The Nation September 19, 2012

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Oando, Vigeo, 19 others jostle for PHCN

30 die in Ijebu-Ode highway crash

BUSINESS

Page 12

NEWS Page 6

•Financial bidding fixed for next month

•Trailer, three others in accident

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VOL. 7, NO. 2253 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

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Gunmen kill commissioner in Borno •Council chair shot dead in Adamawa From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

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UNDAMENTALIST sect Boko Haram yesterday intensified its killing spree, which started at the weekend.

Two government officials were shot dead in Borno and Adamawa states.

Former Comptroller General of Prison Alhaji Ibrahim Jarma, shot on Monday by gunmen in front of a mosque in Azare, Bauchi State, died in the hospital yesterday.

But the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Kano unveiled the arms and ammunition it claimed to have recovered from the sect’s members.

It also shed more light on its raid on the sect, which led to the killing of a top shot and the arrest of two others.

The Borno State Justice Ministry yesterday confirmed the killing of Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General Zanna Malam Gana.

Gana was shot dead in his home town of Bama.

On Monday, security sources said the JTF killed Abu Qaqa, the sect’s spokesman and arrested two other senior members.

There has been no response from the sect on the claim.

Gunmen on Monday night shot dead the acting Chairman of Maiha Local Government Council of Adamawa State, Lawan Datti.

Continued on page 4

•Dr. Fayemi receiving the award from Alhaji Maitama Sule (right)...yesterday

•Alhaji Atiku presenting the award to Gen. Danjuma (left) ...yesterday PHOTOS: ABAYOMI FAYESE

Atiku seeks law to prune President’s powers

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ORMER Vice-President Atiku Abubakar stirred a fresh debate on the powers of the President yesterday.

The National Assembly should prune the President’s powers as part of the review of the constitution, he said, because with such excessive powers, the President can easily undermine any institution of the state.

Former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed

•Tinubu: INEC must be truly independent From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

Tinubu said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must be made truly independent to guarantee free and fair polls.

He advocated a unicameral legislature at the federal level, saying the Senate should be scrapped.

It was all at the Annual Conference and Award Ceremony of the Leadership

Newspaper Group in Abuja.

Former Defence Minister Gen. Theophilus Danjuma was presented with the award of “Leadership man of the Year”.

Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi was decorated as “Governor of the Year”, among other honours at the occasion.

Atiku said the President is constitutionally the most

powerful president in the world. He recalled that he (Atiku) was a victim of the power when his former boss, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, exercised it. He insisted that “it must be changed”.

The theme of the conference was: “Is the opposition a serious alternative in Nigeria?”

Atiku recalled that former

Vice President Alex Ekwueme canvassed the creation of geo-political zones.

He should have supported Ekwueme had he known that the Nigerian federal structure would be as it is today, with concentration of excessive power at the centre, Atiku said.

The Nigerian judiciary, said Atiku, “is bloated and pro-establishment. He would like to see a judiciaContinued on page 4

Senate, House to CBN: don’t print N5000 note Lawmakers will urge Jonathan to stop Sanusi

A •Sanusi

FTER a brief lull, the N5,000 banknote row resurfaced yesterday.

Senators were angry with Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi’s insistence on introducing the N5000 banknote.

They unanimously vowed to stop the CBN from re-denominating and issuing N5000 note.

From Onyedi Ojiabor, and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

It was their first sitting after a long break.

The lawmakers resolved “to urge President Goodluck Jonathan and the CBN to stop issuance of N5000 note and all issues connected therewith”.

This followed the unanimous adoption of a motion entitled “Introduction

of N5000 notes by the CBN”.

The motion, sponsored by Rules and Business Committee chair Senator Ita Enang (Akwa Ibom North East) saw Senators express anger over what they described as exhibition of “arrogance, high handedness and claim of monopoly of knowledge” by Sanusi Senate President David Mark noted that it was obvious that the argument

for the introduction of N5000 “is not convincing”. “The disadvantages of the N5000 note, at the moment, far outweigh not introducing it and, on balance, we should not go for it,” he said.

Mark said: “I also heard it from the news the way you heard it. I was not briefed. The only briefing I had about this issue was in the national dailies.

Continued on page 4

•SPORT P23 •LIFE P25 •MONEY P30 •INVESTORS P32•POLITICS P43

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

2

NEWS

Fuel •President Goodluck Jonathan (second left) with celebrator Dr. Tunji Braithwaite (second right), Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (left) and Braithwaite’s wife, Simisola, at the public presentation/launch of Braithwaite’s book enttled: "TheJurisprudence of living oracle" in commemoration of his 79th birthday in Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: ADEWALE OJELEYE

From Lagos to Maiduguri, Sokoto to Port Harcourt, Ilorin and Yola, the tales are similar. The pumps are running dry. Nigerians are at the mercy of black marketers, who smile home after selling petrol at cut-throat prices. Yet, concerned agencies appear helpless in their search for an enduring solution, writes BUNMI OGUNMODEDE

A

•Left to right: Justice Okechukwu Okeke of the Federal High Court, Lagos, Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor, Mr. Nsima Ekere, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta and a former Federal High Court Chief Judge, Justice Roseline Ukeje, at a service to usher in the 2012/2013 Legal Year of the Federal High Court at St. Michael's African Church, Four Towns, Uyo...yesterday

•Senate Minority Leader George Akume and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate in Benue State, Prof Steve Ugba, during their sympathy visit to victims of the Makurdi flood disaster in Makurdi...yesterday PHOTO: UJA EMMANUEL.

•From left: Olumide Sofowora (son in-law to the late Oba Oladele Olasore) and wife, Olapeju, Mr. Abimbola Olasore (son) and wife, Atinuke, at the Service of Song held for the late Aloko of Iloko-Ijesa, the late Oba Olasore at Our Savious Church, Onikan, Lagos PHOTO: RAHMAN SANUSI

BOUT three weeks ago, residents of Abuja and its environs woke up to discover that many of the fillings stations had no Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly called as petrol to dispense from the pumps.

Rather than disappear, what began like a moonlight tale in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had spread like a fire in the harmattan haze to other parts of the country, pushing the price of the product much higher than the approved pump price for a litre.

In a move to stave off a nationwide scarcity, Finance Minister Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala recently relocated to Lagos. Her mission was to persuade oil marketers to shelve their plan to shun the importation of refined products.

Members of the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) are bitter that the Federal Government has defaulted in reimbursing them with the investments they sunk into fuel importation, even after the verification of subsidy claims by appropriate regulatory agencies.

Such investments, they argued, were secured as loans from financial institutions and the interests would continue to mount for as long as they delay in paying back.

Despite the queues for products at the filling stations, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) claimed it has enough stock at the depots to meet consumers’ demand for one month.

It blamed the long queues on what it called ‘artificial scarcity’, urging Nigerians to avoid panic buying.

The lingering scarcity, which found its way to the Southwest states last week, crept into Lagos, Nigeria’s industrial hub, last weekend, with many stations running out of supply.

On Monday, Lagosians woke up to see long queues at the filling stations. Some motorists, out of desperation, bought fuel from the black market for as much as N200 per litre as against the official price of N97.

In Ondo and Ekiti states, price has gone up as high as N150 a litre at filling stations. The black marketers are at liberty to fix their own prices.

The situation is worse in the North where a four-litre gallon sold for N700 yesterday.

Across the country, more filling stations are joining by the day the growing numbers of outlets displaying the “No fuel” notice.

Major highways and streets in city centres have become sale points for black marketers, who are seen lining the roads with kegs and beckoning on motorists to patronise them.

Isiaka Yahaya, Auditor-General of the Sahara Unit of Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), said the scarcity might linger in Lagos for some

time.

According to him, the refusal of marketers to import product is behind the scarcity. Yahaya said that the marketers could not import petrol because of the government’s failure to settle the marketers’ subsidy claims.

But the NNPC, through its acting spokesman Fidel Pepple blamed it all on the destruction of the corporation’s pipeline by oil thieves at Arepo, Ogun State.

Pepple said the corporation has not been able to repair the damaged pipeline following the killing of three of its engineers by hoodlums, suspected to be bunkerers.

The engineers were deployed to fix the vandalised pipeline. Pepple warned that the scarcity, though artificial, might persist if adequate measures are not put in place by the authorities to guarantee the safety of its officials.

According to Pepple, the development has forced the corporation to bridge products by trucks as against the pipeline.

He said the NNPC was forced to the shutdown System 2B - a major pipeline that evacuates between nine to 11 million litres of fuel from Lagos to Ibadan, Ilorin and the North, due to serious vandalism by the oil thieves.

He said: “The NNPC is bridging products from the depots at Atlas Cove, Satellite and Apapa to Ibadan, Kwara and other Southwest states. But it is a little difficult to bridge as much as 11 million litres of fuel per day through trucks, which ordinarily is easily done through pipelines.

“Besides, the repairs of the vandalised pipeline may take some as the corporation would not risk the lives of its engineers in a bid to fix a pipeline, until their safety is guaranteed.”

Beyond the NNPC explanation There is more to the scarcity than the claim that the damaged pipeline is the cause.

Yahaya alleged that only one depot in Apapa was loading trucks with the product.

He said: “Out of the more than 10 depots in the area, only one was loading trucks and the loading capacity is going down daily.

“Before, 200 trucks were loading, but now, hardly would 60 trucks load in a day.”

He urged the Federal Government to engage the marketers and other stakeholders in the sector in dialogue to ease the suffering of Nigerians.

The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) also urged the Federal Government to call on the NNPC and its Petroleum Pipeline Marketing Company (PPMC) subsidiary to repair the vandalised pipeline at Arepo.

Lagos zonal chairman of NUPENG Tokunbo Korodo, who made the call, warned that the tank farms in Lagos were drying up as a result of the disagreement between the Federal Government and oil marketers who have not been importing enough fuel in recent times.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

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NEWS

scarcity... return of a monster

•A long queue of motorists at a Mobil filling station in Abuja

• Mtorists queue up for fuel at a Mobil filling station along Oshodi-Airport Road, Lagos... yesterday PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE.

•Commercial motorclists, waiting to buy fuel at a filling station on Independence Road in Kaduna...yesterday

•Motorists queuing up for petrol in Abuja

Some of the PPPRA reforms •Redeployment and reorganisation of management and staff structure •Restriction of participation in importation to only owners of coastal discharge/depot facilities from 128 to 42 initially and to 39 presently) •Introduction of 3-3-2 system for the engaged independent inspectors (three inspectors to validate vessel arrival; three to validate vessel discharge into shore tanks; two to validate truck-outs from the storage depot.

•Taking physical control of discharge valves at deports to prevent possible back loading.

•Obtaining NNPC commitment to comply with all PPPRA requirements for PSF processing just like all the other marketer •Rejecting “homogenised cargo” from multiple vessels with no defined origins for proper verification.

•Ban on cargo from storage tanks in West African coasts except

NNPC still owing FAAC N351b The NNPC has so far paid N99 billion in 13 installments into the Federation Account. The payment is the refund of the corporation’s outstanding debt which now stands at N351 billion.

The debt arose in the aftermath of a forensic audit, which discovered that the NNPC had, at various times, shortchanged the federation to the tune of N450 billion.

Call for a summit to end scarcity As Nigerians groan under a fresh round of fuel scarcity across the country, former Kwara State Governor Dr Bukola Saraki is calling for a stakeholders’ summit to find a lasting solution to the problems surrounding the oil subsidy regime.

Saraki, who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ecology and En-

vironment, was the first to raise the motion for the investigation of the subsidy regime in the upper chamber of the National Assembly.

According to him, with the ongoing experience of Nigerians, the time has come for a serious dialogue among the stakeholders.

He said: “The facts are very clear now that it is a difficult issue. What the government should do is to convene an all-stakeholders’ meeting involving the government, oil marketers, labour unions among others to discuss the way forward because we can’t run away from this thing, otherwise we will continue to have scarcity.”

Subsidy claims for 2011 cleared Going by the records made avail-

from established refineries and blending plants to eliminate round tripping.

•Participating banks to validate sales with bank statements for 3rd party discharges.

•Pre-qualification of suppliers to ensure that only credible and professional suppliers engaged in the business.

•Banning the use of Bills for Collection by all PSF participants beginning from Q3 2012 owing to abuses to which the instrument was put in the past.

•Subscribing to Lloyd’s List intelligence “Tanker Channel/Sea Searcher •Engagement of consultant to review the Petroleum Products Pricing Template. Currently, the PPPRA-template which was developed to cover the interests of all stakeholders in importparity-price-model-based. able by the Federal Minsitry of Finance, N259.3 billion, being the outstanding subsidy claims for 2011 had been cleared by August. Additional N78. 8 billion was paid in respect of this year’s outstanding.

Twenty-four marketers, whose claims were verified, shared N78, 899,342, 509.65. The 2011 outstanding claims of N259, 339,041,657.85 was paid to 79 companies on August 22.

Why marketers shun importation As of the last count, the Ministry of Finance has an outstanding debt of N100 billion to pay fuel importers and oil marketers from the 2012 Appropriation.

The non-reimbursement of the subsidy claims to the importers,

who has been cleared by the Petroleum Product Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) has widened the gulf between the government and the companies.

Already, the importers have not only been incapacitated to import PMS, but facing intense heat from their creditors who demand the repayment of their loans and the accumulated interests.

A MOMAN source, who pleaded for anonymity, said: “It is not that we are not importing, but who would risk massive importation of refined products when huge debts are still hanging and remain unsettled by the Federal Government?

This explains why the terminals are not filled to capacity.”

The source blamed the scarcity being experienced nationwide on

the delay in settling the outstanding debts.

He said: “While the Federal Government is too slow in its verification exercise, the banks are happy with skyrocketing loan facilities.

The same government is not ready to provide guarantees that they will be responsible for the accumulated bank charges.”

Dilemma of Dr. Okonjo Although, the minister had at a parley she held with oil marketers penultimate week, assured the verified outstanding would be cleared, but the reality that the N888 billion appropriated for fuel subsidy in the 2012 Budget is grossly inadequate is becoming clearer by the day.

The only option open to the former Managing Director of the World Bank is to go cap-in-hand to the National Assembly for more funds.

But as the eye of the world financial regulators, including the Brentwood Institutions, it is unthinkable that an internationally-acclaimed economic expert will indulge in budget deficit.

The advice from the institutions is that developing countries should avoid running a deficit budgetary system.

The PPPRA intervention A number of policy changes were carried out by the PPPRA’S Executive Secretary, Mr. Reginald Chika Stanley, who was appointed in November 2011.

Stanley’s reforms are designed to bring stability into the supply and distribution of petroleum products by ensuring availability.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

NEWS Gunmen kill commissioner in Borno

Atiku seeks law to prune President’s powers

Continued from page 1

Continued from page 1

ry that is the hope of the common man.

The ex-Vice President also advised the National Assembly to pass laws for the adoption of a two-party political system since the ruling party abhors strong opposition.

He added that states that are ready for state police should be allowed to establish them.

Atiku also lamented that there was unnecessary debates and pandemonium over states having their anthems and flags, which is commonplace in the United States.

He urged Nigeria to desist from relying on sharing oil revenue, but to encourage revenue generation.

The former Vice President urged the country to sustain the achievements of the forefathers that didn’t have oil revenue by adopting “a system of distribution rather than sharing.”

On sharing of oil revenue, Atiku said: “I don’t know of any country that developed from sharing.”

He said he followed a debate whether the Niger Delta can survive, like Singapore, without oil, but he is of the opinion that all that is necessary is human capital and good governance for the oil-rich region to be as wealthy as Singapore.

He insisted that he was not a product of oil boom as the scholarship did not come from oil revenue.

National Leader of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Asiwaju Tinubu said to cut cost of governance, Nigeria should adopt a uni-camera legislature by scrapping the Sen-

•Asiwaju Tinubu presenting the award of “Leadership Business person of the Year” to Alh Isa Dantata PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE Yusuf, the Representative of business mogul Aliko Dangote... yesterday

ate.

Tinubu said unless INEC is truly independent, it will always do the bidding of Mr. president, who appoints the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs).

He said: “We gave INEC power and authority to act on our behalf, to be independent from government; why won’t we allow the buck to stop on the desk of the INEC chair?

Why will INEC not be able to appoint those in the branches? why will they be appointed by the President who said they will rule for 60 years? How will we have a reliable system? We have struggled for power as opposition and we are ready to wrest power from them.”

But Gen. Danjuma vehemently disagreed with those who complained of a concentration of power at the centre.

He said the challenges in the country are not posed solely by the Federal Government but mostly by governors, “who pocket the State Assembly and

dissolve local government councils.”

According to Gen. Danjuma, governors of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have retained the right of nominating ministerial candidates.

Pointing to Atiku, Gen. Danjuma said: “You cannot become the President of this country, unless the governors want you. So, the governors are too powerful and until we find solution to it, we are in trouble.”

While condemning opposition parties for not posing a formidable challenge to the ruling party, Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima. He was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Ambassador Ahmed Baba Jida.

Former Minister of Power Paul Onongo warned the country of the impending danger of a break-up which he predicted would come in two years, unless the necessary steps are taken to rescue the

country.

“I can even see two years before the war signals. Talk to the bigmen who are enjoying life that they should start sleeping with one eye open.”

Guest Speaker Prof. Pat Utomi argued that there are no political parties in Nigeria but “vehicles for getting own shares”.

He said: “I try not to argue that there is no opposition parties in Nigeria, but all we have is for sharing of the national cake.”

House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal said with good leadership, there is hope for the country.

At the ceremony were Fayemi, Alhaji Maitama Sule, former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, ACN chairman Chief Bisi Akande, Gen. Jeremiah Useni, Minister of State for Power Darius Ishaku, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Senator Lawal Shaibu, Hon. Farouk Lawan, Ndudi Elumelu and others.

Some residents of Kochifa Ward in Mubi town, where the incident took place, said the deceased was shot around 8p.m in his home, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

“It is a very sad incident. We buried him this (Tuesday) afternoon,” said one of his neighbours, who preferred anonymity.

Adamawa police spokesman Mohammed Ibrahim confirmed the incident, but gave no details.

“All I can tell you for now is that the incident took place on Monday night,” he said.

Kano JTF Spokesman , Lt. Ikedichi Iweha said a planned attack by the terrorist group was foiled.

In a statement, he said the attack was planned to wreak havoc on Kano people.

“It has equally further depleted the capacity of the terrorist group to operate. The JTF would like to use this medium to reiterate its resolve to continue to work assiduously towards the protection of lives and property in the state. “ “The relative peace, which Kano enjoys today, can be attributed to the collective effort and prayers of the good people of Kano State. The JTF continues to count on you for the provision of information as it assures you of the utmost confidentiality in dealing with such information.”

“Residents are therefore enjoined to go about their normal lawful business activities without any fear, as security agents are ready and will respond swiftly to any threat to life and property in any part of the state.”

Items recovered during the gun battle with the terrorists at their heavily wired IED hideout, include: Two AK-47 rifles, two Pump Action rifles, one

Berretta rifle, one smoke discharger, 433 rounds of 7.62 Nato ammunition, 80 rounds of 7.62 special ammunition and 2 AK-47 magazines.

Others are: 36 prepared IEDs, 13 laptops, two motorcycles, four printers, one photocopier, one 33 slots Zenith disc writer, one TG 3900Ez generator set, religious books, large quantity of CD plates, two decoders, two satellite dish, one 21'’ television set, one DVD player, two bags of Urea fertilizer, one elite dry cell 12v battery, one blue gate UPS, One stabiliser, 10 hand held Motorola radios and five battery chargers.

Jarma died yesterday afternoon at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital Bauchi (ATBUTH), Bauchi while receiving treatment as a result of injuries he sustained from the gunshots.

The former prisons boss was shot near his house in Azare headquarters of Katagum Local Government area of Bauchi state by unknown gunmen as he was coming out from the mosque after observing the Ishai prayer.

The gunmen also killed one of his security guards, a prison warder and injured one when they opened fire at the security guards in Azare.

Chief Medical Director of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital Dr Mohammed Alkali confirmed the death of Alhaji Jarma in a telephone interview with reporters.

Alkali said that the former Comptroller General of Prisons was transferred to ATBUTH from Federal medical centre Azare on Monday night but died while receiving treatment yesterday afternoon.

Jarma, who retired from the service as Comptroller GenerContinued on page 58

Senate, House to CBN: don’t print N5000 note Continued from page 1

“The important thing is that if Nigerians say they don’t want a particular policy at any given moment, there is no harm in government retracing their stand on the issue and I think that is the situation that we find ourselves.

“I have listened to the arguments from those who support it, but those arguments are simply not convincing.

“They appear to me to be highly theoretical and technical in nature and they do not address any practical issue on ground.

“Any policy that does not address issues directly but just talking about indices we cannot verify for now should wait.

“We have not reached that level where we are just talking of hypothetical cases all the time.

“I think the disadvantages of the N5000 notes at the moment far outweigh not introducing it and on balance, we should not go for it.

“And also, from the contributions on the floor, we are all in support of the fact that the timing is wrong and the policy is unnecessary at the moment and the arguments being advanced is not convincing and there is no urgent need for it to take place now.

“There is no ambiguity on our stand on the issue. I am not sure that Sanusi is aware of the Constitution. If he was, he would make reference to us before

Reps begin process to cut CBN’s powers

T

HE House of Representaives has aligned itself with the position of the Senate on the ongoing controversy over the proposed printing of N5000 currency notes and restructuring of the currency by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Fresh from a two-month recess, the House at plenary yesterday wasted no time in mandating its Committee on Banking and Currency to urgently propose an amendment that would make it mandatory for the CBN to pass through the National Assembly before printing or restructuring of currency.

It was not immediately clear yesterday since the CBN Act gives the Bank autonomy over its activities.

Sanusi is also to come before the House to explain the restructuring policy viz-a-viz the CBN’s earlier proposed cashless policy.

The committee is also to investigate the planned restructuring of the naira and report to the House within four weeks.

Members also asked the CBN Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, to stop the plans of the apex bank to print higher denomination notes and restructure the currency pending the conclusion of the investigation by the House Committee.

The resolutions followed the overwhelm-

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

ing acceptance of the prayers of a motion brought before the House by the Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, Albert Sam-Sokwa and 20 other lawmakers entitled: “Restructuring of the Nigerian Currency by the Central Bank of Nigeria.”

Tsokwa noted that the planned introduction and circulation of the N5,000 notes is not only contradictory to the CBN’s recent policy of a cashless society, but that it has raised legitimate concerns due to “the views expressed by some economists and other professionals that the policy will cause hyper-inflation, reduce purchasing power, currency devaluation and a widening gap between the rich and the poor.”

The lawmaker added: “The policy is also inconsistent with international best practice as leading economies, like the United States, Britain and China do not have such high currency notes in circulation.

“The highest denomination of the British pound in circulation is the fifty pound note. That of the US is the $100 bill.”

Tsokwa said: “it is the voice of Nigerians against the plan. Majority of Nigerian are against it, but in a display of arrogance,

the CBN has said it is going ahead.”

According to him, Section 4 of the Constitution mandates the House to make laws for the peace of the country and that the wide powers given the CBN is meant to be used in circumspect.

“The demonstration and protests against the policy cannot be peace,” he said, adding: “Nigerians must buy into the policy for it to fly. It negates the policy of cashless society. It’s a devaluation. There’s nothing the coins can buy, even beggars do not accept coins.”

Tsokwa said “the United States at a point in time, experimented and introduced such denominations as $500,$1,000,$5,000 and $10,000, but phased out, withdrew or ceased same from circulation due to their adverse effect on the economy as well as the use of electronic money transfer.”

Patrick Ikhariale, supporting the motion said he had researched into the economies of developed countries “ and we cannot show a place where there is a deliberate attempt as in that of CBN to devaluate the currency.

There’s no gainsaying that the introContinued on page 58

•Mark

“They may not be economists, as has been alluded, but with their knowledge or lack of knowledge to manage the economy of this country for very many years, we must listen to them.”

Ndoma-Egba said that Nigerians must reaffirm their commitment to the fight against corruption.

He said, “We cannot in one breadth be saying we are comContinued on page 58

addressing the issue.”

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu noted that though he may not be an economist, he understood the implications of the controversial fiscal policy.

Ekweremadu said on the basis of sovereignty, Nigerians have spoken through their representatives, “it is in the inter-

est of the government to listen and withdraw from this course they are pursuing”.

Senate Leader Victor NdomaEgba (Cross River Central), who seconded the motion described it as timely.

Ndoma-Egba noted that in a democracy, nobody should claim a monopoly of knowledge or wisdom.

According to him, monopoly of knowledge and wisdom is strange to democracy and “even if the policy were to be for the good of the people and they say they don’t want it, it is their right to reject something that is even good for them”.

“This is one moment that our policy makers must listen to every Nigerian, even those in

the street, Ndoma-Egba said, adding: “In this case, I am not an economist and I don’t pretend to be one, but former heads of state of this nation has spoken.

“Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has spoken against this policy and, recently, the very respected Yakubu Gowon spoke against it.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

5

NEWS Reps to change revenue law

How banker ‘stole N23 b’ as loans to firms, by EFCC A

Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, yesterday heard how a former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Bank PHB Plc, Mr Ugo Anyanwu, authorised the transfer of N23billion of depositors’ funds to some accounts without their owners’ approval.

An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigator, Mr David Ikpe, said the beneficiaries of the transferred sums did not follow the due banking process of applying for a loan.

Anyanwu is standing trial before Justice Lateefah Okunnu, along with a former Managing Director of BankPHB, Mr Francis Atuche and his wife, Elizabeth.

The EFCC brought a 27count charge bothering on alleged conspiracy to commit felony and stealing against them. It said they allegedly stole the bank’s N25.7 billion between November 2007 and April 2008. They denied the charges.

According to the agency, the three conspired with one another to steal from the bank various sums of money, which were fraudulently described as

By Joseph Jibueze

loans to various companies, including Future View Securities, Extra Oil Limited, Resolution Trust and Investment Limited, Petosan Oil and Gas and Tradjek Nigeria Limited.

Testifying at the trial yesterday, Ikpe said Anyanwu gave the instructions to other bank officials to make the transfers, using his position as CFO, adding that the transactions were “not normal.”

His investigations, he said, revealed that some officers who were asked to make the transfers “raised eyebrows.”

He said a bank official, Ifetayo Obi, complained that “she never had the customer’s instruction to transfer these funds.”

The witness said an official asked to make a transfer had written on the instruction document: ‘Customer Instruction Outstanding.’

“The conceptualisation and utility of the transfers were not normal. The beneficial owners ought to have applied and approval given. It was the impunity that characterised the banking sector in the past which

‘They also allegedly used over N1 billion, fraudulently described as a loan from the bank and converted it to their own personal use by using it to buy 112,500,000 units of BankPHB shares on behalf of Sebtron Trading’ brought us here,” Ikpe said.

According to him, the owner of one of the companies to which funds were transferred, Peter Ololo, expressed “shock” when his name was published as being indebted to Bank PHB. “Ololo said he did not authorise the transfers. The transfers were made without the knowledge of the owner of the account,” the witness said, adding that Ololo was confronted as to why the accounts were debited.

Ikpe, however, admitted that no particular unit of shares was traced to Anyanwu’s account, and that the phone numbers and signatures on the transfer documents were not all of defendant’s.

He also said Anyanwu was not on the committee charged with granting loans, but insisted: “As the Chief Financial Officer, his role in authorising the payments is clear.”

“The third defendant (Anyanwu) authorised the transfer of the N23billion,” he said.

“That the third defendant ordered this transfer is not in doubt. I did not see these transactions as done in the normal course of banking transaction.

I disagree that it was a normal transaction.”

Ikpe also admitted that he did not find any query in respect of the transfers Anyanwu authorised.

EFCC in the charge said the defendants allegedly converted N25.7 billion to their personal use to acquire hundreds of millions of units of shares, including 140,625,000 units of Bank PHB shares on behalf of Guesstrade Services.

They also allegedly used

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

•Atuche

over N1 billion, fraudulently described as a loan from the bank and converted it to their own personal use by using it to buy 112,500,000 units of BankPHB shares on behalf of Sebtron Trading.

Other companies involved in the alleged multi-billion naira fraud are: Montrax Investico, Claremount Asset Management Limited, Arabian Probity Management, Clearville Business Support, Commercial Trading and Services Limited, Trenton Trade Limited, Stamford Global Concept Limited, Felimon Enterprises, Ghzali Yakubu Investment Limited and AFCO Associates Limited.

Atuche, Elizabeth and Anyanwu pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

Kalu to deliver lecture

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FORMER Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, will be the guest speaker at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife tomorrow at the sixth Emeritus Prof D.A. Ijalaye and Equity Chambers 25th anniversary.

The event will start at 11am at the Ogunbanjo Hall.

Kalu will speak on Leadership: A key factor to a better Nigeria.

In addition to being an exgovernor, Kalu was a member of the House of Representatives, Board Member of First Bank, former Chairman of Imo State Marketing Board, former Chairman of Borno State Water Board, former Chairman of Cooperative and Commerce Bank, former Council member of the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi and Publisher of The Sun. Since leaving office as governor he has been busy with the Orji Kalu Lecture Series, a forum where he articulates his views on democracy and governance in Africa.

Floods alert for Kogi, Abia, Benue, others •One of the aircraft...yesterday.

PHOTO: ISAAC AYODELE

Med-view acquires two aircraft for local flights

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ED-View Airline yesterday acquired two Boeing 737-400 for domestic flights.

One of the aircraft, which were acquired from the United States, will operate Abuja - Port Harcourt routes.

The second is to fly Yola, Maiduguri and Kano.

Managing Director Mr. Munir Bankole said the airline would comply with safety and international standards.

Med-View, which is famous for annual Hajj operations, Bankole said, would operate with total safety at the back of its mind, adding that it was presently going through the

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbo

last leg of certification from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

He told reporters on arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos that the aircraft are configured to accommodate 144 passengers with 12 leather seats for business class and 132 for economy.

He said the airline had signed a maintenance agreement with a foreign company, Mytechnic.

$15m Ibori bribe: EFCC quizzes Uba From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation, Abuja

•Senator Uba

T

HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has

THE House of Representatives is set to enforce its power to review the revenue sharing formula. A bill for the amendment of Section 162 (2) scaled second reading yesterday at the first plenary of the second session of the Seventh Assembly.

The “Bill for an Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 Section 162 (2) to provide for the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMFAC) to table directly before the National Assembly (NASS) the Commission’s proposals for revenue allocations” was unanimously adopted by the lawmakers.

Its sponsor, the Chairman, Committee on Rules and Business, Albert SamTsokwa (PDP, Taraba), said the current arrangement that allows for five-year review, among other provisions, has given too much room for interested party’s interference and bureaucratic tapery.

According to him, the option given to the Commission to present the proposal to the President before being forwarded to the National Assembly by the President was erroneous.

The Chairman, Committee on Finance, John Enoh (PDP, Cross River), noted that it was unfortunate for the House not to have reviewed the revenue sharing formula since 1999, contrary to constitutional provision that stipulates five-year review by the legislators.

quizzed Senator Andy Uba over the alleged $15million bribe given to a former Chairman of the commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

Uba, a former Special Adviser to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, appeared before an investigation team at the anti-graft agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Monday and yesterday.

Clad in a white top over white trousers, the Senator was grilled for hours on what he knew about how the bribe was offered and his role in an application filed by a businessman seeking to recovered the cash.

According to a source, the Senator was invited as a result of an affidavit sworn to at a Federal High Court, Abuja by a businessman, Mr. Chibuike Achigbu.

Following the conviction of Ibori by a UK Court , the Delta State Government had gone to a Federal High Court to apply for the return of the bribe sum, which is being kept with the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN).

But Achigbu initially filed an application on August 29 before a Federal High Court claiming that the money belongs to him.

He said he gave the money to a former presidential aide, Dr. Andy Uba, to finance the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) during the 2007

elections Barely 72 hours after filing an application for the return of the $15 million to him, he made a U-Turn by withdrawing the matter.

The withdrawal made the EFCC to launch a fullscale investigation into how the bribe came about and the sponsors of the botched suit.

The source in the commission, who spoke in confidence, said: “Though Uba had distanced himself from the botched suit of Achigbu, we decided to invite him based on the weight of some averments in the affidavit of the suspect.

“We chose to give the Senator an opportunity to clear

the air on whether he played any role or not in how the bribe sum was offered by Ibori.

“So far, we have taken the Senator’s statement and if there is any need to further interact with him, we will do so. But this fact-finding does not amount to the indictment of anyone yet.

“We also felt that Achigbu was not acting alone in demanding the return of the bribe sum. That is why we may also invite some lawyers connected with the matter which was curiously withdrawn from court.”

Replying to a question, the source added: “The investigation of Achigbu is still on, he is only on administrative bail.”

THE Federal Ministry of Environment Flood Early Warning Centre has issued a forecast of possible heavy rainfall that may cause flooding in some parts of the country.

The forecast entitled: ‘Flood status Report for Dissemination’, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, indicated that the rainfall was expected between now and September 24.

“Please note and help to disseminate the forecast of possible heavy rainfall that may likely result in Flood (if adequate and necessary precautions are not taken),” it said.

It identified the locations to include Abejukolo and Wara in Kogi; Afikpo in Abia, Egbema in Imo; Itigidi in Cross River and Otukpo in Benue.

Others are Patani in Delta; Sagbama in Bayelsa; Kisi in Oyo State;Jebba, Kosubosu, Lafiaji and New Bussa in Kwara as well as Nafada in Gombe State.

The list also includes Shendam in Plateau; Demsa, Ganye, Jimeta, Mayo-Belwa, and Song in Adamawa and Donga, Gembu, Mutumbiyu, Yorro in Taraba.

The alert also asked Jigawa, Kebbi, Bauchi, FCT, Katsina, Borno, Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Zamfara, Yobe, Sokoto and Niger states to watch out for vulnerable areas, following earlier alerts issued.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

NEWS Osun releases N142m for fish farmers THE Osun State Government yesterday said it has released N142 million as loans for the take-off of its Fisheries Outgrowers Production Scheme (OFOPS).

The fund was released from the N253 million approved by the government for the scheme.

Inaugurating the scheme in Osogbo, the state capital, Governor Rauf Aregbesola said the scheme would assist fish farmers with loans.

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, the governor explained that the scheme would enable farmers to rear catfish in certified ponds with tested fish seeds (fingerlings) and feeds.

He said his administration was partnering the state chapter of the Association of Aquaculture Farmers and Agro-Processor of Nigeria as beneficiaries and a company, Feg-Agro Limited, as outgrower managers to achieve the target of the scheme.

Aregbesola said: “Even though the State of Osun is classified as an agrarian state, it has been discovered that rice imported from Asia is the in-thing in our various markets. Most of the fish displayed for sale are imported frozen fish of dubious hygiene and health status. This is what informed our agriculture policy in giving priority to food production.”

Oyo orders removal of old billboards From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

THE Director-General of the Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency (OYSAA), Mr Yinka Adepoju, yesterday ordered the removal of over 700 dilapidated billboards and advertising structures in Oyo and Ogbomosho towns.

He said the billboards were meant to beautify and add glamour to the towns but have become environmental nuisance to the towns.

Adepoju spoke during an assessment and enumeration of signages in Oyo and Ogbomosho.

The OYSAA chief said the agency had embarked on the sanitation of billboards in Ibadan, the state capital, adding that this created a beautiful environment for the city.

Adepoju said the agency removed over 1,000 damaged billboards, banners, posters and others from the capital city.

UI alumni meet THE Lagos branch of the University of Ibadan (UI) Alumni Association will on September 23 hold its annual general meeting (AGM) at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja.

Its Chairman, Mr Sola Oyetayo, urged members to attend the meeting, adding that important matters would be discussed.

Oyo trains 3,000 YES-O cadets to boost teaching

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• Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun (middle); Director, MTN Foundation and former Minister of Health, Prince Julius Adeluyi-Adelusi; and Economic Empowerment Portfolio Manager, MTN, Mrs. Foyinsola Oyebola; at the donation of five Hilux security vans to the Ogun State Security Trust Fund by the MTN Foundation in Abeokuta... yesterday

30 feared dead, scores of others injured in Ogun expressway accident I

T was another bloody day on the road yesterday.

At least 30 persons were feared dead in a crash, which involved four vehicles on the Mabolufon Junction near Ijebu-Ode on the Lagos-Benin Expressway in Ogun State.

About 20 others were critically injured.

Most of the victims were roadside traders and commuters waiting to board vehicles on the expressway.

It was a gory spectacle.

There were wreckages of wares, horrifying mangled human bodies and blood stains everywhere.

At the time of filing this report around 7pm, the bodies of seven people, including that of an expectant mother, had been deposited at the morgue of the State Hospital in Ijebu–Ode. Doctors were battling to save the lives of more than

By Adebisi Onanuga and Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

20 people said to be critically injured, eyewitnesses said.

Officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), the police and the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) were seen evacuating the dead and the injured to hospitals in IjebuOde and the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital in Sagamu.

An FRSC official declined to give the casualty figure.

But TRACE Zonal Commander Tommy Hamza said 30 people died.

The Ogun State Police Command explained how the crash occurred.

Its spokemen, Muyiwa Adejobi, said the accident

claimed many lives.

He said it was caused by a trailer from Ikorodu, which reportedly entered the expressway at a time a truck and an unmarked bullion van were coming from Lagos.

The truck and bullion van were said to be at close range and on top speed.

Adejobi said as the truck driver from Lagos attempted to avoid ramming into the one from Ikorodu, it swerved and crashed into people by the roadside.

He said the driver of one the trucks, Mr Adebayo Adedayo, has been arrested while the youths in the community, acting on the belief that the police caused the accident, attempted to mob some police officers from the Obalende Division, when they arrive on the scene.

The police spokesman said the police had no hand in the accident.

In Lagos, about 65 passengers last night escaped death when a LAGBUS commuter bus caught fire.

The bus, an Ashok Leyland, with registration number XZ 564 AKD, with code number W0 17, is under the management of Nationwide, one of the private operators of the BRT scheme.

The bus reportedly left Oshodi and was heading to Ikorodu when it caught fire at 7. 47pm as it came out of the Maryland tunnel.

The fire was said to have started from the engine.

It was reportedly discovered by the passengers in another vehicle. They called attention to the fire.

Fayemi deserves Leadership honour, says Maitama Sule

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FORMER Nigeria’s Representatives to the United Nations (UN), Alhaji Maitama Sule, yesterday said the Leadership Newspaper award to the Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi was a deserved honour.

The elder statesman noted that Nigeria “needs leaders like Fayemi”.

Sule spoke in Abuja at the award ceremony, where people from all walks of life witnessed.

He noted that the governor always toes the path of justice.

The former envoy described Fayemi as a virtuous leader.

Sule said power cannot be taken by force because what governs the world is the mind and spirit.

He described these as weapons of justice and fair play.

Such virtues, Sule said, are the hallmarks of the Ekiti State governor.

According to him, this was the reason the Leadership Group of Newspapers singled him out of the 36 governors for the honour.

He said: “I am honored to

•‘Governor has ended maladministration in Ekiti’ From John Ofikhenua, Abuja and Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

present this to a deserving young man. The world can never be governed by force, never by fear, even never by power. What governs is the mind; what comes out from the spirit. The weapon for governing the mind and spirit is justice and fair play. I am presenting this to a governor who has a sense of justice and fair play.

“He is a governor, who is a true Nigerian, who has all the leadership qualities. At a time like this, we need leaders not looters; leaders not rulers. We need leaders with the fear of God; those who will not lie; leaders who will accept in public what they can accept in private; leaders who are not corrupt; leaders who will not steal; leaders with the fear of God; leaders who look in the eyes of the common man with compassion and not the eyes of the privileged few.

“May I congratulate you on behalf of the nation because the nation needs leaders like

you.”

Different dance troupes from the state sang the governor’s praises in Yoruba.

Dr. Wale Olajide, who read the governor’s citation, noted that Fayemi defended the hijack of democracy by reclaiming his mandate 42 months after he won the election.

He noted that since he assumed office, the governor has steered the ship of the state carefully with Eight Point Agenda.

Fayemi, the academic said, has begun to pay N5,000 monthly stipend to the aged.

A chieftain of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ekiti State, Mr Gbenga Agbeyo, yesterday said Governor Kayode Fayemi has ended the era of maladministration in the state.

The party chief noted that the governor made this possible through the combination of “critical interventionist programmes and policies as well as transparency, which runs through all segments and sections of his government”.

In a telephone interaction

with The Nation, Agbeyo said governance is not by magic.

He added that it also has nothing to do with being an oil producing state.

According to him, things can be made to work for the masses, if those in positions of authority do the right things.

Agbeyo said: “Fayemi has demonstrated that he does not perform magic with his admirable but often stringent style of leadership. As I am speaking with you, Leadership Newspaper has accorded the governor the laurel of ‘The Governor of the Year’. This eminently ratifies the unending run of accolades on the governor by meaningful individuals and groups within and outside the country.

“It may be difficult to make comparisons without an advantage of alternatives or of change.”

The Chairman of Ido-Osi Local Government Area noted that the change in the leadership in the state “clearly exposes the rot, which Ekiti people had lived through for nearly eight years”.

HE Oyo State Government yesterday began the training of 3,000 Youth Empowerment Scheme of Oyo (YES-O) education cadets in the three senatorial districts to address the shortage of teachers in public schools.

The cadets, who are graduates of Education, would be deployed to various public primary and secondary schools after their training, it was learnt.

The Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Adetokunbo Fayokun, spoke in Ibadan, the capital, at the beginning of the training programme.

She said the training would equip the cadets with requisite skills and knowledge to enable them function effectively in their assignments.

Mrs Fayokun said the government would ensure a turnaround of the education sector, adding that the YES-O cadets would serve as the purveyors and actualisers of the objective.

She said: “May I state that the Senator Abiola Ajimobi administration is committed to the transformation of the education sector. It is our hope that the YES-O team will be at the vanguard of this desired change.”

The commissioner urged the cadets to make the best use of the training to prepare for the task ahead and make a lasting impact in the lives of the students.

The training programme will run simultaneously in Ibadan/Ibarapa, Oyo/Ogbomoso and Saki zones.

The trainees are among the 20,000 YES-O cadets recruited by the Ajimobi administration in December, last year, to reduce the high rate of unemployment among youths in the state.

Osun ACN congratulates monarch From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

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HE Osun State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has congratulated the Akirun of Ikirun, Oba Rauf Olayiwola Olawale, the Adedeji II, on the conferment of a national award of the Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) on him by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The party’s state Chairman, Elder Adelowo Adebiyi, sent the congratulatory message to the monarch.

He noted that the monarch deserved the honour because of his landmark achievements as a reputable banker and community leader.

The ACN chairman described Oba Olawale as an unusual personality who has remained committed to the development of his domain since he ascended the throne of his forefathers over two decades ago.

Acknowledging the roles of the monarch to the growth of the state, Adebiyi said he is also a lover of his people and community.

The politician added that Oba Olawale is a quintessential leader whose love and support for the ruling party in the state is second to none.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

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NEWS ONDO 2012

Suspected LP thugs attack ACN T members in Ondo community •Party condemns assault T

HE weekly constituency meeting of Action Congress of the Nigeria (ACN) in Akoko Southwest Constituency 1 in Ondo State was yesterday disrupted by suspected Labour Party (LP) hoodlums.

The meeting, which held at Ward 7 in Iwaro, was reportedly halted when the thugs struck.

The suspected thugs were said to have been led by a top government functionary from the local government.

During the attack, the home of ACN State Assistant Treasurer, where the party leaders were being hosted, after the meeting, was vandalised and his shop destroyed.

Guns and other weapons were said to have been used to disperse ACN members.

The Nation learnt that five ACN members, who were injured, are in critical condition at hospitals.

Among them are the party’s Local Government Youth Leader and a chairmanship aspirant, Mr Dele Balogun (aka Best Time).

His ribs were reportedly broken. So also was Gbenga Omole.

It was learnt that the incident was reported at the Oka Police Station.

There had been a series of attacks on ACN members in the state by suspected LP thugs.

The Akeredolu Campaign Organisation (ACO) of the Ondo ACN yesterday alerted the public and security agents to alleged acts of terror the ruling Labour Party (LP) has unleashed on the opposition, especially the ACN and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a statement in Akure, the state capital, its spokesman, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, said yesterday’s attack on ACN members

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

was at the party’s weekly constituency meeting in Iwaro Ward 7 in Akoko Southwest.

The attack was allegedly supervised by a top official of the LP. Both officials are said to hail from Akoko.

The attack was allegedly led by a notorious LP thug in the area.

The home of ACN Assistant Treasurer, where the meeting was held by the leaders and members, was vandalised, and the Treasurer’s shop destroyed.

The statement said the Youth Leader in Akoko Southwest was injured and

property worth thousands of naira belonging to Murphy Adamolekun, who was said to be the main target of the attack, was destroyed.

It added: “Guns, machetes and other weapons were freely used by the LP thugs to chase away the defenceless ACN members. Various degrees of injury were sustained by our teeming members who were holding a legitimate peaceful meeting. Many of them are in critical condition in various hospitals in the area. Dele Balogun, a chairmanship aspirant, had broken ribs.

“It is also a notorious fact that the LP thugs have also been unleashing a high lev-

el of fury on members of the PDP. Recently, the LP thugs attacked PDP members during their ward congresses.

“ACO is using this opportunity to appeal to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to be alive to their responsibilities of protecting the residents, irrespective of their political ideology.

“ACN is a peaceful political party. The parry won elections in all the states in the Southwest, including Edo, without violence. We intend to repeat such in Ondo State. But security agents must protect the people to avoid self-help, which could lead to chaos and the breakdown of law and order.”

‘Akeredolu has no blemish as NBA President’ T HE Okitipupa branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) yesterday warned politicians, individuals, corporate bodies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to stop using the name of the association to discredit its reputable members for political reasons.

It urged the public to avoid being used by politicians against its members.

The Okitipupa ViceChairman of the association, Mr. Segun Lema, told reporters in Akure, the state capital, that a statement credited to an organisation, Good Governance Monitor (GGM), against its former President, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), was unacceptable.

The organisation allegedly accused the former NBA President of embezzling a N3million donation the Niger State Government made to the association in 2010.

He said the statement was politically motivated and a calculated attempt to tarnish

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

the reputation of the former NBA chief.

Lema said: “Akeredolu left the NBA with clean hands and an unprecedented record of achievements. There was never a time he was alleged or indicted for any financial misconduct. His achievements in office have become celebrated legacies in the legal profession.”

The lawyer noted that the allegation against Akeredolu was the handiwork of his political detractors, particularly those who see his rising profile in the governorship race as a threat to their political careers and an end to their corrupt practices.

Lema said: “If Akeredolu had been involved in any fraud, either big or small during his days as NBA president, the association’s secretariat in Abuja would not have been named after him.

If the man had been involved

in any financial misconduct as a lawyer, he wouldn’t have become NBA president.

“NBA is an association that will never condone or shield any member accused of corruption. The NBA has a lot of respect and regard for Akeredolu, not only as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria but also because of his high moral standing. If Mr. Akeredolu had done anything wrong while in office, it would then behove on NBA to make it known to the public. But there was nothing of such either before, during or after his tenure.”

The lawyer added that his colleagues in the profession would prevail on NBA national body to investigate the allegation and unmask those behind it.

Lema said this would ensure that the accusers are made to face the consequences of their actions, if they are found guilty.

HE Ondo State Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it would tomorrow publish the official voters’ register for the October 20 governorship election.

The electoral body said only 55 persons requested the transfer of their voters’ cards from intra- and interstates.

It said INEC would use the 2011 general elections voter’s register.

The Residential Electoral Commission (REC), Mr. Akin Orebiyi, spoke in Akure, the state capital, at a stakeholders’ forum.

He said 30 persons had requested the transfer of their voters’ cards to Ondo State, adding that 25 others requested the transfer of their voter’s cards within the state.

Orebiyi debunked the report that INEC had accepted over 10,000 transfers of voter’s cards, particularly from Ogun, Ekiti, Osun and other states.

According to him, INEC is working on how to conduct the freest and fairest election in the state.

He added that the outcome of the October 20 poll would justify the credibility of the electoral body in its preparation for the 2015 general elections.

The REC said the INEC has corrected the errors that occurred before last year’s general elections.

Orebiyi said: “Before last

INEC releases voters’ register tomorrow •Flays invasion of ACN Secretary’s home From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

year’s elections, some of the Data Base electronic machines brought to the state were damaged. This forced us to use manual system to conduct the election. Due to this, some voters were deprived from voting. But now, we have been able to retrieve the names from the damaged machines to prevent any further prevention of legible voters to perform their constitutional rights.”

The REC condemned the recent invasion of the home of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Secretary, Mr. Adegboyega Adedipe, by some security operatives, following false information allegedly given to the security agents by politicians.

“We are really amazed about the recent invasion of the home of a party chieftain by security agents. He was alleged to have been conducting a voter registration in his home at Ijapo. But when the police got to the house, they could not find any criminal object. This looks embarrassing. Politicians should stop raising false alarm. This is not good for Nigeria’s politics.”

LP members join ACN in Ondo VER 500 leaders and community

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members of the ruling Labour Party (LP) in Akoko Southeast Local Government Area of Ondo State yesterday defected to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

They were led by a chieftain of the ruling party, Mr. Yakubu Balogun, who accused the LP administration of deceit.

The defectors were received at Ipe-Akoko by a former commissioner and ACN chieftain, Mr. Solagbade Amodeni.

At the event, ACN Chairman in Akoko Southeast, Mr. Omoware Ajayi, said the defectors have equal rights as old members.

They defied the rain to demonstrate their loyalty to ACN. Ajayi urged the defectors to work for the victory of the party and its candidate, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN).

The politician congratulated the new ACN members for their decision, adding that they would not regret it.

A chieftain of ACN in the United Kingdom (UK), Mr. Bolaji Odidi, yesterday urged

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

party members across the state, particularly in Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area, to vote massively for Akeredolu.

Odidi spoke at a reception for him in Igbokoda when he met with leaders and members of the party in Ward 3 of the local government.

The politician hailed the former Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) President, saying he is the best candidate in the governorship race.

A ward chairman, Mr Tope Omoyele, hailed Odidi for leaving his UK base to join other stakeholders at home to rally support for Akeredolu.

He said Odidi has turned around the fortunes of the party in Igbokoda through his generosity.

Omoyele, who is a former PDP Youth Leader, said Igbokoda is a “no-go area” for other political parties.

He added that instead of losing out, the residents joined ACN because it believed the party would win the election on October 20.

Oke promises to complete abandoned projects

T •Cross section of executive secretaries of local governments in Osun State, during their swearing-in at the state secretariat, Osogbo...yesterday

HE Ondo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Chief Olusola Oke, yesterday promised to complete major projects the past administration of the party started but were abandoned by the ruling Labour Party (LP) administration, if elected in the October 20 election.

The former Legal Adviser of the party said such projects include the Olokola Free Trade

Zone, a deep seaport in the coastal area, an industrial park, sericulture and apiary farms, Adagbakuja town, Akure Modern Stadium and the reticulation of Owena Dam. Oke explained that because the projects would solve unemployment, it has become necessary for any government that desires the well-being of the people to complete them.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

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CITYBEATS

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

Two suspected bloody Sunday robbers held

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WO members of the robbery gang that killed three policemen and four civilians in Lagos on September 9 have been arrested by the police.

They were arrested by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), led by Mr Abba Kyari, a Superintendent (SP).

Rasheed Suleimon and Kaseem Enifolabi, who were arrested in Dopemu, Lagos suburb, here confessed that they know members of the gang.

It was gathered that the gang’s leader gave

W

By Jude Isiguzo and Ebele Boniface

some money to Suleimon after the operation and fled to Benin Republic.

Suleimon took detectives to Wahabi Street, Akerele in Agege, a Lagos suburb, where the gang’s operational vehicle was recovered with two AK47 rifles and four magazines containing 200 live ammunition.

He told reporters that he did not participate in the operation, but was with them when the operation was planned at a drinking bar.

“I specialise in stealing phones, but we

•Suleimon planned that Sunday robbery together but I did not

go with them. On Monday Yemi came to me and gave me N3000 for recharge card and also informed me that the operation was successful. The money was for me to keep quite since I was aware until the dust settled,” he said.

He confessed that a woman and nine other men undertook the operation.

Police spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, a Deputy Superintendent, who paraded the suspects said: “They did not participate in the robbery, but planned it together.”

She said the number of the gang’s membership is yet to be ascertained, but they are many.”

According to her, the robbers operated in Gbagada, Ojudu, Agege and Oba Akran where three policemen were killed.

She said police could not arrest the robbers that day because they were shooting sporadically at people. “We could not confront them in that kind of situation because policemen are not trained to shoot like that, we are trained to save lives,” she said.

Woman charged with assault

By Precious Igbonwelundu

A 27-YEAR-OLD woman, Mrs. Tosin Korie, has been charged before an Ejigbo Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, for allegedly assaulting a police woman over the purported use of witchcraft.

The complainant, Olubunmi Bodunde, 50, and the accused are tenants at 2, Afolabi Oyerinde Street, Ejigbo.

The accused told the court that all has not been well with her family and other tenants because of Bodunde ‘s resot to witchcrast after loosing her child last year. She added that five persons have died in the compound within one year.

Police, LASTMA trade words over driver’s death

HO killed a commercial bus driver, Monday Jacob, in Lagos yesterday?

The police or Lagos State Traffice Management Authority (LASTMA) officials?

The circumstances surrounding Jacob’s death remained unclear yesterday as thePolice and LASTMA traded words over the incident.

LASTMA claimed the police killed the driver, an allegation denied by the Command’s spokesperson, Mrs Ngozi Braide, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Jacob, according to eyewitnesses, was beaten to death by LASTMA officials and police officers at

By Segun Balogun and Damilola Owoyele

Ilupeju, Lagos. On learning about the incident, his colleagues stormed LASTMA’s Oshodi’s office thinking that its officials were the culprits.

LASTMA’s General Manager, Babatunde Edu, said police officers were responsible for the driver’s death. He said the police officers were “not even those attached to LASTMA’s enforcement unit.”

“It is not true that LASTMA officials killed the driver. In fact, the police officers involved were on a different mission,” he said.

Asked if he investigated the matter before

•Adelusi

•Laguda

reaching a conclusion, he said the case is being investigated at the Ilupeju Police Station, where “the bus conductor of the vehicle made a useful statement. Based on that, eight

of the policemen are already in custody and the conductor will identify those involved among the eight.”

“The speculation that LASTMA officials killed a driver is far from the truth.

Anyone who cares to know the true story should go to Ilupeju Police Station, the officers in charge will confirm it. Those officer responsible for the killing of the driver were not operating with LASTMA at all, they were operating on their own.”

LASTMA’s Public Relations Officer, Richard Omolaja, named the officers’ first names as Wasiu, Matthew, Lukman, and Legba.

Omolaja said the incident happened at Town Planning Junction, Ilupeju at about 9:00am, when police officers in a commercial bus tried to intercept a bus.

“A bus was intercepted at Town Planning junction, where motorists have been warned not to stop, and it resulted in a fight. The driver collapsed, but no LASTMA official was involved,” said Omolaja.

Adelusi Samson, who sustained a deep cut on his head, said he was at his duty post at Anthony when he got a message via his walkie-talkie that rampaging Okada men were attacking LASTMA officers. This was around 10 a.m.

He said: “As the head of the shift, I told my colleagues to hide after receiving the warning. But around 1 pm, my commander told me that all

was calm and that I should go back to my post and ease traffic flow. At that moment, I saw the protesters on motorcycles and in buses driving towards me.

I ran into Green Spring School at Anthony but they followed me into the place.

They ran me down with their motorcycles, and then beat me up with clubs and planks. My phone was stolen by one of them. I was rescued by a police mobile unit that threatened to shoot the protesters. The policemen brought me to the clinic.”

His colleagues Babatunde Laguda, who was also injured said he was attacked on his way back from a programme.

Laguda said they were blocked by a danfo bus and commercial motorcycle operators ordered them to come down, after which the protesters proceeded to brutalise him and his colleagues, Modupe Macauley and Alibaba Ayoola. He claimed that their phones, Blackberry Bold 2 and Nokia X2, were stolen.

Man kills friend

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21-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested at Orile-Iganmu, a Lagos suburb, for allegedly killing his friend over a piano and N50,000 cash.

Obinna Ogbodo allegedly killed Elijah with a stool, following an argument over the piano and the cash the deceased allegedly kept with him.

The suspect, it was gathered, wrapped Elijah’s body, put it in a Ghanamust-go bag and took it in a wheel barrow for disposal.

He was accosted by a man who suspected what Ogbodo was carrying was illegal and threatened to expose him.

Ogbodo was said to have promised the man N200, 000 if he kept quiet, after which they returned to the suspect’s house, where the body was dumped in the gutter in front of the house.

The unidentified man, now at large, was given a GSM hand set, a set of Home Theatre and other valuables he could get in lieu of cash.

The following day, Ogbodo said he informed Elijah’s parents that their son had been kidnapped,

By Jude Isiguzo and Ebele Boniface

adding that the kidnappers were demanding $8,000 ransom.

Ogbodo was arrested when he went to collect the ransom and detained at the Orile-Iganmu Police Station.

In the cell, he was said to have met a pastor who he said he wanted to confess his crime to. The pastor, it was gathered, advised him to go to The Chosen Church to make his confession.

The police released him and he relocated to an unknown address. But before relocating, Ogbodo was said to have proceeded to the church to confess.

A few days later, Elijah’s decomposing body started smelling and it was traced to the gutter.

Neighbours alerted the police and Elijah’s parents.

The police, it was gathered, threatened to arrest Ogbodo’s parents in place of their fleeing son. The parents tricked their son by telling him on phone that his apartment had been rented out to a new tenant, urging him to come and collect the money to enable him get

•Ogbodo

apartment.

When he came for the money, he was arrested by the police after confessing to the crime.

Ogbodo also told the police that he once duped his master, Joseph Ofor, by lying that he was kidnapped and the kidnappers demanded N150, 000 as ransom. He said he told his master that the money should be dropped at his gate for the kidnappers, adding that he later wore a mask in the night and went to pick the money.

Police spokesperson Ngozi Braide said the suspect would be tried for murder.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

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NEWS LEADERSHIP AWARDS

•National Chairman, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Chief Bisi Akande(left), Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Deputy Governor of the State of Osun, Mrs. Titilayo Laoye-Tomori at the Leadership Annual Conference and Awards in Abuja... yesterday.

Mr. Nda-Isaiah (left) and House Speaker Aminu Tambuwal

Mrs. Fayemi... yesterday

•Dr Paul Unongo (left) with Taraba State Governor Danbaba Suntai

•Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa with Ambassador Buba Marwa

PHOTOS ABAYOMI FAYESE

Political conflict is Nigeria’s greatest challenge, says Jonathan

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HE greatest challenge facing the country is political conflict, which distracts a government from pursuing its promises to the people, President Goodluck Jonathan declared yesterday.

He pleaded with Nigerians to allow the government to concentrate in order to deliver.

It was at the nation’s 52nd Independence Anniversary Lecture in Abuja.

According to him, it would be impossible for development to take place without peace and security, stressing that it is the ordinary citizen that suffer during crisis.

Jonathan also spoke on the January Occupy Nigeria fuel subsidy removal protests, saying it was manipulated by a particular class of Nigerians.

He said: “There are challenges but I believe the greatest aspect of this thing is political conflict. As a typical politician, we believe that the day you win general election is the day you start another election and that is our greatest problem. The day you

52nd Independence Anniversary lecture holds in Abuja From Augustine Ehikioya and Faith Yahaya, Abuja

miss one election is the day you start preparing for another one.”

“I would plead with us as Nigerians that whenever we make government come to power, whether at the local government, at the state and at the federal level, at least for the sake of the country allow the government to work.”

Stressing that the government is committed to transformation, Jonathan said that his administration had made it possible for Nigerians to vote freely and for their votes to count.

His words: “For this election for example, we advocated for one manone vote and we are sincere with our commitment and I said it, nobody should rig election for me, no local government chairman or anybody should rig election for me, not to talk about contesting presidential election across the country.

Nigerians believe that we are sincere

and because we are sincere, it took life of its own. I don’t need to go and preach again, we have monitored election in Edo and other parts and the president said, one man, one vote, one woman, one vote, one youth, one vote and nobody wants to compromise with the ballot paper.”

On the protests against fuel subsidy removal, Jonathan said: “Look at the areas these demonstrations are coming from and you will begin to ask questions, is this coming from the ordinary citizens, are they the ones that are actually demonstrating or are people pushing them to demonstrate.”

“Take the classical case of Lagos, Lagos is the heart of Nigeria because it is where all Nigerians are, it constitutes about 23 per cent of the economy and all tribes are there.

There was a demonstration in Lagos where I believe Dr. Ibrahim participated and in that demonstration, somebody was

giving pure water that people in my village don’t have access to, well packaged bottled water, expensive food that ordinary people in Lagos cannot eat, they hired the best musicians to come and play and the best comedian to come and entertain, is that demonstration?”

“Are you telling me that the demonstration is coming from the ordinary masses of Nigeria who wants to communicate something to their government and in my own life, if I see that somebody is manipulating something, I don’t listen to you but when I see people genuinely talking about issues, I listen. I believe what happened in Lagos was manipulated by a class of Nigeria not the ordinary citizens,” he said.

Comparing the media in Nigeria with the Boko Haram insurgents, the president said that just like Boko Haram could be categorised as “political” and “religious”, the media could be categorised to “professional” and “political.”

•Dr Jonathan

“We have Political Boko Haram and Religoius Boko Haram. Even in the media, we have the professional media practitioners, we have the political media.

The Guest Speaker and former Ghanaian President, John Kuffur, who spoke on the theme: ‘Nigeria, Security, Development and National Transformation.’ maintained that Nigeria was a victim of history.

He said: “I don’t think the nation has fully recovered from the effects of the civil war and the crises of the 1960’s. You are maturing, you are not

Braithwaite reiterates calls for Sovereign National Conference •President presents book on activist-lawyer

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AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola yesterday asked President Goodluck Jonathan to accord Lagos a special status as the former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and commercial nerve centre of the country.

He said the state had paid its dues in terms of contributions to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), national productivity and Valued Added Tax (VAT), lamenting that successive administrations had ignored these contributions to national development and progress.

Fashola spoke at the launch of the edited version of the historic book: The Jurisprudence of the living oracles, written by foremost rights activist, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite in Lagos. The ceremony, which held at the Yard 158, Oregun, was organised to mark the 79th birthday of the consummate lawyer and pro-democracy crusader, who marched against the fuel subsidy removal on the Lagos streets

By Emmanuel Oladesu Deputy Political Editor

in January. The book was reviewed

by Prof. Adebayo Ninalowo of the University of Lagos, Akoka. it was presented by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Dignitaries at the event included the Ooni of Ofe, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Achebe, Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Kolapo Sulu Gambari, King Daddyson Jaja of Opobo, Gbong Gwon Jos, Da Jacob Buba Gyang, Olofa of Ofa, Oba Mufutau Olanipekun, and Emir of Bauchi.

There were also Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (rtd), Chief Emeka Anyaoku, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, his Commerce and Investment counterpart, Olusegun Aganga, Senator Ben Obi, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, Alhaji Balarabe Musa,

•Fashola demands special status for Lagos

Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Dr Derin Ologbenla, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, Erelu Abiola Dosunmu, Dr. Doyin Okupe, Dr. Reuben Abati, Mr. Oronto Douglas, Mrs. Ankio Briggs, Dr. Frederick Fasehun, Chief Oyebisi Ilaka, Prof.

George Obiosor, Bishop George Bako, Mrs. Onyeka Onwenu, Mrs. Rachael Onigam Dr. Joe OkeOdumakin, Debo Adeniran, Rev. Tunji Adebiyi, Mr. Wale Okunniyi, Demola Olota and Mr. Bisi Olatilo, the master of ceremony.

The celebrator, who was accompanied by his wife, Dr. Banwo, reiterated his call for national conference to discuss the contentious national issues germane to peaceful co-existence among Nigerians.

Urging Nigerians to support President Jonathan to succeed, Braithwaite said: “This country will not disintegrate under the President’s watch. I sincerely believe that we will all have a national

dialogue to solve our problems”.

Fashola, who spoke before the book, presentation complained that the Federal Government had refused to give Lagos a special status within the federation.

He said: “Mr. President, you owe us a debt, which your illustrious predecessors failed to discharge.

Since you inherited the benefits, I must transfer the burden to you. Our state deserves a special status”.

President Jonathan replied that his administration would give the governor’s demand a serious thought because of the role of the state in national life.

He said: “When I was the deputy governor of Bayelsa State, somebody asked my brother, Admiral Porbeni, where do you live? He said he was living in three places; where they get the money, where they share the money and where they spend the money; that is Port-Harcourt, Abuja and Lagos.

“Mr. Lagos governor, we need to work together to develop all parts of the country. Lagos is important to us. No government can ignore Lagos. Between 50 and 52 per cent of the economy is controlled by Lagos, according to the Central Bank of Nigeria. Anything that impacts on Lagos will impact on Nigeria”.

President Jonathan congratulated Braithwaite, noting that he had dedicated his life to the promotion of law, justice and democracy as a lawyer, rights activist and politician.

He said: “In 1983, he ran for the presidency under NAP, promising to eliminate all rats and cockroaches. he vowed to move all the people in Mushin to Victoria Island and people in Victoria Island to Mushin. he was saying that he wanted to correct social imbalances and inequality. he is an apostle of transformation and change. At 79, he remains active and productive; he is a role model and father figure”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

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NEWS Delta gets special courts

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HE Delta State Government has set up two special courts for kidnap, murder and robbery cases.

It has also acquired communication gadgets and other equipment that will help law enforcement agencies check crime.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan spoke yesterday in his office while hosting judges, led by the State’s Chief Judge, Justice Zai-Laye Smith.

The visit was part of activities marking the beginning of the 2012/2013 legal year.

Uduaghan, who was represented by his deputy, Prof.

Amos Utuama (SAN), apologised to the judiciary on the recent kidnapping of one of them.

He said the government has acquired equipment and gadgets that would tighten security.

The governor said: “I am happy that the judiciary has acknowledged that it has a role to play in dealing with insecurity.

“Good governance cannot be enthroned in an unsecured environment . That is why we have continued to ask for the decentralisation of the police.”

The Chief Judge said: “Because of the insecurity we have generally, two courts have been set aside to operate in Asaba, to handle murder, armed robbery and kidnapping cases. These two courts will only deal with criminal matters.”

Three kidnap suspects arraigned

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CHIEF Magistrate’s Court in Asaba, Delta State, yesterday remanded three persons in the Federal Prisons, OgwashiUku, for allegedly kidnapping Mr. Paul Otio.

Innocent Atuenyi (33), Emmanuel Adebayo (34) and Emmanuel Edokun (38) were arraigned for kidnapping and stealing.

The accused allegedly kidnapped Otio on July 1 and demanded N2 million from his family.

They allegedly received the ransom on July 6.

The court did not take the plea of the accused.

Chief Magistrate Sylvester Ehikwe said the case was not within the court’s jurisdiction and ordered that the case file be sent to the office of the Director of Public Prosecution for advice.

He adjourned the case till September 28.

Edo Deputy Governor’s aide freed

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R. Kelly Odaro, the Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Deputy Governor Pius Odubu, who was kidnapped by two gunmen last Saturday, has been released.

Odaro was abducted close to his home on Ikpoba Hills, while returning from the

From, Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin City

Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre.

He was freed on Monday night after an undisclosed amount of money was paid to his abductors.

Relieving his ordeal yes-

treated him well, though he was blind-folded throughout his stay with them.

He said: “They were very nice to me. They brought me different kinds of food, but I did not eat any of them. They were also very enlightened, as they discussed the N5,000 note the Central Bank is planning to introduce.”

•Oshiomhole on the Ore-Benin Road...yesterday.

From Shola O’Neil

FORMER leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) Chief Government Ekpemupolo, a.k.a. Tompolo, has established an education trust fund for indigent pupils in the Niger Delta.

Ekpemupolo said the fund would provide qualitative education to rural dwellers.

He said the beneficiaries in public schools would be supplied school uniforms, sport wears, books and playground equipment, such as swings.

Ekpemupolo said teaching aids would be supplied to teachers.

He spoke through the foundation’s Director for Education, Mr. Job Bebenimibo, during a visit to Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, which has been earmarked for the pilot phase of the exercise.

The Education Secretary, Mr. Oyabrinbride Godspower, welcomed the development, adding that it is in tandem with the education agenda of the Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan administration.

He said the government alone cannot meet the needs of the less privileged pupils and urged individuals and organisations to emulate Tompolo.

Floods: 12,000 people displaced in Cross River

O

VER 12,000 people have been displaced by floods in Cross

River State.

The floods were caused by overflow of water from Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.

Forty-nine communities in seven councils were affected.

Speaking with the Community Relations Officers (CRO) of the 18 local government areas yesterday, the Director-General of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr. Vincent Aquah, said: “We have a large volume of water coming in as a result of the discharge of water from Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam. It is the manifestation of the warning earlier given by the Nigeria Meteorology Agency (NIMET).”

The affected communities are in Ikom, Yala, Ogoja, Obubra, Abi, Biase and Odukpani.

Aquah regretted that many

communities that had never experienced flooding before were submerged.

He said: “The rivers are over charged. Farms and property worth millions were destroyed. We also recorded some deaths.”

Aquah said reptiles, including crocodiles and snakes, have invaded many communities as a result of the floods.

He said many farm settlements were affected and there may be poor harvest at the end of this farming season.

Aquah said SEMA has received another alert that between now and November, more water would be released from the dam, adding that the government would design measures to reduce its effects.

He said: “We have to sensitise our people on safety measures and the possible evacuation of resi-

Edo begins free immunisation •Oshiomhole urges contractors to work at night

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terday, Odaro urged governments at all levels to create jobs for youths.

He said: “It was a harrowing experience, but they apologised to me, saying the country’s poor economy led them to kidnapping, I have gone there and returned.

Glory be to God.” Odaro said his abductors

Tompolo sets up education trust fund

HE Edo State Government has begun this year’s Immunisation programme.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole urged the people to take advantage of the free exercise.

At the ceremony in Evbonogbon, Ovia South West Local Government Area, Oshiomhole said: “I am happy to see the number of women that have turned out in this rural community. It shows many realise that their children need this vaccine.

“Every child must be immunised against polio and it is totally free. We must sustain this programme and take it to every village. Those of you here should tell those at home that the children must have this vaccine.

“There are no side effects or danger for the child. It is a win- win situation. It is good for the child, good for the family and good for the society.”

Commissioner for Health Dr. Cordelia

Aiwize urged parents to present their children aged zero to 59 months for vaccination.

She said the eight childhood killer diseases are preventable through immunisation.

Dr. Aiwize assured parents that the vaccine is safe. The highlight of the ceremony was the administering of the vaccine on some children by the governor.

On his way to the ceremony, Oshiomhole stopped on the Benin-Ore Road to direct traffic.

He urged the Federal Government to expedite work on the road.

The governor urged the contractors to work at night to ensure the free-flow of traffic during the day.

He said: “When you are working on a federal highway, you must do it fast and preferably at night to avoid unnecessary traffic and accidents.”

Oshiomhole was stuck-up in the traffic for over an hour.

dents.”

Aquah said the Federal Government has not responded to the floods because it was not aware of the communities situated on the path of the water coming from Cameroon.

He said the agency would inform the Federal Govern-

ment that Cross River was the worse hit by floods.

Aquah said SEMA would collaborate with CROs, officials of the Ministry of Disaster Management, Red Cross, Police, Fire Service and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to sensitise the communities.

Urging the Federal Government to assist the victims, he said: “We are looking forward to an immediate response from the Federal Government, because what happened in Cross River is beyond the capacity of the state.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

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NEWS

Oando, Vigeo, 19 others jostle for 10 PHCN discos

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HE Oando Consor tium; Vigeo Hold ings, Gumco, African Corporation AFC &CESC, Oba Otudeko’s Honeywell, and 18 other firms have been shortlisted by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) from the 54 firms that submitted bids to acquire the 11 electricity distribution companies (discos).

The 11 discos are part of the 18 successor companies unbundled from the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) but because none of the bidders met the requirement for the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, the 21 firms currently shortlisted would be jostling for 10 discos.

Having passed the technical evaluation bid test, the BPE will on October 10, open the financial bids for

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

the 21 companies.

There are 14 firms bidding for the two distribution companies located in Lagos, the Ikeja and Eko. The companies whose bid were shortlisted for Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company include Vigeo Holdings, Gumco , Oando Consortium; Amperion Power Distribution Company Limited; Honeywell Energy Resources International Limited; Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Limited, African Corporation AFC &CESC; Kepco/ NEDC Consortium; West Power and Gas and Rockson Engineering Limited.

In Eko Disco, Oando Consortium, Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing

Limited, Sepco-Pacific Energy Consortium, Honeywell Energy Resources International Limited, Kepco/NEDC Consortium and West Power and Gas were shortlisted.

For Ibadan Disco, three firms jumped the hurdle.

They are Western Consortium, Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Company and Kepco/ NEDC Consortium while Abuja has Kann Consortium Utility Company Limited and Interstate Electrics limited.

The companies that made the Enugu Disco are Rensmart Power Limited, Proglobal Power International Consortium, Interstate Electrics Limited and Eastern Electric Nigeria Limited while Benin DisCo has Vigeo Power Consortium,

Southern Electricity Distribution Company, Rensmart Power Limited and Rockson Engineering Limited.

Port Harcourt Disco has Power Consortium and Rockson Engineering Limited as preferred bidders and for Yola Disco, only Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Company made the list.

The only one company that made Jos Disco target is Aura Energy Limited while for Kano Disco only Power SPV

Limited was shortlisted.

The result of the successful firms was disclosed by National Council on Privatisation (NCP) at its fifth meeting presided over by Vice President Namadi Sambo at the Presidential Villa.

Others at the meeting include, Atedo Peterside, Finance minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Minister of State, Power, Darius Ishiaku and the Director-General, BPE, Ms Bolanle Onagoruwa.

The financial bids for the five generation companies are slated for Tuesday, September 25, 2012 at Anambra\Borno\Cross River Hall, Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

Peterside, who briefed newsmen at the end of the meeting, said fresh bids will be invited from all the prequalified bidders in accordance with laid down rules for bidders that paid the required $20,000 fee for the bid documents are to be considered.

CBN retains tight monetary stance

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N line with market ex pectations, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday kept its base interest rate on hold for the sixth time in a row , to tame inflation.

By Nduka Chiejina (Asst. Editor)

Its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted to retain the base interest rate (Monetary Policy Rate) at 12 per cent with +/-200 basis points corridor. It also kept both the Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) and Net Open Position at 12.0 per cent and1.0 per cent respectively.

Addressing journalists at the end of the meeting in Abuja, the CBN governor Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi defended the committee’s decision to retain the rates.

The Governor explained that the MPC had decided that

the bank’s monetary measures would remain hawkish for the foreseeable future.

“We plan to keep monetary conditions very tight, which means that we don’t see much of a risk of a very quick reversal of capital flows unless there’s a major disaster in Europe and United States,” Sanusi said.

Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) accelerated to 6.28 per cent in the second quarter from 6.17 per cent in the first, while inflation fell for the second straight month in August, to 11.7 percent.

Sanusi said year-end inflation figures were likely to come in lower than the bank had previously expected.

‘Jonathan to present 2013 budget next week’

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan will present the 2013 budget to the National Assembly next week, it was learnt yesterday.

Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Joy Emodi, disclosed this at press briefing in Abuja.

Emodi also said that the implementation 2012 budget is now at its peak.

The Presidential Aide said that in a bid to ensure effec-

From: Onyedi Ojiabor, Asst. Editor

tive implementation of the budget, President Jonathan’s administration is working hard to remove all the bottlenecks that slow down the process starting with the timely submission of the budget.

She said that there was no doubt that early submission of the budget will facilitate early passage and effective implementation from the beginning of the budget year.

PHCN owes over N392b, says NELMCO

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HE indebtedness of the Power Holding Com pany of Nigeria has been put at close to N400billion as at August, 2012.

According to figures released by Nigeria Electricity L i a b i l i t y Management (NELMCO) yesterday in Abuja, the total liabilities of the electricity giant is N392.722 billion.

Explaining the huge debt, NELMCO’s Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Agbogun, told newsmen that liabilities continue to be on the upward swing due to a number of factors chief of which was the cost of gas.

However, he said steps were being taken by his management to resolve all pending matters on the liabilities fol-

From Yomi Odunuga, Abuja Bureau Chief

lowing the privatisation of the electricity company.

NELMCO is a Special Purpose Vehicle created by the Federal Government into which it domiciled the huge PHCN liabilities that cannot be settled from the expected proceeds of the sale of the various assets of the defunct National Electric Power Authority (NEPA).

Agbogun said NELMCO is also to assume and manage pension liabilities of PHCN employees, as well as, hold the non-core assets of PHCN with a view to selling them off “or deal in any manner for the purpose of financing the payment of debts of other related matters”.

Fed Govt plans N101b T-bill auction

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HE Federal Govern ment plans to issue N101.21 billion ($641.18 million) in treasury bills ranging from 3-month to 6-month maturities at its regular bimonthly debt auction tomorrow, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said yesterday.

The bank according to Reuters, said it will issue N37.48

billion in 91-day paper and N63.73 billion in 182-day bills on Sept. 20.

Dealers said the bills are likely to be oversubscribed because of a fresh injection of oil money into government budgetary allocations for August last week, and increased offshore interest in the local debt.

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NEWS Bank MD makes case for kiddies’ account

•Hajia Afunleyin (fifth left); General Secretary, Hajia Nimah Aliyy-Bello (third left); Public Relations Officer, Hajia Aisha Ilias and other members during their visit.

PHOTO: ADEJO DAVID.

‘Killing of US diplomats unjustifiable’

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FOREMOST Islamic organisation, AlMu’minaat, has decried the murder of the United States Ambassador to Libya, Christopher Stevens and other embassy staff in Benghazi, over a film considered by some muslims insulting to Prophet Muhammad.

The action, Al-Mu’minaat said, is against the teaching of the Prophet and his successors.

They spoke during a visit to The Nation.

President of Al-Mu’minaat, Lagos Chapter, Hajia Bashirah Afuleyin said Islam is not a religion of violence.

She wondered why true adherents of the religion should engaged in kill innocent souls when the Qu’ran clearly stated that killing a

By Safiyyah AbdurRasaq and Itunu Keleko

soul is like killing the whole humanity.

While condemning the people behind the film, Hajia Afuleyin said the killing of the US diplomats and other staff, is not justifiable.

“There are methods of retaliation outlined by Islam in case of attack on people but such procedures have to be followed to the letter. You do not just get on the streets and start killing people all in the name of vengeance,” she said She enjoined the media to be fair in reporting issues relating to violence and should not always attribute everything to Islam.

“We want to appeal to the media to go the extra mile in

‘The country is not stable because mankind has forgotten their duty to their Lord. Muslims have refused to pay attention to the Qur’an and Allah has said that if a nation or a group of people decide to deviate from His path, he will give them leaders that will not pay attention to them’ getting their facts before reporting any sensitive story.

Likewise, people should also learn more about the religion (Islam) so as not to misrepre-

sent it,” she said.

Hajia Afuleyin lamented the insecurity in the country.

She blamed Muslims for neglecting the teachings of Islam and abandoning their roles in the development of the society.

“The country is not stable because mankind has forgotten its duty to the Lord. Muslims have refused to pay attention to the Qu’ran and Allah has said that if a nation or a group of people deviates from His path, he will give them leaders that will not pay attention to them. We need to call our attention to the teachings of Islam and to our individual roles, especially as women so as to reform the society,” she said.

The Muslim women leader urged the youths to explore the positive aspects of the social networks.

She enjoined parents to monitor their children’s use of the Internet so as not to be misled.

“It is so unfortunate that in this part of the world, we focus only on the negative sides of things. I will like to implore people to make the best of the Internet and shun the negative aspects. As parents, we should call the attention of our wards to the positive side. We need to assist them focus on the positive side. There are a lot of things to gain, educationally.

They do not necessarily have to buy textbooks to learn. They can learn from the Internet,” she said.

THE Managing Director of Resort Savings and Loans Plc, Mr. Abimbola Olayinka, has called on parents to create a wealth line for their wards by opening a savings account on their behalf in mortgage banks.

He spoke with reporters in his Lagos office while rendering accounts on the half-year activities of the bank.

Noting that Nigerians are beginning to warm up to mortgage banking, he said there is need to ensure that “our children also imbibe the savings’ culture”.

He said: “We have since found out that children who are made to imbibe a saving culture turn out to be good managers of funds when they grow old. And the best way to do that is for their parents to open account for them in banking institutions” He recalled that his company recently visited Toydam School in Gbagada, Lagos and some other schools to introduce Resort Savings and Loans Kiddies’ account (RESKA). The outcome of the visits, according to him, has been quite encouraging.

“I’m happy to note that many of the children of the schools we visited have since opened account with us.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

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NEWS Tokyo to Oyo police chief: I’m not on wanted list

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HE embattled Chairman of the Oyo State branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Lateef Akinsola (aka Tokyo), has said he is not on the Oyo State Police wanted list.

Last Thursday, Police Commissioner Mbu Joseph Mbu alleged that two former factional leaders of the NURTW, Tokyo and Mr Mukaila Lamidi (aka Auxiliary), were on the police wanted list.

The embattled union chairman urged the police chief to check the handover note of his predecessor.

He said: “When a police officer arrives at newly posted station, he is expected to cross-check from his prede-

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

cessor the situation on ground... The former police commissioner, who you (Mbu) took over from, had gone to a Federal High Court in Oyo State to swear to an affidavit, having made the same mistake you made now. He was served a contempt process by the court.

“In his affidavit, he claims that he is aware of the judgment delivered by the court on December 20, 2011...”

Tokyo said: “This action of the new police commissioner does not only amount to perjury or contempt of court, but it is also an assault on the judge that made the pronouncement.”

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TUDENTS of Ekiti State University (EKSU), who had concluded various part-time degree programmes in the school have condemned the institution for the delay in the approval of their final results by the university Senate.

They appealed for the intervention of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Dipo Aina, to quicken the processes for early release of their certificates.

In their petition to the vicechancellor dated September 12, 2012, a copy of which was given to reporters in Ado Ekiti, capital of the state yesterday, the students berated the Senate for allegedly delaying the approval of their results.

Most of the students allegedly affected were graduates of the departments of Business Administration, Accounting and Banking/Finance.

They said: “Each time we go to the department, we

EKSU part-time students decry results’ delay From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

were always referred to the Directorate of Part-Time Programme, getting there, that the Senate has not approved our results or will approve soon and this has brought confusions into our careers.

“But with the pedigree of Prof Aina in the academic world, we are confident that he will act fast to bring back the lost glory of EKSU by ensuring that results are released”, they concluded.

The students, who finished their final examinations between May/June 2010 and May/June 2011, lamented that the hitch had stalled their plans for employment, adding that some of them cooulld not secure promotions in their respective offices.

The Institution’s spokesperson, Mr Olubunmi

Ajibade, in a telephone interaction dismissed the allegation, saying the university had approved the results of the Part-time students up to 2011, including the backlog of 2006 and 2007 sets.

Ajibade said “the university is not defaulting in the approval of results now.

He said: “The Senate had approved the results of three sets of graduates up to 2011 before the last convocation and whoever that is not having his result now must be a fake student or have problems with his academics.”

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Noting that the university runs an open-door policy, Ajibade advised students with genuine grievances to contact appropriate departments of the institution for necessary interventions.

He said: “They can even lodge their complaints at the Office of the Vice-Chancellor who willl address them without delay.

Ajibade advised the students to reveal their identities to allow the university understand the reasons behind the development.

Ikogosi is goldmine, says Ekiti KOGOSI, the popular commissioner

tourist resort in IkogosiEkiti, Ekiti State, where warm and cold water meet, has been described as a “veritable goldmine which the state is set to appropriate”.

The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Ayodele Jinadu, addressed reporters at the weekend in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, at the monthly ministerial press briefing.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism Development, Mr Segun Ologunleko, also attended the event with other top ministry officials.

Jinadu said the government would turn the popular resort into an international tourist centre.

According to him, the recent Ekiti State Festival of

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

Culture and Arts was meant to show the world that the state is blessed with abundant cultural potentials that could drive its economy.

The commissioner explained that about 135 cultural festivals in towns and communities and scores of notable heritage sites, such as the Ogun Onire Grove in Ire-Ekiti, have been documented.

He said the government was making moves to facilitate the passage of a bill at the House of Assembly to enable the state take over the administration of untapped heritage sites for optimum benefits for the state and the residents.

Security guard remanded for ‘raping’ 35-year-old night housewife watchman, Mr. Niyi

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Ayoola, has been remanded in prison custody by an Osogbo Magistrate’s Court for allegedly raping a housewife, Mrs. Bola Osunlana.

The accused on Friday appeared before the court, presided over by Magistrate Adewumi Makanjuola.

The charge sheet said the accused forcefully slept with Mrs. Osunlana when she was going home on Iloro Market Road in Ile-Ife. Ayoola, who was the security guard attached to Iloro Market, allegedly committed the offence on August 29 at 10.20pm.

Police Prosecutor Elisha Olusegun told the court that it was odd that Ayoola, who was employed to obey the law, was caught breaking it.

According to him, the offence is contrary to Section 357 and

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

punishable under Section 358 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 34, Vol. II, Laws of Osun State, Nigeria 2003.

However, the accused pleaded not guilty of the onecount charge.

The defence counsel, Mrs. O. Nnenna, prayed the court to grant him bail, adding that the accused should be presumed innocent until proved guilty.

Nnenna said Ayoola would provide the court with credible sureties, if he was granted a bail.

She assured that the accused would also not jump bail, if granted one.

Makanjuola ordered that the accused be remanded in Ilesha Prisons and adjourned the matter till September 20.

Oyo indigenes in Law School get HE Oyo State GovernN10m bursary ment has distributed

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cheques worth over N10 million as bursary awards to its indigenes at the Nigerian Law School for the 2011/2012 academic session.

The Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Adetokunbo Fayokun, during the distribution in Ibadan, said the gesture was aimed at assisting them financially.

According to her, the state government was unaware of the importance of their school programme, and the huge financial resources required, hence the need to come to their aid.

Promising that government would continue to implement policies that would enhance the educational development of the youth in the state, Fayokun urged them to

reciprocate the gesture by being more committed to their studies.

The commissioner also enjoined them to be good ambassadors of the state and shun all acts that could bring disrepute to their families, the state and the nation.

The Chairman of the state Scholarship Board, Dr. Adekiitan Babalola, in his remarks, prayed Governor Abiola Ajimobi for approving the bursary to the students.

He said arrangements had also been concluded for the payment of 2011/2012 bursary awards to final year students of Oyo State origin in all federal and state-owned tertiary institutions nationwide.

CAMPAIGN

PROJECT

GOVERNANCE

Aspirant promises 3000 jobs in six months

N66m contract awarded to check flooding

Group hails Elechi’s performance

Abuja

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Jigawa

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

Abakaliki

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Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

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MASSIVE revolution is afoot in Ekiti State health sector. And the people are soaking it all up.

It started as Dr. Kayode Fayemi was inaugurated as governor on October 16, 2010.

The revolution is positively touching the lives of those living in urban areas and rural communities in the state.

The state government is making good health accessible to the people through its policies which have received accolades from far and near.

The policies are Free Health Mission, Free Health Programme and Medical Assistance Fund.

Under the Free Health Mission carried out quarterly by the state government in conjunction with the Development Support Initiative (DSI), a non-governmental organisation, health personnel, equipment and drugs are deployed to towns and villages in the state to attend to people suffering from various ailments.

The Free Health Mission incorporates all segments of the population and is aimed at bringing healthcare delivery to the doorsteps of local communities, local government areas and senatorial districts.

The Free Health Programme which runs in all government hospitals is meant for selected segments of the population which include children aged five and below, expectant mothers, aged people who are 65 years and above and the physically-challenged.

The beneficiaries of this Free Health Programme on arrival in any government hospital in the state receive free consultancy, free treatment, and free drugs.

The programmes are being pursued in all the 293 stateowned primary healthcare facilities, 20 secondary and one tertiary health facility to fast-track the administration’s health agenda and keep morbidity at bay.

The Medical Assistance Fund initiative of the administration provides financial succour to Ekiti citizens in need of money, to save them from critical health challenges.

Funds held in trust for beneficiaries are disbursed to needy pa-

•From left: A beneficiary, Mrs. Awosemo Mojisola; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health Ekiti State, Dr. Kolawole Aina; Coordinator, Development Support Initiative, Dr Dolapo Fasawe (carrying baby with abdominal growth, Miss Enioluwa Awosemo); former Commissioner for Health Ekiti State, Dr. Wole Olugboji and Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi during the continuation of the Free Health Care Programme initiated by the Fayemi-led administration at Aiyedun-Ekiti

Ekiti residents savour health scheme Rural communities access quality care From Odunayo Ogunmola

tients to assist them in carrying out surgeries, procurement of artificial limbs, among other critical needs.

Under this scheme, people with critical medical problems apply for government’s assistance after scaling the verification tests to scruti-

nise the genuineness of their applications.

The most popular of the three health initiatives of the Fayemi-led administration is the Free Health Mission.

The Free Health Mission is allinclusive and has a wide grassroots appeal as patients in far-flung communities in the state are reached by

qualified medical personnel mobilised on the bill of the government.

The scheme is meant for all Ekiti people who are in need of medical intervention irrespective of which party they belong to or which party they voted for in the past elections in the state.

Governor Fayemi had promised

Kebbi trains workers

K •Governor Dakingari

EBBI State government is enhancing the capacity of its workers to help them perform better and meet the needs of the people.

Its latest effort is in information communication technology (ICT) and computer operation in which the its Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has trained no fewer than 225 teach-

From Khadijat Saidu, Birnin-Kebbi

ers in junior secondary schools and 160 education managers.

Disclosing this at the opening ceremony of a two-week teachers’ workshop held at the multipurpose Hall of Waziri Umar Federal Polytechnic, BirininKebbi, the chairman of the Board,

Alhaji Haruna Dankatsina said the relevance of computer literacy and ICT capacity training for teachers is necessary.

ICT and computer knowledge have become indispensable in today’s knowledge-driven world.

He also pointed out that since 2009 to date, the Board has trained 3,546 primary school teachers, 767 junior secondary

in his inaugural address shortly after taking oath of office before a mammoth crowd in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital in 2010, that “the health of Ekiti people will be his wealth.”

Quality healthcare delivery is the fifth pillar on the eightpoint agenda of the administration otherwise known as the Roadmap to Ekiti Recovery and •Continued on Page 48

teachers, 403 management and supervisory staff as well as 274 care-givers on ICT across the state.

The chairman said the Board is working closely with over 70 per cent of those trained in computer literacy and ICT, adding that it has established computer centres in some primary and junior secondary schools across the state.

Dankatsina also commended the Saidu Dakingari administration for his contribution toward improving the education in the state.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

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Jigawa awards N66m contract to check flooding

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•Governor Sule Lamido

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NONGOVERNMENTAL organisation, Society Against Prostitution and Child Labour in Nigeria (SAP-CLN), has rehabilitated 470 women, including commercial sex workers, in FCT, Mrs Grace Adogo, Coordinator of the organisation has said.

Adogo made the disclosure in an interview with reporters in Abuja during a sensitisation programme for FCT residents.

She said the sensitisation became imperative considering that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) administration had zero tolerance for street hawking, begging and commercial sex work in the city.

She said that among the rehabilitated women, 137 were repentant commercial sex workers, while the remaining were vulnerable women, single mothers, widows and mothers of child hawkers.

“We are also rehabilitating mothers of child hawkers in order for them to take their children out of the street and give them meaning future.

“With the support of the FCT administration, we have been able to train

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HE Jigawa State government has awarded contract for the construction of 475 metres drain in the Ringim Local Government Council to check flooding in the area.

The state Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Babandi Ibrahim, told reporters in Dutse that the project which is in continuation of efforts to check flooding in the area would cost N66 million.

Ibrahim said that the contract was awarded to Triacta Nigeria Limited, adding that the scope of the contract included, the construction of embankment, culverts and drain.

“The state government has constructed various drains, under the first phase of the project as part of measures to control flooding,’’ Ibrahim said.

He said the state government had also

Abuja these groups on different acquisition programmes and we gave them starter packs and grants to run their businesses,’’ Adogo said.

However, she said that 153 children were currently undergoing acquisition programme with the NGO on carpentry, computer literacy, metal works, fashion designing, among others.

“After their programme, we will give them starter packs and grants and also encourage them to go back to their villages and start what they learned and teach others too,’’ Adogo said.

According to her, the NGO is partnering with the FCT on the rehabilitation programme to sensitise, improve the livelihood of FCT residents and also compete with other countries in the world on sanitation.

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HE Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has urged intending pilgrims to pray for peace and unity of the country while in the holy land.

He made the call in Sokoto at the beginning of training for Hajj officials from the 23 local government areas of the state.

The training was organised by the Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko Foundation and the Islamic Development Forum, Sokoto State chapter.

According to the Sultan: “They should also pray for themselves and the socio -economic prosperity of Nigeria.

Jigawa constructed drains and culverts in other flood prone communities across the state to stem environmental degradation.

It would be recalled that four persons died while more than 1,000 houses, farmlands and roads were destroyed across 13 local government areas in the last four weeks.

The government had also set up a committee to relocate displaced communities in the flood prone areas.

It also embarked on drainage clearing across the 27 councils as well as sensitising the communities on dangers of dumping waste in drains.

NGO rehabilitates 470 women She said that SAP-CLN had created real and lasting changes in Nigeria by launching and supporting anti-prostitution projects in areas that few programes existed.

She urged the Federal Government to take advantage of the programmme in every state to reduce commercial sex work, child street hawking, beggars, child trafficking among others.

‘

• From left: Brand Manager, Unilever Nig. Plc, Mr. Dapo Apolola, Managing Director, Mr. Ihabo Mabe, Building Director, Mr. David Ikeme and Category Manager, Mrs. Vivian Thaza at the "Close Up Loves Naija Concert" organised by Unilever Nig. Plc held at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos PHOTO; ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

Kwara’s N70b rice project begins December T HE Kwara State government says her N70 billion joint venture rice cultivation and processing project with Vasolar S.L 2006 of Spain will begin in December.

The Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, Alhaji AbdulWahab Oba, stated this in Ilorin in an interview with reporters

Oyo products to generate more income to the state’s internally generated revenue,’’ he said.

Ajimobi said that the society had today been overwhelmed by foreign arts and cultures, most of which were inferior to the people’s values and heritage.

“The over-cultivation of these foreign cultures had over time led to the erosion or debasement of our cultural values and ideals.

“The way things stand, indigenous languages, etiquette, modes of worship, festivals, traditional modes of recreation, storytelling and all aspects of traditional living are in danger of extinction.

“It is, therefore, high time we repositioned what we have and use it to get what we want.

The future of the past must be guaranteed.

“To do this, it is incumbent on us to hold on to and lift proudly that which is glorious about our past. We should return to the cultural values that have served us well for centuries,’’ he said.

•The Customs Area Comptroller, Western Marine Command, Compt. Audu Zakka (middle);Officer-in -Charge, Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU), Chief Suprintendent of Customs Barka A.A. (left in white), representative of National Agency For Drug Administration and Control(NAFDAC),Mr Adamu Isiaku (in white shirt); Officer-in Charge(Operations), Supt of Customs, S.C. Johnson Gabriel and others during the destruction of over 100 cartons of frozen chicken seized by the command.

• From left: Mr Segun Akingbade; Mr Aramide Tola Noibi and Mrs Bukky Akingbade at the burial of late Chief Olatunji Adebanjo at Ifako, Ijebu Ife, Ogun State

Council prioritises education

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HE chairman of Itire-Ikate Local Council Development Area, Mr. Hakeem Bamgbola has said the provision of basic education to the people of the council is the corner stone of his administration because of its importance to human development.

Bamgbola, who spoke to Newsextra explained that without the prerequisite education, human development will be hampered.

This, according to him, is the reason for the renovation and building of new classroom blocks with modern teaching aids.

He said one of the schools upgraded was the one which pupils would terminate their school at primary three and thereafter move to Surulere Local Government to complete their learning but with the council new effort pupils would complete their learning with the council.

He said: “One of the schools is made up of 18 classrooms which could accommodate primary one to three pupils. They had to go to Surulere Local Government to complete their primary education. The classrooms are provided with magnetic boards, modern toilet and boreholes for the pupils’ convenience.

Her Excellency Mrs Abimbola Fashola will be there to commission these projects.”

Apart from education, the council has equally tasked the Primary Health Care (PHC) administrators to make judicious use of the council efforts in providing health materials to the people.

This, he said, is necessary to build a sound body and mind in order to the proactive in the development of area. And in view of this, the council has engaged part time doctors

‘Trust your leaders’

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Oyo to partner private sector on tourism

HE Oyo State government is planning to partner with private sector within and outside the state for the development of its culture and tourism sector .Governor Abiola Ajimobi said this in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Festus Adedayo in Ibadan.

Ajimobi said that the public-private partnership would promote, sustain and enhance the rich cultural heritage of the state as well as boost the revenue generation of the state government.

The governor said that as part of the efforts to promote cultural heritage, the state Ministry of Culture and Tourism had been mandated to start preparing for the hosting of a carnival tagged “OYO FEST ’’.

According to him, arrangements had been concluded with stakeholders for the packaging and hosting of the carnival which is expected to bring together people, irrespective of political or religious inclinations to boost the economic activities of the state.

“It is a period in which all businesses such as hotel, food and drink vendors, artisans are expected to experience massive turnaround, and a consequential increase in sales of

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By Musa Odoshimokhe

and others which the state put at their disposal, so at every point in time doctors were available to attend to the peoples’ health.

“We have a mini laboratory, scanning machine, we engaged doctors on part-time, we are able to train youth corpers attached to handle our health facilities. The Lagos State government has also added some doctors to galvanise the health sector.

So, anytime people come here to attend to their health problem there is be a doctor on standby.”

The council chairman equally expressed his support for the call for state police in order to check the menace of armed robbery. According to him, the recent incident which occurred in the state affected his council as the robbers shot sporadically while the operations lasted.

He maintained that the council do have regular security meeting with the police in order to ensure the council was well protected. This, he believes, would be better channelled if the request for state police is taken serious because the locals understand the terrain very well and will nip in the bud any unforeseen security challenges.

Bamgbola said: “The case for state police is very important; we you do not need to seek undue protocol before we can combat crime. •Bamgbola

Kwara

He said the project had an initial life span of four years.

Oba explained that a letter received by government last week from Vasolar S.L. 2006, stated that the company had secured fund to execute the project.

“Following its board’s earlier approval of the project, it (the company) is ready to begin operations within the next 90 days.

“Consequently, the desire of the Kwara State government to establish herself as a hub for agriculture in the West African sub-region has finally materialised.’’

Also, Mr. Abayomi Ogunsola, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Investment, Policy and Strategy, said that under the terms of the joint venture, the company would invest N70 billion in the project in the next four years.

He told reporters that the state government would provide 20,000 hectares as well as infrastructure support for the project.

Ogunsola said that it would operate under a registered joint venture company, VasolarKwara Limited.

According to Ogunsola, each annual module of the project will see the company cultivating 5,000 hectares, producing 40,000 tonnes of rice for local and international consumption.

“Following satellite and laboratory soil analyses earlier in the year, Vasolar-Kwara has decided to site the projects in communities along the River Niger in Kwara North, namely: Tsonga, Pategi, Bacita and Lafigi.”

Briefly

Group advises govt on Boko Haram

By Biodun-Thomas Davids

THE Federal Government has been urged to find out the major reasons behind the nefarious activities of the Boko Haram sect.

The advice came from the Managing Consultant and CEO, JI Global Consultant Ltd and Grand Councilor, Lagos Zone, The Rosicrucian Order, AMORC, Johnson A. Ikube, saying that the extremist Islamic sect had been in existence over the years just like Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force and other militia ethnic groups, are a way to gain recognition.

Ikube, who spoke alongside Chief Bassey Ikpeme, Ekanem Kofi Ekanem and others at a public lecture entitled: Understanding God, organised by the Lagos Island chapter of the AMORC, also condenmed the demand of the sect that President Goodluck Jonathan should denounce his Christian faith as one of the conditions for ceasefire.

According to him, “Issues to be addressed include happiness, food, work, hope, education….”

EN. Sani Sale (CPC-Kaduna Central) has urged Nigerians to always trust their leaders in order to guarantee genuine national growth and development.

He made the call on Saturday in Zaria, Kaduna State while monitoring the by-election for the Zaria constituency seat in the state House of Assembly.

“By now, Nigerians should trust their leaders because they are there to protect and safeguard their interests.

“They should remember that good leaders always make sure that only the right thing is done for the benefit of their own people.

‘So, for the first time, let us give the leaders that sense of trust especially in this election. I believe both government and security agencies have done the right thing,” he said The senator called on CPC members to conduct themselves properly as the Zaria constituency was one of the party’s stronghold and it would continue to win there.

Sultan urges prayers Sokoto “Nigeria belongs to all of us and we should fervently pray for sustainable peace and unity.”

Abubakar, who was represented by Alhaji Abdullahi Ahmed, said that Hajj was an important pillar of Islam which required those embarking on it to be knowledgeable of the rites.

Alhaji Mukhtari Shagari, the state deputy governor said that the state government was fully committed to ensuring the success of this year’s Hajj.

Shagari, who is also the leader of the state’s delegation for the 2012 Hajj, appealed to the intending pilgrims to be law abiding and protect the integrity of the state and Nigeria while in the holy land.

• Sultan Abubakar 111

Council improves market

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HE Caretaker Committee Chairman of Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State, Hon. Idris Babatunde Lapade, in his efforts to ensure healthy environment, has commissioned eight public toilets and four boreholes in the four major markets in the area.

The inauguration and handover of the facilities to market users took place at Gbaremu, Bodija, Sango and Moloka markets respectively.

By Jeremiah Oke

The facility include: two blocks of pubic toilets with three conveniences, two tap water pools and a borehole each at the market The council chief who was accompanied by his secretary, Mr. Adamu Bello, members of his committee, ACN chairman in the local government Alhaji Akibu Animasahun while commissioning the projects, urged the benefited markets to make use of the facilities as he charged them to use them well, saying there will be effective monitoring to ensure maintenance He said the motive behind the provision of the toilets and markets is to meet the demand of stakeholders who have been urging the council to ensure healthy environment in the market.

The council boss, therefore, urged residentts of the state to support the governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, in his quest to rebuild the the state and meet the desires of all and sundry.

Church holds programme

•Hon Lapade (right) inaugurating while Alhaji Azeez, and Alhaji Animasahun and Mr. Adamu Bello watch

Construction workers seek end to insecurity A

GROUP, Federation of Construction Industry (FOCI), has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to arrest the insecurity in the sector to avoid its imminent collapse.

Decrying the high rate of kidnapping, shooting and even killing of construction workers especially expatriates, FOCI in its last council meeting said there was need for adequate security to save its workers and Nigerians from everyday security challenges as they go about their activities.

President of the association, Mr. Solomon Ogunbusola, said it was time for government to shun sentiments and bring all culprits fuelling insecurity in the country to book.

“The time has come for the government to avoid being sentimental about challenges facing our security agencies. All hands must be on deck to arrest the perpetrators of these nefarious acts.

“The people that engage in widespread killings are not ghost and they live among us.

Therefore, our security agencies must identify them and bring them to justice,” he said.

Ogunbusola identified such issues as inconsistent government policies; administrative and procedural red tape leading to escalating costs of contract; multiple taxation; delay in payment of certified jobs leading to incurred liabilities among others as some issues affecting the industry.

According to him, “government should summon political will to address these problems because they are negatively affecting the construction industry and in turn the economy. These developments are seriously

By Precious Igbonwelundu

slowing down grown and maintenance of the country’s infrastructure and are capable of grinding them to a halt.

THE Redeemed Christian Church of God, Mercy Sanctuary Parish, is to hold a threeday programme with the theme: You shall be free. It will begin on September 26 and end on September 28. For September 26 and 27, the programme will hold from 6.30pm to 8.00pm but will run as Praise Night on September 28, from 10pm till dawn.

The venue is 36, Owulade Avenue Irawo BusStop, Ajegunle, Agboyi/Ketu LCDA, Ikorodu, Lagos State.

Speaking with the host, Pastor Rotimi Akintan, he said: “It is our season of Jubilee.

Anyone who attends will receive salvation.

He or she will be free from sorrow, indebtedness, spiritual bondage among others.

Ministers expected at the event include: Pastor Femi Okuneye, Pastor Akin George with song ministration from such artistes as Mercy Voice and The Godwins.

•From right: President of the Mujaahidun mission Chief Rasak Idris, Mr Oyewunmi Yunus and PHOTO: AMINAT ADESINA Amir Dawal Circle Mushin Lagos

THE NATION WEDNESDAY,SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

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COMMENTARY EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

EDITORIALS

Destruction of masts •It is the Boko Haram bulls’ eye attack on northern economy HE security crisis plaguing Northern Nigeria has taken a new dimension with the orchestrated destruction of telecommunications masts across several states in the zone. Obviously the aim is to cripple communications and businesses, and unless the wave is contained, insecurity in the region will worsen.

The Boko Haram sect, which has claimed responsibility for most of the insurgency in the region, has also claimed responsibility for this new development.

Tragically, as the infrastructure of the telecom companies are being destroyed, members of their staff and innocent bystanders are also killed by the hoodlums.

With this new tactics, the Boko Haram sect is out to destroy what remains of the distressed economy of the region. As seen in recent times, the sect has been attacking federal and state institutions, alongside the schools that have been their original target. Last week alone, about 16 persons were reportedly killed in Damaturu and Potiskum, Yobe State, while the Ministry of Religious Studies, Pilgrims Welfare Board, Hajj camp, local government INEC office, and Government Secondary School, Damaturu, were targeted with Improvised Explosive Device (IED). In the same week, the masts in Kano and Maiduguri were also targets of the incendiary activities of the sect.

The political leadership in Nigeria as we have severally argued must rise up to the primary responsibility of government, which is the protection of lives and property. Because of the persistent wanton destruction of lives and property, it is

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gradually turning to a permanent state of affairs in the region. In such situation, more businesses close down, more people get displaced, and a major chunk of the scarce resources is spent fighting the insurgency. The result is that poverty worsens, and those orchestrating the violence get more members from the population of frustrated Nigerians, and the result is a cycle of violence and poverty.

The Joint Task Force (JTF) on the Boko Haram crisis in Yobe State reported that four persons have been arrested in connection with the destruction of the masts, and are being interrogated. We urge the JTF to do more than it has done. It is strange that despite assurances by the Federal Government that it is on top of the situation, the facts on ground remain increasingly slippery. While the Federal Government has changed some key officials and spent huge resources, if the budget is anything to rely on, the results are merely trickling in.

Unfortunately even before the Boko Haram insurgency started, the North-Eastern part of the country was the least educated, and also at the lowest rung of poverty index in the country. Little wonder that the crisis started and is dominant in that area. With all efforts concentrated on containing the crisis, there is no doubt that the zone will be moving further down the rudder of underdevelopment. Targeting education and any modicum of modern development, the religious sect is obviously determined to return the area to its rustic settings of the previous centuries.

Even more tragic is that members of the sect are also destroying the communica-

tions channels that they also use. While condemning everything western, they rely on modern facilities, including destructive IEDs to spread mayhem. The sect no doubt uses telephones to communicate and pass down instructions, and it is strange that despite their original claim to be fighting against government and other religions, they have now started destroying private properties that are beneficial to all.

Telecommunication investments in the North have to be protected. Moreover, states in the region would increase the tempo of whatever effort they are making to redeem the north from irreversible destruction. It is also necessary for the states to reconsider their stand on state police, which we have argued may be necessary to stem the apparent descent into anarchy.

‘Telecommunication investments in the North have to be protected. Moreover, states in the region would increase the tempo of whatever effort they are making to redeem the north from irreversible destruction. It is also necessary for the states to reconsider their stand on state police, which we have argued may be necessary to stem the apparent descent into anarchy’

Foreigners’ affront •The arrest of a Chinese company executive should be the established pattern

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HE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed off Chung Full Nigeria Limited for arrant abuse of business ethics. The company is the manufacturer of Osaki range of table water, suspected to be capable of causing hurt to human health. Mr Ksui Kim, its Chinese managing director and four other officials of the company,were arrested for allegedly masterminding the production and sale of such injurious water.

The company, from reports, had been placed on surveillance by NAFDAC over time due to suspicion that it infracts on industrial guidelines and procedures.

There were reported instances of when

‘Henceforth, foreigners, irrespective of their countries of origin, just as Nigerians operating in the country should be compelled to adhere to the rules of engagement. Nigeria is in dire need of foreign investment but we wonder if it is in the area of table water. It is adding salt to injury when even a foreigner who sees that as a business to embark upon in the country would do so without consideration for public hygiene’

officials of the regulatory agency, in the line of duty, were prevented from entering the company’s premises. The Mende, Maryland area, Lagos State office of the company was a no-go area for the regulatory authority, supposedly, on the orders of Kim. Surprisingly, the company allegedly subverted the law providing for implementation of good manufacturing practices in the country, and also flagrantly impeded the discharge of NAFDAC duties as statutorily provided for by its enabling law.

Mr. Garba Macdonald, NAFDAC’s Director of Enforcement, described the company’s onslaught against the law, coupled with its operating from an insanitary residential apartment, during a visit thus: “As you have seen, this is an unhygienic environment and the company has been producing table water without a valid registration certificate, which is a clear violation of NAFDAC’s regulations.”

What a mockery of the nation’s system for a foreigner to operate such a company! That is one of the greatest acts of industrial impunity that can be committed against any sovereign nation by a foreigner.

Can Kim engage in such unethical practices in his home country? There is no doubt that China, a no-nonsense country when it comes to issues of fraud and ethics, will not condone such crass impunity from its own nationals, not to talk of for-

eigners. This is why government officials that are involved in enforcement of ethics, standards and industrial procedures should be up and doing in the discharge of their duties. NAFDAC ought to have taken lawful steps to stop this company from operating a long time ago.

Henceforth, foreigners, irrespective of their countries of origin, just as Nigerians operating in the country should be compelled to adhere to the rules of engagement. Nigeria is in dire need of foreign investment but we wonder if it is in the area of table water. It is adding salt to injury when even a foreigner who sees that as a business to embark upon in the country would do so without consideration for public hygiene. Definitely, Mr. Kim is not alone in this. There have been other reported incidents of foreigners that short-changed the country in the management of their companies’ affairs.

However, because no scapegoat has been made of any of them, this gives impetus to the continuation of the type of illegality recently discovered in Chung Full Nigeria Limited.

Relevant authorities must ensure that this matter is pursued to a logical conclusion. Those involved in the kind of activities that Chung Full Nigeria Limited is alleged to be doing should face the consequence of their action in accordance with the nation’s laws. We should not be seen to be running an industrial jungle in the name of attracting foreign investors.

Washington’s role amid the Mideast struggle for power

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MBASSADOR J. Christopher Stevens was the sort of U.S. diplomat who makes a difference. Fluent in Arabic, he roamed the streets of Tripoli and Benghazi, listening more than talking. When he did speak, he pushed hard for Libyans to embrace liberal democracy — and for the United States to stand behind those who took up that cause.

In the wake of his tragic death, the biggest threat to U.S. interests in the Middle East is not that more embassies will be assaulted and more envoys killed. It is that, out of fear of that prospect or anger at what occurred, the United States will not follow Mr. Stevens’s example.

Misunderstanding of the anti-American demonstrations, which have continued to spread in the Arab world, could easily lead to poor decisions in Washington. The protests should be seen not as a popular uprising against an obscene but obscure film, or as a rejection of the United States, but as part of a struggle for power in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia and other countries where the old autocratic political order has been demolished.

Militant Islamic movements, which in several of those countries have been losing ground to more moderate Muslim and liberal forces, seize on pretexts such as the anti-Muslim film to mobilize against their political enemies, exploiting widespread misconceptions among Arabs about the United States and its policy toward the Islamic world. By design, they force more moderate Islamists, such as Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood, to balance their desire for constructive relations with Washington against the competition with militants for popular support. That squeeze helps to explain, if not to excuse, Mr. Morsi’s slow and ambiguous response to the initial protests in Cairo.

The intelligent U.S. response to these circumstances is not to cut off aid to Egypt— as some in Congress demand — or to pressure Mr. Morsi for difficult but largely symbolic statements or acts. It is to undermine the extremists’strategy by refuting the attempts to portray U.S. society and government as antiMuslim; by pragmatically working with governments to renew economic growth and combat violent jihadists; and by continuing to support the liberal political movements that, as much as the Islamists, are fighting to win broad public support.

President Obama’s response to last week’s crisis largely followed that path. The administration repeatedly denounced the offending film while defending freedom of speech. Mr. Obama dispatched Marines to the region to protect embassies and quietly pushed Mr. Morsi to adopt appropriate security measures while making it clear that the United States will continue to support economic development in Egypt.

The administration’s greatest failing during the Arab revolutions has been not displays of weakness, as Mitt Romney has charged, but excessive caution. It has been too slow to support legitimate movements for change, to back moderates over extremists and to take risks. It has consistently underestimated the power of the United States to positively influence events from Libya to Syria. The future of the Arab world is up for grabs; the United States should be doing everything it can to tilt it toward freedom. That means embracing the example of Christopher Stevens.

– Washington Post

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Kunle Fagbemi •Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon •Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli •Managing Editor Waheed Odusile •Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina •Group Political Editor Bolade Omonijo •Group Business Editor Ayodele Aminu •Abuja Bureau Chief Yomi Odunuga

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: The Igbos are famous for their hard work, resilience and enterprising spirit. It is therefore a paradox to see Abia, God's Own State in its present deplorable state. One would have expected the present and past leaders of the state to unleash the same brilliance that has made many Igbos successful in their private businesses in tackling the business of governance. Unfortunately, the present and past leaders of my dear state have failed woefully in this regard.

The disgraceful state of infrastructure in the Enyimba city of Aba and other parts of the state is an indictment on the leadership of the state.

The eight years administration of Orji Uzor Kalu which the present governor was a part of was a tale of misgovernance and brigandage. For eight years, Kalu and his mother held the state by the jugular and stag-

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Abia and the burden of bad leadership nated the progress of the state. State resources were turned into a private business which they dished out to sycophants and cronies whose jobs were to sing the praises of the governor.

The present administration is no different from the clueless and fruitless rulership of Kalu and his mother. Until recently, Kalu was still the lord of the manor and he dictated the tune of music at the government house. Things fell apart before the 2011 elections and Chief

T.A Orji severed his ties with his godfather in a battle that was erroneously compared to that of Moses and Pharaoh in the bible. The Governor said at that time that he was tired of the burden and cloak of bondage strapped around his administration by his task master and his mother. To garner public sympathy and votes, he enthused that he had liberated Abians from the bondage of Pharaoh and that God has sent his as the Moses to lead the God's own state into the promise

land.

Abians accepted this implausible argument and lined up behind the self - acclaimed Moses. The rest was history and we are still waiting to get to the promised land.

Pray, do the roads in Aba look like that which can be found in the land flowing with milk and honey? Driving through Aba is like driving to Golgotha. The ditches in the streets of Aba are like swimming through the Red Sea. How many communities has he lighted up with electric-

Demonising the social media

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IR: When Mark Zuckerberg, a youngster, invented Facebook, he purposed it to be used by friends to communicate with one another and share information regarding their interests. Facebook is one of the social networking sites where people interact with one another; and, many people’s lives have been changed through their use of face book.

Now, people who share the same interests, and values and study the same course in universities interact with one another on Facebook, and increase their knowledge via such educational interaction. When President Goodluck Jonathan removed fuel subsidy, thousands of Nigerians were mobilised via the social media to oppose his unpalatable, unpopular and inhuman economic policy. The removal of the Egyptian and the Tunisian Presidents were made possible through the instrumentality and platform of that new media.

Today, we use the media to canvass our positions on issues, and tell the outside world what obtains in our respective countries. Press censorship can prevent articles that are critical of governments from being published, especially in countries where governments

control and own media houses.

And, knowing that their doings are no longer hidden from the public, leaders are compelled to act responsibly and decorously.

But, things with positive sides have their flipsides, too and, the social media is no exception. It cannot be denied that they have addictive potentials and properties.

Teenagers stay hooked chatting with strangers instead of reading their books. Long hours are invested in non-profitable and unedifying conversations that centre on trivialities, and petty issues. Being young people with flexible and impressionable minds, they can be easily influenced and their character re-molded through their indulgence in unwholesome

S

IR: I wish to comment on the article "Ogun land matters: Between Law and Sentiments" written by one Dr Tolu Obadein and published in this medium and other papers.

In as much as one does not wish to be drawn into the politics of Ogun, the published findings of the duly constituted Ogun Commission of Enquiry on Lands are mindboggling. We have a long way to go in Nigeria.

social interaction on-line.

But, our youths’ moral corruption and perversion has a wider implication for us. Youths are leaders of tomorrow, and youths with moral deficit cannot offer us good leadership in the future.

Youths’ interaction with despicable and immoral people instills bad tendencies into their minds, and erodes their good values.

Some months ago, Cynthia Osokogu, a post-graduate student of Nassarawa State University, was brutally murdered by her Facebook friends. We were outraged by that devilish and reprehensible act. But, we should draw a moral lesson from Cynthia’s gruesome murder: all that glitters is not gold. And, youths should be discreet and

circumspect in their interactions with people whom they’ve not met in flesh and blood while they’re online.

Finally, although people without scruples use social networking platforms to perpetrate crimes, it is injudicious for us to throw way the baby with the bath water.

Becoming luddites in an age of super information technology for fear of being exploited is an unwise decision and a jejune idea. Parents should rather monitor what their kids do on-line while counseling them to relate with online friends with utmost circumspection and discretion.

• Chiedu Uche Okoye Uruowulu-Obosi, Anambra State

ity since liberating them? How many communities has he provided with potable water? How many communities has he connected together with good road network?

How many new schools has he built or renovated across the state. Are we better off than we were in the hands of the supposed Pharaoh?

Abians are enterprising folks; they are not asking for manna from Chief T.A Orji. They are only asking for basic amenities that will improve their lives and businesses.

Aba, the business nerve centre of eastern Nigeria can be turned into Tokyo with creative thinking and innovative leadership. As an agrarian state, investment in agriculture will ensure food security as well as increase sources for internally generated revenue.

It is unfortunate that we live in a clime where criticising the government is a taboo. T.A Orji could do better by listening to the gale of criticisms against him by the people who bought his cock and bull Moses - Pharaoh story during the elections.

Blaming tax collectors for the paltry 250 million monthly IGR or the rainy season for the absence of construction activities in Aba only reveals that the administration of Chief T.A Orji has been sleeping since 2007.

This administration still has ample time to move our people out of the wilderness of stagnation; this can only be done, not by fighting critics, but by concentrating on the business of governance. The present government cannot in all honesty say that the few projects it has been bandying around as achievement is the best Abia can muster given the rich potentials of the state - both tapped and untapped.

• Offor Honest Abia State

Re: Ogun Land Matters

It is really a shame that the former governor of Ogun state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel paid N2,000 (two thousand naira) for a land that was said to be valued at N3.367million to build his own house while he was in power.

It is also an abuse of office for the ex-governor to give out lands at such ridiculously cheap rates and to allow the beneficiary organisations and individuals not to pay the give-away prices as found

out by the Ogun Commission of Enquiry on Lands.

What is more, it amounts to repression and abuse of power for Daniel to annex lands that belong to other indigenes just because he was in power.

I now agree that it is indeed possible that Ogun state lost over N20 billion on land allocations during the last administration as published in 2011.

I share the writer's view that the

law should take its course. The matter is so staightforward that we should not allow sentiments to becloud our sense of judgement. The monies and properties annexed should be recovered by the current government and those that need to be prosecuted should be prosecuted.

This is the only way to change this country.

• James Ikechukwu, Owerri, Imo State

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

COMMENTS

Education Theory Vs Hands-on Practicals: National Award for destroying Nigeria’s practical education?

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HO among the 2012 national award winners is responsible for the chronic massive infrastructural decay and academic failure in the Tony education system in NiMarinho geria, manifested by the poor quality of products except where millions of desperate parents have used private lessons and schools and other rescue measures consuming 50-80% of their incomes? What building in your ward, LGA, senatorial district, state, political geographical area can citizens say and governments boast ‘This is for the education, entertainment and employment of the youth?

Probably none, unless it is from the private sector like the PZ Cussons Educare Trust Youth Centre in Ibadan among scanty Corporate Social Responsibility projects distributed across Nigeria while companies squander N5billion/ annum creating 2,000 transient ’Instant Millionaires’instead of building 1000 Permanent Youth Centres.

Typically, National Assembly (NASS) and government have ignored FAAN which pauperises science and technology by selling dysfunctional aeroplanes to be ‘piecesed’, cannibalised and turned into spoons and plates while we lack any technology, space or science museum and exhibition space to inspire youth. Yet we have a flying school and universities. Is a dysfunctional aircraft installed at the flying school for the students to dissect or is their own education technique the ‘Nigerian Theory of Aviation Teaching’?

Remember the callous move of government’s ministry of education in the 80s from ‘Practical aspects’ to the ‘Theory of science, biology, chemistry and physics’. Was this to punish ‘arrogant’ science students and to avoid the cost of supplying Nigeria’s schools with science equipment including reagents, gas, Bunsen burners, matches, microscopes, microscope slides, dissecting sets, weighing scales, litmus paper, meter rule, magnets, iron filings, lenses, glass beakers, test tubes, titration tubes, filter paper and beautiful coloured chemicals from potassium permanganate to sulphur and acids –hydrochloric,

sulphuric, acetic et cetera.

Who forgets making smelly hydrogen sulphide et cetera in our secondary school Science, Chemistry, Physics and Biology Labs in St Gregory’s, Kings, Hussey, Igbobi and Government Colleges in the 60s under an enlightened educational leadership?

Know that someone in the 80s actually chaired a meeting of the National Education Commission or whatever and directed that ‘Practicals’be cancelled in schools and replaced with ‘Theory’. Why? Probably because he failed science and developed a pathological hatred of science and jealousy of‘scientists’. What a monumental catastrophe for Nigeria.

Under the Freedom of Information Bill, where are the archival minutes of that meeting? Maybe he masked his plan under the guise of SAP, saving money because a science education is ‘too expensive’ due to the need to purchase and replace regularly scientific material.

Even Science Schools taught the “Theory of Science’and experiments were abandoned by the ‘peculiar mess’ Nigerian science curriculum! Those responsible who replaced ‘Practical Science’ with the ‘Theory of Science Syllabus’ should be identified, paraded and given National Honours for ‘Contributions to Nigeria’s Science Decay’. Someone reading this was at that Education Ministry meeting where Nigeria’s science prospects were destroyed. That ‘someone’ should speak up. Nigeria should know those who have rendered Nigeria a useless “Theoretical’ country in the sciences and technology and which cost teachers and students their lives in frustration, failure, job dissatisfaction and truncated opportunities.

The result is an army of ‘Theory’professionals. Chances are, you have used a ‘theory’ doctor or engineer because by ‘guestimate’ under 30% of the ‘practical’ needs of lecturers are met by the authorities supervising Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. This applies to other all academic areas –a systemic failure. And the correction of this huge crime against the youth is awaited. Who goes on field trips?

No wonder our engineers do not see pothole-filling as important! We need a massive upgrade in our ‘practicals’ from primary, secondary and tertiary schools to correct this ‘Theoretical anomaly’ which has destroyed a generation of Nigerian students, depriving them of hands-on, practicals

rendering graduates ‘incompetent’. Therefore failure is not always their fault. Visits abroad to sister schools and polytechnics by governors and ministers are shown on NTA and confirm our abysmal lack of practicals! Abroad the secondary schools are better equipped than our polytechnics are better equipped than ours. Abroad universities participate in Mars Missions. ‘Students or education tourism’ is a financial drain on Nigeria’s economy. Science students go to exams with two arms tied behind their backs and arts students go to Common Entrance, WAEC, NECO, GCE, JAMB and tertiary exams with one arm tied behind their backs. How many teachers have access to a school dictionary or encyclopaedia, commonplace in my schooldays in St Gregory’s Ikoyi.

Students are blindfolded in garbage schools and deliver garbage except for the occasional miracle child immediately claimed by ministry officials. As long as we put science education under non-science administrators with anti-science grudges or no clue, we will have poor science results. The past haunts and cripples us. Nigeria’s education policy was once under a medical professional, Jubril Aminu, a disaster when ‘Let us hold back the South, so the North can catch up’ was reportedly the ‘Guideline’. Were scholarships cancelled for students from certain areas? Has the guideline been reversed or is it still the secret agenda? A country which discriminates against some youth is not a country to be proud of, no matter how many get national honours. Central federal education is still ‘held hostage and manipulated by retrogressive forces’ failing Nigeria’s progressive youth. We demand educational liberation through decentralisation. Wanted: Nigerians who love ALL Nigeria’s youth. Remember the millstone around your neck for damaging a child?

‘As long as we put science education under non-science administrators with anti-science grudges or no clue, we will have poor science results’

Lagos robberies: the morning after

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ODIMU Ifonlaja, a policeman, woke up on Sunday, September 9. That ‘holy’ morning, he did a few domestic chores, had his breakfast and headed for a nearby church, St Andrew’s Anglican Church, located at Akinyele, Ipaja, a suburb of Lagos, to worship with other parishioners.

Apparently oblivious of what lay ahead of him, as soon as the service came to an end, Todimu left for work at his duty post, the Rapid Response Squad, RRS. The RRS is a security outfit put together by the Lagos State government to complement the efforts of the security agencies in the state in their war against crime. The outfit draws its manpower largely from the police with their operational base located at the heart of the State’s Secretariat at Alausa, Ikeja.

Todimu got to work that afternoon around 12 noon. At about 1p.m, he drove out of the base in the company of two others –a corporal and an Inspector of Police. At Oba Akran Avenue, Ikeja, barely 10 minutes drive from their base, tragedy struck. They ran into a group of marauding armed robbers who, on sighting the patrol vehicle, rained bullets ceaselessly on the occupants. Todimu and the corporal died instantly while the Inspector was seriously wounded. The robbers ransacked the vehicle and made away with arms and ammunition.

We all know that this incident was one of the hazards faced by secu-

rity agents on a daily basis while discharging their duties to the society. But the case of Todimu, like many others before him, is quite pathetic. An indigene of Odogbolu, Ogun State, Todimu lost his father in 1992. That is 20 years ago when he was only 17. Now 37, Todimu was raised by his mother who is now 75 years old. He was working at the Eti-Osa Local Government council in Lagos, until last year when he opted to join the police.

On December 20, last year, Todimu lost his 34-year old wife to some kidney complication. Now, nine months after the death of his wife, he has been dispatched to the great beyond by robbers’bullets. As he was being laid to rest at Ipaja last Thursday, what was uppermost in the minds of the crowd of mourners, including his family members, was how to take care of his four children - the first is a girl who is just 10 years old; she is followed by four-year-old twin girls and a little son who is eighteen months old.

The inspector is still lying critically ill at a Lagos hospital. So also are others who fell victim to the rampaging armed robbers who held the police dazed and confused on that bloody Sunday. It was like a replay of the days of “Shina Rambo”, the notorious armed robber who, with his gangs, successfully terrorised Lagos and neighbouring states in the early 1990s, and had a peculiar way of escaping from security dragnet.

While his terrorist activities lasted, his name drove fears and trepida-

‘This is probably why many people rightly or wrongly believe that the recent upsurge in violent robberies may have been clandestinely instigated by ‘insiders’ who are campaigning for the return of the old, antiquated checkpoints where policemen turn themselves to gold diggers’

tion down the spines of many a policeman, most of whom usually vote with their feet whenever Rambo is on the prowl.

That was exactly what happened on that Sunday when the band of robbers foisted a reign of terror all over Lagos-robbing, shooting, killing and maiming innocent people, including toddlers. The robbers left their dastardly signatures in such areas as Surulere, Agege, Anthony, PWD, Oba Akran area of Ikeja, Ogba, Ilasamaja, Ojodu, Ogudu and many more without the police lifting a baton. For the armed robbers, it was a walkover. It was a day when, in the history of policing in Nigeria, a police station - the Pen Cinema Police Station - came under lock and key as the officers and men at the station scampered to safe haven.

By the time the dust settled, many policemen lay either dead or severely wounded. One of the wounded policemen, simply identified as Emmanuel, might have been cut down in the orgy of shooting and banditry when he embarked on extortion spree at the Gbagada Roundabout area of Lagos. Reports say Emmanuel and two of his colleagues had earlier accosted two young boys who were made to alight from their car after it was blocked by Emmanuel and others with a white Golf Volkswagen car with registration number Osun AE 581 GBN. Just then, the robbers emerged from nowhere and started shooting indiscriminately. Emmanuel was hit. Sikiru Abiodun, one of the two boys held hostage by Emmanuel and his colleagues, was also hit.

Both Emmanuel and Abiodun were later rushed to Gbagada General Hospital where they were placed in the same ward for treatment.

Abiodun later gave up the ghost.

This allegedly infuriated the relations of Abiodun who attempted to lynch Emmanuel on his sick bed before he was rescued and trans-

ferred to another ward.

Another victim of that serial robbery at Gbagada Roundabout was Taiwo Lawal, a one-year old baby, who was shot in the head. That afternoon, Taiwo and other children were playing in their compound when the shooting by the robbers suddenly erupted. The other children managed to run for cover, while Taiwo, who is still toddling, was hit in the head by a stray bullet. Though the bullet was removed from his skull, the toddler is still lying critically ill at the Intensive Care Unit of LUTH. The bewildered family was said to be looking for N500,000 to foot the bill for his further treatment until the telecommunication giant, MTN, reportedly came to their rescue.

Of particular worry is the ‘ease’with which the robbers operated, caused panic all over the metropolis and successfully melted into thin air. None of the marauders was killed, maimed or arrested.

Perhaps, Mohammed Abubakar, the Inspector General of Police, who flew into Lagos barely 24 hours after the robbers’ siege, was right last week when he descended heavily on officers and men of the Lagos Police Command and described them as “sleeping cops”.

Abubakar is not known for taking sides with his men when they err. In fact, till date, he has remained the only IG who has come down forcefully on his men in his bid to reposition the force. This is not to say that others before him never lifted their voice. The only difference is that Abubakar has, so far, matched his words with action.

Under him, there is a semblance of discipline; or to put it mildly, he has been able to tame his men, most of who have hitherto paraded themselves as “mad dogs” in the society - extorting, brutalising, killing and maiming innocent people at will.

Reading through the newspapers last week, most of the serving police officers who spoke on the con-

Dele Agekameh dition of anonymity on the robberies seem to have no solution other than to call for the return of the old checkpoints which people derisively refer to as toll gates, chequepoints, ATMs and all that. Certainly, this is the age of scientific policing which the IG has been preaching and trying to nurture.

The magnitude of the past horrendous assault, checkpoints unleashed on the people - their pockets and persons - far outweigh the anticipated benefits. This is probably why many people rightly or wrongly believe that the recent upsurge in violent robberies might have been clandestinely instigated by ‘insiders’ who are campaigning for the return of the old, antiquated checkpoints where policemen turn themselves to gold diggers.

Just like the IG rightly said, the Lagos Police Command should wake up from its deep slumber and scamper to the drawing board to evolve new and result-oriented strategies to fight the new scourge of robberies. Now is the time for the police to justify the enormity of expenses incurred on them by the public and the Lagos State government.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

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COMMENTS “Deity defenders and prophet protectors”. After reading your piece, it got me thinking though not oblivion of the kind of people we will continue to cope with on this planet earth. But my puzzle is that these people will never learn from history. Violence is an ill wind that does no one any good.

It is laughable and a serious matter for the things created to assume the position of their creator. They should not forget that someday, sometime, somewhere, we shall all stand before Almighty God to account for our deeds and will be rewarded accordingly.

From Joseph, Zaria’

•Gani Fawehinmi

For Olatunji Dare Sir, Most of the societal ills Gani fought against are still very much with us. Anything more corrupt than the men and times of today cannot be conceived. Should we not expect much illegalities where the Constitution is spurious? Gani tried his very best. Afterall, virtue consists in aiming at the mark, not hitting it. The man who tries hardest is thereby the most successful. From Adegoke O. O. Ikhin, Edo State.

I have just finished reading your article. I am particularly impressed by the hilarity evoked therein and your artistic deployment of suspense throughout your anecdote. Well, that is the kind of society we have, consistently inconsistent about which way to go. From Saintmatthew, Port Harcourt.

Re: Remembering Gani, our Gani. Prisoner J40/4990-The late Chief Gani Fawehinmi will see the face of Allah. Allah will forgive him his sins. The family he left behind will never meet with any trouble. His children and grandchildren will continue to excel in life.

The late Chief Fawehinmi will be seated in al-janah fir dauz. He was an unequalled fighter-leader; a gem. From Lanre Oseni.

For Segun Gbadegesin Good piece of writing. Thanks for your boldness in daring to wonder out aloud concerning this strange satanic and absurd behaviour by the so-called deity and prophet defenders. More power to your elbow.

Anonymous I believe without any reservation that if anybody is insulting his God, it is the Muslims. If a person can defend himself why fight for him? Why these people cannot see that this is baffling, especially when you see the literate getting involved? Anonymous Your piece on deity defenders is a great message. The blind and dumb will one day understand the truth of religion. Anonymous I agree with you in totality. After all, the supreme is supreme, mighty in deeds and acts and victorious in battles. May be the defenders are defending just deities. From Barr Kyuga, Kaduna.

You talk on what you do not know. Go and read, explore before you write. Tell the abusers to desist, Muslims have rules of engagement. Anonymous The truth is that they do not know the real God . There is no way you can fight for God you do not know. The Bible says you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free. Anonymous You are dead right. Those who kill fellow humans know neither God or any of His prophets. The God who stays in heaven with His prophets is eminently capable of defending any of His cause in ways that will put those profaners to shame. From Osinem Charles I just want to thank you for your back page article. I personally cannot see justification in some groups fighting for God when the two holy books agree that it is only God that

can kill and make alive. I think your article should be made available in many available print media and social networks but the problem is that the people that actually need the information do not read newspapers or have access to internent. They only listen to some religious leaders that use their ignorance to mislead them and cause the madness. Thank you. Anonymous Sir, you are biased and parochial. Why did America in the first place release such a provocative and profane film? Anonymous “Deity defenders and Prophet protectors”.

This is the best article you have ever written.The argument is perfect. I love your boldness. Please keep it up. From Ekanem It is painful to insult our Prophet. U.S.A government hates Islam and the practice. I can see from your thinking that you think you know, but unfortunately you know nothing about Islam. It is advisable for you to keep writing on worldly things you are known for, so leave Islam alone. Be warned!

Anonymous It is not about a God being defenceless it is rather about you respecting my God and my feelings and I respecting yours. Anonymous Segun, I always enjoy your write-ups. It clearly shows that some people (including professors and learnered Islamic clerics) might just be dedicated in worshipping reverred deity and unknown God. From Sam It is indeed very preposterous to try to defend a deity. A defenceles deity is not worth a single follower. Also going further to harm others makes the issue more paradoxical.

Prprobably it is a way of showing the deity their alloyed commitment and love which could make up for their religious inadequacies. We are in a generation where people who are morally wanting in different spheres can shame facedly stand up to defend a deity they cannot keep his statutes. Well, the scriptures say men will wax more wicked in later years so let us take solace in that, otherwise it will remain a puzzle. Thanks, for the write-up. From Emma Duniya There is no justification for provoking others through insultive and defamatory medium on what they consider sacred or hold in high esteem. Ambassador Chris Stevens was just killed with the weapon he helped to supply, simple. Anonymous Segun, so if your father is strong and can defend himself it is logical for you as his son to stand by and watch while insulted and denigrated in your presence, and still expect blessings from the old man abi? You must be kidding. This is in response to your write-up on deity defenders. Even though I do not support killing innocent people, I do nOt support the unprovoked denigration of other peoples’ faith either. Anonymous I quite agreed with your submission in the “Deity defenders and prophet protectors” that, a defenceless God without the minutest attribute of ‘the mighty man in battle’ is not worth man’s respect nor worshiping. Those who fight, kill, maim and destroy on behalf of God should better watch it, for they will be called to account one day. From Temitope Vincent, Akure Your article is very enlightning. Please do a follow-up article. It is the number one problem in the world and could get even worse. Thanks. From Mills Your piece, “Deity defenders and prophet protectors”, like many I have read, made a

good reading. I could not but agree with the logic of your expose. However, I am not comfortable with the onesidedness of the work. Religion easily draws from passion not reason. I expect you to also call the pastor and others like him who trade in falsehood to order. Or se efe ba eleyoro wi ki e to fi a abo ba adire ni? Anonymous God cannot be defended, protected nor advised by any mortal being. It is absurd for any person to fight for God, those who claim to be doing this show how very low they are in the know of the sovereign God. May God forgive them for they do not know what they are doing. Anonymous People should reason to defend faith is not to kill. God is more powerful to do that than human can do, it is only satan who will allow killing because he creates no one so it is an insult for one to kill and say he is defending God. How can a defenceless man defend our creator by destroying His creatures, ‘deception’. Anonymous I like your analysis on Deity defenders in today’s Nation. However, you failed to explore the effect that intense feelings of emotion can have on the minds of youth. Anonymous This goes beyond defending a deity, it is a problem of religious tolerance, religious dogmatism and hypnotism. From Ade Majek, Ibadan Segun, tell me the last time Muslims abused or criticised Jesus. It is either they burn Qur’an today or draw a picture projecting Islam negatively tomorrow. If you tackle me I will tackle you. Anonymous Anybody that insulted our prophet has insulted us directly. I am not afraid to say this, but I am ready to die, to defend and protect the image of my prophet. Our prophet is the bridge between the Muslims and the Almighty(Allah). The prophet is greater than the Americans and the Jews combined together. Islam is the religion of peace and integrity. May Allah give us peace ameen.

Anonymous This is an interesting piece, I just hope that those that have assumed the position of defenders in defending God Who is a Defender can be courageous to admit this fact.

Anonymous Have you ever heard a Muslim talk bad about (Jesus) or Isa? We believe and respect Jusus more than Christains, we bear his name and his mother’s name, Isa, and Maryam. No good Muslim would ever insult Jesus because we love him, and believe in his teachings more than the Christains. Peace to Nigeria.

Anonymous “Deity defenders and prophet protectors” I am impressed with this article,for the transparency in the approach. Please keep it up. From Olawale For a man of your standing, I am surprised at your crass naivety. For those who do not have strong governments to fight their cause; who do not have drones; who do not have the capability for assured destruction as deterrence; they must, from time to time, express their feelings directly. You cannot turn a blind eye to the bully while villifying the bullied. Do not be confused. The world is more complex than you think, it is not just black and white, but shades of grey, and much more. From Manjadda, Sokoto Sir, I thank you for your piece on “Deity defenders’. Certainly, Almighty God is not weak nor incompetent as not to be able to

• Obama defend Himself if there is ever any need. Key problems are ignorance on the part of majority of protesters, hypocrisy on the part of sponsors and wickedness of human hearts.

The day of judgment shall be a day of disappointment for many as God will disown them and their deeds. May God open our spiritual eyes. From T. A. Oyedele “Deity defenders and prophet protectors”.

After reading your piece, it got me thinking though not oblivion of the kind of people we will continue to cope with on this planet earth. But my puzzle is that these people will never learn from history. Violence is an ill wind that does no one any good. It is laughable and a serious matter for the things created to assume the position of their creator.

They should not forget that someday, sometime, somewhere, we shall all stand before Almighty God to account for our deeds and will be rewarded accordingly. From Joseph, Zaria Sir, I read your column today, but this time around without relish. I love reading your column because they educate me alot not to talk about their enlightening aspect. I agree with you totally in all that you wrote today but what I fail to understand is your failure to condemn those behind the movie. Or is it because those behind the film are christans?

Thank you sir. Anonymous In as much as I agree that it is wrong for anyone to defend God, moreso to kill inocent people in the course of defending God; it is equally wrong for people to assault the religious sensitifity of others. Anonymous Segun, your piece “Deity defenders and prophet protectors” is excellent. Some people are fooling us most of the time. This time, we must say no. From Godfrey Dewan, Jos Thank you very much for your piece under “Comment and Debate” in the The Nation of 14/09/12. There is a need for this kind of education/information for all Nigerians.

There is need for a write-up for those who wrongly indoctrinate our gullible followers.

The same people may interprete your writeup as offensive. May God keep you out of harm’s way. Amen. Anonymous A beautiful analysis, but those that could comprehend are not the ones that need it.

Those that need this analysis unfortunately are not inteligent enough to comprehend it.

Please have someone translate or interpret this in your next edition in Arabic or Hausa.

Stay blessed. Anonymous The defenders of Deity and the protectors of prophet wo(MEN) highly deficient in knowledge and understanding. The deity needs not defence, but worship. The prophet needs no protection, but from the Deity.

Those whose gods cannot save are the ones unleashing violence on fellow mortals across the world. The good news however is that true worshippers of the Almighty God will have their eternal reward in the Kingdom of God. Again, sir, you are one of the most knowledgeable commentators we are blessed with. From Sam Ogunde

Ikhana ‘puts Utaka: Redknapp exit down the rules’ sparked Portsmouth’s decline Pg. 41

Pg. 41

Sport Wednesday, September 19, 2012

PAGE 23

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Mikel aims Pg. 24

for Chelsea winning start BARCELONA/ SPARTAK MOSCOW UEFA CL CLASH

Emenike: we want to emulate Blues

Pg. 24

•Storms Spain with new hairstyle •Wants to be like Eto'o

Ambrose races against time for CL debut

Pg. 24

•Mikel

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NATION SPORT

Blatter hails Nigerian women football

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IFA PRESIDENT, Sepp Blatter has tipped Nigerian women football for more glory after the sterling performance of the Falconets in the justconcluded FIFA U-20 Women World Cup in Japan. This much was revealed

•Blatter

by Chairman of the Nigeria Women Football League, Dilichukwu Onyedinma, who met with Blatter at the FIFA Dinner during the tournament.

She said; “It was a very heart-warming meeting. He (Blatter) pointed out that the performance of the Falconets was an indicator to the growth of women football in Africa. He also hailed Nigeria for leading the way in Africa. He was so particular about the Nigerian Women League. In his opinion, since most of the players are playing at home, it was a reflection of how strong the league is”.

In Blatter’s estimation, it wouldn’t be long before Nigeria rules the world in women football.

“He said that he wouldn’t be surprised if Nigeria wins one of these women football tournaments before long”, Onyedinma added. The meeting with Blatter has fired Onyedinma to put in more efforts in boosting the quality of the Women Football League.

“Candidly, his words were very encouraging. It has thrown a bigger challenge at us to ensure our league is better and stronger. The world expects so much from us and we cannot afford to fail”, she enthused.

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M

IKEL OBI has said he expects Chelsea to begin their UEFA Champions League defence on a winning note when they host Italian champions Juventus on Wednesday. Mikel told MTNFootball.com that the team have started the season well in the English Premier League and he is optimistic they will translate such form to Europe also.

"We are the champions and we want to still go for the

their overhead costs for the coming season.

"It is hoped that the deal for the new coach, if it is eventually Ogbeide, will be hired and announced not beyond the month of October so that he can start recruitment of players for the new season in time," the Wolves' source disclosed.

Wolves are also expected to free up places in their playing personnel to allow the new coach recruit new players.

"Also, a number of players will be placed on transfer and others released for failing to meet the minimum requirement in the past season. This is to allow the coach recruit new players to beef up the team with those we will retain for the coming campaign," supersport.com was informed.

Warri Wolves and Belgian coach, Maurice Cooreman, agreed to discontinue their contract, which had an option of renewal after the club finished in 16th spot in the Premier League standings last term.

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri NPL decision to expel Ocean Boys from the league at the tail-end of the season.

"We met with the top officials of the NFF including the President Aminu Maigari, the Vice President, Mike Umeh and the General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu and we had useful discussion with them. They promised to quickly look into it," Chime said.

Meanwhile, Rangers have decided to drop 15 of the players that guided them to the second spot on the league last season while retaining 20.

The club's media officer, Foster Chime, said that the club decided to dispense with those they feel will not be in the coaching staff's programme ahead of next season.

He added that the club is currently making consultations and conducting interviews with prospective players for the new season.

F

Mikel aims for Chelsea winning start title this season. And we all know we have to start well from the opening match,” he said. “Juventus will be tough no doubt but I believe we will win. We have a quality team. We have been doing well in the league, I am sure we will do well and come out victorious against Juventus."

Mikel was an important part as Chelsea won a firstever Champions League title last season at the expense of

ORMER Portsmouth forward John Utaka has spoken out about events at the club, claiming their demise started with the departure of manager Harry Redknapp.

Redknapp left the club in October 2008 to j o i n Totte

Bayern Munich. Wednesday’s clash at Stamford Bridge promises to be a titanic battle as Juventus have won all their Serie A games this season, while Chelsea too are yet to lose in the EPL. However, Juventus have not won on their last 11 visits to England and the last time Juventus met Chelsea was in 2008/2009 Champions League Round of 16 and they lost.

Obagoal Ambrose races celebrates move to against time for CL debut Spanish League G

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•Martins

UPER EAGLES’ forward Obafemi martins, was sighted at Aura Club house in Lagos over the weekend celebrating his move to his new football club, Levante.

There are claims that the ex Ruzbin Kazza player might have splashed millions of naira to celebrate his move to the Spanish League, with friends .

•Efe Ambrose

"I am still in Israel t o get my wor k permit.

It will soon be sorted out.

I am hopeful of getting it in time to make my debut on a big stage for Celtic in the Champions League on Wednesday," Ambrose told MTNFootball.com Nigeria central defender Ambrose joined Celtic on the final day of the summer window transfer.

Emenike: we want to emulate Blues

to battle Glover

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IGERIA'S Lanre Glover will face a challenge from Nicole Assele at the African Handball Confederation (CAHB) election/congress, scheduled to run from Oct. 1 to Oct. 5 in Ouagadougou.

A statement by the confederation said Glover, a current 1st VicePresident and Assele, the outgoing Secretary-General, would be vying for the position of 1st Vice-President of the confederation.

It said that the incumbent President, Aremou Mansorou of Benin Republic had since been returned unopposed the other executive positions would be contested for.

Pundits described the contest for the position as a tough battle for Glover, a three-time President of Nigeria Handball Federation because the confederation was largely dominated by people from the francophone countries.

It was gathered that Nicole was currently enjoying the backing of the Gabonese Government. However, Glover, a veteran of many CAHB elections and highly respected in the confederation would be counting on his good will and uprightness in previous assignments in CAHB to see him through.

Martins had taken permission from his club to return to Nigeria and had missed training ahead of the club's Europa league game to Helsingborg, It could be recalled that Martins haven't played in the past 6 months , he had scored a goal in eight games during 2011- 2012 league season at Kazan.

LASGOW CELTIC defender Efe Ambrose is racing against time for a work permit so as debut in Wednesday’s Champions League tie. The former FC Ashdod of Israel defender told MTNFootball.com that he could make his debut for Celtic in the lucrative Champions League, but he has to first secure his work permit. However, he also said he believes he will get it in time to feature in a UEFA Champions League clash against Benfica on Wednesday.

BARCELONA/ SPARTAK MOSCOW UEFA CL CLASH

HANDBALL Rangers storm Glass House CONFEDERATION ELECTIONS to pursue league case Gabonese set NUGU RANGERS have taken the strong worded petition on the expulsion of Ocean Boys to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to another level when they visited egg heads of the Football House in Abuja on Tuesday.

In an interview with the Flying Antelopes ' media officer, Foster Chime opined that Rangers decided to pursue their pending case to Abuja for it to be properly fast tracked and ensure that 'justice' is served without further delay.

He told NationSport that Rangers team made up of the Chief Executive Officer(CEO) Paul Chibuzor Ozor, the media officer and others had useful deliberations with the NFF President, Aminu Maigari, his Vice, Mike Umeh and the General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu whom he confirmed assured the club the Football House would meet on it in the coming days.

We are in Abuja as I speak with you to further press home our petition to the NFF on the rationale behind the

Utaka: Redknapp’s exit sparked Portsmouth’s decline

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Ogbeide favoured for Wolves' job KWA UNITED manager, Solomon Ogbeide is now in pole position for the vacant head coach position at Warri Wolves.

Supersport.com can report that Ogbeide is being considered as a top candidate for the role by the Delta State Sports Commission (DSSC).

Dutchman, Lodewijk de Kruif is also in the picture for the job but his huge annual wage might scare away Wolves from hiring him.

A source at Warri Wolves disclosed that the club intend to trim down their budget for the coming season hence the shopping for a Nigerian coach.

"Solomon Ogbeide is one of the coaches being considered because of his experience in the Nigerian league. Remember that he handled the club a few years ago and he is not new to us. Warri Wolves are now looking to hire a Nigerian coach in order to reduce

NATION SPORT

I

NIGERIA PREMIER LEAGUE STORIES

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41

NATIONSPORT WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

•Storms Spain with new hairstyle •Wants to be like Eto'o

•Emenike

S

PARTAK MOSCOW'S darting forward, Emmanuel Emenike is targeting a splendid performance against FC Barcelona in his club's UEFA Champions League fixtures today in Spain.

The Nigeria international said his Russian side can emulate the Chelsea spirit

By Innocent Amomoh which saw them end the impressive run of the former champions in the semi final of same competition last season.

Reiterating his desire to help his Russian side progress in the Europe's most prestigious club competition, Emenike disclosed authoritatively before his departure after representing Nigeria at the Nations Cup qualification match against Liberia, that playing against a big club like Barcelona is a dream that every player wants to achieve in their career, and that he will be doing it spotting a new hairstyle.

“I watched Barcelona games against Chelsea in their Champions League games last season, I know they are a good side but

Chelsea end their dreams, and that is what we intend to do as well.”

"It's all about football. The last time I came here during the pre-season games, the fans went agog for my hairstyle and I'll want them to see a different hairstyle on Wednesday.

“I’ve always known it will be tough going to Spain to play a team like Barcelona in my first Champions league game. I am grateful with my achievement at Spartak, Ii am happy to be there and my duty now is to repay the fans who have stood behind me with more goals.”

“Playing against Barca on Wednesday will be a pleasure and I am really looking forward to a good outing. Of course my job is to score goals, that i intend to do but more importantly, i prefer we win collectively."

"Football gives me joy a lot and I find my happiness perfectly on the pitch but scoring goals is usually my happiest moment," he said.

Asked where he will be taking his career in the nearest future, Emenike said ranking among the best strikers in the world has been his focus, adding that he aims to be like, Samuel Eto'o Fils of Cameroon.

He said: "I wan to be ranked among the best strikers in the world. Eto'o started the dream of Champions League and ended it well by scoring and wining the trophy. I want to emulate him."

"Playing against Barcelona, a lot of poeople will expect me to give more than I can. I am not looking towards personal display but collective victory," Emenike said at the airport on his way to Russia

•Mikel Obi

nham after winning the FA Cup the previous season, but fortunes were about to turn for the South Coast side.

As the club slid further into financial troubles, they were relegated soon after and have since dropped down to League One, entering administration twice in the last three years.

Utaka told Goal.com: "We started seeing signs that things were not as they used to be. "There were talks, then Harry [Redknapp] left the club we changed manager maybe four times in a season. There was no more stability, when you change coaches things are not stable anymore. "As players we kept on playing as that is what we love to do. But then they were talking about deducting points and it wasn't easy."

Utaka, now plying his trade with Montpellier, also denied reports suggestion he was earning £80,000 per week with the financiallystricken club.

"I knew that what they were saying was wrong," he insisted. "But I didn't want to confront anyone as that is not what I do, I want to play football. "They said I was on 80,000 but that was never the case. If I earned £80,000 a week why would I hide it, I'd be bold and come out and say I earned it."

The Nigerian forward continued by describing the situation as "difficult" once the club’s best players made their inevitable departures.

He added: "I felt bad as the majority of the players left, [Lassana] Diarra left then [Milan] Baros left then [Sulley] Muntari left. "Six or seven players went so the team that won the FA Cup wasn't the same anymore. The players that came in needed to adapt quickly but winning games became difficult. "It was unfortunate what happened as it was a good club. It wasn't fair but that's football.”

Ikhana ‘puts down the rules’

S

UPER FALCONS’ coach, Kadiri Ikhana said he needs unwavering commitment from his wards as they head into the final camping for the 2012 AWC in Equatorial Guinea next month.

The team resumed camp officially on Sunday with 23 out of the 27 invited player. Ikhana said it is straight to business so as to cover enough grounds before the competition starts.

"We didn't get enough time as we would have loved to so our programmes start immediately. The tournament is just five weeks away so we have a short time to train and choose the best players to represent the country in Equatorial Guinea," he said.

Ikhana invited nine players, who featured for Falconets at the just concluded FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Japan. The Falcons' coach congratulated the side for their performance at the tournament which saw them finish fourth behind winners, USA, Germany, and hosts Japan.

"The Falconets did the country proud at the Under-20 World Cup and I would like to congratulate them. I watched the team and I was impressed by the players I saw,

which is why I have invited nine of Oparanozie, Francisca Ordega and them to join us. Those players have Osinachi Ohale. already proved themselves at the Under-20 level and I hope they would measure up to the standards we require at the level of Super Falcons," he said.

Ikhana insisted on 100%commitment from his wards.

He charged them to make selection exercise of his 18-man squad difficult.

"We want to retain the AWC title so nothing short of 100% commitment is needed. I hope you will make it difficult for me to choose my final team for the tournament," he said.

The AWC will take place in Equatorial Guinea from October 28 to November 11.

List of players in camp: Josephine Chukwunonye, Ngozi Okobi, Cecilia Nku, Ugo Njoku, Asisat Oshoala, Esther Sunday, Gloria Ofoegbu, Eberechi Maraihe, Gladys Akpa, Evelyn Nwabuoku, Ngozi Ebere, Ulumma Jerome, Joy Jegede, Chiudo Ehiudo, Stella Mbachu, Onyinyechi Ohadugha, Glory Iroka, Shola Oyewusi, Tshola Tawa, Tochukwu Oluehi, Ifeoma Emenike, Sharifat Saheed and Precious Dede.

•Ikhana Expected in camp: Desire

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

Life

25

The Midweek Magazine E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Text only: 08023058761

‘Artworks are like children to me’ •Peju Latise, author of Orita Meta, wonders if art collectors can take good care of her works

•STORY ON PAGE 26

•Peju

Young carver eyes Olowe’s feat •Page 27

Oranyan: Showcasing Oyo’s rich cultural heritage •Page 28

Theatre for devt in Niger Delta •Page 37

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

26

The Midweek Magazine E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

•Nine-year-old bride, by Peju Latise

‘Artworks are like children to me’ In March, experimental artist Peju Latise held a solo art show entitled Material Witness at Nike Art Gallery, Lekki, Lagos, which cost her about N4 million. It was a show with stories of child abuse, corruption, social injustice and decay. Parting with any of her artworks, she says, is a big challenge because art works are like children – to her. Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME reports.

A

GIANT metal sculpture depicting a female face with an elaborate African hair-do is mounted on the front wall of a duplex located in a bend at the high-brow estate in Lekki, Lagos. The metal piece, which signposts her creativity, also serves as the official logo of her studio. At the entrance to the apartment is Freedom is like a sail boat...so is slavery, a wooden canoe ferrying some minute metal figures. On the floor are other figures arranged in rows and moving towards the canoe.

The work is a reminder of the slave trade and the need to change its effects on Africans. Welcome to the home and studio of Peju Latise, a painter, author, sculptor, architect and furniture designer.

Expectedly, her studio and the ground floor of the duplex are home to all manner of artworks, mostly threedimensional. The works range from large sized conceptual works with bizarre execution, to fabric based mixed-media, fibreglass, paintings with high deployment of rich hues and colours, and crafts made from exotic jewelry and beads.

To give her works adequate space to ‘live’ she packed her furniture out of the living room to a safe store. That tells how precious artworks are to Peju.

The Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso (LAUTECH) trained architect is an experimental artist par excellence. Her artworks tell stories of her social, cultural and environmental experiences, concerns and disconnect. All these come back to her in the dream in a form that sometimes haunt her till she recreates them, which is her way of understanding or resolving some inner conflicts. With diverse media, she is constantly telling stories differently for viewers.

Unlike many artists who create works for collectors’ interest, Peju is concerned more with telling her stories from the heart, using the several media open to her and unmindful of whether such artworks will be collected or bought.

“I see ideas in my dream and I have learnt to be dreaming when I am awake in order to see things better. I have greater perception in my dreams and I try to get the same when I am awake.

“My new conceptual piece, entitled: Generations, must stay with me for six months after completion before selling it to any buyer. Artworks are like children to me. I know every part of them intimately, and I always won-

INTERVIEW der if collectors can take care of them,” she said.

Asked if she creates artworks to meet collectors’ demand, she said “no way”, with a stern look as if a wrong question had been asked.

“I don’t work to satisfy any collector and the market trend does not also influence me unless a commissioned project,” she said, adding that as an artist, she is yet to attain her desired height of professional growth.

Often times, Peju paints faces of characters in her book or play. Recently, while writing a play, she made an installation from the characters, which she titled Indgo sky. She is relatively weird when it comes to size of artworks. For instance, Nine year old bride, one of the works she exhibited in Material Witness, a 13-foot long

‘When I first started, the illiterate women frustrated me. I thought training of women was all about skill acquisition. Also, the young girls were worse as they are lazy and unimaginative. To train them in any of the skills, you literarily need to touch their brains to make the best of them. Unfortunately, I was not ready for such task’

•Peju

piece comprising seven women, could not be taken indoors after completion in the outdoor studio. As a result, she is working on plans to get a bigger studio space that will accommodate giant size works. “I set a higher bar for myself. It was a big challenge finding an ideal art gallery that can show my giant works. Still, I can’t adjust the size of my works because of this setback,” she said.

Apart from painting or sculpting, Peju is also into women empowerment. She trains young women on jewelry, crafts and bead-making. Presently, she has four studio assistants, but the author of Orita Meta, the crossroads (2005), is worried that most of the young women she has engaged are too lazy and couldn’t catch up with her pace. She recalled her experience at the beginning: “When I first started, the illiterate women frustrated me. I thought training of women was all about skill acquisition. Also, the young girls were worse as they are lazy and unimaginative. To train them in any of the skills, you literally need to touch their brains to make the best of them. Unfortunately, I was not ready for such task.”

Peju described herself as a painter on the move. She picks a piece of canvas, few tubes of oil and a brush each time she travels. However, she hardly sketches before painting on canvas. On what she would have studied outside architecture, she said: “For my parents, education was compulsory. And to study architecture was natural. But as a child, I wanted to be a back-up dancer for the late Michael Jackson. Music for me is therapeutic. In fact, David Dale’s bead painting gave me the idea that one can be an artist and live by it.”

She said the works of a renowned Lagos-based fashion designer, Ituen Bassey, influenced her kind of artworks, especially the fabric collage.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

27

The Midweek Magazine In 1995, Joseph Olatunde Ogunlowo, 36, started out as a sales boy in an art shop in Lekki, Lagos.

Today, he carves quality wood works for foreign diplomats and big time collectors.

His dream is to be as creative as the famous master carver, the late Olowe of Ise. Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME reports.

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

•Joseph

Young carver eyes Olowe’s feat

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MERGING traditional art carver, Joseph Olatunji Ogunlowo’s name may not ring bell among gallery owners and collectors of modern Nigerian artworks. But, with his growing profile as a skillful carver, Joseph is etching his name on the minds of major collectors of traditional Nigerian arts and crafts.

The Fiditi-born carver has set his eyes on the feat of master carver such as the late Olowe of Ise (1875 to 1938), who was not only famous for his Ikere doors, but also worked for the rich and noble in the society.

His collections are of high quality wood works made for both functional and decorative purposes at home and office. They include dining table, storage bench, bar stand, mirror frame, side shelve, bar stood, jewelry box, console, wall hanging and dressing mirror.

Five years ago, Joseph’s dream of becoming a successful carver almost got shattered when his new art shop at the Lekki Art Market, Jakande Housing Estate, Lekki Lagos was pulled down by bulldozers. It was barely four months to his wedding. That day was on August 18, 2007. The bulldozers came on the order of the Ministry of Waterfront and Infrastructural Development, and left on its trial heaps of arts and crafts worth millions of naira as debris.

Undaunted by this loss, Joseph took to the streets and beaches of Lagos hawking his wares. “I hawked in all the beaches on the Lagos waterfront with arts and crafts on my head. I searched for potential customers under rain or shine for many months,” he said.

Joseph, 36, was not formally trained in an art school as a sculptor. He trained as an apprentice for over 10 years with traditional art carver, Mr Agboola Emmanuel and art dealer, Lukeman Azeez in Lagos. “I left Fiditi Grammar School, in 1994. After searching for job for many years I was introduced to an art dealer who hired me as sales boy. My job included cleaning and shinning of arts and crafts. But beside our shop is the shop of Agboola Emmanuel, a wood carver, where I do go when there is nothing to do in our shop. When Azeez saw my interest in arts and crafts, he decided to engage me in creating art pieces. That was the beginning of my wood carving,” he recalled.

VISUAL ART Joseph said he received quality training from Agboola who groomed him in all aspects of the trade, including basic wood carving, wood treatment, marketing and preservation of artworks.

He described the 2007 Lekki market disaster as a major setback to his creative enterprise. He lost all his precious artworks to the bulldozer at a time he was building his art business. But, he however got a relief when one of his clients, Honourable Bush Alebiosu gave him commissioned works to execute.

“The proceeds from the works put me back on track in my carving business,” he noted.

But the real breakthrough came when he was invited by some American diplomats for an exhibition at the American Guest House, on Queens Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos in 2008.

According to Joseph, beyond other things, his perseverance and passion for art kept him going even at trying moments like 2007.

“I have a strong passion for the arts otherwise frustration would have sent me packing. Up till now, I am yet to get fulfilled materially. But, I am always filled with joy seeing my works being appreciated by collectors.”

In fact, art has brought me in close contact with the high and mighty in the society. Those I never thought I will meet in life are now my links and friends because of my works. So, I will forever love arts,” Joseph said.

But at the beginning, his story was not a sweet tale for the family and girl friend who felt art cannot fetch him a living. He recalled that his wife (then as a girlfriend) and his elder brother often asked if he could survive on art because he always borrowed money from the girlfriend.

Today, those impressions have waned.

“My family and wife now appreciate my works better. And I am training five apprentices at my workshop. Even though I work from workshop to exhibition centres and customers’ homes, I am enjoying the trade.

And very soon I will get a showroom for my works. My dream is to run a company that produces quality artworks for Nigerians, employ hands that will market them to the world,” he said of his dream.

•Reclining chair for the old

‘I hawked in all the beaches on the Lagos waterfront with arts and crafts on my head. I searched for potential customers under rain or shine for many months ... I have a strong passion for the arts otherwise frustration would have sent me packing. Up till now, I am yet to get fulfilled materially. But, I am always filled with joy seeing my works being appreciated by collectors’ •CD rack

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

28

The Midweek Magazine E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Oranyan: Showcasing Oyo’s rich cultural heritage Last Saturday, the ancient city of Oyo came alive with the celebration of the first ever Oranyan Day. The event, according to its organisers, was to honour Oranyan, the first Alaafin of Oyo and the great empire builder.

SEYI ODEWALE was there.

•Oba Adeyemi III

•Bishop Ladigbolu

T

HE booming guns, the endless blaring of sounds from well arranged loud speakers and the seemingly unending stream of people filing into the expansive Aganju fore court of the ancient palace of Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, were signs that something unusual was going on within the large palace premises. It was the grand finale of the first ever Oranyan day, celebrated last Saturday in the historic town that stands the Yoruba race out.

Yoruba traditional rulers of note jostled for seats, while their sister rulers from across the West Coast, stood to be counted.

From Benin Republic to Republic of Togo and beyond, Yoruba descents graced the event described as a pacesetter in the history of festivals within the Yoruba nation.

The week-long festival, which climaxed on Saturday, brought to the fore the rich cultural essence of the Oyo people; who arguably represent the core heritage of Yoruba as a nation. Traditional Gangan and Bata drummers were at their best displaying their expertise in drumming and chorography. So also were praise singers and the local entertainers, who used the occasion to exhibit the richness of Oyo and its profound influence on the Yorubas.

Earlier at an interactive session with the Alaafin, the festival, it was said, was not only to venerate Oranyan, Oyo’s progenitor and the first Alaafin in Oyo land, but to honour him for effectively transferring the political capital of Yorubas from Ile-Ife, the cradle of the race, to Oyo. Since inception of the town no one had ever thought of honouring Oranyan, this in the opinions of the organisers and the Alaafin, was an outright disregard for iconic figures. Oba Adeyemi’s passion about honouring Yoruba’s remarkable ancestors spurred him and his Oyo Meesis (Oyo traditional council of Chiefs), to celebrate the greatness of Oranyan, the first Alaafin of Oyo, the grandson of Oduduwa, the progenitor of Yoruba race. Oranyan, according to the monarch, was the progenitor of Oyo who made the town and the race prominent in history. He was reputed to have established the longest enduring empire known in history. Oyo Empire lasted 600 years, an unmatched feat anywhere in the world.

“Oranyan was the only single potentate to have set up an empire that was peaceful, enduring and which withstood the test of time. I would not begin to cite authorities that had written about him. If I cited the one from Oyo they will say it’s because I’m an Oyo man. But I will mention that great historian, Prof Akintoye from Ekiti, his book on Oyo Empire and Oranyan said a lot about the man Oranyan and Oyo. Margret Penham, a British lady, a ‘negrophobist,’ who never liked Africa, but when she came to Africa in 1930, had a change of mind. She met a world acclaimed political system in Yorubaland. She said Yoruba came under the leadership of Oranyan, the Alaafin of Oyo and that was the only time Yoruba had peace. This was in the West Africa Passage,” Oba Adeyemi had explained.

What we intended with the festival was to bring to the fore who and what Oranyan was. “He was a grandson of Oduduwa, who became the light of Yoruba race. The Almighty made him the chosen one amongst his siblings. He was the first to establish an empire. Other kings in his time had kingdoms, but he had an empire which consisted of kingdoms. If you checked with historians, his feat was unmatched. He was a puzzle for those with knowledge of history. To them, how could an uneducated black man thought of establishing an empire, let alone maintained it for a

•Ataoja of Osogbo Oba Jimoh Olanipekun (middle) flanked by other traditional rulers

FESTIVAL longer period of time? That was their reasoning,” Alaafin said.

“In contemporary Nigeria how many times have we celebrated Awolowo, Saudauna of Sokoto and Azikiwe? Probably their tombs have rotten away. How many know about Herbert Macaulay, the doyen of Nigerian Politics? He was a thorn in the flesh of the British colonial masters. He set up the first newspaper in Nigeria, Lagos Daily. Who was the first Nigerian lawyer?

Sapara Williams. He graduated at the age of 19 from Fourah Bay College, Sierra Leone in 1878. He was the only lawyer in his time who, would go to court with a piece of paper and quote decided cases off hand to confuse and confound his opponents, Alaafin reminisced.

Last Saturday’s event played out Alaafin’s thoughts and actions about his passion for his ancestors. There were, of course, series of events before Saturday. The festival took off on Saturday, September 8, with a live phoning programme on the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), Oyo State owned Radio and Television station. It was followed with festival carnival at the Aganju fore court of the palace. There were other programmes from Monday to Thursday, which included arts and crafts exhibitions; film show that documented the lives of Alaafin Sango and the current Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III; lectures and sports competition, while the last Saturday’s event was the icing on the cake.

The day before, however, was dubbed Gbegiri day, dedicated to feasting on Amala and Gbegiri soup, a delicacy common among Yoruba, but popularised by the Oyo and Ibadan people. Gbegiri is a soup made from beans and often served with Amala, yam flour dough prepared in hot water.

As early as 9am dignitaries from all walks of life had gathered on the expansive Aganju fore court, not minding the sea of heads outside the ancient gate and the adjoining streets to the palace.

Traditional rulers from virtually all Yoruba speaking states joined their counterparts from Benin and Togo Republics, to celebrate the iconic figure of Oranyan. They were already seated with their host under the large canopy for the event to begin.

PHOTOS: SEYI ODEWALE

The event began with prayers said in the three recognised religions; Christianity, Islam and African Traditional Religion.

It was followed by the traditional homage paid to the Alaafin by the Oyo Meesi; the rendition of the National Anthem and the town’s Anthem; recognition of dignitaries and the Oriki of Oyo (Oyo’s cognomen).

There were other features such as chorographic display by Ajobata Group, a group of Bata dancers, which thrilled the teeming spectators that watched in awe the dancers’ dexterity.

Delivering the festival lecture, the Awise Agbaye, Prof.

Wande Abimbola, who is also an Oyo indigene, espoused the need to celebrate Oranyan, whom he referred to as the greatest of Oduduwa’s offspring. Oranyan, according to him, was the great warrior who established the longest enduring empire in history.

The former Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) traced Alaafin’s lineage from Oranyan and extolled their virtues and exploits. With interjections of Ifa’s panegyric utterances, Prof Abimbola told Oranyan’s history, the myth surrounding his birth and what the name connotes. It was from him that the huge crowd knew that a room still exists in the ancient palace of Ile-Ife, whose door can only be opened by the descendants of Oranyan. The room, he said, is Oranyan’s room.

The high point of the event was Alaafin’s entering of his forebears’ room, which signified the home coming of a son into his father’s house. This, in the words of the organisers, was symbolic to Alaafin. The royal father, decked in a red Sanyan, with orange embroidery and a matching Abeti Aja cap, stood up from where he sat beside the Orangun of Ila, Oba Wahab Oyedotun and proceeded to the old palace.

Prizes and awards were presented to winners of Yoruba quiz competition and soccer competition. The event was rounded off with the announcement of the former Governor of Oyo State, Dr Victor Olunloyo, as the Balogun of Oyo Empire by the Vice Chairman, Organising Committee, Oranyan Festival, Archbishop, Ayo Ladigbolu, who is also an Oyo prince. The event, Bishop Ladigbolu said, would be the reference point in both Yoruba and Oyo history.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

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BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Forecasts Q3 Sept 2012 Oasis Ins Turnover N450m Profit after tax N63.894m Access Bank Gross earnings N54.782b Profit after tax N11.907b Resort Savings & Loans Gross earnings N960.736m Profit after tax N165.540m Trans-Nationwide Exp Gross earnings N170.342m Profit after tax N40.568m GT Assure Gross premium N9.525b Profit after tax N1.241b Pharma-Deko Turnover N454m Profit before tax N10m Cornerstone Ins Premium Revenue N919.418m Profit after tax N41.002m Skye Bank Gross earnings N99.710b Profit after tax N13.933b CCNN Turnover N3.683b Profit after Tax N402.165m Custodian & Allied Gross Premium N8.540b Profit after tax N1.345b UPDC Turnover N10.274b Profit after tax N1.002b Nestle Nig Turnover N28.850b Profit after tax N4.014b UACN Turnover N48.313b Profit after tax N4.611b Julius Berger Turnover N125.541b Profit after tax N3.993b Diamond Bank Gross earnings N27.315b Profit after tax N3.107b Oando Turnover N123.207b Profit after tax N2.967b Presco Turnover N2.400b Profit after tax N613.760m Berger Paints Turnover N976.303m Profit after tax N88.258m Eterna Turnover N56.413b Profit after tax N859.734m Consolidated Hallmark Ins Gross premium N4.110b Profit after tax N511.564m MRS Oil Nig Turnover N76.804b Profit after tax N1.068b Transcorp Total income N2.658b Profit after tax N1.507b Evans Medicals Revenue N1.619b Profit after tax N64.656m AIICO Ins Gross premium N2.561b Profit after tax N344.406m GSK Nig Turnover N6.756b Profit after taxation N580.824m Abbey Building Society Gross earnings N1.300b Profit after tax N217.537m Regency Alliance Gross premium N1.300b Profit after tax N303.777m Total Nigeria Turnover N54.466b Profit after tax N1.804b Red Star Express Turnover N2.888b Profit after tax N200.557m Cadbury Nig Turnover N9.873b Profit after tax N735m Okomu Oil Turnover N2.176b Profit after tax N667.068m Continental Re Turnover N10.028b Profit after tax N1.207b Livestock Feeds Turnover N1.379b Profit after tax N51.654m IEI Gross Premium N4.250b Profit after tax N533.898m

•INSIDE:

As far as local content is concerned, the ICT industry is uncompetitive because it is cheaper to import a base station than to fabricate one in Nigeria. It is cheaper to import a chip card than to make and personalise in Nigeria.

- Mrs Omobola Johnson, Minister of Communications Technology

Market recovery: Firms revive fund M raising plans ANY companies that had shelved earlier plans to raise new capital from the capital market due to the lingering recession have restarted discussions about prospects of accessing new equity funds from the market.

Investment banking sources said there were indications of renewed interests in the new issue market following sustained recovery in the stock market, which has seen considerable restoration of equities’ values and investors’ confidence in recent period.

They indicated that ongoing discussions could lead to debut of early new issues in the market around the first quarter of 2013 if the market sustained its ongoing recovery.

Market sources said although the talks were still not definitive, the discussions pointed to imminent rebound of the new issue market.

From a whooping N1.3 trillion in 2007, the recession that started in 2008 had withered enthusiasms for new

By Taofik Salako

issues, especially equities, as new issues dropped to about N86 billion in 2009. It has since declined consecutively with the few new equity issues in recent years - largely rights issues motivated by large core investors seeking to recapitalize their companies.

Companies were however, said to be considering that the positive sentiments from the secondary market recovery would impact on new equity issues.

Reports by boards of directors of several companies had indicated that companies were constrained by their inability to source new equity capital due to the meltdown at the capital market while recourse to highinterest bank loans depressed probable returns to shareholders.

Reports by quoted companies highlighted the twin-problem of high cost of fund and liquidity squeeze on corporate earnings.

Several companies had earlier indicated plans for supplementary equity issues and initial public offering (IPO) but suspended the plans due to what they described as unfavourable situation at the primary market.

Not less than 11 companies had earlier indicated interests in raising new equity funds. These included companies such as Cement Company of Northern Nigeria (CCNN), May and Baker Nigeria, Fidson Healthcare, RT Briscoe, DN Meyer, Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (Nahco), Lafarge Wapco Cement Nigeria Plc and UACN Property Development Company (UPDC)

•From left: Chairman Chevy Chase Nig Ltd Dr Chris Edordu, Project Promoter / Chairman BLISS INTERNATIONAL HOTELS Mr Tony Ubogu,Managing Director China Railway NO 3 Engineering Group Nig Ltd Mr Zhang Kibin..The Project Consultant/ Chairman CEO Charles Adebiyi Cunsunlting ltd Chief Charles Adebiyi at the Contract Signing ceremony of Proposed Development of Protea Hotel Asaba Delta state held in lagos weekend PHOTOS DAYO ADEWUNMI

Plc. Two prospective new listingsPromasidor Nigeria Limited and Notore Chemical Industries Limited had also mulled plans to float IPOs. Many banks were said to be considering proactive fund-raising plans to boost their lending capacity and forestall adverse impact from global and domestic regulatory changes.

Many banks have subsisting shareholders’ resolutions to raise new funds through equity and debt issues.

Most of the companies had already intimated shareholders of the necessity of accessing new funds while many have started and completed some key steps in the new issue process. Already, CCNN had secured shareholders’ approval to raise N45 billion. The company had gotten approval to raise N15 billion each through rights issue, public offer and a rights-based secured convertible debenture issue.

This implied that the company would be seeking to raise up to N30 billion from existing shareholders while new investors and existing shareholders would contribute N15 billion. A secured convertible debenture would give opportunity to debenture holders to choose to convert their holdings to ordinary shares at a later date.

While some of the companies plan to use net proceeds of their offers for business expansion, most of the companies would use the funds to restructure their balance sheets by reducing bank loans and providing additional working capital to support long-term growth.

CCNN was planning to raise funds to finance expansion while Promasidor and Notore plan to use net proceeds of their IPOs to partly finance its new factory.

Notore plans to raise more than N160 billion. The net proceeds from the IPO would be used to finance a brand new fertilizer plant, with a conservative estimated cost of $1 billion. The new fertilizer plant was part of the company’s expansion programme, which aimed to build new capacity to support the current attainable capacity of the existing plant of 750,000 metric tonnes.

How savings from currency overhaul’ll be spent, by CBN

S

AVINGS from the planned currency overhaul will be used by the government in creating jobs and strengthening key infrastructure in the country, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said.

CBN Deputy Governor, Operations, Tunde Lemo, who disclosed this in Lagos, noted that cost of currency management has been on the rise, with over N125 billion spent in the past three years printing and minting currency.

Lemo was responding to criticisms against the apex bank currency restructuring programme, which will see N5,000 banknote introduced into the economy early 2013. The currency will become the highest value bill in circulation even as other changes will see the lower denomination bills of N5, N10 and N20 converted into coins.

This will increase the country’s currency structure to 12 from 11, divided equally between coins and notes.

He explained that the currency over-

‘Rebusing’ll raise GDP by N270b’

•Page 30

By Collins Nweze

haul will save the country a lot of funds, as the new banknote is cheaper, easier to carry and manage. It will also lead to drastic reduction in cost of banking operations. Such funds, he said, will be used to create jobs and boost infrastructure.

However, he said that banks do not have the power to compel their customers to accept the N5, 000 banknote if and where it is not convenient for such customers. Such customers, he advised, can ask for alternative banknotes where they think the N5, 000 is not convenient and banks should oblige such requests. ”Banks cannot compel bank customers to take the N5, 000 banknote.

Bank customers can decide to accept or reject the proposed banknotes where they are not convenient. If you do not need it, you can as well ask that alternative banknotes be provided,” he said.

Lemo said there is no link between inflation and higher currency denominations, adding the value of the currency will remain the same. He argued that in many economies in which large-denomination notes and coins circulate actually have some of the lowest inflation rates often combined with impressive records of growth citing the United States, Japan, United Kingdom and the Euro area are some of the examples. He said that Japan has a single banknote of 10,000 Yen (Y10, 000) and that inflation in the country is one of the lowest in the world.

He said there is no contradiction between the proposed banknotes and the cashless policy of the apex bank, adding that the objective of cashless policy is to drive efficiency in the management of banking transactions.

According to him, cashless simply means that less cash will be used and not absence of cash. He said that introducing the N5, 000 banknote will

‘Cash transaction in Africa 80%’ •Page 31

create efficiency and drastically reduce cost of printing banknotes in the country.

He said that Nigerians do not hate coins as most people have insinuated, rather, it was the fact that coins used in the past could hardly buy anything.

He said that the CBN is yet to decide on which company will print the N5, 000 banknote, adding that the bidding process for the contract will be competitive.

He expressed surprise at the response that greeted the proposed banknote, adding that perhaps, it was a transferred aggression because of the hardship in the country. Lemo said economic hardship is not peculiar to Nigeria alone, adding that other countries of the world are also going through severe economic hardship.

Justifying the currency overhaul, the Lemo said that every currency gets reviewed once in a while and that Nigeria is not an exception.

MFBs mull mergers,acquisitions •Page 31

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

30

MONEY

How economic meltdown exposed banks’ inadequacies, by CBN T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued a competency framework that will guide banking operations and narrow skills gap in the sector. In a draft report, the apex bank said the global financial crisis exposed the inadequacy of skills and dearth of executive capacity in the industry.

The skills gap, it said, manifested in, among others, the lack of indepth knowledge of core banking functions and poor understanding of basic banking operations; poor understanding of banking regulations and poor risk management and corporate governance practices.

The framework is expected to address the competency challenges in the industry, explore growth opportunities as well as critically facilitate improvement in the quality of the industry’s human capital. Under the framework, success-

Stories by Collins Nweze

ful banks will be those that distinguish themselves by according high priority to continuous enhancement of human capital and lifelong learning.

There have also been knowledge gaps in financial markets and treasury management, business development practices; and poor relationship management techniques mainly due to poor training. It said the development of staff competencies has become important in addressing these inadequacies, underscoring the need to train a new generation of banking professionals that is customer-centric, technology-savvy and flexible.

“With stability now restored to the banking system following several measures and initiatives by the CBN under the on-going banking sector reforms, it is imperative that

immediate steps be taken to consciously re-direct the industry towards the path of entrenching a sequenced competency development programme,” it said.

According to the banking watchdog, the exercise is predicated on the need for banks to accord high priority to the continuous enhancement of human capital and lifelong learning. This will imbue banking professionals with the requisite skills and expertise not only at the strategic and management levels, but also at the technical and operational levels.

It said the availability of appropriately trained and competent human resources is a critical factor in supporting the effective performance of the banking industry.

This, in essence, according to the apex bank, implies that continuous strengthening of intellectual resources and capabilities must be

undertaken to create a pool of talented and high calibre professionals in the banking industry.

The apex bank also said it will maintain a central database for approved persons. By this directive, all banks as reporting institutions will update the database with details of approved persons and access it as part of their due diligence prior to the engagement and appointment of persons within the industry.

The proposed framework leverages on the practices in other jurisdictions such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Dubai which provide a useful guide and template for the banking industry.

“To ensure that only fit and proper persons man the different job roles and control functions within the industry, all persons for the position of Assistant General

• CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido

Manager and above as well as critical operational positions shall be approved for appointment in line with the Assessment Criteria for Approved Persons Regime issued and reviewed from time to time by the CBN,” he said.

NGOs, EFCC to meet over money laundering allegations

S

• From left: Director, Banking Supervision, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mrs Tokunbo Martins; MD/CEO Stanbic IBTC, Mrs Sola David-Borha; MD/CEO, Digital Jewels, Mrs Adedoyin Odunfa and Director-General, Transformation, Lagos State, Toba Otusanya at the 50th edition of Information Value Chain (IVC) celebration in Lagos.

RenCap: Assets, returns decide banks’ share-price • Lauds Zenith, GTBank, Stanbic IBTC

T

HE key drivers of recovery in the banking sector shareprice performance this year will be based on assets quality, capital issues, outlook for loan growth, competition, sustainable returns and valuations, Renaissance Capital (RenCap), an investment and research firm, has said.

A report by RenCap tagged: “Nigerian Banks, a Whole New Day Again” said the pressing question on most investors’ minds is whether the loan book of banks are clean.

RenCap said it examined the size of write-off taken, and concluded that 2011 should have been the peak year for banks but for those write-offs.

The research firm said its analysis showed GTBank, Stanbic IBTC and Zenith Bank have better quality books, while two other banks were facing challenges on this front.

It said most of the banks it covered on capital issues such as capital bases and capital adequacy ratios (CAR) were overcapitalised

and are positioned to absorb losses without requiring additional capital injections.

“We know many investors are both weary and wary of the Nigerian banking sector after some challenging years. Share price performance has been dismal, nonperforming loans and Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) write-offs continued throughout 2011, reported loan growth for some banks was disappointing and the expected recovery in returns and profitability did not fully materialise last year,” it said.

Despite these challenges, RenCap insisted that the banking sector is now stronger, and the outlook brighter for 2012.

RenCap’s examination of growth potential for the sector showed that at last year’s underlying run rate, private credit could easily grow at 25 to 30 per cent this year.

Besides, banking penetration is below the emerging market (EM) standard, and even some frontier market peers.

The sector, according to RenCap, has achieved average credit growth of 33 per cent over the past decade, to yield a loan to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio of 32 per cent, even after accounting for sales to AMCON over the past two years.

It concluded that mergers are never easy and forecast that scale benefits and cost synergies are likely to take longer to come through than management envision. But Access Bank, it said, the lender seems to be ahead of the curve on this front.

On Fidelity Bank, RenCap said it expects loan book growth of 28 per cent, against 26 per cent growth in deposits. It projected impairment ratio to decline to 1.8 per cent and operating cost to grow by 25 per cent.

It is also looking at net earnings of 41 per cent, which will translate to return on assets of 1.4 per cent and return on equity of 8.3 per cent.

For FCMB, it forecast a combined loan book growth of 18 per cent and 20 per cent for deposits, equating to a loans to deposit ratio of 62 per cent.

OME Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) are to meet with the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to discuss allegations of money laundering against some of them.

A letter from Zero Corruption Coalition (ZCC) to SCUML advised interested NGOs to send their contact details for submission to SCUML office, to enable the agency process their invitation.

National Publicity Secretary of ZCC Lukman Adefolahan confirmed that the meeting will hold next Wednesday at the SCUML Headquarters, Abuja, and that all concerned NGOs across the country are expected to attend.

Head of SCUML Ms Angela Nworgu had said NGOs served as conduit for money laundering and sponsorship of criminal activities.

She spoke at the annual seminar for Designated Non-Financial Institutions (DNFIs) with the theme Strategic Partnership Amongst DNFIs for Effective Implementation of AML/CFT Regime in Nigeria at the EFCC Academy in Karu, Abuja.

SCUML is a unit at the Federal Ministry of Trade & Investment that gathers intelligence on AntiMoney Laundering/Combating of Financial Terrorism (AML/CFT).

Its counterpart in the financial sector is called the Nigeria Finan-

cial Intelligence Unit (NFIU). Drawing on research by the Financial Action Task Force, she warned that money launderers “who use NGOs to carry out layering of stolen wealth through several countries...to disguise the actual origin of the money do not mind losing 40 per cent of the amount in the process, because it is money gotten from illegitimate means.”

Ms Nworgu said the essence of the seminar was to expose compliance officers to their obligations and responsibilities in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing. Part of the letter by ZCC, online version of which was obtained by The Nation read: “While we do not pretend to hold brief for every and each NGO operating in the country given their proliferation, many registered by serving civil servants against the provisions of the code of conduct act, we make bold to say that there are many credible CSOs operating in Nigeria.

“We as a member of the advisory council of NDFIs feel it is not too late to make a conscious effort at meeting and engaging with CSOs regionally and or at the national level. We want your office to consider a forum regionally and or at the national level in order to create a proper understanding of SCUML’s requirements from the CSOs and to build the necessary collaboration and cooperation needed,” it said.

‘Rebasing‘ll raise GDP by N270b’

R

EBASING will see Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GPD) rise by at least around $270 billion or about 40 per cent, the Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Bismark Rewane, has said.

Driven by non-oil sector growth, Nigeria’s economy grew 6.28 per cent in the second quarter this year, up slightly from 6.17 per cent in the first quarter, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) had said last Sunday.

Nigeria had recorded a Gross Domestic Growth (GDP) growth of 10.3 per cent, 10.6 per cent, 5.4 per cent, 6.2 per cent, 7 per cent, 6 per cent, 7 per cent and 7.4 per cent in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 respectively.

Rewane said GDP rebasing is something countries do after a number of years in order to im-

prove the accuracy of macroeconomic statistics, to take into account developments such as evolution of prices, changes in output and consumption. He said: “In Nigeria, my understanding is that we will alter the base year for the calculation of our GDP from 1990 to 2009. This will, of course, see the GPD of around $270 billion rise sharply, perhaps by as much as 40 per cent. ”The growth of the telecommunications industry since 1990 is not yet accurately captured in the GDP figure. Rebasing the GDP will have some positive symbolic implications such as bringing our GDP much closer to that of South Africa and possibly making Nigeria more attractive as a potential foreign investment destination. But in my personal view, it still does not address the fundamental structural changes needed in the economy.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

31

MONEY

MfBs consider mergers, acquisitions to meet Dec 31 recapitalisation deadline

M

ICROFINANCE Banks (MfBs) are considering mergers and acquisitions to beat the December 31, deadline to recapitalise, The Nation has learnt.

Other plans include cutting staff strength and closure of inactive branches.

The development became necessary to enable the banks meet the N20 million, N100 million and N2 billion capital base imposed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) last year. The apex bank expects the banks that want to operate as a unit level to provide N20 million, state level (N100 million) while those that are willing to play at the national level must have N2 billion.

According to operators, who spoke under cover, the development will enable the banks muster enough financial muscle and prevent CBN’s hammer. The sources said many of the banks considering mergers are under-capitalised due to lack of business and unwillingness of their shareholders to inject fresh funds into their operations.

Speaking on the issue, the Managing Director, LAPO Microfinance Bank Limited, Mr Godwin Ehigiamusoe, said most of the banks are trying to meet the dead-

By Akinola Ajibade

line.

He said the banks could employ the option of merger and acquisitions, in the event that they are unable to get enough funds for recapitalisation. Ehigiamusoe said merger option cannot be ruled out under this dispensation because some banks may like to operate at a higher level.

Also, the immediate past national president, NAMBS, Mr Matthias Omeh confirmed the development, saying the banks are planning to merge.

Omeh said the banks have been talking to one another on the issue, adding that merger is one of the feasible options of meeting the CBN’s requirements.

“Mergers and acquisitions is automatic. Operators have been discussing the issue. It is an on-going thing. We have agreed about the ownership structures in the event of merger arrangements between two or more microfinance institutions. For instance, if two MfBs are going to merge, one bank would become the headquarters, while the other would serve as a branch,” he said.

Mathias said CBN will allow the banks to merge, even after the expiration of December 31, 2012 dead-

line.

He said the banks are planning to merge because it would make them stronger, have clean balance sheets and further attract foreign investments into the banking subsector.

However, the Chairman, National Association of Microfinance Banks (NAMBs) Southwest region, Mr Olufemi Babajide, said the association has directed the banks to intimate the body of the level they want to operate by month end.

He said: “The issue is not about recapitalisation now, but is centered on the categorisation as spelt out

by CBN in its recapitalisation guidelines. We told the banks to let the association know whether they want to operate at a unit, state or national level before the end of this month. We just want to have the information about where the operators want to play.”

He said the banks know how important the issue of recapitalisation is, arguing that they are at liberty to choose the capital base that best suits their needs. “ For instance, if a bank chooses to play at a unit level in which it can only open a single office, I don’t think that should be a problem at this stage of recapitalisation process,” he said.

‘IT can stop bank fraud’

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HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has provided an insight into how banks can avert fraudulent practices, using the information and technology (IT) mechanisms.

CBN Director, Banking Supervision, Mrs Olatokunbo Martins, who spoke on Banking Supervision Using Technology to Avert Banking Supervision, said the crisis that engulfed the industry a few years ago would have been avoided if banks had used the right technology for their auditing and accounting processes.

She spoke at a programme organised for IT and banking professionals. The event was at the instance of Digital Jewels, an Information and technology and management consulting firm.

Martins said banks must use technology that warns of impending discrepancies in the financial statements.

She said the technology must issue alerts when improper activities occur, adding that there is a problem whenever an application user requests for clarity of certain information or data.

She said banks must ensure confidentiality, integrity and security of information system before they can tackle frauds. She also said lenders must obtain technical advice before designing, formulating, and enforcing information and technology control system to forestall hitches arising from audit.

“Bank’ examiners must maintain the privacy of information in the course of their duties. This can be made pos-

By Akinola Ajibade

sible through the use of right technology. When they go for supervision, they must emphasise continuous monitoring of data, and logical security of IT system. She advised banks to guide against the usage and transmission of data, arguing that it would experience electronic frauds when data are not properly channelled.

Citing a study conducted by Symantec Corporation, a United States- based firm, Martins said the annual cost of cyber crimes has reached $100 billion.

She said Nigeria is responsible for 6.4 per cent of on-line fraud in US, and ranks third in cyber crimes by internet crime complaint centre.

She said cyber criminals carry out up to 72 successful attacks in a week, arguing that the most common ones are usage of malicious codes, stolen devices and web-based attacks.

She said banks can conduct a riskbased supervision, by using some of the universally acceptable IT processes.

“In conducting a risk-based supervision, banks must look at significant activities, identify the risks there and mitigate those risks in the significant activities to encourage growth. Technology can identify loopholes in the books of banks sooner than later and further help banks to put precautionary methods.

From the side of the examiners, many problems could have been discovered earlier if the right technology had been used,” she added.

Bank chief, others for confab THE Director, Project and Export Finance Department, Standard Chartered Bank (SCB), London, Mr Ade Adeola will deliver a paper at the fourth biennial conference of the Youth Alliance for Leadership and Development in Africa (YALDA) in Lagos.

Others include the Commonwealth Deputy Secretary General, Mrs Nmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba, and Chief Executive Officer, founder Leap Africa and co-founder Mrs. Ndidi Nwuneli, Suburban Nigeria, Mr Suleiman Arzika.

The conference tagged: Innovation and Creativity for a Better Africa: Implementing Your Dreams, will take place at Lagos Business School.

Speaking on the event, an official of the organisation, Miss Kalaya Okereke said the four- day conference will utilise five key methods in empowering the expected 250 delegates.

Union Bank’s boss tasks govt on SMEs THE Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Union Bank Plc, Mrs Funke Osibodu has called on policy makers to address the problems facing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

Osibodu said this would boost economic growth and job creation.

She made this call at a meeting of the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) held with Union Bank management.

Mrs Osibodu attributed the pitfalls associated with schemes such as National Economic Reconstruction Fund (NERFUND), Small and Medium Entreprises Equity Investment Scheme (SMEEIS) and SMECGS to infrastructural and environmental constraints.

“The sector has remained bogged down with factors including unstable inflation, inadequate fiscal incentive and legal framework,” she said.

Mrs Osibodu observed that some of these problems were inherent in the very characteristics of small business and start-ups, while others are direct outcomes of economic changes, which had affected SMEs more than big business outfits.

• From left: Director, Corporate and Indirect Channel Sales, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr Ken Ogujiofor; Chief Commercial Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr Wael Ammar; the Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adegboye Adesida, Afunbiowo II and Director, Product & Service, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr Lucas Dada, during the visit to Oba Adesida’s palace, as part of activities to mark Etisalat’s 3G launch in Akure on Monday.

Cash transactions in Africa 80%, says minting firm C ASH transactions represent about 80 per cent of financial transactions in Africa, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company Limited (NSPMC), Ehidiamen Okoyomon, has said.

Speaking exclusively to The Nation, he said managing cash efficiently and securely presents many challenges.

Noting that managing cash is an essential part of any bank operations, he said the challenge confronting most lenders was getting the right technology to replace the present system in order to derive

By Collins Nweze

the attendant benefits from such technology implementations.

According to him, the fact that cash continues to be used widely highlights the need for its management to come under constant scrutiny for improved handling and efficiency.

He said: “The belief that ‘cash is king’ is gradually being challenged in the light of new developments in technology, culture and social systems across the world. Therefore, it has become very urgent and impor-

tant for an association such as ours to explore the linkages between cash, newer payments systems, authentication and security because of increased crime across the world.

“For financial institutions, the continuing rise in cash volumes brings with it increasing challenge of ensuring that it is handled effectively and securely. Inefficient cash management can be extremely expensive. Conversely, when handled efficiently, the benefits can go far beyond cost savings alone. For the last five years, the fast spread of mobile payment systems has captured the imagination of the African continent and beyond.”

Banking option for rural areas ECOBANK has introduced a mobile money product designed to take banking to the unbanked.

A statement from the bank said the product was designed to deepen financial inclusion for all classes of Nigerian citizens, especially those in the rural and semi-urban areas, as well as reduce cash dependency level in day to day transactions.

Head, e-Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, Mike Ogbalu explained this while responding to media enquiries on the uniqueness of the product launched recently. He said the product, is also key in achieving the cashless banking initiative by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

“Ecobank Mobile Money aims at bridging the gap between the banked and unbanked Nigerians and can be used by both account and non-account holders of the bank. This is part of Ecobank’s mission to provide convenient, accessible and reliable financial products and services to the Nigerian people.

“Nigerians, irrespective of their location are now able to use their cell phones to conduct basic financial transactions – even if they don’t have a bank account,” he said.

The product, he said, enables Cash in and Cash out transactions; Person to Person Transfer (P2P); Cash Redemption; Airtime Purchase; Mobile Banking - Phone to Bank, Bank to Phone; Bank account information - account balance, mini-statement; Bank account services amongst others. Registration on the platform is free.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

32

THE NATION INVESTORS

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Banking stocks gain N717billion

ANKING stocks have added N717 billion in new capital gains this year, nearly half of the total capital gains by the stock market.

Banking stocks opened this week with a market capitalisation of N2.553 trillion, an increase of 39 per cent on total sectoral value of N1.836 trillion recorded at the start of the year.

Aggregate market value of all equities indicated total gains of N1.533 trillion at the start of trading this week as equities’ secondary values rose from 2012’s opening value of N6.533 trillion to open this week at N8.066 trillion.

However, number of quoted banks reduced during the period

Stories by Taofik Salako

from 16 to 15 following the absorption of Ecobank Nigeria Plc by its bank-holding parent companyEcobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) Plc. Capital gains analysis of banking stocks so far showed that First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) Plc has made the highest recovery in terms of value while Union Bank of Nigeria led in terms of percentage of growth. Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) meanwhile remained the most capitalised banking stock. Access Bank made the most dramatic upshot to the top-five bracket.

But five banks including First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Skye

Bank, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Unity Bank and Wema Bank Plc are still on the negative with losses within the range of N897 million and N25 billion.

First Bank has gained N182.74 billion to lead the banking stocks. GTB followed with a gain of N145.69 billion. Zenith Bank placed third with total capital gains of about N130 billion. Access Bank trailed with about N126 billion. Union Bank gained about N95 billion while UBA added N70.3 billion.

Others with sustained capital gains included Diamond Bank, N19.54 billion; ETI, N15.7 billion; Fidelity Bank, N9.56 billion and Sterling Bank, which has added N5.65 billion to investors’ value.

Equities beat fixed-income securities

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UOTED equities have scaled up to the top of returns’ table among investment securities as sustained rallies continued to build up real positive return on investment for equities.

The Nation’s check showed that most fixed-income securities opened this week several notches below average equity return, with gap as wide as five percentage points in some instances.

Average return by equity opened this week at 22.22 per cent, 10 per cent above fixed-income benchmark Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) of 12 per cent and some 9.4 per cent real returns above current inflation rate of 12.8 per cent.

Official data by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) showed that 91day Nigerian Treasury Bills currently carry a yield of 13.64 per cent while three-month tenor deposit rate of banks stand at 8.57 per cent. Average inter-bank call rate stands at 16.14 per cent.

Market data showed that sevenday Nigerian Interbank Offer Rate (NIBOR) opened trading at 16.71 per cent while the 30-day and 90day NIBOR started at 16.96 per cent and 17.33 per cent respectively.

The Nation’s market intelligence shows that bonds currently have coupons of between 4.0 per cent and 19 per cent, indicating the yield spread within the fixed-income segment.

Coupons or interest rates within the corporate bonds segment ranged between 10 per cent and 19

per cent. The UPDC 2015 bond issue carries the lowest interest at 10 per cent while Tower Funding Plc bond carries the highest rate of 19 per cent.

In the sovereign bond segment, the five-year tenor Federal Government of Nigeria April 2015 bond has the lowest interest rate of 4.0 per cent while the 10-year long-term bond due for maturity in 2012 has the highest rate of 16.39 per cent.

Sub-national bonds-comprising mainly of bonds by state governments, indicated return range of between 10 to 15.5 per cent. The N57.5 billion seven-year Lagos State Government bond carries the lowest coupon of 10 per cent while Imo State Fixed Rate Redeemable Bond indicates highest rate of 15.50 per cent.

Market analysts said the improvement in returns at the equity market could lead to bandwagon gains as late adopters follow the track of the bullish rally.

Investment analyst, TWR Stockbrokers Limited, Abdu-Rasheed Momoh, said equities still have headroom for growth, noting that market’s benchmark index could rise as high as 27,000 points, after some initial resistance. This implies possible addition of some eight percentage points to reach average return of 30.2 per cent.

“My own momentum indicators, which are short-term, still indicate a positive trend, and the overall index is still below the middle of the trading ranges of the individual

On the other hand, market value of Stanbic IBTC Bank showed a depreciation of N25.13 billion. FCMB followed with a loss of N13.75 billion. Shareholders in Skye Bank were down by N10.6 billion while Unity Bank and Wema Bank struggled with losses of N1.7 billion and N897 million respectively.

In terms of percentage growth, Union Bank quadrupled its market value with an increase of 353 per cent. Access Bank followed with 146.6 per cent. UBA returned about 84 per cent while Diamond Bank and First Bank indicated 70 per cent and 63 per cent respectively.

Most analysts still hold that banking stocks generally remain

relatively below their fair values.

Analysts said there were still possibilities that the sector could witness further gains given the comparable fundamentals and market considerations of Nigerian banks and their peers in other markets.

However, several analysts were wary of what they described as regulatory somersaults that often lead to dramatic changes in the outlook for the banking sector.

Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company (FDC), Mr. Bismarck Rewane, said there were greater growth prospects for Nigerian banks compared with the developed economies and other frontier markets.

Transcorp targets N2b net profit

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•CEO, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Oscar Onyema

components,” Momoh indicated.

He outlined that several stocks including Access Bank; Chemical & Allied Products, Evans Medical, First Bank of Nigeria, Guaranty Trust Bank, Okomu Oil Palm, Presco, Nestle Nigeria and Zenith Bank among others were still below resistant levels.

He however, cautioned that the few stocks that have been leading the pack might not have the capacity to move the overall average return as they approach their five to eight- year resistant levels, except new bull leaders take over.

Analysts at Partnership Investment Company Plc also shared the optimism that equities would sustain its lead noting that substantial upswing would remain, in spite of expected profit-taking transactions.

“Some stocks however, still trade below their intrinsic value and are a pick for bargain hunters and value investors,” analysts stated.

RANSNATIONAL Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) Plc could make a net profit of about N2.01 billion this year, according to latest estimates by the board of the conglomerate.

Forecasts for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2012 indicated that the company expected to make profit before tax of N2.17 billion from total income of N3.6 billion. After taxes, net profit is expected to be N2.005 billion.

The forecasts indicate possible earnings per share of 7.8 kobo.

Speaking recently on the outlook for the company, chairman, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria, Mr. Tony Elumelu, said the conglomerate would optimize its idle assets and invest in new facilities and businesses to ensure stable growth and returns to shareholders.

He said the company has commenced the execution of its expansion plans to fully utilise the massive unutilised land on its Transcorp Hilton Abuja site and roll out new hotels across major economic centres in Nigeria such as Lagos and Port Harcourt.

He added that the conglomerate has also signed a partnership agreement with Symbion Power, a US-based energy company, to engage in power production venture, which would lead to a significant increase in power production for the benefit of the nation.

According to him, the conglomerate took several significant steps in its key sectors of agribusiness, energy and hospitality

– that would no doubt see Transcorp taking its rightful place as a key player in the economic development and transformation of Nigeria.

He outlined that Transcorp’s agribusiness subsidiary, Teragro Ltd, has the annual capacity to process 26,500 metric tonnes of oranges, mangoes and pineapples, turning them into juice concentrate that will be supplied to ready-to-drink juice manufacturers in Nigeria and beyond.

“This plant will contribute tremendously to increased employment, the utilisation of local produce, as well as serve as a domestic supply substitute for indigenous manufacturers. I am excited and optimistic about Nigeria’s coming of age. Now is the time to become fully engaged in transformational investments that create economic prosperity and social wealth by increasing employment and enhancing the quality of life for all Nigerians,” Elumelu said.

In his remarks, president, Transcorp, Mr. Obinna Ufudo, said the company has fully embraced and enthroned the highest level of global best practices and governance standards in its operations and businesses.

“Our major priorities now are creating value for our stakeholders as well as making profits for our shareholders, and we believe very strongly that the foundation that we are laying, and our hard work, will lead to dividends being paid by the end of this financial year,” Ufudo said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

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THE NATION INVESTORS FACTS

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TO

FACTS

Total Nigeria vs Mobil Oil Nigeria: Neck to neck

OTAL Nigeria Plc and Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc are the two most capitalised petroleummarketing companies in Nigeria.

Altogether, they accounted for some 52 per cent of total market capitalisation of the downstream oil sector at the stock market. Total Nigeria leads the capitalisation table with 28 per cent while Mobil Oil Nigeria trailed with some 26 per cent. A subsidiary of French multinational and Europe-leading oil company-Total S. A, Total Nigeria is a company of considerable influence and size in Nigeria and globally. With more than 500 retail outlets, five Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) bottling plants, three lubricant blending plants, four aviation depots and many other facilities, Total Nigeria is undoubtedly a leading oil-marketing company.

Mobil Oil is the earliest petroleum-marketing company to be incorporated in Nigeria and has operated for more than six decades in Nigeria. Mobil Oil Nigeria is a subsidiary of Mobil Oil Corporation of the United States of America and it runs a nationwide network of outlets that make the company a household brand throughout Nigeria.

Both companies shared many similarities. With some 60 years of operations in Nigeria, they have etched their brands and stocks as blue chips. Interestingly, both companies were listed same year, same month and within the same week.

Audited reports and accounts of both companies for the year ended December 31, 2011 showed a similar pattern, with recovery in sales characterised with decline in profitability and returns.

Where the performance trends differed, the companies intermittently switched roles. While Total Nigeria led in terms of size of growth, Mobil Oil Nigeria made more profit per every unit of sale and its returns were quite higher than its competitor.

FACTS TO FACTS Turnover growth Gross profit growth Pre-tax profit growth Gross margin Pre-tax profit margin Net profit growth Return on Assets Return on Equity

Total 2011 % 8.3 6.6 1.3 12.9 3.4 -4.0 10.0 38.0

Mobil 2010 % -10.1 -4.5 -6.2 13.1 3.6 0.1 10.1 44.5

Average % -0.9 1.05 -2.45 13 3.5 -1.95 10.05 41.25

Turnover growth Gross profit growth Pre-tax profit growth Gross margin Pre-tax profit margin Net profit growth Return on Assets Return on Equity

2011 % 6.4 4.2 -3.4 16.3 8.9 -3.4 18.0 55.0

Profitability Mobil’s gross profit grew by 4.2 per cent in 2011 but profit before

40.9 16.6 9.8 37 24.0 65.2

Average % 0.25 2.10 18.75 16.45 9.35 16.8 21 60.1

profit-making capacity of the company was however, generally weak. Gross profit margin dropped below average to 12.9 per cent as against 13.1 per cent in 2010.

Pre-tax profit margin also decreased from 3.6 per cent to 3.4 per cent.

On the average, Mobil still maintained its lead with higher gross margin and pre-tax profit margin.

Compared with Total Nigeria’s average gross margin of 13 per cent, Mobil made about 16.5 per cent while Mobil’s average pre-tax profit margin of 9.35 per cent more than doubled Total Nigeria’s 3.5 per cent.

Actual returns Mobil returned 18 per cent on total assets in 2011 as against 24 per cent posted in 2010 while return on equity slipped from 65 per cent to 55 per cent. Average return on total assets over the past two years stood at 21 per cent while average annual return on equity stood at 60 per cent.

Meanwhile, Total Nigeria’s return on total assets was almost unchanged at 10 per cent while return on equity dropped from 44.5 per cent to 38 per cent. Average annual return to shareholders thus stood at 41.25 per cent.

The bottom-line

Sales generation Both Total Nigeria and Mobil Oil Nigeria grew the top-lines in 2011 as against general declines in the previous year. Total Nigeria increased sales by 8.3 per cent in 2011 as against a drop of 10.1 per cent in 2010. Mobil grew sales by 6.4 per cent in 2011, a major recovery from the declines in the past two years when sales dropped consecutively by 7.1 per cent and 5.9 per cent in 2009 and 2010 respectively.

2010 % -5.9

Stories by Taofik Salako

tax dropped by 3.4 per cent in 2011 as against significant growth of 41 per cent. Net profit after taxes also slipped by 3.4 per cent in 2011 compared with increase of 37 per cent in 2010. Gross profit margin dropped marginally from

16.6 per cent to 16.3 per cent while pre-tax profit margin contracted to 8.9 per cent in 2011 as against 9.8 per cent in 2010.

On the other hand, Total Nigeria’s gross profit grew by 6.6 per cent in 2011 as against a decline of 4.5 per cent in 2010, showing a two-year average growth of

1.05 per cent. The company also replaced its 6.2 per cent decrease in profit before tax in 2010 with a growth of 1.3 per cent. But as margins diminished on item-by-item basis, profit after tax caved in with a decline of 4.0 per cent in 2011 compared with negligible growth of 0.1 per cent in 2010. Underlying

Protracted reform in the petroleum sector and continuing controversy that exacerbate global oil variables tend to undermine the potential of Nigerian petroleum companies. These compounded the almost monolithic nature of the business where little product differentiation gives less room for marginal errors. The margin of profitability, and sustainability of such, thus depends on high level of appropriate mix of often-difficult variables.

Both companies obviously need to explore ways to accelerate sales growth and control cost to deliver higher margins and ensure better returns to shareholders. For now, it’s a neck-to-neck contest of the two oil majors.

Global equities: Egypt, Germany, Nigeria lead

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LOBAL equities have sustained double-digit returns with Egypt, Germany and Nigeria leading returns across the developed and emerging markets.

Global return analysis pointed to general recovery in the equity markets with only one out of 16 benchmark indices for key developed and emerging markets in America, Europe, Asia and Middle East and Africa indicating negative.

Comparative year-to-date analysis of major markets showed that Egyptian stock market, which has ratcheted up its recovery after a successful presidential election, leads global equities’ returns with more than

186 per cent. Germany, which has shown resilience amidst the Euro crisis, shows average return of about 24 per cent. Nigeria trails with more than 21 per cent.

The United States of America (USA) stock market continued to show all-positive outlook. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) and Standards and Poor’s 500 index, two key indices for the USA market, returned 10.82 per cent and 16.09 per cent respectively. NASDAQ Index indicated a return of 8.69 per cent.

France’s benchmark CAC 40 Index posted a return of 10.83 per cent while United Kingdom’s FTSE 100 Index returned 4.44 per cent. Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index posted a return of 6.38 per cent.

Brazil’s Bovespa Index indicated average return of 9.17 per cent. India’s BSE 30 Index recorded 16.60 per cent while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index posted average gain of 8.75 per cent; In Africa, South Africa, Africa’s largest stock market, showed considerable return with the All Share Index (ASI) of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSEASI), indicating average gain of 12.19 per cent. Ghana Stock Exchange’s All Share Index (GSE ASI), the benchmark index for the Ghanaian stock market, also posted a year-todate gain of 6.95 per cent.

Switzerland’s stock market in-

dex-SMI showed positive returns of 9.72 per cent. Only Spain was on the downside with its benchmark index-SMSI, suggesting negative return of 6.36 per cent.

With the differences in trading hours across the jurisdictions, the global indices were measured on September 13. Primary market data were provided by FSDH Securities.

Many analysts were optimistic Nigerian equities may catch up with Germany’s index to emerge in the second position in the next few trading weeks.

Analysts at Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) Limited said Nigerian equity market was still undervalued and held out

considerable prospects for appreciable long-term returns.

Analysts said although investors need to still be cautious, the market remains attractive to longterm investors.

According to analysts, investment opportunities remain in several sectors, with inherent values easily identifiable in the banking and consumer goods sectors.

It noted that aside from the fact that the market is undervalued at current levels, investors should bear in mind that stocks are poised to keep going higher in the long term because the market is still in a bull market and the market is still fuelled by measurable growth from key economic indicators

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

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MARITIME Single haul ship unfit for Cabotage

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• Customs Area Comptroller, PTML Command, Tin-Can Island Port, Lagos,Jibran Zakari answering questions from reporters after the seizure of two containers of expired drugs.

PHOTO: OLUWAKEMI DAUDA

Customs seizes lace, ankara items worth millions of naira F

OUR containers laden with exquisite lace and ankara fabrics worth millions of naira have been seized by Customsmen in Lagos.

The containers were seized because ankara is a banned item on the importation prohibition list.

The items, sources told The Nation at the Tin Can Island Port, Apapa, Lagos, are rotting away.

A senior security official at the port, said the clearing agent told him that the amount he would need to clear the goods was huge, adding that the importer was afraid of losing his money if Customs refuses to clear the items after declaration.

The items declared on the importation bill, he said, were not the same as in the container. He warned that unless the goods are

Stories by Oluwakemi Dauda, Maritime Correspondent

cleared in good time, the containers would continue to clog the ports.

“The truth is that, one of the items is on the import prohibition list. The items were brought into the country by an importer who believes he can always find his way when the items get to the ports.

“These materials are there in the port but the importer is now finding it difficult to get Customs to clear the goods for him because it came in under false declaration and I want to believe that is why the agent is now going round to get somebody that would assist in that direction,” he said.

Investigation showed that, there are other prohibited items at the port which Customs must work on to free the port from unscru-

pulous importers.

It was learnt that many containers have been at the terminal for more than three months now when the law says they cannot stay more than 28 days before they would be declared as overtime cargo by Customs.

There is another allegation against Customs of the service keeping too many cargoes at the ports after they have stayed for more than the required time at the terminals.

Contacted, the Public Relations Officer of Customs at Tin-Can Island Port, Mr Chris Osunkwo, said lace is no longer under prohibition list. He, however, said if any importer brings into the port ankara under false declaration of bringing in lace materials, the two items would be confiscated

by Customs because it is

against the law.

The image maker also denied the allegation that Customs is not doing anything to clear overtime cargo from the ports.

Customs, he said, can only declare any goods as over time cargo after the goods must have stayed more than the required 28 days at the port.

“These things are procedural. The truth is that from the date of the arrival of any goods, it cannot stay more than 28 days before Customs would declare it as overtime cargo.

But the importers still have 30 days of grace to clear the goods after it has been declared as overtime cargo. At the expiration of 30 days of grace, the Customs is now empowered by law to go through public auction,” the image maker said.

Importers challenge govt on port tariff

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HE Federal Government has been urged to review port tariff.

Importers, who spoke with The Nation, said the review was necessary to eliminate arbitrariness and ensure parity with other ports, particularly those of neighbouring countries.

The Managing Director, Shipping Logistics, Mr Talabi Akinjide, said port tariff must be competitive and commensurate with services of terminal operators.

“To reduce the cost of doing business in the ports, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has abolished service charges, bank charge, commission on turnover and concessionaires’ service charge.

He praised the council for “abolishing port and administrative charges.”

Akinjide said the council had been implementing the Inland Container Depots (ICDs) project on Build Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) basis to bring shipping to the door of shippers.

He said the ICDs would

also decongest the ports and make them more userfriendly.

The Chairman, Ben and Sons Limited, Benson Olawoore, said the ICDs would also help revive and modernise the railway as a primary mode for long distance haulage of cargo.

According to him, the ICDs will also reduce the cost of cargo and create employment in its localities.

Olawoore criticised Customs for the bureaucracy at the ports, saying the bureau-

cracy at the Customs was a challenge to port operations.

He said the multiplicity of government agencies at the ports also posed a major challenge to operations.

“This system eliminates human contact and the use of discretion, which has been identified as major causes of delay in the clearance procedure,’’ he said.

He said the electronic system would not only facilitate trade, but also improve revenue generation.

Olawoore said the system

would ease movement of cargo out of the ports.

He, however, acknowledged that cargo handling/ deliveries had improved.

Olawoore praised the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for dredging the Lagos and Bonny/Port Harcourt channels.

The dredging, he said, is being complemented by the removal of wrecks to enhance channel development to achieve the required depths and make cargo delivery easier.

Maritime Labour Convention to be ratified

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HE Federal Government is to ratify the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006 expected to come into force in August next year.

The convention has been ratified by 30 countries, representing 33 per cent of the world’s gross tonnage.

Russia and the Philippines ratified the convention last month, bringing the countries that have ratified it to 30.

Ahead of its ratification by

the country, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) held a tripartite meeting with government and social partners.

The meeting, attended by members of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Nigeria Merchant Navy Officer and Water Transport Senior Staff Association, Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), was to sensitise stakeholders to

take a unanimous position on the ratification of the convention.

The meeting was to also mobilise and sensitise the Ministers of Transport, Labour and Justice to know what is required of them under the convention.

Speaking at the meeting, NIMASA Director, Maritime Labour Service, Alhaji Isa Baba, said Nigeria, as a maritime nation, stands to benefit immensely from the convention if it is ratified.

HE ban on single haul vessels by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), may be why Nigerians have not been benefiting from the Cabotage Act, Executive Director, Solab Maritime Venture, Mr Damisi Akala, has said.

He said the Federal Government should be held responsible for the influx of old vessels into the territorial waters.

“If you allow ship owners to bring old vessels into the country and you register them as cabotage vessels, then you must be ready to give them jobs; forget about IMO laws and the other laws because you have collected money from the owners for registration,” he said.

Oluwa called on the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to ensure that indigenous ship owners are given jobs by oil firms since they were registered

by NIMASA under the Act. A maritime lawyer, Mr Festus Olayinka, identified the payment of fees while applying for waiver under the Cabotage Act as one of the reasons for the

gains of the Act were not being reaped.

He alleged that waivers are granted “before approval because those who apply for waivers are made to pay while their applications are still being processed.”

He said: “The Act stipulates 100 per cent for rating; 60 per cent of officers or Nigerians and 40 per cent for foreigners. But the foreigners come in with a waiver clause that the country does not have qualified hands to man the industry.

“Also, if you want a waiver to be granted, you apply to NIMASA and your file would be taken to Abuja for ministerial approval. Before the approval comes from Abuja, you must have paid money to NIMASA. After collecting my money, it is as good as saying that you have granted me the waiver because it would be difficult for you to return my money because by the time the file leaves for Abuja, the job would have been done.”

He said the influx of old vessels was because of illegal bunkering that is flourishing in the country.

Navy bemoans low budget Stories by Oluwakemi Dauda, Maritime Correspondent

THE Navy has attributed the slow pace in the development of hydrography to poor funding.

A naval officer who spoke with The Nation in Apapa under condition of anonymity said there was need for proper funding of hydrography by the government He said that it was difficult to execute hydrographic activities from the Navy’s budget.

The government, he said, should provide adequate funds for hydrographic activities, especially research.

He noted that the early recognition of the necessity of international co-operation in hydrography led to the formation of the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) in 1921 to promote easier and safer navigation at sea by co-ordinating the activites of the hydrographic offices of nations to achieve a common standard.

Lagos pupils get life jackets THE Amuwo-Odofin Local Council of Lagos State is to provide life jackets to pupils living in riverine areas.

The Supervisor for Education, Mrs Chizoma Iwuoha, said the life jackets would ensure the safety of the pupils to and from school.

Some parents expressed happiness over the gesture and urged the council to fulfil its promise as the life jackets will reduce their fear.

One of the parents, Mrs Tawa Olaniyan, said when the news came to her and her husband, “we were very happy.

“Personally, I don’t know the amount it would cost, but my family is very happy that the chairman of the council is responsive,” she said.

Agents advised on clearance WORRIED by the way some members of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) are implicated in the clearing of goods, its National President, Alhaji Olayiwola Shittu, has warned members of the association to stop paying Customs duties for their clients.

The ANLCA chief told The Nation that the agents were often blamed for the wrong doings of importers, noting that this has been the major problem between the Customs and clearing agents.

He said many policies of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) failed to achieve their set goals because clearing agents were not carried along when making the policies.

He, therefore, called for a synergy between the service and clearing agents.

“The missing link between Customs and agents is confidence. For Customs to draw up any policy there is the need to hold discussions with the clearing agents to get their input.

“If we hold meetings regularly, some of the issues mitigating cargo clearance would have been tackled. Revenue target and trade facilitation cannot work together and that is why cargo documents are being delayed by some Custom officers in the interest of revenue,” he said.

35

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

• Mrs Odutola

-Adebola Orolugbagbe

How small businesses leverage technology to grow

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LOUD computing is an information technology solution for small businesses to run their operations profitably, General Manager, Microsoft Nigeria, Mr Emmanuel Onyeje, has said.

Cloud computing is accessing services and applications on a user’s computer or internal network via the Internet.

At a briefing in Lagos before the launch of the solution, Onyeje said for small businesses to operate successfully, they must explore technological platforms, such as cloud solution. He said digital services are delivered efficiently from the cloud and, adding that service providers are helping small businesses to compete and grow in ways hitherto the domain of larger companies. For small businesses, he said protecting digital information has been a challenge but that there are Cloud-based data back-up services, which store information automatically and securely. With theft and security compromises lurking, coupled with the need for greater data storage capacity and accessing files from anywhere, Onyeje urged small businesses to consider online data backup via a cloud solution.

He explained that cloud storage is an easy and affordable way to protect critical data. Since small business owners need to access files from home, at work, and on the go, he said cloud computing offers more flexibility and allows owners and operators to upload, retrieve and share data without their external hard drive.

Since cloud technology is virtual infrastructure for users, he said small business owners didn’t have to worry about the security of their storage hardware. He said Microsoft has data centres with high enterprise-grade network security to protect against potential breaches, which will keep one’s critical information safe. He said Microsoft Office 365 is now available as a cloud solution and can benefit small business owners in any industry.

•From left: Marketing Lead, Microsoft Nigeria, Awawu Olumide-Sojinrin, Onyeje, Israel and Akinsade, at the event.

With Microsoft Office 365, he said small businesses can have access to email, instant messages with presence, video and voice conferencing and document sharing. According to him, office 365 brings together Microsoft Office, Microsoft SharePoint Online, Microsoft Exchange Online and Microsoft Lync Online in an always-up-to-date service, at a predictable monthly cost.

“We are evolving from the information age to the collaboration age, where the ability to take action on information will set successful businesses apart from the rest,” said Onyeje.

Speaking during the event, Information Worker Business Group Lead for Microsoft Africa Marc Israel, said small firms don’t have capital to throw around like larger players, so, they have to buy technology for their immediate needs.

Israel said cloud technologies provide small businesses the affordability, which is essential to quickly grow a start-up times. He said Microsoft is making technology cheaper to allow more small businesses to adopt IT solutions in cloud.

According to him, the company is

providing a pay-as-you-go model, from infrastructure and servers to software applications. In this model, the user pays for the resources used over a given period, such as a month.

This means, for instance, that a small business can pay for storage as their storage needs grow, instead of having to buy storage based on growth projections.

With the elastic, pay-as-you-go model of the cloud, any small business can have access easily to (or even automatically) scalable computing platforms, reducing the risks of downtime and the need for accurate projections. The scalability and elasticity one get by storing information in an offsite data center allows one to easily adjust the mount of space one needs and only pay for what one use.

He said small firms could start operating much more quickly with the solution, and scale operations as needed. He said they could manage their email in the Cloud with Microsoft Exchange Online and provide their teams access to email and calendars anywhere. He said his company is committed to supporting small businesses and entrepre-

Made by enterprise online

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RS Iyabo Oyawale, a former Deputy Editor of City People Quarterly, a subsidiary of City People, is drawing many Nigerians to take part in an entrepreneurial spark business startup programme online. It is designed to help businesses start up up and run successfully.

She was brought up by indigent parents. Her parents were traders who couldn’t afford to send their children to schools. But she was determined to make something out of her life. “I was ambitious and never cared about the challenges I had regarding finance.”

Her struggle and entrepreneurial acumen led her to establish successful online coaching companies.

Known as Nigerian Adsense and Quit your day job Queen, Mrs Oyawale resigned from City People after she got to know about Internet business and started a couple of successful ventures online. She started her business with N10,000 in 2003. She created an information product, How to Successfully Start Your Dream Business with Little or No Money based on her own experience.

The manual was introduced into the Nigerian market. It sold well with high profit margins – encouraging her to do another manual on 101 Businesses You Can Do Without Quitting Your Day Job. This did well, too, on the Internet.

Since then, Mrs Oyawale has done several other successful businesses on the Internet. She believes anybody can run a profit able business online. She started her Internet business part-time. She would go to her day job and return at night to face what she was trying to build. Then,

she used to call herself an employee by day and entrepreneur by night.

Those were really heady days as she won’t sleep for days but she endured all the sacrifice because she knew she had a destiny to fulfill.

Mrs Oyawale is a popular fixture on the social media, and earns good money from blogging. She runs two blogs http:// naijanetwarriors.com and www.askiyabooyawale.com. She started blogging in 2003. She started after registering some success online and felt comfortable teaching others. The two sites give people solid guides to Internet business. Since she quit her day job in 2007, the entrepreneur said she has no regret.

To keep on growing a start up, Mrs Oyawale said one needs passion day in and day out. According to her, when one is passionate about something, it will keep one up late at night.

A strong passion, she explained will compel one to wake up early in the morning for the simple fact that one truly enjoys what one is doing. Once one discovers a passion, she added, the person will start following it with deep commitment to obtain business success. A champion of the “Quit Your Day Job” message, Mrs Oyawale is concerned about people who have high-paying jobs but are inwardly unhappy because they are not fulfilling their God-given purpose.” I want to encourage these set of people that they can still do what God created them to do. That is why I am passionately spreading this message. I see it as a pure waste of life for people to come to this world and die without fulfilling the purpose for which they

• Oyawale

were created.”

Her greatest challenges in this business have been poor power supply from Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and Internet connectivity. She got a generator to tackle the power issue.

Mrs Oyawale is able to make a living because she has succeeded in developing multiple avenues to serve her audience.

An important hurdle some entrepreneurs, she said bloggers need to overcome is inability to self-promote.

While working to produce great works, she said bloggers must work hard to ensure people find it. To be a successful entrepreneur, one has to make sure people find such works.

Her blogs have built a brand that brings her income from other platforms. As her profile grew, she has taken up other paying opportunities as seminars. These talks help build her brand and network of contacts.

neurs to help the world run better and improve people’s lives.

Developer Platform and Evangelism Lead, Microsoft West East and Central Africa,Dele Akinsade said Microsoft is offering a wide variety of useful cloud-based software applications that was developed bringing together many of the most productive online applications. The easyto-use applications, he added, can assist individual business people at all skill levels, build their own websites, business cards, banners, blogs and much more, to increase visibility that helps attract attention and generate profit.

He explained that cloud computing and office 365 was designed for individuals and small business owners to help maximise quality, efficiency and productivity.

Moving to the cloud with Office 365 doesn’t require a business to change the way it works, because the service is based on familiar

productivity tools people know and trust, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Access and more. Employees get new ways to work together with ease, on virtually any device or mobile phone, and businesses get the reliability, security and IT controls they need in the cloud, even without a dedicated IT staff.

“We thoroughly evaluated other cloud productivity offerings in the market before choosing Microsoft,” said Abiodun Atobatele, Managing Director and Chief Technology Officer, ATB TechSoft Solutions. “Office 365 is the right choice to help our company support the way people work today and encourage a more mobile work environment. With the service, we have the added benefit of working together with familiar tools on almost any device and can make quicker decisions when needed.”

Mails of wealth

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AIL delivery has been negatively affected by alternate forms of communication, such as e-mail and the Internet. At the same time, the business is benefitting from an increase in the volume of internet shopping, which has seen greater demand for parcel deliveries. For this reason, the Managing Director, Swift Courier, Mr Toyin Olufade, said there are opportunities for Nigerians to invest in the sector and make money. Opportunities, he said, are in freight delivery, serving local, regional, national markets.

Domestic freight delivery service providers, he noted, provide air freight delivery options, and operate ground freight trucking services. Local firms, Olufade, who is also the President, Nigerian Courier Operators Association, added can offer port-to-port delivery, including freight packaging services.

The strategy is offering premium services, where - delivery is made in less than 24 hours. He said local companies don’t need to focus on international routes as such lanes would need deep pockets, which only global logistics companies can afford. He said the success of couriers depend to a large extent on fleets of vehicles and equipment, ranging from simple trucks to other forms of cargo transportation. Olufade said service quality is becoming increasingly important.

On-time pickup and delivery, speedy customs clearance, in-transition traceability, parcel safety, and 24-hour accessibility are important elements in overall service quality for shippers. However, the constant business shake-outs create a climate of vulnerability for potential entrants. But Olufade said his association is working to address this.

The Group Managing Director, Bowill Group of Companies and

Secretary General, Nigerian Courier Operators Association, Mr Siyanbola Oladapo said his association expect the service quality of local players to improve, which will allow them to challenge the large integrators for market share.

He said there are huge opportunities for entrepreneurs in courier and freight delivery. He said they are determined to assist local operators break down barriers that prevent them from reaching their high-impact potential. To this end, he said the association has scheduled a public lecture and award ceremony, which will be held on Tuesday, September 25,2012. Start-up costs for a freight delivery company vary widely, but can be quite expensive. Depending on type of freight delivery, costs may include business facility leasing, office furniture, computers and printers, commercial vehicle purchases, freight hauling equipment, freight and packaging supplies, labour and insurance costs. Most Nigerians on errands service use a vehicle and communication equipment such as a mobile phone to operate. A critical mass in the industry own about five to 10 vehicles. For participants to expand beyond this point, a significant investment in technology and radio equipment is necessary.

The banking industry, which has been the mainstay of the express document business, saw stagnation in shipments in the past two to three years. However, the document business from banks is expected to grow in line with anticipated bank expansions. Given that usage is now primarily for original documents, a shift to electronic media is not expected.

Oladapo said local operators should focus more on high-margin industries and customer segments and put into practice more flexible pricing strategies.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

36

PERSPECTIVE

Economics of the N5000 debate T

HE statement by the central bank of Nigeria that N5, 000 will be introduced and N5, N10, and N20 notes will be coined in 2013 has generated a lot of debate.

Many of the contributions have however strayed off the key point. Namely, the reason currency notes and coins are necessary.

• Retail Payment Requirements Notes and coins are held primarily for retail payments. To be relevant, their face values, nature, sizes and weights must be suited to the retail transactions they are needed for.

There are two types of retail payments: highly repetitive small value transactions such as urban transportation, sweets, cigarettes, cola nuts, fruits, vegetables, snacks, cooked food, sachet water, soft drinks, juices, beer; newspapers, haircuts; phone cards, and, less frequent, relatively high value transactions such as clothing, footwear, watches, raw foodstuff, poultry, livestock, fuel, spares parts, and local airfares.

Optimising Naira coins Naira coins must be designed by the central bank with the first category of retail transactions in focus because their repetitive nature and the conditions under which they must happen, such as in crowded markets, stadia, streets, bus stations, airports, congested traffic, and varying weather conditions including rainy, sunny, and humid conditions, mean that notes are ill-suited for them.

Metal coins will fare better under these conditions, which is why countries regularly upgrade their coinage to keep pace with the prices of this category of retail items.

Nigeria’s coins were adequate for these transactions when we spent pennies and shillings modeled after the British pound sterling before independence, and a little over a decade after independence.

Nigerians valued the coins and spent them with relish, because one or two pieces in the pocket sorted the daily payment needs of the average person, child or adult. Naira coins that replaced those in 1973 remained very adequate for all the small value transactions until the late eighties when they began to lose correspondence with retail prices, and Naira notes increasingly took their place.

Attempts to reform the coinage to date have never spoken directly to the need for the face values of Naira coins to relate such retail items as bus fares, and the prices of newspapers, refreshments and fast food.

The Soludo coin reform that raised the maximum face value of coins arbitrarily to N2, without asking how much a school child needed for soft drink and snacks at break time, failed for this reason. The Lamido proposal to coin N5, N10, and N20 is in the right direction, but is equally arbitrary, as it lacks correspondence with current values of retail items, and is also bound to fail. How many pieces of the Lamido coins will a school child need to hold just for school run and refreshment at break time? It will require too many pieces to make sense for school children, much less adults.

A robust coinage must be adequate for retail payment needs of all children and adults.

Naira coins that would make sense today will fall in the range of N1, N2, N5, N10, N20, N50, N100, N200, N500, and N1000. Just before anyone screams, remember that the two pound coin is more that N500 in face value, and the coining of the five pound note is imminent in the UK. They thought us how to use coins. They have done a good job of maintaining their coinage, it’s about time we put some dignity back into Naira coins. Japanese six denominations of coins range from Y1 to Y500, and one Yen exchanges for two Naira.

Nobody holds the naira coins today because N2 maximum face value makes absolutely no sense. It is a waste of the country’s resources and time to mint such. N1 and N2 should be the minimum, and small enough, like the farthing of old, and they would make sense. N20 Naira maximum coin still will not make sense because it still does not buy a soft drink or an apple, and no one will hold them.

If you stamp N500 or N1000 as the maximum value on the same coins today, everyone will hold them, as in other countries where the coinage relate to retail prices.

•CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido

•Finance Minister, Dr. Ngosi Okonjo-Iweala

By Ayodele Teriba

Optimising Naira Notes Naira notes must be designed by the central bank with the second category of transactions in mind. If naira notes are to make sense, I should be able to fill my tank with just a piece of Naira note. People should be able to pay for live chicken, goat, or turkey with a piece or two of Naira notes. A bag of rice, a tin of vegetable oil, should not require more than one or two pieces of Naira notes.

There should be notes with face values suited for the purchase of ram, shirts, suits, shoes, watches, car tyres, and other spares parts if Naira notes are to be worth printing and spending. The proposed introduction of N5000 is in the right direction, but is equally arbitrary, as it is not proposed in reference to retail price realities, and is hardly the optimal highest face value for the Naira notes at the moment.

It is the end that justifies the means. It is the items that people need to pay for with notes that should determine how much we print on the currency notes. That is the economics of Naira notes denominations. To be sensible today, Naira notes should take face values of N500, N1000, N2000, N5,000, N10,000, and N20,000 (current value of the lowest airfare); where N500 and N1000 could circulate as both notes and coins until further notice.

I have arrived at these suggestions by trying to connect the face values of Naira notes with realities of retail prices. But the examples of other some other countries also point to the same direction. Japanese notes are only four denominations: Y1000, N2000, N5000, and Y10,000; and one Yen exchanges for two Naira.

Suggestions by Professor Soludo a few others that the Naira be re-decimalized by knocking of a few zeroes are uncalled for, being more suited to currencies with seven digits or more in face values, as in post hyperinflation Ghana, Zimbabwe, and a series of Latin American and Eastern European countries. The Japanese example of re-denomination necessitated by realities of retail prices is more appropriate to the current Nigerian challenge.

Apart from speaking directly to the realities of retail prices, the suggested re-denomination will have the added advantage of reducing the pieces of notes the central bank have to print, store, distribute, and maintain. There were as many as six billion pieces of naira notes in circulation in 2011, compare to one billion pieces in 1985, and four billion pieces in 2005.

We should introduce larger denomination notes to push that number back to less than two billion pieces. Banks will no longer re-

‘In the presence of generally acceptable smalldenomination coins, large-denominations will not be inflationary.

It is actually the current situation in which lower denomination coins are not in circulation that precipitates inflation as the general public put pressure on retailers to round up to the nearest banknote’ quire as many bullion vans, bulk counting rooms, note counters, counting machines, and those little bags they must now give you when you withdraw some cash. Buyers and sellers will waste less time counting and recounting notes as if under a spell.

Handing of naira notes by the public will become inconspicuous. Relatively higher face values will ensure they are used less often, treasured and kept neat. People are unlikely to spray reasonably valued notes at parties and other social events.

Electronic Payments The two categories of retail transactions to which coins and notes have been related above are not what e-payment instruments are about. E-payment instruments are more suited to transfer of funds from one person to the other, especially when bulk sums are involved. E-payments relate to wholesale transactions, as opposed to cash which relate to largely spontaneous, mostly anonymous, small value repetitive transactions.

Misconceptions In the presence of generally acceptable small-denomination coins, large-denominations will not be inflationary. It is actually the current situation in which lower denomination coins are not in circulation that precipitates inflation as the general public put pressure on retailers to round up to the nearest banknote.

The currency, note or coin is best viewed as a measuring rod or ruler. There is no reason to expect that the public will wear oversized dresses if the tape-rule is too long.

We can press the analogy with the ruler a little further: school children, dressmakers,

•Teriba

architects, land surveyors, and civil engineers all use one type or the other of what is basically the same thing, the ruler: multiples of millimetres. The only difference is size.

Currency is just like that. It must be made available by the issuing authority in wide enough variety or denominations to suit the needs of different users.

Many economies in which large-denomination notes and coins circulate actually have some of the lowest inflation rates often combined with impressive records of growth. US, Japan, UK and the Euro area are some of the examples. The Euro provides a good illustration: there are 8 denominations of coins, and 7 denominations of notes.

This will provide enough flexibility and adaptability to both very small and very large transactions. Since there should be small-denominations that are appropriate for any transaction, there is no reason why the presence of large denomination should affect inflation in any way.

Too many denominations will not be confusing either. The public will choose the denominations they want and others will become unpopular. The range of measurement units from the millimetres to the kilometre is quite broad yet it confuses no one. Rather it helps everyone. The Euro’s eight denominations of coins and seven denominations of notes means there are fifteen different units of currency circulating in the Euro area. Nigeria can take a cue from that.

The policy clue is that the issuing authority should make a fixed quantity of all the relevant denominations for a start, and subsequently increase each denomination only at the rate at which their inventory is depleted.

Large-denomination coins are unlikely to be melted by metal-smiths for jewellery if the central bank ensures that coins have very low and insignificant intrinsic value. What counts is the face value of each coin. It matters very little how much zinc or copper, or silver it contains. Kill the incentive to melt the coins away. That is the message. It is instructive that American public simply throw the 1-cent away or abandon it at home. There is no incentive to melt it down.

Large-denomination currency notes will not encourage counterfeiting. We should be careful not to throw out the baby with the bath water. Fear of possible counterfeiting should not stop us from doing the needful. We need to do what is necessary first, and take measures to protect it afterwards. The hundreddollar bill is probably the most widely counterfeited currency bill in the world. Rather than withdraw it from circulation, the US government has simply invested a little more in security proofing.

•Dr. Teriba, who wrote in from Lagos, can be reached at ayo.teriba@econassociates.c

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Theatre for devt in Niger Delta

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TRAINING workshop on how to strengthen the participation of common people in the Niger Delta communities in non-violent civic action, advocacy, and peace promotion initiatives was recently held in Port Harcourt and Erema community. It was organised by Theatre for Development Centre (TFDC), the research and training unit of the Nigerian Popular Theatre Alliance.

It was packaged to provide a coherent insight into the way Theatre for Development (TFD) and Participatory Video (PV) work in the context of community development. It explored participatory learning and action (PLA) tools/techniques and how they may be used in combination with TFD and PV. According to report, participants from Erema community explained during presentation that there is apparently no control over leadership positions in the community as every person who has made some money and garnered some influence imposes himself on the community as leader. The report added that this has caused a lot of friction in the community over the years and has given rise to camps emerging as members of the community align with the various leaders.

“They observed that the situation is as a result of lack of a coherent document or process of people ascending to power.

ADVOCACY This situation has implications and the only way out is to resort to producing a document that will guide the election or selection processes of the leadership in Erema community”, it said.

The report added that other institutions like the CDC, youth and women group all operate their various constitutions and that there is no central constitution that holds the various divides of the community together.

The report revealed that most decisions taken in the community are not popular as public or popular opinions are jettisoned in the interest of the opinion of the few. They therefore sought the putting in place structures that would promote popular participation and opinion in the community.

At post performance discussions, the community tentatively agreed on issues of leadership, widowhood practices, treatment and participation of women in community affairs.

In October 2008, Cordaid (Netherland) awarded a grant to the Nigerian Popular Theatre Alliance (NPTA) to conduct training on participatory drama, specifically Theatre for Development (TFD) and Participatory Video (PV) as part of the grant for activities in the Niger Delta area.

LIFELINE

Young creative award

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OLOURS In Africa Limited, a furniture manufacturing and retailing company, is calling for entries from undergraduates of the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) and University of Lagos (UNILAG) working in fields such as art and design, architecture, industrial/product design and building technology for its Young Creative Furniture Designer (YCFD) award. It is being organised to celebrate and encourage future design leaders.

A statement by the organisers said applicants will be judged on their creativity, use of colour and appropriate materials and functionality of the designs. Each applicant is expected to submit one three–dimensional sketch each for the two pieces of furniture indicating and specifying size, fabric choice and other materials to be used in the production of the furniture.

Only one entry each should be submitted by an applicant for the two pieces of furniture. Each entry should not exceed 300 kb in jpeg format per sketch.

It added that applicants should also submit a modest budget for the production of maquette for the two pieces of furniture and the time it will take to produce them. Ten candidates will be shortlisted and the best five designs will be produced in the Colours In Africa furniture factory and exhibited later in the year at a design expo. The best three designers will also should be given financial rewards of N100,000, N75,000 and N50,000 respectively.

All entries in addition to the filled competition entry forms be sent to coloursinafricaltd1competition@gmail.com before noon on October 2.

Entries can also be dropped off in an envelope addressed to the YCFD Award 2012 Competition co-ordinator at the Colours in Africa Ltd Flagship Store in Victoria Island, Lagos

CORA holds book festival

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HIS year’s Lagos Book & Art Festival will hold between November 16th and 18th at Freedom Park, Broad Street, Lagos Island with a pre-event Publishers’ Forum and cocktail holding on the 15th. The festival theme, The Narrative of Conflict, will focus on how the written word and the literacy it engenders interrogates the different conflicts that surround our current existence and recent past. The festival is dedicated to the veteran artist, Bruce Onabrakpeya who turned 80 last month and whose work and dedication to the arts continue to be a source of inspiration to generations of Nigerians.

The festival is a landmark event on the nation’s culture calendar with book displays, exhibitions, live music and drama performances that take time out to dig deep into the content of books. According to the organisers, “LABAF is self-styled as Africa’s Biggest Culture Picnic because we don’t just put together a book fair, a performance concert, a literary festival or an art expo, what we do is a healthy fusion of all four in a festival atmosphere, and for the past 14 years, the festival has become an important destination for families, literary and art enthusiasts, culture producers, children and even lovers. We have had people who came as children years ago still attending now as young adults. We have also had people who met at the festival grounds for the first time years ago, still attending as married couples. What keeps them coming back is the way the festival allows them to engage with culture in a fun atmosphere, that is why it is Africa’s Biggest Culture Picnic.”

•Participants at the workshop

Umukoro’s feast of books

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T was an unprecedented literary feast at the University of Ibadan (UI), Ibadan in Oyo State when Dr. Matthew Umukoro of the Theatre Department of the university presented four new books at a time to the public at the university campus recently. The event attracted top scholars such as the former Vice-Chancellor of University of Ibadan, Prof.

Ayo Banjo, Emeritus Prof. Tekema Tamuno, Prof. Dan Izevbaye, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, Prof. David Okpako, Prof. Kola Olu-Owolabi, Dr Julie Umukoro, Dr. Sola Olorunyomi among others. Also present was Oba Oluseguin Akinbola, the Aladeokun of Alade, Idanre in Ondo State who was the royal father of the day. Venue of the presentation was the Pope John Paul II Centre.

Prof. Banjo described The Performing Artist In Academia by Mathew Umukoro as his favourite book by the author. He said the author handles every aspect of the books with scholarly details noting that the quality of his inaugural lecture ranks among the best in the university. “I must congratulate Umukoro for his level of scholarship,” he added.

The other books presented by Umukor were The State of The Nation, The Art of Scholarship and The Scholarship of Art and Obi and Clara, (A stage adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s No Longer At Ease).

The dean, faculty of arts, Prof. Olu Owolabi said the book launch was timely as it coincided with the season when the university is

•Ayo Banjo (standing), flanked by right are Oba Akinbola of Alade, Idanre, Prof Olu-Owolabi, Prof Tamuno and by left are Dr Umukoro, wife Julie and Prof Izevbaye at the presentation

By Ozolua Uhakheme Assistant Editor (Arts)

promoting reading culture. He wished that the event would encourage other scholars to publish more books.

He said the four books are the true celebrants as he was merely the means by which they were created. “Even in this computer age, the conventional book still remains a pride of place in the scheme of thinmgs as the most

dependable purveyor of knowledge and information. My unusual decision to present four titles at a time is simply a manifestation of my profound love for the book, the incuraable bibliophile that I happen to be. I feel absolutely cocnvinced thatno amount of technological development can put the physical book in the shade because it provides aesthetic and pstchological satisfaction that is completely beyond the reach of the electronic book which remains insecurely trapped

within its erratic gadget of communication,” he said.

On why he chose Chinua Achebe’s No Longer At Ease for drama adaptation, Umukoro said it was because the book was on the secondary school curriculum. Umukoro who disclosed that he is still working on other books likened Obi and Clara to Romeo and Juliet of William Shakespeare. He said that he found the Osu caste system as focus in the drama.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

38

The Midweek Magazine “It is completely unacceptable for Ojetunji Aboyade, who was the chief architect of the Second National Development Plan (1970 – 1974) and has been one of the intellectuals behind revenue allocation in Nigeria, to have argued that ‘it is the task of the planners to plan according to the established political economic structure.’ Thus, in a neo-colonial society such as Nigeria, dependent on food, technology, manpower and capital goods imports, dominated by foreign companies where inefficiency, corruption and institutional decay are high, planners, according to Aboyade, must plan according to existing structures, institutions and dynamics. One obviously does not need a degree in economics to know that such an act will only deepen social contradictions, inequalities and reproduce the country’s underdevelopment” – Toyin Falola and Julius Ihonvbere, The Rise and Fall of Nigeria’s Second Republic (1979-1984).

L

LET me start today by thanking those readers who pointed out my erroneous attribution, last week, of the late Professor Claude Ake’s date of death as 1999 rather than 1994 when his painful transition to eternity occurred in a fateful plane crash. Today’s piece is inspired by a characteristically well researched and incisive piece on another great Nigerian intellectual, the late Professor Ojetunji Aboyade, written by Dr. Tunji Olaopa and published in a number of newspapers on September 9th. Dr. Olaopa’s article titled ‘Ojetunji Aboyade and the Burden of National Progress’, was deliberately timed to coincide with the eminent economist’s birthday. Surely, there are few people better placed than Dr. Olaopa to write authoritatively on Professor Aboyade. A consummate scholar himself, Dr Olaopa holds a doctorate degree in Public Administration and has written three highly regarded books in his sphere of specialization. His slim but powerful book simply titled ‘The joys of Learning’ is an evocative celebration of the life of the mind. A Federal Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olaopa’s meteoric ascendancy both in academia and administration is simply not surprising.

For, he was easily one of the most studious and serious minded in our set at Ibadan during both our first and second degrees.

Furthermore, as far back as 1997, Olaopa had written a definitive biography on Professor Aboyade titled ‘A Prophet is with

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Segun Ayobolu sms to 07032777778 segunayobolu2@yahoo.com

Tunji Olaopa, Ojetunji Aboyade and Nigeria’s crisis of underdevelopment (1) Honour’. The book is meticulously researched and makes rewarding reading.

Now, a consideration of the quote on Aboyade from Professors Toyin Falola and Julius Ihonvbere’s magisterial study of the politics of Nigeria’s second republic shows clearly that, unlike Dr. Olaopa, Professor Aboyade is no hero of mine. Now, I do not want to be mistaken. The famous economist was a man of the most formidable intellect and expansive erudition. He remains a great pride to Nigerian scholarship and mental genius. I had heard so much about Professor Aboyade ever before I gained admission into the University of Ibadan in 1981. The great scholar was a hero of my father who thought the world of him. Even though Political Science was my discipline, I took my elective courses from the Department of Economics so that I could drink from the much advertised fountain of Knowledge of Professor Aboyade. The University of Ibadan had the tradition of deploying its brightest Profes-

sors to teach and lay a firm intellectual foundation for fresh students. Professor Aboyade was a towering and intimidating presence in class. He had the uncanny ability to discuss at a high level of abstraction for sustained periods without contradicting reality. But many times, the Professor was simply in a world of his own. For instance, in one of his early classes, he told us with utter seriousness that there was no such thing as a law of supply and demand! I was completely stunned as the genius then engaged in what I considered to be sheer esoteric peregrinations into the nature and character of scientific laws and why they could not be readily applied to social phenomena.

My fascination with Professor Aboyade was soon to wane however. Yes, I continued to marvel at the range of his learning and the versatility of his mind. But I began to be profoundly frustrated by the intensification of the Nigerian crisis, the brutality of military predation, massive corruption, deepen-

????????????

‘The great scholar was a hero of my father who thought the world of him. Even though Political Science was my discipline, I took my elective courses from the Department of Economics so that I could drink from the much advertised fountain of knowledge of Professor Aboyade’

ing poverty, widening inequality, institutional decay and the shame of a country that Professor Eghosa Osagie has so aptly labelled as a ‘crippled giant.’ It occurred to me that the orthodox, pro-establishment analyses that characterized Aboyade’s scholarship simply lacked the dynamism to facilitate a correct apprehension and transcendence of the neo-colonial crisis of underdevelopment in Nigeria. This then is why I disagree fundamentally with Dr. Tunji Olaopa’s romanticization of Professor Aboyade’s role in the development of underdevelopment in Nigeria. The National Development Plans that Dr. Olaopa credits Professor Aboyade for were largely predicated on highly questionable assumptions and shaky theoretical foundations. I urge Dr. Olaopa to read Professor Bade Onimode’s incisive critiques of these development plans in his ‘Imperialism and Underdevelopment in Nigeria’ as well as his contribution to Professor Okudiba Nnoli’s edited collection of essays titled ‘Path To Nigerian Development’. It was clear to me even before leaving Ibadan that the alternative narrative of the Nigerian crisis provided by the likes of Bala Usman Claude Ake, Patrick Wilmot, Okelo Okuli, Edwin Madunagu, Eskor Toyo, Bade Onimode, Adebayo Olukoshi, Julius Ihonvbere, Segun Osoba, Biodun Jeyifo and other radical scholars were far more relevant to the Nigerian condition than the admittedly brilliant writings of Aboyade.

Surprisingly, Mr. Is’haq Modibbo Kawu, one of the most perceptive analysts of the Nigerian condition in contemporary journalism, wholeheartedly supported Dr. Olaopa’s position on Aboyade in his Vanguard column of September 13. Kawu agrees with Philip Asiodu who berates the military for destroying the developmental state and eroding what Olaopa calls “the Aboyade-induced discipline in policy and planning management.”I know of no such thing. Aboyade was one of the intellectual patron saints of the regressive faction of the Nigerian military that foisted the most destructive economic policies from which Nigeria is yet to recover. It is precisely because he was so intellectually gifted that Professor Aboyade’s role in the underdevelopment of Nigeria is unfathomable. We will look more concretely at this issue next week.

Echoes from the Sahara at Didi

I

T was akin to the desert talking to a museum. The celebrated chief, Dr. Newton Jibunoh had made three expeditions across the Sahara Desert, and in his third expedition he took along the ace photographer Kelechi Amadi-Obi. Didi Museum, founded by Jibunoh, recently undertook a special auction of 15 photographs of different sights of the Sahara Desert taken by AmadiObi, on its premises at 175 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.

The renowned arts patron Otunba Kunle Ojora and celebrated novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie were the special guests. The venerable Ojora recalled his halcyon years with Jibunoh to the delight of the audience. It was revealed that as a 14-year-old Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie had sent her poems to Dr Jibunoh!

The 15 photographs on auction were carefully selected from the over 5,000 shots of Amadi-Obi during the third expedition across the Sahara by Dr. Jibunoh who led a new team of Desert Warriors. The 15 photographs had been on a month-long exhibition at Didi Museum, and the auction marked the clincher to an epoch-making event.

The pictures capture the ravaging sweep of the Sahara as historical evidence of the lost land, the disappearing grazing fields, the depleting underground water resources and the general woes of desertification. The auction was aimed at sensitizing the public to the clear and present danger that the forest that occupied about 50 per cent of the land space in Africa south of the Sahara in the 1960s has been reduced to less than five percent today.

Through the auction, Didi Museum welcomed all to be a part of history, made in Nigeria by Nigerians for the world.

The title of the auction, Whispers from the Sahara @Didi, was developed between the Desert Warrior, Amadi-Obi and Dr Jibunoh’s personable wife, Elizabeth. During Dr Jibunoh’s third

By Uzor Maxim Uzoatu

AUCTION expedition across the Sahara, his wife wrote: “In living our lives together, the tales of the Sahara and the threat it poses to humankind have been quite topical. Never in my wildest dream however did I imagine that my husband would want to keep revisiting the Sahara. To think of driving alone across the Sahara is frightening. To actually do it is daunting. To keep repeating it is a miracle.”

At the auction, Dr Jibunoh said: “Any work you collect today will be recorded as part of the mitigation against desertification and will become a historical collection. The rest of the thousands of photographs taken at the expedition will go on tour of African states and beyond. The Museum will welcome sponsors for the travelling exhibitions: to create awareness, to sensitise the people, to be part of the UN mitigation and adaptation principles.”

The auction was sponsored by Fine & Country, the leading real estate marketing firm worldwide. The CEO, Fine & Country International West Africa, Udo Maryanne Okonjo, graced the auction.

The photographs on auction had arresting titles. The first photograph auctioned was entitled The Tents are Folded and had the following chilling lines: “Only two trees are left in what used to be a forest. The erstwhile vegetation has now been taken over by the Sahara. Africa south of the Sahara used to have at the very least 45 percent forest cover in the early 1960s. It is a clear and present danger that the forest cover is now down to less than five percent!” It fetched N450,000 in the hotly contested auction.

The next photograph put up for auction was The Majestic Nothingness, which is described thusly: “Now one tree only stands, and as the

•Okonjo (standing) addressing the audience at the auction

saying goes, one tree cannot make a forest.

Newton Jibunoh’s footprints are imprinted in the sands of time to check out what life is left in this lonely place that once used to be lovely.”

The inimitable auctioneer clanged his bell at N605,000!

Then the photograph titled The Spirit Dance went up for auction with this attendant description: “In the forest of yore, the birds used to sing and the wind used to blow and the trees used to dance. Now the Sahara has taken over, and the leaves of the trees are all gone, and the birds have disappeared as the trees start the spirit dance.” It was bought for all of N700,000!

Dunes of Damnation came up with these words: “With time, the sand dunes will completely take over. Just a look over the dunes, and one sees a hamlet about to disappear into damnation.” The auctioneer had it “gone” at N300,000.

Searching the Sand and Sky featuring camels and the words “They have searched for some greenery but there is no grass in sight. They then searched for some water but no luck. Now they are looking up to the sky for some rain” was bought by guest of honour Otunba Ojora for N300,000.

Desert and River Meeting was auctioned at N490,000, and these were the words of the photograph: “And the Sahara and the river met, and a fight developed. Who wins? The answer flows like the tidal wave of Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s music Water No Get Enemy.”

The last photograph auctioned that night was entitled Minutes of the Last Meeting in which the desert almost completely overwhelms the river and there are these words of lamentation: “By the minutes, the Sahara seems to be winning, shrinking the river into a mere rivulet. But for how long shall this last?”

39

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

BOOK REVIEW Moving in Circles Dan Agbese, Soji Akinrinade, Ray Ekpu and Yakubu Mohammed.

Year of Publication: 2012 Pagination:385 Publisher: May Five Media Reviewer: Chidi Amuta Title: Authors:

The columnist as avatar (2)

T

HE courting of the media high command by the military high command reached its high point with the regime of President Babangida.

Some senior journalists were recruited by government to beef up its manpower profile. Others were appointed to boards, committees and task forces. The military was even compelled to hold periodic privileged briefings with journalists on its programmes and policies as well as sensitive national security issues. This did not last too long. What followed was predictable. Arrest and detention of journalists, closure of offending publications, criminalization of journalistic misdemeanor etc.

Subsequently, politicians realized they needed the media but in a somewhat different format. They could hire journalists as image makers and spokespersons. Or better still, they realized that political wealth could equip them to own their media outfits. It is better to own your own medium so that you can control what is said about you in and out of office.

Thus came the rise of private political media: publications by politicians for the sake of political self preservation and sustained for as long as it takes for the particular political cause or project to run its cause. This only applied to politicians who cared about the media and public opinion.

The return of democracy in 1999 witnessed a different attitude to the media. A Nigerian leader that has become the prime mascot of the era was quoted as saying that he did not care what was written about him and his administration by the media. In fact, he publicly confessed that he does not read newspapers, a reflection of the very low esteem in which he held the media and its practitioners. This confession has since graduated to the ruling doctrine of politicians.

Still we were respected until we became assailed by the values of politicians and the new breed emergency oligarchs. Today, we have become indistinguishable from those who should be the targets of our self- imposed messianism.

In his last recorded media chat on national television, President Jonathan was asked why he would not declare his assets publicly. His answer was that he does not give ‘a damn’ what you media feel. Only last week, the President was again quoted, while signing a per-

formance contract with his ministers, as saying that he could no longer rely on the media to get a realistic assessment of his ministers.

Reason? The media has become indistinguishable from other self-seeking sectors of the society as some of its leading lights are now buying private jets!

As we celebrate the work of these outstanding journalists, therefore, we may as well raise the question as to whether the messianism that informs these essays is still valid. Is messianism even called for? Is there any calling left to be called journalism as a profession, seriously and strictly speaking? In the era of blogs and spontaneous reporting, of i-reports and u-tube- there is no journalist left in the traditional sense. We are living in an era in which everyman is now a journalist. The values that fuelled our original positions now need to be re-assessed.

And yet humanity has not ceased to depend on those who make it their business to disseminate information and transmit the news or inform us or indeed set the agenda. News media organizations have increased in direct proportion with the dilution of journalism as a distinct professional category.

The essays collected in this volume span a good part of nearly four decades. These are four decades in which the authors shared a single overriding preoccupation- Nigeria.

They lived through some of the most turbulent and most eventful years of our national history. These were years of political changes and great social upheaval. They were years of trial and great tribulation at private and communal levels; years of thunder and years of turbulence, of blood and avoidable calamities.

The essays are therefore journalistic interrogations of national history by and large. They share the increasing dissatisfaction with military rule in its original format as symbolised by the Gowon regime.

They also partake in the optimism and patriotic fervor that greeted the brief Murtala regime as well as the hope that the return to civilian led democracy would draw on the lessons of the past and resume the journey to national greatness. They take us through the politics of the NPN and UPN days in the Second Republic and the inevitable return of the military. From the draconian frown of the Buhari/Idiagbon combination therapy to the ubiquitous smile of Babangida’s imperious

•Ray Ekpu

•Dan Agbese

suzerainty, these essays sketch, as it were, the outlines of journalism’s encounter with misrule and anomy as well as with society’s burden of adjustment to incoherent policies and conflicting, even confusing programmes.

This is a period in which Nigerians had to learn an ever changing political vocabulary to cope with the ever changing predilections of an ever changing cast of political actors and their costumes. We learnt to insist that things be done ‘with immediate effect and automatic alacrity’, that we should grow our own food in our back gardens in line with ‘green revolution’. We were reminded of the trite truism that ‘we have no other country but Nigeria’ with the added injunction; ‘let us stay here and salvage it together’.

The same people were to instruct us that in line with the spirit of globalization, we should embrace the international mobility of labour by seeking economic succour abroad if necessary. Skilled Nigerians fled to all corners of the universe in search of jobs and livelihood as economic conditions at home became more dire. Thus was born the Nigerian diaspora, which today remits home an average of $4 billion and harbours some of the most strategic skills and competences that we need to salvage our country.

The preoccupations of these essays vary. But they can be categorized as either timeless or contemporary in relevance. For instance, Dan Agbese in ‘As K.O. Leaves’ (P.41) dwells on the retirement from active politics of the inimitable K.O. Mbadiwe. He celebrates the comic relief often associated with Mbadiwe’s trade mark bombast but also laments the imminent loss of his vast experience from the political landscape. The moral of the essay descends on us with a relevance that resonates in 2012 Nigeria: ‘Nigeria is a frustrated nation: frustrated by bad dreams; frustrated by its increasing loss of faith in itself. Therefore, the search for scapegoats has become a national obsession.’ (p.44).

Similarly, Ray Ekpu in ‘A Hangman is a

Hangman’, (p.283), throws in a timely warning as early as September, 1986 on the increasing securitization of the society as a result of a subtle effort by the then administration of President Babangida to give the secret service a human face in order to deepen its culture of repression.

In an even more contemporary piece (December 2009), ‘Living in Interesting Times’ (P.179) Soji Akinrinade interrogates the ambiguity of late President Yar’dua’s approach to the recurrent matter of corruption among political leaders. While the late president insisted that he was preoccupied with fighting corruption, some of his closest political associates were persons who had been found guilty of monumental corruption by agencies of the state. In a reference that would astonish the optimists of today, hear Akinrinade: ‘The President has told us he will give us 6,000 megawatts of electricity this month. Vice President Goodluck Jonathan confirmed this when he said recently in Kaduna that no Nigerian will depend on generator in 2010.’!

The recent recourse of politicians to violence to advance their political interests receives the attention of Yakubu Mohammed in ‘The Jos Madness’ (p.373). Mohammed is at pains to recall the symbolism of the city of Jos before the onset of the politics of violence as the peaceful melting pot of Nigeria’s example of peaceful co-existence of Christians and Moslems in an idyllic environment.

This volume recommends itself as a record of a vital aspect of journalism in the service of a nation in quick transition. More importantly, it is an important indirect historical source book for those who want to get a better understanding of the ideas and views that lay at the back of the media’s constant friction with the powers that have been. Future generations will read these essays and at least understand that we spoke to the challenges of our age in an idiom dictated by our strengths and limitations.

•Concluded

Africa on the floor

G

•Some of the artworks

ONE are days when people see art as a hobby rather than a profession. Many people are now going into art and different types of media are being introduced by upcoming and established artists.

A Nigerian who runs an art gallery in Sweden, (Modernafricanart), Lande AngousZygmunt, has introduced a new medium, which she calls Painting on Rug, a form of painting that is done on rugs which people could place on their tables, floor or hang on the walls.

These rugs, she said, could last for generations.

At a preview session in Lagos, AngousZygmunt disclosed that an exhibition and book lunch entitled: Africa On The Floor, where 20 works of artists such as Bruce Onobrokpeye, Muraina Oyelami, Nike Davies Okundaye, Sam Ovraiti, Ehi Obinyan and Tola Wewe, would be on display at Quintessence Gallery, Ikoye, Lagos.

Angous-Zygmunt said: ‘’While returning African art to the context of everyday function, Modernafricanart art rug collection also celebrates traditional artists the world over and encourages the breaking down of boundaries as well as the creation of wholly new categories.

This collection brings together three very different continents; Asian craftsmanship meets vi-

By Udemma Chukwuma

EXHIBITION brant African design in Europe. This collection celebrates the past even while refusing to be bound to old form’’.

She explained that the concept, which is to give artists a voice and new medium was inspired by two Persian brothers, Shahram and Rashid Bargi who deal on rugs painted in an innovative yet ancient form by Tibetan, Indian and Afghan artists.

According to her: ‘’These rugs are 100 per cent wool and 100 per cent hand made with African design. Modernafricanart’s collection is an exclusive range of rugs designed by their artists; made with the finest quality wool from Himalaya and master hand knotted by artists in 2,000 age old Tibetan tradition. She said each rug takes about three to four months to produce and the production of the rugs are not done here in Nigeria but in Afghan, India and Tibetan’’.

A New Medium for Contemporary African Art, a book of 68 pages, with over 50 colourful photograph illustrations and which outline the background to the collection and its place in the contemporary art world, was lunched.

40

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

•Sir Victor Olaiya, wife Victoria flanked by family and friends at his 60th Celebration on Stage ... weekend

PHOTO: ADEJO DAVID

Top artists back Life in My City festival

By Ozolua Uhakheme, Assitant Editor (Arts)

N

•Chief Justice of Lagos, Justice Ayotunde Philips (middle), Attorney-General and Lagos State Commissioner for Justice, Ade PHOTO: NNEKA NWANERI Ipaye (left) and other Lagos State judges cutting the cake to flag-off the Legal Year.

INE prominent artists, art teachers and curators have signed on to the local organising committee of the annual Life in My City Art Festival, Enugu last Thursday at a ceremony overseen by Board of Trustees Chair and former Chairman of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Elder Kalu Uche Kalu.

The LOC members include the chairman of the Enugu State Art Council, and an internationally recognised sculptor and a lecturer at the Enugu State College of Education (Technical), Mr Chris Afuba, Obiora Anidi, Tayo Adenaike and Bona Ezudu.

Ezudu is the proprietor of Bona Art Gallery, Trans-Ekulu in Enugu, the first major art gallery in Enugu. The gallery was for many years the ‘home’ of the series of exhibitions of the AKA Circle of Artists. Tayo Adenaike is a renowned artist, advertising executive and art teacher at the University of Nigeria.

Others are James Irabor of the Enugu Station of the Nigerian Gallery of Art, Tochukwu Amano, Emeka Egwuibe, Uche Agonsi, and Tony Odeh.

Kalu tasked the members to benchmark the sixth edition of Life in My City Art Festival against the best festivals across the world. He predicted that the Life In My City Art Festival is would soon assume the status of a truly international art festival. He noted that as prominent practitioners and experienced art teachers, they were in very good standing to add value to the enlarged scope of the festival for the benefit especially of the youth of Nigeria who were the primary targets and beneficiaries of the festival’s outcomes.

Life in My City Art Festival, which began in 2007, is an annual celebration of creativity and fresh talent in the Nigerian art landscape. It is the largest gathering of artists and stakeholders of visual arts in Nigeria, featuring exhibitions, talent contest, symposia and workshops.

According to the Executive Director, Life in My City Festival, Mr Kevin Ejiofor the festival offers the single largest exhibition of new works in visual arts featuring a broad exposition of works in painting, ceramics, textile, sculpture and photography.

“Stamford Bridge is not the best place for us to open the group but there exists no fear. We are the champions of Italy and that gives us a prestige we need to exploit. This is our return to the Champions League and therefore very special. Chelsea are European champions and deserve our respect, but we go to London without fear and with a lot of confidence.’’

Juventus striker Mirko Vucinic insisting the Italian club will nurse no fear when they travel to Stamford Bridge to face European Champions Chelsea. ankle injury.

But tough-nut Terry has given boss Roberto di Matteo a boost by coming through a light training session on Monday as preparations get •Terry underway for the visit of Italian champs Juventus tomorrow.

And UEFA bigwigs admit they will be watching the visitors’ bench at Stamford Bridge like hawks to make sure banned Juve OHN TERRY has coach Antonio been passed fit Conte does not try for the start of to beat his rap and Chelsea’s defence of phone his pals in the Champions the dugout.

League.

Conte is serving The Blues skipper a 10-month ban for jarred his knee in keeping quiet over Saturday’s heated match-fixing when goalless draw at boss of Siena and is QPR days after banished to the recovering from an stands.

OTHER SPORT...OTHER SPORT...OTHER SPORT...OTHER SPORT...OTHER SPORT...

Rapper 50 Cent switches to Pacquiao camp

A

merican rapper 50 Cent has posted a picture of himself with boxer Manny Pacquiao along with the words 'Big business moves' which could impact on his relationship with the Filipino's rival Floyd Mayweather.

Rumours about a rift between Mayweather and 50 Cent have been rife ever since Mayweather was released from prison.

Pacquiao's adivsor, Michael Konz told Boxing Scene: '50 Cent and I have been talking now for maybe the last two months. They approached us

with the idea to form a promotional company.

'Initially it was going to be 50 Cent, Manny and Floyd. But right now I don't think Floyd is going to be a part of it. I explained the idea to Manny.

'We already have a promotional company, MP Promotions, and we have already done three separate promotions from Top Rank...on a small scale. I have to take the blame for that.

'I'm in charge of it. There is an element missing there, but I have so much to do with Manny - that I haven't got that company to where I want it.

MARTINEZ: Valencia will push Bayern hard

J 42

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Terry fit for Juve

J

MESSI: Barca ready for CL challenge

L

IONEL Messi has reflected on Barcelona's failed Champions League and La Liga bids last season, but believes his side can still be proud of their efforts.

The 25-year-old is certain that his side can still class their previous campaign as a success as they gear up for another Continental campaign.

"We were lucky enough to win the Supercopa, Club World Cup, the Copa del Rey," the Argentina international told Uefa.com. "These are all important competitions.

"Obviously we

•Messi

•Benitez

didn't win the Champions League and La Liga, like people expected us to do and as we have done in the past.

"In the Champions League we were very close.

The elimination against Chelsea was a very close one and I missed that penalty against them.

"But this year we are ready to try again, we are ready to try [to win the Champions League]. I don't think there are easy groups in the Champions League, I think the opponents are all complicated.”

•Messi

•Pacquiao

AVI Martinez says Bayern Munich must be prepared to deal with Valencia's high-tempo brand of football when the two sides face each other on the opening matchday of the Champions League.

The 2001 finalists will lock horns on Wednesday in Group F's curtain-raiser on the back of contrasting fortunes, as the Bavarians finished runners-up in last season's competition, while Los Che were dumped out at the group stage.

And Martinez, who has vast experience of playing Valencia from his time at Athletic Bilbao, expects the Liga outfit to pose a considerable threat to his new team, even at the Allianz Arena.

"I know [Valencia] very well and I've played them quite a few times," he told Bayern's official website. "They'll definitely push us hard because they have a great team.

"They're very balanced, they have plenty of pace, they put opponents under pressure, and they're very well set-up tactically."

•Martinez

VUCINIC:

Chelsea don't

scare us

J •van Persie (L) and Kagawa

GIGGS:

van Persie, Kagawa can give us extra edge R

YAN Giggs is expecting new boys Robin van Persie and Shinji Kagawa to have a big impact on Manchester United's Champions League campaign this season.

Van Persie's appearance off the bench in Saturday's 4-0 Barclays Premier League win over Wigan showed the Dutchman has no lingering effects from the groin injury that curtailed his international involvement.

It also confirmed manager Sir

Alex Ferguson's determination not to take any chances in Europe this term after admitting he got his team selections badly wrong last season, when United went crashing out in the group stage.

"Robin has the experience of playing in Europe with Arsenal," the 38-year-old Welshman said.

And with fellow summer signing Kagawa also set to return after being given additional time to recover from his arduous trip to Japan, Giggs is expecting both

men to make a positive impact.

Ahead of Wednesday night's opener with Turkish outfit Galatasaray, Giggs added: "The goals he has got will hopefully give us that extra edge this season. Shinji is that kind of player who will thrive in Europe, where possession is key.

"He keeps the ball and gets into positions where he is hard to pick up.

UVENTUS striker Mirko Vucinic has hit out at Chelsea, insisting that there is no fear and claiming that it is not the same side as last season.

The pair meet at Stamford Bridge tomorrow night in their opening game of the Champions League and the Italian giants will be going there without coach Antonio Conte, who is serving a 10-month ban for not reporting match fixing.

“Stamford Bridge is not the best place for us to open the group but there exists no fear,” he said.

“We are the champions of Italy and that gives us a prestige we need to exploit. This is our return to the Champions League and therefore very special.

“Chelsea are European champions and deserve our respect, but we go to London without fear and with a lot of confidence.’’

UEFA Champions League FIXTURES

Chelsea v Juventus Shakhtar Donetsk v FC Nordsjaelland Bayern Munich v Valencia Lille v BATE Borisov Barcelona v Spartak Moscow Celtic v Benfica Braga v CFR Cluj Manchester Utd v Galatasaray

43

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Lessons from a party convention in America resonate across to the Nigerian political landscape, even as it showcases the best of American party politics and some warts, too. SUNDAY DARE, who was at the Convention, writes.

Time to grow a backbone L

IKE the biblical injunction

by Jesus to the paralytic, “Pick up your stick and walk,” a similar message rang out to all democrats at the Democratic National Convention that recently ended in Charlotte, North Carolina. In an arena filled with excited, yet somewhat pensive members, supporters and followers of the Democratic Party, the speeches delivered each night had one central message that ran through- it’s about time the democrats took the fight to the Republicans. But first, Democrats must grow a political backbone. Time to quit the defensive and get on the offensive.

But first, we saw Democrats on an all-out offensive. The opener was a salvo. Michele Obama provided the fodder by revving the engine. Bill Clinton through his speech, statistical brilliance and arithmetic theology supplied the bullets needed. Deval Patrick through his speech exposed the targets needed to be hit, Vice President Joe Biden serviced the Trigger and President Obama pulled the trigger on the Republicans.

Yes, the Democrats put up a great show at their convention but it was more than just a political road show or party jamboree. It had the feel of a booth camp. It was a re-awakening of sorts- a reminder that if Democrats don’t want the power bad enough there were others who want it more badly and are ready at all cost to get. But for the most part we saw America showcase what makes it thick: a democracy that outshines others in its orientation, simplicity, inclusiveness and its celebration of ideas.

We saw on display a country proud of its history, clear about her democratic aspirations and kind of society it wants to establish.

We saw a deciphering of ideas.

We saw brilliance. We saw leadership at its best- leaders who understood what it means to lead and who clearly have developed themselves. We saw a simultaneous clash of Ideas. We saw a contrast in major policies between the Democrats and Republican.

The speech that brought the message closer home for most democrats and which captured the fight ahead was that delivered by the first black governor of Massachusetts, Deval Patrick.

He was not only smartly suited up; he also delivered a smart speech with gusto reminiscent of

the civil rights era when Martin Luther King held sway.

Governor Deval brimmed with confidence while delivering a fiery speech. He challenged the democrats to quit winning and start to grow a backbone such that they can stand up and fight for what they believe in as democrats.

He threw this challenge openly after talking about the policies of the Obama administration and how the Republicans have sought to frustrate the Democratic agenda. Governor Deval in that inspiring speech rallied the democrats to a common cause, but warned that unless Democrats stiffened their backbone to stand up and fight, to stand up and challenge, to stand up and defend, and organise and mobilise for what is dear to them, they should quit complaining.

“If we want to win elections November and keep our country moving forward, if we want to earn the privilege to lead, it’s time for Democrats to stiffen our backbone and stand up for what we believe. Quit waiting for pundits or polls or super PACs to tell us who the next President or Senator or congressman is going to be. We’re Americans”. He described Obama as the Champion in the White House. The champion Americans need.

Perhaps, Deval himself threw the first punch at the Republicans and placed himself firmly in the forefront of the new courageous, bold and engaging democratic struggle he preached when he said, he would not let anyone bully an elected Democratic President out office. He called on his fellow party members not to allow anyone bully Obama out of office. His speech was well received and as I listened it resonated for me and my country. I realised that Nigerians need to grow a backbone and quickly too.

In comparison with Nigerian politics, the bully pulpit fight between the Democrats and Re-

•President Obama

publicans makes politics interesting and participation rewarding, even if only emotionally. In Nigeria, we are yet to see that sharp difference between the ruling party and the opposition on key policy issues. We are yet to have that spirited engagement over ideas and issues. Though we have had a semblance, that impact has not been felt. Not for not trying, but for not putting up a sustained effort and campaign, the opposition’s message is yet to drill down. Also perhaps, oftimes wining elections is not just about the votes cast.

It’s about how well you can rig.

There is little investment in building a party identity and developing a political culture. If PDP is the ruling party, and ACN and CPC lead the opposition charge, then it’s about time they call out each other on concrete issues and quit mudslinging.

There is much to gain in defining your message and sharpening your focus and nurturing a party identity in issues like fiscal federalism, power generation, education, employment, energy policy and health. Nigerians should be able to state precisely what the position of each party is.

Yes, Nigerians need to grow a backbone to fight the political and economic injustices that buffet our lives. Nigerians need to stand up and fight for better power supply, demand that those that miss-rule us or miss-manage our economy be fired or tried.

We must organise and mobilise

• Asiwaju Tinubu

over specific issues so that there can be focus and success can be measured.

Yes, not long ago, Nigerians grew backbones and were out on the streets, in the media, overseas- mobilizing, speaking out, and protesting for a better Nigeria. Those were the days of military dictatorship. I will never forget the sacrifices made by many ordinary Nigerians, progressive leaders and journalists.

But soon after the battle and not the war was won, that backbone to stand up to injustice and anti-people policies disappeared. Those that had the backbone to continue to lead quit the stage too prematurely for the onlookers and some of the accomplices in the locust ravaging era of our history. Soon enough they became senators, governors, congressmen, ministers, party chieftains, chairmen etc. Those who should ordinarily be at the periphery or in their workshops or somewhere in jail atoning for their atrocities against Nigerians were rewarded with political offices. We lost the initiative and lacked a critical mass of progressives in elective office.

And that partly explains why we are where we are today- in the middle of nowhere. Caught in a time warp. Stuck at the cross road. saddled with a government engaged in dynamic inactivity.

Frustrated to such an extent that some wish for the return of the military era (God Forbid).

But the message from Charlotte though it went out to a

‘Yes, Nigerians need to grow a backbone to fight the political and economic injustices that buffet our lives. Nigerians need to stand up and fight for better power supply, demand that those that miss-rule us or miss-manage our economy be fired or tried. We must organise and mobilise over specific issues so that there can be focus and success can be measured’

different crowd, in a different country- still resonates for us Nigerians. Is this how we are going to continue to “siddon look” and let our leaders ruin our lives and run Nigeria aground? The issues at stake are many but there are three issues around which Nigerians must grow a backbone and stand up and fight-Electricity, Unemployment, over spending on re-current expenditure and stamping out corruption.

We must rise up and insist that the government must give us better roads, give us more megawatts.

We must Occupy Aso Rock until recurrent expenditure is reduced to 30 per cent. While some are on the streets, our activist lawyers should search the law books and sue the government, drag them to court on any matter that the interst of the people are at stake. Listen, I don’t know about you, but I know that in the last 13 years, Nigeria has not witnessed any quality improvements- not just in governance, but in the quality of infrastructure.

We give up too easily. We invite God to come and rescue us from every ill and problem. We forget that it was not until the people of Israel got up, grew a backbone before they could leave Egypt. We have seen the power of collective action. The power of banding together, growing a backbone and fighting for a common cause was demonstrated during the fuel subsidy rally. We must pick up from there. It’s a process.

The Lagos-Ibadan express way is a national calamity. The power supply is a complete embarrassment and has killed industry. Our health infrastructure is a mere caricature. We must rally around these issues now before it’s too late. We talk about the Arab spring, but often we forget the sacrifices that went with it. Power is never served ala carte. For Nigeria, there cannot be any shortcuts to achieving a democratic society.

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POLITICS

Taraba: When national honours ‘True federalism is the way forward’ fails to bring reconciliation

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HE internal politics playing out in Taraba State reverberated in Abuja, the Federal Capital Teritory (FCT) on Monday at the National Honours awards. Contrary to expectation in many quarters, it failed to kick start a reconciliation among the top political actors in the state.

Taraba State Governor, Danbaba Danfulani Suntai, a pharmacist; his deputy, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Danladi and the Senator representing Taraba South, Emmanuel Bwacha were among the 149 Nigerians listed for the national honours.

Suntai and Bwacha were decorated with the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) while Danladi was to be given the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR). However, for the Deputy Governor things failed to go as planned. The fire at home raged so fiercely that its heat was felt in Abuja. Before the announcement was made last week, Danladi was already facing an impeachment proceedings at home.

The State House of Assembly had served him an impeachment notice, for what it allegedly termed “gross misconduct, sharp practices and lack of capacity to function as a deputy governor”.

On Monday, Dalandi was not decorated by the President. His name was struck off the list. His name which initially appeared as number 51 on the list was skipped but it could not be verified if he was informed or he attended the ceremony. The immediate interpretation was that given the cvriticisms that have trailed the list of honourees this year, the Presidency moved to assure the public of its readiness not to deal with people considered to be of questionable character.

This much was echoed by jonathan in his address when he announced that government would withdraw the awards from people found to be unworthy of it.But then, it is an open secret that Dalandi has fallen apart with his principal Govenor Suntai.

The national honours were instituted by the National Honours Act No. 5 of 1964, during the Nigerian First Republic, to honour Nigerians who have rendered services to the benefit of the nation. Since then, it has been the practice for the president to confer a set of orders and decorations upon honest and credible Nigerians as well as friends of Nigeria who have contributed immensely to national development.

The general view is that the 2012 list of honourees, contains names of a few impeccable Nigerians, as well as corrupt personalities, including those who are being probed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged graft and other contraventions. This implies that decorating people of questionable characters means the national honours have lost the respect and sincerity for

•Danladi

From Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

which it was instituted for.

Danladi’s case is one of alleged fraud and dishonesty –to his state and national development. Many people actually were wondering if he would still be decorated by the President after he was served with the impeachment notice? But for him, he was willing to go ahead and receive it notwithstanding the ugly development. He had told The Nation that he would receive the award. If he had been given, what would have been his his mood and the reaction of his boss (Suntai), who it was alleged implored the legislature to carry out the curious impeachment process?

Analysts say his fate migh have been sealed as he was given 14 days, beginning from Tuesday, September 4, to respond satisfactorily or face impeachment. The impeachment threat has been desxribed as being more political than constitutional.

Many had looked forward to the national honours as a big opportunity to heal the political wound and eraze the divisions that exist in the state.

Specifically, may had looked forward to the awards as a time for Danladi to reconcile with his boss and by extension, the state Assembly. But those who thought that Dalandi’s sins were about to be waved off or at worse, cautioned by the State House of Assembly were disappointed.

Danladi’s offence include using his office to divert MDG facilities meant for the state, such as MDG ICT centre, a motorised borehole and solar street lamps project to his private School, Yagai Academy.

The legislators alleged that the deputy governor used his office to acquire a large parcel of land in Jalingo on which he built the Yagai Academy with multi-million-naira business ventures, such as Yagai Water, Yagai Printing Press and Yagai Restaurant, arguing that his total emolument as deputy governor could not justify the

ventures.

The Taraba State Assembly is usually perceived by many as a tamed, toothless and ineffective appendage of the executive. It was, therefore, a surprise when last week the legislature bared its fangs and brandished an impeachment sword at the deputy governor.

The handwriting on the wall is crystal clear: Suntai is done with Danladi, and wants a substitute, his kitchen cabinet members have said. Sani’s sins, according to reliable sources, are many.

His romance with Senators Aisha Alhassan and Tutare Abubakar as well as the former State Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Abdulmumini Vaki. The romance is perceived as unhealthy to the Suntai government. Alhassan, who represents Taraba North in the senate and Tutare, who represents Taraba Central, have formed a stiff opposition bloc against the governor, with an eye on 2015. They fell apart with the governor during the last PDP congresses in the state where they accused the governor and his supporters of sidelining them in the composition of party executives in their various senatorial districts.

The political atmosphere in Taraba is already charged with scheming upon scheming. Suntai, who hails from the same zone with Tutare is making plans to go into the senate when he bows out in 2015, after serving two terms as governor. Tutare wants to be returned. Fierce acrimony and ruthless scheming have rancorously plagued the body politic of state. The gladiators are all members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but ferocious campaigns for 2015 have ingrained a deep crack in the ruling party in the state.

Reliable sources said the deputy governor allegedly held a meeting with Alhassan in Saudi Arabia during the last Umrah, to plot Suntai’s downfall.

On getting knowledge of the development, an angrily disappointed Suntai simply deployed the machinery to oust Danladi, whom he reportedly said he had lost confidence in. But Danladi has debunked the allegation.

The governor on Friday fired Vaki’s wife, who was his Senior Adviser, from office. “This is just the beginning of the end of our adversaries, including the deputy”, one of the governor’s aides said, adding that “Danladi’s removal is long overdue and oga (governor) is already shopping for his substitute”.

The state PDP Chairman, Mr. Victor Bala told The Nation that he would wade into the crisis. But his promise sounded more of a political statement. “I am going to do something about it. If the children are quarrelling, the father has to intervene”, he said. Bala decried the fact that the issue was not just a party squabble, hence 19 out of the 23-member House, including the deputy governor’s kinsmen from KarimLamido Local Government area and non-PDP lawmakers, signed the impeachment notice.

• Oyo State Governor Senator Abiola Ajimobi (middle), former Governor of Oyo State, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo (left) and Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, the Alaafin of Oyo, at the Oranyan Festival celebrated by Oba Adeyemi in Oyo at the weekend.

•Continued from yesterday

The dialogue option May I suggest that in place of brick-batting and hard-line mudslinging pervading the Nigerian atmosphere, giving the impression that it is impossible for the nationalities to sit together and dialogue peacefully, we turn to civility. We should come to terms sooner than later, that science and technology is drifting to the realm of negotiation with death and it may remain only taxation that is not negotiable. All matters including the unity of Nigeria are negotiable. Perhaps we should remember that all the apostles of non negotiability in defunct Yugoslavia, Rwanda etc have either died in jail or are serving long terms of imprisonment or still facing criminal trials. Never mind the avalanche of destruction that they wrought on their countries. When some states decided to install Sharia and organized hisbah to police and enforce it, the others saw no reason why they should go up in arms even though it was not sanctioned by the constitution.

Today’s family assembly is therefore convened, to think together on how to ensure that our children do not remain unfed; that our roads are safe for our people to move around and for business, that our streets are safe for citizens and residents, and that generally our region does not remain underdeveloped. In other words, we need to examine the structure of the polity together and make recommendations on how to facilitate the overall economic development of the country and the South-West geo-political zone, in particular. We need to brainstorm about how to make sure that “the architecture of governance”, to borrow a phrase from Chief Emeka Anyaoku, is designed to strengthen the unity of the country through a constitutional system that favours restoration of regional autonomy that made it possible for our region to create the largest pool of manpower in sub-Sahara Africa half a century ago. At the rate at which we are going, being constantly pulled back by a dead weight federal structure our children may not even be able to obtain good education and knowledge which is the only competition left in the globalized world.

This Assembly has also been called to allow us to help Nigeria optimize the potentials of its cultural diversity and to enhance its unity through a clear headed re-engineering of its observable structural imbalances. We can provide leadership for other regions in the search for the proper structure that can sustain democracy, development, and unity in our diversity. May I suggest that we discount the noise of the war mongers who believe that a conference will necessarily end up in the battle field. They have carried decadence too far. They are steeped in reaping unfairly where they didn’t sow. They believe in the unity of purpose of the donkey and its owner. Or how do we explain a Federal government that collected punitive duty on imported alcohol and returns to collect heavy value added tax from the consumers and repair to Abuja to distribute the proceeds to all states including those that banned alcohol, using some dubious calculus.

While we are at it, can our present leadership find ways and means of not just preserving our language and culture, but employ it for fasttracking knowledge. I have been hinted by a psychologist that we do not dream in foreign language. I, and myself have not found a good example of any nation that made salutary contribution to science and technology using someone else’s language. It sounds like share violence expecting a five year old to think in someone else’s language. I was assured by late Baba Fafunwa and Chief Cornelius Adebayo that it is easy and rewarding to teach in our language. They successfully did so. Can we possibly start a revolution? Please forgive me, I digress.

One more matter. Can we refuse as an article of faith, to allow anyone rampage our land in the name of partisan politics and elections? I mean, can we remove the brigandage that accompanies elections. The stigma, the unnecessary destruction of lives and property is avoidable. By all means, let us enjoy vigorous rivalries of ideas, principles and healthy canvassing, but leave the rampage out of it. That is the Yoruba way.

In the last twenty years, the Yoruba have gotten together under various auspices to examine the structure of the polity. The exercise leading to the production of the Yoruba Agenda is the most memorable of such efforts. The Yoruba Agenda contains ideas that can be reviewed and improved upon.

There may be some things that are no longer applicable and need to be taken out at this Assembly. There may be other issues that need to be considered and added to the position taken by our traditional rulers, elders, professionals, and other patriots when the Yoruba Agenda was put together during the prodemocracy struggle of the 1990s.

Kabiyesis, Your Excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, before I take my seat, I would like to bring some of the salient points of the Yoruba Agenda to your attention. This is to help us arrive at decisions on what we need to do to enhance the unity and overall development of the country, Nigeria, in general and Yoruba land, in particular. The Yoruba people fully subscribe to certain universal values which influence and govern the behaviour of peoples throughout the modern world. The values which may be termed Fundamental Principles leading to peace, stability and progress of a people like the recognition of the Sovereign will of the people, equal political, economic and social opportunity for all, and respect for human rights, equity, justice and fair play are all extensively dealt with in the Agenda.

Kabiyesi, Your Excellencies, Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, our region can be much better than it is. It can and should be much better to live and work than in the 1960s if we put our heads together to work for a more conducive structure that can nurture our civilization and that of others that cohabit the country with us. Only a proper constitutional and political agreement, enhanced by a consensus among the Yoruba to press for re-structuring and creation of a truly federal constitution, can help resolve the current constitutional and structural logjam in the country. This Assembly is convened to start the process of restoring true federalism with its cornerstone of regional autonomy in our country. This, as I said earlier, should be without acrimony as it could be achieved the same way Scotland has, through a peaceful constitutional process, demanded home rule within the framework of the United Kingdom. Today’s Assembly is a family meeting aimed at starting the formal process of demanding a restructuring of the Nigerian federation.

Finally, we know that lions eat lambs, but when fire starts raging in the valley, all animals become equal. E ma jeki o di igbati aja ba nle ikoko ki a to mo pe ogun ti de bode. The Yoruba need to rise, in the wise saying of our fore fathers that Agbajo owo ni a fi so aya.

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Ekiti residents savour health scheme •Continued from Page 17 one of the important indices of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The governor recognises the importance of a healthy population which he believes has a positive effect on the economy of the state, as only healthy individuals can contribute meaningfully to the local per capita income.

His party, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), has free health services on its manifesto and this formed a major campaign issue when the governor was campaigning for votes.

Not a few people sneered at the possibility of free health in the state given the low revenue base of the state and meagre monthly allocation from the Federation Account.

It is on record that the state government has expended about N270 million on the Free Health Mission through a population based outreach model from which about 300,000 people benefited.

Patients treated under the scheme are categorised into general outpatient, ophthalmology (eye care) unit, dental unit, reproductive health unit, health education unit and HIV counselling and testing unit.

A report by the medical team revealed that about 90 per cent of the eye patients have never had an eye check-up while about 80 per cent of the patients require eyeglasses.

The report also revealed that the incidence of hypertension and diabetes is very high in all the local government areas visited with the majority of the patients unaware of their conditions before being tested.

While malaria and skin infections are very common in the children treated under the scheme, the report further disclosed that almost all patients treated for dental problems had never visited a dentist.

To Pa Dayo Oregbemi, an 80year-old man from Irele who was treated when the scheme was taken to nearby Ipao in Ikole Local Government Area, the gesture has brought relief to many indigent locals.

He explained: “This is my first time of seeing something like this; the people are happy and are waiting to be treated. The drugs given to me are free of charge.

“Governor Fayemi is doing a great job especially in the health sector, we have seen this great thing

happening during his time and we believe it will enhance the standard of living of our people”.

The traditional ruler of the community, the Obanla of Ipao, Oba Joseph Bolaji Aina who is also a beneficiary described the Free Health Mission as “unprecedented”.

The monarch said: “This programme is very good and unprecedented. In fact, we are enjoying it because taking healthcare delivery to the people in their natural habitat has never happened in this state before.

“The government that is doing this good thing is a good government and we should continue to pray for its success to continue to do more for the people of the state”.

Mrs. Alice Omojola, 79, urged the Fayemi-led administration to do everything possible to sustain the scheme.

She said: “As you are looking at me, I am a widow and I don’t have any money. In fact, I borrowed money to take a bike to come and benefit from this free treatment.

“We don’t want our government to stop this type of programme because of people like us who can’t afford money being charged by private clinics and chemists.”

Pa Tunde Ayeni, 76, said: “It is one of the best policies of this government under the leadership of our able governor, Dr. Fayemi.

“When you have good health, there is nothing you cannot do. You can see people here being treated and given drugs free of charge.

“The same treatment I have been given here was what a doctor in a private hospital charged me N30,000 for. This is just for the treatment of my eyes.

“We want our people to support this government, you don’t need to see the bad side of government and I want to say that this is the best this government has done so far.

“This is a government that gives N5,000 to each of the aged people in the state and no government has done it in Nigeria and we want the government to continue the gesture.

“We are solidly behind this government because it is a government of the masses.”

Mrs. Abigail Ojo, 65, who benefited from the scheme at Efon Alaaye, said the scheme has been helping the indigent people to have access to quality treatment describing the scheme as a “great thing in our lives”.

•Ogunmola is Special Assistant (Media) to Governor Fayemi

•Elechi inspecting a newly built road

Group hails Elechi’s performance

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HE farmers are having a great time. When you buy one fertilizer, you get two free. People are being empowered. Youths are being encouraged to go to Songhai to study agriculture, and when they come back, each man gets N4m to set up his own farm and become an employer of labour.

He has done very well.”

That was how Chief John Williams Nwode, chairman of the Platform of Peace Organisation, a group based in Ebonyi State, described the administration of Governor Martin Elechi.

The impact of the administration is said to be felt in diverse areas of the state, as it should be.

Infratructure is renewed, roads are built, communities without electricity are lit up, hospitals are being revived and restocked, among other things.

The secretary of the organisation, Chief Nkama Nkama Ude, also had similar words to describe the Elechi administration.

The group was responding to

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By Ozolua Uhakheme

opening of the 25th anniversary of the church’s youth fellowship in Lagos. He reiterated his call for a day of national mourning to appease the blood of the hundreds of Nigerians killed by Boko Haram terrorists. He noted that so long as these killings are left unresolved and justice is not done, the nation shall continue to be under curse.

“We continue to ask in this nation who killed Dele Giwa?, who killed Pa Alfred Rewane? How do we appease the blood of the hundreds already killed by Boko Haram terrorists? So long as these killings are left unresolved and justice is not done, the nation shall continue to be under curse. The way out as I said, is to call for a day of national mourning. When we have done this, then we must sit down to tackle the educational crisis in the nation, the energy problem, poor industrialisation, lack of basic infrastructures and poor health facilities,” he said.

farmers living in the rural areas?

So how do they get their produce to Abakaliki and other towns if the roads in the rural areas are bad? Does it make sense?”

The state ALGON chief also spoke on projects carried out in Abakiliki, the state capital. He said some of these projects have bee completed while others are still ongoing. He said the magnificent Staff Development Centre was done by the present governor, amidst other projects.

“The Ochudo city that is being built is aimed at transforming the state capital. And the international market is going to provide jobs for the people. This man is building over 34 bridges across the state, and 32 of them have been completed. Ebonyi receives the least allocation in the country, but Governor Elechi has just awarded N2.6 billion contract for the construction, rehabilitation and equipping of 13 general hospitals across the state to improve health care delivery at the grassroots.

‘I’ll create 3000 jobs in six months’ From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

‘Jonathan needs good advisers’ ENERAL Leader of C&S Movement Church, Prophet Gabriel Olubu Fakeye has said that he is not competent to assess President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, saying there are no bad leaders, but bad advisers. He said bad advisers are the worst enemies any nation can have at the corridors of power, adding that there are enemies around and the President is doing his best.

Fakeye, however, urged Nigerian political leaders to sit right, think right and act right if the nation must survive the increasing threat to its existence. He identified corruption and insecurity as major threats, which must be tackled by all, noting that if ‘we are not careful, corruption might lead us into revolution.’ He said corruption gave birth to Boko Haram and militancy, and has consequently ruined the image of the country. He spoke on Building an enduring future for the Nigerian youths in Lagos at the

a news magazine report that the administration was not doing anything.

“A particular news magazine ran a story portraying our governor, Chief Martin Elechi, as a nonperformer. We wish to tell members of the public that there is no truth in that mischievous publication.”

Ude, who is also the secretary of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in the state, said the report was not balanced.

“In one breath, [the writer] says the governor has not done anything since he came to power. In another breath, he says Governor Elechi is doing all the projects in the rural areas. Then he reels out some of the projects the governor is doing in Abakaliki, but claims the projects have no impact on the lives of the people. It makes little sense.”

But, Ude asked, “is it not obvious that rural roads are very important in a state like Ebonyi where the bulk of the people are

•Akande COUNCIL chairmanship aspirant in Edo State, Mr Roberts Akande, has pledged to harness the resources in the council to generate 3,000 jobs in his first six months in office, if elected.

Ako-Edo Local Government Area, which Akande wants to administer, is one most endowed with mineral resources, although they remain largely untapped. Besides, the people are also blessed with a vast fertile land that also remains largely uncultivated.

Akande, currently Senior Legislative Aide to Hon. Peter Akpatason, pledged to declare emergency on employment, a major concern in the area, should he win the election. He said he has already mapped out plans to generate employment for 3,000 people in his first six months in office.

Speaking with Our Abuja correspondent on his political ambition, Roberts said: “Since the number of those unemployed in Ako-Edo today is embarrassing, we have to take a deliberate action to

A

address this issue. And I already have the plan for this that if I am given the mandate by Akoko-Edo people in the first six months, our government will declare a state of emergency in the area of employment. We should be able to create a minimum of 3,000 jobs within the first six months.”

Continuing, he noted that in view of the proximity of the local government area to different tertiaries institutions such as Federal University of Technology, Akure, Auchincloss Polytechnic, Auchi, and the plans to establish a mining institute in Akoko- Edo, if he gets the mandate, his administration pave ways for the youths to acquire mining skills in the institutes. According to him, if he gets his people’s mandate, his administration will take advantage of inter-governmental relation with both states and Federal Government to accomplish this dream.

He said: “Like I said earlier, our government is going to partner with a lot of institutions. We are going to take advantage of the principle of inter-governmental relation by relating with both the state and federal governments in this area. My principal Comrade Peter Akpatason has even taken a step in this direction and we a going to compliment his effort. Now, he is working on a proposal at the highest level to bring the School of Geological Studies and Mining to Akoko-Edo in order to provide easy skill acquisition for people operating the mining sector of the local government. We are lucky that we

have a technical school, Igarra Technical College in Akoko-Edo. The Auchi Polytechnic is very close to us. The Federal University of Technology, Akure is very close to Akoko-Edo. Therefore, we are going to partner with these institutions in the area of training and retraining of the people in this sector to create an environmentally friendly situation for investment and generation of enough revenue for the government. “ On revenue generation, the aspirant, said should he win, his administration would not rely solely on allocation from the Federation Account that is never sufficient. Thus, he and his cabinet would exploit the resource to generate revenue internally for the optimum benefit of the people.

Before unfolding his rescue mission plans for his people he lamented that there is nothing to show for the over a decade People’s Democratic Party (PDP) wasted in Akoko-Edo. He said “The PDP government in Edo State as far as I am concerned wasted about ten years. They could not bring changes and they could not bring the dividends of democracy to the people. In my local government, for example, throughout the period the party was in power, it was only one project the party executed . And it was the Somorika Electricity despite the laudable ideas the party had on papers,” said Roberts.

The politician however opened up on why he considers himself the most suitable candidate for the most exulted position in the council as he said he is not learning the rope as far as Akoko-Edo politics is concerned.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

54

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 18-9-12

Nestle Nigeria hits N604 per share

N

ESTLE Nigeria Plc yesterday set another historic stock market and personal record as it rose by nearly the maximum allowable daily price change to hit a new high of N604 per share.

The company showed a stronger-than-average momentum with a gain of N26.50 per share, representing about 4.6 per cent increase out of the maximum five per cent price change band.

The benchmark index for the market, the All Share Index (ASI), recorded a modest increase of 0.32 per cent to close at 25,456.01 points as against its opening index of 25,373.83 points. Aggregate market capitalisation of all equities also gained N27 billion to close at N8.104 trillion compared with its opening value of N8.077 trillion.

With the soft nudge yesterday, average year-to-date return at the Nigerian stock market rose to 22.79 per cent.

The new high further cemented Nestle Nigeria’s his-

•Equities gain N27b

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

toric performance as the highest-priced, most resilient and stable stock at the market.

The food and beverages stock has consistently delivered positive full-year returns over the years, even in the throes of the recession.

As the recession shook the market in 2009, Nestle Nigeria more than doubled its share price from a low of N104.50 to a high of N247.72 and eventually closed at N239.50. The closing price for 2009 became the lowest price for 2010 as the company’s share price rose to a high of N401 and eventually closed the year at N368.

In 2011, as the market stumbled with a negative year-to-date return of 19.5 per cent, Nestle Nigeria posted a positive return of 20.92 per cent, setting a new high of N470 per share. The company’s share price closed at N445.66.

Besides setting new highs,

Nestle Nigeria has also continuously set a higher low, indicating strong resilience that reassures on the share price. Lowest market value per share rose from N104.50 in 2009 to N239.50 and N367.83 in 2010 and 2011 respectively. It has maintained a down limit of N400 so far this year.

Meanwhile, Lafarge Wapco Cement Nigeria recorded the second highest gain yesterday with addition of N2.60 to close at N52.60.

International Breweries placed third with a gain of N1.42 to close at N15.70. UAC of Nigeria rallied 50 kobo to close at N41. Union Bank of Nigeria gathered 37 kobo to close at N7.90. PZ Cussons Nigeria gained 29 kobo to close at N24.45 while National Salt Company of Nigeria added 27 kobo to close at N5.74.

However, Nigerian Breweries led the slackers with a loss of N2.50 to close at N135.

Julius Berger Nigeria lost 51 kobo to close at N27.50.

Presco dropped by 28 kobo to N15. Zenith Bank lost 23 kobo to close at N16.09 while Ecobank Transnational Incorporated dropped by 20 kobo to close at N11.21 per share.

Total turnover stood at 517.96 million shares valued at N3.07 billion in 5,172 deals.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 18-9-12

55

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

MONEY LINK

N

IGERIA’S economy is expected to grow at a slower rate of 6.3 per cent in 2012, compared with 7.4 per cent year-on-year in 2011, Renaissance Capital (RenCap), an investment and finance firm has forecast.

According to the firm, slower growth is positive for inflation, but it argued that there was no need for rate reduction yet.

In an emailed report, tagged: ‘Nigeria: 2012 GDP growth - Soft growth, moderating inflation, but no cuts yet,’ RenCap said pressure on the consumer is evident from the significant slowdown of the wholesale and retail sector in the first half of 2012.

This, it said, remained a fair indicator of consumer demand and would lead to a decline in

RenCap forecasts drop in Nigeria’s growth Stories by Collins Nweze

demand-driven inflationary pressures, this year.

The investment firm, said the slowdown in consumer demand was countered by increased cost pressures, partly due to the partial removal of the petrol subsidy, and to a lesser extent, the June electricity tariff hikes.

“Aside from the July increase in import tariffs on grains, which has increased the input costs of some agro-processers, we expect cost pressures to soften in the second half of 2012. We think the strengthening of the naira over the past two months to N157.60, from N160.75 at end of July, will

soften input costs, which is positive for inflation,” it said.

Last month’s slowdown in inflation to 11.7 per cent, from 12.8 per cent year-on-year, it said, partly reflected the decline in cost pressures.

The firm, said it was too early for Nigeria’s monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to cut the monetary policy rate, partly because core inflation remains high at 14.7 per cent.

“We believe cutting rates now may undermine the recovery and stability of the naira, on the back of improved forex reserves. Moreover, recent comments from the CBN suggest that it believes mon-

etary policy needs to remain tight, despite the recent respite on inflation, owing to accommodative fiscal policy and structural constraints,” it said.

RenCap said the slowdown in the rate of the oil and gas sector’s decline reflects an increase in oil production to an average of 2.38 million barrels per day (mb/d) in second quarter of 2012, from 2.32 mb/d in first quarter of 2012, according to data provided by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The slowdown in the rate of the oil and gas sector’s decline, it said, was timely, as such de-

velopment, helped counter the softening of the non-oil sector’s growth to 7.5 per cent in second quarter, from 7.9 per cent in the previous quarter.

“As the oil and gas sector continues to be undermined by oil theft, in particular, we expect the sector’s performance to remain subpar in second quarter of 2012,” it said.

The firm explained that softer agriculture growth resulted in slowdown in non-oil sector growth, adding that with Nigeria’s agriculture sector producing 40 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the sector’s performance has a

T

From Nduka Chiejina (Assistant Editor) and Mercy Madu, Abuja

any of the parties,” adding that in the Islamic financing system, everybody is his brother’s keepers.

He noted that some of the unethical practices that endangers people’s monies in conventional banks are not present in Islamic

banking system.

He however lamented the dearth of knowledge on the Islamic banking concept, urging stakeholders to do more in the area of capacity building and publicity.

Speaking earlier, the Managing Director of Jaiz Bank, Mohammed Mustapha Bintube, said, Nigeria was ripe for an al-

ternative source of banking, considering the fact that the global credit crunch didn’t affect Islamic banks, while it affected the conventional banks seriously.

He said his group intended to make Nigeria the financial hub of Africa, adding that the country has no reason to be the second largest business destination in Africa behind South Africa.

Unity Bank to re-launch e-product

U

NITY Bank has announced a re-launch of its mobile banking application, Unity Mobile.

In a statement, the bank said the reintroduced product places it in a leading role in the financial services sector by providing customers with secure real-time mobile transaction capability.

The Head, Media Relations, Sani Zaria, said apart from the convenience to customers of

tomers to have access to their accounts at any time of the day, and it is very secure.

In addition, Zaria said Unity Mobile reduces risks, saves customers’ time and cost, as there is no longer a need to carry cash around or go into the bank’s branches to conduct transactions. “You can even pay your utility bills and top up your phone from Unity Mobile,” he stated.

being able to bank from their mobile phones, the product is unique in its simplicity of use, while remaining absolutely secure.

He said the Unity Mobile application was part of the bank’s on-going rejuvenation process to improve service delivery to its customers.

“Unity Mobile is very simple to use, it allows cus-

FGN BONDS Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 350m 150m 350m 138m 350m 113m

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 18-9-12 SYMBOL

INTBREW BAGCO DIAMONDBNK FIDSON WAPCO CUSTODYINS NPFMCRFBK PAINTCOM NASCON UBN

O/PRICE

14.28 1.84 3.43 1.10 50.00 1.20 1.00 1.81 5.47 7.53

C/PRICE

15.70 2.00 3.69 1.18 52.60 1.26 1.05 1.90 5.74 7.90

NGN USD NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change (S/N) Parallel Market

Current Before

O/PRICE 0.61 3.18 1.91 1.57 1.29 1.13 2.66 7.18 15.28 28.01

C/PRICE 0.58 3.03 1.82 1.50 1.24 1.10 2.60 7.02 15.00 27.50

CHANGE 0.03 0.15 0.09 0.07 0.05 0.03 0.06 0.16 0.28 0.51

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8 155.7

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 11.8%

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

NSE CAP Index

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

Date 2-7-12 27-6-12 22-6-12

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

CHANGE

1.42 0.16 0.26 0.08 2.60 0.06 0.05 0.09 0.27 0.37

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m 113m

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

LOSERS AS AT 18-9-12

SYMBOL WAPIC PORTPAINT RTBRISCOE MAYBAKER AGLEVENT IKEJAHOTEL REDSTAREX DANGFLOUR PRESCO JBERGER

2009, 2010 and 2011 budgets.

The review was geared towards assessing the impact of the budget on the economy and how governance and management of some key macroeconomic indicators have affected the successful implementation of the budgets.

Owolabi, said, “As a stakeholder in the economy, the institute is deeply concerned about the nation’s paradox of poverty in the midst of wealth.

“The nation is richly endowed with human and natural resources, and therefore has no reason to be a poor sprinter in the economic development race, urging that the bright ideas contained in the budgets should be translated into reality.

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

OBB Rate Call Rate

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF NESF

T

HE Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) yesterday criticised Federal Government on its budget implementation, saying the citizenry are yet to feel the positive impact of the budget despite huge funds that have been released.

Speaking at the ICAN symposium in Abuja, the President, Adedoyin Owolabi, said the non-implementation has culminated in high rate of poverty and unemployment in the country.

He said there has been a mismatch in the brilliant proposals of the budget and its achievement in terms of reduction in unemployment, poverty, inflation, and infrastructure deficit.

The ICAN symposium with the theme, ‘Budgets of the Federal Government of Nigeria,’ took a retrospective look at the

DATA BANK

Tenor

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

material impact on economic growth.

ICAN faults govt on budget implementation

Govt urges support for non-interest banking

HE Federal Government is committed to making sure that the non-interest banking system takes strong root in the country as well as provide Nigerians with good alternatives.

Minister of State for Finance, Dr Yerima Lawan Ngama, who spoke yesterday in Abuja at a seminar on ‘Developing Islamic Financial Institutions in Nigeria,’ organised by Mutual Benefits Assurance plc, denied insinuations that non-interest banking was a religious system.

He urged Nigerians to take advantage of the non-interest financial system, adding that the benefits of the Islamic financing system helps to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor.

He said: “In Islamic banking system, there is compassion and transparency in the process, just as secrecy is not allowed from

•President Goodluck Jonathan

Offer Price

Bid Price

ARM AGGRESSIVE 9.17 KAKAWA GUARANTEED 1.00 STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE 125.13 AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 114.08 LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL 0.77 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.10 BGL NUBIAN FUND 0.93 NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. 1,713.48 PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND 10.45 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST 1.87 STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY 8,652.66 THE DISCOVERY FUND 193.00 FIDELITY NIGFUND 1.67 • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

9.08 1.00 124.96 113.71 0.74 1.10 0.91 1,709.59 9.94 1.33 1.80 8,411.80 191.08 1.62

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000 8.0833

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

56

NEWS Kidnap: Court strikes out council boss’s name from suit

A

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

N Anambra State High Court, sitting in Onitsha, yesterday struck out the name of the Transition Chairman of Idemili North Local Government Area, Mr. Raphael Nnabuife, as the sixth respondent in the application filed by Prince Christopher Udoh, the proprietor of Arthur Garden Hotels, Nkpor.

Udoh is demanding N5 million damages from the police for the closure of his hotels and his “unlawful” detention.

He is also praying the court to order the respondents and their agents to release him from police custody, where he has been since August 9.

Udoh’s hotels were sealed and he was detained, following the arrest of suspected kidnappers in one of the branches.

In a counter-affidavit, Nnabuife said he is not a policeman and did not make any complaint to the police against Udoh to warrant being included as a respondent in the application.

Justice J. I. Nweze struck out Nnabuife’s name from the application and awarded N10,000 against the applicant in his favour.

•The Executive Director, Highbury College, Portsmouth, United Kingdom (UK), Ms. Deborah See (left); Minister of State for Education Nyesom Wike and the Principal, Highbury College, Mrs. Stella Mbubaegbu after the college management’s meeting with the minister in Abuja...yesterday.

Police, Hausa community clash in Owerri PUBLIC NOTICE OLD-UMUAHIA DEVELOPMENT UNION The general public is herby notified that the above named Organization has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ENGR. CHIKOBI AMUGO -PRESIDENT GENERAL 2. ENGR. GREG CHIDO AMAJOIYI -MEMBER 3. NZE SAMUEL ONYEKACHI NWARIAKU -MEMBER 4. CHIEF JAMES NDUBUEZE -MEMBER 5. OGBUAGU JACOB OMEREONYE -MEMBER 6. BARR. ENYINNAYA OKEZIE -SECRETARY TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. It shall be the developmental organization of the communities.

2. To be enlightenment organ of the communities on developmental issues 3. To initiate and embark on developmental programmes without hindrance.

4. To advise the Eze’s in Council on any matters when necessary Any objection to the above should be forwarded to the registrar General corporate affairs commission, plot 450 Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi street, maitama, Abuja.

Within 28 days of this publication.

SIGNED: MR. CELESTINE UCHEGBU (SECRETARY)

PUBLIC NOTICE

CHRIST DIVINE LIBERATION INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY This is to inform the general public that the above named church organization has applied to the CAC for Registration under part C of CAMA, 1990 TRUSTEES ARE 1.

REV. VICTOR OKON EFUT (JP) 2.

MR. EYONG OWAI EYONG 3.

ELDER OBETEN OVAI OMORIGBO 4.

PASTOR (MRS.)GLORY VICTOR 5.

MR. OKON O. EFFIONG 6.

DR. EKPE LAWSON 7.

MR. EMMMANUEL EKPENI ENI 8.

EVANG GABRIEL UKAM OWAI 9.

MRS. GLORY ISAMO EGONG 10.

PASTOR WILSON IKWA ETENG AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE CHURCH 1) To preach the word of God round the world.

2) To teach men the right way to eternity 3) To liberate men from Demonic powers and losing them from demonic captivity to enjoy the fullness of God’s blessing on earth.

4) To build the nation via the word of God. 5) To prepare the saint for the coming of Christ.

Any objection to the above registration should be forwarded to the registrar General C.A.C. Wuse Zone 5, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

REV. VICTOR OKON EFUT (JP) 08063601278 Christ Divine Liberation Int’l Ministry Adim, Biase L.G.A Cross River State.

M

ANY people were injured yesterday in a clash between policemen and the Hausa community in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

Heavily armed policemen and vigilance groups stormed Douglas Road to eject Hausa traders from the area, but the traders fought them.

It was learnt that the police were acting on a security report that Boko Haram members had infiltrated the area.

The police shot tear gas

T

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

canisters into the air to scare the traders , but they insisted that they were not a security risk.

The situation degenerated into a free-for-all, in which many people were injured.

An eyewitness said the fear that members of the Boko Haram sect may be in the vicinity led to a stampede. He said passers-by scampered to safety and people abandoned their vehicles and fled.

A witness said the Hausa traders fought the security

agents with assorted weapons.

He said: “The traders were served quit notices sometime ago because of the heavy traffic and avoidable accidents caused by their trading activities. “They constitute great nuisance in the area and the security situation in the country demands stringent security measures.”

A Hausa trader, simply identified as Farouk, said they were never served quit notices.

He said: “Some people were saying that we are Boko Haram members and that they will send us out of the state,

but we are law-abiding Nigerians and are only doing our lawful businesses.”

A government source, who did not want to be named, said the traders were served a notice to leave the place by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

The source said a task force went there to enforce the order after the expiration of the notice, but it was resisted by the traders.

Police spokesman Vitalis Onugu said he was yet to be briefed about the incident.

Another arms’ cache discovered in Anambra

HE police in Anambra State yesterday discovered another arms’ cache at Umuihefula, Umuaku village in Uli, Ihiala Local Government Area.

A suspected kidnapper/ robber, Emeka Ezekude, in whose custody the arms and ammunition were found, was arrested following information from his parents.

Another suspect, Sunday Nwachukwu from Ezumeri Oraifite in Ekwusigo Local Government Area, is on the run.

The items recovered include 27 AK-47 rifles with

PUBLIC NOTICE BAMMEKE

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Oluwabusayo Mosope Bammeke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oluwabusayo Mosope Thomas-Adeniji. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE OLATUNBOSUN

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Olatunbosun Oluwasayo Hannah, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Akinnawo Oluwasayo Hannah. All former documents remain valid. Skye bank and general public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE The name, COL. (DR) SAM INOKOBA (RTD) was inadvertently spelt, COL (DR) SAM INOKOBA (RTD) DUGO. Please the general public should note that 'DUGO' is not part of the name that was published on the advert on Saturday of the Bayelsa PDP chairman.

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

numbers 56-2401697 and 562520707; one 06 rifle numbered 07018358; one rocket grenade; three rocket propellers; 770 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition and nine chains.

A police source said the arms were discovered by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), led by Mr. James Nwafor.

Though police spokesman Raphael Uzoigwe did not

confirm or deny the incident, a senior police officer, who pleaded for anonymity, said: “You know it is the duty of the Police Commissioner or the command’s spokesman to say these things. Even the SARS commander is not allowed to speak on such issues.

“Anyway, the command made another inroad today (yesterday) by discovering another arms’ cache at Uli. My brother, God is beginning to intervene in this state.”

Two Mondays ago, the In-

spector-General of Police’s (IGP’s) special task force in the state discovered a cache of arms in Oraifite and arrested a suspected kidnap kingpin, Olisa Ifedike (a.k.a.

Ofeakwu), alleged to be behind many kidnappings in the Southeast.

Ifedike’s home, where the arms were discovered, was demolished by a team led by Governor Peter Obi. The Nation gathered yesterday that Ezekude belongs to Ifedike’s kidnap group.

Police ‘arrest’ two trailers, occupants in Onitsha

T

WO trailers loaded with human beings were yesterday intercepted in Onitsha, Anambra State, by the police.

They were impounded at Upper Iweka.

Police Area Commander, Onitsha, Mr. Benjamin Wordu debunked speculations that the occupants of the trailers were Boko-Haram members.

He said: “There are so many speculations going on now,

but my men have started investigating the matter. We are suspecting that they are destitute. We suspect they were brought into the state ahead of the Christmas celebration, but there is no cause for alarm.

We are on top of the situation.”

Speaking with reporters yesterday in Awka, the state capital, Governor Peter Obi thanked the public for notifying him when the trailers

stopped at Upper Iweka.

Obi urged the people to remain alert at all times and report suspicious movements to the authorities.

He said the trailers and their occupants would remain in the custody of security agents until their identities and destination are uncovered.

The governor reiterated his determination to improve security in the state.

Anambra floods: ANPP seeks Fed Govt’s intervention

T

HE All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in Anambra State has urged the Federal Government to assist 24 communities ravaged by floods in the state.

The party’s Chairman, Chief Chukwuemeka Orjiakor, told The Nation yesterday in Awka, the state capital, that the problem is beyond the state government.

The floods destroyed property and rendered many homeless in Osomala, Ochuche, Umuodu, Akili Ogidi, Akili Ozizor, Atani, Ebenebe, Ugbenu, Awba Ofemili, Omor, Oroma Etiti, Ezianam, Umuenwelum, Umueze-Anam, Umuoba Anam, Nmiata, Innoma, Ukwulla, Owelle, Igbedor, Odekpe, Odemagu, Nzam and

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

Igbokenyi.

Orjiakor said: “We have not heard of many deaths, but will the government allow many people to die before help comes?

“We are not blaming the federal and state governments, but we are saying something should be done urgently to prevent further calamity. Governor Peter Obi has gone there to see the extent of the damage, but what next after the visit? All hands must be on deck, including the national and state emergency management agencies, to prevent further damage.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

57

NEWS

Suspected hoodlums hack student to death

C

ULTISTS on Monday night invaded the Federal University of Agriculture (UniAgric), Makurdi and hacked a student to death. They also defiled female students.

The university was shut yesterday, following a protest by the students, who went on the rampage to protest lack of water, electricity and security.

A source in the university said the cultists in-

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•UniAgric Makurdi shut From Uja Emmanuel

vaded the school on Monday night and killed a yet to be identified student with a machete, adding that they defiled female students, stole phones and other valuables.

The Dean, Division of Students’ Affairs, Dr. T.J. Orsar, dismissed the allegations by the students and

said they had no reason to complain as the university authorities have done their best to make the campus conducive.

He said the university management had addressed the students over water scarcity and made contingency arrangements with water tanker operators.

Orsar said before some

areas in Benue State were flooded, there was an agreement with students that owing to the high cost of diesel, electricity would be supplied through generators between 6pm and 12midnight anytime there was a power outage.

A statement signed by the registrar and released by the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr. Dzerkaan Fanafa, directed the students to vacate the campus.

ACN urges Kogi Assembly to sack lawmaker with no certificate of return HE Action Congress of Nigeria

From Muhammad Bashir Lokoja

(ACN) yesterday urged the Kogi State House of Assembly to remove Mr. Yunusa Olofu as the lawmaker representing Olamaboro Constituency, since he has no certificate of return.

According to a statement by the Chairman of the party, Alhaji Haddy Ametuo, the swearing in of Olofu as a member of the Assembly is against the rule of law.

A Federal High Court in Lokoja had ruled that Olofu be sworn in as the lawmaker representing Olamaboro Constituency.

It ordered that he should replace Damian Abdul Adejo.

Adejo, before the court judgment, was the lawmaker representing the constituency.

Olofu challenged the

PDP primaries in Olamaboro Constituency that gave Adejo the party’s ticket to contest a seat in the Assembly at the Federal High Court on the grounds that he (Olofu) was the winner of the first primaries in the constituency.

The ACN chairman insisted that Adejo had earlier filed an appeal at the Federal Appeal Court challenging the judgment.

He said: “Adejo filed an appeal against the judgment and served the notice of an appeal along with an application for stay of execution on the Speaker. Based on the above, Olofu was turned back by the Speaker on July 3, who said he (Olofu) must present a certificate of return from

the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). To date, INEC has refused to issue the certificate in compliance with the provision of the Electoral Act 2011 as amended.

“The Kogi House of Assembly Speaker bowed to pressure from above and swore in Olofu on July 5 without a certificate of return, consequently defying the notice of appeal filed by Adejo, which is still pending at the Appeal Court in Abuja.”

Ametuo said it is the law that a person can only be sworn in by an order from the final appeal court (the Supreme Court in this case).

He stressed that what happened in the Assembly was a departure from the rule of law.

“We as a party condemn with all seriousness, the swearing in of

Olofu who has no certificate of return and whose case is still pending at the Appeal Court in Abuja,” the chairman added.

He enjoined the government to allow parties in the case to maintain the status quo ante bellum, which he described as the hallmark of democracy.

Four dead, five injured in crash

F

OUR people were yesterday burnt to death and five injured in an accident on the Bauchi–Kano Road.

The Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr. Henry Sunday Olatunji, confirmed the crash to reporters in Bauchi.

He said the accident involved an ash colour Honda Accord car with registration number Bauchi 108 MS and a yellow Peugeot J5 with registration number XA 804 BKU. The Nation learnt that the

From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

nine occupants were male adults.

Olatunji attributed the crash to a downpour and excessive speed.

He said the FRSC officials have taken the victims to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, Bauchi.

The Sector Commander appealed to motorists to obey traffic rules and avoid excessive speed.

Kwankwaso warns against fraudulent acts

K

ANO State Government has warned committees screening prospective beneficiaries of the state’s youth empowerment programme to desist from fraudulent acts.

Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, who spoke in Kano yesterday at the graduation of the third batch of 400 students of Kano Farm Mechanisation Institute, said government would sanction any committee found wanting.

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

According to him, government would set up an independent committee to screen the shortlisted beneficiaries.

The governor warned that if any anomaly is discovered in the Community Re-orientation Committee (CRC), Lafiya Jari Scheme and other relevant committees, they would be sanctioned.

He recalled that there were instances when names

World Bank approves $10m to build HE Minister of pedestrian bridges Works and Hous-

T

ing, Mike Onolememen, yesterday said World Bank has approved $10 million for four pedestrian bridges in Abuja.

He spoke at the approval of six pedestrian bridges in Abuja.

According to him, the building of the bridges is an integral part of the road safety components of the federal road development project.

He said: “The objective of the road safety components of the federal road development project is to improve safety level on the roads.

“It is in realisation of this that the World Bank approved $10 million for the building of four pedestrian bridges on some selected roads in Abuja.

“The collaboration between the World Bank and the Federal Government in financing this project at a ratio of 9-1 under the road

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sector development team of the Ministry of Works is imperative and represents the way forward for critical infrastructures in line with the government’s policy of promoting partnership with multi-lateral and private sector financiers.

“The six bridges in phase one and two were awarded by the government to Messrs Dutum Company Ltd, Rural Steel Bridging Ltd and Enerco Nigeria Ltd with a contract period of six months each.

“This is to reduce fatalities on Nigerian roads as part of the safe road corridor concept. Our determination cannot be compromised because the lives of our citizens crossing these roads are vital to our socio-economic renewal and national transformation.

“It is gratifying to note that this project, when completed, will improve the safe

crossing movement of people in a manner that will ensure the achievement of our common objective of combining efforts and resources to address issues on road safety in Nigeria and to save lives.

“In the first phase of the exercise, we are building pedestrian bridges in the following locations with high pedestrian traffic: Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway by Tafawa Balewa Way, Old Secretariat Junction and Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway by Olusegun Obasanjo Way, Wuye Junction.

“Others are, Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway by Ahmadu Bello Way, Banex Junction; Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway by Shehu Shagari Way, Nicon Junction; Shehu Yar’Adua Way by Okonjo Iweala Way, VIO Mabushi Junction and Shehu Yar’Adua Way by Ladi Kwali Way, Sheraton Junction.”

Obajana Road: Kogi groups to bar Senator, Reps from coming home

HE agitation for the reconstruction of the dilapidated ObajanaKabba-Egbe Road took a dramatic dimension yesterday as some youths in Okunland, Kogi West Senatorial District, in separate statements resolved to constitute themselves into a militancy movement that would restrict members of the National Assembly from the zone from coming

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From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

home “if the Federal Government fails to act before December.”

Those affected, according to the groups, are Senator Smart Adeyemi, representing Kogi West District, Tajudeen Yusuf, representing Kabba-Bunu-Ijumu Federal Constituency and Sunday Karimi, representing Yagba West, Yagba East and Mopamuro Federal Constituency.

In a joint statement, Yagba Change Agent Group (YACAG), Okun Youth Initiative (OYI), Association for Better Okun Youth (ABOY) and Okun Summit, said a movement of socio-political, cultural, women, professional bodies and students’ union organisations, after a meeting, had communicated their intention to the affected National Assembly members.

Anglican Primate loses mother

HE death has occurred of Mama (Dame) Ezinne Sarah Okoh, the mother of the Head, Anglican Communion in Nigeria, His Grace, Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh. She died in her home town, OwaAlero in Ika North-East Local Government Area

of Delta State on August 10.

She was 90.

The deceased was a community leader and a devout Christian.

Funeral programmes will begin with a service of songs on October 25 at St. Michael’s Anglican Church, Owa-Alero at 4.pm. Funeral service

holds at the same venue the next day at 10am.

Interment follows in her family compound.

Thanksgiving service will hold the following day at the same church.

She is survived by many children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

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NEWS Senate, House to CBN: don’t print N5000 note Continued from Page 4

mitted to the fight and in the same breadth we make it convenient for people to move around with millions of Naira in their pockets. So, on those two points, because I believe that there are several other points against but with just these two, I support this motion and urge our other colleagues to support it.”

Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi (Ekiti North) said that the debate of the planned redenomination of the naira is important because it has a lot of technical contents as well as emotional aspects.

He added that the parliament must be able to distinguish between both and be seen to inform the public appropriately.

He said, “There are about four platforms upon which this policy is predicated and over the period of the holiday, I had the privilege of doing extensive study to find out what really is the motive behind this policy, which has generated a lot of debate. The very first one is the issue of dollarization.

“A respected member of the Economic Management Team of Mr President had said and I quote, Mr. Atedo Peterside: “Money is a store of value and all these thieves and vagabonds running around the various states and all over the country, when they steal money, they will want to keep it outside the banking system.

“So, they need higher denominational notes. Right now, they are using the $100 notes all over Nigeria because they are the best store of values for them.

“If you give them a better

store of value, they will move away from dollar and reduce the demands for American notes and move into our currency as opposed to the use of dollars to hide their loot.”

“This was Atedo Peterside speaking to Nigerian media on the reason why Nigerians should support this policy of government and here we are as a legislature, part of the ruling class that is being referred to, that this note is meant for us to hide loot.

“This is a serious issue. It is true that the US dollar and British Pounds is a store of value outside the United States and the United Kingdom.

“You want to store your value in a currency that is stable and hard, not in naira.

“We need to work naira to the level of reputation that other international currencies are enjoying now before we can position naira to store value locally.

“We are also told that the equivalent of this N5000 naira is just about 30 dollars.”

Senator Smart Adeyemi (Kogi West) described the planned fiscal policy as “ungodly, satanic, unconstitutional and uncalled for and does not make reasonable economic sense”.

Adeyemi cautioned President Jonathan to be wary of some of his aides.

He said Sanusi has turned out to be one of those misleading Jonathan.

He said it is ungodly for Sanusi to attempt to divide Nigerians through the introduction of a currency that would be used by only a section of Nigerians.

Finance Committee chair, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, said the statement by Sanusi that the N5000 is not for every Nigerian is a slight on Nigerians.

He said that the CBN boss woke up and announced a major fiscal policy, thereby taking Nigerians for granted.

Enang, in his lead debate, urged the Senate to note that on Thursday, the 23rd of August, 2012, the CBN announced the introduction of the 5000 Naira note as legal tender in Nigeria and the redenomination of the Naira.

He said the Senate should consider the proposal as a direct negation of the cashless policy of the Jonathan administration, which discourages cash transaction in preference for electronic cashless transactions now in operation.

He noted that the Senate should be aware that in cashless economies, such as Nigeria, high bills or currency notes, such as the proposed N5000, are not required as transactions are conducted from the payer to the payee’s accounts without any need for physical exchange or handling of cash by either of the parties.

The Senate, he said, should be worried that the policy will create multiple economic problems, such as inflation, corruption and security challenges, and would erode the value of the nation’s currency and ruin the economy.

Other Senators who supported the motion included Senators Abdul Ningi, Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman, Isa Galadu, Atai Idoko, Bello Tukur, Mohammed Ali Ndume and Bassey Otu.

Reps commence process to cut CBN’s powers Continued from Page 4

duction of N5000 will further heighten economic degradation. Even now, very few can access 1000 Naira. If we introduce N5000, we are driving underground N200, N100 etc.

“I have listened to Nigerians on television saying some countries have 5000, 10000 notes particularly the USA. But because of the negative effects they had withdrawn it from circulation since 1946. Why is Nigeria, which is trying to catch up with the developed world trying to experiment with what they have abandoned?

“It’s an invitation to anarchy and attempt to put us before an economic firing squad and cause economic genocide. At the time USA had higher denomination, it aided money laundering and organised crime pay-outs.”

Sani kalgo (kebbi) suggested that it would be better for the House to listen to a specialised committee to educate it on the issue.

Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, who took over the proceedings after Speaker Aminu Tambuwal left for a function, called on the Chairman of the Banking and Currency Committee, Chukwudi Onyereri (Imo State), to shed light on the issue.

Onyereri briefed the House on the steps his committee had taken since the news of the policy broke. He expressed his shock and ignorance of the policy, adding that the CBN boss had briefed him and his Senate counterpart. He, however, said the CBN boss should come before the House for a presentation and an explanation of the proposed introduction of the

5000 notes.

But Minority Leader Femi Gbajabiamila came down hard on both President Goodluck Jonsthan and Sanusi. According to him, the President has abandoned the wise counsel of the National Economic Council.

He said: “I am not an economist, but I have common sense.

I have looked at the legal implication. It’s unfortunate that the National Assembly delegated the power on currency to CBN, legally speaking. CBN is, legally, on a sound ground. But an issue as far reaching, that will have economic and social implication, was done without the imput of the NASS. “Economic Management Team is unknown to law and it is that body that was said to have approved or consented to the printing of the note.

“The Constitution has created a body called the National Economic Council to advise the President on such issues. It includes the Vice President, governors and the Governor of the CBN. The council shall have power to advice the President concerning the economic policies of the country. But a body called the Economic Management Team has taken over the functions of a constitutional body. I cannot recollect a situation where the Economic Council has met on this issue. The

President should constitute a meeting of the body to discuss the issue.

“We also need to discuss how the budget of the CBN should pass through the National Assembly because it requires money to print the notes and I hear it’s about N40bn. We can refuse to approve the budget for it. I respect Sanusi and I know he means well, but let him come and speak before us to explain.”

An amendment by Friday Itulah (Edo) that the CBN put on hold the printing of N5000 denomination, pending the outcome of the investigation, initially, was not passed, but Betty Apiafi (Rivers State) reiterated the need for the House to ask the CBN to put the printing of the notes and all processes related to it on hold, pending the outcome of the investigations by the Banking and Currency committee - as earlier proposed by Itulah.

The House agreed after Ihedioha explained the importance of the amendment to the members.

Sani Kalgo’s amendment that the House directs the committee on Banking and Currency to urgently propose an amendment to the CBN Act to seek approval from the National Assembly whenever issues of currency printing or restructuring arises was approved.

Gunmen kill commissioner in Borno Continued from Page 4

al of Prison in 2002, contested the governorship election in 2003 on the platform of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) against Former Governor Adamu Mu’azu.

Holder of the traditional title of the Jarman Katagum, the former Prisons boss was educated at the famous Barewa College, Zaria, Kaduna State, was at the wedding of the governor Isa Yuguda’s son held at the Emir of Katagum’s Palace a fortnight ago and was part of the marriage process.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

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FOREIGN End in sight for South Africa mining crisis

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•Officials inspect the site of the suicide attack in Kabul yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

12 dead in Afghan suicide attack

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T least 12 people are believed to have been killed after a suicide bomber targeted a minibus near Kabul airport in Afghanistan.

Unconfirmed local media reports have claimed the bomber was a 22-year-old woman who drove a car packed with explosives into a vehicle carrying foreign aviation workers.

The blast was so powerful it reportedly hurled the bus at least 50 metres.

Eight South Africans, believed to be aviation workers, died in the attacks, said Nelson Kgwete a spokesman for South Africa’s International

Affairs Ministry.

A school teacher who witnessed the blast described how he was waiting for a bus at 6:45am when he saw a small white car drive straight into the minibus.

“The explosion was so powerful and loud that I could not hear anything for 10 minutes,” said Abdullah Shah. “It was early and there wasn’t much traffic or there would have been many more casualties.”

Insurgent group Hezb e Islami said it carried out the attack claiming it was in retaliation for a film mocking Prophet Mohammed.

The group is led by former

warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, who recently sought to take part in peace and reconciliation efforts led by Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

Haroon Zarghoon, a spokesman for the group, claimed responsibility for the bombing in an email to the Associated Press news agency, stating it was carried out by a 22-year-old woman named Fatima.

If confirmed, it would be the first suicide car-bombing carried out by a woman in Afghanistan.

The bombing highlights the growing anger in Afghanistan over the film - Innocence Of Muslims - which has en-

raged much of the Muslim world.

The minibus was reportedly thrown 50 metres by the blast The US-produced film calls Islam a “cancer” and portrays the Prophet as a fraud, a womaniser and homosexual.

Thousands of protesters clashed with police in the Afghan capital on Monday, burning cars and hurling rocks at security forces.

On Monday, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf ordered that access to YouTube, where the video has been uploaded, be suspended so that the “blasphemous” video could not be viewed.

NEWS

North backs Kogi against Anambra

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HAIRMAN of the pan northern socio-political organisation, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Alhaji Aliko Mohammed, yesterday vowed to reclaim what it regarded as its rightful place in the nation’s oil producing calender by compelling the Fedreral Government to regard Kogi as the nation’s 10th oil producing state.

President Goodluck Jonathan recently declared Anambra State an oil producing state.

This has generated a big controversy as to the ownership of the oil wells, with Anambra and Kogi laying claim to the land.

The ACF Chairman, who spoke when he received the Network of Kogi State Associ-

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

ations that came to protest the ceding of an area in the state where oil was discovered to Anambra said the ACF would ensure that the Federal Government eventually proclaims the North as one of the oil producing areas by reverting itself on the proclamation recognising Anambra as the owner of the land where the oil was found.

Mohammed, who lamented that the North has always been looked upon as a parasite by the oil producing communities in the South noted that henceforth, the North will no longer be called a parasite.”

He said the ACF would use its position to ensure that the Federal Government returns the oil wells to the North Mu-

hammed said: “Certainly, the Boundary Commission will be able to determine which state or local government owns the area where this crude oil has been discovered. The ACF will promised that what belongs to the North does not go anywhere else.”

He also assured that the ACF will support Kogi State in the battle recover the land and ensure that the state is recognized as the 10th oil producing state.

Muhammed said: “Certainly, you can count on the support of the ACF in the respect of the oil find. We know that the Boundary Commission, which is a Federal Government Commission, knows the truth and everybody will rely on them.

“So, if there is oil well in

this place, everybody knows where it is, the local government, zone and so on. We will certainly support you and anything that is northern; we will ensure that it doesn’t go anywhere.

“Part of the reason why the oil well was given to Anambra could be because the oil company is from Ananbra State and they got the licence.

We will certainly work with you, support you and also make sure that nobody takes away the oil from the North.

“Other states have always said they are the one who have oil. Now, the North has oil and, therefore, Northerners are going to be considered as an oil state. Be rest assured that we will support you and that your oil well cannot be taken away”.

UCH records three suspected cases of lassa fever

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HE University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan yesterday confirmed that it has recorded three suspected cases of lassa fever.

The Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) of the hospital, Dr Jesse Otegbayo, spoke in Ibadan yesterday.

According to him, the hospital received three suspected cases of the deadly and highly contagious fever but that only one was confirmed as lassa.

He said the patient, who was brought to the hospital

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

from an area within Ibadan metropolis, died on August 30.

Otegbayo recalled that the first suspected case was in July but that the sample tested negative. The second was in August which tested positive and died shortly after while the third was recorded last week.

The result, which he just received at the time of the interview with our correspondent showed that the patient tested negative to the disease. The third patient is still on admission at the hospital.

Otegbayo explained that the government has put in place various mechanisms to prevent the disease at various hospitals in the six geopolitical zones.

“Government has a specific project to address the disease. They include media campaigns including radio jingles and posters to enlighten people on how it can be prevented and contracted. The Federal Government through the Ministry of Health has regionalized diagnostic centres where the tests are conducted. The two

for the Southwest zones are in Lagos and Irrua in Edo states. Only results from these centres are taken.

Besides, government has put in place a chain of reporting from hospitals to states’ Ministry of Health to the Federal Ministry of Health. They work to ensure prevention, diagnosis and quick response.

“Government has also made available free drugs.

The drug was administered to the one that died but the disease has high mortality rate. It spreads very fast.

HE Five-week strike by the Lonmin’s Marikana platinum works came to an end yesterday as the company offered 22 per cent salary increase.

Bishop Jo Seoka, the President of South African Council of Churches, who brokered the peace deal between miners and their employer, said the workers were happy with the offer.

“The workers are happy with the wage offer and so we believe that what has happened had been a victory for the workers, and they’re going to work on Thursday morning,” Seoka said.

Workers, who gathered at a football pitch near the Marikana mine, cheered when they were informed of the 22 per cent offer and said they would return to work on Thursday.

The new wages would now range from R9,000 (about N198,000) to R11,000 (about N242,000), which amounts to a 22 per cent increase.

Seoka said both the Lonmin management and workers were desperate to end the strike, which started in early August.

The South African mining giant was forced to shut down one of its shafts as a result of the industrial action.

Last month, 3,000 rock drill operators down tools to demand higher wages.

Since the beginning of the strike, at least 45 people had been killed in violence at the mine.

Also, 34 protesters were killed and 78 others wounded when police opened fire on demonstrators on August 16.

With the salary increase, workers are now set to return to work on Thursday morning.

Miners had initially demanded a basic salary of R12,500 (about N250,000) a month.

The workers representatives are expected to sign the agreement on Wednesday before the workers could return to work on Thursday.

UN envoy meets Syrian refugees

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INTERNATIONAL Peace Envoy for Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, met refugees in a Turkish border camp yesterday, his first such visit since he assumed the post earlier this month.

Brahimi met refugees at Altinozu camp located near the Syrian border in Turkey’s Hatay province, and listened to their “sufferings and stories.”

The Altinozu camp was one of the first set up by Turkey for Syrian refugees after the uprising against President Bashar alAssad began in mid-March 2011.

According to UN figures, the ongoing conflict had seen 250,000 people flee into neighbouring countries.

The joint UN-Arab League envoy was briefed by Turkish officials on the conditions of the refugees and their needs.

On August 20, Turkey said it could no longer provide for more than 100,000 Syrian refugees and instead proposed a UN buffer zone inside Syria to shelter them.

The Algerian diplomat had already held talks with: Arab League and Egyptian officials; al-Assad; and the opposition.

Meanwhile, the foreign ministers of Egypt, Turkey, and Iran said they would hold more talks in New York later this month, following discussions on the Syria crisis on Monday in Cairo.

PUBLIC NOTICE

CONSERVATION ASSOCITION OF MBE MOUNTAINS (CAMM) The general public is hereby notified that the above named association has applied to corpoporate affairs commission for registration under part ‘c” of the companies and allied matters Act,1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PAUL O. ABANG 2. KAJANG, AMOS KAJANG 3. OBI KELVIN AKEH 4. NKRAH, GABRIEL OSANJA 5. OBI NAPOLEON OSANJA 6. ASHU OCHANG KIERIEN 7. FEDELIS ICHI 8. KEKUNG FEDELIS M. 9. ESHUA LAWRENCE ACHU AIMS OF CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION OF MBE MOUNTAINS ARE: 1) To conserve and proctect mbe mountains’and flora and fauna for our benefit,posterity and tourism attraction.

2) To conserve mbe mountains flora and fauna thus creating job opportunities and employment generation.

3) To encourage positive attitude of the mbe mountains communities towards the need for good health,conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.

Any objective(s) to the registration should be forwarded within twenty-eight (28) days to the registrar general, corporate affairs commission, plot 420 Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi street,maitama,Abuja.

Signed: MR. KAJANG AMOS KAJANG

PUBLIC NOTICE ONE LOVE COMMITTEE OF FRIENDS CLUB The general public is hereby notifiedthat the above named organization has applied for registration under part’ c’ of the companies and allied matters NO,1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1 MR. EDWARD AKPA 2 MR. CHUKWU VINCENT 3 MR. ROLAND ODOGBU CHUKWU 4 MR. KENNETH AKPA ODUNA AIMS AND OBJECTIVE 1. To promote unity, love and welfare of members 2. To encourage friendship brotherhood, peace and societal orderliness 3. To educate members and youths on how to develop their potentials and live and successful life.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs commission,Plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street,Maitama Abuja, within 28days of this publication.

Signed: FESTUS O. EZE ESQ. Barrister and solicitor.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

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NEWS

Reps insist Oteh must go

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HE House of Representatives yesterday took President Goodluck Jonathan head-on over the reinstatement of the Director General of the Security Exchange Commission, Ms. Arunma Oteh.

Members insisted that the resolution of the House which requested the President to sacked the Director General should be honoured.

The House also yesterday blacklisted the Director General saying none of its committees would have anything to do with her anymore.

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi

The House requested the President “to implement the resolution of the House of Representatives on the near collapse of the Capital Market particularly aspects of the resolution requesting the removal of Ms Arunmah Oteh as the Director General of Security and Exchange Commission for being unqualified by law to serve as Director General of security and Exchange Commission, as contained in Sections 3(2)(a) and section 38(I)(b) 2 and 3, and

section 315 of the Investments and Securities Act (ISA), 2007.”

The Green Chamber also resolved “that the House of Representatives or Any of its committees shall henceforth cease to accord any recognition or deal with Ms Arunmah Oteh as Director General of Security and Exchange Commission.”

Lawmakers gave the House Committee on Legislative Compliance 14 days to report the level of compliance of the Executive with the resolution.

The resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion by

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•Oteh

a member, Ossai Nicholas Ossai titled: “Need for the President to enforce the resolution of the House of Representatives on the Investigation into the near collapse of the Capital Market.”

LASU students protest over tuition fees

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TUDENTS of the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, protested the slight reduction in their tuition yesterday they disrupted the final day of the second semester examinations for the 2011/2012 academic session by some hours.

All hopes for a significant reduction in the fees in their were dash on Monday when

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie and Adegunle Olugbamila

the varsity’s management of the university announced the new tuition regime for next session.

According to the official bulletin by the Centre For Information, Press and Public Relations (CIPPR) of the Vice Chancellor’s Office, dated September 17, fresh students are to pay be-

tween N151, 250 and N326, 250 when they get to 200-Level as against the N193, 750 and N308, 750 which they paid in their first year.

Following the announcement, some of the students under the Joint Committee of Class Governors of the fresh students staged a protest, boycotting the second semester compulsory GNS examinations

The placard-bearing students blocked the ever-busy Ojo/Badagry Expressway until policemen were drafted in to restore law and order.

They came in three Hillux vans which were packed outside the university’s main gate.

The revised tuition fees is to be made in two installments when they resume for the 2012/2013 academic session.

Police arrest kidnappers of Dangote’s cousin

GANG, which abducted a cousin of the Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and collected a ransom of N32million, has been arrested by the police.

The victim Yahaya Aminu, was kidnapped on September 2, at the Falomo, Ikoyi branch of GTBank, Awolowo Road, Lagos.

He has, however, been rescued. Two locally-made pistols with 16 cartridges and a Kia Cerato, marked DN735APP, belonging to the victim, were recovered from the gang.

It was gathered the gang also kidnapped Mr Debasis Mitroroy, also of Dangote Group.

The gang had kidnapped an Indian, demanding 200,000 dollars as ransom, which was paid.

The suspect, Pius Uba Livinus and two others; Kelechukwu Onyema and Ayebe Segun, were arrested by operatives attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja, Lagos.

By Jude Isiguzo

Livinus’father, a former police Inspector, who was dismissed in 1995, is also being held for attempting to protect the suspect.

The ex-Inspector was arrested after his son confessed that his father, who had earlier denied knowledge of his whereabouts when police invaded their home, has been protecting him from being arrested.

The suspect’s father had told policemen that he had not seen Livinus for over two months. But the suspect later confessed that he has been with his father since they kidnapped the Indian last year.

It was learnt that the suspect was arrested in February for a failed kidnap operation and charged to court but he found his way out of prison after two months.

The suspect, who said his father is also being detained in connection with the crime, had participated in three kidnap operations.

Police spokesperson Ngozi Braide said Livinus (25) , Oneyema (27) and Segun (32) would be prosecuted .

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.7 NO.2,253

TODAY IN THE NATION ‘This is probably why many people rightly or wrongly believe that the recent upsurge in violent robberies may have been clandestinely instigated by ‘insides’, who are compaigning for the return of the old, antiquated checkpoint where policemen turn themselves to gold diggers’ DELE AGEKAMEH

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

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T did not start newsmagazine journalism in Nigeria. The credit for that must go to the since rested Newbreed, the gutsy biweekly the late, even more gutsy, Chief Chris Okolie published from 1976. But even before Newbreed there was, of course, local magazine journalism. However, it was essentially entertainment and soft-sell oriented, led by publications, such as Drum, imported from South Africa, Spear and Woman’s World, published by Daily Times under the incomparable late Alhaji Babatunde Jose.

There was, in a sense, newsmagazine journalism of sorts even before Newbreed. Before Okolie, we had Africa, Afriscope, West Africa, etc. But, except for Afriscope owned by Comrade, now Senator, Uche Chukwumerije, they were all published abroad, mostly from London. They were also monthly and, as their titles suggested, their scope of coverage was continental or sub-continental.

Newswatch may not have started newsmagazine journalism in Nigeria. However, the eternal credit for rediscovering that brand of journalism in the country even before Newbreed was to resume publication in 1987, seven years after the fatal ban military head of state, General Olusegun Obasanjo, imposed on it in 1978, must go to Newswatch.

Not only did Newswatch rediscover newsmagazine journalism in Nigeria, it was the first to do so as a weekly. It was also the first print medium to be largely owned and controlled by journalists themselves.

The story of how the late Dele Giwa, Ray Ekpu, Yakubu Mohammed and Dan Agbese, dissatisfied with the integrity and credibility of journalism at their various publications, left to found a weekly news magazine of their own in late 1984 and subsequently publish it from February 28, 1985, has since become the stuff of legends.

By the time the four-some started their magazine they were all household names as journalists, editors and columnists. But as many an accomplished journalist, editor and columnist would attest to, their names were not enough to guarantee success. They also needed to work hard, publish and be damned and show clarity and simplicity in how they told and commented on their news stories.

For years, week in, week out, they demonstrated all these qualities – and some – in the news and views they published.

Not surprisingly, within months their magazine caught the imagination of the Nigerian reading public and it became the reference point of Nigerian journalism, print and otherwise.

Like all good things, it soon spawned competitors. Thisweek, The Nigerian Economist, Citizen, Tell, the News, Viva, Sentinel, Analyst, Source, TSM, name it, they all joined the fray one after the other. Not to be left behind, the leading newspaper stables of the time, notably Daily Times, Concord and The Guardian, all started weekly news magazines of their own.

Over 28 years after the founding of Newswatch in 1984, less than a handful of these

People and Politics By MOHAMMED H ARUNA ndajika@yahoo.com

Newswatch: Sad end to a great news magazine

•Ray Ekpu

competitors, notably Tell and The News, have matched the magazine in surviving the rough waters of print journalism in Nigeria.

Naturally, those 28 years had not been all smooth sailing for the magazine. Perhaps, the most devastated blow against it came pretty early in its life when Dele, its leading founder, was killed in his residence in1985 by a parcel bomb. This did not deter its remaining founders from staying the course of their investigative style of reporting.

Predictably, however, their style earned them harassments and bans by the various governments of the day. Invariably, this affected the magazine’s profitability. But even before the bans, one of which lasted all of six months, many of its readers, and even some of its ace reporters, had begun to regard it as less robust in its coverage of news than it was before Dele was killed.

Several of these dissatisfied reporters left to found Tell which gave Newswatch a good

•For comments, send SMS to 08023211188

HARDBALL

RIPPLES

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Penny dreadful national honours

POWER SUPPLY HAS IMPROVED - Activist

H

Up NEPA...Now let’s clap for them with ONE HAND

run for its money.

Last month, as probably most of us know by now, the inspiring story of Newswatch’s brand of journalism and its longevity – at least by our local standard - came to a sad and abrupt end; on August 6, Chief Jimoh Ibrahim, the highly controversial entrepreneur who had bought over 51 per cent of the magazine a little over a year ago, announced the indefinite suspension of the magazine “to reposition it and make it relevant to modern times.”

That announcement may have come as a shock to most of the magazine’s readers.

Certainly, it did to its erstwhile owners; at least that was what they said at a press conference they called early this month in reaction to Chief Ibrahim’s announcement. “The decision,” said Ray on behalf of Yakubu, Dan and Soji Akinrinade who had joined the board after Dele’s murder, “came to us as a big shock.” Through good times and bad, said Ray, the magazine kept faith with its readers every Monday, except for the period of its ban, throughout those 27 odd years.

If anyone, including Ray and his colleagues, is surprised at Chief Ibrahim’s announcement, he shouldn’t; unless, of course he is not familiar with, or had chosen to ignore, the widespread controversy that has surrounded the chief’s acquisitions from that of Afribank, through his airline whose original owner was Captain Idris Wada, the governor of Kogi State, to NICON Insurance, the erstwhile government insurance company.

In each and every one of these cases the original owners must’ve rued the day they thought the chief was the turn-around entrepreneur to rescue their distressed companies for the benefit of both sides. Instead the chief, apparently a master at playing hard ball, ended laughing all the way to his banks at the expense of the original owners.

At the time the chief seemingly went to the rescue of Newswatch, it was really in dire straits; it owed eight months salaries and allowances to its workers and owed even bigger sums to its printers and suppliers. Perhap this was what led Ray and his colleagues to grab what looked like a lifeline from the chief. They may also have felt encouraged by the way he seemed to have quickly turned the National Mirror he had bought from another newspaper publisher, Emeka Obasi, into a well printed and high quality national daily.

Whatever may have motivated them to make the chief Newswatch’s core investor, with 51 per cent of the magazine’s shares, it has since become painfully clear to them that the chief is hardly likely to keep the promise he apparently made to them that he will turn their magazine around. Instead, the “corporate surgery” he has said he will subject the magazine to is almost certain to kill it.

And as if to add salt to their injury, the man has been claiming even more than the 51 per cent shares he’d bought in the original deal.

“I own 89 per cent shares of the company,” he told Thisday (August 12) the other day.

How that was possible when there are other outside shareholders of the magazine that were yet to sell their shares and when he himself could not make up his mind how many shares Ray and his colleagues had owned, he would not say; in one interview with Thisday he said Ray owned only two per cent, Dan half per cent, Yakubu half per cent and Akinrinade half per cent, making a total of four per cent. Less than a month later, he told the same newspaper the four owned 6.5 per cent.

Earlier, a half wrap around advert clearly aimed at embarrassing the four into silence, which his newspaper published on August 15 said the four owned 6.3 per cent whereas the actual total was 6.38 per cent.

The same advert talked about unissued shares of 89.18%. The chief is yet to disclose when those shares were issued and he bought them in accordance with the company laws of the land.

In retrospect, it now seems the chief was never really interested in the survival of Newswatch. Rather, it seems he was more interested in the magazine’s prime land at Oregun, Lagos. He will, he has said, pull down the property on it and “rebuild it into a world class complex with a printing press.”

His less than stellar performance at Air Nigeria and at NICON hardly suggests it will be all for the good of Newswatch and its old shareholders. Trouble is it all seems too late for anyone to save the newsmagazine which, not so long ago, was the reference point of good professional journalism in Nigeria, perhaps even on the continent and beyond.

ARDBALL is today loth to spoon-feed younger readers. He will leave them to find out what penny dreadful means. For older readers, from whose ranks many of the recipients of Nigerian National Honours come from, penny dreadful is certainly not a strange term. The old are familiar with it, and more, they can feel an eerie sense of its applicability in the 2012 Honours investiture that took place two days ago for 155 people described fulsomely as eminent personalities. Most Nigerians, if President Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR, would be kind enough to lend us his idiosyncratic hyperbole, think the honours have been bastardised.

Since 1963 when it began, the awards have gone to over four thousand people, very many of them truly undeserving. Responding to questions over the apparent debasement of the awards and the fact that some awardees have in retrospect proved unworthy of the honours, Jonathan declared: “I have directed that the National Honours Committee compile a list of persons conferred with National Honours but that their current cred-

ibility is questionable. If they are found wanting, our prestigious honours will be withdrawn.”

We leave it to you to determine whether the honours are really prestigious, or whether it would not have been far better to tighten the criteria beforehand and ensure that awardees are people duly and rigorously tested in achievement and character. It is an indication of the vulgarisation of the awards, for instance, that they have become predictable for certain classes of people. It is routine to give it to heads of state and presidents, usually after service or, in the case of Jonathan, during service, whether they deserved it or not. It is now also routine to give it to serving vice presidents, some governors, serving top military and police brass, and as it has become obvious, a few outright charlatans. It has in fact become a tool for dispensing favours, and with each passing year, it becomes increasingly devalued.

No awardee illustrates the bastardisation of the honours as much as the late Gen Sani Abacha, GCON, whose larcenous and libidi-

nous propensity turned Nigeria into an object of international ridicule far worse than the sensuous Mr Silvio Berlusconi occasioned for Italy. Many more recipients have proved unworthy of the awards. The task for Jonathan, if indeed he is capable of discharging it, is not to simply compile a list of those who have debased the awards or to pussyfoot over it. He has a responsibility to rework the National Honours paradigm away from its present predictability and its deployment as a reward system for those still in government, including himself.

It should worry every Nigerian that, like the honours awards so spectacularly devalued, Nigeria now has governors and presidents who site government institutions and giant projects in their hometowns and villages. In the light of the generally selfless leadership of the First Republic and the decade before, it is a scandal the appalling quality of leaders Nigeria has produced since the middle 1970s, leaders who have no sense of history, no sense of fairness, and no sense of the obligation nobility imposes.

Published and printed by Vintage Press Limited. Corporate Office: 27B Fatai Atere Way, Matori, Lagos. P.M.B. 1025,Oshodi, Lagos.

Telephone: Switch Board: 01-8168361. Editor Daily:01-8962807, Marketing: 01-8155547 . Abuja Office: Plot 5, Nanka Close AMAC Commercial Complex, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. Tel: 07028105302.

WEBSITE: www.thenationonlineng.net E-mail: info@thenationonlineng.net ISSN: 115-5302 Editor: GBENGA OMOTOSO