The Nation September 14, 2012

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Aregbesola: Oyinlola drew N18.38b loan in one day NEWS

Page 4

•I acted on Assembly’s advice, says ex-governor

Bayelsans pray for First Lady

NEWS

P. 56

•Officials troop to Otuoke

www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 7, NO. 2248 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

Don’t re-open oil dichotomy, says Adoke

Mark seeks respect for national security From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

Kamarudeen Ogundele,

S

ENATE President David Mark yesterday urged journalists to ensure their stories do not constitute a threat to national security.

Mark urged them to use the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act when in doubt.

The Senate President spoke in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, while opening the Eighth All Nigerian Editors Conference.

The theme of the conference: “The Nigeria Editor and National Security”, Mark said was significant considering the security challenges facing the country.

“I believe that the FoI Act, which the National Assembly passed, will give you an opportunity to do enough to be able to differentiate between what constitutes a national security and what do not.

“I believe once you are able to dialogue on sensitive issues of national security, your reportage will not become a nationContinued on page 5

Abuja

C

ALLS for the abrogation of the onshore/ offshore oil dichotomy in the allocation of revenue is dangerous, Attorney General of The Federation and Minister of Justice Mohammed Adoke warned yesterday.

He spoke during a valedictory session in honour of retiring Justice Francis Tabai of the Supreme Court in Abuja.

Adoke said the public must avoid overheating the polity through the current debates on the desirability or otherwise of re-opening the issue bordering on the sharing formula.

•From left: Maku, Aremo Osoba, Senator Mark, Akpabio and Adefaye at the ceremony...yesterday

PHOTO: NAN

Continued on page 4

Jonathan, governors meet to stave off security breach US warns citizens of likely protests in Nigeria From Augustine Ehikioya and Vincent Ikuomola Abuja

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan and governors of the North were meeting last night to stave off a likely spillover of the anti-American protests in some Arab countries.

On the agenda at the Presidential Villa were the Petroleum Industry Bill, flooding and the onshore-offshore dichotomy, according to Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu, who is also the chairman of the Northern States’ Governors’ Forum.

The meeting rose at 10:45pm.

Vice President Namadi Sambo also attended.

Only the governors of Taraba and Sokoto states were absent and not represented. The remaining 17 governors in the North, where most people are Muslims, were Continued on P4 •Obama

•Protesters trying to break through the gate of the US Embassy in Yemeni capital, Sanaa...yesterday. SEE ALSO PAGES 2&3

PHOTO: AFP

•OANDO LISTED ON TORONTO EXCHANGE P11 •NIMASA, TOMPOLO ARREST VESSEL P11

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

2

NEWS ATTACKS ON AMERICA

Protests against America spread T

HE U.S. Embassy in Yemen was briefly breached by protesters yesterday, and American diplomatic compounds throughout the Muslim world remained on high alert, as outrage spread over a mysterious anti-Muslim film apparently made in the United States.

In Tehran, anti-American protesters gathered outside the Swiss Embassy, which represents U.S. interests in Iran, CNN reported. The United States does not have an embassy in Iran.

There were more protests outside the Cairo embassy yesterday. Security forces eventually pushed the demonstrators away from the embassy onto Tahrir Square – the crucial site of Egypt’s 2011 revolution.

Agence France-Press reported that about 100 demonstrators in Dhaka,

the Bangladeshi capital, burned an American flag and chanted slogans on Thursday, including “We won’t accept mocking of Prophet Muhammad” and “Down with American imperialism.”

The protesters were mostly seminary students, the news agency reported. They gathered outside the Baitul Mokarram Mosque, the largest in the country, but called for more protests Friday and said the U.S. embassy could be the target.

Bangladeshi police told AFP security at the embassy was being enhanced.

Witnesses said hundreds of people stormed the embassy in Sanaa, Yemen’s capital, breaking through the outer security perimeter and setting fire to a building before being driven back by Yemeni security forces. Clashes continued for a third

day outside the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, and smaller protests were reported in front of diplomatic offices in Iran and outside a mosque in Bangladesh.

The violence in Yemen again raised questions about whether vulnerable Middle East governments are willing or even able to protect American targets in their countries.

It was was a further measure of the depth of anger about the film insulting the prophet Muhammad, which was reportedly made in California, although much about its origins remains unknown.

Yemen’s president, Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi, quickly issued an apology to the United States, and ordered an investigation into incident.

“The Government of Yemen condemns any and all acts of violence

against diplomatic personnel and facilities,” a statement from Yemen’s government said. “We strongly urge all those that would wish to incite others to violence to cease immediately.”

The unrest in Sanaa came two days after U.S. Ambassador to Libya J. Christopher Stevens and three other staffers were killed at the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, and angry protesters breached the walls of the U.S. Embassy in Cairo.

President Barack Obama spoke by phone with Libyan President Mohamed Magariaf late Wednesday, accepting condolences for the American deaths in Benghazi and expressing appreciation for the cooperation between the United States and the people and government of Libya in the wake of the attack, the White

House said.

In Brussels, Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi yesterday gave his strongest condemnation yet of the attack on the Cairo embassy. He had issued only tepid statements on Wednesday, and his Muslim Brotherhood organization had called for further protests in front of the diplomatic compound.

Morsi said he condemned the security breach on Tuesday — in which protesters scaled the walls, pulled down an American flag and destroyed it — “in the clearest terms.”

“I assured Barack Obama that we will not permit any attacks” on U.S. diplomatic compounds across Egypt, said Morsi, who is in Belgium for a visit to the European Union.

But Morsi also denounced the antiIslamic film that appears to have

•YEMEN : Yemeni protesters try to breaking through the US Embassy in Sanaa... yesterday.

PHOTO: AFP

•YEMEN: Yemeni protesters gathering around fire during a demonstration outside the US Embassy in Sanaa over a film mocking Islam ...yesterday.

The film behind the fury C

LIPS of the film, which are said to show the Muslim Prophet Mohammad engaging in crude and offensive behaviour, were posted online weeks ago under several titles, including “Innocence of Muslims”.

The self-proclaimed director of the film, Sam Bacile, said on Wednesday he was in hiding following the attack on America’s Libyan embassy, which killed the US Ambassador to Libya.

Bacile described himself to journalists over the phone as a US-based property developer of Jewish and Israeli origin. Bacile told various media operations that the film cost $5 million, some of which was put forward by around 100 Jewish donors.

Yet by the day’s end, his story had unravelled, with actors and producers involved in the film dispelling a number of myths.

American actors and actresses who YEMEN : Yemeni protesters shouting slogans during a protest against a film deemed insulting to the Prophet appeared in “Innocence of Muslims” Mohammed in Sanaa ...yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

•YEMEN: A Yemeni protester waving a flag bearing Islamic calligraphy outside the gate of the US Embassy in Sanaa ....yesterday.

issued a joint statement saying they were misled about the project and alleged that some of their dialogue was crudely dubbed during post-production.

In the English-language version of the trailer, direct references to Muhammad appear to be the result of post-production changes to the movie. Either actors aren’t seen when the name “Muhammad” is spoken in the overdubbed sound, or they appear to be mouthing something else as the name of the prophet is spoken.

One of the actresses, Cindy Lee Garcia, told Gawker.com that the film was originally entitled “Desert Warriors” and said the script did not contain offensive references to Islam.

She said the director, who identified himself as Bacile, told her then that he was Egyptian.

Ms Garcia said the film was shot in the summer of 2011 inside a church near Los Angeles, with actors standing in front of a “green screen,” used to depict background images. About 50 actors were involved, she said.

Experts questioned the £5m price tag of the film citing the low production values evident in its stilted dialogue and wooden acting.

The existence of Bacile has yet to be proved, with evidence mounting that the film’s key player could be a southern Californian Coptic Christian with a chequered past.

Steven Klein, from Southern California, described himself as a con-

sultant and spokesman for the project- though not the film maker. He told Reuters he believed the name was a pseudonym.

“I do know he’s not an Israeli Jew and I can only guess he threw that out to protect his family, which I do know is back in the Middle East,” Klein told Reuters.

Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, 55, told The Associated Press in an interview outside Los Angeles that he had managed logistics for the company which produced the film.

Nakoula also denied he had directed the film. However, the mobile phone number given to the AP for Bacile was traced to the same address as Nakoula.

Federal court papers filed in a 2010 criminal prosecution against Nakoula said he had used numerous aliases in the past. Among the fake names, the documents said, were Nicola Bacily and Erwin Salameh.

During a conversation outside his home, Nakoula offered his driver’s licence to show his identity but kept his thumb over his middle name, Basseley. Records checks by the AP subsequently found that middle name as well as

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

3

NEWS ATTACKS ON AMERICA

through Yemen, Iran, Bangladesh sparked many of the protests, adding that he had spoken to Obama about it.

“I called him to ask him to put an end to such behaviour,” Morsi said, referring to the making of the film.

In Yemen, witnesses said security forces allowed hundreds to gather on a usually-sealed-off street that is in front of the embassy. Protesters stormed a wall, set fire to a building inside the compound, broke windows and carried away office supplies and other souvenirs before being pushed back and dispersed by Yemeni security forces.

“We want to expel the American ambassador,” said Abdelwadood alMutawa, a protester who was walking out of the embassy compound. He said he was motivated by reports of the movie mocking Prophet Muhammad, even though the film was not made by,

•EGYPT: An Egyptian protester holding a makeshift shield while throwing a stone •EGYPT •EGYPT: An Egyptian protester grabbing a tear gas canister to throw back at the •EGYPT at the riot police near the US Embassy in Cairo...yesterday PHOTOS: AFP riot police near the US Embassy in Cairo...yesterday

sanctioned by or connected to the U.S. government.

“We cannot accept any insult to

our prophet,” Mutawa said. “It’s a red line.”

Another protester said that some

of the security forces protecting the building appeared sympathetic to the demonstrators’ cause.

“Some soldiers were telling me, ‘These are dogs, and we cannot accept insulting our prophet,’ “ said Yusef Mohammad.

We knew the film could inflame tension, says America

Senior United States administration officials yesterday gave an update of the events in Libya to reporters. The officials, who spoke in Washington anonymously, said the Obama administration asked a pastor linked to the film believed to have precipitated the attacks to consider withdrawing his support for the film. Excerpts:

H

OW it happened

other connections to the Bacile persona.

Pastor Terry Jones, who sparked outrage in the Arab world when he announced plans to burn Qurans on the ninth anniversary of 9/11, said he had discussed promoting the film with its director but had not met the filmmaker in person.

Jones added: “I have not met him.

Sam Bacile, that is not his real name. I just talked to him on the phone. He is definitely in hiding and does not reveal his identity. He was quite honestly fairly shook up concerning the events and what is happening. A lot of people are not supporting him..”

Bacile’s phone number was given to the AP by Morris Sadek, a conservative Coptic Christian in the US who had promoted the anti-Muslim film in recent days on his website.

“Its release at this specific time is part of a malicious campaign targeting defamation of religions aiming to divide the people, most notably the Egyptian people,” the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church said.

The film’s spokesman Klein blamed the violence on Muslim extremists.

“Do I have blood on my hands? No,” said Klein, who the Southern Poverty Law Centre said has worked with a militia at the California-based Church at Kaweah and conducts drills with a San Francisco-based group named Christian Guardians.

“Those people are screwballs,” Klein said of the SPLC. He added he is not “what these people say.”

At approximately 4 p.m.

Eastern Daylight Time yesterday, which was about 10 p.m. in Libya, the compound where our office is in Benghazi began taking fire from unidentified Libyan extremists.

By about 4:15, the attackers gained access to the compound and began firing into the main building, setting it on fire. The Libyan guard force and our mission security personnel responded. At that time, there were three people inside the building: Ambassador Stevens, one of our regional security officers, and Information Management Officer Sean Smith.

They became separated from each other due to the heavy, dark smoke while they were trying to evacuate the burning building.

The Regional Security Officer made it outside, and then he and other security personnel returned into the burning building in an attempt to rescue Chris and Sean. At that time, they found Sean. He was already dead, and they pulled him from the building.

They were unable, however, to locate Chris before they were driven from the building due to the heavy fire and smoke and the continuing small arms fire.

At about 4:45, our time here in Washington, U.S. security personnel assigned to the mission annex tried to regain the main building, but that group also took heavy fire and had to return to the mission annex. At about 5:20, U.S. and Libyan security personnel made another attempt and at that time were able to regain the main building and they were able to secure it. Then, due to continued small arms fire, they evacuated the rest of the personnel and safe havened them in the nearby annex.

The mission annex then came under fire itself at around 6 o’clock in the evening our time, and that continued for about two hours. It was during that time that two additional U.S. personnel were killed and two more were wounded during that ongoing attack.At about 8:30 p.m. , our time here in Washington, so now 2 o’clock in the morning in Libya, Libyan security forces were able to assist us in regaining control of the situation. At some point in all of this

– and frankly, we do not know when – we believe that Ambassador Stevens got out of the building and was taken to a hospital in Benghazi. We do not have any information what his condition was at that time. His body was later returned to U.S. personnel at the Benghazi airport.

Later that evening, we were able to bring our chartered aircraft from Tripoli into Benghazi to evacuate all of our Benghazi personnel back to Tripoli. This evacuation, which had to occur in a couple of planeloads, included all of our American Benghazi personnel, including the three wounded, and the remains of our fallen colleagues.

In the meantime, we have taken our Embassy in Tripoli down to emergency staffing levels. We have re-

duced the staff down to what we call emergency staffing levels. And we have requested increased support from the Libyans while we assess the security situation.

Cause of Stevens’ death We were not able to see him until his body was returned to us at the airport.

You can imagine that we will not be able to say anything about the cause of death until we’ve had a chance to perform an autopsy.

al-Qaida link Frankly, we are not in a position to speak any further to the perpetrators of this attack. It was clearly a complex attack. We’re going to have to do a full investigation. We are committed

to working with the Libyans both on the investigation and to ensure that we bring the perpetrators to justice. The FBI is already committed to assisting in that, but I just – we’re – it’s just too early to speak to who they were and if they might have been otherwise affiliated beyond Libya.

Pentagon/ anti-Mohammed film I can confirm that the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General Martin Dempsey, spoke by phone this morning with Pastor Jones. This was a brief call in which General Dempsey expressed his concerns over the nature of the film, the tensions it could inflame, and the violence it could cause.

And he asked Mr. Jones to consider withdrawing his support for the film.

Stevens… first U.S. ambassador to be killed in an attack since 1979

A

S a mid-level U.S. diplomat, Chris Stevens dreamed up the idea of building bridges with Iran by having the United States extend greetings to the country on Nowruz, the Persian New Year. He took the plan to then-U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who quickly blessed it.

“That was easy,” Stevens told Albright, according to a State Department colleague knowledgeable about the conversation in the late 1990s.

“Yeah, not like most stuff in this building,” replied Albright, who later turned to him for other ideas on easing tensions between the two nations.

Laconic, creative and charming, Stevens died on Tuesday when Islamist gunmen attacked the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, killing the U.S. ambassador to Libya along with three other Americans.

Current and former colleagues describe Stevens, 52, as a man of decency and intelligence whose easy manner belied a serious mind and a yen for tough assignments.

In some ways, his career pinnacle may have been his assignment last year to Benghazi as the U.S. emissary to the Libyan rebels who brought down dictator Muammar Gaddafi, a job that led to his elevation to ambassador this May. The first U.S. ambassador to be killed in an attack since 1979, Stevens was hailed on Wednesday as a skilled and fearless diplomat who had been among the State Department’s rising stars and who preferred being in the field.

The California-born veteran diplomat, an Arabic and French speaker, served as deputy mission chief in Tripoli

•Stevens after he was evacuated from the embassy.

between 2007 and 2009, in the waning years of Gaddafi’s mercurial and brutal rule in the oil-rich country.

As the country dissolved into civil war, he was appointed the U.S. envoy to the Transitional National Council, which was coordinating the revolt against Gaddafi. He returned aboard a Greek cargo freighter that docked in Benghazi in April 2011.

Stevens graduated from the University of California at Berkeley in 1982 and taught English as a Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco, where “Stevens fell in love with the Middle East,” Clinton said. He earned a law degree in 1989.

At age 31, Stevens joined the foreign service in 1991 and had postings in Cairo, Damascus, Riyadh and Jerusalem, before working in Libya.

4

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

NEWS 2015: INEC gets ballot paper design machines

T

•President Goodluck Jonathan with outgoing Austrian Ambassador Dr. Stefan Scholz, during his farewell visit to the State House in Abuja…yesterday

Jonathan, governors meet to stave off security breach Continued from page 1 present.

At the meeting were: Governors Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Idris Wada (Kogi), Seidu Dakingari (Kebbi), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Tanko al-Makura (Nasarrawa), Patrick Yakowa (Kaduna), Jona Jang (Plateau), Isa Yuguda (Bauchi), Ibrahim Geidam (Yobe), Kashim Shettima (Borno), (Bauchi) and Gabriel Suswam (Benue).

Represented by their deputies were: Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Muritala Nyako (Adamawa), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe) and Ibrahim Shema (Katsina).

The United States yesterday put its citizens in Nigeria on the alert, following the protests, which were sparked by an anti-Islam film produced by an American The protests intensified yesterday in front of the US Embassy in Yemen and Egypt, following its eruption in Libya’s second largest city, Benghazi on Tuesday. US Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three embassy officials were killed during the attack on the US Consulate in Benghazi.

Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar on Tuesday issued a red alert and announced deployment of security in embassies and high commissions in Nigeria to forestall possible attacks by fundamentalists.

The US Embassy followed suit yesterday, with a travel

warning and alert for US citizens living in Nigeria or visiting.

The Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens reads: “The U.S. Mission in Nigeria issues this emergency message to update U.S. citizens on the current threat situation in Nigeria.

“The U.S. Mission reminds citizens of the continued threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations, and other violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests overseas. Violent and deadly demonstrations and attacks occurred in Cairo, Egypt, and Benghazi, Libya, during the past 24 hours, including a lethal attack against the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi.

“Extremists may attempt to target U.S citizens and other Westerners in Nigeria. The U.S. Mission in Nigeria strongly urges U.S. citizens in Nigeria to consider their personal security and to keep personal safety in the forefront of their planning.

“Last week, extremists attacked cellular telephone towers in Northern Nigeria, damaging over 30 towers and degrading cellular telephone and internet communications nationwide.

“Additional attacks could further weaken the ability of citizens to communicate through cellular telephones and the internet. Land line telephone communications in Nigeria remain limited. U.S. citizens should attempt to arrange for multiple means of communication during emergencies.

“This year, extremists have attacked many locations in Nigeria, killing and injuring hundreds of people. They have threatened churches, mosques, media houses, police stations, immigration and customs offices, financial institutions, large hotels, shopping malls and markets, state government offices, communications centers, beer gardens, and nightclubs.

“Attackers have also burned and destroyed several public and private schools in Borno, and targeted several educational institutions in Kano and churches in Plateau, Bauchi, Kaduna, Niger, and Borno states. Additionally, extremists continue to target westerners for abduction. As such, the situation in the country remains fluid and unpredictable.”

The statement warned U.S. citizens to exercise caution and discretion when deciding to attend large functions or visit establishments identified as potential targets.

Urging its citizens to respond appropriately if they detect suspicious activities, the Embassy said: “Because of ongoing security concerns within the Federal Capital Territory, U.S. citizens should continue to expect heavy traffic congestion, road blocks, and significant police/security force deployments. All U.S. citizens should remain vigilant, pay attention to their surroundings, limit exposure to large crowds, and keep their cellular telephones in close proximity for use in cases of emergen-

cy.

“U.S. citizens travelling to or residing in Nigeria are strongly advised to enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). U.S. citizens without Internet access may enroll directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By enrolling, you make it easier for the U.S. Mission in Nigeria to contact you in case of emergency.”

There was security blanket around the US embassy in Abuja yesterday. It was observed.

Libyan authorities have made four arrests in the investigation into the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi in which the U.S. ambassador and three embassy officials were killed, the deputy interior minister Wanis Sharif said yesterday.

“Four men who are Libyans, are in custody and we are interrogating them because they are suspected of helping instigate the events at the U.S. consulate,” Sharif told Reuters. He gave no more details. . The attackers were part of a mob blaming America for a film they said insulted the Prophet Mohammad.

American warships were moved closer to Libya yesterday as US drones are set to target suspected killers of the ambassador.

President Barack Obama has vowed to bring to justice those responsible for the Benghazi Continued on page 59

HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has received ballot paper design machines as the election agency intensifies preparations for the 2015 elections.

The election agency confirmed that it is in receipt of 17 out of 22 equipment meant for its Graphics Centre where ballot papers for the 2015 polls will be designed.

The commission also explained that once it is in control of design of its ballot papers, the issue of fake copies will not arise.

It claimed that it is restructuring its personnel to put square pegs in square holes.

Chief Press Secretary to INEC chairman, Mr. Kayode Idowu, who made the clarifications in an interview with our correspondent, said the costs of the equipment are borne by International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES).

Since 2007 elections, IFES has been providing technical assistance and strategic capacity building for INEC. Idowu said: “INEC, with the support of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) is setting up a Graphics Centre that will give it in-house capacity to develop and produce its civic / voter education materials, design and produce training manuals and allied materials, design drafts of ballot papers, print small-scale education materials, among others.

“So far, 17 items of equipment have been delivered; five more items will be coming in a couple of days; and others by month-end.”

Idowu gave an insight into how the graphics centre will be managed.

He added: “The centre will be fully manned by specially trained staff of the Commission, with all the quality-control processes in place; hence the issue of fake ballot papers does not arise.

“The staff with graphics and computer skills are being pooled, both from the headquarters and state offices of INEC. “The centre is largely a graphics centre; the issue of printing of ballot papers is not in the equation (maybe yet).

As for costs (of the Centre equipment?), these are borne largely by IFES.” Idowu added: “Mechanisms for stopping late delivery of ballot papers “by contractors” include ensuring early printing.

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

“But really, late delivery of ballot papers hasn’t been an issue for the Commission even before now.”

On the ongoing reforms in the commission, he said it is aimed at achieving efficiency.

He added: “Highlights of restructuring in INEC involves “putting square pegs in square holes” and making the entire organisation very nimble and efficient; such that it could deliver free, fair and credible elections as a norm, not an exception.”

The Nation had exclusively reported that the Chairman of INEC and his team have agreed to merge the 29 departments in the commission into nine (9) between now and January 2013.

Although the chairman wanted seven departments, the National Commissioners insisted on nine.

The restructuring is based on the system review of the commission by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

The audit firm’s report reads in part: “Over departmentalised and sectionalised corporate structure. The corporate structure has too many departments, directorates and units, some of which were created to satisfy selfish growth interests and in some cases to prevent discord between staff on the sa “Absence of a strategic thinking role for the commission. The corporate structure did not make provision for a corporate planning and development functions whose responsibility will include facilitation of strategic planning process and the coordination of the commission’s development initiatives. This creates difficulty in strategic planning and continuous improvement.”

•Prof. Jega

I inherited a bankrupt state, says Osun Governor Aregbesola

O

SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday took a break from his usual official routine.

He appeared before the Prof. Femi Odekunle-led panel of inquiry set up by the government to investigate the circumstances surrounding the procurement of an N18.38 billion loan by his predecessor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

The six-member panel has a mandate to look into other major financial transactions by the government between May 29, 2003 and November 27, 2010 Oyinlola, the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), gave his evidence before the governor appeared at the panel.

Aregbesola said the idea behind the loan was not bad but

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

its timing and application were wrong.

He also said the facility would have been unnecessary if the excess crude oil accruing to the State of the Living Spring had been judiciously applied.

The loan was obtained in the twilight of the Oyinlola administration to finance the establishment of six stadia and other projects Aregbesola, whose administration inherited the N18.38 billion loan from the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc., explained why he renegotiated the facility with First Bank of Nigeria Plc. He said his predecessor bequeathed unto him a government that was technically in-

solvent.

Stressing that there was nothing strange in a government taking credit facility from financial institutions, Aregbesola said the way and manner the former governor drew down the loan in one fell swoop was questionable.

Equally disturbing, he noted, was the fact that the funds were lodged in an account with the same bank without accruing any interest for the state.

Aregbesola queried the rationale behind the simultaneous payment of N615 million interests and charges on a loan which was obtained at the 11th hour of the administration.

He told the panel: “Why was the entire loan fully drawn by the PDP adminis-

tration prior to the commencement of projects, even when the construction periods of the various projects for which it was meant were between 1224 months?

“It is imperative to note that the drawdown of the entire loan once and for all in a single day when the entire money was not required to be utilised immediately was suspect.”

Aregbesola also told the commission that Oyinlola’s action exposed the government to interest liability for funds not needed and just idle in the bank.

The governor said: “The Oyinlola administration ran foul of simple rule of sound financial management. In exposing the state to huge monthly repayment of a sum

of N615 million to service a loan that has no viable means of repayment and need not to have been drawn down.

“On assumption of office, the state government directed the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Budget to negotiate with the officials of UBA Plc and First Bank Plc which offered to refinance the N18.3 billion loan.

“UBA Plc insisted that the 13 per cent annual interest rate charged was the least it could offer and added that interest rate had gone up generally beyond 13 per cent as at December, 2010 when the negotiation took place.

“However, instead of a downward review of the rate, the bank insisted on 13 per cent interest rate per annum but offered to increase the ten-

or to 47 months.”

The governor said the unspent balance of the loan was returned to the bank to bring it down to N8.3 billion and that his administration had to shop for a more convenient credit line to pay off the balance and the bank charges, adding that First Bank presented this convenient credit line.

Continued on page 60

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THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

5

NEWS

ACN calls on Lamido to stop persecution T of its Jigawa chair HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has called on Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido to stop the continued harrassment and persecution of its Jigawa State Chairman, Dr. Abubakar Hassan Fulata and members of his family.

In a statement at the end of its National Executive Committee meeting yesterday in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said it can no longer standby and watch Lamido continue to use the police and the courts in Jigawa State to haunt and intimidate Dr. Fulata and members of his family. The party said Fulata’s only sin is that he testified

at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal that Lamido is a secondary school drop out and that although he attended the famous Barewa College in Zaria, he never sat for the West African School Certificate examination.

Since then, according to the party, Lamido has subjected Dr. Fulata to unimaginable persecution and harassment, a catalogue of which can only find parallel in the Uganda of Idi Amin and Sadam Hussein’s Iraq.

The party said: “For instance on the 9th of June while this matter was still before the

Election Petition Tribunal, Dr. Fulata was physically attacked with machetes and sticks at the premises of the Election Petition Tribunal by the PDP thugs under the very nose of the police.

“Again on the 26th of June 2011, two days after the Election Petition Tribunal had ruled in favour of Lamido, Dr. Fulata was arrested and detained for “defaming” the character of Lamido whereafter he was remanded in prison for eight days.

“On the 11th of May this year, notwithstanding a restraining order of a high

PHCN to publish debtors’ names

court, a team of over 50 policemen arrested Dr. Fulata and detained him at the Jigawa Police Command for three days after which he was charged to court for kidnapping. He spent another three days in prison custody before he temporarily regained his freedom on the 19th of May 2012.

“On the 11 th of July 2012, the Dutse High Court inexplicably withdrew its earlier restraining order and Dr. Fulata was promptly declared wanted by the police for arraignment before a Sharia Court and has since then

gone into hiding for fear of his life.

Meanwhile, Dr. Fulata’s wife has been evicted out of her family house in Dutse and his entire family as of today are scattered all over the country.

This harassment and persecution of Dr. Fulata and his family by Lamido has been described by the ACN as unconstitutional, unlawful and a gross abuse of power and has exposed the governor as intolerant, vindictive, despotic, ruthless and unfit to lead a civilised society. The party has therefore vowed to use all legal and constitutional means to stop this political harassment and persecution of its state chairman.

T

HE Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) Plc will soon publish names of its debtors in the national dailies if they fail to pay their debts amounting to N16 billion.

Malam Idris Mohammed, Managing Director of the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, spoke at the First Customers Consultative Council meeting on Wednesday in Kaduna. He expressed regret that the company had such a huge outstanding debt with electricity consumers despite all efforts to ensure regular and effective debt collection.

The managing director, who said the present debt profile of N16 billion was inimical to the company’s corporate survival, urged consumers to settle their bills to ensure good service delivery at all times.

Mohammed said more than 50,000 pre-paid meters had been distributed to customers in Kaduna metropolis, Samaru and Zaria Business Units.

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

A Federal High Court, Abuja, will today rule on whether the impeachment proceedings against President Goodluck Jonathan should continue or not.

The House of Representatives has threatened to impeach Jonathan over poor budget implementation.

The National Chairman of African Liberation Party (ALP), Dr. Emmanuel Osita Okere, wants Justice Gabriel Kolawole to stop the House.

Moving the exparte application, the Applicant’s counsel, Alex Williams prayed the court to grant an interim order restraining the House, saying, it was capable of distracting the president from discharging his duties.

The defendants are House Speaker Aminu Tambuwal; Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and President Goodluck Jonathan.

In his affidavit in support of the originating summons, the plaintiff stated that the move to impeach the president is heating up the polity He described it as a disguise to cause political turmoil.

ASUU president makes case for education •Mr. Ray Ekpu (left), Special Assistant to the Minister of Information, Mr. Kingsley Osadolor and former Editor of Sunday Times/Director of Information, Lagos State Mr. Tunde Awobiyi at the conference...yesterday.

Mark to editors: ensure your reportage doesn’t jeopardise all of us will agree and say Godswill Akpabio. national security this is a comprehensive list Chairman of the occasion, are political office holdContinued from page 1

ers, we have to be careful not to be insensitive to issues that constitute a threat to national security”.

Mark urged the editors to be fair and objective on matters affecting the well-being of Nigerians.

He said:“I don’t believe you are an opposition party.

I believe we are working for the same objective and towards the same goals. Giving information to the people and the information we give can only be based on what we see, the reality on the ground and facts.

“I am in support of giving out information but we have to draw the line but there is no dividing line between what constitutes a threat to national security and what doesn’t. I think the problem we have is what will make the person remain in business and what should be considered as national security.”

Mark said there is no list of what constitutes threat to national security, adding “if there is a comprehensive list, then we will also be able to criticise this, look at it and

Impeachment: Jonathan knows fate today

of national security.”

House Speaker Aminu Tambuwal said the conference theme showed that the editors are aware of the country’s problem.

He said if editors published all information at their disposal, the security and well-being of the people and the state would be jeopardised.

Represented by his deputy Emeka Ihedioha, Tambuwal urged the editors to come up with recommendations that would help the country solve its insecurity crisis.

He said: “I do not envy your predicament as editors when dealing with the subject of insecurity on a daily basis.

The challenge has always been between balancing your constitutional duties to inform the public and educate the people and the very important question of national security. How do you strike the balance?”

“If editors publish all the information at their disposal, the security and wellbeing of the people and indeed the state will be jeopardised. There are publications that could harm the people you are trying to educate.”

The Minister of Informa-

‘I am in support of giving out information but we have to draw the line but there is no dividing line between what constitutes a threat to national security and what doesn’t. I think the problem we have is what will make the person remain in business and what should be considered as national security’ tion, Labaran Maku, lauded the media for its contributions to the country’s development.

He recalled the media’s role in the struggle for independence from British colonial masters.

Maku cautioned against reports that may threaten the country’s existence , saying it is better to put the nation’s interest first before deciding what should be published.

In his welcome address, NGE President Mr Gbenga Adefaye, lamented that the

country had attracted global attention because of insecurity, suicide bombings and sectarian violence.

In the address entitled: “We are all victims”, Adefaye observed that the insurgents’ resort to the bombing of media houses and killing of journalists was borne out of their wrong perception of the media.

He said:“It is a mistake to attack and destroy the medium of dialogue, which they will need ultimately to resolve their grievances.

“There can never be justification for bombing media houses and killing journalists, no matter the grudges,” Adefaye stressed.

He said that the conference theme, ‘The Nigerian Editor and National Security’, was intended to help editors to understand and acquire the skills for conflicts reportage, as well as to also build confidence between the media, government and the people.

Adefaye expressed appreciation to all those who contributed to the successful hosting of the conference, especially Akwa Ibom State Governor

Chief Segun Osoba praised the NGE leadership for choosing a theme bordering on national security.

Osoba, a veteran journalist and former Governor of Ogun State, said journalists had always been among the first casualties in any conflict in the country.

He recalled that the first casualty during the country’s civil war was a journalist.

Osoba also hailed the association for elevating issues of national importance to the level of intellectual discourse.

Akpabio said security is the key to national development.

The governor said the nation’s development had been retarded by the Boko Haram insurgency and challenged the editors to use the conference to proffer solutions to the challenge.

“Editors are people who think; so I give you thoughtprovoking issues, use this conference to contribute your own ideas to national security,” he said.

The four-day conference, with about 300 Nigerian editors in attendance, will end today.

Dr Nasir Fagge, President of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has condemned what he called huge funds, which Nigerians spent on education abroad, describing it as a setback to the education system.

Fagge told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview in Lagos that the Federal Government should refocus and invest more in education.

He said such investment would curb the trend of Nigerians spending heavily on education abroad.

Dr Wale Babalakin, Chairman, Committee of Pro-chancellors of Nigeria, had last week reported that Nigerians spent about N160 billion annually on education in Ghana.

The ASUU president described the money Nigerians spent on education abroad as a waste, adding that it had negative impact on the economy.

“It is not a new thing and we are aware about it but the implication is that it is a setback to our country’s education system.

“All hands must be on the deck to reverse the trend. The implication is that we are taking away substantial fund out of our country to develop other countries.

“Ghana spends 30 per cent of its annual budget on education for over 35 years now, while in Nigeria we are still struggling to implement the 26 per cent annual budget allocation.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

6

NEWS MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR LEVI AJUONUMA

• The late Ajuonuma’s widow Josephine...yesterday

•Children of the deceased: Serah (left), Debby (second left), Daniel (middle), Benjamin and Michael (right)...yesterday

•Alison-Madueke (middle), her husband Rear-Admiral Alison Maduekwe and Yakubu...yesterday

•Hon. Abike Dabiri (right), Mr. Fiddi Morrison and former NNPC MD Funsho Kupolukun (middle)...yesterday

•Frontline Abia politician and businessman Chief Ikechi Emenike and ace columnist Muhammed Haruna...yesterday.

PHOTOS: NIYI ADENIRAN

I’m confused, overwhelmed, says Ajuonuma’s widow

P

EOPLE trickled into Harbour Point Events Centre, off Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos. Security personnel frisked all the guests. The mood was sober.

It was the venue of a service of songs held yesterday for the late Dr. Levi Chibuike Ajuonuma, who died in the June 3 Dana Air plane crash.

An hour delay was needed to allow the “Abuja delegates” led by Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Maduekwe and Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Andrew Yakubu, to join the congregation.

After a short prayer which started off the programme at 4:04pm, an eclectic praise-andworship session followed. It featured songs from popular Nigerian languages, which lightened the mood, dispelling the moody ambience that earlier hung thick in the expansive hall.

From then on, the programme, save for when one of the deceased’s daughter, Mimi, broke down in tears while paying tribute to her dad, lived up to the theme of celebration.

Electrifying performances of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles (MFM) Orchestral, described by Mrs. Alison-Maduekwe as “angelic,” lit up the hall, ensuring those wearing long and heavy faces only have to do so for a moment.

A short documentary on “Livi,” as the deceased was fondly called by associates and family, also played its part in lessening people’s grief by portraying Levi as a vivacious, fulfilled and accomplished person who lived his life to the fullest.

The documentary described Levi as a critic of fuel subsidy removal, which he later defended. But when ask why he changed his view, he was quoted as saying, “It is easy to criticise when you are outside but when you are inside and know the truth, it is easy to change your view.”

The homily would have allowed people the needed time to grief while remembering glimpses of Levi’s interaction with them but Pastor Kehinde Adegbolahan, MFM’s Assistant General Overseer, delivered a poignant and perhaps, the shortest one in such a service, lasting less than 10 minutes.

“The most important thing is not the question of why God allowed it but the life lived. One thing I noticed in his life was that

•Alison-Maduekwe, others pay tribute at memorial service

By Segun Balogun

he was a prayer warrior. One day, we too will go the way our brother has gone. How are we living the life God has given us?” he said.

Justifying the theme, he said: “Many people died without making any impact and they are buried in an unknown grave. Our brother is in heaven. He died having made great impact.”

Mrs. Alison-Maduekwe, who wrapped up her tribute with a song, described Levi as ‘a consummate professional’ loved by everybody.’

She said: “When I walked into OPEC headquarters a few months ago, everybody knew him and shared their pain. Therefore, it is a great loss. If we know how beautiful the place Levi has gone is, perhaps, we will be killing ourselves but thank God for keeping that secret from us until we cross to the other side.”

A representative of NNPC’s Group Public Affair Division said: “Though, he was with us for less than 10 years, his impact exceeded that of 30 years. His impact is felt even in far away Warri where I was before moving to Abuja, especially when we needed to redeem the image of the corporation.”

Levi, whose favourite quotes as stated by his wife included “know God for yourself, learn how not to react but act,” was born on December 2, 1959 in Enugu, the last of six children. His father is a native of Ideato South in Imo State. He was married with eight children, four boys and four girls.

His widow Josephine said: “There are not many words that can express this excruciating pain and the hole that will forever be in my heart. I am confused and overwhelmed at the thought of never seeing you again.”

His daughter, Mimi, said: “Family devotions will never be the same again. I never thought this day would come so soon and in the way it did. I cannot imagine what my life would be without my dad, when he had been there for me my entire life.

“They say you do not know what you got until it is lost. The truth is you knew what you had, you just never knew you would lose it.

Mimi, he is that person that will always show up.”

Another of his daughters, Sarah, said: “Even though he was very light hearted, he had a

‘

There are not many words that can express this excruciating pain and the hole that will forever be in my heart. I am confused and overwhelmed at the thought of never seeing you again

’

serious side, which he needed to raise his eight children. I will never forget the time we spent together, even though it ended far too soon.

Strong work ethics.”

For Obinna Levi Ajuonuma Jr., “the last moments we shared were victory moments.

So, regardless of whatever the devil wants to say and do, we won! I walked across that stage and you live to witness my graduation. I will forever give that testimony.”

His son, Michael, noted: “I am going to miss your Bible readings and your voice during praise and worship. I am going to miss our current affairs talks. I am going to miss updating you on the latest craze. I am going to miss seeing your name on the celly as incoming call. I could not have asked for a better earthly father.

“Thank you for teaching me the power of humility, thank you for the physical, emotional, and financial security, thank you for stressing the importance of education, health, and exercise. I know you know how much I love you. I just wish I told you more often.”

His daughter, Becky, said: “ You were always a blessing to those around you and lived your life for God and because of this, I know you are in a place where everyone dreams of going, heaven. You laid the Christian foundation for us and this I believe is one of the greatest gifts you have given us. Your life was a testimony that God is real and that we are nothing without God.”

For Debbie and Daniel, his children : “We never realised how much our father meant to us, until the day Dana Air Flight 992, a McDonnel Douglas MD-83 aircraft took him from us. When our parents are living, we feel that they stand between us and the cruel world and even death; but when they are gone, we find ourselves standing in the forefront of the battle line, to stand or fall alone, without their aid. We lost our motivation, but now we have to motivate ourselves. He explains the saying that bad things happen to good people.”

After his high school education, the late Ajuonuma had a stint as an announcer/ newscaster with the Imo State Broadcasting Service, Owerri.

In 1979, he left for the USA where he enrolled at the Hungtington College, Indiana, and bagged a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications. He later got Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mass Communication from the University of Minnesota in 1983 and 1987 respectively.

In 1989, he got an MBA from Plymouth College of the University System of New Hampshire State.

Before returning to Nigeria, he worked briefly as Assistant Professor at the Department of Journalism, Keene State College of the University System of the State of New Hampshire.

The late Ajuonuma enjoyed a prolific career as a broadcast journalist, independent producer, talk show host, and public relations consultant between late 80s and 2002. He launched himself into public reckoning on the wings of popular talk/entertainment shows such as: The Nation Today on NTA Channel 10, Levi Ajuonuma Live, Insurance and You, Morning Ride, The Sunday Show, Showtime and Open House Party, an entertainment show which hosted comedians and musical acts on Ray Power FM. He joined the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in November 2003 as General Manager of the corporation’s Group Public Affairs Department. In 2007, this department was upgraded to a division and the late Ajuonuma was promoted to the position of Group General Manager of the division.

He will be buried today in his hometown.

7

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

NEWS ‘Political leadership needs divine grace to succeed’ From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

E

KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi yesterday said political leadership at all levels of governance in the country has to be conscious of the existence of God to be successful.

The governor spoke in AdoEkiti, the state capital, at the opening of a week-long standing committee meeting of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) at the Cathedral Church of Emanuel.

Fayemi said his administration has recorded “groundbreaking and several achievements within a short time” because “God is in control in the state”.

The meeting is being presided over by the Archbishop Metropolitan and the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Rev. Nicholas Okoh.

The organisers said it would enable the communion to fashion afresh the path to spiritual regeneration both of believers and the general citizenry.

The governor said God helped him to take the right decisions in leading Ekiti, which he added is enjoying peace and witnessing unprecedented development.

Fayemi said: “Anytime we found ourselves at a crossroads, God gave us direction and He has proved that help comes from nowhere but from Him. “We have actually turned this state into a huge construction site with road construction going on in towns, villages and the remotest settlements in the state.

“A hundred schools are currently being renovated across the state, which are already approaching completion.

Some dilapidated school buildings, which had not been touched for 40 years are being demolished and rebuilt, the work which is equally at completion stage.

“Work is also going on in commercial agriculture, health, tourism and other sectors, as itemised in our Eight-Point Agenda. Our indigent elders are receiving N5,000 monthly.

“We solicit your ceaseless prayers for Nigeria in general and Ekiti state in particular, for us to leave this state better than we met it.”

The governor noted that the Ekiti Diocese of the Anglican Communion is hosting such an important meeting for the first time in its 46 years of existence.

He hailed the church for speaking the truth to those in positions of authority and power, adding that “those holding temporal power must endeavour to listen to the inner voice” in taking decisions.

Fayemi said nobody could accuse the church of keeping mum in the face of the ills plaguing the society.

The governor urged the clerics to accelerate their efforts to tackle the challenges ahead.

He said: “I urge you to adjust your cassocks, rekindle your lamp and re-consecrate yourselves for fresh anointing to regain the ground already lost to the devil through compromise, carelessness and distractions.”

Rev. Okoh promised that the clergy would work and pray for the success of the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

Suspected robber, policemen killed in Oyo gun battle T HE Oyo State Police Command yesterday paraded the body of a suspected armed robber who was killed during a shootout with the police.

It said a policeman also died during the gun battle.

Police Commissioner Mbu Joseph Mbu said the suspected robber was killed on the Ilorin-Ogbomoso Road when a group of robbers engaged the police in a gun duel.

The police chief said his command was alerted by the Kwara State Command that a team of armed robbers had robbed a bank in the state and escaped to Oyo State through the road.

He said he mobilised the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) to ambush the robbers, adding that the hoodlums shot the driver of the SARS vehicle.

Mbu explained that the 10-

•Police chief: Tokyo, Auxiliary still wanted From Bisi Oladele and Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

man gang abandoned their Golf Volkswagen car, after it was destroyed by bullets, and snatched a Toyota Hilux van belonging to a popular telecommunications company.

The police chief said the hoodlums threw dynamites at the SARS team, killing one of its men and injuring three others.

He said the injured were undergoing surgery at a hospital.

Mbu said: “Early this morning, during our search, we have recovered the body of one of the suspected robbers that operated in Ilorin

yesterday. We have recovered a full magazine load of AK 47 rifle. One of our men died and two other SARS men were injured and being treated at a hospital.”

The police chief urged hospitals and the public to report at the nearest police station if they notice anybody with bullet wounds.

He said the command would comb the state for the escaped bandits.

Mbu also said the two former factional leaders of the state branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Abdul Lateef Akinsola (aka Tokyo) and Mr Lamidi Mukaila (aka Auxiliary), were still on

the police wanted list.

He urged the two of them to report to the command and make statements on June, last year’s killing of some residents and other violent incidents.

The police chief explained that the union leaders can run but cannot hide from justice.

He added that the command was not restrained by any law or judgment from arresting Tokyo or anyone else involved in the violence in which some people were kiled.

Mbu said the command would ensure that the current peace in Oyo State is sustained.

He said: “Tokyo and Auxilliary are still wanted by the Oyo State Police Command. If they are not guilty, they should come forward and explain their roles in the killing of those victims last year…”

Group urges leaders to emulate Bola Ige’s virtues NON-GOVERNM E N T A L organisation (NGO), the Bola Ige Initiative Forum, has urged the political leaders to follow the ideals of the late politician.

The NGO promotes the political ideologies and leadership style of the late Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Chief Bola Ige. In a statement on the 82nd posthumous birthday of the former minister, the group noted that the late Ige was a selfless leader, who will always be remembered for his ideals, ideas and dream of a great Nigeria.

The statement reads: “Leaders of today need to emulate and follow the ideals of the late Chief Bola Ige. He was a man of courage, high integrity and a committed administrator, who strongly believed in the Nigerian Project.

“Ige lived and died for justice, fairness, robust democracy, peace, hope and development.”

The group’s Coordinator, Mr Lekan Odediran, noted that the frontline politician executed the Four Cardinal Programmes of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and that his achievements as the first executive governor of old Oyo State in the area of education, health, infrastructure and development were obvious, despite the limited resources the state had.

A

Group to restore Ibadan culture From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan • Governor Fayemi (middle) at the rally in Ado-Ekiti...yesterday

Fayemi: we’ll pay minimum wage after workers’ audit

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KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi yesterday said the state would pay the minimum wage to its workers at the local governments when the government is sure of their figure.

The governor spoke at Okesa Junction in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, where supporters of his administration condemned Wednesday protest by local government workers seeking the payment of N19,300 paid their counterparts in the state service.

The governor said the ongoing staff audit in the 16 local government areas was a precondition for the payment of the minimum wage.

He said the state was facing some challenges from “the burden of monthly payment of salaries to the overbloated

O

•Anti-NULGE protest in Ekiti From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

population of workers in the councils.

Fayemi noted that it would be wrong to make the 2.5 million people in the state suffer while trying to satisfy just the 22,000 workers in the state.

He said: “I don’t think anything is wrong in asking to know how many people are working in the local governments. No one can claim ignorance of what is going on at the councils. Some are earning free income, just sitting down in offices, doing nothing. Some are simply ghost workers, feeding on the collective wealth of Ekiti people.

“Let them come out everyday. I will not pay ghost workers again. You have chosen

me to lead and I will lead from the front.”

The governor explained that government activities and engagements were being felt by the residents, adding that “those who damaged this state yesterday are part of the beneficiaries of our programmes today, including the free education, free health and N5,000 social security monthly payment to the elderly.

“I won’t join them in their dirty politics because this is not time for politics. But when the time of politics comes, they will see pepper.

“If you noticed the programmes I have been executing, you will see that I have not been sectional or political. I can’t be so wicked as to deprive a section of

workers their legitimate benefits.

“Before we started the payment at the state level, we conducted and concluded data capturing system called Biometric Data to ascertain the workforce. That is what we are doing at the local government level now.”

Scores of residents yesterday condemned members of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) for what they described as “anti-people stance.”

The protesters comprised several interest and trade groups from the 16 local government areas. They included students’ bodies, Okada riders’ association, commerciaal drivers’ unions, market men and women and members of the National Technicians’ Association (NATA).

Ajimobi promotes 300 typists

YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has promoted over 300 typists, who had been on the same grade level for several years, from Grade Level 09 to Grade Level 12.

The first batch of the affected typists, totalling 160, began a six-month training tagged: Stagnation-breaking Programme.

The government said the programme would enable them to qualify for promotion

up to Grade Level 12.

A statement in Ibadan, the state capital, by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo, said the second batch would begin its training when the first batch completes its training.

The statement said the training was part of the government’s civil service reform, “including flushing out those with fake certificates, those who falsified their ages and personal data, those with

disciplinary cases and non-existing staff, popularly called ghost workers, from the system”.

It explained that the reforms were aimed at re-positioning the state civil service for quality service delivery as well as the actualisation of the Restoration, Transformation and Repositioning Agenda of the Ajimobi administration.

The statement noted that the government is committing N9 million to the training

programme at N30,000 per participant.

After this training, the typists would be deployed to several ministries and parastatals to work as Data Processing Officers and Secretarial Assistants.

The statement added that besides federal ministries and a couple of other states, “no other state government in Nigeria had undertaken this stagnation-breaking exercise”.

A

GROUP, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), has organised a weeklong festival to project the cultural endowment of Ibadan people in Oyo State.

The chairman of the organising committee, Prince Oluyemisi Adeaga, told reporters in Ibadan,the state capital, that the festival was organised by CCII to restore the lost cultural heritage of Ibadanland and remember the city’s progenitors.

According to him, the organisers discovered that people with a rich cultural heritage celebrate it.

He added that this contributes to their socioeconomic development.

Adeaga said the festival, with the theme: Ibadan Week Festival, would start on November 15 and end on November 24.

He said the festival would include many activities, such as a cultural carnival float, an award nite, stage plays, a football match, a musical concert, and a beauty pageant, among others.

CCII President Bayo Oyero explained that Ibadanland is important to Oyo State and Nigeria, having been the capital of the defunct Western Region where the first Nigerian university and the nation’s tallest building first emerged.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

8

CITYBEATS

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

Computer Village traders protest area boys' invasion OR hours, the Computer Village in Ikeja, Lagos, was shut yesterday as traders protested what they called "invasion" by area boys.

Speaking under the aegis of the Computer and Allied Products Dealer Association of Nigeria (CAPDAN), they claimed that the street urchins are working for a monarch, who uses them to extort money from people.

It took the intervention of policemen from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), led

by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Ahmed Yusuf to restore order.

Yusuf called the traders together and advised them to give peace a chance.

The traders alleged that street urchins stolen phones

F

•From left: Dr Mustapha Kabri, Dr Hope Umega, Moyo Oyatogun, Dr Sambo Adbulraman at the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Ikeja, Lagos... yesterday PHOTO: JOHN EBHOTA

Cynthia's body remains in morgue E

IGHT days after it should have been buried, Cynthia Osokogu’s body is still lying in a controversy.

The remains were to be interred in Bebe, Ovia Agbor, in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State last Friday, but the ceremony was postponed because the body was not available. The police said the body would be released to the family after an autopsy had been conducted.

Cynthia was allegedly

By Jude Isiguzo, Segun Balogun and Olatunde Odebiyi

killed by her Facebook friends Okwuoma Echezona Nwabufo, 33 and Ezekiel Odera Olisa, 23, who have been charged with her murder.

The controversy over her body deepened yesterday, with the police and TOS Fu-

neral Services morgue at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), making conflicting statements on the conduct of the autopsy. Sources at the morgue wondered why the family has not come for the body, which is said to have been examined by pathologists.

"Cynthia's body has been

Lagos, others urge court to allow inquest on Dana

T

HE Lagos State Government and five other persons yesterday asked a Federal High Court in Lagos to disregard an application seeking a stay of inquest into the Dana plane crash.

The state queried the right of a private organisation Civil Aviation Roundtable Limited (CAPL) and its President, Dele Ore - to halt the Coroner's inquest.

This formed part of argument contained in a counter affidavit filed by the state and three others to a motion on the interlocutory injunction filed by CAPL. Both applications were argued yesterday.

CAPL and Ore had sued, seeking to stop further Coroner's inquest into the June 3 crash on the ground that such was the exclusive responsibility of the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB).

The plaintiffs had subsequently filed the motion seeking interlocutory injunctions pending the determination of the substantive suit.

Families of five of the victims of the crash have applied to be joined as parties in the suit. The victims are Mrs Vivian Atangakak Osinubi, Chukwuemeka Phills Uchegbu, Amajuoritshe Awani, Georgina Oseri Awani and Jones Ifekanwa.

In two separate applications filed on their behalf, the victims' representatives stated that they intended joining the suit as interested parties since the Coroner's inquest initiated by the state to determine the circumstances surrounding their

Govt issues 89 death certificates

By Miriam Ndikanwu

LAGOS State Government said yesterday that it has issued death certificates to 89 families of victims who lost their lives at the June 3 Dana plane crash, just as it stressed need for a comprehensive reform in the nation's aviation sector.

The State Governor Babatunde Fashola, stated this in Alausa, after a closed door meeting with families of the victims.

He said the state has achieved 94 percent identification rate and some bodies have been released to the families.

He said: "We have successfully identified almost all the bodies, many of whom have been buried. We have also released 89 death certificates, 51 or thereabouts that are yet to be collected, because there are issues surrounding them."

Fashola challenged the Federal Government to use the opportunity offered by the crash to reform the aviation sector.

"We should use this sad experience to reform the aviation sector. There is need to engage all actors in the sector in order to avoid future disaster," he said.

Some of the victims' relations also expressed disappointment at the restoration of the Dana Airline's operating license despite the incident of June 3.

They therefore demanded that details of what led to the plane crash be made public and transparent.

A victims' relation, Mr. Seke Somolu challenged the Federal Ministry of Aviation to publish a complete report of the investigation into the incident.

By Eric Ikhilae

victims' death was being challenged and its activities temporarily halted.

The applications were not heard yesterday on the ground that they were not ripe for hearing. The government in its counter affidavit moved yesterday by its lawyer, Akinjide Bakare said the applicants lacked the locus standi to seek to halt the inquest.

It contented that not only were they not affected by the Coroner's activities, CAPL is not one of the agencies created by National Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Act Cap N94 Laws of the Federation" and charged with among others, the responsi-

bility of flight safety and customer protection. He said the group failed to disclose who charged it with such responsibilities.

"The plaintiff applicant did not state who charged it with the responsibility to perform the objects of its incorporation. It is clear therefore that these objectives are selfappointed and can therefore not lead to obligations for third parties except subscribers to its memorandum of association," the state argued.

As against the plaintiffs' argument that the Coroner was assuming the role of the AIB, the state countered that the inquest was intended to determine more than just the cause of the victims' death.

transferred to the Lekan Ogunshola Memorial Mortuary and it is ready for collection. The mortuary is awaiting her family members to come and collect her remains for burial," a source said.

But the police yesterday insisted that they were awaiting the autopsy report.

They said the body would not be released to the family until the report is out.

The Area Commander in charge of Area 'E', Command FESTAC Town, Mr Dan Okoro, told The Nation that the body would not be released until the autopsy result is out.

"The autopsy result is not out yet. We will release the body as soon as the autopsy result is out," Okoro said.

Meanwhile, residents of Sixth Avenue, FESTAC Town, where one of the suspects, Okumo Nwabufor lived before his arrest over Cynthia's death are denying knowledge of his life style.

Nwabufor's real residence is said to be at A1 Close, First Avenue, and not Sixth Avenue as he claimed when he was paraded on August 22.

The house where he lived before his arrest is in a secluded part of FESTAC Town.

The compound has six houses, three on each side.

The one Nwabufor lived is a twin duplex, the first house on the right side, on entering the street. At the end of the close is a wide canal with a

A

and allied products.

The area boys, they claimed, also broke into shops at night stealing goods worth millions of naira.

An executive members of CAPDAN, Mr Dan Oyoyo, told The Nation: "These boys sell for shop owners and rob buyers. We are appealing to Governor Babatunde Fashola to come to our aid and chase away these street urchins as they are not addin g value to the market."

The RRS men restored peace and urged the traders to open their shops.

As at 2pm yesterday, traders had started opening for business.

Suspected Indian hemp dealer arraigned

By Precious Igbonwelundu

•The late Cynthia

short demarcating fence, where a church is.

When The Nation got there to make enquiry, residents denied knowing Nwabufor.

They directed our reporters to another place.

All enquiries led back to A1 Close, and when our reporters went back, they met hostile neighbours. The pastor of a church near the house was approached, but a woman who was eavesdropping on the conversation flared up.

The woman asked our reporters' to leave immediately or incur her wrath.

"Please go, just go. Stop disturbing us. What information are you looking for?" she kept shouting.

A security guard in one of the houses under construction in the area said Nwabufor is reclusive. He said not much was known about him, until the police came to arrest him.

Govt task on disaster Non-Governmental management Organisation (NGO),

ActionAid Nigeria has called on federal and state governments to be more proactive in disaster management by incorporating Disaster Risk Reduction in their development agenda.

Its Human Safety in conflict and Emergencies Manager, Gbenro Olajuyigbe said lives were lost and properties destroyed in flood and fire because government lacks plan to contain these disasters.

Olajuyigbe spoke at a two day workshop on security and disaster management reporting, organised for journalists by the International Press Centre (IPC) in partnership with ActionAid at Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos.

Olajuyigbe said incessant flooding came from man-

By Jude Isiguzo

By Adeola Ogunlade

made and natural causes, adding that such disasters affected urban and rural communities.

He said though states have established emergency management agencies, they suffer under-funding, thus leaving the rural people in perpetual danger during disaster.

IPC Executive Director Mr. Lanre Arogundade asked journalists to deepen their knowledge and seek to understand issues that could lead to conflict in Nigeria.

He said: "The most powerful thing in the world is the written and spoken word and professionals in the trade must handle it in such a manner that would bring peace and unity in the country."

A 44-YEAR-OLD woman was yesterday arraigned before an Itire Magistrate's Court, Lagos, for escaping from police detention.

Aminat Ganiyu, who resides at 20, Olorunwa Street, Ilasamaja, was brought before Magistrate D.T. Olatokun on a one-count charge of escaping from lawful custody. The accused, who was arrested on September 9, after she and other persons defrauded one Dupe Abiodun of N500, 000, was described a notorious Indian hemp trader and local fraudster.

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Ilasamaja Police Division, Mr. Abass Ochogwu, a Chief Superintendent (CSP), who held brief for the prosecutor, told the court that the accused was a notorious criminal and bears different names.

Ochogwu said he had to personally bring her to court because she and her cohorts were spreading rumours that the police were also part of them and nothing could happen to them.

He said the complainant had come to the station to report that she was duped and beaten by the accused and her accomplices.

"There was a substantive matter for which she was arrested and we were still investigating it especially because of the kind of business she does.

"The suspect engages in illegal sale of Indian hemp and we have had many other cases against her. We have not charged her to court yet, because we are still investigating and on the trail of her accomplices, especially those who collected the money from the complainant," he said.

According to Ochogwu, the complainant had boarded an Ojota-bound cab which had four other passengers inside at Oshodi-Oke, but saw herself at Ilasamaja.

He told the court that the facts of the substantive matter shall be revealed when they go into trial.

The DPO said the accused escaped, while the division was trying to transfer some detainees to Isolo Police Station in order to create space in the cells.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

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THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

10

NEWS AAU workers’ protest political, says VC From Damisi Ojo, Akure

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HE Vice-Chancellor of the Adekunle Ajasin University (AAU), Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, Prof Olufemi Mimiko, has alleged that the protest by the university workers was politically-motivated.

The aggrieved workers on Monday protested nonpayment of their hazard allowance and other issues.

They surrounded the venue of a meeting between Prof Mimiko and top management workers of the university, singing war songs.

The workers held the VC and his team hostage for hours.

Addressing reporters in Akure, the state capital, Prof. Mimiko said the protest was illegal because the national leadership of the three unions, which recently met with him, did not give them approval to protest.

The protesters said the hazard allowance was captured in a pact between the Federal Government and the university’s unions of 2009.

The protesting unions are the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria University (SSANU); Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).

Mimiko said the protest did not affect academic activities.

He, however, feared that the situation might degenerate next week because the workers have allegedly “vowed to scale up the protest by shutting students and workers out of the campus”.

The Vice-Chancellor said the protesters had shut down utility supply and power supply to offices, halls of residence, staff quarters and classrooms.

He said the institution could not raise the billions of naira required to pay the arrears.

Prof Mimiko said: “The university cannot use the fund meant for capital projects to pay the arrears of the allowance, which the three non-teaching unions of the institution are agitating for their members.”

He said it was true that the allowance was negotiated by the Federal Government, adding that only 10 of the 124 universities in the country, including AAU, had started implementing the payment.

Prof Mimiko said AAU was the first state university to pay the allowance to all category of workers, as against those doing hazardous duties.

The Vice-Chancellor added that five of the universities in the country including his institution had fully implemented the payment.

He said: “While many of these universities that are paying the allowance paid only to few of their staff, our own university was one of the five that is paying to all nonteaching staff and full payment started since April 2012.

ONDO 2012

Ondo PDP hails soldiers over arrest of LP ‘thugs’ with arms T HE Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday hailed the soldiers who reportedly arrested some suspected Labour Party (LP) thugs in Okitipupa, Okitipupa Local Government Area, for alleged possession of arms and ammunition.

Addressing reporters at the party’s secretariat in Akure, the state capital, Publicity Committee Chairman Demola Ijabiyi said the quantity of the arms confiscated from the thugs was enough to start a guerrila war.

He said soldiers and naval operatives found the ammunition in the home of a chieftain of the LP in Igbokoda, following a tip-off.

Ijabiyi said: “This is absolutely disturbing. The preparation for an election is not synonymous with planning a war. Therefore, we cannot

•Ruling party: allegation untrue From Damisi Ojo, Akure

fathom why the ruling party must be arming its members with lethal weapons for dastardly plans against opposition figures.

“Again, it is instructive that this development is consistent with intelligence reports at our disposal that the LP is preparing to disrupt the election in the Southern Senatorial District and other places it knows it will fail.

But its plans will fail, by the grace of God.” The PDP spokesman praised the Army and Navy for their promptness.

He urged other security agencies to be on their toes.

Ijabiyi said: “It is impor-

tant that all other illegal weapons’ depots of the LP, which exist across the state, must be discovered and the arms confiscated.”

The PDP chief advised the people to be wary of the criminal tendencies of the LP ahead of the October 20 election.

He said the people should hold the ruling party responsible for any political assassination that may occur in this state.

Ijabiyi also accused the Olusegun Mimiko administration of planning to take loans for each of the 18 local governments from an old generation bank for the governorship poll.

He said the ruling party wants to spend the money to rig the poll.

According to him, this is one of the tricks the Mimiko administration would use to win the poll.

Ijabiyi said it was also among the reasons the LP has not conducted the local government election in the last four years.

He said: “We have indeed been reliably informed that the necessary documents have been signed by the local governments. We are using this forum to inform the old generation bank, in case it is not aware, that the socalled local government authorities in the state are unelected and, therefore, have no legal or statutory authority to commit the lo-

cal governments to such loans or similar facilities.

“We are, therefore, putting the authorities of the bank and any other bank for that matter on notice that any fund by way of loan, overdraft or similar instrument would at the end of the day amount to a gratuitous donation to the LP. Therefore, it will never be recovered. Suffice it to say that we are ready to pursue this to its logical legal conclusion.”

But the LP spokesman, Mr Femi Okunjemiruwa, faulted PDP’s allegation.

He said it was part of the antics to dent the image of the governor who, he said, has done a lot for the state.

The party’s spokesman urged the residents to remain steadfast and vote for Mimiko and the LP to sustain the current spade of development in the state.

Akeredolu to electorate: guard your voters’ cards well T HE Ondo State governorship candidate of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has urged would-be voters in the state to guard their voters’ cards jealously.

He said their cards are their weapons to enthrone good governance.

Akeredolu addressed party members and supporters during his ward tour in Ogbese, Ilu-Abo and Oba-Ile in Akure North Local Government.

The former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President said the Labour Party (LP]) had

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

lost hope in the October 20 election, resorting to buying voters’ cards to curry illegal votes.

He reaffirmed his promise to assist farmers, if elected.

Akeredolu condemned the Olusegun Mimiko administration for turning the building of markets and town halls into the statutory function of the state government.

The ACN candidate promised that his administration would conduct a local gov-

ernment election and ensure that chairmen and councillors are elected into the 18 local governments.

Akeredolu also promised to create more local governments, as obtained in Lagos State, where the ACN government has been developing the state.

He said it is the duty of local governments to build markets and town halls and not states’.

The frontline lawyer promised to embark on massive renovation of

schools, adding that the mega schools of the Mimiko administration cannot cater for all pupils.

Akeredolu added that the classroom structure designed by the Olusegun Agagu administration was better than the LP’s.

He promised to establish a school of entrepreneurship, where graduates and workers could be trained and retrained.

Scores of PDP and LP members defected to the ACN. A leader of the defectors from the PDP in Ogbese, Yusuf Lateef, said he joined

Mimiko accuses opposition of arrogance

O

NDO State Governor Olusegun Mimiko has advised opposition parties to perish the thought of ruling the state, saying the LP would defeat them on October 20.

He said the opposition’s alleged statement that they would win in Ondo State was a sign of arrogance.

Mimiko spoke in IleOluji, headquarters of Ile-

Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government during his campaign.

Accompanied by his wife, Olukemi; the Labour Party (LP) National Chairman, Chief Dan N w a n y a n w u ; and other top party chieftains, Mimiko said none of the opposition parties had accused him of not performing.

He said: “They did not

say I have not performed.

In fact, they acknowledged that Ondo State is working. But they said I should come and join their party. We told them that the people have not asked us to join any other political party, as the L a b o u r P a r t y i s doing fine…”

Nwanyanwu urged the people to guard their voters’

cards.

He assured that there would be tight security during the election.

Nwanyanwu said: “I want to assure you that adequate security would be provided on the day of election. So, do not be afraid when you see the heavy presence of policemen, soldiers and other security apparatus in Ondo State.”

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) (middle) with Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris (fourth left); Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs Oluranti Adebule (third left); Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr Yewande Adeshina (fourth right); some members of the State Executive Council (Exco) and graduates of the Health Volunteers’ Scheme, at the closing ceremony and graduation of the first batch of Health Volunteers under the Lagos State Health Volunteers’ Scheme (LSHVS) at the Adeyemi Bero Hall, Lagos State secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja...yesterday

•Akeredolu

ACN because of its good ideology and principles.

A woman, Olayinka Johnson, defected with her supporters to the ACN.

Ondo youth group backs ACN candidate

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GROUP, the Ondo State Youth Coalition For Civic Development (OYICODEP), which comprises several youth organisations, clubs and associations, yesterday backed the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN).

The group is a forum for youths to express their views on politics in Nigeria.

The group’s State Coordinator, Comrade Omotosho Bolarinwa (aka Akeweje), said Akeredolu, a former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) president, is the best candidate for the October 20 poll.

He said the votes of students and youths should count, promising to come out massively and vote for the frontline lawyer, who he said has a youth-friendly agenda.

Bolarinwa said: “Please, come out to show solidarity for the candidate of your choice without selling your conscience. However, one thing I must establish is that no youth, especially students, should allow themselves to be used as thugs by politicians.

“You should be a good ambassadors of a free, fair and credible election and the slogan should be ‘one student, one vote; one youth, one vote’.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Fed Govt plans N60b five-seven year bond auctions

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HE Federal Government plans to issue N60 billion ($379.75 million) in local bonds, with maturities of between five and seven years at its regular auction on Sept. 19, the Debt Management Office (DMO) said on Thursday.

The debt office according to Reuters said it would sell N30 billion each in re-openings of existing five- and sevenyear bonds, which will have terms to maturity of four years and six months, and six years and eight months, respectively.

Yields on Nigeria’s local debt have fallen over the past month on news JP Morgan will include it in its Government Bond Index - Emerging Markets (GBI-EM) from October.

The bank says this could potentially bring up to $1 billion into one of Africa’s most developed debt markets.

Nigeria, Africa’s second-biggest economy after South Africa, issues sovereign bonds monthly to support the local bond market, create a benchmark for corporate issuance and fund its budget deficit.

Our product declined from 167,000 metric tonnes in 1961 to 25,000 MT by 2008. In the same period global production of palm oil expanded from 629,000 MT in 1961 to 33.3 million MT by 2008.

- Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development

Oando Energy listed on Toronto Stock Exchange E NERGY solution giant - Oando PLC has com pleted its reverse takeover of Oando Energy Resources Inc. (OER) previously known as Exile Resources Inc. with the listing of the company’s shares on Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX).

Having earlier listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the Oando Group is now the only company in Nigeria with three equity market presence.

According to information, the executives of Oando PLC as well as Directors and Management of Oando Energy Resources, led by Wale Tinubu and Omamofe Boyo, last Wednesday rang the bell to open trading on the TSX to mark the formal listing of the company on the TSX. Thereafter, Messrs Tinubu and Boyo received the ‘commemorating plaque’ and ‘certificate of listing’ from Mr. Ungad Chadda, Senior Vice President of the Toronto Stock Exchange.

As consideration for the acquisition, OER issued 100,339,052 post-consolidated common shares to

• Completes Exile Resources takeover

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

Oando, of which 75,254,289 post-consolidated common shares (representing 75per cent of the post-consolidated common shares issued to Oando) are in escrow.

Oando Energy Resources has subsequently obtained approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange to list its common shares and warrants on the TSX under the symbol “OER”. The common shares of OER will be delisted on the TSX Venture Exchange prior to the commencement of trading of those shares on the TSX. The RTO was preceded by the acquisition by OER of equity interests in certain entities in the upstream exploration and production division of Oando PLC. The restructuring according to information, was completed pursuant to a plan of arrangement (the Arrangement) which involved, among other mat-

ters: (a) the consolidation of all of the outstanding common shares of OER on the basis of one new common share (the post-consolidated common shares ) for every approximate 16.28 old common shares then outstanding (the consolidation); (b) the issuance to the shareholders of OER of record as of the close of business on July 23, 2012 of two share purchase warrants of OER for every approximate 16.28 common shares of OER held immediately prior to the arrangement: one share purchase warrant exercisable to acquire one post consolidated common share of OER at an exercise price of Cdn$1.50 per share for a period of 12 months (the Cdn$1.50 warrants), and the second share purchase warrant exercisable to acquire one post consolidated common share of OER at an exercise price of Cdn$2.00 per share for a period of 24 months (together with the Cdn$1.50 warrants, the ‚Warrants ); and

(c) the change of name of Exile Resources Inc. to Oando Energy Resources Inc..

In connection with the acquisition, the following changes according to information were made to the board of directors of OER: Ahmed Said resigned as a director of OER, Stanley Bharti resigned as Chairman and Tony Henshaw resigned as Chief Executive Officer.

In addition, Jubril Adewale Tinubu was appointed as a new director and Chairman of OER, John Orange was appointed as a new director, Omamofe Boyo was appointed as a new director, Olapade Durotoye was appointed as Chief Executive Officer, and Adeola Ogunsemi was appointed as Chief Financial Officer.

Commenting, Mr. Wale Tinubu, Group Chief Executive, Oando Plc said: “We are excited that the reverse take-over is complete and that the TSX has given OER its approval for the listing of OER. This platform is expected to enable capital raises to meet OER’s immediate strategic objectives of growth in the upstream sector. Although Oando Plc will initially own a 94.6% interest in OER, the listing opens up the opportunity to present OER to a new world of investors with the distinct appetite for E&P investments”.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$107/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,800/troy ounce Rubber -¢159.21pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

-N6.503 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion

RATES Inflation Treasury Bills Maximum lending Prime lending Savings rate 91-day NTB Time Deposit MPR Foreign Reserve FOREX CFA EUR £ $ ¥ SDR RIYAL -

-10.5% -7.08% -22.42% 15.87% -2% -15% 5.49% 12% $40.9b 0.2958 206.9 242.1 156 1.9179 238 40.472

From Left, Chief Executive Officer Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Steven Evans, Executive Director Personal and Business Banking Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr. Obinna Abajue, Director Product and Services Etisalat, Mr. Lucas Dada, at the launch of Etisalat PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN EasyWallet in Lagos ... yesterday.

NNPC intensifies domestic gas usage

T

HE Managing Director, Nigerian National Pe troleum Corporation ( NNPC), Andrew Yakubu, has said the Corporation is pursuing a deliberate programme that will ensure greater domestic gas utilisation to rapidly drive the nation’s economy.

Yakubu, who spoke at a dinner in his honour and also of Dr. Peter Nmadu, the Group Executive Director, Corporate Services of the Corporation in Abuja, said NNPC is committed to increasing gas utilisation in to stimulate industrialisation in the country.

“In line with Mr. President’s

• To secure pipelines From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

transformation agenda and the recent performance contract signed by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, the NNPC is already pursuing greater domestic gas utilisation to support the Federal Government’s drive for stable and sustainable power supply and national economic growth,” he said, adding that Nigeria’s abundant gas resources can realise and sustain the nation’s dream of stable

national power supply, while gas supply to light industries and plants such as cement, fertilizer, petrochemical plants and domestic users is expected to increase gas utilisation and support economic growth.

He said: “NNPC must be commercially focused and aligned with the nation’s economic growth aspirations. We must therefore raise our operational and financial standards to enable us operate competitively in the entire oil and gas value chain within and outside Nigeria.

The Vice President, Namadi Sambo who was represented

by Mallam Aminu Dabo, implored the GMD to run the

NNPC transparently, describing the Corporation as the most strategic agency of the federal government.

Delta State’s Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, at the event, assured the corporation of the Governors Forum’s support for it to reposition the industry, describing the petroleum sector as the backbone of the Nigerian economy.

At the event were the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe,Professor Jerry Gana, the Governors of Kaduna, Benue, Plateau, Gombe states, and former Minister of defence, Lt. Gen.(Rtd.) • Continued on page 12

NIMASA, Tompolo arrest vessel, pirates

By Oluwakemi Dauda

A

VESSEL, ‘’M .T. Grace’ laden with suspected stolen refined petroleum product has been intercepted, the Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr Patrick Akpobolokemi has said.

Speaking with The Nation yesterday, the NIMASA boss said a joint operation carried out by the managements of the agency and Global West Specialists led to the arrest of the vessel.

The vessel, he said, was arrested with 11 suspected pirates on board.

The NIMASA boss alleged that the vessel is used for freighting pirates to the high sea to hijack, kidnap and steal oil.

Apkobolokemi stated that in the course of investigation, it discovered that the pirates are members of a cartel whose suspected sponsor has also been arrested.

In the course of the arrest, Akpobolokemi said a eight AK47 riffles and other dangerous weapons were recovered from the gang.

He also said the agency has launched a manhunt for other major sponsors of the cartel who are currently on the run.

The NIMASA boss also fingered some security operatives involved the syndicate, which he described as a cartel and warned NIMASA’s officials against hobnobbing with these unscrupulous elements. ”They have been on our surveillance list, and we picked them from different locations, some from outside the state and others from within the state.

We have one of the master minds and major sponsors of the cartel and as at the time of their arrest, they were about going out for another operation.

“They are not all here, there are others on our lists that are still on the run and I think that it is necessary that the public understands this problem and gives us their cooperation. They have caused untold hardship to Nigerians, they have hijacked tankers vessels, if for instance, a tanker vessel has 10,000 tonnes of fuel in the hull, they will hijack it, siphon some of this fuel and sell it to ready buyers.”

Speaking with The Nation, Chief Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo said that the vessel ‘M. T. Grace’ has been traced to the tank farm of Integrated Oil and Gas which, according to him, has been taken over security operatives as at the time of filling in this report.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

12

NEWS

Nigeria’s economic outlook robust, says report

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HE African Economic Outlook 2012, launched yesterday has described Nigeria’s economic growth in 2011 as ‘robust.’

The 291-page book was jointly published by the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the UNDP, the African Development Bank Group, the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development.

The book, which was presented in Addis Ababa by Prof. Emmanuel Nnadozie,

the Director, Economic Department and NEPAD division, UNECA, said Nigeria’s outlook for the future remained favourable.

The report according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said the robust growth recorded was driven mainly by non-oil sector, in particular telecommunications, construction, wholesale and retail trade, hotel and restaurant services, manufacturing and agriculture.

“To mitigate the negative impacts of the global eco-

nomic crisis, the government pursued an expansionary fiscal policy to maintain growth and social sector spending that led to pressure on consumer prices,” the report noted.

It said a major challenge to increasing the absorptive capacity of the Nigerian economy was the dilapidated state of infrastructure, in particular power, road transport and railways, and the overdependence of the economy on the oil and gas industry.

“These are the priorities of

the transformation agenda of the current administration and are being addressed through the creation of an enabling environment for private sector participation in infrastructure development, and through the development of non-oil sector,’’ the report added.

The book said that in spite of the dominance of the oil sector, agriculture played a significant role in the national economy, accounting for the largest single share of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“Sustained growth in the agricultural sector is a principal factor in promoting inclusive economic growth, reducing poverty and ensuring the nation’s food security.’’

The report, however, said that in spite of the robust growth, the Nigerian economy had failed to generate decent jobs as poverty was widespread.

“The unemployment rate is currently 23.9 per cent compared with 21.1 per cent in 2010.’’

The book, which was the

11th edition, said the unemployment rate among the youth was 37.7 per cent, one of the highest in sub-Saharan Africa.

“Poverty is also very high and persistent. Social indicators in health and education remain week,’’ the report added.

It also said the Macroeconomic indicators on Real GDO Growth, which was 7.8 per cent in 2012, dropped to 6.7 per cent in 2011 and rose to 6.9 per cent in 2012, while it was projected to drop to 6.6 per cent in 2013.

NNPC intensifies domestic gas usage • Continued from page 11 T.Y Danjuma and former Minister of FCT, Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) J.T. Useni.

In a related development, the Corporation is to intensify efforts at protecting its oil pipelines, the acting Group General Manager (Public Affairs), Mr Fidel Pepple,has said.

“We are going to collaborate with both the communities and security agencies to curb incessant pipeline vandalism in the country,” he told the News Agency of Nigeria.

He said pipeline vandalism is becoming a big challenge to the NNPC, adding that the negative trend would not be allowed to continue.

Pepple said the corporation requires the assistance of the host communities and security agencies in curbing the prob-

lem.

“NNPC needs the intervention of all the communities to keep watch; the various communities and individuals should support government in fighting pipeline vandalism in the country.’’

The NNPC spokesman pointed out that it is also the responsibility of communities living along the pipeline route to ensure adequate and prompt protection of the pipelines.

“We implore all state governments, community leaders and security agencies to work hand in hand with NNPC in ensuring that culprits are appropriately apprehended.

“It is in the communities’ interest to do whatever they can to protect this national endowment, ’’ Pepple said.

• From left: Acques Mulder, General Manager; Suny Ukpaka, National Sales Manager; Lizzy Iroh, Brand Marketing Manager; Mr Alexandre Lechat, Ambassador, Bisquit International Brand and Mr Dennis Lahouratate Cellar, all of Next International Limited, at the launch of Bisquit Cognac in Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

Group calls for solid minerals bank

T

HE Miners Association of Nigeria yesterday called on the Federal Government to establish a Solid Minerals Development Bank.

President of the association, Alhaji Sani Shehu, in a statement yesterday, said there should be a bank focusing primarily on the mining sector, just as the Bank of Agriculture and Bank of Industry concentrate on agricultural and industrial activities respectively.

According to him, due to the abortive efforts of the association to stimulate interest of commercial banks and other financial institutions in the sector, the only remedy for a bailout should be the establishment of the bank.

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

He said by establishing the bank, the solid minerals sector would be re-positioned for diversifying the economy, providing employment and raw materials for import substitution .

His words: “After a comprehensive analysis of the sector and apparent futility of all attempts to stimulate interest of the commercial banks and other financial institutions, the Miners Association of Nigeria has come to the conclusion that the only solution to bail out the mining sector is the establishment of a Solid Minerals Development Bank.”

Such a bank, the association argued, will certainly relieve the government of

intense financial pressure due to over dependence on oil, adding that the sector has witnessed an unprecedented reforms in the last few years.

Sanni, noted that following the support of the World Bank, the Federal Government was able to promulgate rules and regulations guiding the sector, stating that the ministry has been able to establish the Mining Cadastre Office for transparent and orderly issuing of licenses.

He said the support of the World Bank also resulted in the upgrading of the Minerals Laboratory in Kaduna and the establishment of the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency , which has now simplified the search for mineral deposits.

PZ loses 40% of profit to insecurity

P

Z Cusson’s lost 40 per cent of its 2011 revenue to insecurity, its Managing Director, Mr. Christos Giannopoulos has said.

Giannopoulos, who spoke at the company’s 64th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Abuja yesterday, said security challenges in the last financial year affected the distribution of goods especially in the Northern part the country.

Consequently, he said the company lost 40 per cent of its revenue due to the level of insecurity experienced between 2011 and mid 2012.

He however, expressed optimism that with the return of normalcy, the company will make profit in the coming business year.

Earlier, Chairman of PZ, Prof. Emmanuel Edozien said although competition

Nduka Chiejina (Asst. Editor) and Mercy Madu, Abuja

remained strong, the turnover of the company increased by 10 per cent from N65.9 billion last year to N72.2 billion this year.

He however, said “profitability was adversely affected with pre-tax profit before exceptional items decreasing by 41 per cent from N8.0 billion to N4.7 billion, as the company was unable to fully pass on the impact of the raw material cost increases and Naira devaluations to the trade.”

He also said that net profit after tax decreased by 55 per cent to N2.5 billion .

Noting that the overall results were not in line with the projections, he assured shareholders that the company was on the right foot-

ing for profitable growth in the future.

The Board of PZ despite the poor showing of the company recommended to the shareholders a dividend of N1.707 billion representing 43 kobo per share.

The shareholders frowned at the large amount the company paid within the year as technical expenses or fees.

Responding, PZ’s Managaing Director said technical fees were paid for the acquisition of new equipment and to pay foreign advisers and consultants who preferred solutions on what equipment to buy and how to go about it.

Part of the technical fees was also spent on research and development to improve the quality of products from the company.

UEFA EUROPA CUP

Pg. 14

Nigeria's Odibe

I won't underrate

our opponents targets quarter-final —Flamingoes’ Coach

Pg. 51

Sport

Friday, September 14, 2012

PAGE 13

Minister queries NSC top official, Magaji

•Bolaji

•Risks suspension Levante tables N.4m for Obafemi Martins Pg. 14

Ideye rues bench role against Liberia Pg. 51

S

PORTS MINISTER, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi has queried the Director of Facilities, Abubakar Magaji for what he called negligence of duty.

NationSport scooped from the National Sport Commission (NSC) sources that the Minister was furious with the Facility Director when he paid an unscheduled visit to the stadium and found that the section responsible

From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja for cleaning of the environment and clearing of the grasses around the stadium and even the pitch had failed to do their duties.

“The Honourable Minister was irked that this simple duty was not carried out by the department. The Director

according to the Minister, was supposed to have instructed his workers to do the menial job of cutting the grasses around and inside the stadium as well as clean the environment which was in bad state.

“The Minister therefore, issued the Director of Facility a query to that effect and may even be suspended if care is not taken”, the source told the NationSport yesterday.

NIGERIA/ LIBERIA CLASH

I’ll be ready for Liberia in Calabar—Joel Obi

Pg. 14

•Joel Obi

14

51

NATIONSPORT FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

NATION SPORT

NATION SPORT

Levante tables N.4m for Obafemi Martins

UEFA EUROPA CUP

Nigeria's Odibe targets quarter-final

Iourwon't underrate opponents—Flamingoes’ Coach From Ejiro Femi-Babafemi, Abuja

By Innocent Amomoh

Raheem Lawal to make Demirspor debut Sunday •Odibe

Keshi, others donate to Alma Mater

By Stella Bamawo

NIGERIA/ LIBERIA CLASH

I’ll be ready

for Liberia in Calabar—Joel Obi

Scouts hunt for talents at Rivers Governor's Cup

From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja

From Florence Nkem Israel, Port Harcourt

AFRICAN YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIER

Flying Eagles' coaches get match tapes of South Africa From Tunde Liadi, Owerri •Martins •Joel Obi

COUNTDOWN TO CAN U-17 QUALIFIER

Rwanda tie doubtful —NFF

Ideye rues bench role against Liberia

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri

•Ideye

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

15

16

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

WORKSHOP

JOBS

STUDY

Information, community officers trained

Community trains 60 unemployed youths

‘Hard work has paid off’

45

Oyo

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

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•Governor Oshiomhole

Lagos

Cross River 47

S part of its humanitarian campaign for a better society, the Rotary Club of Benin has donated four incubators and an “oxygen concentration” to two hospitals owned by the Edo State government.

It was part of activities marking the 2012 Rotary Year celebrations, with the theme: service to humanity.

The incubators were donated to the Central Hospital while the oxygen concentration was donated to the Stella Obasanjo Women and Children’s Hospital.

Both facilities are located in Benin City, the state capital.

President of the Rotary Club of

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Page 17

Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

Rotary donates incubators to Edo hospitals From Osagie Otabor, Benin

Benin, District 9104, Dr. Effi Usen, said the donation was made after a survey was carried out on the needs of the hospitals, which established that there were not enough incubators for the use of newborn babies at the Central Hospital.

It was also discovered that the Stella Obasanjo health facility equally lacked oxygen concentration.

Dr. Usen noted that the Rotary Club

of Benin was not unaware of the health challenges facing the country which propelled it to make physiotheraphy available for children who need it.

He said: “We are going to touch the lives of the less privileged in our communities, provide basic amenities and safe drinking water for them.

We are going to promote cancer awareness like breast cancer, cervical cancer which are causing so much concern in the country and the world at large.

“We are going to pick an orphanage home and feed the children there for one year, effective from September 2012 till the end of this Rotary year which is May, 2013.

“We are also going to sink boreholes in some rural communities”.

He added that Rotary International has concluded plans to ensure that polio was completely wiped out of Nigeria within the next one year especially in the northern parts of the country.

Cross River tackles VVF 250 women treated, more suffer in silence

C

ONTRARY to widespread perception, Vesico Vaginal Fistula or VVF is not a scourge of the North; it is also prevalent in other parts of the country.

In Cross River State, women are grappling with the disease which manifests in the involuntary discharge of urine into the outer birth canal.

But the good news is that, in the state, efforts are made to bring succour to sufferers.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in conjunction with the state government, established in May a VVF Centre at the Ogoja General Hospital.

Since then, the gesture has proved to be a blessing to the women of the northern senatorial district of the state. The USAID project which is free runs till 2015.

For women who have been suffering in silence there could be no better miracle.

CountryManager, Fistula Care Project of USAID, Chief Iyeme Efem, told Newsextra that the Ogoja Centre is the second to be established with the collaboration of the agency in the southern part of the country.

He added that 250 women have been repaired at the Centre.

Efem said that before now, people in the community and other southern parts of the country did not know that fistula was a major challenge.

He pointed out that more women are even coming forward for treatment than was envisaged.

His words: “We have always had more women coming in

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

than the bed space. We only have 24 bed spaces, but we have 50 to 60 women registered, so you have to ask them to come back within the next cycle of repair. It clearly shows that the need is great in this part of the world.”

Iyeme also noted that there are more women in the villages who do not even know that treatment is available for fistula.

A novel approach adopted by the project in the state, he said, is the integration of the project’s community activities which include client’s sensitisation, education and mobilisation to the activities of the Ward Development Committees (WDCs), already existing in all the wards of the state “The plan is to integrate fistula activities to what the WDCs are doing in the communities. That way they just carry fistula messages along with them as they move around. By so doing, they become the drivers of the programme; they own it and so it becomes sustainable in the long run.”

Efem also pointed out that another problem is that at the community level, women issues are usually left with the women to discuss, while men make what is considered to be the major decisions.

“So what we did was bring all these traditional rulers who are the chairmen of the WDCs, point persons of Primary health care centres as well as the primary health care coordinators together and we sat down and talked about this issue of women. Women are really in pain inside, and there is nothing as bad as the pain inside you that you cannot express.”

•Relieved, Regina Atabi (right) stands with her daughter Head of one of the WDCs, His Royal Highness Odaji Ipuole, Clan Head of Okuku Kingdom, Yala Local Government Area, said the incidence of fistula in his community has been endemic but due to lack of awareness, a lot of sufferers were accused of being cursed by the gods.

“Nobody knew that it is the result of one accident or the other,” he said. “So a lot of people tend to dissociate themselves from people who have fistula; in such cases, they are either taken to herbal homes to pour libations, or make one sacrifice or the other, thinking that they will appease the gods that caused the ailment. Unfortunately, none of these sacrifices have been able to •Continued on Page 45

•Chief Andy Bekeh Ushie

•HRH Odaji Ipuole

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

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Community trains 60 unemployed youths

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•From right: Council Manager, Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, Mr. Babatunde Mesewaku, receiving a plaque from Comrade Ogerugba Luke, representative of President of National Association of Nigerian Students, when the association conferred on Mesewaku, the Humanitarian Service Award For An Outstanding Excellent Performance at the council secretariat.

NDDC to sanction erring contractors

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HE Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is set to purge erring contractors just as it threatens to review the Ayetoro land reclamation and shore protection contract in Ondo State.

Managing Director of the Commission, Dr. Christian Oboh who stated this when he led a team of NDDC Board members on an inspection tour of Ondo, Edo and Delta States, said the moves have become imperative in view of the attitude of some contractors.

Represented by Ondo State Representative on the board, Omogbein Oladele, Dr. Oboh lamented that the project conceived to save communities in the area threatened by high waves from the ocean was being treated with levity.

He assured the people of Ayetoro and other beneficiaries of NDDC projects that the commission was determined to complete ongoing projects in line with the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

“The commission is now paying contractors as soon as they achieved specified milestones’,

Delta we have also placed some key projects on fast-track to ensure that they are completed in the shortest possible time” he said.

According to the Managing Director “cases of agitations would be reduced when numerous projects being executed by the commission were completed and handed over”.

He, therefore, charged contractors working for the NDDC to buckle up as “the board will not entertain excuses for non performance”.

The inspection team visited the ObozogbeAbudu 24km road in Edo State which they described as not only commendable but a testimony of commitment on the part of some local contractors.

The team also expressed satisfaction with the pace of work on the Ugheli multi billion Naira flood control project as well as the university hostel projects at Abraka.

Council gets new market

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HE new market built by Oriade Local Council Development Area in Lagos State has begun to attract buyers and sellers of various goods from far and near.

The facility conceived after several markets in the council were demolished to pave way for the 10-lane Badagry road ,has become a centre of economic activities in the area.

Taking newsmen round the market recently,the Baba-Oja of Ijegun Egba in Oriade Local Council Development Area, Alao-Idowu Abisoro, lauded the council’s committee on land and properties, for its prompt response and building the shops in different grades to meet the demand of traders.

According to Abisoro who was accompanied by some of the council officials and the host community royal kinsmen, the market site has long been allocated to the council for public use by the two royal houses in Ijegun Egba.

“About 15 markets with more than 1000 locked up and open shops were destroyed during the demolition of structures carried out by the government to create way for the road construction that is going on and since then, traders don’t have place to sell but I am happy with the timely intervention of the council for developing this satellite market.

“As you can see, traders are happy selling in a peaceful atmosphere, unlike the former situation when buying and selling were done by the roadside. Now there is security and toilet, parking space and the council is traders- friendly. Traders now display their wares or goods in groups and those who sell fruits from neighbouring states”.

Also showering praises on the council for bringing smiles back to the faces of traders in the area, Alhaji Babatunde Adeo Sogunro , said their father was delighted to give the land for public use, noting that the new market is wish of the founding fathers of the community.

He debunked the insinuation that his father sold the piece of land to Management Enterprise Limited saying “My father has

By Paul Oluwakoya

power of Altorney on the land as the head of Ibasa Alagbo family. I heard that somebody claimed the council is an illegal occupant of this market site saying my father who gave the land out for community thumb printed.

He said:“I must tell you that my father was a Cambridge certiificate holder who later worked in the Nigerian Air Force. He is learned, so for somebody to have alleged that my father thumb printed in any alleged transaction giving out this piece of land is a white lie. My father took a plane down to Ibasa here in 1940.”

According to Hon Akeem Agbelega , the council leader, the peaceful atmosphere in the market is a reflection of the council area at large which is devoid of violence and acrimony irrespective of differences in the tribes of residents.

• Some of the traders displaying their goods

O fewer than 60 youths from Netim community in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State have been trained on various skills by the community.

The unemployed youths were trained in events management, meat and fish production and confectioneries production.

The village head of the community, Chief Augustine Orok, confirmed this to reporters in Akamkpa.

Orok said that the training programme was undertaken by the community to give the youths a sense of belonging and prepare them for self-employment.

He explained that the programme was part of the community’s effort to reduce youth unemployment and youth restiveness “and remove them from other social vices”.

He added that the training was also extended to undergraduates from the community in tertiary institutions, saying that “such persons have special time allocated for their own training”.

Orok said that the 60 persons benefitted in the first phase of the programme and advised interested youths, especially those who could not participate in the concluded

Forum to train Abia youths

Ebonyi seeks foreign help

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Cross River one to wait for the second phase.

“In the second phase, we will introduce computer training,’’ he said.

He appealed to the state government to construct the Okomita-Netim road and provide electricity in the community to improve economic life of the people.

He said that the state government was generating revenue from natural resources, including crushed rock, in the area and urged it to use part of the revenue to provide infrastructure for the people.

•Governor Imoke

HE Ebonyi State government has sought Japan’s assistance to complete its projects and enhance partnership in areas of mutual interest.

The Acting Governor of the state,Chief Dave Umahi, made the request in Abakaliki after leading a delegation of the UN Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria to inspect projects across the state.

Umahi asked for support in the areas of the completion and reticulation of its N12 billion ultra-modern water schemes, assisting rural women in small-scale salt processing and exploration of the mineral resources in the state, among others.

“We would appreciate the sustenance of our partnership with both the Japanese Embassy and UNIDO in agriculture and

Southeast governors tackle insecurity

G

OVERNORS of states in the South East zone of the country have set a committee to eradicate “the menace of security challenges’’ in the area.

Briefing newsmen at the end of a joint security meeting, which was also attended by heads of security agencies in the zone, the Chairman of the governor’s forum, Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, said the governors were committed to eradicating all forms of criminalities in the zone.

Obi said the committee, which is headed by

Anambra Maj.-Gen. Olayinka Oshinowo, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Enugu, would report back to the governors in two weeks.

He said the committee would come out with a plan on how to deal with security challenges in the zone.

“Today, we held a joint committee of all the security agencies in the South East Zone to discuss common security operations. The governors are

Anambra

T

HE Nigerian German Investors Forum has concluded plans to train youths in Abia on waste recycling, Mr Saturday Jackson, the forum’s Coordinator,has said in Berlin.

He told reporters in the German capital that the forum was already talking with the Abia State government to clean up the wastes in the state.

“This will help to create jobs for the youths and generate revenue for the state,’’ Jackson said.

He said some wastes would be recycled locally, while others, such as carcasses of cars, would be taken to Germany for recycling.

The forum co-ordinator added that wastes that would be recycled locally would be turned into fertiliser and be given at no cost to farmers in the state.

He also said the forum would soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Environment to set up a waste recycling plant in Abuja.

Jackson, who is also the Chairman, Goodluck Jonathan Support Group in Germany, held that the Nigerian government could create over 20,000 jobs through the recycling of wastes.

The forum co-ordinator blamed the underdevelopment of Nigeria on the failure of past governments to effectively manage the country’s natural resources.

He expressed optimism that with the right political will and effective management of the country‘s resources, Nigeria would achieve its desire of becoming one of the most developed economies by 2020.

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committed to eradicating all forms of criminalities in the zone.

“We held a meeting today to discuss this and thereafter, set up a committee headed by the GOC to come out with a plan on how we can deal with security issues ranging from kidnapping and others in the southeast.

“The committee will come out with what is required to provide the south east with effective security,’’ the chairman said.

In an interview with newsmen, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State said that lack of employment was not a sufficient reason for anybody to engage in crime.

“It is not unemployment that causes crime.

People who engage in crime have no excuse because they can engage in agriculture to survive.

“Agriculture is the only option left for the country to survive on as the number of white collar jobs available for youths are inadequate to meet demands.

“Agriculture is actually the only option left because it can employ many people,’’ Okorocha said.

Present at the meeting were Governors Theodore Orji of Abia, Sullivan Chime of Enugu and the deputy governor of Ebonyi State, Mr Dave Umahi.

Also in attendance were the GOC, 82 Division, Enugu, Maj.-Gen. Olayinka Oshinowo, the Enugu State Comptroller of Immigration, Mr Gerrard Dilibe and heads of other security agencies in the zone.

Briefly • Chairman ,Nigerian Society of Engineers, Ikeja Branch, Engr. Bola Akinribido(left) and Engr.

Babagana Mohammed presenting an award of Outstanding Council Chairman to the Chairman,Mushin Local Government Council, Hon. Olatunde Adepitan during the induction of new engineers in Lagos

Expectant mothers get free mosquito nets

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HE Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is to donate 1 million auto disposable syringes, 10,000 doses of typhoid vaccines and mosquito nets to Imo State Government towards enhanced health care delivery.

The Managing Director, Dr. Christian Oboh announced this at the flag-on of the NDDC/A.M Projects Free Health Care Mission at the Oguta General Hospital, where 1,000 insecticide treated nets were also distributed to pregnant women and children.

Represented by Assistant Director, Education, Health and Social Services, Dr. George Uzonwanne, Dr. Oboh disclosed that the Commission would soon begin the vaccination of children against typhoid fever across the region.

He explained that the medical mission was in compliance with the commission’s mandate to intervene in the health needs of the people and solicited their support towards the protection

of government projects in their domain.

Imo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Njoku represented by the Chief Executive Officer, Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Reginald Ike praised the NDDC for the gesture and charged the people of Oguta to avail themselves of the services.

“We thank the NDDC for making this programme possible, but like Oliver Twist, we will continue to call the commission to remember us and extend this beyond the shores of Oguta”.

On his part, the medical coordinator of A.M. Projects, Dr. Frank Ezeana, put the number of treated cases as at the third day of the mission at 4,000.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Udom Ambrose thanked the NDDC for the mission adding “the free healthcare is very helpful to the poor who cannot afford to pay their hospital bills”.

Church holds programme

NDE empowers 450

KING in Christ Power Ministries International is to host the Isolo community in a two-day programme tagged: Suya Night.

The programme will feature music, merriment, prophetic service punctuated with consumption of roasted meat (suya delicacy).

The venue is 18/20 Osolo Way, by 7/8 Bus Stop, Ajao Estate, Isolo on Thursday, and Friday, September 13 and 14 respectively.

The host who is the Senior Pastor of the church, Dr. Childi Innocent Anthony said the concept is to say that people can express joy before the Lord without descending into unholy practices.

HE Ondo State Coordinator of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE),Mr Olaitan Olayinka, says the directorate is training 450 people in skills acquisition.

Olayinka, who made the disclosure in an interview with reporters in Akure, said the participants were receiving training in various centres located in the three senatorial districts of the state.

He said the centres were located in Akure (Ondo Central), Ilutitun (Ondo South) and Ogbagi-Akoko (Ondo North) and that each of them had 10 classes of trades with 15 trainees in each of the classes.

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Expert lauds Obi’s education initiative THE handover of schools by Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, to the missions has been described as a worthwhile initiative that will ultimately produce the right results.

Paul Collier, a Professor of Economics and Director for the Centre for the Study of African Economies at the University of Oxford, who disclosed this, lauded Obi for not only handing over the schools to the missions but also taking care of their teachers’ emoluments.

This, he said, had made the teachers’ positions safe and secure as well as not altering their financial incentives despite the handover.

Collier said this development would make an important difference in the education sector as the school management put in place by the churches would emphasise commitment.

‘Teachers are encouraged to refresh their sense of duty and stewardship towards the children for whom they are responsible,’ Collier pointed out.

He further stated that the management which was connected through the local church would not only be more motivated than many bureaucracies, but would be more readily connected to parents whose attitudes and support were also important in bringing the best out of the children.

Collier stated that a synchronised large scale change of management as Governor Obi had done could achieve a quantum improvement as everyone involved could reasonably expect the future to be different.

‘What is needed is a range of such experiments. Some will work better than others but if combined, Nigerians can learn what works best,’ Collier said.

Ebonyi agro-processing, especially rice processing and value addition.

“It is interesting to note that the modern rice mills being constructed in the three senatorial zones of the state are being equipped by the Satake Corporation of Japan.

“We decided to partner with Satake in recognition of its track record in this area and appreciation of our long-standing partnership with the government and people of Japan.”

According to the acting governor, the state needs accelerated paddy production to feed the installed capacity of about 100-tonne per hour rice mills across the state.

“We are aware that Japan has the expertise in paddy production and large commercial farming that makes us implore you to bring reputable investors to partner with us in this direction.’’

He noted that in the health sector, the government of Japan had extended grants to non-governmental hospitals, to effectively serve the healthcare needs of rural dwellers.

“We have so far, committed N1.2 billion to

•Governor Elechi this scheme and followed it up by awarding contracts for the rehabilitation of general hospitals across the 13 local government areas in the state, at the cost of N2.6 billion.

“We, therefore, request your assistance towards the provision of requisite equipment in the hospitals,” he said.

•From left: Special Apostle Prophet Gabriel Olubanmi Fakeye, Apostle Pastor Kehinde Showemimo, Deputy Shepherd Youth Fellowship, Pastor (Dr) George Ogunleye, Church Secretary, during the press conference by Prophet Fakeye to usher in the 25th Anniversary Celebration of the youth Fellowship at the Cherubim and Seraphim movement Church Surulere Sub-Headquartes Sanya Bus Stop,Lagos PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

Group urges youths against violence OUTHS in the country have been advised to shun violence and embrace peace where they can best express their God-given talents and make their contribution to the development of the country.

The advice was given by the spokesman of Citinet Group, Mr Ola Akintonwa AbdulRasheed at a press briefing and lecture in memory of those who lost their lives in the fateful September 11,2001 bombing in the United States of America.

The event was held at the University of Lagos Guest House,Akoka,Yaba,Lagos. He urged the youth to always be positive, hardworking and patriotic and shun all negative values.

In a lecture entitled: Islam and Peace, Alhaja Rafat Hassan M’Awwal asserted that Islam preaches peace and guarantees freedom of religion to nonMuslims even in environment administered by Muslims.

According to the speaker, Islam builds relationship among individuals, groups based on brotherhood, equality and non differentiation

Y

between them due to tribe, religion and wealth.

“Besides, Islam ensures freedom of faith for non Muslims and builds relationship among other nations. It does not encourage Jihad religion because of aggressions or revenge”. The activities of Boko Haram, therefore, constitute an abberation to the religion and should be condemned.

Mr Akintonwa used the occasion to thank the Managing Director of Consolidated Siscourt Ltd, Mr Leke Shittu for his benevolence and support and Mr Gbenga Hassan who represented him. Consolidated Discount Ltd had earlier said. “We identify with Citinet Group and Rafatulah Awwal Islamic Foundation because of their persistent efforts in promoting peace in the country and corporate social responsibility commitment in line with government policy, youth development and less privileged in the society, we shall try to support you annually”.

•From left: Alhaja Rafat Hassan M’Awwal, Mr Hassan and Mr Akintonwa at the event.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

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COMMENTARY Comments

EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

Murder in Benghazi

The Dana dilemma •Govt might have fulfilled legal righteousness, but will it find passengers for the airline?

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E must state upfront that an air accident need not be the end of the operation of an airline as has been witnessed in Nigeria in the recent past. But on the other hand, the lifting of the operating licence of Dana Airline barely three months after a horrendous crash which cause has yet to be determined, and which pieces have not been picked, is bound to raise eyebrows and trigger pathos, and understandably so.

A Dana Airline commercial plane had crashed in the Agege suburb of Lagos last June 3, killing all 153 passengers and crew as well as 10 persons on the ground. The Federal Government had promptly grounded the airline, ostensibly to keep it from flying while investigations and remediation went on. The Accident and Investigation Bureau (AIB) is yet to turn in its report, less than half of the bodies of the victims have been so far identified and retrieved by family members while a good number are still in the mortuary, caught up in identification controversy.

Compensation issues are also still embroiled in forensic details with only $30,000, a small fraction, paid to few families. Interments and memorial services for victims are still going on across the country and the pall of mourning is yet to dissipate.

It is under this circumstance that the aviation minister, Ms Stella Oduah announced the lifting of the suspension of the operational licence of Dana Airline.

She said the “action is based on our satis-

faction, after carrying out a technical audit of the operator, that the airline is airworthy.” As if to mitigate the uproar that action was expected to cause, the minister explained that it shared the pains of the family members of the victims of the crash and that the decision was taken with every sense of responsibility. It said further that none of the reports so far released on the June 3 crash had indicted the airline, noting that it was not usually the practice in the industry to ground the operations of an airline whose plane was involved in an accident but added that the step had to be taken because of the sentiments in Nigeria.

We agree with the minister that an airline need not crash and go into oblivion just because of one accident as has been the case in Nigeria. Airlines like Bellview, Sosoliso and ADC have ceased to exist largely on account of long suspension of their licenses after a crash. This need not be so. On the other hand, we think the government has behaved most insensitively not only by giving Dana a clean bill of health while the major accident report was yet to be turned in, but by making what comes across like a gleeful pronouncement in lifting the suspension of the airline’s licence. A little more tact and sensitivity was required in handling such an emotive matter.

The Dana affair is yet another example in which though the government may have fulfilled legal righteousness, it totally neglects the feelings and sentiments

of the people in its approach and implementation. Given what we knew about the ill-fated air plane, that accident might have been avoided if the airline had not been carefree in its operations.

We offer that Dana should not hurry back into Nigeria’s airspace; even though it already has the go-ahead from the government. And if it does without putting its house in order, hoping to circumvent the pervert system, Nigerians also have their way of voting with the choice of airlines to fly after such disasters. Countries where the regulatory authorities are up and doing can afford the luxury of not stopping airlines involved in crashes; we cannot vouch for our own regulators here.

‘We offer that Dana should not hurry back into Nigeria’s airspace; even though it already has the goahead from the government. And if it does without putting its house in order, hoping to circumvent the pervert system, Nigerians also have their way of voting with the choice of airlines to fly after such disasters.

Countries where the regulatory authorities are up and doing can afford the luxury of not stopping airlines involved in crashes; we cannot vouch for our own regulators’

True heroes

•Nigerian athletes show the ability of disability

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HE old saying that “when the going gets tough, the tough get going” was spectacularly demonstrated in the feats of the Nigerian Paralympics team to the London 2012 Paralympics Games.

Having battled a lifetime of hostility, disdain and prejudice, these remarkable men and women went into the competition with little more than an abiding faith in their own abilities. Their determination to bring honour to their nation was richly rewarded: Nigeria won six gold, five silver and two bronze medals at the Games, and set two world records. Overall, the country placed 22nd out of the 164 participating countries.

This achievement stands in stark contrast to the below-par performances of the athletes Nigeria sent to the 2012 London Olympics. That woeful outing was characterised by unjustified expectations, preposterous over-optimism, and a plethora of excuses as to why the bil-

‘Beyond the bestowal of national honours, houses, vehicles and cash, the Federal Government must ensure that official and social attitudes to Nigeria’s disabled citizens change for the better. For instance, how do they fair in employment or in the architecture of public buildings like wheel-chair-compliant elevators and steps? It is not enough to mouth clichés about ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to attain their full potential’

lions expended failed to yield any appreciable results.

What makes Nigeria’s Paralympics feat all the more remarkable is the fact that it has been so consistent. In a succession of Paralympics Games, Nigeria’s physically-challenged athletes have shown, time and again, that they could be counted upon to uphold the country’s honour, compared to their able-bodied counterparts, who have often disappointed the high hopes placed in them.

Paralympians representing the country won gold medals in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, the 2000 Sydney Olympics, the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Such a tradition of reliable feat is yet another pointer to the durability of the Nigerian spirit: the fierce determination to rise above the many peculiar challenges of the local environment. The country is replete with entrepreneurs, professionals, creative artists and other individuals who have refused to let administrative incompetence and political betrayal prevent them from attaining the formidable heights they have set for themselves. The Paralympics team conquered the world at multiple levels – they simultaneously triumphed over physical disability, fellow-competitors from other countries and an obstructive social system.

The unambiguous nature of their achievement makes the low-key nature of their reception at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos all the more inexplicable. While there was a band, a few banners, and a Liaison Officer from the Nigerian Sports Commission (NSC) to receive them, their reception was devoid of the pomp and pageantry that should have attended the re-

turn of conquering heroes. The vehicles in which they were conveyed were a far cry from the luxury transport the senior men’s football team, the Super Eagles, routinely receives. To make matters even worse, the Paralympic team was allegedly sent to dilapidated quarters at the National Institute for Sports (NIS), where they have had to struggle with the usual problems of lack of disability access facilities, power outages and the scarcity of water.

Fortunately, the Federal Government has moved quickly to rectify this outrage. President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday ordered that the team be taken immediately to Abuja and given VIP treatment prior to his formal reception of them on Saturday. Such speed and decisiveness is heart-warming, but what is strange is that this situation should have ever arisen in the first place.

Beyond the bestowal of national honours, houses, vehicles and cash, the Federal Government must ensure that official and social attitudes to Nigeria’s disabled citizens change for the better.

For instance, how do they fair in employment or in the architecture of public buildings like wheel-chair-compliant elevators and steps? It is not enough to mouth clichés about ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to attain their full potential. There must be a deliberate policy of legislative action and social programmes designed to ensure that physically and mentally-challenged people are given the chance to live meaningful lives. As the Paralympians have shown, they are capable of achieving much more than their so-called “normal” compatriots.

L

IBYA and its pro-democracy revolution had no better friend than J. Christopher Stevens, the United States ambassador who was killed along with three other Americans in Tuesday’s attack on the consulate in Benghazi. It was an outrageous act that deserved the strongest condemnation.

President Obama’s statement of outrage and his vow to bring the killers to justice received bipartisan support, including from politicians otherwise committed to partisan warfare, like the House speaker, John Boehner, and the Senate minority leader, Mitch McConnell, who rarely misses a chance to attack Mr. Obama.

But not from Mitt Romney, who wants Americans to believe he can be president but showed an extraordinary lack of presidential character by using the murders of the Americans in Libya as an excuse not just to attack Mr. Obama, but to do so in a way that suggested either a dangerous ignorance of the facts or an equally dangerous willingness to twist them to his narrow partisan aims.

Mr. Romney could easily have held his fire during this crisis, if he could not summon the decency to support the United States government. Instead, he misrepresented the administration as “sympathizing” with the attackers. There was no truth in what he said.

In fact, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton made the first official comment on the killings, a strong condemnation, before Mr. Romney released his statement. Even after having a night to reconsider his response, Mr. Romney merely doubled down on his false charges, as he is prone to do.

Mr. Stevens, 52, was Washington’s envoy to the rebels in Libya when they were overthrowing Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi. He became ambassador and, undaunted by the dangers, worked to build partnerships among the country’s disparate groups and guide the fragile new democracy during a difficult transition. A fluent Arabic speaker, he had a deep understanding of Libya’s culture and people.

On Wednesday, the Obama administration said it appeared that an organized group armed with mortars and rocket-propelled grenades had exploited a protest over an anti-Muslim video to unleash the attack. Some news reports suggested Al Qaeda may have been responsible. American officials noted the contrast with Egypt, where unarmed protesters, decrying the same video, spontaneously stormed the Embassy perimeter and tore down a flag but did little other damage.

Libya’s shaky new government will need American support to bring the killers to justice. The origins of the video, which mocks the Prophet Muhammad, are not clear. There is considerable speculation about who even produced the film, which largely went unnoticed until it was promoted on the Internet by Morris Sadek, an Egyptian-born Coptic Christian ally of Terry Jones, a Florida pastor and hatemonger whose threats to burn a copy of the Koran inspired deadly riots in Afghanistan in 2010 and 2011.

However offensive the video is, it could never justify the violence in Benghazi and Cairo. But Mr. Jones, Mr. Sadek and whoever made the film did true damage to the interests of the United States and its core principle of respecting all faiths.

Religious fundamentalists, moderates and liberal secularists are all jockeying for power in Middle East nations after the Arab Spring. The violence done on Tuesday was apparently the work of a relatively small group of radicals not associated with any legitimate protest.

The worst thing now would be for the United States to turn away from its commitments to work with Libya and Egypt as they try to build stable new societies. A number of Libyan security guards died trying to save the Americans, and Libyan leaders have condemned the killings and promised to work to apprehend those responsible. Egyptian leaders, inexplicably, have not followed that lead.

– New York Times

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THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

20

CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: Regional Integration is not national disintegration.

A nation is a system that has many parts in which any malfunction or dysfunction of a part will affect the other parts and the whole system. Nigeria is not functioning, and this is glaring, because the regions are not functioning well due to poor financing, maladministration at the centre and lack of visionary and transformation leaders. Regional integration will will turn around the fortune of the nation.

Regional integration means the coming together of components regions in a state to benefit from economy of scale.

The present administration has neglected security as a critical component of national transformation. The country is today in fear of attacks by terrorists who are bent on running the country down. Nigeria is endowed with

SOS on OyoOgbomoso expressway IR: Permit me to express my view and disappointment at the slow pace of work or no work at all at Oyo-Ogbomosho dualisation project under construction by Reynolds Construction Company Nig. Ltd. (R.C.C).

Though R.C.C is claiming poor funding by Federal Government, the government is claiming otherwise. I don’t see why the construction of such important road should be treated like this.

This is the busiest route that links the North with the South. The existing road has become a deathtrap while millions of naira of goods perish daily on this road. I hereby to appeal to Federal Government to look into this matter.

•Amos Seun, Oyo Town

S

EDITOR’S MAIL BAG SEND TYPEWRITTEN, DOUBLE SPACED AND SIGNED CONTRIBUTIONS, LETTERS AND REJOINDERS OF NOT MORE THAN 1000 WORDS TO THE EDITOR, THE NATION, 27B, FATAI ATERE ROAD, MATORI, LAGOS. E-mail: views@thenationonlineng.com

On regional integration and state police vast natural resources like iron, lime, tin, gold, petroleum, water sources, arable land and highly informed human resources, yet we lack food security and other infrastructures that can make life meaningful because of dearth of visionary and transformation leaders.

The central government lacks the capacity to influence the regional parts on the kind of development necessary to move the region and the country forward.

While states like Edo, Lagos, Osun, Ekiti, Rivers, Oyo and Ogun are doing well, the central government refuses to show

signs of development. Regional integration will ginger developments and healthy competition among the regions like we had in the first republic.

The establishment of state police will improve the security of the country and help to prevent crime. The recent disapproval in some quarters, especially the elites, who should know better, is expected and welcomed. In 1822, Robert Peel, a wealthy member of the Britain’s Parliament, strongly believed that London’s population, crime rate and crime nature merited a fulltime, professional police force.

But many English, especially the politicians, objected to the idea.

They feared possible restraint of the liberty and atrocities.

They also feared a strong police organisation because the criminal law was already perceived harsh (by the early 19th century there were 223 crimes in England for which a person could receive capital punishment). Indeed, Peel’s efforts to gain support for full-time, paid police officers failed for seven years. Peel finally succeeded in 1829. His bill to Parliament - entitled “An Act for Improving the Police In and Near the Metropo-

lis”, which culminated in the establishment of the Metropolitan Police - was popularly known as the Metropolitan Police Act of 1829.

The intention of policing a community is the prevention of crime. Nigeria has changed socially, economically and demographically from the time the Nigeria Police Force was created by the colonial masters. Nigeria is an amalgamation of different states with different cultures.

Creation of state police is inevitable if we want to maintain peace and other and care for national development.

Different states have some different security challenges and different states have different priorities for crime prevention and control. A state that is ready to spend more for its security should be allowed to do so.

• Ademola Adebayo Lagos

Okada and the Lagos Traffic Law

S

IR: Some 15 years ago, while I was still in Sokoto, I had flagged down a commercial motorcyclist, what Lagosians call okada, but which is called kabu kabu up there. It was about 9 p.m, and there were few vehicles on the roads, and fewer human traffic still.

We were approaching a junction and the traffic light was showing red a distance away.

Looking that there was no vehicle anywhere and no one I could see around, I expected the motorcyclist to keep moving. But when he got there, he stayed put, waiting for the light to turn green. I was not only moved, I was impressed. Some may have urged him to move on, and perhaps generating an argument, but I never did such. Here was an uneducated northerner, perhaps illiterate, obeying traffic law to the letter.

I asked him in Hausa why he did not jump the light since there was no vehicle or even anyone in sight, and since he apparently posed no danger. He said he always felt morally obliged to do the right thing. I patted him on the back and his leathery face split into a smile.

When I got to my destination, I paid him the fare, and he made to give me my change, I told him to keep the change. And he was very thankful.

I also remember back then again in Sokoto, I strolled along the street with a friend, when a Caucasian rode past on a motorbike, with full protective gear, and a bold helmet, and my friend yelled at him: “Get real!” And the rider rode on with a confused expression. Perhaps he had done something wrong, he thought. It seems it is not in our nature to obey laws, even that

which will save our own lives. Up till today, it is common to see an Okada rider with his passenger both not wearing protective helmets.

When traffic snarls, I see drivers“jackrabbit” just because they are not patient enough. And I often wonder where they are running to and how much time they think they can gain. But they not only burn their fuel, they could also cause unnecessary panic that could lead to accidents as they try to overtake, vehicles after vehicles.

Okada riders perhaps pose the greatest risk to a driver in Lagos, and even to pedestrians. Even when they are at fault especially riding one-way, and they hit you, you have bought yourself a cargo whether you like it or not, as sympathisers will package the Okada man for you to take to the

hospital and incur unnecessary expenses. Nobody remembers your car that he may have dented.

The Lagos State government has signed into law new traffic regulations, but instead of welcoming them, many are getting frantic about this. They complain that the penalties are too stiff, and are now fearful of running foul of the law.

But doing the right thing, rather than the fear of paying penalties should be the drive to obey traffic laws. The best driver is the one who can predict the other driver. But if the other driver is lawless, it makes it more difficult to predict him.

The Lagos government is wellmeaning and sounding the message for all to hear, and it is for us to cooperate for our own good.

• Dr Cosmas Odoemena, Lagos

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012 16

21

COMMENTS

Reality Bites Y

Readers’ Parliament • Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab (Man in the mirror 1)

Olatunji Ololade

OU are a terrorist too.

08024613695.

Ololade, you yourself can kill 300 people. You are a terrorist agent. FBI should add you to their list of wannabe terrorists.

07036268176.

Tunji, please try to syndicate your column and have it published in all major newspapers. I believe it’s the kind of stuff Nigerians need to spur them to a greater positive mass political action. Your confinement to The Nation is a great disservice to the Nigerian nation and the youth in particular. May God continue to watch over you and strengthen your hand as our dear country inches steadily toward the zero hour. Wishing the best of every good thing this year...Shalom! 08025347716.

Tell Farouk Mutallab that there is nothing like 70 virgins for any murderer of any kind. He is lucky, let him repent and accept Jesus for life.

This may be his last chance.

08060428267.

Your write-up makes very little sense. At a time the young generation should be involved in objective analysis, I am surprised by your myopic and suspicious analysis. You vitiate my hope in the ability of the youths to make this world a better place for humanity. 08033937531.

My brother, I really enjoy your write-ups, please ride on.

08062219551.

Tunji, you are shying from the truth or being too careful, isn’t the dictate of Islam to kill perceived antiIslamists and that Allah accepts that?

H

Sincerely Tunji, Israel’s God is not Islam’s Allah. Former ordered Abraham to sacrifice Isaac while the latter asked Abraham to sacrifice Ishmael. God isn’t a liar. Then one religion is premised on falsehood and inactions. From Mr Ajayi, Ibadan.

08051002762.

The type of coverage given criminal acts like Abdulmutallab’s by the international media is uncalled for.

It does not deter a lot of depressed and evil-minded people. The fight against terrorism should be executed with utmost secrecy while information should be made public after culprits have been apprehended. I don’t think Abdulmutallab got the help he needed while he was going through some internal conflicts. Parents should do more to protect their wards against undue peer influence.

The pursuit of wealth and ambition should not make parents neglect their primary responsibility to their children.

Spare the rod...

08035157850.

Nice article, Mr Olatunji. I admire your objective take on the effects of religion on our psyche. Looking forward to the concluding piece. From Barrister Amiesimaka Tamuno.

08064884718.

Your discourse on Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab (Man in the mirror 1) is simply thought-provoking, elegantly poetic and vivid in its images. Kudos! From Ayo (Esq) Calabar.

08038270988.

Nigeria is always known for vices like money-laundering, advance-fee fraud, Farouk has decided to add ter-

ONOURABLE Justice Mustapha Adebayo Akanbi (CFR) (rtd), a father, Wakilin of Ilorin, an elder (non-partisan) statesman, a man of impeccable integrity, an intellectual by all measures and an untiring judicial activist turns 80. His globally acknowledged courage, patriotism, pan Africanism and above all compassion for human advancement are worthy of celebration. The cliché is; not how long, but how well.

Remarkably, it’s been well, worthwhile and long for Justice Akanbi. Activists of alternative social order are often critical of state judicial officers in particular and men and women of “law and order”, in general. History is rich with abundant evidences of how laws, some lawyers and indeed many judges were parts of the strong links in the chain of class oppression, exploitation and tyranny against the weak. Judges sentenced Nelson Mandela (himself a lawyer!) to life imprisonment. His crime: dare to fight against apartheid. Madiba spent 27 years of his precious life behind the bars “legally”. “Rule of (apartheid) law”once prohibited what turned out to be icons like Nelson Mandela (of royal extraction), Desmond Tutu, and Winne Mandela from making use of White Only toilet.

Unjust apartheid laws for a century criminalized and segregated toilet usage!

The apartheid “laws” were certainly drafted by some “lawyers”. Some “judges” also enthusiastically enforced the “laws” with all the brutality associated with them! Here at home, not few Judges, lawyers and judicial officials enlisted on the side of injustice and dark dealings. It was a judge who granted the infamous injunction putting on hold a process of free and fair elections in 1993. The annulment of June 12 election by IBB dictatorship was “”legitimised”” by “legal” drafters of draconian laws of that dark era of our life. It was a Judge who judicially murdered Ken Saro Wiwa, a globally acknowledged writer and poet.

It is important to recall these others and their sordid legal misdeeds to underline the significance of the dignity, courage and honour Honourable Justice Mustapha Akanbi brought to bear during his eventful tenures both at the bar and the bench. Record shows that retired Justice Akanbi is an acknowledged

rorism to that list. He is a shame.

07036268176.

Mutallab is a wasted material. His type is seriously needed to send a message to our leaders. From Olobi (Esq.) 08030707182.

I read your piece, ‘Man in the mirror 1’and it’s really wonderful. How I wish all writers will be as objective as you are. We look forward to the second part. More grease to your elbows. Musab, Abuja. 08032953432.

Every year, scores of people are senselessly murdered in the name of religion. Our politicians sweep it under the rug and carry on. Now they have carried it beyond our shores. Some homes in Lagos have parents with two different faiths and they live in peace, why is the north different? Bauchi alone had four religious massacres last year, why wasn’t it the same in Imo, Lagos, Delta, why? 08039293271 Mr Olatunji, your piece on Umar is a classic and I must congratulate you for having the courage and conviction to write it. You spoke the mind of millions. 08038131304.

Good talk but let’s call a spade a spade, USA is the terror to all. It trained them on the use of arms, produces and sells weapons to them.

08032155018.

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab (Man in the mirror 2) I tried to stop him when this action was deliberated upon and he told me of his moves…but too late.

Let’s save others. 07033065434.

If you truly admire Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, then encourage your children to do the same otherwise you are insincere. FromC.O. Kad. 08034526106.

Please don’t ever have the impres-

sion that Jesus is a mere mortal. He is god. Good piece though.

08034416174.

The controversy continues. Anyway, isn’t religion meant to be a subjective thing? 08033915632.

Read your article and I must say, I am most impressed; such eloquence.

I marvel at your writing perspective.

Mind me asking if you schooled in Nigeria? 07032750275.

Olatunji, believe it, you are great if not for other things but for today’s (Man in the mirror 2). May your brain and ink never get dry. I really love journalists like you.

08033264122.

Mr Olatunji, your piece is superb and nothing but the bitter truth. I only wish our so-called clerics and leaders will stop being hypocritical and accept this truth (Reality Bites).

Your column name fits perfectly. I look forward to more of these truths.

Keep up the good work.

08136392193.

Please don’t rationalize terrorism, condemn it in clear term. Farouk’s action was satanic. 07058845253.

Indeed shame on you for hiding behind pun and unfortunate event to vent your probably long-held hatred for Christ and his followers.

Damn masked fundamentalist!

Shame! 07038278128.

Dear Olatunji, compliments of the season. Your piece brought me close to tears. You said it all, we are to be blamed. Thank you. From Barrister Williams. 07025100415.

You are too much! Kudos! And where the hell did you school? Who mentored and tutored you?

08062264032.

For once, I read a piece that’s void of politics and elitist propaganda on serious issues. Tunji, I read your

piece and the truth in it stole my heart. 08037011775.

You are a fantastic writer even though I disagree with some of your premises and conclusions. You are a radical, I presume. From Kehinde.

Akure. 08033899787.

Since you are sympathising with Muslim fanatics instead of sanctioning their actions, why don’t you convert to Islam and blow up a church so you can make paradise?

08036327488.

Your article was apt and on point.

We lack depth. We are such simpletons that we have lost the art of deep reflection. Reality Bites just got a new convert. Let’s go deeper. From S.M. Dikwa. Jos. 08034515362.

End of the working class heroes…

I have been reading your editorials for a very long time now. I must admit that you are a fearless writer in a country where yellow is orange and where people always have reasons to fear. To say that 80 per cent of Nigerians are cowards is an understatement. Sad thing is how many have access to your column? Sadder still; how many are aware of events about the Arab spring. They need electricity to be connected to the outside world via CNN or more.

When the negligible light is available, they will rather watch African Magic on DSTV. So how the hell can they be able to borrow a leaf from the Arab spring? Mark my word, fuel subsidy will be removed and nothing will happen as usual. Nigerians will only blow hot air. After one week of strike action, the outcry will fizzle out... 08064286736.

SMS only 08038551123 (tunji_ololade@yahoo.co.uk)

Justice Mustapha Akanbi (rtd) at 80

By Issa Aremu judicial officer with integrity, steadfastness and fairness in the process of adjudication on the bench even under a hostile military regime. Following the brutal murder of four ABU students in 1986 by Mobile special Police on the order of the university authority led by Professor Ango Abdulalhi, students crisis erupted which degenerated and assumed national dimension. ASUU, NLC and NANS were united in protest in protest against the Abisoye Panel set up by the regime to whitewash the administrative mess of Ango Abdullahi leadership of ABU. The crisis of confidence that rocked the Abisoye panel compelled the regime to set up a more credible judicial commission headed by Justice Akanbi. His commission restored confidence such that National Association of Nigeria’s Students, (NANS) and other civil society organizations freely and confidently participated. The perception was that with Justice Akanbi on the bench, there would be justice for all. The commission’s problem solving (not persecution methodology) characterized by openness allowed for free expressions. The high point was the courageous sensational testimony of the intelligent police officer, Alozie Ogbubuaja who freely offered suggestions on students-police relations with a call for the improvement on the conditions of service of the police in general. He made a case for reform of the police and made his historic damning pepper soup remark and coup plotting.

Honorable Minister of Communication and Information, Labaran Maku (then NANS PRO) owes his university graduation from Jos to the historic sense of justice of the commission’s findings which were reformist not punitive as the military regime desperately desired. As the founding chairman of the ICPC, in keeping with the mandate of the commission to apprehend public graft in 2003, ICPC intensified its search light on the activities of senators among other public officers. Some senators under the leadership of Senator Pius Ayim moved to weaken the ICPC through a belated review of its enabling

Act in a way that would insulate senators from accountability and prosecution. Remarkably the retired Honourable Justice Akanbi made a case for anti-corruption at the chambers of the Senate insisting that any attempt to tamper with the ICPC Act means truncating the anti-corruption crusade. He was even determined to resign his chairmanship of the commission rather than allowing the commission to be compromised by the legislators. The public sympathy was in favour of Justice Akanbi-led commission, largely on the account of the integrity of the chairman.

Justice Akanbi is a living library of progressive and spiritual ideas for the younger generation. His life shows that, age is no barrier to value addition, hard and smart public work. Within a short spell, with maturity and determined systemic approach, he mainstreamed ICPC from nowhere as an institutional bulwark against public graft. Notwithstanding the limitations of resources and political hostility, ICPC under him investigated and arrested some judges of the High Court, customary court and Sharia court for collecting bribes. The judges were eventually dismissed by the NJC. To the credit of his legendary modesty Justice Akanbi bowed out of the commission in 2005, even when he had the right of tenure extension. Here Justice Akanbi shares the great value of resignation with great leaders like Nelson Mandela of South Africa and Julius Nyerere of Tanzania.

Mandela said:” I must step down when there are one or two people who admire me”- Justice Akanbi actually stepped down when many actually admired him. On retirement, he set up Mustapha Akanbi Foundation (MAF). Inaugurated in Ilorin, Kwara State on September 12, MAF has added value to national discourse within a short time. Out of simple and enduring noble objective to serve as “…a veritable platform for promoting democratic values and fostering sustainable and viable democratic development in Nigeria”, MAF has left bold imprints in areas of Education, Human empowerment, health, Anti-corruption campaign and Good

governance. The Foundation is acting local but thinking global through high profile public agenda setting lectures. The singular commitment, passion and courage of Justice Akanbi manifest in yearly topical themes that elevate public debate from the pedestrian.

Today Mustapha Akanbi Foundation (MAF) is giving so much in a country of official nongiving, official grabbing, elite greed and state denials of roads, light, water and security of lives and property. To understand Justice Akanbi’s tremendous contributions to jurisprudence, national and continental development we must come to terms with his roots in Islamic jurisprudence of the great ancient city of Ilorin that has produced other equally great jurists like retired Justice Alfa Moddibo Belgore and Justice Ayo Salami. Significantly too, we must appreciate his profound ideological and historical grounding dating back to the progressive ideas of Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana in the 40s and 50s, Sekou Toure of Guinea and Julius Nyerere of Tanzania. Justice Mustapha’s contribution has shown that spiritual/ideological/political consciousness is indispensable for lawyers to maintain and sustain integrity both at the bar and on the bench. We recall with nostalgia ideologically conscious lawyers like late Aka Bashorun, late Gani Fahemihin SAN Femi Falana SAN among others. A visit to the Africa’s Peoples Hall, the Head Quarters of MAF in Ilorin says it all. An inventory of the consciously arraigned portraits of the great African Leaders and trade unionists from Kwame Nkrumah to Nelson Mandela, Gamel Nazer to Tom Mboya, Patrice Lumuba to Sekou Toure will attest to the ideological preferences of the role model, Justice Mustapha Akanbi. With uncommon valuable service at 80, he is ageing gracefully but also mentoring a new generation to take over.

His recent bold comments on national issues such as state police and independence of anticorruption agencies underscore his intellectual clarity and sincerity of purpose at 80.

• Aremu, mni (issaaremu@yahoo.com)

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

22

COMMENTS ‘A State in the grip of neo-colonialism is not master of its own destiny. It is this factor which makes neo-colonialism such a serious threat to world peace.’ ————Kwame Nkrumah (1909-1972) Contd from last week

O

N May 5, 2007, Zimbabwe issued currency notes with face values of Z$100million and Z$250 million. On May 15, 2007, a new bank note of Z$500million was issued, followed by the issue on May 20, 2007 of currency notes in denominations of Z$5billion, Z$25 billion, and Z$50 billion. Finally, on 21 July 2007, bank notes with a face value of Z$100 billion were issued. Eventually, Zimbabwe abandoned its own currency and legalised the use of only foreign currencies. Peru had a nasty experience with inflation and in 1986, it made its highest denomination to be 1,000 intis. By 1991, this had increased to 5 million intis. Peru in 1981 created the Neuro sol, a unit of which exchanged for one million intis just to combat the high value currencyinduced inflation. Is that what Lamido Sanusi and his cohorts are working to achieve for this country?

In 1989, Poland’s highest denomination was 200,000 zlotych. Due to reckless financial reengineering, it was increased to 1,000,000 zlotych in 1991 and 2,000,000 zlotych in 1992. By 1994, a new zlotych was exchanged for 10,000 old zlotych.

In 1992, the Russian federation witnessed spiral inflationary trend and by 1998, the government erroneously believed that creating new rubble that exchanged for 1,000 old rubbles would solve its problem. Angola’s original currency called kwanza was replaced in 1990 by the novo kwanza. By 1991 and 1994, the highest denomination had increased to 50,000 and 500,000 novo Kwanzaa respectively.

Thence by 1995, a unit of the re-decimated kwanza exchanged for 1,000 novo kwanza. The highest currency note denomination in Zaire in 1988 was 5,000 zaires that later rose in 1992 to 5,000,000 zaires.

In 1993, a new currency called the new nouveau Zaire, a unit of which exchanged for 3,000,000 zaires was created. Shamefully, its highest denomination increased in 1996 to 1,000,000 new zaires. When the country was renamed the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 1997, its currency was changed to francs while a unit of it was exchanged for 100,000 new zaires. Is Lamido Sanusi gradually moving to use the CBN to turn Nigeriainto an economically unattractive DRC? Curiously too, the International Monetary Fund issued a widely reported publication in July that suggested the naira was overvalued by as much as 8.5 percent; an opinion also reportedly rejected by Nigeria’s Central Bank. What then could have

H

EADLINE: Four Igbinedion Varsity lecturers die in car crash. If you think the headline is tears-evoking, what about the story. It says that the Audi 80 car bearing the four victims plunged into Ovia River along the Lagos –Ore-Benin Express road. According to eye witness, the driver of the Audi car was trying to avoid a truck whose driver took the wrong lane when the accident occurred. Though the report did not say so, regular users of the Lagos-Benin highway (deathway, more like it) know that commuters often have to resort to driving against traffic to avoid the numerous failed portions of the road.

The horrific plunge of four university teachers on Wednesday, September 5, 2012 is just half of an infernal, never-ending tale. The accident happened at about 3.30 pm on that day and according to the Federal Road Safety Commission’s (FRSC) report, local divers were only able to find the car in the river at about 7.00 pm. Rescue efforts started the following day at about 8.00am and nearly 24 hours after the accident occurred, which was at about 12 noon, local divers were able to retrieve only two of the four bodies. It is not certain whether the other two bodies were ever salvaged.

There is more to this gruesome tale of a nation in the throes of death. The photographs from the scene of the crash will surely make you stop and shed a tear for our dear mother land. You see half-clad youths in wooden canoe on the river tugging at the wreckage and another group of men including FRSC officials and perhaps, passersby on the bridge straining to pull the wrecked car out of the river with ropes and raw chimp strength. The photographs and the actions looked as ancient as shots from the black and white movies of the 1940s.

Lastly, the story says that an officer of the fire service who pleaded anonymity, said that the (Ovia River) Bridge is in a “very bad state.” And last November, a Zonal Commander of the FRSC had called for the repair of the Ovia River Bridge. According to him, “the Bridge had claimed many lives in less than three months due to accidents, many of which are avoidable.”

We want to wager that no day passes on

Agents of neo-colonialism and historical perfidy-2

•Lamido Sanusi informed the latest decision on the N5000 note if not to demonstrate its covert intent of addressing the IMF fallacy on the nation’s currency?

Even if the problematic countries mentioned above are exceptions to the rule because the CBN referred to countries like Germany, Singapore and Japan as ones with higher powerful currency denominations that do not induce inflation. It must quickly be stated that before the advent of euro, it was wrong for the CBN to assert that Germany had higher denomination. It is on record that Germany officially replaced Deutsch Mark with euro in all cash transactions in February 2002. And the fact that the highest euro note is •500 does not make that to be peculiar to Germany alone but to all European countries that cede their national currency to the euro. With all sense of humility, I state that the CBN’s claim that Germany mint high

denomination currency notes is incorrect and an attempt to further confuse an already bemused Nigerian public.

In the case of Singapore, yes it could be said that it has a higher currency denomination in its SGD 10,000. But this is seldom used in financial transactions. If tradition is anything to go by, the coming N5000 note will soon become a status symbol thing that all households must be seen with. Infact, going by the alacrity with which the policy was officially endorsed by notable guzzlers of our collective economic dividends, it is obvious that the note was designed to meet the needs of that elite class and not to satisfy the needs of Nigerians in general. Back to the issue of Singapore, the CBN needs to be informed that that country has a low inflation rate of 2.8% and also maintained a strong currency that exchanged for SDG1.305545 to one US Dollar. Furthermore, Singapore has US$82.48 billion Stock which is 130% over and above that of Nigeria’s US$34.65 billion. What has the CBN under Sanusi Lamido done to improve the exchange rate of a naira to a dollar in the mould of what obtains in Singapore?

Additionally, the cited countries (Germany, Singapore and Japan), run clearly acknowledged economy with translucent commercial ambience; prices of goods are stable, and the per-capita GDP are comparable to what obtains in few high-brow countries of the world and with low tax rates. The CBN cited countries boost of well centrally coordinated and efficient free market economy.

Above all, exports in them are high. What has Lamido done to increase genuine exports through

EXPRESSO STEVE OSUJI

SMS O8181624757, email:steve_osuji@yahoo.com

Of deathways, highways and Onolememen’s N652bn the Lagos – Benin deathway without the blood of hapless Nigerians being spilled, a veritable libation to the gods of Nigeria’s corrupt leaders. Just last Saturday, three days after the Ovia bridge carnage, another crash occurred along this road, this time, near Sagamu and 12 commuters reportedly perished on the spot. Apart from the Lagos – Benin highway, most other roads across the country like the Lagos-Ibadan, Abuja-Suleja, Owerri-Aba-Port Harcourt, Oyo- Ilorin, Akwanga-Lafia and Enugu-Onitsha highways, to name a few, are highly accidentprone because they are in various states of dereliction.

Ironically, the same day (Wednesday, September 5,) the four university dons plunged to their ghastly end, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) was signing off on an approval for the sum of N652 billion for the repair of the phase three of the LagosBenin deathway. That is a huge sum; more than the entire budget of some African countries.

The repairs job, under Mr. Mike Onolememen’s Ministry of Works, will be handled by Messrs RCC Nigeria Limited and it has three years to complete it. But one can almost hear Nigerians sneering at this news convinced that the road will never be done.

And if done, they would wager; it would never be completed so that at the end of 2015 when we ought to have a near-perfect LagosBenin highway, we will remain where we

are today, daily evacuating the carcasses of Nigerians from this monstrous road.

Nigerians are justified in being cynical about Onolememen’s capacity to deliver on this job. They point to his godfather, Chief Tony Anenih, who had a similar opportunity to fix the road when he held a similar position during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s time but he left the highway worse than he met it.

Nobody asked questions and no accounts were given. Further, Messrs RCC does not have a great tradition of timely delivery of jobs or the best of quality. At the end of the day, we are ‘comfortably’ ensconced in the cusp of powers that do not stickle for country or the people.

Lastly, the country is also stuck with an FRSC that is today, neither a bat nor a rat; a body that has been savaged by the system and is merely going through the motion, merely faking at its duties of accident prevention. Like every other MDA, it probably never gets it revenue allocation and whatever it gets, gets mired in the system. It even lacks the capacity to capture all the accidents on our roads; and when commuters careen off the road into the deeps, they are often sentenced to eternal damnation. And ‘life’ goes on, shall we say? And where on earth is the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, FERMA in the face of vanishing highways across the country. FERMA is toady, a mere bureaucracy that has become as

banks before coming up with this N5000 currency denomination?

The CBN should note that there is no basis for comparing such countries with large exportoriented economies with that of Nigeria.

Moreover, it could be wiser for those countries for strategic economic reasons to deliberately undervalue their currencies against the US Dollar so as to make their exports cheaper in the US and other big markets of the world. So, if they print large currency denominations for ease of financial transaction, no one can begrudge them. Apart from government contract barons, governors collecting monthly allocations, legislators sharing money in Ghana-Must-Go bags and fake oil marketers using fake Letters of Credit from banks that are not properly supervised to fleece the nation, the CBN should come out and tell Nigerians why it has become so important for it to print this higher N5000 denomination.

The 5,000 currency note will be the fifth time in 13 years that CBN will be printing new costly currency denominations under different guises with no impacting effect in the end. This, sadly, is happening in a nation where majority live on less than $2 a day. Lamido Sanusi is not governor of CBN to serve the interest of Okonjo-Iweala and other bourgeois pretenders milking this nation dry. The low value of the naira or inflation rate will not improve because the country has N5000 denomination; neither will it change the proclivity of economic marauders in big companies nor those in high public places from preferring the dollar to the naira.

Since Lamido Sanusi came out boldly to defend the removal of fuel subsidy in January this year, I have treated whatever he defends vociferously with contempt. His intellect is solely for the protection of the establishment, otherwise, he should have responded to the financial oddities and frauds uncovered in the fuel subsidy management probe.

What has he to say to the $10 billion that the nation is losing to oil theft through subsidy removal that he stoutly defended? Will he still come out to say that there still exists subsidy today? The question is: why defend a policy that will serve the interest of a clique against that of the entire nation? The same thing is what he is doing now regarding the N5000 currency note. Most of the frauds committed against the Nigerian state are done through the banks that he has failed to properly supervise and sanitise. This Lamido Sanusi is a plant in CBN by other neo-colonial agents living within and outside the country. Those parasitic agents refuse to learn from history and this could lead, in the end, to unleashing of the tragedy of history on the nation.

derelict as the federal roads it was set up to fix. It has grown into a problem.

Offshore convictions: what will Adoke do now?

Why do I have this tinge of sympathy for Mohammed Adoke, Nigeria’s AttorneyGeneral and Minister for Justice? One ought to feel only contempt and disgust for our number one law officer who is seemingly getting lost in his own maze of judicial infamy. Look at the sorry situations: the Americans convicted their citizens who bribed some Nigerian money mongrels to win NLNG contracts in Nigeria between 1995 and 2004; the French have slammed the companies and officials who bribed Nigerians in the 2003 national identity cards contract scam while the Germans have punished Siemens for its role in a bribery scandal in Nigeria.

Not one person or company has been prosecuted, not to mention conviction in Nigeria where the criminal acts were perpetrated. Yet our Attorney-General sits on all these sordid, stinking files, unperturbed, unmoved and perhaps dishing out national honours to some of these criminals and damagers of our national honour. Our leaders of today are so, so pathetic in their inability to muster any sense of shame. What a pity.

LAST MUG: Again, national honours to all comers: after the ruckus that trailed last year’s national honours award and President Jonathan’s promise to improve the process, this year’s list released early in the week shows that nothing has changed. The award has remained a gift for a few and an expensive purchase for many Nigeria’s high and mighty who seek an icing on their mouldy cake. In other countries, it is not enough to be a ranking politician, governor, judge, academic or businessman for everyman can be promoted to a high rank, you must exhibit some acute distinction in your field to qualify for national honours.

Not so in Nigeria. So we end up honouring hundreds of people who the people know are without any honour or character and the country continues to reek of the stench of odium, criminality and corruption. We say it does not matter but it will matter someday because it all goes around and comes around.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

AGRO-BUSINESS

Flood: Food crisis imminent in Adamawa, says Fed Govt

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DAMAWA State, which was recently ravaged by flood, faces an imminent food crisis, the Federal Government has said.

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said following the flood which affected almost half of the state, thousands of farms were confirmed “totally submerged or washed away”.

The Federal Director of Agriculture, Dr Walia Hamman, said in Yola, the Adamawa State capital: “According to report reaching us from our staff across the state, between 30,000 and 50,000 tonnes of maize, rice and other food crops were likely to be lost to the flood in the 2012 farming season,“ he

Stories by Daniel Essiet, Agric Correspondent

said.

The director noted that considering the large damages on the farmlands there was likely to be food crisis in the state if immediate action was not taken to address the situation.

He said most of the farmers affected by the disaster were more preoccupied with how to save themselves and their families from the disaster than thinking of their farms.

“Unless the federal and state governments assist the farmers in time, if the situation was allowed to run out of hand, it could result in possible food crisis and poverty among the farm-

ers, “ he said.

He advised the government to come up with a new agricultural insurance scheme that would cover rural farmers to enable them get relief whenever there was any natural disaster of this nature.

On the rural infrastructure damaged by the flood, he said the ministry was still compiling report on it.

According to reports, some villages in Borno have been hit by severe flooding potentially lowering output this year.

Heavy rainfall in the southern part of the country could spell doom for farmers as the resultant floods are hindering the transportation of their products to the markets. Trucks

used for evacuating the products are stuck as a result of the floods.

Also, the delay in evacuating harvested items to end users is raising concerns about the quality of the products that might serve as raw materials in production, more especially with cassava that is being promoted for bread making.

Torrential rainfall could hurt rice, and sugar cane crops in the Deep South, an agricultural expert has said.

The Programme Co-ordinator, Farmers Development Union (FADU), Victor Olowe, told The Nation that strong wet weather was affecting farmers in Akwa Ibom and Cross River states and that it is possibile areas that

Association donates N15m to farmers

Prices of fruits soar in Abuja

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HE Perishable Foodstuff Sellers Association of Nigeria, Mile 12 Market, Lagos has donated N15 million to assist irrigation farmers in the North.

The association’s Board of Trustees Chairman, Alhaji Isa Mohammed said the gesture was to complement the Federal Government’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda.

He said:“The association is doing this to assist farmers who do not have enough money to purchase fertilisers and other inputs and farming equipment and also to prevent food scarcity in our society.

“We are not giving out the money to the farmers on interest basis but we entered an agreement with such farmers that we will be buying their farm produce.

“And as we are buying their produce, we will be deducting our money installmentally till it is complete,’’ the chairman said.

He regretted that most farmers were handicapped by lack of access to credit to expand their businesses.

“Most Nigerian farmers engage in subsistence farming because they don’t have the capital to manage commercial farming. But with this development, I believe they can do better.

“Most Nigerian farmers cannot afford to buy a bag of fertiliser; and how do you expect such farmers to produce for commercial purpose that will help to promote the good image of Nigeria in agriculture?’’ he asked.

Mr Usman Abubakar, who farms in Sokoto and sells his produce at Mile 12 market, confirmed to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that he benefitted from the association’s gesture last year.

“I benefitted from the exercise last year and I am also interested in it this year, because it helped me a lot last year as the association did not give me any problem last year,” he said.

Abubakar praised the efforts of the association and urged other corporate bodies to emulate the gesture to curb food insecurity in the country.

•Menye (right); Ms Rebecca and Sanginga at the event

Cameroon releases IITA improved cassava varieties

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HE Cameroonian government has released five new improved cassava varieties to help improve food security.

The varieties, which were developed through conventional breeding by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and partners, are recognised as IITA genotypes as TMS 92/0326, TMS 96/1414, TMS 96/ 0023, TMS 92/0057, and TMS 92/0067.

They were released in Yaounde, Cameroon capital, by the Cameroonian Minister for Agriculture, Mr Essimi Menye and the Permanent Secretary, Ms Ebelle Etame Rebecca, who represented the Minister of Research and Scientific Innovations.

With an estimated yield of between 20 and 35 tonnes per hectare, the improved varieties have improved nutritional qualities and are rich in caratenoids, iron and zinc.

Partners that worked in the varietal development include the Programme National de Developpement des Racines et

Tubercules (PNDRT), the Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), non-governmental organisations and local farmers.

The varieties will help close the yield gaps, improve yield and also put more money in farmers’ pockets, the Director-General, IITA, Dr Nteranya Sanginga said.

Sanginga said the release of the varieties would help improve the fortunes of farmers who depend on the crop for their livelihoods.

According to him, IITA will continue to support farmers in Cameroon by offering improved varieties and technologies that address the constraints to development in tropical nations.

Menye said the new improved varieties would help Cameroon to take advantage of the opportunities of cassava. He also praised IITA’s efforts in developing the varieties.

Grown by most farmers, cassava is one of the major staples in Cameroon

that is contributing to food security and wealth creation.

The crop is either boiled and eaten, or processed into local delicacies such as Mitumba, Baton de manioc, Beignets de manioc, gari, and Ndas among others.

The root crop has also gained industrial importance with uses in ethanol production, High Quality Cassava Flour in bread production, and glucose syrup production.

Despite the strategic role, the root crop is challenged by poor yields, pests and diseases, decreasing soil fertility and climate change.

IITA’s role in addressing these challenges helped Cameroonian farmers to double yields in the past decade.

Farmers who participated in the varietal release process ‘loved’ the varieties for their cooking qualities.

IITA Country Representative, Dr Rachid Hanna said the release of the varieties ‘is significant’ as it would improve the nutrition and livelihoods of farmers in Cameroon.

“We see it as a new dawn for cassava farmers,” he added.

How to tackle livestock disease outbreak, by expert

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OW can livestock disease outbreak be tackled? It is by a national data on animal movement, a livestock expert, Dr Aderemi Adeyemo has said.

Adeyemo, Head of General Management Department, Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI), Ilorin, said the farm animal movement data is essential

witnessed heavy rainfall may have low crop yield due to frequent wetting and flooding during ripening time.

He said farmers in the areas have had to deal with an extremely unsettled season, with rains falling more than double the average.

The unpredictable weather condition means that farmers need to adapt accordingly and change their planting routines if they are to increase on crop yields.

In flood-hit fields in Akwa Ibom and Cross River State, he said rice planted in swamp areas could be submerged. He noted, however, that prospects are also bright for farmers in the Southwest.

in the event of an outbreak such as foot-and-mouth disease.

He said there was a need for programmes to train animal health officials. He also said the livestock industry should ensure foot-andmouth disease (FMD) never occurs again.

Adeyemo stressed the need for a communication system that will pro-

vide Despatch Alerts, Warning, and Notifications (DAWN) via email, voice messages, or text messages to assist farmers and veterinarians to monitor disease outbreaks.

He said by not investing in animal monitoring the authorities are not only jeopardising the agriculture economy, but also putting the health and welfare of livestock at risk.

Adeyemo said the Federal Government should make it mandatory for local health authorities to record animal health information. In the face of an outbreak of foot-andmouth disease (FMD), he said such information would be vital in helping to control the effects of the disease on the industry and the economy.

HERE is some confusion in the prices of fruits in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as prices are increasing in spite of the decline in demand, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

A market survey conducted in Abuja showed that the demand for fruits declined because of the rainy season, but the prices increased because of the high cost of transportation.

The market survey showed that the prices of pineapple, water melon, bananas, oranges and pawpaw are up by between 11 per cent and 100 per cent.

A pineapple now sells for about N600 for a large sized as against N300, while water melon sells for between N400 and N500 as against N200 and N300, depending on the size.

At the Mararaba Orange Market, where many Abuja residents shop, a bag of oranges increased from N11,000 to N14,000, while pawpaw is now sold at about N600, up from about N400.

A bunch of bananas now sells for N3,500 as against N2,000.

Malam Usman Abubakar, a trader at the Mararaba Orange Market, attributed the increase to the high cost of transporting the items.

Abubakar said though people had interest in buying the fruits, they could not afford them as a result of the high cost.

Mr Suleiman Mahmud, another trader at the Kubwa Market, agreed with Abubakar and said the increase in prices was due to the high transport fares caused by scarcity of petrol.

He added that farmers were also no longer interested in growing some of the fruits.

“The cost of transporting these fruits is high, therefore, we increase our prices, coupled with the security challenges in most parts of the North.

Mr Mohammed Nura, another fruit seller, decried the increase, saying he would only purchase little of the affected items until the rainy season was over. He, however, said that though the business was profitable, he would not advice anybody to venture into the business in the rainy season. He said: “Because of the cold weather people are no longer interested in buying fruits. The rain is really affecting us; sometimes we lose our capital due to low patronage and the perishable nature of fruits.’’

24

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

AGRO-BUSINESS

Invest in women farmers, govt told A GRICULTURE expert Dr Elizabeth Oluwalana has urged the Federal Government to invest in women farmers to ensure long-term food security.

Mrs Oluwalana, of the Department of Business Enterprise and Management and Entrepreneurship Studies, College of Management Sciences, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, said food security indicators are on red alert despite measures taken.

She added that a functional strategy must focus on long-term investment in women farmers who labour to produce food.

She urged the government to redistribute the revenues extracted from the country’s natural resources to benefit women farmers.

Mrs Oluwalana said food insecurity must be addressed by strengthening responses aimed at helping women farmers.

Women farmers produce more than half of all food worldwide and currently account for 43 per cent of the global agricultural labour force, yet few extension or research services are directed at women farmers, according to new research conducted by the Worldwatch Institute.

Women produce as much as 50 per cent of the agricultural output in South Asia and 80 per cent in subSaharan Africa, according to the

Stories by Daniel Essiet, Agric Correspondent

report.

In spite of women farmers’ essential roles in global and local food security, there is a persistent gender gap in agriculture, the report said.

Cultural norms and restrictive property or inheritance rights, the report said limit the types and amount of financial resources, land, or technology available to women.

Studies in South Asia and throughout the Middle East ,the report said also showed that women receive lower wages and are more likely to work part-time or seasonally than men in comparable jobs, regardless of similar levels of education and experience.

Danielle Nierenberg, one of the authors of the report and Director of Worldwatch’s Nourishing the Planet project said: “Recognising the factors restricting women from receiving full compensation for their role in global agriculture is key to alleviating the gender gap in agricultural employment, resources, and development.

“Women produce 60 to 80 per cent of the food in developing countries

but own less than two per cent of the land. They typically farm noncommercial, staple crops, such as rice, wheat and maize, which account for 90 per cent of the food consumed by the rural poor.”

Fewer extension or research services are directed at women farmers because of perceptions of the limited commercial viability of their labor or products - and only 15 per cent of extension officers around the world are women.

The Economist Intelligence Unit’s newly developed Global Food Security Index has a 0.93 correlation with its index of Women’s Economic Opportunity, showing that countries with more gender-sensitive business environments - based on labour policies, access to finance, and comparative levels of education and training - have more abundant, nutritious, and affordable food. This relationship provides evidence that when women have equal resources and opportunity, they can produce higher quality agricultural yields.

Farmers in countries with greater gender equality, based on an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development index of Gender Inequality and Social Institutions, tend to achieve higher average cereal yields than those in countries with more inequality.

•Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister of State, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide (left), FCT Authority, Director of Economic Planning, Research and Statistics, Alhaji Ari Mohammed (right), during inspection of farm projects of the Millennium Development Goals Project Support of the FCTA in Kuchibuyi and Guita communities of Bwari Area Council.

Farmers cautioned on price volatility

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IVESTOCK farmers have been warned to keep a close eye on the cost of production as input price volatility is ‘here for the foreseeable future, an expert, Dr Kola Adebayo has warned.

Speaking with The Nation, Adebayo, who is the Deputy Director, Directorate of Grants Administration, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, said whilst market forces were keeping beef prices attractive for farmers, input costs were likely to rise due to increasing grain-based livestock feed prices caused by the flooding and droughts across the country. According to him, higher input prices are likely for livestock producers following feed shortfalls.

He said farmers are using more corn and other feed components than is produced locally, adding the most immediate impact is on cost of production with trickle down impact on meat and dairy products.

With low local production, Adebayo said corn is largely irreplaceable in terms of feed, sorghum, and soybeans (protein source) being negatively impacted by flooding and the drought, which is affecting farmers.

He explained that local livestock farmers have been straining from high feed prices.

Adebayo said farmers should expect higher cost of inputs as no massive efforts have been made nationwide to increase grain harvest and reduce feed prices.

Rising feed costs, the expert said is having serious impact on the livestock sector and stakeholders must work to resolve the situation. For the intensive sectors, pork and poultry, the increases in feed prices will have a crippling effect.

With predicted shortfall in yields, the markets for raw materials will rise to new highs.

Noting that the industry is feel-

ing the brunt of rising feed costs, Adebayo stressed that the cost of production will go up, almost entirely because of higher cost for feed, which is made from corn and other grains.

About 40 per cent of the corn crop is used to feed livestock. Feed costs account for 50 to 70 per cent of livestock and poultry production.

The reduction in corn and soybean supplies has pushed up their prices to record levels. Apart from feed costs that have increased from 40 to 60 per cent, the expert said the cost of energy, labour, and other inputs have increased.

According to him, rising costs have largely been absorbed by livestock and poultry producers, often with significant financial loss.

Meanwhile, corn, wheat and soybean prices skyrocketed in June to July although they have slightly decreased in the past few weeks.

Jigawa, the rising agric home

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IGAWA is a major agricultural state. About 90 per cent of the population is involved in farming. Agricultural crops, including yams, millet, groundnut, corn, livestock, grains and, kolanuts form the base of Jigawa’s economy.

The main industrial crops are palm oil, cotton, rubber, sugar cane, tobacco and kenaf.

The latter is used in the production of fibre bags. There are varieties of vegetable and fruit crops produced for local consumption. Since the state was created, agriculture has proved to be the answer to the growing need to produce nutritive food stuff for the population. The sector has vast potential in providing livelihood security.

Over 70 per cent of the state’s landmass is considered arable, which makes it one of the most agriculturally endowed states in the country. The state enjoys vast fertile arable land to which almost all tropical crops could adapt, thus constituting one of its highly prized natural resources. The Sudan Savannah vegetation zone is also made up of vast grazing lands suitable for livestock production. The arable land comprises upland and Fadama soils. There are seven major irrigation schemes and 11 boreholebased schemes some of which are located in the Fadama areas.

The Hadejia Valley Project is, perhaps, the greatest single agricultural potential of the state, which consists of a vast expanse of irrigable fertile Fadama land covering over 3,000 hectares. Livestock, such as sheep, goats, donkeys, horses, camels, and the horned cattle, a breed unique to West Africa are in abundance. Because of the changed diet of an increasingly affluent population, there was a notable increase in the consumption of livestock, poultry, and dairy products. Jigawa has the potential of becoming the food basket of the nation. It has all the ingredients: land area, grain production and a kind climate. Efforts are targeted at increasing productivity, making its farmers innovative and progressive, and rapidly adopt new technologies which increase productivity. They have been aided by the ministry of agriculture and research institutions, in adapting crops to different climatic conditions, thus extending the geographical area where crops can be produced. The government wants farmers to make important economic and environmental contributions to the state. It wants farmers to adapt new technology and practices to aid their efficiency and competitiveness. It is supporting the sector to be a driving force creating new jobs, boosting the economy and encouraging innovation.

The promotion of agriculture and rural development is a core programme of the government.

This is predicated on its high employment generation potential, its ability to play a leading role in the government’s poverty alleviation strategy. To ensure that the strategy is sustainable, agriculture development is pursued with a focus on institutional development, enhancing marketing and distribution, accelerated food cash crop production, livestock, development, agric input procurement and distribution and provision of rural infrastructure such as rural feeder roads. To Jigawa State, agricultural growth is a catalyst for economic empowerment.

The state’s agricultural policy includes assistance to small and medium scale farmers in the area of tractor-hiring services and seed

By Daniel Essiet

multiplication schemes.

The state’s industrial potential include: grains and rice processing plant, poultry keeping and hatchery, modern slaughter house, mini flour mill and bakery, soft drinks manufacturing, fish production and smoking, confectionery plant, plastic wares, among others. Opportunities abound for a flourishing small and medium scale industries, which could be the precursor to big industries. This is in addition to good raw-material base, especially for agro-allied industries. The state has in abundance livestock such as sheep, goats, donkeys, horses, camels, and the horned cattle, a breed unique to West Africa.

With agriculture being a major pillar of the state’s industrial development strategy ,the government is making efforts to promote small and medium scale enterprises that has strong linkage with the agric sector. This involves support for agribusinesses and cottage industries as well as the revitalisation of the pioneer agro-allied industries in the state. Expanding into new areas will be necessary to achieve the government’s target of increasing food production. To this end, opportunities are

•Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State

opened to private investors to participate in the establishment of core-estates for the production and processing of industrial crops such as sugarcane, cotton, sesame seeds among others. Fiscal incentives have been fashioned out to provide for deductions and allowances in the determination of taxes payable by food enterprises. The incentives are targeted at specific aspects of industrial activities.

The government’s long-term plan, sought to raise average crop yields and to increase food security, with special attention to improved producer incentives and storage facilities. Jigawa State has its independent power project source in addition to the National Power Grid. The project was divided into four development corridors, which include Dutse, Gujungu, Kazaure and Maigatari. Other additional sources of power supply include solar energy and bio gas. Opportunities abound for the flourishing of small and medium scale industries, which could be the precursor for big industries. In addition to a good raw material base, especially for agro-based industries. The government wants produced food to be available to the people at a reasonable price. The agriculture sector offers strong prospects for exporters and investors.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBR 14, 2012

25

PEOPLE THE NATION

AN -EIGHT PAGE SECTION ON SOCIETY

Iru in Iru-Victoria Island Local Council Development Area was aglow last week when its monarch, Oba Idowu Abiodun Oniru, turned 75 and marked his 18th anniversary on the throne. ABIKE ADEGBULEHIN was there.

• Oba Oniru (middle) assisted by Governor Fashola (second left); Oba Sijuwade (second right); Oba Akintoye (right) and Chief Oniru to cut the cake

Glamour, style as monarch turns 75

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T 75, he is quite sprightly. Oba Idowu Abiodun Oniru, the Oniru of Iruland, who turned 75 and marked his 18th anniversary on the throne last week, walked unaided into the ceremony venue. Thanksgiving songs wafted in the air, with Islamic clerics and dignitaries shaking to the beat on their seats. From September 6 to 8, the palace was in celebratory mood.

The parking lot was full of sleek cars.

People of various age groups were decked in different materials (aso ebi) chosen for the occasion.

At the main gate to the street leading to the palace were huge banners welcoming guests. There were two giant statues of a lion at the palace entrance.

As the monarch joined his guests, shouts of Kaabiyesi heralded his arrival. He responded with broad smiles and prayers.

The Chief Imam of Oniru Central Mosque, Alhaji Fatai Olumegbon, led the clerics that conducted the special prayers last Thursday. Olumegbon said it was a great day for the celebrator and his family.

He prayed for long life and prosperity for the monarch.

The cleric said: “Today is a great day for everyone, especially the celebrator. The Oba as we all know is a good man with wisdom and a good heart, I pray that this birthday would not be his last, he shall see many years to come."

Chieftaincy titles were conferred on some people during the three-day event.

Among the new chiefs were wife of the Chairman of Iru-Victoria Island Local Council Development Area, Chief Funmilayo

Daramola - Alajewura of Iruland, and Chief Olatunde Aromire - Bobashelu of Iruland.

The council chair, Prince Abayomi Daramola donated a Toyota Hiace Bus to the Council of Chiefs and a black and ash colour KIA Mohave Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) to the monarch.

Oba Oniru prayed for long life for his guests, saying: "I thank everyone here for making my day. I pray God to grant you all many more years on earth. May you never have cause to cry; celebration shall be the order of the day in your life."

Chief Daramola thanked the Oba for finding her worthy of honour.

She promised to contribute to the progress of the community, adding: “I am so happy and I thank God that this day came and it was a success."

On Saturday, a reception was held for people from within and outside the state.

Large canopies filled the area.

Roving local drummers made brisk business praisesinging dignitaries.

It was a carnival of sorts, with merriment everywhere.

Many passers-by gathered to catch a glimpse of the royal event.

Wasiu Ayinde Anifowoshe (Kwam 1), the Fuji crooner and his band added colour to it all.

The monarch gave Awards of Excellence to Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola; his predecessor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Prince Daramola and other eminent personalities.

Fashola thanked the monarch for the honour. He dedicated the award to civil servants in the state who he said were re-

•Oba Oniru and Chief Daramola

sponsible for the giant strides of his administration.

Acknowledging the mornach's support for his administration and his predecessors, Fashola expressed gratitude to him on behalf of members of the state executive council.

In attendance at the events were: Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade; Ojomo of Ajiranland Oba Tijani Akinloye; Ojora of Ijora Oba Abdulfatai Aromire Ojora; Oba Tijani Akinloye; Chief GOK Ajayi (SAN); former Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Sunday Adewusi; Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora, Mrs.

Abike Dabiri-Erewa; Council Chairmen and their wives and all white cap chiefs.

Also in attendance were Senator Olugbenga Ashafa; National Legal Adviser Action Congress of Nigeria, Dr Muiz Banire; Managing Director Lagos State Development and Property Corporation Taofeek Oki; Company Secretary/Legal Adviser LSDPC- Babajimi Banson; Chief Executive Officer M.A.O Energy Service Bola Aridegbe; Director Petakin Oil Peter Akintola; Yeye Mayekun of Igbesa Alhaja Balikis Baruwa and Princess of Igijo Princess Fadeke Ologijo. .

•More pictures on page 26

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

26

SOCIETY A MONARCH AT 75

• From left: Onilado of Ilado Oba Mobadenle Oyekan; Chairman ACN Lagos Otunba Henry Ajomale and Ojora of Ijoraland Oba Fatai Aromire

•Chief Ajayi (SAN) and his wife

•Former IGP Sunday Adewusi

•Secretary-General, Council of monarchs Oba Aderemi Adedapo

•Dr Banire

•Hon Dabiri-Erewa

Yoruba

•Oba of Ipetumodu Oba James Adegoke (left) and Oluwo Oke Oba Kadri Adeoye

•Jim Ovia (left) and Prince Segun Oniru

•Cross-section of white cap chiefs

•From left: Alhaji Owolabi Yisa; Prince Daramola and Adewale Adeniji

•From left: Mrs Oyedoyin Mafe; Alhaja Bilikis Baruwa and Hajia Khadijat Yisa

•From right: Alhaja Ashabi Bamgbola; Alhaja Monsurat Kadiku; Alhaja Adedoyin Adeniji and Omolara Ipesa-Balogun

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

27

SOCIETY

Osun State Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola led other eminent Nigerians to the Gala Night organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) Lagos Chapel at the Federal Civil Service Club, Ikoyi, Lagos, last Friday, reports TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

Honour for achievers •Aregbesola, Tinubu others bag FRCN award

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T was yet another day of honour for a man who rose politically from Egbeda, the throbbing Lagos suburb that is “the home of the masses,” to the governorship seat in Osun State.

It was all glamour as Governor Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola stepped forward to be honoured at the gala night of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) Lagos Chapel, held at the Federal Civil Service Club, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The event was the climax of activities marking the week-long NUJ/ FRCN Chapel’s week.

It featured award presentation and a lecture entitled Funding, Good Governance and Transformation of the Grassroots.

Aregbesola’s home base supporters from Alimosho fondly called Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s country home, stormed the venue in their hundreds.

They streamed into the reserved building in luxury buses, their faces bright.

They were welcomed by local drummers who sang various political songs to their delight.

In appreciation of the drummers’ performance, they parted with new naira notes.

Before moving upstairs to the main hall, many stayed on the ground floor for a while enjoying the cool breeze.

And when they decided to move into the hall, the organisers found it difficult to control the crowded guests.

No doubt, they were too many for the hall to contain.

The few that were allowed in ensured no dull moment all through.

They sang political songs. They nearly took over the job of the live band.

The hall was as colourful as the ceremony.

All the way from Abuja came the NUJ President Mallam Mohammed Garba, who heads the West Africa Union of Journalists, the National Secretary Shuaib Neman; Lagos State Council Chairman Deji Elumoye and other national and state executive to receive the awardees.

The event began shortly after the arrival of Ogbeni Aregbesola with the National Anthem, followed by the opening prayer.

Aregbesola, decked in a sky blue Agbada, a cap, spectacles and a pair of black shoes, came in with his beautiful wife, Alhaja Sherifat.

Alhaja Aregbesola shone in a colourful outfit – a black netted blouse with stylish aeroplane hands, a six-piece flayed green skirt, stylish black head gear and matching earrings, necklace, bangles and wrist watch. She along the Deputy Governor Otunba Titi Laoye-Tomori nearly took the shine off the governor with their stunning outfit.

They surely turned heads.

The event continued with welcome address by the NUJ/FRCN Chairman, Mrs Bimbo Oyetunde and remarks by Mallam Muhammed; FRCN Director-General Mr Yusuf Nuhu, who was represented by Director, Lagos Operation Alhaji Bola Agboola before Aregbesola mounted the podium to deliver a lecture.

An interesting and educative lecture that opened up issues include the declaration by the Osun State Governor that local government areas are not federating units, hence it is unconstitutional to call for the autonomy for 884 councils in the federation.

•Aregbesola flanked by his wife, Alhaja Sherifat (right); Otunba Laoye-Tomori (left) and Mrs Oyetunde

•Justice Abang and his wife Alice displaying the plaque

•Osun State Chief of Staff Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola (left) and Mallam Garba

•Mr Elumoye presenting a plaque to representative of Senator Tinubu, Hon Toun Adeniran •Representative of Hon Ikuforiji, Hon Segun Olulade (right) receiving a plaque from Mr Emet Mbelu

After the lecture, there was light entertainment before the presentation of the awards to five recipients.

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

Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly Hon Adeyemi Ikuforiji was named the Legislative Man of the Year 2012 for leading the “Most Resourceful Legislative Chamber in the country”.

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

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) was rewarded for its zero tolerance for drug trafficking in Nigeria.

A distinguished jurist, Justice Okon Abang, was also honoured for his outstanding contribution to the rule of law through his impartial dispen-

sation of justice.

The Osun State Governor thanked the organisers for singling him out for the honour.

He dedicated it to his charming wife, Alhaja Sherifat for her perseverance during the trying times.

“She endured so much,” he said.

Aregbesola also praised the people who joined him in the struggle towards the coveted seat of Osun.

He reserved special accolade for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who he described as “huge inspirational and facilitator of our involvement in politics.”

Justice Abang equally thanked the organisers for the award.

“I never knew my little effort to sanitise the polity was being recognised. Thank you,” he said.

NDLEA boss Ahmadu Giade, who was represented by Dr Daniel Ismaila, said “the award will remain memorable in our heart for years to come. This is not because the award was expected but because of its significance to Nigeria’s drug control

•Dr Ismaila (left) receiving a plaque from Alhaji Agboola PHOTOS: JOHN EBHOTA

effort.”

The essence of the awards, Dr Ismaila said, is to recognise excellence and encourage others to work towards recognition.

“Our success did not come easy as some members of staff had to pay the supreme price in the line of duty.

I hereby dedicate this award to all

our fallen heroes. Besides dedicating this award to them, we also owe them a responsibility of winning the war against all odds. This sacred mandate of the agency was what they lived and died for; it must be sustained,” he said.

The event came to an end with entertainment and dancing.

28

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

SOCIETY The Superintendent of the Maritime Field of The Apostolic Church, Dr Augustus Nunaakien Aeba, celebrated his 50th year on the pulpit at the Convocation Centre of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), last Saturday. SHOLA O’NEIL and PRECIOUS DIKEWOHA were there.

50 years in His vineyard

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HE significance of the celebration was underlined by the presence of eminent religious leaders from various denominations. They came to honour Dr Augustur Nunaakien Aeba (JP), the Suprintendent of The Apostolic Church, Maritime Field, who marked his golden jubilee anniversary in the service to God. It was on September 1, 2012. The venue was the Convocation Arena of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology. It was a day the celebrator said he would cherish forever.

The high point of the occasion was the presentation of a new Volkswagen Passat to Dr Aeba. The car was dedicated to God by the National President of The Apostolic Church of Nigeria, Dr Gabriel Olutola and Chairman, Rivers State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Apostle Zilly Aggrey.

The ceremony also featured the presentation of a book by the celebrator entitled The Secret Behind the Success of the Golden Preacher.

In his citation read by Dr Olutola, Dr Aeba was described as “a clergy, author, and elder statesman, ambassador of peace, gospel crusader, philanthropist and Christian leader.”

The Apostolic Church leader described the celebrator as a mentor and father of the people, stressing that his 50 years on the pulpit was, indeed, a cause for celebration; a victory and success in all ramifications.

Dr. Olutola said the commemoration was significant given the background of the Dr Aeba and the challenges he faced in the early days of his Christian life.

He recounted that as a young preacher and bearer of the

•The celebrator Dr Aeba flanked his wife; Dr Olutola and a guest

gospel of light, Dr Aeba succeeded in a typical African setting of the Ogonis and the Niger Delta region, where evangelism suffered terrible setbacks because of cultural trends and tradition of men.

The Apostolic Church leader said Dr Aeba, whom he described as “a great achiever and pathfinder”, was in 2002 inducted into office as Maritime Field Superintendent by the late National President of The Apostolic Church in Nigeria, Pastor E.E. Okon.

He said the celebrator brougfht his administrative acumen to bear in giving The Apostolic Church Maritime Field a facelift in the area of infrastructure. He completed

the Field Secretariat at Bodo, acquired a piece of land for the building of the Field Easter Convention ground, at Eleme Junction and another for the church in Port Harcourt.

Religious leaders and members of his flock took turns to eulogise Dr Aeba. One theme that ran through the testimonies was his dedication to chosen course and his calling.

Among the guests were Pastor Ziakede Aginighan, former Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and other ministers from within and outside Nigeria, top government officials and captains of industry.

Union of lovebirds A journalist, Obiora Obiefuna, and the Port Harcourt, Rivers State Manager of Chartered Institute of Financial and Investment Analysts Nigeria (CIFIAN), former Miss Ugokananwa Okolo got married at Amaozala Village, Egede, Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, ODOGWU EMEKA ODOGWU was there.

A

MAOZALA Village, Egede, Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State was agog that Saturday as people gathered to witness the traditional marriage rites of Mr Obiora Obiefuna of Mbanagu Village, Otolo, Nnewi, Nnewi North local Government Area of Anambra State and Miss Ugokananwa Okolo.

Miss Okolo, Port Harcourt Manager, Chartered Institute of Financial and Investment Analyst Nigeria, CIFIAN, a certified professional body and Mr Obiefuna, erstwhile reporter with National Light Newspapers Limited/Anambra State Broadcasting Service (ABS), Awka, were the cynosure of all eyes.

They shone in their gorgeous white lace with purple scarf and cap to match.

The groom’s entourage from Nnewi people were welcomed amid thunderous ovation,

after which they were served a local delicacy – African salad. Obiora and his people were threated to the hospitality of Amaozala Village with various items presented to them.

Kegs of fresh undiluted palm wine were enough to go round severally and choice foods were in excess in accordance with traditional demands on such occasion.

Highlights of the event included the inevitable search of Obiora by his sweetheart, Ugokananwa, who was accompanied by a bevy of beautiful maidens. They danced to the the delight of the audience. When the bride found her groom and gave him the palm wine in a cup, their joy knew no bounds.

Family, friends and guests supported the new couple with various household items.

Special prayers for the couple were offered by the Okolo family head, Mr Michael Okolo.

•The couple Ugokananwa and Obiora

FUNERAL

•The son of the deceased cum Managing Director Futures and Bonds Ltd, Lekki, Mr Akinwunmi Oladeji flanked by Chief Adebayo Adetunji (left) and Chief Wale Taiwo-Bamofin

•Former Deputy Managing Director, CMB Toyo Glass, Agbara, Lagos, Mr Tutu Buriamo and Executive Chairman, Krystle Ltd, Lagos, Mrs Christy Okoye

29 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

Vol 4. No. 1766

Dance all: How Maltina engages consumers With the take off of the Maltina Dance All Season 6 a few weeks ago, JIMI DAVID writes on how the family entertainment platform has been adding value and engaging consumers over the years.

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RAND analysts have for years been investigating the link between values, profit and customers. The broadening of what has been termed “the market-tobook” gap and the emergence of intangible assets – and brands in particular – as the main drivers of this and other benefits has attracted a researches. The most notable is the Wharton Business School research, which found out that “customer satisfaction levels are indeed leading indicators of future financial performance measures such as revenues, revenue growth, profit margin, and return on sales.”

This is consistent with the work of other surveys and analyses carried out after it. For example, the PIMS project created by Harvard professors Brad Gale and Bob Buzzell and which built on prior work by McKinsey and General Electric (GE), has proven a powerful link between return on investment and customer relative perceived quality. They established through analysis of their database of hundreds of American companies, that those which deliver consistent product quality perceived by its customers to be superior to the competition will achieve enhanced returns. Strongly in line with brand equity theory, they concluded that companies that do achieve a perceived, relative product quality advantage will generate these better returns due to stronger customer loyalty, more repeat purchases, and less vulnerability to price wars.

This analysis is apt when capturing the Maltina Dance All (MDA) concept, a unique consumer engagement and experiential platform for Maltina, a premium nonalcoholic malt brand from the stable of Nigerian Breweries Plc. The brand, is riding on the wings of its successful National Consumer Promotion tagged “Maltina sharing happiness promo” where five Nigerians won furnished three bedroom homes in Lekki area of Lagos.

The brand has already kickstarted the popular family reality television show Maltina Dance All (MDA) which is in its sixth season.

As was the norm last year, Nigerian Breweries Plc, the custodian of the Maltina brand announced an upward review of the prize money.

The winning family will now take home N6 million in addition to a brand new car, while the first and second runners up will take home N1 million and N500, 000 respectively.

The highly competitive regional auditions which held in Abuja, Lagos, Port-Harcourt, Benin and Enugu, produced eight winners from each of the regions. During the regional auditions consumers and members of the public, won

The Eghove Family, a contestant in the competition.

numerous prizes ranging from 2.5KVA generators, 21" flat screen TV sets, Home theatre systems and lots of nourishing bottles of Maltina.

After series of screening, the winners were whittled down to 15 and were invited to an intense and grueling boot camp. At the end of the day, the 10 lucky families that eventually made it to the famous Maltina Dance Academy are, The Boyle family, Green family, Amilo family, Efiokwu family, Eghove family, Nwogwugwu family, Okasia family, Onyebuagu family, Zibe family and the Ozurumba family.

These families, would slug it out for the grand prize as well as the fame which comes with being Nigeria’s number one dancing family. However, the Nwogwugwu, Ozurumba families have been evicted from the show.

The MDA concept brings families

together in a captive environment where they strive to outdo each other through the mastery of various types of local and international dance styles. The varied dance types which the families engage in such as “Wazobia”, Jive, Pantomime, gunboot and Salsa provide an experiential marketing platform which the brand deploys to resonate with brand loyalists and the society in general.

Furthermore, this platform, apart from enabling families from various ethnicities adopt the dance styles of others, acts as a means to bond these families thereby building stronger family values and affinity.

The MDA was thus conceptualised with the passion to entertain, bond and encourage a restoration of values to the family.

Mrs. Ngozi Nkwoji, Senior Brand Manager Maltina, said the Maltina story has been the story of fun, shar-

ing happiness and encouraging an atmosphere for the Nigerian family to bond with each other and with other families. She said: “MDA is all about bringing the entire family together as a functioning unit so that they can bond effectively throughout their time at the academy and network as a unit with other families.”

Since 2007, when Maltina Dance All, was introduced, the show has no doubt remained Nigeria’s first and only family dance TV show featuring families from various regions across the country. From the 2007 edition which produced the Onye family as winners, Maltina Dance All has gone through five highly successful seasons. In 2008 it was the Opuwari family that carted away the star prize; in 2009 the Ibiams were voted the nation’s best dance family.

The Adejoh’s were champions in

‘MDA is all about bringing the entire family together as a functioning unit so that they can bond effectively throughout their time at the academy and network as a unit with other families’

2010 while in 2011, the Ekubo’s were crowned the best dance family with the unforgettable swinging moves of Ebi Ekubo and his little sister.”

The show will bring to the fore, the Nigerian essence and values of sharing, happiness, unity, cooperation, vitality and creativity which have set the show apart from others. The show is being aired on major TV networks with video uploaded on YouTube and Facebook. Viewers can also participate and win fabulous prizes through the interactive SMS platform during the show.

The airing will continue daily until the grand finale which will be held on September 22. Viewers can watch the show on Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) 5.30pm, Silverbird TV (STV) 8.00pm and Africa Independent Television (AIT) 9.00pm.

Since it was introduced into the Nigerian market in 1976, Maltina has consistently satisfied its teeming consumers with high quality natural malt drink, fortified with essential vitamins and minerals.

This affords the entire family with the vitality and superior nourishment necessary for their daily activities - including those special fun moments shared with friends and loved ones.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

30

Brandnews

Legend celebrates global quality award F

OR meeting international quality standards, Legend Extra Stout, the premium stout from the stable of Nigerian Breweries (NB) Plc - has received the prestigious Gold Quality Prize at the 51st Monde Award in Athens, Greece.

In line with tradition, the brand held a party at the Nightshift Coliseum to present the award to the consumers and other stakeholders.

Marketing Director of NB Mr. Walter Drenth said every time Legend calls, it does so to share and celebrate good news. “You are all living witnesses to the tremendous strides the Legend brand has made over the years, establishing itself as a Real stout on many counts and refreshing its outlook uniquely.

Over the past 20 years, the Legend brand has continued to position itself as a credible choice of stout, full brewed, the way an original stout should - giving Legend the

Stories by Wale Alabi

credibility to be called the ‘Real Deal,’ - a sincere proposition that has sustained the brand s’ growth since the re-launch and acceptance in 2009.”

He reminded the consumers that the campaigns at the re-launch further rides on the brands’ real brewed positioning with emphasis on the production processes considered desirable for a real stout. This innovation, according to him, has had a tremendous positive impact on the brand’s volume, market share and overall equity.

“Today Legend has an unprecedented story of being the fastest growing stout brand in the Nigerian stout market, extremely outclassing others in the category.

Thanks to the loyal consumers for their patronage and steadfastness. I have no doubt that you are aware of our high performances over the years both in blind tests and sev-

eral other testimonies from consumers; Legend has remained remarkably unique in taste and quality.”

Not done with what stands the brand out after such a short time playing in a market where there is a dominant brand that has been around for more than a century, he stressed that the brand custodians’ passion for consistent quality check over the years pushed Legend to take another bold step to validate its quality by participating in an internationally recognised taste and quality evaluation panel named MONDE Selection Institute, independently evaluating for quality since 1961 and based in Brussels, the capital of Europe.

“Bearing in mind, the ever reliable and independent nature of the quality evaluation of Monde selection process, which is second to none in the entire world, Legend entered the 2012 quality challenge alongside over 3,000 contestants including other brands in the stout

‘Revenue, cost, capital vital to CEO’s sales decision making’

S

PEAKERS at this year’s annual Sales Performance Summit (SPS) have advised sales men to focus on three areas that are of utmost concern to top executives while making decisions, in order to be effective in closing sales deals with their bosses.

The areas are: how to increase revenue, reduce cost and make judicious use of capital. If their sales pitches are built around these, the speakers said, the barrier of selling to high-level executives would be broken.

At the event with the theme Understanding the CEO’S Mindset – How Executives Make Buying Decisions, Mr. Oliver Nnona, CEO, Profiliant Development Resources Limited, organisers of the summit, said lack of basic details about the mindset of an average CEO and decision makers make selling to them an uphill task.

He said: “Most sales professionals don’t realise the conditions under which decision makers work.

They wake, eat and sleep under pressure. There are different kinds of pressure from the board, shareholders, staff and other stakeholders. Their major concern day and night while making decisions is how to meet the expectations of these sets of people.

“When you need to sell anything to them, be it product or service, you must bear in mind that they are looking for things that will increase their revenue, reduce their cost and help them make effective

use of their capital. If these criteria are met, it’s easy to strike sales deals with them.’’

Dr. Maxwell Ubah, a management consultant, urged participants to do a thorough search on the company they are prospecting: its financial state, problems, competition, among others, before approaching such company’s executives with any solution. He noted that any proposed solution that doesn’t address the critical needs of a CEO would not be entertained.

On his own part, Mr. Idorenyen Inang, former Managing Director, Samsung West Africa and CEO, Corporate Shepherds, said the ability to recognise the key influencers in an organisation would go a long way in determining the success of any sales pitch. He also enjoined sales persons to acquaint themselves with the politics that are at play in the company they are prospecting in order to navigate any potential landmines. The former Marketing Director of Cadbury Plc further said that salespersons need to build multi-level relationships across different cadres so they could take advantage of insights and leads that such could deliver.

Earlier in his keynote address titled “Winning Sales Organisations”, Mr. Roger Snow, Vice President, Miller Heiman, said any company that focuses on satisfying the needs of their customers are more likely to succeed than those that don’t.

category from Nigeria. You will agree with me that it takes excellence in the crafting and delivery of music to win a Grammy. To win an Oscar, it takes the ability to hold an international audience spell bound with great acting; and just of recent, we observed in the Olympic, winning Gold takes the combination of preparation, peculiarity, diligence and strength.”

Senior Brand Manager, Legend, Funso Ayeni stated that the award is for the Nigerian consumer that has stood with and believed in the brand over the years.

“Our consumers have been great over the years; they encourage us to continue to brew the best tasting stout brand in the country. The fact that this award came from a renowned international authority, after passing through a series of quality control tests, goes to show that the quality of Legend is unique,” Ayeni added.

Monde Selection, an International

•From left: Managing Director, Insight Communication, Jimi Awosika, NB’s Marketing Manager, Lager, Tony Agenmonmen, Drenth and Ayeni at the event.

Etisalat offers over 90% roaming discount to on the Mobily netHajj pilgrims toworkdo isandroam ROM September 1st till Nonew subscribers must

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vember 30th 2012 new and existing Etisalat customers travelling to Saudi Arabia on Hajj will enjoy discounted rates on calls. The discount will cover local calls in Saudi Arabia, calls to Nigeria, SMS and data services under the Etisalat Hajj promo. The promo will enable customers stay in touch with their families and friends during the hajj.

The promo will give subscribers

on the network up to 90 per cent discount on outgoing calls to Nigeria at N50 per minute, local calls within Saudi Arabia at N30 per minute and N12 per SMS with a data package for as low as 2 kobo per KB when they buy 200MB internet bundle. For customers to enjoy this package, all they have

DN Meyer donates raincoats to FRSC

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N Meyer Plc, manufacturers and marketers of premium decorative paints, industrial and protective coatings, has reiterated its commitment to helping the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) safeguard lives and properties on Nigerian roads. The company donated top quality raincoats and a new signage to the Ojota Unit of FRSC in Lagos recently.

General Manager, Sales and Marketing, Mrs. Tonia Akinkugbe, who donated the items on behalf of the Managing Director of the company, Mr. Adeola Omosebi, noted that, the company is strategically positioned to revolutionise the industry through technological breakthrough, novel initiatives and quality products.

“DN Meyer is a committed, responsible and caring corporate citizen. We are configured to improve the quality of life of the people in our operating environment. We believe in the welfare of our employees as well as the activities that are directed towards environmental safety and educational welfare of our host communities.”

She stated that, road safety is an issue that touches everybody in some manner, and that the company decided to support the FRSC, to ensure they continually discharged their duties seamlessly. “We are conscious of the fact that in carrying out this assignment, men of the agency are exposed to certain hazards, especially during the rainy

Institute for Quality Selections is the originator of the annual international event organised to identify and recognise outstanding global brands. Founded in 1961 in Brussels, the capital of Europe, the Institute tests consumer goods from different global markets and grant them internationally renowned quality award based on independent quality evaluation of products submitted for evaluation. Other stout brands from the Nigerian market also submitted products for evaluation, but Legend was awarded Gold ahead of Guinness Extra Stout, its main competitor, which came second with Silver award.

Averagely, no less than 3,000 products, coming from over 80 different countries, are usually tested each year in the following categories: spirits & liqueurs, beers, waters & soft drinks, food products chocolates & confectionery, cereal products, diet & health products, cosmetics & toiletries.

season. The realisation of this fact is what informed and motivated our support of the agency with raincoats. We also want to make the Ojota Unit more visible, by this new signage showing the emergency number of the agency for people to call has been vividly provided.”

Mrs. Akinkugbe praised the FRSC for creating sanity on Nigerian roads. She further disclosed the company’s commitment to continue to support FRSC towards a drastic “decrease in accident rates and fatalities on our roads.”

In his welcome address, the Ojota Unit Commander, Mr Leye Adegboyega, thanked DN Meyer for the gesture and promised to make proper use of the raincoats.

He stated that we all need to join hands together in ensuring safer road and fuller life”.

The Sector Commander of FRSC, Lagos, Mr Nseobong Akpabio praised DN Meyer for the gesture which he said has shown the company as a great and responsible corporate citizen that has continued to contribute towards the advancement of its host communities.

“We are aware of the past contributions made by DN Meyer to FRSC as a whole, not only to Ojota unit Command. The donations will go a long way in helping us curtail road hazards. This donation of new sign post will enable road users to easily contact our call centres in cases of emergency.”

register their SIM cards.

Etisalat Nigeria’s Chief Commercial Officer, Mr Wael Ammar speaking on the promo said it is the company’s desire to keep loved ones connected during the religious pilgrimage through cost effective and friendlier tariff offers.

“In keeping to our commitment to providing the very best in seamless communication to our customers, we design tailor made products and services that speak directly to their needs.”

“The Hajj promo is one of such offers that enable our customers to stay connected to loved ones carry on while also on their spiritual journey.“ Director, Products and Services, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr Lucas Dada, said that the promo has been designed to offer customers convenience such that they can travel with recharge cards as well as receive etop up from family and friends in Nigeria.

“In addition to friendlier call tariffs, Etisalat offers its prepaid customers data roaming internet bundle packages. Subscribers can text the codes *295*1#, *295*2# and *295*3# for 50, 100 and 200MB, at N2000, N3000 and N4000 respectively for a validity period of 30 days,” he said.

SHOPPING

31

THE NATION

Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.net

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

e-mail: janicenkoli@yahoo.com 08033349992 sms only

email:- shopping@thenationonlineng.net

African designs cut across the world •Continued on page 32

Buying a good wallet Page 33

Box handbags in vogue Page 34

’I shop anywhere’

Page 34

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

32

SHOPPING

African designs cut across the world

•IlangaBag-Afrodesign

•African-batikdesigns •Table mat

•Continued from page 31

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HEIR rich heritage is their strength.

Drawing from this strength, African designs have become prominent world wide. Over the centuries,African weavers, dyers and other artists have created amazing designs.

Today, wax print fabrics are a popular gift at weddings, birthdays and other social functions and are sold at affordable prices. They range from as low as N1, 000 depending on the number of yards required.

In Africa, clothes represent wealth and culture and add beauty and value to life. Indeed, African textiles are becoming increasingly well known. Many luxury labels across the world now look to African designs for inspiration. Here are some of them: Adirinka: Hand-printed cloth from the Ashanti Kingdom of Ghana Adire:The celebrated indigo resist-dyed cloth of the Yoruba from Nigeria.

Gowns: Hand-embroidered ceremonial robes of the Yoruba and Hausa from Nigeria Akunitan: Asante cloth of Ghana.

Asafo: Spectacular appliqué flags of the Fante people from coastal Ghana.

Aso-oke : Hand-woven narrow strip cloths of the Yoruba and other Nigerian weavers.

Bologun: hand-painted mud cloth from Mali.

Ewe: Beautiful narrow-strip kente cloth from the Ewe people of Ghana and Togo.

Indigo: Blue dyed cloth from across West Africa.

•Teacup-zigzag table mat

Kente: The strip woven cloth of the Ashanti Kingdom in Ghana.

The Nation Shopping spoke to some consumers.

Miss Massita Sissoko hails from Mali and would travel to any part of the world just to see an exhibition of African prints. She had this to say: “To us, wax prints are really potent symbols that sum up the person who is wearing them in a single glance. We can tell a person’s wealth, rank, social standing and age just by looking at the wax print.

A young man, Mr Ola Olatunji, praised African designs saying: “I love them. They make our ladies look really nice, especially when they wear them to church”.

Miss Bridget Ofuokwu, who visited the country after a long time abroad, said: “I have a lot of native wears. Every year, my mum always gets someone in Nigeria to get them for me. Lately, I have been combining my Ankara with English wears, thanks to the tailor I found in Atlanta.

A United States-based pharmacist, Miss Ngozi Oduche, said: “We always earn more respect and admiration when clothed in our local attire. I love wearing it whenever I am abroad. Personally, I think we look more graceful and even sexier in our native fabrics. Just stroll out one of these days, preferably Sunday or Saturday and see things for yourself. When you see ladies dress stylishly in Ankara or lace with their gele skentele, you would really admire the African look”, she said.

In addition, the sale of local fabrics has become a viable business outside the coun-

try. The Nation Shopping came across Mrs Bridget Okereke buying local textiles at the Balogun market, Lagos. She stated why she was buying so much: “I learnt fashion designing and used to make clothes for my relatives. Among them are my sister and uncle who live in London. When I informed them that I was coming to London two years ago, they told me to buy nice local designs and make some clothes for them.

“Since time was not on my side, I travelled with my sewing machine. Having sewn for them, they also introduced me to some of their friends and that was how I started the business in London. So, from time to time, I come to Nigeria, buy as much fabrics as I could and take back to London for my customers. I can tell you that it is in high demand over there” Many earn a good living just by creating African designs and making Africa proud.

Miss Bridget Oronya, fondly called Bibi, a young and energetic Nigerian artist combines various styles to create designs that are uniquely African. She works with oil and glue on canvas or with ink. Her work varies from semi abstract to abstract or symbolic and from rough to elegant. What makes them special is they portray traditional and modern African style in a colourful and relaxing manner.

Mrs Lizzy Unachukwu, a banker said: “I love western clothes, but the beauty, dignity and value the local styles add to our person and beauty cannot be overemphasized. That is why any day, any time, I still believe our feminine side is always more attractive in

•Throw pillows

our local fabrics and their versatile styles.

Mrs Joy Uranta commented on the issue of buying substandard fabrics. “Some of those fabrics are substandard. I had fallen prey to it once and I know that same could happen to many”. She had a piece of advice for buyers: “If you do not know the fabrics very well, go with someone who understands them.

Also ask questions before you buy. Most of the time, the sellers would show you the fake as well as the original. They are always willing to reduce price from the fake,” she said.

A dealer on local fabrics, Mrs Titilayo Oluwakemi, whose shop is located at the Balogun market, Lagos Island, said:” Local fabrics are more appreciated these days. Ankara fabric has gained new strength, not only in the exotic designs; it has been made adaptable to most cosmopolitan designs. There is no end to how fabrics could be used. You could use it for any style-gown, skirt and blouse, top, trousers, iro and buba. Men also have various styles to choose from. They display the Africa in us. What is more, it is durable and affordable. They come mostly in six yards.”

According to her, some of the common textiles are Nigerian prints, Hollandais, London wax, Hollywood Woodin, Afrique woodin, Akosombo wax , from Ghana and Java Gold among others.

Local fabrics are popular and can be seen in several stores and markets in almost every locality. Some specialised markets are Balogun market and Gutter in Lagos Island, Itoku in Abeokuta and Gbagi in Ibadan.

•Source: Google

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

33

SHOPPING Shopping Right with

Savvy tips for your office wardrobe

T •Channel

HERE are many reasons people upgrade their wardrobes. Sometimes, old clothing is no longer your size or does not fit as well as it used to. At other times, clothing becomes dated or faded. You may also be transitioning to a different job or role and need new clothes. Regardless of the reason, a wardrobe upgrade requires an honest assessment of what you currently possess and what is missing.

Upgrading a wardrobe is easy if you have the money to spend and can buy your way into a completely new look. Most people do not have that kind of money to spend solely on clothing. Here are some budget savvy tips to guide you.

Analysing your wardrobe

•Calvin Klein •Gucci

Begin with an assessment of the clothes you already have. Consider your style and needs, identify what items your wardrobe is missing, then create a shopping strategy to meet your need. Go for styles that flatter your body and fit your taste. With your budget in mind, distinguish between absolute necessities, and items that could wait for another trip if necessary.

If you want to start from scratch to create an entirely new wardrobe, you also need to identify your style and create your customized shopping strategy.

Before you buy or throw away anything, it is important to assess your current selection. Create an inventory of all of your clothing. It does not need to be complicated.

Then look to see what categories of items are missing. Are you lacking professional attire? Does your clothing not fit? Does it feature a long-ago trend? Keep an open mind during your assessment. Once you have pinpointed what the major issue is, separate the items into two divisions: items that will work with your upgrade goals and items that will not work.

Modifying and altering pieces

•Mullica men wallet

Being sure of the wallet to buy is important as they come in sizes and shapes, writes TONIA ‘DIYAN

Buying a good wallet

T

HERE are many factors to consider when buying a wallet, do you want the wallet to fit in your hip pocket, or do you often wear a jacket where you can keep it? Do you need an instant reset wallet or not?

A wallet is important for holding essential documents. They are usually made of leather or strong manmade material. In a wallet, you can keep an international passport, tickets, boarding pass, money, traveller’s cheques, credit and debit cards, driving licence, identity cards, small pens and note pad.

There are various quality wallets. The same type of wallet cannot be right for everyone.

Some prefer normal wallets, others do not.

Most importantly, all wallets will do the job.

There are the switcher wallets, the Himber wallet and the Loader wallet.

The switcher allows one switch one card for another; the himber wallets can be used effectively for a card to wallet effect, i.e., in a situation where you want to exchange one card or any other item for another. The loader wallet allows you to load a selected item into a seemingly impossible area.

Expect to pay about N5, 000 or more for a quality wallet, because some of the less

expensive wallets are certainly not usable.

Some wallets are as low as N3, 000, others are over N5, 000, and the expensive wallets provide some unique routine possibilities.

When buying a wallet, you have to decide on the decide the size For example, a Michael Ambers showcase wallet is a small vinyl switcher designed for simple switching. On the other hand, a full size pocket secretary type himber wallet will allow you place envelopes or bills into the wallet without folding.

A Prada long wallet is sold for N17, 500. It is available in Nero (black) and pink. A saffiano leather wallet with gold plated hardware has a metal lettering logo, two snap closures, ten credit cards slots, and a coin compartment with zipper. It is 18.7cm / 9cm long. Other types are bulaggi, Luis Vinton, Christian Dior Mullica wallets among others.

Some designs combine both features, so you have a combination of switching and loading wallet. Some provide visual switching mechanisms, i.e., an item can be seen through a hole or a transparent nylon in the wallet, yet a switch can be made when such is removed.

Take a look at all the pieces in the “do not work” section. Anything that is too small can be immediately taken away-donate the nice pieces and toss the rest. Separate clothing that fits but is out of fashion next. Take a hard look at each item. Fashion tends to cycle. Pieces that look great on you but are too trendy can be stored away in plastic bins if you have the storage. Clothing with out of date details, such as certain sleeves, collars or buttons can be modified to omit the dated details. If you cannot sew, take the garments to a tailor or seamstress and get a quote for each. Torn or irreparably stained clothing should be tossed. Clothing that is too big can also be taken to the tailor for alteration. The rest of your pieces should be fine in all other ways except that they do not fit the look that you are building towards.

Keep them and wear them on occasions where the new look is not necessary

Classic essentials Buy a few basic wardrobe pieces that you can use in multiple ways. A collared, white dress shirt is almost compulsory for men and women alike if they are looking to upgrade a professional wardrobe. Black or gray slacks can be combined with many different items. Do not buy for labels; buy for the

JANICE NKOLI IFEME quality of the garment. Do not worry about changing bags and purses to stay current. Instead, invest in a classic, high quality leather bag. Do not buy into any fads. These put a time limit on your wardrobe. Stick with classic pieces that look good on you personally.

Care for your clothing. Follow the label directions and pre-treat stains as soon as they happen.

Get larger pieces (pants, skirts, and jackets) in neutral colours that mix and match. Neutral colours — black, navy blue, gray, tan (or taupe or camel), cream, white - work best, as they not only mix with each other, they do not stand out so you can wear them repeatedly and not make it obvious that you are wearing the same thing.

Five well-chosen shirts combined with two pairs of pants will give you ten combinations, but two outfits that do not go with anything else will only give you two combinations.

Here are some suggestions you can aim for: Men: 3-4 jackets, 3-4 pair pants, 5 buttonfront shirts, 5 pair dress socks, 3-4 ties, 2 pair of shoes.

Women: 2-4 jackets, 3-4 bottoms (pants or skirts), 5 tops (button-front shirts or solidcolour knit tops), 2 twin sets (matching tank and cardigan), 5 pairs dress socks and/or pantyhose, 2 pair of shoes (low heels, or flats if you cannot wear heels at all). Consider suits.

People often assume suits will be more expensive than buying separates, but you often get a jacket and pants/skirt for less money than if you bought them separately. Suits in solid colours or with subtle patterns are best for splitting up and using each half separately.

Keep one or two professional outfits on hand for formal occasions (interviews, gatherings or meetings with customers) even if your office is casual or you don’t currently work in a setting that requires them. Store them in a breathable garment bag so that they do not gather dust. Those same couple of outfits could keep you going for a few days if you do get an office job.

Shoes should be comfortable and well-fitting, preferably leather. Do not try to squeeze into a pair that does not fit.

Shoes for women If you can only start with one pair of shoes to go with everything, choose black. For your second pair, choose a colour that will go with more of your wardrobe. If you have a good deal of blacks, whites, greys, blues, pinks, and reds, navy shoes would be a good choice. If you tend to have more earth colours, such as beige, brown, tan, yellow, green, and orange, look for tan or dark brown shoes. Do not dismiss the importance of avoiding very high heels in the office - remember, you will be wearing them for at least seven hours or more, and may have a job which entails getting up from your desk and walking to many locations in the office. Shoes with heels over two inches high will likely feel very uncomfortable at day’s end.

Write to us, express your views, observations and experiences. Let’s have your comments about shopping. Your comments, questions and answers will be published first Friday of every month. With your full name and occupation, send e-mail to: janicenkoli@yahoo.com

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THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

MY SHOPPING

Modupeoluwa Ogundina: I shop anywhere

I

S there a particular item you shop for?

I am a shoe and bag person .They are the two major things I love shopping for.

A person’s shoe speaks a lot about him or her and the bag or purse is one thing every lady should carry everywhere.

Due to the nature of your job, do you have time to shop for yourself?

I am a busy person but still I shop every now and then because I own my boutique so I get everything I want on a regular basis without having to shop outside.

What do you have in mind when you shop?

I usually don’t have anything in mind when shopping but as long as I see something I like that suits my taste and choice, I buy it. I buy to please myself as long as the

By Olajumoke Azzan

item is beautiful and attractive.

Which day is suitable for you to shop?

I am a neutral person I shop anytime I want as long as I have the money and the time. I might just be driving by and see something I like and I would just go for it no matter what it cost as long as I have the money to get it.

Do you window shop?

Yes, I window shop regularly. As a matter of fact I window shop a lot. Due to the fact that I love shopping and sometime I might just be driving by and see something I want or admire, I might just get down and check it out and if I can afford it I buy it.

What was the last thing you bought for

•Modupe

yourself?

The last thing I bought for myself was a pair of shoes which I bought at a shopping mall at Lagos Island. I went there with the plan of getting something only for me to see of shoe, I fell in love with it so I bought the shoe with the money I was with.

How can you compare our local markets and shopping malls?

I am a kind of person that buys anything I like no matter where they sell it. It doesn’t matter where it is sold all that matters is that you like it and you can afford it and it suites you.

Compare your shopping life before now?

I have always been a shopper and as I told you, I own a boutique so I always dress and look good. Even before I started acting I have been like this, I haven’t changed.

Box handbags in vogue The box handbag is one that is perfect for all seasons and occasions. It is now in vogue for ladies at affordable prices too, writes OLAJUMOKE AZZAN

T

HERE is one accessory that many women cannot do without - a handbag. In fact, they consider it a necessity. This explains the demand for various types and brands of bags and purses. Bags have now turned into a seasonal thing just like clothes and various brands produce different types and kinds of bags and purses which look much better than the ones of the previous season.

For this season, the box handbag is in vogue. It looks very simple and beautiful.

It is more like the men’s office suitcase but in a much more feminine form.

They come in several colours , there are some used mainly for colour blocking by ladies i.e , matching of varieties of colours, popularly known as colour riots which has today become a thing of fashion.

The common colours available are the black and hot red colours. These colours sell more in the market. They come in very handy and spacious forms. They can be used to carry as many things as possible.

Because the box bag is in vogue, the nameless brands now have the opportunity of producing imitations of the bags, however, known brand names such as Gucci, Givenchy, Prada and many others have decided to add their own touch and logo to theirs to differentiate it from the others.

They can be purchased mainly from bou-

tiques and online retail shop.

With various sizes and designs, some come as small clutches, cross bags, shoulder design, some even co a versatile look.

Bukola Adeoti is a regular user of the box bag. She spoke about the value and the advantages of the bag. She said: “The bags are very beautiful and outstanding, they are very spacious, durable and unique.

I have three in different colours and designs . It is every lady’s dream because they are its durable and very attractive “.

Mrs Adenike Oyenuga said: “The bag is a beauty to behold, I don’t have one but my daughter does and I am planning to get one for myself. It is basically the in thing for ladies these days. I sell bags and I have been making lots of profit from its sale”.

Yetunde, Amosun, who is a student, said: “The bag is a very lovely item to possess not just because of its looks but also the uniqueness and the space it possess. I prefer the purse type to the handbag type because of its portable nature. Though, the handbag is not too big but I prefer the purse because it is small not Everybody likes big things”.

Tinuke Adelaja, a hair stylist said: “When it comes to handbags I buy a lot and always want more. But this bag, I don’t know how many I have anymore I have lost count. The bag is spectacular”.

Get cheap bargains for your party Are you planning a party and interested in places where you can get items to help you with the preparations?

Here are tips from TONIA ‘DIYAN

P

ARTIES are occasions for blissful times and they should be celebrated. Therefore, when you are thinking of having a party, first have a date picked out several months before the event; record it in your diary.

For your cheap foodstuffs, the right place to go is Mile 12 or Oyingbo Market in Lagos, where you can find a variety of food stuffs at cheap prices. But sometimes the freshness of these items may not be guaranteed.

If it is a small party and you cannot withstand the rough and busy nature of the Mile 12 and Oyingbo market, you could visit one of the big retail shops we have today. They also stock frozen foodstuffs that are affordable.

For drinks and water, it is better to buy directly from the bottling companies, it is cheaper and you are sure of what you are buying.

In case you cannot access any bottling company around you, use the nearest drinks depot you can find around. Their prices are almost the same with the bottling companies.

For souvenirs, there are plastic sections in Ketu market and Idumota market where you can buy different kinds of plastics at very affordable prices too. You can also find other

souvenirs apart from the plastic type. They are all over the market with new designs springing up everyday, you are sure to find those that would suit your taste for your party.

Get useful things as your souvenirs, not things that will be thrown away or used and be thrown away after a few days. Give out personalised gift items, such as umbrellas, carriage bags, jotters, breakable and unbreakable plates, mugs, microwave dishes and more.

Remember to choose a theme for your party after you must have fixed the date. It is better when you send out invitations about a month before the party with an RSVP date of a week. This will enable guests have enough time to respond and shop for gift items to present to you. It also gives you time to get a final headcount before the big day.

For invitation cards, if you cannot afford to buy already made invitation cards which cost at least N2,500 for a pack, you can alternatively make some inexpensive invitation cards yourself, design them on your computer and print them out on a hard copy paper, so it doesn’t cost as much as the already made cards cost.

Not all parties need to have a meal served;

•Party items

you can as well serve snacks, cakes, drinks, salad, fruit salad, stick meat, pizza, sharwama, barbeque fish\chicken, Chapman and maybe ice cream. All these can be gotten from eateries around you if you cannot make them yourself. But if it is a big party, you could employ the caterers to help you out.

Decorations can be over the top or very minimal, it is completely your choice. Add a couple of balloons to your decorations.

The cake is one of the biggest hits at a party, so make sure it’s a good one! Choose your favourite flavour which should be decorated to suit the theme of the party. Eateries are

also the best hands for your cakes.

When the day of the party eventually arrives, it will be full of excitement, because you will want things to go perfectly. But whatever you do, let people remember your party always.

Nothing beats the feeling after all of your hard work, when tyour guests tell you “this was the best party ever!”

Happy planning, enjoy and don’t forget to make provisions for a video camera and photographs as they will make your party a memorable one to always remember. You have them everywhere around your neighbouhood, make use of them.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

35

Brandnews

Close-Up holds concert T

HOSE that attended the CloseUp I love Naija Concert held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, will praise the grandiose display of excellence.

The journey of Close-Up ‘I love Naija‘ campaign started on July 18, when Unilever came up with the idea and kicked off the campaign by hoisting 52 Nigerian flags at its head office in Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos.

The primary aim of the campaign is to celebrate Nigeria’s forthcoming 52nd Independence and 38th years anniversaries of Close-Up toothpaste. The 52 flags represent the 52 years of Independence. Furthermore, it created an avenue for youth join to come together and form a theme song for the campaign.

After the first leg of the campaign, Close-Up took another step to further establish its love for the country by organising Close-Up ‘I Love Naija’ re-launch concert. This was held on Sunday at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The brand identity was not lost in the event as colour Red was either brightly worn or passively adorned by guests at the concert.

Guest on the VIP was seated round the buffet table with the stage view at close proximity. Kicking off the event was the highlight of the Close-Up ‘I love Naija’ new advert

Stories by Raji Rotimi Solomon

with celebrities and top Unilever officials endorsing it. The large screen and crisp pictures of the advert certainly captivated the audience as the hall was dead silent; attesting to the rapt attention the advert viewing was receiving.

Breaking the silence were the anchors as they came out in Nigerian attire. Popular radio presenter Helen Paul (Tatafo) and her co anchor Yaw took to the stage as they introduced another brother from the industry to thrill the audience with comedy. Seyi Law, as usual cracked the ribs of all that were seated with his jokes. That set the tone for the night.

Shortly after the comedy session, Omawumi came to the stage for her own rendition. A live band effect was astonishing as it gave more colour to her performance.

A young Nigerian artiste with such fine voice and musical dexterity came up stage to render a song that expresses his love for his country Nigeria, the song conveyed the message that the Close-Up Naija was trying to deliver to the consumers and people at large. Underground, were tunes and tones of Nigerias ace Dick Jockey (DJ) Jimmy Jatt.

The performances hit a frenzy with the dance display of the

• From left: Brand Manager, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Dapo Apolola, Mabe and Okeme at the event.

proudly Mad About Dance (MAD ). The young energetic dancers awed the audience with their outof this world dance steps and stunts. With this they ushered in the new face of Close-Up, the number one Nigeria’s toothpaste was unveiled.

Managing Director of Unilever Mr Thabo Mabe, who stepped forward to address the audience, said: “Close-Up is a brand associated with freshness and Unilever has over the years provided Nigerians with that. The same spirit of freshness has moved the company to

come out with another freshness solution.”

Marketing Director, Mr David Okeme said: “Since the entrance of Close-Up in 1976, the brand has been used in over 40 million homes across Nigeria. This re-launch will introduce the next generation of close up, the freshness brand that has been reinforced for three times fresher breath. This campaign is a medium of saying thank you to faithful Nigerians and also to bring the people closer the country and the brand.”

After the speech, he invited

Tuface Idibia and Ice prince as they joined crew on stage for the historic re-launch. The 13 finalist of the theme song competition came up and rendered the ‘I love Naija’ theme song. 23 winners emerged from the fastest finger completion and they were rewarded with movie tickets courtesy of Unilever Plc. The climax of the concert featured Ice prince spewing out his flows, the crown of it all was the bubbly performance of ‘Tuface Idibia’ as jis performance brought the show to an end.

Edo to regulate outdoor advertising, signs

T

HE Edo State Government has raised a working committee under the supervision of its Ministry of Environment and Public Utilities to ensure strict regulation of the deployment of outdoor signs and billboards.

This is part of measures to check the indiscriminate deployment of outdoor posters, banners, signs and billboards.

A statement by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr A. H. Ikhelowa, said the committee

would work in collaboration with consultants, adding that the government will no longer allow its efforts in urban renewal and infrastructural development to be undermined by the arbitrary deployment of outdoor advertising

• From left: Director, Ministry of Environment & Public Utilities, Prince A.E. Akonofua; Media Management Consultant, Dan Oshodin; Oriakhi and Ikhelowa, at the meeting.

in the public domain under the guise of promoting business activities.

A meeting of key local stakeholders including churches, fashion designers, sign writers, business, printing press, school, hotel/beer parlour, restaurant proprietors, political parties, marketing companies and music/ movies promoters was held last at Main Hall, Bishop Kelly Pastoral Centre, Airport Road, Benin City.

Stakeholders were presented with the government’s impending policy.

Ikhelowa said the meeting was to avail the public of the government’s position on the deployment of signs and billboards, henceforth, noting that government considered the indiscriminate posting of banners and posters to publicise church programmes, movie and music as a hindrance on the efforts to clean up the environment.

Lead Consultant to the Edo State government on the regulation and management of outdoor advertising, Roland Oriakhi, said while the government was not against activities of the invited groups, the responsibility is on all to keep

the state clean of posters, banners and other publicity materials which are abandoned after the programmes for which they were mounted.

He unfolded the plan of the government to begin the prosecution of persons and organisations who place banners and posters on public and private properties without regard to environmental policies. He also frowned on the defacing of commercial messages on outdoor advertising billboards erected by advertising companies for which fees have been paid.

The meeting, which was attended by the state chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), representatives of the Pentecostal Federation of Nigeria, (PFN) as well as groups representing the interests of several small business owners, is a prelude to a larger meeting of stakeholders representing the professional sector of the outdoor advertising industry including the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN), the Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) and the Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN).

Magnum cream re-brands with promises

F

AMOUS Irish cream liquor, Magnum Cream now wears a new look. For liquor lovers, Magnum cream is not a new brand in the Irish cream product category. It came into the country despite stiff competition from other brands, but over the years it has been able to stand its ground.

In a bid to give more class to the drink, a new look has been added

to its fine taste.

From the stables of Tanamont Nigeria Limited, a registered foreign, liquor company, varieties of alcoholic beverages ranging from Best cream, a creamy liqueur derived from the blend of finest whisky from the heart of Speyfied in Scotland and pasteurised cream from Holland and the very rare Marula root from Africa to London Best dry gin and Magnum

cream liqueur.

The re-brand party held at Tanamont head office at Amuwo Odofin, unveiled the new look of Magnum cream liqueur.

At the event, sales Brand Manager, Mr Bolarinde Lanre said: “We strive to stand out among peers, the distinct taste of magnum cream liqueur has been matched with the distinct new look, the amazing new flask bot-

tle would give it the needed classy touch. Magnum cream is a blended malt whisky and cream based liqueur that promises smooth and delicious drink experience.”

Not only was Magnum cream re-branded, an introduction of their latest addition was announced.

The exclusive Glendronach and Ben Riach single malt whisky was officially

launched into the market.

Managing Director Tanamont, Heiko Arjes commented on the new entrants that “they are supposed to give fresh taste and to meet myriads of needs of their consumers.” Guest were treated to exotic liqueurs. The liqueur exhibition was a sight to behold as they were creatively arranged to form a decorative pattern.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

36

T

HE return of Lanson champagne brand to Nigeria was heralded by hospitality aficionados and wine connoisseurs in a special brand exposure that underscores passion and moments of shared happiness at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) Onikan, Lagos.

The champagne which bears the signature trademark ‘by appointment to Her Majesty, the Queen’, the purveyors of champagne in England was remarkably the official drink at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee anniversary on the throne.

Curiously, the hallowed princely attention accorded the Lanson brand shifted last June to the global sport arena where it also became bejeweled connoisseur’s delight as the official champagne at the Wimbledon Tennis Championship which had “Love Lanson” as the payoff line.

Then came the prestigious brand exposure and intense brand activities for Lanson in Nigeria which made its triumphant entry into the market last month as the official drink at the exclusive wedding ceremony hosted by frontline connoisseur Olorogun Oscar C.J Ibru whose daughter, former Miss Makashe Akeva Olivia got married to Prince Fedrick Olukayode Awogboro in Lagos. Lanson is marketed and distributed in Nigeria by one of Nigeria’s foremost marketing practitioners and wine aficionados, Messrs TEO Limited whose Chairman/CEO, Chief Tunde Onakoya has recently taken over the brand and positioning its unique style and two and a half centuries of passion and malolactic technology know how in wine production.

According to Chief Onakoya “the big comeback of Lanson champagne into Nigeria is targeted at reinforcing its prestigious image among wine aficionados, gourmets and hospitality industry professionals and bringing the brand to the heights of champagne hierarchy in all its genres”. Founded in 1760, Maison Lanson celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2010 while purveying grand style and serving perfection elegance and brighter moments. The champagne was accorded numero uno status and supreme brand edge

Lanson toasts gourmets T in brand exposure at the heart of two of the most illustrious world heritage monuments in UK and Nigeria’s Tafawa Balewa Square, Onikan, Lagos.

Chief Onakoya encapsulates the shared happy moments with Lanson brand thus: wine connoisseurs and oneologists are hereby put on the alert about the inspiring brand “which taste has always stood out for its incomparable fruitiness, power and freshness on the palate.”

Lanson Cellar master, Jean-Paul Gardon, the guardian and brand custodian of the world’s leading champagne drink in United Kingdom is widely acclaimed to have ingenuously preserved Lanson tradition of excellence for the last quarter of a century by contributing his passion and maintaining high standard s in the production of powerful, rich, elegant, quality taste wines that is world class. This unique production processes and Lanson century old heritage, according to connoisseur Gardon is characteristic of the secret fermentation process which makes it possible to preserve the natural flavors of the wine and richness of their aromatic signature and bouquet.

Lanson has a very strong position in the international beverage market and is a market leader especially in UK where it maintains a most prestigious image which loomed large as the Jubilee lunch was celebrated with Lanson adorned in union apparel to the admiration of connoisseurs across the continents.

Heineken sponsored trade partners to 2012 Olympics, says official

F

IVE loyal distributors of Heineken were sponsored to the London Olympic, to have firsthand experience of the games.

The brand’s Senior Brand Manager, Mr. Jacqueline Van Faarsen, told reporters in Lagos that Nigerian Breweries (NB) Plc, producer of the brand, is aware that the brand’s success came from the support of its patrons, especially the trade partners.

He said: “Heineken as a premium brand was appointed the Official Lager beer and sponsor of the London 2012 in a tier three sponsorship deal, which extends to the Paralympic Games.

“To celebrate this iconic status, we considered it necessary to co-opt our trade partners, who have consistently stood by the brand over the years.”

The trade partners, who embarked on the journey include: Mr Banjo Onanubi, Mr & Mrs Obor, Mr Nseobong Dickson Ibanga, Mr.Sunday Afurobi and Mrs Anulika Philimina Aladinbili were all delighted with the offer given to them by Heineken to be part of the exclusive hospitality and marketing opportunities associated with the big recently.

Reacting to the gesture on behalf of other beneficiaries, one of the distributors, Mr Onanubi said the experience was a unique opportunity provided by Nigerian Breweries Plc. “They have shown us why they would

always be the leader in the market. I am delighted to be part of the biggest sporting event in the world because I never had the thought that one day this special opportunity will come my way,” he said According to Onanubi, while in London, they enjoyed the opportunity offered at the Olympic Stadium where they joined thousands of other Heineken partners as spectators of the athletic games and later to Wembley Stadium to watch the football matches among the best football players in the world.

The distributor said that the climax of the luxury experience was the visit to the Holland Heineken House.

The Holland Heineken House is the traditional meeting place for the various echelons of the Dutch sports world during the Olympic Games, where the medal ceremonies for Dutch athletes and performances take place as well.

The House will be celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and has established itself as a winning hospitality venue at the last five Olympic Games. According to Dennis Hoogenboom, Sponsorship Manager, the Holland Heineken House is mainly about showing people a good time.

It has remained the major meeting point of tourists of different nationalities at the games to enjoy the sporting event and have fun at the hospitality house offered by Heinekens.

HEY came. They saw. They left. Dele Giwa left at 39. May Ellen Ezekiel Mofe-Damijo followed at 39. They left behind unfinished businesses, unrealised dreams. Dreams wrapped with palm leaves and cooked in the belly of pains. Dreams stewed and steamed, waiting to be harvested. Dreams that could have grown bigger than life; dreams that could have metamorphosed into an icon; dreams that could have, that should have, that would have…

These two hearts melted away. They went into separate world. However, before they did they touched lives with their various writings. They set agenda. They made things happened that hitherto could not have happened. They were stars in their time. They were inspirations in their prime. They were true to their profession.

A profession that brought them fame and fortune. It catapulted them from here to there, to the driver’s seat. They drove change. They inspired change. They engineered change. For them, life is a clean slate on which they were chalks. They wrote their names in gold. The story is now being told.

The history of Nigerian journalism is incomplete without mentioning their names.

One fathered the country’s first news magazine, as it is known today. He chose to watch the news. Investigated it. Then reported it. Thus, his magazine became the standard for other news magazine. Others followed its trail. His column, Parallax Snap, was a must-read. It represented finesse; a new way of writing; a way that is both challenging and engaging.

The other mothered a new, classic, human interest magazine, which mighty men of valour read for two reasons: to read about MEE and to savour the writing skills of RMD, Dele Momodu, Kunle Bakare et al. There is no magazine in its mode yet.

There is no magazine yet to pull such bunch of talented writers together under one roof.

It was such an exciting scene, watching those men and women work together side by side, week on, week off. Those were exciting days, gone forever.

Heaven, you took away those two journalists. In the process, you multiplied our sorrow. Cast cloud over our tomorrow. Oh, why do you delight in taking young professionals? Just like a friend, you called recently. Who? You know him. Giving you a description would amount to pouring water in a basket. A futile exercise. You are all knowing. That is why you sit in Heaven.

And you watch over the affairs of man.

There is nothing hidden, nothing secret, and nothing uncovered before you. You have a foreknowledge of this telephone call.

To keep this line open, however, here is a description of whom. He is tall. He is dark.

He is young. It is so hard to refer to him in the past. However, he was there in the beginning, in the beginning, when GSM technology berthed in Nigeria. At that period, only few reporters understood it. Without a manual about how to report that particular technology, he reported it. He used it.

He understood it. To entice and excite Ni-

Telephone to Heaven gerians onto their networks, MTN and Celtel [Zain] rolled out several marketing promotions, and the formal launch of such took place at odd hours and he had the responsibility of breaking the news before the break of dawn. He was never tired. He was always fired. Always on the go, going for the news, going after exclusives.

Suddenly, he moved up. He moved on.

He left the boys. He hobnobs with men.

He was reassigned to the business desk.

He took on higher responsibility in the newsroom. But in all these, he did not forget his primary constituency, ICT beat.

Every now and then, he would break big story in the telecoms sector. He always did.

It is so hard to refer to him in past tense. It is a pain in the heart. It is a pain that Samuel has streamed on; that he would no longer break the news; that his byline would no longer adorn the front page of Thisday newspaper. He would never use his GSM number again. The network operators - Glo, MTN and Celtel [Zain] – have missed one subscriber.

At 36, he had his life ahead of him. The street he travelled was paved with gold.

As the deputy editor of that newspaper, he was in charge. He was a door, which leads to another door and another… At Maiduguri, Borno State, he had the governor’s ears. He was cooling down in his hotel room. Prelude to a scheduled meeting with the governor of that state before you called him for another unscheduled but higher meeting.

Samuel. May. Dele. Young. Bright. Journalists. They all left prematurely. They died.

Their dreams died, too. No one can rekindle his or her dreams, their hopes, and their aspirations. No one! Not even their relations, friends or colleagues. That is why there are tears on earth, and telephone call to heaven.

Like a river, Samuel has streamed along, without a backward glance, without a rethink, or a prior notice. He has left the newsroom. He has left the telecoms beat.

Permanently. He has moved on. He has moved on to a higher place. Take on higher responsibility. He now hobnobs with the angels.

Heaven, we do not know much. This we know. Samuel is young. His wife is pregnant. His daughter is just a girl. His son is just a boy. Sam’s aged mother is weighed down by the sad occurrence. His colleagues are in the school of pain. Their tears, like a bust dam, are enough to float his casket.

Why? Heaven, why do young people die? Is it wrong for them to live to be 80 and 90 and 100 years? Is it wrong to have dreams and have such come to pass? Why do young people dream dreams and their dreams are not fulfilled? These are train of questions with no answers. May be when we meet face to face, these questions would get answers…

Adieu. Samuel.

PS: This article was dedicated to the memory of Samuel Famakinwa, erstwhile deputy business editor of Thisday newspaper who died in 2009

‘The history of Nigerian journalism is incomplete without mentioning their names. One fathered the country’s first news magazine, as it is known today. He chose to watch the news. Investigated it. Then reported it. Thus, his magazine became the standard for other news magazine. Others followed its trail. His column, Parallax Snap, was a must-read. It represented finesse; a new way of writing; a way that is both challenging and engaging’

*Editor - Wale Alabi *Consulting Editors - Rarzack Olaegbe, Sola Fanawopo * Correspondent-Jimi David * Business Development - Kenny Hussain * Legal Adviser - Olasupo Osewa & Co Brandweek is powered by Brandz Republic Consulting and published every Friday in THE NATION newspaper.

All correspondence to the editor - 0808.247.7806, 0805.618.0040, e-mail: korede2000@gmail.com © All rights reserved.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

37

SOCIETY Former President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Chief Simeon Oguntimehin and his wife, Victoria, have renewed the marital vows they took 50 years ago. BISI OLADELE was there.

H

OW does it feel to be married for 50 years? Chief Simeon Oguntimehin and his wife, Victoria, who celebrated 50 years of marriage in Ibadan, Oyo State, took a deep breath before answering this question. It is by the grace of God," the husband said, adding:"Apart from making God the pillar of the marriage, I am compatible with my wife and both of us manage our affairs with understanding. My wife is my best friend." Mrs Oguntimehin said: "Iam happy at having my best friend as my husband. If I come back to this world, I will love to have him as my husband."

With five children, the Oguntimehins are a blessed couple.

A former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and retired member of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Oguntimehin and his wife attracted “A” list guests to their wedding an-

So far, so blissful niversary.

The ceremony began with a thanksgiving service at the St Annes’s Anglican Church, Molete, where friends, family and wellwishers came to felicitate with the love birds. Like new lovers, the couple, in white lace, with gold head gear and cap to match acknowledged cheers from guests.

In his sermon, the Bishop of Ondo Diocese, the home town of the celebrators, Most Revd G. L. Lasebikan, thanked God for helping the couple to work on their marriage for the last 50 years. Bishop Lasebikan hinged the success on God and love.

The cleric urged all couples to build their union on these strong foundations.

According to him, many marriages crumble the moment lovers deviate from the path of God and love which brought them together initially. He wondered why couples choose another way that is different from that which led them to say: “I do” years earlier.

After the service, guests moved to the prestigious Jogor Centre, off Ring Road, for a lavish reception. The expansive hall decorated in gold, white and lemon green, Kradiated the glamour expected of the status of the celebrators and guests.

The Chairman on the occasion, a renowned professor, Oladipo Akinkugbe, described the “bride and groom” as a perfect example of a godly couple.

“They have shown a good example of what a good marriage should be. They are extremely reliable, warm, hard working and care for each other. They are humble, show a lot of understanding and open to each other,” he said.

Congratulating the couple, Prof Akinkugbe joked that they deserved a one-year honeymoon for re-enacting a marriage of 50 years.

At the event were Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu; the first Military Governor of Lagos State, Brig. Gen. Mobolaji Johnson and his daughter in-law, Mrs Oreoluwa Johnson; Otunba Adekunle Ojora and wife, Erelu Ojuolape; Prof Akin Mabogunje and wife, Justice Titilola; industrialist Chief Bode Akindele and his wives, Olabisi and Rosaline as well as Others include the retired Chairman of ICPC, Justice Emmanuel Ayoola (Rtd); the Resident Consultant, Media and Publicity of the commission, Mr Fola Olamiti; Chief Nathaniel Oke (SAN) and other eminent personalities.

•The celebrators Chief Oguntimehin and wife Victoria

•Brig-Gen Johnson and his daughter in-law, Mrs Oreoluwa Johnson

•Industrialist and Parakoyi of Ibadanland, Chief Bode Akindele and his wives Olabisi and Rosalene

•Prof Akinkugbe

•Otunba Ojora and wife, Erelu Ojuolape

•Justice Ayoola (right) and Mr Olamiti

•Mr Tayo Oyetibo (SAN)

PHOTOS: BISI OLADELE

38

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

SOCIETY A retired civil servant and businessman, Oso Oladesu, has been installed the Aro-Obalu of Efon Kingdom, Ekiti State.

Deputy Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU was there.

Dignitaries celebrate chief

OCAL hunters fired several shots in the sky at sunrise. They danced to the talking drums in jubilation as they chanted Ijala Ode, invoking the spirits of the ancestors. The gun shots woke up the people of Iloja community, Obalu Quarter, Efon Alaaye, Ekiti State. Many defied the early morning dew, which accounted for the coolness of the day. To the old men and women who were in a reflective mood, it was showers of blessings.

From the ancient Aro Obalu compound came the man of the moment. Decked in white attire, his body was ‘painted’ with white powder, signaling the beginning of the historic installation, which was performed by family elders and community leaders. Housewives knelt down in reverence of the new high chief, chanting the cognomen of his progenitor, Fagbuleola Oladesu, grandson of Oba Adetusa Atewogboye, Owa Idagba 1, who reigned as the Alaaye of Efonland between 1893 and 1911. A group of drummers led by the legendary ‘Ayan Alani’ beat the drums to entertain the people.

At 6 am, the retired civil servant and businessman, Oso Oladesu, fulfilled his destiny.

He was proclaimed the Aro of Obalu Quarter, following the placing of the chieftaincy leaf, akoko, on his head thrice by a community elder.

Instantly, he became the leader of the hilly Iloja Street, head of the populous Aro-Obalu Family, superintendent of the family farmland, and senior member of Obaloja-In-Council responsible for the administration of the Obalu Quarter on behalf of the paramount ruler, the Alaaye of Efon Kingdom, Oba Adesanya Aladejare.

Relations, friends and well wishers were locked in celebrations. Visitors thronged the venue from far and near to savour the accommodation and gregariousness of the natives.

There was much to eat and drink.

Brimming with joy, Aro Oladesu, a man of average height and excellent gait, waved the white horsetail to guests in acknowledgment of their felicitations. Amid funfare, the new chief, as a matter of custom, was led to the tomb of his grandfather, the late Fagbuleola Oladesu Iganmode, for a ritual of tributes, after which the dancing train of women and youths led him to the tomb of his predecessor, the late ‘Aro Olawuyi’, who passed on almost two years ago, to pay homage. Then, he went to his father’s tomb, where an elder of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke Alaafia, Pa Olori Ijebu, prayed for him. That process over, he returned to the compound to adorn his chief-

L

taincy costume, a flowing agbada made from a red ‘aso ofi’, laced with blue; red beads on the neck and cap to match.

His wife, Toyin, and siblings: Isola, a Customs officer; Mrs Alake Ologbenla, a businesswoman; Gbenga, a young technocrat; Taye, Kehinde, Busayo, Nike and Adebayo were decked in colourful attires, dancing to the tune of the traditional drums; gangan and ilu ode.

Iloja community was aglow with festivities.

Goodwill and solidarity messages poured in from other quarters, Aaye, Ejigan, Isaja, Emo and Ikagbe for the celebrator.

An indigene, Mr Ibukun Falayi, described Oladesu as a very accommodating, loving and gentle person.

“He deserves the title by birth, but his amiable conduct also recommended him. He is a non-controversial figure and he has never been associated with any scandal or dirty behaviour in his life. He is also a man of integrity who does not discriminate. He is a socialite in his own right. He has been popular from childhood. I am happy that he is the first educated Aro of Obalu Quarter,” he said.

Falayi, a chartered accountant and banker, wished him an eventful tenure and long life.

Many leading lights described the ascension of the new chief as an act of God. Community elders recalled that Oso’s grandfather had declined to take the title, when it was vacant in the early 40s, to the amazement of the people.

He rationalised his decision with the explanation that his pride were his large nuclear family of five wives and no fewer than 30 children and several landed possessions he inherited from his father. His refrain, then, was “contentment is great gain.”

Not even his promising male children, the late Joshua Beroo, Ezekiel Oluwadare, James Ojo, Sunday Akanni and Elijah Oladesu could persuade him to accept the title. Instead, he nominated his half brother, Aro Ajofoyinbo, for the title, a move that strengthened the bond of unity between them. However, he predicted, defensively, that one of his descendants would become the Aro in the future.

The prediction came to fulfilment last Friday, although none of the direct male children was around to witness it because they had gone to the world beyond.

The ceremony, however, reunited the extended family. It was hosted by the descendants of Fagbuleola, Atunmolako and Okirikiribata, who, traditionally, were the pillars of the Aro-Obalu Dynasty from time immemorial. But distant relations from the families of Balogun Agada and Owa Idagba also came in solidarity. So, were the new chief’s inlaws led by Manager Alafi and Prince Adewale

WEDDING

•Chief Oladesu and Mrs Alake Ologbenla. Behind is Mr Ishola Oladesu at the event

Adeoye.

The unity of purpose was evident during the oath taking, which heralded the installation at the palace of Obaloja, the head of the quarter.

The Aro-elect was accompanied by his wife, children, siblings, his cousin, Prince Joel Omoniyi, and uncle, Chief Bode Olayinka, the Elejofi of Aaye Quarter.

At the ceremony, held on the eve of the installation, other family members stood behind him like the rock of Gibraltar. They were ushered into the Obaloja’s palace by traditional chiefs, including the Ayinja, Chief Jacob Elekolusi, a former Commissioner for Finance in old Ondo State; the Ologbo, Chief Idowu Akinyele; former Chairman of Efon local council, the Erungbua Chief Joseph Alake; leader of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the local government Chief Olagunrunji, a retired Customary Court judge, and Chief Luke Obase.

Unlike in the past, modernity had caught up with the chiefs and people of Obalu Quarter. The oath-taking was devoid of the fearful fetish procedure of yore. Chief Olagunrunji said gone were the days when a new chief would be asked to kneel before the community chiefs and asked to lift a Kola-nut dipped in animal’s blood from the ground with his mouth and chew. Thus, Chief Oladesu, a Christian with the baptismal name of Emmanuel, took the oath of allegiance by drinking from holy water blessed by a priest from a Pentecostal church, amid a rain of prayers by family members.

The new chief pledged to obey the tradition, culture and customs of Obalu Quarter, cooperate with the quarter’s head, Obaloja, whenever he is installed, and defend the rights and integrity of Efon Kingdom al-

ways.

“In fact, when the next ruling family presents the new Obaloja, the new Aro will play a prominent role at the installation ceremony,” said an Obalu chief, who added: “Chief Oladesu is now a high chief and it is forbidden that he should leave his head open in the public without a cap and any indigene who disrespects him will pay a fine, which is usually a big goat, to Obalu chiefs as punishment.”

After taking the oath, family members, friends and associates took turns to go through the same process, in demonstration of their loyalty to the new chief. From the palace, the crowd moved to his cradle, Iloja, where people prayed to God to endow him with wisdom, knowledge and understanding to adjust to his new position and discharge his chieftaincy responsibilities.

Chief Alake congratulated the new chief, urging him to remain a model of good behaviour.

“It is on record that Oso did not vie for this position, but his family put his name forward. I wish him success as he joins the league of community leaders in Efonland”, he said.

Dignitaries at the event included former Ekiti State Commissioner for Agriculture Dr. Adio Folayan; former Caretaker Chairman of Efon Council Chief Joel Omoniyi; Ondo State Co-ordinator of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) Mr Olaitan Olayinka; former Chairman of Ekiti West and Efon local governments Chief Tope Folayan; retired civil servant and politician Mr Kayode Oluwatayo; prominent businessman Chief Gbenga Olowokere; Chief Ojo Oisadifi, and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) chieftain Mr Akin Oyeyemi.

CONJUGAL BLISS

Former Miss Wonuola Sa’aiba and her husband Felix Chukwuemeka during their wedding at Landmark Village Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

•Former Miss Justina Ngozi Madu and her husband Kenneth Chukwuma Alphonsus during their wedding at Ikeja Local Government Regisry, Lagos.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

39

SOCIETY The grand finale of activities marking the 90th birthday of the Baba Adini of Lagos, Sheikh Abdul Hafeez Abou, was held penultimate Friday at the HAB Fasinro Banquet Hall of the Lagos City Hall, writes SAFIYYAH ABDUR-RAZAQ

Celebrating an icon at 90

I

T was a ceremony for the cream of the society. And they did not disappoint; they were there in a large number at the 90th birthday of the Baba Adini of Lagos, Sheikh Abdul Hafeez Abou, held at the HAB Fasinro Banquet Hall of the Lagos City Hall. The event, organised by the Lagos State Muslim Council, was the icing on the cake of the activities marking the birthday of the nonagenarian.

The events began with a special Jumat Service at the Lagos Central Mosque followed by honour by the management of Ansar-ud-Deen College of Education.

The reception-like event featured recitation of the Quran and lecture.

Welcoming the guests, LSMC boss Prof Tajudeen Gbadamosi congratulated the celebrator.

Prof Gbadamosi, a visiting professor of History from the Centre for African and American Studies, LeMoyne-Owen College, said the purpose of the event was to thank the Baba Adini and pray for him.

“We would also want to use this opportunity to hold out for emulation, those values and principles which Sheikh Abou represents to all. We appeal to all, especially the youth, to emulate him and put to the service of humanity the gifts of knowledge, character and skills that Allah has endowed them with. Above all, we are praying Allah for more mercies to him,” he said.

A lecture was delivered by the trio of the Chief Missioner, Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh AbdurRahman Ahmad, Professor Dawudu Noibi and Sheikh Mustapha Zooglul, who was represented by Ustadh Ibraheem Moyosore.

Prof Noibi, a recipient of the Order of British Empire (OBE), reminded the gathering that all good deeds shall be rewarded with good.

He described the celebrator as a man of virtue, urging all to emulate the virtues of the Baba Adinni.

Sheikh Ahmad said good conduct should be the watchword of all as it is with Sheikh Abou.

Afterwards, a special prayer was offered for the celebrator by the Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Garuba Ibrahim.

Sheikh Ibrahim wished him long life in good health.

The celebrator was full of joy for the honour; he thanked them for making his 90th a memorable one.

He was presented with various gifts.

Senior Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Religion Matters, Alhaji Hakeem Kosoko, offered the closing prayer amid eulogises for the Baba Adini.

Guests were treated to choice foods and drinks.

The Consul of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mr Seyyed Javadi, congratulated the Lagos Muslim Community for having such a wonderful leader and showing their love for him by honouring him.

Guests included Alhaji Chief Rasheed Fanimokun; former Minister of Works Alhaji Lateef Okunnu; Chairman, Board of Trustees, Lagos State Muslim Council, Senator HAB Fasinro; former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Alhaja Sinat Ojikutu; Member, Board of Trustees, Lagos State Muslim Council, Alhaji R. O. Oyenubi; Prince Fasasi Olayiwola, and Vice President, Anwar-ul-Islam Movement of Nigeria, Alhaji L. A. O. Ojelade.

•The celebrator flanked by his wife Jamilat and Alhaji Okunnu

•From right: Senator Fassinro; Sayyed Jawadi from the Iranian Embasy and Sheikh Ibrahim

•From left: Alhaji Sinari Daranijo; Chief Alaba Oniru and Prof Mabadeje

•Prof Noibi (left) and Sheikh Ahmad

•From left: Chief Waheed Yusuf; Chief Omogbolahan Durosimi and Chief Nurudeen Agoro

•Air Vice-Marshal Nureni Lawal (left) and Alhaji Tirimisiyu Oki •Chief Rasheed Fanimokun (right) and Alhaji Ladoju

•Bashorun Sikiru Macfoy

PHOTOS: SOLOMON ADEOLA

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

40

SOCIETY Olatunbosun, son of the late Chief Abiodun Oredein and Janet Adedamola, daughter of Mr and Mrs Johnson Aderemi, got married at the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Anu, Agege, Lagos, last Saturday. AMIDU ARIJE and SAFIYYAH ABDUR-RAZAQ were there.

‘Marriage is to prevent sin’ F

AMILY members of the couple were full of joy. They looked regal in their yellow and champagne colour attires.

The bride, former Miss Janet Adedamola Aderemi, clad in a flowing white gown, arrived at the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Anu, Agege, Lagos, in a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV).

She sat by her father.

The groom, Odunayo Olatunbosun Oredein, looked handsome in an ash suit with a yellow bow tie and a pair of shoes; to match; he came in a Honda SUV with his friends.

On alighting from the car, the groom moved straight to the church.

Janet also walked in with her father.

As they walked in, the processional hymn: Come ye that love the Lord and let your joys be known… was rendered. All stood to welcome the bride to the church.

Shortly after, the opening prayer was said. In his exhortation, the officiating minister, Pastor Joseph Fasina, urged the couple to show love to each other.

Fasina emphasised love and submissiveness to the couple as the basis for a successful marriage.

“Love brings endurance; it does not bring pride nor evil, love yourself.

The marriage will progress in glory if you show love to yourself. Love yourself and God, pray regularly and your marriage will be successful,” he said.

Given the reasons marriage was ordained, the cleric said: “It was ordained for mutual companion, help and comfort that one ought to have with the other, in prosperity and adversity. It was ordained as a remedy against sin, and to avoid fornication.

And it was ordained for procreation of children, to be brought up in the fear of the Lord and to the praise of His Name,” he said.

After his sermon, they were joined in Holy Matrimony, followed by the signing of certificates.

“You are married today, you are married forever, you are married today, tomorrow no more,” was sung by the church choir immediately the

•Bride’s parents Mr Johnson Aderemi and his wife Florence

•The couple Odunayo and Janet

•Groom’s mother Mrs Adedoyin Oredein

•Dr Oluleye

marital vows were concluded.

The congregation joined the couple to sing praises.

The closing hymn was rendered as the couple proceeded out of the church. The couple, hand-in-hand, walked slowly to join the waiting maids outside.

Photographs were taken outside the church.

The bridal train moved to the Ben Auto Event Centre, Santos Layout, Akowonjo, Lagos, for the reception.

An actress-turned television presenter, Feyikemi Olayinka, anchored the reception.

The venue was decorated in yellow and champagne to match the colour of the wedding. Guests filled the hall; extensions were made outside within the complex to accommodate some others.

The Oba of Effon Alaaye in Ekiti State, Oba Adesanya Aladejare, was not present but his staff of office was brought by the monarch’s messenger.

First to be introduced were the bride’s parents.

The groom’s parents too were ushered in amid dancing.

The band of Kay Wonder, led by

Kayode Elediwura, thrilled the guests.

Guests danced as they waited for the reception to start.

Following the couple’s entry the opening prayer for the reception was said by Elder Ade Adefule.

The reception was chaired by Dr Oluwole Oluleye.

Oluleye congratulated the couple and their parents. He stressed that patience, endurance and perseverance are the hallmarks of a successful marriage.

He urged them to keep to the words of God as preached in the church and live by the teachings.

Janet said the day was her happiest.

She described her husband as the best man for her.

“He is very caring and loving,” she said.

Odunayo said it was his most memorable day.

The bride’s father, Mr Aderemi could not contain his joy. He advised the couple to love one another.

“Tolerance, courage and endurance should be their watchword; they are keys to a successful marriage,” he said.

He prayed God to bless the couple with good children.

WEDDING

From left: The bride’s mother, Mrs. Foluso Kehinde; the groom’s father, Dr. Adekola Ashaye; the couple Mr Adekola and Mrs Lillian Ashaye; the groom’s mother Mrs. Bisi Ashaye; and the bride’s father, General Manager, Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency, Mr. Benedict Kehinde during the wedding in Lagos

•Mr Bashiru and his wife Habibat

•From left: Deacon Ayo Ositelu; Mr Dokun Soremekun and Prof Bayo Adefule PHOTOS: SOLOMON ADEOLA

The groom’s father, the late Chief Abiodun Oredein, was represented

by Dr Babafunmilayo Oredein, his younger brother. He prayed for the couple to be successful.

Guests included Osun State Commissioner for Information Mr Ajibola Basiru; his Health counterpart, Mr Layi Oyeduntan; Ekiti State Action

Congress of Nigeria Chieftain, Chief Joseph Alake; Chairman, Owotutu Community Bank, Chief Reuben Olowokere; former Chairman of Efon Local Government, Chief Joel Omoniyi; Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr Johnson Oni; Elder Koni Omoniyi and Mr Remi Ibitola among others.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

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42

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

With ekpoita :funtreatsvilla@yahoo.com / 08077706130

Behind The Phrase Cool As Cucumba Meaning: Calm and unruffled.

Origin Cool here means imperturbable rather than having a low temperature. Cucumbers are cool to the touch.

First recorded in John Gay’s Poems, New Song on New Similies, 1732: “I ... cool as a cucumber could see The rest of womankind.”

BUSINESSWORD PUZZLE

ACROSS

1. Price (4) 3. Financial Instrument (6) 7. Money, in relation to wants (6) 8. Single Item (4) 9. Merchandise (4) 11. Wagers (4) 13. Trade (4) 14. An Eastern Currency(3) 16. Buoyant (5) 18. Sell (4) 20. Amass, as in profit (4) 21. Book of Records (6) 22. Financial Institution (4)

DOWN Teller (7) Divides (6) 4.Comany’s Shares (6) 5. Item entered in book (5) 6. Card with highest value (3) 10. Measuring Device (5) 11. Unwritten Cheque (5) 12. Number (5) 15. Sum up (3) 17. Relax (4) 19. Cash Box (3)

PHOTO PUZZLE

RICHSINGLES Mabruka Mai Deribe

SIMPLY WEIRD PEOPLE & PLACES

Find alternative words for the words in the clue below. The numbers beside the words indicate the spaces in the grid where the letters that make up the alternative words should be placed. when done, the name of a forerunner of the seat occupied by the person whose photograph appears inset the grid would be spelt. The first one has been solved to spur you on.

The Black Blondes of Melanasia

A B CLUE Arunma Oteh, DG. SEC

Mabruka Mai Deribe is the daughter of late super rich Mai Deribe. A fashion designer of repute and held in high esteem in the fashion circle, Mabruka Mai Deribe is the designer behind Mabs couture. Her line of fashion include hand- made fashion accessories- earrings, bracelets and rings , crystallized ankara print fabric and dressy kaftan dresses.

What’s more? She is blessed with a beautiful body which keeps men gaping and gazing in awe and admiration.

Fortunately she is still single but for those who would dare to get fresh with her, they must according to her, be imbued with the qualities of her late billionaire father.

Hmm, a seemingly tall order!

Pep Talk

1. Bleat of sheep (7, 8) 2. Noise (9, 6, 1) 3. Freedom (10, 3, 2, 5, 4)

They are noteworthy because they manifest the conventional Melanesian physical type, but their hair has a blonde cast to it. When you ask the people why there are so many blonde people on the islands, they answer 3 things: they have white ancestors, they receive too much sun, or they do not eat enough vitamins! – Langania village, New Ireland, Papua New Guinea.

sudoku Simply fill in the missing spaces in the grid to ensure that every row, column and 3 by 3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9

They are the Melanasians, a native group of people living on the Soloman islands of northeast Australia famous for their beautiful black skin and naturally blonde hair.

The odd combination has got scientists wondering about how such a color combo develops over time.

What’s truly beautiful in this fascinating discovery is that it’s a great example of convergent evolution, where the same outcome is brought about by entirely different means. The variant is completely separate from what causes blond hair in Europeans, and doesn’t even exist in the European genetic set.

The diamond may adorn royalty, regardless of personal worth; but jewels of thought render even poverty illustrious and sublime - Gems for the Fireside

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

43

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Interests are expected to clash when the National Assembly resumes from recess on Tuesday. Assistant Editor ONYEDI OJIABOR, examines the issues at stake and reports that legislators are taking position on the various items to be debated.

T

National Assembly set to tackle unfinished business

HE doors of the Senate and the House of Representatives will be thrown open, once again, on Tuesday September 18, for plenary sessions of the bicameral National Assembly.

One major task before the two chambers of the legislature as they resumed from break is the proposed amendment of the constitution. The storm is already gathering occasioned by heated debate over what should form the letters and spirit of the constitution.

Opinions are sharply divided on many issues lined up for possible amendment. Perhaps, it should be expected in a country as culturally diverse and politically poignant as Nigeria . The red line seems to have been drawn by gladiators in the six geo-political zones to which the issues would be taken for deliberation and consultation..

Some observers are, however, worried that the way the debate is going is scary as the Babel of voices for and against certain proposals continue to advance personal and sectional interests above the national interest.

But the fact is that there is no such thing as a perfect constitution anywhere in the world. Every constitution, they say, remains work in progress. What is more, while some opinion leaders take time to research to articulate the way forward for a successful constitution review, others have brainwashing the uninformed about what ought to be.

Analysts say the heat that has continued to attend the run-up to the amendment exercise is a mere preamble. The battle ground, they claim, will be the Senate and House chambers.

Apparently sensing danger, the leadership of the National Assembly is already shoring up support for a successful constitution review exercise by throwing up talking points and initiating some level of moderation. But some observers believe that the massive and blistering response the second amendment of the constitution has attracted may be a blessing in disguise.

No doubt, the level of awareness of the exercise is high. The fact that no section of the country wants to be left out in the build-up to the epic constitution review will expectedly enrich the exercise.

The Senate Constitution Review Committee, like its House of Representatives counterpart, had considered many executive and private member bills referred to it for consideration as feedback for its onerous assignment.

That culminated in a retreat organised by the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Constitution Review in Asaba and Port Harcourt respectively to formulate the template for the review exercise.

Key issues After a four-day brainstorming session in Asaba, a total of 16 thorny issues were itemized as possible areas of amendment.

They include devolution of powers, creation of more states, recognition of the six geo-political zones in the constitution, role for traditional rulers, local government reform, fiscal federalism, immunity clause, Nigeria

• Ekweremadu

Police and the Judiciary.

Others are the executive arm of government, esecially, whether to revisit the single term or multiple terms; whether the country is to retain the presidential system of government or revert to the parliamentary system as it was in the First Republic or consider a hybrid.

There is also the issue of rotation of offices. That is, whether a constitutional provision of rotation will help to stabilise the country and its component units. Another is the gender question and special groups – whether women, the physically challenged, and any other special group require constitutional protection or advantage; mayoral status for the Federal Capital Territory Administration as it is the case in similar cities all over the world.

There is also the controversial resident and indigene provisions. In particular, whether what the constitution contains in section 42 sufficiently guarantees equality of opportunity to all Nigerians wherever they reside, irrespective of their tribe, language, religion, sex and state of origin.

Although the single tenure featured prominently at the Asaba retreat, based on the memoranda the review committee received, it was Professor Isawa Elaigwu, one of the resource persons, who suggested a five-year single tenure in his presentation.

• Ihedioha

The respected Professor of Political Science submitted that single term should be considered as very good for the country even if President Goodluck Jonathan and his men had adopted a wrong procedure that could mess it up by proposing seven or eight-year single term.

In the estimation of the Professor, six or seven-year single term would be too long as a President or Governor who fails to deliver in five years should be considered inept. Elaigwu added a proviso though- the present crop of elected executives should not benefit from the amendment.

After Elaigwu’s presentation which covered other controversial areas, the dominant opinion seemed to be that Nigerians would prefer a five-year single term if the present elected executive office holders will not benefit from the arrangement.

Some also felt that the arrangement would benefit the country if the six geopolitical zones will be recognised by the constitution as agreed during the 1994/95 constitutional conference.

Opinions varied on the proposal for power rotation in the country.

Some were of the opinion that power rotation should be entrenched in the constitution. This had formed part of the memoranda submitted to the Senate Committee on Constitution Review.

Essentially, the proposal is that power should rotate among the six

geo-political zones for the presidency and among the three senatorial districts for the governorship seat. Those behind the proposal strongly believe that the arrangement would, to a large extent, reduce the strife and do-or-die politics as was experienced in the runup to the 2011 election over power rotation in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Most Nigerians, including the former National Security Adviser, Gen Andrew Azazi, believe that bitter contestation for power is responsible for the spate of terrorism in the country.

Others argue that institutionalisation of the six geo-political zone structure and five-year single term, could reinforce Nigerians’ faith in the country.

The arrangement, some senators told The Nation, would make Nigerians appreciate the fact that executive power could travel round the country within a short period, thus giving all a sense of belonging and mobilising the citizenry for nationbuilding.. It is also the view of analysts that looting and primitive accumulation of wealth to prosecute second term election by incumbents will reduce. Incumbents, they say, will also be saved unwholesome distraction, as they will face their single tenure as a period to end on the good or bad pages of history.

The temptation to feel that anything not accomplished in a term can be

‘No doubt, the level of awareness of the exercise is high. The fact that no section of the country wants to be left out in the build-up to the constitution review will enrich the exercise. The Senate Constitution Review Committee like its House of Representatives counterpart has received many executive and private member bills referred to it for consideration as feedback for theonerous assignment’

completed in a second term will not arise, since every good and bad work will end in five years. Analysts further argue that incumbents will not have enough time to compromise the system.

The arrangement, some analysts insist, has worked well in a country like South Korea where many of the country’s leaders or their relations have ended up in prison for actual or attempted corruption after a short spell in power. For some observers, eight years is too long a time to endure a bad government.

State police Another issue that has raised dust is the proposal for state police. While proponents of state police say emerging security challenges ravaging the country have made it impracticable for the country to continue its centralised police system, opponents of state police are crying blue murder.

The arrowheads of the opposition to the proposal, led by Northern states’ governors and former Inspectors General of Police, fear that state police would be hijacked and turned into private armies by governors as it was the case over 40 years ago.

But proponents strongly believe that there is always room to improve any law based on exigencies of time. Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi, is one such optimist. He believes that a baby should not be thrown away with the bath water. The Ekiti State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) lawmaker believes that the constitution amendment plan has provided a unique opportunity to address some historical imbalances in the federation, especially, as it affects key institutions of state like the police.

He drew similarity with what obtains in the United States of America, United Kingdom , India , Argentina , Pakistan and Ethiopia to buttress the need for the country to toe the path of other democratic federations.

Adetunmbi was particularly worried about what might have given rise to “this sudden regional colouration to the whole consensus on state police” and concluded that it might be the feeling of some political gladiators to warehouse power pending the outcome of 2015 Presidential election.

He said, “the Federal Police in the United States has full authority to enforce federal laws at all levels.

“There are several federal agencies that have mandate for enforcement of federal laws and matters that are within the exclusive power of the federal government.

“In a similar vein, all states have statewide police organizations that provide law enforcement duties in states. Law enforcement in countries or what we call local governments is provided by Sheriffs’ Departments or County police. They don’t stop there, the municipal police range from oneofficer towns to large organizations like the New York City Police Department. In fact, most US cities and towns have dedicated police departments.

“The United Kingdom indeed has territorial police forces that carry out police duties in defined jurisdictions that make up the UK . There are separate police authorities for England and Wales , Scotland and Northern Ireland respectively.

“Most of the day-to-day policing of •Continued on page 44

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

44

POLITICS

2014: Governorship zoning divides Ekiti PDP

‘INEC must conduct credible election in Ondo’

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HE Alliance for Credible Elec-tions (ACE) has charged the In-dependent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to learn from the pitfalls of the Edo State governorship election as it prepares for the October 20 poll in Ondo State.

The accredited observer organisation, which has released its post-election appraisal, said the Edo exercise threw up new challenges for the electoral body. But it stressed that the outcome reflected the will of the people.

ACE secretary Emma Ezeazu, on his review of INEC preparation and performance, said, while INEC no longer connives openly with contending political parties, it is still confronted with a major challenge of logistics.

He said: “The distribution of electoral materials and movement of electoral personnel and their arrival on time to the various polling units remains a huge challenge for the Independent National Electoral Commission. This challenge has remained a recurring decimal in all the elections conducted since 2011. It is embarrassing that after each election, the same issues are raised and no concrete attempt is made by the Electoral Management Body to address it”.

The group also observed that voters register posed problem because names disappeared from the list at critical moment.

Ezeazu said: “The cases of missing names on the voters register and the inability of new registrants to register remains a source of concern and worry for the electoral process. The deliberate disenfranchisement of eligible voters is a complete denial and violation of their sovereign right to choose a leader of their choice. “ The inability of voters that attained the voting age of 18years to register and vote during the election is a function of the inability of the electoral management body to set up the necessary and depoliticised machinery and process in its Local Government offices for the continuos registration of voters. Their inability to update the voters register on account of allegations and counter allegations of manipulation of the voters register is also a function of the same failure of process and procedure.

“We note the disparity between the registered voters and the accredited voters in the governorship election. In spite of the high turnout of eligible voters, the accredited voters do not match up to the number of registered voters. This pattern has been the consistent pattern in most of the elections conducted in 2011 and 2012. The voters register in use in Nigeria ap-

N

By Emmanuel Oladesu

pears to be padded and full of fictitious and non-existent names.

“The inability and or refusal by the Independent National Electoral Commission to break up the big polling units with over one thousand voters on the register created confusion and posed a threat to the poll officials and the security agencies. The electoral management body has consistently stressed that it has created additional voting points to aid accreditation and voting but the reality on the ground on Election Day proved otherwise” However, it was evident that the election and its outcome were a poignant testimony that a determined peoples’ mandate cannot easily be taken away. At work were forces of ethnicity, religion and national disintegration, which predisposed the state to insecurity.

Instructively, violence is being recorded in Ondo State like Edo State. It is incumbent on the stakeholders, including political leaders, party members, and security agencies to avert the dire consequences.

In Edo, the turnout of voters for the election was very impressive.

According to ACE, voters streamed out of their houses as early as 6am to get a vantage position on the queue. In most of the polling units, the voters conducted themselves in an orderly and exemplary manner. But, despite the huge turnout of eligible voters, there was a huge disparity between the number of registered voters and the number of voters accredited for the elections. While a total of 1, 651, 99 voters registered for the election, only 667, 933 voters were accredited for the election. “This calls to question whether the voter register is very authentic”, said Ezeazu.

The election monitor said the challenges thrown up by the Edo State elections clearly indicated that electoral reforms should be a priority in the on-going constitutional reform exercise. He pointed out that some electoral crimes identified in the Edo elections stemmed from the negligence of the umpire.

He said the responsibility to prosecute electoral criminality must be removed from INEC because the latter is a major culprit in the process.

Ezeazu reiterated his call for an Electoral Crimes Commission as an independent agency to track and prosecute electoral crimes.

He added: “The Independent National Electoral Commission must solve the nightmare of distribution of electoral materials through the hiring of serviceable vehicles for the transportation of election materials

• Jega

and personnel. It must also deploy more personnel and experienced personnel to wards with more polling units to aid the early movement of materials and personnel to the polling units as the late arrival of materials and personnel to the polling units possess security challenges to the adhoc staff and compromises the integrity of the electoral process”.

He also said INEC must match the manual register of voters for each local government and ward with the electronic register ahead of any election, adding that discrepancies and omissions must be corrected before Election Day. Ezeazu said the supply of incomplete and hopeless register to a polling unit on election day whereby over 500 names are omitted, was indefensible because it put the life of ad-hoc staff posted to such units on the line.

It created confusion and violated the sovereign rights of the people to elect persons of their choice.

He added: “INEC must issue comprehensive guidelines to the Resident Electoral Commissioners relating to the size of each polling unit. The creation of additional voting points in each polling units should no longer be left at the discretion of the Resident Electoral Commissioners. It must be made a policy of the Commission.

“The training given to Presiding Officers must be comprehensive and tailored towards some of the challenges they face on polling day. Some of them can hardly take decisions and use their discretion on election day.

Some of the Presiding Officers abruptly stopped the accreditation process at 12 noon despite the fact that some of the voters were on queue at the time specified for accreditation and could not be accredited before 12noon on account of the sheer size of some of the polling units.

“INEC must open its preparatory processes to multi stakeholder input and oversight. Most of the problems associated with logistics are things that could have easily been sorted out with other stakeholders if they were involved with planning”.

• Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole (left) and Dr Omoefe Asemota, Executive Director, Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), during a courtesy visit to the Governor in Benin City, yesterday.

O fewer than 10 chief tains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State are jostling for the governorship ticket ahead of the 2014 elections.

Party sources confided that the gladiators had started setting up structures across the 16 local governments in the three senatorial districts.

Prominent among the contenders are former Governor Ayo Fayose, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, Senator Gbenga Aluko, Senator Ayo Arise, Mrs. Biodun Olujimi, Mr. Dare Bejide, Mr. Adebisi Omoyeni, Senator Sola Akinyede and Dr Sikiru Lawal.

A top party chieftain hinted last week that former Education Minister Dr. Babalola Borisade, may be drafted into the race by the people he described as “Obasanjo forces”. He said former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has regard for Borisade who he often refers to as a strategist.

However, a major issue tearing the party apart ahead of the election is the question of which zone should have the slot. The South Senatorial District, which has not produced any governor in this dispensation, is pushing for zoning. Aspirants outside the zone have objected to the claim of the district. They recalled that the Second Republic governor of old Ondo State, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua

By Emmanuel Oladesu Deputy Political Editor

from Ikere-Ekiti, hailed from the zone.

Party supporters from the Central and North Districts have also dismissed zoning as a nonissue, pointing out that Ekiti is one zone. They argued that Ekiti is not like Ondo, Oyo, Osun and Ogun States where a lot of sub-Yoruba tribes are cohabiting.

The only popular aspirant from the South, for now, is Adeyeye, a journalist, lawyer and former Afenifere Publicity Secretary, who defected from the Action Congress (AC) to the PDP in 2007. He is from IseEkiti. However, he has not been lucky in previous attempts to secure high profile offices. In 1999, he was the only Alliance for Democracy (AD) candidate who lost the senatorial election.

Another bid to secure the Action Congress (AC) ticket in 2003 failed, and the PDP would not have him run the governorship race in 2007. When his name was dropped from the ministerial list, Mr Segun Oni, who was the governor, appointed him chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

Fayose, whose supporters are in the majority in the state executive committee of the party, hails from Afao-Ekiti, Central District. Arise and Borisade are from the North.

National Assembly to tackle unfinished business •Continued from page 43

London is the responsibility of 33 borough operational command units (BOCUs) under the coordinating authority of the Metropolitan Police Service. In many of these federations there are not just federal and state police, they also have county or district police as well as municipal police authorities.

“In most of the countries, the federal police is even not a single behemoth as we have in Nigeria . They are further disaggregated into smaller, more nimble and specialized investigative agencies responsible for specific areas of activities such as interstate and federal crimes, intelligence, drugs and narcotics, transport, railways, coastal and naval police, airport and others. They also have tactical forces to deal with special infractions such as terrorism”, he argued.

For him, opposition to state police calls for more work and more consultation, “so that we don’t dance to the tune of gatekeepers who are interpreting a completely different music in the ears of the people in the name of governors or whatever they are called.”

The row over state police continues, but Adetunmbi feels that the curve could be navigated to strengthen the debate through enlightened engagement by proponents and opponents.

Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu believes that leaders at all levels of government must show statesmanship and exhibit highest level of patriotism to evolve a peoples’ constitution.

He deplored attempts to reduce the amendment to regional or ethnic rhetoric, rather than considering it on its merits and how it would further enhance the political and economic growth of the country.

Ekweremadu, also Chairman, Senate Committee on Constitution Re-

view, expressed disappointment over insinuations that, to contemplate fiscal federalism as proposed by Nigerians in their submissions to the National Assembly, was to further impoverish some parts of the country.

He posited that the insinuation is not only false, but “wrong and an unfortunate imputation of motive.”

He said, “Like heavens, constitution and democracy help those who help themselves. Even the best constitution in the world cannot yield the best of democracy dividend or drive the lofty dreams of a nation, unless there is a general commitment by the leaders and citizens to live by the principles and letters of that constitution.

“So, we must learn to uphold our constitution. If we choose which court ruling to obey or not, that is not the fault of the constitution. If local governments are run by brazenly undemocratic caretaker committees, that is not the fault of Section 7 of the constitution. We bear no allegiance to any, except that which we owe to the Federal Republic of Nigeria,”he declared.

The issues will assume greater intensity in weeks ahead as the Presidency has voiced its preference for one issue or the other. A deadline of June 2013 appears to have received the support of all stakeholders and, to meet it, the Attorney General of the Federation is expected to start sending bills for the amendment soon.

While observers hope it wuld not go the way of the Obasanjo effort, the federal legislators are watching keenly to see if the interests being advanced by their sections would be adequately captured. As a Senator from the Southeast captured it, “the important thing is that whatever we come up with should advance the cause of Nigeria. But, as a politician, I know that whatever survives would be the product of a tradeoff among various contending interests.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

45

Cross River tackles VVF •Continued from Page 17 appease the gods. But now with the kind of message that this project (USAID Fistula Care Project) is passing down to the grassroots, we all know that this sickness is caused by a mere accident or one health complication or the other.

“A lot of our people have died as a result of this thing. But as a result of the awareness that is available now, the number has reduced drastically.

“Majority of us are becoming

aware of what the sickness is all about because of the messages we are getting through this international organisation. We have realised that it is one activity or the other that causes it, like rape, premature sex, complicated delivery and female circumcision.”

His Royal Highness Tony Odey, Clan head of Aleka in Yala Local Government Area, thinks the best thing to do is to gather the women according to their age groups because they have a way of talking to themselves, and sensitise them on

A lot of our people have died as a result of this thing. But as a result of the awareness that is available now, the number has reduced drastically.

Majority of us are becoming aware of what the sickness is all about

fistula and thereafter let them talk to other women to encourage them to come out if they are suffering from this condition.

He said: “On our own as traditional rulers, we move around with our town criers to inform our people on the condition. Our message should be that whosoever is infected should come out and receive treatment. The good news is that there is treatment now.”

He said the approach has been working very well.

“The only problem,” he said, “is that my community is scattered into six clans which are not very close; the road is not good; sometimes I have to use motorcycle to move around to get the messages to all of them.”

On how he avoids stigmatization of victims, he said: “The only thing we are doing now is to hide them because when they are exposed, there is no way you can hide them anymore.”

On the quality of treatment, he said, “That is the best thing; those that have gone are back to the community looking even better than

•HRH Tony Odey before they went for treatment.

They look beautiful and attractive.”

Elder Andy Bekeh Ushie, a retired naval officer, who is the traditional head of Bebuagam, Obudu Urban 1, in Obudu Local Government, said: “I can only imagine its prevalence because most of the women are shy about the problem; they do not come out easily to accept they have the problem but we have now been provided with the strategy to get them to come out for treatment.

Some of these strategies include co-

opting women groups to lead the process of convincing the women to come out because they somehow know how best to talk to themselves, relating with church leaders and motorcycle operators and other community and influential leaders to join in the crusade. The message is to get our women to understand that they should not hide, but should come out.”

A woman who prefers to be called Mama Joe, from Agiga ward near Ogoja metropolis, expressed gratitude that she has been relieved of the pain and shame of living with fistula.

Another beneficiary, Lydia Mike from Bekwarra, said: “I am fine and happy for everything; thank God for these health people, my God will reward them. I am very happy today; I never believed these things will work out very fine like this.”

Another woman who has also been repaired by the project, Regina Atabi said since she returned from treatment, she no longer leaks urine as was the case before.

Agnes Polycap, Matron of the VVF ward of Ogoja General Hospital, said after treatment it is important that they get enough rest daily and stay away from strenuous work for a period of six months.

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YO State government has organised a two-day training workshop for information and community development officers across the 33 local government areas on mass mobilisation at the grassroots.

The workshop, whose theme was: “Strategic communication: the driver of change and mass mobilisation at the grassroots”, was organised by the Ministry of Information and Orientation. It examined the various ways the officers could mobilise grassroots population towards understanding policies and participating in the process of governance through feedback and inputs in decision-making.

A former Commissioner for Information in the state, Alhaji Adegboyega Arulogun, in his keynote address to participants at the workshop, expressed delight that such beneficial training was organised 23 years after a similar training was organised during his tenure as commissioner at the ministry. He emphasised that the target of the workshop was to devise new strategies for communication that would drive the grassroots to change their ways of doing things as well as strategies that would change their orientation to development.

Arulogun insisted that free and timely flow of information is an essential ingredient of democracy.

“Democracy works best when people have all the information that the security of the nation permits. No one should be able to pull curtains of secrecy around decisions which can be revealed without injury to the public interest, that is, freedom of information, as hoarding of information may ignite rumours and therefore chaos,” he said.

To achieve effective communication which includes feedback, Arulogun recommended the establishment of techniques for stimulating and receiving messages from citizens and the various publics.

“It is, therefore, essential to talk back. We must create a climate in which such communications must flow,” Arulogun stressed. He advised the information officers to organise town hall meetings for the chairmen of councils to serve as forums for

•From left: Alhaji Arulogun; Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Oladele and Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Orientation, Mr. Gbolagade Busari

Oyo trains information, community officers From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

them to interact with residents. The idea, he said, would help them communicate government policies to the people as well as help get feedback from them.

The former commissioner also advised them to facilitate regular meetings between the local government chairmen and religious leaders who will in turn educate members of their congregation on government policies. For him, it is expedient for local governments to collaborate with the National Orientation Agency to be able to use their facilities for mobilising grassroots population.

Rural people need our attention. We need to research into the methods that will give our efforts in strategising for fruitful results in our efforts to change their attitude to work with government

Identifying radio and television as the most effective means of reaching the grassroots people, Arulogun called on the government to reduce import duties on the two items to enable grassroots population afford them.

Addressing Community Development Officers, the former commissioner said that their department should serve as catalyst of development at the grassroots. He added that government must bring the ministries of education, information and orientation as well as the ministry responsible for community development to formulate a policy of educating the rural people particularly in the areas of agriculture, adult education, health and the environment.

“Rural people need our attention.

We need to research into the methods that will give our efforts in strategising for fruitful results in our efforts to change their attitude to work with government, be able to understand government’s intention to provide a life more abundant than the government of yester years.”

Arulogun concluded.

In his address, the Commissioner for Information in the state, Mr. Bo-

sun Oladele, a lawyer, urged Information Officers and Community Development Officers to key into the ‘Ajumose’ mantra to enable them improve on grassroots mobilisation.

Oladele said that Ajumose is a term signifying the need for collective efforts by all stakeholders to restore the glory of Oyo State, pointing out that it was pertinent for the officers to fully understand the mantra in order for them to communicate it effectively to the mass of the people.

The commissioner also emphasised the reeadiness of his ministry

to continue training all relevant officers because knowledge is power.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo also charged media practitioners and information managers in the state on the need to embrace on-line journalism as a new trend in media profession.

Trainers at the workshop included Dr Oyesoji Aremu of the University of Ibadan; the state Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Femi Mapaderun and the Coordinator, International Institute of Journalism (IIJ), Ibadan, Alhaji Bolaji Kareem.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

46

Fed Govt launches gender policy for police

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HE Federal Government has launched a gender policy for the Nigeria Police as part of its efforts to reform the force.

The policy, among other things, seeks to provide a guideline for gender-sensitive issues in the police.

Speaking at its launch in Abuja, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Zainab Maina, said the policy was one of the demands at an earlier workshop on gender sensitivity organised in November, 2009.

The policy document, according to her, has looked at ways to eliminate internal gender biases that could affect the capacity of the police to function effectively in the community and provided recommendations for innovatively responding to the issue.

“The policy provides a set of internal control mechanisms which, if implemented, will help the police force wear a new look in the public image,” the Minister said.

The document was a product of a collaboration of the police, United Nation’s Funds for Population Activities (UNFPA), UN Women, and the Ministry of Women Affairs.

The Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, said the mission of the force is to see a Nigerian society devoid of gender bias and violence, adding that such an atmosphere will enhance development.

The IG, who was represented by DIG Investigation, Peter Yisa Gana,

•Guests at the launch From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

said the police reached an agreement with the UN to develop a gender policy which, when implemented, will eliminate all forms of gender

based discrimination in the force.

“The Nigeria police force appreciates the support of the UN family in Nigeria which anchored the technical process, and for making this event a reality and we will ensure that the policy is implemented to the letter,” he assured.

The UN Resident Coordinator, Dr Daouda Toure, noted that the Nigeria Police is the first in Africa to have a gender policy as part of its operational strategies.

He urged that the law enforcement agents in the country especially the police are provided with opportuni-

ties that strengthen their capacities to adequately perform their roles towards women and girls.

Dr Toure reiterated UN’s commitment towards supporting the federal government and law enforcement agencies in achieving the goals of the gender policy.

Community appeals to Oshiomhole for fair representation

T

HE Urohi community in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State has appealed to Governor Adams Oshiomhole for fair representation and infrastructural renewal in the area.

The community made the appeal at a press conference organised by Urohi Leadership Council under the leadership of Mr Akomen Adaghe, a lawyer, in Benin City.

By Oziegbe Okoeki

The council alleged that Urohi citizens were marginalised from the state political structure in particular and the country in general, suggesting that if the trend is not checked, the capacity for a rapid political and infrastructural development in the kingdom will be

Youths donate to SOS

By Emmanuel Udodinma

S

OME youths have put a smile on the faces of the management, staff and children of SOS Children’s Village, Isolo in Isolo Local Development Council of Lagos State.

Managers of the Village took delivery of food materials donated by friends of the late Henry Onwurah of Class 2009 Microbiology, Lagos State University.

Onwurah was said to have identified with children and lived a life of giving.

His former colleagues, therefore, gave to children of the Village, not only because they, too, believe in reaching out to the needy but also because they felt obliged to immortalise their departed friend by doing exactly what he loved doing.

The items donated included diapers, food drinks and toiletries.

Making the presentation, Mr. Caleb Olumide recalled that Onwurah, who died on September 2011, lived for others.

Olumide said the donation was made to support vulnerable children and help them to break the cycle of poverty.

The leader of group said they would continue to uphold the standards set by their late friend and mentor.

The recipents thanked the youth for •The friends and their gifts their philanthropy.

slow.

While congratulating the governor on his overwhelming victory at the polls, Adaghe stated the council’s position, which is to urge “His Excellency, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomonle to ensure that an Urohi citizen is appointed among his aides, member of board of state establishment and parastatals for a fair representation in our nascent

democracy”.

Stressing that the community turned out massively to ensure Oshiomhole’s victory at the polls recently, Adaghe said, “the good people of Urohi rely on His Excellence for the much needed infrastructural development in the Kingdom. The Edo State Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Programme should focus on the comparative advantage of Urohi to raw materials for production, by establishing SME plants in the kingdom.”

“The over 10,000 inhabitants of Urohi have no access to clean and potable water, apart from the one sited in Eguare which is an unimaginable distance to more than 70 per cent of the citizens; the governor should be mindful of the fact that to whom much is given, much is expected,” Adaghe said.

The council further called for the extension of the “Red Roof” project syndicated by the United Nations, UNICEF Assisted Projects, European Union Assisted Projects, UNESCO, World Bank, National Capital Development Fund assisted projects, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises support programmes and other international non-governmental agencies meant for rural areas to be extended

to Urohi community.

“So much has been said of the teeming rural communities in Nigeria today that have benefited immensely from international agencies and donors, but Urohi Kingdom has suffered so much neglect. Urohi is the food basket of Esan West and contributes massively to the local, state and national gross domestic product.

Urohi ranks among the fifth highest producers of pineapple, timber, yam and cassava in Nigeria, yet not one processing plant is available,” stressed Adaghe.

The council expressed its gratitude to His Royal Highness Zaki Aidenojie I, the Onogie of Urohi, Hon. Patrick Ikhariale, Hon. Godsent Akhabue and other notable personalities in the community for their achievements so far, which include the connection of Urohi to the national grid, provision of potable water in Eguare Urohi, and the ongoing construction work on the Niger Delta Development COmmission Road Project.

The council called on the people of Urohi to support their traditional institution “with all zeal and the government of the day so that the people of Urohi can demand for their fair rights on both human and capital development.”

48

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

In everything we do in life we key into success and it will take you higher and higher and you will achieve more over-time. They have crossed this level, they should just key into that success to achieve more

•High Grade Secondary School 2012 graduates

T

HE Overall Best Student of the 2012 graduating SSS 3 class of High Grade Secondary School, Agege, Lagos, Chioma Okenwa has said her hard work paid off eventually after being picked as the school’s number one outgoing scholar for the 2011/2012 session.

Okenwa expressed her feelings at the institution’s valedictory service where she and 17 other students were sent forth after completing their mandatory six years of secondary education.

She revealed that she has already started preparing for her tertiary studies which will be to study law at the University of Benin (UNIBEN).

Her words: “I feel so great, I feel so happy. With all the hard work, with all that I’ve put in, I can see that it’s not in vain and it has brought me this far. I’m really happy.

“I wrote my JAMB Post UME and I passed, so what I’m working for now is my admission into the school.”

On his part, the school’s proprie-

‘Hard work has paid off’

By Olusoji Olukayode

tor, Daebi Oki, encouraged the graduates to draw motivation from their successful completion of secondary education to gain more successes in future.

His words: ‘’In everything we do in life, we key into success and it will take you higher and higher and you will achieve more over-time.

They have crossed this level, they should just key into that success to achieve more.’’

He also advised those students who may be facing one challenge or another who may likely come up against a brick wall in future to look up to God when all seem lost.

“When you look around you and you don’t see anybody, look up,

God is with you. He will guide you every step of the way. Citing his personal experience of surmounting difficult situations, he said: “I have experienced difficult challenges that were beyond my capacity but God made them smaller than an ant, which made me strive better. So don’t take failure as a disappointment but as a challenge to do better next time.”

Community fights unemployment with skills

N

ETIM community in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State has found a way to scale back joblessness, reduce youth restiveness and other vices by focusing on skill acquisition. The community organised a two-week workshop in various skill acquisitions for 60 unemployed youths in the community.

The two-week training programme covered skills such as cake making, cake decoration, meat and fish production. Others are snacks, sandwiches, fried rice, vegetable sauce as well as events manage-

ment.

Addressing the participants at the Old Netim Town Hall, the Village Head of the Community, Ntufam Augustine Orok said the workshop was organised to give the youth a sense of belonging and prepare them for independence after school.

Ntufam Orok further used the forum to reassure all interested youths especially those who could not participate in the first phase that the second phase which will be on computer training will accommodate them.

Also speaking, a community leader, Ntufam Francis Omanga

appealed to the State Government to construct the Okomita-Netim Road to improve economic activities in the area as well as electrification of the area. He stressed that, much has been generated from Crush Rock and other natural resources that abound in the area as internally-generated revenue.

In separate responses, Miss Jacinta F. Omanga and Blessing Gabriel Omonga commended the chiefs and elders of the community while assuring them that, they will put in their best to justify the huge funds and time

put into the training.

The duo who are students of University of Calabar noted that the training has engaged them throughout the period of the holiday and prayed that the programme should be sustained in the overall benefits of youths of the community.

One of the resource persons, Miss Jenifer Philip said the two weeks training was very intensive and expressed optimism that the youth will, after the training, become self reliant and employers of labour.

The two-week training programme covered skills such as cake making, cake decoration, meat and fish production. Others are snacks, sandwiches, fried rice, vegetable sauce as well as events management

Youths decry reckless parking OUTHS in Edo State under in Benin the auspices of Edo Youth for

Y

•Flooded Tunga community in Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa State

Good Governance (EYGG) have condemned what it termed reckless parking of vehicles by motorists especially in Benin City metropolis.

They said such parking in the King Square and adjoining roads have negatively affected the beautification project of the Edo State Government.

The group in a letter addressed to Governor Adams Oshiomhole and signed by its President Iyamu Osaro said lack of motor parks

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

within Benin City was responsible for the reckless parking.

They urged the governor to build modern motor-parks in strategic places like Mission Road, Urubi, Oba Market, Akpakpava, Sapele and Ekenwan Roads.

The letter reads in part: “The modern motor-park will bring more efficiency to the transport system in the state as well as reduce traffic and give the state a face lift.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

49

NATION SPORT

I

Muhammed Ali shaped my sport career

T might have sounded a bit much when Serena Williams brought the name of Muhammad Ali into the conversation as she discussed the ongoing, undulating drama of her career.

Yet in the wake of her US Open triumph late on Sunday night it is difficult to deny that she is the greatest female athlete of her immediate generation - in her own sport of tennis or any other, for that matter.

The 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 victory over Victoria Azarenka means that there is a 13-year span to her wins in Grand Slams, which now run comfortably into three separate decades with the first having been registered in 1999.

She has carved herself a remarkable place in history, just as Andy Murray was hoping to do on Monday night as he tackled Novak Djokovic in the delayed men's singles final.

With Williams it always seems to be accompanied by drama on and away from the court.

Twelve months ago she was lucky not to be banned for her appalling tirade at the umpire when losing the final, having had to recover from a blood clot in her lungs earlier in the year.

Sister Venus's struggle with Sjogren's Syndrome had also become clear.

Then she lost in the first round of the French Open in May to littleknown Virginie Razzano, which you hardly thought would be the precursor to winning Wimbledon, the Olympics and now at Flushing Meadows.

'I really think a champion is defined not by their wins but by how they can recover when they fall,' said Williams, 30.

'I have fallen several times. Each time I just get up and I dust myself off and I pray I'm able to do better or able to get back to the level that I want to be on.

'I think, for me, you see great people like Muhammad Ali, for instance, who is a person I have always looked up to in sports.

'I was miserable after that loss in Paris. I have never been so miserable after a loss. I was playing extremely well before that. I felt like I lost a little confidence and had some tough matches at Wimbledon.

'But finally I pulled it together. I don't know if that helped me, the loss in Paris, or it fuelled me. I like to believe that it did.'

Monday's new world rankings stubbornly refuse to push her up from No 4, although that i s largely because she has played fewer tournaments than her rivals.

Her continual inability to play a full schedule, either through injury or lack of inclination, is also tied up with why she is not higher up the all-time listings.

Williams has won 15 of the 49 Grand Slams she has entered, but has missed 10 since 1999.

It is a fair assumption that she might have won around four of those, which would have put her ahead of Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova in major victories and close to Steffi Graf's tally of 22.

But a key to her longevity has been this reluctance to go full-on over the years - it was also why Graf's husband Andre Agassi enjoyed such a long span at the top of the game.

As for the records, Williams

said: 'I haven't thought about them until recently. I never thought I would come close to breaking them. If I can play consistently and play some more matches at Wimbledon it will be awesome. If I could win two a year it would be great.'

There seems little doubt that her

own health scare, the one affecting Venus and reaching the age of 30 have made Serena value tennis more. With that in mind, motivation is unlikely to be a problem in the future but the quality of her opponents might be.

At times on Sunday Azarenka,

who served for the match at 5-4 in the third, made her look flatfooted and the challenge for Serena will be to keep in good enough shape to get to the ball and deliver her power.

She also needs to keep her emotions in check during big matches - although at least on

this occasion there was no more disgraceful behaviour.

Yesterday's rankings showed Laura Robson has moved to 75, just behind Heather Watson, after her fourth round showing here.

New Brit Johanna Konta has gone to 148 from 203 after making the second round.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

50

NATION SPORT

Giroud: France has

A

FTER just two years in the French top flight, Olivier Giroud packed his bags for London to sign for Arsenal from Montpellier over the summer. Although the top scorer in Ligue 1 last season has not yet found the net for his new employers, he intends to establish himself in the English Premier League and in the French national side.

FIFA.com met up with the left-footed striker to discuss the numerous challenges that await him during this coming campaign.

Olivier, was it a dream come true for you to pull on an Arsenal top, and if so, why?

Olivier Giroud: Even as a young boy, I dreamed of playing in the Premier League. Remember, there were several big-name French players doing well at Arsenal at the time, guys like Patrick Vieira, Sylvain Wiltord, Robert Pires, Thierry Henry, among others, and that made an impression on me. I’m very proud to follow in the footsteps of all those ‘Frenchies’, and I hope to make my mark at the club as well. I really am pleased with my decision to come here.

Was Arsene Wenger a key factor in your decision?

Yes, because he knows me and has confidence in me. Generally speaking, the French guys here help you to settle in pretty quickly – there are actually quite a lot of French-speaking players overall. There are lots of people you can count on if you need help with something. But you can't let that hold you back in terms of mixing with the others, and that suits me fine as I really want to improve my English and speak fluently, without having to think about what I’m about to say. Being at Arsenal will help me with my development, and with a manager like Arsene Wenger in charge, I’m definitely in good hands.

The reputation and style of the Premier League are widely recognised, but have you been surprised by your initial experiences on English pitches?

The atmosphere in the stadiums is pretty much what I was expecting; the support from the fans is amazing! They chant non-stop, and I felt very honoured that they even sang a little song about me when I arrived. On top of that, the fans are very knowledgeable. They applaud when you block a clearance,

to show ambition when you drop back to help in defence, or when you put in a strong tackle. It’s actually a tremendous way of looking at the game. In terms of the quality of play, the Premier League is, in my eyes, the best league in the world. It’s very intense and demanding, and requires much more focus. I’ve not been too surprised by that, to be fair, as I used to watch English matches on TV quite often, but you just have to put all that out of your mind and go out and play.

Being at Arsenal will help me with my development, and with a manager like Arsene Wenger in charge, I’m definitely in good hands.

Olivier Giroud And now all you need is a goal to break your duck.

Yes, that’s true. I’ve been freezing up a little bit just when I’ve been about to pull the trigger, and that’s exactly what happened in my first few matches for France. I’m not too worried about it, because I’ve been scoring in training and I feel pretty comfortable being a part of this team. I just need to not think about things too much, so that I feel as relaxed as possible when the time comes to stick the ball in the net.

Have you known any periods in your career where you ever doubted yourself? A goal drought, for example?

I’ve always scored goals – it’s simply a question of confidence, of ‘tenacity and dedication,’ as Marc Libbra, the exMarseille striker, used to say. Those two words have always stuck in my mind, as for me they sum up quite well the qualities that a forward needs to have.

You can’t ever give up, and even if I sometimes show my disappointment when I miss a chance, I try to keep my head up and get on with it. You can never let doubt, which I think is a very strong word, get the better of you.

When I arrived at Tours, it took me seven or eight matches to score my first goal, while at Montpellier it was four matches. I’ve only started two games for Arsenal so far. It’s definitely a step up, but I just have to remain patient

and confident.

Does the early-season success enjoyed

by Robin van Persie – your predecessor at Arsenal – at Manchester United, or

by Eden Hazard, who came directly from Ligue 1 like you, prey on your mind at all?

I’m not at all surprised at how well Eden Hazard has settled in this league, because he’s very comfortable everywhere he goes. He’s a very good player who’s going to give Chelsea quite a boost. As for Van Persie, people seem to think it’s something that weighs on me, but I know that the manager has confidence in me. He could easily have brought in another forward when Robin left, but he didn’t.

The fact that people have put their trust in me creates the best possible conditions for me to develop and score goals. I’ve even set myself a little target in terms of the number of goals I’m going to get, but I’ll keep that to myself.

I’m coming in after someone who scored 30 goals last season, but who took eight years to reach that level, albeit while dealing with various injuries along the way. I feel that I have less time to establish myself and that there are more immediate expectations of me. I imagine it’ll be the same thing for Emmanuel Herrera at Montpellier.

That’s how it works, that’s what the demands of top-level football are all about – you have to accept it and remain strong.

What are your thoughts on the way in which Abou Diaby, your team-mate at Arsenal and in the French national team, has started the season?

Abou is absolutely essential to how we approach games tactically at Arsenal. He’s an athletic, complete player, extremely effective at winning the ball back, but also at distributing it and driving into opposition territory.

He’s a very important player for the club, but also for France, and he’s doing everything he can to leave his injury problems behind him. He’s a great professional, and it’s reassuring to play alongside him.

Speaking of Les Bleus, how have things changed for you since the arrival of Didier Deschamps at the helm?

I was brought into the French set-up a few months before EURO 2012, and Laurent Blanc never really had the time to try Karim Benzema and me together in a 4-4-2, as he’d talked about doing.

Didier Deschamps tested out that option right from the outset, against Uruguay, but they play in a very compact style with five at the back, and I’d only seen 45 minutes of play with Arsenal the previous weekend. That’s why I want to quickly regain my form with France so that we can give that formation another shot.

You can’t ever give up, and even if I sometimes show my disappointment when I miss a chance, I try to keep my head up and get on with it.

Olivier Giroud on a striker's mentality Given that Karim Benzema is one of the first names on the team sheet, the 44-2 that you refer to would seem like a good solution for you personally, although it would require more defensive work.

The modern attacker has to know how to defend, to get into a position where he can try to block or delay balls being fired back down the pitch. That’s not a problem for me at all; I’m used to playing like that. My goal is to earn a regular place in the side, so if Karim is playing, the 4-4-2 obviously suits me better.

How did you find your experience at

UEFA EURO 2012, where you mostly watched from the bench?

‘Frustrating’ is the word I would use.

I didn’t play very much – I was a virtual spectator. Even though I pretty much expected that’s how things would be before the tournament began, it was still difficult, because I was accustomed to playing all the time at Montpellier.

It’s tricky to go from that to getting just ten to 15 minutes and touching the ball a handful of times. But you need experiences like that to learn and mature as a person.

Aside from Spain, the strong favourites to win France’s qualifying section (Group I) for Brazil 2014, which team do you fear the most?

Belarus, because they beat us at home a couple of years ago in a qualifying match for EURO 2012, and they’re a team that’s constantly improving. These days, the gap between countries is not as wide as in the past. Lots of players from so-called smaller teams play in major leagues, and if you don’t take the match seriously and aren’t completely mentally prepared, you can quite easily leave yourself exposed. The Belarusians are well aware that they’ve already got the better of us quite recently, which definitely makes them the biggest threat.

You came up against Spain in the quarter-final of Poland/Ukraine 2012.

How would you describe the gap that separates France and the current world and European champions?

Spain are benefitting from an incredible generation of players who’ve been performing together for a very long time. I don’t know if any team will ever be able to do better than they have. That said, from what I could see from the sidelines, I don’t think we were that far away from them during that quarter-final. They were able to exploit our rare mistakes amazingly quickly, but we could have beaten them. That’s what we all felt, and we certainly have some regrets about that game. But they remain a very tough side to play against, one that holds on to the ball and forces you to come and get it, only to then catch you out on the counterattack.

‘Frustrating’ is the word I would use. I didn’t play very much – I was a virtual spectator. Even though I pretty much expected that’s how things would be before the tournament began, it was still difficult, because I was accustomed to playing all the time at Montpellier. It’s tricky to go from that to getting just ten to 15 minutes and touching the ball a handful of times. But you need experiences like that to learn and mature as a person.

M

AROUANE Fellaini has won Everton’s Player of the Month Award for

August.

The Belgian has been in fine form for the Toffees so far this season and has been rewarded for his efforts with the accolade.

Fellaini put in a Man of the Match performance in Everton’s opening game against United and scored the winner, then grabbed a goal in the Blues’ 3-1 win at Villa.

Fellaini recently denied reports linking him with a move away from the club, after quotes in the media appeared last week.

The 24 year old has also been in good form for his national side

Fellaini wins EPL's Player of the Month award Well done big man, keep up the who are tipped for big things in good work. the future. There is a large Belgian contingent in the Premier League these days and they have some exciting players in their ranks.

Fellaini has been around for a few years now and looks more impressive than ever.

Fellaini will be presented with his Player of the Month Award at a •Fellaini lunch in the Hilton Hotel Liverpool next week.

"I have two years to go. What is important for me is Southampton and I think I have shown my commitment to this club in the past. At the moment I am not in the mood to think about the long-term future. We want to do well this season, that's all. I am an Arsenal man. I think I have always shown that. I have to consider if I do well or not. If I don't do well, I have to consider my future."

Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger saying he is not ready to consider a long term contract with the Gunners.

Ronaldo

reaffirms REAL loyalty

•van Persie

TRIPPLE BLOW FOR UNITED

RVP, Kagawa, Evra doubts for Wigan clash

52

Friday, September 14, 2012

WENGER

M

ANCHESTER United could be without Robin van Persie, Shinji Kagawa and Patrice Evra for their Barclays Premier League game against Wigan at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Van Persie was taken off with a thigh problem during Holland’s win over Hungary on Tuesday, while Kagawa sat out Japan’s game with Iraq with a back strain.

And left back Evra was so poor in France’s World Cup qualifying win over Belarus that he may be rested ahead of next Wednesday’s Champions League opener at home to Galatasaray.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson will assess Van Persie and Kagawa at training on Thursday, but Kagawa is almost certainly out after saying on Wednesday he was still in pain.

The summer signing is also scheduled to appear at a United promotional press conference at Old Trafford on Friday, something that would not happen if he was due to play the next day.

If Evra is rested, it would mean a first start for new left back Alexander Buttner.

won't sign

new deal A

•Wenger

RSENAL boss Arsene Wenger says he is not ready to consider his longterm future at the club after chief executive Ivan Gazidis revealed he was hoping to tie the Frenchman down to a new deal.

Wenger, who is contracted to the Gunners until 2014, says his immediate concern is ensuring his side perform in the Premier League this season.

Speaking at Thursday morning's press conference ahead of the league game with Southampton, he said: "I have two years to go.

What is important for me is Southampton and I think I have shown my

commitment to this club in the past.

"At the moment I am not in the mood to think about the long-term future. We want to do well this season, that's all.

"I am an Arsenal man. I think I have always shown that. I have to consider if I do well or not. If I don't do well, I have to consider my future.

"I have been at the club long enough to have confidence in the people I work with, but I will assess my own performances and then make a decision, at the moment we are not there.

"Two years is a long time in my job. I just want to do well for the club as long as I can and accept all the rest.

"I have to consider that at my age, you always have to assess if you have the fitness, the desire, the commitment that this job demands.

"Then of course you have to make your decisions. I hope I will be lucid enough and intelligent enough to assess my performance well."

OTHER SPORT...OTHER SPORT...OTHER SPORT...OTHER SPORT...

Bolt won't seek world champs’ 100m wild-card

USAIN Bolt will not seek a wild card entry in the 100 metres at next year’s World Championships, hoping instead to secure a spot via the Jamaican trials, the six-time Olympic gold medallist said yesterday.

The triple world record holder said he would defer the wild card honour for the Moscow event to defending world 100m champion and training partner Yohan Blake.

Both the 2012 Diamond League 100m winner (Bolt) and the reigning world champion (Blake) are eligible for wild card entry consideration under new International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) rules.

But the global governing body will allow only one wild card per country per event.

“I think Blake has earned his right to compete in the 100 metres by winning the title at the last World Championship,” Bolt, who won three gold medals at the London Olympics, told reporters at a news conference on his return to the island nation from Europe.

“I was always going to run the 100 metres at Jamaica’s World Championship trials next summer,” said the 13-times Olympic and world medallist who accumulated the most points for 100m runners in this year’s Diamond League series.

Bolt, the world 200m champion, said he would let the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) decide who receives the nation’s World Championship wild card for the 200m.

Both he and Diamond League winner Nickel Ashmeade are eligible for a free entry without having to compete in the event at their national trials.

“That will have to be determined on what the JAAA will decide. They are the ones who are eligible to pick which wild card they would like.

“The JAAA will have to say whether I will have to run (the 200) at the trials or not,” Bolt said.

Bolt ran both the 100m and 200m at the Jamaica Olympic trials earlier this year and was beaten in both finals by Blake.

But he recovered to top Blake in the

two races at the London Olympic Games and led Jamaica to a world record in the 4x100 metres relay.

•Ronaldo

Santos charged by police after 'driving at 130mph'

A

•Bolt

C

RISTIANO Ronaldo insists he is not "concerned about contracts" as the forward finally put to rest the uncertainty over his future at Real Madrid.

The Portuguese superstar expressed his unhappiness at the Bernabeu prior to the international break after refusing to celebrate either of his two goals in the 3-0 home win over Granada on September 2.

His revelation set the rumour mill in motion, with Paris Saint-Germain, Anzhi Makhachkala and Manchester United all linked to Ronaldo amid speculation he was set to leave Los Merengues.

However, the 27-year-old has at last moved to clarify his situation at the Spanish club in a statement published on his official Facebook page on Wednesday afternoon.

Ronaldo was back in training with Real for the first time since revealing his sadness a fortnight ago, and he declared his intention to bring continued success to the club.

"I would like to reaffirm, without being concerned about contracts, that my focus is solely on winning every game and every available trophy with the essential company of my team-mates and all madridistas," he said in the statement. Jose Mourinho's side return to La Liga action on Saturday evening with a trip to Sevilla before they welcome Manchester City for their opening UEFA Champions League group clash next Tuesday.

RSENAL defender Andre Santos has been charged by police with dangerous driving and driving without due care and attention.

The 29-year-old was arrested last month just a couple of miles from the club's training ground.

The Brazilian was apprehended by officers who noticed a car - believed to be a Maserati GranTurismo - being allegedly driven at around 130mph by a driver who failed to stop.

He is due to appear before magistrates later this month, and could be jailed for up to two years if his case goes to Crown Court and he is convicted.

Santos, who is understood to own several expensive cars, joined the Gunners last year from Turkish side Fenerbahce.

A Scotland Yard spokeswoman confirmed: 'Andre Santos, 29, of East Finchley, north London, has been charged with dangerous driving and driving without due care and attention on August 17th this year in Mill Hill, north west London.'

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

53

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

54

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 13-9-12

NSE’s benchmark crosses 25,000 points

F

OR the first time in 12 months, Nigeria’s stock market country index broke through the 25,000 mark yesterday as the upswing at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) placed average equity return above other securities at 21.31 per cent.

With several leading companies including First Bank of Nigeria (FBN), UAC of Nigeria (UACN), Nigerian Breweries, Guinness Nigeria, Access Bank, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria, Ashaka Cement, CAP and Lafarge Wapco Cement Nigeria hitting new highs, stock market’s capitalisation surged forward to N8.01 trillion.

The All Share Index (ASI), the benchmark index at NSE, rallied 1.24 per cent gain to close at 25,148.48 points as against its opening index of

• Capitalisation hits N8tr

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

24,839.87 points.

Aggregate market capitalisation of all quoted equities improved by N98 billion to N8.005 trillion compared with its opening value of N7.907 trillion. With this, the year-to-date return at NSE rallied to 21.31 per cent.

UACN led the pack of 37 advancers with an increase of N1.77 to close at N37.18.

Nigerian Breweries followed with an increase of N6.28 to close at N131.99.

Also on the table were Wapco, Roads, Glaxosmithkline, Ashaka Cement, Access Bank, International Breweries, Transcorp and Union Bank of Nigeria with N2.41, N0.44,

N1.59, N0.58, N0.45, N0.61, N0.04 and N0.32.

On the other hand, Honeywell Flour Mills led 12 other decliners with 10 kobo to close at N1.90. This was followed by AG Leventist with a drop of N0.07 to close at N1.34. Others on this list were Fort Oil, Bagco, RT Briscoe, Unilever, NASCON, Ikeja Hotel, Japaul and Julius Berger with price drop of N0.48, N0.09 N0.08, N1.49, N0.13, N0.02, N0.01 and N0.20.

Investors traded 451.354 million shares worth N3.229 billion in 4,960 deals. The financial sector recorded the largest chunk of 326.314 million shares worth N2.193 billion in 2,727 deals. The industrial goods followed with 45.311 million shares worth N163.470 million.

Others with significant volume were consumer goods, oil & gas, ICT and healthcare with 34.628 million shares, 15.259 million shares, 12.014 million shares and 6.674 million shares.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 13-9-12

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

55

MONEY LINK

N5,000 banknote won’t cause inflation, say FBN Capital, Teriba T HERE is no proven evi dence of a correlation between inflation and higher currency denominations, FBN Capital and CEO, Economic Associates, Dr Ayo Teriba have said.

In a report tagged: ‘New Banknote, No Inflationary Pressure’ FBN Capital said inflation is fuelled by too much money chasing fewer goods and not introduction of higher denomination of banknote.

The investment and research firm’s view was in response to criticisms against the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) currency restructuring programme, which will see N5,000 banknote introduced into the economy early 2013. The currency will become the highest value bill in circulation even

Stories by Collins Nweze

as other changes will see the lower denomination bills of N5, N10 and N20 converted into coins. “This will increase the country’s currency structure to 12 from 11, divided equally between coins and notes. As expected, the announcement has generated a lot of controversy,” FBN Capital said in an emailed statement.

According to a poll conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics on its website, 74 per cent of respondents were strongly opposed to the policy while 17 per cent were strongly in support as at Wednesday evening.

“We suspect that some opposition can be attributed to a generalised lack of trust in any of-

the country’s economy and discourage the high demand for the dollar. The Economic Team also indicated that the N5,000 bill will only be for banks and a few “heavy cash users,” FBN Capital said.

FBN Capital noted the high, but falling cost of currency management, adding that over N125 billion was spent in the past three years printing and minting currency. It argued that should the move go through, a significant savings will be made, as the new currency note becomes easier to carry and manage. It however, said Nigerians are not known to be coin lovers, which perhaps explains why the 50k, N1 and N2 coins are

ficial measure with economic or financial implications. The nationwide protest against the planned fuel subsidy removal in January conforms to this pattern in our view,” the firm said.

It said antagonists are of the view that the new policy will engender corruption, fuel inflationary pressures and negate the “cash-less” policy of the CBN, which was designed to promote the use of non-cash transaction instruments.

“However, the Federal and State governments are in full support of the policy, and have received the approval of the President. Likewise, Nigeria’s Economic Management Team said the move will help drive

FCMB, FinBank conclude merger in October

F

IRST City Monument Bank Plc (FCMB) has re assured its various stakeholders and those of FinBank that the two lenders which have been going through the process of integration will conclude the merger process next month.

Deputy Managing Director/Executive Director (DMD) of FCMB, Segun Odusanya gave this reassurance in a statement. He said the process is 95 per cent completed. “Our initial target was second quarter of the year, but we got delayed by issues around the Capital Market probe and the removal of the Securities and Exchange Commission Board. Things

are now back to normal, and most of the approvals have been obtained,” he said.

The FCMB DMD also said that post merger, the bank, which has been noted for its niche in corporate banking will be expanding its retail banking focus to create a more robust and stable institution.

“We want to drive solutions across the various segments corporate, commercial, small enterprises and consumer segments - of the economy. We have been doing this organically in the last five years, and have seen steady growths in

E

• GMD FCMB, Ladi Balogun

with our expertise in corporate and financial advisory. We want to help create more entrepreneurs in this country and the opportunity to do this is enormous,” he stated.

Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 350m 150m 350m 138m 350m 113m

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 13-8-12 SYMBOL

O/PRICE

UACN NB WAPCO ROADS GLAXOSMITH ASHAKACEM ACCESS INTBREW TRANSCORP UBN

35.41 125.71 48.32 8.84 31.95 11.72 9.10 12.35 0.81 6.52

C/PRICE

37.18 131.99 50.73 9.28 33.54 12.30 9.55 12.96 0.85 6.84

NGN USD NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change (S/N) Parallel Market

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

O/PRICE 2.00 1.41 10.83 2.07 1.86 38.99 5.18 1.17 0.59 29.00

C/PRICE 1.90 1.34 10.35 1.98 1.78 37.50 5.05 1.15 0.58 28.80

CHANGE 0.10 0.07 0.48 0.09 0.08 1.49 0.13 0.02 0.01 0.20

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

Dec ’11

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 12.6%

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

NSE CAP Index

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

Date 2-7-12 27-6-12 22-6-12

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

LOSERS AS AT 13-8-12

SYMBOL HONYFLOUR AGLEVENT FO BAGCO RTBRISCOE UNILEVER NASCON IKEJAHOTEL JAPAULOIL JBERGER

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8 155.7

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

CHANGE

1.77 6.28 2.41 0.44 1.59 0.58 0.45 0.61 0.04 0.32

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m 113m

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

tive Director Domestic Bank, Kingsley Aigbokhaevbo, said Ecobank is excited about the partnership as it gives the bank an additional window to service the money transfer needs of its customers. He remarked: “This is a right-fit partnership between two quality brands that will deliver world class value to customers.”

According to Aku, Ecobank is better positioned to offer financial services to Africans wherever they might be, adding that the bank is determined to go into partnerships like this, to enable it achieve its cardinal goal of financially empowering the people.

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

MANAGED FUNDS

OBB Rate Call Rate

COBANK Nigeria has entered into partner ship with MoneyGram International, a leading global money transfer company.

The bank said in a statement that the partnership will enable it to offer money transfer services through the MoneyGram platform. It will also give customers and non-customers of the bank the opportunity to send and receive money through MoneyGram global network in any of the over 600 branches of Ecobank spread across Nigeria.

Ecobank Nigeria’s Managing Director, Jibril Aku, represented by the bank’s Execu-

DATA BANK

Tenor

NIDF NESF

He said notes and coins are held primarily for retail payments. He said that for them to be relevant, their face values, nature sizes and weights must be suited to the retail transactions they are needed for.

He explained that naira coins must be designed by the CBN with the first category of retail transactions in focus because their repetitive nature and the conditions under which they are used in crowded markets, stadia, streets, bus stations, airports, congested traffic, and varying weather conditions including rainy, sunny, and humid conditions, mean that notes are ill-suited for them.

Ecobank partners MoneyGram

all these segments,” he said.

He said the acquisition of FinBank is expected to give two to three years leap especially in the area of branch network, liquidity, and balance sheet size to FCMB. He revealed that with the acquisition, FCMB has doubled its branch network, its customer base, improved its the liquidity position, and all these created a good platform to provide better customer-centric products and services to its customers “We are now better situated to provide our expertise to more commercial and small enterprises to grow their businesses with not just the banking products we offer, but also

FGN BONDS

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

seemingly no longer in circulation.

Teriba explained that the proposed currency will not cause inflation. He explained that in many economies in which largedenomination notes and coins circulate actually have some of the lowest inflation rates often combined with impressive records of growth citing the United States, Japan, United Kingdom and the Euro area are some of the examples.

He said the Euro provides a good illustration as there are eight denominations of coins, and seven denominations of notes. This, he added will provide enough flexibility and adaptability to both very small and very large transactions.

Offer Price

Bid Price

ARM AGGRESSIVE 9.17 KAKAWA GUARANTEED 1.00 STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE 124.79 AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 114.08 LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL 0.77 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.10 BGL NUBIAN FUND 0.93 NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. 1,713.48 PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND 10.45 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST 1.87 STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY 8,571.21 THE DISCOVERY FUND 193.00 FIDELITY NIGFUND 1.67 • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

9.08 1.00 124.62 113.71 0.74 1.10 0.91 1,709.59 9.94 1.33 1.80 8,335.18 191.08 1.62

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 July, 2011

Current 07, Aug, 2011

8.5000 8.0833

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

56

NEWS Cross River clamps down on traders over tax

Election petition: Akpabio knows fate today

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

legally excluded from the party’s primary on January 15, 2011, which returned Akpabio as the party’s standard bearer.

Adopting his written address at the last sitting, Akpabio’s counsel Paul Usoro (SAN) challenged the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case.

He cited the April 20, 2012, Supreme Court judgment, which dismissed the appeal by former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva, who challenged his exclusion from the PDP’s governorship primary.

The Supreme Court in the Bayelsa case held that the decision to sponsor a candidate for election is the exclusive preserve of a political party.

But Okon’s counsel Lasun Sanusi (SAN) argued that the

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

T

HE Cross River State government yesterday closed the shops of some traders at the popular Watt Market in Calabar, the state capital, for non-payment of tax.

The exercise was carried out in the morning by agents of the State Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and heavily armed policemen, who chased the traders out of their shops and sealed the stores with red tapes.

Speaking with reporters after a brief meeting with members of his union, the Vice-Chairman of the National Union of Shops and Distributive Employees, Mr. Ben Emele, said they were in negotiation with the IRS over the increase in tax and were surprised by the clamp down.

He described the tax rate given to them for this year as frightening.

Emele said last year, the least tax paid by a shop owner was N5,000, but it has been increased to at least N65,000.

He said they met with the IRS chairman, who directed them to the Director of Operations, whom they have been meetings with.

Emele said the IRS suggested that they pay half of the new rate, but they offered to pay 65 per cent of the old rate.

He said they were still in the process of the negotiation, when they agents of the revenue service sealed their shops.

Emele said: “We are not angry that we are to pay taxes. We want to pay our taxes because we know it is our duty as law abiding citizens and residents of this state.

“Personally, I have my tax receipts for over 30 years. But the assessment given to us this year is frightening.”

Efforts to reach the Chairman of the IRS, Mr. Chris Ogar, failed.

•Akpabio

A

FEDERAL High Court, Abuja, will today deliver judgment in a suit filed by a governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State in last year’s election, Mr. Frank Okon.

Okon is seeking the nullification of Governor Godswill Akpabio’s candidacy on the grounds that he (Okon) was il-

two cases are fundamentally different.

Sanusi said: “Sylva was never cleared by the party to stand for election. In the plaintiff’s case, he was screened and cleared by the party for that primary election and, therefore, has the right to challenge the conduct of that election. Again, his name was conspicuously displayed on the ballot paper for the January 9, 2011, election. It was also on the result sheet of that election.”

The Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), which is the first defendant, urged the court to dismiss the suit.

Its counsel Ahmed Raji (SAN) argued that the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act have not granted the commission powers to reject a candidate whose name was forwarded to it by the relevant officials of a party.

He said only the court can decide the legitimacy of the choice.

Raji said: “As an umpire, INEC is enjoined to be neutral; hence it must presume that any name forwarded to it by a party emerged through due process.”

INEC, however, pledged to abide by whatever decision the court makes.

PDP’s counsel Olusola Oke (SAN) urged the court to discountenance Okon’s claims that he was excluded from the primary.

Oke said evidence showed that Okon was aware of the rescheduled election of January 15, 2011, but chose to stay away.

Okon is seeking a declaration that: - The purported re-run primary of January 15, 2011, which produced Akpabio as the party’s candidate, did not com-

ply with the 2010 Electoral Act. - That the purported re-un ordered by the National Working Committee, (NWC) presided over by Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, the then PDP Chairman, after his tenure had been terminated by an order of an Enugu High Court, could not have produced a valid candidate.

- That the re-run was discriminatory and prejudicial as he was not issued any notice by the party.

- That the rerun did not comply with the seven-day notice before it was conducted with the purported notice issued on January 14 and the rerun conducted on January 15.

Okon is urging the court to either declare him winner of the PDP governorship primary in Akwa Ibom State or order a rerun of the primary.

Two women arraigned for robbery in Delta From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Warri

T

•Deputy Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Customs Service, Mr Attah Joseph (left), receiving a certificate of participation from Comptroller, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Mr Dain Ugoh, at the close of NAN Bizcom workshop for Customs officers in Lagos…on Wednesday. With them is the General Manger, NAN Bizcom, Mr Mohammed Momoh.

Oshiomhole sets agenda for second term

E

DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has set the agenda for his second term in office.

He said his administration would concentrate on improving the state’s economy

by increasing the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and creating wealth.

Oshiomhole spoke in his office yesterday while hosting the management of the Nigeria Institute for Oil

Palm Research (NIFOR), led by the Executive Director, Dr. Omoefe Asemota.

He said: “In this second term, we have to sustain what we are already doing as well as focus on expanding the state’s economy, increasing the GDP and creating wealth.

“To get full value of the rural roads we have built, agriculture must be taken seriously, and I have told the Commissioner for Agriculture that we have to be more active.”

Oshiomhole said the government is ready to partner NIFOR.

He said: “We are happy to give farmers land to farm. The Dangote Group has indicated interest to invest about N1 billion in oil palms in Edo when land is provided. We are working to keep the people busy by planting cassava, not only for domestic consumption, but also for export.”

Asemota hailed the governor’s efforts to reposition the state.

He urged the government to establish a 50,000-hectare oil palm belt, adding that it would attract investors and create jobs.

Horse birth: Church to sell video for 500 Euro From Osagie Otabor, Benin

M

EMBERS of the World Liberation Ministry in Benin, the Edo State capital, where a woman purportedly gave birth to a horse during a prayer session, yesterday said the video of the incident would be sold for 500 Euro (N80, 000).

The said they were disappointed that the public did not believe the incident.

The Personal Assistant to the General Overseer of the church, Mr. John Ogbovoh, urged those in doubt to buy the video.

Ogbovoh said the woman is receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital. He said they do not know the woman’s home because she was a visitor to the church.

Miracle seekers have stormed the church premises for spiritual healing.

WO women, Roli Ogbodu Etsekpimi (29) and Betty Eyetan (37), have been arraigned before the Warri Magistrate’s Court 1 in Delta State for alleged robbery and unlawful possession of firearms.

The suspects, on July 16 at lyara, allegedly robbed Dr. lnaede Hassan of N24,060; two SIM cards and two Nokia 1280 model phones valued at N33,300; one identity card valued at N3,500; a pair of sandals valued at N3,500; a pioneer car stereo and two speakers valued at N145,000; and original and copies of vehicle particulars valued at N13,500.

They were also said to have robbed Mr. Victor lmade on the same date of N12,000; $100; a gold necklace valued at N33,000; two rings valued at N28,000 and a pair of shoe valued at N60,000.

The suspects were said to have confessed to robbing Mr. Sylvanus Peter Eruaga of N150,000; three bank’s passbooks valued at N50,000; one international passport valued at N50,000; personal pictures valued at N50,000, three ATM cards valued at N50,000 and some medical, educational and office items valued at N150,000.

They were said to have committed other offences.

Magistrate E. Onoberhie remanded the suspects in Warri prison.

Bayelsa prays for First Lady From Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

B

AYELSANS have been praying for the speedy recovery of ailing First Lady Patience Jonathan.

Indigenes, especially top government officials, have been visiting President Goodluck Jonathan’s Otuoke hometown to sympathise with the extended members of the first family.

Dame Patience’s illness and the rumours that have trailed her trip abroad have become the subject of discussion in public places across the state.

Mrs. Jonathan is a permanent secretary in the Bayelsa Civil Service.

Commissioner for Information Mackson Fafegba said: “We are praying for her quick recovery.”

57

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

NEWS Flood wreaks havoc in Nsukka From Chris Oji, Enugu

O

KUTU community in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State has been overtaken by flood, following 14 days of heavy rainfall.

Many homes, market stalls, schools and churches have collapsed, but no life was lost Residents have relocated and Okutu has become a ghost town.

Delegates from Okutu, led by the traditional ruler, Igwe Dan Ogbonna, during a meeting with the council’s Chairman, Mr. Tony Ugwu, urged the government to assist them.

Ogbonna said: “We are calling on the government to intervene in this deplorable situation. Our people have been rendered homeless and our children cannot return to school because the primary school was adversely affected.”

Ugwu assured the community of the council’s assistance pending the intervention of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).

Kidnapped boy yet to be found From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

T

HE five-year-old boy, who was snatched from his mother on Wednesday in Onitsha, Anambra State, is yet to be found.

The boy’s mother was killed by suspected ritualists on the Upper Iweka Flyover at about 5:50am and he was kidnapped.

A senior police officer, who pleaded for anonymity, yesterday said the Central Police Station (CPS), Onitsha, was investigating the incident.

He said: “You know autopsy report takes time, but we have to establish where the woman and the son come from, their names and other particulars.

“We are working towards uncovering their identities and I assure you that within a short time, we will progress on this case. We are not relenting.”

CPS Divisional Police Officer Abdul Yusuf said: “How did people know the woman was with a child? Is it because they saw a bag on the scene of the incident? All these things are mere speculations.

“Furthermore, nobody has reported any case of a missing person or death. We are doing our best to get to the root of the incident. People should be careful what they say.”

An eyewitness had told The Nation that the deceased was walking on the flyover when four men came out of a Golf car and tried to snatch the child from her.

The witness said when the woman continued to struggle with them, the men shot her and abducted the child.

Robbers raid Osuofia’s home From Chris Oji, Enugu

T

HE Enugu home of popular Nollywood actor, Mr. Nkem Owoh, was on Wednesday raided by gunmen.

Owoh, popularly known as Osuofia, was said to have been away in Lagos when the incident occurred.

It was learnt that the hoodlums ransacked the compound and stole valuables from Owoh’s Mercedes Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), which was on the premises.

The incident has not been reported to the police.

*Abia State Governor Theodore Orji with some students, who won trophies at various national school competitions, when they presented their trophies to him at the Government House in Umuahia...yesterday.

Photo Ibeabuchi Abarikwu

C

Criticisms trail Imo lawmakers’ foreign trip

RITICISMS have continued to trail the trip by the 26 members of the Imo State House of Assembly to South Africa.

The Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Chief Lyden Amajirionwu, alleged that the lawmakers went on the trip to delay the swearing-in of the PDP member-elect, Chief Eugene Dibiagwu.

He said: “The trip was not in good fate. They hurriedly left the state to forestall the swearing-in of the member-elect and see if they can get another injunction to back their illegality.

“The trip is a waste of tax pay-

.It’ll attract investments, says govt

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

ers’ money. There is a high level of lawlessness in this state. You can see the extent the state government went to stop the swearing-in of one member, but they will come back to meet the situation.”

The State Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Dr. Vitalis Ajumbe, said: “The hurried trip of the lawmakers to South Africa has clearly exposed their weaknesses and shows that they are controlled by the executive.

“The lawmakers have been

intimidated out of focus and are now fused with the executive.

They perform more executive jobs than legislative duties.

The Speaker gives out contracts and represents the governor at public functions. It is sad that we have puppet lawmakers, who are only doing the bidding of the executive.

No matter how long they stay in South Africa, they will come back and swear in the member-elect.”

Southeast Chairman of the Campaign for Democracy (CD) Comrade Dede Uzor said the trip was a calculated at-

tempt to derail the course of democracy in Imo State.

He said: “The trip is uncalled for at this critical time. The lawmakers have abandoned their legislative duties in the face of daunting challenges that are currently rocking the state.

“I urge them to cut short their trip and return to resolve the issue before the House in the interest of democracy and public peace.

“We are giving them 14 days to swearin the member-elect or face a three-million-man protest.”

Elechi’s media aide Mr.

Ebere Uzuokwa said the trip was in line with the state government’s policy of developing manpower to improve service delivery.

Uzuokwa said the trip was an opportunity for the lawmakers to share ideas, policies and legislation with their international colleagues.

He said: “The trip is the first since the beginning of this administration. In some states, the lawmakers have embarked on several foreign trips. Imo lawmakers will seize the opportunity of the trip to showcase the many business opportunities in the state and attract direct foreign investments.”

Tracing the formation of Orient to Anambra, he said: “It is pertinent to recall that Orient Petroleum Resources Plc was formed during the administration of Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju in 2001 and allocated oil fields domiciled in Anambra State.

“The Board is peopled by prominent Nigerians of Anambra extraction, such as Chief Emeka Anyaoku (Chairman), Dr. Alex Ekwueme (ViceChairman) and Chief Arthur Mbanefo, among others. Its management is led by Engr.

Emeka Nwawka.

“Though Mbadinuju did not make any direct monetary contribution, during Dr. Chris Ngige’s administration (20032006), the Anambra State Government invested N100 million in the project.

“This administration, between 2006 and 2009, with the vision and belief in the positive impact of the project on the economy of the state and country, invested, directly and indirectly, N4.4 billion, which bolstered the confidence of other investors to invest in the venture and made its inauguration a reality.

“Whilst my predecessors never visited the site, I personally laid the foundation of the refinery. I have also visited the site severally since 2006 without any group or state interfering in its ownership as is now the case, following the announcement of drilling of oil there.

“It is also pertinent to note that till date, neither the group nor the states laying claim to the oil field have, directly or indirectly, invested a kobo in the project, while Anambra State and its people have invested several billions.’

Obi weeps at flooded communities •Seeks Fed help •Decries claims to oil field

A

NAMBRA State Governor Peter Obi yesterday wept during a visit to flood ravaged communities.

He was accompanied by officials of the federal and state emergency management agencies.

The communities are Ossomala, Ochuche, Umuodu, Akili-Ogidi, Akili-Ozizor and Atani in Ogbaru Local Governemnt Area; and Oroma Etiti, Ezi-Anam, Umuikwu, and Umudora, Umuenwelum, Umueze-Anam, UmuobaAnam, Nmiata, Innoma, Ukwalla, Owelle, Igbedor, Odekpe, Odemagu, Nzam and Igbokenyi in Anambra West Council.

Obi assured the communities of the government’s assistance.

In a media broadcast after the visit, Obi said: “The level of devastation suffered by these communities is much more than what we were told. Numerous farms were destroyed and washed away, while houses were submerged in the flood.

“Closer to the banks of the River Niger in Ogbaru, the overflowing river has also caused a dangerous coastal erosion, which has made the relocation of those

.Obi and others...yesterday.

living within the affected axis a necessity.”

He said the state government had done its best and urged the Federal Government to declare the affected communities disaster areas.

Obi also advocated measures to manage the situation and prevent further devastation.

The governor also expressed shock at the claims by some groups and states to the oil field discovered in Anambra.

He wondered why the claims started after the inauguration of the Orient Petroleum facilities.

Ebonyi youths protest CD’s comments on Elechi

M

EMBERS of the Ebonyi Youth Assembly (EYA) yesterday marched on the streets of Abakaliki, the state capital, to protest the call by a rights’ group, the Campaign for Democracy (CD), Southeast Zone, for the removal of Governor Martin Elechi’s name from the list of Nigerians chosen for National awards.

CD accused the governor of

•Professionals flay attack on governor From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakaliki and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

corruption and urged the antigraft agencies to probe the allegation.

The youths assembled at the home of EYA National President Comrade Chinedu Ogah at 9am and marched on St.

Patrick’s Road, Ogoja Road, Afikpo Road and Onwe Road, singing solidarity songs in Elechi’s support.

Ogah said: “Elechi has, in the past, faced over 10 probe panels and none has ever indicted him.

“We challenge the Southeast CD leadership to come to Ebonyi State and visit the

Oferekpe and Ukawu water schemes, the international market, the Ochoudo Secretariat, the Unity bridges, the pilot boarding schools, the Staff Development Centre and the access roads to ascertain things for themselves.

The Ebonyi Professionals Forum (EPF) also criticised CD’s position.

EPF National Coordinator Mr. Magnus Eze, in a statement in Abuja, said: “We are not aware of any corrupt case instituted against Elechi in any court of the land and he is not under investigation by any anti-graft agency. So, it is ridiculously presumptuous for anybody or group to call for his name to be removed from the national honours’ list.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

58

NEWS Three robbers killed in Benue From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

A TEAM of policemen yesterday killed three suspected armed robbers, who attacked a commercial bank in Katsina Ala, Benue State.

According to a source, the robbers snatched a PHCN Hilux vehicle at gunpoint.

After fuelling it, they headed for the bank. When they got there, they shot sporadically into the air and stole an undisclosed amount of money.

The source said a police patrol team chased the hoodlums and killed three of them at Zaki biam town, in Ukum Local Government.

Police spokesman Daniel Ezeola confirmed the incident.

Gunmen launch fresh attacks on telecoms masts

NNPC vehicle kills Nigerian A Pilot worker G N employee of the Nigerian Pilot was yesterday killed by a hitand-run driver in Abuja.

The vehicle hit Mr James Momoh on a bridge near the Leadership head office on the 10-lane Mabuchi Expressway.

Sources said Momoh was confirmed dead at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Hospital. The body was deposited in a mortuary at the Garki General Hospital at about 10pm.

•NNPC: it’s not true From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

The Nigerian Pilot opened a condolence register at its head office in Abuja.

The Acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the Nigerian National Petroleum Cor-

poration (NNPC), Mr. Fidel Pepple, confirmed that a shuttle vehicle belonging to the corporation was involved in an accident that led to the death of the worker.

“I want to state that the unfortunate event of last night has nothing to do with the convoy of the minister (of Petroleum) as speculated. The accident involved one of our shuttle buses

which knocked down a pedestrian at Mabushi, Abuja. He was taken to the NNPC Medical Centre for attention, but he died later,” he said.

The NNPC spokesman said the minister’s convoy was not involved in the crash, noting that the vehicle in question is not part of her pilot vehicles.

He said the management of the corporation has taken steps to meet the family of the deceased and the management of the Nigerian Pilot.

Petirin urges fleeing Damaturu residents to return From Duku Joel, Damaturu

THE Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall Oluseyi Petirin, has asked fleeing Damaturu residents to return to their homes, as security measures have been put in place to ensure their safety.

Petirin, who was in Damaturu to interact with men of the Joint Task Force (JTF), told the residents to go about their activities as his men are doing everything to restore normalcy.

He refuted the allegation that the JTF is out to kill everybody in Damaturu.

“The soldiers here are concerned about people’s safety. We are not here to kill innocent people. Our primary objective is to ensure that peace is restored.

“I ask those who have fled to return and continue their lives,” Petirin said.

The Chief of Defence Staff, who was also in Maiduguri, said the military is not opposed to the Federal Government dialogue initiative, adding that it would continue to exercise the statutory role of protecting life and property.

He said: “The Federal Government owns everything, including the military and Joint Task Force (JTF) in Borno State. It can enter into a dialogue with the Boko Haram sect. We were not trained to get people to talk.

We don’t have a skill for that.”

Air Chief Marshall Petirin, who was accompanied by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, said he could not predict when the Boko Haram insurgency would be solved, adding that “terrorism is a difficult thing. Once people introduce it into a society, it is not easy to wipe it out. We have to continue to manage it and be conscious of our security.

S

•Nigerian Ambassador Ayo Olukanni (right) and others at the inauguration of a passport biometrics machine at the High Commission in Australia.

Flood displaces 25,000 in Benue

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HE National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has said more than 25,000 people have been displaced in Benue State due to overflow of River Benue.

According to a statement by the Head, Public Relations, Yushau Shuaib, some of the communities at risk have remained adamant and refused to leave the area.

K

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

He said: “Thousands of residents in the Kaduna metropolis have been displaced by flood from Kaduna River, and some communities in Kano State submerged after the collapse of Warawa Dam. More areas along the plains of River Benue and River Niger have been un-

der the threat of flood, following an unprecedented rise of water in the upstream dams.

“In Benue State, NEMA, the state government and other stakeholders have established three camps for the displaced persons. Officials have mobilised people in the other areas affected by the disaster, including

Ex-PDP deputy governorship candidate in Kwara defects to ACN

WARA State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) will tomorrow begin its membership registration in Ilorin. Defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other parties, such as the ACPN and DPP, will be officially welcomed to the party.

Some of the leading defectors are the PDP deputy governorship candidate in 1999, Akinmade Yahaya Abolarin; a former commissioner and

topshot of the Saraki political dynasty, Chief Chris Ayeni; a former PDP chieftain and ex-chairman of Ifelodun Local Government, Jide Usman; among others.

The defectors and thousands of others would be received by Kwara ACN leaders, including the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed; its governorship candidate in last year’s poll,

Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN); Kwara ACN chairman, Kayode Olawepo, among others.

The membership registration will be followed on September 27 by a congress where delegates drawn from across the state will elect new officers to pilot the party’s affairs ahead of the 2015 poll.

Olawepo said: “PDP is free to say anything. It is

Seven killed in Bauchi floods

EVEN people have died in a flood that ravaged several communities in Zaki and Gamawa local government areas of Bauchi State.

The Caretaker Committee Chairman of the local gov-

Bauchi State.

“The agency has contacted the governors and stakeholders as well as launched a series of awareness campaigns and advocacy to sensitise the vulnerable communities on the measures to be taken. However, some of them have remained adamant, refusing to leave the danger zones.”

From Austine Tsenzughul Bauchi

ernments, Alhaji Muhammad Babaji and Alhaji Kabiru Garba, said this yesterday when they took the deputy governor round the affected

areas.

They said the flood washed away farmlands and houses and cut off the road linking Sakwa Council to Zaki Local Government.

The chairmen said the flood was caused by River

Katagum which overflowed its bank, displacing many people who are now taking refuge in primary schools.

Residents told reporters that the flood was also caused by a spillover from dams in Kano and Jigawa states.

a sign we are a big headache to them, despite the initial denials. If they have cough today, ACN is responsible for it. Yet, they claim there is no opposition in the state. It is a sign that they are worried that it is no longer business as usual.

“To them, we are a big disappointment and a pain in the neck because they were used to opposition disappearing after the election. They have our sympathies.”

He added: “We leave the media and public to judge whether the persons listed above were ACN members until after the 2011 polls. It would be childish and diversionary to engage PDP in a needless debate over that when reporters know who is who in politics and can say who belonged where.”

UNMEN have launched fresh attacks on telecommunications masts in Mubi town in Adamawa State.

Residents of Mubi, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the latest attack took place about 4am yesterday.

They said the attack occurred in Sabon-Layi area of the town where explosives were thrown at one of the base stations, which damaged part of it.

“Also yesterday, another tower near the market was attacked around 8 pm,” one of the residents who preferred anonymity, said.

Police spokesman Mohammed Ibrahim confirmed the two incidents.

However, he did not disclose the telecommunications operators affected by the attacks, but said nobody died.

Gunmen last Wednesday launched similar attacks on masts in the commercial border town, killing four people, including two students of the Adamawa State University and Federal Polytechnic, Mubi.

Residents of Mubi fear a possible communication obstruction if the assault continues.

“We appeal to the people responsible for the attacks on telecommunications masts to stop the dastardly acts. We are calling for a ceasefire and dialogue,” said one of the residents who simply identified himself as Aliyu.

ACN slams PDP over exploitation of aspirants From Muhammad Bashir, Lokoja

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HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Kogi State branch, yesterday decried the exorbitant fees collected from the aspirants contesting the forthcoming local government poll.

The Chairman of the party, Mallam Haddy Ametuo, said the exorbitant fees collected from the aspirants would lead to corruption.

He attributed the underdevelopment in Kogi and other PDP states to the exorbitant fees the party charges aspirants.

“You are asking aspirants to pay a lot of money before they are allowed to contest the primary election. They will struggle to pay the money. But once they assume office, they will not give the electorate the dividends of democracy.

“In the PDP in Kogi State, chairmanship aspirants are charged N600,000, while councillorship aspirants are asked to pay N200,000 or more. After getting to office, you expect them to deliver the dividends of democracy to the electorate? This will not be possible because they will steal public funds to repay their debts,” Ametuo said.

He urged the PDP to consider the plight of the electorate and charge their aspirants less fees.

Ametuo said ACN would not sell its tickets, adding that the aspirants would contest for tickets in the forthcoming local government election.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

59

NEWS

EFCC arraigns 72-year-old man for alleged N1.1m fraud

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HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a 72-year old suspect, Abdullahi Mohammed alias Dan Hadeja, before Justice Abubakar Tijani of the Federal High Court II, Port Harcourt, Rivers State on a one-count charge of obtaining the sum of N1, 155, 000 under false pretence. He reportedly claimed that he was a registered distributor of Indomie noodles.

A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of the commission, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said the trial of the suspect will begin on November 19, 2012.

The statement said: “The one count charge reads: That you Abdullahi Mohammed alias Dan Hadeja sometimes in May, 2012, at Port Harcourt within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud obtained the sum of N1,155,000 (one million one hundred and fifty five thousand naira) from one Ahmed Sani under the false pretence that you are an agent and registered distributor of Indomie dust from Dufil Prima Company makers of Indomie Noodles located at Choba, Port Harcourt and was going to get wheat offal, waste product from the company for him which you know is false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(1)(a) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act”.

“When the charge was read to the accused person through an interpreter, Mr. Sani A. Umar, he pleaded

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

not guilty. Defence Counsel, A. M. Akin then pleaded with the court to grant the accused person bail, as his alleged offence was a bail able one.

“The prosecuting Counsel, Abbiyesuku Endeba did not oppose the bail application.

“Justice Tijani granted the accused person bail in the sum of N1million with one surety in like sum.

“The surety who must be within the jurisdiction of the court must have landed property which must be verified by Court Registrar. The surety must also swear an affidavit of means and be willing to forfeit the N1m in the event that the accused person jumps bail.

“The court adjourned the case to November 19, 2012, for trial.”

In another statement, the EFCC has blamed corruption for the decay of infrastructure in the country.

The Head of Public Enlightenment Unit of the Commission, Mrs. Rose Ekawu, made this submission while declaring open a one -day sensitization programme on the ills of corruption for officers of the Federal Fire Service in Abuja.

She said infrastructural facilities have collapsed because those charged with their maintenance failed in their duties.

Ekawu, who described the sensitisation programme as part of the Commission’s mandate under the EFCC Establishment Act 2004 ,explained that enlightening Nigerians on the consequences

of economic crimes and corruption will go a long way in curbing the menace.

She said: “Everybody wants a decent society. It is obvious that nobody wants a society where there is no rule of law, where professional ethics are only academic subjects learned and forgotten in school.

“Considering the country’s enormous natural resources endowments, poverty ought to have no place in Nigeria .

“Unfortunately, economic mismanagement, corruption and lack of accountability and transparency have been the bane of poor economic performance and rising poverty.

“It is the light of this that we at the EFCC welcome genuine efforts at enlightening the sector that is crucial to our development” She therefore enjoined officers of the Service to join hands with the anti-graft agency in the fight against corruption and economic crimes.

David Nkpe and Chinwe Ndubeze, who represented the Commission’s Directors of Operations and Legal respectively, observed that corruption is the reason for lack of sustainable development in post- colonial Nigeria .

In his opening remark, the Controller General of the Nigeria Fire Service, Engr. Olusegun James Okebiorun commended the EFCC for the sensitization programme and assured that the service will partner with the EFCC in the difficult task of fighting corruption and economic crimes.

“There is no doubt that cor-

Don’t re-open oil dichotomy Continued from page 1 “One notes with grave concern the recent deliberate attempt to resurrect this debate and elevate it to the level of urgent national issue,’’ Adoke said, adding that the matter had the potential to generate acrimonious wrangling within the polity.

According to him, the issue has been foreclosed in view of the judicial determination in the past.

He said the Supreme Court had ruled that the Principle of Derivation Act of 2004 was not in conflict with the 1999 Constitution.

“It is pertinent to remind all interest groups in the matter that it is too early in the day to forget that this esteemed court in the matter of A.G. Adamawa &21 ors v.A-G.Federation & 8 Ors (2005) 18 NWLR (part 958) 581 was invited to rule on the constitutionality or otherwise of the Allocation of Revenue (Abolition of a dichotomy in the Application of the Principle of Derivation) Act 2004.

“The court in a well reasoned judgment after benefitting from the submissions of some of our country’s finest legal minds reached the well-reasoned conclusion that the Act was not in conflict with the 1999 Constitution and was indeed properly made by the National Assembly to place the implementation of Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution on a more certain and predictable

basis.

“In the light of the unanimous position of the Supreme Court on this issue, expressed since 2005, it behoves on us all to promote the sanctity of our judicial system by recognising that the pronouncement of this court should neither be treated with levity nor be subjected to undue politicization in the name of politics or the pursuit of particular” The minister said: “It behoves on us all to promote the sanctity of our judicial system.

“Pronouncements of the courts should neither be treated with levity nor be subjected to undue politicisation in the name of politics or pursuit of particular interests.

“Our country faces several challenges today as we pursue the consolidation of our democracy and the triumph of the rule of law in all aspects of our national life.’’

Adoke described Justice Tabai “indeed an erudite jurist.’’

Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, who presided over the ceremony, described Justice Tabai’s 39 years on the bench as meritorious.

Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) President Okey Wali, said Justice Tabai found divine satisfaction in his calling, adding that “he was an incorruptible judge indeed.

“Growing up, I always admired my Lord’s neatness in dressing and character and he,

no doubt, was a source of inspiration to all lawyers.’’

Justice Tabai retired after attaining the mandatory age of 70 years on July 25.

An autobiography titled: “A Providential Judicial Path’’ was presented in his honour Justice Tabai cautioned that the Judiciary cannot guarantee justice at all times.

Recalling a land dispute matter between two warring communities, Justice Tabai said: “I have seen that there are cases that the judicial process can’t administer justice”.

Stating that not all cases should go to court, he appealed to the executives to mediate in matters that could threaten peace between communities because judgments sometimes lead to bloodshed.

Sharing his experience on the controversial land dispute, Justice Tabai said the Judgment of the apex court that ceded the land back to the original owners sparked communal clashes, resulting in the deaths of some residents.

Despite the judgment, he said the trespassers are still occupying the land while the winners are in court pursuing enforcement.

According to him, “in matters like this, the decision of the court can hardly solve the problem. The executives should provide the answers.

Strict enforcement of the court order can’t prevent bloodshed”.

Jonathan, governors meet Continued from page 1

•EFCC boss Lamorde ruption is the major problem of the country. If there is no concerted effort at ridding the country of the menace, there will surely be no positive development”, he said.

attack, which U.S. officials said may have been planned in advance. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Washington had nothing to do with the video, which she called as “disgusting and reprehensible”.

Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi said yesterday he backed peaceful protest but not attacks on embassies after Egyptians climbed into the U.S. embassy in Cairo and tore down the American flag.

Highlighting the challenge facing President Morsi, protesters threw stones at police blocking their approach to the fortress-like embassy near Tahrir Square, even as his televised address was broadcast.

Police fired tear gas back.

“Expressing opinion, freedom to protest and announcing positions is guaranteed,

but without assaulting private or public property, diplomatic missions or embassies,” said Morsi, an Islamist, who is Egypt’s first freely elected president.

Obama told a Spanish-language network that Egypt’s Islamist-led government should not be considered a U.S. ally “but we don’t consider them an enemy.”

Morsi said he spoke to Obama on Thursday. “I affirmed to him the need for deterrent legal measures against those who want to damage relations between peoples, and particularly between the people of Egypt and the people of America,” he said.

In another statement, Morsi said he expects “assurances from the U.S. government to prevent any infringement on the sacred”.

Kidnapping: Woman, sons, others arrested in Enugu

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HE police yesterday in Enugu arrested seven people including a woman for their involvement in the kidnap of an Enugu businessman.

The woman, whom the police gave her name as Victoria Ohamara, is said to be the sister of the kidnap victim, Igwebuike Ezeudu.

Victoria’s son Tochukwu Ohamara, who is now at large, was said to have masterminded the kidnap attempt.

Arrested alongside Victoria is her friend, Obinna Amaechi, Çasmir Okoroafor, Ohimankpa Ohamara, Ifeanyi Iwunze, Chinonso Ezeudu, Irochi Ohama-

From Chris Oji, Enugu

ra and one Anthony Abata a witch doctor.

It was while Ezeudu, the victim was receiving treatment that Victoria mobilised her children to scramble for his propertybelieving he was dead.

But neighbours raised the alarm and invited the police.

It was during police investigation that the bubble burst, implicating Victoria and her children in the kidnap attempt.

The Enugu police have commenced investigations into the incident.

Police spokesman Ebere Amaraizu said following the

report to the Anti kidnap squad of the police command, they immediately swung into action and rescued the victim.

He said the police have launched a manhunt for the mastermind of the kidnap, Tochukwu, who is Victoria’s first son.

He said following the arrest of the people, a confession was made that Tochukwu carried out the kidnapping and shot the victim believing that he had died.

All the suspects, according to the police spokesman, are helping the operatives in their investigations.

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

60

NEWS NTI trains desk officers, others From Gbenga Omokhunu and Gladys Pius, Abuja

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HE National Teachers Institute (NTI), in conjunction with the Department of Public Administration, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria has traineddesk officers, expended management staff and the zonal/state coordinators on service delivery and effective management of its study centres.

Speaking during the two-day training at the institute in Kaduna , NTI’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Aminu Ladan Sharehu said the management appointed Centre Desk Officers (CDOs) to strengthen the administration of its programmes at study centres level.

He said the NTI carries out its mandate of training and retraining of teachers, using the Open and Distance Education (ODE) system which is being used all over the world because the conventional institutions in different countries cannot accommodate the teeming population of youths and adults yearning for tertiary education.

Sharehu said the institute is aware of the fact that students face some challenges in the course of their studies hence the need to augment the independent studies with face-toface contact (tutorials) to ensure that students cover the areas expected of them in their various courses.

He said: “As Centre Desk Officers (CDOs) you are expected to be at the centre every working day including Saturdays.”

Nasarawa ALGON pledges provision of infrastrucutre

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OCAL Government Chairmen in Nasarawa State have assured the people of their commitment to the development of socio-economic infrastructure in their coincils.

The state’s Chairman, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and Chairman Lafia Local Government, Alhaji Dahiru Hudu Musa said many of his members weree currently engaged in the execution of various projects.

He denied report that his associatioon’s members were threatening to withdraw. He said the chairmen had just received various allocations and were busy quit out projects that would impact on their council areas positively.

“Just last month, the Governor, Alhaji Tanko Al Makura released funds in various proportions, depending on what each council has in its account. The highest was about N30 million. Lafia local government area got N25 million naira.

“Now all council chairmen and administrators are deep in project execution at various levels. For example in Karu council area, the chairman is electrifying Gurku community and also building classrooms for Fulani settlement.

Continued from page 4

He noted that a credit line of N25 billion was offered by First Bank of Nigeria Plc, out of which only N8.6 billion was drawn-down to pay the UBA Plc outstanding loan in three tranches, adding that the approval of the Osun State House of Assembly was obtained in respect of the credit line.

Aregbesola said: “Accepting the First Bank’s offer of N25 Billion credit line will tremendously reduce the pressure placed on the finances of government by the suffocating sum of N615 million being paid to UBA Plc monthly. “ Even if the whole N25 billion is drawn down at once, the government will only require a sum of N208 million for the next 12 months to service the interest element thus making a savings of N407 million monthly on the amount being paid to UBA Plc. “ In the same vein, the amount that will be required to service the N25 billion loan, both principal and interest, at the end of the moratorium period if the whole amount is drawn down at once is N531 million which is lesser than what is currently being paid on N18.38 billion.

“Since drawings will be based on need, there is no way by which the whole N25 billion will be drawn down at once.

“Consequently, the amount that will be repaid monthly at any point in time after the moratorium period will be lesser than N531.”

His words: “There may be nothing wrong in government taking a loan facility. It is the hasty draw-down at

•Aregbesola...yesterday. Back row: Deputy Governor, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori (second left); Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Najeem Salam (left); Commissioner for Integration and Special Duties Ajibola Bashiru and others

I inherited a bankrupt state, says Aregbesola once, thereby exposing the state to cut-throat interest payments on money not needed for utilisation and merely lying fallow in the same bank.”

Aregbesola said there was no way the state could continue to meet its social service obligations in education, health services and security among others without renegotiating the terms of the loan.

“Even though, a credit line of N25 billion was offered by First Bank of Nigeria Plc, only N8.6 billion was drawndown to pay the UBA Plc,’’ Aregbesola said.

The governor said the N18.38 billion loan would not have been necessary, if the excess crude oil accrual to the state was well managed.

In his testimony, former governor Oyinlola said the financial needs of the state pushed his administration into the procurement of

N18.38 billion loan in 2010.

Oyinlola said: “A reduction in the federal allocation to states in 2009, when the crises in the Niger Delta was very pronounced affected oil production, which is the main source of the nation’s economy.”

Besides, the former governor said the issue of new minimum wage and the need to embark on other developmental projects required funds for its implementation.

He said: “At that time, salaries of civil servants and pensions consumed 90 per cent of the earnings of the state and the leadership of the state House of Assembly advised us to take the loan to address germane issues of 2010 Budget.

“As a responsible and responsive government, we took the advice of the legislature, then analyse the projects that would have im-

pact on the lives of the people of the state and arrived at N18.38 billion.

“A memo was taken and passed by excecutive council and approval of the House of Assembly was sought and obtained since it is practically impossible to summon every citizen of the state to take a decision on it.

“The constitutional voice of the people is the House of Assembly, which means the people of Osun took the loan by the approval of their representatives in the House.”

The former governor said that he lacked the power to unilaterally take decisions on the affairs of the state.

On the upgrading and rehabilitation of nine Technical Colleges contracts, Oyinlola said: “What informed our decision was the inability of government to provide employment for unemployed graduates.

“We intended to upgrade

the colleges so that these jobless graduates would go there and pick a trade and become employers of labour.”

Oyinlola said that the poor performance of students in science subjects and Mathematics made his administration to award contract for kits for the use of pupils in primary and secondary schools.

On the six stadia projects, the governor said that it was the youths of the state that called the attention of its administration to the development of sports during open forum organised by his government.

He added that if equality was anything to go by, infrastructural development must be replicated in each of the zones across the state.

Oyinlola said that his intention was to pay off the loan before the end of his tenure.

Emotions as families of slain police officers get N69.7m benefits

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MOTIONS flowed freely yesterday as families and relatives of police officers and men who died and those who sustained permanent disabilities in the course of their duties were given N69. 7 million cheques as accrued insurance benefits

From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

and medical expenses.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Philemon Leha who stood in for the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar presented the cheques to the be-

reaved and anguished families at the premises of the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Leha described the police as the most visible agency of government whose personnel are vulnerably exposed to different types of dangers in the course of their duty.

He however assured that despite these occupational hazards, police personnel will not be deterred but rather get more committed in the performance of their constitutional roles.

The DIG noted that the monies were meant to assist

the immediate families and other beneficiaries of the deceased in alleviating the suffering occasioned by the sudden loss of their bread winners.

Senator, American NGOs to share N100m ambulances gency initiative in the state.

American Non-Governmento Kogi hospitals He added: “ I have heard tal Organizations, will soon reports of people dying as a provide over N100 million of

•Senator Adeyemi

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HE Kingstone Charity Foundation, owned by the Chairman, of the Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Smart Adeyemi, and two

ambulances for hospitals in Kogi State .

The American NGOs are the Medical International, in Georgia and Ambulance Medical Foundation, New Jersey .

Adeyemi, who made the disclosure while addressing reporters in Abuja after a tour of the US , said the equipment are part of his contributions to effective medical emergency in the state.

He said the scheme followed untimely deaths being recorded across the state whenever a medical emergency occurs.

He said the equipment will

From: Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

be for the people of Kogi West Senatorial District and the entire state.

He confirmed that Kingstone Charity Foundation would bear 70 percent of the cost of the equipment and the remaining 30 per cent is for the American NGOs. He said: “These ambulances are different from medical equipment imported by Kingstone Foundation July which are being shared in Kogi hospitals.

“This emergency rescue

scheme will go a long way in improving the lot of the people of my senatorial district, Kogi West and to a large extent my people in Kogi Central and Kogi East senatorial districts.

“About 20 ambulances in the first batch of the equipment are equipped with life support facilities including oxygen. The equipment will be arriving Nigeria close to the end of October. Other ambulances will arrive the country at a later date.”

Adeyemi gave reasons why he ventured into Medical Emer-

result of bleeding through accidents. Some women have died in labour due to lack of ambulances to convey them to nearby hospitals “It is our view in Kingstone that this type of initiative will help reduce untimely deaths resulting in people bleeding to death and also reduce fatalities in case of motor accidents.

“I believe firmly that health is wealth and those who voted for me should be able to enjoy better life having stood by me despite serious challenges.”

Ozekhome faults David-West on national honour

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ONSTITUTIONAL lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) has disagreed with former petroleum minister Prof. Tam David-West, over the choice of Justice Mary Odili for national honour.

In a statement, Ozekhome said contrary to David-West opinion, Mrs. Odili was qualified to receive national hon-

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

our.

The statement reads: “ I read with distaste and dismay the reaction of Prof. Tam David West and the National Honours list particularly as it relates to Justice Mary Odili.

“Firstly, let me fault DavidWest, who said an award of mere 100 in a country of 156

million people is very wrong.

“I would rather say that the government is too miserly to give about only 100 awards. Is the government saying that the remaining Nigerians are not hardworking enough even in this trying and perilous time to have at least 500 people honoured annually in a country of over 156 million people?

“Do you not know that even beggars who inspired their colleagues to leave the streets also deserve national honours, including the plumber without whose services no big man in Nigeria including David-West can use his toilet?

“On the issue of Justice Odili, Prof David-West carried local Rivers State politics too far to a ridiculous extent by

singling her out from a group of about six to seven justices of the Supreme Court who were conferred with the same honour to attempt denigrating her.

“That is most unfair. Justice Odili is one of the most intellectually grounded, highly experienced and incorruptibly disciplined jurists of this generation.”

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THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

FOREIGN NEWS Egypt court sentences former PM to three years in jail

Ebola virus kills 31 in Congo DR A

N outbreak of the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo has now killed 31 people and could threaten major towns, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned.

An epidemic was officially declared on August 17 in the northwestern Orientale Province.

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AIRO criminal court has sentenced Egypt’s former Prime Minister Ahmed Nazeif to three years’ imprisonment for illegal gains, state media reported yesterday.

The court also fined him 1.48 million U.S. dollars.

Nazeif, the last Prime Minister during Egyptian former President Hosni Mubarak, was charged for using his power to gain 10. 50 million U.S. dollars through purchases of lands and buildings.

He was also charged with running a profitable private education centre under the disguise of an institution for

•Nazeif

public interest.

With the sentences, Nazeif would spend four years in jail. A previous ruling sentenced him to one year in prison for his dealing in car plates.

Kenyan doctors go on strike

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HOUSANDS of doctors in Kenya have embarked on an indefinite strike to demand that the government spend more money on health services.

The strike has affected hospitals, with doctors only giving emergency treatment to patients, the BBC’s Frenny Jowi reports from the capital, Nairobi.

Teachers and university lecturers are already on strike, paralysing the education sector.

The cabinet said it would meet today to discuss the crisis.

Our reporter said doctors at Kenya’s main referral hospital, the Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi, told her they were striking mainly to demand that patient care im-

proves.

They want the government to upgrade hospitals and build more health facilities.

The doctors complained that patients were forced to share beds, and some died on the floor of corridors without receiving any treatment, our reporter says.

The doctors, who earn about 80,000 Kenyan shillings ($948; £588) a month, were also demanding better pay, but insisted that this was not the main reason why they were striking.

However, trainee doctors, who work for free, felt strongly they should be paid, our correspondent said.

The cabinet plans to hold a special meeting today to see how it can end the crisis in both the health and education sectors, she said.

T

Farooqi said police have opened a murder case because the exit doors of this factory were locked, preventing many people from escaping the blaze that swept through the building during Tuesday night and continued to burn Wednesday.

Nobody has been arrested in the case yet. Police officers are still looking for Aziz and his sons, who are believed to be “hiding,” Farooqi said.

Other charges in the case may eventually include causing bodily harm, negligence and destruction of property, he added.

At this phase in the investigation, police do not have to name all of the accused.

That’s why they’re not identifying any government officials or factory managers at

A

MEMORIAL for the first man on the Moon, astronaut Neil Armstrong, has been held in Washington, DC. The public memorial was held at the National Cathedral, with fellow Apollo 11 astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins among the hundreds attending.

Armstrong died in August, aged 82, from complications after heart surgery.

Nasa administrator Charles Bolden, a former as-

S

change to a UN nucle-

nuclear work, the full 35-nation governing board of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had been expected to vote on and approve the text yesterday.

But South Africa, like Iran a member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) of mainly developing nations, proposed a change to the board resolution agreed by the United States, Russia, France, China, Britain and Germany.

As a result, the board meeting that began at 10 am was adjourned till 3pm for talks

DR Congo’s capital Kinshasa.

“If nothing is done now, the disease will reach other places, and even major towns will be threatened,” he said.

Last month, an outbreak of a more deadly Ebola strain in neighbouring Uganda killed 16 people, but health workers say the two outbreaks do not appear to be related.

tronaut, said Armstrong’s humility and courage “lifted him above the stars” A private funeral for family and friends was held earlier in Ohio, Armstrong’s home state.

“He’s now slipped the bounds of Earth once again, but what a legacy he left,” former Treasury Secretary John Snow told those gathered.

Eugene Cernan, the last of the 12 men to walk on the Moon, also paid tribute to the

astronaut.

He was followed by a slow and solemn version of the song Fly Me to the Moon by Diana Krall.

Mr. Bolden also read a letter from President Barack Obama.

“The imprint he left on the surface of the Moon is matched only by the extraordinary mark he left on ordinary Americans,” the president wrote.

Hundreds of millions watched Armstrong land on

the Moon on July 20, 1969 and describe it as: “One small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.”

The line became one of the most famous quotes of the 20th Century.

A stained-glass window in Washington’s National Cathedral holds a piece of lunar rock that the crew of the Apollo 11 brought back.

Last November, Armstrong received the Congressional Gold Medal - the highest US civilian award.

Senegal parliament votes to scrap Senate

T

HE National Assembly of Senegal’s parliament has passed laws to scrap the Senate, or upper house, and the post of vicepresident, the APS news agency reported yesterday.

Both are widely considered too expensive for the poor west African country’s budget.

President Macky Sall last month announced emergen-

this point.

Earlier yesterday, Karachi authorities lowered the death toll from the blaze to 258 from 289 previously.

The higher toll reported Wednesday became inaccurate because of the rapidly rising number of deaths and confusion amid multiple rescue and recovery operations, according to Karachi Fire Department Chief Ehtesham Salim and Shabih Saddiqi, a local government official.

Salim said the latest death toll is based on the number of bodies and remains recovered from the factory.

Several people are still missing and recovery crews are working to find them.

Salim said investigators are still trying to establish what caused the fire.

South Africa throws UN nuclear meeting OUTH Africa proon Iran into disarray posed a last-minute

ar agency resolution rebuking Iran yesterday, throwing the meeting into confusion, diplomats said.

Six world powers put forward the draft text on Wednesday, aiming to add diplomatic pressure on Tehran, a day after Israel ramped up threats to attack the Islamic Republic which it believes is seeking nuclear weapons capability.

Intended to signal big power unity and criticise Iran for defying UN calls to curb its

The death toll from this latest outbreak, centred on the towns of Isoro and Viadana, has more than doubled over the course of a week to 31.

Up to five health workers are thought to be among the dead.

“The epidemic is not under control. On the contrary the situation is very serious,” Mr. Kabambi warned, speaking in

Armstrong Memorial holds in Washington

Pakistan police investigate factory owner after OLICE in the Pakistafire kills more than 250 ni city of Karachi have

opened a murder case against the owner of a garment factory where a fire killed more than 250 people this week, a senior police official said yesterday.

Also under investigation are the two sons of the factory owner, whose name is Abdul Aziz; the managers of the factory; the shareholders of the factory; and any government official who failed to enforce safety regulations at the factory, said Amir Farooqi, a senior Karachi police official.

The announcement means police officers will investigate the fire — one of the worst industrial accidents in Pakistan’s history — gather evidence and submit their findings to prosecutors who will then decide whether to charge the individuals.

WHO official Eugene Kabambi told Reuters that the situation was “very serious” and was “not under control”.

Ebola is highly contagious and kills up to 90 per cent of people infected.

There is no known treatment or vaccine for the disease, which is spread by close personal contact and causes massive internal bleeding.

on how to proceed. “There is procedural chaos,” one Western envoy said.

Western diplomats said the South African amendment, though adding only five words to a two-page document, risked weakening somewhat the message to Iran that it must open up to IAEA investigations into suspected atom bomb research.

South African diplomats were not immediately available for comment, but their proposed change was circulated among member states.

cy legislation to scrap the Senate and turn over its annual budget of almost eight billion CFA francs (12 million euros, $16 million) to dealing with the impact of deadly floods.

At least 13 people have been killed in several weeks of flooding and thousands left homeless.

The post of vice-president, created in June 2009 by former president Abdoulaye Wade but never filled, was allocated an annual budget of more than two billion CFA francs (three million euros).

PUBLIC NOTICE ON STREET NAMING I, Chief ASUZU OKORO wish to inform the general public that I have applied to Isolo Local Council Development Area, that the street situated beside Richfield Nursery School Street, be named Chief Asuzu Okoro street, in my favour.

This is for the information of Isolo L.C.D.A and the general public

LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to inform the general public that the Certificate of Occupancy registered as No. 95 at page 95 in volume 1991 AG of Lands Registry Office,Ikeja,Lagos belonging to Olusegun Kayode Ahmadu of Plot 40,Block 1,OjotaOgudu G.R.A,Shomolu LGA,Lagos State got lost in transit. All efforts to trace it proved abortive.

Signed: Olusegun Kayode Ahmadu

PUBLIC NOTICE ON RE-NAMING OF STREET I, Paul .C. Okoye wish to inform the general public that I have applied to Isolo Local Council Development Area, that the street known as Akiti Avenue /Close, off Okota Road, be re-named as CHALON AVENUE in my favour. This publication is for the information of the landlords and residents of Akiti Avenue/Close and the general public.

The institution was strongly criticised in June 2011 when Wade introduced a bill stating that if the president resigned, died or was unable to carry out his duties, he would be replaced by the vice-president.

Many of Wade’s critics claimed he was setting up a system for his son Karim, who held a ministerial post, to succeed him, but Wade denied having such “monarchical” plans.

He was defeated at the polls by Sall in March after

12 years in office.

The legislation, approved by the lower house on Wednesday, will shortly go before the 100-member Senate itself, before it is passed by Congress, which unites both houses, and then signed into law by Sall.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

PUBLIC NOTICE

This is to inform the general public that the original and Certify true copy of the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory Re-certification and Recertification of C of O with File No. OS 122 dated 27th April, 2005 and other documents relating to the property situate at Plot No. 722 Cadastral Zone B06 dated 02/05/03 of new file no OS 10229 belonging to me FUNSHO OMOTOSHO of 38, Adegbola Street, off Anifowoshe, Ikeja, Lagos got lost in transit. All efforts to trace it proved abortive.

OKEKE I, formerly known and addressed as Okeke Olivia Uchechi now which to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nwachukwuguru Olivia Uchechi. All former documents remain valid.

Institution of Management and Technology Enugu, NYSC and general public should take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE OFFOMAH I, formerly known and addressed as OFFOMAH ESTHER CHIZOBA now which to be known and addressed as CHUKWUMA ESTHER CHIZOBA. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY INFORMED OF THE LOSS of ORIGINAL Document of House No 7 Onanbola Street Pedro Bariga Lagos Belonging TO Alhaja Wosilat Tinuke Khalidson .The citation of the property is no 100 at page 100 in volume 1771 lodged at the land registry lagos.the general public should note that the property is NOT FOR SALE OR MORTGAGE.

PUBLIC NOTICE AMA-HAUSA TRADERS ASSOCIATION OWERRI The general public is hereby notified that the above named association has been applied to the corporate affairs commission for registration under part C of the companies and allied matters act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE 1.

Engr. hassan Yahaya Babidi 2.

Alh. Ibrahim Yau 3.

Alh. Mohammed Abdullahi (77) 4.

Alh. Aminu Abubarkar (Mai Akoi) 5.

Mallam Lawan Abdullahi 6.

Alh. Husseini Muazu 7.

Alh. Haruna Abdulqadir (HARO) 8.

Alh. Abdulqadir Shuaibu 9.

Alh. Usman Iliyasu 10.

Alh. Abdulhamid Haruna 11.

Alh. Garba Sule AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To promote peaceful co-existence among members and the general public 2. To collectively support any developmental programme of the host community Any objection to the registration should be forwared within twenty-eight (28) days to the Registar general Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420 Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja SIGN: ENGR. HASSAN YAHAYA BABIDI

62

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

THE NATION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

63

TODAY IN THE NATION

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

A

FTER the initial shock occasioned by the horror of senseless killings in the name of God, I often wonder if I am alone in my puzzlement over the rationale.

The logic of the position of perpetrators of horror on behalf of the deity and/or his prophets goes like this: My God has been abused or demeaned.

It is right and proper to defend the defenceless.

My God is defenceless.

Therefore it is right for me to defend my God. Defending my God requires inflicting harm on the abuser.

Therefore it is right to inflict harm on the abuser.

If this does not represent the reasoning of the deity defenders, then that reasoning defies logic. What else could be the driving force or motivating factor? Of course, we could discountenance their rationality and that is how we have always dismissed the onceupon-a-time occasional outbursts of religious violence. They are just fanatics, we surmise, and they are on the fringe of rationality.

While this might be true, I want to pursue a line of reasoning that grants some rationality to the perpetrators of religious violence. I want to assume that they are as rational as everyone else and try to delve into the logic of their conduct. In any case, in light of the fact that these are no longer rare occurrences, it behoves us to pay attention. More to the point, my assumption of some element of rationality driving the agents of death in the name of God appears to be supported by our efforts to dialogue with them.

Let me also emphasise the point that deity defenders and prophet protectors are not the monopoly of any one religion—at least not confined to any one of the proselytising or Abramic religions. Christianity had its crusade just as Islam had, and still has its jihad.

So the position I advance here is an equal opportunity challenge to the logic of any religion that has its share of deity defenders.

If the argument above fairly represents the logic of deity defenders and prophet protectors credited with rationality, we have a simple task to challenge its soundness.

Let the truth of the first premise be assumed—God has been abused and demeaned.

And let us grant the truth of the principle that it is right and proper to defend the defenceless. The third premise of the argument which appears to present God as a defenceless being is one of two premises that appear to violate the logic of good judgement. Stating that God is defenceless, for all intents and purposes, appears to be more blasphemous than the original act of blasphemy that the deity defender is determined to protest. For it detracts from the omnipotence of God and presents human pretenders to power and strength as superior to the deity.

RIPPLES 2015 NOT ON JONATHAN’S AGENDA - Okupe

When did he tell you, Sir? ...INFORMATION MINISTER

VOL.7 NO.2,248

‘Nigerians are justified in being cynical about Onolememen’s capacity to deliver on this job. They point to his godfather, Chief Tony Anenih, who had a similar opportunity to fix the road when he held a similar position during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s time but he left the highway worse than he met it’ STEVE OSUJI

SEGUN GBADEGESIN gbadegesin@thenationonlineng.net

Deity defenders and prophet protectors ‘

It is difficult to see how defending a God or prophet must warrant harming people, including innocent ones who are not responsible for the insult in the first place. After all, the deities and prophets are acknowledged as peace, loving. It cannot be otherwise

’

•Chris Stevens, the American Ambassador to Libya, who was killed on Tuesday

Yet, if the assumption that God is defenceless is untrue, the foundation on which deity defenders rest their action is exposed as spurious. But if it is true, then the whole edifice of religion tumbles down. How can anyone rationally believe in a defenceless God or justify confidence in the ability of a weak deity? Given this dilemma, the position of deity defenders is clearly absurd. The truth of the premise that God is defenceless puts

them in an awkward position of worshipping a weak and defenceless God. Its falsity puts them in a position of doing on God’s behalf what he can do for himself.

I think we can all agree that God can defend himself and His prophets don’t need us to fight their cause. This was Martin Luther’s assurance when he suffered tribulation and persecution after he engaged the Church in his historic reformation efforts. “A mighty fortress is our God”, he proclaimed; “a bulwark never failing; our helper he amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing. For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; his craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal. Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing, were not the right man on our side, the man of God’s own choosing?

Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is

HARDBALL

he; Lord Sabaoth is his name, from age to age the same and he must win the battle.”

Among the 99 names of Allah are the ones that describe his power and strength. Allah is As-Salaam, the source of peace and safety; Al-Muhaymin, the Guardian and Protector; Al-Aziz, the Almighty, the defeater who is not defeated; and Al-Fattah, the Victory Giver. All these appear to deny the truth of the position of those who would take it upon themselves to defend God against blasphemers. What else then could be going on?

It appears to me that what is going on is that we make the deity and the prophets in our own image, and that is the macho man image. Even when we acknowledge that God can defend himself, and when we understand that vengeance is his, we cannot let go and let God because we feel insulted when our God is insulted. It is akin to the story of the dutiful son who feels insulted by an assault on his papa. Even when his old man contends that he can take care of himself or has decided to brush aside the insult, the son makes himself the victim. The personalisation of perceived harm to the deity and the prophets goes to the heart of the turmoil of our contemporary experience. Unfortunately, knowing that it has no basis in spirituality or religiosity and that it is purely selfserving will not make it go away.

The second offending premise is the one that describes the means and the instrument of defending the deity. “Defending my God requires inflicting harm on the abuser.” If you wonder why this proposition is assumed, the answer is that it is the only way to make sense of the violence that has become an integral part of any protest against what deity defenders and prophet protectors consider an abuse of their God. It is difficult to see how defending a God or prophet must warrant harming people, including innocent ones who are not responsible for the insult in the first place. After all, the deities and prophets are acknowledged as peace, loving. It cannot be otherwise. If they are creators of human beings and are intent on promoting the good of their creatures, they have to endorse peace and prohibit violence and harm. It follows then that whoever claims to defend a deity by inflicting harm on the creatures of the deity are engaged in a fundamental confusion of the mind. And only the deity can cure such confusion.

•For comments, send SMS to 08057634061

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

They won’t even let us share their pains…

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OMETHING curious happened at the London Olympics. During Michelle Obama’s visit to Team USA training camp, the 1.80m (5’11’’) and about 75kg (165lbs) American First Lady was scooped off the ground by American wrestler, Elena Pirozhkova, who herself is a mere 1.65m (5’5’’) and 63kg (138lbs). The point is not that the First Lady connected with the American representatives as the wife of a leading political figure should, or that the wrestler asked for permission to scoop Obama up like a rag doll, and did it with aplomb that belied her size.

What was curious was the effortless connection between the First Lady and someone with neither name recognition nor status in the American society. Lifting the First Lady illustrates the worldview of the American politician, a worldview that has seen the obliteration, in the electoral sense, of the iron curtain dividing social classes, a worldview that has rendered the dividing line between the leaders and the led either impotent or artificial.

A few days ago (we are not told whether what happened was inspired by the incident with Michelle in London), a restaurateur, Van Duzer, also gave President Barack Obama a bear hug and lifted him from the ground as he stopped by at that eatery during his campaign in Florida. Both Duzer and Obama were mighty pleased with the bonhomous side attraction, and it allowed the public many peeps into the mindset of the most powerful Presi-

dent on earth, the inescapable beauty of the American democratic process, and the fact that such bonhomie does not vitiate the aura, allure, drama and energy of the most powerful office on earth.

Merely considering these two examples makes the Nigerian wistful. He reflects on the British monarchy and the stately elegance of the Queen of England; and as he considers all the panoply of pomp and poetry and nursery rhymes that swaddle it, he sighs with painful regret. For neither the Nigerian Presidency, which he considers burdensome, nor the ubiquitous monarchies scattered around him have risen in solemnity and dignity to half what Great Britain has evinced for centuries. Then the Nigerian encounters the delicate mixture of grace, affability and power of the American Presidency, and he marvels at both the intricate alchemy that has brought together in enviable harmony the lofty elements of human behaviour and the very thoughtful constitution that undergirds, nourishes and stimulates the American of all classes.

The Nigerian has little choice but to ponder on these things as his presidents ensure that the lines that separate the leader from the led, lines drawn during colonialism, are accentuated by one of the world’s worst perceptions of power. Nigerian presidents do not allow the citizen to share in their triumphs, in their joys, and in their ambitions. They cannot communicate their visions, and cannot connect

with the people. It is, therefore, not surprising that they cannot even let the citizen share in their pains and in their defeats.

This was why Hardball on September 5 penned the following in a piece, entitled: Dame Patience and the Unofficial Secrets Act: “While the tragicomedy of Yar’Adua’s battle with heart and kidney diseases lasted, the government failed to harness the empathy the public felt for the beleaguered First Family and the goodwill emotive Nigerians could have lent his government. This comical affliction of living in denial is apparently still running rampant in the Presidency, especially seeing how paralysed they seem over managing the information side of the First Lady’s (Dame Patience) indisposition. Whether under Yar’Adua or under Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, whose wife Stella stole out to Spain to have a surgery and died in the process, or still under the Jonathan Presidency, it is clear the Nigerian Presidency still casts nostalgic eyes towards colonial and military eras when the Official Secrets Act often stopped any speculation about top government officials and their wives dead in its tracks.”

It must be hard on the Nigerian. He is denied inspiring leadership; he is oppressed; he is perplexed; he is robbed of the good things that make life tolerable or exciting; and now he is even denied common empathy, the last feeling in him that reminds him of his humanity.

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