The Nation September 17, 2014

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BENJAMIN ‘BLACK SCORPION’ ADEKUNLE (1936 -2014)

My dad, by Benjamin Adekunle’s son LIFE Pages 15/16

The country has not been fair to him ... So, for him to die almost unnoticed in this hole of a home is quite a pity. What is the use sending him flowers in the graveyard when he cannot smell it? —Gen. Akinrinade NEWS Pages 2-3&8

Synagogue tragedy: South Africa mourns 67 citizens We’re grieving, says Zuma

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By Precious Igbonwelundu

HE grim picture of the Synagogue tragedy was laid bare yesterday, with South African President Jacob Zuma announcing that 67 of its citizens died in last Friday’s building collapse in Lagos.

“I am greatly saddened to announce that 67 South Africans died and scores of others sustained injuries, after a building at the Synagogue Church of All Nations collapsed on Friday,” Zuma said in a statement.

At least five South African church tour groups were at the Synagogue at the time of the collapse, according to officials.

The number of South African dead exceeds the previously known toll for the disaster, a grim signal that the number of fatalities may rise further.

Nigerian officials at the site said yesterday that the death toll had climbed up to 63, up from 49 on Monday.

Zuma said South Africa was grieving.

“Not in the recent history of our country have we had this large number of our people die in one incident outside the country.

“Our thoughts are with the families, friends and colleagues that have lost their loved ones in this heart-breaking tragedy. The whole nation shares the pain of the mothers, fathers, daughters and sons who have lost their loved ones. We are all in grief.”

Zuma said he had ordered government departments to help family members get to Nigeria to identify the bodies of their loved ones, and repatriate the remains as soon as possible.

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Continued on page 4

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

•President, Women Arise Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin speaking during an Ebola awarnes campaign in Lagos...yesterday. With her are actors and celebrities (from left) Mr Babatunde Tokunbo (Dejo Tufulu), Jide Kosoko, Mrs Foluke Daramola-Salako, Ojo Arowosafe (Fadeyi Oloro), Mr Saidi Balogun, Mr Gbenga Adeyinka and others

Ebola: NUT vows to shun schools Monday •PAGES 7&59

Jonathan meets security chiefs over seized $9.3m Pastor Oritsejafor confirms link with aircraft

STORY ON PAGE 4

•LIFE P15 •SPORTS P24 •MONEY P26 •INVESTORS P28 •POLITICS P45 •FOREIGN P59

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

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Adekunle… T

• Partner, KPMG, Joseph Tegbe(left) greeting the Managing Director , Stanbic IBTC Bank, Yinka Sanni during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the bank’s appointment as Provider of Payment Services to the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) Plc in Abuja... yesterday. With them is Managing Director, Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) Rumundaka Wonodi .

PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

• Minister Of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alisonmadueke (left) and Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr Joseph Dawha at a Stakeholders Forum on Environmental Restoration of Ogoniland in Abuja...yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

•From left: Chairman, Personnel Practitioners Consultative Association (PPCA), Mrs Ifeoma Onwuachu, Guess Speaker Dr. John P. Wilson, Past Chairman, PPCA, Mrs Ijeoma Enekwa, and Mr. Jide Ologun during the association’s annual lecture and luncheon in Lagos.

• From left: Managing Director, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Olanrewaju Jaiyeola, Chairman, Dr. Oba Otudeko, Company Secretary, Oluwayemisi Busari and Non-Executive Director, Obafemi Otudeko at the Fifth Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the company in Lagos...yesterday.

His compatriots had many things to say about him when he was alive. Some put such thoughts in writing. Those who did not put their views in writing also found other ways to express them. Gen. Benjamin Adekunle came out in these thoughts as a man misunderstood and neglected, writes OLAYINKA OYEGBILE, Deputy Editor (Sunday)

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EN. Benjamin Maja Adekunle, who died on September 14, was different thing to different people. Since his death, the social and traditional media have been awash with tributes and condemnations of what he stood for.

These were not unexpected. He was a controversial man and was like the carcass of a dead elephant amidst a crowd of the blind. The blind who held its trunk called it the leg of a big mammal while the one that held the leg called it another thing. Each of the perceptions of the fallen elephant to each was informed by at what end he stood. So was Gen. Adekunle, both in life and in death.

Some have labelled him a “murderer”. To others, he was a “saviour”.

One would not have expected anything less of such a man. He lived and died in a blaze of controversy. He was a man who was mostly misunderstood and his place in history still remains neglected and ignored.

The late war hero was a typical Ogbomoso man. He was more known outside his hometown. This was because he lived almost all his life outside his ancestral home. He was born in Kaduna and his mother hailed from Bachama, Adamawa State. He joined the army in search of life fulfillment. Did he find that fulfillment? It is actually difficult to say because he left the war front where his command, the 3 Marine Commando, was a very crucial sector in the prosecution of the Civil War! He was recalled to the Army headquarters in a controversial circumstance, which perhaps left him devastated because he was not allowed to savour the victory of his command. This glory was left for the then Col. Olusegun Obasanjo, who later became not only a General but a twoterm President. Gen Adekunle’s misfortune (or something akin to that) could be said to be Gen. Obasanjo’s fortune.

Perhaps because of the manner in which he left the war front he was never the same again until last week when he died. He became a recluse; he withdrew from all public and social activities and never allowed himself to be drawn into any political comments on the country.

In Ogbomoso, where he hailed from he was the Asipa of the town, a traditional title that well-suited his life. Asipa is the War Leader. As a man, who played a prominent role in the country’s civil war, this was not unexpected. However, not many

•Books in which the late Gen. Adekunle was either praised or condemned

•The late Gen. Adekunle people in the town, especially among the young ones ever knew him. He was installed as Asipa by the monarch of the town, Oba Olayode, who was later rebelled against by the citizens and murdered. His murder devastated the late General and he never perhaps forgave the people for this act, leading to his long absence from the town of his birth.

The late General was perhaps too great a man to be linked with one town. He was a Nigerian first and foremost. During the Second Republic, when most of the people of his part of the country belonged to the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), he rather tried to organise students for the defunct Nigeria Peoples Party (NPP) led by the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. This, according to Mr. Dapo Atanda, who was then a student leader at the University of Lagos, showed the kind of world view he held. Atanda, who is now a lawyer based in Ogbomoso, said: “He called me then and said I should mobilise students to form a student wing of the NPP. We tried to do this but he was such a busy man and anytime we go to him, it is either we never saw him or he was too busy.” That haws how the idea flopped.

On the kind of a man he was, Atanda said: “He was clearly a misunderstood man, he was different things to different people. But one thing that can never be taken away from him is that he loved Nigeria, he

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

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… The man, the myth, the reality

fought to keep it one.”

Another prominent Ogbomoso man, Gen. Oladayo Popoola, a former Governor of Oyo and Ogun states, said the role Gen. Adekunle played in uniting the country cannot be diminished. According to him, “Gen. Adekunle was a hero of the civil war.

His contributions made the war to end in time. It was because his Command opened the axis towards the coast that the war ended at the time it did. He coordinated the Armed Forces very well.”

Asked how to situate his assessment of the late war hero’s role and people’s criticism of his style during the war, Gen. Popoola retorted: “Nobody is perfect. There is no way some people will not be against a war General. He did his best for his country.”

When such criticism was directed at him during the late Gen Adekunle lifetime, he has simply said he had a war to win!

The late war hero was as such a man that aroused different emotions from diverse people. Not two peoples would perhaps agree with each other on his life. That was his life. To some, according to Bernard Odogwu, who was Director of Biafra’s Directorate of Military Intelligence in his book No Place to Hide -Crises and Conflict Inside Biafra, the late General at his appointment was “dismissed just as “the officer who spent all his time as Dr. Akanu Ibiam’s Ade-de-Camp and had lost touch with the military.” He concluded: “And yet when the time came, Adekunle had so terrorised them to the extent that only very few had the courage to oppose him in combat.”

Celebrated British author Frederick Forsyth, in his book, The Making of an African Legend: The Biafran Story, called him “Colonel ‘Shoot anything that moves.’ He was really the Black Scorpion, thorn in the flesh of rebels.

A saviour and liberator Whereas many Igbo view him as a ruthless and wicked soldier, to some others in the Southsouth, he was a saviour and a liberator of their people from the pains of war.

One of those who would forever be grateful to the late General was the late Ken Sawo-Wiwa, who in his war memoir, On a Darkling Plain, almost devoted a chapter to the heroic exploits of Gen. Adekunle. It bears quoting him copiously. The late environmentalist said: “It seems appropriate here to say a few words about the bril-

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In my interaction with him over the next year or two, I found him approachable, generous and open, with a great sense of humour. It is true that when he had to deal with his subordinates in the force, he was firm and seemed to terrorise them

He was clearly a misunderstood man, he was different things to different people. But one thing that can never be taken away from him is that he loved Nigeria, he fought to keep it one

––––Saro-Wiwa

––––Gen. Popoola

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liant officer (Adekunle) who scored such tremendous success in the civil war. Born in 1938 (actually 1936) to a Yoruba father and a Bachama mother (a minority ethnic group), he trained at Sandhurst and came to prominence when he was entrusted with the command of the troops sent to Bonny. The rebel entry into the Mid-West meant that he was diverted for a time from Bonny and the Southeast of the country to the South-west.

“I met him for the first time in November 1967, after my appointment as Administrator, when I was introduced to him by Chief Harold Biriye, to whose sister he was married. Slight of frame, of medium height and by no means handsome, his exploits at Bonny and the Mid-West had already made him famous. I must confess that I had expected a different type of officer.

“At that first meeting, he was gentle, solicitous and cheerful, although he appeared fairly worn out, having just returned from a meeting. It is possible that being introduced by a famous and older brother-in-law, to whom he was just “Benjy”, made a lot of difference.

But in my interaction with him over the next year or two, I found him approachable, generous and open, with a great sense of humour. It is true that when he had to deal with his subordi-

nates in the force, he was firm and seemed to terrorise them. But, I thought and still think that I detected there a posturing, a mask which he wore because he so perfectly understand the mentality of the Nigerian.

For it must be remembered that he was not the Commander of a highly trained disciplined corps. The bulk of his men were illiterate, inexperienced and raw. Most of them had never heard the sound of gunfire.

Some believed that charms could save them from bullets. Again apart from the very top echelon, he could not attest to the quality of training of his officers. In short, it was an unusual corps, in an unusual war. In such a situation, the African mentality fears the masquerade. The man in the masquerade is vulnerable, but the masquerade is beyond reach, a myth. Adekunle tried to be that myth. And it worked.”

During the civil war, so many myths were woven around his personality. Most of this had to do with his ancestry. It was believed and widely circulated that his Bachama mother had “soaked him” in her people’s juju and coupled with his Yoruba origin, he had been “soaked” and well “cooked”. All these perhaps made him more mystical and were a folk hero and war leader who report-

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edly died several times from rebel bullets. In fact, there was a common one that when he was shot and killed, the rebels cut him into pieces and poured the flesh one in River Niger and the other in River Benue. According to the myth, when his mother heard, she made “consultations” and his charred flesh were swept down the two rivers and when they met at the confluence of the River in Lokoja, they merged again and he walked back to the war front to the admiration of his troops. So much for a man of controversy and the myth narrated here by Saro-Wiwa.

The late Saro-Wiwa continued: “He drove himself and his men hard.

He built a creditable organisation from nothing and the pressures on him as Commander were many, not least the way the men at the rear were often blissfully unaware of the tremendous pressure of the battle front...

“As I have pointed out, he was not lacking in compassion. He took great care of Ibo lives and property, ensuring that “refugees” were well treated and cared for, he decreed harsh punishments for looters. I may be wrong, but I would certainly vote him one of the most Nigerian top military bras that I have met.

“If his career suffered a setback towards the end of the war, it was pos-

sibly because he did not know how to handle his great success, his stardom. But this is not unusual. Publicity, which he courted, is normally a double-edged sword. It can be easily turned against those for whom it roots. What Adekunle needed, above all else, was a public relations man.”

However, under his watch and command, the fall of Owerri by the federal troops led to the change of guards and Col. Adekunle, along with Cols Haruna and Shuwa of first and second divisions, were all replaced. According to Saro-Wiwa: “The loss of his Command was very painful to Colonel Adekunle. The send-off party given him by his officers was a very emotional affair- on the part of the “Black Scorpion”. He wept openly. He had built the Division from the scratch, had won significant military successes, had become a national hero and had obtained international attention. The reality that he was about to give up all, or most of that, did not sit down well with him. He had had power which he enjoyed exercising and would definitely flow therefrom. That was not to be. There is an Ogoni proverb which says “He who roasts the yam does not eat it.” Colonel Adekunle had roasted the yam, I should say he ate some of it, the honour of eating all of it fell on Colonel Obasanjo.”

What an apt observation. The then Col. Obasanjo who replaced the then Col. Adekunle as commander of the division who now had the honour of receiving the instruments of surrender from the rebel forces was later to write a war memoir, My Command, which was published in a hail of controversy. In that book he had this to say about his predecessor, “Col Adekunle, at this juncture, saw the war not only in terms of crushing a rebellion, but also as a means of building himself up for any political position or responsibility which he might seek. I knew people of Western State origin who had felt politically victimised and who saw Col Adekunle a saviour and told him so, and he believed them.”

Today, it is clear who saw in the war and got from it “a means of building himself up for any political position or responsibility.”

Great men are always controversial even in death. This is the lot of Gen.l Benjamin Maja Adekunle, a real war hero.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (middle), Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Olusola Oworu (third right), representative of Aliko Dangote Group and Executive Director, Dangote Group of Companies, Mr. Mansur Ahmed (left), Head of Chinese Chancery in Lagos, Mr. Liu Kan (second left), Vice President, Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Varkey Verghese (third right), Managing Director, Lekki Free Zone, Mr. Ding Yonghua (left) and the President, Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Remi Bello (right) during the 4th Lagos Corporate Assembly tagged, “BRF Meets Business”, organized by the Lagos State Ministry of Commerce and Industry at Lekki Free Zone, Akodo, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

Death toll hits 63 as woman emerges from debris of collapsed building

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OUR days after the collapse of a six-storey building at the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) in Lagos, a woman yesterday walked out of the debris – unhurt, except for a minor bruise on her wrist.

The woman, believed to be about 45 years old, walked out from the basement on her own at about 2am, and was taken to an undisclosed hospital.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and some church members confirmed the development. The woman’s identity was not given nor was she presented to the media for confirmation.

But The Nation gathered that family members of the woman, who has been the only one rescued alive since Sunday, have started asking questions on her whereabouts.

The death toll from the disaster has reached 63. Emergency workers said more bodies could be recovered from the debris.

LASEMA General Manager

Synagogue tragedy: South Africa mourns 67 citizens Continued from page 1

But as at yesterday, rescuers said 63 bodies had been brought out of the rubble although rescue efforts were ongoing.

Reacting to Zuma’s claim, Southwest spokesman of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Ibrahim Farinloye, said he might be right because they have documented evidence of their members who came to Nigeria for spiritual exercise at SCOAN. He said: “The South African Ambassador Lulu Louis Mnguni has been coming here.

Like I told you earlier, it is an international operation and so we cannot hide anything.

“The various embassies have records of their

By Precious Igbonwelundu and Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

Dr. Femi Oke-Osayintolu and the Southwest spokesman for NEMA, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, said it was not an impossible situation for the woman to have come out alive and strong. They referred to the incident in Haiti where a child was rescued alive after 21 days.

Osayintolu said the agencies had recovered 63 bodies and res-

nationals, their passport numbers, copies of visas, names and other necessary information.

“Why I said they may not be wrong is because we have not concluded rescue operations and we believe more people are trapped in the debris.

“The church told us they suspect that more members are in the rubble but they did not give us figures as to the number of people suspected to still be there.

“The South African Ambassador, who has been meeting with the church, did not disclose anything to us. The church also did not disclose information, so, I cannot tell you if they are wrong or right.

“What I know is that so far, we have recovered 63 bodies and 131 persons have been rescued alive.

Rescue operations are still ongoing,” he said.

cued 131 people, who are being treated at various hospitals.

“The rescue and recovery operations are ongoing. All stakeholders are on ground and we are approaching ground zero strategically. The survivors are responding to treatment. All 63 bodies recovered have been deposited in government mortuaries,” said Osayintolu.

Farinloye said: “In the course of an all-night operation, an average woman of about 45 years

was successfully brought out alive from the debris. She came out strong and healthy but had little injury on her wrist.

“I do not know her name or nationality. At this level, we do not question victims until they are fully stabilised because of the psychological trauma. She came out within the rubble because there are spaces under which gave her way to move in and out to get fresh air throughout her

are gradually coming under the control of the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunnah Lid Da Wati Jihad known as Boko Haram.

He said such local government share international boundaries with Cameroon, Niger and Chad Republic and that “ most government officials and civil servants had fled the area while the members of the Boko Haram operate freely unhindered in

military camouflage uniforms.

“The military in the areas have been overpowered by the insurgents. Sometime in early part of this month, the sect members took total control of Marte local government where they openly organized public preaching in the market, particularly in Kerenuwa town.

The House observed a minute silence for the soldiers who lost their lives fighting insurgency.

Continued on page 57

House donates N200m to terrorism victims’ support fund

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HE House of Representatives yesterday donated N200m to support victims of terrorism.

Speaker Aminu Tambuwal announced that the House would contribute N200 million into the terrorism victims’ support fund, shortly before the lawmakers went into a closeddoor session.

This was sequel to the debate

From Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja

on a motion by a member, Mohammed Tahir Mongunu (APC, Borno).

The lawmaker, in the motion titled: “ Boko Haram takes over parts of northern Borno including Marte Local Government Area,” raised the alarm that many local government area in Northern Borno and other parts

Boko Haram: Nigeria is at war, HE Boko Haram insursays Senate gency in the northeast re-

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ceived prominent attention yesterday as the National Assembly resumed plenary after two months recess.

Lawmakers from Borno State recounted the attacks on their people and the implications of insurgency on their socio-economic lives .

While the Senate declared that Nigeria was already at war and Senate President David Mark insisted that it must be won, the House donated N200m to the victims’ funds created by the federal government.

The senate unanimously adopted a resolution asking President Goodluck Jonathan to take necessary steps to declare total war on Boko Haram insur-

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C

Continued on page 57

Tambuwal knocks Jonathan over illegal electioneering campaigns

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HE leadership of the House of Representatives yesterday expressed concern over the “desperation” of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its supporters in staging campaigns - in violation of the Electoral Act. The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the House of Representatives, has threatened to sue President Goodluck Jonathan and any other persons sponsoring various campaign groups, including Transformation Ambassador of Nigeria (TAN) and some electronic media houses, for violating the provisions of the Electoral Act. Section 99 (1-3) of the Elector-

Jonathan meets security chiefs over seized $9.3m

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan met yesterday with some security chiefs over the $9.3m arms deal that went away in South Africa, a source said.

Jonathan reportedly demanded “full briefing” on how South African security agents impounded the cash from two Nigerian and an Israeli in Pretoria after it was flown in by a private jet.

The Nigerians and the Israeli were said to have told security agents that the money was meant for some arms purchase.

Security chiefs, it was learnt, defended the arms deal as “legitimate”.

Also yesterday, the Federal Government and South African authorities appeared to have struck some understanding on the matter.

Based on diplomatic understanding, the aircraft, a Challenger, and the crew have been released.

But a top intelligence official yesterday claimed that the transaction was “legitimate” and the facts had been made available to the South African government.

He said the arms order was based on “urgent security” con-

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Abuja

gents.

It mandated the leadership of the Senate and senators from the states mostly affected by the Boko Haram insurgency to meet with President Jonathan on the security challenge.

A motion by Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba and 107 Senators entitled: “Threat to national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nigeria by insurgents” was the tonic the lawmakers needed to call for decisive action against the onslaught of Boko Haram insurgents.

Ndume said, “I read in the Order Paper about a threat. It is no

From Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja

al Act states: “For the purpose of this Act, the period of campaigning in public by every political party shall commence 90 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day.

“A registered political party which through any person acting on its behalf during the 24 hours before polling day procures for publication or acquiesces in the publication of an advertisement in a newspaper for the purpose of promoting or opposing a particular candidate, commits an offence under this Act and upon conviction is liable to Continued on page 57

Pastor Oritsejafor confirms link with aircraft

HRISTIAN Association of Nigerian (CAN) President Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, yesterday explained his link with the Bombardier Challengers 600 jet which smuggled $9.3m cash into South Africa.

In a statement Pastor Oritsejafor admitted having an interest in Eagle Air Company that owns the Bombardier jet. He however said he had not been operating it.

The aircraft is with registration number N808HG. The pastor’s spokesman, Bayo Adewoye, in the statement on his behalf said: “The Word of Life Bible Church has been made aware of the recent media interest regarding an aircraft (Bombardier Challenger 600, Registration No N808HG) owned by The Company Eagle Air in which our Pastor, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, holds a residual interest.

“On behalf of Pastor Oritsejafor, we can confirm that although he holds an interest From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

cerns in Nigeria.

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that South Africa raised the alarm because of alleged abuse of protocol.

A highly-placed source said: “For more than five hours, the President met with some intelli-

Bolaji Ogundele, Warri and Kelvin Osa Okunbor

in Eagle Air, the aircraft in question is not operated by Pastor Oritsejafor.

“The aircraft owned by Eagle Air Company, who have confirmed that since August 2, 2014, the aircraft has been leased to and is operated by Green Coast Produce Limited. This is a standard practice in the industry.

“Any and all enquiries in respect of the day-to-day operations of this aircraft are properly directed to the Management of Green Coast Produce Limited. We will be happy to help the authorities with any enquiries.”

The Eagle Air company in another statement by Emmanuel Ohaeri, said: “Our attention has been drawn to press reports in respect of an aircraft (Bombardier Challenger 600, Registration No N808HG) in which our company holds a residual interest.

gence and security chiefs on the arms deal.

“The security chiefs took time to explain that urgent security issues warranted the direct purchase of the arms.

“The President opted for full briefing to avoid any backlash on his administration. It will also

“We wish to confirm that the said aircraft has since August 2, 2014 been leased to and is operated by Green Coast Produce Limited.”

Admitting it operated the aircraft since August 2, Green Coast Produce Limited said it had been “running and managing charter services with the aircraft in accordance and compliance with global best practices.”

Giving the circumstances surrounding the South African trip, Green Coast Produce spokesman Dr Shima Adun said: “On the 5th of September 2014, the aircraft was hired from us by a John Ishyaku. The charter to John Ishyaku was upon the following documented terms: a) Depart Abuja-Johanessburg on the 5th of September 2014 b) Return to Abuja on the 6th of September 2014 c) To wait and return with the passen-

assist the government to come up with a clear position to the public. Now that the Presidency has the details, it is left to the government to clarify things.

“When the government speaks, you will get the details of what transpired on the $9.3million arms deal.”

Continued on page 57

South African police said yesterday that it investigating the cash haul - because the money was more than the amount travellers can bring into the country.

The cash was found stashed in the luggage of the two Nigerians and the Israeli, Eyal Mesika.

South African Customs offi-

•Pastor Oritsejafor

cials said it confiscated the cash from the three passengers who landed on a private jet that flew in from Abuja at Johannesburg’s Lanseria airport.

Their bags were searched “after customs officials detected irregularities in the luggage,” said South African Revenue Authority spokeswoman Marika Muller.

The cash, packed in 90 blocks of $100,000 each, was discovered on September 5 in two black Continued on page 57

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Sheriff in Maiduguri with 200 soldiers

ORMER Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff, accused of funding Boko Haram insurgents, arrived in Maiduguri, the state capital, on Monday with over 200 soldiers in his convoy.

He was there to pay a condolence visit to a friend, who lost his mother.

Senator Sheriff’s appearance at meetings in Chad between President Goodluck Jonathan and his Chadian counterpart, Idris Derby, has created a controversy.

Sheriff’s trip on a private jet shocked residents.

Analysts say his convoy and open demonstration of such lavish federal force and protection reopen the question as to his real relationship with President Jonathan and the future of any investigation of the sponsors of Boko Haram.

Residents and political observers expressed surprise about Sheriff’s huge convoy in view of President Jonathan’s denials. They

Atiku: I’m angry, upset about Boko Haram •‘INEC defective in conducting free, fair poll’

•APC accuses Fed Govt of harassing opposition wondered why 200 soldiers, who should be fighting Boko Haram, the sect Sheriff is allegedly funding, should instead be protecting him.

Efforts to obtain comments from presidential spokesman Reuben Abati, who issued a statement denying that Sheriff was in Chad with President Jonathan, were unsuccessful.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led Federal Government of systematically harassing members of the opposition.

It alleged that it was shielding suspected Boko Haram sponsor Ali Modu Sheriff from the law.

In a statement in Ilorin yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party decried the harassment and intimidation of Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje

of the APC during a visit to his constituency in Gombe State.

It said although Goje informed police authorities in the state of his visit and was provided with security, in the course of the visit, the policemen attached to him were withdrawn, while he was directed to cut short his engagements to answer a summon by the police commissioner.

APC said: “Shocked at the action, the lawmaker decided to conclude his visit, which included a meeting with his constituents, but the policemen stampeded him out of the venue. His attempt to stop over for another condolence visit was thwarted by the police, who stopped his convoy at every turn, as he made his way from Deba to Gombe town, just to embarrass him.

“When he finally arrived at Gombe town, he went to see the commissioner of police,

where he was kept for three hours in what amounted to an illegal detention. When the police commissioner finally saw the senator, he warned him to reduce his convoy to only two vehicles, without explaining why he withdrew his police security, why he detailed policemen to harass him or why he detained him for three hours.

“This action is wrong and unacceptable. The police is a national institution maintained by tax payers, and it cannot afford to turn itself into the enforcement arm of the ruling PDP, no matter the temptation.”

The party said as Goje, a former governor and serving senator was being tormented, another ex-governor and former senator, Ali Modu Sheriff, was arriving in Maiduguri, where the federal authorities provided him with massive security, including four truck-load of

soldiers, led by a Lt.-Col., about 50 SSS personnel, hordes of policemen and two armoured tanks to escort him from the airport to his home, which was also secured by armed troops and policemen.

It queried: “In the first instance, what qualified Sheriff, a suspected Boko Haram sponsor, for such a massive security, while another exgovernor and a serving senator was subjected to incredible indignity? Why has the Federal Government continued with its harassment and intimidation of opposition members, which played out massively at the Ekiti and Osun elections when many of them were arrested and detained without reason? Why has the Federal Government continued to abuse national institutions in an unprecedented manner?

“In any case, has the special

From Tony Akowe, Abuja

F

ORMER Vice President and a presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar, said yesterday in Abuja that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was defective in conducting free and fair elections.

He also said members of the party canvassing an automatic ticket for candidates were afraid of primaries.

Speaking with reporters at his home in Abuja, the ex-Vice President said asking him not to contest the presidential election is like asking him to give up on Nigeria, adding: “I cannot give up on Nigeria because I don’t have anywhere else to go.”

On the insecurity in the country, he said: “I am absolutely upset and angry with this insecurity situation. I don’t believe that as a country, we have done enough to secure this country. These bunch of Boko Haram insurgents have been operating for nearly four or five years now. Knowing Nigeria, we pride ourselves as having the best armed forces on this continent.

“I really don’t know where things went wrong. Is it the armed forces or the political leaders? I just can’t believe what is happening. I am not in a position to explain it because I am not in government. But I don’t believe that this is a situation that Nigeria would not have dealt a very fatal blow within three to six months.

“I remember that when we were in office, such a group wanted to emerge in Yobe State and we smashed that group completely within a couple of weeks. That such a group should be allowed to operate for four or five years in this country and even saying they have occupied part of the country, hoisting flag and nobody is doing anything is unbelievable.”

treatment given to Sheriff by the federal authorities not shown that he indeed has a special relationship with President Goodluck Jonathan, who made sure he (Sheriff) was part of his entourage during his visit to Chadian President Idriss Deby to discuss the Boko Haram terrorism, despite the barefaced lies by the Presidency? Do Nigerians still expect the same Federal Government, which is pampering Sheriff to investigate his alleged sponsorship of Boko Haram? Is it not clear now that President Jonathan is himself sabotaging his government’s fight against Boko Haram, on the altar of electoral desperation, by hobnobbing with a suspected sponsor of the terrorist group?”

APC said while the Jonathan administration was free to make itself a laughing stock by shielding Sheriff from justice and even bestowing special privileges on the suspect, it should desist from abusing its powers by constantly using the police and the military to torment the opposition.

It added: “We are documenting the abuses and in the fullness of time, we will present such to the nation as well as the international community to show the level of political intolerance, abuse of national institutions and the abridgment of citizens’ constitutional rights taking place under a democratically-elected government.”

NAFDAC arrests importers of expired anitisers, fake Ebola kits

By Wale Adepoju •From left: House of Representatives Leader Mulikat Akande Adeola, Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, at their resumption in Abuja... yesterday.

PHOTO ABAYOMI FAYESE

Lawyers to convicted soldiers: appeal sentence

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OME senior lawyers yesterday urged the 12 soldiers sentenced to death for alleged mutiny by a military court martial to exercise their right of appeal as provided in the 1999 Constitution.

Others urged the Army Council to temper justice with mercy by commuting the death sentence to terms of imprisonment.

Lagos lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) urged the military authority not to confirm the death sentence passed on the 12 soldiers for mutiny and other offences.

He urged the military authority to commute the death sentence passed on the soldiers to imprisonment in the interest of Justice.

The 12 soldiers are among 18 soldiers arraigned for mutiny for firing shots at the General Officer Commanding of 7th division of Nigerian Army, Major General Ahmed Mohammed on May 14 in Maiduguri.

The convicts were found guilty of criminal conspiracy, mutiny, attempt to commit murder, insubordination to a particular order and false accusation.

The General Court Martial which tried the group of 18 soldiers for mutinous acts had passed death sentence on 12 of them, jailed one for 28 days with hard labour and discharged and acquitted five of the charges preferred against them.

“However, if the death sentence of the Maiduguri 12 is confirmed by the Army Council, the

By Adebisi Onanuga and Joseph Jibueze

convicted soldiers are advised to take the case to the Court of Appeal”, he advised the convicts.

Falana remarked that the Court of Appeal is likely to follow its decision in the case of Yussuf and 21 others versus Nigerian Army (2003) 36 WRN 68 “wherein the sentence of life imprisonment passed on the appellants who had rioted at the Cairo Airport in Egypt was quashed. “It was the finding of the Court that the offense of mutiny complained of by the respondent was instigated by the officers who had diverted the medical allowances which ought to have been paid to the convicts while receiving medical treatment in Egypt”, he stated.

The erudite lawyer argued that the facts and circumstance of the mutinous act of the convicted soldiers should be taken into consideration.

Before the incident the soldiers at the Maimalari cantonment had complained of insufficient ammunition, food and allowances.

The visit of the GOC was said to have coincided with the arrival of the corpses of soldiers killed in an ambush in Chibok on the night of May 13, 2014.

It was the tragic situation which reportedly infuriated the soldiers.

Having investigated and con-

firmed the circumstances which led to the mutiny in question the military authorities removed the GOC. Falana pointed out that while mutiny cannot be condoned by the armed forces because it strikes at the foundation of discipline in the military, he emphasised that the 18 soldiers were erroneously charged under section 52(1) of the Armed Forces Act Cap A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

In the circumstance, the 12 convicts should have been charged under section 52(2) of the Armed Forces Act which provides for life imprisonment.

He noted that the General Officer Commanding whose car was shot at was not killed.

He said this explained why the soldiers were charged with attempted murder which does not attract the death penalty.

The lawyer recalled that in the case of the Akure 27, the convicted soldiers were equally charged with mutiny but convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.

He said the Army Council reduced the sentence of life imprisonment to 7 years and later pardoned the convicts.

He recalled that the fact that the allowances of the convicts who had served in Liberia were diverted by some military officers was taken into cognizance by the Army Council and informed the mitigation of their sentence.

Mallam Yusuf Ali (SAN), and Dr Joseph Nwobike (SAN) held divergent views on the issue.

Ali said: “Military criminal law is far more rigid than its civilian counterpart. Mutiny is a grave and grievous offence that carries death penalty if found guilty.

“I strongly pray the Army Council to temper justice with mercy. The soldiers should be given another opportunity in life.”

But Nwobike said the offence does not deserve a death sentence, adding that it should commuted to terms of imprisonment.

“If you look at the weight of the evidence as published in the newspapers, I think that the army council should commute it to a term of years of imprisonment.

“I do not even think it should be commuted to life imprisonment. It should be a term of 10 or 15 years.

“The underlining offence there really was mutiny. In modern times, there’s hardly any country in the world where you find offenders of mutiny being sentenced to death as was done in this case,” Nwobike said.

For Godwin Obla (SAN), the convicted soldiers should exercise their right of appeal. To him, call for the death sentence to be commuted to prison term is premature.

He said: “I’m interested in the case, at least to enhance the jurisprudence of our law in that area.”.

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HE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) said yesterday that it had arrested Mr. James Nnaji of 11, Oguta Road, Onitsha, Anambra State, for allegedly importing expired brands of hand sanitisers through the Nigeria Handling Company (NAHCO).

Its Director-General, Dr. Paul Orhii, said the products expired since December 29, 2012.

Orhii, who spoke with reporters, said the products would not have protected any user against the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) if used because they had expired.

Also arrested by the agency, was Mr. John Kolawole Ojewale of Multi Product Medical Supply Company, 7, Alhaji Isiaka Street, Ilasamaja, Lagos, for allegedly selling fake rapid response EVD test kits.

The kits, Orhii noted, were unevaluated and untested, adding that such was never mentioned in Geneva, Switzerland, where he attended a world conference on the containment of the Ebola virus.

Ojewale, he said, confessed that Lateef Bamisedun, of Starlink, 26, Akintunde Close, Onike, Yaba, Lagos imported the fake kits.

Orhii said the agency arrested the importer, adding: “He confessed that he imported the kits from Canada. Ojewale is already making contact with a company in China with a view to counterfeiting the ‘fake Ebola Rapid Diagnostic Cassette Test Kit’.”

The importation of the fake products, the DG said, could derail the efforts by Federal and Lagos State governments to contain the spread of EVD.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

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NEWS Gombe recruits 933 medical personnel

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OMBE State government has recruited 933 medical personnel to boost health care delivery services, Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo has said.

He spoke in Gombe at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the government and the Federal Ministry of Health.

The governor said the state established the College of Medical Science at the Gombe State University, the School of Nursing and the School of Health Technology as a long-term measure that would provide qualitative health personnel, who would man health institutions.

Dankwambo said with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the state would train more personnel at lesser cost. He added: “Now that the Federal Medical Centre has become a teaching hospital, consultant would have to be recruited in all fields of specialisation. For instance, while there are only 14 consultants in the Department

of Medicine at the moment, consultant for the 11 specialisations will be sought to facilitate effective teaching and learning.”

The governor, hailing the Federal Government for converting the former federal medical centre to a teaching hospital, said the state would benefit from the equipment for research and treatment, as well as employment opportunities, assuring of his government’s support.

He said N1.5billion has been committed of the clinical arm of the College of Medical Science, Gombe State University.

Governor Dankwambo urged the Federal Government to assist the state in facilitating the take-off of the college.

The Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, who signed on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Health, assured the governor of his ministry’s commitment to the actualisation of the MoU. He praised Dankwambo for providing health care facilities to the people.

Jonathan urged to vie for second term From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

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OCIO-political group, One Nigeria for Jonathan and Sambo (ONJS), has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to declare his re-election bid.

It said it has embarked on a campaign to enjoin the President to contest for a second term.

At the inauguration of a 28-man executive campaign team in Oyo State yesterday, the national coordinator of the group, Chuks Otikpo, a lawyer, said their motive was to lure Jonathan to re-contest the presidential poll next year.

Oil marketer denies diverting 10,000 metric tonnes of PMS

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By Adebisi Onanuga

N oil marketer, Opeyemi Ajuyah, accused of N1.1 billion fuel subsidy fraud, has denied the allegation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that she did not import 15,000 metric tonnes of PMS into the country.

Ajuyah told the court that the EFCC did not do enough investigation to verify its claim that the vessel, MT Brave, actually discharged 15,000 metric tonnes of PMS at Lister jetty.

Olanrewaju Ajanaku, who is representing the marketer, Ajuyah and her company, Majope Investment Ltd, spoke yesterday at the resumed trial of the defendants before Justice Lateefat Okunnu of a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja.

Ajuyah and her company are being prosecuted by the EFCC with another oil marketer, Abdullahi Alao and a worker of Sterling Bank Plc, Olanrewaju Olalusi.

Speaking through her counsel, Ajanaku, the oil marketer denied that she conspired with others to divert over 10,000 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirits.

Under cross examination by defence counsel, Ajanaku, an EFCC investigator, Mr. Effa Okim, admitted that an independent auditor, Mr. Ezekiel Ejidele, who supervised the transaction reported that 15,000 metric tonnes were discharged.

Ajanaku argued that the EFCC failed to do a thorough investigation of the transaction and tendered Ejidele’s statement to the commission.

The statement was admitted as exhibit by the court.

Ajanaku said the statement by Ejidele, a worker with Akintola Williams Delloite Auditing Firm, confirmed that 15,000 metric tonnes was discharged at the jetty.

Ajanaku further argued that the discharge certificates signed by the other surveyors, Q and Q Survey Ltd and Petroma Logistics Limited also revealed a discharge of 15,000 metric tonnes.

The EFCC investigator, Okim, at the last hearing on May 27 testified that the defendants collected subsidy payment based on claims that they imported 15,000 metric of petroleum product into the country.

Okim told the court then that investigations by the EFCC, however, showed that the vessel, MT Brave, only discharged 4,264 metric tonnes at the Lister Jetty in Apapa, contrary to the claims of the defendants.

He said the remaining product was allegedly diverted to an unknown destination by the defendants.

He alleged that Majope Investment Limited obtained a subsidy payment for 15,000 metric tonnes from the Petroleum Support Fund for the transaction.

The matter was adjourned till September 19 for continuation of hearing.

‘Missing policemen ‘ll soon return’ From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

•Governor Dankwambo (left) and Prof. Chukwu in Gombe…yesterday

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PHOTO: NAN

THE Federal Government has said the 20 policemen missing in Borno State would soon return to base.

Police spokesman Emmanuel Ojukwu, who spoke at the regular security briefing in Abuja, said efforts were on to locate them.

He, however, failed to give details on efforts being made to rescue them.

About 20 policemen are still missing after the terrorist group, Boko Haram, laid siege to the Police Training School in Gwoza, Borno State, a few weeks ago.

“The 20 missing policemen will soon return to base, efforts are on to locate them,” Ojukwu said.

He said the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is working to address the plight of the internally-displaced persons in Adamawa State and other parts of the North.

Jonathan, PDP caucus meet at Villa

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan met last night behind closed-doors with caucus members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the State House, Abuja.

At the meeting were the Vice President, Namadi Sambo, Senate President, David Mark, Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba and

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

Deputy Senate Leader, Abdul Ningi.

Governors at the meeting, which started by 8:37pm, were Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Jonah Jang (Plateau), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom) and Theodore Orji (Abia).

Others at the meeting were

the PDP Chairman, Adamu Muazu, PDP Deputy National Chairman, Uche Secondus, former PDP Chairman, Ahmadu Ali, PDP Board of Trustee (BoT) Secretary, Walid Jibril.

Also at the meeting were the Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Rufai Alkali, PDP National Women Leader, Kema Chikwe, Petroleum Minister, Diezani

Alison-Madueke, and Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke.

The meeting was still ongoing at press time.

The party’s BoT meeting will also hold at the Presidential Villa today ahead of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting slated for Thursday at the PDP National Headquarters, Abuja.

Nigeria gets $1m from AfDB to fight Ebola

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IGERIA has received a $1 million (N168 million) grant from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to fight the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

At the signing ceremony for the grant in Abuja yesterday, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, said yesterday’s “event is about the partnership of countries and institutions to support Nigeria’s successful efforts to contain Ebola.”

Nigeria, she said, “has done well as confirmed so far by the

By Nduka Chiejina (Assistant Editor)

World Health Organisation (WHO) and others. But we cannot afford to be complacent.

Lagos and Rivers governments also deserve commendation for their quick response. For the sake of Dr. Stella Adadevoh and other Nigerians, especially youths, who are our future, we cannot afford to be complacent.”

The AfDB Country Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Ousmane Dore, said the bank wants “to strengthen relevant institutions and response

‘

Nigeria, she said, “has done well as confirmed so far by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and others...

’

mechanisms in the battle against Ebola. It has a $60million fund to support the strengthening of health systems in West African countries to cope with Ebola and other diseases in the spirit of Afri-

can solidarity.”

The WHO country representative, Dr. Rui Gama Vaz, said the international health organisation “appreciates the efforts made by Nigeria to tackle Ebola. The results have been impressive and we know the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan has been a decisive factor. Ebola is an international issue, which requires international response.

The federal, Lagos and Rivers governments have done quite well in terms of quick response and allocation of resources.”

EFCC arrests two for ‘N1.3b fraud’

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HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said yesterday that it had arrested two suspected fraudsters, who allegedly defrauded a foreign investor of $7.9million (N1, 327, 200,000).

It said a businessman from the Middle East was swindled by the suspects.

A statement by the commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said the suspects lured the businessman to invest in the flourishing oil sector in Nigeria.

The statement reads: “The suspected fraudsters, Mr. Victor Uadiale and Captain Nnaji Everest, were arrested separately in connection to the scam.

“Uadiale, the principal suspect, is the arrow head of an international syndicate versed in defrauding international businessmen seek-

By Yusuf Alli

ing investment opportunities in the country.

“He allegedly invited the investor, a businessman from the Middle East, to invest in the flourishing oil sector in Nigeria.

“Using a pseudo name: Victor Emeka, he made the investor to visit Nigeria and received him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and thereafter flew him in a helicopter to a destination where he reportedly met a certain Mr. Grant, a member of the syndicate, who assured him of the credibility of the business arrangement.

“Convinced that Uadiale was real and the business promising, the investor started paying money in foreign currency into Uadiale’s offshore accounts from where they are laundered into bank accounts around

the world.

“A sum of $ 1,292,000 was traced to a Barclay’s Bank (United Kingdom) account of Captain Nnaji Everest, a member of Uadiale’s syndicate.

“Also, N1,599,602.58; N1,241,039,000; 894.79 Pound Sterling and $275.30 were traced to Uadiale’s accounts with one of the new generation banks in Nigeria and 391.93 Pound Sterling to another local bank.”

The commission said although one of the suspects, Uadiale, denied the alleged fraud, a business associate further exposed the deal.

The statement added: “In the course of investigation, Uadiale denied meeting or transacting any business with the foreign investor.

“He was, however, nailed by a business associate of the investor, who identified him as the fraudster that duped the investor and led opera-

•Uadiale

tives of the EFCC to Uadiale’s home in Festac Town, Lagos.

“Uadiale and Everest will soon be charged to court.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

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NEWS

•Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun addressing the crowd at the kickoff of his official Assessment Tour of local government areas at Imeko Afon... yesterday.

Resume on Sept 22, Jonathan appeals to NUT, other unions •Hails Fashola, Amaechi for containing Ebola

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has appealed to the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and other unions to resume work on Monday, September 22.

The president, who spoke with journalists at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, maintained that the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) has been successfully contained.

He explained that the government has taken adequate and globally accepted measures to check the spread of the disease.

Jonathan said the relevant authorities have put in place necessary equipment and gadgets at the nation’s airports as well as other entry points to stop any further importation of the disease.

He noted that keeping Nigerian schools closed over Ebola would send wrong signal to other countries and make them to treat all Nigerians travellers as Ebola carriers.

He said: “First I want to use this opportunity to thank all Nigerians in terms of managing the Ebola virus. This is one thing that the whole country came together and worked together to fight; there was no issue of politics, there was no issues of religion and there was no issues of ethnicity. In fact, that was why we were able to contain them.”

“If Nigerians did not agree, we wouldn’t have succeeded.

I use this opportunity to thank all the governors. Because I met with all the governors and all the commissioners for

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Teachers vow to shun schools

HE Federal Government came under fire yesterday as the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) directed its members to boycott classrooms on Monday, September 22.

This teachers’ position was contrary to the government’s order for primary and secondary schools to reopen on that date.

NUT said teachers would resume work on the September 22, if federal and state governments provide all necessary preventive equipment in schools.

President of the association, Michael Olukoya, gave the directive in Abuja, at a briefing with journalists after NUT’s National Executive Council (NEC), meeting.

He directed that except each state government provides training for teachers on handling of Ebola, make available infrared thermometer for the schools, including other facilities such as tap water, hand sanitiser, among others, teachers in such a state should not resume.

The NUT President said teachers were not opposed to the date given by the Federal GovFrom Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

health. And all the states set up machineries to manage the Ebola, if at all it turned up.”

Decrying restriction of Nigerians from entering some countries, he said: “Our athletes were segregated in China. They had to return to the country. A place like China asked Ministers of the Federal Republic to show prove of Ebola-free certificate; very discouraging.

“And what people don’t know is that as long as you close your institutions because of Ebola, the ambassadors that are here with us and the high commissioners send what you call dispatches to their home states about what is happening in our country monthly.

“As long as we Nigerians

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

ernment for the resumption, but that its members should not report in any of the schools, except the conditions are met.

His words: “The NUT is strongly of the opinion that it is better to delay the resumption of schools till October 13, 2014, even when the scourge would have been off months ago than to rush and open schools only to be faced with attacks of the EVD in the schools.

“It makes more sense to be doubly sure than to operate on shaky grounds of uncertainty and probability, as it will be a catastrophe of unimaginable dimension, if by any act of omission, we rush and open schools and end up with even one primary or secondary schools being infected by the virus.

“But, where the Federal Government insists on the September 22 date in spite of the wise counsel, the union will rather direct teachers to resume schools whenever they are sufficiently trained and their schools have been provided with the necessary preventive and protective gadgets.”

close all our public institutions because of Ebola, the dispatches that goes to the whole world is that Ebola is a problem in Nigeria. And as long as we declare that Ebola is a problem in Nigeria, any Nigerian that travels out will be treated as someone that has Ebola.”

The president, who stressed that Ebola is presently not a problem in Nigeria, said: “We have been able to manage Ebola and the whole world is happy with us and we must tell the whole world that we have managed Ebola and no Nigerian should be segregated because of Ebola.

“In fact, Osun State was to have their festival and the news came to me to cancel it.

I said no. Ebola is no longer a threat in Nigeria and we must tell the world that we have been able to contain it.

“Yes, Ebola is in the West Coast. It could happen in Ghana, it could happen in Senegal or any of the West African countries or beyond.

But they have not closed down their institutions. If we still have Ebola, definitely, we will not open any of our institutions, but we don’t have Ebola.”

He added: “I dare ask, is NUT saying that until the world is able to end Ebola in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone before Nigeria should open our institutions? It is not right. Government is not a fool. It is not any labour body that asked us to take that decision. We took it because we felt that we must protect our citizens.

“This is one government that discusses with anybody that has issues to discuss. Even NUT has no reason to threat-

en industrial action because of Ebola; the governors took that decision.

I called all the governors of the states to come with their commissioners of health. On the day of that meeting, I did not even allow them to speak because they will play politics. I asked all the commissioners, including the Secretary of Health in Abuja, to brief us on the steps they have taken and they listened to their colleagues because it was also a peer review process.

“If you are hiding certain things by the time you hear your colleagues, you will go back and get things done. We are sure that even if one mad Sawyer comes again, nobody will contract Ebola. We have managed Ebola very well. The world is happy. We must tell the world that no Nigerian should be suspected of Ebola and that is the position of government.”

Appealing to NUT, he said: “I will plead with NUT and other unions that this does not require industrial action. They should commend government, they should work with us; they are Nigerians. All Nigerians must work together to make sure that we contain Ebola. Why do we want to create problems where it is not necessary, it is uncalled for.”

The president praised Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola and his Rivers State counterpart, Rotimi Amaechi, for working with the Federal Government to contain the disease in their states.

He said: “I have to specifically appreciate the governors of Lagos and Rivers states that had incidence of Ebola and how they worked with the Federal Government to manage the situation.”

Ekiti kingship’s contestant in court for alleged forgery, fraud

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CONTESTANT for the royal stool of Onikun of Ikun-Ekiti, Moba Local Government area, Ekiti State, Omowumi James Rotimi, appeared yesterday before an Ado-Ekiti Magistrate’s Court over alleged certificate forgery and involvement in Advance Fee Fraud (AFF), otherwise known as 419.

The people of the community, acting under the aegis of Ikun-Ekiti Development Union (IEDU), took the contestant before the court.

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

They insisted that Rotimi was “unqualified to contest for the post of the Onikun” the town’s monarch.

They urged the court to overrule him to save the image and integrity of the town.

The IEDU, in an affidavit deposed to at the court, alleged Rotimi forged all certificates he presented to the town’s kingmakers to facilitate his selection as the Onikun.

It stated: “Rotimi is a noto-

rious fraudster, whose main source of income is Advance Fee Fraud otherwise known as 419,” adding that “any attempt to present the candidate for obaship will undermine the age-long values of the town and upset the cosmic order in Ikun-Ekiti.”

Before his arraignment, the contestant was arrested and taken to the Criminal Investigation Bureau of the state Police Command from where he was charged to court.

The town’s union said Rotimi confessed to the police un-

der interrogation that he presented a fake university degree to the kingmakers and that he only had a secondary school certificate.

IEDU alleged that the National Examinations Council (NECO) certificate Rotimi claimed to have obtained from Akewusola College, Amoyo in Kwara State, which he presented to the kingmakers, was forged and that his claims that he obtained a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) degree in Adult Education from

the University of Ado-Ekiti in 2007 was also false.

The magistrate, Mr. J. Ayenimo, granted Rotimi bail in the sum of N200,000 with a surety, who must have a landed property within Ado-Ekiti Magisterial District.

It was learnt yesterday that the kingmakers had pegged the least qualification of any aspirant for the throne at a minimum of university degree to ensure that the new monarch meets general expectations.

Fayemi pledges to support Ekiti’s new CP

•Police chief resumes in Osun

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti and Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

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KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi has said his administration would not relent in its effort at giving the state police command maximum support to maintain peace and reduce crime.

Fayemi made the pledge yesterday while receiving the state new Commissioner of Police, Mr. Taiwo Lakanu, who visited him in Ado-Ekiti.

The governor, who described crime rate in the state as the lowest in the country, urged Lakanu to work hard to ensure a further reduction in crime.

He promised to work with the police commissioner to ensure success in his new capacity as the number one police officer in the state, saying Lakanu’s track record and experience would benefit Ekiti people in the area of security management.

Fayemi advised the police chief to work together with other sister security agencies and also collaborate with the Office of the Attorney General to facilitate quick dispensation of justice.

The governor revealed that Lakanu would be the sixth Commissioner of Police he would work with since coming to office in October 2010, noting that Ekiti State has been lucky to have competent officers to head the command.

Earlier in his remarks, Lakanu disclosed that he had been briefed on the numerous assistance rendered by the government to the police, most especially in the area of logistics.

The new Osun State Police Commissioner, Mr. Abubakar Marafa, has assumed duty.

The police chief, who resumed last Monday, took over from the former Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Maishanu, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG).

Marafa, at the handling ceremony, praised Maishanu for leaving the state police command better than he met it.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

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NEWS Adekunle was neglected by govt, says Akinrinade •Funeral date to be announced next week

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HE late Brig-Gen Benjamin Adekunle has been described as “one of Nigeria’s most committed soldiers and a gallant officer”.

His colleague, Gen Alani Akinrinade, said he was neglected by the government in his latter days.

Gen. Akinrinade, who was among the sympathisers at the home of the late general, said the deceased served the country to the best of his capacity.

According to him, the late Gen. Adekunle did not get just reward for his commitment and sacrifice for the country.

Gen. Akinrinade described the Surulere, Lagos, home of the late Gen. Adekunle as a “hole”, saying he deserved better.

“The country has not been fair to him but he did a lot for Nigeria. So for him to die almost unnoticed in this hole of a home is quite a pity.

“What is the use of sending him flowers in the grave when he cannot smell them?

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Tributes spark protest among lawmakers

N effort to recognise and honour the late civil war hero, Brig-Gen Benjamin Adekunle (rtd), at plenary yesterday in the House of Representatives, did not go well.

It was met with stiff resistance by some lawmakers of Igbo extraction who protested the special session meant to pay tributes to the late war hero, who helped keep Nigeria a single indivisible unit, due to his role in the army from 1967 to 1970.

Adekunle was instrumental to the defeat of the breakaway Republic of Biafra and its subsequent return to Nigeria.

Majority Leader Mrs. Mulikat AdeolaBy Nneka Nwaneri

When he was alive, what did the government do?

“Now we want to begin singing his praise and giving him honour. What the hell! Whatever they do for him now is not important,” he said.

The general said his late colleague was a diligent man, who earned the nickname ‘Black Scorpion’.

On why he was called ‘Black Scorpion’, Gen Akinrinade said: “Our signal at the barracks then was an octopus. But

From Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja

Akande had briefed the House on Gen. Adekunle’s demise at plenary yesterday and catalogued his exploits and actions.

But Arua Arunsi and Udo Oluchi Ibeji from Abia State refused to observe a minute silence for the deceased when the Speaker called for it.

Ibeji shouted: “I don’t care if he is dead or alive” several times in protest as the minute of silence was about to commence.

But the Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, eventually restored order. The lawmaker was eventually called to order, paving way for the minute silence.

when put into graphics, it looks like a scorpion and we are more used to the scorpion than the octopus, but it was really an octopus.

“And what people say about him that he is ‘bullet proof’ is true, because he was a brave man and a committed soldier who fought for the good of the country.”

Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who was among early visitors to the house in a condolence message, wrote: “The Black Scorpion, you came, you saw and you par-

ticipated and you conquered.

May your soul find peace.

Amin.”

The deceased’s son, Folarin, said the funeral arrangements are underway and may be released next week.

He said because of the extended nature of the family, a meeting is yet to hold.

Folarin described his father as a strong man and a good dad who gave his children all they needed.

He said it was pleasurable to be the late Gen. Adekunle’s son.

is needed for the establishment. Places like the Lekki Free Zone can have the nuclear power between 15 and 24 months.”

The governor said the government will not leave any stone unturned to ensure the best for its citizens.

Responding to questions from stakeholders of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) on the need for government to create more enabling environment, the governor told

the gathering that most of the regulations guiding their business operations were derived from inherited laws.

He urged them to be on the side of the law, while they continue to engage government on grey areas.

According to him, “All what we demand for centre on law and order. Can we imagine running business in the country without regulations?

“Many of these laws were not made by my administration but those before us. And some of them need to be updated and some we have done.

“Our society is changing more than it can cope with.

Laws are on paper and we need human beings to give value to it.”

Fashola said the state was able to manage the Ebola Virus Disease because it had put in place structures and laws that came in handy during the crisis.

“Without an Infectious Disease Centre that Lagos State built, we would have run into crisis. Without the Public Health Law, that dates as far back as 2002, we would have been in problem.”

The governor said Nigeria must draw inspiration on its ability to manage the disease and use its experience to assist countries still battling the disease.

•Gen. Akinrinade signing the condolence register...yesterday.

PHOTO:NNEKA NWANERI

Power supply: Lagos moves to explore nuclear energy

AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola has said the state is looking towards exploring nuclear energy as an alternative source of power supply.

The governor spoke yesterday at the 4th Corporate Assembly, tagged ‘BRF Meets Business’ held at the Lekki Free Zone.

He said the government recognises the importance of power supply to economic development, hence its resolve

to explore all possibilities of addressing the challenge.

He said the decision to establish nuclear energy was arrived at during the Economic Summit (Ehingbeti) to provide adequate power supply for the state.

“That shows you how we intend to address issues of power in the state. We sat down with one of the foremost practitioners, who is a Nigerian and he took us through all the protocols that

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Monarchs hail Amosun’s ‘rebuilding mission’

GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun said yesterday that his administration has laid a solid foundation for the “aggressive urbanisation” of rural areas.

Amosun spoke in Imeko, Imeko-Afon Local Government Area, at the start of his official assessment tour to the 20 local governments yesterday.

Traditional rulers and opinion leaders from the area called for the continuity of his “rebuilding mission”.

The monarchs and leaders of thoughts, including the renowned historian, Prof. Anthony Asiwaju, lauded Amosun for turning their hitherto over 100 rural communities and villages into towns; making them accessible and interlinked through building roads networks.

The traditional rulers, who included the Onimeko of Imeko, Oba Benjamin Oyekan; the Ooye of Iwoye - Ketu, Oba Joel Alaye; Onidofa of Idofa, Oba David Adeyanju; Oloola of Ilaraland, Oba Samuel Adeluyi; Obaladi of Afonland, Oba Busari Adetona; the 40 Baales and Prof. Asiwaju, said the governor and his admin-

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

istration would continue to enjoy their support.

Oyekan said: “Although, Imeko- Afon is known to be a virgin land but for how long would a maiden remain a virgin?

“Imeko - Afon wants your administration to marry her.

Our land is ready for a manly administration like yours to come.”

Addressing the people who had converged on the Ansarud-Deen Primary School to receive him, Amosun said he was at the council to know how his administration’s programmes and policies have fared.

He appealed to all parties contesting next year’s elections to ensure that they and their supporters do not engage in violence.

The Council Chairman, Tajudeen Ayelara, thanked the governor for “paying genuine attention to the plight of Imeko people”.

Ayelara pledged that he and the Imeko people would continue to support the Amosunled administration because for its people-oriented projects and achievements.

Fayose: employment should be by qualification

KITI State governorelect Ayodele Fayose has said qualified graduates should be employed, irrespective of their political or religious affiliation.

Fayose spoke yesterday in Ado-Ekiti while distributing employment letters to 11 indigenes, who he assisted to secure jobs at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), IdoEkiti.

The lucky applicants include Olatuyi Idowu, Toyin Oriola, Bamidele Idowu, Adewumi Felicia, Idowu Gbenga, Osanyintade Bosede and Bisiriyu Akeem.

Others are Titilayo Oluwarotimi, Aladelua Bukola and Agunbiade Adesoji.

Maintaining he had no personal interactions with any of the applicants, Fayose said many qualified graduates responded to his call on radio stations for submission of ap-

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

plications.

“The call was to ensure that you don’t have to see anybody to get jobs.

“I have been to immigration and customs and insisted that they support us to get jobs. l want to do everything to assist the people.

“You don’t have to know the governor, or his wife, or be the son of a minister before you can get a job.”

He said some other appli-

cants had been fixed at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Department of State Services and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

Akeem said: “I heard on radio that unemployed graduates should submit their credentials at Fayose’s office.

“I did and surprisingly, I received a call last Wednesday that I should come for my employment letter.

“It still seems like a dream because I never believed that it could happen.”

Ilaro Poly inaugurates Servicom

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HE Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State will today inaugurate a SERVICOM unit. The Deputy Director, Public Relations, Rev Lasunkanmi Bolaji, said the event which will start at 8:30am will be attended by the National Secretary, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) Kaduna, Dr. Mas’adu Kazaure.

The inauguration of SERVICOM at the institution affirms the commitment of the staff to the service of the nation and a commitment to deliver quality service.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

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CITYBEATS L Woman, driver held for ‘one-chance’ robbery

CITYBEATS LINE: 08078425391

UCK has run out for two members of a gang which robs passengers under the guise of running commercial transportation.

Twenty-seven-year old commercial sex worker Victoria Amodu and Ahmed Isiaka, 33, a driver, operated on the Iya-Iba-BadagrySeme Expressway until their arrest.

They used a Mazda car for what is referred to as “catch in the air” or “one chance” under which they robbed unsuspecting passengers with their accomplices operating in another vehicle.

Isiaka’s arrest by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Lagos Command led to Amodu’s apprehension.

Amodu parades herself as married in day time.

Her gang, it was gathered has been terrorising commuters and motorists on the Mile2/Badagry expressway for long.

A woman police officer, among others are some of the gang’s victims. The gang is suspected to have killed some of its victims.

Speaking with reporters,

•‘We use wheel spanners to attack our victims’

By Ebele Boniface

Amodu said: “I came to Lagos in February this year to hustle and feed my children after quarrelling with my husband in Benin for not being able to provide for the family. When I landed in Lagos I did not know anybody. I was thinking of where to sleep while still in the bus, when a woman in the same bus looked at me and noticed I was distressed and she decided to help me with accommodation and work. I did not know the work is prostitution until I arrived at Dakar Hotel at Seme where she secured a room for me. While in the hotel, I refused to engage in short time service. I was sleeping with only a customer a day and got paid N3, 000 for the service which I considered okay for me.

“My trouble started when I met a member of

the gang called Okanla in June. He slept with me twice. Before his third visit, thieves stole N100, 000 which I kept in my room and the man that I was saving my daily contribution with absconded with my N150,000. When I told Okanla about it, he said I should not worry that he will help me to get another big money that will make me smile again.

When he told me it was robbery, I refused initially but they eventually convinced me to join them. I abandoned prostitution because the money I was getting from robbery was good. I got married nine years ago and I have three children. I used to sit in front of our operational car Mazda. We have another car, a Toyota which we use as back-up vehicle. It depends on how many passengers we want to rob. If we want to rob three pas-

sengers, I will stay at the front with the driver while the three passengers will stay at the back. At a lonely spot along the road, the back-up car will signal us to stop. The moment we stop they will double cross us and order the three passengers to come down while we zoom off. They will rob the passengers and join us later. I have participated in three operations and got only N25,000.

Isiaka said: “I was living at Ibafo before I moved to 1, Denton Street, Oyingbo. We started ‘one chance’ last year. I am the operational driver of the Mazda car. My role is to pick passengers and drive to a spot where a backup car will come and rob them. We use wheel spanner to attack our victims. We don’t use gun. I was arrested by policemen from Ojo Division on August 15 and transferred to SARS’’.

•The suspects ... yesterday

Don’t dissolve my parents’ marriage, 10-year-old son pleads

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10-YEAR-OLD boy, Michael Ajibulu, cut a pitiable picture before the Alakuko Customary Court in Lagos.

He rose to plead with the court not to dissolve his parents’ 12-year-old marriage.

He believes the situation can still be salvaged.

Michael said: “My parents

By Basirat Braimah

are my best friends. We have always lived happily.

How and where things went wrong is what I do not know. My father and I have a secret that my mum is not aware of. My mum was not at home when my father brought a cleric to our

house. He slaughtered an ostrich and poured the blood in a bucket. I was later asked to bathe with the blood. He even made some marks with coloured candles on a wall behind our house. I did all I was ordered to do, but I never knew what my father was up to. My mum eventually saw the ostrich that my

father buried behind our house. However, I don’t want to believe the incident caused the tribulations in our home. If my father insists on the dissolution of the marriage, he should give us the house we live in because he has two houses.”

When 45-year-old Sunday Ajibulu was asked if he

wanted to use his son for rituals, he said:”Why would I attempt to use my only child for rituals, even if my wife killed our first child. All I did was for his protection.

My wife has been after my life for a while. I can’t give them the house and I can’t stay in a marriage that lacks peace either.”

His wife, Bukola, said she still loved her husband and didn’t want a divorce.

The court’s President, Chief Awos Awosola, ordered the court’s prosecutor to accompany Michael to choose the house he wants between his father’s two houses.

The case was adjourned till September 23, for judgment.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

NEWS Akwa Ibom to stop movement of bodies From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

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KWA Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio has directed security agencies to stop movement of bodies without proper medical report into the

state.

He said this would help to stop the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease.

Akpabio spoke when the Commissioner of Police, Gabriel Achong, visited him at the Governor’s Office, The governor said a bill seeking to check the outbreak of infectious diseases has been sent to the House of Assembly.

He added that when it is passed, it would help to prevent the spread of diseases in the state.

Akpabio, who also spoke on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primaries, promised to provide a levelplaying field for all aspirants.

The governor urged more persons to aspire for the office of governor to showcase the beauty of democracy.

He, however, announced that PDP would soon convene a meeting of all aspirants to sign and abide by a code of conduct for a peaceful, free and fair elections.

"The primaries would be open for all and sundry, who wants to contest and more aspirants who are willing to contest for the governorship seat are welcome. We would make sure the elections would be free and fair.

"I must thank President Jonathan for the appointment and forapproving him to serve in the state. Policing should be given tothose who are familiar with the nooks and cranny of the state.”

Bayelsa elders reject new polling units •Absolve First Lady of alleged plot to remove Dickson•’Sack Jega’

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LDERS and leaders of thought from Bayelsa State have lambasted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the controversial new polling units and demanded the removal of the commission’s boss, Prof.

Attahiru Jega.

The elders, under the aegis of the Bayelsa Development Forum (BDF), accused Jega of ethno-religious bias for allocating 21,615 to his northern region and 8, 412 to the South.

The angry elders, in a statement yesterday by their Chairman, Thompson Okorotie; Secretary Talford Ongolo and Deputy Chairman A. Aduba, said they were no longer comfortable with INEC. “It is the duty of the chairman and indeed INEC to provide a level-playing

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

field for elections to be free, fair and credible.

“After a critical examination of the facts, we have no alternative than to demand the removal of Prof.

Attahiru Jega as INEC Chairman.

“Allocating 21,615 polling units to the North and 8,412 polling units to the South is a clear indication of a northern agenda, the script of which Prof. Jega plans to implement,” they said.

The elders alleged that the development had further proved that the last permanent voter registration, which they said was fraught with denials and deprivation of voters in the South, had a northern agenda.

The elders said in

Bayelsa State, a large chunk of eligible voters were denied access to the permanent voter registration.

They called on INEC to suspend any plan to create additional poling units in the interest of equity and justice.

Besides Jega‘s removal, the elders called for the overhauling of INEC’s structure and personnel to ensure that the commission retains its desired integrity and neutrality ahead of the elections.

They also appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to act quickly on issues concerning the commission because of their security and socio-economic implications.

Reacting on the alleged plot by the First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, to replace Governor Seriake Dickson, with her favourite candidate, the elders said the allegations were false.

They said: “The First Lady that we know cannot engage in such pedestal and invidious acts capable of causing chaos in the President’s home state.

“It is unpatriotic and disrespectful to drag the name of the first family into the murky waters of propaganda, knowing fully well that the First Lady had demonstrated her commitment to peace.”

The elders blamed the allegations on selfish individuals, whose sole motive was borne out of political desperation.

The elders passed a vote of confidence in Dickson, noting that the governor had impacted on all sectors of the economy.

They advised the people not to be distracted by undesirable publications masterminded by self-seeking politicians.

Mbu a shameless puppet, says Amaechi

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IVERS State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has described former Police Commissioner Mbu Joseph Mbu as a shameless puppet and not a lion, which he claimed to be.

Amaechi, who spoke in Port Harcourt yesterday, through his Chief Press Secretary, David Iyofor, insisted that Mbu lacked the steel and strength of a lion, and he is rather a corrupt and toothless attack dog of a woman.

Mbu, while handing over to the new Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police, Wilson Inalegwu, in Abuja, described himself as a lion, who tamed Amaechi, whom he described as a leopard.

The governor said: “Indeed, it is very sad, pathetic, however, ironic that Mbu called himself a lion. Which lion? This character call Mbu Joseph Mbu completely lacks the courage, steel and strength of character of a lion.

Rather, he is a shameless, corrupt puppet of a woman.

“This is a man paid by taxpayers to protect, secure and serve the interests of the people. But when he was in Rivers State, he spurned the people, he trampled on the masses and rather elected to be the partisan servant of one woman, to be the woman’s tool in causing disaffection, confusion and crises in Rivers State.

“Mbu shamelessly and corruptly turned himself into the toothless attack dog of this woman to fight the government and people of Rivers State.

“How can a man who has no strength of character to be himself, be a man and stand

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Police chief: I tamed the ‘leopard of Port Harcourt’

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ORMER Rivers State Commissioner of Police Joseph Mbu has described himself as a lion, who tamed the ‘leopard of Port Harcourt’.

Mbu, who was apparently referring to Governor Rotimi Amaechi, said it was only a lion that could tame a leopard.

The former police chief, who was promoted AIG, said this while handing over to the new Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police, Wilson Inalegwu, in Abuja.

He advised his successor to be firm in his dealings with policemen in his command and avoid soiling himself.

“I advise you to carry senior officers along in your administration. It is only a lion that can tame a leopard. I tamed the leopard in Port Harcourt; each time he remembers my face, he would remember how I tamed him,” Mbu said, drawing loud laughter from the audience.

He advised Inalegwu to discourage policemen from going for special duties, noting that From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

up to a woman, a man who willingly submits himself to serve as the puppet of a woman call himself a lion?

How ironic! Mr. Mbu, no lion behaves like that! You are a disgrace and shame to the Nigeria Police Force.”

Amaechi maintained that Mbu epitomised everything that is wrong with the police, stressing that Mbu not only disobeyed the inspectorgeneral of Police during his tour of duty in Rivers State, but also clearly acted lawlessly, like a man who is above the law and in fact, turned himself into the law.

Amaechi said: “All these, Mbu did because he was the puppet of one woman, a woman, who has no constitutional role to play in the

the obligation of policemen was to the public and not to provide protection for the elite.

Mbu urged the new police chief not to deal with his personnel with sentiments, stressing that he would fail if he gives unnecessary concessions to the officers and men working with him.

He stated that the Force needed strong leadership to achieve results, adding that he had put the command on a solid pedestal, noting that under him, the command procured 5,000 special raincoats with the assistance of the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed.

Mbu added that he was able to save N10 million from the ‘FCT logistics’ and bought two buses to transport the rank and file to their duty posts.

Mbu, who is now in charge of Zone 7, Abuja, explained that there was no petition against him throughout his tenure as the police commissioner in FCT, because he dealt with the people fairly.

governance of Rivers State or Nigeria.

“Mbu’s only claim to fame and prominence is because he has turned himself into a willing tool and servant of this woman. Mbu is a very bad example of a police officer.”

Amaechi recounted that when the former commissioner finally left the state, he disobeyed the instruction of the inspector-general of Police to pack out of his official residence.

He said: “Mbu refused to pack out, because he said he would come back here as the commissioner of Police to organise the 2015 elections.

“When eventually he packed out and this is a long time after his successor (Tunde Ogunsakin, now AIG) had resumed here, he took everything, including the carpet, and nothing has happened to him.

Nobody has punished him for

•Amaechi

that.

“During his (Mbu’s) tour here, when we held security meetings, he would report the proceedings to his woman puppeteer. What a shame. Mbu is a disgrace to the Police Force” The governor declared that a thousand Mbus could neither “tame” him nor the Rivers people to surrender their rights.

Delta community alleges neglect

IXTEEN years after suffering the most devastating pipeline fire disaster in Nigerian history, Jesse community in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State has said it is yet to receive support from the Federal Government.

More than 1,000 people died and several plots of cultivated farmlands destroyed in the community when fire sparked on the site of a leaking oil pipeline on October 17, 1998.

Lamenting the Federal Government’s lack of empathy towards the community’s plight yesterday at a briefing in Jesse, the Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom, King Otadaverua Igho Edward, said the government rebuffed all attempts by the people to present their issues.

From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

Accompanied by the Kingdom’s Prime Minister, President-General, 2nd Vice President-General and SecretaryGeneral, Chiefs Gabriel Emeje, Austin Omonode, Samuel Otojareri, Simeon Okoro and Amos Akpokighe, the royal father lamented the neglect and stigmatization that had befallen the community as a result of the explosion.

“We have tried to reach the Federal Government on numerous occasions explaining to them that findings have shown that the course of the incident was as a result of a rupture from the pipeline but our appeal has not been heeded.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

NEWS PDP governors, ministers, others unite for Jonathan

Niger East senator takes seat

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EOPLES Democratic Party’s (PDP) governors and members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) have declared support for President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 ambition.

The governors and ministers, who spoke as parts of PDP stakeholders at the First National Summit of all Goodluck Support Groups in Abuja yesterday, said “there is no vacancy in Aso Rock come 2015”.

Minister of Youth Development and former governor of Adamawa State, Mr. Boni Haruna, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, said members of Jonathan’s cabinet have resolved on his candidature and therefore concluded that “there is no vacancy in Aso Rock come 2015.”

Haruna noted that it would be unwise for anyone to think the president does not deserve a second term in office, adding that Jonathan has out-performed his predecessors in office and hence, should continue in office to see through his developmental agenda.

Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Akwa Ibom, Godswill Akpabio, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, said that one term was not enough for the president to complete his transformation agenda.

His words: “The transformation of Mr. President and Nigeria, one tenure is not enough for it to happen. That is why I came to assure you that I have together with you three solutions for 2015. The first solution is Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the second solution is Dr. Ebele Jonathan and the third solution is Dr. Ebele Jonathan.

“The Eagle is not only the largest bird in the sky, the Eagle has contentious wing and it rises above the storm. When other birds are running away from the storm, the Eagle flies above the storm, getting it excited, then it starts to cry out with excitement.

Three INEC workers arraigned for alleged theft of PVCs From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

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HREE workers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Anambra State have been arraigned for the alleged theft of permanent voter cards (PVCs).

They were accused of stealing the PVCs for some communities in Ogbaru Local Government Area, including those for AkiliOgidi/Obeagwe ward.

Akili-Ogidi/Obeagwe Ward is where the member representing Ogbaru in the House of Representatives and Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Victor Afam Ogene, hails from. He is a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and said to be seeking re-election next year.

On September 2, hoodlums allegedly broke into the INEC office at Atani, the headquarters of Ogbaru Local Government Area and carted away PVCs meant for some communities in the area.

The most affected areas included Ogene’s constituency.

•From left: Assistant Corps Marshal, Manpower Development, John Meuz; Deputy Corps Marshal, Training, Yemi Omidiji and Corps Commander, Sports, Bisi Kazeem, at the re-training of Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC) motorcycle riders in Abuja.

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Disquiet in Onitsha council over alleged corruption

HERE was disquiet yesterday in Onitsha South Local Government Area of Anambra State when some members of the legislative arm accused their leader, Mr. Fredrick Ezenwa, of ineptitude, impunity, corruption and undemocratic practices.

The accusers urged Governor Willie Obiano and the House of Assembly to intervene in the matter for peace to return to the local government.

Ezenwa allegedly connived with the local govern-

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

ment Chairman, Lady Ann Chukwuneke, to sideline the House in the running of the council’s affairs.

But Ezenwa told our reporter yesterday that the allegations were unfounded.

The House Leader said those championing the impasse in the local governmental were in the minority.

He said the local govern-

ment had never witnessed any fracas since its inception, adding that everything had been normal in the council.

Addressing reporters on the matter, Deputy Leader Emeka Akanegbu, who was accompanied by Obianuju Odianma and Uwazuoke Nzukwe, alleged that Lady Chukwuneke and Ezenwa had been running the House without following its rules.

They also alleged that the

duo had been tampering with the house members’ days of sittings to make the house inefficient.

They explained that their agitation was for the house to be allowed to perform its statutory functions.

The accusers also alleged that Ezenwa had been sabotaging the House.

But Lady Chukwuneke told our reporter yesterday that she would not discuss the matter on phone.

She promised to discuss with our reporter either in her office or in Awka, the state capital.

R Zagbayi Nuhu was yesterday sworn in as the Senator representing Niger East on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to replace the late Senator Awaisu Kuta.

President Goodluck Jonathan also yesterday forwarded the name of Captain Mukhtar Usman to the Senate for approval as the Director General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA) and the appointment of Justice Chima Centus Nweze for confirmation as Supreme Court Justice.

In the letter read by Senate President David Mark, President Jonathan also sought the confirmation of Dr. Jonah Madugu as the Commissioner, Federal Civil Service Commission, representing Benue, Nasarawa and Benue states.

Clarification THE sentence: “Jega may be lacking in integrity...” attributed to Wahab Shittu on Page 26 of yesterday’s edition should have read: “Jega may not be lacking in integrity, but the sensibilities and consciousness of Nigerians across the geopolitical zones must be recognised and respected.” The error is regretted. Editor.

Okorocha to judges: advocate true federalism

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MO State Governor Rochas Okorocha has urged judges to advocate true federalism so that power would be decentralised from federal to the state and local governments.

The governor said this would make the economy to function more effectively.

He decried the poverty in the land, saying there is need for judges to make the cause of the common man the core of their adjudication.

Okorocha spoke yesterday in Owerri, the state capital, at the opening of the 30th annual Federal High Court Judges’ Conference.

The governor noted that with the institution of the Community Government Council (CGC) in Imo State, the people at the grassroots had been given a sense of belonging in governance.

He called for the replication of same at the federal level.

Okorocha blamed poverty, loss of confidence in leaders, lack of progress and insurgence in the land

•Governor opens 30th Fed High Court conference •High Court judges for speedy justice delivery on the irrationality of most organisations that do not respect professionalism.

The governor said such organisations gave jobs to people with connections rather than those with the right qualifications.

He regretted that although the nation is endowed with vast natural and human resources, the nation was still faced with hunger, non-access to effective treatment, insurgence and other ills.

Okorocha said: “A hungry man is an angry man and has the tendency to commit crime.”

The governor described a good judge as “one who has the spirit of justice deeply embedded in his actions”.

He added: “It is that lofty, generous and noble spirit, which prices glory more than wealth, honour more than life. So, when this

spirit is in anyone or government, sacrifices are made without counting the cost.”

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Ndahi Auta, noted that the Federal High Court was an off-shoot of the Federal Revenue Court, which was created in 1973 as a revenue court to hear expeditious causes and matters relating to the revenue of the Federal Government.

Imo State Commissioner for Justice Chukwuma Machukwu Umeh said the benefits from the annual conferences included the exposure of erudite judges to deliver on newly acquired insights.

He stressed that “the Judiciary is the soul of every civilised nation”.

Okorocha also hailed the judges of the Federal High Court for the speedy deliv-

ery of justice, especially on political disputes.

The governor spoke yesterday in Owerri, the state capital, when Federal High Court judges, led by the Chief Judge, Justice Ibrahim Auta, visited him at the Government House.

He described the Federal High Court as the foundation of the nation’s Judiciary.

Okorocha, who also urged judges to assist parties to resolve their deadlocked internal democracy, thanked the Federal Government for establishing a Federal High Court in Owerri.

The governor assured the judges of a favourable environment during their stay.

The governor said the Judiciary was not only the last hope of the common man but also the last hope of de-

•Okorocha

mocracy.

He told the judges that the nation appreciated that they ensured smooth and speedy justice delivery.

A statement yesterday

by Ngozi Onyeocha said Okorocha urged the judges not to relent.

The governor said his administration had begun the construction of a Judiciary complex, to be named after the late Supreme Court judge, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa.

•Past President/Assistant Governor, Rotary Club of Ogba, Mr Chidozie Mba (left); Board member, Oluwole Bernard; Secretary, Tony Eloh; new President, Emma Eze; Chairman of Vitafoam Plc/Special Guest Speaker, Dr. Dele Makajuola; another Past President/Past Assistant Governor, Chris Igbokwe (rtd); immediate Past President,Samson Omodara and Board member, Steve Omolale, at the induction of new members of club at the Rotary Centre, Ikeja, GRA, Lagos.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

Life

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

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Text only: 08023058761

In memory of an Okada rider

– Page 18

‘There is no Hausa or Igbo at Ebedi’

– Page 48

NTDC, Israel grow tourism – Page 50

‘My father’s exploits brought us fame, honour’ •Folarin, son of the late Brig. Gen. Benjamin Adekunle, talks about his dad •A portrait of the late Brigadier-General Adekunle

– SEE STORY ON PAGE 16

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

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•Mrs Foluke Adekunle and her son, Folarin

•A portrait of the late Brigadier-General Adekunle

‘My father’s exploits brought us fame, honour’ The late Brigadier-General Benjamin Adekunle, popularly known as Black Scorpion, was among the heroes of the 30-month Civil war. His image then was larger than life. There were many stories and myths about his exploits while commanding the elite Third Marine Commando. His son, Folarin, 21, tells Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME that if he were to join the army, he would be as ‘brutal’ as his father.

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N the last few days, House 20, Eric Moore Close, Surulere, Lagos, has lost its serenity. It has, unusually, attracted a host of visitors.

Relations, friends and associates of the late Brigadier-General Benjamin Adekunle, 78, who died on Saturday, thronged the family house to register their condolences.

Two life-size portrait photographs of the late war veteran (dressed in complete army uniform) flanked the condolence register placed by the entrance to the apartment, welcoming guests to the bereaved family.

But, his son, Folarin, is not too fascinated by the military uniform. When asked if he would love to be a soldier, he responded with an emphatic “No”. To the 21-year-old Business Administration graduate, he has passed “the age when such profession will be of any attraction”. However, like the popular adage “Like father, like son”, according to him, if he ever decided to follow his father’s footprints, he would surely be as “brutal” on the warfront. “If I choose to follow that direction, I will definitely be like my late father. I will be too brutal like him because it’s in the blood,” he said.

Although he is not thinking of joining the army any time soon, he admitted that his father’s exploits have brought much fame and honour to the family. Growing up as a child of a war veteran, such as his late father, Folarin recalled, was an “awesome experience” and “a thing of pride”, especially among his peers at school.

“The experiences were wonderful. His name gave me much respect and I felt so shy when people identified me with his name. As a result, I don’t let people know that I am his son so that people will treat me like every normal child,” he recalled, adding that one big lesson he got from his late father is to be free and outspoken.

Folarin is, however, determined to surpass his late father’s greatness along with keeping the good name he left behind.

He described his father as a “perfect man”, saying he misses everything about him, particularly his discipline, kindness, strictness and generosity.

He said: “He was a good father. Nobody is perfect but, to me, my father was a near perfect man. You can rarely find anyone like him...I have decided to follow my father’s path because that was what he thought me,” he said with a deep sense of loss.”

On how he will maintain the fame and honour his late father brought to the family, Folarin said: “I will try to maintain it because I should better what my father has done. That is what every father will want for his son and that is what I want for my father. I will advise my siblings to continue to live his legacy in everything. That will be the advice I will give to all of them. But, it is their decision to choose how they want to live when they are adult.”

Folarin, who was born after his father retired from the army, regretted that he never saw him dressed in army uniform. He said as a child he saw many pictures and heard lots of stories about his father. These stories, according to him,

MEMORIAL made up for what he did not see in his father as a soldier.

Besides, Folarin only read the civil war stories about Nigeria, Biafra and the late Emeka Odumegu-Ojukwu on the internet and saw some video clips.

He recalled that the late warlord sometime bragged about his exploits in the civil war. He said it was perhaps as a way of telling his own story of the war. “He told me a lot about the civil war and he bragged about it. At times, he would say he wants me to be like him. He will also say ‘can you see that your father is a good person,’ I will like you to be like me’. But, he will always say it in a gentle way,” Folarin said.

On his late father’s last days, Folarin said: “As a disciplinarian, he never spoke much. He just played with my siblings and talked with my mum because she was always around him. He played with them because we normally hold prayers, and we

prayed for him in the morning and in the evening. And he was responding ‘amen’ to the prayers.”

Folarin is unaware of any unfinished matter his late father was thinking about, particularly in terms of war memoirs. “I will go back and check, if there is any. I will like to continue to better his efforts and keep the good name.”

He, however, did not hesitate to say that ‘I will miss everything about him. He was my father and nobody can replace him and nobody can be in his shoes as my father and there is nobody I can communicate with like him, to put me on the right track when I want to marry or have important thing to do. Nobody to stand my guard if anything comes up. Nobody can be like my father to me again. But my mum is going to be my father and mother now.”

According to Folarin, as unwarranted as the civil war might appear, the war, to some extent, was a necessity because “if not I don’t think my late father would have gotten the accolades he is getting now. The civil war was necessary obviously.”

THE BLACK SCORPION -1936 -2014 THE late Brigadier-General Benjamin Adekunle was born in Kaduna on June 26, 1936. The fifth in a line of six children bore by Amina Theodora to Thomas Adekinle. His father, a native of Ogbomoso met his mother during the one of his sojourns to the Adaamawa Province and married her in 1919. He had primary education at Dekina Primary School in Kwara State, and Okene Middle School in 1951. He enlisted in the Nigerian Army in 1957 after his school certificate examination.

He started his military career with training at the Mons Officer Cadet School in the UK for three months. And in January 1959, he wa selected to attend Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst for two years.

He also attended two course at the School of infantry at Warminster and School of Tactical Wing, all in UK. His first unit in the army was the first Queen’s Own Regiment based in Enugu. He was later appointed the platoon commander of Company under the command of then Major Ogundipe. Few months after, he was posted to the Republic of the Congo under the auspices of the United Nations to quell the growing unrest there. On return from Congo, he was appointed the first army officer Aide-de Camp to Sir Francis Akanu Ibiam, the first Governor of the Eastern region. In 1964, he was selected to attend the State College in Wellington, India for nine months.

He later assumed command of the Lagos Garrison as a substantive Lt. Col. When the Nigerian Civil War erupted in July 1967, Adekunle was tasked to lead elements which included two new battalions (7th and 8th) - to conduct the historic sea borne assault on Bonny in the Bight of Benin on 26 July 1968 (carried out by Major Isaac Adaka Boro’s unit). This happened after the federal government gained confidence of most south western ethnic groups as a direct result of Biafran push to mid-west state and probe into

Western region. Adekunle was promoted to Colonel after the Bonny landing.

The 6th (under Major Jalo) and 8th (under Major Ochefu) battalions of the Lagos Garrison subsequently took part in operations to liberate the Midwest following the Biafran invasion of August 1967. The 7th (under Major Abubakar) stayed behind to hold Bonny. Because Major Jalo’s Unit was seconded to Lt. Col. Murtala Mohammed’s 2nd Division, Adekunle was left with only the 8th Battalion at Escravos. He, therefore, protested to Army HQ and got the Lagos garrison upgraded to Brigade status through the creation of the 31 and 32 Battalions (under Majors Aliyu and Hamman, respectively). This formation, combined with elements of the Lagos garrison along the eastern seaboard, was officially designated the 3 Infantry Division.[1] However, Colonel Adekunle did not think the name “3 Infantry Division” was sensational enough nor did it project the nature of the unique terrain in which his men had to fight. Therefore, without formal approval from Army HQ, he renamed it the “ 3 Marine Commando (3MCDO).” The “Black Scorpion” as he came to be known, was easily the most controversial, celebrated and mythologized figure[citation needed] in the war of attrition that laid the foundations for Nigeria’s contemporary crisis; and threw a wedge into the national fabric. Benjamin “Adekunle’s boys in the Midwest seized Escravos, Burutu, Urhonigbe, Owa and Aladima. They captured Bomadi and Patani, Youngtown, Koko, Sapele, Ajagbodudu, Warri, Ughelli, Orerokpe, Umutu and Itagba”.[2] He was promoted to Brigadier in 1972. After the war Adekunle was put in charge of decongesting the Lagos port that was having a chronic problem of clearing imported goods. He held this position until being compulsorily retired on August 20, 1974.

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‘How I survived in kidnappers’ den’ Dr Chris Okafor is the head pastor of Liberation City Ministry, Lagos. In this interview with JUDE ISIGUZO, he speaks on his abduction during a crusade, his life in a classroom for months and God’s message for Nigeria in 2015

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HAT will people find in Liberation City that is not in other churches?

Liberation city is a unique church. It is a church where God himself works, it is a church of the spirit, where you see the spirit of God at work, where you see the spirit of God going through people through anointing, where people are being delivered, the misery behind their situation God reveals it and God set people free.

Liberation City also reaches out to people, like we have an foundation that takes care of widows, we have another wing of the ministry that does skill acquisition, we empower different people, like this Friday (September 11), we have a trailer load of rice that we will be giving out to destitute, and different less privilege people and money. So, Liberation City is unique from every angle you want to look at it.

How exactly did you get the call to serve God? I came from a family of five. I am the second boy and last child of my parents. After having my elder brother first, my mother had three girls and prayed to have another male child. And by the reason of their belief, there was family pressure on my father to take another wife, who could bear him male children. The matter was threatening the peace in their marriage. My mother began to pray that God should give her a male child. There were prophecies from great men of God who told her specifically that she would be pregnant and have a male child that would be a lamb to the world and carry the word of God. She became pregnant and I was the seed in her womb. And when she was pregnant she did something that was not natural. She went to the market and bought the picture of Jesus and whenever she wanted to sleep she would put it on her womb and pray that Jesus should make the child in my womb a male child that they said he is your servant. When I was born, I looked different from my siblings. That was to show that I was not an ordinary person.

When I was born they gave me an Igbo name that is translated to mean “the light of God”.

All the names given to me points to the gift that were prophesised before I emerged. Just like Jeremiah 1 verse 5, God said to Jeremiah, before I formed you in your mother’s womb I know who you are, I have made you a prophet to nation so that is how he came.

From the age of eight the gift started manifesting and also my parents and my background helped a lot because my parents were prayerful and disciplined people. They raise us up in the way of the lord and in my family we were made to fast three times every week even if you are three months old. It was compulsory and it helped to structure my life into what I am called to do.

In the 10 years of the existence of this ministry, has there been any scandal that almost pulled it down?

Well, in life there is no man born of woman who doesn’t have challenges, even the lion that is referred to as king of other animals have challenges. The lion too has a fly to wave on, when a fly perches on a lion; it will have to struggle to wave it off. That is to tell you that there is nothing like challenge proof.

Even in your place of work you have people who admire you, criticise you and those are challenges. It is natural, it is like that but then there are different challenges that come now and then. About two years ago, I was abducted by kidnapers. I was in captivity for 53 days. One of my policemen escorts was shot dead during that time. The only thought in my mind was ‘I would not live again, like I would die’. It was in Awka, Anambra where I had gone for the ‘Akwa for Christ crusade’.

The bible says if you strike the shepherd the sheep would scatter; now Moses went up to the mountain to go hear from God but before he came down the people had already left him and they were serving other gods. They made a golden calf for themselves and they served it. So it was a big challenge, but the

INTERVIEW bible says, many are the affliction of the righteous but the lord God delivers him from them all, we went through all this and we came back but the challenge became a turn-around for the ministry and since then God has helped us, the ministry has exploded because it can only be God. If not for God, I would have been a dead man if not for God. Tell us more about your upbringing?

By the grace of God, I am the senior pastor of Liberation City in Ojodu, Lagos, being our international headquarters. I came from Anambra State and from Orumba Local Government Area. I am from a Christian family and very humble background. All my schooling was done in Edo state, starting from my kindergarten to tertiary institution. I graduated from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.

I read Business Administration. Nothing happened after school because I was cut-out for what I am doing today from day one. After I left school I didn’t go to look for work because I was already called into this. It was a prophecy fulfilled, even before I was born.

So this gift became so evidential and started manifesting at the age of eight. The moment I left school, I was in a fellowship not a church and from there I move to Lagos and the rest today is history.

When was this ministry established?

The ministry started as soon as I came to Lagos, 10 years ago. I came to Lagos not having any brother or sister or relative anywhere.

None of my family members had been to Lagos before, so I came to Lagos, dropped at Ojota bus stop, not knowing my destination or where to go, I found myself in one of the Grammar schools at Ojota. That was where lived for about nine to 10 months before one Anglican Priest; Reverend Chucks Elede picked me up and took me into his house and as one of their own. It was from the one room he gave me in his flat that the church started.

If you were not a preacher what would you have been?

Honestly speaking I don’t have an answer for that. I don’t know what else I would have been doing by now because this is the only thing I have ever done, this is the only thing I am called to do. I have never worked anywhere, I have never been employed anywhere, the only place I have worked was in my father’s workshop. He was a carpenter.

Sometimes I would go out of school because there was no money. I was born without a silver spoon so I would sometimes go and work with my father to raise money. Sometimes I would stay out of school for two to three weeks so I could gather money to go back to school. Sometimes I would go to where they are building houses, carry concrete and do the work of a labourer. And sometimes also I go to sell vegetable for my mum in the market with my sisters. Honestly speaking, I don’t know what else I would have done because if I am not doing what I am doing I would not be fulfilled in destiny.

What divine act keeps your ministry dazzling?

That is the spirit of God. That is the move of God. In 2nd Corinthians 16 and 17 he said now the lord God is that spirit, there shall be liberty. The spirit of God is here. Now peo-

•Dr Okafor

ple come here in bondage and they go delivered, people come here confused and they go with solution, God has made men, God had raised men through this ministry all over the world. God has used this ministry to produce a lot of men and women who are doing well in their various life and we have depopulated the kingdom of darkness. Imagine armed robbers coming here to confess and laying down their guns and giving their lives to Jesus, prostitutes giving their lives to Jesus and their lives transformed. That is an act of God, that is the spirit of God. I on my own cannot do it, it cannot by my act, it can only be the act of God and it can only be God. People classify you as fashionable, what do you have to say about that?

(Laughs) well I don’t know about that. What I only know is that cleanliness is next to Godliness. We must look good, dress well at least be clean. Because we serve God doesn’t me we should be smelling or wake up in the morning and not take our bath. Any normal human being should look good.

And you encourage your members to do so?

Why not, definitely I can’t encourage my members to be dirty or go to their offices dirty or tell them when you wake up in the morning don’t bathe don’t wash, you have to look good to come to the presence of God. What is your high point?

My high point is when I see people delivered, when I see sinners giving their lives to Jesus Christ, when I see people who are in bondage being set free, when I touch the life of one little person and put smiles on in their face I know that through me, God has given this person something, to become somebody.

That is my high point; we live for Christ not for ourselves. It is not all about me but God. Your low point

‘If not for God, I would have been a dead man; if not for God... About two years ago, I was abducted by kidnappers. I was in captivity for 53 days. One of my policemen escorts was shot dead during that time. The only thought in my mind was ‘I would not live again, I would die’’

Well, low point, low point; I don’t have a low point Do you find time to relax and how?

Well, it is not easy but God is faithful with us. The bible says God rested but in our ministry we go Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and sometimes we can have Friday but not all the time, just sometimes, so no time to rest. Sometimes we have programmes on Friday. We don’t really have time to rest much. My sleep expires by 2am, and by that time I will start prayers. It is a must, it is like a ritual. From 2am till about 7am. I could pray till 9am. It depends on whether I have a programme that morning. While others sleep at night, I sleep during the day time. I also fast.

This is the eight year now, I have been on fasting and prayer every day, so you can see it is not easy because when God gives you the vision, he gives you provision and when he gives you mandate you have to sustain the mandate he has given to you through discipline by his Grace.

Anything on Nigeria?

Yes, we have been praying since last Sunday (September 7), we had a special service, praying for divine protection, as the lord has instructed me to do over the people to cause this Ebola of a thing to leave Nigeria. God had declared and has promised that within three months from that Sunday, 7th September, 2014, the issue of Ebola will go down and it will be a thing of the past in Nigeria but there is also an instruction God gave for the government to carryout, once this is done, there will not be any case of Ebola in Nigeria again. Now we have been praying because I pray for this country at least two hours every day, we intercede for this country. From what God is revealing there may be serious bloodshed that will take place in 2015, if it is not averted. The womb of time is pregnant now, there is an evil pregnancy and if this pregnancy is delivered in 2015, it will deliver bloodshed. God showed me the flag of Nigeria, the Green White Green. The white part of it had so much blood stain and the lord showed me the flag almost torn from the beginning to down and just little thing was holding it and the lord said if we don’t pray there will be serious bloodshed and the country called Nigeria might not stand again but we are believing God. We are praying that this will be averted. So, we are praying for the government and for God to help them to do the right thing. It is the spiritual that controls the physical; if we keep quiet there will be serious anarchy in 2015.

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In memory of Okada rider Ten years ago, a new motorcycle was placed at the roundabout in front of the General Hospital in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State. It was named after an Okada rider, Olumide Olatunde, who disappeared at a party during Eid-El-Kabir celebrations. TAIWO ABIODUN writes on the state of the monument.

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T the roundabout of the General Hospital in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, is a motorcycle, placed on a raised platform ringed with barbed

wire.

To a first comer, the Okada may be a warning to Okada riders of the risks inherent in the trade.

But, at close range, one will discover the essence of the monument, which is in honour of a fallen community hero. The Okada rider, was said to have disappeared at a party during the Eid-El-Kabir (Ileya) celebration in the town 10 years ago.

Inscribed on the platform is the epitaph: “In Memory of Otunba Olumide Olatunji (aka Ciroma) who died on Tuesday, February 2, 2004...” On the brick is also a tag “Ciroma Roundabout”.

The monument, which was erected in September 2004, has not changed colour despite its exposure to weather. It is being maintained by the Okada rider in Ijebu Ode who said they must make the place tidy as a way to remember their fallen hero.

This gesture by the Okada riders also corrected the impression that most Okada riders are roughnecks and not seriousminded.

The late rider being honoured was said to be a powerful young man who rescued and assisted his people when he was alive.

In fact, he was a local freedom fighter and activist who was being ran to when the town is in trouble or his constituency (Okada riders Association) where he was the Financial Secretary.

According to the wife of late Ciroma, Olusola Olabisi Olatunji, her late husband was the financial secretary, Association of Commercial Motorcycle Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN), Ogun State Chapter, and a strong man who championed their cause.

She told The Nation of his great assistance to the Okada riders, which made him popular. “A time was when Okada was banned in Ijebu Ode here but my late husband fought for their return to the roads and the ban was lifted. He was always called upon whenever there was any problem and he was always ready to solve it. Unfortunately, in the end, he was killed mysteri-

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CELEBRATION ously.

Asked how the late husband was killed, the woman, she said: “In 2004 September during the Ojude Oba Festival, a popular musician came to perform. I learnt that my husband was intimated that some hoodlums and armed robbers were around to unleash terror at the party. He quickly alerted his Oodua Peoples’ Congress members who were also the security personnel in the community. Unfortunately, these men of the underworld heard his conversations while making phone calls.

That was all. And he was not seen again and on the tenth day his decaying body was seen in a bush at Okunowa, near the Express way in Ijebu Ode.” Mrs Olatunji said she was always sad each time she remembered Ojude Oba Day and whenever she passes through the roundabout. “I must confess to you each time Ojude Oba festival is approaching I am always sad because I would remember the stress we went through while searching for my dead husband. I remember how we discovered his decayed corpse in the bush and his killers were never found”.

She praised the state for the honour and respect given to her husband. She also commended the local government and her husband colleagues. “Though it was a bad day seeing my husband being lowered into the grave in his early 40s, but I thank all those who came to honour him and dedicate this roundabout to him. But I have one request,” she said.

When asked what the request was, she and her daughter Damilola chorused: “We are hungry. Nobody fulfill the pledges they all promised the family.”

Mrs Olatunji, who is not ready to remarry again, said: “What type of man will I marry again when my children are giving birth? I am already a grandmother and don’t need a partner again, what for?”

Corroborating her words, Comrade Wasiu Ibrahim, one of the Okada riders said, the late Ciroma was a gallant fighter who fought for his people. “The late Olatunji was our leader in this Okada business and was the Financial Secretary of our association. He

•Ciroma roundabout. Insert: Ciroma

went to attended the Ojude Oba Festival and was alerted in the party that some touts were fighting. He was called to settle the rifts and that was all. He was never to be seen again. While some said it was some robbers who were at the party that took him in the deceased’s car and killed him and dumped his body in the bush. His remains were later discovered in a bush 10 days after.”

Another Okada rider, Ismaila Abiodun, said the fallen hero was a peace-loving man who could lay his life down for anybody. “The news jolted us. We cried and cried but, up till now nobody knows who did the wicked act”.

Comrade Olugbenga Odugbesan described the day the late rider was buried as an “unforgettable day”. “In fact, the governor was there to honour him because of what he has done or contributed to the community. The Local Council Chairman and the Oba of Ososa said they should honour him by naming the roundabout after him for his

A charge to live a better Christian life

OU can call Augustine Nzekwu’s The Portrait of a Christian a handbook for Christians because it depicts what a Christian’s lifestyle should portray and how they can live a Godly life.

In the introduction of the 128-page book, the author starts by narrating a small, but satirical story on those who claim to be Christians by words but have no evidence to show for it - in character, appearance or deeds.

The book published by Barrychelsea Nigeria Ltd, is gritty and raw and it gives a realistic perspective of true Christianity. It discusses and explains what a Christian’s portrait should look like and the attributes of a good Christian. The Portrait of a Christian consists of seven chapters.

The Bible is the main source of information, which the author used to support his writing. He also gave example from real life experiences of people to draw home the point that Christians they have no excuse not to follow the footsteps of their Lord and Master, Jesus Christ.

Nzekwu starts Chapter One of his book by asking: “Who are you?” a common question

By Udemma Chukwuma

which many Christians and non-Christians find hard to answer. The author attempts to interrogate into the need understanding oneself, a notion which he posits would ultimately lead to proper better and purer lifestyle. His answer is followed by a verse from 1 Peter 2, verse 9.

In Chapter Four, the author named some traits as listed on the book of Galatians 5, verse 22 to 19, such as adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envying, murders and drunkenness, which, he urges, Christians to strive to overcome.

Also Nzekwu posits many should be conscious of their words (both spoken and written) as well as their actions, observing that some people murder their fellow men with their pen while others murder with their actions.

In other to overcome, the aforementioned traits, the author advises the reader to consider exercise caution at all time.

The Portrait of Christian is written in a plain and simple language. This makes it very easy for both average reader and bookworm to

read and understand. The concepts are welldefined. The book can serve as guide for those who have forgotten what Christianity should be about. Those who want to know how to live a fruitful Christian life without knowing where and how to start would also find the book a true companion.

It is not only a portable book, its block paragraphs and footnotes aid the flow of thought and scholarship. Going by the book’s quality, one can rank the book with those written by his contemporaries abroad.

A book every Christian family, Bible students and religious teachers, pastors and Christians should have.

However, some errors though not too obvious could be noticed in the book. Words such as: organizer and organiser were used instead being constant with one and the fist word of Bible was spelt all through in small letter rather than in capital letter B. Further, some words were joined together while some letters were separated from the other letters.

This you could see in page, thou it could be typographical errors. I believe the author will take note.

Nzekwu has authored other interesting books.

contribution to the community. This was why a brand new motorcycle (Okada) called ‘Yoppie’ was mounted at the roundabout in his memory.”

According to him, the roundabout was renovated, designed and painted and named after him. “Most people knew by his nickname, Ciroma, more than his real name.

That was why the roundout was called Ciroma Roundabout,” he added.

An indigene of the town, Kehinde Olugbode, described the monument as great and of high value, noting that since the Okada was placed there 10 years ago, nobody has made any attempt to steal it, and that shows how revered he is.

Damilola, one of the daughters of Ciroma, said her late father was humbled. When asked whether she would step into her father’s shoes, she replied: “I wish I were a male child, I would have continued but unfortunately we are all girls and we cannot venture into it. If I wanted to go into the business my husband will not allow me to do so.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

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COMMENTARY LETTER

EDITORIALS

Ajaokuta as waste

•A white elephant crouches in impotence with all its potential to industrialise Nigeria

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LTHOUGH there may be a myriad of other challenges militating against Nigeria’s rapid industrialisation, the country’s shoddy handling of its steel sector, in spite of the promise it holds for industrialisation, is a major hindrance. The clue of policy apathy and corruption regarding the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, ASC, in Kogi State, which can be gleaned from the declaration of Alhaji Kola Belgore, Chairman, Assets Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON, tells the story better.

As a guest lecturer at a function organised by Alhaji Jani Ibrahim, the immediate past president of the Alumni Association of National Institute (AANI), for newly promoted members of Nigeria Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) that are of Kwara State origin, Belgore reportedly declared: “There are 2,500 engines mounted and 6,000 employees, and we are paying them N3.4billion as salaries. That is what we are paying them for doing nothing monthly.”

The Ajaokuta Steel project has avoidably remained the cesspit of corruption in over 30 years of its inauguration by former President Shehu Shagari and successive governments have pumped public money into it without bothering about getting the desired result. Yet, despite the leadership-inflicted odds afflicting it, the company remains the country’s biggest iron and steel facility. If its present comatose state can be overcome, it has the potential of boosting the technological dream and industrial drive of the nation.

The mill further stands to aid acquisition of technical expertise, enhance technological growth and provide a template for inputs for infrastructural development in the country.

President Olusegun Obasanjo in the bid to privatise the company in 2003 reached a failed agreement with Solgas. And in 2004 too, the administration concessioned the Ajaokuta Steel plant to an Indian firm, Global Infrastructure Holdings Limited (GIHL). The latter company’s management signed a concession agreement with government in 2007 but defaulted, which led to its cancellation by late President Umaru Yar’Adua. The ensuing court case is reportedly pending in a London court, thereby constituting a seeming cog in the wheel of moving forward on it.

We wonder why despite its huge potential and massive public expenditure it has gulped, Ajaokuta Steel Rolling Mill still avoidably remains unproductive. For this obvious reason, we call on government to do something urgent, especially on the reported current local finished steel production level of the country put at less than 1Mtpa with negligible export figures for the finished steel products. The fact that AMCON has reportedly helped to boost the company’s asset which has a current standing of N6 trillion means that the project still commands tremendous value with lots of juicy returns to offer the country’s economic development.

There is no doubt that the time has come for the government to quickly decide whether it still wants the steel mill or not

so as to put a screeching stoppage to wasting of the country’s hard earned money in the face of millions that are living below the poverty line. However, one thing in our view is certain: The Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP), an initiative put in place by the government of President Goodluck Jonathan, can only be meaningful if projects such as the Ajaokuta Steel Rolling Mill bounce back to reckoning.

Despite the revelations of Belgore on the waste going on around the Ajaokuta Steel Mill Company, we strongly believe that candid official efforts must be deployed now so that the dream by past nationalist leaders at the nation’s independence, of making Nigeria a steel producing country, would not die.

‘Despite the revelations of Belgore on the waste going on around the Ajaokuta Steel Mill Company, we strongly believe that candid official efforts must be deployed now so that the dream by past nationalist leaders at the nation’s independence, of making Nigeria a steel producing country, would not die’

Chibok schoolgirls twist •Human rights activist Shehu Sani should name the powerful Nigerians he claimed to be working against freedom of the abducted students.

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ANY Nigerians looking forward to the release of the more than 200 Chibok school girls abducted

by Boko Haram insurgents since April must have been frightened by the allegation by Shehu Sani, a human rights activist, that some powerful Nigerians are working against the release of the girls.

Sani, who had been involved in at least three botched attempts to free the girls and had on previous occasions blamed the failure of the moves on the insincerity of the Federal Government, now believes that the government is getting closer to getting a deal that would get the hapless secondary school students released to their parents.

The latest twist in the tale has further befuddled the issues and sent the alarm

‘But, the suggestion that some powerful individuals or forces could be working against the release of the Chibok schoolgirls without naming the powerful Nigerians calls for caution. We call on Sani to name the individuals to prevent innocent people from being tagged’

bells ringing on what the government may be planning. Activities on the political scene suggest that President Goodluck Jonathan would soon formally declare his bid for a second term in office and it is obvious that the abduction of the girls could be a hindrance to the ambition. Therefore, it seems that there are three options open to the Commanderin-Chief of the Armed Forces. First, he could order a full-scale war by the military, backed by foreign allies. Second, he could decide to trade the girls’ freedom for amnesty for arrested insurgents and, third, he could pin the kidnap on opposition politicians or imaginary foes.

This is why we are worried by Sani’s claim. It corresponds with the position held by key officials of the Federal Government and the voluble spokesperson for the Department of State Services (DSS), Ms. Marilyn Ogar, who have made attempts to pin the failure to get the girls released on leaders of the main opposition party in the country, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Given his antecedents, Sani’s contention could not be easily dismissed. He had been a victim of state repression under previous government and obviously has contacts with the agents of terror apparently in a bid to resolve the logjam threatening the corporate existence of the country. When the Federal Government named him earlier as a member of a committee to negotiate a peaceful resolution of the conflict, he declined because he

could not see the genuineness in the government effort. On another occasion, he had embarked on a private move with former President Obasanjo to stave off the crisis.

But, the suggestion that some powerful individuals or forces could be working against the release of the Chibok schoolgirls without naming the powerful Nigerians calls for caution. We call on Sani to name the individuals to prevent innocent people from being tagged.

As a Nigerian, he ought to make such information available to the security forces even if he does not want to directly put it in the public square. It must be realised that no single individual or individuals could be more powerful than the Nigerian state. The national interest supersedes any other and the day must never come when anyone would be made to believe that he or she is greater than the country. At a time when the entire world is fighting terrorism, no one should be encouraged to shield the identity of sponsors of such a deadly crime.

We are constrained to warn that any attempt by the Federal Government to use such information as basis for a clampdown on imaginary enemies without full disclosure on the identities, veracity and source of the information would be counter- productive and further compound the woes of a nation humbled by a group that started as a ragtag band of malcontents.

Lesson from the Scots

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IR: On Thursday September 18, the Scots in the United Kingdom will file out to cast their votes in an historic referendum. The purpose of the referendum to decide whether or not to remain part of United Kingdom or move on to form a separate, independent nation. Despite the fact that Britain disliked the idea, yet there is no threat of violence. That means no blood will be spilled irrespective of the outcome of the referendum. In fact, UK’s only way of discouraging Scotland from this move is the threat of depriving them of the ‘British Pound’.

Ordinarily, one would think that Britain will fight dirty to keep their union intact. The proponents of United Kingdom have come to realise that maintaining unity under force is a waste of not only resources, and energy but also time. You wonder why Nigeria should not apply similar methods in advancing peace!

Applying the Scotland-UK model will lessen not only the major ethnic differences, but will also reduce the violence.

Let face the fact that majority of the violence in Nigeria is created by ethnic differences. In Nigeria, blazing ethnic differences create stiff internal strife.

Internal strife in turn, breeds not just stark corruption, gross impunity and underdevelopment but continuous chaos and further chaos in the broader view.

Nigeria as always, is soaked with blood, with crisis rocking from coast to coast. In essence Nigerians are slaughtering Nigerians. The country’s military in its normal reaction is unleashing terror on the crisis zone to maintain the difficult task of keeping the country together. The continuous violence calls into question the legitimacy of Nigeria project.

Despite the unwavering violence, Nigeria rulers are feasting on conferences behaving as if everything is normal, thereby repeating old mistakes.

The so-called National conference has just ended in Abuja. Earlier, a World Economic Forum on Africa took place in Abuja under the rage of bombs.

The reality is that Nigeria has become a gigantic, modern day prison, where everyone appears to be on death row awaiting execution. Yet most people are in denial of this problem of self-imprisonment. The country is so dysfunctional that comparably, animal life is more important and highly valued in stable countries than is human life in Nigeria.

Nigerians more than ever deserves to be free from self-imprisonment based on misguided expectations. If there’s any group seeking to form a United States type of country out of Nigeria, it will require they relocate the country to a neutral land away from their origins at the minimum. But until then, the country will only spare itself the carnage and destructions that defined Nigeria project by embracing what’s true and just. Nigerians should not wait until the country degenerates once more to Ukraine or Syria types of crises, or another civil war before applying the common sense approach.

This is the time to act decisively. Now is the time to use Scotland-UK approach to resolve the irreconcilable differences and intractable violence that defined one Nigeria.

• Odewale Sina, Westminister, London .

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

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

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: The Nation editorial, page 17 of Thursday, August 7, titled Wrong way to go refers.

The article appears to have been intended to ridicule and rubbish the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programme of the Federal Government being implemented by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).

The EPR is a waste management model which many countries have since adopted in an effort to surmount challenges posed on the environment by non-degradable materials. The programme is in line with the zero-waste idea which is now the norm

Is Nigeria Humpty Dumpty?

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IR: The activities of rampaging Boko Haram in northeastern Nigeria with the terrorists overrunning many towns and villages, and the dismal response of the Nigerian state to the unbridled brigandage should be a cause for concern for patriotic Nigerians. The poorly-equipped Nigerian Army, contrary to what President Goodluck Jonathan voiced sometime back, again shows that corruption is Nigeria’s number one problem. With the huge defence budget over the years, how come the Nigerian Army is poorly equipped? The advances made by Boko Haram also shows that either our intelligence services failed in their responsibilities over the years, or people who were to take actions based on gathered intelligence compromised the Nigerian state.

For more than 150 days now, more than 200 girls have been kidnapped by the insurgents and we all seem to be going about normally as if nothing has happened.

Nigeria appears to be in a free fall!

As I contemplated these happenings, I remember the nursery rhyme Humpty Dumpty. Is Nigeria Humpty Dumpty?

• Victor O. Adetimirin University of Ibadan

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Re: Wrong way to go worldwide and is encouraged by international environmental bodies.

The globally acceptable standard is the application of the 5R concept – Recover, Reduce, Repair, Recycle and Reuse. Here, emphasis is placed on the need to recover waste materials, reduce, repair or recycle them for further use.

In furtherance of promoting best practices in the environment sector through EPR, the Committee on Environment of the House of Representatives held a stakeholders’ meeting on the EPR programmes in Abuja, onJune 10. Stakeholders at the meeting identified EPR as, “a necessary step to take if our industries are to become more responsible corporate citizens as it addresses the lifecycle issues of products, especially what happens to them at the end of their life.”

The implication is that responsi-

S

IR: The travails of the Electoral Officers for Osogbo and Obokun Local Governments of Osun State are a lesson on how not to help the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The two officers have been suspended by INEC while investigation into their misconduct is ongoing.

The Electoral Officer for Osogbo, Tope Fabunmi, was suspended for the ignoble role he played before and during the August 9, governorship election in Osun State. Complaints were lodged against him that he was asking for the political affiliation of registered voters who had come to collect their permanent voters’ cards and would find a way to deny those who identified with APC. He was also reported to his superiors by the APC for not releasing the identity tags for the party’s agents on election day. He only released 70 tags out of 240 and only grudgingly

bilities of producers go beyond pushing their products into the market and leaving Nigerians to suffer the harmful effects of the waste which litter the streets and pollute our environment.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, stakeholders were unanimous in adopting the stand that, “All producers should take responsibility of incorporating environmental concerns in the design, process and disposal of their product, including the packaging” and also, maintained that “industry and business should build synergy with all relevant stakeholders including the Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (MAN); Nigerian Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA); and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to explore opportunities, and deepen the understanding and implementation

of EPR.” Many of these companies are multi-nationals who already practice EPR in their countries of origin and many other countries where they operate. Adopting the same model in Nigeria therefore, cannot and should not be a problem for them.

The stakeholders particularly in the manufacturing sector, were very well carried along in every step of the EPR programme design. As is traditional with NESREA, no programme is ever developed and implemented without inputs from stakeholders. EPR is no different. As a matter of fact, some companies have started implementing EPR programme but in a quasi-form.

In many western countries where EPR is in force, as companies are setting up their production outfits, they are also, alongside, setting up their recycle plants where they receive the

How not to rig for PDP

released the rest after a petition was written to his superiors and the intervention of EU observers. But by then, accreditation had passed. The most egregious of the allegation against him was that he dumped the Form EC8C, where result for Osogbo Local Government would have been recorded, in a waste bin, thereby delayed the collation of result in the council area till the wee hours of the next day. This was done ostensibly to manipulate the result. He brought out the forms only after a petition had been written to INEC and stern warning issued to him by his boss.

The EO for Obokun, Anthony Olusegun Eshinoye, was suspended for illegally diverting election materials before election day and was on the way to a PDP leader’s house in Ilase, prompting vigilant youths to stop him and he was arrested by the police. Strangely, he was released to a PDP national leader from the state.

Curiously, immediately they were suspended by INEC, PDP twisted the facts and smuggled a story into the media, that they were suspended for rigging for APC. INEC was forced to categorically deny this and make public the real reasons they were suspended.

Their suspension was meant to be an in-house affair, now it has been blown open and all eyes are now on INEC. They thought they were working for the PDP, but now they have been ditched and their career is on the line.

The same applies to some misguided civil servants, especially two permanent secretaries and a director who took on the garb of partisanship during the election, throwing decency and all rules in the book to the gutters. They were openly campaigning for the candidate of the PDP and were seen distributing his vests. One even stood for him as a

‘waste’ from their products in the form of metals, plastics, can, etc and process them for re-use or other uses.

This is the point we need Nigeria to get to.

In some cases, companies engage the services of already existing recycle plants to reprocess the wastes from their products. Usually there is a form of agreement between the parties as to cost and benefit sharing.

The manufacturers do not seek the help of government in moving their products to all nooks and crannies of the country. Whatever strategy they have adopted in pushing their products should also serve as a network for recovering the waste. Of course, this does not mean the duty of government to collect waste from Nigerians is cancelled, no. The idea is just that any waste that has a producer’s label on it SHOULD be recovered by the producer.

Again, we must not fail to acknowledge the job creation opportunities which will be opened up by this programme if properly implemented.

The steps being taken by the federal government so far is in the best interest of Nigerians, including the manufacturers.

• Sule Oyofo NESREA, Abuja

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party agent. It is the height of insanity for civil servants to be so brazenly partisan.

These civil servants naively believed the assurances of the PDP that they had wrapped up the election and at worst, the result would be written and announced from Abuja. To their regret and eternal shame, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola won in a landslide.

The affected civil servants have since been thrown into panic and unspeakable grief after Omisore lost the election. They cannot face their colleagues again and are sorely afraid of the inevitable consequences of their indiscretion.

The just retribution that awaits these ignoble conducts are a good lesson for those who may be tempted to align with the devil at the expense of professionalism and integrity.

• Remi Adebowale, Osogbo, Osun State

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

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COMMENTS

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‘Our Girls’; Dr Ameyo Adadevoh Foundation, Brig Gen Adekunle, RIP

UR Girls’ are still missing since April 15.

This is unbelievable as is what the families are going through! The spat between government and the Bringbackourgirls Tony campaign should be terMarinho minated immediately.

The suggestion that a political party is responsible for Boko Haram is ridiculous even though it had some of its origins in political thuggery. Now thugs are politicians themselves having overthrown the hand that fed and led them by cutting out the ‘middle man’.

Dr Ameyo Adadevoh has painfully been laid to rest and also her stance as a proud doctor of integrity has been reinforced by sympathisers at a Night of Tributes and a Funeral /Commendation service activities in Lagos, Nigeria and Accra, Ghana where the President of Ghana honoured her.

Of course we would all have preferred her to be with her husband, son, family, colleagues and Nigerians in general.

However she has gone to face an interview to fill a vacancy in Heaven that we are sure she has already passed with flying colours and is her usually sparkling self even in Heaven.

The Dr Ameyo Adadevoh Foundation set up to conduct research especially in viruses is a welcome contribution to research and a valuable way of perpetuating Ameyo’s good name. We must also note that if six months ago, Ameyo or anyone in clinical or research medicine or veterinary medicine had applied for a research grant for ‘Awareness About Deadly Viruses’, ‘Availability Of Deadly Virus Preventive Clothing Kits’, ‘Viruses In Bush Meat Samples In Nigeria’, or ‘Vaccination Status Against Deadly Viruses In Nigeria’ or applied for ‘More Media Outreach Education For Deadly Viruses’ we in medicine know that such a person, and even Adadevoh herself, would have been sent packing as ‘dreaming’ or ‘unrealistic or planning to ‘waste scarce funds’.

Do you know how much brilliant research has been reduced to nothingness by a near absence of research grants

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HAT lonesome evening of Saturday, September 6, I was alone, sitting on the sofa in my room, ensconced in thoughts. Suddenly, I looked up to the television set that was doing its own thing unnoticed for some time. Behold the news scroll on the AIT station: “Dimgba Igwe, Vice-Chairman, Sun Newspapers, dies at 58.” At first, it did not as much register in my consciousness as I stared blankly at the television set unable to comprehend whether what I had seen was true, could be true or was totally true. Immediately, I sat up, waiting for the news to come round again. Then it came again and again and again.

By now, the journalistic instinct in me had woken up. I reached out to my cellphone. As I held it, trying to put a call through for more information about the shocking news, the first name that came to mind was Eric Osagie, whom I choose to call “Omonoba”, meaning “Prince”, in Edo language. I have known and bonded with Eric way back to his days of sojourn with the now rested Weekend Concord. Fate joined us together in 1986 and, since then, we have bonded till date. When Eric was with Concord, there was no time we met that his discussion will not veer off to Mike Awoyinfa and Dimgba Igwe, the professional Siamese twins, who were his bosses and were and are still his bosses in the Sun newspapers. I know that Dimgba has transformed from the terrestrial world to the celestial clime, but he is still a boss. As they say, “once a boss is always a boss.”

Even though Dimgba is no more,

for over 30 years? Be truthful, how many politicians think research grants are of any value? There are hardly any research grants anyway in spite of the efforts of the National Universities Commission and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) in this regard, for which we are grateful.

All research in Nigeria, arts or science, relevant or utopian, is chronically and seriously under-funded by both government and the private sector. Anyone asking what the budget for ‘Medical Research’ in Nigeria should be, would do well to Google South Africa’s Medical Research Council Grants’ for 2013 and 2014. There will be found the sums spent by South Africa, not USA or UK or the EU. Research is research.

It can never be ‘Nigerian factor’ with short cuts and fictitious results. The reader must be informed of how difficult good research can be in Nigeria where absence of power, libraries, funds and honesty make the truthful researcher an endangered species. If Nigeria equals South Africa’s volume of medical research funding, that would be something but still not enough. Why? With being the very boastful ‘Largest Economy In Africa’ comes responsibility to deliver deliverables including research fund levels at percentage of budgets just as other countries fund their own medical and other research . This funding must be delivered as a routine, independent of tampering by authorities and politicians.

Remember to google South Africa, Nigeria’s, UK’s, USA’s Medical Research Council or equivalent grants. The supreme price paid by Ameyo, the matron, and others in the line of dedicated and distinguished medical duty was unnecessary.

Perhaps it will make the authorities take research seriously for a few minutes? Can we expect more in this knee-jerk, fire-brigade society which always lacks a plan even for seasonal market fires? Remember we still are ravaged by the multiple murdering typhoid, malaria and maternal mortality, (TMM), but who cares? The anti-Ebola strategies are creating massive awareness of queuing and hand washing and improved sanitation, toilet provision, water supply in hospitals, schools, markets and homes. These preventive measures, considered ‘normal signs of civilisation’, must be taken seriously in buildings, approvals for schools, review of government schools, budget allocations and maintenance. Re-

member the mathematics. One hundred million + will use the toilet, if available 400,000,000+ times. They must be made to last forever, if Dr Adadevoh and other medical professionals are not to have died in vain. Stubborn Nigerians were forced learn the art of queuing from draconic BuhariIdiagbon military regime. Now ‘NO CONTACT, QUEUE WITH A CONSCIENCE’ to leave ‘ANTI-VIRUS SPACE’ between each person as the manifestation of the fact that ‘’The fear of Ebola is the beginning of ‘NON-CONTACT QUEUES’ wisdom’’. The spin-off is that it may bring the improvement in personal hygiene with reduction in all the biological warfare diseases, TMM. EMERGENCY RELEASE OF SUCH FUNDS AND EXECUTION OF PROJECTS IS STRATEGIC NATIONAL IMPORANCE. We salute another hero; a major war hero, untainted retired Brig- General Benjamin Adekunle, aka Black Scorpion, of the Third Marine Commando is dead. Long live his memory. He also cleared the port by dumping most of the unclaimed goods into the Apapa Marina. The disrespect for soldiers past, especially in the south of Nigeria, laxity in payment of their pensions and refusal to recruit their experienced brains to fight the new security challenges, will be Nigeria’s downfall. We do not need Boko Haram to reach Ore or Ibadan before planning an exit or resistance strategy.

‘If Nigeria equals South Africa’s volume of medical research funding, that would be something but still not enough. Why? With being the very boastful ‘Largest Economy In Africa’ comes responsibility to deliver deliverables including research fund levels at percentage of budgets just as other countries fund their own medical and other research’

The ink dries for Dimgba he will forever remain a boss to all those who passed through his tutelage.

During the brief interregnum when Concord went off the streets, Eric still maintained his close contact with the duo of Mike and Dimgba, who had then produced their first book. I remember that Eric was involved in marketing the book as he moved all over the place soliciting for buyers. Soon after, the Sun newspapers hit the newsstands. Eric came on board.

Each time we met, he never ceased to talk about Dimgba and Mike in glorious terms. It was through his many narrations that I got to know Mike and Dimgba more.

Eric mirrored them. Though he never uttered the word “mentor”, but the innate passion with which he spoke about them with love and stylish fervour, they are, no doubt, his mentors and, by extension, same to so many others.

So that night, I put a call through to Eric. It rang endlessly without any response. That was quite unusual. My worse fear was confirmed when the 10’o clock news that night said Dimgba Igwe’s death was caused by a hitand-run driver while he was jogging around his neighbourhood in Okota, a suburb of Lagos. I am quite familiar with that Okota axis of Lagos, which I explored in and out for three years, between 1989 and 1991, when I was working at Champion newspapers, located at Ilasamaja. I am also familiar with the Apata Memorial High School, around where the murderous

‘While Eric Osagie was agonising over the dearth of appropriate emergency medical care in the country, which might have hastened the death of Dimgba, I simply told him to look beyond that because it could be a simulated assassination’

driver decided to end it all for Dimgba. That area, at that time, was highly notorious, perhaps, because of the ethnic concentration in that place.

Anyway, I couldn’t reach Eric that night as he did not return my call. Throughout the night, the thoughts of the life of someone of that status being extinguished in such a reckless and callous manner, punctured and punctuated my sleep all through. It was a sleepless night in which my mind kept wandering while I eagerly awaited the flash of daylight to signify another day. My hope was that the newspapers, which my vendor brings before 7a.m every day, will throw more light on the greatest puzzle of the year that Dimgba’s untimely death represents. The newspapers arrived, as usual, just a few minutes to 7a.m.

As they were being handed over to me on the bed, my phone rang.

The caller was Eric. Both of us were too much in haste to talk about Dimgba’s death, so much that we could not exchange greetings.

“What happened to Dimgba?”

I thundered. Eric answered: “My brother, na so we see am o”. “How did it happen?” I queried further.

Eric replied, “You see, nobody really knows exactly what happened, but we heard that he was knocked down by a car while he was jogging early in the morning and somebody picked his phone and called his wife”. Eric and I then went into a long conversation over the incident. Eric blamed his death on the lack of appropriate and adequate medical facilities in the country. He narrated how they took the injured Dimgba to one or two hospitals where there were no surgeons to attend to him, until he was rushed to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, where the surgeons there, tried unsuccessfully to stabilise him

before he finally died.

While Eric Osagie was agonising over the dearth of appropriate emergency medical care in the country, which might have hastened the death of Dimgba, I simply told him to look beyond that because it could be a simulated assassination. Let us look at it this way. Jogging around that spot where the incident occurred could have been or was a routine which he did religiously. In that case, he was vulnerable to any hit man or hit men lurking around to commit havoc. All they needed do was to lay ambush ahead of his appearance along that route that unholy morning. As he came around, quite oblivious of the satanic plot, he could have even unknowingly jogged past the vehicle bearing his killer or killers. As soon as the killers were sure of their target, the vehicle would rev into life, move quickly and dangerously crush the target in the usual, crazy manner of driving in Nigeria, particularly in Lagos, to make it look like an accident.

But what could be the motive for such heinous crime? Just anything! Anything that upsets another person could precipitate such criminal act. Here was a man so much married to his job and the gospel. Those close to him say he could not hurt a fly. But he was in business - the business of writing books and, perhaps, some other things along the line. For sure, he couldn’t have been involved in shady deals that might warrant settling scores with death. But then, you never can tell.

Petty jealousy and inferiority complex, of which I was a victim in the recent past, could lead an aggrieved person to commit anything. Whatever it is, I believe we all must learn a lesson, or two, from this tragedy.

Moreover, in this era of technological advancement, what has happened to our so-called policy

Dele Agekameh on e-policing? Is it too much to install CCTV at notorious crime scenes and very busy areas? This, I believe, would have solved the puzzle that Dimgba’s death has become. Or at least, keep murderers in check. It’s time we put on our thinking caps. It’s Dimgba’s turn today …

Dimgba lived. Now, he is dead.

Stone dead. Never to move either his limbs or fingers again to write the beautiful prose that stood him out in the firmament of journalism in Nigeria. How cruel death is, the monster that devour both the young and the old at will! The dead do not glorify death or tremble at its sight. They just walk away to eternity. It is the living that feels the pain, the anguish, the bereavement and sense of loss. More than a million cries or an ocean of tears can never retrieve the dead. As we weep and gnash our teeth in solemnity with the family, friends and acquaintances left behind by our brother and our comrade-in-arms in the fight against the buccaneers and the oppressors in our midst, we must face the stark reality that Dimgba Igwe has played his part and gone forever. He now sits with the Saints. Well, the police, must fish out whodunit!

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

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COMMENTS ‘There must be a rationale for the #BringBackGoodluck2015 posters because those billboards and posters were someone’s doing, to know Nigerians’ reaction over them before they spread #BringBackJonathan2015 nationwide. It is good that the president has ordered the removal of the billboards. President Jonathan’s second term is certain, if there is performance; after all, we want continuity. If a leader is doing well, eyes will see before hands will cast votes. All groups should take it easy. We all know that everybody is looking for ‘stomach infrastructure’ from the top; let them allow the president to concentrate. From Gordon Chika Nnorom, Umukabia, Abia State’

•Tom Ikimi

For Olatunji Dare Ninety-five per cent of Nigeria’s politicians are animals in human skin. Its time we flush them out of the assemblies, replace them with patriots who will take sitting allowances for true service to The Nation. From Babtunde Akanbi, IIorin South, Kwara State.

Sir, the departure of Chief Tom Ikimi from any political party in Nigeria is a good omen.

Aside from being a silent-screen ideological conman, he is one of the few people in Nigerian history whose body has begun to stink before it died. PDP should not jubilate for his joining them. Rather, we should collectively demand that the President have him arrested as an enemy of the people of this country, based on his past. From Adegoke O, O. Ikhin, Edo State.

I want to thank you for stimulating our memory faculties once again, as we Nigerians appear to be so forgetful of our past. I honestly thought I was the only one who couldn’t understand why political gangsters, area boys and proven thieves, with publicly known crimes to society, could not only become politically relevant, but rub pepper into open sores, by fighting to be politically recognised and vocal on issues, a lot of which they had contributed to in the past directly or indirectly. These group of vagabonds in power (V.I.P.)s should be hiding their heads in shame, which of course they lack. Sir, with your well written and thought off article, you not only hit the nail on the head, but hopefully, you have once again opened the eyes and forgetful minds of Nigerians to our not to far past. I thank you. From Dr dotun ransomekuti This is a good account of the Edo High Chief. He is truly an AGIP (any govt in

D

ESPERATION for political positions in the next year’s general elections is leading many politicians across the country astray. Even those who have been voted into offices for several times, but have nothing to point at as empowerment and reward for the people are fighting to stage a comeback by all means. They are already throwing caution into the wind, while trying to drag peoples’ name into the mud. They are also engaging in self-contradiction and denial. These negative tendencies are taking toll in Abia State in recent times especially as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries draws closer. The target of these few cynical politicians behind the mudslinging and campaign of calumny are the Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Ahamefula Orji, his government, family members and PDP stakeholders. The development is not a surprise as it was expected especially as every aspirant appears to be desperate to emerge as Governor Orji’s successor.

So disappointing and demeaning in the whole unfolding episode is the fact that some of those who had some months ago publicly acknowledged and thanked Governor Orji’s government for liberating the state and making positive impact through massive infrastructural developments have suddenly joined the bandwagon of ‘Pull Him Down’ (PHD) politicians in the state. Already made available for them to execute their futile political mudslinging were the two newspapers owned by the estranged ex-governor of the state who had also lost out in the state power equation since 2010, and is now desperately seeking for relevance at all costs ahead of 2015 polls.

One of the episodes was recently captured in the macabre dance exhibited by the Senator representing Abia Central, Nkechi Nwogu who is nursing the ambition to suc-

power). His co travellers are many. People like Anenih, Gana, Mantu, Ojo Madueke, Arthur Eze, Bode George, Babatope and many more. They have a price not pride. They are undignified and have no reputation. They are the Generals of Stomach Infrastructure.

Anonymous Chief Tom Ikimi’s utterances against Asiwaju Tinubu over the APC chairmanship position is very unfortunate, and an indication that he has hidden agenda over 2015 general election against APC. APC can move on without him period. To be leader is not compulsory neither birthright to some people. God made leaders not by force.l believe Asiwaju Tinubu works on antecedent of the man, not by his capacity as leader of APC. He want APC to be strong as opposition. From Gordon Chika Nnorom For Segun Gbadegesin Re-The character of education.I enjoyed your recap of W.E.B. Du Bois I learnt in 197980 under Personalities in West African History. I particularly enjoyed what Galileo meant and his uncompleted works. At the point of death, he caved in, gave up to the lies of the World: he was not manly again! It is a lesson because what would have become a monumental symbol of life achievement was lost. I hope, all, would learn to tell the truth, be bold for the sake of eternity. May God help and make our leaders be courageous to own up to truth. From Lanre Oseni.

That piece on “The character of education” says it all. It is the naked truth that we, the so called educated elite have turned our education, the veritable weapon for fighting poverty, ignorance and underdevelopment to enslave our country in disunity and abject want. Shame on us! From Ladan Babakodong I appreciate your write up as it concern ‘the character of education’, but next time communicate the meaning clearly, so that even the lay man can get what you mean. From Martins Sunday, Cross river.

Sir, I will like to air my view on your article entitled”The character of education” Gov-

ernment should focuss more attention on the provision of of basic infrastructure like power ( energy/electricity) water, roads, etc to create an enabling( conducive) environment to grow the economy.From Tayo Aluko, Governor’s Office, Ado Ekiti.

This is my first time of, ever making a comment. Every word written in between the lines of this paragraph is perfectly the truth. Am a 16year-old girl living in an Island Abonnema of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, all in Rivers State I’ve taken a look at the community that surrounds me and has come to the conclusion that it is not something to write home about. Abonnema is a community that has the background of so many rich and famous men written on pages, and if you waalk round the town you will have a satisfying view of beautiful houses and mansions, a vivid evidence of their wealth. Abonnema has two secondary schools, but no library instead of sponsoring the building of beneficial properties like libraries and recreational centers they go about squandering their money building mighty houses in different compounds and sub that they call ‘Ipku wari’ which they locked up with large padlocks. Are we aiming for a good country. Anonymous.

For Tunji Adegboyega Re: Presidential counterfeit. What, to me is paramount is the directive Mr President gave for the removal of the nauseating billboards. Many times, the so-called aides to Mr President and Messrs Governors rule the country and some weak states, respectively, through lies, deceit, and self-interest opinions not to grow our society but for their own pecuniary gains only. The president deserves commendation whenever he ‘listens’ and also deserves your ‘criticism whenever he falters. Commendation or criticism must however be objective rather than being politically motivated. From Lanre Oseni.

It is very unfortunate that we have a president who does not believe the people he is leading but wants them to believe him. He

•Jonathan

ignored his fellow Nigerian men and women to visit the Chibok girls’ parents but chose to listen to a 17-year-old from Pakistan. Again, the president reduced the image of his country by saying that he was not aware of the #BringBackGoodluck2015 posters until Washington Post editorial kicked against it. Our honour has been taken away by a president who cannot differentiate politics from governance. From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapa, Lagos.

There must be a rationale for the #BringBackGoodluck2015 posters because those billboards and posters were someone’s doing, to know Nigerians’ reaction over them before they spread #BringBackJonathan2015 nationwide. It is good that the president has ordered the removal of the billboards. President Jonathan’s second term is certain, if there is performance; after all, we want continuity.

If a leader is doing well, eyes will see before hands will cast votes. All groups should take it easy. We all know that everybody is looking for ‘stomach infrastructure’ from the top; let them allow the president to concentrate.

From Gordon Chika Nnorom, Umukabia, Abia State.

My brother, yes, we are indeed being made to travel the same road again which you said bores your like. It may seem so, but please, don’t be, for that is what they want. Be like the preacher who kept preaching the same message each Sunday and when asked why, he said his congregation was yet to change and until they did, he would not change his message. Like you said, if not for the discerning like you and a host of others in this country who speak out, most of us would have been turned into morons, substituting truth for falsehood for truth and bad for good. Keep up this good work. God bless. From Naman Ishaya, Kafanchan.

Abia’s politics of mudslinging

By Romanus Uwa ceed Governor Orji in office. Nwogu had alleged that the transition chairman of Isiala Ngwa North local government of the State, Chief Ginger Onwusibe had on alleged order of Governor Orji launched attack on her along Enugu-Port Harcourt warning her to stop campaigning for the office of the governor because it has been zoned to Abia South District. Nwaogu further claimed that she was a target of assassination attempt by the thugs.

Onwusibe in his reply denied the accusation, saying that it was “an attempt by the Senator to blackmail and tell lies against him. He said it was the Senator’s security men and her aides that launched attack on him when his car was waiting to cross to the other side of the Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway at Uratta Amaekpu junction.

Common sense demands that as a senator representing the governors’ zone and a member of PDP, the best bet if truly such incident happened was for the senator to relate it to the governor, teh state Commissioner of Police and wait for their actions or responses before taking further steps. Rushing to grant interview on the issue to two newspapers owned by the ex-governor of the state who has since launched media war against Orji’s government is quite suspicious.

It is not out of place that such false alarm would be raised against Governor Orji, his government, the state party leadership before and after the party primaries in the state.

This is because some aspirants who are not sure of themselves in the election contest would resort to blackmail, false allegations

and facts-twisting to remain relevant in the politics of the state ahead of 2015 polls.

It is on record that since Governor Orji assumed office as governor of the state in 2007, the state has not witnessed any politically motivated attacks. Even the sponsored kidnapping menace that pervaded the State in 2010 was tackled headlong by the government and had since become a thing of the past. The likes of Onyema Ugochukwu, Vincent Ogbulafor, Ojo Mmaduekwe, Adolphous Wabara, Enyinnaya Abaribe and others who were before now tagged Abuja politicians have since become home politicians courtesy of secure and friendly environment provided by the present government in the state. They are always in the state now without security aides or fear of molestation or attack. Dividends of the secure and peaceful atmosphere in the state abound, ranging from the ongoing massive infrastructural developments to the influx of investors and others. This has brought rapid economic development and job opportunities in the state.

The governor as Chief Security Officer of the state has never at any point, even by proxy, used the security agents in the state to intimidate or harass anybody, not even his predecessor that has consistently attacked his personality. Nwogu’s allegation is the first of its kind in the state since Orji assumed office, and it may not be the last, especially as 2015 polls fast approaches. Since the PDP in the state zoned the governorship seat to Abia South district, neither the party leadership in the state nor Orji has stopped aspirants from other senatorial districts from campaigning for the seat. So why

should any aspirant resort to blackmail and false alarm to whip up sentiment ahead of the party governorship primaries? The fate of all the aspirants would be decided at the ballot box during primaries. Governor Orji has repeatedly made it clear that he has not endorsed anybody, and will not do so in order to allow for a level playing ground for all the aspirants.

With the party leadership and the state government’s position on the issue, the onus lies on the aspirants to flaunt their records and convince the party delegates to support them in the primaries. It will be left for the party delegates to assess every aspirant accordingly and take a decision in line with the party’s policy and the constitution. It will provide opportunity for stock taking of grassroots politicians who are always handy to partner with the people and emergency politicians who always remember the people whenever they are in dire need of their votes.

Those who will lose, because (definitely there will be losers and winners) should as loyal party members, support whoever emerges to ensure that the party emerge victorious in the polls. This is because as it is in the state today, PDP holds the ace politically and enjoys a lot of advantages because of the state government’s numerous accomplishments so far. Other political parties in the state are featherweight as they lack followers and foundation. Those who are hoping to use them as last resort after losing out in the PDP primaries will end up losing out completely, because PDP is the best brand and the most acceptable party in the state today.

• Dr. Uwa wrote from Aba, Abia State

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

25 NLNG is one of the biggest success stories in our country. From what I am told, the company has invested $13 billion so far since inception, and has become a pacesetter in terms of revenue generation for the government.

-Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net Stories by Taofik Salako

Fed Govt urged to support cocoa farmers

By Daniel Essiet

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HE Federal Government has been urged to support farmers to reposition cocoa in the international market by improving on quality to prevent rejection by chocolate producers.

The Chief Executive Officer, Centre for Cocoa Initiative, Mr Robo Adhuze, said multinational firms interested in secured supplies of the commodities had announced that they would no longer accept uncertified cocoa produce from West African farmers by 2020.

He noted that the quality requirement for food produce exports into major markets were becoming increasing stringent with demand for certifications which the local producers cannot afford.

For this reason, he advised farmers to act fast and improve the quality of the produce to export high priced cocoa that will led to increase in revenue.

While steady growth has transformed the chocolate industry, he said farmers were still given peanuts as earnings.

According to him, growers still receive less than the final value of a chocolate bar.

The lower prices paid to farmers result in lower productivity and poverty in farming.

He urged chocolate firms to improve on the prices afforded farmers by offering them fair trade rates.

According to him, fair trade value will boost income levels for rural households, making a notable difference to quality of life for farmers who under the cocoa industry.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$117.4/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,396.9/troy Sugar -$163/lb MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE -N11.4 trillion JSE -Z5.112trillion NYSE -$10.84 trillion LSE -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -8% Treasury Bills -10.58%(91d) Maximum lending -30% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -1% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $45b FOREX CFA EUR £ $ ¥ SDR RIYAL

-0.2958 -206.9 -242.1 -156 -1.9179 -238 -40.472

Microsoft to sack 18,000 workers

A

NXIETY has gripped workers of tech giants, Microsoft Nigeria as the firm prepares to cut about 18,000 jobs over the next one year. It is part of the tech titan’s efforts to streamline its business under new Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella.

An industry source said the plan has demoralised workers even in the Nokia office in the country where everybody is unsure whose name would be on the list of people that would be asked to go any time from now.

According to the source, the management of the firm in its headquarter in the United States (U.S.) is compiling the list of the workers that will be affected in the two organisations, adding that a pall of uncertainty has now enveloped the two organisations.

“Everybody is just waiting for the list and there is a general air of uncertainty as nobody knows who will be

By Lucas Ajanaku

affected. We just come to work every day unsure of when letters would be distributed.

So, for the wise ones among us, it will not come as a surprise. We are beginning to look inwards,” the source added.

In a statement, Microsoft said about 12,500 of the professional and factory positions will be cut as part of its $7.2 billion acquisition of Nokia’s handset business.

Nadella in a memo to employees was quoted to have written: “My promise to you is that we will go through this process in the most thoughtful and transparent way possible.”

Nadella, who replaced Steve Ballmer in February, said the “vast majority” of employees affected by layoffs will be notified within the next six months. They will also earn severance and job transition help in many locations. All cuts will be completed by next

June.

The layoffs by Microsoft — which employs 125,000 people — are the company’s largest ever. The acquisition of Nokia’s handset business in April added 25,000 people to Microsoft’s payroll.

Microsoft expects to incur pre-tax charges as high as $1.6 billion over the next four quarters, which will include $750 million to $800 million for severance and related benefit costs, and $350 million to $800 million of asset-related charges.

Nadella had sent a memo to employees reinforcing his vision for a “mobile-first, cloud-first” world, focusing on unifying its software and hardware.

“Microsoft has a unique ability to harmonise the world’s devices, apps, docs, data and social networks in digital work and life experiences so that people are at the center and are empowered to do more and achieve more with what is

becoming an increasingly scarce commodity — time!”

Nadella wrote.

Gartner analyst Merv Adrian says Nadella recognizes Microsoft cannot operate with a “Windows first at all costs model” and has started shaping the company to thrive in a tech space with multiple platforms and devices. “It’s been a very consistent delivery on the promises he’s made so far,” he says.

Microsoft is the latest tech giant suffering through a round of layoffs.

In May, personal computer firm, Hewlett-Packard (HP) announced it would cut an additional 11,000 to 16,000 jobs as part of a massive restructuring.

Earlier this year, IBM said it would take a $1 billion charge for “workforce re-balancing.”

Chip maker Intel and network-equipment maker Cisco Systems both said in the past year they were cutting about five per cent of their workforces.

‘Why foreign carriers don’t sign agreements with local airlines’

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

HE Regional Manager, Africa and Middle East, South African Airways, Mr Aaron Munetsi, has identified poor understanding of how to run network operations as part of the factors militating against interline agreements between local and foreign carriers.

Interline are agreements that allow domestic carriers distribute passengers flown into the country by foreign carriers.

According to Muntetsi, many foreign carriers are constrained to enter into such agreements because many Nigerian carriers see airline business as moving passengers from point to point as against the global practice, where a single ticket booked on a global alliance could take passengers to points beyond routes flown by their choice carriers.

He said until indigenous carriers see airline business as global networking, they would not be able to enter into global alliances.

He also said until airlines share similar operational philosophies, it would be difficult for them to foster any partnership.

T

Auto firm to open in Enugu

By Chikodi Okereocha

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• Abia State Governor Theodore Orji flanked by Country Director, African Development Bank (AfDB) Dr Ousmane Dore(left); Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of Economy Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Deputy Governor, Emeka Ananaba and Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Udeh Okochukwu, when the minister led a delegation of the bank on a courtesy visit to the governor in Umuahia.

Transcorp Ughelli to create 15,000 jobs

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HE target of 1,000Megawatts (Mw) generation by the first quarter of next year by the Transport Ugehlli Power Limited (TUPL) will culminate in the creation of 15,000 job opportunities, it was learnt yesterday.

Its Communications Manager, Marketing & Corporate Communications, Bolanle Omisore, who spoke in Abuja, said as private owner of the power generation plant, there is a potential of increasing the workforce by 40 per cent.

Omisore said: “At Ughelli, we are not only excited at the potential of increasing our workforce by over 35 40 per cent (140 - 200 direct

CBN may keep 12% interest rate as MPC meets tomorrow - P 26

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

jobs), we are more excited at the significant multiplier effect in the form of contract staff, local supply chain employees, trainers, government agencies, logistics , periodic maintemance and others.

“These we believe will create 15,000 plus inter related employment opportunities.

“We expect other industry leaders to follow suite hence numbers to even be higher.”

Omisore said TUPL had upon the take over of the entity, injected a team of highly technical team to run the plant.

TUPL, said Omisore, had

brought in four expatriate technical advisors and some GE trained e ngineers have contributed largely to the technical capability of the company.

Omisore said: “The machines are now running per Original Equipment Manufacturers’(OEMs’) operational procedures. Tthis was not the case before hand over. “Regular maintenance and the appreciation of the need to sustain plant reliability has been a welcome culture among the plant team.

“Also, maintenance tasks that used to be outsourced in the past are now being carried out by the plant maintenance team. Overall, the culture transformation is best in

AMCON’s financial performance poor - P27

class.”

Asked whether the firm has trained its workforce upon assumption of operation of the plant, Omisore affirmed that thrainings are on-going.

The firm has also placed the technical staff on refresher courses for specified OEMsponsored trainings and computer appreciation training for all staff are currently in the process.

Omisore said: “We are also reviewing training gaps among the staff through the performance review programme for future training packages.

“We also have our technical expatriates providing both on the job trainings and formal trainings.”

ETRALOG Nigeria Limited will today open a shop for Mercedes-Benz customers as it opens its ultra-modern sales and service centre at the highbrow area of Enugu City, on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway in Enugu State.

The sales and service centre comprises a showroom for new Mercedes-Benz vehicles and a workshop for maintenance of Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

According to the Managing Director of Tetralog Nigeria Limited, OnuorahNnabugwu,thecentre“is still work in progress”, adding that it will be equipped with stateof-the-art facilities to meet the needs of the firm’s customers.

He said what was being inaugurated was the first phase of the project, and that arrangements had been concluded in line with the Federal Government’s new automotive policy to produce locally automobile superstructures, such as water/fuel tankers, troop carriers, refuse disposal vehicles, closed steel body.

He said the completion of the project would create employment for the citizens, especially for the youth in its host community.

Head, Sales, Tetralog Nigeria Limited, Gabriel C Ndu, said prominent transporters and other dignitaries were being expected at the ceremony.

Medical student turns artist - P39

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

26

THE NATION

BUSINESS MONEY

e-mail: money@thenationonlineng.net

CBN may keep 12% interest rate as MPC T meets tomorrow HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is expected to keep the interest rate unchanged at 12 per cent as the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meets tomorrow and next.

If the MPC keeps the rate unchanged, it will be the 18th time in a row, it is taking such stance in an effort to control inflation and support the naira.

This week’s MPC meeting will be the second chaired by the new CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, and will be closely watched by foreign investors and analysts.

The former managing director of Zenith Bank, struck a dovish tone on rates two days after taking office in June, saying he would seek a gradual reduction in borrowing costs, which have been stuck at 12 per cent since late 2011.

That is much higher than the 5.75 per cent in South Africa, which Nigeria overtook to become Africa’s largest economy earlier this year, and 8.50 per cent in Kenya.

Inflation rose to a 10-month high of 8.5 per cent in August, closer to the CBN’s upper limit of nine per cent, after rising for five straight

Stories by Collins Nweze

months this year on higher food prices and excess liquidity.

“Higher risk premiums and fiscal profligacy related to the election will keep pressure on the currency and price growth and Emefiele and his team will not want to exacerbate that by loosening policy too aggressively,” said Matthew Searle, sub-Saharan Africa Analyst at Business Monitor International.

Also, an Economist at Vetiva Capital, Adedayo Idowu, said with the compression in fixed-income yields, as short-tenor maturities head south below the 10 per cent levels, the risks of negative real rates on Nigerian assets will again resurface.

Meanwhile analysts at Renaissance Capital (RenCap), an investment and research firm, have predicted interest rate cuts by December next year to allow credit growth and boost real sector pro-

duction.

Global Chief Economist at RenCap Charles Robertson said in the “Sub Saharan Africa Macro Strategy” released on Monday, that such step would allow interest rate move from high single digit, to mid-teens.

“Post-elections, we expect interest rate cuts in the second-half of 2015, which we think will allow year-on-year credit growth to pick up from current high single-digits to the mid-teens. This is positive for equities and the banks.

“Equally, it should give a lift to the consumer, as the effect of any pre-election wage hikes dissipates.

We believe expansionary fiscal policy in 2015 is unlikely, due to capacity constraints and a desire to keep debt levels low,” he said.

He said the 2015 elections, though very near, should not distract investors. “Yes, elections are almost upon us in February, 2015, but we do not think that should detract

NDIC advises stakeholders on mobile money T Ibrahim said mobile banking subscribers would soon get deposit insurance coverage, with each subscriber guaranteed up to N200,000, or N500,000 as applicable to Microfinance Banks/Primary Mortgage Banks and Deposit Money Banks(DMBs), in the event of bank failure.

He explained that if a bank fails, the insured mobile account can be transferred to another sound bank, to further engender public confidence in the system and promote financial stability.

According to him, the framework for extending deposit insurance to individual customers of mobile payment services is being finalised.

He explained that mobile payment is operated under financial regulation and performed from, or through a mobile device.

“It is a convenient, secure and affordable way to send money to friends and family, using mobile phones and/or other electronic

devices like internet facilities,” he disclosed.

Ibrahim stressed that with mobile money; all economic agents can transfer funds to any recipient in the country and outside the country, as well as pay for their goods and services, using their mobile phones and other electronic devices.

“Mobile phones, in particular, are an attractive way to promote financial inclusion given their extensive use by the population and global reach. Mobile phones can serve as a virtual bank card, point of sale terminal (PoS), Automated Teller Machine (ATMs) or internet banking terminal. The confluence of banking technologies with mobile telephony leads to wider penetration and holds new promise of financial inclusion for the minority of the unbanked,” he emphasised.

He said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) issued a regulatory framework for the operation of mobile payments services in Nigeria in 2009, adding that the apex bank has also granted licences to 21 mobile money operators.

• Emefiele

“The good news is, we see a recovery from December 2015, when we expect Nigeria’s monetary policy to ease, which is banks-positive.”

CBN urges MDAs to deploy e-channels in remittances

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• From left: Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Odein Ajumogobia; former Minister of Power Barth Nnaji; former Central Bank of Nigeria Deputy Governor Ernest Ebi; Acting Director-General, National Pension Commission, Chinelo Anohu-Amazu; Chief Executive Officer Afrinvest West Africa, Ike Chioke and Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, Uche Orji, at the launch of the Afrinvest 2014 Nigerian Banking Sector Report in Lagos.

HE Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has urged stakeholders in the mobile money business to seek ways of extending the service to a larger percentage of the population.

NDIC’s chief Umaru Ibrahim, who said this during a roundtable discussion on mobile money services in Lagos, noted that there are over 100 million mobile phone lines in the country.

He said: “According to Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access (EFiNA) survey, the rural population is 71 per cent, while 76.2 per cent of the population remains unbanked. Mobile phone ownership is 55.6 per cent in the rural areas.”

He said effective rendering of mobile banking financial services could be a key mechanism in achieving the objective of National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) based on the huge success recorded by Kenya, Uganda and South Africa in enhancing financial inclusion through mobile financial services.

from Nigeria’s otherwise solid macro credentials – especially given our view that the electoral process and outcome will be relatively stable,” he said.

Robertson explained that Nigeria is well ahead of the other countries under its coverage, given its improving external reserves position which cover nine to 10 months imports, and a small fiscal deficit of one to two per cent of GDP. He said a recovery in the oil sector has led to stronger growth, which has been upwardly revised to 6.3 per cent and 6.5 per cent in 2014 and 2015, against prior forecasts of 5.7 per cent and 5.6 per cent.

He said: “We prefer Nigerian banks to Kenyan banks on a valuation basis. Admittedly, the operating environment in Nigeria is tougher against other key Sub-Saharan Africa markets and this has led to a lower sector-wide Return on Equity.

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has asked Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to adopt e-payment channels for their transactions.

Salaries, pensions and supplies and taxes are to be paid through the electronic channels. The policy applies to organisations with over 50 employees.

In a circular, the apex bank said the process would reduce time and transaction costs, minimise leakages in government revenue receipts, provide reliable audit systems, and make it comply with global payment standards. The policy is also expected to ensure confidentiality of transactions.

CBN said, henceforth, payment instructions and associated schedules are no longer to be transmitted to banks by organisations in the public and private sectors through unsecured channels, such as paper-based mandates, flash drives, compact discs and email attachments.

The transactions, the financial services regulator said, must be routed through bank-approved

electronic platforms, which transmits the instruction to debit a payer’s account and credit that of a beneficiary, mobile account, electronic wallet or other electronic channels.

It will include the ability of a payer to monitor and obtain electronic feedback on the status of any payment, without depending on any third party, manual or semimanual means.

Draft guidelines that will ratify the policy have been sent to commercial banks and payment service providers. The exercise is in line with the CBN Act, 2007, Section 47, Sub Section 2(2d).

It said the policy aligns with the National Payment Systems Vision 2020 (NPSV) aimed at ensuring the availability of safe and effective mechanisms for making and receiving various payments from any location and at any time.

The CBN said all public and private sector organisations, which relates with employees, pensioners, suppliers, taxpayers and others, are considered as stakeholders required working for the success of the policy.

Foreign reserves to hit $41b

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OREIGN exchange reserve, which stood at $39.57 billion on September 10, is expected to hit $41 billion by the end of this month, Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) Limited, Bismarck Rewane, has said.

At the FDC Breakfast Meeting at the Lagos Business School, he said the slow replenishment of the reserves would continue until they reach $41 billion by month-end.

Analyses of the reserves based on data from the Central Bank of Nigeria showed that the reserves have risen by over $2.4 billion in the last 10 weeks. The reserves which were at $37.2 billion on June 24 rose to $3.84 billion on July 17.

Rewane said average oil prices of Nigerian crude remained above $104 per barrel while the positive impact on oil revenue will be felt in October. The United States own to less than two per cent, of exports, compared to seven per cent in 2011.

Dwindling Nigerian shipments to the U.S. imply that disruptions to Nigeria’s oil supplies are unlikely to trigger oil price rallies.

Nigeria imports about 50 per cent

of its refined products from the US. He said oil revenues forecast in second quarter is $12 billion as against first quarter revenue of approximately $11 billion adding that accruals from oil form major part of the reserves. The reserves will cover 8.2 months of import cover Analysing financial sector credit, he said the average opening credit position of the banking system was N358.75 billion in July, about 0.66 per cent lower than June figure.

Inflation crept up by 0.2 per cent to 8.2 per cent, the fourth consecutive monthly increase.

He said the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) left the monetary policy instruments and stance unchanged in July even as the naira appreciated at the interbank market to N161.85/ dollar but depreciated at the parallel market to N168/ dollar.

Also, banking earnings were flat and lower than first quarter because of the cumulative impact of the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) hike.

Also, average corporate earnings for lenders declined by 1.53 per cent in second quarter and stock prices decreased by 3.16 per cent.

27

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

MONEY Cash-less banking comes with varied benefits, but grassroots campaign and enlightenment must be sustained to fully tap the opportunities it presents. The nationwide roll out on July 1, presented a huge opportunity for banks, regulators and other stakeholders to collaborate to achieve the desired objectives, writes COLLINS NWEZE.

M

ICHAEL Abiodun, a 32year-old entrepreneur, spends a part of his business time in banking halls making payments to his suppliers of goods.

During one of such visits to a bank in Central Lagos, a cashier who has been monitoring him for months, including his frequent visits to the banking hall, decided to tell him about electronic payments.

“You don’t need to be physically here to pay your suppliers. You can do it at home, or even in your shops or through mobile phone,” the cashier told Abiodun.

The use of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), Point of Sale (PoS) terminals, web payment, online transfers and even mobile money, are just getting popular in Nigeria, after years of relying heavily on cash for payment for goods and services. Although e-payment saves costs and time, just about four per cent of transactions done in Nigeria are carried out through the process.

The figure was less than one per cent until January 2012 when the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) launched the cash-less banking initiative in Lagos. The ‘Cash-less Lagos’ as it is called, was later replicated in six other states and Federal Capital Territory last January.

The nationwide implementation of the policy began on July 1.

As electronic payments gain ground, the number of connected card readers has increased to about 158,000 from 5,000 before 2012, according to the CBN statistics. The value of transactions rose 26 per cent to N1.4 trillion ($8.5 billion) in the first half of last year from the position, a year ago.

The CBN said it is targeting an increase to 375,000 readers by the end of next year. For him, improved e-payment would make monetary policy more efficient because of ease in which cash movement is monitored.

The rise of online-shopping websites, such as Jumia and Konga.com, has also spurred Nigerians to consider electronic payments. The value of online retail transactions, estimated at N62 billion in 2011, may rise to N150 billion this year, according to Euromonitor International, a London-based researcher.

ATMs gain ground ATMs withdrawals accounted for 93 per cent of electronic payments by volume in the first half of 2013, according to CBN data. Mobile money also hasn’t taken off in Nigeria, with phone payments accounting for just 3.7 per cent of all electronic transactions. The mobile money which allows mobile phones to be used to send and receive money, buy recharge cards, pay subscription fees for DStv, pay electricity bills, use of PoS terminals to pay for goods and services among others is under threat.

The telecommunication companies (Telcos) and banks which are expected to drive the process are not doing so. Both sectors want to drive the mobile money business and have found it extremely difficult to work together.

General Manager, IBM Africa, Taiwo Otiti, said the strategy being adopted by the key stakeholders is stifling the success of mobile money in the country.

He said: “The approach we have taken in mobile money is the challenge. We have over 30 million unbanked, compared with over 100 million mobile phone users, the people who are unbanked, may have mobile phones, but how

The many sides of cash-less banking

• A customer (left) submitting data during Biometric registration in Lagos.

would you get them into the financial system. You must be able to get into his lifestyle for you to be able to get him subscribe to mobile money scheme. But many of the stakeholders are not doing that”.

Otiti said the getting the mobile money scheme running requires both the payment and supply chain properly defined and implemented by the stakeholders. He said there is need for a paradigm shift that sees all the stakeholders working together. “The telcos can’t also do without the banks, so also are the banks. It is only by collaboration, will the mobile money project begin to deliver the needed results,” he said.

The Executive Vice-Chairman of NCC, Eugene Juwah, said critical success factors for mobile payment in the country are the integrity and security of the end-to-end transition during a payment transaction process. He said the chain of transaction must be secured from initiation to authentication. Therefore, confidentiality and integrity of the data transition are critical factors in mobile payment.

While mobile payments in-

creased more than threefold in recent years, only N6 million was transacted using mobile money, compared with N57.2 billion ($352.5 million) on ATMs, and PoS. The central bank wants commercial lenders to drive growth rather than phone operators because they regulate the banks and not the telecommunication companies, Moghalu said.

Even among Nigerians with ATM cards, cash still dominates daily business as connection and network difficulties and delays in transaction times get worse. There have been cases where consumers are debited twice for the same purchase.

About 50 per cent of card-reader transactions also crash because of patchy radio and phone networks, Moghalu said. The CBN is trying to reduce failure to below 10 per cent over time, he said.

Fixing botched transactions causes “quite a bit of frustration” because they can take months to resolve, Bisi Lamikanra, a partner and head of management consulting at KPMG Advisory Services, said adding that with these hitches, consumers typically rather with-

draw cash from the ATM, even if they’re withdrawing it outside the shop. The start of chip-and-pincard technology in 2010 helped lower incidents of ATM fraud by more than 90 per cent.

Incentives for e-payment The Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) is encouraging the use of cards to pay for goods and services via PoS terminal. The agency, collaborating with banks is working out modalities that will ensure that bank customers that use their e-payment cards to pay for goods and services on PoS terminals and web platforms will now be rewarded with cash back of 50 kobo for every N100 spent.

Chairman, Committee of E-Banking Industry Heads (CEBIH), Mr. Chuks Iku, the committee and member-banks have partnered with NIBSS for an incentive scheme for members of the public. The scheme, he said, will allow cash back rewards to card holders for using their cards to make payments on alternate channels. “The objective is to encourage usage of cards on PoS and the Web,” he said.

‘The use of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), Point of Sale (PoS) terminals, web payment, online transfers and even mobile money, are just getting popular in Nigeria, after years of relying heavily on cash for payment for goods and services. Although epayment saves costs and time, just about four per cent of transactions done in Nigeria are carried out through the process’

Banks are also taking steps that would ensure the security of customers’ transactions. The lenders are discussing with Microsoft Nigeria to extend security features in Microsoft XP being used by most Nigerian ATMs. With the expiration of the April 8 deadline set by Microsoft for users of Windows XP to migrate to Windows 8 Operating System (OS), there are fears that the ATMs of most of the lenders in the country may be vulnerable to fraud. Iku said Microsoft Nigeria had directed banks to migrate to the improved platform, which, he said would allow for enhanced banking benefits and security.

The banker said despite failure to comply by some lenders, ATMs remain secured and safe for transactions. He however said non-compliant ATMs might not be able to carry out improved service delivery.

“By upgrading, we are taken to a higher version, but that does not mean that the version that you have will not run. The ATMs are still working, and are not going to go down. “But the migration will only enhance the features of the ATMs. There is really no cause for alarm, the important thing is that we should do it quickly to ensure that our ATMs are in top performing levels,” he advised.

General Manager Microsoft Nigeria, Kabelo Makwane said several banks have identified non-migration to the new technology as a priority for them and are taking steps to address the challenge. He said non-migration to the Windows 8 could open the banks up for potential security vulnerability and threats.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

THE NATION INVESTORS

AMCON’s financial performance leaves T nothing to cheer about

ALK of a case of the hunter becoming the hunted. This wisecrack becomes apposite in describing the outcome of the FY: 2013 audited results of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), which showed that in terms of fundamentals, the company’s bottom line leaves much to be desired.

AMCON announced its operating results last week, with a whopping loss of N635.88 billion. The amount, according to experts is more than the 2013 fiscal budgets of seven states in Nigeria.

This is AMCON’s first publication under the IFRS accounting reporting format. The result revealed improvements across both top and bottom lines, despite its role as an intervention vehicle to absorb Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) from banks and recapitalise weak banks. We present the highlights of the results and our initial views.

The Corporation’s top line grew by a significant 50.0 per cent from N182.7billion in FY:2012 to N274.9billion in FY:2013. However, bottom line improved only 10.3 per cent from negative N702.4billion in FY:2012 to negative N630.0billion in FY:2013. The improvement in top and bottom lines were both driven by 21.9 per cent increase in interest income to N181.3billion in FY:2013 from N148.7billion in FY:2012. Non-interest income also contributed to the growth in topline, increasing 15.9 per cent to N16.3billion in FY:2013 from

Stories by Taofik Salako

N14.0billion in FY:2012.

Interest expense came in at N556.8billion in FY:2013, 1.9 per cent higher than N546.3billion sustained by the inclusion of financing cost, which constitutes 65.2 per cent of the total cost.

We expect AMCON’s financing cost to moderate over the years as it pays down its bond exposure to the CBN and the Banks. Nonetheless, management will need to be inventive in designing strategies that focus on driving this cost item down to quicken the recovery process.

Similarly, the Corporation managed to tame its operating expense at N121.2bn in FY:2013, a 159.1 per cent decline from N205.0bn in FY:2012. This underscores the Corporation’s commitment towards ensuring that AMCON recovers the cost of its intervention over time.

A cursory look at AMCON’s 2013 financial statement also revealed that it redeemed N4.5 trillion bonds in 2013, which was partially refinanced by the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) loan of N3.8 trillion at six per cent per annum. Also, its operating expenses were N121 billion, down by 40.6 per cent from N204 billion the previous year.

In addition, AMCON’s portfolio re-

vealed a total of 12,383 loans made up of individuals, corporates and government entities. About 6.7 per cent of the total loans acquired were loans valued at N10 million and below.

But another 1,992 loans within the range of N100 million and N1 billion, accounted for 16 per cent of the portfolio value, while 433 loans of between N1 billion and N10 billion on size accounted for 36 per cent of the loan portfolio. Also, 65 loans all in excess of N10 billion represented 41.5 per cent of the portfolio.

AMCON is funded by a combination of loan recoveries, contribution from the CBN, sales of assets pledged and a sinking fund that currently constitutes a 0.5per cent levy of banks’ total assets and a 0.33 per cent of off-balance sheet items annually. Management has advised that based on the current revenue projections and contributions, it has the capacity to pay off all liabilities at the end of the required time frame (2023).

Curiously, the Financial Derivatives Company Limited (FDC) observed in a report that the alternative of not having AMCON would have had some grievous consequences on the economy, which are better imagined than experienced.

“There is, however, a pressing need to ensure that its financial operation is

equally viable. One will also hope for an improvement in the general state of the country’s economy and asset prices as this will aid AMCON to achieve this task in a timely manner.

“However, the point stressed is that with or without accounting profit, AMCON has turned out a huge economic profit for the nation,” the firm stated.

Lending credence to the foregoing, Afrinvest Securities Limited noted that AMCON could achieve cost savings by focusing on the top 2,500 loans in its portfolio, which accounts for 93 per cent of the value.

But while warning that a cyclical economic downturn is not unlikely due to both global and domestic issues, the FDC report urged AMCON to prepare “to start detoxifying the banks.”

“There is also the real threat of rising inflation considering the increase in money supply to be witnessed as AMCON redeems N866.73 billion worth of bonds in October, 2014,” it stated.

Besides, the report stressed that the activities of AMCON had helped in ensuring a less destabilising effect on Nigeria’s financial and non-financial sectors in contrast to the experience of many other countries in the crisis and post-crisis era.

Specifically, some companies in different sectors that had benefited from AMCON’s intervention include the oil and gas, general commerce, capital market, manufacturing, finance and insurance and aviation.

Afrinvest Securities further advised the corporation to engage third parties in the recovery of the balance, saying this would provide a more efficient approach in the recovery process.

“The establishment of AMCON has brought both benefits and handicaps for Nigerian banks. The eventual signing of the trust funds deed by AMCON and the banks in August 2013 officially institutionalised the contribution of 0.5 per cent of assets and 0.3 per cent of off-balance sheet items into the sinking fund.

“The AMCON levy increased by approximately 76 per cent from N54.6 billion in 2012 to N96.0 billion in 2013; thus constituting a chunk of the banking industry’s operating expenses.

“This has invariably put pressure on the net earnings of banks hence increasing the scramble for earnings. However, this has been a complementary source of funding in AMCON’s cashflows, applied towards the redemption of AMCON bonds,” the firm added.

Afrinvest also estimated that AMCON’s levy on banks may hit N143 billion by the end of the year, further strengthening the corporation’s cashflows in the years ahead.

SEC urges Nigerians on zero tolerance for corruption

By Alvin Afadama

F

ROM Ms Arunma Oteh, the Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has come an appeal to Nigerians: ‘’Let’s have zero-tolerance for corruption.’’

She spoke as a guest lecturer over the weekend at the Second Christopher Kolade Lecture in Lagos.

Tagged: ‘Business Integrity’, the forum drew participants from a crosssection of the organised private sector, academics, diplomatic corps, among others.

Oteh, who expressed concern over flouting of corporate governance procedures by businesses, said it was important to use collective action to improve corporate governance as this will reduce corruption in the nation’s business environment.

The rate of corruption in the country is so alarming that it was ranked 144 in the area of diversion of funds while for payments of bribes it ranked 135 and came a distance 132 for flouting ethics, she said.

While regretting that Nigeria has become a haven of corruption, the SEC boss impressed on businesses, the need for a paradigm shift.

Earlier, Dr Christopher Kolade, in his opening remarks, said undue pressure from the society had made it nearly difficult for people to maintain good ethics and moral integrity.

Justifying the need for codes of corporate governance, Kolade said it is imperative that organisations adhere strictly to corporate governance procedures as that would boost their credibility.

From left: Dr. Christopher Kolade; Director-General, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) and guest lecturer, Arunma Oteh, Executive Director, The Convention on Business Integrity (CBI)/Integrity Organisation, Soji Apampa and Dick Kramer at the Second Christopher Kolade Lecture in Lagos.

Loyalty reward for UBA Verve cardholders

U

NITED Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc in partnership with Verve International has launched an offer tagged: ‘UBA Verve Rewards’ in which cardholders could win e-cash, free airtime, Nokia mobile phones and up to N35,000 cash.

Speaking on the promotion, Mr. Charles Ifedi, CEO, Verve International, expressed his delight in partnering with UBA to reward new and old Verve cardholders.

Access Bank on technical suspension for right issue

T

HE Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) announced it has granted anticipatory approval for the shares of Access Bank Plc to be placed on technical suspension.

This is coming on the heels of the proposed Rights Issue of N68 billion by the bank.

According to the NSE, Access Bank will hold an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on October 13, this year to seek its shareholders’ authorisation for the board of directors to

raise additional equity capital in the sum of up to N68 billion by way of a Rights Issue.

The board of the lender said it believes that the technical suspension is in the overall interest of its shareholders and will preserve their value, on account of the proposed corporate action.

“The Technical Suspension will be lifted on January 27, 2015 and normal trading activities will resume on January 28, 2015,” the NSE said.

“As Nigeria’s leading payment card brand we are always looking for ways to improve our offer and encourage card pick-up and usage so that everyone can benefit from a cashless society” he said.

He also promised that UBA Verve cardholders will benefit from exciting gifts by activating and using their cards across all channels.

“Cardholders can use their Verve cards to make payments securely in-store at POS terminals, online and on mobile, and at ATMs across the country. The reward scheme is primarily to encourage the use of the Verve Debit Card for local or domestic web and POS payments and also VAS (value added service) transactions on the ATM,” he explained.

Dr. Yinka Adedeji, Divisional Head, eBanking assured UBA customers that using UBA Verve Cards is safe and secure.

“UBA Verve Debit Card is protected with best in its class technology for online and offline security. It is fortified with the One Time Password (OTP) advanced security feature for online transactions” he said.

Dr. Adedeji explained that “UBA Verve cardholders can also access a selection of offers and experiences ranging from cash

back to instant discounts, vouchers among others through the Verve reward scheme powered by Verve International and supported by various reward partners” Cardholders, who use their UBA issued Verve cards to initiate a minimum of five POS or VAS (value added service) transactions on the ATM worth N1, 000 or more, would stand a chance to win N1,000 airtime.

Cardholders, who do transactions worth N2,000 or more on these channels stand a chance to win N3, 000 airtime plus mobile phones.

Value added Services (VAS) on an ATM is when UBA customers use the ATM to pay for transactions like phone bills, cable TV bills or transfer funds from their UBA bank account to another.

Also a minimum of 40 customers, who on a monthly basis, initiate a minimum of five POS transactions or Web transactions valued at a minimum of N10, 000 or more would win N5, 000 top up on their e-cash account.

A grand reward of monthly cash back of N35,000 for will be won by 10 cardholders who initiate transactions at any Verve Reward Merchant location valued at a minimum of N2, 000 or more.

The promotion has created excitement among UBA customers with many of them using or reactivating their Verve Cards to stand a chance of winning the attractive prizes on offer.

Verve is a home grown African payment card used by millions of Nigerians daily for payment for goods and services.

UBA, with more than seven million retail customers, is a major issuer of payment cards in the country. The bank issues Verve Card, MasterCard, Visa cards.

UBA also pioneered the issue of prepaid cards in the country, which can be used without a bank account.

UBA’s innovation in the e-banking space recently earned it the distinction of being named ‘Best Transaction Bank from Africa’ by UK based ‘The Banker Magazine’ and is also nominated for the ‘Card Innovation Bank of the Year’ in the forthcoming Nigerian Telecom Awards The UBA Group is a highly diversified financial services provider, one of the largest financial institutions in Africa, with business offices in New York and Paris and a subsidiary in London. The bank controls significant market share in 19 different African countries.

Newspaper of the Year

INSIDE

AN EIGHT-PAGE PULLOUT ON THE SOUTHWEST STATES

Wanted: A new monarch for Akure

PAGE 32 - 33

•Pastor Joshua

‘No hiding place for importers of banned products in Oyo’

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

PAGE 29

Let the girl child breathe PAGE 35

PAGE 36

When Synagogue’s building collapsed

Four days after the mysterious collapse of the foreigners’ guest house inside Pastor T B Joshua’s Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) at Ikotun on the outskirts of Lagos, the government and the church’s management still do not know what brought down the building; but the founder of the church seems to have an idea. PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU reports.

L

IKE every other Sunday, vehicles were parked on all sides of the road including the culverts demarcating the lanes. The long stretch of different brands of cars on Saturdays and Sundays is not abnormal because to commuters and residents around the Ikotun axis of Lagos, it indicates “service ongoing’ at the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN).

Despite the collapse of the church’s foreign guest house that has killed no fewer than 49 persons last Friday, with many others suspected to be trapped

under the rubble, church activities were not disrupted last Sunday when The Nation visited for an update on the tragedy.

There was a striking overflow outside the main auditorium, along the Ikotun road as members lined up in twos watching Prophet T.B. Joshua through one of the numerous projectors, conduct the day’s affair.

While worshippers who could not get seats inside the high rise main church building were restricted around the service ground to avoid their going close to the site of the incident, all other visitors save for cleared emergency agency workers, had

to report to Gate Five, which is adjacent to the collapsed structure.

Entering the church compound, which appears to be a community of its own with well tarred road, it was observed that the CCTV footage, corroborating SCOAN’s position that the collapsed sixstorey was fell by a ‘strange aircraft’ was being aired on all the screens in the premises, with a narrator explaining the images to the viewers.

As the congregation watched the images with gloomy faces, they wailed at the point the building sank, with most of them cursing the “strange aircraft” and “mas-

terminds” of the misfortune.

While the service progressed with a fatigued Joshua commending the congregation for keeping the faith and coming to church despite the disaster, the church’s security department as well as its media crew tried to keep reporters off the site of the tragedy.

As tractors and caterpillars excavated the debris, oozing stench rent the air, lending credence to the assumption that more victims may be trapped.

Mattresses, slippers, clothes and other personal effect belonging to the victims were also sighted in the debris, while fu-

migants were being distributed to avert spread of any disease.

The church however, exhibited high level of coordination, such that there was no stampede despite the huge crowd present at the scene. It was also observed that the church has high quality emergency equipment, most of which were used by the government officials in carrying out their functions.

The Prophet’s messageý and the strange aircraft Although efforts to get the church to comment proved abortive, ýProphet •Continued on page 30

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

30

SOUTHWEST REPORT

•Fashola (fourth left), Ayinde (third left), his Special Duties Commissioner Dr. Wale Ahmed (third right, behind) and Prophet Joshua (right), during an inspection of the site of the collapsed structure... on Sunday.

When Synagogue’s building collapsed •Continued from page 29

Joshua during his sermon attributed the incident to the works of the evil one.

A black and white CCTV footage showing a “ýstrange aircraft”, going back and forth the building four times before it collapsed was shown to the congregation.

Speaking on the issue, Joshua brought out a white sheet, in which had an email sent by a converted Boko Haram member, Emmanuel Anaja.

“I did not bring this out before now because I did not want people with little faith to be scared and stop coming to church.

“Even my wife did not know of the existence of this mail. Only the people at the email department and myself knew of it and I told them not to disclose it to anyone.

“The picture on the mail is that of one Emmanuel Anaja from Kogi State, residing in Jos with his soldier parent.

“He was a Boko Haram member who came to SCOAN to plant a bomb but could not do it because of our God and got converted and went back to Jos with the explosives.

“I am showing members for them to know the God they serve. If I had shown it in the past, faithless people may not want to come to church again.

“We have to believe what happened so that our people can learn and be educated to be on the alert at all times.

“Boko Haram will not stop here. I have said it before. It won’t stop here but our God will get back at them such that they will know it is because of what they have done in this church.

“Maybe, this one will be the end of the whole thingý.

“I have remained silent because I have to. My life has been like that. People will lie from the beginning and later realise the truth. It is my life and I accept it.

It is a good life,” he said.

Speaking further, the Prophet saluted the “heroes and God’s generals. It is a security matter and so, I have to allow the security people to do their job.”

The aggressiveness of the church workers For the church’s workers particularly security operatives attached to the premises, the presence of journalists since Friday when the incident happened was anything but welcoming. Their hostilities were in sharp contrast to the humility exhibited by Prophet Joshua who, though refused to speak on the crisis, admonished reporters to ensure professionalism in reporting the mishap.

Reporters and cameramen were assaulted for doing their jobs or attempting to take news worthy pictures.

The members till Monday night, refused to give details of those affected, the number of people in the building; their names or where the injured are being treated. All information regarding victims of the mishap or their identities and family members were shrouded in secrecy, as the church’s ambulances took turns in evacuating the victims.

Even officials of the National Emergency Management Agency; Lagos State Emergency Management Agency; Red Cross and Fire Service did not have an easy ride as they were not allowed by the church members to carry out their functions.

Rather, some Germans were initially brought in to coordinate the search and

•Rescue workers at the scene

rescue but for the intervention of higher authorities including the Lagos State Governor.

The arrest order by Fashola Immediately Governor BabatundeFashola got to the scene, he queried the presence of church members ordering security personnel to send them out in order for rescue workers to do their jobs.

“What are they doing here? This is now a national disaster. Cordon-off thisý area and let anyone who is not a rescue operative be sent out so that professionals can do their jobs.

“Anyone obstructing the duties of emergency agencies should be arrested.”

To Prophet T.B. Joshua, who arrived while the governor was still issuing the arrest order, Fashola said: “We understand that this is an unfortunate situation but we need your men to understand that it is an emergency situation.

“Let them allow those who are trained to do their jobs. We cannot carryout emergency and rescue operations in this situation.”

While walking with the Prophet to his office for a closed door meeting, the governor, who observed that construction work was ongoing in the main building of the church queried the legality of the action.

The agonies of loved ones As the excavation exercise began at the scene, relatives of missing persons who had come to make enquiry could not help but cry uncontrollably. While most of them who insisted on going to the site of the collapsed building to see things for themselves were directed into an inner chamber at the main building by church workers, others were seen roaming restlessly.

A pathetic case was that of an old man from Delta State, who claimed his son was among the workers and he was yet to see him.

The old man, who spoke Yoruba, had approached the Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning, Olutoyin Ayinde, crying uncontrollably just as he demanded funds to return to his home state, Delta.

He claimed that nobody has attended to him since the incident occurred, adding that he has neither eaten nor had good rest.

But he was swiftly taken away by security agents, who said they would look into his claims.

Similarly, the relatives of one Dayo Abbas on Monday created a scene as they arrived at the church with a coffin, demanding the remains of their son.

Abbas, according to his relatives was working as a carpenter in the collapsed building.

The coffin, which was inside a “Danfo bus”, was not allowed to drive inside and security personnel stopped journalists from taking shots of the scene.

A Television Continental (TVC) cameraman who tried taking visuals of the coffin was beaten up by a policeman with force number, 211703, just as the man threatened to damage his camera.

A lady, who had a white paper containing the details of a Zimbabwean, Greenwich Ndanga told The Nation that the church has refused to tell her his whereabouts.

She alleged that he was among the occupants of the foreign guest house, adding that they have not been able to get across to him since the incident occurred.

“No one is talking to us. I have been here since Friday, looking for him but no one is saying anything. Please help me because I do not know what to do again,” she said.

The hypocrisy of government workers Contrary to the church’s claims that the collapse was an act of sabotage, emergency responders believed that the building must have caved-in following defective foundation.

They argued that the additional two floors being added to the existing fourstorey might have affected the foundation, which they described as already weak.

According to the Lagos State Building Inspection and Control Agency, the church had no approval to add structures to the exiting building.

But while government officials claimed that the building must have caved-in following the addition that was being made to the existing four-storey building, they turned a blind eye to the church’s main auditorium which has also added additional structures.

Both state and Federal Government officials who saw the main auditorium, refused to comment on it or assess its risk levels to forestall another mishap.

Drama as Congolese prophesies collapse of main auditorium Another drama ensued after a Sweden based Congolese prophesied the collapse of the church’s main auditorium.

The prophet, Jean-Claude Kibonzy, who was detained by security operatives manning the entrance of the church and later chased out of the premises, alleged that he had warned the church two years ago about last Friday’s disaster that has killed 49 people so far.

Showing copies of printed mails dated as far as August 2012, Kibonzy said he was forced to speak to the media because the church authorities have prevented Prophet T.B. Joshua from receiving his messages and emails.

He alleged that he has come to the church on several occasions to deliver God’s message to the man of God, but that each time he came, the guards and security operatives always treated him with disdain.

Kibonzy, who came with his Kenyan wife, Christene and their two kids, warned of a ceaseless rain and severe calamity to befall Nigeria should anything happen to Joshua, adding that the attack was aimed at Joshua.

“My ministry is Rock of God Ministry.

I am a man of God and I got revelation in 2012 about the falling of this church. God showed me everything and I saw the part of the church where people eat collapse. I came here at the end of 2012 and before I came, I called but they did not even want to pick the call.

“I paid my air ticket and came. Most of the evangelists and security people know me. That is why they do not want to see me today and treated me the way they did. They know that if Prophet Joshua should know about this, he will cast them out.

“I informed them in 2012 that God showed me this. I told them they have to act in order to safe lives but because they want to embarrass me and think that there is only one Prophet in the world.

“They do not know that God showed me the vision so that I can pass the message to them to safe people. It is because God loves Nigeria. After all, I am not a Nigerian. So, why should I be concerned about Nigeria? But it is God who sent me.

“But they embarrassed me even in 2012. I even began to cry and I said they do not know what they are doing because their people will die. I told them they are playing with fire.

“I went back and God sent me again with another message that Boko Haram want to attack Synagogue church. I came three months before it happened and I informed them but they assaulted me here.

“I told them I am here because God wants to safe the Prophet but they are threatening his life. They denied receiving my emails and I showed them copies of all the mails I have sent from Sweden.

“I do not know if they deleted all the mails and yet they did not act. God showed me the last attempt to bomb the Lagos airport and I wrote to the police.

Two weeks after, they caught a suspect at the Lagos airport.

“Before I came, God showed me that it is the life of the prophet that is in danger.

Anything can happen today or tomorrow because there are people threatening his life. This is the reason I came.

“I came with a message to the Nigerian nation. I am warning that if anything happens to the Prophet T.B.Joshua, there will be rainfall (in the country) that will never stop and the leadership will take control but no leadership will be alive.

“It is a warning to the people of Nigeria.

All seven prophecies I gave earlier have come to pass and this is another one. I am here to show the power of God because I have tried to talk to the prophet. I have been here seven times but no one will allow me talk to him.

“They have tightened the prophet inside a cage. I am going back as soon as possible because I have passed the message.

“God has also shown me that another building will collapse in this church. This time around, it will be the overflow of the main auditorium. The prophet T.B. Joshua should take this warning seriously and act fast now in order to avert another major disaster,” he said.

T

HE fear of Ebola disease has become the beginning of wisdom. And for a deadly disease that has no cure the only solution for now is enlightenment on preventive measures so as to curb the spread of the disease. This was why Hon. Bisi Yusuf, member of the Lagos state House of Assembly representing Alimosho 1 constituency organised a sensitisation programme on the prevention of the epidemic for his constituents last week at Ipaja.

Scores of traders, politicians, residents, artisans, School teachers, religious and traditional leaders, CDA, CDC, members and others were attracted to St. Andrews Primary School, Ipaja venue of the event.

Coming into the programme ground, your temperature is first checked with an infra ray thermometer, you proceed to wash your hands with soap and sanitised water before you proceed to check your blood pressure and sugar level free of charge. Every person who came for the programme which was jam packed passed through this process before taking their seats.

Speaking on why he organised the event Yusuf said, since the importation of the virus to Nigeria by the late Mr. Patrick Sawyer from Liberia and his subsequent death on Friday July 25, 2014, Ebola has become a monster to Nigerians.

“And Alimosho is the biggest constituency in West Africa, apart from the land mass, it is the most populous. I represent them and I know Ebola is a deadly disease. It is more deadly than Boko Haram which is limited to a section of the country, but Ebola could ravage the

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• Drama sketch on Ebola and prevention at the event

•Hon. Yusuf (extreme right), Jemilade Longe (fourth right) and other dignitaries on the high table.

Ebola: Spread the word and save the world The member representing Alimosho 1 state constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Bisi Yusuf recently organized a public enlightenment campaign on the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) for members of his constituency. OZIEGBE OKOEKI was there. whole place if not quickly controlled.

“When I was campaigning, I said I would be a representative of living souls not the dead. And I know if a single person contracts this disease in this constituency millions of people will go for it. Knowing that prevention is better than cure, the only thing I can do is to organise this type of a thing so as to bring the world to the doorstep of every member of my constituency”.

According to him, because of the large population of the constituency, “I cannot call all of them here, so

what I am doing is to train the trainers. All the artisans, tradesmen and women, market women and men, CDAs, CDCs, Kabiyesis, Baales, teachers, especially health teachers, all of them in Alimosho are here. So that when they are trained here they would be able to create a desk with a desk officer who will be able to train others and watch over the children when they resume. They would also give them the rudimentary preventive measures to use”, he said.

He disclosed further that he has branded an electronic motor that will

go round market places and all the local councils on a daily basis to educate the people on the preventive measures.

“Spread the word and save the world”, that is the slogan.

You can see that when Ebola came into the country it affected Nigeria economically, socially, culturally and our image in the world; you see how European countries are treating our people and as a result of that I decided that none of my people shall be a victim of this monster they call Ebola”, Yusuf said.

The lawmaker who is chairman, House Committee on Transportation, Commerce and Industry commended the Lagos House Assembly for being proactive, saying that, with what is happening, no lawmaker needed to wait for anybody to assist him to organise this kind of programme, adding that the Assembly had always risen to every occasion.

He also said it was wrong for the government to have reversed the October 13, 2014 resumption date for school children, adding that he stood by the decision of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), which did not support the reversal. “We are always worshipping money in this country, the private schools owners are not concerned about the lives of the people, they place profit above people’s lives.

“For me, I would not allow my children or grandchildren to go to school until October as recommended by NMA. They know the danger in the disease, and they gave a resumption date, government should not have reversed the decision since it is not the school owners that are controlling the country, the children are very vulnerable,” h e stated.

The representative of the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Public Health, Dr. Yewande Adeshina, Dr. Jemilade Longe, who is also the Director of Disease Control in the state Ministry of Health gave the talk on Ebola and the preventive measures at the event.

He said Ebola is a deadly disease that should be prevented from spreading in the country. He warned the people to avoid unhygienic behaviour, which he said is the best way to prevent the spread of the disease. He reminded them that Ebola started from Monkeys, bats, chimpanzees and some other bush animals.

While tracing the history of the disease in the continent and in Nigeria, Dr. Longe advised that whoever notices the symptoms of Ebola such as high body temperature, vomiting, diarrhea, cough (which may contain blood), muscle pain, sore throat and others should go to the designated hospital in Yaba, Lagos.

“The incubation period is between two days and 21 days. We have treated many people, who were later healed of the disease. When Patrick Sawyer died, we packed his bodies in multiple body bags, put him inside iron casket and later put him inside an incinerator. We now started aggressive contact tracing of those who had contacts with him including those that were with him in the aircraft, those who met him in the hospital and others,” he said.

He also told the audience that the Lagos State Government is motivating the health officers that are taking care of Ebola patients with money ranging from N40,000 to N50,000 each daily and that the disease had almost been contained before someone, who was being observed took it to Port-Harcourt in Rivers State.

According to Longe, the treatment of Ebola is very expensive. “But once you get the signs of the symptoms quickly run to the hospital. Let us know that the disease is deadly, so let us wash our hands regularly, use sanitizers, but washing hands with soap is better. There is no Ebola in Alimosho, even in the whole of Lagos, we have chased it away with the APC broom,” he assured the people The lawmaker, who was proud to say that the efforts put into the project is worthwhile also made sanitizers, and an audio visual CD on the disease and prevention available to all those that were at the event free of charge.

Some of the special guests at the occasion were Hon. Yinka Ogundimu from Agege Constituency 1 in LSHA, Chairman of Ayobo/Ipaja LCDA, Hon. Shakiru Yusuf, Oba of Ipajaland, HRM, Oba Sylvester Akiniyi (Ajagungbade 1), APC Chairman of Ayobo/Ipaja, Mrs. Toyin Onileyan amongst others.

Hon. Yusuf speaking at the event

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Wanted: A new monarch for Akure ,

Nine months after the death of the Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adesida, the search is still on for his successor but the battle for the exalted throne will no doubt be fierce as it had always been.

Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU writes on the historic succession battles in Akure Kingdom and the significance of the ‘Adesida factor’ in its socio-economic and political development in the last ten decades.

To an average Akure indigene, there is no difference between the two ruling houses, which originated from the same source, despite the demarcation for traditional and political expediency. Naturally, princes from the seemingly two divides are throwing their hats into the ring. But, reminiscent of the struggle for the stool between Adesida clan and Osupa/ Odundun clans, another epic scramble is in the offing. If it is resolved in favourofthelatter,there will be another internal struggle between the descendantsOsupaand Odundun.

•Oba Adebiyi Adesida

Akure, the land of Ajampada:

I

T is an ancient city. The population is huge. Indigenes and nonnatives live in peace and unity.

Akure indigenes are very accommodating to strangers. It is customary to see indigenes and non-indigenes from neighbouring southwest states, as well as farther places like Kwara, Kogi, Hausa/Fulani, Ebira, Igbo, Edo, Ijaw and Nupe tribes cohabiting in the same compound in the metropolis. This mixture accounts for almost 250,000 registered voters in the city, which is 25 percent of the total number of registered voters in the entire Ondo State.

Migration to Akure increased geometrically, following the creation of Ondo State in 1976 and naming of Akure as the capital. But, during the colonial days, it was the headquarters of Ondo Province.

The town was made popular by the pre-eminence of its famous paramount ruler, the late Oba Adesida Afunbiowo, whose four offspring inherited the exalted throne in quick succession, following his demise.

In the beginning, Akure, the land of Ajanpada, was an Ekiti town which played a noble role in the activities of the famed Ekiti Confederation, the Pelupelu. The town also played reconciliatory roles in those days of yore in Yorubaland, although in later years, it was locked in a protracted land dispute with Idanre, its neighbour. The town maintained intimacy with Edo, Owo, Akoko, Ekiti and Ijesa.

Oba Olofinlade Adesida Adesida 1, arguably the oldest Yoruba monarch of his days, was a father figure. Throughout his reign, he was responsible for the advantageous position of his kingdom in Yorubaland. When the British requested for facts on how to settle the protracted land dispute between Ido-Ajinare and Efon-Alaaye, it was the royal father who provided the historical facts. Although the colonial District Officer at Ado re-

•Oba Adesina

quested the much younger and educated Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, the late Oba Anirare Aladesanmi, to speak on behalf of the Obas, he turned it down in reverence for Oba Adesida, who played the role. Since then, the colonial masters interacted more with the Akure monarch.

One good turn deserves another.

Oba Adesida was happy with Oba Aladesanmi, who honoured him in the presence of the colonial masters.

He returned the honour and generosity later. When Ewi Anirare was temporarily sent packing from the palace by Ado people in the days of civil strife and rancour, it was to Deji Adesida he turned to for refuge. From Akure, he normalised his strained relations with his people and the District Officer. Also, when the riots led

by Mrs. Funmilayo Ransom-Kuti led to the temporary abdication of the Egba throne by Alake Gbadebo, he ran to Akure for safety before he later regained his exalted seat. When the people of Jebu Owo faced persecution at home, they sought refuge in Akure. The then Deji settled them at a location which became known as Oke-Jebu till today Historians recall that, following the supremacy quarrel that broke out between Deji Adesida and the Alaaye of Efon,the late Oba Samuel Adeniran Kekereata, the esteemed monarch, already advanced in years, decided to pull out of the Ekiti Confederation. He convinced the Resident, who was domiciled in his domain, that Akure, Ilaramokin, Isarun and other villages were ready to follow suit. The Resident granted his request and Akure and its environs-Ilara, Isarun, Ogbese and Oba-Ile- severed the umbilical cord with Ekitiland.

Akure grew in leaps and bounds afterwards.

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The Adesida factor: Akure is a great town. Historically, it can be argued that the town also achieved greatness because of the Adesida factor. Five Dejis of Akure have reigned from the Afunbiowo Adesida clan of the wider Ojijigogun Ruling House for almost 100 years.

Townspeople who have continued to pay tribute to their memory, acknowledging that these esteemed monarchs ruled with dignity and grace. None of them was trailed by controversy, which exposed royalty to ridicule. As Akure grew in leaps and bounds under their rulerships, people savoured collective prosperity. Oba Adesida Afunbiowo 1, the progenitor, gave birth to many children. The lineage has produced five Dejis in succession-Alayeluwa Afunbiowo Adesida, Oba Ademuwagun Adesida, his elder brother, Oba Adenegan Adesida, his younger brother, Oba Adebobajo Adesida and Afunbiowo’s grandson, the late Oba Adebiyi Adesida Afunbiowo 11. In the last 100 years, the Osupa Branch of the single, extended ruling house has only produced one monarch, Oba Oluwadamilare Adesina, who was deposed. He spent five years on the throne.

Alayeluwa Afunbiowo Adesida 1: Oba Adesida 1, who reigned for six decades, from 1897 to 1957, was from the only ruling house, the Asodeboyede Ruling House. He was the 41st Deji. He was held in awe by the British colonial masters, who met him on the throne. In 1956, when Queen Elizabeth of England visited Nigeria, he was given recognition by the government. He could be described as the founder of modern Akureland. When Akure was still part of the Ekiti Pelupelu, Adesida was a reservoir of knowledge and expe-

,,

•Oba Ademuwagun Adesida

rience. Whenever other Obas could not resolve a puzzle, he was the last resort. He was already advanced in years in the thirties and forties. The old Deji was always calm. The colonial District Officers and representatives of the Resident, who were usually present at the pelupelu meetings always listened to him and followed his advice in the resolution of problems. His rich experience and sense of history were invaluable. For example, when the British wanted to lump Mobaland with the Northern Province, he and the Ewi Aladesanmi cried foul, explaining that the move would further balkanise the Ekiti Confederation. Being an old man, the colonial officers listened to his pleas. His advice that Otun, the territory of the Oore, a descendant of Oduduwa, should remain in Ekiti, was followed by the officers.

Oba Adesida’s disposition to strangers made Akure to enlarge its coast. He was very accommodating.

When communal conflict rattled Owo, many people came from the town to seek refuge under the monarch. He gave them land to settle and did not demand for the customary Isakole (royalty) from the strangers. He believed that Yoruba was one. Oba Adesida 1 was also a great traditionalist who maintained intimacy with the Benin Kingdom. The late President of the Western Regional House of Chiefs, Oba Ereduwa, was always fond of him.

Adesida was not lettered, but, he had a cosmopolitan disposition. Even, when Akure and Idanre were locked in a protracted land suit, he did not ignore the option of peaceful resolution along the path of custom and tradition.

Deji Adesida was greatly missed

in Ekiti Confederation when he pulled out of the arrangement. He opted out because he could no more endure the embarrassment and recalcitrant attitude of Alaaye Adeniran of Efon Kingdom, who did not accord respect to his age and status during discussions.

Oba Adeniran was said to be a pompous and arrogant monarch. A war of words broke out between the aged Deji and the youthful Alaaye, apparently over traditional seniority as descendants of Oduduwa. The former took exception to the arrogance of the later. He cautioned Alaaye against arrogance of power, saying: “The world of honey, which we elders try to lick with our finger is what you have approached with a big wooden spoon.”

In years to come, Alaaye’s youthful exuberance led to his waterloo.

When Deji Adesida returned to Akure, he reported the incident between him and the Alaaye to the Resident and persuaded him to carve Akure and environs out of Ekitiland.

The Resident obliged him and the chord was severed. Akure ceased to be an Ekiti town. That was how it later became the headquarters of the defunct Ondo Province and later, Ondo State.

When the great monarch was approaching his grave, it was said that he assembled his children to pray for them. Many of them were literate. He gave them his parting words, which underscored his sensitivity and lack of selfishness. Community historians recalled that the Oba requested that his children should not succeed him.

He noted that, as the representative of the esteemed royal house, the gods and ancestors had been kind to him by honouring him with long life and prosperity. He said Olodumare had answered his prayers to rule the kingdom, in spite of two futile attempts

in the past. Oba Adesida 1 reigned for a long time spanning primitive and modern times. He was a father figure who understood tradition, custom and natural justice. During his reign, there was no tension between Akure and Isinkan, where the Aralepo, is the overlord. He and the Osolo of Isolo and other high chiefs also enjoyed intimacy. The great ruler was humble. But, he was also traditionally powerful. At 120 years, his then 19year-old youngest wife had sued for a divorce, claiming that he could not satisfy her. When his evidence was being taken in the palace by court officials, he pleaded with them to appeal to her not to go because he loved her. The king did not intimidate the teenager. When a prominent lawyer who crossed examined him in court put him on the edge in the witness box, he protested the affront on his royal dignity. As the lawyer was coming out of the court, he fell down. The lawyer knew what was wrong. He sent emissaries to the Deji to beg him.

Akure mourned the demise of a great ruler who presided over a peaceful and glorious era, a decent royal father who could not hurt a fly. However, his children did not heed his advice not to struggle with another branch of the single royal house for the prestigious throne. As educated elite, they perceived it as a special inheritance. The town was also divided over succession. When the next branch of the expanded ruling house was making preparations to select a successor, the educated elite were rooting for one of Adesida’s sons, the highly charismatic Prince Ademuwagun Adesida, a fearless lawyer and an apple of his father’s eyes. He became Oba Adesida 11. Townspeople could not confirm whether the prince was around when his father advised his

siblings not to vie for the crown.

Oba Adesida 11: Oba Agunsoyebioyibo Ademuagun Adesida 11 was the first educated Deji. He ascended the throne at the age of 32. He was the youngest aspirant. He was very popular among Yoruba Obas and elite. He also earned much respect from the government as a monarch who endowed the stool with visibility, honour and respect.

As an educated person, he needed no interpreter or any intermediary between the palace and the government.

The monarch continued in the footsteps of his illustrious father. Akure expanded during his reign and more social amenities were provided by the government. Unfortunately, his reign was very short. Townspeople were alarmed when news of his untimely death broke out. The royal household wailed. Oba Adesida 11 was a promising ruler. But, he could not reach his full potentials. He spent barely 16 years on the throne. He died at the age of 48. His daughter, Princess Adebusola, became the regent after his demise.

Oba Adelegan Adesida 111: Oba Otutubiosun Adelegan Adesida was the elder brother of the departed Deji. For 11 years, he presided over the rapid growth and development of Akureland. The city rose to its zenith as the hub of social, economic, and political activities. The Akure musician of the period was the youthful Wale Glorious, who wax some records on the city’s social life. During his reign, more schools and colleges sprang up. Heath facilities were also expanded. When Akure became the capital of Ondo State in 1976, more people trooped into the town from Ibadan, Ekiti, Owo, Akoko, Ikale, Ilaje, Nupe and Ijaw enclaves. The boom in com-

merce robbed off on indigenes and the settlers. Industries, firms and trading flourished. Apart from hosting the seat of government, the Federal University of Technology was sited in the town. The institution honoured Oba Adesida 111 with an honorary degree. Akure’s name was imprinted on the world map. He was a gentle monarch. He was a man of peace. He daughter, Princess Aina, became the regent after his death.

Oba Adebobajo Adesida 1V: Following Oba Adelegan Adesida’s death, his younger brother, Prince Adebobajo, a retired senior police officer and successful businessman, mounted the throne. He became Oba Atayese Adesida 1V. One of his business legacies is the Adebobajo Motors Company, Akure. He supported his brother while he was alive.

In fact, it was said that, when Deji Ademuwagun Adesida joined his ancestors, prominent people in the town wanted him as the successor. But, the amiable prince waited patiently for his time and it came. As a senior police officer, he had ploughed back to the society. Indeed, the prince had helped many indigenes. He avoided controversy like poison. Therefore, he did not soil his image as a prince.

He was loved by many people. The monarch rallied the lesser Obas-Osolo, Aralepo, and other chiefs-Elemo, Aro, Odopetu-to forge ahead in the patriotic task of development. However, he did not become a king as a youth. Therefore, he was slowed down by illness on the throne, which diverted his attention. On some occasions, there were rumours that he had passed on. The central market, a stone thrown from the palace, dispersed abruptly. The people were sad because Oba Adebobajo was a good man. But, his high chiefs dispelled the

rumour. Many people did not believe until few days later when he was discharged from the hospital. When he emerged at the palace, many trooped in to pay him homage. Smiles lit the face of all. But, the joy was shortlived.

Less than a year after gloom enveloped the capital of Ondo State. Adebobajo had passed on in dignity. The news was confirmed by his high chiefs. His daughter, Princess Adeyinka, became the regent after him.

Succession battle: Following his demise, a succession battle broke out. Some controversies were to be resolved by Akure chiefs. The descendants of Adesida were still interested in the throne. But, people from other branch of the ruling house, Osupa, resisted their ambition. Should another Adesida succeed Oba Adebobajo Adesida? Many influential people in Akure canvassed the doctrine of royal justice, stressing that the Osupa Ruling House should nominate a successor, in accordance with the recommendation of the judicial panel on Akure Obaship. On moral ground, the descendants of Adesida reluctantly conceded the throne and the children of Osupa begun the scramble for the stool.

One of the candidates for the throne was Adelabu Adegbola, a businessman. He is hardworking and owns many properies in the city. He is also an employer of labour. But, Akure people understand themselves. Obviously, Adegbola was diplomatically rejected by the people and chiefs. However, luck smiled on another aspirant, Prince Adepoju Adesina.

Oba Adesina: Oba Adesina was the choice of the Osupa Ruling House. He was crowned by his high chiefs and the governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, pre-

sented a staff of office to him. Akure entered a new era. However, the expectation of the people was dashed. From his first year on the throne, people started to express nostalgic feelings for the Adesida years.

Shortly after he ascended the throne, crisis broke out between Oba Adesina and his chiefs led by Folorunso David, a retired major.

The monarch was accused of unruly behaviour, disrespect for tradition, non-completion of coronation rites, thuggery, repression and high handedness. The street fight involving the monarch and one of his wives was the last straw that broke the back of the camel. The media feasted on the royal absurdity. The governor was inundated with complaints by community leaders. Fed up with the recurrent embarrassment, the monarch was removed by the government. He was deposed on June 10, 2010.

Oba Adebiyi Adesida V1: Since Oba Adesina mounted the throne, it was evident that the only ruling house, Ojjigogun, had split into two royal houses. While Adesida became a ruling house, the second royal house belonged to descendants of Osupa and Odundun.

With the deposition of Oba Adesina, traditional power shifted to the Adesidas.

Oba Adebiyi Adesida, who succeeded the deposed king, was the grandson of Oba Afunbiowo Adesida. His uncles were Ademuwagun, Adelegan and Adebobajo. His father was Prince Josiah Adegboye Adesida. He was selected as the traditional ruler on August 13, 2010.

He was presented with the staff of office by Governor Mimiko. His rival at the monarchial primaries was Prince Ademola Adegoroye, a lawyer and politician. Eight high chiefs backed Adesida while seven supported Adegoroye. Before he mounted the throne, he was former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s aide. He died on November 30 last year. His daughter, Princess Adetutu, has been acting as the regent.

Who becomes next Deji?

To an average Akure indigene, there is no difference between the two ruling houses, which originated from the same source, despite the demarcation for traditional and political expediency. Naturally, princes from the seemingly two divides are throwing their hats into the ring. But, reminiscent of the struggle for the stool between Adesida clan and Osupa/Odundun clans, another epic scramble is in the offing. If it is resolved in favour of the latter, there will be another internal struggle between the descendants Osupa and Odundun.

The deposed ruler, Prince Oluwadare Adesina, is the first contender. He has apologised for his mistakes while on the throne and promised to turn a new leaf. But, there is no evidence that Akure has forgiven his misdemeanor.

Community sources said that prominent politician Prince Derin Adesida is interested. He is a former member of the House of Representatives on the platform of the Labour Party (LP).

Friends and associates are also encouraging Prince Adegoroye to revive his ambition. So far, it is doubtful, if he is giving it a thought.

Eminent son of the soil, Prince Adelabu Adegbola, may also vie for the prestigious stool. He had gone through the traditional rites in the past before the crown eluded him.

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Ogun community urges rehabilitation of road

•Oyo State Deputy Governor, Chief Moses Alake in warm handshake with Peoples Democratic Party Governorship aspirant, Engr Seyi Makinde and the Alaafin Of Oyo, Oba Lamide Adeyemi III at the grand finale of Oramiyan festival in Oyo. •One of the dilapidated road.

This boy needs N3.5m for surgery overseas

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T was not their plan to go begging when they got this precious gift from God about eight- month ago, but the family of Mr and Mrs Opeyemi Okunade of No 17, Eyinogbe Street, Owo, Ondo State is being forced to beg to save the life of their little boy, Darasimi who is down with a strange ailment.

According to medical report, Darasimi is suffering from a cyanotic congenital heart defect via Echocardiography.

The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti Dr Kolawole Ogundipe, through the Consultant Pediatrician Dr E.O Ogundare said the heart defect is Truncus Arteriosus type 1 which has led to the boy being in and out of the hospital.

He said the defect requires surgical operation, but after consultations with Pediatric Cardiologists in the country, it was discovered that the surgery cannot be done in Nigeria.

Based on this finding, the medical consultant said the baby boy will benefit from surgical correction in India where medical care is a bit cheaper.

He said, after consulting with healthcare institutions in India, the hospital care/treatment of the patient

A

From Damisi Ojo,Akure

and travel is estimated to cost about USD ($20,000).

He therefore solicited financial assistance in helping the young boy out of his predicament in order to live a quality life and contribute his quota to nation’s development.

Amid tears, the mother of the ailing little baby, Mrs Okunade Olukemi Faith who came to The Nation office in Akure said since the diagnosis was made by the doctors, her baby had not been enjoying good health, stressing that his health condition is deteriorating by the day.

Her words: “My baby has been losing weight and has lapsed into unconscious state and breathing pattern has been getting worse on a daily basis.

“Due to this problem, he has been on admission several times at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH) Ado-Ekiti where we have been spending everything we have on him.

“However, the doctors said the heart problems could not be solved in Nigeria and that the baby might die soon, if nothing urgent is done at the right time” Mrs Okunade said after consulta-

•Darasimi

tions by the doctors, they said the surgical operation could be done in India at Max Health Care Press Enclave Road, Saket, New Delhi-110017, at the estimated cost of N3.4m which the couple could not afford.

The father of the ailing Darasimi is a generator repairer who has no means of totally footing the bill.

The family is therefore seeking assistance from their compatriots to help their son live. The Okunades could be contacted at their home, No 17, Eyinogbe Street, Owo, or through mobile telephone number 08065136262. Donations could also be made via Mrs Okunade Oluwakemi Faith bank account at First Bank, with account number 3060411449.

DALEMO, a community in Ado/Odo-Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State are urging the state government to rehabilitate the community road.

The Nation reporter, who visited the community, observed that the road was in a deplorable condition and has exposed road users to avoidable dangers.

The road considered a major link to other communities has been abandoned by motorists and motorcyclists because of its poor condition. They have described it as death trap.

Thus, perhaps makes motorcyclists charge abnormal fares because they are the only means of transportation on the road.

Speaking with The Nation, one of the landlords in the community, Olufemi Jegede, stated that the road had become a major concern to the residents.

He added that residents yearly contribute money to grade the road, using sand and pebbles at times to fill the potholes, which are washed away whenever there is rain.

Jegede said the community is about contributing money again to ensure grading immediately the rain stops. But how long would they continue with this, is

PHOTO: OLALEKAN AYENI

By Olalekan Ayeni

the question.

“The road, as you see, needs big drainage on both sides and it will be difficult for the low income people leaving in the community to contribute money to do this. Definitely, we need government’s help”, Jegede said.

Also speaking, Primate Omoleye, noted that as a result of these, many activities have been affected negatively, many lives and properties have also been lost.

He said most of the pot holes on the road are so deep that each can swallow a car.

“The community has tried to persuade the government; we have sent delegates to the state government some years back, unfortunately, all to no avail.

“So we are therefore appealing Governor Ibikunle Amosun to come to our aid before erosion will seep us away”, Omoleye pleaded.

Mrs Adebayo, a trader, lamented that she had been going through hell before she could stock her shop due to the nature of the road.

She added that the her suppliers had stopped bringing goods because of the bad road and transporting crates of minerals, soft drinks and bags of pure water is a difficult task.

She lamented that her husband,

Council boosts local economy with empowerment

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EMBERS of communities that make up Oriade Local Council Development Area of Lagos State have cause to thank God recently following a unique business empowerment programme embarked upon by the council aimed at alleviating the problems of the needy in the area.

In recent weeks, Chairman of the council, Hon. Ibrahim Tunde Sanusi, has been on tour of wards in the council area to dispense items of empowerment as part of the council’s efforts to alleviate the suffering of the citizens.

The programme tagged “Small Business Empowerment Fund Programme”, according to the council chief, aims at making funds available to indigent parents to enable them set up small businesses that will ensure daily income with which they will take care of their families.

He said: “The LCDA embarked on this programme in order to help those who do not have enough wares in their shops so that they would be able to stock their shops with enough wares for sale during the Yuletide period. We reasoned that between September and Oc-

By Chinaka Okoro

tober is the best period to help those who are into buying and selling to stock their shops with goods in readiness for December sales.

“If we decide to empower them in November, cost of articles of trade would be on the high side and the aim of the programme will be defeated. In each of the seven wards in the council, at least 39 members will be empowered with the sum of N30, 000.

“For instance, in Ward ‘H’ at Ikhaare Town, 64 people benefited from the small business empowerment programme. Each received the sum of N30, 000, 39 students received bursary awards while 38 out of the 300 aged people who benefited from the monthly social security allowance for the elderly are from Ward ‘H’.

“In Ibasa Town, 65 people received N30, 000 each in the small business empowerment programme while another 110 people received bursary allowance.

“This gesture cuts across political and religious affiliations.”

Apart from the small business empowerment fund, Hon. Sanusi

said the council is also giving out bursary awards to students that are in higher institutions across the country.

On infrastructural development, the council chief noted that “physical infrastructure help in enhancing the well-being of the people. This explains the council’s commitment to road construction and rehabilitation across the council area, provision of adequate education and health infrastructure and encouragement of rural farmers with incentives. We also recognise that members of staff become more dedicated to their duties when they are happy and encouraged. That is why the council ensures that workers are highly motivated”.

While distributing the materials in each of the wards, Hon, Sanusi said abject poverty and unemployment among youths were serious challenges which the council is experiencing, adding that his administration is committed to reversing the awful situation.

Continuing, he said: “The increasing number of unemployed youths roaming the streets in search of jobs and some parents not having tangible means of livelihood has made them become frustrated and, most

•Hon. Sanusi giving out the empowwerment certificate to one the beneficiaries at Ibasa town

times, engage in anti-social activities that are inimical to the well-being of our society. It is therefore our responsibility as government to do something concrete to address this situation by intervening with various measures that will alleviate poverty and unemployment.

Hon, Sanusi revealed that the council had provided several amenities for

the people, which he said included rehabilitation of S.A. Primary School, Ikhaare, construction of footbridge at Irede Ikhaare, construction of public toilet at Iyagbe and Ikhaare, regular clearing of bushes along Ikhaare-Iyagbe-Irede footpath and ongoing construction of health centre and doctors’ quarters at Iyagbe and Irede.

On youth employment, the coun-

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

35

SOUTHWEST REPORT The battle between men of the Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) and smugglers in Oyo state is yielding positive results. OSEHEYE OKWUOFU reports on the recent seizures of goods worth several millions on naira by a crack team of Customs men in the State.

No hiding place for importers of banned products in Oyo, says Customs boss

I Mr Olugbenga Adebayo, a bank worker and landlord in the community had refused going out for long with his car due to the bad state of the road. “Driving car, especially small cars on this road, is like punishing and damaging the car. That the road is not encouraging anyone to drive cars and this is affecting businesses in the area.

“We are appealing to the state government to rehabilitate the road as the rainy season is here,” Mr Salawu Gbamgbola, a resident and okada rider in the area, explained that the road had been in a state of disrepair for many years, said the people of the area were not comfortable with the situation.

Salawu, said, riding okada in the road is not an easy task, “we are just managing it since there is no other means of living. New okada does not last more than six months before it become old. we are all live by drugs at the end of a day job or else, it won’t be easy to work next day.

While appealing to the Ogun State government, residents explained that with the heavy rain being predicted this year, hard times are ahead if nothing is done to cushion the difficulties being experienced on the road.

programme cil chief said his administration accords great priority to youth employment, adding that about 35 youths from Ward ‘H’ will be considered for contract jobs in the council this month. He also disclosed that some of them had been engaged in various sports such as swimming, football, athletic, street soccer and track and field events which the council had organised.

Contributing, the member representing Amowo-Odofin State Constituency at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. (Mrs.) Akinlola-Hassan Ramotalai praised the council chief for fulfilling most of his promises to the people during his electioneering campaigns.

She expressed her happiness over what she called “deliberate efforts by the council to make life meaningful for the citizens,” noting that she had also contributed her quota to the development and well-being of the people through her education empowerment efforts. She revealed that she had provided school uniforms for almost all the primary schools in the council because, she said, education is a catalyst for development of any society.

T was a moving scene at the Abaja forest, near Igbeti in Olorunsogo Local Government Area of Oyo state, the site of the seizure of smuggled goods made by the Nigeria Customs Service Oyo/Osun Command last Thursday .

The villagers along the route to the forest were stunned on seeing the presence of security operatives comprising soldiers, policemen, DSS, men of the Directorate of Civil Defence and Customs officers. The route which was a familiar one to the villagers and smugglers had remained hidden to security men for long until last week when the arrest and seizure was made.

One of the villagers, an elderly man who gave his name as Kabiru, a Fulani cattle tender confirmed that the narrow path in the forest has been serving as the route for the smugglers for more than 5 years until the discovery by Customs men who acted on a tip-off.

Kabiru who spoke Yoruba fluently said “this is good for us because of the intimidation we receive every day from the smugglers here. When they are coming mostly in the late hours they crush whoever was found on the way. Our children were always asked to remain indoors when they were passing in convoy because they are very dangerous. We don’t have rest of mind here as we live in fear because of their intimidation”.

In the Abaja forest, about forty security operatives stood guard to protect the seizure which included forty vehicles and over 2000 bags of rice.

The smugglers, it was gathered numbered over 100 and were fully armed with sophisticated weapons and assorted charms which were used to confront the Customs officers who had laid a siege in the forest five days before the attack.

Describing the sound of guns as deafening and frightening the night the smugglers engaged the Customs men in a gun duel, one of the villagers, a farmer, Adesuyi Nasiru praised the security men for their gallantry and pointed out that it was very rare to defeat the smugglers in the area because of their weapons .

“Now, we have peace in these villages and we can now sleep with our eyes closed unlike before when we live in dread”, Nasiru said.

The seized items which were displayed before senior officers of the Nigeria Customs Service from Abuja headquarters was described as a great feat in recent times.

The squad leader, DSC Alajogun Joseph narrated how his team was able to discover to route in the forest and subsequent defeat of the smugglers.

He said that for over four days his men were in the forest, anxiously waiting for the smugglers with the hope that they would pass as usual.

According to him, the squad went through many hardships in the forest that had to be endured for many days before we saw the smugglers.

Alajogun said “we got wind of the smuggling of rice through some informants, and through intelligence gathering for over two weeks. So, when we got information that they were coming in the early hours of Tuesday September 9, 2014,

wi th jo ur na lis ts •Oteri sp ea ki ng

we have already taken our position in the forest and after some shoot out they fled because of our intense fire power”.

Also, a similar seizure was said to have been made by men of the Customs, which was displayed last Saturday. The squad intercepted imported poultry products worth over N14million concealed in two trucks, along Bakatari axis of Ibadan-Abeokuta Expressway.

Addressing newsmen on the seizure on behalf of the Comptroller of the Oyo/ Osun command Mr Richard Oteri, the Deputy Controller of the Command, Mr Usman Buwa said the seizure of the two trucks carrying poultry product with over 2000 cartons of frozen poultry, was made by a task force led by Assistant Comptroller Mohammed Adamu Ibrahim on 11 September, 2014 at about 4.30am.

The seized poultry product, consisting of frozen turkey and chicken, according to the Customs boss was being imported from Brazil into the country before it was intercepted in Ibadan along Bakatari, in Ido local government area of Oyo state by officers of the command.

He listed reasons why the importation of banned poultry products must be discouraged, stating that poultry product remained on the list of contraband.

He said:” As we all know, poultry products are contraband and their importation is prohibited by the federal government.

“The reason behind the ban is to protect local poultry farmers thereby securing employment for the citizenry and consequently facilitate economic growth.

“Also, consumption of imported poultry products is injuries to health of individuals. This is not only due to period of long storage, but also the chemical used in its preservation and the long distance it covered before coming into this country. “ For instance, the Customs boss said this particular “seizure is from Brazil, so you can imagine the distance it covered.

“So, we will continue to advise the general public to stop patronizing imported poultry products, so as to discourage smuggling of imported poultry products,” he stated.

The seized poultry products were later buried at a dump site in Arapaja Village, Oluyole local government area of Oyo state before newsmen ,DSS and NAFDAC officials.

The Controller of the Oyo/Osun Command, Mr Richard Oteri who led officers of the Command and other security personnel into the forest last Thursday , a journey of over four hours ,was optimistic that the war against smuggling would soon be over as the operators of banned imported goods are •The siezed fast losing the battle. ods/vehicle at go Oteri , who commended the crack squad Abuja forest for the wonderful feat said the estimated Duty Paid Value of the 2000 bags of rice is N20million , while the market value of the seizure is N18million. “ It is worthy of note to recollect that a similar seizure of twenty one assorted vehicles also loaded with rice was made early last month. The command will continue to engage in aggressive patrol activities in all areas of the command and ensure effective blockage of the entry of all illicit goods.

“It is worrisome that some Nigerians remain unrepentant even as they continue to lose. Not even Federal Government’s visible efforts in transforming the agricultural sector, especially in the area of rice production have touched their conscience to avoid rice smuggling”, he said.

The Customs boss further explained that already the Comptroller General of Customs, Dikko Inde Abdullahi has ordered a thorough investigation with a view to prosecuting all those connected with the illegal act, adding that the command remained poised in her resolve to arresting saboteurs and make them face the full wrath of the law.

He revealed that his men had all what it requires to flush out smugglers because of the incentives from the management of Nigeria Customs Service,

coupled with the provision of new patrol vans and ammunition that are more superior than the ones used by the smugglers.

The Command boss said: “You can see the guns we have are not just guns but automatic AK47 assault rifle. So my men were well kitted. We could not have done anything less, because the Comptroller General of Customs, Dikko Inde Abdullahi has indeed raised our morale and we are going to win the war against smuggling . As you can see, there is no hiding place for sabotuers .”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

36

SOUTHWEST REPORT

•Cross section of women participants at the summit

PHOTOS: FEMI ILESANMI

Oyo First Lady makes case for girl education

Let the girl child breathe Women leaders from across the Southwest gathered in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital last week to champion the cause of the girl child in a society where the specie seems increasingly endangered more than before.

BISI OLADELE and TAYO JOHNSON captured the import of the gathering

I

T was exactly 148 days after over 230 girls were abducted by members of the Boko Haram sect at Chibok, Borno State. It was also the week when cases of rape of young girls flooded Nigerian newspapers and the electronic media.

With the theme of the third National Women Summit focusing on the well-being of the girl child, the occasion, which drew notable women from both the public and the private sectors for practical talks on the plight of the girl child, was apt.

The summit, which was organized by the Oyo State Officials’ Wives Association (OYSOWA), had “Girl Child Empowerment: A Challenge for All” as its theme. It was held at Lekan Are Hall, Kakanfo Inn, off Ring Road, Ibadan with delegates from many states and women groups across the nation.

Wives of governors of Oyo, Ogun and Ekiti states joined Oyo State officials’ wives in their hundreds to discuss the challenges facing the girl child in Nigeria. They also found solutions, raising hopes for a safer, brighter future for young girls in the country.

T h e First Ladies at t h e event are Mrs Florence A j i mobi (Oyo), M r s Olufunso Amos u n

(Ogun) and Erelu Bisi Fayemi of Ekiti State respectively.

Setting the tone for the summit was the renowned social crusader and activist, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, a woman that has spent the last 15 years championing the cause of democracy and women emancipation.

Okei-Odumakin, in her charge to the participants, urged the women to demand immediate rescue of the girls abducted by Boko Haram members in Chibok on April 15.

The activist, who is Coordinator, Women Arise for Change Initiative, lamented the untold hardship which the abducted girls have been subjected to for 148 days with government seemingly helpless in rescuing them.

She highlighted the plight of the Chibok girls, moving participants to pity for the young victims of terrorism. The crowd of participants enthusiastically responded to her request for a united call for the girls’ rescue.

She explained that some of the abducted girls, who escaped from the captivity of the terrorists, narrated their harrowing experiences of serial rape and other abuses to her, urging Nigerians not to give up in demanding their res-

•Mrs. Ajimobi

cue.

Odumakin listed peculiar challenges facing the girl child in the society to include poor feeding or care, early or child marriage, victimization for alleged witchcraft, physical and sexual abuse, child labour, trafficking and prostitution.

To overcome these and other challenges, the social crusader said children must be empowered with good education, stressing that girls and boys must have the same access to equal and quality education.

She lauded the wife of the Oyo State Governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, for organizing the summit yearly with the aim of highlighting the plight of women and finding solutions to them.

“I salute Mrs Ajimobi for realizing how important the girl child is.

This empowerment requires the efforts of all. The more we believe that the girl child is important to the survival and progress of our society, the better for all of us.

“To the Chibok girls, we will never forget you. You are heroines.”

Okei-Odumakin said.

In her welcome address, Mrs Ajimobi recalled that the first two editions of the summit, which dwelt on women issues, were successful, adding that they served as a motivation for this year edition.

She described the project, which includes sensitization and empowerment, as a way of re-invigorating, enlightening, educating and promoting women in the society.

Explaining the rationale behind the theme for the 2014 edition, Mrs Ajimobi said: “We deemed it necessary this year to concentrate on the girl child rather than women because most of the future of a woman is usually determined from when she is a girl. This is when her character is formed; this is when she develops her personal ideologies and idiosyncrasies. This is when the foundation that will make or mar her future is usually laid.”

She said the greatest way to empower the girl child is through education. “Education is all-encompassing; it goes beyond the formal education that is received within the four walls of a classroom and usually includes informal education such

as teaching of customs, socio-cultural values, traditional norms, courtesy and etiquette.” She said.

In his keynote address, Governor Abiola Ajimobi consented that women are able to achieve great feats in the right environment. He added that they are an integral part of the development process of any nation.

Having identified the many ways girls are poorly treated in Nigeria, Ajimobi disclosed that his administration has taken several steps to empower girls and women.

He said: “Education is the most important tool to empower the girl child and women. Hence, we focus on the tripod of the pupil, teacher and teaching facilities. Though we focus on children collectively, we have great respect for the girl child.”

Hon. Justice Olajumoke idowu Aiki of Oyo State High Court in her lecture on” Law Enforcement and Government Policies that Foster Empowerment for the Girl Child,” said the topic was crucial at a time in world history when combined negative factors of poverty, economic recession , family instability have ravaged humanity in general, with the girl child worse hit.

She said: “Nigeria signed all the laws guiding the girl child act. Among them is the prohibition or punishment of child marriage and betrothal, which stipulates that anyone that breaks the law will be fined N500,000 or five years in prison.”

In addressing the law enforcement issues affecting the girl child, the judge urged the government at all levels to embark on policies which will foster the protection of the right of the girl child.

She stressed that the internal and external aggression confronting the girl child must be eliminated.

Another lecturer, ýMrs Grace Atim, of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Abuja, who spoke on the ‘Right of the Girl Child,’ said investment in girl child should be prioritized by all.

Atim posited that a girl child seemingly grows up in an environment where she is made to believe that she is inferior to the boy, adding that she is further vulnerable to societal discrimination, marginalisation, oppression, rape, stereotypes against the girl child that is reinforced by cultural and traditional beliefs.

“People prevent the girl child from going to school and subject them to early marriage in the name of religion. No violence on girl child is justifiable. If we want a peaceful atmosphere and rapid development in the country, we shouldý indulge in girl child education,” she said.

The Oyo State Commissioner for

Culture and Tourism, Princess Adetutu Adeyemi-Akhigbe, spoke on: “The Girl Child: An Asset for Sustainable Cultured National and Tourism Development”.

She underscored the involvement of women in culture as up to 50 per cent. The commissioner insisted that women maintain tradition and build strong communities through proper rearing of culture, producing handcrafts, using natural medicines, speaking local dialects, weaving traditional dresses and performing traditional songs.

She further called on the government and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) to help create an enabling environment for the girl child to grow, noting that women representatives at the management level in different organizations have increased in number tremendously.

According to her, given proper education and an equal footing with the male child, they would perform more.

In her recommendation as a solution to the empowerment of the girl child, she said: “Leadership training programmes should be organized to disabuse their minds from the relegating image misconstrued by the society. At the home front, parents should give equal opportunities to the girl child with their male counterpart to grow and compete in the world. Parents should constantly disabuse the mind of the girl child of any religious beliefs and status quo and practices that can limit their aspirations in life.”

Another facilitator, Princess Oyefunke Oworu, who spoke on Entrepreneurship and Self Dependent for a Girl child, emphasized the importance and role of education, stressing that there was need for a massive empowerment for the girl child.

Oworu, who is the Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Cooperative in the state, highlighted the various vocational skills women from different part of Oyo State are known for and implored women to go for any of them to improve their economic strength.

She stressed that the advent of the Internet and modern technology has created easy access to sell their goods and make good profit. ý”Empowerment and vocational skills are keys to development and the progressive advancement of the girl child. Empowerment increases the participation of women in politics and gives an edge to the girl child anywhere,” the commissioner said She disclosed that more vocational training centres would be built to facilitate the girl child empowerment in the nearest future.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

37

THE NATION INVESTORS

Pension managers optimistic of sustainable growth

T

HE future growth plan of IEIAnchor Pension Managers looks promising, the Managing Director, Solomon Okoli, has said.

He gave this assurance at the company first Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Abuja, during a session with shareholders.

An upbeat Okoli assured shareholders that the company has overcome its teething problems and is now positioned for sustainable growth and profitability.

The company, he said, had extended operations to 30 states, servicing over 75,000 customers and managing a couple of states’ staff pension.

Already, shareholders of the company have voted to increase the company’s share capital from N2.222 billion to N3 billion in a move to accommodate increasing strategic partners’ interests that could help expand the business further.

The company, within eight years grew shareholders’ funds more than eight folds from N150 million

Stories by Taofik Salako

in 2005 to N1.240 billion in 2013, stressing that expansion efforts so far have repositioned the company for better performance even as the half year results have shown.

The chief executive said the longterm plan of the company is to be among tier one PFAs inNigeria, with the threshold of a minimum of N100billion of assets under management.

He explained that the cost of expansion had eaten into firm’s revenue and consequently, profit and was confident of the company’s outlook.

“Our expansion may not be profitable immediately, but as we scale up over time, we will get through this and we are already seeing this in 2014. We are already seeing a lot of improvements.

“We are seeing some of the locations that we opened last year being more profitable now. We

are expanding our customer base, and the contribution level is beginning to yield and adding to the bottom line,” Okoli said.

According to him, part of the expansion strategies is to raise the company’s share capital to N3 billion to be positioned for possible acquisition moves.

“People outside are beginning to see the opportunities out there and they are getting interested in what we are doing and want to come in to be part of us. If we do not increase our share capital, cannot accommodate such people to be part of the company. So we want to have the flexibility and use the capital to expand the business,” he said of the company’s new share capital.

“The other thing is to give room for the strategic acquisition. For some of the acquisitions, it is not everybody that want to partner with you can just take cash and walk away. They may also want to part of the owners, therefore, they need

that room to also give them a stake.

“The other thing is that if Pension Commission requires PFAs to increase capital, we have the flexibility to adapt faster than those that will start the process when it happens, so we want to be prepared.

“Finally, for our employees, we want to give some of them a sense of ownership as part of our reward system, which includes the option to be part of the company,” Okoli added.

Chairman of the company, Silas Jonathan Zwingina, said despite decline in revenue in 2013, a modest profit after tax of N12.8 million was recorded, however lower than the N54 million in 2012, assuring that the company was on track for third consecutive year of profitability.

Asset under management, he disclosed, rose by 30.27 per cent in 2012 to N26.2 billion from 2011 records and also 23.22 per cent in 2013 to N32.3 billion.

The company’s customer base

also increased to 63,574 in 2013 from 53,161 in 2012 and 45,136 in 2011.

“We continue to deliver above industry average return on investment for our account holders and providing a conducive environment for our employees to advance their careers. We are committed to profitable growth without losing sight of our responsibility to our customers,” Zwingina stated.

He assured that the company’s board remains “reasonably optimistic” about the prospects for the, company and the Nigeria’s pension industry and is determined to take bold steps to realise the aspirations of stakeholders in the coming years.

Despite prospects, the chairman however observed that the lingering security challenges, especially in the Northeastern region limits access to that market, as cost of regulatory compliance continues to rise, limiting options for investments.

Danjuma assures on May &Baker’s growth

F

OR shareholders of May & Baker Plc, the future can only be brighter and better.

This was the assurance made by the Chairman of May & Baker Plc, Lt. Gen T.Y Danjuma (rtd), during the company’s 70th anniversary celebration in Lagos.

Upbeat, Danjuma noted that the company had moved from a distributor of products imported from its principals, to a local manufacturer of quality medicines for the Nigerian market and now to a world-class manufacturer of quality specialised medicines, ready for the global market.

Taking stock of the company’s record of performance in the preceding year, he said: “we began a policy of future based investments. We saw the need for global best practice and competitiveness. That was why we embarked on the long term project to seek international accreditation for the manufacturing process of the company. The first step was to build a factory that would meet the standards of the world health organisation (WHO) in Good manufacturing practice (GMP) and other ramifications. That factory was completed and inaugurated in 2011.

Now, we are on the verge of obtaining WHO GMP certification for this facility and pre-qualification for our products.”

Echoing similar sentiments, the Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Nnamdi Okafor, observed that the quest for global best practice had opened a floodgate of interests in the Nigerian pharmaceutical manufacturing industry.

He praised the efforts of the government through the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), in assisting growth in the pharmaceutical industry.

Also, Minister of Health Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu, said May & Baker, has made several giant and pioneering strides in the development of the nation’s pharmaceutical sector, since its inception.

The minister affirmed the disposition of the Federal Government to actualise its joint venture with May & Baker in the production of vaccines in Nigeria, and urged focus on research to finding cures to viral hemorrhagic diseases such as Ebola fever, Lassa fever and Dengue fever, among others.

•From left: 1st Vice President & Chairman Education Committee, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, Mr. Seyi Abe; Group Head, Operations, Nigeria Commodity Exchange, Mr. Beson Lawal, Past President Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, Mr. Michael Itegboje in Lagos.

Afromedia assures shareholders of bright future

T

HE Board and management of Afromedia Plc, Nigeria’s leading supplier of out-ofhome media services, have assured shareholders that the company was on the way to full recovery and profitability. It promised a revolutionary business approach, which included a return to the Airport and other new innovative products to be unveiled shortly.

This was the highpoint of the company’s 48th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos at the weekend where a net loss before tax of N851 million was announced for the 2013 financial year which ended September 30, last year, a remarkable improvement of 81 per cent against the deficit of N4.47 billion in the previous financial year.

According to its Chairman, Mr. Idowu Iluyomade, the company recorded a turnover of N742.9 million in the financial year that ended on September 30, 2013, as against N1.64 billion turnover in the corresponding period the previous year, a decline of 54.8 per cent.

He explained that the turbulence that hit the company in 2012 as a result of the protracted remodelling of

federal airports nationwide contributed largely to the poor fortunes.

The consequence was that the company experienced continuous adverse disruptions of its operation at all its major and exclusive airport advertising concession sites as a result of the infrastructural upgrade by the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

In the words of Mr Iluyomade, “’the company was virtually incapacitated by this adverse regulatory development as no business could be executed in any of the Federal airports pan-Nigeria in year 2013.

This resulted in loss of over 75 per cent of the company’s installed revenue generating capacity. ‘’Although the Board and Management of the company explored all available options towards resolution of the impediments in this strategic transit business segment, the year passed without achieving the much-desired restoration of the advertising sites. This significant lost revenue generating capacity accounted principally for the low turnover in the year under review.”

In addition to that drawback, the chairman said the prevailing insur-

gency and insecurity in some parts of the northern region of the local economy, truncated business plans for generating revenue with available billboards of the company in the affected region.

Iluyomade explained that the major game changer was the full adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in the 2013 financial year.

According to him, the impact was the mandatory adjustments and write-offs of balances permitted in the previous local standards but disallowed under the IFRS, “thereby contributing to the negative bottom line position in 2013 in compliance with the IFRS accounting system”.

IFRS account system mandatorily required to write-off and provide for all the accumulated pre-structural investments made by the company over the years under the business expansion initiatives, but which were suspended until it becomes economically and technically feasible to activate them.

Assuring shareholders that the company would soon return to the years of profitability, the Managing Director, Mr. Akinola Irewunmi Olopade

said that Afromedia had not only returned to the airports but have a fiveyear contract with FAAN. As a result of Afromedia’s return to the airports, that all pre-existing clients have indicated interest in having their adverts exposed at the airports, he announced to cheering shareholders.

The shareholders empathised with their company and commended the Board for charting a clear way out of the current challenge.

Mr Alex Adio, a patron of Dynamic Shareholders Association, said the shareholders knew the genesis of the situation and were confident that the new Board was on a new pedestal. “With the new directors coming on board, we believe that things will change for the better,” Adio said.

The shareholders ratified appointment of new directors – Mr Idowu Iluyomade (Chairman), Mr Victor Ogiemwonyi, Mr Ernest Chukwudi Ebi and Mallam Ibrahim Isiyaku - all non-executive directors.

The firm of Ernst & Young was also re-appointed as External Auditors while Mr. Meshach Masade and Mrs Elizabeth Gbegbaje were re-elected into the Audit Committee.

38

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS INSURANCE

• From left: Cornerstone Company Secretary, Jane Anyachie; Group Chairman, Adedotun Sulaiman and Group Managing Director, Ganiyu Musa, at the 22nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the company in Lagos.

Skills gap, terrorism, others threaten insurance

T

HE skills gap in highly technical areas of insurance operations such as marine and aviation, oil and gas and the increasing environment of uncertainty and crimes including Boko Haram, kidnapping, among others, are threatening the survival of the nation’s insurance industry.

The Director-General of the Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA), Olorundare Thomas, made this known at a media retreat by NIA, CIIN, NCRIB and ILAN in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Other areas of concerns identified by the operators include poor industry database, poor standard of living of Nigerians and their low disposable income; poor attitude to

Stories by Omobola Tolu-Kusimo

savings and risk management unlike what we have in other developed jurisdictions; faking of insurance certificates, industry practices that are not consistent with sustainability, cut-throat competition among the operators, poor attitude to training and human capital development and the less than optimal financial literacy.

Besides, Thomas said emerging issues in the industry include problems of capital flight in the areas of the Local Content, Market Development and Restructuring Initiative (MDRI), No Premium No Cover and the increasing issues of compliance, both legislative and financial, giv-

Cornerstone profit soars by 60 per cent

C

ORNERSTONE Insurance Plc’s profit went up by 60 per cent in the 2013 financial year when compared to 2012.

The financial report presented during the 22nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the company in Lagos showed that its gross premium grew by 15 per cent from N4.6 billion in 2012 to N5.3 billion last year.

The company’s underwriting result, however, dipped 30 per cent from N1.2 billion in 2012 to N866 million in 2013 as a result of 15 per cent increase in reinsurance expenses, which grew from N1.6 billion in 2012 to N1.9 billion in 2013 and net claim expenses that went up by 18 per cent from N985 million in 2012 to N1.1 billion in 2013.

A combination of robust investment performance and disciplined control of operating expenses resulted in an increase in profit after tax from N544 million to N870 million.

Based on this performance, the company recorded 16 per cent growth in the Total Asset from N12 billion to N14 billion.

The company’s Group Manag-

ing Director, Ganiyu Musa while speaking at the AGM stated that the company will continue to build on the strength of its people and the commitment to core values including strong ethics and innovation that will in turn make it the insurance of choice in the country.

The Group Chairman, Cornerstone Insurance, Adedotun Sulaiman, said the company believes strongly that insurance remains fragmented and there continues to be a need for consolidation of the industry to fast-track building scale and capacity.

He said their efforts in this direction have continued through 2013. “We have identified a company with complimentary attributes and values and at this m e e t i n g , we therefore, ask for shareholders’ approval to proceed with the business combination,” he said.

Consequently, the shareholders gave their nod, authorsing the board to acquire 3.3 billion ordinary shares of FIN Insurance, which will make Cornerstone 100 per cent ownership.

ing the instance of the International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) and emerging regulations.

He added that there was also the issue of financial inclusion strategy; attempts at countering fake opera-

tors, market agreement issues; offshore offices; insurance penny stocks and investor issues.

He added: “The Insurance Industry has continued to be bedeviled by several challenges relating to

image and public perception. Among these challenges is poor public perception occasioned by several factors including what many term the conservative nature of insurance and its operators.”

What you need to know about aviation insurance

A

RE you a frequent traveller or an infrequent traveller?

Whichever way, you need to know your insurance rights while on board an airplane. There is also the need for you to know your liabilities and the liabilities of the airline on you as a passenger on board a local or international flight.

Most times, passengers don’t bother to read the conditions in their ticket. Many don’t even know they have a right to ask the airline to show evidence of insurance either during purchase of ticket or at boarding point. Here are tips for you on aviation insurance Passenger and Passenger baggage Legal Liability Insurance This type of cover is effected by an air operator or airline to protect itself against any sum or sums which they would be liable to pay in respect of any accidental bodily injury death or loss of baggage to any person being a passenger and holding a ticket.

These liabilities apply when the person is entering into, is being carried in or is alighting from the aircraft. The insurer indemnifies the insured against all sums he is legally liable to pay whether according to international law or local legislation. Subject to a maximum limit of liability agreed at inception of the policy. Standard exclusions include the crews which are normally covered under a separate policy.

Third Party Legal Liability This is effected by an aircraft operator to indemnify himself against all sums the insured would become legally liable to pay in respect of accidental injury/death or accidental property damage to third parties or to the public caused directly by the aircraft or falling of objects there from. The limit of liability is usually agreed at inception of the

By Sunny Adeda

policy. Various countries have set minimum limit for aircraft that would overfly their air space. This type of insurance is sometimes referred to as public legal liability insurance WARSAW 1929/Montreal/Hague Conventions There was a convention in 1929 which set the stage for the future development of all international treaties. The convention has had profound and lasting effects on the rights of passengers and obligations of air carriers. At this convention, participating countries endorsed an Agreement/Protocol for the unification of certain rules relating to international carriage by air. It dealt with the carriers liability to passengers and goods including baggage. The various conventions are domesticated by member countries by passing appropriate legislation.

NCAA Act 2006 Relevant sections relating to passenger liability is of interest to us.

The Act prescribes a minimum legal liability of US$100,000 (16.3 million) per passenger on the domestic route. Prior to this Act, the limit was US$10,000 (1.63 million) per passenger on the domestic route.

Claims Procedure for Passenger Legal Liability The passenger should immediately notifiy the airline who in turn will inform the insurance company.

Obtain the passenger manifest together with the Nationalities of the passengers. Also obtain Specimen Air ticket, passenger flight coupons, statement of claim and names of injured passengers.

Obtain medical report in case of bodily injury, copies of any corre-

spondence with the next of kin or passenger legal representative, death and burial certificate, name and addresses of the next of kin and the passengers. Limit of liability is governed by applicable local and international laws or convention.

Passenger liability claims fall under two main categories which is claims for death, injury, loss or damage to property or delay arising out of carriage under a contract of carriage with a commercial carrier.

The other is claims arising for death etc occurring on flights where the passengers are guests in a private aircraft or there is no contract of carriage.

A guest is described as somebody who was invited on an airplane and did not pay airfare. In this case, the person cannot make a claim for compensation.

Claims for Passenger Baggage Passenger baggage is divided into two separate categories. The checked or registered baggage and the Unchecked or unregistered baggage.

Checked baggage is handed over to the carrier, weighted and a receipt issued (luggage tag) Unchecked hand baggage is retained by the passenger and taken into the aircraft with maximum weight of 10kilograms and consist of small items, brief cases, Hand bags, coats etc.

The warsaw convention holds the carrier liable for loss or damage to baggage including damage occasioned by the delay of checked baggage unless the carrier is able to prove that he took all necessary steps to avoid the loss, that there was contributory negligence on the part of the passenger or that the loss or damage was caused by the negligence of the aircrew.

• Excerpts from paper presented by aviation insurance expert, Adeda, on contemporary issues in aviation insurance

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

39

SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP His first love is in the health care profession but driven by an inner passion and love for the arts, a young medical student now ekes a living from painting, writes DANIEL ESSIET.

Medical student turns artist E

TIOBHIO Samuel Osemudiamen, a 23 year-old final year medical student of University of Benin (UNIBEN), may be pursuing a career in the medical profession, but he has another love.

From a very young age, he had fallen in love with the arts, especially painting. And as his passion grew, he began to realise the potential in the vocation.

Today, he not only earns income from painting, more than enough to take care of some of his needs on campus, he is also imparting knowledge in other students that are interested in painting.

For Osemudiamen, the journey into the world of arts began with N2, 000 with which he bought some

paints and materials and began to draw.

His experience with digital art keeps him connected to modern art as he continues his practice, while still studying medicine. Taking the stage at several events,Ose, as he is fondly called by his peers, has not only taken people on his journey, his paint strokes create a vibrant image and also inspires people to think about innovation, taking success to the next level and living the dream.

He has been selling art work consistently since his junior high school years. He paints, frames and sells them. He peeks inside a few galleries for more concepts whenever he can steal a moment between classes,

and painting.

In 2012, Ose established a studio, Magnum Arts,to encourage and bring out the intellectual capability in young Nigerians using fine art, and painting in general. Members feature in trainingsthat help them refine their products and increase customer acquisition. The ideas and solutions showcased by young people not only address real customer needs and issues, but also help in the creation of local jobs and serving young people in realising financial independence. As an artist, Ose combines his two passions to demonstrate the journey for his entrepreneurship endeavour, while also providing motivation to others.

In the last two years, Ose has cre-

ated online hub for lovers of arts and artists to meet, discuss and interact through sharing of ideas relevant to their field. The platform also offers a marketplace for them to showcase and sell their creations to lovers locally and across the world.

His latest achievement is an art blogging competition involving budding arts entrepreneurs and students.

So far, he has gotten responses from different universities and outfits round the country and people really want the competition to be more popularised.

His entrepreneurial achievements are becoming valuable pacesetters. This year, the club has recorded N350,000 as net profit from its activities.

•Osemudiamen

From factory to online freelancing There is a crop of young people who have chosen to defy the odds and succeed in their micro business endeavour. One of them is Godfrey Elabor who has discovered a goldmine in online freelancing. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

F •A training for personal branding in Calabar.

Catching them young on entrepreneurship

M

USA Galingo, (Not real name) like many eldest children was expected to become the family breadwinner.

But unlike his late father who was a hardworker, he was a lazy, refusing to acquire education or even learning a vocation. Instead, he wanted the easy road to success because he had no direction for his life.

Galingo is not alone in this thinking or way of life as many Nigerian youths are also said to be guilty of this attitude to life.

Nsa Archibong, Head of Communications, Afterschool Peer Mentoring Project (ASPMP), reckons that the challenge of many Nigerian youths is a lack of direction and guidance in early adulthood.

This, he said, continued as a pattern of poverty that leaves them unemployed and without entrepreneurship skills.

It is for people like this that the ASPMP, an employability enhancement and capacity development organisation that is committed to inspiring, investing, engaging and facilitating opportunities for young persons in transitional stages of their lives.

“We ignite young people to set career goals and walk them through the achievement of such goals,”Archibong said.

According to her, the project provides growth opportunities, self and career development interventions and enables young people transit seamlessly from school to work. She reiterated her organisation’sdetermination to inculcate the spirit of entrepreneurship among youths as this will help

break the vicious cycle of unemployment.

Through the initiative, she said the organisation helps young people develop self-confidence, set goals, learn how to pursue a degree, and find good jobs. And as they progress on their path, they begin to bring home new incomes.At the end, the young adults literally break the cycle of poverty for families.

On this year’s edition of the PreTertiary Programme of the ASPMP held in Calabar recently,Archibong said participants benefited from individual mentorship and group workshops that help them gain self-assurance, develop professional skills, and learn real life problem-solving strategies. Then they took a vocational assessment to choose a professional direction.

She said they were able to set out on the academic track neces-

sary for them to accomplish their dreams and guaranteed support throughout.

The Pre-Tertiary Programme (PTP) is a personal and career development initiative that enrolls and empowers young people in their post secondary school period. It is a gap year educational and self-awareness course that develops in young people career skills that will enable them seamlessly transit from school to the next phase of their lives, either in furthering their education or work.

Through a competitive selection from over 100 applications, 45 participants were admitted into the week-long course which was facilitated by a faculty of seasoned facilitators handling different topics; exploring careers, personal branding, communication skills and public speaking, including developing the art of interview,workplace culture and etiquettes.

ENTREPRENEUR’S QUOTES

If you want to innovate for others, commit to the idea of empathy. – Vijay Kumar, Institute of Design The key to being a David in a world full of Goliaths is the ability to be able to differentiate yourself. – Aedhmar Hynes

OR many savvy online entrepreneurs, Chief Executive, Elabnet Innovation, Lagos, Godfrey Elabor needs no introduction. He is an entrepreneur, speaker, and blogger. But he started as a factory worker.

The pay was small enough to discourage him from aiming high, but he was not deterred. He believed he would become an entrepreneur one day. Consequently he decided to launch a search online for a business that will pay better.

In the process , he discovered there are opportunities for online marketers.

Subsequently, he began setting aside N5000 and N10, 000 from his meager salary to buy books online that could help him achieve his dream. One area he discovered was fertile, is electronic book publishing. Though there was competition, he deployed the strategy of publishing books for niche markets and in areas that could solve people’s problems.

He started selling eBooks. He set up a site on the net, got a very simple web page online. He started seeing sales trickling in and he then took more interest in it, promoting his ebooks online in his spare time.

He tried his hands on everything, before he started to realise full-time income. He spent literally 12-14 hours a day, seven days a week trying different techniques, copy, and ideas online. Now that he has acquainted himself with every strategy and tips there is, he can almost take any business online and turn it to a money spinner in a few months.

Since 2008, when he decided to launch out, the story has changed.

Today, he owns different businesses that now generate earnings in dollars from online sales every year. He has a good clientele base.

His exposure on the Internet and having good e-books selling online, help people discover him through the net, to explain a few tips and secrets on how to make money online.

For him, anything is possible with a plan, especially with amazing tools at one’s fingertips. As more and more people got online, he said many standard marketing techniques are getting overused and becoming ineffective, and

so has to develop “twists” to most of them to ensure they still made profit when everyone was using the “regular” approaches to online marketing.

The techniques he uses to market online are very unique. He took those ideas - and with a little ingenuity and creativity - adapted them to the net, while in the midst of developing his own winning formulas for online success. He came up with formulas that work like wildfire online.

He has been making money selling his services on Fiverr,a top freelance site. When he started, it was a huge risk for him to quit his job and rely on Fiverr for an income. At first, he was earning about $200, so he had to rely on savings for about a month. But money started coming in. Today, Fiverr is his main income and full time job .Elabor put a lot of work and time into his business on Fiverr, and he thinks that’s the main reason it’s so successful. He aims for 100 percent customer satisfaction, he listen to his customers, and he always deliver quality work. He would never deliver something he was unhappy with.

There’s no “secret” or short-cut to earning money or being successful.

He said one have to work hard and believe in what he does. Returning customers make up a lot of his sales and word of mouth brings him lots of new customers, so always listen to them and look after them.

•Elabor

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

40

BUSINESS VIEWPOINT

Nigeria to lift trade frontier in U.S.-Africa relations

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RESIDENT Barack Obama deserves commendation for instituting a new engagement with Africa. Bringing trade relations to the fore, even if the traditional concerns for security and good governance remain on his agenda, is especially laudable.

For some, the recently concluded U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, represents a fitting recovery from what had appeared as general apathy towards Africa. When finally he decided to broadly engage with African leaders, President Obama looked beyond the traditional model that has been criticised as paternalistic.

In the past, the focus was on dolling out U.S. aid to Africa, in a relationship in which the hand of the giver was always on top.

Even more commendable is that, as the U.S. contemplates deepening commercial relationship with Africa, it looked beyond the traditional sector of trading oil and few other extractive commodities.

Nevertheless, Africa commands this new attention. In the last ten years, Africa has significantly shed the image of war and deprivation. Economic growth has been steady, averaging estimated five per cent yearly, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. Constitutional democracy has taken root in most African countries. Evidence of improved governance is seen across Africa, and economic reform initiatives — like the ones enunciated in the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria — have improved market performance, unlocked private sector resources and, consequently, helped to expand the middle class.

Africa remains resource-rich. But the new attraction for the continent, especially from China, recognises so much that Africa has to offer and what it needs for further progress.

Africa has become more aspirational than it had ever been or even taken to be, aware it has the capacity to give even as it takes from development partners. As a result, a winwin approach is being realised in engaging the African continent.

China has gained the head start advantage over the United States and Europe in commercial relations with Africa this new term.

Indeed, as the West loses the momentum for trade with Africa, even so has China pushed its appetite for African economic engagement. It is an open secret; China’s trade with Africa has been on the increase. It rose from $166 billion in 2011 to $210 billion in 2013.

In the same period, U.S. trade with Africa dwindled from $125 billion to $85 billion.

Africa has opened the door to China’s knock on the door of African opportunities. While this is happening, for debatable reasons, the U.S. beats a retreat. The policy justification for U.S. exit cannot be because of the traditional concerns of insecurity and bad governance. These issues have improved significantly over the past decade. Perhaps, the changing structure of U.S. trade interest, because of increased energy security at home, provides an explanation. Nevertheless, the $33 billion investment commitment by the Obama administration and U.S. investors in power and other industries during the recent meetings in Washington DC is a commendable reawakening.

There is no doubt that Africa’s trade with the West, particularly the United States, has important and unique values. Well-recognised is sharing of best practices. Even if African leaders had been reticent towards policy prescriptions, the evidence now is that the continent shares the values of representative government, open and transparent policy and economic freedom for the pri-

• Obama

• Jonathan

By Roberts Orya

vate sector to drive growth and prosperity.

Moreover, the riches of Africa’s diversity accommodate multiple, external players, on the basis that Africans themselves are also investing in the continent and are establishing functional commercial partnerships. Yes, we have abundant natural resources. But even more importantly, we have the population to support production of consumer products. Africa’s demography — about one billion people which comprises a higher youth population — tells that long-term viability of investments cannot be in doubt. In Nigeria, the services sector is now the biggest contributor to our Gross Domestic Product. The opportunities seem boundless.

Because U.S. businesses have largely overlooked African opportunities, and the U.S. press have yet to shed the old stereotypes in reporting the continent (although the European press have made better progress with objective and balanced reporting of Africa), it will be useful to highlight some of the attributes of the African growth story and the investment opportunities. Nigeria is a fitting example, because of scale, homogeneity of policy around private sector development and commonality of Africa’s aspirations. The Federal Government protects private investment. One of the ways this is affirmable is respect for contract. Competitive bidding has been the hallmark of licensing and sales of public assets in the country after the last of the military interregna 15 years ago. This ensures deals are transparent and valid. The reform of the legal and regulatory frameworks has been pursued with vigour since 1999, helping to define engagement, making contracts binding and making rules clearer and less whimsical.

As we affirm at the Nigerian Export-Import Bank, the Nigerian opportunities are not concentrated in oil and gas. At NEXIM Bank, we have identified manufacturing, agro-processing, solid minerals and services

as areas of big opportunities; not just for commercial profit, but also for socially impactful businesses through local employment and empowerment. In these sectors, Nigeria seeks to create opportunities for a vibrant youth population with realistic wage structures. Broader investment in these high growth and job-rich sectors will enhance wealth creation, broader base prosperity and increase demands, in a virtuous cycle.

General Electric is one of the U.S. major businesses that have recognised the business potentials in the infrastructure gap in Nigeria and the bright policies of the Jonathan Administration to harness the potentials. GE is investing in the Nigerian power sector where we intend to increase output five folds over the next decade. The ripples of substantial progress in meeting Nigerian power sector demands will prove that the country is very well able to grow in double digits for a long time, given current seven per cent GDP growth at a time industrial activities and enterprises are stifled by power shortage from the national grid. But in pursuing progress, public investments in infrastructure have been substantial even as private sector investment in power generation and distribution has towered, in contradistinction to when it was zero up till a few years ago. However, more private sector investment is necessary in infrastructure and power to accelerate progress.

Partnerships are working in Nigeria. Public-private partnerships have delivered projects and unlocked potentials. Similarly, private sector partnerships are thriving. GE has been operating in Nigeria through business partnerships with local investors, who themselves are successful, savvy and understand the local environment. In Washington DC last month, GE and Heirs Holding led

by Nigerian Mr. Tony Elumelu, further demonstrated the working of private sector partnerships by deepening relationship with the new deals they announced.

Similarly, Africa’s richest man, Aliko

‘Evidence of improved governance is seen across Africa, and economic reform initiatives — like the ones enunciated in the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria — have improved market performance, unlocked private sector resources and, consequently, helped to expand the middle class’

Dangote entered project partnership with Blackstone-backed Black Rhino, in a $5 billion investment in infrastructure development. With policy support from the administration of President Jonathan, Nigerian small and medium scale businesses are growing. They are viable prospective partners to U.S. SMEs who want to invest abroad to generate new businesses and develop new markets.

It is in the area of private sector partnerships that Nigeria will provide the lift for the new commercial engagement of the United States with Africa. Using the familiar proclivity of the Nigerian diaspora to succeed, and the achievements of those in the U.S., the average Nigerian at home is self-motivated to succeed. We have embraced the principle for self-actualisation in business. Nigerian businesses are successfully raising capitals in the international markets. A number of Nigerian banks and non-financial services providers are multinationals in their own rights, having subsidiaries in several countries in Africa. A few are listed in the London Stock Exchange, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and in Canada, closer to the US. These vibrant businesses will help U.S. businesses to quickly gain traction and gain market share as partners.

Nigeria is not just the biggest economy in Africa; it is the regional hub for West Africa.

For businesses looking at Africa, Nigeria provides the base for further outreach to cover West and Central Africa. The two subregions account for over 400 million population. Intra-regional trade amongst these two sub-regions is significant when we consider Africa’s trade without factoring in extractive commodities. The traditional trade relation is receiving a boost by the efforts of NEXIM Bank to facilitate a private sector shipping company to provide maritime trade links between West and Central Africa. The Sealink project is coming to financial close, following investment interests by African investors. This initiative will help remove non-tariff barriers to intra-Africa trade.

Moreover, the past five years have witnessed NEXIM Bank’s funding interventions in Nigerian SME manufacturers who now export to West Africa and beyond.

In the short term, a security challenge exists with the insurgency in the North Eastern part of the country. Efforts are being made to contain the threats. Longerterm, the efforts of the Federal Government will come into fruition with its recognition that a society that promotes prosperity through the right combination of investments in its people and infrastructure will remove the desperation and some of the other incentives that drive criminal activities.

Lastly, Nigeria recognises the importance of civil society engagement. Civil engagement has been the hallmark of the administration of President Jonathan, which promoted the national conference that recently concluded. Under the Administration, elections have become more transparent, conclusive and less acrimonious. Opposition parties freely engage, and have criticised the government without any untoward consequences. It is this civility and democratic ethos that further assures that Nigeria is the place to do business, even as Africa is ready for business.

• Orya is Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Export-Import Bank.

NAFDAC prepares staff for retirement

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OVED by the plight some workers face after retirement, the National Agency for Foods, Drugs and Administration Control (NAFDAC) has sponsored a three-day training for its staff in Lagos.

The programme, which ends today, is being facilitated by Project Fix Nigeria Consulting, and attended by Commandant, Nigeria Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC)Air Vice Marshall John Morgan, representatives of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), banks and Trade Union Congress (TUC).

NAFDAC’s Director-General, Dr. Paul Orhii, said the training was imperative because workers do not prepare for retirement. He cited

By Joseph Eshanokpe

some foreign countries where workers plan for retirement from the first day of their employment. As a result, they look forward to enjoying a happy post-working life, he said.

He said the training was part of the agency’s welfare package for its workers, saying it is the first among the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to kick off the programme. “I think it is a very good programme. I encourage you to take it serious and think seriously about your future,” he said.

Justifying the inclusion of workers who are not yet ready for retirement in the programme, Orhii explained that while it would

help them to prepare for retirement, it would also enable them to go into farming, an area the constitution allows public servants to go into.

AVM Morgan said the training was good in that agro based schemes could excite members of the Armed Forces. He said he was touched each time pensioners were called for payment, they come out enmasse, suggesting all might not be well with some of them. He said NAFRC was embracing the training because its objectives were in tandem with those of the centre.

President, Project Fix Nigeria Consulting, Olusegun Okowontan, said the training was novel in the country because it emphasises team work. He said the workers would be trained on how they could tap into the advantage of their

numbers, pool their resources together and build a mega firm from it. He listed areas they could look into as agro allied.

He said: “All over the world, what drives the economy are the people. So, people make the economy work. It works with numbers of people.

The more the people contribute, the more the money that would be available for development.

He said the role of his firm, beside the training, is to mobilise people for growth and provide leadership for the project, adding: “We deal with institutions, not individuals. Our target is the family.”

He listed the benefits of the programme as enjoyment of reduced interest rates, revision of rural-urban migration and getting some resources that would have been difficult for individuals to get on their own.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

42

SPECIAL REPORT

They came, they sat an

•Eguridu

The recently released WAEC results have created a lot of controversies in the country, as stakeholders are pointing fingers of guilt at one another on why things went wrong.

SINA FADARE and OLATUNDE ODEBIYI report that the larger implication of the mass failure is that the nation’s educational sector is at the verge of collapse, if urgent action is not taken.

T

HE havoc is done. Undoing it is impossible. It has left parents confused, examiners worried, government embarrassed and students dazed. Yet, it was not the first time there would be poor performance by candidates in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). But, this is seen as the worst in the last five years and what went wrong is the music those concerned are listening to.

Ask Tolu Akinsanya. He was one of those whose hope was dashed by the results of the May/ June WASSCE 2014. Excited that the result was out, he quickly rushed to a cyber café, but could not believe it when he saw that he made ordinary passes in four key subjects, Mathematics, English, Biology and Literature. He failed others. Akinsanya was only able to have two credits in Economics and Yoruba language.

He is just one of the thousands of students who recorded mass failure in the examination. To his parents, it was a surprise because their expectation was very high on the only son in the family of four.

Confused and more worried was Alhaji Bello Abdukarim when he saw the results of three of his children who sat for the examination. None of them was able to have five credits; they also failed Mathematics and English language.

In a pensive mood, Abdulkarim told The Nation that besides the school tutorials, he engaged two teachers who taught his children Mathematics and English Language on weekends. “l don’t know what else they want me to do again. I have warned them severally that there is no short cut to success. Now, l am vin-

dicated,” he said.

According to WAEC, only 529,425, representing 31.28 per cent of candidates who sat for the examination, obtained credit passes and above in five subjects, including English language and Mathematics.

The implication of this outing is that the remaining 69.72 per cent of the candidates have no minimum requisite requirement for admission into any higher institutions of learning in the country this academic calendar.

When compared to the last two years’ results, it shows a marginal decline in candidates’ performance in the exam. For example, while only 38.81 per cent of candidates managed to obtain credit passes and above in five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics in 2012, the percentage declined to 36.57 per cent last year. 2009 was not different. Of a total of 1,373, 009 candidates who sat for the examination, only356, 981 candidates, representing 25. 99 percent obtained credits and above in English Language and Mathematics and at least three other subjects. What the statistics released underlined was that there was a failure rate of seventy-five percent during the 2009 WAEC result.

WAEC’s Head of Nigeria’s National Office Charles Eguridu believes parents should be blamed for the mass failure. Eguridu, who is a former head of department, WAEC’s International Examinations in Accra, Ghana, said: “Parents are too busy looking for money and all sorts without minding what happens to their children’s education.

“Everyone seems to have forgotten that those who excel in life do what others are unable to do, going the extra mile, burning night candles to achieve success in their studies. So, it will be unfair to continue

blaming the school or teacher or even the government for the steady decline in the students’ performance.

Nigeria has a robust school system that is far better than other nations in the sub-region.

“We cannot also say that the students have not done well. Nigerian students performed comparatively well, compared to other students in other West African nations where WASCE is also being held, particularly in Mathematics. Therefore, it is the parents that have failed in their responsibilities, since they have abdicated their responsibilities to teachers.”

Eguridu, a psychologist, however, acknowledged students, schools and governments may have their own part of the blame.

However, three schools of thought have emerged on the causes of the student’s failure. The first school of thought heaped the blame on the parents who are carried away either by their career or lack of adequate attention for their children.

The second school of thought argued that the students should share the blame because they are no longer interested in their future. The last

school of thought believes the parents, the government, schools and the students are to blame for the mass failure.

The Chairman of the All Nigeria Conference of Principal of Secondary School (ANCOPSS), Lagos State branch, Mr. Albert Phillips, said majority of the parents have neglected their primary roles as a modifier of characters and academic prowess.

Philips said:” The parents share part of the blame. After the school, there is no follow up. Most of them are after the European soccer. The students must have a goal of what he or she wanted to be in the future, but majority are not thinking along this line. The society and government also have their share of the blame.

“Imagine students patronising pool betting shops due to their obsession for European football. Many hours are wasted everyday on this and if the parents are not sensitive to always know what their children are doing after the school, you get this type of result.”

For Ambassador Kunle Adesokan, parents have a lot to do in this critical situation the country finds

itself.

The President of the Coalition for Yoruba Autonomy said: “Parents must monitor their children at home.

Even those who are in boarding house, you must know what they do day by day. A parent must be a friend to the teacher of his or her child so that he will be able to predict their movement and his or her capacity so that along the line if such a child is facing any challenges, the parent can quickly come to his or her aid.”

The activist argued that it is not yet too late for all the stakeholders to re trace their steps.

“Government should place their priority on education right. Whatever the system they think they want to implement should be implemented fully, not half way. If the 6-3-3-4 system we are running is no longer conducive to give us a balance result that we think we need, let them change the system and run it very proper and more so let them pay teachers salary and allowance, especially those who have retired from teaching for many years back so that it will send a good signal to those who are still in the service.”

Alfred Bolajoko was one of those

Parents are far away from their children, though they are living together, says Ajiboye Mr Remi Ajiboye is a psychologist and a lecturer at the Yaba College of Technology Lagos, in this interview with SINA FADARE & OLATUNDE ODEBIYI he says parents’ lackadaisical attitude towards their children accounted for their massive failures.

W

HAT is your take on the poor WAEC results?

This blame can be placed on everybody: the parents, the government, and the students themselves and some intervening variables.

Let’s start with the parents. If you look at the way things are going, one can say point black that majority of parents are not actually monitoring their children properly. So, the children can go to the school and come back with-

out their eyes on them. They can’t decide everything by themselves. They need the assistance of the parents to decide most of the things they needed to decide at that stage.

Unfortunately, most parents are not close to their children they are living together but they are far apart, talking in terms of educational development.

Let me give you an instance, particularly secondary school students; you can hardly see a student that does not

have hand–set this and when you look at the number of minutes they spend on the hand-set per day, you will know that the parents are indeed far from them.

Some of these students spend the whole of the day on the manipulation of this hand-set and when you look at what they are manipulating or what they transferring they are messages that destroy their lives for them.

On the side of the parents, from psy-

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

43

SPECIAL REPORT

t and they were conquered ,

•Students writing the WASSCE

Imagine students patronising pool betting shops due to their obsession for European football. Many hours are wasted everyday on this and if the parents are not sensitive to always know what their children are doing after the school, you get this type of result

,

ment should declare a national emergency on the nation’s education sector.

Fayemi, who spoke when the House of Representatives’ Committee on Education visited him, said the country risks losing many potentials to illiteracy, if proper attention is not accorded the education sector.

While urging the committee to look into the mass failure, Dr. Fayemi added that parents, teachers and government have roles to play in rescuing the country from losing its pride of place in the comity of nations.

His words: “We have a strong passion here for Education, and in the last four years we have religiously pursued our agenda even though the agenda was not so popular. We owe it a duty to do what is right, not what is popular. If care is not taken, we risk losing many things to illiteracy in view of the recently released SSCE result.”

Pointing the way out of this educational quagmire, Phillips said: “We have to change our orientation. We have to re direct the student back to reading their books. There must be con-

who participated in the last WAEC exam and was able to have six credits, including English and Mathematics. He said most students were unserious during the preparation for the exam.

The former student of Agege Grammar School, Agege, a Lagos suburb, said he was nicked named “efiko”, meaning somebody who does not know anything apart from reading by his classmates, majority of whom were always patronising football betting centers when they were supposed to be reading their books.

“Even at the week end extra classes organised by the school to treat past WAEC questions, most of them took the opportunity to play away their time and some who reluctantly surfaced are with different assorted phones and can spend the whole day chatting and browsing on them, not minding what is being thought in the class. This is the type of result you get in such a situation,” he lamented.

The headteacher, Fountain Heights Secondary School, Mrs. Adebimpe Delano, said the school calender was too jam-packed to the ex-

tent that student cannot assimilate anything tangible.

Mrs Delano said: “l think the time table is very bad. WACE started 1st of April, which essentially meant that the children had no holiday from January. l think that that might also have contributed to their failure. People need a bit of a break to relax, so maybe the children came into the exams stressed up, that might have accounted for the poor result.”

Getting out of the dire situation The headteacher, who exonerated the teachers from the students’ failure, noted that “I don’t blame the teachers either. There is school coaching and most of them come on Saturday to treat WAEC questions. Not that alone, there are inspectors sent from the ministry to monitor the school activities in Lagos State. The issue that some teachers are traders is a past era because the school activities are loaded to the extent that teachers have no choice but to put in their best.”

To her, parents must wake up to their responsibilities and face the reality that the future of their children depends on how responsible they are.

The General Overseer of the All

Christian Fellowship Headquarters, Abuja, Rev. Williams Okoye, said all the stakeholders in the education sector should wake up to the reality that the future of Nigerian students are in serious danger.

Okoye said: “It is a multi-faceted challenge. You have to think of the quality of teachers that are teaching and the available infrastructure. Then, think of the children being taught themselves because when our values are turned upside down and parents instead of helping their children to study, they are looking for a place to buy question papers in advance and squeeze them in through the back door.

What type of results do you expect from such a system?”

Speaking in the same vein, Pastor Elijah Abina, the General Overseer of Gospel Faith Mission International (GOFAMINT), said all hands must be on deck to turn back these children to the ways of God. He berated some parents who looked for a cheap way to pass examination, such as buying examination papers for their children.

For Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, the Federal Govern-

chological point of view, the school is part of the external environment to the student. As a parent, there is need for you to strike a balance between the external environment and the home front.

The children were used to the home front environment, now there is the school age period; they are now graduating to a wider society, that is the external environment and the parents are not ready to strike a balance between this two environment. There will be problem in future.

If you have students that are stubborn and they are not actually ready to concentrate on the academic exercise, you should expect failure, definitely, and it is the responsibility of the parents, and if you allow the other side, that is home front environment, to overshadow the external environment, this individual at adult hood stage, they will be too timid. The environment will be looking and sounding strange to them because you never allowed them to have thorough mixing while growing. So, the environment becomes a totally strange environment to the individual.

As par individual monitoring, a

parent is supposed to be close to the children in a way that you monitor class by class, because each of these stages has its own sociology. So, a parent is supposed to monitor; you are graduating somebody from a sociology into another sociology. There is a build up to the final stage, and if you fail from this build-up, you don’t expect a fantastic result at the end of the day. It is still the problem of the parent.

There is need for collective monitoring on the part of the parents. Everybody is going solo these days. In those days, when we were growing, there was this collective monitoring. My own parents, other people’s parents, everybody’s eyes were on the children in the neighborhood and could be scolded, if found wanting. There was joint monitoring and we were having fantastic results unlike these days when everybody has gone individual. Nobody is ready to do collective monitoring of these children. The community relations, feelings and culture are no longer there and that is why we are having this scandalous results from our collective failures.

On the part of the government, there is undulating policy. A policy designed

for the future, in less than five years, we have changed it. We don’t allow a policy to stand the test of time it will affect the student. There is no doubt about that. Secondly, the education sector is not funded adequately and the little fund released did not get to the end user.

Therefore, there is no magic about it, what you sow is what you reap.

In terms of administration, the government has done woefully.

The government is not doing fantastically well, in terms of administration of educational sector and more worrisome is the politicisation of educational policy. In major cases, they allowed politics to inter face with a serious educational issue. At the long run, it is affecting the productivity of the student. Everybody wants to claim they have the best approach to the educational problems.n No, it is supposed to be joint efforts and since, according to our constitution, education is on concurrent list, meaning both federal and state governments handles it. In most cases, there is commotion and confusion everywhere and government is not ready to look into this problem. Therefore, the outcome is what we have just witnessed, abysmal failure.

The incentives that are supposed to come from the government, from my own assessment, they are not actually coming. Definitely, you don’t expect spectacular result from a student who already has been frustrated.

scious efforts by all to make sure that students go back to the olden days when reading the latest book was a pride. Most of them spend many hours on the internet doing nothing other than wasting their precious time.”

Delano, who has been an educationist in the last 25 years, noted that the situation can still be redeemed, if all the stakeholders can go back to the drawing board.

She said: “Teachers need to constantly improve themselves and be up to date. Teaching is dynamic. A teacher should know what is happening in other countries and learn how lessons are being delivered in a more interesting way.

Don’t deliver the same stuffs in the same way, year after year. Look at the material yourself, understand it, master it, and deliver it in a way that the children find it exciting and are looking forward to come to school.”

The way things stand now, as students prepare for the next WASSCE, all eyes will not just be on them. Teachers, government and parents are also on the radar.

•Ajiboye

44

WEDNESDAY SEPTEM BER 17, 2014

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

LAGOS POLITICS Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola will bow out of office next year after completing his two terms of eight years. The succession battle is gaining momentum in the economic hub and commercial capital of Nigeria. It has provoked interest beyond parties and the political class. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the issues that will shape the election in the Centre of Excellence.

• Gbajabiamila

• Pitan

L

• Ikuforiji

• Hamzat

AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) will complete his second term in office next year. Ahead of the next governorship election, the two major political parties-the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-have returned to the drawing board. Also, the Labour Party (LP) and other smaller parties are warming up. Between next month and November, the parties would have conducted their primaries for aspirants. When the candidates emerge, campaigns will start and Lagosians will beam a searchlight on the flag bearers itching to succeed the governor.

Lagos is the greatest stronghold of the progressive bloc. By 2015, the bloc would have dominated power in the Centre of Excellence for 16 years. As the APC seeks the renewal of the mandate, the achievements of former Governor Bola Tinubu and his successor, Fashola, would be the party’s armour. The two politicians have laid a solid foundation for their successors to build upon. They have presided over model administrations. While the PDP, the LP and other smaller parties would be soliciting for votes based on their promises to Lagosians, the APC, now a tested and trusted party, will request for a fresh mandate by tendering the feats of the two governors and making new promises it can fulfill in post-election period.

During the electioneering, events in the ruling party will influence the decisions by opposition parties. Ahead of the poll, the PDP, for example, is searching for a candidate similar to the one that the APC will throw up. Many PDP chieftains have links with the APC because many of them had the dormant Alliance for Democracy (AD) as mutual roots. The struggle for the ticket may become fierce, warranting strategic defections by impatient politicians seeking the golden fleece outside their political family.

• Ashafa

• Solomon

• Opeifa

• Lawal

• Ambode

• Kasali

Battle for Lagos Next month, nomination guidelines are expected to be released. In the APC and the PDP, aspirants are not waiting for the guidelines before unfolding their aspirations. They are more visible at social gatherings more than before.

Rallies are held to drum support for them by clandestine organisations. Some have declared their interests on the pages of newspapers. Many are still consulting with stakeholders.

There is no shortage of competent politicians and technocrats to take over from Fashola in the APC. Observers contend that the aspirants parade exciting credentials. No fewer than 16 chieftains are vying for the governorship. In the PDP 11 are biding for the ticket.

Gladiators in the race

APC aspirants include Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, House of Representatives Minority Leader Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, House of Assembly Speaker Hon. Yemi Ikuforiji, APC National Legal Adviser Dr. Muiz Banire, and former Accountant-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance Mr. Akinwumi Ambode.

• Dabiri-Erewa

Others are: Commissioner for Agriculture Gbolahan Lawal, his Works Ministry counterpart, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Transport Commissioner Comrade Kayode Opeifa, businessmen Alobo Bakare and Adekunle Disu, Mr. Fowler, former Health Commissioners Dr. Leke Pitan, Dr. Tola Kasali, and former Head of Service Prince Adeseye Ogunlewe. Fourteen of them are disciples and beneficiaries of Tinubu’s political philanthropy PDP aspirants include Minister of State for Defence Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Mr. Bank Rhodes, Setonji Koshoedo, Chief Tunde Daramola and Chief Bode Oyedele. Others are Mr. Tokunbo Kamson, Mrs. Remi AdiukwuBakare, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, Dr. Ade Dosunmu, Babatunde Gbadamosi, Mr. Deji Doherty, and Dr. Segun Ogundimu.

Party sources said that the camp of the PDP leader, Commodore Olabode George (rtd), may sponsor a candidate who will slug it out with these aspirants at the primaries. Eyes are on the pharmacist, Mr. Jimi Agbaje.

Other smaller parties may field candidates for the poll. But, their impact will not be felt during the exercise.

‘The history of governorship contest is replete with the emergence of candidates who were never in reckoning before. These emergency candidates have always breast the tape and smiled away with the crown’

• Banire

Succession battles

The task before the APC is the challenge of raising another competent politician and astute administrator as the candidate. Tinubu and Fashola have set enviable standards and, for Lagosians to vote for continuity, the flag bearer must have a track record of performance, integrity and honour. Since Lagos State was created in 1967, Lagosians have participated in seven governorship elections; 1979, 1983, 1991, 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011. In those polls, except that of 1991, Lagosians voted along similar and predictable lines. The 1991 exception was due to the inability of the progressives in the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) to put their house in order. As the struggle for the ticket between the late Prof. Femi Agbalajobi and Chief Dapo Sarunmi polarised the party, reconciliation proved abortive. The SDP leader, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, directed his camp to vote for the National Republican Convention (NRC) candidate, the late Sir Michael Otedola. The SDP candidate, Mr. Yomi Edu, a lawyer, was defeated.

Issues

Many issues will shape the contest. The first is the incumbency factor. The size and strength of the parties and their perception by the people will also influence the contest. The APC controls the House of Assembly, which is made up of 40 members, and 57 local councils. The three senators and 24 members of the House of Representatives belong to the ruling party. But, next year, there will be a clash of incumbency power and federal might, which the PDP usually relies upon in the Southwest. In the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, there was that flexing of muscle between the federal and state forces.

In 2015, indigeneship will not be a serious fac•Continued on page 45

THE NATION WEDNESDAY SEPTEM BER 17, 2014

45

POLITICS LAGOS POLITICS •Continued from page 44

tor in the megacity, unlike 2007. But, religion and zoning may be weak factors. In the last one year, some Christian leaders have been calling for a Christian governor, although they acknowledged that the two Muslim governors-Tinubu and Fashola-whose wives are Christians, have never marginalised any religious sect in governance.

Reflecting on the agitation, APC chieftain Oludare Raji, a House of Representatives aspirant in Osodi/Isolo Constituency, said: “It is a non-issue. Christians and Muslims in Lagos State have co-existed harmoniously without friction. We have had more Muslims governors than Christian governors, but it is mere coincidence. In the Southwest, religion has never shaped our politics.”

Raji, the former Secretary of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), said that Lagosians looked forward to a successor who will sustain the tempo of performance, and not a governor thrown up by a religious sect. “Lagos is home to many Nigerians. They come here and they don’t return. There is population explosion. Many youths are looking for jobs in Lagos and there is pressure on social amenities, schools, water and roads. There is the security challenge. Lagos needs a governor who will be a problem solver and not a religious irredentist or bigot,” he added.

The choice of running mates is also a weak factor. In 1979, the leader of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, advised the Lagos chapter to make Alhaji Rafiu Jafojo the running mate to the flag bearer, Jakande. There was no evidence to show that the UPN won, based on that sub-ethnic balancing. Jakande represented Lagos. Jafojo represented Awori. In the Third Republic, Mrs. Sinatu Ojikutu was Otedola’s running mate. He was from Epe and she was from the Lagos Island. In 1999, Tinubu and Senator Kofowola AkereleBucknor paired. Tinubu is from both Lagos Central and Lagos West. Bucknor is from Lagos Central. Fashola is from Surulere, Lagos Central. His first deputy, Princes Sarah Sosan is from the coastal area of the West District. Mrs. Victoria Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire is from Alimoso. The tradition is to look for a running mate, who the flag bearer can harmoniously work with for four years.

But, there may be a slight difference next year. Sources said that PDP is looking for an Igbo running mate. “The PDP made a Hausa as the running mate to its chairmanship candidate Obalende LCDA. It nearly worked. They (PDP) is thinking that, if they make Igbo running mate, they may get Igbo bloc vote.

But, I doubt it. Questions will be raised.

They will ask him or her to show Lagosians his native constituency”, said a PDP chieftain.

Challenges of governance

The next governor of Lagos will inherit the unfinished work of development. A mega city and economic capital, Lagos, the former Federal Capital Territory, is a mini Nigeria. As a cosmopolitan city and the commercial nerve centre, there is the mass exodus of youths in search of real and elusive opportunities. Lagos is a Yoruba city, but indigenes of other states have become part of its political establishment.

Their hosts are the people of the five divisions of Epe, Badagry, Ikorodu, Ikeja and Lagos. Nigerians from the hinterland have also increased the voting quality and strength of Lagos. These factors of accommodation and tolerance are great marks of Lagos.

Lagos is a special a blend of diverse, complex and sophisticated dwellers who account for the prosperity of the city and the menace and vices that characterize its daily life. Lagos is host to the headquarter of thriving business empires. Over 60 percent of the Value Added Tax (VAT) in the country is generated from the state. Despite the relocation of the federal capital to Abuja, many foreign diplomats still prefer to operate from Lagos. Thus, on the Lagos governor depends thee security of

• Obanikoro

• Agbaje

• Dosunmu

• Ogundimu

Who succeeds Fashola?

over 180 million residents, although he does not control the police. These residents include the army of restless, jobless youths, unemployed graduates and the masses. The next governor will shoulder the burden of population explosion as thousands continue to flood the city on daily basis.

The huge population and influx of people daily will increase the demand for the few public sector employment, water, schools, roads, and other social infrastructure.

Housing is a major problem in the state. Although the government is trying its best, but the housing gap is still wide. Nowadays, illegal immigrants from poor West African countries have joined the native beggars who take refuge under the bridges. Alarmed at this scenario, Information and Strategy Commissioner Lateef Ibirogba said Okada riders who are from Niger and Togo have also come to protest against traffic law at the state secretariat. Together with the area boys, they pose a threat to security.

The next governor will inherit the battle for special status. Although Lagos shoulders enormous national responsibilities, the agitation for a special status has been ignored by the Federal Government. He will inherit many federal, state and local government roads calling for attention.

Reflecting on these challenges, APC chieftain Isiaka Adekunle-Ibrahim said the next governor wake up to the reality that governance is not a tea party in Lagos. “The challenges will be enormous. He will inherit the assets and liabilities of governance.

There will be more demands on his administration, in terms of dividends of democracy,” he added.

Lessons of history

The lessons of Lagos politics are instructive. But, aspirants often refuse to learn from history. Historically, it is difficult to predict who will emerge as flag bearers of political parties. Lagos State is dynamic. Therefore, the contest is always unpredictable. The first aspirant on the track may never become the winner. The history of governorship contest is replete with the emergence of candidates who were never in reckoning before. These emergency candidates have always breast the tape and smiled away with the crown.

Ahead of 1978/79, when the members of the Committee of Friends, which later transformed into the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), were preparing for the governorship election, three heavy weight politicians; Chief Adeniran Ogunsanya, Chief Akanbi Onitiri and Alhaji Ganiyu Dawodu; were struggling for the slot.

Ogunsanya was a federal legislator

and Minister of Housing and Surveys.

Onitiri was one of the heroes of the treasonable felony trial. He was jailed along with the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Dawodu was a councillor, Lagos Town Council chairman and commissioner.

Ogunsanya had approached Awo, urging him to influence the committee to give the ticket to him. But Awo turned down his request, saying that the fate of aspirants would be decided at the party primaries. He later joined Dr. Nnamidi Azikiwe’s Nigeria Peoples Party (NPP). Onitiri was highly favoured for the job. But he was lured into the NPP by people who promised to make him the presidential candidate, after convincing him that Zik would not run. He later died in an auto crash. There was another candidate who was turned down because of his low education. Awo was surprised that he had no library in his house. Jakande, a prominent member of the committee, later emerged as the candidate.

In the Third Republic, the proscribed SDP was popular in Lagos. But, the two aspirants, Sarumi and Agbalajobi were banned. In the subsequent shadow poll between Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, the candidate of the Jakande Group, and Edu, who was backed by the Primose, the latter won. But he lost to Otedola during the election.

In 1999, Tinubu was warming up for the Senate, until the Afenifere leaders of Ijebu origin advised him to signify interest in the governorship. The only dissenting voice was Dawodu, who, had favoured Funso Williams for the seat. Had Dawodu, fondly referred to as the god of Lagos, signified his intention to run, he would have emerged as the candidate. Dawodu never totally forgave his Awoist friends; Senator Abraham Adedsanya, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Olaniwu Ajayi. The AD flag bearer, Tinubu, defeated the PDP candidate, Sarumi. He spent eight years on office.

In 2007, the defunct Action Congress (AC) had 14 aspirants. They included Agbaje, Ogunleye, Solomon, Oyinlomo Danmole, Tola Kasali, Tokunbo Afikuyomi, and Femi Pedro.

Others are Tunde Fanimokun, Bayo Ajisebutu, Kaoli Olusanya, Omotilewa Aro-Lambo, Remi Adikwu-Bakare, and Fashola, the dark horse. At the primaries, the former Chief of Staff secured the ticket.

In 2011, Fashola was retained as the candidate of the ACN. He beat the PDP candidate, Dr. Ade Dosunmu, who was principally sponsored by George. That year, the LP was briefly promoted by some aggrieved ACN leaders loyal to Governor Fashola. The rebellion was short-lived. Since then, the party has remained on the waiting list as a borrowed platform.

Internal democracy

From 1999 to 2011, the selection process in the progressive camp had followed a similar pattern. However, times are changing. Some forces are pressing vigorously for internal democracy. It is indisputable that the culture of imposition is being resisted.

Ironically, the beneficiaries of imposition are turning around to discredit the process that threw them up as party candidates and elected representatives and political appointees. A legislator, Bisi Yusuf, chided those crying foul over imaginary imposition. He said imposition has different meanings to different politicians and at different times. “When it favoured them, they embraced it. When they know that it will not favour them, they are crying foul”, added Yusuf, who is a House of Representatives aspirant in Alimoso Constituency. Another politician and cleric, said: “Let those opposing imposition search their conscience. All of them are products of imposition. Then, heaven did not fall.”

The advocates of guided primaries are also being challenged. This is a major challenge. When the Lagos APC opted for direct primaries at its inaugural ward congress, it was chaotic in some councils. Party leaders immediately retraced their steps. In subsequent local government and state congress, consensus was adopted and there was peace.

Indigeneship and zoning

Another issue that may shape the contest is zoning. But, there are puzzles: Should zoning be based on the five divisions of Lagos, Ikeja, Epe, Badagry and Ikorodu? Should it be based on the three senatorial districts?

Analysts have questioned the merit of the rotational formula in a state where people of all tribes cohabit peacefully in harmony. Those who canvassed the idea of zoning based on the three senatorial districts also lack convincing argument to support it. The critics of the idea point out that many residents and indigenes of the West District have enjoyed political opportunities in the Central and East districts and vice versa.

The first civilian governor, Jakande, son of the Oluwo of Lagos, is from the Central District, although he has been living in Ilupeju, West District. His grandfather was from Omu-Aran, Kwara State. His deputy, Jafojo, has his roots in Ile-Ife. Otedola, hails from Epe, East District. The third, Tinubu, from the Central, represented the West in the Senate in the Third Republic.

The fourth, Fashola, is from the Central. In 2007, Ikorodu elders, led by an eminent lawyer, Babatunde Benson (SAN) pressed for power shift to

‘The next governor will inherit the battle for special status. Although Lagos shoulders enormous national responsibilities, the agitation for a special status has been ignored by the Federal Government. He will inherit many federal, state and local government roads calling for attention’

Ikorodu, East District, claiming that out of the five divisions, only Ikorodu and Badagry have not produced the governor. To them, it was a legitimate crusade.

For strategic reasons, the PDP has tried to put on the front burner the vexed issue of indigeneship, in a bid to incite indigenous Lagosians against the ruling party. But that is now a weak factor. In 2007, indigeneship was displaced by zoning. Critics pointed out that the four governors who have ruled the state have never discriminated against any zone or district. They have treated all the zones and district equally as reflected in their distribution of amenities and key appointments.

Indigeneship is a weaker factor.

Prominent Lagos politicians have their roots in other Southwest states.

The late Chief P.O Fagbeyiro, former Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives in Jakande Administration and Pa Oyeniran Longe, former Chairman of Somolu Council and member of the House of Assembly, were from Efon-Alaaye, Ekiti State.

The late Pa. R.B. Solomon had his roots in Egba. The leader of the Justice Forum is Oba Olatunji Hamzat is the Olu of Afowora-Sogaade, Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State. He was a legislator and Commissioner for Transport in the Second Republic.

Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola from Ilesa is the former Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure in Lagos.

Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora from Ijebu-Ife is the former Speaker of the House of Assembly. The Lagos East APC leader, Pa Busura Alebiosu, is from Ijebu-Ode. The APC Chairman, Ajomale is from Ife. His deputy, Cardinal James Odunmbaku, is from Egba. Pa Rafiu Jafojo’s grandfather was from Ile-Ife. Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, the Asiwaju of Igbogbo, Ikorodu Division, has his root in IlaOrangun. Hon. Olawale Oshun is from Ijebu-Mushin. There are state and National Assembly members, commissioners and special advisers, councillors and supervisors who are from other Southwest states, the North, the Southeast, and the Southsouth. These people have served Lagos meritoriously. Therefore, indigeneship is a weak issue.

However, zoning can be manipulated, undermined and subverted, if it is projected as a strong factor. In 2003, Afikuyomi, a senator from Lagos Central, emerged as the AD senatorial candidate for Lagos West. In 2007, Solomon from Mushin, Lagos West, claimed that he hailed from Ipakodo, Ikorodu, to benefit from the agitation for power shift. His paternal grandparents had their roots there. In 2011, Ikuforiji from Epe, Lagos East, won election into the House of Assembly in Ikeja Constituency.

Also, zoning has not really shaped the contest for governorship, judging by the sheer number of aspirants from across the zones and districts in previous dispensations. In the Third Republic, Agbalajobi, Sarumi, Otedola, Edu, (Epe), Adikwu-Bakare (Awori/Egba), Alaba Williams, Tokunbo Dosunmu (Central), Ogunleye (Ikorodu) were aspirants. In 2003-2007, zoning was a non-issue when Muritala Asorobi (Central), Olorunfunmi Basorun (East), Tokunbo kamson (East), Funso Williams (Central), Wahab Dosunmu (Central), Obanikoro (Central) and Tunde Olowu (West) and Ademola Adeniji-Adele (Central), were in the race. All these have lent credence to the fact that Lagos will not sacrifice merit, standard, excellence and track record of the contestants on the alter of zoning.

Religion

In Lagos State, and indeed, the Southwest, religion has not played a crucial role in the election of the governor.

Recently, some faceless groups have invaded the media, clamouring for a Christian governor as successor to Fashola. They alleged that Christians are marginalised. Some Chriatian •Continued on page 46

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POLITICS LAGOS POLITICS •Continued from page 45

bodies have denounced their activities, advising them to desist from heating up the state, ahead of 2015.

Jakande and his deputy, Rafiu jafojo are Muslims. Otedola, a Christian, ran with a Muslim, Alhaji Sinatu Ojikutu. Tinubu, a Muslum, had three Christian deputies; Senator Kofo Akerele-Bucknor, Pedro and Ogunleye. Fashola, another Muslim, has two Christian deputies; Sosan and Orelope-Adefulire. However, there is nothing to suggest that religion has shaped major state policies. Although Tinubu is a Muslim, his wife, Senator Oluremi, is a deacon of the Redeemed Christian Church. Fashola’s wife, Abimbola, is a staunch Catholic. Since the second Republic, religion has also not played any role in cabinet composition in the state.

Gerontocratic monitors

Perhaps, the strongest factor is mutual agreement among party leaders. “The doctrine of mutual consent by the controlling leadership is very important. “Ambition is important, but the collective interest of our party will be defended by our wise elders. I look forward to a brainstorming session involving Tinubu, Fashola, Ajomale and his executive committee, party elders, and members of the Gubernatorial Advisory Council and our leaders in the G 15.

These eminent leaders will vet the aspirants, moderate the selection process and ensure that the right candidate emerges,” said an APC leader in Kosofe Constituency, who added: “The party has said that there is going to be primaries. But, the respective chapters also reserve the right of screening. The APC is strong and every effort will be made to make it stronger. Ahead of the polls, reconciliation and crisis resolution mechanisms will also be strengthened. Our leaders-Asiwaju Tinubu, Governor Fashola, Pa Hamzat, Alebiosun, Murphy Adetoro, Rabiu Oluwa, Ajomale, Basorun, Seriki Bamu, Prince Ogunleye, Oluyole Olusi, and others-will not let us down.”

APC aspirants

Despite the perception that the APC has zoned the ticket to the Lagos East, aspirants are coming from the three zones as a matter of fundamental right. It is not clear whether the proposed guidelines for the primaries would translate the imaginary zoning into reality.

Solomon

The first aspirant to have declared his interest is Solomon. Although his base is Mushin, he is a household name in Lagos. The political scientist is son of the eminent politician, the late Chief R.B. Solomon, a Second Republic leader of the UPN and an ally of Jakande. From 1998 till date, Solomon has been relevant.

Apart from serving as the Chairman of Mushin Local Government Area, he is also a former member of the House of Representatives. Solomon is very popular in Mushin and Lagos West. He became a senator in 2007 when Tinubu declined to contest for the Senate. He was re-elected as senator in 2011. Solomon is also the first contender to set up his campaign office at Ikeja. He has been canvassing for democratic primaries.

Pitan

He is a successful medical doctor from Agbowa, Epe Division. He served as Commissioner for Health and Education for eight years in the Tinubu Administration. In recent times, he has set up a medical mission. Anywhere he goes, he is accompanied by health workers who screen people for ailments. Many believe that he is fit to rule the state.

Few weeks ago, his supporters started the agitation for primaries.

Many youths see him as a role model, mentor and father figure. He is intelligent and hardworking.

maintained, Filani has returned to his former position and Doherty is now a member of the zonal executive committee.

Obanikoro

• Doherty

• Mrs Adikwu-Bakare

• Gbadamosi

• Oyedele

25 for governor in Lagos Ashafa

Ashafa is a retired Permanent Secretary from Ibeju-Lekki. He became a senator in 2011. When he was the Permanent Secretary, Land Bureau, he did not abuse the privilege. As a senator, he has set up some empowerment programmes for the benefit of his district.

Ikuforiji

Ogunlewe

degree, is an easy-going professional and good manager of men and resources. He is a computer wizard. He is very close to Fashola, who has confidence in his ability.

Banire

Banire is the APC Legal Adviser. He holds a doctorate degree in Law from the University of Lagos, where he was a teacher before he was appointed commissioner. He spent 12 years in the Lagos State Executive Council as Special Adviser, Commissioner for Transport and Commissioner for Environment. He is from Mushin, Lagos West. He is a top member of the Mandate Group.

Ikuforiji is from Epe. He became a member of the House of Assembly in 2003. He was re-elected in 2007 and 2011. He is the longest serving Speaker of the House. The Speaker enjoys the support of legislators. Under his leadership, the House has been stable. He has had the privilege of representing two constituencies in two districts in the House of Assembly. Ikuforiji is anDabiri-Arewa swering charges of corruption in the Dabiri-Arewa is the only woman in court. His supporters allege that he was the race. She is a household name in framed up because he has a governor- the country. She is a veteran broadship ambition. caster. By next year, she would have spent 12 years in the House of RepreAmbode sentatives. She was first elected to repAmbode is a technocrat from Epe. He resent Ikorodu Constituency in 2003. has set up his campaign office at She was re-elected in 2007 and 2011. In Gbagada, Lagos East. At 21, he obtained the Lower Chamber, Dabiri is not a a degree in Accounting from the Uni- bench warmer. She is the Chairperversity of Lagos, Akoka. At 24, he earned son of the Diaspora Committee. She a Masters Degree and qualified as a char- is very popular in her district and betered accountant. He has worked in yond. She may have been drafted into many councils as a treasurer before he the race by the agitators for power was transferred to the state civil serv- shift in Ikorodu. ice. He was the Auditor-General for Local Governments. In 2012, the Gbolahan Fullbright scholar retired voluntary as Gbolahan is the Commissioner for the Accountant-General and Perma- Agriculture. He is a retired police ofnent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, at ficer. He was the security officer to 49. He was the first Permanent Secre- former Governor Tinubu. tary to have done so in the history of Lagos Civil Service. When the Federal Gbeleyi Government withheld allocations to Gbeleyi is the Commissioner for FiLagos councils, Ambode designed the nance. He is an associate of the goverblueprint for the financial survival of nor. He succeeded Mr. Abilru last year the councils. His colleagues in the civil as commissioner. He is an egg head. service describe him as a man of character, capability and competence.

Gbajabiamila Gbajabiamila is the APC Leader and Cardoso Minority Leader in the House of RepThere is no evidence suggesting that resentatives. The lawyer is a firebrand the brilliant technocrat and former legislator from Surulere Constituency.

Commissioner for Budget and Eco- He is very intelligent, bold, brave, and nomic Planning, Yemi Cardoso, will courageous. declare his interest in the race. But, eyes are on him. He is not a politician. But, sources said that he may be drafted into ‘Times are changing. the race because he has what it takes to be governor. When he was being con- Some forces are pressing sidered for the post in 2007, it leaked vigorously for internal deout. The following day, Cardoso was surprised when party followers in- mocracy. It is indisputable vaded his residence, hailing him as the that the culture of imposigovernor. On the advice of his wife, he travelled abroad. Reflecting on that epi- tion is being resisted. sode, a first class monarch in Lagos de- Ironically, the beneficiarscribed him as a “run away governor.”

Hamzat

Hamzat is the Commissioner for Works. He is the son of the party leader, Oba Hamzat. His father was a legislator and commissioner in the Second Republic. His mother is from Lagos State. Hamzat, who holds a doctorate

ies of imposition are turning around to discredit the process that threw them up as party candidates and elected representatives and political appointees’

He is the last born of the late Adegboruwa of Igbogbo, Ikorodu, Oba Omolaja Ogunlewe. He recently retired as the Head of Service.

Kasali

Kasali is the former Rural Development and Heath commissioner. He was the Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Council. He was a member of the SDP in the Third Republic. When Sarunmi was about to be disqualified, he asked Kasali to obtain the governorship form. But, he declined, saying that the time was not ripe. In 2007, he vied for the position. But, Fashola emerged as the candidate. He later served as Commissioner for Special Duties.

The PDP challenge

Lagos PDP is in search of a formidable governorship candidate. But, it is yet to fully put its house in order. The chapter is still battling with crisis. Total reconciliation is still elusive. The struggle for the governorship ticket by the caucuses may unleash a protracted post-primary crisis.

For 15 years, the party has been left in the cold. Does the crisis-ridden chapter has prospect in next year’s election?

There are strands and shades of opinion on the succession struggle. The PDP Chairman, Capt. Tunji Shelle (rtd), has said that power shift is possible next year. His APC counterpart, Ajomale, disagreed. He described the threat by the PDP to capture Lagos as laughable.

He said there is nothing on ground to show that the PDP can come into reckoning in the state. “What has the PDP Federal Government done for Lagosians? What is their achievement in Lagos? They have failed before.

They will fail again,” he said.

In 1999, the PDP candidate, Sarunmi, was defeated by Tinubu. In 2003, its flag bearer, Williams, was also defeated by Tinubu, despite the defection of prominent AD chieftains, including Senator Adeseye Ogunleye, to the PDP. In 2007, the PDP candidate, Obanikoro, lost his deposit. He was defeated by Fashola. In 2011, Fashola also defeated Dr. Ade Dosunmu of the PDP.

PDP aspirants: Gbadamosi

He was the first aspirant to declare his interest. If elected as governor, he said that he would turn the critical sectors around. However, he has a fragile structure to actualise his dream.

Doherty

Doherty, an engineer, is a veteran aspirant, having contested for the governorship thrice. In 2007 and 2011, he lobbied to become the running mate, but he was not considered. Last year, he became the Acting Chairman of the Southwest PDP caretaker Committee, when the Chairman, Chief ishola Filani, resigned. But, since the court has ruled that the status quo should be

The Minister of State for Defence is the arrowhead of the party. The second minister from Lagos, Olusegun Aganga, is not a politician. Obanikoro is the most formidable aspirant in the party. He is also the most experienced politician in the fold. Obanikoro is the former Chairman of Lagos City Council, Vice Chairman of the defunct national Republican Convention (NRC), Commissioner for Home affairs and Culture, senator between 2003 and 2007, High Commissioner to Ghana and Chairman of the National Industrial Training Fund. In 2007, he was the governorship candidate.

Obanikoro has a structure and resources to run for the election. If he joins the race, it may be difficult for Agbaje to get the ticket.

Agbaje

In 2007, he was one of the aggrieved aspirants who defected from the AD, following the primaries that threw up Fashola as the candidate. As the candidate of the Democratic Peoples Alliance (DPA), he did not make much impact during the election. Agbaje is rich. He also has a network of friends ready to support his bid. Agbaje is perceived as a man of honour and integrity. His defection to the PDP is surprising to many people. But, he has a good name. The pharmacist detest dirty politics. The PDP is a foreign land. He is trying to familiarise himself with the people there. If Agbaje becomes the flag bearer, Lagosians may take him seriously. However, many would have preferred him to realise his ambition in the progressive camp.

Dosunmu

When Dosunmu emerged as the candidate in 2011, he was not known in the party. He was brought into the fold by George. He hold a doctorate degree in administration. It is doubtful, if George is backing him for governorship. He does not have structure. But,his posters are all over Lagos.

Adiukwu-Bakare

The Egba-born politician is an Amazon. Adiukwu-Bakare is resourceful, charming and hardworking. But, to progressives leaders, she is politically impatient. She made waves in the Third Republic when he contested for the slot with the late Pa Michael Otedola in the NRC. In Lagos, her base is Awori. As a governorship aspirant, luck has not smiled on her. In 2003, he defected from the PDP to the AC. She was appointed as the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry and later, Women Affairs, by former Governor Tinubu. After losing at the ACN primaries in the ACN in 2007, she contested on the platform of the PPA. It was a weak party. Later, she returned to the PDP. Sources said that some leaders wanted her to be appointed as a minister. But, the opportunity also eluded her. Adiukwu-Bakare is a brilliant person. She is an effective speaker. She also knows her onions.

She is highly connected. But, many see her as a politician in a hurry.

Koshoedo

The former federal legislator represented Badagry in the House of Representatives between 1999 and 2003.

He was the party chairman at a time efforts were made to resolve the crises in the chapter and forge unity. But, many see him as George’s stooge. he is a nominal contender.

Oyedele

Oyedele is a former presidential assistant to former President Olusegun Obasanjo. He is one of the pillars of the party in Ibeju-Lekki area. He is a committed party man.

Kamson

Kamson contested for the governorship in 2007. But, he could not make much impact. last week, he unfolded his aspiration at the party secretariat.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

48

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

‘There is no Hausa or Igbo at Ebedi’ Located in the ancient town of Iseyin in Oyo State, the Ebedi International Writers Residency, founded by a former member of the House of Representatives, Dr Wale Okediran, has continued to host and inspire writers. Three writers have added their names to the “Ebedi Hall of Fame”, writes EVELYN OSAGIE.

L

OCATED in Iseyin in Oyo State, the Ebedi International Writers Residency provides writers the latitude to write to their hearts content.

Since four years now, it has hosted about 50 old and young writers across Africa some of the residents, like Igoni Barret and Yewande Omotoso, have either win prizes or emerged finalists in diverse literary awards.

Come Saturday September 27, the admisitrators of the residency will be marking its fourth annivesary with poetry readings; drama sketches by students mentored by the past residents; an award ceremony for outstanding fellows and patrons of the residency and the presentation of the Ebedi Review. The Chief Executive Officer, Literamed Publishers, Otunba Lawal Solarin is expected to give the keynote address titled: Creative Writing and the Challenges Of Globalisation.

The residency was founded by a former member of the House of Representatives and past Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) President, Dr Wale Okediran.

It resently sent-off three residents: Obinna Udenwe (Ebonyi State), Karo Okoko (Delta State), 2012 ANA Prize Poetry winner, and Paul Liam (Niger State) recently spent six weeks at the residency.

Listening to the three residents speak of their six-week writing experiences at the place, would evoke a rustic picture in one’s mind.

Okoko writes poetry and drama; Paul writes poetry and essays, and Udenwe writes prose.

From three regions, the writers’ peaceful co-existence at the residency serves as an example to the nation at large, it was observed. During their stay at Iseyin, each set of residents are expected to carry out a school’s outreach programme, which is usually used impact the pupils.

Despite the challenge they encountered at first, this set of residents have come out with the Ebedi Review, a legacy that is sure to motivate and enlighten aspiring residents.

In this piece, the writers share their moments together.

My visit to Ebedi

Okoko: This is my first experience in a residency. I am glad to have been picked at my first try. But during the application last year, when I was told that I would need two referees along with some other things, I was surprised. I and a guy at the cyber café even joked over it as it seemed to me as if I was applying for a job. When I received a call that I had been picked for this session, I was both surprised and elated.

I would say that it has been a privilege to have met my colleagues these past six weeks. And I have learnt quite a lot from them. They see me as a loner who is always indoor, which is not strange because that is what people think of me…and that is what I am. But when we commune, I learn a lot of things from them. Within those weeks, I was able to write and finish a novel from the scratch entitled Letter from Her and a play entitled Pellets of Power. I don’t type my works, the typist type them for me.

Udenwe: My friends, Nathan John and Diana Eke who have been here encouraged me to apply. It has been wonderful in many ways because I have to meet very wonderful writers, someone like Paul Liam who is an amazing poet and Okoko who is 2012 ANA Prize Poetry winner. I was very delighted to read some of Okoko’s work. I have never had this kind of opportunity before to be away from all sorts of distraction and disturbances and just concentrate on my works for six weeks. It was amazing. The environment was conducive and secured; the cook, the manager are all wonderful folks. The community knows that writers come here all the time so when one goes out to a restaurant, immediately they look at him, they’d ask “are you a writer at the Ebedi Residency?” And then they’d treat you differently. So it’s a wonderful experience.

I applied to stay and work on a novel entitled Viaticum, which means “the last confession of a dying person” or “the last Communion of a dying person receives” in Latin. Although I had earlier completed Viaticum as a crime fiction in 2012 with 54,000 words, I had wanted to incorporate the conspiracy theory

•From left: Liam, Udenwe and Okoko

RESIDENCY into it. So, I did more research on Nigeria’s pre-democracy period and democracy during President Olusegun Obasanjo regime and the Civil War Sudan. It was after I finished my research that I applied for the residency. It was an opportunity for me to work on it again – it’s now about 55,000. I would be sending it to my publisher in the United Kingdom as soon as I leave here. I have another conspiracy crime fiction about terrorism in Nigeria entitled: Satans & Shaitans that would be out in the UK by October. My publisher had started working on the book since early this year. Immediately I was accepted to come to the residency, they were delighted because it would be an opportunity to work on the edited copy. A couple of days back when I had have finished working on Viaticum, they sent the edit of Satans & Shaitans and that is what I am working on and might not even finish before I leave here but hope to finish and send it to them for publication.

Liam: I heard about the residency through lots of people and the newspaper, but what motivated me to apply were the encouragement from my friends, Awalu Sakiwa and Kalid Imam, who were former residents at Ebedi. I saw the urge for me to be a part of him: I then applied and got my mentor, BM Dzukogi to serve as the referee.

For me, these weeks have been the most profitable of my literary career in several ways because it is different thing to be a writer and another thing to be appreciated as a writer.

And I think the residency appreciates individual efforts, especially as young people like me who are talent writers. It’s been great for me, especially meeting wonderful friends like Obinna and a very reputable poet like Karo. He is actually a loner as he addressed himself today. Naturally, you won’t expect three people to be like minds yet that has been the chemistry between us. Our relationship has •been wonderful. I feel this is how Nigerians should relate with themselves – there was no Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba or Deltan, here we are one: we are united by writing. These are memories I wouldn’t have had contact with had I not come. This place is a blessing to my literary career.

And the town, wow, I would never forget this town in my entire life! I have several memorable experiences in this town.

In fact, I have written about four essays on them and currently on another which is on Egwugwu festival and went as far as going into the shrine, interviewing the chief priest and all that.

I worked on collections of poetry, mostly inspired by Iseyin and short stories. I was inspired to work on my short story partly because Obinna writes short stories as if he is drinking wine; I discovered that he is so good at it that he doesn’t need anybody to edit once he writes and send it, and the next thing he would tell me it has been published on papers or online.

‘Naturally, you won’t expect three people to be like minds yet that has been the chemistry between us. Our relationship has been wonderful. I feel this is how Nigerians should relate with themselves – there was no Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba or Deltan, here we are one: we are united by writing. These are memories I wouldn’t have had contact with had I not come. This place is a blessing to my literary career’

I had stories that I’ve not yet collected together. But now I have collected them with four, which are inspired by experiences in this town, I have a collection of over 10 stories.

It’s been a wonderful experience.

Giving back to Ebedi

Obinna: We couldn’t spend much time with the pupils as much we would have wanted. We came a week before the students were to start their examinations, and interacted with them before and after their examinations; and then they went on vacation so we didn’t really get the chance to do much with them. But we gave them our books.

Interestingly, the first time we interacted with them, I was impressed to find that they were already exposed to writing and writers; some even write very well. It was an eye-opener: I run a youth organisation where we sometimes train young people and in most cases it is difficult to find secondary school’s students that could write poems even more than established writers. They are very confident. And most of them are not just poets but performance poets who boldly read and performed their poems, and even have drama group.

We were truly entertained and impressed.

I think it is because of the residency that brings in various writers with diverse ideas from within and outside the country, who interact with and impact them. It is the many ways the community has benefited from the residency programme.

Since the students are on vacation, we came up with the idea of Ebedi Review which is first of its kind in the residency. Liam invited the two of us and observed that when we came here we had no document to show the profile of past residents.

Aside my friends, I don’t know any other person that had been here before. We wanted to have an idea of the people that have been here and their experiences. So, we came up with review that would have newspapers articles, excerpts and interviews about the residency; essays and write-ups by the residents on their experiences and visit to some sites in the town, such as the Suspended Lake. We got their emails addresses Dr Okediran, who collected some of the interviews published online. The review, which would also have a few short stories and poems, is finished the review and ready for publication. In a month time, Ebedi International Writers Residency would have a publication called Ebedi Review.

Liam: In fact, if I had my way, I’d wanted to collect an anthology of the students’ works, which is what I do at the Hilltop Arts Centre where I am the Public Relation Officer.

From Niger State and the Hilltop Arts Centre where I am from, you are encouraged to be creative; the concept of review was not a strange one. So, when I got the call to come for the residency, I told myself that aside from my interactions with the residents and students, I would love to make more impact.

When I came, I noticed that there was no document or evidence to show of the residency past experience – not even picture. The whole place was empty. I told my friends that to change this and connect this place to the outside world, we need to create a “review” that would enhance the image of this place and help inform those who are yet to visit or others aspiring to be here to meet the residency at a glance.

So, in essence it would create a channel of communication between the outside world and the activities in the residency, the resident writers that have been here at different times. We hope that the review will become probably be a yearly thing or one that after a certain period of time get the writers together to collate opinions and experiences. And if possible, invite other writers from outside to contribute to the review in order to get a universal appeal. It is hoped that this would become concrete literary document that people could make reference to, especially whenever residency programmes in Nigeria are to be discussed.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

49

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

I

N what can rightly be described as his ‘last testament’ shortly before his death, titled: There Was A Country, Africa’s pre-eminent novelist, Chinua Achebe, graphically paints a picture of a colonial Nigeria. Then, there were qualitative service delivery, the school system functioned and could compare favourably with the best in the world, public infrastructure, such as roads and electricity, were functional and efficient and there was safety of lives and property.

While not necessarily romanticising colonialism or denying its essentially exploitative essence, Achebe was intellectually honest enough to acknowledge and demonstrate through the experiences of his generation that the colonial administration functioned, largely, in a purposeful, meaningful and predictable manner. Even the most ardent patriot would find it difficult to deny that, following a brief flowering of progress and development in the immediate post-independence era, the quality of governance in Nigeria at all levels and in all sectors has steadily deteriorated under successive military and civil dispensations since the attainment of ‘flag independence’ in 1960.

What role has the steady and systematic erosion of the values of efficiency, integrity, proficiency, meritocracy and professionalism in Nigeria’s Civil or Public Service played in the pathetic deepening of underdevelopment in an otherwise richly endowed country over the last five decades?

Why have persistent efforts to promote reforms in the Civil Service and restore its capacity to act effectively as a catalyst of development failed abysmally in the humiliating story of post-independence Nigeria?

What lessons can the country learn from the abject past and current failings of the Public Service and how can the institution be best re-positioned to help actualise the immense but chained potentials of the Nigerian nation? These are the central questions to which Dr Tunji Olaopa, one of the country’s foremost public administrators, theoreticians of public sector governance and experts on public sector reforms seeks to proffer answers in his seminal new book entitled The Nigerian Civil Service of the Future: A Prospective Analysis.

In a little under 400 pages spanning 18 mostly concise and incisive chapters, this book published by BookKraft in Ibadan, will most certainly become an indispensable handbook, a veritable theoretical and practical manifesto to guide the much needed change that can liberate the developmental potentials of the Nigerian Public Service as a vehicle for achieving meaningful national transformation. Of course, hardly anyone is better placed than Dr Olaopa to undertake

N

IGERIA has abundant young writers, says the President of Women Writers of Nigeria, Mrs Mobolaji Adenubi.

The writers, she said, should be mentored to make them win awards.

She spoke at a creative writing workshop aimed at inspiring and nurturing young talented writers.

Mrs Adenubi founded a creative non-profit organisation, Splendid Literature and Culture Foundation (SLCF).

Thirty budding writers between ages 11 and 21 attended event at the King’s College, Lagos, to hone their writing skills.

Mrs Adenubi led five other facilitators to teach the Mechanics of Writing. She taught participants literary terms, such as “plotting”, “character development”, “description” and “points of view”, among others. Other facilitators were co-founder of WriteHouse,”Femi Morgan; full-time writer and editor with years of experience in print and online media and publishing,Adebola Rayo; poet, short story writer and occasional essayist, Dami Ajayi; self-published author of children’s stories, Ndidi ChiazorEnenmor;award-winning essayist, freelance writer and editor,Temitayo Olofinlua Amogunla and Oyindamola Olofinlua.

“We encourage young people to think imaginatively, and help them develop how to think, not what to think. Older writers have more opportunities to sharpen their writing craft; hence this writing workshop is primarily for younger writers,” Mrs Adenubi said.

Author ofHustlerpreneur,Morgan is optimistic over the growth of creative writing in the continent, saying: “My experience shows that there is hope for the new narratives from Africa. The foundation [not only] waters the creative imagination of potential writers and artists but [also] accompanies it with a realistic bluntness about the creative

Segun Ayobolu

sms to 07032777778 segunayobolu2@yahoo.com

The Nigerian Civil Service: A Reformer’s Manifesto (1) this ambitious intellectual venture. He holds first and second degrees in Political Science and Political Theory, from the University of Ibadan and a doctorate degree in Public Administration. Erected upon this sound theoretical grounding is a rich public service career that has seen him rise to the position of Permanent Secretary in the Federal Public Service over the last two and a half decades.

Dr Olaopa has written at least three other major books on various aspects of public service administration and reforms in Nigeria and a delightful biography of the pre-eminent economist, ProfOjetunjiAboyade, one of his acknowledged intellectual mentors and moral exemplars. However, his new work is clearly his magnum opus. Next to the Aboyade book, this is easily his most readable offering.

Although still laced in academic and theoretical jargon in some of the chapters, The Nigerian Civil Service of the Future, is written in more fluent and easily accessible language to the layman. It is in many ways a unique book – part history of the Nigerian Public Service, part philosophical reflection on the place of public administration in governance and development, part elaboration of the author’s core ethical and moral values and part biography of his professional development.

Perhaps the best way for the reader to start this book is from the last chapter titled ‘Trajectory to the Future: An Anecdotal Conclusion’. Here Olaopa recalls how as a fiveyear-old boy in Western Nigeria during the operation ‘wetie’ of the First Republic that set the region ablaze, “I was at a wrong place at a wrong time to witness an act of political thuggery that took four lives in a blazing

vehicle. I guess that the providential hand of God, and the singularity of that act of malevolence, is perhaps responsible for my being at the right place at the right time today to contribute my quota to the collective healing of Nigeria through institutional renewal and reengineering that will define the substance of our contribution during our tenure”. It is, thus, in this context that we can appreciate Dr Olaopa’s life-long preoccupation, theoretically and practically with the ‘imperative of a functional, efficient and professionally capacitated Civil Service’ as an ‘urgent desideratum’ for democracy, good governance and development in Nigeria.

It is, thus, not surprising that throughout this book, Dr Olaopa stresses the indispensable relationship between theory and practice.

Effective and productive practice, he insists can only emerge from sound theory which is “the basis to launch a reformed administrative paradigm that would enhance the service delivery function of government”. From this premise, he argues that life-long learning or what he calls “enlarged learning” as distinct from mere formal education must be the life-long vocation of the idealised ‘New Professionals’ characterised by high ethical standards, and an unflagging commitment to adding value and enhancing excellence in Public Service with a view to promoting development.

But then, can this ‘New Professionals’ of Dr Olaopa’s dream emerge from the diseased womb of a political economy characterised by crass rascality, irresponsibility and massive corruption as currently exists in Nigeria?

Can an optimally functional Civil Service advocated by the author within the context of a pathetically dysfunctional political and

socio-economic environment? Does Dr Olaopa exaggerate the role, influence and institutional autonomy of the Public Service? To what extent can the Civil Service be truly autonomous and effective in its prescribed professional functions of planning, organising, directing, coordinating and controlling government operations to achieve optimal societal progress?

To be fair to Dr Olaopa, he does not shy away from critically discussing the interface between administration and politics and the implications for the institutional reform of the Civil Service and the attainment of national developmental objectives.

In his words, “Public Administration is embedded in a complex and interdependent system that include the political, social, cultural and administrative institutions of a state”. Successful Public Service reforms, he submits must be a function both of political will and the governance context. He hinges the collapse or failure of societies ultimately on the ability or inability of the relevant institutions to effectively, efficiently and competently manage complex change through qualitative decision making.

But where does the ultimate responsibility for initiating, managing and ensuring the actualisation of the necessary changes vital for Nigeria’s transformation lie – with the administrative or the political class? Does the embarrassing spectre of pension fund fraud, fuel subsidy scams, ghost worker fraud,among others, in which both the administrative and political elite are implicated not suggest that the differences between the two are at best superficial and that they are both incapacitated by a common desensitising moral environment? Even while rigorously dissecting the challenges raised by these pertinent questions, Dr Olaopa addresses his mind to the imperative of constructing and empowering developmental states in Nigeria and Africa. Disagreeing with the dominant neo-liberal orthodoxy of radically subordinating the public sphere and society as a whole to the dictatorship of market forces, the author argues that “The lesson brought out of the SAP experience, therefore, is that contrary to the orthodoxy of rolling back the state and emasculating its interventions, a strong, vibrant and developmental state is urgently required within the governance network in Africa to intervene vigorously in the national development process”. Implicit in Dr Olaopa’s in much of the book is the imperative factions for the national elite – political, administrative, business, intellectual etc. – to define such a purposive national agenda and to mobilise popular support strategically to actualise set objectives.

•Participants at the event.

‘Mentor writers to win awards’

industry”.

Mrs Amogunla facilitated a session on Online Writing and the Business of Writing.

According to her, “Creative people usually have the failing of not being good at transacting business. Writing can and should indeed be big business!” She focused extensively on the opportunities online, how writing and indeed writers can be a “thriving business”.

Rayo shared with participants how to be-

By Evelyn Osagie

LITERATURE come better writers: how to know whether their manuscripts is indeed ready, while highlighting what to do when one is done writing a manuscript, which she entitled My Manuscript and I, and how to get their works out.

Ajayi and Chiazor-Enenmor shared their publishing stories to inspire. According to

Ajayi, he has secured a deal and his soon-tobe published collection of poetry was shortlisted for the prestigious Melita Hume Poetry Prize.

Oyindamola taught Copyediting 101 with focus on how writers can first edit their own writing.

Elated Jamiu Basit,a participant, said: “SLCF Creative Writing Workshop has given me everything, including the sparkling tools to win a Man Booker.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

50

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

POEM

EBOLA economics

By Habib Akewusola

She arrived as a tourist Man made death, Absolutely no respect for Your office, Have always thought visitors Bring luck, Patience kept me in isolation Ward.

Twenty_one wake premium Continuity is judgment on Heavenly corridors.

Nature will never breed Virus, Science will eventually erase Mans source.

Man makes death Angel Gabriel takes a rest.

Man makes breath Pregnancy becomes an option To birth •From left: Mr Gabriel, Dr Mbanefo and Council Member, YABATECH, Mr Abuja.

T

OURISM is poised to receive a boost as the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) and Israel have agreed to work on the development and promotion of the industry.

Israel Ambassador to Nigeria, Uriel Palti, who visited Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, Dr Sally Mbanefo in Abuja, pledged to facilitate collaboration between Israel and NTDC tourism development.

He said: “It’s my pleasure to be Israel Ambassador to Nigeria. I enjoy the friendship of Mr. President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, and fall in love with Nigeria. I won’t be shy to say this. I am totally at the disposal of NTDC to help develop tourism in Nigeria.

“I must say that Nigeria has the highest pilgrims to Israel hence we cannot but to be at her disposal to render assistance and

Aivoji during a YABATECH delegation’s visit to her in

NTDC, Israel to grow tourism

Watch Out, humanity may soon end.

develop her rich tourism potential.

“To achieve this, I and my team will go together with NTDC to visit beautiful tourist sites and destinations in Nigeria, and also invite NTDC to visit Israel, meet with Israeli government and other tourism stakeholders in the country, and sign a Memorandum of Understanding on development and promotion of tourism in Nigeria.

“This arrangement will also enable Nigeria brings more investors from Israel to Nigeria.”

Palti also disclosed that he loved the idea of exchanging programme and will facilitate exchange programmes on best practices in tourism between NTDC staff and Israel’s Tourism Board.

Mrs Mbanefo disclosed that NTDC is working on how to be self accounting, “hence we have put some machineries in place to achieve this. One of these is the MoU we signed with Jovago, which enables tourists to book hotels in Nigerian from our website. With this, we will generate revenue and our Tour Abuja City project will be launched this month.”

The NTDC boss emphasised the machineries put in place by President Goodluck Jonathan to encourage tourism growth in Nigeria, saying “One of the

most important things President Goodluck Jonathan has done is improving the power sector. Another thing is the upgrading of airports in Nigeria, which has been neglected for the past 52 years.

He also did a lot with transportation, ensuring a good rood and working earnestly on the railway, among others.

“All these are lubricants to the wheel of tourism development in Nigeria. The Jonathan-led administration meant so well for the course of tourism development in Nigeria, hence all stakeholders must join this progressive course.”

Mrs Mbanefo described the rationale behind her campaign for domestic tourism development and promotion as avenue to create wealth and job at the grassroots.

She therefore enjoined Nigerians and foreigners to appreciate the beautiful tourist sites that abound in Nigeria.

“To ensure true and rapid development and promotion of tourism in Nigeria, with domestic tourism as a catalyst, we must consciously infuse tourism interest in the minds of young ones, right from their primary school days.

“We will intensify efforts at incorporating tourism in the academic curriculum in Nigeria. We will achieve this in collaboration with the Ministry of Education,” Dr Mbanefo said.

The NTDC boss, who stressed the need to educate youths on tourism, culture and tradition added that domestic tourism development and promotion are keys to a sustainable wealth and job creation, integration of culture and encouragement of unity in Nigeria.

“I am passionately promoting domestic tourism to empower local government at the grassroots level, create jobs at lo-

cal governments, reduce urban migration, encourage integration of culture within Nigeria and to encourage unity,” Dr Mbanefo noted.

She charged the management of the institution to ensure that practical is given high priority over theory.

Mr Philip Olabode Aivoji, member of the Governing Council of the institution, who led the five-man delegation commended the efforts and activities of the NTDC boss, which according to him, are geared towards true and lasting development of tourism in Nigeria.

Hon Aivoji said: “We believe in Dr Mbanefo’s domestic tourism initiative as a viable catalyst to national development, creation of wealth and job, especially at the grassroots levels, and we have been busy instilling it into our students. Studying tourism guarantees self-reliance.

This is because you can stand on your own, becoming a tour guide, for instance.”

The Head of Department of Leisure and Tourism Department of the institution, Mr Okunlola Gabriel said that the school management would expand the department and move it to the permanent site in Epe, Lagos State.

Department of Leisure and Tourism of YABATECH according to the HOD, was created in 2007.

“We plan to promote Nigeria’s local dishes, hence we made it part of our curricular,” Okunlola said. In order to ensure timely actualisation of the establishment of the Tourism Village, Dr Mbanefo has set up a planning committee, which comprises of directors, deputy directors and members of the delegation from the institution.

Stories by Ozolua Uhakheme, Assistant Editor (Arts)

TOURISM

YABATECH gets commission’s nod on Tourism Village

N

IGERIAN Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) has thrown its weight behind the move by management of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos to establish a Tourism Village in Epe, Lagos State.

Director-General of NTDC, Dr Sally Mbanefo, commended the initiative of the institution to establish a tourism village, which according to her will enhance better and practical understanding of the course in the institution. She spoke in Abuja during a courtesy visit by a fiveman delegation from YABATECH, Lagos.

“This is a good development in the educational sector. We need to accord good attention to the study of tourism, not only in tertiary institutions, but right from the primary schools.

P

RESIDENT, Historical Society of Nigeria, Prof Olayemi Akinwumi has accepted to be the consultant to the Ogidi History Project, an initiative of the Ogidi Development Union of OgidiIjumu, Kogi State.

National Publicity Secretary of the union, Mr. Oladipo Akande, in a statement, said Prof Akinwumi, would provide academic oversight for the project. Akinwunmi will be the special guest of honour at the inauguration of the Ogidi History Project Team in Ogidi on Saturday.

Akande added that a prominent

Ogidi appoints Akinwumi consultant PROJECT community development activist and former lecturer in Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, and Dr. Duro Oniemola would deliver the keynote address at the inauguration.

The Ogidi History Project Team headed by a former General Manager in the West African Cement Company Plc, Chief Abiodun Ehindero, comprises 14 prominent members of the Ogidi-Ijumu

community charged with conducting research into the oral tradition and documented materials on the history of Ogidi and publish it into a book.

He said the project was also aimed at preserving the community’s cherished identity, give future generations a good grasp of who the Ogidi people truly are and enable others to fully appreciate them and their history.

Accepting the appointment, Akinwumi praised the Ogidi Development Union for its courage in taking the initiative which

he said was a major step in the community’s search for accelerated development.

He expressed regret that many of today’s youths do not have a proper understanding of the nation’s past because of a deliberate effort by education administrators to de-emphasize the study of history in the nation’s schools.

Akinwumi expressed optimism that the project would further highlight Ogidi’s rich past and position it for the greatness desired by its people.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

53

BUSINESS EXTRA

• From right: Jean Louis Beh Mengue (Cameroun); CTO Secretary-General, Tim Unwin; new CTO Chairman, Eugene Juwah (Nigeria); Juma Kandie (Kenya); Abigail Sono, Telkom, South Africa; Cris Seecheran (Trinidad and Tobago); and Vimalen Reddi (Mauritius) after the inauguration of the new Council for Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) in London.

Reps to fast-track passage of PIB

T

HE House Representa tives on resumption from a two-month break yesterday moved to fast-track the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

Its Speaker, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, who gave the directive while declaring open the fourth legislative session of the Seventh Assembly, at plenary, gave the ad hoc committee on the PIB 21 days to complete work on the bill and submit its report.

The House had set up a 23man ad hoc committee headed by Mohammed Isiaka Bawa to further finetune the oil bill as the draft legislation passed second reading.

The House also conducted

• Deny cash-for-passage of oil bill From Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja

a regional public hearing as part of efforts to take input from Nigerians on the proposed law. This was followed by another technical committee that was put in place by the Speaker after the regional public hearing that was done in all the geo-political zones of the country.

Deputy House Leader, Leo Ogor, however, denied allegations and insinuations that the National Assembly was asking the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Petroleum Ministry for cash to

pass the PIB. He said: “I am giving you my assurance and that of the Speaker that the PIB will be passed. Final touches have been put into that bill and I want to also state that I’m not aware that anybody is asking anybody for a dime.

You don’t need anybody to give you a dime to do your job.

“Our oath of allegiance is to the Constitution of Nigeria as lawmakers. So, if somebody is going to be asking for money before doing his job, then that is an aberration. I doubt it sincerely. I hope it’s not some kind of cheap blackmail. But I know

Nigeria’s revenue dips again by N28.67b, He said: “The Presidential OR the second month, says FAAC Committee on pipeline vanthe total cash expected

F

to accrue into the Federation Account last month fell short by N28.67 billion from the N630.325 billion shared in July.

Consequently, only N601.648 billion was available for the three tiers of government to share in August.

Briefing journalists at the end of the FAAC meeting yesterday in Abuja, the Minister of State for Finance, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, attributed the significant revenue shortfall to the Force Majeure declared by Shell and a series of shutdown of trunklines and pipelines and various terminals.

He said tax payments and returns by some bluechip companies and increase in the receipt from foreign companies income tax (CIT) boosted nonoil revenue for August.

The minister, however, assured the state and local government representatives that government would do its best to shore up tax revenue profiles in the face of dwindling

• N611.77b shared for August From Nduka Chiejina (Asst. Editor), Abuja

earnings from the oil and gas sector to meet increasing funding needs of all the tiers of government.

He explained that the various revenue agencies have been mandated to intensify tax revenue drives, adding that the immediate results of the various capacity building for all the agencies was to facilitate improvement in increasing tax collections into the Federation Account.

The minister said pipelines’ vandalism, which remained one of the biggest sources of revenue loss to government, was being addressed by the Presidential Committee set up to tackle the challenge. He assured that with the cooperation of all stakeholders, the country would overcome the challenge.

dalism is working with the various security agencies to stem the incidence of pipeline vandalism. So, the incidence has abated and if you observe you will note that in recent times we have not been having increase in pipeline vandalism. ‘’So, the committee is working; they are working with all the security agencies of government and we believe that with the cooperation of all, we should be able to overcome that problem.”

Yuguda said the government was targeting “an additional N75 billion into government coffers through taxation. So far, it has been increased by N40 billion. So, through all agencies of government, we are working hard to make sure that we are all tax compliant in your filing system and your payment system to be in order. So, I believe we will see more revenue stream coming in to government coffers from our tax system.”

Honeywell’s shareholders get N1.34b dividend

S

HAREHOLDERS of Honeywell Flour Mills Plc (HFMP) yesterday unanimously approved a total dividend pay-out of N1.34 billion representing 17kobo per share as proposed by the Board of the company at its Fifth Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos.

In his welcome address at the event, its Chairman, Dr. Ayoola Oba Otudeko, said the firm is committed to providing superior quality products for the satisfaction of its customers.

In spite of the challenging operating environment,

Honeywell Flour Mills would continuously improve shareholder value and return on investment, he added.

He said the improvement in efficiency due to automation of various operational processes and better treasury management resulted in 18 per cent growth in Profit After Tax (PAT) from N2.8 billion to N3.5 billion.

The firm also increased its Shareholders’ Fund and Total Assets by 11per cent and 15 per cent to N20.6 billion and N63.8 billion.

Its Managing Director/ Chief Executive (CEO), Mr.

Lanre Jaiyeola, said the firm was able to pay shareholders the level of dividend because of its increased output and aggressive push to meet rising demand across its product categories.

He said despite the challenge of input cost pressure, caused by increase in wheat price, the company was able to achieve a 32 per cent increase in gross profit from the N8 billion recorded last year to N10.4 billion in the period under review, due to deft management of raw material sourcing and efficient control of production cost.

very soon that the bill will be passed into law. It is one bill that will do the oil sector a great deal of advantage.

I can’t believe that somebody will have a situation whereby you ask for money to deprive the nation to have such a wonderful law, which at the end of the day will open up our economy and have multiplier effects on the whole of the economy.

“So, we are quite worried and ashamed that Nigeria as a leading oil producing country is into importation of petroleum products. It is very embarrassing and if such a bill will put a stop to that, create wonderful job opportunity why will a lawmaker ask for a dime from anybody? Except some sort of blackmails are emerging from some corners.”

Envoy pledges support to Nigerian businesses in Ghana

N

IGERIA’S High Commissioner to Ghana, Amb. Ademola Onafowokan, has pledged support to Nigerian firms doing business the country.

He urged the firms and others in any in the West African Sub-region to abide by the regulations of those countries.

Speaking yesterday at the Nigerian House in Accra, Ghana during the inaugural flight of Med-View Airline into Kotoka International Airport (KIA), Accra, Onofowokan said the government would not shy away from protecting any of its nationals that carry out legitimate business in Ghana.

He said for them to receive the government’s support, they must be transparent in their dealings.

He challenged the manage-

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

ment of Med-View Airline to offer qualitative services to its clients that would be flying on the new route, noting that with excellent services rendered to its clients, nationals of the two countries and beyond would patronise its services.

He said: “Med-View Airline is a fantastic airline; that is why we are here today to be part of the history being created by the airline. The maiden flight was excellent and the land landing of the aircraft was equally flawless by the pilot. One only hopes that they will continue to render qualitative services to Nigerians and other citizens on this route. We are here to support you in any way that you need us. We are here to support Nigerian companies to prosperity.

54

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

25-07-14 DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 16-09-14

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 16-09-14

Share prices decline as Forte Oil, Conoil recorded losses

S

HARE prices decline appreciably yesterday as Forte Oil, Conoil and Cadbury among others led to 0.30 per cent loss in the stock market.

The NSE All-Share Index also depreciated by 120.85 points or 0.30 percent to close at 40,648.15 as against the 40,769.00 achieved on Monday. Similarly, the market capitalisation dipped by N40 billion to close at N13.422 trillion from the N13.462 trillion posted on Monday.

Forte Oil led the losers’ chart by N2.82 to close at N221 per share. Conoil lost N2.65 to close at N50.51 while Cadbury shed N2.51 to close at N52.50 per share.

Flourmill lost N1.70 to close at N62.0, while Nige-

By Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

rian Breweries dropped by N1.13 to close at N175 per share.

Conversely, Okomu Oil recorded the highest price gain of 73 kobo to close at N33.98 per share. It was trailed by Julius Berger gaining 55 kobo to close at N19.40, while Champion appreciated by 41 kobo to close at N8.70 per share.

International Breweries and Portland Paints chalked up 25 kobo each to close at N28.41 and N5.34 per share respectively.

In all, investors bought 519.12 million shares valued at N4.21 billion in 4,573 deals as against 47.74 billion shares

valued at N2.8 billion traded in 4,084 deals on Monday.

Diamond Bank emerged the most traded equity, accounted for 293.96 million shares valued at N1.91 billion.

Aiico Insurance came second with 71.22 million shares worth N63.25 million, while Transcorp accounted for 28.19 million shares valued N165.84 million.

FBN Holdings traded 14.4 million shares worth 209.44 million, while Zenith Bank exchanged 11.07 million shares valued at N268.48 million.

The NSE has announced that its 53rd Annual General Meeting will be holding on September 24, 2014 on the stock exchange building, Lagos.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

55

MONEYLINK

CBN urges banks on gender equality, access to finance B ANKS have been urged to practically develop short and long term objectives towards providing products and services aimed at promoting gender equality and ensure women’s access to financial services by 15 per cent increase annually.

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Deputy Governor, Economic Policy, Dr. Sarah Alade gave the advice during the second Annual Seminar on Gender Economic Inclusion in the Nigerian Financial Services Industry, organised by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).

She, however, urged the Banker’s Committee to develop and structure

Stories by Collins Nweze

its curriculum and economic development programme in such a way that it will enable women attain 40 per cent representation at the management and board levels.

According to her, banks should promote gender inclusive culture that will increase income and improve the standard of living of women in the financial sector, especially those at the lowest rungs of the ladder.

To ensure that women take their rightful place in the society, the Bank-

ers’ Committee approved the adoption of the Nigeria Sustainable Banking Principle’s by licensed financial institutions in Nigeria at its retreat held in 2012. The CBN’s policy on women economic empowerment is anchored on principle 4 of the Bankers’ Committee initiative. It acknowledges that women often face discreet barriers leading to persistent gender inequalities.

She explained that the policy expects CBN and deposit money banks to take practical steps in encouraging women to generate wealth by devel-

Access Bank to raiseTier-1 capital

I

N today’s business environment, the drive for performance measured by profitability and other growth indices have made it important for Nigerian banks to adjust to the diverging outlook of the global banking industry amid prospects of playing a leading role in the sub-Saharan financial landscape.

Access Bank operates in this mode with an ambitious vision and clear mission, which dictates all of its business strategies. The Bank, which has evolved to become a symbol of excellence for the Nigerian banking industry is able to anticipate and respond quickly to market challenges, a strategy that has contributed to its sustainability and successes over the last ten years.

Over the years, the bank has consolidated its position as a foremost financial institution in the Nigerian league of banks and a leading brand in the African financial space. Besides, it has consistently rewarded its shareholders and recently recommended

an interim dividend of 25 kobo per share when it released its results for the half year ended June 30, 2014.

Speaking on the bank’s performance and future plans, the Group Managing Director/CEO, Herbert Wigwe, said: “As we build momentum, we have renewed focus on our capital position to ensure sufficient headroom for growth and our ambitious plans. The successful raise of $400 million Subordinated Notes in the global markets during the second quarter underlines our continued focus on the enhancement of capital,” The rights issue, according to capital market sources, is intended to boost Access Bank’s capacity to deliver sustainable growth and ensure it continues to hold the reins in the Nigerian banking landscape.

It was gathered that Access Bank, in compliance with the Nigerian Stock Exchange Listing Rules, made a special request to the NSE for a technical suspension of the bank’s shares for the duration of the proposed

Rights Issue.

This step, according to market operators is to protect minority shareholders of the bank who may likely suffer value erosion on their investments in the course of normal trading on the bank’s shares during rights issue period.

The capital raising exercise is expected to commence after an extra an Extra-ordinary General Meeting (EGM) on October 13 to seek shareholders’ authorisation for the Board of Directors to raise additional equity capital by way of Rights Issue.

In a notice of its Extra-ordinary General Meeting (EGM) which was published on Monday, Access Bank intends to increase its authorised share capital from N13 billion made up of 24 million Ordinary shares of 50 kobo each and 2 billion preference shares of 50 kobo each to N20 billion by the creation of 14 billion Ordinary shares of 50 each. The increase in share capital will accommodate the right issue.

oping and implementing suitable policies for market competitive business activities. In line with the gender affirmative policy, Alade said the CBN has taken steps to increase the number of female employees.

CIBN President, Debola Osibogun stressed the need to address the imbalance as the financial services industry as very few women are found on the board of directors and in the executive management cadre of banks.

She, however, affirmed CIBN’s readiness to partner stakeholders in identifying strategies to improve the lot of our women in the financial services industry and beyond thus em-

Offer Price

AFRINVEST W. A. EQUITY FUND ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH BGL NUBIAN FUND BGL SAPPHIRE FUND CANARY GROWTH FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CORAL INCOME FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND FBN HERITAGE FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND

168.45 9.17 1.12 1.19 0.69 1.39 1,676.09 1,118.84 121.30 121.16 1,117.51 1.2526 1.2909 0.8897 1.0796

T

HE National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has reaccredited Mansard Health Limited, 38 companies for Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO) business in the country.

Chief Executive Officer, Mansard Health Limited, Tope Adeniyi said that it was after audit process with PwC that the regulatory agency reaccredited the firm.

The regulatory body, he said, stipulated a capital base of N400 million for national, N200 million for state and N100 million for zonal operators respectively.

The NHIS, he said, defined HMOs as a private or public incorporated company registered by the scheme solely to manage the provision of health care services through health care facilities accredited by the Scheme.

Adeniyi noted that it gives the company further impetus to maintain and even improve on the excel-

• UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

SYMBOL

RETAIL DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM (RDAS) Transaction Dates 15/09/2014 10/09/2014 08/09/2014 ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Inflation: August

8.5%

Monetary Policy Rate

12.0%

CHANGE

Foreign Reserves Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

GAINERS AS AT 16-09-14

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

PREMBREW

4.43

4.65

0.22

CHAMPION

8.29

8.70

0.41

PORTPAINT

5.09

5.34

0.25

IKEJAHOTEL

1.56

1.63

0.07

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

ABCTRANS

0.67

0.70

0.03

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

VONO

1.15

1.20

0.05

COURTVILLE

0.54

0.56

0.02

18.85

19.40

0.55

3.88

3.99

0.11

33.25

33.98

0.73

BETAGLAS CUSTODYINS OKOMUOIL

LOSERS AS AT 16-09-14

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

CONOIL

53.16

50.51

CHANGE -2.65

UBN

10.75

10.25

-0.50

AGLEVENT

1.52

1.45

-0.07

CADBURY

55.01

52.50

-2.51

Money Supply (M2)

Amount Sold in ($) 349.8m 299.9m 299.9m

Currency

Buying (N)

Selling (N)

$39.5b

US Dollar

154.75

155.75

$97.9

Pounds Sterling

250.7724

252.3929

Euro

200.3394

201.634

Swiss Franc

165.7385

166.8095

Yen

1.445

1.4544

CFA

0.286

0.306

231.3531

232.8481

25.1773

25.3409

N16.42 trillion.

N17.2 trillion 16.5%

NIGERIAN INTER-BANK OFFERED RATES (NIBOR)

Tenor

Amount Offered in ($) 350m 300m 300m

CBN EXCHANGE RATES September 16, 2014

12-09-14 Rate (%) Rate (%) 15-09-14

WAUA Yuan/Renminbi

Overnight (O/N)

11.083

11.958

Riyal

41.259

41.5256

1M

12.013

12.345

SDR

232.156

233.6562

3M

12.844

13.308

6M

13.808

14.280

FOREX RATES

CWG

5.00

4.80

-0.20

FTNCOCOA

0.55

0.53

-0.02

R-DAS ($/N)

157.29

157.29

CUTIX

1.82

1.76

-0.06

Interbank ($/N)

162.75

162.75

19.82

19.20

-0.62

LIVESTOCK

3.09

3.00

-0.09

Parallel ($/N)

167.50

167.50

COSTAIN

1.05

1.02

-0.03

ETI

lent services they are already offering to the public. He stated that Mansard Health has as its cardinal policy, to offer top of the range services to its clientele across board.

Adeniyi stated that Mansard Health ranks amongst the top HMOs both in capital as well as high quality service delivery in Nigeria, and adds that its recent capitalisation along with the Mansard Group’s capital base in excess of N15 billion gives it more than enough strength to operate in the system. He stated that the company has recapitalised since May 2013 to give it a national HMO operator status.

He noted that Mansard Health product offerings are divided into Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and International health plans. “All plans have comprehensive healthcare offerings for family, individual and corporate clients,” Adeniyi stated.

DATA BANK

Bid Price 167.01 9.08 1.12 1.19 0.69 1.33 1,676.09 1,118.03 120.45 120.30 1,116.70 1.2439 1.2909 0.8725 1.0796

powering them to effectively play their expected role in economic development.

NHIS approves Mansard, 38 others for HMO business

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

•CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele

GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

Tenor

Sept.15, 2014

Rates

T-bills - 91

10.10

T-bills - 182

10.15

T-bills - 364

10.25

Bond - 3yrs

11.41

Bond - 5yrs

11.63

Bond - 7yrs

11.13

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

56

SHOWBIZ

A

S preparation for the 18 th edition of the annual Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) festival approaches, Mr. Tunde Jegede has been appointed the new Artistic Director at the Nigeria’s prime art facility in Lagos.

Jegede, a composer, multi-instrumentalist and musician, has, therefore, taken over from Mr. Thomas Kanitz, a German, who was noted for his exemplary service while at the centre.

Already, the MUSON festival committee is set to officially release the full programme of the festival which, in 18 years, has become a yearly landmark in the Lagos and Nigeria cultural calendar.

The 10-day festival, which features a potpourri of high-quality artistic and cultural productions, holds

MUSON gets new artistic director from October 16 to 26 at MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

Born in 1972 to a Nigerian father and an Irish mother, Jegede had his education at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama(1990-1992) and Purcell School of Music(1981-1999).His appreciation of African Diasporic culture was initiated and nurtured at the famous Keskidee Centre, Britain’s first Black Arts Centre.

From an early age, he was exposed to resident and visiting artists who worked in a multi-disciplinary mode such as Bob Marley, Walter Rodney, Edward Braithwaite, Angela Davis and Linton Kwesi Johnson.

Jegede’s apprenticeship in African music began in 1978

and was further developed in 1982 when he first went to the Gambia to study the ancient griot tradition of West Africa, with Amadu Bansang Jobarteh, master of the Kora (the Harp-Lute found in West Africa).

His appreciation of Western Classical music began with his grandfather’s love of Bach and by observing his work as a church organist. He also studied Cello from the age of

eight and over the years w a s taught by esteemed l u mi-

naries from the Classical world including AlfiaBekova, Elma de Bruyne, Joan Dickson and Raphael Wallfisch at the Purcell School of Music and later the Guildhall School of Music.

In 1988, Tunde became fascinated with Jazz and worked and toured with ex-members of the Jazz Warriors founded by Courtney Pine & Cleveland Watkiss.

He formed his own Jazz Ensemble, The Jazz Griots, with the sole purpose of exploring the connections

between African and African Diasporic forms of music.

In 1991, he pioneered African Classical Music in the UK with the first ever-national tour of the African Classical music ensemble, which nurtured his burgeoning composer credentials. In 1995 a BBC TV documentary, ‘Africa I Remember’ was done on Jegede’s music and centred around his orchestral work.

Jegede has risen to be among the pioneers in the continent and his vast experience has taken him around the world where he served and performed in various capacities.

Besides his outstanding achievements in music, he is also author of two books: The Silenced Voice (1987) and African Classical Music (1994) both published by Diabate Arts.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

NEWS

Death toll hits 63 as woman emerges from debris Continued from page 4

stay.

“She was found at about 2am.

We do not also reveal identities of victims at this level because foreign nationals are involved.

We do not want their families to be traumatised until we are ready to carry out psycho-social counselling on them.

“The rescue operation at the moment is very critical and we have to be slower because we are likely to see more bodies. We were thinking we will be through by dawn yesterday but when we discovered more bodies, we had to slow down.

“The police dogs have been quite helpful. You can see that we have made great progress.

We deployed the dogs at a stage but now it is more tactical and we cannot rush it. What is im-

portant for us at this point is to recover the bodies and give them the best honour they deserve. Even if they are dead, we cannot just dismember them with tractors.”

Officials from the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) were at the site to take samples of the building materials to ascertain the cause of the collapse.

The team, led by the head, Inspectorate and Compliance, Bede Obayi, identified three local steel companies registered with SON, whose products were used. They promised “proper” investigations would be carried out.

The church’s member yesterday continued thier assault on reporters who since Friday have either been beaten up or had their cameras seized.

It took the intervention of government officials at the scene to allow reporters into the premises.

The Council for the Regulation of Nigeria COREN spoke yesterday.

In a statement, the council said: “The regulator of Engineering in Nigeria, COREN, has received the report of a collapsed six-storey building belonging to the Synagogue Church of All Nations in Ikotun, Lagos.

“COREN, on getting the news of the collapse, immediately mobilised its team of Engineering Regulation Monitoring (ERM) Inspectors to visit the site. The preliminary report of the visit has been received and this is being processed while a more detailed investigation is ongoing.

Oritsejafor confirms link with aircraft

Continued from page 4

gers “The said terms are normative within the industry.

“As with every other aircraft charter company, our knowledge of the cargo carried on the aircraft was in accordance with the information provided by ABC Limited.

“All cargo were accompanied by passenger who could readily defend the contents. We are not and cannot be privy to any alleged extraneous cargo transported on the aircraft other than that declared in the agreed terms of hire.

“We are not liable and cannot be construed as a party to any alleged infractions, either in Nigeria or South Africa as he case may be, after the hire of the aircraft.

“We issue this statement without prejudice to any statutory or commissioned investigation being conducted or to be conducted in South Africa or

Nigeria.”

Nigerian aviation agencies avoided speaking on the South Africa incident yesterday. But an official of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) said money laundering is a criminal offence which aviation agencies have little power over.

The NCAA official, who pleaded not to be named, described money laundering as a serious offence that the laws of aviation frowns at.

He said:”What I can tell you now is that money laundering is a criminal offence. The matter is being handled at the two governments’ level. If at the end of the investigation the crew are found culpable, we will sanction them.”

A source in one of the agencies hinted that the problem does not lie with either the airspace agency or airport authority as the aircraft got the necessary flight approvals including

take off rights and flight plan, but it was left for other agencies like the Nigerian Immigration Service and Nigerian Customs Service to find out the content of luggage on an aircraft .

The source hinted that the content including foreign currencies carried by passengers on board an aircraft is the prerogative of Customs and Immigration and other agencies to check.

“There is a law in place on how to carry money.”

A security source at the Lagos Airport urged the NCAA to beam its searchlight on foreignregistered aircraft flying in the Nigerian airspace.

The security expert warned that such aircraft should not be allowed to fly beyond their country of point of entry.

He said :” Over 80 per cent of private aircraft in Nigeria are foreign-registered and we have very little control over them if they are not registered in Nigeria.”

Tambuwal knocks pro-Jonathan campaigners Continued from page 4

a maximum fine of N500,000.”

Speaker Aminu Tambuwal in his welcome remarks on the resumption from the long recess, said in spite of the clear guidelines in the Electoral Act, the ruling party is acting at variance with its responsibilities.

His words: “The election year 2015 is still unborn, as far as the prescriptions of the Electoral Act and INEC Regulations and Guidelines are concerned, but for some, desperation has already taken over. As we conduct our-

selves with due regard to the serious security challenge of insurgency and terrorism with bloodletting on the rise and the general volatile political atmosphere, the people should be our prime focus because without the people there will be no country and therefore nothing to represent or to govern.”

But the opposition in the House went a step further. It threatened to sue anyone involved in the violation of the electoral law, especially the Presidency and its agents.

Minority Leader and APC

Caucus Leader Femi Gbajabiamila, in an exclusive chat with The Nation said: “It’s a big problem. The electoral law is very clear; you cannot begin to campaign until 90 days before a general election.

And continuously the president and the PDP, “They’ve been doing these things for not today, not yesterday, not last week; it’s been going on for months now. It’s the impunity that we’ve always been talking about that people don’t listen. Now it has come home to roost.

Police said no arrests had been made.

“We are still investigating,” police spokesman Solomon Makgale told French News Agency AFP. Mncube said investigations had shown that a South African company, Tier One Services, had issued Cyprus-based ESD International Group Ltd an invoice for the “purchase of various armaments and helicopters”.

South African media claimed that the invoice had been found on one of the passengers.

“The goods were intended to be used in Nigeria,” said Mncube.

Prosecutors said the normal procedure for the procurement

of equipment was not followed and that Tier One does not have permission to sell or lease military gear.

On its website, the company says it offers aviation, logistics, security and risk management support.

The government has begun diplomatic talks with South Africa on the case.

Another source said “the Federal Government has explained that the transaction was a product of legitimate and clean business.”

“All relevant documents relating to the transaction have been made available to the South African Government at the diplomatic level.”

Jonathan meets security chiefs Continued from page 4

plastic suitcases, prosecutors said.

Mesika, had the combination lock code for the suitcases. Some cash was also found in Mesika’s hand luggage.

“The money was detained as it was undisclosed, undeclared and above the prescribed legal limit for bringing cash into the country,” said Muller.

The maximum cash allowance per traveller in South Africa is the equivalent of $2,285.

“Although various explanations about the money were given… these explanations were flawed and riddled with discrepancies,” said South Africa’s prosecution authority spokesman Nathi Mncube.

Boko Haram: Nigeria is at war, says Senate Continued from page 4

longer a threat. Somebody is occupying the place and he has declared a caliphate.

“Yesterday a new emir was installed by Boko Haram in Dambua. The original emir is taking refuge in Abuja. Boko Haram installed a new emir in Gwosa. Recently we conceded extension of state of emergency and it was be-

cause it could get out of hand.

Can it get out of hand than what is happening now?

Chairman, Senate Committee on Information, Media and Public Affairs, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, said that if the country failed to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency “we may not have any country we can call Nigeria.”

Mark described as a heinous crime, the escalation of violence

in parts of the country.

“Regrettably, the Boko Haram sect, these harbingers of death have become more emboldened and daring, killing innocent Nigerians and destroying property at will.”

Mark lamented that from abductions, kidnappings and bombings, the situation has now degenerated to capturing and occupying some parts of Nigeria.

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NEWS 37 held for robbery in Kano

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From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

HE Kano State Police Command yesterday paraded 37 suspected armed robbers and car snatchers.

Police Commissioner Adenrele Shinaba said the command has recovered 39 stolen vehicles.

He said 22 of the suspects had been arraigned.

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Offa Ruling House warns deposed monarch

HE Olugbense Ruling House in Offa, Kwara State, has told the deposed monarch of the town, Alhaji Mufutau Gbadamosi, to stop parading himself as the Olofa.

In a letter to the State attorney-general and commissioner for Justice, it urged the government to stop aiding and abetting Gbadamosi, who is “disobeying an Appeal Court order.

Last year July, an Appeal Court sitting in Ilorin, the state capital, nullified the installation of Gbadamosi, who is from the Anilelerin Ruling House.

Gbadamosi challenged the ruling at the Supreme Court.

The letter by the Olugbense Ruling House reads: “We are constrained to write you an-

PUBLIC NOTICE OBIUKWU I, formerly known and addressed as Miss. OBIUKWU OBIAGELI, now wish to be known as Mrs. OCHONMA OBIAGELI. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

CHIMA I formerly known and addressed as Miss. CHIMA PRISCILLA NKECHINYERE, now wish to be known as Mrs. LAWRENCE PRISCILLA NKECHINYERE. All former documents remain valid general public please take note.

IGBOKWE I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. IGBOKWE IJEOMA ANGELA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. NGAIKEDI IJEOMA ANGELA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please take note.

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

other letter because the Kwara State government, of which you are a part, has continued to aid and abet Alhaji Gbadamosi to desecrate, violate and disobey the court order restraining him from parading himself as the Olofa.

“The state government and Gbadamosi have continued to disrespect, disregard and show contempt for the Nigerian legal system by their serial acts of deliberate disobedience of the court judgment.

“You are aware that on June 24, 2014, when this case came up at the Supreme Court, all parties were admonished to allow sanity to prevail. Our own interpretation of the court’s admonition is that all parties should behave responsibly by avoiding any act that will provoke either party or diminish the authority of the court in the eyes of the public.

“Unfortunately, however, events since the judgment and particularly in the last one-and-a-half months have shown lack of understanding and appreciation of this concept. Our letter dated June 4, 2014 under reference, is still begging for response till today.

“We deem it fit, however, to bring this matter to your attention for the umpteenth time as the chief law officer of the state and to urge you to prevail on the government to respect the judgment and stop further acts of disobedience.”

PUBLIC NOTICE AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION MKO GARDEN RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION This is to inform the General Public that the above named ASSOCIATION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for AMENDMENT OF ITS CONSTITUTION under Part C of the Company and Allied Matters Act NO.1 OF 1990.

THE AFFECTED ARTICLES ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1. Membership: Article 4.2, 4.4, 4.5 (sections 1 to 4) 2. Board of Trustees: Article 5.03, 5.05, 5.06, 5.07 (Item iii and x) 3. Administration of the Estate: Article 6.01, 6.02 (Item iii), 6.04, 6.05, 6.06, 6.28 (item iv and vii), 6.29 (item vi),6.30(item ii and iii), 6.31(item vii and viii) 4. Executive and General Meetings: Article 7.5, 7.7, 7.9.

5. Amendment of the Constitution: Article 10.1 6. Interpretation: Article 11(b) Any objection to the Approval of AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION should be forwarded to the Registrar General,Corporate Affairs Commission,Plot 420 Tigris Crescent,Aguiyi Ironsi Street,PMB 198 Maitama,Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED BY:SECRETARY

•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (third left); Chairman, United People’s Party Osun State Chapter, Dr. Idowu Omidiji (left); Chairman, United Democratic Party (UDP), Osun State Chapter, Prince Adesoji Adeleke (second left); Chairman, Mega Progressive People’s Party (MPPP), Osun State chapter, Chief Adetoro Babatunde (third right); Chairman, New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Osun State Chapter, Prince Adegoke Adefore (second right) and Chairman, African People’s Alliance (APA), Alhaji Azeez Agboola on a solidarity visit to the Governor at the Government House, Osogbo...at the weekend

•Ekiti State Governor Dr Kayode Fayemi (second left); Area Commander, Ado Central, Mr. Abayomi Akinlaja (left); Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Police Command, Mr. Taiwo Lakanu (second right) and Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Victor Babafemi when they visited the Governor at the Government House in Ado-Ekiti...yesterday

•The Catering and confectionery students at the on-going Economic Empowerment Programme of the Lagos State Government at the Ikorodu Centre, holding at Ikorodu Local Government, Ikorodu, Lagos...yesterday

Justice critical to unity, says El-Rufai

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ORMER Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Malam Nasir El-Rufai has said justice is vital to the nation’s unity and growth.

He spoke yesterday at Fadan Kagoma, the home town of a former Kaduna State Governor, the late Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa.

El-Rufai was at the palace of the Kpop Gwong, Col. Paul Zakka Wyoms (rtd), to inform

From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

the people of Gwong Chiefdom of his intention to contest the governorship election.

Pledging to ensure justice and provide responsible leadership, he paid tributes to the late Yakowa, who he described as “a responsible and sincere leader, whose death left a big vacuum in the state”.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain said: “I have come here to formally inform you of my decision to seek the highest office in our dear state. It is a demonstration of deep commitment to the peace,

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development and unity of Kaduna State. Justice is paramount to development and that is my direction. I am seeking your blessing and moral backing.

“I am not new to our state. I did my primary school, secondary school and university in our state. I practised here before moving to Abuja, where the late Yakowa and I served in General Abdulsalam Abubakar’s administration, so I know our problems and together we will run a responsible and participatory government.

“Our diversity is our strength as instituted by Almighty God

•El-Rufai

and it is His making, so we must harness it for our common good.”

El-Rufai is on a tour of the state.

Three power sub-stations for Kaduna

HE Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KEDC), a subsidiary of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), is to inaugurate three injection substations at the Nigerian Air Force Base, Mothercat and Hanwa in Zaria.

KEDC Chief Executive Officer Alhaji Idris Mohammed told reporters yesterday that the sub-stations would improve power supply.

KEDC supplies power to Kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi states.

Idris said: “On September 29, we will inaugurate three injection sub-stations at Air Force Base, Mothercat and Hanwa in Zaria. By the

From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

time we commission these substations, the people in those areas would say bye-bye to blackout.

“I feel happy as I am about to handover to the new owners because my customers are happy.

Customers should prepare for happier days when there would be uninterrupted power supply in Kaduna State.

“Vandalism is a big issue, but with the cooperation of the media, we have overcome it and have a sense of direction. KEDC want to ensure that power is available 24 hours a day.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

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FOREIGN NEWS

U.S. to deploy 3000 troops against Ebola

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HE Obama administration is ramping up its response to West Africa’s Ebola crisis, preparing to assign 3,000 U.S. military personnel to the afflicted region to supply medical and logistical support to overwhelmed local health care systems and to boost the number of beds needed to isolate and treat victims of the epidemic.

President Barack Obama announced the stepped-up effort yesterday during a visit to the federal Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta amid alarm that the outbreak could spread and that the deadly virus could mutate into a more easily transmitted disease.

The new U.S. muscle comes after appeals from the region and from aid organizations for a heightened U.S. role in combatting the outbreak blamed for more than 2,200 deaths.

Administration officials said Monday that the new initiatives aim to: •Train as many as 500 health care workers a week.

• Erect 17 heath care facilities in the region of 100 beds each.

• Set up a joint command

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IX Egyptian policemen have been killed by a roadside bomb in the Sinai peninsula, the Egyptian interior ministry says.

Two officers were also hurt in the attack, it said.

The group was travelling in an armoured convoy in northern Sinai.

Militants in Sinai have intensified their attacks on the security forces after the military overthrew President Mohammed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood last year.

Tuesday’s bombing took place on the road between Rafah, on the border with Gaza, and North Sinai’s provincial capital, el-Arish, the interior ministry said.

Responsibility for past attacks has been claimed by an alQaeda-linked group, Ansar Beit al-Maqdis.

The group says it is avenging the hundreds of Islamists killed and thousands detained in a crackdown on Mr Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood.

•Scouts for Sunni allies against ISIS UNWILLING to send U.S. troops back to Iraq, Washington is trying to persuade armed Sunni factions and tribal figures to fight Islamic State militants in an echo of the “Awakening” movement that drove al Qaeda from the country six years ago.

The plan is far from easy, since many Sunnis regard the Awakening as a failure and a betrayal and see the Sunni Islamic State’s sweep into predominantly Sunni northern and western Iraq as the lesser of two evils, despite its mass killings.

U.S. and Iraqi officials say it is not a rehash of the Awakening but will incorporate Sunnis into a “National Guard”, a security force intended to decentralize power from Baghdad, addressing Sunni demands to stop oppression from the majority Shi’ite security forces.

Recent U.S. and Iraqi air strikes on Islamic State targets have not helped since they are hard to distinguish between and local leaders say the latter have hit residential areas, even after a recent government call to avoid civilians.

Yet a host of talks are going on between U.S. and Iraqi officials and Iraqi Sunni groups, security officials from Iraq and the U.S. say.

Sunni militants who fought U.S. troops and the Shi’ite led government after Sunni dictator Saddam Hussein was overthrown are also being approached.

Talking to insurgent groups who killed U.S. troops will be contentious in the United States as well as in Iraq, where some of the Shi’ite majority are concerned about Washington supporting Sunni militants. headquartered in Monrovia, Liberia, to coordinate between U.S. and international relief

efforts.

• Provide home health care kits to hundreds of thousands

•Obama

of households, including 50,000 that the U.S. Agency for International Development will deliver to Liberia this week.

• Carry out a home- and community-based campaign to train local populations on how to handle exposed patients.

The Obama administration officials said the cost of the stepped-up effort to combat the disease would come from $500 million in overseas contingency operations, such as the war in Afghanistan, that the Pentagon already has asked Congress to redirect to carry out humanitarian efforts in Iraq and in West Africa.

French PM wins confidence vote

RENCH Prime Minister Manuel Valls has narrowly won a crucial confidence vote in parliament, despite a recent cabinet revolt over austerity measures.

Deputies in the National Assembly voted 269 to 244 in favour of the government’s policies.

Mr Valls earlier defended reforms of his Socialist cabi-

net, saying they did not mean to destroy the welfare state.

Opinion polls put President Francois Hollande’s ratings at 13%, with almost twothirds wanting him to resign.

Mr Hollande has been hit by the cabinet revolt and criticised in a book by former first lady Valerie Trierweiler.

He also faces the return of

former centre-right President Nicolas Sarkozy to politics The confidence vote was brought by Mr Valls himself to try to garner support for his government’s economic plans, and also to flush out the opposition within his own party.

Addressing the parliament before the vote, he admitted the cabinet had already lost

the trust of many voters.

At the heart of this political row are the government’s plans for spending cuts and pro-business tax breaks which have caused big rifts in the Socialist Party, the BBC’s Lucy Williamson in Paris reports.

Many of those on the left of the party had threatened to abstain during the vote, our correspondent says.

Ukraine parliament ratifies EU pact •Rebels granted status, amnesty • MP tossed in trash bin

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KRAINE’s parliament ratified an agreement to deepen economic and political ties with the European Union yesterday, and passed legislation to grant autonomy to the rebellious east as part of a peace deal.The ratification vote, draws a line under the issue that last year sparked Ukraine’s crisis, which resulted in the ousting of the president, the annexation of Crimea by Russia and a war with the Russia-backed separatists that has killed more than 3,000 people.

The ratification vote in Kiev, synchronized with the European parliament by video chat, was met with a standing ovation, and members of parliament leapt to their feet to sing the Ukrainian national anthem. In a speech to legislators, President Petro Poroshenko called the vote a “first but very decisive step” toward bringing Ukraine fully into the European Union.Poroshenko also said that those who died during the protests and during fighting in the east “gave up their lives so that we could take a dignified place among the European family.”In Brussels, EU lawmakers overwhelmingly ratified the agreement.One bill calls for three years of self-rule in parts of the war-torn east and calls for local elections in November.

The two bills are part of a

•President Poroshenko displaying the agreement... yesterday.

peace agreement that called for the implementation of a ceasefire in the region on Sept. 5. But the legislators’ decision to hold a closed-door session - an anomaly in Ukrainian parliament underscores the political challenges of allowing greater autonomy for the east. Many in Ukraine fear that Russia will use decentralization to bolster its influence in the region and further destabilize Ukraine.Rebel commander Alexander Zakharchenko told Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency that the separatist leadership would study the measures, an unusually conciliatory statement compared to the rebels’ previous claims that they aim for complete independence from Ukraine.Russia strongly opposed Ukraine’s tilt toward the EU, hoping to bring the country into a Moscow-led trade bloc that would balance or compete with the EU. Ukrainians who

sought closer ties with the Western bloc denounced the Russialed trade bloc as an attempt to reconstitute the Soviet Union.Moscow also feared that closer ties with the EU and the reduction of tariffs on Western goods would undermine Ukraine’s demand for Russian goods and could allow the reexport to Russia of EU goods at lower prices. In a significant concession to Russia, Ukraine and the EU agreed last week to delay the full reciprocal implementation of a reduced-tariff regime that is part of the agreement until at least 2016.

Meanwhile, the MPs have granted self-rule to parts of two eastern regions, and an amnesty to pro-Russian rebels there.

The law affecting Donetsk and Luhansk regions - which is in line with the 5 September ceasefire - was condemned by some MPs as “capitulation”.

Ukraine and the West have

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Egypt: Sinai bombing kills six policemen

PHOTO:AFP

accused Russia of backing the separatists with soldiers and heavy weapons. The Kremlin denies doing so.

At least 3,000 people have been killed in the conflict and more than 310,000 internally displaced in Ukraine, according to the UN. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko stressed that the legislation giving the special status to parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions for threeyears would guarantee the “sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence” of Ukraine, while paving the way for decentralisation.

The amnesty affects the rebels, but does not cover the shooting down of the MH17 passenger plane in July.

Western leaders believe rebels shot down the Malaysia Airlines jet with a Russian missile - a charge the rebels and the Kremlin deny.

Rio archbishop robbed of crucifix

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HE archbishop of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil has had his crucifix and ring stolen in an armed robbery.

Cardinal Dom Orani Tempesta was on his way to an engagement in the city when his car was ambushed by three men.

One of the robbers, who pointed a gun at the cardinal, realised who he was and apologised, an aide said.

However, the gang continued with the crime only holding back from taking his vehicle as well. The cardinal’s items were later recovered.

No-one was hurt in the incident, which happened on Monday evening in the Santa Teresa district of the city.

The BBC’s Gary Duffy in Sao Paulo says robberies are common in Santa Teresa - a bohemian area popular with tourists and have been increasing this year.

A seminary student and a photographer travelling in the car with the cardinal were also robbed.

Despite the ordeal, the cardinal continued on to his engagement while the student and the photographer went to the police.

Brazil’s TV Globo says that the thieves abandoned most of the stolen property, which was later recovered.

The ring and the cross were found, as were the archbishop’s mobile phone and the seminarian’s cassock.

However, the photographer’s equipment is still missing. Dom Orani Tempesta was appointed a cardinal by Pope Francis

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Turkey mulls ‘buffer zone’ against Islamic State

URKEY shares a border with Iraq and Syria, where Islamic State militants are fighting government forces.

Turkey is developing plans for a buffer zone on its border with Iraq and Syria, to counter the threat from Islamic State militants, its president says.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Turkish media the military were working on the plans, which he would then decide on.

He gave no further details about where the buffer zone could be established or how it would work.

IS has seized large areas of Iraq and Syria. Estimates say the group could have up to 30,000 fighters.

“The armed forces are working on plans and will present them to us. We will decide if it is necessary,” Mr Erdogan told Turkish media, after being asked about a possible buffer zone.

Thirty countries have pledged to help combat IS militants “by all means necessary”, with several Arab countries offering to take part in air strikes on IS fighters in Iraq.

Turkey, however, says it will only allow humanitarian and logistical operations from the Nato air base on its soil.

It is reluctant to take a prominent role for fear of endangering 49 of its citizens being held hostage by IS. There are also at least 840,000 Syrian refugees registered in Turkey.

Separately, Mr Erdogan said Turkey would allow exiled members of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood group into Turkey.

Dalai Lama calls inter-faith meeting in India to counter violence

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HE Dalai Lama will convene a rare meeting of India’s religious leaders to try to tackle rape, communal violence and other issues facing the world’s biggest democracy, an aide said yesterday.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner has invited India’s spiritual leaders for the two-day meeting this weekend to seek practical strategies to address “important issues ailing society today”, a statement said.

The aide, Gelek Namgyal, said the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, who has lived in India since 1959, was deeply concerned about levels of violence in the country, along with environmental degradation and poverty.

Namgyal said the Dalai Lama’s initiative was not a criticism of India’s Hindu nationalist right-wing government, which swept to power in May. But the meeting in New Delhi, the first such gathering organised by the Dalai Lama, comes at a time of rising communal tensions in India, particularly between majority Hindus and minority Muslims.

Those expected to attend include Hindu guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, a senior Muslim cleric, the archbishop of Bombay and the head of the Jewish community in Delhi, the statement said.

News of the meeting comes on the eve of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to India to build stronger ties.

The Dalai Lama, who fled an uprising against Chinese rule in Tibet in 1959, lives in the northern hill station of Dharamsala and is reviled by Beijing.

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NEWS

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Foundation, community partner on health

IGERIANS have been urged to seek medical attention immediately they are indisposed.

President, Risi Foundations, Dr Owolabi Bada spoke when the foundation held a medical mission in partnership with Ifesowapo Progressive Group, Ebute Metta, Lagos, for the residents of mainland Local Government Area, Ebute Metta. The Non-Govern-

By Oyeyemi GbengaMustapha

mental Organisation (NGO) is United States (US) based.

The two- day event was held at African Bethlehem Cathedral Church Hall.

He said it is good if one was routinely screened for diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol level, eyes and others. “These are basics that make one trap on time, debilitating diseases such as stroke, eye blindness and pa-

ralysis. We are happy that this non governmental organisation (NGO) is reaching out to your community, this way. And we will continue to collaborate with your group.

“This NGO will continue to support the residents with screenings for various diseases, as a preventive measure. They will be given free medical treatments and drugs. The drugs we are distributing now are donated

by the foundations’ partners across the United States, to tackle whatever ailments you may be suffering from.” said Bada.

The Chairman, Ifesowapo Progressive Group, Mr Taiwo Akiwowo, expressed his joy over the collaboration, saying the group is a community effort to ensure all ‘mainlanders’ stay in good health.

“This health mission is a success and membership of the Ifesowapo Progressive

Group is increasing. The group is set to help the community in all facets of life.

Membership is through living on the Mainland, or having lived here, but now in Diaspora.

“The vision of this community effort is ‘All for one, one for all’. We need financial assistance to realise more of our dreams. The local government can buy into this as well. The more the merrier for the betterment of all resi-

•Cross section of members of the Risi health team with executive members of the group.

•Dr Arnette Sharp attending to some women.

•Dr Bada attending to a beneficiary.

•Samples of donated drugs.

•Community member, Wale Roberts interpreting to Dr Lorenza Reid while attending to a deaf and dumb beneficiary.

•A cross section of some beneficiaries.

P

tors can pull resources together to boost local drug manufacturing.

Adekoje said more pharmaceutical companies should get the World Health Organisation’s (WHO’s) prequalifications to make them sell drugs internationally.

Executive Secretary, NAIP, Mr Adebayo Temenu, said there was no enough pro-

HARMACISTS have been urged to identify business potential in the sub-sector.The call was made at a preconference briefing of the Association of Industral Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP) in Lagos According to the association, the sector contributes a paltry 0.5 per cent to the

Identify opportunities, pharmacists urged

By Wale Adepoju

country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

At a pre-conference briefing, the association said pharmacists need to show interest in business aspect of their profession.

Its Conference Planning Committee Chairman, Mr John Adekoje, said many is-

sues, such as the chaotic drug distribution and regulations, would be discussed.

Adekoje said the 17th conference has the theme: Tapping the opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry for wealth creation.

He said about 80 per cent of drugs are being imported, adding that inves-

duction capacity.

He said Nigeria needs to improve its drugs production to the level of countries, such as United States, India and Germany, for it to be able to satisfy local consumption and export medicines.

Temenu said the Federal Government can initiate research grant for the develop-

dents on the Mainland.

“This is not the first time we will be holding a community effort of this type.

We have the mission to eradicate poverty through empowerment of the community.

Private organisations and other corporate bodies can also lend their support.”

Over 300 people benefitted from the communal effort as free drugs, screenings and other items were given to beneficiaries.

ment of mega companies for new products. “It is not proper for retailers to buy drugs from manufacturers directly rather from wholesalers who go through the distribution chain,” he said.

Temenu said some of the problems of the sector would be addressed at 17th National Conference of NAIP in Lagos on today and tomorrow.

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SPORT EXTRA VILLARREAL VS MÖNCHENGLADBACH

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Ike Uche returns

Formidable Dortmund too strong for Arsenal

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UT of favour Super Eagles striker Ikechukwu Uche is the big inclusion in Villarreal's squad to take on Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Europa League on Thursday.

Uche has been out injured

since the 24th of August 2014 when he picked up a knock in Villarreal's opening season game, when they defeated Levante a 2-0.

He opened his goal account in that game but subsequently missed the rest of the team's

next two games in the La-Liga.

His return will boost Villareal’s attacking option as they open their campaign in Germany.

Last season he was top scorer for the Yellow Submarines scoring 14 times in 30 games.

‘It would be a great honour to be invited to Eagles’

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FC Uerdingen skipper Robin Udegbe is targeting a call up to the Nigeria National Team, but has admitted that it will be difficult for him to represent his fatherland at international level because he plays in the fourth tier.

Born in Kiel, Germany to a Nigerian father from Anambra State and a German mom, the

former VVV Venlo goalkeeper, widely acclaimed to be the best goalkeeper in the Regionalliga West, has chosen to play for the Super Eagles instead of world champions, Germany.

“Of course, I would accept an invitation, I want to play as high as possible and to play in the national team would look great.

It would be a great honour to be invited to the Super Eagles.

“Nigeria is indeed a football country that is represented in almost every World Cup. It is not easy for players in the fourth league to jump on the train.

“I am currently pursuing focused goals with KFC. There is contact and time will tell the rest. because I am completely relaxed,” said Udegbe to reviersport.de.

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OALS either side of half-time from Ciro Immobile and PierreEmerick Aubameyang earned a highly impressive victory for Dortmund at home to Arsenal.

Jürgen Klopp's side made their intentions clear from the off, winning possession soon after kick-off and rarely losing it as the chances began to flow. It took until the stroke of half-time for Immobile to break the deadlock but Aubameyang doubled the advantage soon after the interval in a performance which will imbue the 2013 finalists with confidence.

Roared on by the ever-vociferous home crowd, Dortmund began with intensity, pressing their visitors and earning a string of early corners. One delivery was stabbed

wide by Sokratis Papastathopoulos before the industrious Immobile dragged his first effort past the post.

As the pressure increased, it seemed a Dortmund breakthrough was inevitable. Yet as Aubameyang was denied from close range by Wojciech Szczesny and Jack Wilshere stretched to prevent Henrikh Mkhitaryan from slamming in, it began to feel as though it might not be their night.

Those fears only worsened as Arsenal began to come out of their shell, with Danny Welbeck twice getting into good positions. Aubameyang and Immobile had each drawn saves from Szczesny between times and the Italian striker's hard work was rewarded with an outstanding opener, sprinting from his own

half, holding off the challenges of Laurent Koscielny and Kieran Gibbs and slotting in his first competitive goal in a Dortmund shirt.

RESULTS Juventus 2 - 0 Malmo Olympiakos3- 2 Atletico Liverpool 2-1 L’ogorets R. Madrid 5 - 1 Basel Benfica 0 - 2 Zenit Monaco 1 - 0 L’erkusen Dortmund 2 - 0 Arsenal Galatasaray 1 - 1 Anderlecht

TODAY'S MATCHES

Bayern vs Man City Roma vs CSKA Moscow Ajax vs PSG Barcelona vs APOEL Chelsea vs Schalke 04 Maribor vs Sporting CP Athletic Bilbao vs Shakhtar Porto vs BATE

TODAY IN THE NATION

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.9 NO.2,974

‘If Nigeria equals South Africa’s volume of medical research funding, that would be something but still not enough. Why? With being the very boastful ‘Largest Economy In Africa’ comes responsibility to deliver deliverables including research fund levels at percentage...’

TONY MARINHO

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

F

OR the last two days ASAA Pyramid Hotel, probably the biggest private hotel in Kaduna, hosted journalists from the seven states of the North West geo-political zone for a workshop on effective coverage of next year’s general elections organised by the Nigerian Press Council, the country’s regulator of the print media. It was the third in a series the press regulator, whose Acting Executive Director is Nnamdi Ejemanze, has been organising to help journalists build capacity for reporting the electoral process ahead of next year’s election.

Three resource persons delivered papers on various aspects of the subject. I was one of them.

The following is the edited version of my paper.

The last time we had elections for choosing candidates for various posts or offices was over three and a half years ago and, as we all know, it wasn’t a happy story before, during and after. The violence that accompanied those elections, especially that for the presidency, was one of the worst in the country’s history. The question is, how do we avoid a repeat of 2011 and what role should the media play in doing so?

The answers are at once simple and complex. Simple, in the sense that the only way to avoid violent elections is for politicians as the main actors in the electoral process to talk about issues and character and avoid whipping up emotions - ethnic, sectional or religious – and also allow elections to be free, fair and credible. The media, on their part, have the role of holding up politicians to their responsibilities for ensuring peace, harmony and progress in the society. It’s all as simple as that.

However, it is also complex at the same time.

Complex, in the sense that for both politicians and the media, the proper behaviour and conduct expected of them are easier said than done.

But shying away from such proper behaviour and conduct is not an option, if we truly wish to establish genuine democracy in the country.

In a way, the greater responsibility for ensuring free, fair and credible elections lies with the media than with politicians in the sense that most people learn about issues, events and people from the media, whether these media are newspapers and magazines, radio or television, or the so-called social media, the latest of them all. In other words, the media have immense power to set society’s agenda because they are arguably the most important sources of information and knowledge.

Of course the media’s power to set society’s agenda is not unlimited and is often exaggerated. However, anyone who underestimates this power does so at his or her own peril.

In talking about the media’s power to set society’s agenda, I would like to use the feline metaphors we as journalists are fond of. We all pride ourselves as society’s watchdogs. But we cannot deny that many at times we often allow ourselves to become someone’s or some group’s lapdogs or attack dogs. If we want to set society’s agenda in the best interest of soci-

RIPPLES

STATE VARSITY SHUT AS BOKO HARAM TAKES MORE TOWNS -News

RIPPLES Finally, ‘Boko’ is gradually becoming HARAM

People and Politics By

MOHAMMED HARUNA ndajika@yahoo.com

For free, fair, credible elections in 2015

ety rather than only in the partisan interest of someone or some group, we must, obviously, never ever be anyone’s or any group’s lapdogs or attack dogs. Instead, we should even go beyond being society’s watchdog and be its guide dog.

Playing the role of a guide dog or even the easier one of a watchdog entails being knowledgeable and well informed about the issues, events and personalities that we report about.

It also entails keeping to the ethics and sensible laws governing our profession.

As we approach next year’s general elections beginning in February, we as journalists must become well informed and knowledgeable about the variables whose interplay can foster or mar a free, fair and credible election, depending on how we handle them. These variables are structural, environmental and the resources available to the contestants.

The structural variables include the Constitution and the laws of the land, especially on elections and media practice. What, for example, are the limits of free speech and freedom of association? These structural variables also include knowing the workings of the country’s political system which, since 1979, has been the presidential system, as opposed to the parliamentary system we inherited from our colonial masters in 1960 and practiced up to 1966 when the military staged its first coup.

I

N the first place, his nomination to represent Bayelsa State at the National Conference had the odour of political patronage, considering his background as a former governor of the state who had been stained by the oil of corruption. Thanks to his good luck, after being convicted of money laundering and fraud which fetched him a two-year jail sentence, he was controversially pardoned by President Goodluck Jonathan who had served as his deputy in his gubernatorial years from 1999 to 2005. So, he understandably owes Jonathan a huge debt for his rehabilitation.

However, in his evident enthusiasm to repay Jonathan, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha (popularly abbreviated as Alams) often gets carried away and ends up doing a disgusting disservice to his benefactor. Again, he manifested this tendency in a recent newspaper interview. His response to a question on Jonathan’s chance of success in next year’s general elections: “Oh let me tell you, there is no President in Nigeria who has done half of what Jonathan has been able to do. Look at the transformation agenda. See the jobs he has created. Today, Nigeria is the

Not least of these structural variables, we must be well informed and knowledgeable about how our voting system works. What, for example, are the constitutional and legal requirements for being eligible to contest in and then win an election?

The environmental variables we must inform ourselves well and be knowledgeable about are the big issues of the period. Right now these include insecurity, corruption, unemployment and poor infrastructure. As good journalists, we should not allow politicians to divert the public’s attention away from their records of performance on these and other issues relevant to the peace, harmony and progress of society.

Finally, we must ask questions about the resources the political parties and their candidates possess that can enable them solve the country’s problems. Do they have competent leadership?

How much internal democracy have they demonstrated? What is their level of integrity?

These, of course, are not the only questions journalists must find answers to if they, in turn, are to inform and educate members of the public about the choices before them and this way effectively play their role as journalists of ensuring free, fair and credible elections next year.

However, finding the answers to these questions is essential for the establishment of true democracy in the country. And so far, what we have had in this country since the end of military rule 15 years ago is civilian rule rather than true democracy.

As I said in effect at the beginning of this short paper, finding the answers to the questions I have raised won’t be easy. But then, as the saying goes, nothing good comes easy. As the saying also goes, the price of democracy is eternal vigilance.

Probably few of us here have heard of Paul Krugman. Well, he is an American professor of Economics and a celebrated columnist with The New York Times, Fortune magazine and Slate, an online journal. Six years ago he won the Nobel Prize in Economics. The author of several books on Economics, he reduced many of his columns on the subject into a book titled: The Great Unravelling: From Boom to Bust in Three Scandal-

HARDBALL

ous Years. The 2008 book was about how the economic and political policies of President George Bush and his vice-president, Dick Cheney, drove the boom economy they inherited from President Bill Clinton in 2000 into bust within three years.

In his introduction to the book, Krugman enunciated what he as a self-styled “part time journalist” called “Rules of Reporting.” He listed five of them. He meant them to serve as guides in reporting the politics and economics of Bush and Cheney. I believe they are pretty much applicable to the kind of politics we have experienced in Nigeria the last 15 years. Certainly they will serve as useful guides for effectively reporting next year’s elections to ensure they are free, fair and credible.

Krugman’s rules of reporting in my own paraphrase are:1. Never assume the Nigerian politician means what he says or says what he means.

Always maintain a healthy scepticism and crosscheck the credibility of his words.

2. Always do some homework to find out what his real objectives are.

3. Expect him to break the rules of the game whenever he finds them inconvenient even in the slightest way.

4. Expect him to respond to even the slightest criticisms by all means, mostly more foul than fair.

5. Remember most politicians are Oliver Twists; the more you try to appease them, the more they want.

Obeying these rules is a tough call but disregarding them is not an option if we as journalists want to effectively report next year’s election and thus begin to lay a sound foundation for true democracy in Nigeria.

RE: For a better Customs Service Sir, What I was anxious to read from you last Wednesday was a tribute to a veteran journalist and prominent northern elder, Malam Magaji Danbatta, and not a PR for the Customs CG. Why the sudden departure from tradition?

Babangida Mamman, Bauchi. +2348039098744 Sir, I have been reading your write ups since your days in the New Nigerian through the Citizen magazine and elsewhere. In all, I am very disappointed in the views you expressed in your “For a better Customs Service”.

I have tried painfully to suppress the feelings that you were induced to stress the views expressed in the write up without success. With the findings that arms have been imported by CAN through the ports with the obvious connivance of the Customs under the supervision of your hero to kill and maim innocent Nigerians, mostly in the North, do you think he justifies his PR as the legendary Mohammed Ali? I never knew you could descend this low. As a younger brother, I wish to advise that you consider your integrity first.

Sule Labbo, Abuja. +2348035271677 •For comments, send SMS to 08059100107

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Did Jonathan learn from this teacher? largest economy in Africa. You know what that means?”

If this was merely a case of super exaggeration, it could be jocularly dismissed as a classic instance of political salesmanship.

But it is the kind of embellishment that stands truth on its head, which is startling because of the speaker’s apparent conviction.

Even more astonishing, Alamieyeseigha said of Jonathan: “The man is a very humble person, unassuming, well focused and does not like to be distracted.” This characterisation has a fictional ring, but perhaps Alams can be excused. He may indeed know the essential qualities of Jonathan, which contradict the public perception of the character.

Then Alams dropped a clanger. He reasoned, if the process can be dignified by calling it reasoning: “Maybe he learnt from me while he was my deputy. But that seems to be working against him, for in Nigeria, people want you to showcase what you have done to prove to them that you are working.

I think that is what the president needs to do more often.”

Alams must have an unbelievable sense of worth, or self-worth, not to say that he may be conceited. If Jonathan’s unremarkable approach to governance truly reflects what he supposedly learned from Alams, then the much sought-after clue to his alleged presidential cluelessness may have been finally unwrapped. Maybe Alams deserves recognition and honour for this illumination of a mystery that has long tormented the populace.

Only Alams, and perhaps those who learned from him, can understand the illogic of concealing the evidence of positive and socially impactful governmental effort. It is relevant to quote this piece of wisdom: “No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.” In Jonathan’s case, the truth is that no one can showcase what is non-existent.

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Editor Daily:08099365644, Marketing: 01-8155547 . Abuja Office: Plot 5, Nanka Close AMAC Commercial Complex, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. Tel: 07028105302. Port Harcourt Office: 12/14, Njemanze Street, Mile 1, Diobu, PH. 08023595790. WEBSITE: www.thenationonlineng.net E-mail: info@thenationonlineng.net ISSN: 115-5302 Editor: GBENGA OMOTOSO