Directors (IoD), Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Pharmaceuticals Manufacturers Group of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN), Nigerian Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (Naccima), Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce, Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce, Nigerian-Turkey Chamber of Commerce, ACEAN Chamber of Commerce, British-West African Forum and the prestigious Ikeja Business Club.

Ask a Broker

S

INKING fund is one of the protective mecha nisms in debt issue. A sinking fund is a pool of funds created by scheduled deposit of fund by the debt issuer through the tenor of the issue.

Many debt issuance documents usually provide that the debt issuer retire a specified amount of the par value

What is a sinking fund? of outstanding issues every year until the maturity of the debt issue. Sinking fund serves a dual purpose of reassuring debtholders and minimising default risk while also reducing the indebtedness of the issuer and enhancing its ability

to meet obligation upon maturity of the debt issue.

Also, many quasi-debt issues such as preference stock also do have provisions for sinking funds, which serve as mechanisms for the redemption of the issues.

Ways and Means

How to save cost and earn interest on a current account

T

RADITIONALLY, a cur rent account is the only vehicle for conversion of paper money, such as cheque, dividend warrant, draft etc into actual cash.

The operator of a current account pays the bank for every withdrawal while he also enjoys the convenience of representative transaction or third party withdrawal through issuance of cheque.

Many people avoid current account because of the costs or charges, which are usually

fixed and sometime, the initial deposit required to open such account. But competition and innovations are breaking the walls in the banking sector.

With many innovative hybrid current-and-deposit accounts, a bank customer can avoid the costs of current accounts while enjoying the advantages of current and savings accounts.

A customer only needs to consider the requirements and benefits of the different

Making good use of reports and accounts (2)

variants being offered by the banks.

Many of the quasi-current accounts not only offer the benefits of a current account, they even pay interest on the balances in the accounts.

Many other benefits include a personalized cheque book, access to internet, mobile and telephone banking services of the bank, third party withdrawals without any charge across the counter at nay brach of the issuing bank, SMS and email alerts and periodic account updates.

OR instance, a shrewd investor needs to consider some pertinent questions when it comes to cash outflows: Is there any link between the directors or top management members and the recipients of the donations or charities of the company? What is the propriety of each project in line with principles of the company? What are legal status and charters of the recipients? Are they really public trusts institutions or private endeavours? Are their ownerships vested in the public domain and operations directed through public trustees or are they exclusive corporate entities of few or one individual? There are so many concerns that shareholders can raise on donations and charities alone that will put many boards and managements to test.

A conduit may be disguised as non-governmental or charity organisation for conversion of company resources into private use.

The Financial statements part of the annual report mainly contains the balance sheet and the income statement, otherwise refers to as profit and loss accounts, and the explanations thereon.

The balance sheet is similar to a snapshot of the company’s accounting value, indicating assets and liabilities as at a particular date. The balance sheet is made up of two equal sides, a side containing assets and the other side containing liabilities and shareholders’ equity.

The asset side states what the company owns while the liabilities and equity side indicates how it is financed.

Assets of a typical company are divided into two broad categories- fixed and current assets. Fixed assets are further divided into tangible and intangible fixed assets.

Tangible fixed assets include items such as building, plant and equipment while intangible fixed assets refer to valuable assets such as trademark and patent, which do not have physical presence like tangible fixed assets. Asset size as well as liabilities of a company depends on the nature and structure of each business and as such an analyst must be conscious of the peculiarities of the company being analysed. In analysing balance sheet, the analyst, shareholder, creditor or any other stakeholder, should be concerned about three key issues, accounting liquidity, debt and equity and value of assets in relation to cost.

By Taofik Salako

Accounting liquidity gives insight into the extent of convertibility of the assets of the company. A company with high liquidity will not have problem meeting emerging financing obligations. The variables that indicate accounting liquidity include current assets- cash and other assets convertible into cash within a year and receivables- the amount yet to be collected from customers; inventory- raw materials, work in progress and finished goods.

These three concerns provide valuable insights into the state of a company and its level of solvency or insolvency.

Shareholders must also look at how changes in the economic environment now affect and could further influence the operations of the company. Consideration should be given to the assessment of the current operating environment and the strategy outlined by the board and management to deal with challenges.

One issue that usually affects the extent of return to shareholders is the indebtedness of the company. The higher the level of indebtedness, the lower the returns to shareholders since lenders take preeminent position in the allocation of earnings.

As such, shareholders need to pay attention to the operating leverage of the company as well as the financial leverage of the company. Operating leverage is the cost structure of a business and the degree to which fixed costs versus variable costs dominate the business.

The greater the fixed cost portion of total costs, the higher the operating leverage and the more vulnerable the company is to any contraction in revenue or economic slowdown.

Financial leverage is the proportion of debt to equity in relations to total balance sheet of the company. The greater the debt portion of the total funding, the higher the financial leverage and the more vulnerable the company is to slowdown in incomes.

Shareholders need to ensure that the financing structure of their company is appropriate to its long-term growth objective and value creation. Financial mismatch has been the bane of poor returns by many companies in recent period. Beside the immediate negative impact on shareholders’ returns, financial mismatch places additional burden on shareholders as they will

then need to also grapple with possible capital dilutions or provide new funds to restructure the balance sheet.

On the other side of the balance sheet or before it, depending on the arrangement of the accounts, is the profit and loss accounts, which detail the incomes and expenditures of the company.

The profit and loss accounts report is important because it presents the extent of value creation and the utilisation of shareholders’ funds and other assets.

From the turnover to cost of sales to administrative and distribution expenses as well as financing charges, shareholders can be able to trace the top-down efficiency of the company and actually pinpoint the loopholes or highpoints that result in a particular net return. Is the company working for the lenders? What is the ratio of employee productivity to cost of staff? Is the performance due to uncontrollable costs such as costs of sales? Is the phenomenal growth or decline in net return due to one-off extraordinary item? Shareholders need to develop the capacity to provide answers to these questions and many others that could unravel management efficiency or inefficiency.

The profit and loss performance is important because shareholders’ actual returns- cash dividends and bonus issues or underlying returns are derivable from net profit, after deduction of all other expenses including staff salary and taxes.

Besides, as retained earnings build up the shareholders’ funds, and as such enhances future returns, net loss is transferred to the shareholders’ reserves.

Losses transferred to the reserves not only reduce the equity funds, they also undermine the company’s ability to pay dividends in the period ahead. Extant corporate laws forbid payment of cash dividends while the company is still carrying negative reserves.

Shareholders should therefore regard the annual general meeting as a place for board and management stewardships.

This much is underscored by the rules and regulations that mandate companies to send annual reports and accounts to shareholders several days before the general meeting to enable them carefully examine the report ahead of the meeting.

‘The profit and loss performance is important because shareholders’ actual returns- cash dividends and bonus issues or underlying returns are derivable from net profit, after deduction of all other expenses including staff salary and taxes’

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

44

MOTORING

H

YUNDAI Motor Company (HMC), world’s fourth largest automobile manufacturer, has donated two units of hi-tech ultramodern mobile clinics to two health institutions - the Abuja National Hospital and the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital.

Hyundai donates mobile clinics to Nigeria

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

Receiving the donations on behalf of the institutions, Minister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, said the

vehicles are coming at an auspicious moment when the country needed to enhance its national disaster management system.

Prof Chukwu described the mobile clinics as ‘Purpose built vehicles’ that should be used strictly for what they are meant, warning that the gov-

Firm introduces travellers card

T

HE fear expressed by some Nigerians when travelling within the country may soon end with the introduction of travellers’ card.

Speaking in Lagos with The Nation, the Vice- Chairman of Frankedge Rescue Ventures, Frank Aghualor, said his organisation has introduced a scheme, which will help road users in case of unforeseen problems that might arise dur-

ing their journeys. “We will assist them on the dilemma they may encounter on their journeys,” the Frankedge Vice-sChairman has said.

While acknowledging the use of manifests at the motor parks, he said the traveller’s cards is different.“We have a card called traveller’s card for different categories of travellers. Regular Travelers card is designed for those who travel daily

within the federation with one trip validity; VIP Travellers Card is designed for people who travel with their private vehicles within the nation. Family Travelers Card is designed for families (of not more than five members), who travel with their vehicles at anytime within the federation.

Truck Drivers Card is designed for truck drivers within the federation.”

Aghualor said the card would be of immense benefit to the users. “One of them is that if the car breaks down, we will come and take the clients to where they are going .

Also, if robbers attack or your vehicle develops fault, and the passenger is stranded, we come to your rescue by taking you to your destination without extra cost.

Nigerian roads still unsafe, says expert

C

HIEF Executive officer, Arrive Alive Road Safety Initiative, Mr Ikeh Okonkwo, has said Nigeria is among the countries with the highest records of road accidents in the world.

Okonkwo said this in Warri during a Truck Safety Campaign on retro reflective tapes.

The event was organised by the Arrive Alive Road Safety initiative and by Chevron Nigeria Limited.

He said the country contributes one fifth of the 3,500 daily road accidents in the world, and of this figure, trucks contributes 50 per cent.

Okonkwo said roads in Nigeria are in deplorable state, adding that trucks cannot ply on bad roads, and so when they park up on the roads, warning signs should be put on the

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

roads to warn on-coming vehicles.

He advised that retro reflective tapes should be used to achieve safety roads, adding that with contributions from stakeholders zero accident was attainable.

Acting Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Delta Command, Mrs Patricia Emeordi, tasked tanker drivers on the proper use of the retro reflective tapes on vehicles.

Emeordi said the tapes do not only make the vehicles visible at night, but also show the size of the vehicles when properly placed.

She explained that the tapes were expected to be placed on both sides of the vehicles to

illuminate them when turning to avoid head-on collisions.

She also explained that the National Road Traffic Regulation (NRTR) 2004, section 56 (P) stated that commercial vehicles other than taxis shall have two reflective stickers fitted to the extreme ends at the rear of the vehicles which shall be 101.60 milimetre (four inches) in width and 0.305milimetre (12 inches) in length to indicate the maximum width of the vehicle.

She appealed to drivers, especially truck drivers to use the retro reflective tapes on their vehicles.

General Manager, Government and Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr Femi Odumabo, said the safety campaign was consis-

tent with the company’s tradition of care and commitment to safety of lives on Nigerian roads.

Odumabo, represented

by Senior Committee Engagement Representative, Chevron Nigeria, Mr Philip Bassey, said the company and its partners, places high premium on safety in line with the commitment to protect people and the environment.

He said the company was happy to partner with the FRSC to check accidents on roads, adding that the campaign would focus on safe driving and enlightenment. ‘’Our intention is to make our roads safer, reinforce the value of safe driving and compliance with traffic regulations,” he said.

ernment would not hesitate to frown at any misuse.

Chukwu’s counterpart in Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, represented by Prince Debo Adeniyi commended the magnanimity of Hyundai Motor Company and Korea Foundation for International Healthcare, saying that the Federal Republic of South Korea and Nigeria had enjoyed good relationship over the years.

Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, Mr Park YoungKuk, described Nigeria as one of Korean’s most important African partners in trade, energy and development cooperation.

He said Korea also collaborates with Nigeria through KOICA (Korea Development Agency) in health related matters, education and good governance – an initiative, he said, was in line with MDGs (Millennium Development Goals).

“Korea was not only eager to donate vehicles, but to also share its unique development experience with Nigeria,” having “achieved rapid economic development and democratisation that transformed our country from a beneficiary to a donor country.

“We have no natural resources, have less than one-

third of Nigerian land and population – but all we had was a strong-will people motivated by can-do-spirit and supported by education,” he said.

The result, he added, “speaks for itself, as you can find Hyundai cars and buses used all around Africa, while Korean cell phones, computers, air conditioners are available at all corners of the world,” Mr Park said.

The vehicles, which are custom built with mobile internal medicine clinic and the latest medical devices, such as digital ultrasonic and portable ECG (electrocardiogram), can conduct basic medical tests, such as malaria screening and provide medical supplies.

Also equipped with a mobile digital X-ray clinic, the vehicle can travel on rough road conditions without sacrificing efficiency and accurate health care diagnosis, Mr Cha explained.

Hyundai developed the mobile clinic on Hyundai’s HD120 chassis (GVW 12,520 kg) with 6600 cc engine and four-wheel-drive truck with truck air suspension that helps to protect delicate medical equipment and operates independently with its in-built sun proof power generator.

Transporter calls for more caution in ‘ember’ months

P

RESIDENT,Tipper Transport Association of Nigeria (A-TTAN), Ajeigboro Chapter, Alhaji

Ibrahim Adisa, has urged road users to be more patient while driving during the ‘ember’ months, which begins this month and end in December, when road accidents appear to be on the increase because of bad driving.

Adisa, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, said adherence to such caution could minimise road accidents which were usually high during the ember months.

“There is a saying in this part of the world that urges those behind a person to learn from the mistake and downfall of the one in front.

“I urge drivers on our road to be conscious of others. They should be watchful of the mistakes of others while driving and also learn from the outcome of the mistakes of other drivers.

“What I am saying is that most road accidents are caused by impatient drivers, especially in ‘ember’ months and the result is always affecting other innocent ones on the road,” he said.

He said consciousness and carefulness were two virtues every driver ought to possess, particularly as the Muslim and Christian festivities in November and December approached.

He also urged other motorists to always put their vehicles in order before plying the roads.

“The way many drivers move around with their vehicles is like they are in a race or a competition with others on the road for a trophy,“ he said.

Adisa condemned the recklessness of some tipper and truck drivers, adding that his association had warned members against reckless driving.

“Smaller vehicles should endeavour not to overtake articulated vehicles unnecessarily,“ he advised.

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MONEY LINK

Rescued banks will meet recapitalisation deadline, says Sanusi T

HE Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, said he is optimistic that all the five rescued banks will meet the September 30 deadline for their recapitalisation.

He said all the banks will be holding their Extra Ordinary General Meetings by September, which is an indication that they would meet the deadline.

Sanusi, who, spoke at the weekend during the Nigeria Sustainable Finance Week conference tagged ‘Moving Frontiers in Sustainable Finance,’ in Lagos, expressed optimism that the shareholders will approve the pending agreements between the banks and their core investors.

“I am very confident that all the banks will meet the September 30 deadline. All the banks are having their EGMs very soon.

The three newly formed banks Enterprise Banks, Keystone Bank, and Mainstreet Bank have been recapitalised by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), and are already out of the road, while the other five will be through by the end of September,” he said.

He said the banks were given three months to show the market that they are on their way to integration, adding that by end of September, the crisis will be over.

On the reserves, Sanusi, said the Chinese government has indicated that the Yuan will be fully converted by 2015, adding that the currency represents one of Nigeria’s major trading partner, making it easier for use in settlement of trade transaction. He said the currency is likely to appreciate because it has been under valued for a very long time. “ And as China begins to move towards domestic consumption, which is the driver of growth, rather than export and also begin to use the currency to fight domestic inflation, it is likely going to appreciate. So we think it is an imFGN BONDS

an assumption. But on anti-money laundering, we have continued to implement, we are not aware of any money been used to finance terrorism,” he said.

The rescued leanders are Intercontinental Bank, FinBank, Oceanic Bank Union Bank and Equitorial Trust Bank.

They have signed Transaction Implementation Agreement (TIA) with their core investors. Intercontinental signed with Access Bank; FinBank with First City Monument Bank; Oceanic with Ecobank; Union Bank with African Capital Alliance Consortium while ETB signed with Spring Bank.

The CBN said that TIA represents an irreversible level in the transaction plan, an indication that the deals will sail through.

Following the CBN and Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation audit, 10 banks were adjudged to be in grave states with deficiencies in capital adequacy. Of these, eight also had significant deficiencies in liquidity, risk man-

•Affirms plan to diversify reserves

By Collins Nweze

portant and timely decision to do that now and I think Nigeria will benefit from it as a country,” he said.

“China can no longer be ignored in global economic calculations, I have been very clear that we are diversifying our reserves and the reason is that you can no longer ignore China, it is the second biggest economy in the world,” he added.

He said the issue of banking stock value decline, is global and not limited to only the Nigerian equities.

“We have to look at it within the context of global stock market performance. Wall street is not trading well, Europe is not trading well. This is a market that also has a lot of foreign funds and we have the sovereign debt

crisis in Europe and unemployment issue in the United States,” he said.

He added that what is happening in Nigeria is not necessarily tied to the local market, but also to the global market, because the funds don’t just come from the local market.

Sanusi also said the shares of the rescued lenders are on technical suspension and as soon as the process is completed, then investors will begin to see upward movement in stocks.

The CBN Governor stated that he is not aware of any money being used to finance terrorism in Nigeria. He said the apex bank has however, strengthened anti-money laundering laws in the country. “So if you are aware of anybody funding terrorism in the country, tell me because we are just making

T

HE aggregate domestic credit dropped from N8.9 trillion in June to N8.1 trillion in July, the Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company, Bismark Rewane has said.

Also, private sector credit fell marginally by 0.062 per cent in July compared to June figure.

He also noted that oil prices have increased 45.4 per cent since May while oil production has also risen.

Speaking during the Lagos Business School Breakfast Session, Rewane regretted that most of the available government expenditure spent on recurrent items and leakages makes the expenditure higher than revenue.

However, trade rose 67 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter to $40.65 billion from $27.1 billion, a year ago. Oil exports accounted for more than a third of the figure while

broad money (M2) grew by 2.5 per cent from N12.1 trillion in June to N12.4 trillion in July.

“Crude oil prices will be 15.17 per cent lower than its peak in January while fiscal revenue contraction could derail budgetary projections in Nigeria. This is associated with external reserves weaknesses and currency pressure.,” he said Rewane also predicted that inflation and which has been tamed recently could spike again as the economy continues to experience robust growth due to high oil prices.

He noted that non-oil sectors show impressive growth with agriculture, wholesale and retail trade contributing 40.84 per cent and 18.70 per cent respectively, to GDP in 2010.

But the external reserves have dropped to $32.3 billion despite strong oil revenues making the naira a target for speculative attacks. “Eco-

nomic performance could hinge on development of critical infrastructure and reforms even as there are apparent contradictions in reducing expenditure and boosting the economy at the same time,” he said.

He said friction between the economic team, Federal executive council and Ministries, Departments and Agencies’ could stall reforms in different sectors of the economy, adding that the political will to drive the process remains in doubt due to deep seated corruption and weak institutions.

He said that efforts to reduce recurrent expenditure in the past have been unsuccessful even as budget execution will be stalled by due process. Rewane said the non-oil sector continued to be the major driver of GDP growth, recording 8.65 per cent growth rate in the first quarter of 2011, adding that there is evidence that over 90 per cent

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($)

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2011 “ 14-04-2011

GAINERS AS AT 9-9-11 SYMBOL ACADEMY TRANSCORP IBTC STERLNBANK FLOURMILL AIICO GTASSURE CONTINSURE OANDO ECOBANK

O/PRICE 3.17 0.79 9.16 1.44 77.75 0.66 1.01 1.02 28.75 2.73

C/PRICE 3.32 0.82 9.50 1.48 79.80 0.67 1.02 1.03 29.00 2.75

CHANGE 0.15 0.03 0.34 0.04 2.05 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.25 0.02

LOSER AS AT 9-9-11 SYMBOL ETI DANGFLOUR HONYFLOUR PAINTCOM UPL BAGCO NAHCO REDSTAREX WEMABANK ZENITHBANK

O/PRICE 12.80 7.60 4.06 1.02 3.78 1.95 6.50 2.51 0.74 13.05

of the recurrent budget has been spent in July.

According to him, the global sovereign debt risk poses a challenge to the of international fund raising even as unemployment suppresses Diaspora flows at a time of relaxed capital restrictions. He revealed that Nigerian banks are expected to face stronger scrutiny from regulators in line with global practice as fragility of the global economy will reduce foreign capital inflows to the country. The Nigerian economy and business environment, he added, will struggle to recover from policy shocks for the rest of the third quarter.

He advised policy makers to focus on institutional strengthening. He also added that reforms are out at the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) as some key management staff are fired over marginal improvement in power generation in July.

DATA BANK

Amount N

OBB Rate Call Rate

agement practices and corporate governance policies. The 10 banks got a lifeline of N620 billion in the form of Tier 2 Capital. The AMCON has given the new banks a N679 billion lifeline to enable them continue as a going concern.

Domestic credit drops to N8.1tr

Tenor

NIDF NESF

•CBN Governor, Lamido Sanusi Lamido

C/PRICE 12.16 7.22 3.86 0.97 3.60 1.86 6.21 2.40 0.71 12.60

CHANGE 0.64 0.38 0.20 0.05 0.18 0.09 0.29 0.11 0.03 0.45

Amount Sold ($)

Exchange Rate (N)

Date

450m

452.7m

450m

150.8

08-8-11

250m

313.5m

250m

150.8

03-8-11

400m

443m

400m

150.7

01-8-11

EXHANGE RATE 26-08-11 CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Currency

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD NGN GBP

147.6000 239.4810

149.7100 244.0123

150.7100 245.6422

-2.11 -2.57

NGN EUR

212.4997

207.9023

209.2910

-1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

Bureau de Change 152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

(S/N) Parallel Market

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

NSE CAP Index

NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N)

23-08-11 N7.137tr 22,313.23

24-08-11 N7.135tr 22,308.22

% Change -0.03% -0.03%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

(S/N)

153.0000

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

Aug ’11

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

8.75%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 9.4%

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 117.62 107.46 0.79 0.01 0.96 1,628.76 8.70 1.39 1.87 7,745.89 193.00

9.08 1.00 117.16 111.16 0.76 0.01 0.97 1,625.40 8.28 1.33 1.80 7,502.11 191.08

ARM AGGRESSIVE KAKAWA GUARANTEED STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND THE LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL BGL SAPPHIRE FUND BGL NUBIAN FUND NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY THE DISCOVERY FUND • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

Rate (Previous) 24 Aug, 2011 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 26, Aug, 2011 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK Previous

Current

04 July, 2011

07, Aug, 2011

Bank

8.5000

8.5000

P/Court

8.0833

8.0833

Movement

54

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 9-09-11 2ND-TIER SECURITIES Company Name CAPITAL OIL PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

Quotation(N) 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 10,000 5,000.00 10,000 5,000.00

AGRICULTURE/AGRO-ALLIED Company Name PRESCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 7 7

Quotation(N) 7.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 39,500 282,122.00 39,500 282,122.00

Quotation(N) 1.95 6.21

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 22,364 43,555.80 344,343 2,162,553.83 366,707 2,206,109.63

Quotation(N) 1.30

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 17,648 23,433.40 17,648 23,433.40

Quotation(N) 5.40 4.01 2.75 4.81 1.99 10.65 0.50 13.05 9.50 0.70 1.15 5.51 1.48 4.00 2.09 0.50 0.71 12.60

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 11,176,194 60,577,418.84 10,341,668 41,279,132.23 330,716 899,674.86 384,640 1,778,039.04 4,660,340 9,205,141.83 8,704,297 92,305,868.81 53,900 26,950.00 17,069,382 221,549,535.68 2,691,012 24,841,579.10 1,279,605 895,723.50 6,500 7,475.00 234,708 1,270,597.99 2,012,502 2,908,986.63 9,071,117 36,069,968.01 186,839 390,493.51 5,953,343 2,979,538.31 2,432,150 1,749,172.19 9,219,462 117,426,044.80 85,808,375 616,161,340.33

Quotation(N) 228.00 6.06 81.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 287,385 62,267,162.92 50,000 296,455.00 646,639 52,266,114.60 984,024 114,829,732.52

Quotation(N) 19.18 7.36 100.00 42.55

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 504,093 9,599,977.58 72,674 527,668.40 936,169 94,075,337.92 27,478 1,179,936.65 1,540,414 105,382,920.55

Quotation(N) 9.41 25.50 1.14 0.97

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 162,100 1,519,629.33 31,798 807,339.00 1,000 1,100.00 1,000,000 970,000.00 1,194,898 3,298,068.33

AIR SERVICES Company Name AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 3 59 62

AUTOMOBILE & TYRE Company Name R. T. BRISCOE (NIGERIA) PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 12 12 BANKING

Company Name ACCESS BANK PLC DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK NIGERIA PLC FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC FIDELITY BANK PLC FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC FINBANK PLC GTBANK PLC STANBIC IBTC BANK PLC INTERCONTINENTAL BANK PLC. OCEANIC BANK INTERNATIONAL PLC SKYE BANK PLC. STERLING BANK PLC UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC. UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC UNITYBANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC ZENITH BANK PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 160 89 23 41 62 507 3 538 35 14 1 38 36 202 19 60 34 277 2,139 BREWERIES

Company Name GUINNESS NIGERIA PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC NIGERIAN BREWERIES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 62 4 87 153 BUILDING MATERIALS

Company Name ASHAKA CEMENT PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTHERN NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 58 10 30 10 108 CHEMICAL & PAINTS

Company Name BERGER PAINTS NIGERIA PLC CHEMICAL AND ALLIED PRODUCTS PLC DN MEYER PLC PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 7 18 1 1 27

COMMERCIAL/SERVICES Company Name RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 17 17

Quotation(N) 2.40

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 510,760 1,226,349.00 510,760 1,226,349.00

Quotation(N) 1.99 28.76 0.82 39.01 27.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 6,920 13,148.00 161,740 4,837,639.30 3,827,225 3,102,950.78 155,658 6,072,851.47 157,963 4,258,110.70 4,309,506 18,284,700.25

Quotation(N) 55.00 3.64

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 77,893 4,308,069.50 10,000 38,200.00 87,893 4,346,269.50

CONGLOMERATES Company Name A. G. LEVENTIS (NIGERIA) PLC PZ CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC UAC OF NIGERIA PLC UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 40 65 43 41 191 CONSTRUCTION

Company Name JULIUS BERGER NIGERIA PLC ROADS NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 12 2 14

Investors take positions in Union Bank, others

A

No of Deals 2 36 73 39 121 8 33 29 3 3 347

Quotation(N) 45.00 17.00 7.22 9.50 79.80 3.86 4.00 401.00 22.61 0.51

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 9-09-11 Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 639 30,192.75 495,668 8,424,182.35 550,271 3,976,781.02 485,198 4,609,130.40 1,834,494 143,308,269.27 95,500 368,630.00 519,104 2,106,353.97 23,618 9,451,727.73 7,742 166,298.16 11,050 5,525.00 4,023,284 172,447,090.65

HEALTHCARE Company Name EVANS MEDICALPLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXOSMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC PHARMA-DEKO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 7 13 10 2 10 5 47

Quotation(N) 0.94 1.56 26.00 3.80 1.21 3.87

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 16,000 15,040.00 293,840 456,761.16 71,603 1,871,863.70 3,100 11,191.00 60,500 69,575.00 13,625 50,140.00 458,668 2,474,570.86

HOTEL & TOURISM Company Name CAPITAL HOTEL PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 3 3

Quotation(N) 7.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 30,400 227,852.00 30,400 227,852.00

INDUSTRIAL/DOMESTIC PRODUCTS Company Name B. O. C. GASES NIGERIA PLC VITAFOAM NIGERIA PLC VONO PRODUCTS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 9 1 11

Quotation(N) 7.10 6.00 2.88

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 500 3,375.00 44,795 263,587.45 15,000 43,200.00 60,295 310,162.45

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY Company Name CHAMS PLC STARCOMMS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 9 11

Quotation(N) 0.50 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 304,000 152,000.00 5,000,000 2,500,000.00 5,304,000 2,652,000.00

INSURANCE Company Name No of Deals AIICO INSURANCE PLC. 30 CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC 4 CORNERSTONE INSURANCE CO. PLC. 6 CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INSURANCE PLC 7 GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC 4 GUARANTY TRUST ASSURANCE PLC 31 CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC 1 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC 1 LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. 2 N.E.M. INSURANCE CO. (NIG.) PLC. 7 NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. 1 OASIS INSURANCE PLC 1 PRESTIGE ASSURANCE PLC. 4 STACO INSURANCE PLC 3 UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC 2 INTERCONTINENTAL WAPIC INSURANCE PLC 18 Sector Totals 122

Quotation(N) 0.67 1.03 0.50 2.52 0.50 1.02 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 1.57 0.50 0.50 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 886,375 592,108.79 190,000 195,700.00 500,000 250,000.00 149,090 375,483.50 8,101,000 4,050,510.00 1,405,448 1,421,927.46 100,000 50,000.00 28,000 14,000.00 10,265 5,132.50 5,800,242 2,900,121.00 1,000 500.00 37,000 18,500.00 2,500 3,750.00 33,515 16,757.50 88,569 44,284.50 900,000 450,000.00 18,233,004 10,388,775.25

LEASING Company Name C&I LEASING PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 5 5 MARITIME

Quotation(N) 0.94

closed the market at N2.09 per share; a valuation many analysts said held much headroom for capital appreciation as the bank rounds off its recapitalisation process.

GTB, which had declared interim dividend for the first half, followed with a turnover of 79.7 million shares valued at N1.05 billion in 2,468 deals. FBN placed third with 63.9 million shares worth N685.6 million in 2,714 deals.

Diamond Bank recorded a turnover of 54.2 million shares valued at N222.58 million in 261 deals.

Other banks on the 15 most active stocks list include United Bank for Africa, Access Bank, Zenith Bank, First City Monument Bank, Finbank and Fidelity Bank.

Insurance sector retained its traditional position as the second most active subgroup with a turnover of 74.72 million shares valued at N44.19 million in 647 deals.

Conglomerates subgroup ranked third with a turnover of 49.57 million shares worth N04.89 million in 978 deals, while food and beverages sector trailed with 44.66 million shares valued at N1.06 billion in 2,479 deals.

Meanwhile, the overall pricing trend at the NSE remained bearish as key benchmark indices continued on the downward. The All Share Index (ASI), which serves as the benchmark index for the stock market and country index for Nigeria, depreciated by 494.88 points or 2.30 per cent to open today with 21,104.10 points. Market capitalization of all equities also dropped to about N6.73 tril-

lion.

In what indicated a cross market downtrend, all subindices also shifted downward with the NSE 30 Index, which measures the 30 most capitalized stocks, dropping 1.90 per cent to open today at 946.34 points.

The NSE Food & Beverage Index depreciated by 1.87 per cent to close at 718.13, while the NSE Banking Index depreciated by 3.15 per cent to close at 306.36 points. Also, the NSE Insurance Index depreciated by 1.78 per cent to 144.62 points while the NSE Oil & Gas Index dwindled by 1.32 per cent to 254.88 points.

Dangote Cement led the decliners last week with a loss of N4 to close at N100.

Forte Oil Plc followed with a loss of N3.21 to close at N14.20 per share. UACN Property Development Company (UPDC) Plc placed third with a loss of N2.14 to close at N17.55 per share.

On the upbeat, Guinness Nigeria led the gainers with a gain of N10 to close at N228.

Flour Mills Nigeria Plc followed with a gain of N3.80 to close at N79.80 per share, while Eterna chalked up 83 kobo to close at N5.29 per share.

Last week also saw the delisting of the three nationalised banks- Afribank Nigeria Plc, Bank PHB Plc and SpringBank Plc. Also, Nampak Nigeria Plc, which had sought voluntary delisting, was removed from the Daily Official List.

The four delisted companies shaved off N30.6 billion from market capitalization and further reduced the number of listed equities and securities to 203 and 250 respectively.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

FOOD/BEVERAGES & TOBACCO Company Name 7-UP BOTTLING CO. PLC CADBURY NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIGERIA PLC HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NATIONAL SALT COMPANY NIGERIA PLC NESTLE NIGERIA PLC NORTHERN NIGERIA FLOUR MILLS PLC UTC NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

HEAD of the Septem ber scheduled ExtraOrdinary General Meetings to seal the on-going mergers and acquisitions in the banking industry, investors appeared to be taking positions in banks perceived to have enormous potential for early gains in the post-resolution banking sector.

Significant increase in bids for banking stocks, especially those of Union Bank of Nigeria (UBN) Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank, First Bank of Nigeria and Diamond Bank, impacted on the overall market turnover at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) last week, with volume, value and number of deals increasing by 28.3 per cent, 112.5 per cent and 48.7 per cent respectively.

Turnover on the NSE stood at 877.74 million shares worth N7.65 billion in 20,383 deals, as against 684.13 million shares valued at N3.6 billion traded in 13,712 deals penultimate week.

The banking sector accounted for almost two-third of total turnover during the week with Union Bank leading as the most active stock.

Banking stocks altogether accounted for 572.85 million shares worth N3.49 billion in 11,067 deals.

Transactions in Union Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) and Diamond Bank Plc totaled 286.45 million shares, representing 50 per cent of the banking sector’s turnover and about 33 per cent of the total market turnover.

Union Bank topped the activity chart with a turnover of 88.65 million shares worth N185.3 million in 95 deals. It

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 136,388 127,404.72 136,388 127,404.72

Company Name JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 40 40

Company Name AFROMEDIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

Quotation(N) 0.92

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 811,761 740,664.12 811,761 740,664.12

Quotation(N) 0.51

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 47,500 24,225.00 47,500 24,225.00

MEDIA

MORTGAGE COMPANIES Company Name RESORT SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

Quotation(N) 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,000 500.00 1,000 500.00

Quotation(N) 1.86

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 805,767 1,511,395.56 805,767 1,511,395.56

PACKAGING Company Name NIGERIAN BAG MANUFACTURING COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 43 43

PETROLEUM(MARKETING) Company Name MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC CONOIL PLC ETERNA OIL & GAS PLC. FORTE OIL PLC MOBIL OIL NIGERIA PLC. OANDO PLC TOTAL NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 11 26 33 6 18 100 19 213

Quotation(N) 63.86 34.36 5.29 14.20 148.00 29.00 203.32

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 37,648 2,395,763.64 58,421 1,950,807.60 197,021 993,956.85 4,792 64,644.08 34,289 4,899,454.62 842,321 24,481,070.09 16,252 3,139,396.72 1,190,744 37,925,093.60

PRINTING & PUBLISHING Company Name ACADEMY PRESS PLC. UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 24 9 33

Quotation(N) 3.32 3.60

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 545,867 1,799,398.44 109,380 399,727.98 655,247 2,199,126.42

Quotation(N) 17.55

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 7,000 117,620.00 7,000 117,620.00

REAL ESTATE Company Name UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 9 9

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST Company Name SKYE SHELTER FUND Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

Quotation(N) 100.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,500 150,000.00 1,500 150,000.00

ROAD TRANSPORTATION Company Name ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 2

Quotation(N) 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 465 232.50 465 232.50

Quotation(N) 0.60

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 730 438.00 730 438.00

TEXTILES Company Name UNITED NIGERIAN TEXTILES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

THE FOREIGN LISTINGS Company Name ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED Sector Totals Overall Totals

No of Deals 47 47

Quotation(N) 12.16

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,686,530 20,658,012.80 1,686,530 20,658,012.80

3,668

128,324,008

1,118,001,209.44

56

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

57

58

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

59

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

60

NEWS Obi to improve power supply

Abia tribunal dismisses petition

T

HE Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Umuahia, Abia State, has dismissed the petition brought before it by the former Deputy Governor and candidate of the Progressives Peoples Alliance (PPA), Chris Akomas, in the April 26 governorship election.

Akomas is challenging the declaration of Governor Theodore Orji as the winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Chairman of the three- man tribunal Justice Mobolaji Ojo based his ruling on the application of the first respondent, Orji, which challenged the competence of Akomas’s petition on six grounds. It said the petition was dead on arrival.

Orji said the petition was not signed as stipulated in the Electoral Act as amended and failed to state the scores of all candidates in the election . He also faulted the non-inclusion of other political parties, incompetence of the relief sought and failure to join the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance [APGA].

The tribunal ruled in favour of the governor on five grounds of the six, but threw out the last one which is the non-inclusion of the candidate of the (APGA.) Justice Ojo said the flaws in Akomas petition were incurable and irredeemable.

He said: “Therefore, the pe-

Court strikes out suit

A

N Enugu Court of Appeal has dismissed Nicholas Ukachukwu’s petition challenging the election of Senator Andy Uba for Anambra South.

Justice Abubakar Jega on Friday held that Ukachukwu’s petition was a pre- election matter which raised intra- party dispute.

He struck out the petition and upheld the ruling of the Election Tribunal sitting in Akwa.

Ukachukwu had challenged the declaration of Uba by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winner of the April 11 election, saying he was the sponsored candidate of the party, not Uba. From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

tition was already dead and messy on arrival that no subsequent argument and submissions by any lawyer, no matter how ingenious, could save the petition which was already doomed even before it was presented before the tribunal.”

Orji’s counsel, Uche Ihediwa, hailed the ruling, saying it would help the governor to deliver democracy dividends to the people of the state.

Ihediwa advised other petitioners and their lawyers to always horn their skills and documents properly within the Electoral Act, if they want to run away from incompetent cases.

Akomas counsel Emeka Ukachukwu described the ruling as a rape of democracy, adding that the tribunal failed to appreciate the issues raised in their petition.

Ukachukwu said his client would appeal the judgment after studying the contents of the ruling, “Akomas will definitely appeal against this ruling by the tribunal, after I must have briefed him on the outcome of the case.”

Orji described his victory at the tribunal as a further confirmation that he won overwhelmingly in the last governorship election.

Speaking through his Adviser on Electronic Media, Ugochukwu Emezue, Orji dedicated the victory to God. The governor urged his opponents, who are still in court, to drop their cases and join him to transform the state.

On the appeal instituted by Regan Ufomba of APGA and Emenike Owanta of DFPF, the governor said his victory at the last poll remains divine.

“I have said it over and over again that my victory is divine, God is on the throne. For me, victory will always come my way at every level.”

Clergy escapes assassination

P

ASTOR of Assemblies of God Church in Abakaliki Local Government of Ebonyi State Joshua Nguta yesterday escaped assassination at his residence within the church premises.

Narrating his ordeal to The Nation at the church located at the outskirts of Abakaliki, the state capital, he said the gunmen stormed the church by 1.am.

He said: “When the suspect-

From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakaliki

ed assassins missed, I shouted “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus”, which made the entire family to start shouting for help. But they pursued me to a distance before I veered off into the bush, apparently because of the alarm raised.

“I had to run to a neighbouring compound for refuge from where other people trooped out to search around for the hoodlums and

place calls to church leaders and prominent individuals from the community in Abakaliki.

“Prominent members of the church, elders and the District Superintendent of Assemblies of God Church, Abakaliki, Rev. Christopher Nshii and the Chairman of the Governing Board, Federal College of Education (Technical) Umunze, Anambra State, Emma Uguru, visited the church yesterday.

•Obi

G

OVERNOR Peter Obi of Anambra State has reiterated his administration’s commitment to improve power supply in Onitsha.

He said erratic power remained one of the greatest problems hindering the development of Nnewi and Onitsha industrial axis, adding that many companies had collapsed because of power problem.

He spoke yesterday during the inspection of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) facilities in Onitsha by the Minister of Power Prof.

Barth Nnaji.

Obi said his administration had attracted five major industries to the Onitsha Industrial Habour site, including a fortune 500 company that is investing over $120million, representing the biggest foreign

direct investment in Nigeria.

He said power was needed for their effective functioning.

The minister assured on additional lines to Onitsha from Benin, Delta, and Alaoji.

He said power would be strenghtened in Onitsha to accommodate the industries Obi attracted to the state.

Principal Manager of PHCN in Onitsha Kazeem Bakare explained the power situation in the town and said adequate measures had been put in place to power the Harbour Industrial site.

The governor and Nnaji were conducted round the Awada Transmission Base and other PHCN facilities.

Jonathan mourns Archbishop

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has commiserated with the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, over the death of its former Archbishop Jonathan Onyemelukwe.

Bishop of the Niger Owen Nwokolo announced the death of the former Archbishop of the Niger yesterday in Onitsha.

President Jonathan described the late Onyemelukwe as a master builder and excellent theologian.

Some National Assembly members and ministers hailed Onyemelukwe’s efforts and commitment towards transforming the society.

Primate of the church Rev. Nicholas Okoh, said the late Onyemeluke would be buried on October 6.

He said about 150 high priests would attend the funeral ceremony.

According to Nwokolo, Governor Peter Obi would assist in the funeral of the late Onyemelukwe.

The late Onyemelukwe served as Commissioner for the World Council of Churches Medical Mission, facilitated the creation of Awka and Nnewi dioceses and re-introduced the knighthood to give credible leadership to the laity.

Group tackles Akala over attack on Ajimobi

A

SOCIO-CULTURAL organisation, Oyo Patriotic Front,has lambasted former Oyo State Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala and some of his aides for their media attack on Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

Political associates of the former governor, including Chief Gbade Ishola, Dr. Kola Balogun, Alhaji Majekodunmi Aborode, Alhaji Muslim Oyedemi, Prince Dotun Oyelade and Dr. Nureni Adediran, had in a paid advertori-

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

al, claimed that Governor Ajimobi performed below expectation in his first 100 days in office.

However, the Oyo Patriotic Forum, in a statement in Ibadan at the weekend by its Chairman, Chief Jare Adepoju, said it was unthinkable that Alao-Akala’s associates could stand on a moral high ground to criticise the Ajimobi administration.

It said: “It is unthinkable that these major actors of a profli-

gate administration that ran Oyo State aground and left nothing but ruins could now constitute themselves into opposition and advocates of good governance.’’

The organisation argued that had the former governor and his cohorts performed wonders while in office as they now want the whole world to believe, “they would not have been shoved out of office unceremoniously by the politically-sophisticated people of the state.”

Motorcycle operators chair kidnapped

A

FIVE- man gang abducted the Chairman of Anambra State Motorcycle Transport Union of Nigeria (MTUN), Augustine Chinwuko, at the weekend.

The incident reportedly occurred at a popular drinking spot on St. Faith Cathedral Road, Awka.

Chinwuko was allegedly whisked away by

T

the hoodlums in his Peugeot car.

Police spokesman Emeka Chukwuemeka, confirmed the incident.

He said contact had been established with the abductors, adding that the command would rescue Chinwuko.

The Nation gathered that N10,000,000 is being demanded for his release.

Free medicare for less priviledged

EN thousand persons were treated of different ailments yesterday in Awka, the Anambra State capital.

The programme was sponsored by Emeke Nwogbo, the member representing Awka North/South at the National Assembly.

The people were also given drugs and mosquito nets.

The items were given out by his Foundation (CEN Care

Foundation) in collaboration with the Global Initiative for Peace, Love and Care.

Also, the drugs were supplied to representatives of the Primary Health Centres to enable more people benefit from Nwogbo’s gesture.

President- General of Ebenebe Cletus Osieme said: ’’ It is now that Awka North/ South is having quality representation.”

He hailed Nwogbo for re-

deeming his election promises barely three months after he was sworn in as a member of the House of Representatives.

Secretary of Isiagu Development Union, Jideoffor Nweke and President- General of Isiagu Development Union, Women Wing, Mrs Susana Uba, commended Nwogbo for the programme.

Nwogbo assured of true representation of his people.

Club members petition NJC

U

MUAHIA Ridge Club has petitioned the Chairman of the National Judicial Commission (NJC) in Abuja over the alleged refusal by Acting Chief Judge , Theresa Uzokwe, to release the case file of a court proceeding she handled on October 14 last year.

The petition, which was written and signed

From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

by the chairman of the club, (Lekwa Ezutah) and Secretary (Placid Nwachukwu) on behalf of members said the case was between their Chairman Nwachukwu and Reginald Friday Akanuo, their former chairman.

MTN concert in Makurdi, Enugu

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AKURDI and Enugu were rocked at the weekend by the MTN Power 10 Concert.

Musicians performed at Aminu Isa Kontagora Complex in Makurdi and Nnamdi

Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu as part of activities marking the celebration of MTN at 10 in Nigeria.

Calabar, Port Harcourt, Benin, Owerri, Ilorin, Abuja, Ibadan and Lagos will be cov-

ered by the telecommunication giant.

Reggae artiste Ras Kimono entertained the crowd in Makurdi. Other artistes on parade were Naeto, Martins, Omawunmi, Freewindz, Iyanya and Chidinma.

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

61

NEWS

Libya: Nigerians, other blacks in trouble for their skin colour Evacuate Nigerians now, says Falana V L IVIENNE looked out through the bars of the Tripoli jail cell where rebel authorities had held her for five days. She is one of a group of 90 Nigerian migrants who were rounded up during the climactic battle in the Libyan capital last month against Moammar Gaddafi’s troops, accused of possessing weapons and killing Libyans.

Vivienne said her only crime is her black skin.

“They think because we are black, we are fighting for Gaddafi,” she said, afraid to give her last name. “We were hiding. We were afraid.

There were gunshots and bombs.” Around her, other women — hairdressers, housekeepers, one pregnant — told the same story.

Since the uprising against Gaddafi’s 42-year-long rule began in February, many dark-skinned Libyans and sub-Saharan Africans here have feared for their lives.

More than 1.5 million subSaharan Africans are thought to work in Libya, a country of 6.5 million, according to Refugees International, most of them as day labourers in low-paid jobs. The International Organisation for Mi-

AGOS lawyer Mr. Femi Falana yesterday urged President Goodluck Jonathan to evacuate Nigerians in Libya.

Falana, in a statement, said over 200 Nigerians are being held in underground cells by Libyan rebels.

The statement reads: “Under the Umaru Yar’Adua regime the Muammar Gaddafi regime sentenced two hundred Nigerians to death in questionable circumstances. Although they were on the death row awaiting execution the Federal Government ignored the resolution of the House of Representatives to intervene in the case.Hence I filed a petition on behalf of the Socio-economic Rights and accountability (SERAP) before the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights in Banjul, Gambia.

It was the prohibition order issued by the commission on that occasion that saved the precious gration said it has evacuated about 1,400 migrants from Tripoli and that about 800 others have taken refuge in the fishing port of Janzour, west of the city.

Peter Bouckaert, the emergencies director for Human Rights Watch, said there was violence throughout the uprising against black Libyans and sub-Saharan Africans in the capital, adding that his group had confirmed Gaddafi’s use of foreign mercenaries there. The persecution, he

lives of the condemned Nigerians as they were immediately pardoned by President Gaddafi and repatriated.

“Since the Transitional National Council in Libya has continued to brutalize Nigerians and other black people without any justification, the federal government which has accorded recognition to the new regime should take urgent steps to evacuate over 200 Nigerians who are currently held in underground detention cells in Libya.

“In addition, the NTC should be reported to the Special Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court for unleashing racist attack on innocent black Africans in Libya.

“However, if any of the stranded Nigerians is killed or harmed by the rebel forces, the Federal Government should be held vicariously liable.”

added, was still going on.

“It really is racist violence against all dark-skinned people,” Bouckaert said. “This situation for Africans in Tripoli is dire.”

The rebels’ Transitional National Council (TNC) has called for restraint and an end to revenge attacks, but as it struggles to gain control of the country, it has done little to curb racial persecution.

In Janzour, migrant families sleep on bug-infested mattresses. Before aid groups

began providing fresh water and medical support this week, they drank and bathed in salt water from the sea. The women go in fear of rape.

“They need to be moved somewhere where they are safe,” said Niklas Bergstrans, the communications officer for Doctors Without Borders in Tripoli.

On Friday, a Nigerian, Edobar Igwe, 27, sat in the shade of a fishing boat. He has been sleeping in the Janzour camp for a month after

Yobe begs NLC to shelve minimum wage strike

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HE Yobe State Government has urged the leadership of the state Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to shelve its decision to begin an indefinite strike today.

The Head of the State Civil Service, Alhaji Dauda Yahaya, told reporters in Damaturu, the state capital, at the weekend that the government was committed to workers’ welfare and would support them.

Yahaya said the NLC demand for a new salary structure would cost the state an additional N500 million, monthly and increase its financial burden from N961.3 million to N1.9billion.

According to him, this would leave the government with only N400 million to execute capital projects.

Yahaya said: “Based on objective and practical consideration of the situation, the government believes that N400 million falls short of what it needs monthly to undertake capital projects and provide services to the residents, whose population now stands at 2.5 million.

“Government, therefore, proposes to the state council of the NLC an additional N300 million monthly on the July salary figure of N961,348,414.93, as against about N500 million that NLC demanded. The N300 million can adequately pay the N18,000 minimum wage.”

The Head of Service said the government collects about N2.4 billion monthly from the Federation Account, adding that there is no upward review of the state’s monthly receipts from the Federation Account.

“Whenever the revenue sharing formula is reviewed and we are able to get additional funds, the government

•Kano workers begin action today From Duku Joel, Damaturu and Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

will be ready to meet the other demands of the NLC,” Yahaya said.

Less than seven hours after his statement, the state NLC issued a bulletin, stating its resolve not accept partial implementation of its demands.

The statement reads: “Labour has not signed nor agreed on the government’s position. Therefore, we stand by our earlier position of putting down tools by midnight of September 12.”

The Kano State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has also directed civil servants in the state to begin an indefinite strike from today over what it described as a deliberate measure to compel the government to pay the 18,000 minimum wage.

The decision was reached at a meeting of the Executive Council of the state NLC held at the weekend.

NLC state chairman, Comrade Isa Inusa Danguguwa, told reporters in Kano that the labour movement had written two letters to the government on the need to pay the minimum wage.

Danguguwa said the NLC was left with no option than to begin the strike because the government did not respond positively to the union’s pleas.

He urged civil servants to comply with the directive to ensure the implementation of the minimum wage.

A chieftain of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Alhjaji Yakubu Gago, described the planned strike as unreasonable, ill-timed and uncalled for.

Gago told reporters in Kano yesterday that the strike bears a hallmark of sabotage, accusing some labour leaders of mischief.

He wondered why the NLC would embark on

strike when the government is implementing labourfriendly policies and has indicated its willingness to find an agreeable solution to the minimum wage crisis.

Gago noted that the minimum wage issue is a national problem.

Witnesses to present analyses at Kwara tribunal today From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

•Col. Gaddafi

fleeing Misurata, 131 miles east of Tripoli, when armed men came to his home and killed his girlfriend, he said.

Misurata residents are particularly vengeful toward black Libyans and African migrants because of Gaddafi’s use of the predominantly black neighboring town of Tawargha as a base during the long battle for their city this spring.

Igwe fled to the capital and hid until he heard that Janzour was “a safe place for blacks.” A mason, he came to Libya from Nigeria three years ago to find work.

“I can’t stay here, and I can’t go back because I have no money,” he said. “The rebels took $7,000 from me. They chase us with guns if we go out. Because of this war, they think we are those people who came to fight the rebels.

But I don’t have a gun.”

At the Maftouh jail in Tripoli, Aisha Mohammed pulled on the bars of her cell.

She and 10 other women — from Chad, Mali and Nigeria, countries where Gaddafi is said to have hired mercenaries — were being held for their protection, rebel fighters said. Of the 323 detainees here, 188 are African migrants, held separately because of fears that they might carry infectious diseases, the guards said.

•Culled from Washington Post

THE Kwara State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) will today call its expert witnesses to present before the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Ilorin, the report of their forensic analyses of the ballot papers used in the April election.

The witnesses are to present the analyses of the voter’s register, Form EC8A, EC8B, EC8C, EC8D, EC8D and other documents used in the election.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had opposed the calling of expert witnesses to present their analyses, promising the Justice Ngozi Emehelu-led tribunal to challenge it with a motion.

ACN filed a motion to call its expert witnesses but PDP raised an objection, saying it planned to bring a countermotion within seven days.

The tribunal later abridged the time to three days.

The PDP did not file any counter-motion, prompting the court to give the petitioners the green light to present the witnesses.

The tribunal had, in May, granted the ACN leave to inspect, scan, make copies and do forensic analyses of the materials purportedly used in the April 26 governorship poll.

ACN governorship candidate Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN) is praying the court to nullify elections in certain local government areas, wards, and polling units where malpractices were allegedly perpetrated and to declare him the duly elected governor based on valid votes.

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

62

FOREIGN NEWS

World leaders condemn raid on Israeli Embassy in Egypt

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SRAELI embassy in the Egyptian capital Cairo that left three people dead and up to 1,000 injured was condemned by world leaders yesterday.

A mob have broken into the embassy and dumped documents out of the windows as hundreds more demonstrated outside, prompting the ambassador and his family to leave the country.

The unrest was a further worsening of already deteriorating ties between Israel and post-Hosni Mubarak Egypt.

Yesterday David Cameron said he strongly condemned the attack, while the United States urged Egypt to protect the embassy.

This was despite Egyptian police making almost no attempt to intervene with the crowds.

They did fire shots into the air use tear gas, but hundreds of people tore down an em-

•Netanyahu

bassy security wall with sledgehammers and their bare hands.

Later around 30 protesters stormed into the Nile-side high-rise building where the embassy is located.

Just before midnight, the

group of protesters reached a room on one of the embassy’s lower floors at the top of the building and began dumping Hebrew-language documents from the windows, said an Egyptian security official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

In Jerusalem, an Israeli official confirmed the embassy had been broken into, saying it appeared the group reached a waiting room on the lower floor. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to release the information.

Israel’s ambassador, Yitzhak Levanon, his family and other embassy staff rushed to Cairo airport and left on a military plane for Israel, said airport officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

Briton killed in Kenyan resort, wife kidnapped

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BRITON has been killed and another kidnapped from a Kenyan resort, the Foreign Office says.

The married couple were staying at the luxury Kiwayu Safari Village, north of Lamu Island, when armed men attacked.

Kenyan police have revealed few details, but one source said Islamist group al-Shabab could be involved.

The resort is near the Somali border and Somali pirates could be involved, a BBC reporter says, although tourist resorts have not been targeted before.

The website for Kiwayu Safari Village says it has “organic security protocols as well as a professional security structure which provides us with overarching security and safety 24 hours a day.”

It adds: “Our relationship with the local

community, its fishermen and the local authorities is positive and mutually beneficial. We regularly review our security and safety to ensure it is both comprehensive and current.”

The Foreign Office said it was investigating the deaths, but gave no more details and did not release the names of the couple.

It continues to advise against all but essential travel to within 30km (18 miles) of Kenya’s border with Somalia. There have been previous attacks by Somali militia into Kenya, it says.

Somali pirates have in the past targeted fishing vessels not far from Lamu.

Kenyan police have said they have been on high alert in many areas of the country on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in the US.

NATO strikes pro-Gaddafi areas in Libya

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ATO warplanes struck several targets in areas still loyal to fugitive leader Moammar Gadhafi as revolutionary forces said they had to retreat from a key loyalist stronghold after coming under heavy fire.

The Western alliance said yesterday that it hit a tank,

two armed vehicles and one multiple rocket launcher the day before near Bani Walid.

Airstrikes also targeted the areas around Gaddafi’s hometown of Sirte, and the towns of Waddan and Sabha in the south.

The barrages came as Gaddafi loyalists pushed back

hard against an assault on Bani Walid in a sign that the battle is far from over.

An area military commander, Abdel-Razak al-Nadouri, says a large number of people entered Bani Walid but NATO asked them to pull back to allow for the airstrikes.

One dies as opposition holds rally in Sierra Leone

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FFICIALS say Sierra Leone’s top opposition presidential candidate was attacked and wounded ahead of a rally. Police say one person was killed and 18 wounded.

The government said in a statement that supporters of opposition candidate Julius Maada Bio clashed with ruling-party supporters on Friday in the southern city of Bo. An eyewitness says police fired into the crowd. Bio

later addressed the crowd with a bandage around his head.

The retired general will challenge President Ernest Bai Koroma in next year’s poll. He ruled the West African country briefly in 1996 after a military junta seized power in a coup.

Tens of thousands were killed in Sierra Leone’s 1991-2002 civil war. Koroma was elected in 2007 in the first presidential vote after the withdrawal of U.N. peacekeepers.

Zanzibar mourns ferry disaster victims

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HE Tanzanian region of Zanzibar has begun three days of mourning for the victims of a ferry sinking that killed nearly 200 people.

The boat was carrying about 800 people when it capsized between Zanzibar’s main islands of Unguja and Pemba.

Survivors said it was dangerously overloaded with passengers and cargo and was listing when it left port.

The government of the semi-autonomous region has ordered an investigation into what caused the disaster.

It is thought the boat capsized after losing engine pow-

er in the swift currents between the two Indian Ocean islands.

The accident happened early on Saturday and by nightfall about 600 survivors had been rescued.

Friends and relatives have been identifying the dead, which have been taken to a football ground in Unguja.

The bodies, placed in separate rows of men and women, have been wrapped in black blankets with their clothes placed next to them to help relatives find them.

Cannot play media. You do not have the correct version of the flash player. Download the correct version

Captain Neels van Eijk from Whirlwind Aviation flew out over the ocean to help search for survivors and describes what he saw to the BBC Rescue workers said the death toll could rise because more bodies were trapped in the capsized vessel, the MV Spice Islander.

The boat, licensed to carry 600 people, began its voyage in Tanzania’s largest city, Dar es Salaam.

It took on more passengers and cargo in Unguja before it left for Pemba.

Fearing the boat was overloaded, some passengers disembarked before it left port.

THE NATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

63

SPORT EXTRA GULDER 5-A-SIDE

Sholly Babes FC crowned champions •As Siasia, Eguavoen praise players and Nigeria Breweries

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•Iworima

ALL AFRICA GAMES

Controversy trails Iworima's gold medal feat •As Nigeria sails to 400m semi-final C ONTROVERSY yesterday trailed the gold medal won by Nigeria's triple jumper, Otonye Iworima, as an Algerian athlete filed a protest to the organisers of the All African Games in Mozambique.

As at press time yesterday, the final outcome of the meeting held in respect of the protest was not known, but from all indications, Nigeria's hope of

Stories from Akeem Lawal and Stella Bamawo, Maputo

increasing the medal haul at the games may be under threat.

Iworima had clinched the gold medal in the triple jump event at the competition.

Iworima jumped 14.47m.

However, Nigeria’s Blessing Ibrahim placed fifth in the jumps.

Although there was protest by an athlete from another country concerning Iworima’s jump, but the officials were able to resolve the controversy through a video evidence.

She had won a bronze medal in her first outing at the All Africa Games which was held in Algiers in 2007, while she finished second at the Commonwealth Games in 2006 and third at the African

Championships. For these achievements the The Athletics Federation of Nigeria chose her as the Nigerian Female Athlete of the Year.

Meanwhile in the women’s 400m race, Omolara Omotosho, Bukola Abogunloko and Magaret Etim have all qualified for the semi-finals. In the men’s 400m, Segun Ogunkola, Goday James and Tobi Ogunmola also qualified for the finals.

Okagbare, Osayomi, Asunmu qualify for 100m finals N IGERIA's hope of picking more medals at the ongoing All African Games holding in Mozambique was raised with three of her female athletes: Blessing Okagbare, Oludamola Osayemi and Gloria Asunmu qualifying for the finals of the 100m women on Sunday morning.

They will run today in the finals slated for Estadio National, Maputo, Mozambique.

Nigeria's fastest woman, Okagbare ran a time of 11.29secs in the first heat which had Cote d'Ivoire’s Marie-Jose Ta Lou coming second with a time of

•As Metu, Egwero still have preliminaries to do 11.56secs. Charlotte Mebenga of Cameroon was third with a time of 11.79secs while Flings Owusu Agyapong of Ghana could only manage a time of 11.88secs which placed her fourth.

In the second heat, Nigeria's Oludamola Osayemi’s 11.63secs got her the first place, while Delphine Atangana of Cameroon was close with 11.69secs. Liberia was third with Phobay Kutu running a time 11.88secs.

2011 ALL AFRICA GAMES TABLE As at Sunday 11th September 2011 SN 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9 10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16 17 18 19

Country South Africa Egypt Tunisia Algeria Nigeria Kenya Senegal Zimbabwe Cameroon Angola Mozambique Mauritius Botwsana Congo Mali Namibia S. Rep. Congo Seychelles Sao Tome & Principle

Gold 37 9 7 4 4 4 4 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Silver Bronze Total 21 22 80 5 5 19 13 6 26 7 16 27 5 5 14 4 6 14 3 8 15 6 1 10 1 4 7 2 3 6 2 2 4 2 2 4 1 4 5 1 2 3 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 2 2 0 1 1

Gloria Asunmu of Nigeria came tops in the third heat after running a time of 11.40secs, while Vida Anim of Ghana ran 11.59secs in second place. Fanny Laure Appès Ekanga of Cameroon ran 11.86 sec to finish third. Estelle Rabotovao of Madagascar ran 12.10secs to place fourth.

Meanwhile, in the men's 100m, Ogho-Oghene Egwero, Obinna Metu ran the fastest time in their respective heats to qualify for the

preliminaries. Metu who has been off the tracks for months got the fastest time of 10.03secs, while OgheneEgwero was close to Metu with 10.5secs. Other countries in the preliminaries are Hitjivirue Kaanjuka of Naminbia 10.5 secs, Fabrice Coiffic Mauritious 10.6secs, Gérard Kobéané Burundi 10.3secs, Francis Koné Gogbeu Cote d'ivoire 10.4secs.Others are Amr Ibrahim Mostafa Seoud of Egypt( 10.2secs).

In the men's 100m, the computer with the photo finish had a problem, so only hand times were available as at the time of filing the report.

Congo Brazzaville to host 2015 All Africa Games THE General Assembly of the Supreme Council for Sports (SCSA) has awarded to Congo Brazzaville the rights to organise the 2015 All Africa Games. The assembly which brings together ministers of sports in Africa met on 3rd September in Maputo and unanimously endorsed an earlier decision of the SCSA Executive Committee to award the 11th All Africa Games to Congo.

In accepting the offer to host the Games, the Minister of Sport and Physical Education of Congo, Alfred Leon OPIMBAT who also doubles up as SCSA President in Office reminded the assembly that Congo was the first country

to organize the All Africa Games in 1965 and thereby the 50th anniversary, golden jubilee of the Games which comes in 2015 could rightly be celebrated in Brazzaville.

On behalf of the Government and the great people of Congo, I wish to accept with humility the challenge bestowed upon our nation,” said Opimbat.

As you might all be aware, the All Africa Games were pioneered by the Republic of Congo in 1965 and it was only befitting that the golden jubilee of the Games in 2015 be commemorated and celebrated in the land of birth, the Republic of Congo,” he added.

HOLLY BABES Football Club of Lagos have emerged the 2011 Gulder Ultimate 5-A-side Football champions. The Lagos based team defeated Mcjeff Football Club of Port Harcourt by 2-0 in a pulsating final that was decided at the indoor Gymnastic Complex of Nigerian Institute of Sports (NIS), National Stadium, Surulere Lagos.

The final game was played at 3pm on Saturday September 11, 2011 with crème de la crème of the Nigerian football community, sporting media and lovers of the round leather game in the country storming the venue to watch the spectacular finals.

Young and energetic Kabir Nasir who won the Golden Boot at the maiden edition of the competition last year, came out shining this year with his team, Sholly Babes by scoring the two winning goals for his team. His team defied the scaring challenges posed by their opponent to ensure that they win the ultimate star prize of Five Million naira.

The champions also retained the Golden Boot Award won by the petite sensational

striker Kabir Nasir who scored seven goals in the competition and was awarded a N100,000 cash prize.

Madu Chidindu of Mcjeff FC won the Most Valuable Player award and went home with $1,000.

The victory earned the new champions Sholly Babes FC N5,000,000 as star prize while runner-ups MCjeff FC went home with N2,000,000.

Enugu’s Inter FC, who eliminated Pensioneers FC also from Enugu by a lone goal in a thrilling play-off earlier in then day, earned N1,000,000 as the 3rd place prize.

Among high networth sporting personalities at the finals was Super Eagles Chief Coach and Ex-International Samson Siasia. In his appreciative message to the sponsors of the football competition at the venue, SiaOne as he is fondly called by his fans, praised the players for exceeding display of talents in the competition, and thanked the Nigerian Breweries Plc for investing huge human and financial resources in promoting the game of football in Nigeria.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.7, NO. 1,881

WHO SAID WHAT ‘We are not asking the President to tar all dilapidated roads in the first 100 days. We do not expect the President to solve Nigeria's numerous problems in the first 100 days. We do not think the President is a miracle man who can transform Nigeria overnight. But we expect him to lead the drive for the nation's rebirth and give hope to our people….’

LAI MOHAMMED

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

T

HE Odyssey still remains one of the great epics of all time, and I ironically thought of President Barack Obama of the United States and the epic character Odysseus in the same breath recently when I was in the U.S. Obama is in the winter of politics. If you judge from his body language and his faltering rhetoric, you would know it is not only the lowest point of his career. It might be the emotional nadir of his life.

In my recent visit, I saw frustration among all facets of America, the rich and the poor. All races. The black. The white. The Hispanic. The Asians. All ideological brackets: right, left and centre.

The frustration is the economy. But even more frustrating is what they see as the indecisiveness of the president, a leader as pleader who acts like a follower, a wimp, a rudderless compromiser, a shepherd cut off from the sheep.

They say the president has become hostage to a rightwing group known as the Tea Party to which the opposition Republican Party is now hostage. They rattled the Obama honeymoon by wresting control of the Congress and uprooted the confidence America seemed to have regained after the cowboy ruins of the Bush era.

Now, they fear. Nothing is certain. Not jobs, not homes, not healthcare, not military ascendancy, not future. America the beautiful, the home of the brave, the brew of new culture, the brio of entrepreneurs, the envy of innovations, the engineer of new billionaires. That America seems stooped and wobbly, a thing well demonstrated in a new book of wistful and gloomy poignancy titled That Used To Be Us written by Thomas Friedman and Michael Mandelbaum.

I had a conversation with a medical doctor who is about 90 years old, and she wanted to know how President Jonathan was performing after what was a massive electoral victory.

I said he has not translated his victory because he lacks the nerve.

“That is what many are saying about our president,” she remarked, referring to Obama.

“They say he is a wimp.” She voted for Obama, and she is white. She echoed the view that Obama has not acted with grit against the Republicans, on many matters: healthcare reform, debt ceiling, immigration. He seems eager to conciliate rather than to assert a conviction and fight.

Some have admitted that Obama is a victim of a racist group and that if he were white, his opposition would be chastened and less lethal. So, the unwritten script of apparent lack of teeth in the Obama style is that he is a nonwhite leader playing the nonwhite character in racially sensitive America.

I had to explain this point to a few friends and journalism colleagues. I noted that Obama had the audacity of hope and he ran a campaign based on audacity. But he has governed without audacity.

Obama ran with a view to changing America by fixing the vicious selfishness of Washington politics. He promised to bring together the Democrats and Republicans and on the basis of that he could revive the economy,

RIPPLES NIGERIANS URGED TO HELP POLICE WITH INFORMATION–News

Help...and become a SUSPECT?

SAM OMATSEYE

IN TOUCH

omatseyesam@yahoo.com 08054501081(sms only) •Winner, Informed Commentary 2009 (D.A.M.E) •Columnist of the Year 2009 (NMMA)

Obama’s troubles made in America

•Obama

education, fix immigration and restore confidence in America.

His strategy failed. He has not been able to reach successfully across the aisle. His opponents like him, but they don’t respect him. They see him the same way they see other blacks who rise either in politics or corporate America.

Such characters are often smart, but that is not enough. It is however an essential ingredient.

He or she would have to be so smart that many whites hardly find a flaw in him. If they have a flaw, the strengths are so overwhelming. That often works when a mentor, a powerful and influential white, takes the person under his arms and opens the path upwards.

He has to have another character. He must understand his skin colour and his role within the racial orbit of America. That means you do not shake the system. He must not betray a subversive trait. He should work always within the system. If he wants to change things, every-

‘America made Obama the way he is. He is a mixed race person, but in America today, he is still a black man...He has had to navigate what to say, how to act and how not to get in trouble all his life’ one has to be ready for that. A nonwhite, especially a black person in America, has to guard against being perceived as angry.

In this regard, Obama is different from Jesse Jackson. Jackson ran a different sort of campaign. He ran like a black man trying to affirm a black sensitivity and point of view in American politics. Obama ran like an organisation man, trying to please everyone.

Obama knew this path well. Any black who rises to become a director, a CEO or even a midcareer manager understands that the role of a conciliator is the path to success.

Obama could win an election but Jesse Jackson could not even win the party nomination. When America voted for Obama, especially white America, they voted for a different Obama than the Blacks and Hispanics voted for. The whites voted for the Obama who understood that he could not rock the boat, a sort of black man you could invite to dinner with

HARDBALL

O

N September 2, Hardball wrote a comment entitled “Before Jos crisis gets completely out of hand.” It warned that the Federal Government appeared irresponsibly unable to arrest the drift to apocalypse, which the Jos mayhem was engendering. In the past two weeks or so, the death toll in the crisis has reached over 60 and counting. The problem itself and the killings that accompany it are worsening, and the government is paralysed to do anything.

At the bottom of the lethargy is the inability or unwillingness of the government to apprehend the murderers fanning the embers of ethnic and sectarian hatred in Jos. Even when a few suspects are arrested, somehow it does not result in diligent prosecution.

Indirectly the message going out is that the murder of innocent people in Nigeria can either be negotiated away or regarded as a mere socio-economic disturbance.

Reproduced below are excerpts from the September 2, 2011 Hardball, a poignant warning that we are running out of time to summon the will and the intelligence to arrest the drift, and a reminder that the government is complicit in the crime.

The violent disagreements between natives and settlers in Jos that sometimes manifest as conflicts between farmers and pastoralists, and between Christians and Muslims, has outlasted more than

your kids. The blacks voted for him the way Nigerians voted for Jonathan – for sentimental reasons.

Yet when he started to govern like a typical corporate black man, no one has defended him. Rather they say he is weak. That is the irony. America made Obama the way he is.

He is a mixed race person, but in America today, he is still a black man. He had a black father and white mother, and grew up among the white parent and grandparents. He has had to navigate what to say, how to act and how not to get in trouble all his life. If you study the man very well, he is one public figure who has not had a spontaneous burst in the public eye.

He is always guarded. Unlike his wife who can be edgy, Obama never makes a public faux pas. He has been called “no drama Obama.”

In a recent interview on CNN, President Clinton exploded with few spontaneous laughs. Obama never does that. Obama never really had a childhood. Such persons are afraid to err. Taking a risk is a big risk. He has to work within the system.

That is why I compare him to Homeric Odysseus, the king who had to fight many battles on land, sea and in the region of spirits in order to claim his throne. He had to fight to even win back his wife Penelope. The kingdom Ithaca made him king and he still had to fight for it. That is the irony of Obama today.

He lacks the heroic recklessness of Odysseus, but is battling for the soul of the country that crowned him. The point is, will America accept a different Obama, the one who fights, who speaks like Republican Rick Perry? Will the media and his opponents not say the man has suddenly grown angry and wants to show his true black self? During the health care debate, some protesters invoked image of an African monkey to describe him.

That is the dilemma Obama faces. Or maybe it is not a dilemma. Maybe he cannot be different. In spite of the refreshing difference of his recent jobs speech, Obama still came across as the elegantly caged bird. He still wants to play the conciliator even when his opponents hate to see any wisdom in his actions.

The job crisis is an irony in that many companies in America are sitting on incredibly huge volumes of cash but would not hire. If in the next 14 months, the jobs state is still dire, Obama’s victory will be difficult to pull off.

He can win if he runs a smart campaign and survives the way folks like him do in corporate America. But it will depend on the weakness of his opponent. That may be his saving grace. Neither Romney nor Perry is a great candidate. So he may win not because he is a good president yet but because his opponent is less attractive.

If he loses, then America, who made him, set him up to fail, and then they dumped him.

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Nigeria irresponsible on Jos five governments at the federal and state levels. No government at either level is any nearer finding a solution to the problem than when the crisis began.

Indeed, looking at the little that is being done to solve the Jos crisis, other than sterile peacekeeping, it is looking like each government has made up its mind to manage the problem until it can pass the mess on to its successor… More troubling, the increasingly short duration between flare-ups and the disturbing lack of impartiality by military and police peacekeepers are telling us we have little time left to solve the problem before it consumes everybody.

There is a Special Task Force on the ground to keep the peace in Jos and environs. But rather than abate or at least respond even faintly to the iron fist of patrolling soldiers, the crisis is worsening. The reasons for this unwholesome situation are many.

One of the key problems arising from the crisis is the welter of reports alleging that some of the military personnel on ground have taken sides. The natives have been quick to make this allegation.

The soldiers are themselves operating under very harsh and tense conditions, and are sometimes tempted to take out their frustrations on innocent and unarmed civilians. Combine these unhealthy mix with the fact that the main causes of the crisis

have either not been properly identified or the government has lacked the will to face them, and you recognise a possible apocalypse in the making.

The recent flare-up during the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations should alarm all Nigerians, not only for the brazenness of the battles between youths on both sides of the divide, but the fact that it is developing into a war of attrition gradually predisposing the peacekeepers into partisanship… The military authorities are doing their best to manage the unsavoury reports of their men’s partisanship and high-handedness, but more and more they are sounding incredulous.

Finding a solution to the Jos crisis is, therefore, now more urgent than ever. Positions are hardening, peacekeepers are finding it more difficult to be detached and are allegedly committing extra-judicial killings and other petty crimes such as kidnapping, and there is apparently no indication the Federal Government has a clue how to tackle the danger. The time has come for us to weigh the almost inevitable plunge to apocalypse, which a do-nothing philosophy engenders, against the inevitable discomforts of stepping on powerful toes, which summoning the political will to tackle the crisis implies. There is no question which direction to head.

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